Web Notes

Advice for your new life
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their
conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all
you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams
don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the
only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer,
smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve
great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for
others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate
steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in
your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

That's great, Mary! It's a place to start!
Dawn in PA
Lap RNY 06/27/07
305/278/179/140
HW/SW/CW/GW

Our âImmunity Vitaminâ.
How does DCA work?
Deoxycholic acid is produced by special bacteria of the intestinal
flora. Naturopaths realized the obvious correlation of a healthy
intestinal flora and a strong immunity, but without having a
sufficient theoretical explanation for this fact. Indeed they have
very good healing results by restoring the intestinal flora, and so
indirectly reparing the DCA-dependent part of the immune system.
After being produced in the gut, deoxycholic acid spreads out all
over the body, and can be found in all our tissues. It patrols
throughout the whole body as a kind of a âhealth copâ.
If DCA stumbles across a local inflammation or a cancer cells
(specifications),
it activates immeditaly a strong local immune response.
The part of the immune system that is immensly boosted by DCA is the
so called unspecific immune system, and it is based on the
macrophages. DCA influences our hormonal system as well. As
an "immunity hormone" it helps the body to geht into a condition
where recovery is easy.
This way a starting disease is fought back in the very beginning of
the battle. DCA works very quickly and effective. An example:
Indicated fresh inflammations (as herpes or many urinological
diseases) heal in big parts or totally in two to three days â" in
total harmony with the needs of the body.
Which diseases can be healed with DCA?
Deoxycholic acid is not a magic potion. The special thing about DCA
in medical therapy is the fact that many of the illnesses responding
to the immunity vitamin can be found among the so called
civilizational diseases or diseases where a proper medicament hasn´t
been developped yet. If we take a loo around the diseases responding
very well to a DCA treatment, we find in first place:
Virus infections as herpes, chickenpox or enzephalitis as well as
Bacteria induced inflammations like of the middle ear, the kidneys or
the urinary tract
and many neuralgia.
In several cases some manifestations of cancer were healed with
deoxycholic acid.
What is presented on this site?
If you now give us more than five minutes time, you can learn about
the basics of how DCA works in your body and in which way a treatment
can be undertaken to get back to a superb immunity. According to the
navigation you will find:
Theory: Here you will find a brief description of the physiological
mechanism of our immunity vitamin.
Therapy: This is a chapter about the practical use of DCA in medical
therapy. This knowledge can be used to cure acute diseases, as well
as to rebuild a strong immunity.
Inidications: On this page you will find some main indications for
the therapy of acute diseases with DCA.
Publications: Refereces and scientific publications can be found
here.
Network: Here you will find links to institutions and individuals
that work with DCA. It is here as well a place to collect feedback on
practical treatment with deoxycholic acid and open it to the public.
Our Service Offers: If you are a professional in the medical
department and have further questions about the treatment of diseases
with DCA, feel welcome to contact us. We offer different services
from a short individual consultation up to trainings to become a DCA-
therapist.
By the way ....
The intention of this site is to spread out information about the
practical use of DCA, to introduce a growing number of professionals
into the treatment using our immunity vitamin.
It is not our business to sell DCA.
Deoxycholic acid can by bought in drugstores and laboratory supply
shops. The knowledge of this site is based on 35 years of chemical
research of a interdisziplinary team of scientists with the origin in
the Karl University in Prague, Czech Republic. Many doctors,
naturopaths and patients benefit from this knowledge and take
responsibility for their own immunity. You have the same chance.
Download summary: Basic Information
On this page you will get substantial information about the essential
mechanism of your DCA-based primary immunity response.
The discovery of our Immunity Vitamin
The role of DCA in our immune defence
Stages of illness as a consequence of a lack of DCA
The discovery of our Immunity Vitamin
DCA stands for Deoxy Cholic Acid. It is known for about 100 years as
a substance occurring naturally in the body. DCA is classified in the
medical category of secondary bile acids. What we know of the bile
acids is their big role in fat digestion. In traditional western
medicine no further important roles seem to have an impact on the
nature of bile acids. But if we look a little bit closer on DCA, we
discover that it has a completely different physiological behaviour
in our body than the other secondary bile acids. That is only
logical, if we allow the idea that deoxycholic acid has a totally
different (second) function in our body than it was known till today.
The main function of DCA was discovered between 1967 and 1968 by a
group of Czech scientists under the leadership of Mr. Dr. Bohuslav
Vlcek. It is due to him, that we have now this profound knowledge
about the function of our initial immune defence. Back in the late
sixties, Dr. Vlcek was the one of the heads of the chemistry
department of the venerable Karls university in Prague, Czech
Republic, and the designated successor of the Nobel prize winner
Prof. Hérovský. The investigations of this scientist and his group
were the start up of a new understanding of how our unspecific immune
system works. The main discovery lies in the fact, that
DCA´s main function is the role of a immunomodulator, that controls
the activation of our unspecific immune system.
Later a second function of DCA was obvious as a âglobal playerâ in
the hormonal balance of our body.
Both these functions of deoxycholic acid are not recognized in
traditional western medicine till now. Sometimes DCA is even supposed
to be a harmless but useless âmistake of the natureâ, a senseless
remainder of evolution. Therefore the most important use of
deoxycholic acid in medical areas is the application as a choleretic,
an in nutrition as an emulsifier. Both as well because of its
harmlessness and good physiological tolerance.
Download information: Use of DCA as an emulsifier in nutrition
Download information: DCA in choleretic Medicaments
But nowerdays even in industrial nations we start to realize, that
the role of DCA in our body is much bigger. It has to be emphasized
that many cultures use naturopathic medicine based on herbs which
contain natural deoxycholic acid to cure exactly the diseases you
will find on the indication list on this site. The Chinese people for
example use for possibly thousands of years naturopathic medicament
called Niuhuang (herb extract of schisandra chinensis) to heal
inflammations and immune deficiency. The latest findings show, that
DCA is the main component in this traditional medicine. In Poland
doctors use a special mushroom to defeat cancer â" and its main
constituent is a substance chemically very close to DCA.
Download publication: Natural DCA in Niuhuang (schisanda chinensis)
All theses findings point to the function of deoxycholic acid as a
main immunostimulator. We have to emphasize the fact, that all the
information cited on this site is merely based on straight scientific
findings in interdisciplinary research in biology, chemistry and
medicine. Most of the facts were published in the meanwhile, and many
are verified through medical experiments. The information you read
here is in practical use already, but in a silent way.
The role of DCA in our immune defence
DCA is a substance that soaks all tissues of a healthy human body. On
its health patrol DCA stays in a physiologically inactive form. But
when it stumbles over a local inflammation focus or a tumour (the
blood around both of them is slightly more sour), it changes its
structure to a physiologically highly active form, and forces a very
intense immunity response. The immune reaction activated by DCA is
therefore local, specific and strong.
The part of the immune system DCA works with is the so called
unspecific immune system, mainly dominated by the macrophages â" the
biggest immune cells we own. This system is the task force with the
duty to build up a first defence wall towards incoming infections.
Scientific research focused the last decades on the specific immune
system (carried by the lymphozytes, the antibodies and so on), with
the idea to develop new vaccinations for dangerous diseases an
similar tasks. But being totally focused on this part of our
immunity, the research failed to discover our natural initial defence
mechanism caused by DCA.
Another thing important to know is the steroid-like chemical
structure of deoxycholic acid, because DCA works as an active hormone
of our steroid system. It docks on the receptors of our autonomic
nervous system, and behaves competitive to our corticoidal hormone
group and to some other hormones as many sexual hormones.
Supplementary to its role as a direct immunostimulator DCA has
harmonizing effects on the autonomic nervous system, to be felt in
many cases as a regulation of the bowel movement, normalisation of
blood pressure, relief of physiological stress-symptoms and so on.
DCA helps the body to slide into a state of recovery that is
necessary for an effective and fast immune defence.
According to hundreds of results there is one thing that is known
for sure by now. Only with a sufficiently high concentration of DCA
in our tissues, an enough stable first immune defence can be built
up. This is one of the main keys to a robust constitution. If we have
a good health in that sense, many diseases as herpes or cancer have
no chance to develop. But if the level of DCA drops below a minimum â"
and that is a fact for many people in industrial nations â" we start
to be prone to all kinds of infections, that normally would be easily
fought by our immune system.
Stages of immune deficiency (DCA-avitaminosis)
So once again: The lower our natural DCA-level is, the more we are
prone to all kinds of infections. We can observe different stages of
a lack of DCA, which I also describe as the stages of a DCA-
avitaminosis. The stages can be verified from everybody, and this way
it is possible to draw conclusions on the condition of our unspecific
immune system.
Stage1: A hindered DCA circulation causes disease symptoms of the
autonomic nervous system
At this first stage of a not perfectly functioning DCA system we find
disturbances that we (people in industrial nations) donât even
recognize as disorders â" we misjudge them as inevitable weaknesses of
our imperfect bodies. In this category we find all the symptoms that
are based on single sided over-stimulation of the autonomic nervous
system from to the DCA system antagonistic hormones (esp.
corticoids). In this case the symptoms are high blood pressure,
problems with blood circulation, insomnia, irritability and different
problems with digestion and regular bowel.
Stage 2: A slight DCA-avitaminosis leads to poor health
At this second stage we find a more serious disturbance of the DCA
circulation or even a slightly lowered DCA production. Our immune
defence is still good enough to fight severe diseases, but it is
already too weak to compete up with the small everyday illnesses,
that we love to suppress with palliative medicaments (no cure, just a
repression on the symptom level). Examples would be diseases
accompanied by fever, long term colds, acne, prolonged wound healing
or warts.
Stage 3: An obvious DCA-avitaminosis leads to manifest diseases
At this stage our body produces definitely too small amounts of DCA.
We get prone to diseases that are too obvious and painful to repress
them, as they keep us of functioning in everyday life. In this
category we find viral caused inflammation diseases as Herpes or
chickenpox as well as bacteria caused inflammations like otitis,
sinusitis or infections of the urinal tract or neuralgias.
Stage 4: Severe DCA-avitaminosis leads to severe diseases
In this category we find diseases we probably would not get with an
at least halfway stable unspecific immune system â" only if being
exposed to extreme environmental toxins or a high dose (or highly
infectious) causative agent. Often we can avoid these illnesses just
with a basic knowledge about our immune system. Here we find many
