This month’s case study is ‘Jackie’ – who came to the Clinic because of severe PMS …

Jackie’s story:

My life had been ruled by my periods for the last ten years. Every month I would have debilitating PMS which lasted for 6 days before my period. Not only was this ruining my life, it was affecting my relationship. It was like flicking a switch – one minute I was my usual happy go lucky self and the next I was depressed, moody and even suicidal (this I was dealing with through a psychotherapist).

Although my husband was so supportive and understanding, I knew it wasn’t fair to continue living like this as I was so angry towards him during this premenstrual phase. Aside from PMS, I had been diagnosed with endometriosis and would experience painful, heavy periods. On top of this I was getting thrush every month and having to resort to using pessaries and cream to treat it. So, at the age of 39 I decided enough was enough and I had to do something about it! My diet had always been fairly good with no caffeine and very little sugar but this obviously wasn’t enough.

A friend of mine had found a book in the library called ‘Overcoming PMS The Natural Way‘ by Dr Marilyn Glenville and told me to read it! I did and it was like reading a story about me. It made me realise that there were other people out there suffering each month and that I wasn’t totally on my own suffering.

I decided that I needed some professional help with this rather than trying to tackle it by myself so I phoned the Clinic. I spoke to a receptionist at the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic who talked me through the consultation process. She explained that my first appointment would be one hour and this would give me the opportunity to discuss my health issues with the nutritionist who would then put together a programme for me incorporating diet, vitamins and minerals and herbs where appropriate.

The next day I received a Nutrition Questionnaire which I had to complete and send back prior to my first appointment. This was very in-depth and enabled me to write down everything that I thought would be useful. This felt like a first step in the right direction and it really motivated me ready for my first meeting with the nutritionist.

I visited the Tunbridge Wells clinic and saw a practitioner who actually made me feel like a human being and took my PMS seriously, rather than my experience of doctors who just wanted to give me the Pill or stick me on an anti-depressant when I actually wasn’t depressed 3 weeks out of the month!

We talked about my symptoms and how the PMS made me feel which in itself was very reassuring. The nutritionist recommended that I perform a test called a Female Hormone Profile, which would give me a lot more insight into the state of my hormones rather than using ‘guess work.’

The nutritionist made some changes to my diet, which was actually generally good but her main observation was I didn’t eat enough protein. I was recommended to eat more oily fish, eggs, pulses, nuts and seeds and tofu. At this stage she only recommended a very basic supplement programme which incorporated magnesium, the B vitamins and a good essential fatty acid. She didn’t recommend any herbs at this stage because she explained how this would then not give me a true picture of my hormone levels when doing the test.

A couple of days after my first appointment I received the ‘kit’ for performing the Female Hormone Profile. It was great because it was a saliva test which made a change from the numerous blood tests I had had over the years. This test involved collecting twelve saliva samples throughout one month. At the end of the month all samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis. The results were back in time for my follow up consultation. The practitioner explained how efficient saliva is in measuring hormones and gives a much broader picture rather than a blood test which is just one moment in time.

At my second appointment the practitioner explained my test results and it made so much sense as to why I had been suffering for so long. My hormones were in a complete mess with erratic oestrogen and progesterone levels before my period. Because I had performed this test, it enabled the nutritionist to tailor my supplement programme further by adding hormone balancing herbs. She modified my programme and asked to see me again in 8 weeks, giving me two menstrual cycles to assess how I was responding to the nutrition.

The nutritionist explained the relationship between my female hormones oestrogen and progesterone and my blood sugar levels. This was one area of my diet that certainly needed more attention. I was told that protein helps to regulate blood sugar and is especially important for boosting the brain chemical serotonin which can be low in women suffering with PMS. I was asked to keep a detailed food and symptom diary until my next appointment to keep me focused on ensuring I was eating protein with each meal and snack. This really helped to keep me on track.

The difference was quite amazing even within the first 4 weeks of taking the herbs. My mood was more stable and my days of suffering had reduced from 6 to just half a day before my period. I felt like a human being again and could actually get on with my life rather than having to plan everything around my period. The most striking change for me was not feeling suicidal. My husband was so amazed at how different I was and he no longer had to keep his distance from me the week before my period!

My periods have also improved and are now more manageable which is brilliant and I no longer get thrush. All I can say is how life changing this has been for me and I just wish I had found out about the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic sooner.

My Comments:

Jackie’s story shows just how debilitating PMS can be yet so many women still just continue suffering and feel that they are alone. It also shows how effective nutrition can be in balancing hormones and improving menstrual problems like PMS and painful/heavy periods. Many women just suppress their symptoms with drugs, but once they come off them, their symptoms return and are often even more severe.

This case study also shows how useful it can be to test before taking specific herbs because the advice can be more tailored rather than using a blanket approach. The Female Hormone Profile was good for Jackie because she could see exactly what was happening to her hormones throughout her menstrual cycle, rather than just being told she had an hormone imbalance without really seeing or understanding.

Jackie has her life and relationship back and continues to be symptom free.

If you are interested in doing The Female Hormone Profile, please click here.

