OVERCOMING PHARMACEUTICAL ADDICITON

The Addiction Battle

Kelley Calder, tell us the process that led to your addiction to pain medications and other pharmaceuticals.

I truly didn’t know I had an addiction. On-the-job work injuries caused me to have 5 hand surgeries, multiple epidural steroid injections, nerve blocks, and nerve burns for pain in my spine.  My doctors did everything they knew to help me, which meant I was put on pharmaceuticals.  Nothing seemed to last long, and when physical issues intensified and I reacted negatively to the medication, they would try a different prescription. The nerve burns just made me hurt worse. I couldn’t function with the pain meds, and I couldn’t function without them.

What have you done to overcome this dependence on pain medications?

I started searching for biblical and physical answers. I found Dr. Brandie Gowey, a Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD) in Flagstaff. She started me on Prolotherapy  and IV nutritional therapy (Myers Cocktail).  The program was designed specifically for me, and I am now off of all pharmaceuticals. In addition, I started Doug Kaufmann’s Phase One Anti-fungal diet.  This diet has had a huge impact on my ability to get rid of the inflammation in my system, and it has helped me to detoxify from the meds. I’ve lost forty pounds just following this diet. Graston treatments  and deep tissue massage/trigger point therapy have helped reduce the pain without the need for prescriptions.

What have been the benefits of following Dr. Gowey’s individual treatment plan?

My whole body is starting to get well. The bowel had been put to sleep by the pharmaceuticals, which caused other issues. Now, going to the bathroom regularly is a plus. My hair has started to grow and is changing from gray back to its natural color. I am slowly getting my core to respond and have started the strengthening process. Killing the mycotoxins has not been fun, but after a few days, I feel better. I am learning that God made my body wonderfully and perfectly, and if given what it needs, will heal. I have hope for the first time in complete restoration.

What are your next steps?
Since I’ve had 8.5 years of bad health and pain, I’m setting a goal to see substantial gain in health by May 2014. I’d like to develop a skill that will allow me to return to work. I want to dream again. I want to challenge my mind and body. I want to do everything in my power to make every single day count.

Dr. Brandie Gowey will be next week’s guest. Please stop by for a visit.

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