Question:

I tried sending this before, but it didn’t seem to show up, so I’m trying again, sorry if the first one really did work and I’m sending this a second way. Hey all,     I have severe anxiety and depression.  Without spilling my whole story, basically, I need to learn relaxatoin techniques.  I have breathing techniques, relaxing tapes, soothing sounds music, but I’ve heare that Yoga helps, A LOT.  So, I was wondering if anyone has any basic beginners yoga they could teach me.  I am a pure beginning, never really done yoga at all, I’ve always been interestee, but with my anxiety, never really had the motivation or felt like I had the time.  Now I’m hoping to take charge of this annoying disorder and take up yoga and jogging and relaxation time, etc… Cheers and smiles,     Robin

Response:

Hi Robin, Sometimes it takes awhile to show up on the NG. Below is the same I posted in the other one. Hi Robin, First and foremost disgard all things that have to do with Power yoga. That is exercise not yoga. If you can attend a class you will likely find a lot of nice and interesting people there to share yoga experiences and information with. It is important to hold the extreme position (what ever that happens to be for you) and rest in between poses. This enables you to learn how to move energy in your body. Exercise is also very important. Just don’t attempt to combine them like in Power yoga or you will get a watered down workout and no hatha yoga. Stay away from junk food and drink water instead of other things. Pranayama is the most effective means of progressing quickly in yoga as it only requires a mechanical effort without the need of the skill required for concentration. I recommend getting — The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami VishnuDevananda — http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0517884313/103-7556347-474 4654?vi=glance And Vishnu’s book on Meditation and Mantras– http://www.sivananda.org/la/boutique/yogastore/books/mnm.htm From a previous post — The corpse pose is one of the most benefical that takes little effort. As you lay on your back start with your feet and deliberately relax each muscle group making sure no muscles are tense. Say to yourself ‘I am relaxing my feet. I am relaxing my feet. My feet are relaxed.’ very slowly while you pay attention to your feet. then move up to ankles, lower legs, knees, upper legs, lower back, belly, chest,hands, arms neck and face doing the same thing. It is also a very good autogenic means to go to sleep at night. It is important to feel these places on your body and when you move from feet to ankles make sure your feet are not tensing back up again. My favorites by priority are cobra (2) counting to 60 holding the extreme position and then counting to 60 resting on my belly, then another one the same way. Then I go for a backbend the same way. Then the candle and plough. A kneeling pose and a sitting pose and 10 minutes is gone. If I have more time I use the bow/locust and chakrasana/wheel (that is very difficult to do and the older and more out of shape you are the harder it is). I do a headstand and a twist. Usually that takes about 15 more minutes. Hatha yoga is low on my list so I don’t spend much time on it. Then I do pranayama/concentration and meditation. Prior to doing hatha yoga I will exercise – typically run for 30 minutes and press some weights. All told it usually comes to between 3-4 hours a day. This causes me to not do it every day or alternate sometimes when I have less time. Here are some yoga sources — I recommend The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami VishnuDevananda — http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0517884313/103-7556347-474 4654?vi=glance And Vishnu’s book on Meditation and Mantras– http://www.sivananda.org/la/boutique/yogastore/books/mnm.htm The Sivananda Companion to Yoga — http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684870002/102-1334104-403 6100?vi=glance The Divine Life Society has 44 free books you can download as well as a lot of free booklets—- http://www.divinelifesociety.org/ebooks/swami_sivanandaji/downnload/esse nce_yoga.html The Yoga Research and Education Center is a good source of info– http://www.yrec.org/publications.html Yoga Journal Magazine Online — http://www.yogajournal.com/index.cfm Hatha Yoga Postures on the web– http://www.yogaadvaita.org/text/asanas-intro.shtml Hatha Yoga poses with Sanskrit names also http://www.santosha.com/asanas/index.html Music is Geometry in time. DNA is Krishna’s Flute.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tried sending this before, but it didn’t seem to show up, so I’m trying again, sorry if the first one really did work and I’m sending this a second way. Hey all,     I have severe anxiety and depression.  Without spilling my whole story, basically, I need to learn relaxatoin techniques.  I have breathing techniques, relaxing tapes, soothing sounds music, but I’ve heare that Yoga helps, A LOT.  So, I was wondering if anyone has any basic beginners yoga they could teach me.  I am a pure beginning, never really done yoga at all, I’ve always been interestee, but with my anxiety, never really had the motivation or felt like I had the time.  Now I’m hoping to take charge of this annoying disorder and take up yoga and jogging and relaxation time, etc… Cheers and smiles,     Robin

