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disappointed...need suggestion(s)

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disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

I am not sure what is going on, but as of this past Wednesday, my pain/swelling has greatly increased from my RA. I am still taking the minocycline (thx Ron). I am doing SR 2x/day.

I must be honest...I am very disappointed and have a sort of "knot" in my stomach. It is hard not to be afraid, because I thought I was getting a little better. I have read a few books by Herbert Benson regarding the relaxation response. I think I am doing SR correctly...I have been confident for about 6weeks. Maybe I am just fooling myself. I exhibit many of the signs listed in the Recapture Your Health book, by Stoll and DeCourtney during SR. I literally feel like I am almost "buzzing" in my body. I lose my sensation for my hands. I feel I am either floating or sinking. My breathing slows considerably (just a few per breaths/minute), heart rate slows, etc.

I guess I will try to find someone to "hook me up" to some equipment. The problem is, I have no idea who to see. I want to see a very reputable doc., but have no idea how to even begin looking. I live in GA, if anyone has a suggestion.

Again, rather heart broken. My ankle/feet and hands/wrist, and knees are so painful. I just don't understand how I can go so far backward so fast. Maybe I was fooling myself that I was progressing/getting better. All I know is I changed nothing and now I feel much worse than at any point during this.

Any suggestions other than take drugs?? I also tried the tobacco. I am willing to read, do diet, SR, etc. I do not want to believe that I have to begin harsh drugs. I am fearful right now.

I am on vacation and rather than sleeping right now (4am), I am up fighting tears. I guess I am lost because I have no other ideas. Literally, the only thing I can think of is to have my SR officially certified, but I have no idea who to see or how long it will be before I can even make an attempt with my first doc. After reading the books by Benson, it just doesn't seem it would be necessary. So many have received benefits w/o this step. Is it possible the SR is just not reversing my RA, even though I am doing it correctly?

I am getting very close to not being able to work. It is surreal, because I was just on here a couple of weeks ago with such positive info. I don't know what happened.

My fear is that I am likely doing my SR correctly and that getting "certified" by a doc is not going to help. I guess I hope I am doing it incorrectly so there is a chance I will benefit from doing it correctly. Does that make sense?

Oh yea, my throat hurts now. It is very low in my esophagus. I have never had a sore throat here before. Does this mean my voice is next?

Please give me some positive thoughts. My wife is so sad. I am hiding this as best as I can from my 4.5yo son. My other son is too young to know 11mos.

Thanks folks.

lance



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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Steve [10433.8101] on September 06, 2009 at 05:29:12:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

I will try not to be too blunt, but 6 weeks is not nearly enough time to see results. In the book RYH Jan and Walt say it takes 6 months to a year before you see results. You didn't even give tobacco a chance. Sure you went backwards. The drugs you were taking for what years are clearing your body and your having withdralls. You just have to be resolved to stay after your health problems.

Silver Fox!

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Savannah [7343.7886] on September 06, 2009 at 06:49:13:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Hi Lance, I am sorry that you are in so much pain. I just wanted to let you know that I was at my doctor's on Friday and was speaking with a woman that has RA. She was receiving IV chelation therapy. I asked her if chelation was helping her at all. She told me that before starting IV chelation therapy, there were times that she couldn't walk because the pain was so intense. She was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago, and she said chelation has saved her. She told me that having RA is like wearing a suit of armor because at times you can hardly move. At one point when she was having one IV a week, she said the pain was totally gone. We did not talk about diet, exercise, or SR. I will be interested to see what Dr. Stoll says about IV chelation therapy and RA.

Savannah

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by James [2174.8095] on September 06, 2009 at 07:49:23:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance

I have not followed your case - would you please post your exact diagnosis, previous/present medications and treatments.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Recent posts [11797.4426] on September 06, 2009 at 08:05:04:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by James [2174.8095] on September 06, 2009 at 07:49:23:

Some recent posts


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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by samm [1003.2765] on September 06, 2009 at 09:37:32:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

the whole foods diet often needs to be tweaked to avoid foods you might have an intolerance to. My own arthritis abated when I stopped using dairy products. Some health problems are improved by avoiding gluten grains. My husband gave up nightshade veggies and improved his arthritis (the nightshades are potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers).

Macrobiotics is a whole foods diet that avoids most of the problem foods in the American diet.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by PhillyLady [569.8054] on September 06, 2009 at 10:35:19:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance:

Have yourself a full-body therapeutic massage. This is not a permanent cure but will help greatly with pain, tightness, and especially stress. Try it, you can't lose.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Ron [5412.1575] on September 06, 2009 at 12:18:28:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Hi Lance,

Have you ever heard of the "Herxheimer Reaction"
where your symptoms worsen for a time when
the meds are working and release the stored toxin
from the infection?

