Natural Medicine and Multiple Sclerosis: What Are Your Options?

While Orlando and Central Florida do not have the highest incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in North America, there are still many people who suffer with these symptoms, and there is much that can be done to provide help. To keep this blog post short, I will summarize the natural medicine approach that I use in working with individuals who have been given this diagnosis. This is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all therapies. The first thing I want you to notice is what I haven’t said. I have not said that people “have” MS. Rather, a diagnosis has been give because the symptoms and lab results fit the picture. What most people know is that the cause is unknown; there are some theories but the specific cause is a mystery and this is part of the problem. In short, there is no MS entity that is in the person but there are more likely a combination of factors that lead to symptoms that result in the diagnosis. My goal is to, first and foremost, determine the cause and institute treatments that can lead each individual toward repair and recovery.

The first issue that is at the root of MS symptoms is some difficulty at the genetic level or genotype that does not allow the body to rid itself of environmental and infectious toxins. In developing a treatment plan one of the options, therefore, is to determine what the genotype weakness is and then do what is possible to compensate. Homeopathy can be extremely valuable in impacting a person at this level but also nutritional interventions can be essential. There are times that other interventions make looking at this layer unnecessary and simply unraveling the various causes is sufficient.

The next issue that can frequently be essential and profound is diet. The two best examples of people achieving wonderful results with dietary interventions are Roger MacDougall, as outlined in his book, “My Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis”, and Terry Wahls, MD who wrote the book, “The Wahls Protocol”. At times I will suggest food sensitivity testing but oftentimes the changes I outline are sufficient. These books, especially Dr. Wahls’, will provide an excellent foundation.

Frequently, a key in helping those diagnosed recover is assessing and removing environmental toxins, especially neurotoxins. Although this is a very large category, a common neurotoxin is mercury which is found in seafood and silver dental fillings (which are half mercury). Testing to determine if the person is sensitive to heavy metals (using a urinary porphyrins test) is the first step. This should be followed by slow and careful detoxification of heavy metals using a variety of substances. It is critical that chelating substances (or those that essentially grab onto the heavy metal carry it out of the body) be used gently and keeping in mind the half-life of the substance used so as not to create side effects. Periodic testing should be done to make sure that levels are reducing at an appropriate speed and so that protocol adjustments can be made. In the later phases of detoxification homeopathy can be wonderful to finish the job.

Another element that is typically a part of the picture is some type of chronic infection or, more likely, multiple chronic infections. One of the most insidious and under-diagnosed is Lyme disease. If this needs to be address, I will frequently use herbal formulas with a homeopathic remedy. If other infections are present, and they usually are, I might use other herbal formulas or general immune support. As toxins are removed, the body is typically able to take over and appropriately respond to many chronic infections, especially with the help of homeopathy.

The final component is the nutritional one. It can be important to optimize nutrition, not one at a time but in a balanced way. Doing this is like conducting a symphony and the right “score” must be in place. In short, a comprehensive test that looks at all the nutrients can be key. One such test is called the Cardio/ION panel with a laboratory called Genova Diagnostics. Nutrients not covered by this test can also be considered for testing such as certain minerals.

In a category of its own is the Klenner Protocol. Frederick Klenner was a physician who practiced until the 1980s. He concluded that MS and Myasthenia Gravis were illnesses caused by a chronic infection that could be corrected by sufficient doses of Vitamin B1 (thiamine). He also realized that thiamine was not well absorbed orally and that daily intramuscular injections would be needed. In short, he would have the patient inject at least 200 mg of thiamine daily. In addition liver extract was added to the thiamine 3-4 times weekly as well as several oral vitamins. The result in many cases was the complete recovery from the symptoms of MS. When I first learned of this protocol in 2004 I had several personal discussions with Dale Humpherys, a former patient of Dr. Klenner, who sought out treatment with him after several MS relapses. He traveled from British Columbia, Canada to North Carolina where Dr. Klenner practiced. He was started on the protocol and within two years recovered completely. Mr. Humpherys lived symptom free for the next 30 years until his death in his mid-80s from an unrelated cause. He was a force of nature and took calls from people all over the world on how to use this protocol and provided immense encouragement to those suffering.

