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7 years after breast cancer dx

In 2004, when I was 48 and /maybe/ perimenopausal I was diagnosed with stage III bc. Long hard chemo threw me abruptly into menopause. Other than lack od menses no specific symptoms /hot flashes,sweats / but I knew my hormones were out of balance .
Both my oncologists and gynecologist refuse to give me any HRT citing "gold standards of therapy ' eventhough my bc wasn't hormone driven.
Of course if my only symptom of low hormones was just an absence of menstrual cycle I woudn't be looking for any supplements but it's hardly only that.
My skin looks like I were in my 80's - thin and wrinkly, I'm losing hair by handfuls. Dermatologist suggested Rogaine- which I'm using with a little if any improvement. My libido is nonexistent, I gained 25+ lbs - and sometimes I just don't see the reason to even get out of bed.
I feel and look like I aged 20 years in these 7 years.
What progesterone can do for me ?
There is no chance even asking my doctors to test my hormone levels . And I just simply refuse to complain and do nothing when possibly something could be done.

Comments for 7 years after breast cancer dx

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Dec 04, 2011
 You'll Be Alright...Promise!
by: CamperKat

First off, I am so very sorry to hear about your struggle with breast cancer, the aftermath of treatment, and the none-listening of your MDs. The latter is particularly shameful. How doctors--"healers"--continually refuse to listen to their clients (which is how I tell people to think of themselves--they hire their doctors, not the other way around).

It is difficult for me to know if your cancer was hormone driven, because many female cancers are in fact triggered (some say caused) by excess carbohydrate/glucose and the resulting high insulin--which is a hormone. Fat holds estrogen, and excess estrogen is known to cause cancer. Progesterone balances estrogen and therefore assists with fat processing, insulin processing, etc. You will benefit from progesterone, and you likely need a larger amount than what Wray Whyte (the lovely lady who makes Natpro and who runs this Q&A website) usually suggests, which is in the 120mg per day range...but that is a good place to start for you. She will get back to you with detailed info, I'm sure. FYI, Natpro has 40mg per 1/4 U.S. kitchen measuring teaspoon, and you would be wise to break up the 120mg per day into at least 2 doses, possibly 3 doses...I take 40mg 3x per day, my body needs the dosing more frequently than every 12 hours.

Rogaine is useless. I tried it for my alopecia (along with 5 years of hormone drugs) and it didn't work--dermatologists, if they are being honest, say it will work for less than 3 percent of women, plus, as you know--it's disgusting to use and makes your hair look dirty and oily. Stop using it. Start using progesterone cream, and start taking some vitamin supplements (again, Wray will likely make suggestions...I can tell you I got great results between using the progesterone cream and 3,000mg of biotin each day) and, watch what you eat...keep your total carbs at less than 100grams per day, avoid grains and dairy, eat lots of good fats from coconut oil and grass-fed animals and tons of veggies and some berries and apples.

I'm telling you, last year at this time I was a disaster...hair falling out, 50 lbs overweight, blood test results showing all kinds of scary abnormalities, dry wrinkly skin covered with Rosacea welts...now, a year later, following the program I briefly described to you--at almost 52 years of age--I am now feeling, looking and sleeping better than I have in years. You can too.

con'td
Dec 04, 2011
 Part 2, continued
by: CamperKat

Get yourself some Source Naturals NKO Krill oil (NKO stands for "Neptune Krill Oil", the patented and clinically-tested krill oil that shows startling lowering of CRP levels, bad cholesterol down/good cholesterol up) the 500mg capsules, online at a good price on Amazon, and start taking 2,000mg per day, splitting up the dosage across your meals. Within 1 week, I kid-thee-not, your hair/skin/libido will start to show a dramatic improvement. You will sleep better, start to eat better...keep taking the 2,000mg for a month, then drop down to 1,000mg for the 2nd month, and for the 3rd month, take just 500mg per day (1 capsule). This stuff is a miracle, much better than fish oil. I saw and felt results in a week at the 2,000mg loading dose, and you will, too.

And...buy some Natpro, and listen to what Wray Whyte will tell you. There is hope, and you have found the right place for loving support.

Big hugs to you!
Dec 05, 2011
 7 years after breast cancer dx
by: Wray

Hi there I'm relieved your doctors refused to give you HRT, surprised too. Minoxidil is a vasodilator, given primarily for hypertension. A side effect noticed was an increase in hair growth. There are a number of nutrients you could try which have helped people, better than more drugs, as you've had so many. They are Vitamin D 5000iu's/day as a minimum, inositol 2000-4000mg/day, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) 1000-2000mg/day, biotin 2-3mg, thiamine (B1) 100mg/day. You obviously need a good dose of the other B vitamins too, chemo is so destructive, please consider taking them. The NAC is excellent for detoxing too, so should help clear your system. Vitamin D is needed for a healthy skin. For more info on these please see this page here. Please have a vitamin D test done, you've had cancer so your level is probably very low, see here, here, here, here and here. These are excellent videos to watch too, see here, here and here. For more info on testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. And the minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Continued below. Take care Wray
Dec 05, 2011
 7 years after breast cancer dx
by: Wray

Hi there Progesterone should help your skin, see here. It's also excellent for ageing, see here, here, here, here and here. I normally recommend 100-200mg/day, more if symptoms are bad. As you are now in Menopause please look through this page on how to use it. But before you do, please see our page on Oestrogen Dominance as this can occur. Finally we do have a page on Cancer and progesterone. It's been used successfully in many cancers. Take care Wray
Dec 05, 2011
 You'll Be Alright...Promise!
by: Wray

Hi CamperKat I love reading your comments, so graphic and honest! And such good advice too. Very interested to learn about the krill oil, Dr Mercola recommends that too above fish oil. Bless you! Take care Wray

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