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Toronto Member in Phase 2 
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Are there any supplements or medications for menopause (symptom relief ) that are compatible with MP? |
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Carole Board Staff 
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Hello, Toronto-- I assume that you are talking about "hot flashes." I feel brief "flashes of warmth" at different times of the day and night, with no particular warning or pattern. I have come to believe that these are herx-related as the bacteria succumb to the protocol. Are there other symptoms that you are referring to? As you are probably aware, it is still suggested that supplements be avoided while your body is working hard to destroy the pathogens. Take care! . . . Carole  |
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Toronto Member in Phase 2
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Thanks for your reply Carol. If it were just hot flashes no problem. It's the insomnia, itchy skin and PMS like symptoms that are driving me mad. The other day I was so agitated I could have gone bear hunting with a whip! Hard to sort out what is herx, and what is menopause. Benicar doesn't help thus I assume it is not a herx. Please advise. Thanks for your help! |
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Sandy M Member in Phase 3 
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Hi Toronto, Just wanted to tell you that all you described have been herx symptoms for me. I have been through menopause and hysterectomy. I really enjoyed the imagery of hunting with the whip! Unfortunately the whip was usually my tongue and temper. Hope you can find relief soon. Have you access to Valium, that one might help. Good hunting (the bugs!). Sandy |
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Aussie Barb Research Team 
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Deborah as per the FAQ My Herxheimer reaction is too strong. What should I do? Medication adjustment Option/s to discuss with your Dr: 1. Benicar: take extra half tablet (20mg) any time during cycle, or adjust dosage to 40mg Q4H. 2. Quercetin: may be helpful. 3. Minocycline: schedule can be extended to assess symptoms level rising or falling.. or Mino dose can be decreased and continued, (or if suitable as it is for some but isnt good for you so far, lower dose more frequent Mino dosing used. ie Mino 25mg Q6H or 50mg Q12H or daily.) 4. Phase 2 & 3: 2nd and 3rd Antibiotics: can be stopped, schedules extended or dose decreased. * Rx meds for anxietyand/or usual pain meds may help also. see How can I control my anxiety and depression? Why should I avoid hormone replacement medication? To discuss your meds in more detail, we can do so at your progress report. Thanks, all best, Barb ... |
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carol Moderator 
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Hi Toronto: It sounds like you are pretty sure these are menopause symptoms. I used a bioidentical topical hormone cream for several years which worked great for my menopause symptoms. But when Dr Marshall's molecular modeling work showed that there could be competition between these hormones and benicar for the VDR, I decided to wean off the cream. This was no fun at all! But I'm glad I did it. So maybe the best way is just to tough this out, as unpleasant as it is  . I know you do not want to do anything to retard your healing.Carol |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3 
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Hi - My hot flashes came back again when i went on the MP, so i think it's a readjustment of hormones thing. Just a note about the inter-connectedness of the endocrine system: I note that whenever my bladder is full and just as I get that "I've gotta go" feeling, I will get a hot flush. Anybody else get this? Curious! Claudia |
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Carole Board Staff
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Hello, Claudia! One at a time is quite enough for those of us who experience both kinds of herx! Thankfully, the simultaneous whammy has not occurred for me! Best wishes as you progress! Take care! . . . Carole |
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Suzanne Member in Phase 3 
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I, too, found that when I started the MP my 'peri-menopausal' symptoms increased. I guess I just thought it was the hormone readjustment too. I have had the insomnia but the mino also makes me tired...so, I finally decided to take the mino with my midnight dose of beni. It seems to be decreasing my tiredness during the day and I haven't had the insomnia as badly. My family tell me I'm 'slightly' less iritable! So glad you ladies started this topic; I've had some of these same questions since I started. Thanks for all the sharing. |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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Well, let's just call this the "secret women's business" forum, shall we? (That's what the Aboriginal women have in Australia... stuff that only women are allowed to talk about.)  Here are two more "women's business" items which have changed for me since starting the MP. 1 - no more vaginal dryness. 2 - my left breast, which never grew as large and never gave as much milk as my right breast when I breastfed my children, suddenly evened-out with my right one! That's right. I swear it. I'm not sure if the right one might have been "swollen" and shrank, or if the left one grew. But I am convinced it grew... just about a half a cup size. If only I could produce milk again, to check out if it would become fuller, too! I think any young woman who has had the uneven milk production prior to MP were to have another baby post-MP, should make a note of this and see if the same thing happens to her. Claudia |
