Pain Intervention Management for rheumatoid arthritis
I have mentioned in my previous blogging that I had been staying in China for some time. The reason I was there was because my sister related how a pain clinic in Zhongshan, China was curing long suffering arthritis of the old folks from the senior citizens center in Macau where she worked. Immediately, she thought of me with my debilitating rheumatoid ailment as a likely candidate for the clinic.
On the first day at the clinic, after the usual history and note taking of the patient's condition, I was given an epidural. Then came four weeks of stellate ganglion and lumbar blocks and the whole treatment ended with another epidural. (See below for explanation of nerve blocks)
Was this procedure a success ?
Well it gave immense relieve from the effects of the rheumatoid arthrits for about seven months. During those days, I was still in Zhongshan and I was actively running around the town, climbing up floors to shop or to eat at restaurants. It was after these rompings for about seven months that I felt the sinister effects of rheumatoid athritis creeping in.It was back to the pain clinic again. But this time, the injections did not give the same relief as in the first time. The feeling of well being was shorter.
Why I blogged on this subject was because of the following articles I had read on the net.
Thursday September 7 (Health News) - Drugs to treat
rheumatoid arthritis were more effective when they
were delivered into the central nervous system of rats,
a study found.
More from the following article :
article 1
Another article relating to the same study
article 2:
The other reason for posting this blog.
Another sister of mine, who had been diagnosed with lupus since the early nineties has a remission from her lupus after taking the same sympathetic nerve block, from the same clinic about a few months earlier I had mine. She is still under remission at this very moment.
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What is sympathetic nerve block
Sympathetic Nerve block is the injection of anasthetics or other medication around and near to the sympathetic nerves in order to relieve pain by interrupting pain sensory pathways to the brain.
The type of blocks affects different areas in the body depending on which set of nerves the drugs are injected near to.
Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) - injection of anaesthetic or drugs around the group of nerves at the neck. This affects the face, head and arms. My experience on injection was a feeling of a rush of blood to the injected side of the head with a nice feeling of light headedness. Injections are done on bothe sides of the neck at least twenty minutes apart
Lumbar Sympathetic Block - injection of local anaethetic or drugs
around the lower back (lumbar area). Depending on which set of nerves the injections are targeted at, at the lumbar area, the effect of the blood rush can be felt from the waist down right to the foot.
Epidural - infusion of anti-inflammatories at the tail bone area.
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Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
arthritis little stories - Cataracts removed without surgery
There are eye drops that can eliminate cataracts
While in China, I got a scratch during a foot reflexology session. As it was just a small scratch near the ankle, I thought nothing of it, but I wished I had attended to the scratch then; for what was a scratch turned into an ulcerative wound.
Back in Singapore, on the advice of the rheumatologist, I checked into the hospital for an intravenous antibiotic drip. While in the hospital,the doctors also suggested a short low dosage course of steroids for my rheumatoid arthritis. It was this course of steroid that was to cause the cataract formation with the clouding of the lens appearing at around the center of the eyes. The opthamalogist (eye doctor) then gave an appointment to come back in six months time when the the cataract 'ripens'.
Meantime the the lens in my eye became more and more opaque to the point that I could not read or to see properly when outside in broad daylight. This limited me to staying indoors during the day and move around outside after sunset.
I mentioned my cataract problem during one of those long phone conversations to my sister staying in the U.K. My sister told me that the recent headlines in the U.K. tabloids seemed to indicate that there are eyedrops that literally dissolve away cataracts. She then went to buy the eye-drops and together with the tabloid clippings, posted them to me.
Well, did the eyedrops work ?
Yes, it did.
As you use the eyedrops, you can literally see the cataract melting away and the lens in the eyes becoming less and less cloudy. Perhaps in my case, I caught the cataract at an early stage but I am sure glad that I did not have to go through surgery to remove the cataracts.
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The eyedrops is known as NAC or N Acetyl Carnosine.
The eyedrops that I tried was from ETHOS.
This is my experience with the NAC eyedrops
If you should like to use the NAC eyedrops or any other eyedrops, I would suggest you consult your doctor first.
While in China, I got a scratch during a foot reflexology session. As it was just a small scratch near the ankle, I thought nothing of it, but I wished I had attended to the scratch then; for what was a scratch turned into an ulcerative wound.
Back in Singapore, on the advice of the rheumatologist, I checked into the hospital for an intravenous antibiotic drip. While in the hospital,the doctors also suggested a short low dosage course of steroids for my rheumatoid arthritis. It was this course of steroid that was to cause the cataract formation with the clouding of the lens appearing at around the center of the eyes. The opthamalogist (eye doctor) then gave an appointment to come back in six months time when the the cataract 'ripens'.
Meantime the the lens in my eye became more and more opaque to the point that I could not read or to see properly when outside in broad daylight. This limited me to staying indoors during the day and move around outside after sunset.
I mentioned my cataract problem during one of those long phone conversations to my sister staying in the U.K. My sister told me that the recent headlines in the U.K. tabloids seemed to indicate that there are eyedrops that literally dissolve away cataracts. She then went to buy the eye-drops and together with the tabloid clippings, posted them to me.
Well, did the eyedrops work ?
Yes, it did.
As you use the eyedrops, you can literally see the cataract melting away and the lens in the eyes becoming less and less cloudy. Perhaps in my case, I caught the cataract at an early stage but I am sure glad that I did not have to go through surgery to remove the cataracts.
------------------------------------------
The eyedrops is known as NAC or N Acetyl Carnosine.
The eyedrops that I tried was from ETHOS.
This is my experience with the NAC eyedrops
If you should like to use the NAC eyedrops or any other eyedrops, I would suggest you consult your doctor first.
Monday, April 10, 2006
An arthritic bullied by a cow
The cow saw red
This incident happened in Madras in the early years after I had contracted rheumatoid arthritis. By that time the arthritis had already affected my right knee to the point that I was much less slower and when I moved around it was with a noticeable limp.
Madras was a noisy and chaotic city then just as it is today. Honking cars buses and three wheelers vie with pedestrians for space on the roads of Madras. To add on to the already chaotic situatiion then were cows. Although largely banished from the streets of Madras today cows then were a common sight as the locals had resisted attempts to relocate them at the outskirts of the city arguing that they contributed much of the fresh milk to the city's populace. These cows were generally docile except when they bear calfs after which they can be quite aggressive.
