Why Sleep is Important

Not sleeping well?  Over half of Americans over 30 report being plagued with insomnia several times a week.  Insomnia is defined as trouble falling asleep, frequently waking up throughout the night and/or waking up too early and finding it difficult getting back to sleep. 
Did you ever hear that you should watch out for HALT...

   Hungry

 Angry

   Lonely

Tired

When we are out of balance we usually have one or more of  those symptoms.  For me I do not work well being tired... It causes me to be a little grumpy and irritable... It probably brings back unpleasant memories of having Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia which I have been healed from for a long time... (Because Natural Medicine and Prayer works!!! )Since memories live and store in our cells... unless we purge them they can rise up and smack you upside the head when you're not looking.

Just in case you live in denial like most of the world here's some clues as to if you have Insomnia or are Experiencing POOR-QUALITY Sleep:
1. Trouble falling asleep
2. Waking up in the night and have trouble getting back to sleep
3. Frequently dozing off during TV shows or boring meetings
4. Waking up much earlier than you would like
5. Feeling tired during the day
The more you answer YES the more likely you have Insomnia or some Sleep Deprivation Problem
Now people usually think... well I'll catchup on my sleep or it's not that important... HOWEVER it is because Sleep Deprivation can trigger hormonal changes that lead to ...

OVER-Eating and Weight GAIN

OK, it doesn't seem fair... but to be warned is a beautiful gift and there really is a reason for this.  Loss of sleep results in lower levels of Leptin, a hormone that plays a key role in controlling appetite.  There was a study that showed sleep restriction increased  hunger by 24%.  This then triggered a desire for foods that were high calorie, carbohydrate rich foods.  So picture this you're tired, cranky and want to eat a box of something sweet or a loaf of french bread and butter....   Then you gain 5 pounds... Is this a set up to get you to feel bad about yourself?  I just want to take a moment to say that when people overeat it's usually for emotional reasons in addition to being tired.  When you find yourself reaching for carbs... it's usually because you are looking for some COMFORT and when you are reaching for sugar you're really looking for some JOY in your life.  So if you need some Comfort or Joy take a moment and think of ways you can get it...

Some Suggestions:

• 
  
  Take a bath in your favorite Essential Oil combo with candles as the only light
• 
  
  Hug someone you love
• 
  
  Cry and release some of what you're trying to not feel
• 
  
  Make a Gratitude List
• 
  
  Make Love with your other half... not someone else's
• 
  
  Exercise
• 
  
  Get some Sun
• 
  
  Pray
• 
  
  Create Something... (jewelry, a new healthy recipe, a gift)
• 
  
  Do something Kind for someone else

Of course these suggestions aren't the whole answer but some of them will help you feel better

TIPS ON GETTING A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP:

• 
  
  Stop drinking caffeine by 2pm and keep your caffeine intake to 2-3 cups... NOT HUGE CUPS
• 
  
  Avoid Alcohol as it may disrupt your sleep and it can become a BAD habit
• 
  
  Exercise will help relax you and help you sleep but do it at least 2 hours before bed...
• 
  
  Make your bedroom your SACRED SPACE...keep it quiet and restful... don't watch tv, do work, balance your checkbook or fold your laundry... this is your place to be quiet, rest and heal
• 
  
  Use a Supplement like HERBAL SLEEP or Kava Kava  if you need that extra help in falling asleep... I need to add Melatonin to this list because it regulates the daily sleep-wake cycle known as the circadian rhythm....I suggest this for people over 35... not younger... 
• 
  
  Pray
• 
  
  Spray or defuse relaxing essential oils

Think about having a health consultation if none of these suggestions work drdeborah@townisp.com or 508-757-0453 for any questions

For all of you who have asked about NSP weight loss competition it is now closed... Our group started a week ago and I have lost 3.5 pounds... and plan to win this as I did 2 years ago and kept the weight off...Now here's my 2nd competition but with a group this time....woohoo....5 Fabulous women who are already winners...and all know the importance of SLEEPing to WIN by Losing!!

May God bless you and keep you in that secret place of the most High...

Where you can renew, rejuvenate and heal,
Blessings,
Deborah

All about Kids ~ Lies & Truths

There are several books out there on how to get more nutrition and vegetables into their kids by using a little deception and planning for mealtime.  The plan is all about adding pureed veggies to well... everything... like..casseroles, brownies and pasta sauce to name a few.

