2nd Multiple Sclerosis Inclined Bed Therapy IBT Pilot Study Results

Re: incline cot and swelling feet?,Friday 14-May-1999
01:33:45,212.1.135.53 writes,Hi Kathy
The inclined bed and correct sitting posture have been shown to reverse
oedema. It is my belief that the fluid resides in the lower limbs
because this simple flow and return system is caused by compromised
renal function. See fluid movement and toxins on the message board.
There may be some additional swelling when you begin this therapy but
it will soon begin to improve.
You could use a support/surgical stocking to apply a little pressure at
night. This will help to reduce the swelling.
Andrew ,Andrew,Grav...@currantbun.com

Re: incline cot and swelling feet?,Thursday 17-Feb-2000
12:56:49,195.8.87.244 writes,Hi Kathy When I started the raised bed I
had a very large swelling in my right calf and a swollen foot my
doctor did'nt go much on the idea of raising the head he was more in
favour of raising the feet
I did raise the head and the swelling is down there were no ill
effects.
I wish you all the very best and hope your swelling goes down you must
give it a go.
John ,John,

Re: sleep positions,Wednesday 18-Aug-1999 15:54:17,216.214.95.246
writes, Just wanted to let you know that I began sleeping inclined 4
nights ago. I have been diagnosed with R/R MS. Immediately noticed
that I slept through the night and have much less surface numbness
upon awakening. Very good program I highly recommend sleeping
inclined.
Mike ,Mike Heathcote,laurie.h...@toast.net
incline cot and swelling feet?,Wednesday 12-May-1999
19:04:39,205.188.199.173 writes,I understand the rasiing of the cot
BUT question this? I have extreme swelling of the feet
which are basically immobile will this hurt or help that
matter ????? any thoughts on this are VERY welcomed
thank you kathy ,kathykW,kath...@aol.com

sleep positions,Wednesday 12-May-1999 23:21:44,207.194.30.90 writes,Hi
all I postrd a message last night but forgot to ask this question. Is
there a best position in which to sleep on an inclined bed? eg. back
side etc. I want to give my body the best chance to respond. Thanks
BJLG ,BJLG,
Re: sleep positions,Thursday 13-May-1999 12:14:27,212.1.146.191
writes,It does not matter how you sleep so long as you are inclined. It
may help if you could alternate your posture though.
Try to stretch out rather than curl up and try to make sure that you
keep your hands down by your sides as sleeping with them by your face
is the same as holding them up in the air.
Andrew ,Andrew,Grav...@currantbun.com

Re: sleep positions,Tuesday 22-Jun-1999 22:26:48,205.188.198.42
writes,Stumbled on this board and am interested as I have
osteoporosis.
Read a number of comments.
But where do I find a description of your inclined bed-eg. how to
incline my bed at home? ,,GayleG...@AOL.com

A Neurologist Who Recommends Inclined Bed,Sunday 20-Jun-1999
17:02:27,204.210.52.139 writes,Recently my 44-year-old daughter was
diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS. She apparently had her first
small episode about 10 years ago. One of the first things I suggested
to her was to elevate the head of her bed. She did that and reported
that the tingling and numbness in her legs was reduced by at least 50%
from the very first night.
She reported on the elevated bed to her neurologist and he told her
there is much scientific evidence to support the theory that the human
body is designed to function vertically as opposed to horizontally.
He said elevating the bed should improve all circulation in the body
and said he is recommending the elevated bed to all his MS patients in
the future. I am trying to get this neurologist to write something for
our message board and also for my Journey to Wellness newsletter and
website.
He also recommended the same diet nutrition stress reduction and
exercise program that I recommend. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IDEA!!
Please visit my Betty's House...Life After MS website at
home.san.rr.com/iamshouse and watch for a statement from this
neurologist. He can open big doors for us in the allopathic medical
world. ,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com

Sleeping Cool!,Thursday 13-May-1999 13:07:22,204.210.52.139 writes,
STAY COOL WHEN YOU SLEEP: I have recently made a discovery almost by
accident. One night when I got up in the middle of the night I noticed
that I was walking 100% normally without any foot drop. I also was
slightly chilled as I had been sleeping under only a sheet even though
the temperature was probably about 65 or less in my bedroom. When I
returned to bed I pulled up a blanket cuddled up under the covers and
went back to sleep. I woke up a couple of hours later at my regular
time to get up with my body warm and my foot drop evident again.
This experience caused me to begin charting my sleeping temperature and
how it related to my right leg weakness and foot drop. I have
definitely documented now that if I sleep under just a sheet I awaken
with considerably less leg weakness and foot drop. I also have
discovered that even if I feel a little chilled when I first lie down
and only cover myself with a sheet if I just lie still the chilled
feeling goes away.
As you all know I am participating in the Fletcher MS Study testing
the effects of the inclined bed. I have communicated with Andrew
regarding what I have discovered and he believes it is perhaps caused
by the fact that the raised bed increases our body temperature and
metabolism. If you are participating in Fletcher's study and sleeping
in an inclined bed please let me and Andrew know if you are able to
duplicate my observation. For myself I have found this a fascinating
phenomenon that replicates night after night. If you are also using a
dehumidifier which increases the body temperature even more you will
notice an even greater rise in body temperature.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are NOT participating in the MS Study and sleeping
in an inclined bed you may not wish to try this. It is possible it
could cause you to get too chilled.
I hope some of you who are in the MS Study will try this and let me
know if you have the same results. We know of course that hot
weather especially heat and humidity adversely affect MS. But it
never before occurred to me that my sleeping temperature would have en
affect also.
,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Friday 14-May-1999 18:59:54,207.194.30.120 writes,I
live on the "wet coast" of Canada and should probably use a
dehumidifer. Is there any information I should have before getting
one? Are they very expensive? Are they portable? Thanks for your
help. I enjoy your web site. BJLG ,BJLG,