Response:

I tried sending this before, but it didn’t seem to show up, so I’m trying again, sorry if the first one really did work and I’m sending this a second way. Hey all,     I have severe anxiety and depression.  Without spilling my whole story, basically, I need to learn relaxatoin techniques.  I have breathing techniques, relaxing tapes, soothing sounds music, but I’ve heare that Yoga helps, A LOT.  So, I was wondering if anyone has any basic beginners yoga they could teach me.  I am a pure beginning, never really done yoga at all, I’ve always been interestee, but with my anxiety, never really had the motivation or felt like I had the time.  Now I’m hoping to take charge of this annoying disorder and take up yoga and jogging and relaxation time, etc…

Find a yoga class in your area.  Shop around, find somewhere where you feel comfortable and make a commitment to attend for a minimum amount of time. Many people in yoga have had an event or pressing problem that motivated them to start yoga.  You would not be out of place. Good Luck Wade

Response:

Question:

Tagging on in this great thread… Jackie, we love you. And when you love someone, you want what is best for that person. So we love you, and accept you for yourself… and we’d love for you to quit smoking, too We’ll be here for you. …pat. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yup, what Jef and Suze said… and I’ll add this: At some point, we know we’re straddling a fence and we realize that we’ve already chosen what side of that fence we want to live on.  Does it make sense, then, to live on the side we didn’t choose?  Of course not! You’ve chosen, Jackie.  You chose long ago, and you’ve been on the outside looking in for a long time, living on the side you didn’t choose.  You know what you want to do, but you have to do it, and once you do it you have to decide once and for all to stay there. Read Pat’s post– you have to be firm with yourself, because it’s too easy to bust.  So you can’t bust. Now, I know that you can do this.  Ya gotta start by not putting cigarettes in your mouth.  The rest you can make up as you go along, and we will all be here.  I *know* you can do this! And I hope it’s soon hugs, elle — "The antidote to hatred in the heart, the source of violence, is tolerance." -The Dalai Lama (((((((((Jackie)))))))) Jef said this so well, I’ve not much to add except this:   You’ll find the courage again, Jackie, I know you will– when you’re ready.     And get those thoughts of failure out of your head.  You’re feeling better these days.  You’re stronger and happier.  You aren’t the same person who quit the last time, so don’t sink yourself before you start!  This is NOT allowed, girl.  Repeat after me:  "Nothing can stop me from getting what I want." Love to you, padders– Suze vof

– Pat and Ash http://www3.sympatico.ca/patash/

Response:

There’s not much to add to all the great responses you’ve already received. I’ve had countless short* quits I busted, several medium** quits I busted, and one long*** quit I busted. Through all the hell of it I knew that I could not give up if I WANTed to live smokefree. So here I am, into a solid medium quit, that shall grow into a long quit, which will prove to be THE quit… one day at a time. (((Jackie))) peace, mark One month – two weeks – one day 1586 *hours, days, weeks **months ***years (this is how quit lengths appear in my lil’ brain

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – to be smokefree to be healthier to have more money to be part of AS3 why do I feel that I can’t do any of these things…yet I only have to do one thing to accomplish them all …..not stick a shit stick in my mouth…doesn’t seem hard does it? It can’t be, there are soooo many people here, and gone before, that have done it. I would love to start 2003 as a non-smoker but I don’t want it to be a year like this last one quitting/smoking/quitting/smoking/getting depressed/smoking/smoking/smoking….I’ve just about conquered the depression <and some of the weight increase so now I want to quitting to work. I don’t want to put myself and my family through the shit I’ve put us through in past quits. I don’t want to put my DH through my crappy depression again <he’s been through enough lol. Bottom line is I’m scared to quit again, don’t know if I have the balls to do it or carry it through, don’t know if I can make the commitment to quitting. Many of us lose the RL support from our families through busted quit after busted quit so I’ve stopped telling them, which also gives me license to bust another quit cos nobody realises I have quit. Just going around in circles looking for the wherewithal to do it. hugs and best wishes to all for 2003 padders (

