Medication Side Effects

My 21 year old son had severe acne and went on accutane 3 to 4 years ago. It was my biggest regret. He lost zeal for life, has been depressed, and has not recovered. He gets angry and stressed easily. Can anyone help?

Hi: I am a 69 year old female. I had clear freckled skin all my life and have never had a rash on my face. About four months ago, a small spot showed up on the left side of my chin and continued to get bigger. I went to my doctor and he said I had impetigo and put me Fudicin H cream. It did not work and made it worse. He finally sent me to a dermatologist who diagnosed me with perioral dermatitis and prescribed doxicyclin (to be taken for three months) and an antibiotic cream (which I found out is used for rosacea). It seemed to work but then I had side effects from the antibiotic (blurred vision, etc.) I was told to stop taking it and he put me on trimethoprim but had a severe reaction to that!! (racing heart rate and very sore throat). Very frustrated as new little bumps just pop up and now around my eyes :( I have just started using Apple Cider vinegar on these new ones and I'm still using the antibiotic cream that was prescribed. Will it ever go away?

Hello, has anyone of you experienced ulcers and skin infections after using topical corticosteroids?

Hi Agnes, I have replied to your post twice, but I haven't seen either reply posted. I will try again as corticosteroid reactions are very serious. Maybe if I word it differently this time... I know a forum where people have posted about your situation. I myself have had lots of skin reactions to corticosteroids but not ulcers and skin infections. There is an international .org website devoted to topical steroid awareness. If you do a search based on the words in my previous sentence you should be able to find it and connect with people who have gone through what you are going through. And what you are going through may not actually be ulcers and skin infections. Good luck!

My husband had a lung transplant in 2012. The medications are making him depressed and he is losing weight, can't sleep, no desire or motivation for anything. He has been a marine and 30 years of of law enforcement and I need to help him.

These are the medications he takes for lung transplant retention:

CELLCEPT -METROCLOPRAMIDE - SEROLIMUS - TACROLIMUS - PREDNISONE - PROGRAF.

I will appreciate it if someone can provide remedies or natural medications. Thank you.

HI U GOD FEARING FOLKS, , , , , , , , this is an interesting story so pay attention.

Sunday night I ate a big bowl of sto bought hot Chili. Soon I had indigestion and finally went to sleep. At 2 am I awoke with severe pain in my stomach. After awhile it moved up to my chest. I caved and called for an ambulance. Never been down this road, but learned that if they think you are having a heart attack then they are required to give you nitro pills.

That sent my blood pressure to the bottom and I thought I was about to meet my maker. Once in ER, they had to spend all their time on my blood pressure issue and not the problem I initially had.

I will say this....... I am not a fan of our medical folks as far as treating your health problems, but our ER medical folks are second to none. I am certain they saved my life, so I think we need to separate the two.

ATS =======ORH=======

Yesterday, I was re-reading Mark Sircus' book Transdermal Magnesium Therapy wherein I stumbled across an interesting story concerning George Eby's daughter who was suffering the terrible longterm destructuve effects of Cipro poisoning. Here's how they quickly resolved the Cipro problem:

"I received a letter from a professional colleague named George Eby in 2007 that stated that his daughter had been destroyed by the terrible side effects of a special type of antibiotic called fluoroquinolones (Cipro). He said, "My daughter was stricken with this horrible affliction. Cipro sensitivity causes long-term (multiple years to life) chronic pain, muscle weakness, and tendon weakness leading to tendon breakage and many other horrible effects, some physical and some mental. This is something that everyone needs to know about. We have been destroyed by Cipro. I don't think there is much anyone can do except to give her magnesium, which is somewhat of an antidote. I am very worried but I haven't lost hope, yet I am being realistic. Some of the tendon damage is necrotic and permanent. However, we have studies with rattlesnake venom that produce necrosis on animals and simply applying magnesium (chloride) and zinc (gluconate) topically, the necrosis vanishes." Ten days later I received an email from George saying:

"Topical magnesium chloride for 10 days = well daughter! "

I've also read that Walter Last also recommends that Magnesium Oil(70% magnesium chloride crystals + 30% Water) can be mixed with 70% DMSO or 99% DMSO in a 50-50 mix and used topically for even better absorption into the blood. Used topically just on its own, about 60% of mag oil gets absorbed into the blood. If you use it with DMSO then about 80%-90% of the magnesium chloride gets absorbed into the blood.

In case some people are wondering why using topical magnesium oil is any better than oral, remember that, at some point when you take increasing dosages of magnesium orally, you will get diarrhea. So taking magnesium chloride orally restricts your oral dose.

