My endometriosis story and a potential treatment option

*This post is sponsored by AbbVie

When I was beginning my journey into womanhood, I suffered from symptoms that I was told were ‘normal’ by my family OB/GYN. Many times I missed school because of the pelvic pain, and the discomfort was so bad that sitting was too painful to bear.

In my late twenties, I moved out of state and began seeing a new OB/GYN, who performed a sonogram out of concern regarding my medical family history. She explained to me that she believed I may have endometriosis.

I was in shock and feeling so upset that my family OB/GYN never discussed endometriosis with me, especially given my family history. Up until I was diagnosed, I followed a cycle of taking oral contraceptives and over-the-counter pain relievers to help ease my symptoms. Not knowing anyone else with endometriosis that I could relate to and seek help from, I felt alone. After learning that I had endometriosis, my first step was searching the internet for more information, solutions and to connect with others who have the condition.

Because I suffer from endometriosis, I understand how confusing it can be and want to help educate women who suffer from the condition about what I’ve learned. While there is no cure for endometriosis, treatment options are available. Every woman is different and its important to speak to your healthcare provider about treatment options that could work for you, including holistic approaches, such as changes in diet or acupuncture, medications or surgery.

One potential treatment option that I have learned about is ORILISSA® (elagolix). ORILISSA is for women 18 and over with moderate to severe endometriosis ain.

If you or someone you know has endometriosis pain, I encourage you to visit Orilissa.com to learn more and get information that can help you have a meaningful discussion with your doctor.  You can even create a personalized discussion guide to help explain your pain to your doctor.

For more information, visit ORILISSA.com.

Information about ORILISSA

Please see below for Important Safety Information.

Please visit www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/orilissa_pi.pdf for the Full Prescribing Information including Medication Guide.

USE

ORILISSA® (elagolix) is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. It is not known if ORILISSA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about ORILISSA?

ORILISSA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Bone Loss (decreased Bone Mineral Density [BMD])

While you are taking ORILISSA, your estrogen levels will be low. This can lead to BMD loss. Your BMD may improve after stopping ORILISSA, but may not recover completely. It is unknown if these bone changes could increase your risk for broken bones as you age. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may order a DXA scan to check your BMD.

  • Effects on Pregnancy

Do not take ORILISSA if you are trying to become or are pregnant, as your risk for early pregnancy loss may increase. If you think you are pregnant, stop taking ORILISSA right away and call your HCP. ORILISSA may change your menstrual periods (irregular bleeding or spotting, a decrease in menstrual bleeding, or no bleeding at all), making it hard to know if you are pregnant. Watch for other signs of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness, weight gain, and nausea. ORILISSA does not prevent pregnancy. You will need to use effective hormone-free birth control (such as condoms or spermicide) while taking ORILISSA and for one week after stopping ORILISSA. Birth control pills that contain estrogen may make ORILISSA less effective. It is unknown how well ORILISSA works while on progestin-only birth control.

Do not take ORILISSA if you:

  • Are or may be pregnant, have osteoporosis, have severe liver disease, or take medicines known as strong OATP1B1 inhibitors, such as cyclosporine or gemfibrozil. If you are unsure if you are taking one of these medicines, ask your HCP.

What should I tell my HCP before taking ORILISSA?

Tell your HCP about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have or have had broken bones, have other conditions, or take medicines that may cause bone problems; have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; have liver problems; think you may be pregnant; or are breastfeeding or plan to be. It is unknown if ORILISSA passes into breast milk. Talk to your HCP about the best way to feed your baby if you take ORILISSA.

Tell your HCP about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Especially tell your HCP if you take birth control pills. Your HCP may advise you to change the pills you take or your method of birth control.

What are the possible side effects of ORILISSA?

ORILISSA can cause serious side effects including:

  • Suicidal thoughts, actions, or behavior, and worsening of mood. Call your healthcare provider right away, or call 911 if an emergency, if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or bother you: thoughts about suicide or dying, try to commit suicide, new or worse depression or anxiety, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood. You or your caregiver should pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
  • Abnormal liver tests. Call your HCP right away if you have any of these signs and symptoms of liver problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), dark amber-colored urine, feeling tired, nausea and vomiting, generalized swelling, right upper stomach area pain, or bruising easily.