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Sunday 16-May-1999 14:58:18,204.210.52.139 writes,To
BJLG: I got my dehumidifier (which Andrew suggested for me because I
live on the coast and high humidity is common here) at Sears. I
believe it was about $175. I placed it in my bedroom and I turn it on
for 2-3 hours before going to bed at night.
The Sears dehumidifiers come in either one or three speeds. I got the
single speed but if you are going to have it on at night I suggest you
get the three speed version because the single speed is somewhat noisy.
,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Monday 17-May-1999 14:55:07,204.123.2.83
writes,Betty
I have always found that reducing my body temp will reduce my symptoms.
In fact I sometinmes carry a digital thermometer. 9 times out of 10
if i'm doing well my temp is down in the 97's or visa-versa if
I'm warmer. And yes I do try to sleep w/ just a sheet - but it's
hard sometimes (don't want to shiver that DOES make things
worse...). But if I sleep cool - I have a better day!
Kevin ,Kevin Flanagan,kevin.l.flana...@digital.com

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Monday 17-May-1999 20:55:34,209.30.181.242 writes,I
have found that if not warm at night my symptoms are worse. My foot
turns purple if I get cold and tremor is worse. I tried sleeping with
just a sheet but woke up shivering. Catcg 22? I find it works best
for me if I have a blanket over my feet and then just under a sheet.
Of course in winter I am under heavy blankets. Cold has always made my
MS symptoms worse. ,Cheryl,clin...@flash.net

Re:

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Tuesday 18-May-1999 08:36:03,205.188.198.36
writes,I'm with you! I'm much more comfortable if I'm warm
enough. In fact a chill will bring on a painful symptom! However
humidity is definitely a problem so I sit in the air conditioning with
a blanket! (smile) ,Terri,tharri8...@aol.com

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Tuesday 18-May-1999 12:26:46,152.163.213.203
writes,I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXACTLY WHAT YOU WROTE REGARDING WAKING UP
AND BEING ABLE TO WALK NORMALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THEN HAVING
SYMPTOMS RETURN UPON GETTING UP IN THE MORNING. I USUALLY WALK WITH TWO
CANES. WHEN I TOLD PEOPLE THEY SAID MAY BE I WAS DREAMING. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR STORY BECAUSE NOW I WILL TRY TO SLEEP COOL AND SEE IF I CAN
REPEAT THE EXPERIENCE. ,LINDA,LKG...@AOL.COM

Re: Sleeping Cool!,Sunday 30-May-1999 23:47:02,142.194.189.98 writes,I
found long ago that the length of time I sleep affects how my symptoms
(of MS) behave. The longer I sleep the worse my symptoms are. The body
temp. remained fairly constant as the amount of bedding used didn't
change. Any study of sleeping temperature should factor the lenghth of
time slept into the equation.
I have been bedridden for 3+ years and unrelated circumstances prevent
my sleeping more than 2 or 3 consecutive hours with a nightime total of
6 hours on a good night. I credit this for being a significant fator in
my not deteriorating more rapidly.
Perhaps the duration of sleep is as important a factor as the
temperature to which the body is exposed. I also wonder if perhaps
being on the thin side is better for ones prognosis than being on the
heavy side?
Maybe the human body functions better when running on empty.
,Steve,win...@attcanada.net

Re: Sleeping Inclined,Sunday 23-May-1999 05:16:18,209.30.178.174
writes,Jean and anyone else who needs their reports forwarded to
Andrew: If you would like to post your report to Andrew here. I will
forward it to him by email but not post it publicly. If this interests
you just type me a message prior to your report such as: Please forward
private to Andrew. Thanks Cheryl Board moderator for "Inclined to
Sleep Inclined" ,Cheryl,clin...@flash.net

