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Just in response to Ted's info on Lupus (Ted if you're reading this I hope you'll add any new info you have) I am in serious stages of Systemic Lupus (most all organs involved) along with Gulf War Illness. I work hard to use as many natural things as I can to help my condition and have used some of Ted's suggestions. Here's my two-cents worth: (1)-in reference to SUGARS-definitely stay away from as much as possible. People with Lupus are very Sugar sensitive and I think it damages Lupus sufferers greatly. GO ORGANIC WITH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IN ALL AREAS of your food because chemicals, hormones, pesticides...are deadly for us. With SUGARs-go with "BROWN RICE SYRUP or XYLITOL or fructose or glycerin" in SMALL, tiny amounts only once a day or less...but NOT WHITE SUGAR or sadly even honey and all natural jams and syrups cause great problems too. NO CHEMICAL SWEETNERS either (2)-GRAINS--GO ORGANIC and yes stay away from the high GLUTEN grains. I do best with MILLET which is a protein and not a grain. STAY AWAY FROM YEAST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE---go with yeast free breads (try Millet Zuchini Bread from the Deland Bakery in Deland Florida--they ship to alot of Health Food stores--most of their breads are yeast free and Millet. (3) THYROID--I found with myself and others that Lupus sufferers have very inflammed Thyroids and terribly malfunctioning ADRENAL glands. For my Thyroid I take Armour Thyroid a natural Thyroid gland extract (presciption) and IODINE drops--I take about 7 drops of Iodine a day in a glass of water. For my Adrenal glands I have yet to find anything that helps except SALT--use SEA SALT WHEN YOU FEEL WEAK---also LOTS OF SLEEP and NO STRESS...that is the only thing that helps so far...I hope for a better answer but NO STEROIDS especially if you are in more advanced stages like myself and have bone and muscle wasting from the Raynauds--dont take steroids it will worsen. I do take 7-Keto DHEA but it only helps a little. Many Lupus sufferers have been through alot of abuse--like family or spousal abuse---GET AWAY FROM IT ALL if you have to. If the people around you dont understand and help you to lead a stress-free life, you have to get away from them to save your life (Sad to say but so true and necessary--find supportive friends or counselors that will let you talk--People with Lupus tend to be the ones to help everyone else and hold their problems inside. You cant live that way and value your life enough to find good, stable-minded friends) (4)In reference to ORGANIC FOODS--I find concerning DAIRY and MEATS that if I go ORGANIC it solves the problem. Regular foods are so high in pesticides and hormones and chemicals--that is what is causing the problem NOT THE FOOD ITSELF. I eat ORGANIC DAIRY like organic milk, cheese, goat cheese, plain yogurt and butter. The PROTEINS AND CALCIUM are CRUCIAL for helping Lupus. YOU NEED PROTEIN AND CALCIUM. Same with your MEATS--go ORGANIC--you NEED THE PROTEIN and healthy FATS--they are all CRUCIAL. I know Organic is more expensive but the prices are getting better all the time...your body is worth it. At many Health Food Markets they have many items you can buy in BULK and the SAVINGS there will offset the higher costs of dairy, meats and produce (fruits and veg). BUT I do recommend LESSENING the GRAINS--I stay mostly with Millet and a little Brown Rice and Spelt is OK--you just have to try them and see what works best for you...but go with no/low gluten and yeast free and organic if possible. (5) I've tried balancing my PH like Ted recommends and it is hard to stay with that to get results but I do think it is important I just havent figured out the best way to stay with it (6) And YES--go through a TOXIC METAL cleanse--I've tried many including I.V. EDTA and it only helped a little. I'm presently doing "METAL SHIELD" sold by SWANSON vitamins and am hopeing for good results there but dont know yet. (7) Find a doctor or naturopath that can work with BALANCING YOUR HORMONE LEVELS and can get a Hair Follicle test done to see embalances---then look for natural ways to balance (8) My only other suggestion is to GO THROUGH LIFE VERY SLOWLY !! DONT RUSH AT ANYTHING YOU DO and if others dont understand it, they will have to learn to. The Immune System revs up with fast movement and your Immune System is already attacking you own body--FAST MOVEMENT like working, walking, speaking, and exercising fast make you worse and it attacks the body worse and raises your fever. Yes have some movement through out your day but go through it slowly like kind of slow motion...even allow yourself to THINK slowly. People with Lupus have probably gone through life at a very FAST PACE and always used to accomplishing ALOT in life...your body is worn out--let it rest and move slowly --YOU MUST GET RECUPERATIVE SLEEP AND REST>. (9) TMJ and neck and back problems can be an issue. If you have a TMJ problem-find a dentist to make you what is called an "ANTERIOR ORTHOTIC SPLINT" where at night when you sleep, you only touch the anterior teeth to balance your jaw like a FULCRUM. That is all with that --I wouldnt do anything else they suggest because these dentist can make the problem worse !! LASTLY -- the only medicines I recommend are to help you sleep better, natural Thyroid medicine and maybe Lasix for body swelling although there are natural diuretics too. Nothing else has helped me. If you sleep fine without an aid then go without those, but sleep is important. GOD BLESS and I hope this helps someone--jacquelyn (Hi to Ted if you're out there)"
03/01/2009: Jacquelyn from Ocala, Florida writes, "Also for Lupus sufferers, I forgot to mention--IF YOU SUFFER WITH YOUR "BOWELS" NOT WORKING...try a little teaspoon of PSYLLIUM and 1/2 MAGNESIUM CITRITE tablet of 200mg in the morning with fruit in a blender...then at your evening take 1/2 to whole MAGNESIUM tablet with your evening MEAL. NOTHING else has ever worked for me. It's important to keep your bowels moving daily. If the magnesium makes your bowels to liquid then just cut back a little on dose but dont stop taking or increase if not moving well. Also dont be hesitant about using suppositories and saline enemas--do what is necessary to keep your bowels moving. God bless, Jacquelyn"
03/01/2009: Jacquelyn from Ocala, Florida writes, "More on Lupus---(I keep thinking of things to suggest) Eat alot of RAW ORGANIC VEGETABLES especially anthing Green EXCEPT Lettuces and Green Peppers or difficult to digest vegetables. RAW ASPARAGUSS and RAW CELERY help to rid the body of excess fluids. I just put them in the blender with water and drink it down no matter how it tastes. Green LEAFY vegetables have lots of digestive enzymes...like Spinach, Dandelion, Or mixed Baby Greens...I also throw in Zucchini...anything GREEN except the lettuces and I've read where Kale inhibits Iodine from absorbing into your Thyroid so I dont generally use that one. BUT RAW and ORGANIC IS SO IMPORTANT to get daily. Not too much of the Starchy ones like potatoes and carrots or beats--just limit them. VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT__STAY AWAY FROM COOKED TOMATOES AND TOMATO SAUCES especially combined with white flour pastas...and no raw onions, no raw peppers...The body just cant digest well. Cooked Tomatoes and white pasta are LETHAL --I dont know why, they just are...can cause lots of joint swelling and inflammation. No alfalfa sprouts either. Hope this helps--Jacquelyn
