The treatment that has healed me!

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Hello! I wanted to share how I have been healed in hopes that it may help others in their quest for restored health. I began following this forum January 2015 out of desperation believing that I was going to die! My tale begins as many of yours... One day shopping i became so dizzy I thought I was having a stroke. Four months, eight specialists, seven misdiagnoses, and countless tests later I wound up in emergency surgery! The final diagnosis under the medical model was Ménière's disease which after four months of dizziness nausea and vomiting caused LPR or silent reflux, acute gastritis, stomach polyps, and a vasovagal response condition with the random bouts of blood pressure and heart rate dropping accompanied by passing out! It was explained to me by my surgeon that the strain on my digestive tract caused a weakened gallbladder to cease working. No stones were ever found however my gallbladder was removed via an emergency surgery and was found to be swollen, rigid, and rotting from the inside out! Following the surgery I could keep no food down, was in constant pain and discomfort from nausea. I was virtually bedridden and failed to improve. Medical doctors placed me on PPIs which did not improve my condition and I was told that I would be on them for the foreseeable future. The impact however of these harsh drugs on my weekend body were deleterious. Months went by and I became weaker and more ill. But then one day I read something on this forum that I had not read before. So began some research and finally found someone willing to take me on as a patient for nutrition response testing or muscle testing. After a very short few minutes of testing I was told that there was a relative cure for me! I had tried everything I read on these forums from Minooka honey to cabbage juice and aloe vera... but not only was there no improvement I seemed to get worse and could not understand why these things would work for others and not me! My MD/ND explained to me that nutrition response testing is individualized and that each person is a different organism in need of different approach based on physiology nutritional history current medical condition etc.... And my cure is okra! Yes I said okra! How could it be so simple? It is a Whole Foods supplement (or as close to a whole foods as it can be being a supplement) and that along with Pituitrophin for a pituitary malfunction also identified through the response testing has been my cure. It is now five months and I have my life back! My MD/ND indicates it will take me 12 to 18 months to fully heal But i am well on my way! I am up to 54 different foods I eat and have no negative reaction, I have no nausea and sleep flat again on the bed, I no longer have the sticky glob of whatever choking me in my throat and can breathe normally! I walk a mile a day (quite a feat as just five months ago I could only crawl from my bed to my bathroom). I have not had a vasovagal episode in months now and I feel as though I am strong and sturdy once again not on the verge of collapse and death at any moment! And I do not exaggerate that! But please do not do what I did! Do not order out for okra supplements believing that they will help you! Have the nutrition response testing done for yourself to find your ultimate cure! I could have tried and just about did every remedy talked about on this forum and because it was not what I needed it made me worse! And I can honestly say that I could have tried different remedies for years and never have gotten to okra! There is an answer folks! I went from having a cardiac specialist, an internal medicine specialist, A surgeon, three general practitioners, an ENT, A neurologist, and an otologist to one MD/ND who practices holistic medicine and recognizes the need to blend both the medical model and the natural path smile I could have wasted years of my life in suffering trying to find the right remedy or combination of medical treatments...., but at what cost? I am now gaining my weight back, hair and nails are growing back again, my gums which had receded below my enamel line are recovering! My liver kidneys heart and lungs as well as my stomach and esophagus are all functioning normally once again! And all of my blood work has leveled out! If you are concerned about cost it is not that costly! The initial testing for me was just $200 and an office visit of $45 each time I go. The supplements are less than $40 and last me 2 1/2 months. So it is true that insurance does not pay for this type of medical treatment, but I have had less out-of-pocket expense with my MD/ND than I did with co-pays deductibles etc. for everything else I had previously done through the medical model! I cannot recall now who originally posted about this testing but I thank you! And I am grateful for this forum! I wish all of you godspeed on your health recovery journey!

