Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 Rabiah, I just started treatment in November 2003. I see an acupuncturist who is also an herbalist. She has me taking a spleen strengthening TCM called gui pi wan. I take it twice per day. In western medicine my diagnoses are: fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, IBS, and migraine. I have had kidney and gall stone pain, but no kidney or gall stones. I have diarrhea dominant IBS and have tried to change my diet to control it. Interstitial Cystitis and fibromyalgia are considered immune system problems. These conditions, according to my western doctors, are all related. I can tell from a TCM point, that I have deficiencies and stagnation. That is why I joined this list, to learn more about TCM. Karen P. Remediesbyrabiah wrote: > In a message dated 3/29/04 6:45:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, > kpeterha writes: > > > > Rabiah, > > > > I have the exact same allergy. Walnuts are the only nuts that irritate > > my mouth. I will not eat them because of this. Every once in a while, > > there will be walnuts in something that I eat that I do not know > about. > > I will have the reaction, then find out there were walnuts present. I > > heard somewhere that walnuts have a different kind or more acid than > > most other nuts. Does anyone know what it is? > > > > Karen in San Diego > > > > > Hey Karen that is interesting, It sounds like you and I agree that the > mouth > irritation sounds like and allergic reaction. but what about the > ascertainment > that this is a reaction of an immune system imbalance.? And what of > the > other condition with the stomach upset, is that an allerigic reaction > or a > system imbalance? BTW in the end she was advised to just give them > up, which I > think is sage advice<grin> > Rabiah > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 Karen, I have many of your symptoms too except for the migrains and diahreah. IBS with constipation but I reduced many of my IBS symptoms with the use of supplements. Didn't mean I solved the IBS funtion. Acupuncture helped get my bowels to move. I got rid of many of my fibro symptoms but as 3 years past by I began feeling pain sneeking back. I am glad I found acupunture. It helped me allot. And I am so surprised how strong the spleen is to our body, it is like the major ruler. I had gallstone tests too and no stones shown. Gallstone pain soon following rib cage pain. Then getting pain that feels like it is on the right side of my kidney but I haven't kidney problems. Please understand this. If you don't feel an improvement with the acupuncturist you are seeing right now, don't give up. Find another. I know it is expensive to run to another but that is what I had to do. My first acupuncturist helped me with many symptoms but failed to diagnose the spleen defiecency. I was left very confused and just got mad and tried someone else at the last second. Have you considered that the cystitis and the fybro could be a problem with detoxing? Did you get to read my gripe about how commercial bath products made me sick? Could that be contributing to your problem as well? If toxins don't move out of your body then it does stress the immune system. It sounds like you have someone who knows what they are doing. Keep us updated on your progress. Liz D. - Karen Peterson Chinese Traditional Medicine 3/29/2004 9:09:33 PM Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Immune System Imbalance? Rabiah, I just started treatment in November 2003. I see an acupuncturist who is also an herbalist. She has me taking a spleen strengthening TCM called gui pi wan. I take it twice per day. In western medicine my diagnoses are: fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, IBS, and migraine. I have had kidney and gall stone pain, but no kidney or gall stones. I have diarrhea dominant IBS and have tried to change my diet to control it. Interstitial Cystitis and fibromyalgia are considered immune system problems. These conditions, according to my western doctors, are all related. I can tell from a TCM point, that I have deficiencies and stagnation. That is why I joined this list, to learn more about TCM. Karen P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 In a message dated 3/30/04 12:11:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, kpeterha writes: > . These conditions, according to my western doctors, are all > related. I can tell from a TCM point, that I have deficiencies and > stagnation. That is why I joined this list, to learn more about TCM. > > Oooh, okay Well I wish you well with your treatment . I am a novice and am learning like yourself. I will read up on the symptoms of IBs,unless you want to enlighten me (HINT) :-) Judging by what you have said your condition is as severe as the one I posted to the group, it seems to me that the immune system, defiencies, or excesses, can all be termed imbalances and the biggest difference is not what we call the problem but how we go about treating it. This is where TCM stands out above alopathic