SUCCESS
is not measured by what you accomplish,
but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.
- Orison Swett Marden
B. Barksdale (PPMS)
My name is Boo Barksdale and I will have been on the Coimbra vitamin D3 protocol to treat MS for 9 months on November 30th, 2017. I'm 60 years old with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). I discovered the protocol while reading a comment on a blog on an MS website in December of 2016 after following a link to protocol information. I located quite a bit of protocol information online, and I began researching vitamin D as much as I could. I Also found Ana Claudia Domene’s book, ‘Multiple Sclerosis and (lots of) Vitamin D’, which has lots of good information, and it has many links to more information and videos in the back of the book. I highly recommend it.
I had taken 2000 IU of vitamin D daily for a couple of years before my MS diagnosis. As I read more books on vitamin D and I increased the amount I was taking from 2000 IU to 5000 IU daily and then to 15,000 IU. I was desperate to feel better and see a reduction of symptoms, and I felt like I had found the path to healing and hope with the Coimbra protocol.
With the holistic practices I participated in when I found the protocol, I felt like I was treading water, but needed something more. At 15,000 IU of vitamin D, I began to see some noticeable improvements in my energy level and mobility. I also saw reduced spasticity. My legs and arms felt less heavy.
I was still ambulatory, but I could see a slow, steady decline and progression of symptoms. I was 59 years old and I knew time was not on my side. These small improvements encouraged me and gave me the confidence to discuss the protocol with my primary care doctor because I needed assistance in getting the necessary labs done in order to begin the protocol. I was also taking a B complex supplement and vitamin B 12; at the time guided with the help of a local nutritionist that works with elite athletes and has a nutrition business.
After a previous primary care doctor that I had seen for many years told me repeatedly that he thought my symptoms were all related to my thyroid, he began to sound like a broken record and so I sought another opinion. I do also have Hashimoto's which was well controlled with thyroid medication prior to my MS diagnosis.
The second doctor being much more methodical and considered in his approach, ordered an MRI which led to my diagnosis. It took me about 6 years of living with MS symptoms continuously before finally being diagnosed. My earliest recognizably-undeniable symptom goes back to 2004 with slurred speech. A CT scan at that time came back inconclusive and I ignored other minor symptoms like minor tingling and occasional numbness, or my foot not working properly after I'd had an alcoholic beverage.
I was diagnosed with MS in October 2014 at age 57. My future, as described by the medical community, was very limited, but that was their description, not mine. I had other plans. After diagnosis, I did everything I could to eliminate stress and improve my diet and simplify my lifestyle. I followed my intuition. There are many sources of nutritional information for MS patients so I won't address nutrition here.
I obtained the labs and had my first consultation for the protocol in late February of 2017. I began the protocol on March 1, 2017. I was still walking, but using a walking stick some of the time, and feeling my right side becoming significantly weaker than my left. My biggest fear was losing mobility because I have a 13-year-old daughter whom I want to walk down the aisle. Because of my age and the slow steady progression of symptoms over a period of many years without interruption, my diagnosis was soon modified to primary progressive, PPMS by my neurologist. At the time of my diagnosis there were no FDA-approved treatment options for PPMS. My only option in the traditional medical community at the time of diagnosis, was treatment with IV steroids, which did slow down the symptoms for a period of a few months, but they returned unabated. My primary symptoms at the time of diagnosis were debilitating fatigue, balance issues, muscle weakness, and my mobility was beginning to become seriously impaired. Coordination, and clear thinking were also problematic. I could only be active, standing, bending, kneeling and walking any distance for a short time, maybe 15 minutes. But I did participate in an exercise research program through the University of Texas for 6 months with a personal trainer getting her PhD in nursing, studying the cognitive effects of exercise on MS patients, and I learned the value of exercise in helping deal with MS. The one thing I had going for me was that I was a distance runner for 40 years. I didn't run my first marathon until I was forty one, and looking back I may have had MS then and not known it. That was in 1998.
