Replied by Helpyourself (Texas, US) on 06/20/2014

Replied by Nanowriter (Hotspot, Texas) on 06/21/2014

Replied by Tony (Tn, US) on 06/21/2014

This gives my mother no warning before the knot pops up. It appears with pain & discomfort & goes away on its own in a few days. She's just more miserable this time than any of the other times this has happened. Thanks!

Replied by Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 06/22/2014

Has your mother had any improvement?

I am having a hard time picturing the exact location. I keep thinking "swollen lymph node." But it sounds like the swelling is inside of her mouth?

I agree with Nanowriter that garlic and clove oil would be good for possible infection and also the pain.

Whatever it is, it is some kind of inflammation, so I would consider a number of different things that would be natural anti-inflammatories.

1 teaspoon turmeric three times a day, in some whole fat milk. Adding a little black pepper helps it to work the best. Good for pain, inflammation, infection.

Lots of vitamin C - 1 gram every hour or two unless there is diarrhea, then cut back a little.

Let us know how she is doing! I am so sorry she is having so much discomfort!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Kt (Usa) on 06/22/2014

Because dairy cows are fed corn and because corn has been genetically modified, "whole milk" is not what it used to be. For years, I purchased whole milk that came from free-range, grass-fed dairy cows. The milk was in glass bottles. I cannot go into detail because I spent so much time on another reply but I felt I needed reply to you.

Too many carbohydrates and hidden sources of MSG in the diet contribute to all kinds of problems and because everyone eats differently, everyone will have a different reaction. Things were happening to me and my husband that caused me to call the dairy and ask if their cows were being fed corn. I was told they were.

After learning about MSG over twenty years ago, I stopped using common table salt and got only a sea salt that is considered nature's first sea salt. I purchased butter and canned vegetables without salt. By the process of elimination the only thing left causing problems was the whole milk. After I called the dairy and got the confirmation I needed, I started getting the two per-cent milk and our problems subsided. I use coconut oil, olive oil and walnuts to get the "good fat" that I need.

It might be a good idea for your mother to eliminate the things I mentioned for awhile to see if her knot goes down. Better yet, you could start writing down what she eats and the times she eats. Take note when she has flare-ups and maybe you can identify what is causing them. YES, the binders and fillers in her meds could contribute but if you eliminate the things I mentioned she may be able to tolerate those or not even need her BP medicine.

It makes sense to me that the combination of any variety of ingredients could contribute to inconsistent flare-ups.

Replied by Kt (Usa) on 06/23/2014

Some farmers are genuinely trying to produce better food for us. They are truly not aware that they are no longer in control of what is happening to the food.

For a very brief time we tried the "free range, grass-fed" steer, chicken and chicken eggs. We had more joint pain, kidney and bladder issues in addition to more indigestion. I'm glad we both recognized the problems just after a few weeks because we could not afford to continue purchasing that "healthier" food. What we experienced seemed to confirm that, what the animals were being fed had been infiltrated with GMO's. Because animals do not eat identical, the quality of their meat, milk and eggs can vary so effects are going to vary. It's hard to say any one thing can cause any one problem.

I used to eat more eggs, cheese and meat because they were supposed to contain zero carbohydrates. This is no longer true.

Then there are the binders and fillers in medication and supplements. There are flowing or anti-caking agents in spices. Diabetes is on the rise, I feel, because we are overloaded with a variety of starch products in our food supply. Many are nerve stimulants that cause joint pain. "Arthritis" is an acceptable age-related ailment. Now we have "fibromyalgia" that has also become acceptable and medication is prescribed for that. Other starches seem to "paint" the inside of our arteries, veins and other tubules needed for proper organ function. We either have over stimulation of nerve cells or we have accumulation that is causing our organs to shut down. New ailments have become acceptable and more cures are being sought instead of identifying the probable cause. I feel it is accurate to say our health crisis is due to hidden sources of MSG combined with GMO's in our food supply in one form or another. This seems to be another Catch-22.

Since your mother is 73, the foods she is used to eating have changed. My mother would have been 85 if she was alive. She assumed the FDA would not allow what is happening. They have even been allowing known carcinogens to be added to our food despite the 1958 Delaney Amendment which states, "no additive may be permitted in any amount if the tests show that it produces cancer when fed to man or animals or by other appropriate tests." We are not being protected and it appears each generation is getting worse.

