Re: Edema (Type O-Secretor)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/20/2004 1:26:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

carnall44@... writes:

Irene, if you find any solutions for the edema, please share!!

Have you been to a doctor to have your heart checked? Your heart is what

pumps the water out of your tissues. You might want to do that if you haven't.

You may need water pills to get your level of edema down to where you can

control it with diet.

Max

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/20/2004 3:36:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

dnstjohn@... writes:

Are you drinking plenty of water?

That's a really good point, Don. Doctors and a lot of people say to drink

LESS water but that's exactly the wrong thing to do.

[Guest guest]

> Pineapple juice & watermelon (not together) helps, but doesn't

seem

> to be THE answer for me. I believe I have some bad issues with

> sugar. I wonder if sugar doesn't have something to do with

causing

> at least part of the edema. Also, I'm VERY MUCH OVERWEIGHT so

I

> don't need the extra sugar, anyway.

Again, I'd suggest the pineapple pills. All the benefits, none

of the sugar.

> Green tea? Love it....will make a point to drink more of it on

a

> daily basis. I always add honey for sweetener...is that OK or

would

> it be better to use the veg. glycerin (I think that's what it

is

> called)?

Use the vegetable glycerin. No calorie content so you can drink

more.

[Guest guest]

I finished an MBA a couple of years ago while working full time.

That meant fairly regular all nighters at the computer working on

papers, etc. I really had a problem with swollen ankles during that

time. If you're not able to do much exercise at least make sure that

you get up from your chair frequently during the day. I don't know

how severe your disability is, but at least elevate your legs several

times per day. I learned that our body must have sleep not just for

the REM and all, but to have some horizontal time.

Bananas would be a good source of potassium until your get more ideas

from Irene and others. I read recently that pitting edema should

always be brought to the attention of your doctor.

Take care,

Cheryl

> > I get a good day every month or two and can say hello to the

bones

> in my feet - nice to know they are there - and love it but never

can

> figure what I did differently so I can do it again.

>

> > Thanks for the suggestions. Sooner or later the answer will crop

> up :-) Has to! I know there is one. It's probably something I am

> doing wrong that I need to figure out rather than something I am

> doing right. Or maybe it is not so simple as one thing, and it is a

> combination of things that needs to be fixed.

> > Tantalizing but currently out of reach.

> >

> > Namaste,

> > Irene

[Guest guest]

Are you drinking plenty of water?

Don

Edema (Type O-Secretor)

* Hi Irene & Everyone,

I have been quietly following the series of postings on this subject

of edema. I have found it very interesting while hoping it will end

up being helpful to me, too.

Hoping we can help each other,

Donna...in the Land of Oz, USA

[Guest guest]

Maddviking@... wrote:

> Have you been to a doctor to have your heart checked? Your heart is what

> pumps the water out of your tissues. You might want to do that if you

haven't.

> You may need water pills to get your level of edema down to where you can

> control it with diet.

Hi Max,

Thanks for the pointer. I have not seen a cardiologist since 2001

when I did have severe heart problems causing collapse and

hospitalization April that year as a side effect of Cushings.

It is very possible I have some return of this problem which I treated

with homeopathy in 2001 till I showed a normal heart again Nov that

year. (The cardio nearly fell off his chair, no doubt in order to lift

the jaw off the floor - they do not think that sort of thing is possible

- that was fun!).

And so you have a good point here, about that. My cortisol level is

still going up (320 now where it was 107 in 2001 against a normal of 10)

and so my heart issue may be making a comeback.

I'm not able to take water pills at all though due to the reactions I

have to them, I nearly died from a single tablet of aldactone for

example, and I'll spare you the long story but essentially my system can

not tolerate 99.99% of regular drugs in any category. I do seem to

tolerate several herbs and of course homeopathic remedies are fine. So

it may be I need to use some hawthorn berry again and check in with my

own homeopath for a new remedy match with my ticker in mind.

Your idea to check the ticker is probably a good one. Thanks.

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Donna Tice-Carnall wrote:

> I have been SUFFERING with severe edema, most noticebly in my legs,

> ankles & feet, for the last 2 months, now. It's to the point that I

> don't want to go anywhere, because:

> 1. I feel so miserable I don't want to move around.

> 2. Shoes & clothes don't fit, making me more miserable.

> 3. Seem to have too much brain fog with the edema to even want to

> socialize.

Dear Donna,

I do sympathize - I was that bad not too long ago.

I've done several things to try to get to where I am now and it is much

better though I still am fighting plenty of edema still hanging around.

I now have ankles with a little prominence where the ankle bone is, so

not just one big balloon any more - and I can fit my feet comfortably

into my Birkenstocks without them emerging between the straps - I know

you will know what I mean. My feet are still puffy and hide the bones,

but only a little layer compared to how it was.

The blood type diet took off ten pounds of this stuff for me the first

week I was compliant - that was nice! It is not taking more which is

disappointing - but every ten counts.

Before that the Perricone diet took off 30 pounds of it as it is

anti--inflammatory for ALL the cells of the body - and I have edema

everywhere though especially in legs, ankles feet - and I am really

combining Perricone anti-inflammatory and BTD currently.

