The TAO in Everyday Life
STEPHEN LAU
The TAO is in every aspect of life: growing up; receiving education; seeking careers; getting married; raising children; connecting with others; staying healthy; growing old; and facing life challenges.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
All About . . . .
Myasthenia gravis is one of the many autoimmune diseases, which, according to contemporary Western medicine, offer no known cure, except controlling or suppressing their many disease symptoms.
This book is based on the author's own experience of battling against his myasthenia gravis: how he stopped all his medications through a holistic approach to controlling and managing the disease. This book provides insight and well-researched information that he would like to share with those who are afflicted with myasthenia gravis or any other autoimmune disease.
Albert Einstein once said: "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Believe in the miracle of self-healing. Healing comes only from within, and not from any external source. Every individual should avail every opportunity to initiate the self-healing process, which is innate in the human body. Just believing in the miracle of self-cure, however, is not enough; you must also empower yourself with knowledge and information to overcome myasthenia gravis through a holistic approach to the wellness of the body, the mind, and the spirit.
This book covers every aspect of holistic health to cope with autoimmunity: body detox, diet, lifestyle changes, exercises for muscle weakness, and mental relaxation techniques for vision problems associated with myasthenia gravis. "The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient's hopes are the physician's secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription." (Norman Cousins) Find your own ingredients in your prescription for a cure of your myasthenia gravis.
The above is what this book is all about. Click here to get your copy from AMAZON.
The Outline of the Book . . . .
CHAPTER ONE: AUTOIMMUNITY
AUTOIMMUNITY
Autoimmune Diseases
What are the potential causes?
Who are more at risk?
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The Cellular Health
How Body Cells May Become Damaged
The Damages by Free Radicals
Boosting Immunity
Protecting the Immune System
CHAPTER TWO: MY STORY
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
MY STORY
My Conditions
My Treatment
My Rude Awakening
The Road to Self-Healing
CHAPTER THREE: UNDERSTANDING SELF-HEALING
THE MIRACLE OF SELF-HEALING
THE ESSENTIALS OF SELF-HEALING
The Power of the Mind
Changing the Subconscious Mind to Heal
Optimizing Subliminal Messages
CHAPTER FOUR: STEP 1 - STOP ALL DANGEROUS DRUGS
NO CURE FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Steroid Therapy
The Dangers of Drugs
Take control of your health and escape the sickness industry
CHAPTER FIVE: STEP 2 - INTERNAL CLEANSING
A TOXIC BODY
Sources of Toxins
Common Symptoms of a Toxic Body
INTERNAL CLEANSING
Different Ways of Detoxification
Fasting to detoxify
Skin brushing to detoxify
Foot patches to detoxify
Hydrotherapy to detoxify
Exercise to detoxify
Foods to detoxify
Herbs to detoxify
CHAPTER SIX: STEP 3 - FOODS AS MEDICINE
USE FOODS TO BALANCE ACID-ALKALINE LEVELS TO HEAL THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Acidification
Sources of acidification
Diseases caused by acidification
Symptoms of excess acidification
Measuring acid-alkaline levels
Foods to balance acid-alkaline levels
FOLLOW THE BASICS OF EATING FOR A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM
Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
Eating Less, Not More
Eating Frequently, Not Three Time a Day
Eating Living Foods, Not Dead Foods
Eating Sea Salt, Not Table Salt
Eating No Refined Sugar
Eating Raw Occasionally
Chewing Thoroughly
Smart Cooking
FOODS FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Chlorella
Wheat Grass
