DutchessGolden-have a question

i have a question and you seem to be well educated, maybe you can help me a little.  i posted a few posts down under "went to dr today" about my endometriosis flaring up and spreading. do you know of any other meds or treatments available that dont include surgery or narcotic pain meds?  my dr. wanted to switch me from hydrocodone to oxycodone today and i refused, i will not go to a higher strength narcotic.  thank you in advance

luv ya,
tink  :)

[htp115]

i posted to you below....  :)

[DutchessGolden]

Yea I  read and posted to your post earlier today between patients. I also replied to your post from yesterday toward the bottom of the page, don't know if you had a chance to read it yet.

I suppose you can try some herbal treatments. Endo -ex is one made specifically to treat the liver stagnation believed to cause endometriosis. A lot of the herbal treatments that you see are going to want to treat the condition itself and not so much the symptoms. Willow bark is an herb that has shown promise over placebo to help pain. Here is a list of herbs that have been used to treat pain associated with endometriosis and their descriptions. They have had very few unwanted side effects in most women.

Cramp Bark (Black Haw) - great for menstrual pain. It is an anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and uterine and muscle relaxant.

White Willow -  is what aspirin is synthesized from as it contains salicylates (aspirin is salicylic acid). It contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium which can be extremely helpful in controlling pain. White willow also reduces inflammation, heat and is analgesic. Although most people with aspirin sensitivities can effectively use this natural form without side effects, caution is advised.

Morinda (Noni) - reduces pain and swelling, is an anti-inflammatory, can help with minor depression, is cleansing and building for all body systems.

Thyme - was traditionally known as "Mother Thyme" and used for centuries for uterine problems, it is an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic.

Horsetail (Shavegrass) - is also high in calcium and magnesium. It helps to heal damaged tissues and helps to stop excessive menstrual flow. It is an anti-inflammatory.

Wood Betony- is a nervine herb that acts as a general relaxant for the nervous system. It helps to relax muscles, blood vessels, bowels, and organs. Animals in the wild have been known to seek out this herb when wounded.

False Unicorn- is a stimulating tonic herb for the reproductive and urinary organs. It helps to balance and regulate hormones. Especially good for a "heavy, dragging" feeling in the lower abdomen, and easing menstrual cramps.

Feverfew -inhibits the release of histamine (which can irritate pain receptors) and can also help allergies. It is an anti-inflammatory and relaxant, and is especially good for migraines and other headaches. It helps to promote menstruation which could be helpful to those suffering from amenorrhea. Not recommended for anyone taking blood thinning drugs.

Ginger -is an aromatic stimulant that improves digestion, appetite, circulation, nausea and vomiting. It is an anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile- is a relaxing and cleansing herb that helps to relax smooth muscle contractions. Can help ease GI irritations, stomach and menstrual cramps. Is and anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic gentle sedative. Do not use if you have allergies to ragweed or daisies.(this one makes me wired and unable to sleep, not relaxing at all. My body doesnt too much like anything thats not rx ;)

Valerian Root -is a strong nervine herb, natural tranquilizer and sedative. It helps with nervous headaches and insomnia. It can be used internally for cramps, although some prefer to make a poultice of Valerian and lay that right on the area of pain. Most effective when used for 2-3 weeks, with a week or two off.

Passion Flower- is an anti-spasmodic, mild sedative nervine herb that acts as a muscle relaxant and helps to relax digestive and uterine spasms. It can help to turn off "mental
chatter", thus promoting sleep.

Blue Cohosh- is a tonic for female organs that helps to regulate menstruation. It can relieve many kinds of muscle cramps and spasms. It is especially good for feelings of "coldness" or a sense of "congestion and fullness" in the pelvic area, and leg pains.

Black Cohosh -is another female tonic herb that can also help menopausal symptoms. It acts as a sedative for the central nervous system. This herb is especially good for dull, aching and tense ovarian pain and also for a sense of "soreness and dragging" in the womb, also good for menstrual pain. It can be a gastric irritant, causing nausea or headaches if used in large quantities.

Red Raspberry- is one of the best female nutritive tonics. It can relieve excess menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). This herb helps to strengthen and normalize female organs and tones the uterus. Great for pregnancy!

**** Quai- (Angelica) is "The Queen of Female Herbs", used for over 20 centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is also called "Female Ginseng". It helps with feelings of "coldness", regulating monthly periods. This herb is also good for anemia, as it helps to "build" the blood. Not recommended for anyone taking blood-thinning agents.

Burdock- has anti-inflammatory and anti-infective properties. It is good for removing acids and waste, and helpful for water retention and Endo inflammation. It is a very good cleansing herb.

Wild Yam -contains diosgenin, a precursor to progesterone. It can help to reduce fatigue and stress, and has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory qualities. I will have more information on wild yam and natural progesterone in the next column.

Evening Primrose oil, Borage oil, and Black Currant oil- Many women with Endo have found not only pain relief with these supplements, but have also increased vitality, strength, and a general sense of well-being.

You can usually find the above herbs in capsule or tablet form at health food stores. Some companies make blends of a combination of herbs for different health problems and these are usually more effective than just using the single herbs alone. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not use any of the herbs listed except for the Red Raspberry, Chamomile (but do NOT use the essential oil of Chamomile), and Ginger is ok in very small amounts.


This information is not intended to prescribe or diagnose in any way. Please consult a health care professional before using any of the herbs mentioned above.




You also might want to consider some stronger musle relaxants like flexeril. NSAID's like motrin are very hard on the liver and stomach but are usually effective for edometriosis, Every time you take a vicodin or percocet you are getting a fre mg. of hydrocodone or oycodone and hundreds of mgs of tylenol which is very harsh on the liver and kidneys.

xoxo- D.

[fishmeal]

AH D. Great post!!