New to group. Need help with diagnosis/treatmernt....

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

 

I'm hoping to get some advice regarding a long-term problem I've had. I

have a lot of problems with phlegm in my throat/lungs. I'm constantly

(especially in the morning) clearing my lungs and throat of mucus. I've

suspected food allergies or just generally poor digestion. The only

thing that seems to relieve it is if I don't eat anything the night

before. But I can't afford not to eat, as I'm already struggling to

keep weight on.

 

I actually studied TCM for a few semesters, a long time ago, so I know

a few things...(just enough to be dangerous). My guess is that I'm

generally yang deficient (low body temps). But I don't know if it's

spleen yang def. or liver acting on spleen etc. I'd love for someone to

have a " crack " at me. I'll gladly post more symptoms etc. if anyone

wants to help give me some direction.

 

I've been dealing with this for a LONG time, and am ready to really try

to figure it out. I need some objective perspectives..

 

Thanks a lot!

-michael

[Guest guest]

On Jan 28, 2008 7:19 AM, M <yoonit wrote:

 

> Hi all:

>

> I'm hoping to get some advice regarding a long-term problem I've had. I

> have a lot of problems with phlegm in my throat/lungs. I'm constantly

> (especially in the morning) clearing my lungs and throat of mucus. I've

> suspected food allergies or just generally poor digestion. The only

> thing that seems to relieve it is if I don't eat anything the night

> before. But I can't afford not to eat, as I'm already struggling to

> keep weight on.

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know what they say about dampness, " Damp is created in the Earth element

and stored in the Metal element. " This is confirmed by how not eating at

night removes the mucus in the morning.

 

So, this is likely going to come down to the following.

 

 

1. Spleen/Stomach deficiency.

2. Foods that are too difficult to digest.

3. Food stagnation due to #2 or as an outcome of qi stagnation.

4. All of the above.

 

What are you eating at night? What time are you eating your final meal or

snack?

 

If you'd like to try something kind of benign and safe regardless of your

situation, consider Po Chai Pills. I take them at night too, just to avoid

any weird bad dreams if I feel my food is stuck in my stomach. Sometimes

that happens. Food stagnation generates heat, that heat rises to the Heart

and affects one's shen/spirit and ultimately their dreams.

 

I actually studied TCM for a few semesters, a long time ago, so I know

> a few things...(just enough to be dangerous). My guess is that I'm

> generally yang deficient (low body temps). But I don't know if it's

> spleen yang def. or liver acting on spleen etc. I'd love for someone to

> have a " crack " at me. I'll gladly post more symptoms etc. if anyone

> wants to help give me some direction.

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You low body temperature isn't as important as how you feel. In other words,

do you feel cold and put on a sweater or coat before everybody else in the

room? That's what you're looking for, not the readings of a thermometer.

Also, and this is very important, all of these indications need to be put

into context. If you're feeling colder than others in the room, one may

default to calling that a deficiency cold condition (not enough Kidney yang

to warm the body), however it may very well be due to the fact that you're

THIN. Thin folks lack body fat, and that causes us to be more sensitive to

cold environments. (Al speaks from experience here.)

 

If you do have Kidney yang deficiency, you'll likely see a few other

symptoms too such as frequent urination (how many times do you get up AT

NIGHT to whiz?), low libido, low back pain that is aggravated by fatigue

(not a sports injury), etc...

 

Liver/Spleen disharmony may be part of the deal here, especially if stress

aggravates the condition (or the menstrual cycle of you're female), but

because you've only mentioned " eating the night before " as aggravating the

condition, I'd default to food stagnation of some sort and give those Po

Chai pills a try. If you can't find Po Chai, consider " Curing Pills " or " Bao

He Wan " . I like Po Chai, but these others are good too.

 

-al.

 

--

, DAOM

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi AL..

 

Thanks for responding. I'm honored that you would take time to help me..