FOODS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Apples
Brown Rice
Garlic
Sea Vegetables
Sweet Potatoes and Yams
DRINK TO HEAL THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Burdock and Daikon Drink
Four Greens Drink
Pine Needles Drink
FOODS FOR BALANCE AND HARMONY
The Yin and Yang Diet
The Five Elements
FOODS TO AVOID FOR PROTECTION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Sugar
Suggested sugar replacements for healthy eating for a healthy immune system
Dairy Products
Soy
CHAPTER SEVEN: STEP 4 - LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO HEAL
CIGARETTE SMOKING
The Health Hazards
Secondhand smoke
Quitting the Habit
ALCOHOL DRINKING
Beer Drinking
STRESS
Understanding the Causes of Stress in Your Life
Ways to Handle Stress
Stress Management
Perceptions of stress
Long-term measures to manage stress
Manage stress the Chinese way
Dealing with Life’s Problems
CHAPTER EIGHT: STEP 5 - RELAXATION TO BOOST IMMUNITY
STRESS
Signs and Symptoms of Stress
SLEEP
OTHER RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Deep Relaxation
Meditation
How to meditate
How to breathe right to meditate and to relax
Mind Aerobics
Color Therapy
Mental Attention
Intense presence of the mind
Mind training to focus on the present moment
CHAPTER NINE: STEP 6 - OVERCOME MUSCLE WEAKNESS
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
Yoga
Qi Gong
YOGA ROUTINE FOR MUSCLE STRENGTH
CHAPTER TEN: STEP 7 - OVERCOME VISION PROBLEMS
WEAK EYE MUSCLES
DOUBLE VISION
EYE RELAXATION
Relax the Body to Relax the Eye
Self-Massage to Relax the Eye
Facial and eye massage
Rub the eye
Acupressure for eye massage and eye relaxation
Eye Exercises to Relax the Eye
Regular eye relaxation
Palming to relax the eye
The "8" eye exercise for relaxation and flexibility
The Taoist squeeze-and-open eye exercise for blood circulation to relax the eye
Learning how to blink
Yawning to cleanse and relax the eye
Stretching eye muscles for relaxation
Strengthening Vision
CHAPTER ELEVEN: FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MY MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
All About . . . .
Myasthenia gravis is one of the many autoimmune diseases, which, according to contemporary Western medicine, offer no known cure, except controlling or suppressing their many disease symptoms.
This book is based on the author's own experience of battling against his myasthenia gravis: how he stopped all his medications through a holistic approach to controlling and managing the disease. This book provides insight and well-researched information that he would like to share with those who are afflicted with myasthenia gravis or any other autoimmune disease.
Albert Einstein once said: "There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." Believe in the miracle of self-healing. Healing comes only from within, and not from any external source. Every individual should avail every opportunity to initiate the self-healing process, which is innate in the human body. Just believing in the miracle of self-cure, however, is not enough; you must also empower yourself with knowledge and information to overcome myasthenia gravis through a holistic approach to the wellness of the body, the mind, and the spirit.
This book covers every aspect of holistic health to cope with autoimmunity: body detox, diet, lifestyle changes, exercises for muscle weakness, and mental relaxation techniques for vision problems associated with myasthenia gravis. "The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient's hopes are the physician's secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription." (Norman Cousins) Find your own ingredients in your prescription for a cure of your myasthenia gravis.
The above is what this book is all about. Click here to get your copy from AMAZON.
The Outline of the Book . . . .
CHAPTER ONE: AUTOIMMUNITY
AUTOIMMUNITY
Autoimmune Diseases
What are the potential causes?
Who are more at risk?
