So my doc wants me to stop taking MSM and flax

[MrsHouston]

When Dr Oz was on Oprah monday he recommended Flax.

I always heard that Doctors dont get training in nutrition. Is that true?

I heard Dr. Oz say on one of his radio programs that nutrition/or some class similar to it is offered as an elective and it's only offered in about 3 locations in the US, so no, most students/doctors don't take it.

 

[gymfreak336]

Gymfreak, you go Girl! ITA with everything you say, especially bolded part about doing own research and asking questions. Basically, using common sense.

I've uterine fibroids for over 20 years, since my son was born, and didn't need treatment, just monitoring until about 6 years ago when they became painful and my OBGYN (who I LOVE) wanted to do major surgery - cut, go in and take it out and close -- about 8 weeks to recover. I had to tell her about the embulization surgery where a radiologist goes in and starves the fibroids - no cuts, just a needle poke, home next day, 1 week to recover. I was a model patient, complete success, fibroids shrunk over 70%, no futher action, no cuts. Excellent result for me and other women who do not plan on having anymore children. Indeed Condi Rice has similar surgery in 2004. It is becoming the norm now, but in 2001 when I had my surgery, it was experimental and I thank God my insurance covered the procedure at that time.

I had to educate my doctor about a medical procedure. To this day, she refers patients to call me so I can tell them about my experience and instead of automatically cutting out the fiboids, she now has another option for her patients. That was an amazing experience for me and her. Doctors are just people and they need all the help they can get . . . .

That is wonderful to hear!!!! Not having to be cut completely up is always a plus Your story also shows me that you have a great OB/GYN, she is open to other options and supportive of your choices. She uses these opportunites to learn something that she might be able to use herself for another person. She is one of the good ones.

 

[*Happily Me*]

wow Neroli. That's AWESOME!

 

[Neroli]

That is wonderful to hear!!!! Not having to be cut completely up is always a plus Your story also shows me that you have a great OB/GYN, she is open to other options and supportive of your choices. She uses these opportunites to learn something that she might be able to use herself for another person. She is one of the good ones.

Yes, she's a gem and not only my doctor, but has become my friend. I was her first embulization and because the actual procedure is done by a radiologist, she simply was not informed about it. She had to "observe" at my surgery and, of course, do all follow-up, but this surgery requires the expertise of a radialogist. Anywho, she tells me that over 60% of her uterine fibroids patients now opt for embulization over major surgery. I mean, duh. Who wants to get cut up if they don't have to? Plus, it's waaaay cheaper so insurance companies now on board for coverage.

 

[dynamic1]

Instances like this make me appreciate my physician even more.
He thinks outside the box, incorporates supplements and nutrition into his advice, and takes his time (even if we wait forever) to actually consult with each patient. He listens! If he writes a prescription for FDA approved medicine, he provides natural alternatives and or supplemental regimens right along with it. To top it off.......he actually practices what he preaches.

 

[shocol]

Gymfreak, you go Girl! ITA with everything you say, especially bolded part about doing own research and asking questions. Basically, using common sense.

I've uterine fibroids for over 20 years, since my son was born, and didn't need treatment, just monitoring until about 6 years ago when they became painful and my OBGYN (who I LOVE) wanted to do major surgery - cut, go in and take it out and close -- about 8 weeks to recover. I had to tell her about the embulization surgery where a radiologist goes in and starves the fibroids - no cuts, just a needle poke, home next day, 1 week to recover. I was a model patient, complete success, fibroids shrunk over 70%, no futher action, no cuts. Excellent result for me and other women who do not plan on having anymore children. Indeed Condi Rice has similar surgery in 2004. It is becoming the norm now, but in 2001 when I had my surgery, it was experimental and I thank God my insurance covered the procedure at that time.

I had to educate my doctor about a medical procedure. To this day, she refers patients to call me so I can tell them about my experience and instead of automatically cutting out the fiboids, she now has another option for her patients. That was an amazing experience for me and her. Doctors are just people and they need all the help they can get . . . .

Yes, that's exactly what happened with my mom. She had fibroids and her doctor, an old white man, wanted to do a total hysterectomy. At the time, she was still pre-menopausal and was aware of the effects of a having a hysterectomy. She ended up having a procedure like yours where the blood supply to the fibroids is starved. But first, she had to do her own research, and switch doctors. There a literally thousands of women every year in the U.S. who have unnecessary hysterectomies.

 

[Mestiza]

The FDA has given its approval of drugs that have been harmful to patients and even caused some of them their lives.

Unlike her, my doctor encourages the use of Flax Seed Oil.

 

[AvaSpeaks]

Hello! Newbie here

I wanted to say that I kinda agree with the doctor about the MSM and maybe even the Flaxseed Oil. Sometimes, we try things that are good for one area but we really don't know the long term effects. And I think that's why the doctor could be saying lay off the MSM. At least if your not taking it for what it's really made for.

As far as the fibroids, there are lots of good non-invasive treaments for removing them. But the problem is, there isn't any non-invasive treament for removing them, IF you still want to have children.

That's my problem. I have some large fibroids now and I'm only 30. If I get the embolization done, then I can't have children So I don't know what to do. So it's all so confusing.

 

[Coffy]

I'm 31 years old and do plan on having kids. That alone is THE MAJOR REASON my doctor, Dr. Bruce McLucas, recommended Embolization.

It's the least invasive surgery. There's no disturbing of the uterus, which there is with myomectomy. Also, with embolization the chance of fibroids returning are very slim, whereas a myomectomy, Lupron injections, even natural alternatives are 70%.

I went through everything before I did this procedure. Herbal cleansing, accupuncture,super restrictive diet...truth is when they get to a certain size, you have to go with modern medicine.

I wrote my experience in another post but my uterus was the size of a 26 week pregnancy, with the largest fibroid the size of a grapefruit. I got tired of the horrendous periods, the crazy stares from people thinking I was preggers when I was out drinking, I wear a size 4 for goodness sakes and I always have to wear empire waists tops because I look...not like I should.

As I literally had UFE a week ago today, I am still in recovery mode. But I plan on going to accupuncture later this week and resuming my diet (mostly Asian foods, no caffeine, no red meat, no dairy) once I get an appetite again! Mentally I feel so much better though.

Please visit my doctor's website www.fibroids.com. Also, www.blog.geekwithfibroids.com is great.

Happy to help

 

[blackmaven]

Ava,

I am 38 years of age had abdominal myomectomy done in June to remove fibroid.

I was afraid thank goodnes experienced no pain.(courtesy drugs)

The ladies here were great asking my questions and concerns.

Feel free to pm me

 

[turnergirl]

I find it very interesting that doctors have issues with flax seed oil. It provides heart healthy omega 3's along with other things. I have been taking both flaxseed oil and msm since 2000 for my joint issues after a doctor tried to get me to take an arthritis medication that is now responsible for several hundred deaths by stroke. I knew better than that.

 

[vevster]

Long story short, I had a routine visit today and told my doc I started taking MSM and flax seed oil since the last time I'd seen here.

She basically does not want me taking them because they aren't FDA approved... She did not "demand" I stop taking them, but she made it clear that she did not think it would be a good idea to continue using them.

That doctor is totally out of touch with what works..... boooooo!!!!

 

[star]

Not FDA approved but Woman Approved.