CT or CAT Scan beneifits to dangers?

[Gaby]

Psyche,

I was wondering what about DMSO Cream/Gel I have never experimented with this before but heard so many good things about its X-ray protecting effects, worth investing in or am I already doing enough? I take Spirulina, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Co-Enzyme Q10, Fish Oil, Acteyl L Carnitine & 5-HTP. I also have Milk Thistle coming on its way in the mail have had great success in the past I cant really remember why I stopped taking it...

Regards,

Brent.

If you have the cream, I would use it, at least in the forehead, face and neck. It is good stuff! It might burn a little if you have the gel. Test to see how it goes. The cream is more neutral.

 

[mcb]

...I take Spirulina, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Co-Enzyme Q10, Fish Oil, Acteyl L Carnitine & 5-HTP. I also have Milk Thistle coming on its way in the mail have had great success in the past I cant really remember why I stopped taking it...

5-HTP can cause seizures in some people. Personally, I have enough problems with my brain that I stay away from hormone supplements like 5-HTP (serotonin precursor) and melatonin. Given that you have this particular problem, you might want to too.

I take alpha lipoic acid as part of dealing with heavy X-ray (and other radiation) exposure in the past, but I also include NAC and I make sure to get plenty of vitamin C.

 

[chaps23]

Excellent thanks guys,

If you have the cream, I would use it, at least in the forehead, face and neck. It is good stuff! It might burn a little if you have the gel. Test to see how it goes. The cream is more neutral.

I dont have any yet but I'll try and find some before Thursday, looking into it I'm thinking a maximum strength of 50% for the face? Also should I mix it with anything?

5-HTP can cause seizures in some people. Personally, I have enough problems with my brain that I stay away from hormone supplements like 5-HTP (serotonin precursor) and melatonin. Given that you have this particular problem, you might want to too.

I take alpha lipoic acid as part of dealing with heavy X-ray (and other radiation) exposure in the past, but I also include NAC and I make sure to get plenty of vitamin C.

Crikey! as in serotonin syndrome side effect? Isn't that supposed to happen when you first take the drug/supp? I may look a little further into this thanks Megan. Below is from the Pub Med Health site

_http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004531/

Symptoms

Symptoms occur within minutes to hours, and may include:
•
Agitation or restlessness

•
Diarrhea

•
Fast heart beat and high blood pressure

•
Hallucinations

•
Increased body temperature

•
Loss of coordination

•
Nausea

•
Overactive reflexes

•
Rapid changes in blood pressure

•
Vomiting



Signs and tests

The diagnosis is usually made by asking questions about your medical history, including the types of drugs you take.

To be diagnosed with serotonin syndrome, you must have been taking a drug that changes the body's serotonin levels (serotonergic drug) and have at least three of the following signs or symptoms:
•
Agitation

•
Diarrhea

•
Heavy sweating not due to activity

•
Fever

•
Mental status changes such as confusion or hypomania

•
Muscle spasms (myoclonus)

•
Overactive reflexes (hyperreflexia)

•
Shivering

•
Tremor

•
Uncoordinated movements (ataxia)


Serotonin syndrome is not diagnosed until all other possible causes have been ruled out, including infections, intoxications, metabolic and hormone problems, and drug withdrawal. Some symptoms of serotonin syndrome can mimic those due to an overdose of cocaine, lithium, or an MAOI.

If you have just start taking or increased the dosage of a tranquilizer (neuroleptic drug), other conditions such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome will be considered.

Possibley the Bolded text could lead to fainting then fitting? Your body naturally fits due to lack of oxygen doesn't it? And the restlessness could explain the poor sleep and "stressed" feeling I was having.

 

[mcb]

...Crikey! as in serotonin syndrome side effect? Isn't that supposed to happen when you first take the drug/supp? I may look a little further into this thanks Megan...

Everybody is different. I Googled for 5-HTP and seizures earlier, and found a number of different medical conditions in which 5-HTP promoted seizures in certain individuals.

I took 5-HTP for a while myself, to see if it would help with IBS symptoms (pre-ketogenic diet days), but in my reading I encountered warnings about the potential risks of trying to manipulate hormone levels that way, and it wasn't working anyway so I stopped.

While I am not particularly a fan of Dr. Kalish and his "Kalish Method," I do find his warning about not taking 5-HTP alone to be interesting. He pairs it with L-tyrosine (dopamine precursor) instead. You can hear about it in this podcast:
_http://undergroundwellness.com/podcasts/the-kalish-method/

Again, I would just not take either.

 

[mcb]

Here is an interesting AHS 2012 presentation that I just watched yesterday: Dietary Therapy: Role in Epilepsy and Beyond, by Elizabeth Thiele. One thing that it clarified for me was that you can't necessarily just put people (young children, in this case) on a "ketogenic diet" -- even an extremely low carb one -- and have seizures go away automatically. She doesn't go into great detail, but she does indicate that the dietary formulation has needed to be quite specific.

 

[Gaby]

I dont have any yet but I'll try and find some before Thursday, looking into it I'm thinking a maximum strength of 50% for the face? Also should I mix it with anything?