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The Cellular Health
How Body Cells May Become Damaged
The Damages by Free Radicals
Boosting Immunity
Protecting the Immune System
CHAPTER TWO: MY STORY
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
MY STORY
My Conditions
My Treatment
My Rude Awakening
The Road to Self-Healing
CHAPTER THREE: UNDERSTANDING SELF-HEALING
THE MIRACLE OF SELF-HEALING
THE ESSENTIALS OF SELF-HEALING
The Power of the Mind
Changing the Subconscious Mind to Heal
Optimizing Subliminal Messages
CHAPTER FOUR: STEP 1 - STOP ALL DANGEROUS DRUGS
NO CURE FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
Steroid Therapy
The Dangers of Drugs
Take control of your health and escape the sickness industry
CHAPTER FIVE: STEP 2 - INTERNAL CLEANSING
A TOXIC BODY
Sources of Toxins
Common Symptoms of a Toxic Body
INTERNAL CLEANSING
Different Ways of Detoxification
Fasting to detoxify
Skin brushing to detoxify
Foot patches to detoxify
Hydrotherapy to detoxify
Exercise to detoxify
Foods to detoxify
Herbs to detoxify
CHAPTER SIX: STEP 3 - FOODS AS MEDICINE
USE FOODS TO BALANCE ACID-ALKALINE LEVELS TO HEAL THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Acidification
Sources of acidification
Diseases caused by acidification
Symptoms of excess acidification
Measuring acid-alkaline levels
Foods to balance acid-alkaline levels
FOLLOW THE BASICS OF EATING FOR A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM
Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
Eating Less, Not More
Eating Frequently, Not Three Time a Day
Eating Living Foods, Not Dead Foods
Eating Sea Salt, Not Table Salt
Eating No Refined Sugar
Eating Raw Occasionally
Chewing Thoroughly
Smart Cooking
FOODS FOR THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Chlorella
Wheat Grass
FOODS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Apples
Brown Rice
Garlic
Sea Vegetables
Sweet Potatoes and Yams
DRINK TO HEAL THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Burdock and Daikon Drink
Four Greens Drink
Pine Needles Drink
FOODS FOR BALANCE AND HARMONY
The Yin and Yang Diet
The Five Elements
FOODS TO AVOID FOR PROTECTION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Sugar
Suggested sugar replacements for healthy eating for a healthy immune system
Dairy Products
Soy
CHAPTER SEVEN: STEP 4 - LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO HEAL
CIGARETTE SMOKING
The Health Hazards
Secondhand smoke
Quitting the Habit
ALCOHOL DRINKING
Beer Drinking
STRESS
Understanding the Causes of Stress in Your Life
Ways to Handle Stress
Stress Management
Perceptions of stress
Long-term measures to manage stress
Manage stress the Chinese way
Dealing with Life’s Problems
CHAPTER EIGHT: STEP 5 - RELAXATION TO BOOST IMMUNITY
STRESS
Signs and Symptoms of Stress
SLEEP
OTHER RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Deep Relaxation
Meditation
How to meditate
How to breathe right to meditate and to relax
Mind Aerobics
Color Therapy
Mental Attention
Intense presence of the mind
Mind training to focus on the present moment
CHAPTER NINE: STEP 6 - OVERCOME MUSCLE WEAKNESS
MUSCLE WEAKNESS
Yoga
Qi Gong
YOGA ROUTINE FOR MUSCLE STRENGTH
CHAPTER TEN: STEP 7 - OVERCOME VISION PROBLEMS
WEAK EYE MUSCLES
DOUBLE VISION
EYE RELAXATION
Relax the Body to Relax the Eye
Self-Massage to Relax the Eye
Facial and eye massage
Rub the eye
Acupressure for eye massage and eye relaxation
Eye Exercises to Relax the Eye
Regular eye relaxation
Palming to relax the eye
The "8" eye exercise for relaxation and flexibility
The Taoist squeeze-and-open eye exercise for blood circulation to relax the eye
Learning how to blink
Yawning to cleanse and relax the eye
Stretching eye muscles for relaxation
Strengthening Vision
CHAPTER ELEVEN: FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MY MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
An Excerpt from the Book . . . .
MY STORY
Many years ago, I was afflicted with myasthenia gravis. I was undergoing a most stressful episode in my life. I was in my fifties-call it midlife crisis if you would.
One day I felt intense pressure on my eyes. My first concern was glaucoma (a condition of increased fluid pressure inside the eye). I went to see an ophthalmologist who subsequently referred me to a neurologist, who was then the head of the neurology department in a well-known healthcare system in Cleveland, Ohio. After running some medical tests, he confirmed his diagnosis that I had myasthenia gravis.
My Conditions
I had developed ocular symptoms: ptosis (drooping of eyelids) and diplopia (double vision) in my myasthenia gravis.
My neck and limb muscles were also weak. I had to use a neck-rest to prop up my head when I drove; I could hardly use my fingers to control the mouse when I used my computer; and I could not raise my hand without using the other hand to help prop it up.
Fortunately, I did not experience any weakness of the muscles of my pharynx, which could cause difficulty in chewing and swallowing, as well as slurred speech, in many cases of myasthenia gravis.
