All pain gone after one "test"
Woke up for the first time in years WITHOUT PAIN
My friend has always told me, "If you wake up one day without pain, you know you for sure you're dead!"
Fortunately it was not true.
I have suffered from Chronic pain in my lower back for the last 6 years which started after I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Initially, Steroid injections in the back helped.
After a few years, the injections eventually stopped working after a few months.
Then I was treated with RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation of the Medial Nerve)First with a hot needle (90 deg C) in 2 locations which lasted for 2 months.
Secondly with a cold needle (60 deg C) in 8 locations. But now the pain changed to a burning sensation "in a wide belt" inside my lower back for 4 months.
After that I have been in pain constantly with varying intensity plus feeling inflammation in all parts of my body.
Therefore I have been "treating" myself using finely ground Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger, Vanilla, black pepper and honey as a thick slurry. Taken as a tablespoon every evening before bedtime as it is supposed to be good against inflammation. I have felt some relief but nothing significant.
NOW
As a Chemical Engineer I started looking at the nature of inflammation and compared it to the active ingredients in my cocktail. And it turned out that it should work.
HOWEVER
Without getting too technical, the inflamed areas were in zones of a fatty nature which are hydrophobic (repels water - like water droplets on a goose)
At the same time, the active ingredients in my cocktail (except for honey) are also hydrophobic.
SO the cocktail had little effect because they were not properly dissolved and released as the stomach fluids are the opposite of hydrophobic = hydrophilic.
In other words the active ingredients went down the toilet.
Alcohol
It turned out that the active ingredients in my cocktail powders would easily dissolve in Alcohol.
So to make a long story short
I dissolved one teaspoon of each spice (but only a 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper) with a table spoon of honey in a double shot of Rum.
Stirred it for some minutes and enjoyed it.
The next morning; I WAS PAIN FREE!
I was laying in bed looking up at the ceiling enjoying every minute of it.
After going for a swim in the afternoon, I began to feel slight pain or rather tension but only 10% of usual.
The day after (at the time of this writing) I have only minimum pain, or rather a tension in my back.
I realize my test only represents one datapoint, but it is a good start with an unbelievable outcome.
MY NEXT APPROACH
I have already made a bottle of slurry (same ingredients) but using only enough alcohol to make it flow like a thick slurry for the purpose of limiting the alcohol intake.
I plan to take one tablespoon of slurry in the evening before bedtime.
DISCLOSURE
I am 6 feet, 216 lbs. and enjoyed not only one but 3 cocktails that evening. So the medical term could suggest I was under anesthesia when I went to bed (in leigh man terms: DRUNK)
I am not suggesting anyone do as I have done, and also check the side effects of the spices in the cocktail.
Moderator's Note
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community. Read more: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
Alcohol may not be recommended. Please check with your doctor.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.
Connect

@mrmik Thanks. I tried finding the book but nothing came up. Do you have the title so I can search for it? Much appreciated.
Heisenberg34
Oh wow, that is the way to do it. Awesome. Luv ❤️ it. None of the driving back n forth thru traffic to appointments. Dry needling I agree, also can help.
I've watched quite a lot of the docs of actual cruises & also the ones about different types of these vessels that travel our seas. So interesting plus scenery. Congrats on travelling in style, trying new treaments & feeling good.
@heyjoe415
@ellesea01 Well, I was given strong meds. to begin with for the pain post -op. I believe I only took them occasionally the first week, as I thought get rid of pain = being back to work sooner. Didn't work that way for me, hence the acupuncture route. Tylenol and heating pad are all I use daily. Hopefully I will get more answers regarding continued pain issues with second opinion Dr. Something has to happen soon.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionJoe, thanks for the explanation on dry needling. I have wondered about the difference between that and traditional acupuncture. I'm taking by your post the dry form was a better outcome for you? Thx
@ellesea01 🤣 When I first moved to Fl. I was told I talked funny. I thought that was hilarious, in that THEY were the ones with an overpowering accent. I, personally was speaking the Queen's English. I was called "Yankee" and asked if I was from Canada. Being a professional nanny may have also given them that notion, but nannies are worldwide now. I don't think some Southerners travel too often outside of the South perhaps. My best friend who was a college professor, and her sister a charge nurse, both still used terms like "You reckon and fix'n". I thought it cute. Thanks for the reply. I had to dig to find it. 🤦♀️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThat sounds pretty good about how you're doing it now. Hot packs are so nice. Mostly icy ones here. One thing about
Tylenol I learned recently is it doesn't work after awhile & is not good for our livers . The "how long/where's the #'s yikes, hopefully Dr.'s provide info to guide us. I'm down to 2 in 24 hrs & also 1 Lyrica 75mg. 1 each of low dose thyroid & a cholesterol med. Cutting back the SNRI med to one 30mg day & x2 otc's . So x8 day total.
How are your pain levels now? Really glad that the green type treatments do help you. I know getting back to work is gonna be good for you. Step by step gets ya there. We remembering to be putting rest, thanks & fun stuff into every day. Cheerio for now.@nannybb
Great digging. Enjoyed the tale about accents & how people use particular words to describe their world. I too envisioned the Brit component. Have Brit/Irish/Scottish & luv Britbox shows. Have a good weekend. @nannybb
@ellesea01 I hear ya. I am not happy with taking as much Tylenol as I have been. It actually never used to work for me for any pain problems. Started taking it after knee surgery, ( running on concrete... I know, stupid) as I had been on hydrocodone for several years. I took a class in pharmacology and titrated my little self off of it. If what I have has a muscle pain component, I'm not understanding why the surgeon did not give me high five when I suggested P.T. My pain levels off all meds. is about a 6-7. Tylenol takes the edge off, but never totally gives me much relief. I'm just worried about going back to work too soon with the level of pain I'm experiencing presently. What do you find is your daily level of pain?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@ellesea01 My heritage is French/ English. I can DO a Canadian accent, (as a jokster) and started having a Southern one the longer I stayed in the South. I too love the idioms etc. other cultures use. You have a great weekend as well. 👍
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@heisenberg34
New Cure for Chronic Lyme Disease 2019?
By Michael L. Hammer