autoimmune diseases, chronic states, cancer and possibly AIDS.
There are two main fields of practical application of the knowledge
about DCA in medical use. The first onbe is its use as a substantial
tool to cure acute inflammations and several other diseases â" the so
called active therapy. The second one is a sanitation of our primary
immune defence to gain a robust resistance and strong health. We call
it passive therapy.
Active Therapy â" Healing acute diseases with DCA
Passive Therapy â" Sanitation of our primary immune defence
Active Therapy â" Healing acute diseases with DCA
If we are falling ill in the initial stage of a disease that belongs
to the indicational spectrum of DCA, we can conclude that our DCA
level is too low, so our primary immune response can not cope up with
the invaders. In this case we can use DCA as a naturopathic
medicament to substitute the missing DCA in our body. This is the
same way as using vitamin c to cure scorbute. This way we achieve is
an immense local immunity boost which can defeat the illness in the
initial stage very efficiently.
We have to emphasize once again, that DCA is not a magic potion. The
use of DCA is of course limited to a group of illnesses which are
named in the indications part of this site. The miracle about DCA is
the speed and effectiveness of its healing power. This can only occur
because of an acceleration of the natural immunity response. DCA is
not an unphysiological synthetic medicament to ease the symptoms â" it
is a natural substance to speed up our immune system and to activate
the natural healing power of our body.
The effects of DCA in substitution therapy are without exaggeration
stunning, comparable with the dosage of vitamins in a cure of a
vitamin deficiency. The healing process starts 4-6 hours after a
first dosage of DCA. About 12 to 24 hours later in most cases the
main symptoms of the disease are gone or are found in a state that
doesn´t bother the patient anymore (no pain, the swelling has gone
down, etc.). The symptoms fade because of the substantial cure of the
cause of the illness.
A direct substitutional therapy with DCA is only necessary if there
is an acute illness going on. Under professional supervision and with
the right indication and handling, therapy with deoxycholic acid is
totally harmless and free of problems. DCA belongs to the body as any
other vitamin or hormone, and there are regulation systems to cope up
with different amounts of DCA.
Dr. B. Vlcek developed a cleverly thought out manual for DCA-therapy
with elaborated instructions for the dosage of DCA in treatment of
acute diseases. This way a highly successful treatment is possible.
Further information is available in our workshops for practicionners
and doctors that can handle DCA on a legal base as a medicament. Use
the option to become a DCA-Therapistâ¢.
Passive Therapy â" Sanitation of our primary immune defence
If we are prone to illnesses in the DCA spectrum (see also stages of
DCA avitaminosis), than we have to care about the basic function of
our primary immune defence. There are three main keys existing to
understand where the problem can be. The first thing to maintain a
healthy DCA level is to ensure a sufficient DCA production in our
gut. As we know that DCA is produced by certain intestinal bacteria,
first we have to take care for an individually well maintained
intestinal flora. Here we have to learn about probiotic nutrition and
how to handle harmful chemicals in everyday life.
Second we have to protect the circulating DCA in our body, so it can
reach every place in our body to be able to do its job. The third
thing is to enable deoxycholic acid to activate the macrophages.
Several drugs and contraindicated medicaments can lower the effect of
the macrophage activation of DCA by obstructing the receptors of the
macrophages.
If we have a good production, circulation and activation of DCA, we
have a solid base for our initial immunity. If we use the knowledge
about DCA properly, the final aim is not a long term DCA
substitution, but mainly a reorganisation of the intestinal flora and
a probiotic lifestyle, to get a sufficient or even superb own supply
of our immunity vitamin. If we manage that, the reward is an iron
constitution, that many of us know only from their children or
grandparents. We give further instruction in our workshops about the
do´s and donât´s for medical professionals that work with DCA.
This chapter is dealing with the active cure of acute diseases with
deoxycholic acid. In this section of the site you will come across
some well known diseases (mostly inflammations) where there is
evidence, that DCA can profoundly cure these illnesses. First there
will be an explanation of the different indication-groups that tangle
deoxycholic acid. In a second step important diseases will be
expatiated one by one.
Acne Mumps
Adenoids (inflammations) Nephritis
AIDS Neuritis
Angina Pink eye
Cancer Pyelitis
Chicken pox Shingles
Encephalitis Stye
Herpes Tendovaginitis, tendosynovitis
Lymph nodes (inflammations) Urinary tract (Inflammations)
Meningitis Warts
Middle ear (inflammation) Wounds
Indicational groups
The diseases that react upon a treatment with DCA (or not) can be
well assorted into indicational groups, according to the
characteristics some diseases have in common. If you are dealing with
an illness that is not listed on this site, you can assess the
healing effect of DCA by comparing the characteristics of the disease
with the attributes in the following indicational classes.
Group 1: Best indication: Viral inflammations with a local focus
The home games of DCA are fresh viral inflammations with a local
focus. Here we find diseases as herpes, neuritis, shingles, chicken
pox or new warts. We can obtain analgesia and resolve the swelling
after only 12-24 hours. It is possible to heal up the main symptoms
of the illness in two to three days.
Group 2: Good Indication: Anaerobic bacterial inflammations with a
local focus
We receive very good results as well in fresh anaerobic bacterial
inflammations with a local focus such as inflammation of wounds,
inflammations of the urinary tract, nephritis, pyelitis or
concomitant symptoms of influenza as inflammations of the urinary
tract or angina. Very young bacterial inflammations react upon DCA as
well as viral ones. But it is important to know that this presumes
the fact, that there is no pus in the seat of disease. Pus raises the
pH-value of the blood and activates different types of immune cells
than macrophages - DCA stops working.
Group 3: Possible Indication: Cancer
Over the years several cases of cancer could be healed. Cancer cells
behave compatible to the immune mechanism of the unspecific immune
system and build up sour local focus. But it is important to say as
well that only several types of cancer react upon DCA, and that it is
very helpful to work with patients, that havenât been much treated
with conservative medical therapy. The process of building up
metastasis can be retarded and stopped as well.
Group 4: Possible symptom healing: AIDS
Some characteristic symptoms of the commencing clinical picture of
AIDS can be found in-between the diseases that can be cured with DCA.
We can assume a medicinal benefit of deoxycholic acid on parts of the
AIDS syndrome. There are some isolated cases where some symptoms of
AIDS could be cured with DCA, but there is research to be done in
this field to understand the role of the unspecific immune system in
the fight against AIDS. From the third stage on deoxycholic acid is
totally helpless in curing this deadly disease, as the mass of the
macrophage populations is eliminated by then.
Group 5: Side indication: Disharmony of the vegetative nervous system
As we explained before â" deoxycholic acid is a bile acid, and the
same time a part of our hormone system. The DCA molecule can dock on
the receptors of the autonomous nervous system an cause effects on
it. It is competitive to the corticoidal system and has more of a
kind of a harmonizing effects on our condition. Here we can observe
mainly calming effects as well as a help to the regulation of the
bowl or normalization of the blood pressure â" simply said opposite
effects of the stress hormones.
Group 6: No indication: Several diseaes ... like influenza
To destroy the magic potion image of DCA once again â" the most
diseases that are found around the world can not be combated with our
immunity vitamin. Some of these illnesses have no local focus where
macrophages could cumulate like the general cold. Some do not lower
the pH-value of the blood far enough like hepatitis and some have
agents the unspecific immune system seems to be not really
responsible for like prions or all kinds of mycosis. DCA is as well
helpless if it comes to aerobic bacterial infections like pneumonia,
leprosy, pestilence. Apart of that most of the diseases in the third
world countries cant be fought with DCA like malaria, cholera, typhus
or the yellow fever.
Group 7: Difficult indication: Rheumatism and autoimmune diseases
DCA is problematical if it comes to cure diseases, where an
overshooting immune system is the cause of the problem itself. If we
treat someone with deoxycholic acid who has rheumatism, asthma or
allergies, the symptoms tend to get worse for one up to two days, and
then drop back to the starting condition. On the other side it gives
us the possibility to heal autoimmune diseases that are residues from
incompletely healed infections or rheumatism in some cases by guiding
the patient through a dip of aggravation to a state of better health
or even complete well-being.
Group 8: Contraindication: Asthma, allergies and neurodermatitis
There are some diseases, where a treatment with DCA is strictly
contraindicated. In this group we find allergies, asthma,
neurodermatits, lupus erithematodes or gout. If we treat with
deoxycholic acid, the symptoms of the disease raise for one or two
days, and we gain no healing effect at all. To ease the symptoms of
these illnesses we need the opposite hormonal substance to DCA - the
corticoids. And on the other side every doctor can tell you that you
have to avoid corticoids when treating a virus infection like herpes.
Download Information: DCA indications
Acne
Acne is a collective name for diverse manifestations of bad skin. If
we take acne vulgaris to be more precise, a common trigger can be a
bad diet as well as a change in the hormone system in puberty â" and
there are other causes as well. Acne is commonly a small inflammation
in the skin, and this way it reacts in a positive way on a DCA
treatment, and it disappears for a while.
The problem is, that in most cases a bad immune system is not the
reason for acne, so a DCA cure is not a causal treatment. If we take
acne in puberty as an example, the raise of the DCA antagonist
progesterone as well as cortison just change the hormonal balance,
and with the same amount of DCA in our blood we get a lower effect on
our immune system. So the lever for substantial healing is somewhere
else.
Adenoids (inflammations)
Inflammations of the adenoids are often viral inflammations that
start with a pus-free phase or stay pus-free. They react very well to
a DCA treatment as they fulfil perfectly the prerequisites for a cure
with deoxycholic acid. They build up sour local foci (in opposite to
some big organs like the liver) and have a strong accumulation of
immune cells. Good examples for this category are mumps, cytomegaly
or lymph node inflammations.
Excellent healing effects can be seen especially when treating mumps
(virus inflammation of the salivary gland in the ear). The pain
relieves overnight, the swelling disappears and the restoration of
complete health is very quick. In several cases there were also some
good results reported about curing lymph node inflammations caused by
HIV.
AIDS
Let us talk about the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome that is
caused by the HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency virus, also known
under different other manifestations and names as LAV, HTLV-III). In
this case we catch it through getting in contact with a body serum,
especially with blood and sexual activities. Then we have the virus
in our body â" we are HIV positive.
The initial stage after the infection is not spectacular with only
little or no external symptoms at all. The virus directly penetrates
into host cells and starts (what is characteristic for every virus)
to multiply immensely. Our defence system reacts immediately and
fights back the first assaulting wave efficiently. The immune system
wins the first battle, but the war has just begun. In this body world-
war, the enemy has three unfair advantages:
First: The HIV virus has an incredible multiplication speed, so we
get flooded with the virus very quickly.
Second: The AIDS virus has a relatively imprecise reproduction, so
together with the fact of a high multiplication rate, we get a high
amount of mutants. This ongoing mutation makes the virus detection
for our immune system pretty tough.
