Flatmama's Routine

[flatmama]

So I've been taking the herbs for a bit now and have had some tingling and soreness everyday so I think I've got at least something good started so here we go. I don't dowse either.

Fenugreek 620mg 4x daily
Saw Palmetto 580mg 3x daily (think I still need to add more of that)
Wild Yam 400mg 3x daily (also think I need more of that)
Calcium w/D 600mg 1x daily
MultiVitamin w/ b complex
500 mg Vitamin C
I was taking fish oil supplements but kept forgetting. Would this be something good or bad for my BE routine?
I'm wanting to add Fennel but haven't made it to the store to pick it up yet.

I massage in the evening or shower when I can remember. I've also started skin brusing the extra fatty layer near my armpits after reading a thread on it in here. That area seems to have gotten a bit bigger since I started the herbs...probably just in my mind though. I'm probably just noticing it because of the added attention to that area of my body.
I try to exercise at least 3 times a week but haven't been that good this last week. I notice an increase in tingles and soreness after I exercise, especially after chest exercises......most likely from increased cirrculation but not sure.
I haven't noticed an increase in acne other that my usual 3 or 4 at a time. I also haven't been very moody at all, which is a nice improvement for me.
I'm tired.....alot...just want to sleep.
I've been craving foods- cheese, meat....salty food, pizza....milk...and chocolate (pretty sure chocolate not good for BE )
I took some before pictures to help track my progress because measuring can vary too easily. That was a sad day to actually see how flat I am. I probably won't post those but we'll see how the after's turn out.
I think that's it. If anyone has suggestions on how to improve this or if I really need something corrected please let me know.
Question, how long do I need to stay at certain amount of herbs before I ramp up the dose? Thanks!!!

[serene]

Flatmama,
I'm not as experienced as Wahaika or Wenona, but for ramping up I think it depends on if your getting sensations - which you say you are, so I would stay where you are a cycle and see what happens. Then ramp up slow. I hope this helps, and if you want this comment removed just say the word, (I won't be offended). and I hope if someone with more experience comes along they make a verbal offering as well. (it's so nice to have the support)
Best growing wishes!
serene

[flatmama]

Thanks Serene,
I'm up for any help really. I'm not sure if I should ramp up next cycle now or not. For the first half of my cycle I was having killer sensations everyday....tingles and soreness, heaviness and all that but since ovulation they've gone down to barely noticable and just every few days. I guess it's good since I'm still at least getting some sensations. So, I don't really know if I need to ramp up at next cycle or just stay the same. I don't know if the more intense sensations will come back. Thanks again for your help!

[flatmama]

Maybe someone could help me out. When exactly are the best days to measure?
I've read about not doing it when you are just swelling but I've never had that problem during anytime of my cycle and I know that can change with herbs, so I don't really know what days are the common swelling days.

Also, going with my previous comment....do I want to ramp up mid cycle and then drop back at the beginning of the next or just give it a couple of cycles and see if this is a common pattern?
As a side note, I'm going to get my Fennel today and slowly start ramping it up tomorrow....I'll let you know how it goes.

[Kitty-armada]

May 26, 2008 13:12:37 GMT -5 @flatmama said:

Maybe someone could help me out. When exactly are the best days to measure?

I think you measure 1-5 days after your period.

[Wahaika]

Mid Cycle Day. Day 10 also works.

[flatmama]

Thanks everyone for the help!!! Just impatiently waiting to measure I guess. I'm sure I haven't grown though, I'm really not expecting to until month 2 or 3. The bras feel a bit tighter but probably just some swelling.
Another quesiton...how high should I ramp up on Fennel? I'm taking 620mg of Fenugreek 4x a day right now and I know they are similar so I don't want to stall. Should I just avoid fennel or lower my fenugreek?? Please help. Thanks!

[flatmama]

Okay, i cheated...I measured...it's only day 3 of my cycle so I know it's just swelling...but still, it's nice to have that (since I never do) and have my bras tight even for a little bit. I measured 1/2" larger around bust and 1/2" larger from nipple down on both breasts.....everything else is the same. I'm not posting the actually numbers because I know it's just swelling....but still, it's nice!
I've started getting the stronger tingles back...and they actually feel deeper, if that makes any sense. I'm thinking of backing down a bit on the fenugreek and I'm slowly ramp up the Fennel and just judge by my sensations. I've gained 2 lbs according to the scale but I haven't increased size anywhere, all measurements the same. I'm assuming maybe water weight or something because of the time of the month..... Guess we'll see what happens. It could be the strength training and just more muscle... Who knows.

