Author: laughingwolf_qh33q8

The Cocktail: Where Things Stand

We’ve gone over all the current ingredients to the arthritis cocktail, now to a bit of discussion on where things stand.

Last Wednesday, I met with the new rheumatologist. According to various surveys, she’s either one of the top 5 or the top rheumatologist in the state. I saw a bit of ego and she clearly doesn’t hold with supplements or with trying to get into clinical trials. Her contention is that the current cutting edge is not going to be able to regenerate the cartilage in my right shoulder.

She could be right. It depends on a host of factors, including if the stem cells, ECM, and other factors can find something to latch onto or otherwise cause them to grow into cartilage. Supplements, as noted in the previous writings, work on at best one third of the population, with a number of them clocking in at less than ten percent — by themselves.

Part of the reason I chose to do a cocktail for my experiment is that while individually the rate of effectiveness bites, one can potentially gain some synergistic effects by using a cocktail. It’s worth a shot.

One thing she doesn’t yet know about me is that to some extent, I don’t care if I get a perfect fix. What I would like to do through my experiment and by possible participation in research or clinical trials is make it more effective for others in the next iteration. I will take whatever relief I can get, but the important thing is advancing that cutting edge for the future.

As of now, I’ve been on the main component of the cocktail for almost six weeks, and the current full cocktail for almost four weeks. To get a fair assessment, it really is going to take three to six months. That said, here’s where things stand.

First, I had blood work done last Friday that shows that, for now, the supplements do not appear to be causing any problems. I wasn’t thrilled with a couple of readings, but they are still well within the proper zone. Remember, if you take supplements you do need to keep your doctor in the loop. Some supplements can and do effect other medications and can have some harmful side-effects. Be smart, do your research, and keep your GP and/or others in the loop.

Second, while it is tentative at this point, I do feel somewhat better, particularly in areas other than the shoulders. My left shoulder feels a bit better than it did, but that area is particularly hard to assess.

Part of the problem in assessing things is that there are a lot of questions right now. One of the first and foremost to my mind is if what I have is simple osteoarthritis. It’s not acting like it, and while past testing said I did not have rheumatoid arthritis, that doesn’t mean I don’t have something similar to osteoarthritis but is a step above. There are some possibilities.

There is also a good chance that something else is at play on top of the osteoarthritis if that is indeed all I have. It could even be more than one thing. Right now, everything from MS on down is on the table. That’s one reason I gave up seven vials of blood last week for testing, along with getting a host of X-rays. To be honest, I fully expect to undergo more tests.

That said, sometime in the next two weeks, I should have results and hopefully some answers to go with the questions. It is likely that we may even have more questions. But, if we can start eliminating possibilities even as we search for some definitive answers, it’s a good start. If we can figure out what (all) is going on, it gives a good place to start to do something about the problem.

Until we do, I am resistant to the idea of joint replacements for all the areas identified by the surgeon and the rheumatologist. On the shoulder, I’ve yet to speak to anyone who has had the operation who would do it again. Would love to hear from anyone with a different view. On the other replacements, as well as the shoulder, I’m concerned that whatever is going on could effect the quality and longevity of the replacement. Yes, if I didn’t mention it before, the rheumatologist has suggested additional replacements are needed beyond my shoulders.

So, are the supplements helping? Tentative yes. Do we know what is going on in my body? No, but I think we are starting to have some good questions and getting data for some answers.

That’s where things stand for now. More soon.

The Truth Is Out There?

UPDATE: You can believe Wayfair’s statement or you can believe what the rep said in the call. Big brother is here…

There are a number of reasons I’ve backed off social media to a considerable extent, even though it means limiting my ability to market my works. First up, social media has become toxic with the SJW cancel crowd running wild. The screaming, preening, virtue-signaling fascists want to silence everyone — and the more people are on just one or two major platforms (say, Fecesbook and Jitter), the easier it is to do.

Second, you give up a good bit to be in that walled garden, particularly privacy. As in social media sites and Google (Be Evil) are mining you for all you are worth, sometimes literally. Anything you say online, search for online, etc. is more data. Add in all the apps that are also owned by one of these companies (which is why I dropped Waze), and it extends the reach even further. You also give up truly free speech, as if you say anything that can upset an SJW (and most anything can when you are dealing with people looking for a reason to unleash their anger and virtue-signaling), you find yourself in “jail” and denied the ability to speak.

Third, going back to those apps I mentioned earlier, when you have smartphones, smart televisions, and such along with apps and services, you get this. Have you checked to see how many apps have access to your microphone? Your camera and camera files? People have been talking recently about all the times Alexa listens in on you when you don’t realize it; but, how may other systems and apps do that? Can you have true privacy with smart devices? No.

Can you go in and do simple things like denying access to microphone and cameras? Yes. In fact, you should. For years I’ve had my laptop camera taped over as it has been, and still is I believe, one of the easiest systems to hack in any computer. Someone watching without your knowledge can learn a lot just by studying your finger movements — it’s remarkably easy to figure out what is being typed, including account numbers… For that matter, I would love for the built-in microphone to have a manual off switch, as it’s a lot harder to prevent it from being used against you.

Yes, there is a cost for deciding not to be a part of the extreme toxicity and for denying what I can of my personal information to as many as I can. But, it’s not insurmountable. I also hope to see more leave the big three (and to get some serious anti-trust investigations going), and a return to blogging. It’s still there, still going, and may be what saves things in the long run.

Ponder a bit, and think about what you want, and your privacy. Then, take action. It really is up to each individual to make a difference.

