I was thinking the only other thing that I did different during this period, was i had to give up caffeine.

But I was advised to drink lots of green tea, even though it has small amounts of caffeine, my doc says that it has so many benefits for the body, that I should permanently replace coffee with green tea, which I did.

I buy so many varieties and try them all.

Thanks so much for that tip, Hope4thebest. I read through the site and, while I see their mission as meant with good intentions of saving us all from dishonest practitioners, it's the endeavor of one man who is a typical Western M.D. Western medicine, to me, tends to treat individual symptoms without always looking at the whole person, and, combined with the limited time M.D.s can spend with patients, there seem to be a lot of drugs thrown at symptoms when a deeper exploration of psyche and lifestyle could possibly reveal a less toxic remedy. No wonder people seek alternative therapies. I honestly don't mean to denigrate the Western medical profession, their work is often exemplary, but I think they've sometimes lost sight of the human part of the practice of medicine. I read recently though, that there is now a realization in the medical community that something as simple as the power (energy?!) of an empathetic touch to a patient's arm can have significant impact, so there's hope.

When I read through baronster's doctor's web site, their philosophy of treating the "whole" person in a gentler manner seems appealing. (Canadians are just awesome folks.) And I have three friends who practice reiki and other alternative therapies that are centered around body energy; I was a skeptic and pretty cautious when first introduced to these therapies but after significant personal results (pain relief from an injury that physical therapy didn't cure) I've come to trust what I'm seeing. There's "energy" all around, in every interaction between objects and people. Easterns have known this since the dawn of time. The vega test, done properly, and with baronster's demonstrated results, for me can't be denied. And as she said, it wasn't a serious outlay of dollars, and it seems it wasn't a dangerous therapy, so what's the real risk? When I think of how much time, money, effort, embarrassment and aggravation I've spent over so many years dealing with KP... (!)

I see a D.O., always will. Seeing a naturopath as a second approach makes sense for me, too. (I'm grown pretty open-minded now that I'm over 40!) We're fortunate to have the freedom to find the approach one feels best for oneself, armed with the cautions of people such as the QuackWatcher.

Thanks again for the alert, sorry for spouting off. I'll report whether or not I find someone offering the vega test. [fingers crossed] Hoping to read good results from the rest of you seeking this therapy!

The funny part about this is I didn't actually go see the doc about my KP. I went for a completely different reason.

We got to talking, and I broke down crying in her office because I was so distraught over my skin, because I was convinced through all my searching that there was nothing I could do about it, I felt hopeless.

I didn't even think of a natural remedy for this condition, it never occured to me to even ask her.

When she offered a solution I nearly fainted. (she made me no promises)

I didn't want to get my hopes up, so I did this from a skeptical point of view, telling myself even if my KP improves somewhat I will be happy with results.

I never, ever expected to get rid of it completely, I didn't think it would be possible for me.

I can tell you it is so rewarding to have tears of joy, rather than tears of sadness when looking and touching my skin today.

Wow. Amazing, and very cool. :-)

Wow Baronster>> I really hope I can find someone who does the test here. It is nice that your sensitivity to the other foods went away and awsome that you were also able to lose weight, and gain excellent health along with it. I am going to do this. Do you know if most naturopathic doctors offer this test? I also really appreciate that you were willing to come and share you story even though you have already found the solution. Many people find something and we never hear from them again. Would you also be perhaps be able to show pictures of your good skin. Even if you dont have before pics it would be nice to see your results.
thanx
cielo

I am shocked this thread is so dead. It seems if the cure isn't related to some topical lotion or magic pill, people seem to be uninterested. I found a naturopathic/PhD in NYC who offers Electro Dermal testing aka the Vega Test. I may have some other tests for food allergies and sensitivities done, just to hone in on the common denominators, even though everything mentioned will be off limits. I was considering a raw foods diet, as some people have had success with that, but this would be a easier solution. Furthermore, just because a food isn't cooked, doesn't mean you aren't allergic or sensitive to it. I guess that is why some vegans and raw foodist, still have the condition, even though it may lessen in it's severity.

I am going to try a regimen excluding all foods, that my tests deem as off-limits. I will also couple that with oil-pulling (just started 2 days ago), monthly colonics, exfoliation and moisturizing with coconut oil.

Baronster, you're naturopath recommended green tea, even though caffeine is on your list. I saw an add for an extremely concentrated green tea w/o caffeine called "Chi Tea" by Viva Herbals (vivaherbals.com). I haven't tried it yet, as I'm going to wait for the results of my test. I hopefully will get started in 30 days, hell or highwater!