Third: The main advantage of the enemy is, that it attacks directly
immune cells and destroys them. That means according to the specific
immune system that the T4-cells get reduced in first place, so the
killer cells donât get any antigen data from them anymore â" the
specific immune system crashes. The same time HIV destroys the
macrophages, so the unspecific immune system goes down as well. At
the stage both immune systems lie on the ground, the full picture of
AIDS will develop, and the patient will probably die on a disease,
that he would even come across with a normal immune system.
To know about the interventional possibilities we have with
deoxycholic acid, we have to know in which phase of disease the
patient is at the moment. In the first acute stage where the ill
moments last for several weeks, we have local symptoms like lymph
node swelling or infectious skin rashes that give us the option to
boost our local immune defence with deoxycholic acid. Some few cases
were reported, where DCA showed up to be a profound cure for these
symptoms. In the following symptom free stage that lasts for two to
fifteen years (or in few cases forever?) we deal with a chronic
state. There is no anchor for the DCA activation as we have no local
focus. This way DCA treatment gives no sense, and there is no reason
to assume that it would stop the diminishing of the T helper cells
from about 1000 per microlitre blood down to 20. The closer we get to
the last stage of AIDS, the less macrophages we can count in our
bloodstream. In the end there is nothing DCA could activate, as the
unspecific immune system is destroyed by then.
So what is the conclusion? If we are dealing with accompanying
diseases of the AIDS syndrome in the first and second stage (that lay
in the DCA spectrum), we have a chance to cure them with a DCA
treatment. The positive results which were reported from doctors were
successful treatment of lymph node swellings (fresh ones), Kaposi´s
sarcoma in the beginning, lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), AIDS-
related-complex (ARC) and generalised virus infections as
encephalitis. Further we can assume the DCA will affect also other
sub-infections with local inflammations as warts and herpes that
evolve by the side. Deoxycholic acid is totally helpless to cure
diseases that happen in the third stage as mycosis, pneumonia,
protozoa infections. There are not enough macrophages to be activated
and the types of these illnesses are mostly not in the indicational
spectrum of DCA. How for deoxycholic acid touches the HIV virus
itself â" thatâs a good question weather to know.
Angina
This is an inflammation of the tonsils and their surroundings, mostly
caused by bacteria (often streptococci), sometimes also viral. If
somebody has a lot of trouble with angina, the still applied method
to cure this state is to remove the tonsils. From the immunological
point of view it is a bad idea, cause they seem to be a local
immunity centre.
Deoxycholic acid works excellent in the cure of angina, the healing
starts only about 6 hours after the first dose of DCA. Very important
is to start the cure immediately at the first day of the
inflammation. Afterwards the activation of the macrophages gets heaps
more difficult, as the inflammation herd gets too alkaline from the
pus. Then only a gradual healing is possible.
Cancer
As an introduction I will present an interesting statistical fact
that couldnât be interpreted sufficiently till now. Practical
findings show that vulnerability to cancer differs along the life
pathway quite a bit. When we are born, our cancer resistance is
pretty low up to the age of about 18 months. Then it is very high up
to puberty where there is a small setback. When we are adults the
cancer resistance is normally pretty good, and slowly declines with
the raise of our age. From the DCA point of view one interpretation
is obvious. A baby has no intestinal flora, and therefore no DCA
production till about 18 months, when it starts to crawl around and
collect bacteria from the environment. The child has a healthy DCA
induced unspecific immune system till puberty, where antagonist
sexual hormones obstruct parts of the DCA activation of the
macrophages. Then as an adult the state of the body is stabilised,
and only the normal aging process with a slower regeneration of the
cells can break down immunity.
Cancer is simply said a container term for quickly growing tumour
focus in the body that produces metastasis. It is a difficult
indication for the acute therapy with DCA, but a possible one. We can
assume that each day cancer cells grow in our body, but they are
eliminated very quickly and quietly with the force of our unspecific
immune system. I have to emphasize that macrophages seem to possess
the capacity to detect every cell that doesnât fit any more in the
structure of our body. The cancer cells start only to be a problem
when this balance of genesis and destruction is disturbed by one of
the following causes:
The amount of cancer cells raises rapidly as a result of an exogenous
reason as radioactive radiation or toxins in our environment.
The patient has a genetically higher disposition for cancer
The hormone system is in imbalance caused by reasons like constant
high stress (raise of corticoids) - in consequence the function of
the DCA activation of the unspecific immune system is lower.
The DCA production is very low. Medical publications show that nearly
all cancer patients have a bad composition of the intestinal flora â"
a so called dysbacteria.
In combination of several causes (or sometimes only because of one
cause) the weakened unspecific immune system cant handle the growing
number of cancer cells any more â" we get the clinical picture of
cancer.
If we simplify once again our look at a tumour, we find a pile of
degenerated cells that behave in a certain way as inflammations. They
build up local foci and have a sour surrounding around them, so two
main requirements for a DCA treatment are fulfilled. The experience
with treatments of cancer show that DCA really can heal up tumours in
our body. But in many cases the treatment is obstructed by one of the
following issues. Many patients suffer on alkalosis (the blood gets
more alkaline) that makes the activation of the DCA molecule more
difficult. In general the tumours tend to be less sour and active
after a chemical or radiation therapy, and this way they are more
difficult to be detected. And in most cases the tumours we deal with
have grown for a while, and are less sour than in the beginning. The
mass of a tumour tissue that can be âeaten upâ by the immune system
is limited as well. If it is too big, an operation seems to be
necessary.
But in spite of all the problems named above some sweeping results
were reached by using DCA for cancer therapy. Some cancer types could
be healed completely, and the patients were so thankful for the cure
that some of them are the most devoted collaborators in the DCA
project. In the meanwhile about 200 cases of breast cancer have been
succesfully treated in Czech Republic. The logic of the mechanism of
the unspecific immune system activation makes it sensible to try DCA
in these cases, where spontaneous healings of cancer were reported.
This is known in cases of cancer in the kidneys, the lymph nodes, the
genitals and in connection with melanomas and neuroblastomas. On the
other side there are many shapes of cancer that DCA doesnât seem to
affect at all. In this group we find tumours without localisation as
leukaemia or tumours in alkaline spots of the body like the organs
liver or lung.
After thirty years of practical experience with treatments of cancer
with DCA the scientists came to a simple rule of thumb: â The person
that has a sane gut flora, and is not exposed to a high dose of
cancerogenic substances or rays, will not develop cancer.â
Chicken pox
Chicken pox represent a primary infection with the varicella zoster
virus. DCA shows here once again how superb it ca be when healing
fresh virus infections with a sour local focus. The duration of the
diseases is cut down from two weeks to several days, two to three
days with normal symptoms, afterwards only little dried up pustules.
There are enough meaningful results here to say that is an excellent
indication for DCA. Important to know is the fact, that DCA should
not be taken in the first two days of the disease if the patient
wants an immunisation. If it is taken to early, the reaction of the
unspecific immune system is too fast for the specific immune system
that cant develop antibodies and build up an immunisation.
Encephalitis and Meningitis
Inflammations of the encephalon (encephalitis) and the cerebral
membrane (meningitis) can be caused in many different ways. Common
ones are infections with viruses (ticks), with protozoa (bilharzia),
but also with bacteria or other pathogenes.
DCA has a good, in some cases excellent effect if the inflammation
has a viral origin. There are some cases of tick induced encephalitis
where profound healing effects were reported. We assume as well a
curing effect on cases with a bacterial origin.
Herpes
We are dealing in this case with the herpes simplex virus and can
subdivide into the manifestation of subtype one that is normally
found in the facial area, or subtype two that causes symptoms in the
genital areas of our body.
Herpes is one of the best indications for the use of DCA in acute
therapy. There are many reports about the stunning effect of
deoxycholic acid in treatment of fresh herpes, some with series of
experiments with up to 400 people (see also publications). The
reactivity of herpes varies between 12 and 24 hours on the dividing
line between the skin and the mucous membrane up to four days to if
the herpes is directly in the mucosa.
Middle ear (inflammation)
The causative agents of the inflammation of the middle ear (otitis
media) are in most cases bacteria. Fresh infects react very well to a
treatment with DCA, the pain disappears in 12 to 24 hours. The
reactivity of otitis is comparable with the one of angina. But that
means as well, that we only have a real chance to treat a fresh
infection before pus builds up.
In this case also children were treated efficiently, the pain
relieved overnight when the cure with DCA started in the evening. And
by the side â" we also have a report about the cure of an otitis of a
dog. That is only logical if we know that all higher mammals have a
DCA induced activation of the unspecific immune system.
Neuritis
Neurits is a collective name for diverse symptoms of irritations and
inflammations of the nervous system. The symptoms vary according to
the origin, that can be for example virus infections (herpes, tick
encephalitis) or results of mechanical causes (compression of nerves
as a result of problems with intervertebral discs). Some of them like
the trigeminus-neuritis can cause a lot of pain.
If we have a real inflammation of the nerves, deoxycholic acid can be
an effective way to treat them. It is a good indication as all
important prerequisites for the use of DCA are fulfilled. There are
some reports about effective healings with deoxycholic acid. The same
time it is very important to keep the cause of the disease in mind.
It makes no sense to treat pain caused by a bad vertebrae with DCA.
Pink eye and Stye
If we deal with infections and inflammations of the eye, we stumble
first over two very common ones â" the pink eye (conjunctivitis) and
the stye (hordeolum). The have both different causes.
When we take a closer look at the stye, it is often caused by
mechanical reasons or being too much in a draught. The stye seems to
react well in the beginning, but wasnât investigated till now, as it
is normally a short and harmless disease.
Conjunctivits has normally a different orign, often in the form of an
infectious disease, sometimes also when being exposed to a lot of
dust, especially when being allergic. It is not clear if the pink eye
reacts to a treatment with DCA.
Shingles
The symptoms of shingles are painful reactions in a muscular branch
as well as a seed of a herpetic blisters, often followed by post
herpetic pain syndromes. Shingles are caused by the varizella zoster
virus that is identical with the pathogen of the chicken pox. In most
cases it is a revival of a the virus we are carrying with us since
childhood.
If we treat this illness with DCA at the very beginning, we woun´t
get neuralgic pains. If we treat later, possible pain relieves and
disappears soon, the blisters dry and pale in few days. It is
possible to heal all the unpleasant symptoms of shingles within only
two to five days â" depending how early we start the treatment. There
are clinical tests existing where highly significant healings were
underdone on 60 patients.
Tendosynovitis - tendovaginitis
In this cases we talk about local inflammations in areas of the
tendons. They are pus free and build up local foci pretty suitable to
react on a DCA treatment.
Treatment was undergone with inflammations of the tendons caused by
