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prugg21
Health Professional
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Posted: Mon Jan 15th, 2007 18:38 |
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Joyce,
I too had the issue with candida after using progesterone cream for less than a week, it took months to clear up.
I entered menopause fully 4 yrs ago, and didn't want to take any hormones as I had tried using a very low level estrogen as well as estrogen producing herbs and homeopathics during peri-menopause and they all caused me to have severe migraines and vomiting.
So I went for about 1.5 yrs with horrendous hot flashes that brought me to my knees on occasion. Then the vaginal dryness became such an issue this past yr that the skin would tear from even sitting the wrong way. You can imagine that this kind of pain is not one you would want to experience on a regular basis.
I went to a ND who specializes in womens hormonal problems and she prescribed the lowest dose possible of estriol in almond oil, made at a compounding pharmacy for me to use. I have had to build up very slowly starting out at only 1 drop at a time, but it's been 4 mos. now and after 2 mos. I noticed a big improvement. The ND did say it would take about 6 mos. to get me back to "normal".
The only side effect I noticed was some very minor hot flashing in the beginning. So, I'm very happy and feel this form of estrogen is quite safe and tolerable in comparison to anything else I've tried. I hope my experience can be helpful to someone else.
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MCS/CFS/FM,22+yrs,Gerd,migraines,insomnia,avoiding light & D,NoIRS,benicar 3/30/06 40mg Q4-6H,mino,4/18/06,mod/ph2-
10/17/06,probx,estriol, 3/06-25D=27,9/06-25D=26,11/06-25D=21,4/07-25D=22,7/07-25D=19
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team (on leave)
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Posted: Mon Jan 15th, 2007 19:53 |
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IMO, the best resource regarding bio-identical hormones is a book by Dr. Uzzi Reiss, M.D. called Natural Hormone Balance for Women.
Another excellent resource for information and compounded medications can be found at http://www.womensinternational.com
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Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by your physician.
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Toronto
Member in Phase 1
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Posted: Tue Jan 16th, 2007 11:53 |
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Hi All,
My doctor said I couldn't use HRT of any type because of my family and medical history. I'm having a really hard time coping with Meopause symptoms. If it were only the frequent severe Hot Flashes I could cope, it's the insomnia and heart palpations that are the kicker. My doctor mentioned that some antidepressants are used to treat menopause symptoms. I'm thinking about it. Is anyone else using this class of medication for menopause symptoms?
Thanks Deborah
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Sarcoid lungs May 2005 D125- 43, D25 - 8.8. July 08 25D 12.8 125D 24.Nov 08 D25 10.8,D125 52.5 Elmiron,DetrolLA,Trazadone,Tylenol 1&3, Ventolin,Flovent,Losec,Trazadone
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jcwat101
Research Professional
| Joined: | Tue Jul 20th, 2004 |
| Location: | Pasadena, USA |
| Posts: | 1068 |
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Posted: Tue Jan 16th, 2007 13:50 |
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Toronto,
I don't have personal experience with it, but I found this article:
Anti-depressant shows promise in alleviating hot flashes - smh.com.au
Joyce Waterhouse
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20 yrs with CFS/FM/Lyme/IBS, food sensitivities; 1,25D/25D 8/04:64/11 1/05:22/6 9/05:1,25D=12 10/06:22/8, 4/07:25/<4 chewed Ben. 40mg q8h; Mod. P2: 2/23/05, P2: 4/06; P3: 1/1/07
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janicew
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Tue Jan 16th, 2007 15:41 |
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I would be cautious beginning an antidepressant unless absolutely necessary. Especially certain ones. I notice that the article in Joyce's link mentions Paxil. Please note this quote from InteliHealth
In the almost two decades since Prozac -- the first of the antidepressants known as SRIs, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- hit the market, a number of patients have reported extreme reactions to discontinuing the drugs. Two of the best-selling antidepressants -- Effexor and Paxil -- have led to so many complaints that some doctors avoid prescribing them altogether.
"It's not that we never use it, but in the end I will tend not to prescribe Effexor or Paxil," said Dr. Richard C. Shelton, a psychiatrist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Shelton has received grant support from the makers of both drugs and consulted for a number of other pharmaceutical companies.
I was successful in getting off of Effexor this year after being on it for many years. I did it with my doctor's help at a very slow rate. Also, being on it did nothing for my menopausal symptoms. The hot flashes increased while I was still taking the Effexor. Maybe a different kind would work but Paxil and Effexor, according to this article, seem to be hard ones to get off of.
