I don't get it. A couple of weeks ago, I was focused, energetic, 'well'. I take estradiol (patch, boosted sometimes with gel), compounded estriol & testosterone, plus synthetic T3 and T4. I generally take a huge nosedive toward the end of winter, and am certain that's a S.A.D. situation. Otherwise, not too bad.
My husband's been away for about a week and I'd planned a whirlwind of productive activities around the house, plus daily trips to the gym in his absence. Instead, I have gone into a state of bizarre 'exhaustion' and total avoidance. I put a sign on the front door not to ring or knock, the telephones are all turned off, and I have slept some days for 10 - 12 hours, when normally getting 7 hours is cause for celebration. I've been getting to sleep at 3 or 4, not getting out of bed until noon. And even then, not booting up, not getting dressed, not doing anything productive. I don't want even to wash my hair or shower because the stimuli of splashing water seems waaaay too much. I don't want to play music, as usual, for the same reason. I've gotten nothing done of any merit, because the energy is just not there.
I don't understand - I was feeling great for quite a stretch and now I feel like I have zero life energy and that my behaviours as a shut-down hermit simply reflect some self-protection mechanism. And this from the woman who'd planned to spend the week with cranked-up music buzzing through a To Do list. Instead, I'm a crumpled-up sea urchin, or slattern, or both.
Have you done this? Do you what may be the missing hormone?
GK
Full Version: Utterly Avoidant and No Energy
QUOTE (gillK @ Jul 19 2009, 06:38 PM) 
I don't get it. A couple of weeks ago, I was focused, energetic, 'well'. I take estradiol (patch, boosted sometimes with gel), compounded estriol & testosterone, plus synthetic T3 and T4. I generally take a huge nosedive toward the end of winter, and am certain that's a S.A.D. situation. Otherwise, not too bad.
My husband's been away for about a week and I'd planned a whirlwind of productive activities around the house, plus daily trips to the gym in his absence. Instead, I have gone into a state of bizarre 'exhaustion' and total avoidance. I put a sign on the front door not to ring or knock, the telephones are all turned off, and I have slept some days for 10 - 12 hours, when normally getting 7 hours is cause for celebration. I've been getting to sleep at 3 or 4, not getting out of bed until noon. And even then, not booting up, not getting dressed, not doing anything productive. I don't want even to wash my hair or shower because the stimuli of splashing water seems waaaay too much. I don't want to play music, as usual, for the same reason. I've gotten nothing done of any merit, because the energy is just not there.
I don't understand - I was feeling great for quite a stretch and now I feel like I have zero life energy and that my behaviours as a shut-down hermit simply reflect some self-protection mechanism. And this from the woman who'd planned to spend the week with cranked-up music buzzing through a To Do list. Instead, I'm a crumpled-up sea urchin, or slattern, or both.
Have you done this? Do you what may be the missing hormone?
GK
My husband's been away for about a week and I'd planned a whirlwind of productive activities around the house, plus daily trips to the gym in his absence. Instead, I have gone into a state of bizarre 'exhaustion' and total avoidance. I put a sign on the front door not to ring or knock, the telephones are all turned off, and I have slept some days for 10 - 12 hours, when normally getting 7 hours is cause for celebration. I've been getting to sleep at 3 or 4, not getting out of bed until noon. And even then, not booting up, not getting dressed, not doing anything productive. I don't want even to wash my hair or shower because the stimuli of splashing water seems waaaay too much. I don't want to play music, as usual, for the same reason. I've gotten nothing done of any merit, because the energy is just not there.
I don't understand - I was feeling great for quite a stretch and now I feel like I have zero life energy and that my behaviours as a shut-down hermit simply reflect some self-protection mechanism. And this from the woman who'd planned to spend the week with cranked-up music buzzing through a To Do list. Instead, I'm a crumpled-up sea urchin, or slattern, or both.
Have you done this? Do you what may be the missing hormone?
GK
Hi,
I haven't been to a doctor, so I don't know what the missing hormone is. I feel the same way. I do feel better when I take omega 3 or 6 oil and drink soy milk. Take care. Oh, I am definitely a recluse too.
But wait....there's more. During this time, two strange food cravings. One is that I really crave something sweet immediately after eating. Have been eating lots of raisins as a result. The other is worse. I generally eat a healthy diet and am known for disliking salt and for keeping our house on a healthy regime with fresh stuff and nothing sugary, processed, fatty etc. But now, I have developed a really powerful craving for salt which I eat, of all things, in corn chips. I hide bags of Fritos in my car and closet and also go for them in the night. Big bags. Is this a clue?
Gilk, My bet is that your not missing a hormone but you are getting too much of one. That's the thing with hormones, we have to get the right amount otherwise they become dominant instead of balanced and mimick the lack of one. I think with the thyroid meds too much will give you symptoms of hyper and that would include low energy. The same with testosterone although I don't think it would give you the cravings so if it were me and I was playing the guessing game I think I would miss a dose of thostthyroid meds & testosterone. (just one dose though-and please no that I've never taken thyroid meds so what I'm suggesting may not be smart).