Naturally, I was devastated at the diagnosis and the conditions of my myasthenia gravis, which all happened within a matter of days. Worst of all, the neurologist told me that there was no known cure, although he reassured me that he could improve my symptoms.
Deep down, I knew it was stress that triggered the onset of my myasthenia gravis, but it was by no means the only cause. I knew if I did not have it then, I would probably have it further down the road. It was just a matter of time -- only at that time I was not aware that I had the problem all along. I was carrying a ticking time-bomb all ready to explode on me.
Now as I look back, I think it was a blessing in disguise. Everything happens in one’s life with a divine purpose. In a way, I was grateful that I had the illness-which has changed my life forever and for the better. For one thing, without my myasthenia gravis, I would not have written this book, and many other books on health and healing. For another, my myasthenia gravis was a self-awakening for me. Often times in life, it would take a crisis of some sort for self-enlightenment. My myasthenia gravis was a wakeup call for me: it initiated my passionate pursuit of health and healing in my life. To me, my myasthenia gravis was indeed a blessing in disguise -- a misfortune that I have to be thankful for.
I did not blame anyone or anything for my illness, nor did I have any regret. I totally accepted my fate. Recognition and acceptance of one’s conditions is the first positive step toward natural healing. Denial and despair, on the other hand, would only be roadblocks to self-healing and recovery. I was determined to find out the causes of my health problems. I wanted to know why I was struck down with myasthenia gravis.
Initially, I was confused and befuddled: Why did I get sick? For the past several decades, my health had been good, if not excellent -- or so I thought. All those years prior to my myasthenia gravis, I had been quite health conscious in matters of foods and drinks; I had never been hospitalized all my life, and before the onset of my myasthenia gravis, I seldom paid a visit to the doctor. I had been having a clean bill of health up until then.
So, what was wrong with me? I began to do some soul-searching.
Unlike most other kids, I did not have chicken pox until I was a teenager. That was a telltale sign that my immune system was different from that of others, or at least not as good as I thought it was. There was something amiss, but I did not know exactly what it was and I could not put a finger on it.
Then I recalled that when I was a child, I had been constantly bed-ridden with fever and coughing -- my mother always worried that I could get infections from other kids, or worse, I would not live long.
I remember I never liked green vegetables and fish -- which I would gobble up, stuff them in my mouth, and then spit them out as soon as I got out of the house. That was how bad I was.
As I stepped into my teens, my health conditions suddenly and significantly improved. In fact, all my symptoms of ill health disappeared soon after I had my chicken pox at the age of thirteen or fourteen. The experience of my chicken pox was excruciating, but it seemed to have changed my health conditions completely for the better. Ever since then, I had not had any major physical ailment, except I was still susceptible to the common cold -- which I overdosed myself with over-the-counter cold medications. I did not know that all these years I had been shuffling toxins into my body!
There was another episode during my young adulthood. I was involved in some artwork, which required me to make some fiberglass from newspapers by pouring some chemical solution over them. On one occasion, I accidentally mixed some toxic chemicals, giving out some toxic fume. After inhaling it, I passed out for some minutes, and felt sick for the entire day. In addition, my regular exposure to toxic chemicals in my artwork through inhalation must have further damaged my immune system.
Nevertheless, for many decades, I had enjoyed relatively good health-or so I thought.
In my late forties, I had shingles -- which was another red flag that there was something wrong with my immune system. However, I did not pay much attention to that episode.
In my mid fifties, the stress in my life eventually triggered the onset of my myasthenia gravis, which was the outcome of my over-stressed immune system.
My Treatment
At first, I was prescribed pyridostigmine (mestinon) as the usual first-line treatment for my myasthenia gravis.
After several months, my conditions did not improve. I was given another prescription, prednisone, a synthetic hormone commonly referred to as a “steroid,” for my myasthenia gravis. Prednisone acts as long-term immunosuppressant to suppress the production of antibodies. Essentially, it serves to stabilize my so-called “overactive” immune system.
