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Health & Spirit Forum » Recent Posts http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Please post your questions or comments here... en Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:59:50 +0000 dianecridennda on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-221 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:32:55 +0000 dianecridennda 221@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thanks Soma, I will keep you posted. Diane soma on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-220 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:44:45 +0000 soma 220@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Dear Diane, Yes, stubborn case indeed! But uncovering the beginning or root cause can be a great step. This kid might need to undergo some detox from whatever what used to clear his strep outbreak and clear the emotional trauma of painful voiding of bowels. Instead of using miralax when his stools become hard and pebbly again, have a herbal or homeopathic laxative and continue with more healing and constitutional herbs. His mom really needs to understand the harm of long term use of miralax. make sure kid gets an abdominal massage daily clockwise around the umbilicus and definitely improve on his diet. Keep us posted. All the best, Soma dianecridennda on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-219 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:09:12 +0000 dianecridennda 219@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, The patient just came in today. Mom gave him Miralax over the weekend. Child had a rough weekend, stained 12 pair of undies both days over the weekend. Just a note is that this all stared in 2008 when he has strep on his butt, and seems like this was the beginning of it all. He held his stool because it was so painful to have a BM and now i am wondering if it is a PTSD ordeal with him. He ran out of the easy going one week ago (they were out of the country) but continued the probiotic. Stool is greenish brown thick no mucous and no undigested food. Mom says when he seeps stool it is thick like "lava", with small very dry flaky seedy like stool dry like dirt. She says when she is cleaning him up she wipes his anus and the stool just continues to seep out. He is sleeping better although he is not napping and lungs seem to be OK although Fall and Spring is always worse but I asked if he seemed sort of breath when running around outside and seems like that may be better but hard to gauge. Child says he is not having any bad dreams. Difficult case, wondering about parasites, food sensativites. Mom says she has cut way back on sugar and he isn't much of a fruit eater. He told me today that his favorite food was cheese pizza. (I have asked Mom to give him more room temp food and drinks as well as cut back on sugar and cheese) Thanks for all your input on this difficult case. I can order Huang Qi jian zhong tang in granule form and get Mom to mix it in a drink for him unless you know of a co who makes it in tincture. Then follow up with Shen Ling B Z S Diane soma on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-218 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:01:29 +0000 soma 218@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Diane, Just finished a 3 day intensive at Amherst, Massachussets and traveling through USA at present. Not much time to be on internet. Just wondered if you could clarify for me what exactly do you mean by SEEPING and LOOSING STOOLS? You say his BMs are good meaning regular or well formed? Is he incontinent or is there some very loose stools still? How is his general vitality and sleep now? Looking forward to hearing more. Thanks, Soma dianecridennda on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-217 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 20:03:59 +0000 dianecridennda 217@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, Thanks so much Update the child is off miralax now seeping is the same. Mom wonders if there is an emotional piece as well. I will try your recommendations. Also do you have a company who has these herbs in tincture forms? Any special pints to stimulate during Shoni Shin. lu li st sp kd back shu st 36,25 ren 12 thanks a million Diane soma on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-216 Wed, 25 May 2011 19:13:18 +0000 soma 216@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Dear Dianne, Thanks for sharing this case with us. I have no doubt that you'll be able to win him off the miralax, heal the damage done by its use for so long and help this kid to strengthen his lung, spleen and intestinal Qi. Less sugar, the herbs, shonishin and probiotic are all very beneficial to tonify his spleen, move food stagnation. The only thing that I feel you may add in this picture is something to also help Lung Qi and offset the dryness caused by the herbs. I'm thinking Huang Qi jian zhong tang as it has cinnamon and white peony. If the stools remain loose after taking that herbal formula for over a month, I would try 1 week of Shen Ling Baizhu san. Taking Da Huang for too long is probably not so great for a child who has more deficiency symptoms. I hope we get a few more suggestions and please let us know how things improve. Best, Soma dianecridennda on "Encopresis" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=103#post-215 