One day, while returning from lunch with some friends we walked into a lane intending to proceed to my friend's house which was nearby, a cow some thirty meters away, pulled herself loose from the rope tethered to a lamp post and trotted towards my direction. On seeing this the owner of the cow quickly grabbed at the loosen end of the rope to restrain the cow. A tug a war between cow and man ensued with the cow of course winning. The poor owner was being dragged along. If the cow was not heading for my direction, I would had found the whole situation amusing.
The cow pulled the man along and came for me but because of the bad knee I could not move away quickly enough. Luckily, that because of the owner tugging at the other end of the rope, the cow could only manage a head butt on my upper arm before it was shouted and shooed off by my friends and some other passer-bys. Although it was painful no real damage was done as it was the head of the cow and not her horns that had hit me. It seemed what had irked the calfing cow was my bright red checkered shirt I had on that day.
The cow seemingly satisfied with her head butt, allowed herself to be led away docilely. It was as if she was trying to make her point of "don't you dare come anywhere near me or my calf".
"Point understood Mrs. Cow" and in future also no more putting on brightly red colored shirts in Madras.
This incident happened in Madras in the early years after I had contracted rheumatoid arthritis. By that time the arthritis had already affected my right knee to the point that I was much less slower and when I moved around it was with a noticeable limp.
Madras was a noisy and chaotic city then just as it is today. Honking cars buses and three wheelers vie with pedestrians for space on the roads of Madras. To add on to the already chaotic situatiion then were cows. Although largely banished from the streets of Madras today cows then were a common sight as the locals had resisted attempts to relocate them at the outskirts of the city arguing that they contributed much of the fresh milk to the city's populace. These cows were generally docile except when they bear calfs after which they can be quite aggressive.
One day, while returning from lunch with some friends we walked into a lane intending to proceed to my friend's house which was nearby, a cow some thirty meters away, pulled herself loose from the rope tethered to a lamp post and trotted towards my direction. On seeing this the owner of the cow quickly grabbed at the loosen end of the rope to restrain the cow. A tug a war between cow and man ensued with the cow of course winning. The poor owner was being dragged along. If the cow was not heading for my direction, I would had found the whole situation amusing.
The cow pulled the man along and came for me but because of the bad knee I could not move away quickly enough. Luckily, that because of the owner tugging at the other end of the rope, the cow could only manage a head butt on my upper arm before it was shouted and shooed off by my friends and some other passer-bys. Although it was painful no real damage was done as it was the head of the cow and not her horns that had hit me. It seemed what had irked the calfing cow was my bright red checkered shirt I had on that day.
The cow seemingly satisfied with her head butt, allowed herself to be led away docilely. It was as if she was trying to make her point of "don't you dare come anywhere near me or my calf".
"Point understood Mrs. Cow" and in future also no more putting on brightly red colored shirts in Madras.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
arthritis little stories - Chlorella
Chlorella helps alleviate rheumatoid athritis and gastric pain
If I were to choose and take only one and one supplement alone leaving the rest behind, my choice would have been 'Chlorella'. I have been introduced to chlorella in the mid-eighties. At that time chlorella costs more than two and a half times it cost now and I used to take it sporadically or whenever I felt pain or uneasiness when my rheumatoid acted up. Normally. then I would take thirty to forty pellets at a go and it have never failed to keep the worse of the effects of my rheumatoid at bay.
Chlorella also helps in keeping one in good health. My father began taking chlorella at about the same time I did. He took it more as a health support. The continuous supply of chlorella was supplied by my brother also a great believer in the effects of chlorella on health. After taking for about ten years. my father then decided what chlorella he had taken so far must have cost my brother a bomb and so he decided to stop the taking of the supplement. The effect was that after about a month we noticed his health deteriorating. Only on inquiring did we find that he had stopped taking his chlorella because of the high cost. On telling him that the price of chlorella had fallen drastically did we convince him to continue taking the chlorella. With the use of chlorella we were glad he was back to his former self in a very short time.
One very good effect in the use of chlorella is that it seems to stop excessive stomach acid very quickly. Often when work or something or other delays me from taking my meal, I sometimes get very bad gastric pains. Eating a meal may sometimes bring down the pain but it is only by taking some twenty pellets or so of chlorella that would cause the pain to cease suddenly just as if you never had the pain in the first place.
I stromgly recommend the use of chlorella as a general health support and it is especially useful for those seeking a natural means to contain their rheumatoid arthrtis.
If I were to choose and take only one and one supplement alone leaving the rest behind, my choice would have been 'Chlorella'. I have been introduced to chlorella in the mid-eighties. At that time chlorella costs more than two and a half times it cost now and I used to take it sporadically or whenever I felt pain or uneasiness when my rheumatoid acted up. Normally. then I would take thirty to forty pellets at a go and it have never failed to keep the worse of the effects of my rheumatoid at bay.
Chlorella also helps in keeping one in good health. My father began taking chlorella at about the same time I did. He took it more as a health support. The continuous supply of chlorella was supplied by my brother also a great believer in the effects of chlorella on health. After taking for about ten years. my father then decided what chlorella he had taken so far must have cost my brother a bomb and so he decided to stop the taking of the supplement. The effect was that after about a month we noticed his health deteriorating. Only on inquiring did we find that he had stopped taking his chlorella because of the high cost. On telling him that the price of chlorella had fallen drastically did we convince him to continue taking the chlorella. With the use of chlorella we were glad he was back to his former self in a very short time.
One very good effect in the use of chlorella is that it seems to stop excessive stomach acid very quickly. Often when work or something or other delays me from taking my meal, I sometimes get very bad gastric pains. Eating a meal may sometimes bring down the pain but it is only by taking some twenty pellets or so of chlorella that would cause the pain to cease suddenly just as if you never had the pain in the first place.
I stromgly recommend the use of chlorella as a general health support and it is especially useful for those seeking a natural means to contain their rheumatoid arthrtis.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Arthritis and kidney impairment
Foot reflexology improves my kidney function?
Having taken those pain killers for years, it was no wonder that the proteinurea which started as a mere trace in the earlier years, progressed to the ridiculous seven grams loss of protein through the urine by 1993, after a lapse of 12 years from my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This was shown by the urine test called for by a nephrologist whom I went to consult after a dipstick test on my urine showed a very high reading of 3+. At that time, my blood pressure was also found to be exceptionally high but with medication it quickly came back to normal.