It is one of those things that is always handy to have in stock. So if you can, perhaps you can get the 50% one so it can be used in sensitive areas such as the face. I wouldn't mix it with anything.

 

[chaps23]

3 pharmacy's I went to did not stock DMSO so it looks like an online ordering, but I have already had to have the Scan! so I'm thinking perhaps just to keep up work on the diet and rely on my body to fix itself. I just found out the Milk Thistle I've been ordering is the wrong one too! I needed the seed grounded more so than the stem/stalk/leaves that I have so I will re order that next pay day.

The scan was INTERESTING to say the least,

Was feeling a little crap straight after the scan but I think that may be related to the dye that they use I've read nothing but bad things about it. So after the scan the lady told me I should sit down and rest for 10-15 minuts in case I have a bad reaction to the dye then she said I could just leave (because its bulk billed I dont have to sign anything).

After 2 minutes I decide I'll just bail and get back to work so I walk to the car and find my arm is a little itchy right where they put the injection for the dye in, to my Horror! they had left the IV needle bit still in my arm!! I was queezy straight away, after a foolish attempt to remove it my self I figured I'd need a professional as seeing my own blood just wasn't going to work. My mother manages a GP surgery right where my car was parked so I was already closer to that than the hostpital so I went in and saw a nurse who then finally removed it only now to be left with a bruise running halfway down my arm and a bloodied shirt.... Disaster...

Was queezy for the rest of the day after that!! lmao. Disgrace of a hostpital.

 

[whovian]

I have to chime in on this subject, as I am the head of the busiest CT department in a major US city. I am highly educated, and have been in the field for 16 years.

CT scans produce radiation, and radiation is harmful beyond a reasonable doubt - that we know for sure.

In actuality, the per-scan dose has dropped significantly in the last 10 years due to advancing technology in the field. The increase in exposure rates comes primarily from the over use of CT, or from repeated imaging when not clinically warranted. We see many, many people every day in the Emergency Room for headache/seizure symptoms, and do a lot of Head CT scans. In my 16-year career, I have scanned thousands of heads for these symptoms, and have seen exactly one patient that had a brain tumor that was causing their symptoms. I have also seen several dozen that had inter-cranial hemorrhage with these same indications. Divide that into thousands and you have a fraction of a fraction of a percent. Medically unnecessary? Probably, but if it causes you enough concern to go to an Emergency Room, the physician is going to order the scan to protect you and him/her (from lawsuit for missed diagnosis).

It is also not relevant to compare CT scans to regular X-Rays as the two utilize different photon energy production. Comparing a CT scan to '500 X-rays' is not only inaccurate, but it helps breed fear about these exams.

The same can be said for comparing a head CT to a chest or abdominal CT. Different body parts, different tissues/structures, and therefore different absorption factors.

What we do know about radiation is that the human body is designed to withstand a regular minor amount of it. There are approx. 9000 radioactive decay processes in your body every 1-2 seconds. You are also constantly being exposed to radiation through the sun, air, ground, food you eat, water you drink, and materials you interact with on a daily basis. Having a CT scan when warranted should not cause you any fear, and an undiagnosed blood-clot in your lungs will kill you much, much faster and with greater certainty than the scan used to find it!

 

[mcb]

...It is also not relevant to compare CT scans to regular X-Rays as the two utilize different photon energy production. Comparing a CT scan to '500 X-rays' is not only inaccurate, but it helps breed fear about these exams...
...

That's encouraging. Otherwise I was wondering why I was still alive. My doctors never mentioned the risk from CT scans. They were explicit about radiation treatment, however, and I gather that there is plenty of reason to be concerned about the long-term risks from that.

...Having a CT scan when warranted should not cause you any fear, and an undiagnosed blood-clot in your lungs will kill you much, much faster and with greater certainty than the scan used to find it!

Makes sense, and I did have such blood clots (bilateral PE). What worries me is the three CT scans in 24 hours, since it seemed to be a concern for the people that were doing it too. Should I be?

 

[chaps23]

Just an update,

I had my appointment with the neurologist, both my CT & EEG showed basically nothing, the doctor believes I had a siezure but still cant be sure due to the EEG being done a few days after it making it far too late. (apparently needs to happen staright away) He has reccomended the suspension of my licence to VicRoads and working at a car yard has now become VERY difficult.

I may even loose my job I will have to wait and see.. :( In the meantime he has ordered a Holter monitor and an MRI which I will recieve appointment dates shortly. The stress I am now under is now reaching into the extreme and I'm not quite sure what direction to go in. Is anyone aware of MRI's? I know its a magnet, my internet search yeild the usual results but is there any information I should know thats not mainstream?

Thanks again guys you have all been great.

 

[Mrs. Peel]

Just an update,

I had my appointment with the neurologist, both my CT & EEG showed basically nothing, the doctor believes I had a siezure but still cant be sure due to the EEG being done a few days after it making it far too late. (apparently needs to happen staright away) He has reccomended the suspension of my licence to VicRoads and working at a car yard has now become VERY difficult.