This causes your immunites to finally see them
and mount an attack.
(see link below)

It is this result that often causes people to
stop the meds rather than continuing..
Of course doing this convinces the person that the docs
were right and that the antibiotics were not working.
(No wonder why antibiotics have been given such a bad rap over the years.)

Your gastric problems may be related to Acid Reflux..
Ginger Root Juice might be the answer in the short run.
If you are able to eat, put some food in there to calm things down.

Good luck.. It will get better.




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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by boney [965.8065] on September 06, 2009 at 12:56:16:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance, Do you take Fish oil in some form? When my knees trouble me fish oil always helps big time.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by LT [1116.7761] on September 06, 2009 at 15:33:15:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

perhaps cetyl myristoleate?
http://www.vitacost.com/Jarrow-Formulas-True-CMO-Cetyl-Myristoleate



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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Charles [448.8156] on September 06, 2009 at 18:47:51:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance did you try tobacco the second time, you never responded to the other thread only saying you were going to.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by maryb [11189.7997] on September 06, 2009 at 21:22:16:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance, how is your digestive tract functioning? I've inquired about this before but either you didn't respond or I didn't see it. Digestive health is so crucial, especially with inflammatory issues. Can you associate the increase in your pain & swelling with changes in digestion?

Also, how is your sleep these days?

What happened in your life in the days preceeding last Weds, when you noticed negative changes in your RA? Also, take a close look at your diet during that time. It sounds like you're in a flare, and being a good detective, considering all aspects of your lifestyle, is essential in quelling the flare.

Have you tried using a good systemic enzyme on a regular basis? I can't recommend this highly enough. There are some excellent products available now. I used Wobenzym N & loved it. Inflammend is also good. For these to be effective, they MUST be taken on an empty stomach: 2 hours after a meal and 1 hour before the next meal. If you're digesting food when you take the enzymes, they will simply go to work on the food rather than on inflammation.

Or you can use bromelain instead, again taking it between meals and on an empty stomach. I like the products, above, better because they have a few more anti-inflammatory ingredients. But bromelain, derived from pineapple is excellent.

I know it's easy for me to say, but try really hard not to let panic & anxiety get your adrenaline going.

Other than taking minocycline & doing SR, what else are you trying? How's the diet?

Give us some more details here & we'll try to help.

mary

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on September 07, 2009 at 07:14:59:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance,

How long have you done (what you feel is effective SR)SR at least twice a day, continuously?

Walt

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) -- Long term RA -- Archive.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on September 07, 2009 at 07:19:48:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Steve [10433.8101] on September 06, 2009 at 05:29:12:

Thanks, Steve.

Right on. Besides, even with 6-12 months of faithful practice of effective SR, RA still can have exacerbations that unexpectedly flare up. They will be shorter and less intense than they might have been if no SR had been practiced but the over the years trend will be of improvement.

Walkt

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) Archive in chelation.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on September 07, 2009 at 07:27:45:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Savannah [7343.7886] on September 06, 2009 at 06:49:13:

Thanks, Savannah.

In my 20+ years of experience with IV chelation I have seen many totally unexplained chronic conditions improve. I know of no research that promotes chelation for RA but would not be the least bit surprised if one of my RA patients showed this kind of improvemenht during and after the treatment. I also would not be surprised to see an RA patient go through the entire course of 30 treatments without ANY improvement in the RA. I WOULD be surprised, however if they did not see any improvment in any vascular problems they may have come to me for which I recommended the chelation.

Hope this helps.

Walt

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) Archive in RA.

Posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on September 07, 2009 at 07:31:02:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by samm [1003.2765] on September 06, 2009 at 09:37:32:

Thanks, Samm.

Point taken! There are many recommendations I would be likely to make for RA, before I would recommend chelation, for example. The 3LS and Macrobiotics, would be some of them.

Walt

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by maryb [11189.7997] on September 07, 2009 at 13:35:16:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Lance, one more thought for you. Check out a product called ModuCare (www.moducare.com). It's an immune system regulator. I use it for allergies, and it's extremely helpful. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if it helped with RA, as well.

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) Archive in RA.

Posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [716.8083] on September 07, 2009 at 15:52:42:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) Archive in RA. posted by Walt Stoll [93.7902] on September 07, 2009 at 07:31:02:

Yes, Lance,

Have you started the PWFD?

Best wishes,
Jan

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [716.8083] on September 07, 2009 at 15:54:00:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by PhillyLady [569.8054] on September 06, 2009 at 10:35:19:

Hi Philly,

Great idea! And it will help you feel better. Walt mentioned times when you will feel worse. You need to make a plan to "pamper yourself" a little bit when those times happen.

