Tuesday, February 24, 2009

BHRT Email I wrote to my CR friends....

Though I had written some of this before...if you have not seen it, read for info.

I wanted to let you know about my Bioidentical experience, so far, and to let you know that I am doing well. Whether you have heard of BHRT, or not, you may want to know about the great doctors and services I have used during my search. Never know when you may need a good doctor.

I had not heard, or not paid any attention to BHRT until I saw 3 Oprah shows, this past month, and decided to do the research. There are a great many sources on the internet, and several great books available also. When I sent emails to several of you, you let me know about resources here in Costa Rica. The rest of you may want the information also. All doctors, etc. info is listed at the bottom.

I first interviewed the Pharmist in San Jose, Dra. Ana Violeta Ovares. at the compound pharmasy. I spent 2 hours with her, we went through my history, and she did an evaluation. Several days later, I received a copy of her evaluation, and suggestions, via email, $70. Her recommendation for a great antiaging doctor was the Dra. Livia Oruno. I interviewed with her, and set up an appointment to do all the tests. First, blood work, after fasting, $200, then back to Dra. Ortuno's for a pap and examination, which included an ultrasound (never had one during a pap before), $100, and she made appointments for me to go directly to the offices for a mammeogram, and bone density tests. I took cab to the Centro de Mamografia La California, directly from Dra. Ortuno's, and both mammeogram and bone density were in the same complex. When the mameogram was finished, I went into the next room where the Doctor was looking at the test, and dictating to the tecnician, who was typing into the computer as he spoke. I could see the tests on the computer screens. He then had me lay down on a table, and did an ultrasound on my entire upper torso, $80. So now I had been looked at, internally, entirely. The next stop was for my bone density, which was a state of the art (which each office was), equipment for making pictures of my hips, and spine., $40. I received test results, receipts, and faxes of most tests were made directly to my doctor's office. Dra. Ortuno also faxed a script to Dra. Ovares, to make the individualized compound cream, BHRT, $40, after evaluating all my tests. A couple days later, I was able to pick up my script at the bus depot here in San Ramon. It was sent, well protected, and I started using it on Friday.

I have applied the creme, to the insides of my arms for fast delivery right into my blood system, four days now, and I already feel a difference. Most of the literature says you should start getting relief almost immediately, and I am. I can only wait to see what diffence long term use will make in my life. I'll keep each of you posted.

Note: This is not normal hormone treatments, it is not pharmsuticals, they are all natural herbs and plants. Many have had great success with it. I hope to be one of them.


(Both doctors below are USA educated and speak excellent English)

Dra. Ana Violeta Ovares, M.F.I.
Premafarma (Compound Pharmacy)
2225-3774

Dra. Livia Ortuno
OB/GYN Antiaging Specialist
2221-5872

Centro de Mamografia La California
2233-0350

Centro Diagnostico de Osteoporosis
2257-8319

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bioidentical HRT

Well, doctor appointments, blood work, bone density, mammogram....all out of the way for another year. And now I hope to get my BHRT cream soon. The pharmacist in San Jose will have it delivered to a pharmacy closer to me and then I am smearing that stuff on! Can't wait.

I have to tell you about my tests here in CR though! I was impressed! Never had such a good check up by any doctor, probably since I was born. The GYN is my Aging Doctor too, and I was surprised to get not only a pap, and a quick check, but an extensive breast exam, and an ultrasound checking out my lower GI, basically. It was quite comforting to know immediately, that all my parts are still there, and looking good. She called to make my mammogram and bone density appointments, for the same day, so I could just take a taxi and get it all done in one day in San Jose. And you would not believe the inexpensive price of all of it! I will file with my insurance company to get reimbursed. If I did not have insurance, I would have been elated to realize that it was so little.

I caught a bus from the airport parking, because I had dropped off a couple going back to Canada from the B&B. Between buses, and taxis, I got to my appointments and back to the bus for the airport, in record time. Much better than trying to find places on my own, and drive in that awful traffic! There was a finder binder on one of the streets, tieing up traffic, and my cabby, just drove right around the accident...while no one else was even trying it. These cabbies have nerves of steel, and are not afraid of anything! The only thing somewhat un-nerving is, none of the seatbelts, in the backseat, work. Parts are there, but not a whole belt. So you just say your "hail Mary's" and hold on for dear life. The sun was still shining when I arrived home.

