Introduction

[Guest guest]

" My major symptoms are canker sores, depression, acne, chronic fatique

(including tender spots and joints), weight gain especially in the

belly, sensitive/itchy skin and IBS type symptoms. "

These really sound like gluten intolerance/celiac symptoms too. Have you tried

starting out with a gluten and possibly dairy elimination to see how you feel?

-Olif

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will have to try that first. I know that when I

have given up dairy in the past (trying to follow Marilu Henner's plan) I

have felt better. I liked Marilu's emphasis on food combining, but her

program relies too heavily on soy products.

On 6/19/06, Olif <OVanPelt@...> wrote:

>

> " My major symptoms are canker sores, depression, acne, chronic fatique

> (including tender spots and joints), weight gain especially in the

> belly, sensitive/itchy skin and IBS type symptoms. "

>

> These really sound like gluten intolerance/celiac symptoms too. Have you

> tried starting out with a gluten and possibly dairy elimination to see how

> you feel?

>

> -Olif

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the link...I'll check it out immediately.

On 6/19/06, NOVAexeter@... <NOVAexeter@...> wrote:

>

>

>

> In a message dated 19/06/2006 19:14:45 GMT Daylight Time,

> OVanPelt@... writes:

>

> " My major symptoms are canker sores, depression, acne, chronic fatique

> (including tender spots and joints), weight gain especially in the

> belly, sensitive/itchy skin and IBS type symptoms. "

>

>

>

> Weight gain round the belly points to adrenal stress. Check out

> _www.drrind.com_ (http://www.drrind.com)

>

>

> Mo

>

> NOVA Counselling & Healing Services

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi courtknee

Your story relates closely to the person founding the carbohydrate

addict diet and also has this web site:

http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/

She discovered that she had a genetic problem related to her insulin

balance and thus carb craving. Nothing helped her and some doctors even

yelled at her. Stories mentioned at her site and in her books will

hopefully restore your hope levels.

Willem

courtknee77 wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I am sort of new. I was a member over a year ago for just a few weeks,

> but got overwhelmed. I have gone through several periods of denial

> since I discovered this condition (is that even the right word) over 4

> years ago. However, I am absolutely positive that candida overgrowth

> has been the cause of much of my weight, emotional and general health

> problems over the course of my life.

>

> My main motivation, this time, for finally getting it together and

> taking care of myself is two fold. My symptoms of chronic fatigue have

> gotten so bad to the point that I am unable to really interact with my

> 17 month old daughter during the day. I need to spend a lot of time

> sitting, lying down and such, and we do not get out of the house as

> much as we should because I am just too tired. Secondly, I would like

> to have a second child, and am currently too heavy to have another

> homebirth. I have not been able to lose weight on any type of program,

> except for low-carb, type O diets. The problem I've had in the past is

> the terrible sugar/carb cravings. Since my health has not been a top

> priority in the past, I've succumb to the cravings because I've been

> too busy with work/parenting to deal with them.

>

> I hope that I can stick with it this time. I am very nervous because,

> as we all know, change is hard. I also do not have easy access to

> health food stores, and have the challenge of preparing portable meals

> for my husband (he is also a type 0, very overweight and experiences

> some symptoms of candida overgrowth), and balanced meals for my

> toddler. Plus I work over full time as a writer. I feel like my life

> is already stretched thin, but if I take some time to fix my health, I

> will have more energy and be happier.

>

> My major symptoms are canker sores, depression, acne, chronic fatique

> (including tender spots and joints), weight gain especially in the

> belly, sensitive/itchy skin and IBS type symptoms.

>

> I have some specific questions that I am going to ask later, but right

> now I need to lay down again.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the link Willem. I have a little bit of familiarity wit the

Carbohydrate addicts diet. I will check that out.

On 6/19/06, willem <willem432@...> wrote:

>

> Hi courtknee

> Your story relates closely to the person founding the carbohydrate

> addict diet and also has this web site:

> http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/

> She discovered that she had a genetic problem related to her insulin

> balance and thus carb craving. Nothing helped her and some doctors even

> yelled at her. Stories mentioned at her site and in her books will

> hopefully restore your hope levels.

> Willem

>

>

> courtknee77 wrote:

> > Hello,

> >

> > I am sort of new. I was a member over a year ago for just a few weeks,

> > but got overwhelmed. I have gone through several periods of denial

> > since I discovered this condition (is that even the right word) over 4

> > years ago. However, I am absolutely positive that candida overgrowth

> > has been the cause of much of my weight, emotional and general health

> > problems over the course of my life.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry to hear about your situation, unfortunately it does sound like

it is vital to get on top of it now - especially if you want another

child. I don't have any children but know that my mum was fatigued for

years after having me, and she was quite healthy before that!

