18 months and still going strong,Saturday 3-Jun-2000
04:37:09,62.7.96.50 writes,I have now been sleeping inclined for 18
months apart from a period of 3 days when a rather bad attack of back
pain prompted me to change to flat sleeping. After the second night the
various nightly visits to the bathroom started to reoccur. The bed was
put back to the inclined and the problem was gone. I am still awaiting
improvements with my walking and balance but I am confident they will
improve with diet and exercise as well as the inclined bed As an aside
my wife can't contemplate sleeping on a flat bed in the future. Thank
you Andrew for your patience ,Michael
Hunt,Michael.L.H...@btinternet.com
Info. please,Friday 26-May-2000 12:34:55,205.188.193.152 writes,Have
just heard about your website. I am SCI level C5 6 7 incomplete 20
months ago. Could I get some more info please. Do I simply raise the
head of my bed by 6 - 8 inches? ,Linda Wright,linmarwri...@aol.com

Re: raising the bed helps ?,Wednesday 28-Jun-2000 16:15:00,195.8.87.225
writes,Hello Mike I also had horrendous phantom pains for several
years I also would have tried anything and did raise my bed head eight
inches the first night the pains ceased and I had a wonderful nights
sleep. There were no pains at all for about two months then I got
really bad pains which sometimes lasted for a couple of days but these
were not phantom pains but nerve regeneration pains they came at
varying times usually about a week apart they went in the reverse of
the original pains but after about two years there is feeling and a lot
of movement in both legs. I it was not for the muscles between the
knees and the buttocks being weak I am sure I could walk.
I lowered my bed to six inches and it felt as though my feet were in a
bucket of red ants. so I raised it up to eight inches and that feeling
stopped.
I wish you all the very best stick with it and I am sure you will get
results.
John ,John Cann,

Re: Just Starting,Thursday 3-Aug-2000 13:13:22,195.92.67.66
writes,Just Starting Saturday 29-Jul-2000 13:00:27 209.224.35.157
writes:
I will be sleeping on my newly adjusted bed tonight for the time. I
first heard about this two days ago and know nothing but what I read
here. If someone could send any additional information I will need I
would appreciate it. All I know is to raise my bed 6 inches at the
head. I have ms. I am a quadriplegic. I will try almost anything within
reason at this time. If this doesn't work all I have to do is lower
my bed. I'm very excited wish me luck.
Peggy
Hi Peggy
Welcome on board and I wish you every success for the future as I am
sure everyone does.
You have a long way to go so be patient and never sleep flat not even
for a few hours as this will slow the regeneration process down
considerably.
About three years ago I tried to convince a very good friend of mine
from school to try this he sustained a spinal cord injury following a
motorcycle accident. I could not reach his positive attitude.
I asked him to contact John Cann and ask him how much he had regained.
John managed to convince him where I had failed and within five weeks
of sleeping inclined he woke and for the first time in many years he
felt that he had legs attached to his body and knew where they were.
He also noticed a draught on his legs while sitting next to the window
and finds that he somehow feels fitter and stronger. Early days for
Steve but he now knows that this is not an empty promise and will stick
it out for as long as it takes.
I took the video of john Cann walking on Carlton Television News
(albeit local news) and I definitely saw a tear in his eyes.
To help a friend in need to overcome what everyone else says is
impossible gives one such a tremendous feeling of warmth. To hear him
thanking me for not giving up on him was priceless.
Peggy I would like to say thank you for posting this and letting
everyone share your challenge.
Respectfully yours
Andrew
,Andrerw,

Re: Just Starting,Tuesday 8-Aug-2000 17:52:54,24.94.9.161 writes,Hello
Peggy
Congratulations on your decision to sleep inclined. It is a great tool
to help us all deal with the challenges MS brings. Do be patient with
yourself and let us know how you are doing.
Betty ,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com
raising the bed helps ?,Wednesday 7-Jun-2000 16:26:18,62.125.149.238
writes,this sounds like it could be a very exciting discovery..
please send me details..
I am tetraplegic (C5/6 complee) since a RTA six years ago. I'm
willing to try anything that may help.
I suffer from water retention irritable bowel un-satisfying sleep;
and a lot of pain and discomfort from 'phantom' pains. This looks
like just the sort of thing that might work. All relevant info.
gratefully recieved...
makan...@netscapeonline.co.uk ,Mike,makan...@netscapeonline.co.uk