There is a free publication, that lists nothing but holistic, naturopathic practitioners called the "New Life Magazine" at newlifeexpo.com. I get them for free in front of a popular health food store up the street from where Studio 54 used to be, called Westerley's on Eighth Avenue. That is where I saw the ad for the "Chi Tea".

If this starts to work for people like it did for you Baronster, then you reached "GO", collect a million dollars first. I think it would be the duty of all who are/were successful to spread the knowledge, maybe even create a small website with links to naturopaths, descriptions of Electro Dermal Testing (aka Vega Test) and testimonials. Even though I have good genetics for working out (skin not, well no one in my family has it), I feel so unmotivated in the gym; on top of the fact I can't stand wearing long sweatpants and T-Shirts in the gym. If I had a home gym, I would stay focused more. However, having a nice body with KP, is like having a new Lamborghini with a dead engine, that you can't drive. I fear if I got too muscular and cut, the pressure to remove the shirt and "make a muscle" would be too annoying in the summertime. So, I hope this will work and it provides hope, that if I decide to have children someday, I would be able to provide an adequate solution thru nutrition, not just harsh lotions and creams, that are too strong for a child's skin and cause the condition to come back two-fold, when you stop (I know my arms had small, faint bumps before Tazorac, which made them clear for 1-2 weeks, then came rougher, larger bumps which spread).

I will post the results of my test and when I start the regimen, then will provide periodic updates. I hope others will play "guinea pig" to see if this is a realistic treatment for most, not just an abhorration or one person's lucky experience. There have been numerous people who "lucked out" with some cream or supplement, but this makes more sense as a true, longstanding treatment.

Hi There Baronster,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful information! I am so excited; I have just searched high and low for a Health Practioner that conducts Vega testing down here in Australia. I have made an appointment and the practioner is able to conduct my test tomorrow.

I cannot express how grateful I am to you for your post; and just as importantly, how hopeful I am feeling today. I have always felt in the back of my mind that my body was telling me something, and I knew it was in “dis-ease” but could never quite work out what was going on?

I noticed that you mentioned you have given up caffeine – I find this interesting as my caffeine intake has increased substantially over the last few years (I usually drink espresso coffees with plenty of milk, such as latte’s and cappuccino’s).

Also, could you please elaborate on something for me please – once you embarked on your new way of eating; how long did it take for you to notice a considerable difference? You mentioned a period of “4 months” for your body to be healed – did this include scars (of which I have many dark and unsightly scars on the backs of my thighs)?

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Renegade

I am would be happy to share my after pictures with you. I don't have a camera, but as luck would have it, my friend is coming next week to take pictures of me for another reason, so I will post pictures here for all to see.

I am not sure where you live so I can't comment on health practioners in your region, but if you get back to me I can e-mail any questions to my doctor that you may have, she always gets back to me.

I was confused about the green tea at first too, so I bought caffeine free, which I didn't like at all. So I asked about the caffeine in green tea, and doc said that yes there is caffeine in green tea, but there is so many health benefits that they totally negate the caffeine factor, and to drink away.

I preferred the kind you buy in a japanese store, loose kind with brown rice puffs in it, it has such a nutty taste, it's the kind you get at sushi restaurants.

Speaking of motivation, the 40 lbs weight loss and clear skin has motivated me to get a new body and show it off, so I started a weight loss program yesterday, that is why I am getting photographs taken next week, for before photos, I have already taken my measurments.

Good luck to you....

I am so happy for you, and I know you will be too.

My doctor hates coffee and what it does to your body, it did test bad for me however, she suggesested that when it cleared that I drink it only on special occassions, as it wrecks your body, so I did that, I know have a cup of falvoured chocolate coffee once a week.

It was a little difficult at first as I was a total coffee addict for years and years.

Let me know what you test bad for, and I can give you some alternative choices that I found. Shopping, in the beginning tool me 2 hours to get just some foods, as I had to read all of the labels.

My family and friends were really impressed with my clear skin, but I can tell you theyseemed even more impressed on how I stuck to my guns with restricted food and drinks, as I would socialize with them, and practically decline everything offered to me, including alcohol ( because of sugar)

I play poker every Thursday night, and munchies, including potatoe chips are passed around by the bags, and I LOVED potato chips, and said no to all offers.

I found my own munchies and would bring them with me.

About my skin clearing up, I noticed within 2/3 weeks a difference, as my follicles were almost infected they were so inflamed, and that cleared first, then the bumps would dissapear in the order that they appeared.

