Winner - $25 Girlz Lyfe Gift Certificate

We have a winner, folks...You'll find the winning comment below:

MissTM said... 70

forgot to post this twice too.
8/4 Tweet
http://twitter.com/TeeTee_Baby/status/20355600950

August 7, 2010 2:46 PM

Congratulations, MissTM!!! I'm sending an e-mail now to get details. Don't forget - if you entered Yona's giveaway, you can check now to see if you've won over there. :-)

Hypothyroidism: One Little Problem and a Ton of Big Symptoms

I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and after researching, have discovered that it's much more common that I originally thought. In fact, many people (especially women) suffer with some degree of hypothyroidism and don't even know it.

I thought it would be a great idea to share my story, and maybe it will help others out there who may be experiencing the same symptoms I did...

What is Hypothyroidism?

Your thyroid is a gland that controls many different things in your body, mainly your metabolism. Hypothyroidism means that this gland isn't producing enough hormone to control those necessary processes. Many times, this happens due to an autoimmune disorder that causes your antibodies to attack the thyroid gland. Sometimes it can happen due to thyroid cancer, or other conditions that leave the thyroid damaged.

Symptoms I Experienced:

I'll start by saying that for many, many years, I have been unable to tolerate cold. When others in the room were comfortable, or hot even, I was wrapped up in blankets with my teeth chattering. Sometimes, I would feel 'bone cold,' meaning I was just absolutely cold all over and couldn't seem to get warm at all. During these occasions, the only thing that seemed to help was a hot bath - and I took LOTS of those.

Another thing I noticed for many years was that I didn't sweat like other people...most things that would cause others to start dripping barely affected me. I thought I was blessed - ha! Also, there were times when I would just be completely tired - as if my batteries suddenly drained, leaving me absolutely fatigued. However, other than this, I felt okay. I didn't have much trouble maintaining my weight, even when I wasn't actively doing any exercise programs regularly.

However, several months ago, I began to feel really ill. I noticed that my concentration went from excellent to not-so-good to completely non-existent. I was grouchy, tired ALL the time, and always cold. Now, when I say tired all the time, I don't mean I felt like sleeping. I don't mean I could have taken a nap and that I felt lazy. I mean that it was HORRIBLE - it was an effort to move...just getting up to walk across the room felt like an insurmountable chore. This does not work when you have 2 children...and so on top of feeling terrible, I felt guilty because it was all I could do to muster up the energy to give them meals, etc.

I didn't think too much of this, because I've always had issues sleeping at night. I figured it was just catching up to me. Soon after, the muscle cramps started. It started with a few muscle 'spasms' - what felt like a charlie horse in different parts of my body - arms, sides, etc. Within a few weeks' time, I was having a very difficult time with anything. Putting on a shirt or buckling my seat belt would make muscles in my arms and sides 'seize' up, and it was incredibly painful.

I had also started gaining weight - this I blew off, thinking...I'm getting older, I work at home on the computer...I just need to exercise more. I also had a few really bad migraines...I mean, I thought I'd had migraines before those headaches, but apparently not. These made me feel like my skull was going to split open, and I was actually vomiting throughout both of them. It was the muscle cramps that really got to me. I started to think something was really wrong. One day (after the realization that I needed to exercise more), I decided to go for a walk. I got my MP3 player and took off out the door. I didn't get very far at all (embarrassingly) before my legs didn't want to work anymore at all.

Both of my legs became so exhausted...it was like I was losing the ability to use them. It was terrifyingly painful. I turned around and began to go home. I honestly wasn't sure whether I would make it home. My legs were in so much pain and it felt like I was walking around on tree trunks. It was hard to bend them, and each time I moved them, the muscles screamed in agony. When I did make it home, I was in tears. My family thought perhaps it was because I didn't exercise regularly. This didn't sit right with me...sure, I wasn't a marathon runner, but I have 2 kids so I'm fairly active. My little 'walk' didn't even amount to the number of steps I would take to run in the grocery store and grab something for dinner - and I felt completely paralyzed.