A *biopsy was suggested to see the extent of impairment to the kidneys. The biopsy showed that I had glomerulus nephritis and the nephrologist wanted me to start immediately on an oral dose of cyclophosphamide. Well, I knew cyclophosphamide was a toxic mdication used as a cancer treatment drug and they are also given at a lower dosage to those with active rheumatoid arthritis and if I had my rathers, I would rather not take them. As I was in Madras at that time, I delayed taking them until I could see a kidney doctor back home for a second opinion.
Back home, I asked my rheumatologist to refer me to a kidney doctor. The kidney doctor asked for a 24 hour urine test which showed that the protein loss was still high at about 3 grams to a liter a day. After reading the report of the biopsy which I had brought from Madras he wrote a letter to my rheumatologist also suggesting I go on cyclophosphamide. An appointment to see the kidney doctor again was fixed in about one and half months time. I was to do some blood tests and the 24 hour urine test a day prior to seeing him.
At the second meeting with the kidney doctor the 24 hour urine protein loss was 1.6 grams per liter which was still quite high. He suggested that I could go on steroids or the suggested cyclophosphamide. He informed me that I should not delay in starting on medication for the kidneys, as there was a good chance that under such condition as I was in, if I do not take the treatment soon, I could be a likely candidate for dialysis in not too long a future. How long a future, he did not elaborate. I was given an open appointment, and could come to see him anytime within the span of a year, when I should decide to start on the medication.
As chance would have it, my sister residing abroad came back home for a long visit. She is a very skilful practitioner of foot reflexology and her hands working on my feet always lull me into a deep sense of relaxation. I would always fall asleep before the end of her reflexology session. Since the mid-eighties, I have known of reflexology and that it could help in various ailments. The session of reflexology with my sister had somehow reminded me that reflexology may be of help for my kidney condition. Anyway, I had one year to consider whether to take those nasty and toxic medication, haven't I?
Having made the decision for reflexology, I started to go to a small cozy reflexology joint closeby where I stayed. Each reflexology session was 50 minutes, and I had given instruction to give attention to the part of the feet's underside associated with the kidney and urinary tract. On my part I monitored the protein in my urine everyday with a dipstick test. It was heartening to note the protein reading slowly receding from a reading of "2+" to "trace" during the three months of reflexology.. Blood and urine tests with my rheumatologist also confirmed the improved condition of my kidneys. With the improved condition, my rheumatologist no longer badger me to take steroids or cyclophosphamide and I did not go and see the kidney doctor a third time.
Todate, my dipstick test still register "trace". Was it reflexology that did the trick or was it the case of the kidney getting better on its own?
*Note : In a kidney biopsy, a small piece of kidney tissue is snipped from the kidneys for examination.
Having taken those pain killers for years, it was no wonder that the proteinurea which started as a mere trace in the earlier years, progressed to the ridiculous seven grams loss of protein through the urine by 1993, after a lapse of 12 years from my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. This was shown by the urine test called for by a nephrologist whom I went to consult after a dipstick test on my urine showed a very high reading of 3+. At that time, my blood pressure was also found to be exceptionally high but with medication it quickly came back to normal.
A *biopsy was suggested to see the extent of impairment to the kidneys. The biopsy showed that I had glomerulus nephritis and the nephrologist wanted me to start immediately on an oral dose of cyclophosphamide. Well, I knew cyclophosphamide was a toxic mdication used as a cancer treatment drug and they are also given at a lower dosage to those with active rheumatoid arthritis and if I had my rathers, I would rather not take them. As I was in Madras at that time, I delayed taking them until I could see a kidney doctor back home for a second opinion.
Back home, I asked my rheumatologist to refer me to a kidney doctor. The kidney doctor asked for a 24 hour urine test which showed that the protein loss was still high at about 3 grams to a liter a day. After reading the report of the biopsy which I had brought from Madras he wrote a letter to my rheumatologist also suggesting I go on cyclophosphamide. An appointment to see the kidney doctor again was fixed in about one and half months time. I was to do some blood tests and the 24 hour urine test a day prior to seeing him.
At the second meeting with the kidney doctor the 24 hour urine protein loss was 1.6 grams per liter which was still quite high. He suggested that I could go on steroids or the suggested cyclophosphamide. He informed me that I should not delay in starting on medication for the kidneys, as there was a good chance that under such condition as I was in, if I do not take the treatment soon, I could be a likely candidate for dialysis in not too long a future. How long a future, he did not elaborate. I was given an open appointment, and could come to see him anytime within the span of a year, when I should decide to start on the medication.
As chance would have it, my sister residing abroad came back home for a long visit. She is a very skilful practitioner of foot reflexology and her hands working on my feet always lull me into a deep sense of relaxation. I would always fall asleep before the end of her reflexology session. Since the mid-eighties, I have known of reflexology and that it could help in various ailments. The session of reflexology with my sister had somehow reminded me that reflexology may be of help for my kidney condition. Anyway, I had one year to consider whether to take those nasty and toxic medication, haven't I?
Having made the decision for reflexology, I started to go to a small cozy reflexology joint closeby where I stayed. Each reflexology session was 50 minutes, and I had given instruction to give attention to the part of the feet's underside associated with the kidney and urinary tract. On my part I monitored the protein in my urine everyday with a dipstick test. It was heartening to note the protein reading slowly receding from a reading of "2+" to "trace" during the three months of reflexology.. Blood and urine tests with my rheumatologist also confirmed the improved condition of my kidneys. With the improved condition, my rheumatologist no longer badger me to take steroids or cyclophosphamide and I did not go and see the kidney doctor a third time.
Todate, my dipstick test still register "trace". Was it reflexology that did the trick or was it the case of the kidney getting better on its own?
*Note : In a kidney biopsy, a small piece of kidney tissue is snipped from the kidneys for examination.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
arthritis little stories - Arthritis therapy - One useful, one not
Homeopathy
In the early eighties while I was in Madras, I tried out the homeopathy form of treatment with a supposedly famous doctor trained in both homeopathic and allopathic medicine. It did not seem to be of any help whatsoever although there were some fellow patients with the same ailment who managed to get immense relief. With these patients egging me on, I lasted some six months into the treatment before I stopped.
