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Post by jenk12 on Jun 22, 2009 7:51:28 GMT -5
Hey I'm new to this message board and site but started reading because I'm hoping for some insight... I have endo but am only bothered pain-wise during sex (REALLY bad) in one spot my doc said he couldn't fully remove of endo during the laparoscopy. He recommended the lupron but after researching and reading (starting with Carolyn's book), I decided to try the diet. I've been on it since March. Last week I saw a Naturepath for the first time who my doc actually referred me to, shelled out a ton of money and came home with a bunch of stuff for "detoxing" my system and directives to follow an even more strict diet (as if I hadn't given up enough good food already....) Anyway I had high hopes but since taking the supplements I've been really lathargic, getting headaches and my pee is orange! I'm calling her, obviously, to ask about this stuff but the herbal remedies and supplements are making me nervous and now I'm not sure what to do or if I even want to try this method. I really don't want to do lupron but what if nothing else works for me? Does anyone have any advice about Naturepaths or where to turn when you feel like you don't have any options??
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Post by Karen on Jun 22, 2009 16:56:02 GMT -5
Yeah, you def want to call about the side effects you've been experiencing! As for the lethargy, I tend to think of it as your body getting the nutrients it needs to start healing, so perhaps it's putting all its energy into healing at the moment. And make sure you're staying hydrated through all of this! The orange pee, though? You're on your own - can't explain that one!! I've been going the natural route for a few months now with great success! I never would have thought, but I'm a true believer now. From what I've read, naturopath approaches vary quite a bit, and I would highly suggest that anyone get recommendations for the naturopath they chose to see. The guy I'm seeing is a chiropractor that focuses on nutrition in addition to his chiro practice. He does Nutrition Response Testing (google if anyone is interested) and focuses on treating underlying problems, not just symptoms themselves. The first week I thought he was a joke, but a friend had such great success with him and I decided to stick it out. Week 2 he told me that my body had a hard time processing sugars. I changed my diet to the insulin resistance diet and started taking some supplements for it and - voila! - no more pain pills just like that! I still have pain, but it is SOOOOO much more manageable - I can ignore it most times of most days! I went once a week for 6 weeks and am now going once every two weeks. I've since started to taper off some of the supplements. If you feel you have a reliable naturopath, I'd say stick it out a bit. Some people have good success right away and others take months. I'm a firm believer in the process now, though, and wish you all the success!
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Post by Karen on Jun 22, 2009 17:00:26 GMT -5
Oh, and might I add - there's research that states some women with endo produce more insulin than their body needs. Based on that and my naturopath's suggestion that my body has a hard time processing sugars, I found the insulin resistance diet to be a really good fit for me.
Have you read "Endometriosis - the complete reference for taking charge of your health" by Mary Lou Ballweg and the endo association? There's info in there about the insulin thing that I just mentioned, ties to allergies, yeast issues, etc. - can give you a lot of insight and other options to consider!
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Post by jenk12 on Jun 22, 2009 19:22:46 GMT -5
Thanks for all the information! I'm going to get these books now that I have read everyone's positive comments about them, esp. Mary Lou's book. I have eliminated refined sugars from my diet based on the Endometriosis diet outlined by Carolyn Levett (and many other sources!) and actually have had improvement in that I've had a decrease in yeast infections...used to get those all the time. I don't think I really like my naturopath though! When I called about the symptoms she told me the orange pee was "probably" just my liver getting rid of toxins. I would love to put my confidence in her but I can't when she doesn't even sound sure. I stopped taking the supplements because I didn't feel right about it - I was more worried than anything. The only problem is how much money this is costing. My gyno did recommend her but I'm worried I made the wrong choice. How does one go about choosing a naturopath??
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Post by Karen on Jun 22, 2009 19:37:49 GMT -5
Woo hoo for fewer yeast infections! I take acidopholis (sp?) every day and that's supposed to help with yeast, too!
Hmm, I'd be hesitant to just throw in the towel just yet, but you'll have to be the judge of that one! How long have you been on the supplements? Perhaps the orange pee will go away in a few days? If you're really doubting things, though, I'd suggest asking around. I've had a few bad experiences with docs that I just randomly found and from here on out, I won't see someone unless they've been recommended to me by someone I know and trust. Hmm, perhaps you can ask your gyn why she suggested her? Or google her to see what comes up? Whatever the case, ask lots of questions - how they are trained, how long they've been practicing, etc. The one I go to is a master, he trains others how to do what he does, and he's even worked with some athletes and Olympic teams!
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Post by jenk12 on Jun 23, 2009 16:29:47 GMT -5
Your naturopath sounds great - I guess I'm just hesitant about the methods mine uses. I know my body and it didn't respond well to the "detox." I think I also have a hard time wrapping my brain around detox and natural healing...I've done so much reading and research on it that I thought I was ready to explore it and was pretty excited, but when push came to shove it was harder than I thought. I wasn't expecting the detox though...I knew there were specific herbs like evening primrose that are supposed to be beneficial and I thought it would be more like taking those along with my diet. I just didn't want to self-diagnose so I made an appt. with the naturopath. My doc did recommend her and her website shows her certification and experience but I think I'm not sure it's for me. At least not yet?
I currently just feel really in limbo and confused. I'm tired of being in pain (I know everyone here understands that!) and I just want to be the person I was before endo happened.