medicine, because it actually treats the problem bringing the unbalanced organ or system into balance whereas allopathic meds fo rthis type of problem offers palliative treatment while the body continues to degenerate.I am so thankful that I was lead to TCM I prayed for medicine that would help me get better, and TCM has been an answer to my prayers. Rabiah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 In a message dated 3/30/04 5:14:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, victoria_dragon writes: > Two of the things which can mess up the gut lining are antibiotics > and NSAIDs (Non Steroid AntiInfammatory Drugs). > > You know that I just don't understand how the medical profession can prescribe things that are very harmful to the bidy when use for a long time , for long term use. It seems to me that they would feel awful about giving someone something they know is bad for them ultimetly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 Here's an article you may find helpful. http://216.239.57.104/search? q=cache:wB9wNT8zewkJ:www.drjakefratkin.com/pdf/lgs.pdf++Fratkin+% 22Leaky+Gut+Syndrome%22 & hl=en & ie=UTF-8 I you have trouble with this link, do a Google for Leaky Gut Syndrome Fratkin. The lining of the gut becomes compromised and things which are not supposed to make it over to the blood stream - like undigested bits of protein - make it over. This can lead to allergies because the protein is treated as an invader. Things which are supposed to make it over to the blood - like certain minerals, vitamins, etc. - via facilitated transport no longer can because the lining is compomised. Two of the things which can mess up the gut lining are antibiotics and NSAIDs (Non Steroid AntiInfammatory Drugs). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2004 Report Share Posted March 30, 2004 Chinese Traditional Medicine , Remediesbyrabiah@a... wrote: > In a message dated 3/29/04 6:45:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, > kpeterha@p... writes: BTW in the end she was advised to just give them up, which I think is sage advice<grin> Rabiah Hi Rabiah, That is very interesting. I don't have allergies to walnuts, but I have other allergies and some are severe. The first time I had anaphlatic shock, the ER doctors said that I probably tolerated shellfish before and my body was resisting it until it couldn't anymore. I can have a reaction by touching something that touched where shellfish used to be. I did not realize this until I bit into a sandwich that was apparently cut on a board used to dice shellfish. Also, I developed asthma after working in a vet hospital. I never had cats or dogs as an adult. The doctors said the reaction was so severe because my body was always reacting to it but in smaller amounts. My lungs were compromised and the pneumonia kicked in. I still don't get air as well as I did before working there. So, my understanding is unless the system has resolved itself, more exposure to the allergen just compromises the body more. I am so excited about learning about TCM. I want my body back in balance. Take care, mjd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 > You know that I just don't understand how the medical profession can prescribe things that are very harmful to the bidy when use for a long time , for long term use. It seems to me that they would feel awful about giving someone something they know is bad for them ultimetly. Hi Rabiah, How else are they going to sell more medications to fix that problem? I don't mean to sound cynical but that's the only reason I can imagine someone would knowingly do that. Before I flushed all my medications, I counted at least six illnesses that I did NOT have when I first became ill. Now, I have a bleeding ulcer. When I told the doctor the medicine was making my stomach hurt, she said " Oh, yeah, that's common. Here's a new medication to treat that and six months more on the one that caused that. " I ripped up both in the hallway. Either they deny you are having a side-effect or give you more drugs (with more side effects) to combat that one. It's never-ending unless the patient jumps off the merry-go-round. Take care, mjd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 In a message dated 3/30/04 7:39:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, mjd_subs2 writes: > > Either they deny you are having a side-effect or give you more drugs > (with more side effects) to combat that one. It's never-ending > unless the patient jumps off the merry-go-round. > > Take care, > mjd Hi MJD I sooo know what you are talking about, My mom is dying from cancer and I was in her office when my cell phone rang and I took the call. I was upset of course I told her what was going on and she wrote me an rx for Zoloft!! before that she kept trying to get me to take elavil, I'm like what is your problem I am not depressed, she says aften times mixed connective disese patients have so much pain because they are not getting a good quality of sleep, and these things will help. every new Nsaid that comes out on