Hi everyone,

My experience with supplements has brought a surprising and happy change in
my life, and may be of interest to some of you out there.

I'm 56 years old, and for the past many years, had been experiencing
gradually worsening symptoms of BPH.  Up to about 3 weeks ago, I had reached
the point where I was getting up to pee about 3 or 4 times a night.  And
having to make sure to pee before virtually every lesson or two I taught
(I'm a piano teacher.)

About a year ago I started taking a product called Nature's Life 800
Prostate Support. It contains saw palmetto and other things as well.  I
didn't see much change in my symptoms.  But I kept taking them month after
month because I didn't know what else to do, and because I was afraid things
might be even worse if I stopped.

Last September I was absolutely delighted to discovered this newsgroup.
Over the next few months I contacted Dr. Laub in Santa Barbara and was
tentatively planning to have PVP early in 2004. Though I was delighted to
read of the generally excellent results most of you were experiencing, I had
mixed feelings about the surgery primarily because of my minimal insurance
coverage.  I'd have to pay at least $4000 for surgery and related costs.

About 3 weeks ago I talked to a friend about my situation.  He takes saw
palmetto and is pleased with the results.  He asked me how much I was
taking, and suggested that I increase my dosage.  I said it was worth a try.

Then I noticed that I had been taking 2 capsules a day (for a total of
160mg).  The directions suggested 2-4 capsules a day.  So I started taking 4
capsules a day.  The change was immediate and dramatic!  The first night I
went from 3 or 4 nightly trips, to 1!  I've been keeping accurate records
every night since then, and the average is less than 1.5 trips per night.

It's taken a while for me to trust these results, but as of the moment, my
plans for PVP are definitely on hold.  My stream is fairly small, there's
always a short pause or two in the middle, but there's virtually no delay.
The main thing is MANY fewer trips to the john.  I get a lot less reading
done in the bathroom these days and nights.

Now you may ask why I never tried increasing the dosage before.  For one
thing, the tablets aren't cheap.  I spend about $1.70 a day now for 4 of
them.  But more than that, the truth is, I have very little experience
taking medications etc., and very little confidence in them.  The only drug
in my house is aspirin, and I use that once or twice a year.  I was taking
the Nature's Life for a year or more, but truth to tell, I never really
expected much from it or any other drug, and I have never used any other
medication on a regular basis in my entire adult life.  (I haven't had a
primary care physician either for at least 10 years now.)

Thanks to all of you for your contributions to this great newsgroup! I vowed
that I would make my own contribution when I had something real to say, but
I didn't think that would be til after my own PVP.  I'm pleasantly
surprised, to say the least. I hope my story is of some help to one or two
of you.  

I'm including the ingredients in my supplement below.  When this bottle runs
out, I'm going to try taking saw palmetto alone, which is cheaper, and see
if that works as well.

Bruce
---------------

Nature's Life 800 Prostate Support

in 2 softgels:
zinc  15mg
copper 1mg
saw palmetto 160mg
stinging nettle 150mg
pygeum bark extract 50 mg
beta sitosterol 10mg