2 Attachment(s) Hello,
I started an elimination, Pagano style diet in January '05 with between 60 and 80% P coverage.
I've used slippery elm and safflower petal tea (Am. Saffron) plus myriad other vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements, all of which we have discussed here at NPF in the alternative treatment threads.
I started seeing subtle changes within 6 weeks, but experienced an 80% drop in pain from my PA within 2 weeks.
The last few weeks I have seen dramatic changes, because I think my internal healing is really kicking in.
Here are pics of my back in mid-April, and today in mid-May. Using diet is not fast, and it requires hard personal commitment. But the support here at NPF - PRICELESS!

Dulane you are our prize pupil....I'm so happy you are getting results and everyone else that is showing improvement....improvement is better than the opposite. ;)
We all know that....
I use to watch those spots grow towards each other not knowing how to stop them.....
It might not be for everyone but I still say "ya' don't know til ya' try". :cool:

good for you, Dulane! Congratulations!

Have you ever considered UVB??
My back was at least 80% covered and after 1 month it was totally clear from UVB...and I was using broadband, not narrowband.
Not only are the results fast, but it is as safe as it gets.

hi dulane,
Congratulations on becoming clear. i wish you the best.
have a good night all
richard

I'm certainly not clear yet, but thanks Richard.
ChaimFL, I have gone to the tanning salon 3 times. I can see a big difference the next day or two.
But I just figure that I have made alot of progress and I will gradually get there using the diet and herbs. As Jor-EL has said, "Those who choose it (diet change/herbs) and rid themselves of the disease are usually those who learn how to keep it away for good."
Thanks Jgirl, Sally, Mari. I didn't take pictures back when it was really bad, but you can imagine, I'm sure.
Dulane

Except for the increased risk of skin cancer
Thats debatable Jen, it's been studied and they have found no remarkable increase in skin cancer amongst users of uv light therapy with the exception of PUVA which is an entirely different beast.
Actually, I think we should give docs more credit for using uvb frontline when it is warranted. I think we could actually use the sun more, however, it is just way to hard to moderate properly thus the "artificial sun", I have one at my home.
I think a combination of natural with sunlight might make a good effect. I just recently saw a study started at U of M for combination enbrel and uvb. If enbrel was perfect for everyone I'm sure this study wouldn't be conducted.
Now onto uvb again, the dead sea. It is just way to strange how people get clear at the dead sea. I don't think it can be denied that it actually works in a high percentage of cases, problem is, docs can't figure it out...it just happens. I think that it is the same with natural therapy, they just don't understand how and why it works. Chaim, like me, dinked around with a bunch of stuff prescribed by our docs and finally figured out this uvb stuff.
I think Chaim may even agree with me now that he is clear that it doesn't make much sense but dammit the stuff worked for us. You injest nothing you just get rays and it disappears. Its a bit of a learned behavior but I like it better then getting a shot twice a week and not knowing whats happening to my chemistry.
As for Dulane, this is fantastic. I think that everyone here is supportive of anyone getting relief from this skin junk.
Recently I read an article about the "different genetics" involved in psoriasis. I personally agree with this and think that many others can benefit from natural remedies, I do concern myself however with the "cure" business. My fear with psoriasis is that if Dulane goes back to a lesser "or lets say more avg. american" lifestyle that the psoriasis will return.
Like anything we get for this disease, if we don't use it properly it's almost certain failure. Same goes with Pagno, enbrel, mtx, uvb, etc....

For those who wonder about the diet, I was very strict for several months. And it is still hard to find a restaurant where I can go and find things on the menu that I can eat. I can eat at Japanese and Vietnamese restaurants. Love that pho!
I think you can be 80% on the Pagano diet and do just fine. It'll probably just take longer. Getting rid of dairy/gluten/alcohol is what stopped the PA pain.
But I am eating more 'questionable' food now, that I was leary of before. And I frequently have a bite of other people's food. (Just so I don't forget what I am missing.)
Most of the time my friends/grown kids will share a bite, but sometimes they tell me its not good for me! My daughter gave me 4 small squares of chocolate on Mother's day, and then stole one back because she felt guilty! Ha!
I am not suffering, and then there's the 20 lbs I've lost! This P can be a blessing in disguise.
Dulane

