Gayle's Arthritis

After the first round of herbs for 3 weeks I realized that then you do 3 more weeks switching to GCG (GOLD Coin Grass) with a week off in between. So rather than wait another 3 weeks I did the flush. The hard part is a 2 day organic apple juice fast where all you drink is 2 cups apple juice every 2 hours from 8am to 8pm. At 8:30pm or so on the second day you mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 3/4 c fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice and drink it down. Actually, after the nasty tasting herbs, it wasn’t so bad. Then you go right to bed. I had some discomfort as I tried to sleep and was up several times through the night. I didn’t notice any gallstones except maybe some small ones. Probably why you’re supposed to wait til after 3 weeks of GCG. But I will say it was a very effective colon cleanse. I dropped 10 pounds. In another 9 days after finishing the round of herbs I will try it again. I didn’t get hungry at all with just apple juice but it was very boring. The first day I felt pretty lousy, headache and such which is typical for a fast but the next day I had remarkable energy and mental clarity.

Walking, some yoga, and the Tibetan rites have become weekly habits finally rather than idle hopes. When walking I practice the Peak 8 principles I learned from Dr. Mercola. Warm up for a few minutes walking, then walk as fast as possible for 30 seconds, then slower pace for 90 seconds. This 90 second rest allows the body to recover and mitigate against damage exercise can cause. Do this 8 times. When applied to any type of exercise or workout, the benefits are greater in a shorter span of time thus eliminating long tortuous workouts that aren’t that beneficial anyway. After walking I do modified versions of no.2 and no.4 of the Five Tibetan Rites. These come from Peter Kelder’s The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth which include 5 rites or exercises that Buddhist monks practiced centuries ago that gave them great longevity. Before arthritis came along I practiced all five. Of all the exercise regimens I have tried they deliver the most energy and strength in the shortest time. After these, I do some gentle yoga stretches. These really help my body unwind and relax so I can do them even before bed. I always start yawning right afterwards which shows how much tension there is in my body.

Recently, a recurrent pain in my hip was acting up. Stretches my daughter and husband had shown me helped before but I couldn’t remember them exactly so I intuitively thought to try the no.4 Tibetan exercise. In this you lift up your body (starting on your back)into a table position with hands and feet the legs of the table. Since I can’t bear weight on my wrists I do a half table, lifting only my pelvis up and stretching through the knees. Doing this 10 times or so totally ended the annoying pain in my left hip and also the sacrum area on my right side.

I’ve been taking these herbs now as preparation for a liver/gall bladder flush for 24 days. Getting ready to stop and do the flush in a few more days. What has been very noteworthy during this time is the vast improvement in sleep. Sensiblehealth.com said this could be a likely side effect and lo and behold for once something has really made a difference. I’ve been able to sleep throughout the night. Though I still wake up a few times to use the bathroom, I go right back to sleep. I almost forgot what it’s like to wake up feeling rested and part of the human race. It’s not recommended for longterm use but the results of the flush also include better sleep. So for now I’m so enjoying more regular sleep.

The battle for enough sleep continues. Homeopathy helped but is not enough to keep me from waking repeatedly. One sleepless night around 3 I stumbled onto sensiblehealth.com. The thorough narrative of the author and her path to healing was similar to mine especially her story of RA from youth and sleep issues. A Chinese doctor explained that the waking up between 1 and 3 am speaks to liver congestion. This was confirmed to me by the homeopath doc and osteopath I’ve been working with in recent months. A liver/gall bladder flush is necessary to clear the liver and gall bladder which work in conjunction. But prior to this a 3-4 week period of taking 4 different herbs in liquid form is necessary to soften what needs to be eliminated. This would explain why 2 previous flushes I did were unproductive. They came in the mail today. Hoping for some major success.

Our almost 15 yr old dog was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. The symptoms were constant need to urinate, insatiable appetite, and constant thirst. He also was whining much of the time. A visit to the vet confirmed the disease and because it appeared rather advanced she recommended a drug that would alleviate the symptoms. The disease is caused by a benign tumor on the adrenal or pituitary gland which results in over production of the adrenals which stresses the liver. Eventually the liver gives out and/or a heart attack or stroke occurs. The drug called vectoryl known as Trilostane actually kills the gland cells, reducing the symptoms and making everyone’s life easier.

Treatment would involve constant lab monitoring to properly adjust the amount. The vet also wanted to put him on the Chinese herbal remedy, Si Maio San 4 Marvels, known to help with inflammation and cancer. The cost was significant. As I read more about the drug I had a wake-up call. I was about to put dangerous drugs into my dog that would make him more comfortable supposedly but would put him on what I considered to be an irreversible course. There were lots of before and after stories of dogs that had been helped but also warnings of serious side effects. I don’t put drugs in my body, why his?

I stumbled onto some sound information that said diet change alone often works wonders and coupled with the Chinese herbs the situation could be managed with some success. Though originally the expense alone made me consider other options I found a solution that I could really feel good about. This is what I’ve tried to do for me,why not for him?