Ready to tilt!,Saturday 29-Jul-2000 19:34:19,209.142.240.211 writes,I
am so excited-I have spent the day (with some help from family)
tilting my pedestal bed to an incline of EXACTLY 6 inches-After
reading all the testimonials on this board I am looking forward to
seeing the results. I have been diagnosed for over 11 years and I
hope this new position will help me to wake up more refreshed and less
depressed. I do struggle so with depression and waking up with it is
the pits! I can't seem to tolerate any synthetic anti-depresants so
I hope this will be my heaven-sent answer! I get a lot of "pressure
type" headaches feeling a fullness at times that I hope will be
diminished. Thanks Andrew-and thanks to all those who help support
Andrew and people new to this concept! ,Sharon,

Re: Ready to tilt!,Tuesday 8-Aug-2000 17:50:33,24.94.9.161 writes,Hi
Sharon
I'm so glad you are starting to sleep inclined. Andrew has given
those of us who deal with the challenges MS can bring a great new tool.
Be patient with yourself. Some respond with improvement rapidly
while for others it is more slow or subtle. May I suggest you consider
St. John's Wort herb for your depression. It works for many people
with that problem. ,Betty Iams,bia...@san.rr.com

Re: Ready to tilt!,Friday 25-Aug-2000 13:58:59,205.188.195.29
writes,Sharon I also had major depression and nothing but problems
with all the drugs. I found the amino acid tryptophan worked
wonders. I started with 1000mg and worked up to 5000mg. It did wonders
for me. Good luck. Arlene ,arlene,arldav...@aol.com
Just Starting,Saturday 29-Jul-2000 12:00:27,209.224.35.157 writes,I
will be sleeping on my newly adjusted bed tonight for the time. I
first heard about this two days ago and know nothing but what I read
here. If someone could send any additional information I will need I
would appreciate it. All I know is to raise my bed 6 inches at the
head. I have ms. I am a quadriplegic. I will try almost anything
within reason at this time. If this doesn't work all I have to do is
lower my bed. I'm very excited wish me luck.
,Peggy,jpers...@pressenter.com

Andrew,
I am inclined for one night. I was surprised at the cooperative spirit
which I encountered. ,Tuesday 1-Aug-2000 13:39:20,63.39.51.183
writes,Andrew and all I appreciate the E-Mailed information which you
sent. Ron and I worked dilligently to get the right support he screwed
three short 2x4's onto each end of a 5 foot 2x4 for a total height of
6 & ¼ inch head support we then stood one 5 foot 2x4 next on the
4"high side and another toward the bottom on it's 2"high side. I
had a wonderful first night's sleep. I got up to void and found the
volume to be more than usual. I and the bedding did slip but it
wasn't uncomfortable. I am doing the Histamine and Caffeine cream. B
12 and Supplements of 1000 Magnesium and others as needed as well as
the low saturated fat and using Essential Fatty Acids like fish oil and
Flax oil. I do not use Margarine unsturated shortning or transfatty
acids. I am getting clearer in my mind and believe inclining will be a
great aid in repairing the damaged nerve pathways. I think the incline
has already energized my hair although I have strong hair it was
standing erect when I woke up this morning. Is this usual? It looks
like it has more life and is thicker. I would like to participate in
the study. Tell me where to get the forms. Thank you so much Andrew
for this information. And thank you especially for being inteligent
enough to figure it all our. I nominate you to be our Nerve Growth
Angel. I will continue to incline because you have explained it so
well. ,Marlene Wa.,mlehan...@msn.com

Tuesday 01-Aug-2000
I think this could be a big part of the answer to spinal cord damage as
well as the diseases which attack the mylin and nerves. I have found a
way to remove the symptoms of MS. I am using EFA's lowfat diet
supplements and the Histamine and Cream Formula as outlined at
www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb1086423 I am symptom free
except when I over do it. I think the Histamine formula helps the
nerve's to relay messages better. My supplements are helping to
repair current damage and get rid of the toxins. Thank you again Andrew
I know this will help to relive damage.
Marlene Wa.
Hi Marlene
Thank you for posting this.
I have been trying to gain support and interest from Christopher Reeve
since 1995. Many times I have tried to contact him and to-date he has
not responded.
Christopher Reeve's Agents are
Scott Henderson William Morris Agency 151 El Camino Drive Beverly
Hills CA90 212 USA Tel 001 310 274 7451 phoning from UK Fax 001 310
859 4462
********** Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation . 500 Morris Avenue
Springfield NJ 07081 (800)225-0292
***************