Tue, 24 May 2011 22:54:18 +0000 dianecridennda 215@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi all, I have a 5 year old with loosing stool frequently. His Mom had him on Miralax for about 3 years as he had been very constipated. BM's are 1-2x a day mom reports they are sticky and grainy Sleep issues, trouble falling at time takes 1 hour to fall. he likes sugar (am trying to get that taken care of) belly pains with gas better with passing gas.Without miralax he has painful pebbly dry stool. allergies, bronchitis wheezing, coughing and has asthmatic symptoms with activity. He seems well grounded kid excited about life enjoyable and very cooperative, Mom is doing Gua Shaw each night which he reminds her about. Easy to like kid. I wonder if there is some LQS, o/a spleen, with Lung and LI involvement possibly heat. Hard to tell really with 3 years of Miralax, does anyone know what the side effects of this medication is??? Tongue is red with no coat normal size. Tough to make a DOS at this point, i am not sure what side effects of Meds are. My first gaol is to get him off the Miralax. prescribed East Going Kan herbs see ingredients below Easy Going Ingredients Pin Yin Herb Common Name Da huang sheng Chinese rhubarb rhizome Ya ma zi Flax seed Shan zha Chinese hawthorn fruit Bai zhu White atractylodes rhizome Huo xiang Chinese giant hyssop herb Chen pi Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit Fu ling Poria Lai fu zi Radish seed Lian qiao Forsythia fruit Sha ren Chinese amomum fruit Mu xiang Vladimiria root Zi su ye Perilla leaf Zhi ke Bitter orange mature fruit Gan cao Chinese licorice root I am also doing Shoni Shin with him. He likes it. The child has only had Miralax 4 times in the past 4 weeks so we are making progress I also prescribed a very strong Probiotic to recolonize intestinal flora. He is still loosing stool but seems to be having some good BM's. I am open for any other suggestions. thanks Diane Cridennda Colorado Springs CO soma on "3 y.o. with cradle cap" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=89#post-214 Sun, 01 May 2011 02:51:07 +0000 soma 214@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Jennifer, Thank you for this update. It really is a great healing story and a beautiful example of the relationships between Lung and Skin, Lung and Large Intestine and Lung and Spleen. Her body was finally able to naturally eliminate some deep seated damp, phlegm and toxicity through the cold. Now, about the athlete foot: you may try another Blue Poppy product which I have found very good for fungal toes. It's called antifungal ointment. Make sure that you follow up on tonifying Naomi's Spleen and clearing damp, especially after a cold lasting 2 months. If she still has loose stools and low appetite, I recommend SHEN LING BAI ZHU SAN. Another recommendation would be to supplement her with a child probiotic, if you haven't done so yet. Keep us posted. Best, Soma. JenniB on "3 y.o. with cradle cap" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=89#post-213 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:40:09 +0000 JenniB 213@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Soma I wanted to give you an update on Naomi. I applied the yin care to her diaper rash and athlete's foot. The diaper rash took about 3 weeks to clear up and hasn't returned. The athlete's foot improved a little bit with the yin care as well. I started giving her the modifed Er Miao San/Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. She took the formula for a week but her stomach just couldn't handle the formula. She lost her appetite and had very loose stools. I added some herbs to aid digestion/tonify but it still didn't seem to help. I ended up giving her Little Pearl, a pediatric formula by Blue Poppy for 3 weeks. It is a modified version of Miao Xiao Er Shi Zhen Tang for damp heat/food zhi. It really helped and she has been much happier in general. She caught a cold after that and was sick for almost 2 months with a runny nose and phlegmy cough! During those 2 months her cradle cap, which hadn't responded to anything, gradually went away. She has no cradle cap now. Her athlete's foot is still there but most days her skin on her toes looks perfect. Every once in a while you will see a little peeling on her big toe but is barely noticeable. She does have 3 toenails which have toenail fungus. The doctor confirmed that it was the same fungus as the athlete's foot. I tried undiluted yin care on her toes and also vinegar but both really aggravated her skin. I hate to use tee tree oil because it has estrogenic properties. Do you have any suggestions for toenail fungus. It is very mild with no cracking just thicker than the other toenails. Thanks for all your help! Aoife Lucy on "keratosis pilaris" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=102#post-212 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:51:26 +0000 Aoife Lucy 212@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thanks for your help Soma I should be seeing her in the next two weeks and if so will get back with the case history Many thanks Aoife soma on "keratosis pilaris" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=102#post-211 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:36:19 +0000 soma 211@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Aoife, I'm back. I've never personally treated this particular condition but from