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Archive through November 25, 2007

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Oct. 2007 ~ Dec. 2007: Health Center: Short Questions & Answers: Archive through November 25, 2007 users admin

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Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hi, Dahli! I HAVE colloidal silver! And of course I have baking soda! Had I known . . . ! But I've been on meds for 2 days and the pain is all but gone.

Never heard of d-mannose, but will definitely keep some of it around now, too. Thanks so much!!!

How is Randy doing? And you? And your dd?

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Friday, November 23, 2007 - 8:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
I have a new health irritation, doggone it.

First, you have to know that I have flat feet.

Never bothered my entire life--until about 2 months ago. Suddenly I have developed Plantar Fasciitis (bad heel pain). I understand it's pretty common for people who have flat feet.

I saw a podiatrist--but by the date of the appt, the pain had gone away. He said I was one of the lucky people; some people can have the pain for the rest of their lives. He showed me an exercise to use to help keep the pain away (put your toes up against the wall so the toes are bent straight up and push the foot part against the wall. It does help. He also told me to (1) wear supportive sneakers (I do!); (2) put ice on the heel for pain; (3) and to buy a good set of orthotics. I tried 2 different kinds of Dr. Scholl's orthotics, but they aggravated the pain. After a bit, however, the pain faded away.

It's back again, and now have pain in both legs--in my calf muscles (in the back of the leg: behind the knee to mid calf--started halfway thru the day on Thanksgiving).

I don't think the two sets of symptoms are related, but wondering if they are.

I checked online and it sounds like I might have a calf muscle strain. (Uh, I was standing in the kitchen for just about 48 hours straight (not kidding) in prep for Thanksgiving.) I had to take muscle relaxants to get to sleep last night--too hard to ignore the pain when trying to fall asleep.

My symptoms are almost like a shin splint but in the back of the leg. It feels as if that calf muscle is super-contracted--and unable to flex normally. That causes me to hobble around (really) like a 90-year-old instead of walking normally. I noticed it's worse after sitting (and that makes it hard to be on the PC for any length of time). From online resources, it appears a good massage (one they call a sports massage) might help. I am taking ibuprofin during the day--another recommendation I am following.

So . . . anybody out there have experience with either of these symptoms? I'd appreciate your input.

I was hoping this would just disappear after a good walk. But no. And yes, I will call my doc about this tomorrow.

Gilda
Member

08-21-2006

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 12:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gilda a private message Print Post    
My companion Jerald couple of years ago had Plantar Fasciitis.What helped him was two cortisone shots in his heel. He does have flat feet.

I find that when I stand for too long periods in the kitchen, I get cramping in my toes. I hate when that happens.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 4:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Herck, you may have overstretched and have some micro tears in your calf. Either that or you may have done the stretches incorrectly and are cramping from that. Regardless, that stretching technique seems to me to be a little "harsh" IMO. Our toes have teeny tiny muscles and tendons and don't like to stretch like that. You know how that old children's song goes, "the foot bone is connected to the ankle bone, the ankle bone is connected to the leg bone..." and while the bones themselves aren't actually connected, their muscles, tendons, and blood supplies are!

Also, that fascia doesn't really respond so much to stretching anyways. Walking uses that very same fascia to a great degree so that also maybe will continue to aggravate it.

Since the fascia and the calf muscle work in tandem, I would do a flat-foot stretch to stretch them both. I'm sure you can find those stretches online with pictures much clearer than I could describe them. Sometimes sites don't describe the stretching protocol well, but once you reach the stretch you need to hold it 10 seconds, then relax 10. Repeat these 3-4 times each session, and 3-4 times per day. No matter what you "see on TV" don't bounce when stretching! The muscles need time to accommodate to the stretch. They're not rubber bands and will remind you of that by cramping up!

Best wishes for pain-free feet soon!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 10:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Gilda and Huk! You are dolls to come to my aid!

I forgot today was Saturday--so no call to the doc til Monday, if still necessary.

I walked Herc at 11:30 pm last night with no problem in either area. I was shocked.

Upon waking this morning, the heel pain was gone in my right foot but had popped up in my left foot. That is soooo weird. Gilda, I will ask my foot doc about cortisone shots if this keeps up. One thing I read online that no one had ever told me was that people with flat feet should never go around barefooted. Well, I wear socks, but never shoes when inside the house. So I guess I will change that habit now.

Huk, when I do that exercise my foot doc recommended, I do it gently. It really does help. However, I didn't put together that the fascia and the calf muscle work in tandem. Thanks for that info, in particular. You're so smart! I will try the stretch you recommended and look for more online. (I did know bouncing is a no-no.) I always thought of muscles as rubber bands, ttytt, so I do get your point that they don't respond as readily as rubber bands do. So thanks for that wake up, too.

Pain-free feet? Hey, I want Happy Feet!
hf

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 11:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
I have the opposite foot pain Herk, I get it in my metatarsils, (sp) which is the padded part between the toes and the arch on the bottom of the feet. Also sometimes my toes ache bigtime, and I'm pretty sure that's arthritis. The rheumatologist is supposedly sending me for hand and foot MRI's next month, depending on my blood test results. Anyhow, sorry I don't have any suggestions, but I will confess to going barefoot even in my shoes and boots most of the time, and I think I might be somewhat flatfooted myself. I loathe socks, although I do want to get a pair of slipper socks cuz my feet are always cold at home.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hi, MB! Foot pain of ANY kind just spoils your whole day, doesn't it? I mean, you can barely focus on anything else but finding a release from the aching.

My mother had neuropathy in her toes related to her diabetes. Could you have hidden diabetes?

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 12:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
Hi HP
Randy's doin' great and my dad is hanging in there, thx for adking. Now me that's a different story - my 2 whippers got into an ugly fight thurs nite and my left hand took the worst. Swolleb, sore and bandaged typing is tough and tedious.

You may want to up your anti-inflammatories intake with what you are describing, that never hurts. Some of my faves are ginger, turmeric and bromelain.

Among some of the most effective anti-inflammatories are omega-3 fatty acids, found in certain fish. In the body, omega-3s are converted into substances that reduce inflammation.

Omega-6s, found in corn and other oils, ratchet up inflammation. Omega-6s and 3s must be kept in balance. consuming roughly equal measures of each, inflammation is held in check. But it's been estimated most people eat as much as 20 times more omega-6s than omega-3s. Processed foods, with omega-6-rich oils like corn and sunflower, are the problem. People often skimp on omega-3s, found in flaxseed, walnuts, and dark greens like spinach and kale.

Aspirin and ibuprofen intedfere with enzymes that contribute to the inflammatory properties of omega-6s. But some foods can provide comparable effects. Lab experiments have shown that tart-cherry extract can stop some inflammatory agents 10 times better than aspirin. These findings fueled a cult of cherry-juice devotees (LOL) among arthritis patients who swear by 2 tablespoons of concentrated juice daily. Recent research, has shown sweet cherries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries produce similar effects.

Another way to reduce inflammatory damage is to boost the body's repair crews with compounds called heat-shock proteins in the brain, often called the body's duct tape. They help cells repair the damage from oxidative stress, inflammation, and toxins.
Aging produces fewer of these protective proteins. Blueberry-fortified diets have been shown to improve that condiitn in the brains of aging rats, who responded to inflammatory challenges as ably as much younger animals studies havd shown.

In fact, most fruits and vegetables, especially the colorful ones, appear to fight inflammation, because of the phytochemicals, like bromelain in pineapples and quercetin in apples and onions. Even the nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes and bell peppers contain about 20 anti-inflammatory compounds each.

Fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. It's the same diet we've haeard about for years. In contrast, diets high in sugar, refined flour, and trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) increase inflammation, as does obesity. Eating to fight inflammation could be one of the best things you ever do for yourself, sas but true But I'm sure you know this alrady thanks to Loupup :-)

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 1:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Hey, Dahli! So glad to hear the good news about Randy and your Dad! (I remember now, you singlehandedly tamed your Dad's Parkinson's symptoms.) Sorry to hear about your poor hand. Beastie doggies!

Thanks for all the wonderful advice!

I bought 2 bags of cherries and set one of them out with nuts and cheeses for the gathered family to nibble on before Thanksgiving dinner. Will the cherries (and not the cherry juice alone) do the same thing?

I am going to copy and print your post--for myself and for Loupup. (I had already told her all about you and she read some of your past posts and was very impressed.)

Did you know I fix a fresh fruit salad and fresh green salad every single day or two? But I have not eaten much fish lately--except for crab and shrimp. (Trouble is Ed won't eat any other 'fish.' So I have to fix 2 different entrees if I want fish. I do eat canned tuna--low sodium, packed in water. Admittedly, I have gotten lazy with respect to cooking fish for dinner for myself. But I will return to that.) We also only eat whole grain bread (typically rye and pumpernickel, occasionally wheat.) We know about corn and have stricken it from our list of foods. (Okay once or twice a year we have corn on the cob, but that's it.)

Ed and I eat that fresh fruit salad every morning (with fresh blueberries, strawberries, apples, raspberries, kiwi, and peaches and pears when I can find ripe ones, etc). (And I buy whole pineapples which we eat for snacks.) We both eat a bowl of cereal (for me, typically wheat chex with skim milk--or, on cold days--bad, I know: Quaker instant maple and brown sugar oatmeal. I love it). On Sundays, Ed likes his bacon and eggs, so I generally have just a bit of bacon and 2 fried eggs (when I should limit to 1 and have it poached, I know).

And we have a fresh green salad every afternoon for lunch. I choose organic ingredients when I can (typically: romaine lettuce, curly endive, radicchio, [sometimes spinach, but not often enough], broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, green pepper, onion, avocado, radishes, celery, and add nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, etc) and dried cranberries.

I also fix a lot of (microwaved with a bit of butter and salt and pepper) acorn squash. I steam our broccoli, asparagus and green beans, which are pretty much staples in this house.

BUT, I do have trouble staying away from sweets. To tame my cookie passion, I have switched to the whole grain fig newtons. I give in to dark chocolate covered pretzels once in a while. I still love ice cream, but now buy Hagaan Daz non-fat frozen yogurt and fruit sorbets (still lots of sugar, I know).

My worst habit is drinking Diet Cokes--quite a few each day. Too much caffeine and salt, even if they do have zero calories. I wean myself off them for awhile and then get an urge for them--and fall right back into drinking about 6 per day. I am guessing the sodium alone would ratchet up the inflammatories present in my body, huh? I do like ice cold bottled water, btw, and drink that, too.

You're absolutely right about Loupup. She is still at me with nutrition. I sent her to Trader Joe's for some ingredients for Thanksgiving, and she brought me back some flaxseed oil for me.

She was pleased to find that my frozen vegetables were all organic, and that the ingredients I had gathered for our Thanksgiving feast were mostly organic.

For Thanksgiving, our green vegetables were steamed green beans--which turned out perfect--not overcooked--a great complement to the meal and cole slaw. (I used both red and green cabbage and Helmann's Lite Mayonnaise and 1 TBSP white vinegar and 1 TBSP sugar to prepare.)

I also served my candied sweet potatoes (organic sweet potatoes, boiled, skinned and mashed with a can of water-packed crushed pineapple, but with marshmallows over the top--placed under the broiler to brown the marshmallows). It's a family favorite. My homemade stuffing included quite a few fresh herbs and celery root (didn't like the celery root in it, btw; won't do that again--used a Martha Stewart recipe).

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 8:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Face it Herck...you've just been given permission to eat some cherry pie every day, what a horrible () prescription! Whoo-hoo!!