As Jor-EL has said, "Those who choose it (diet change/herbs) and rid themselves of the disease are usually those who learn how to keep it away for good.Dulane
Dulane, first let me say that I am happy that you are finding relief here by managing to just change your diet and add a few herbs in.
My problem is not with you but with that statement of Jor-El's. Just because a few here find relief this way does not mean that the rest of us are slackers. That could not be further from the truth!
That statement to me just shows an ignorance about this disease. There would not be a myriad of treatments if just one thing worked!
Just my opinion.
Marie

Thats debatable Jen, it's been studied and they have found no remarkable increase in skin cancer amongst users of uv light therapy with the exception of PUVA which is an entirely different beast.
Actually, I think we should give docs more credit for using uvb frontline when it is warranted. I think we could actually use the sun more, however, it is just way to hard to moderate properly thus the "artificial sun", I have one at my home.
I think a combination of natural with sunlight might make a good effect. I just recently saw a study started at U of M for combination enbrel and uvb. If enbrel was perfect for everyone I'm sure this study wouldn't be conducted.
Now onto uvb again, the dead sea. It is just way to strange how people get clear at the dead sea. I don't think it can be denied that it actually works in a high percentage of cases, problem is, docs can't figure it out...it just happens. I think that it is the same with natural therapy, they just don't understand how and why it works. Chaim, like me, dinked around with a bunch of stuff prescribed by our docs and finally figured out this uvb stuff.
I think Chaim may even agree with me now that he is clear that it doesn't make much sense but dammit the stuff worked for us. You injest nothing you just get rays and it disappears. Its a bit of a learned behavior but I like it better then getting a shot twice a week and not knowing whats happening to my chemistry.
As for Dulane, this is fantastic. I think that everyone here is supportive of anyone getting relief from this skin junk.
Recently I read an article about the "different genetics" involved in psoriasis. I personally agree with this and think that many others can benefit from natural remedies, I do concern myself however with the "cure" business. My fear with psoriasis is that if Dulane goes back to a lesser "or lets say more avg. american" lifestyle that the psoriasis will return.
Like anything we get for this disease, if we don't use it properly it's almost certain failure. Same goes with Pagno, enbrel, mtx, uvb, etc....
I know, Brad. I have my first tan this year in 8 years despite living in CA, I forgot what one looked like on me...I'm lucky I tan well...and I think UVB does work ; but there IS possibly a risk of skin cancer...however, I felt that the abrupt manner in which Chaim's post was written was an outright attempt to discredit Dulane's awesome story and methods. I mean, just let the woman have her glory for a minute. She deserves it. That's my piece; I thought it was insensitive for him to write that on THIS particular thread, it's intentions did not seem positive despite the fact that spreading the news about UVB could be.

Dulane, first let me say that I am happy that you are finding relief here by managing to just change your diet and add a few herbs in.
My problem is not with you but with that statement of Jor-El's. Just because a few here find relief this way does not mean that the rest of us are slackers. That could not be further from the truth!
That statement to me just shows an ignorance about this disease. There would not be a myriad of treatments if just one thing worked!
Just my opinion.
Marie
Marie,
I think you're reading things into that statement that aren't there...where does he state, or insinuate, that anybody who DOESN'T do this is a slacker? I don't see it.

My problem is not with you but with that statement of Jor-El's. Just because a few here find relief this way does not mean that the rest of us are slackers. That could not be further from the truth!
I don't think that it's because we're slackers it's more because our society is so messed up and a lot of us subscribe to it and some even "have to". For me it is difficult to eat healthy when I'm running the schedule I do and I do not think I am in a minority here on this.
I don't think Jor-el's refferring to the others as slackers, he's just making a point that there are other options to "our societys ways" and often they are the hard way and quite honestly you have to be tough on yourself to change your ways.
I can't tell you how many times my pcp has suggested and even STRESSED diet, weight loss, and excersise and he's a DO. Sure he can prescribe western meds and does and I take them but whats up with his advice. Just because it doesn't come in a bottle in pill form means I don't take that advice seriously? Am I the only one in the USA that is overweight, doesn't subscribe to a regular excersise regimine, smoke, OK...I don't drink but thats just me.
It's hard and I'll admit that I'm a slacker. We make our choices. I sacrifice my health all the time for work, keeping up with the Jones, etc....I pay the price to. Just the way it is.

