Holiday Illness

Ever notice how many people on or near the Holidays become ill? Is this a coincidence? I think not!

I believe the lack of vitamin D (from less daylight) and the foods we consume in the Winter and on Holidays are the culprit. We think we can have a piece of pie knowing it's an allergen or harmful (especially to people with an illness) and yet we eat it anyway because we don't want to insult the host and/or because we think, "One piece can't hurt."

The Holidays often bring about the thoughts of yummy foods and we want to eat what every one else is enjoying.

This notion is false. When we eat foods we aren't suppose to or consume too much sugar it's toxic to our bodies. Heck any sugar is toxic and causes inflammation - even in a healthy body.

How do we remedy this?

First deal with the inflammation - drink water with lemon (simple and most affordable way to treat inflammation).

Secondly the sugar causes an overgrowth of candida in our system. To treat this consume black walnut hulls (found at a vitamin store) and take grapefruit seed extract.

To speed the process of removing the candida overgrowth and reducing inflammation hit the gym, exercise, do yoga, stretch, walk and get your heart rate up (in addition take a vitamin D supplement or get sunlight).

Your mind will become more clear after removing the candida overgrowth and pain will subside after treating inflammation.

Next Holiday season offer to bring a dessert and or dishes that are healthier for you to consume to avoid this problem. 

Rant about the world

I don't know what bothers me more - the unseen pain and torture people face with disease or watching ppl innocently eat and live in society until they are diseased. How doesn't our society know what foods are poisonous and should be avoided? Or do we know and boldly eat and welcome the circumstances (thinking this won't happen to me). As a victim of such tragedy in the US I hate it - though I question would I have stopped if I never became ill? I notify my family of such chronic conditions and possible injuries which could plague their bodies from such toxic foods but they laugh off my knowledge even when I show them logical information proving I am right.

How loud should I scream, what must I say, how do I prove the pain behind what lies behind the pharmacist counters, on our grocery shelves and in our vitamin stores? Why don't we question where things come from? Why are we becoming sick and why are there no cures, yet there's a new iPhone ready for purchase before 2 years?

Things like aloe, medical marijuana, rain water, raw milk, etc. are illegal in our country? Why? What are they trying to stop us from doing? Naturally curing ourselves with our unwanted side effects? Should we seek out a medical professional for testing, drugs and advice? What does this provide? Round about ideas to help soothe our minds including antidepressants therapists and pain relievers yet no cure. I too fell victim to this state.

BUT I AM NOW AWAKE

The more studies I read the more I become confused - I always listen to my body (my one true doctor for advice).

There are numerous atrocities in the world but why does this one bother me more than anything else? Because I suffered for years and followed Eastern medicine and was a prisoner in my own home, a prisoner to drugs the doctors and their teachings and so are numerous of others like me. Who would think that by going to a doctor would I be tortured?

Who is to blame for all of this?

Is it not I? Or we? And why do we still ignore what we know or do we not know or do we not believe? Why aren't those who know acting - or are they - but no one is listening?

Look at my body (my scars can't lie), my medical records, my documented list of 14 daily medications I use to take and the stem cell transplant I went through.

Nothing helped me more than stopping the medications, not seeing the doctors, seeking out alternative remedies, remaining positive and staying physically active.

Pesticides and Foods Containing Deadly Bromine

I went to Indian Ladder Farms today with my boyfriend to get local nutritious food, free of chemicals and pesticides. While he looked at the farm eggs, I found plums with a handwritten sign which read "Grown here." I picked up two small plums and immediatly felt a powdery substance which covered them.

I began to freak out because I felt a cold sensation in the area of my hand which was touching these two tiny plums.

I ran over to my boyfriend and handed him the poisonous plums....and yelled, "Here take these away from me!"

I'm laughing now while I'm typing this, but its really awful....I handed him toxic chemicals to rid me of them.

I know my body is 10 times more sensitive than most people because of my immune system. In fact I often refer to my allergies as "hypersensitive." I can feel poison quicker than most people because my immune system has been compromised.

I think of my allergies as being unique and different then most people. I'm not only allergic to gluten and soy, but to chemicals as well.

Oddly enough we still purchased the plums...

When I got in the car...I felt my hand burning. It had become darker pink on a section of my palm, coupled by little white dots. I couldn't believe it...I only touched the plums for a few seconds.

I recently was reading the book, Doctors are Dangerous, Take Control of Your Health and Escape the Sickness Industry, and came across the chapter on bromine.

Bromine is typically found in pools and in pesticides. The problem with it being in pesticides, is that when crops are sprayed, rain follows and leaks this poison into the ground and into our water. Meaning we bathe and drink it, in small quantities. Bromine is also found in citrus flavored sodas, Gatorade, some breads and vegetable oil as BVO.

Fortunately, most carbon filtration systems can get rid of the bromine in the water, and spring water is typically free of it.

My boyfriend and I have been using Lugol's Solution for three days right now. Its suppose to help detoxify impurities, including bromine from your body (I will keep everyone up to date with how it works).