Question:

Right on! Nya ha ha ha ha ha ha ha har har har har!!! Puma boy is desperately scouting for allies. What he gets out of your posts may have absolutely nothing to do with the idea that you were trying to put across. Puma lives in his own world and listens only to a singular authority, the "one" behind the voices inside his head:) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No problem Puma, Old Boy!  Not sure what you get out of it though but…Skool!  Drinks to the Fraternity of Truth and All That.  Hep hep, jolly good, Old Chum.   Happy New years to Everybody.  <:’D

Response:

Right on! Nya ha ha ha ha ha ha ha har har har har!!! Puma boy is desperately scouting for allies. What he gets out of your posts may have absolutely nothing to do with the idea that you were trying to put across. Puma lives in his own world and listens only to a singular authority, the "one" behind the voices inside his head:)

Don’t you think Mr. Idiot Bramhan, you are desperately trying to improve your idiot identity by supporting some good people? anyway you will still be called an idiot and trouble – maker, why u want see where mr. puma lives, see for yourself, you live in a illusion of your dirty ego always …

Response:

Right on target again Puma. Some people have a knack for being wrong.  I don’t think you have the attension span for me to tell you about mantras. Mike Dubbeld

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to thanks to Yoganta for the facts that he has stated clearly,But there are some people as Mike Dubbeld, they are disturbed as they live in their illusions, MANTRAS SHOULD BE HINDU he says WHY in the earth is this so??? Any normal person knows that all the languages come after the THOUGHT, one will think  first and then the words will come out accordingly.So if mantra story was correct it should be in any language. No body can levitate it is against to GRAVITATION, but our believers,believe that  if there is such an action…. These sort of fake GURUS as Maharishi,MATAJII, they live in a very high standards,they may not even go to their home countries anymore, and they charge their followers and their poor believers,just to live a luxurious life. IF ONE KNOWS,HE/SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE,IF ONE BELIEVES,HE/SHE DOES NOT KNOWS. This is a golden principle… Really Yoganta you have done a very good job at least for new comers or new beginners, Yoga is a great art, but not  an occultism. Thanks Yoganta, thanks many times. PUMA

Response:

No problem Puma, Old Boy!  Not sure what you get out of it though but…Skool!  Drinks to the Fraternity of Truth and All That.  Hep hep, jolly good, Old Chum.   Happy New years to Everybody.  <:’D  |

Response:

I like to thanks to Yoganta for the facts that he has stated clearly,But there are some people as Mike Dubbeld, they are disturbed as they live in their illusions, MANTRAS SHOULD BE HINDU he says WHY in the earth is this so??? Any normal person knows that all the languages come after the THOUGHT, one will think  first and then the words will come out accordingly.So if mantra story was correct it should be in any language. No body can levitate it is against to GRAVITATION, but our believers,believe that  if there is such an action…. These sort of fake GURUS as Maharishi,MATAJII, they live in a very high standards,they may not even go to their home countries anymore, and they charge their followers and their poor believers,just to live a luxurious life. IF ONE KNOWS,HE/SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE,IF ONE BELIEVES,HE/SHE DOES NOT KNOWS. This is a golden principle… Really Yoganta you have done a very good job at least for new comers or new beginners, Yoga is a great art, but not  an occultism. Thanks Yoganta, thanks many times. PUMA

Response:

Question:

www.freeyogaclass.com

Response:

Close your website. You will just injure people. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – www.freeyogaclass.com

Response:

Close your website. You will just injure people. www.freeyogaclass.com

Dear Brother if you can’t evaluate anything because of limitations of your knowledge base and poor education, grasping capacity and faith etc. You should keep your dirty mouth shut. are you the authorised coordinator of this group? have u seen your dirty cultist and selfish ego in the mirror of your own conscious? the life is all about purifying the dust and dirt of ego on the mirror of mind until it reflects the pure soul.

