I haven't been posting much, but I wanted to say

[Lucinda]

thank you so much for the wonderful hearts! ♥

I'm taking a low dose chemo medicine in an attempt to treat this joint pain I've been having, and I haven't been feeling very well for a week or so... I read when I can, but I haven't been cooking much, or posting too often. Just wanted to say thank you! You guys are the best! ♥

Lucinda

[pengillian101]

1. Good to see ya, Lucinda.

Joint pain hurts like hell. Hope you get relief!

[Lucinda]

2. Thankie! It seems to be helping. Tired a lot, but thats better than pain!

I'm still taking pain meds, but I hope to be cutting those back soon. I don't make a good druggie. :P I just get sleepy.

[MrMickeysMom]

3. Does an "anti-inflammatory diet" help?

Dr. Andrew Weil always advocates a diet to address inflammatory pathways that may be provoked. I'm not sure if you're limited to any particular things, but think in terms of "blue, red, deep greens, dark orange" and you'll have the array of fruits and veggies which may assist you.

blueberries
strawberries
cranberries
red cabbage
beets
red onions
spinach, romaine lettuce, dandelions
sweet potatoes, carrots, squash

May your strength grow!

MMM

[Lucinda]

5. Yes. It does, but wasn't enough to do more than take the edge off.

I ran across the anti-inflammitory diet when I started researching on my own. It does make a difference and I always suggest it myself when someone mentions joint pain. I've also noticed that sugar, in it's white unhealthy form, makes the pain flare up even more. Natural fruit sugars don't seem to do that at all. I have gone to a more alkaline diet in general too, and that also seems to have made a difference. I'm very much a holistic med sort of person and diet is always one of the first things I look at when I'm not feeling well. Thankie for suggesting it though. Someone may see this who hadn't thought about anti-inflammitory foods as a tool in pain management!

[japple]

4. Have you ever used turmeric? Here's info.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/turmeric-000277.htm

Osteoarthritis
Because of its ability to reduce inflammation, turmeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. A study of people using an Ayurvedic formula of herbs and minerals containing turmeric, as well as Withinia somnifera (winter cherry), Boswellia serrata (Boswellia), and zinc, significantly reduced pain and disability. While encouraging for the value of this Ayurvedic combination therapy to help with osteoarthritis, it is difficult to know how much of this success is from turmeric alone, one of the other individual herbs, or the combination of herbs working in tandem.


I have made a turmeric tea with cardamon and ginger and will try to find the recipe for you. For your joint pain some soft, easy :hug: :hug:. Hope you feel better and more like posting soon. You are really missed!

[Lucinda]

6. Thank you for the suggestion! I've never tried tumeric and I haven't

tried zinc either. I always use zinc if I feel the beginnings of a cold, but I have never used it for pain. I have a ginger tea base that I could build upon, but if you can find your recipe, I will definitely give it a try! ♥

[japple]

9. Here's the turmeric tea recipe.

TURMERIC TEA FOR JOINT PAIN
Gurudev Khar Khalsa, a Sat Nam Rasayan healer and Kundalini Yoga teacher in Los Angeles sent us this Ayurvedic tea for lubricating the joints. Gurudev tells us that the almond oil is a very important part of this recipe. Turmeric is called "the internal healer" in Ayurveda. Turmeric is also a blood purifier and is best known for its ability to help the female reproductive organs. Some research indicates that turmeric may be of value in preventing diabetes and cancer.
Recipe:
1/8 teaspoon turmeric, 3 cardamom pods (optional), 1/4 cup water. Simmer 5 to 7 minutes, then add : 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons almond oil (cold pressed). Bring just to the boiling point (but do not boil). Add honey or maple syrup to taste. Sip slowly as a hot tea. (Apparently the turmeric needs oil in order to be absorbed by the body)
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/turmeric.html#TURMERICTEA

I made this tea using almond milk and it is quite tasty. I didn't have cardamon pods so I used the powdered form.


Here’s what Dr. Andrew Weil has to say about turmeric: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02833/turmeric-tea

[Lucinda]

14. Thank you so much!

Will give this a try after I hit the grocery store! ♥

[japple]

15. You're welcome, and I hope it helps. BTW, I forgot to mention

that I think the effects are cumulative, and you may not notice anything until you been using it for a few days. :hug:
Feel better soon, dear Lucinda.