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prugg21 Health Professional 
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I'm glad this topic was started too! I had a sudden earlyish menopause 4 yrs ago, hot flashes ended 2 yrs pre-MP and I suddenly have them back again. Not as many as before. Don't need to urinate, but just have an all over sick feeling before one comes on. Wish I could say I've had some type of secret womens business improvements, but the vaginal dryness and burning are even worse since starting the MP 4 mos ago for me, and they were already off the charts bad. Also, strangely I had insomnia for yrs before menopause, then suddenly could sleep quite well after my periods ceased, which no one has ever heard of. I had tested allergic to my own hormones, progesterone especially. Now, I am having more trouble than ever with insomnia. It's quite possible it could be from all the hormonal rearranging. I have high hopes that the MP will turn all this around someday soon. Pam |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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Hi Mellie, Pam! Welcome to my hen-house I get that "feeling sick/nausea" feeling just prior to hot-flash, too! I think the chicken/egg story is a hard one... if anything, I think it's a bit of each. Going through menopause is stressful and ANY stress makes any disease worse, but particularly if it's DERANGED HORMONES! But the inflammatory diseases are so tied up with the endocrine system that they could be bringing on early menopause of course, and making symptoms worse. hmmmm. The thing that was important to me was this: Because I was going through "the change" at the same time as I was getting very ill (hypo-thyroid) I didn't recognise that I actually was ill. You see, I was blaming all my symptoms on the menopause. I was trying to "age gracefully" and not complain, while I was thinking to myself, "groan! this getting old really sucks! oh, my aching bones... so this is what menopause is like! blah..." etc. Then when the doctor found I was hypo- he started me on thyroid replacement and in a few days I was like a new woman! Just one without periods! I HAD been aging gracefully afterall, but also had this autoimmune thyroid disease. The lesson is - we need to be aware and able to differentiate our sx and the causes. Claudia |
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prugg21 Health Professional
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Hi Toronto, I've been thinking about what I did when the change hit. Emotionally, I had off and on depression and weepiness more than typical PMS irritability. I found that avoidance of processed or chemicalized foods and chemical inhalants helped me a lot. It helped to have friends who'd been through it or were going through it to talk to and therefore, could understand and empathize. I also took a homeopathic remedy occasionally for the depression, but I don't know if this is advisable on the MP. You should check with your doctor or a board moderator on that. My illness came many yrs before menopause. I felt ill so much that I could not really tell when I'd actually come down with a virus or flu. So, I would joke that I wouldn't be able to tell when I got to menopause. That turned out to be so untrue. But, there also ended up being benefits for me like better sleep and less headaches. And while you're going through it, it seems like a long time, but in retrospect the worst of it passed in a yr for me. I really think watching the diet and environmental exposures made the transition easier. Best, Pam |
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Julia Member in Phase 3 
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the worst of it passed in a yr for me Just in case anyone gets too sanguine I should prick that bubble and add that it was more like ten years for me and at least one friend! When I was diagnosed later with sarc, and realised that it affected hormones, I thought "so that's why I've always had dodgy hormones that never seemed to get anything quite right!" I say this, not to discourage anyone, but because I felt that I wouldn't have been so bothered about it if someone had told me that it can last that long. And then when the hot flushes of menopause were well in the past, the hot flushes of sarc began... *sigh* Julia  P.S. I agree with you, Pam, about staying healthy. I never had any serious problems - not enough to approach a doctor about - during those ten years. Fresh fruit and veg, and fresh air and exercise! P.P.S. The hot flushes of sarc have been gone a long time now. Good old MP!  Last edited on Tue Aug 1st, 2006 15:06 by Julia |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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It just occurred to me - if the symptoms are the same for anyone with Th1 disease, why don't MEN get hot flushes?! |
