Dear friends,
WOW! I did not expect such a deluge of email and, frankly, such a tsunami of advice. So, first and foremost,
THANK YOU to all of you for your kindness and concern!!
In fact, I got so many emails and comments that I cannot reply to all of them one by one (even though I DID read every one of them very carefully). So I have decided on this “collective reply” as the next best option:
Now, I really probably should not have mentioned the purpose of my possible stay in Jacksonville. Or maybe I should have, who knows? What is sure is that I got more advice and different, often mutually contradictory, options than I had ever expected. Which, by the way, is not necessarily a bad thing. Let me explain.
First, my wife (who is a veterinarian and therefore knows modern “official” medicine rather well) is deeply skeptical that Mayo can do anything for me. Even if they can come up with some diagnosis (which she doubts), they sure won’t be able to treat anything or, if they can, they will use meds with very bad side effects. As any “good husband” should, I always listen to my wife of now 23 years (we celebrated our anniversary yesterday). Besides, she is the wisest person I ever met. So we are only considering Mayo as a “last hope” kind of option. Right now, after some more brainstorming, we are actually leaning towards giving up that idea.
Second, natural/alternative/traditional meds and diets. As I said, the problem with that is that they all contradict each other. That does not mean that one (or several) are not correct and effective, only that it will take me (us) time to parse through the various advice I get and to try them one by one (which is the plan, that is what we are going to do, at least with those who pass the “prima facie” test of “does this sound reasonable?”). The main problem with most of the natural/alternative/traditional meds and diets is that they are offered in the absence of a diagnosis or, when there is one, it is a very vague one. What is also missing is a medical history (mine and my family’s) and an examination (which really cannot be done from afar). Again, I am not saying “no” to anything, only sharing my doubts.
Last but not least, a lot of advice is predicated on measures which are objectively hard to implement. For example, while a change in diet sounds easy, in practicals terms it is very hard, at least for me, without a change in lifestyle and that, a change in lifestyle, is even harder to achieve especially for a family which already struggles with not even enough time to sleep, nevermind work, nevermind making ‘lifestyle’ changes. Where a millionaire can simply hire a nutritionist and a professional cook, and overworked couple like mine usually often barely has the time to grab something to eat on the go (did I mention that crap food is a lot cheaper in the USA than high quality nutritious one?). I am not saying that this is good, I am saying that this is my reality. Still, I will look at advice on nutrition/lifestyle but primarily at the clearly realistic/doable ones.
Okay, enough about me and my troubles. Let’s get back to work :-)
As I said, I will parse carefully each and every email and comment, but please forgive me if I cannot reply each time.
You guys are wonderful, really, a big hug to all,
The Saker
I read you re “lifestyle” and the time investment to make major changes in diet, etc.
Same with me. Like most people, I don’t do any “full programs.”
That is why I try to *at least* do a few *totally simple* things:
Take a walk every day.
Take a lot of vitamin C every day.
Take vitamin D3 every day.
Get enough sleep.
Drink enough water.
Don’t eat any processed/junk food or drink any soda such as Coke, etc.
If inspiration strikes you or your wife, cook up some kale or spinach and eat it.
Katherine
But “The devil is in the detail”.
The dosage of Vitamin D3 varies from person to person, 1000UI to 9000UI (5000UI+2000UI +2000UI) in a day.
The goal is to keep concentration in the Blood at 50ng/mL to 80ng/mL.
But the Vitamin D3 works in concert with Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium.
Magnesium’s Secret Affect on Calcium, Potassium, & Vitamin D.
http://naturopathconnect.com/articles/magnesium-calcium-potassium-vitamin-d-kerri-knox/
Normal serum magnesium concentrations range between 0.75 and 0.95 millimoles (mmol)/L.
Most of the magnesium in the body is found in the bones and inside the cells. Only a tiny amount of magnesium is normally present in the blood.
But if you take Magnesium then you must take calcium too in ratio 1 Mg: 2 Ca. Calcium and Magnesium must be taken separately because they compete with each other, and if you take these minerals, the Iron Supplements has to be taken separately because they affect each other.
Normally I take:
Magnesium 540mg per day. 300 mg as magnesium Citrate and 240mg As magnesium Bicarbonate Solution Mg(HCO3)2, which I prepare by myself and ad 60 mg per 16 OZ filtered water.
Calcium 1000mg to 1200 mg with 1000IU Vitamin D3, but based on test results this varies from 1000IU to 5000IU Vitamin D3 daily.
I take the potassium by food, but sometime I take Potassium Gluconate 595 mg.
My recent Serum test results were:
Calcium 9.3 mg/mL, Potassium 4.5 ng/mL, Magnesium 2.2 mg/dL, Sodium 140ng/mL, Chlorine 100mmol/L, Iron 140mcg/dL and so on.
All tests I do privately in labs and it is much cheaper than in hospitals.
I’m lucky because both my first cousins are Physicians one in Canada and the other in Australia. I am a Chemist too.
Tests for other electrolytes, such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, may be done along with a test for magnesium.
Why It Is Done
A test for magnesium is done to:
Find a cause for nerve and muscle problems, such as muscle twitches, irritability, and muscle weakness, and more.
http://requestatest.com/magnesium-testing?gclid=CKHP_KD39MYCFQEcaQodtT8JtQ
Magnesium Testing $29.00
This test measures the level of Magnesium in the blood.
Magnesium RBC Testing $49.00
This test is used to evaluate Magnesium levels in red blood cells.
A Magnesium RBC test can provide an earlier indicator of Magnesium deficiency that a standard Magnesium blood test. When levels are low, the body will pull Magnesium from the cells to keep blood levels normal. In this case a Magnesium blood test may show normal levels while a Magnesium RBC test will give a more accurate result.
Serum magnesium concentrations in human blood.
Adult:
1.8-2.6 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)[0.74-1.07 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)]
Child: 1.7-2.1 mg/dL (0.70-0.86 mmol/L)
Newborn: 1.5-2.2 mg/dL (0.62-0.91 mmol/L
The point is that, if you start taking supplements, then you must know what are you doing. Unless you are a professional, please consult a competent specialist to create an individual plan. And this plan changes periodically based on test results.
This is probably all true, but I suspect not particularly helpful to a busy personl!
