Flying solo

Brightspark87

:A Robin I hope the letter writing went well. thinking of you xx

Eager_Elephant

Hi Robin


I am a long time lurker and thought I would pop my head above the parapet to say a very big thanks


You have posted about Turmeric and Golden Paste for a long time and I kept wondering whether it would help my DH.
He has Neuro issues which have given him a constant headache (varying in strength) since 2011 and I wondered if this would help.


Unfortunately DH ruptured a disc in his back 4.5 weeks ago and he has been unable to do much apart from work. he has been having osteopathy and after the first few days I decided to make some golden paste to see if it would help.
Well he has been taking Golden Paste twice a day for 4 weeks and the change in him is amazing. He is now taking 1teaspoon twice a day - we mix it with honey and milk to make a drink for him.


His back is healing nicely and even the osteopath is surprised how quickly it is healing. He said usually they don't see any change until at least 6 weeks.
We still have a hospital referral in for an MRI scan but I am hoping by the time this comes in he will be 99% better.


Some might say that it is the osteopathy treatment that is doing all the work but I like to think that it is Golden Paste.


This may be TMI for some people so please feel free to skip - Also an unintended side effect is that DH actually goes to the toilet twice a day now instead of once a week.
We are not sure why he has sluggish bowels, he has been like that for as long as he can remember.
I was looking up how turmeric can help and one website I looked at said it can increase the enzymes in the liver which help with detoxification.
DH has Gilbert Syndrome - which basically means his liver can't break down the bilirubin in the blood so he has a build up of bile in his body. I am now wondering is this is why he hasn't been able to go to the toilet properly for years?!?!?!


I haven't asked him about his head pain as the back was most important for us but I will feed back when I speak to him.


Once again, thanks again for being such a fountain of all knowledge and for being so willing to share this with everyone on MSE

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Lovely MSE People, :hello:

First of all thank you everyone for your encouraging words - don't know what I'd do sometimes without all of you... :smileyhea

EE - am so happy to read that my banging on about GP has proven useful for your DH; thank you for your kind words! :T
As turmeric is an anti-inflammatory [and GP more so] I'm sure it is helping the osteo-treatment to work faster than would normally be expected. Please do tell the osteopath - maybe he's heard about it from other patients but if not, perhaps he'll investigate for himself and then choose to suggest it to his other clients as part of a good healing regimen.
You could also assist others who are seeking to help themselves by recounting your DH's experience with GP on the Turmeric Users Group page on Faceache (if you use FB that is).

As to improvements in the bathroom department; twice a day is certainly more healthy than once a week, but if DH prefers once a day then perhaps reduce the quantity of GP taken per dose slightly or split the daily dose into three drinks for maximum therapeutic effect with fewer trips to the loo?
As an aside, Milk Thistle is very helpful in maintaining good hepatic function for anyone whose liver is impaired - well worth reading up on, there's no problem combining with GP but check with the medico if DH is taking allopathic meds as it occasionally conflicts with a few of those.

ETA: Re headaches, I don't remember any posts on TUG where GP is noted for helping with those, although some folk report actually getting headaches when they start taking GP - apparently due to not drinking enough water. Symptom resolves when water intake is increased.
I take selenium which definitely does help reduce incidence of migraines and headaches prompted by ME/CFS allergic reactions. I also definitely get fewer headaches when paying attention to water intake - it's very easy to become dehydrated without realising it!

Dansmam, Missrlr and Sparky - letter got written after thinking about it through three dog-walks and a de-fluffing brush-out [which CD tolerated quietly for once], clearing up the van and preparing stuffed mushrooms for dinner (- even determinedly carnivorous DR said they were amazing - result! ).

Lucky - thanks for hugs and thinking of me..

Bubbles - thanks for birthday wishes; it's starting to feel a long time ago now..

Missrlr - do understand the reluctance to commit funds when they are limited, but but but.. Sometimes it makes so much difference just getting out of one's groove for even a short time; "inspiring" is the word that springs to mind.
..Hope you manage to sort out some kind of a relaxing treat; maybe a day-trip if going somewhere for longer is more hassle / expense than the effort is worth. (((hugs)))