While there are many therapies that those diagnosed with MS can find helpful (e.g., yoga, meditation, acupuncture, etc.), there are few things that can help these individuals fully recover. I believe, based on some personal experience, that proper diet, correct detoxification, addressing chronic infections and correcting nutrient deficiencies can bring people into complete remission. Other specific therapies that can be used are homeopathy and the Klenner protocol. Lastly, there are a few other interventions that might be needed including balancing hormones and determining if hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body) is present. The essential point here is that the MS patient has many options that can be used instead of or in addition to standard pharmaceutical treatment. It is my hope that more patients look outside the conventional medical box and seek to heal the underlying causes of their symptoms. This is my passion and mission. If you would like to have a free 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your personal situation and to see if we can be of help, please call (407) 414-1380.

Orlando Area Homeopath, Dr. Prickett, Makes a Television Appearance

Before returning to the Orlando and Winter Park, Florida area I had the opportunity to twice be on the Mountain Morning Show. I made two appearances and here is the first. Once I got past the initial jitters the interview went smoothly (so I’m told – can’t watch it myself). For those of you who wish to take a look, the interview lasts about 15 minutes. It provides an introduction to homeopathy. I’ll post interview number two in the next week or two. I hope you enjoy it!

CEASE Therapy and the Homeopathic Treatment of Autism

Last weekend, May 4^th – 6^th, 2012, I completed certification in CEASE Therapy. CEASE stands for Complete Elimination of Autistic Spectrum Expression and it is a significant leap forward in the successful homeopathic treatment of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The training was extraordinary and provided a thorough grounding in the specific components of CEASE Therapy.

CEASE Therapy is comprised of three parts: using specific nutrients to support healing and reduce inflammation, homeopathic remedies for specific symptoms, and remedies to clear the imprint of toxic exposure. Employing these three steps consistently over 2-4 years has resulted in significant improvement and recovery for many from ASD.

For more information on CEASE Therapy please visit their website at www.cease-therapy.com, read Autism: Beyond Despair by Tinus Smits, MD or contact me for a free telephone consultation.

The New Autism Numbers and the Homeopathic Answer

In late March 2012 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its national data from 2008 that found that one in 88 children have an autistic spectrum disorder. It also found that boys have a higher incidence than girls at one in 54. This reflects a marked increase from rates prior to the 1990’s. Here in Utah the current numbers are even more sobering at one in 47 children, one in 85 girls and one in 32 boys. In fact, the rates in Utah are the highest in the nation while New Jersey places as the second highest. These numbers are staggering in their implications. This is compounded when the rates from years past are examined. In 2000, it was one in 150 children nationwide. Prior to the early 1990’s the diagnosis was rare in the US with only three cases per 10,000 children!

What could be causing such a dramatic increase in the rates of autism? One thing certain is that the increase can’t be explained by improved diagnosis, a change in the definition, or genetic abnormalities as our genes simply do not change this rapidly. While the causes are unknown some suspect environmental toxins while others believe the vaccine schedule may be at the root. However, while science shows that vaccines are not the singular cause of autism, the studies do not indicate that there is no possible vaccine-related contribution to the development of autism in vulnerable children. Unfortunately, the studies have not been done to thoroughly examine environmental factors or to completely rule out vaccines as a contributing factor.

For the parent struggling to do their best for a child with autism, the more important question relates to how can one navigate through all treatment options and help their child become healthy. There are many heroic parents who have seen their children recover though great effort but there is no “one size fits all” answer. Homeopathy has, however, been one of those answers and has resulted in a number of complete recoveries. One such example was chronicled in the book by Amy Lansky, Ph.D., Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy. She details her son’s treatment and paints a compelling portrait of the efficacy of homeopathy.

More recently, physician and homeopath Tinus Smits, MD published his book, Autism: Beyond Despair, showed a new method of using homeopathy in the treatment of autism. He called his method CEASE Therapy (Complete Elimination of the Autistic Spectrum Expression). Prior to the book’s publication in 2010, Dr. Smits had seen over 300 cases of autism. He concluded that 70% were primarily due to vaccinations, 25% to toxic medication reactions or reactions to some other toxin, and 5% the result of some other disease.

CEASE Therapy is an important advance in the homeopathic treatment of autism and has significant implications for the treatment of a variety of chronic illnesses in adults as well. In this method the patient is not only given a homeopathic remedy for their symptoms but is also assessed for potential causative factors (such as vaccines, medications, environmental toxins, etc) and are detoxified with homeopathic dilutions of those substances. This is in keeping with the homeopathic principle called the Law of Similars that states a substance that causes certain symptoms can also be used to treat those same or similar symptoms. Giving the same substance in homeopathic potency (i.e., dilution) helps to remove the cellular imprint of the toxic exposure. Dr. Smits found that when this is done systematically and carefully, most autistic children recover fully.