Katherine
Nice! But unfortunately you forgot to mention some other of the most important cofactors of vitamin d, besides magnesium:
Vitamin K2
Zinc
Boron
Vitamin A
One last comment to add to my previous; if it is a nerve pain rather than muscular, as was mine, and no pain killers work -in fact made it worse since it deadened everything else and isolated the pain.then seek out a pain clinic. Get them to wire you up to an EKG like contraption with the probes all around the back and body and test for a muscular imbalance.
The clinic I went to prescribed stretching exercises to improve the Transverse Abdominus muscle and it worked. It is very common for weightlifters to have back problems while building muscle elsewhere as this deep muscle that goes from hip to hip gets neglected and which can then put pressure on nerve endings. Also those with ‘generous’ figures.
There are ‘shotgun’ drugs for nerve pain but they have horrendous side effects worse than the problem and I refused to take them.
Well I am sure everyone who has benefitted from and enjoyed your writing will be hoping you recover and regain health.
There are hardly any websites which carry the information that you do and in these times of western hysteria the sane and calm pro-Russian voice is a treasure and gives hope that humanity can survive beyond these dangerous times in which good is so obviously battling undiluted evil.
Here’s to your recovery !
Best wishes
Dear Saker, I have been moving and not paying much attention to my computer or world events save a rapid scan of headlines. I am a retired physician. Sorry to hear you are under the weather with some sort of illness not yet diagnosed. I can only imagine a few possibilities but can offer some practical advice even in the absence of complete information. Here goes:
1. Don’t change your diet but dop obtain a 3 day food history analysis of everything you eat and drink. There is software out there that can do this quite efficiently. To a large extent you are what you eat.
2, Learn to do and us self-hypnosis to relax and help your body to heal. I wrote an e book titled:
The Doorway to Longevity: New Wisdom in Living Longer.
Self Hypnosis to increase Your Sense of Coherence.
Available on Kindle. By Stephen Redmond MD MPH. It has a section on how to do self-hypnosis as well as one on the Sense of Coherence. I have also found an even shorter method to go into self-induced trance which in itself is soothing and healing should you have difficulty entering what is best thought of as an altered state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness.
Get a thorough medical work up and make sure lab blood tests for Vitamin D are done as well as the usual panoply of biochemical markers.
Exercise if only by walking and getting into fresh air wearing a hat with a brim to shield your eyes from UV light focusing on enjoyment of the activity. If you are prone to slip, trip or fall have a companion with you perhaps your wife whose arm can provide ready support.
I hope this information gets to you and you find it useful.
Sincerely,
Hi Saker,
The quote above is not exactly correct, except in instances when one intends to self-medicate or crowd-source a diagnosis.
From my own life and the experience of family members (a sister who has suffered with chronic pain / a daughter with a bad case of chronic Lyme), I can testify that the “alt” practitioners (osteopaths, naturopaths, homeopaths) take a very detailed history which is much broader in scope than anything a mainstream doctor will ask or keep on file. One’s first appointment with one of these professionals is usually scheduled for 90 minutes to 2 hrs, for the purpose of taking that careful history and doing a detailed interview.
Mind you, there may be some quacks in these fields who will hang out a shingle without adequate training and qualifications (depending on how these services are regulated in a given region), so one does need to do one’s research when choosing to go this route.
I have had an osteopath do for me in 2 hours what I tried for 3 years to get from mainstream “healthcare” professionals. Simply because she did that long preliminary exam and actually listened to, then probed until she understood, what I was saying.
I don’t know what osteopaths charge down where you live, but I expect funds could be raised from this community you have cultivated to cover the services of an osteopath, should you decide you want to have an examination and diagnosis outside the Mayo Clinic option.
Just saying.
~ Nyna
Had problems with pain between shoulder blades, like a dagger stuck there. After chiropractors and pain specialists went to acupuncturist.
He spoke no English, I didn’t describe my symptoms. He took pulses fixed me up.
Amazing!
Yes, indeed! If one lives where one has access to bona-fidel TCM professionals, that’s also the way to go!
The one practicing in my neighbourhood is a German woman who may have taken a 2-week workshop in acupuncture … Sad!
Agree with the above. Some clinics are ‘integrative’ meaning medical and alternate therapy working together.
Dear Saker,
Since in my college time I have followed quite some classes on Zoology, I know that there are many similarities between vertebrae (which humans are also).
So when your wife as a vet can give you advise, I would advise you to listen to her. I have the idea that you already do.
Concerning pain killers I can tell you out of own experience that these substances are close to poison. When you can stay away from them, please do. Maybe they will solve a problem, but will cause more elsewhere.
Finally, It might be difficult for a diagnosis, but don’t give up the hope.
All the best wishes for recovery!
I have read through just about all of the posts on Saker’s request for help in finding lodgings in Jax, aka Jacksonville, Florida.
Saker and I are personal friends, we met in late fall of ’14 when I had to go behind enemy lines, not because I wanted to go but because I had to go. When he learned of my coming trip he was insistent that I visit him as I would be pretty close to his AO. I did so and was welcomed in to his home by Saker and his wonderful family. They extended their hospitality to this strange man who goes by the single name of Auslander and I can assure you we had many long and interesting chats over the three days I was there. I can only say that Saker and his wife and family are what is known as Salt of the Earth.
When I read of Sakers problem I quickly thought of a good friend in my AO who may be able to at least shed some light on his problems. This doctor is Soviet educated and still serving and he was instrumental in repairing my spine when they took me off the plane at Shermetyevo in Moskau in late ’15 in a wheel chair.
This Doctor and another Doctor with a medic were waiting at our gate when my wife and our driver arrived at same I was sent from Moskau to Simferopol. They stretchered me in to the digs through the unruly herd of dogs, tossed me on the divan in the living room and within 10 minutes Doctor told me what had happened to my spine, when and how severe. Over a period of three weeks Doctor fixed my problem, actually two of them involving old wounds/injuries, and did it at my home. Injections 3 times a day, bed rest, certain exercises as I progressed in healing and permanent light duty for the rest of my days, IOW I am not allowed to lift more than 15 kilos. I was to continue my regimen of the last 30 odd years of 100 mg Ibuprophen twice a day and one 100 mg aspirin once a day. Today, I’m as fit as one would expect from someone my age, all thanks to the good Tovarich Doctor.