stereotypical mechanical stress mostly in the wrists â" like al lot of
sewing, or students that stressed their writing hand. The effects of
DCA were pretty good, even if there were only some cases reported. A
complete healing of the pain occurs after about 24 to 36 hours after
the cure starts â" no matter how big the initial pain was.
Urinary tract (inflammations)
There are diverse inflammations of the urinary tract that are wery
common, mostly induced when beeing exposed to cold weather. Women are
more prone to them â" simply because auf their phyical constitution,
and also because of the actual fashion exposed belly (that can lead
up to nephritis). We talk about diseases like cystitis, pyelitis or
nephritis.
Mostly the germs are bacteria, sometimes viruses as well. As far as
we start the cure with DCA in the very beginning of the illness, we
go for a home match. The pain relieves after about one day (or
overnight), if the urine was polluted, it purifies. The therapy with
DCA has a high success rate. In a small study with 21 patients all
cases could be cured with deoxycholic acid.
Warts
Warts (verruca) are caused by a virus. The inflammation foci are in
the end small benign tumours.
As long as the wart is in the growing phase, DCA works very well. But
when the wart is fully grown, the focus looses its sour reaction and
the activation of DCA is no longer possible. Therefore DCA doesnât
work here any more. There are many successful cases reported from
patients and doctors.
Wounds
Wounds mean in this context simply mechanically injured skin and the
tissues below. It was practically found out that DCA supports a
quicker wound healing. It seem that the macrophages cooperate with
granulation modulators and other mechanisms that are responsible for
restoring processes of the body tissues.
If we use DCA, on one side the regeneration process seems to be
quicker than usual â" but this effect is only moderate. What is more
important is the fact that we prevent an inflammation of the wound â"
or heal it, if it already has occurred. This effect can be so
stunning, that a doctor handling operations in the dental area tried
to put a patent on the treatment with DCA (see also publications
page). We recommend to use DCA if an inflammation is going to start,
not from the beginning as a prevention, that we use the momentary
capacities of the body in first case.
The following list contains important scientific publications that
describe the mechanism of the activation of the unspecific immune
system with DCA - and as well the practical use of deoxycholic acid
as a medicament. Among them you will find clinical tests as well as
small reports and new findings in theory.
1) The discovery of the so called pH-jump of the DCA molecule.
Vlcek B., Reif A., Budsky F.: Toxicity of deoxycholate at pH below
7.3 as potential cancerostatic property, Experientia 26, No.7, 776-
778 (1970)
2) Practical findings, that patients with cancer have a low DCA
level. First reports about a "undefined" immunostimulating role of
DCA.
Vlcek B., Reif A., Seidlova B.: Evidence of the participation of
deoxycholate in cancer immunity, Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 26,
No.5, 419-424 (1971)
3) Therapy of chronical viral inflammations with DCA.
Vlcek B., Chýle P.: Therapy of chronic viral affections with DCA,
Advances in Antimicrobial and Antineoplastic Chemotherapy, Vol. I/1,
379, Urban & Schwarzenberg, München (1972)
4) First stunning healing effects with virus based diseases.
Vlcek B.: Deoxycholic acid as a potential cancerostatic and antiviral
factor, Advances in Antimicrobial and Antineoplastic Chemotherapy,
Vol. II/1, 145-147, Urban & Schwarzenberg, München (1972)
5) Description of a fast regression of herpes in 13 cases.
Chyle P., Vlcek B.: Therapeutic effect of DCA in chronic viral
affections, Advances in Antimicrobial and Antineoplastic
Chemotherapy, Vol. I/1, Avicenum, 379f (1972)
6) Further indications for the use of DCA in curing viral and
bacterial infections and some types of autoimmune diseases.
Vlcek B.: Potentiation of the immune response with DCA, Praktický
Lékar 52, 326-330 (1972)
7) Very fast regression of herpes zoster in many cases (statistic
significance)
Brana J., Healing herpes zoster with deoxycholic acid, Lecture on the
10th pharmacologic conference in Krakow, Poland, XI (1973)
8) Presentation and lectures on a congress in Prague
Vlcek B. Perspektivy steroidnÃch imunopromotorú, (Lecture on the 23rd
Pharmacological Days in Prague), Cs. Fysiol. 23, Nr. 4, 371-372
(1974).
9) Shortage of the healing process of herpes to an average of 2-2,5
days - found in 47 cases.
Chyle M., Chyle P.: DCA in therapy of herpes labialis, Cas. Lek. ces.
114, 1226-1229 (1975)
10) The course of hepatocirrhosis was significantly eased in 10 of 28
cases. Healing is not possible as it is an irreversible proceeding
disease.
Fassati P., Fassati M.: DCA in therapy of hepatocirrhosis, Casopis
Lékarú ces. 114, 1222-1226 (1975)
11) Script to a small publication (not published in this form) of
healing effects of DCA in 62 cases - mainly on dental issues and
inflammations in the ENT area.
Dvorak, J.: 57 cases of neuritis, lymphadenitis, periodentitis,
herpes, sinusitis and more, Augsburg, Germany (1979)
Loebmann E.: 5 cases of otitis, sinusitis and more, Schwalbach,
Germany (1979)
12) Further findings according to the activation of macrophages.
Chyle M., Chyle P.: Regulation of the immune response with DCA,
SbornÃk Lékar 84, 212-218 (1982)
13) Treatment of 60 cases of herpes zoster with an average healing
time of 2.5 days. The healing effect could be even shortened down to
1.5 days minimum when using helping agents.
Bradna J.: Treatment of herpes zoster with DCA, Rehabilitacia 16, 77-
86 (1983)
14) Description of the correlation of DCA in blood and urine.
Kolbeová O., Chýle M., Chýle P.: DCA in urine as an indicator of
health, Proc. 5th Gerontological Conferece Budweis, 53-60 (1984)
15) Stunning healings of therapy resistent operational wounds in 20
cases. (It was the trial of a doctor to put a patent upon an effect
of DCA that wasn´t published till then.
Müller K.-H.: Use of DCA to avoid problems in wound healing, Deutsche
Patentanmeldung 3546360 (1985)
16) Healing of 107 cases of herpes simplex in 2.4 days.
Dolezal V., Chýle M., Chýle P.: DCA â" Therapy of viral infections,
2nd Symposium on Treatment of Viral Infections, Bechyne Castle, 56f
(1988).
Further interesting publications around DCA
1) Use of DCA as a harmless emulsifier in nutrition in Switzerland
SLMB, Schweitzer Lebensmittelbuch, Ausgabe 1992, Emulgatoren als
Lebensmittelzusätze Download
2) DCA can be found nowerdays in several drugs.
Deoxycholic acid is used till now only to treat diseases of the gall
bladder or the hepatoenteric. With the new knowledge about DCA there
will be soon new medicaments on the market with the indication
discussed on this site. Download
3) Theses days some other groups of scientists start to investigate
the real function of DCA in our body. One example is a cancer
research institute in USA that stumbled over the use of the herbal
medicine schisandra chinensis in China that is known to heal
inflammations and uplift the immune system. DCA is the main medical
constituent agent!
Chen X., Oppenheim J., et. al., Regulatory effects of deoxycholic
acid, Biochem Pharmacol., 63(3), 533-41, (2002) Download
The change of consciousness starts,
and the DCA project gathered 35 years of theoretical and practical
knowledge for the optimum treatment.
DCA - Links:
Links to organisations and single users in Germany that support the
spread of the knowledge about DCA´s immunomodulating effects. If you
are supporting DCA in the public as well, and want to be part of our
link page, please send us a note.
DCA - Reports:
We collect reports about practical treatment with DCA in any form -
from scientific reports to handwritten field reports from patients
and their relatives. Don´t hesitate to hand in your report.
DCA - Links in Germany
Here is a selection of links from organisations and medical
professionals that know about the superb healing effect of DCA, own a
homepage and have the courage and conscience to speak up in public
openly.
Wissenschaft Unzensiert ("Uncensored Science")
This site deals with discoveries and developments in medical context
that are not conform with the mainstream medicine.
You can read about DCA at point 4 - biological cancer treatment.
Das Gesundheitsparlament ("The Health Parliament")
A interdisciplinary professional network of medical experts that try
to introduce new medical active substances to the public. The aim of
this projet is to support medical development that combines
traditional, ethical and naturopathic approaches.
You can read about DCA as a pathbreaking medicament in health service
on the event page.
Heilpflanzen-Welt ("Herbal World")
A quite good portal for naturopathic approaches that supports the
dissemination of herbal medicine.
This link goes directly to a report about the herb schisandra
chinensis. This plant has DCA as the main constituent medical part,
and is used in TCM (traditional chinese medicine) to heal
inflammations and to strenghten the immune system.
Cholesterol Skeptics
This site is a discussion platform that deals with different medical
issues - and this way also with secondary bile acids. The
conservative opinion that some secondary bile acids (among them DCA)
are without function or even harmful is dicussed in a professional
way on this site.
The section about DCA can be found at the date of May the 21th, 2003.
Wellness-Ãkohof Hof Retzow ("Wellness Center Ãkohof Retzow")
The owner of this center is one of the oldest members of the DCA
project and organiser of DCA information events.
This link aims to a combined information event of DCA and aloe vera
in cooperation with the travel agency "FIT-Reisen". All knowledge
about treatment with DCA is exclusively distributed from the team of
this site.
Doctor Dr. Thomas Kroiss
This link is an example for a doctor that uses DCA in everyday
treatment of infects, inflammations and fever. Dr. Krois knows that
DCA fires (his words) the immune system.
You can read on the page "fever" about DCA.
Naturopath Armin C. Baür
This link is an example for a naturopath that uses DCA. In difference
to the straight biologic theory of DCA as you can read on this page,
Mr. C. Baür uses a homoeopathic solution of deoxycholic acid. Even if
this is a contrary scientific approach than the conservative chemical
and medical knowledge about DCA we have, it shows another aspect of
how deoxycholic acid that attracts the attention of professionals.
DCA-reports and feedbacks
The development of this section is in progress ... Feel welcome to
send us a report about your experiences in the treatment of diseases
with DCA. We welcome reports about your experience with the use of
deoxycholic acid in practical therapy - wheather you are a doctor or
patient.
Here you can download a feedback form for your report. You can choose
to stay totally anonymous to the public or sign your report to
strengthen the liga of people fighting for a recognition of DCA. In
any case - you support the recovery of others!
Feedback form for your feedback
You want to give us a feedback about your experiences in treatment of
a special disease with DCA? Then use the feedback form to the right
please.
The information will be uploaded as an Adobe Acrobat ® file to your
computer. Get Acrobat Reader® to be able to read it.
You have never heard of DCA? You have different questions around
DCA and how it works? You want to use it in therapy? Than this is
your starting point - all downloads are to be found here.
If you want to engage us for a short presentation around DCA and
its use as an immunity promoter - then click here.
You have special questions according to a special disease und its
treatment? You need information about the practical cure of a
diesease with DCA? Then use the option of an individual consultation.
You are a doctor, naturopath or any kind of worker in the medical
field? You want to work on a professional base with DCA in therapy?
So then use the option of becoming a DCA-therapist.
You are a representative of a drug company or any organisations
involved in the pharmaceutical field?
Your requests are welcome here.
DCA can be purchased in any drugstore or chemical supply shop. If
you want to buy DCA in bigger amounts, follow the links on this page.
You want to give us a feedback about your experiences in treatment
of a special disease with DCA? Then use this feedback form.
You want to support our work and the spreading out of the
information about DCA? Then follow this link and help us with a
donnation.
Please remeber that all the information about the use of DCA as a
medicament ist directed to professionals (doctors, scientists and
naturopaths licensed to work in the field of human health). The
authors of this site therefore take no liability for the autonomous
use of DCA in therapy.
Blissed be, Annie
BodyByBliss.com

Great news Tim. Thanks for letting us know.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
BreastCancerStories.com
http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/
Angel Feather Loomer
www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com
Check out my other ornaments at
www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
Lots of info and gifts at:
www.cancerclub.com

A surprising discovery by Queen¢s University researchers that
happened when their work took an unexpected turn may help
women with advanced breast cancer respond better to
conventional drug treatments.
To get the full story, click here:
http://www.informationonbreastcancer.info/breast-cancer.htm

Hi, I hope everyone is doing okay. I started on Aromasin a couple
months ago, my labs have been stable, and my last results showed the
tumor marker dropped from 290 to 197! The doc said that was pretty
significant, so now we can spread my visits out to every six weeks
instead of every four weeks. And the pleural effusion I had around my
left lung is about gone, too, so the news has been encouraging.
Something's working right! I've been working regular hours (well, I'm
late a lot because I like to sleep more these days) but now have an
opportunity to take another position. I'm not sure if it's a great
idea because I seem to be doing so well as it is. It would be a
challenge, and fun to learn something new, but I think the stress
level would be a lot higher. I would be leaving one known (sometimes)
stressful job for an unknown, probably higher-stress position. I'm at
a loss because I'd love to move on, but I don't know how wise that
would be at this time. Anyone out there had a dilemma like this? I
want to move forward, live every day, and not live like a sick person,
without pushing too hard, doing too much. It's hard to know how best
to stay as well as possible. Trying to keep a positive, but realistic,
attitude. Any similar experiences?
Be strong, all.
Kim

Kim,
Not a similar experience but if you want my opinion I would say stay where you
are for now. More stress is the last thing you need. I will keep you in my
prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
BreastCancerStories.com
http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/
Angel Feather Loomer
www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com
Check out my other ornaments at
www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
Lots of info and gifts at:
www.cancerclub.com

NEW: Fluoridation Warning Issued for Infants
See also:
Formula, fluoride can discolor children's teeth
Mothering Magazine: New Fluoride Warning for Infants
Dental Experts: Too Much Fluoride Is Bad For Babies
American Dental Association's "e-gram alert"
Parents Warned Against Fluoride in water
Fluoride & Babies Don't Mix, Say ADA
Background re: Fluoride & Infants
Ask Wal-Mart to Stop Selling Fluoride Water to Infants
Blissed be, Annie
BodyByBliss.com

My mom Diane was a member of this group. She found much comfort in
hearing other stories from people who were in the same boat as her. I
would like to say thank you all for being so brave and strong in
dealing with all you have to conquer with this disease. My mom wasn't
as lucky as some, she passed away on February 25th.
I just wanted to say thank you for being an outlet for her. She wasn't
exactly the type that would talk about what was on her mind with her
family and friends and with this group, you allowed her too.

Switching patients with breast cancer from a standard drug
to a
newer treatment helps them to live longer and improves
their odds of
remaining free of the disease, German researchers said.
Click here to find out more:
http://www.informationonbreastcancer.info/breast-cancer.htm

This board is strictly for breast cancer articles. Mosst ladies don't feel well
enough to go through unrelated posts.
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
BreastCancerStories.com
http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/
Angel Feather Loomer
www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com
Check out my other ornaments at
www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
Lots of info and gifts at:
www.cancerclub.com

If you feel well enough to meditate. But Fluoride does cause cancer.
So best to stay away from it? Right Marianne? BB, A
Immune-Boosting Meditation
Adapted from The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle (New World Library,
2004).
Simple Solution
When we inhabit our bodies more fully, we strengthen our immune
systems and slow down the aging process. Try this simple self-healing
meditation to boost your immune system:
1. When you are unoccupied for a few minutes, and especially last
thing at night before falling asleep and first thing in the morning
before getting up, "flood" your body with consciousness.
2. Close your eyes. Lie flat on your back. Choose different parts of
your body to focus your attention on briefly at first: hands, feet,
arms, legs, abdomen, chest, head, and so on. Feel the life energy
inside those parts as intensely as you can. Stay with each part for
fifteen seconds or so.
3. Then let your attention run through your body like a wave a few
times, from head to feet and back again. This need only take a minute
or so.
4. After that, feel the inner body in its totality, as a single field
of energy. Hold that feeling for a few minutes. Be intensely present
during that time, present in every cell of your body. Don't be
concerned if the mind occasionally succeeds in drawing your attention
out of the body and you lose yourself in some thought. As soon as you
notice that this has happened, just return your attention to your
inner body.

