tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70061620620335416222024-03-13T11:49:43.988+08:00Health MattersGracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-20188356838619874342013-03-27T05:09:00.003+08:002013-03-27T06:02:48.911+08:00Review of Miracle Sleep Natural Talalay Latex Mattress: It's Da BombAfter roughing it on a $70 inflatable camping mattress for 5 years, we finally broke down and splurged on a real mattress. Well, actually the inflatable mattress finally busted at the seams after I over-inflated it a bit much. So we really didn't have a choice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6guTRHlEb__N3B_SSeWNXri8iNAYTt4rstg5mQG-N6GMdtu4kby-bJhdDjoPIbFT21m2W89sM-YTu7w8LR_pXNEpgp0vkUC6Xxl2VnQ9_CFtH0Svk9fSVs9Vp86SzAT20bZfzfQKeQI/s1600/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir6guTRHlEb__N3B_SSeWNXri8iNAYTt4rstg5mQG-N6GMdtu4kby-bJhdDjoPIbFT21m2W89sM-YTu7w8LR_pXNEpgp0vkUC6Xxl2VnQ9_CFtH0Svk9fSVs9Vp86SzAT20bZfzfQKeQI/s640/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5514.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our $70 inflatable mattress served us faithfully for 5 years before busting a seam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Some background</b><br />
Knowing that I was content with an inflatable mattress, would you believe that I am a mattress snob? It's true, I am. For this, I blame my sensitivity to chemicals and odors. In the past, when I was sick (I'm all better now!), I developed MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity). MCS can be a real problem when one needs to buy a new mattress. Typically, mattresses are manufactured using a myriad of noxious chemicals (e.g. formaldehyde, glues, isocyanate from the polyurethane foam). These mattresses continue to off-gas nasty odors for months and possibly even years. No thanks.<br />
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Having MCS is an even bigger problem when on a limited student budget. So I sewed my own mattress using organic materials. It was a queen size, about 4 inches thick, and comprised layers of organic cotton batting topped with a 2 inch natural latex topper. In all, it cost $200 to make. I got a good four years out of it and brought it with me to PA when I married my dear hubs in 2008.<br />
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I guess my dear hubs wasn't a fan of my hand-made organic mattress. Because in late 2008, as a wedding gift to ourselves, Spencer bought us a brand new $500 mattress from The Original Mattress Store. It was plush and comfortable to lie on, but oh boy did it stink. I put my activated carbon blanket ($159 from <a href="http://www.nontoxic.com/activatedcarbonblanket/activatedcarbonblanket.htm" target="_blank">Nirvana Safe Haven</a>) over the mattress to help absorb the odors and that made it tolerable. But after a few months, the mattress was still off-gassing. So, we got rid of it.<br />
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Thus began the era of the Inflatable Mattress. :)<br />
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<b>Fast Forward Five Years</b><br />
I had my heart set on a Talalay natural latex mattress but most of these cost upwards of $1500 in queen size. There were also mattresses marketed as 'latex mattress' (e.g. the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051AQXZK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0051AQXZK&linkCode=as2&tag=healmatt07-20" target="_blank">$600 Ultimate Dreams Latex Mattress</a>) that are actually a combination of natural latex with a core/base of HR Foam (Polyfoam), thus not 100% latex.<br />
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I ordered this queen-sized Miracle Sleep 6 inch natural latex mattress as a set (box spring and mattress) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&keywords=miracle%20sleep%20latex%20mattress%206&linkCode=ur2&qid=1364331609&rh=k%3Amiracle%20sleep%20latex%20mattress%206%2Ci%3Agarden&tag=healmatt07-20" target="_blank">for $1000 from Amazon</a>. Getting it as a set was $200 cheaper than buying just the mattress.<br />
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This mattress has absolutely no odor. It appears well put together from quality materials. It is firm (I ordered 'firm' figuring if it was too firm I could always add a plush topper). It conforms to my side-sleeping contour yet feels nicely supportive. Among other plusses, it claims to:<br />
<ul>
<li>Reduce pressure points, disperse body heat and maintain a neutral temperature environment</li>
<li>Be antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and is dust mite resistant</li>
<li>Extremely durable, maintains it shape, no need to flip the mattress, and has a 20 year life span</li>
<li>Available in soft, medium and firm support</li>
</ul>
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I'll update a few months down the line as I get more acquainted with my new favorite purchase, but right now it's LOVE!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XPj7TiYcmCs1-axawVJf3GJ6zvHtTqlnfJ5Z2SZfKo_RudN1kf_k4-lY-fyHXz7hoO_2zPjjhTSoxRXavVR5ajIsPZ-8YdUxIYDThP2SZkhcZ-Hpvj8w3UOOq1dzfaX69MqlX4qlyEg/s1600/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XPj7TiYcmCs1-axawVJf3GJ6zvHtTqlnfJ5Z2SZfKo_RudN1kf_k4-lY-fyHXz7hoO_2zPjjhTSoxRXavVR5ajIsPZ-8YdUxIYDThP2SZkhcZ-Hpvj8w3UOOq1dzfaX69MqlX4qlyEg/s640/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5528.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box spring foundation, 6 inches of firm natural Talalay latex foam. Put on my own allergy/bed bug barrier mattress casing and topped with a plush mattress topper. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOhQk6ybIWLm1XclBeEIdmFppAZk-CeuvPri0FJ7_EiXnWXyn6g2BsA9jzCwxpg6ENBZDSZt2OWIQiMZ28wPpLyLcRf2eGb2-NvJEsSKk4B4wN8EhxNZCtNIz3IqOgvhfjAiHm5X9WbY/s1600/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOhQk6ybIWLm1XclBeEIdmFppAZk-CeuvPri0FJ7_EiXnWXyn6g2BsA9jzCwxpg6ENBZDSZt2OWIQiMZ28wPpLyLcRf2eGb2-NvJEsSKk4B4wN8EhxNZCtNIz3IqOgvhfjAiHm5X9WbY/s640/Miracle+Sleep+Natural+Latex+Mattress+Review+IMG_5529.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to tell from the pic, but the materials are good quality. No odor!</td></tr>
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Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-75899212577995405462013-02-04T09:39:00.002+08:002013-03-27T06:16:44.601+08:00Review of the Green Star Juicer: Fresh Raw Unheated Juice a Worthwhile InvestmentI've owned two Green Star Juicers in my lifetime. I bought my first one in Malaysia 15 years ago (back then it went by the name Green Power). And I bought my second one in the US eight years ago. They both still work great. True workhorses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vT9uSRGpUtm1GtqdFqcZHbHbgAV4Z3NbJfx6aZKv9r7GYAN0G4moFQC0tIbYNxDEWGt3SyCzvhZquGASGRPpEasPEFCzb_WSMIsbNXoMOJimoBBtcbrke2NQUhVYG8C8Nhz49bXD7Ws/s1600/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vT9uSRGpUtm1GtqdFqcZHbHbgAV4Z3NbJfx6aZKv9r7GYAN0G4moFQC0tIbYNxDEWGt3SyCzvhZquGASGRPpEasPEFCzb_WSMIsbNXoMOJimoBBtcbrke2NQUhVYG8C8Nhz49bXD7Ws/s640/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4539.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I did a lot of comparison shopping prior buying. I knew, from my previously experiences with centrifugal juicers, exactly what I did not want. </div>
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<b>I didn't want a centrifugal juicer because: </b></div>
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<ul>
<li>These juicers heat up quickly and in turn, 'cook' the juice. </li>
<li>The juicing action is 'violent' - the fruit/veg is shredded on a grater and hurled against the sides of the sieve/filter then centrifuged at speeds approaching Mach 4 to get the juice out. </li>
<li>Centrifugal juicers don't do a good job with leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, wheat grass.</li>
<li>The semi-cooked juice oxidizes/turns brown super quick and can't keep longer than 30 minutes. (Well you could, but it would just look and taste nasty, plus not do you much good).</li>
<li>There is typically a fair amount of wastage (wet pulp) as the centrifugal juicers aren't efficient in extracting all the juice.</li>
<li>Most centrifugal juicers don't allow for you to juice continuously - when the pulp holding container is full, you'll need to stop juicing, open it up and empty the pulp out before you can juice some more.</li>
<li>Clean up is a real drag - I don't like scrubbing the filter. At all. It takes forever.</li>
</ul>
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<b>The Green Star juicer is everything that the centrifugal juicers are not. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7oyFDTEur3pyAnXZC2JhfdcRIrTT5tQfOQz4H3BdQR6rXO9O2IcRqEIZzRxvKthn5lm4eVxxDXWkV72Bd10sRem7HirBs7gP0zgjLD3h01rbia9KxaWe0o2S3-50jVvaEkDm841fSN8/s1600/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7oyFDTEur3pyAnXZC2JhfdcRIrTT5tQfOQz4H3BdQR6rXO9O2IcRqEIZzRxvKthn5lm4eVxxDXWkV72Bd10sRem7HirBs7gP0zgjLD3h01rbia9KxaWe0o2S3-50jVvaEkDm841fSN8/s200/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4545.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twin Gears</td></tr>
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The 'twin gear' that is the heart of this very cool contraption, gently 'triturates' / 'masticates' (i.e., cuts into teeny pieces) the fruit/veg that are fed into it, at a slow speed of 100 rpm. The pulp passes into a screw press capped with a filter/sieve, which presses the juice out through the filter while the dry pulp exits at the end. This has a few pretty <span style="font-size: large;">awesome</span> results:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The juice stays unheated, because the motor and gears don't get hot.</li>
<li>The juicing action is gentle, and the resulting juice doesn't oxidize thus keeps longer. (I keep in airtight single serve glass jars for up to three days, and only need to juice twice a week).</li>
<li>The Green Star excels with leafy vegetables. I feed them down the chute and once they hit the twin gears, they get pulled right in. </li>
<li>The pulp comes out DRY. That means more juice in my tummy. And more savings, especially since I juice all organic veg/fruit.</li>
<li>I can keep juicing till the cows come home, since the pulp exits at the end and the juice comes out direct into my jug. </li>