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 9:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Herck, when it comes to the diet Cokes, is it the carbonation you like? I never drank as much of it as you do, but needed something wet as I do NOT like water. NEVER have. But I found -- unless it's carbonated. Seltzer water! Got tired of shopping for (price) and schlepping the two liter bottles. Looked on the internet and found the Soda Club. I like it. I don't use any of their soda mixes. Now I drink either plain carbonated water or mix in just a little fruit juice.

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 12:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
Hi HP
Cherry pie without sugar or white four - NO PROBLEM! :-)

Since the cancer hit our house I've realized how important it is to avoid sugar at all costs, as it kicks the hell out of the immune system and weakens the body/wbc count for up to six hours.

I'm sorry to see the diet coke on your list but I once was there myself 48 plus cans a week. I don't drink it anymore.
The milk also makes me sad but we've been through that before eh? homogenized pasteurized AND skim - oh my :-(

Its good to see all the fruit and veggies on your list. Organic YAY!! As long as you don't buy it from Walmart it likely truly is organic.

With the help of your brilliant DD I think you guys are very aware of good eating habits, but fat is good for us, so use cocunut oil and fry your eggs, are they free range? Canned salmon would be better option than tuna, the larger fish are not that clean anymore. Wild is typically what's in canned salmon and you would benefit feom using that I'd suggest.

Did you know that foe every fruit we eat we should eat 4 veg servings? I know I was surprised to learn that, but it makes sense.
The phrase should be vegetables and fruit instead of the other way...

The fish thing I'm torn on, (shellfish does not count as a good source btw) because there is the high possibility of contamination so taking a good quality pharmaceutical grade fish oil is a vrwy good option, and I avoid the microwave like the plague, mine has cobwebs I think! LOL!!!

my fingers have massive dressings today - sorry

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 1:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
ps Herkle! I hope you are remembering to use your pre and pro-biotics if on anti-biotics!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 2:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
pie Huk, if only that were true!

No cherry pie here, Dahli! Just the cherries.

But worse is in my fridge right now, I'm afraid: about half of a chocolate torte; approx 1/3 of a cinnamon, almond cranberry tart; and 3/4 of a pumpkin pie. All homemade and all delicious. (And though I had 'baking Splenda' in the house, I opted for sugar in all 3. I was bad.) But we NEVER have desserts, so this is strictly a Thanksgiving thing. And I sent home plenty with everyone.

Ok, I just announced to Ed that when I finish off the Diet Vanilla Cokes in the fridge (I think there are 4 left), that I am off them. Period. And I told him, you, Dahli, inspired me to do that. (He--and Lauren--have been at me for months to do that. Heh.)

No, I don't buy anything from Walmart. I trust our sources and check the labels. I've also stopped buying anything from California--since the problem there. And I never buy anything from Mexico, as they had the same problem.

Coconut oil is good for you? I thought anything coconut was a no-no!

Loupup won't heat anything up in the micro, either. Gosh, I am getting it from all sides!

We now have organic soy milk back in the fridge, thanks to Loupup, too.

I love salmon--both the canned and the fresh (for broiling) so I will pick some up the next round of shopping.

Yes, still taking my pro-biotics! (Done with the antibiotics, btw. All fixed up now.)

My calves are MUCH better, as well, and my feet are quiet today!

Just watched a show on TLC about the morbidly obese and it was pretty scary. That motivated me, too. Never want to approach the state they are in.

Thanks for all the caring advice!

Chiliwilli
Member

09-04-2006

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chiliwilli a private message Print Post    
I'm on my way right now to take some salmon to Herckleperckle to replace all those goodies in her fridge. Don't worry Herckle, I have lots and lots of salmon and I'll eat all that 'bad' stuff for you to hide the evidence. No one will ever know it existed.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
1
Oh, good, Chili, save me from myself!!!

Chiliwilli
Member

09-04-2006

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chiliwilli a private message Print Post    
Typical lower 48 B.S. I wanted to order from the Soda Club and they don't ship to "my area." You'd think I was in a foreign country.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Color, I think it's both caffeine and the bubbles that I like.