Thank you! Yes! Finally! A study has been done and published for
those who do not have early stage breast cancer! It seems like the
majority of the studies I see are only for early stage cancers and not
for people like me. Thanks!!
kelli

According to the MRI, the mass is NOT likely to be the cause of any
pain. Since there is some blood (not visible, although it did appear a
bit darker than usual), the dr thinks the problem may be multiple
SMALL kidney stones that are being successfully passed. That would
explain the intermittent (but severe nature) of the pain over the
course of weeks, and a slightly larger stone that did not pass easily
would explain the continuous pain Saturday evening and the exruciating
pain late Saturday night (I woke up at one point and couldn't even
move because it hurt so much).
He wants to investigate whether there is any conncetion between the
WLS and possible stones. (I have heard of gallstones, but not kidney
stones... but I know I am still not getting all the fluid I need, and
I think that I read somewhere that excessive protein (MUCH higher than
my 60g/day) can cause kidney damage...) Anyone else know of a connection?
Wouldn't even very small kidney stones have shown up on the CAT scan
and MRI, though? He wants to wait until Friday and then do an
ultrasound to check for stones... if none show up but the pain
returns, we go back to looking for something else...
Lora

Had my six month check up and the doc said I am one healthy lady (even though I
have been ill with the flu for the last two weeks). All my vits are great,,still
a tad low on the protein but it is coming up. I have lost a total of 134 lbs.
including the 35 pre op from May to July..He said I am at the 12 to 18 month
stage at 6 months out and have lost 78% of my weight..I am down from 307 to 174
and said all I really needed to lose was 15 to 20 lbs more and he would be
satisfied. Unfortunately I am losing him as he is getting out of the Navy in the
fall and going civilian.
Lizanne my honeymoon period is over but I just dropped another 3 lbs in the last
week. It has slowed down to about a pound a week, sometimes 2 or 3. The hair
loss has slowed dramatically although there are still some days when more than
normal brushed out but not like it was. I can finally eat some chicken now
also..still not willing to try red meat yet.
I have not been taking calcium but my levels are normal from all the milk and
dairy products I eat.
Penny

Thanks Marianne - will do so.

Hello to all, I just read the majority of postings and my heart and
prayers go out to you all. I am an ICU RN with a mother who has just
been diagnosed for her third time with breast cancer, but this time is
stage iv. Being an ICU RN I am very familiar with her potential course
and am simply devastated. Do any of you have any encouraging news,
research or words to help us? Her cancer is now in the thoracic lymph
nodes and sacral bone with possible colon involvement. Do I subject her
to more tests?

Janet,
I don't know the answer to your question but my nut wants me to eat my meals
5 hours apart with a protein supplement in the middle.
Debby
Janet Kilpatrick <pinkie1153@...
I am still in the "Waiting for my Six Month Supervised Diet Visits"
but I have a question. I have read that our body only absorbs 20-25 grams of
protein at a time. What is the time frame (in between protein) that our bodies
start obsorbing again
Thanks,
Janet

Recently, UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center was awarded NIH and
NCI nods. In addition, they completed some incredible research on BC
and estrogen receptors.
For those who may need help, assistance or information, please see
cancer.unm.edu.
"Where there Is Hope, there is love. Where there is love, there is
life."
Blissed be, Annie

Every day there's a new warning about which foods could
cause cancer. But some foods could actually prevent it.
Click here to find out more:
http://www.informationonbreastcancer.info/breast-cancer.htm

Hi folks, just thought I would update you on the palliative XRT. I had it to C
spine and sacrum, coccyx and pelvis and have had some irritated and imflammed
nerves to the shouder and shoulder blade that has given me considerable grief.
Has anyone had the C spine zapped and how did you do with it. I am told it may
be a few weeks to settle. I also have some taste changes and a very dry mouth
possibly due to the parotid gland getting a bit of a zap though not intended
and the back of my head and neck are incedibly tender. Food is tasting like
cardboard at the moment but the XRT seems to have kicked in pain wise as that
gnawing pain in th C spine has lifted.
The lower spine has imflammed and irritated nerves too.I have no message to
pee, no message to activate peeing and had an accident, thank goodness I was at
home. I am now buying shares in Tena Lady!!! But the pain is reduced already and
it makes such a diference to sitting in a chair or in the car or indeed lying on
my back. I am sleeping about 12 hours, having to go to bed about 6-7 in the
evening. If anyone has had similar palliative XRT and had similar side effects
can you let me know what they were and how long they lasted please?
We have a villa in Lanzarote booked for the week before Xmas for all the
family and of course Xmas at home with all the family too so I am feeling a bit
anxious that they will be running around looking after me rather than enjoying
the break themselves.
And was anyone's mood knocked by XRT as I am feeling pretty low spirited right
now?
LOL Velvet x (UK)

Tracey I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I am not Stage IV but have friends
in here that are plus I am a moderator.
Have you talked to anyone at the American Cancer Society to see if there is
anything new that is out? Or is there a teaching hospital or one that
specializes in breast cancer in your area? I will keep both your Mother and you
in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Anxiety Depression and Breast Cancer

Hi
I am joining to see what you guys are doing out there.
I have been stage 4 for quite some time.
Initial breast cancer was 1986 with six months chemo.
1992 recurrence in left humorous with radiation.
1998 recurrence in right femer, both hips, sacrum and some ribs.
Did radiation and started ARimidex (for 5 years)
2003 left mandible (jaw) with radiation.
2006 right mandible with radiation. It is spreading to the skull (not
the brain.)
Doctor (since 1998) has always been mad because I won't do chemo.
I have used arredia (2 hr IV for the bones, not chemo) for a long time.
Finally changed to 20 min zometa. No side effects.
I am sporadically getting Aranesp for my low red cell counts.
I see doctor next week (every 3 months) to discuss my numbers and bone
scans. We'll see what happens this time.
Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving. I do not have alot of time to check
your emails, but would like to hear or give good news.

hi girls-
this is a pretty big question-
what vitamins/supplements are you taking and why?
I was following advice from Dr Simone in NJ- and taking his vitamins-
i went to gnc to see if i can get gnc brand equivalents and I just got
sooo confused and angry!!!!!
anything would help
thanks
susie

Lizanne,
I haven't been in that position yet because I'm too new but just be
yourself. Don't worry about what people are thinking. I'm sure you'll get lots
of compliments on your weight loss. You've earned them so just smile and accept
it. Eat the food that's safe to eat and enjoy the company.
Debby
lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...
Good Morning,
I am going to a retirement luncheon for my best friend today. I have
met her relatives and the people she works with but only see them
about once a year. She has told them all that I have had this
surgery. She says they have been asking if they will recognise me.
Now I feel like I am going to be on display and that I had better be
up to the challenge, because of all the bad things people see from the
media. I know it shouldn't matter to me, but it does. I want them to
see that the surgery does work as long as I do my part. Besides, this
is my friend who just recently mentioned how easy it was to lose
weight after having this surgery. Just wondered if anyone else has
been put on the spot, or felt like they were?
Lizanne

This is pretty important to me, too. I found that following Dr.'s orders was
very important, and I do exactly as told, but I would like to have some input
into my treatment, too. My onchologist said for me to wait until after chemo,
but because I will be on chemo forever (perhaps), I have chosen to use
supplements. I found a complimentary alternative medicine practitioner that
works with my chemo treatments- so I'm taking supplements as well as following
my therapy from my doctors.
I am unsure if these supplements help or hender, or do nothing for my treatment.
I am kind of scared to use the supplements, but they give me a feeling of
contributing to my own well being, and I tend to be focused on this effect.
Perhaps they are nothing but a placebo, but they give me hope and I am praying
they are doing nothing harmful.
My prescribed meds are Xeloda, Avastin, and Zometa. In addition, I am taking
(from my practitioner) some Nature's Sunshine supplements - specifically: Paw -
Paw; E-Tea; Immune Stimulator; Protease Inhibitor; and Juice Plus.
I am ER/PR negative with Her2 Neg.

Penny,
You've done fantastic, Congratulations.
Debby
Penny Drozd <pennyisnot@...
Had my six month check up and the doc said I am one healthy lady (even
though I have been ill with the flu for the last two weeks). All my vits are
great,,still a tad low on the protein but it is coming up. I have lost a total
of 134 lbs. including the 35 pre op from May to July..He said I am at the 12 to
18 month stage at 6 months out and have lost 78% of my weight..I am down from
307 to 174 and said all I really needed to lose was 15 to 20 lbs more and he
would be satisfied. Unfortunately I am losing him as he is getting out of the
Navy in the fall and going civilian.
Lizanne my honeymoon period is over but I just dropped another 3 lbs in the last
week. It has slowed down to about a pound a week, sometimes 2 or 3. The hair
loss has slowed dramatically although there are still some days when more than
normal brushed out but not like it was. I can finally eat some chicken now
also..still not willing to try red meat yet.
I have not been taking calcium but my levels are normal from all the milk and
dairy products I eat.
Penny

Just wanted to send a little "hi" and let everyone know that I am
home. I did well in the hospital and am following all the instructions
to a T. I am tired but not in too much pain. I walked in the pharmacy
and got my scripts so I'm getting around just fine. I will be going to
rest for a bit as I find I get more tired then anything else. I doing
well and thank you for all your continued support. My family thought I
was at the hospital for weeks...as I was leaving everyone was so
friendly and almost sad to see me go. I'm a good patient I
suppose. :) Not to mention I don't make the nurses job hell. :) I
am finally in the losers lounge and loving every minute of it...now if
I can just get the Cabana boy to come and put lotion on my back....
Thanks again.
Always
Jessica
Thank you Sharon for keeping tabs on me. I'm at home and call
anytime...I will be here. No running around for me for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by. Its been quiet in here for the last month or so. I hope
its just that everyone is busy.
I don't have Stage IV but I am a friend of a lot of the ladies in here and also
a moderator. I will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
BreastCancerStories.com
http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/
Angel Feather Loomer
www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com
Check out my other ornaments at
www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html
Lots of info and gifts at:
www.cancerclub.com

