Over 30 years ago, I wrote a workbook for a vitamin infomercial about menopause: ‘Taking Charge of Your Changes ... The Woman’s Guide and Workbook for Menopause Transition.’
Why? Because I was going through changes earlier than I expected (late 30’s). The ‘then-current' information was very limited, not much was known about perimenopause, and the estrogen replacement breast cancer scare was in full force (this data has since been proved to be exaggerated.) But I wanted to do what I could to deal with my changes.
Over a decade ago, my glucose number was pre-diabetic and there is Diabetes 2 in my family. The doctor told me I had to drop 30 labs and if my number didn’t go down, I would need to be on medication for the rest of my life. So I dropped 60 lbs. in five months and my glucose number went back to the normal zone.
At about this same time, I attended a Milken Institute Global Summit. A female doctor from the NIH (National Institute of Health) spoke about health. Sorry, that I don’t remember her name, but I remember what she told me. I informed her about my Diabetes 2 scare and what I did. She said ‘You listened to the Whisper. If you don’t listen to the whisper and make changes, your body will scream.” For me, this would have meant full-blown Diabetes 2. For others, this may be a heart attack, a stroke, etc.
I can’t claim to have always lived a healthy lifestyle, but I have learned to pay attention to whispers before they become screams.
Fast forward and Post Pandemic, on May 21, 2021, I stopped drinking alcohol because I fell when standing since my feet were numb. All my research indicated that alcohol was a contributing factor to peripheral neuropathy. Plus, like many others, I had gained weight during the pandemic.
Last year I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and prescribed steroid creams. The allergy tests didn’t show anything. But based on my research, it seemed it could be gluten intolerance. So, I eliminated all gluten from my diet. I also changed to the Dr. Gundry diet program. Plus, since I was in the cannabis industry and an educator for the active 55+, I was aware of the benefits of THC, CBD, etc. to our endocannabinoid system (ECS). So I supplemented with Holistik Wellness Beauty (CBD and Collagen) and used the CBDMD skincare line. My face cleared up, just in time to co-host infomercials for these two products.
Last month, I took a fall when I went to stand up from my desk chair because my left foot was numb - a symptom of peripheral neuropathy. This fall resulted in a fractured distal end of the fibula. I discussed this and what I’ve done to take charge in more detail at https://www.drjoanirvine.com/post/fractured-bones-take-charge-of-your-healing.
As I always do, I did more research. I quickly learned that I needed to begin to pay more attention to my bones and osteopenia and what I can do. I will continue to write about and share my journey in future blogs.
Listening to your body and taking charge of your health is so important, especially as we age. Women, in particular, tend to prioritize the needs of others over their own, but it's crucial to prioritize our own health and well-being as well.
Be more alert to the Whispers and Take Charge of Your Changes
NOTE
Over 40 years ago I stopped smoking cigarettes - after over 20 years and up to 3 packs a day. I used hypnosis and NPL to stop - which is why I became a Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy which supplemented my B.A. in Psychology (Behavior Modification).