A1C & Other Blood Tests without Insurance - How to Save Money

Have no health insurance but need a blood test done?  Shop around!   A few phone calls and a short drive saved me $40.

Finding a lab to have blood tests done at was actually a bit of a challenge.   I started by googling "Lab Test" which brought up links to somewhat shady looking websites where I could pay up front for tests.  Some of these pages had sections about "Finding a Local Testing Facility" where you could search for a local location.  This gave me phone numbers to call.  I also found using Google Maps to be helpful.

After some reading, I discovered that there are two large Diagnostic companies in the United States, Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp.  It seems that most other websites are just making money on referrals.  So you can find locations by searching those websites for nearby labs.  But finding out prices turned out to be much more difficult!

A little background info.  On the advice of my doctor, who told me to not go to the lab in her building because they would charge a small fortune, I went to LabCorp last time.  I didn't like them.  Their office was messy and they were very disorganized.

So I tried to find out the price for Quest.  Their website has lots of information, but nothing about cost.  So I called them.  At first, I got the run around. After calling for the third time, and selecting just the right numbers to press on their automated system, I finally got to a live person (hint: you need to select "billing").  But, when I asked them the cost, they hung up on me!

Fortunately, I found another place on Google Maps called AnyLabTestNow.  They gave me the prices over the phone - $49 for the A1C Test and $49 for the Basic Metabolic Panel that my doctor ordered.  Note, I had a labwork order from my doctor, but AnyLabTestNow advertises that you can get any test without a doctor's order.  (Well, a sign on their door said that they couldn't do Ebola or Flu tests, so maybe it should be really called almostAnyLabTestNow!)

With those prices in mind, I went to the closest Quest Diagnostics location in person.  They told me that the total price, including the draw fee, was $139.  I said no thank you, and went to the AnyLabTestNow place.

I started to worry if there would be a "draw fee" tacked on, or any additional fees or taxes, but there wasn't.  The price was exactly as quoted, the staff friendly, and the place was clean.

But what's the biggest surprise of all?  AnyLabTestNow sends the lab test to Quest Diagnostics!  So I saved $40 and got the test done by the same lab!!   I told the person working at AnyLabTestNow about how it was cheaper for me to have the blood drawn there and she was stunned.  Now, my guess is that AnyLabTestNow has a contract for lower pricing than what Quest gives to uninsured individuals.  It turns out that AnyLabTestNow is a nationwide business, so they may have one near you.  You can search their site to find out.   Of course I can't verify that they always use Quest, or that they will continue to do so in the future, but this is quite an insight for the price conscious consumer!

Why Quest doesn't offer a discount or coupon for self-pay is anyone's guess, but the lesson I've learned is that comparing medical prices can really pay off!

I encourage you to shop around and you might find an equally surprising deal! Don't go to a hospital lab because according to my doctor and Forbes Magazine*, they cost more.  Maybe you'll find a cheaper independent lab, but if not, you may find a storefront that sends its tests to Quest for cheaper.  And you may be able to order the test online to get a cheaper price as well, but buyer beware - do your research first!

All that said, $98 is still a lot of money for two lab tests, so next time I may see if I can use the A1C Now Home Self Check Test, which is currently selling for $39 and you get 2 tests for that price!  The test results only take 5 minutes and it is supposed to be "lab accurate." I asked me doctor what she thought about it and she said that some doctors use it in their offices so she thought it was probably fine.  I may buy it and bring it to my next doctor appointment!

* An Interesting Article: Blood Money: LabCorp and Quest Turn Medical Testing Into Cash

Natural Menstrual Cramp Relief - What really works?

I've tried a lot of supplements and "natural" products for my crippling menstrual cramps, and the only one that works for me is curcumin.  Curcumin is an extract from the yellow spice turmeric, which is used in Indian cuisine.  However, in its solo form it is not well absorbed by the body, so the product I use actually combines curcumin phytosomes  with phosphatidylcholine to greatly increase absorption (other products combine it with black pepper, which is also an effective formula).

