Comments on: WHAT TO DO….

By: aja_30

aja_30 — Sun, 06 Mar 2005 00:31:45 +0000

It helps immensely. This answers specific questions I’ve been asking for
over a year now that the MD community doesn’t seem to understand "what" they
haven’t answered for me LOL. Now I have something to take to my doctor.

Thank you!

HTH
- Katie

By: Katy Angeles

Katy Angeles — Sat, 05 Mar 2005 12:45:24 +0000

Hi Again Katie
You are very right to be cautious about herbal therapeutics when you are on
pharmaceuticals. I highly recommend the tests which will pinpoint imbalances and
then taking the results to your MD to see what can be done. I use the herbs
exclusively since I am not an MD but this would not be appropriate for you.
Please try to contact me about sources where you can order the test kits- you do
not need a prescription for them.

All "progesterone" creams made from yams are nothing more than moisturizers with
false advertising. Yam extract is used for synthesizing progesterone in the lab
via a chemical process. This is the only way it can become the hormone. It does
not convert into the hormone on normal human skin. The only creams/sprays/pills
that have progesterone will say "USP progesterone"- synthetic man made lab
manufactured hormone replica from a plant source. Sorry this is the only
"natural" progesterone available.

The closest herb is chaste berry extract which causes the brain to stimulate the
ovaries to release more progesterone in relation to estrogen. However this would
not be a choice for you with the drugs you must take.

If you want to try this route, talk to your MD about taking Prometrium- the only
micronized USP progesterone available in pill form. It is a prescription. Beware
the progesTINS and acetate progesterones like Provera- they aren’t biochemically
recognized as progesterone though many Md’s and pharmaceutical companies think
they are.

Many might chose to experiment without testing, but I wouldn’t dare try to do
this without more information. Herbs are drugs and, like any drug (natural,
synthesized, etc.), have side effects. Wonder drugs are those whose side
effects on that person are minimal and the beneficial actions are helpful. I
have
an anxiety disorder which is a complex hormonal response that some drugs /
herbs bring on severely as a side effect. Any that "invigorate, stimulate, give
energy" are highly dangerous for me. They are like speed in a person of my
makeup and, at a point of discovering I’d taken a wrong thing, it’s also
dangerous to try and bring myself back "down" with my xanax … such a combo
could
be deadly.

I would jump at the chance to try something like you suggested were it not
for this … but I’m much safer working with an MD who is familiar with herbal
alternatives.

What do you know about the topical progesterones (I’ve heard so many
conflicting "facts" on those) ???

Thank you for your direction on which tests to ask for. It’s getting pretty
close to when I’ll stop holding out and do just that.

HTH
- Katie

By: latonya_1900

latonya_1900 — Sat, 05 Mar 2005 06:49:59 +0000

Isake,
I was very aware of the depression thing and suicide link to accutane. At the
time, I was under a psychiatrist’s care (as well as psychotherapist) for it
and was taking an antidepressant. I was monitored regularly and took blood
tests every so often as well. My dermatologist wouldn’t proceed with the
Accutane
treatment unless he had a letter from my psychiatrist, giving "approval" (for
lack of a better word). My problem is more anxiety than depression.

The hormonal problem is definitely under control now. I do, however, have to
get my cortisol level checked regularly. I only have one adrenal gland left,
so I want to make sure I don’t lose that one too! My acne was only 1 of MANY
symptoms of my hormonal problem. Although the acne cleared with the Accutane, my
other symptoms didn’t go away until I had my problem taken care of.

I am very happy with my skin today. And, I am very grateful. I know accutane
doesn’t work for everyone. But, it did for me. And, I’m grateful today.

Thanks for asking!
–judy

By: latonya_1900

latonya_1900 — Thu, 03 Mar 2005 23:53:57 +0000

Not all the time. I did not have that. If I did, it was very mild because
noone made mention of it.
–judy

By: aja_30

aja_30 — Thu, 03 Mar 2005 10:39:42 +0000

Thanks again, you know a lot about this. No, I don’t have cushings …

I would jump at the chance to try something like you suggested were it not
for this … but I’m much safer working with an MD who is familiar with herbal
alternatives.

What do you know about the topical progesterones (I’ve heard so many
conflicting "facts" on those) ???

Thank you for your direction on which tests to ask for. It’s getting pretty
close to when I’ll stop holding out and do just that.

HTH
- Katie

By: Neva Marjory

Neva Marjory — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 14:23:34 +0000

Hi again! Youre absolutely right, Cushings disease and hirsutism do
have cortisol disorders in common. However Cushings is easily
recognizable by a huge hump of fat that deposits on the neck region
and most doc’s can spot it by this main symptom. If you don’t have
this symptom you probably don’t have Cushings disease. So if I were
you, I would be interested in doing a cortisol/estradiol/ testosterone
spread to check for imbalances that can be causing the hirsutism. If
you want to experiement without testing, you can try a whole adrenal
cortex supplement with some adaptagenic herbs such as magnolia
extract
or gensing and pregnenolone for 12 weeks and see if there is any
improvement. Good luck!
Isake Lockett PME
www.surfaceinc.com

By: Katy Angeles

Katy Angeles — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 02:16:00 +0000

Hi Judy
Thank you for the heads up. I discourage folks from
doing Accutane b/c we know of multiple instance of
serious side affects. However, I have used it myself
and can testify it is a miracle worker in carefully
chosen patients. I had to to quit because of elevated
liver enzyme (a sign of toxicity) and depression. I’m
glad it worked well for you but I am surprised to hear
you were allowed to use it with a history of
depression. No doubt you”ve heard about the link btw
the drug and suicides. Just keep enjoying your clear
skin now. Have you gotten the hormonal problem under
control? I’m curious how you handled it once your skin
was asymptomatic. Thanks in advance for sharing!

Isake Lockett PME
www.surfaceinc.com

By: aja_30

aja_30 — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 17:25:00 +0000

> hirsuitism is just one of many symptoms of a hormonal disease named
> Cushings Syndrome

Thanks - I don’t know enough to know if I really have hirsutism or just a
little problem (denial looming LOL), but will definitely research more!
- Katie

By: latonya_1900

latonya_1900 — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 23:43:14 +0000

Katie,
The hirsuitism is just one of many symptoms of a hormonal disease named
Cushings Syndrome–a serious disease that causes an overproduction of Cortisol
(a
steroid). I would definitely get testing done.

By: latonya_1900

latonya_1900 — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 13:24:33 +0000

Just my 2 cents. But, my cystic acne turned out to be a serious hormonal
disease. It too surrounded the same areas as Keeshas. I highly recommend getting
the tests that Isake mentions. Before I got my diagnosis, though, I did the
Accutane thing. It worked for me. I’m completely blemish free. But, I did have
to
do everything Isake mentions. Plus, I needed a letter from my shrink
explaining that I suffer from anxiety disorder/depression and that I’m under his
care
w/medicaiton. I’m glad I did the Accutane, but I wish I had the hormonal
disease diagnosis prior to doing the Accutane. Something to think about…
–judy