I was diagnosed with chronic progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
about eight years ago. My condition had deteriorated to the point
where I required a cane or the support of a wall to walk. I had lost
most of the feeling in my feet, legs and hands. I was horribly
fatigued, my speech was slurred, and I had lost considerable balance
and bladder control.
In January 2000, at the urging of my wife, who readily embraces
holistic and alternative medical treatments, I tried a new
experimental therapy of oxygen ion baths. I am now walking without a
cane or the support of the wall. Sensation has returned in my limbs.
My speech is normal, my balance and bladder control are back, and my
energy level has greatly improved. In fact, I have now begun a regular
exercise routine once again, and am walking a couple of miles a day on
my treadmill. Furthermore, I have resumed lifting weights. While I am
not completely fatigue free, my energy level is beyond my wildest
dreams. I feel better than I have in years!
Improvement began to happen as early as my first treatment.
Improvements continued to occur over the six-week course of my initial
treatment regiment. Going into these treatments, I did not hold out
much hope. As a staunch critic of medical treatments that are not in
the mainstream, I am very skeptical of the "Snake Oil
Salesmen," who seek to profit at the misery of others. Had the
treatment not been free, I would not have tried it. Additionally, I do
not believe I am susceptible to psychosomatic cures or the so-called
placebo effect.
The improvements I experienced are real, and dramatic. In fact,
people who have known me for years comment, "Les, I haven't seen
you looking this good in years." When they inquire as to what I
am doing to improve my health, I simply laugh, and confirm that I do
in fact feel as good as I look. I tell them, "It is a simple
matter of taking baths three days a week; not only does it make me
feel better, it helps with the body odor problem as well!" By the
time I get through explaining the oxygen ion baths, which consists of
absorbing positively charged ions of oxygen in a tub of water, they
have generally lost their ability to comprehend how it works.
Nonetheless, they are impressed by my new found energy and ability to
function at near normal levels.
Joan Priestley, M.D., of Anchorage is the primary investigator in a
focus group trial to determine the effects of the oxygen ion bath
treatments on MS. The funds for the trial are compassionately provided
by the Arimathea Foundation of San Francisco, California.
By nature, I am a fairly private person; writing this article is a
departure from the norm for me. Before this therapy, I felt powerless
as my independence, livelihood and quality of life were compromised.
Having tried most of the treatment protocols the mainstream medical
community suggested, and having received no relief, I had basically
given up. I was playing out the hand life had dealt me, and was
muddling through on my own. Although I prefer my privacy, not sharing
this information would be neglectful of other MS sufferers.
Over the years, I have learned enough about MS to realize that the
course this disease takes varies from one patient to another, and the
treatment that works for one, may not provide relief for another. I
know this is not a cure for our dreaded disease, yet it has greatly
enhanced my quality of life, and ability to function.
Besides funding the initial 22 treatments, Arimathea Foundation has
provided funds for my maintenance treatments for the balance of one
year to ensure my current symptom-free state of remission.
Les Bailey is a retired Army officer who has been working as
a realtor in Eagle River since 1992. This article first appeared in
the April 2000 Multiple Sclerosis of America (MSAA) Newsletter, Life
Today.