[Lucinda]

16. Thank you. I've learned to be patient with natural remedies

but it's good to be reminded. :) ♥

[housewolf]

17. Another natural remedy for inflamation - noni

"Modern research has identified several important and beneficial nutritional compounds in Noni. Studies have suggested an exciting finding: that Noni increases the efficacy of the immune system by stimulating white blood cells into “overdrive”. Polysaccharide compounds (6-D-glucopyranose pentaacetate), which are found in the fruit, are generally believed to increase the overall killing power of white blood cells. Also, Noni fruit is full of many powerful antioxidants and compounds already believed to promote wellness such as: selenium (skin elasticity, skin health), xeronine (cell structure health and regeneration), glycosides (defense against free radicals), scopoletin (anti-inflammatory properties), terpine (helps the body detoxify), limonene and anthraquinones (antiseptic properties particularly for people with compromised or inhibited immune systems). 
"

Noni might be a good one for you to investigate. It's available as juice or powder that you can add to juice or foods. Noni is one of the recently-dubbed "superfoods" - natural/raw foods that offer a multitude of health-promoting benefits.

Here's another quote:
"Noni – This Polynesian fruit has been in the news for quite some time and all for the best possible reasons. People the world over have started acknowledging the benefits of the noni fruit and researchers are giving it the status of superfood. The noni fruit has a strong smell and taste and is not palatable at first, but it takes a bit of getting used to. However, regardless of its taste, the noni is one of the most wonderful gifts of nature as it is power packed with nutrients that can fight numerous diseases and has loads of other benefits for you as well:

* Noni is rich with antioxidants that fight free radicals effectively, keeping you younger and healthier
* Other compounds such as selenium help in keeping the skin glowing, fresh and healthy
* Then there’s xeronine which works wonders for your cell structure and helps in cell regeneration
* Glycosides fight free radicals while scopoletin has anti-inflammatory properties
* An exciting new study shows that noni helps stimulate the white blood cells and kick starts the immune system to work effectively

Noni can be consumed fresh although its juice is highly popular now. Of course, some of its efficacy is compromised when mixed with sugar, so if you happen to visit tropical islands make sure to blend the noni fruit with coconut water and chug it down because it’s an excellent and tasty way of consuming noni. Noni powders are also available that can be mixed with juices and smoothies. Noni leaves are also consumed in the form of tea."

Here's a page for reference, but you might want to do some research on your own
http://www.bewellbuzz.com/superfoods/16-superfoods-you-should-know-about-part-3/



:hi:

[Lucinda]

18. Thanks for the link. I didn't see anything about it when I researched

so this is new for me. I must be slipping! :toast:

[Lucinda]

19. For those interested - doc called with blood work results from last week:

Since the pills are immunosuppressants, we are doing monthly CBC's to make sure things are ok. My Vitamin D (also checked) was really low so I will increase my supplements - but my CBC was still in normal range. So yay!

I've had a rough few days, sort of fluy, but I have a scratch that is healing normally, so I think things are still working ok. :)

[yellerpup]

21. Keep feeding yourself well, sweetie.

Good news that your CBC is good and glad that you are healing as you should. All good signs. Keeping a kind wish in my heart for your complete recovery and relief from pain. Tight hugs! :hug:

[Lucinda]

22. Thankie sweetie. It's very much appreciated!

♥

[hippywife]

7. Don't forget the dark cherries and their juice.

Hope you get some relief soon, babe. :loveya: lots!

[Lucinda]

11. Thankie and thanks for the suggestion!

♥

[housewolf]

8. Thanks for the update, sweetie

I noticed that you hadn't been around so much and I'm sorry that you've been feeling so bad. Darn, I wish those drs could get you fixed up right!

Thanks for letting us know what's up with you.

I'm sending loads of good thoughts, wishes and blessings for your continuing improvement, and hold you in a light of perfect health.

Loving hearts to you!

[Lucinda]

12. Thank you! It helps sooo much!

♥

[Phentex]

10. Miss your What's for Dinner posts!...

We do 'em here and there but you were a regular. :)

Hope you feel better!

:hug:

[Lucinda]

13. Thank you!

I love seeing what people are having for dinner. Gives me all sorts of good ideas.

♥

[beac]

20. Hope you'll be feeling better soon.

We'll save a place at the table for you! :hi:

[Lucinda]

23. Excellent! :P

Thank you! :hi: