Hi,
For the most part doctors won't go along with alternatives unless they are of
the younger school, and are well-versed on the benefits of vitamins, herbs and
good nutrition. Many know nothing about nutrition and opt for the easier route
of masking symptoms (spasming, aches and pains) with lots of drugs that do
nothing more than set us up for addiction without any real resolution to issues
related to improved quality of life. I took Dantrium during my work life. In
university it was Valium - for muscle spasming. Both were wrong for me. After
doing my research, I stopped taking all that crap and opted to explore
alternatives - Vit C is a natural anti-inflammatory. At 1000mg daily (twice the
daily recommended) for several weeks, it will markedly improve your situation
with regard to aches and pains. Reduce the inflammmation, and you concurrently
reduce spasming and fatigue.
Magnesium (cheleated) at 400mg morning and evening will combat fatigue and
also improve heart health. Potassium (found in bananas) will also improve heart
health.
Devil's Claw or Cat's Claw are both natural anti-inflammatories, but take at
least 20 weeks to appreciate any difference with regard to reduction in
inflammation. I use the Devil's Claw.
My current doctor, of the old school, but educated about vits and herbs, is in
total agreement with my present course (self-prescribed). My previous doctors
were old poops who arbitrarily prescribed me into a wheelchair and recommended a
bag full of drugs. No way. Until doctors, whether specialists or general
practitioners learn more about aging with cerebral palsy, I think we who live
with this condition and know our bodies far better than any medical
professional, should become more proactive and educate ourselves about any
alternatives, whether that be a return to passive physiotherapy in a clinical
setting, or looking to herbs and vits.
Hydrotherapy is an excellent way to improve life as we age with cp; warm water
naturally relaxes muscles and makes passive stretching exercises easier. You can
achieve this result in your own bath tub at home :) Doesn't cost you much,
unless you invest in candles and mood music :)
Cheers!
Carla
http://www.brunnet.net/terrier
"K. Salkin" wrote:
> Hi, Bobby,
>
> I think one of my problems is that I loathe taking pills. They're not hard
> for me to swallow, I just don't like taking a lot of pills. The
> anti-spastic medication I'm presently taking is Dantrium, and it makes me
> sleepy, so I only take it at night.
>
> My job as a systems analyst for the HR department where I work requires a
> high degree of mental reasoning and problem-solving, so I need to be alert.
> Unfortunately at times I'm fatigued, so it becomes difficult. I had a
> physical exam last month which showed nothing wrong with me, so I am trying
> to find alternative treatments. If Carla's recommendations make sense, I'll
> discuss them with my doctor, and see what she says.
>
> Sounds like you've got quite a family there! How do your son and
> daughter-in-law like living in Charlotte? I live in Winston-Salem, which is
> not too far.
>
> Kathy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bobby Greer" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 8:35 PM
> Subject: Re: Introduction
>
> > Kathy,
> >
> > Welcome, I am a 63 year old male, married with two children and 3
> > grandchildren.
> > My son and daughter in law live in Charlotte. My daughter in law is from
> the
> > Raliegh area. My daughter lives in Austin, TX.
> >
> > I have very mild spastic quadriplegia. I teach at the University of
> > Memphis and will be retiring from there at the end of April, this year.
> >
> > I take too many oral meds myself. Listen to the advice of others on
> this
> > list. You will probably be hearing from Carla, our reesident expert on
> herbal
> > remedies. I would listen to all, because somewhere on this list is a
> person
> > who has some advice for you.
> > In general, we are a group of diverse personalities united by a common
> > neuromuscular condition. The topics on here range from the utterly sublime
> > and spiritual to the lowest kind of punning around. LOL
> >
> > Welcome to the list, Kathy
> >
> > Bobby
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