By using magnesium oil topically you are therefore able to safely take much larger and more useful amounts or dosages of magnesium chloride which get absorbed directly into the blood with no diarrhea side-effects in the intestines whatsoever.

B: As you know, I am a big proponent of the foot or whole body baths w/ primarily Magnesium Sulfate and/or Borax for detox and alkalization. As you may also know, I am also a big proponent of "both" not "either or", so will not promote my brand over yours.

It is simple logic, those who are deficient in Magnesium experience many toxic syndromes from pharmaceuticals or the environment in general.

More simple logic, the more types or chelates of Magnesium one takes the better, and topical administration is taking the therapy to another level.

Great post Bill!

I have terrible PN caused by Cipro.I'm wondering how you can use zinc gluconate topically with the cipro? Or did George say JUST magnesium chloride for 10 days=well daughter?

I have magnesium oil and magnesium cream...Is one better than the other...The oil is very strong on my skin..

Thank you much.

Hi Bill, I have terrible PN from Cipro and would like to know if you have any idea how long the "daughter" left the magnesium oil on her legs? I wonder of mag cream will work just as well? And how do you put zinc gluconate on topically? Thank you much.

Hi Diane...For your Cipro, please use only magnesium chloride as magnesium oil and zinc gluconate. Do not use the magnesium cream. Just apply the magnesium oil on the skin over the painful tissue areas. You can also use 50-50 mag oil(50% water-50% magnesium chloride) as a daily massage oil which will probably give you the best whole body benefit. If you are going to massage it into your whole body, best to dilute the magnesium oil to 50%(from 70%) by adding 30% more water.

I would simply supplement 25 mgs to 50 mgs zinc gluconate per day as it isn't usually sold in creams.

Cipro is also a uniquely destructive antibiotic because it also contains fluorine which is a poison for the body. So using both lugol's iodine and borax every day will also help you to remove the fluorine from your body. Take up to 8 drops 5% lugols iodine per day in water. You should also ensure that you take the full iodine protocol for best results.

To make the borax water -- add 1/8 tsp borax to a liter of water and drink the borax water slowly throughout the day. Take this remedy for 5 days and then take 2 days off the protocol and do this on a weekly basis like that.

It 's also very likely that your thyroid will be completely shot with hypo symptoms because of your fluoride contamination. That's where supplementing lugols iodine is so important because not only will it help to remove the dangerous fluorine from your body but it will also act to revive and restore your thyroid at the same time.

Hi Denise...i would simply use exactly what George Eby so successfully used for his daughter -- Magnesium Oil and Zinc Gluconate.

Magnesium cream will not be absorbed so well into the body so that's why I would not use it. Magnesium Oil is much better to use -- because it is efficiently absorbed from the skin directly into the blood. Just rub the mag oil over the painful areas or you can use the mag oil as a massage oil for the whole body for best effect.

Take the zinc gluconate as a supplement at 25 mgs to 50 mgs daily.

Since Cipro also contains fluorine then you will have to detox fluorine out of your body as well to feel better. Use the Iodine Protocol and Ted's Borax Water Protocol shown on EC. Both these protocols will act to help remove the excess fluoride accumulation in your body and will also help to revive the thyroid.

Hi Bill, If what you're saying is true then fluoride poisoning is not the problem with Cipro causing Peripheral neuropathy. Would you please elaborate with regard to where and how long you put the magnesium on. I have it throughout my body. Also don't understand the applying of zinc. Thank you soooo much for this valuable information. From what I've researched there are thousands of us out there...

Hi Bill, Thank you so much for the feedback...One other question. How long do I leave the magnesium oil on? The bottle says remove after 20 minutes...Would you agree with that? I just do not want to make a mistake...

Denise...Whenever I paint my skin with magnesium oil(which is frequently), sometimes I leave it on for 4 or 5 hours before I have a shower. So it doesn't bother me. But the fact that my old skin is somewhat akin to Mexican leather might have something to do with it. So I can't promote this for everyone. Some people with more sensitive skin are bound to feel the prickly or itchy effect that some report while using the magnesium oil.

And if you are sensitive to it and hate the prickliness -- then just dilute the magnesium oil down by adding 30% more water to it and the prickliness should go away.

My rule is that when the magnesium oil has dried completely on your skin(no oiliness) then no more is going to be absorbed and so you can just wash it off at your leisure. So you can usually wash the magnesium oil off your skin after about 1/2 hour.