the market she wants me to try. I tear up her Rx's routinely, I only go there for the blood work to see if I am getting worse, now that I've started my formula I;ll be looking to see if I am getting better, The thing is they don't make money off the prescribtions!! Rabiah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 My practitioner told me not to eat cayenne because it suppresses the spleen. We were talking about staying off of spicy foods and I asked him about curry that I like to eat. He said he didn't think curry was spicy. I told him that I eat it with a good dose of cayenne pepper and that is when he said not to the cayenne. Also no to raw vegetables, cooked or steamed is good. And I figured out peanuts is out because it triggered my symptoms. Liz D. - Karen Peterson Chinese Traditional Medicine 3/31/2004 8:13:47 PM Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: Immune System Imbalance? After two months of treatment, I started taking the Gui Pi Wan, spleen strengthening tea pills. I can ask her about cayenne, but I wonder if heat could cause a migraine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 When I read up on being treated for constipation I also read that acupuncture can treat diarrhea. I am sure there is some kind of meridian function addressing this also and it isn't as cut and dry as I experienced. But to add to the topic that the treatment of constipation was to place 3 needles in the area of the large intestines and the needles are twirled in the direction to increase stimulation and function. With diarrhea the needles would be twirled in the opposite direction to slow down the condition. Maybe you will get treatment like that in the future, I don't know. But I thought it very interesting. Liz D. - Karen Peterson Chinese Traditional Medicine 3/31/2004 8:13:47 PM Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: Immune System Imbalance? I have almost constant diarrhea. It is watery, very bright yellow in color and smells very bad. I also have crampy, explosive diarrhea about twice per week. I have tried congee for breakfast to help calm and warm my spleen, but prefer plain oatmeal instead. If I microwave it with some almond milk I don't even need to sweeten it. I just put a tsp. of butter in it for a little fat. If I let it cool down some, I can even put my flax seed oil in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 When your gut heals and you still have problems in your body with the fybro please consider the bath products. They put toxins in your body because you absorb them into your skin, especially with a hot bath or shower that opens your pores. You mentioned that your body is having problems removing waste products just from foods. Now think what your body is trying to do to shovel out the bath chemicals. Once the chemicals are in your system they have to excit through traveling through the liver and into the bowel. This causing IBS symptoms. That was the case for me and I suspect is is the case for more people than they know. If you ever get a mind set just try some pure bath and shampoo products for a couple of months. No dish detergent unless you use gloves. The chemicals in these products can irritate the nerves in your body they are considered nerotoxins. So are some herbs and you must be carful with them also. I am glad you are getting results from the acupuncture. Isn't it a great feeling? You still have ways to go. I hope the success continues for you. Yeah! Liz D. - Karen Peterson Chinese Traditional Medicine 3/31/2004 5:12:07 PM Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Immune System Imbalance? Liz, Yes, I do have toxins getting into my system. Interstitial Cystitis is caused by a thinning of the bladder wall. This lets toxins and proteins get back into the system and cause problems. I also have IBS, which may be cause by leaky gut syndrome. Again, the wall of the intestines becomes permeable to toxins and proteins. This can be part of the cause of fibromyalgia. With this condition, a person has trouble removing waste products from the muscles. The non ability to simply remove these waste products from the body seems to cause all of these " diseases " . It is a vicious cycle. I haven't had any problems with soap products. I am lactose intolerant and have switched to rice milk and almond milk. Too much soy milk gives me diarrhea. A person on another list told me that IBS is a motility issue and has had success with the new medication Zelnorm. That is for constipation dominant IBS. I have diarrhea dominant IBS and have been trying to control it through diet. My acupuncture is helping with the rib pain and also to move my chi around. I didn't have much chi movement before. Now, when I'm still on the table, I get the stomach noises (buriburigmous). I don't know how to spell it. The practitioner is always happy to hear these sounds as she says it means the acupuncture is working. I have discussed detoxifying with my practitioner. She said that I was not strong enough at this time. I am also looking into a special diet that