I did try seltzer water a while ago, when I was working. I found that, like carbonated sodas, they came with some AFTER-EFFECTS. Seltzer water somehow made me feel even more bloated than a soda.
b and/or f (sorry about that last one, but 'tis true!)

Gonna check out that site now, though. Thanks for sharing, Color!!!

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Herck, LOL! Bubbles kinda make whatever they're in taste a little sweeter. I take in very little caffeine. One cup of coffee per day. Two cups decaf tea. But then there's dark chocolate?!

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 5:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Well, Alaska is waaaaaay up there, Chili! (And not 'across'-- the term they use in their product ad for availability--"across the U.S." Poor thing! You just need a go-between to get it to you. I'll volunteer if you really want their 'soda-maker.'

Dahli
Member

11-27-2000

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 6:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dahli a private message Print Post    
Goodness no, coconut oil is a very good fat, if it's not hydrogenated. I use organic, virgin coconut oil and it is lovely, also the milk and meat are a good addition to the diet. Politics and $$ precipitated the witch hunt on it years back and it still suffers under that misunderstanding, taking the wind out of the economic health of many small countries when using pretend oils like canola were encouraged :-( sad but true. Did you know that livestock when fed coconut oil became too lean? Hence the switch to fattening unhealthy oils which created the fat phobia we see today. If you are able to find grass fed/finished beef it's one of the best sources of clean protein you'll ever find!

CONGRATULATIONS on your decision re the DC!! I am astounded at how easy it was to decide to eliminate that stuff from my body. One of my favourite drinks is mango pomegranate or (real) cranberry juice mixed with pellegrino or same and a drop or two of stevia. yum!

Chiliwilli
Member

09-04-2006

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 6:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chiliwilli a private message Print Post    
I understand what you are saying, Herck, but "Across the U.S." to me means ALL of the U.S. not just the lower 48 states. And, I don't mind paying what it costs to ship but I am sick to death of being charged a "penalty" fee for living in Alaska, as in add $10.00 on top of all the other shipping and handling fees because of your zip code.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 6:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
My worst habit is drinking Diet Cokes--quite a few each day

the aspartame is terrible for the body. The byproducts can pool in the brain, often causing headaches. There have been a myriad of physical symptoms which can be eliminated when you stop drinking the chemical.

I first became aware of this when I read documention that Diet Soda's are causing a whole bunch of people to be given a preliminary Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis!!!!

of course the brain scan is negative but that is how Serious the symptoms from Diet drinks are.

I myself used to drink REAL Coke classic. They now dont make it anymore. I like PLAIN carbonated water, not soda water. Soda water has Salts added, hence the bloating.

I have Never been able to drink Any diet drinks due to neurological symptoms and migraines.

Sunshyne4u
Member

06-17-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 6:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sunshyne4u a private message Print Post    
I had really bad plantar Fascitis years ago. I was given a prescription for some hard custom-made orthotics.

I found that it was weight related. Under 160lbs I didnt have a problem, become overweight and I was in misery.

I also found that shoes really made a difference. Often a favourite pair would suddenly become uncomfortable. You would notice that they had stretched, or the toe area had pulled away OR your heels would slide when you walked due to extra room.

Not sure if I'm making sense but shoes really had a lot to do with my problem.

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 7:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Herckleperckle a private message Print Post    
Aw, Chili, I came across far too seriously. I was really just kinda teasin'--to get you to snap that whip. (And you can stand up for yourself, I know that!) Of course you feel that way, and I totally agree with you. Anyway, my offer still stands if you want to do that.

Sunshyne, thanks for sharing. I realize aspartame is bad stuff. My dd has educated me. I've had trouble with migraines, as well, but they do hit when I try to stop drinking those drinks, too. Just have to get through it. (My Loupup won't drink anything diet, either. She drinks water, tea and uses a juicer to make her own organic fruits and veggies into juices.)