Bill, I can't thank you enough...God bless you for the information with regard to magnesium oil for peripheral neuropathy caused by Cipro. Again I think you a trillion, trillion times over! I used it last night and can feel the difference with ONE treatment. I have spent close to 20 K searching for a remedy and getting NOWHERE. Last night I did not wake up with IMMENSE pain at 4:00AM or 5:00AM for the first time on 3 1/2 years..

I've been on Lexapro 10mg for 5 years. I am 13 weeks pregnant and I'm trying to get off of this medication due to possible birth defects. I've tried in the past to taper off but I became very dizzy, nauseated, irritable and depressed. Do you know of any remedies that I can use to help me?

Dear Leah,

If it were me, I would try activated charcoal powder. You can buy powder and mix it with water and take a teaspoon a couple of times a day. Do not take it near the time of other supplements or medications.

I would also try Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. You can often find a pregnancy tea that has plenty of Red Raspberry Leaf in it. Often it will also have nettle leaf in it, which is great too. These herbs are good for pregnancy and have nutrients which will hopefully help you to feel well. You can drink 2-4 cups a day of this.

Daily exercise and sunshine are excellent to help emotional and physical well being. A walk outside each day will accomplish both.

I would also consider epsom salt baths. 1 cup epsom salt in a warm (not hot) bath for 20 minutes a few times a week or even more often.

I hope you have a wonderful and healthy pregnancy!

~Mama to Many~

Does Bill or anyone know what's in Cipro that causes Achilles tendons to tear? My tendons on both feet feel at times like their going to tear out of the heels...And this can occur when sitting, lying down or just walking...If I know the ingredients or drug that causes this I could address this issue...It's very scary and dangerous. Thank you.

There are fluoride molecules in Cipro that head for the joints and tendons when ingested. Once ingested, the molecules crystalize and cause pain and cause the soft tissues in the joints and tendons to rupture. The MD, ND who has researched this area for over 30 years is Dr. Carolyn Dean. Look up her site...and read her free ebooks on this topic. A large number of people who take "statin" drugs have joint issues because of this one problem. Research...beware!

Myway, Thank you for that information. I will certainly investigate Dr. Carolyn Deans articles.

In the meantime is it the safe assumption that fluorine is the culprit in causing peripheral neuropathy? That is something I could address. Many thanks.

Yes, fluorine can cause neuropathy. Whether *your* neuropathy is primarily from fluorine, who knows.

Dr. Carolyn Dean says fluoride depletes magnesium (by replacing the magnesium with fluoride in the bones and cartilage). Magnesium is essential for proper nerve function. Most of us lack proper amount of magnesium in the diet - starting with too low magnesium, then depleting the magnesium by absorbing fluorine, can cause a lot of problems including muscle pains, joint pains, stiffness, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, brain fog, low energy, and all sorts of neural issues.

Denise, I am so sorry for not answering earlier on this topic I am very, very interested in. Getting to the root of health problems is really the gold standard in resolving health issues and I do think Magnesium RBCs (red blood cells) really give us a good indicator of our magnesium levels. Serum magnesium tests do not give us good information. Please use a liquid magnesium product, not the pill form. I do use Dr. Deans liquid magnesium but using other sources can be useful as well to get our levels up. MyWay, :D

Hello all, I am a 41 year old female 140 lbs and had an mri 2 days ago with contrast for a fibroid surgery I will undergo in december.

I have had 2 other mri's with contrast within this same year, which always gives me a brief period of nausea then subsides within seconds. This last mri, as soon as I received the contrast through my vein, as they put me in the machine I broke out in welts and started itching all over. They gave me benadryl which resolved the welts. Breathing, everything else fine.

Ever since, I've have slight but noticeable numbness and tingling in my hands, nausea, run down like when you're just starting a flu or cold, fatigued and periods of feeling cold and hot, like feverish but no fever, chest pain. They did do labs beforehand and my kidney levels were normal.

Can anyone explain what is going on? I found out after the fact that gadolinium has not been fully researched for side effects, and I pretty much get mri with contrast every year for my breasts. I recently resolved my fibromyalgia symptoms from reading your wonderful remedies and Dr Teds and Bill by alkalizing with the lime/baking soda (for a month now), switching to purified water(1 month ago as well) and taking several supplements suggested here for the fatigue from the fibromyalgia including (the following I've been taking since june of this yr) b-complex, 1000mg vit c(I took an extra 1000mg morning of mri to prevent catching something from the other patients at the imaging center), magnesium, selenium, multi with iron(due to past anemia from fibroid), calcium. I also take (for gyno problems) royal jelly and barleans women's flax oil/lignans and evening primrose oil combo. I eat mostly vegetables and wholesome food. I just mentioned all this in case maybe the mri contrast is interacting with one of these?

