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Worsening asthma and a huge weight gain

by Mateja
(Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Hi!
First - sorry for my English (I am from Slovenia).
I am using Natpro almost two months (1 teaspoon/day) and the problems get worse. I gain almost 14 pounds and asthma is worsening. Doctors told me that I have premenstrual asthma (although I don't have periods anymore I still have asthma, but was kind of stable before using Natpro). I know this situation clearly show me, that asthma and problems with weight are strongly correlated with unbalanced hormones, but I am worry because asthma attacks aren't very pleasant :). Do I need to use more cream per day?

Comments for Worsening asthma and a huge weight gain

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Feb 13, 2012
 Worsening asthma and a huge weight gain
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Your English is very good! Although you are using within the range I suggest, which is 100-200mg/day, I do say if symptoms are severe more will be needed, asthma is severe. If you have 'premenstrual' asthma it does indicate you need to use far more, as it's evident the 170mg/day you are now using is not enough. Progesterone is vital for the lungs, it increases lung volume, and relaxes the airways, it's an anti-nflammatory too, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Progesterone does initially stimulate oestrogen, and although you are using a good amount, it's obviously not sufficient. Oestrogen constricts the airways, plus being an inflammatory hormone. Progesterone does help asthma, see here and here. The weight gain is probably water retention, this is also caused by excess oestrogen. Progesterone is such an effective diuretic (and anti-inflammatory), it's now given to Traumatic Brain Injury victims to reduce the oedema and inflammation that occurs. Continued below
Feb 13, 2012
 Worsening asthma and a huge weight gain Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Please consider increasing the amount you're using. And each time you feel an asthma attack coming, rub some cream on your chest and neck immediately. I can't tell you how much more you'll need, but suggest you try 7.5ml (one and half teaspoons), which will give you 250mg/day progesterone. Do let me know if this helps. For encouragement you might like to read these comments form women who've had to use high amounts to help, see here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Please have a vitamin D test done, it's low in most of us and is vital for our health. There is also evidence it's low in asthma, see here, here, here and here. For more info on vitamin D levels, testing etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here.
Feb 13, 2012
 Thank you, Wray!
by: Mateja

Thank you so very mauch, Wray!

I am using vitamin D, but probably not enough as I can see now (1000 units per day.)
I will now use one and a half teaspoons and wiil let you know how it goes!
Feb 14, 2012
 Thank you, Wray
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Yes please do, I don't like the idea of your symptoms getting worse! and please have a vitamin D test done, it could be you need more than 5000iu's per day, only a test will tell. so please have the test done before you increase the dose. Take care Wray
Feb 26, 2012
 Asthma
by: Mateja

Hi, Wray.
Unfortunatelly, the symptoms are getting worse, eventhough I now use 250 mg/day. I have to admit this situaton scares me. I also got hot flashes which I didn't have them before and weight is still gaining. What should I do, to avoid the worsening of these reactions? I will increase the amount of progesterone even more if it's needed.
I really appreciate your help. Thank you.
Feb 27, 2012
 Asthma
by: Wray

Hi Mateja I'm sorry this is occurring. Are you taking enough vitamin D? Have you had a test done yet? I do understand how you feel, and it's obviously excess oestrogen causing the problems. One thing you never mentioned was your age and why you started the progesterone. You do say you have no periods anymore, was this because of a hysterectomy, or because you're in menopause? Have you consulted with your doctors about what's occurring and given them the papers I gave you? This might give them a better understanding about progesterone and asthma. Also the papers on vitamin D and asthma. Progesterone cannot cause water retention or weight gain, it's also a potent anti-inflammatory. Plus it does expand lung volume. I did give you the link to the TBI page, maybe those papers would also assist your doctors in guiding you. I would ask you to do this, as I feel you do need to use more, but I would prefer it if under the guidance of your doctors. It's difficult for me to help you without knowing more about your background. Asthma is a serious problem, like seizures or heart palpitations. These too are often caused by excess oestrogen, and far more progesterone is needed to help. I've just advised someone who is now getting seizures after having her child. She's been given anti-seizure meds, but these have not helped. It appears to be related to the drop in progesterone after having a child. Like asthma, seizures can also be related to the menstrual cycle, becoming worse at times when progesterone is low. Oestrogen lowers the seizures threshold, so high amounts of progesterone are needed to prevent this. But I have asked her to do it under the guidance of her doctor. Maybe you are doing this, please let me know. Take care Wray
Feb 27, 2012
 About my asthma
by: Mateja

