Church Garden In The Ground, And No Experimental MS Therapies For Me!

We got the garden rolling today, it's going to be great! Went and got a truckload of topsoil to add, already added compost. The garden is at the back of the parking lot, backs up to some pretty nice townhomes. A young couple came over and started asking questions, before we knew what happened the guy was up in the truck blasting out dirt like a steam shovel! We got everything planted and even used their hose to give it the first soaking. The 2 members from church did an incredible amount of work too, probably had to do with the leadership I showed from my lawn chair.

Who can tell me something about CCSVI? Anybody know anyone who's had it? The mother knows a gal, who knows a guy, who saw something about it, on some show, but that's about it? My central nervous system has a blood supply? Is this procedure just angioplasty? Why is there so much controversy around each one of the "cures" for MS? LDN, Bee sting, dental Amalgam. Why can't they just make it work? My mechanic can fix my car, the plumber the pipes. I refuse to take anything else, or get any worse until they fix this! Who's with me?

Wife Gets to Grieve, LDN Blocking Pain Medicine, and Swimming In Ice Water

We went tonight to our friends house, me and the wife, she made lasagna and a Caesar salad to take to their home. She hasn't seen them since their daughter passed away. The wife tends to cry easily, but is tough as nails. Our friends seemed to be holding it together fairly well, I don't know how, but they are. We ate, we talked, we teared up a bit, we just sat and were friends. We didn't want to stay too long, they have had a long week, but we all wanted to see the video the funeral home made of their daughter. It was one of the hardest thing we have ever done. I can't imagine, no one should ever have to endure this pain.

My back is broken, ain't that a shame? Does it work for your father if you step on a crack? Those crazy kids! The wife works for a pain management company, but they can't do anything to help me, they don't work on family. The only thing worse then that would be if she worked for a bakery. I don't think I can take any pain medicine, the LDN will cancel it out, right? Is the dose enough to keep pain meds from working, I probably should find that out? What about Novocain? I can handle the back, the dentist isn't allowed to talk to me on the phone without Novocain! I go the end of the month to the dentist, so I definitely need to figure that one out.

I think the pool will be too cold to swim in for the rest of the summer? The weather has humid, but not too hot, dropping into the 50's at night. How are you supposed to heat up a pool with those night time temps? I may go soak in the cold water tomorrow, just to see if I can take it. I'm going to buy an aqua bug to clean the pool automatically, something less on the wife's plate. I want to float, weightless, let the cool water heal my body. More then anything, I want to be able to get in without a a having heart attack! It will come soon, I just can't wait!

Parents went home, CSA Plus Chicken, and Starting LDN, Again

The parents headed home today, I think they had a good time, we didn't go anywhere. I'm hoping they didn't come to go sight seeing, but they did go to the vineyard, shopping at Towsontown, got their Italian and crustacean fix, so that was pretty good for a 2 day visit. When I'm rich, in my next life, I'll get them a condo so the mother can split her time between to 2 shores. Until then, I worry how much time will start to be between visits as they get older, and I travel less.

Went up to the CSA today, returned our basket, and had a look around. They are doing a wonderful job, and things are looking great! We'll pick up our veggies tomorrow, but I wanted to get out, so I went up and got some potatoes, which were excellent. We talked about the meat chickens, they will be butchered in a week or so. I wanted to know what was going to happen to the good parts, the livers, gizzards, feet, necks and combs, the parts I like best. It appears they are mine for a nominal fee, so I will be making some chicken liver pate soon, I just hope I have enough schmalz in the freezer?

OK, I'm having issues, well, of course I'm having issues, I'm an issues kind of guy! This is different though, this is real. I stopped taking the LDN, thought maybe it was time to thin the herd of medications. Wrong! The leg cramps that I thought had returned, came back with a vengeance and reminded me what leg cramps were! It appears, like I said before, the LDN WAS doing what I wanted it to do, or at least was lessening the cramps, so I started taking it again last night. I don't know if it's possible, or if my simple mind lets me think so, but the cramps aren't hitting tonight. Remind me not to stop taking it again, I need all the help I can get!