 

I eat pretty much the same thing for each meal: first some meat or chicken or

fish, then steam-fried organic veggies and some basmati rice or squash or

potato. I tend to eat a lot more veggies than most people. I've wondered if I

that could put one in " yin excess? " Or affect yang somehow.. I also take either

betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch and dinner. But maybe not enough?

I try to be finished eating by 6 or 6:30. I've had to give up any kind of

evening snacking.

 

Yes, I usually feel colder than other people. And I wear long johns (in WI)

earlier and later in the season than anyone else I know. But yes, I've wondered

if it's from having very low body fat. I lift weights, so am muscular, but fat

is probably 7 or 8%. I'm male, 6'2 " , 168 lbs.

 

I get up to P once (at least) per night, even though I hardly drink anything

with dinner or after dinner. (And no prostate problem).

 

And if it's any help, I'm also borderline anemic (macrocytic) and scored very

low in cortisol (saliva) and dhea and sigA.

 

Used to have low back pain, but doing lots of situps helped. Libido seems ok.

 

I'll shop for the bo chai...

 

Thanks a lot!

-michael

 

Al Stone <al wrote:

On Jan 28, 2008 7:19 AM, M <yoonit wrote:

 

> Hi all:

>

> I'm hoping to get some advice regarding a long-term problem I've had. I

> have a lot of problems with phlegm in my throat/lungs. I'm constantly

> (especially in the morning) clearing my lungs and throat of mucus. I've

> suspected food allergies or just generally poor digestion. The only

> thing that seems to relieve it is if I don't eat anything the night

> before. But I can't afford not to eat, as I'm already struggling to

> keep weight on.

>

 

You know what they say about dampness, " Damp is created in the Earth element

and stored in the Metal element. " This is confirmed by how not eating at

night removes the mucus in the morning.

 

So, this is likely going to come down to the following.

 

1. Spleen/Stomach deficiency.

2. Foods that are too difficult to digest.

3. Food stagnation due to #2 or as an outcome of qi stagnation.

4. All of the above.

 

What are you eating at night? What time are you eating your final meal or

snack?

 

If you'd like to try something kind of benign and safe regardless of your

situation, consider Po Chai Pills. I take them at night too, just to avoid

any weird bad dreams if I feel my food is stuck in my stomach. Sometimes

that happens. Food stagnation generates heat, that heat rises to the Heart

and affects one's shen/spirit and ultimately their dreams.

 

I actually studied TCM for a few semesters, a long time ago, so I know

> a few things...(just enough to be dangerous). My guess is that I'm

> generally yang deficient (low body temps). But I don't know if it's

> spleen yang def. or liver acting on spleen etc. I'd love for someone to

> have a " crack " at me. I'll gladly post more symptoms etc. if anyone

> wants to help give me some direction.

>

 

You low body temperature isn't as important as how you feel. In other words,

do you feel cold and put on a sweater or coat before everybody else in the

room? That's what you're looking for, not the readings of a thermometer.

Also, and this is very important, all of these indications need to be put

into context. If you're feeling colder than others in the room, one may

default to calling that a deficiency cold condition (not enough Kidney yang

to warm the body), however it may very well be due to the fact that you're

THIN. Thin folks lack body fat, and that causes us to be more sensitive to

cold environments. (Al speaks from experience here.)

 

If you do have Kidney yang deficiency, you'll likely see a few other

symptoms too such as frequent urination (how many times do you get up AT

NIGHT to whiz?), low libido, low back pain that is aggravated by fatigue

(not a sports injury), etc...

 

Liver/Spleen disharmony may be part of the deal here, especially if stress

aggravates the condition (or the menstrual cycle of you're female), but

because you've only mentioned " eating the night before " as aggravating the

condition, I'd default to food stagnation of some sort and give those Po

Chai pills a try. If you can't find Po Chai, consider " Curing Pills " or " Bao

He Wan " . I like Po Chai, but these others are good too.

 

-al.