I called Doctor within minutes of reading of Saker’s plight. Doctor gave me a series of questions for Saker, no questions asked of me by Doctor beyond Saker’s ethnicity, rough size and age, vocation (writer), location and military service or any accidents that could cause this problem.
By next day Doctor gave me his preliminary diagnosis, strongly qualifying with the fact that Doctor had not examined Saker or even spoken to him. The questions were simpl and required a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Here is his preliminary diagnosis and I ain’t gonna reply to anyone who in any way argues with this diag as I clearly stated it’s from afar with not even a cursory examination of the patient. On the other hand this Doctor diagnosed my wound problem with a simple exam and questions translated to him by my charming bride and he was spot on as to when, how, what and where the wound/injury occurred. Here is what I sent to Saker:
“He says your problem is one of two things. His main concern is you have a nerve that is either not routed correctly and ‘gets in the way of things’ (his way of explaining it to medically uneducated me) or is ever so slightly pinched somewhere in the structure from your spine to your legs. He says if that’s the case, the throbbing in your legs is your bodies reaction to the pain, the muscles tense up, not so much at first, but more so as the problem continues and your heart is pumping against the tense up deal.
Other is possibly a heart problem but he’ll put his money on the nerve gig since your lower legs don’t seem to show much reaction to the problem in your thighs. He says, however, that it could very well be a heart or plumbing problem, our systems are built up enough that it is conceivable you do have a blood flow problem that is not severe enough yet (he says) to affect your lower legs but give you hell with your thighs.
Of course he was very clear to state he has not seen you but judging from the answers to his questions those are his two probable diagnoses.”
That’s it in a nutshell.
Auslander
Author
Never The Last One http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGCY8KK
An Incident On Simonka https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERKH3IU NATO Is Invited To Leave
Pain in the lower back, butt, legs or calf is called sciatica. The more crushed the sciatic nerve is the farther down the pain goes.
I’ve had it for almost a year. I have a high left hip and my pelvis is a little twisted clockwise. So the L4/L5 disk and the L5/S1 disks(the 2 lowest disks) are compromised as a result of the pelvic twist and too much sitting/day for decades. So my sciatic nerve is a little crushed. So I only have low back pain instead of leg or calf pain.
I’ve been going to a good corrective type chiropractor (like that Dr John Bergman guy on youtube) for several weeks and for 3 weeks the pain has decreased as the pelvis untwists.
I passed the Dr Kelly Starret 3rd world squat 10 minute test today for the first time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5lvGvxJMg&t=2s
PS ditch the ibuprofen. It inhibits joint repair & your joints repair through nutrition from the artery passing through a membrane into the joint as a result of movement(like walking, stretching, exercising etc etc)
Have a good day Auslander
Rob from Canada
Rob 20:30
I did what I could for Saker by relaying the questions from the sawbones, nothing more as we’re a few klicks apart.
There is no repairing my old wounds and injuries so the alternative is manage the pain as needed and possible and at least it does not worry me when I see the local surgeon sharpening his oyster knife on the kurb stones when we go to Hospital 11 near us for the usual look-see. I know it ain’t for me….I hope.
I do go off the Ibuprophen from time to time for some days, let everything wash out and then back at it. I’m also a cardiologist’s w/t dream, I eat red meat almost every day and love a fried sausage breakfast with pancakes (taught my bride how to make them and they are totally grand with local honey). I smoke and I have a liter weissen bier with lemon every evening and after that a glass or two of Massandrah Chorni for the wine and whine session of the evening with my lass.
We live in a different world than you, my friend. All the foods we buy are local and the meat comes from our butcher whom we’ve given custom to for 10 years. Everything is cut whilst VCO waits and fresh as can be. All else is local, vegetables, grains, fruits, all. No chemicals, no gmo mods, just natural. This is not by choice, it’s simply reality here. As an aside the Tatari in Bachtisarai about 30 minutes to the east of us make the best all beef sausage you’ve ever set tooth to, bar none. And it’s cheap. Shops there and here are spotless and State monitored weekly but on random days.
Medical care is free in this AO and the good Tovarich Doctor refused to take a kopek after he repaired my back. Medicine prices are State controlled and woe betide any Aptyeka that varies from the State price. Inspections are weekly and not announced and all the generally ladies working in the pharmacy are trained and have diplomas for the training. Ibuprophen, made either in Germany or Russia, is 39 rubles for 20 200 mg tablets. I cut them in half for my dosage so the cost for 40 100 mg doses, enough for 20 days, is 3 cents each dose. Other meds are comparably priced.
On the down side the roads still s//k amongst other charming foibles in this AO.
Auslander
Hold the Mayo! Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
In my circles we say, go to the allopath for the diagnosis of illness, and to the naturopath for the treatment of wellness. That’s the general principle, where each does what it’s best at.
Look into Bach Flower Essences. No “diagnosis” necessary. Treat the emotions; the disease is only incidental.
As salam wa alekum,
Dear Saker,
I have been busy lately and missed the discerning news of your undiagnosed illness. My prayers go out to you and your family in these trying times. From all of your writings, I have faith that a man of your wisdom and sophistication will come out on top of this healthy and well.
Now, Saker, if you are given access and have the means to get treatment, or at least get all the tests from the latest medical wizardry available at the Mayo Clinic, by all means, do it.
I’ve been to that very hospital in Jacksonville ( lived there for two years) many, many times. Its actually an ‘elite’ hospital as far as hospitals in the U.S. goes. The Mayo Clinic ( there are two more, in Scottsdale, Arizona and Rochester, New York) in Jacksonville, Florida is a major ‘hub’ for the elites, royals and very well-to-do Arabs of the Middle East. On any given day, you can catch the lower tier princes, tribal elders, diplomats and just plain wealthy Arabs shuffling their feet in the lobbies and floors.
Plain and simple, the Mayo Clinics are no joke. I think you will be in good hands. Or at least they might point you in the right direction. May Allah (swt) guide them in the right direction, if you do decide to go to the Mayo. I personally would. The have renowned doctors from the best medical schools money can buy.
