DIM-plus

[Guest guest]

I always would put surgery as the last option. I recommend anyone try and

find other options if possible. Sometimes though it's not possible. I have a

friend who had some fibroids and it caused her to start bleeding real bad so

they had to do surgery.

[Guest guest]

I think Carla was just trying to point out that there is more

research out there than what I was referring to in my posting --

(which is not all the information that I have about DIM BTW but I

appreciate your input Carla).

It is true that we need to be wary of information we find on the

internet, not all of it has been through rigorous well-organized peer

review studies. I couldn't find any study that talked about DIM for

treatment of fibroids but based on what I was reading, and the fact

that every alternative practitioner and book I've read has said to

increase my consumption of green leafy vegetables and DIM is

extracted/made from compounds found in the same leafy green

vegetables. DIM is also in use within the cancer community and deals

with hormonal imbalances. I would love it if we could find an

organization to sponsor a study of DIM's efficacy for treatment of

symptomatic fibroids -- I would give money to support such a study.

So far in my use which has been about a week I have not had any side

effects. I will indeed watch carefully to see if I see any hormonal

impacts and will let the group know.

--Ann

> I'm trying to determine if you would prefer those, like myself, who

are attempting to heal our fibroids naturally - trying really hard to

avoid surgery, should remain with the other group " Healing from

Fibroids Naturally. " I was under the impression that since it's

called " Uterine Fibroids, " there would be more broad acceptance of

many different methods, including herbs, vitamins, supplements,

exercise, other natural methods, IN ADDITION to myos. Seems the

overall emphasis here is for myos. Perhaps the groups should be

called " Myomectomies for Uterine Fibroids? "

> ------------------

> (from Carla Dionne)-

> > Also, the other supplement that the " girls " (like Edie) have been

> > taking is DIM-plus (Diindolylmethane) which is a compound that

helps

> > the body metabolize estrogens effectively which can help with

> > hormonal balance.

>

> DIM has been on an uphill incline in the research world since 1995.

> There has been some efficacy shown in prostate cancer research --

but

> much more needs to be studied before I would recommend anyone just

> " try " this potential solution on their own. For instance, it does

> disturb me that fish treated with DIM in studies have acquired liver

> cancer. Success with prostate cancer only to possibly promote liver

> cancer? Granted, a supplement showing success with prostate cancer

> would definitely be of interest to those looking into treatments

for a

> wide variety of other hormonally-associated tumors. But, the

passage

> you've quoted above doesn't mention DIM's role as an anti-androgenic

> -- which is part and parcel to " metabolize estrogens

> effectively " ...check PubMed to learn much, much more....

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I'm trying to determine if you would prefer those, like myself, who

are attempting to heal our fibroids naturally - trying really hard to

avoid surgery, should remain with the other group " Healing from

Fibroids Naturally. " I was under the impression that since it's

called " Uterine Fibroids, " there would be more broad acceptance of

many different methods, including herbs, vitamins, supplements,

exercise, other natural methods, IN ADDITION to myos. Seems the

overall emphasis here is for myos. Perhaps the groups should be

called " Myomectomies for Uterine Fibroids? "

> ------------------

Wow.

So, I'm either " with you or against you " -- is that it?

Double wow.

Upon reading this, my gut instinct was to initially, and quite

completely, ignore this post.

I think, after 5 years of hosting/moderating this group and seeing the

cycles of members come and go who have chosen a wide range of

treatment options, that this criticism from you, Edith, is entirely

unfair. So, in the end, I simply must respond.

You asked what it is that I would prefer and here it is, in a nutshell:

1. That women coming to this group would do so with an open mind,

open heart, and willingness to learn, learn, learn.

2. That members would read the introductory email they receive and

truly understand that this group wants to know the science -- how

little or great it may be -- that supports/detracts from any given

proposed treatment.

3. Let me repeat #2. SCIENCE. If it doesn't exist, it doesn't mean

we're close-minded -- it means we still want to understand the

underlying theories and potential physiological mechanisms which

may/may not help us with our fibroids. This does mean, however, that

" broad acceptance " for any potential treatment may not be forthcoming

in a BLIND manner of acceptance.