Citizen/Subject

Citizen versus Subject is a concept foreign to most of the younger generations. Foreign as in it is a part of civics no longer taught in most schools. As a philosophical concept, I would venture that it is terra incognito to the vast majority these days.

There is an interesting twist on the subject, which is the trite concept of “citizen of the world.” What began with Diogenes has morphed, or been hideously misshapen, by modern socialists into something else.

This concept is discussed here, and it is well worth the read. Go read.

The Experimental Cocktail: The Last Two Current Ingredients

The current final two ingredients (as ingredients are subject to change after 4-6 weeks) are the two for which there is the least scientific data. That said, they offer a chance to kick some things into action.

First up is cinnamon. Yes, the spice. It’s also long been used for medical purposes (as with many spices). This write-up provides an overview of it’s uses and a good bit of data (such as it is). Frankly, there is a lot of potential there, though studies appear to be sparse and the governmental studies (unsurprisingly) are ambiguous.

One does need to be very careful, however, about the source and strength of the cinnamon. In short, there are two types of cinnamon on the market: Ceylon (True, or British) and Cassia (Saigon Cassia). While cinnamon would appear to have many positive aspects, one particular compound in it can cause liver damage or failure in high enough dosages. Cassia/Saigon Cassia has a (much) higher concentration of this compound. Therefore, I am taking a supplement made from Ceylon cinnamon.

While the governmental data is ambiguous, there are enough other studies (including some governmental) that indicate it can have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, positive blood-sugar and cholesterol activities, and anti-cancer actions. Some of what I’ve read also indicate it could be something of a catalytic in terms of helping the cocktail work. So, in it is.

The final ingredient has, frankly, the weakest scientific evidence — at least when it comes to anti-inflammatory properties. However, it does provide all the components needed for the formation (and restoration) of cartilage. The reason I’m taking it isn’t the alleged anti-inflammatory properties, it’s the chemical building blocks it provides.

There are 16 types of collagen, but Type II is a component of cartilage, while Type I and III are in your skin. While there are many sources of the amino acids that are collagen, what I’m trying to do is provide my body with easy-to-digest/absorb amounts of those that can help my joints, skin, and other tissues. So, I’m taking a supplement that provides Types I, II, III, V, and X. It is also Keto-friendly, which helps.

So, that’s the current mix. At this point, I’ve been on this cocktail for about four weeks. While I would prefer to be on it six weeks before saying antyhing, I probably will release some initial assessment next week.

BTW, if you care to help with the experiment, feel free to hit the tip jar in the top right corner, or use the Amazon wish list in the same spot as what I’m currently using is listed there. Thanks.

Thoughts And A Request

The news of al-Baghdadi is confirmed. Couldn’t have happened to a better man. Those so opposed to Trump that they are praising al-Baghdadi show themselves for what they are. Pity them, and hammer them into the ground.

On top of that, seems we took out the spokesman for ISIS on Sunday. There may have been a few other targets in there as well. Again, couldn’t have happened to better men.

The West, and Western Media, have largely ignored the horrors inflicted by ISIS. Sexual slavery, rape of captives (including at least one U.S. citizen who was then made a slave and had to serve as the wife of an ISIS leader), crucifixion of Christians (and others), burning prisoners alive, tossing gays off rooftops. Western media, particularly that in the U.S., are determined to cover stories that undermine the progressive narrative with a pillow, until they quit moving.

More on supplements tomorrow, but for today, a favor to ask. If you can hit the tip jar, or perhaps the Amazon wish list, up there in the top right corner, it would be appreciated. The supplements are expensive, as are some other steps I hope to take here soon. Also, I’m going to have to learn/re-learn how to shoot offhand. That is going to take ammo, range time, and probably even some coaching/instruction. Anything will help. Thanks.

Al Baghdadi Dead?

Announcement at 0900 Eastern today (Sunday). But, reports are already out that SF took him out/caused him to kill himself to avoid capture.

Christians are not supposed to celebrate the death of anyone, that any death is a loss. Well, I’m probably not in the few hundred thousand to get into heaven anyway, so bleep it. Thinking this is cause for a smoke and a drink.

Random Thoughts On A Friday Morning

The Katie Hill story has it all: power, privilege, sex, betrayal. A politician has multiple affairs with staff members of both sexes. How old were some of them? What’s more, it appears to have been a pattern with that politician. In the age of #metoo, it would be grounds for running that politician out of town on a rail.

But, this is a female politician of the democratic persuasion. The woman card has been played. The divorce/revenge card has been played. Major media outlets are focusing on that, while refusing to report on the events, and are doing their best to put the original, and highly professional, investigative reporting by Jennifer Van Larr at RedState into either a negative light (eeeevil conservatives!) or by pretending it doesn’t exist.

Stealing a great line, remember that modern journalism is all about covering important stories, with a pillow until they quit moving.

On this story, and on several others involving the inquiry now criminal investigation of the whole Russian hoax, it is also very clear (yet again) to anyone willing to watch that JournoList is (and has been) up and running. Most of us knew that was the case within weeks of the original being outed.

That outing has been the subject of a number of rumors: that it was by someone upset at the perversion of the journalistic code of ethics (it was); that it was by a closet conservative; that it was by someone who didn’t feel it was progressive enough (I can see that); or, take your pick.

I will say this: the new JournoList is to be commended for whatever security they put in place. So far, it seems to be holding, though I’m not sure for how long that will last. Remember, progressives always end up eating their own.