If you’ve missed the first two parts of this series, you’ll find them here:
Hormones Part I
Hormones Part II
Finally my hormone appointment rolled around and yesterday I flew to Brisbane. My original booked flight was cancelled so I ended up with the first flight out for the day. To say I had an early morning was an understatement. I forgot what 0330h looked like.
Lindy kindly took the day off from work and drove down to pick me up from the airport and take me to my appointment. She also spent the entire day with me. Friends like her are far and few between these days. Lindy’s a part of my immediate family now. She’s someone that’s there for me and that I can rely on now matter what. We’re kind of like yin and yang in that sense. We balance and compliment each other. It was great to see her shortly after such wonderful news too. Spending the day with her just reminded me of what it’s going to be like when I move up here. Only we won’t have to cram so much into so little time because we’ll have all the time in the world soon. Such bliss.
So I had my first consultation with Dr Kathy Gallagher. She was some what taken back when I told her I flew in for the day to see her from Melbourne. You can’t put a price on one’s health. I’m glad I made the effort to fly up and see her, it was a worth while investment. I’d been refereed to her so I knew I was in the very best of hands. Jade had also given me her opinion from a patients point of view about her and the treatment that she prescribed. I knew she was the right doctor for me but there’s always the “what if” factor when you start out with someone new. That’s been put to rest now. Now that I’m moving follow up appointments are going to be so much easier and cheaper.
The consult was thorough, very thorough. Lindy and I were both impressed. It lasted for about an hour and a half and it’s the beginning of a very long process. I took with me my Adrenocortex Stress Profile and I walked away with two more pathology slips for an extensive blood screening for IGF-1, s-B12, Red Cell Folate, s-Vitamin D, hs CRP, Iron Studies, T3, T4, TSH, ESR, HDL Cholesterol, E/LFT’s & FBC to name a phew and then there’s the Melatonin Saliva test I have to do at midnight. These two additional tests will give her a bigger picture of what’s going on with my hormones. The results will take approximately three weeks to get back to her and when they do I’ll call her office for a phone consult. I’ll only have to do that the one time because by the next stage of my treatment, I’ll be back living in Brisbane.
But in the meantime I’ve been prescribed some compound pharmaceuticals and supplements. The compound pharmaceuticals are DHEA & Progesterone. The supplements are Indolplex (DIM), Vitamin C & B Complex. The compound pharmaceuticals are made up in Sydney and then mailed out to me. As for the supplements, they’ll come from my trusted local supplement store, Evelyn Faye in South Melbourne.
I also had a Body Composition & Cellular Health Analysis done. Interesting stuff. It confirmed what we’d already expected, so we’re on the right path at least. She also noted that my adrenal function could be better. I’m obviously no where near as bad off as I was last year but I still have a way to go yet. I kind of guessed that but this obviously confirms it. So my journey with Adrenal Fatigue isn’t over just yet, but we’re getting there.
Now that we have a plan of action I feel so much more at ease. I just have to be patient and wait for my body to respond and look forward to a healthier happier future. My health is paramount and everything else comes second place in my life at the moment.
I think that’ll do for today. I’ll be back again soon to update how I’m progressing along with my treatment. Until then, take care.
“Chinese herbal medicine is part of a larger healing system called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbs are prescribed to restore balance to the opposing forces of energy, Yin and Yang. Disorders that may be treated include digestive problems, eczema and psoriasis, fatigue, gynaecological disorders and stress.”
A lot can be said for alternative medicines. In my personal experience I’ve had more success with alternative medicines than with western medicines. There’s always other options and I’m glad that I continue to look for them where my health’s concerned. Here’s something I found I thought I’d share with you. “The underlying principles of TCM are very different from traditional Western notions about health, illness and the workings of the body. Chinese herbs are prescribed to normalise imbalanced energy, or Qi (pronounced ‘chee’), that runs through invisible meridians in the body. Whether or not the philosophy is believed, studies have shown Chinese herbal medicines to be successful in treating a range of disorders, particularly gynaecological and gastrointestinal disorders.” ~ Better Health Channel Victoria I mean, did you know that more than three million Australians visit Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) every year, I didn’t until today. So they’re obviously doing something right, right.
