ANKYLOSING
SPONDYLITIS
By Camellia
Pratt
Definition:
(Marie
Stumpel disease) fixation of joint, often in abnormal position.
-Chronic
inflammatory disease of unknown origin.
-Systemic
disease
Etiology &
pathogenesis
This disease
first affects the spine and adjacent structures and commonly progresses to
eventual fusion (ankylosis) of the involved joints. In extreme cases the patient
develops a forward flexion of the spine, called a "bamboo spine". The
disease affects primarily males under 30 years of age and generally burns itself
out after a course of 20 years. In addition to spine, joints of hips &
shoulders, the neck, ribs and jaw are often involved. Patient may have
difficulty expanding the rib cage to breathe. Environmental and hereditary
tendencies may be factors in this disease.
X- ray must
confirm diagnosis. The earliest abnormalities occur in the sacroiliac joints and
include pseudo-widening or narrowing from subchandral erosions sclerosis. Early
changes in the spine are diffuse vertebral squaring and demineralization, spotty
ligamentous calcification, and one or two evolving syndesmyphytes.
The E.S.R. is
mildly elevated in most patients with active disease, as are other acute phase
reactants such as serum IgA levels. Notably negative are tests for both IgM
rheumatoid factor and anti nuclear anti-bodies. A positive test for HLA-B27 is
usual, but not specific. A negative test is more useful in excluding AS than a
positive test is, in diagnosing it.
Treatment:
To reduce pain
and inflammation in the involved joints, usually with non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. Physical therapy aids in keeping the spine as erect as
possible to prevent flexion contracture. In advanced cases surgery may be
performed to straighten a badly deformed spine.
Radiotherapy to
the spine, while effective, is recommended only as a last resort, as the result of
subsequent acute myelogenous leukemia is increased 10 fold.
Prognosis:
As
characterized by mild or moderate flares of active spondylitis alternating with
almost or totally inactive periods, so that in the majority with proper
treatment minimal or no disability results and patients lead full productive
lives. Occasionally, the course is severe and progressive, resulting in
pronounced incapacitating deformities. The prognosis is bleak also for patients
with refractory irites and for the rare patient who develops secondary
amyloidosis- accumulation in the tissues of various insoluble fibrillar proteins
(amyloidal) in amounts sufficient to impair normal function.
Alternative
practitioners have
successfully treated AS with various means. They advocate identifying gut
problems first. Test stool sample and scrapings to identify amoebic, bacterial,
fungal or other parasitic problems.
Alan R. Gaby
has treated AS by identifying food allergies. Some have found digestive enzymes
would help the condition. Researchers at King College Hospital in London have
found a link between AS and bowel dysbiosis (incursion or overgrowth by
undesirable bacteria) in this case Klebsiella. The hospital put patients on a
low starch diet and the disease process halted.
Leon Chaitow,
N.D. of London, England feels an overgrowth of Candida Albicans ( also involved
in creating damage to the GI tract), which allows klebsiella bacteria to enter
the blood stream, is the main culprit.
It has
generally been thought by Western Herbalists that it is caused by a build up of
uric acid in the body. By using diuretic detoxicants that remove uric acid, urea
and other toxic metabolites (by increasing renal efficiency), this disease can
be halted, and sometimes reversed. Examples are Silver Birch Leaf, Pipsissewa
or Wintergreen herb, Red Clover Flower, Juniper Berry, Horsetail Herb and
Cowslip Root.
In
TCM. there
has been success treating this disease. Herbs for replenishing kidney essence
can raise body resistance, promote metabolism, regulate the immune system, and
correct adverse reactions to corticosteroids.
In the
Standards of Diagnosis & Treatment (1602)
It is
beneficial to treat and select points for general condition underlying back
problem. Treat spleen to affect back muscles, the liver to affect the vertebrae
ligaments, and cartilage and kidney to affect bones.
Herbal
treatments that have been effective are:
For damp cold
invading back channels -GAN JIAN LING ZHU TANG (modified)
1. Zhi Gan Cao
& Gan Jiang expel cold and warm the center.
2. Fu Ling, Bai
Zhu dry dampness, tonify spleen, and resolve dampness.
3. Gui zhi
& Nui Xi benefit the channels and sinews and expel cold.
4. Du Zhong,
Sang Ji Sheng & XuDuan tonify kidney yang. strengthen the lower back and
benefit sinews and bones.
