Inclined Bed Therapy

[shye]

Hi Jimmylegs-

re: dream recall, right?

I take B50 complex, 50 mg one or two at separate times
B6 250 mg 1 or 2 "
P5P 50 1 or 2 "
The B6 varies, depends on how much stress am under---even when upped it MUCH higher did not get dream recall. For years have been fooling around with the B6/Zinc ratio re: dream recall--sometimes hit it, but then it changes almost immediately and no more recall.
Did test positive for pyrolles, and you control them with B6 and zinc, so know am on right track--but get edgy when go too high with B6, and know that is not the safest vitamin to go super high on. As I say, always playing with it...

And Porphyria (I get all the symptoms) is also a pyrrole disease--but the test is amazingly difficult to do, have to be in the midst of an attack to get the urine results--am getting a script to have on hand, and the urine container, and then possibly will get results if catch it immediately. When did tests before, was on B6 for the pyrroluria, not knowing that porphyria was also a pyrrole problem, so surely messed the results. So probably need to be off the B6 to test properly--not worth it--so will probably have to pay for the genetic Porphyia testing to get accurate results--quite expensive.
But even if get the diagnosis, can't really do much with it--I already avoid the known meds that trigger it, and seem to control it with the B6/zinc.

And recently found a new listing of what B6 deficiency can cause--LESIONS IN THE WHITE MATTER ! which is of course what I have--
the more you delve into this stuff, it is all connected!!!
So, maybe should once again REALLY increase the B6, at least until get dream recall, and see how it affects all else , including lesions--

I am seriously thinking this thing called "MS" is a different animal for each of us!

(and of course lesions in white matter can be caused by hypoxia....which could be from CCSVI, OR from occluded arteries and veins from plaque buildup, or from rotated atlas impeding jugulars, etc etc etc etc etc)

[Jugular]

A month on tilt

To update my progress below, my morning back pain is getting better to the point that I can sleep over 7 hours now. It got bad enough that for a few nights I was taking Celebrex.

Apart from the pre-existing and parallel improvement noted below with my vibration (power plate) exercise (and good vitamin regime), I can’t say that my daily disability has changed noticeably.

My nails aren’t growing any faster, my body fluid and functions are the same, and I’m still limping along (though with an improved gait) – left-handed when I ought to be right.

But like a bent car in having its frame straightened, IBT is still slowly pulling me in alignment. My wife, who has medical training, says that my scoliosis (no doubt caused by a chronic limp) is definitely better and my one shoulder blade isn’t poking up as much. That’s pretty phenomenal, I’d say.

Also, I used to have these frequent sleep apnea-like episodes where I would partially wake-up in a mad terror, paralyzed. I'd try to make myself wake up to avoid what felt like suffocation, but couldn't. Then I’d try to call for help so that my wife would hear me (she only heard muffled groans), and shake me awake. Anyway, I'm happy to report that I haven’t had any such episodes since tilting my bed.

IBT has also worked nicely in tandem with my vibration training that I have been doing for a few months (which also boasts of the some of the same benefits as IBT such as bone density growth and improved circulation). I have significantly increased my strength from it, on both my strong and weak side, including seeing muscle growth on my thinned arm and leg. My weak knee is also much more stable and this works well with my use of the Walkaid, which uses electrical stimulation to cause my right foot to dorsiflex. My right calve muscle now doesn’t look so emaciated.

As for the rest, I think I’m going to be a slow gainer. But I’ll stick with it. If I have CCSVI, I’m betting its my jugulars that are the culprit. Since the jugulars are taxed with draining blood from the head in a supine position, it makes sense to try to sleep on an incline to promote better drainage, not to mention getting the gravity assist that Andrew writes about.

Anyway, the therapy is so easy, you can do it in your sleep.

Week Two In Review

To chart my progress with IBT, I have copied my earlier post below. After a little more than two weeks with IBT, I can’t say I’ve noticed any improvement in my degree of disability, nor have I gotten any worse. I did notice some change in my taste, not better – just different. For instance my regular beer tastes bitterer now. For this reason, regrettably, I’ve decided to terminate IBT.