Curcumin Phytosome

The exact brand/product I've been taking is Doctor's Best Meriva Phytosome Curcumins 500mg Vegetable Capsules.  I take one capsule twice a day, every day (not just during PMS time).   Curcumin is known to reduce inflammation and has been used for other kinds of pain and its general anti-oxidant properties.  I actually started taking it for other medical reasons and was surprised by its positive effect on my time of the month.

Before taking curcumin, I had crippling cramps, that even full prescription strength ibuprofen couldn't relieve.  Also, accompanied with the cramps, I was getting diarrhea that hurt so much that I felt like I was going to puke.  The one thing that did work for my cramps was birth control pills but after taking them for 10 years, I began to worry about the risks (blood clots).   So I decided it was time to ditch the oral contraceptives and try something natural.  

I also like heat pads.  You can use the old fashioned plug-in type, or if you need something more portable, you can wear Thermacare Heatwraps under your clothes.  They provide 8 hours of heat!  They have special heatwraps for menstrual cramps, but other ones can work too. Check out this comparison of thermacare heat wraps.

I tried a lot of other products, but none consistently delivered results.  The problem with "testing" these alternative remedies is that I couldn't tell if they were working after just one cycle because some months were easier than others... So my search for a solution has been a long one.  I've been experimenting for years.

All women are different, and what doesn't work for me, might work for you.  Sometimes you have to keep trying until you find something that works.

Here's everything that I've tried:

Curcumin:  My winner!  I use Doctor's Best Meriva Phytosome Curcumins 500mg Vegetable Capsules.

Magnesium: No cramp relief for me, but it does seem to help with PMS sadness.   Try a chelated type like Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium for maximum effect and no side effects!

Fish Oil - I tried high dose for months, but sadly, it has no noticeable effect on me.

Progesterone Cream - I thought it was helping at first, but then it stop working.  I'm not sure if this is a good idea.  While it's natural, it is still a hormone and may have risks associated with it. (The brand I tried was: Source Naturals Natural Progesterone Cream)

Natrol PMS Control - A blend of herbs, like Gymnema Extract, Dong Quai Extract, Ginger Extract, Parsley, St John's Wort, and more.   It didn't help my cramps.  However, many of the ingredients seem to have merit for other ailments.  For example, I use Ginger for dizziness, and St John's Wort works as an anti-depressant for many.   They do prescribe an anti-depressant for PMS (Fluoxitine or Prozac) but that's for the mood symptoms rather than the cramps.

I hope the above list of what I've tried helps.  Remember to always discuss supplements with your doctor and check for interactions.  "Natural" does not equal safe!


More Information - Websites I Recommend

Menstrual Pain - University of Maryland Medical Center.  They have information on symptoms, causes, and treatment, including nutrition, herbs, and supplement suggestions.

Examine.com: Curcumin - Scientific information with summary of studies and effects.

Lithium Orotate Dosage

This post is about the dose of lithium orotate I take, and how I take it.  It's not about what dose you should take.  I am not a doctor, and can not make any guess on how much, if any, would help you.

I have been taking lithium orotate for many years now to treat my bipolar disorder.  Currently, I take 3 pills of the Vitamin Research brand of Lithium Orotate. Each pill contains 4.8mg of elemental lithium.  I take 2 in the morning and 1 at night.  I don't know if a split dose is necessary - it's just how I've always done it.

If I miss a dose, I usually don't notice anything.  I only start getting increased symptoms if I go without taking it for a couple of days.  So I think it has a fairly long half-life.  But that's just a guess.

I have previously taken 4 pills a day, but now I can manage on just 3.  Some of this might have to do with the fact that I've lost some weight.  There are many medications where the required dose depends on body weight, and it's possible that lithium orotate is one such medicine, but that's also just speculation.