Well, in theory it's a wonderful concept. HOWEVER they are all talking about adding cooked food to their meals to be possibly cooked even more.  I just can't see how this will be more nutritious because... "Cooked Food=Dead Food".      This whole idea of helping our children become healthier by using foods is such an important one but using dead food to create that is just not gonna happen!  So I thought I would give you an  idea and show you that with a little tweaking how this concept can be just PERFECT!! 

Green Slimey Sauce with Pasta (remember it's named for kiddies)

Ingredients:
2-3 Avocados
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 cup baby Spinach
2-3 leeks
2 garlic cloves
2 Tomatoes
Olive Oil for sauteeing
Salt and Pepper (optional)
Pasta (I LOVE Trader Joe's Alphabet Pasta, they are large, hold up well kids & adults are amused by them)

Directions:
*Cut Leeks in strips and place in cool water to clean or in strainer to rinse.  (they can hold a lot of dirt) Cut white to light green and chop ... then sautee in Olive Oil in large skillet
*Cook pasta.
*Chop Tomato into tiny pieces...set aside
*Squeeze lemon in food processor
*Add all ingredients in Food Processor (except Tomatoes) and blend to sauce  

*Add the blended food to sauteed Leeks
*Put Drained HOT Pasta in large bowl ADD Leek/ veggie mixture and chopped Tomatoes

*MIX
*Serve... DELICIOUSLY NUTRITIOUS!!!

Serving size would be 1/2-1 avocado per person... the bigger (adult) the person the more avocado
VARIATION: You can add spanish olives to the completed pasta dish and call them green eyeballs...

You can serve this dish with my favorite salad:
cucumber, tomato and chickpeas... with your favorite salad

Please let me know if you make this and what you think of it...

For those of you who don't know about our Sunshine Heroes Line of Supplements for children you can see a copy of a managers magazine all about our new children's line..."Sunshine Heroes" click on this link and go to the September issue   http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/members/myaccount/magazine.aspx


For those of you who want to get a little more creative in the kitchen and would like to be invited to my Annual Pampered Chef Online Party just let me know drdeborah@townisp.com ... I LOVE kitchenware and gadgets and Pampered Chef has more than you can ever dream of...

Are you Sick and Tired of being SICK & TIRED?

It’s just amazing to me to see how many people put more effort and planning into buying an outfit or a night out than they do their own healing. Now mind you it’s not everyone… I’m talking about the people who make excuses or think that they are fine the way they are.

For examples:

The people who suffer with allergies (they can barely breath) and say it’s only congestion or I always get bronchitis 2x a year or I’ll always feel this way… my mother, sister, aunts all had it and it’s my cross to bear… You cannot understand or believe that healing is really possible. I know personally and professionally that there is effective ways to bump up your healing. You can feel better, live longer and be at peace. Because of that knowing I have a hard time understanding why someone wouldn’t want to feel good instead of mediocre to poor on a daily basis.

Excuses are:

1. A cover-up for REBELLION

2. Nails THAT BUILD A HOUSE OF FAILURE….

I’m not just talking about something I know nothing about… Many years ago I was bedridden and feeling a little jumbled and scared. Especially when doctors told me that I wouldn’t get any better. Fortunately for me I don’t believe just because people think they know the truth that they really do. So I questioned their outcome and prayed. Then I was led on an incredible healing journey that changed my body, my mind and spirit. I learned that there is not one physical ailment that does not stem from an emotional source and complete healing encompasses body and emotions.

By not addressing Emotional Damage you can bring about:

1. Back pain

2. Change in appetite

3. Dry mouth

4. Fatigue

5. Sexual problems

6. Chest pain

7. Constipation or diarrhea

8. Headaches

9. Hi-blood pressure

10. Shortness of breath

11. Dry mouth

12. Insomnia

13. Palpitations

14. Upset stomach

15. Weight gain or loss

16. Lightheadedness

17. Poor immune system

While you’re on a path of healing physically it behooves you to acknowledge your emotions and not go live in Denial. I see Denial as a blue, flowing river with the smell of jasmine and vanilla floating in the air. It is a great place to visit but it can hurt you if you stay there too long. After a while the crocodiles come out and want to feast on your body.

      If you ever asked yourself:

• Why am l exhausted all the time
• Why do I look older than my older friends
• Why do I ache all the time
• Why am I depressed
• Why does my stomach hurt after I eat
• Why do I feel like crying every day
• Why am I so unhappy
• Am I always going to be this way

This probably means you need a little help. Making some changes like eating healthier, sleeping well and taking supplements are a good idea. This would be a good beginning to your feeling better.
HOWEVER, If you think opening a can of veggies to add to your dinner… or sleeping 4 hours a night or sleeping more and getting up 8 times a night or taking drugstore vitamins are healthy … you might want to step back and reconsider those beliefs.

