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Two Case Histories: Antibiotics & Natural Hormone Therapy
The following are two case histories of patients Dr. Brownstein has treated successfully with antibiotics and natural hormone therapy. Although antibiotic therapy is a helpful treatment for many rheumatic diseases, by itself it is often not enough. In these two case histories, natural hormone therapy was an additional component to treatment and made a significant difference in patient response.
My name is Jackie. I am 43 years old, and I have scleroderma. I became ill 19 years ago when I developed a pain in my hip. The pain became progressively worse, so I decided to seek medical attention. I was diagnosed with a mild form of arthritis.
The pain in my hip began moving throughout my body, sometimes in my neck and shoulders, sometimes in my lower back. The pain also continued to worsen. At first the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) prescribed by my doctor gave me some relief, but after a while they provided no relief of my pain.
I also began developing headaches and fatigue. My symptoms all worsened in the winter, and I started to have severe pain in my hands when they were exposed to the cold. Over the next few years I felt I was going downhill quickly. I had to quit working because I did not have the energy to make it through the day; I barely had enough energy to clean my house. I felt like an old person in a young person's body.
My symptoms continued to worsen. I was so fatigued one year ago, that I could not concentrate long enough to read a book. My joint pains accelerated ,and I could find no relief in any medications. In addition, my weight began to creep up. I could not handle stress; even minor stressful situations seemed to bowl me over. I could get up in the morning and feel as if I hadn't slept the night before. I was napping twice a day - in the morning and in the afternoon, even after sleeping 11 hours at night.
I also had other medical problems. I developed ovarian cysts and high cholesterol. Though I was seeing different doctors (rheumatologist, internist, ob-gyn and neurologist), no one could put the entire picture together.
When I developed esophagitis one year ago, I was told I had scleroderma. I was told there was no good treatment available for scleroderma. That's when I heard about Dr. Brownstein. Dr. Brownstein explained to me the possible infectious nature of scleroderma and that all of my symptoms might be related. After reviewing blood tests and my basal body temperatures, he further told me that my thyroid gland was not properly functioning.
I was started on natural thyroid hormone, vitamins, minerals, and herbal therapies. I immediately felt better. My weight began to decrease (without exercising), and I did not feel as tired. When I was given IV antibiotics my joint pain quickly improved. I am now on low-dose Minocin. After one year of such treatment I am pain free most of the time. I take no pain medications or anti-inflammatory medications. I am almost 100% improved FROM ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS.
When I discuss this therapy with my other doctors, they tell me that it should not work. However, I cannot deny how I feel, and my husband and family can see the difference. I am writing this article to inform you that there is help for these serious illnesses. You just have to search for the right doctor to work with you.
Jackie is being treated with Armour thyroid hormone,m DHEA, natural progesterone, natural testosterone; a multi-vitamin, B12, B complex, selinium, vitamin E, and flax seed oil, in addition to oral Minocin and IV clindamycin.
Carol Marvin Buchel; rheumatoid arthritis; 37 year old female; mother of four, ages 20, 18, 14, 4; corporate president - event and media company.
Facing off with my illness has always been a complicated task. Over three decades it has involved a number of pointed arguments with doctors regarding available treatments and procedures. My attitude regarding this battle is what has brought me to the success I am now experiencing - I have always had a positive faith that I could find the reason I became ill and then would proceed with treatment. I would never agree to masking symptoms and risking complications from dangerous drugs. This intuitive approach has kept my mind open to trying any possible treatment which had a basis of healthful truth and was relative to my experience. Having tried many possibilities, it is with great amazement and appreciation that I now write this as a patient experiencing a recovery that is nothing short of miraculous due to the treatment of Dr. David Brownstein.
I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of two. My first symptoms were located in my ankle - I began to walk with a limp. Doctors preformed exploratory surgery believing a tumor to be the potential cause, only to discover my problems were due to JRA. Throughout my childhood I led a normal life - athletic, cheerleader, etc. At 12 years of age I injured my knee; it swelled with arthritis symptoms. I was treated for one year with aspirin and recovered.
At 17 years of age I injured my knee while skiing, had the same previous symptoms, and my knee was drained, I was treated with Naprosyn and again recovered.
At the age of 23, upon ceasing breast feeding my third child, I began to have arthritis symptoms in my knees and jaw and general overall aching, stiffness and pain.
I refused traditional drug therapies: gold, cortisone, etc. but greatly improved my diet and vastly improved my condition. Then at age 28, I made the greatest health mistake of my life: I had breast augmentation surgery. Within two months my body began to fall apart. I went from working out at a health club everyday - lifting weights, etc. to a total right hip replacement almost one year to the date of my breast augmentation. I steadily began to worsen, had my left hip replaced as well two years after the first surgery. The deterioration continued quite rapidly; both knees locked and completely degenerated. Seven years after receiving my breast implants, a physical therapist finally made the connection between their implantation and my exacerbated arthritis condition. Upon consulting with doctors who were experienced with this problem, I had the implants promptly removed. I felt better immediately, but the damage to my body and immune system was great. Nonetheless, I was not deterred and continued to attempt a recovery from my compromised health. Furthermore, I had bilateral knee replacement surgery one year after having the implants removed. After this surgery, I was still very ill and in much pain: now hands, feet, neck, and shoulders were affected.
I went to Mexico for natural treatment for my symptoms and experienced great relief through the therapies which I received, but a month or so after returning to the U.S. I lost what I had gained from the nutritional and oxygen oriented support. The deterioration slowed considerably after my Mexico visit, but I was still extremely tired and my joints were steadily becoming virtually immobile. I was becoming very fragile and frail. It was at this point that I was referred to Dr. Brownstein by my very concerned Feldenkrais physical therapist.
I began working with the doctor in October of 1998. His protocol immediately impressed me. He conducted tests that no other institution, doctor or hospital had tried during my ten years of critical illness and decades without a diagnosis. When he actually discovered that a number of my hormones were at inappropriately low levels, and that I tested positive for a bacteria known to cause arthritis, I was overwhelmed. How could someone discover so many new things about me when I had seen and experienced so many doctors? I was stunned.
I began the doctor's prescribed program consisting of antibiotic therapy and hormone therapy. I have been religious with my medications, and fairly consistent with the vitamin program. Now after seven months with this protocol, I am truly a new woman. My friends, family and business associates are overwhelmed at how differently my body functions.
Before starting the program, I could not freely shop or function; now I can walk anywhere. I can move, am much more flexible, experience far less pain, and am extremely energetic. Prior to the program, I could barely awaken in the morning and was always cold and tired. I have a new strength to my body and truly feel healthier than I ever have been in my entire adult life.
To think I have not changed my diet, or any other pattern in my life truly amazes me. To understand that my immune system had been compromised from the time I incurred the bacteria, that it continued to be severely compromised by my breast implantation, and that these factors virtually led to the further destruction of my body's regulatory systems, is so logical to me. It is simply profound.
By following the protocol set before me by Dr. Brownstein, this lifelong process has begun to significantly reverse in just 8 months. I am becoming freed from the prison my body had become. I am extremely grateful for the doctor's wise insight, clear guidance and health-affirming support.
Carol takes doxycycline one 100 mg tablet bi-weekly as well as Armour thyroid, natural testosterone and progesterone hormones; a multi-vitamin, zinc, copper, B12, cat's claw, fish oil, and licorice root.
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