 

--

, DAOM

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi the Po Chai is awesome. I have had chronic digestion problems since - as

far back as I can remember. I take enzymes and that now, as well as some

balancing tea pills (forgive me i forget the name at the moment) - let me just

say - my poor husband thought i was Jeckell and Hyde ... now - i am calm - i

also do yoga daily. But it REALLY helped. I went off on a tangent, on two

things... apologies. But it REALLY helped! Thank you much for this list.

 

lexi

 

M F <yoonit wrote: Hi AL..

 

Thanks for responding. I'm honored that you would take time to help me..

 

I eat pretty much the same thing for each meal: first some meat or chicken or

fish, then steam-fried organic veggies and some basmati rice or squash or

potato. I tend to eat a lot more veggies than most people. I've wondered if I

that could put one in " yin excess? " Or affect yang somehow.. I also take either

betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch and dinner. But maybe not enough?

I try to be finished eating by 6 or 6:30. I've had to give up any kind of

evening snacking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

 

 

[Guest guest]

On Jan 28, 2008 11:04 AM, M F <yoonit wrote:

 

> I eat pretty much the same thing for each meal: first some meat or

> chicken or fish, then steam-fried organic veggies and some basmati rice or

> squash or potato. I tend to eat a lot more veggies than most people. I've

> wondered if I that could put one in " yin excess? " Or affect yang somehow..

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

The conventional TCM wisdom regarding diet kind of favors what you're doing.

I think that you're eating right, for what it's worth. As for the yin/yang

balance, everything can be divided into yin and yang, but that's not always

a cause of problems. Your diet here looks fine from a yin/yang balance, in

fact I think you have a very good diet. Invite me over some time, we'll have

a tall thin guys club banquet.

 

 

> I also take either betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch and

> dinner. But maybe not enough? I try to be finished eating by 6 or 6:30. I've

> had to give up any kind of evening snacking.

>

 

 

 

 

 

This goes back to what I mentioned a few days back. If taking the HCl or

enzymes doesn't help, perhaps you don't need them. What happens if you stop

taking them?

 

As for evening snacking, have you tried fresh fruits?

 

> Yes, I usually feel colder than other people. And I wear long johns (in

> WI) earlier and later in the season than anyone else I know. But yes, I've

> wondered if it's from having very low body fat. I lift weights, so am

> muscular, but fat is probably 7 or 8%. I'm male, 6'2 " , 168 lbs.

>

> I get up to P once (at least) per night, even though I hardly drink

> anything with dinner or after dinner. (And no prostate problem).

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, that may indicate some Kidney yang or qi deficiency. If you're over say,

60 years old, this is closer to normal. If you're younger, then you might

have something going on there.

 

And if it's any help, I'm also borderline anemic (macrocytic) and scored

> very low in cortisol (saliva) and dhea and sigA.

>

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if that helps or not. I usually rely on tongue appearance (pale

color suggests " blood deficiency " ) to make that anemia assessment, but I'm

unsure as to the other test results' meaning.

 

I'll shop for the bo chai...

>

 

 

 

You might be more likely to locate *Po* Chai than *Bo* Chai.

 

If you'd like to look in to warming yourself up a bit, take a look at Jin

Gui Shen Qi Wan. It's somewhat benign and balanced. It nourishes yin and

yang both, but leans slightly to the yang side resulting in more qi for the

Kidneys. It will address frequent urination and low back pain, though as you

mentioned, strengthening all those girdle muscles helps with that problem.

 

-al.

--

, DAOM

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi AL..

 

Next time you're in WI, stop in for a plate of slop..

 

I've never really noticed much of a difference when skipping

the 'zymes etc. But like I said, I may not be using enough. Someone

chimed in yesterday on the forum about taking 4 zymes in the evening

and getting relief from sinus problems. I should experiment more..

 

But I do plan on trying out the two formulas you mentioned. I had

already decided on the jin gue (nice to have that confirmed), and I'm

sure the po chai pills will also help.