While my employer at the time of my diagnoses was stellar, and worked with me to make adjustments to my job position. I had to stop working because stress from job-related issues and warm or hot weather (I worked mostly outdoors in central Texas) aggravated my symptoms, and I stopped working in June 2015 right before my 58th birthday. Stress from my job was the main aggravator of symptoms that I could identify at the time, and as Dr. Coimbra advises, eliminating stress is a key component to success on the protocol. I have chosen to treat my MS holistically because there were and are no other viable treatment options for PPMS and the holistic approach aligned with my philosophy for living and addressing illness. Other important elements of my practice for returning to health in addition to the protocol include nutrition, exercise, (yoga and walking), acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, energy therapy and any other approach that I've been able to research and found valuable. I also practice meditation and creative visualization, and I use a CBD oil to maintain a sense of calm and mental balance as well as prevent anxiety. There's no THC in the product I use (7 CBD). There's a lot of science behind the CBD. Each one of these approaches provide benefits, but I had not found the lynch pin to my approach to treating MS until I discovered Dr. Coimbra’s vitamin D3 protocol. I would like to point out that the return to health on any path is not a straight line. Ups and downs should be expected. Being prepared for variables makes incorporating adjustments along the way easier. For the first 12 weeks on the Coimbra protocol things went smoothly and I saw slow, steady improvements, then I felt like I plateaued. My initial dose of vitamin D was 50,000 IU daily. I took it in the standard form of vitamin D in one capsule. I also took a compounded MS supplement with some of the other recommended vitamins and minerals selenium, chromium etc., and the magnesium in addition to the vitamin D. I have learned since starting the protocol that there are significant differences between types of B2 vitamins (regular and pre-activated), and there are many different types of magnesium that address different areas of the body in different ways. There are also significant differences between different brands of vitamins, and how individuals respond to them. Some product brands work better than others too. At the end of June, I could walk up to a mile occasionally, but usually it was a half mile, and I was very encouraged.
Then in mid-July I had a significant setback. I saw the biggest setback in my walking. My muscles did not respond well and muscle fatigue increased also. I had lower energy too, although it was still much better than before, I started the protocol, so I felt sure the protocol was working, but I knew something was out of adjustment. I was confident I was on the right track, but I needed assistance making adjustments to the supplements I was taking. I didn't know where to turn as the protocol doctor I initially consulted with became extremely busy because of the increased popularity of the protocol and we were unable to communicate. Through the North American Facebook protocol page a prayer was answered. I had prayed for guidance. And an answer came in a phone call that started in a conversation on a Sunday afternoon. A Facebook friend, John Otwell contacted me about a question unrelated to my setback. John wanted to speak to me about a comment I had made a few months earlier in a post about the mind healing before the body. We spoke on the telephone, he in Missouri and I in Texas. I related my experience that prompted my comment. John asked how I was doing, and I told him about the setback I had encountered. John encouraged me as he always does with his positive attitude and steady personality, delivered with humor. We encouraged each other and I hung up, I thought that was the end of it.
The next morning at 9 o'clock my phone rang and it was John again, he said he had spoken to his protocol advisor about me and that is advisor wanted to speak with me, and thought he might know what was happening with me. I was stunned that all of this was happening for my benefit without any involvement from me. I emailed the advisor and received a phone call the next day. He reviewed the supplements I was taking and suggested changes. After I received the new supplements I saw improvements in a few days. The improvements were limited because I had miss understood I needed to be taking three different types of magnesium. I was only taking one type of magnesium. After another adjustment I saw more improvement.
At this time I was still only taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D and all of the standard type. I had tried micellized D but didn't notice enough improvement to switch to the micellized D, and it is a more expensive product.
In late July 2017 I had a new set of labs done. Inadvertently I had consumed some dairy by eating ricotta cheese in vegetarian lasagna more than once. My total calcium came back slightly above range. I needed to have my calcium and PTH retested.
My PTH was suspiciously low at 5. It turned out the B complex vitamin I was taking contained biotin and it caused a false number on the PTH lab.
It took a several weeks to get retested as I was on vacation traveling with my wife. When the new labs came back my PTH was 21 and the calcium was in range at 10.1. I'm now taking 62,000 IU of D; part of it micellized, part regular. I'm feeling better than any time in over 2 years and I'm continuing to gain traction with my improvements.
My energy level is normal, I don't stop during the day to rest unless I want to.
I'm noticing better strength in my muscles during yoga, and my walking is also slowly improving too. I can walk more than a half mile no problem, and I'm pushing for more constantly.
What all of this illustrates to me is the combined strength of our common goal brought together through social media on Facebook to help each of us help each other, and the power of community with a common goal. I didn't get where I am alone.
We are a grassroots effort to overcome MS through the power of social media. Through the Facebook group we are providing information to the medical community so more medical practitioners can be educated about the benefits available through vitamin D and Dr. Coimbra's protocol for MS and autoimmune issues, and doctors are seeking out information through the Facebook group. I'm glad to be able to provide my personal information and story to add one more voice to the chorus spreading the word about the Coimbra protocol.
There is no doubt that this works and every day provides more evidence. My most significant improvement in addition to walking is regaining the ability to tap my right foot. It may seem like a small thing, but I noticed that ability disappear in July and now it's back. I could do it when I saw the neurologist the beginning of June and then the ability to tap my right foot left during my set back in July which may have started after starting pre-activated B2 which I was cautioned about, meaning my vitamin D level was high at 257 ng/dl, so there was a lot of vitamin D3 sitting unused in my blood.