I personally saw them at work, as I was actually a translator and worked between some of the doctors and upper crust Arabs that came to the hospital. Funny too, because for my services, as an independent contractor, I did get a small sum, but the Arabs ( I am one too :) ) always wanted to compensate you lavishly, regardless if you got paid already. And these guys paid in stacks. Let me tell ya. If you respectfully decline, they insist upon their very honor, that you do not refuse it.
( side note – If you have ever been to a large dinner gathering with Arabs , say at a fine restaurant, when the check comes, they have a tendency to fight over the bill. As there is no such thing as separate checks or any of that in Arab culture. But in western societies, when the check comes, people excuse themselves to the restroom. )
Anyways my friend, try out the Mayo, see what happens. Cant hurt. Again, if you have the means. Btw, the late King of Jordan, passed away from cancer undergoing treatment at the New York Mayo Clinic, so that’s kind of the niche they attract. Also, they are some good folks over there too. The one in Jacksonville treated a good Libyan friend of mine ( a Libyan prisoner of war in the war with Chad, circe 80’s) for cancer, successfully too. All for free. All charity. When other medical advise told him to wrap up his affairs, he has no more than one year tops. Now 10 years later, no sign of the cancer. God’s will, and great doctors and hospital.
Recently, when you were in California, you could have attained a medical prescription for medical marijuana. There’s a whole new school of people, medical professionals and researchers that swear by it. You could have tried it there to see if it helped. Much better and healthier than opiate based pain meds as opiates are dangerous and can ‘take you over’, just look at the epidemic ravaging the country.
From seizers, chemo withdraw to fibromyalgia, it seems to work. In fact, it comes in oils, body rubs, edibles, one-a-day pills etc. Its also attributed to blunting some cancers, literally, by the latest research.
I don’t know, just an angle that came to mind. For more info on this , go to leafly.com ( its all there, its actually a science man.)
I wonder if you wife knows any reputable long haired Chihuahua breeders in the Chicago area. Looking to get a pup.
Cheers Saker, keep your spirits up . And remember , God does not burden us with more than we can handle. Inshaallah you will be just fine.
One more thing Saker.
Think back, …you weren’t ‘accidentally’ ‘ bumped into’ by a ‘mysterious’ guy with an umbrella in recent memory , were you?
LoL, MSM’s version of those ‘sneaky, sneaky Russians’ !
cheers.
Excuse me but i’m not sure to be able to write all my comment in american. I’m french.
You say” familie’s story” and “no diagnostic”
For me, it sounds “rare disease”, “orphelin disease”. Often genetic. Often, nobody nows, nor medics.. Often, biological is normal, or subnormal.
The diagnostic is made from ” signes cliniques”, each can appears in “normal” people, but each+each+each ect…form a picture wich is a sign of the pathologie.
Search the signs in rare diseases. First, by major ‘signe clinique’ in your case. All this rare diseases. In each, do you have other signs ?
Your wife knows how we can pose a diagnostic.
And when you think your dissease is, perhaps, THIS disease, search THE médic spécialist. He knows this disease, and the diseases which are close.
May be try John of god in Brazil..the miracle man the spritual healer.
http://johnofgod1.com/john-of-god/.
Dear Saker,
OMG this is the first Ive heard of your back condition! If my assumption is close to accurate, you’re spending some 12+plus hours days at your computer. Two immediate recommendations:
1. Find an Osteopathic physician who practices OMM (Osteopatiic Manipulative Medice). Few D.O.’s practice OMM because medicine is more profitable. If not a D.O. a good Chiropractor will do just fine. The lengthy initial interview is important as an earlier respondent explained.
2. To under stand how hands-on manipulative techniques work I highly recommend you go on YouTube.com and start getting up to speed on this profession. My “go to Doctor” is Dr John Bergman; his prolific and brilliant lectures will help you solve the problem your self with help of a good local professional. To retrace my fathers profession as a D.O. if have over 100+ hours of expanding upon what I learned from my father.
My background. Growing up i was my father’s best student; He practiced out of our home. It was literly a emergency care facility at times, blood, broken bones, and minor surgery. It was not unusual to have ship yard workers crawl on all fours into the office. In an hour he had them walking out of the office on thier own w/o meds using OMM techniques. Over the years I’ve replicated many OMM techniques to treat myself. I’m now 72 and still have to treat myself. It doesn’t take much physical activity of the wrong type to produce pain in the lower back and down the legs or arms. The underlying philosophy of Osteopaths is “the body heals itself if given a chance”
From my experience treating myself the pain we suffer from is not where the problem is to be treated!! Its usually higher up in the spine where the muscle has gone into a lock up cramp/spasm (from bad posture/work habits). This results in spinal column loading to shift to a lower part of the back where it start affecting the vertebrae, all inter connecting tissue and nerves that causes the pain. The muscle in spasm must be located and treated O.Ds and D.C. are skilled at doing this and if i get it right the first time I get relief the same day!. After that you must stop your bad habit that is precipitating this problem. Ive learned to do it all myself and be glad to share my knowledge with you.
Cheer up the problem you are speaking about is treatable with out medication. There is really no reason anyone should suffer like this. But Ive come to the onclusion modern medicine is reall still primative!!!!
If you wish to discuss this more in detail feel free to contact me.
Cheers for happy days immediately ahead
Regards, Kent Johnson LTC USAFR retired ( Baptised as Simeon Jovanovic)
If it is related to Spondylitis Ankylosing there will be lower back pain as well as leg pain and some other types of abdominal distress. If it is, I have it, and I also found a type of exercise that alleviates the symptoms.
Hello Saker;
Suggest you visit http://www.mercola.com/
Dr. Mercola has a website chock full of health and nutrition ideas, along with very latest research not seen in mainstream media.
Best
Rudy Fritsch
I second your recommendation. His website and archives also have useful information on back pain.
It’s such a shame he doesn’t have his clinic any more! We visited, and they provided comprehensive testing, counseling and coaching. Big turnaround in my diabetic husband’s health and major improvement in mine.
Saker, I’ll be praying for your health too!
Try a chiropracto.
I’d suggest acupuncture or a TENS machine
Most physiotherapy clinics have a TENS machine (to see if it helps). If it does you can buy one for about $30.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=AS_20170807170601&SearchText=Tens+Machine+for+Pain
These are from China so be sure it has a US plug – 110v.