The most common side effects of ORILISSA include; hot flashes or night sweats, headache, nausea, difficulty sleeping, absence of periods, anxiety, joint pain, depression, and mood changes.

These are not all of the possible side effects of ORILISSA. This is the most important information to know about ORILISSA. For more information, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.

Take ORILISSA exactly as your HCP tells you. Tell your HCP if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more.

Please see the Full Prescribing information, including Medication Guide for Patients, for Orilissa at www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/orilissa_pi.pdf

*Sponsored by AbbVie

US-ORIL-190327


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5G/EMF/RF protection from one of a kind 3rd Galaxi Art crystal keys!

Change your frequency and protect yourself from ‘5G’ / Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF) and Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation. Crystals combined with orgonite bring healing, protection and awareness. We need this now more than ever, because we are consistently surrounded and affected by 5G / EMF and RF. I wear a 12 sided vogel crystal key from 3rd Galaxi Art to protect myself every day, and wear it to sleep every night. The beauty, energy and protection from 3rd Galaxi Art pieces are so beautiful and powerful. I love the artisan-ship and selection of crystals that they use.

What is 5G / EMF, and where do they come from, you may be asking… Anything wireless. Cell phones, ear buds, Alexa, laptops, TV, WiFi routers, cell phone towers, etc. Radio Frequency (RF) Radiation comes from things such as microwave ovens that can be harmful due to the ability of RF energy to heat biological tissue rapidly. 

Wireless devices do not even need to be turned on for us to be negatively affected. 5G / EMF weakens our immune system, disrupts brain function, and creates hormone imbalances among other negative disruptions EMF creates in the human body. Wearing organite is SO important, being that whether we are using a cell phone, computer, watching TV, etc. or not, we are constantly surrounded and affected by 5G / EMF and RF Radiation.

How crystals work

Wearing crystals help raise the vibration of the human body and reconnect you back to earth.  This is essential to us as humans because the higher our vibration the easier it is to broadcast a powerful energy signature (transmit information) and receive higher vibrating energies (receive higher information for bio download). Most human beings are vibrating at very low frequencies especially since the introduction of cell phones, which we carry close to us and spend several hours on every day.

How Orgonite works

Orgonite is a positive energy generator. A laundromat for negative energy. How? When orgonite is within range of a source of DOR/negative energy, it will efficiently and continuously transform it into POR/positive energy as it is being transmitted, which essentially creates positive energy transmitters out of any and all emitters of harmful negative energy, which are totally defenseless against the effect. Orgonite amplifies the healing properties of crystals to a great degree

Each crystal key is handmade with copper, which is a conductor of energy. When used with crystals, copper intensifies, enhances and channels the crystals’ properties. Each crystal key includes organite (pictured below) to balance and harmonize energy and for protection against 5G / Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF) from electronic devices.

There are no other companies that make crystal and orgonite jewelry that 3rd Galaxi Art creates. They are truly one of a kind, and I know that you will Love these pieces as much as I do. Once you experience the positive results for yourself, you will want all of your friends and loved ones to experience what you have.

We are Energy

Have you ever noticed when you get a weak signal on a radio or TV and you place your hand on the antenna the signal gets better? And, before you actually touch the antenna your energy field actually starts to improve the signal before you finally touch it? Our bodies are like a radio transmitters/receivers, and this is just a small example of what we are all capable of!

Did you know?

All human beings have different millivolt ranges in their nervous system.  Our nervous system runs positive and negative ions throughout our entire body. The state of health you are in can be measured by millivolts. The average person at the average state of consciousness ranges between 30-100 mv (millivolts) 1/1000th of a volt. A person who suffers from severe depression will usually measure between 5-9 mv. The point of wearing crystals is to raise the human body voltage (which is the electricity in our nervous system) to higher levels. 