Sleeping Inclined,Saturday 15-May-1999 14:47:25,195.232.122.70 writes,I
have had MS for 13years starting with relasp/remit type which
inevitably changed into secondary progressive. My walking is very
limited and has been for the past 16 months. I am now 4 weeks into Mr.
Fletcher's study sleeping on raised/inclined bed. I am delighted to
report that for one day last week I was able to walk on my own with
confidence for 20 minutes (10 mins there and back). This is the first
time I have been able to do this since March last year. I only hope my
improvement remains at this level as I very grateful to have walked
for this length of time. I too have been remiss in not reporting
results to Mr.Fletcher due to my lack of PC know-how but I will make
every effort to send in a report. Failing that I will WALK to the
postbox and send it. Jean H ,Jean H

MS Study Progress Report ,Monday 17-May-1999 02:27:22,212.1.159.19
writes,=========================================== MS Study Progress
Report by Andrew Fletcher ===========================================
Thank you my dear friends Betty and Cheryl for helping me to get this
far and thank you to all of you people who are helping me with this
study by sending in your reports and helping others to find us by
posting messages here.
Without your help I doubt whether I could carry on with this important
discovery. Your letters give me a much-needed boost and bring it home
to me exactly what this study is all about.
We are ignored by the charities who attract funding to support research
which helps people like you but I doubt that they will be able to
ignore us for long given the growing content of this magnificent
message board which shines like a beacon!
If you would like to help me to give these organisations governments
health authorities and science establishments a prod write to your
Newspaper TV and Radio stations and tell them about us. Local
Newspapers are a good start-point. Send messages to the Internet News
Groups about our study and be sure to paste the title and address below
in your Email.
"INCLINED TO SLEEP INCLINED"
www.InsideTheWeb.com/mbs.cgi/mb405491
Why not paste this address as a signature on every email you send?
"Our study is on target to reproduce the results of the UK-based
pilot study. We are now beginning to see some neurological
improvements in people who have spinal cord injuries. In addition to
this I have learned of some initial signs of a response from two people
with ALS although it is very early to determine whether this will work
for people with this condition.
Our message board is beginning to tell the story as it happens and
is fast becoming a place for people to learn about our study.
"I am very disappointed that in spite of receiving all of my
information a large number of people with MS have chosen to neglect our
study by not sending in any reports. I find this extremely hard to
understand given that the study is designed to prove or disprove that
this intervention works for people with neurological conditions.
If you are sleeping inclined and have not yet sent in a report or even
your consent form PLEASE COMPLY WITH THIS SIMPLE REQUEST!
Imagine how you would feel if the person next door held this valuable
information and chose to keep it to him/herself. Imagine if I had not
chosen to risk everything by giving six years of my life to you for
nothing more than an occasional few words in an e-mail.
Please don't turn your back on people with the same condition as
yourself. Please send in your consent form and keep sending in those
vital reports. The study has no validity without those reports. Those
reports are the key to getting the attention of the medical world.
Perhaps you may even want to reach more people when you have pondered
these words by posting on your message board.
Kind regards Andrew
Note from Betty Iams:
YOU ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE MS STUDY? Why Not? There is
absolutely no reason for anyone not to participate in this study. It
can't possibly hurt anything and it just may make a huge difference
for you. It is free doesn't require drugs special diet or
nutritional products etc. Come on everybody we need you all to
participate!! Must send an e-mail to*************** for
details. WE NEED YOU!! Betty
To subscribe to Journey to Wellness Newsletter put SUBSCRIBE in the
BODY of an e-mail to: welln...@oaknetpub.com

,by Andrew Fletcher

Inclined sleeping,Friday 21-May-1999 15:26:18,195.92.194.105
writes,I'm interested in having more information on the sloping bed
research. My wife has MS and we try to follow up anything that may
help her. We attend a Hyberbaric Oxygen treatment centre where there
are many others who may be interested in your theory. Look forward to
hearing from you Regards Willy. ,Willy
Wilson,wi...@kilmelford.freeserve.co.uk
Inclined bed,Tuesday 18-May-1999 21:34:57,208.234.65.34 writes,I am
interested in inclined bed but don't understand how to adjust the
bed..the head or the foot? I have MS and have trouble walking and have
fatigue. ,Teresa Welch,t...@crcom.net

Re: Inclined bed,Wednesday 19-May-1999 16:22:55,204.210.52.139
writes,Hello Teresa
You simply raise the head of your bed by six inches higher than the
foot of the bed. Go to a Home Depot or building supply store and they
will cut blocks for you to place under the head of the bed. If your
bed is king size you might want to get one long piece that will stretch
the full width of the head of your bed.
Better yet send an e-mail to Grav...@currantbun.com and Mr. Fletcher
will send all the details to you.
Good luck.
,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com

Re: Inclined bed,Wednesday 19-May-1999 21:09:34,205.188.200.57 writes,I
raised the frame of my bed (separated from the headboard) by placing it
on a couple of plastic milk crates. That raised it 5 inches (the frame
was already off the floor about 7 inches). I placed a 1" book on top
of each crate to make the 6". This was easy to do and since I
already had the crates it was free!!
Good luck however you do it...you'll be so glad you took the
trouble! I hope it helps you as much as it's helped me!!
,Terri,tharri8...@aol.com