what I researched about it, it falls more in the domain of wart like disorders. If you can write a good health history for this child, I believe I should be able to propose a homeopathic remedy or a herbal formula. Find out if any family member has had anything like that. Best, Soma. soma on "keratosis pilaris" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=102#post-210 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:24:56 +0000 soma 210@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Aoife, Good to hear from you. I'm traveling right now and will give you a more thorough answer when I'm back in a few days. Just wanted to say that you don't want to treat this skin condition with sho-ni-shin. In and out insertions with thin seirin needles is much better. More later. best, Soma Aoife Lucy on "keratosis pilaris" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=102#post-209 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:53:33 +0000 Aoife Lucy 209@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I have been asked to see a 7 year old girl with keratosis pilaris - skin disorder. I have yet to see her but she is presenting with red bumps on the skin particularly on the arms I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience in treating this with herbs or sho ni shin prior to seeing her thanks so much JenniB on "3 y.o. with cradle cap" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=89#post-194 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 01:23:44 +0000 JenniB 194@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Soma Thanks so much for you quick reply. I had just ordered Yin Care when I read your post! Just in the past few days, her cradle cap has improved quite a bit. I have been giving her the coconut kefir and I do believe it is helping her yeast/candida issues. She was on an anti-candida diet for a while but we have been a little more lax as of late - although she still doesn't eat any sugar. I will go ahead and start up the candida diet again until her body is more in balance. Thanks for the herbal suggestions; I will go ahead and start them and let you know how it goes. Thanks for all your help! Jennifer soma on "3 y.o. with cradle cap" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=89#post-193 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:28:04 +0000 soma 193@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Jennifer, Thanks for the post. Your daughter Naomi has a bad case of yeast and fungal infections. Sounds like tinea capitis, cruris and pedis. You might want to check her for candida and if so put her on an appropriate diet. A weak spleen with dampness and toxins are the basic diagnosis. I would recommend the lotion called Yin care which could be applied on all 3 places (just follow the directions on dilution). Internally you may give her Er Miao San plus herbs like Ku Shen, Bai Xian Pi and She Chuang Zi to clear damp and toxins and Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan for her smelly stools. These herbs are all clearing and draining and cannot be given for long periods and make sure to keep her spleen tonified. Let us know how it goes. All the best, Soma JenniB on "3 y.o. with cradle cap" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=89#post-192 Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:49:37 +0000 JenniB 192@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I am not sure if you remember, but my daughter Naomi had severe cradle cap and eczema when she was an infant. With your herbal recommendations and sho-ni-shin, they cleared up after a few weeks. About 6 months ago, I noticed her cradle cap returning and it is now very flaky over her entire scalp and even her eyebrows have become flaky! It isn't yellow or thick really, more dry with large flakes. She has always had more loose stools than formed but about the time her cradle cap came back, her stools became well formed. They have since become a little more loose but still formed. If I give her Bao He Wan, her stools are very well formed but soon after I stop giving it to her, they return to being smelly and looser. She does have athlete's foot and I recently started giving her fermented coconut kefir with probiotics and it has almost cleared up. She also has a yeast rash in her groin that comes and goes - very mild but has been difficult to get rid of. She is a very sensitive girl but does have plenty of energy! She has a very big appetite and I have noticed if she eats too much, her stools are definitely looser. Sleep is good, energy good, very attached. I do give her xiao chai hu tang periodically although I have not given it to her in a few months. Any advice and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Jennifer soma on "Erbs Palsy - 6 week old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=81#post-184 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:12:03 +0000 soma 184@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Aoife, Good to hear from you. Sorry for the delay. I'm still traveling in India until the end of November. I have not personally had to treat a baby with this condition but I have treated various kinds of injuries to children. Great to hear that you had good results with the 2 children in china you treated with electro acupuncture. I certainly have reservations to use electricity on a 6 week old baby. You may try sho-ni-shin first. Definitely