health alert!

[charky]

Hey all -

I'm posting for the first time to this site, referred by the orig. MSN BEboard (I was ChicagoCharky over there).

I've been taking BO (WonderBreast) for about 4.5 months (not including one-month break following the 3rd month) and have had some success in growth, from 36A to now full 36B (fyi, I'm 35 yrs old, 5'8", approx 135-140lb - this includes an additional half-inch in height - yes, that's true - and 5 lbs of weight gained since starting BE).

Anyway, I AM NOW STOPPING THE BE REGIMEN because I have developed a bad case of ENDOMETRIOSIS, causing severe menstrual pain (which I'm experiencing at his moment), bloody stool, etc. Fortunately, I am just starting a 4-month long therapy to eliminate the endometriosis, hopefully w/out any ultra-invasive consequences (e.g., hysterectomy, which someone on a related site reported was necessary as a result of her extended attempts at BE).

The endometriosis is a direct result of the hormonal imbalance caused by my regular usage of BO over the past few months. I was dedicated to taking the recommended dosage, 1800mg/day, and supplemented it w/ daily massage w/ flax oil/aloe/red clover. I had temporarily tried taking saw palmetto berries orally, which upset my stomach so much that I quit. In any event, I obviously have a very sensitive constitution - which only means that I notice symptoms much more quickly than most. However, JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCING OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE HEALTHY.

So, for those of you on this site who are concerned about your current/future health, please read more online about endometriosis and other hormone-related conditions, and please get checked out periodically by yr doctor.

FYI, I've also developed really awful internal hemmorhoids, which doesn't concern me as much as the endometriosis. However, it is - sorry - an additional pain in the a...

And as far as any future attempts at BE, I may continue the wet massage/visualization, but that's about it for now.

Take care
Charky

[Chickydee]

WOW Charky! Congrats on your success but so sorry to hear that you have health problems now.

Thanks for sharing your story. So did the doctor say that it was from taking the BO? Or the combination?

[Wenonae]

CC!

Truly sorry to hear about the endometriosis, and am so thankful that you've caught it early on. Only 3-4 mos, and endo problems, did the doc happen to say how long the extra growth had been going on?

Anyways, yeah, you're smartest and safest bet is just externals.

Wishing u health and boobies in the upcoming year.

Appreicate your sharing your story.

[anita22179]

hi charky,
i am so sorry to hear abt your health, this just renews my fear and scepticism regarding BO, i personally have been using it for 2 mths, no growth, however i had lumps in breasts and delayed periods, well all those where symptoms i could see and feel, wonder if there's something more going on inside? i for one, definitely would like to be flat- chested all my life than to have big boobs and all these health problems

[mominator]

Endometriosis can be a definate side effect of BE. This has been discussed somewhat on the board. This is why Fawn has "preached" and "preached' and "preached" about the importance of including "progesterone" therapy at least once every 3 cycles.

With herbs we are making our bodies THINK there is more estrogen, so the actual estrogen goes to the breast receptors causing growth. BO I believe is an direct source of estrogen in the body.

As I have stated MANY times, since starting herbal BE, I have NEVER felt better internally. I also have endometriosis, which has seem to cleared up since being on BE. And PCOS has definately gone towards the better. I haven't had a popping cyst in quite a long time.

So there are two sides of this story. BUT the importance of taking BREAKS, and using progesterone therapy occassionally as recommended by this board, is VERY important for all over general health.

Thank you Charky for sharing. And very SORRY to hear about your health issues. I hope that all is cleared up VERY quickly.

[charky]

Thanks ladies for the comments.

I had weird feelings about taking BO from the start, and especially since it resulted in "positive" growth so quickly, I figured there had to be other stuff going on internally as well. Since I have an extremely sensitive constitution (I'm allergic to just about everything on the planet, and I practice energetic healing, so have further developed the natural sensitivities), both positive and negative effects manifest in my body pretty quickly/obviously. I'm sort of a "canary in a coalmine" - the type of person who is a good guinea pig for trying substances since I react and experience side effects to things more obviously than most people. However, just because your symptoms aren't as obvious or quick-to-appear as mine, doesn't mean the internal negative effects aren't there, or won't show up later.

So for those of you on BO (or even on heavy dosages of herbs), please listen to your body, and definitely get checked out periodically.

And Momi - as far as doing the progesterone to balance things out, I actually DID do prog. cream during my one-month break (following month 3 of BO), per your advice (thank you!). I did feel better when I was doing that, and feel that it did "firm things up." But then of course, next cycle I returned to BO, and by my next period it looked like large chunks of internal organs were falling into the toilet. That's when I suspected endometriosis, and got checked out. Initially, it was mild, but then grew worse really fast, and started showing up in my stool, etc.

I caught it early, and am getting treated, so I'm not worried. As far as BE, I'll wait til I'm done w/ the the endo treatment and hormone-balancing therapy (all magnetic-resonance based, so it's non-invasive and I'm not putting any new substances into my body), and then will think about starting mild herbal BE. But actually, I'm pleased right now w/ my size, and although extra would be nice, I'm not gonna risk health too much more to get it.

I'll be back in touch w/ everyone when/if I get back on the BE track... in the meantime, let's all be careful w/ how we play w/ our bodies. They know more than we do, and don't get "tricked" too easily.

Ciao for now!
xoxo
Charky

[fawnmarie]

Yep - definitely might be a good idea for some of us to use the progesterone cream more frequently.

Those that have shown a need for it (i.e. Nanette & Anita) I have tried to stress the need for regular use of it. Those of us with fewer problems can use it less frequently.

Even you, Momi - might want to consider it every month (if only for days 21-28, cause of the PCOS).

It definitely behooves one to listen to one's body and react accordingly.

Fawn