The docs said a year and I said 6 months....

[madubois63]

So when this whole iron over load in my liver started, the doctor told me it cold take a year or more of weekly phlebotomy to get my numbers down to normal. I mumbled under my breath that I would do it in 6 months. I asked if there were any thing I could take or eat that might help and being docs they said no. Of course a doc thinks med's, but they don't want to give me anything that may be toxic to my liver.

so I went home, jumped on the internet and read everything I could possibly think of. I threw out all my pots and wok (I love my wok), went shopping and bought a new wok and a beautiful new set of pots. I bought spinach. Even though it is high in iron, it is in plant form and is actually good for the liver (as is dandelion). I drink lots of water and green tea (unsweetened). Tea leaves have tatins that are also good for the liver. I have been taking milk thistle. I changed my diet, even though it was already a good diet. Fresh herb, lots of spices, fish, chicken, turkey - NO READ MEAT: it's very high in iron! I have to be careful on grains. Oatmeal and cereals are fortified with iron. Now besides the liver problem, the high dose steroids have made me temporarily diabetic, so I have to watch my sugar intake - which is down to a minimum and under control. I started physical therapy and have been targeting my problem areas too.

I had my treatment yesterday and all my count are very good. Platelets are rising, white is normal, hemoblogibin is good enough for them to take blood for me (which they did). They did a ferratin test (reads the iron in the liver), and the number is HALF of what the highest reading was!!! And this is TWO MONTHS TIME!! Everyone is amazed at my progress.

So who says diet doesn't work?? I truly believe complementary treatments added to conventional treatment are the best way to go. My docs know about the supplements I take, but I will be putting together something for all three of my treatment centers for people with iron overload. This seems to be a fairly new problem with bone marrow transplants patients. My kids, mom and I are totally enjoying the fresh, and tasty meals that they don't realize are extremely healthy. My son dropped a pants size and I have to take all his jeans in. My daughter joined a gym and is definetly losing inches galore....