In this case, what is good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander.
Pulsating Magnetic Field Therapy
PMF or pulsating Magnetic Field Therapy is not the same as treatment by static magnetic field used by the myriads of equipments sold freely in the market nowadays. Unlike the magnetic fields of static magnetic devices, the magnetic field used in PMF is very low and they are set to pulsate at a low frequency. Understand that it is still in the research stage.
In the treatment under PMF therapy, you may be asked to sit on a chair and a dome shaped wooden cage like structure is lowered over you or in my case I lay down on a wooden box bed and the the wooden cage covering from neck to toe is placed over me. For those with pain only at localised joints, they have round hollow wooden spools where you can put in a hand or a leg.
I had this treatment also in Madras. It lasted for two months and the effect was good. A blood test taken at the end of the treatment showed the inflammation to be low and also the absence of the rheumatoid factor. It was a remission of sorts. I could continue life with little to no pain killers. But all good things do come to an end. In about six months time I noticed that my rheumatoid arthritis was coming back, forcing me to reach out for the pain killers again.
On hindsight, I think maybe I should have taken matters easy and relaxed at least for awhile after the PMF treatment, rather than continue about my daily hectic schedule. Maybe then, I would have a better chance against the relapse, or then maybe not.
In the early eighties while I was in Madras, I tried out the homeopathy form of treatment with a supposedly famous doctor trained in both homeopathic and allopathic medicine. It did not seem to be of any help whatsoever although there were some fellow patients with the same ailment who managed to get immense relief. With these patients egging me on, I lasted some six months into the treatment before I stopped.
In this case, what is good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander.
Pulsating Magnetic Field Therapy
PMF or pulsating Magnetic Field Therapy is not the same as treatment by static magnetic field used by the myriads of equipments sold freely in the market nowadays. Unlike the magnetic fields of static magnetic devices, the magnetic field used in PMF is very low and they are set to pulsate at a low frequency. Understand that it is still in the research stage.
In the treatment under PMF therapy, you may be asked to sit on a chair and a dome shaped wooden cage like structure is lowered over you or in my case I lay down on a wooden box bed and the the wooden cage covering from neck to toe is placed over me. For those with pain only at localised joints, they have round hollow wooden spools where you can put in a hand or a leg.
I had this treatment also in Madras. It lasted for two months and the effect was good. A blood test taken at the end of the treatment showed the inflammation to be low and also the absence of the rheumatoid factor. It was a remission of sorts. I could continue life with little to no pain killers. But all good things do come to an end. In about six months time I noticed that my rheumatoid arthritis was coming back, forcing me to reach out for the pain killers again.
On hindsight, I think maybe I should have taken matters easy and relaxed at least for awhile after the PMF treatment, rather than continue about my daily hectic schedule. Maybe then, I would have a better chance against the relapse, or then maybe not.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
arthritis little stories - The great inflammation reducer
The anti-oxidants - Selenium ACE, OPC, SOD, alpha Lipoic Acid
All through the years, my basic anti-oxidants came about in the form of a general all
enhancing vitamin and mineral pill. I have no doubt that it helped generally, but it did little to quench the inflammation associated with my rheumatoid arthritis. I would take an analgesic or NSAID and the arthritic pain would go, but the regular monthly blood test for inflammation level in the body continued to be high. This continued to be so until I started taking a high dosage of anti-oxidants. At first it was a combination of selenium, vitamins A, C and E taken morning and night. Later, I was to add in small amounts of alpha lipoic acid, SOD and CoQ10. These anti-oxidants together with the OPC grape seed extract which I had started earlier on helped in no small way to keep the inflammation down.
The underlying rheumatoid arthritis did not vanish with the anti-oxidants. It is still very much there. If you were to remove these anti-oxidants from your diet, you would soon start to feel the inflammation at the joints. The presence of anti-oxidants only serves to keep the inflammation down and allows you to cut down on your pain killer.
Having these anti-oxidants regularly helps keep me in a more comfortable situation then if I did not take them. I just wished I had taken them earlier when I had the rheumatoid arthritis and not some seventeen years later.
All through the years, my basic anti-oxidants came about in the form of a general all
enhancing vitamin and mineral pill. I have no doubt that it helped generally, but it did little to quench the inflammation associated with my rheumatoid arthritis. I would take an analgesic or NSAID and the arthritic pain would go, but the regular monthly blood test for inflammation level in the body continued to be high. This continued to be so until I started taking a high dosage of anti-oxidants. At first it was a combination of selenium, vitamins A, C and E taken morning and night. Later, I was to add in small amounts of alpha lipoic acid, SOD and CoQ10. These anti-oxidants together with the OPC grape seed extract which I had started earlier on helped in no small way to keep the inflammation down.
The underlying rheumatoid arthritis did not vanish with the anti-oxidants. It is still very much there. If you were to remove these anti-oxidants from your diet, you would soon start to feel the inflammation at the joints. The presence of anti-oxidants only serves to keep the inflammation down and allows you to cut down on your pain killer.
Having these anti-oxidants regularly helps keep me in a more comfortable situation then if I did not take them. I just wished I had taken them earlier when I had the rheumatoid arthritis and not some seventeen years later.
Friday, January 27, 2006
arthritis little stories - Ginger Extract
A wonderful herb extract for arthritis pain relief
In the eighties, while in Madras I was introduced to ginger for pain relief by a "hakim" practising the unani form of medicine. He recommended dried ginger powder, sold freely in country medicinal shops in Madras. While the powder did provide some relief, it was nothing great.
Back home in the nineties, I came across a ginger extract capsule labelled as being very potent. Remembering my Madras experience, I gave the capsule a try. It did a wonderful job in curbing the arthritic stiffness and pain, its effectiveness a world of difference from using plain dried ginger powder. The only problem was its price, it was just too expensive. After taking it for two months, much as I would like to continue it as a long term relief, I balk at paying such a riculously high price for a herb extract. I shopped around for a replacement ginger extract capsule but could not find any at the shops. I stopped taking the ginger capsules altogether and forgot about this wonderful herb extract, until now that is.
Nowadays it is easier to shop online for a good potent ginger product. I think I will give the ginger extract another try.
In the eighties, while in Madras I was introduced to ginger for pain relief by a "hakim" practising the unani form of medicine. He recommended dried ginger powder, sold freely in country medicinal shops in Madras. While the powder did provide some relief, it was nothing great.