The adverse side effects of prednisone for my myasthenia gravis included decreased resistance to infection, indigestion, hypertension, weight gain, swelling of the face, thinning of skin, predisposition to osteoporosis, and potential development of cataracts and glaucoma. The long list was not only depressing but also frightening. I was worried that I would have to take my medications for the rest of my life not just for my myasthenia gravis but also for the many side effects of those medications for myasthenia graves, such as bone loss and high blood pressure, among others.
Initially, there was some improvement in the symptoms, but overall most of the symptoms were still there.
After almost two years on prednisone, my neurologist, seeing there was little improvement in my myasthenia gravis, switched me to azathioprine, supposedly with fewer side effects. That medication did not seem to have any effect on my symptoms.
My Rude Awakening
I was in a dilemma: on the one hand, I needed improvement in my neuromuscular transmission to increase my muscle strength and eliminate my double vision; on the other hand, I knew that if myasthenia gravis did not kill me, the many side effects of the medications eventually would.
Then I made a decision to change drastically my diet in an attempt to discontinue my medications ultimately. The initial results were quite encouraging.
Instead of gaining weight, I lost more than fifteen pounds; instead of jacking up my blood pressure, I made it plummet. I had won my battle against the initial adverse side effects of medications of myasthenia gravis.
I knew I had to do more -- much more than that. I was in for my rude awakening: there was no miracle cure for my myasthenia gravis; only my wholesome wellness would bring about recovery and natural healing.
The Road to Self-Healing
For me, the road to recovery has been a long and winding one.
I recognized that my immune system is not only an integrated network of cells that would protect me in times of an infection, but also a system with many regulatory mechanisms that, if uncontrolled, would become my enemy instead of my friend.
I also realized that my immune system has to be protected by being fed the correct foods, as well as being given the optimum environment free from physical, emotional and psychological stress, which may affect my immune system negatively.
Most important of all, I understood that my wholesome well-being, unlike my medications that “switched” off my whole immuno-response when it was overactive, may hold the key to my ultimate recovery.
My parents might not have given me an excellent immune system. I could not have chosen my parents, but I can certainly choose my lifestyle, and I can control what I put into my body and even what comes out of my body.
I was determined to take matters into my own hands. I had to control my own destiny. I cherished the strong conviction that whatever my mind can conceive and believe I can achieve. Meanwhile, I was also fully aware of the overpowering forces of Nature. To combat Nature is futile, but I can command Nature by obeying it, instead of going against it.
To obey Nature involves the recognition of the natural self-healing power of my physical body-if given the right environment.
The right environment implies that my body must be clean enough internally.
Initially, I had attempted several 24-hour fasts. Finally, I decided to take the plunge: a longer fast for more than three weeks, during which I consumed no solid food, except water and fresh vegetable juices. It was a miracle to me.
Surprisingly, I did not feel any physical weakness, not to mention any pangs of hunger. I lost some fifteen pounds. I was not overweight prior to the fast, so people were wondering if I was sick. I told them I had to cleanse myself so that I would not be sick again. Most of them did not have a clue as to what I was saying, and responded, “If you don’t want to be sick, you should eat more, not less! Stephen, you look too thin, and not healthy at all.” How could a fish explain to a bird what water is like!
The internal cleansing initiated by the longer fast set the groundwork for my subsequent lifestyle changes. I was well on the road to self-healing.
Slowly and gradually, I reduced my medications, until I stopped all medications. That was many years ago.
Now I am in my seventies: my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are all normal; I am not overweight. Above all, as of now, I am not taking ANY medication at all.
You, too, can enjoy good health, which is man’s greatest asset, if you just go on reading the rest of my book.
MY MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
MY STORY
Many years ago, I was afflicted with myasthenia gravis. I was undergoing a most stressful episode in my life. I was in my fifties-call it midlife crisis if you would.
One day I felt intense pressure on my eyes. My first concern was glaucoma (a condition of increased fluid pressure inside the eye). I went to see an ophthalmologist who subsequently referred me to a neurologist, who was then the head of the neurology department in a well-known healthcare system in Cleveland, Ohio. After running some medical tests, he confirmed his diagnosis that I had myasthenia gravis.
