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- Submitted: Jun 09 2017 02:45 PM
- Date Updated: Sep 01 2017 10:36 AM
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PAD and additional Remissions
ascorbic acid + ascorbate l-lysine l-arginine aakg + citrulline prebiotics: inulin etc. myo-inositol mct oil epa + dha omega-3 oil taurine glycine lecithin nicotinic acid msm chondroitin + glucosamine sulfate pantothenate + pantethine carnitine d-ribbose trimethylglycine beta alanine creatine proline spirulina magnesium potassium sodium aged garlic extract chlorella phosphatidyl choline black cumin seed oil conjugated linoleic acid oil tea extract green black + theanine mukul myrrh extract n-acetyl cysteine blue + bilberry extract cruciferous vegetable extract pomegranate extract turmeric extract olive fruit + leaf extract tocopherols (50% alpha) calcium ashwagandha extract guduchi extract l-tyrosine
Description
.
Hello everyone,
..was diagnosed a peripheral arterial disease (PAD) due to a 80% blockage at my abdominal aorta bifurcation almost 9 years ago.
Only medical option given to improve intermittent claudication - merely 3-400 m pain-free walking distance at worse - was a surgical replacement of my whole Y-shaped aorta with tubes made out of Goretex-like material. Additionally aspirin and statin for my whole life. Was also told, however much greens I would eat additional to these surgical and pharmaceutical interventions, my probable 5-year mortality would nevertheless remain at 30%. 41 at that time.
After a risk-benefit analysis I went the other way: meticulously analyzed my diet, eliminated added sugar, and once I crossed into the therapeutic range of Linus Pauling's recommendations for CVD after almost one 1 year, my pain-free walking distance gradually improved to 1 hour. 2 hrs the second year. At that time starting to implement recommendations by Dr. William Davis of the 'TrackYourPlaque' forum too.
The whole third year I suffered from a persistent chronic bronchitis, with a relapse down to 1/2 hour walking distance again. Took some months of at the South-Indian sea and incorporated many Ayurvedic remedies since than, as well as taking my yearly vacations each time during winters there. Bronchitis cleared up first. And at the beginning of the 6th year, though with in many respect worse lab results, intermittent claudication symptoms have completely gone for the first time during all these years.
All I've been left have been typical Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms: Exhaustion, concentration difficulties and back pain after more than 5 hours (mental) work a day, needing 10 hours of sleep. And all 3 debilitating symptoms if I don't stay with my limitations till the next full day, when I can spend at rest for recovery (postexcertional malaise, PEM).
With a very complex previous medical history:
Pneumonia at birth, fever seizures with 2, meningitis with 7, X-ray found tubercle with 20, Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, only 12 teeth remaining at age 29 (due to tetracycline treatment as new-born), 7 malaria attacks (4 of which the at times deathly falciparum), amoebic hepatitis (enlarged liver), spondilodiscitis and rhinitis.
2 years before my PAD diagnosis a very stressful job (which I quit just before the diagnosis), schistosomiasis, cystitis, a myopericarditis, and finally my first root-canal (without giving permission!). With the chronic bronchitis I also got a diagnosis of COPD (symptom-free after the bronchitis) and T2D (controlled with diet, which I would rather classify as prediabetes).
That's what Linus Pauling recommended in his '86 book:
Additionally recommended l-lysine at 6 g/d for CVD. I'm sure nowadays he would include vitamin D3, K2, more magnesium, CoQ10 and some other amino acids too. Also only took the low dose for vitamin E he recommends (balanced with other tocopherols and tocotrienols), and the dose for vitamin A I reached only recently, when I found it would help with my infrequent psoriasis outbreaks.
Dr. Davis recommendations have been basically:
Already 4 years ago I reported side-benefits in the thread ..supplements you can feel doing good. Time for a update here:
To summarize - through the synergistic effects of lifestyle modifications, nutrient and herbal extract supplementation it was possible:
Since it would probably take me days to enter my actual regimen with up to 500 ingredients (dietary and supplemental), something much more accurate: All that as it changed over the 8 years - click the below link for the detailed regimen -
https://docs.google....#gid=1308885060
And, my advise again:
I always would start with the lowest possible doses and increase gradually over the years. While doing actual lab-tests to see critical nutrients stay in range.
