Women’s stories

“Within hours I felt a difference.”

At 46, Leanne runs the finance department of a multi-million-dollar retail company. Before that she was a trained nurse and learned to pay a lot of attention to what was going on in her body. Here’s her story:

“I have suffered with blood sugar fluctuations ever since I can remember. They had become so intense in the last couple of years that I was avoiding any sugar and most carbs to try to keep my blood sugar from bottoming out.

“Recently, about 4-6 years ago, I began to suffer from anxiety/panic attacks when under a tremendous emotional stress. I have always been very aware of hormonal fluctuations and things that are going on with my body. (I had very similar events at the onset of adolescence and after going to nursing school, so I realized that most of it was hormonal). I suspected that I was in a perimenopausal state, and felt that the panic attacks were a result of the tremendous stress and the hormone changes.

“I did seek medical advice from a cardiologist since the initiating factor seemed to be a heart ‘flutter’, received a diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and the offer of anti-anxiety medication, which I did not want to take. I was able to exercise and avoid caffeine to regulate the problem at that time, and did not have to take any medication.

“I also consulted a gynecologist and he prescribed Ambien, which I took for several months in order to avoid the night-time anxiety attacks that were robbing me of sleep. He was very sweet and supportive of the problems I was having, but did not suggest any HRT at that time, just that I work on lowering my stress. I eventually got everything back in line, and got off the Ambien, and although my sleep was not as restful as I would have liked, I no longer suffered from the panic attacks during the evening (the daytime ones had subsided much more quickly), and life got better.

“About six months ago, I was awoken from a dead sleep by a full-fledged panic attack — and they continued for about three months. When I started having left arm pain and squeezing sensations in my chest, I went for a check-up with the cardiologist. I suspected they were simply manifestations of the anxiety attacks, since they were relieved by exercise, but I had to rule out the possibility it was a heart attack.

“Again MVP was confirmed, heart disease was ruled out and I was offered anti-anxiety meds, which I again declined, but was definitely more interested in this time since I was having to exercise at least 15-20 minutes 3 times a day just to keep my sanity. I could keep the anxiety at bay by exercising, but could not make it go completely away.

“The attacks were definitely worse at night, but were occurring during the day as well — and would strike without warning. I never consciously felt worried. It was just that some chemical reaction in my body was completely out of my control. Add to that mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and general grumpiness, and I was a miserable human being.

“I knew that this was all more than likely related to perimenopause and hormone changes, but did not know what to do next. The cardiologist basically listened politely, and suggested that I consider anti-anxiety medication to get through this rough spot. I knew that my gynecologist would suggest HRT, which I am not interested in, and so I got on the internet to research menopause.

“Lo and behold, I found that my symptoms could be menopause-related, as I had suspected. (They also are symptoms of dysautonomia, which is exacerbated by menopause.)

“I wanted to let you know that within hours of taking my first dose of your Essential Nutrients, I felt a definite difference, and after a month on them, I feel great! I still don’t load up on carbs, but am now able to eat a piece of apple pie a la mode now if I want it, or a few of our locally famous tortilla chips and salsa, without having a blood sugar crash.

“So, I want to say — thank you very much! I am enjoying having a life!“

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Last Modified: 03/11/2010