I was interested to read that you are a writer - I have creative blood

in my body but find I can only use it when Im feeling great, and it

has been quite a while since I've felt great! This must be interfering

a lot with your work, surely?

ita

[Guest guest]

Hi ita,

Thanks for the welcome. I'd say my pre-baby symptoms have most definitely

increased in quality since I had my baby. For example, I did have bouts of

depression before but my post partum depression was almost debilitating. And

my physical reactions to sugar (itching throat, canker sores, cravings) are

much worse than before. As far as the writing goes, I definitely have not

been able to produce anything creative in a while. Fortunately, I do a lot

of web content work that doesn't require much thought but I would love to

get back into doing fiction at some point, or even creative nonfiction. I

have to work, so I'm glad to be able to do something that pay decently from

home, but at the same time it is very challenging energy wise (especially

since I don't have a lot of energy to begin with!)

On 6/19/06, ita <jzealey@...> wrote:

>

> Hi ,

>

> Sorry to hear about your situation, unfortunately it does sound like

> it is vital to get on top of it now - especially if you want another

> child. I don't have any children but know that my mum was fatigued for

> years after having me, and she was quite healthy before that!

>

> I was interested to read that you are a writer - I have creative blood

> in my body but find I can only use it when Im feeling great, and it

> has been quite a while since I've felt great! This must be interfering

> a lot with your work, surely?

>

> ita

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello,

>

> I am sort of new. I was a member over a year ago for just a few

weeks,

> but got overwhelmed. I have gone through several periods of denial

> since I discovered this condition (is that even the right word) over

4

> years ago. However, I am absolutely positive that candida overgrowth

> has been the cause of much of my weight, emotional and general health

> problems over the course of my life.

Dear Suffering Sister...You sound like me, 30 years ago. Honestly. I

was so miserable at times, and I now suspect that candida was my

problem as well, but I had no clue. I also had a toddler in those

days, and my heart aches when I think of how depressed I was and so

unable to be the kind of mother I wanted to be. You are so lucky to be

aware of what is ailing you, and now, you can take charge, and start

to get well. It sounds to me like you are motivated, and that is so

important, and belive me, age is in your favor - but don't delay.

Just start small - like maybe try a simple juice fast - vegetable

juices like parsley and cucumber and watermelon - add lemon juce and

cayenne pepper. You can try it for a few days which will start things

moving in there and also give your gut a little rest. But do read up

about fasting if you have never done it before, so you know what to

expect, okay? If you truly do have candida, there will are going to be

consequences when you start to detox of them, but the alternative is

far worse, believe me. I am a living witness.

I am with you in spirit, and I can surely relate. I am glad you

decided to revisit this forum, and I hope you will find help here. I

know I have. You get a lot of information here - go with what your gut

tells you and you'll be fine. Not everything works for every body, but

some things work very, very well for some bodies

Be patient with yourself, love yourself and be of good cheer!!!

maryjo

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome

Sounds like you need to change your diet desperately. Here is a tip, go

through your house with a large plastic bag and throw everything you

can't eat into the bag. Then take it to someone who needs food (even a

homeless shelter would do). Once you have the food you can't eat out of

the house, keep it out. You can't eat something if you don't have it

handy.

Also, once you start to feel better, think about how sick eating junk

will make you feel. Remember that every time you want to eat something

you shouldn't.

You should be getting rid of all dairy, yeast, wheat (and gluten),

mushrooms, vinegars, prepared foods (they have all kinds of strange

things in them) and you should try cutting out animal fat if you are

having IBS.

Good luck. The only way to do it, is to do it.

Keen

Introduction

Hello,

I am sort of new. I was a member over a year ago for just a few weeks,

but got overwhelmed. I have gone through several periods of denial

since I discovered this condition (is that even the right word) over 4

years ago. However, I am absolutely positive that candida overgrowth

has been the cause of much of my weight, emotional and general health

problems over the course of my life.

My main motivation, this time, for finally getting it together and

taking care of myself is two fold. My symptoms of chronic fatigue have

gotten so bad to the point that I am unable to really interact with my

17 month old daughter during the day. I need to spend a lot of time

sitting, lying down and such, and we do not get out of the house as

much as we should because I am just too tired. Secondly, I would like

to have a second child, and am currently too heavy to have another

homebirth. I have not been able to lose weight on any type of program,

except for low-carb, type O diets. The problem I've had in the past is

the terrible sugar/carb cravings. Since my health has not been a top

priority in the past, I've succumb to the cravings because I've been

too busy with work/parenting to deal with them.