My medical history/background: I started recently with fibro symptoms last year, november triggered by a repetitive motion injury (tennis elbow) which I am still going to therapy for. I resolved all fibro symptoms (thanks to God and you all!! ) I have fibroid, fibercystic breasts, polycystic ovarian syndrome. Glaucoma. history of intestinal polyps, stomach polyp, IBS, asthma.

I am hoping someone out there can help me get back to normal; I was doing so good and now I just feel so run down and not myself. I wish the numbness in my hands would go away, the fatigue and the nausea. I could barely eat 3 bites last night for dinner. Im scared of going to the ER for fear of more radiation/tests. Thank you so much in advance.

Jasmine

Hello All;

I have a friend who does not believe in any alternative healing or supplements. he keeps saying that if one doesn't take their pharma drugs for whatever reason they will die.. For months now I have been weaning off a drug and taking natural supplements.. He is very adamant and says I am stupid to be doing this.. I try and explain my position and tell him the drugs never really worked for me. he doesn't believe anything.. Not that I want to convince him but he makes me at times doubt the natural supplements and myself.. I know I should not even bother to speak about these things to him but they come up here and there.. Does anyone think I should print out info. from the internet and have him read it..?? You know like statistics and proof or testimonials or am I wasting my time??

HI U JASMINE, , , , , , , , , , , , A few years ago I decided that I was smarter than my Anti-Aging Integrative doctor so I began my self medication. It has not worked out for me. I have gone from old man in pretty good shape to an old man that is in deep dodo. I am now back with my Integrative doctor. Like I said earlier, she was spooked and spooked me. She can run tests that I have no clue about.

I was good in the paper industry because I knew what tests to run. Hell, with my body, I have no clue. I don't know, but I think you may be in my predicament . You might want to find a good Integrative doctor and listen. I say this because your story is my story. My situation is bigger than me and some yahoo on EC will not get me well. They may help as our bright boys always do. You need some one to counsel you full time and that is hard to find.

OUT OF SPIT =====ORH==========

Morning, Ole RH. I've tried so many of the remedies posted here--for ibsd and insomnia, mainly, and none of them worked. I gave each a good, solid try (month or more). I guess you have to know yourself and do what works for you. The EC contributors are very helpful folks, but kinda take offense if it doesn't work for you and you say it.

Jasmine: Your case appears to be one of classic toxicity issues. You are doing some very good dietary intervention but seems some detoxification remedies are needed. Here is E.C. detox page ---https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/detoxification.html to get you started. Remember that any xenobiotic or heavy metal removal remedy needs to also be accompanied w/ an herbal parasite cleanse.

Feel free to post any questions and hope this info will make a difference for you.

Thank you TimH for your help. I will research that link that you attached and get started on it.

Blessings, Jasmine

Glad to hear back from you as many folks simply disappear off the board leaving no data or fallow-up.

To begin, you may want to consider doing a hair analysis for heavy metal toxicity from any number of online labs or ND physicians. The most common and problematic h.m.'s are Fluoride, Mercury, and Arsenic. The body acts like a sponge attracting all sorts of metals and chemicals in our environment, food, and water. Regular detoxing is becoming more crucial for healthy living. The human detox & immune system is often overwhelmed by middle age and everything begins to break down. Good news is there are many detox remedies all of which are somewhat effective.

So do check back on your status so to be sure your detox pathway is working.

Hi TimH, just wanted to let you know I am feeling much better, thank you. I took 3000 mg vit c that night and every night thereafter for 3 days, and by that monday I felt 100% better. I started also the borax 1/8 tsp with liter of water 3 days on 4 days off. I am still researching per your guidance, of a lab for a hair analysis and go from there. I will keep you updated.

Hi Jasmine...I think what stands out strongly from the symptoms you describe is that you seem to be quite severely iodine deficient(low thyroid) in your body. The fibrocystic breast disease, fibroids, glaucoma, the stomach polyps etc all point(as symptoms) to iodine deficiency in the body. Other symptoms of iodine deficiency are brain fog, unclear thinking, fatigue, depression etc. See this link.

I am a little suspicious about the IBS and asthma, but iodine should help with that as well. Timh's advice will also go a long way helping you here. At higher dose, iodine also acts as a natural anti-histamine and as a lung protective because iodine has a tendency to collect in the lungs which should also particularly help against your asthma problem. Supplementing Lugol's Iodine will also help to remove cadmium, aluminum, mercury, lead, arsenic, bromine and fluorine from your body as well.