From: Maura Hofstadter <mhofs...@uci.edu> Dear Mr. Fletcher I
spoke with the Center Director and Board. The policy of the
Reeve-Irvine Research Center is that we fund Center researchers'
programs which are primary investigator (PI) -driven programs. Unless
a PI has the time interest and is convinced by the preliminary data
to pursue a collaboration we simply cannot undertake the research.
Unfortunately our budget does not allow us to support extramural
research at this time. As we discussed none of the PI in the Center
are currently working with humans and so we cannot pursue your project
at this time. The Board felt that this project is largely a clinical
issue and creating an appropriate animal model would be quite
difficult.
You may want to try collaborating with a corporation on your idea as
there is already an industry out there in "Rotorest" (See: Kinetic
Concepts Inc.) beds for SCI persons (i.e. beds that people are
strapped into that are movable without manipulation of the patient) to
help prevent pressure sores and improve circulation. These can be
tilted in many different directions including head-elevated. Given
that they have and make the equipment they may be interested in
working with you to demonstrate your theory.
I am sorry that the Center is not able to pursue research in this area
at this time but wish you the very best of luck with your research.
Sincerely Maura Hofstadter Ph.D. Director of Education and
Scientific Liaison Reeve-Irvine Research Center University of
California Irvine 2109 GNRF Irvine CA 92697-4292 (949)824-3993
(949)824-2625 fax
Reply
Dear Mrs Hofstadter
How do you feel about this decision?
When I spoke with you you seemed very interested if I misinterpreted
the way you received the information please forgive me.
I am aware of the multiple tilt beds and also aware of the confusion
this rotation of patients places on the chances of nerve regeneration.
In my letter to you I mentioned funding from the International Spinal
Research Trust who would undoubtedly meet the costs of employing more
staff. All we need is a two page letter of intent.
Would you afford me a little of your time and tell me how you feel
about this possibility (raised Bed) in helping people with spinal cord
injuries? How you interpreted the information I sent to you would be
of immense value to me and if you could share your views and any
doubts you may have I could at least try to understand why doors slam
in my face so frequently.
Please respond
Regards
Andrew Fletcher
Response Dear Mr. Fletcher As I indicated over the phone and in my
email it is up to the Board and the Director. Their policy is to
conduct research that is of specific interest to professors here at
the Center. Unfortunately at this time none of the investigators in
the Center are working with humans and so your project is really
outside what we are currently doing. Further all of the Center people I
spoke with felt that your project while interesting would be better
conducted in a hospital or rehabilitation facility where clinical
research is an every day occurrence. For us to undertake this type of
project would be difficult as we do not currently have access to
patient populations or facilities to conduct this type of controlled
study. As for an animal correlate the researchers all felt that it
would be difficult in the extreme to allow the animals to ambulate and
maintain a 5 degree elevation.
I'm afraid that until you have evidence from a well conducted
controlled study you will have difficulty. Your evidence is compelling
but anecdotal. For most scientists to take any idea seriously you
must have significant statistical data that you can present and
replicate. My best advise to you is to look for a hospital surgeon
or rehabilitation facility with the patient population to collaborate
with. Once you have data from a well controlled good study people
will readily accept your theory and bring it into mainstream therapy.
I am sorry that the Center cannot help you at this time but I do wish
you the best of luck in finding the right partner for your project.
Sincerely Maura Hofstadter Ph.D. Director of Education and
Scientific Liaison Reeve-Irvine Research Center University of
California Irvine 2109 GNRF Irvine CA 92697-4292 (949)824-3993
(949)824-2625 fax

Hey Superman check this out. Christopher Reed the Actor who played
Superman was paralized in a equsiterian event of jumping several years
ago. I know he is looking for a cure to come from the researchers. We
could contact him with this information. Does anyone know his
address?,
Tuesday 1-Aug-2000 I think this
could be a big part of the answer to spinal cord damage as well as the
diseases which attack the mylin and nerves. I have found a way to
remove the symptoms of MS. I am using EFA's lowfat diet supplements
and the Histamine and Cream Formula as outlined at

I am symptom free
except when I over do it. I think the Histamine formula helps the
nerve's to relay messages better. My supplements are helping to
repair current damage and get rid of the toxins. Thank you again Andrew
I know this will help to relive damage. ,Marlene Wa.,mlehan...@msn.com

Pharmacist shows interest in gravity,Saturday 5-Aug-2000
I had attended a conference where a
pharmacist was invited to speak about the drugs used for MS management.
I shared all the gravity research data with him and he seemed to be
truly interested.
This letter came from him a few days later...