I may even loose my job I will have to wait and see.. :( In the meantime he has ordered a Holter monitor and an MRI which I will recieve appointment dates shortly. The stress I am now under is now reaching into the extreme and I'm not quite sure what direction to go in. Is anyone aware of MRI's? I know its a magnet, my internet search yeild the usual results but is there any information I should know thats not mainstream?

Thanks again guys you have all been great.

I've had numerous MRI's and from what I understand, they are safer than CT scans and Xrays. The main problem for me is I am severely claustrophobic and even an "open" MRI freaks me out.

 

[Ennio]

The only other supplements that may be of help I think, is a good B-Complex (though maybe B-3/niacin is the crucial vitamin here?). And, as been mentioned in a lot in other threads, magnesium. Both can help alleviate the physiological symptoms of stress a lot, and even help how you think and feel.

It really sounds to me Brent, like the stress and exhaustion of your job is the cause of what ails you. That and the lack of sleep can sometimes be even more damaging to how we think and feel than a bonafide disease, I think (and sometimes pushes things over the edge until you do present with something really lousy!)

Anyway to hear you talk about it (or write about it) it seems like you are maxed-out on a number of fronts, and taking a little time off from work to catch your breath may be helpful, if and when this is an option. If it isn't, I would definitely recommend doing some relaxing epsom salt baths and other things that will allow you an inch of peace.

 

[Pierre]

Is anyone aware of MRI's? I know its a magnet, my internet search yeild the usual results but is there any information I should know thats not mainstream?

Unlike scans, MRIs don't expose your brain to any ionizing radiation. In addition it can reveal things that can't be seen with a scanner.

Maybe that doctors should have performed a MRI straight away but the problem is that MRI are expensive (and usually busy) equipments. When a soccer player slightly twists a toe he gets an MRI immediately but when "normal" citizens experience pretty serious symptoms, like a seizure, they are prescribed a scan and/or they have to wait for weeks before getting a MRI.

Anyhow, MRIs are based on strong electromagnetic fields which can have detrimental health effects if the exposure is permanent and long lasting (although there is a lot of controversy about the adverse effects of magnetic fields). In any case having a MRI induces a very short EMF exposure. It is much safer than scanners.

By the way, MRI tunnels are pretty narrow, to avoid feeling oppressed you can try to close your eyes and do some meditation. The brain MRI should not last more than 15 minutes. They might inject some dye during the procedure. Also it's very noisy (despite the hearing protection) and the MRI room is really cold (because of all the electronics) so check that they cover your body enough! :)

 

[Gaby]

It really sounds to me Brent, like the stress and exhaustion of your job is the cause of what ails you. That and the lack of sleep can sometimes be even more damaging to how we think and feel than a bonafide disease, I think (and sometimes pushes things over the edge until you do present with something really lousy!)

Anyway to hear you talk about it (or write about it) it seems like you are maxed-out on a number of fronts, and taking a little time off from work to catch your breath may be helpful, if and when this is an option. If it isn't, I would definitely recommend doing some relaxing epsom salt baths and other things that will allow you an inch of peace.

I think among the same lines, Brent. I think stress and exhaustion is at the root of it. Disruptive sleeping cycles has a huge toll in our bodies and well being. I think an activity that will help connect you with people or nature will help. Epsom salt baths like Ennio suggested or something among the lines so you can connect with yourself and find that inner strength that will help you go through this cycle safely into less turbulent currents.

Perhaps at the root of what happened to you, your body is trying to send you the message that you want to "disconnect"? Some positive dissociation might prove to be very healing. Are you doing EE regularly? At least 3 stage breathing and PotS?

Hang on, Brent.

 

[chaps23]

Belibaste & Mrs. Peel

Thankyou I have searched deeper and seem to agree that its a fairly harmless excersize, I think I read somewhere that it can trigger/mess with chakra systems and chi flow which is why I was curious in that sence more so than a medical perspective (I simply mean medical/science rather than the faith system around chakra's & energy systems)

Thanks Ennio & Psyche

I am well supplemented with magnesium & all the B's being present in a few of the supps that I take. Diet was my first point of call. I think psyche you hit the nail on the head with this comment.

Perhaps at the root of what happened to you, your body is trying to send you the message that you want to "disconnect"? Some positive dissociation might prove to be very healing.

I usually clear my head with a bi weekly trip to a fresh water spring that I get my water from, although I haven't made this trip in a while. Perhaps a good old fashion bush walk/hike might be on the cards for easter weekend since now our meet-up will be over skype. I am in a dead end job where I know I wont be doing for the rest of my life, the only growth available would mean changing who I am (in a terrible way) which I am not prepared to do. The sales industry is full of phsychopaths/sociopaths.

A while ago I was suffering from a dissociative problem where I disconnected from everything! It seems a dietry adjustment fixed that situation but now it seems I have done a complete 180! I am emotionally envolved in everything at the moment!

They say all life is is lesson's I tend to agree, "less turbulent" times are a head. Perhaps this is exactly the lesson. A holiday is on the cards.

Best Regards,

Brent.