The Vicious Circle of Life

I went to the doctor today.

Now, this is the kind of crap I've been reporting in my other blog, which is mostly about my weight and other health obessions, but this is pretty much the event of the day today for me, so here you go.

First of all, I really, really like this new doctor. I find her very perceptive, and very forthcoming with information that, you know, the doctors I've been seeing for years and years could have told be before. Hey, maybe they don't know (although I doubt that.) For example, I was describing my allergic reactions this year, and how my ears are being affected, and she said that yes, tinnitus patients often report that the noise gets louder during bad allergy seasons. Really! Take that, Harry Katz the Sinus Man.

Anyway, my blood pressure was great -- 110 over 70 -- although I didn't get cholesterol results because the doctor's office neglected to tell me that I was supposed to have blood work done last week. I'll get it done tomorrow and then they'll send me a report next week. I expect good results there as well.

We did discuss my weight; she was pleased with the 10 pound loss since my last visit, and confirmed that the way I'm eating (lots of fiber, limiting sodium) is a good plan. She said, however, that the only way I could really lose weight is by concentrated, vigourous aerobic exercise every day, for example, 40 minutes of hard work on a treadmill. And we all know that's not happening. My sodium sensitivity? Part of menopause. Once again, I did not know that.

As for having a heart work-up and a consultation with a cardiologist, she sees no symptoms but recognizes that I do have several of the risk factors, so she says it couldn't hurt. The office is going to call me back on that one to schedule.

But here's the biggie. She cut the dose of my estrogen/progesterone in half. This is the first step to getting me off of them completely, which she says will take TWO YEARS. Can you believe that? My gynecologist, you may recall, said that if I want to stop taking them, I should just stop. She must know that this would be very difficult for me. As it is, the doctor said today that I should anticipate all the lovely features of menopause to intensify, including hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. Not to mention that I will be more sensitive to sodium and it will be harder for me to lose weight. She said that in two or three weeks, I will be very unhappy.

Doesn't that sound like fun? And that should just about coincide with the anniversary trip the Hubs and I are taking. So I figure, I can put off the medication change until after that. What's two weeks out of two years?

So hang on, folks, the next couple of years could be a bumpy ride here at Chez Chai.

WATCHING THE GOLDEN GIRLS :: ENTRY #1508