Lugol's 5% Solution

When we got home we threw out the plums...(I have no idea why we bought them) and I drank water with 2 drops of Lugol's Solution. I also put iodine on my skin where the sensitivity was.

Be careful with this solution...its very potent and can be dangerous. See this link.

Below is a picture of my hand after holding the two tiny plums for only 10 seconds!

Although this a minor irritation, this happened in seconds!

I learned today, that even a small farm can use pesticides and hormones, and I need to ask more questions to be safe.

Here's an earlier post of mine titled, How I Defeated Multiple Sclerosis

The Hidden Dangers of Household Chemicals

I've often wondered how I got multiple sclerosis. I look at our world today, which uses more chemicals, aerosols, pesticides and insecticides than ever before. When we find a vermin or an insect dwelling in our home, we run to the store to buy toxic chemicals to kill it. But is it also killing us?

I came across an interesting article a few years ago in a magazine, which discussed the first and only link to Parkinson's Disease. Scientists found a link to the use of pesticides and insecticides in and near our homes. Strangely enough I found that article so compelling I threw out the ant killer I had in my apartment.

Later that day I stepped out of my home and onto the grass, and thought of what pesticides or insecticides were on the ground, that seeped into the ground water, which I'm now bathing and drinking in. Then I began thinking of all the times I've seen airplanes fly overhead spraying toxic chemicals all over the place to stop the insects from attacking crops.

Here's a link which describes how our water is contaminated from Deet (bug repellent) and causing neurological conditions, such as MS.

A few days later I went to a drive-in theatre and the mosquitoes were biting me like crazy, I went to put bug repellent on, saw it contained Deet, and cringed at the thought of worsening my current condition. I threw the mosquito repellent away and refused to even let my children use it.

If chemicals were created for a toxic purposes, such as killing bugs, why wouldn't they harm us?

Here's a link, which describes the effects of pesticides and insecticides on the auto immune system and the diseases they caused, such as MS and Parkinson's.

My thoughts since then have turned to basic household chemicals, especially ones with aerosols or sprays. I've noticed when Febreeze or Lysol is sprayed near me I feel a tingling sensation in my body and I may sneeze or cough. What good is a fresh smelling home, if we are slowly dying in it?

Burning incense is an alternative to spraying air fresheners and are generally healthy because they are made from aromatic plant materials.  I prefer a lavender scent, but they do come in various aromas.

Since then, I've thrown out every spray in my home, including hair spray. I've realized there are too many chemicals in them we don't understand yet.

Here's a link which explains the chemicals in household cleaners and disinfectants, and the damage they can cause to our body.

There are plenty of alternative cleaners which can be purchased on the Internet or you can make your own from natural products, such as lemons and vinegar. Here's a site which sells safe, non toxic, eco-friendly products.

People with auto immune system disorders (such as myself) have to be careful, not just of the food we eat, but of the air we breath, and the water we drink and bathe in. The immune system is sensitive and an allergic reaction to a harmful chemical is dangerous and can cause future relapses.

This is why its essential to purify our bodies through diet and exercise.

Here's a  link to a previous post entitled, Strengthening the Immune System, which explains how to detoxify and purify your body.

Dangerous Foods to Avoid

Eating healthy can be stressful when you are unsure about what to eat. Advertisements and labels on food may be confusing when you aren't sure what is healthy. Many foods that appear nutritious should be avoided because they are unhealthy and dangerous.

All fast food is to be avoided completely because you never know what is in it. Check out this link, you will never eat fast food again!

It is easy to think food is healthy because of the often deceptive labels and advertisements. You must learn how to read the labels to understand what you are eating. For example, "healthy," "organic," "natural," "veggie" and "soy" are just some of the buzzwords that are used to fool you into thinking what you are about to eat is nutritious, when the truth is just the opposite. The only way to know for sure is to read the ingredients and if there's a word in the list of ingredients you don't understand, chances are its a preservative of some sort and its not healthy for you.

I have several food allergies, that include soy and gluten (wheat), and I avoid these foods to the best of my ability. It is especially important to avoid those foods you may be allergic to, to prevent an auto-immune response, which can trigger a relapse in people with MS.

I eat meat, but I avoid red meat (a link to an interesting read) and pork because they are high in fat and are hard to digest. I also don't eat fish because mercury is present in most fish. In fact, fish is considered dangerous for a fetus in utero. So if its dangerous enough to cause mercury poisoning in unborn children, why would you continue to eat it? Mercury and or heavy metal poisoning is very dangerous. In fact, symptoms of heavy metal toxicity are the same as MS! Check out this link, to see the dangers of mercury in fish.

My protein intake is limited to chicken, turkey (poultry), whey and yogurt.

Another food to avoid is soy. It's not healthy...it has phytoestrogens which are cancer causing. Soy comes in many forms such as hydrogenated oil, vegetable oil, canola oil and margarine. If you aren't sure if something has soy, after the listing of ingredients there are typically food allergies which are listed on the product, so look to see if it says soy. Oils and fats that are healthy are flax, coconut, butter, safflower, sunflower and olive.