J/k, but I may have to look into switching brands.

Apart from ruining my beer, I’ve been getting terrible lower right quadrant back pain in the morning. I previously reported some lower back spinal pain that I thought was due to poor lifting techniques when loading up newspaper for the recycling bin. This pain I’m feeling now, however, is muscular. Fortunately, it dissipates during the day, but in the morning it is so bad I can’t sleep more than 6 hours.

But here’s this thing. This may be one of those times where you go looking for something and, while you don’t find what you’re looking for, you find something else that you didn’t realize was lost.

So not finding any improvement in my disability yet, I did find that the back pain may be due to my back/hips straightening out. As a graduate (with high honours) of the school of funny walks, years of my left side dragging my right has bent up my frame. I could see this plainly from my bellybutton being pulled quite off kilter or, when sitting straight with my feet together, one knee would poke out in front of the other.

Well, I’m happy to report that my bellybutton is now lining up nearly to center and my knees are lining up when I sit. During the day, I’m walking/limping squarer too. So I’m going to see if the back pain goes away and look into taking a longer acting analgesic to be able to get a better sleep. For now, I'll content myself with my newly discovered on-center navel gazing abilty.

This is my 'slant' on IBT after a week.

Method: I piled 2 x 6's of spare cedar boards 3 high under the top support of a platform frame for a futon bed. This gave me 5" of lift (2 x 6's are not quite 2's). The top leg of the frame allowed for an overhang of a foot or more. Thus, the lift should be about 6" if measured at the head and should produce the desired slope of 5 degrees. I confirmed this with my iPhone (yes, there is an ap for that) which showed a slope of 6 degrees measured in 3 places. I calculated a slope of 4.8 degrees, however, with actual measurements. I found it reassuring to verify the slope with some actual measurements because not all beds have the top legs right under the top part of the mattress. And I'd hate to be a few degrees short of a cure (I know it doesn't have to be that precise).

Here is a useful link to help with the calculation for those of us who have forgotten our high school trigonometry but wish to be precise.

http://easycalculation.com/trigonometry ... angles.php

Initial impressions: I had no difficulty adapting to my new tilted sleep world. I'd venture as far as to say that it was intuitively correct. Indeed, flat beds seem to be an odd idea to me now. I guess Andrew will go down in history as the man who dared to ask, why are beds flat?

My first few nights were a disaster. I immediately came down with a really bad sore throat and fever that laid me up for two days over the holidays. I can't see how it is related except that I rarely get sick. I've, knock on wood, only missed two days of plus full time work in over 20 years due to sickness. I recovered quickly though - enough to put in a 16 hour day on my first day back .

Apart from that, I have to endorse the positive effects IBT has on posture. I feel much more straight during the day and my upper back scapular muscle pain with which I have always been plagued (non-MS related) has vastly improved. My lower back spine-related pain has increased, however. I'm not relating this to the IBT however, but to having lifted heavy newspapers to take out to the recycling bin over the holidays. I like to use an inverter board occasionally for my back. IBT does seem to stretch your back. You'll be able to maintain your height longer I think.

I am sleeping well and feeling refreshed for most of the day, even though I have been sleeping on 6 hours for most of the week. 7 is ideal for me. I need to work on that (i.e. not go to bed so late). Overall, there is a noticeable, but not dramatic, improvement in my sleep quality and effectiveness since going on IBT.

I think its worth going on IBT for these benefits alone (improved sleep and better posture) outside of any MS therapy.

Abatement of MS symptoms: Thus far, I do not have much to report. My MS has me presenting similar to a stroke victim, with rt foot drop, rt arm and grip weakness, weakened rt side, but with relatively normal left-sided strength. I am my own control group I guess. My condition has been fairly stable or slower decline over the last five years. I had already noticed some improvement using vibration exercise (that I wrote about) which is supposed to improve circulation and strength in nerve-weakened muscles. I am hoping for continued improvement combining it with IBT.