FTC:  This is not a sponsored post. I was not paid to write this content. The product(s) shown and mentioned were gifted. However, my opinion and this review are based on my personal experience with the brand/products and is not influenced by the brand or its affiliates. The overall description of the product and product benefits were adapted or taken from information provided on the 3rd Galaxi Art website and social channels.

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WEN® by Chaz Dean: Thoughts, review & why you need WEN!

In the early 90’s, Chaz Dean was creating buzz via infomercials with his classic cleansing conditioners, that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate or other detergents found in most hair cleansers and claiming that you will never need to use them again. What!? I couldn’t grasp the concept of not washing my hair with something that lathers. Washing my hair with a lathering, bubbly cleanser was my confirmation and gratification that the ‘squeaky clean’ feeling removed all the styling product build-up, before following with a conditioner and a leave-in conditioner. The thought of using one product to cleanse, condition and leave-in was baffling and I needed to know more…

Being the curious girl I am, I watched a WEN infomercial in its entirety and was convinced enough to purchase. There was definitely a learning curve to using WEN cleansing conditioner, even when following the instructions. Because of the lack of lather, and using twice as many pumps of WEN cleansing conditioner than I had previously used with a cleanser and conditioner combined, I initially felt like I was wasting money and product because I would either use too much or too little, which left me feeling like I should go back to a cleanser and conditioner.

Eventually, I found that the right amount of cleansing conditioner pumps for my waist length, fine hair is four ‘golf ball sized’ pumps. One for the crown, one (split) for each side, and two for the middle to ends. After massaging into my scalp, and working through my hair with enough water to create a creamy froth, I comb the cleansing conditioner through from scalp to ends with a WEN wide tooth comb that I keep in the shower and clip my hair on top of my head to get a deeper condition from the steam/heat. When its time to rinse, I massage the product from my hair AND scalp, while standing under cool or tepid water (never hot). If you do not rinse your scalp and hair thoroughly, there will be residual product, which could plug your hair follicles and create undesired ‘greasy’ scalp and hair.

Two of my most used and favorite cleansing conditioners are Bamboo Green Tea & Six Thirteen that I purchase from QVC when they’re available in June or October each year.

The cleansing-conditioners work wonders, but when I began using other WEN products in my hair care routine, I’ve experienced the most positive transformation in my hair like I never thought was possible, and receive compliments on my 42-year old hair more now than I did when I was younger. The superstars for me personally, which I highly suggest you incorporate into your WEN routine are the Re-Moist Mask and Intensive Treatment Oil.

Please read on if you’re interested to know more about WEN, and comment below! I would love to know your thoughts about WEN; if you’ve used it or not, and anything else you would like to share.

Products shown in photo above:

Cleansing Conditioner, 16oz. 

What is it: A revolutionary step toward beautiful, healthy, shiny hair. WEN cleansing conditioner replaces cleanser,, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, leave-in conditioner, and even shaving cream.

Who is it for: All hair types.

Why is it different: WEN cleansing conditioner is detergent-free, yet gently cleanses and moisturizes.

How do I use it: WEN cleansing conditioner should be applied in four sections: crown, nape, ends on the right, and ends on the left. For hair above your ears, use a minimum of 12 pumps (three pumps per section). For hair above your shoulders, use a minimum of 16 pumps (four pumps per section). For hair down to your shoulders, use a minimum of 24 pumps (six pumps per section). For hair past your shoulders, use a minimum of 32 pumps (eight pumps per section). For hair to your mid-back, use a minimum of 40 pumps (10 pumps per section). For thicker/coarser hair, increase amount of pumps in order to thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hydrate ends. Please see FAQ tab for more specific information and approximate pumps per bottle.

Restorative Volumizing Treatment Spray -spray either at your roots for extra lift, or 8″ to 12″ away from head for extra body and volume. For maximum results, use a blow-dryer with a nozzle and style as desired.

Nourishing Mousse -apply to soaking wet hair, before or after WEN Styling Creme (not included). Distribute evenly throughout your hair and style as desired.