lets you recover from leaky gut syndrome. I ordered the book from amazon and it should be here next week. I'll let the list know if it's any good. Karen in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Remediesbyrabiah wrote: > This is where TCM stands out above alopathic medicine, because it actually treats >the problem bringing the unbalanced organ or system into balance whereas >allopathic meds for this type of problem offers palliative treatment while the body >continues to degenerate. I am so thankful that I was lead to TCM I prayed for >medicine that would help me get better, and TCM has been an answer to my >prayers. I totally second that opinion. I am so thankful that there is something which will really get underneath the symptoms and help the body to truly heal itself. Cheers, Cat ^. .^ ~ " Optimism is magic! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Remediesbyrabiah wrote: > >You know that I just don't understand how the medical profession can >prescribe things that are very harmful to the bidy when use for a long time , for long >term use. It seems to me that they would feel awful about giving someone >something they know is bad for them ultimetly. Now why does this sound so familiar ? ! ;-) ^. .^ ~ " Optimism is magic! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 mjdavis108 wrote: >Either they deny you are having a side-effect or give you more drugs >(with more side effects) to combat that one. It's never-ending >unless the patient jumps off the merry-go-round. Which is scary for some people to go counter to their " doctor " ! Thank goodness we have the internet and at least more information is available than before. I can remember the first time I went to a chiropractor during the 70s . . . . someone asked me if I was afraid the practitioner was going to break my neck . . . . and the thought never occurred to me until I was asked. Then I thought I had better take a witness along . . . so I took the great 70-year old lady who had recommended great 60 year old Dr. Wilcox. I went in with a migraine and when I left 75% of my pain was gone, and within a couple of hours it was entirely gone! So much for me ever worrying about a broken neck again. ;-) ^. .^ ~ " Optimism is magic! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 Chinese Traditional Medicine , Remediesbyrabiah@a... wrote: > In a message dated 3/30/04 7:39:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, > mjd_subs2@h... writes: I sooo know what you are talking about, The thing is they don't make money off the prescribtions!! Rabiah Hi Rabiah, My heart goes out to you and your mom during this difficult time. I went through that alone with my grandmother and it's tough. A doctor dropped me after a psychiatrist he forced me to go to (under the threat of not treating me at all) said nothing wrong with me other than I did not feel well and was not being heard by my doctors. Then another doctor gave me a medication in his office, lied to me about what it was and my records are marked that I took an anti-depressant. NOW, even if I were well enough, I can't go back to my state job with that on my file. If I wanted to go back to any government job I'd have to disclose all the reasons why. I just looked into getting a teacher certification and it popped up again. It's almost impossible to prove something did NOT happen. So they get you either way. It's one big gigantic cesspool of lies and undermining. Stay strong, All the best to you and your mom, mjd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2004 Report Share Posted March 31, 2004 In a message dated 3/31/04 1:48:17 PM Eastern Standard Time, mjd_subs2 writes: > Stay strong, All the best to you and your mom, > mjd > Thank you for the support and information. I have not worked outside of my home for years, I nver even thought of the negative implications those drugs might have . If I wanted to do anything more than what I am now . My heart goes out to you in your situation, but look at it this way everything happens for the best even things we feel are awful at the time .They are learning situations and life is a growth and maturation process.Because TCM makes you look deeper into the causes of your illness, you cannot help but evolve spiritually as welll as physically,I believe that it was designed to work that way. So I am taking my mom's sillness instride, and brainstorming about the best ways for me to help her. As for myself , i am grateful to the Almighty Creator of All that he led me here to TCM, and am not bugged out about it at all. What you have just made me realize though,is that my doctor is not respecting me or my wishes.and her evaluation of my condition could lead to difficulties for me in the future. I must speak with her about this . I have always told her about my herbal remedies and she says thatr she respects the individuals right to whatever type of health care they desire. but she still pushes pills I don't want or need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Liz, Yes, I do have toxins getting into my