thanks.
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Julie G.
___________
lymeinhell
- JB
I don't think they work as well as the original patches which work incredibly well for me. The Heaven patches do work though and are better than any of the many ebay patches I tried. They also have an improved adhesive that comes off easier.
I am using the Heaven patches now during summer because people would notice the strange smell on my feel since I wear sandals to work. I also think they are better when traveling (odor issues). I suppose the original patches are fine in the summer if you're going to a BBQ. The smoky smell would blend right in.
I still use original (smoky BBQ feet) podi patches occasionally and will use them more when it gets cold out and I can wear heavy socks and boots to hide the smell.
Podi patches have given me more relief than anything else has.
hatsnscarfs
What kind of relief?
The relief started the minute I put on my first original podi patches. Eventually I did the 30 days straight and made a lot of progress.
hatsnscarfs
Since she has used them since she started treatment I really don't know how she would feel without them. I know they smell funny and turn really black. She has always used the Heaven ones so I don't know about the old ones.
If you have any questions about them call the phone number, the lady that sells them LOVES to give you any information you want. She is a real nice person.
She also has some other products, some kind of mushroom capsule that she gave us for free and it realy helped with energy.
I hope they work for you. 
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ICEY
IDAHO LYME SUPPORT GROUP
[email protected]
In what ways do they not seem to be working as well?
Is it possible that you made a lot of progress with the regular ones and so might not be as cognizant of the benefit you are getting now?
It does look like some pretty good stuff in the original formula is not included in the Heaven formula, but there are things in the Heaven formula that are not in the original formula, though I didn't find any information on the site about those ingredients to compare their possible impact.
I've emailed the company for comment, and will post their reply.
Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Heaven patches; I have them on my feet right now. Everyone is different, they might work better than original for some people. Get some of each and experiment and then let us all know.
In any case the Heaven patches are much better than the ebay patches. Maybe ebay patches would be OK for maintenance in the future but right now I need heavy duty detox.
hatsnscarfs
I ordered Blue patches from them (specifically formulated for Lyme). These patches were a tiny bit smaller than the others. They didn't leave a bad smell on my feet. They seemed to work well, too...though not as well as the original podi patches. They were also 5 times less expensive than either of the podi pads. And using 6 of them a night really adds up, even with the less expensive pads. Another downside of these pads is that the adhesive backing is problematic -- I had to order an adhesive remover to get off all the adhesive residue on my feet.
Now, I mix the two. I have crippling arthritis in my right knee. I still use the Podi patch (original) on my right heel each night (that correlates with my right knee) and then use the less expensive patches on the rest of my feet.
After almost 8 weeks with both pads, they're still as yucky in the morning as they were the first day. I'm so toxic!
I'm thinking more clearly and seem better able to retain information. Also, my whole right leg was swollen with arthritis. I couldn't walk without a decided limp and wonered if I would ultimately need a walker. Now, the swelling in my right leg has almost completely gone down, and I'm in a lot less pain. I actually have hope now that I will ultimately regain full use of my leg.
I continue to work, and my work is creative and academic.
I don't think any of this would be possible without these pads. I really think they've made an incredible difference in my healing so far.
<< Dear Suzanne,
thank you so much for putting your trust in AKG Naturals and for ordering the Podi Patches. There is quite a bit confusion out there since we introduced our latest brand Podi Patch - Heaven. In general both patches work extremely well. The difference between one and the other is really only for the person to decide who's using them. Every person is different, so with an additional version we try to make everybody happy.
What I mean by that is that the original Podi Patches have a very strong smoky sent (BBQ). Even after use and bathing your feet the sent of BBQ is still around you. Also the adhesive was for some a bit difficult to remove after use. Another aspect was the ingredient Agaricus Blazei Murill - a mushroom powder, and Chitosan - derived from seashells, where some people had worries with food sensitivities / allergies.
But the main reason for us was the fact that for some people the active ingredients worked extremely heavy on there system. In other words the healing crisis was for some to heavy to bear.
So, the introduction of the new Podi Patch - Heaven was able to control most of the problems. It became an instant bestseller. No smell, the adhesive is perfect, and a different choice of ingredients makes the "pulling" less rapid, like more time released, but yet very powerful.
You see, before we offer a product on the market we do extensive tests on volunteers and we use them too. Many of our clients have Lymes and they report to us. We have LLMD's who highly recommend the Podi Patches and send us their clients.
We also ordered some e-bay patches to see what's out there, yes they are way less expensive, but we noticed less pulling and the feedback form customers who come back to us after using the e-bay patches proves that fact.
Since we shipped you the Podi Patch - Heaven I would say you made the right choice. Why not start gentle first. We recommend a minimum of 30 days anyway's, best would be 3 months straight. You can always let us know with your next order to mix your order with both Patches.
Hopefully I could satisfy your questions, but again you are more than welcome to contact us anytime. Your feedback is extremely important to us.
