Post treatment update

[Shruti Vaid Dutta]

Hi,

Thank you for joining the group! As you would know, Analabha and I
came to AHRC due to our respective back-aches. While Analabha had a
herneated disc, my back-ache could not be diagnosed during my stay at
AHRC. We were doing reasonable well on and off during the treatments.

After leaving AHRC, we had 2 days in Cochin and we decided to explore
a little bit of that place. For the same reason, we travelled by car
for about 2- 4 hours each of the days and realized that our bodies
were aching and were terribly tired. Leeson learnt was that travel for
long hours just after the treatment must be avoided.

We got back to Bangalore by an overnight train and we found that
hectic too. We could only re-gain a little bit of our energies after
about 5 days from the last treatment date, that too, after a
considerable rest period that we utilized.

About myself, I would say I am a little better from how it was earlier
and I am yet to feel the actual result which the doctor had said will
take place after at least, a month. We tried to improve our lifestyles
by eating right (avoiding veggies and grains that were restricted) and
on time. The day there are disturbances in the eating schedule, I
notice that the pain is more. In general, there is some consistent
pain or sensitivity but the same is drastically milder than what it
used to be.

How are things with each of you?

Regards,

Shruti

[N. Sivadasan]

Hi All,

Firstly many thanks to Shruti and Analabha on this initiative of forming the
Group. Great you guys. Was sad you guys had not come in earlier.
We got back to Malaysia on 16th December after spending 2 days in Cochin. We
played safe (after a lot of warnings) and did not do much other than eating
(we just had to try the fish curries that Cochin is famous for) and some
shopping.
We had the same experience when we went out during our treatment period
there and felt very uncomfortable after about 3 hrs of moving about. We
tried to take it easy for some time after we came back home and managed to
do so up to the Christmas/New Year season when we got into the festive mood.

When we were at AHRC, it's a controlled environment where we were relaxed
with no stress or stuff to think about. Lots of time, sleep early, reading
and exercise/walking, etc. so we felt much better and this lasted for some
time when we were back. Trouble is when we got back to our routine, we have
not been able to maintain the diet and this is showing. A bit of pain, etc
is coming back, though we are feeling better than before. As with you we are
trying to get some exercise going, keep to the recommended diet and so on.
Anyway I am back to work and the next 6 mths is our peak period so I am
hoping my two weeks at Kottakkal helps.

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL.

Cheers,
Sivadasan + Chandriga

[Shruti Vaid Dutta]

Just to update those who would be reading Sivadasan's post, Sivadasan
was at AHRC for a spine-related issue (neck-pain) while Chandriga was
there for Rheumatoid Arthritis. They were on a 14-days treatment, from
Malayasia. This was their first time at Kottakkal.

> were aching and were terribly tired. Lesson learnt was that travel for

[Shivani S]

Hi all,

Thanks Shruti and Analabha for setting up the group - great initiative! Thanks Shruti et al for the info its very helpful.

On my side Im about half way through our 21 day treatment for dermal pigmented skin.

The pros are Mummy reckons I have a 5-10% improvement in skin.
The cons are I keep getting a cold. For 2 days I had fever also and all treatment was stopped. Colds arent normal for me. Even after we stopped putting head oil and I dont wash my hair or go outside.

Talking to Dr Varier he feels I have low immunity and am responding to seasonal weather changes and is putting me on ayurvedic cold meds.

In the long term he projected complete skin recovery after a year including coming back for 3 weeks. So I may be back in Oct or Nov.

I will continue to update progress. Please others also update so life is less boring here.

Cheers and wish you all success in the improvement of your health in 2012,

Shivani

>
>
>
Sent from my iPad

[Shruti Vaid Dutta]

Sorry, Shivani, for replying back so late! I hope that the pace of
your improvement betters, sooner than expected. How about your Mom's
treatment?

All:

About us, we feel quite better by maintaining a lifestyle (eating
habits and our regular routine) that the doctor had explained to us a
little before we left Kottakkal. We are on a vegetarian, home-cooked
diet on most days (Analabha- the Bengali between us deviates once/
twice a week).. ;)

We try our best to wake up and sleep, on time.. try not to sit in
front of the laptop for too long at a stretch.. we go for a walk,
exercise, etc. etc. And such days, the pain is less. On other days, we
feel some sensitivities/ pain around our lower back region and it
seems that is we stretch it a little more, the condition might worsen.

