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Any Help Would Be Appreciated, Tia

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hello, I am so glad I found this forum and hope someone can give me some advice.

I am a 60 year old female.

At the age of about 45 I had severe pain from heel spurs for quite some time. They finally subsided by themselves after several months of severe pain only to return intermittently for about two years. Every once in a while I still feel pain but it does go away again.

At the same time I had a very bad case of achilles tendon inflamation which lasted at least a year and never quite healed completely.

At about age 50 I started having severe problems with sudden stiffness all over my body. It would come and stay with me for about one or two days and then seem to "work out" again without any medications.

Just want to mention that at that age I was also put on hormone replacement therapy. (hrt- the patch.) I do not know whether the pain came first or the hrt.

Within a few years the attacks lasted longer and I sought medical attention from a rheumatologist.
He checked me for lime disease, blood test, and rheumatoid factors. Nothing came up. But just prior to the visit I had read some information about rheumatism responding to a vegetarian diet and had already cut out all meats for about a months. Also by the time the appointment took place I was again in remission. The rheuma tologist told me he still believed I had rheumatism and it would return sooner or later.

But I had no pain for a year or so, all the while staying pretty much on a vegetarian diet. But suddenly it came back with a vengeance.

We were on a long car trip for several days and at one point we got out of the car and I could not move. Without any warning I suddenly could not get my legs to move. Not only that, I could not move my shoulders, wrists, neck, jaw, head or anything. I stood beside the car and my husband got me a cart to hold on to. I stood there for a long time and then with much pain and all the strength I could muster I started to move. Within about an hour my strength and mobility came back. But I was in severe pain all over my body till that evening. The next morning it was pretty much gone.

Again after that I did not have another episode for some time.

Then about four months later the same thing repeated itself. But the stiffness lasted for several days and from then on it started to come more often. I went to the doctor and explained everything. He ordered some tests, all came back that I was perfectly alright. He prescribed pain medication.

That fall my condition got worse. The stiffness came and stayed. So we decided to try a climate change. We spent the winter in florida. But it offered no change. I could not get rid of the stiffness.

While in florida I went to two doctors. One a rheumatologist, who again ordered several test, all returned negative, and I went to an acupuncturist. I underwent six week (2x a week) of acupuncture without any relieve of the problem.

The rheumatologist said I had rheumatism, his assistant said I had fibromyalgia. I got steroids which helped me for a few weeks and then was put on some other allopathic pain meds but nothing really woked for a long time.

Back home I went to another rheumatologist, he started me on vioxx, sleeping medication and gold shots. In about 2 months the condition subsided and I felt better. I quit the medications after 6 months and again my condition returned.

I went to another rheumatologist, again blood tests, etc. Everything seemed alright. But she put me on methotrexade and vioxx. It gave me relieve in about 2 months. I was on methrotrexade for one year and was feeling very well. So, little by little I weaned myself of all medication and was without pain and stiffness for over a year.

At the time I was also taken off hrt and I thought maybe the pain etc. Could be attributed to having been on the patch. (i had read the women's study...)

i hope you are still reading because this is where I need your help:

i had no pain for over a year now and had not had the best diet again. I ate lots of vegetables and fruit fresh from our garden but also more than my share of sweets and pastry. I am about 45 lbs overweight.

Sometime within the next year I developed acne. I had no clue why, because I had always had smooth, tight pored, perfectly healthy looking skin. My skin had been my best feature. I had never in my life had acne.

Suddenly it got very severe and every day I got a new huge white head somewhere on my face. It looked gross. I am a very clean person and took special care to make sure my skin and hair was clean all the time, but no matter what, the acne just kept coming.

Then we went to europe for an extended visit and ate mostly from the delicatessen. We were there for over 6 months and basically ate pork, drank wine, ate refined foods, lots of chocolate...Very bad diet.

I still had the acne which I hid as best as possible under make up. But I was completely without pain or stiffness. Then suddenly within three months of eating very badly, my heath deteriorated like over night. The pain and stiffness returned very abruptly. It got worse and worse every single night so that within a week I could not even get off the chair or out of bed.

I went to a homeopath while in europe and he gave me rhus toxicodendron c. 200 (homeopahtic med for rheumatism) which helped for three days and then the symptoms returned full force. So, I mostly suffered through it, taking only over the counter pain meds.

We returned on the 15th of november of this year and this is basically where I am. I still have all the excruciating pain and stiffness in every part of my body.

I did some searching and came upon several sites that make me wonder whether I have been mis-diagnosed all along. Whether I could have some form of gout from my miserable diet?

