Travel and outdoor activities

Traveling and participating in outdoor activities present several challenges unique to patients with Th1 diseaseAny of the chronic inflammatory diseases caused by bacterial pathogens.. For many Marshall ProtocolA curative medical treatment for chronic inflammatory disease. Based on the Marshall Pathogenesis. (MP) patients, those who are photosensitiveAbnormal sensitivity to sunlight and bright lights. Also referred to as "sun flare" or "light flare.", the most significant of these is the need to limit their exposure to light. Patients who suffer from cardiac, neurological, or respiratory inflammationThe complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue. put themselves at grave risk when exposing themselves to significant amounts of sunlight. The best way to see how one's body reacts to light is to increase exposure gradually.

Contingency planning such as taking of an extra olmesartan (Benicar)Medication taken regularly by patients on the Marshall Protocol for its ability to activate the Vitamin D Receptor. ahead of time can sometimes, though certainly not always, mitigate the harmful effects of excess sunlight.

EMF protective clothing is increasingly becoming necessary for some patients.

Another consideration for going out is the need to avoid consumption of vitamin D in food.

Patients won't know until they try it if their vacation will be enjoyable while trying to recover from Th1 inflammationThe complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue.. They may find that taking every precaution is still not enough.

It also makes sense to use some contingency plan for abandoning the trip if symptoms become intolerable.

• Dress in all cotton fabric (or a high percentage of cotton) is comfortable and allows layering. Other natural fabrics such as linen and silk can be comfortable too.
• Wearing layers allows removal of some layers when you are indoors, away from sun and lights.
• Keep a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, gloves, scarf, and NoIRsSpecial sunglasses worn by Marshall Protocol patients to block light. with you. It's a good idea to keep extras in the car along with the extra olmesartanMedication taken regularly by patients on the Marshall Protocol for its ability to activate the Vitamin D Receptor. Also known by the trade name Benicar. .
• Wear a bandana or scarf to protect one's neck.

MP patients who are sensitive to light should consider both bringing extra olmesartan with them and making sure that when being exposed to light that only a few hours have passed since their last dose.

I used to make sure that I was never more than four hours from my last Benicar whenever I had to go outdoors. Then, after the exposure, I needed to keep the four hour going for twelve hours after the final exposure. Beyond that I could slip back to normal dosing, as the 1,25-DPrimary biologically active vitamin D hormone. Activates the vitamin D nuclear receptor. Produced by hydroxylation of 25-D. Also known as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitirol. had dissipated.

Trevor Marshall, PhD

Not all hotels, etc. have good blackout drapes. Consider bringing Redi-Shades, available at any Bed, Bath, and Beyond, or Home Depot.

Another idea would be to bring a roll of aluminum foil and scotch tape if you plan to be staying at someone's home for any length of time. Foil is inexpensive and easy to remove.

Reenie, MarshallProtocol.com

For a number of reasons including the stress of traveling and the brightness of airports, air travel can exacerbate symptoms of Th1 disease. The following preparations may be helpful:

• If appropriate, consider calling the airlines in advance and arrange wheelchair assistance. If necessary, a valet will push a traveler all around the airport.
• Within arm's reach have a water bottle, pill case (72 hours minimum load), and alarm. Keeping one's olmesartan (Benicar) on one's person minimizes the inconvenience of delays.
• Prepare 25mg minocycline capsules for ahead of time. 25mg good for controlling herx, too. Minocycline capsules feel different than benicar hard oval pills, especially if you use large, easy-load gel caps.

One relatively unnoticed source of problem is that sunlight at high altitude is more potent than it is closer to sea level.

From bitter experience, I think air travel is a bit more than just wearing NoIRs and avoiding time in brightly lit terminals. 90% of the UV which falls at ground level is the lower energy UVA. The balance is the more dangerous UVB. The even more dangerous UVC is pretty well absorbed by the atmosphere. However, at 35.000 feet in a plane, there is much more UVB, and plenty of the really dangerous UVC, which is non-existent at ground level.

The rule of thumb is that total UV energy at 33,000 feet is about double that at sea level. But a lot of reactions in the skin are stepwise - that is nothing happens until you reach a threshold. Hence the actual impact on health at 35,000 feet can be quite devastating even if you are wearing your NoIRs all the time. It is a bit like at ground level - when the UV index is 10 - extreme - the tissue damage done is ten times the damage when the UV Index is 5.

I've found that traveling at night is about the only solution. Even when I have finished Phase Two and Phase Three I would be reluctant to going back to traveling during the day especially at latitudes below 45 degrees, which is of course half of the planet!

Robert Townsend

Immunizations carry the risk of transmitting L-form bacteriaDifficult-to-culture bacteria that lack a cell wall and are not detectable by traditional culturing processes. Sometimes referred to as cell wall deficient bacteria. along with the vaccine. But traveling to a third world country carries risks of other acute infections. Patients should follow their doctor's advice regarding the immunizations he or she feels are essential for travel. It should be noted that some of them are not mandatory and there is no way to know if they will work.

Radiofrequencies in Cars

People's eyes and what they need to use at different phases can vary quite a bit. Some people never are able to use the 10% at night or even the 2% in daytime driving, because their eyes don't have the same level of sensitivity. It is up to individual patients to judge how well they can see to be safe.

I originally had to drive with 1% or 2% over 15 % in daylight and 10% at night; but now have progressed to using 40% at night and now only need one-fifth the protection I needed to use to drive in daylight….

My 10% NoIRs have finally gotten too dark at night, and I do quite well now with a 30% VLT amber lens. I will then eventually go to 40% NoIRs and then to yellow night driving glasses when I am finally off the Protocol.

P. Bear, MarshallProtocol.com

I have to use clear lenses when driving now. The changeover came at about the time that the oncoming headlights were no longer painful. At that time it was becoming hard to make out features on the roadway.

Trevor Marshall, PhD

Not every Marshall Protocol patient is sensitive enough to light so as to require severely restricting daytime activity. For those that must, several Marshall Protocol patients have recommended spending their time on the MP “making lemons out of lemonade.”

Attention gardeners: you can garden at night!

A thoughtful friend gave me a halogen headlamp for my birthday. You never have to look directly at the light because it's on your head available at Sierra Trading post.

Happy gardening.

Sharon, MarshallProtocol.com

• Patients who need to should wear all their protective clothing, including hat, gloves, NoIRs, long sleeves and sunscreen when you go out to the doctor. It helps if someone else will drive you to the office and drop you off at the door so you can quickly get indoors. Having someone else park the car saves one those extra minutes of sunlight while driving and walking.
• Patients should explain to the physician, healthcare practitioner, or the admitting nurse the need to restrict exposure to sunlight and bright lights. If they understand this need, the office staff should be willing to limit the amount of time a patient spends in a sunny waiting room and may make it routine to place patients in a treatment room with no windows or with dimmers on the lights.
• Consider scheduling visits so as to have a short wait. The office may be most likely to be running “on time” either the first appointment in the morning or the first appointment after lunch. You may wish to call ahead to make sure.
• Take off extra clothing (jacket, hat, glasses, gloves, etc.) as soon as being assigned a treatment room. For those with a companion, ask them to keep up with these articles.
• Just as any other doctor visit, have in mind or bring a list of your most recent complaints to discuss.
• After the visit, drink lots of water and schedule some quiet time at home - a nap is even better - so the mind and body can make the most of the treatment and recover from the sun exposure.