The full Iodine Protocol that you need to take is shown here:

The Iodine Protocol

I would perhaps also advise that you find an intelligent iodine-literate doctor to help monitor your problems properly. See this list for an iodine-literate doctor in your area:

Iodine Literate Doctors in the USA

If you can do it -- I would strongly advise you to go and see Dr Jeffrey Dach MD who is both a knowledgeable iodine-literate and thyroid-literate doctor who works in Florida near where you live. Here is his address:

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Rd
Suite 180/190
Davie, FL 33314

Phone: 954-792-4663

Website: http://www.drdach.com/Information_Pages.html

Bill and Timh, I too was looking for info on detoxing. I am to have an MRI with gadolinium (looking for cancer). My ND says no to contrast, but that is the only way (I'm told) to find if there is cancer internal masses.

How can I detox from gadolinium?

It is rewarding to see your improvement and thank you for updating as it is like a testimony for others who suffer the same condition.

Detoxification can be complex and then there is the severity factor to be considered. Thanks to Bill for stepping in and posting information that I completely omitted (like I said it's complex).

Thank you so much Bill and Timh, for all your help, you are angels! After several hours of reading further those links about detoxing, iodine deficiency and the video, I am just shocked and my heart stopped that iodine deficiency can link all my medical problems together. I have read posts in the past about iodine needed for patients with fibromyalgia, but I only came as far as replacing my uniodized sea salt with iodized salt for my food, and have not purchased iodine supplement. But this weekend, I will purchase lugols iodine to take orally with water, as well as epsom salts for detoxing in bath 3 times a week as I read in detoxing link Timh posted. Very excited, Bill, to have this iodine-intelligent doctor in Davie FL. Since I have all my paid time off going towards my fibroid surgery in december, I will make plans to see him in january and this will give me time to save up money.

I only have few more questions -

1. Is lugols iodine safe to take every day indefinitely along with my other supplements and alkalizing regimen?

2.With regards to Timh's suggestion to do a parasite cleanse during detoxing, what is the reason for that? I have never done that before and scared of what I'll encounter, haha!

I will keep you updated in hopes that my situation will help others. Any further suggestions I welcome:) Blessings

Hi Jasmine...In answer to your question:

Is lugols iodine safe to take every day indefinitely along with my other supplements and alkalizing regimen.

I have been taking Lugol's Iodine regularly(non-stop) every day at 8 drops a day(50 mg/day) for over 8 years with no problems at all. I also alkalize and take other supplements on a daily basis with no problems. Just make sure that you take lugols iodine with water. I always take the iodine just on its own away from meals for max absorption into the blood. But you can also take it just before meals if you prefer.

I must also add that women usually need much larger amounts of daily supplemented iodine than men because of the vastly superior plumbing of their breasts and uterus -- so, for women, both these regions will therefore have a much higher overall demand for supplemented iodine than men.

Also, as Timh has said, if you have had low thyroid for a lengthy period of time this will act to lower the immune system bar resulting in other possible problems due to parasites and other pathogens infiltrating the intestines and body. Therefore I think his good advice would definitely help you there. I have often said that clearing out and disinfecting the intestines once in a while is a particularly kind habit to your body, since many autoimmune diseases actually originate and are able to easily entrench and hide in this region. I regard intestinal clearance as simply taking out the trash from the body.

Jasmine. I wanted to update you on augmenting your detox bath by taking 2 caps of Cilantro herb 30 min prior and "Red Clover Combination" herb 15 min prior. You can also use this protocol prior to Oil Pulling. 30 min into the bath take 1000mg Vit-C for maximum detox effect. Fallowing the bath it would be best to take an herbal parasite formula plus Oil of Oregano.

As for the Iodine, Lugols at recommended doses is very much indicated as a treatment remedy whereas Iodized Sea Salt and Kelp tablets would be sufficient for prevention of disease. I personally add a few drops liquid Iodine to 1 gal drinking water at room temp. Coconut Oil is also a good defense remedy. VCO will further improve the death of pathogens as well as improving thyroid function much in the same fashion as Iodine so they would work very good together for maximum effect.

Response to Bill re: iodine safety and parasite cleansing

Thank you for explaining about iodine dosage and the reason for parasite cleansing, it makes sense to me now. I purchased the iodine/potassium iodide with distilled water over the weekend and started out with 3 drops in a glass of water on empty stomach and will slowly increase. I take heed to your recommendation of higher dosage than yours. Again thanks so much for your help.