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  • Posted

    jodie, what are the test and what are your supplements? I may have missed in your post. I keep looking back to see. but cant find . please could you tell name of your testing and what you take for this problem. thanks in advance,
    • Posted

      Yes Phyllis! The testing is called nutrition response testing or muscle testing. You can YouTube it and see how it is done. It is noninvasive and I admit I was skeptical in the beginning but at that point I had nothing to lose! It is based in traditional Chinese medicine practices and acupuncture points but it is noninvasive so no needles! The idea of it is similar to an electrocardiogram where in that test the electricity of the heart is measured against what the medical model says it should be. So in nutrition response testing what is measured is the electricity or energy from other organs against what they should be and then how that muscle tissue responds to different supplements. They can't even measure the appropriate dose against your muscle tissues response to it so there's no guessing on how much of a supplement you need! Quite extraordinary really... And for me at least it identified what I needed and how much of it I needed and it has worked! The supplements I am taking are okra (to heal my gut and Digestive tract) and pituitrophinn (to heal my non-responsive pituitary). The supplements are as close to bits of food you can get without them actually being bits of food... (because I couldn't possibly eat enough okra in a day every day that I needed to heal my gut) so there are no side effects other than positive for me because the testing showed that is what I needed to heal my muscle tissue. So each person is different although we may have some similarities the treatment recommendation is very unique to each individual patient. I hope this is helped to clarify, but to recap:

      Testing: Nutrition Response Testing (NRT) or Muscle Testing

      Supplements: Okra and Pituitrophin

      Good Luck!

    • Posted

      Phyllis! Oopsie! Erreor: i meant "they CAN even measure appropriate dose of a supplement"!
  • Posted

    I'm glad you found something that seems to be help9ing you, Jodie.

    However, I do caution against most herbal and "natural" remedies which are not backed up by scientific research but anecdotal evidence. The reason is some people actually need these medications and there are many snake-oil charlatans willing to make a profit at the expense of the gullible.

    You will see false claims (eg "How I cured my Barrett's" - which is actually incurable) for pdf downloads that are "kept as cheap as possible as a service to help all those in misery"(!) - surely as cheap as possible for a pdf download is FREE? - and some of the advice is actually quite dangerous.

    It is for that reason, I was persuaded to write the book DownWithAcid org uk which is both factual and free.

    And I have included a chapter on "Natural Remedies". Find the link on the home (Contents) page of the website. But it doesn't include okra. The book is soon to go to press. If you have any research evidence about the use of okra in ameliorating acid reflux, perhaps you could message me a link.

    • Posted

      Hello Barretts! And, thanks for your questions! Yes i agree! Many people actually need medications and i am one! :D this is why i now believe it is important to consider both the medical and natural models when approaching health and healing! The two compliment each other... for example, herbs cannot heal a needed hip replacement. Although herbs may very well aid in and speed recovery following hip replacement. Cancer treatment Centers of America have embraced this holistic approach for years with higher than average success statistics so i would recommend your research on supplements begin with them. This is why it was critical to me that my ND also be an MD. I did not mean to imply or recommend that anyone walk away from their medical providers in lieu of an ND... But rather, if one is not finding success such as i was not, to augment their treatment. I actually met with my medical internist about NRT prior to it and received her support and her follow-along care as she was out of ideas and distressed with my continuing failing health. And, she indicated other patients had experienced success through NRT. Not all medical doctors adhere strictly to the medical model i am pleased to report smile. As far as the research behind the priciples of Traditional Chinese Medicine and NRT, there is more than 2000 years of recorded research and case study! The

      University of Maryland Medical speaks to it rather extensively and was one of many institutions i consulted in my quest for restored health. There was also a site that spoke specifically to the science behind NRT and supplements (like okra) specifically. I have private messaged you both links. So this should get you started. You will find many, many more online and i wish you great luck in your personal quest for knowledge!

    • Posted

      I am sorry..I am so confused on what would bebest formy silent reflux. I am getting worse evryday. please tellme ive been to 3 doctors for it and none have helped me noe did a Barium swallow how can they know what the cause without looking just sticking me with pills andsupplements. think im not losing my mind? I havent slept most of last night coughing and this yukky phlegm in my chest.  feel like just giving up. I dont know where to turn. Plus I have autoimmune disease called polymyalgia Rhumatica and have to take preds for that but down to 7 mgs. I know this medicine [prednisone] doesnt help matters but thats another story please somebody help...I know you cant heal me but I need direction and I have no help here.thank you all for your support.
    • Posted

      Thanks for the links you sent me.