If damp heat invades the back channel use modified SI MIAO SAN
1. Cang Zhu, huang Bo, Miu Xi,
YiYiRen resolves damp heat in the lower part of the body.
2. Wei Ling
Xian and Hai Tong Pi expel wind damp from channels.
For stagnation of Qi and Blood use modified SHEN TONG ZHU YU TANG.
1. Dang GUI. Chuan Xiong.
TaoRen and Hong Hua nourish harmonize and move the blood.
2. Mo Yao and
Wu Ling Zhi move blood. eliminate stasis and stop pain.
3. Xiang Fu
moves qi and stops pain
4. Nui Xi moves
blood. tonifies liver and kidney. benefits sinews and bones and strengthens the
lower back
5. Di Long
expels wind damp and pain
6.Gan Cao
harmonizes
7. Qiang huo
and Qin Jiao have been eliminated from the original formula, which was for pain
all over the body. Qiang Huo treats mostly the upper part of the body while the
present variations are directed at the lower part.
With Kidney
deficiency use DU HUO JI SHENG TANG
1. Du Huo
expels wind damp, benefits the tendons, acts primarily on the lower part of the
body.
2. Xi Xin
scatters cold from the channels.
3.Fang
Feng
Qin Jiao expels wind and drains damp.
4. Sang Ji
Sheng. Du Zhong and NiuXi nourish liver and kidney and benefits tendons and
bones.
5. Dang Gui.
Chuan Xiong. sheng Di huang. and Bai Shao nourish
6. Ren Shen and
Fu Ling tonify qi and strengthen the spleen.
7. Rou Gui
scatters cold and enters the blood vessels.
8. Gan Cao
helps to tonify qi and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs.
With kidney yin
deficiency use Zuo Gui Wan
1. Shu Di
Huang Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu and Gui Ban Jiao nourishes kidney yin.
2. Gou Qi Zi
nourishes blood and yin.
3. Niu Xi moves
the blood and nourishes liver and kidney.
4. Tu Si Zi and
Lu Jiao tonifies kidney yang.
CASE
STUDIES:
Painful Obstruction
(Ankylosing
Spondylitis)
Bi
Zheng
Lu, male 34 years old.
Five years ago, the patient began to experience aching in the spine
associated with general weakness and lassitude. Over a period of 3 years, the
pain gradually increased. The patient noticed that his spine protruded backward,
and that there was difficulty in expanding the chest, and in bending forward.
The condition worsened until he was unable to lie on his back.
He was X-rayed at another hospital and the condition was diagnosed as
ankylosing spondylitis. Various therapies were administered over the course of about
6 months, including periarticular block with steroids, oral administration of
both Chinese herbs and western anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy and
acupuncture. However, there was no
improvement, and the patient was referred to this clinic.
Examination
found that the patient lacked spirit, and had a lusterless face.
He complained of pain in the back that radiated to the sides of the
ribcage. There was marked tenderness over the spinous processes of the 5th
through 12th thoracic vertebrae. The patient was bent forward, and full
extension of the spine was impossible. He
was unable to sleep when the pain was severe.
Accompanying symptoms included dizziness, decreased appetite, fatigue,
thirst without desire to drink, and clear, copious urine. The tongue was pale,
with tooth marks along the edges, and the coating was thin and white. The pulse
was thin and wiry.
Laboratory tests showed Hgb 8.6, ESR 46 mm/hr, and antistreptolysin
‘0’ titer less than 500 units. Otherwise, the blood tests were normal.
Urinalysis and body temperature were also normal. X-ray findings of the heart
and lungs were negative. X-ray of the thoracic spine showed blurring of the
apophysical joints from the 6th through the 11th thoracic
vertebrae, with generalized demineralization of their bodies, but no erosion.
Syndrome
Differentiation:
The kidney controls the bones. When the Kidney is deficient, the bones
are susceptible to invasion by external pathogenic influences. The Spleen and
Stomach are the source of Qi and Blood. When
the Spleen is deficient, the normal Qi will likewise be deficient, since it
depends upon the nourishment of Qi and Blood. This also renders the body
susceptible to invasion by external pathogenic influences. In this patient, the
lusterless face, dizziness, reduced appetite, pain in the back, clear and
copious urine, fatigue, pale tongue and thin pulse were all evidence of
deficiencies of both the Kidney and the Spleen.
Deficiency of normal Qi led to invasion by Wind, Cold and Dampness.
