David1949 - 6 month update
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 1:14 pm
It's been 6 months since I had the venoplasty treatment in Chicago. So how am I doing?
I think I've had more energy since the procedure and I did a huge amount of yard work around the house this summer. I never thought I would be able to do those things again. But the drop foot and weakness in my left leg seemed to be unchanged.
On August 13, I started a gluten free diet. Now I seem to be seeing some subtle improvements;
1) Previously I could not cross my left leg over the right without using my hands to lift the leg.
Now I can usually do it without using my hands.
2) I participate in the CCSVI Tracking website. There are a number of tasks you have to complete each month to measure your improvement. One of the tasks is a 6 meter walking test. You sit in a chair then start your stopwatch, get up and walk around an object placed 3 meters in front of you, walk back to the chair, sit down and stop the watch. Initially it took me over 20 seconds. Since starting the gluten free diet the time has now dropped to 13 seconds. That's an empirical test.
Could the changes be placebo effect? I don't think so.
Are the changes due to venoplasty or the diet? The doctor who did my procedure said any changes resulting from the procedure would happen within 1 month. Anything after that would be due to something else. So maybe the increase in energy is due to the procedure. But the improvement in the walking test occurred 5 months post procedure. That lines up with the timing of the diet.
Could it be the improvements are the result of cooler weather? Maybe. We'll have to see how I do next summer.
I think I've had more energy since the procedure and I did a huge amount of yard work around the house this summer. I never thought I would be able to do those things again. But the drop foot and weakness in my left leg seemed to be unchanged.
On August 13, I started a gluten free diet. Now I seem to be seeing some subtle improvements;
1) Previously I could not cross my left leg over the right without using my hands to lift the leg.
Now I can usually do it without using my hands.
2) I participate in the CCSVI Tracking website. There are a number of tasks you have to complete each month to measure your improvement. One of the tasks is a 6 meter walking test. You sit in a chair then start your stopwatch, get up and walk around an object placed 3 meters in front of you, walk back to the chair, sit down and stop the watch. Initially it took me over 20 seconds. Since starting the gluten free diet the time has now dropped to 13 seconds. That's an empirical test.
Could the changes be placebo effect? I don't think so.
Are the changes due to venoplasty or the diet? The doctor who did my procedure said any changes resulting from the procedure would happen within 1 month. Anything after that would be due to something else. So maybe the increase in energy is due to the procedure. But the improvement in the walking test occurred 5 months post procedure. That lines up with the timing of the diet.
Could it be the improvements are the result of cooler weather? Maybe. We'll have to see how I do next summer.