When a doctor looks you in the eyes and tells you have neurological sarcoidosis affecting your central nerves system and kidneys. With the next breath he tells you there is no cure and we don’t know what causes it. Then he follows this news up with, we have some drugs that may help? Your world starts getting real small. Looking on the bright side I have been telling doctors for two years about the pain and how weak and exhausted I have been getting. And all they could say until now we cant find anything! I really feel better knowing it only took my kidneys failing to prove I was right after all. If you are reading this I am sure you understand my sense of humor. I started out 5 years ago at the age of 49 with neurological sarcoidosis. I had to take morphine to control the burning pain I felt from my neck to my feet. Added to this was prednisone 60 mg a day along with other drugs. I followed the doctor’s advice for 1 year with no results. My wife found a doctor at John Hopkins DR Bernie Stern with his help my health started to improved. I was able to get off of morphine to oxycontin then I hit a Plato. I did not improve I started looking for different approaches that might be helpful for me. I also researched the medications that I was taking as well as the food I was eating. When I spoke to my doctor about diet or herbs the conversation went no where. Most doctors in America are not open to solutions that do not require medication. So I have taken the attitude that it is up to me to make the difference. Understanding that the base line for sarcoidisis is (inflammation) Inflammation is the enemy if you can control the inflammation your life style will improve (it’s not a cure) but it’s a start. I have incorporated diet and a holistic approach in fighting the inflammation. The results come from two of my doctor’s mouths when they say that it is amazing that I am doing so well. Today I am taking 2mg prednisone and hydrocodone 7.5 3x a day. My goal is to be drug free by the end of 2009. If you have an interest in holistic approach to healing or have knowledge about foods that fight inflammation let’s talk. The Norwegian diet is very close to what I have adopted and started following 3 years ago as my daily diet. I want to acknowledge my wife’s support and never ending love during these trying times in our lives. To my church family that is always there to support both of us. Then there are the children that are old enough to understand but not sure what they can or should do. That is a place we all have been in at one time or the other.
May you have a blessed journey?