That quote of Jor-El's reeks of superiority and is quite condescending. I will leave it at that. Most can figure it out.
I myself exercise and eat quite healthy. I have never eaten this healthy in my entire life. Explain then- why do I have this disease?
Marie

Brad, you are right, there is no increase of skin cancer with the use of UVB. PUVA is far superior, but there is a risk of skin cancer there.
Jennifer, I suggested what I did because it is extremely safe and has fast results. Dulane has no interest in using systemic drugs and that is fine, but I see nothing wrong with suggesting something that may speed up her clearing.
I guess you are the only one who can pure intentions around here.
Dulane, I appologize for giving you a suggestion, good luck with your clearing!

Everything that we "hear" in life comes through a filter of our own perceptions...I don't think that Jor-El's comment was condescending at all. I think it was honest.
As far as diets go, this is such an individual thing and I also think there is such a huge lack of knowledge of what is "healthy" in this country...but more importantly, it has to do with individual constitution. ie, I was a vegan for six months; but became anemic BECAUSE I wasn't eating sprouted foods...that is the only way to be vegan and get adequate protein; you have to soak them (the beans and seeds) to activate the protein and enzymes, just like they would be in nature covered by dew and rainfall :)
I'm not a vegan anymore, after awhile my body and my acupuncturist told me to eat meat, so I eat fowl, fish lamb, and yep, even an occasional steak. Perhaps this is a blood type thing, I've head those with mediterranean blood often need meat and don't do well with gluten, which I only figured out after fasting and then doing an elimination diet. So one can be allergic to even "healthy" foods, ie Sally is allergic to soy; and my holistic doc, the one who's website I posted yesterday (who is also has p gene but is p free) told me he's allergic to garlic! GARLIC! nature's antibiotic - so it's really an individual thing, depending on your genes and ethnic background, I think.
You could also be eating healthy but still be too acidic; ie even some "healthnut foods" blueberries and walnuts are acid forming. So I think, it really takes quite an education to "eat right"; way beyond the scope of what most people can get away with, in the case of auoimmune disease.
Now I eat about 50-75% of my food raw and the rest is protein in the form of meat fish or eggs. sometimes I crave more iron(girls you know what I mean) SO I get a good dose of lamb or steak in there, and sometimes, I want nothing but fruits and veggies ; so I go with it. I think our bodies have an innate intelligence and will tell us what we need, but I only started "hearing" the messages after fasting and major detoxification...otherwise it was too convoluded by my past of twinkies and pizza :p
It's been a heck of a journey, but good health is, and will always be, worth it to me.
PS DIet alone won't heal stomache lining, you need Slippery Elm or licorice or aloe vera etc.
PPS Never said that, Chaim. I still think it was rude.I think it would have been a lot more sensitive to post what you did on a seperate thread. This thread is about how Dulane cleared with diet and herbs.

You know I was gonna write about this but I just decided not to. I will say this that a lot have cleared from a number of different treatments including western and holistic. If you figure out the fix that works for you I think you should stick with it as long as you can and it works.
I think I can say the same as Jor-el did just replacing the method with uvb. If it works for you, I think you can learn to remain clear with it. ALL of my doctors have told me there is no cure and I believe them and thats why I take care of my skin everyday.

I think if any one gets clear we should all be happy about it. It does not matter how they did it. All we need to do it share our experiences and if someone else wants to try it---that's OK. I would never-never-never do any light treatments or Enbrel again. That does not mean that others shouldn't try those things.
With some it's the meds
With some it's the diet
With some it's lights
When I cleared----a long, long time ago(38 yrs)---it was pregnancy---I'm sure a lot of you would not want to try that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diet is safer than any other method!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL :p :D granny you are too funny....I think I'll pick diet over pregnancy

Whooa. In Jor-EL's defense, he said those who can make it go away can keep it away. He outlined a control over the disease.
How can you keep it away when it comes back as soon as you stop doing something that is unnatural?
I feel like my new diet is a friend to me. It makes sense. I am just like a diabetic, but I don't need insulin. But this learning and healing has also been fun. I am competing with my mother's 40 years of finding no answer.
One reason I posted here is that there are probably several hundred lurkers who come here who have no insurance. I think for them, this info is incredibly valuable. That's where I was when I came to NPF. I don't have insurance. I can't get one of those tanning beds nor could I afford enbrel. Not that I want either.
And there are alot like me.
Dulane

Sorry but I don't see a difference in the pictures. Except maybe the color tint is different. I guess if you feel it is working, that is all that matters. :)

Resist,
It is less inflamed. Flatter. Less scale. Doesn't hurt. The goal of this diet is to cut out inflamation causing foods.
That part of my house is under a sky light. Definitely different tones at different times of the day. But I have gone to a tanning salon about once a week for the last month.
Dulane