March - 2019

RICHARD SEMELKA, MD. CONSULTING

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Day-time SALAD (1:5)

Day-time SALAD (1:5)

Buddhism is a very helpful philosophy that complements personal healing, as the philosophy is focused on improving the self. One of the central teachings is the eightfold path (in English also referred to as the 8 R's): right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi (meditative absorption). As with everything that is created in a certain historical age, some items seem peculiar in the present era. A

If GDD symptoms are getting better without treatment, should I get chelation?

If GDD symptoms are getting better without treatment, should I get chelation?

The first treatment for GDD is to never get another GBCA injection again. Unfortunately many patients with GDD get repeat GBCA injection to investigate what actually turns out to be the disease. This is one of the great tragedies of the disease: getting more of the same injury when suffering with a disease, to investigate for what is causing the sickness. So, if one's symptoms are getting a lot better on their own by 3 months or 6 months, then I would recommend holding off ch

Unacceptable risk with GBCAs and other selected imaging approaches

Unacceptable risk with GBCAs and other selected imaging approaches

There are a few pre-amble points that are important, and I will follow after my table, with notes on the table. I recognize that for each individual sufferer, in their mind the risk was 100% for the disease, because they got the disease. Unfortunately though with population studies, risk has to be calculated in an actuarial way for population groups. Having now essentially focused the last 2 years of my life and career to understand all aspects of GDD, I am now in a position

Civil discourse: addressing criticism from GDD sufferers

Civil discourse: addressing criticism from GDD sufferers

When I reflect over what I have done in my career, with a great emphasis throughout on patient safety, I think the best explanation of why I have been prepared to stand up for the rights of patients, and not simply follow along with the status quo (the latter course vastly easier, more profitable, and less stressful). I do my best to imagine myself in the situation of others. When I hear stories of individuals who were more-or-less quite well or healthy, undergo an MRI study

Why are we not using HOPO to chelate gadolinium?

Why are we not using HOPO to chelate gadolinium?

The primary reason we are not using HOPO to chelate gadolinium for this is that HOPO has not been FDA approved for use in humans for any treatment. In comparison, iv-DTPA is FDA approved for decorporation (AKA chelation) of actinide radioactive metals (most famous of which Plutonium), and using it for Gadolinium is off-label, but an accepted practice. Physician do this all the time, and it is customary practice. FDA approval requires 3 phases of research - which is time-consu

Are most cases of Fibromyalgia really GDD?

Are most cases of Fibromyalgia really GDD?

This observation was buried in an earlier blog but really should be at the forefront. Both conditions have a strong neuralgia component to it, with Fibromyalgia mainly a neuralgia. Both are new diseases. The use of GBCAs are new. The underlying cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. My opinion: many cases of fibromyalgia are actually GDD. An important tip-off, if the symptoms of presumed fibromyalgia developed shortly after the administration of GDD: the disease is likely GDD. A r

GDD associated with antibiotic use: application of SALAD strategy

GDD associated with antibiotic use: application of SALAD strategy

There have been a number of patients who have described the following scenario: infection (post back surgery, mastitis, etc), extensive antibiotic use, MRI with GBCA to evaluate the status of infection. Development of GDD. I have addressed this subject as part of a few blogs: GDD arising because of partial destruction of the host microbiome by antibiotics. Many articles have recognized the importance of the bacteria in our gut to maintain our overall health. I am a great beli

Salad (1:4) These are a few of my favorite things

Salad (1:4) These are a few of my favorite things

Almost no food should be cooked too much, because nutrients leach out with excess cooking. So avoid that. Here are just a sampling of what you should be eating. A few of my favorite things: Mediterranean diet elements: olives natural yogurt natural kefir (yogurt drink) fresh fish cooked in olive oil low fat red and white meat tomatoes spinach honey peaches apricots (pectin) oranges grape fruit (vitamin C) red wine spices: oregano, cilantro Japanese diet elements: salmon sushi

GDD treatment interval between chelations

GDD treatment interval between chelations

The interval between chelations likely is also very important. In our original peer-reviewed article on chelation with DTPA we looked at 4 week and 1 week intervals and found that both were acceptable. With more experience, it seems that time interval may need to be tailored to the individual, based on a few factors: 1. how soon after GBCA injection and GDD development is the treatment planned. 2. how the patient is responding to the schedule they are on. In general in patien

The future of GDD treatment: Individualized Management

The future of GDD treatment: Individualized Management

A few issues have become clear with GDD and its treatment: 1. As Gd is the problem, Gd must be removed to stop the continued stimulus for host reaction. 2. Host reaction must be addressed for many individuals. 3. Cytokines are critical in the disease. Likely members of other inflammatory cells are also important, such as the early group of granulocytes and B-cells, and chronic cells such as CD34+ fibrocytes. 4. Duration of disease is specifically critical to determine treatm

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