My Conditions
I had developed ocular symptoms: ptosis (drooping of eyelids) and diplopia (double vision) in my myasthenia gravis.
My neck and limb muscles were also weak. I had to use a neck-rest to prop up my head when I drove; I could hardly use my fingers to control the mouse when I used my computer; and I could not raise my hand without using the other hand to help prop it up.
Fortunately, I did not experience any weakness of the muscles of my pharynx, which could cause difficulty in chewing and swallowing, as well as slurred speech, in many cases of myasthenia gravis.
Naturally, I was devastated at the diagnosis and the conditions of my myasthenia gravis, which all happened within a matter of days. Worst of all, the neurologist told me that there was no known cure, although he reassured me that he could improve my symptoms.
Deep down, I knew it was stress that triggered the onset of my myasthenia gravis, but it was by no means the only cause. I knew if I did not have it then, I would probably have it further down the road. It was just a matter of time -- only at that time I was not aware that I had the problem all along. I was carrying a ticking time-bomb all ready to explode on me.
Now as I look back, I think it was a blessing in disguise. Everything happens in one’s life with a divine purpose. In a way, I was grateful that I had the illness-which has changed my life forever and for the better. For one thing, without my myasthenia gravis, I would not have written this book, and many other books on health and healing. For another, my myasthenia gravis was a self-awakening for me. Often times in life, it would take a crisis of some sort for self-enlightenment. My myasthenia gravis was a wakeup call for me: it initiated my passionate pursuit of health and healing in my life. To me, my myasthenia gravis was indeed a blessing in disguise -- a misfortune that I have to be thankful for.
I did not blame anyone or anything for my illness, nor did I have any regret. I totally accepted my fate. Recognition and acceptance of one’s conditions is the first positive step toward natural healing. Denial and despair, on the other hand, would only be roadblocks to self-healing and recovery. I was determined to find out the causes of my health problems. I wanted to know why I was struck down with myasthenia gravis.
Initially, I was confused and befuddled: Why did I get sick? For the past several decades, my health had been good, if not excellent -- or so I thought. All those years prior to my myasthenia gravis, I had been quite health conscious in matters of foods and drinks; I had never been hospitalized all my life, and before the onset of my myasthenia gravis, I seldom paid a visit to the doctor. I had been having a clean bill of health up until then.
So, what was wrong with me? I began to do some soul-searching.
Unlike most other kids, I did not have chicken pox until I was a teenager. That was a telltale sign that my immune system was different from that of others, or at least not as good as I thought it was. There was something amiss, but I did not know exactly what it was and I could not put a finger on it.
Then I recalled that when I was a child, I had been constantly bed-ridden with fever and coughing -- my mother always worried that I could get infections from other kids, or worse, I would not live long.
I remember I never liked green vegetables and fish -- which I would gobble up, stuff them in my mouth, and then spit them out as soon as I got out of the house. That was how bad I was.
As I stepped into my teens, my health conditions suddenly and significantly improved. In fact, all my symptoms of ill health disappeared soon after I had my chicken pox at the age of thirteen or fourteen. The experience of my chicken pox was excruciating, but it seemed to have changed my health conditions completely for the better. Ever since then, I had not had any major physical ailment, except I was still susceptible to the common cold -- which I overdosed myself with over-the-counter cold medications. I did not know that all these years I had been shuffling toxins into my body!
There was another episode during my young adulthood. I was involved in some artwork, which required me to make some fiberglass from newspapers by pouring some chemical solution over them. On one occasion, I accidentally mixed some toxic chemicals, giving out some toxic fume. After inhaling it, I passed out for some minutes, and felt sick for the entire day. In addition, my regular exposure to toxic chemicals in my artwork through inhalation must have further damaged my immune system.
Nevertheless, for many decades, I had enjoyed relatively good health-or so I thought.
In my late forties, I had shingles -- which was another red flag that there was something wrong with my immune system. However, I did not pay much attention to that episode.
In my mid fifties, the stress in my life eventually triggered the onset of my myasthenia gravis, which was the outcome of my over-stressed immune system.
