Re: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....

[Guest guest]

Hmm...consider checking for Lyme disease and toxoplasmosis? MS, CFS and Lupus come to mind too, and of course undiagnosed severe food allergies.A touch of hypochondria perhaps? Insist on seeing her in person. Hope it helps To: ukherbal-list Sent: Saturday, 7 January 2012, 14:57 Subject: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....

Has anyone, anywhere a clear idea where to start with this woman...

'I have chronic anaemia and get iron injections approx. once a week (for the past 6 months) to keep my blood levels up, otherwise they drop straight away. They don't know why I can't 'keep hold' of the iron. I struggled with this during pregnancy too but it has got worse the last few years. I was also a postpartum bleeder at childbirth and have also always had very heavy bleeding during periods. I get these strange 'bad bouts' which I think has some connection with the blood problem because I had them a couple of times during pregnancy when I was at my lowest but then they completely disappeared for years. They are not sure what they are. They thought they were a small stroke (TIA) to begin with because the symptoms are very similar to that of a stroke, but after several MRI screenings they have ruled this out. They are now unsure whether they are a migraine or an epileptic seizure - or both. First i loose some of my sight (there are bits that aren't

there-like if i look at you straight on- at your nose-then I can't see the left top right section or bottom of your face) then when this passes-(usually about 15min-half an hour later) my (usually left, but can also be right side) hand, starting with my little finger- starts going numb and tingling...this then progresses from finger to finger, up my arm to my mouth, chin, side of face, part of nose and then progressing to the corner of my mouth, lips,(sometimes you can see it hanging even like stroke patients) then into my mouth, gums, along my tongue, and down my throat (this part is awful!) where it stops. A few minutes later (thankfully this doesn't always happen-`cos it frightens me- I can lose/have difficulty with my sense of speech for some seconds) Sometimes I get a horrific headache-hence the migraine diagnosis I suppose ...sometimes I don't. The last year I get them about once a week. I feel exhausted nearly all of the time. These 'bouts' seem

to come-mostly in the mornings before 12 -if I do too much or get stressed (and too much is not much at the mo-it can just mean the kids stressing me in the morning or getting up too early) I have a fantastic, worn out husband that does the morning school runs!

I was diagnosed with arthritis 3 years ago - ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis arthritis. I started with terrible left hip pain in June when we were on holiday in the south of France. My right long toe also became swollen and red and hot. It got worse and worse to the extent of not being able to walk. The GP said it was a slipped disk at first and told me to walk as much as possible which resulted in pure agony and only made the problem worse. It wasn't until I couldn't walk a step more and was forced to rest, that things started to turn around and the inflammation retreated. During this time, my jaw joint also became inflamed and I was then sent to hospital with 3 inflamed joints and diagnosed after a MRI. I have arthritis in my spine, hips, jaw, toe (hammer toe) and eye (iritis). I was given numerous cortisone injections and when they didn't work- a course of chemotherapy tablets- but these gave me horrific headaches so I stopped taking them. They

wanted to put me on Embrel injections once a week but after reading up on all the symptoms (from people who had tried them in America) I said no and instead started on a strict starch free diet -The head specialist was not happy as they had had a meeting and decided to give me these very expensive injections(1000ponds per shot), but I feel the diet immediately minimized my symptoms and pain and I haven't had anymore serious joint inflammation since and my spondylitis is a lot less in the mornings than it used to be.

The autumn before this, after a summer where I had a nagging pain in my back/right side, my periods got longer and longer and started continuing into one another, I began with heavy, heavy bleeding that never seemed to stop. I'm telling you this because I think this triggered these 'bad bouts' again and also maybe sent my immune system haywire then too. After numerous CT scans and finding a large cist (the size of a golf ball) on the liver which is apparently just a dead end find-not dangerous at all kind of thing that they don't do anything about (actually one of those haemangioma strawberry birth marks that has grown through the years-full of red blood vessels). After numerous hospital visits and lots of bleeding and lots of ultrasounds, they finally found a large non cancerous myoma floating around in the middle of my uterus that is connected to the wall with a long feeding tube. It had apparently been hiding further down to begin with (which is why

they couldn't find the problem) causing havoc. They contemplated removing the uterus completely, but suddenly the bleeding stopped and my periods went back to normal again so they have just left it. I have checked it once since and it was slightly smaller so they hope it will sort itself out.

