Wellness

[wagirl]

UPDATE--

 So, as usual, I am stressing over things that may look awful on paper or on screen-my chart---but are really not that bad. I am going to resume the Repatha injections for another 3 months, so that is 3 shots in 3 days each month, then got my BP meds increased and the kidney issue--is nothing--still in the normal range so nothing to do about that, and the A1c, continue to re vamp  my diet, my activity level. Will go back in January for lipid labs and then if things don't improve, onward to something different.

[wagirl]

@juanitalinda --wow--am surprised you remember all that? Yes, insomnia is still a thing and  even more so, especially after the last 2 months with a very sick cat and then having to euthanize her a few weeks back--still makes me cry. So that is hanging over me too. Sadness and stress-----hard to get under control I guess. But at least knowing what those dang results actually mean, helps.

thanks----

[wagirl]

@jlkz --I do have familial high cholesterol and have been doing battle with that for decades-----can't take any statins at all and is the reason for the Repatha, which did very well for me the last 2 years. Nothing I can do will improve those numbers either--diet, exercise or any natural supplement--have tried all that. My A1c is due more in part to the repatha but diet will improve that too. It's more about my lack of sleep and then let's throw in stress and there you are!! 

[wagirl]

@GingerHead ---yes that is me too, but I also have a better than average HDL--also a hereditary thing so that is going for me. Had hormone driven breast cancer, so estrogen is not my best friend. Been on this cholesterol thing since I was 22---am 71 now. 

[wagirl]

@smoochy ---we have a plan of action ----will see him in January.

[GingerHead]

@wagirl 

Well, at least you have the higher HDL thing going for you, thankfully I do too.

Yes, once that estrogen goes many women see their lipid numbers shoot up.

Hope you/we can get those numbers decent!

[wagirl]

@GingerHead --am interested in what other hormones I am low in. Maybe that is the area I need to look into. I know my testosterone is low----but what others are  too?

[GingerHead]

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@wagirl wrote:

@GingerHead --am interested in what other hormones I am low in. Maybe that is the area I need to look into. I know my testosterone is low----but what others are  too?

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@wagirl 

    Oh my, I am no expert in hormones but do know that the loss of Estrogen during menopause has been a big thing that effected me for the worse and then went on to learn that this is common.

Hormones are the messengers that regulate virtually every physiological process in the body and

if one is out of wack the whole system is affected.

"Estrogen in particular is protective, helping to lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol by making LDL receptors in the liver work more efficiently." (copied and pasted that, haha)

Which makes sense because if you think about it most of the chronic diseases and cancers hit us once we go through Menopause (heart disease, osteoporosis,cancers, etc).

Progesterone might have some lesser effects, thyroid hormones (if you're low it can increase LDL and trig), also high cortisol (stress hormones) can definitely effect your lipids for the worse.

Also stress hormones can trigger changes that may lead to higher blood sugar and inflammation (something else it sounds like you're dealing with), causing the liver to produce more cholesterol and triglycerides. 

It sounds like you have been put through the ringer lately with the loss of your sweet love Echo. I'm so sorry about that. Just that stress alone and lack of sleep would wreck havoc on you and your whole system!

One thing you can do today that doesn't take any medicine or doctors orders is to just try to take extra care of yourself and concentrate on de-stressing in any way you can, deep breathing and getting good quality sleep. Sleep is soooo underestimated in it's importance to our health.  

Take care of yourself! And keep us updated

[GingerHead]

@wagirl 

Also you mentioned Testosterone. Supplementing with that could be helpful or harmful depending. That could be something you could look into and experiment with as well, with your doctors help.

[jlkz]

@wagirl 

I can deal with most things but the lack of decent sleep is difficult.  When I worked the midnight shift in the computer room of a large corporation, the weight came on....it seemed food tried to compensate.

Then I just decided to forget the clock and if I was getting sleepy from reading, then I went to bed in a darkened room.  Needed earplugs to quiet the regular daytime noises.  

Grieving imposes another layer of stress to all the other stresses you're dealing with.  Even " good " stress is a stress that impacts us.

I hope things stabilize / even out for you soon !