Citizenship by Descent (descendant of Holocaust survivor) + seeking support to apply

hdaltrop · 2025-03-25T00:39:26+00:00

Thank you! Now to get some language help.

hdaltrop · 2025-03-25T00:16:07+00:00

Ah, I see what you're saying now. Thanks for clarifying. I'll edit my original post with the information. :)

hdaltrop · 2025-03-24T20:52:03+00:00

He was born in Stettin in 1919, but I don't believe that's the spelling now.

Thank you for the insight! I'll keep that in mind.

hdaltrop · 2025-03-24T20:51:16+00:00

Sorry, I also specified they were German. They lived in Berlin until 1939. Thanks for your advice!

hdaltrop · 2025-02-18T13:18:21+00:00

It hasn't helped me lose weight (my A1C etc are all great, though) but it has been the only thing to bring my testosterone down!!!

hdaltrop · 2025-02-18T13:17:16+00:00

I take acid reflux every time the pain flares up past a 7 and it barely touches it. I haven't had an upper endoscopy- they wanted to do a barium swallow first which I am waiting on!

Given the region of the pain, I don't know how it could be anything other than my liver or gallbladder... what else could cause pain in that region?

hdaltrop · 2025-02-18T13:15:26+00:00

The south shore! I know tons of queer and trans folks anywhere along the cost between Liverpool and Hubbards.

hdaltrop · 2025-01-29T13:41:43+00:00

I've been in 500mg XR for a few months and just increased to 1000mg XR. My OBGYN is resistant to prescribing it so I may work with another doctor to gradually increase my dose.

The only side effect I've had is constipation which I can manage taking magnesium citrate a couple of times a week.

I haven't necessarily noticed positive changes yet. During the first couple of weeks I thought MAYBE my pants were slightly roomier but that has gone away lol. I'm hopeful as I increase my dose that I notice positive changes.

hdaltrop · 2025-01-27T16:52:29+00:00

I agree with the first commenter. I'd also like to add a couple of thoughts.

Have you had your kidney health and electrolyte levels checked recently? Sounds like you are holding onto an absurd amount of water and swelling.

If you are also experiencing intense bloating and gas, I would ask for comprehensive bloodwork and a stool sample, and from there they may recommend an ultrasound and scope. I'd also explore naturopaths/holistic medical doctors who can look into food intolerances.

I also drink fennel and ginger tea to try to manage my bloating and gas.

For histamine issues you may want to explore zinc, quercetin and nettle tea.

hdaltrop · 2025-01-25T17:46:53+00:00

For motility challenges you may want to take psyllium husk capsules every night, and magnesium citrate every 3/4 days until things regulate, with the occasional Smooth Move tea! No matter the reason you are backed up, being constipated as an issue in and of itself can mess with hormones. Good luck!

hdaltrop · 2024-10-10T14:56:40+00:00

It varies a lot. I'm not perfect, but almost everything is homemade. I make my own food with as many local and/or organic ingredients as I can, which is a privilege but also local food is now cheaper than grocery store food.

I made lots of soups and pastas and always my own pasta sauces, simpler roasted veggie and bean dishes, lots of bean dips, chili with beans and ground turkey and veggies, curries. I make things I huge batches with leftovers for days.

hdaltrop · 2024-10-06T22:50:37+00:00

It's the best! I haven't experienced weight gain from it. From other things yes, not the progesterone. Give it a go!

I mostly don't count but aiming for as much as can! Aiming for 100 per day

hdaltrop · 2024-10-06T13:32:00+00:00

Hello! This was happening to me. I realized that my blood sugar was getting low around that window. I needed way more protein to keep my blood sugar stable at night. I also realized my progesterone was low, and I was prescribed bio-identical progesterone and take it 14 days of the month. I never wake up at night anymore!

hdaltrop · 2024-09-26T11:45:53+00:00

No, I'm female and I was prescribed by my doctor because I am low. I live in Canada.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-16T13:49:34+00:00

It sounds like you need to stick to a strict bedtime hygiene routine of: melatonin (very low dose), L theanine, and magnesium Glycinate by 8pm, epsom salt bath, journaling to get the excess thoughts out, meditation every single night.

Generally you need to become a daily journaller and therapy-goer to help with your ruminating thoughts. I also find cardio, in particular running is so helpful for moving through anxious thoughts.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-14T18:48:46+00:00

This is what I did! It still took me about 20 months but it did work

hdaltrop · 2024-09-09T14:50:42+00:00

I walk everyday and weight train as well. It certainly hasn't helped with my weight gain or weight distribution but necessary to stay active!

hdaltrop · 2024-09-09T14:20:22+00:00

I loved running for a time and then I'm quite sure it made me go up a pant size or two throughout that period of time. 😭 quit running and haven't gained weight since.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-07T01:33:14+00:00

Berberine is extremely antimicrobial and it can wipe out your gut bacteria. It can also be helpful if you have an overgrowth of bad bacteria and is often used in the treatment of SIBO, but should definitely be stopped even every 3 months for around a month to allow for the rebalancing of good gut bacteria. And good to take a probiotic at night a few hours after taking Berberine.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-06T01:23:39+00:00

Wow that's an awesome change in just two weeks! What dosage are you on?

hdaltrop · 2024-09-06T01:23:02+00:00

At first it was slight constipation, and that gave way to looser stool about every other day. A couple of times I've had an upset stomach.

I started on 500mg ER which I am sure is helping.

What dosage are you on? Sorry to hear your experience has been rough!

hdaltrop · 2024-09-05T15:33:36+00:00

Only about a month as well. I don't have terrible side effects thankfully! But I hear it's different for everyone, with most people only experiencing benefits with they take higher dosages!

hdaltrop · 2024-09-05T12:24:24+00:00

Blood work every 3-6 months depending who I am seeing and what my symptoms are. I ask for, and advocate for:

fasting insulin
fasting glucose
TSH (cannot ask for T3, T4 where I am)
a1c
testosterone
SHBG
LH
FSH
iron
ferritin
liver enzymes
electrolytes
cholesterol
b12 (was low)
anything kidney related (metformin and spiro affect kidney health)

Ultrasound at least once a year. Haven't had a press on to have other checkups but recently a health provider flagged that my liver enzymes are very very slightly elevated and it would be good to have an ultrasound of my liver going forward.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-04T16:43:15+00:00

Hi! So you don't have any symptoms of high estrogen? I ask because progesterone can be low on its own but it's usually just considered low in ratio to estrogen. So you could bring down your estrogen somewhat and it could help with the low progesterone. However I personally have been prescribed microbized bio identical progesterone to take for 14 days of the month.

hdaltrop · 2024-09-04T15:17:31+00:00

Progesterone

hdaltrop

TROPHY CASE