Vol.
2 No. 4 July,
1998
MERIDIAN INSTITUTE NEWS
Included in this issue:
Chronic
Fatigue Research Project
Over the past year, six people
have been working with Edgar Cayce's recommendations in our Chronic Fatigue
Research Project. Chronic fatigue (or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)) is
a debilitating disorder characterized by profound tiredness or fatigue.
The Cayce readings do not specifically refer to chronic fatigue syndrome,
since this syndrome has only recently been labeled. In Cayce's time, the
symptoms were typically referred to as neurasthenia, which roughly translates
as "nerve exhaustion." Because of the diverse symptoms, chronic fatigue
requires a broadly-based treatment approach.
We focused on the basics: a
cleansing of the system with castor oil packs, colonics, and massages,
the mostly-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable diet, and the radial appliance.
For one person in the project,
the Cayce approach was an outstanding success. She had been severely fatigued
for years, and had tried various approaches without much success. After
a year she wrote to us:
"The protocol and most especially
the diet has been responsible for major breakthroughs in my life.
"My mainstays have turned out
to be THE DIET, meditation, & yoga on a daily basis. I found the diet
allowed me to 'stray' occasionally with no side effects other than temporary
'additive' problems. I have increased my energy, ability to deal with people,
exercise, & general alertness of mood by as much as 1000%.
"This past year has shown me
and my husband many miracles not just in my health but our relationship.
We both attribute this re-birth (if you will) to the diet, the readings,
our old Search for God group in Southern California, [the study group leader]
and her vast understanding of the readings, and most of all - all of you
at Meridian - you have changed our lives forever. Thank you.
"In addition to all of these
gifts, I've lost about a pound a week since we left the beach - 58 to be
exact - I'm now at 122 pounds!"
The other five people in the
project had varying degrees of success. Two really never began to work
with the protocol. The other three worked with the material, though not
with complete compliance.
One woman reported moderate
improvement, and offered the following comments at the one-year follow-up:
"I really think the protocols are on target, though sometimes time consuming,
which can be hard on the slow moving days, as I include meditation, breathwork
and stretches. I pray often for contributors' gifts to sustain and broaden
your experiments. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it."
One man made a great deal of
effort and was diligent in filling out the data sheets for the project.
He had moderate improvement in fatigue symptoms for the first six months,
but then he leveled off. He did report continued improvement in attitudes
and emotions, however. He made valuable contributions to our understanding
of the limitations of this basic protocol.
While recognizing the limitations
of the project with regard to the small number of participants and partial
compliance to the treatment plan, we learned a great deal. Chronic fatigue
is an especially difficult disorder to work with, because exhaustion and
discouragement interfere with the ability to comply with the protocol.
The woman with the outstanding improvement had a husband who supported
her through the process. On the other hand, one of the people who never
really tried to apply the protocol was a single mother with children who
had to put her major effort into coping with daily life. Thus the
role of social support during the healing process is particularly important
with this illness.
We also could see from the
Cayce readings, that with a disorder that is really a catch-all for a diversity
of symptoms and causes, one can't realistically expect a single treatment
plan to work optimally for everyone. The basics are a first step, and as
we continue, we will learn more about the principles behind Cayce's more
advanced treatments with regard to tailoring the treatment plan to the
unique needs of each individual.
Edgar Cayce constantly emphasized
the importance of the mental and spiritual. One very encouraging
aspect of the project was that all of the participants reported improvement
in attitudes and emotions, even when the physical body was slow in responding,
or they were not able to do the physical treatments.
Thanks to all the participants
and support people who are involved in the chronic fatigue project.
We appreciate your efforts and wish you the best as you each continue your
healing journey.
Deborah
Thompson, R. N.
Deborah Thompson, R.N. has
been hired by the A.R.E. to be a "manager/coordinator" for the Health &
Rejuvenation Research Center (HRRC). Among Deborah's varied assignments,
she will work closely with Meridian Institute in the implementing existing
programs and developing new research protocols. As a link between
Meridian Institute and the A.R.E., Deborah will serve as coordinator for
the upcoming health research conferences this fall. As some of you
know, Kieth Vonder Ohe did an excellent job as coordinator for six conferences
from 1995 to 1997. Deborah is also directly involved with the creation
and implementation of the individual research protocols which are now available
(see below). In addition to her involvement in research, Deborah
provides medical consultation and case management services.
Deborah has already contributed
significantly to the research effort of Meridian Institute.
We look forward to working closely with her on future projects.
Individual
Research Protocols
Meridian Institute has created
a number of individual research protocols which may be used by persons
who are unable to attend research conferences. Each protocol is comprehensive
and contains:
-
An overview of the disease,
-
A specific treatment plan,
-
Detailed explanations of how to do do each therapy
in the treatment plan,
-
Documentation (when available) of how this approach
has helped other people,
-
Data collection forms which emphasize the research
aspects of the project.
The format is a simple "pretest/postest"
design. Participants are asked to provide background information
and data before they begin the treatments. After following the protocol
for six months, follow up data is collected so that we can assess the effects
of treatment. As an incentive, a rebate coupon is provided
which entitles participants to receive a partial rebate on the price of
the protocol when the data is mailed to do us.
Here is a listing of the protocols
which are now available:
Alzheimer's Dementia
Asthma
Breast Cancer
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Coronary Heart Disease
Crohn's Disease
Depression
Diabetes (Type II)
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Hypertension
Lung Cancer
Lupus
Migraine
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson's Disease
Prostate Cancer
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Stroke
Tuberculosis
Ulcerative Colitis
The cost of protocols varies
depending upon the amount of documentation and supplementary resources
included with the package. Research Protocols are available from
Deborah Thompson, R. N. at (757) 496-6411.
|