I do have one nasty symptom though of a sting that I get in my upper right neck that likes to torment me, especially if I am trying to sleep. Its an odd sort of MS thing that feels like a giant mosquito is biting my neck and sends a tingling burning sensation down into my arms. Oddly, it causes increased feeling and muscle strength rather than the opposite but is not pleasant. Some kind of scaring thing, a frayed extension cord trying to work? The attacks are positionally aggravated but not necessarily triggered, thus I've had to sleep only on my back with my head elevated for some time now (like I’m trying to prevent some wires from touching). With IBT, I am pleased to report that I can now get to sleep with a normal pillow and can actually sleep on my right side. Not once, have I had to get out of bed to take some Lyrica and sit on the couch for an hour waiting for it to dampen the stings.

So I'll wait to see if in the ensuing weeks I see any more differences and post my progress. for the time-being, I give IBT a thumbs up

[lilaclomax]

2 weeks on IBT, raised 6"- not a great report yet I am afraid!
1st night: no difference noticed other than falling asleep very quickly, no difficulty in getting used to sleeping on an angle.
2nd night: woke at 5am with a sickness bug, spent the rest of the night on the toilet.
3rd night: still felt rough and started getting a sore throat.
4th night: full of cold, got 5 hours of sleep.
5th night: cold continuing but still managing to sleep.
6th night: woke at midnight with chronic earache, took pain relief but not able to get back to sleep.
7th night: Out cold all night.
8th - 11th night: Good night sleep, well asleep instantly and got a good 8 hours.
12th night: Developed Trigeminal Neurologia and pain and loss of use in my right arm, spent the night in A&E, after vallium and tramadol injections, oxycondone, diclofanac, tegretol and paracetamol managed to get a few hours sleep on my return home.
13th night: still in pain, not been able to keep any fluid or food down for the last 36 hours due to meds but determined not to go back to hospital, moving between the sofa and bed throughout today.

Hopefully the nest fortnight will bring better results - either this is a major detox or just sod's law

[Algis]

Wow Lila I have not yet noticed any noticeable changes; but reading your experience I prefer them to be slow...

Hang on!

[Asia]

Week 2 of ITB and 4 of exercises was awful. I was exhausted all week; can’t keep my head up, sit more or less straight, and sitting up alone exhausts me, I don’t eat as much because, frankly, I’m too tired to eat. Being in bed is a bliss. That’s kind of why I never was able to exercise systematically as after initial improvement I was feeling worse than before starting. I am not giving up yet, trying to tough it out. My neck muscles are sore from exertion, I guess. I don’t sleep like a rock anymore, tossing around a lot. Today I woke up with my feet touching the bed frame, so I did slide down quite a bit. There is some back pain, but nothing unmanageable. For the last 3 nights I’ve been dreaming and remembering the dreams. 2 nights ago I had a CCSVI dream – I was talking to dr Kostecki and he told me he couldn’t help me – I hope it wasn’t a prophetic dream . More positive, when I sit, my shoulders are almost at the same height.

[jimmylegs]

Hi Jimmylegs-
re: dream recall, right?
I take B50 complex, 50 mg one or two at separate times
B6 250 mg 1 or 2 "
P5P 50 1 or 2 "
The B6 varies, depends on how much stress am under---even when upped it MUCH higher did not get dream recall....
And Porphyria ... even if get the diagnosis, can't really do much with it--I already avoid the known meds that trigger it, and seem to control it with the B6/zinc.
And recently found a new listing of what B6 deficiency can cause--LESIONS IN THE WHITE MATTER ! which is of course what I have--
the more you delve into this stuff, it is all connected!!!
So, maybe should once again REALLY increase the B6, at least until get dream recall, and see how it affects all else , including lesions-- ...
(and of course lesions in white matter can be caused by hypoxia....which could be from CCSVI, OR from occluded arteries and veins from plaque buildup, or from rotated atlas impeding jugulars, etc etc etc etc etc)

yes - both dream recall and magnesium retention. that is a high b6 intake, there must be something weird going on.

and it is all SO VERY interconnected it never ceases to amaze me

i don't know if you would care to start a topic under regimens, but if so i would be very interested to see your entire program.

ps do you consume soft drinks?