Best wishes,
Jan

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [716.8083] on September 07, 2009 at 15:56:00:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by maryb [11189.7997] on September 06, 2009 at 21:22:16:

Lance,

Maryb is making some good points here. She made me think of recently reading that people eating the "mediterranean diet" are so healthy because it is high in omega 3 oils. You might look into that diet and incorporate it with the PWFD as your new eating plan.

Best wishes,
Jan

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follow-up

Posted by Lance [8267.8061] on September 09, 2009 at 17:12:30:

In Reply to: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by Lance [13424.8063] on September 06, 2009 at 04:16:33:

Thanks for the many responses. I was not in a "good place" when I posted the comment the other night/morning. I have been working to recommit myself to being positive with a long-term view of this whole process.

Mary, Jan, AT, etc. my digestion has never been a problem until the last 3mos. Even while taking NSAIDs regularly, I had no issues. Now, I am eating a PWFD diet with digestive problems. This makes no sense to me unless RA itself if causing the problem.

In addition to PWFD, I am taking cod liver oil, salmon oil, magnesium glyconate, b-vitamins, multivitamins, bosweilla, a probiotic (by Udo choice). I was taking bromellian (stopped it due to no perceived benefit).

I have tested others, but I can only take so many things...these are what I am using currently.

I am also taking Minocycline. I am only taking 1/day. Dr. Mercola even says that you can take 1 on Mon/Wed/Fri.

I have been doing what I think is certified SR for 6-8weeks 2x/day for 20+min.

I am doing some form of light exercise 3x/week. This is only limited due to pain. Yes, even the pool hurts my knees at times. It is as if my old sports injuries are "flaring" right now.

I have done the elimination diet in order to determine if there were any trigger foods. I only ate 7 different foods for 6-7days. I noticed no pain decrease, so I could not determine if any food(s) is/are causing me problems. However, from a test by a "natural" doc, I was informed I have an allergy to dairy, eggs, soy, almonds, peanuts. I do not eat these foods.

This is a difficult process because I cannot deteremine the correlation between various factors. I see nothing with food...whether I take my vitamis/probiotics etc. or not, I see no real change.

I do not think I did anything different, yet my swelling/pain increased. Maybe this is just normal.

I am working to keep an "even-keel" even though this really sucks. :) Some times I am good at being "cool"...other times not so much. My old way of dealing with stress was biking (alot), kickboxing, working out. I no longer really have this as an outlet, and it is tough trying to adapt. My mental focus has got to change to a more positive bent. My back pain/problem on top of this only exasperates my frustration with my health. It is still hard for me to no longer view myself as an athlete.

Charles, I tried the tobacco again...didn't work. I applied it as hot as I could stand as a "paste". Oh well...

Thanks once again.

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Re: follow-up

Posted by AT [11797.4426] on September 09, 2009 at 20:02:11:

In Reply to: follow-up posted by Lance [8267.8061] on September 09, 2009 at 17:12:30:

Lance, you sound like an extraordinary person. I'm sure we are all feeling your frustration. Someone mentioned CMO. But you are still young so I don't know, it is usually an aging thing. The body turns against the cartilage for some reason so I don't know if this could be it with your diagnosis of RA. But you could check it out. Have you tried MSM? That works better for "agriculturalist" types I think.


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Re: follow-up

Posted by Aston [1761.8160] on September 22, 2009 at 04:57:05:

In Reply to: follow-up posted by Lance [8267.8061] on September 09, 2009 at 17:12:30:

Hi Lance, how much fruit & veg are you eating? Do you eat potato & tomato?

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Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s)

Posted by Aston [1761.8160] on September 22, 2009 at 04:58:38:

In Reply to: Re: disappointed...need suggestion(s) posted by samm [1003.2765] on September 06, 2009 at 09:37:32:

Glad to see a sensible reply, this will be allergy.

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Re: follow-up

Posted by Jan DeCourtney, CMT (Happygal) [7244.8178] on September 22, 2009 at 13:16:06:

In Reply to: follow-up posted by Lance [8267.8061] on September 09, 2009 at 17:12:30:

Lance,

You just keep going with this! The 3LS and the natural stuff are long-term helps. Keep doing it and keep cleaning out your body.

On the path to health, there are ALWAYS speed bumps where it looks like things are worse again. Expect them. Just keep doing the good things. You are on the right track.

Even if doing all these things keeps you in a holding pattern and you are not getting severely worse quickly, -- this is all a success.

Hang in there! This is not easy, but your spirit is strong. Find ways to shore up how you feel on the down days. Keep a positive attitude as much as you can. Keep up the good work.

Best wishes,
Jan

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