<li>Clean up is a snap. Disassembling and rinsing and scrubbing takes two minutes or less. I swear!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnu1jyP12VCmBqvgMX-AomDEwliVIsnGViOr90RT3NAbZSBLnMF_yymoKan5WpalQUEKfp5qv0vW2HVYUycj38ftRCvFijnV1_-U9XMskCTayNztmGWmgevWFHGx1zsyDNkMgDW18VI0/s1600/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnu1jyP12VCmBqvgMX-AomDEwliVIsnGViOr90RT3NAbZSBLnMF_yymoKan5WpalQUEKfp5qv0vW2HVYUycj38ftRCvFijnV1_-U9XMskCTayNztmGWmgevWFHGx1zsyDNkMgDW18VI0/s640/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4541.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit and veg feed into chute, dry pulp comes out the end, yummy juice goes into the jug!</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Why buy a Green Star Juicer?</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Green Star gives the best value for money for what it does. At $600+, it's definitely more expensive than most centrifugal juicers, but not too far off the top-end ones like Breville, Tribest and Omega. (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=green%20star%20juice%20extractor" target="_blank">Compare prices online at Amazon</a>). But if you want to be able to juice vegetables, want to maximize juice extraction of your organic produce, don't want to waste too much time cleaning up or juicing every single day, yet want fresh juice on hand every day, then the Green Star is well worth it.</div>
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Buying a Green Star Juicer is buying into a Lifestyle of delicious, raw life-giving juice, for life hehe. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzCWM_3-4Oq4zlvuW3uXYGkpCJ3jCBoBqankDpJujbFvXNu9YGun-ANAISmeyY05cLmhR-aazE5I8C4tqaCQcNQM_GO27dh_n7eIcWMkto3ffqSKB7U2_Vll0Qdur0_unHm_AmedVwI/s1600/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzCWM_3-4Oq4zlvuW3uXYGkpCJ3jCBoBqankDpJujbFvXNu9YGun-ANAISmeyY05cLmhR-aazE5I8C4tqaCQcNQM_GO27dh_n7eIcWMkto3ffqSKB7U2_Vll0Qdur0_unHm_AmedVwI/s640/Fresh+Raw+Organic+Vegetable+Fruit+Juice+Green+Star+Juicer+IMG_4544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic celery, green apple, pineapple, carrot and lemon juice. </td></tr>
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Of course, this is merely my opinion :D</div>
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What's your favorite juicer and why? Please leave a comment!</div>
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-66323631829858051532012-08-16T00:56:00.000+08:002013-02-04T07:47:46.056+08:00Review of NQ Clarifier Air Purifier: Clean Safe Room for MCS SufferersI bought my first NQ Clarifier for $699 (free ship) in 2005. It was one of the best purchases I have made as an MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) sufferer back then.<br />
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[Update 30 Jan 2013: The current lowest price for the NQ Clarifier and parts is found at <a href="http://www.airpurifiersource.com/?acc=e4da3b7fbbce2345d7772b0674a318d5" target="_blank">Airpurifiersource.com</a>: HEPA Filter ($135), Carbon Ring ($150), UV Bulbs ($66). Use Coupon Code SCCU10 for 10% off or PURE5 for 5% off.]<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskqMIx6puxOXl_7AsLVedJvFkpBpmprV0lzwX6loRa0QAW0tNWNnjbFPpYqDB8x1flEalAcYBEhX_XHBA6OcqV0yGucIvJHdwwMcW9JcTLZCZ-ZI2QuulKnJFCqoflHilWUEB5PKLWLs/s1600/I+can+breathe+carbon+mask+MCS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskqMIx6puxOXl_7AsLVedJvFkpBpmprV0lzwX6loRa0QAW0tNWNnjbFPpYqDB8x1flEalAcYBEhX_XHBA6OcqV0yGucIvJHdwwMcW9JcTLZCZ-ZI2QuulKnJFCqoflHilWUEB5PKLWLs/s400/I+can+breathe+carbon+mask+MCS.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a fashion statement with my 'I can breathe' carbon <br />
mask, the day before my<a href="http://bloodkin.blogspot.com/2008/07/our-three-flavor-wedding.html" target="_blank"> Malaysian wedding in 2008</a>. </td></tr>
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The improvement in air quality is palpable and the machine can clean all the air in a 1500 square foot house twice every hour. This is better than other HEPA air purifiers in this price range. The top-flow design differs from that of most other air purifier brands and it seems to do a much better job at circulating the air and reducing dead spots of unpurified air in a room. The substantial 15 lb of carbon media and powerful fan pulling air through the HEPA filter and carbon media does a good job of totally absorbing all chemical odors and allergens. The purified air finally passes through a germicidal UV filtration system and comes out <i>medical grade pure </i>like what you would find in a hospital clean room.<br />
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The indicator lights tell me when I need to clean or replace the pre-filter and/or HEPA filter, and the UV bulbs. It's easy to unscrew and open the filter to change the filters and bulbs, which is good for me.<br />
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The roller wheels on this rather boxy machine facilitate moving it from room to room within the house. Even though the machine weighs 50 lbs, I have actually brought it to meeting (meeting rooms) to create a safe room for me there. Yes, I was <i>that</i> desperate. Yes, I was <i>that</i> ill. With all the mouldy off-gassing carpets and office furniture, sometimes this air purifier is the only thing that works.<br />
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<iframe align="right" frameborder="0" iframe="iframe" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=healmatt07-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B002AH9EU8" style="float: right; height: 240px; padding: 0 0 0 15px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
This machine is noisy, particularly at the highest setting. After a while I got used to the 'white noise' in my bedroom, but it might be too much for some people. I am a light sleeper and often use ear plugs when sleeping.<br />
<br />
The service provided by the company is excellent. On three occasions when I called up, I spoke with knowledgeable and friendly staff and was attended to right away. This machine has proven sturdy and reliably built for 24/7 running these seven years.<br />
<br />
I bought my second one in 2007 and gave it to my Kung Kung - it has greatly helped with his asthma.<br />
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I no longer suffer from MCS. Though I am sometimes still bothered by cigarette smoke and fragrances, they don't make me <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-gastronomic-adventures-and.html" target="_blank">violently ill as before</a>. If you're an MCS sufferer reading this, and you're sitting in your safest room in the house right now, with your world shrinking and you struggling to breathe, I totally sympathize with you. I'm among the fortunate few that actually recovered from MCS - in most people it eventually gets worse and worse, and becomes debilitating. I musta done something right :).<br />
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Please leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-17384123539296511302012-08-16T00:09:00.001+08:002012-09-15T21:25:11.429+08:00Review of Gluten Ease: Helps Intolerance to Wheat Products <br />
<b>Gluten-ed? GlutenEase to the Rescue</b><br />
If you have full-on celiac disease, and are dining out in 'high risk' places where you may accidentally be 'gluten-ed', GlutenEase could help alleviate your pain if you take a couple of capsules soon after accidental ingestion of food containing gluten. If you have gluten intolerance or sensitivity, Gluten Ease may give you the relief you are seeking, and the ability to enjoy wheat products <span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">without pain </span>or the usual side effects eg fatigue. Oh joy right? I thought so. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh to be able to enjoy this organic Chinese pineapple tart without fear and pain ... (Recipe at <a href="http://graciecooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/chinese-new-year-pineapple-tart-roll.html" target="_blank">Gracie Cooks!</a>)</td></tr>
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<b>My Experience</b><br />
I first found out about Gluten Ease when I encountered it in a natural foods store back in 2006.<br />
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I immediately bought a bottle to try (about $30 for 120 capsules), and was pleasantly surprised that it worked for me.<br />
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Now, I have never been diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but I am pretty sure that I don't tolerate wheat products well. In my food journals and on elimination diets, I observed that I felt horribly tired after eating pasta, bread and any wheat product. Furthermore, whole wheat products that I thought would be better for me would give me severe indigestion and sharp stabbing pains in my stomach, colon and bowels.<br />
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Gluten in wheat products and some grains are increasingly incriminated as causing health problems among those who are sensitive to this plant protein. It turns out that gluten sensitivity affects about 10% of the general population, and sometimes at low levels that often don't get diagnosed. Gluten doesn't just cause gastrointestinal problems but can also result in headaches and migraines, ADD and ADHD (attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity), and even joint pain.<br />
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<b>How to take Gluten Ease</b><br />
I take one Gluten Ease capsule right before consuming a small portion of wheat product (eg one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup). Since the capsule contains enzymes that digest gluten and lactose, it makes sense to take another pill if I eat more servings or if I stretch the meal out over a longer period.<br />
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I rarely feel the need to eat wheat products nowadays but it's nice to be sociable and eat food at family dinners. Gluten Ease is a great '<span style="font-size: large;">antidote</span>' that I can take and it only costs 25 cents per capsule.<br />
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Highly recommended.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: As an Amazon affiliate, I receive a small commission of product purchases you make through my links. These are products that I use personally and heartily recommend. </span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-11323426811200126902012-08-05T10:37:00.000+08:002012-09-25T10:23:53.359+08:00Review of The Antioxidant Miracle (Packer & Colman): It Really Works!I was sceptical of quackery when my Mama put this book in front of me and encouraged me to read it. Anytime anything proclaims 'Miracle', cynicism is aroused in me. Being the dutiful daughter, I promised Ma that I would review it for her. And I ended up a convert.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVQgzXwObWvXPcS-kPKRdEfz2CR9q3sFO4_dut-Kbz-pIpIJh3kpmWy_QTcustTVXAqWAHir8bEAdjLuyvGhztyIazYuZF2Qz7NYaPJqS5kqxReAceNjMp0z-_mwJAF9twnBVQYrUpZM/s1600/quack+ducktor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVQgzXwObWvXPcS-kPKRdEfz2CR9q3sFO4_dut-Kbz-pIpIJh3kpmWy_QTcustTVXAqWAHir8bEAdjLuyvGhztyIazYuZF2Qz7NYaPJqS5kqxReAceNjMp0z-_mwJAF9twnBVQYrUpZM/s200/quack+ducktor.jpg" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quack alert?</td></tr>
