Last time I was here, I was doing well. I had recovered from post-concussive syndrome and fibromyalgia. I had been off all my medications for a year. Things were hard but I was doing my best, and I was feeling okay.
And so, I fell back into old habits. I grew complacent, and I got lazy. I stopped taking care of myself.
I didn't really notice the first signs that something was wrong. The weight gain seemed like an over-correction after my gallbladder surgery restored my ability to eat. The tiredness and headaches seemed to be from the stress of grad school.
Then, it got creepy. Now, this is absolutely positively TMI. It's a little gross. I haven't told many people about this but here I am, opening up and trying to be honest about this. The first time I thought, "There is something wrong with me," was the night I discovered I was lactating. It's just a tiny bit and I don't "leak," but it's enough to make me feel awkward. I have gone up two cup sizes.
That realization was a year ago now. It took a long time to figure out what was happening. I suffered through repeated blood tests, an MRI of my pituitary, a bilateral breast ultrasound - my doctor threw everything at it that she could think of. Aside from elevated prolactin in my blood - that's the hormone that causes, you guessed it, lactation - everything came back normal. Finally she sent me to an endocrinologist. She pulled strings to get me an appointment in two weeks instead of four months.
I went to the appointment. The doctor reviewed my files. He told me that there's only one explanation that hasn't been ruled out: I have a tumor on my pituitary gland, called a pituitary adenoma. Since mine affects prolactin, it's called a prolactinoma. It didn't show up on MRI, which means it's very, very small. Less than three millimeters. But it's still a tumor. In my brain.
I freaked out.
My doctor and I decided not to put me on meds - my symptoms are commonplace to me now, and I don't react well to most medications so unless my prolactin levels rise, I experience infertility, or my symptoms worsen I don't need to put unnecessary chemicals into my body. A prolactinoma is a benign tumor that can usually be managed, but in severe cases may need to be surgically removed.
It took me a long time to get used to the idea that I have a brain tumor. I spent a lot of time on Google. I eventually found this blog: http://ihaveprolactinoma.blogspot.com and that's where I first heard about using natural healthcare, including essential oils, to deal with prolactinomas.
The blog's author founded a support group on Facebook, and I joined it and was thrilled to find myself surrounded by people going through the same thing as me. I learned that I am relatively lucky - my prolactin is slightly elevated (48 on the last test), but some women have levels more than ten times greater than mine. I heard their stories, and I knew that if they could get through this, then I can, too.
I ordered some essential oils, fell instantly in love, and have since become addicted to doTERRA essential oils. I wear a terracotta pendant every day, to constantly diffuse whatever oil I most need on any given day. I set up my bedside lamp as an oil diffuser. I have gotten half my coworkers interested in the oils, too.
They have helped me feel better. I switched from full-time to part-time at work. I started going to a heart rhythm meditation class with my coworkers. I found a new yoga studio (and got my butt kicked at the first class!). I am working towards being in control of my life and my body (within reason, of course), so I am learning to deal with stress, trying to lose weight, and hoping to get strong and fit.
And now I've taken one more step. I am starting a vitamin regimen created by doTERRA. By the way, I apparently have a page on doTERRA here. Anyway, on the advice of my IPC I ordered:
And so, I fell back into old habits. I grew complacent, and I got lazy. I stopped taking care of myself.
I didn't really notice the first signs that something was wrong. The weight gain seemed like an over-correction after my gallbladder surgery restored my ability to eat. The tiredness and headaches seemed to be from the stress of grad school.
Then, it got creepy. Now, this is absolutely positively TMI. It's a little gross. I haven't told many people about this but here I am, opening up and trying to be honest about this. The first time I thought, "There is something wrong with me," was the night I discovered I was lactating. It's just a tiny bit and I don't "leak," but it's enough to make me feel awkward. I have gone up two cup sizes.
That realization was a year ago now. It took a long time to figure out what was happening. I suffered through repeated blood tests, an MRI of my pituitary, a bilateral breast ultrasound - my doctor threw everything at it that she could think of. Aside from elevated prolactin in my blood - that's the hormone that causes, you guessed it, lactation - everything came back normal. Finally she sent me to an endocrinologist. She pulled strings to get me an appointment in two weeks instead of four months.
I went to the appointment. The doctor reviewed my files. He told me that there's only one explanation that hasn't been ruled out: I have a tumor on my pituitary gland, called a pituitary adenoma. Since mine affects prolactin, it's called a prolactinoma. It didn't show up on MRI, which means it's very, very small. Less than three millimeters. But it's still a tumor. In my brain.
I freaked out.
My doctor and I decided not to put me on meds - my symptoms are commonplace to me now, and I don't react well to most medications so unless my prolactin levels rise, I experience infertility, or my symptoms worsen I don't need to put unnecessary chemicals into my body. A prolactinoma is a benign tumor that can usually be managed, but in severe cases may need to be surgically removed.
It took me a long time to get used to the idea that I have a brain tumor. I spent a lot of time on Google. I eventually found this blog: http://ihaveprolactinoma.blogspot.com and that's where I first heard about using natural healthcare, including essential oils, to deal with prolactinomas.
The blog's author founded a support group on Facebook, and I joined it and was thrilled to find myself surrounded by people going through the same thing as me. I learned that I am relatively lucky - my prolactin is slightly elevated (48 on the last test), but some women have levels more than ten times greater than mine. I heard their stories, and I knew that if they could get through this, then I can, too.
I ordered some essential oils, fell instantly in love, and have since become addicted to doTERRA essential oils. I wear a terracotta pendant every day, to constantly diffuse whatever oil I most need on any given day. I set up my bedside lamp as an oil diffuser. I have gotten half my coworkers interested in the oils, too.
They have helped me feel better. I switched from full-time to part-time at work. I started going to a heart rhythm meditation class with my coworkers. I found a new yoga studio (and got my butt kicked at the first class!). I am working towards being in control of my life and my body (within reason, of course), so I am learning to deal with stress, trying to lose weight, and hoping to get strong and fit.
And now I've taken one more step. I am starting a vitamin regimen created by doTERRA. By the way, I apparently have a page on doTERRA here. Anyway, on the advice of my IPC I ordered:
- Women's Phytoestrogen Complex (hormone regulation)
- Alpha CRS+ (cellular vitality)
- xEO Mega (omega fatty acids)
- Microplex VMz (essential vitamins and minerals)
- DDR Prime (cellular renewal)
- Slim & Sassy oil blend (metabolism booster)
I am really excited because I know these have helped a lot of people and I fully trust doTERRA's quality standards. I have already been amazed by how well the oils work, and I am looking forward to increased energy and a general sense of well being, both of which are sorely lacking in my life right now.
I am optimistic about my life right now, and I feel that I am moving in the right direction. I am a little apprehensive about going from zero pills a day to sixteen but I think I can handle it. The support group has been a miracle for me, keeping me going and providing new ideas all the time. I don't know where I would be without them, or my oils. I hope that in thirty days I can say the same for my vitamins.
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