 

I've given up most fruits too, as sugar seems to bother me. I have a

history of candida, along with mercury burden from having 16 fillings

by the time I was 18 years old. I've done a lot of chelating (Cutler

protocol) over the last two years and had the fillings removed more

than 12 years ago. So I was approaching my health problems as having

to do with Hg poisoning the pituitary etc. The chelating has helped

me feel better and digestion is better, but still have food, dust and

mold allergies.

 

As for tongue (and I did manage to stay in school long enough to get

exposed to tongue diagnosis): mine seems perhaps slightly pale,

swollen and very little coat, except way in back.

 

If I forgot to mention, I'm in my early 50's.

 

Thanks a lot!

-michael

 

 

 

 

> The conventional TCM wisdom regarding diet kind of favors what

you're doing.

> I think that you're eating right, for what it's worth. As for the

yin/yang

> balance, everything can be divided into yin and yang, but that's

not always

> a cause of problems. Your diet here looks fine from a yin/yang

balance, in

> fact I think you have a very good diet. Invite me over some time,

we'll have

> a tall thin guys club banquet.

>

>

> > I also take either betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch

and

> > dinner. But maybe not enough? I try to be finished eating by 6 or

6:30. I've

> > had to give up any kind of evening snacking.

> This goes back to what I mentioned a few days back. If taking the

HCl or

> enzymes doesn't help, perhaps you don't need them. What happens if

you stop

> taking them?

>

> As for evening snacking, have you tried fresh fruits?

>

> > Yes, I usually feel colder than other people. And I wear long

johns (in

> > WI) earlier and later in the season than anyone else I know. But

yes, I've

> > wondered if it's from having very low body fat. I lift weights,

so am

> > muscular, but fat is probably 7 or 8%. I'm male, 6'2 " , 168 lbs.

> >

> > I get up to P once (at least) per night, even though I hardly

drink

> > anything with dinner or after dinner. (And no prostate problem).

> >

>

>

>

So, that may indicate some Kidney yang or qi deficiency. If you're

over say,

> 60 years old, this is closer to normal. If you're younger, then you

might

> have something going on there.

>

> And if it's any help, I'm also borderline anemic (macrocytic) and

scored

> > very low in cortisol (saliva) and dhea and sigA.

> >

>

>

>

>

> I'm not sure if that helps or not. I usually rely on tongue

appearance (pale

> color suggests " blood deficiency " ) to make that anemia assessment,

but I'm

> unsure as to the other test results' meaning.

>

> I'll shop for the bo chai...

> >

>

>

>

> You might be more likely to locate *Po* Chai than *Bo* Chai.

>

> If you'd like to look in to warming yourself up a bit, take a look

at Jin

> Gui Shen Qi Wan. It's somewhat benign and balanced. It nourishes

yin and

> yang both, but leans slightly to the yang side resulting in more qi

for the

> Kidneys. It will address frequent urination and low back pain,

though as you

> mentioned, strengthening all those girdle muscles helps with that

problem.

>

> -al.

> --

> , DAOM

> Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

M, your health problems are identical to mine.

 

Everything from Mercury poisoning to enzymes being used. Sugar bothers me also,

I am/was

hypoglycemic.

 

Your lucky if you don't have sinus problems. The enzymes helped a bit, but alas

they now seem to be

tapering off in their usefulness.

 

Any problems with tinnitus?

 

I am seeing my TCM today or tomorrow and will be discussing Large intestine

dampness. I will share my

results after.

 

Good luck M.

 

Rick

 

 

M

Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:28 AM

Chinese Traditional Medicine

[Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: New to group. Need help with

diagnosis/treatmernt....

 

 

Hi AL..

 

Next time you're in WI, stop in for a plate of slop..

 

I've never really noticed much of a difference when skipping

the 'zymes etc. But like I said, I may not be using enough. Someone

chimed in yesterday on the forum about taking 4 zymes in the evening

and getting relief from sinus problems. I should experiment more..