Janice
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FM/ME, OA. Hashimotos, Barrett's, Guillian-Barre 9/04 1-25D=47| Ph1 10/04; Ph2 5/05; Ph3 6/27/06 |10/08:25D=11 |2% NoIRs/10% ZO cream| low lux home, cover up. Hydrocodone, Ambien (Zolpidem), Levoxyl, Estradiol, Calcium
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jcwat101
Research Professional
| Joined: | Tue Jul 20th, 2004 |
| Location: | Pasadena, USA |
| Posts: | 1068 |
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Posted: Tue Jan 16th, 2007 16:04 |
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One thought re Janice's comment is that it might be easier to get off an anti depressant, when the time goes to do so, after one has reduced one's bacterial load on the MP. But perhaps there are other alternative anti depressants to consider instead, like she said, if you decide to go that route.
Joyce Waterhouse
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20 yrs with CFS/FM/Lyme/IBS, food sensitivities; 1,25D/25D 8/04:64/11 1/05:22/6 9/05:1,25D=12 10/06:22/8, 4/07:25/<4 chewed Ben. 40mg q8h; Mod. P2: 2/23/05, P2: 4/06; P3: 1/1/07
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Claudia
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Sun May 20th, 2007 02:02 |
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Update: The MP will turn back your biological clock!
I've been getting "Deranged Hormones" herxes now in Phase III (If you're not up to phase II or III you can't read my posts in that forum yet, sorry,) and after having some "feeling hormonal" days, going through a yeast infection (always got them when I was pregnant) and a month of heavy, tender breasts and a week of "I feel like I'm getting a period" which was ridiculous of course because I went through menopause three and a half years ago, this morning I got a period. I guess that also explains my dreams last night that I was nursing a baby!
Daughter has been telling me that the MP has been making me look younger... I thought it was just the skin!
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MP Phase1 23Mar_06; Phase2 July 10_06; Phase3 Nov 4_06. Dx Thyroiditis (Thyroxine); arthritis; glaucoma; CFS (1988-92);Kidney & bladder probs. Feb06 1,25D=43.3; Aug07 1,25D=27.5; Feb06 25D=44; Aug07 25D=28; Nov07 25D=36; Mar08 25D=16.4
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ShrnHml
Guest
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 01:56 |
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| Friends tell me I look great too. It's nice to hear but makes enlisting their understanding and empathy much harder, and that increases my ever-present sense of isolation. I wouldn't mind looking bad for a while if it would get across what this disease has done and is doing to me. .......Sharon
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Neuroborreliosis, MP 3/05, 1,25D 62; 3/06 25D<4, ModPh2 12/05, Premarin, Effexor, stopped Benicar 1/07....no longer in study
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Dr Trevor Marshall
Research Team
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 02:15 |
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Paul Ewald has just published a new paper where he says PMS symptoms may well arise from pathogens.
"Premenstrual syndrome: an evolutionary perspective on its causes and treatment"
http://tinyurl.com/2klw4d
I have been playing with a similar concept in my mind for some time. What causes the changes in hormones that lead to menopause? What causes aging? Well, the simple answer is mutations in one's genes. The problem with that answer is that the mutations, well, most of them anyway, are likely to be due to the Th1 pathogen load that every person carries with them through life.
Hmm... but this is probably getting a bit too heavy for this discussion here
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JudyBeauty
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 06:24 |
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Ditto on the return of menstrual cycle. I'm 54 years old and haven't had a period in two years and then had one in February. I am getting symptoms off and on of an impending cycle. Good thing I had my tubes tied years ago.
I was wondering if anyone is noticing any grey hair reversal? I think I read a post by someone complaining about their silver hair turning dark again.
Judy
see Jigsaw in phase 1 ~ AB
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CFS viral onset 1986 1-25D-53,25D-12 1/5 Noir's/D avoid July04/ Beni 3/22/05 40mg q6h Stop Benicar 4/23/05 Restart Beni 8/13/05,Valium
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Kas
Member in Phase 2
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 12:43 |
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Good heavens - a period returning after two years of absence?!!!
Not so sure I would welcome that 'benefit' of the MP. When mine is gone, I want it to stay gone! Enough is eventually enough, and you have to eventually reach that transition in your life. Having periods too late in your life also apparently increases the risk of some cancers due to the higher estrogen levels in your body, I believe.
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Sarc Dx by splenectomy 03- Lungs, lymph nodes, liver. Non MP meds: natural progesterone cream three weeks a month; cal/mag; probiotics; milk thistle daily; cranberry caps prn; quercetin prn.Noirs outdoors and under flourescent work lights, Spectra 3 cream
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Dr Trevor Marshall
Research Team
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 13:11 |
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Kas, you don't know what causes cancers, and you don't know what role Estrogen plays, so I would ask you not to make statements about either of those two issues, please.