> My legs look like large tree stumps & feel almost as hard. My feet

> look like well-rounded pillows, & forget having ankles. When I walk

> or bend my " ankles " they wrinkle to the point that it feels like

> someone is pinching them. Kind of a burning sensation.

Mine were so puffy and swollen to the max that I was afraid the skin

would burst if I moved it the wrong way. So I was worse than you but

went via where you are to where I am now which sounds better that where

you are currently. It's such a pain to lug about.

> I feel so miserable all the time that it seems to be making it

> harder to stay on the BTD.... & I was already having trouble with

> that (that subject is for another posting). In other words, nothing

> sounds good & I don't feel like fixing anything. Just want to grab

> & eat when I get hungry.

This then seems to me like another stage that rings a bell for me,

further back.

I have got Dr Phil McGraw's " Ultimate Weight Solution " book. It has the

seven keys for weight loss. They could be the seven keys for any project

with a little adjustment of wording. I often re-read parts of that book

as it sets me back on my feet and on the right path.

Typical keys are:

Right thinking - and he walks you through it.

Emotional repair (he calls it something else)

Supportive environment (eg toss out the sugar bag)

Support circle (People support - this list and understanding folks in

your home or area)

Intentional excercise

Identifying and Getting rid of triggers (like I eat chocolate at night

unless my blood sugar is high so I plan for it to be high in advance)

Too tired to remember the rest - The idea I want to explain is that

there are several aspects to having success and we need them all for each

project we undertake.

So I propose you and I undertake " Project Edema " , if you like.

And the keys can be applied to it to help us have success and not be

self-defeating.

The biggest thing Dr Phil did for me was this:

I was watching his show on weight loss every Monday and getting

depressed that I had cushing's syndrome and therefore *couldn't* lose

weight - it was just not an option for me, unlike all those other lucky

people - etc etc self defeating stuff which I truly believed and lived.

Besides - when he asked for volunteers for his weight loss challenge, he

specifically excludes people like me form even applying - he wanted

people without some weight resistance disease or other.

Then watching enviously what was not possible for me on his shows -

he said something one day to the tune that even if there are reasons

that make it really difficult to achieve weight loss (my ears twitched)

because of a medical reason or some other impediment - it wa still MY

responsibility to find a way to do it. This was the first time I got the

idea that I was not allowed to say " I can't lose weight " because

despite cushings, it was my responsibility to lose weight despite having

cushings - even if it was terribly difficult - life is not fair - that

was a tough break - but I still was responsible for acting on it.

That really got me motivated - and since then I have gradually taken on

the role better of being responsible for my situation however bloody

difficult it is to make any progress - please excuse the wording. I am

accepting that the me inside is valid and worthwhile and working on it

responsibly - whether or not I succeed. It's my " responsibility " .

That week, I lost 2 pounds for the first time in 2 years, mostly by not

needing to medicate myself with comfort food. I valued each bit of

progress and I am still valuing each bit of progress. When I gain weight

- I regained 20 lbs I lost quite recently - despite trying to lose more

- very demoralizing - but I have made a conscious decision to only look

forward. (Is that why we have both eyes on the front of the face?)

Anyway I try to do that - I goof up plenty but I work at it like at any

project. It has " project status " . And it is a separate thing from me. I

am not identifying me as my health issues. I am me and the health issues

are like what's in the backpack. I go out but am fussy who with - nobody

negative.

Am I making any sense? I hope there is an idea here that rings a bell.

> Pineapple juice & watermelon (not together) helps, but doesn't seem

> to be THE answer for me. I believe I have some bad issues with

> sugar. I wonder if sugar doesn't have something to do with causing

> at least part of the edema.

Oh yes for sure!!! It has a HUGE part to do with it. (Unplanned pun

there!) Sugar causes glycation at cell level which is extremely

inflammatory and messes with cell wall permeability by making it stiff

so toxins can't get out and food can't get in easily. The body

accumulates fluid to dilute the toxins....

I am now pretty much sugar free - except my dark chocolate craving.

Perricone diet will get you off sugar - it specifically teaches you how

to eat to have a high blood sugar so as to remove sugar craving - and

this BTD diet added to it will do it for your blood type.

> Also, I'm VERY MUCH OVERWEIGHT so I

> don't need the extra sugar, anyway.

>

> Someone suggested potassium, would bananas help? I don't have any

> potassium supplements on hand, but I do have bananas. I

> know...sugar content, again!

Potassium supplements are a joke in USA. Legal limit is 99mg per capsule.

Decent red grapefruit juice has 6 times that in one serving.

I take it on prescription, but before I did that, I gradually increased

the 99mg capsules till they helped. Potassium is dangerous in too little

or too much quantity, it needs a pretty critical level to keep the heart

etc happy. So if you use supplements - do not take a lot at a time -

spread it out for at least 5 times a day and do not overdose - get blood

tests to be sure that you do not add more each day and go over a safe

amount. Problem: every medical person on the planet will drill you the

too much lecture - and totally forget that too little is equally bad.