daily treatments for at least 1 week and see what results you get. I like to use moxa on the good side and stimulate the affected side with the tools for this kind of wei syndromes. Hopefully we'll get more input. Best of luck. You can also add herbs or homeopathy. Best, Soma. Aoife Lucy on "Erbs Palsy - 6 week old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=81#post-183 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 17:04:31 +0000 Aoife Lucy 183@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I have been asked to take a case of a 6 week old baby with Erbs Palsy. We treated two chidlren in China when I was there for this - with electro acupuncture. We treated them every day initially and then every second day and had really good results Has anyone treated a child with this before and has anyone used sho ni shin I just have reservations doing electro as in China they don't have the same concern over a child crying during treatment etc and also I don't know if the child would be able to come as regularly for treatment Anyone with any comments on this would be great Many thanks Aoife soma on "Baby with tight shoulder muscles." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=80#post-182 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:20:03 +0000 soma 182@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Star, Thanks for the follow-up. Actually, the baby’s condition is due to a birth trauma and malposition in the womb as a foetus. Having the arm raised besides his head caused some major strain during the birth. If you are familiar with Dr. Tan’s protocol, I would recommend using thie following points to loosen his neck: On the right side, stimulate S.I. 3 and U.B. 65. On the left side (opposite of affected side) stimulate H.T. 4 and an extra point called So Jing Dian (between 2nd and 3rd metacarpal at the same level as TW.3) Then stimulate both KD 7.If you are able to use needles, you can do in and out insertions with very thin seirin needles. This needs to be repeated at least 3 times a week to have some lasting effects. The point HT 4 specifically can be very helpful for tight trappezius muscles. On a baby, the acupoints are not yet well defined so you need to stimulate the general area. Massage and acupressure can be used as well, maybe before stimulating the acupoints. All the best, Soma. Star on "Baby with tight shoulder muscles." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=80#post-181 Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:08:23 +0000 Star 181@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma The baby was diagnosed with Right Torticollis. I was not aware of this condition so I had to look it up. Basically the muscles on one side is shorter than the other. With the proper stretching and exercise for the baby it should go away with time. The baby had no injuries or falls or any illness. However he was born with the right arm raised beside his head and they believe he was lying in that position for awhile. I was not sure what to do besides really work on massaging and doing some acupressure in the neck and shoulder area. I also stimulated GB 34 since it stimulates the sinews. Do you think that there is anything else that I should be doing to treat this. I told them I will see him a couple more times and I will also teach them how to massage and acupressure the area. Wow India! I have not been there yet. Star soma on "Baby with tight shoulder muscles." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=80#post-180 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 07:01:29 +0000 soma 180@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Star, Thanks for posting and sorry for the delay. I’m traveling in India at present and cannot check mail on a daily basis. First, yes sho-ni-shin would be helpful for musculoskeletal problems in a 5 month old. However it would be most useful to find out the cause of the shoulder tightness. Was it from a difficult delivery? Was it from a fall or injury? It could even be from an internal problem such as weakness in the muscles or a lingering pathogenic factor affecting the shaoyang, tightening up the trapezius muscle.This however would more likely be on both sides of the neck. If it’s purely musculoskeletal from an injury or weakness in the baby’s musculature, massage and sho-ni-shin to open up the affected channels will help in conjunction of the physio. If there is some internal underlying cause, you may need to also give the appropriate herbs or homeopathy. Feel free to give us some update. Best, Soma Star on "Baby with tight shoulder muscles." http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=80#post-179 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:59:32 +0000 Star 179@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma I have been asked to give a 5 month old baby a treatment for tight shoulder muscles. A chld health nurse recommended physio for the baby to looesn tight shouler muscles on one side of his neck. He really favours turning to his left side. I am planning on doing some massage and acupressure. I know sho-ni-shin is good for internatl situations, would it also be effective for musculoskeletal condidions? akacupuncture on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-178 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:30:22 +0000 akacupuncture 178@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma and Adina, Sorry for the delay in responding and thanks very much for your suggestions. We use patent formulas and have not had full herbal training yet. I really appreciate what you are saying about the neccesity of herbs and perhaps homeopathy for this case to move forward- and we totally agree. There is one very experienced herbalist in our area who does make concentrated extracts and granule formulas and we'll get in touch with him to discuss the case and pass along your suggestions. We were also advised to consider enzyme therapy. There is a Loomis trained (<a href="http://www.loomisenzymes.