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jcwat101 Research Professional 
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I just began having menopausal symptoms. They were quite distinct and different from my immunopathology symptoms and the worst to deal with were not the hot flashes per se, but mood and sleep disturbances. I began some bi est bioidentical hormones and some oral progesterone and they take care of the worst symptoms (I still get slight warm spells, but they don't get bad). The hormones did not affect my immmunopathology symptoms at all. I have enough experience with both to know the difference. I find that if I were to not use the hormones, I would have had to slow my progress on the MP because I could tolerate less immunopathology reactions if I also had to tolerate the menopausal symptoms. I am keeping the hormone use at the minimum to deal with intolerable symptoms, as the FAQ advises. I feel confident that when I get healthier on the MP, I will no longer need the hormones due to better overall health and endocrine functioning. Joyce Waterhouse Last edited on Tue Dec 26th, 2006 14:59 by jcwat101 |
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jcwat101 Research Professional
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Someone PMed me asking what hormones I use and so I thought I would share that information here, in case anyone else is wondering too. I'm using a cream with 2 forms of estrogen, (bi est -- with estradiol and estriol) and oral natural progesterone. I get it from University Compounding Pharmacy in San Diego (800-985-8065). Another source for the natural "bioidentical" hormones (which some think have less risk of causing breast cancer and other side effects) is Women's International Pharmacy and there are some other online sites that sell natural bioidentical hormones if you want to look at various places online. Progestins usually refer to the synthetic progesterone and some think they pose more risk than the natural progesterone. More research is needed as to what level of risk there is from the bioidentical hormones, but I feel, for myself, that it is probably better to go with the bioidentical hormones, if I must use them. And I hope I can avoid them later, when the MP improves my health further. There are no guarantees regarding them being better than the synthetics, which have been linked to a number of negative effects, like cancer. I am currently getting by with 1/4 tsp. of the bi est cream and experimenting with 50 to 100 mg or the progesterone daily. The 1/4 tsp bi est gives 1 mg estradiol (E2) and 4 mg estriol. The estradiol is the most potent part with regard to hot flashes and sleep disturbances, apparently. My prescription allows for it to be used twice daily, but once daily seems to be enough to get rid of the worst of the symptoms -- I may experiment with using 1/8 tsp to see if that will be enough. Joyce Waterhouse P.S. The natural hormones are rather expensive, but if you hunt around online you may find less expensive sources Last edited on Wed Dec 27th, 2006 19:18 by jcwat101 |
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Kas Member in Phase 2 
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I have written about this before, but I am using bioidentical progesterone cream (6% in vanishing cream), which is made up in a compounding pharmacy here in Toronto. Cost for a jar which lasts me about three months, is $42, which includes the dispensing fee. Not covered, though, by private insurance in my case, but the relief it gives, is well worth going out for one less meal! I was concerned about the transdermal cream interacting with my MP meds, but when I was off it ( and suffering like crazy from painful breasts), my herxes were no different to being on it and I could cope better without added pain/dsicomfort. Off the cream, I started to have spotting and estrogen domiance showed in my uterine biospy, on it, all that has settled down and periods are easier, more regular and without pain. I am definitely going to stay on it for the short- term, at least. I use it for three weeks of each cycle and have one or two off during my period, or if it is late, I just take myself off it after three weeks. I have also just recently started these perimenopausal symptoms, but luckily, I have never experienced a hot flash/ flush or whatever it is called. I hope I am spared that, at least!! I figure I am about a year or two away from menopause, so I am hoping that my sarc cure and my new stage of life arrive together - what a blast that is going to be!!!!! |
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Kas Member in Phase 2