I currently use this method when working with a wide range of clients and will be attending the first US-based CEASE Therapy certification training in early May. I believe it is this method that holds the highest promise for consistently and completely ridding a child of autism spectrum symptoms. The good news for parents of children with autism is there is hope to be found, and homeopathy is a safe and effective option.

For more information about the book “Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy”, please see Dr. Lansky’s website: http://www.impossiblecure.com/index.php.

For more information on CEASE therapy, please see: http://www.cease-therapy.com/.

Homeopathy: The safe, effective and cost-effective medicine according to a comprehensive new Swiss study.

In 1998 the government in Switzerland began including selected “alternative” or natural medicines, including homeopathy, in their national healthcare insurance reimbursement program for a period of time to study the treatment effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of them. Late in 2011, the Swiss government published a comprehensive review of homeopathy concluding with a strong recommendation that homeopathy be included in Switzerland’s national health insurance program. I will summarize the main points below as identified by homeopathic advocate and teacher, Dana Ullman, MPH, in two articles written for the Huffington Post (2/15/12, 3/23/12).

• 85% of the Swiss population is in favor of including Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the national health system.
• There was strong evidence for benefit in treating upper respiratory infections and allergies with homeopathy. Six of the seven studies showed homeopathy to be more effective than conventional medicine.
• Homeopathic treatment costs 15.4% less than either conventional or other alternative medicine practices. (This could result in savings of hundreds of millions of dollars in many countries.)
• A Dutch study indicated that those receiving CAM treatments in general, including homeopathy, had lower costs, fewer hospitalizations and live longer.
• The Swiss study showed greater cost-effectiveness for those with female fertility problems, rheumatoid arthritis, otitis media, respiratory allergies and dyspepsia.
• Those receiving homeopathic care had fewer sick days from work.
• In satisfaction surveys, 53% of those receiving homeopathic care were “completely satisfied” vs. 43% for those seeking conventional medical care. In addition, serious side effects were greatly reduced for those seeking homeopathic care.
• Homeopathy has also been shown to be cost-effective in studies conducted in Switzerland and North America at research universities, by corporations developing wellness programs and in pilot studies run by insurance companies.

To summarize, the Swiss government report showed significant benefit by including homeopathy in the national health care system as it reduces cost, is effective, has a high consumer satisfaction rating and is safe. It should also be noted, that health outcome studies for the 16 wealthiest nations place Switzerland in second, just behind Japan, for having the best health outcomes while the US is last. Perhaps it is time for the US and other countries to seriously consider a more integrative approach that included homeopathy in healthcare delivery. Not only would health outcomes improve but there could be a reduction in healthcare costs, fewer missed days of work and improved worker productivity.

To read the full report see, Homeopathy in Healthcare: Effectiveness, Appropriateness, Safety, Costs.  Gudrun Bornhöft and Peter F. Matthiessen (Editors)

Homeopathy Takes Center Stage in the Park Record

Almost two weeks ago I had the pleasure of sitting down with Gina Barker, the Business Editor of the Park Record, to discuss homeopathy. Although it can be somewhat daunting for those unfamiliar with the concepts and principles of homeopathic medicine she was able come away with a very good understanding of what homeopathy is and how it is used. Her article was published in the January 25, 2012 edition of the Park Record and can be seen by clicking on the link below. You can also read a brief description of homeopathy by going to the “Getting Started” page of this website, scrolling to “Forms” and clicking on the “New Client Info Form Download”. In it, you will see a one-page description of homeopathy along with additional information about my practice.

My Story of Recovery from Mercury Toxicity, MS and Lyme Disease with Homeopathy and Natural Medicine.

The following link was a Letter to the Editor published in the May 2005 Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine. It covered the course of my first year of treatment and recovery from mercury toxicity and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. What is written below summarizes my treatment since that time, including the discovery of and treatment for Lyme Disease.

