Friday, November 8, 2013

I'm here all week. Try the mints.

Fatigue. That is one of the most frustrating parts of lupus. To the observer, it can easily be confused with depression or laziness. To the patient, it feels like a crushing lead weight.

What to do? Well, you can go on prednisone. Well all know that story. You can deplete your adrenal glands by sucking down a bunch of caffeine (which still may not work).

What has helped me in the last few years has been eating cooked kale (i know, sounds nuts) and doing chi gung (simple movement and deep breathing; makes sense- getting more oxygen to the cells. Chi Gung is a lot like tai chi, but easier to learn. Make sure you do "healing chi gung," not "warrior chi gung").

And today I've got another idea for you, that I have not yet tested.

A doctor created a product called "joint mints" that seems to help people with joint pain and fatigue. I have no idea what's in it, but it's supposed to be natural. All you need to do to get 2 free boxes is take a couple quick surveys. You also have to have been diagnosed with lupus by a doctor and be over 18. The offer is limited to 100 people, but I just took the survey today, so it's still going on. Here's the original e mail he sent me.

Hi Carla;

I’m writing to offer you a couple free bottles of a (natural/herbal) anti-inflammation product I’ve developed. The only ‘catch’ (there’s always a catch, right?) is that I’d like your feedback – via a series of short surveys. (So it’s a pretty modest catch.)

The product, “Joint Mints” (www.JointMints.com) is obviously intended for joint pain – mainly osteoarthritis – and it works quite well for that. But among the hundreds who’ve provided feedback there have been a few (six) with lupus, and eachreported substantially less joint pain and less fatigue within 21 days of starting Joint Mints.

I didn’t expect the product would help in lupus, but I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen. So to collect more information I’ve set up a dedicated ‘sample-survey’ program and I’m inviting your participation.

If you’re interested, please visit the product page and then this link to learn more about the survey-sample offer http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5NQ5XYR

Of course I’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Thanks and best wishes, Doctor Steve

Stephen C. Roberts, MD
Chief Executive

So, if this fits you, click away and get some mints. Unless you're like my husband and you hate mints. In which case... never mind.

I just took the survey and look forward to giving them a try. I don't currently have joint pain but I do have muscle pain. And I like mints. It's a good thing they are lozenges, because if they were junior mints, I'd eat them all in one sitting. (Which is why I don't buy junior mints at the store). I'm rambling now.

I'm here all week. Try the mints.

Cheers!
Carla