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Sorry girls, I forgot to mention that I use 1/4 tsp of the cream, rubbed into any unhairy part of the body, twice a day. I try and rotate where I use it, but apparently it is good to use on the face, the hands, the boobs, abdomen, thighs, neck and feet. I have read a lot about bioidentical hormones and read Dr John Lee's book. Dr Chrisitane Northrup also recommends the natural progesterone to perimenopausal women and my own alternative ob/gyn MD here, is a world expert on the matter and has produced numerous books and CD's on the subject. He is sort of the Dr M of natural hormones! Remember, that perimenopause is a time of great hormonal fluctuations, and it is at this time especially, that many women are estrogen dominant, which can lead to breast, uterine etc cancers. If you use the natural progesterone, you are balancing things out, which can only be good for you, the way I see it. |
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jcwat101 Research Professional
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I have been reading a book by Dr. John R. Lee regarding menopause and hormone testing, in particular on bioidentical hormones. You can see his web site and list of books at: http://www.johnleemd.com . It seems reasonable to me that bioidentical hormones (identical in molecular structure to our own body's hormones) would be safer and more effective than synthetic progestins and horse-derived estrogens that have been studied most intensively. The synthetic, non-bioidentical ones are those that were linked to cancer and heart disease and other problems in the Women's Health Initiative study. Of course, opponents of the bioidentical hormones say that it has not been proven that they are any safer than the synthetic ones. I have been reading some of Dr. Lee's book and it does seem that there is evidence the bioidentical hormones are safer and more effective, but probably not enough evidence to be really certain. One would need another one of those several year long, very large studies to really know. One thing his book lists that I think is interesting is symptoms of excess progesterone. One of the symptoms he mentions is Candida overgrowth. I remember years ago, I experienced Candida problems when I added progesterone. Of course, the right amount of progesterone can be very helpful -- but it is interesting to know some of the signs of too much (he lists: lethargy, edema, Candida, bloating, lowered libido, mild depression and symptoms of estrogen deficiency -- he says too much can downregulate estrogen receptors) Anyway, I tend to think that Dr. Lee's information would probably be the most reliable if one wants to pursue the bioidentical hormones. I am by no means an expert on it and have only had time so far to skim parts of his book, but he seems to me to be the doctor with the most experience with the subject. As has been said before (see my prior posts and those of others), I would think one would use the least amount of the hormones one could to keep the symptoms in the tolerable range and that probably eventually the MP would get us so well, we will no longer need them. Some do use saliva testing as well -- see Dr. Lee's information if you want more details. I have not done so myself at this point. Interestingly, I'm now more in the category of perimenopause (near menopause) than actual menopausal. I had been on a birth control pill and when I stopped it, began having menopausal symptoms. I then began the hormone use, but a month or two later, I began having periods again. Based on my basal temperature levels, in fact, I believe I even ovulated this month. So, in the coming month, I will see if I can get by without the bioidentical estrogen and progesterone I had been using to keep the hot flashes and other symptoms in check. I'm hoping I won't need them. Joyce Waterhouse Last edited on Mon Jan 15th, 2007 22:41 by jcwat101 |
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prugg21 Health Professional
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Joyce, I too had the issue with candida after using progesterone cream for less than a week, it took months to clear up. I entered menopause fully 4 yrs ago, and didn't want to take any hormones as I had tried using a very low level estrogen as well as estrogen producing herbs and homeopathics during peri-menopause and they all caused me to have severe migraines and vomiting. So I went for about 1.5 yrs with horrendous hot flashes that brought me to my knees on occasion. Then the vaginal dryness became such an issue this past yr that the skin would tear from even sitting the wrong way. You can imagine that this kind of pain is not one you would want to experience on a regular basis. I went to a ND who specializes in womens hormonal problems and she prescribed the lowest dose possible of estriol in almond oil, made at a compounding pharmacy for me to use. I have had to build up very slowly starting out at only 1 drop at a time, but it's been 4 mos. now and after 2 mos. I noticed a big improvement. The ND did say it would take about 6 mos. to get me back to "normal". The only side effect I noticed was some very minor hot flashing in the beginning. So, I'm very happy and feel this form of estrogen is quite safe and tolerable in comparison to anything else I've tried. I hope my experience can be helpful to someone else. |
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Foundation Staff . 