I've decided to make an appt. with a specialist in Boston for a second opinion. My NH gyno recommended him but I'm wary because I don't know how to choose a doctor. The Boston guy specializes in obstectrics and gynecology but I was under the impression it was better if they also specialize in fertility? I might keep looking but I always feel better with recommendations...
What a pain!
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Post by Karen on Jun 23, 2009 18:27:30 GMT -5
Check out the description Tess has about her naturopath experience, too. fightagainstendo.blogspot.com/ In a nutshell, I tend to think that natural methods tend to focus on getting the entire body working more efficiently so the areas that aren't doing so well can heal. The process I'm going through specifically focuses on nutrition - giving the body the correct nutrition it needs to heal. I have to admit - the first appointment he kept talking to me about scars on my body, that they were preventing my body's energy from flowing how it had to. He had me rub oil on my scars, and even suggested that I had a scar on my foot that needed some oil. Only I didn't have a scar on my foot!! As for a second opinion, a reproductive endocrinologist will specialize in infertility. That's another route you can pursue. Ask around - you'll find lots of women will have an opinion - both good and bad!!
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Post by Tara on Dec 8, 2009 10:27:18 GMT -5
I have booked my first appointment with a nathurepath for Jan 12, is there any advice for what I should ask or expect, it sounds like a long appointment for the first one.
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Post by Karen on Dec 8, 2009 19:01:06 GMT -5
Hmm, for my first appointments, I found that I really didn't know what to expect at all, and that was ok. I'd say go in there prepared with a list of your symptoms, what's going on with you, so he/she knows the full picture. I think it'd also be good to let he/she know what your expectations are, what it is that you hope to get out of it. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
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Post by Tara on Dec 9, 2009 10:11:34 GMT -5
Great, Thank you. Apparently her office is mailing out a form - I presume that it is to get a full history, so I think that will cover all my problems. Just didn't know if they go all by what I tell her or will she do a physical exam? I think that is all I 'm wondering....
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Post by Susanne on Dec 9, 2009 10:26:47 GMT -5
Hi misst, my experience with nathorpaths is that the first appointment is usually the longest because they want to hear your whole story. Not only the reason to see them that you have now but also previous illnesses from the moment you were born. The type of girl you were when you where little etc. Due to moving a round a lot I've had a couple of these first appointments and I like to prepare it a little by writing down when I had what. I call my mum and ask her how I was as a baby and as a child, which illnessess I had at which age (I always forget eventhough she has told me thre or four times alreay). It can help. I hope it will work out for you!!
Hi Jenk12, I think you did the right thing to stop. The way you feel about your treatment is very important. And very often also a very true signal from your body! Trust your instincts, definitely with nathuropats or other people who intend to 'help' you with your body. There are many ways to go about natural therapies and the click between you and I think the therapist is extremely important. There are plenty of people with whom you don't click - so also plenty of therapists. Fortunately there are also plenty of people and thus therapists with whom it does click. You will know it feels right and you trust them. They listen to you, take you seriously and know how to take you along step by step. Don't give up! To be honest, my best experiences I have had with nathuropaths that take the slow approach: in the process of getting to know you and the way your body reacts they always choose to take a step less until they are comfortable that you've reached a level that challenges your body to heal but that you can handle without too much discomfort. Now, I'm pain free except for 1 or 2 days a month. And I respond to pain killers again so these two days are not so bad either. This all thanks to the diet and natural therapy. Good luck!!!!
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Post by Tara on Dec 9, 2009 11:02:31 GMT -5
Okay, Thank you it's good to know how far back I will need to go so I will start gathering my data on my life.
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Post by Karen on Dec 9, 2009 15:48:31 GMT -5
Yeah, definitely don't expect them to just treat your current symptoms - they'll likely focus more on getting your entire body on working better so it can support the healing process. I left one of my first few meetings thinking he was a quack, but sure enough, in time, I figured out he was right... Good luck!
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Post by tweety on Dec 10, 2009 1:05:35 GMT -5
I went to a naturopath 3 mos after my hormonal injections and after finding out the cyst recurred, the first thing the nutritionist asked me was what kind of food i eat. I told her im a vegetarian and i consume cheese, she has lots of questions about my life style, health background, and then the disease. She said there were many women having endometriosis nowadays and she said she'll make it sure i'll be pain free soon. The first thing she told me is to undergo 10 day cleansing program, it costs me a lot to buy all the herbal medicines etc.. The results were a bit fine the pain on my period is tolerable, i also changed my diet from vegetarian to vegan. I tried real hard to follow the program. After series of check ups and modifying the program, my period is quite getting better. She told me to undergo a transvaginal ultra sound again to check if the recurring cyst has grown or not, I am goin' to an OB gyne this month to check, it's been a year after my Lap.. I will come back to the naturopath doc to ask what foods should i eat if ever i get pregnant. I still want to be on vegan diet and i'll stick to naturopath it helped me understand foods that i should avoid and the effects of food in our body.
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Post by Tara on Jan 15, 2010 11:13:16 GMT -5
So I had my first appointment with my Naturalpath last night, It took two hours, and now we have a plan. The plan sounds great. Get more energy, become not so moody, And reduce abdominal pain. And of course a diet without milk, wheat, soy, caffeene, and encludes organic meat. Which sounds just like the endo diet....But I came away from the appointment feeling good, and I will be taking a boat load of vitamins at first. I am to try this for three weeks and see her again.
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