TREATMENTS FOR ANXIETY, FLUSHING, BLUSHING, SWEATING AND SIDE-EFFECTS FROM ETS AND ESB

Any advertising above for ETS is NOT accepted by us as we are AGAINST ETS because of the side-effects

My name is Ann, a mother of both an ETS and Reversal patient, and from now on I will manage this page with your help. The parents of ETS patients are very important in healing, after the shock of finding out about the destruction ETS or ESB can cause our bodies. Many of you have also suffered from some sort of malady associated with anxiety, and this page is offered as a resource for non-surgical treatment. As we do not condone ETS or ESB (clamping) at all, we offer suggestions to treat these conditions as well as suggestions to help the side-effects of ETS and ESB. Hopefully as many people as possible can send in information about remedies they have tried; this can be anything from medication to an alternative treatment such as Acupuncture.

WARNING: THESE MEDICATIONS LISTED BELOW SHOULD BE TAKEN UNDER STRICT GUIDANCE BY A DOCTOR OR A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING HOMEOPATHIC, CAN BE HARMFUL IF TAKEN IN LARGE DOSES OR IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS.

LOW LIBIDO

Ambrotose - a glyconutrient that is meant to help cells communicate because of the sugar's (carbohydrates) they contain (not ordinary sugars you would get in bread and sweets). It helps with energy so it may help with libido. It is expensive ($125+ Aus for every six weeks + $5 postage). If you are from Australia, Meg is now a distributor and can be contacted on giggleseven@yahoo.com for a sample.

Testosterone spray - this is a spray available in USA. It is currently being trialed in Australia. It is meant to increase libido and energy. It is being trialed on women as it is combined with oestrogen.

Apophen - it comes in lozenge form. Many man have have experienced erectile dysfunction since ETS surgery. The lozenge is a combination of two drugs: one called Phentolamine, that allows blood vessels to dilate, and the other called Apomorphine, that kick-starts the brain into sending more messages to get things moving. As per usual speak to your doctor about this. You can contact the Advance Institute and Australian Momentum Health on 1300 799 022 for more information.

NERVE GROWTH

Ginseng with ginkgo biloba helps the symathetic nerves. My son has started take it as it was published in the 'YOU' mag, and recommed by a doctor.

Calcium and lipoic acid as potential substances to boost nerve growth.

Vitamin B complex, including a hefty B6 (Niacin's hot flushes can be avoided by choosing one with niacinimdie). B vitamins work together best when taken in one complex.

Methylcobalamin - a quickly absorbed form of B12 that protects nerve sheaths, but this is expensive.

Evening primrose oil (contains gamma lipoic acid) - complements Alpha lipoic acid, an antioccident.

Hypericum - stimulates nerve endings and must be taken homeopathically under supervision. Arnica may also be used under Homeopathic supervision, as can Gingko to overcome nerve damage problem and stimulate circulation.

Acupuncture - It is believed you may be able to re-generate the most important T2 and T3 nerves. The treatment undertaken includes acupuncture treatment of the local area with electrostimulation. The points used in this case were Hua Tou Jia Ji points at T2,T3, and T4.
Points can be used to resolve stagnation and to nourish the kidney and spleen to stimulate new nerve tissue growth. These included Liv3, Sp10, GB41, SJ5, Kid3, Kid9, UB18,20,23, and Du20. Also ear sympathetic, shen men, liver, kidney, endocrine.
Treatments are normally once per week for six months with subsequent follow up treatments, or even three times per week over a shorter duration.
The patient can also be prescribed customized herbal formulas which focused on these same areas. Modifications of Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Liu Wei Di Hunag Tang are used.
A qualified acupuncturist should be used.http://www.taoofwellness.com/doctors.htm

FATIGUE

Anti-Oxidant Co-Enzyme Q10 - This is meant to help the heart and energy. I have tried it and it seems to work. It's available from a health food store or Coles Supermarket in Australia.

Naturopathy - Currently Meg is trialing this. There will be an update in the next month about the improvements. She has had to change her diet - no caffeine, no saccerine {low sugar} drinks. She is also taking zink, magnesium, liver cleansing tables and Adrenoplex. The latter has particularly given her a boost. This can be expensive $100 Aus for an hour and half treatment plus herbs and supplements on top of that $100 Aus, but she doesn't have to see the naturopath too frequently - only twice times in the last six months.

Ambrotose - a glyconutrient that is meant to help cells communicate because of the sugar's they contain (not ordinary sugars you would get in bread and sweets). Meg could see a difference in her well-being after a few weeks. If you are from Australia, Meg is now a distributor so if you'd like to try it please contact her on : giggleseven@yahoo.com. It is expensive ($125+ Aus for every six weeks + $5 postage and handling).