Research amidst much debate shows the best diet is a combination of raw meat (first frozen to kill parasites), raw eggs, some cottage cheese or yogurt, nut butters, raw and cooked vegetables, and cod liver oil. Also, it needs to be a wet diet and some protein only canned food is acceptable as well.

Clearly, the processed stuff called pet food from high end to low is to my mind make-believe food.
Rats fed human cereal alone, the ready made stuff in boxes, died in two weeks time. (I found this evidence in Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and Mary Eng.) The extrusion process whereby the food is forced into the various shapes and sizes renders the food devoid of nutritional value. Is dry pet food made perhaps in the same way rendering its value negligible at best?

The dry stuff went out the door and I enthusiastically began my dog’s new diet. The results in less than 2 weeks have been miraculous and that is no exaggeration. He is totally satiated, doesn’t whine for more when he realizes the meal is over. He gradually went down to urinating 3 times per day. His eyes which were clouded over with cataracts are now clear. A large lump on his chest is gone and he is losing his love handles. We are continuously amazed and delighted over this marked improvement. The vet said the pills take about a month to kick in but that they are helping as well most likely. We changed our cat’s diet too. A better diet in the long run reduces vet bills. If only humans would realize they could reduce if not eliminate their medical costs often just by changing their diets.

In January things finally quieted down after a very full December.  The combination of preparations for family gatherings, shopping, visiting, eating rich food, and too little sleep finally took its toll on me.  This was in addition to a couple of emotional upsets that came out of nowhere.  Lack of sleep, tempting food, too much excitement, and stress caused a major flare-up.  My hands were inflamed, it was hard to walk and I was exhausted.

So what to do?  After I realized what was going on and shoved away my fears I began with, among a number of things, to improve my diet.  Grain, dairy, and meat really had to go.  Cheating was over.  I knew I needed to do juicing but my Norwalk juicer doesn’t fit in our tiny kitchen.  Since putting our juicer in storage I have relied on Nanogreens, a green powder packed with all the veggies, fruit, and nutrients the body needs.  Now I really ramped it up putting Nanogreens in almost every glass of water  I drank and adding it to VitaMix green smoothies that I drank for breakfast or lunch.  I knew my joints were craving green juice and made a point of noting how I felt shortly after  I drank some.  It’s like my body said “Thank you, this is what I need.”  Inflammation began to calm down.

Nanogreens is the best tasting green powder I’ve tried.  For my kids who never eat enough veggies I serve it up in their juice or water.  I recently tried another brand which I won’t name and my daughter said with a most disgusted look on her face “What is this stuff?” because it was so hard to get down.  So we’re sticking with Nanogreens.

You learn something new everyday.  One of my adult children sustained very severe injuries to his face in a bad accident.  He delayed surgery to explore other options. He consulted with our dentist about damage to his jaw and bite.  He referred him to an osteopath.  My son never had the surgery.  After 1 1/2 years of treatment his face has totally healed and his jaw and bite are in proper alignment.  How could that be?  What does an osteopath do so that major surgery could be avoided?

A DO (doctor of osteopathy) receives the same medical training as an MD but then goes on for 3-8 years further training.  They treat the whole person seeing the body as an integrated whole.  The premise is that disease results from disruption of the musculoskeletal structure which affects the bodies’ various systems.  Through manual manipulation of the bones, ligaments and tendons balance is restored.  DOs also use conventional medical treatments as well.  Some DOs don’t do manipulations at all.

Because of my son’s success we started using osteopathic treatment to correct jaw and bite concerns  of several other children that resulted from faulty orthodontia and sports injuries.  And so now it is my turn to see what can be done to fix residual damage from RA.  Possible fusion in my wrists, stiff ankles, a partially frozen shoulder, stiffness in my neck, shoulder and upper back are now being treated.

I’ve had 2 lengthy sessions with some encouraging results.  The stiff shoulder improved 80 % in the first session.  The wrists don’t appear to be fusing and loosened up somewhat. The neck, ankles, and back all responded and show improvement.  He said give it four sessions before deciding osteopathy is helping or not.  After two, I’m encouraged.   Except for my wrists, I only felt gentle pressure, resistance, and stretching.  It is very subtle compared to chiropractic and a massage is more vigorous than osteopathy.  Some manipulations, like cranial, are barely felt at all.

Osteopathy has really helped our family to recover from a variety of problems.  I only wish I had known about it much sooner.  Treatment right after birth repairs damage done during delivery.  The trauma of birth can impair an infants’ ability to nurse as well as be the beginning of developmental problems that will lie buried until years later when chronic conditions and disease erupt. Treatment puts everything back in place (not in one session). Pediatricians should be trained to refer parents to an osteopath for  corrective, restorative treatment of their children right away after injury to the body.  It is safe and effective.