I can confidently say that by this point, more than one of my family members probably thought I was going nuts. Still - I called the doctor and made an appointment. A friend of mine pointed out that lack of potassium could cause muscle cramps and fatigue, and I thought there was a possibility I was anemic. When I explained to the doctor what was going on, I was told that there was probably nothing wrong with me - I was 27 years old and fairly healthy. She said that I might need more calcium, but she agreed to do blood work.

When the blood work came back, and the doctor told me that my thyroid numbers were low, I was so relieved. I was so thankful that there was a name for what was wrong with me, and that it could be controlled. However, she told me that most people don't complain about muscle aches and cramps when they have thyroid issues. Interestingly enough, after doing my own research, I found that it was one of the most commonly listed symptoms.

Medication

So, I was started on Synthroid 25mg. 5 weeks later, a blood test showed I was still too low. I was moved up to 50mg. Another blood test revealed that I was still too low. I was moved up two more times, and am now taking 100mg a day. I will have another blood test in a few weeks to determine whether my numbers are good or I need a higher dosage.

Within a few weeks of taking the Synthroid, the muscle aches were completely gone - a HUGE relief. However, it took much longer for the pain in my legs - every time I walked, I had that same exhausted, horrible pain in my legs. Now, I still feel it occasionally, but it's nowhere near as bad. I've also started to lose the extra weight I gained. I feel fairly okay, but I am still having some weird symptoms.

One of them is random swelling and pain - I've had this happen in my feet, my fingers and wrists, on my sides (near my ribs) and in my knees. It happens out of the blue, and the affected area turns red and hot, along with the pain and swelling. Most of the time, it goes away overnight. This is something I plan on discussing with my doc at my next checkup, and I guess I'll have to hope that she is willing to look into it. I also get extremely tired still, from time to time, but I still have more energy than I did have. Overall, I'd say I feel about 70% better - but I'm still working on 100%.

All THAT From One Little Problem?

This is what I was thinking - how in the world can one little problem cause so much pain and so many symptoms? For a while, I was really thinking that there was something SERIOUSLY wrong with me. I expected to get some horrible diagnosis...I was even scared to visit the doctor. But hypothyroidism can cause so many symptoms - it's just unreal. In fact, if it's left untreated for a long time, sufferers can actually go into a fatal coma. Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Feeling tired, fatigued - This can range from just fatigued to being so low on energy it's debilitating.

• Gaining weight.

• Loss of concentration.

• Muscle aches/pains.

• Irritability

• Being intolerable to cold.

• Menstrual irregularities.

• Constipation.

• Headaches/Migraines.

These are just a few of the common symptoms. I really recommend you read this article, which goes into the many bodily processes that are governed by or directly affected by the thyroid. I am so glad that I'm feeling better, and I hope that as we get the proper dosage of medication going, I'll feel even better than this. With hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism being so common, many women could be feeling horrible and blaming it on not enough sleep or the need for more vitamins.

A Bit of Funny:

While none of this is really funny, I have to point out some of the differences I've been experiencing since taking the medicine. I found out that I am not blessed and that I DO sweat. I also don't experience that 'bone cold' feeling anymore - and lately, I've felt our Southern Mississippi heat more than I care to. I will suddenly start fanning myself and saying, "Geez! Is it hot in here to everyone else?" That's when my loving sweetheart yells, "It's just your thyroid kicking in!" Ha! It's actually NOT my thyroid kicking in - it's the medicine, which I'll most likely have to take every day...forever.

Another thing I've noticed is that my metabolism has definitely increased...I am hungry. A lot. I guess this is okay, since I'm still losing weight.

