Hormones & chick flicks

For any blokes that read this blog, a word of warning.  These first paragraphs will be all talk of women’s problems so you will probably want to skip these and read from after my second photograph!

I have been suffering with severe PMS these last few days and have been feeling really horrible. It started with mild symptoms last Tuesday and then got progressively worse each day. On Thursday my stomach was so bloated that I looked like I was 6 months pregnant and believe me I do not exaggerate.  I haven’t felt this bad with time of the month for years mainly because I’ve had the Mirena coil for the last 10 years and this basically means that you don’t get periods or more importantly PMS.  This is why it is strange that I should get severe PMS two months in a row.

I haven’t been really been feeling myself for the last 6 months and it got me thinking.  I have been putting my symptoms (tiredness, brain fog, bad skin, dry, irritability, coarse, dry and thinning air and blurred vision) down to getting old and the menopause but then I wondered whether it might be the Mirena coil?  I haven’t been able to shift the extra pounds that I put on since Christmas which is very unusual for me.  For the last couple of weeks, especially this week, I have managed to resist my cravings for carbs and chocolate and have been really good on my low fat high protein diet plus I’ve been to the gym every single day.  I spent a long time researching the Mirena coil on the Internet over the weekend and read some real horror stories.   My Mirena was due to come out in August but after what I’ve learnt, I'm getting mine taken out ASAP.  I’ve always been a little concerned about putting a synthetic hormone in my body and now I’m convinced it is responsible for some or all of my problems.  Only time will tell I guess.

OK, hormone rant over (actually I do feel better this morning) I suppose I should get back to the day to day stuff.   Last Wednesday we drove to Melton to see mum and dad.  Unfortunately Phil missed the turning on the motorway and we ended up having to go through the centre of Loughborough.  Bummer really because it put an extra half an hour on our journey.  When we finally arrived at the bungalow, Phil’s mum and dad were not at their best.  Phil’s dad looked like the mad professor from Back to the Future, his hair is so long and he is in dire need of a haircut.  Phil’s mum had a dodgy leg and was walking indoors with her stick.  She must have been feeling poorly because she didn’t feel strong enough to prepare lunch.  I always offer to cook a meal beforehand and bring it with to save her cooking but she always says “thanks but no thanks”.  Anyway, Phil popped out and got a Chinese takeaway which wasn’t the best but it kept us all fed.

On Thursday I didn’t feel up to a workout but I did go to DW for a swim. The pool was fairly quiet and I enjoyed my lengths and especially the steam room afterwards.  I really must do this more often, it makes a nice change from cardio.     On Friday I woke up with a really bad gut ache but still I went to the gym.  The pain felt like I was in the early stages of labour and I barely managed to even walk on the treadmill let alone run. I had to give up on my workout and head back to the changing room to take some tablets.  Fortunately I still have a stack of Codeine tablets that Sue gave me and these really helped. 

Talking of Sue, I picked her up after lunch on Friday and we went to the cinema to ‘I give it a year’.  We both thought the film was really good and giggled the whole way through.  It was sad in parts but it had a happy ending which made is a real chick-flick.  After the movie we popped into the Tesco Extra on Green Park so Sue could get a couple of bits of shopping and then it was back to her house for a cup of tea. 

Saturday wasn’t very exciting and I don’t think Phil even changed out of his PJ’s all day, no need to as he didn’t have a reason to leave the house.  As usual, I went to the gym and actually managed a half decent workout which made me happy.   This was short-lived however, because the pain came back after lunch. We had a bit of a duvet afternoon and watched 3 recorded films back to back.  Phil has been recording some weird films recently but these were quite good ones.  I did get the ironing done but it took me 4 hours because I had to keep sitting down and having a rest.  Not a biggie I guess and at least I emptied the ironing basket.

We had a bit of a lie-in on Sunday morning which was nice as were spending the day apart.  Phil took my car and picked up Georgina and his ex mother-in-law (don’t ask)  and drove to Melton to have lunch with his mum and dad.  I had persuaded them to book the Bowls Club for lunch because I was worried about mum cooking with her bad leg.  Mum booked the table and according to Phil they had a very nice meal.  When Phil left, I went to the gym and then did some shopping in Asda.  Asda was packed out; it was like shopping on Christmas Eve.  I did myself some salmon and salad for lunch and then did my housework.  I did a proper job, pulling out furniture and dusting all the skirting boards.  I also cooked a vegetable chilli and it was gone 4pm by the time I sat down.  I expected Phil to get home late but he was backed at the flat before 5pm which wasn’t too late.  We watched a film and then had an early night.

I was dismayed to see the snow this morning.  I knew we were due some but I didn’t think it would settle.  I am local today but tomorrow I am meant to be driving down to Suffolk.   Should I stay or should I go?? I dunno, going to the gym shortly so I shall how the local roads are before I make my decision.  Bloody weather!