Shane - Diagnosed in June with Dialated Cardiomyopathy

This forum is intended for international users to help them with the treatment of cardiomyopathy or heart failure.
Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » ma dec 10, 2007 11:08 am

Hi Verona,

When does he take his last MSM?
After five o`clock in the afternoon he should not take any MSM, because it keeps him awake.

He also can try,

Valerian. Preparations made from the roots of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) have long been relied on to hasten refreshing sleep. Controlled studies show that valerian decreases the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, as well as the subjective quality of sleep, compared to placebo. Valerian also improves quality of sleep; at least one study has shown that valerian increases the percentage of time participants spend in slow-wave sleep. This is significant because slow-wave sleep is considered the most One recent multicenter, double-blind, randomized parallel group study compared valerian, 600 mg/day, to the commonly prescribed tranquilizer oxazepam (Serax®). Valerian was at least as effective (Ziegler G et al 2002).

While valerian is generally considered safe (Krystal AD et al 2001), the same cannot be said of most hypnotic drugs. “Long-term use of hypnotic agents can become complicated by drug tolerance, dependence, or rebound insomnia,” noted one scientist (Kirkwood CK 1999). Prescription drugs such as Valium® may cause morning “hangover”: fogginess of the mind, lethargy, clumsiness, and other symptoms. Valerian has consistently been shown to have no such side effects. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study, researchers administered 600 mg valerian extract to 102 participants. The following morning, participants’ reaction times, alertness, and concentration were evaluated. Researchers found no negative effects on any objective parameters of alertness or ability to concentrate subsequent to single or multiple doses of valerian (Kuhlmann J et al 1999).

More recently, researchers examined the effects of exceptionally high doses of valerian (up to 1800 mg) on parameters relating to “hangover” versus diazepam (Xanax®) or placebo. The researchers concluded that valerian extract had no significant effects on any of the dependent measures. In contrast, the prescription drug impaired cognitive performance and affected mood (Gutierrez S et al 2004).

Traditionally, patients have been advised to take valerian for up to two weeks before expecting it to become fully effective. It is unclear whether this is truly necessary, however, as the clinical evidence is contradictory (Hadley S et al 2003).

Valerian contains the amino acid GABA, which could directly cause sedation. GABA acts as a neurotransmitter involved in regulation of relaxation, anxiety, and sleep. Valerian is also known to interact with GABA already active in the brain. Valerian prompts the release of GABA and inhibits enzymes involved in GABA’s breakdown, thus further increasing levels of this “relaxation neurotransmitter” (Cavadas C et al 1995; Yuan CS et al 2004).

Although it does not regulate sale or production of valerian, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists valerian as “Generally Recognized as Safe.” No significant drug interactions have been reported, although valerian might increase the sedating effects of barbiturates or anesthesia drugs (Yuan CS et al 2004). It is also possible, although not definitively established, that valerian affects the metabolism of some other drugs in a manner similar to grapefruit (Donovan JL et al 2004; Lefebvre T et al 2004). Valerian has also been associated with liver damage, although purified extract of valerian appears to be safe for the liver.

Most published studies have found valerian effective for the treatment of insomnia when root extract equivalent to 300 to 600 mg is taken 30 minutes to two hours before intended bedtime. A study of valerian pharmacokinetics—the rate at which active constituents enter the bloodstream and are subsequently eliminated from the body—confirmed the effectiveness of this dosing regimen (Anderson GD et al 2005).

Lemon balm. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L) is often paired with valerian. A recently published study of a combination of valerian and lemon balm for the treatment of restlessness and disordered sleep in children found “a distinct and convincing reduction in severity . . . for all symptoms in the investigators’ and parents’ ratings” (Muller SF et al 2006). About 81 percent of patients with sleep disorders experienced improvement of their symptoms after taking the study preparation.

Lemon balm appears to work by reducing anxiety. A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, balanced crossover experiment showed that a 600-mg dose of lemon balm improved the negative mood effects of a standardized procedure designed to induce stress under laboratory conditions. Participants taking lemon balm had “significantly increased self-ratings of calmness,” noted the researchers. “In addition, a significant increase in the speed of mathematical processing, with no reduction in accuracy, was observed after ingestion of the 300-mg dose” (Kennedy DO et al 2004).

The following lifestyle changes may relieve insomnia:

Avoid caffeine at least six hours before bedtime.
Avoid alcohol or smoking for two hours before bedtime.
Get regular exercise, but do not exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Establish regular bedtime and waking hours.
Do not work in the bedroom.
Consider using white-noise generators or relaxing music to “turn off” your mind.

If natural sleep remedies do not restore refreshing sleep, pharmaceutical drugs are available, including Klonopin®, Ambien®, Lunesta®, and many others. These drugs must be prescribed by a physician.

In addition, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) replacement therapy may be recommended. Almost all aging humans are deficient in DHEA, and DHEA may help reduce cortisol levels and produce a feeling of well-being. Although DHEA has not been studied in insomnia, a suggested starting dose of 15 to 75 mg, followed by blood testing after three to six weeks, is recommended to promote peace of mind. It is important to take DHEA in the morning as taking it at night can be stimulatory.

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Bericht door shane » di dec 11, 2007 8:26 am

Hi Corrij,

Thank you for the valuable info! I'll have him try a few of those things.

Good News! Shane went to his cardiologist today and he said that at the beginning of the year, he has a good chance of going off the Coumadin. He said that they would need to run some more tests to make sure there are no more blood clots.

