Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

[KateH1]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Suzanne's book about her family and alcoholism is called "Keeping Secrets"....it is very good! I have a lot of respect for Suzanne, so many times in her life she could have so easily just given up....but, she is a winner and never gives up! Not only that, she works at having true joy and spreading it around!

I have also been a huge reader of Dr.Northrup....I have both of her books as well...Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause. Interestingly enough Dr. Northrup was raised by a mother who followed Adelle Davis and early proponent of "Natural Health".....Dr. Northrup takes such a Holistic approach to health. She truly encompasses the integrative approach of a balance between natural, allopathic and spiritual health! Both of these woman bring a lot of enlightenment to womens health and psychie!!

[LVT25]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

I read "The Sexy Years" and I wonder if her newer books are much different? I also read "The Wisdom on Menopause" years ago--both great!

[skootiemom]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

I saw the show- I liked her Sommersize books about diet. I use it to this day in conjunction to Southbeach philosophies and it works.

I am 42 ( in May) and so far have regular cycles and still sleeping ok. I do find that in the week before my time of the month, I get VERY anxious and fluttery feelings ( almost like a bad hang over ), and this is new. Could that be the start of something? I have never had "pms"....

I know NOTHING about meno or hormones, but I recall my mother being OUT OF HER MIND in her 40's. I think I should start reading up.

Skoots

[lushy]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Actually Brightlite, one thing I really got out of watching Oprah was that synthetic hormones are not as bad as they have been made out to be. It is too hard for me to explain here but maybe there is a copy of the show somewhere on the net so people can see how it was described. I found the show to be extremely informative and know I could benefit from some hormones.

[Sunbeam]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Interesting link from Oprah.com, "the other side" info

Bio-Identicals: Sorting Myths from Facts

[brightlite]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Thanks for the link. One side says one thing, the FDA says another. The fact is that they are "natural" not synthetic and therefore cannot be patented. It all comes down to money and the FDA is no saint!! I'm not saying that the synthetic hormones will not do the job or the "natural hormones" will not cause complications...I just don't have enough information on the natural hormones. I guess there have really been no long term studies done on the natural hormones like with the synthetics hormones. They seem to be effective for many women and given the choice, I would rather go natural. It is a personal choice and everyone has to do their own research. Many women are really benefitting and the key is to find a Doctor that will test appropriately and prescribe the bioidentical hormones.

[KateH1]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Quite honestly, I do not want to risk taking estrogen from a pregnant mare.....Dear god!!! Just look at the size of a Mares Ass!! I am not a horse!!

There have been numerous studies on Japanese women who have a diet high in soy (natural estrogen is derived from soy) and Japanese women do not experience the same symptoms during menopause as caucasian women. And Brightlight, I agree the FDA is far from perfect! The FDA also has no juristiction over vitamins and natural medicines as of yet! I hope it stays that way.

I cannot say enough about how well I feel on bio-identicals.....amazing! But, I respect every womans right to choose!

[Ripple]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

My gyno Dr. is a gay man if that matters.. He is cool and understanding. I can talk to him about anything, even my family problems.. He is the one who will direct me to the proper treatment for estrogen replacement. What have i to lose, i am tired of being tired and whacked out!! The damage is done. I want to live the next years happy. Tomorrow i am buying a Rice Cooker and i'm gonna take a look at Somers books..

Ripple. :thanks:

[ready2change]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Actually Brightlite, one thing I really got out of watching Oprah was that synthetic hormones are not as bad as they have been made out to be. It is too hard for me to explain here but maybe there is a copy of the show somewhere on the net so people can see how it was described. I found the show to be extremely informative and know I could benefit from some hormones

This is true Lushy...and something I am going to look into. I have varying thoughts on the issue of compounding pharmacies vs regular pharmacies...but according to the other doctor on the show (forgot her name) you can get plant derived hormones from reg pharmacies as well. You have to tell your doctor that is what your interested in, not pregnant mare urine (yukk...) Not to mention the cruelty issues that have been brought up many times regarding keeping these mares pregnant. They have farms where they are tethered througout the pregnancy so the urine can be collected and when they deliver the baby, if it is male, it is killed!!! This alone is outrageous!!

