Just wanted to let everyone know that the individual consult is well worth the money. After I received my written report there was a note on there that she would be interested in my hormone levels (I had a hysterectomy and I'm on HRT). I had that lab work done by my own doctor. Dr. S. could then figure that all into the equation. She said I was low on estrogen, and my metabolism will not heal without getting my levels up. Good to know. By the way I am insuline resistant with very very burned out adrenals. So.... if there is an estrogen question in your life, be sure to have your estrodial and progesterone tested before you talk to her. It was all very helpful and encouraging. I will go through her re-testing program in 6 months.

Hi parbuster,
Can you tell us how the consult was arranged? Was it
thru the website? Also, was it very expensive? I'd like to get tested also, but am wondering which option one
chooses if not going to see her directly. Thanks!

If one does testing from her site and finds out that estrogen replacement is needed, does she give the prescription or are you left to find your own local doctor to do that?

I would recommend the complete testing program which includes a consult with Dr. S and a dietician. It costs around $350. After I did my testing, they sent me an 18-page report. I talked to Dr. S. for about 40 minutes. She cannot prescrible anything over the phone. She told me what dose of estrogen to request, and I phoned my doctor who OK'd it. I also asked Dr. S. if there were any endocrinologists in my area that share her philosophy, and she said "no" - she'll have to train people, because they just don't get this in medical school (and I live fairly close to one of the top medical schools in the country). That's why I went directly to Dr. S. I figured, why fool around with professionals who don't really understand. Well worth it, and I will be re-tested in 6 months.

This is good to hear. I did check her website and saw the option with the
nutritionist and Dr. Schwarzbein. I guess I can get the money together and
do it in the near future. But it is great to hear from someone who has done
so. Please let us know how it goes as time goes by. I know the Dr. says healing takes time, although maybe not as long as it took to get "sick".
Again, thanks for sharing your experience!

If you don't mind...I'll tell my story because I'm so torn what to do. I have an appt with an endo (a top thyroid doc) next week. (I do not have any other doctor that I trust or that cares. I am simply HOPING that this one will.) I go back and forth a thousand times thinking I should cancel. My main complaint is that I cannot burn fat no matter what...I have been exercising for years, have lots of muscle, been on my plan (NHE) for exactly two years, plateaued after the first week. In my early 20's I found I could not lose weight like other people. I just finished reading SP I and checked out the site. I sent an e-mail telling them that I had my first "famine" at 21 due to emotional upset and couldn't eat for two weeks. I asked if that could have "damaged" my metabolism. To my surprise (nobody usually answers e-mails) they wrote back promptly and said no, that's not likely.

I have decided that I can't possibly have a thyroid problem because I am not that fatigued. I am pretty active, in fact, but mental energy is another story. I react very badly to stress and take great pains to avoid it, thus, isolation and not much of a life. I want to cancel because I am embarrassed that I am making too much of the weight since it is only about 15 - 20 lbs. but I've been struggling for so long...I gained in '97 from taking Prozac, (in spite of exercise) so now I no longer consider antidepressants an option. I figured that an appt. with a doctor on my insurance would be a better financial move. I don't know where my female hormones are either...so if I had EVERYTHING (metabolism, thyroid, menopause) at the SP site, it would be quite a chunk of out-of-pocket change, right???

In '82 an alternative practitioner said I have overactive adrenals and overactive thyroid...but that just makes no sense...

Well - actually you could do both if you wanted to. If you go see the endocrinologist you could have your thyroid tested and whatever else they wanted to do. You could have your hormones tested through your doctor: you'll need estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, FSH. That way your insurance could pay for all of that. Then if you wanted to, do the Schwarzbein regular testing package - for about $350. Most likely she is the best source for analyzing that information and working in the nutrition component. I think she'd be able to uncover the mystery for you.

I had my appointment yesteday. It was AWFUL. I cannot believe this doctor came so highly recommended. She immediately assumed that I was some bimbo looking for a magic pill. She said you have to count calories and watch fat. She said thyroid has little, if anything to do with weight. She said estrogen can't be tested because it's always changing. When I told her I was having trouble sleeping, she suggested a sleep study. She wanted me to take birth control pills for PMS. I thought endos were supposed to be hormone specialists(???) I cried all the way home. It will take me a while to recover from this. I will probably order the tests from the site, but if I need estrogen, I have no one to prescribe it. Doctors are evil, none can be trusted.

Hi Greenwings!

I can relate to your experience with drs. It took 3 tries for me to find one--well, actually a nurse practitioner that was recommended by a pharmicist. I hit the jackpot with her. So, maybe a good start would be to go to a pharmacy that advertises compounding bio-identical hormones and asking them to recommend a dr that goes along with that philosophy.

Good Luck!
Tig

I've read Suzanne Somers book about Dr. S, and want to find someone locally in Atlanta that will do bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Do you know how to find someone like that?

I had written to Schwarzbein's center via e-mail with questions about her online metabolic testing and recommended endos. Here is what the representative said in response:



So it's kind of a bummer because I was all ready to order one of her tests, but right now they can't really service anyone. I might just drive to Santa Monica to visit this other doctor they recommend.

--Timothy

Marilynf, I am near Atlanta. I know of a Doctor Watts in Stockbridge, (Henry County); I believe I got his name from the John Lee site. I know nothing about him and have not contacted him (yet), so I can't tell you about his philosophy. If I get up the nerve to see him (doctor phobia), I will ask for a consultation before a "real" appointment. I will NOT gets my hopes up again.

I recently paid for an online saliva test and ended up with a recommendation for progesterone, which I have tried many times. It doesn't work for me.

I feel very fortunate that I found an endocrinologist locally. As I am getting older I have been having some PMS problems and want a doc that understands the important of bio-identical hormones when it is that time.

I started having trouble with my training program because I was feeling very tired and having dizzy spells during training. I expected to feel better with the exercise but was feeling worse. My doctor told me I am insulin resistant.

The doctor and the dietitian on staff follow the Schwarzbein Principle and like their patients to read the book so they understand hormones. I had an appt with the dietitian today and she set down a program for me to assist me with my marathon training (over-exercising?). I am looking forward to startin the program and hope to be feeling better soon!

Kathy in Dallas

Team in Training
http://www.active.com/donations/fun...key=tntntxKRICK

Kathy,

Could you forward the name of the Doc you found. I'm in the Ft. Worth area.

Thanks,

Tim

His name is Dr. Robert Fefferman. He is located in Irving. Here is his website - Has a little map on it.

http://www.endocrinetexas.com/