Talking of hassle. Last night an unwelcome message popped up when yours truly tried to open a new window on tinterweb: "You've used up your allowance" it said, "and now you owe us £50!" :eek:
Immediately tried to follow on-screen instructions for purchasing extra Gb: "Sorry, you can't do this on-line" the message came back, "you're on an old plan so you'll have to 'phone us."
Old plan? Eh? Had the dongle for two months and it's an old plan?
So DS 'phoned this morning: "Sorry our system is down, please call back later."
Later DS was busy so Muggins duly spent twenty minutes queueing to talk to an advisor on 3-mobile's help line, only to be told that they wouldn't let me give them any more money because the dongle is registered to DS. Pointed out I use it, I pay for it, and the only reason the thing is in DS' name is because their wretched shop is right in the centre of town - too far for me to walk to through the traffic with CD - and the woman who sold it to him insisted on putting his details on the form and making him sign for it, despite him telling her that it was for me! :mad:

Right now, am on line courtesy of stealth parking within reach of a free wifi spot. Can't stay here overnight though without risking the wrath of nosy residents; time to pack up and relocate to a leafy suburb..
Ah the joys of living in a camper-van! :rotfl:

*Robin*

Dear Diary, :hello:

Spent last night 'stealth camping' in a spot recommended by one of DS4's work-mates who's been doing it successfully in town for over three years (can understand why, when it costs at least £400pcm to rent a small room where she probably couldn't keep her dog. Her camper-van is one of the best 'home conversions' I've seen; a lovely well-thought-out little space ).
..Lordy, what a busy road it turned out to be! Cars zooming past at well over the speed limit until after three ayem, loud drunken people stumbling home right through the night; felt very unsafe so not an experience I hope to repeat.
Feeling grateful today that we have other options around here; the third driveway at homehome which isn't rented out, plus outside DR's house and at my mate's workplace. If all else fails there are proper paying camp-sites too, although £30 a night doesn't feel affordable very often.

Realised last yesterday that I'd run out of food for CD; Divo Four picked up a reduced pack of burgers which she really enjoyed, despite my reservations - but today must go shopping and get some more suitable diet items for CD. We're running out of bread and milk as well, so alas today will not be a NSD.
Still have to tackle the internet provider too (parked at the free wifi spot for now).

Eager_Elephant

*Robin* wrote: »

EE - am so happy to read that my banging on about GP has proven useful for your DH; thank you for your kind words! :T
As turmeric is an anti-inflammatory [and GP more so] I'm sure it is helping the osteo-treatment to work faster than would normally be expected. Please do tell the osteopath - maybe he's heard about it from other patients but if not, perhaps he'll investigate for himself and then choose to suggest it to his other clients as part of a good healing regimen.
You could also assist others who are seeking to help themselves by recounting your DH's experience with GP on the Turmeric Users Group page on Faceache (if you use FB that is).

As to improvements in the bathroom department; twice a day is certainly more healthy than once a week, but if DH prefers once a day then perhaps reduce the quantity of GP taken per dose slightly or split the daily dose into three drinks for maximum therapeutic effect with fewer trips to the loo?
As an aside, Milk Thistle is very helpful in maintaining good hepatic function for anyone whose liver is impaired - well worth reading up on, there's no problem combining with GP but check with the medico if DH is taking allopathic meds as it occasionally conflicts with a few of those.

ETA: Re headaches, I don't remember any posts on TUG where GP is noted for helping with those, although some folk report actually getting headaches when they start taking GP - apparently due to not drinking enough water. Symptom resolves when water intake is increased.
I take selenium which definitely does help reduce incidence of migraines and headaches prompted by ME/CFS allergic reactions. I also definitely get fewer headaches when paying attention to water intake - it's very easy to become dehydrated without realising it!

I did mention Turmeric to the Osteopath and he said he would read up on it, since I mentioned it we have had many other things to talk about and I haven't brought it up again but I will do at the next appt.


I joined the TUG when you mentioned it a month or so ago, the UK one seems more friendly:)


DH has been taking Milk Thistle for a few years now - I read about it on a Gilbert Syndrome website. DH occasionally has pain in his right hip and from reading the GS website this could be linked to the build up of toxins in the body which then affect his hip. We do notice a difference in his hip pain depending on whether we have run out and I have not noticed and so he goes without for a day or 2.


May have to consider him taking selenium as well - what dose do you recommend?

*Robin*

Dear Diary and MSEers, :hello:

Night shift, yet again. Family stresses plus suffering lack-of-easy-internet withdrawal symptoms prompted a sudden rash decision, which involved yours truly taking truckers' caffeine pills in order to drive while the roads were relatively quiet.. Having achieved a new location Muggins cannot sleep of course, sooo given that the internet has decided to start working again why not update?

We shifted ourselves between rain storms; now about 180 miles away from where we were before. Looking forward to seeing our new view in the morning - a definite benefit to living on wheels!
Better yet, Divo Three and GF will be joining us for breakfast - they are staying just a five minute walk away across the lovely flat field which is 'home' to CD, Divo Four and self tonight.