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IMO, the best resource regarding bio-identical hormones is a book by Dr. Uzzi Reiss, M.D. called Natural Hormone Balance for Women. Another excellent resource for information and compounded medications can be found at http://www.womensinternational.com |
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Toronto Member in Phase 2
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Hi All, My doctor said I couldn't use HRT of any type because of my family and medical history. I'm having a really hard time coping with Meopause symptoms. If it were only the frequent severe Hot Flashes I could cope, it's the insomnia and heart palpations that are the kicker. My doctor mentioned that some antidepressants are used to treat menopause symptoms. I'm thinking about it. Is anyone else using this class of medication for menopause symptoms? Thanks Deborah |
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jcwat101 Research Professional
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Toronto, I don't have personal experience with it, but I found this article: Anti-depressant shows promise in alleviating hot flashes - smh.com.au Joyce Waterhouse |
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MrsKeeper Member in Phase 3
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I would be cautious beginning an antidepressant unless absolutely necessary. Especially certain ones. I notice that the article in Joyce's link mentions Paxil. Please note this quote from InteliHealthIn the almost two decades since Prozac -- the first of the antidepressants known as SRIs, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- hit the market, a number of patients have reported extreme reactions to discontinuing the drugs. Two of the best-selling antidepressants -- Effexor and Paxil -- have led to so many complaints that some doctors avoid prescribing them altogether. I was successful in getting off of Effexor this year after being on it for many years. I did it with my doctor's help at a very slow rate. Also, being on it did nothing for my menopausal symptoms. The hot flashes increased while I was still taking the Effexor. Maybe a different kind would work but Paxil and Effexor, according to this article, seem to be hard ones to get off of. Janice |
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jcwat101 Research Professional
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One thought re Janice's comment is that it might be easier to get off an anti depressant, when the time goes to do so, after one has reduced one's bacterial load on the MP. But perhaps there are other alternative anti depressants to consider instead, like she said, if you decide to go that route. Joyce Waterhouse |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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Update: The MP will turn back your biological clock! I've been getting "Deranged Hormones" herxes now in Phase III (If you're not up to phase II or III you can't read my posts in that forum yet, sorry,) and after having some "feeling hormonal" days, going through a yeast infection (always got them when I was pregnant) and a month of heavy, tender breasts and a week of "I feel like I'm getting a period" which was ridiculous of course because I went through menopause three and a half years ago, this morning I got a period. I guess that also explains my dreams last night that I was nursing a baby! Daughter has been telling me that the MP has been making me look younger... I thought it was just the skin! |
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ShrnHml Member in Phase 2/3 
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Friends tell me I look great too. It's nice to hear but makes enlisting their understanding and empathy much harder, and that increases my ever-present sense of isolation. I wouldn't mind looking bad for a while if it would get across what this disease has done and is doing to me. .......Sharon |
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Dr Trevor Marshall Research Team 
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Paul Ewald has just published a new paper where he says PMS symptoms may well arise from pathogens. "Premenstrual syndrome: an evolutionary perspective on its causes and treatment" http://tinyurl.com/2klw4d I have been playing with a similar concept in my mind for some time. What causes the changes in hormones that lead to menopause? What causes aging? Well, the simple answer is mutations in one's genes. The problem with that answer is that the mutations, well, most of them anyway, are likely to be due to the Th1 pathogen load that every person carries with them through life. Hmm... but this is probably getting a bit too heavy for this discussion here |
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JudyBeauty Member in Phase 3 