I hope that I can stick with it this time. I am very nervous because,

as we all know, change is hard. I also do not have easy access to

health food stores, and have the challenge of preparing portable meals

for my husband (he is also a type 0, very overweight and experiences

some symptoms of candida overgrowth), and balanced meals for my

toddler. Plus I work over full time as a writer. I feel like my life

is already stretched thin, but if I take some time to fix my health, I

will have more energy and be happier.

My major symptoms are canker sores, depression, acne, chronic fatique

(including tender spots and joints), weight gain especially in the

belly, sensitive/itchy skin and IBS type symptoms.

I have some specific questions that I am going to ask later, but right

now I need to lay down again.

[Guest guest]

Welcome! I'd love you hear of your adventures with EM, personally. I killed off

most of my earthworms this year because the lid broke and the rats got in and

ate them, but they were wonderful ... more next year.

-- Heidi

introduction

Hello, friends,

I live in rural Vermont where I forage wild foods and garden

biologically using cultures of Effective Microorganisms, compost and

earthworms. Fermentation has been a passion with me for 40 years. I

am a natural health care educator working with the energetics of food

and herbs (Chinese, Western and Amazon rain forest).

Bond

<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}

#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}

#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}

#ygrp-text{

font-family:Georgia;

}

#ygrp-text p{

margin:0 0 1em 0;

}

#ygrp-tpmsgs{

font-family:Arial;

clear:both;

}

#ygrp-vitnav{

padding-top:10px;

font-family:Verdana;

font-size:77%;

margin:0;

}

#ygrp-vitnav a{

padding:0 1px;

}

#ygrp-actbar{

clear:both;

margin:25px 0;

white-space:nowrap;

color:#666;

text-align:right;

}

#ygrp-actbar .left{

float:left;

white-space:nowrap;

}

..bld{font-weight:bold;}

#ygrp-grft{

font-family:Verdana;

font-size:77%;

padding:15px 0;

}

#ygrp-ft{

font-family:verdana;

font-size:77%;

border-top:1px solid #666;

padding:5px 0;

}

#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{

padding-bottom:10px;

}

#ygrp-vital{

background-color:#e0ecee;

margin-bottom:20px;

padding:2px 0 8px 8px;

}

#ygrp-vital #vithd{

font-size:77%;

font-family:Verdana;

font-weight:bold;

color:#333;

text-transform:uppercase;

}

#ygrp-vital ul{

padding:0;

margin:2px 0;

}

#ygrp-vital ul li{

list-style-type:none;

clear:both;

border:1px solid #e0ecee;

}

#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{

font-weight:bold;

color:#ff7900;

float:right;

width:2em;

text-align:right;

padding-right:.5em;

}

#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{

font-weight:bold;

}

#ygrp-vital a {

text-decoration:none;

}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{

text-decoration:underline;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{

color:#999;

font-size:77%;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov{

padding:6px 13px;

background-color:#e0ecee;

margin-bottom:20px;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{

padding:0 0 0 8px;

margin:0;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{

list-style-type:square;

padding:6px 0;

font-size:77%;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{

text-decoration:none;

font-size:130%;

}

#ygrp-sponsor #nc {

background-color:#eee;

margin-bottom:20px;

padding:0 8px;

}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad{

padding:8px 0;

}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{

font-family:Arial;

font-weight:bold;

color:#628c2a;

font-size:100%;

line-height:122%;

}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{

text-decoration:none;

}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{

text-decoration:underline;

}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{

margin:0;

}

o {font-size:0;}

..MsoNormal {

margin:0 0 0 0;

}

#ygrp-text tt{

font-size:120%;

}

blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}

..replbq {margin:4;}

-->

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Music Unlimited

Access over 1 million songs.

http://music./unlimited

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Heidi. EM has served me well for the past 5 years. I'm

happy to have an EM practitioner to converse with. I use EM in my

extensive gardens, in ponds that would otherwise breed mosquitos, in

my dog's drinking water, in my bath water, and often in cleaning the

counters. I have made my own bokashi -- with wheat bran as it's

easier to get where I live. Despite all this, I feel like a rank

beginner with much to learn.

How have you used EM? Are you familiar with Biosa? I just learned

of this through a man who lives north of me, but have not yet gotten

any. It seems to be similar to EM but the microorganisms are

fermented in a herbal preparation.

I used to grow earthworms in the house but stopped since I have so

many in the gardens, which have all been double dug. Am I right to

think that earthworm castings are fermented? I wonder if Darwin

touches on this in his great treatise. Anybody know about this?

~anna

On Dec 2, 2006, at 11:03 PM, Heidi Schuppenhauer wrote:

>

> Welcome! I'd love you hear of your adventures with EM, personally.

> I killed off most of my earthworms this year because the lid broke

> and the rats got in and ate them, but they were wonderful ... more

> next year.