If you want to change your situation you need to practice the P’s

PLANNING

PARTICIPATION

PATIENCE

PERSISTENCE

PRAYER

If there is a problem you need a plan to work through it. Then you need to participate in the plan… NOT just think it over and forget about it. Then the harder parts are being Patient with yourself and being Persistent. Prayer puts a miracle growth towards your path and helps you discover peace (yet another P). If you want to take a peek at which one of your body systems needs work click on HEALTH ANALYSIS

My parting words to you are this… Wherever you are in life, IF you are not satisfied, you can change your situation with the 5P’s and REMEMBER God has not given you a spirit of fear but of power, love and of a sound mind.

Blessings,
Deborah

To schedule an appointment for a Health Consultation or for more information: drdeborah@townisp.com
508-757-0453

Happy Heart Day

When I think of Valentine's day I think of hearts....  Happy Hearts, Healing Hearts, Broken Hearts, Loving Hearts, Full Hearts, Emotional Atrophied Hearts, Hidden Hearts.  Ok, remember I help people heal their body and emotions.  However by the time some people find me many of their hearts have been bruised, battered and broken.  So I may not have the same spin as say someone who was just engaged and in a happy space. 
The good news is that if you fall into the unhappy or broken heart group... Healing is possible.  This usually takes time and commitement but the results are worth it.  Because healing vs pain... there's no contest... I  vote for healing everytime.
Often people are in pain because of words... Words other people have spoken to you and words you speak about and to yourself...

Words are like WEAPONS ... They wound sometimes ... Cher

I've mentioned in another blog about curses... and speaking unkindly about yourself or LETTING SOMEONE ELSE speak unkindly of you opens the spiritual door for all sorts of nasty things.

So be mindful of what you say.... and what people are saying to you and about you. 

He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.                             Proverbs 13:3-Amplified Bible

When mean words are spoken it is like murdering a person's spirit... It may not kill the person right away but it chips away till they are emotionally vulnerable.... and that my friends is not a good place to be ... I promised myself I would keep this light and fluffy.... so I will move to some tips on how we can heal a heart that's been broken. 

1. 
   
   Be kind to yourself
2. 
   
   PRAY
3. 
   
   Move your body - get those endorphins moving
4. 
   
   Be mindful of what you put in your mouth... Yes, Really this is a part of your emotional healing
5. 
   
   *Heal your nervous system using supplements and essential oils
6. 
   
   PRAY
7. 
   
   Be around people who love you unconditionally (or at least close)
8. 
   
   Rest

* If your nervous system is not working the way it should .... Unless you have a Holy Ghost Healing ...YOU need Gamma Linolenic Acid and B vitamins to Heal on a Physical Level.... Which will help in the emotional healing part also.  I usually use NutriCalm   and  Super GLA 

for my clients.... and since I like feeling balanced I take them too.

If you haven't tried essential oils... I'm not talking the kind in the drugstore that smells pretty but has virtually no medicinal value... I mean pure essential oils...What dreams are made of...

There are so many oils that are fabulous but since I am keeping this simple and fluffy... OK i wouldn't know fluffy if I fell over it... but one can believe...

Bergamot is a lovely citrus smelling oil... It can be used for aches and pains, lung problems and removing grief and sorrow.  Since on a supernatural level grief and sorrow store in the lungs mixing Bergamot with Massage Oil and put it over your chest and/or back it will help soothe & relax you. 
Another way to use essential oils are putting them on the bottom of your feet.  Within about 20 minutes the oils will flow through your body and you should taste it. 
You can also put some in a warm/hot bath and soak...This is also under the RESTING part.  You can even bump it up a notch like Emeril does with food... and put on some nice easy listening soft music and soak by candlelight.    You can also add a can of coconut milk with the Bergamot Essential Oil for a creamy "I'm a Queen Soak".  A lovely gift for yourself on Valentines Day.  But whatever you choose to do... Whether you are with a partner, a group of friends or alone.... Do it with LOVE... 
Happy Heart Day!
Love,
Deborah
...Check out my Valentines Day Special for you...

