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Post by Wilma on Nov 23, 2008 16:39:44 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 Wilma on Nov 23, 2008 16:52:48 GMT -5
I've suffered from endo for well over eight years. About 12 years ago I had a myomectomy which I'm sure was the source of the endo in my pelvic area. Early on I was diagnosed with IBS, as the endo progressed to spread on my bowel I had multiple vaginal ultrasounds. I endo up in the hospital with pain so severe I was given dilatin to manage it. I had an unnesccesary surgery thinking I had an endometrial implant in the scare of the myomectomy sight. I became accustomed to taking 2000 plus mg of ibuprofen each night just to sleep. I become very dependant on colon cleanser to be regular as the endo become more and more pronounced on my bowel. Finally I was talked into taking lupron by my physician. This drug should not even be on the market the side effects are horrendous. What lupron did make me realize is all the issues I had were tied into endometriosis.
When I finally began to cycle again after the lupron--I sought out a different direction. That for me was bioidentical hormones. I found a local compounding pharmacy and asked who they would recommend for this. My hormones were measured and low and behold as suspected I was estrogen dominant. My estrogen was about 3 times higher than the average person and my progesterone was nill. The sex binding hormones were elevated which meant my body didn't break down estrogens. I began on a high dose pharmaceutical grade bioidentical progesterone, DIM an herb to assist in the break down of estrogens and a natural flax seed oil. As my next cycle approached I was amazed that I had no pain. No pain and no emotional up and down. I would encourage all women with endo or infertility issues to seek out medical practioners who get and understand this. No woman should ever be put on Lupron again for endometriosis. Hope this helps.
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Post by pinkarmadillo on Mar 15, 2009 12:20:14 GMT -5
Hi ladies,
I've just had my first relatively normal period in about 18 months after changing my diet to wheat, dairy, alcohol, caffeine and red meat free and using some of the dietary supps that Carolyn recommends for only 2 WEEKS!!! I also used this AMAZING herbal supplement called Cramp Bark which apparently is an old Native American remedy for menstrual cramps - it has worked wonders for me. I take 4 capsules every 4 hours along with 200mg of magnesium (which is a muscle relaxant so be careful to start with, you don't want it relaxing the wrong muscles!). My 14 year old daughter also uses it for her painful periods and she swears by it.
I don't know if I'm allowed to post this on here so please forgive me moderators if I'm out of line, but this has helped me so much I think it's worth the risk. I follow a diet called the Fat Flush Plan which I have used successfully for weight loss in the past. It advocates a wheat free, dairy free, organic (where possible) way of eating, and basically looks at cleansing and supporting your liver which processes all the toxins and hormones in our bodies. It was developed by a doctor who is a nutritional expert and, being female, she has focused on dealing with a lot of specifically female issues with our hormones within the eating plan. It made a lot of sense to me 3 years ago when I lost a lot of weight on it. However, I've come back to it now from a health point of view and it supports all the nutritional ideas that us endo sufferers would benefit from. I just found it useful to have all the protocols for healthy eating in one plan (there's a book) and although you do lose weight, it promotes health and healing as the main reason for changing your eating to this way. It also has a wonderful support forum where you can get help and advice, much like this one!
Again, sorry if that's out of line!
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Post by amalongi on Jul 31, 2009 14:03:35 GMT -5
I went to an energy healer a couple of days ago. It was amazing! She took away 80% of the pain. I'm going back in a few days to finish of the rest! I highly recommend it!