I always thought health is the highest and can't be bought with money. To a certain extent I revised my opinion. I actually did it, with lots of determination and while keeping my ability to work part-time ..but am broke now.
Below all supplements in the grams per day range down to a half. Which are just average intakes for the last 9 years, and not recommendations (see my advises in red again). For all other important vitamins, minerals, herbals and phyto-chemicals, see the Google spreadsheet linked to above.
Obligatory disclaimer for Orwellian times: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.”
Hello everyone,
An advise first: I made the experience that it is always more efficient and safe to start with the lowest possible dose of a new supplement, then increase gradually over months and years. And better start with one agent at a time.
While doing actual lab-tests to see critical nutrients stay in range, ie. serum 25(OH)D, ferritin, retinol and retinol binding protein, copper, selenium, electrolytes, .. additional to regular tests like CBC, kidney and liver functions, hormones, etc.
- You could catch an always possible allergic reaction early on, and not as severe as at full dose. Which also could come from other ingredients in a supplement. And are able to rectify the offender right away.
- You will know at exactly which dose what effect to expect. There could be a marked U-curve response, and sometimes more is not better. If it still would be, you'll find the exact effective dose eventually. And don't waste your money.
- Increasing one nutrient to high dose will invariably increase the need for others involved with the same metabolic pathway. By increasing slowly you'll catch them early on, were they are still easier to correct.
- Supplementing with many chronic diseases and biochemical-individuality is a life-long project. You don't take the pills and you're done. You probably will adjust it for the rest of your life. Because specific deficiencies will have improved, and other worsened. So take your time to find the most effective protocol for your preconditions and situation.
..was diagnosed a peripheral arterial disease (PAD) due to a 80% blockage at my abdominal aorta bifurcation almost 9 years ago.
Only medical option given to improve intermittent claudication - merely 3-400 m pain-free walking distance at worse - was a surgical replacement of my whole Y-shaped aorta with tubes made out of Goretex-like material. Additionally aspirin and statin for my whole life. Was also told, however much greens I would eat additional to these surgical and pharmaceutical interventions, my probable 5-year mortality would nevertheless remain at 30%. 41 at that time.
After a risk-benefit analysis I went the other way: meticulously analyzed my diet, eliminated added sugar, and once I crossed into the therapeutic range of Linus Pauling's recommendations for CVD after almost one 1 year, my pain-free walking distance gradually improved to 1 hour. 2 hrs the second year. At that time starting to implement recommendations by Dr. William Davis of the 'TrackYourPlaque' forum too.
The whole third year I suffered from a persistent chronic bronchitis, with a relapse down to 1/2 hour walking distance again. Took some months of at the South-Indian sea and incorporated many Ayurvedic remedies since than, as well as taking my yearly vacations each time during winters there. Bronchitis cleared up first. And at the beginning of the 6th year, though with in many respect worse lab results, intermittent claudication symptoms have completely gone for the first time during all these years.
All I've been left have been typical Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms: Exhaustion, concentration difficulties and back pain after more than 5 hours (mental) work a day, needing 10 hours of sleep. And all 3 debilitating symptoms if I don't stay with my limitations till the next full day, when I can spend at rest for recovery (postexcertional malaise, PEM).
With a very complex previous medical history:
Pneumonia at birth, fever seizures with 2, meningitis with 7, X-ray found tubercle with 20, Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, only 12 teeth remaining at age 29 (due to tetracycline treatment as new-born), 7 malaria attacks (4 of which the at times deathly falciparum), amoebic hepatitis (enlarged liver), spondilodiscitis and rhinitis.
