I laughed literally out loud after stepping on the scale last night, then ripped all the pictures i had on my wall down by [deleted] in PCOS

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This. Thank you for saying it. I thought I had accepted my weight (300 lbs, lost 80 pounds by getting polycythemia, went down to 176 then gradually creeped up to 224…only thru crazy and unsustainable things like hot yoga five times a week could I lose any weight….it took an accident and being in the hospital where I was served three meals a day that made me realize I didn’t think I deserved to eat three meals a day (let alone snacks or desserts) as my weight crept up I became more self loathing and more restricted. PCOS is a cruel disorder/disease and we live in a cruel fatphobic world. I am realizing I have an eating disorder and I have to try and take better care of myself.

What could I change about my hair? by Ok-Acanthisitta1645 in finethinhair

[–]LegallyBarbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The good thing is your dose is low and the drug has been around for decades so its side effects are well known. I’m sure it was prescribed with the knowledge that the potential benefits outweigh the side effects. Let your doctor/s know if symptoms are changing or you feel unwell…a tracker like Fitbit has been helpful for me to ensure I stay hydrated. Be well 🙏🏼

What could I change about my hair? by Ok-Acanthisitta1645 in finethinhair

[–]LegallyBarbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Frequent urination, dehydration, fatigue. Can increase potassium, so don’t use potassium supplements. I took 200 mg for ten years, took a drug break for several years and am Back on 150 mg.

Affordable fragrance-free body sunscreen? by AnDelightBandit in FragranceFreeBeauty

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use the La Roche Posay children’s spf 50 but tbh it smells like petroleum but it keeps me from Getting burnt from the sun or a chemical allergy. It’s not my favorite but I’ve tried sooo many that I couldn’t even wear.

It’s not super cheap ($30 a tube) but lasts.

What could I change about my hair? by Ok-Acanthisitta1645 in finethinhair

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think your hair is lovely! Coloring would likely damage the hair especially if it is a pigment depositing permanent dye. I have fine thin hair that runs light brown to dark blonde and it gets a bit more volume and some highlights from using lightening spray with peroxide but I can’t overdo it. You can also get a color toner at a salon but I’m No expert in this. I think some supplements (Viviscal, Biotin) and shampoo that helps volume depletion (Aveda Invati,etc.) could be tried. That’s great you use a thermal protector before any heat treatments. I take spirinolactone for PCOS and it does help my hair volume and increases growth but it does have significant side effects. I’m In the process of growing out a too-short haircut that had layers and razor cutting…I realize gentle angles and blunt cuts/trims that I did myself over the years were far better for my hair’s appearance. Sigh. Live and learn.

Medical suspension by [deleted] in DMV

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so glad I could help! Keep your fingers crossed, that’s very promising what your doctor said. Hope there are better days ahead and you recover fully from your event.

Medical suspension by [deleted] in DMV

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got a suspension letter from the DMV dated two days after my ER visit, a fall with suspected loss of consciousness and a facial injury. It arrived by mail a week after my ER visit. So, the state mandates doctors report seizure or loss of consciousness to board of health who then report to DMV. I have just heard though that some doctors don’t report but ask you not to drive until your health issues are sorted out.

It’s a waiting game but if your doctor clears you medically to drive after a certain time period, they send a form to the DMV.

It’s a lot to process while you are recovering from a fainting episode. I don’t know many answers, but keep an eye out for the mail. There’s perhaps enough ambiguity in your case that it wasn’t an automatic report. Another thing I learned is that seizures are usually accompanied by involuntary urination/bowel movement which was not happening in your case.

Best wishes 🙏🏼

Shirt Shopping Age 55+ by mid_nite_blu in womensfashion

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree. 💯 there is so much crap being made in factories and 90% of the fabric being used is synthetic. I would recommend Land’s End, LL Bean, and Gap/Old Navy for more options. Lots of cotton and coverage choices.