If you look a little more carefully at the paper I cited, you would find that this (eminent) scientist believes that "this transition in your life" may be not necessarily be dictated by the genes you were born with, but by the pathogens which mutate those genes. I tend to agree with him. There is little doubt the Th1 pathogens have evolved with Homo sapiens as a form of 'flora.' This current surge in chronic disease is the result of a number of changes to our lifestyle in the 20th century. which have allowed the pathogens to overcome the immune system more easily, and get the upper hand.
This science is very difficult to comprehend, especially if you already have lots of pragma deeply ingrained as "knowledge." Point is, we are on the cusp of a sea-change in "knowledge," and much of that you now hold as inviolate will change over the next half-century.
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Alayne
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 14:13 |
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Interesting study, Trevor. Thanks. I've been wondering about the genetic changes and such that take place with the pathogens - in regards to my periods, amongst many other things.
I was perimenopausal pre-MP, with little reliability as to when a period would show up. However, the schedule has stablized on the MP. BUT, the cramping and back pain have intensified to the point of having to take around the clock ibuprofen and sometimes vicodin for 2-3 days a month - completely intolerable. If I don't, I can barely walk and it's like going into labor with lower-upper back spasms thrown in for fun.
To be honest, this bugs me, as it reminds me of my early years of such problems. Funny to revert to this during the MP when I feel so much better in other ways. I do think/hope though, that with increased pathogen load decreases and continued hormonal adjustments, this'll eventually ease up again. It better, darn it!
Other changes in this department have been appetite and mood. I used to fully lose my appetite for a few days during my period. That doesn't occur any longer. Plus, I don't experience too many of the "mental" aspects of PMS either, which is nice. I do, however, often become quite sound sensitive for at least a couple of days and have to caccoon in a quiet room.
Ah, another change...I'm ovulating more regularly - as in mid cycle, rather than whenever my body decides to. That's also been interesting...for me, that is.
-Alayne
P.S. It would also be interesting to hear about how many women now with menstrual issues had/have similar ones to their own mothers. My mum had a horrible time and eventually a hysterectomy. I was told to have a hysterectomy at age 26, which I refused...and am glad I did so. Some of the similarities must be due to shared/similar familial pathogenic loads and subsequent hormonal imbalances, no? Just a thought.
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ME/CFS/FM 6/05:25D-34 1,25D-69, 11/07:25D-8 1,25-37, Sick 6-11 mos/yr x20+yrs. NoIRs/Avoid Sun/D/Use Zinc oxide. 11/17/05-Ph1, 5/06-MPh2, 12/06-MPh2#2, 6/07-MPh2#3,1/08-Ph2, 4/08-Ph3, NonMP Meds:Sleep:1-2mgLoraz or OTC q2d/MThistle/Calc&Mag/Lysine
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Claudia
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 16:12 |
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Well, I haven't yet seen anything contrary to the "you're born with a set number of eggs in your ovaries" explanation of why we have menopause. However, there are plenty of opportunities for sick women to stop menstruating before "their number is up" so to speak. My mother had periods until she was 55. Women on her side have been generally slow to have menopause, so it is likely that I should not have had menopause between 48 and 50 as I did. Perhaps it was infections in my reproductive system contributing to my Th1 illness which dysregulated my reproductive hormones... But lurking in the background were a few dormant, unused eggs. Along comes the MP and BINGO!
Good thing my tubes are tied, too, Judy! Be careful you "old hens" on MP, or you'll be thinking up baby names. (If it's a boy, we'll call it Trevor. If it's a girl... Marsha?)
I should record a bit more of my experience, in case it helps the research: In the past few weeks I said I had a yeast infection, but it was not the worst case, with terrible irritation and discharge, in fact there was just a little bit of that. What I felt was SWOLLEN. Yes, I am sure it was inflammation inside and out. My genitals were actually swollen and I was certain I could feel my ovaries and uterus all tight and sore. I could have sworn they felt swollen. This is NOT how I used to feel mid-month. This was a herx or IP or just a hormone-cascade thing happening. So, whatever happened, my poor old uterus spent 2 or 3 weeks firing up the old engine and for nearly a week prior, I had sharp, prickly pains in the uterus (the 'it's going to start any minute' feeling, only it went on for much longer than usual) as it got close to period time. The day before it started I had a nasty neck/headache all day.
When I woke up and the bleeding had started, it was quite normal and has continued for 2 days now, just like a normal period. Not heavy / not just spotting. That's all I can report so far.
Perhaps it was the inflammation of the ovaries themselves or a hormone cascade which started elsewhere, acting on the ovaries which stimulated them and started my cycle.
OR
Perhaps I have had some measure of "recovery" from a "premature" menopause (caused by infection/Th1) and will resume menstruating untill my time really is up. I feel these are 2 quite different possibilities.