The Miracle Answer to Your Health

Here I sit early Christmas day knowing I need to blog.. and thinking HELLO it's Christmas morning... what are you thinking...But truth be told...I have been thinking for several days about how I can be more effective in my helping people heal. SO Here I am writing because in my work as a Holistic Wellness Coach, I speak to people every day and some of them want a Miracle Pill or Miracle Answer... and I need to tell you that there is no Miracle Pill... Just a Miracle Maker and that's Jesus Christ. He has given us the tools we need to get to where we want to go.

First off if you want to be somewhere else in your health, relationships, spirituality or a myriad of things on your special "if only" list... Sit down and make a list of where you want to be and make a plan... Planning is not a dirty word people! It is wise. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and of a sound mind.... So use that wonderful sound mind when you are creating a plan of ACTION!

Let's say that you want to be healthier this coming year (and hopefully forever)... You need to look at what you are EATING, THINKING & SAYING.... Now I realize that floating on that river of denial can be a pleasant place to be.... It won't get you to change anything... You just keep floating filled with hope and dreams... But the hope is smashed and the dreams are dead without action... So here comes just a few helpful tips... (and yes i have to do them too and sometimes I don't feel like doing them.... THANKFULLY... feelings aren't facts... You can ignore them and PUSH through.)

Pray
Until
Something
Happens

1. Keep a journal of everything you eat. This includes everything you put in your mouth... Writing it down will help you see what needs to be changed to get to the finish line... YOUR GOAL!!!
Key points to look for:
Are you drinking enough water?
Are you drinking too much caffeine? ( more than 2 cups a day) And if you are low on energy it's probably your adrenals, nervous system and emotional fatigue... so SUPPLEMENTS ARE WISE! (Health Analysis)
Are you overeating? -Is your stomach upset and feeling like you swallowed a brick up to an hour after you finished eating? IF that is the case you probably would benefit from taking a food enzyme.
Are you eating all dead food? (cooked food, canned veggies, white bread or flour)If you are start incorporating some cut up veggies for a salad... AND when I say salad I do not mean iceburg lettuce... I am saying cut up 1-2 cups of veggies and toss them with your favorite salad dressing...it's great for lunch. OK you can also add some beans....or other form of protein...

Here's a FABULOUS Holiday Dressing:
1 cup of dried cranberries (fresh are great too)
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup organic olive oil
2 T. Orange Champagne Venegar (Trader Joes)(if you are unfortunate in not having a Trader Joes in your area ... a mellow Vinegar will do
Agave or Stevia to taste (optional)
1/2 cup pure water or orange juice
Blender time... and you have a GREAT dressing...

2.When you Think or Say something that is negative and unhelpful in your quest to get to where you want to be...
(Examples: I'm a loser...I'm never going to fill in the blanks)... I always (fill in the blanks)...
Wipe Always and Never out of your vocabulary....

Words are containers for POWER... They can create an open door or slam it in your face. The bible says that life and death are in the POWER of the tongue. And it's not just about the words you speak about yourself... It's about the words you speak to and about other people....AND Words that other people speak over you. Words have a life of their own... When people are cavalier with their words and by not being mindful of what they say they can actually curse people. (Yea, I know most of you don't want to hear it... but I need to tell you... this is real...)

The definition of a curse is 1. The cause of unhappiness or harm like the curse of poverty 2. a Malevolent appeal to a supernatural being for harm to come to someone or something 3.To wish evil on somebody

Words can change the flow and flavor of your life. So when you hear yourself "cursing" yourself or others you can say "I cancel those words in the name of Jesus"... and replace them with a positive life affirming thought...such as:

EX. 1. I will never get that job.... cancel those words and replace them with
something like...I am blessed and I the perfect job is coming. 2. I'm never going to lose that weight... replace those words/thoughts with ... Thank you Lord for my perfect health and the wisdom to keep it

Here's my prayer for you... That you will be mindful of what you put in your mouth, what you say and what you think.
Have a Very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy, Healthy, Humdinger of a New Year.
Blessings,
Deborah

Why are YOU Still Smoking?...There is HELP

Cigarettes contain disgusting things that you would never think about putting in your body. For example, cigarettes contain tar, carbon monoxide, chemicals like DDT, arsenic and formaldehyde (a gas used to preserve dead animals). The tobacco in cigarettes also contains nicotine--the drug that makes smoking addictive. All of these things are bad for your body. Nicotine raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. Tar and carbon monoxide cause serious breathing problems. And you know tobacco smoke causes cancer.
Tobacco is toxic (poison) to your body. It causes more health problems and early deaths than all illegal drugs combined. On top of that, tobacco is addictive. This means that once you start using it, your body starts to need it. The longer you use tobacco, and the more you use, the harder it is to stop. Everyone who smokes started by "just trying it." That's how the habit and the addiction begin.

