2nd Multiple Sclerosis Inclined Bed Therapy IBT Pilot Study Results

Re: JUST STARTED,Friday 23-Apr-1999 22:56:53,205.188.196.37 writes,I
hope things go well for you. My husband suggested that I let you know
that he HATED the bed for a week or more. He only stuck with it cause
it was helping me. After a couple of weeks he started sleeping more
soundly than he ever has. He sleeps through thunder storms things
falling in the house (I thought we had a burlger! - just a minor
mishap...) kids getting sick his fire pager etc... Don't give up
on the bed - I hope it is as useful for you as it has been for me -
What MS symptoms? ,Terri,tharri8...@aol.com

Andrew,Grav...@currantbun.com
JUST STARTED,Friday 23-Apr-1999 05:03:58,205.188.193.187 writes,SLEPT
FOR THE FIRST TIME SIX INCHES INCLINED. FIRST FIVE MINUTES I FELT AN
INCREDIBLE AND UNCOMFORTABLE PRESSURE IN MY LOWER BACK AND SOIME
EMBARASSMENT AS OUR 4 TEENS MARCHED BY THE BEDROOIM POINTING AND
LAUGHING. SLEEP WAS LIGHT AND I COULD FEEL THE TRETCHING OF MY JOINTS.
MY LEFT FOOT HOWEVER WAS NOT FREEZING COLD AS IS A USUAL NIGHTLY
OCCURRENCE. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I DID NOT SLEEP AS SOUNDLY AS USUAL BUT
WE ATTRIBUTE THAT TO THE "NEWNESS".
AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GOOD RESULTS. HAVE HAD A PRETTY BAD MONTH AND AN
ATTACK WHICH BROUGHT ON NEW SX OF VERTIGO ON LEFT SIDE FACIAL
NUMBNESS AND FURTHER WEAKENING OF LEFT SIDE.
SHARON ,SHARON,HIHOPES...@AOL.COM

Re: JUST STARTED,Friday 23-Apr-1999 18:52:41,208.250.56.202
writes,Stick with it. It does get better as far as the "newness"
of sleeping in this position. I too have teens and can understand the
embarrassment but when you start to see the improvements in your
overall condition it won't seem that way anymore in fact you will
find yourself telling anyone who you think might benefit from this
sleeping position about your results and encouraging them to try it
too! ,Pam,

unexpected weight gain,Sunday 25-Apr-1999
I've been using the inclined bed for a little over a month.
About 3 weeks ago I began to notice a slight weight gain (about 5
lbs). It's been creeping up another couple of lbs. My husband has
begun to notice a similiar weight gain. It seems odd that we would
both notice the same thing. We only eat one meal a day together and
there haven't been any particular changes to our diet. We've begun
to wonder if it's the bed? If so is 5-10 lbs the max or will it
continue? If it is the bed I'm just curious - why?
,Terri Harrison,tharri8...@aol.com

Re: unexpected weight gain,Monday 26-Apr-1999
Hi Terri
Thanks for your update and for the messages on the board.
With regards to weight gain. Yes this may be attributed to the bed. I
suspect that it is because of an increase in density of muscle fibre
and bone as the opposite is observed in astronauts who live in a
gravity reduced environment. Interestingly NASA and the Russian Space
Programme have used prolonged bed rest as a cheep alternative to space
flight in order to investigate the effects that a reduction in gravity
has on the human body.
If we apply this weight gain and weight loss through posture changes to
a person who has a chronic weight loss problem such as a person who
has AIDS it might be all that is needed to correct their
deterioration. Food for thought? I also have a theory on this.
My own weight increased by 10 lbs but my clothes still fit me. A friend
put 14 lbs on and his clothes still fit him. The opposite effect has
also been observed in people who are overweight. A reduction in size
and weight has been reported by several people. This suggests that
this reaction to the intervention might be from a fluid reduction in
people who store excessive water in their bodies. With this in mind it
may help people who suffer from severely swollen limbs particularly
with a condition known as elephant-titis (spelling guess).
Bone density loss becomes a problem in later years for many people. The
bones become honeycombed and brittle as calcium is excreted via the
bladder. Which incidentally is observed in astronauts during space
flight and prolonged bed rest. This massive bone loss often results in
the formation of stones as the calcium arrives at the kidneys and
bladder faster than the organs are able to deal with it. Should we not
be looking at brittle bone disease and premature ageing in children?
Or perhaps famine in the Developing Countries. How much could be
achieved if only the medical world would embrace this discovery
instead of filing it away in the "It will never work drawer"
without even investigating it. Does it really matter who I am?
Try to reduce your food intake preferably not eating anything
substantial after 6pm.
Your improvements reflect the pilot study results. You should continue
to improve over the rest of the year and beyond however there may be
some good and bad days on the way such is the nature of MS. But as a
rule of thumb the bad days should be less problematic than previous
ones and with one difference you shouldn't lose any function as a
result of a relapse should you experience one.
Kind regards
Andrew