Response:

Question:

I only rode casually & very sporadically. I never did any jumping (I think I’d be scared to!) & I only did a little bit of the higher speed stuff. It will be interestring to see how my mescles fare. I’m going to take pics with my digital when I go & post on my future website. I’m so looking forward to it.

I used to ride every week when I was in Highschool. I really miss it so my reward for getting to Onederland is going to be a one hour trek. I can’t wait to hear how your ride goes. — Erin in NZ 123.4/96.8/75 kgs 271.8/213.2/165 lbs Mini-goal 93kgs (204.8lbs) HC

Response:

Good for you, elaine. I hope you like the classes. I’ve never tried yoga and I’m not a big fan of classes now, but maybe someday I will be. I used to show horses when I was a kid, but I haven’t been on one in years and years. Maybe when I lose more weight.

I waited until I was under 200 before I took it up again – it’s too hard on both you and the horse I think until then. But if you are at all interested, give it a try. If you liked it as a kid (I was horse crazy) you’ll like it as an adult. I was amazed how much – it’s now the hilight of my whole week! elaine

Response:

Yoga is terrific, but don’t expect to burn calories.  It will definitely relax you and make you much more flexible and in touch with your body. Maker of exotic hardwood pennywhistles at fair prices…e-Mail me!

Response:

Well, you’re certainly no slug, elaine!  I think that’s neat that you ride horses. One of my goals is to ride a horse again. It’s been about 22 years. There’s a place in the next town over that rents them, & I decided I would wait until the leaves start to change, as the place is scenic, & I plan on doing it & taking photos.  Best wishes to you! Kelly

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Well as many of you may recall I have been struggling with trying to find an indoor winter exercise that I can enjoy (I have no problem being active outdoors in summer – horseback riding, walking, cycling, gardening, etc – but since it’s winter here from Oct to April that doesn’t help out much for 2/3 of the year). I have taken up horseback riding which I can do in an indoor arena in winter, but can’t afford it more than once a week. Anyway, this time around I’m also signed up for beginners yoga twice a week starting mid-September. I am not really looking forward to it but it seemed the least unpleasant of the indoor options so I am going to try to force myself to go. My mini-goal is to try to make half the classes – which would be a major improvement on previous attempts at various indoor activities! Wish me luck…. elaine

Response:

Good luck with your new yoga classes, elaine.  I’ve heard many good things about it, though I’ve never actually tried yoga myself.  For indoor exercise, we splurged on a nice treadmill a few years ago, and I’ve never regretted it (DH got it for me as a sort of birthday/anniversary/chanukah gift).  I set it up in our basement, by a little TV/VCR, so I can walk and watch old movies, which I love. <g I’m fascinated with the idea that you ride horses.  Yet another activity that I’ve never tried <grin, but have admired.  We actually have a couple of stables not all that far from us.  In fact, when I take my walks outdoors, I pass by a small corral and barn where a local woman keeps a couple of horses.  It’s always so nice to see them out there — really beautiful animals.  I don’t recall — do you live in a rural area?  Did you learn to ride as a child or more recently?   I bet it’s a wonderful way to get in some exercise. Gail 180/138/145 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all, Well as many of you may recall I have been struggling with trying to find an indoor winter exercise that I can enjoy (I have no problem being active outdoors in summer – horseback riding, walking, cycling, gardening, etc – but since it’s winter here from Oct to April that doesn’t help out much for 2/3 of the year). I have taken up horseback riding which I can do in an indoor arena in winter, but can’t afford it more than once a week. Anyway, this time around I’m also signed up for beginners yoga twice a week starting mid-September. I am not really looking forward to it but it seemed the least unpleasant of the indoor options so I am going to try to force myself to go. My mini-goal is to try to make half the classes – which would be a major improvement on previous attempts at various indoor activities! Wish me luck…. elaine

Response:

Good for you, elaine. I hope you like the classes. I’ve never tried yoga and I’m not a big fan of classes now, but maybe someday I will be. I used to show horses when I was a kid, but I haven’t been on one in years and years. Maybe when I lose more weight. — Joy 285/252.8/150

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, Well as many of you may recall I have been struggling with trying to find an indoor winter exercise that I can enjoy (I have no problem being active outdoors in summer – horseback riding, walking, cycling, gardening, etc – but since it’s winter here from Oct to April that doesn’t help out much for 2/3 of the year). I have taken up horseback riding which I can do in an indoor arena in winter, but can’t afford it more than once a week. Anyway, this time around I’m also signed up for beginners yoga twice a week starting mid-September. I am not really looking forward to it but it seemed the least unpleasant of the indoor options so I am going to try to force myself to go. My mini-goal is to try to make half the classes – which would be a major improvement on previous attempts at various indoor activities! Wish me luck…. elaine

Response:

 For indoor exercise, we splurged on a nice treadmill a few years ago,

I used to have an exercise bike, which I put in front of my TV. Funny, it became invisible, as I could sit on the couch and watch TV right through it… I’m fascinated with the idea that you ride horses.  It’s always so nice to see them out there — really beautiful animals.  I don’t recall — do you live in a rural area?  Did you learn to ride as a child or more recently?   I bet it’s a wonderful way to get in some exercise.

I’m actually in the city and ride at a stable – ideally I will retire to a semi-rural spot. I kicked around on horses as a kid and took lessons as a teen, but started again a year ago at age 42. One of the women in our class is 60 and can outlast me for endurance. But it is a great workout – aerobic, strength, flexibility. Plus fun and ever-changing, since you are working with "equipment" that thinks, feels and gets notions about what it would rather be doing elaine

Response:

I think that’s neat that you ride horses. One of my goals is to ride a horse again. It’s been about 22 years.

I had been about 20 years since my last real riding – you’re going to think you’re crippled at first. I could barely make it around the arena at a canter and nearly fell off trying to trot without stirrups. Once your muscles get used to it again, it’s fine. Although I just started jumping and I’m not sure my old bones will take it The most embarrassing thing is having little 12 year old girls who can ride rings around you…. elaine

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think that’s neat that you ride horses. One of my goals is to ride a horse again. It’s been about 22 years. I had been about 20 years since my last real riding – you’re going to think you’re crippled at first. I could barely make it around the arena at a canter and nearly fell off trying to trot without stirrups. Once your muscles get used to it again, it’s fine. Although I just started jumping and I’m not sure my old bones will take it The most embarrassing thing is having little 12 year old girls who can ride rings around you…. elaine

I only rode casually & very sporadically. I never did any jumping (I think I’d be scared to!) & I only did a little bit of the higher speed stuff. It will be interestring to see how my mescles fare. I’m going to take pics with my digital when I go & post on my future website. I’m so looking forward to it. Kelly

Response:

Hi all, Well as many of you may recall I have been struggling with trying to find an indoor winter exercise that I can enjoy (I have no problem being active outdoors in summer – horseback riding, walking, cycling, gardening, etc – but since it’s winter here from Oct to April that doesn’t help out much for 2/3 of the year). I have taken up horseback riding which I can do in an indoor arena in winter, but can’t afford it more than once a week. Anyway, this time around I’m also signed up for beginners yoga twice a week starting mid-September. I am not really looking forward to it but it seemed the least unpleasant of the indoor options so I am going to try to force myself to go. My mini-goal is to try to make half the classes – which would be a major improvement on previous attempts at various indoor activities! Wish me luck…. elaine

Response:

Question:

Recommendations for a fat person trying to get it together? Cannot do most of the poses from a beginners video owing to my excess fat. Is there a "beginners yoga for fat people who aren’t mobile…yet" around? Thank-you Dennis

Response:

Is there a "beginners yoga for fat people who aren’t mobile…yet" around?

I’ve heard of a video called "Yoga for Round Bodies." This may help you get started. There are lots of heavy people who can do yoga, so you’ll get there with practice!