As I wrote in my 2005 Townsend Letter article, my recovery was considerable during the first year after receiving diagnoses of mercury toxicity and MS. By the end of 2005 I had shown greater progress and was no longer sensitive to heat. For many people, this is a common symptom of MS but is also seen in those with mercury toxicity. In essence, the mercury toxic individual becomes a walking, talking thermometer in that their body-burden of mercury reacts quickly to heat, much like an old thermometer, and they feel worse as a result. With the reduction of mercury levels, my reactivity to heat became a thing of the past. Still, by the end of 2005, my residual symptoms kept me focused on understanding the causes and treatment of my condition. I felt there was a distinct microbial “flavor” to my remaining symptoms and it was at that time that testing for Lyme disease was recommended. I doubted that I had Lyme disease but suspected it in two of my clients. I decided to run the test and had these two clients do the same, thinking I knew the outcome. The reverse was true; I was a strong positive while they were negative.

Over the next few months I read extensively about Lyme disease and began to consider the top specialists in the field. I eventually saw Richard Horowitz, MD, a superb physician practicing in the Hudson River Valley area of New York State. It took three months to obtain the appointment but his expertise and thoroughness made it worth the wait. I began six months of intensive antibiotics but had to discontinue them after a fungal infection developed. Since my response was only marginal, he recommended an herbal program known as the Cowden protocol to deal with Lyme disease. This herbal approach was quite beneficial but required frequent adjustments. Since mercury levels were tested as below detectible limits in 2005 I mistakenly took my focus off continued mercury removal as mercury and lead were still present in deeper tissues.

Over the next several years, I saw continued evidence of recovery and was able to discontinue the Klenner protocol in 2008 with its daily injections of thiamine and liver extract. The focus on Lyme disease was paying off but I was giving only minimal attention to ongoing treatment of mercury toxicity despite subsequent testing that showed increased levels of mercury and lead. Homeopathic treatment also continued but there were breaks, two changes in practitioners and eventually I realized that something was blocking the effectiveness of the remedies. In short, there was an obstacle lurking that I hadn’t fully realized because I continued to function better and better.

By the end of 2010 and into early 2011 I had two epiphanies. The first came from a book written by a physician and homeopath from Holland, Tinus Smits, MD. In it he discussed his attempts to treat children with autism. Eventually, he realized that homeopathy, as it is typically practiced, provided somewhat limited results and that the cause of the disease needed to be addressed. Be began to use “clearing” remedies or remedies that helped the body rid itself from the effects of toxins, medications and, sometimes, vaccinations received earlier in the patient’s life. From that point forward his results improved dramatically. Interestingly, I later learned of another homeopath in the US who was coincidently using a similar approach, also showing greatly improved results in a variety of illnesses. I realized that this model was applicable to many adults with chronic disease, including autoimmune disorders like MS.

The second “discovery” was the work of Andrew Cutler, Ph.D. After suffering with an unknown illness for several years, he finally found that his problem was mercury toxicity. With a doctorate in Chemistry from Princeton University he dove into the scientific literature to learn all he could about mercury illness and the substances that can rid the body of this noxious material. His approach is practical, scientific, efficient and gentle. My personal experience has been highly consistent with his reports of benefit and I am grateful for the insights he provided.

Since using this newer approach to homeopathic treatment I no longer need any direct treatment for Lyme disease, not herbs and certainly not antibiotics. And I now realize that I made many correct decisions in my recovery, and a few incorrect ones. I now see that my health issues beginning in 2003 were the result of high levels of mercury, lead and, essentially, a toxic load on the body with which I could no longer cope without assistance. The presence of Lyme disease complicated the symptomatic picture but, once realized, was able to be handled over time. The primary error was in not effectively and completely ridding the body of its load of heavy metals, something I am now correcting.

My journey has left me optimistic when people with even serious chronic illness come to me for in-person or telephone consultation. I have learned more over these last 8 years about illness and, especially, about healing than I did during my many previous years of education.

As before, my spirituality through these last eight years has deepened and, for this, I am grateful. Some of my best teachers in this regard come from the Contemplative and Celtic Christian traditions but from many other areas of the faith as well. I am immeasurably thankful to many and will conclude this posting with a verse that sustained me through those early months of struggle and uncertainty.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Homeopathy is a Hot Topic at KPCW in Park City, UT

This morning I had the pleasure of being on Park City’s local radio station with Lynn Ware Peek and Missy Hilton on The Mountain Life. We covered a number of topics including what homeopathy is, its uses and applications. The time went by quickly and there was much that couldn’t be covered. Lynn and Missy kept the conversation rolling and we shared a few laughs. Click below to listen to the entire show, and read the December 6, 2011 blog posting below on chronic illness as that will fill in some of the gaps.

The Mountain Life – December 7, 2011 jprickett