Vitamin B complex, including a hefty B6 (Niacin's hot flushes can be avoided by choosing one with niacinimdie). B vitamins work together best when taken in one complex.

Acupuncture - this was so effective for Meg that she is currently working on providing a list of the best in major capital cities. There are only two in Sydney who could be recommended by a Doctor (who is a naturapath) and a well known radio presenter on Sydney radio. Anybody who is interested in the two specialists in Sydney can contact Meg via email.

Chinese Herbs - these have been tried by Meg as well to balance the system to combat fatigue and have worked very well.

Enada NADH may alleviate symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is natural. Please visit:www.enada.com

COMPENSATORY SWEATING

Make Talika hand therapy gloves - intensive moisturizing gloves, more information from www.talika.com

Iontophoresis - For palmar and plantar excessive sweating the treatment of choice in most countries is tap water iontophoresis. It is defined as the electrical introduction of various ions through the skin. Patients are required to bath their hands at least three times a week in stainless steel pans that are connected to the iontophoresis device. Although the exact mechanism of action is not known, previous clinical studies have suggested that this treatment may be effective. However, long term treatment is necessary to maintain an effect (Dahl 1989 ; Hölzle 1987 ; Levit 1980 ; Reinauer 1995 ; Schauf 1994 ; Shen 1990 ).

Oral treatments such as Salvia, a herb given in the form of tea or tablets, and anticholinergic drugs such as bornaprine, have been recommended (Castells 1987 ; Kisten 1997 ). However, no good clinical data seems to exist to show that Salvia really works. Potent anticholinergic drugs, on the other hand, carry the risk of unpleasant systemic side effects such as dry mouth, visual disturbance and retention of urine. Various aluminium chloride preparations are available for use topically. However these topical preparations, used in many antiperspirants, irritate the skin in a high proportion of patients (Brandrup 1978 ; Glent-Madsen 1988 ; Goh 1990 ).

Neurontin - well worth a try as it has certainly reduced one ETS patient's CS and a little bit of nerve pain which was a major sticking point. Currently he is on 900mg a day, but he can increase his intake to 2400mg a day. Apparently the CS has decreased about 15% and nerve pain about 10%. Neorontin is targeted at reducing neurotic pain , and reducing CS may just be a useful by-product. Vitamins B6 and C has helped his CS a little bit, but Neurontin so far has been very good. He does not feel dehydrated, but he drinks a fair bit of water. Neurontin's main benefit has been a reduction of extreme burning nerve pains. Neurontin is a prescripiton drug but very expensive.

Botulinum toxin A - a drug that has been recently used to treat excessive sweating. It is a bacterial toxin which paralyses muscles and is given by injection into the deeper part of the skin where the sweat glands sit and hence interferes with their action (Fackel 1999 ; Glogau 1998 ; Heckmann 1998 ; Holmes 1998 ; Naumann 1998 ; Naver 1997 ; Odderson 1998 ; Schnider 1997 ; Shelley 1998 ).

Pro-banthine (Propantheline in the U.S) - medication for sweating. According to one ETS patient, "pro-banthine completely dries one out (I think they're called anti-coinergins/anti-spasmodics), and sometimes they are so effective that they'll even dry out your eye balls (which is painful but more importantly interferes with vision)".

Robinol - a newer derivative of pro-banthine and is supposed to be superior in that it is claimed to avoid any psychological side-effects of the pro-banthine. But, according to the patient this is nonsense and the Robinol is truly awful and can completely change your personality. So he's sticking with the pro-banthine.

Scopoderm (scopolamin) - more information can be found at http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/sci/A0844088.html"

Ditropan - a product that is meant to relieve forms of diffulty in passing urine caused by muscle spasm. The side effect is decreasing sweating. However, there is a list of serious consequenses if overdosed including irrational behaviour, flushing, coma and death.

Aluminum chloride products like Drysol, but be careful not to overuse it as you may get a rash. Certain-Dri has a lower concentration, and is available without a prescription. You could also try Secure wipes, which are less irritating. There is also a solution of aluminum chloride in salicylic acid gel, which is supposedly more effective and less irritating.

Iontopherisis - Used to treat sweating on the hands and underarm.

Cotton fabric - wear cotton because it's a fabric that breathes.

Driclor - a very strong antiperspirant that should be applied in the evening and left on overnight.

Brooks MS001 Aire-flo shirts. It breaths like no other material, and is made of Coolmax polyester that shows virtually no sweat. one ETS patient on the Ezy board said, "It is, by far, the coolest, most comfortable sports-related apparel I've found. I prefer the color white over black, because of white's sunlight/heat reflective properties"
www.brookssports.com/gear...etail.htm#
www.brookssports.com/gear...detail.htm
and their Coolmax Aire-flo shorts...
www.brookssports.com/gear...detail.htm
I've spoken to one patient who has purchased a 'Cabela' micro-fibre t-shirt from the U.S and found it very constricting. He has never worn it.