Terri
I enjoyed meeting you last week at the NMSS Moving Forward conference.
I wanted to thank you for the information you had given me regarding
the role of gravity and the suggestion of elevating the head of the bed
to prevent stagnation of fluid in the brain. I forwarded the
information to the pharmacists I work with and asked if they had heard
any responses from the MS community. They have not heard anything but
were impressed with the hypothesis of the data.
Dominic Marchese RPh Athena Rx Home Pharmacy 1-800-5-ATHENA
,Terri Harrison,THarri8...@aol.com

Re: Pharmacist shows interest in gravity,Sunday 13-Aug-2000
Pharmacist shows interest in gravity
Saturday 05-Aug-2000
I had attended a conference where a pharmacist was invited to speak
about the drugs used for MS management. I shared all the gravity
research data with him and he seemed to be truly interested.
This letter came from him a few days later...
Terri
I enjoyed meeting you last week at the NMSS Moving Forward conference.
I wanted to thank you for the information you had given me regarding
the role of gravity and the suggestion of elevating the head of the bed
to prevent stagnation of fluid in the brain. I forwarded the
information to the pharmacists I work with and asked if they had heard
any responses from the MS community. They have not heard anything but
were impressed with the hypothesis of the data.
Dominic Marchese RPh Athena Rx Home Pharmacy 1-800-5-ATHENA

Terri Harrison
Hi Terri
Thank you for posting this. We need more professional people taking an
interest in our discovery. Everyone of us has a Dr or Consultant or a
therapist or a pharmacy so come on you guys let them know what is
happening in this corner of the net.
Try printing out some reports from this message board and ask them to
read them. Write to hospitals attend meetings like Terri did and talk
to people about what we are doing hear.
If each and everyone of us contributed a little more effort towards
promoting the inclined bed therapy the burden of struggling alone for
so long would be gone for ever and literally millions of people would
be benefiting from this simple free therapy.
We now have the full support of many professional people and many
more doors could be opened with a little persuasion.
Andrew

Science Fair Project,Saturday 5-Aug-2000
I was diagnosed with MS 2/99 and have been sleeping inclined
since then. It has helped but I didn't understand the scientific
principles behind it...it just worked!
My 11 year old daughter was facinated with my bed and wanted to find
out more about WHY it worked. Andrew Fletcher had sent information
about trees and gravity but my simple little brain didn't quite get
the point. My daughter Jennifer took Andrew's experiment (which he
did with large cliffs) and simplified it to be done on a table top.
The experiment showed that water can be forced to flow UP hill using
the power of gravity. She had two glasses and rubber tubing between
them elevated in the middle / She injected saline (salt water) into
the tube near the top. The heavier salt water flowed down (gravity
pulls solids down) BUT at the same time the tube carried water from the
"sending" cup UP the tube! [scientific principle - for every action
(water flowing down) there is an equal and opposite reaction (water
flowing UP)] Simple experiment that shows how powerful gravity can be!
Note: Same experiment works on a much bigger scale!!
People who saw her experiment were surprised to see that it truly
worked. Andrew told us that to his knowledge no one on "our side
of the pond" has tried to re-create his experiment. It was a simple
but powerful way to SHOW why the inclined bed can help the body's
cirulcation in such an astonishing way!
For more info about Andrew's experiments contact him directly. He
seems to KNOW what he's talking about!
Terri
,Terri Harrison,tharri8...@aol.com

Re: Science Fair Project,Sunday 13-Aug-2000
writes,Science Fair Project Saturday 05-Aug-2000


I was diagnosed with MS 2/99 and have been sleeping inclined since
then. It has helped but I didn't understand the scientific
principles behind it...it just worked!
My 11 year old daughter was facinated with my bed and wanted to find
out more about WHY it worked. Andrew Fletcher had sent information
about trees and gravity but my simple little brain didn't quite get
the point. My daughter Jennifer took Andrew's experiment (which he
did with large cliffs) and simplified it to be done on a table top.
The experiment showed that water can be forced to flow UP hill using
the power of gravity. She had two glasses and rubber tubing between
them elevated in the middle / She injected saline (salt water) into
the tube near the top. The heavier salt water flowed down (gravity
pulls solids down) BUT at the same time the tube carried water from the
"sending" cup UP the tube! [scientific principle - for every action
(water flowing down) there is an equal and opposite reaction (water
flowing UP)] Simple experiment that shows how powerful gravity can be!
Note: Same experiment works on a much bigger scale!!
People who saw her experiment were surprised to see that it truly
worked. Andrew told us that to his knowledge no one on "our side of
the pond" has tried to re-create his experiment. It was a simple but
powerful way to SHOW why the inclined bed can help the body's
cirulcation in such an astonishing way!
For more info about Andrew's experiments contact him directly. He
seems to KNOW what he's talking about!
Terri