Bioness, Father's Day Cookout, and Time To Stop the LDN

The humidity is killing me! We were outside, me and my 2 day laborers, it was fairly cool, but after a few minutes, I was soaking wet. We were preparing for father's day on Sunday. We are having the wife's family here for a cookout, we have kind of taken over the responsibility, and are thrilled to do so. I was hoping my mother was going to make the trip up for a few days, I have to check to see the plan. I think we are having BBQ country spare ribs, corn on the cob, and cole slaw, can't wait.

Bioness called today, they are replacing the cuff that the electrodes sit in, mine has so many magic marker circles on the inside, it looks like it's 50 years old. The electrodes seem to be working better now that I'm not hydrating them prior to putting on the cuff. It is much easier to do without the water also, especially if I have to take the brace off for any reason away from home. I'm able to walk farther with each passing week, and walk stronger, that is to say steadier. Now if I can get rid of the swelling, all will be well.

I am going to stop taking the LDN, I have decided it isn't really doing anything. Trying to be positive, I think I was trying to convince myself that the leg cramps had lessened since I began taking it. I think the cramps went away because of the stretching I was doing at physical therapy. I say that because the cramps have returned, and I'm not stretching anymore. The new plan is to stop the drug, replace it with stretching, and see if the cramps subside again. The good news is I can always start it back up if the cramps get too bad.

Multiple Sclerosis, LDN Does a Job, and Pavan Indian Grocery For Lunch

I'm trying to figure out what I think of the LDN? I've been taking it for 3 months, and I think I am having less cramps in my legs, but I'm not sure. I was having what I called cycling cramps every evening starting around 7 PM or so. By cycling I mean one would hit, run its course, and then a new one would start right away. This would go on for a few hours, hopefully stopping before I went to bed, but not usually. I've been doing this MS gig for sure since '87, probably since about '80, so I have learned to take bits and pieces where I can find them. When I started the LDN, I had hopes of it being a golden bullet that would fix everything right up, 3 months in I'm happy to give it credit for dealing with the cramps. Put a check in the LDN column.

The wife and I went to an Indian grocery store for lunch today. I was figuring on getting a couple of tidbits to take with me, figuring the wife would turn her nose up at the entire idea. There was a real nice guy sitting there eating his lunch, he could tell we had never been there before, and he gave us a couple of suggestions of what to try. They had a really big menu in what appeared to Greek or something, I couldn't read it. They have a daily buffet for $7 bucks or so, it included soup, 2 vegetable combos with rice. It was served with a fried bread that was excellent. We decided to dive right in to the deep end of the pool. The veggie fritters were excellent with a sweet sauce to dip them in. I think the one dish was a chick pea dal with greens, I ate that with the bread and a sweet chili sauce, great! The other was combo of fried veggies in a lentil pastes with chili's. All was good, and the dessert was rice balls done different with sweet syrup. We will be going back to Pavan Foods in Parkville, it was fun, and it was clean, and the people were nice.

Multiple Sclerosis, Stuck at Home, and a Busted Hot Water Heater

Day three of my captivity, I sit, I wait, no hot water. Don't these people know I have things to do? Oh yeah, never mind, I don't. Still, I get tired of waiting on people. I do go out to the grocery store, or to the library, or to Burger King to play bingo, come on time, bring the part, and fix it the first time! I was kidding about bingo, I haven't gotten that bad, yet. 5 words you don't want to hear from the BGE guy when you are standing in the basement, and he is looking at your hot water heater, "I usually do kitchens"! Let us hope that they can get it done on the third visit.

Today would have been a good day to don our winter shorts and go watch wild life along the numerous walking paths in Perry Hall, they even have handicapped parking. I'm not sure I get the idea of handicapped parking at a walking trail, that's like having a cash bar at an AA meeting! There is a light covering of snow on the ground, a nice breeze, just perfect for sitting outside. Hey, I could even work on my vitamin D consumption/absorption/intake. You wanna get noticed, go sit in a folding chair, looking like I do, in shorts, with a soda, a donut, and some Slim Jims on a snowy day! Just not today, BGE is coming between 8 and 5!

I think I over did it at the therapy session yesterday? My arms from the elbow down, and my legs from the knees down, are vibrating today. I feel like I'm running a jackhammer, but I'm obviously not. I also had the jumps in my legs last night for a little while, but they stopped as suddenly as they started. The LDN must have kicked in, go LDN! I have to ask if riding a bike is something that will fit the program. I'm pretty sure the walking paths, some of them at least, are for bikes too. All that stuff from above, the shorts, Slim Jims, add a helmet to that get up, sweet!