system. Interstitial Cystitis is caused by a thinning of the bladder wall. This lets toxins and proteins get back into the system and cause problems. I also have IBS, which may be cause by leaky gut syndrome. Again, the wall of the intestines becomes permeable to toxins and proteins. This can be part of the cause of fibromyalgia. With this condition, a person has trouble removing waste products from the muscles. The non ability to simply remove these waste products from the body seems to cause all of these " diseases " . It is a vicious cycle. I haven't had any problems with soap products. I am lactose intolerant and have switched to rice milk and almond milk. Too much soy milk gives me diarrhea. A person on another list told me that IBS is a motility issue and has had success with the new medication Zelnorm. That is for constipation dominant IBS. I have diarrhea dominant IBS and have been trying to control it through diet. My acupuncture is helping with the rib pain and also to move my chi around. I didn't have much chi movement before. Now, when I'm still on the table, I get the stomach noises (buriburigmous). I don't know how to spell it. The practitioner is always happy to hear these sounds as she says it means the acupuncture is working. I have discussed detoxifying with my practitioner. She said that I was not strong enough at this time. I am also looking into a special diet that lets you recover from leaky gut syndrome. I ordered the book from amazon and it should be here next week. I'll let the list know if it's any good. Karen in San Diego Rabbitbrain wrote: > Karen, I have many of your symptoms too except for the migrains > and diahreah. IBS with constipation but I reduced many of my IBS > symptoms with the use of supplements. Didn't mean I solved the > IBS funtion. Acupuncture helped get my bowels to move. > > I got rid of many of my fibro symptoms but as 3 years past by I > began feeling pain sneeking back. I am glad I found acupunture. > It helped me allot. And I am so surprised how strong the spleen > is to our body, it is like the major ruler. > > I had gallstone tests too and no stones shown. Gallstone pain > soon following rib cage pain. Then getting pain that feels like > it is on the right side of my kidney but I haven't kidney problems. > > Please understand this. If you don't feel an improvement with > the acupuncturist you are seeing right now, don't give up. > Find another. I know it is expensive to run to another but that > is what I had to do. My first acupuncturist helped me with many > symptoms but failed to diagnose the spleen defiecency. > I was left very confused and just got mad and tried someone > else at the last second. > > Have you considered that the cystitis and the fybro could be > a problem with detoxing? Did you get to read my gripe about > how commercial bath products made me sick? Could that > be contributing to your problem as well? If toxins don't move > out of your body then it does stress the immune system. > > It sounds like you have someone who knows what they are doing. > Keep us updated on your progress. > > Liz D. > > > - > Karen Peterson > Chinese Traditional Medicine > 3/29/2004 9:09:33 PM > Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Immune System Imbalance? > > > Rabiah, > > I just started treatment in November 2003. I see an acupuncturist who > is also an herbalist. She has me taking a spleen strengthening TCM > called gui pi wan. I take it twice per day. In western medicine my > diagnoses are: fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, IBS, and migraine. > I have had kidney and gall stone pain, but no kidney or gall stones. I > have diarrhea dominant IBS and have tried to change my diet to control > it. Interstitial Cystitis and fibromyalgia are considered immune system > problems. These conditions, according to my western doctors, are all > related. I can tell from a TCM point, that I have deficiencies and > stagnation. That is why I joined this list, to learn more about TCM. > > Karen P. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 In a message dated 3/31/04 11:01:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, victoria_dragon writes: > Actually it's not trust but denial. > > . It's THEIR responsibility that they > are unscrupulous. > > For some the lesson is what to do about the unscrupulous. > > Yes teacher thsi is all very true > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Karen, do you know your TCM diagnosis, and do you mind sharing it here? You may want to ask your herbalist about cayenne. It increases peritalsis, the wave-like motions of the intestines which moves fecal matter. Do you know what the TCM Root of your lack of bowel movement is? The reason I ask is that mine was due to Kidney Yang Deficiency and Cold. Even today if I slack off on Kidney Yang tonics and herbs that warm the Interior, the problem returns. But this is not the only possible Root of constipation. Qi Stagnation can do it. Of course the Qi Stagnation can be caused by different things. In general, constipation which result in hard, dry stools have a Heat and/or Yin Deficiency Root. They may be small and roundish and be dry. Liver Qi Stagnation can result in alternating constipation and diarrhea with very small, roundish stools that are not dry (unless Heat also is present). Thin stools like a pencil can point to Spleen Qi Deficiency. (This also can be a sign of bowel carcinoma.) " Constipation with abdominal pain points to stagnation of Liver-Qi or Cold. Pain from stagnation of Liver-Qi is not too severe and is accompanied by pronounced distention. Pain from Cold is severe and spastic. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Practice of , p.478.) There are some other things that can cause pain, but keep these general guidelines in mind when analyzing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 > I was just saying how I try to see everything as a learning situation,but > unscrupulousness still baffles me.Rabiah Sometimes the learning situation is to learn and accept that there are people like this. There are people who no matter what their healers or a medical system do to them or to loved ones continue to trust blindly. Actually it's not trust but denial. Sometimes the lesson is to realize and accept that one did not cause these people to be unscupulous. It's THEIR responsibility that they are unscrupulous. For some the lesson is what to do about the unscrupulous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Victoria, I don't know the definite diagnosis in TCM, but my practitioner treats my gallbladder/liver and bladder meridians. I initially went to her for treatment for migraine, so she had to go easy at first to not raise chi to my head and cause a migraine. She immediately started me on flax seed oil. Then, introduced feverfew extract and magnesium for migraine prevention. She had to make sure that the pharmaceuticals I was taking would not interfere with the herbs, and vice versa. After two months of treatment, I started taking the Gui Pi Wan, spleen strengthening tea pills. I can ask her about cayenne, but I wonder if heat could cause a migraine? I have almost constant diarrhea. It is watery, very bright yellow in color and smells very bad. I also have crampy, explosive diarrhea about twice per week. I have tried congee for breakfast to help calm and warm my spleen, but prefer plain oatmeal instead. If I microwave it with some almond milk I don't even need to sweeten it. I just put a tsp. of butter in it for a little fat. If I let it cool down some, I can even put my flax seed oil in it. My western med diagnosis are: fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, IBS, and migraine. I have hypermobile joints and have to be careful to not hyperextend my arms or legs. I also have Rosacea, which runs in my family. I read that it can be caused by heat rising to the face. I am currently seeing my practitioner one a month and started hydrotherapy twice per week. In April, I will be getting manual therapy twice per week. It's a kind of massage therapy and my insurance is paying for it. I hope to be able to go back to work this July, but some of my family members think I should pursue disability. I have worked full time for fourteen years but have been off since last September. Karen in San Diego victoria_dragon wrote: > Karen, do you know your TCM diagnosis, and do you mind sharing it > here? > > You may want to ask your herbalist about cayenne. It increases > peritalsis, the wave-like motions of the intestines which moves fecal > matter. > > Do you know what the TCM Root of your lack of bowel movement is? The > reason I ask is that mine was due to Kidney Yang Deficiency and > Cold. Even today if I slack off on Kidney Yang tonics and herbs that > warm the Interior, the problem returns. > > But this is not the only possible Root of constipation. Qi > Stagnation can do it. Of course the Qi Stagnation can be caused by > different things. > > In general, constipation which result in hard, dry stools have a Heat > and/or Yin Deficiency Root. They may be small and roundish and be dry. > > Liver Qi Stagnation can result in alternating constipation and > diarrhea with very small, roundish stools that are not dry (unless > Heat also is present). > > Thin stools like a pencil can point to Spleen Qi Deficiency. (This > also can be a sign of bowel carcinoma.) > > " Constipation with abdominal pain points to stagnation of Liver-Qi or > Cold. Pain from stagnation of Liver-Qi is not too severe and is > accompanied by pronounced distention. Pain from Cold is severe and > spastic. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Practice of , > p.478.) > > There are some other things that can cause pain, but keep these > general guidelines in mind when analyzing. > > > > > > Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine > Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine- > Un: Chinese Traditional Medicine- > List owner: Chinese Traditional Medicine-owner > > Shortcut URL to this page: > /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine > > > ------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 > I can ask her about cayenne, but I wonder if heat could cause a migraine? Migraines can be due to Heat or Cold. That's why I suggested discussing it with her and asked if you know your TCM diagnosis. A further possible contraindication in your case is that cayenne can scatter Qi. You're already Qi Deficient (from a weak Spleen). > I have almost constant diarrhea. It is watery, very bright yellow in > color and smells very bad. " Pale stools indicate Dampness, usually Damp-Heat in the Gall Bladder. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Practice of , p. 478.) Whenever something stinks really bad, this points to Damp Heat. Be it bowel movements, urine, vomit, etc. > I also have crampy, explosive diarrhea about twice per week. In the previous post I talked about the cramping associated with Cold. But cramping also can be associated with a weak Spleen and/or Blood Defciency. The TCM definition of Blood is not equivalent to blood. Part of the TCM definition of Blood is that it moistens and nourishes. If muscles are not being properly nourished and moistened, they can cramp. And Qi Stagnation can be associated with cramping. Magnesium deficiency (or a potassium deficiency) can cause muscles to cramp. In the case of Mg deficiency, aluminum can interfere with absorption and utilization of Mg. Do you ever drink any soft drinks in cans? I ask because some soft drink manufacturers do not line their cans, and just the tiny bit of Al that leeches into the soda can be enough to make a critical difference in some individuals. The same remarks apply to aluminum cookware. Also, be on the lookout for aluminum added to any baked products and aluminum in antiacids. Malic acid increases Mg absorption. Mg can be lost through sweat (as well as excessive urination). One of the manifestations of Qi Deficiency is a tendency to perspire. So Qi Deficiency can aggravate a tendency to Mg deficiency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Remediesbyrabiah wrote: >Cat >I was just saying how I try to see everything as a learning situation,but >unscrupulousness still baffles me.Rabiah I hear ya :-) ^. .^ ~ " Optimism is magic! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Hi Karen, I hope you do not mind me butting in here, but I would like to say that there is an interesting Western book you might like to read just for the way it puts your symptoms into a single diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This book really caught my interest and even though I would not dream of using the protocol which was suggested (though if sick enough I might even try that--just lucky that my symptoms in this area are mild compared to most). I have posted this recently in the discussion of fibromyalgia, but in case you did not see it I will post the title and author again: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia by R. Paul St. Amand, M.D. and Claudia Craig Marek Although this book is Western in outlook I think that this doctor's view of fibromyalgia and its symptoms ties everything together better than anything I have read about this subject in the past. Not that I like the solution, but as I say if I were greatly suffering I might try it or at least get the herb (guaiacom officianale) from which the drug (guaifenesin--available OTC in smaller doses) he uses is derived, to see if it would help. Interestingly the herb is a warming herb. I found lots of information about the herb on the internet, most of it from old herbal books where it was used for what was then called rheumatism, mostly of the chronic type. So far I have only found the herb on the internet in UK and Australia. Currently I am using cherry juice and finding some relief from the small painful knots I have in my legs. Acupuncture and herbs alone were not solving that problem entirely. Also since I have crystal like substances which come out of my body in various areas from time to time and which seem to be forced out by herbs at times and recently by the cherry juice (reputed to help fibromyalgia) as well I was quite taken by this doctor's view that the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia may be caused by the kidney's inability (at least in some people) to excrete enough phosphates from the body leading to all sorts of mineral imbalances. This may lead to accumulation of these minerals in joints and muscles all over the body, even the brain causing headaches and pain in various ways. Wow, this is the first explanation that has made sense to me, though it is his theory and so far not entirely understood on all points. Still he has done a lot of research and is a clinical professor at UCLA school of medicine. So I think that he may be onto something here and puts his case out in an understandable manner for what I can only think of has a doctor solving a problem TCM style, finding the root cause of an imbalance in the body (though probably he does not see it this way). Perhaps cleansing with the herbs for years has kept this problem mild in my case and therefore I have fewer symptoms