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.loomisenzymes.com</a>) chiropracter in our area so I'll give him a call as well. Do either of you have any thoughts about this or have experience working with Loomis enzyme therapy? Adina, thanks for the link and comments on herb safety. Our patient's mother feels at a real disadvantage working with the Nephrologist and may be unwilling to push for allowing herbs at this time with him. She has refused many of his ideas and pushed him hard over the years to justify his various pharmeceutical attempts to help her son... and this last episode between them was particularly intense when she conceded to stop the Chinese herbs. But having the study on hand will be very helpful. On another note, we saw the patient today and he reported having grown 1/2 inch in the past month since starting growth hormone. I will keep updating the case as we move forward. Have a great time in India and Thanks again for all of your help, Kevin and Sam soma on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-177 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 03:54:37 +0000 soma 177@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Kevin, Sam and Adina, I'm so happy to see your new post Adina. Thank you for this invaluable addition. I really hope that Kevin and Sam can find a good and skilled Chinese herbalist who works with high extract granules or tinctures. As you say Adina, pills just won't do. With a case like this, one needs to tailor the formula to the specific need of the patient. I'm sad to hear that Fang Ji is no longer available in Canada. Just like Ma Huang, it's such a great herb when used in the right way and dosage but dangerous in the wrong hands. I truly believe that without the addition of either Chinese herbs or homeopathy, this case cannot advanced any further and the doctors will have the upper hand. Wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted. Thanks, Soma. adina on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-176 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:39:48 +0000 adina 176@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Kevin and Sam, Here are some thoughts: I agree that Astragalus based formulas are the way to go, because this herb can simultaneously address the kidney disease (it is specific for proteinuria in very high doses, up to 60g), the side effects from prednisone, as well as the deficiencies he manifests. There is a fair bit of promising research to placate the doctors, including a cautious endorsement on the Cochrane review: <a href="http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006335.html" rel="nofollow">http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab006335.html</a>, and a lot of stuff on PubMed, if you search for Astragalus and nephropathy or proteinuria. By the way, the nephrologist is no doubt aware of the (poorly-named) "Chinese herbs nephropathy", i.e. the aristolochic acid disaster in Belgium of many years ago, and he / she would need to understand that no such herbs would be dispensed to his patient. (Having said that, Stephania tetrandra / Fang Ji can itself be adulterated with a Radix Aristolochia, and is consequently no longer available up here in Canada.) Although I have minimal experience with nephropathies, I have a fair bit with other autoimmune conditions, and certain commonalities stand out: namely that herbal therapy is a crucial addition to acupuncture, and herbal pills are generally not sufficient. Consistent therapy with fairly high dose granule extracts or decoctions is vital for treatment to succeed. Finally, it's my impression that herbalists who have worked in Chinese hospitals have more experience with various kidney diseases and that might be another valuable place to consult. Good luck, Adina. soma on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-175 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:38:42 +0000 soma 175@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Kevin, Got the extras and at this stage, 2 herbal formulas which deal directly with water metabolism imbalances come to my mind: Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang and Wu Ling San. They could even be combined together to address the vacuity of Wei Qi and the water swelling. Add Ren Shen for the general Qi vacuity. I'll wait for more info from your side but maybe you can try that for 1 week. See if it makes any difference at all with the puffiness and the spilling. Unfortunately, I'm off to India in a few days for 2 months and I won't have easy internet access. But I'll keep checking as often as I can so keep the communication. Best, Soma. akacupuncture on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-174 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:58:32 +0000 akacupuncture 