My Treatment
At first, I was prescribed pyridostigmine (mestinon) as the usual first-line treatment for my myasthenia gravis.
After several months, my conditions did not improve. I was given another prescription, prednisone, a synthetic hormone commonly referred to as a “steroid,” for my myasthenia gravis. Prednisone acts as long-term immunosuppressant to suppress the production of antibodies. Essentially, it serves to stabilize my so-called “overactive” immune system.
The adverse side effects of prednisone for my myasthenia gravis included decreased resistance to infection, indigestion, hypertension, weight gain, swelling of the face, thinning of skin, predisposition to osteoporosis, and potential development of cataracts and glaucoma. The long list was not only depressing but also frightening. I was worried that I would have to take my medications for the rest of my life not just for my myasthenia gravis but also for the many side effects of those medications for myasthenia graves, such as bone loss and high blood pressure, among others.
Initially, there was some improvement in the symptoms, but overall most of the symptoms were still there.
After almost two years on prednisone, my neurologist, seeing there was little improvement in my myasthenia gravis, switched me to azathioprine, supposedly with fewer side effects. That medication did not seem to have any effect on my symptoms.
My Rude Awakening
I was in a dilemma: on the one hand, I needed improvement in my neuromuscular transmission to increase my muscle strength and eliminate my double vision; on the other hand, I knew that if myasthenia gravis did not kill me, the many side effects of the medications eventually would.
Then I made a decision to change drastically my diet in an attempt to discontinue my medications ultimately. The initial results were quite encouraging.
Instead of gaining weight, I lost more than fifteen pounds; instead of jacking up my blood pressure, I made it plummet. I had won my battle against the initial adverse side effects of medications of myasthenia gravis.
I knew I had to do more -- much more than that. I was in for my rude awakening: there was no miracle cure for my myasthenia gravis; only my wholesome wellness would bring about recovery and natural healing.
The Road to Self-Healing
For me, the road to recovery has been a long and winding one.
I recognized that my immune system is not only an integrated network of cells that would protect me in times of an infection, but also a system with many regulatory mechanisms that, if uncontrolled, would become my enemy instead of my friend.
I also realized that my immune system has to be protected by being fed the correct foods, as well as being given the optimum environment free from physical, emotional and psychological stress, which may affect my immune system negatively.
Most important of all, I understood that my wholesome well-being, unlike my medications that “switched” off my whole immuno-response when it was overactive, may hold the key to my ultimate recovery.
My parents might not have given me an excellent immune system. I could not have chosen my parents, but I can certainly choose my lifestyle, and I can control what I put into my body and even what comes out of my body.
I was determined to take matters into my own hands. I had to control my own destiny. I cherished the strong conviction that whatever my mind can conceive and believe I can achieve. Meanwhile, I was also fully aware of the overpowering forces of Nature. To combat Nature is futile, but I can command Nature by obeying it, instead of going against it.
To obey Nature involves the recognition of the natural self-healing power of my physical body-if given the right environment.
The right environment implies that my body must be clean enough internally.
Initially, I had attempted several 24-hour fasts. Finally, I decided to take the plunge: a longer fast for more than three weeks, during which I consumed no solid food, except water and fresh vegetable juices. It was a miracle to me.
Surprisingly, I did not feel any physical weakness, not to mention any pangs of hunger. I lost some fifteen pounds. I was not overweight prior to the fast, so people were wondering if I was sick. I told them I had to cleanse myself so that I would not be sick again. Most of them did not have a clue as to what I was saying, and responded, “If you don’t want to be sick, you should eat more, not less! Stephen, you look too thin, and not healthy at all.” How could a fish explain to a bird what water is like!
The internal cleansing initiated by the longer fast set the groundwork for my subsequent lifestyle changes. I was well on the road to self-healing.
Slowly and gradually, I reduced my medications, until I stopped all medications. That was many years ago.
Now I am in my seventies: my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are all normal; I am not overweight. Above all, as of now, I am not taking ANY medication at all.
You, too, can enjoy good health, which is man’s greatest asset, if you just go on reading the rest of my book.
MY MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