My biggest problem/symptom and hindering through all of this is anxiety!!-panic anxiety-terrified of most things at the moment!! This has escalated the past year and by the end of August last year I just broke down and I had somehow managed to trap myself in a box/limited lifestyle that is now very difficult to get out of. I daren't be on my own at all! I daren't drive alone or stay in the house on my own! I have an au pair which solves this problem.. for now. I try and push myself and pick up the kids from school 3minutes away (alone) but as you can imagine life is a complete nightmare. I hate it!! I started going to a psychologist in October and have been trying to learn how to tackle this anxiety and we have tackled some childhood difficulties I had to deal with, but she thinks it all has to do with my physical problems and that that's what's triggered the anxiety and that because I am so weak, I am in a vicious circle. Losing control!! I can relate

to this because I think it started when I was afraid to be alone when these 'bad bouts' started and whilst having them, so I used to ring for some-one to come and be with me. I am a bit of a mess at the moment. I never used to be frightened of anything and was quite the independent type. My sight is blurry and I find it hard to focus but if I try to forget about it-it helps. I can see:) I can't exercise because I get these 'bad bouts' and I have no energy at all!! My anxiety and these 'bad bouts' are a lot worse when I have my periods-at the beginning and end. My blood pressure is also very low and I get a lot of headaches.

I realize this must seem like an impossible case and I obviously know that you are no doctor or miracle-worker, but like I said earlier I am desperate and if you should have any ideas or views or advice around any of this or if there are any remedies you can suggest that I can buy from you that have proven to help for anxiety for example-i would be forever grateful.'

I would be especially grateful for any insights as to why she can't 'keep hold' of the iron.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

I wondered about Lyme, with the combination of arthritic and nerve

symptoms.  Is there any history of tick bite?

re "not holding on to iron"  that is probably the menorrhagia, no?

atb

Sally

Hmm...consider checking for Lyme disease and

toxoplasmosis? MS, CFS and Lupus come to mind too, and of

course undiagnosed severe food allergies.

A touch of hypochondria perhaps? Insist on seeing her in

person. 

Hope it helps

From:

M

To:

ukherbal-list

Sent:

Saturday, 7 January 2012, 14:57

Subject:

Woman late early 40's, in a mess....

 

Has anyone, anywhere a clear idea where to start

with this woman...

'I have chronic anaemia and get iron injections

approx. once a week (for the past 6 months) to keep

my blood levels up, otherwise they drop straight

away. They don't know why I can't 'keep hold' of the

iron. I struggled with this during pregnancy too but

it has got worse the last few years. I was also a

postpartum bleeder at childbirth and have also

always had very heavy bleeding during periods. I get

these strange 'bad bouts' which I think has some

connection with the blood problem because I had them

a couple of times during pregnancy when I was at my

lowest but then they completely disappeared for

years. They are not sure what they are. They thought

they were a small stroke (TIA) to begin with because

the symptoms are very similar to that of a stroke,

but after several MRI screenings they have ruled

this out. They are now unsure whether they are a

migraine or an epileptic seizure - or both. First i

loose some of my sight (there are bits that aren't

there-like if i look at you straight on- at your

nose-then I can't see the left top right section or

bottom of your face) then when this passes-(usually

about 15min-half an hour later) my (usually left,

but can also be right side) hand, starting with my

little finger- starts going numb and tingling...this

then progresses from finger to finger, up my arm to

my mouth, chin, side of face, part of nose and then

progressing to the corner of my mouth,

lips,(sometimes you can see it hanging even like

stroke patients) then into my mouth, gums, along my

tongue, and down my throat (this part is awful!)

where it stops. A few minutes later (thankfully this

doesn't always happen-`cos it frightens me- I can

lose/have difficulty with my sense of speech for

some seconds) Sometimes I get a horrific

headache-hence the migraine diagnosis I suppose

....sometimes I don't. The last year I get them about

once a week. I feel exhausted nearly all of the

time. These 'bouts' seem to come-mostly in the

mornings before 12 -if I do too much or get stressed

(and too much is not much at the mo-it can just mean

the kids stressing me in the morning or getting up

too early) I have a fantastic, worn out husband that

does the morning school runs!