Re-Moist Mask-Developed after years of perfecting the treatment in Chaz’s Hollywood salon, the WEN Restorative Re-Moist Mask is a rich blend of oils and extracts that work together to help nourish and hydrate the hair.

How do I use it: after cleansing with desired cleansing conditioner and rinsing thoroughly, apply Re-Moist Mask liberally to clean, wet hair. Comb through, clip hair up, and leave on for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and style as desired. You can also use the Re-Moist Mask as an overnight treatment.

Intensive Treatment Oil -WEN treatment oils are universal and can be used on all hair and skin types. This treatment oil utilizes an extremely beneficial blend of highly sought-after exotic oils to help maintain and restore the integrity of your hair, scalp, and body while also providing the ultimate treatment for achieving bouncy, shiny, beautiful and manageable hair.

How do I use it: When using in the bath, apply two to four full droppers in water. When using on your body, apply one to two full droppers to skin after showering and before drying off for an incredibly hydrating body oil. When using on your hair, apply one to two drops to dry, styled hair for extra hydration. Apply two to four full droppers to scalp as an overnight treatment.

Nourishing Treatment Spray -Infused with natural ingredients, this spray transforms dull, flat, lifeless hair into luxurious, shiny hair. This nourishing spray is designed to bring out your hair’s full potential–not only adding volume and body but also targeting stress-related and environmental issues.

How do I use it: For rich moisture, gleaming shine, and body with hold, WEN by Chaz Dean’s amazing styling creme works great on straight, wavy, and curly hair. The virtually weightless formula offers the benefits of a leave-in conditioner, polishing gloss, and gel in one product. Use it as a heat-protectant from damage caused by styling tools and to help tame hair from frizz when drying naturally.

Styling CreamHow do I use it: After cleansing, apply appropriate amount of WEN Styling Creme to the mid-shaft and ends of wet hair. Style as desired. For fine hair, use one to two pumps, and for medium to coarse hair, use two to four pumps. For coarser, ethnic, or curly hair, use four to eight pumps, as well as mixing in a few drops of desired hair oil, not included. Prior to towel-drying, to help avoid frizz, it’s recommended to apply Styling Creme immediately after your leave-in conditioner while still in the shower. You can use either paper towels or cotton pillow-cases to squeeze out extra water. Use half of a pump on dry, styled hair to calm flyaways. The result is weightless, shiny, smooth, healthy, and manageable hair.

Restorative Nourishing Mousse -Nourishing Mousse adds the look of increased volume, shine, and smoothness to any hair type or texture. This formula contains peptides, bamboo water, and four tea and glossing complexes unique to this styling mousse. How do I use it: Apply to soaking wet hair and distribute evenly. Style as desired.

Ultra Nourishing Body Cleansing CremeHow do I use it: Use loofah or bath sponge of choice to wash your way to silky smooth skin. Nourish your body with WEN by Chaz Dean Ultra Nourishing Body Cleansing Creme, available in your choice of Chaz’s Six Thirteen or Three Nineteen formulas. Both are infused with essential-oils and extracts to add that extra depth of moisture to your skin.

TIP: WEN cleansing conditioners are multi-tasking products! In addition to cleansing/conditioning your hair, use them as body cleansers, as a facial cleansers with a Clarisonic or FOREO cleansing device… and for shaving!

When travelling, take a 16oz. cleansing conditioner on vacation, and it will be the only product you need for cleansing hair, face and body.

The WEN® Pink Jasmine Peony is a special edition scent, created by Chaz! This all-new Cleansing Conditioner is for a limited time during the month of February each year, and has the same treatment levels as the seasonals collection.