Otherwise, without a proper dose of T, I feel very inadequate, inferior to others and I avoid them. With it, I feel capable and confident. Strange that it can make such a difference.
Otherwise, without a proper dose of T, I feel very inadequate, inferior to others and I avoid them. With it, I feel capable and confident. Strange that it can make such a difference.
It's hard to say what could be causing the low energy & avoidant behavior although I have experienced it on occasion myself-just a day or two at a time. I always feel it is from low mood and experience it more in the winter than during the summer or fall. I don't believe you could possibly be getting too much estrogen because you are using the same delivery as I do-a patch supplemented with gel. I am lucky if I can get my E levels up to 60 pg/ml. Have you tried changing your patch to see if it is related to an estrogen deficiet?
You need a bottle of wine and a night with Hugh Jackman and call me in the morning. This will cure all
;-)
Sounds like your hormones are going of balance. Do you have any fever? Did you change something in your diet?
;-)
Sounds like your hormones are going of balance. Do you have any fever? Did you change something in your diet?
One is that I really crave something sweet immediately after eating. Have been eating lots of raisins as a result. The other is worse.
THIS IS ME!!!! And, I've never done this before except once I started on bios. It's pretty much out of my control too. I thought it was the progesterone, but it seems very odd that there is an order to it. Why would we crave sweet immediately after eating? I don't crave it any other time of the day and I've never been a big dessert person.
Do you take progesterone??
THIS IS ME!!!! And, I've never done this before except once I started on bios. It's pretty much out of my control too. I thought it was the progesterone, but it seems very odd that there is an order to it. Why would we crave sweet immediately after eating? I don't crave it any other time of the day and I've never been a big dessert person.
Do you take progesterone??
QUOTE (gillK @ Jul 19 2009, 07:25 PM)
But wait....there's more. During this time, two strange food cravings. One is that I really crave something sweet immediately after eating. Have been eating lots of raisins as a result. The other is worse. I generally eat a healthy diet and am known for disliking salt and for keeping our house on a healthy regime with fresh stuff and nothing sugary, processed, fatty etc. But now, I have developed a really powerful craving for salt which I eat, of all things, in corn chips. I hide bags of Fritos in my car and closet and also go for them in the night. Big bags. Is this a clue?
The big thing that jumps out at me is your salt craving. Frequently this craving for salt can be linked to adrenal insufficiency. Do you think this could be a problem for you? It could explain some of your symptoms I think and might be something to have checked out. Hope you get some answers soon though, sounds like a tough way to live for very long. Hang in there.
hugs,
Jan
Thanks, everyone. Sorry I'm not clever enough to do the multiple quote thing, so one at a time. As for too much hormone, I don't think it's that because in my stupor I've forgotten a couple of afternoon thyroid doses -- and -- a patch change. Now that's all caught up, I'm still not feeling much better although you will be pleased to know I am bathed and shampooed 
.
As for progesterone, I have just had a reminder of how much I don't tolerate it. I'm one of the progesterone-averse here, having tried just about every type in doses as low as 10mg. During this week, I tried a teeny tiny dab -- truly, as small as a rice grain -- on my wrist. Big mistake. From 3:00 pm on, bad restless legs in limbs and trunk as well, plus the cattle prod jolting sensation. Didn't sleep until dawn, from feeling so startled over and over.
As for adrenals, thank you for cuing me in that direction. Earlier this year, I got a lab slip for testing. Planned to see what that showed and then send for a 24-hour saliva kit. I started feeling so much better and never followed through, but will now. I've never had that tested but think it's time. I sure need to do something.
Thanks for all your help.
GK
.As for progesterone, I have just had a reminder of how much I don't tolerate it. I'm one of the progesterone-averse here, having tried just about every type in doses as low as 10mg. During this week, I tried a teeny tiny dab -- truly, as small as a rice grain -- on my wrist. Big mistake. From 3:00 pm on, bad restless legs in limbs and trunk as well, plus the cattle prod jolting sensation. Didn't sleep until dawn, from feeling so startled over and over.
As for adrenals, thank you for cuing me in that direction. Earlier this year, I got a lab slip for testing. Planned to see what that showed and then send for a 24-hour saliva kit. I started feeling so much better and never followed through, but will now. I've never had that tested but think it's time. I sure need to do something.
Thanks for all your help.
GK
I am thinking along the lines of Carol. To much of something and perhaps it is T. There is a huge connection between T and insulin. Which could be the explanation for craving carbs and very bad carbs at that CORN flour....starch starch starch=sugar sugar sugar! Try going without carbs for a couple of weeks and see what happens. The more carbs/sugars you eat the more you crave them and the more lethargic you become after each meal. It greatly helped me in reducing my high T levels and sugar cravings. I followed the first two weeks of South Beach Diet.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.