Response:

Question:

Hi, this is my first posting to this group.  I was steered to this group by some very nice folks on the alt.support.asthma group.  I am 47.  When I take HRT (low dose BC pills, FemHrt or Estratest) I have full blown asthma attacks.  (I’ve had night sweats, insomnia, can’t think straight, erratic periods or none at all and, for about the last year, no sex drive whatsoever!) Recently I’ve been really miserable and housebound from asthma. I’m off all the hormone pills, have been trying black cohosh and progesterone cream for 4 months now and it seems to have helped lessen the number of days I have the night sweats before my periods.  I was eating a soy food bar each day, as well, but stopped that recently as I’m also trying to eliminate foods to see if anything is also aggravating asthma.  Once I get through this attack, my OB/GYN wants me to try topical USP progesterone cream applied topically for low libido.  I’m worried about trying it, though. Has anyone else experienced these problems?  There are times my asthma flares and I cannot think of any reason other than major hormonal shifts in my body due just to menopause, never mind the HRT.  My asthma doc says he knows that hormones can play a part in asthma but my OB/GYN has never heard of this.  Thank heavens, he is a very nice, patient man and worked with me. Thanks for any help you can give.  Sometimes feel like I’m losing my mind with all this going on….. Thanks for listening. Lynn

Response:

Lynn <hlang…@home.com

wrote: Hi, this is my first posting to this group.

Welcome to the group and to the fun process of peri…. No doubt someone with more specific info will be along in a minute (or maybe even before my message appears) to help you, but I’ll do for starters. Or p’raps you could start delving into the Land o’Links: <http://menopause.tripod.com

for yourself. I am 47.  When I take HRT (low dose BC pills, FemHrt or Estratest) I have full blown asthma attacks.

Hmmmmm…. I found that going onto the Pill all those years ago actually improved my asthma (because whenever I was even a day later than the regulation 28 days, I’d start having horrendous cramps which seemed to trigger an attack, or maybe it was the hormone surge, or maybe it was just my bad mood, or maybe…). But when I was reading a.s.a, I got the impression from other people’s stories that any change in hormones in any direction can cause a change in asthma in any direction, so I could well believe that someone else can have problems. I wonder if you’re actually allergic to those versions of the Pill? I don’t mean allergic to the active ingredients, but to the allegedly inert padders that are added to make the Pill large enough for you to pick up and swallow? After all, there are some asthmatics who report they have problems with the new environmentally-friendly propellents used in inhalers. You could try asking your doctor to check what else is in those Pills, if you really want to continue trying them (I did my homework and decided to stop, but your situation seems different from mine–my asthma has improved recently).

(I’ve had night sweats, insomnia, can’t think straight, erratic periods or none at all and, for about the last year, no sex drive whatsoever!)

Yup. Sounds like you’ve come to the right place! (I’m experiencing a new variation at the moment–insomnia combined with jet-lag. This is not recommendable. Note that the rambling nature of this message can be blamed on the fact that it’s 2:40 AM and I did not manage to sleep significantly last night, but I’m still wide-awake. Drat it.)

Recently I’ve been really miserable and housebound from asthma.

How dismal.

I’m off all the hormone pills, have been trying black cohosh and progesterone cream for 4 months now and it seems to have helped lessen the number of days I have the night sweats before my periods.

Um…. I hope you read up about such things before relying on them?

 I was eating a soy food bar each day, as well, but stopped that recently as I’m also trying to eliminate foods to see if anything is also aggravating asthma.

Note that some of the advertised benefits of soy may be just wishful thinking, possibly based on a linguistic quibble. But do try eliminating foods–that was my first breakthrough in controlling my asthma.

Has anyone else experienced these problems?  There are times my asthma flares and I cannot think of any reason other than major hormonal shifts in my body due just to menopause, never mind the HRT.  

Sounds plausible.

My asthma doc says he knows that hormones can play a part in asthma but my OB/GYN has never heard of this.  

Oh dear. I believe it’s even documented, so you don’t have to rely on anecdotes.

Sometimes feel like I’m losing my mind with all this going on…..

Know what you mean. Hang in there–there is an answer somewhere. ________________________________________________________________________                   Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)        If you want a reply by e-mail, write to my GOL address!

