A new addition to the household: Waterwise distiller

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Even more saga on my quest for water quality. The hardworking Storm-Trooper distiller died with a dramatic gurgle and a melted power switch. That was both sad and scary.

Then I found out how much I needed that thing. I use about a case of distilled water every week, for various uses. I take my probiotics with it, for example, so there is no chance of the chlorine in my tap water killing the helpful bugs. And I use it to make my biotin. Continue reading A new addition to the household: Waterwise distiller

The 40% solution?

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To drink or not to drink with chronic pain associated with a disease like Multiple Sclerosis? There are two recent studies that argue for pro- and con-sides of the argument. The “pro” study says that regular moderate consumption improves the EDSS scores of MS patients. Another says that moderate drinking reduces the risk of developing MS. Continue reading The 40% solution?

Med-making day

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Today, I made a custom mix of supplements, some Ceylon cinnamon capsules, and the usual biotin test tubes. Here’s a slideshow about making capsules. I get my supplies at bulksupplements.com; I get the cinnamon from Penzey’s.

Yes, my medicine tray is a masala dhaba, a traditional stainless-steel Indian spice tray with seven cups and a lid. (Pfft to those “day-of-the-week” ones from the drugstore.)

A perfect TENS

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TENS machine

My knee hurts today–I was in the “palliative” drawer, which I emptied for the previous post.

But this thing usually does the trick. TENS stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation” and it can greatly help with those MS pains that show up just about anywhere. Then they start hopping around like a barrel full of monkeys. Continue reading A perfect TENS

My MS mini-me; tinfoil hat optional

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MMMMMMMMSmimime

  1. Tinfoil hat
  2. Eye patch for bouts of optic neuritis
  3. Neck, shoulder, back heating pad (highly recommended)
  4. Sling for dead arm days
  5. Blood pressure cuff
  6. Wrist brace
  7. Warming gloves
  8. Hot water bottle
  9. Ace bandage for whatever I don’t have a brace to correct
  10. Big-time knee brace
  11. Two ankle braces
  12. Winter boots with Yaktraxs installed

There, now you’ll recognize me if you see me out and about.

 

Oh, yay! Oh, not!

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pizza hut ad

Oh, my.

My Amazon Echo can now order gluten-free pizza at my most casual utterance (!). She won’t answer the door and tip the delivery-person though. Lazy cylinder.

Unfortunately, that pizza comes with the standard warning, which is to say, it’s made in the same kitchen as everything else.  The firm “DOES NOT recommend this pizza for customers with celiac disease.” Pffft. Continue reading Oh, yay! Oh, not!

A new look for biotin, or, “Breaking Even”

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OK, folks. I’ve got the white powder. I’ve got the lab equipment. I’ve got the “I’m pissed off and I’m not going to take it anymore” attitude.

I got my OWN sack of pure pharmaceutical-grade biotin, and the tools to use it.

So, no longer stuck in this situation. Continue reading A new look for biotin, or, “Breaking Even”

Great keto infographic (and post) from Factor 75

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Factor 75 is one of those pre-prepared meal delivery places with a DIFFERENCE.  The specialize in paleo menus, which are by definition gluten-free; theirs are grass-fed and non-GMO to boot.They have vegetarian and dairy-free options too. Continue reading Great keto infographic (and post) from Factor 75

Compounded medicine and insurance

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Oh, crap. There’s a quiz today. Answer key below.

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Pharmacy benefits managers. Commonly called PBMs.

They sound like such nice people, right? They manage your benefits to shepherd you to optimal health. They do their very best to save you money and improve the quality of your care. Through drugs.

No matter how effed-up your condition. Or despite what your OWN doctor (who by the way, spent about a decade in med school) thinks you need to help you. Continue reading Compounded medicine and insurance

#brainmaker: “Brain Maker,” A new book by Dr. David Perlmutter

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Brain_Maker_Bestseller1-624x328
Click for a link to this book on Amazon. Well worth the effort!

I downloaded David Perlmutter’s new book, Brain Makerˆfrom the e-collection at my library. Then I read it. All of it. Every word.Then I went to bed. All that happened between 3pm and 11pm last Sunday. You might say I was motivated to read this book.

Looking at the blurb on the promo image above tells you the essential message of the book: protect your gut’s microbes: protect and heal your brain. Continue reading #brainmaker: “Brain Maker,” A new book by Dr. David Perlmutter

What to do when your brain catches fire

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Sorry for the silence. I’ve had a bit of a setback this past week.

My work is seasonal, and the week-before-last was one of those “hair-on-fire” weeks. My brain took the hit, as I worked in excess of 55 hours in five days. I thought I’d gotten through OK, was rather smug about it in fact, but I found myself in the middle of an MS episode last weekend. The symptoms started to cascade: loss of balance, chills and fever, symptoms of food poisoning (sure sign I have an episode in progress), and extreme fatigue. Continue reading What to do when your brain catches fire

Biotin, MS, and the “H” factor

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blurry picture of a woman with long hair

Biotin, or vitamin B7, is also known as vitamin H, because of its benefits to skin and hair (in German, Haar (hair) and Haut (skin)–biotin was discovered by a German researcher). It is often included in beauty products intended for hair, skin and nails.

A much talked-about recent study, published in early 2015 by a group of French researchers, seems to show that there is some relationship between very high doses of biotin and relief from symptoms among patients with Primary and Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Continue reading Biotin, MS, and the “H” factor

Exiting the healthcare superhighway

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https://flic.kr/p/bnLhCW Image by scootiepye. All rights reserved. Check out her Flickr photostream; it’s awesome. Even though it’s gotten awfully full of feathers lately.

I am very appreciative of the number of readers I have from the UK. I apologize that this post might make no sense to you. In the US, national health care is pretty bare-bones. Most people get their primary care from their employer, who contracts with one or more private health insurance companies. You select a plan, and contribute a small amount per month for the level of care you choose for yourself and your family. Continue reading Exiting the healthcare superhighway

Mouth care to prevent whole-body inflammation

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It’s great when you feel confident about your smile. When your breath is not in the least bit dragon-ish, and when your choppers are nice and white.

Judging from the ads for those whitening trays and products in the US market, whiteness seems to be a national obsession. I don’t remember the last time I saw an ad for tooth floss. Although toothpaste wars are common, they mostly talk about fresh breath and cosmetics. Continue reading Mouth care to prevent whole-body inflammation

On thin ice with MS – sound familiar? (This post is actually about clothing.)

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For some reason my office at work has been unusually hot this summer. Even in the same office suite, mine is much hotter than the other offices. Therefore, I’m dreaming of ice in August.

I began to mention my physical discomfort to the department manager when temperatures routinely went over 75 Fahrenheit. After the office was peaking above 80 with a matching humidity level, I suggested that this situation was not ideal for a person with MS. Then, I lost the use of one leg, followed by a forearm, and finally had to take a week of sick leave until I could walk again. Continue reading On thin ice with MS – sound familiar? (This post is actually about clothing.)