Good luck!
Might I remind you that you have taken a stand against the anglozionist complex, and that consists of the military/pharmaceutical/agricultural conglomerates, they are all interrelated with the same owners. Is it any wonder that so many “natural” sites are also vocal against not only alapathic medicine but the war machine. Natural medicine is labeled with the same tin foil hat insults that accrue to those against the MIC, ever wonder why?
Any oncologist is a very smart person, and yet they continue to poison and kill their patients with chemo? Why? Because it is the system they have invested in and were taught, those that rebel find their practices destroyed by the the same system. And yet some do, why?
I was a natural therapist for years. An accurate diagnosis of an ailment is not necessary to make a dramatic lifestyle change. The change itself will resolve many issues without having to apply a tag to the condition. Change is difficult but the results are well worth the effort.
However more serious conditions usually require more specific attention with a more potent approach. Many patients with for example cancer will try the “modern” approach first with it generally failing and then will turn up to a natural therapist with a much more advanced case that is inherently mush more difficult to stop, Add to that their immune system has already been destroyed by the “modern” approach, prognosis is usually grim.
I would suggest you research who are the best alternative therapists in your area and go and see them to get your diagnosis. That will then give you a starting point. The road to chemical suppression can often mask the symptoms well but it is not the road to any type of cure.
Dear Saker,
It sounds like you know you have to change your diet/lifestyle, but don’t want to. There is no “can’t afford it” or “there’s no time”. These are two of the most common false constructs in the way when it comes to making the necessary changes. The first is unpacked by recognizing that a. you will have to eat anyway; you are not adding costs and b. you will reduce or eliminate other externalities the most expensive of which being dis-ease management. The second raises time, itself an intoxicating yet fundamentally unharnessable and dangerous abstraction, over space and things, including our behaviour, of which we clearly are in control.
+1.
Go spend $50 on organic produce then try and tell us fast food is cheaper. Used juicers are $15.
Lifestyle changes are choices.
Last month I lost a dear friend who didn’t want to change his diet or lifestyle. That sucked. Please don’t be next.
Saker, The Mayo Clinic gets HUGE funding from the Clinton Foundation
I will say it once more – Try the Anthroposophical Hospital in Arlsheim – at least to contact them and ask for medical advice via email.
Please don’t be so close minded.
Saker,
You don’t need to do a lot of reading about diets to know what to do. You need more thinking and logic. Every specie in the wild has a diet that is right for him or her. The human also has one optimum diet which is right for us and that is one based on starch: rice in Asia, sweet potatoes in Africa, corn in Latin America, wheat and barley in north Africa, potatoes in Europe, etc., filled out with some fruits and vegetables. In short, our diet should be based on starches. It isn’t normal for humans to never get weaned — to still be suckling from a cow — no species in the wild does this. The fact that we can do this doesn’t make it wise. For the last 70 years or so the human animal in industrialized countries has been performing a giant dietary experiment on itself: what will happen if we can have unlimited fat, oil, meat, dairy products, eggs, sugar, salt and calories? Go to a sporting event or a mall and you’ll see the answer. The anti-dote to these anti-evolutionary freaks is found at http://www.drmcdougall.com where you will find you can be totally satisfied, inexpensively, with whole grains, potatoes, corn, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds without the addition of enervating meat, dairy, eggs, added oil and refined carbs. It’s just real food, fiber-laden food — most of what you see in a grocery store isn’t. The real food probably only takes up an aisle. Good luck. Don’t try to do something — do it. If you want to change your life you have to change things that you do on a daily basis. None of the other things that you are busy with mean a damn thing if you aren’t there. Are you too busy to live?
I did an experiment on my self an decade ago, to simply find out if this so called “experts” about food and what to eat, had stated thru the years, so I did it.
What I did, was two thing, mayor things, slice the use of bread to an bare minimum, and dont drink anything other than water, to an person with diabetes, I can tell you this, Chocolate have lesser Carbs than a piece of bread, wheat is sugar, period.
To then think white bread is much better or worse than others means that you havent read the little not on the back of the paper bag following the bread package, read is an be stunned.
My advice is, eat everything else, just dont eat much bread.
This goes to drinking soda, and again, people claims its better, but to an diabetic, the carb level is in fact the same, the only difference is the fruit in it self, but water is something else, and I even recommend to drink, non alcoholic/low levels, brewery ( Russians have something called Qvas, check it out, and so on) before sodas.
Otherwise, I never eat anything other than ordinary food, diversify it, and thats it, vitamins comes thru it anyway.
yeah and I like to say this to people hysterical about food, people survived for years in prisons where food was pure crap, to then talk about vitamins is to me ridiculous.
If you want Vits, eat fruits.
If you want omegas, eat fish.
And so on.
This I can grantee you will work, I lost kilos just in few weeks, even tho I eat healthy I still lost weight, and dont forget this if you start to be active and make some physical exercises to bolts your muscles, that they weights more than fat, you dont nessesery go down in weight if you are compensating an life style of little activity, this will flatten out over time, but weight will go down, it just the temp that is an variable, depending of course on the level of physical activity.
I always recommend walking, we have slopes here where I can walk upwards for hours, good training, but walk.
If you jog, do it on tracks with have an more soft ground, like forests tracks and paths, just to ease the burdain, because to me, asphalt is not an good surface to run on and must be avoided if you can, and if you can, run without shoos.
Thats it, nothing sophisticated, plain common sense.
Vegis, well, to me its a bit far out, and again, why been an full blown vegis, when you can eat some meat, from time to time because of minerals and iron, and so on.
And I eat a lot of eggs.
Take care, think long terms.
peace
sir
1. cannabis is a magic medicine for cronic pain
in this book 2 experiences with cannabis and chronic pain are described
https://www.amazon.com/Marihuana-Forbidden-Medicine-Lester-Grinspoon/dp/0300070861
2. you can sure save 90% on your internet bill
whish you good luck
I concur. Absolutely, and I firmly believe that the legalization of cannabis sativa (marijuana) is imminent, due to the entrenched it seems, opiate epidemic in the U.S.
Hopefully , when the U.S. does come out of this tragic epidemic, the continued illegalization of marijuana will seem futile and illogical.