Oh, Wray, if I could only talk about this with my doctors!
I am 49 years old and my problems begun 10 years ago: heart palpitations, dry skin, weight gain, stomach pains, vomiting, asthma like symptoms and more. All symptoms got worse before menses. They did all kind of tests and never listened to me, that my problems are somehow correlated with my menstrual cycles.
I read all the articles you gave me and the one with Premenstrual asthma is just the same as mine (even the peak flow is exactly the same when it's normal and when it drops).
The doctors did the bronchoscopy and CT scan and all the rest but the results never really confirmed asthma. They said that it's possible that I have endometriosis (in lungs).
Vitamin D tests are very expensive here, because they don't do them here, but in Germany and I can't afford them now.
I am a vegan since september and that's why I begun to take vitamin D. I will take a vitamin D test as soon as I can and will let you know about the results.
My doctors said they did everything they can (asthma treatment), so I need to find the solution by myself. I strongly believe that Natpro can help me, I just need to find the right dosage for me.
Thank you for your help and support!
Feb 28, 2012
 About my asthma
by: Wray

Hi Mateja You brought tears to my eyes, it seems to be the case the world over. But you have given me now so much more information, I can advise with confidence. I should have asked you myself. I'm going to go through your other symptoms, and you'll see a pattern……too much oestrogen. I'm so thankful you read and understood the papers I gave you! It makes things clearer for you and easier for me. Bless you for that! First the heart palps. Oestrogen causes prolongation of the QT interval, which results in palpitations, arrhythmia and Torsades de Pointes. Whereas progesterone shortens the QT interval, see here, here, here, here, here and here. It occurs much more frequently in women. The dry skin, progesterone is excellent for skin, see here. But oestrogen does nothing, see here and here. I don't know if it ever itches, as this is often a sign of stress, see here and here. Substance P and mast cells are implicated, progesterone inhibits mast cell secretions, see here. Substance P is also involved in pain, nausea too, it suppresses progesterone, see here. But adding progesterone inhibits it's secretion, see here and here. Continued below.
Feb 28, 2012
 About my asthma Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Mateja This rather long paper shows how progesterone can help stomach pain. Although it occurred after TBI, the effect of any stress results in the same affects, see here The weight gain I think I covered before. You say all your symptoms became worse before menses. This stands to reason, obviously not one your doctors understand. Progesterone and oestrogen drop during this time, but if excess oestrogen is present, all hell can break loose. Prior to ovulation oestrogen also rises, this is another phase associated with increased problems. We do have a Graph you could look at, showing the rise and fall of the hormones. So looking at all your symptoms, at how excess oestrogen is causing them, I would like you to try 400-500mg/day progesterone. This is the amount I suggest if symptoms are severe, such as Endometriosis, heavy, continual bleeding, see Menstruation Cycle, Hot Flushes etc. I was ultra cautious with you, as I didn't know how bad the symptoms were. Asthma is so difficult, as the symptoms can be very severe if exacerbated. I didn't want anything to happen to you, I just wish you had someone with you who understood progesterone. Using a very high amount will overcome the oestrogen quickly, and it should help. But please watch for any signs of oestrogen dominance, and do keep in touch. Take care Wray
Feb 29, 2012
 Thank you so much!
by: Mateja

Dear Wray, you can't imagine how grateful I am. After ten years of hell I feel like I found a holy grail :). You are the first person who really understand what's happening with me. I really appreciate all your help, thank you so much!
Yesterday I took 500 mg and slept like a baby (no night sweats). For now, asthma is stable.
I will let you know how it goes.
Feb 29, 2012
 Thank you so much!
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Bless you!! You have given me goose bumps. I am perhaps overly cautious when it comes to severe problems. I do so hope this finally works for you, please do keep in touch. And bless you for the kind words, I can't bear the thought of you being all alone trying to help yourself. It seems to happen to so many of us. Take care Wray
Mar 06, 2012
 Asthma
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Please let me know how you are getting on. I haven't heard for some days, I really need to know how you are. Take care Wray
Mar 06, 2012
 Mateja
by: Asthma

Hi, Wray!
For now, I am perfectly OK.
Asthma is still stable and I stopped gaining weight. I hope I will start loosing extra pounds soon :)
I use 500 mg/day Natpro about 7 days and don't know how long do I need to use this high amount.
Oh, and my 26 years old daughter will begin to use Natpro, too.