2 years before my PAD diagnosis a very stressful job (which I quit just before the diagnosis), schistosomiasis, cystitis, a myopericarditis, and finally my first root-canal (without giving permission!). With the chronic bronchitis I also got a diagnosis of COPD (symptom-free after the bronchitis) and T2D (controlled with diet, which I would rather classify as prediabetes).
That's what Linus Pauling recommended in his '86 book:
How to Live Longer and Feel Better
PS: can't help but add another Linus advise here: 'always listen to advise, but never believe blindly'
- Take vitamin C every day, 6 grams to 18 g (6000 to 18,000 milligrams), or more. Do not miss a single day.
- Take vitamin E every day, 400 IU, 800 IU, or 1600 IU.
- Take one or two Super-B tablets every day, to provide good amounts of the B-vitamins.
- Take 25,000 IU vitamin A tablet every day.
- Take a mineral supplement every day, such as one tablet of the Bronson vitamin-mineral formula, which provides 100 mg of calcium, 18 mg of iron, 0.15 mg of iodine, 1 mg of copper, 25 mg of magnesium, 3 mg of manganese, 15 mg of zinc, 0.015 mg of molybdenum, 0.015 mg of chromium, and 0.015 mg of selenium.
- Keep your intake of ordinary sugar (sucrose, raw sugar, brown sugar, honey) to 50 pounds per year, which is half the present U.S. average. Do not add sugar to tea or coffee. Do not eat high-sugar foods. Avoid sweet desserts. Do not drink soft drink.
- Except for avoiding sugar, eat what you like - but not too much of any one food. Eggs and meat are good foods. Also you should eat some vegetables and fruits. Do not eat so much food as to become obese.
- Drink plenty of water every day.
- Keep active; take some exercise. Do not at any time exert yourself physically to an extent far beyond what you are accustomed to.
- Drink alcoholic beverages only in moderation.
- Do not smoke cigarettes.
- Avoid stress. Work at a job that you like. Be happy with your family.
Additionally recommended l-lysine at 6 g/d for CVD. I'm sure nowadays he would include vitamin D3, K2, more magnesium, CoQ10 and some other amino acids too. Also only took the low dose for vitamin E he recommends (balanced with other tocopherols and tocotrienols), and the dose for vitamin A I reached only recently, when I found it would help with my infrequent psoriasis outbreaks.
Dr. Davis recommendations have been basically:
TrackYourPlaque
dietary wise:
- Identifying of all causes, adaptation of strategies, and continuous evaluation through extensive laboratory and coronary calcium score testing
- Individual reduction of carbohydrates by singling out most offending by testing postprandial blood-glucose responses
- Basically optimizing serum 25(OH)D (60-80 ng/dl), thyroid and other hormones, Mg, Fish-oil, K2, Iodine, etc.
- Correct metabolic responses with elimination of wheat, cornstarch, and sugars; limited dairy
- Don’t limit fats, but choose the right fats
- Unlimited vegetables, some fruits
- Unlimited raw nuts and seeds
- Unlimited healthy oils
- Foods Should Be Unprocessed
Already 4 years ago I reported side-benefits in the thread ..supplements you can feel doing good. Time for a update here:
Things that I started on faith and showed noticeable effects (updated):
- Vitamin C - after a PAD diagnosis almost 9 years ago, together with lysine and all other nutrients recommended by Linus Pauling - pain-free walking distance improved from mere 3-400 meters up to 2 hours. But only once I exceeded the in his view minimal therapeutic dose of 6 g/d each. Side-benefits: a since 2 years persistent skin-rush cleared up, hay-fever symptoms recurring every spring since 15 years got alleviated. HbA1c stayed disproportionally low, compared to higher blood glucose. A cystitis circumscripta of the bladder disappeared. Truly addictive stuff for someone with my health-issues. Only negative side-effect: flatulence.
- Triphala, Trikatu and other Ayurvedic digestion improving ingredients - for reduction of flatulence :-)
- Chondroitin Sulfate - though not taken consistently as recommended here, after some months on about 5 g/d my intermittent symptoms from PAD completely ceased. And a 60% government-certified walking disability due to that has been revoked since!
