Complementary and Integrative Approach to Healing

jancie

Sunflower/Sunshine!  I have only lost 18 of those 30 lbs but I did lose 18 lbs since May 1st!

I can't think straight enough to give you the details on ProArgi9 so instead here is a link....

http://www.synergyworldwide.com/Products/Product.aspx?ItemId=5573

And no, I don't share it with my horse but I have been known to take MSM and Glucosomine, Condroitin, etc. - things that we always give our horses for joint issues.  Seriously my horse is in better health and gets her daily vitamins while me....the stupid owner....forgets to take mine!

ruthbru

Buy one of those little daily pill cases and put it right on top of your underwear drawer.

Anonymous

Jancie,

It was Jane Brody, who used to write the Health Column for the New York Times, who first wrote about glucosamine/condrohtin years ago.  She took her very arthritic dog to the vet, the dog was given the stuff, and when she saw how WONDEFUL the dog was responding - yup.  And then she wrote about it, this really was years & years ago.  In the mid 1980's I think.

I have taken it for years - my knees used to sound like crackling leavs when I walked downstairs, and after about 2 months, they wer, and are, fine. 

And 18 pounds is still fantastic!  Know you'll do the rest too...

jancie

I put my old Westie on MSM back in the 1980's when he got arthritic and he lived to be 16 years old which is unheard of for a typical Westie.

Of course I bought the "horse MSM" because it was what was available at the time and just gave him a teaspoon every night with his meal - I knew not to give the dose for a 1,000 horse

It is much cheaper to buy the "horse" products versus the people and small pet products.

annettek

what a nice spot this is.....

BarbaraA= start of small- tomatoes and some peppers (peppers so easy to grow)-that is what i did this year- instead of going overboard I thought I would just try something simple (there is a concept I have to get my head around) ....the utter delight in my jalepenos is crazy- you would have thought I climbed mount everest...but made me happy...

smoking...that is next on my target list...will do the acunpuncture again and I tried a lozenge today- damnt hing was so nasty I did not smoke for 5 hours hahaha...which is a plus...I will do it- like you Athena, it was all tied into weight in my brain...and as an emotional crutch...but lving through BC makes the folly of smoking so apparent...i mean i count out my supplements, eat the proper foods, etc and then light up...ah, the joys of addiction. But I can quit.

Sleep- is essential and I don't do enough of it

RainbowPony- you are right in just getting out there and enjoying things....simple things...animals..people...sunshine

in light of my current personal stresses I have a tendency to withdraw and close ranks...so I decided to "turn left" /// it is about doing something different than we normally do...I call it going left....so I have called my sister and her, my mom, my son and I are going to spend saturday together- going to the animal shelter and just hang out and then come back here feed everybody and toss them in the pool!

(we all love the animals and I have a dog in my future-not yet, but a little down the road- had to wait to recover from the loss of my two great danes within months of each other almost two years ago...will never really recover but just could not run out and "replace"- they were fundamental part of us and always will be. But so healing to have an animal in the house..got into Danes to help our son...it worked...his first word use dina meaningful manner was DOG...anyway....gonna just get out there and enjoy a bit more instead of sheltering in place

AnneW

Wow, huge number of NICE posts during the 12 hours this thread has been active. yes, there's hope, ladies!!

The hardest thing for me to do after my first diagnosis was to allow myself to do what I want, without acquiesing to anyone else. Rather than saying , "I don't care" when someone asks what I want to do, I'm way more likely to offer an opinion now, whether I care or not. (I'm such a middle child.) I am much less likely to be that "people pleaser" and less likely to go with the flow, though that is still inherent in my personality, and that's fine.

After the second diagnosis, I revamped my exercise and began taking weekly lessons on the Pilates reformer, with my personal trainer. Now I'm looking to get my certification to teach it next spring. It's an arduous process, but it's something I love.

Exercise is key for me. From climbing to cycling to Pilates to hiking to snowshoeing. But equally as important is honoring the need for quiet and "me" time. And being able to state that I need it.

I eat pretty well always. My main supplement is Body Balance by Life Force. Plus Vit D and healthy oils.

Oh, and I allow myself an hour long massage every 2-3 weeks. For the physical benefit as well as the pure, unadulterated pleasure.

