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wamegomom
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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I hope someone can offer suggestions. I am 54, still having regular cycles, and though since I was 38 I've experienced a couple of days of heavier flow with clots each month, I'm currently on day eleven of this period. That's never happened before. They've always been 5 or 6 days long. I've blamed my weight and all those estrogen receptors in my fat cells, except now I can't because my sister, who is a year younger and very fit and slim, has experienced longer periods than this (34 days!).
I changed docs because a few years ago when I asked about ways to decrease the "gush and rush" (my sister-in-law's term which should be self-explanatory!), that one got out her calendar to schedule my hysterectomy. Her other offer was bcp's. No to both of those options! I haven't checked in with my NP yet on this because I'm really good at the Scarlet O'Hara method, as in, "I won't think about that today, I'll think about that tomorrow." Besides, who has time to think or make phone calls during the day??????
I've read that shepherd's purse and nettle tea can slow flow. Does anyone have experience with these or any other herbal remedies?
I'd really appreciate it if anyone has experience to share. I am feeling like I should buy some shares in Kimberley/Clark to make the money I'm spending on feminine products worthwhile!
Mary Alice in Kansas
Thanks, everyone! I am going to use everyone's suggestions. I ordered Shepherd's Purse tincture from Vitacost but it hasn't come in yet. It's not in stock at my local store. The naturopath there suggested something I started that next day, Menstrual Blend from Solaray. It has cranesbill and shepherd's purse, raspberry, ginger, witch hazel, and goldenseal among a couple of other things I forget. It is in capsule form. After 3 doses over the day, I was able to sleep the whole night! That was nice. Things continue (it is now day 15), but the amount of flow is about half. I'm looking forward to the shepherd's purse and nettle tincture. I hope they are delivered on Monday.
I appreciate the advice. I'm going to have my routine physical next month and will pay close attention to my iron. I'm taking supplements and boosting my diet. I have to say I'm not feeling tired or dizzy like my sister was, but her hemoglobin went down in the 7's. I don't know if I could tell you my name with a hemoglobin level like that.
Again, thanks. I feel like I have a little more control and I feel a lot more positive. It is now annoying, not exhausting. Still wish it would stop. And since I can't have any more babies it really is pretty useless and could stop right now forever.
Mary Alice in Kansas
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 19 2010 at 10:19pm | IP Logged
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I haven't used either sheperd's purse of nettle tea for that.. though I have used nettle to help my emotions be more balance during hormonal times and it did work for that.
Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon is another great resource for figuring out the causes and what might be done nutritionally.
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Chari
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 2:01am | IP Logged
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I wonder if a daily supplement of Evening Primrose Oil 1300mg-ish would help.
it should help balance your hormones.......maybe it would help
and, raspberry leaf has fragarine in it, and it acts as a uterine tonic......and taking daily makes your uterus work more efficiently......
both have totally wiped out PMS s/s for me........maybe it would help for that?
I am nine years younger........and so far I like the way it (EPO) keeps me pretty balanced....but I cannot offer longer term experience. yet. 
prayers!
ps I FB'd you a "gift" tonight
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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Mary Alice, I'm not dealing w/perimonapause, but a lot of miscarriage related issues. I used shepherds purse and nettels both in tincture form when my bleeding during the miscarriage was really heavy. The shepherds purse especially helped quickly.
I just finished up my first period post-miscarriage - and it was brutal - 12 days of bleeding, 8 of those very very heavy, I couldn't leave the house for a few days because of it - again I used the shepherd's purse and it helped a lot. The nettles is also good for rebuilding after much blood loss. HTH.
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Jan 20 2010 at 10:37am | IP Logged
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Don't forget to check your iron levels. Mine were so low that I developed a pica (glasses and glasses of Sonic-type ice) and could not make it through the day without a very long nap in the afternoon. The doctor prescibed iron pills to increase my levels. It was amazing how after just a week of iron, I felt ever so much better.
And I also take the Evening Primrose Oil. It was recommended on another thread in this forum, but I think for a different reason than balancing hormones.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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wamegomom
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| Posted: Jan 29 2010 at 9:54pm | IP Logged
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BTW, the shepherd's purse tincture came in the mail. Um, it tastes like road kill smells. My official name for it is "swamp juice." However, if I have another "marathon" flow situation, I'll take anything. Just a heads up about the "splendid" smell and taste of this stuff.
Mary Alice in Kansas
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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I would still follow up with a doc ( a NEW doc, can you look at One More Soul’s website to see if you have any NFP only practitioners in your area? ) I know, I know....I am a nurse, and can’t help it....while I don’t discount the herb approach, I really don’t.....I still think that long periods like this can point to other more worrisome things that might warrant an exam. I’m not trying to be chicken little  , but it is worrisome to be bleeding that long......
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wamegomom
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 9:34am | IP Logged
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Thanks! I'm a nurse too and all the things it "could" be went through my mind. I will bring it up at my physical next month with the NP. I know I have fibroids because a few years ago I had a transvaginal ultrasound. Hearing my sister's story (she's a year younger than I am) helped me not to panic. She had the full workup and her doc found fibroids and severe anemia. I also talked to several women I know who have experienced this and it was fibroids. A few had myomectomies or uterine ablation, and a few just let it be and treated herbally.
I promise I'll talk to the NP about it next month, and follow up. I know that my sister's and friends' experiences don't guarantee that I don't have a medical issue going on, but I was truly surprised to hear how many women have experienced this a few times during this transition. Once I'm assured that I have a healthy uterus, I am committed to treat this transition stage of my life as healthy and normal. If there turns out to be a medical problem, I'll seek a medical solution. I just hate all the books in the library that treat perimenopause/menopause like a disease state. And I refuse to take bcp's or artificial hormones. There has to be a better way. I like your suggestion, 4 lads mom, of the OMS website. I live in rural KS so I'm not sure I can find someone reasonably close, but I'll sure look!!!! Does anyone have a good recommendation for books they like or websites with trustworthy information?
Oh, BTW, it stopped a couple of days short of 3 weeks long. Sigh.
Thanks for the caring moms on this list!!!!!
Mary Alice in Kansas
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Jan 30 2010 at 10:24am | IP Logged
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wamegomom wrote:
| I know I have fibroids because a few years ago I had a transvaginal ultrasound. Hearing my sister's story (she's a year younger than I am) helped me not to panic. She had the full workup and her doc found fibroids and severe anemia. |
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Fibroids were the cause of my severe anemia as well. And to top that off, I had a cycle that started on March 1st and lasted well past March 20th. I was rushed to the hospital (in an ambulance) because my blood pressure had dropped so low that I passed out. We had just moved here and I think I added a few gray hairs to my dh's head. It was a frightening experience--one that I want to avoid happening again.
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wamegomom
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| Posted: Feb 01 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
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Oh,my gosh, Carole! Not the way you want to start life in a new place! Hoping that never happens again for you,
Mary Alice
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: perimenopause "gush and rush" UPDATE