Multiple Sclerosis, Physical Therapy, and LDN Acting Empirically

The girls at therapy tried to kill me today! I asked them both if they got paid extra if they made me cry? I did an exercise bike thingy for your hands that the resistance kept changing, no fun at all watching the clock click down from 8:00 to zero, I was ready for a break at 7:15! They are both happy with the progress I have made, I am more flexible, more able to lift the right leg off the floor. I don't know, it feels to me that I am just more tired, more numb, and did I mention more tired? Only 3 more visits until my evaluation, I hope they have a little graduation ceremony, I do like parties.

The interview I did at Multiple Sclerosis Central seems to be well received, I was worried about that part. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell anyone, but I'm glad I did. I'd like to say the whole thing was me, but without Merly Me recruiting me to do it, and asking the questions, I'd still be wondering the best way to get my message out, thanks. It's also exciting to check back every once in a while and see that there is another response, pretty cool.

The LDN seems to be going well, I'm thrilled that the leg cramps are doing so much better, so if you have empirical evidence that it can't from the medicine have the courtesy to keep it to yourself! I still haven't told the neuro I'm taking it, he's such a nice guy I suppose I'm holding off so I don't hurt his feelings. Empirical is a good word to describe LDN because it's definitions support both sides of the medical opinion concerning it. I loved learning words that the definitions didn't help all that much. So far this year I wanted to do PT, I wanted to start the LDN, and I wanted to eat better. You have to admit, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! It's $1 crab night in Perry Hall, yahoo!

Multiple Sclerosis, Physical Therapy, and LDN Stopping Leg Cramps

I'm not sure what I think of the physical therapy? In most cases I think it probably can't hurt, but in my case I'm not sure. Over the years any repetitive motion has caused me problems, and that's what the pt is. It has shown me some things I wasn't aware of, like the reason my right knee hurts so much sometimes is that I hyper extend it when I walk. They also showed me how to try and walk so I don't do it, but it just makes me look like I'm in serious need of a bathroom! I'm not giving up on it, I go in the morning and I'm hoping they show me some stretching that helps me with my legs.

The LDN is doing something that doesn't make much sense, according to the doctors, it has gotten rid of leg cramps. OK, it hasn't gotten rid of them, but it has made it much more tolerable. Do I know it's the LDN that has helped with it? Of course I do! I have a positive attitude, a great outlook, and I am healing myself with my mind and spirit. That being said, I can tell you that in the time I have been taking it things have been better. If it's not the LDN, don't prove it to me, I don't want to know.

I finished a project I started, something of an accomplishment for me, not because I have MS, but rather that I'm a flake! I wanted to scan my parent's 35 mm slides so we could all enjoy them in our own way, and I did it. Yep, all 2,850 of them, give or take a few. I need to transfer them onto a few memory sticks and mail them off to the mother, the sister, and the brother. I may have to make this a habit, finishing things, maybe it's time to finish the hall bathroom, put a door on the turbo toilet section? I think I will stop and look at doors on the way home from therapy tomorrow, or come straight home and take a nap, depends on how it goes.

AFO Brace, Multiple Sclerosis, and LDN

I go to the prosthetic clinic tomorrow, has a horrible ring to it, but that's where they make the orthodics I need. I hope this one will be a little more comfortable, maybe not go all the way out to the end of the foot. I have been holding off buying new shoes until I went, so I get to skateboard shoe shop soon, since the skate rat shoes fit over the brace easily, my Vans. I will let you know how I make out.

Physical therapy is still knocking me down, or it's the LDN doing it's thing, I don't know which. I know I started the LDN, leg cramps left, stopped LDN and the cramps came back. I decided to start it again, boom, the cramps left! Now to figure out why my legs are so week? It's either the therapy or the LDN again, I won't know until the therapy gets better, or it kills me! I shall return, maybe?

