It's been a little over three weeks since I started tapering off the medications I've been on for the past 18 months. If you're new to my health world, I was on bio-identical hormones for a multitude of health conditions (PCOS, hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue). Quite a few of my major symptoms disappeared or eased while I was on them (joint pain, mood swings, more regular periods, fatigue, and so on), but a few in particular were only making my life worse. Much worse.

My acne (one of the main symptoms I'd originally gone in with) had not only persisted but gotten 100x worse going from moderate to severe. And even though my periods were much more regular, I was still experiencing terrible headaches and cramping several weeks out of the month.

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I've been extremely frustrated with my health lately. I'm usually at a heightened sense of frustration, but the past few weeks have hit me hard. To the point that I'm feeling hopeless, desperate, and just plain lost in the sea of chronic conditions.

My diabetes isn't the main issue, even though it's always a source of stress in my life. Mostly, I feel like I'm just going along with my diabetes at the moment until my doctor's appointment later in the summer. I'm keeping up with my insulin, eating normally, exercising, and all that...just not focusing on making changes. I feel like I don't know where to make the next change, so I just want a break to absorb what I have right now (which are averages in the 150's).

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It's been eight months since I started the bio-identical hormone treatment. I've seen progress. I've seen some setbacks in my progress. Overall, the last eight months have been interesting, slightly grueling, and very trying on my patience.

Between the supplements and medications that I take, my blood sugars have seen highs and lows. I have no idea how much this process has affected my blood sugars, but I do know that it certainly plays a part. I'm always wondering which supplement raises blood sugars and which lowers. I try to watch for trends, but it's too much to handle when you're taking this many supplements and prescriptions.

Just how many supplements and prescriptions am I supposed to take (I say supposed because I seem to lack discipline in this area)? Well here's my daily list:

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Lexi_con

Progesterone is best known for causing the monthly gift that so many women dread. It peaks suddenly right before that time of the month and causes the uterine lining to be shed. There are other things that progesterone is not as well known for, but are equally important. It inhibits breast tissue overgrowth (meaning less cause for breast cancer), increases metabolism (weight loss), and mobilizes fluid (no more water retention). Progesterone thins the blood (lowering the risk for blood clots), stimulates bone growth (prevents osteoporosis), enhances the thyroid, and so on.

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ThomasThomas

I met with my bio-identical hormone specialist on Tuesday. They drew blood, so we'll see what physical differences can be seen from my treatment. I've had a lot of success with relief of symptoms (regular periods, acne clearing, less fatigue, more energy, better moods).

I am still on cortisol, progesterone, and several kinds of supplements (one to help me sleep, one to lower my cholesterol/triglycerides, one to raise my vitamin levels). I started out on the thyroid, but had some side effects and went off of it. The plan was to get my other hormone levels stabilized then retry the thyroid.

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