 

But I do plan on trying out the two formulas you mentioned. I had

already decided on the jin gue (nice to have that confirmed), and I'm

sure the po chai pills will also help.

 

I've given up most fruits too, as sugar seems to bother me. I have a

history of candida, along with mercury burden from having 16 fillings

by the time I was 18 years old. I've done a lot of chelating (Cutler

protocol) over the last two years and had the fillings removed more

than 12 years ago. So I was approaching my health problems as having

to do with Hg poisoning the pituitary etc. The chelating has helped

me feel better and digestion is better, but still have food, dust and

mold allergies.

 

As for tongue (and I did manage to stay in school long enough to get

exposed to tongue diagnosis): mine seems perhaps slightly pale,

swollen and very little coat, except way in back.

 

If I forgot to mention, I'm in my early 50's.

 

Thanks a lot!

-michael

 

> The conventional TCM wisdom regarding diet kind of favors what

you're doing.

> I think that you're eating right, for what it's worth. As for the

yin/yang

> balance, everything can be divided into yin and yang, but that's

not always

> a cause of problems. Your diet here looks fine from a yin/yang

balance, in

> fact I think you have a very good diet. Invite me over some time,

we'll have

> a tall thin guys club banquet.

>

>

> > I also take either betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch

and

> > dinner. But maybe not enough? I try to be finished eating by 6 or

6:30. I've

> > had to give up any kind of evening snacking.

> This goes back to what I mentioned a few days back. If taking the

HCl or

> enzymes doesn't help, perhaps you don't need them. What happens if

you stop

> taking them?

>

> As for evening snacking, have you tried fresh fruits?

>

> > Yes, I usually feel colder than other people. And I wear long

johns (in

> > WI) earlier and later in the season than anyone else I know. But

yes, I've

> > wondered if it's from having very low body fat. I lift weights,

so am

> > muscular, but fat is probably 7 or 8%. I'm male, 6'2 " , 168 lbs.

> >

> > I get up to P once (at least) per night, even though I hardly

drink

> > anything with dinner or after dinner. (And no prostate problem).

> >

>

>

>

So, that may indicate some Kidney yang or qi deficiency. If you're

over say,

> 60 years old, this is closer to normal. If you're younger, then you

might

> have something going on there.

>

> And if it's any help, I'm also borderline anemic (macrocytic) and

scored

> > very low in cortisol (saliva) and dhea and sigA.

> >

>

>

>

>

> I'm not sure if that helps or not. I usually rely on tongue

appearance (pale

> color suggests " blood deficiency " ) to make that anemia assessment,

but I'm

> unsure as to the other test results' meaning.

>

> I'll shop for the bo chai...

> >

>

>

>

> You might be more likely to locate *Po* Chai than *Bo* Chai.

>

> If you'd like to look in to warming yourself up a bit, take a look

at Jin

> Gui Shen Qi Wan. It's somewhat benign and balanced. It nourishes

yin and

> yang both, but leans slightly to the yang side resulting in more qi

for the

> Kidneys. It will address frequent urination and low back pain,

though as you

> mentioned, strengthening all those girdle muscles helps with that

problem.

>

> -al.

> --

> , DAOM

> Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rick..

 

Sorry to hear about your sinus problems. I'm also interested in the concept of

dampness and would be interested to find out what your TCM person recommends for

you.

 

I've had occaisional bouts of tinnitis, but nothing that lasts, and not very

frequent. I've had many other weird symptoms though..

 

Good luck and keep us informed of your pregress..

 

-michael

 

Big Sky <bigskyagency wrote:

M, your health problems are identical to mine.

 

Everything from Mercury poisoning to enzymes being used. Sugar bothers me also,

I am/was

hypoglycemic.

 

Your lucky if you don't have sinus problems. The enzymes helped a bit, but alas

they now seem to be

tapering off in their usefulness.