I was diagnosed with arthritis 3 years ago -

ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis arthritis. I

started with terrible left hip pain in June when we

were on holiday in the south of France. My right

long toe also became swollen and red and hot. It got

worse and worse to the extent of not being able to

walk. The GP said it was a slipped disk at first and

told me to walk as much as possible which resulted

in pure agony and only made the problem worse. It

wasn't until I couldn't walk a step more and was

forced to rest, that things started to turn around

and the inflammation retreated. During this time, my

jaw joint also became inflamed and I was then sent

to hospital with 3 inflamed joints and diagnosed

after a MRI. I have arthritis in my spine, hips,

jaw, toe (hammer toe) and eye (iritis). I was given

numerous cortisone injections and when they didn't

work- a course of chemotherapy tablets- but these

gave me horrific headaches so I stopped taking them.

They wanted to put me on Embrel injections once a

week but after reading up on all the symptoms (from

people who had tried them in America) I said no and

instead started on a strict starch free diet -The

head specialist was not happy as they had had a

meeting and decided to give me these very expensive

injections(1000ponds per shot), but I feel the diet

immediately minimized my symptoms and pain and I

haven't had anymore serious joint inflammation since

and my spondylitis is a lot less in the mornings

than it used to be.

The autumn before this, after a summer where I had a

nagging pain in my back/right side, my periods got

longer and longer and started continuing into one

another, I began with heavy, heavy bleeding that

never seemed to stop. I'm telling you this because I

think this triggered these 'bad bouts' again and

also maybe sent my immune system haywire then too.

After numerous CT scans and finding a large cist

(the size of a golf ball) on the liver which is

apparently just a dead end find-not dangerous at all

kind of thing that they don't do anything about

(actually one of those haemangioma strawberry birth

marks that has grown through the years-full of red

blood vessels). After numerous hospital visits and

lots of bleeding and lots of ultrasounds, they

finally found a large non cancerous myoma floating

around in the middle of my uterus that is connected

to the wall with a long feeding tube. It had

apparently been hiding further down to begin with

(which is why they couldn't find the problem)

causing havoc. They contemplated removing the uterus

completely, but suddenly the bleeding stopped and my

periods went back to normal again so they have just

left it. I have checked it once since and it was

slightly smaller so they hope it will sort itself

out.

My biggest problem/symptom and hindering through all

of this is anxiety!!-panic anxiety-terrified of most

things at the moment!! This has escalated the past

year and by the end of August last year I just broke

down and I had somehow managed to trap myself in a

box/limited lifestyle that is now very difficult to

get out of. I daren't be on my own at all! I daren't

drive alone or stay in the house on my own! I have

an au pair which solves this problem.. for now. I

try and push myself and pick up the kids from school

3minutes away (alone) but as you can imagine life is

a complete nightmare. I hate it!! I started going to

a psychologist in October and have been trying to

learn how to tackle this anxiety and we have tackled

some childhood difficulties I had to deal with, but

she thinks it all has to do with my physical

problems and that that's what's triggered the

anxiety and that because I am so weak, I am in a

vicious circle. Losing control!! I can relate to

this because I think it started when I was afraid to

be alone when these 'bad bouts' started and whilst

having them, so I used to ring for some-one to come

and be with me. I am a bit of a mess at the moment.

I never used to be frightened of anything and was

quite the independent type. My sight is blurry and I

find it hard to focus but if I try to forget about

it-it helps. I can see:) I can't exercise because I

get these 'bad bouts' and I have no energy at all!!

My anxiety and these 'bad bouts' are a lot worse

when I have my periods-at the beginning and end. My

blood pressure is also very low and I get a lot of

headaches.

I realize this must seem like an impossible case and

I obviously know that you are no doctor or

miracle-worker, but like I said earlier I am

desperate and if you should have any ideas or views

or advice around any of this or if there are any

remedies you can suggest that I can buy from you

that have proven to help for anxiety for example-i

would be forever grateful.'

