Do people really ever obtain success?

Lailey · 01-28-2008, 05:02 PM

Do herbs really achieve success? I've only been taking a few for this cycle and I know it's way too early to notice any changes, but I'm wondering if people *really* have success while using some of these things. I would hate to think I'm taking all these pills for nothing.

puffnstuff · 01-28-2008, 06:12 PM

I think it depends on what you mean by "success"...

Since starting my supplements, changing my diet and losing weight, my periods have re-regulated (they used to be regular, until I became obese), I am ovulating every month, and my skin has cleared up. So, I feel I have been successful.

At the same time, I am not yet pregnant. But, for all I know, that could be due to a male factor.

soulfulqween · 01-28-2008, 07:49 PM

What people always forget is that we (as in humans) had herbs first...then we got "smart" and made chemical meds because they work faster and give us lots of other aliments thus needing more meds and making pharmaceutical companies richer and richer...

Herbs do take a while but they are easier on the system than the hard stuff. I have seen GREAT changes since taking my herbs (which I seep into a tea mixture) . Stick with it...you'll see results.

Best

PollySis · 01-28-2008, 09:22 PM

Sure. I never go to the doctor's or use any prescriptions drugs and I managed to lose 40lb purely by medicating via diet, exercise and herbal supplements. In fact, when I've read about the side effects of some synthetic drugs, on here, I've often thought *I'd never put up with that!* We can be proactive and take charge of our own health - for me, supplements have worked not just for weight loss but, more importantly, regularised my periods, levelled out mood swings, all sorts of other stuff.

We live in a culture that expects everything now - but if you're looking to making long term, sustainable changes to your health, then relying on 'science' and drugs makes less sense. Not everything you read about will work for you - is just trial and error. Things often seem to take 6 mths or so to kick in, and you have to be patient, is all! But yes, just because a supplement is made from plants does not mean it has no therapeutic benefit - in fact, things in nature are complex compounds of chemicals and work in complex ways - sometimes the research shows their efficacy without the science folk really understanding how it works.

Callalilly · 01-29-2008, 11:44 AM

Herbs worked for me - and here's my story...
I have never had AF's more than 2-4 times a year. When I was 20, I took bcp's for about 3 months but was very irresponsible and didn't take them like I should. I got pg - carried to term and had my baby girl. A few years later, I tried to get pg again - but it didn't work. my AF's were happening less frequently and then I had none at all. Went to see an OB - and was diagnosed with PCOS. I've been down quite a road since then with metformin, and different diets that don't work. I've seen endocrinologists and OB's and everyone else. Then I found an herb called Vitex. I started taking it, and before my first AF even came - I ovulated and got pg. Unfortunately I had an m/c shortly after my BFP. So, I went to the endo - started metformin. My insulin levels went from 13 to 24 in 3 months, not only that - but I was having low blood sugar episodes that were very scary!! So, I quit everything endo had me on and went back to vitex - along with walking 20 minutes every 24-48 hours and eating more protein. (I still eat carbs - just no more than 30g every 2-3 hours and I always have at least 15g protein w/ every 30g carbs.) So, I've had 4 AF's right in a row - and every 28 days apart to the day. I take vitex, chromium, and a good multi-vitamin. That's it - nothing else. I'm losing weight and hoping to have a BFP soon! So, herbs worked for me and I'll never go back to synthetics!!!!

Lailey · 01-29-2008, 12:55 PM

Wow, thanks, everyone!

Callalilly, how long did it take you to see an improvement in your cycles? I'm trying met again and I am sick like I have morning sickness! I at least want to be pregnant if I have that LOL - which I know isn't the case as AF just left a few days ago.

Do you take Vitex throughout your entire cycle? I tried Soy this cycle so I didn't take Vitex on CD 5-9, I'll resume tomorrow. Ever tried Tribulus? I'm taking it CD 5-14 like the info above suggested.