Results After Four Weeks,Saturday 1-May-1999
I have had RR MS for 7 years which has mainly effected my left
leg. Walking has become quite diffucult in the last 8 months. After
reading Betty Iams results using Andrew Fletcher's raised bed theroy
in her monthly newsletter I wanted to try it. One month ago I
started sleeping with the inclined bed. After two weeks the swelling
in my left ankle & foot has completly gone for the first time in a year
and a half. After four weeks I began to have more strength in my left
leg for short periods of time. Mostly in the mornings. I seem to be
walking better at times. My knee is bending more and the spacisity is
much better. I am sleeping very soundly at night. I encourage anyone
to try this. It is inexpensive with the only cost being the price of
the wooden blocks. I am excited with the results so far and I am
looking forward to walking unaided.
Linda ,Linda,

Re: Results - 2 Months,Wednesday 5-May-1999 08:41:37,209.30.180.139
writes,Jim Thank you for the encouragement! I have been
participating in the study for two months also. Although I still am
not walking I have received some benefits. I sleep great! My left
foot has very poor circulation and swells. Just in the last week or so
I have noticed less swelling and generally not until late in the day.
Andrew mentioned to me that I may have to wait the first four months to
see any results. At this point what do I have to lose. Yes I was
beginning to be discourged but I am still going to use the inclined
sleep. A good night's sleep and fewer trips to the bathroom is a
great start. ,Cheryl,clin...@flash.net
An E-Mail I recieved,Sunday 2-May-1999 07:15:04,208.236.239.73
writes,I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS in October 1998. It
has played havoc with my life. I am interested in the study. How do I
join? The email was so long I didnt see it in there. I will try this.
I wake every morning with a headache. I haven't been able to get a
job until mid-April 1999. I got the job but had to "leave out"
that I had MS. Every other job I told them up front and was not hired
for "reasons undisclosed". I was more then qualified for these jobs
and in one case know the individual they hired over me. Very
unreliable and unknowledgeable. Thanks for this message. ,Sherry
Absolom,she...@magpage.com
How to join your study?,Wednesday 23-Jun-1999 12:56:26,205.188.193.31
writes,I have been interested in your study after finding it on Betty
Iams site. I tried a slant pillow at first and found it helped but put
my neck in a crink as I kept sliding out of position. Now I sleep in
my Lazyboy recliner and find it very restful. I'm not sure if it
helps my m.s. Can sleeping in a recliner be a substitute for raising
my bed up 6 inches? How about the Craftmatic beds that put one in a
recliner chair position? I realize that they don't have a continual
straight recline but set the hips back slightly and raise up the knees.
I would like to join your study. ,Lori,WMDS...@AOL.COM

Results - 2 Months,Wednesday 5-May-1999 05:56:01,216.111.88.2
writes,Symptons of MS for 1 year- Classified MS only 6 months of that.
In my 10th month I heard about the inclined bed study. When I started
sleeping on an incline I was walking with a severe limp had cold feet
numbness waist down on both legs complete use of upper body no
eyesight problems. 1st week took some adjustments to sliding down bed
stiff neck - but my feet felt warmer and I went to the bathroom less.
Over the next few weeks my symptons greatly increased to the point that
I was completely bed ridden by the 6th week. Complete numbness from
under the arms down to feet left arm weak and numb right hand losing
feeling. I was in using a wheelchair. Then wow in the 7-8 week I
began to notice some recovery - feeling started to come back to my legs
my arms hands. I noticed during these weeks that early morning hours
3-6 a.m. were optimal movement less symptons swelling gone pretty
much felt great. From the early morning hours on throughout the day my
legs would swell fatigue set in pretty much symptons would worsen.
The bed position is greatly increasing circulation in my body
increases my sense of well being it feels good to lie down during the
day on the incline position - refreshes me. My condition now is that
of using a walker to move around legs are not swollen anymore feeling
is coming back in legs and my arms are almost back to normal. My wife
has noticed that her knees do not ache anymore when she wakes up. Plus
her feet are not cold at night anymore. I recommend this sleeping
arrangement to everyone I know. I will keep everyone posted on the
recovery status. God Bless and Best Wishes - Jim
,Jim,cn...@earthlink.com

