Follow up questions regarding my wife

[Guest guest]

Hi Edith,

 

Responses below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

--- On Tue, 8/26/08, Edith Chan, L.Ac. <chineseherbs wrote:

 

Edith Chan, L.Ac. <chineseherbs

Re: Re: an observation concerning phlegm vs. pathogenic fluids

Chinese Medicine

Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 11:01 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Yehuda,

 

 

I am curious of the western Dx. In physical exam, 12 cranial nerves, her

reflexes, MRI, etc... what are the western neurological findings? Has she

undergone heavy metal testing?

 

 

The Western diagnosis as of a couple of years ago is Atypical seizure disorder, 

Atypical movement disorder, Sympathetic Hypertonicity.     She hasn't had a

neurological examination for 4-5 years, but why bother:  Previously, she had 5

MRIs, and a couple of EEGs, CT scans, all normal.  A PET scan showed that her

dopamine receptors were exhausted, but we knew that anyway!   Back in the early

90s Chana underwent amalgam replacements using Huggins protocol to limit

exposure during the procedure.  It was done by quadrant and by measuring the

electric charge of each amalgam.  Afterward she did a DMPS challenge which

showed levels of mercury consistent with industrial levels of exposure.  Over

the course of about 18 months she underwent DMPS and DMSA IV and oral chelation,

and thank G-d, when her levels were tested after 18 months, levels of mercury

were negligible.  However during the whole process, there was little impact on

her seizures,

constitution or movement disorder.  She also was tested years ago for other

heavy metals and the results were not informative.

 

Also, nutritionally, it sounds like moistening foods are helpful. What about

her intake of healthy fats? (supplementing with krill oil, or using omega-3

enhanced eggs for your E Jiao Ji Zi huang Tang? :-> )

 

She has a lot of healthy fat in her diet (at least one avocado a day,  and lots

of tehini, almond butter,  and good quality fresh fish once or twice daily.   E

jiao is included in her current formula,  but she is sensitive to eggs (as well

as flax) so I don't include Ji Zi huang in her formula.

 

Whenever I am not very sure of diagnosis, I tend to focus on acupuncture

more than herbs, because acupuncture has more regulatory effect with lower

risk of side effect (except points like DU26 which obviously can be very

intense). With herbs, condition be easily aggravated when diagnosis is

incorrect...

 

I have found that she is doing VERY well with the protocol I am currently

using:  just 8 points:  SI3, 4,5, 6, and UB 62,63,64 and 65, using opposite

sides, depending on the temperature, degree of spasms and nodules on each side,

but only doing one side of each.    Again, the logic behind this is to regulate

the Tai Yang, and it is working.  Interestingly, the effect is less effective

and less calming when I have added any other points.  I am needling her daily.  

As far as her formula, she is responding very well to it, drinks 8oz 3x daily

1/2hour before meals. 

 

Given the suspicion that this is Wind or Wind-dryness causing

seizure/parkinson' s like symptoms.... i would use acupoints that treat

those. Surely you have plenty of ideas already. Just to add to the mix, I've

had nice results with parkinsons, seizure, and tremor patients of a variety

of underlying patterns using variations on this simple combo --

 

GB20, PC6, KD6, UB62, LV3.

 

Sometimes I add DU20, or use head acupuncture points systems distate(e.g.

chorea & tremor line lower 1/3). Since taking a course with Dr. Shunfa Jiao

(inventor of head acupuncture) , i've used head points frequently with great

results. So I'm a big fan of using head points whenever there is upper

neuron dysfunction involved. (This is why I am curious about Western

Neurological findings, because it helps to determine what head points to

use...)

 

Perhaps you have tried similar point combo's already? If not, I look forward

to hearing if you obtain good results with acupuncture treatment during this

upcoming cycle...

 

Thanks again for sharing.

~edith

 

Thanks Edith.  She is incredibly reactive, but over the past few months she has

been much calmer and happier.  Unfortunately, the seizures continue.  I think

the path I am taking has been constructive, and will continue on it, making very

small modifications with each new formula (a batch generally lasts about 5

days).  Good luck on your DAOM.  I am jealous!  I have been trying for 5 years

to find a program that will work with my Jewish Sabbath observance, and every

time I have been let down, even after having been accepted to one  program, they

changed the day on me from Sunday to Friday (the Sabbath begins at sunset, and

so in the winter, when it begins around 4:30 it would be impossible to attend). 

If anyone listening in has the ear of a DAOM program administrator or director

who might be able to accommodate me, please let me know!

 

All the best,

 

 

 

Yehuda

 

 

Edith Chan, L.Ac.

Doctoral Fellow

Ph: 415.298.5324

www.EdithChanAcupun cture.com