I would be especially grateful for any insights as

to why she can't 'keep hold' of the iron.

Maggie

-- Sally Owen

MNIMH

Medical Herbalist

Mid Wales

[Guest guest]

Include Pituitary tumor in differential diagnosis.ElsaSubject: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....To: ukherbal-list Date: Saturday, 7 January, 2012, 14:57

Has anyone, anywhere a clear idea where to start with this woman...

'I have chronic anaemia and get iron injections approx. once a week (for the past 6 months) to keep my blood levels up, otherwise they drop straight away. They don't know why I can't 'keep hold' of the iron. I struggled with this during pregnancy too but it has got worse the last few years. I was also a postpartum bleeder at childbirth and have also always had very heavy bleeding during periods. I get these strange 'bad bouts' which I think has some connection with the blood problem because I had them a couple of times during pregnancy when I was at my lowest but then they completely disappeared for years. They are not sure what they are. They thought they were a small stroke (TIA) to begin with because the symptoms are very similar to that of a stroke, but after several MRI screenings they have ruled this out. They are now unsure whether they are a migraine or an epileptic seizure - or both. First i loose some of my sight (there are bits that aren't

there-like if i look at you straight on- at your nose-then I can't see the left top right section or bottom of your face) then when this passes-(usually about 15min-half an hour later) my (usually left, but can also be right side) hand, starting with my little finger- starts going numb and tingling...this then progresses from finger to finger, up my arm to my mouth, chin, side of face, part of nose and then progressing to the corner of my mouth, lips,(sometimes you can see it hanging even like stroke patients) then into my mouth, gums, along my tongue, and down my throat (this part is awful!) where it stops. A few minutes later (thankfully this doesn't always happen-`cos it frightens me- I can lose/have difficulty with my sense of speech for some seconds) Sometimes I get a horrific headache-hence the migraine diagnosis I suppose ...sometimes I don't. The last year I get them about once a week. I feel exhausted nearly all of the time. These 'bouts' seem

to come-mostly in the mornings before 12 -if I do too much or get stressed (and too much is not much at the mo-it can just mean the kids stressing me in the morning or getting up too early) I have a fantastic, worn out husband that does the morning school runs!

I was diagnosed with arthritis 3 years ago - ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis arthritis. I started with terrible left hip pain in June when we were on holiday in the south of France. My right long toe also became swollen and red and hot. It got worse and worse to the extent of not being able to walk. The GP said it was a slipped disk at first and told me to walk as much as possible which resulted in pure agony and only made the problem worse. It wasn't until I couldn't walk a step more and was forced to rest, that things started to turn around and the inflammation retreated. During this time, my jaw joint also became inflamed and I was then sent to hospital with 3 inflamed joints and diagnosed after a MRI. I have arthritis in my spine, hips, jaw, toe (hammer toe) and eye (iritis). I was given numerous cortisone injections and when they didn't work- a course of chemotherapy tablets- but these gave me horrific headaches so I stopped taking them. They

wanted to put me on Embrel injections once a week but after reading up on all the symptoms (from people who had tried them in America) I said no and instead started on a strict starch free diet -The head specialist was not happy as they had had a meeting and decided to give me these very expensive injections(1000ponds per shot), but I feel the diet immediately minimized my symptoms and pain and I haven't had anymore serious joint inflammation since and my spondylitis is a lot less in the mornings than it used to be.

The autumn before this, after a summer where I had a nagging pain in my back/right side, my periods got longer and longer and started continuing into one another, I began with heavy, heavy bleeding that never seemed to stop. I'm telling you this because I think this triggered these 'bad bouts' again and also maybe sent my immune system haywire then too. After numerous CT scans and finding a large cist (the size of a golf ball) on the liver which is apparently just a dead end find-not dangerous at all kind of thing that they don't do anything about (actually one of those haemangioma strawberry birth marks that has grown through the years-full of red blood vessels). After numerous hospital visits and lots of bleeding and lots of ultrasounds, they finally found a large non cancerous myoma floating around in the middle of my uterus that is connected to the wall with a long feeding tube. It had apparently been hiding further down to begin with (which is why

they couldn't find the problem) causing havoc. They contemplated removing the uterus completely, but suddenly the bleeding stopped and my periods went back to normal again so they have just left it. I have checked it once since and it was slightly smaller so they hope it will sort itself out.

My biggest problem/symptom and hindering through all of this is anxiety!!-panic anxiety-terrified of most things at the moment!! This has escalated the past year and by the end of August last year I just broke down and I had somehow managed to trap myself in a box/limited lifestyle that is now very difficult to get out of. I daren't be on my own at all! I daren't drive alone or stay in the house on my own! I have an au pair which solves this problem.. for now. I try and push myself and pick up the kids from school 3minutes away (alone) but as you can imagine life is a complete nightmare. I hate it!! I started going to a psychologist in October and have been trying to learn how to tackle this anxiety and we have tackled some childhood difficulties I had to deal with, but she thinks it all has to do with my physical problems and that that's what's triggered the anxiety and that because I am so weak, I am in a vicious circle. Losing control!! I can relate

to this because I think it started when I was afraid to be alone when these 'bad bouts' started and whilst having them, so I used to ring for some-one to come and be with me. I am a bit of a mess at the moment. I never used to be frightened of anything and was quite the independent type. My sight is blurry and I find it hard to focus but if I try to forget about it-it helps. I can see:) I can't exercise because I get these 'bad bouts' and I have no energy at all!! My anxiety and these 'bad bouts' are a lot worse when I have my periods-at the beginning and end. My blood pressure is also very low and I get a lot of headaches.

I realize this must seem like an impossible case and I obviously know that you are no doctor or miracle-worker, but like I said earlier I am desperate and if you should have any ideas or views or advice around any of this or if there are any remedies you can suggest that I can buy from you that have proven to help for anxiety for example-i would be forever grateful.'

I would be especially grateful for any insights as to why she can't 'keep hold' of the iron.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

It sounds like she has a problem with excess oestrogen. This can contribute to migraines (she mentions before and after period which is a classic time for oestrogen-dependent migraine as the oestrogen levels fluctuate) . Excess oestrogen also contributes to mood disturbance, menorrhagia, uterine myoma and autoimmune arthritis.Obviously the anaemia complicates matters for her, but as someone else pointed out, this is probably due to the menorrhagia.I would consider using herbs such as Vitex, Alchemilla and Achiilea in decent doses to help address the oestrogen-progesterone ratio, plus high fibre diet, probiotics and liver support to improve metabolism and excretion of the excess oestrogen. Also avoid foods that contribute to oestrogen excess - meat, dairy products, unfiltered water, xenoestrogens from plastics and chemicals etc. and eat plenty of soya products (tofu, miso tempeh etc.). She also needs adaptogenic support, such as Withania which would also help with the anxiety and the anaemia.I think this would help a lot in time. In the meantime, I would use other herbs to address the symptoms e.g. tanacetum for the migraines (Achillea would help here also), anxyiolitics, anti-inflammatories (e.g. lots of Turmeric) for the joints.Hope this helps! Best wishes,AineMarie

Include Pituitary tumor in differential diagnosis.ElsaSubject: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....To: ukherbal-list Date: Saturday, 7 January, 2012, 14:57

Has anyone, anywhere a clear idea where to start with this woman...

'I have chronic anaemia and get iron injections approx. once a week (for the past 6 months) to keep my blood levels up, otherwise they drop straight away. They don't know why I can't 'keep hold' of the iron. I struggled with this during pregnancy too but it has got worse the last few years. I was also a postpartum bleeder at childbirth and have also always had very heavy bleeding during periods. I get these strange 'bad bouts' which I think has some connection with the blood problem because I had them a couple of times during pregnancy when I was at my lowest but then they completely disappeared for years. They are not sure what they are. They thought they were a small stroke (TIA) to begin with because the symptoms are very similar to that of a stroke, but after several MRI screenings they have ruled this out. They are now unsure whether they are a migraine or an epileptic seizure - or both. First i loose some of my sight (there are bits that aren't