Lots of medicines require regular dosing before the full effect is felt.  If this holds true for lithium orotate, the full effect might not be felt until taking it for several days to a week.   I try to stick to a regular schedule.  I use a pill box to help me to remember to take it.  It also prevents accidental double dosing.  I have in the past taken the Advanced Research brand and the Doctor's Best brand (now discontinued).  I've noticed no difference in effectiveness and usually buy whatever brand is cheapest.  Both the Advanced Research brand the Vitamin Research brands have some quality control issues.  Occasionally, the Advanced Research brand had broken tablets and the Vitamin Research brand has crushed capsules.  Not a huge issue, but something I would be amiss to not mention.

The dosing for lithium orotate can be confusing because there are two numbers that are usually listed on the bottle. First, there is a higher number, like 120-130mg, which is the amount of lithium orotate in each capsule or tablet.  Then, there is a lower number, usually around 5mg, and that's the actual amount of lithium.  The orotate molecule that the lithium is attached to is heavier than the lithium, and that's why you only get about 5mg of lithium from a 125 mg pill.  

How to Stop Bipolar Disorder from Ruining Your Life

Fourteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.  While some days are still a struggle, approximately 90% of the time I feel fine.  Here are my tips to surviving this illness.

1. Don't make big decisions while feeling sick

If you are suffering from depression or mania, don't make a big decision.  That means, don't end a relationship, don't make a big purchase, and don't quit your job.  So that you don't regret anything, you should try to be as normal as possible and tell yourself that you need to think about the decision when you are feeling better. 

Distorted thoughts are commonplace in mood episodes.  Even non-bipolar people make big decisions at the wrong time.   Your moods might push you into making the wrong decision. 

Instead of making that big decision, write about it in your journal, talk to a therapist about it, and sleep on it.  Get the medication and treatment you need, and when you're feeling better, reconsider it then.

2. You are not your illness

Your brain is going to lie to you.   You will have thoughts that you do not want.  These thoughts are not you.  Sometimes it might be hard to tell the difference between the real, normal you and the illness.   Someone very wise wrote something a long time ago that made a lot of sense to me.  They said that the real you is the voice in your head that says things like, "I don't want to be depressed anylonger."  The real you is fighting the illness.   The negative thoughts like "If only I were dead" are the illness.  Don't let the illness win.  

3. Plan for your mood episodes

Bipolar disorder is a cyclic illness.  You won't feel bad all of the time.  But, when you feel bad, you may not be able to do some things.  Figure out what you can't do while sick, and make a plan about those things.  Here, I'll give you some examples

• Food. When I'm depressed, I don't feel like eating.  I also can't get the energy to cook meals and going grocery shopping is a challenge.   I plan for this by keeping some TV dinners in the freezer and a well stocked pantry so that I don't have to go shopping.  
• Bills.  When I'm not feeling well, I sometimes forget to pay the bills.  I put them on auto-pay or pay them early when I can.  
• Work.  I work from home so that if I don't feel good, I can take time off.  I am my own boss.  You may want to consider working for yourself, or finding a job which allows for some flexibility.  Often people with bipolar disorder have super productive hypomanic days.  If you have a job where getting the work done is important (as opposed to just putting in hours), then you can get the work done while feeling well and take off time while feeling sick. 
• School.  Deadlines and taking tests on schedule can be difficult.  I prefer to take courses online because I can watch the lectures when it's best for me.

4. Get Help

How do you not let the illness win?  You get help.  You don't have to do this yourself.  Why not learn from those who have fought the same fight? 

Medication can be immensely helpful, but it is often a matter of trial and error.  It's normal for the first medication that you try to either not work well enough, or to stop working after awhile. Fortunately, there are lots of options.  It's important to find a doctor that you like and then you can work with them to get the right medication or combo of meds.   