[Wahaika]

Hello flatmama,

>>"I'm taking 620mg of Fenugreek 4x a day right now and I know they are similar so I don't want to stall. Should I just avoid fennel or lower my fenugreek?? Please help. Thanks!"

Given that you are already taking both, the best thing to do is to adjust them according to what seems to be working.

Wahaika

[flatmama]

Thanks Wakaika!
In another thread you mentioned borage oil for me. Is that still something I might want to add?? What is this used for? I'm really just trying to keep things as simple as possible.
I think I'm starting to figure some of this herbal BE thing out. I guess I'm not too far off from knowing what my body needs since what I'm doing seems to be working. Thanks for all your support and taking the time to answer my quesitons.

[Wahaika]

flatmamma,

I think you are doing well. I always suggest Borage oil for everyone because the high GLA is good for you. I also think that it supports (as a precursor) the manufacture of prostaglandins to help with aromatase.

But in your case I don't think I will recommend it. I think it would be good to go with your current successes. Keep it as something to consider when you need to try something new.

Wahaika

[flatmama]

Thanks again Wahaika, I will just keep the Borage oil written down as the next to add if I feel like I need something more. I'm glad you think I'm doing well. That helps me feel better. I like that I'm having all these sensations that BE is working but I still worry that I will just end up with swollen breasts instead of actual growth. I'm only 1 month in though, I shouldn't worry about that yet. I was thinking of getting Flax Seed oil because I've been taking fish oil supplements (sometimes when I remember) but I've read sometimes fish oil can hamper BE success. Sound okay?

[Wahaika]

flatmamma,

Yep, that sounds OK, just watch how it affects you. On the swollen breasts, even if it is just swollen breasts, it is a step in the right direction if you ask me. No swelling at all would be more of a problem. Even some initial shrinking would be better than no difference at all.

And when you do start having real growth, remember that you can go up and down during the journey. Pammy said this many times - that the growing is two steps forward and one step back all the way. At least that is the way is was for her. I think it is a good observation.

[flatmama]

Wahaika, you've been so much help. Thanks

I was very excited about the swelling. Like I said, that's very new to me...so even if my bras are tight for just a few days, it's still nice. This bra hasn't been tight since I was pregnant.

Update since I started adding Fennel:
I lowered my Fenugreek down to 3 a day (610mg now since my other brand was sold out) I get headaches during my monthly visit, feel like low sugar headaches, so that seemed like a good idea to do at least during this time anyways. I don't think I needed the 4 a day either. 3 a day seems to work just fine.
I lowered Saw Palmetto down to just 2 a day.. (Don't know why, just a thought, so I went with it. Hope that's not bad)
Wild Yam is still the same
I'm just taking 1 Flaxseed Oil supplement a day...1000mg to see how it affects me...so far doesn't seem to bad
Today I did 2 a day of Fennel. (450mg) I've been doing 1 for the last few days...I thought I would just try 2 and see what happens with the sensations.
Now, as far as the sensations go.....alot less tingles (some strong deep feeling ones every now and then throughout the day, last month they were all day long) ...BUT now I have a lot more PAIN. Okay, it's not terribly bad but it's sure something to make you stop sometimes. I'm having alot of deep pains in my breasts...especially in the upper part and sides near my armpit area. That area almost seems to constantly ache all day. I read the bottoms fill in first so I'm hoping the pain just happens everywhere right, not just where you are going to fill in first?
Right now I just have Fenugreek added to my lotion that I put on and leave on all night. I just added the powder from some of my capsules and let it sit for 2 weeks. It soaked into the lotion pretty well. Shortly after I apply that I get more tingles. I don't really massage it much, just enough to rub it in. (I massage while I'm in the shower after I suds up, easier for me) It's just a regular lotion, nivea night renewal, nothing special. Would any of my other herbs be good to add to this?? I also have some vit. E oil, would that be good to add to it too?

Thanks
Happy Growing!!!

[cat]

It seems it's coming along very well! i hope it continues that way !