It helps me, as I have a spur in my L-5 and have back pain as a result. And also, very important to know, is that there are all kinds of cannabis products that don’t have THC in them, so that the Saker doesn’t have to try and work, blog and be a family man while he’s high as a kite :) Although I don’t see any harm from that either :)
There are oils, body rubs, capsules etc, that seem to work and people swear by. Chronic pain is one of the areas where cannabis works.
I tried dispensary quality cannabis sativa ( the best quality, as I find hybrid strains not as good) by way of a medical prescription while I was in southern California (San Diego) in May, and viola, alleviated pain. Just like that. And it gave me slight euphoria and a general feeling of wellness, to top it off. All without any drawbacks except for maybe the munchies. Yes, cannabis/ marijuana is also great for anorexia too.
Anyways, Marlboro has already produced green packs and cartons specifically for when marijuana is legalized, and wineries and vineyards in the northern part of California are about ready to turn their lands into cannabis grow operations instead, as it promises to be a booming, high profit industry, and only growing, literally. By far eclipsing wine. Leave that to the Italians and French.
While I was in San Diego, I bet a nice couple ( Californians are a different breed, and I have nothing but great things to say about them) that have 17 acres of prime growing land in Northern Cali. I immediately told him to start growing cannabis, he said, ‘that’s funny, I wasn’t the only one to tell him this’. I told him that he doesn’t even realize it, but he’s a very wealthy man already, as prospective buyers from the world over are descending on Oregon, Colorado and central-northern California buying up lands for cannabis growth. He can demand the price of his choice and get it.
I told them that if they gave me an acre, I would work the whole other 16 for them and take 25% of the crop. He told me that doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all. We’ll see what happens.
Cheers.
I have had my share of back trouble and recently had a surgery to correct a portruding disk which impinged the nerve on the L5/S!. I must say it helped a lot as the pain both in the back and the foot are largely gone. My recovery was greatly helped, so the doctor says, by having lost 30 odd pounds (not entirely by choice. The pain killers took my appetite away) but with less weight pulling at the spine, and better more ergonomic arrangement at my desk, things did seem to heal well. At least the surgeon smiles whenever he sees me which is a good sign.
Now, I am not implying your problem is in any way similar to mine. After all, the spine and nerve structure are quite complex and generally were not intended to last as long as we seem to live these days. So longevity plus gravity plus sedentary lifestyles take their toll, and most problems are quite different from each other. I also realize surgery withoput good MRI diagnosis is pointless. My disk problem was so visible on the MRI that a novice could see the issue right away, but not all people have an easily diagnosed problem (My neighbor doesn’t for example).
One thing I can recommend (other than a solid exercise regimen and a good diet which I know are difficult in practice) is a book I got as a present, called “Back Action” by Dr. Scott Duke. It was very helpful in terms of home exercises but also had lots of good explanations.
Other than that I am with the bored muslim (I am not at all bored though) – it’s worth having the quacks of mayo take a look. If some doctor there decides you are a good challenge, why, things can get moving quite fast and possibly well too. I can’t see why it’d hurt being seen by them.
Hi Saker,
I’m not sure if anyone can give advice without really having a proper diagnosis, but having gone through agonising back pain myself
MRI scans diagnosed me with herniated disc between L4 and L5, spinal stenosis and dedicated intervertebral discs
Im now without pain
What I did was put a wooden board on top of my mattress with a mattress topper for comfort, exercise (Pilates and swimming) and postural exercises focusing on stretching and strengthening my hip flexor, hamstrings and rectus femoris (thighs muscles)
Also work on mobility in you thoracic spine.
A lot of times the lower back is in pain because the lower back is too mobile and compensating for tightness just below and above it and thus doing too much work.
By a cheap lumber support when you are driving and lastly!
I bought an invesrsion table to stretch out my spine, which I used in the morning and night before sleeping.
I am now without pain and my back is better than it was even 20 years ago.
Hope you get better soon
Good luck!!
Dear Saker,
I want to add a point.
Regularly I have had pain in my lower back. At a certain point I had this complaints for months, and I was barely able to drive my car.
After a ‘cure’ with painkillers (I don’t ever want this poison in my body anymore, my stomach is still recovering from it) I ended up at a physiotherapy practice. And there I came into the caring hands of Katarina.
I mention Katarina here explicitily. Originally she comes from Poland, and like so many people from Eastern Europe her education and grade was not recognised in Germany. I’ve met several of those people, and mostly they end up in lower grade jobs in cleaning service, security, or secretary.
Not Katarina. She is stubborn, went back to school for two years, earning her money in her spare time at a sandwich delivery service, succeeded because as she said herself, shrugging her shoulders ‘I wanted to do my profession’.
Very soon she said to me ‘your spine is out of line, the lower vertebras are somewhat out of position’. Even my physician hadn’t noticed that. I didn’t need to go to a chyropractor, she gave me exercises to do daily, and since then I’m fine.
My point is, you can get helped from someone that you may not expect on first hand, so keep trying. And yes, I support the opinion of my co-commentator ‘bored muslim’ (salem aleikum, brother, I have laughed out loudly about your comment about the man with the umbrella), because you may be surprised that someone suddenly sees it.
May the Lord guide you.
Cheers, Rob
Salut Saker,
Sorry to hear about your health problem!
First of all, try to get a diagnosis, as accurate as possible. If the pain is caused by an internal problem (cancer, tumor), then you will have to know at what stage it is. And you will have to make a difficult decision, but whatever that decision is, I would strongly advise you to find a good Chinese Medicine clinic.
If (I hope) there is no physiological cause as above, and if the problem is “energetic” or due to bad posture or sitting too much, still try to find a good Chinese Medicine clinic, one that use not only acupuncture, but also Tuina (massage) and especially herb therapy.
In the first case (tumor…), if you do have to take strong medicine, there are excellent Traditional Chinese herbal formulas that would help you recover and get rid of some of the side effects.
In the second case, if by example the pain (if we are talking of lower back pain) is due to “deficient kidney energy”, there are also very effective formulas.
If the problem is more “mechanical”, then they could use a combination of Tuina and acupuncture. And you would probably have to include some back exercises in your daily routine and change a few habits along the way.