there-like if i look at you straight on- at your nose-then I can't see the left top right section or bottom of your face) then when this passes-(usually about 15min-half an hour later) my (usually left, but can also be right side) hand, starting with my little finger- starts going numb and tingling...this then progresses from finger to finger, up my arm to my mouth, chin, side of face, part of nose and then progressing to the corner of my mouth, lips,(sometimes you can see it hanging even like stroke patients) then into my mouth, gums, along my tongue, and down my throat (this part is awful!) where it stops. A few minutes later (thankfully this doesn't always happen-`cos it frightens me- I can lose/have difficulty with my sense of speech for some seconds) Sometimes I get a horrific headache-hence the migraine diagnosis I suppose ...sometimes I don't. The last year I get them about once a week. I feel exhausted nearly all of the time. These 'bouts' seem

to come-mostly in the mornings before 12 -if I do too much or get stressed (and too much is not much at the mo-it can just mean the kids stressing me in the morning or getting up too early) I have a fantastic, worn out husband that does the morning school runs!

I was diagnosed with arthritis 3 years ago - ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis arthritis. I started with terrible left hip pain in June when we were on holiday in the south of France. My right long toe also became swollen and red and hot. It got worse and worse to the extent of not being able to walk. The GP said it was a slipped disk at first and told me to walk as much as possible which resulted in pure agony and only made the problem worse. It wasn't until I couldn't walk a step more and was forced to rest, that things started to turn around and the inflammation retreated. During this time, my jaw joint also became inflamed and I was then sent to hospital with 3 inflamed joints and diagnosed after a MRI. I have arthritis in my spine, hips, jaw, toe (hammer toe) and eye (iritis). I was given numerous cortisone injections and when they didn't work- a course of chemotherapy tablets- but these gave me horrific headaches so I stopped taking them. They

wanted to put me on Embrel injections once a week but after reading up on all the symptoms (from people who had tried them in America) I said no and instead started on a strict starch free diet -The head specialist was not happy as they had had a meeting and decided to give me these very expensive injections(1000ponds per shot), but I feel the diet immediately minimized my symptoms and pain and I haven't had anymore serious joint inflammation since and my spondylitis is a lot less in the mornings than it used to be.

The autumn before this, after a summer where I had a nagging pain in my back/right side, my periods got longer and longer and started continuing into one another, I began with heavy, heavy bleeding that never seemed to stop. I'm telling you this because I think this triggered these 'bad bouts' again and also maybe sent my immune system haywire then too. After numerous CT scans and finding a large cist (the size of a golf ball) on the liver which is apparently just a dead end find-not dangerous at all kind of thing that they don't do anything about (actually one of those haemangioma strawberry birth marks that has grown through the years-full of red blood vessels). After numerous hospital visits and lots of bleeding and lots of ultrasounds, they finally found a large non cancerous myoma floating around in the middle of my uterus that is connected to the wall with a long feeding tube. It had apparently been hiding further down to begin with (which is why

they couldn't find the problem) causing havoc. They contemplated removing the uterus completely, but suddenly the bleeding stopped and my periods went back to normal again so they have just left it. I have checked it once since and it was slightly smaller so they hope it will sort itself out.

My biggest problem/symptom and hindering through all of this is anxiety!!-panic anxiety-terrified of most things at the moment!! This has escalated the past year and by the end of August last year I just broke down and I had somehow managed to trap myself in a box/limited lifestyle that is now very difficult to get out of. I daren't be on my own at all! I daren't drive alone or stay in the house on my own! I have an au pair which solves this problem.. for now. I try and push myself and pick up the kids from school 3minutes away (alone) but as you can imagine life is a complete nightmare. I hate it!! I started going to a psychologist in October and have been trying to learn how to tackle this anxiety and we have tackled some childhood difficulties I had to deal with, but she thinks it all has to do with my physical problems and that that's what's triggered the anxiety and that because I am so weak, I am in a vicious circle. Losing control!! I can relate

to this because I think it started when I was afraid to be alone when these 'bad bouts' started and whilst having them, so I used to ring for some-one to come and be with me. I am a bit of a mess at the moment. I never used to be frightened of anything and was quite the independent type. My sight is blurry and I find it hard to focus but if I try to forget about it-it helps. I can see:) I can't exercise because I get these 'bad bouts' and I have no energy at all!! My anxiety and these 'bad bouts' are a lot worse when I have my periods-at the beginning and end. My blood pressure is also very low and I get a lot of headaches.