 

Any problems with tinnitus?

 

I am seeing my TCM today or tomorrow and will be discussing Large intestine

dampness. I will share my

results after.

 

Good luck M.

 

Rick

 

M

Thursday, January 31, 2008 9:28 AM

Chinese Traditional Medicine

[Chinese Traditional Medicine] Re: New to group. Need help with

diagnosis/treatmernt....

 

Hi AL..

 

Next time you're in WI, stop in for a plate of slop..

 

I've never really noticed much of a difference when skipping

the 'zymes etc. But like I said, I may not be using enough. Someone

chimed in yesterday on the forum about taking 4 zymes in the evening

and getting relief from sinus problems. I should experiment more..

 

But I do plan on trying out the two formulas you mentioned. I had

already decided on the jin gue (nice to have that confirmed), and I'm

sure the po chai pills will also help.

 

I've given up most fruits too, as sugar seems to bother me. I have a

history of candida, along with mercury burden from having 16 fillings

by the time I was 18 years old. I've done a lot of chelating (Cutler

protocol) over the last two years and had the fillings removed more

than 12 years ago. So I was approaching my health problems as having

to do with Hg poisoning the pituitary etc. The chelating has helped

me feel better and digestion is better, but still have food, dust and

mold allergies.

 

As for tongue (and I did manage to stay in school long enough to get

exposed to tongue diagnosis): mine seems perhaps slightly pale,

swollen and very little coat, except way in back.

 

If I forgot to mention, I'm in my early 50's.

 

Thanks a lot!

-michael

 

> The conventional TCM wisdom regarding diet kind of favors what

you're doing.

> I think that you're eating right, for what it's worth. As for the

yin/yang

> balance, everything can be divided into yin and yang, but that's

not always

> a cause of problems. Your diet here looks fine from a yin/yang

balance, in

> fact I think you have a very good diet. Invite me over some time,

we'll have

> a tall thin guys club banquet.

>

>

> > I also take either betaine HCl or enzymes of some sort with lunch

and

> > dinner. But maybe not enough? I try to be finished eating by 6 or

6:30. I've

> > had to give up any kind of evening snacking.

> This goes back to what I mentioned a few days back. If taking the

HCl or

> enzymes doesn't help, perhaps you don't need them. What happens if

you stop

> taking them?

>

> As for evening snacking, have you tried fresh fruits?

>

> > Yes, I usually feel colder than other people. And I wear long

johns (in

> > WI) earlier and later in the season than anyone else I know. But

yes, I've

> > wondered if it's from having very low body fat. I lift weights,

so am

> > muscular, but fat is probably 7 or 8%. I'm male, 6'2 " , 168 lbs.

> >

> > I get up to P once (at least) per night, even though I hardly

drink

> > anything with dinner or after dinner. (And no prostate problem).

> >

>

>

>

So, that may indicate some Kidney yang or qi deficiency. If you're

over say,

> 60 years old, this is closer to normal. If you're younger, then you

might

> have something going on there.

>

> And if it's any help, I'm also borderline anemic (macrocytic) and

scored

> > very low in cortisol (saliva) and dhea and sigA.

> >

>

>

>

>

> I'm not sure if that helps or not. I usually rely on tongue

appearance (pale

> color suggests " blood deficiency " ) to make that anemia assessment,

but I'm

> unsure as to the other test results' meaning.

>

> I'll shop for the bo chai...

> >

>

>

>

> You might be more likely to locate *Po* Chai than *Bo* Chai.

>

> If you'd like to look in to warming yourself up a bit, take a look

at Jin

> Gui Shen Qi Wan. It's somewhat benign and balanced. It nourishes

yin and

> yang both, but leans slightly to the yang side resulting in more qi

for the

> Kidneys. It will address frequent urination and low back pain,

though as you

> mentioned, strengthening all those girdle muscles helps with that

problem.

>

> -al.

> --

> , DAOM

> Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

>

>

>