- CoQ10 - some years before supplementing I always got angina-like chest pain under conditions of persisting stress (mental or physical). Above 150 mg/d CoQ10 (or half that with Ubiqunol) it's gone. However, whenever I drop below that intake the chest-pain is back - now without any stress.
- Magnesium - with a severe deficiency I immediately get muscle-cramps without (now at 2.4 g/d elemental, of about 1,6 g/d for 9 years in average). With the higher dose my blood glucose readings came down and infrequent retinal migraine ceased.
- Vitamin A - from 24.000 IU onward prevented any further psoriasis outbreaks.
- Resistant Starch - since adding unmodified Potato Starch to a moderately low carb diet (~70 g/d), I first noticed a light blood-glucose drop, second a mood lift, and thirdly remember vivid dreams.
- Vitamin B3, Nicotinic acid - strong vasodilation effects with tingling, heat and reddened skin for about 20 minutes with multiples gram doses. Initially not pleasant at all, but by getting used to much milder. Intended for improving lipids, especially more difficult one's, like raising HDL or lowering Lp(a). However, beside taxing the liver again (much less though than sustained-release Niacin), with a already weakened liver (from Malarias and their treatment), I could see with each rise/fall of liver enzymes an responding change in lipids-numbers (deterioration/improving). Worsening of liver-enzymes counteracted with other supplements.
- Arginine, AAKG, Citrulline - above 3 g at night a morning erection (with my 80% blockage at my abdominal aorta a thing of the past otherwise).
- Vitamin D3 - initially noticeable increase of energy.
- Beta Alanine - light vasodilation with slight tingling.
- Potassium Iodide - once made the experiment if I could handle the 130 mg iodide recommended in the case of a nuclear emergency without going hyper. Within 10 days gradually increased from my usual intake of 10 mg/d up to 100 mg, where I run out of it. Energetically felt better every day.
- Melatonin - makes me sleepy and thereby improves circadian rhythm.
- Lycopene, Astaxanthin and other Carotenoids - suspect them to be responsible that I haven't had any sun-burns since supplementing almost 9 years now. And for halting the rapid decline of my eyesight.
- Biotin - suspect it having been responsible for fuller hair, thiner after substantially reducing the dose again.
- Cholines - helped to improve liver-enzymes. However, also get chaw tension above a certain intake, initially above 500 mg/d, then already above 300 mg/d. Now tolerance is increasing again.
- LIV.52 and Cystone (Himalaya company) - Ayurvedic blends which improved liver-enzymes further, as well as kidney function markers. Additionally 2 non-circulated nodules on the right edge of the liver (5 + 8 mm) disappeared.
- Omega3s - together with a low cab diet reduced serum triglycerides.
- Piracetam and Sulbutiamine - though only low dose initially also caused a spaced-out feeling. But much easier socializing, speech-fluency and focus as remaining effects.
To summarize - through the synergistic effects of lifestyle modifications, nutrient and herbal extract supplementation it was possible:
- first of all - to reverse a 60% walking disability from PAD
- reverse a cystitis circumscripta of the bladder
- .. 2 non-circulated nodules on the right edge of the liver (5 + 8mm)
- .. one additional tubercle (6mm) of the left lung; the older of the right lung (9mm) remaining
- .. and a chronic bronchitis, while the at that time diagnosed COPD remained asymptomatic
- keep prediabetes, hay-fever,
- .. muscle-cramps and CKD stage 1 in check
- cease psoriasis and retinal migraine flare-ups,
- .. and angina-like chest pains
- provide sun-burn protection without suncream
- but overall staying still alive and able to come up for my own living counter the prediction of my initially diagnosing internist
Since it would probably take me days to enter my actual regimen with up to 500 ingredients (dietary and supplemental), something much more accurate: All that as it changed over the 8 years - click the below link for the detailed regimen -
https://docs.google....#gid=1308885060
And, my advise again:
I always would start with the lowest possible doses and increase gradually over the years. While doing actual lab-tests to see critical nutrients stay in range.