Back home in the nineties, I came across a ginger extract capsule labelled as being very potent. Remembering my Madras experience, I gave the capsule a try. It did a wonderful job in curbing the arthritic stiffness and pain, its effectiveness a world of difference from using plain dried ginger powder. The only problem was its price, it was just too expensive. After taking it for two months, much as I would like to continue it as a long term relief, I balk at paying such a riculously high price for a herb extract. I shopped around for a replacement ginger extract capsule but could not find any at the shops. I stopped taking the ginger capsules altogether and forgot about this wonderful herb extract, until now that is.
Nowadays it is easier to shop online for a good potent ginger product. I think I will give the ginger extract another try.
Friday, January 20, 2006
arthritis little stories - My Voodoo Crystal
Arthritis Pain Relief with Crystal
In the past, if anybody were to tell me that crystal can heal and be used to relief pain, I would have given him a funny look. This was my brother's reaction when I told him that. I have some trepidation even now, relating of my experience with crystal to a person directly. But as this is a largely anonymous blog; what the heck, let me put this experience down in words and get on with it. You the reader can take it any which way you like.
The incident had its beginning in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China. As usual, my sister made her regular visit to me on a weekend, except that in this instance she brought with her a huge quartz crystal (about 3lbs) on a wooden crystal tray. She said crystal radiate positive energy and may help me generally in my health. She placed the crystal at the bed mattress next to the pillow on my headside. Well no harm done, I thought. It doesn't take up any of my sleeping space, so I let it be as it is.
When I woke up in the morning, I was in for a surprise. The pain and stiffness on the left side around the neck and shoulder joint disappeared. In fact it felt surprisingly free. However the same could not be said for my right side shoulder joint, it continued to be stiff. It seemed on me that this may be the work of the crystal. To experiment a second time, that night the crystal was moved lower and placed adjacent to the left elbow which was badly strained and painful. And what did you think. Lo and behold, the elbow pain also cleared when I woke up the next morning. But there was one problem. Much as I suspect that this may be the effect of the crystal, the whole thing seemed more like voodoo not science. So for most part I kept my gob shut on this matter of crystal until now that I am in the process of documenting my experience of what has worked for my arthritis.
Since that day, I continue to sleep with the big crystal on my side. Maybe it is not such a great idea. My left side has become freer and less stiff as compared to the right. As a result I have switched from being a right hander to being a left handed person. I think I may have to get another similar sized crystal to be placed on the ride side of my sleeping position.
For localized pain, a smaller palm sized quartz crystal seemed to be quite helpful in alleviating pain when placed on the specific single joint area. It is also great for stomach discomfort due to acidity.
Lately, I have discovered an effective method in relieving pain over the whole body using the smaller crystal. I learnt of it by chance. When I slept with the crystal placed over the navel, the effect was the relieving of stiffness over the whole body when I woke up the next morning. There is one thing though, the crystal seems to need time to be effective again. If you try to use it consecutively for two days running, the effect is greatly reduced, but leave it aside for two or three days it seems to be as effective as before. More voodoo I guess.
Voodoo or no voodoo, I am definitely sold on this crystal thing as a means of pain relief.
In the past, if anybody were to tell me that crystal can heal and be used to relief pain, I would have given him a funny look. This was my brother's reaction when I told him that. I have some trepidation even now, relating of my experience with crystal to a person directly. But as this is a largely anonymous blog; what the heck, let me put this experience down in words and get on with it. You the reader can take it any which way you like.
The incident had its beginning in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, China. As usual, my sister made her regular visit to me on a weekend, except that in this instance she brought with her a huge quartz crystal (about 3lbs) on a wooden crystal tray. She said crystal radiate positive energy and may help me generally in my health. She placed the crystal at the bed mattress next to the pillow on my headside. Well no harm done, I thought. It doesn't take up any of my sleeping space, so I let it be as it is.
When I woke up in the morning, I was in for a surprise. The pain and stiffness on the left side around the neck and shoulder joint disappeared. In fact it felt surprisingly free. However the same could not be said for my right side shoulder joint, it continued to be stiff. It seemed on me that this may be the work of the crystal. To experiment a second time, that night the crystal was moved lower and placed adjacent to the left elbow which was badly strained and painful. And what did you think. Lo and behold, the elbow pain also cleared when I woke up the next morning. But there was one problem. Much as I suspect that this may be the effect of the crystal, the whole thing seemed more like voodoo not science. So for most part I kept my gob shut on this matter of crystal until now that I am in the process of documenting my experience of what has worked for my arthritis.
Since that day, I continue to sleep with the big crystal on my side. Maybe it is not such a great idea. My left side has become freer and less stiff as compared to the right. As a result I have switched from being a right hander to being a left handed person. I think I may have to get another similar sized crystal to be placed on the ride side of my sleeping position.
For localized pain, a smaller palm sized quartz crystal seemed to be quite helpful in alleviating pain when placed on the specific single joint area. It is also great for stomach discomfort due to acidity.
Lately, I have discovered an effective method in relieving pain over the whole body using the smaller crystal. I learnt of it by chance. When I slept with the crystal placed over the navel, the effect was the relieving of stiffness over the whole body when I woke up the next morning. There is one thing though, the crystal seems to need time to be effective again. If you try to use it consecutively for two days running, the effect is greatly reduced, but leave it aside for two or three days it seems to be as effective as before. More voodoo I guess.
Voodoo or no voodoo, I am definitely sold on this crystal thing as a means of pain relief.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
The Kungfu Kid
Except for that one incident of madness,
I would consider myself well mannered.
The exploit of the kung fu kid
As a kid, I was very much enamoured with
kung fu. Coupled with a very fertile
imagination, it was no wonder then that
the kung fu kid was to be my alter ego.
One early morning, on a chore to the market
to purchase pork, I, the then kid spotted
a familiar face. He was one of the many
drivers stationed at the market's carpark
making a living ferrying children to and
from school.
The driver inquired what's a kid doing,
coming to the market so early in the morning.
It was at this moment that the kid's alter-ego
took over. He had morphed into super kung fu
kid and the driver talking to him had changed
into an evil villian. Quick as a flash the kid
took too fingers and jabbed into the stomach
of the driver er...er.. villian so as to disable
him.
