Blot Clots

Last year in November I was diagnosed with major blood clots. Because I was also 3 months pregnant, I stayed a week in the hospital and was sent home on Lovenox. For two weeks I injected myself twice a day - resulting in big bruises. I was switched to Coumadin because I had a miscarriage. After that experience I did everything I could to not only understand what in my body could have caused the unexpected blood clots (three pregnancies without them and no other pre-existing condition). I also sought ways to get my health back and not have to take medicine for it anymore.

My massive blood tests revealed three possible causes (other than pregnancy):

1. Speckled ANA - though not a cause in itself, related to APS

APS- Antiphosilipid Syndrome; basically some antibodies that start attacking my own body

2. MTHFR - Melthylenetetrahydrofolate reductase - may inhibit absorbtion of vitamin B9

3. Prothrombin 20210 - only one gene mutation - plays only a minor role in blood clotting

As I saw it, the APS was the only thing that could really be a problem. I also decided that if it is acquired then it can be removed.

My APS level was 20 in December with my first test. My level at the end of January was 12. I felt that a substantial decline, but the cut off is 10 so I was diagnosed with APS because my levels were above ten for over a six week period. I attribute the difference to the taking of Dr. Naram's herbal supplements (see link in other helpful websites).

I met Dr. Naram because my brother works for him. It was a long wait, but a fascinating experience. Dr. Naram meets with each person individually for a few moments, reading your pulse by gently holding your wrist. He told me that I'm Vata (wind). That I want to accomplish a lot but don't have the energy for it. He talked to me about bad circulation and memory issues. He then prescribed 6 herbal supplements/medicine.

I was able to later meet with Marian who explained the supplements and how they would help. She also described the Ayurvedic Diet. She has the amazing ability to help you see that you can try a diet different than you are used to. I tried to adapt to the diet slowly, but bought lots of spices and other supplies so that we could work them in as quickly as I had energy to create new dishes.

I discovered a couple things in this process. After a week of trying Almond milk mixed with cows milk, I let myself indulge in a glass of just cow milk. As I did so, this cloudy feeling lifted around my head. I decided from that experience that my body needs milk - cow's milk.

Another thing I discovered is that I like food with more flavor - I also found that many of the spices also had blood thinning properties that could be helpful in my desire to cleanse my body of the blood clots. (See link "Natural Blood Thinners" with other helpful websites)

Since I decided I couldn't subscribe to the one diet fits all, I also looked more at Blood Type Diets (see link in other helpful websites to see how different foods affect different blood types). A friend had introduced me to the Blood Type Diets several years ago, but now it seemed more pertinent. Since both my husband and I are B type we looked at that diet the most. When I saw similarities between the B type diet and the Aryevedic diet, I took extra notice.

I tried avoiding different things to see how it affected my body. Avoiding wheat didn't seem to make much difference. However, after avoiding corn and corn products for a couple weeks, I noticed that the stiffness and pain in my finger joints had gone from a 4 or 5 down to a 1.

I'm still working out my diet choices, but rely on two key things to help me discover what things are helpful and what things to avoid. 1. My stomach - if it has me re-tasting my food a lot, then I'm less likely to repeat eating whatever I'm re-tasting. 2. My intuition - I take time to think and listen deeply as I try to understand what my body needs or doesn't need.