I have that issue a lot.

Your blood pressure is probably high due to edema? If so potassium will

bring it down - if you take enough. It comes down 2 hrs after taking it.

If that test works for you - taking potassium and checking BP after 2

hrs - then that would be proof you are low on it. Work with a suitable

health care professional on it - if you can find one not too stuck in

their ways.

Red grapefruit juice is high in potassium, also banana. Leaving out

sodium salt and/or using light salt (half/half potassium and sodium

salt) is better.

Other significant sources: pumpkin, sweet potato, beets, black beans and

other legumes, swiss chard, dry roasted soy beans, dried fruit, guavas,

millet, rice bran, dark rye flour, rainbow trout, hallibut, clams,

carrot juice, prune juice.

> I have Vit. C on hand....I will start on that today, but how much

> should I take each day, & when (before/after/or during a meal)?

Every 4 hours. It only lasts in the body for 4 hours.

> Green tea? Love it....will make a point to drink more of it on a

> daily basis. I always add honey for sweetener...is that OK or would

> it be better to use the veg. glycerin (I think that's what it is

> called)?

Start with weak green tea so it needs no sugar to speak of. Add what

sugar you need - for example by adding pineapple juice to taste - but

gradually wean yourself off the sugar till you can drink it plain. Then

you can gradually increase the tea strength to normal.

> Exercise (UGH!!!), speaking of " the key " to this edema problem,

The secret is to find an exercise that you can learn to enjoy.

Keep working on ways to do that.

> Irene, I hate to say it/think it/believe it/.....whatever, but I

> think exercise could be the key, at least for me. Thinking back as

> to changes in my life about 2 months ago (about the time of the

> onset of my severe edema problems), the only thing I can think of is

> that I've been stuck at this awful/wonderful (???) computer doing

> research, proofreading, etc. hour after hour on a daily basis during

> that 2 months. I am disabled, so the computer has become important

> in my life....probably too important.

I have a similar case too - Cushing's disabled me in 2001 and I am only

partially active again at this stage. I too used the computer to stay in

touch with the world - and still do :-) I now do what income earning I

have by computer :-)

> Anyway, must find a way to exercise that will really be of help.

> I'm not a patient person, so if I don't see or feel results fairly

> quick I always give up. Not a good characteristic, I know. I used

> to go for long walks, but now I'm in great need of knee replacement

> surgery, so walking & a lot of other exercises are out of the

> question. Any real good suggestions???

For fast results?

Try the 8 minute program for people who need to lose more than 40 pounds

by Cruise. You do it on waking and it is done in ten minutes. Easy

looking exercises but they have an effect and are safe for crock joints

like mine. There are 2 exercises per day, and you do them a minute each

alternating till you do each 4 times.

After that what helped me was an ab-doer, which is now too boring - but

it allowed exercise sitting down and that's all I could do. Now the

ab-doer is gathering dust - well actually it's gathering cats.

I upgraded to a rowing machine. Had to go slow as it was rougher on the

knees than I expected. But I worked up to 30 mins a day.

Then I graduated to the Wolf - (my bicycle). It is gentler on the knees

than walking which I can't do anyway, and I do all my shopping by bike.

> Irene, if you find any solutions for the edema, please share!!

>

> Hoping we can help each other,

Absoluitely - I hope so too.

This weekend, let's find one more thing to try on our edema busting project?

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Hi Belinda,

Guess I missed the post about the pineapple pills.....in fact, I've

never heard of them before. I need to check it out. Probably have

to buy them at the health food store or Online. Do I just take the

reccommended dose on the bottle, or do I take more than that?

Thank you,

Donna...In the Land of Oz, USA

> Again, I'd suggest the pineapple pills. All the benefits, none

> of the sugar.

>

[Guest guest]

You'll find it called Bromelain. It's the enzyeme in pineapple.

It was someone else that said that pineapple helped, but they

couldn't handle all the sugar, and it is supposed to help repair

tissue and help it drain properly. I'd assume start with the

recommended dosage and increase it slowly but someone else may

have a better idea.

Re: Edema (Type O-Secretor)

>

> Hi Belinda,

> Guess I missed the post about the pineapple pills.....in fact,

I've

> never heard of them before. I need to check it out. Probably

have

> to buy them at the health food store or Online. Do I just take

the

> reccommended dose on the bottle, or do I take more than that?

> Thank you,

> Donna...In the Land of Oz, USA

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl,

What you said is good common sense, & I do need to heed your

advice. I will try to do much better from now on.

As far as going to the doctor....I know I should probably consult

one, but I am hoping to take care of the problem myself first. Or

at least give it a good try. First problem about seeing a doctor is

because of lack of money & no medical coverage.

Secondly, I'd have to find a new doctor since mine just retired at

the end of last month. I hate doctor shopping, mainly because we

live in the poorest part of Kansas (southeast), & it seems as though

only 2nd & 3rd rate doctors take up practice in this area, & our

hospitals are any better. Makes doctor shopping hard & expensive!

They all want to run their own tests, even though it's already been

done. We live on my husband's social security & that's it. That

means there is NO extra money floating around out there.