And, yes, even after almost 20 days from our last treatment date, we
get tired very easily... It looks to me as if the comfort (no-work,
only-rest) at Kottakkal has spoilt us. ;)

Shall update more about us in the times to come. By the way, I
received a mail from Prema about two weeks back, who is also a member
of this group and here is a snippet about herself and her husband
(Bala):

"Bala and I just got back here in US, don't have any noticable
difference, but hoping to see some long term."

Still waiting to hear from others..

On Jan 14, 5:56 pm, Shivani S <she...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Thanks Shruti and Analabha for setting up the group - great initiative! Thanks Shruti et al for the info its very helpful.
>
> On my side Im about half way through our 21 day treatment for dermal pigmented skin.
>
> The pros are Mummy reckons I have a 5-10% improvement in skin.
> The cons are I keep getting a cold. For 2 days I had fever also and all treatment was stopped. Colds arent normal for me. Even after we stopped putting head oil and I dont wash my hair or go outside.
>
> Talking to Dr Varier he feels I have low immunity and am responding to seasonal weather changes and is putting me on ayurvedic cold meds.
>
> In the long term he projected complete skin recovery after a year including coming back for 3 weeks. So I may be back in Oct or Nov.
>
> I will continue to update progress. Please others also update so life is less boring here.
>
> Cheers and wish you all success in the improvement of your health in 2012,
>
> Shivani
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

[Subra]

Hi Shruti,

 

I came to this blog by chance when I was googling for info on AVS Kochi. I find this site informative and thanks for setting it up. I am seeking treatment for my cervical sponylosis. I am planning for a 3 week stay in AVS Kochi. Looking at the feedback, is the treatment at AVS effective? Some of those who post comments mention a complete 90 days rest which might be difficult when one is working. Does the post treatment make one very weak ? Are there any severe,  life threatening side effects ? This is my first experience with alternative medicine and just being anxious and cautious. Happy for those who are doing well.

 

Cheers

 

Subra

[Shruti Analabha Dutta]

Hi Subra,

I cannot speak for all but in my and my husband's cases, we were benefitted about 50% (treatment + medications) and the remaining through yoga. Both my husband and I have herneated discs. With time, we have realised that this treatment is more about getting us back on the actual way of life. The Panchakarma, Enemas, Massages do help, but it is equally important for one to have a balanced life, post treatment. 

On your question that this treatment makes you weak, I would rather say that this treatment not only benefits the specific problem you have but also cleanses your body, rejuvenates you, opens up the pores in your body, so you sweat more, feel more vulnerable, etc. I would not want to use the word 'weak'. We got back to normal life a week after the treatment. 

I would say, that we have only bettered with the treatment. My husband complained of pain after the treatment very little in the last one year, when he was on bed for most days, two months before that. You will get to know the real benefits after a month or two of the treatment and if you happen to do yoga (under therapeutic guidance) after the gap that the doctor suggests, it will speed up the treatment and recovery very quickly and strengthen your body to be able to deal with spondylytis on its own.

Let's see if some one else in the group can also help you with their experiences.

By the way, for the members in the group from last year, we are in Kottakkal, Mallapuram now a days getting the second round of treatment done.

Regards,

Shruti

[Revathi Ravi]

Hi Subraxr

Last year this time I was there. I sure know what you are going thro and the questions about the treatment. HEre is from my experience

• Very safe - no life threatening etc etc. I assume you are not pregnant. 

• Post treatment is more important than the time spent there. The treatmtent there cleanses and prepares your body and the lifestyle changes, discipline, diet and ofcourse the follow up medication is what really makes the difference

• Diet - be very strict if you are non veg. I did not even eat egg for 6 months post treatment. So be sure you can do that 

• If you can rest after treatment do so. It helps the body recoup much much faster - Like you would do after surgery. ( I read a book on amazon Ayurveda and Panchakarma by Dr Joshi. Read the book before hand I wish i read it beforehand )

• no strenous workouts etc.

Side effects

• Defintely feel easily tired, sensitive to cold weather after treatment. IT will last as long as you take treament till after you stopped the medicines completely..

• I had rashes and itching on day 2, and too many bowel movements from the medicines. Dont fret - talk to them and they will change the medicines.

Ask ask ask : Ask the chief doctor all the questions, dos donts etc. ask a lot of questions - medicine interactions to your allopathy meds that you are taking. They dont talk much so ask lot of questions. 

what to eat, what not to eat, sample menu, sample excersises, what happens if you miss a dose, what happens if you need to eat these meds, what to do when travelling, etc etc. 

hope this helps. Good luck -

revathi

--
Count your blessings, name them one by one
It will surprise you what the Lord hath done

[subra...@gmail.com]

Hi,

 

I will be in AVS Kottakkal Kochi in early March 2013 for a 3 weeks treatment program.  My wife will be with me. I am wondering what activities are there in the centre where an accompanying person can participate , e.g yoga classess, cooking classes. Otherwise it could be a boring 3 weeks.

Cheers.

 

Subra

[Reva]

You will have some time. But the treatment is spaced out throughout the day and you will be required to wake up early as early as 6 am .

You have very good wifi so you might be able to work too. 

Restaurant time is best to socialize

[Shruti Analabha Dutta]

Plus, they have a small library from where you can lend books to read. They hold yoga classes sometimes, in the morning- you might want to check that before going. There's TV in the room. Socializing will be fun as well as 'much need' in AVS-Cochin. We used to walk inside the vicinity in the morning as well as in the evening and after-dinner. Please don't expect anything more than that. 

Cochin centre is next to some highway and it will not be advisable to go out for a walk regularly. To get fruits, snacks, and toiletries, you will have to hire an auto-rickshaw and go out to a market, which is about 5-7 minutes away. Otherwise, there is a very small local shop next to AVS, that has some stuff. Also, the canteen might have some daily items. Moreover, there is a Petrol Pump close-by (walkable) that has a In&Out types store with most of the daily stuff.

If the doctor permits you to go out, you can hire an auto after your treatment for the day and check out the Malls/ Gold Souks (if they have been inaugurated already), see M.G. Road, if you want to venture out for some time. But he does not want the patient to eat outside food, or do anything strenuous. And, I don't think it will be a good idea to do anything hectic or eat outside food. 

I hope that provides you with with some more information about the activities in the area. This was the scenario an year ago. I am not familiar with anything else that they might have started in the last one year.

 

[Subra]

Hi Shruti and Revathi,

 

Thank you for your feedback.  It is a good thing that this group is available. I am able to learn more here than I would from the  guys in AVS Kochi. I emailed them to get similar details but they never bothered to provide any additional info apart from confirming my stay. I am more prepared now and hoping that my stay there would not be too dramatic.

 

I will keep  you all posted over how things are going.

 

Regards.

 

Subra

[Shruti Vaid Dutta]

Just to let you all know, Analabha and I went for a our second round at AVS, Kottakkal this time in December 2012. The treatment cleansed us and made us get back to the natural lifestyle once again (that we keep forgetting every now and then, as the year progresses). We feel healthier and adopt healthy lifestyle and yoga each time we undergo the treatment. We can feel our core strength is improving and the pain levels reduce over time.

Analabha did develop certain allergies during the treatment like last time, and honestly the ayurvedic doctors had no clue how to resolve that. There were some terrible rashes all over his body due to which the treatment had to be stalled. Unless we raised our voices and pushed them to send us for allopathic treatment, they were experimenting with some ayurvedic medicine or the other, on him (which didn't help at all). Clearly, the AVS doctors may be very good at suggesting massage treatments to patients, they surely have no clue when it comes to the reactions/ side-effects of their massage oils or medicines. The same thing had happened during the 2011 treatment when we had to go to Sunrise Hospital in Kochi for treating the allergies before the ayurvedic treatment could be resumed.

This time around, we had to take an allopathic treatment for allergies from a hospital closeby just to continue with our ayurvedic treatment for slip disc at AVS. From what we know, having faith on your doctor (as they expect of you at AVS) is not the only way of making this treatment effective on you. In fact, it is equally important that you make sure you know where to draw the line.

That incident aside, the treatment overall was decent at Kottakkal and helpful. :)