Naturopath Appointment. : I had a bit of a... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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Naturopath Appointment.

weekari profile image
16 Replies

I had a bit of a blow last week when I was told my treatment options for my endo. I was told my endo is growing within a fibroid and possibly elsewhere (it has varied from severe endo throughout pelvis with a cyst to only endo within a fibroid). They decided surgery would not be the best route as it would risk hysterectomy and they have recommended zoladex for 6 months and then 'we'll see'. I looked into this option and didn't feel this was satisfactory, I just felt there must be another option. So I started doing my research which led me to a naturopath who specialises in women's hormone related issues.

I just wanted to share how mind blowingly amazing speaking to her was. It made so much sense to me. She gave me a very sensible explanation as to why I have developed these issues- mostly due to estrogen dominance and how this can be resolved. Her advice to me was to use a progesterone cream to help balance out my estrogen, which she believes will shrink my fibroid and reduce the endo inflammation, symptoms and growth. She explained there are no side effects to taking natural progesterone- there can be a week or 2 of symptoms while the estrogen receptors change but that's just it all getting rebalanced. She cited many studies and had 20 years experience of helping women. The difference between how I felt after my appointment with her and any of the recent doctors appointments was unreal. I eventually have some hope for my life.

I know it all sounds a bit too good to be true but it just instinctively feels right to me and makes sense. I am going to be starting the cream in a few weeks- it needs to be used at a certain point in the cycle. I will continue to post here to let people know how it goes. Hopefully it helps me and I can start to get my life back.

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weekari
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16 Replies
Kirst625 profile image
Kirst625

I'd be really interested in hearing more as I too have wondered about estrogen dominance for a good many of my symptoms. Good on you and keep us posted x

Hi, I totally understand how you feel. After leaving the Drs and hospital terrified and angry by the bluntness and lack of info when I ended up in hospital with extreme pain which they said is Endo, my gut felt there had to be another way. It boosted my mental health no end reading others stories of how they got better from natural ways. I started taking prog cream 6 weeks ago. It massively helped my sleep and anxiety. Symptoms this period were better than last so fingers crossed. Go with what your gut is saying and what makes you feel better within yourself. The medical approach is very limited in how they view to treat and if you read up on how eastern world treats endo, it is very different. Go with the approach that empowers you! In solidarity.... x

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to

Thank you so much for replying. Its great to hear that you've benefited from the cream. I can't wait to try it, I how do much I get some benefit.

Is shocking how little the medical wield seem to know about it but the more I look into it, the more I think it must be a conspiracy. A lot of the findings about progesterone cream is from the 70s...40/50 years later and they're still whipping out peoples reproductive organs. It seems insane.

I'm just about to read am amazing sounding book 'ask me about my uterus'. I feel I'm about to become an activist! 😂

X

in reply to weekari

Haha, I can relate. I think if you can use the pain in a way that resonates with you and empowers you it helps emotionally so so much. I mentioned to dr last week i was using prog cream and the look of shock on her face and asking me how much was it costing me!. The great thing about the bio-identical cream is that there are no side effects, no harm in trying in at all. I think the studies were on the synthetic cream which is different and is dangerous, with links to breast cancer with long time use. There is definitely a lot you can try to help yourself and if that helps mentally feel in control and more positive then it is the right thing for you to be doing.

PS, unsure if you recommend people on here, if you can and able to, would love to know who you spoke to....

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to

I don't think you can but I'll pm you.

Natben18 profile image
Natben18

How did it go with that naturopath? Could u send me their details plz? Thanks

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to Natben18

Hey, this was 2 years ago and unfortunately this naturopath was completely wrong in her diagnosis and treatment suggestion. Now that I know more, about my condition and about treatments etc, I would definitely not recommended this person, or tbh any naturopath.

In the end, I complained to the endo centre in my area because I had not been offered treatment in line with NHS guidelines and I was eventually seen within an endo specialist centre. There was actually a lot of concern that the mass found was cancer and it was advised that I need to take the risk of hysterectomy to get it removed. I had surgery with a team of specialists last year and they removed a massive parasitic fibroid which was attached to my bowel, kidneys and liver as well as partially obstructing my bowel. Thankfully no cancer, but also, no endo. It was a complex surgery but they managed to remove all the mess without causing much damage. I'm still continuing to recover as my body was in a bit of a mess through it all but I'm doing so much better. I didn't have any endo

My advice is... If you are not getting appropriate treatment, keep complaining and pushing until you are properly treated.