Thanks again,
Sincerely,
Andreas
AKG Naturals
4737 W Avenue L-6
Lancaster, CA 93536
(310) 918 - 6564 www.akgnaturals.com >>
See here for additional information: http://www.akgnaturals.com/Products.html
In Better Health,
Scott
I've been doing the rotation thing. Balls of feet 1 night, heels the next night, arch of foot 3rd night.
A few times when I was really sick I thought about putting patches on my whole foot but it seemed like more detox than I could handle at once. Maybe it would be OK with the weaker ebay patches.
hatsnscarfs
Hats: I like your idea of rotating. It seems like you would be covering all bases and yet not causing too much too soon.
Actually, my LLMD thinks the patches really diminish the herx reaction. I have NO idea if that's true, because my last herx was pretty awful. I don't think the ebay patches or the ones Scott was talking about are as strong as the original Podi patch. That's why I use the Podi patch on my right heel (which corresponds to my knee), since that's the worst symptom for me.
Honestly, I've thought I would cut back just as soon as the pads started not drawing stuff out of me. It's just that hasn't happened yet. But I'm still at the beginning of all this...
CapriceM, I slept through the night the first time I used podi-patch. I hadn't slept so well in years. My feet feel so much better in the morning. I keep the patches on for a few hours after I get up.
I think it is best to use the patches while you are sleeping. Wear socks over them. Since your feet hurt so much it might be good to start with the original podi-patch since it is stronger.
hatsnscarfs
In Better Health,
Scott
Alas, they are too expensive for me now and I will try the blue and gold ones described above. Isn't it weird the the things we find out at lymenet? Never in a million years would I have heard of Podi patches anywhere else. Hiker
I would be interested to know to what lab you sent your patches for analysis, the cost, what they test for, etc. Or do you have a web site for them?
Thanks,
Suzanne
Dr K, GiGi's doctor recommended using them during the day rather than at night. I did a search of detox foot pads yesterday. I think it had to do with more circlulation - lymph, perhaps.
Do you know why Dr. K recommends using them during the day? It would make sense if the idea is that the toxins are extruded (or whatever) through the sweat glands. When we are active, our feet would sweat more, and more toxins released. Is this the rationale?
Also, someone said that the PodiPatch instructions included diagrams about how to rotate them, but I don't see it. Mine (the "Heaven" formula) just show a picture of them on the heel.
I am rotating them and can see being able to wear them during the day when they are on my heel and arch, but they are on my forefeet (or whatever that area is called) tonight, and it would be hard to walk on them during the day. A bit painful.
Yes, I appear to be new too but I forgot my ^&%$# screenname and had to recreate.
Are there any "old" timers who have tried these things and found they've worked? I did it for a week and noticed nothing.
One thing I did notice was the fact that they were already colored and any amount of sweat during the night would cause them to stain. It seemed obvious to me that this was the case in my instance. It wasn't toxins, it was whatever is inside.
I just don't see the logic in this. The bottom of your feet don't have any veins sticking out so absorption is primarily through the epidermis which would imply not much.
How then do the ingredients know intrinsically to enter the body and then manage to deposit the absorbed toxins back into the feet when the body has much better means of excretion???
I would like someone to list LD's initials who are recommending this. The fact that Klinghardt is on board gives it some validity but where is the science?
I'm not trashing any individuals, just the possibility this is another case of removing us from our money. One guy's thoughts.
For instance, for years they told females to take premarin cuz it had all the sciense tests to prove it safety over bio identical hormone replacement.
Now it seems science and all thos studies were wrong and that premarine can and does cause harm.
Im for "if it helps me with lyme" I will follow it.
I am going to try the cheap patches and see what happens. I like the fact they are less strong. They pass my safety test which is it wont hurt me and just might help and wont cost many $$$ to find out.
Im hoping for better sleep. That will help me in every aspect of my search for better health.
When someone touts a product here for their own personal $$$ gain this makes my flashing headlights start going bonkers.
Im still going to order a few and give them a try but am not going thru BETTERHEALTHGUY. This make me discount anything he has written.
Its ok to make a buck but if you are going to come here and say you are sick you should disclose that you are also trying to use your sick experience,if you are sick, to earn a $$. Up front disclosure is always best.
A couple of people have said that their LLMD's recommended these. It would be interesting to know which doctors (initials and city) and on what basis they believe them to be effective, whether scientific explanation or clinical experience with many patients.
[This message has been edited by tickedntx (edited 06 August 2005).]
He also gave her information on Hepapro, he doesn't sell these products so he isn't gaining anything from them. There is also a
product called Juice Plus she has taken for years that he likes his patients to take. I know from first hand experience that the Juice Plus helps her. He is a kind and I think honest man and don't believe he would do it for self gain anyway. Why would he?
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ICEY
IDAHO LYME SUPPORT GROUP
[email protected]
I used them every day for a year. Within 3 weeks, brainfog disappeared. Jaw pain - gone. Neck pain that used to require lidocaine injections to get some relief - gone. Herxes that used to put me in bed for 2 days calmed to being just a little achey, but I still got up and went to work.