Hi Timh, thanks so very much for the detox advice and iodine recommendation. For the detox augmentation, are the cilantro and red clover in liquid form, and are they taken orally?

For VCO, is that taken orally as well?

Many thanks and blessings to you, and hope you are well.

Liquid or powdered caps forms will both work taken orally to "activate" the detox prior to bath which (eliminates.) Yes, take the VCO orally.

Timh, thank you very much!

J: You are welcome, and does this mean you are improving? In many instances, especially when a bad condition lingers long it is very difficult to correct so it's a pleasure to see positive reports so one can get on with their life.

Ideally you would want to do the hair mineral analysis first, then detox, then maybe repeat the analysis. But you may want to get on w/ your cleanse so it may not really matter on the proof. In our current environment and as one ages, detoxification and cleanses are quite necessary and should be done at least once annually.

Hope to hear good news back from you.

Hi Jasmine. I hope your side effects are gone? I had an MRI with contrast (first one ever) a week ago and haven't felt the same since. Started with a pain in my eye 2 days after and with freezing feeling in my hands and feet, I get shivers and haven't been able to sleep well bc it feels like my heart rate is elevated. I started researching Gadolinium and it can have horrible side effects the worst being NSF which can be fatal. They say the side effects are rare but only of concern in a person with renal failure/kidney issues but I've found that it can still affect those with perectly normal kidney function. How are you feeling now?

Hi Bobbie,

To the best of my knowledge Timh only posted once or twice last year and not at all this year.

Art

Thanks, Bill. I'll read through that link. Brent

I've been battling ulcerative colitis for a number of years. Six months ago I began a regimen of low dose prednisone which really helped. My doctor and I have decided to pursue treatment with the immuno-suppressant, Imuran, and I am now in a position where I am beginning to wean myself off prednisone.

I am aware of the need to step down slowly but there are still unpleasant side effects and I am wondering if any of you have found any supplements that help in easing some of these issues in this specific situation. The main problems I am seeing are joint pain and fatigue. So far OTC pain relievers help but I am limited to acetaminophen since NSAIDs and ulcerative colitis don't mix due to intestinal irritation.

As I understand it, these problems come to light with prednisone as the drug itself basically takes over the body's own production of cortisol. Until the body can begin to produce its own cortisol I get to experience the symptoms of this very specific type of adrenal fatigue.

Hi Brent...You can wean yourself off prednisone by supplementing molybdenum, pantethine and pantathenic acid(vitamin B5) which will give you the same benefits as prednisone without its dangerous side-effects. Here are some extracts from the research:

Candida, according to antibody studies done at the Atkins Center, is involved in more than 80 percent of all cases of Crohn's and Colitis.

And for autoimmune problems, Dr. Atkins states,

" For all conditions that a doctor might prescribe prednisone --allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases, pantethine can be safely, effectively substituted. I routinely use it for all of those conditions on hundreds of my patients, and it's valuable in weaning them off steroidal drugs, or certainly in allowing a lower dose...."

By upping body levels of a body enzyme, pantethine counteracts brain fog, certain allergic sensitivities, and some consequences of alcoholism. (And here it is --) ... In people with candidiasis, the enzyme fights off a toxic byproduct called acetaldehyde, which is thought to cause brain fog, often-suffered but rarely diagnosed.... Acetaldehyde also is suspected of being responsible for some symptoms of alcoholism, including alcoholic heart muscle disease. The pantethine-stimulated enzyme also detoxifies formaldehyde, an all too frequent offender for chemically sensitive individuals."

In summary, Dr. Atkins is saying that Pantethine, without toxic consequences, can reduce cholesterol, counteract oxidation, stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria, and fight allergies, inflammation, autoimmune disruptions, and alcoholism.

In case you wondered, Dr. Cooter and Dr. Schmtt suggest 300 micrograms of Molybdenum in three divided doses per day, and further suggests staying on it for at least 4 months.. Dr. Atkins suggests 450 to 900 miligrams daily of Pantethine with an equal amount of Pantethenic Acid.

Source: http://www.afibbers.org/conference/session16.pdf

I would also urge you to read all the research thoroughly from the link.

Please also take note from the above research link that 80% of people with Crohn's and Colitis will have serious candida issues as well. So if you do have candida then your problems will be compounded and you will have to cure that as well. See Candida cures in the Ailments section of EC.

You should be able to easily purchase Pantethine, Pantethenic Acid and Molybdenum at any health store or from internet vendors.