Since i've been home I have gone back on a very strict and healthy organic, full grain, vegetarian diet. I eat no sugar, soda, nothing refined, nothing pre-made or bought. I cook everything myself from basic, organic ingredients. I drink only reverse osmosis water and lots of it. I also take
probiotics, acidophilus/l. Bifidus and glucosamine. I bought bromelain in the health food store and burdock root tee and have been using it every day since my return.

I am not on any medication, have normal b/p and cholesterol. I have no other health problems. (this is more than enough!)

today I got the “gout cure” in the mail, which I had ordered.

Yesterday I found your site. Now I realize that I am trying to get rid of gout crystals and I should not do that until the flair up is gone again, if indeed this is a form of gout.

My stiffness and pain is mostly in my shoulders, and wrists. No pain in my toes. In one hand i've developed a "trigger finger" because of a tendon getting tight. The other hand is starting to have the same problem. There are hard nodules between my first finger and second finger on the knuckles.

The worst part is at night. I get so stiff that I can not cover or uncover myself. Lately both knees have become affected with the stiffness and swelling as well as both hips, both elbows, both jaws, and the tendons between my first and second finger on both hands are very swollen and painful.
Today all my fingers are swollen, red and inflamed.

My acne is starting to go away but this severe pain, swelling and stiffness is not giving me a break.

Since yesterday I am taking the baking soda as directed by the site, drinking lots of water, cherry juice, and taking ibuprofen 800mg a day.

Now my question is, should I continue with what I am doing and see what happens, or am I in any danger?

I also was wondering about the "goutcure". Should I try that as well at the same time?

I am so confused and in so much pain, but I have pretty much lost faith in doctors since this has been going on for 10 years and they have not helped me get rid of the problem for good.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Sorry this was so long.
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replied December 18th, 2005
Experienced User
I am sorry you are in so much pain. I have some suggestions:

* go see doctors at a teaching hospital. They are more interested in difficult cases and are better in treating them than outside doctors.

* joint fluid test (by a rheumatologist) can tell if you have gout, infection, or something else.

* gather all test reports so you can compare them over time. A single test doesn't always show the problem. For example, the blood uric acid levels of gout patients go down during the gout attacks. So if you have gout attack, see the doctor, have the blood tested, your uric acid can just be normal.

* rheumatism is a generic term for joint diseases. You have to narrow it down to what kind of rheumatism so you can manage it better.

* avoid foods and drinks that have lots of fructose and low ph. They are bad for gout, and maybe other joint problems too.

* do some mild exercise for all joints and lose some weight slowly (no more than 0.5~1 pound a week?). Sudden drop of body weight can trigger gout.

* avoid any self treatment that you think may be dangerous. Consult doctors before trying.

Good luck and take care.
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replied December 18th, 2005
Thank You Very Much For Your Reply.
I will definitely consider everything you have said and do something after the holidays.

Today I talked to a family friend who is an md and he suggested he give me some pills called "colchicine". He did not know how they worked but said if I get relieve from them then he would be pretty sure it's gout. If not, then he does not think I have gout.

What would you say to that?
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replied December 18th, 2005
Experienced User
Colchicine is gout specific. So, if it relieves the pain and swelling, just like the doc said, you are most likely to have gout. But if it doesn't work, you still may have gout because some gout patients said colchicine does not work for them but other drugs do. The dosage is 1 tab (0.5 or 0.6 mg) every 1~2 hours. It can cause bad diarrhea after taking the 2nd or 3rd tab. You may like to ask the doc to give you something, e,g. Lomotil (rx), to prevent diarrhea.

Gout can attack more than one joint at a time. But it "rarely" attacks the joints symmetrically, e.G., right wrist and left wrist, etc. Are you taking other medicines? If so, you may like to check the side effects of these medicines to see if they cause joint pain, arthralgia.

Get well soon.
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replied December 30th, 2005
Experienced User
Just read about behcet's disease. The symptoms include: skin sores (resemble pus-filled bumps) and arthritis (inflammation of joints). Ironically, it can be treated with colchicine. More info can be found at: http://www.Niams.Nih.Gov/hi/topics/behcets /behcets.Htm .
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replied December 30th, 2005
Thank you very much! I will check it out.
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replied December 30th, 2005
No, I don't think that fits my symptoms at all. No pustules on chest or legs, no canker sores on lip or genitalia, I am euro descent...


But I did find something very interesting a few days ago - and it seems to make sense to me: "acidosis".

In the last two days I finally seem to be improving somewhat again. I have been taking the baking soda and avoided all foods that are acidifying foods since the day after thanksgiving.


