Shirley's personal account and a message of Hope
Shirley: "I have decided to share my experience with the Shingles - especially
how fast I have been able to overcome its terrible pains with natural
health treatments - because I want to help those folks out there who
continue to suffer from its terrible pains for months and even years
after the initial outbreak. This is a message of hope."
"When I was 49 years old I came down with the Shingles but I didn't know
that it was the shingles (or herpes zoster as it is also called). Initially
I began to experience strange pains on the left side of my chest and
I felt ill with weakness and malaise for 2 days before the eruptions of shingles broke out."
"It happened suddenly. I woke up one morning to discover with horror
that 1/2 of my trunk, from my chest area all the way to my back was
covered with nasty eruptions. While the eruptions were awfully ugly,
itchy and caused burning and soreness, it was nothing compare to the
horribly pains caused by the viral infection's attack on the nervous
system. I became rapidly debilitated by continuous, unbearable stabbing
like pains day and night in the area that had erupted. I could barely
function anymore: I could hardly do computer work, eat or sleep. I resorted
at first to take pain killers which didn't help. I refused to see an
MD, dermatologist or neurologist because I have long ago lost confidence
in these practitioners and their nasty drugs."
Shingles is caused by the same Virus that causes Chicken Pox
The biggest mistake that every Shingles sufferer makes, is
preventing the body from being able to get rid of the virus quickly on its own by
strengthening the immune system.
Most people that don't know about the
easy and effective way to heal shingles would end
up spending hours and hours on the Internet trying to research different
remedies and treatments, and then go through an entire trial and error process
of trying to cure Shingles on their own. Or they might visit their doctor, get
some advice, maybe a prescription, and 'wait it out' until things get
better over several weeks or months. If you follow this procedure, you will end
up wasting a lot of time, get more frustrated and confused than ever, and end up wasting
your money on something that doesn't even work!
Shingles, or herpes zoster is a viral infection of sensory nerve cells
caused by the same virus (Varicella zoster) that causes chicken pox according
to David L. Hoffman, M.N.I.M.H. The virus remains latent in the dorsal
root ganglia of the spinal cord after the initial attack of chicken
pox.The disease occurs most frequently in people over the age of 50.
It may be activated through such factors as emotional stress or physical trauma to the spinal cord
and its roots through surgery or X-ray therapy. Shingles is a nerve disease with skin symptoms (eruptions) characterized
by pain along an affected nerve and its branches and the eruption of
blisters over skin areas supplied by the nerve. An attack will usually
be preceded by a few days of intense pain in the affected areas. Then
many extremely painful and itchy blisters develop, normally lasting
7 -14 days.
These eventually form crusty scabs and fall off. Following such an outbreak,
the pain may continue even when the blisters have disappeared, especially
in the elderly. This may go on for months and can be more painful than
the original infection." I found further valuable information about acupuncture, diet and nervines (herbal tonics) for
the treatment of shingles.
Shingles Holistic Treatment program
Stress is known to weaken the immune system and many researchers believe that stress could be a trigger for shingles. Researchers
think that a weakened immune system can reactivate the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles is often seen in people who are suffering from certain
medical conditions. Disease weakens their immune system, making them more susceptible to infection.
I followed the holistic program that was recommended and had acupuncture 3 times
a week. I also took several herbal and homeopathic remedies and ate
mostly fresh raw fruits during the next few days. To my total amazement, on day 8 of the initial outbreak,
the pain had been reduced over 90% and on the 11th day, the blister
had dried up and all the pain was completely gone. I was amazed at the
speed on my recovery because according to my research on shingles and
from the testimony of friends who had the shingles, I knew that
the pain may continue long after the eruptions have disappeared. This pain
is referred to as post-herpetic neuralgia and it may last for months and even years.
Important Note: Start treatment early
The Acupuncturist told me that it was of utmost importance to start acupuncture as soon as possible
after the eruptions had broken out, and while they were still wet,
and not wait until the eruptions had dried off. He explained to me that
it was crucial to start the treatment early so as to PREVENT nerve damage.
