Question:
HAS ANYONE TAKEN BLACK COHOSH AFTER WLS?

MY GENERAL SURGEON SUGGESTED BLACK COHOSH FOR MY PMS A WHILE BACK. I USED TO TAKE ZOLOFT FOR MY IRRITABILITIES. ZOLOFT KEPT MY MOODS THE SAME DURING THE MONTH, BUT, MY COPAY IS TOO MUCH. I'M CRABBY AS A BEAR, AND STARTING TO GET AGGRAVATED WITH MYSELF!! I WILL ASK MY WLS DOC BEFORE I DO TAKE IT THOUGH.    — BRIDGET B. (posted on July 9, 2004)

July 8, 2004
Oh yeah, but for menopause symptoms. I was only getting hot flashes, no other major symptoms, and I had been taking 1 soy isoflavone capsule a day, dumped in my AM protein shake, and that had killed the flashes. My Gyno suggested black cohosh, so I tried it for a month, and it gave me the worst hot flashes I have ever had...dripping sweats! After a month, I dropped it and went back to my 1 soy cap a day, and they stopped cold again. Now, I know there's some bad rap about soy, but I'm not arguing with success. I also know black cohosh has been used in Europe for years, so I assume it's had some success. This is just my experience with it, and I don't know for sure, so it's always a good idea to ask your WLS doc. But, I don't think it would compromise your WLS in any way, so you may want to try it for a month to see if it helps. This is a definite case of YMMV.
   — Leslie F.

July 10, 2004
Yes, I am 22 months post-op and I have been taking it for about 3 years for the mood swings of menopause. It works beautifully and has made my moods more even than they have been all of my life. I swear by it.
   — joeandteri

July 11, 2004
Yup, it works great. My PCP told me to use it and boy am I glad I did.
   — Darla M.