I realize this must seem like an impossible case and I obviously know that you are no doctor or miracle-worker, but like I said earlier I am desperate and if you should have any ideas or views or advice around any of this or if there are any remedies you can suggest that I can buy from you that have proven to help for anxiety for example-i would be forever grateful.'

I would be especially grateful for any insights as to why she can't 'keep hold' of the iron.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Thank you. It gives me somewhere to start.... Maggie Maggie Pope BSc [Hons] MNIMH MCPPSedgemoor House39 Taunton RoadBridgwaterSomerset TA6 3LPwww.growingmedicine.co.ukinfo@... Growing Medicine is a trading name of Comeytrowe Manor Ltd, Reg in England No. 7042776. Reg. Office 20 Larch

Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 2SF To: ukherbal-list Sent: Monday, 9 January 2012, 16:53 Subject: Re: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....

It sounds like she has a problem with excess oestrogen. This can contribute to migraines (she mentions before and after period which is a classic time for oestrogen-dependent migraine as the oestrogen levels fluctuate) . Excess oestrogen also contributes to mood disturbance, menorrhagia, uterine myoma and autoimmune arthritis.Obviously the anaemia complicates matters for her, but as someone else pointed out, this is probably due to the menorrhagia.I would consider using herbs such as Vitex, Alchemilla and Achiilea in decent doses to help address the oestrogen-progesterone ratio, plus high fibre diet, probiotics and liver support to improve metabolism and excretion of the excess oestrogen. Also avoid foods that contribute to oestrogen excess - meat, dairy products, unfiltered water, xenoestrogens from plastics and chemicals etc. and eat plenty of soya products (tofu, miso tempeh etc.). She

also needs adaptogenic support, such as Withania which would also help with the anxiety and the anaemia.I think this would help a lot in time. In the meantime, I would use other herbs to address the symptoms e.g. tanacetum for the migraines (Achillea would help here also), anxyiolitics, anti-inflammatories (e.g. lots of Turmeric) for the joints.Hope this helps! Best wishes,AineMarie

Include Pituitary tumor in differential diagnosis.ElsaSubject: Woman late early 40's, in a mess....To: ukherbal-list Date: Saturday, 7 January, 2012, 14:57

Has anyone, anywhere a clear idea where to start with this woman...

'I have chronic anaemia and get iron injections approx. once a week (for the past 6 months) to keep my blood levels up, otherwise they drop straight away. They don't know why I can't 'keep hold' of the iron. I struggled with this during pregnancy too but it has got worse the last few years. I was also a postpartum bleeder at childbirth and have also always had very heavy bleeding during periods. I get these strange 'bad bouts' which I think has some connection with the blood problem because I had them a couple of times during pregnancy when I was at my lowest but then they completely disappeared for years. They are not sure what they are. They thought they were a small stroke (TIA) to begin with because the symptoms are very similar to that of a stroke, but after several MRI screenings they have ruled this out. They are now unsure whether they are a migraine or an epileptic seizure - or both. First i loose some of my sight (there are bits that aren't

there-like if i look at you straight on- at your nose-then I can't see the left top right section or bottom of your face) then when this passes-(usually about 15min-half an hour later) my (usually left, but can also be right side) hand, starting with my little finger- starts going numb and tingling...this then progresses from finger to finger, up my arm to my mouth, chin, side of face, part of nose and then progressing to the corner of my mouth, lips,(sometimes you can see it hanging even like stroke patients) then into my mouth, gums, along my tongue, and down my throat (this part is awful!) where it stops. A few minutes later (thankfully this doesn't always happen-`cos it frightens me- I can lose/have difficulty with my sense of speech for some seconds) Sometimes I get a horrific headache-hence the migraine diagnosis I suppose ...sometimes I don't. The last year I get them about once a week. I feel exhausted nearly all of the time. These 'bouts' seem

to come-mostly in the mornings before 12 -if I do too much or get stressed (and too much is not much at the mo-it can just mean the kids stressing me in the morning or getting up too early) I have a fantastic, worn out husband that does the morning school runs!

