Grouppe Kurosawa: HIV - Letters From Blanche Vol. 4, Part 3 (print)

Letters From Blanche
Vol. 4, Part 3

Mouse Number Two,
EXCELLENT. I definitely want you to carefully watch changes in the cyst.

One of the benefits of the treatment is that it increases ceramide in the skin. This improves the barrier function by generating ceramide, which is also a very important and required death molecule for cancer cells and any old defective cells. It is also anti-inflammatory and stimulates prostaglandins that break down into powerful anti-cancer, anti-viral agents.

You are probably right about the white film. Can't be dead skin. Its not important. You are also probably right about the residual herpes infection. This stuff will definitely knock off herpes viruses, but no one has directly applied it to shingles lesions. You are a pioneer.

In the future, I am going to send you the ingredients so you can make your own stuff. Keep up with the great notes. This is very exciting. Wish us success in finding everything we need tomorrow.

Steve

Dear Dr. Steve:
Good luck. May you successfully photocopy yer little heads off – Blanche

Dear Dr. Bigcheese:
I had to let you know about this. It's incredible!

I mentioned that the subcutaneous cyst was draining yucky stuff since I began using the formula. I expressed quite a bit of really foul-smelling gunk from the small opening, then soaked a cotton ball in my own mixture. It's approximately 1/2 oz each vitamin E Oil and Emu Oil, and also has about 10% Tea Tree Oil, with a few drops each of Ginger Oil and Clary Sage. Smells good, too.

I store the stuff in a pump bottle. During the course of the day, I re-moistened the cotton ball. If you run the band-aid horizontally it is quite easy to add more oil to the cotton ball without spilling.

Today, about fifteen minutes ago (that'd be around 3pm Phoenix time) I noticed some discomfort and pressure under the band-aid, and took it off. The lesion looked normal, but I gave it a good "pimple-popper" just in case.

Lo and behold! I removed a giant wad of gunk that looked for all the world like a fat, happy tick! No, I don't have bugs, too; that's just what it looked like. The strong nasty odor was very present, also. So I squeezed again and proceeded to extract (in sections as it broke off) a good 3/4" of semi-solid whitish-tan paste or goo or whatever from the opening. I don't want to know what it was but am heartily glad it's outta me. Probably dead lymph and blood, mixed, huh?

I now have the same small hole in my tit, but it appears to have healthy raw tissue in it (dark red) and there is no swelling or pressure. The lesion is very open and I'm looking forward to seeing what it does as it heals. It has to be an improvement over nearly a solid inch (about 1/8-3/16 diameter) of whatever it nastily was.

I have no idea exactly what happened, but felt that there were definite connections to Anna's problem and thought you might want to know before you went off madly photocopying. – Blanche

Mouse Number Two,
This IS exciting. There is NO question that nicotinamide set all this in motion, along with PA and serine. Your tea tree oil conception may have finished the job.

So, now write down the EXACT formula for your tea tree oil concoction. Also, where did you get the ingredients. Be specific.

If this protocol kills a cyst, it will kill cancer cells. They aren't that different.

Details, dear, details.

Steve

Dear Dr. Bigcheese:
I thought there was a connection between my cyst and cancer. Felt it in my bones.

Tea Tree Oil Formula: Note that I'm actually using more carrier oils than stated previously. Turns out it's a 2.25 oz bottle.

1 oz Vitamin E Oil. I get mine at the grocery store (Fry's Food & Drug, Phoenix ) but it's available anywhere. Local grocery stores, drug stores, health food stores. This is a real generic product. I would try for the highest concentration of Vitamin E available. What I was using happened to be 30,000 IU in 2.25 fl. oz, according to the label. I am not sure the type matters, but I normally use d-alpha tocopherol acetate. I've never gotten over Adele Davis!

Tea Tree Oil = approximately 30 drops. This is NOW Foods Tea Tree Oil, purchased through iHerb (I've talked about these good people before) but any high-quality essential oil will do. This should form a visible layer on top of the Vitamin E Oil.

Ginger Oil = approximately 10 drops. Now Foods, size, source same as the Tea Tree

Clary Sage Oil = approximately 7 drops. Same as Tea Tree. I'm not sure Clary Sage has any effect but I like the smell...

Add the essential oils to the Vitamin E Oil and shake very thoroughly to mix. Then add:

1 oz Emu Oil. I got mine through iHerb (Natural Treasures Emu Oil) Any brand will do so long as it's 100% pure Emu Oil. Down-under chickenphat. Note that Emu Oil is also recommended for keloids and scarring in general.

Shake thoroughly. You can either put this on a cotton ball, held on with a band-aid for small spots, or just rub it in over a larger area. It is greasy. I got one bottle of Vitamin E Oil in a pump container and have reused it because it's so handy. With the "cotton-ball" approach, if the band-aid is horizontal you can just squirt more oil into the cotton ball if it gets dry, keeping a constant level of oil on the skin. I'm sure that a 4x4 and adhesive tape would do the same job for a larger area.

Re: essential oils -- make sure to use natural oils, steam extracted if at all possible. NEVER use synthetics; they may smell the same but are made of petroleum byproducts and are really really not good for you. Important! Also keep in cool place out of direct sunlight, which can break down the oils chemically.

I've found this works well for soaking out blood-encrusted scabs and things of that nature. It does not hurt or sting in these proportions. It also seems to have a "drawing" property that I cannot explain but have observed on several occasions.

I'm really excited about this. The cyst was nothing but an annoyance, but I still find it hard to believe I extracted over an inch of hardened lymphatic fluid, over 1/8" in diameter, from a hole the size of a slightly enlarged pore (mainly because that's what it was).

Perhaps I should mention that the cyst was on the top side of my left tit and I DID use the niacinamide on my

left armpit? This may have been a factor. – Blanche

Blanche,
The active ingredient, the essential oil, in tea tree oil kills melanoma cells. We are on the right track. This is good stuff. There is NO question that topical nicotinamide started the entire death process. Very cool...

Steve

Blanche,
I want the formula for the topical that you used to rehydrate the skin and treat the cyst.

Be specific, dear.

Steve

Dear Big Cheese:
Actually I tried two different formulas as a double-check. The first works marvelously; the second is not getting the seal of approval.

(actual formula deleted)

Bulletin:

Just got the results from my blood test while in the middle of this email. Not good, Big Cheese. Not good. Viral load is still in the "over 100,000" range and the CD4s have dropped to 20 (were 55 last time). I'd say we need a better approach to handling this or I'm dogmeat. Oops! Still, as the Shingles heals and I'm more at home in my own skin, I'm feeling better all the time, and getting bored and restless. I'm in great shape for a dead woman.

Yuccko is currently 2 grams curcumin, 5 grams egcg per day in coconut. No quercetin. Otherwise I'm taking 1.5G ALA , 3.6G NAC, 1.5G acetyl l-carnitine, 100mg 5HTP, 6 mg melatonin at bedtime. Also a multivitamin

(Centrum Silver) and glucosamine-chondroitin for my joints, not that I'm going anyplace right now...

I'm not sure changing dosages around is gonna help much until I have cleared these damnable Shingles from my system. I believe that should be my first priority, cuz they are swiping my CD4s. The nurse didn't find the question, "Yeah, am I still dead?" very amusing, I'm afraid. Goes to show. -- Blanche

Blanche,
The damn shingles virus is causing this. Your CD4 cells are in your skin trying to kill the shingles virus. Of course, the HIV virus, activated by the shingles virus, is not helping matters, to put it mildly. You don't have AIDS, obviously. We'll work on it tomorrow.

Steve

Dear Dr. Steve:
Yeah, Shingles. I'm really not fond of the damned things; they're screwing up my life. Gotta go.

As you said, obviously I don't have AIDS. I should be the hospital if I'm lucky and daisy-pushing if things get outta hand. Instead I'm healing and getting bored and restless to get on with my life. Doesn't sound like AIDS to me!

Happy library day. When you get back to this, think of some words of comfort for Stanley, who is starting to panic, the big schmoo. – Blanche

Dear Big Cheese:
Today I discovered that the topical can indeed by overdone. The first inkling of this was last night, when I awoke with mass quantities of little ant feet and found myself sitting up in bed, rubbing excess mixture off my lower legs. Just the legs; go figure.

In the morning my schedule has been: soak (need to loosen gluck up; this step may soon be unnecessary); allow to dry thoroughly ('cuz of chlorine) before applying “X” in water where appropriate. My lower back is the main location for this, but I hit my legs automatically because they're there, I guess. Straight from the bottle, in water.

After a bit I figured the “X” had probably done all it was going to do; the red borders on the herpes had faded. At that point I put on the mixture. It feels so good! My right elbow is ecstatic. This would have been about 10am , because I wanted to give the water-based stuff time to do what it's gonna do.

At 12:30 I developed another mass attack of little ant feet on my legs. I scratched here and rubbed there and the damned itch just moved. Argggh! The solution was to scrub both lower legs with soapy water; the itch is gone.

Apparently this stuff can build up. Really weird. So far this only applies to my lower legs; my forearms and lower back are delighted with the mixture and soak it up like crazy. Maybe that's the difference: the legs aren't as dry?

I have not reapplied either the water-based “X” nor the moisturizer to my lower legs at this point, and will check the progress of the lesions there before making a decision on how to proceed. I may pick a lesion or two to use to continue water-based treatment. At any rate, this is a cautionary tale about little ant feet. When the stuff is used initially there may be feet. Then they go away. When the ants start boogying again it may be time to back off. – Blanche

Blanche,
I had a productive day. Copied at least 30 papers including one that pertains directly to you. After a late lunch, we sat in a local park and talked about you.

First, drop the curcumin NOW . Second, from now on, you make the oral fresh each time, as in twice a day. No more big batches. We both agree that the stuff is probably going bad, esp. the EGCG, and quickly so. Third, why exactly did we drop quercetin? Refresh my memory.

We have a number of problems to deal with. First, I can't assure you that the HIV meds did some long term damage to the immune system.

Next, curcumin was found to kill melanoma cells by activating a biochemical cell death system called FAS. That’s great if you have melanoma, but it sucks if you have HIV. We can't take the chance. Curcumin is out. Just got that paper today.

Next, there is our friend the shingles virus which activates the same T cells that harbor the HIV virus. I can't prevent shingles infections, and Stanley getting weird isn't going to help your stress level.

I have some new ideas. Film at 11PM . Answer my question about quercetin and we'll talk tomorrow. I have to look over 30 scientific papers tonight.

I need to know exactly what happened with the cyst. Did you apply the topical to the chest in the area of the cyst or just water based “X”. Did you ever directly treat the cyst with anything? I like the fact the cyst imploded. Good sign.

OK, I am running out of steam and I have another 20 emails to answer.

Tomorrow...

Steve

Dear Big Cheese:
Okay, no more curcumin; other stuff made fresh. At this point that's just EGCG in coconut milk. Currently 5 grams/day. Note that I think I really cannot increase this amount as I'm gagging now.

Quercetin: The gist of the quercetin problem was that you said the quercetin prevented CD4 migration in and out of the lymphatic system. You felt the CD4's were getting "stuck" and opted to discontinue the quercetin. We have no track record for quercetin usage because I started and then abruptly stopped after the last blood test and well before this one. We're gonna have to punt. I felt good when taking the quercetin if that means anything. I'm in favor of resuming use (but what do I know?)

Cyst: I do not recall using the water-based “X” directly on the cyst. In fact, I only hit the spot with the topical in a general moisturizing program; I paid it no special attention. As I said earlier, I also did the armpit because it was kinda flaky; the proximity to the lymph nodes may or may not have been a factor. The important thing here is I NEVER used the water-based stuff nor did I apply the topical in any serious fashion; I just moisturized my chest and armpits 'cuz they were dry.

About a day and a half later (if I remember correctly) the oozing started from the cyst. I then did the cotton

ball/bandaid/tea tree mixture. It took less than a day for the gloop to begin seriously expressing. I should also note that this cyst has never shown a tendency to leak or ooze before; the oozing started directly after the application.

I wasn't really trying to eliminate the cyst so wasn't concentrating on what it was doing

When you get to the Tea Tree Oil mixture, please note that Emu Oil is exceptionally penetrating and probably should be included in the mixture rather than substituted. The Vitamin E will soften things but I'm not sure about the medicinal component. Of course, an antioxidant is almost always a good thing.

I cannot discount the effect the stress of the Shingles is having on my HIV and treatments. It will be interesting to see if my numbers change radically when the shit is gone once and for all.

On the damage due to medication: I stopped taking the meds the first week of April, so that's the time frame at this point. That should indicate an improvement in performance somewhere around Christmas. For what it's worth I've felt "wrong" about the curcumin and "right" about the quercetin since I started using them. "By the pricking of my thumbs" here, certainly nothing scientific. -- Blanche

Blanche,
My problem is that I have too many irons in the fire. I don't remember what spooked me about quercetin and HIV, but the quercetin does a great job of bringing down the viral titer. We need EGCG to restore the CD4 count. Live and learn.

OK, start on 5 grams of quercetin in addition to the 5 grams of EGCG. Coconut milk. I don't remember your NAC dose, but I want it to be 4 grams a day. I gram of ALA and 2 gram of acetyl-l-carnitine. I am thinking about using indole-3-carbinol for HIV but haven't decided yet. It’s a cancer drug with some potency that is taken as a supplement. I have to check the literature today and the pile of papers staring at me from across the room. It might be useful to restore the immune system.

Good report. How are the shingles lesions doing today, shrinking away to nothing I hope. Also how is your skin doing in general. Less itchy?

Keep track of these doses because I won't.

Steve

Dear Big Cheese:
Good. I felt very positive about the Quercetin when I began using it (just intuition; no hard evidence) and was sorry to have to discontinue. It is unfortunate that we never got blood test results that reflected the Quercetin usage (switched on and off too fast). I also hate being Orange, so losing the Curcumin won't hurt a bit. Incidentally, I should mention that the Quercetin has a slightly "sweet" taste and helps cut the bitter from the EGCG. Every little bit helps. I remember hearing about Adam's and Randy's successes with Quercetin.

Okay: 5 grams Quercetin, 5 grams EGCG per day in coconut milk.

Supplements:

1. I've been taking 3.6 grams/day of NAC; that's just convenient with the amount per capsule. I can take it to 4.2 if you like. (600mg/cap)

2. 1.5 grams ALA , per previous instructions. Actually I believe you wanted 2 grams/day but, again, this is how the pills break down. Reducing to 1 gram is no problem if that's what you want.

3. 1.5 grams acetyl l-carnitine also; I can increase to 2 grams, no problem.

4. We tried Indole-3 carbinol and then discontinued because some news spooked you; I don't remember offhand just why. I think it had something to do with the itching.

CAUTIONARY NOTE: Actually, I had a somewhat itchy night last night. See my original email on "too much of a good thing." I think I need to back off the topical. I get itchy and my skin kinda sloughs off (just surface stuff; this is not serious). I washed with soap and water and everything was better. Then, in the middle of the night, it started up again. I may have been using too much topical because it felt soooo goooood. My skin may be in overproductive mode.

The lesions are definitely shrinking, but don't seem to be making the progress I'd hoped for. Of course this is probably because I look at them several times a day. Sometimes I think things are moving quickly and sometimes I think they're standing still. All subjective; I haven't figured out a way to measure the depth or width of the herps. Remember I haven't had the water-based and 70% “X” very long; that isn't a long time to show results. Impatient Cheese.

The major success story thus far appears (besides the cyst, of course) my lower back. I really can't see what's happening back there, but things FEEL a whole lot better. I need to keep this quite moist because otherwise it cracks open when I turn. This could take some time, but progress is apparently being made. The topical does not appear to be overamping or causing any itching. It just feels good. Perhaps this area is simply beaucoup dry and the legs are marginal.

Before we go generically boosting my immune system, I should perhaps remind you that you suspected an autoimmune reaction at one point. I think we need to be careful how we approach this because I most certainly don't want to wind up back in Histamine Land!

Some you win, some you lose. Let me know about the supplements. – Blanche

Blanche,
Up the dose of NAC and ALA and leave the ALC alone. Indole is out for HIV. You are quite right, I don't want the immune system activated.

I want you to take some oral niacinamide too. I believe we talked about this. How much are you now taking orally? I am not talking about the low amounts of niacinamide in supplement tabs. Probably going to have to take 4-5 grams a day. Turns out HIV depletes NAD, a critical enzyme cofactor, in infected cells. The N stands for niacinamide. But it influences many other biochemical pathways involved with HIV synthesis. I have a big pile of articles on this vitamin. What’s cool about niacinamide (Nicotinamide) is that it causes vasodilation in the face and elsewhere (Note: this is wrong. Nicotinic acid causes vasodilation and flushing, not niacinamide). This is vasodilation due to the synthesis of a prostaglandin called PGD2. PGD2 is converted to a prostaglandin called PDJ2 and some other stuff. These are called cyclopentone prostaglandins and they are THE most powerful anti-viral agents ever identified. I am certain Big Pharma is trying to make another version of the natural stuff that they can patent, but why bother. Oral niacinamide is anti-HIV on its own and it stimulates PGD2 synthesis almost as an after thought. The body converts the PGD2 to other anti-HIV, etc. prostaglandins.

See what happens when I get turned loose in a science library.

Steve

Yer Cheeseship:
We discussed oral niacin earlier. I got a B Complex that delivered 300mg/day. We discussed the flushing and decided to leave it alone. This was your decision. Later you mentioned oral niacinamide but then we got sidetracked with the topical, so nothing was done. My current supplement delivers still only 300mg/day. There is no problem with getting a straight niacinamide/nicotinamide supplement. Any caveats? I know it needs to be -amide. Anything else?

Also, I'm a little leery of starting off at 4-5 grams/day with this stuff. Can I start at a gram and work up gradually? I really, really don't want to take anything that potent that may set off some other reaction. Not now, please! I'm already having all the fun I can stand.

NOTE: I'm about due to place an order with iHerb. It's far easier and cheaper to get everything at once. Is there anything else you can think of that I should be taking?

On your postscript, please define "normal." I've forgotten what normal is. I'd like to avoid those darned little histamines, if you don't mind; they're not being kind to me! In less melodramatic terms, at what point do I adjust the topical? -- Blanche

Blanche,
I couldn't find any information that ceramide induced histamine release. I think the continued dry skin simply irritates the itch sensory neurons. You may want to play around and add EGCG to this lotion. Here is the reason.

It’s known to be anti-itch. You determined that some time ago.

I found out ten minutes ago that the major control protein for shingles gene activation also stimulates the HIV gene in a very specific way, activating something called nuclear factor kappa beta, a factor I know a great deal about. EGCG inhibits a biochemical pathway that activates this factor soooo a PSX and EGCG topical might be in order. This combo might take out the itch, the shingles lesions, and restore your skin in general.

Did you ever hear of something called Skin Zinc? They advertise it on the radio for eczema and other skin disorders.

Do you have dandruff? I found out that dandruff is also caused by skin barrier function breakdown. Shampoo anyone?

Later dude...

Steve

Dear Big Cheese:
Not dry. Where I'm using the topical mixture my skin is not dry. In fact the oils build up over time and I have to get up in the wee small hours now (last two nights) and wash off the excess or I itch. Washing with soap & water stops the itch, so it's something about the topical. I may have overamped the moisturizing. Beats me.

EGCG: I've heard of nuclear factor kappa beta, possibly from you but also from my own research, such as it is. I remember because on the net they often use the cute little Greek Beta, but not the kappa. Darn! I just stopped turning myself odd colors; here I go again!

Niacin: I intend to start with 500mg niacinamide or nicotinamide and work my way up. Perhaps 3-4 days at 500, then up to a gram. Sorry to be so chickenshit, but something about the topical is causing me to itch and I can't wash off what I ingest. I'm treading very carefully here. Last night I started to itch and almost started crying because I thought it was over and it wasn't. End of rope time here. I'd rather work up slowly than wind up in a shirt with the tasteful wrap-around sleeves.

Never heard of Skin Zinc. Colloidal? I know that colloidal silver is becoming a very popular antiviral agent. I mentioned this before. It apparently was gaining popularity at the time Sulfas came out, followed by other antibiotics, which wiped the colloidal silver off the treatment menu. Some people say it's snake oil; others claim it saved life/sanity/etc. Never had dandruff, although I was getting somewhat flaky before we started the topical. (I don't need any smartass remarks about the flaky part, either. I can HEAR you)!

It'll be a few days before I get the inosine off to you; I've got to make a Post Office run soon.

Status update: I think I mentioned that I start my day with a tub soak to loosen up all the hardened gluck so that I can move. The warm water (with apple cider vinegar) is very soothing, but it does change the appearance of the lesions, of course. After the soak (and a thorough dry 'cuz of chlorine) I apply the niacin/water with a cotton ball as described previously. At any rate, this all means the lesions are pretty well soaked in something for quite some time. Their appearance at this point is not standard; I forgot that.

For some reason, I looked at my legs along about 11-11:30 today and saw an entirely different picture. The lesions are indeed healing and shrinking! One scab appears to have just dropped off without any encouragement. Underneath it is still fairly ugly, but the inside/outside skin levels are nearly matched -- a first for this lesion. It's tastefully pink in the middle and looks very healthy, if a lesion can be said to look healthy, that is.

Odd notes: In spots, especially where the lesions have opened and resealed, the crusty scabbing is very hard and thick, and appears to still be attached at a fairly deep level. I was considering the Tea Tree/cotton ball approach. Any other ideas? They don't itch and really don't bother me except they're weird. -- Blanche

Blanche,
Sure, start slow with 500 milligrams of nicotinamide (niacinamide) and work up. This stuff absolutely does not cause histamine release. The literature says so and I got it in my eye for good measure. It caused vasodilation, but no inflammation, pain, itching, tears...nothing. Its not inflammatory. Its anti-inflammatory. I think you should cut the dose of the PSX in the cream. Sounds fairly concentrated. Let’s bomb it first and work back later.

I am not sending the quercetin. There isn't enough to bother with. I would like the powdered inosine, however.

Turns out skin barrier dysfunction is the under lying problem with a ton of skin diseases including acne, eczema, dermatitis of all kinds, dandruff, etc. When the skin barrier function is compromised, the skin gets easily infected with bacteria and fungi of all kinds. I didn't know that dandruff was caused by a yeast infection in the scalp. Who knew? But the infection can't take hold unless the skin barrier is dysfunctional.

Later...

The Big Cheese.

Dear Big Cheese:
Okay, I think I've got the info I need to order supplements. -- Blanche

Blanche,
I found out something ten minutes ago. If you feed hairless mice (so their skin can be analyzed) a diet deficient of magnesium and zinc, they develop dry skin, itching, wrinkles, and all kinds of problems. Are you taking your magnesium as I requested.

Maybe some oral bioavailable zinc is in order too.

Dear Dr. Steve:
Hey, I'm not hairless!

Of course I just ordered the stuff from iHerb, then got your email. Yes, I'm taking magnesium although I confess that with all the Shingles stuff I do space it more than I should. I think everybody should take a good mixed mineral, and I don't. Go figure. Suggestions? – Blanche

Dear Big Cheese:
Next time I'll check before promising any leftovers. The Inosine is indeed in tablets. I never thought to look because I buy EVERYTHING in caps in case you decide to do something strange with it. (Yeah, you). I forgot that the Inosine is not a common supplement and I had to take what I could get. If you know anybody who has a use for tablets let me know. There's quite a few of them and I really hate to see them go to waste. Ditto the 45% EGCG (bulk). If not I'm getting tired of looking at this stuff and will probably give it a decent burial soon.

I had a pretty good night last night but arrived by an odd method. I had mentioned that my skin appeared to be overproducing ceramide since I've been using the topical stuff. The last two nights I was up and scratching until I washed; then things settled down. Last night I got in a SOAPY tub not too long before bed, then rinsed in the shower. I did have to hit a couple of spots with moisturizer (mostly on my ribs) but for the most part my skin was NOT dry. In fact as the night wore on I could feel the oil building up. This is probably not a good treatment for anybody with acne.

Some scabs are starting to drop off, leaving slightly indented pinkness behind. Not bad. My lower back (the real problem child) is showing a lot of improvement. The area affected by the Shingles is withdrawing to the center and there aren't so may large lesions. I'm really looking forward to getting the back healed, because the nerves in the main stem play havoc with sensations in the weirdest places!

Now comes the tightrope act. For healing, dry appears to be better, but then there's the dread itch. I'm going to have to maintain the moisture of my skin like NASA control. Or perhaps NOT like NASA control; I want this to work.

I wish I could tell you that "these three lesions are gone" or "20% show definite signs of improvement," but some of the real problems are on my lower back and butt and the ones on my arms and legs are legion; I'd as soon try to catalogue grains of sand. I'm definite that the overall trend is toward improvement and healing, however. Incidentally, my skin is still rubbing off. I think I'm drowning it 'cuz I'm in the tub at least once a day. Now that the lower back is improving perhaps I can quit soaking my cookies.

Odd notes: I think I have mentioned a plaque-like substance on my right elbow (which still feels very dry, by the way). Since using the topical it is reduced but still present, and skipping application brings it right back (although reduced, as I say). There is something that FEELS very similar on either side of my tailbone just inside the fold. It also scratches or rubs off but returns. I've got the Tasmanian Crud or something, I guess. I think the best approach here is just to leave it alone and see if it gets bored and wanders off.

Cyst: It appears to be healing. I have a small spot (enlarged pore, actually) through which all this garbage was expressed. It's slightly indented but not ugly nor tender. There is no swelling. -- Blanche

Blanche,
Why don't you take some of that 45% EGCG, extract it in isopropyl alcohol overnight, pour off the liquid and dump the crap, and add some of the alcohol extract to the lotion with the PSX. Extract about 5 grams at a time. Use 2-3 oz of alcohol, 70% is fine. You know that EGCG stops the itch, and helps the lesions heal. Be bold Blanche. What have you got to lose except the itch?

Steve

Dear Big Cheese:
Things are moving along. Although I still get a few itches, the lesions are clearing up nicely as far as I can tell. Some of course (the worst, naturally) I can't really see, but they feel better).

I'm gonna check out the EGCG in isopropyl today. All I had was 99% but I figure I don't need much. The moisturizer is anyway, so some places I can't use it and others I get to dance...

Some of the changes are nothing short of amazing; I've got pink spots where recently ugly scabby lesions were staring at me. There are still quite a few uglies, but they're not as ugly as before. Still, there's quite a way to go.

The biggest remaining problem is my lower back, but for different reasons and I don't quite know what to do about it. Simply slathering stuff on it is not gonna help, I'm afraid. As the lesions fill in, sometimes with "me" and sometimes with blood, gluck, etc., they put pressure on the underlying nerves. Then I get odd and unpleasant

problems that are totally removed in space from their source. Last night my bippy was burning; felt like I was sitting on a stove! Finally got that settled down but all the washing etc. left me rather raw and meant that when I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I tended to come off the seat like a Poseidon missile. Yeeouch! The burning and itching went on for some time until something came loose on my back, at which point it went away. Go figure.

Do you think the EGCG, et. al. on the back will help with this? At the source of the nervous impulses, so to speak? I'm gonna find out as soon as I've filtered my EGCG. Well, actually, I won't know until an unrelated problem crops up again, but I'll be ready! I know that addressing the problem directly is pointless. Just as well, the

isopropyl, niacinamide etc. is nothing I want to put in personal places!

Today, I want to try to do some net work and try to find out what's causing the histaminic reaction. It's definitely histamine. I had stopped the antihistamines after starting the topical because I didn't feel I needed it. The last few nights have changed my mind, and last night in the wee small hours I did indeed take antihistamines. Itch went away, zap!

I need to point out at this time that my skin is no longer dry, and attempts to make it wetter are irritating it and making me all greasy. I now have to wash in the middle of the night because the oil builds up in my skin. Too much ceramide, I thinketh. Do caution Anna about this. Of course I was using killer proportions of the stuff; perhaps a lower dose would not do this. I have to wait until I've stopped greasing to find out. There are a couple of exceptions, like my ribs and stomach, that still feel better for the topical, but for the most part I'm really rehydrated. Boy, am I hydrated! I've still got flaking in my groin. This problem goes basically all the way around the inside of both legs. The redness had faded and now it's back. It does not seem to respond to EGCG, niacin in water nor the PS/X, and I'm really hesitant to use too much in those particular places. I've dabbled some water-based niacinamide in the flatter front area only, and it stings!

This morning, for the first time in I can't remember when, I did NOT get in the tub first thing in the morning. I do need to take a shower later but am going to try to avoid soaking. If my lower back gets too nasty I can use the topical there only. Perhaps I'm flaking because I drown myself too often? – Blanche

Mouse Number Two,
I got a paper at Bezerkeley Monday which claimed that ceramide inhibited the PI3K biochemical pathway in the skin. If you inhibit this pathway, there is no histamine release from mast cells in the skin. Maybe these oils are causing the histamine release.

Yes, the EGCG should stop the itch. It did it before so definitely add the EGCG. Itch doesn't have to be caused by histamine. There are itch sensory neurons in your skin just like pain, heat, cold, and pressure neurons. Since EGCG works so quickly, it is shutting down these neural pathways. Way cool.

Anna's chest lesions are better today. No bleeding, but some are oozing a clear liquid. That's good. A few of the lumps remain bright red, but the interior of the lesion area has returned to a normal pink color. We are going to wait another day before reapplying the X factor. We also have the option of using the topical as well. Lots of options. The nice thing about X is how it penetrates the skin without causing excessive tissue damage. It kills abnormal cells in many different ways, as you are finding out now.

Put the EGCG stuff on your back when it is made. This may do the trick. EGCG is a remarkable molecule.

Later..

Steve

BC:
Different breeds of mice, obviously. I don't find the oils irritating at all, so long as I avoid Oregano, which thoroughly trashes me even when diluted to hell and back. I'm using Vitamin E/Emu/Tea Tree/Ginger/Clary Sage oils directly on open sores, using a soaked cotton ball and band-aids. Absolutely no irritation for me. Go figure. Perhaps the Vitamin E oil is helping deal with any inflammation.

The histaminic reaction I mention is generic and affects skin both with lesions and without. I itch smack in the middle of nowhere. Note that antihistamines stop this itching within 1/2 hour; a very suspicious situation. No, I don't think it's the topical; I just don't know what it actually is. But it is assuaged by antihistamines.

Decanted the extracted EGCG. Yuck! This 40%+ stuff is more gluck than anything else; lotsa solids. When I strained it I had much less than half the isopropyl I apparently started with. One major benefit to extraction, however, is it does not seem to tea stain everything. I was getting tired of tea stains.

I'm gonna add a smidge to the topical I already have. Also, I made up some "Blitz" cream that is really neat. Noxema is, as always, my carrier 'cuz it's thicker than other stuff (plus I like the smell, and it's cheap). I added to 2 oz Noxema: (Formula deleted)

I haven't used the EGCG on my back yet because I just used Aspirincreme; things were starting to crack and I grabbed the first wet stuff I could find. Since I'd already had my busy picking little hands back there I couldn't use the topical because of the isopropyl yeeouch. -- Blanche

Blanche,
What is the Blitz cream? Is that the stuff you made before with the EGCG and the Noxema? I assume it is.

Is this the formula for the new skin cream that you are going to try? I can't wait to hear about the results.

Steve

BC:
Yes, Blitz is the formula I described in my last email. I've cut the topical about in half and added quite a bit of EGCG, as well as the Calamine. It dries quickly on the surface 'cuz of the Calamine but the topical is still hopefully active in deeper layers. We'll see. Too bad I can only use it when there is nothing open; the high percentage of isopropyl is a killer if the lesions are open. For small spots even that can be worth it sometimes.

I've already used it on a couple of spots that started whining and got instant relief. It will of course be a few days before any healing aspects become apparent. I intend to use it on my back tonight at bedtime and see if that cures the "unfortunate sensations in odd places" syndrome. It'd be niiiiice. -- Blanche

Blanche,
Tomorrow, I am mailing you a CARE package. It will contain bulk PA and a bottle of serine. The stuff you have contains 10 grams of PA and one 500 mg cap of serine. It has to be dissolved in 99% isoprop. BUT you can make it as concentrated as you want. This will cut down on the alcohol you have to add to the cream. I will include another bottle, that WILL leak somewhat (the X factor is like WD40-its leaks through the screw top tracks), of a more concentrated version of X in water. It dissolves in both alcohol and water so its not a problem to add the water mix to the cream. You can extract the EGCG with water also. Its water soluble and fat soluble. It too will dissolve in the cream. But if its a water extraction, it has to be distilled or spring water and it has to be boiling hot like making tea. Let it sit overnight before filtering.

Things are moving along...

Steve

BC:
CARE package: that's why the bugger leaked. Also I've been keeping the bottle of water-base in the bathroom 'cuz that's where I normally apply it. I've noticed a decided odor of niacin. I kept tightening the top and it was still there. Now I know why.

Concentrating the extracted stuff will definitely cut way down on the isopropyl and make it easier to use in sensitive places. Goody! I have some 99% isopropyl niacinamide, also the 99% serine and the 70% niacinamide. Can I combine these with a very concentrated new extraction to eliminate wastage? As I said, I hate to throw out anything useful. Or can I just use the bottle of previously-extracted shit to extract more? I'm no chemist. I'd like to get it down to a few drops per 2oz mix if at all possible. The 70% is not too nasty but still smarts and the 99% can be vicious.

Hopefully I'll be sending you your own CARE package tomorrow. I'm waiting for a shipment from iHerb because the packaging, strangely enough, is ideal for shipping supplement bottles. Already peanutted.

I am really looking forward to putting these Shingles behind me (rather than on my behind) and getting back to the original program of stomping the shit outta the HIV. Onward. -- Blanche

Blanche,
Do a water extraction of the EGCG and throw the alcohol extraction away. Use the water soluble nicotinamide instead of the 70% isprop. preparation. Use the topical in 99% as is.

This is for NOW .

By Friday, you will get a super concentrated “X” in water, a bag of palmitic and a bottle of serine caps. You might be able to dissolve the palmitic in 70% alco. The serine is poorly soluble in water or alcohol so it makes no difference. Dump out the contents of the PX bottle and make fresh. 10 grams is about a slightly rounded tablespoon. Use three tablespoons of PA and 3 caps of serine.

Mix these components with the water extract of EGCG in any amounts you want to the Noxema and calamine lotion.

I am working on another anti-HIV and anti-cancer inhibitor that targets the casein kinase two enzyme. I forgot all about this enzyme and its role in cancer and HIV. Three flavonoids inhibit the hell out of it, resveratrol, emodin, and chrysin. But they aren't soluble in water. I've got sources in China for all of this stuff.

Myricetin is another flavonoid that I am presently in love with.

More later...

Steve

BC:
You are indeed a danger when turned loose in a science library. Yeech! I've never heard of some of that stuff.

Am looking forward to getting your CARE package so that I can mix up some very strong stuff, mix it into a carrier, fill the bathtub and jump in. Just kidding; we'll do this a piece at a time. – Blanche

Blanche,
Moderation Blanche. Moderation.

This chrysin stuff is amazing. Its supposedly a powerful casein kinase 2 inhibitor which makes it a great cancer and anti-viral drug. Quercetin does similar things. Chrysin was found to actually bind 3 of the 4 protein subunits of the enzyme. This enzyme is necessary to activate 3 or 4 of the HIV control proteins. Inhibit CK2 and you instantly have a latent infection. Now, we wouldn't want that, would we?

I bet it works against herpes viruses also. I am checking into it. The stuff is sold in 500 mg capsules and is CHEAP. I am so excited I feel little mice feet walking all over my body.

Back to work.

BC:
I sure am good for research. The weirdest things happen to me. A little while ago something else strange happened and I just now figured it out, I think. See what you think:

I put the Blitz cream on both lower legs. The right leg soaked it up and went on with business as usual. The left leg developed maniacal ant feet (that's the feet of maniacal ants, obviously, nobody wants maniacal feet). At last the only way to stop the itching was to wipe my leg off with a damp washcloth.

1. Damp washcloth

2. Right leg is mostly spots where the skin simply rubbed off; for a while there was a lot of that sort of thing going on. This is concentrated along the front of the shin bone and while beaucoup ugly is not really herpes.

3. Left leg is full (I mean full) of old large ugly herpes lesions, many of them still quite deep and scabby.

4. Eureka! Perhaps the herpes is doin' the croaking roach routine. By this I mean that the biochemical processes that toast the herpes is causing unusual activity that is in turn causing the itch. The nonherpal leg does not itch; the one with active herpes does. This might also explain why subsequent applications itch less; the first application killed off a bunch of herpes and there is less strafing going on.

If true, this could prove to be a way to check for herpes activity. Perhaps it might apply to other problems also.

Weird, or what? -- Blanche

Blanche,
Not likely. The topical enters the skin rapidly so I don't know what a wet rag would do. Also, the chlorine in the water was probably neutralized by interacting with the cotton in the rag. Something else is going on. I don't doubt that the histamine is associated with the herpes lesions and this is the cause of the itch.

“X” does not cause itching or inflammation. If there is itching, it is some kind of indirect effect caused by the shingles. We'll see.

I am having a good day scientifically. Lots of good stuff found on the databases.

Later...

Steve

BC
Foo. I had it but it ran away. Oh, well. I really thought I had an answer for the little ant foot syndrome. Darn -- Blanche

Blanche,
OK I give up. Someday I will learn to write things down.

What is the formula you used to make the first topical with Noxema?

Get back to me ASAP.

Steve

Big Silly Cheese:
Yep, when you ask for a formula you probably should hang onto it. Here it is again. This is the one I was using when my cyst ran away from home:

(formula deleted)

Since you lost the first formula, I should probably again bring to your attention the fact that the cyst was on the top of my left tit and I did use the topical in my left armpit. This may have had some effect.

Also remember my caveat re: little ant feet. There may be some itching. If necessary, wipe off with warm damp cloth and allow to dry, then reapply. Each subsequent application has fewer ants. Then when the stuff is really working they apparently come back. Go figure. I'd really like to know if this is just me or if it's a universal symptom, 'cuz I can't get a handle on it and it's driving me bonkers.

If you want the recipe for the Tea Tree Oil stuff again let me know.

At the very least it does make you skin feel wonderful, and that's a plus – Blanche

Kids,
I have to correct a mistake. I found out that the enzyme CK2 ACTIVATED the release of influenza virus from infected cells and ACTIVATED the spread of shingles virus from cell to cell, which is how HIV also spreads. The natural products I mentioned inhibit CK2 and prevent all this from happening.

I tried to send an email about this last night, but it got screwed up and was never sent.

I am back on the hunt for more data this AM.