Did I say the sun is shining? Well, finally! We may have 2 months of summer on the hill here, before the rainy season starts. I can't believe it! There has not been much sun until this last week, after the awful storm has finally gone. I thought everyone was going to kill themselves or someone else before it broke. A week of 90 mile/hr winds, roofs gone, sofets gone, and most things nailed down were no longer in place either. Rain/wind/rain/wind/rain/wind!!! How tiring!! But at last, sun! We still have the wind, not 90 mph, but pretty strong, but at least the sun is here. And I thought winter was long in STL! This is the tropics, isn't it? Someone said...on the high side...meaning in the mountains, not really tropics.

I took Fred and Leiann to the beach, Pacific, one day last week. It was so nice to have a sunny day, and it did feel good to walk at the edge of the ocean. I am not a beach person, but the sun felt so good, and I did not even mind the humidity on my skin for one day. The drive was long, and the food at the little soda was awful, though the fruit drinks and coffee were great. If you just drink, CR is a great place to be. Food sucks!! I prefer cooking at home, and even pop corn, to eatting out here. That is one thing I am looking forward to on my trip to the states soon...eatting out! I want some good seafood, and even Red Lobster will do. Also, Farmer's is a great homemade dinner kind of place we alway love going to, will be high on my list. And some good MX food. Not wanting fast food, as we have Mc D's and several others here...okay when you must eat something, and Tico will not do. And Nona's homemade pies and cakes...thinking about them too. After doing so much cooking here, for myself and friends/guests, I wonder if it will taste as good as I remember, but at least someone else is cooking. The one thing here that is really so much fun is, getting together with friends and sharing meals. I have a couple of friends who really are good cooks. We had a neighborhood baking party the end of January, and prepared and baked French style bread. Even made some starter...too much for me...always needing you to make it up. I love baking bread, but I do it the easy way...throw it in the bread maker, when I want to, and wha-la...great bread in a few hours. I usually take it out and let it do the final rise and bake it in the oven.

Another day in paradise!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Peaches has grown so much!





Peaches is 7 lbs/3.4K now, and is cute as a button. The puppy fur is about to blow away, so I had to take a few of her before then. This picture was taken on a cool day, needs a bath, and I finally gave her one yesterday. Matters not, she is clean now, but the hair still stands on end. She gives Sunni such a hard time, and even chases Ginger/35lbs. around the house. They are both so gentle with her, that I think they take a pretty good beating before they stop her. Life is so much fuller with these little fur balls to make me laugh.

Friday, February 06, 2009

More about BHRT & a STORM

Some of you may wonder why I am writing about this on my blog, which is mostly about Costa Rica, but this is so much a part of my life here, and I am trying to find some solutions to my ill health, and this, I hope will be a help to you as well as myself.

I had an interview with Ana Violeta Ovares, the pharmacist at the compound pharmacy on Wednesday, and found her very knowledgeable. And the fact that she speaks such good English is very helpful also. Doctor Octuno, came highly recommended by Ana, and I will make an appointment to see her as soon as possible. Almost everyone I speak to, is anxious to hear more, and find out more about BHRT. Dra. Ovares, does a thoughal interview and then makes recommendations to ones regular Doctor as to the composition of the bhrt. She also gave me the book by Suzanne Somers "Ageless", which I am reading now.

The Compound Pharmacy is a members of PCCA (Pharmaceutical Compounding Centers of America) and is the only one south of the Rio Grand. So, I feel fortunate to be this close. It is an hour+ for me, but she does ship, so it will not involve an all day trip via bus/taxis too frequently, once I see the doctor and get the process started.

The STORM...will it ever end!!??? The winds started Tuesday, and have been so violent, I am surprised my roof is still on my house. It is very cool, 50's at night and early morning, and low 60's during the day, and believe me...it is very cold. With no heat, I have several layers of clothing, and hat to hold my body heat. My fingers are so cold. Hot tea, and hot chocolate are my friends. Sleep is hard to catch, as the steel roof, sounds like a semi, each time it belches and pops. The doors and sky lights rattle, constantly, and keeping the items on the porches is a major feat. I have almost given up and decided that if it is gone, I'll buy a new....whatever it is. If it were not for the parchal covering around the front patio, the furniture would be in the next county also. This is the storm that came down from Canada, and gave Kentucky so much ice and took out the electricity for some many people, last week. After 3 days, we are ready for it to stop, anytime now, and the sun to come back out. So much for living in the tropics, never thought they would get such violent storms.