You can also look into supplements that you can buy over-the-counter.  Fortunately, the internet has made that very easy.  Just google your condition and you can find all sorts of things that might help.  The downside is that you don't have a professional to consult for advice.  Plus, a doctor can give you blood tests to rule out conditions.  There is no blood test for bipolar disorder, but some other illnesses like thyroid imbalances can cause mood swings, so a good doctor would probably test for that first.  Also, doctors check for other conditions like liver and kidney problems, diabetes, etc, and will try to prescribe a medication that won't cause any problems.   So, I really recommend seeing a doctor.  It can be either a family doctor or a psychiatrist.

Therapy has also been shown to be very effective, especially when combined with medication.  There are different kinds of therapy, and I prefer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  

I've also found books to be very helpful.  A book is a great place to start.  They cost very little, and if you follow the exercises or suggestions, you may be able to get some of the same benefits as therapy.  Here are the ones I recommend:

The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings

Definitely my first pick.  This book teaches you how to reduce your symptoms and cope with mood swings.

The Feeling Good Handbook

Not specific to bipolar disorder, but still quite helpful.  It taught me how to recognize distorted thoughts.

Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar but Were Too Freaked Out to Ask

I don't consider this book to be the final answer, but it is a good read, and may help you in understanding this often confusing mental illness

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding and Helping Your Partner
This is written by someone with the illness.  While its intended audience is family members, I found it to be quite insightful.  In particular, it lists some thought patterns that are common to bipolar disorder, and I had the insight "It's not just me!"

Does Lithium Orotate work for Bipolar Disorder?

It continues to puzzle me as to why doctors don't prescribe Lithium Orotate

Sure, it's not like lithium carbonate.  It doesn't cause any sustained increase in serum level.  It also is not a prescription.

However, it works, and not just for me.  If you read the reviews, you'll see that many people find it helpful for mood swings, anxiety, and depression.

How does it work for me? Well, it makes me less moody. It also prevents mania. I experience the same therapeutic effect that I had from lithium carbonate, minus the side effect of hand tremor.

I recently tried to increase the dose from 4 pills a day to 5.  It made me too thirsty, so I reduced it back to 4.

This thirst is the first definitive side effect I've experienced from it.  What's interesting about the thirst side effect, is that it didn't happen immediately after taking the pills, but rather much later in the day.  So it seems that even though the blood level is not measurable, there is some long lasting effect from the lithium orotate.

Anyway, I'm not advocating Lithium Orotate, but just wondering how come such a seemingly effective medication is ignored by mainstream psychiatry.

Lithium Orotate Blood Level Test

Good news here!

After taking lithium orotate for about 6 years, I finally got a lithium blood level test done.  I got health insurance and during my physical I told my doctor about taking lithium orotate and asked for a lithium test and a kidneys function test. She thought that was a good idea and also did a thyroid (TSH) test.  My doctor didn't know that this form of lithium was available over the counter as a supplement.

So, my results are in, and my lithium level is <0 .1, with the standard reference range between  0.6-1.2mmol.  I take 4 pills of the Doctor's Best Lithium Ororate, in a split dose (2 in the morning, 2 at night), which comes out to 20mg of elemental lithium.

(Update: Doctor's Best brand has been discontinued, but I've found both the NCI Advanced Research brand the the Vitamin Research brands to be equally effective.)

This low result is pretty much what I expected from doing research online. For some reason, lithium orotate does not stay in the blood, but rather goes into the cells.  This inability to read a lithium level makes some doctors think it doesn't work, but from my personal experience, I can sure tell you it does work for me.

In fact, it has fewer side effects..  The prescription form, lithium carbonate, causes a hand tremor that lithium orotate doesn't cause.  Lithium orotate might have the same thirst side effect - I do get thirsty often and do drink a lot of water - but can't really say for sure whether that's from the lithium orotate or whether that's just me.  It might also cause weight gain - although my weight gain is just as likely from genetics or eating habits or normal aging. So I'm not completely sure that the lithium orotate has any side effects.