I'm a mess, I've been on 10 mg of prednisone for 9 months now for copd, emphysema and it has kept me from going to the ER every month with copd exacerbation. After a bone scan and blood work I now have vitamin D deficiency, high cholesterol and hypothyroidism. My doctor gave me 3 new drugs to take but after reading the side effects I'm unable to take any of them. I would like to get off the prednisone but when I tried to lower myself off I felt like I was going to kick the bucket. My heart would beat erratic and I felt awful.

I'm 57 and have been thin all my life now I've gained 25 lbs eating everything!!

Also when I first got my lung problems I had been sanding on wood that I had got out of the mud flats in the river, I got a bug in my lungs that within 6 hrs, from the little irritation in the top of my chest to totally cover my lungs and when I coughed it burned so bad and green stuff came up.I went to the doctor after a month when I wasn't getting better very fast and it's been down hill from there, three years.

Is there anything that might help?

For years I been treated for Fibromalgia, Chronic pain, Neuropathic pain ETC. I kpet telling the Doctors and specialist I was 95% the Opiate Painkiller I was put on was causing the unbearable pain and other symptoms I had they kept saying NO and giving me ever stronger ones. I have been desperately trying to find an answer to this unbearalble pain and what I found has been known about since 1900? It's this.

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia I am so angry!!! All I can find on the web is more drugs for it and THEY CAN CAUSE IT???? I CAN'T FIND ANY 'HOLISTIC' things on it or how to cure it only Pharma and I don't want that!! PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP!!

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia[1] or opioid-induced abnormal pain sensitivity, [2] also called paradoxical hyperalgesia[3] is a phenomenon associated with the long term use of opioids such as morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and methadone. Over time, individuals taking opioids can develop an increasing sensitivity to noxious stimuli, even evolving a painful response to previously non-noxious stimuli (allodynia). Some studies on animals have also demonstrated this effect occurring after only a single high dose of opioids.... More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid-induced_hyperalgesia

Hello Andrea C from Wales,

Re the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia ...

AND the overuse of opiates.

Well, as usual the trend in Western medicine is to treat the symptom and not the cause. I argue that viral infection is heavily linked to many "mystery cause" illnesses.

Google, "Phoenix Rising, Dr. Dantini" and you'll find an MD that contends there is a relationship between infection and CFS and FM. Dr. Dantini uses a number of anti viral drugs. I have used for 20 years Colloidal Silver. Keep the mind open for such anti virals. Zappers/ MMS/Rife technology. Herbals.

So the first step for anyone suffering from CFS or FM or one who is addicted to the opiates which cause other pain issues, is to get to the cause of the underlying issue. Then, the matter of addiction to the prescription drugs becomes more focused. Cleansing the system of the opiated residues becomes vital and I'd be looking on Earth Clinic sites for cleanses.

The "lemon" cleanse is one. Half a lemon in glass of water, ten times a day for two weeks cleanses down to the cellular level. The Texas Minister Lester Roloff used Watermelons ... a three day FAST with only watermelon ... to cleanse drug addicted adolescents who came to his "girls home" in Texas needing help.

I am so sorry you are facing two problems and know how frustrated and angry you are. What you are facing is now getting national attention. Just tonight on the national news I saw a special on how drug addiction that results in thousands of deaths each year, starts with a pathway drug of prescription pain killers.

Hello, In 2012 I had breast cancer was treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. It was stage 3. Now I am on an aromatase inhibitor AI, which destroys estrogen. The treatment is usually 5 years. I have terrible leg pain and now hair loss. My oncologist had prescribed morphine during chemo and I am still on it, a very low dose. I am considering stopping the AI. Is there anyone else on earthclinic dealing with this. Let's talk, please. Thank you.

Petunia: I don't have what you have but I would like to assist you. Eating cooked conventionally grown food creates the states of acidic and fermentation. This is the root cause. The components of the cell mutate into cancer to survive. All you have to do is change the states to respiration and alkaline. You can start getting better in 5 minutes. Eat raw organic fruits for fuel. Make green smoothies from organic baby leaves. Take 1/2 saturated fat, expeller pressed coconut oil is best, and 1/2 unsaturated, black chia or flax oil are best. Keep fat below 5%/g. For example 100g/ carbs, 5g fat. People who have graduate degrees in cellular biology have shown that cancer does not eat sugar in the presence of nutrients and insulin when fat is below 5%/g. For protein take non denatured whey, concentrate or isolate. You can take colostrum, 17 mushroom extract blend from Washington, 3000iu vitamin d/day, unrefined sea salt, and organic chili. For saponins you can take yucca liquid. Raw organic fruit has high energy water, a very potent remedy. The super foods you can take are Hawaiian spirulina and raw cocoa powder.

