Stephen Sherry Update 2020

Stephen Sherry was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. We had the privilege of hosting a Question & Answer session with Stephen Sherry in April 2020.

Part 1: Stephen summarizes what he did to heal in a video we posted in 2017

Part 2: April 2020 Q&A with Stephen Sherry

Stephen Sherry’s Story. Stephen was only 42 years old when he was diagnosed with ALS. This was 1999. He went to the top neurologist in Houston at the time, who confirmed he had ALS. Like many diagnosed with ALS Stephen had been under a lot of stress in the years leading up to his diagnosis—a divorce, a move, a stressful job, a job change.

Vitamins. Fortunately, Stephen was brought up in a household where natural remedies were used over medications whenever possible. His mother was always using herbs, vitamins, and foods to heal. So he asked his neurologist if there wasn’t something he could recommend to him. His neurologist said there had been some research that high doses of anti-oxidants might slow ALS progression and suggested vitamin C.

Research was key. After the initial shock and tears that inevitably follow an ALS diagnosis, Stephen, his sister and his then-girlfriend-now-wife began searching the internet for anything that might help nerves, muscles, and brain function, since the motor neurons are in the brain. As they researched, Stephen started adding other anti-oxidants and other vitamins including magnesium, omega-3’s, melatonin and more. He would add and subtract vitamins depending on how he felt and as he researched more.

Diet. Stephen also changed his diet. He no longer ate processed food. He read labels. He looked for foods that would build up his body. He read about detoxification, then ate foods and took herbs that would help cleanse his body of toxins.

Decided against prescriptions. Stephen was prescribed the standard ALS medication at the time called Rilutek, also known as Riluzole, but decided not to take it. He read about the side effects on his liver, which he knew was key to detoxifying the body. He also saw others at the ALS clinic he attended taking it and did not like the effect it was having on them. They seemed to be very tired and have brain fog. He felt he was doing way better with the diet, vitamin and detoxification regimen he was on. It also made more sense to him.

Life balance. Stephen kept working both because he enjoyed his new job and it took away the financial pressures of not working. His bosses were very flexible and he was able to sit for long periods at work. There were days where he was just too tired and they worked with him at these times. When he got home from work there were more articles to read and research, and of course, eat a clean diet and take his supplements.

Cannabis. Although Stephen used cannabis before being diagnoses, after diagnosis he used it medicinally because he felt it helped him both mentally and physically. Cannabis is known to be good for depression and physically he felt better on it. Stephen used cannabis oil, smoking and rectally.

Meditation and Attitude. Stephen also knew the importance of mental attitude in any disease and did his best to stay positive. He also used meditation to calm his mind and to visualize his body healing. With practice, he was eventually able to get to “quiet his mind” in just a few seconds. He found that doing this throughout the day helped him be calm and centered and in “healing” mode most of the time. 

Anything that will help. Stephen tried a number of things that were in the category, “They might help”. One of these was a Rife machine which after researching he decided to buy. He felt it made a difference, but as with many holistic treatments, he cannot be absolutely sure.

Amalgam fillings. Stephen’s sister kept sending him links about the dangers of amalgam dental fillings. All amalgam fillings are 50 percent mercury, one of the most dangerous neurotoxins on the planet! At first he did not believe these filling he had since he was a child could possibly be affecting his health, but the more he read, the more he realized that he would have to get them removed if he wanted to get better. He had so many fillings, in the end he decided it would be less expensive, and less risky to his health to have them removed and to get dentures, so that is what he decided to do. Within months of doing this in 2006, Stephen’s ALS symptoms began to reverse.

 

Today, 21 years after diagnosis, Stephen is doing well. He is able to walk, drive, do carpentry, work in the garden and play guitar. He enjoys time with his wife, family and friends. He is not cured. If he eats at a restaurant where there are additives in the food, he gets muscle cramping and fasciculations for a day or two. If he backs off too much on his vitamin regimen his ALS symptoms worsen and he simply increases his supplements.

Books and Resources. Stephen read articles about healing the body and the mind and he continues to do so. Early on he read neurologist Dr. Russell Blaylock’s work on excitotoxins.  He constantly looked for articles that showed what foods and supplements affected neurology. He read extensively on natural healing. Included were books and articles on emotional and mental health which he read were key to healing. Recent books are Behave, Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow, The Body Keeps the Score. 

Stephen Sherry’s supplement list. No dosages are listed since Stephen varied his dosages depending on how he felt. Stephen researched and experimented to find out what worked for him. Many are based on research and Stephen knows they are helping even if he doesn’t feel anything.

Dosage for you in particular will depend on your specific body’s needs and your specific symptoms. Many PALS get tested for deficiencies through a medical professional.

Supplements I use regularly:
Fish Oil
Coconut Oil
Magnesium
Maca
Silymarin
Vitamin B
Vitamin C
Vitamin D3
Curcumin
Vitamin E
CBD Cannabis Oil

Supplements I use sporadically:
Astaxanthin
Chromium Picolinate
Malate
Bee Pollen
Phosphatidyl Serine
Melatonin
D-Ribose
Sovereign Silver
Probiotics
DMSO
Magnesium Oil
Iron Supplement
CoQ10
Black Seed
L-Citruline

Possibly positive. I now use these sporadically or I would use them again if I think it might fit:
Idebenone
Beta Carotene
Alginol
Pycnogenol (Grape Seed/Pine Bark Extract)
Valarian Root
Lobelia
Kava Kava
Blue Lotus
Gingko Biloba
Parasite Cleanse
DL-Phenylalanine
Rutin
ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid)
Vicodin
Catsclaw Extract
Selenium

Possibly positive, I would use them again when I think it might fit:
Olive Leaf
Grape Seed Extract
Grapefruit Seed
EDTA
Soma
Beet Extract
Hawthorne Berry
Bilberry
Acetyl L Carnitine
Stem-Kine (may boost stem cell production)
Zinc/Copper
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Potassium
Quercetin

I tried these but they had no effect so I discontinued them:
DHEA
GABA
Oregano Oil
Powdered Energy Drinks (I used several types over the years)
White Thyme Oil

Negative side effects. I would not use these again:
St. John’s Wort
Creatine