The other blood tests I had done all came out normal. Normal metabolic panel, normal O TSH Reflex FT4, normal O CBC with Diff.  So it appears that the lithium is not harming my kidneys, liver, or thyroid.

By the way, the blood test was done about 3 hours after taking my morning lithium dose.  And I've been on the same dose for years.  I may consider raising it.. sometimes I feel that I could use a bit more therapeutic effect.  But not having many scientific studies, it's hard to know what the best dose is.

For more information about the importance of the lithium blood level test, check out this excellent explanation by Dr Phelps: Please explain the therapeutic range level of lithium and it's significance for  management of the illness.    (Dr. Phelps also has an excellent website on Bipolar II: PsychEducation.org)

No Perfect Drug or Medicine for Bipolar

I woke up yesterday feeling great.  I slept well. I felt happy. I had inner calm.  

I went to the grocery store.  I was clear headed.  I remembered to buy everything on my list.  I wasn't scattered.

My brain felt at 100%...... Bipolar was gone for the day.  My thinking was fast and clear.  My mood was great.

I wasn't depressed.  I wasn't hypomanic.  So I began to think, how could I recreate this mental state, so that I could have it every day?  What supplement did I take?  What did I do differently?

Nothing......  There is no perfect drug that can bring you 100% days every day.  But there are some that may help you get closer to 100% more often.   If you get a great day, enjoy it, and try to remember it when you are depressed.

Back from vacation: Taking Pills on the Plane

I had a ton of pre-trip anxiety, and now that my vacation is over with, so is my anxiety.

One of the things I was really anxious about was taking my medicine through airport security.  So I decided to mail my meds to my sister so that I wouldn't have to take them through security.  Even though you are allowed to take medicine through airport security (even unmarked, such as in a pill organizer), I was still nervous that they would cause a problem for me.

So I mailed them to my sister, and I asked her to bring them to the airport when she picked me up.  That worked out fine. I was also nervous that she was going to say something to me about all of these meds I take.... I was having plenty of irrational thoughts.

Irrational thought: She would think bad of me for taking all of these meds.

I tried to replace it with the rational thought: She would be glad to see me and happy that the medicine works for me.

One thing I did not plan for was that my airplane was late and I missed my connecting flight, so I was at the airport for 5 hours.  So I didn't have my morning meds to take on time, but as soon as I did arrive, I took my lithium and I felt fine.  So, in retrospect, it may have been better to have the meds with me... but I did the best thing for my nerves.

Sunrise, as seen from airplane, during red-eye flight.

On the way home, I still had some of the meds that I mailed her, and I brought them through airport security without any problem.  They did rescan one of my bags when the X-ray machine beeped, and the TSA agent thought something was funny (I don't know what.. I didn't have anything funny in my bag!), but it was fine.  The TSA agents were actually quite nice and relaxed.

By the way, I had a terrific vacation!  My mood was good the whole time!  I got to see my family and it was so wonderful. I just wish I didn't have so much pre-trip anxiety.

Stop lithium to see if I really am still crazy

That's a crazy thought.

I'm sure anyone who's on psych meds has had it.... Maybe if I stop taking them I'll be able to handle it.. Maybe I'll have more inspiration.. Maybe I'm not sick anymore.. Do I really need them?

Today, as I was refilling my pill box, I was thinking about which pills I need the most, and that turned into my wondering what would happen if I did lower the lithium.....

But I've been there, done that.  The lithium makes my life so much easier.  So much better.  Less arguements, less turmoil, less crisis.

And so, I do stockpile my lithium, and I rarely miss a dose.  With it, my life is better.....

Bipolar Forum for Asking Questions Anonymously

Today I came across the Reddit forum for Bipolar Disorder.  I'm not currently a member of Reddit, but recently I've enjoyed browsing and was surprised to find the Bipolar subtopic.   It looks like an ideal place to get support.