So soon we don't have to worry about mixing the CoQ10 and the Coumadin!

Take care!
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » wo dec 12, 2007 11:21 am

Hi Verona (and Shane)

That`s indeed very good news :D
I`ll keep my fingers crossed.

<a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%25 ... /page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/8/8_2_99.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%25 ... e.gif"></a>

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
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Bericht door shane » do dec 13, 2007 6:53 pm

Hi Corrij,

Shane is up to 3000mg of MSM as of yesterday. When should we start on the Taurine and other supplements?

Thank you!
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » do dec 13, 2007 7:00 pm

Hi Verona,

He can start tomorrow :D

or today, I don`t know what time it is in your country?

Here it is now afternoon about five o`clock, and dark outside,

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » do dec 13, 2007 7:23 pm

Hi Corrij,

He started on Wednesday taking the 3000mg of MSM and today is Thursday about 8:30 am here in Oregon. So just have him start on the Taurine first?

Thanks!
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » vr dec 14, 2007 10:56 am

Hi Verona,

Let`s start him with all of the supplements, not just the taurine, he can start this all without any problem :wink:

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » vr dec 14, 2007 6:41 pm

Hi Corrij,

I have him already taking L-Carnitine, Chromium GFT, MSM, CoQ10 and a multi. I will start him on the Taurine today. If there is anything else...let me know. :P

Thanks so much, and have a great weekend!
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » vr dec 14, 2007 6:46 pm

Hi Verona,

Does he take any vitamin C?

A great weekend also for the both of you :D

I miss his picture? :o

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » za dec 15, 2007 2:21 am

Hi Corrij,

In the multi vitamin, it has 250mg of Vitamin C. Thiamine is 100mg.

I found a really interesting article that talks about vitamin B4 and the benefits to the heart. Here is the article link:

http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/cardio/cardio15.htm

Pretty interesting! Let me know your comments. :D
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » za dec 15, 2007 8:39 pm

Hi Verona,

I knew this article, thank you for sharing :D

All of the B vitamins, but especially vitamin B4 are essential for heart health.

Ruthenium red, ribose, and adenine enhance recovery of reperfused rat heart.Tan ZT.
Department of Physiology, Deborah Research Institute, Browns Mills, NJ 08015-2241.

BACKGROUND: Postischemic cardiac failure may be associated with inadequate storage of myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP precursors were administered to resuscitate the postischemic myocardium. METHODS: Hearts isolated from male Wistar adult rats were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (pH, 7.40), subjected to 30 minutes of global ischemia at 36 degrees C, followed by 30 minutes of retrograde reperfusion with the postischemic intervention of ruthenium red (1 microM), ribose (1 mM), and adenine (1 mM). Multiple analysis of variance was used to compare means between groups (eight rats in each group). RESULTS: In comparison with the nonischemic group, the postischemic nontreated group had a decrease in the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (+dP/dt, P < 0.0005) and level of myocardial ATP (P < 0.0005) but an increase in level of mitochondrial Ca2+ (P < 0.005). In comparison with the nontreated group, ribose and adenine had no effect on all the above-mentioned parameters, and ruthenium red elevated maximum left ventricular +dP/dt (P < 0.05) and reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ (P <0> 0.05). However, ruthenium red with ribose and adenine achieved a significant increase in maximum left ventricular +dP/dt (P < 0.0005), ATP levels (P < 0.005), and a decrease in levels of mitochondrial Ca2+ (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Acute postischemic cardiac failure may be related to Ca2+ overload in mitochondria. Ruthenium red may reduce mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. Ruthenium red, ribose, and adenine in combination may be capable of enhancing the recovery of myocardial high-energy phosphates and mechanical function in the postischemic myocardium.

PMID: 7505715 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Adenine is another word for vitamin B4.

I think that there are more B`s vitamins in his multi?So I wouldn`t added a B-complex.
Ribose is something I suggest in a later stage.
The vitamin C isn`t enough, you must think on 3000 mg a day.

I think its great that you surch the internet, the more you know the better,the motto of this site is Knowledge = Power :D

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Berichten: 109
Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » zo dec 16, 2007 11:42 am

Hi Corrij,

Thanks so much for the info. I'm glad you are familiar with the article!

I am having a problem keeping Shane's picture posted here. Do you use a public hosting website?

Thank you,
Verona

Corrij (therapeut)
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Bericht door Corrij (therapeut) » zo dec 16, 2007 6:06 pm

Hi Verona,

I am sorry, I am a digibeet, I don`t know any thing about computers but maybe Willy can answer this question?

I am glad that I can start and turn off my computer :oops:

greetings,
Corrij
Those who do not have enough time for good health,
will not have good health for enough time.

shane
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Berichten: 109
Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » zo dec 16, 2007 9:58 pm

Hi Corrij,

I had to clean out my history files. An image hosting website told me this and it worked! Yeah! :lol:

Have a great week...
Verona

shane
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Lid geworden op: zo okt 14, 2007 1:30 pm
Locatie: Northwestern USA

Bericht door shane » wo dec 19, 2007 10:25 am

Hi Corrij,

I am thrilled because my husband's boss who is the owner of a vitamin company and also has dilated cardiomyopathy, sent Shane several bottles of liquid L-Carnitine which should be more effective than the pills!

Shane says it tastes like Koolaid, so it's a break from having so many pills to swallow. :o

Verona

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