[AndrewKFletcher]

2 weeks on IBT, raised 6"- not a great report yet I am afraid!
1st night: no difference noticed other than falling asleep very quickly, no difficulty in getting used to sleeping on an angle.
2nd night: woke at 5am with a sickness bug, spent the rest of the night on the toilet.
3rd night: still felt rough and started getting a sore throat.
4th night: full of cold, got 5 hours of sleep.
5th night: cold continuing but still managing to sleep.
6th night: woke at midnight with chronic earache, took pain relief but not able to get back to sleep.
7th night: Out cold all night.
8th - 11th night: Good night sleep, well asleep instantly and got a good 8 hours.
12th night: Developed Trigeminal Neurologia and pain and loss of use in my right arm, spent the night in A&E, after vallium and tramadol injections, oxycondone, diclofanac, tegretol and paracetamol managed to get a few hours sleep on my return home.
13th night: still in pain, not been able to keep any fluid or food down for the last 36 hours due to meds but determined not to go back to hospital, moving between the sofa and bed throughout today.

Hopefully the nest fortnight will bring better results - either this is a major detox or just sod's law

Your report is very unusual (fortunately) The first 2 weeks can be a very uncofortable introduction to I.T. for some, although other people with ms report only minor aches and pains.

I suspect you got a bug at the same time. The inclined bed boosts the immune system, my wife and I do not get colds or influenza like most people around us. In fact we got our fist bout of flu in December 2009 and this one was a nasty one, but we shook it off far quicker than anyone else did. This was the first time since the end of 1994.

Could this have been the body over reacting to the bug? Raising your temperature would be an indication of a viral infection, did you notice feeling hot? or shivering that could indicate a virus?

The trigeminal neuralgia was reported by Roger Kirk, the first person with secondary progressive ms to try I.T. This was very painful for Roger but did ease off ater some meds and vanished as quick as it came on, In fact I had to get his meds from the chemist which is how I remember this episode.

Following the eventual decrease in pain some function to his arms and legs was recovered. Could this have been evidence of a nerve pathway opening up?

Also I can recall elderly people complaining of toothache and finding cavities below the gum line, that had not been causing pein or discomfort due we think to the nerve degeneration and the pain resulted from reconnecting the decay back to the brain.

Worth checking out at a dentists.

The diclofanac can cause the digestive upsets you have reported and maybe the other meds have contributed to it.

Another possibility is as you suggest sods law and you had a relapse during the settling in period, if this is the case then it is very unfortunate.

Hopefully this will resolve for you and the next 2 weeks will bring you more promising results.

Thank you for letting us know, it is important to learn of all observations, good or bad.

As a note of comfort, the normal course of restored function and sensitivity generally follows unusual stabbing pains, moving around, not staying in one place. Increased spasm has also been reported and this is generally an indication that some significant changes are taking place.

Andrew

[AndrewKFletcher]

Also, I used to have these frequent sleep apnea-like episodes where I would partially wake-up in a mad terror, paralyzed. I'd try to make myself wake up to avoid what felt like suffocation, but couldn't. Then I’d try to call for help so that my wife would hear me (she only heard muffled groans), and shake me awake. Anyway, I'm happy to report that I haven’t had any such episodes since tilting my bed.

Jugular, thanks for this.

My wife experienced this very frequently prior to tilting the bed. Now she can go months on end without one episode. Furthermore she is able to get herself out of an episode far easier than before. She does so by becoming calm and relaxed, this does the trick for her. She also has me to help and I recognise the sounds she makes.

Fortunately she has had good results from I.T. with reagrds to this and your post has added credence to her relief.

Thanks

[kc]

3rd night in a row, sleep right thru!