I too was on Aromasin (exemestane) for 2 years after a lumpectomy for breast cancer. It made it almost impossible to walk due to the pain in my knees, shins and thigh bones. At night, the bone pain woke me. I complained of the pain at my last visit to the oncologist and he took me off the Aromasin. The pain is somewhat better and I can get by with taking only one Ibuprophen a day for pain. Now I am gaining weight. I didn't have trouble with hair loss, however I did not have chemo, just radiation.

I suggest you do some research on an chinese herbal product called Myomin. I and my husband have been taking this for 3 months with much success.

I've been taking ambien for several years now to sleep. Have noticed some memory issues--blank mind, not with it, not as sharp as I once was, pain in my toe. Had a close call while driving recently. I want to get off the ambien and am trying many herbal, etc, supplements with little success. but I have one question: how do I get all the ambien out of my system? Is it possible to reverse these side effects? Some websites indicate that some side effects cannot be reversed, but I am hopeful they can over time. thanks for any help you can give me.

Rick: There are a lot of people like you in this world. I was one of them a short while ago. My brother has a fish tank. He has to feed them properly. The problems are very complicated. The solution is very simple. Feed the cells properly with rejuvelac. Rejuvelac turbocharges food. Put 30g raw sprouted flour, 30g organic whole cane sugar, and some water kefir grains in 1 quart spring water and let brew. The info is online. Take nondenatured whey isolate for protein. Take 1tbsp black chia seeds, 1tsp coconut oil, and 1tsp sesame oil 2x per day for fats. You can eat raw wildflower honey when hungry. The more rejuvelac you take the better. I make 2 gallons and take 1 pint per hour with some superfoods mixed in.

Look into 5HTP and GABA to help with sleep. I also still take benedryl of some sort or another to help with sinus etc and it also makes me a bit sleepy-- Yes, I have tried plenty of other things too. I believe I have a high histamine level and that is why I do okay with taking benedryl also. And input appreciated...

I wish it was as simple as taking 5-htp, gaba and benadryl. I take those for sleep, along with melatonin, taurnine, glycine, l-glutamate, cal/mag, l-theanine and astaxanthin (for arthritis pain). I may or may not fall asleep within 1 hour, then I may or may not sleep 1 1/2 hrs, wake and read a boring book or turn on sleep sounds, doze off for another hour or so, until after about 5 or 6 hours I finally get up. I drink green tea during the day, before bed I drink a sleepytime tea or golden milk (which is very good for arthritis and to make you sleepy). But, my question was how to get all the ambien out of my system. Half life is about 6 hours, I think, so 1/2 mg should be all gone after 24 hrs, but I can still feel residual out of it brain loss. Just wondering if the effects ever go totally away or if I damaged somehting irreparably.

Rick: Getting dozens of nutrients and hundreds of cofactors from rejuvelac activates the bodies detoxification pathways.

I have a source for homemade milk kefir, would that be almost as good as the rejuvelac? I read the how to make it and don't know if I'd be at home enough for the rinsing, etc.

Hi Rick from VA! (Lynchburg?)-- yes I continue to struggle with sleep on and off and have some of the symptoms you do. I weaned myself off psych drugs years ago via 'truehope' system (google it)- I was on a ton of meds and it took me about a year to get off them and then another year to feel more or less ok. I sleep best when my bf comes over fri to mondays-- I guess the company does me good. lol I think it is a very individual thing on how long it takes to detox from meds-- drink tons of water and drink a lot of organic teas-- do you mediate? I find that helpful during times of stress. keep on doing what you're doing-- feel free to write me at dancingpretzels at y a h o o and we can chat more- ~j

Rick: Raw milk kefir is excellent for oil soluable nutrients and protein. Too much of this gives me constipation. 80% of the food people eat is burned as fuel to make atp. Carbs are best because they increase the respiratory quotient. You do not have to sprout grains. You can buy sprouted flour. 30g sprouted flour and 30g whole cane sugar per quart. Fructose from sugar, not starch, performs necessary functions. There are 2 types of water kefir grains. One is ready and the other is dormant. The dormant one takes 3 or 4 days to fully wake up. Taste the brew periodically. The kefir gradually changes from sour to vinegary. When vinegary the kefir is fully awake. Watch how to make water kefir in 2 minutes or less video. For additional carbs I take raw wildflower honey. I take 600g carbs daily. You can watch raw food videos and study the Andrew Kim blogs, carbon dioxide and insulin revisited.