Once the nerve is damaged, it is much more difficult and it takes much
longer to achieve healing. He also recommended mega doses of B complex
and vitamin C to support the nerve system.
He related to me how some patients come to see him for treatment
for their pain (post herpetic neuralgia) months or even years after
their experience with Shingles. He said these patients went first to
their dermatologist and to their neurologist and tried numerous drugs
such antiviral or pain killer medications which were of little or no
help and wasted precious time. By the time they came to see him for
acupuncture treatment, their nerves were already severely damage and
the treatment was much more difficult.
Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve
function. This is done by inserting sterilized, stainless-steel needles
(that are as fine as a human hair) into specific points located near
or on the surface of the skin which have the ability to alter various
biochemical and physiological conditions in order to treat a wide variety
of illnesses.
Camu-Camu provides effective nutritional support
Health care practitioners report that Camu-Camu
has provided very effective nutritional support for
Herpes virus sufferers, putting shingles
into remission and actually cutting the expected flare-up time in half!
In addition, common ‘cold sores’ are said to be less common, not as
‘full blown’ and resolve in one day. Shingles, is a remanifestation
of the chicken pox virus in adulthood in a new form and cold sores are
the result of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). The herpes virus
takes a number of different forms and is widespread today as a public
health problem. The Epstein-Barr virus is another common form
of the herpes virus which may linger in the body for years, often causing
fatigue and raising the total viral load which the body must combat.
Yet another form of the herpes virus is genital herpes which is caused
by the herpes simplex virus 2. The principal anti-viral pharmaceutical
medicine is Acyclovir® which like most pharmaceutical drugs, causes
unpleasant side effects in some people.
In his Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Healing, Dr. Gary Null
states that Camu-Camu has extraordinary medicinal properties
and is the most potent of herbs that contain phytochemicals with anti-herpes properties.
He says that Camu-Camu helps to strengthen the immune system, and maintain
healthy gums, eyes and skin and offers support for people who have the
hepatitis virus. All forms of the herpes virus lay dormant at the base of the spine and become active when the immune
system is stressed beyond its ability to respond effectively.
Common stressors include insufficient rest, prescription drugs, emotional
upsets, poor diet, menstrual periods, vaginal yeast infections, and
too much sunlight on the skin. Genital herpes is usually transmitted
sexually. In addition, Null lists disease conditions and the herbs
that have been found effective for their health promoting properties
in reference to specific system weaknesses and problems. In discussing
the holistic treatment of depression, he lists 19 plants containing
chemical compounds with antidepressant properties, in order of potency
Camu-Camu is no. two on his list.
Some health care practitioners have reported that Camu Camu works the same day to help relieve depression
and anxiety, and they have weaned some of their patients off pharmaceutical
anti-depressants. There are no side effects, such as photo-sensitivity
or gastrointestinal problems, and it can be used safely in combination
with pharmaceutical antidepressants. There have been no reports
of its interference with the effectiveness of any pharmaceutical drugs.
Teas Are One of The Most Effective Ways to Benefit from Nature's Healing Herbs
Teas
can help fight depression and anxiety, heal skin conditions and gastrointestinal
disorders, regulate hormone imbalances, improve your sex life, prevent
illness, and help you heal faster. Many diseases
and conditions for which we turn to modern medicine can also be treated
naturally with healing herbs. These treatments can be safer, less expensive
and possibly even more effective than traditional methods. Plant food
and herbal medicine help in another way as well: by providing nutrients
that are essential to life. Research has now shown that many of us are
deficient in several nutrients essential to optimal health, if not essential
to life itself. Many of these important, natural ingredients are found
in herbs, but not in synthetic pharmaceuticals.
Can Chickenpox Vaccine Increases Risk for Shingles?
A newly published study from the US Centers for Disease Control is further formal confirmation chickenpox
vaccine damages natural immunity and
causes the more serious highly painful potentially fatal condition of
shingles: The incidence and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster
among children and adolescents after implementation of varicella vaccination.
