I have never posted to your thread before. I have a couple of questions for you..... I am so emotionally and physically exhausted from this MLC ride from hell and I can see it is taking a huge toll on my body.
I am down to 105,( I am 5-3) dark circles under my eyes, my skin is breaking out, my energy level is at 0 and I can't do this anymore. I have been falling asleep alot at wierd times during the day, the lethargy justs hits me. I am probably depressed but fought so hard to get off of AD I really don't want to go back on them. Occasionally take Klonapin if feeling anxious but not very often, used to have to take it 2-3 times a day. I guess I need to get some vitamins so what do you suggest?
I have the B-complex stuff and the iron (as I am very Anemic)what else should I be doing.
I also started smoking again when H dropped the bomb so eventually that will have to go.
As you know I am really stressed out and I do try to take time for myself and relax a bit. I just feel like I am walking on eggshells all of the time, it isn't paranoia it is like I keep waiting for the next bomb to drop.
Thanks for your time, Faith X
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
Faith - I am not surprised that you are run down. You've been dealing with extraordinary amounts of stress, and I can't recall hearing any talk about self care on your thread.
Some things to consider: - your anemia. Is the cause known? Since iron deficiency is most common, it is sometimes ASSumed to be that, but there can be other causes. Iron deficiency usually occurs in women with heavy periods or poor iron intake, and usually responds within weeks to iron supplements unless the heavy bleeding continues. (Note - taking high dose iron supplements for a long time or without a proper diagnosis isn't a good idea because some people accumulate too much iron and that's toxic). Other causes of anemia include B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia, due to inability to absorb B12), folate deficiency (uncommon), hemolytic anemias (where your blood cells break down to easily) and some hereditary causes of anemia like hereditary spherocytosis. If your anemia is chronic, you should consider getting a more thorough workup when you get insurance coverage again.
- your fatigue - could have several causes. Poor iron stores, even without anemia, can cause fatigue. Depression of course, or poor quality nightime sleep can cause daytime sleepiness. General malnutrition if you are not eating properly due to stress. And given anxiety and weight loss, you ought to be screened for hyperthyroidism just in case.
Overall, I'd say you probably need to make changes in your daily living patterns. Eat healthy whole foods - eggs, red meat, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, nuts, avocados, dairy, fish, potatoes - your body needs the protein and good fats to rebuild from its malnourished state. Avoid processed foods, white flour and sugar, and caffeine because they will make your blood sugar bounce around and that will aggravate your anxiety and fatigue.
Keep a regular schedule and try to get 8 hours of sleep a night. Get some regular mild exercise, like a yoga tape or tai chi or walking. Set aside a few minutes for yourself each day to destress, even if it's just a bubble bath. You know how on airplanes they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping your children with theris? You will not be any help to any of them if you burn yourself out - you NEED to practice self-care.
Take a multi and a B-complex. A combined calcium, magnesium and zinc tablet might also be a good idea for you.
Make stress relief and self-care a priority, and you will end up with more energy for the things you need to do.
I have very bad periods but the Drs have always said there was nothing I can do about it. My eyes have a blue tint to them in the whites of my eye and I am an ice chewer. Dr said that just take iron but no other info.
With each pregnancy it has gotten worse to the point that the DRs all freak out after delivery of each baby because of the amounts of bleeding, I get shots and pitocin for that.
I think I will go and buy vitamins today H is concerned about my health too.
Thanks Faith X
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
If your periods are also heavy, I would recommend you try an additional iron pill three times a day for a month. Your periods may be heavy because you are anemic (it's a self-perpetuating thing) or they may be heavy because of hormonal issues (you might want to try birth control pills for a while, they will make your periods lighter). If you have access to a doctor right now, I would ask them to check your anemia.
Have you ever had unusual bleeding in any other situation besides childbirth (like during dental work, or difficulty stopping nosebleeds etc.)? Some people have minor genetic defects in their blood clotting mechanisms, not as serious as hemophilia but enough to cause problems in certain situations - do you know if they ever checked you for those? Has anybody ever mentioned Von Willebrand's disease?
Thanks again for checking out my thread. After reading your story you do have the "been there done that" t-shirt! I've been strap taping boxes together and just thought that in a pinch that this tape could be used in dire zinger circumstances to prohibit the zingers from zinging.
I'm glad in your thread you've touched on health issues as well. I had some health issues for several years and I'm sure played into the MLC issues as well. I'm much better and due to mild depression I'm on AD now to help handle the huge amount of stress. I'm thinking that simply working out more regularly would help a huge amount as well.
After the move I'm committing myself to make it to the work out room at least 3 days a week, hopefully bumping it up to 4 soon after. When the bomb hit I dropped 65lbs which was great--but a horrible reason/way to loose it. Over the post holidays I've managed to put back on 18 and I want it to stop. With the 18 I still have a good 38-45 lbs to loose and I'm going to do it. It's for me but not just for me--I have a S-4 to worry about as well and he needs a healthy Mommy.
Best regards & thanks for all the journaling. Taltexanna
My goal is to stop fighting with my husband and start fighting like hell for my marriage.
(Okay, before you get too jealous, mind you this was preceeded by an hour of S14 whining and wrangling over his homework until I almost strangled him...)
BUT - after the homework was done, S14 got H and I to join him in a jam session (D15 was too busy talking to her boyfriend). S14 plays electric guitar (he's getting really good, he's into Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa and Yngwe Malmsteen). A few days ago S14 discovered my old mountain dulcimer that I bought at a hippie fair in the 70's. He went online to figure out how to retune it and has been playing it ever since.
So - S14 on the dulcimer with a microphone next to it, H on acoustic guitar, me on keyboards and rhythym instruments - it was kind of like living out my childhood Partridge Family fantasies! I got to be Susan Dey without the eating disorder. I think I need to buy me a tambourine