I studied Chinese Medicine for three years and I rely a lot on Chinese herbal therapy for different problems, and I can certify you that it works.
I don’t leave in the States and know nothing about Florida, but I found this on the internet:
https://www.fcim.edu/visit-fees
It’s a school that combines both allopathic and Chinese Medicine. That could be a good place to get the best of both.
Ask around.
Good luck to you!
Saker, I’m pleased you got such diverse responses to your request; I lived in Jacksonville ~20 years ago, so such friends I have had have drifted away. I’m also glad your wife is intimately familiar with modern medicine.
Having said that, I’ll observe that 1) hominids were never “intended” to support their weight on two legs only, much less sit upright, etc. 2) treatment without a diagnosis is absurd and only resorted to as a last resort. As a retired physician, I’d encourage you to keep the appointment(s) with Mayo. You MIGHT get a diagnosis, and possibly even a treatment.
Many pain problems can be HELPED with a device called a spinal cord nerve stimulator, a device which competes with the pain impulses from chronic pain, which is somewhat different from acute pain.
Yes, the “paleo” diet is very expensive. Only the wealthy can afford to eat smartly.
I would simply say, remember that you are at a point in time in evolution and that recent (i.e. the last 1200 years or so) history plays an extremely important part in how your body works.
Not only do you need to consider your epigenetic content and how that mediates both metabolism and immune response, but it is critical to realize that you are in a symbiotic relationship with your intestinal microbiome. At last, even “modern” science has discovered the notion of symbiosis and its intrinsic role in overall health.
As far as “cheap food” goes, keep eating that shit and you will most certainly come away worse for it. It is not cheaper in the long run (false economy), nor in the short run if you buy and cook your own food, much of it can be stored for another day, and it’s much tastier too!
I am sitting here and still reading reams of advice yet no one has asked any questions of Saker as to the actual symptoms in detail. Here is what the good Tovarich Doctor asked from almost half a world away:
1. Does or does not the pain start or intensify during times of mental or emotional stress.
2. When the pain first comes, do you get a twinge beforehand that makes you think ‘oh no, not now’ or is the onset sudden and virtually full bore?
3. Your thighs are a large area. When the pain starts, does it feel like starting from the bottom, middle or top of the thighs?
4. Is the pain the same, IOW symmetrical, side to side or is one side worse than the other?
5. Does your back ache or hurt at all, even after something so simple as lifting say 10 or 15 kilos? If so, where?
6. Are you awakened by this pain or a sharp and stinging pain in your hips when you sleep on your side?
7. During these episodes or not during these episodes, are there any changes to your lower legs, IOW any cold, numbness, tingling, cramps, etc?
8. Did either of your parents, aunts or uncles have something similar to this, involving hips, thighs, legs and or feet?
I will let Saker provide the answers if he so desires or I will post them if he tells me to.
Auslander
Author
Never The Last One http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGCY8KK
An Incident On Simonka https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERKH3IU NATO Is Invited To Leave
Dear Saker,
Far be it from me to cast nasturtiums upon the good folk here, all far more worthy and knowledgeable than me on questions of therapeutic remedy, but it is all so serious ! Laughter medicine is also good, it is healing and contagious, and its free – imagine !!!
It’s a terrible thing Saker, and don’t tell anyone, but sometimes very serious comments here make me laugh . . . How wicked I am, and I don’t even feel guilty. Be well soon !
Varvara
Dear Saker
I would like to ask what your specific problem is and perhaps I can be of help
I am an American living in Europe and my last 5 years have been dealing with terminal illness.
First for myself, then my father in law, then my brother in law and then my wife.
I know a good bit about both alternative treatments and school medicine.
If you posted earlier the specific illness I missed it.
all the best what ever you choose
JIM
Okay, so I am going to throw my 18cents worth in here.
#1. Lose weight.
#2. Find a cheap way to raise your desk or table to a height at which you can stand comfortably and
work like that for a while every day.
#4. That bit about your diet seems like a lot of hooey. Get a crock pot. No snacking. Sit down
together for meals by your own order. Whatever you are doing now is evidently not working
so revamp!
Old injuries have a way of revisiting us and I’ve had an old neck injury from a car accident years ago (hello windshield!) come back to bother me the last couple of years.
On a bad day my head simply feels too heavy for my neck to support and the pain cab get unbearable.
I’ve found relief by taking apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon twice a day. Once day doesn’t seem to do it, but twice daily and I have no pain.
One thing: you have to buy organic apple cider vinegar with the “mother”. I really don’t like the taste of it but dilute it in a shot of about 2 ounces of cold water from my fridge. It goes down like a tart cider then and is actually invigorating!!
This may or may not ‘fix’ your problem, but it is prove to be an anti-inflammatory. It has worked for me for some time now and I wouldn’t be caught without it. And, hey, it’s cheap (less than 5 dollars a quart) and it’s food, so no harm done.
Best of luck.
Hi Saker, have you heard about professor Neumyvakin? For 30 years he worked in area of space medicine in Soviet Union. I would recommend checking out his advice, you can find many videos on youtube, for example:
https://youtu.be/AYtB8HVvNp8
or you can download his books here: http://www.koob.ru/neumyvakin_ivan_1/
Before trying any diets I would also recommend to see Ugolev’s Theory of adequate nutrition, briefly explained here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJe9UiSysIY
or books from Galina Shatalova, for example here:
http://www.rulit.me/author/shatalova-galina-sergeevna/zdorove-cheloveka-filosofiya-fiziologiya-profilaktika-download-free-76133.html
All links are in Russian.
Take care, thank you for your work and wish you quick recovery.
varvara, you remind me of my cat (wicked and not the least bit guilty about it….). Yes, laughter helps. No one knows why.
On another note – so many good suggestions. I think I’ll pass some of these on to my neighbor who suffers from chronic back pain and is at a loss what to do about it, other than pain killers (and we know the issues with those).
Sorry for your suffering. As a specialist, I think that you need first to rule out surgical problem, e.g. slipped disc, spinal stenosis which if it is central needs surgery. To rule this out you would need a single test – MRI. Anywhere, doesn’t need to be Mayo. Then loose weight, since this is a major contributor and sometimes a single cause of back pain. Then you can follow and try all advises provided. But first MRI.