By the way, if you are ever in a bad mood and need something to distract yourself for awhile, try browsing the Reddit homepage, or maybe the funny category.  It helps me stay distracted when I'm in one of those blah moods.

There's always going to be something to worry about.

On my good days, I just don't worry about it.  Who me, worry?  Nah, I don't worry.

On my bad days, I can get really worked up worrying.

Then one worry gets resolved, and there's another one lined up waiting to take its place.

A Very Little Person at the Hospital

Recently, I accompanied my mother in law to the hospital for some tests, and we were greeted but a very short person in a wheelchair.  She was about three feet long.  She was right outside the elevator, and at first I didn't realized that she was a hospital volunteer. I thought she was just a cheerful person. Then I saw her name tag which said volunteer.  She told us that she was drinking coffee and working.

I really didn't know what to say to her, but she really made my day.  She didn't say much to us other than hello but she had this super sweet smile..... I thought about how God put all kinds of people on this earth and everyone has a purpose.  I think she found hers.

I wish I knew what to say, because it was very special to me.  I was having a down day and it was just what I needed at that moment, and I bet she makes many people smile.  I'm curious as to what disorder she has and what her life is like.  She was an adult, with a big head, and glasses, I think.  But my memory is kind of fuzzy.  If you do know what disorder she might have, let me know.   When I google short person I don't get the right kind of results.  She probably has some disorder having to do with bone growth.

If I won the lottery....

I would still have depressed days.

I tell my mother-in-law that my moods don't correspond with reality.  It is something I think she finds hard to understand, but I think it's an important thing to stress.  I'm not depressed because I'm having a bad day.  For example, on one of my recent depressed days, I found out that her cat scan came back normal - no cats tumors found.  Yay!  I should have been elated with that news. And although I was relieved, it didn't make my mood happy... I was actually down... Whereas the day before, when we were waiting for results, my mood was fairly normal.  Other people were stressed, but me, no, I was doing just fine.

Extremely Short Depressive Episodes

Recently I've been having depression that lasts for about 2 days at a time.  The depressions suck, but they do go away fast.  But I want you to know, that even though the depression goes away, while it's here, it's brutal difficult.  My brain thinks the wrong thoughts.  I spend all of my time coping.  I try to think positive thoughts. I try to stay distracted.  I try to motivate myself to do things.  I eat food and it just doesn't taste great. I don't have much appetite.  Sometimes I am anxious. Sometimes I cry a lot for no reason.

It's hard to treat a depression that is so short, because while I can take something for it, the depression goes away and I don't know if it's the medicine or whether it's going away all on its own.  Today I took aniracetam and inositol and choline.  Yesterday I took phenibut.  My husband suggested Vitamin D and B12. Maybe next time I'll try that.

I recently bought some Chlortab allergy pills (Chlorpheniramine), which I used to take for anxiety.  And it still does work for anxiety.  Probably the cheapest non-prescription anxiety pill ever.  The side effect for me is sleepiness, though.  But why I mention that is I recently found this article that states it was the root molecule for an old SSRI.  So I could even try taking that on a regular basis.

And I have St John's Wort, Tryptophan, and SAM-E in my cupboard too, so I'm well stocked.  But as I said, my depression goes away in a couple of days, so I usually don't continue the anti-depressant.  But if I want to kick these 2-day depressions maybe I should find a pill that I can take on a continual basis to prevent them.  But it's tricky to find a pill that will do that and that won't accelerate mania or cause any other unwanted side effects.

So for now I chart my 2 day depressions on my calendar, and I try to keep my spirits high.  Depression is a great muse for writing though.  And when the high hits after the depression, I appreciate it even more.  But I don't like that I'm not productive at all for those 2 days...... I don't get much work done.  But life is about more than just work, and I do think God gave me this disorder for a reason.  It does give me a lot of insight and compassion.  I care about others....

Facebook, Social Networking, and Bipolar Disorder

I haven't joined facebook, although I was thinking about it yesterday.  But...