The pre-activated b2 caused stress to my system as it's more powerful than the standard b2. When my body tried to convert and use too much vitamin d3, it didn't like it.
I had to back off the pre-activated b2 a bit and give myself time to adjust.
In early November as I adjusted, I noticed I had regained the ability to tap my right foot, another success. With the success and confidence I've gained on Dr. Coimbra's vitamin D protocol, I'm now applying to participate in Spring 2018 Oceans of Hope sailing cruise for patients with MS in Croatia, cruising islands in The Adriatic Sea. None of this would be possible without the protocol.
Today I consider myself the person doing the thing they said couldn't be done, smiling in the face of a big challenge. We are all that person.
Thank you to everyone that supports and works on the protocol
I had taken 2000 IU of vitamin D daily for a couple of years before my MS diagnosis. As I read more books on vitamin D and I increased the amount I was taking from 2000 IU to 5000 IU daily and then to 15,000 IU. I was desperate to feel better and see a reduction of symptoms, and I felt like I had found the path to healing and hope with the Coimbra protocol.
With the holistic practices I participated in when I found the protocol, I felt like I was treading water, but needed something more. At 15,000 IU of vitamin D, I began to see some noticeable improvements in my energy level and mobility. I also saw reduced spasticity. My legs and arms felt less heavy.
I was still ambulatory, but I could see a slow, steady decline and progression of symptoms. I was 59 years old and I knew time was not on my side. These small improvements encouraged me and gave me the confidence to discuss the protocol with my primary care doctor because I needed assistance in getting the necessary labs done in order to begin the protocol. I was also taking a B complex supplement and vitamin B 12; at the time guided with the help of a local nutritionist that works with elite athletes and has a nutrition business.
After a previous primary care doctor that I had seen for many years told me repeatedly that he thought my symptoms were all related to my thyroid, he began to sound like a broken record and so I sought another opinion. I do also have Hashimoto's which was well controlled with thyroid medication prior to my MS diagnosis.
The second doctor being much more methodical and considered in his approach, ordered an MRI which led to my diagnosis. It took me about 6 years of living with MS symptoms continuously before finally being diagnosed. My earliest recognizably-undeniable symptom goes back to 2004 with slurred speech. A CT scan at that time came back inconclusive and I ignored other minor symptoms like minor tingling and occasional numbness, or my foot not working properly after I'd had an alcoholic beverage.
I was diagnosed with MS in October 2014 at age 57. My future, as described by the medical community, was very limited, but that was their description, not mine. I had other plans. After diagnosis, I did everything I could to eliminate stress and improve my diet and simplify my lifestyle. I followed my intuition. There are many sources of nutritional information for MS patients so I won't address nutrition here.
I obtained the labs and had my first consultation for the protocol in late February of 2017. I began the protocol on March 1, 2017. I was still walking, but using a walking stick some of the time, and feeling my right side becoming significantly weaker than my left. My biggest fear was losing mobility because I have a 13-year-old daughter whom I want to walk down the aisle. Because of my age and the slow steady progression of symptoms over a period of many years without interruption, my diagnosis was soon modified to primary progressive, PPMS by my neurologist. At the time of my diagnosis there were no FDA-approved treatment options for PPMS. My only option in the traditional medical community at the time of diagnosis, was treatment with IV steroids, which did slow down the symptoms for a period of a few months, but they returned unabated. My primary symptoms at the time of diagnosis were debilitating fatigue, balance issues, muscle weakness, and my mobility was beginning to become seriously impaired. Coordination, and clear thinking were also problematic. I could only be active, standing, bending, kneeling and walking any distance for a short time, maybe 15 minutes. But I did participate in an exercise research program through the University of Texas for 6 months with a personal trainer getting her PhD in nursing, studying the cognitive effects of exercise on MS patients, and I learned the value of exercise in helping deal with MS. The one thing I had going for me was that I was a distance runner for 40 years. I didn't run my first marathon until I was forty one, and looking back I may have had MS then and not known it. That was in 1998.
