★★★★★
First off, I was diagnosed with stage 4 endo via laparoscopy in March of 2007. I am in my early 30s. Currently I am using a B vitamin supplement twice daily (NutriCalm by Nature's Sunshine), magnesium (250mg) twice daily, Red Clover blended tincture three times daily and T.-W tincture (dulse, bladderwrack, wild lettuce & irish moss) three times daily, evening primrose oil (1300mg once or twice daily), digestive enzymes (OmegaZyme by Garden of Life), and Carlson's Cod Liver oil once or twice daily. In addition, I use a low-dose progesterone cream twice daily (Phyto Prolief.I may switch; I prefer not to use products containing parabens. Any suggestions or opinions on progesterone cream?).
I am not clinically hypothyroid, but am on the low end and it runs in the women on my mother's side (my great grandmother even died of goiter). My naturopath said I exhibited many symptoms of a declining thyroid and I felt the same, which is why I am on the T.-W.
The Red Clover Blended and primrose oil have estrogenic properties; however research shows when ingested, the body uses it to balance out estrogen levels as I am estrogen dominant (one of many indicators I have-I started my period at age 10!). Also, the Red Clover Blended will help "clean up" the areas where endo was/is, which is a result of balancing the estrogens.
The B vits, magnesium and cod liver oil (I love omega 3s!!) have drastically balanced my mood and reduced my anxiety/panic attacks. I still have my days, but it is much much better than it was just a few months ago.
The enzymes I have actually used for a few years now, before I even knew I had endo. Now I realize how much they benefit me in helping my body digest and utilize all the foods I eat, especially proteins (and especially cooked meats, which have no enzymes at all).
In regards to food, I have done hours and hours of reading and research on my own. By far, the best book I have read is Endometriosis: A Key to Healing Through Nutrition by Dian Shepperson Mills & Michael Vernon. Some of it is a tough read, but I soaked it up, wanting to know so badly now my body works and what I can do to help it heal. I think one can make nutrition very complicated, but from all the information I have gathered, it is very simple, basic nutrition to me! Eat lots of organic (when you can) vegetables, fruits (avoid moldy fruits like cantelope), lean meats and eggs (absolutely no antibiotics or hormones and pasture-raised when possible), nuts (organic is really important here), wild caught small fish, and no-gluten or low-gluten organic grains. Healthy oils are super important-of course the fish oil, but on salads using olive oil is great and in addition I occasionally use coconut oil in other dishes (smoothies, etc.). Avoiding most dairy is a good idea, I believe, as it has helped lower my inflammation levels (an easy sign-less phlegm in the mornings!). I still have raw milk organic cheese, organic kefir or yogurt a few times a week, and soon we will have access to raw milk to drink (cow share program), which I will have once in a while, but not daily like I used to.
I believe if you follow a healthy diet as I mentioned above, in addition to drinking water or green tea with lemon every day, your body's pH will naturally become less acidic and more alkaline. I have pH strips that I use every few months and so far it has gone up almost .5 (I'm at about 6.45 using saliva.). I don't see a need to use baking soda or vinegar (unless the vinegar is part of homemade salad dressing) to up the pH unless you like that sort of thing. It may, however, speed up the process. I have also always been a "no salt" kinda girl, but recently I started using a good quality mineral salt on my foods (just a dash here and there-and not on canned/high sodium foods, but raw or gently cooked foods). It really helps with flavor and is decently good for you.
As far as the nanoinsects and fungus, I am a firm believer in garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric! I eat one or more of them almost every single day in some form (garlic and onions raw, ginger crystallized and turmeric powdered). If you are getting those and plenty of fiber from fruits and veggies, I believe this is a great cleanse for your intestines and also for your whole body in general. I have not had a cold or flu for over 2 years! This is something we should do our whole lives, as those foods are so beneficial, in so many ways.
In addition, other important foods I consume several times a week are flax seeds (fresh ground from whole as needed in a cheap coffee grinder), organic raspberry leaf tea, dried fruits such as figs and currants (great with nuts!), organic local broccoli (The perfect vegetable! However, it is a goitrogen which may hamper thyroid function, so I don't go overboard). And of course, lots and lots of fresh, filtered water.
I feel so very fortunate to live in a small eco-minded community, as we have many local farms growing organic produce and pasture-raised livestock. This gives me the opportunity to support my community, eat seasonally (which I have been trying to do-I love it!), in addition to having organic, freshly harvested produce and clean, nutritious meats! And even for those who are not that lucky, if you look around, there are great little shops with food sections and even some of the bigger chains are carrying lines of organics (which usually is better than conventional at least). With all these options, there's no reason to resort to trans-fatty fast foods or pre-packaged, preservative-laden convenience foods!
One other important thing I have changed in my life is what goes ON my body. It's taken me a few years (as I had interest in this, yet again, before endo), but I have drastically reduced what I use in the shower and for toiletries. I try to get products with no parabens, lauryl/laureth sulfates, phthalates, or any other weird stuff that I don't know what it is. Just don't be fooled by stuff that says "all natural" until you read the ingredients list. Burt's Bees is a pretty good brand that is more affordable than some. And most recently, I got an inexpensive shower filter (less than $100) that removes chlorine and VOCs which may be directly related to endo, and a host of other problems/diseases. For lotion, I use the same organic virgin coconut oil that we eat!! I really feel these small changes have drastically reduced the toxic load on my body, and I hope within the next year or two it really shows. One crazy thing I have noticed-my sweat only stinks when I eat junk! (I don't wear deodorant anymore! Will sometimes spray lavender hydrosol under my arms.) To me, that says a lot!
The last, but not least, of the changes I have made is movement. I have been pretty sporadically active in the last decade, and need to lose weight-about 60 more pounds (Excess body fat = excess estrogen! Not to mention contributing to many other problems!). My naturopath suggested yoga for me for activity but even more importantly, reducing stress and anxiety. I have fallen in love with it. I recommend it especially to women who don't like strenuous exercise or just need to slow down (which is all of us, right?? (: ). You would be shocked at what you can do in yoga class-and will love how it helps you focus mentally AND reshapes your body. I am slowly working in more aerobic activity (biking, walking, etc.).it gets easier as I become more fit and more self-confident.
As for my own rate of healing, I feel I have really taken control of a few areas of my health-less stress and more activity. The food changes have come slowly and not always consistent, but I am still trying and know that a year from now I will be a different woman!! I never had debilitating pain, but my pain is much much less now, and only seems to flare up when I am eating non-nutritious foods for more than a day or two (aka fast foods or junk food!). The more I read and hear about other women and how they are changing and bettering their health, and the more knowledge I have on endometriosis and also how our amazing bodies have the capacity to heal themselves, the more motivated I become!!
So, after this novel of information (it's so easy to go on and on.there's so much to learn!), the main ways I believe to support your body and "heal" endometriosis include: balancing body pH, supporting thyroid function, boosting immunity through correct nutrient intake (including temporary supplements if necessary), detoxing often (but gently through daily diet and drink and no crazy fasts or diets!), and moving more. Those are the main things, and there's so many little things that help you support them. One other suggestion-even if you have already seen many doctors, I think seeing a naturopath or kinesiologist is so important, so you can find out what you specifically are deficient in nutrient-wise. Although there seems to be emerging constants for us with endo, everyone is still different. I am finding my naturopath a continual and necessary resource for my endo.
So, that's my story. I hope this has been a source of good information for anyone wanting more on how we rise above endometriosis and receive good health in return. I would love to hear from anyone regarding your experiences!!