So plant hormones for me, but I am going to ask about getting them from reg pharmacy for now. Also, be advised that if you go to your regular gyno...they may be "old school" regarding hormones, meaning after they test you they may say your hormones are in the normal range. But be sure to check if that is the normal range for your age or the "optimal" age, when hormone are at a much higher level. I am going to schedule an appt next week with an "anti aging" doctor here locally. He is schooled in all the lastest on bio identical replacement therapy. I too don't suffer any outward/typical signs of menopause other than I am 51yrs old and I had a hysterectomy 5yrs ago. They left my ovaries, but I still want to have everything tested. I have been in a "fog" for several yrs and wonder if that has anything to do with this?

Anyways, it never hurts to know these things about our bodies anyways. Be prepared, most insurance companies do NOT pay for this. Good luck everyone. I will update you after I see him

R2C

[Ripple]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

I need to know..

is Premarin made from horse pee then? OMG.. I believe a test is first to know levels of hormones.. I know for sure i am not normal. When i fell apart in 10/07 i had to have surgery for blood issues, since, i have never been the same woman.

Plant derived SOY is supposed to be a natural approach? Something to begin with? I am 52 and i have insomnia, or just crazy irritable. My skin feels like its crawling, dried up white and flakely.. I use good lotions and wash with Hemp natural soaps, eat good and still itch!!

I forgot about me, i have not seen my crotch Dr. since my procedure. BAD.. Burning of the Uterus.. all parts are intact, just no more menstrual cycle. So, it is time for a check up!!

Ready .. i have a lot to learn about all of this.. If it ain't one thing ... its another..

love Ripples.. :l

[KateH1]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Yes, Rip...premarin comes from pregnant mare urin.

[lushy]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Yes Ready, that was the term I was looking for. Plant based. That Ob/gyn said you can get those from pharmacies and I was feeling hopeful about that, because to go to a compounding pharmacy is generally out of pocket and quite expensive.

[KateH1]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

My hormones cost me $65 per month. That is for all three...three types of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. My insurance does pay a portion of this 50%, because my insurance includes compounding pharmacies.

I heard what the other doctor had to say about compounding pharmacies.....but, here is my question. All pharmacists must maintain a license. Why should we not trust compounding pharmacists and pharmacies, but we should trust the standard ones? Just curious on this point?

[Ripple]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Kate.. i dreamed about you last nite.. your real name was Vivian.. :H

what puzzles me is.. We love horses.. why horse urine? Is a woman closest to a HORSE? I always call myself a horse, lately a whale.. maybe there is something GOOD about horse piss. Horses do have muscles, and they are strong? Like to run and take abuse well. I don't know alot about any of this yet. Animal verses human hormones? I'm too dumb about all of this right now. There has to be something in horse urine that helps us. Sounds like steriods.. Pump me up. Don't do for men to enhance strength, yet for women, make them feminine? I don't get it? What-ever, at this point in life, the quailty of life is a gamble. Damage is done, its up to our genetics to take us through the last quarter. Add a little something to make us feel good. Lets just be happy as we age. I need to know where Somers is getting her fix!! She is nuts, i try to be nice.. she has horse teeth too..

Love ya all.. Ripple. :l

[upnorthgirl]

Oprah today -- Suzanne Somers and hormones

Love my doctor!

My doc will not put me--menopausal, post-total hysterectomy, 54--on HRT's. He says there are too many problems (cancer) related to them--and trust me, he is up on everything.

Soy is great! Almonds. I am going to check out this BHRT stuff.

BTW--of course the FDA and drug companies will say BHRT is bad...much like the AMA says Chiropractors are quacks, or Acupuncture is a joke. If they don't get $$$ they don't believe!