While my employer at the time of my diagnoses was stellar, and worked with me to make adjustments to my job position. I had to stop working because stress from job-related issues and warm or hot weather (I worked mostly outdoors in central Texas) aggravated my symptoms, and I stopped working in June 2015 right before my 58th birthday. Stress from my job was the main aggravator of symptoms that I could identify at the time, and as Dr. Coimbra advises, eliminating stress is a key component to success on the protocol. I have chosen to treat my MS holistically because there were and are no other viable treatment options for PPMS and the holistic approach aligned with my philosophy for living and addressing illness. Other important elements of my practice for returning to health in addition to the protocol include nutrition, exercise, (yoga and walking), acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, energy therapy and any other approach that I've been able to research and found valuable. I also practice meditation and creative visualization, and I use a CBD oil to maintain a sense of calm and mental balance as well as prevent anxiety. There's no THC in the product I use (7 CBD). There's a lot of science behind the CBD. Each one of these approaches provide benefits, but I had not found the lynch pin to my approach to treating MS until I discovered Dr. Coimbra’s vitamin D3 protocol. I would like to point out that the return to health on any path is not a straight line. Ups and downs should be expected. Being prepared for variables makes incorporating adjustments along the way easier. For the first 12 weeks on the Coimbra protocol things went smoothly and I saw slow, steady improvements, then I felt like I plateaued. My initial dose of vitamin D was 50,000 IU daily. I took it in the standard form of vitamin D in one capsule. I also took a compounded MS supplement with some of the other recommended vitamins and minerals selenium, chromium etc., and the magnesium in addition to the vitamin D. I have learned since starting the protocol that there are significant differences between types of B2 vitamins (regular and pre-activated), and there are many different types of magnesium that address different areas of the body in different ways. There are also significant differences between different brands of vitamins, and how individuals respond to them. Some product brands work better than others too. At the end of June, I could walk up to a mile occasionally, but usually it was a half mile, and I was very encouraged.
Then in mid-July I had a significant setback. I saw the biggest setback in my walking. My muscles did not respond well and muscle fatigue increased also. I had lower energy too, although it was still much better than before, I started the protocol, so I felt sure the protocol was working, but I knew something was out of adjustment. I was confident I was on the right track, but I needed assistance making adjustments to the supplements I was taking. I didn't know where to turn as the protocol doctor I initially consulted with became extremely busy because of the increased popularity of the protocol and we were unable to communicate. Through the North American Facebook protocol page a prayer was answered. I had prayed for guidance. And an answer came in a phone call that started in a conversation on a Sunday afternoon. A Facebook friend, John Otwell contacted me about a question unrelated to my setback. John wanted to speak to me about a comment I had made a few months earlier in a post about the mind healing before the body. We spoke on the telephone, he in Missouri and I in Texas. I related my experience that prompted my comment. John asked how I was doing, and I told him about the setback I had encountered. John encouraged me as he always does with his positive attitude and steady personality, delivered with humor. We encouraged each other and I hung up, I thought that was the end of it.
The next morning at 9 o'clock my phone rang and it was John again, he said he had spoken to his protocol advisor about me and that is advisor wanted to speak with me, and thought he might know what was happening with me. I was stunned that all of this was happening for my benefit without any involvement from me. I emailed the advisor and received a phone call the next day. He reviewed the supplements I was taking and suggested changes. After I received the new supplements I saw improvements in a few days. The improvements were limited because I had miss understood I needed to be taking three different types of magnesium. I was only taking one type of magnesium. After another adjustment I saw more improvement.
At this time I was still only taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D and all of the standard type. I had tried micellized D but didn't notice enough improvement to switch to the micellized D, and it is a more expensive product.
In late July 2017 I had a new set of labs done. Inadvertently I had consumed some dairy by eating ricotta cheese in vegetarian lasagna more than once. My total calcium came back slightly above range. I needed to have my calcium and PTH retested.
My PTH was suspiciously low at 5. It turned out the B complex vitamin I was taking contained biotin and it caused a false number on the PTH lab.
It took a several weeks to get retested as I was on vacation traveling with my wife. When the new labs came back my PTH was 21 and the calcium was in range at 10.1. I'm now taking 62,000 IU of D; part of it micellized, part regular. I'm feeling better than any time in over 2 years and I'm continuing to gain traction with my improvements.
My energy level is normal, I don't stop during the day to rest unless I want to.
I'm noticing better strength in my muscles during yoga, and my walking is also slowly improving too. I can walk more than a half mile no problem, and I'm pushing for more constantly.
What all of this illustrates to me is the combined strength of our common goal brought together through social media on Facebook to help each of us help each other, and the power of community with a common goal. I didn't get where I am alone.
We are a grassroots effort to overcome MS through the power of social media. Through the Facebook group we are providing information to the medical community so more medical practitioners can be educated about the benefits available through vitamin D and Dr. Coimbra's protocol for MS and autoimmune issues, and doctors are seeking out information through the Facebook group. I'm glad to be able to provide my personal information and story to add one more voice to the chorus spreading the word about the Coimbra protocol.