Ingredients:

Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Jasmine Flower Extract, Peony Extract, Vanilla Bean Fruit Extract, Cucumber Fruit Extract, Lavender Extract, GreenTea Extract, GreenTea Leaf Extract, White Tea Leaf Extract, Rooibos Red Tea Extract, Black Tea Leaf Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Goji Fruit Extract, Acai Fruit Extract, Chamomile Flower/Leaf Extract, Marigold Flower Extract, Seaweed Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Wild Cherry Fruit Extract, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, L-Valine, L-Threonine, L-Proline, L-Isoleucine, L-Phenylaline, L-Histidine, L-Alanine, L-Serine, L-Arginine, L-Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Cetyl Alcohol, Menthol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Glycerin, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Amodimethicone, Carbomer, Polysorbate-60, Polysorbate-20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.

Description, ingredients and directions for Bamboo GreenTea Cleansing Conditioner:

Bamboo GreenTea Cleansing Conditioner is a gentle formula made with rice protein designed to work on all hair types; contains peptides and amino acids, and is an incredibly revitalizing formula designed to bring out the best in your hair. Combining an exclusive, antioxidant rich green, black, white and red tea complex with an exclusive bamboo water complex rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and silica essential for hair growth, WEN® Bamboo GreenTea is a nutrient-rich infusion for your hair. Chaz designed this formula from the ground up to repair, protect and strengthen your hair while improving elasticity, volume and shine in all hair types and textures.

What is it: WEN’s Bamboo GreenTea Cleansing Conditioner is a rice-based formula.

Who is it for: Bamboo GreenTea is designed for all hair types and can be used on people of all ages.

Why is it different: Bamboo water and tea complexes are unique to WEN, along with amino acids and peptides.

How do I use it: Apply the Cleansing Conditioner to your scalp and hair, adding a splash of water to evenly distribute. Massage thoroughly into hair and leave on for the remainder of your shower. Rinse thoroughly and completely. As a leave-in conditioner, apply half of a pump to one pump to soaking wet hair, depending on hair length and texture. For best results, cleanse, rinse, and repeat.

Description, Ingredients and directions for Six Thirteen Cleansing Conditioner:

WEN SIXTHIRTEEN® was designed to boost shine and deep treat all hair types. Infused with soy and quinoa protein and amino acid blend, it restores strength and elasticity to hair. Added oils and extracts like ginger and lotus flower nourish your hair and scalp. We’ve also made it wheat and nut-free for those with gluten and nut allergies. WEN SIXTHIRTEEN® is the indulgence your hair has been waiting for.

Six Thirteen Daily Cleansing Treatment with a blend of 11 amino acids to help restore strength and elasticity to hair. The unique combination of more than 25 natural oils and extracts helps to nourish your hair and scalp, making Six Thirteen perfect for those with sensitive skin. Full of luxurious ingredients, Six Thirteen is the indulgence your hair has been waiting for.

Who is it for: Six Thirteen is designed for all hair types and can be used on people of all ages.

Why is it different: Six Thirteen is ideal for cleansing and hydrating the scalp and hair.

How do I use it: Rinse your hair thoroughly and completely with cool water. Apply enough Daily Cleansing Treatment to thoroughly coat your hair from scalp to ends. Make sure you are using enough to saturate the hair and scalp.

For short hair, use a minimum of six to eight pumps. For medium-length hair, use a minimum of eight to 10 pumps. For long hair, use a minimum of 10 to 12 pumps. For really long hair, use a minimum of 12 to 14 pumps.

Add a splash of water–this is very important to help evenly distribute the Daily Cleansing Treatment through your hair. Comb through with a wide-tooth comb and clip up hair for the remainder of the shower. To ensure maximum cleansing and conditioning, Chaz recommends that you cleanse, rinse, and repeat, using half the pumps for the first cleanse and the remaining pumps for the second cleanse. The longer you leave it on, the better. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and apply a dime-sized amount to soaking-wet hair from mid-shaft to ends as a leave-in conditioner.

FTC:  Some of the products shown and mentioned in this post were purchased by me, and some were received complimentary from WEN through Behrman PR, in return for my evaluation and review, but all opinions are 100% honest and my own. This review may contain affiliate links. My opinion and this review are based on my personal experience with the brand/products and is not influenced by the brand or its affiliates. The overall description of the products and benefits were adapted or taken from information from QVC and Chaz Dean websites. 
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