by admin | Jun 17, 2015 | Patient Experience
I started working at Innovative Directions in Health March of 2015 and had never contemplated using hormones. My everyday life consisted of: hot flashes, weight gain (especially around my mid-section), low libido, brain fog, difficulty remembering things, insomnia.
All of these symptoms were annoying but I really noticed that “I just didn’t feel like me anymore”. I used to be fun and chatty and full of energy! Where did that go?? I realized after talking to Dr. Sinda and starting on Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone plus supplements used to support healthy aging (DHEA, vitamin D and Magnesium) that I was becoming the “fun” Jill again.
About 3 weeks after I started taking BioIdentical Hormones, I walked into the office and told Dr. Sinda “the fog has lifted!!” I am sleeping again, which has been a problem for around 15 years. Every night I used to lie awake, unable to shut off my thoughts and if I woke up during the night I would be awake for hours. Now, I rub the Estrogen cream on my arm, slip a Progesterone under my tongue, take my vitamin D and Magnesium supplements and within a half hour it is lights out. I sleep all night with absolutely no trouble falling asleep.
I am learning something new at work every day in which I can apply to my own life and help our patients with. I love working here and feel better than I have in a long time. I am even working out, which was a huge issue with me because I was always tired (mentally and physically). My friends and family comment on how my skin is glowing and my eyes are back to sparkling. I will continue to share more of my journey back to health with all of you. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime with any questions you may have to share your story. I am a great listener and am here to help.
Jill, RN
Contact me at (952)922-2345 or Nurse@idinhealth.com
by admin | Jun 4, 2015 | Skincare Spotlight
Skincare is the least invasive way to change your skin.
In order to get results consumers should understand the difference between over-the-counter cosmeceuticals and pharmaceutical/ medical grade products.
We always recommend pharmaceutical/medical grade skincare products because they provide a superior level of treatment unmatched to Over-The-Counter (OTC) cosmeceuticals (products that can be purchased without a prescription). Medical grade products have the ability to reverse damage done to the skin, treat existing skin problems and protect skin from future damage. Most people do not understand that OTC products are not required to have clinical studies performed on their products. Only “medical grade” products (available at a physician’s office or where there is a medical director) must go through an extensive testing and approval processes to ensure its effectiveness and proven results.
Pharmaceutical grade ingredients are more expensive BUT provide more of the active ingredient and are safer for the consumer to use because they do not contain impurities.
There are many factors why phamaceutical grade products cost more, here are a few important ones:
- Very few over the counter skincare products are formulated with medical-quality ingredients. To earn a “pharmaceutical grade” label using medical-quality ingredients they have to be tested to verify purity and effectiveness. The testing process is not cheap.
- Medical grade products contain a higher amount of Active ingredients than anything you could buy over the counter. (Active ingredients are those that can physically change your skin (i.e.; reduce wrinkles, brown spots, acne, hydrate, etc.)) Medical grade ingredients are also pure vs OTC which often contain “fillers” because they are cheap AND can be problematic for many skin types.
- OTC products are NOT allowed by the FDA to penetrate the outer most layer of the skin; a.k.a the epidermis “dead tissue of the skin”. They instead sit on the surface of the skin. True changes that come to the skin are a result of altering the Dermal layer; a.k.a. dermas “living tissue”. Medical grade ingredients penetrate the epidermis to work deeper in the skin.
- Product development is also a significant cost. The most innovative science is expensive but this allows the consumer to purchase very effective products.
This isn’t to say that you won’t see results from an OTC skincare product. You may receive minimal results to the epidermis. It will also take longer to notice improvement and you will have to use more of the products, which means spending more money. True changes that come to the skin are a result of altering the Dermal layer.
This is why we recommend products that are pharmaceutical / medical grade. These products will not only give great results but are GOOD for your skin and worth spending extra. The skincare lines we carry have published studies with proven results. They also stand behind their product 100%, meaning if you are using the product correctly and are not seeing results or are not completely satisfied you can bring it back for a full refund*.
The medical grade skincare lines we carry and endorse their quality of proven results are: Revision Skincare, iS Clinical Skincare and NEOCUTIS Skincare.
We would be happy help you in determining what products would best suit your skin based on your budget and skin concerns. Fill out this form to set up your complimentary skincare analysis.
*A full refund for iS Clinical Skincare will issued only if there is a reaction.
by admin | May 29, 2015 | Tips and Recipes
Happy 1st Birthday!
I can't believe my first little grandson will be 1 soon! Where has the year gone? My daughter Katie has done everything she can think of to keep him healthy and growing strong. She was very lucky to be able to nurse him all the way through, and now his favorite treat in his highchair…. frozen bright green organic PEAS! We are planning his First birthday party and discussing the cute little birthday cake we of course want him to dive into with all cameras flashing. As we think of that little body that has never tasted white flour, white processed sugar, and piles of white frosting we shudder just a little. I know what one piece of that does to me…sugar rush..heart beats a little faster..and then I crash! So…we began testing an alternative. You won't believe this recipe from my amazing friend and Anna Gates. Do any of you remember that fabulous old cake recipe called Gooey butter cake? Well….this is even better! And it's good for you!! I even just baked it in a 9 x 13 pan and cut it up into squares and popped in the freezer for an anytime treat! Little William will be so HAPPY….and so will MOM! And guess what…not one single guest will know the difference either! ENJOY!
ALMOND CAKE by Anna Gates
- 3/4 cup butter (I used Kerrygold pure Irish butter…amazing and worth going to get!)