Multiple Sclerosis, A New AFO Brace, and Gas Leak Fixed

It took me a couple of days to recover watching the city and county workers putting my money to good use. Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water, bang, BGE comes to fix a gas leak! I didn't know what to expect after the orgy of ineptitude I had witnessed earlier in the week, but I was ready for them. They rang the bell about 11 in the morning, a very polite young guy and his partner were here to fix the problem. Partner? How were they going to fix this massive gas leak with just 2 guys? I looked out as his partner took the shovel out of the back of the truck, I guess I didn't rate a backhoe twice in one week.

The guy assured me they would be quick, and they would make it look like they had never been here, right I thought. I closed the door and went into the kitchen, looked out the window and the guy was already up to his shoulders in the hole! I'm not kidding, and 5 city water workers were asleep in his truck! I'm telling you, BGE must be running that place like a business? I shook my head and went into the living room when the doorbell rang again? The BGE guy said they were finished and needed to come in and restart out appliances. I looked around him and the hole was gone, grass was growing, and they had planted flowers! BGE beat the water department hands down, but they were more fun to watch!

The LDN seems to be going OK, nothing major to say in either direction. Like I said, I start therapy Monday, so I'm hopeful that will show a benefit. I was going to hold off getting the new brace, you know me and positive thinking, but I think the old one is wearing out, and it is a little uncomfortable, so I need to go see about that regardless of any progress I was hoping for. I have to locate my prescription in my file cabinet full of prescriptions! It's ridiculous how many prescriptions I've had this year, Dr Weil would not approve. Once my body starts to heal itself, no more medicine for me, but until then, pass the LDN, vitamin D, Lisinopril....

LDN, Multiple Sclerosis, and Collapsing Infrastructure

Well it's the 3rd day of the new year and tonight will be my 3rd dose of the LDN, so far, so good. I think it's working great, at least it didn't kill me, right? That's just my positive attitude I've adopted for life in general. I can say that 2 nights in a row now no cramps in my legs as I sit watching TV. Do I know it's the LDN that caused that to happen? Of course it is! My legs feel a little wobbly, but they do that a lot anyway, so no biggie. I will take it tonight before I go to bed, and hope for the best, like I always do.

I'm still taking the vitamin D, and the Rebif injections, but I don't think it will be a problem. I've been doing the D long enough to know I'm not having any adverse side effects from that, unless the blood work shows a vital organ is out of tune. The Rebif is the one I'm sure of? I don't know where to check to see if the shot will interfere with the LDN. I suppose I can just wait and see, but that's a little like playing Russian roulette. I'm excited about the possibility this may work, I'm sorry, the fact that this WILL work, but I've also been around the block a few times with MS medicines. It may take me awhile to feel anything good, that's the way it has worked so far, I'm just not in as good of shape as I used to be, so we shall see.

On a lighter note, we had both a water main break, and a gas leak right out in front of our house tonight! The water is coming up through the gutter just to the left of our house, more in front of the neighbors house, but it is running pretty fast. The water dudes still haven't showed up, I guess they are busy, but it can't be good that the water is coming up through the street. Now the gas leak is another story. We reported it a couple of times before, once earlier tonight, but the guy that came out earlier didn't find anything. It looks like the leak is where the old gas lamp post used to be, so it probably will be our responsibility to pay for it, yeah. I plan on telling them the water leak caused the gas leak!

Multiple Sclerosis, LDN, Choking, and Family Time

Happy New Year! I am feeling so positive I can't stand it. I was reading a thingy on a website about a clinical trial for LDN that ended in 2007, with the report being issued just this past September. I think I was encouraged by what I read, more because I was able to find that someone had done a trial for LDN! Way to go Italian doctors! I hope this leads to other doctors and researchers going out on a limb and taking a chance with more existing medicines. I need to find out if I should stop my Rebif injections before I start my LDN, I sure hope so!

Every time I go to see the neuro, they ask me if I am having a problem with choking, and each time I tell them that I'm not. I've been thinking about it, and I think I may have misunderstood what they were asking? I equate choking with putting something in your mouth and not being able to swallow it. I have discounted all the times I just start choking! I don't mean to the point of needing the Heimlich maneuver, but I cough and sputter, well choke. I kinda think this may be what they are asking? Any thoughts? Anybody else just choke on air, or is it just me?

