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Post by Helen on Aug 20, 2006 15:26:59 GMT -5
I have just started taking a supplement containing:
Dong Quai 1500mg Black Cohosh 100mg Vitex 100mg Vitamin B6 St Johns Wart 75mg
what is everyones opinion on the Dong Quai? good/bad for endo?
I have heard it makes you bleed more. I am not sure on how it would help PCOS or Endo. apart from regulating the periods which is what I need.
also has anyone taken 5HTP before? I used to take it but it made my sugar levels all funny with the PCOS and made me feel more generally anxious. i am hoping the same thing doesnt happen with the St JOhns Wart. I wonder if SJW messes with sugar levels.
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Post by erzulie on Aug 20, 2006 17:55:54 GMT -5
Recently I read something about Dong Quai and how many naturopaths are now cautioning women with endometriosis not to take it. It is very good for menstrual problems and some womenw ith endometriosis do find it helpful, but many have a bad reaction when they take it that makes their symptoms get much worse. I almost tried this once and now I'm glad I didn't. Having read up on it I have found more bad experiences than good. A lot of experts say that it's not worth the risk, but there is of course a chance that you won't have a reaction, in which case it will probably help you. It's a matter of whether you think it's worth it. If you do take it, monitor your symptoms carefully so if you notice they are starting to get even a little worse you can stop taking it before it gets too bad.
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Post by denna on Aug 20, 2006 21:21:54 GMT -5
I agree with Erzulie, but is the Dong Quai you are taking in a pill form? I'm taking EPO plus Nutrilite with a mixture of chasteberry extract, borage oil and ginseng and Dong Quai at the moment. I'm not sure but i think you can take it but only during your period and it must be taken with other herbs and not by itself.
For me, you can take anything moderately- experiment it yourself as altough we suffer from endo but our condition differs.
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Post by Jennie on Aug 24, 2006 11:36:34 GMT -5
I informed my GNY I was taking Dong Quai and Vitex for endometriosis. She told me to immediately stop with the Dong Quai because it stimulates estrogen production which worsens endometriosis. But continue with Vitex (chasteberry) since it stimulates progesterone production.
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Post by erzulie on Aug 24, 2006 18:58:00 GMT -5
Makes sense. Phytoestrogens such as are in black cohosh take the place of some of your real estrogen, which theoretically can help the disease, but anything that makes your body produce more estrogen is definitely bad! I suppose dong quai must help with other menstrual problems, so people automatically assume it will be good for endometriosis. Endometriosis is a special case though!
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Post by briseis on Aug 27, 2006 0:34:50 GMT -5
I suppose I am a bit different though because I need estrogen badly. I have PCOS and am very low in both Estrogen and Progesterone. so I guess every woman is a little different. I do think though that high doses of dong quai should not be taken. my naturopath says that Dong Quai is very important in managing PCOS, but not to take high doses (higher than say 600mg) daily because it promotes heavier bleeding. I was taking 1500mg daily at the time she told me that and then I thought that would explain why I feel like I have some pelvic congestion going on down there. So I have reduced it to 300mg daily and I will see how that goes. its so hard to know what to do to get the right balance espeically with my PCOS.
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Post by briseis on Aug 27, 2006 0:40:49 GMT -5
oh by the way its Helen here, I have just registered and its under a different name
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