I was a little worried about congestive heart failure (my mother

died from it), but my breathing is OK, just have the symptom of

swelling.

The last time I had an severe edema problem (about 5 years ago) it

was caused by my job (drove 8 to 10 hours a day) & because I was

drinking 1 or 2 Sonic Rt.44 diet lime-aids every day. I thought I

was doing a good thing by drinking so much liquid, & it was diet so

that meant no sugar. Turns out I have a problem with the

carbonation in the pop...it makes me swell.

Anyway to get back to the doctor, I went to him because I had my

first real bad panic attack while on the job & it scared me.

Actually my doctor was on vacation so I had to see his partner.

Anyway, he didn't seem to be worried or care about my panic attack,

all he could think of was my swollen legs & feet. He kept asking me

about shortness of breath, & I kept telling him that my breathing

was fine... & it was. He wouldn't listen, & before the day was over

(office call, xrays, water pills, etc., etc.) I was in debt to him &

the local hospital for over $900.00. And, to top it all off, he had

insisted on a giving me a prescription for water pills. I told him

twice during the office visit that I'm allergic to water pills such

as Lasix (sp.?), that they shut down my kidneys. So-o-o, what did

he give me? You guessed it, Lasix! It was the generic form, & for

that reason I didn't realize what it really was. And since I had

informed him of my allergy to Lasix (or anything in the Lasix

catagory) I didn't check with the pharmacy, either. I just took

them as prescribed & almost ended up in the hospital over that!

Oh,yeah, I received absolutely NO help for my panic attack/anxiety

problem, which was the reason I went to the doctor in the first

place!

Well, that little tirade felt good!!!

Donna...in the Land of Oz, USA

> I finished an MBA a couple of years ago while working full time.

> That meant fairly regular all nighters at the computer working on

> papers, etc. I really had a problem with swollen ankles during

that

> time. If you're not able to do much exercise at least make sure

that

> you get up from your chair frequently during the day. I don't

know

> how severe your disability is, but at least elevate your legs

several

> times per day. I learned that our body must have sleep not just

for

> the REM and all, but to have some horizontal time.

>

> Bananas would be a good source of potassium until your get more

ideas

> from Irene and others. I read recently that pitting edema should

> always be brought to the attention of your doctor.

>

> Take care,

> Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Probably not as much as I should! It's on my list of changes,

though.

Thanks,

Donna...in the Land of Oz, USA

> Are you drinking plenty of water?

>

> Don

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/21/2004 9:25:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

furryboots@... writes:

I'm not able to take water pills at all though due to the reactions I

have to them, I nearly died from a single tablet of aldactone

I'll bet you've probably done this but have you taken Lasix or it's generic?

It's pretty benign and costs about $3.00 a bottle.

I looked like the Michelin man in 1998 and was diagnosed with an enlarged

heart. My heart ejection fraction was 10% (best is 55%). My doctor said I

should get on a list for a heart transplant which I refused to do. Mortality

rate

for my kind of problem is 39% dead in 5 years with the disease being

degenerative. I've been on meds ever since and this is what caused me to start

down

this long road to the BTD and better health because I knew I was taking poison

every day for my heart. I figure that if I could develop a healthy regimen, I

could counter what the drugs do to my liver and kidneys. In 2001 my ejection

fraction had improved to 30% (the next time I was tested) and I felt much

better. I attribute much of this to the BTD. As with you my doctor was

surprised

and remains skeptical because I'm not degenerating as fast as he thinks I

should, I guess. In fact I'm getting better. I need to exercise more but BP

medicine makes me tired because my BP is low to start with. I, like you, have a

very active immune system and my body will reject a med after a while. My

doctor doesn't understand this and thinks I'm being obstinate. Cardiologists

are

usually talking to comatose people so their bedside manner is like God

talking to a lab animal.

I relate this to you because if you do have a heart problem causing your

edema, it will eventually lead to angioedema and you won't be able to breathe

laying down and you'll fill up exponentially. It's no fun not being able to

breathe. I find it comforting to have the diuretics available in case I eat

something wrong (wheat, licorice, etc) and retain water.

I know you don't want to go and neither do I but it will tell you where you

stand. Hope this helps.

Max

PS I still think that a couple of shots of tequila after swallowing the Kool

aid pack of ascorbic acid for food poisoning might be helpful in developing

the proper mindset but, hey, I'm an engineer. What do I know?

[Guest guest]

Donna Tice-Carnall wrote: First problem about seeing a doctor is

> because of lack of money & no medical coverage.

Hi Donna,

I had the same problem as I got sicker and ran out of funds.

Most towns have clinics that charge by income available, but it can be

really hard to find where they are.

Do look for them however and ask at places like community centres and

church groups and the shelters for homeless folks - they will know where

to suggest.

The clinic here where they sent me charged $20 and that on a payment

scheme of at least $1 per month. There are places that can help. Don't

let your finances get in the way of your health. I was doing that for

years before a kind neighbour took me in hand :-) the low cost clinics

also will not necessarily duplicate anything - and most have financial

arrangements with specific specialists (as I needed) for little to no

cost for their referred clients.