If you're experiencing the symptoms above, have your doctor do a blood test and check out your thyroid performance. Because many doctors don't have the commitment necessary to really find out what's wrong with their patients (especially when initial tests come back clean because hypothyroidism can be difficult to diagnose), it may be necessary to shop around for doctors, or to find a great endocrinologist. This may be what I have to end up doing. I'll keep you updated on how I'm feeling, and in the meantime will hope that this post might help someone who could be having thyroid problems and not know it!

Image Credit: http://www.righthealth.com/topic/Congenital_hypothyroidism/Images

Keurig B-30 Mini Brewing System Giveaway

I am trying my darndest to win a Keurig...not too long ago I tried to win the super duper system from a particular blog, but didn't. Now, Real Moms is giving away a mini-system which is just PERFECTO for me. So, I'm trying to win that one.

If you want a shot - go here and enter.

2 Lil Muffins Presents: The Top 10 Hottest Celebrity Stud Muffins

As an ode to the great art of procrastination, I will now delight your senses with my picks for the most gorgeous men...and trust me, this isn't some spur-of-the-moment list. I've studied these men PA-LENTY (research, of course) in an attempt to bring you only the highest-quality stud muffins. Without further ado...

10. Edward Norton ♥

I have absolutely no defense for this at all. I just think Edward Norton is incredibly hot.

9. Colin Farrell ♥

Colin is one of those guys who can be completely hot one second and totally not hot the next. However, accents make me weak in the knees (ESPECIALLY IRISH ACCENTS) and so...he makes the list. Also, if you haven't seen Ondine, that is such a cute movie!

8. Jared Leto ♥

Ok. Let me tell you my little Jared Leto story. First and foremost, I was a HUGE fan of the MTV show My So Called Life, where of course Leto played the heartthrob Jordan Catalono. I was probably about 14 when this short-lived show aired, and I was in L.O.V.E.!! Many years later, when Leto formed the band 30 Seconds to Mars, I was able to see them live at CPRfest, a local concert event that happens here yearly.

It just so happened that the band was kicked off the stage early because the main act was ready to go on - and Jared was NOT happy. He was ranting over by his trailer when yours truly passed by and became STAR STRUCK...and actually had a conversation with him. Got a hug and a CD too. Yay me!!!

7. James Franco ♥ ♥

I can't help it - as you'll see with one of the celebs that's much, much closer to #1, there's just this thing about the dark, mysterious type that is irresistible!

6. Gerard Butler ♥ ♥

Hot. Accent. "This is SPARTA." If you've seen 300 or P.S. I Love You and didn't develop a crush on Gerard Butler, you're a stronger woman than me!

5. Jason Statham ♥ ♥ ♥

Bad boy. Accent. Alpha Male. He makes bald look hot.

4. Leonardo DiCaprio ♥ ♥ ♥


I've had a crush on Leo for YEARS - like, since the Romeo + Juliet days. Now, some of you will argue that Leo is too 'pretty boy-ish,' but to that, I say, Blood Diamond. If you haven't seen him in this movie, you must. It's that rugged, butt-kicking thing that makes our feminine instincts kick in - you know, the ones that point us in the direction of the alpha male. Hot.

3. James McAvoy ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I adore James McAvoy. He is absolutely gorgeous, and has a delicious accent. Also, the movie Becoming Jane is probably #1 or #2 on my favorite movie list.

2. Orlando Bloom ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Just 100% totally and completely adorable.

1. Johnny Depp ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥



Oh my. My oh my. My, my, my. I absolutely LOVE Johnny Depp, and have since forever. He is absolutely the hottest male celebrity alive, and seems to just get hotter and hotter. The coolest thing about him - he doesn't tout himself as being sexy, and deliberately takes roles that actually downplay his looks, but we all know what's hiding under the Mad Hatter's make-up, don't we?

I honestly think that Johnny Depp will hold the title of 'sexiest male celebrity alive' until...well, until he dies. And he's so sexy, that he may have the power to hold the title even after that.