I got to see the aunt and uncle from Massachusetts over the weekend, it was great. The problem is they moved for good from Maryland, so we are less likely to get to spend time together. I took care of ordering a dumpster for them, and I hate doing that kind of thing! I'm such a halfwit, I always worry I am going to do get the wrong one. Because they always have been so good to me, we took them out to dinner one night and had a blast. The aunt reimbursed me for the dumpster the next day, her math skills must not be so good, she accidentally wrote the check for the same amount as dinner over the cost of the dumpster? I guess I should just say thanks, and tell you how much I appreciate everything? I really do.

Multiple Sclerosis, Blood Work, and New Years Resolutions

I'm getting ready to tackle the new year with a new plan. The plan is to to have a much more positive outlook at life, and at my health concerns. Since it is still the old year I will tell you I don't think it will work, but come tomorrow, I'm kicking ass and taking names! I got Dr Andrew Weil's book "Spontaneous Healing" and I've decided to fix myself. It sure sounds like a good attitude and eating well can fix just about anything! Any way you look at it, I need to buck up and stop complaining, life gives you lemons, make Koolaid, take the bull by the horns and milk it! I will start all of the positive crap first thing tomorrow.

I had my blood work today, checking for liver function, kidney's too, an overall tuneup type thingy. I added my thyroid to the screening, just wrote the code on the prescription and will let the doctor take credit for it if there is an epiphany. Does the MS cause thyroid problems? I don't know that I have a problem with it, if it's a fixable thing that would make the MS better, I hope I do, if it's fixable. I'm curious to see what my D level is, I'm guessing it's going to be in the 35 range. I think the new year is a good time to start the LDN, see if it works. Vitamin D has had it's chance, I think if I was going to see an improvement, I would have seen it by now.

I can't say that I'm sorry to see 2008 go, it hasn't been an overly exciting year. The Orioles didn't win the world series, world peace wasn't achieved because of one of my ideas, and my physical health has taken a real downward turn. I highlight physical health, because my mental health has been driving me crazy for years! I think maybe I didn't give it enough effort this past year, no pain no gain type thing. My new year's resolution is to act on all the things I believe have potential, or importance. I can't say I should eat better and then eat a box of the Mothers fudge, which was delicious by the way! If I think I should exercise, I should exercise. No more excuses, unless it isn't my fault, then look out!

Multiple Sclerosis, Vitamin D, LDN, and Cane Dangers

So the doctor round robin was today, me with the PCP, the boy with the neuro. Both went as expected, which is a good thing. The pcp told me everything was good, told me I looked like I had lost weight! She reminded me I need to go get a new AFO brace for my right leg, another of those things I have been putting off for some reason. The brace I have now is about 2 years old,, probably older, I have no sense of time anymore. The doc wants me to go see an allergist to see if it's possible food is a problem. I'm up for all of it, what do I have to loose?

The boy had his semi annual visit to the neuro to have things checked out for the epilepsy. He is doing well, no changes in meds, won't attempt to ween those until after high school. His neuro happens to be my neuro, so we usually get a 2 for 1 deal when he goes! He wants me to start physical, and occupation therapy. Was that his way of telling me I should get a job? No respect! Anyway, he said the vitamin D was going great, I should have blood work after the dose this Thursday, being that will be week 12. The goal is to get my level up to 50 or so, and he thinks I should hold off on the LDN until I get to a maintenance dose of D, which should be around 10,000 iu a week.

I'm looking forward to seeing the allergist, I have been wondering about that part for a long time. I had allergy tests when I was a kid, so I kind of know what to expect, unless they just do it from a blood test. I also got a splinter in my chin today! Yes I said in my chin. I was sitting in the one docs office with my chin resting on the handle of my cane. I had noticed a rough spot, but didn't think anything of it. I was giving the wife and the boy the business with the cane, smacking them on the bottom of their feet, hooking it around their ankles, just normal me stuff. I was demonstrating how I could balance my rather substantial head on my cane, when I slid off of it, sending what must be a foot long barb into my chin! I can't see anything because of my beard, but I'm sure it is already infected. It's getting so I can't even do balancing tricks without getting hurt!