Reasons not to smoke and natural help for you
Expensive

Bad breath~ Xylitol PEPPERMINT MOUTH WASH is a great help

Stained teeth and hands

Cough/sore throat ~ Homeopathic Sore throat

Problems breathing ~ BRONCHIAL FORMULA

Feeling tired ~ Adrenal Support & Stress Pack
Wrinkles (more, sooner)

Arguments with parents, friends ~ Stress Relief Chinese TCM

Cancer risk ~Nature's Noni E-Tea

Heart disease risk ~ CoQ10

Gum disease risk ~ Silver Shield

Bad smell in your clothes, hair, skin ~ NATURE'S FRESH ENZYME SPRAY does ELIMINATE ODOR ~ I like to add some lemon essential oil

Cigarette burns in your car or on your clothes

Risk of secondhand smoke to people around you ~ quit Smoking :o)

Things to do instead of smoking:
Chew Xylitol gum

Call a friend.

Chew sunflower seeds, ground mint leaves or caffeine-free herbal tea leaves.

Go to a movie or another place where you can't smoke.

Take a walk or work out .

Remind yourself why you want to quit.

Smoking is an addiction. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive and can make it very hard, but not impossible, to quit. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON A PROGRAM TO HELP YOU QUIT SMOKING... PLEASE CONTACT ME...508-757-0453 OR drdeborah@townisp.com
More than 400,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are from smoking-related illnesses. Smoking greatly increases your risk for lung cancer and many other cancers.

Hurting Others
* Smoking harms not just the smoker, but also family members, coworkers, and others who breathe the smoker's cigarette smoke, called secondhand smoke.

* Among infants to 18 months of age, secondhand smoke is associated with as many as 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia each year.

* Secondhand smoke from a parent's cigarette increases a child's chances for middle ear problems, causes coughing and wheezing, and worsens asthma conditions.

* If both parents smoke, a teenager is more than twice as likely to smoke than a young person whose parents are both nonsmokers. In households where only one parent smokes, young people are also more likely to start smoking.

* Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to deliver babies whose weights are too low for the babies' good health. If all women quit smoking during pregnancy, about 4,000 new babies would not die each year.

Why Quit?
* Quitting smoking makes a difference right away-you can taste and smell food better. Your breath smells better. Your cough goes away. This happens for men and women of all ages, even those who are older. It happens for healthy people as well as those who already have a disease or condition caused by smoking.

* Quitting smoking cuts the risk of lung cancer, many other cancers, heart disease, stroke, other lung diseases, and other respiratory illnesses.

* Ex-smokers have better health than current smokers. Ex- smokers have fewer days of illness, fewer health complaints, and less bronchitis and pneumonia than current smokers.

* Quitting smoking saves money. A pack-a-day smoker, who pays $2 per pack, (which is not close to what it costs today!) can expect to save more than $700 per year. It appears that the price of cigarettes will continue to rise in coming years, as will the financial rewards of quitting.

Finally some GOOD News!!! Immediate and Long Term Benefits

Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.

20 Minutes After Quitting
Your heart rate drops.

12 hours After Quitting
Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting
Your heart attack risk begins to drop.
Your lung function begins to improve.

1 to 9 Months After Quitting
Your Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

1 Year After Quitting
Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

5 Years After Quitting
Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's 5-15 years after quitting.

10 Years After QuittingYour lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker's.
Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.

15 Years After Quitting
Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker's.

Need more convincing?
Compared to smokers, your…

Stroke risk is reduced to that of a person who never smoked after 5 to 15 years of not smoking

Cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus risks are halved 5 years after quitting

Cancer of the larynx risk is reduced after quitting

Coronary heart disease risk is cut by half 1 year after quitting and is nearly the same as someone who never smoked 15 years after quitting

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk of death is reduced after you quit Lung cancer risk drops by as much as half 10 years after quitting

Ulcer risk drops after quitting

Bladder cancer risk is halved a few years after quitting

Peripheral artery disease goes down after quitting

Cervical cancer risk is reduced a few years after quitting

Low birth weight baby risk drops to normal if you quit before pregnancy or during your first trimester the benefits of quitting

Source: The Office on Smoking and Health (OSH), a division within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC

Surviving SHINGLES

I am on the other side of healing from Shingles. And YES they are as painful as you have heard, times 10. Because I keep myself healthy I was shocked that I developed them... Too add insult to injury more people than I care to count asked me "How did YOU get Shingles?" I had plenty of time to think about that when I was in my house either naked or wrapped in a sheet. Here's what I came up with... I was vulnerable and then around lots of sick people. The vulnerability came after I did some heavy supernatural warfare for my family, was burnt out,needing to rest and recover.