Terri Harrison
Hi Terri
As Far as I am aware your Daughter is the only person to have repeated
the tubular experiments which in its self is astonishing. If an eleven
year old can set up and perform the experiment at a school science fair
the question arises as to why so many people couldn't be bothered to
investigate the claims of gravity driven circulation for themselves.
In November 1997 My eldest son Jason Penny Meredith and David Green
attended the London International Inventions Fair. We set up our
Inclined Bed Information Centre Including a King-size Divan and
invited people to have a rest. We won a Gold Award and had the second
largest prize The prize for the Invention which would generate the
most employment throughout the World.
While we were there we set up a drip bag filled with blood coloured
saline solution and an intricate network of tubes and bladder wash bags
which were intended to show how heavy salt laden liquids are excreted
in the urine.
Literally thousands of people witnessed the experiment and were allowed
to release pulses of red liquid from the drip bag via a drip control
valve. Not a single person had any doubt about the validity of the
experiment. Many Dr's Scientists and Inventors were fascinated by the
simplicity of the experiments. Several high-ranking representatives of
Countries were impressed.
Gravity driven circulation is not a science theory in fact it never
was. It is a science fact! A new scientific truth! A new Paradigm for
all to see.
Thank you Terri for all you have done for me.
Respectfully Yours
Andrew K Fletcher

A week away (during vacation trip) from inclined bed PROVES to me it
works!!!!,Sunday 13-Aug-2000
Well having to sleep flat for one week proves to me this works. I have a
problem with a slouching posture as well as a TMJ problem that
requires me to sleep with a mouth splint. I believe however that I
am "chewing" on my splint during the night which causes me to
awaken with a terrible headache in the base of my skull. This morning
(my first day back to my inclined bed) I decided to remove the splint
lie in my bed without it attempting to relieve the headache. I felt
that gravity would be pulling my lower jaw down-when I lay down on my
bed without the splint I could FEEL the musclesl around my neck and
shoulders releasing. I slept for almost three more hours awoke
(without the splint remember) with NO MORE headache. I also believe
my posture is straightening which makes me very happy. Thank you
Andrew-how about we all get together next summer in England for a
type of convention/celebration! Let us know where and when so we can
begin saving up for the airfare! Anyone game for that? ,sharon,

I'm ready!,Monday 28-Aug-2000 I was
diagnosed with MS approximately one year ago. One of my major
complaints is getting up at night to use the bathroom. I am so anxious
to raise my bed 6" and see if it makes a difference. From what I
have been reading I believe it will.
I can hardly wait to get my husband to fix our bed! I will let you
know the results! ,Amy,huwy...@simplyweb.net

Sleeping inclined with MS,Tuesday 22-Aug-2000
I have been sleeping inclined for 8 months. It may be anectdotal
but I have more energy and I don't have to urinate as frequently(
only once as opposed to 2-3 times) during the night.
I was diagnosed in Nov. 1987.
,,
Sleeping inclined for over a year, Sunday 20-Aug-2000
Salaam Andrew
I have been sleeping inclined for over a year (and a half) and
while I enjoy it for the most part I have noticed no effects on my MS;
which I have had now for over 20 years.
Zen peace out Ahmed ,Ahmed Hassan,egy...@interlog.com

Re: Sleeping inclined for over a year, Saturday 26-Aug-2000
Salaam Ahmed
Thank you for posting this. It is so important to let me know whether
changes taker place even small insignificant changes can be measured
in patterns among ten or more people.
The place you live in is close to water and perhaps not the healthiest
of places to live according to my research. Steps should be taken to
ensure that you give your body a fair chance to respond.
1. Purchase a dehumidifier and leave it running at night preferably in
the bedroom. A dry environment is a healthy environment. 2. Drink more
water particularly at night. 3. Avoid eating anything heavier than a
light snack from four hours before you retire to bed. 4. Consider
raising your bed a further two inches. Some people with MS have found
that this helps them!
Would you have experienced more problems without the inclined bed?
Are you observing some new form of stability with your condition as you
have now slept for a year and a half inclined?
You mention that you enjoy sleeping inclined and I am wandering what
differences you find with sleeping inclined to prompt such a comment?
For example have you slept flat and compared it to flat bedrest.
How are you first thing in the mornings now when compared to how you
were at the beginning of this study?
Have you noticed an increase in temperature at night-time for example
are your hands and feet warmer in bed than before?
What I am asking you to consider is that you can't separate multiple
sclerosis from your body and identify only with what are perceived to
be ms-related symptoms.
Have you noticed any changes other than your MS Symptoms for example
eyesight hair skin colour finger and toenails sleeping?