than some. Still this doctor mentions all your (Karen's) symptoms as being caused by this imbalance including the interstitial cystitis, IBS and skin involvement, though roseacea is not specifically mentioned. I would also like to mention the Lowes who I feel have some different insights into fibromyalgia. Although they are chiropractors they have done extensive research which is well documented. Their web site for those interested is: http://www.drlowe.com/ Many people who have fibromyalgia may also have a concurrent problem with the thyroid. The Lowes mostly use T3, the active form of thyroid medication, (though they also mention using natural thyroid medication) to help those with fibromyalgia and evidently have seen many formerly sick people improve tremendously. I am hypothyroid and I can say that many of my symptoms improved with the use of medication which elevated my basal temperatures. Being consistently too cold and unable, despite using TCM herbs and acupuncture, to elevate body temperatures I opted for adding in natural thyroid medication. That plus TCM has made me feel so much better. Now I am using cherry juice which I feel will over time improve my health even more. Sometimes I think it takes more than one way of looking at a problem to improve health. Not that I am saying that everyone with fibromyalgia needs thyroid medication, but it may be the missing key for at least some. The Lowes' have also written a book for the general audience on this subject (they also have a professional book out which is even more detailed) which is called: Your Guide to Metabolic Health by Dr. Gina Honeyman-Lowe and Dr. John C. Lowe Best wishes, Sarah <Karen Peterson <kpeterha <Re: Re: Immune System Imbalance? ,Victoria, I don't know the definite diagnosis in TCM, but my practitioner treats my gallbladder/liver and bladder meridians. I initially went to her for treatment for migraine, so she had to go easy at first to not raise chi to my head and cause a migraine. She immediately started me on flax seed oil. Then, introduced feverfew extract and magnesium for migraine prevention. She had to make sure that the pharmaceuticals I was taking would not interfere with the herbs, and vice versa. After two months of treatment, I started taking the Gui Pi Wan, spleen strengthening tea pills. I can ask her about cayenne, but I wonder if heat could cause a migraine? I have almost constant diarrhea. It is watery, very bright yellow in color and smells very bad. I also have crampy, explosive diarrhea about twice per week. I have tried congee for breakfast to help calm and warm my spleen, but prefer plain oatmeal instead. If I microwave it with some almond milk I don't even need to sweeten it. I just put a tsp. of butter in it for a little fat. If I let it cool down some, I can even put my flax seed oil in it. My western med diagnosis are: fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, IBS, and migraine. I have hypermobile joints and have to be careful to not hyperextend my arms or legs. I also have Rosacea, which runs in my family. I read that it can be caused by heat rising to the face. I am currently seeing my practitioner one a month and started hydrotherapy twice per week. In April, I will be getting manual therapy twice per week. It's a kind of massage therapy and my insurance is paying for it. I hope to be able to go back to work this July, but some of my family members think I should pursue disability. I have worked full time for fourteen years but have been off since last September. Karen in San Diego Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2004 Report Share Posted April 1, 2004 Liz, Peanuts are high in oxalates, which usually triggers our symptoms. If you're interested in a listing of foods and their oxalate content, you can try: http://www.branwen.com/rowan/oxalate.htm For information on how oxalates affect you: http://www.ichelp.org or http://www.ic-network.org These are two sites for information on interstitial cystitis, a inflammation of the bladder lining. They promote a diet low in oxalates as a way to help the bladder wall repair itself. Karen in San Diego Rabbitbrain wrote: > My practitioner told me not to eat cayenne because it > suppresses the spleen. We were talking about staying off > of spicy foods and I asked him about curry that I like to > eat. He said he didn't think curry was spicy. I told him that > I eat it with a good dose of cayenne pepper and that is > when he said not to the cayenne. Also no to raw vegetables, > cooked or steamed is good. And I figured out peanuts is > out because it triggered my symptoms. > > Liz D. > > > - > Karen Peterson > Chinese Traditional Medicine > 3/31/2004 8:13:47 PM > Re: [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: Immune System Imbalance? > > After two months of treatment, I started taking the Gui Pi Wan, spleen > strengthening tea pills. > I can ask her about cayenne, but I wonder if heat could cause a migraine? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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