      I have seen many similar sites in my researching these alternative / natural / hoilstic / phytotheraoeutic claims.

      You will understand my dilemma since the book I am preparing is written by a lay person in lay person's language but must include verifiable facts and being approved by the gastroentertologists I know and work with.

      So inclusion of anything must be supported with peer-reviewed published research. 

      I fully agree with much of the complementary therapies and accupuncture etc. (For a while, I even dabbled with aromatherapy myself.)

      But I am specifically targetting acid reflux problems and still haven't found any supportive research specifically on okra.

      If I included something in a supportive way which someone took based on my perceived recommendation and fell ill, they might have some sort of legitimate claim against me.

      Unfortunately I've run out of time for okra's inclusion. I am racing to complete the 3 or 4 remaining pages to email the first draft pdf to the publisher tonight for full print cost estimate. Then I'll be printing and assembling a few preview inspection copies tonight for a large show the charity has a stall at tomrrow (setting up at 7:30 am and it's an hour's drive away) when I'll also be discussing, and completing, a funding application to a grant awarding body to get the first 500 copies paid for. (Thereafter, it's self funding. The book is not to be sold for profit but at cost price only so sales of the first 500 pay for the next 500 etc.)

    • Posted

      Jodie and Barrets, I wish to ask you a question. Wouldnt you think out of 3 doctors one would do a Barium swallow on me? How can they tell whats going on without it Im a total mess. They Just stick me with medicine or a supplement and say come back in 2 months. I am getting worse everyday. I am about to give up. can you please give me some insight on what to do? Thanks in advance
    • Posted

      whats the difference in silent reflux and reflux I have silent. 
    • Posted

      Many congratulations on your accomplishment! smile And, i agree including okra specifically as a treatment option would be unwise with or without peer-reviewed research papers and findings! There are literally hundreds of herbs and supplements of which okra is but one! No one should treat themselves in this fashion without the nutrition response testing being conducted by a licensed and certified doctor who will prescribe and monitor treatment... Otherwise they may do more harm than good... I did that first after reading folks were healed by aloe vera juice and made myself worse! No! It isn't the supplement needs attention, it's the NRT! Okra is just what i tested positive for... AND! It has healed me! :D it 's finding the right supplement and dose without having to guess any longer what med might work! smile It has truly changed my perception and life! Good luck to you!!! smile
    • Posted

      What tests have you had done? I've had all sorts of tests and procedures. Obviously gastroscope, also 24 pH manometry prior to laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and Collis-Nissen revision but it was never considered necessary for me to have a Barium swallow as it appeared obvious to the gastroenterologist what was happening. However, if you're peristalsis is under question, then they should be offering you barium swallow test.
    • Posted

      The reflux we normally think about is gastro-oesopgaeal reflux (GORD - or GERD for our US friends) - stomach contents entering the oesophagus.

      If it transcends the length of the oesophageal column, it can reflux via the cricopharyngeus, properly called extra-oesophageal reflux but given the names LaryngoPharyngeal Refluc (LPR) or "silent reflux" by Jamie Kouffman, an ENT doctor. Some people also use the term silent reflux to refer to GOR when they don't experience burning symptoms of heartburn.

    • Posted

      Hi Phyllis! I never did have barium test but did have endoscopy. Seems Dr.s get partial to a particular set of tests and follow a Standard operating procedure with every patient. Certainly follow through with your medical doctors, but there is nothing stopping you from getting another opinion evaluation if what the medical doctors are doing for you is not working. In the end it is your life and you are ultimately responsible for doing all you can to preserve it! I chose to seek out and MD/ND and for me it has made all the difference in my recovery. There is nothing stopping you from doing both! Just be sure to communicate that to both so treatment programs are not at odds! But Phyllis you can never give up! Keep looking and you will find your answer! Remember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result... so keep trying new avenues I wish you great luck!
    • Posted

      Hi Phyllis! Best I could tell, silent reflux versus reflux speaks to the discomfort felt. I was told by by Gastro internist that my reflux was silent reflux because mine was not accompanied by heart burn.... therefore was silent...
    • Posted

      I fully sympathise, Phyllis,

      The symptoms of aspirated extra-oesophageal reflux were my worst symptoms and have plagued me ever since I was a small child having my ears synringed weekly - plus hosts of symptoms I now recognise as having been reflux related.