Good Luck Dovey!! We'll meet you in the Loser's Lounge!!
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW169**GW125-130

but what are the milligrams ...what is the dose on the bottle?
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW169**GW125-130

hi all
I have read a few posts about losing hair and it's importance and a factor in
chosing chemo.
I have to say that those who lose their hair and don't flinch are just
marvellous ~ I don't know how you do it. For me my hair, not that it's anything
fantastic, it's fine, floppy, thinning, coloured and long but to lose it would
be like losing part of me. I felt exactly the same about losing a breast or both
I should say.
Again there are people who can lose one or both breasts and not flinch and I
have every admiration but me, I had to have immediate reconstruction.
Back to hair, losing it and feeling bad about losing it, isn't in my opinion
about being vain, hair is part of me, losing my makeup bag (especially my
mascara) and feeling bad is being vain. And is your hair more important than
your life, well of course it isn't but it's not as easy as that for chemo has no
guarantees anyway?
The loss of hair to me would be something along the lines of feeling less
female/woman, losing my identity, even losing part of my personality for it is
an intrinsic part of who I am. I can say exactly the same about losing a breast
or two, but this is purely my opinion.
I have a friend who grieved for her womb when she had to have a hysterectomy,
she didn't want anymore children, yet she went into a depression, she told me
her womb was part of who she was and I understood this right away.
Losing hair and chosing chemo or chosing to go without is a huge decision, do
we suffer the anxiety from hair loss or do we suffer anxiety from chemo effects?
It is a hard choice. But an individual one.
I have just started taking chemo and the first thing I said was I'm not losing
my hair for anyone, and the onc's reply was you don't have to. So I am a chemo
regimen that possibly causes thinning but very, very rarely hair loss. I think
the drug companies have been listening.
This losing hair business has triggered a thought, men, eventually they bald.
Some cope some don't it's all down to the individual.
LOL Velvet (UK)

WTG Lora!!!! I bet that feels great huh? AWESOME!!!
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW169**GW125-130

Hi,
My name is Rosalyn and I am unfortunately a member of the Stage IV club.
I am 42 years old and was diagnosed July 2006 with IDC IIIA (5cm to
make the III but no nodes) and had chemo AC+T a lumpectomy and
radiation. No nodal involvement and no problems. I finished radiation
in Feb.
About two months ago started having periods again and they were VERY
heavy and started about every three weeks. Some pelvic pain. I went
to my gyno about two weeks ago and she said my uterus seem enlarged and
ordered an ultrasound. That was on the 12th of July and they saw a
solid mass in one of my ovaries. I had a laproscopic hysterectomy with
removal of both ovaries on Monday. The early path looked fine and the
doc said it was a hemoragic corpus luteum. No worries.
She then called back on Thursday and said that upon further review the
path showed cancer cells in the ovary unrelated to the main issue.
Damn.
So went to see the onc on Friday and he ordered a PET with radio-sugar,
barium and a Ct w/ contrast. Now waiting for the final path and the
results of the scans but we know so far that the cancer is estrogen +
which means it is not ovarian cancer. My doc said it was almost
certainly mets of the breast cancer.
I am terrified. I was just getting my life back and feeling healthy
and strong again.

Welcome to the group Rosalyn. I am so sorry to hear that your cancer has
returned. I will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Anxiety Depression and Breast Cancer

I can't remember if I asked this question or not, but do you ever get a
break from any chemo once you are stage IV?? I am so not looking
forward to living on side affects...
Any info is always knowledge..
Thank you,
Michele

adjustable gastric band but it slipped and had to be
removed so then had gastric bypass
life. If you had the health problems that I had... it
is so great to seem them decreasing.

I have known a few ladies that have been able to take time off from thei chemo
that were Stage IV ladies.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Anxiety Depression and Breast Cancer

I drink a sip or two with my actual meals, but I generally drink like normal
with my snacks. I am not sure what the reason is behind not drinking but I
suspect it has to be 1 of 2 things: 1. fluids take up the space in the pouch
which needs to be taken up with protein or 2. the fluids flush out the pouch
faster thus causing us to be empty sooner. However, the only time I do not eat
and drink together is when I eat yogurt, soup or cottage cheese. It may be
because they are already so moist but I just dont feel the need to at all.
Lora, reheated chicken is terrible isn't it. I will get sick on poultry the
2nd time around faster than anyother type of food. I was thinking about that
when I was reading about Ally's issues. I have started baking the chicken, and
then the next night "stewing" the leftovers in tomato sauce and then melting
cheese on it. That seems to hit the spot.
Lisa A
Lora <cicerogirl@...
I do occasionally have a few very small sips when I eat, especially
if I'm eating re-heated chicken which tends to be dry. That has
been one of the hardest adjustments for me (especially when we go
out to eat). I have been avoiding drinking with meals as much as
possible because I am SO scared that, when the hunger returns (as my
surgeon assures me it will), I do NOT want to be in the habit of
drinking and washing the food through my pouch too quickly (and then
being hungry again right away).
I know different things work for different poeple, and some people
are able to NEVER even take a sip with a meal and some people drink
with meals all the time, but I'm going to try to sip only when
absolutely necssary.
Lora

Hello Everyone,
I hope this post finds you all keeping well. A few months back some of
you kindly completed a questionnaire for me, as part of my study on
how to improve quality of life for people with breast cancer. This was
immensely helpful and has given me some good insight into what is
important in terms of health and quality of life to people
experiencing breast cancer.
Since questionnaire completion I have made some fundamental changes to
the design of the questionnaire. Namely, I have tried to make it more
user-friendly and have also added some questions based on previous
feedback from participants. Before distributing this changed
questionnaire to people undergoing chemotherapy, I would very much
appreciate some feedback on it.
Your participation would involve completing the questionnaire and then
answering some questions on how easy/difficult it was, etc. Your name
will not be used in anyway, so all feedback is confidential.
If you feel able to help, please contact me and I will forward the
questionnaire to you.
Kind Regards,
Nicola (nicnac234@...)

Welcome to the group Amy!!!
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW169**GW125-130

Thought I would say hi, my name is Pam, I'm really scared and I am
being treated for liver mets. I'm getting another full body CT next
week so wanting to
get a list of questions together for the Onc if anyone would have any
suggestions I would appreciate it,
Hope you are all doing well
Pam

Hi Pam,
Welcome to the group. I am sure some of the ladies will get back with you. I
will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs
Marianne
Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life
http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html
Anxiety Depression and Breast Cancer

Tracy,
You can drink with a meal because you are not eating very much. Most
NUTs tell us not to drink with a meal because they want us to feel
full, and to have that feeling for as long as possible. If you drink
with a meal, the food gets washed out of your pouch faster. If you
drink enough you will never feel full. This is fine in the beginning
but as we get used to our pouches we have to be more aware of the
amount we are stuffing into the pouch. Not drinking for a while
after eating keeps the pouch full so we aren't as tempted to eat
more. I drink with my meals and I still don't drink enough. So now
I'm not sure what to do. Stop drinking to feel full, but to lower
the amount of fluids I get....or keep drinking and never feel full.
I don't understand how others do it. There isn't enough time. I
even keep bottled water next to my bed. I haven't used it much, but
it's there just in case.
Lizanne

I'm not sure what your treatment regime is so I expect some questions
may not be relevant but here are some questions I've found people ask.
Many of them may be overkill as you've probably been dealing with this
for a while and already know answers. I think I'd probably ask about
what symptoms of further deterioration would be and what the next step
treatmentwise would be if the CT scans show more mets than expected.
I'd also want to know if the clinic has some good encouraging success
stories of patients with liver mets who've gone into remission.
Here are the questions I found:
What kind of physical damage can I expect with/without the treatment?
Should I exercise during treatment?
Is the treatment likely to cause depression? How will I know if I'm
going through depression? What are my treatment options for depression?
What is physically happening to my body when I get abdominal pains,
chest pains, etc?
Are there any non-traditional treatments (i.e. herbs, acupuncture, etc)
that might help me?
Is there anything that may increase the chance of the cancer spreading?
(i.e. exercising, diet, alcohol, smoke-filled rooms)
Should I get vaccinations (i.e. Flu, Hepatitis A&B & Typhoid) or shots
to boost my red or white blood cell counts before any trips?
Which vitamins should I be taking? Not taking?
Should I stop taking my (non-cancer-related) medications?
Where is the cancer other than in my liver? Are lymph nodes involved?
How large are the tumors? Is surgery an option?
What is the most aggressive treatment I can pursue? Likely side-effects?
What is the least aggressive treatment I can pursue? Likely side-
effects?
Should I be checked for diabetes if a blood test result shows a high
sugar count?
Why does this form of cancer have such a high reoccurrence?
How do my tumor markers look?(I'm assuming they're monitoring them
through regular blood work....)
· Should I get a chest portacath for chemo treatment? What are the
risks and benefits of a portacath?
·How often do I need to have Heparin injected into my chest portacath?
·Should I be doing any maintenance (i.e. cleaning) of my portacath?
Do I need a medical card stating I have a portacath to get through
airport security x-rays?
Should I quit flossing my teeth during chemo to reduce the chance of
gum bleeding?
Is there a database that I can access to search for patients of my age,
cancer, stage, and treatment to get survival rates?
What studies did you use to arrive to my treatment plan?
What are the failure/success rates of this treatment plan that you have
personally experienced through your own medical practice?
Who else is checking my blood work, X-rays, and CT/PET scans for cancer?
How often will I be getting future CT/PET scans?
Will non-diagnosed cancers be looked for on future CT/PET scans?
Does anybody else help you come up with my specific treatment plan?
Should I avoid eating foods with live bacteria (i.e. yogurt, salads,
uncooked vegetables) during chemo?
Should I avoid oily, spicy, highly-acidic food/beverages (i.e. OJ and
grapefruit juice) the night before and day of chemo?
Should I avoid swimming in public pools during chemo?
What numbers from blood tests should I be monitoring?
Will my dentist be able to perform cleanings, X-rays, and procedures
during my chemo and radiation treatments?
Am I now more susceptible to getting other cancers?
Are my siblings/children at higher risk of getting this cancer?
Am I at higher risks for blood clots?
How long does it take the body to rid the actual chemo?
Can I still donate organs?
Am I more likely to get a skin burn from sun exposure during/after
chemo or radiation? YES!
How was my chemo/radiation schedule determined? (i.e. type of chemo,
radiation, and number of days)
Should I be concerned over changes in my bowel movements or changes in
color to my stools?
How often does remission occur more than once with my form of cancer?
Is it OK to drink alcohol during or after chemo?
Are vaccinations less effective if taken during chemo treatments?
Am I at higher risk of getting Shingles?
Should I get a Neulasta shot after all of my chemo treatments,
including oral chemo?
How long might I live if I do not continue treatment? When would I
start to feel sick or have pain?
How long might I live if continue or start a new treatment?
What should I expect for quality of life during my last days/weeks of
my life? What part of my body is most likely to be impacted? How will
my pain be managed?
I'm going in on Tuesday for my weekly Herceptin and Taxol and to see
and discuss results of last week's CT scan. My mets are only in my
lungs and I hope to shrink them into remission but have to get a little
more obsessive with diet and lifestyle and not rely only on expensive
medical treatments. Sigh. Easy to say after the hamburger I just had
with the kids.
Big hugs and best wishes,
Kathy
in Tokyo

