Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Starting Enbrel This Friday

Sigrid, Tea Tree Oil is not generally recommended for internal use (actually 'never' would be more appropriate). The only time I take it internally is when I have a really bad cold that's gone to my lungs, but for which the doc won't give me an antibiotic. I've found that 5 drops in a large mug of Rosehip tea in the evening really helps loosen things up. I generally sit slouched and rest the mug on my chest and inhale the fumes (Tea Tree Oil as a steam can be very helpful - you know, big bowl boiling water and towel over the head?) until it cools enough to drink, then I drink it back as quickly as I can. I don't do this frequently, but only if I get to feeling a certain way, and only a couple times during the course of one of these colds which is all it generally needs I've found.

The University of Western Australia Tea Tree Oil Research Group does not recommend taking it internally, as there have been no studies done to determine if or at what level dosage it is toxic when taken internally. All they really know is that it is toxic if taken in a large enough dose. I decided to try it one time when I had a bad cold and had been steaming with it. Frankly, any more than the 5 drops I use perhaps once a year would be impossible to swallow. It really is vile tasting.

My usual use for TTO is external on cuts, cold sores and canker sores (well, my Mum those last two - she's a total convert to TTO in treating those. It dries them up in 24 hours more often than not). I don't doubt that it would work on zits as well.

Anyway, that's my story.

Do I dare try to lasso you to keep you from the TSC outlet?

I am feeling much better. I'll be sure to give Brian that hug. He really is something special.

Many hugs,

Honey, lasso me?

Ha! You missed...

Thanks for the info on TTO. I'll be sure to add that info to my memory banks-working in a dental office, I know a lot of folk who dev. cold sores...

I have it myself-maybe I'll try it on the itchy rash that I think is exzema...

Of note; one of my MD's (practices integrative medicine) rec. this to me for a skin infection I had...

So here's an update on my Enbrel use...

Today's injection was an event. I iced as usual, inserted the syringe, expecting the usual gradual insertion due to the resistence, but after a brief moment, I was in without resistence... then it occurred to me-I entered a vein or something-oops ... I injected, and by the very end upon withdrawal, there was blood in the syringe... that which I had feared, had come upon me!!!

So I called the Enbrel peeps for support... the nurse was very gracious. She explained that I likely entered a capillary. She said that if it had been a vein, the force of the blood would have gone into the syringe at the very start and then contaminated the solution, but since it happened at the end-no worries. Said I'll likely develop a bruise, and recommended pressure and icing after.

So I asked her a few questions that had been floating about in my mind.

First off, how do I rid myself of the dreaded bubbles... She recommended I don't spritz, cause I could lose too much of the solution. Eliminate by drops in a controlled fashion. I told her that today's bubbles just didn't want to leave-I even tilted plunger up and flicked the syringe several times, but 2 tiny bubbles remained stuck inside near the tip. She said no worries, they don't want us to inject the large gap at the tip-tiny wee bubbles do not present a great threat.

I asked about the red blotch where I inject. I asked if these were injection site reactions, which she confirmed. Ben -aB -is absolutely right-it's the body's way of acknowledging that it's there and working. I asked if the solution remained in there and the body took what it needed to "do it's thing" which she affirmed.

Then I asked her about my use of Oregano Oil. I explained that this is an anti-bacterial/antiviral substance, and asked if this could harm the Enbrel. She explained that Enbrel is a protein, which works against the TNFa protein-2 proteins duking it out. I have a cute picture in my mind's eye of a little weight-lifter (Enbrel protein) who just jerked and lifted 350 lbs over his head, with his foot on the neck of the TNFa protein, telling it to "submit." Just thought I'd share that...

So that sums up some of the questions we've discussed here...

I'm glad you were able to get those questions asked, Sigrid. I have a feeling that the answers will ease a few minds around here.

Hugs,

Yup, TTO works a treat on cold sores. To get the 24 hour effect, it's best to treat them as soon as they make themselves known.

Yah - being near High Park my aim up to that area of the city is a tad off. Ah well, I'm, sure with practice my lasso will reach even there.

Hugs,

Keep practicing girlfriend...