I always thought health is the highest and can't be bought with money. To a certain extent I revised my opinion. I actually did it, with lots of determination and while keeping my ability to work part-time ..but am broke now.
Below all supplements in the grams per day range down to a half. Which are just average intakes for the last 9 years, and not recommendations (see my advises in red again). For all other important vitamins, minerals, herbals and phyto-chemicals, see the Google spreadsheet linked to above.
Obligatory disclaimer for Orwellian times: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.”
Ingredient | Dosage | Frequency | Administration |
---|---|---|---|
Ascorbic acid + ascorbate | 8 gram | 3x daily | about 20 min before meals and bedtime |
L-lysine | 2 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
L-arginine, AAKG + citrulline | 2 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Prebiotics: inulin, RS, etc. | 2 gram | 3x daily | with or without meals |
Myo-inositol | 2 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals |
MCT oil | 2 gram | 3x daily | with or without meals |
EPA + DHA omega-3 oil | 2 gram | twice daily | with fatty meals |
Taurine | 1 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Glycine | 3 gram | Daily | before bedtime |
Lecithin | 3 gram | Daily | with meal |
Nicotinic acid | 3 gram | Daily | with meal |
MSM, Chondroitin + Glucosamine sulfate | 1 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Pantothenate + Pantethine | 1 gram | twice daily | before and with meals |
Carnitine | 1 gram | twice daily | 20 min before meals |
D-ribbose | 1 gram | twice daily | 20 min before meals |
Trimethylglycine | 1 gram | twice daily | 20 min before meals |
Beta alanine | 0.6 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Creatine | 0.6 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Proline | 0.6 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals and bedtime |
Spirulina | 1.8 gram | Daily | with or without meals |
Magnesium | 0.5 gram | 3x daily | with + without meals, spread throughout |
Potassium | 0.4 gram | 3x daily | with + without meals desolved in water, spread throughout |
Sodium | 0.4 gram | 3x daily | with + without meals, spread throughout |
Aged garlic extract | 0,6 gram | twice daily | with meals |
Chlorella | 1 gram | Daily | with or without meals |
Phosphatidyl choline | 0.5 gram | twice daily | with meals |
Black cumin seed oil | 0.5 gram | twice daily | with meals |
Conjugated linoleic acid oil | 0.5 gram | twice daily | with meals |
Tea extract, green, black + theanine | 0.3 gram | 3x daily | 20 min before meals + bedtime |
Mukul myrrh extract | 0.5 gram | twice daily | with meals |
N-acetyl cysteine | 0.5 gram | twice daily | 20 minutes before meals |
Blue + bilberry extract | 1 gram | Daily | before bed |
Cruciferous vegetable extract | 0.8 gram | Daily | with meals |
Pomegranate extract | 0.7 gram | Daily | before bed |
Turmeric extract | 0.7 gram | Daily | with meal |
Olive fruit + leaf extract | 0.3 gram | twice daily | with + without meals |
Tocopherols (50% alpha) | 0.3 gram | twice daily | with meals |
Calcium | 0.6 gram | Daily | with + without meals |
Ashwagandha extract | 0.5 gram | Daily | 20 minutes before meals |
Guduchi extract | 0.5 gram | Daily | 20 minutes before meals |
L-tyrosine | 0.5 gram | Daily | 20 minutes before meals |
pamojja, Jun 11 2017 06:15 PM
The main stenosis as MRI gif (2009 - click to enlarge and rotate):
Psoriasis picture (don't click, if you can't see open wounds - 1996):
https://www.dropbox....mshala.jpg?dl=0
addendum (3rd July):
Meanwhile could get a 50% disability due to the CFS/ME symptoms again. Helps with yearly tax returns due to high health expenses.
For that reevaluation the investigating Neurologist ordered a brain MRI, which found an old stroke in the left cerebellum.