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Post by rubyrose on Oct 19, 2009 15:55:12 GMT -5
Thanks for mentioning the energy work, amalongi. I was going to bring up the N.A.E.T. therapy and other Energy Medicine work I've been doing for a few months now. It's quite mysterious to me how it works, but here's an info site about NAET if anyone's interested: www.naet.com/ I was amazed the first time the Energy Medicine practitioner stopped my endo pain cold with her treatment. What I also like about it is that it addresses the emotional/psychic component of the pain and any past trauma that might be stored in the body as pain, as well as our nervous systems' responses to the trauma or pain. It was a fluke that I happened to have an appointment right on the first day that the pain kicks in the worst. I was flabbergasted, and in tears, I was so relieved. The pain stayed away for a few hours before returning, but since that first breakthrough and the ongoing work I've been doing, I've been having more tolerable pain, requiring less medication, etc. Other things I've tried with newfound success: accupuncture-- experiencing less clotting, more healthy, bright red flow, less pain Chinese medicine--I seem to be recovering more quickly from the harm that the progestins did to my system diet changes-- less wheat and dairy, more organic foods, trying to follow an anti-inflammatory diet for the most part has made for less bloating, fewer bowel problems. I now *mostly make my own brown rice bread in my breadmaker, my own creamy and delicious cashew or hazelnut milk with a nutmilk maker, and still indulge in things, but less often. Going organic with wheat and dairy entails fewer consequences when I do indulge I've noticed. It does mean that more time, energy, and money goes into preparing food, but not by that much, and the difference it makes is worth it. aromatherapy massage/energy med-- (practiced also by a licensed aromatherapist and energy medicine practitioner) is....... such a beautiful, nourishing, relaxing experience! All the oils are organic, smell beautiful, and are real medicines. Again, I know these things take $$ and time, but it is worth it. After the hard time I had on and following progestins, this therapy created a breakthrough for me in feeling somewhat restored to myself again. And, not just pain-free, but GOOD again. craniosacral massage-- very restorative as well. It somehow helps me to feel cohesively myself after the stress and pain of severe endo and the severe side effects I experienced from hormone therapy. raspberry leaf tea-- this is an age-old "uterine tonic" which is supposed to tone and strengthen the uterus in preparation for childbirth. It has a lovely, sweet, nourishing earthy flavour and I find it soothing when I have cramps. Like most herbs, one needs to consume it over a period of time for the benefits to be fully available. Thanks for all the shared suggestions.. I'll definitely be using some of these! Ruby
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Post by firesnake on Jan 18, 2010 19:38:36 GMT -5
Thank you for listening...
I don't know who to pass this on to so I'm passing it on to anyone that might be able to help other women suffering with endometriosis. We arent massage therapists so I don't really know how to explain it but here is the email I sent to my friend who is a massage therapist. Maybe a massage therapist or bodyworker can figure out what we did and apply it for other women.
I've been suffering most of my life untill I switched to herbal therapy 3 years ago which made a huge difference. I still have some bad months though and they've been getting worse. This is what we tried yesterday and it worked! Please pass it on to someone who can DO something with it. Thank you!!!!
As for the "breaking up of the endometreosis", those lumps Chad broke up are what the doctor goes in and lasers during my surguries. (they're always gone post surgury & get bigger during my period) The recovery was always very painful and they grow back within a few months every time...
Now my herbs help reabsorb them in general but if they're encased with scar tissue I can't. (that's the theory)
I woke in agony yesterday. When he put pressure on my tummy & the owie spots, He accidentally released some at first. It felt immediately better so we kept going. Laying next to me & using my hand to direct his, he put directed pressure using the heel of his hand and bracing & very precisely controling the pressure with his knee on his arm. Sometimes he would have to hold it till his arm shook. (pressure had to be just right) The most painful areas had the most clusters. Especially that one behind my pubic bone that drops me to my knees out of the blue. Sometimes they would move. Sometimes we used circular motion on little lumps. He said he felt some and they felt like tumors that would just dissapear. I felt them release all the old blood & the blood would move then dissapate. I could actually feel it flowing out. Now, although I'm on a full period, I have NO pain. I haven't even taken aleve since yesterday! My bloating has also gone down.