174@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, Thanks for your help on the case. Here are the additional details: "which of the many symptoms he has are caused by the steroids and which are caused by the disease?" When he first was diagnosed age 3 he was experiencing pronounced water retention in face, legs and stomach along with devloping progessivley more fatigue with age. The rest of the symptoms appear to be from the medications. However, at this point its hard to say if the current degree of puffyness and swelling is coming from the prednisone or from the illness. *temperature preference: He likes warm foods generally. Prefers room temp to cool beverages but not ice cold drinks. He tends to heat up pretty fast with exercise or activity. Normal thirst. Face flushes easily with exertion. *Appetite: Low...and he is a very picky eater. Would rather not eat than eat something he doesn't like. Craves salty. Likes drinking milk. *sleep: Not good.. difficulty falling asleep. Somtimes has nite sweats. Difficulty rising in the AM- exhausted. *energy: Mostly low but is getting sporadic bursts of energy since starting treatment. Gets much worse when spilling protein. *How's the urination: No odor, frequency normal, color yellow- gets darker, foamy and more frequent when spilling protein. *Any pain?: Some stomach discomfort and upset. ***************************************** I will see him tomorrow and post any new info or feedback. Thanks again, Kevin soma on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-173 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:51:43 +0000 soma 173@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Kevin and Sam, This is quite a case and quite a patient! Yes, he's a fire indeed, out there networking, communicating and wanting to make a difference. He also shows the typical vacillation between highs and crashes. His pathology is totally rooted in the kidney though, so this is both a water and fire problem. Unless you can find something that will make a difference in the protein spilling, it will be hard to make a case with his physician and prevent him from going the more toxic way. The acupuncture and the herbs have definitely helped tremendously to balance the negative effects of his steroid therapy and keep his spirit alive. However after 6 months, it may not be able to improve things any further. One suggestion I have is to add homeopathy. A real good homeopath can find a constitutional remedy to strengthen his life force and deal with the nephropathy. Homeopathy can also release the trauma he endured 2 years ago. Because this kid has such a strong personality, I feel he would respond very well. This would also be less threatening for the physician than Chinese herbs. If that is something you or his mom would consider but don't know anyone in Alaska, I can give you the name of an excellent homeopath from Boulder, Colorado who specializes in children. Anyway, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is only touching the tip of the iceberg and would need quite a few modifications to be mere helpful. There's also Wei Qi, KI Yang deficiency, leakage and Blood stasis. To get a better Chinese medicine picture, it would be helpful for me to know a few more points: which of the many symptoms he has are caused by the steroids and which are caused by the disease? What's his temperature preference/ Maybe more details about appetite, sleep and energy. How's the urination (frequency, color, odor, etc...) Any pain? I Look forward to hearing from you soon again and hope we get some feedback from many others for this case. Best, Soma. akacupuncture on "11 year old with IgM Nephropathy" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=79#post-172 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:46:06 +0000 akacupuncture 172@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Soma, Thank you for inviting us to post on your forum. We are looking for any ideas, suggestions or questions to help us probe this case for new treatment ideas and strategies. Acupuncture, herbs and western medical treatments have not significantly moved things forward yet and we could really use your help to rethink what’s going on here from a Chinese and/or Western Medical standpoint. It’s a bit long but here are some pertinent details: We are treating an 11-yr-old boy who has been diagnosed with Igm Nephropathy. This is a very rare type of Nephrosis that makes up the smallest percentage of those affected by this disease. He falls in the category of frequent relapsing/steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant nephrosis. The filtering mechanism in the kidneys apparently becomes compromised via an autoimmune pathological process which results in spontaneously spilling essential proteins in the urine. The only options in Western Medicine are immunosuppressants and in the case of frequent-relapsing nephrosis where renal biopsy reveals no scarring (as is the case in our patient) a course of combined cytotoxic and prednisone therapy offers a 50% chance to go into remission. Recovery is deemed permanent if the child is symptom-free and off medications for more than 2 years. Despite regular treatment since age 3 with corticosteroids (prednisone)combined with lysinopril he continues to relapse. Predictably, the steroid usage has caused many problems including stunted growth, body swelling and puffy face, night sweats, sluggish