The driver let out a scream as he bent double
with pain and it was a most horrible scream.
The piercing shriek pierced into the brainless
brain of the kid and brought him into full
realization of what he just did.
As a kung fu kid, the jab was seen as being neat
and cool but to the kid who had suddenly realised
what he did, it was the dumbest thing in his going
to be very short life if the driver were to catch
him.
Quickly the kid dashed off into the market and he
ran until he had reached the far end before he
dared look back.
When the driver managed to catch his breath he
started cursing and swearing and fuming with rage,
gave chase. As he was wearing 'cha kiak' or wooden
clogs the din he created in his chase caused such a
commotion that for a brief moment all activity in
the market came to a standstill as the market stall
holders and their patrons alike stopped to watch the
spectacle
The kung fu kid managed to shake off the pursuer
at the market end where he hid behind a fish stall.
From behind the fish stall he peered out and
watched the driver explained to all and sundry of
how on greeting Mrs. So an So's son, that kid for
no rhyme or reason took a jab into midriff.
The kung fu kid waited until the commotion was over
before he went to buy his pork and go home, telling
no one of his exploit at the market. However this
kung fu episode was to be etched in his mind forever
and ever.
Strangely, the driver who knew Mrs. So and So, the mother
of the kid did not complain to her. If he had, the kid
would surely know for Mrs. So and So, the mother is a very
strict disciplinarian and would have beaten the daylights
out of the kid had she known of the incident at the market.
The driver seemed to have an amnesia of sorts towards the
whole incident. Bit of a mystery there actually.
Anyway, the kung fu kid grew up and is now masquerading
as the "tongkat man" (Tongkat means "walking stick").
Do be careful and keep a safe distance from him. Always
remember what he did when he was the kung fu kid.
/faizhai
*
I would consider myself well mannered.
The exploit of the kung fu kid
As a kid, I was very much enamoured with
kung fu. Coupled with a very fertile
imagination, it was no wonder then that
the kung fu kid was to be my alter ego.
One early morning, on a chore to the market
to purchase pork, I, the then kid spotted
a familiar face. He was one of the many
drivers stationed at the market's carpark
making a living ferrying children to and
from school.
The driver inquired what's a kid doing,
coming to the market so early in the morning.
It was at this moment that the kid's alter-ego
took over. He had morphed into super kung fu
kid and the driver talking to him had changed
into an evil villian. Quick as a flash the kid
took too fingers and jabbed into the stomach
of the driver er...er.. villian so as to disable
him.
The driver let out a scream as he bent double
with pain and it was a most horrible scream.
The piercing shriek pierced into the brainless
brain of the kid and brought him into full
realization of what he just did.
As a kung fu kid, the jab was seen as being neat
and cool but to the kid who had suddenly realised
what he did, it was the dumbest thing in his going
to be very short life if the driver were to catch
him.
Quickly the kid dashed off into the market and he
ran until he had reached the far end before he
dared look back.
When the driver managed to catch his breath he
started cursing and swearing and fuming with rage,
gave chase. As he was wearing 'cha kiak' or wooden
clogs the din he created in his chase caused such a
commotion that for a brief moment all activity in
the market came to a standstill as the market stall
holders and their patrons alike stopped to watch the
spectacle
The kung fu kid managed to shake off the pursuer
at the market end where he hid behind a fish stall.
From behind the fish stall he peered out and
watched the driver explained to all and sundry of
how on greeting Mrs. So an So's son, that kid for
no rhyme or reason took a jab into midriff.
The kung fu kid waited until the commotion was over
before he went to buy his pork and go home, telling
no one of his exploit at the market. However this
kung fu episode was to be etched in his mind forever
and ever.
Strangely, the driver who knew Mrs. So and So, the mother
of the kid did not complain to her. If he had, the kid
would surely know for Mrs. So and So, the mother is a very
strict disciplinarian and would have beaten the daylights
out of the kid had she known of the incident at the market.
The driver seemed to have an amnesia of sorts towards the
whole incident. Bit of a mystery there actually.
Anyway, the kung fu kid grew up and is now masquerading
as the "tongkat man" (Tongkat means "walking stick").
Do be careful and keep a safe distance from him. Always
remember what he did when he was the kung fu kid.
/faizhai
*
Saturday, January 14, 2006
arthritis little stories - Why my white hair turn black
My main pre-occupation in life is to find
relief from this scourge called rheumatoid
arthritis. But so far in my search, I have only
been able to get temporary cures for periods of
sometimes upto six months; but a permanent
cure proves elusive.
But the search is not without its benefit.
In 1998, I tried "pycnogenol" extracted from
pine bark. It has given relief for some
rheumy sufferers and I thought it might do
me some good. Pycnogenol did help to dampen the
inflammatory condition at the joints but the
surprising result was not so much in the
joints as in my hair.
It was my regular barber that pointed it out
to me that my hair were turning black during
a hair-cut session on a day some six months
after I have started taking the pycnogenol.
The dosage then was 100mg morning and night.
The barber picked a hair from the floor to show
me why he said what he said. The black hair
he showed me had one end of it black in colour
and the other half portion white. He then
demanded to know what medicine I took.
I have noticed my hair turning white a few
years ago. I took it to be a sign of the aging
process and was not in anyway purturb by it.
At the time of starting on the pycnogenol for
my joints, I had more more white hair than black.
After the incident at the barber, of course I
had more reason to continue the taking of the
pine bark pycnogenol. Later on, I switched
to the cheaper grape seed extract (OPC).
The effect on the joints or hair were the same.
It took a further six months for my hair to turn
almost completely black. A few strands of hair
at the side burns continue to be white but these
strands also succumbed to being black after a year.
Now if you look at me, you will see someone with
black hair. I am sure hidden among the black
hair will be a few white strands, but you may have
to sieve through the hair to locate them.
Friends who had seen my white hair turning black
also tried out with the grapeseed extract.
Those who take them regularly seems more likely
to have the same good results that I have.
For some, it took upto a year to see mark changes.
I am still taking the grapeseed extract regularly
every morning and night for my joints. It helps as
a palliative treatment for my rheumy conditions.
The hair bit; well that's the bonus effect.