Just look at love for example. We all know that it exists, but how do you prove it? You can’t. It’s not a physical object that you can test or study. But we all know it exists. There’s no right or wrong way here there’s just options. I’m not ignorant like some sceptics out there so I endeavour to keep and open mind and live by the policy that I’ll try anything once (within reason of course).
Our skin is our largest organ, so it’s important that we look after it. Each day I’m experiencing less and less itching and it isn’t as noticeably dry either. It’s healing up slowly and there hasn’t been as many new outbreaks which is a blessing.
So I’ll stick with the Chinese Herbs & Acupuncture and let it run its course. I’ll update again a little further down the track of this process.
If you missed my first post, here is the link: Chinese Herbs Part I
This is a book I have here at home on my book shelf. I’ve only just recently pulled it out again to refresh my memory due to a new direction I’m possibly heading in. Why, because I prefer a more holistic approach to my health and fitness and this book reinforces that. Paul Check is the author and it’s been a worthwhile investment. Just click on the image for the link.
I’m a bit eclectic in that I like to experience different things to see how how my body responds to it. How else do you learn what works and what doesn’t. Then I take the bits that work and apply them and discard the bits that don’t work to my health and fitness lifestyle. That way, what I’m doing is uniquely mine. It’s the only way to go if you ask me. They do say that variety is the spice of life and I’d have to agree with them.
Working with different coaches, trying different training programs, consuming different nutrition plans and experimenting with supplement is exactly what I’m talking about. Our bodies are forever changing so therefore what we do to them must also change to guarantee their effectiveness. I actually enjoy it because that way I’m always challenging my body and hopefully preventing the dreaded plateau.
So it doesn’t matter if it’s what you’ve always done or if it’s new. If it’s old school or the latest technology. Something is always better than nothing. Just don’t be afraid of trying, what ever it is. As long as you’re moving forward towards your goal and getting results, then you’re on the right path.
Here’s to eating, moving and being healthy!
For the last, god only knows how many years I’ve been trying to figure out what’s wrong with my skin. I’ve lived in three different states and seen three different dermatologists. All of them have conducted allergy tests on me followed up by multiple skin biopsies. Unfortunately though, the test results have all came back as inconclusive.
But alas, I continue on with the search because there’s always answer out there. I just haven’t found mine yet. Greg Dolman did a bodytalk session on me earlier this year and from that he suggested that my skin condition was an emotional issue and that I go and see a chinese herbalist and acupuncturist. So I found one, Dr. Keren Rochwerger B. H.Sc. & B.Bio Med.Sc. from Quiescence.
I had my first appointment on the weekend. After the initial consultation she performed acupuncture on me and then prescribed me chinese herbs. All the herbs are imported in and consist of roots, barks and peels of what I have no idea. I also bought a clay pot because this is what I had to steep them in three times whilst on the stove and then the remaining concoction is what I have to drink twice a day for the next two weeks.
This morning was the first time I drank it and what can I say, but it tasted disgusting. The second mouthful I almost dry reached it was that bad. But I’ll persevere with it because nothing in life worth having ever came easy. I have to try at least. I want nice healthy skin again and I’m willing to try almost anything to achieve that.
I go back again in two weeks time as I only have enough herbs for that time and for another acupuncture session. So we shall see. Until then, I’m hoping that drinking this concoction gets a little easier. Fingers crossed.
When it comes to my health and fitness there’s not much I wouldn’t try or do for it, within reason of course. But I’m not afraid of trying different things with the possibility of gaining something out of it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. So next month I’ll be seeing a specialist who’s going to help me with my hormones in Brisbane.
I’ve been seeing a doctor here who’s good at what she does but doesn’t specialise in female athletes. I’m not a woman who needs to get her hormones sorted out so that I can return to just a normal life. Instead I want someone who understands my goals who can help me get the most out of my body for the training effort that I’m putting in. Then and only then will I be able to grow the maximum muscle mass and lose this stubborn body fat which has been hampered by my abnormally high estrogen levels.
Some may think that flying interstate to see a specialist is some what outlandish. I how ever don’t put a financial value on my health and well being. I’ll pretty much do whatever it takes in order to help me achieve my figure goals.
Of course, this has thrown a spanner in the works for me this year but that’s just life. I will still continue to work towards being the best that I can be.