Response:

I had a new bout with ashma at the onset of my peri.  I also had bad allergies at puberty.  With the help of my allergist and taking allergy shots, I’ve got it completely under control.  No longer on pumps and meds, just the shots.  It was worth the cost and inconvenience to take the treatments. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Mon, 13 Aug 2001 04:18:54 GMT, "Lynn" <hlang…@home.com

wrote: Hi, this is my first posting to this group.  I was steered to this group by some very nice folks on the alt.support.asthma group.  I am 47.  When I take HRT (low dose BC pills, FemHrt or Estratest) I have full blown asthma attacks.  (I’ve had night sweats, insomnia, can’t think straight, erratic periods or none at all and, for about the last year, no sex drive whatsoever!) Recently I’ve been really miserable and housebound from asthma. I’m off all the hormone pills, have been trying black cohosh and progesterone cream for 4 months now and it seems to have helped lessen the number of days I have the night sweats before my periods.  I was eating a soy food bar each day, as well, but stopped that recently as I’m also trying to eliminate foods to see if anything is also aggravating asthma.  Once I get through this attack, my OB/GYN wants me to try topical USP progesterone cream applied topically for low libido.  I’m worried about trying it, though. Has anyone else experienced these problems?  There are times my asthma flares and I cannot think of any reason other than major hormonal shifts in my body due just to menopause, never mind the HRT.  My asthma doc says he knows that hormones can play a part in asthma but my OB/GYN has never heard of this.  Thank heavens, he is a very nice, patient man and worked with me. Thanks for any help you can give.  Sometimes feel like I’m losing my mind with all this going on….. Thanks for listening. Lynn

— Colette tr…@one.net

Response:

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it!  I went to my internist on Monday, had EKG, chest x-rays, oxygen level tests, etc.  All is ok except for the asthma.  It is finally starting to calm down some, I go back to see him next Monday and he is going to refer me to a pulmonist.  He’s very gradually reducing the prednisone.  I’ve been on allergy shots (again) for 4 years now and I really don’t see that they are helping.  So, I’m going to ask my internist to refer me to a pulmonist that specializes in asthma and take it from there.  I want off all the drugs eventually.  I’m also starting beginners yoga next week (for the breathing for and stress of asthma, and menopause which, as a combination, does really suck!) and I’m having some massage and reflexology work done.  I’ve stopped all herbs and progesterone cream and am starting from scratch when I get this all resolved.  The only good thing about the last 2 weeks is that I have been too miserable with asthma to even notice the menopause stuff.  Amazing what a gal will do to get away from the night sweats, hot flashes,etc…. huh?  ;) Lynn "Louise Bremner" <dame_zum…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

news:1ey3yhw.1duzfxs1t7yj91N%dame_zumari@yahoo.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Lynn <hlang…@home.com wrote: Hi, this is my first posting to this group. Welcome to the group and to the fun process of peri…. No doubt someone with more specific info will be along in a minute (or maybe even before my message appears) to help you, but I’ll do for starters. Or p’raps you could start delving into the Land o’Links: <http://menopause.tripod.com for yourself. I am 47.  When I take HRT (low dose BC pills, FemHrt or Estratest) I

have

full blown asthma attacks. Hmmmmm…. I found that going onto the Pill all those years ago actually improved my asthma (because whenever I was even a day later than the regulation 28 days, I’d start having horrendous cramps which seemed to trigger an attack, or maybe it was the hormone surge, or maybe it was just my bad mood, or maybe…). But when I was reading a.s.a, I got the impression from other people’s stories that any change in hormones in any direction can cause a change in asthma in any direction, so I could well believe that someone else can have problems. I wonder if you’re actually allergic to those versions of the Pill? I don’t mean allergic to the active ingredients, but to the allegedly inert padders that are added to make the Pill large enough for you to pick up and swallow? After all, there are some asthmatics who report they have problems with the new environmentally-friendly propellents used in inhalers. You could try asking your doctor to check what else is in those Pills, if you really want to continue trying them (I did my homework and decided to stop, but your situation seems different from mine–my asthma has improved recently). (I’ve had night sweats, insomnia, can’t think straight, erratic periods or none at all and, for about the last year, no sex drive whatsoever!) Yup. Sounds like you’ve come to the right place! (I’m experiencing a new variation at the moment–insomnia combined with jet-lag. This is not recommendable. Note that the rambling nature of this message can be blamed on the fact that it’s 2:40 AM and I did not manage to sleep significantly last night, but I’m still wide-awake. Drat it.) Recently I’ve been really miserable and housebound from asthma. How dismal. I’m off all the hormone pills, have been trying black cohosh and progesterone cream for 4 months now and it seems to have helped lessen