Therefore, one more potentially deathly condition not only survived, but not even mentioned its occurrence. ..thought it a miracle to have already outlived the 30% five-year mortality prediction from PAD, but now additional a much worse 50% one-year mortality with stroke!
When further analyzing which intakes have at least 30% increased during the 8 months before this substantial improvement - compared relative to my average intakes during these 9 years (leaving out Ayurvedics, since they all been added later and therefore all higher):
126% condroitin sulfate
117% paba
91% inositol
90% glutamine
85% medium chain triglicerides
82% magnesium sulfate
81% menaquinone-7
71% phyloquinone
59% rutin complex
59% kelp
55% cysteine
53% boswellia ext.
49% gingerols
44% tyrosine
44% lycopene
42% grape seed ext.
42% citrulline malate
41% lecithine
39% silica
39% pantothenic acid
39% milk thistle ext.
37% pomegranate ext.
37% methylfolate
36% potassium
36% copper (reduced after, since it caused to high than normal lab values)
35% silymarin
33% manganese
32% beta-carotene
31% punicalagins
30% trimethylglycine
30% ascorbic acid
pamojja, Aug 30 2017 08:00 PM
Interestingly, right after the time intermittent claudication ceased I came across the work of Kelly A. Turner, which summarized pretty well for me in a different context the different realms of lifestyle-modifications possibly involved. Since my stack doesn't talks much beyond point 4 of this list - and supplements alone are definitely not enough against severe chronic conditions - I add her whole list here:
This April I finally quit one of my two part-time jobs, because it has become merely a stick it out feat, and below devastating effects didn't change even half an hour in working-ability or sleeping needs all these years:
pamojja, Jun 23 2019 09:54 PM
2 years later its time for an update:
No more postexcertional malaise since! Hallelujah :-)
Though I kept very strict at pacing, at occasions I couldn't - or with much less sleeping hours - it still caused no real PEM anymore.
Also my maximal carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) for the first time last year remarkably regressed. Normal would be below 0.9 mm.
In below table I added max. pain-free walking distance (PFWD; in kms at about 4/hr), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive Protein (CRP), and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI; normal ≥9). Vitamin D intake (mcg), serum level (25-OH-D), whole-body sun-exposure (hrs/year), and total testosterone (TT) for their very strong correlation. The very high inflammation in '06, 2 years before the PAD diagnosis, was caused by a Myopericarditis.
Seems the high inflammation with the year long chronic bronchitis in '12 progressed CIMT quite some further (a 20% yearly increase), and only around the time I lost my walking-disability it started to regress.
(note: above are yearly averages if more than 1 data-point was available, for example highest hsCRP in '12 was 7.6 mg/l, following ESR in '13 actually 130 mm/hr; highest 25(OH)D 135 ng/ml, lowest total testosterone 187 ng/dl)
pamojja, Jul 05 2019 12:12 PM
Some of the cancer patients interviewed by Kelly did actually the opposite, and added meat back in. Same in my case, having been low fat vegetarian (only cheeses) for more than 30 years since age 10, I added loads of healthy fats (~70% of calories), daily eggs and weekly fish short after my PAD diagnosis back in, much later some occasional meat. Due to low budget, I limited to organic food where it counts though (like the dirty dozens veggies and fruits, as well as all animal based food).
The effects of such a diet change to my basic lipo-proteins during the last 10 years:
One framework to explain such differences in bio-chemical individuality would be different autonomous-nervous system metabolic types, used for example by the late pancreatic cancer doc Nickolas Gonzales (the following notes taken from an interview):
One fact I did come across at the beginning of my health journey which really piqued my interest is, that some traditional diets still contain about a 100 different plants per year, each containing again up to 100 phyto-nutrients, often most not identified yet. Before the agricultural period humans consumed even up to 200 different plants per year. One impact of such a varied diet seems to become apparent with the micro-biome research:
In my case counted up to 70 different plants eaten a year (and sure forgot some):
And my only ubiome-result from 2 years ago seems to confirm: http://tinyurl.com/mircrobiome. In that my microbiome was more diverse than 93% of all tested at that time.