> I was a little worried about congestive heart failure (my mother

> died from it), but my breathing is OK, just have the symptom of

> swelling.

The good breathing is a good sign. I did have congestive heart failure

in April 2001, and " SOB " was my main symptom though it was also my

opinion of the first cardiologist I saw. So the clinic sent me to a

different one and that was much better. SOB = shortness of breath.

They had first sent me to a pulmonary specialist who sent me to the SOB

cardiologist.

> The last time I had an severe edema problem (about 5 years ago) it

> was caused by my job (drove 8 to 10 hours a day) & because I was

> drinking 1 or 2 Sonic Rt.44 diet lime-aids every day. I thought I

> was doing a good thing by drinking so much liquid, & it was diet so

> that meant no sugar. Turns out I have a problem with the

> carbonation in the pop...it makes me swell.

Scrap ALL the pop type drinks and all the artificial sweeteners! They

are poison :-)

> Anyway, he didn't seem to be worried or care about my panic attack,

May I make a suggestion. Doctors will always address anything they have

in writing - it's legally necessary. So write a letter to the doctor

when you have an appointment, a friendly letter, but expressing the

issues you will be coming to them to address. Then after the visit, ask

fro a full copy of the medical records of the visit - and see what they

wrote. Follow up as needed. These days we have to be our own advocates

in demanding (politely) the health care we need.

> all he could think of was my swollen legs & feet. He kept asking me

> about shortness of breath, & I kept telling him that my breathing

> was fine... & it was. He wouldn't listen, & before the day was over

> (office call, xrays, water pills, etc., etc.) I was in debt to him &

> the local hospital for over $900.00.

You do not have to pay for any test yo id not authorize. The doctor can

not just order tests ad lib. For next time, include in your letter that

you need all charges to be discussed with you in advance as you may need

to decline some procedures or discuss the optimal cost-benefit ones to

use in your situation. That also will be honoured, but if you don't have

it up front, they assume they have your blank check! So again - be your

own advocate - don't hand over your " power " to the medics - don't be

bullied into letting them manage your situation instead of you managing

it. You have the right (and responsibility!) to manage your own health

care. We are not taught that - so it takes a bad experience to be a wake

up call for future occasions.

And, to top it all off, he had

> insisted on a giving me a prescription for water pills. I told him

> twice during the office visit that I'm allergic to water pills such

> as Lasix (sp.?), that they shut down my kidneys. So-o-o, what did

> he give me? You guessed it, Lasix! It was the generic form, & for

> that reason I didn't realize what it really was. And since I had

> informed him of my allergy to Lasix (or anything in the Lasix

> catagory) I didn't check with the pharmacy, either. I just took

> them as prescribed & almost ended up in the hospital over that!

Here too, something in writing up front with all your known issues is

useful. In my case I'd have to write a book of known issues and so

instead I request that all medications be discussed with me due to the

large number of adverse reactions, and be given to me to initial in

writing. (Another reason to always ask a copy of your medical records a

few days after the visit.) This gives you a leg to stand on in reversing

charges and asking for pain and suffering refund - but more importantly,

the doctor is usually (not always) more careful if it is in writing.

Another tip is to always google your medicine before taking it to see

what the side effects are. More self-health management - do not rely on

the doctor to look after you - he has no incentive to do so and plenty

of liability insurance that YOU pay for. This is the real world and you

will have to take over the management of your health care - and farm out

to the doctors only what you want them to do with full understanding of

what is involved. They need to advise and you need to decide if it makes

sense.

> Oh,yeah, I received absolutely NO help for my panic attack/anxiety

> problem, which was the reason I went to the doctor in the first

> place!

>

> Well, that little tirade felt good!!!

I have had many similar ones. It took 13 specialists before I got

someone to believe my lack of energy. In any case the cushings was

discovered totally by accident - and thanks to a horrible sloppy renal

specialist. He slammed a sloppy X in the box for renal panel tests (so

he thought) to check on a kidney defect I have, and was surprised when

he received results of an endocrine panel instead, including a through

the roof cortisol result. He blew the lab off over the phone very rudely

in front of me for getting the wrong patient's test results to him

labelled as mine. They faxed his form back - sure enough X in the endo

box next to the renal box. The cortisol was genuine and an

endocrinologist confirmed it.

So another story of how you have to hammer doors down till you get what

YOU want. Most specialists I saw for my lack of energy just told me I

was fat and lazy and should get off my duff and do some walking. (Kidney

defect prevents walking which I had told them, and I cycle and swim when

I am able). So like you they ignored what I said - it is common - just

keep looking and use my tip that it works to put it in writing up front.

These guys who told me I was fat and lazy, were not interested in 1998

and 1999 that my nickname till end of 1997 was telephone pole and that I

had been 400 th out of 20,000 in a cycle race for all ages over 5

mountain passes in 1997 over a 105 mile distance, despite being near

fifty years old, (my son of age 23 was 100th) and that I had won the

Master's section in 3 out of 4 swimming strokes and the IM for the

country where I lived in 1997 as well (South Africa). So lazy and fat

was never normal for me, nor obviously was lack of energy. At the time I

was having difficulty crossing a room without panting and I weighed 300

lbs compared to 165 one or two years before :-) And I wanted to know why

and how to fix it. " Get off your duff and do some walking " I was told by

the cardiologist despite my weird EKG and dilated heart size (side

effects of advanced Cushings).

