O/A neck and low back

[janyde]

have pain everyday.....cant take pain meds. any other ideas...not functioning well?

[silverfox67]

"How does it work?
     Hawthorn can help improve the amount of blood pumped out of the heart during contractions, widen the blood vessels, and increase the transmission of nerve signals.
     Hawthorn also seems to have blood pressure-lowering activity, according to early research.  It seems to cause relaxing of the blood vessels farther from the heart.  It seems that this effect is due to a component in hawthorn called proanthocyanidin.
      Research suggests that hawthorn can lower cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad cholesterol") and triglycerides (fats in the blood).  It seems to lower accumulation of fats in the liver and the aorta (the largest artery in the body located near the heart).  Hawthorn fruit extract may lower cholesterol by increasing the excretion of bile, reducing the formation of cholesterol, and enhancing the receptors for LDLs.  It also seems to have antioxidant activity."

    Hope this information is helpful.  Like it says, you might want to talk to your doctor about it.
    
     My blood pressure is so much better on hawthorn and my cholesterol levels are excellent.
         Wishing you the best always

[silverfox67]

Here is what I found on Hawthorn online:

Hawthorn is a plant.  The leaves, berries, and flowers of hawthorn are used to make medicine.
    Hawthorn is used for diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain, and irregular heartbeat.  It is also used to treat both low blood pressure and high blood pressure, "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis), and high cholesterol.  So far, research suggests tht hawthorn might be effective in treating congestive heart failure, but there hasn't been enough research on other heart-related used to know if it is effective for them.
     Some people use hawthorn for digestive system complaints such as indigestion, diarrhea, and stomach pain.  it is also used to reduce anxiety, as a sedative, to increase urine output, and for menstrual problems.
     Hawthorn is also used to treat tapeworm and other intestinal infections.
     Some people apply hawthorn to the skin for boils, sores, and ulcers.  Hawthorn preparations are used as a wash for sores, itching and frostbite.
     You will find hawthorn among the ingredients in candied fruit slices, jam, jelly, and wine.
     Before taking hawthorn, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.  It has major interactions with several prescription medications.

    Sorry this is so long - there is more to follow.

[janyde]

wow didn't know Cardizem messed with your stomach. i have heard of hawthorn sups for heart.  you have angina?  i wonder if the supp will help the fast beats i have. it makes me head funny. i had ablation last year and it helped for 8mo then palpitations came back.  i have appt soon. sorry you have so much herniation and no pain. but it is the Essiac. Amazing.  I will try that too. It comes in a tea also.  why is your dose in capsules?  i am 5'2. not overweight tho.
Thanks again..the best to you too.

[silverfox67]

     I recently weaned myself off of cardizem - it was tearing up my stomach.  Talk to your doctor about Hawthorn Berries supplement.  It has helped me quite a bit with my arrhythmia and I haven't used my Nitro in over 3 months.
      I don't have any discs left - all herniated - as a result I am only 4'8" tall and have a hanging belly - but not too much pain.  My orthopedist wanted to know how it was that I am still walking - so I told her about my Essiac.  She said to keep taking it since it is working for me.
      Wishing you the best

[janyde]

It would be great to not take meds and have those supplements work for pain. I have a bulging/herniated discs too. Do you have any side effects from them? Also I take cardizem for an aarrhythmia and hope I can take them. You know doctors don't know the interactions with supplements.
thank you again. Feel better.  .

[silverfox67]

   I don't take any meds for pain... only the supplements I listed above.  I don't like drugs. -  For example, I just had surgery and am taking only the Essiac and MSM - the doctor prescribed Morphine - but I refused it...

[janyde]

Thanks for your advice.  

I do take take Curcumin every day. Msm not everyday but i should. I have to check out the Essiac and Boswellia.  What meds do you take for pain if any?   Thank you again.

[silverfox67]

   I am so sorry that you can't take meds for your back pain.  I sympathize with you - I take Essiac capsules and MSM for my pain and it seems to work pretty well.  Something else you could try is Turmeric with Curcumin.  These are usually together in one formula and work on inflammation.   Boswellia and amino acids are also recommended for pain.

     Hope this information is helpful.  Wishing you the best outcome.