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Folks, this book is the real deal. Dr Lester Packer is not a medical doctor (MD). He is an extremely well-respected PhD researcher with hundreds of peer-reviewed publications under his belt. And his field of research is antioxidants. Specifically, how antioxidants combat free radicals at the cellular level and how their actions measurably decrease, even reverse aging and the progression of all sorts of diseases. His claims of 'miracle' may be off-putting to some, but are solidly backed up by the hundreds of research studies that he and his team at the University of California at Berkeley conducted over the past four decades.<br />
<br />
Being a PhD myself (albeit in entomology), I can really appreciate how well this book is written. He takes scientific data and results, which are often difficult to understand and yawn-inducing, and presented them in a lay-person-friendly, easy to understand book. Quite the page-turner. After having convincingly made the case for antioxidants, he then prescribes the simple and easy-to-follow Packer Antioxidant Regimen (Packer Plan) to readers.<br />
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The Regimen involves supplementing with alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10, vitamin E (with the full complement of tocotrieonols) and selenium, vitamin C and etc. After I finished reading the book (back in Oct 2011) I went right out and bought most of those antioxidants. The difference I felt in my energy levels was palpable and immediate (next day). The antioxidants helped bring down inflammation and eased the pain I felt from <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2009/03/summary-of-post-this-article-outlines.html" target="_blank">weaning off the steroids</a>. I guess I was not alone - testimonials from enthused people abound on the internet.<br />
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The book goes into detail about each antioxidant and how it works by itself and also in synergy with the other 'network' antioxidants. The basic plan reads like this: in the morning: 100 mg tocotrienols, 200 mg mixed tocopherols, 30 mg CoQ10, 50 mg lipoic acid, 250 mg ester C, 400 mcg folic acid, 300 mcg biotin, 2 mg B6. In the evening: 200 mg natural alpha tocopherol, 50 mg lipoic acid, 250 mg ester C, 30 mg gingko biloba, 200 mcg selenium.<br />
<br />
I still take the antioxidants as a preventative measure against recurrence of <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-disease-defines-me.html" target="_blank">my autoimmune illness</a>. And on particularly stressful days, I double up on the ALA.<br />
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I hope you will give the Packer Plan a try, particularly if you are plagued by autoimmune illness. It won't hurt you, you have nothing to lose, and the antioxidants can be found reasonably priced most anywhere. I've found the Swanson brand to be cheap, good, and favorably reviewed, so that's what I have been buying. But there are many other brands that you could try. Just try it! Would love to know how it worked for you.Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-10837504695185880992012-01-01T17:01:00.003+08:002012-08-04T22:26:49.899+08:00Reminiscing: Lessons Learnt Weaning off SteroidsHello there! It's been a while since I updated this blog. I've been busy managing my illness while dabbling in Triathlons (see my other blog <a href="http://gracestribulations.blogspot.com/">Grace's Tribulations</a>).<br />
<br />
I want to thank all of you who have written in, shared your experiences, asked questions and encouraged me these past few years. I received many requests for the '<a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2011/06/pulse-and-stretch-protocol-for-weaning.html">Pulse and Stretch Protocol</a>' (the Protocol), which I finally got down to posting this year. I continue to recommend (very highly) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dr James Wilson's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890572152/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1890572152">Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1890572152" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (<a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-book-for-adrenal-fatigue.html" target="_blank">my Review HERE</a>) to all my readers and from feedback received from various ones of you, this book is the goods!</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
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One thing I've somewhat come to terms with is that my autoimmune illness, Henoch Schonlein Purpura, is something that I may have to manage for the rest of my life. However, I absolutely believe this can be done without steroids.<br />
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I actually thought myself 'cured' of HSP in 2007 so it crushed me when I relapsed (under extraordinary stress) in 2009. I had to go back on hydrocortisone and this time found it impossible to wean off, despite my best efforts adhering to the Protocol. I never gave up but it was rough. My lowest point was the winter of Dec 2009, sick as a dog, bloated with steroids, chilled and depressed. In desperation, to escape the cold, I went down south to Florida where I camped out for three months in the Everglades! An unforseen turn of events saw me back in Malaysia from July 2010 where I continued trying to wean off the hydrocortisone.<br />
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It is now 2012, and I am thrilled to report that this is day 37 Steroid Free. Not only that, I have <i>abs </i>(See pic below)! Not quite a six pack yet, but my point is that I am in the best physical shape I've been in my 36 years on this Planet. What's more, I may at last, actually, really, be on my way to getting completely better! And I believe I'm much the wiser for all that I've been through.<br />
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<b>Does the Pulse and Stretch Protocol really work? </b><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
In my experience, YES. But other stress factors need to be addressed at the same time. Looking back at my journal, these were the biggies:<br />
<ol>
<li><i>Sleep</i>. Anytime I slept less than 8 hours a night, it hurt my efforts to taper (read: Relapse)</li>
<li><i>Diet</i>. Carbs exhausted me, and so did anything fried or processed. Not keeping regular mealtimes would be a huge stress on my body.</li>
<li><i>Fresh, clean air</i>. Environmental pollutants (cigarette smoke, perfumes, any chemicals etc) were a major stress on my body (having to detoxify them).</li>
</ol>
I could not wean off until I had simultaneously taken care of those three things.<br />
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I am now living in an apartment right next to the 1600 ha Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve. The air is pristine.<br />
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I get a good 8+ hours a night, with the help of ear plugs and melatonin (I'm a very light sleeper. Plus it can be difficult to sleep when one has low levels of cortisol typical of peeps trying to wean off steroids).<br />
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My normal diet consists of raw and lightly cooked foods, very little carbs. Breakfast is four poached Omega eggs. Important: I take breakfast soon after waking. Lunch is organic salad topped with plenty of poached free range chicken <a href="http://graciecooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/poached-chicken-wild-rocket-salad.html">(recipe here</a>). Dinner is chicken soup with fresh pork meatballs and heaps of vegetables. At the moment I have also been supplementing with the Packer Antioxidant Regimen (see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&keywords=the%20antioxidant%20miracle%20lester%20packer&tag=healmatt07-20&index=aps&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" target="_blank">Antioxidant Miracle </a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Prof Dr Lester Packer) and feel it is helpful. Also, since I have been working out at least an hour daily, I have found that my body handles carbs (e.g. honey, rice) if eaten immediately after exercising.<br />
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I'll wrap up here, but will be posting monthly updates (here or on one of my other blogs) so stay tuned and keep those questions/comments coming!<br />
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A click on any ad below this post will put a few cents in my pocket, from the advertisers. Thanks for supporting my blog!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>xo Grace</i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Ttfg30oPE/TwAh6LbV1SI/AAAAAAAAMuQ/vq_9ghmCDMw/s1600/20111227+The+Dusun++%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Ttfg30oPE/TwAh6LbV1SI/AAAAAAAAMuQ/vq_9ghmCDMw/s640/20111227+The+Dusun++%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-88865570203465717782011-08-07T15:54:00.007+08:002012-10-02T04:16:46.378+08:00Thank you for Supporting My Blog!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks so much for stopping by<b> Health Matters</b>! I get lots of feedback from readers thanking me for sharing my experience weaning off steroids. I am glad that my blog has encouraged and helped good folks like you. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The content on my blog does not replace a doctor's visit, but readers have told me they have benefited hugely from the things I shared - oftentimes even more than what they would have gained from (their limited) face-time with a physician. For those of you who have benefited from my blog, donations (any amount) are much appreciated! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quoting from one reader: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"I, for one, have never gotten any useful advice in the doctor's office about weaning off prednisone. I think the effort a writer puts into a useful piece of information is certainly worth the price of a copay to the doctor's office or the copay on a prescription." Sandra M., New Mexico</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a real person, though not an M.D.. I have suffered as a patient, so I can empathize with your suffering too. Beyond my personal experience on my journey to wellness, I may not be able to advise you on your specific medical condition. However I will always reply to your emails and sign off with a hug. </span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-35337125418818956632011-06-22T22:44:00.008+08:002013-12-31T05:03:45.916+08:00Pulse and Stretch Protocol for Weaning off Hydrocortisone or Prednisone<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Summary of Post</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here I give <i>part</i> of the Protocol specifically for Hydrocortisone to get you started. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px;">Much effort and time has gone into writing this Protocol, which is original content put to the test by myself and also used by hundreds of other readers with whom I have shared it. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Is this Protocol for you? </b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