But since I'm on my herbs my body should be able to process it before they grow back all the way. (chaste tree for hormone balance, implant shrinkage & reabsorbtion, motherwort for cramps & period symptoms & stress, dandilion for liver support & reabsorbtion & processing)
Even if they do come back, he can do it again. Waaaay better than anything I've ever tried, ever...No surgury, no hormones, no side effects. Just put on a football game and be glad he's super patient and accomidating... Lol! ;-)
So I passed it to you on cus u had to see women suffer so much & maybe you can help some other women with it somehow. Let me know what you come up with! If you have any questions, please contact me. Hopefully this can help someone
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Post by Karen on Jan 18, 2010 20:00:02 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing! I think I kind of get the gist of what you're describing. There's a place locally that offers maya-abdominal massage, and I think it's likely along the same lines as what you're describing. (Here's a link taht kind of describes it: www.isthmusacupuncture.com/maya-abdominal-massage.php) I haven't had it done, but have it in the back of my mind if things get worse. You might also see some threads on Clear Passages - its intense physical therapy to help break up the endo and adhesions. Oh, and feel free to post an intro post! We always like to get to know the newbies!!
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Post by firesnake on Jan 18, 2010 22:23:24 GMT -5
I've been all over the net and in touch with friends who would know but it all says to avoid that massage during your period. I dont know, it was, like forcing the painfullumps to release. It was accidental and it worked! I wish I could find someone who would be willing to try to reproduce it in a way to help other women. Pressure always helped before but this was he first time he tried to feel the lumps, and he's so careful and follows my instructions so well...and as I've been fighting this for nearly 20 years, I'm hyper-aware of my body.. I wouldn't try it with just anyone. Hopefully someone who can do it right will replicate it safetly. I can't imaging anyone just trying to break these things up, I wouldn't have thought of it before and I've tried nearly everything... Feel free to message me with anyone that might be able to help ohers with this technique. I feel like I'm finally free...
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Post by jetsetter on Mar 24, 2010 14:18:52 GMT -5
The CA125 blood test is the test that they perform to check for ovarian cancer. Just fyi... Thanks! Shelly
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kayeh
New Member
Posts: 1
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Post by kayeh on Aug 24, 2010 9:12:21 GMT -5
As well as all the comments above on diet - I was already vegan and cutting out wheat and soya definitely helped. My sis is a homeopath who suggested the homeopathic remedy sepia for the dragging sensation of my endo - which is improved by cycling or swimming but worse for walking and it definitely helps. I'd already discovered the mineral salts magnesium phosphate (mag phos) for bloating during period and that helps too. Definitely hope I can avoid surgery. My CA125 level was slightly elevated last blood test but still within upper reach of normal. That was what got the possible diagnosis of endo as cause of my ovarian cyst.
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Post by sweety on Aug 25, 2010 2:00:32 GMT -5
CA 125 is not a confirmatory test for ovarian cancer i think, that's what is mentioned on my test report. But yeah my gyn did tell that the level of CA 125 will drop after my lap, and it did drop!
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Post by jhogan on Oct 29, 2010 13:12:36 GMT -5
I have to agree with Scarlett that not using tampons has decreased my pain.
Someone else posted that they do yoga and I have to second that suggestion as well. Many of the poses and moves in a gentle stretch yoga class massage my body internally as well as externally. I get a lot of relief in the abdominal and pelvic areas from yoga. It is also a stress reducer which always gives me at least a little bit of pain relief.
Thanks to all for the suggestions!
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cbess
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by cbess on Mar 10, 2011 16:26:00 GMT -5
Check out the endo diet. By reading that I realized that alot of food that I have been eating, and drinking, like coffee, may be irritating the endo. Anyway, I am a coffee drinker, and although it didn't stop all my pain, I am working on day 3 of no caffene and I have not had as many of those sharp stabbing pains.
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cassia
Junior Member
Posts: 89
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Post by cassia on Mar 17, 2011 9:14:03 GMT -5
I would like to add to the not using tampons thing. I started using a cup a few months ago and though I still have bad cramps, there isn't that feeling of obstruction which adds to the pain. I have heard that tampons inerfere with the moisture balance because of absorbtion and that there are debris left behind after using (such as the material they are made from) which is scary to me. I have been using the Diva Cup I'm in love and I would never ever go back.
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Post by gemstone on Mar 17, 2011 10:55:57 GMT -5
Cassia - I bought a moon cup like a diva cup but am having loads of trouble using it! Any tips? I don't want to use tampons as I find them uncomfortable and they actually turn upside down when they're inside, weird, so I use pads when I can but I really don't like them!
I've had a go but can't seem to get it in properly, lol!
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