Ok - so, in the comments below, tell me who would make your list, and what you think about mine!!!

iPad Giveaway!!!! (Ends September 6, 2010)

If you've had your eye on an iPad, here's your chance to get one FREE. GirlzLyfe.com is giving away 1 iPad and the entry process is SUPER easy...

Enter the iPad Giveaway Here!!!

While you're there, you need to check out their ADORABLE items - they have back-to-school stuff, eco-friendly accessories, jewelry, and so much more. The greatest thing is that the prices are VERY reasonable. Plus, a purchase earns 10 extra entries in the iPad giveaway.

Don't forget to enter our $25 GirlzLyfe.com gift certificate giveaway, too!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy...

What brings me joy?

- Finding a hand-written letter in the mailbox from a friend or loved one (as long as they're not asking for money.)

- That moment during a great meal when I'm comfortably full and satisfied (just before things start to get uncomfortable because I've taken a few bites that I really didn't need.)

- Chocolate (covering cherries, drizzled over granola bars, in milk, in coffee, in cake-form, dark and light, baked in cookies, and pretty much every other way. I don't really discriminate.)

- My Children (even when they're trying to kill each other, embarrassing me in public, asking for insanely expensive electronic items, and refusing to go to sleep.)

- The Love of My Life (even when he's embarrassing me in public, asking for insanely expensive electronic items, and refusing to go to sleep.)

- Fantastic books (especially ones that allow me to pretend I'm a butt-kicking half-vampire, apocalypse survivor, governess at an estate with a ruggedly handsome master who's hiding a crazy wife in the other wing of the mansion, parter of the mists that lead to a secret island, or other such delicious things.)

- Writing (and envisioning my name on the New York Times bestseller list.)

There you have it...so, what brings you joy?

This post is part of SOYJOY‘s What brings you joy contest. Learn more here.”

$25 GirlzLyfe.com Gift Certificate Giveaway (CLOSED)

Let me just start by saying I LOVE the Girlz Lyfe shop! They have the cutest stuff, and it's all reasonably priced. The owner, Veronica, is super nice, and has agreed to do another giveaway with us - so one of you lucky readers gets the chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

Since everything is such a great price, you can choose from a ton of items for just $25 - or, add to it and get even more goodies. Girlz Lyfe has great gift items and things for the home along with all that fantastic girl merchandise. Or, pick up something for your favorite pooch. There are things for little girls, grown-up girls, and even baby girls!
One thing I love about the things in the store is that they're not seen everywhere - so if you purchase a necklace or a t-shirt, it's not likely that you're going to see someone else wearing it. Also, they have a ton of items that are whimsical and funny.

You really have to browse through the store to get a real appreciation of what's available! It's a miracle that I haven't bought them out of everything they carry! So...without further ado...

How to Enter: Follow this blog publicly, and visit the Girlz Lyfe shop. Browse through the adorable items and let me know what you'd purchase with your gift certificate.

Extra Entries:

• "Like" Girlz Lyfe on Facebook and leave a message on their wall, saying 2 Lil Muffins sent you. (2 Extra Entries)

• Follow Girlz Lyfe on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Leave me a comment with the link to the tweet. This can be done daily. (2 Extra Entries)

• E-mail Subscribe to this blog and confirm, or leave a comment if you're already a subscriber. (1 Extra Entry)

• Purchase an item from Girlz Lyfe and leave me a comment with the details. (10 Extra Entries)

• Sign up for the Girlz Lyfe newsletter (left of the website, little blue box). You'll get discount details and much more. (1 Extra Entry)

• Want another chance to win AND another entry here? Enter Yona's Girlz Lyfe giveaway and leave me a comment letting me know you did. (1 Extra Entry)

Good luck everyone! The contest will end 8/12 at 8PM and the winner will be chosen by Random.org. Please remember to leave a comment for EACH entry so it will be counted - and don't forget to add your e-mail address if it's not on your public profile.