Tag Archives: review

doTERRA Aromatherapy Essential Oils for Autoimmune Disease

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Why Do I Use doTERRA Aromatherapy Essential Oils for My Autoimmune Disease?

Everything created starts from basic elements.  For example, the Enbrel that I took for 9+ years is derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells to create a genetically engineered protein to suppress the autoimmune system.  The problem is the vast list of side effects when taking Enbrel or other medications.

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants and have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits (Example:  Frankincense was given to the baby Jesus from one of the 3 wise men when he was born).  doTERRA Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils claim to have very little side effects.  For more information on how it all works, please watch their promo video below:

What doTERRA Essential Oils Do I Use for My Autoimmune Disease?

As recommended by a naturopath and their recommended website, here are the oils and methods I use:

doterra-oils-supplements

doTERRA Oils & Supplements I Use

Morning & Evening Supplements Taken with Food

As with any supplement, take one type at a time and test for a minimum 4 days.

  • TerraZyme (1) – Enzymes to help with digestion.
  • Alpha CRS+ (2) – Helps immune function & inflammatory response to oxidative stress in cells.
  • xEOMEGA (2) – Similar to fish oils, it helps joint function, heart health, and brain function.
  • Microplex VM (2) – maintains the cells by supplying vitamins and minerals commonly missed in diets.
  • Zendocrine (1) – Suggested by my naturopath, it’s a detoxification supplement.  My heart raced & I received a flare-up when using.  I do not recommend.
  • Except for TerraZyme, these supplements are sold together as doTERRA’s Life Long Vitality Pack.

Oils and Methods

  •  With an empty vegetable (Size 0) capsule, I digest these oils together:
    • Ginger (2 drops) – anti-inflammatory to replace the Prednisone medication.
    • DigestZen (2 drops) – digestive blend to replace the Asacol HD.
    • Frankincense (4-6 drops, still testing) – anti-inflammatory to replace the Prednisone medication.
    • Peppermint (1 drop) – digestive blend to replace the Asacol HD.
      ..

    Lotus-DiffuserWith an aroma diffuser (photo on left), I use 2 drops each of these oils for aromatherapy:

    • Lavender – overall stress, use for daytime
    • Serenity – calming oil used before bedtime to induce a restful sleep
    • Lemon Grass – daytime oil for headaches and pain
    • Balance – Geared toward the central nervous system, this oil helps calm spikes in emotions.
    • Breathe – Use at the onset of cold, flu, and congestion.

 

Do doTERRA Oils Work for my Autoimmune Disease (Initial Review)?

Since the timing of this post, I have been using the above protocol for a month. Before I was on the oils, I tried getting off Prednisone and had multiple symptoms come back the next few days.  On 2/19 I tried again by not taking any Prednisone at night and the usual 1/2 pill (5mg) daytime.  While the first morning was difficult, I am now able to manage my symptom and pains without needing the Prednisone again at night.  The next test will be next week when I get off Prednisone completely and the final major test for these oils will probably be a month after my body is in remission.  At that time, I will stop using the oils & supplements to see if there is a difference.


natural-solutions-kit

Which Products Did I Buy? 

The naturopath suggested to start out with the natural solutions kit, but you need to sign up with a doTERRA representative to get it.   By purchasing the kit, you automatically become an “Independent Product Consultant” (IPC) and get discounts on doTERRA’s product lines.

Feel free to comment below on your experiences with doTERRA.

 

1st Year Auto-Immune Review

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On January 14th 2012, I began the process of eradicating my auto-immune disease and attaining 100 percent health.  While I grow tired of finding the right combination to defeat the cause, I no longer put a needle twice a week in my thigh (Enbrel); now I only take one pill of Prednisone per day.  I’m also closer to finding the root cause(s), not just minimizing the symptoms.  From all the knowledge I’ve learned thus far, here is an overview of the current root cause, managing it, and the steps to remission.

The Root Cause

After taking many tests, my main issue is the digestive system.  Masking the root cause by taking Enbrel for 9+ has manifested additional symptoms such as hemorrhoids, anemia, and ulcerative colitis (UC) / Crohn’s Disease.  Additional digestive system issues include shrinking of the esophagus,  lack of absorbing nutrients, Jejunojejunal intussusception, and ulcers.  There may be other damage, but this is what I have found so far in the 1st year.

“Disease” Management

Before I begin, let’s define an auto-immune disease.  It is NOT a disease.  It is a warning system that says something is severely wrong within your body (similar to the engine light in your car).  If not fixed, something major will happen and if not treated, will lead to a miserable life and/or death.

There are three levels of “disease” management that I currently use:  holistic healing, medical healing, and inflammation management.  Holistic healing includes a modified Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) with a majority of cooked organic food, a variety of exercises (mornings with the Wii Fit+ Yoga/exercises, swimming,  power plate, and ballroom dancing), therapeutic massage and chiropractic adjustments.  Medical healing includes Asacol HD to repair the Ulcerative Colitis / Crohn’s Disease.   Inflammation is reduced to tolerable levels with low-dose (1/2 pill in morning, 1/2 pill at dinner) Prednisone and Omeprazole for acid reflux from the Prednisone.