Here's is an example of where to find the allergy content on food:

I highly recommend detoxing your system by fasting for at least 24 hours. Afterwards, slowly start introducing foods into your diet. For example, you may want to begin by eating only vegetables and rice at first. Do this so you can see how your body handles these foods. Then introduce beans, but remember some people are allergic to legumes such as beans. If your body doesn't feel good with the food you have introduced, stop it immediately.

No matter what, avoid preservatives (which are found in boxed, packaged, pre- cooked and cooked foods), soy, red meat, pork and saturated fats. Don't fry any of your food. Try to keep a low fat diet. This is essential to being healthy.

In short, shop in the produce, meat, and dairy section of the grocery store. If you want cookies, pastries or cake its best to make it from scratch and use substitutions to keep it healthy, such as honey, molasses, rice flour, coconut oil, safflower or sunflower oil, fruit or dried fruit and baker's cocoa. Natural cocoa is good for you, but chocolate is not. 

Nuts are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, however very high in fat. Only 24 almonds are considered one serving and are approximately 17 grams of fat. So its very easy to eat too many and consume too much fat. I recommend half of a serving or 12 almonds. Packaged nuts may contain soy and salt. All natural nuts are best, so make sure to read the ingredients to check. Same idea applies to avocados which are very healthy and full of vitamins, but a serving is a small slice of the avocado.

I've been asked if coffee is okay...I drink it, and love it. However, caffeine can cause shakes and tremors to become worse. If you shake from drinking coffee I highly advise you to stop. I feel as though coffee has a bad reputation, but it's high in antioxidants, which are good for you. There are no long term side effects associated with caffeine. Short term side effects are shakes, nervousness, headache, withdrawal and dehydration. Therefore I feel caffeine is okay in moderation with plenty of drinking water throughout the day.

Consider your source of water, is it healthy? Tap water is fine when its filtered and spring water (not purified water such as Aquafina) is the best.

Organic and grass fed are the most healthiest foods to buy. However, I can't afford this, so I don't eat it.

The best form of salt is iodized sea salt. I recommend iodized because iodine is necessary for the cells in your body and helps prevent goiter or hypothyroidism. However, the salt which is added to foods, such as chips, usually has no iodine and isn't good for you. I do recommending even removing this salt temporarily to your diet and slowly introducing it into your body, to see how you react with it.

These foods to avoid are only guidelines because everybody is different. What works for me, may not work for you. Listen to your body to find the perfect diet that makes you healthy.

Here's a post I made about other deadly foods, Pesticides and Foods Containg Deadly Bromine

Feeling Shaky

The past few days I've been anxious and distraught because I feel intermittent tremors and spasticity in my left side. Last week I spray painted a friend's kitchen cupboards and since then have felt intermittent symptoms.

To combat these symptoms I just went to GNC and purchased detox herbal remedies, such as a cleanse, golden seal, dandelion and chloraphyll. These remedies are suppose to remove heavy metals and impurities in my liver, immune system and lymphatic system.

I've already had a dose of the golden seal, dandelion with a protein bar and feel much better already.
I plan on using the rest of my herbs later and for 10 days.

Although I feel fatigued and have tremors I'm still going to the gym later to help continue the detox and purification of my systems in my body.

I will continue to write about my progress as the week continues and further explain the specific products I chose and why.

Here's the link to Part II of this story.

List of Daily Medications

It's February 29th of 2008 and I'm fighting back my tears, as I sit uneasily at a desk, in my room at the Seneca Motel and Suite, in the heart of the windy city, Chicago.

I hear the wind softly, as a high pitched whistle, while the flag in front of my window whipples in the wind, while its rope clangs against the metal pole.

I don't want to hear my thoughts, I'd rather try to listen to the people shouting across the street. However, I know I must face my fears, I have to be strong because I have two beautiful children at home, whom are counting on me. I have to get through this....I have no other choice...I can't back out...this is my last hope.

Every case of MS is different because the effected areas on our brain, spinal cord and optic nerves vary to each person. Therefore, each of us suffers differently with this disease, and every case of MS is different.

I'm looking at my precipice of prescription bottles before me. I'm currently on 13 different kinds of medications to treat the symptoms of MS and asthma. My current list of prescriptions are:

topamax 50mg, 4x's a day - to prevent migraines
valium 5mg, 2x's a day - relieves spasticity
zanaflex 4mg, 3x's a day - muscle relaxer for spasms
lyrica 50mg, 3x's day - anti seizure for clonic spasms and pain
singulair 10mg, 1 a day - asthma and allerigies
zyrtec 10mg, 1 a day - allergies
albuterol, as needed - asthma
ritilan LA 30 mg, 1 a day - chronic fatigue
macrobid 100mg, 1 a day - antibiotic to prevent urinary track infections
miralax - laxative
morphine 60mg, 2 a day - for chronic and severe pain
wellbutrin XL 300mg, 1 a day - for depression
maxalt 10mg, as needed - for migraine headaches

What scares me, is that these prescriptions don't include, what I will be taking after the transplant is over...God only knows what type of problems I will have afterwards....I feel scared...alone...and tired.