In hindsight, my optic neuritis flared as I started the IT therapy. It was weird because I felt as though I had energy but my eye was hurting. This lasted for about 2 weeks I would say. The other night I was reading a book and tried to shut my right eye and read thru my left. I actually could. Havent been able to do that in about 3 years or so.

I am going to try this again tonight to see if I can do it.

Maybe my latest optic neuritis was really some kind of a healing crisis? I do notice that people who have been liberated talk about a "flu" about 6 weeks afterwards. For you alternative/natural health people doesnt it sound like healing crisis/herxheimer effect? I remember reading Erika noticed improved walking after her "flu". (go ericka) (not sure of the correct spelling of your name).

Can anyone comment on this natural healing response to either IT or being liberated or both?

kc

[ErikaSlovakia]

3rd night in a row, sleep right thru!

In hindsight, my optic neuritis flared as I started the IT therapy. It was weird because I felt as though I had energy but my eye was hurting. This lasted for about 2 weeks I would say. The other night I was reading a book and tried to shut my right eye and read thru my left. I actually could. Havent been able to do that in about 3 years or so.

I am going to try this again tonight to see if I can do it.

Maybe my latest optic neuritis was really some kind of a healing crisis? I do notice that people who have been liberated talk about a "flu" about 6 weeks afterwards. For you alternative/natural health people doesnt it sound like healing crisis/herxheimer effect? I remember reading Erika noticed improved walking after her "flu". (go ericka) (not sure of the correct spelling of your name).

Can anyone comment on this natural healing response to either IT or being liberated or both?

kc

Hi there!
My real and correct name is Erika
I had a real flu as well as the rest of my family. I was not noticing anything better in my walking the first 6-7 weeks after the procedure. I think the improvements were simply so slowly that I could not notice it but it is just my feeling. I had to stop with IBT because of my strong pain in my spina bifida. I had problems to get up at the end and I was like broken and tired. So I spent 3 months on inclined bed. Now I feel better on flat bed but for how long I do not know...
My vision is still as bad as before the procedure.
I thing my problems with fatigue are stronger because I am only 3 weeks after my flu.
Each patient has diferrent problems so possible healing will be diferrent as well - I think.
Erika

[Asher]

Hi guys, 2 weeks into 6” IBT: Swollen purple foot disappeared, no foot spasms at night, I dream again, improved stamina and sexual appetite. Can’t wait to hear the news from Buffalo. Be well, Asher – Amsterdam, Holland

[AndrewKFletcher]

Hi Asher

Thanks for your post. Great news and your not the first to note purple feet returning to normal pink healthy colour.

The swelling resolving proves again that a tension is applied to the fluids inside the veins, drawing them in and reversing the flow of fluids back inside the veins.

This might not sound that important to anyone reading it, but it contradicts curent accepted beliefs about circulation and the way veins inflate and deflate due to postural changes.

Your other improvements are pretty impressive for a few weeks on I.T.

[annad]

Hi Andrew & IBT gang,
How long until someone sees improvements on symptoms or is it different with everyone just like MS.
tx!

[AndrewKFletcher]

Hi Annad

From day 1 for some people, others don't experience significant changes for up to 4 months. Some times even longer, though they experience other changes that provide encouragement to stay with it.

This is usually brought home whn they revert back to sleeping flat due to being impatient. Quickly retunring back to I.T.

I have posted published papers about the affects of sleeping flat. There are many such papers showing flat bed rest to cause muscular atrophy, heart atrophy, osteoporosis, varicose veins, leg ulcers, pressure sores thrombosis, neurological problems,

No such papers exist for sleeping on an inclined bed, in fact head up tilt shows major benefits for a whole range of medical conditions.

So we all have at least an informed choice to make.

Andrew

[JoyIsMyStrength]

Hi Andrew,

I saw a silly TV commercial recently where a man suffering from heartburn was desperately jacking up the head of his bed with a hydraulic car jack, hoping for relief. But then... a solution was found! No need to jack up the bed, just take this expensive pill! And by the way here is the long list of side effects...

Thought it might make you smile.

Pam