This month’s case study is ‘Karen’ – who came to the Clinic because of fibroids and heavy bleeding

Karen’s Story:

I had been diagnosed with fibroids about 10 years ago which actually didn’t cause too many problems for me. However, about a year ago I started to experience extremely heavy periods which would last for 2 weeks.

For the first 2 days I was pretty much confined to the house because of such heavy blood loss. I had to change my sanitary towels every half an hour to cope with the bleeding. I also had to have two blood transfusions during this time. More recently I was bleeding continuously in between my periods which were very draining physically and emotionally. I was experiencing some pelvic cramps and a general ‘heavy’ feeling in my womb.

My gynaecologist just said that it was due to the fibroids and it would be easier to have a hysterectomy. However, at the age of 42 I knew that I really didn’t want to go down this route – not yet anyway until I had explored all other avenues.

I was given ‘The Nutritional Health Handbook’ by Dr Marilyn Glenville, by a friend, which gave me hope that there was help for my condition. The great thing about this book is how it explains all the different treatments available, e.g. medical protocols and the natural treatment. The case studies in the book were particularly inspiring which encouraged me to call the clinic and make an appointment.

I phoned the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic and booked my first appointment which was so motivating as I had finally made one step in the right direction in helping myself to better health. The receptionist explained that I would have to complete a comprehensive Nutrition Questionnaire prior to coming for my first consultation. This was really helpful as it made me think about my health and how I was feeling and also what I was eating.

I sent this back in so the practitioner had time to look through it before I came in. I also decided to perform a Mineral Deficiency Test to check my levels of essential minerals. This was a very simple, non invasive test which involved me taking a sample of my hair which was then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results were back in time for my first appointment.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner took a very comprehensive medical history and explained to me all about fibroids and heavy bleeding and the links with female hormone imbalance and nutrient deficiencies. She told me that fibroids are stimulated by excess oestrogen, so my diet would be focusing on clearing oestrogen efficiently from my body and following a ‘hormone friendly’ diet. This involved avoiding meat because of the saturated fats that can cause inflammation and add to my heavy periods and ‘clots’.

Caffeine had to come out also which surprised me, but the practitioner explained that it increases blood flow so not great for my heavy bleeding. It was also recommended that I only drink bottled water because the oestrogens within the water supply could create more imbalance. I was shocked to learn just how exposed we are to these hormones and toxins through our diet and environment without really knowing.

The practitioner explained the importance of having a healthy liver and bowel when there is hormone dominance in the body because if they are sluggish due to too much caffeine, environmental toxins and poor diet, oestrogen may not be cleared from the body adequately. Good liver and bowel function is dependant on plenty of fibre (oats, flaxseeds, fresh fruit and vegetables) which I must admit my diet was lacking in. The herb Milk Thistle was also used for a short term liver support due to its ability to help with liver detoxification.

Because of my heavy bleeding, I was low in the mineral iron. Iron deficiency is a bit of a double-edged sword I learned because if you bleed heavily throughout your periods you are more likely to be iron deficient. However one of the symptoms of iron deficiency is also heavy periods. I was taking iron ferrous sulphate which the practitioner explained was a poorly absorbed form of iron and recommended an alternative to consider. Apart from the iron ferrous sulphate not being particularly well absorbed, it was also giving me black stools and was adding to my sluggish bowel. I also had to eat more iron-rich foods as it’s important not to rely on a supplement.

It was recommended that I eat more dark green leafy vegetables like watercress, tofu, dried apricots, millet, parsley and beans and pulses. Nettle tea was also recommended for its natural ability to absorb iron and other essential minerals.

Alongside the iron, I was prescribed a good quality multi vitamin and mineral to give me a good base every day, together with essential fatty acids to promote hormone balance and vitamin C which helps iron absorption. Because I was low in magnesium which was picked up from the Mineral Analysis, I was prescribed additional magnesium for 12 weeks until I repeated the test. This extra magnesium really helped with the pelvic cramps I was experiencing because magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. For more specific hormone balance, I was prescribed several herbs, including agnus castus and black cohosh which were working on regulating my cycle and helping to reduce the blood flow.

The practitioner gave me a really helpful menu planner to give me some more ideas and asked me to complete a diet and symptom diary until my next appointment in 6 weeks. Keeping such a detailed diary was really inspiring for me and made me focus on what I was putting into my body and how it was affecting my periods.

Within a month of following the recommendations my periods were considerably lighter, lasting only 9 days instead of 12 and the blood was flowing better without the clots I had been experiencing. The herbs had made an immediate difference to the amount of blood I was losing which was astounding. As a result of this, I also had more energy and less bloating and ‘pelvic congestion’ (heavy/bulky feeling in my womb which I had always experienced). For the first time in I don’t know how long, I could plan social events without having to worry about when my period was due!

Because I had been prescribed herbs, the practitioner recommended another consultation 6 weeks on to keep me monitored and then make changes to my programme as necessary. It was a nice feeling to think that I was being supported and observed rather than just being sent away feeling left alone to ‘get on with it’.

My Comments:

Karen’s story is a real inspiration for those who want to take control of their health and look at all the options available. Not only have her periods regulated and become lighter – she has got her life back and now doesn’t have to plan her life around her periods.