/faizhai
----------------------------------------
I have searched the net for this OPC effect on
white hair but so far, there is no literature to
support it. If anyone of you had this same
experience, I would appreciate it if you leave
a comment.
relief from this scourge called rheumatoid
arthritis. But so far in my search, I have only
been able to get temporary cures for periods of
sometimes upto six months; but a permanent
cure proves elusive.
But the search is not without its benefit.
In 1998, I tried "pycnogenol" extracted from
pine bark. It has given relief for some
rheumy sufferers and I thought it might do
me some good. Pycnogenol did help to dampen the
inflammatory condition at the joints but the
surprising result was not so much in the
joints as in my hair.
It was my regular barber that pointed it out
to me that my hair were turning black during
a hair-cut session on a day some six months
after I have started taking the pycnogenol.
The dosage then was 100mg morning and night.
The barber picked a hair from the floor to show
me why he said what he said. The black hair
he showed me had one end of it black in colour
and the other half portion white. He then
demanded to know what medicine I took.
I have noticed my hair turning white a few
years ago. I took it to be a sign of the aging
process and was not in anyway purturb by it.
At the time of starting on the pycnogenol for
my joints, I had more more white hair than black.
After the incident at the barber, of course I
had more reason to continue the taking of the
pine bark pycnogenol. Later on, I switched
to the cheaper grape seed extract (OPC).
The effect on the joints or hair were the same.
It took a further six months for my hair to turn
almost completely black. A few strands of hair
at the side burns continue to be white but these
strands also succumbed to being black after a year.
Now if you look at me, you will see someone with
black hair. I am sure hidden among the black
hair will be a few white strands, but you may have
to sieve through the hair to locate them.
Friends who had seen my white hair turning black
also tried out with the grapeseed extract.
Those who take them regularly seems more likely
to have the same good results that I have.
For some, it took upto a year to see mark changes.
I am still taking the grapeseed extract regularly
every morning and night for my joints. It helps as
a palliative treatment for my rheumy conditions.
The hair bit; well that's the bonus effect.
/faizhai
----------------------------------------
I have searched the net for this OPC effect on
white hair but so far, there is no literature to
support it. If anyone of you had this same
experience, I would appreciate it if you leave
a comment.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
arthritis little stories - Arthur the artist
Arthur the Artist
In 1981 while in Madras,I got to know Arthur
who was an artist. Arthur was the worst friend
anyone could wish for. He was plain bad luck.
Since that morning after getting to know him, I
came down with body and joint pains so excruiciating,
that I stayed in bed until noon before I could summon
the strength to go see a doctor. If I had known then
that my acquaintance with Arthur was to forever change
my life for the worse, I would have left Madras on the
first available plane and head back home.
But then, I did not associate my pain with Arthur or
his bad luck. I had thought it was the flu, which was
then going on its rounds in Madras. I took aspirins
of for the body ache. For a while the aspirins did
give splendid relief.
After a few days, having completed what I came to
Madras to do, I returned to Singapore. That stupid
Arthur, well, he decided to accompany me back to
Singapore. If there was one more persistent, it would
be my friend or should I say my enemy Arthur.
Back home in Singapore, I went to see the doctor, for
the residual slight nagging ache at the shoulder joints
which had refused to go away. The doctor prescribed
some more pain killers after viewing the X-Rays he
had asked me to take earlier on. The X-Rays were normal.
He said that sometimes these aches takes a little bit
more time to clear and not to exert too much on the
shoulders. With the prscribed medication, the pain would
go off but to come back when I stopped it atogether.
Thinking that it might help me recover, if I should improve
my fitness level, I embarked on a running program and Arthur
ever so stubborn, would stick with me, sometimes joining in
the run. A friend, who saw me with Arthur warned me to be
careful of Arthur. But alas, although he's familiar with
the likes of Arthur, he couldn't show me an effective way
to deal with him.
Arthur got to know my sister-in-law briefly. I remembered
it was after the birth of her first-born. My sister-in-law
must have sensed Arthur's bad aura for she quickly shooed
him off. Looking squarely into Arthur's eyes, she told Arthur
in no uncertain terms to get lost. With my sister-in-law's
no nonsense approach Arthur had to beat a hasty retreat and
it look like my sister-in-law may have hurt his feelings for
as far as I know he never visited her again.
Arthur however kept on his nuisance with me for years on end.
He insised to be around during the day time and sometimes at
night. When I leave for an overseas trip, he insisted that
he tag along. Such loyalty, some may think but I can tell
you I really find him a pain. He is really 'a joke from
hell'. I have consulted many a person from China to the
Middle-east of my problem with Arthur and tried the countless
ways suggested by them to get rid of him. Their methods
do worked but only for a while. Arthur would leave for a
short period but finally would still return to taunt me.
Finally, after two decades I surrendered and told him:
"My dear Arthur, you win, you win, you win. I think I have
come to terms with you. Henceforth, I will not be bothered
whether you are around or not."
This seems to be the best strategy to date for now I am
rarely perturbed with Arthur the Artist also known as
"Arthritis".
/faizhai
brain cognition
is just proxy
for reality
In 1981 while in Madras,I got to know Arthur
who was an artist. Arthur was the worst friend
anyone could wish for. He was plain bad luck.
Since that morning after getting to know him, I
came down with body and joint pains so excruiciating,
that I stayed in bed until noon before I could summon
the strength to go see a doctor. If I had known then
that my acquaintance with Arthur was to forever change
my life for the worse, I would have left Madras on the
first available plane and head back home.
But then, I did not associate my pain with Arthur or
his bad luck. I had thought it was the flu, which was
then going on its rounds in Madras. I took aspirins
of for the body ache. For a while the aspirins did
give splendid relief.
After a few days, having completed what I came to
Madras to do, I returned to Singapore. That stupid
Arthur, well, he decided to accompany me back to
Singapore. If there was one more persistent, it would
be my friend or should I say my enemy Arthur.
Back home in Singapore, I went to see the doctor, for
the residual slight nagging ache at the shoulder joints
which had refused to go away. The doctor prescribed
some more pain killers after viewing the X-Rays he
had asked me to take earlier on. The X-Rays were normal.
He said that sometimes these aches takes a little bit
more time to clear and not to exert too much on the
shoulders. With the prscribed medication, the pain would
go off but to come back when I stopped it atogether.