I try to avoid triggers. Things that will cause me stress.  And I can see a lot of stressful things happening on a social networking site like facebook. For example:

- Stress of people finding me that I don't want to re-connect with.  There are definitely some people  that I don't want to connect with. If I put in where I went to school, they're sure to pop up.  Now, why don't I want to connect to them?  Well, I like my life how it is now.  I've changed a lot in my post-college (and post-bipolar diagnosis) years.  During much of my teen and college years I was having mania and some of my past actions were a result of the mania and not a reflection of who I really am.  I don't need to go back in time.

- Stress of reading about other people's difficulties.  I'd love to hear about my loved one's happiness, but it's emotionally draining to read about problems that I can't solve.   Or reading about things that someone's doing that I don't approve of. Sometimes it really is better to not hear things through the grapevine. And facebook is the grapevine.

- Stress of comparing myself to others.  I don't think it's healthy. I've had my own challenges and I have my own goals in life.  It's not really important to find out what my classmates are doing and to compare who has succeeded more.

What do you think?  If you are on facebook, do you like it?  Or does it cause you stress?

Why I don't drink alcohol....

Whenever I drink alcohol, even just the tiniest bit of wine, my arms ache and feel heavy.  I physically don't feel good. So I don't drink.

I just thought I would throw this out there.   There used to be a time when I could drink without feeling this way, but sometime in the last 5 years or so this changed.

So, I always turn down alcohol, and people think I'm doing it for some psychological reason.  Nope.. I have no problem with being buzzed. If marijuana were legal, I'd be smoking that.  But alcohol doesn't make me feel good.

I'm Still Here

The holidays were difficult for me moodwise, and I've gone through a few days of depression. Now I'm feeling more normal but not yet very inspired to write much. So this is just an update to tell you that I'm still around.

I've thought about if I should end this blog, but I like to do my part in helping out other people with Bipolar Disorder.  I've been so greatful for all of the Bipolar information I've found online, the other blogs I follow, etc, that I'd like to continue to contribute to this wonderful internet.

Bipolar moods can make for craziness.  It's easy to push delete when you aren't feeling good.  I've resisted the delete button, and hope to add more helpful content this year.

I wish the best to all of you in 2012.

PMS & Menstrual Cramps - A Solution?

I've heard that menstrual cramps are supposed to get better with age, but so far, that hasn't happened. Now, at age 28, my cramps are just as bad as they were when I was 13. 

I did take birth control pills (oral contraceptives) for over 10 years, and they helped a lot.. My period lessened and the cramps disappeared.  However, now I'm not taking them, and it's been awhile* since I've stopped them, and it seems like my PMS is back big time. Not only do I have the pain, but I also have breast tenderness on the days before my period and sometimes diarrhea along with the cramps. 

I used to wonder if the birth control pills were causing some of my bipolar symptoms, and basically the answer seems to be no.  The only times when they worsened the mood disorder is when I took the generic instead of the brand name, and when I tried the patch.  But for most of those 10 years, I had bipolar disorder and it wasn't the birth control pills causing it.

Like most women, I do have some moodiness associated with PMS.  A little more emotional, but for me it's usually not disastrous.

I tried taking Natrol PMS Control for two cycles, and unfortunately, it didn't help with the cramps at all.  It did help with my mood some. Looking at its ingredients, I see that it has St. John's Wort in it, which is a natural anti-depressant, so I've ditched the useless PMS formulation, and I've been trying a little bit of St John's Wort by itself... It seems to help when I feel down.

As I said, my PMS mood problem isn't usually severe, but this month the timing coincided with an external stressor, and I did feel really down for at least a day.  In response, I took St. John's Wort, Methyl B12, and Magnesium, and that all seemed to help.