I was beginning to start the dance of recovery when I was around lots of people who had the flu. I got blanketed with the flu and it morphed into shingles. I believe it was because I was vulnerable to begin with. However once you have shingles it doesn’t matter why you got it, you just have to learn how to crawl through broken glass to get through it. Incase you missed the key point... Be careful of being burnt out... and if you are... rest and stay away from sick people!

First thing I did was research shingles and found out that Shingles can leave a person with permanent nerve damage. Well since that idea just didn’t work for me... I started using a Gamma Linolenic Acid product called Super GLA to heal the nerve and myelin sheath. I sucked those babies down every few hours for 2 months. Yes I still take them but now only 2 a day. I saw that the pain Shingles comes with are in two different areas of the body. The first area is the nerve sheath. Your nerve sheath is everywhere inside your body. Now imagine a wooden branch with lots of hard, sharp pickers being shoved into your nerve sheath and when you move or breath the branch moves and the pickers rip, tear and cause big pain to you. That’s pretty close to how it was. The next area is the skin. I had a very bad case... where a large section of my front and back on the right side was invaded with shingles. For some reason shingles only affects one side of the body... I have no clue about that but rest assured it affects your whole body.

Along with taking Super GLA I took VS-C, Olive Leaf Extract because the root of Shingles is viral and VS-C and Olive Leaf Extract have anti-viral properties. I used Pau D’Arco lotion and Silver Gel on my skin to help heal the blisters. People who haven’t had shingles think that it’s all about the blisters on the skin... I pray you never first hand find out the fullness of this ailment.

So not only was the pain so intense but I was unable to sleep and that drove me to the doctors... those who know me will realize that I must of been desperate because I’m just don’t lean towards allopathic medicine . Fortunately my doctor understands and respects that I live on the natural side of life. I did not want to go on any pharmecuticals ...but was willing to use a Lidocaine patch for the outer skin pain. She strongly suggested that I also take one teeny pill at bedtime to shut down the pain center in my head so I could sleep. Since I tried everything natural and couldn’t get more than 15 minutes sleep... I accepted her plan. I was able to sleep with only waking up 1-3x a night... and that was much better than 15 minutes a night.

When I went to the doctors I asked the question “How long should I have to go through this”? The doctor, her physicians assistant and many people told me horror stories about how long shingles lasts. The general consensus was that a person with shingles could be in severe pain for 6 to 12 months. I was mortified! I was determined not to be in shingle hell for that long. So I did what I do with everything... I prayed, then I stayed away from people... hard to be social going out in a sheet... even a 400 count sheet. I took my supplements, used the patch and when that wasn’t on I put on the Pau D’ Arco Lotion and Silver Gel for healing treatments. After one month I cut the pharmecutical pill in half the strength and took it for another month. I gotta tell you I didn’t like the way it made me feel... but I strongly believe a person has to do whatever he/she has to do to survive. So I got off the drug after taking it for 2 months. It was a week adjustment period and I was able to go to church because HOORAY I could finally wear clothes... and I got prayed over and the prayer broke any residual effect from the pill... I slept like a happy, blessed woman that night.

One more thing... Once you have shingles you have no choice but to feel the pain and crawl through...There is NO Easy answer... Just some natural help and a few suggestions that can help you shorten the time you are in pain and get a little relief. One suggestion that saved my sanity and helped with sleep was using soft gel freezer bags to lay on when I went to bed. I bought several large square soft gel packs so I could switch them when I got up at night... One pack went in the freezer and one came out. The pain was so harsh when I laid down using the large gel bags were a huge help. ...So the ice pack is a necessary tool for surviving shingles along with Super GLA, VS-C concentrated, Olive Leaf Extract and the lotions and silver gel for my skin.

The fabulous news is that I was only in severe pain for about 2 months not 6,7,8,9 or one year... only 2. I thank God, My wonderful church who prayed for me and Nature Sunshine Products who all helped me survive shingles. May this never happen to you or to anyone you love. Keep in balance and rest when you are tired, eat when your hungry, drink lots of water, PRAY and keep believing. Remember to BE WELL BALANCED because the adversary roams like a lion looking for who he can devour.
Be Well,
Deborah