>

> -- Heidi

>

> introduction

>

> Hello, friends,

>

> I live in rural Vermont where I forage wild foods and garden

>

> biologically using cultures of Effective Microorganisms, compost and

>

> earthworms. Fermentation has been a passion with me for 40 years. I

>

> am a natural health care educator working with the energetics of food

>

> and herbs (Chinese, Western and Amazon rain forest).

>

> Bond

>

> <!--

>

> #ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial,helvetica,clean,sans-

> serif;}

> #ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}

> #ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99%

> arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;}

> #ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}

> #ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}

> #ygrp-text{

> font-family:Georgia;

> }

> #ygrp-text p{

> margin:0 0 1em 0;

> }

> #ygrp-tpmsgs{

> font-family:Arial;

> clear:both;

> }

> #ygrp-vitnav{

> padding-top:10px;

> font-family:Verdana;

> font-size:77%;

> margin:0;

> }

> #ygrp-vitnav a{

> padding:0 1px;

> }

> #ygrp-actbar{

> clear:both;

> margin:25px 0;

> white-space:nowrap;

> color:#666;

> text-align:right;

> }

> #ygrp-actbar .left{

> float:left;

> white-space:nowrap;

> }

> .bld{font-weight:bold;}

> #ygrp-grft{

> font-family:Verdana;

> font-size:77%;

> padding:15px 0;

> }

> #ygrp-ft{

> font-family:verdana;

> font-size:77%;

> border-top:1px solid #666;

> padding:5px 0;

> }

> #ygrp-mlmsg #logo{

> padding-bottom:10px;

> }

>

> #ygrp-vital{

> background-color:#e0ecee;

> margin-bottom:20px;

> padding:2px 0 8px 8px;

> }

> #ygrp-vital #vithd{

> font-size:77%;

> font-family:Verdana;

> font-weight:bold;

> color:#333;

> text-transform:uppercase;

> }

> #ygrp-vital ul{

> padding:0;

> margin:2px 0;

> }

> #ygrp-vital ul li{

> list-style-type:none;

> clear:both;

> border:1px solid #e0ecee;

> }

> #ygrp-vital ul li .ct{

> font-weight:bold;

> color:#ff7900;

> float:right;

> width:2em;

> text-align:right;

> padding-right:.5em;

> }

> #ygrp-vital ul li .cat{

> font-weight:bold;

> }

> #ygrp-vital a {

> text-decoration:none;

> }

>

> #ygrp-vital a:hover{

> text-decoration:underline;

> }

>

> #ygrp-sponsor #hd{

> color:#999;

> font-size:77%;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor #ov{

> padding:6px 13px;

> background-color:#e0ecee;

> margin-bottom:20px;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{

> padding:0 0 0 8px;

> margin:0;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor #ov li{

> list-style-type:square;

> padding:6px 0;

> font-size:77%;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{

> text-decoration:none;

> font-size:130%;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor #nc {

> background-color:#eee;

> margin-bottom:20px;

> padding:0 8px;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor .ad{

> padding:8px 0;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{

> font-family:Arial;

> font-weight:bold;

> color:#628c2a;

> font-size:100%;

> line-height:122%;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor .ad a{

> text-decoration:none;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{

> text-decoration:underline;

> }

> #ygrp-sponsor .ad p{

> margin:0;

> }

> o {font-size:0;}

> .MsoNormal {

> margin:0 0 0 0;

> }

> #ygrp-text tt{

> font-size:120%;

> }

> blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}

> .replbq {margin:4;}

> -->

>

> __________________________________________________________

> Music Unlimited

> Access over 1 million songs.

> http://music./unlimited

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Heidi. EM has served me well for the past 5 years. I'm

happy to have an EM practitioner to converse with. I use EM in my

extensive gardens, in ponds that would otherwise breed mosquitos, in

my dog's drinking water, in my bath water, and often in cleaning the

counters. I have made my own bokashi -- with wheat bran as it's

easier to get where I live. Despite all this, I feel like a rank

beginner with much to learn.

== I have more than that to learn ... I got some, but didn't

get a chance to use it, too much else going on at the time. I'd

like to start using bokashi. Springtime project, I think!

How have you used EM? Are you familiar with Biosa? I just learned

of this through a man who lives north of me, but have not yet gotten

any. It seems to be similar to EM but the microorganisms are

fermented in a herbal preparation.

== No, I haven't heard of it. Sounds interesting.

I used to grow earthworms in the house but stopped since I have so

many in the gardens, which have all been double dug. Am I right to

think that earthworm castings are fermented?

== Depends on the definition of " fermented " . Castings have been

digested by earthworm guts, which would likely include some bacterial ingestion

(I think earthworms mainly eat material that has already been digested at least

*some* by bacteria!).

