By Eppie on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 02:12 pm:

Hi Folks,

I haven't been here in a very long time. I just want to let you know the new things that have helped me in the past year or so.

1) Prolo continues to help. I am down to spot treating my big toes and thoracic spine (and a little SI). This is a feat considering I started with "all over" injections.

2) I have learned that in addition to progesterone cream, which I now get compounded at a pharmacy, testosterone cream also helps (my testosterone levels were non-detectable). I have also added a little T3 (for my thyroid). And, I take a good multi-vitamin.

3) After three years of hell, we (my ANP) finally pinpointed the culprit of the whacky hormones and subsequesnt joint problems...candida. Nasty stuff. A sugar-free diet has further improved the joint laxity and pain. Gwen, if you're still here, I was thinking about this for you b/c your stuff started with preganacy too.

Anyway, just wanted to add my 2 cents.

Take Care, Eppie

By Karin on Saturday, November 09, 2002 - 11:42 am:

Hi Eppie,

I'm still lurking at this forum to see how
everyone feels after prolo. I've not done very
well with prolo or to say very little. My joints
are now a mess and I'm in pain constantly.

Can you tell me, how you went about getting the
progesterone/testosterone cream? Do you need a
prescrition and what do you mean by testosterone
level was non-detectable?

I only know 1 other person, who got any kind of
help with prolo. I wish, people would respond to
this forum and we could compare or have a
database.

I don't understand very much about Candida. One
thing I know is, that I don't crave for sugars.
Hate sweet food.

I'm glad you're feeling a lot better. You're the
2nd person in my book. Appreciate a respond.

Thanks and take care,
Karin

By Eppie on Friday, November 15, 2002 - 08:34 pm:

Hi Karin,

I haven't been here in a week or so...sorry.

The creams definitely have helped more than prolo, but the prolo does help...it just takes MANY treatments for folks like us.

I suggest doing salivary testing for estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. If you don't have a good practitioner that offers this service, then you can do it yourself through the mail. Search for ZRT Lab on the net...I've used these guys in the past and they are pretty good. Unfortunately, you may need to seek out an "alternative" practitioner that will help you through this, as conventional docs might look at you like you have a screw loose (I've been there). Anyway, based on these results have your practitioner (doctor or adult nurse practitioner) prescribe the cream. You need to get the prescription compounded at a pharmacy. Usually, you have to pay up front and send your receipt in to get reimbursed by insurance. On average, a month supply of each cream is about $30...which is WELL worth it if they help you as they have helped me!

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Eppie

By Eppie on Friday, November 15, 2002 - 08:37 pm:

Oh yeah Karin,

I forgot to ask who does your prolo, how many injections to you get (on average), and what solution do they use?

I know inexperienced prolotherapists often think just one shot in a joint will do, but you need several at the same time. For example, I get around 5 injections just in my big toe.

Additionally, sodium morrhuate (spelling?) or the "fish oil" works alot better for me than the dextrose. More initial pain, but better effects for the cost.

Thanks, Eppie

By Karin on Saturday, November 16, 2002 - 03:11 pm:

Hi Eppie,

I think I had the dextrose injection and very
sure not sodium morrhuate (up and down my back)
about 12/13 sessions. I'll never do it again.
I can barely move. The joints have become very tight + a problem with T6, which adds to my
misery. Can you believe, after 7 month I can still
feel the inflammation around T6.

Acupuncture is the new treatment for me. I'm not
sure if it helps.The doc keeps saying, it's all
nerves and that makes sense too.

Also take pain meds and 2 different kinds of creams(DHEA)and Neuro-Soother Cream. My private
doc gave this to me.I really think they help too.
Remember, we were not suppose to take anti-infl.
drugs. Well I take those now on top of the pain
meds.

There is no help with my HMO and that isn't new to
me.

Are you only getting injections on your toe?

Remember Park? He advised against injecting up and
down the spine, a f t e r I got to know him
better. Well it's to late now and I've to wait
till about next year April and hope things have
calmed down a bit. I think, that's how long the
inflamm. will work on you.

So, you can see, we're are all different and
react diff. from treatments. I would only
recommend injections on isolated joints but not
what I went through and never again without
floroscopy.

Good buy for now and a big thanks for the help.
It sounds like, I'm getting about the same cream.

Stay in touch and let me know from time to time,
how you're doing.

Karin