These pathogenic influences invaded the Governing vessel and Bladder
channel, since this was the area in which the symptoms appeared. Because of
deficiency of the Kidney, the vertebrae were specifically affected. With the
flow of Qi and Blood obstructed in these two channels, pain and limited back
motion resulted.
Treatment:
Points
selected: GV-14 (da Zhui); B-17(ge shu); B-20 (pi shu); B-23 (shen shu); R-6
(qi hai); S-36 (zusan li); Sp-6 (san yin jiao)
The points were needled once daily, and the needles retained for 20
minutes. The treatments comprised 1 course of therapy, with 2-3 days rest
between courses. Tonifying
manipulation was applied at all points except GV-14 (da zhui), where
balanced tonifying-draining manipulation was used.
Discussion
of points:
GV-14
(da zhui) intersect with all the Yang channels of the leg and arm.
Since the bladder channel and Governing vessel are Yang channels, and
because the condition appeared along the course of the Governing Vessel, GV-14
(da zhui) was chosen in order to clear the channels and restore the flow of Qi.
B-17 (ge shu) is the meeting point of Blood, needling his point promotes
the circulation of Blood, and thus relieves pain. B-20 (pi shu) and B-23 (shenshu) are the associated points on
the back for the Spleen and Kidney respectively.
When stimulated, both Organs are strengthened, which in turn strengthens
the bones and sinews.
R-6 (qi hai) is the ‘sea’ in which Qi is produced. In this case, it
was needled to strengthen the deficient Kidney.
(R-4 [guan yuan] could also have been used.)
S-36 (zu san li) is a point which is commonly used for tonifying
deficient conditions. Sp-6 (san yin
jiao) is noted for its effect in strengthening the Spleen, tonifying the Kidney
and resolving Dampness. The
combined use of these three points were intended to tonify both the Blood and Qi.
Results:
After 30 treatments, some improvement was noticed, particularly in the
patient’s general condition. He
appeared to be more spirited, slept better, and had a better appetite.
The back pain was also somewhat alleviated; ESR was 32 mm/hr.
The tongue and pulse remained about the same as before.
In order to hasten the restoration of channel flow and stop the pain, the
following points were added: B-11[da zhu]; M-BW-35 [jai ji] from the 5th
to the 12 thoracic vertebrae. B-11[da
zhu] was chosen because it is the meeting point of the bones.
The vertebral points M-BW-35 [jia ji] are local points adjacent to the
affected area, and were used to promote the flow of qi.
Balanced tonifying-draining manipulation was applied at these points; manipulation
remained the same at the other points in the prescription.
Treatment was administered once every other day.
After another two months of treatment, marked improvement was observed.
The complexion became ruddy, and the dizziness disappeared. The pain in the
spine was substantially reduced, and the difficulty in bending forward and
expanding the chest was no longer noticeable.
Laboratory tests then showed that Hgb had increased to 10.2 g, and ESR
was reduced to 24mm/hr. The tongue
was redder, and the pulse was moderate. It
was evident that the normal Qi was being restored, and that the pathogenic
influences were declining.
Efforts were then concentrated on relieving the stiffness and pain in the
spine. The following prescription
was used: B-11 [da zhu]; GV-14 [da zhui]; GV-10[ling tai]; GV-9 [zhi yang];
GV-11 [shenm dao]; GV-8 [jin suo]; GV-7 [zhong shu]; GV-6 [ji zhong], M-BW-35
[jia ji] from the 5th to the 12 thoracic vertebrae.
These points were chosen in order to continue to promote the flow of Qi
and Blood in the Governing vessel. Treatment
was administered once every other day, and balanced tonifying-draining
manipulation was applied at all points.
After another two months of treatment with this modified prescription,
the pain subsided, and free motion of the back was restored.
ESR was reduced to 10 mm/hr. The patient was followed up for one year,
with no recurrence of symptoms.
Case
Study 2
Ankylosing Spondylitis
(Stubborn
Arthralgia)
Zhao Runlai, Qi
Van and Wei Beihai
Beijing
Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing
Yan. 35. Male. Married. Cadre. Date of
first consultation: April 19, 1986.
CHIEF
COMPLAINT: Intermittent lumbosacral pain and stabbing pain in the neck
associated with limited movement of the spine and extremities of 10 years
duration.
