Reader’s Choice: Melatonin & Endometriosis

Generic white pills

One of my readers, Erin, emailed me asking if I could look into taking Melatonin for Endometriosis pain and symptoms.  She had heard that it may help reduce the symptoms, pain, and maybe even the lesions themselves.

So, on goes my Research Cap and it begins!

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by the body as the light fades.  Many people take Melatonin to help them fall asleep and stay asleep.  It’s been coming out in studies over the past decade that Melatonin may play a role in helping reduce Endometriosis lesions and pain.

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The Liebster Award

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Always a sweet surprise to find out you’ve been nominated for a fun bloggy-award.  And by my good friend and stalker, Marixsa, is the culprit for this one.  She writes The Endo Zone, an incredible blog about her journey coping with Endometriosis and infertility, her life, and her adventures.  And I love her to pieces.  TO PIECES!!!  Thanks Stalker! xoxoxo

So, what’s the Liebster award?

HERE’S THE RULES:

  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their post.
  • Answer the 11 questions they asked you.
  • Nominate 11 other bloggers, with your own set of questions.
  • Tag your chosen 11 bloggers, and don’t forget to tell them as well!

1. Imagine that the blogosphere suddenly disappears—for whatever reason. What do you do?  Well, seeing as I didn’t blog until 2014, I’m sure I’d survive.  Before my blogging days, did I write much? Nope.  When I was a kid, I used to write almost daily in my diary. I kept that habit up until I reached my 20s.  Then…nothing.  But now I have a passion and a drive to share…to reach…to blab.  If the blogosphere disappeared (and assuming so did the ability to create a pseudo-blog), I’d probably reach out to magazines, newspapers, columns, etc. to continue to try to not clam up about Endometriosis.  Social media would continue to be a forum, too, that I would use and abuse.  Smoke signals.  A message in a bottle.  Graffiti.  I’d go nuts…

2. What characteristic do you not possess at all? This was a fun one.  Since I’m not well-versed in the large array of characteristics out there, I hit a webpage to help me out! I spent some time perusing the list, looking up words that were unfamiliar, and analyzing myself inside and out.  I came up with milquetoast.  Not only did I learn a new word that is hilarious to say, but it’s so very true.  As a child and teenager, I was shy and quiet and watching from the shadows waiting for life to happen to me.  As an adult, I could care less.  I’m loud and boisterous and not afraid to go up and talk to strangers and strike up a conversation.  I’ll eagerly step forward to pitch in and participate in whatever strikes my fancy.    There are no more shadows to cling to.  There’s no self-doubt that I won’t be accepted…I’m out and doing and enjoying.  Except when it comes to dancing…I just don’t know what to do with my hands!  And if you try to tell me I can’t do something, that simply fuels the fire and motivation to DO IT!

I’m not sure when the big switch occurred from my shy childhood to my confident adulthood.  But I’m glad it did.

3. Why did the chicken cross the road?  To marry me at Burning Man in 2011. 🙂 Awww, my dear sweet best friend Rosie and I out on our dusty adventures.

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4. How do you face critical problems? Horribly. If I have a plan, I’m usually okay.  But most critical problems are also an unsuspected crisis or something I don’t have any control over.  And when I don’t have control, or I can’t plan, or there’s nothing I can do to solve the issue…I tend to freak out.  First, my ears get hot…literally red hot, then I get loud and stompy and annoyed and suffer from tunnel vision. Then I obsess.  Which only makes all the rest of it worse!  BUT…if it’s a critical problem I can sit down, analyze, and formulate some sort of plan to begin to tackle it, it’s a much different scenario.  I’m calm, collected, have my “steps” that I must first accomplish, and can start whittling away toward a solution.

5. One thing about yourself of which you are most proud?  Embracing my diagnosis, fighting through the immediate depression of learning I have an incurable and painful disease, and pushing ahead to find and support others with this same condition.  Due to that urge to fight back, I’ve found an incredible community and am helping others.

6. The happiest moment of your life? The day I reconnected with my family after nearly a decade of strained relations.

7. A word which you hate to use?  Pejorative words used to describe a person’s sexual preference, socioeconomic status, race, etc.  I hate to use them and I hate to hear them used by others.  If you need an example, Wikipedia has a long list.

8. What is your dream job?  I love my job as a paralegal.  But if I lost my job and couldn’t find another in this field, I’d want to be a librarian in some tiny little town…just me and a bunch of books.

9. What villainous character do you most admire, and why?  Cobra Commander.  I don’t really know why, but he’s been my favorite bad guy since I was a little kid playing with my brothers’ GI Joe figurines.  We used to watch the cartoon religiously.  And I don’t think he’ll ever be topped.

10. Item on your bucket list that you would be MOST upset if you didn’t accomplish.  Staying the night at the Titan Missile Museum in Arizona, eating pizza, playing war simulations, and bunking down in the crew quarters for the evening.  It’s an expensive endeavor, but one day I’d love to.

11. If you could have lunch with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you order?  Oh man, this one was easy! I’d enjoy fluffernutter sandwiches with Elvis Presley.

The 11 bloggers I nominate are the first 11 blogs (in order) I started following on WordPress 🙂 :

  1. Holding My Childhood to Ransom
  2. Fanciful Wish
  3. Glory Girl
  4. Endometriosis – My Journey
  5. Fighting Endometriosis
  6. The Endo the World
  7. The Trials and Tribulations of my Search for True Health
  8. Invisible Pain Warriors
  9. Surviving Endometriosis
  10. Cuilverse: Shadow in the Mirror
  11. Shanna Beale

And the 11 questions I pose to these wonderful bloggers?

  1.  What are some things that you wished people knew about you?
  2. What movie would be greatly improved if it was made into a musical?
  3. What is the weirdest thing you have seen in someone else’s home?
  4. If you were arrested with no explanation, what would your friends and family assume you had done?
  5. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
  6. What was the best book or series that you’ve ever read?
  7. What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
  8. What are some of the events in your life that made you who you are?
  9. What irrational fear do you have?
  10. What’s one thing you did that you really wish you could go back and undo?
  11. If you could convince everyone in the world to do one thing at the same time, what would that thing be?

     

     

    Have fun!!!!! 🙂

Have you Seen the Endometriosis Commercials on TV?

Speakendo.com webpage banner
Screenshot of SpeakEndo.com; 1/30/18
Updated note (July 25, 2018): Orilissa (Elagolix) was approved by the FDA on July 23, 2018

I don’t have TV, but I’ve had a lot of friends and loved ones excitedly tell me that they saw a commercial about Endometriosis recently! I think that’s awesome! A wonderful way to spread awareness to so many people!

Like one friend said, it took me 20 years for a diagnosis – maybe it wouldn’t have taken so long if I had seen a commercial similar to this one. If it can help just one woman begin to search for answers, it’s awesome.

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Feel Good Fridays

People talking in a line

Another week has passed! This one zoomed by for me!!!

I searched for a quote dealing with chronic illness.  I wasn’t sure where the search would lead, but it plopped a quote in my lap that gave me goose pimples and left me crying. So, it must be shared.

“We can feel isolated and powerless when living with chronic illness, but what if your story begins to bridge the barrier or open a way for someone to connect? What if your story offers a glimmer of hope to someone standing at the edge of desolation? …What if your story starts the conversation?” 
― Cindee Snider ReDiscovering Hope: Beginning the Journey Toward Hope in Chronic Illness

To all of you who share about this illness (whether you be an EndoSister, a friend, or a family member), thank you.  Your bravery may help another. And another.  And another.

I hope you have an incredible weekend and honor your limitations and spoons.

Much love, Lisa.

Healthline.com Asked Me to Help!

 

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Screenshot from Healthline.com; 1/31/18

 

I’m so excited I’m going to BURST!