Thinking that it might help me recover, if I should improve
my fitness level, I embarked on a running program and Arthur
ever so stubborn, would stick with me, sometimes joining in
the run. A friend, who saw me with Arthur warned me to be
careful of Arthur. But alas, although he's familiar with
the likes of Arthur, he couldn't show me an effective way
to deal with him.
Arthur got to know my sister-in-law briefly. I remembered
it was after the birth of her first-born. My sister-in-law
must have sensed Arthur's bad aura for she quickly shooed
him off. Looking squarely into Arthur's eyes, she told Arthur
in no uncertain terms to get lost. With my sister-in-law's
no nonsense approach Arthur had to beat a hasty retreat and
it look like my sister-in-law may have hurt his feelings for
as far as I know he never visited her again.
Arthur however kept on his nuisance with me for years on end.
He insised to be around during the day time and sometimes at
night. When I leave for an overseas trip, he insisted that
he tag along. Such loyalty, some may think but I can tell
you I really find him a pain. He is really 'a joke from
hell'. I have consulted many a person from China to the
Middle-east of my problem with Arthur and tried the countless
ways suggested by them to get rid of him. Their methods
do worked but only for a while. Arthur would leave for a
short period but finally would still return to taunt me.
Finally, after two decades I surrendered and told him:
"My dear Arthur, you win, you win, you win. I think I have
come to terms with you. Henceforth, I will not be bothered
whether you are around or not."
This seems to be the best strategy to date for now I am
rarely perturbed with Arthur the Artist also known as
"Arthritis".
/faizhai
brain cognition
is just proxy
for reality
Monday, January 09, 2006
arthritis little stories - Zhongshan Story - Compassion
I was in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China for the treatment of my rheumatoid arthritis which have been getting progressively worse with the years. After staying two weeks at Hotel Fu Hua, I shifted to an apartment in "Zhong Ken" a thirty five storey building. It was here that I had stayed for almost two years.
Every Saturday, my sister who works in Macau would cross over the border to Mainland China to visit me. We would have lunch, usually at the Zhong Ken food court. At the end of each meal the leftovers of any meat or vegetables side dishes were never wasted. My sister has an endearing habit of distributing these leftovers onto freshly ordered boxes of rice. Taking a ride on a trishaw she would go looking for street dwellers to give these food boxes to. The reason she did this she told me was that these people often salvage food leftovers in dust bins. Better to give it to them decently in food boxes. It was from her that I came to know the whereabouts of these street dwellers staying in bustling downtown Zhongshan.
One day, as my sister and I were walking towards Zhong Ken, a young man in his early twenties approached us. He told us he had just arrived Zhongshan and is hungry and had no money. Could we help him. We have been advised by our China friends to walk away when approached for money. Instinctively, we walked away. The manner of the young man and perhaps also our conscience made us stop after taking a few steps. My sister and I, we looked at each other debating whether we should give. It took us only a moment and we decided to give. It was a very small sum. My sister backtracked and gave the money to the youth and we thought no more of it.
A few months later on one of her weekend visits, my sister went out to buy provisions for the house. When she came back with the provisions she was beaming all over. Obviously someone or something had made her happy that morning. She asked me if I remembered the youth who had approached us for money a few months ago. She said the youth was there again today; at the place where we had met him. The young man told my sister that he had been keeping vigil at this same place for some time now with the hope of meeting us again. He had now found a job and just wanted to say thank you. Having said that, he left.
In all the years of giving to strangers I had never known for sure, whether they were genuine. This single act of acknowledgement by the youth had renewed my faith that it is not wrong to give. I am forever grateful to that youth for the lesson learnt.
Remember :
To make the less fortunate happy,
practice compassion.
To make yourself happy,
practice compassion.
To make me happy,
donate.
I help and support charities and homes for orphans,
deaf and handicapped children in Chennai, India.
It takes little to provide for these children with
the basic essentials of food, clothes, shelter,
medicine and also a basic education.
As my rheumatoid arthritis has gotten worse to the
point that I am now house bound, I have decided
the best option to me now to help these charities
would be by appealing for donations through using
the net.
If you have the resources,
have faith, donate.
Any amount will do.
Thank You
PayPal Donate Button Below
*
Every Saturday, my sister who works in Macau would cross over the border to Mainland China to visit me. We would have lunch, usually at the Zhong Ken food court. At the end of each meal the leftovers of any meat or vegetables side dishes were never wasted. My sister has an endearing habit of distributing these leftovers onto freshly ordered boxes of rice. Taking a ride on a trishaw she would go looking for street dwellers to give these food boxes to. The reason she did this she told me was that these people often salvage food leftovers in dust bins. Better to give it to them decently in food boxes. It was from her that I came to know the whereabouts of these street dwellers staying in bustling downtown Zhongshan.
One day, as my sister and I were walking towards Zhong Ken, a young man in his early twenties approached us. He told us he had just arrived Zhongshan and is hungry and had no money. Could we help him. We have been advised by our China friends to walk away when approached for money. Instinctively, we walked away. The manner of the young man and perhaps also our conscience made us stop after taking a few steps. My sister and I, we looked at each other debating whether we should give. It took us only a moment and we decided to give. It was a very small sum. My sister backtracked and gave the money to the youth and we thought no more of it.
A few months later on one of her weekend visits, my sister went out to buy provisions for the house. When she came back with the provisions she was beaming all over. Obviously someone or something had made her happy that morning. She asked me if I remembered the youth who had approached us for money a few months ago. She said the youth was there again today; at the place where we had met him. The young man told my sister that he had been keeping vigil at this same place for some time now with the hope of meeting us again. He had now found a job and just wanted to say thank you. Having said that, he left.
In all the years of giving to strangers I had never known for sure, whether they were genuine. This single act of acknowledgement by the youth had renewed my faith that it is not wrong to give. I am forever grateful to that youth for the lesson learnt.
Remember :
To make the less fortunate happy,
practice compassion.
To make yourself happy,
practice compassion.
To make me happy,
donate.
I help and support charities and homes for orphans,
deaf and handicapped children in Chennai, India.
It takes little to provide for these children with
the basic essentials of food, clothes, shelter,
medicine and also a basic education.
As my rheumatoid arthritis has gotten worse to the
point that I am now house bound, I have decided
the best option to me now to help these charities
would be by appealing for donations through using
the net.
If you have the resources,
have faith, donate.
Any amount will do.
Thank You
PayPal Donate Button Below
*
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