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folklaur
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 4:20pm | IP Logged
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Hi,
My oldest daughter was born with severe kidney blockages/problems, and after years of surgeries & procedures, she has one working well kidney, another one, not so well - but they finally are both falling into the "normal" range for size, with only limited distention.
Over the past few years, she kept have severe pain, and would even have other concerning sypmtoms (like blood). Then (we have done this no less than 5 times) We go in for an ultrasound, a large cyst is found on her ovaries, we go for a follow up, and it has resolved. But, after the latest go round, and when in her cycle they were able to see it on the U/S, the cysts that she gets (and they are very, very large) are pressing on her ureters. That is what is causing all her pain - and it leads to a domino effect of pain and kidney/UTI infections.
My doctor has suggested she go on a low-dose BC pill to control the cysts. He knows how we feel about this, so I know he suggested this as the only reasonable treatment that he knows of that is effective. DD asked about herbs - (he is the kind of dr that always suggest things like red yeast rice for dh's high colestrol before even thinking about a prescription - so I know he is open to using herbs when he has found them to be effective & useful.) He said that he doesn't know of any that, in my daughter's case, would work.
DD is mortified. She is utterly horrified at the thought of taking bcp, and is mortified as she is going off to college and "what if someone sees? What will they think? etc."
So - any other alternatives you know of?
If not - any advice for DD?
thanks
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Tami
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 4:30pm | IP Logged
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Laura, would you consider contacting the Paul VI Institute ?
They may have some more acceptable solutions.
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God bless,
Tami
When we are crushed like grapes, we cannot think of the wine we will become. (Nouwen)
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MommyD
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 6:57pm | IP Logged
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I went to Franciscan Univ. and one of my roommates was taking BCP for her issues. I had no idea what they were; just medicine she had to take. By the time I figured out they were BCP, I knew her well enough to know that she wasn't using them for fooling around. HTH!
Melissa
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guitarnan
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 7:23pm | IP Logged
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BCP's are the standard treatment for ovarian cysts that recur - I think I remember a previous thread here about other treatment options, though.
Still, if this is the best route, it's way better than total pain and recurring cysts and associated surgeries.
Maybe someone with more time and energy than I have tonight can resurrect the old thread.
I've had emergency surgery for a softball-sized cyst, and that was not a fun experience. Also, recurring cysts can damage the fertility of the affected ovary (mine recurred on the same side each time).
I know it's hard to decide what to do, and I think there are a couple of options out there...but if not, certainly there's no problem using BCP as a treatment as opposed to a contraceptive, especially in your dd's situation.
Your daughter shouldn't be mortified. Many prescriptions are found to be effective treatments for things not associated with their original use. If it were, say, Zyrtec or Xantax, she wouldn't be so upset, I'm sure, but there is no reason I know of that she couldn't do this now, as a celibate single person, that would be reason to worry.
The net effect of recurring cysts is emergency surgery - usually after one or two rounds of this the docs suggest taking out an ovary. (Guess how I know?)
I will pray for your dd; I know this is a hard choice. Please tell her that most college students are way too self-centered to worry about their roommates' prescriptions. Nobody will notice, if it turns out she has to go this route to stay healthy and stay in school.
{{{hugs}}} because I know this is a tough issue on so many levels. It's hard to know where to draw the line between inconvenience and medical necessity. Perhaps a priest or spiritual director can help you with this - because your dd's so young, she will want to do what she can to preserve fertility - but that doesn't necessarily mean she has to be in agony and risk surgery every so often.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 7:33pm | IP Logged
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guitarnan wrote:
| The net effect of recurring cysts is emergency surgery - usually after one or two rounds of this the docs suggest taking out an ovary. (Guess how I know?) |
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As do I.
I still don't know of any other options.
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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LisaR
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| Posted: May 09 2008 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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I still have both of my ovaries, and cysts that have gotten between plum and orange size regularly. Even my NON NFP only Doc is against BC pills, because the synthetic hormone taken every single day in a low dose is almost always the "quick fix" and does not address the root of the problem.
I take a natural, compounded progesterone by suppository (also, the effects of hormones, especially artificial/synthetic ones on the digestive system are dangerous, and not nearly as readily absorbed as topically/transdermally or intramuscularly)
during the latter 1/3 of my cycle (Peak plus 3 or basically phase 3)
anyway, I have not had a single cyst since beginning this regimen!!!
check out ccli.org
for help, or Paul IV institute.
also one more soul for an NFP only Doc remotely in your area for a 2nd, 3rd consult??
always good to shop around when the start talking BC Pills
because, we see (as NFP instructors) FAR TOO MANY women who now are married and want to conceive, and even on those low dosage pills for years (even for complexion, cyst reasons, not for birth control) their fertility never returned/they have low fertility.
a side effect you do NOT want to play russian roulette with.
__________________
Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
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Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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mama251ders
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| Posted: May 10 2008 at 12:13pm | IP Logged
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You might investigate dietary issues. There are foods that mimic hormones in the body and can cause the cysts. I had cysts all through my teenage years and did go on bc for a while because they got so bad that I couldn't stand the pain anymore. The effect was immediate. I was always really glad that I did and have since gone on to have 5 kids, so I think the bc did not really affect my fertility, but everyone is different. This is certainly a situation that requires much prayer and consideration. My preist, at the time, felt that the bc was okay in this instance because it was not used for preventing pregnancy, but actually for promoting the possibility in the future. For me, if we had not corrected the problem, there would have been no pregnancies and that was something that I could not live with, even at 17. Very sticky situation, I'll be praying for you and your dd. What a bummer for her!
Blessings,
Betsie
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Wife to Oliver
Mama to 5 Wonders
Benny, Braidon, Olivia, Anna and Saragh
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LisaR
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| Posted: May 10 2008 at 2:02pm | IP Logged
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mama251ders wrote:
You might investigate dietary issues. There are foods that mimic hormones in the body and can cause the cysts. ,
Betsie |
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so true. avoid any soy products, they are estrogen dominant and will cause a severe unbalance in those prone to cysts. especially processed soy (soy milk, veggie burgers, etc) if you must eat soy, edamame is the only way to go (the actual soy bean)
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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juststartn
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| Posted: May 11 2008 at 11:45pm | IP Logged
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What is the name of that book by Marilyn Shannon? Fertility and Nutrition, or something like that? I'd check that out.
I'd strongly encourage you to look at the NFP friendly sources listed above, for 2-3d opinions. I was on bcp briefly after DH and I married--I was a non-catholic at the time, had no probs with them, went off them after two months--it kick started my PCOS into high gear, and took me four years to conceive my first dc.
It doesn't affect everyone, but it would absolutely positively have to be a last resort sort of thing for me to even consider it for one of my dds, after every single avenue had already been tried...
GL, and prayers!
Rachel
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Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: May 12 2008 at 12:08am | IP Logged
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Rachel the book is Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: HELP! Need info, asap RE: BCpills
