The list will:
1. motivate me to make the changes I need to make
2. keep motivating me through my long and frequent "lapses" that will occur from now until eternity
2. help me track any health improvements as I move towards being sugar free (note to self - quit sugar)
Health Complaints Summary
Before Baby
* Overweight since childhood with some yo-yo’ing. Only
successful technique to keep weight under control was extreme exercise
* Diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis around 24 years
old, no side effects so no treatment at that time
* Bad episode of glandular fever at 30, took over a year
to feel like energy levels were “normal” again. As part of fatigue management
started thyroid replacement medication. Dose stayed same and did not change
until pregnancy
* Diagnosed with PCOS at 32
* Perfectionist and competitive (but I thought I was just
hard-working)
* Patello fermeral knee pain (well-managed by physio) but slight clicky knee
* Intermittent/Low sex drive
* Allergies (dust mites and pollen)
* Very dark circles under eyes
* Limp, oily hair
After Baby
* Gained a further 5kg after baby born. Currently around 15kg
over pre-baby weight (not sure as no longer weigh self)
* Total reliance on sugar to get through day’s energy slumps.
Consumption of chocolate and other sugary, processed carbohydrate food has increased. Always had a sweet tooth, but didn't consume this much or this often ever before
* Skipping some meals which never used to do
* Extreme fatigue, particularly in afternoon and early
evening. Comes and goes in good and bad waves which last around 1-4 weeks
* Don’t wake up feeling rested. Very rarely have a deep
sleep. The more tired I feel, the worse I sleep. If I’m woken at 3am by needing to go to the toilet, a bad
dream, or being hot then not only do I toss and turn until 6am but I also find
that I get into the pattern of waking at 3am several nights in a row
and can’t break it.
* Thyroid dose increased up and down a little but with no
clear results
* Increased susceptibility to infections. Recently had an
ear infection for first time since childhood and now have sinusitis first time
ever
* Planta Fasciitis in both feet which took about 12 months
to heal (apparently caused by weight gain and increased stretchiness of
ligaments from pregnancy hormones)
* Significant loss of muscle tone, causing problems around
hips, knees and ankles
* Pregnancy-related groin pain (myofascial) that was
occasional but at its worst about 15 months after baby born (potentially injury
because abdominal muscles very weak).
* Very clicky knees
* First few months after birth had terrible carpel tunnel in
my hands, I still wake up with pins and needles or completely numb hands quite
often
* Diagnosed with Psoriasis on knees that has not responded to
any topical creams, hasn't improved in over a year
* Sometimes get a painful swelling and red itchiness on joints (ankles,
knees, knuckles and wrists mostly) during night and morning, usually lasts
until the afternoon and then disappears. Not every day, just random, can’t work
out the cause
* Constant (more than 10 times per day) comparison of myself
to other mothers. All the fit and healthy ones with energy and ability
to fit in clothes that make them look good. Also the ones with successful
careers and planted vegetable patches, who are able to take their babies and toddlers on interstate and overseas holidays
*Diagnosed with anxiety disorder and post natal depression.
Felt better after a short course of 6 counselling sessions, but do find that
sad periods can creep up on me again like they never used to. Get more teary,
down and overwhelmed during stressful periods than I used to
* When I need to do a number 2, the need comes suddenly and
its very urgent. Waiting causes cramps and pain (not fun on public transport)
* Zero sex drive
* Increased allergy to cat hair
* Even darker circles under eyes
* Even limper and oilier hair