Callalilly · 01-29-2008, 01:00 PM

Lailey,
I take 500 mg vitex every day. I noticed results immediately. The first time I started taking it - I was pg within 3 weeks. I have not heard of Tribulus but will check it out! Best of luck to ya!

hopeful408 · 01-29-2008, 01:16 PM

Hello,

Congrats to all the success stories! Where can i buy the Vitex and how much should i take as a beginner? Oh, and what cycle days? Thanks for your responses

Lailey · 01-29-2008, 04:55 PM

Hopeful- I bought mine at a local Herb store but someone passed this link on www.puritan.com a few days ago. They are having a buy two get three free sale, but it ends today. They have it.

I'm still researching when to take it. There are different ways I think.

hopeful408 · 01-29-2008, 08:00 PM

Laily: thanks, sounds like i can get it at GNC? Hopefully someone here can tell us how to take it

Reginia · 01-29-2008, 08:26 PM

Is Vitex for TTC only or does it help with the general symptoms of PCOS?

PollySis · 02-02-2008, 08:20 PM

Levels our yer hormones, so it is useful for any woman with PCOS (some women use it during menopause too).

TTCcheer4xu · 02-04-2008, 10:59 AM

Any side effects with the vitex?

BeckyS727 · 02-04-2008, 03:38 PM

Just wanted to chime in with my success story, too.

I was on Met for about a year and had lost about 20 lbs (I was about 30 - 35 lbs. overweight at the time I started). I was on Clomid for a while with no success (ovulated, but never got pg). I took a break from everything except Met for about 4 months and started taking Vitex after the break. My 2nd month of Vitex (first with Red Raspberry Leaf added), I got my first ever BFP. I'm now 35 weeks pg and have had a very uneventful pregnancy.

As for Vitex, I took Vitex every day of my cycle. I've heard that Vitex and Clomid/soy can cancel each other out, so I didn't take anything else with it the first month. Since Vitex works with your pituitory gland to regulate your hormones, you shouldn't need an additional supplement if Vitex is going to work for you.

I took 800 mg (1 400 mg pill twice a day). I got mine from vitacost.com (about $4 for a bottle of 100). I highly recommend doing trial and error to find herbs that will work for you - and very highly recommend Vitex. I had zero side effects with Vitex, but with Clomid, I had spots in my vision (which I recently found out means that you could be having problems with your retinas detatching!! Nice of the dr.'s to mention that when I brought it up), a constant headache for 5 days, extreme mood swings and the occasional hot flash. With Provera or Prometrium, I would also have hot flashes and it would usually take 3 - 4 weeks for AF to start once I started taking it.

I did take soy along with Met a couple times and never had any succcess with soy, but other women have had a lot of success and quickly get their BFP's with it.

I would definitely do some research or ask around and see what works for people with the same symptoms and goals as you. It may take a while to find what works best for you, but IMO, it's completely worth it.

And one more thing - Lacey, I noticed that you said in your sig that you're trying a whole lot of herbs. I would say start slowly. I started with Vitex only (along with Met) my first month and then added Red Raspberry Leaf the second month. I was planning on sticking to just those 2 for about 6 months before trying to add anything else or going to the next step. Sometimes you'll find herbs that cancel each other out or that just aren't working for you, so you're buying stuff that you don't need.

kirah · 02-04-2008, 08:37 PM

I hope I'm not too late to be posting to this...(I'm a new member, but have been a lurker for years). I wanted to share my success with you...

I've been taking a combination of herbal meds for the last year or so which have included: NAC, chasteberry, zinc, phosphatidyl serine, CoQ10 (plus a few more). When taking my meds regularly, I had monthly periods (which I've never had in my life) and my hormonal acne improved by at least 75%!!!!

So, to answer your question, yes! You can have success using natural medicine. My suggestion is, find a good doctor that specializes in natural medicine and bio-identical hormones, get a full panel of bloodwork done, stick to your natural medicine for at least a year and see what happens...

I've been happy with my results.