NOTE:  Taking ibuprofen is not an option anymore.  I was taking one a night for 5 days, 2 for 1 day and was internally bleeding from it.  Hemorrhoid symptoms such as fissures were also coming back.  The only good that came out of it was the best consistent sleep I’ve had all year.

Steps to Remission

As my D.O. (doctor) explains, there is nothing more I can medically do right now to improve the situation.  I need to continue on the medicine described above and do another Colonoscopy / Endoscopy mid-2013.  Holistically, continue to follow the SCD diet and exercise regimen listed above.  As of last Friday, I also found the Naturopath I’ve been looking for.  Within the coming weeks I will probably start taking Water Kefir (video) and then essential oils (high-grade DoTERRA oils that are digestible) to detoxify the body and will allow my digestive system to absorb the nutrients since the Crohn’s Disease prevents this.  Based on the data I’ve gathered, I could see remission in April.

 

Auto-Immune 1st Year Health Review Details

Major Milestones

  • Recapping the 6-Month Review in chronological order, I started off with my Vegan 21-Day Food Reboot + stopped most forms of starch, got off Enbrel for good on February 7th, took many medical & holistice tests, went to Costa Rica, started on an ibuprofen regimen, found out I needed starch (rice),  started an exercise regimen, and was able to expand my starches with potatoes.
  • Rice vs. Potatoes – A Starch Comparison for Auto-Immune Diets (Sept. 3rd) – Finding the reason why I could eat one kind of starch and not another.  Over time I am able to eat any kind of potatoes while I am taking the Asacol HD.
  • My Autoimmune Health 9 1/2 Months Later (Nov. 6th) – Moved away from regular chiropractic care, but added the Power Plate rehabilitation exercises every 1-2 weeks.  Focused more on a new massage therapist who understands auto-immune, exercise routine updated, changing supplements, and reducing ibuprofen down to 1-2 per day.  Due to blood tests & CT scan, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, and Anemia.   My SED rate went from 101 down to 34 on 8/21/12 with my comprehensive blood test and I no longer need to do the Th1/Th2 test due to the significant decrease in the markers of inflammation (Natural doctor confirmed this with me a month ago).
  • The Benefits of Soluble Fiber (Nov. 9th) – Crohn’s disease can lead to frequent runs to the bathroom and without eating grains in my diet this makes it worse.  In order to help this balance, I needed more soluble fiber.  I found that acacia fiber not only contains pure soluble fiber, but has a prebiotic that helps people with IBS.  The only downside is my body took months to get adjusted to it & I ran into a few flare-ups due to overdose.
  • Anemia and Natural Supplement Fix (Nov. 12th) – Fatigue due to internal blood loss (which I found out later had to due with the ibuprofen), I developed Anemia, lacking enough healthy red blood cells.  I found that by taking  Rainbow Light Plant Source Iron, I was able to help manage the Anemia.  I still have iron saturation issues, but that is more to do with the Crohn’s Disease than the iron supplement not doing it’s job.
  • Sugar Alternatives (Nov. 29th) – Use black strap molasses rather than cane sugar, Stevia instead of artificial sweetners, and coconut nectar instead of agave.
  • My Autoimmune Medical Breakthrough – Chronicles the history of my holistic and medical history of 2012 and leads to my break-through procedure:  the Colonoscopy and Endoscopy.  Along with specific medications and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, I doubled my quality of health.  My range of foods could increase along with an increase in exercise and social activities.  My urgency to go to the bathroom (spiked adrenal & cortisol levels) in the middle of the night went away (battled that for more than 6 months), people told me I looked better, and became overall more productive.  Eventually I had to reduce the dosage of the Prednisone & now use just enough of what I need.  Without it, symptoms like fissures, canker sores, lack of sleep, pain, and stiffness come back.
  • End of 2012 Results – Besides recapping my experiences in 2012, I enjoyed a 4-day cruise and tested out my improved health.  I was able to dance when I wanted, walked everywhere on the floating city / ship and I only had nightly calf cramps (after 1st night it went much better).  I experimented with many foods (some that I’ve not had in over 6 months) and did not receive any major flare-ups!  For the first time in 2012, I was able to go where I wanted and socialize without pain interfering.

Tests Taken

  • After the 6-months of test data, I took updated comprehensive blood tests, Anemia tests, Crohn’s / IBS / Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and they all came back positive – feel free to review the auto-immune tests in detail.
  • Overall the comprehensive tests got better and the test at the end of the year almost all markers within normal range.  The only concern still lingering is iron saturation (due to the Crohn’s), RDW and Neutrophils are high, and SED rate / C-Reactive protein are high (markers of inflammation).  To put this in perspective, my SED rate on 4/18 was 101; 8/21 it was 37. Although this is a huge improvement,  my test on 12/14 showed my SED rate at 38.  If the normal range is between 0-15, I still have work to do to get my inflammation to normal ranges.

Symptoms / Diagnosis

Included below are all the symptoms listed from my 6-month review and afterwards.  I’ve crossed out the symptoms that have not occurred after my 6-month review to the end of 2012.