I've made attempts to be thorough but I'm sure I've left something out. I hope I haven't overwhelmed you or other readers.

Some of these assertions have been taken from videos available at the library. The others are a result of my personal application and observation. Because our food supply has been changing, I've had to change my eating habits over the last two decades. Not everyone is correct about everything all the time but I am learning what is working for me. I hope I've provided you with some ideas that will help your mother.

Replied by Kt (Usa) on 06/23/2014

Before I got married, I ate very little processed food and only had facial and internal cysts once in awhile.

After I got married we ate a lot of processed food because we both worked full-time. I had a cyst on one of my ovaries that got so large it ruptured. The pain was excruciating. I think that speaks for itself.

Replied by Tony (Tn) on 09/16/2014

My mother doesn't eat as healthy as I'd like for her too. She does have diabetes but still takes in some sugar products. I have gotten her off the artificial sweeteners & on stevia as a sweetener for her coffee. She still drinks too much coffee though. I asked her to cut back to 1-2 cups daily but she still drinks 4+ cups a day. Even drinks sometimes right up til she goes to bed. And, then she wonders why she has insomnia?

My mother keeps too much of her trust in the FDA/doctor's. I'm the exact opposite. I wonder if the knot that keeps popping up from time to time is related to a combination of a medication(s) & diabetes-fibro? The knot pops up on the outside of her back right jaw near her ear. It's happened 3 times I believe in the past few years.

This last time it caused her great pain & she couldn't eat anything solid when it was there. The previous times it wasn't as bad. I can only advise her & not tell her what to do. She does trust in what I say but I myself have health issues & only get minimal results with the things I've tried & most of them have been taken from right here at EC. I believe if my mother could see some better results in my health situation she would believe & turn to alternative methods for her own health issues! Until then, she's probably not going to budge! Thanks guys & God Bless!

Replied by Timh (KY) on 09/18/2014

I think it's kinda established that Caffeine increases fibrosis condition. I too am a Coffee drinker but cannot tolerate much Caffeine so to remedy the situation I mix 1/2 regular Coffee and 1/2 Decaf Coffee. This keeps my Caffeine levels about right as minimal doses seem beneficial. Also, Caffeine tends to suppress adrenal function so taking tonic herbs like Ginseng, Foti, and Ashwaghandha (rotate these three) really takes the edge off Coffee while simultaneously increasing mental & physical performance. Coffee alone just doesn't get it, that's proly why your mom attempts to overcome the deficit by drinking more with little results. Ginger & Dandelion root are also good adjuncts to the Coffee and can be used daily without rotation. You can incorporate these by adding the tea bags or can take capsules.

Replied by Tony (Tenn., US) on 09/18/2014

Anyhow, thanks for the reply back here in this topic. My mother can't stop the caffeine. I asked her if it's more because she likes the taste of coffee or she feels she can't go without it. She says she just like the taste but I feel she thinks she couldn't get through the day without it. More like a caffeine addiction problem than anything to me.

I had her to try one of the herbal coffee blends by Tecchino but she didn't like it at all. That's what I drink when I want a coffee taste. It's caffeine free & taste a lot like coffee if you ask me. I like the java flavor which is a medium roast & I can't tell the difference in real coffee & this after drinking it for a while. My mother doesn't like any of it though.

Coffee is also bad for diabetics due to possible kidney issues. It just makes matters worse. She's already had 2 chronic kidney infections in the past 3 years. I know one of the biggest reasons for her kidney infections has been the combination of coffee & her diabetes.

I did get her off plain sugar & artificial sweeteners to stevia but that doesn't matter with the caffeine intake from the coffee. The only caffeine I get is from drinking 4 cups of green tea daily which is a low amount. I've never been addicted to caffeine though so I don't know what that is like.

My only liquid intake is purified water (50-60 ounces daily) & green tea(4 cups daily) with an occasional cup of the herbal coffee for breakfast that I mentioned before. Thanks buddy & hope you're doing better since the last time we chatted here at EC. God Bless you Tim!