      My worst was my chronic cough which would make me practically pass out at least once a day and keep me sitting up coughing for 2 hours every night.

      The doctors only knoe of acid suppressant medication for the condition,"acid reflux" without realising there are in fact, two elements to it. So I was put on 80mg of omeprazole daily and when the induced hypochlorhydria resuted in anaemia, I was given iron tablets. I remember discussing with two of the UK's top gastroenterologists after a symposium in 2008 about the possibility of malabsorption of essential minerals due to PPI overuse. They pooh-poohed it at the time but readily accept it now.

      Of course, although the PPIs lowered my acid (too much), they did nothing for the cough, constant phlegm, nasal problems etc.

      Then I had my fundoplication and evrything cleared up - and I no longer needed to take any medication.

      (Although the book I've almost finished writing is meant to be factual information rather than anecdotal evidence, I have added a brief synopsis of my own story to let others know I'm not just talking as an outsider. It may be read by going to DownWithAcid org uk and finding th elin at the bottom of the short paragraph "About the author" in the Forewords.)

    • Posted

      Hi again Phyllis! I understand what you are saying! I was terrified at times and exasperated over the level of care! I spent days in disbelief that no one could identify or fix what was going on with me and no one seemed to take it seriously and I felt like I was dying! And based on the medical testing my body was shutting down! So this is what I did at that point... I followed through on everything the doctors were telling me to do. And, a couple of times I was so ill I could not breathe and so weak I could not move without assistance. At those times I went to emergency. It was the last time I went to emergency that I was admitted to the hospital for invasive testing ... And while that testing showed little it did enable me to meet the surgeon Who eventually figured out part of the problem. Keep going back! And, at the same time be looking at alternative treatments by finding yourself a holistic or natural pathic doctor. Do both! Tell each of them about the other so that you are coordinating your care! Do not give up and do not take no for an answer! It is your health and it will not mean as much to anyone else as it does to you! Stay strong and fight!
    • Posted

      gh to help.Hi Barretts, I would love to read your book.I also would like to find a good doctor to help me. I will keep searching anyway. Here in the Midwest its hard to find anyone knowledgable enough to know about these things. I think they are lazy I just would like if the doctor would return my call. How long does one have to suffer with this??? Sometimes a lifetime? I have heard of a doctor in NY a Jamie Koufman that does wonders with this disease. I am very tempted to go to NY. People think im crazy, well they're not wlking in our shoes. Thanks Barretts! 
    • Posted

      I have a lot of respect for Jamie Kouffman. She's an ENT specialist and originally coined the terms "LPR" and "silent reflux" to describe extra-oesophageal reflux and publicised the condition. She talks a lot of good sense about not eating late at night etc.

      However, she's not a gastroenterologist and some of the advice she gives about acid or alkaline foods is suspect - particularly advocating alkaline water which is a hoax propagated by the bottled water ndustry.

      When she's talking of the mechanics of upper oesophageal reflux, she's good but not so much regarding lower oesophageal reflux.

    • Posted

      Hi Barretts. Silent reflux is what Im suppose tohave. Althoug im not sure anymore. I only know the cough and burning and all the congestion in my chest has me worried and very frustrated. I am going to call ENT tomorrow and tell him to move my appointment up. I need to see waht my options are.if I need surgery or another doctor /specialistly I think I am taking a lot of meds for nothing to help. I truly appraciate all your help. Im wondering if The prednisone I take for PMR is makin me sicker. Ive been told this can aggravate reflux of any kind. again thanks.
    • Posted

      The medication is good for reducing acid but not for reducing reflux. It;s the reflux element that needs to be controlled to prevent LPR / "Silent reflux".

      If lifestyle choices don't help then its a fundoplication (which worked for me) or one of the newer treatment options.

      You may want to check out the Reza band? I don't know of anyone who's tried it but in UK, a report evaluating its promise has just been forwarded to NICE. (you'll find s description on DownWithAcid org uk under Reflux Reduction Techniques or you can find Somna therapeutics website).

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