In the old books though, the term " fermented " is used in rather loose ways. I'm

not sure that even today, there is a strict definition. It comes up sometimes

when some author tries to draw a distinction between " fermentation " and

" putrification " ... they are basically the same thing, bacterial digestion,

except that we say " putrify " if you don't like the smell!

My earthworms are all outside. We have a lot in the garden too, but the problem

is, if I bury my garbage, the rats go dig after it. Farm animals attract rats,

and you have to be really careful.

== Heidi

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Cheap talk?

Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

http://voice.

[Guest guest]

> Thanks, Heidi. EM has served me well for the past 5 years.

[snip]

>Despite all this, I feel like a rank beginner with much to learn.

[snip]

> How have you used EM? Are you familiar with Biosa?

> ~anna

OK folks... I'll bite; WHAT is EM and WHAT is Biosa? Please have pity

on this (apparently!) newbie and don't worry about " talking down " to

me; I have NO idea what these are. If it helps, i am well versed in

the " Kingdom Monera " . My favorites are the Extremophiles. The

Thermophiles are the coolest (pun intended) while the Cryophiles seem

to be the " hot topic " lately. <grin>

Regards, -A. J. and the Germs

[Guest guest]

I looked for a bokashi fermenter, to see if it would help, but I remembered why

I didn't get one. The bokashi is *wheat bran* which I just don't want to have

around (Me and wheat don't get along so well).

So how does one make bokashi with the plain EM?

-- Heidi

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Music Unlimited

Access over 1 million songs.

http://music./unlimited

[Guest guest]

Dear Tricia,

Welcome to the group, sorry that scoliosis is again giving you fits, unfortunately it's hit us too and we are here to help and be a support. I'm so glad that you have been able to be so active, it's great you are so fit. I got about 11 painfree years after my Harrington Rod surgery, and started downhill after that. Some of us have had Flatback symptoms for years, and others go downhill relatively quickly. Given the pain I was in, and after going nearly 15 years like that, I finally got to a doc that diagnosised me and I quickly went onto having surgery to correct it. We do have members who aren't ready for surgery, or want to put it off. Many of them swear by swimming, and water work to keep them limber and it also helps with the pain. Cam, our leader here, is very big on water work, I'm sure she'll chime in and let you know what she has done. Doc's in the LA area have been talked about a lot lately, just go through the last ten days of messages. In California, UCSF and it's spine team in particular, Dr. Hu, is where many of our members have gone. We don't recommend doc's except for you to consult for opinions, and unfortunately this is a very specialized area of spine surgery, and only a couple of handfuls of doc's across the country do it routinely enough to be qualified to do such a tough surgery. It sounds as if you are at the beginning of symptoms, and are wanting to wait as long as possible before surgery becomes necessary. Many go the physical therapy route, do epidural injections, do the water work we talked about earlier, med's, pain management. It's important to see a well trained doc very versed in Flatback to evaluate you, so you know just where you are. Do you have any feeling like you are leaning forward? Do you have pain when walking or standing, or just when you run? What levels are you fused? I know this sucks to have it all feel like it's coming back all over again. I was 41 when I got diagnosised, and have had three surgeries since, and for me it was the best thing I've ever done, I'm upright, level, the hump on my back is greatly reduced( always hated how I looked in Clothes), and best of all I'm painfree. I'm four years out from my last revision, and I'm still doing well. So as not to get too far ahead, what has your doc recommended for you to try and aleaviate your pain? Did he recommend any doc's in your area since he's retired? Did they do any tests or did you just have x-rays? I suggest you get to a good Flatback savy doc, many talked about on this board, and see just where you are at, and then with that knowledge make an informed decision on how you want to proceed. The site has tons of good info on Flatback, the files section is just full of info to read. A excellent place to start. I look forward to hearing more from you, and ask away we are here to help!

Colorado Springs ( formerly a California girl, had my Harrington Rod surgery at UCSF in 1973)

[ ] Introduction

Hello all-I've spent the past few hours doing research on flat-back (in particular looking for a specialist in the LA area that can help diagnose and treat my condition), and I was so happy to find this group.About me:- wore lower profile brace for scoliosis during pre-teens- had spinal fusion (harrington rod) in 1983- have been very physically active during the past 20something years (dance classes and dance teams in high school/college/post-college; yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, etc.; from 2000-2005 did many 5Ks and 10Ks, 3 marathons and a triathlon)- began to notice body changes in 2005 - lower back pain and what felt like sciatica; posture began looking the way it was pre-surgery; concavity on left side started to become more pronounced; running became harder on my back so I had to stop- found the doctor who performed my fusion months before his retirement, went for a consultation at the Scoliosis Center at USC which he co-founded. The doctor there was very matter-of-fact about the fact that I had flat-back; was more concerned about the disk degeneration right below the fusion and informed me that I'd have to have another fusion sometime in the future. UGH.I've started doing yoga for scoliois and deep water exercises and would like to try to work with non-surgical therapies for my symptoms for as long as I can....If anyone has advice on a good specialist who also works with non-surgical therapies in the Los Angeles area, I'd appreciate the referral.Thanks for your time.Tricia