It's understandable that many of us turn to holistic approaches when we feel so frustrated by the medical model but, in my experience of seeing many who offer different alternative treatments, they are often operating way out of their competencies and take advantage of very vulnerable people.

I really hope your find some answers

Natben18 profile image
Natben18 in reply to weekari

Thanks and I’m so sorry you went through al that.

Do you mind sharing the naturopath with me so I can avoid her?

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to Natben18

Yes, sure. I'm not sure if I can put their name here? She's Judy Evans. Claimed to specialise in women's hormone issues, including endo.

Natben18 profile image
Natben18 in reply to weekari

Thanks. Appreciate this. Did she do any tests btw

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to Natben18

No, everything was just based on speaking to her over Skype. I don't feel I was well assessed, it felt very much like I got a standard outpouring of info (all the usual estrogen dominance stuff) and advice of what to take, which I had to pay for. She 'prescribed' a tonic for me to drink and progesterone cream, both of which I bought.

She did talk of testing but it was so expensive through her and I was already paying a lot to speak to her, then for the drink and then the natural progesterone cream. I did get a test for estrogen dominance done on my own which was cheaper (though I now question the results of this, now that I know more about my situation).

I later did a course of decapeptyl to shrink my mass for surgery and it shrunk by 50 % in 3 months so the mass was estrogen dependent. I took all the stuff prescribed plus followed the estrogen dominance diet etc for about 8 months and it had no benefit at all.

Natben18 profile image
Natben18 in reply to weekari

Interesting. I have had similar experience with mine. I’ve only just started with her but she gave me a plan based on skype consultation and the usual estrogen dominance stuff and I feel like it’s generic too. I’ve a plan that I find hard to read and a diet and supplements and it’s all overwhelming and I don’t feel I’m being supported enough.

weekari profile image
weekari in reply to Natben18

I'm sorry to hear that. Unfortunately it's been my experience too- of all the holistic healing type people I have seen. Over the years I've seen 2 nutritional therapists, a physio who also used chinese medicine etc, chiropractor and natruoropath amongst others. I believe that they do usually mean well but I don't think they have awareness of the desperation people have, the limits of their own competency and knowledge and how potentially dangerous this can be.

The physio I saw did a type of deep pelvic passage- she said she was separating my adhesions. It was horrifically painful, was ill for weeks and bled. She said this was all signs of my body healing. I had a huge cyst which can be life threatening if burst and my mass was attached to my bowel- she could have caused me so much damage.

I could tell countless stories about it all!

My advice is to trust your instincts.

Natben18 profile image
Natben18 in reply to weekari

Thank you x

Deekemi profile image
Deekemi

Hi Ladies,

I’m sorry @kriss25 the progesterone cream didn’t work for you. For me it has been incredible! Judy was amazing for me very professional and knows her stuff. Endometriosis is complex and it is an esteogen fed disease. So adding progesterone can massively balance our hormones and in turn reduce the symptoms. HOWEVER, if you get the dose even slightly wrong it can be quite bad. So for me I used the smallest dose twice a day and my goodness the change has been amazing. I combined this with castor belts from enhanced health, and a no gluten diet. Those three changes made the world of difference to my periods. Supplements I take are: evening primrose oil, estroaid, Oxypowder. I have 0 pain and have stage 4/5 endometriosis. I’ve been living this way for a number of years. The only time my endo flares up is with extreme stress. If you’re trying to conceive above with the rest I would add felopio which is amazing for opening blocked tubes and removing old endo from the body. Holistic health is a lifestyle change it takes time, patience and commitment. It’s the opposite to what the world wants now which are quick results. I do have a great weekend and eat what I fancy but eat 100% clean during the week mix with exercise you’re on a good road. I share this because I know what it’s like to be unwell and now I’m well. Please do not target Judy all she has shared is fantastic and scientifically proven. It is hard when we try things and it doesn’t work or we have to tweak especially when in pain but please do not give up!

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