Oddly - once I got into the medical clinics where poor people go - and I

am one - I found more real doctors with patient needs in mind. But so

overworked I HAD to put my situation in writing before EACH visit. And

it was much appreciated to have a quick summary to look at in my chart

before I arrived.

I hope something here may help you Donna with a new approach to your

health care. Learned by me in the school of hard knocks. Feel free to

borrow any lessons that click with you :-)

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Carrot/celery juice is the answer. You are simply drained of minerals.

ABO Specifics Inc. - http://www.foodforyourblood.com

Re: Edema (Type O-Secretor)

In a message dated 8/21/2004 9:25:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

furryboots@... writes:

I'm not able to take water pills at all though due to the reactions I

have to them, I nearly died from a single tablet of aldactone

I'll bet you've probably done this but have you taken Lasix or it's

generic?

It's pretty benign and costs about $3.00 a bottle.

I looked like the Michelin man in 1998 and was diagnosed with an

enlarged

heart. My heart ejection fraction was 10% (best is 55%). My doctor

said I

should get on a list for a heart transplant which I refused to do.

Mortality rate

for my kind of problem is 39% dead in 5 years with the disease being

degenerative. I've been on meds ever since and this is what caused me

to start down

this long road to the BTD and better health because I knew I was taking

poison

every day for my heart. I figure that if I could develop a healthy

regimen, I

could counter what the drugs do to my liver and kidneys. In 2001 my

ejection

fraction had improved to 30% (the next time I was tested) and I felt

much

better. I attribute much of this to the BTD. As with you my doctor was

surprised

and remains skeptical because I'm not degenerating as fast as he thinks

I

should, I guess. In fact I'm getting better. I need to exercise more

but BP

medicine makes me tired because my BP is low to start with. I, like

you, have a

very active immune system and my body will reject a med after a while.

My

doctor doesn't understand this and thinks I'm being obstinate.

Cardiologists are

usually talking to comatose people so their bedside manner is like God

talking to a lab animal.

I relate this to you because if you do have a heart problem causing your

edema, it will eventually lead to angioedema and you won't be able to

breathe

laying down and you'll fill up exponentially. It's no fun not being

able to

breathe. I find it comforting to have the diuretics available in case I

eat

something wrong (wheat, licorice, etc) and retain water.

I know you don't want to go and neither do I but it will tell you where

you

stand. Hope this helps.

Max

PS I still think that a couple of shots of tequila after swallowing the

Kool

aid pack of ascorbic acid for food poisoning might be helpful in

developing

the proper mindset but, hey, I'm an engineer. What do I know?

[Guest guest]

Maddviking@... wrote:

> In a message dated 8/21/2004 9:25:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> furryboots@... writes:

> I'm not able to take water pills at all though due to the reactions I

> have to them, I nearly died from a single tablet of aldactone

>

> I'll bet you've probably done this but have you taken Lasix or it's generic?

> It's pretty benign and costs about $3.00 a bottle.

Hi Max,

No I can't use any diuretics that are not potassium sparing because

of the kidney defect that spills potassium and magnesium and retains

sodium (backwards from normal). Even if I take a single dose of

erythromycin - it causes some potassium loss - and when I took one

tablet for pneumonia I had in Dec last year, I nearly died that night as

I got dehydrated overnight and only by a miracle a friend had a feeling

to call me at a time she knows I am always asleep and rouse me before I

was totally unconscious. I've no idea how the paramedics got in here to

get me to the hospital, but apparently after my friend called, and I

kind of tried to answer the phone but it clattered to the floor, she got

911 in gear. Next I knew I was being loaded into the ambulance with rain

pouring on my face and I remember wondering what Lea Anne was doing

outside my house and why it was raining in bed - then I was out again.

Thankfully they read my medicalert and did not put in a saline drip

(which would have had me leaving the planet for sure - I can not excrete

sodium so must not take it in apart from actual needs). One potassium

shot later I was able to sip water through a tube lying down - too weak

to lift my head - and then to swallow my potassium tablets which Lea

Anne must have arranged to go with me - my medicalert refers to a wallet

card I devised with details of my conditions and prescriptions. And

within a few hours I was able to pump in the potassium and water and get

stable again.

So for me any tendency to diuretic action that is not also " potassium

sparing " is actually quite lethal even if I don't react to it as a

medication. Most meds have a sodium atom and do cause me a hassle.

Neither I nor my doctor knew that erythromycin causes some potassium

loss - it would be no issue for most people. But I have to ladle in the

potassium every few hours in quantities that would kill a horse as I

literally pump it out all the time. I have an alarm clock so I wake and

take it if I am sleeping a long time. If I miss a dose I go unconscious,

have a heart attack and check out.

