Hives and More...
by Marla |
Several years ago I became an aerobics instructor and after a while noticed that I was developing muscle and joint pain in my hips and knees. The orthopedic surgeon suggested that I quit teaching, go on a more intense strenght training program and try to not be such a type-A personality. I did all he said but still had horrible pain.
In October of 1995 something begun happening to me that had never happened before. I started having hives on my body. At first I thought I was having a reaction to some chemicals that I had used in my yard. Day after day the rash returned on my body. With each passing day the rash became more intense and I had begun to scratch, so intensly that I was removing my skin.
I went to my doctor, he told me I had hives and that I should go home and take Benadryl. I did and found that not only did it not help the hives, but I wasn't being a capable mother. I was too busy sleeping to even get my kids off to school. Then I began having anaphalactic reactions with the hives. They covered my head, face, hands, feet and anywhere on my body that there was tightness.
I ended up in the hospital where they started me on prednisone. This was three months after the hives began. I had become so use to having the hives everyday and the pain and itching were so intense that when I was put on the prednisone it controlled the hives. Despite the risks of prednisone I was so happy to have some relief that I continued the medication for several months. In the meantime the doctors were testing me for all types of rare diseases without any positive results.
After gaining 25 pounds and my immune system being compromised on the prednisone, I decided there had to be a better way. It had been nine months now that I had been suffering and there was no hope offered by my doctors. They had exhausted all their resources yet when I asked for a referral to an acupuncturist, they refused. Who needs a referral, I wanted to get better so I decided to endure whatever the monetary cost would be and hope for a way to end my nine months of misery. During my first visit with Mackay Rippey, I experienced someone who was compassionate, someone who I believe wanted to help me get better.
After my visit where he drained AE (AE in traditional acupuncture is "aggressive energy" which is defined in J.R. Worsleys book "Traditional Diagnosis" as "a condition in which the flow of Qi energy in the body, mind, and spirit becomes polluted. It no longer provides nourishment but instead destroys the creative work of the elements and officials...AE spreads through the system across the Ke Cycle."), my hives (that only responded to prednisone) disappeared. Since my first visit in spring 1996 not only have my hives gone away, but my repetitive use syndromes in my knees and my hip have disappeared. I can teach aerobics again if I so choose. I also use to suffer (as did my family) from PMS. Now this time comes and goes unmarked.
Acupuncture is a gift, a wonderful blessing that many need to know about. Share the gift, that is why we are here, to help our brothers. I also want to thank my practitioner for helping me so much. If you wish to contact me you can do so at: mface@sunline.net.
Acupuncture.com |