On the nature of Menopause, I also must say that I think there are good biological reasons for it and evolutionary advantages, so I do not subscribe to the theory that it is an illness itself or is caused by an illness. I do think illness can bring it on prematurely and make the perimenopause symptoms intolerable.
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MP Phase1 23Mar_06; Phase2 July 10_06; Phase3 Nov 4_06. Dx Thyroiditis (Thyroxine); arthritis; glaucoma; CFS (1988-92);Kidney & bladder probs. Feb06 1,25D=43.3; Aug07 1,25D=27.5; Feb06 25D=44; Aug07 25D=28; Nov07 25D=36; Mar08 25D=16.4
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Juliette
Member in Phase 2
| Joined: | Tue Mar 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 85 |
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 18:25 |
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Alayne,
My experiences have been very similar to yours- more regularity with my cycle, but substantially more pain. Has anyone has had improvements in regards to pain with menstruation?
I am so thrilled with my improvements in other areas. This is really the one area I've struggled.
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Raynaud's, numbness, joint pain, food sens, menstr irregs, lymph nodes, photosens| NoIRs avoid Light D 9/05| 9/06 1,25D-53 6/07 25D-10|4/08 25D=8, 1,25D= 24 Beni Q8H PH1 3/07, PH 2 6/07, NoIRs outside always, inside as needed, calcium
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Russ
Member in Phase 3
| Joined: | Sat Mar 25th, 2006 |
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| Posts: | 213 |
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 19:05 |
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Dr Trevor Marshall wrote: If you look a little more carefully at the paper I cited, you would find that this (eminent) scientist believes that "this transition in your life" may be not necessarily be dictated by the genes you were born with, but by the pathogens which mutate those genes. I tend to agree with him.
If the MP is capable of "reversing" menopause as Judy's experience indicates, does that mean that the MP is somehow reversing the mutations in the genes?
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Lyme/Borrelia, Connective Tissue Disease | May '06: 1-25D=59 25D=30 | Jul '06: Phase 1 | Aug '06 25D=16 | Oct '06 25D=6 | Nov '06: Phase 2 | Jul '07: Phase 3 | covering up & wearing NOIRs | no other meds or supplements
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Dr Trevor Marshall
Research Team
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Posted: Mon May 21st, 2007 19:26 |
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Claudia, women have been carrying these Th1 pathogens for millennia. Most have not succumbed to chronic disease from them. That does not mean the pathogens may not have profoundly influenced human evolution.
I admit that Prof. Paul Ewald's concepts are radical ones. But they are extensions of his work on aging itself - Why do we age? Why does the body just stop regenerating (since we know that DNA does a remarkable job of repairing itself)? Why do some people die young, and others live to a ripe old age? All provocative questions to which I believe science will have the answers within a couple of decades.
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Claudia
Member in Phase 3
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Posted: Wed May 23rd, 2007 05:09 |
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Hi Trevor,
Yes, good questions. I enjoyed reading William R Clark's book Sex and the Origins of Death, which deals with the topic of how and why we age and die.
His idea, as I understand it, is that cell death is the price we pay for sexual reproduction (and the benefits thereof). It's all pretty clear-cut on the uni-cellular level, but gets complex in higher animals ... and there is nothing more complicated than a menstruating woman! 
IMHO it would sure be great if society would appreciate us instead of trying to have us "cured" by HRT, plastic surgery or simply burnt at the stake!
I can also appreciate that the MP can cure some cases of infertility and reverse cases of premature menopause!
Well, heck, thanks to the MP I may get to go through it all again! It had better be easier this time!!!
Lamb dressed as Mutton - Claudia 
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MP Phase1 23Mar_06; Phase2 July 10_06; Phase3 Nov 4_06. Dx Thyroiditis (Thyroxine); arthritis; glaucoma; CFS (1988-92);Kidney & bladder probs. Feb06 1,25D=43.3; Aug07 1,25D=27.5; Feb06 25D=44; Aug07 25D=28; Nov07 25D=36; Mar08 25D=16.4
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Juliette
Member in Phase 2
| Joined: | Tue Mar 21st, 2006 |
| Location: | Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 85 |
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Posted: Sat Jun 30th, 2007 16:58 |
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I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I upped my calcium to 900 mg daily from 300 mg and am having substantially less pain with my menstrual cycle and lower back pain. This is only the first time around, so I hope it's not a fluke!
Moderator's note: See Don't I need to take a calcium supplement?
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Raynaud's, numbness, joint pain, food sens, menstr irregs, lymph nodes, photosens| NoIRs avoid Light D 9/05| 9/06 1,25D-53 6/07 25D-10|4/08 25D=8, 1,25D= 24 Beni Q8H PH1 3/07, PH 2 6/07, NoIRs outside always, inside as needed, calcium
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