Sheila's arthritis/

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My osteoarthritis began when I was in my early fifties. I am now 65.

At first I tried, osteopahtic manipuations, acupuncture and Chinese

herbs all of which produced only temporary results.

I have been done the elimination diet, but had few problems in that

department. I had the blood tests for gluten, no problem there

either.

I do have mild hayfever symptoms plus some mold and dust senativity.

They are the worst in the spring. If my life stress levels are

elevated they are also worse, but what isn't?. This is the only time

I resort of an antihestamine. I sometimes only need a few in a

season. One year I only took one. I'm glad you do not have allergies.

Mine have improved since starting NT.

After having a muscle spasm in my mid back( awful!), I tried

myotherapy (muscle therapy developed by Bonnie Prudden) and it helped

a lot. It is like acupressure. It hurts, but it helps. It was also

temporary relief for me. I did Bonnie's muscle exercises for several

years and still do some of them, as well as the 5 Tibetian Rites

every day. I also walk 20 mins. 4 to 5 times a week, weather

permiting, or ride an indoor stationary bike.

After moving west 7 years ago,I began having more trouble with my

neck pain. I went to physical therapy for a while, but did not see

enough positive results. One of the physical therapists suggested I

try the Feldenkraise Method. This is a series of small muscle

movements which retrain the muscles. I enjoyed these classes for

around six months. My neck was cured. It felt like a miracle. I

highly recommend this method.

Although Feldenkraise helped my neck I still has some trouble with my

hips. I did some extensive library and internet search and came

across Dr's J. and A.Gaby in the state of Washington. They

recommended taking 3 grams of niacinamide a day(not niacin, which

sadly causes me to turn bright red and itch all over) in divided

doses of 1 gram each. They also suggested I try HCL and digestive

enzymes. I don't quite remember if the HCL and digestive enzymes

recommedation came later for the rosacea breakouts or if they were

also for the arthritis. Maybe both. They are big on healthy

digestion. These supplements did help my hip pain trememdously. I

have been taking them for about a year and a half. Liver function

tests must be done yearly when on this high dose of niacinamide. My

doctor said I could take them the rest of my life with no trouble.

Lately I have been thinking of changing to a Standard Process vitamin

for arthritis.

At the beginning of seeing my doctor for these various ills, he

ordered a lab test for malabsorbtion and I had it big time. There

were very few, of any, friendly bacteria in my gut. I was put on

acidophous to improve the flora. It worked.

I have felt steady improvement and now take 2 g of niacinamide a

day. I have cut way down on HCL(one per meal instead of 4) and

digestive enzymes(one per meal instead of 2-3). I no longer take

acidopholus.

The doctor also recommended glucosamine and chondrotin for my

osteoarthritis. I don't know how much this helps, but I don't

consider it harmful so I take it. Some people take it for years and

years. Some peole have very positive results.

I have been eating yougurt, fermenting vegetables and drinking kefir,

beet kavass and lots of other tasty NT dishes for over a year. I

avoid grain fed animals and vegetable oils like the plague. I eat a

lot of buffalo, lamb and farm eggs, plus plenty of butter, 2 teasoons

of CLO daily and a few whole grains, prepared the NT way. I enjoy

mostly organic vegetables and fruits. My diet is so much better than

it used to be. Getting rid of refined foods makes a huge difference

as you have already seen this in yourself.

Recently I wrote about the problem I had with rosacea. Good digestion

is paramount in getting rid of it and I believe basic for better all

around health. If a body cannot assimilate it's vitamins and

minerals, a body is headed for trouble. I certainly was getting there

fast.

I have seen the most rapid improvement in my over all health, since I

started the NT plan of eating. It has been a turning point in my

health. I will eat this way the rest of my days....with a smile on my

face.

I do notice some tiredness and/or stiffness in my hips at the end of

some days, but NO PAIN. I think this problem is because I haven't had

fresh dairy or raw butter over the winter months. I was better when I

had these superior raw products. Now I have them agian and am looking

forward to a big reduction in my occasional nighttime stiffness. I am

not stiff when I get up in the morning.

I can hike again for an hour. This used to be impossible.I haven't

tried to go longer than an hour, but feel I could. It is wonderful to

say the least.

The average age for hip replacements in the USA is 68. You are wise

to look at alternative treatments. They can work. You will find one

or more that will finally give you improvement. They may not be the

ones that have worked for me, or they might take longer, but keep

trying. We all have different nutritional needs, but NT covers those

very well. How long have you been eating the NT way? I have

progressed rapidiy into it over the last couple of years.

What test did your doctor order to find out if you have arthritis?

What kind is it? Do your x-rays show a lot of degeneration of bone?

Those would all be clues to your condition.

Are you positive you have arthritis? It is sometimes hard to

determine by a blood test.

There is a treatment which intrigues me, but I haven't tried it. It

is called NST. The treatments are very gentle and effective,

according to Mercola. It is mentioned on Dr. Mercola's web site. You

could find a practioner through a source at his web site. Have you

tried NST.(www.mercola.com)

I did notice when I went off the natural hormone treatment late last

year, which I had been on for several years, my osteoarthriitis

flared up almost at once. It was extremely bad in a very short time.

I tried several other treatments, under my doctor's guidance, but

nothing worked. After a few months I went back to the HRT and the

improvement was quick. This makes me wonder what role the hormones

have in the pain control of this condition. If this can happen than

I begin to question my diet changes, exercise, etc.. Are they really

helping the pain? Did I not give my body a chace to adjust. I don't

know. Of course I would never return to the semi-SAD way of eating. I

have had other improvements, like more energy, no colds, a happier

outlook on life and I really enjoy eating these wondrful nourishing

foods.These are valuable benefits.

I haven't researched the hormone arthritis connection. I found it

astonishing there could be such a difference with such tiny amounts

of hormones. They are very, very powerful. Perhaps testostone or some

other hormones may play a part in men who have osteoarthritis or any

other similar pains. I wonder. Do you know?

One other thing. The best exercise I have done for strengthing my hip

muscles is a slow as possible leg lift to the side, while keeping the

back straight. Hang on to something to steady yourself.I do 10 of

those on each side, 2x a day. I didn't start with 10. I built up

slowly. This is an exercise my husband did after he had a hip

replacement. Works like a charm. Check with your doctor first if you

want to try it.

All my best wishes for your future success. If you have more

questions, please ask.

Sheila

My doctor keeps postponing arrangements for my hip replacements,

saying that I am too young. For this I am thankful because in the

meantime I discovered N T and felt confident that I could aim for, if

not a cure, then maybe something close to it.

I have been on a sensible diet for well over a year. I have

osteoarthritis in both hips and lower back. Apart from being a little

overweight, (sensitive to carbs,) I am completely well. I suffer from

no allergies and don't even get colds any more. I get told

repeatedly

that I look 10 years younger than my 57 years.

Thanks to N T, I have a noticeable improvement in my arthritis,

especially in one hip but I still need a vast improvement in the

other hip and lower back.

I would appreciate hearing how you achieved your 99% improvement.

What type of arthritis do you have?

How debilitating was your condition?

Did you mold your diet specifically in relation to your arthritis?

Did exercise form an integral part? If so, what form of exercise did

you take?

How long did the recovery take?

I would appreciate any other advice you can offer.

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[Guest guest]

Sheila

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such a detailed

reply. I especially appreciate your tips on suitable exercises and I

shall work my way through your many suggestions.