And sleep. I must sleep.

Nothing on my list seems too out of the ordinary. My supplements and exercise and massages are all pretty much mainstream these days. Espeically living in Boulder...

pejkug3

Love this new thread.  I'm too tired tonight, but I can't wait to go back through the entire thing to glean wisdom from you lovely ladies. 

apple

Personally, I am not so entranced with a gluten free diet, but I know it helps my son with his psoriasis... it helps a LOT,   It is still there but you can't see it.  His is pretty severe and he's 17.  It also has helped my sister who's psoriasis is worse than my son. She also has other auto immune issues.

I used to eat a lot of grapefruit.. one a day, for years and years.  Came to find out it is one of those citrus fruits that are not conducive to a cancer free life.  I want one so bad.  I just love the rush of sugar and sour..

Claire... speaking of eating a lot more than women my weight... When I was a cyclist I used to consume 3-4000 calories a day... while cheffing and riding 2 X daily up to 50 miles.  People would come around and accuse me of bulimia  - while I was eating!  Now, because of drugs I'm on, there are some weeks ( 1 out of 3) where I can hardly eat more than a couple bites.. I  also sit around and lay on the couch... yuck.

I really wish I liked bananas.. and I hate them.

hrf

I would like to know more about the acupuncture. For me the most difficult thing is diet and exercise. I need to lose a ton of weight

ruthbru

Freeze the bananas and blend them up in smoothies. I make smoothies with a carton of yogart (any flavor), some low cal fruit juice (I like something with cranberry or grape), some fresh fruit and a frozen fruit which gives it the iciness. You can hide the banana flavor that way.

I asked my oncologist about grapefruit because I love them too. He said an occasion grapefruit isn't going to hurt you. So every once and awhile I eat one and savor it.

AnneW

My Pilates trainer had been suffering from a horrible bout of insomnia. She did several session with an accupuncturist, and is off meds and sleeping well. I don't know how it works, but can 5000 years of Chinese medicine be wrong??

ruthbru

It can't hurt, might help!

Anonymous

hrf, I don't know what more I can say about acupunture,  There are several posts in the beginniing of this thread.  Maybe if you have a specific question, someone will be able to answer it. cs

1Athena1

Annettek - there is a great web site on smoking that I recommend. I am very independent minded and do-it-yourself, so it didn't immediately occur to me that stopping might be easier if I asked for help and support. No one I know well smokes so I found it online. It is the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program. I had this link for someone else on another alt. thread.

The best part? You don't have to stop to begin the program - they walk you through setting a date (which should be at least three weeks out):

http://www.ffsonline.org/

Cold Turkey worked best for me. Studies have shown very little success with nicotine gum or patches and the reason became apparent to me - the source of your addiction - nicotine - isn't addressed. Also, unless you smoke in every room of the house, including your bedroom, having a patch on/chewing is a 24-hour solution to an on an off problem (meaning that we are not always inhaling.

I am also skeptical of Chantix and Wellbutrin, Zyban, etc... because cravings are only a temporary problem. The worst part is the psychological addiction. Having said that, the first 72 hours are sheer hell, while the nicotine gets out of your system. The first two weeks are only a step closer to purgatory while you get rid of the metabolites of nicotine (something that no one warns you about) and after that, things improve but it is very easy to fall back. I hate carrot sticks and celery, but both jhelped to address the addiction to putting something in your mouth.

Another goos site to visit is: http://whyquit.com/ - it has good stories and information.

BarbaraA

I was such a wimp about the brain fuzz and terrible withdrawal pains I had previously had that I decided to try auricular stimulation. It really worked for me. I walked out unaddicted to nicotine and only had to deal with the habit part. I know how I am, however. One puff and I am done. Right back to 2 packs a day. It is really nice not to be a pariah.

Sherryc

Annette pets are wonderful, I have a dog and a cat.  Each time I have had surgery it is like they know what part of my body to stay away from and they cuddle with me when I can't get out of bed.  Otherwise my little dog can be pretty wound up at times.

I am def gonna look into the accupuncture.  I already get messages every other week and they are wonderful and relaxing.  I have then done on Friday evening which is a good way to end the week and start the weekend being relaxed.

