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Post by redbox on Jul 9, 2004 11:52:14 GMT -5
Can anyone give me ideas of the natural or alternative things they have tried that has helped with thier pain. I am new to the ideas of trying natural remedies and I would like to know what has helped, especially when I have my period. Thanks
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Post by momtoawiem on Aug 14, 2004 21:18:09 GMT -5
I am sorry you have so much pain! I think that the end of endo website that Carolyn started, and her books would help. There is lots of anecdotal evidence that significant dietary changes that Carolyn recommends on her website and vitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplementation allong with the right essential fatty acid supplements like fish oil, evening primrose oil and faxseed will help with painful periods. Also, I read of a new study that showed that Bee Propolis is an excellent anti-inflammatory and has reduced pain in endo sufferers. I am taking that now because I am trying to get pregnant and will try ANYTHING at this point!!
I personally have used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on and off over the years and have found it EXTREMELY helpful. My periods aren't too painfull anymore (they were in my early twenties). But I still get some low back pain and some mild pressure in my uterus. Acupuncture and herbs helped my eliminate my back pain. The goal of TCM for women is to improve menstruation, reducing the clotts you find with painfull period, etc... From the TCM perspective, they view endometriosis as caused by various defficiencies in the body which they call Spleen or Liver Chi defficiencies and Blood Stasis. They proscribe herbs to cultivate the Chi or life force energy and "move the blood" which is stagnant in those with endo.
Keep in mind if you decide to try TCM, it is not a quick fix. You should be open to going regularly (2-3 times per month minimum) and using the herbs they recommend. A six month committment will no doubt yield good results for you in terms of pain management.
Good luck!
Mimi
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Post by TexEndo on Aug 30, 2004 23:17:17 GMT -5
After my decision to go off of Lupron because of the horrible side effects, I scoured books and the internet looking for something that felt "right" and I've had really good success with Chinese Bitters to cleanse the liver.
Take 2 cups of warm water first thing in the morning.
Do gentle exercise (like yoga or ti-chi) for about half an hour.
Take Chinese Bitters Have breakfast about 20 to 30 minutes after taking Chinese Bitters.
Take Coptis at bed time on empty stomach.
Avoid or minimize foods or herbs with estrogenic activities (tomatos, apples, beans) and foods that weaken our organs, especially the liver, kidney and spleen (what - of any kind, refined sugar, caffeine).
The warm water taken in the morning is intended to stimulate intestinal movement and activate the kidneys. Exercise stimulates blood circulation and reduces estrogen production. It also activates the liver. Chinese Bitters helps to cleanse and decongest the liver. Coptis is very effective in stimulating bile flow and eliminating excess estrogens since the liver eliminates estrogens through bile and urine. "A Significant route of excretion of estrogens is the bile, and undue accumulation of these hormones may occur in circumstances of a decreased flow of bile or a diminished excretion of estrogens in the bile"
Also, take 1000 mg of Vitamin C and E together. The combination, although they haven't discovered why yet, help to block pain receptors from receiving the signal.
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Post by freehe on Mar 17, 2005 13:26:50 GMT -5
Drink 8 glasses of water a day, get 8 hours of sleep, go to see a naturopathic doctor or accupunturist. Do not get surgery, this is not a cure. The endo can come back and usually does. Try to change your diet by eating only organic food since your body is producing too many hormones and hormones and contained in the foods we eat, this makes your body go crazy and produces endo, cysts, fibroids, etc. Go to a nutritionist if you are not sure what to eat. Try to stop eating a lot of sugar, fast foods, beef, pork. Try to eat a lot of fish (at least twice a week - the omega3 fatty acids in fish are really good for you), and eat lots of fruits and veggies, at least 3 servings a day and take a multivitamin. Good luck!
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Dee
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by Dee on Apr 26, 2005 6:53:49 GMT -5
I had surgery a month ago to remove endo on my bladder mainly. Before the surgery and since I have totally cut out caffeine, greatly reduced alcohol, taken vitamins regliously, lots of water & sleep and not used tampons ( as advised by a natropath ). By also improving your diet, it is amazing how much that can help. I also found exercise to be helpful for the stress associated with it all and found that a few other things in my general health that needed fixing as well like candida, which is very common with endo sufferers. I have found that that by reading as much as you can and finding what feels insinctively right to you, you can treat yourself better than most doctors.
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Post by victoryv on May 28, 2005 10:59:47 GMT -5
Iwas diagnosed stage 4 endo in march, since then I have changed my diet to wheat free, diary free, red meat free, caffine free. External oestroegens found in wheat, red meat actually make your symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and pain worse. I have supplemented the diary with oat and rice milk, which can be found in supermarkets. Also commonly found in supermarkets wheat free pasta, bread, sauce mixes, biscuites( for a treat). I also try to eat organic produce( even a few suares f organic choc occasionally) if not i always peel and wash. I have supplemented caffine with fruit and herb teas and now find green tea refreshing, cammamile caring. O. K, it seems a big life change, but it works and my last two periods have been normal, no clots and gushes!!!!! and no pain. My stomach has gone down 4 inches, no bloating!!!!!. I also take vit c and natural vit e. I eat chicken, turkey and nuts for protein. Then of course 5 fruites vag a day. I have recently completed a reiki degree 1 and now use this quantrun touch and myself to help with deep relaxation and guess what it works for me and is something I d like to help other suffers with, so if u live in the north east u.k. All these tips can be found in carols book.