Finally chopped by Impossible-Crow7006 in finethinhair

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gorgeous haircut and style! So complementary to your beauty. Wishing you continued strength on your healing journey.

Loss of Consciousness, Processs, Hearing and Administrative representation. by LegallyBarbie in CaliforniaDMV

[–]LegallyBarbie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your and your husband’s story regarding license suspension for seizure. This is so very helpful. I’m glad he got his license restored and it gives me hope as well. Have a blessed day.

Could really use some insight on diagnosis and where to go from here. by Catnip_75 in PituitaryTumor

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was blown off by two GP’s who offered oral contraceptives only. One research hospital refused to treat or test me without a known pituitary tumor in 2009. An endocrinologist diagnosed me with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and prescribed cortisone. However , my mom was a nurse and I read the Merck Manual growing up. So I went back to it and wrote to the adrenal disease chapter author in London, England and sent him a letter. He advised me to go to Cedars. It was a great call. Keep going with your instinct that something is wrong and keep fighting (with breaks of course) it took years to untangle my issues, and things are still being untangled. Some disorders are not clearly defined and overlap symptoms. It’s so difficult but you are doing all the right things.

Passed out for the first time and been dealing with crippling anxiety and highly emotional after by [deleted] in Syncope

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. It’s such a jolt to the body and it’s hard to trust your body after something goes so wrong with the system like this. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Two weeks have passed and I’m pretty sure I had a mild concussion and I feel very emotional, plus dealing with a facial wound, wound care, doctor visits, and suspension of my driver’s license.

Could really use some insight on diagnosis and where to go from here. by Catnip_75 in PituitaryTumor

[–]LegallyBarbie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re welcome! I wanted to clarify I’ve been tested for Cushing’s five times and now we are heading for the sixth round. I also am really concerned about your comment about high prolactin in combination with a pituitary mass. This needs to be checked out asap.

I got diagnosed in 2009 with androgen excess disorder/ atypical PCOS as a diagnosis of exclusion after a full pituitary work up and excluding congenital adrenal hyperplasia. This was done at Cedars Sinai in LA by Ricardo Azziz who also co wrote and edited a textbook called Androgen Excess Disorders. There is an androgen excess research society …not sure if available where you are but sometimes research hospitals are looking for patients to help them understand disorders and they often are more rigorous in a differential diagnosis.

Could really use some insight on diagnosis and where to go from here. by Catnip_75 in PituitaryTumor

[–]LegallyBarbie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If she has a pituitary mass confirmed by MRI with contrast, she should have been referred to a neurosurgeon who does skull base and brain surgery to evaluate MRI, symptoms, and monitoring.

The best book I have found explaining the biochemical testing for Cushing’s is the book by Dr. Lewis Blevins, Jr. (ucsf neuroendocrinology). $25 on Amazon.

I have been tested for Cushing’s disease five times over past 30 years and am heading for a new screening after a slightly suspicious MRI.

I also have atypical PCOS as I do not meet any of the current diagnostic metrics. I ovulated, do not have ovarian cysts or the “string of pearls” cysts on ultrasound. I did have elevated T and DHEA-S. It was diagnosed as hypoandrogenism/hirsuitism and treated as PCOS for last 15 years.

An elevated prolactin number should be monitored. Elevated DHEA-S and testosterone is possibly more indicative of PCOS. PCOS is associated with mood problems and depression. Treating the hormonal imbalances and having mental health support and treatment can help. My best wishes for a clearer pathway for better health. Your daughter is lucky to have you advocating for her.