Re: What About Chronic Progressive MS?,Friday 28-May-1999
00:35:12,203.59.24.149 writes,Hi Sherri! Just to let you know that you
are not alone all that much I also have Chronic Progresive MS
progressive from the start I'm on the wheelchair most of the time (it
means I can still transfer myself) was diagnosed in '94 but I think I
had it much longer.I take a part in Andrew's study first of all what
do we have to lose? One thing it is for free which in today's money
orientated world doesn't happened too often. Going back to the study
because this is the main thing.Started this about half of a year ago
definetly it did improve the circulation in my legs actually I think my
circulation in general I sleep much better than before(I love to sleep
in this position) my feet are warm(they use to be icy cold).
Personally I think it going to take much longer to see any real
improvement than a person with RRMS.I also get really tired I had to
include "baby afteroon nap" in my daily plan long time ago.
Marzena ,Marzena,mon...@iinet.net.au

Re: What About Chronic Progressive MS?,Sunday 9-May-1999
01:49:08,212.1.145.132 writes,Hi Sherri
Most of the people who have approached our study are people who are of
the relapsing remitting type of MS. Our trial however is open to
everyone irrespective of the severity of their condition. In fact I
personally find a challenge fascinating. And if the theory has any
credibility it should help everyone to some degree but it does take
longer for the more progressive forms of illnesses to respond.
This study is not just about multiple sclerosis and involves people
with spinal cord injuries and ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also
known as Motor Neurone Disease and Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The fact that you have already identified sleeping as having an adverse
affect on your wellbeing over the course of the night should support
the logic behind this study.
Most Adjustable beds allow a person to alter their sleeping posture
raising feet and legs or having them flat whie the upper body is
raised is useless or at best marginally better than sleeping totally
flat.
Have you ever slept on an uninterrupted five degree incline and if so
for how long? *************** Visualise this *************** Imagine
or repeat this experiment. Tape a joined loop of clear water filled
flexible tubing fixed to your side (the type used to oxygenate a fish
tank). Inject some coloured salt solution at the top of the loop via a
T joint. The salt solution represents the concentrations of heavy
substances which are an inevitable consequence of moisture lost from
the skin and respiratory tract.
When you are standing the salt solution flows uninterrupted down one
side of the loop and causes the water in the other side to be drawn up.
This is the same for sleeping on an uninterrupted incline of five
degrees to the horizontal. Any lower and the salt solution flows down
one side of the loop and the fresh water flows up the same side of the
tube with no overall circulation taking place.
If you were sitting in a wheelchair with your bottom lower than your
knees the saline solution would settle at the lowest point of the tube
which would be your seated part. This would eventually lead to an
interrupted flow and the results would be evident from swollen feet as
fluids which should have left the body via the bladder stagnate in
the lower parts of the body.
Sleeping on an improperly adjusted bed may even be worse than sitting
in a wheelchair as your legs might be raised and your bottom lowered in
a hammock type sleeping position. This bed design problem arises
because of ignorance of the importance of gravity and its effects on
circulating fluids.
Patent Pending for the correct bed design and currently trying to get
the design established in more countries.
Please study the more detailed explanation available from
Grav...@currantbun.com
Kind regards
Andrew

ALS,Saturday 8-May-1999 22:39:30,209.240.200.36 writes, Has anyone
with ALS tried this method? If so what were the results?
,Mac,lou...@webtv.net
What About Chronic Progressive MS?,Saturday 8-May-1999
15:11:00,206.168.154.165 writes,I noticed many of the people doing this
are in the R & R stage. Unfortunately I experience unbearable
debilitating fatigue every day and all day. I used to sleep on an
adjustable bed and fell asleep more quickly but did not notice any
difference in fatigue. Every morning when I wake up I feel sedated
drugged and incredibly achey all over. Why might this elevation help
me? Thanks! ,Sherri,invisi...@orci.com