There was an element of deja vu in reviewing the data accrued in year nine. The same pattern observed in previous years was immediately apparent. That pattern is one of relatively stable neurological symptoms frequently interspersed with general ill health or malaise. In many of my monthly updates I seemed to be apologising for being unwell! I distinctly remember feeling that I was "letting the side down" because despite doing all the right things I seemed to be sick much of the time.

Perhaps frequent illness has some undocumented neuroprotective value? More likely I am attempting to make the best of a bad situation. Putting a positive spin on unpleasant circumstance can do no harm and may provoke a positive physiological response so I would rather do that than complain.

As with last year, much of my ill health could be attributed to reactions to prescribed medications or chronic sinus and related secondary infections. Even after an operation to clear and drain the sinuses, infection persisted. Some of this was due to post-surgical packing that remained lodged in the sinuses for months instead of days and, at the time of writing, may still be the seat of infection in the left side sinuses. After a small piece of packing was expelled from the right sinuses both the sinus infection and a chronic ear infection on that side finally subsided.

I am no longer taking prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID's). Although I often tried in the past, in the long term pain due to inflammation made it extremely difficult to discontinue the medications that I felt were detrimental to digestion, liver and kidney function - all important factors in the neurodegenerative process.

There was a very real possibility that discontinuing anti-inflammatory medications could have provoked increased neurological symptoms as there is some evidence to support the idea that neurodegeneration may be either triggered or hastened by an over-active inflammatory response. I found that Nature's Sunshine's herbal anti-inflammatory, Joint Comfort not only adequately controlled inflammation but had none of the negative side effects of prescribed NSAID's.

Still experimenting to find something to control inexplicably high blood pressure I tried numerous prescription medications under the supervision of my doctor. Several provoked immediate side effects and were rapidly discontinued.

I took one medication for nearly three months because it initially seemed to be free of side effects. From late December until the end of February I became increasingly unwell with frequent night sweats, worsened pain levels and neurological symptoms. It was discovered, almost by accident, that I was having a gradual and extremely rare reaction to the prescribed medication.

Within days of discontinuing the tablets the symptoms ceased. It was an incredible relief and finally explained why my general health had been so poor. Supplementary medications did not help lower the blood pressure so I shall continue working on a solution in the coming year.

I used colloidal silver for most of the year but could not state categorically that it did or did not work. My sinus infection was so severe that I was frequently forced to use antibiotics. Perhaps it would have been oven worse without the colloidal silver? Perhaps the colloidal silver should have made antibiotics unnecessary? It is hard to say.

Some of the strongest oral antibiotics were used but only offered temporary relief so it would be unfair to expect colloidal silver to achieve more. I did not record any great benefit from using it but would not go so far as to say that colloidal silver has no application in treating other infections that have reportedly responded to its use. See: www.PurestColloids.com

Worsening of my spinal injury symptoms, due to gradual degeneration, arthritic changes and disc prolapses provoked some of the worst pain I have experienced in years. I am now in the long queue for surgery on my neck. Muscle wasting in my left arm this year was due to nerve root compression rather than neurodegeneration.

Fortunately, surgery for this problem is now considered routine and results are usually good so I should improve following surgery. I am not actually looking forward to surgery but it is preferable to the pain I have experienced in recent years and it will ultimately allow me to exercise more and thereby improve my general health and wellbeing.

When pain allows, I still walk two kilometres every day. On particularly good days I walk farther or perhaps do the same walk in the morning and evening. Most of the time I walk without a stick but still take one to a crowded shopping mall to prevent stumbling if I am bumped. I rarely use the stick for support, preferring to use a shopping trolley if necessary. When I am able to walk, other than walking more slowly than I used to, it would be difficult for a casual observer to tell that I had any problem walking at all.

The best news this year is that once again there are no obvious symptoms of continued neurodegeneration. I still have sporadic neurological symptoms of varying extent and intensity but they are no worse than they were several years ago and do not appear to be causing more than sporadic and temporary problems.

If I have learned anything from this year it is that, however uncomfortable things may get, you must keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel and realise that the darker things become, the easier it is to see that light.

Steven Shackel, April 2006                            

December 1st update: 8th Month November 2005

In my seemingly endless quest to minimise prescription medications I confirmed this month that the increase in my general pain levels was due once again to yet another prescription medication blocking the action of another prescription medication. This is quite rare, which is why it took so long to isolate the problem. Although my general pain levels continue to be higher than normal at present, the extremes of the last few months have abated since I discontinued a prescription medication used to control my blood pressure. The irony is that increased pain, stress, etc. may well be contributing to the unexplained increase in blood pressure so I am somewhat at the mercy of unusual and unexpected drug interactions. It will be a relief when the problem is finally resolved.

Pain aside, my neurological symptoms remain stable with minimal fasciculations, cramps and other problems. My mobility was limited by my broken toe but as the month ends I am able to wear a shoe and walk more freely. My immediate goal is to return to my gentle exercise regimen as soon as possible. "Slow and steady wins the race" will be my catchphrase for the time being.

Nature's Sunshine Products of Australia Pty. Ltd, continue to sponsor this study and have supplied high quality supplements to assist me in this ongoing study.

I must again thank Nature's Sunshine, Stephen Webster and Robyn McInnes.

The staff at Nature's Sunshine are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. This study could not have continued without their ongoing encouragement and support. I remain indebted to them and can recommend their high quality products and service.