Earlier this month Healthline.coms staff asked if I would be interested in writing a few pieces for their site.  I’ve enjoyed the information they’ve had to offer in the past, and have been honored with a few of their blog awards, so I jumped at the chance to help!

They requested two things:

  1.  An Open Letter to their readers about my experience with Endometriosis, and any thoughts I wanted to share; and
  2. Tips & Tricks on handling painful sex that can sometimes accompany Endometriosis.

I jumped at the chance and began writing.

After I submitted the two pieces, I was then advised that Healthline.com would like to compensate me for my work.  Whua?!? You’re going to PAY me to write about Endometriosis and spreading awareness and helping support others?  …Now if you know me, you know I have this little unwritten moral code: if I make any funds dealing with Endometriosis awareness, fundraising, or the blog, I’m donating it straight to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.  I asked if they could just donate the money directly to the EFA for me; however, due to accounting reasons and stuff, they couldn’t.  So as soon as these funds hit my bank account *poof* they’ll be going straight to the EFA.

I will not, nor will I ever, profit from this damn disease.

BUT, I’m SO honored and excited and jazzed and thrilled and … excited! 😀 I wanted to share these two pieces with you.  If either of them resonates with you, please feel free to share with anyone and everyone.

The Open Letter:  Hey Girl, You Don’t Have to Live with Severe Period Pain

Painful Sex:  The Boss Babes’ Guide to Sex with Endometriosis

Thank you, Healthline staff, for this incredible opportunity for outreach and support.

If you read the articles and want to chime in your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you 🙂

Feel Good Fridays

Boy and girl hugging in the rain
Photo by Nicki Varkevisser

Happy Friday!!! It’s the weekend! We made it through yet another week! WOOHOO!

I can’t get enough of today’s quote:

“This life is for loving, sharing, learning, smiling, caring, forgiving, laughing, hugging, helping, dancing, wondering, healing, and even more loving. I choose to live life this way.” 
― Steve Maraboli 

Apparently, I’ve used Steve’s quotes several times in the past for Feel Good Fridays!  What can I say? I enjoy what he writes.

I hope you have an incredible weekend and live life to the fullest!

Love, Lisa

Blogs I’ve updated this week:

Support Group – added our February 19, 2018, support group meeting

Turmeric & Black Pepper

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So, back in the day when I first received my diagnosis and went nuts researching how to best rid my body of inflammation, I started making a tea that contained ginger, honey, and lemon.  I later added turmeric.  And when I could, I used fresh ingredients.

Now I’m lazy and just sip on a mug of tea steeped from a tea bag.  I’ve tried several different ginger teas (some with turmeric, some without).  But my favorite right now is Trader Joe’s Organic Ginger Turmeric Herbal Tea.  I’ve also started putting a turmeric powder in my shakes in the morning.  It’s made by Gaia Herbs and it’s their Turmeric Boost Restore formula.  I blend it with a banana, some almond milk, and a pea protein powder mix.

But somewhere between making my homemade tea and finding TJ’s tea, someone told me that in order to allow my body to really soak in the benefits of turmeric I needed to incorporate black pepper. What?  Hence the hunt for the alleged uber anti-inflammatory tea (and other products) with ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.

I was tellin’ my Mum about it recently and she poked me to research and write about it.  Why ARE they supposed to be consumed together?  Why not? So, here I am…drinking my TJ’s tea and hitting the internet for answers!!  AND using goodsearch.com drops a one-cent donation to the Endometriosis Foundation of America each time I search a term! A double whammy!

I’m no nutritionist and don’t understand the chemical breakdowns of these types of things, so here’s my laymen understanding …

From what I can tell, an ingredient found in turmeric (called curcumin) is processed too quickly in our bodies and we don’t have a chance to absorb it well.  An ingredient found in black pepper (called piperine) slows down that process and allows the curcumin-y goodness to enter our bloodstream and work its magic.  There’s a 1998 study out there that compares the levels of curcumin in the bloodstream with and without black pepper.; showing a 2000% increase when consumed with black pepper (don’t ask me the ratios).  Do be careful, though: there are suggestions and concerns of piperine and certain drug interactions. So, as usual: talk to your doctor first.