HISTORY OF
PRESENT ILLNESS: In winter of 1971, the patient's knee joints suddenly developed
sharp pain. He was treated as a case of "acute rheumatic fever" in
hospital. Treatment then afforded him relief from the symptoms. Two years later,
he felt stiffness in the lumbosacral region, backache and limited spine
movement. A diagnosis of "rheumatoid spondylitis" was given based on
X-ray analysis of the lumbar and sacroiliac joints. The patient received
treatment in the forms of anti-rheumatics, herbal medicine, acupuncture and
massage, but no satisfactory result was achieved. In July of 1985, the condition
worsened with severe neck pain and limitation of spine movement. Temporary
relief was obtained when he was given dexamethasone. The dosage needed to
continue to afford relief, had to be steadily increased, and side effects started
to appear.
At the time of
present consultation, the patient complained of persistent stabbing pain in his
spine and limited movement, more marked in the cervical and lumbar sections.
General fatigue, sweating and morning stiffness were pronounced. His face and
back were fat and hirsute. Condition usually exacerbated during night time and
cold weather. The daily requirement of dexamethasone now was 0.75 mg x 6
together with nine tablets of tripterygium hypoglaucum. His right ankle was
swollen. The condition had progressed to such an extent that the pain was too
severe to bear and he was unable to care for himself.
PERTINENT
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION & LABORATORY FINDINGS: Temperature, 36°C; blood
pressure, 130/70 mmHg. Lethargic, chronic, morbid fancies, moon-shaped face and
buffalo back. Passive posture. No jaundice. No enlarged superficial lymph node. Head normal,
chest flat, expansion in the fourth intercostal space was
2.5 cm, heart and lung negative. Abdomen soft, liver and spleen not palpable.
Loss of physiological spine curvature with arch-shaped deformation and limited
movement. Internal and external rotation of both iliac joints limited. Movement
of the extremities passive. Right ankle swollen, not callus, but tender.
Cervical
(CI-C7) X-ray showed calcification of the lower cervical Para vertebral ligament
without changes in the intervertebral space and the physiological curvature.
Thoracolumbar (T7-L3 ) X-ray showed calcification of the Para vertebral
ligaments and a bamboo-shaped spinal column. The physiological curvature
flattened with blurring of the intervertebral facets. Osteoporotic changes of
the vertebrae. Pelvic X-ray showed fusion of both the sacroiliac joint spaces
with small transparent ,areas in the sacrum.
RBC. 4.07M/mm;
haemoglobin. 13.3 gm%; WBC.
11,300/mm; neutrophiles, 84%; lymphocytes, 16%;. ESR, 60 mm/hr, RF, (-).
Immunoglobulin normal. ECG normal. HLA-B27 ( + ).
INSPECTION OF
TONGUE: Enlarged and dark tongue with white, thin coating.
PULSE
CONDITION: Deep and fine.
MODERN MEDICINE
DIAGNOSIS: Ankylosing Spondylitis.
TRADITIONAL
CHINESE MEDICINE DIAGNOSIS: Wan Bi (Stubborn Arthralgia ).
SYMPTOM
COMPLEX DIFFERENTIATION: Insufficiency of Kidney Essence; stagnation of Phlegm and
Blood.
THERAPEUTIC
PRINCIPLES: Replenish Essence to tonify Kidney, relieve pain by dissolving
Phlegm and remove Blood stasis and obstruction of the Channels.
PRESCRIPTION:
Rhizome
Cibotii, 30 gms. Tonifies liver
& Kidney & strengthens sinews and bones. Expels Wind & dampness,
stabilizes Kidneys
Semen Cuscutae, 45 gms Tonifies
Kidney, benefits Essence, Benefits Spleen, Kidney, and stops diarrhoea [builds
sperm]
Radix dipsacii, 45 gms; Tonifies Liver & Kidney, strengthen sinews &
bones, Promotes circulation of Blood
Rhizome drynariae, 30 grms;
Radix rehmanniae praeparatae, 60 grm; Tonifies blood, nourished Yin
Radix Paeoniae alba 30 grms; Nourishes blood, pacifies Liver & Alleviated
pain, Restrain Yin & adjusts Nutritive & Protective levels
Radix paeoniae rubra 30 grms invigorates blood & dispels congealed blood,
clears heat & cools blood, Clears Liver fire.
Radix angelicae sinensis 45 grms tonifies
blood, invigorates and harmonizes blood, moisten intestines and moves stool
Olibanum, 30 grms Invigorates blood, promotes circulation of Qi, releases
sinews, activates channels, and alleviates pain. Reduces swelling and promotes
healing.