So I am still looking for a natural or at least over-the-counter medicine or supplement for cramps. I am taking ibuprofen, which works, but only at high doses, and I'd rather not take such a high dose.  I don't exceed the 24 hour limit of 3200mg, but the high dose makes me feel tired and out of it.  Plus I am concerned about other side effects.  If anyone knows an alternative let me know.

I've read that avoiding dairy before your period can make cramps less, and I think I might have to give that a try next month. 

* When your body is used to birth control pills, it takes awhile for your body to go back to normal after stopping them.  Any doctor who says that your period will return to normal immediately is wrong.  From my experience, it can take well over a year before your body returns to normal. 

List of Medicine & Supplements I Take Every Day

I thought readers of this blog might like to see a list of what I take every day.

Every Day... From Most to Least Important:

Lithium Orotate - 2 Pills in Morning, 2 in Evening - for Bipolar Disorder NOS. This really works for me.

Acidophilus & Bifidus - 1 Pill a Day - I take this to prevent yeast infections and to keep me regular (it helps with constipation).

GTF Chromium 200mcg - 3 Pills a Day - For Blood Sugar Levels. Definitely helps me feel better.

Garlic Supplement - I currently take 3 pills of Nature Made's Garlic, which does work, but I'm probably going to switch back to Now's Odorless Garlic because the pills are smaller and eaiser on my stomach.  Garlic helps fight yeast infections, which I'm prone too, and it also made a rash on my wrist go away.

Zinc Chelate 30mg - 1 Pill a Day - This is a low dose of Zinc. I used to take a higher dose, but I had concerns about long term safety. Zinc definitely helps when I have a sore throat, and I think zinc might help with depression, but I'm not totally sure.

Vitamin C Extended Release - 1 Pill a Day - For my Immune System

Lutein Esters 20mg - 1 Pill a Day - Helps with eyesight.

Manganese 10mg - 1 Pill a Day - Supposed to help with blood sugar levels and hearing. I can't tell if it makes a difference or not.

Kirkland Multivitamin - 1 Pill a Day - I don't know if this helps at all, but I buy it at Costco and it's cheap!

I lost some weight recently.

That's right, I lost weight. Something that I didn't think was ever going to happen - at least not by accident. I just discovered it because my jeans became too loose and I am able to fit into pair of jeans that were too tight before!

I'm not sure what the cause is. I think it might be because I increased my daily supplement of GTF Chromium 200mcg from 2 pills a day to 3 pills a day.

Of course, I'm not sure if that's definitely the reason. My mood has also been really balanced lately, which I'm sure helps keep me from eating too much.

Plus, I'm not taking GTF Chromium for weight loss. I'm taking it because I want to avoid the ups and downs I feel from my blood sugar going to low. Even though I'm not diabetic (not even pre-diabetic), I feel that my body reacts strongly to changes in blood sugar levels. The chromium seems to help lessen the late-afternoon "I'm so hungry" feeling which is sometimes accompanied by anxiety, mood changes, shakiness, etc.

I think that my mood changes may have a connection to blood sugar... but when I test my blood sugar, it's fine. That is, last week after exercising I felt shaky, so I thought I had low blood sugar level. I tested myself and my blood sugar level was 90.   Low blood sugar symptoms aren't supposed to appear until you go into the 70s.  So perhaps my body is more sensitive to blood sugar changes than the norm.

Anyway, the higher dose of chromium seems to be working for me. My mood seems better and my appetite is less, however, I do continue to eat 6 times a day -
Breakfast
Lunch
Afternoon Snack
Dinner
Before Bed Snack

I can't imagine not eating 6x a day... I just prefer small, frequent meals to large ones.

Losing some weight has motivated me to try to keep the weight off (and perhaps even lose more) so now I've started to even be more careful about my eating habits.

I continue to wonder if there is some connection between Bipolar Disorder and blood sugar.   I've decided that I'm going to do what works for me, regardless of whether there is science to back it up.  I only had 3 "sick days" last month - that is, days where I definitely felt my bipolar symptoms. And the month before that, just 6 sick days.