- 1 cup zylitol
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour (must get the finely milled blanched almond flour..i order it on-line from Honeyville. Anything else will be too grainy and not cake-like)
- 1/2 cups coconut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup almond milk (find the best can..makes a difference!)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Cream together butter and zylitol until smooth
- Add in eggs, one at a time and beat until fully blended in
- Add almond milk and vanilla and mix combine
- In a separate bowl, combine flours, salt and baking powder
- Beat the dry ingredients into the wet and beat til creamy
- Spread into a 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes (my gas convection oven took only 22 minutes. I will make it in a layer cake for next!)
- Serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream
Or: Frost with this
- 3/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted (I love the dutch cocoa powder from Penzies)
- 1 cup agave or honey
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
Combine all in a food processor or electric mixer and blend til smooth and creamy. xoxoxo – Susie
by admin | May 29, 2015 | Patient Experience
Happy 1st Birthday!
I can't believe my first little grandson will be 1 soon!
Where has the year gone? My daughter Katie has done everything she can think of to keep him healthy and growing strong. She was very lucky to be able to nurse him all the way through, and now his favorite treat in his highchair…. frozen bright green organic PEAS!
We are planning his First birthday party and discussing the cute little birthday cake we of course want him to dive into with all cameras flashing. As we think of that little body that has never tasted white flour, white processed sugar, and piles of white frosting we shudder just a little. I know what one piece of that does to me…sugar rush..heart beats a little faster..and then I crash! So…we began testing an alternative.
You won't believe this recipe from my amazing friend and Anna Gates. Do any of you remember that fabulous old cake recipe called Gooey butter cake? Well….this is even better! And it's good for you!! I even just baked it in a 9 x 13 pan and cut it up into squares and popped in the freezer for an anytime treat!
Little William will be so HAPPY….and so will MOM! And guess what…not one single guest will know the difference either! ENJOY!
ALMOND CAKE by Anna Gates
- 3/4 cup butter (I used Kerrygold pure Irish butter…amazing and worth going to get!)
- 1 cup zylitol
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour (must get the finely milled blanched almond flour..i order it on-line from Honeyville. Anything else will be too grainy and not cake-like)
- 1/2 cups coconut flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup almond milk (find the best can..makes a difference!)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Cream together butter and zylitol until smooth
- Add in eggs, one at a time and beat until fully blended in
- Add almond milk and vanilla and mix combine
- In a separate bowl, combine flours, salt and baking powder
- Beat the dry ingredients into the wet and beat til creamy
- Spread into a 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes (my gas convection oven took only 22 minutes. I will make it in a layer cake for next!)
- Serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream
Or: Frost with this
- 3/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted (I love the dutch cocoa powder from Penzies)
- 1 cup agave or honey
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp salt
Combine all in a food processor or electric mixer and blend til smooth and creamy.
xoxoxo
– Susie
by admin | May 28, 2015 | Tips and Recipes
If you are taking a Bio-Identical Progesterone Triturate (sublingual natural progesterone), you may find some of these tips useful!
First of all, what is a triturate? Triturates are a popular form of medication made by compounding pharmacists that are designed to keep medication in the mouth when local action is needed. They are generally placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, allowing the medication to enter the bloodstream quickly and easily. Triturates can be flavored and sweetened to help improve the bitterness of some medications. Compounding pharmacists can prepare unique dosage forms, such as Progesterone triturates, that contain the best dose of medication for each individual. Patients often have a better response to a customized dosage form that is "just what the doctor ordered". 1. If you are taking a Progesterone triturate and are having problems with your triturate dissolving try this:
- Mesh it up with your front teeth so it's almost like a paste, then place under tongue again. Continue rolling tongue over tablet until it dissolved. Or, press it between two fingers then put it under your tongue.
- Once under your tongue, breathe with your mouth open to avoid swallowing. Swallowing the tablet or secretions will NOT be as effective, dissolving tablet under the tongue goes directly to the bloodstream to manage symptoms quickly.
- DO NOT lay down with the tablet in your mouth. Sit up to prevent swallowing tablet secretions.
- If you are getting a 90 day supply, try keeping your Progesterone in the fridge with the cotton ball to keep it staying fresh.
- If you are waking up with it still under your tongue, contact your pharmacy.
2. Keep your Progesterone at your night stand so you remember to take it before bed. Compliance is key. 3. If you do not like the taste of the progesterone:
- Brush your teeth after all of the progesterone has dissolved
- Ask your compounding pharmacy about flavor options such as Chocolate Raspberry. Click here for options.
4. If you are in need of a refill, call your compounding pharmacy even if it states on your bottle that you have 0 refills remaining. The pharmacy will contact us for authorization. If you are due for an appointment you may have to schedule before approval. 5. If symptoms occur, contact our Nurse to help adjust your dosage. Rarely there may be a “paradoxical” unexpected response and you may be antsy, anxious, unable to sleep, or retain water and gain weight. If this happens, please call us. Symptoms of Too Much Progesterone:
- Tiredness
- Sluggishness
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
Symptoms of Not Enough Progesterone:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Mood Swings
- Bloating
- Irritability
- Night sweats / hot flashes occurring at night
- Headaches / migraines
- Breast Tenderness
If you are still having difficulty with your progesterone triturate dissolving or experiencing unpleasant symptoms, contact Dr. Sinda's Nurse at (952)922-2345 or email nurse@idinhealth.com. She will help to determine if another delivery method would be a better option or if adjustments to your treatment need to be made.