Sleeping inclined for over a year Sunday 20-Aug-2000
Salaam Andrew
I have been sleeping inclined for over a year (and a half) and while I
enjoy it for the most part I have noticed no effects on my MS; which I
have had now for over 20 years.
Zen peace out Ahmed
,Andrew,

MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH: Andrew Fletcher's bed treatment will be
investigated,Tuesday 19-Sep-2000 17:33:24,,Sunday Independent.
September 17-2000 www.sundayindependent.co.uk
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH: Andrew Fletcher's bed treatment will now be
fully investigated. Pictu

Re: Steve Porter
HEALTH ministers have pledged to look into the benefits of a simple
bed treatment pioneered by a West Country man which is having a
dramatic effect on spinal injury and multiple sclerosis sufferers
writes ANTHONY ABBOTT.
It marks a real breakthrough in Andrew Fletcher's five-year battle to
gain official recognition for the Naturesway Sleep System that appears
to be succeeding where conventional medicine has failed.
Thanks to the backing of Torbay MP Adrian Sanders Andrew who lives in
Torquay has received a letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State at the Department of Health Lord Philip Hunt saying
officials will examine the benefits of the gravity bed.
The Minister said that the Government was always interested in
developments that might lead to improved care for patients.
Andrew said: 'This is long overdue. It is absolutely incredible to me
to think that there is something here that doesn't cost anything and
I can't understand for the life of me why everyone isn't doing
it.'
First revealed in theSunday Independentthree years ago the Naturesway
Sleep System involves raising the bed a few inches with blocks of wood
or ordinary house bricks.
The discovery followed several experiments by Andrew who found there
was a circuit which made water carrying salt and nutrients flow
upwards. He wondered how gravity and the flow of water would affect
the human body.
Andrew set up a controlled study on the Internet and scores of
sufferers around the world found their condition improved with the
treatment.
The web-site features scores of testimonies praising the gravity bed
method and Andrew has now been asked to organise a convention in
Torbay next year.
Of the many people who have enjoyed improvements in their health using
the gravity bed none was more dramatic than the case of 69-year-old
John Cann.
The former commercial diver had no feeling in his legs for eight years
after an operation went wrong and left him paralysed.
He was told that however much movement he had after two years there
would be no further improvement but then he tried raising his bed and
the results were spectacular.
When John from Gunnislake was first featured in the Indy last April
he had got the feeling back in his legs and was able to stand.
But now just five months on a delighted John is walking further with
the help of parallel bars and is determined to get on to crutches as
soon as possible.
He is getting some specially made boots to support his ankles and says
he has never felt better.
He said: 'I am getting stronger and stronger every day and the only
thing that's holding me back now is my ankles and my knees.'
John who lives alone is noticing more and more feeling in his legs as
the nerves recover and his long term aim is to walk unaided
To view link to articles at the Sunday Independent copy one of the
links below into the address bar of your browser and press enter each
time.

Re: Lesley's Progress,Friday 22-Sep-2000 08:29:34,,

Re: Leslie's Progress Wednesday 06-Sep-2000
Five weeks ago I first read this board and was very excited about
starting this because it was so easy. Well my families hectic life took
precedence. I finally got two sons off to college and a third into his
senior year in high school. I am starting a campaign today to get my
husband to raise my bed today he is a carpenter for crying out loud.
I think of what Lesley has gained in five weeks and just wish I would
have done it then. Wish me luck. Congrats Lesley.
Peggy

,Peggy,
Lesley's Progress,Friday 22-Sep-2000 08:16:32,,Lesley's Progress
Sunday 03-Sep-2000