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Ditto on the return of menstrual cycle. I'm 54 years old and haven't had a period in two years and then had one in February. I am getting symptoms off and on of an impending cycle. Good thing I had my tubes tied years ago. I was wondering if anyone is noticing any grey hair reversal? I think I read a post by someone complaining about their silver hair turning dark again. Judy see Jigsaw in phase 1 ~ AB |
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Kas Member in Phase 2
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Good heavens - a period returning after two years of absence?!!! Not so sure I would welcome that 'benefit' of the MP. When mine is gone, I want it to stay gone!  Enough is eventually enough, and you have to eventually reach that transition in your life. Having periods too late in your life also apparently increases the risk of some cancers due to the higher estrogen levels in your body, I believe. |
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Dr Trevor Marshall Research Team
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Kas, you don't know what causes cancers, and you don't know what role Estrogen plays, so I would ask you not to make statements about either of those two issues, please. If you look a little more carefully at the paper I cited, you would find that this (eminent) scientist believes that "this transition in your life" may be not necessarily be dictated by the genes you were born with, but by the pathogens which mutate those genes. I tend to agree with him. There is little doubt the Th1 pathogens have evolved with Homo sapiens as a form of 'flora.' This current surge in chronic disease is the result of a number of changes to our lifestyle in the 20th century. which have allowed the pathogens to overcome the immune system more easily, and get the upper hand. This science is very difficult to comprehend, especially if you already have lots of pragma deeply ingrained as "knowledge." Point is, we are on the cusp of a sea-change in "knowledge," and much of that you now hold as inviolate will change over the next half-century. |
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Alayne Member in Phase 3 
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Interesting study, Trevor. Thanks. I've been wondering about the genetic changes and such that take place with the pathogens - in regards to my periods, amongst many other things. I was perimenopausal pre-MP, with little reliability as to when a period would show up. However, the schedule has stablized on the MP. BUT, the cramping and back pain have intensified to the point of having to take around the clock ibuprofen and sometimes vicodin for 2-3 days a month - completely intolerable. If I don't, I can barely walk and it's like going into labor with lower-upper back spasms thrown in for fun. To be honest, this bugs me, as it reminds me of my early years of such problems. Funny to revert to this during the MP when I feel so much better in other ways. I do think/hope though, that with increased pathogen load decreases and continued hormonal adjustments, this'll eventually ease up again. It better, darn it! Other changes in this department have been appetite and mood. I used to fully lose my appetite for a few days during my period. That doesn't occur any longer. Plus, I don't experience too many of the "mental" aspects of PMS either, which is nice. I do, however, often become quite sound sensitive for at least a couple of days and have to caccoon in a quiet room. Ah, another change...I'm ovulating more regularly - as in mid cycle, rather than whenever my body decides to. That's also been interesting...for me, that is. -Alayne P.S. It would also be interesting to hear about how many women now with menstrual issues had/have similar ones to their own mothers. My mum had a horrible time and eventually a hysterectomy. I was told to have a hysterectomy at age 26, which I refused...and am glad I did so. Some of the similarities must be due to shared/similar familial pathogenic loads and subsequent hormonal imbalances, no? Just a thought. |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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Well, I haven't yet seen anything contrary to the "you're born with a set number of eggs in your ovaries" explanation of why we have menopause. However, there are plenty of opportunities for sick women to stop menstruating before "their number is up" so to speak. My mother had periods until she was 55. Women on her side have been generally slow to have menopause, so it is likely that I should not have had menopause between 48 and 50 as I did. Perhaps it was infections in my reproductive system contributing to my Th1 illness which dysregulated my reproductive hormones... But lurking in the background were a few dormant, unused eggs. Along comes the MP and BINGO! Good thing my tubes are tied, too, Judy! Be careful you "old hens" on MP, or you'll be thinking up baby names. (If it's a boy, we'll call it Trevor. If it's a girl... Marsha?) I should record a