That high number only came about by counting each macro- and micro-nutrient, phyto-chemical, and their respective sources noted in my spreadsheet. Without such at times multiple count it's about half. And actually taken also about 250 individual supplements (caps or pills) or powders (spices, herbs..). In about a half/half ratio. Therefore really not that far off in filling in gaps and replicating a pre-agricultural really varied diet.
pamojja, Jul 07 2019 10:28 AM
I guess point 2 is already a big stumbling block for most patients. My GP tells me that I'm his only of his patients asking for particular lab-tests, and taking copies of all. Additionally, for most conventional docs met, that alone is already offensive, that as a patient one has to be prepared to receive a lot of abuse.
My worst example, asked the cardiologist who pushed an invasive vascular prosthesis on me: What would be the risks compared for example to a simple balloon angioplasty? (the later being in use for the longest time). On which the only answer was, that balloon angioplasty wouldn't be performed in our country anymore. To get at least some response about risks and being enabled for an informed decision, I dared to challenge: If this preference for vascular prosthesis could in any way be influenced by its higher financial profit? On which this cardiologist ended the conversation. With the remark that he actually isn't a cardiologist, but just stepped in for an other.
Half a year later I tried again, in the hope the first cardiologist not being on duty. In vain, I met the same again. Now he refused any conversation with the excuse, that he already explained everything in detail at the first occasion. My question: Why then the last time he denied being a cardiologist? - his face turned red - and said: I actually would suffer from personality disorder, and for that should better show up at the psychiatric department! - However, I still insisted to be informed of any risk to the pushed procedure, and had to wait a whole 4 hour for finally an other cardiologist showing up. Though staying a bit more professional, the second cardiologist could only inform me of acute risks during the procedure (1 in a 100; for which he had to phone a colleague to get the information).
Really both showing so much ignorance or lack of integrity, which alone would be enough reason not to ever have such an invasive procedure with any of them.
On the German wikipedia I finally found the simple answers, and I even suggested in my own words during the consultations with the cardiologists, for being enabled for an informed decision:
A very good resource for someone not used to verify primary research yet, is http://www.thennt.com. The risk/benefit ratio found there for the prescriptions/intervention intended for me till my deathbed (docs never advised, even denied and ridiculed):
For me enduring such resistance and even adverseness, as well as being prepared for lifestyle changes, wasn't an issue - it's as if my life depended on it.
This study sums the state of cardiology up:
pamojja, Jul 09 2019 08:16 AM
Again, a bid difficult for those of us less intuitive to even understand what this could mean. In my case was always attracted to explore beyond linear reasoning, and had long trainings in body-signal oriented focusing and mindfulness meditation practice.
With the later more intended to train in 'letting go', also the '..it's as if my life depended on it..' came from such a different place. Total alien to how I usually organize my life.
pamojja, Jul 13 2019 01:38 PM
The 60-thousand-dollar question about taking so many supplements (= what this all costs for 10 years; also the price of the vascular prosthesis declined), is always: Which part of it is essentially most effective? (- or belittled right away, since it allegedly could never been known anyway.)
The answer is of course always, that it depends on bio-chemical individuality. All the genetic susceptibilities, medical history and present conditions, deficiencies or overload, varying toxic exposures, diet and every other life-style factor, different metabolism, etc. In my case with difficulties with the heart, lung, liver, kidneys, spleen, androgens, thyroid, glucose metabolism, etc., - one could simply not hope ever to reverse the usually considered non-reversible main condition, if one didn't tackled even the slightest dysfunction of any body-system.