Taking K plain at night is hell on the stomach though! So I usually

forego extra sleep, get up and eat something. That aggravates the edema

- it is always worse if I do not get a full sleep.

> I looked like the Michelin man in 1998 and was diagnosed with an enlarged

> heart. My heart ejection fraction was 10% (best is 55%). My doctor said I

> should get on a list for a heart transplant which I refused to do. Mortality

rate

> for my kind of problem is 39% dead in 5 years with the disease being

> degenerative. I've been on meds ever since and this is what caused me to

start down

> this long road to the BTD and better health because I knew I was taking poison

> every day for my heart.

Smart person you. I also believe strongly in taking responsibility for

improving my own health.

> I figure that if I could develop a healthy regimen, I

> could counter what the drugs do to my liver and kidneys. In 2001 my ejection

> fraction had improved to 30% (the next time I was tested) and I felt much

> better. I attribute much of this to the BTD. As with you my doctor was

surprised

> and remains skeptical because I'm not degenerating as fast as he thinks I

> should, I guess. In fact I'm getting better.

Great - keep it up.

I had a similar condition diagnosed in april 2001 when a neighbour found

me collapsed. It was because I was trying to do employment to earn money

and trying to force myself to do things I was not healthy enough to do

physically. I lost job after job unable to keep up - but pushed till my

heart was in very bad shape. I did not know till a year later about the

cushing syndrome behind it.

But I did take action to fix the heart problem. Homeopathy and also

hawthorn her. I worked up from 2 caps a day to 8 caps a day at which

point my blood pressure responded going a bit lower (not a lot) and my

energy improved. The homeopathy fixed it though and by Nov I had a

normal heart xray and EKG.

> I need to exercise more but BP

> medicine makes me tired because my BP is low to start with. I, like you, have

a

> very active immune system and my body will reject a med after a while.

I would not call that an active immune system so much as a skewed one -

which is worse. It means your Th-2 antibody-related half of the immune

system (located in the bone marrow) is overstimulated and attacking

yourself or your meds or anything else it finds using antibodies - and

the TH-2 side that protects you from chronic disease (located in the

thymus, spleen and lymph) including heart disease (and cushings

syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthritis, cancer etc etc) is very underactive.

One supplement that helps right this imbalance is Moducare. I was

pleasantly surprised to see it recommended in LR4YT. I know the people

who developed it in Stellenbosch South Africa a few miles from where I

lived :-)

I take 3 caps twice a day, and know the difference if I do not. It helps

me keep infections at bay too as the thymus is in bad shape for cellular

immunity and now I see type O is susceptible to that anyway.

> My

> doctor doesn't understand this and thinks I'm being obstinate.

Oh gee - you do not want to swallow his dogma for breakfast - diddums on

the ego :-)

Obstinacy of this kind will save your life :-)

> Cardiologists are

> usually talking to comatose people so their bedside manner is like God

> talking to a lab animal.

An inanimate one yes :-)

> I relate this to you because if you do have a heart problem causing your

> edema, it will eventually lead to angioedema and you won't be able to breathe

> laying down and you'll fill up exponentially. It's no fun not being able to

> breathe.

Yes I remember - that's how I was april 2001.

> I find it comforting to have the diuretics available in case I eat

> something wrong (wheat, licorice, etc) and retain water.

I would love to have something handy for the exact same reasons.

But drugs are not an option in my case. There are only 3 potassium

sparing diuretics in the PDR and all three give me life threatening

reactions.

so that is really why I try to be really careful, I keep looking for

more ideas and approached, and I don't eat anything without knowing the

ingredients. Of course I am not perfect and emergencies happen - but I

keep trying to improve my ability to manage the situation.

> I know you don't want to go and neither do I but it will tell you where you

> stand. Hope this helps.

What I think I'll do is get a new EKG. I can compare with my 2001 April

one and my Nov 2001 version and see where I am on the curve. Will take

it up with my doc next visit.

> PS I still think that a couple of shots of tequila after swallowing the Kool

> aid pack of ascorbic acid for food poisoning might be helpful in developing

> the proper mindset but, hey, I'm an engineer. What do I know?

Engineering logic is very familiar to me :-)) I was married to one for

21 years and have two sons of that persuasion - and my friend Margaret

teaches engineering at the university here :-)) and my brother is PhD in

chemical engineering. Looks like I am the odd one out :-)

Namaste,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

THOMAS DEKANY wrote:

> Carrot/celery juice is the answer. You are simply drained of minerals.

Thanks.

I'm allergic to celery - will look into carrot juice - I thought it had

a lot of sugar? Is that not such an issue? wish I could do celery, it

sounds beneficial in that regard.

I am now adding kelp (1/2 teaspoon with a main meal starting a couple

days ago) to try to help mineral supplementing.

I take multi-mineral supplements too, but nobody ever tested whether

I dump trace minerals as well as K and Mg actually! Perhaps I need to

know that. Your email has triggered some grey cells into action :-))

Thanks,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Trace minerals -- most everyone is deficient because there is not enough in our

food. So you are probably deficient even if you aren't dumping extra.

