Re: Re: Anyone tried hormone therapy to help MS?

[Guest guest]

What is the normal monthly cost for bioidentical hormone replacement

therapy?Alice Alley Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.com

To: mscured@...: trekkie323@...: Fri, 26 Dec 2008

20:23:38 +0000Subject: Re: Anyone tried hormone therapy to help MS?

I tried getting in touch with Simpson to ask if she had any doctors torecommend

in Florida. I got an email back from her book publishersaying she doesn't make

such recommendations for specific doctors.I have come to learn in the last few

days that there are a fewdifferent approaches to the bioidentical hormone

replacement therapy(BHRT). One is to dose a person at the levels of hormones

they had intheir 20s (very high levels). Suzanne Somers does this under what

iscalled the Wiley protocol. It keeps women having their perioddsindefinitely,

even in their 60s and 70s. The other approach is tostart with very low dosing

and gradually move up until symptomsimprove, while looking for the lowest dose

possible (as opposed to thefirst approach which uses high dosing).Apparently

Simpson believes that high levels of estrogen areneeded for myelin

repair. In my case, I am in the normal range forestrogen but have very low

progesterone as well as hypothyroidism, soI don't know if adding estrogen would

be helpful for me--especiallysince I have a fibroid in my uterus which is

generally caused byestrogen dominance over progesterone.Another thing to note,

as I have been calling around different BHRTdoctors, is that they have different

beliefs with regard to the formsof bioidenicals. For edample, some will

prescribe creams, while otherprescribe oral pills. So there are many things to

take into consideration once one evendecides to try BHRT.Again, I am concerned

that it won't work and then my body will needthe hormones forever because it

will make even less of its own. But onthe other hand, I don't know what else to

try at this point.As someone else wrote, I have also considered trying Klenner

first.Two years plus into this and I don't seem to be making any

headway,SincerelyA frustrated

[Guest guest]

Thanks, , that is probably a doable price. I guess it is worth my effort

to get Suzanne Summer's book to determine what my hormone levels are. I assume

the book also tells where to get them. I haven't been pauing enough attention

to this thread during this busy month.

I had a VERY early menopause. But my MS case is also very mild.Alice Alley

Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.com

To: mscured@...: trekkie323@...: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

22:26:46 +0000Subject: Re: Anyone tried hormone therapy to help MS?

>> > What is

the normal monthly cost for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?Alice Alley

Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.comHi Alice, It really depends on which hormones you

need, if any. Some people take as many as 5 or 6 hormones, such as bioidentical

thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and/or DHEA. None is

extremely expensive, but they can add up. I was told by one person who is on

four bioidentical hormones that she spends about $125 a month. I know that my

thyroid prescription (not covered by insurance) is $11, but I am only on 1/2

grain. Most people take at least a grain, which is about $20 a month.

Progesterone cream may run about $20-$30 a month.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, , that is probably a doable price. I guess it is worth my effort

to get Suzanne Summer's book to determine what my hormone levels are. I assume

the book also tells where to get them. I haven't been pauing enough attention

to this thread during this busy month.

I had a VERY early menopause. But my MS case is also very mild.Alice Alley

Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.com

To: mscured@...: trekkie323@...: Sat, 27 Dec 2008

22:26:46 +0000Subject: Re: Anyone tried hormone therapy to help MS?

>> > What is

the normal monthly cost for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?Alice Alley

Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.comHi Alice, It really depends on which hormones you

need, if any. Some people take as many as 5 or 6 hormones, such as bioidentical

thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and/or DHEA. None is

extremely expensive, but they can add up. I was told by one person who is on

four bioidentical hormones that she spends about $125 a month. I know that my

thyroid prescription (not covered by insurance) is $11, but I am only on 1/2

grain. Most people take at least a grain, which is about $20 a month.

Progesterone cream may run about $20-$30 a month.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for the useful information. I'm glad I hadn't already purchased

Suzanne Summer's book and I'll get one of those other two that you suggested.

This is a wonderful list. I'm not sure I need help controlling my symptoms (by

hormones or otherwise). My concern is holding the line on progression.

Best wishes to all,

AliceAlice Alley Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.com

To: mscured@...: trekkie323@...: Sun, 28 Dec 2008

18:27:44 +0000Subject: Re: Anyone tried hormone therapy to help MS?

Hi Alice and all,You have to get a prescription for bioidentical hormones from a

doctor who specializes in this or is open to prescribing them. They are not

available without a prescription. I forgot to mention that is an added cost,

unless you have great health insurance. I purchased one of Suzanne Somer's book

and honestly did not find it that helpful. It is basically an advertisement for

doing bioidentical hormone therapy, but doesn't go through the specifics very

well. She also uses a very high dosing method called the Wiley protocol. There

is controversy around using such high dosing, but I certain don't have the

answers as to whether high or low dosing is better.A much better book, in my

opinion, would be the book by Simpson called " The MS Solution. " She has

MS and is a hormone researcher and has been successful at controlling her

symptoms with the hormone therapy. She goes into a lot of detail in describing

things and in very understandable language.I am also going to buy Dr.

Platt's book. He is another doctor who specializes in bioidentical

hormones.That's great that you have a mild case of MS. I wish that was the case

for me.Regards,>> > What is

the normal monthly cost for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?Alice Alley

Riner, VA www.photosbyalice.comHi Alice, It really depends on which hormones you

need, if any. Some people take as many as 5 or 6 hormones, such as bioidentical

thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and/or DHEA. None is

extremely expensive, but they can add up. I was told by one person who is on

four bioidentical hormones that she spends about $125 a month. I know that my

thyroid prescription (not covered by insurance) is $11, but I am only on 1/2

grain. Most people take at least a grain, which is about $20 a month.

Progesterone cream may run about $20-$30 a month. > > > > > > > [Non-text

portions of this message have been removed]>

[Guest guest]

I absolutely agree. I wouldn't be without my Plus. My husband also sees

great benefits from it.

> Mannatech Plus balances hormones for many, has helped lots that I know of.

> Ambrotose also helps many with MS. Some do better with Ambrotose Classic

> rather than the newer advanced ambrotose that has seaweed extract

> added-especially those with autoimmune problems.

>

> Bernie