I first met Lesley in March 2 000. Lesley informed me of her medical
conditions which were obviously severe due to the discomfort in her
face as she struggles to sit comfortably. Her complexion appears pale
and her hair looks dry and dull lacking lustre with evidence of
greying. Lesley added that her hair becomes oily and requires frequent
washing. Her
nails show no signs of half moons and are lined. Perspiration at night
and in the daytime is a regular problem resulting in often waking with
the bedding soaked. Her eyes are often watery. Blood pressure is High.
Lesley has been diagnosed with: Osteoporosis Osteoarthritis
Lumberspondulosis. Lesley smokes twenty cigarettes a day and coughs
intermittently since she developed asthnma 5 years ago. Long sight is
good but poor short range sight. Excessive Perspiration which
increases
during coughing. Complete - blackouts sometimes resulting in a fall.
Lesley who aged 53 years suffers from very intense pain 24 hours
a day seven days a week and only manages two hours of sleep at night
due
to severe discomfort and night-time-urination urgency 3 to four times
per night.
In the months that followed Lesley's condition was observed to
deteriorate rapidly and often became the topic of conversation at the
table of our friends in Brixham. Her spine is becoming more distorted
leaving her arched forward and unable to straighten up due to intense
pain. Turning over in bed presents real problems and involves raising
her
knees and levering herself over in three stages.
Lesley's Brother has to help her out of bed every morning due to
her further deterioration at night and a problem with her balance on
rising from bed. Dressing has become increasingly more difficult due
to Leslie being
unable to raise her arms above shoulder height and unable to flex her
shoulders back. Her lower spine and left side are where she experiences
most discomfort and pain. From her right hip down the outside of her
leg to her toes is affected constantly by a sharp pain also though
less severe than the left side
Walking
This presents a considerable challenge when even a fifty yard walk
uphill aided by a walking stick for support and to assist with balance
requires a rest for two to three minutes due to intensified pain in
spine and legs. Her asthma is also aggravated and her breathing
becomes laboured. Watching Lesley navigate a small kitchen reveals the
severity of her mobility problem. She mostly sits and complains about
her pain and discomfort. Lesley informed me that she no longer has a
bath and uses a shower
because she cannot get in and out of the bath anymore. Carrying
shopping further aggravates her discomfort. Her R/ hand has always
been weak with pins and needle type sensation. Opening screw caps with
her right hand is not possible. R/hand thumb sometimes devoid of
sensation.
Weather
When the weather is warm and humid it causes problems with her
asthma. When the weather is cold and wet in the Winter she is in more
severe pain than normal.
Medication:
Morphine Tylex Salbutamol Beckatide Hormone replacement therapy-
H.R.T.
Lesley eventually raised her bed by six inches at the head end on the
27th June 2 000.
Week 1 Found I am able to get out of bed on my own.
Week 2 Slept better but spent a night at friends and slept flat. I
experienced severe pain resulting with my brother having to help me out
of bed in the morning. The pain lasted the whole day and the
medication did not work.
Week 3 No pain in legs at night and daytime pain improved but during
the day it becomes progressively worse but not quite so bad as
before. I am walking more but with additional aches due to increased
activity. Perspiration unchanged.
Week 4
Meeting with Lesley. Lesley's appearance appears to have changed
her complexion looks healthy with more colour her hair looked shiny
and more body. She also noticed that her hair is becoming less oily.
She appears to be more upright in her posture and expresses less pain
in her face when she moves around. She is standing longer and is
obviously
more active than before. Her medication remains unchanged yet she
mentions that she is in far less pain than before she raised her bed.
Heather her friend commented that she had been forgetting to use her
walking stick. Judy my wife also noticed her carrying her stick.
Overdone the walking while her family was visiting walked about a
mile involving a steep hill from Brixham to her home. Lesley could not
have done this before she raised her bed. 20th July "I saw my doctor
today and took your information to him. He replied; 'This is the
famous bed I have heard about'.
Week 5
"I do not have much pain now and have reduced my medication by
half. I can now walk up the hill without stopping". "I sometimes
forget to take my walking stick with me. One day I had walked to the
top of the hill and then sent my Brother back for my stick which I
had left at my friend's house". "My sleeping has improved to
between 3 and 4 hours". "I have no pain in my legs whatsoever when
retiring to bed and I can turn easier not so much of a struggle".
"My Brother still helps me out of bed on the odd morning. This is a
vast improvement for me though my balance is still poor in the
mornings". "I can now lift my arms above my head and flex my
shoulders back". Which she demonstrated with ease saying; "I have
not been able to do this for fifteen years"! My wife and I and
Lesley's friends have noticed that she is not complaining about pain
and is now more agile navigating the garden and home with comparative
ease. She also is sitting more upright than before.

,Andrew,

Re: Lesley's Progress,Saturday 21-Oct-2000 17:58:29,,Lesley's
progress
I met Lesley again today she is definitely looking healthier her
fingernails now shine and have fewer ridges in them and her face
appears to be rejuvenating backed up by comments from her family. She
has no pain in her face now and is continuing to improve on her
walking. One other thing she and her brother noticed was that an old
facial scar of some twenty-four stitches which she obtained from a car
accident has almost completely vanished and the age lines on her face
are definitely less obvious.
A recent stay at her families home up north resulted in her sleeping
on a flat bed for a week. Almost immediately she could tell the
difference and her old pains returned. She also found it more difficult
to get going in the mornings.
An examination and scan on Lesley's spine has revealed that all of
the discs in her lumber region have collapsed and there is no fluid
cushioning between the discs. We are hoping to see a marked improvement
with the discs but this is going to take time.
Lesley also suffers from short site problem and has to wear spectacles
to read. When asked if she could read a newspaper without glasses she
replied definitely not. However when asked to read a paper out loud
she could and this is not the only case of eyesight improvements!
Lesley also says that she can now see the television without glasses.
There should be other eyesight improvements among the people who are
helping with this study and I am hoping to receive confirmation from
others in order to re-approach the Royal National Institute for the
Blindn RNIB who have turned me away previously turning a blind eye if
you like to something which most definitely will help people to
recover from many eye conditions.
Socks?
Lesley wears ankle socks and this affects the circulation in her legs.
The skin above the sock line looks healthy and very different to the
skin below the sock line which looks dehydrated and scaly. I advised
her to leave her socks off altogether and to begin to wear good cotton
trainer socks which come just level with her shoes. I have found this
to be of great benefit to myself.
Andrew ,Andrew,

Re: Lesley's Progress,Sunday 7-Jan-2001 07:31:50,,7th Jan 01
Lesley stayed with friends over the Christmas Period and slept flat for
a week.
She has developed a frozen shoulder since sleeping flat and is
experiencing severe pain in her spine. Once again the pain in her face
tells the story better than a thousand words.
The damage caused through sleeping flat is improving since she returned
home and began using her sloping bed.

