I am nearing my wits end with inflammation in my breasts.
Firstly, I have been getting my period every two weeks, so my body is PMSing every two weeks.
The thing is my boobs are so sore and swollen.
The pain is unbelievable.
Sprained ankle was less pain than this.
What are some good foods/herbs/teas to help bring the water retention down?
I know this seems funny, but in all sincerity they are driving me nuts.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- This book is a gold mine. Easy to search.
Though not at all about lyme, this is one of the best reference resources on my bookshelf that has wonderful chapters, many graciously available through their website.
The ONE EARTH HERBAL SOURCEBOOK (Tillotson, et.al.)
He is a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine; She a doctor of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncturist.
and
Tori Hudson, ND is a specialist in women's natural health issues. Her book is in the library. Search on line for her site / articles. -
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I've got an herbal tea specifically for reducing water retention. Here is the list of ingredients:
Bitter Fennel fruit Red Clover flower Uva Ursi leaf Parsley leaf Cleavers herb Hibiscus flower Chicory root (roasted) Cranberry fruit juice (dried) Stevia leaf
I think the last 4 ingredients are for flavor, but I know cranberry does have benefits for the urinary system (prevents UTI's).
Red Clover is a blood cleanser & detox aid.
Fennel is a digestive stimulant (bile stimulant) & helps get rid of gas.
Uva Ursi & Parsley are both good for the urinary system and are diuretics.
I don't know anything about cleavers or hibiscus.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- One of Razzle's ingredients - hibiscus - has some good properties aside from flavor (and stevia is needed to offset its tartness). Be sure to rinse mouth well with water afterward.
Topic: HIBISCUS s., Roselle – links -
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Thank you so much Razzle and Keebler!
I so greatly appreciate your replies and I will do some more reading from the websites and also herbs you mentioned.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
My boobs are sore too with PMS!
I'm going to try to make hibiscus jello.
I just found this site. It sounds like a lot of the recipes are anti-inflammatory.
I like that site. Ty
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Hibiscus can be a little irritation to the mouth due to its acid content. Just be advised so that whatever foods with it can balance that. My mouth has little protective layering to it anymore so I notice it more. Still, for anyone with sores or tissue irritation, just be aware.
More so if you used powdered form (a little goes a long way). Tea from the flower leaves is much kinder.
It is very satisfying in that tangy regard as we enjoy in fruits (I use stevia with it for balance).
It can be mixed into oatmeal, too. But, as a tea, it will certainly serve to move liquid through one so don't go out for a long walk until you see how that works for you. Or too close to bedtime.
CHIA SEEDS make a gel of sorts, not quite a Jell-O but as they soak, they get soft and gelatinous / soupy. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Greta,
As this is not just about holding water with PMS, be sure to talk with your ND about this so that you might get to where the symptoms just don't happen like this.
There are certain herbs that are especially good for woman's cycle. Tori Hudson's books go into those.
Dong Quai & Angelica, especially. But best to get / read advice from a ND on those.
Pain relief now if you are not going to drive: I suggest Scullcap / skullcap (tincture only, it does not work otherwise) -
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Dandelion root is another good one for tea. Don't take too close to bed or you'll be peeing all night!
Red Raspberry leaf can sometimes soothe PMS.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Hi guys! Thanks so much!
Judie, that website is fantastic. Lots of good recipe ideas on there.
I spoke to my LL about this and was told could be two reasons:
1) Treating mycotoxins with Sporonox can sometimes affect one's cycle.
2) Lyme disrupting hormones
I am keeping a log of symptoms and days I get my period for one month, and also doing hormone testing.
The testing is not easy because one is supposed to spit in small sample tubes. I don't know about everyone else but it takes me so long to produce enough spit for the tube. argh.
OK, thanks for the great ideas gang! I really appreciated it.
I am popping into a health store for the skullcap tincture. It looks like a good one to take in the evening.
XOXO Greta
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
As Judie mentioned...
Dandelion tea and green tea combo. Dandelion is a natural diuretic. Works very well and is cheap.
Honk honk!
Sorry, couldn't help myself!
Posted by Jane2904 (Member # 15917) on :
Hi Greta,
Sorry I do not have links. I remember reading somewhere that evening oil of primrose is good for painful breasts.
Maybe try researching, sorry I do not have any sites or links.
Hope you find something to help you.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Hahaha! Tincup! Hilarious!
Jane-ok thanks, I will read up on primrose oil
So the place I go to did not have skullcap.
But it had dandelion and red clover tea bags so I bought those to try.
I wonder too if lymph could perhaps contribute to the ache and the swelling?
I haven't been dry brushing in a while; I'd better start again.
Anyone know of any essential oils good for draining water? Maybe in the tub or a foot soak?
Thanks gang!
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Keebler-that one earth website is very good! Thanks Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Greta. Any chance you are taking rhodiola or anything else like that. I started taking that a while ago... Tiny tiny amount... My boobs hurt so, constantly. and then I got a period 2 years after I stopped getting them. I was getting acne too! Of course I got it checked out and everything was fine... But I stopped taking the rhodiola.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Juniper and Cypress essential oils are good for supporting the urinary system and increasing circulation.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Love Teeccino, which has dandelion root in it.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Thanks so much for the tips.