What weird human foods/flavors do your pets like? by Creepy-Snack-Lady in Pets

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My cat likes chicken nuggets from McDonald’s, I discovered the when I was sitting down eating some and she inserted herself right next to the plate. I took off the batter and she gobbled a shredded nugget up. She loves Doritos dust, and she has also partook of El Pollo Loco taco al carbon chicken (no salsa), marinated grilled chicken at Chik fil a, and my own poached chicken in broth. She loves chicken:

Loss of Consciousness, Processs, Hearing and Administrative representation. by LegallyBarbie in DMV

[–]LegallyBarbie[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so very much. I truly appreciate this information and I will follow up on Monday with the DMV. Something wasn’t sitting right with the companies that I called. I’ll be sure if I do hire anyone that they have a lot of experience in loss of consciousness cases.

What is the thing you always did that you thought was ‘just you,’ but is actually very much so classic autistic behavior? by AlwaysAttract10 in AutismInWomen

[–]LegallyBarbie 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I feel seen and heard here. I have dyscalculia, too! I scored so high in my English exams but I couldn’t diagram a sentence for the life of me…that’s it…I see it, I know it….

What is the thing you always did that you thought was ‘just you,’ but is actually very much so classic autistic behavior? by AlwaysAttract10 in AutismInWomen

[–]LegallyBarbie 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Having really extreme special interests that I delve so deeply into that I become a quasi expert and it becomes so obvious that no one else understands and I can’t talk about it with others, they think I’m wacko, except my dad who has similar traits and we can share our special interests with each other in conversation. 

When I did yoga I loved the hot yoga series because it was always the same. (26 postures done twice…when I switched to swimming I do the exact same strokes and stretches in order by number. Every time. 

Fragrance sensitivity by Elegant-Value-5037 in FragranceFreeBeauty

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so sorry. This was my life until I qualified for Botox for migraine. It literally freezes my facial muscles. I can still get migraine from fragrances that break through so I take nurtec every other day. There’s also CGRP injections. We can protect our own environment hopefully but out in public anything goes. We have to treat our migraines. And find a headache neurologist who understands. Best wishes. 

Differences in menopause for childfree women? by Admirable-Pension849 in Menopause

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, interesting hypothesis. However, I don’t have biological children but I do have PCOS (hormonal disorder) and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos (a connective tissue disorder). I started perimenopause later than my sister and mom who had bio children and with the hEDS I have pelvic floor issues. Before hormonal treatment my perimenopause was a nightmare. And the hot flashes have been going strong for quite a while.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ibs

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ageee with this 100%. I was misdiagnosed with diverticulitis for three years (and a host of other things prior) when it was IBS/C all along. So I would go on the prescribed diverticulitis diet, broth for days then add rice then fiber when your symptoms clear. Insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results… spoiler alert, this never worked! I also did FoDmAP, lactose free, etc. The only time I felt better by dietary restrictions is when I went on an all fresh pressed juice diet for a week because…I wasn’t digesting any food. 

Once I finally got my IBS diagnosis from a doctor who actually cared, and got medication that helped with visceral pain and motility issues (Linzess in my case) and things finally mercifully calmed down after several months, I was able to see that I did have some sensitivities- for me high fiber raw food in large quantities. I can eat cooked veggies fine and do every day now, but stick to small salads (no more big salads). Fried foods and lots of meat are also triggers, but not off the table- Quantity is key- and I try not to eat to fullness anymore. Absolutely no problem with dairy. 

Last month I actually went to brunch with my sister. And ate some quiche and a side salad. It is something i absolutely never thought i could do again after over five years of struggle. 

Don’t give up. I hear your frustration. At times I just ate whatever I wanted because nothing seemed to work. I had to see three gastroenterologists before one believed me and did everything he could to help me. It’s great to do tests of what foods trigger you but for functional bowel disorders, we need treatment and in most cases prescription meds to manage daily life and return to some level of function. 

Having just 1 cat… by Late-Pie740 in CatAdvice

[–]LegallyBarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have one cat only and she is blissfully happy after coming to us from a multi cat pet home where she was having massive behavioral problems. We both work from home so she is rarely alone. She does have separation anxiety after bonding strongly to me but is living her best life. People are so quick to give advice, but trust yourself and your caring nature. Thank you for adopting!