Patients Speak

I was diagnosed with severe colorectal cancer level IV. Four weeks prior to my first visit, I went through an unsuccessful surgery to remove cancer tissue. I then started cancer treatment, which involved chemotherapy and radiation, both given at the same time. The side effects of cancer treatment came with signs of fatigue, lack of appetite and vomiting. In addition, I was still experiencing pain from the surgery, which left me with 52 stitches along the stomach. This impaired my ability to move easily.

This problem prevented me from doing things on my own as well as preventing me from moving around too much. Due to severe fatigue, I needed constant help from my family. I also had drowsiness. The pain forced me to sit in bed with pain levels as severe as 7-10 on a pain scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst.

The problem was being treated with chemotherapy and radiation, both of which were given concurrently at the Harold Lever Cancer Center. Chemotherapy was given through continuous infusion for five days in a row (Monday-Saturday.) Treatment was scheduled to last six weeks.

The reason that I came to The Zilahy Wellness Center was that I was severely depressed. I hated taking medications and was looking for a better way to help myself. To make matters worse, work was becoming a source of great frustration to me because I felt as though I had no memory at all. This resulted in a serious lack of self-confidence. I actually perceived myself as stupid. I eventually became a push over because I lost all faith in my self. I didn’t even trust my own judgement.

Feeling like this caused me to stop enjoying life altogether. I truly didn’t enjoy anything. I was smiling on the outside but my heart was breaking on the inside. I missed myself!

The reason that I came to the Zilahy Wellness Center was that I was experiencing severe headaches daily. These headaches were causing me such intense pain that I was forced to take far too much pain medication. The worst thing was that even though I was taking all this medication is simply was not providing the relief I needed. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, my severe headaches became migraine headaches. These headaches caused me to be completely nonfunctional for as long as 8 to 12 hours at a time.

Before seeing Dr. Zilahy, I tried many different types of treatments in hopes of enjoying some relief from the constant pain. I also saw my medical doctor. Unfortunately, nothing brought me the relief I was so desperately in need of. After I started care with Dr. Zilahy, my severe headaches became less frequent. After a couple of months I was able to slowly decrease two different medications that I was taking for a very long time until I was able to be completely medication free. I now feel so much better and I choose to maintain my benefits by receiving a treatment once a month.

Before I saw Dr. Zilahy, I was unable to sit, stand, bend or work normally. I was taking the usual over the counter drugs; however, they simply were not helping.

Originally I came to the Zilahy Wellness Center for my carpal tunnel problem. However, one morning I awoke with severe lower back pain. I had great difficulty getting out of bed and walking. I immediately called Dr. Zilahy’s office and the doctor saw me that morning. I couldn’t believe it, but even before I left the office that day, I felt relief!

Shortly after I began chiropractic care, I experienced AMAZING results. I am delighted to report that now I am able to enjoy daily walks without any discomfort. I can also perform regular household duties both inside and outside.

Mary D Age 72

He was helpful in that he gave me a diagnosis for my problem. He said that I had bursitis of my right hip. Trochanter Bursitis, to be exact. He explained that it was an inflammation of the bursa sacks that surround my hip joint and that it is quite common with very active people. He recommended cortisone shots and said they might cure it, they might just relieve it temporarily, or they might have no effect at all. Well I decided to try the shot, and it worked beautifully. I danced out of the office, 5 minutes after administration of the medication. It was the first pain relief I had had in more than 18 months. For six weeks I was in heaven, but the pain eventually returned and at the same chronic levels. Eventually I did ask for another shot, but my research taught me that that I was not going to be able to continue with these shots. They are not safe or healthy.

I did a lot of research on trochanter bursitis and the prognosis was not good. Most people just live with it. Internally, I never accepted this as inevitable. I always believed that there was an answer out there. Of course I was looking for a natural approach, as OTC analgesics, and even prescription pain medication was not an option for me.

Still later, I consulted with a Naturopathic Physician and Clinical Nutritionists. He recommended some strong herbal remedies. And many of them were helpful, but the results were always temporary. Some days were better than others, but there were still bad days.

In the Fall of 2004, I attended a seminar at which you were a guest speaker. I was impressed with your presentation that discussed the successful application of acupuncture for musculo-skeletal pain. You were nice enough to offer a free treatment to our group. I left with a certificate for my free treatment and called that week to make an appointment.