Like i've said, the day after thanksgiving I changed my diet completely and have stuck with it. I know a lot about nutrition and still think I messed myself up while traveling (and I even knew it at the time).

Anyway, I now think I threw myself into a state of acidosis. Not exactly gout but the same diet would work to rid myself of the symptoms again.

I must have been doing that from time to time, not realizing it. So, I am going with it. I have researched about alkalizing vs acidifying foods.

Will keep posting as I see what is happening to me. Btw i've only taken 200 mg of ibuprofen in the last two days and seems to be working. It must be the diet!


Tomorrow I will not take any medicine. All medicine is acidifying also.
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replied December 31st, 2005
Hi there (this could be a second post because I was not sure if the first post got through)
my name is dr gerald tan. I specialise in lifestyle and environment modification to reduce diseases.

I agree that your diet will affect your condition.
On top of that make sure you do not get dehydrated. Dehydration will worsen your condition. Drink minimum 2.5 to 3 litres of water a day. Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, soda) because it can make one pass a lot of urine and hence dehydration sets in. Caffeine and dehydration can cause increased stomach acid and increase your appetite for unhealthy food.

Your trigger finger is caused by heavy loads or repetitive motions (eg. Typing, sewing, kneading ironing) for more than an hour continuously. Take a minute break for every 15 minute of hand work.

Your sole pain if it returns, could be due to prolonged standing and walking. Also take a minute break by sitting down after standing or walking for more than 15 to 30 minutes.

If you wish, I can walk through your condition with you.
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replied December 31st, 2005
Yes, I am aware of keeping hydrated. Very routine advice!


But what you have posted here seems to me extremely simplistic:

Quote:
your trigger finger is caused by heavy loads or repetitive motions (eg. Typing, sewing, kneading ironing) for more than an hour continuously. Take a minute break for every 15 minute of hand work.

Your sole pain if it returns, could be due to prolonged standing and walking. Also take a minute break by sitting down after standing or walking for more than 15 to 30 minutes.



are you absolutely sure about all of that, Dr. Gerald tan? I do no repetitive motions especially not when I am in pain and the sole of my feet hurts worst after 8 hrs. Of sleep. I am retired and can relax any time I am in pain and I certainy do that.


If the solution were that rudimentary, I surely would have figured it out a long time ago. So, back to the drawing board with you.


Oh, btw - both conditions subside when all other symptoms calm down. Even my trigger finger relaxes to where it causes no discomfort.
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replied December 31st, 2005
Experienced User
Hi, maria9088,

i am glad behcet's doesn't apply to you. I passed it on because I wasn't sure the acne you mentioned is a kind of skin sore.

Acidosis is a possibility. Some chemicals such as uric acid are more soluble in alkaline fluids therefore they can be cleaned out easier from the joints. I know several cases in which baking soda in water improved both gout and the pain and stiffness in joints and feet.

One thing I still don't understand is so called "alkalizing foods" such as lemon, lime, cranberry, etc. The believers say although they are acidic they contain a lot of minerals, therefore alkalizing. But, they are acidic because there are more acids in them than minerals. What damages do these acids cause before they are broken down or excreted? The believers often recommend cranberry for treating gout because cranberry is an alkalizing food. But I also read about some people getting gout attacks every time they eat cranberries.

If you are interested in the ph of foods in its natural state, it can be found in an fda site at: http://vm.Cfsan.Fda.Gov/%7ecomm/lacf-phs.H tml .

Good luck.
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replied January 1st, 2006
From my understanding foods can be alkaline or acid base but it is due to the combination of the foods with hydrochloric acid that changes the ph.



Like milk is more alkaline in its natural state but in combination with stomach acid becomes very acidic.



They used to give ulcer patients nothing but a milk diet and did them more harm than good.



On the other hand cayenne pepper is very acidic but was always used by american indiens to heal ulcers. Because it changes when combined with hyrodrochloric acid and becomes curative.



I am just learning about all this... Can't hurt!


did you ever read the book by paavo airola 'how to get well'?

I didn't yet but am going to order it.



I really like your input. You seem genuine in your advice and interested in furthering your knowledge as I am, too, because I really want to heal myself.

I do believe we are our own best doctors. What do you think about that?


Apropos cranberries, you have heard "one man’s food is another man’s poison"? Lucretius
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replied January 4th, 2006
Experienced User
I saw that webpage years back. The thing I don't understand is something like:. Lime is a very strong alkalizer. Although it's very acidic, it becomes alkaline after it interacts with (very acidic) stomach juice (hydrochloric acid). Or, acid+acid=base. That's not what I understand about chemistry.

Good luck with your research and let us know when you find the cure.
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