I was diagnosed with arthritis 3 years ago - ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis arthritis. I started with terrible left hip pain in June when we were on holiday in the south of France. My right long toe also became swollen and red and hot. It got worse and worse to the extent of not being able to walk. The GP said it was a slipped disk at first and told me to walk as much as possible which resulted in pure agony and only made the problem worse. It wasn't until I couldn't walk a step more and was forced to rest, that things started to turn around and the inflammation retreated. During this time, my jaw joint also became inflamed and I was then sent to hospital with 3 inflamed joints and diagnosed after a MRI. I have arthritis in my spine, hips, jaw, toe (hammer toe) and eye (iritis). I was given numerous cortisone injections and when they didn't work- a course of chemotherapy tablets- but these gave me horrific headaches so I stopped taking them. They

wanted to put me on Embrel injections once a week but after reading up on all the symptoms (from people who had tried them in America) I said no and instead started on a strict starch free diet -The head specialist was not happy as they had had a meeting and decided to give me these very expensive injections(1000ponds per shot), but I feel the diet immediately minimized my symptoms and pain and I haven't had anymore serious joint inflammation since and my spondylitis is a lot less in the mornings than it used to be.

The autumn before this, after a summer where I had a nagging pain in my back/right side, my periods got longer and longer and started continuing into one another, I began with heavy, heavy bleeding that never seemed to stop. I'm telling you this because I think this triggered these 'bad bouts' again and also maybe sent my immune system haywire then too. After numerous CT scans and finding a large cist (the size of a golf ball) on the liver which is apparently just a dead end find-not dangerous at all kind of thing that they don't do anything about (actually one of those haemangioma strawberry birth marks that has grown through the years-full of red blood vessels). After numerous hospital visits and lots of bleeding and lots of ultrasounds, they finally found a large non cancerous myoma floating around in the middle of my uterus that is connected to the wall with a long feeding tube. It had apparently been hiding further down to begin with (which is why

they couldn't find the problem) causing havoc. They contemplated removing the uterus completely, but suddenly the bleeding stopped and my periods went back to normal again so they have just left it. I have checked it once since and it was slightly smaller so they hope it will sort itself out.

My biggest problem/symptom and hindering through all of this is anxiety!!-panic anxiety-terrified of most things at the moment!! This has escalated the past year and by the end of August last year I just broke down and I had somehow managed to trap myself in a box/limited lifestyle that is now very difficult to get out of. I daren't be on my own at all! I daren't drive alone or stay in the house on my own! I have an au pair which solves this problem.. for now. I try and push myself and pick up the kids from school 3minutes away (alone) but as you can imagine life is a complete nightmare. I hate it!! I started going to a psychologist in October and have been trying to learn how to tackle this anxiety and we have tackled some childhood difficulties I had to deal with, but she thinks it all has to do with my physical problems and that that's what's triggered the anxiety and that because I am so weak, I am in a vicious circle. Losing control!! I can relate

to this because I think it started when I was afraid to be alone when these 'bad bouts' started and whilst having them, so I used to ring for some-one to come and be with me. I am a bit of a mess at the moment. I never used to be frightened of anything and was quite the independent type. My sight is blurry and I find it hard to focus but if I try to forget about it-it helps. I can see:) I can't exercise because I get these 'bad bouts' and I have no energy at all!! My anxiety and these 'bad bouts' are a lot worse when I have my periods-at the beginning and end. My blood pressure is also very low and I get a lot of headaches.

I realize this must seem like an impossible case and I obviously know that you are no doctor or miracle-worker, but like I said earlier I am desperate and if you should have any ideas or views or advice around any of this or if there are any remedies you can suggest that I can buy from you that have proven to help for anxiety for example-i would be forever grateful.'

I would be especially grateful for any insights as to why she can't 'keep hold' of the iron.

Maggie