[Guest guest]

I doubt if anybody has the answer to your specific question about PT

in LA, but welcome to the group.

it IS possible to delay surgery, but do stop and think about how old

you want to be when you have surgery. I personally am hoping that

the early 50s are a good time

this group is a great place to get information

>

> Hello all-

>

> I've spent the past few hours doing research on flat-back (in

> particular looking for a specialist in the LA area that can help

> diagnose and treat my condition), and I was so happy to find this

> group.

>

> About me:

> - wore lower profile brace for scoliosis during pre-teens

> - had spinal fusion (harrington rod) in 1983

> - have been very physically active during the past 20something

years

> (dance classes and dance teams in high school/college/post-college;

> yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, etc.; from 2000-2005 did many 5Ks and

> 10Ks, 3 marathons and a triathlon)

> - began to notice body changes in 2005 - lower back pain and what

> felt like sciatica; posture began looking the way it was pre-

> surgery; concavity on left side started to become more pronounced;

> running became harder on my back so I had to stop

> - found the doctor who performed my fusion months before his

> retirement, went for a consultation at the Scoliosis Center at USC

> which he co-founded. The doctor there was very matter-of-fact

about

> the fact that I had flat-back; was more concerned about the disk

> degeneration right below the fusion and informed me that I'd have

to

> have another fusion sometime in the future. UGH.

>

> I've started doing yoga for scoliois and deep water exercises and

> would like to try to work with non-surgical therapies for my

> symptoms for as long as I can....

>

> If anyone has advice on a good specialist who also works with non-

> surgical therapies in the Los Angeles area, I'd appreciate the

> referral.

>

> Thanks for your time.

>

> Tricia

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia,

Welcome to the club. I am sorry to hear you are also struggling with

this ongoing scoli-saga.

Like you, I was very active and never was too concerend with my back

until a few years before I underwent revision surgery. I had noticed

I was unable to stand all the way up...but it didn't really interfere

too much with my life until all of a sudden the disc below the fusion

gave up the ghost...and then it was an unholy, unrelenting pain that

I could not medicate because my profession did not permit narcotics.

So that is not to say that you too will suddenly find yourself in a

very painful circumstance....but be warned that it is a possibilty.

As to the LA area...I can't really help you as I live out on the east

coast, but you might want to correspond with Ellen Kiley...the

scoliyogi...if you are looking for information of working with a long

fusion. She herself is fused to the sacrum. She is a member here and

you also can read her story and contact info from the " links " section

on the left hand side of the main page. I went to her workshop this

past September, and she may be able to guide you as to non-surgical

therapies.

The subject of which surgeons/doctors to see in the LA area has

recently been beaten to death...as it seems that there isn't a great

variety. The two names that our member Ken has, or is considering are

Dr. Akbarnia or Dr Pashman. Most of the folks here that live west of

the Rockies have consulted and/or has revision and are very happy

with the group up at UCSF...they seem to be very focused on

us " flatbackers " .

I have found that pretty much across the board, the trick is that

surgeons do surgery....they don't really manage flatback....but to

stay in the non-surgical " camp " you really need the expertise of a

surgeons associated knowledge....pain management people, PTs, the

works. It's a bit of a trick. I can understand why you would want tod

exhaust all your avenues for now.

As said...I love the water. I prepared for surgery following a

3x per week deep water workout. It was the only thing I could do that

was relatively pain free in terms of getting my heart rate up. After

surgery I worked out in the deep end until around 5 months post

op...when I began lap swimming again. I now swim 1/2 mile

3x/week...all strokes, even the butterfly even though I am fused to

the sacrum. Whether you are before or after surgery...it is all about

your core strength..and the water just makes me feel fantastic.

I hope we can answer any questions you have and we are here to help

you any way we can.

Take Care, Cam

>

> Hello all-

>

> I've spent the past few hours doing research on flat-back (in

> particular looking for a specialist in the LA area that can help

> diagnose and treat my condition), and I was so happy to find this

> group.

>

> About me:

> - wore lower profile brace for scoliosis during pre-teens

> - had spinal fusion (harrington rod) in 1983

> - have been very physically active during the past 20something

years

> (dance classes and dance teams in high school/college/post-college;

> yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, etc.; from 2000-2005 did many 5Ks and

> 10Ks, 3 marathons and a triathlon)

> - began to notice body changes in 2005 - lower back pain and what

> felt like sciatica; posture began looking the way it was pre-

> surgery; concavity on left side started to become more pronounced;

> running became harder on my back so I had to stop

> - found the doctor who performed my fusion months before his

> retirement, went for a consultation at the Scoliosis Center at USC

> which he co-founded. The doctor there was very matter-of-fact

about

> the fact that I had flat-back; was more concerned about the disk

> degeneration right below the fusion and informed me that I'd have

to

> have another fusion sometime in the future. UGH.