the

number of days I have the night sweats before my periods. Um…. I hope you read up about such things before relying on them?  I was eating a soy food bar each day, as well, but stopped that recently as I’m also

trying

to eliminate foods to see if anything is also aggravating asthma. Note that some of the advertised benefits of soy may be just wishful thinking, possibly based on a linguistic quibble. But do try eliminating foods–that was my first breakthrough in controlling my asthma. Has anyone else experienced these problems?  There are times my asthma flares and I cannot think of any reason other than major hormonal shifts

in

my body due just to menopause, never mind the HRT. Sounds plausible. My asthma doc says he knows that hormones can play a part in asthma but my OB/GYN has never

heard

of this. Oh dear. I believe it’s even documented, so you don’t have to rely on anecdotes. Sometimes feel like I’m losing my mind with all this going on….. Know what you mean. Hang in there–there is an answer somewhere. ________________________________________________________________________                   Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)        If you want a reply by e-mail, write to my GOL address!

Response:

Pat Brimhall <pb…@ticnet.com

wrote: A lurker drops down from the rafters …

Welcome. (Um…. Since you use the "rafters" analogy, does that mean you’ve come from a certain other alt. group? Your name does look familiar.)

My mom found an even harsher "cure" for peri — chemotherapy.

My mother said it was the only diet that ever worked for her.

She says it was almost worth getting cancer for — but admittedly that’s easier to say now that she is almost 30 years cancer free.

I’m glad she recovered.

I must admit it is not a "cure" I am willing to try myself.

Agreed. I think there’d definitely be problems selling that one, too. ________________________________________________________________________                   Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)        If you want a reply by e-mail, write to my GOL address!

Response:

Lynn <hlang…@home.com

wrote: The only good thing about the last 2 weeks is that I have been too miserable with asthma to even notice the menopause stuff.  Amazing what a gal will do to get away from the night sweats, hot flashes,etc….

Sorry, no, I don’t think you’ve discovered the ideal solution to the problems raised by menopause–just imagine the problems of trying to sell this "cure". Keep trying!

huh?

Indeed. ________________________________________________________________________                   Louise Bremner (log at gol dot com)        If you want a reply by e-mail, write to my GOL address!

Response:

On Thu, 16 Aug 2001 18:30:50 +0900, dame_zum…@yahoo.com (Louise Bremner) wrote:

Lynn <hlang…@home.com wrote: The only good thing about the last 2 weeks is that I have been too miserable with asthma to even notice the menopause stuff.  Amazing what a gal will do to get away from the night sweats, hot flashes,etc…. Sorry, no, I don’t think you’ve discovered the ideal solution to the problems raised by menopause–just imagine the problems of trying to sell this "cure". Keep trying! huh? Indeed.

A lurker drops down from the rafters to add — My mom found an even harsher "cure" for peri — chemotherapy.  She was apparently starting peri when she got lymphoma (periods that lasted for two weeks and started again a week or two later, insomnia, irritablity).  She had just started a period when the chemo started — that one stopped two days later and she never got another one.  There were *no* other symptoms after that (or at least none distinguishable from  the misery of chemo)  Of course the chemo was pretty bad, but that lasted only 6 months.  She says it was almost worth getting cancer for — but admittedly that’s easier to say now that she is almost 30 years cancer free. I must admit it is not a "cure" I am willing to try myself. Pat B — "If cats and humans live together, *someone* is going to get trained.  Left to chance, it isn’t going to be the cat."

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