Bio-feedback - a natural method of controlling sweating. According to one Mother who's daughter has this therapy, "She has it twice a week...it's a long process, but she can start or stop the hand sweating in the dr's office...she needs time to learn to transfer that...and her thoughts of course away from the problem which intensifies her condition".

FLUSHING

B.Kamins Bio Maple Booster Blue Rosacea treatment - It is a cream/lotion that you can apply to your face to cosmetically conceal, or at the very least reduce considerably, redness and flushing. It is considered to be a treatment for rosacea sufferers in order to reduce a red face, but it does the trick of hiding redness for Facial flushers equally well. It's not in the category of make-up. It sinks into your skin, and does not irritate your skin at all, no-one will be able to tell you're wearing any, and it makes you look quite pale. You apply as much as as your flushing requires, but if you put too much on and you'll end up looking ghostly. A little goes a long way, which is a good thing, because it is expensive. If you live in England you can purchase it in the Space NK department of Harvey Nicholls, London. This does not treat blushing, which can come on at the drop of a hat and disappear quite soon thereafter, and is quite different from flushing, a longer-term facial redness.

Rosacure - Intensive with Synchrosomes technology is a light textured face cream specifically developed for facial redness. It combats redness by helping to diminish the visibility of the small dilated blood vessels. It is suitable for highly sensitive skin and has excellent rehydrating action. RRP $44.95 Aus. Available from leading Pharmacies including My Chemist, Terry White, Blooms, Malouf's Pharmacy, Australian Unity, Pharmore, Chem Plus, Pharmacy 777, Pharmacy Direct and ePharmacy. New Zealand readers call Pharamacy Direct on 0800 PHARMACY or for local stockist call 0800 118 311. For more information in Australia call (02) 8875 7862 or visit www.rosacure.com.au

Photoderm Treatment - this is used for Rosacea and Facial Flushing. You may need to have about 5 treatments with an experienced user of a Photoderm Machine. According to Timbo, the best person to contact for Photoderm Treatment:
Dr Sarojini Nair
Ashbrooke Vein & Cosmetic Centre
1st Floor, 573 Crown St
Surry Hills
NSW 2010
Ph: 9310 4100
Mb: 0412 344 060

Botox - might be the answer to cure facial flushing. Cutaneous injections of Botox are put in to the skin of my cheeks and this has effectively cured some patient's facial flushing. This does not paralyse the muscles of the face like Botox injected into the facial muscles for wrinkles. Flushing can still occur due to heat but to a lesser extent as it seems to stop the flow on psychological effect of flushing. According to Timbo the best person to contact in Sydney regarding Botox Treatment is:
Dr Andrew Roberts
Crown Medical Centre
426 Crown St,
Surry Hills
Sydney
NSW 2010
Ph: 9357 7333
Fax: 9357 7311
Email: info@cosmeticmedical.com.au
Web: www.comsmeticmedial.com.au

Clonidine - for facial flushing. A G.P has said: "Clonidine is old - I know it for treatment of high blood pressure, but actually it's very rarely used. So I've looked up the small MIMS : it's also used for preventing migraine + menopausal flushes. Side effects seem to be slowing of the heart, depression, drowsiness and dry mouth. Actually I know of a child with ADHD on Ritalin with sleep problems from the Ritalin(an amphetamine) who takes Clonidine to help get off to sleep". According to Timbo, who takes 3 tables for a presentation, you may get very tired on these.

DRY SKIN

Dermalogica skin treatment - For Normal to dry skin (contains no oils), a highly concentrated moisturising cream for the prevention and treatment of dry skin. It's good because it will not block pores, but will still rehydrate our very dry skin.

INSOMNIA

The first step is no stimulants (such as caffeine in tea, coffee, coca cola) after 4pm. Instead drink water all day to increase blood volume.

There are some “auto suggestion” techniques which may be helpful. Lie in bed, then start with your feet and tell them to go to sleep. Make them feel heavy and tired. Soon they will go “numb” so you can’t feel them. Work on your hands, then up the legs, arms and trunk until you are numb from the neck downwards. With practice this just takes a few minutes. Now you’ve done the easy bit getting the body to sleep. The hard bit is getting the brain to sleep. To do this you have to stop the mind flitting about from the past to the future. Most people are kept awake by thinking about the events of yesterday and what is happening tomorrow either to them or family or friends. Don’t allow yourself to do this. See it as a complete self indulgence, which is not permitted. Keep your brain in the present either by concentrating on breathing, the traditional counting sheep or whatever. I bring into my mind a walk I do and see the path, hedges, gateways, views, muddy puddles, ponies, sheep etc or whatever I see on my walk.