>

> I've started doing yoga for scoliois and deep water exercises and

> would like to try to work with non-surgical therapies for my

> symptoms for as long as I can....

>

> If anyone has advice on a good specialist who also works with non-

> surgical therapies in the Los Angeles area, I'd appreciate the

> referral.

>

> Thanks for your time.

>

> Tricia

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam, and thanks to all for the warm welcome and words of encouragement.

On Monday I had an appointment with Dr. Leonel Hunt at the Cedars Sinai Spine Center to get a definitive diagnosis of what's going on with me. So, he took a look at my X-ray..Harrington Rod is slightly bent, lower discs under the fusion are just about gone, I have flatback, but most puzzling is that it looks like my fusion never "took." The center of my spine is curved/curving, and I've lost 2 1/2 inches...yikes!

So, looks like the road to surgery starts here. I'm not even sure this would be a flatback revision...more like re-fusing and adding a few more vertebrae to the mix. I'm going to give myself time to research and prep and get some other opinions. The first step is to get a CT scan and find out what's going on with that section of my spine that was supposed to be fused.

In the meantime, I'm considering getting fitted for a SpineCor brace to at least give myself some support and jump-start those atropying muscles while I get my ducks in line. The goal is to get in tip-top physical shape before surgery. Any feedback on the brace's utility would be appreciated!

Trish

[ ] Re: Introduction

Hi Tricia,Welcome to the club. I am sorry to hear you are also struggling with this ongoing scoli-saga.Like you, I was very active and never was too concerend with my back until a few years before I underwent revision surgery. I had noticed I was unable to stand all the way up...but it didn't really interfere too much with my life until all of a sudden the disc below the fusion gave up the ghost...and then it was an unholy, unrelenting pain that I could not medicate because my profession did not permit narcotics.So that is not to say that you too will suddenly find yourself in a very painful circumstance. ...but be warned that it is a possibilty.As to the LA area...I can't really help you as I live out on the east coast, but you might want to correspond with Ellen Kiley...the scoliyogi... if you are looking for information of working with a long fusion. She herself is fused to the sacrum. She is a

member here and you also can read her story and contact info from the "links" section on the left hand side of the main page. I went to her workshop this past September, and she may be able to guide you as to non-surgical therapies.The subject of which surgeons/doctors to see in the LA area has recently been beaten to death...as it seems that there isn't a great variety. The two names that our member Ken has, or is considering are Dr. Akbarnia or Dr Pashman. Most of the folks here that live west of the Rockies have consulted and/or has revision and are very happy with the group up at UCSF...they seem to be very focused on us "flatbackers" .I have found that pretty much across the board, the trick is that surgeons do surgery....they don't really manage flatback.... but to stay in the non-surgical "camp" you really need the expertise of a surgeons associated knowledge... .pain management people, PTs, the

works. It's a bit of a trick. I can understand why you would want tod exhaust all your avenues for now.As said...I love the water. I prepared for surgery following a 3x per week deep water workout. It was the only thing I could do that was relatively pain free in terms of getting my heart rate up. After surgery I worked out in the deep end until around 5 months post op...when I began lap swimming again. I now swim 1/2 mile 3x/week...all strokes, even the butterfly even though I am fused to the sacrum. Whether you are before or after surgery...it is all about your core strength..and the water just makes me feel fantastic.I hope we can answer any questions you have and we are here to help you any way we can.Take Care, Cam>> Hello all-> > I've spent the past few hours doing research on flat-back (in > particular looking for a specialist in the LA area that can help > diagnose and treat my condition), and I was so happy to find this > group.> > About me:> - wore lower profile brace for scoliosis during pre-teens> - had spinal fusion (harrington rod) in 1983> - have been very physically active during the past 20something years > (dance classes and dance teams in high school/college/ post-college; > yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, etc.; from 2000-2005 did many 5Ks and > 10Ks, 3 marathons and a triathlon)> - began to notice body changes in 2005 - lower back pain and what > felt like sciatica; posture began looking the way it was pre-> surgery; concavity on left side started to become more pronounced; > running became harder on my back so I had to

stop> - found the doctor who performed my fusion months before his > retirement, went for a consultation at the Scoliosis Center at USC > which he co-founded. The doctor there was very matter-of-fact about > the fact that I had flat-back; was more concerned about the disk > degeneration right below the fusion and informed me that I'd have to > have another fusion sometime in the future. UGH.> > I've started doing yoga for scoliois and deep water exercises and > would like to try to work with non-surgical therapies for my > symptoms for as long as I can....> > If anyone has advice on a good specialist who also works with non-> surgical therapies in the Los Angeles area, I'd appreciate the > referral.> > Thanks for your time.> > Tricia >