In my journey to wellness I’ve been seeing a homeopathic doctor for the past 2 months.  Having tried everything under the sun to improve sleep I still wasn’t having any luck.  A holistic doctor we regularly see in troubleshooting health problems referred us to a homeopathic doctor  for our daughter.  She had  insomnia, headaches, and night-time incontinence.  After 1 week of a homeopathic remedy she put herself to bed at 9 and woke up singing the next morning with dry sheets.  We were seeing a miracle happen.   Since things had worked so well for her I too went for a visit.

My first visit was almost 2 hours.  She asked me lots of questions going all the way back to childhood.  Her observations and answers given point to a specific remedy.  In my daughter’s case the first remedy addressed physical needs but subsequent remedies were directed at anger and frustration. In my case the goal was not how to sedate my body which is what sleep remedies do but treat the imbalance in the body. After a few tries adjusting the dosage, I began sleeping better.  Much to my amazement  I was dropping off in minutes and waking up in the morning refreshed not taking naps on and off all night as in the past.    Things aren’t perfect every night but overall are much better than in the past two decades.

Homeopathic medicine is widely respected in Europe and India and used to treat all manner of sickness, physical as well as mental.  The medical community here continues to ignore documented evidence of its effectiveness.

The success we’ve had borders on the miraculous.  Try homeopathy.  It works and is very cost effective.

This post will discuss toxicity as a contributing cause of disease and how the far infrared sauna is the best way to eliminate it. Toxins are nothing but junk that has gotten stuck in our bodies.  The body is designed to handle them to a certain extent but due to this present technological age we are overloaded. Environmental and industrial pollutants have invaded our bodies. They come in innumerable forms from fillings in our mouth, personal body products, chemicals used in building, furnishings and carpets, pesticides on our foods, plastics that leech into our food and water, and contaminants in tap water. Add to that the chemicals in processed food, antibiotics, and hormones in our meat and dairy and you’ll realize how this constant assault on our bodies cannot but help to trigger allergies and disease.

Earlier I mentioned how the dental work I had done released mercury into my body.  In seeking to rid my body of this toxin I tried chelation therapy where a chelating agent that pulls mercury out is inserted intravenously.  Because of my poor response to a trial dose of this, the doctor recommended using a far-infrared sauna.  He showed me a letter of a previous patient with very high levels of mercury who also couldn’t tolerate the iv therapy.  She chronicled how just from consuming large amounts of tuna her mercury levels had shot up.  In a year’s time of daily sauna use her levels dropped to a safe range.  We immediately ordered our sauna from Hightech Health in Colorado.  We found this reputable company reading through Sherry Rogers’ health newsletter.  It was easy to assemble.  You do need to establish a separate circuit for it but that is easily done.

Unlike a regular sauna, the infrared sauna heats your body up from within.   The skin is designed for eliminating toxins through sweat.  The sauna makes sure this will happen in great abundance.  For compromised individuals who can’t vigorously exercise you get the same benefits.  In addition you get a cardiovascular workout.  But that is just the beginning of its far-reaching impact on your health.  The increased circulation not only drives out toxins but kills viruses and bacteria. It increases the growth of white blood cells that fight infection.  It soothes aching joints, tired backs, and deeply relaxes the body.  For a thorough understanding of its benefits google japanese research on the topic and check out www.hightechhealth.com.

At first when I began I didn’t even sweat.  I always thought it was great I never had to use deodorant but that was just proof of how locked up my body was.  Even though the sweat wasn’t as noticeable on the outside the increased circulation was dumping stuff on the inside through increased urination shortly afterward.  Gradually I built up a good sweat.  When you first step in the warmth is very pleasant but for me after 20-30 minutes I have to lie down with my knees up.  Then just when the heat begins to be not so pleasant there is a release of tension as the sweat begins.  I normally don’t tolerate high temps but this is a moist heat that is bearable.  You can adjust the thermostat for your comfort but I just let it go as high as it does for the time I’m in it.   I keep some water close by to wipe down with to last longer.  You never want to go over an hour, but even just 20 minutes is beneficial.

I use it every morning at least 5 to 6 days a week.   At first I overdid it and would use it 3 times a day because of how miserable I was feeling.  But looking back that was devitalizing because I wasn’t practicing the watercure principle of proper hydration.  One important fact to remember is that the sauna pulls out the good with the bad. Thus you must ensure you’re replacing lost electrolytes.  The easiest way is by taking sea salt with water. (1/8 tsp per 16 oz of water.  Put salt on tongue,follow with water.) Naturally evaporated sea salt has all the necessary electrolytes.

Our entire family enjoys the sauna.  We use it to ward off colds and flu and to speed healing when sick.  It breaks up congestion and gets things moving fast in the right direction.   My husband once had an infected cyst on his back and thanks to time in the sauna it healed much faster than expected.  He also loves using it before bed to relax.  It’s a great place to have a quiet time away from everything and detox at the same time.  Since using it my heavy metal levels have dropped to within normal range.  It also has greatly helped to relieve inflammation in my joints especially during periods of time when I have reduced range of motion.  Definitely one of the best things we have ever bought.