Dear Big Cheese:
Actually, when I read your referenced email I re-inverted the comment and wound up with inactivating CK2, which when active was responsible for release of flu, Shingles and HIV from latent cells. In other words, I thought stepping on CK2 was an excellent idea. So even if your phrasing was inside out, I got the message.

I need to get busy at home because I'm having trouble sleeping and am "afeared" of increasing melatonin until my skin is better, at least. I'm still having itching spells off and on. Oily skin/dry skin/no skin at all. I've now got three different jars of stuff to put on different body parts. The last one contains no PS/X at all (for the super oily spots). It has Noxema, Calamine and EGCG only. Haven't tried it yet; will let you know.

Just got out of the shower where I washed everything with just the shampoo. Mild and thorough. When I say everything I do mean everything. Too much oil buildup in spots, dry in others. Argggh. Let's hope this helps.

Incidentally, I never mentioned that the Quercetin/EGCG kocktail is not very hard to get down! I'm doing 5 grams each per day. I did add some brown sugar as I had been and went toooooo faaaaar; it was too sweet!

Tasted like it needed chocolate malt to complete the concoction. This may be a combination that the more delicate among us can stomach. Good for kids? Just a thought -- Blanche

Blanche,
Glad to hear about the quercetin/egcg. Taste is a critical factor, as you know.

I am going to buy some chrysin and experiment with it. It looks like a real winner.

I'll mail your package today, but you won't get it until Monday. I thought today was Thursday. I seem to have lost a day.

Blanche,
I mailed off the goodies. I couldn't fit the bottle of serine in the mailing envelope so I dumped about half the open bottle into a zip lock bag. I also enclosed more than enough palmitic acid. The bottle contains 20 total grams of X, in about 2 ounces of distilled water. That is plenty concentrated.

I found out a ton of info on casein kinase 2 and its affects on cancer and hiv. I lined up sources for the major inhibitors of this enzyme in China only to find out 30 minutes ago that quercetin and EGCG are the most powerful inhibitors. The combination of the two is a powerful medicine. I am also thinking of adding 5% DMSO to the final topical lotion as well. This stuff works; we just have to get it farther into the skin.

Your thoughts?

BC
I got the Inosine off to you; it should also arrive Monday. Chips, pissing in the night...

Bummer on the CK. I thought we'd found a bigger hammer, but looks like the one we're using is the best there is. Oh well; at least we're on the right track. Maybe something else will crop up.

DMSO: The only applications I have seen are for joints, often in conjunction with MSM . These are exclusively tablets, also. How does that fit in with what we are doing? The Big Cheese has been loose in the library, folks. All Will Be Revealed.

I'm with you on extracting the Quercetin; I've never seen a supplement so full of solids and gluck as Quercetin. I normally leave about an inch of kocktail in the bottom of the glass 'cuz it's more solid than liquid. Yuck. At least it's not Orange! Getting the goodies out and discarding the mess is almost a prerequisite for any topical, or we're gonna be covered with little Quercetinies. Looks like overcooked cereal or something.

I've now gone critical. I've got three different topicals; one for every occasion. There's the heavy-duty topical for dry spots (compound #1). There's the lightweight one with Calamine and EGCG added for moderate places (compound #2 or Blitz cream) and the Noxema/Calamine/EGCG for the truly greasy places (compound #3). They all seem to work well for the applications for which they are designed.

Incidentally, I'm still using the isopropyl extracted EGCG; it's just smoother and doesn't keep getting darker and yuckier. Once it's extracted and filtered it appears to be stable and with the other stuff produces a brownish-pink topical that doesn't look super weird nor stain clothes or sheets. If I need more concentration I can use the 70% caps. Status check: My lower back seems to be healing nicely. I'm using compound #3 during the day to maximize the EGCG and compound #2 at night for extra moisturizing, also niacinamide. Compound #1 is currently limited to my right elbow, which is still dry and ugly. -- Blanche

Blanche,
I just got an email from an old friend who operates a kukui oil processing company in Hawaii. It was just chat, but it suddenly occurred to me that the skin penetrating powers we have all been seeking have been sitting under my nose for a long time. Kukui oil is VERY penetrating into the skin. It contains a high concentration of polyunsaturated FA, many of which are necessary for skin barrier function. When added to lotions by manufacturers, kukui oil substantially enhances their penetration into the skin. The stuff is not cheap, but its not used straight. I have some stored away in pint bottles, but it would take me some time to find it in my big storeroom. I recommend you guys purchase a small bottle in a drug store, health food store, whatever or off the Net and try it. If it enhances your respective topicals, I can supply the product from there. I can give you what I've got and Dana will sell me more product cheap since we are doing testing. You can read about the properties of Kukui oil on the Net. Lots of articles.

Its been used to treat psoriasis, eczema, and of course dry skin. It definitely worth a try.

BC
As in cuicuinut? Coconut?

Also that's why I'm using Emu Oil in the oil-based topicals. It really soaks in well, taking other stuff deeper with it. It's also not really expensive, although it is greasy. How about the Kukui? -- Blanche

Blanche,
If Quercetin is extracted in alcohol and allowed to settle, like EGCG, there is no junk. The Quercetin is in the alcohol and the junk on the bottom of the jar is tossed. This alcohol extracted Quercetin can then be added to creams for topical applications. Its potent stuff. Anything that totally inhibits the dreaded enzyme CK2 at 50 nanomolars is OK with me. We are talking about VERY low concentrations. By the way, the HER2 gene activates CK2 and blocks the ability of TNF or tumor necrosis factor to kill cancer cells. CK2 is a growth factor on its own. Inhibit it and HER2 doesn't do spit. Alcohol extracted should completely stop the ability of the shingles virus to move from cell to cell.

Any takers?

Steve