It is long and well known in numerous studies that shingles cases
and deaths in adults and the elderly will increase as natural immunity
wanes as a result of the chickenpox vaccine.
It is however perplexing that the US CDC study authors declare themselves mystified by the increase
in teenage shingles cases shown by their study. Shingles is a serious
painful condition in adults which causes death in some cases. Chickenpox
is normally a mild disease in children which most children used to contract
and gain natural immunity from. Natural childhood diseases are
known to prime children's immune systems for future disease immunity.
Chickenpox Vaccine Increases The Risk for Shingles
Scientists said that vaccinating children against chickenpox (varicella)
could increase the risk that adults would develop shingles, a painful
blistering rash that is potentially dangerous in the elderly. The team,
at Britain's Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS), said that although
vaccination would save thousands of lives over time, thousands of elderly
people could also die from the complications of shingles, known as herpes zoster.
Writing in the journal Vaccine, they called for a re-evaluation of
the policy of mass chickenpox vaccination that has been introduced already
in the United States and is imminent in many other countries. In 1995,
the chickenpox vaccine was approved for use in children over 1 year
of age in the US and is now required for school entry. After a bout
of naturally-occuring chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus remains
dormant in the body and may reactivate decades later to cause shingles,
a painful rash that typically strikes chickenpox veterans after the age of 60.
Marc Brisson and his team say their research shows that adults living
with children have more exposure to the virus that causes chickenpox
and enjoy high levels of protection against shingles. Being close to
children means that adults are exposed to the virus, which acts like
a booster vaccine against shingles, they believe. But if all children
were vaccinated, adults who have had chickenpox would no longer be protected
against developing shingles.
The researchers worked out a mathematical model that predicts that
eliminating chickenpox in a country the size of the United States would
prevent 186 million cases of the disease and 5,000 deaths over 50 years.
However they said it could also result in 21 million more cases of shingles
and 5,000 deaths.
The PHLS said in a statement it was working out what the impact might be of
introducing a chickenpox vaccine in Britain. "As more evidence becomes
available, it will be shared with the Joint Committee on Vaccination
and Immunization, which advises the Department of Health on the immunization
schedule. JAMA May 1, 2002;287(17):2211:
Comment by DR. Sherri Tenpenny
By attempting to eliminate an essentially harmless childhood disease,
we are going to create a disaster of epidemic proportions. This is the
"first glimpse" of things to come: vaccines to treat problems caused
by vaccines.
Chickenpox is a mild infection of childhood caused by the varicella
zoster virus. A self limiting disease characterized by fever, malaise
and an itchy, vesicular rash that covers the entire body, chickenpox
usually resolves within 4 to 5 days, leaving the child with lifetime
immunity. With vaccination by Varivax®, the duration of protection from
varicella infection by is unknown.
Shingles is thought to be caused by the reactivation of the same
chickenpox, causing virus, varicella zoster. It is generally a
disease of the elderly but can also develop in insulin dependent
diabetics and those who have immunodeficient diseases such as AIDS and
leukemia. A shingles outbreak can be triggered stress, negative emotional responses,
or by certain medications, including steroids [ex: prednisone],
chemotherapy and radiation.
Unlike chickenpox, a shingles outbreak is anything but benign. The
first sign is usually unilateral tingling, itching, or stabbing pain
on the skin. After a few days, a red, blistering rash appears that is
severely painful rash that can last for weeks. At its peak, symptoms
range from a mild itch to intense pain.
When the outbreak resolves, it can leave numbness, skin discoloration
and permanent scars. Serious complications, including facial paralysis,
hearing loss, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) can occur,
and if the infection includes the eye, the result can be glaucoma, cataracts
or even permanent blindness.
Approximately 20% of shingles cases can result in post herpetic
neuralgia. This condition manifests as unrelenting pain that can persist
for years after the initial rash has healed. There is no conventional
treatment for post herpetic neuralgia and even the strongest pain
medications are rarely helpful.