4. To understand the SCIENCE, we must be willing to ask QUESTIONS.

Blind faith and anecdotal referrals for treatment are not enough.

This does not mean those who self-treat based on blind faith and/or

anecdotal referrals aren't welcome to post here -- quite the contrary.

Nonetheless, as the Executive Director of the National Uterine

Fibroids Foundation, I would not recommend any woman take on the role

of medically unmonitored and completely self-treated lab rat. This

doesn't mean I haven't " been there, done that " too, though. After

all, I was diagnosed at 28 and didn't obtain embolization until age

42. Between 28 and 42, an awful lot of years of " been there, done

that " kept me barely afloat and alive.

However, while we can't and won't recommend women become their own

experiment (remember, this support group is hosted & moderated by the

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation -- an organization with a deep

and abiding sense of responsibility towards appropriately studied

treatment options and advocacy for the appropriate care and treatment

of women with fibroids) -- we are still very much interested in what

it is women choose to do, in terms of self-treatment, and the outcome.

Short AND long term outcome, that is. Most, if not all, of us have

fit this category of self-treatment at some point in time in our

medical history and sharing that information here may well help others

to learn and understand our choices and outcomes.

5. Support. Support. Support. For women with fibroids AND a wide

range of associated diseases, conditions, and issues. Support should

come as women are seeking information, making a treatment choice,

undergoing/dealing with a treatment, recovering, etc.

6. Asking questions, digging into the research, asking more

questions, examining angles of treatment, discussing controversial

topics of care -- should be ENCOURAGED. But, far too often someone

takes offense and feels they must take on some defensive posturing.

Sigh. It's understandable, in terms of human behavior. I just wish

it occurred with less frequency and vehemency. I read/study a LOT of

research and communicate daily with a great many researchers from

around the world -- it's one of my primary activities. It is my

nature to ask questions and ask that others ask questions too.

Thinking and asking questions, along with examining the nitty gritty

details, should not cause a riot on this support group. From my

perspective, it should simply be part of the learning process as the

science of reproductive disease/treatments continues to evolve. If we

don't encourage the questions, will we ever evolve to the model of

prevention vs. our current model of triage? Somehow, I just don't

think so.

7. That women coming to this group would do so with an open mind, open

heart, and willingness to learn, learn, learn.

Yes, #1 and #7 are the same. An item worth repeating front and back

for this group.

As for whether or not this group should be retitled " Myomectomies for

Uterine Fibroids " -- well, this is a suggestion that simply doesn't

bear itself out fully in review of over 5 years worth of archived

email. Sure, the group ebbs and flows through a constantly changing

tide of women coming and going from this group and myomectomy surfaces

frequently -- even daily. But it is by no means the ONLY treatment

supported or discussed on this group nor has it EVER been the ONLY

treatment supported or discussed on this group.

Reality check: this group was started completely by women who had

undergone uterine fibroid embolization. In fact, the primary senior

members of this group have pretty much ALL undergone fibroid

embolization. Some of us have also undergone: ablation, myomectomy,

hysteroscopic resection, uterine suspension, and even hysterectomy.

So, to rename this group to anything other than what it is -- a

uterine fibroids support group hosted and moderated by the National

Uterine Fibroids Foundation -- is simply ludicrous to proffer and not

something that will ever happen.

Carla Dionne

Executive Director

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation

19 year veteran of the uterine fibroid war {against inappropriately

recommended treatment}

[Guest guest]

I am trying to find some information on DIM-plus on the web, but so

far am only coming up with websites that sell the supplements.

I have multiple fibroids - intramural and subserosal, as well as

other medical issues such as thyroid deficiency, diabetes and

metabolic syndrome. I 'm also DES-exposed. I'd like to try and shrink

the invaders but haven't been able to find out any solid unfo. Does

anyone have any links that they could pass on?

Thanks,

Jan