BUT…please…feel free to read the articles in the Resources section below and form your own opinion!  I know nothing!!  But I do know I’ll continue my turmeric & black pepper combo routine.

Resources:

Healthcloud – (Article, Feb. 18, 2015) Do I Need to Take Pepper with Turmeric?

Healthy and Natural World – (Article) How to Optimize Turmeric Absorption for Super Boosted Benefits

Lucy Bee Blog – (Article, Sept. 22, 2016) Why We Should Be Eating Turmeric with Black Pepper

Just Vitamins – (Article, Sept. 25, 2017) Why Turmeric and Black Pepper Need to Be Taken Together

Pharmacy Times – (Article, July 28, 2017) Piperine Drug Interactions

Planta Medica – (Study, 1998) Influence of Piperine on the Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin in Animals and Human Volunteers

Turmeric for Health – (Article) 6 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Pepper and Turmeric

~ Again, I am a layman. I do not hold any college degrees, nor mastery of knowledge. Please take what I say with a grain of salt. If curious, do your own research 😉 Validate my writings. Or challenge them. And ALWAYS feel free to consult with your physician. Always. Yours ~ Lisa

Feel Good Fridays!

coal and ash in a dying fire

It’s Friday (already?!?).  This week I am inspired by all of the uplifting and encouraging people in my life.

“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” 
― Albert Schweitzer

If you are feeling worn down, exhausted, defeated – try to find someone who can lift you up, ignite that spark, encourage you to keep on going.  The embers are there…they just need a little encouragement to burst back into flame.

Love, Lisa

Share Your Story: Lish

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Lish was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 23.  Now, eleven years later, she shares her story with us from Ohio.  And she comes to you for help in answering some questions:

Lish’s Journey:   I was diagnosed with endometriosis in my 20s I went into the hospital with pain they thought it was my appendix’s so they went in and found out that I had stage 3 endometriosis. I had a cyst on my ovary and endometriosis all around my pelvic area.

I have had to have several surgeries due to having this. They ended up taking my left ovary out due to getting the same cyst again and again. I had a surgery and a week later it came back. So then that why they just went ahead and took the left ovary out.

I was scared not knowing if I would be able to have kids but I have a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old. So have faith don’t let the doc tell you otherwise ’cause that is what I was told I probably would not be able to.

Here lately I have had horrible back pain right before my period. I was just told that it’s more than likely from my endometriosis. I had my daughter a year ago so it was somewhat in remission. I am a stage 4 now. I came across this ’cause I am worried what I am going to have to face is a hysterectomy. The lower back pain is so debilitating I can barely get out of bed when it hits me. The pain shoots down like electric into my feet. I am trying to understand what spinal endometriosis is? Is it just the nerves that are being attacked by the endometriosis?

Words of Advice:  Don’t give up. People who don’t know what this does to your body will never understand unless you have gone through it. There are doctors out there who care to help.

If you wish to contact Lish, you can email her here.

My thoughts regarding spinal endometriosis:  It’s been said that it’s incredibly rare to develop Endometriosis of the spine.  I personally know of one friend who suffers from it.  And I’ve “met” a few other women online who also have a diagnosis of spinal endometriosis.  My laymen understanding is that the lesions may affect or impinge the nerves.  But, please talk to a physician for their understanding…

I want to send a special Thank You out to Lish for being brave enough to share her journey with us today!!   I wish you luck in all of your endeavors and seeking answers. .  ❤ Yours, Lisa.

downloadAnd if YOU would like to share your story, you can do so by clicking here.  The best part about this disease is the strong network of love and support from our fellow EndoSisters, and our friends and family, too.

Yours, Lisa.