I am planning my fall garden now.  I am adding another bed so I can have a larger garden.  I started small and keep adding to it.  Anyway fall planting here startes between mid to late august so I need to get the other bed planted.

ruthbru

A friend of mine used http://whyquit.com/ successfully after smoking for 38 years. It wouldn't be for everyone because it is really 'Navy Seals Boot Camp' in nature. But it was exactly what he needed to quit.

Merilee

I think recognizing and giving up the amount of sugar I was ingesting was the most difficult for me. I have a huge sweet tooth. Also coming to terms with the unfairness of it all, and not let that set me in a rotten mood.

mscal02

Ang7: I saw the information about tart cherry juice on the Dr. Oz show. It has melatonin in it natually. It also is an antioxidant,  pain reliever,  reduces inflammation,and helps with cholesterol.You can google the Dr. Oz show and put in tart cherry juice in the search box and it will come up .He says to drink it at dinner time, I drink it about an hour before betime.

Sherryc

I saw my MO last week and I am still having hip joint pain even though I am on glucosomin/chondrontin and Celebrex.  He told me to get tart cherry juice to drink or if I eat fresh cherry's to eat 10 a day.  So I finally found some over the weekend but have to get in a habit of drinking it.

thenewme

Hi Sherry - have you heard of or tried Boswellia for your joint pain?  It's a natural inflammatory, and might be worth a look!

Here's a link to Sloan Kettering's information on Boswellia .

1Athena1

Merilee - I think comming to terms with my sweet tooth and its excesses would be nothing short of traumatic for me. I can't get rid of all vices, though.

ProudMom_Wife

Sherryc - Something that might help with inflamation is Turmeric tea.  My acupuncturist had recommended to me to drink at least 2 cups of turmeric w/ginger tea 4-5 times a week to help with inflammation, been drinking it since my dx and I really think it helps.  There are several different, although similiar recipes on the internet.  I just boil 2 cups of water, add 1/2 tsp. of turmeric and about 4 slices of fresh ginger, simmer for about 10-15 minutes, drain and drink.  It also seems to help my skin.

Merilee

Cherries, yum. I live in Michigan which is the cherry capital of the world. I love this time of year when you can go pick them fresh.

That turmeric/ginger tea sounds great I am making some as I type

Anonymous

Merilee,

I can so relate to our 'sweet tooth' - I have a mouthful of them.  Two books really helped me. First and women who have read many of my posts may groan when I say it again - here it is:

The End of Overeating by Dr. David Kessler.   Dr. Kessler was head of the FDA in Washiington DC for years, AND a yo-yo dieter.  He just couldn't understand why he couldn't "resist" certain foods, even when he kept telling himself he didn't WANT to eat them.  I wish I could scan some of the "blurbs" on the back of the book, but I can't .  So here's just one - Michael Pollan writing:" A fascinating account of the science of human appetite, as well as its exploitation by the food industry."

I learned more about my OWN behavior reading The End of Overeating, than I ever imagined I would.

Second: The Instinct Diet, by Susan Roberts, PH.D Professor of Nutrition and Psychiatry at Tufts University, Boston, MA.

Following ad explaining many of the facts Dr. Kessler brought to attention, and more about how to change behavior.

Sorry if this sounds like a soap box - I just am still amazed at how few people seem to understand what is in the foods we eat, and why we are so compulsively drawn to certain foods. 

Good luck - I so compleltely understand how difficult it is to change behavior toward "food."

1Athena1

CS - Thankls for the tips. First time for me in seeing your post. Interesting that Kessler was an overeater himself...I don't overeat but I certainly love food. Might check his book out.

pip57

CS, I absolutely agree with you.  I think people should worry less about calories and start looking at what makes up the calories they eat.  

Another good book is Anti Cancer: A New Way Of Life. 

Merilee

Oh thanks I will check these out. I make a trek to the library for reading material every Sunday.

Merilee

I like the tea and have been trying to find a way to get  more turmeric, so thanks.

Mine  has a bit of lemon taset today as I only had ginger in the frig that had been soaking in lemon juice and Stevie. One of my new favorite goodies.

apple

cold turkey.. for me it only took about 28 hours.. those drugs are hard on you.