The best way for feedback I found in my case to be regular lab-work, after having educated myself about all the nutrients. Last year a new online-service: https://www.labtestanalyzer.com/ started, which after analyzing one's lab-work gives suggestions in respect having to get immediate medical attention, possibly helpful life-style and supplements interventions. All claims with scientific references right there to verify. Since this subscription service became too expensive after 1 year - with what I already learnt from it - in the end I entered all my average values for the last 10 years. The result: from 113 individual supplement suggestions all tailored to my lab-results, I already was taking 100 all these years (missing mainly probiotic strains). In the order of their importance by the number of individual lab-test, each supplement could affect beneficially in my case.
Labtestanalyzer, due to sieving through the whole of the scientific literature manually for 1 year only, is still far from comprehensive or really reliable (always check their references), though they'll get there, one day.
By having to address virtually all dysfunctional body-systems, my targeted approach appears like the 'kitchen sink approach'. It isn't, and in most cases much less would have to be addressed.
In my case in retrospect, Linus Pauling's recommendations, along with K-vitamins, D3, CoQ10, omega-3, more magnesium, some aminos (taurine, carnitine, arginine..), most common plant-extracts (Garlic, Tea, Pomegranate..) , and a glucose-intolerance addressing diet - already improved my intermittent claudication limited walking distance from PAD the first 3 years from 10 minutes to 2 hours! When I stopped everything during that time for a 1-week water fast, intermittent claudication was temporarily back with vengeance. Only with a year long chronic bronchitis and COPD all that progress reversed it to half-hour again, and needed definitely a whole set of other interventions.
pamojja, Jul 15 2019 12:27 PM
Through my extensive training of the past in mindfulness meditation and focusing therapy, I gladly already had many skills for inner-work with body, emotions and mind. However, whatever therapy, meditation or any other self-help method has in common, is the need of conducive circumstances: a safe place. Be it for allowing unskillful emotions, cultivating beneficial emotions, acknowledging help, spiritually reconnecting or finding a reason to live. All the remaining points up to the 9th on Kelly's list (of factors usually in place for remission in cancer-patients happening) really do need to a certain extent conducive circumstances.
The reality with chronic disease is very often the exact opposite. Living in a small city-flat not even knowing the names of one's neighbors, or being overwhelmed by the demands of modern day occupations, with little time for any respite, or having forgotten all this was meant for.
Not everyone is in the position to quit detrimental jobs or relationships yet. But what in my case really helped to create more space, was my yearly vacation for recuperation to a South Indian beach. Doesn't have to be expensive. For my mud-hut I pay about €1.50/day, a traditional meal with chai already under 1.-. The most expensive about my vacation is the running rent for my flat at home, not the flight.
Such a little yearly intervention for me (who already traveled India extensively in my youth, with absolutely no desire left having to see this and that, and thereby stress again) was conducive for so much all at once:
This is my main solar panel after 200 hrs/50 days in the South Indian sun this March:
pamojja, Jul 17 2019 07:57 PM
Or as in the also very old saying: "Gutta cavat lapidem" - Constant dripping hollows the stone.
pamojja, Jul 23 2019 08:55 PM
pamojja, Jul 28 2019 12:21 PM
Many of us are probably like me repulsed by superficial religious types, who only argue their religious superiority, but can't follow their proposed lifestyle themself. There are of course in every religion the opposite, not arguing but silently and contently following their paths.
In this respect, and just as my example - not do propose any superiority over any other religion or agnosticism - I found the old Pali text translations the closest I could identify with, where they talk about 10 fetters gradually and possibly to get free of:
Even beside other implications, for example just to become free of conceit would mean not considering oneself, better, worse or equal to any other. Just philosphically/poetically the only realistic stance for me possible, for not to perpetuate self-affliction in the one form or the other.
The proposed path through suffering/stress is straightforward:
Or again in more detailed words:
But again, consider this just as example, how spirituality could be straigthforward experienced and integrated through an ethical and meditative practice. If one doesn't naturally inclines, these words could mean nothing more than gibberish. Follow your own inclination to free yourself from this schizophrenic reality split into body and mind, and by extension between physical and spiritual, me and others, holiness or sinning, etc. Choose a path you feel inclined.
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