January 2003

[Show #104] 1-25-03

Lupus (SLE), Shingles, Ear Infection, Fever, Muscle Aches, Fatigue, Weight Loss, Hair Loss, Depression - Mayu (from Fresno, CA) - This third year pharmacy student from Fresno started experiencing fever, muscle aches, fatigue, lack of energy, and weight loss in April 2002.  He was generally tired, he had night sweats and started losing his hair.  He went to his primary care physician who ran tests and was subsequently diagnosed with Lupus (SLE).  He initially took Tylenol to help the symptoms, but they eventually returned.  He was then put on 10 mg of Prednisone/day.  He then developed Shingles on the left side of his body from the Prednisone and and ear infection.  His physician then put him on anti-viral medication.  After the Shingles, Mayu started getting joint pain in his knees, elbows, and shoulders.  The pain was so bad that he could not even move his joints.  His pain would also move from joint to joint.  Dr. Tong explains that the cause of this movement of pain is from Liver wind which is caused by anger, frustration, and stress.  Mayu was then told that there was no cure for Lupus and the only thing that he could do about it was to control symptoms.  Mayu's sister found Dr. Tong on the website and immediately consulted him for treatment.  He was apprehensive about the first treatment.  He has now had 4 treatments from Dr. Tong.  His joint pain is completely gone, he has no night sweats, and the frequency of his fevers have decreased.  He also now has no hair loss and he gained back the 15 pounds that he lost when he was ill.  He stopped his Prednisone in December and now has no symptoms of Lupus. 
Diabetic Neuropathy of Feet, Severe Infection, Edema and Swelling, Discoloration of Skin, Amputation Avoidance, Shoulder Pain, Back Pain - Don (see #157 6-12-04, #182 12-18-04 from Norwalk, CA) This construction worker came to Dr. Tong with a recurrent infection in his leg.  In the past nine years, his leg has become more discolored and he has been progressively losing feeling in it. The deterioration in his leg was so bad that he almost lost his foot three times a year and a half ago from running a nail through it.  He went to see a Podiatrist who suggested cortisone shots to help his foot, but to no avail.  Don also consulted an acupuncturist who helped him walk in two days.  However, he ran another nail in his foot which caused him to be hospitalized once again.  It was six weeks before he could work again.  His legs then got infected from a scratch which caused his legs to greatly swell.  The medication prescribed by his primary physician controlled the infection but did not help with the swelling.  By the time he consulted Dr. Tong, his legs were extremely swollen.  Within 3 treatments with Dr. Tong, Don got 50% of sensation back in his legs.  Now he has had 6 treatments and color has started to return and his leg looks like it belongs to his body rather than a separate appendage.  His legs also started to drain and the swelling went down.  Don also had shoulder and back problems which were also alleviated.  He feels that it is a miracle at how fast Dr. Tong helped him with his feet.  He urges any diabetic with feet problems to consult Dr. Tong.  Now he has feeling in his feet and has movement.
Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Chronic Fatigue, Neck Pain, Shortness of Breath - Arthur had low back pain and  sciatica, which was a constant, gnawing pain.  He gets chronically tired from the pain, had neck pain, and couldn't breathe well.  His breathing was very shallow.  After his first treatment with Dr. Tong, he can breathe deep now and can take a large breathe.  His neck pain is 50% better.  Now he wants to focus on his back pain which has been causing a lot of problems.  Dr. Tong suggests that his returning pain from eating the wrong foods such as spicy foods, sweets, and phlegm producing foods, as well as over exercising without having the proper nutrition.  
Hypertension, High Cholesterol - Ron - caller
 

[Show #103] 1-18-03

Colon Cancer, Chemotherapy, Right Sciatic Pain, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Leg Pain, Foot Pain, Brain Fog, Fatigue/Low Energy - Gloria (see # 105 2-1-03, from San Diego, CA) This homemaker was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago and subsequently underwent surgery and 4 months of chemotherapy.  The chemotherapy caused side effects such severe fatigue, brain fog (difficulty concentrating and remembering) and difficulty communicating well.  She also became short of breath.  She tried changing her diet and going on a vitamin program, but to no avail.  Gloria also suffered from severe sciatic pain, fibromyalgia, and arthritis 3 months ago after undergoing a foot surgery.  She tried medication which did little to alleviate her pain. After her first treatment with Dr. Tong, she had more energy and could think clearer.  She realized that the chemotherapy was making her brain fog worse and stopped 2 months short of completing. She has now had 5 treatments with Dr. Tong and she feels much more balanced.  Her pain has seen a 50% improvement, her concentrating and thinking are clearer, and she feels more balanced.
Manic Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Hypomania, Right Shoulder Pain/Numbness, Low Back Pain, Neck pain, Constipation, dizziness, Dry mouth, Lethargy - Marilyn (see #77 5-4-02, #101 1-4-03, #106 2-8-03 from Marieta, CA)  This massage therapist suffered from 6 years of "rotator cuff" pain and numbness (shoulder area) due to repetitive motion.  She finally had to quit her job and underwent many types of therapy such including cortisone injections, acupuncture, chiropractic, and physical therapy.  She also suffered from depression and low manic episodes for 10 years.  She was on 6 anti-depressants which would help her get our of her slump but suffered from side effects such as constipation, dizziness, dry, mouth, and lethargy from the medications.  She would sleep 12-14 hours without feeling rested.  In April of 2002, she consulted Dr. Tong for her pain and found immediate improvement.  She was extremely sensitive emotionally and the treatments fine-tuned her emotions.  She now feels joy in life and rarely gets into her deep bouts of depression.
 