It feels great to get out of town for a few days. DS and I both achieved quite a lot last week but now have to wait for other people - so grabbing the chance to visit DSD2 and an exhibition in the West country we'd both like to see, as well as calling in on DS3.

Eager_Elephant wrote: »

May have to consider him taking selenium as well - what dose do you recommend?

No, am not recommending it at all! ..There are many causes of headaches ranging from bad posture, dehydration, stress, or a side-effect of another illness, meds to treat said illness, all the way to worst case scenario - a brain tumour, so it's not very likely that a supplement which is effective for me as one of a combination to help control ME / CFS symptoms would work in the same way for your DH, EE. I'm sorry for mentioning this part of my own regime.
But. You've said your DH has neuro issues including ruptured discs, and pain in one hip. If his spinal chord has been under pressure for a long time from badly aligned or damaged vertebrae, that can cause apparently unconnected symptoms - including headaches. So, if it were my loved one in your DH's position I think that's where I'd begin asking questions - were any scans done before the osteopath started manipulating DH's back?
As ever, my comments are not intended as medical advice, but merely suggestions for your own research which hopefully may lead you to thinking of pertinent queries to put to DH's doctors.
ps. Am glad you've already discovered Milk Thistle - that really is incredibly effective for improving hepatic function..

Spends:
Groceries - £50
* Note to self: new gas bottle started [STRIKE]today[/STRIKE] yesterday.

Brightspark87

Oh Robin what a pain about your internet - I do get frustrated with these providers sometimes. I'm glad it seems to be working again. I hope that you've managed a little more rest - all this driving and stresses will not do your health (or CD because I know she is very 'in tune' with how you are feeling) any good. x

Sun_Addict

Just catching up with you Robin. Sorry I missed your birthday, belated greetings from me anyway xx

Eager_Elephant

*Robin* wrote: »

No, am not recommending it at all! ..There are many causes of headaches ranging from bad posture, dehydration, stress, or a side-effect of another illness, meds to treat said illness, all the way to worst case scenario - a brain tumour, so it's not very likely that a supplement which is effective for me as one of a combination to help control ME / CFS symptoms would work in the same way for your DH, EE. I'm sorry for mentioning this part of my own regime.
But. You've said your DH has neuro issues including ruptured discs, and pain in one hip. If his spinal chord has been under pressure for a long time from badly aligned or damaged vertebrae, that can cause apparently unconnected symptoms - including headaches. So, if it were my loved one in your DH's position I think that's where I'd begin asking questions - were any scans done before the osteopath started manipulating DH's back?
As ever, my comments are not intended as medical advice, but merely suggestions for your own research which hopefully may lead you to thinking of pertinent queries to put to DH's doctors.
ps. Am glad you've already discovered Milk Thistle - that really is incredibly effective for improving hepatic function..

Please don't apologise - I am just open to suggestions for anything that can help with DH's head pain.


Sorry, I should have made myself clearer - DH's neuro issues started 4 years ago when he caught shingles on his face, it went into his eye and the hospital did not know what it was so they guessed and he was given eye drops which did not help. As it was shingles and not treated correctly the virus has travelled down his optical nerve and has damaged the nerves in his head hence the head pain.


The Neurologist is not sure if the nerves can repair themselves so he may be like this for ever although we are working our way through all the different treatments until hopefully we find one that works - next step is treatment in London.


The ruptured disc issue was a completely separate issue caused when DH lifted 200+ fence panels over the course of a day:eek: (he has an office job so this manual work did not agree with him).


Thanks again for your comments.

*Robin*

Dear Diary and MSEers, :hello:

EE - thank you for being so forgiving of my abrupt manner of writing! There's lots I could say but DS4 is chomping at the bit so [for now at least] must restrict m'self to saying - given more info, I think your instinct to try the GP is spot on! Zoster ophthalmicus involves inflammation in the optic part of the trigeminal nerve; allopathic medicine doesn't have a sure-fire remedy so - with the doctors' approval - it seems quite logical to try GP. Might require perseverance though, don't expect a miracle in a few days! ..Your DH has my sympathies; shingles is horrible.

Divo Four, CD and I are back at the West Coast - so much for not spending any more money this month! After an interlude in the leafy suburbs of Surrey visiting friends, we trekked back along the M4 in driving rain last night. Booked a campsite on line; now know why there weren't many 'photos of the place - it's ginormous! A veritable colditz for holidaymakers; can't understand the attraction m'self - it's like suburbia for caravanners and campers - we won't be staying again tonight, lol.

Spends:
Fuel - £40
Camp site - £18