We have just seen how effective good nutrition can be in treating hormone imbalance, but it is best done under supervision from a qualified nutritionist, particularly when using supplements. For people who are combining the medical approach with complementary it is even more important to seek help because of possible drug – nutrient interactions.

Of course there are times when the medical approach is the only way, but the more you can do to support your body naturally the better. This is highlighted in my book ‘The Nutritional Health Handbook’ where it does go through the medical approach and complementary approach, giving you the choice and to ultimately be empowered to form your own opinion and take control.

If you are interested in having the Mineral Analysis test done please click here.

This month’s case study is ‘Brenda’ – who came to the Clinic because of severe eczema…

Brenda’s Story:

I had been suffering with eczema for the last five years going back and forth to my doctor who could only recommend strong hydrocortisone creams. I had to use the cream because at times my eczema was so itchy I scratched my skin until it bled, but knew deep down that it wasn’t addressing the underlying cause. I knew there must be more to it and had some understanding that stress made it flare up and certain foods, but somehow needed the support of a qualified practitioner who could guide me.

Aside from the eczema I suffered terribly with sinus problems and took antibiotics at least once a year, which again I knew wasn’t great, but when you are in pain and ‘desperate’ you are looking for a quick solution and unfortunately that’s all my GP could recommend.

I decided that I had to look into my health more carefully and ask questions as to why I had eczema and sinus problems and what the root cause was. Surely this was common sense – how can you go on just treating symptoms without treating the cause? At this point I called the Dr Marilyn Glenville Clinic to book an appointment with one of Dr Glenville’s practitioners.

Before the consultation I was asked to complete a comprehensive Nutrition Questionnaire which gave the practitioner all my medical history, current symptoms and a food diary. When I phoned to book the appointment the receptionist was very helpful and explained that it was in my interest to fill the diet diary in accurately so the practitioner could give me the best possible advice!

Prior to the first consultation I also performed a Mineral Deficiency Test to check my levels of all the essential minerals. This involved taking a sample of my hair which was then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results were back in time for my first consultation at the clinic which was very useful.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner went through the Nutrition Questionnaire in detail with me and explained exactly what eczema is – the causes, factors that can aggravate it and what can be done naturally to address it.

She explained that food allergy plays a major role in eczema and inflammation of the digestive tract is also implicated in this condition. I was asked to avoid dairy for 5 weeks – until my next appointment as this is the main food allergy linked to eczema, plus it aggravates mucous production causing sinus problems. Although there are other foods that can aggravate eczema, Dr Glenville’s practitioner wanted to start me slowly with the dietary changes and make modifications over the forthcoming weeks and months if appropriate. She explained that this way it is easier to identify which food is the culprit.

Dr Glenville’s practitioner also explained that people with eczema can’t utilise/metabolise the essential fats found in nuts and seeds down into the hormone-like substances in the body that help switch off the inflammation. To take account of this she recommended that I take a good quality, high strength pure marine fish oil to give me the omega 3 essential fats to help calm down the inflammation.

She concluded by explaining that I needed to reduce stress on my immune system by identifying and eliminating food allergies and reducing other allergic factors to the skin, i.e. skincare products. This was such valuable information and I went away from my first consultation so motivated and pleased that finally someone had explained in such detail what eczema was all about, rather than giving me such ‘blanket’ treatment.

The practitioner gave me a diet diary to take away with me to complete for 5 weeks before coming back for a follow up consultation. She also asked me to make a note of my symptoms on a day by day basis so we could assess what impact the diet was having on my skin. This was a very interesting exercise as it made me focus on what I was actually putting into my body and how it was affecting me.

Within a week of cutting dairy out it was quite astonishing as my eczema had improved tremendously and I was no longer scratching and for the first time in 5 years I had not had to use the hydrocortisone cream. The practitioner had also recommended I apply Aloe Vera gel to my skin which really helped to calm down the inflammation and soften my skin. I had to make sure the Aloe Vera was totally natural with no parabens or sodium benzoate (these are potentially toxic preservatives that are put into most cosmetics and toiletries). My sinuses were also clearer and generally felt less congested.

Alongside making dietary changes, I was also prescribed a good quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement, fish oil and zinc which showed as a deficiency from my Mineral Deficiency Test. The practitioner explained how important zinc is in healing the skin and helping with the metabolism of essential fats to help with the inflammation.

My Comments

Brenda’s story is a great example of how important it is to actually listen to your body and respond to what you are putting inside it. These days, with rushed and hectic lifestyles, it is all too easy to want a ‘quick fix’ – i.e. painkillers for persistent headaches and toxic creams for eczema and psoriasis. This case really shows how beneficial it is to address the root cause of a symptom rather than just treating it.

Cutting out major food groups like Brenda has done can be very beneficial as we have just learned, but it is best done under supervision because it is important to make sure you are still getting the right nutrients.

So, whether you have eczema, persistent headaches or digestive problems – listen and learn from these symptoms. Don’t just take a painkiller or anti-spasmodic medication, look at what you are eating and your lifestyle.

Follow these links if you are interested in having the Mineral Deficiency Test or a Food Allergy test.