I used doctors and “western” medicine like some people use alcohol. It seemed like I was always running to the doctor. I had sore throats, earaches and stomach pains. If it wasn’t me, it was one of my kids. We religiously took whatever medicine was prescribed. Even though I was still being faithful to this regimen, however, I began to notice that sometimes the prescriptions caused more problems, particularly candida infections and then allergies and resistance to certain specific drugs.
Then came the time I got poison ivy. I often get poison ivy, but this was THE time. My forearms quickly became scabbed and oozy from elbow to wrist. It started on a Friday when I helped clear brush from a vacant lot. By Monday it was evident that I was in trouble, so I did what I had always done—headed to the doctor to cut it off at the pass. I got a shot. By Wednesday, I was truly a mess. I had to wear long sleeves when I went out to keep it clean and to prevent it from oozing all over everything and everybody else. Then I was hot and sweaty which irritated my arms all the more. Back to the doctor. Another shot and a prescription I could fill if the shot didn’t get it this time.
The second shot didn’t help, so I went to the pharmacy to fill the script for prednisone. In the back of my mind was a faint memory of the last time I’d taken this anti-inflammatory steroid. It was foggy, but I remembered that my (then) husband couldn’t stand being around me while I was on the stuff. But I itched, hurt and burned and was miserable so I started the packet. It’s one of those drugs you start on a certain dose and then you have to step down off of it. The whole packet took about a month, I believe. Again, I was in a fog. I didn’t feel like myself. It seemed very difficult to hang onto any thought long enough to finish it. Finally, it was over. I took the last pill. I didn’t itch that day, and only remnants remained of the scabs up and down my forearms.
Then came my first day without the prednisone. I broke out all over again. Of course it was a weekend again and so I determined to set my jaw and make it through until I could go back to the doctor. But what was the use, I wondered.
Well, that weekend, one of my kids had something else going on with his skin. I got on the internet and started looking at pictures trying to figure out what was going on with him. I didn’t find whatever his issue was, but I did find pictures that looked exactly like my arms. The caption said, “Shingles.” Shingles?!?
I ran downstairs and announced my findings to my husband (Jim Behl). “Let’s go get you some lysine,” he says. Lysine, by the way is sold over the counter in the supplement section. By the next day my symptoms were clearing, though the fog from the prednisone drifted over my head for months after I was off of it.
This was a turning point for me when I realized that doctors don’t know everything and doing exactly what they say will not necessarily solve my problems. Sometimes it won’t even bring relief and sometimes it causes more problems. Since that day, I always look for natural alternatives first. We are saving a lot of money because those frequent doctor visits and prescriptions are in our past.
Of course I have to say—Only a doctor can diagnose, cure and treat disease. This is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified physician.
My new habit is to not request a diagnosis from anyone. But I frequently seek help from people with positive experiences in healthy diets, supplements, herbs, and essential oils.
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