In any case, our objective for Cforyourself is to provide information (the rest of the site) and a forum for individuals to share their experiences with specific diseases and Vitamin C. Your participation is encouraged. Please be assured that your identity will be kept as confidential as you wish. To share your experiences please click the “Go To Form” button below or just send us an e-mail from any of the e-mail links at the bottom of every page
From: Rob Lippert
Date: 4/3/01
Subject: Back and Joint Pain
Rusty,
A few years ago when you and I discussed the benefits of vitamin C, I didn’t really believe that it could help me in so many ways. I confess, although I believed in what you were doing, I didn’t believe in it enough to apply it to my own life. I want to tell you about something that has happened recently.
For quite a while, I have generally not felt well. I would come home after work and complain of exhaustion and fatigue. I would also complain of back pain and general pain in my joints. About a year ago, I noticed that my ankles were puffy and swollen and toward the end of the day, it was painful to walk. This went on for a while—no problem—I could live with it. However, as the months progressed, I noticed that it was getting worse and before long all my joints were hurting. Eventually, my ankles were swollen when I first woke up in the morning and it became fairly painful for me to walk especially after I got up from sitting down for a while. My back hurt and I could not bend over with out a great deal of struggle. I began to complain to my wife about always being so tired and worn out and just not feeling well. I went to the doctor who would tell me I’m fine and need to cut out fatty foods, and get enough rest. I was doing all of that but still felt generally run down.
Two weeks ago, I had finally decided to go to the doctor about it when I remembered the vitamin C powder I bought several years ago when I worked with you. I started taking 1 teaspoon of the Vitamin C powder in a glass of orange juice. The results are amazing! Within two days, I noticed the swelling in my ankles was greatly reduced. Within 2 weeks, I noticed that the pain is completely gone!!! I am feeling better than I’ve felt in years. I have less of a desire for fried foods, like I used to crave, therefore, less indigestion. I have more energy and feel great.
I’m not saying that vitamin C is the panacea for all ailments, but I am convinced that it is one of the things I lacked. I have not started with other vitamins or minerals, but I expect to start soon.
I want you to know that this is the only change I made to my diet. I’m still walking the same amount as before, my eating habits have not changed, and my normal activities have not changed. The only difference is that I take a teaspoon of Vitamin C powder every morning and evening with orange juice. (this is about 8-10 grams/day, Ed.)
Rusty, I thank you for your strong convictions on this subject. By finally listening to you, my life style has greatly improved.
From: Bruce Barker
E mail: pele023023@aol.com
Diagnosis date: 10/79
First date using C: 7/5/99
How much C: 10,000-20,000 mg per day
I slipped a disc in my lower back at the age of 30. For 20 years I’ve been to chiropractors and doctors. I have been flat on my back, at times, sometimes for weeks. I just turned 50, and after 20 years of back pain, I’m pain free. I’ve been taking 10-20grams of sodium ascorbate for almost a year, and I’ve had no pain. I can now play sports again, as well as almost any activity. How can such a simple, inexpensive nutrient do so much for my life? I thought that I would live in constant pain for the rest of my life. Also, I haven’t had a cold or sniffle in the last year.
From: Edward Ayers
Date: 8/2/99
Subject: Disc decomposing
Excerpted from his letter explaining his considerable experience with vitamin C:
From my readings and experience, decomposition in the human body is always primarily a C problem. I doesn’t matter where it is. I have a sister who had decomposing spinal disks. I told her to try taking up to 20 g of C daily. She had been a “guinea pig” for doctors for two years and her condition just continued to worsen. She started on C and eventually got up to 18 g daily. Her disks grew back and she was fine. That is, until she drifted down to 4 g daily, when the decomposition returned. Believe it or not, but she allowed this to happen 3 times. Each time, after correcting the condition by increasing the dosage, she carelessly let it drop and the decomp returned! Finally, I scolded her and she has maintained a healthy spine on about 10 g daily, which is what I originally told her might be a lifetime maintenance dosage.
From: Rusty Hoge
Date: 1/3/99
Subject: Disc Herniation
Excerpted from his letter explaining his considerable experience with vitamin C:
In early 1991 a disc in my lower back herniated, placing pressure on my sciatic nerve, the nerve that goes down the leg. Well, let me tell you, the pain associated with this is substantial! I did not sleep for three days. I went to my chiropractor for treatments and also had an orthopedic surgeon review an MRI.
The surgeon recommended laser surgery if I was so inclined. He did say that rest and chiropractic might alleviate the pain and indeed it did. I elected not to have any surgery.
Shortly after this episode I started taking vitamin C. I can now tell you that I honestly can’t tell that the herniation ever occurred. Of course, vitamin C is not a quick fix for a herniation, but over time your discs will be much healthier and risk of injury will be considerably reduced.