Kelp may have more sodium than you want as compared to the minerals.

Have you look into supplemental liquid trace minerals?

Kathy

Irene de Villiers <furryboots@...> wrote:

THOMAS DEKANY wrote:

> Carrot/celery juice is the answer. You are simply drained of minerals.

Thanks.

I'm allergic to celery - will look into carrot juice - I thought it had

a lot of sugar? Is that not such an issue? wish I could do celery, it

sounds beneficial in that regard.

I am now adding kelp (1/2 teaspoon with a main meal starting a couple

days ago) to try to help mineral supplementing.

I take multi-mineral supplements too, but nobody ever tested whether

I dump trace minerals as well as K and Mg actually! Perhaps I need to

know that. Your email has triggered some grey cells into action :-))

Thanks,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

kathy matthews wrote:

> Trace minerals -- most everyone is deficient because there is not enough in

our food. So you are probably deficient even if you aren't dumping extra.

> Kelp may have more sodium than you want as compared to the minerals.

It does, I am sort of pushing my limit and can do more at the moment as

it is 90 degrees here so I need more.

> Have you look into supplemental liquid trace minerals?

I did not know these even existed. Shall I find them at a HF store or on

line or?

Thanks for the suggestions,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

>From: " THOMAS DEKANY " <tdekany@...>

>Subject: RE: Edema (Type O-Secretor)

>

>Carrot/celery juice is the answer. You are simply drained of minerals.

I am assuming that this would most likely have to be purchased at a health

food store. I am wondering if (now don't laugh at me) V-8 would do if I

can't find the carrot/celery juice around here. Any thoughts on this?

*~*(``·.¸** Donna **¸.·´`)*~*

" My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. "

2 Cor. 12:9

P.S.

Irene, I promise to answer your wonderful postings to me just as soon as

possible. I have company & can't spend much time at the computer, probably

until tomorrow. Not being able to spend much time at the computer is

probably a good thing! :-))

_________________________________________________________________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/22/2004 3:41:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

furryboots@... writes:

> Have you look into supplemental liquid trace minerals?

I did not know these even existed. Shall I find them at a HF store or on

line or?

I take an ionic mineral supplement from New Vision Products. It's a

multilevel company but I only buy for me. They're at http://www.newvision.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/22/2004 10:37:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

carnall44@... writes:

I am wondering if (now don't laugh at me) V-8 would do if I

can't find the carrot/celery juice around here. Any thoughts on this?

It's probably got additives and ingredients you'll have to put up with. It's

mostly tomato juice anyway isn't it?

[Guest guest]

Any hfs should have them. Haven't checked online before. Just be careful of

multilevel. Shouldn't have to pay over $20 for a quart. The NOW brand has a

good quality either the Ionic Trace or the Colloidal Minerals (not the raspberry

flavor).

You may want to start slowly. 1-2 tsp a day, with meals. Work it up to 1-2 TB a

day.

If you aren't sure about what you find, let me know, I might be able to guide

you on the brands.

Kathy

Irene de Villiers <furryboots@...> wrote:

kathy matthews wrote:

> Trace minerals -- most everyone is deficient because there is not enough in

our food. So you are probably deficient even if you aren't dumping extra.

> Kelp may have more sodium than you want as compared to the minerals.

It does, I am sort of pushing my limit and can do more at the moment as

it is 90 degrees here so I need more.

> Have you look into supplemental liquid trace minerals?

I did not know these even existed. Shall I find them at a HF store or on

line or?

Thanks for the suggestions,

Irene

--

Irene de Villiers, B.Sc; AASCA; MCSSA; D.I.Hom.

P.O.Box 4703, Spokane, WA 99220-0703.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html

Veterinary Homeopath and Feline Information Counsellor.

[Guest guest]

Hey Max

What does a quart cost you? Does it have added vitamins and things other than

the trace minerals?

K

Maddviking@... wrote:

In a message dated 8/22/2004 3:41:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

furryboots@... writes:

> Have you look into supplemental liquid trace minerals?

I did not know these even existed. Shall I find them at a HF store or on

line or?

I take an ionic mineral supplement from New Vision Products. It's a

multilevel company but I only buy for me. They're at http://www.newvision.com.

[Guest guest]

Won't do - but look for carrot juice - most supermarkets in my area

carry them.

ABO Specifics Inc. - http://www.foodforyourblood.com

Re: RE: Edema (Type O-Secretor)

In a message dated 8/22/2004 10:37:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

carnall44@... writes:

I am wondering if (now don't laugh at me) V-8 would do if I

can't find the carrot/celery juice around here. Any thoughts on this?

It's probably got additives and ingredients you'll have to put up with.

It's

mostly tomato juice anyway isn't it?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/22/2004 5:44:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

kathymatthews@... writes:

Hey Max

What does a quart cost you? Does it have added vitamins and things other

than the trace minerals?

No, it's all minerals in an ionic form. All I know is that I used to suffer

from chronic neck pain (runs in the family) and some back pain. Abut 30 days

after I started taking it my neck and back pain disappeared and have been gone

for 6 years now. It costs me about $27 with shipping and tax.