What I’ve Learned

When you live, eat & breathe a healthy lifestyle, you pick up on some good information.  Listed below is some of what I’ve learned after my 6-month review.

Where Do I Go From Here?

As mentioned above in the “Steps to Remission” area, I need to continue to take my low-dose of Prednisone, Asacol HD to improve my gut, exercise, at eat the modified SCD diet. As of last Friday, I also found the Naturopath I’ve been looking for.  Within the coming weeks I will probably start taking Water Kefir (video) and then essential oils (high-grade DoTERRA oils that are digestible) to detoxify the body and will allow my digestive system to absorb the nutrients since the Crohn’s Disease prevents this.  Based on the data I’ve gathered, I could see remission in April.

Six Month Review

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Auto-Immune / Ankylosing Spondylitis Six Month Health Review

Major Milestones

On January 18th, 2012 I started, by faith, a diet that would not only eradicate my Ankylosing Spondylitis / Auto-immune disease, but start the process to 100 Percent Health (reaching the potential God has for my life).   Included is a listing of all the things that happened from 1/18/12 – 7/18/12:

  • 21-Day Reboot  (January 18th) – 3 week start of the “no starch diet” (NSD) + transition to being a vegan.  I lost over 10 pounds during the reboot and I ate the most food I’ve ever eaten in my life.  NSD was the only diet I knew that would fix my auto-immune disease.
  • Traveled to Venice on February 4th – April 12th .
  • Last day I took Enbrel  was on February 7th.  This is the medication that stops the auto-immune disease from attacking the body.  Lots of side effects  and only takes care of the symptom, not the cause.  The auto-immune diet was made to replace Enbrel & take care of the root cause of my condition.
  • Autoimmune Disease and Inflammation Treatment Seminars on February 27th.  Saw immediate improvement after taking Gut Repair 1 & Pyloricin.
  • Height of my inflammation & unbearable pain was mid-March  (click “next” to review each week of progressive pain). Compounding the issue was not going to the chiropractor enough.
  • My 1st dessert  from a restaurant was on March 16th.
  • Added more meat (protein) to my diet, s witched to the “low starch diet” (LSD), and modified supplements  after nutritional consultation on March 16th.  MD suggested to add more meat due to muscle / weight loss on April 12th.
  • 1st encounter with starch  on April 22nd – no effects.
  • Results (see “Off of Enbrel” blood test below) from my D.O.  on May 2nd revealed high inflammation and elevated / depressed levels other other test markers (to him he was not concerned).
  • Costa Rica!  May 4th – 11th was able to zip line & act like Superman…for a minute  and enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle .
  • Food Intolerance List from the Cyrex Test and balancing immune system (Th1 / Th2) on May 22nd.  I’ve been eating eggs for 15+ years and learned they were damaging my body.
  • Started Ibuprofen regimen instead of taking as-needed on June 7th.  Without it, I could not control the inflammation & pain & do my work, sleep as much, and do daily activities.
  • Anointed at church on June 10th.
  • Started wearing  Sole Support orthotics  on June 13th.
  • Metametrix Test and Hair Analysis results were in and on June 19th I discovered that I NEED STARCH .  It took me 5 months to realize that my initial diet was over with and I changed.  I made a daily journal to confirm switching form NSD / LSD to approved starches (rice & potatoes) from my Cyrex test on 6/18 – 6/26.
  • Chiropractic X-Ray review on 6/19 showed my lower back (where Ankylosing Spondylitis starts fusion) disc spaces increased!  This result is not typical and confirms what I am doing (chiropractor & nutrition) are on the right track.
  • Lowest weight reported at 129.5 lbs. and BMI of 18.12 on 6/26.  Before starting the diet I weighed 156 lbs./ BMI of 22.07 .
  • Took a Segway Tour on 6/30 testing my physical limitations.  Although fun, it took me 2 days to recover.
  • Finally able to start an exercise regiment (chiropractor, swim, walk) on 7/2, details of 1st week results 7/10.  It started allowing me to bend over and pick things off the floor with my fingers, not my feet.
  • Added potatoes (my other big starch) to my diet , corn starch + adding variants of rice (rice pasta, rice milk, etc.) on 7/10.

Tests I Took

Out of all the tests I took, the ones that made the most difference in my life were the Cyrex and Metametrix tests.  Click on the name of the test to see the company’s web page or click “SEE RESULTS” to see my test results.

Symptoms / Diagnosis

These past six months have been the hardest on me physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Listed below are most of the symptoms and diagnosis from the past six months.

What I’ve Learned

Live, eat & breathe nutrition / health and you pick up on some good information.  Listed below is what I’ve learned and (in some cases) how it applied to my life over the past six months.

Where Do I Go From Here?

At this point, I cannot consider taking Enbrel again knowing what I know and feeling better each week.  While my lifestyle is not 100 percent, I make gains each week.  I will continue to report 2 to 3 times per month based on any new developments in my health and learning.

Simple phone call “check-ups” to diagnosing my conditions, I deeply thank those who have helped me from the bottom of my heart and spirit.  If you know anyone with an auto-immune condition, please pass this blog post on to them.  You might just save a life…

With Love,
Brian

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