They oozed BLACK every night - after a few months of use, I brought in a few used ones for my LLMD to see - and she actually gasped!!
I've been off abx since last November, after abx treatment for 9 months. No relapses. After being sick for over 10 years. (Although I still am on Prima una de Gato).
I finally stopped using the patches daily, and now use them about 3-4 days a week.
I've been on this board for almost 2 years, and while that's not ancient, it does make me something more than a newbie.
I think for many of us, Lyme was just the straw that broke the camel's back - years and years of toxic buildup
from fillings, cleaning products, smoking, paint, carpet.... just living in the toxic world we live in, coupled with a chronic bacterial infection was enough to bring our bodies to a crashing halt.
I'm not a Dr. and don't pretend to be one - just sharing my experience of how I got well.
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Julie G.
___________
lymeinhell
[This message has been edited by tickedntx (edited 06 August 2005).]
Thank you for your feedback. It is terrific that you feel that these patches have been so helpful to you.
My question is, and I'm not sure anyone could answer this: how do we know that the patches did this? Could it not have been the abx, or some combination of the many other things that we take on the road to recovery?
Also, I'm curious if you are using PodiPatches and if so, which formula, or which of the others?
Also, did your patches ever get any lighter? Or are they still dark?
Did you ever have them tested to determine what you are removing from your body?
These questions are for anyone who is using the patches.
I am looking forward to when I have the funds to purchase more of them.
And I know that some have had theirs tested and reported on this site the test results.
I still use the patches for maintenance. They did finally start to 'lighten up'. They were literally black and oozing out the edges for the first several months. They began to lighten up... but typically when I felt my worst, caught a cold, or was herxing, would become black and oozing again.
How do I know they work? I'll give you an example... This February, after using the patches for almost 9 months, my office underwent a major renovation. Despite my pleads for them to use low OEM paint (so I wouldn't die off the fumes)... they used OIL BASED paint. They put in new carpet, varnished the trim. It was a toxic waste dump in there.
Mind you the building has recirculated air - no fresh air. By lunchtime, my brain would be buzzing. My patches at night time went from being light brown to BLACK after a day of exposure and stayed that way for about 3 weeks. I began wearing them during the day to try and survive. Once the building vented I was back to normal, and the color of the patches eased back to light brown.
I have only used one kind of patches - they are the same manufacturer as the AKG patches. I realize the cost is quite high - but a year ago, they were $240 for a month's supply. They have come down significantly in price. I can't say anything about the cheaper ones since I never tried them.
My hairdresser has tried both, and admits the pricier ones work 'better' and the cheaper ones adhesive falls apart on you.
Try them for at least 30 days, and see if you don't notice the difference in your health when you stop.
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Julie G.
___________
lymeinhell
Thank you very much for your post. It is good to hear from someone who has been able to determine that they are working under different scenarios.
I must say that after the first couple of nights, my lower back pain is pretty much gone, except when I stretch. Of course, the question becomes, might it have gone away anyway? Too early to tell, probably.
It has, however, been replaced by some pretty severe upper back/neck pain on the right side, on top of the upper back/neck stiffness that has been a constant.
I've got a 30 day supply. When I re-order, I may mix and match the Heaven and Original forulas to see if I can tell a difference. I've also sent my patch to be tested, which should be interesting.
I imagine that it can be pretty difficult to determine what the patches are doing, and what everything else (meds, supplements) are doing.
Has anyone been able to find a less expensive source than $2/patch?
Suzanne
Dr. E. recommended the patches to me. I had severe arthritis in my right knee that caused my entire leg to swell. It had been shot with cortisone twice, and the pain was so intense I felt I would end up in a wheelchair.
I started using the original podi patches. After about 10 days, I realized the swelling in my leg was going down. The pain was also less intense. I also realized I was going to go broke wearing these things.
I went in search of a less expensive alternative and found a source with a different pad but with the same ingredients. I continued to use the original patch for my knee but used the less expensive patches everywhere else.
My acupuncturist explained the principal behind the patches, so I could understand what was happening.
After almost 3 months, my thoughts: my knee continues to heal, and I keep using the patches. I'm now hopeful that I'll be able to regain my pre-Lyme mobility. Would this have happened without the patches? Initially my LLMD said she was skeptical that I would ever get back my mobility. She's also surprised at the healing so far.
The less expensive patches, as Ticked pointed out, are NOT as strong as the podi pads. They're still drawing out all sorts of nasty stuff, though, so I trust something is working. The adhesive is probably not as high grade; I have difficulty getting it off. BUT I can't afford to use the expensive patches. Since I know these are doing something, I'm sticking with them.
I can't address the issue of herxes. Mine have been pretty terrible, patches or not. Maybe they would hve been worse; I don't know.
What I do know is that I have no plans to stop using the patches. I feel they're really valuable to my healing.
Just my own experience, for what it's worth.
Feel free to email me if you're interested.
robi