Juniper smells delish-will try some of that.
No rhodiola, but that brings to mind to check my supps to see if any have the same properties as rhodiola.
Teecino...sounds familiar...can't place the packaging but will keep my eyes open in the store.
Read on the internet castor oil packs are supposed to help. Going to try those.
Also found some red clover tinc in the cupboard (?), and started red root for lymph support.
At least red clover is a helpful herb to have too much of haha.
It is still ongoing. Went for a run today and the impact was just too painful. Put on two sports bras and a tight under armour shirt. Still ouch.
I will try your suggestions, thank you kindly.
Greta
Ps. I suspect my endocrine system is out of whack. Cause this is just been going on too long.
Posted by lookup (Member # 44574) on :
Hi, I'm new here. My son was recently diagnosed I'll throw in some thoughts too. The lymph/water was addressed in other posts and maybe the issue has already resolved by now? I was wondering if there is heat present in the sore areas?
Good anti-inflammatories: Ginger (I like Ginger Force by New Chapter) or just use ginger. Tumeric (I like Extinguish, food based, by MegaFood) Ferrum Phos 6x cell salt for inflammation- but I read that parasites like iron so that would need to be considered. Cell salts are really diluted so there is not much iron in that one but yet it is used for anemia.
Warm moist packs can also help open up circulation and soften hard swollen tissue.
Then there are homeopathics but more detail is needed.
I have experienced that before. No fun!
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Thanks so much for the suggestions Lookup.
I forgot about ginger.
Thanks again, Greta
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
TWO support bras? Oh my! You are desperate for relief. So sorry!!! Trying to come up with something else you can try, but not having much luck.
Noticed you have a period every two weeks and PMS. Poor dear!
From my little bit of "girly" knowledge (I'm not an expert), NATURAL progesterone has been known to address that quite well.
Might want to have your levels checked if you haven't. I had zero progesterone. When supplementing, I'm doing TONS better.
In the old days, this was the only real good info out there on natural progesterone.
Hope something here might help, but do check with a doctor involved in this field of medicine before doing anything I shared, cause I ain't a doctor.
Feel better soon!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
It would be very childish of me to say this again, but what the hay?
Honk, honk.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Hahaha Tincup! That's the second time your honks have brought me loud laughter! Thanks for making "light" work of my leadweight boobs. Haha.
Thanks for the link. I'm off to read it now.
Hugs, (but not too tight!)
Greta
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
HA! Your laughing made me laugh! Wanna laugh some more?
And moderators- this is a genuine medical response that may help Greta. It's not a joke. As you know, I'm much more deep and thoughtful than that, especially when one of our members is in pain.
Ok, Greta, why do some Lyme patients have square boobs?
They forget to take the tissues out of the box.
And moderators, before you boot me off the board on a cold and lonely Saturday night, just want to say...
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Greta,
An elephant asked a camel... "Why are your breasts on your back?"
"Well," says the camel, "I think that's a strange question from somebody whose **** is on his face."
Yep, those moderators are going to toss me off here tonight, after they stop laughing.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha tincup!
Good ones!
Thanks for the belly laughs!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Good! We got a laugh without me getting the boot! But in all seriousness, I do hope you have less pain soon.
Posted by lcinelli21 (Member # 44898) on :
Hey guys! My name is Laura and I am a student at Penn State. This summer I shadowed my grandfather who is a Lyme literate doctor and all the new information I learned really sparked an interest in me. Now, for my english class I am required to write a research paper and my chosen topic was: Alternative medicine in the treatment of chronic Lyme disease. If anyone at all would be interested in helping me with my research by answering a few questions on a survey, please email me at [email protected] with the subject heading. Survey. Any help would be greatly appreciated and all personal information will be anonymous! Thanks so much.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- lcinelli21 / Laura,
I used to teach college journalism and I've done a lot of personal research in herbal approaches, as I've never had access to a LLMD or LL ND for more than a couple consults. So, I've had to figure out a lot for myself.
Usually, my PM is off as I don't have much energy to communicate but I will turn it on if you want to PM me with some basics about your paper and I'll see what I can do to guide you.
Designing - phrasing - the questions, alone, for ANY survey is really important. Not sure where you are with that yet if you'd like, PM me within one week's time.
While you are very likely exactly who you say you are and in this for the right reasons, there is no way for anyone to really know that just communication via the web.
It is too risky.
What would be best for both you and those from whom you seek a reply is not to either ask for or receive "blind" emails. Instead, connect with your local and state lyme support groups so they can work with you for the best approach to this.
After you have made some connection with the leader(s) of your area groups, then you might branch out to a wider audience.
You can communicate here by PM with other posters. That way, no one is trading private emails at all.
As you say you are "writing a research paper on Alternative medicine and the treatment of chronic Lyme disease" it is necessary to interview various LL NDs and LLMDs who incorporate support methods.
You can create your own thread on the topic and gather posted replies.
I will post one below that is vital to your studies on this matter -- to be sure you have a chance to see it. Beyond this, though, do consider your own thread for your topic. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
Understanding of the importance of addressing the infection(s) fully head-on with specific measures from all corners of medicine;
knowing which supplements have direct impact, which are only support and which are both.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.) -
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