[Guest guest]

Trish,

Well...I am sure it was a surprise to find out you have a bent rod

and areas of non-fusion. If it is any comfort DrRand thought I had

walked around for 30+ years with what he called a " very stable " non

union. I had no symptoms so it is possible. I never did verify what

he found when he went in there...but my old office notes from my

original surgery indicate that the docs thought it was a possiblitly

then. Nice that no one ever told me huh?

Whatever you are facing, it is surely a revision of an old HR surgery

and I am sure it will, more or less, be pretty much what most of us

have experienced.

Take your time doing your research and getting opinions if you can.

The more you learn the better you will feel about all that lies

ahead. No matter what, you are facing a big surgery and a long

recovery. It will help to be prepared!

How did you like Dr Hunt? How did you find him in the first place?

Please let us know what you find out from the CT Scan.

Did Dr Hunt suggest the spincor brace? My only experience prior to

surgery with bracing was the use of what they call a " soft brace " ,

really just a elastic girdle thingy with velcro attachments to make

it very snug in the lumbar area. It helped a lot to reduce the pain I

was getting from the movement of that last L5 disc. But, the downside

was I think it weakened some of my abdominal muscles in the 8 months

I used it. That probably worked against me a little bit in the

aftermath of surgery...although I eventually overcame it, I guess. As

with most things scoli...it seems there is always a trade-off!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

well, I have been walking around for 33 years with a broken rod and

two areas of non-fusion!

I think that is one reason I question my decision to have revision

surgery -- I have always been grateful to be more flexible than I had

expected to be.

I really wonder if I will still be able to dance.

>

> Trish,

>

> Well...I am sure it was a surprise to find out you have a bent rod

> and areas of non-fusion. If it is any comfort DrRand thought I had

> walked around for 30+ years with what he called a " very stable " non

> union. I had no symptoms so it is possible. I never did verify what

> he found when he went in there...but my old office notes from my

> original surgery indicate that the docs thought it was a

possiblitly

> then. Nice that no one ever told me huh?

>

[Guest guest]

The ONLY time I miss my reduced mobility is when I drop something on my

left side (and I'm seated). I honestly cannot pick it up. Everything

else feels pretty normal now. Well, my hips are a little stiffer than

they used to be, but even dancing feels fairly natural now. It is worth

the trade-offs - at least to me, but there are definitely trade-offs.

Oh, and it was a good nine months before I could make the above

statement. Everyone should give themselves a year before deciding if

revision was a good or bad idea. IMHO

[Guest guest]

Greetings Ellis,

very curious about your fermented buckwheat! Can you

please explain how you are doing this.

I love buckwheat and make many dishes with it and have

been learning to make soba noodles as well. Would love

to add more to my repetoire.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

[Guest guest]

Hi Philip,

The simplest way to tell you what I do with the buckwheat is to send you to my

website where I have the recipe posted. Go to

http://heinfamilyenterprises.com/health/recipe.html. In the contents section,

you will see various links to recipes on the page. Click on Buckwheat and you

should jump to that portion, else scroll down till you find the buckwheat one.

Ellis

Re: Introduction

Greetings Ellis,

very curious about your fermented buckwheat! Can you

please explain how you are doing this.

I love buckwheat and make many dishes with it and have

been learning to make soba noodles as well. Would love

to add more to my repetoire.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

[Guest guest]

http://heinfamilyenterprises.com/health/recipe.html#buckwheat

Great idea you have, using probiotic capsules to inoculate. I have some Jarrow

capsules I will try in some fermentation schemes

Thanks

ZF

Re: Introduction

Greetings Ellis,

very curious about your fermented buckwheat! Can you

please explain how you are doing this.

I love buckwheat and make many dishes with it and have

been learning to make soba noodles as well. Would love

to add more to my repetoire.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb

[Guest guest]

I don't know anything about Jarrow capsules, but you can certainly give them a

try. I know mine work and I am happy with the results. I have not tried other

brands to see what I get with them.

Ellis

Re: Introduction

Greetings Ellis,

very curious about your fermented buckwheat! Can you

please explain how you are doing this.

I love buckwheat and make many dishes with it and have

been learning to make soba noodles as well. Would love

to add more to my repetoire.

phil

Philip Gelb

shakuhachi player, teacher

vegetarian chef

http://philipgelb.com

http://myspace.com/inthemoodforfood

http://myspace.com/philipgelb