God bless you Roger Kirk, Monday 30-Oct-2000 19:15:46,,Roger Kirk
a good friend and fellow engineer has sadly passed away and will be
missed by many particularly as Roger was the first pioneer of the
inclined bed who had multiple sclerosis. In addition to ms Roger had
received a kidney from an eighty-seven-year-old lady and he had also
combated MRSA bacteria and won on two occasions.
Rogers's brother Brian who helped Roger a lot called today
following my call to him asking why I couldn't get hold of him by
phone.
He died in Torbay Hospital from a blood clot.
Roger like myself had an engineering background and understood the
principles of the new paradigm in science and enjoyed many positive
changes in his medical conditions. Given the fact that he had been
living with multiple sclerosis for some 33 years any changes would be
easily recognised. When he summed up the extent of his improvements we
counted no less than sixteen including feeling the floor beneath his
feet and the restored sight in his "irreparably" ms-damaged eyes.
Ironically his eyesight improvements led to his demise as he could
now work for long hours at the computer often sitting in his wheel
chair for eight hours and more while trying to set up a printing
business. I often told Roger that he should use his standing frame more
suggesting that he should use the keyboard while in the standing
frame. But as he lived alone it was just too difficult for him to lift
himself up into the frame on his own and his home help assistant was
not allowed to help him into the standing frame.
Roger had badgered the health authority for a comfortable seat /
cushion for his wheelchair but to no avail. Furthermore the
wheelchair he had was too small and the inevitable development of a
pressure sore led to him developing septicaemia and he almost died.
Roger being a fighter begged for his bed to be raised in hospital and
at one point I also asked the nurses. Ironically Roger ended up in the
same room that his mother had died in. Perhaps this encouraged him to
fight harder which enabled him to eventually return home.
I visited him several times only to find that he had a new hospital
type bed which was observed to be flat. I suggested that he should
raise his bed but could tell that he no longer had the will to fight
on and I did not have the heart to keep badgering him. I made several
more attempts to see Roger who was in and out of hospital a lot during
the last year of his life. He eventually developed a blood clot and
died.
For the record: Rogers's report dated 17th October 1997
"On the 12th October 1997 I had cause to attend a business meeting
at Birmingham Indoor Arena. After rising early at 4.30 hrs from a
sleepless night I prepared for the day being picked up at 06.00 hrs.
We travelled to Birmingham.
A brief stop at services on the way just before Birmingham we made our
arrival some three and a half hours later at approximately 10.00 hrs.
Where we parked the car and I had to transfer to my wheelchair. This
was made ready for me while I composed myself for the transfer. I
placed my legs outside the car turning on the seat and raised myself
pushing on the seat back and the door.
This I found to be extremely easy without stress pain or trauma as
would normally be the case. In fact the manoeuvre was most comfortable
and with great ease whereon I took two steps towards my chair taking
balance from the door and sat with extreme control without actually
thinking exactly what I was doing. My amazement was mentioned to my
colleagues but they were unaware of my normal difficulty transferring
as it happened with such ease and without fuss.
This seems now just a dream and I cannot reason why all was so easy
after such a bad night and long journey seated in a car which usually
leaves me spastic and paralysed. It is even more surprising as I have
suffered from multiple sclerosis since 1964 some 33 years and have used
a wheelchair intermittently and elbow crutches up to 1989 when I
suffered kidney failure and started dialysis. This caused me to use the
chair for mobility from then to the present date.
Conclusion
One conclusion is that I was at rest in the car although definitely
enthused by the expected meeting. Another is the air humidity was low
at the time being a fresh and dry sunny autumn morning after a slight
frost.
Or thirdly I am however carrying out a research therapy project with
my bed raised at 150mm at the head end and have been doing so for over
18 months and furthermore taking bee pollen (high protein) as
recommended alternative therapy for about seven months. Or it could be
a combination of all possibilities.
Yours Sincerely
Roger J Kirk
God blesses you Roger how could you have known where this was leading
you had nothing but logic to drive you into exploring the benefits of
the inclined bed. So many people owe you and many hundreds of thousands
will be in your debt forever as I will be eternally grateful for the
trust in your heart and the logic in your head.
A brave and gentle gentleman who needs not to fight again. Andrew,