Protocol should be useful to you if you have been on steroids long-term
(more than 6 months). If you have been taking steroids for only a few
months, you should be able to taper much faster (following your doctor's
advice) and won't need this Protocol.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Protocol can be adapted to Prednisone, although in my experience it is easier to wean off Hydrocortisone due to its shorter biologic half-life. (To wean off Prednisone, divide the dosages by 4 or use a handy </span><a href="http://www.globalrph.com/steroid.cgi" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">corticosteroid conversion calculator</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">). </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">To facilitate weaning if you
are on dexamethasone or corticosteroids with longer biologic half-lives, first switch to prednisone, then if possible, to hydrocortisone.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have successfully tapered quicker than given in the Protocol, by drastically decreasing stress and increasing rest (read about my lifestyle changes <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2009/03/summary-of-post-this-article-outlines.html">HERE</a>). It really depends on your body and how well you listen to it. I welcome you to </span><a href="mailto:gracetabithalim@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">email me</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> or </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">leave a comment on my blog</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> if you have any questions and I will get back to you, usually within a day or two. I get half a dozen emails weekly and take time to consider and respond to each one. In return for my time, please do consider leaving me a tip ('Tip Jar' button on right side bar). </span></div>
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<b>Testimonial from a reader</b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefdfa; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i><b><span style="color: blue;">"I, for one, have never gotten any useful advice in the doctor's office about weaning off prednisone. I think the effort a writer puts into a useful piece of information is certainly worth the price of a copay to the doctor's office or the copay on a prescription." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;">(Sandy M., New Mexico)</span></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">IMPORTANT: Consult a
licensed health care provider before embarking on this regimen or using any
supplement in combination with, or in lieu of any Rx drug. </span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>About Hydrocortisone and Cortisol</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hydrocortisone
(HCT) is an important, potent and potentially dangerous R<sub>x</sub> drug.
Once you take 20-40 mg per day, your adrenal cortex stops producing its own
cortisol altogether. Cortisol is the adrenal hormone that HCT and other
corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone, etc) simulate. The adrenal cortex may stop producing cortisol when a person is taking 20 mg a day of HCT, while for another person, natural cortisol production may stop when that person is taking 40 mg a day of HCT. Every person is different but the point remains - put in enough
of the (synthetic) corticosteroids and the body will halt its own production of the real
thing. Dexamethasone and prednisolone have a much longer biologic half-life than HCT and suppress
the adrenal glands for a longer period of time. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you have
been on HCT a long time (more than 5 years), at doses of more than 20 mg/day
your adrenal cortex may be </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;">badly
damaged</span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">. Cortisol, the natural corticosteroid produced by the adrenal cortex,
is necessary for survival. If the adrenal cortex is permanently damaged you
will have to take HCT or a similar drug indefinitely. Ask your doctor about the synacthen test to
see how well (or if) your adrenal glands are working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Before Starting the Protocol</span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">I assume you will start your weaning at a dose of 40 mg per day (STEP 1,
see ‘The Protocol’ below). For most of you, this is your ‘maintenance dose’,
i.e., the minimum dose you take to stay symptom-free. Most people are able to
take fairly large reductions in dose above STEP 1. If you are taking 60 mg per
day, you will need to cut down your dose gradually, until you are at 40 mg,
before starting this Protocol. If you are currently on 25 mg, start at STEP
4. Start your weaning at the
corresponding STEP for your current dose.</span></div>
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<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> <iframe align="right" frameborder="0" iframe="" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=healmatt07-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1890572152&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</span></span><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">You should be on a relatively ‘clean’ diet (i.e., no caffeine, other stimulants, recreational
drugs, etc.) Relatively ‘clean’ lifestyle (i.e., nonsmoking, no alcohol at
this time, etc.). You should also identify all sources of stress in your life (e.g., relationship, emotional, physical, lack of sleep) and implement changes to minimize this stress. The aim here is to reduce the ‘overhead’ on the body
system and enhance both the speed and extent of your success. For more details
on lifestyle changes, please read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890572152/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1890572152">Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1890572152" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Dr James Wilson (I review the book </span><a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-book-for-adrenal-fatigue.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 14.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 14.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">. I don’t get commissions from Dr Wilson if
you buy his book! I actually reviewed it after I had successfully weaned off
HCT myself through trial and error, and it would have helped me <i>hugely</i> if I had
his book earlier. It’s all there, so please read it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">HCT is available in 10 mg tablets. Use a pill cutter to split a tablet down
to 1/8 size (0.125 mg).....</span><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">4.</span><br />
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">5.</span><br />
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">6.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>(the remaining three Notes can be found in the full Protocol, see below) </b> </span><br />
<b><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;">THE PROTOCOL</span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<b><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">STEP 1.</span></b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7006162062033541622" name="step1"></a><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Take your routine dose of HCT daily for two weeks. Take it at the
same time every day. Make sure you are stable.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 2.</b> After two weeks, reduce your dose by 5 mg You are now at 35
mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after
the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the
discomfort settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 3.</b> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 5 mg. You are now at 30
mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after
the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the
discomfort settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 4.</b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7006162062033541622" name="step4"></a> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 5 mg.
You are now at 25 mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that
within 3 days after the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the
new dose the discomfort settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 5.</b> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 5 mg. You are now at 20
mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after
the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the
discomfort settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 6.</b> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 2.5 mg. You are now at
17.5 mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days
after the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the
discomfort settles down.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;">NOTE: CHANGE IN DROP QUANTITY.</span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<b><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">STEP 7.</span></b><span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 2.5 mg. You are now at 15 mg.
Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after the
drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the discomfort
settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 8.</b> After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 2.5 mg. You are now at
12.5 mg. Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days
after the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the
discomfort settles down.<br />
<br />
<b>STEP 9.</b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7006162062033541622" name="step11"></a> Things often start to get dicey from
here on out. At about 12 ± mg, your body has to start producing its own
corticosteroids. This is where you start "stretching" or
"pulsing".........</span><br />
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="MS" style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO07iJ-IWxkn8TZrgKYitkyyyz3pDbuq7T4Den1WRdp1fdmxAaz8Qhoyigezv1diF6j_K5lL7MlEOeoTmIe71XIpQJpUSF7fKdialzoo6xkL8R4VwEanYeVG8nDchm5DJGaFl0PHrAIA/s1600/Pulse+and+Stretch+Protocol+for+weaning+off+steroids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO07iJ-IWxkn8TZrgKYitkyyyz3pDbuq7T4Den1WRdp1fdmxAaz8Qhoyigezv1diF6j_K5lL7MlEOeoTmIe71XIpQJpUSF7fKdialzoo6xkL8R4VwEanYeVG8nDchm5DJGaFl0PHrAIA/s200/Pulse+and+Stretch+Protocol+for+weaning+off+steroids.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Note: The Protocol continues up to STEP 14. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can receive via email the full six page PDF of the Pulse and Stretch Protocol with a secure Paypal payment of $10 below. Your donation will help offset my costs, i.e., hours spent responding to questions on how to wean off steroids. I have been giving my time for free for the past eight years, but I could really use some money now. Thank you for your understanding and your support!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-83469704514068467402010-05-03T04:03:00.002+08:002020-10-14T07:10:39.829+08:00Good book for adrenal fatigue<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=healmatt07-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1890572152&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>The best book I've read so far on understanding adrenal function and recovering from adrenal fatigue is "Adrenal Fatigue: the 21st Century Stress Syndrome" by<br />
<div class="author">
James L. Wilson, Johnathan V. Wright. </div>
<br />
In a nutshell this is a lay-person format, reader-friendly book written by a REAL doctor who specializes in treating folks with adrenal insufficiency. It gives case studies that you would be surprised may read like your own life, and step-by-step guidance on what lifestyle changes are needed to restore the functioning and health of your adrenal glands. For those who are looking to <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2009/03/summary-of-post-this-article-outlines.html" target="_blank">wean off steroids </a>such as hydrocortisone, prednisone and other corticosteroids, this book is going to be a huge help. I came across this book only after successfully weaning off myself after years of self-guinea-pigging. Listed in the book are many of the lifestyle changes that I myself learnt through trial and error. So spare yourself re-inventing the wheel and just read this!<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span><br />Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-80520491306225120052009-03-10T06:13:00.012+08:002013-02-04T07:20:44.551+08:00Weaning Off Prednisone, Hydrocortisone Corticosteroids<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Summary of Post</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">This article outlines my regimen and steps I took to wean off steroids after nearly <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/me-and-my-steroids.html">9 years on steroids</a>. A 'no carb' Atkin's type diet and strict management of all forms of stress (physical, emotional, pollutants, etc) were central to my successful tapering off steroids (following the <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2011/06/pulse-and-stretch-protocol-for-weaning.html" target="_blank">Pulse and Stretch Protocol</a>) and full recovery. Today, I remain in full remission from Henoch Schonlein Purpura. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">An Important Disclaimer</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I am not a medical doctor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
My Credentials</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">My PhD is in Entomology, all my operations have been on insects, and I have a 0% survival rate (all my subjects expired). No wait. That’s not very reassuring. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ok, take two. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I am intelligent, and a very persistent researcher. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I am good about pulling together information from many sources and putting it down in plain English. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I know what is like to be sick and desperate for a cure. (<a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-disease-defines-me.html">Read about my disease here</a>).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Best of all, I am an ex-patient! In fact I am training for<a href="http://gracestribulations.blogspot.com/2009/02/tri-ing-for-me.html"> my first triathlon</a> this year!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I testify that YES it is possible to reactivate ‘dormant’ adrenal glands and wean off long term steroid dependency. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
Use it or Lose it: Your Adrenal Glands</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">If you have been on steroids for many years, the adrenal glands – your body’s own producer of steroids – will likely not be working well. Your adrenals’ duty is to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">produce cortisol to counter stress in your life, so eating synthetic versions of this hormone (such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, dexamethosone and etc) signals your adrenals to “Stop making cortisol!” because there’s plenty floating around in your blood. Over years taking steroids daily, the adrenals atrophy from not being called on to produce cortisol (‘use it or lose it’). This is why your doctor warns you not to stop taking steroids abruptly. He is absolutely right. If you stop suddenly, your weakened adrenals won’t be able to produce the cortisol needed to keep you alive and you will have an adrenal crisis. Don’t even think about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
The Key to Reviving Adrenal Glands </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaCJTjU3_KqS8L830qM9kzX9-i-U140zusgckqY7pe_3L2NoilXKiVpTdNlXJuXSFS0dAxOjb__5p_9yANaLiN6VZ4Fk8Dg4fUP7__L8-pbxjLI-zRi44G4K4o_gYuZlqxiQMttQgD9k/s1600/No+Stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaCJTjU3_KqS8L830qM9kzX9-i-U140zusgckqY7pe_3L2NoilXKiVpTdNlXJuXSFS0dAxOjb__5p_9yANaLiN6VZ4Fk8Dg4fUP7__L8-pbxjLI-zRi44G4K4o_gYuZlqxiQMttQgD9k/s200/No+Stress.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">The answer is simple. NO STRESS. In this, I don’t mean ‘don’t get stressed out’, or ‘hey no worries matey’. Think about every sort of stress your body could be exposed to in addition to ‘stressing out’. Death of a loved one, a divorce or breakup probably come to mind as stressful, but not getting enough sleep, eating junk foods, smoking, drinking and polluted work/living conditions are also stressful. (Read more on how stress does a number on your adrenals in my upcoming posts). To support adrenal functioning is important for every person, and even more if you are trying to wean off steroid dependency. You will need to reduce the ‘overhead’ stress in your life, big time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
My Personal Regimen </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">All of what I did is based on my understanding of how the HPA-axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis) works and natural cortisol production. I’ll go in depth in a future post but right now I’m going to lay out my life for you to pick apart!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sleep.</span> Getting enough sleep and at the right times was very important. I would be in bed by 10 pm, and asleep by 11 pm. I would stay in bed as long as I needed to, at least until 8 am. Total hours of sleep: 10 hours a night.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Diet.</span> I ate no sugar and no carbohydrates. ‘What? No pasta, rice, bread, candy, cakes, pastries…?’ Yep. Nope. Yep. Cortisol is used in metabolizing sugars, and eating sugar and carbs (which end up as sugars) stresses out the adrenals by making them work harder to produce cortisol. Instead, I ate organic protein foods, good fats and veggies. Breakfast would be four Omega-3 DHA eggs scrambled in 2 T of extra virgin organic olive oil. Lunch would be free range organic chicken with a salad (<a href="http://graciecooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/poached-chicken-wild-rocket-salad.html" target="_blank">Recipe HERE</a>), and same with dinner. Raw unrefined sea salt made everything taste delicious. I have a gazillion recipes that I will save for future posts!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Living environment.</span> Fortunately I lived right next to a forest and had fresh unpolluted air. This was extremely important. My body didn’t have to deal with the added stress of detoxifying pollutants, while on this regimen to kick-start the adrenals. I also used organic and natural body care and household cleaning products. The regular products contain petrochemicals (artificial fragrances), preservatives and other additives that add to the toxic ‘overhead’ the body is exposed to. Don’t need any of that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Exercise.</span> Uh oh. Did I say exercise? Don’t worry, it’s not anything hardcore. Actually it would be a bad idea to physically stress yourself too much anyway – stress is a Bad Word at this point. Now wasn’t that just what you wanted to hear? Vigorous daily walks that get the blood flowing did me lots of good during the tapering. Toxins get flushed out by sweating and deep breathing!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">That’s it! My personal regimen was pretty straightforward. I did all that while I tapered off the steroids (gradually reduced my dosage). I started the regimen in Nov 2007 and was completely steroid free in 6 months. In the years after, whenever I relapsed due to extra-stressful times, I have used this protocol (and variations of it) to wean off the steroids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Ever heard of the <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2011/06/pulse-and-stretch-protocol-for-weaning.html">Pulse and Stretch Protocol</a>? It’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to wean off the steroids and provides information on how fast to wean, how much to reduce the dose by, and what to expect while tapering. I have <i>slaved over countless drafts</i> of it while all of you waited so patiently and I am so glad to announce that it is finally here! (Read more about the Protocol <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2011/06/pulse-and-stretch-protocol-for-weaning.html">HERE</a>). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">(Update: Folks who are serious about weaning off steroids, the best and most helpful book I've read is Dr James Wilson's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890572152/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1890572152">Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1890572152" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (<a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2010/05/good-book-for-adrenal-fatigue.html" target="_blank">my Review HERE</a>). It would have spared me years of guinea-pigging myself if I woulda just read it first, no kidding! One of the best $10 I ever spent.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-83002928591360144692008-01-30T22:25:00.048+08:002020-10-14T07:11:49.974+08:00My Gastronomic (Mis) Adventures<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Summary of this post</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I talk about the many diets that I tried on my path to wellness, particularly after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 1999, <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-disease-defines-me.html">Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP)</a>. Falling sick changed a lot of what I eat. I believed food could be my medicine and it was possible certain foods also contributed to my illness. Over fourteen years I have tried these diets/therapies: elimination diet, food combining, vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, Gerson Cancer Therapy, raw meat, Atkins. What worked and what didn't? Read on.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Before the HSP</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Food combining (1992) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why:</span> I suffered borderline health issues: chronic eczema, hives and indigestion that kept me up at night. Eating protein and carbohydrates separately was supposed to aid digestion (more info on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_combining">food combining</a>). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> This diet helped even though there really isn't much supporting hard evidence. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Elimination diet (1992 - 1993)</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I suspected problem foods I had trouble digesting. I kept a detailed food journal and ate only rice, sweet potatoes and chicken before adding on other foods one by one and observing how I felt. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> I didn't notice any difference in my digestion or my skin problems nor gluten intolerance symptoms, which developed later on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helpful resource: </span>Years later, in 2006, I learnt a better way of effectively implementing the elimination diet through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Food-Allergies-Intolerance-Identification-Treatment/dp/0892818751?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Food Allergies and Food Intolerance: The Complete Guide to Their Identification and Treatment</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0892818751" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /> by Jonathan Brostoff (MD). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Undergrad student diet (1994 - 1998)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>With limited finances, I ate simple home-cooked rice, fish, meat and vegetable meals. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> I was very sleepy after meals, but thought it was normal. Student life was very stressful and I made the best of things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Borneo Raleigh Expedition diet (1998)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why:</span> Well, I didn't intentionally embark on this diet of tinned food, instant noodles, carbs and anti-malarial pills washed down with heavily chlorinated water. It was a 3 month scientific jungle expedition (Prince William was on one of those expeditions too!). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> I had the time of my life, but also got sicker. My skin erupted with itchy sores.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Juice and (mostly) vegetarian diet (1999)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Why: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Juice Extractor</span><iframe align="right" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=healmatt07-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0000ZP3MA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I read about the benefits of juicing and reasoned that consuming exogenous enzymes instead of depleting my endogenous enzymes sounded pretty good. I bought a Green Star . I went on juice fasts, ate organic produce and salads.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> Great. My digestion improved but my arms and legs remained covered with sores that itched all the time. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helpful resources: </span>I've used the Green Star for 8 years and I own two. It is the best out there for producing high-quality life-giving vegetable and/or fruit juices. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=green%20star%20juice%20extractor" target="_blank">Click here to compare Green Star prices</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" />. Cherie Calbom's 'Juicing for Life: A Guide to the Benefits of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juicing' is an excellent book to get you started. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=juicing%20for%20life%20a%20guide%20to%20the%20benefits%20of%20fresh%20fruit%20and%20vegetable%20juicing" target="_blank">Compare prices for 'Juicing for Life'</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /> (Used paperbacks, 63 cents on Amazon). Or read a <a href="http://www.living-foods.com/articles/whyjuice.html">brief juicing intro here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">After the HSP diagnosis</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Raw vegan diet (2000 - 2001)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>Based on this <a href="http://www.living-foods.com/articles/livingfoods.html">living food article</a>, raw vegetables and fruit in salads and juices, plus sprouted grains, would put me back on the path to perfect health. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt: </span>I was floating on air - light-headed almost - but I felt hungry all the time and lost weight (90 lbs on a 5'6" frame). I got no better. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.gerson.org/g_therapy/default.asp">Gerson Cancer Therapy</a> (2002)</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I didn't have cancer but I thought it might help since it had healed terminally ill cancer patients, including a friend of mine. I continued a semi-raw vegan diet, but added that potassium broth, which was cooked. I also did daily coffee enemas (Here's an okay book you can pick up at Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Give-Get-Coffee-Enema/dp/1440007799?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"> "How To Give or Get a Coffee Enema: Coffee Enemas - Recipes, Tips and Techniques")</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1440007799" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /> to stimulate my bile gland to detoxify (toxins to be eliminated via kidneys, bowel and skin). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> I was real high from all that caffeine! I didn't get better. In fact I had to stop the enemas during my frequent relapses because the water absorbed through my colon made me swollen (edema) in my state of hypoalbuminuria (resulting from prolonged proteinuria). I realise now that this therapy is probably not good for adrenal fatigue or adrenal suppressed people like me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Juicing, 60% raw, omnivorous diet (2003 - mid 2004) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I was tired of being hungry all the time! I added cooked carbohydrates to my diet, and later fish, chicken and eggs. I mixed and matched different food groups and continued reading and thinking and observing how I felt after eating. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> Satisfied, but tired after meals. Indigestion went away and the skin flareups happened only during relapses, which unfortunately were frequent. I wasn't making any progress weaning off the steroids. At that time I was on Cyclosporin (100 mg bd, a potent steroid-sparing immune suppressant usually prescribed to organ transplant patients) and Prednisone (15 mg bd = 15 mg daily). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Raw milk and olive oil, steroid switch (2004)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I also started dousing my salads with organic cold-pressed olive oil (read <a href="http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/olive-oil.htm">benefits summary</a>) and drinking raw cow's milk after reading about <a href="http://www.realmilk.com/healthbenefits.html">raw milk benefits</a>. I switched over to Hydrocortisone (HCT, 60 mg bd), which I read had fewer side effects than Prednisone, and I had stopped taking Cyclosporin because I didn't think it helped. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span> I felt pretty good but wasn't able to go below 40 mg bd without relapsing. I relapsed every time I got a sore throat or flu. One memorable relapse was triggered by exposure to cement dust. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">80% raw organic food diet (2004 - 2005)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I had access to great organic foods because I moved to the United States to pursue my PhD in Entomology (check out my other related blogs:<a href="http://bloodkin.blogspot.com/2004/07/can-carry-meh.html">Bloodkin</a> and <a href="http://antomologist.blogspot.com/2008/02/good-bugs-bad-bugs-entomophobia.html">Antomologist</a>). I added organic meats and carbohydrates. I stopped the coffee enemas because I didn't feel I benefited from them. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt: </span>I relapsed a couple of times despite having a Sharper Image ionic air purifier in my one-room apartment, which smelled of cooking fumes and cigarette smoke because of the poor ventilation system. The ionic air purifier is highly efficient in eliminating odors and settling (by attracting) dust and other airborne particles and I think it's a good product, just not for a person in my condition. <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=lAVI1Zt*GpM&offerid=186524.10000588&type=3&subid=0">Visit SharperImage.com</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=lAVI1Zt*GpM&bids=186524.10000588&type=3&subid=0" width="1" /> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Sharper%20Image%20ionic%20breeze%20quadra" target="_blank">Compare prices for the Ionic Breeze Quadra</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Raw meat (Primal or Paleolithic) diet (2005 - 2006)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I was getting desperate. No success weaning off steroids for five years. I stumbled across <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Pietrosperoni/Primal_diet">the Primal Diet</a> in my web searches and stuck to it for a year. It was a horrifying on-the-fringes-of-society anti-social diet where I would eat about 2 pounds of free-range raw bison or deer meat and organs, and raw eggs washed down with raw milk, raw celery juice a day. By this time I had moved into a cozy country home with hardwood floors so no carpet to breed dust mites or off-gas fumes. However, a strong cement smell permeated the entire house possibly from the cement factory behind the house. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><iframe align="right" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=healmatt07-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000EOBPPQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: right; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><b>How I felt</b>: </span>Fantastic. I was never hungry, my digestive problems were a thing of the past and I had boundless energy. I managed to reduce my dose to 30 mg bd HCT! Unfortunately it was difficult to stick with because it was erm... 'anti-social'. I continued to relapse, probably because I was always at the lowest 'maintenance' dose (that prevents relapse) so any additional stress would tip the balance and send me into relapse. I became sensitive to chemical fragrances in household and body care products and other petrochemicals. I got nauseous and disoriented. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helpful resource:</span> Installing the NQ Clarifier Air Purifier in the house <i>dramatically </i>improved its air quality to 'safe room' type standards. I breathed easier and my brain fog cleared. It was boxy and industrial-looking but was value for money. The machine ran 24/7 and cost pennies a day. You may also be curious or desperate enough to pick up Aajonus Vanderplanitz's mind-blowing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/We-Want-Live-Primal-Expanded/dp/1889356107?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">We Want to Live: The Primal Diet (2005 Expanded Edition)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1889356107" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Raw meat diet plus some cooked food (2006)</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I was cold! In the winter I started cooking hearty warming soups. I also ate a little bread and rice. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt: </span>Extreme fatigue the morning after consuming cooked food. Whole wheat bread gave me tummy and bowel pain. After conducting a mini elimination diet with the carbohydrate-based foods, my boyfriend and I deduced that wheat products were the culprit, not cooked food. Unfortunately, I developed more chemical sensitivities (printer toner, photocopy machines, magazines, newsprint) in addition to existing ones (gas, mothballs, formaldehyde in pressed wood and newspapers, perfume and cigarette smoke). The doctor said I probably had MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, read <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-disease-defines-me.html">my personal experience with Henoch Schonlein Purpura here</a> ) but didn't know how to treat me. I could not tolerate any dose lower than 30 mg bd. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Helpful resource:</span> As mentioned previously, "Food Allergies and Food Intolerance" by Jonathan Brostoff (MD) was essential in helping me self-diagnose gluten intolerance through the elimination diet. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Food-Allergies-Intolerance-Identification-Treatment/dp/0892818751?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Check out the book on Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0892818751" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">50% raw meat plus cooked food diet (2006 - 2007)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>The (anti-social) 100% Primal diet was too difficult to follow. I still drank green juices and ate fruit. I focused on reducing my environmental pollutant overhead so my body could devote its energy to healing (and reducing the steroids) instead of detoxifying its daily chemical load. I seldom ate wheat products but when I did, I took these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enzymedica-GLUTENEASE-Glutenease-60-capsules/dp/B001395IC2?ie=UTF8&tag=healmatt07-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Enzymedica Glutenease Capsules</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=healmatt07-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001395IC2" style="border: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1" /> (costs less than 50 cents per 'antidote' capsule) that improved my digestive ability. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">How I felt:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"> No more pain or discomfort from the occasional wheat product meal, but tiredness next morning if I ate too much. My MCS had progressed to where I could hardly venture out to shopping malls without feeling ill from the perfumes, air fresheners and other odors. It seemed I was up against a brick wall and my body, weakened with every relapse, was deteriorating faster than it could heal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Atkins-type high protein diet, post-PhD, Malaysia (end 2007 - now) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why: </span>I continued to comb medical journals and text books to better understand adrenal gland functioning and trolled web resources to get ideas on how to wean off steroids. My current diet and lifestyle is supported by good science, some less reliable internet information, common sense and discipline. From Jun-Oct 2007, during which I relapsed frequently on 30 mg bd HCT, I put pieces of the puzzle together and gradually worked out a solid tapering regimen and diet (details in next post!). I started this diet Oct 2007. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I felt: </span>In 3 months I had successfully reduced my dose to 12.5 mg bd HCT! I was over the moon! Bear in mind, for 8 years I had never gone below 30 mg. My MCS seems to have lessened in severity now as well. The diet and lifestyle regimen has been a huge success so far. (Update 25 July 2012: I'm on a flexible low carb diet now, and steroid-free!).</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07P3xynf0BND1MkjH96XKAGc6m8fUBNj9nKLjlZgFH35R3XdkVwzqNyiH3f209T1mlx9Z9KCBnaKUXDpSVjPyV59ov111vEHz46r83jr2rLMd3qbBa56tfuELG3R9vZq_lsTKFNHEyrs/s1600/organic+poached+chicken+salad+apple+cider+vinegar+raw+honey+olive+oil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07P3xynf0BND1MkjH96XKAGc6m8fUBNj9nKLjlZgFH35R3XdkVwzqNyiH3f209T1mlx9Z9KCBnaKUXDpSVjPyV59ov111vEHz46r83jr2rLMd3qbBa56tfuELG3R9vZq_lsTKFNHEyrs/s640/organic+poached+chicken+salad+apple+cider+vinegar+raw+honey+olive+oil.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic free range poached chicken and wild rocket salad dressed with raw apple cider vinegar, raw honey, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Recipe at <a href="http://graciecooks.blogspot.com/2011/08/poached-chicken-wild-rocket-salad.html" target="_blank">Gracie Cooks!</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-81851469193795078882008-01-26T20:44:00.007+08:002020-10-14T07:11:31.249+08:00Me and my steroids<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Summary of this post</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I write about why I was prescribed steroids and side effects of these steroids that I have experienced. Yet, these drugs have only suppressed the symptoms and I still relapse from my autoimmune illness Henoch Schonlein Purpura that afflicts me. I describe what to look out for in a relapse and common triggers. I write about my worst relapse but end on a positive note. (Update 25 July 2012: Read my success story <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2009/03/summary-of-post-this-article-outlines.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-weight: bold;">Me and my steroids</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Believe me, when I say 'my steroids', I do not refer to an acquaintance of which I am fond. I do not like taking these pills into my body. I do not think "Ah, this is going to make me all better". </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Steroids are not the cure.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT5ut3mX-bETvtNR1LkhdyIkQs_ihkpqUz1HtouJiE4yym-keyiMZ4KYscwZKIFz9fIyDbuXXKxJfqX4BWUUtWXc4Q8acO5CwE9YjOEGMgJl8F6QsEFzeyq8DY7TOu-3upIFnUx2jtwY/s1600/how+to+wean+off+steroids+hydrocortisone+prednisone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggT5ut3mX-bETvtNR1LkhdyIkQs_ihkpqUz1HtouJiE4yym-keyiMZ4KYscwZKIFz9fIyDbuXXKxJfqX4BWUUtWXc4Q8acO5CwE9YjOEGMgJl8F6QsEFzeyq8DY7TOu-3upIFnUx2jtwY/s640/how+to+wean+off+steroids+hydrocortisone+prednisone.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh how I hate having to take these little white pills</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I have been on steroids for nine years. Prednisone was first prescribed to me in 1999 to 'cure' me of</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">the nephrotic syndrome symptomatic of my Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) flare-ups and I have been dependent on it to keep me in remission ever since (HSP is an autoimmune disease similar to Systemic Lupus Erythomasus SLE and IgA Nephropathy IgAN). I was taking Pred together with Cyclosporin (capsules) from 2002 to 2004. I then switched over to Hydrocortisone alone from 2004 to now. Cyclosporin is also taken by organ transplant patients to suppress the immune system and prevent organ rejection. The drug was prescribed to help suppress my immune system so that I would need less Pred, thus sparing me the side effects of the Pred. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Side effects of Corticosteroids.</span> Prednisone and other corticosteroids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) cause a bunch of nasty side effects: osteoporosis, cataracts, weight gain, mood swings, depression, deafness, muscle weakness, skin thinning, easy bruising, facial hair growth, sensitivity to pain, kidney problems, and the list goes on. I remember the side effects easily because I experienced at least one of them at some point and quite a few of them right now. I have paper thin skin, ‘egg-shell’ bones, and bruise very easily. When I was on Pred, I also had this 'tummy', which looked odd on skinny me, but not as odd as my melon-head moon face on a stick-thin neck. My appetite was huge when on Pred, but I never gained weight because I ate carefully (read about my <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-gastronomic-adventures-and.html">gastronomic (mis)adventures here</a>). I had mood swings when on the higher doses: euphoria and elation, depression and suicidal thoughts. After I switched over to Hydrocortisone (5 mg Pred = 20 mg Hydrocortisone), my moon face receded and my distended abdomen flattened out, which was nice because I felt more normal again. This very pleasant ‘normal’ appearance occurs when I am on the maintenance (or physiologic) dose of 20 mg Hydrocortisone a day. When I relapse though, I usually need to up the dose to 120 mg a day. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What triggers a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura relapse?