bit more of my experience, in case it helps the research: In the past few weeks I said I had a yeast infection, but it was not the worst case, with terrible irritation and discharge, in fact there was just a little bit of that. What I felt was SWOLLEN. Yes, I am sure it was inflammation inside and out. My genitals were actually swollen and I was certain I could feel my ovaries and uterus all tight and sore. I could have sworn they felt swollen. This is NOT how I used to feel mid-month. This was a herx or IP or just a hormone-cascade thing happening. So, whatever happened, my poor old uterus spent 2 or 3 weeks firing up the old engine and for nearly a week prior, I had sharp, prickly pains in the uterus (the 'it's going to start any minute' feeling, only it went on for much longer than usual) as it got close to period time. The day before it started I had a nasty neck/headache all day. When I woke up and the bleeding had started, it was quite normal and has continued for 2 days now, just like a normal period. Not heavy / not just spotting. That's all I can report so far. Perhaps it was the inflammation of the ovaries themselves or a hormone cascade which started elsewhere, acting on the ovaries which stimulated them and started my cycle. OR Perhaps I have had some measure of "recovery" from a "premature" menopause (caused by infection/Th1) and will resume menstruating untill my time really is up. I feel these are 2 quite different possibilities. On the nature of Menopause, I also must say that I think there are good biological reasons for it and evolutionary advantages, so I do not subscribe to the theory that it is an illness itself or is caused by an illness. I do think illness can bring it on prematurely and make the perimenopause symptoms intolerable. |
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Juliette Member in Phase 2
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Alayne, My experiences have been very similar to yours- more regularity with my cycle, but substantially more pain. Has anyone has had improvements in regards to pain with menstruation? I am so thrilled with my improvements in other areas. This is really the one area I've struggled. |
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Russ Member in Phase 3 
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Dr Trevor Marshall wrote: If you look a little more carefully at the paper I cited, you would find that this (eminent) scientist believes that "this transition in your life" may be not necessarily be dictated by the genes you were born with, but by the pathogens which mutate those genes. I tend to agree with him. If the MP is capable of "reversing" menopause as Judy's experience indicates, does that mean that the MP is somehow reversing the mutations in the genes? |
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Dr Trevor Marshall Research Team
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Claudia, women have been carrying these Th1 pathogens for millennia. Most have not succumbed to chronic disease from them. That does not mean the pathogens may not have profoundly influenced human evolution. I admit that Prof. Paul Ewald's concepts are radical ones. But they are extensions of his work on aging itself - Why do we age? Why does the body just stop regenerating (since we know that DNA does a remarkable job of repairing itself)? Why do some people die young, and others live to a ripe old age? All provocative questions to which I believe science will have the answers within a couple of decades. |
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Claudia Member in Phase 3
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Hi Trevor, Yes, good questions. I enjoyed reading William R Clark's book Sex and the Origins of Death, which deals with the topic of how and why we age and die. His idea, as I understand it, is that cell death is the price we pay for sexual reproduction (and the benefits thereof). It's all pretty clear-cut on the uni-cellular level, but gets complex in higher animals ... and there is nothing more complicated than a menstruating woman! IMHO it would sure be great if society would appreciate us instead of trying to have us "cured" by HRT, plastic surgery or simply burnt at the stake! I can also appreciate that the MP can cure some cases of infertility and reverse cases of premature menopause! Well, heck, thanks to the MP I may get to go through it all again! It had better be easier this time!!! Lamb dressed as Mutton - Claudia  |
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Juliette Member in Phase 2
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I don't know if this will help anyone else, but I upped my calcium to 900 mg daily from 300 mg and am having substantially less pain with my menstrual cycle and lower back pain. This is only the first time around, so I hope it's not a fluke! Moderator's note: See Don't I need to take a calcium supplement? |
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