Resina commiphora myrrha, 30 grms Invigorates blood, dispels congealed blood,
reduces swelling, alleviates pain & promotes healing
Agkistrodon, 30 grms; Powerfully activated channels, extinguishes wind, expels
wind from skin & sinews
Squama Manitis, 30 grms Disperses congealed blood , reduces swelling, expels
wind dampness from channels
Spina Gleditsia, 45 grms; Disperse & expel Phlegm, open orifices, awaken
spirit
Semen Sinapis alba 30 grms; Expels Phlegm, circulates & Warms lung qi,
dissipates nodules, reduces swelling & alleviates pain.
Hirudo, 30 grms Breaks up, drives out congealed blood, reduces immobile masses
Scolopendra, 20 pieces; Extinguishes
wind suppresses spasms, attacks poison and dissipates nodules
Colla cornus cervi, 30 grms Tonifies Kidneys, fortifies Yang, tonifies Du Mo,
benefits essence and blood, strengthens sinews, bones and Dai Mo.
Tonifies/Nourishes Qi & Blood
Colla plastrum testudinis, 30 grms; Nourishes Yin and settles Yang, Benefits
Kidneys & strengthens bones. Cools blood,
FOLLOW-UP/COURSE
OF TREATMENT:
Second
consultation on September 17, 1986: Marked improvement was observed with
amelioration of pain and increasing freedom of spinal movement. Stiffness and
soreness in the mid-section still present. ESR, 18 mm/hr. Dosage of
dexamethasone was 0.75 mg x 4 daily and was reduced progressively. Tripterygium
hypoglaucum discontinued.
Third
consultation on January 2, 1987: Further improvement observed. Pellets were
continued. Dexamethasone was on its maintenance dose (0.75 mg daily). No pain or
other discomfort was noticed. Spinal movement tended to be normal. The patient
was able to move actively. Swelling and tenderness had disappeared from his
right ankle. Signs of moon-shaped face and buffalo back were remitting. The
patient was vigorous and had a good appetite and enjoyed normal sleep. He was
able to go back to work.
Fourth
consultation on May 24, 1987: Disappearance of moon-shaped face and buffalo back
and absence of discomfort made him a healthy person again. Mild soreness along
the spinal column felt only during weather changes. X-ray film of the spinal
column showed no deterioration from previous examination. ESR, 15 mm/hr. The
patient was advised to take the pellets for another two months, then discontinue
dexamethasone.
Follow-up on
March, 1988: Medications discontinued. The patient was able to work without any
discomfort.
DISCUSSION:
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic progressive disease of the joints involving
mainly the spinal column. It manifests clinically as pain and deformation of the
spine. The involved joints tend to
develop stiffness. It was categorized into arthralgia in traditional Chinese
medicine and is closely related to the Bone and Kidney according to TCM
teachings.
The Kidney
stores the essence of life and dominates the bones. Kidney essence is of highest
importance in promoting growth and development. If the bones are filled and
nourished by marrow produced and supplied by the Kidney, then the functional
activity of the bones and muscles can be well maintained.
The
onset of
this disease is usually characterized by lumbosacral pain and stiffness. As the
disease progresses, it advances in a cephalic direction to the thoracic and
cervical vertebrae. Movement of the
back becomes limited. The waist is the residence of the Kidney and the Du
channel passes along the spine upward to the top of the head. Insufficiency of
Kidney essence leads to emptiness of the Du Channel. Pain in the spinal cord
caused by obstruction of the Channels is often associated with invading
exogenous evils, trauma and fatigue. Wind, Cold and noxious Dampness prevail,
while body resistance weakens. Joints, muscles and bones are compromised, because
the stagnation prevents them from being nourished properly, i.e., Blood and
Phlegm in the Channels. TCM theory believes that “emaciated patients must be
treated with Qi- tonifying herbs to promote digestion; patients with deficiency
of essence should be treated with animal or plant food or herbs rich in
nutrients." Using "flesh and blood" food to nourish the body and
“insect and ant" medications to search out the evil in the body, we
treated the case with medications, which strengthen the body resistance and
dredge the stagnated Channels.
During the
course of treatment, Radix rehmanniae praeparatae, Colla plastri testudinis,
Rhizoma cibotii, Semen cuscutae, Radix dipsaciae and Rhizoma drynariae were used
to tonify the Liver and Kidney and strengthen the muscles and bones; Radix
paeoniae, Radix rehmanniae praeparatae and Radix angelicae sinensis to enrich
the Blood; and Agkistrodon, Squama manitis, Scolopendra and Hirudo to dispel
Blood stasis and promote the Channels. In addition, pig spinal cord was used to
supplement the marrow and nourish the Kidney essence. Colla cornus cervi not
only nourished the Kidney essence but also tonified the Du Channel.