Multiple Sclerosis, LDN, Vitamin D, and A One Stop Doctor

Tomorrow is a check up with my PCP, she wanted me to come back after 2 months on the LDN she agreed to give me. She made me sign a paper saying it was my idea to start it, that was cool with me. The problem is I am going to have to tell her that after 3 months of asking her every time we talked, which was frequently during that period, that I haven't started taking it yet! It wasn't an arbitrary, or a capricious decision not to take it, it was more of a scheduling problem between her, and the 2 neuros. I'm fairly confident she won't rake me over the coals too bad, but I will understand if she is confused.

I'm having a hard time keeping track with what direction I'm flaring off in, I can't expect someone else to stay up to date. It wouldn't be so hard to keep in step if I could get one doc to do all the things I want them to do. Here I decided not to start the LDN because the neuros wanted me to do vitamin D first. I dropped the ball on that one, I wasn't aware the D was more for people at risk to get MS, not for old pros like me that have been dancing the dance for over 20 years. I say that because the information from the neuros says so, not my opinion. I suppose I will ask her to do blood work for a drug the neuro gave me, nah!

I plan on asking her if she will take over it all tomorrow, tell her she won the contest and I choose her. I'm sure she will be impressed with that! My old doc did it that way, he took care of everything, then ran it past my current neuro, who happens to be my original neuro. I miss that doc, he was great, he passed away under curious circumstances, so he isn't an option. My current PCP is every bit as good as my old doc, maybe better, so I would love to work it all through her. She told me she was open to trying some of these things with me, that's all I'm looking for, a chance to try something new.

Swank, LDN,Chemotherapy, Vitamin D,Water Cure, Don't they Have One

Swank was good, but it was boring. LDN never got off the ground, but still has promise. The water cure is one I am going to look into real hard. I'm doing the vitamin D as we speak. I'm out of sorts in all ways. The Rebif injections are trying to do their part and keep status quo. I need to do one of these at a time I would think. The vitamin D is one I have been reading about and one the neuros are excited by, so there be my start point. I will work through my initial 12 weeks of 55000mg of D, do my blood test to check the level. and probably do it all over again.

I have to read what the plan is with the D. Will I be a dance instructor in a few weeks, or just a guy with a good range vitamin D level? What will happen to me if this works? Is it a cure, or a bandade? Right now t feels like a Quaalude, a Hugh Quaalude! I still feel like I should be in bed, but can't be, so I'm dying. The energizer Bunny could kick my ass right now, as I fell asleep during the process of said beating. Somebody wake me up so I can enjoy this beating from this bunny!

I will do one of these therapies until I'm told to stop. That way I will know when I come across the winner. I will have my surgery on Thursday to remove the port from my chest. I think the wife will be home from her clothing optional business trip to Saint Barts. This energy level has to come back up, doesn't it? It can't stay this low. If it does I'm buying a pack of sticks and a case of beer! Tomorrow has to be more energy available. Right now I'm using the last of my energy to make it up to the bed!

Oh No, I'm Severly Deficient in Vitamin D, and I Have Multiple Sclerosis

Vitamin D deficient and multiple sclerosis, not cool! How does this happen? I drink milk, or I did when I was younger. My dad doesn't drink milk now, or ever and he doesn't have ms. I know people who are allergic to milk and they don't have ms. Is milk even the culprit? Do all ms'ers lack vitamin D? Who'd of thunk it! What other things am I deficient in? Be nice! How long has this been with me? Can it be turned around?

So here's the deal, the range for good vitamin D is 32 - 100. I'm sure there is a measure, but I don't know what it is. My # is 17! Oh my God, 17, this is serious! All kidding aside, it is serious. My neuro told me it is the lowest he has ever seen, but I unfortunately forgot to ask how many he has seen. I am starting a 12 week program tomorrow to raise my level. I will take a pill, I like it so far, 1 time a week, for the 12 weeks. That one pill is 50,000 units. Wow, how many glasses of milk is that? I will have blood work, then probably start a new 12 week.

What to do, what to do? I really want to start the LDN, but if I do and I start feeling better, I won't know why. Do I care why? I'm pretty sure I don't care, as long as I feel better. What if I feel bad, how do I tell which one caused it? Oh man, this stinks! I have the opportunity to try something new, 2 something news, and I don't know what to do. I suppose I will start with the vitamin D, give it a few weeks and see how I feel. If I feel better, cool, I know it worked, but if my arm falls off, I know it was bad. This ms, it just keeps you guessing!