Get better soon.
Saker,
Dandelion root tea with a touch of Goldenseal root. This will clear out your digestive tract by flooding the hepatic system with a large increase of bile production. I’ve been on for 3 months are the results nothing but astounding. Also, visiting a colon hydro-therapist once as week massively increases the rate of eliminating the toxins, yeast and parasites.
Always, lots of vitamin c and d3.
Good luck.
Nick
Oh, don’t forget to keep your prayers on your lips, always:
“Most Holy Theotokos, Save Us!”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner”
If all fails, try this curandero in Iquitos, Peru. His name is José Marín Jarama. He helped this Dutch lady (see the link below) to get rid of her pain. I used his services a little bit over 3 years ago with a very positive outcome.
http://dawnontheamazon.com/blog/2010/06/19/an-ayahuasca-tale-working-with-a-curandero/
Saker,
when you wrote about your plans to go to the local Mayo Clinic in Jacsonville you also mentioned your distrust in modern medicine. Distrust in modern medicine is okay. I’m skeptical myself. That’s why I had carefully chosen the wording for my comment to your request. I’ll copy most part of the text I had written:
It’s the same with me. You never know if doctors are doing their job to help people or if it’s just for money (greed). Always be skeptical. As far as I know veterinarians also have a basic knowledge about the human body, so you may know who to consult in case you’re indecisive with regard to the doctors you’re dealing with.
By purpose I avoided blurting out the job of your wife (those who didn’t know shouldn’t know and those who already forgot shouldn’t remember). Anyway…
First, my wife … is deeply skeptical that Mayo can do anything for me. Even if they can come up with some diagnosis …
Despite all the skepticism you should follow the advice of bored muslim and go to the Mayo Clinic in order to get a diagnosis and maybe even advice for possible treatments. Then the main task starts. If you and your wife think the diagnosis is correct, then check for all possible treatments – especially advantages and disadvantages. That’s where your wife can help you with her knowledge.
With regard to painkillers I would like to urge you to avoid oxycodone / oxycontin at all costs. I’ve read numerous reports of people getting this stuff from their doctors as easily as smarties, but the results had been horrendous. That prescription drug may have had the effect of a pain killer, but it had the dangerous side-effect of being addictive. As far as I know Ibuprofen is the lesser evil, nevertheless would I advise caution. The less prescription drugs, the better.
Before closing this comment I’m sending you and your wife congratulations to your 23rd wedding anniversary.
Get well soon!
Changing one whole lifestyle can seem overwhelming. May be easier to think of trying out one thing at a time , e.g have a large salad before each major meal…
by the way, here is a russian emigre woman in the us who swears by a green leaves diet … victoria boutenko
http://www.rawfamily.com/films
in case it has not already been mentioned, ayurveda is an option. knew someone in bad health, weakness and pain in the legs, could barely walk. he was a total skeptic, but he went for a 2-3 week ayurveda treatment and said he got 75% relief. another woman said, she was on crutches when she got to the hospital, but was running around in 3 weeks.
they went to the source of ayurveda in south india, but there must be places in florida… the problem is avoiding quacks…
the place they went to was, i think,
http://aryavaidyasala.com
they seem to have e-consultation
one thing you may find interesting about the place where the hospital is, is that they have a very old orthodox christian tradition, they claim to have been introduced to christianity by the disciple Thomas.
Much of the treatment is herbal medicine oil massages. Also a strict diet, which the man did not follow strictly but still reported 75% relief.
Ayurveda places in florida… dont know anything about them….
https://www.google.co.in/search?client=opera&hs=dkU&q=ayurveda+florida&oq=ayurveda+florida&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l2j0i22i10i30k1j0i22i30k1.92585.99896.0.100069.16.16.0.0.0.0.135.1834.0j15.15.0….0…1.1.64.psy-ab..1.15.1827…0i67k1j0i10k1.yvjt9Jkn8M4
Dear Saker,
A good alternative for aspirin is White willow bark tea. It is the original herb that was used before they figured out a way to make aspirin. It can help with lower back pain. It is gentler on the stomach than aspirin. It also does come in capsules, but your tummy may well realize it is ground bark, even if it is finely ground bark, and may not be too happy about it. (mine wasn’t), so the tea worked better for me. There are some contraindications with willow bark, (not for people using anticoagulants, etc.) so you would need to read up on it, but I think that you might find it to be a viable alternative. Also, the advice on apple cider vinegar is excellent, as from personal experience it does help with joints. However, if you can not stand to drink it, (even tho that is the best way to take it), it also comes in gel caps. A High Potency 625mg Apple Cider Vinegar would work. Cod liver oil, (which also comes in caps, thank heavens, as it tastes nasty!) as well as MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) can help with joints. I believe the cod liver oil was helpful for lower back pain also. Not that you do not already have enough stuff to look up, but I hope this helps. Sincerely, Always Puzzled
From https://ca.news.yahoo.com/japanese-doctor-studied-longevity-lived-192701095.html
To conquer pain, have fun. “Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke’s we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.”
If I may offer my humble input: may I suggest contacting Dr Trent. http://www.diversehealthservices.com/
He’s got many YouTube videos that I found inspiring in using natural medicine. Best of luck, Saker
If the issue is pain due to nerve impingement it results in very painful spasms. A thermophore heat pad can yield amazing relief after about 15 minutes:
https://www.amazon.com/Thermophore-Classic-Heat-Model-055/dp/B000ZHNKM8?th=1
If this works to reduce acute pain the next step would be physical therapy and lots of walking. In my care I started walking about 50 miles a week to provide muscular support that has prevented any relapsing for over 25 years.
Otherwise all the nutritional support from doctors actually trained in nutritional biochemistry (rare) would also be very helpful.
Pot is legal in my state and seems to help a couple of retired black belts my wife and I train with (edible THC in chocolate works best).
Best wishes.
Jim
I don’t know where you stand, but if a Christian, try Andrew Murray’s book DIVINE HEALING. available online, not expensive. Ask for pray from your website friends. This is always better than medicine.
God bless you with healing through the Holy Spirit.
Hi
Sorry but I missed the symptoms of the illness. Would you be comfortable to elaborate somewhat.
I happen to know someone who knows a thing or two about Mayo.