bowels, insomnia, irritability, fatigue and frequent colds affecting sinus and upper respiratory system etc. To deal with the stunted growth his pediatric nephrologist now has him taking growth hormone to counter the effects of prednisone. The physician is also putting a lot of pressure on his mother to take him off of prednisone and try putting him on Prograf which would be an “off-label” use of the drug (highly toxic with terrible side effects-normally given to organ transplant recipients to wipe out their immune system). I spoke to a Pediatrician and fellow acupuncturist who teaches at UPenn and she felt that Prograf was totally inappropriate and dangerously toxic option to try at this point given the healthy biopsy reports on the kidneys and the child’s age. While prolonged prednisone usage is not ideal she felt at this point it’s the least damaging route and that time is on his side. He has been featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Tyra Banks show and also on the Doctor Show. With his mom’s help he also started a foundation which provides special pillows for hospitalized children. To keep up with the demand he has enlisted the local senior center and local schools to help make the pillows. He has written a book calling for compassion for children who are ill or look different as a result of illness. He speaks at schools, churches, civic organizations and does book readings around the State as well. A couple other points of interest: He is number 9 in a family of 11 kids and is the only child in the family demonstrating obvious signs of Jing deficiency or constitutional weakness. During one particularly bad relapse 2 years ago, he was mistakenly overdosed in the hospital on prednisone in which he fell into a near suicidal state for a brief period of time. Also 2 years ago he had a tailbone injury falling from his bicycle. Corresponding with these two incidents, there has been a significant drop in energy ever since. Although quite short for his age and pudgy from the prednisone swelling he stands tall and moves authoritatively and is quietly confident. He is very smart. When he comes in for a treatment he fluctuates between being playful and warm- full of contagious enthusiasm or he is grim, cynical, complaining or just withdrawn. Overall there is sadness and he just seems very very old for his age. There is a strong bond with his mom but also a karmic tangle that has them locking horns a lot. He seems to do better when she is not in the room with him. Pulse highlights: Pulse is hesitant, sporadically irregular and very rapid. It is pronounced above the Qi level. Middle right position is alarmingly absent at blood and organ depth. Left middle pounding with a lot of heat. Left Proximal position slippery and wide with a distressed squirmy quality like a ball of worms at the organ depth. A short course of low dose combo of Yunnan Bai Yao and Sheng Mai San significantly improved the irregular beat but it we do still find it occasionally. Tongue: Pale, wet with slightly red tip. Tongue Vasiculates and is slightly swollen in the HT, LU region and has a very pronounced dip in ST/SP. Pronounced purple veins under tongue. Diagnosis: Fire constitution- TW. KI Yin, Qi, Jing deficiency Lung and Spleen deficiency Liver Stagnation Blood heat Yin deficiency heat from steroid Herbs: On a family friend’s suggestion he saw a Chinese herbalist in California who prescribed Liu Wei Di Huang Wan…which he has taken for 6-8 months. He recently stopped because his doctor in an emotionally intense episode with his mother insisted that it may carry unknown risks. To appease the physician they stopped but I think they would consider continuing with herbs if we made a strong case for it. Acupuncture Treatment: Overall, acupuncture has helped alleviate some of the head colds and respiratory challenges, improved bowels and we’ve seen slight improvement in pulse over several months. His energy and attitude improves temporarily after treatment- but fatigue and sporadic irritability persists after a few days or so. The protein spilling relapses have not diminished in frequency. We’ve been treating him pretty consistently 1X weekly since March. We have done 5E Clearing treatments: ED’s ID’s, and EE blocks (LR/LU, SI/BL and wSP/HT). (A/E & LR/LU EE Blocks multiple times). We have not done a CV/GV block given his age and the emotional instability and volatility his mother has shown. (BTW, what’s the min. age one would consider with that treatment?) We’ve treated points along Ren and Du with moxa and needle tonification. We have also treated Ren/Du/Dai/Chong using master and couple pts. Our support has mostly focused on tonifying and nourishing KI, clearing heat from the LR. Tonifying SP and LU and consistent constitutional support in Fire. EE block on SI/BL and Super Ming Men treatment were noticeably effective for improving energy and pulse, but only temporarily. We would really appreciate any ideas for strategies moving forward. Thanks! Kevin and Sam soma on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-171 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:45:21 +0000 soma 171@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Adina, Sorry for the delay. Busy season in Bali at present. Thank you for the report and happy to know of the improvement. Just want to warn you that clearing a lingering pathogenic factor takes some time so I would expect