[Show #102] 1-11-03

Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain (bilateral neck pain, low back pain, muscle spasm), Chronic Fatigue - (Martin, see #82 7-20-02, #129 8-2-03, from West Virginia) -  Martin has returned to CA for treatments from Dr. Tong since he last came in July 2002.  Martin has been suffering from 20 years of anxiety and depression.  Four and a half years ago, he was in an auto accident with severe whiplash.  He underwent physical therapy and alternating ice/heat.  His pain got progressively worse where he had to go to teach with ice packs in his pants.  He consulted chiropractors, 4 different pain clinics, and was prescribed drugs.  He began with small doses, built tolerance and had to increase his dosage.  When those drugs did not work, he had to combine this with other drugs.  He felt that his body was becoming mummy-like with spasms, and he was mentally suicidal from the severe chronic pain.  Before seeing Dr. Tong, he was on 260mg of morphine per day.  This week, Martin has had 4 treatments.  He has been able to cut his medication in half (medication for pain, anxiety, and muscle spasms).  He now has hope for his condition, whereas in the past, he felt that there was nothing the doctors could do for him.  It has been 6 months since Martin last saw Dr. Tong.  He was still on 160 mg of Morphine at the time.  Now after treatments with Dr. Tong, he is down to 60 mg of Morphine/day.  His wife Becky, who suffered from indigestion, acid reflux, and sciatic nerve pain is also doing much better.  Martin also brought his mother from West Virginia for her excruciating knee pain.  Her pain has also decreased dramatically.  
Herniated Disc in Neck, Shouder Pain, Back pain, Hip Pain, Leg Pain, Diabetes, Weight Loss - Marilla (see #92 9-28-02, #95 11-2-02)  Because of insurance reasons, Marilla, a registered nurse, has not been able to continue treatments with Dr. Tong for a couple of months. However, she continues to improve.  Before she began seeing Dr. Tong for treatments, she could not even walk.  Now she is exercising and walking 25 minutes per day, she is completely off her medication, and she has lost 40 pounds.  

[Show #101] 1-4-03

Degenerative Disc, Low Back Pain, Right Shoulder Pain, Constant high pitch tone in ears, Sinus and Eustachian Tube problems, Depression, Nocturia - Eric (see #99 12-7-02, from Irvine, CA) - Follow-up interview:

Crohn's Disease and Steroid Medication - William (caller)
Manic Depression and Depression, Hypomania, Back Pain, Numbness - Marilyn (see #77 5-4-02, #103 1-18-03, #106 2-8-03 from Temecula, CA)  Marilyn calls Dr. Tong to tell him of her progress and improvement.  This former massage therapist was labeled as a hypomaniac and suffered from severe depression for the past 8 years.  She has had low level depression most of her life and goes through extreme mood swing cycles where when she is in her "happy hyper" she does not sleep and becomes exhausted, and when she is depressed, she will sleep for twelve hours and still be exhausted.  She tried acupuncture 10 years ago and experienced a great increase in energy for a month.  She has also suffered from back problems for 20 years.  She injured her right shoulder, ribs, and experienced arm numbness.  She tried chiropractics (which helped temporarily), physical therapy, had x-rays done, and cortisone shots all to no avail.  Four years ago, she had to quit her job because of the severe pain, which was emotionally hard for her to give up.  In the last 2 years, she also suffered from food allergies and weather related sinus problems.  She consulted an ENT specialist, who ordered an MRI for her and prescribed an inhaler and Claritin, none of which helped her at all.  She has now had 5 treatments with Dr. Tong.  Her energy is amazing now and she can sleep. She is emotionally stable and she has no pain.  Her food allergies and sinus problems are 90% improved and now she can take the Standard Process supplements that she used to get allergic reactions to.  Her sugar cravings are now also cured from taking the whole food supplements that Dr. Tong prescribed.
Easy Bruising - Pete (caller from Carlsbad)
Disease - born without no pores - Diane (caller)