August 9, 2003
Peri-Zappers
Last week I saw the topic of Dr. Phil's show, "Hormones From Hell" and yelled for hubby to come watch it with me! My hope was that maybe he'd finally "get it" and stop thinking that I just make all this stuff up just as an excuse to be a bitch! He found it very enlightning, as did I.
I realized that what I thought was a mild depression that I've been experiencing off and on for the past 5 years, along with severe PMS symptoms is actually Peri-Menopause! I don't have all those symptoms, but the great majority. I was finally catching on when the night sweats, and irregular periods started, but otherwise I just figured my PMS symptoms had escalated 500% in the last 5 years. My doctor was of no help whatsoever. Even the ECG I had done a couple months ago was unnecessary as it is totally common in this stage of life too!
Since I had twigged on to this fact, I had ordered a book at the beginning of July "Before the Change" by Anne Louise Gittleman. It turned out this is the book that Dr. Phil's show was based on.
"Ann Louise is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and author of Before the Change, a book that guides women through the process of managing and relieving the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. She advocates a natural approach through good nutrition, vitamins and supplements, plus exercise to relieve the negative symptoms of PMS and perimenopause.
Ann Louise's "Peri Zapper" treatment worked for Robin McGraw, who still follows the routine daily, and says it's the reason "I feel healthier at 50 than I did at 40." from Dr. Phil's website.
Yesterday I started the vitamin/supplement regime. My exercise routine is already great, and my diet coincidentally follows her guidelines, so I've just added the vitamins.
This is part of the regime:
PERI ZAPPER TREATMENT
Flaxseed Oil
High in lignans, a natural hormone-balancing substance, flaxseed oil is as effective as hormone replacement therapy in lessening hot flashes and sweating. It's also good for depression and fatigue.
— Recommended dosage: 1 to 2 tbsp. a day. An alternative is to buy ground up flaxseed, and sprinkle it on top of your food (such as oatmeal and popcorn).
Evening Primrose Oil
Helps in relieving breast tenderness, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, headaches and water retention.
— Recommended dosage: Two weeks prior to the start of your period, take 1,000 mg a day - half in the morning, half at night - after food.
Multi-vitamins and Magnesium
Having sufficient amounts of the essential multivitamins listed below, along with magnesium, will help to relieve mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, tissue dryness, and water-retention.
Recommended to start with:
— Vitamin B complex, 50 - 100 mg a day
— Vitamin C, 1000 mg three times a day
— Vitamin E, 400 - 1200 iu a day
— Magnesium, 500 - 1000 mg before bed
Zinc
Helps to lower estrogen (too much is as bad as too little) and increase progesterone levels. Also helps to build strong bones and improve your immune system.
— Recommended dosage: 15 - 50 mg a day
Natural Progesterone Cream
This can help in relieving fuzzy thinking, fatigue and fat gain. Rub on your throat, the fleshy areas of the inner arms, and in the palms of your hand.
Exercise
Work out vigorously for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
De-stress
Stress amplifies symptoms and causes the body to produce the hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can cause diabetes and high blood pressure. Stress also zaps the body of essential minerals and vitamins.
Adrenal Refresher
At times of high stress, replacing lost minerals and vitamins can help the adrenal glands produce less stress hormones.
— Recommended: B complex vitamins, Vitamin C, Adrenal Gland Extract, green and yellow vegetables and sea vegetables.
Soy Phytoestrogens
Soy can help in diminishing the intensity of hot flashes and night sweats. Consume moderate amounts of soy isoflavone supplements.
There's a couple other things I still need to add to try, but I have to make a trip to GNC first.
This together with my glucosamine for joints, and I have a FISTFUL of pills to pop every morning. Hope it works!!!
Posted by Bev at August 9, 2003 9:41 AMI normally try to catch Dr. Phil but I missed this episode. Thanks so much for sharing the information. Please let us know how the regimine works for you. I know that I'm probably a good 10 or so years from this, but maybe I can increase that number if I implement some of these things into my routine NOW instead of waiting. I am already taking the Flaxseed Oil and most of the supplemental vitamins.
I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago at the age of 27. I have been on anti-depressants off and on. Could I be experiencing Per-menopause all these years? I recently had my yearly check up and asked my doctor about my moodiness and hot flashes. He told me that he could prescribe a medicine that would put me into menopause early and he suggested that I knot do that. Since that time my moods have gotten worse at times. My newlywed husband is about ready to turn in the towel. I guess I can't blame him. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Regina on December 11, 2003 5:32 AMI recently was singled our for a psychological evaluation and received a diagnosis of six or seven mental dysfunctions from an OB/GYN's staff psychologist. I was singled out because of a serious accident I had 13 years ago of which this medical practice knew. I've had low progesterone and estrogen dominance for years. My family,friends, and myself are devastated at this awful, incomplete, and ludicrous diagnosis. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist soon, in '04. I need instruction on what to ask him for that is a natural protocol.
Posted by: Glenda Besetzny on December 11, 2003 8:19 AM