more colds and coughs in the future. However, if you follow the protocol we've laid out and if P.keeps a decent diet, we should definitely see a decrease in frequency and intensity. Keep us posted. All the best, Soma. adina on "lifetime recurrent cough, 18 year old" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=74#post-170 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:32:21 +0000 adina 170@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hello Soma, I am happy to report that giving a combination formula based on Sang Ju Yin and Sha shen Mai Dong Tang this past spring produced a very good result. The cold was mild, short, and the cough was minimal. Thank you! P is off to university in another city this fall. I plan to send him with the herbs to have on hand, and also to begin now the tonification phase with the Minor formulas as you suggested. I will report on this phase later on. All the best, Adina. JenniB on "Free Webinar: Holistic Treatment of Colic & GERD" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=78#post-169 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:05:04 +0000 JenniB 169@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ I just thought I would share with everyone that there is a free webinar tomorrow 9-10 AM (PDT) given by Randall Neustaedter. It focuses on treating colic and GERD in babies using Chinese medicine, supplements, and homeopathy. You can find out more information and register at the link below: <a href="http://www.healthychild.com/digestive-problems/holistic-treatment-of-reflux-gerd-and-colic-in-babies/" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthychild.com/digestive-problems/holistic-treatment-of-reflux-gerd-and-colic-in-babies/</a> Jenni soma on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-168 Tue, 18 May 2010 09:46:10 +0000 soma 168@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Diane, You might need to explain to mom that the energetic work is as important as the herbs to get him well. In my experience, the children who get the sho-ni-shin recover much faster and stay well much longer than the other kids. About the herbs: Blue Poppy Press carry a great range of pediatric formula in tincture forms. You may want to get a catalog and look them over. Dr. Zhao's Minor Bupleurum modified could work during the not acute stage but your kid has more upper respiratory problem and Jie Geng and Zhimu would be more appropriate for the lingering coughs and phlegm. Anyway, please call Heather at SWAC before planning to come to my class in Boulder as we can only see 4 to 5 kids and she's taking care of the scheduling. LPF means lingering pathogenic factor and there are extra points on the neck about 1/2 cun from Cervical 5 and Cervical 6 which help soften phlegm nodules on the neck. All the best, Soma. dianecridennda on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-167 Mon, 17 May 2010 18:28:07 +0000 dianecridennda 167@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Thanks Soma, I will talk to the Mom, she tends to not bring him in much just doing herbs at home. I also don’t have raw herbs and infrequently use granules (esp for kids as compliance is an issue) I have access to peds rx. From Gently Warriors, Sage Solutions, do you have another resource? They are 48%water,vegetable glycerin24% alcohol only 10%.Do you have a recommendation for other ped formulas in tincture? Dr Zhao in SF has B&A liquid which is Xiao Chai Hu Tang pluse Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. Rx is Chai hu 20%, Huange qin 10 %, Zing Hao, Long Dan Cao, Mu Dan Pi, Shi Zi, Bai zhi, Ban Xia, Huang Qi20%, Ren Shen Sai Shu, Wu Wei Zi Bai Shao Yao All the other ingred are 5% execpt those i listed.Do you think this is a good rx. Or should i use Xiao Chai Hu Tang alone then Huang Qi JZT when he is not acute? Also I am going to ask Mom to come to Boulder on that Sunday when you are here. What time would we need to be there? Sorry what is LPF on the neck points? I am not familiar with that term. Thanks Diane soma on "1 year old chronic sinusitis RSV" http://www.somadevi.com/forum/topic.php?id=77#post-166 Sun, 16 May 2010 02:50:49 +0000 soma 166@http://www.somadevi.com/forum/ Hi Diane, Thanks for the post. Yes, this twin has some health challenges. There are both deficiency and excess at the same time. There is history of respiratory weakness in the mother which he probably inherited and a strong lingering pathogenic factor from the courses of antibiotics. There's probably also candida from the history of thrush and the sticky, persistent phlegm is indicative of a host of food sensitivities or allergies. The question is where do you start? The first formula I always think of in a scenario like that is MINOR BUPLEURUM. It does need some adjustments and modifications to suit the particular case but it should be the base formula. I usually alternate a clearing formula to resolve the excess presentation such as phlegm, heat, Qi stagnation, etc with a formula to tonify Qi and the immune system when the symptoms clear a bit. Best one is HUANG QI JIAN ZHON TANG. Yes, diet and recolonizing gut flora are very important. Receiving moxa with a tiger warmer on pts such as Ren 12, St 36, Sp 6 and stimulating LI 4, LV 3 and the LPF points on the neck and back with the sho-ni-shin should be done frequently. I hope you can bring this child to our class in Boulder and keep us advised. Thanks, Soma.