Thank you, again! Many blessings, Mateja
Mar 06, 2012
 Asthma
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Oh I'm so relieved! And when you say stable, do you mean you've had no attacks? I do hope it means this. And yes I hope you start loosing the weight too, such a pity about that. I was over cautious about how much you should use. I wish I could tell you how long you need to stay on that amount, but I can't. All I can say is monitor your symptoms and when you feel stable, you can begin reducing very slowly. I normally say about 16mg or 1/2ml of cream. Stay on that reduced amount a few days, before reducing further. If it's too fast you'll soon find out, as symptoms will come back. I know you said vitamin D tests cost so much in Slovenia, but please consider getting a test kit from Birmingham Hospital. They send them overseas for £25, which seems to be about SIT 7,184.06. That sounds an awful lot! But they are cheaper than other labs. It's so important we find what your level is. And I'm delighted your daughter will be using the Natpro too. Do let me know how she gets on. We have a distributor in Slovenia, who's suggested I come over to give talks. I'd love to, depends on finance of course, but I would love to meet you if I did come. I would need a translator too! You might like to look at our Nutrition page to help with the weight loss. I follow Dr Cordains advice and use his Paleo Diet, it suits me best. There are other options, weight loss is very quick on the raw food diet, but it's not the easiest to adhere to. Take care Wray
Mar 06, 2012
 Asthma
by: Mateja

Thank you for your advices and suggestion about a vitamin D tests. It's affordable price (we are in EU, so we have euros).
Yes, I know Natpro is available in Slovenia (Alja Dimic from Holistic center, right?), but I prefer to buy the cream directly from you. The price is quite different and when you need 7 or more tube per months...
Oh, I would love to meet you in person! To hug you and thank you again!
Mar 07, 2012
 Asthma
by: Wray

Hi Mateja Well I'm relieved the vitamin D test is not too expensive. When I did the conversion and saw R7000 plus I freaked! How interesting you know the Natpro is available in Slovenia, they have been busy! Can you let me know how much they charge for it, that will be very interesting. Ah yes I would love to hug you, I love hugs! And I will definitely let you know if I come there. What do you think is the best month? I don't like the cold! Take care Wray
Mar 07, 2012
 Asthma
by: Mateja

Hi, Wray!
I am really looking forward to your visit in SlOvenia! The most pleasant temperatures are probably in May and September (22-25 degree Celsius).
Natpro costs 60$ in Slovenia (one tube), 2 times more then in your store!
Have a nice day! Mateja
Apr 11, 2012
 the other topic
by: Mateja

Hi Wray!
I don't know where to write, because your support mail is very unresponsive. I am still waiting for 4 tubes of Natpro, that I ordered and payed for on March the 15th. I didn't get the tracking number for that package so I'm worried and wondering what's going on. I would be very grateful if you could help me.
Thank you very much!
Apr 12, 2012
 the other topic
by: Wray

Hi Mateja! So sorry about this, our main email address went down for a few days, which badly affected our replies! I did speak to that department last night, and they said they will look into it first thing this morning. It's been nearly a month, and I know it normally takes no longer than three weeks to Europe. I do hope they sort it out soon. Please let me know, this seems to safest way, avoids lost emails! Take care Wray
Apr 14, 2012
 Thank you for sharing!
by: Kaylana

Thanks Mateja for your story. I am going to advise a friend who's just been diagnosed with asthma and who also has signs of oestrogen dominance. This will encourage her.

Thanks also to Wray for her excellent advice and articles that support her words.
Apr 15, 2012
 the other topic
by: Mateja

Dear Wray, thank you for your kindness and willingness to help me!
Apr 15, 2012
 Thank you for sharing!
by: Wray

Hi Kaylana I do hope your friend is helped too. But please advise her to use enough, my overly cautious recommendation to Mateja caused unnecessary weight gain and worsening asthma. When it comes to problems such as asthma, seizures etc, I prefer it if the women can work with their doctors. But often this is not possible, as Mateja explained hers weren't interested. Bless you for the kind words too. Take care Wray
Apr 06, 2014
 Low Progesterone High estrogen caused my ashtma
by: Anita

I made a Huge mistake and lowered my dose of Progesterone, and even started using big est and testosterone...I went completely unbalanced and got terrible asthma and required flovent and ventolin and I bloated up 8 pounds in one month! I got off all hormones and after a week went back on lots of progesterone, I can't sleep without taking 200 mgs Oral Prometrium, plus I need to use another 20-50 mgs cream in the daytime to keep myvstress levels down and to promote a normal temperature, otherwise my cortisol skyrockets. I lost a ton of waterweight in the first week, the estrogen made me full of water and irritated my throat and lungs...estrogen is poison to me!

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