There is no doubt that this works and every day provides more evidence. My most significant improvement in addition to walking is regaining the ability to tap my right foot. It may seem like a small thing, but I noticed that ability disappear in July and now it's back. I could do it when I saw the neurologist the beginning of June and then the ability to tap my right foot left during my set back in July which may have started after starting pre-activated B2 which I was cautioned about, meaning my vitamin D level was high at 257 ng/dl, so there was a lot of vitamin D3 sitting unused in my blood.
The pre-activated b2 caused stress to my system as it's more powerful than the standard b2. When my body tried to convert and use too much vitamin d3, it didn't like it.
I had to back off the pre-activated b2 a bit and give myself time to adjust.
In early November as I adjusted, I noticed I had regained the ability to tap my right foot, another success. With the success and confidence I've gained on Dr. Coimbra's vitamin D protocol, I'm now applying to participate in Spring 2018 Oceans of Hope sailing cruise for patients with MS in Croatia, cruising islands in The Adriatic Sea. None of this would be possible without the protocol.
Today I consider myself the person doing the thing they said couldn't be done, smiling in the face of a big challenge. We are all that person.
Thank you to everyone that supports and works on the protocol
Flavia Cocenas
Flavia Cocenas in the Brazilian FB group "Protocolo Coimbra - Vitamina D para Esclerose Multipla e Doencas Autoimunes". Flavia kindly allowed us to publish it here for you.
"Good morning people!
I have been on the Coimbra Protocol for 2 years (Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis - at the time unable to walk and had blurry vision), I am currently taking 100,000 IU of vitamin D per day. My doctor is Dr. Haladia Simeao... marveloussss doctor! Always very attentive and available!
What a blessing to have found the Coimbra Protocol, and this group, which has always given me all the support from the beginning of the treatment.
Earlier this year I became pregnant with my second child. During the pregnancy, because of my difficulty in taking 2.5 liters of water a day, Dr. Haladia reduced the vitamin D to 90,000 IU/day, always accompanied by routine exams.
My son was born on 12/10, Our Lady of Aparecida's day, in a beautiful, natural birth without interventions! Measuring 51 cm and weighing 3,8 kg!
Early in the pregnancy, while waiting for the appointment with Dr. Haladia, I met with Dr. Cicero in the clinic, who told me that I would be surprised by my son's intelligence... my goodness, since I already had a son, it was easy to see the difference between the two newborn babies. My second child was born with a firm neck and with attentive eyes, I was impressed by the way he looked at us as if he understood everything we were talking about, looking into our eyes and paying attention! He has no "normal" newborn behavior, has a firm neck and observes people and his environment (almost does not cry)!
About me?! I am very well, I do not have any symptoms or permanent damage, I'm very happy and fulfilled with the arrival of our second son, something that 2 years ago I never imagined could happen.
Many thanks to Dr. Cicero for not abandoning us! =)
Below are photos of me and my 23-day old son.
Note: due to plastic surgery, I don't have enough milk to breastfeed; look at him holding the bottle by himself?!
"Good morning people!
I have been on the Coimbra Protocol for 2 years (Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis - at the time unable to walk and had blurry vision), I am currently taking 100,000 IU of vitamin D per day. My doctor is Dr. Haladia Simeao... marveloussss doctor! Always very attentive and available!
What a blessing to have found the Coimbra Protocol, and this group, which has always given me all the support from the beginning of the treatment.
Earlier this year I became pregnant with my second child. During the pregnancy, because of my difficulty in taking 2.5 liters of water a day, Dr. Haladia reduced the vitamin D to 90,000 IU/day, always accompanied by routine exams.
My son was born on 12/10, Our Lady of Aparecida's day, in a beautiful, natural birth without interventions! Measuring 51 cm and weighing 3,8 kg!
Early in the pregnancy, while waiting for the appointment with Dr. Haladia, I met with Dr. Cicero in the clinic, who told me that I would be surprised by my son's intelligence... my goodness, since I already had a son, it was easy to see the difference between the two newborn babies. My second child was born with a firm neck and with attentive eyes, I was impressed by the way he looked at us as if he understood everything we were talking about, looking into our eyes and paying attention! He has no "normal" newborn behavior, has a firm neck and observes people and his environment (almost does not cry)!
About me?! I am very well, I do not have any symptoms or permanent damage, I'm very happy and fulfilled with the arrival of our second son, something that 2 years ago I never imagined could happen.
Many thanks to Dr. Cicero for not abandoning us! =)
Below are photos of me and my 23-day old son.
Note: due to plastic surgery, I don't have enough milk to breastfeed; look at him holding the bottle by himself?!