Genetic
factors, infection and auto-immunity are thought to be contributory to the
pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic
inflammatory disease involving primarily the sacroiliac and apophyseal joints,
intervertebral ligaments and tendovaginae. Adjacent cartilages and bones might
also be destroyed with the formation of new bones. To date, there is no
treatment of choice in modern medicine to effectively control the disease.
Non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs are the drugs of choice to relieve pain. In
unresponsive cases, analgesia can be afforded by corticosteroids, which,
however, often cause severe and adverse side effects.
Chinese herbal
medicine is of great importance in treating this disease. Herbs for replenishing
Kidney essence can raise body resistance, promote metabolism, regulate the
immune system and correct the adverse reactions to corticosteroids. Radix
angelicae sinensis, Radix paeoniae. Hirudo, Scolopendra and Agkistrodon promote
Blood circulation and disperse inflammation. Colla cornus cervi, which contains
a large amount of ossein and Ca. ++, plays an important role in preventing bone
destruction. Therefore, this comprehensive approach consisting of replenishing
Kidney essence, regulating the Du Channel and relieving pain by dispelling Blood
stasis and Channel obstruction was obviously an effective therapeutic regimen.
Case Study #3
Ron, male,
age 51, in 1980 diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. X-ray reveals rib cage and
spine was fused, hips were in process of being fused. Was on Surgam (anti-inflammatory) and Feldene
(Anti-inflammatory.) Was allergic
to Feldene, but had to take it until eyes and nose ran; then onto Surgam until
eyes and nose cleared up. Had tried
all anti-inflammatory, but adverse affects with all of them. Developed pulmonary
fibrosis and advised to move to a cold dry climate (Fort Nelson, BC) Had chronic
indigestion from anti-inflammatory, and sinuses had soured.
Sinus linings were removed and grew back in too thin, patient advised
he can never fly.
In 1992, my husband’s health was deteriorating, and I decided I must do
some reading to try to find a folk remedy.
During a trip to the interior of BC, we stopped into see a herbalist/
iridologist trained by Wild Rose Natural Healing School.
He told us that Ron was not building bone, but that it was Uric acid and
could be dissolved with Dandelion Tea.
My husband used
Dandelion Root tea, and the fusing stopped and disappeared in his rib cage.
An x-ray of his rib cage previously showed no demarcation between the
ribs and he was unable to expand his chest to breathe deeply.
To measure his stoop, the Rheumatologist would stand him next to a wall
with his heels butted against the baseboard, and measure how far his head was
from the wall. He was at 17 cm’s,
started with the dandelion tea, and went down to 11 cm’s.
He had been unable to bend laterally, or to run his hands down the sides
of his legs. After the dandelion tea, he was able to bend and breathe.
His Rheumatologist stated “we must have measured this wrong, this is
irreversible”. After one treatment of Acupuncture his stoop was reversed down
to 4 cm’s. (That was what started me on my journey to learning about
alternative health). My husband’s
prescriptions were literally killing him and herbs worked, so we switched.
My husband had to go to Vancouver twice a year to see the Rheumatologist,
and during those visits he complained about the lower back pain he was
suffering, and how it radiated to the front of the body.
The Rheumatologist would just up the dose of Surgam and let him go on his
way. During a trip to Vancouver, when I was along, we stopped in
to see a family friend, an MD and I quietly asked him to check on my husband’s
prostate. The exam revealed an abnormality and we discovered Ron had stage 3
Large C. prostate cancer. The Oncologist told him he had not seen a case as
severe as that for over 15 years, and why didn’t he complain about the pain???
The cancer had escaped the gland. But
that is another story. All men over
the age of 40 need to have the prostate examined yearly and if they have a
medical condition they need an exam every 6 months. [Recommendations from the
Oncologist]
References
Merck Manual sixteenth edition
Mosby's Medical. Nursing. & Allied Health Dictionary- 4th edition
Alternative Medicine (The Definitive Guide- The Burton Goldberg group
T.C.M.
Clinical Case
Studies- -Prof. Chen Keji. M.D.
Acupuncture Case Histories from China- Edited by Chen Jirui M.D.
The Practice Of Chinese Medicine- Giovanni Maciocia