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Post by M Loewen on Oct 26, 2005 14:21:44 GMT -5
:)To aid the liver in elimination of the excess estrogen causing endo I have began to take herbal Dandelion Root. I have started with one pill as two pills bring on a headache due to elimination of these hormones. I will stay on this regimen for 1 month and then switch to either Yarrow or Milk Thistle to further aid the liver. This is key for those of us with endo as this organ really has to work hard. I used to work in a herbal store and know these herbs help the liver. Because I also have frequent candida infections I take 3 enteric coated acidophilus active bacterial pills before bedtime. To aid the body in balancing sugar levels I take a daily chromium pill with 1 or 2 meals a day. I also take a Multistart Vitamin and 5 mg of folic acid as this is VERY important for women with endo. In addition to herbs, I have made drastic changes in my diet including those mentioned above. Lots of water, walking and doing things I enjoy also helps. Next I'm going to try acupuncture for more pain relief. Hope these things help you if you're looking for help on the herbal side of things.
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dutch
New Member
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Post by dutch on Nov 7, 2005 21:59:45 GMT -5
I have read about Menastil helping a great deal with menstrual and endo pain. It's a topical holistic analgesic that has just come out in the past year. It's made of Calendula oil. I've bought it, but haven't tried it yet. I spoke with someone who had tried it. Doubting it would work, she tried it anyway and was amazed to have relief from cramping. Also, I've heard of DL-Phenylalanine supplements (an amino acid) helping some women with pain. I'll let you know if either work, as I'm trying them both right now.
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Post by Jackie on Nov 8, 2005 18:35:34 GMT -5
Years ago, I read a message board and the person with endo recommended taking Benedryl. I tried it and it really helps prevent pain, but you have to take it at the first sign of symptoms. I take it the night before I think my period will start. Since then I have had surgery, but I still use the Benedryl on occassion. I think it shrinks all the tissues since it's also an anti-inflammatory.
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Post by AmirtheVernie on Jan 17, 2006 7:00:07 GMT -5
I went to see an ANTHROPOSOPHIC MEDICINE practitioner (AMP) -it worked. Research it and find out who is your local practitioner. It is all based all medical science but it is all natural and non-harmful. Instead of treating the disease, AMP treats the whole of you. Its fab. After 3 months an ultrasound showed that my ovaries looked healthy and normal and endometrial cysts that had been on them before treatment had disappeared. Vernie
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Post by lynette on Feb 7, 2006 19:58:28 GMT -5
That's great!! I have never heard of that. I will have to look into more. Thanks for the info. Lynette
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Post by Kathlenn on Mar 7, 2006 22:03:27 GMT -5
I have found two really good alternative treatments that help tremendously with m pain and also with treating my endo. I do have acupuncture everyweek and also I take a green tea called Herbagreen. I drink 3 cups a day and have noticed that my digestive problems and my cramps have remarkably decreased. I take corydalis also which is a herb I take during my period. The herb helps with menstral periods, and the green tea helps to balance and purify the rest of my body. I order herba green from www.ezinfocenter.com/8945307/Department.vstore?id=34#item2162 Cordydalis from www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s701.htm
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meka
Full Member
Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Mar 19, 2006 0:03:01 GMT -5
I had fluid drawn from swollen lymph nodes in my underarm area. Although the test didn't show any cancer cells, the doctor is still worried that I might have lymphoma.
I told her I'm sure I don't have cancer, and that I'm not going to let her remove any lymph nodes so she could check further at this point-- no matter how many I have to spare. I said the lymph nodes are only swollen because I've been taking so many herbal supplements to fix my endometriosis, and as a result toxins are being released faster than my lymph nodes can eliminate them.
She was so frustrated with me she called a hospital social worker (I go to Kaiser in California) to talk to me and figure out why I was so resistant. I had never even heard of a hospital social worker.
I should have been offended, but I was amused at the idea of a hospital social worker for SANE adults. So, I agreed to talk to the social worker. Did she think I was crazy? I can't be the only person trying to solve their medical problems naturally.
Anyone else heard of a hospital social worker?
Anyone else experience swollen lymph nodes, possibly resulting from natural/herbal treatments?
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Post by ouchy on Mar 19, 2006 0:33:00 GMT -5
Hi, Meka. Humm... Have you considered letting them at least do bloodwork? They might be able to find out more through bloodwork. On the chance that there is something going on, I'd at least let them do bloodwork.
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meka
Full Member
Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Mar 19, 2006 0:58:27 GMT -5
Hey Ouchy, I've been hearing about the CA125 (I think that's what it's called) blood test, so after researching it I'll ask my doctor if they can do that one or any other blood test. For whatever reason, my doctor didn't bring it up as an option, she just wants to snip (and, although she doesn't believe me, I do respect and trust her concern for my health).
I'm not opposed to needles, just incisions . . . and I will go through with even that if I feel like I've given other things I'm more comfortable with my best shot.
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