Lizanne
Are they aware that you had WLS or is it just a preloaded site? Can you
imagine trying to eat 2000 calories? What do the BMI calculators say about your
obesity level? I have not checked that in a while.
Lisa A
lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...
Tracy,
Sparkpeople is like fitday.com. Both sites allow you to use their
food diary. It's a little bothersome at first to set up all the
foods that are unique to you, but they get better. Ally says there
is a myspace kinda area too on sparkpeople. I use fitday.com. They
have a food diary, exercise log, weight chart and corresponding
reports. There are some draw backs. They still tell me I am
severely obese and won't be moderately obese until I lose about 20
more lbs and they also state my calorie intake before exercise should
be around 2000 cals per day. If you overlook that and concentrate on
the tables that work for you, it's a great site and FREE.
Lizanne

Tracy,
Sparkpeople is like fitday.com. Both sites allow you to use their
food diary. It's a little bothersome at first to set up all the
foods that are unique to you, but they get better. Ally says there
is a myspace kinda area too on sparkpeople. I use fitday.com. They
have a food diary, exercise log, weight chart and corresponding
reports. There are some draw backs. They still tell me I am
severely obese and won't be moderately obese until I lose about 20
more lbs and they also state my calorie intake before exercise should
be around 2000 cals per day. If you overlook that and concentrate on
the tables that work for you, it's a great site and FREE.
Lizanne

Hi Pam,
I am fairly new here too and also trying to figure it all out. I was
diagnosed 7/13/2006 with IDC breast cancer and on 7/13/2007 with mets
to my ovary. Next year I am going to be on a desert island where no
one can find me on 7/13 and maybe for the entire month of July!
I had a PET scan and a CT scan and will be having a ct every 90 days
sto check for further mets.

Thank you Debby,
We are ok .. fires arent out. .there was over 150 fires in Shasta County alone
from dry lightning. . this weekend we are expecting more thunder storms. . hope
it doesnt make more. . Air quality is "unhealthy" up here .. fires are North
South EAst and West. . so it really sucks
~*Sharon XOXO*~
"THIN feels better than FAT tastes!"
Lap RNY 7/30/07
HW242**SW232**CW148**GW125-130

Long term weight loss and maintenance after Gastric Bypass Thanks go to Latham
Flanagan, MD. Many of the concepts and many of the terms used in this outline
have been learned from him. Dr. Flanagan practiced bariatric surgery in Eugene,
OR, and retired in early 2005.
The first year after gastric bypass is usually very rewarding in terms of
weight loss and an improved sense of well being. However, this time can also be
confusing, frustrating and frightening due to the many changes the body
undergoes. The function of the stomach pouch "tool" changes almost continuously
over the first six months, and continues to change periodically over the next
year or so. Just when the patient feels they have begun to understand the
stomach pouch/tool and how to use it, things change all over again. These first
few months are honeymoon period after gastric bypass the patient can lose
weight with little effort, and for the first time ever she (or he) feels like
the Queen of Weight Loss. This cant last, because if it did then a significant
percentage of bariatric surgical patients would waste away into nothing. The
stomach and intestine will compensate for the surgical changes and work better,
so that
There is an especially frightening change that takes place around 6-9 months
after the surgery. The stomach pouch softens and expands slightly so that a
patient regains a regular appetite and can "suddenly" tolerate a significantly
larger amount of food. Patients sometimes worry that something has pulled apart
or broken on the inside, though this is rarely the case. This increased
interest in food and increased capacity for food is a very natural and
appropriate part of the recovery process after gastric bypass surgery. The
reason it frightens patients so much is that they had previously felt they had
control of their weight for the first time in their lives, and the renewed
appetite threatens that they are losing control once again. This handout is
about how to gain control of your weight using the stomach pouch "tool" and to
keep control of the weight for life.
The first thing to realize is that for the first six months or so after
gastric bypass you did NOT have control of your weight. The pounds were going
to come off almost no matter what you did. The stomach pouch could not handle
enough calories to maintain weight for the first few months we call this the
"honeymoon" period after gastric bypass. The return of appetite and the
increase in food capacity signal an end to the honeymoon period and a transition
to the rest of life. In the rest of life, you are going to be the one
controlling (or not controlling) your weight.
Your surgeon has created a stomach pouch that will be your tool to help
control your weight for life. We prefer to describe the stomach pouch as a tool
so that patients understand the need to learn how to use it, and stick with the
"rules of the tool" over time. Patients who are aiming for the best long-term
success begin using these concepts and rules immediately after their gastric
bypass.
The time to really choose your new habits is during the early recovery after
surgery this is when your motivation is highest, and the other parts of your
life have been thrown out of kilter by the surgery anyway. Use this early
recovery period to choose your new exercise and diet habits. Even though
patients lose weight no matter what for the first few months, use of the
concepts outlined below will also maximize the weight loss during the honeymoon
period take advantage of this time so that when appetite and capacity return
there is not so much further to go in achieving a weight goal.
The Rules of the Tool OK, here are the magic "rules of the tool" (are you
ready?): Diet and Exercise.
We strongly believe that the top three factors for lifetime weight control are
(in order):
Regular exercise
Avoid drinking liquids with meals
Minimize carbohydrates or other easy calories
There are several important things to note about this short list of Keys:
Exercise is most important
Surgical factors are not listed. These rules refer to patient habits. We
will show you the path each patient needs to take the steps along the way.
The good news is that diet and exercise, supported by your pouch/tool, can
help you achieve your goal weight with excellent energy and without
uncomfortable hunger. Here is a more complete description of the guidelines and
the ideas behind them.
Exercise keys Regular exercise is the most important factor in long term
weight control. In this context, regular exercise means some kind of brisk
aerobic activity, at least 30 minutes in duration, at least 5 days per week.
Patients who achieve this goal can reliably expect to have improved energy and
improved weight loss. It turns out that the best exercise for fat burning is
not exercise that is so hard you feel like you want to die you just have to
get to a heart rate around 120 and stay there for a while.
Hibernation mode and Hunting mode It is easiest to understand the benefits of
exercise by thinking back to the evolution of our ancestors. Thousands of years
ago in "cave man days" starvation was a constant threat, and our bodies were
evolved to store any extra calories in preparation for the lean times. During
lean times, the body is programmed to do everything possible to hold onto the
calorie stores. So the first response of the body when faced with starvation
(during a famine for our ancestors, or after gastric bypass surgery for us) is
to conserve all possible energy by turning down the "metabolic thermostat."
This means that fewer calories are burned and the person feels like sleeping and
being away from activity they are easily fatigued. Some call this the
"hibernation mode," and it is as if the long winter has come; the best
adaptation is to go way back into the cave and wait until the weather (and the
hunting) improves. (Note that the hibernation
response can also lead to depression and difficulty interacting with others.)
The role of exercise in this situation can be thought of as retraining the
body into a different mode called hunting mode. If the body is treated to
regular vigorous physical activity during starvation, its interpretation may be
that the person is foraging or hunting. The body (from an evolutionary
standpoint) would be in favor of hunting because it could lead to more calorie
intake, so it provides more energy to help with finding and gathering food it
turns up the metabolic thermostat. This upregulation means that more calories
are burned throughout the 24 hour period (besides the extra calories burned
during the exercise) and the person has a significantly increased feeling of
energy.
Note that this discussion about hibernation mode and hunting mode is written
as a way of understanding the observed effects of exercise after gastric bypass
- these are not scientifically established physiologic events.
The best time to begin your exercise program is before the gastric bypass
Success in gastric bypass is all about choosing the right habits, with the
support of the surgery to improve your success. If you exercise and diet before
the surgery, you will have a strong impact on reducing your surgical risk. You
will also benefit from having your exercise plan in place, so you dont have to
figure it out during the confused recovery phase after surgery. If exercise is
not begun before surgery, then it should be started as soon as possible after
surgery. Discuss details with your surgeon, but generally we advise patients to
maximize their physical activity from the outset. This starts with walking on
the same day as surgery, and should progress to more vigorous activity as the
months go by.
People who put off regular exercise until they feel all recovered or who try
to start exercising when they realize they are not on course to reach their goal
weight generally do not achieve or keep the new habit. Patients who work hard
on exercise early after the surgery find it very rewarding. As the weight falls
off, the capacity for exercise improves dramatically, with significant
improvements on a week-by-week basis.
Two objections to the exercise program that we frequently hear are that the
patient is too heavy, or too fatigued. The first of these is unfortunately
valid in many of our patients who are extremely heavy people with a BMI of 70+
usually cannot engage in routi