</span> I used to relapse about two to three times a year in the earlier years, often after getting upper respiratory tract infections (sore throat, flu, etc). However, in the past few years that I have been trying to wean off the steroids, I have relapsed more frequently – up to five times a year. So far I have experienced more than thirty relapses. My adrenal glands were no longer working properly because the ingested steroids in my bloodstream signaled the adrenals to stop producing its own steroids (cortisol aka the ‘chill out hormone’). The lack of exercise over the years resulted in atrophy of that gland and the inability of my body to cope with stress. Cortisol is a very important adrenal hormone because it allows the body to de-stress, and is a foil for adrenaline (the ‘fight-flight hormone’). I was completely dependent on the ingested cortisone (precursor of cortisol) to cope with the stress of everyday living. I was also trying to spare my body of the side effects of the steroid by staying on the lowest dose that I could handle without relapsing. However, this also meant that anything more than the stress of everyday living could tip the balance and send me into a relapse. This could be emotional stress or physical stress: losing a night’s sleep, inhaling lots of cigarette smoke or cement dust, falling down and getting hurt, catching a cold, stressing out over an exam, etc.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura relapse like?</span> Having survived thirty relapses, I know the tell-tale signs of an impending relapse. I am vigilant about assessing myself. I am especially careful whenever I have experienced more stress than I am used to. If I am about to relapse, I usually feel chilled – my internal thermostat doesn’t seem to regulate my body temperature properly. There are also those joint pains (osteoarthritis) – my ankles, knees and hands. And I feel very tired and thirsty. About this time I usually try my best to stop getting worse by prescribing myself complete bed rest and relaxation. I also begin testing my urine for proteinuria, which occurs if my immune response has spiraled out of control and produced so much IgA antibodies that it clogs up the kidneys and causes them to leak protein (albumin). Leaking protein is a bad, bad, sign, and my handy urine dipstick (Bayer is the brand I use) can tell me if there is even a trace amount of protein in my urine. Usually, by the time I feel chills and exhaustion, there is a trace amount of protein in my urine. Sometimes, with complete rest, my body rights itself. Sometimes, it doesn’t. If it doesn’t, then it usually goes downhill. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">What is ‘downhill’ like? Within three to seven days after the urine dipstick shows trace protein, proteinuria becomes significant. I am always dismayed to pee because I see that frothy, bubbly egg-white like pee and know that I am losing precious albumin. I no longer wait to see if my body will right itself because I know that it won’t. At this point, only steroids will work. Once the urine dipstick shows 3+, I bump the dose to the max. I take 60 mg in the morning and 60 mg in the evening (7 hours later). The next morning, if my dipstick shows a reduction in proteinuria, I reduce to 100 mg a day. And I keep tapering as long as there is an improvement, until I am back down to my maintenance dose (usually 20 mg). If there is no improvement, I stay on that dose until there is. Having the urine dipstick allows me to stay on the dose for no longer than is necessary to send me back into remission, thus sparing me the worst of the side effects. When I am on these high doses of steroids, I feel invincible and hardly need to sleep. I feel very wound up and out of sorts. After a week on high dose steroids, I also begin to see blood with my bowel movements, and feel pain in my gastrointestinal tract (tummy, bowel). But that all goes away provided I improve and reduce the steroids.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My worst relapse. </span>I didn’t manage my relapses very well at first. I didn’t know what to do and I was dependent on the doctors to heal me. I’ll tell you about my worst one. It was my third relapse. The doctor instructed me to taper my steroid dose down to 10 mg Pred a day over two weeks and told me to come back in two months. I did exactly as I was told. By the end of two weeks, unbeknownst to me, I was already relapsing. If I had looked at my pee, I would have seen it was egg-white-frothy. I would have noticed that I eventually stopped peeing and that this took three weeks. I would have observed that I was gaining weight at the rate of how much water and other fluids I consumed daily. I gained 1 kg every day for the last two weeks before my doctor’s appointment. It became difficult to walk the last week because the fluids would pool in my legs and feet and it was painful to wear my clothes. I guess I was carrying around an additional 16 kg of water! I didn’t realize anything was wrong and kept reminding myself that the doctor had told me to be strong and bear with it. I slept nights with my legs propped up on lots of pillows so that come morning they would be miraculously skinny again and I could drive in to work. The last week, I was having trouble breathing. I didn’t know that the edema (fluid accumulation in my tissues) was getting so bad that the fluid was leaking into pleural cavity surrounding my lungs. I was relieved when the day of my doctor’s appointment came. I drove there, hobbled breathlessly into the clinic and waited my turn. Within 10 minutes of seeing me, I was receiving the biggest lecture from my very concerned doctor. I was warded that day and spent the next three weeks in hospital (I’ve some funny/sad/happy stories from all my hospital stays that I may get around to posting some time).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">My most recent relapse was scary. It always is. But I’ve come a long way in learning how to manage my health condition. I’m going to get better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span>Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7006162062033541622.post-54602685705056001162008-01-24T20:00:00.007+08:002012-07-25T05:03:30.943+08:00My disease defines me?<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Summary of this post</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My personal experience as a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura sufferer, with multiple relapses that involve kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal tract and joints. Developing Multiple Chemical sensitivities and the 9 year on-going (getting there) struggle to wean off steroids. An upbeat, positive overview.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>About me! me! me!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am, by occupation, an entomologist (see what I do for a living at <a href="http://antomologist.blogspot.com/2008/02/good-bugs-bad-bugs-entomophobia.html">antomologist.blogspot.com</a>). However, my primary duty is not to cure insects as a medical doctor would. Rather, my job is to protect trees from insects that like to eat those trees. Thus sometimes insects die in the line of duty (my line of duty, that is).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am also a Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) 'sufferer', and have been so for the past nine years. I was told</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">this is a rare auto-immune disease somewhat more severe than IgA Nephropathy (IGAN) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). I remember reading somewhere, a person with skin rashes (purpura), tummy (colitis) and joint pains (osteoarthritis) and kidney problems (nephrotic syndrome) when first diagnosed with HSP, has ten years till kidney failure (End Stage Renal Failure), on average. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My kidney function is good. Hopefully it has not deteriorated since my kidney biopsy in 1999 showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with minimal change nephropathy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've always taken an active role in managing my illness and I believe after nine years of 'experimenting' with <a href="http://wealthhealthwise.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-gastronomic-adventures-and.html">wildly varied diets</a> in repeated (and failed) attempts to wean off the medications (cyclosporin, prednisone, hydrocortisone, etc)... I believe ... I am close to succeeding.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All these years - one-third of my life - my focus has been on getting better. Everything (almost) revolves around this. I don't like it that this 'HSP' defines the person I am right now. I also don't like this awful suspicion that my 'hypersensitivity condition' (as my nephrologist puts it) is Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), which is literally being 'allergic' to the 21st century. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am doing (most) things right! I am down to my lowest dose of hydrocortisone ever. I was never able to take less than 30 mg a day without relapsing. Until a couple of months ago. I started a strict lifestyle regimen in October 2007. By November 2007 I successfully reduced to 20 mg (equivalent to 5 mg Prednisone), and using a specific tapering schedule (that I'll talk about in a later post) I was down to 10 mg by January 2008. At that time, I was feeling a little tired in the afternoons but my urine dipsticks showed no proteinuria and all was well with the world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unfortunately, I experienced a small and temporary setback these last three weeks. I caught the flu ('upper respiratory tract infection') and the overall effect of not sleeping well and feeling lousy triggered off one of those relapses (nephrotic syndrome). I had to bump the dose up to 120 mg for two days until the urine dipstick showed no more proteinuria. I reduced by 20 mg a day after that, and am now back down to 15 mg. Tired but otherwise good, and ready to try again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold;">Why I am writing this</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wanted to get this post out because I know that what I know may be able to help someone out there. I may not have the answer for you, but I am close to finding my own solution for this problem that the doctors have found no cure. And this 'home-brewed' solution is borne of my own observations, scouring the internet and poring over countless medical texts and journals to fit the pieces of the puzzle together, and by living with this disease. All of what I do is geared toward supporting my adrenal glands. I sleep a lot, I manage stress, I eat on time, I eat no carbohydrates or sugar. I am surrounded by love and family and people who are positive, and I love my job tremendously.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ah my bedtime is coming up (9.30 pm). Between 11 pm and 1 am, that's when the adrenal glands (which in my case have been suppressed after long-term steroids and slightly atrophied from lack of use) are most active helping the body repair itself. So I had better be asleep by then!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll end with this: <span style="font-style: italic;">A healthy man has many desires, but a sick man has only one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A click on any ad below this post will put a few cents in my pocket, from the advertisers. Thanks for supporting my blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>xo Gracie</b></i></span><br />
Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04210451785382597921noreply@blogger.com4