The last place I got bumps in that last few years was my chest, and they were big and getting worse before I did this. They cleared first, then everything started to get smoother and smoother.

The ones that REALLY bothered me were the ones on the back of my legs and butt, they felt huge when I touched them. They are gone and I just cannot believe it when I stroke my skin.

As far as scars go, I am not sure why I am so blessed but I have very few scars from KP and my picking. My mom saw my skin the other day , and she remembers when I picked at my skin and had sore all over my body, she thought I was going to be mutilated for life.

I do have a pretty bad scar on my left lower leg, as i picked at that same spot for about 3 years, and never let it heal. I have a few faint ones on my butt, and very few faint ones on the back of my thighs.

I think the microbermabrasion helped the overall look of my skin. ( i did home version)

I think also my body really loves all the oil I put on it, with the olive oil in my bath, doc says is it very good for your body too. And the coconut oil, every night, and when I come out of the bath, my skin has a simmer to it, and now i use a tinted moisterizer by jergens for self tanning that has a nice glow.

Once again I am so happy for you, I would suggest you be smarter than me and take before pictures, so you can post later.

I justed wanted to clarify about the coconut oil I use on my body.

I bought the cold-pressed un-refined extra-virgin type that looks like lard.

it is solid at room tempature, but melts at 76 degrees, so it melts as soon as you put it on your body.

i bought this type because it said on the label it makes a soothing body oil, and I wanted to sooth my skin rather than irritate and inflame it.

I only mention this because I know people do oil pulling with liquid form, and I just didn't want to confuse people about what I used topically on my skin.

I never bought the liquid form, so I can't comment on a comparision.

Thanx Baronster. I live in Utah. My email address is Chelcia1111@yahoo.com. I found a naturopathic health clinic onlilne but their website doesnt mention this test. And I am assuming that different practitioners practice different methods. You are very lucky to have had a doctor that had KP and healed it. I hope I can be so lucky to have as reasonable of a cost as you paid as well. Thanx again.
cielo

Hi this is the first time I have ever posted on a KP forum, I often read them but never posted partly because I was too embarrassed to admit I had it.
Baronster I just wanted to say congratulations and to thank you for giving us hope.

I have had KP for about three years it just appeared one day while I was in University 19 years old, you can imagine how much fun uni was after KP decided to take residence on my arms and legs, I went from being a fun loving, out going, confident kid to......well the complete opposite. I basically stopped dating as I was convinced that once a guy got a look at my arms he'd run a mile ( to this day no guy has ever mentioned my arms but that doesnt stop the endless worry), wore long sleeved tops in the summer ( we'v all done it), and comfort ate going from a UK 8-10 to a UK 12, which I still havent shifted.

Basically I resigned myself to having KP and did eventually get back to 'almost' normal, I still hide my arms or cover them in fake/real tan and tell people its excema, as no one has heard of KP anyway and instead of being a mini skirt gal Im a jeans queen. I did see a dermatologist and asked about foods and affects but she fobbed me off and told me the only thing that would work is a very painful, itchy steriod cream. I have tried creams, lotions, exfoliators, tanning...the list goes on all to some degree of success but after reading your story I nearly cried with happiness, you've done it and its worked. Seconds after reading your post I found a UK naturopath and am in the process of finding out if they do the test. I just so thankful to you for posting your story and if this works then Im buying you a transatlantic drink! Good Luck to everyone who is struggling with KP and hopefully if people like Baronster keep posting we can get rid of it for good.

pepper7, I'll keep my fingers crossed that they can do the test for you. And if you have the test done, please do keep us all updated on your progress. It's wonderful to read success stories like baronster's - hoping we'll hear happy news from you, too! :-) Still searching in Ohio...

I have this knack for always picking the wrong hairdressers, they don't understand my hair, i go to the most expensive salons and ask for the head of the dept. and even that doesn't seem to help.

So I was really apprehensive about finding a naturopathic doctor as I thought I may have the same kind of rotten luck.

All I can tell you is, I felt a connection when I read their website, and I emailed first to ask questions before even making an appointment, then when I arrived for my first appointment I instantly knew i had made the right choice.

Maybe a fluke? maybe good luck or some saved up Karma? Not sure, but I knew I was in good hands. She felt like the right fit for me. I felt she cared.

Maybe my good luck will be good fortune for you too, just make sure that the person doing the test has experience and try not to get connected to someone who is just trying to make some money off of you.

Keep me posted, as I'd love to take you up on that drink!!!