We can't be sure it's related but I thought I would throw it out there anyway. I've been taking pycnogenol for almost a month now and we (doctor & I) think I'm having some major reactions. I've been taking 100mg daily. Within the last couple of weeks I've had: headaches, constant stomach aches, hypoglycemia, insomnia, skin rash & a mild auto-immune response. Pretty much the list of side-effects on this supplement. It wasn't until yesterday that I remembered the pycnogenol and we are pretty relieved that we have a direction to take now. I'm on a steroid pack to settle down my immune system and discontinuing the stuff. Hopefully, this will resolve my problems. I don't think I've ever felt so lousy in my entire life. The good news is that tea with a bunch of ginger really soothes an upset tummy!

thanks Linda. No, I don't have any before and after pictures because I'm not 'after' yet, I'm only half way to my target weight. Then there is the every day job of maintaining it. Also, I don't know how to post pictures :~) Mush:"...It takes awhile and lots of patience to discover what causes you problems and what you can eat to stay feeling good..." I vow, truer words were never spoken. My Dr said it took him 40 years to find out what works for him, and he drinks two big glasses of instant breakfast every morning! ( first ingredient? sugar.) I'd be 310 if I tried that. Every body is different. What works for me is to eliminate any kind of sweetener, some protein each time I eat along with some healthy oil because it keeps you satisfied for such a long time in addition to the other health benefits. Everything I eat I want it to be nutrient dense. So that means the most vivid colors I can eat in fruits and veggies, add healthy nuts, avocados, olives. Funny how your tastes really do change, and what used to look good just looks like super glue for the veins now...and doesn't even look like it would taste good. The smell of food was my biggest obstacle. Fried foods, sweet foods, they smelled wonderful. That doesn't bother me too much any more, as long as I'm not past due to eat. Everyone just has to find their own way. Normal people can moderate amounts of not-so-good stuff. I can't. I guess that is an all or nothing kind of personality. My Dr is addicted to exercise so can eat more freely. That just isn't going to happen for me in this life. I hate it, always have, always will. Nasty stuff, exercise. Blaugh!! j

I was diagnosed with varicose veins about four years ago, don't recall how, as I don't have much if anything showing on my legs. I've had blue veins on my feet for quite some time, but they don't seem large. They prescribed a diuretic to reduce some of my water. Anyway, they felt that I needed some vein reduction, so I was slated for a series of four shots, using MRI to guide the needle carrying a foamy stuff that was to shrink the vein. After the first shot, I was to walk for a half hour, and two half-hour walks daily for two weeks. On the day after the last one, I did one half-hour walk, and on the next day another. On the following morning, I was wakened early by a pain in my chest. I could take a small intake of breath without trouble, and when I pulled in a little more, there was some pain, which increased as I pulled in more, until I couldn't stand it. Thinking that I needed to do something, without delay, I headed for the living room ... but, first things first, of course, visited the bathroom ... and, while sitting on the john, found that I could breathe without pain. So - back to bed ... but couldn't breathe there without pain! Didn't have handy the 800-number of the consulting nurse, so called police, they gave me hospital number, they gave me nurse's number. Called it, we had a discussion covering various aspects ... did I have pain all the time, had I had it for 5 min., etc., she said the decision was up to me, but she recomm. calling 9 1 1, I said that I didn't like to dispute an expert's testimony, but (sitting upright and having no pain) I didn't think that it was that bad, so she said that I should go to a hosp. emergency room, I agreed. Sun. morning, I had some veggies to take to a couple of churches, had some tomatoes unpicked that were near death, I figured that whatever didn't get taken to church that morning were dead, so picked some, paying close attention to what my body was doing. It has spoiled me, over the years, seldom, gives me trouble over anything that, within reason, I ask of it: rarely tells me, "Listen, you darned old fool - I can't do that for you, any more!". Dropped the veggies off at two churches, at 10:30 the choir and minister ready to process up the aisle of the second when I went in, I went to hosp. emerg. After checking in, I sat for some time, was taken to a cubicle about 2 ... so figured that I should have signed in, then gone back to church. They did an X-ray and some tests, including of blood, plus MRI, I think, and I sat for some more time, a nurse came in about 7, saying that they had found something in my blood, and gave me a shot, telling me that I should give myself some for several days, with a nurse to come to my home the next day to get me started, and with several blood thinness tests. Also told that I was to go on pill-style blood thinner, Warfarin, and have been on it since, with tests of blood thinness, about every two-three months. Scheduled a CT-scan the next day. When the folks who'd done the shrinking of the veins heard of it, they took no time at all in cancelling the other three slated vein-shrinking sessions: convenience is one thing; life-threatening is another! Seldom have needed adjustments in dosage for upwards of a year and a half or so, and it's to be the third anniversary of the blood clots in the lungs late this coming September. If cut or scratched, I bleed a little more than I used to, but nothing of consequence ... thus far, at least ... but haven't had a major cut with which to deal. I'm still on the diuretic pill for the veins that I began using well before the clot trouble. I've had next to no reduction in lifestyle since those problems - for which I'm very thankful. I said on here some time ago that I hoped that, if I were on the Warfarin for a long time, that I wouldn't start looking like a rat ... ... and one of the habitués here said that her Dad had been on it for (5+?) years ... and they hadn't seen any sign of a tail sprouting, thus far. Having some osteo-arthritis, my doc put me on Glucosamine Sulfate, that I've been using for over a year ... and it has helped my arm movement substantially. ole joyful

mamapinky0, Debby_ab has been to see a vascular surgeon, a highly educated and trained medical professional. Believe me, there would be a very complete written history provided by Debby as well as a verbal confirmation to the surgeon of the information she gave on the questionnaire. I'm quite confident that family history was noted and discussed by the surgeon and Debby. Debby, best of luck with your surgery and enjoy the benefits from it. My husband's cousin had hers done a couple of years ago and she said just the relief from the tiredness and pain at the end of the day was worth every inconvenience immediately following the surgery.