Nutritional effects CP

Hardly a week goes by that I'm not asked how I maintain on such low dose opiate therapy after years of high use methadone. I think this is the perfect time with all our post-op spinal members to talk about just how I do that.

13 years of methadone use sometimes at extremely high dosing and for those of you who followed my battle recall how difficult getting off was. It was doing nothing more after that length of time but robbing me of my self and endangering my overall health. After getting down to a minimum dose with butrans onboard I began MS contin at 15mgs twice a day and could have up to 4 hydrocodone 10mgs a day b/t. Slept a lot at first, had some itching, headache issues but eventually they all got better. I started researching other modalities and non-narcotic meds as well as diets since the methadone carried a great urge for sweets I needed to shed all those little Debbie's cakes I had consumed that stayed with me!

I worked closely with my PM and found that the Voltaren gel worked better supplemented with the oral pill 3 months on, 2 off and so on. I also make biweekly trips to the hydropool and sometimes 3 if I'm especially in pain. I have an awesome therapist that works with cognitive behavior in chronic illnesses and found distraction therapy to my liking. I occasionally use steroid injections if my knees are giving me added issues but do not do spinal injections anylonger, the risk was greater then the relief here. I have a Tens but rarely use it and get more relief from heating pads. I have a tempurpedic mattress but much prefer my recliner for sleeping which I do little of so some of you say!! Lol

My PM also made me an appointment with a nutritionist and I had tried several diets and gained more then lost!!

Didn't have too much faith in how what I was eating was going to lower my pain any but as we say, try anything pretty much. She wasn't pushy about dieting and eating all healthy bland food at all! Gave me actually some homework and reading. This is the basic information.

Amino Acids : body produces them. Necessary for our own pain relievers to be produced and to what degree they function. Endorphins and neurotransmitters have to have amino acids and the more present the more powerful the Endorphins. Also responsible for new bone and muscle growth and health? Really?

Fatty acids? Omega 3 the polyunsaturated fats we've been pushed to eliminate from our diets? Or to at least moderate? Helpful for neuropathy and neuropathic pain relief associated with sciatica and migraines, cluster headaches.

Im currently on an Omega 3 vitamin supplement, fish oil, as I abhor all kinds of seafood's and have never eaten them. I'm also on a high protein diet, mostly meat, beef, lamb, pork, I again steer away from seafood but eat green leafy vegetables which are less potent as far as protein but I eat them a lot. Beans, peanuts also a good source, eggs another of I've never eaten them! I know use to batter meats I'm cooking and include in other foods I prep.

That's all the changes as far as dietary she felt was needed and I saw improvement in my sciatica as early as a week after increasing my amino acids and started omega 3.

I'm nolonger on the 2nd MS dose and the hydrocodone is nolonger needed at all.

I just wanted to share this with you all, clear up facts and let you know what I found about dietary requirements and changes that could have a profound effect for one of you to.

Your most welcome! Our Mother's were mindful of what they ate as they carried us, our parents attempted to see we ate right and our schools served healthy nutritious lunches and we get busy and picky heading into adulthood and throw it all away! We literally are what we eat and our overall health can be better if we are more selective with what we eat.

Opiates actually play a profound role in how they alter chemicals in our cells. This in turn can cause more issues of a different nature and those issues cause pain, aches from stiff joints, etc. It's really interesting when you look into how our dietary intake effects us. All this from the pizza hut /little Debbie's major contributor!!lol

Yes you do! When your saddled with something such as CP your best play is to come at it from all sides! The more control we have the easier it is to live with us. There were a lot of years it dictated my life due to my lack of interest I guess then one day I thought about the rest of my life existing in that state and wanted more knowledge and that thirst for knowledge put me back in the driver's seat! I control my pain it nolonger controls me!! ..

awesome, i love the things we can do without a doctor's Rx that treat the heart of the problem. i have found that D-or DL-Phenylalnine can boost the opioids in your system. lately i have been trying a bit of advice from a pain doctor which is taking L-Glutamine with your pain meds. also, 1gram-4grams of L-Taurine per day due to it's ability to raise GABA levels. also, using a few Ayurvedic herbs for inflammation and opioid potentators like Ashwagandha and Bacopa. for inflammation Tumeric and Boswellia. these help with the other base meds. Good day to all, NICK

Good post Vickie! I take several supplements each day in the fight to lesson my pain.

SE

Hi Nick, Tumeric is awesome. What amount do you advise taking? I've just been loading up 00 gel caps and taking one AM and PM. Thanks