By David Spangenburg
Originally posted June 19, 2009 on www.theopinionsector.com
After I posted “Medical Ice Age?, on OpEdNews.com I received a number of emails singing the praises of Dr. Alfred Plechner DVM. They were from readers who had visited the page after the two week comment period closed. Being avid Plechner supporters they wanted to comment but, alas, couldn’t. Their stories were very moving tales of near tragedy and touched me so deeply I decided to create this addendum to the previous article. If you haven’t read the original article or you would like to refresh your memory you will find it here…
Medical-Ice-Age?-by-David-Spangenburg
If you don’t have the time, here are a few excerpts to bring you up to speed. First off, let’s take a quick look at the man himself. Even though it is almost impossible to recount “Dr P’s” achievements in a brief snippet I will attempt to present Plechner in a paragraph (or two).
“Doctor Alfred J. Plechner is the consummate medical professional whose devotion to duty reflects a true "calling to vocation". People who have sought his healing hands to help "end of the line animals" have called him, "the doctor who never stops caring." Beginning his practice in 1966, he soon became frustrated that many of his patients weren't responding to standard treatments. After researching for the past 40 years (on his own time and his own dime) He discovered an "Endocrine-Immune Imbalance" or the Atypical Cortisol Estrogen Imbalance Syndrome (ACEIS) or as the public refers to it as "Plechner's Syndrome".
The article went on to describe the effects of the syndrome and the protocol that he developed to successfully treat it.
The syndrome involves a defect in the middle layer of the adrenal glands. This defect causes a major hormonal immune system imbalance which Dr. Plechner believes, ""… creates a ripple effect throughout the body's physiology, making them susceptible to conditions ranging from, Autoimmune Diseases, Cancer, Common Allergies, and Reproductive Failure."
The defect keeps the glands from manufacturing enough cortical hormone (helps the body fight stress and infections) and can cause the cortisol to bind up (become inactive). In turn, too much estrogen can be produced and not enough thyroid hormones causing an imbalanced immune system.
Dr. Plechner developed a special blood test one that would test for cortisol, total estrogen, thyroid hormones T-3 & T-4, and IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies. If the cortisol level is low, estrogen level high, thyroid hormones low and antibodies are low, chances are the adrenal glands are afflicted by the defect.
Dr. Plechner's protocol is a series of physiological (low dosage) injections (or oral medication) of cortisone to boost up the adrenal glands. 90% of the dogs and 10% of the cats treated also required low doses of thyroid hormone. Once the endocrine system is back in balance, the immune system takes over and all the disease symptoms disappear. However, the animal must continue this low dose hormone replacement protocol for life.
A large number of FIV afflicted cats were treated with his protocol and showed a recovery rate of over 70%. In that, FIV is a retrovirus similar to HIV and considering the fact that every animal that Dr. Plechner's treated for cancer has had this endocrine-immune system imbalance. Could this adrenal defect and the protocol he developed to treat it, lead the way to possibly being able to treat or prevent AIDS and/or cancer? These are questions that continue to be asked, due to the advanced stages of "status quo" which has afflicted the current corporate medical establishment.
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When Medical Ice Age? was posted on OpEdNews it was followed by this comment from Margaret Bassett…
“As an editor who was conflicted about this article I concluded that the doctor whose work is described is DVM. Veterinarians really have a diverse patient population, although not human beings. Questions through my mind: Is this a promotion? (I forgive my friends who prescribe horse liniment for my arthritis, and allow them to make their case.) OR Why should anyone find a sure thing to solve many problems and not have a peer review? (I thought about Jonas Salk. What happened when polio was the scare of the public?) I'll stop there, except to say that further discussion of such questions is why we have interactive journalism in the Age of Unanswered Questions.”
Margaret Bassett
To which I commented
“This article is promotion but not for his business, for his life. He has been more than a Veterinarian he has been a true healer to his patients and their keepers. The care and concern he has shown throughout his career has been patient specific and unique. The research that has occupied a good deal of his free time has proven to be a benefit not only for the animal kingdom but the human species as well.
As you can see by the opening paragraphs of the article, I have a rather tainted view of the medical industry. This is due to the fact that I spent many years working as a pharmacy technician III, at a leading California Hospital and Medical Group. I have seen personally what the business of medicine has done to the medical profession. I have also shared my life with a number of animal companions and so have experienced the good, bad and the ugly of the Veterinarian profession. When I come across a true professional, such as Dr Plechner, who is driven more by the 'love of his craft' than by 'filling his wallet' I feel an obligation to let others know about his contributions.”
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She would have seen why, from my own personal experiences, there are no peers coming forth, jumping up and down about his treatment protocol. I hope she will read through the testimonials, it will be eye opening. Individual pet owners are not promoting anything, nor am I, a retired breeder of quality Dobermans. We are merely anxious for other veterinarians to give their clients the option of using Dr. Plechner's protocol, one we have had much success using on our own animals, when 'mainstream treatments' aren't working. Again I add, why does death have to be the final answer?”
Roz Wheelock
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“I want to add my 2+ cents to this discussion. Five years ago I just happened to hear Dr. Plechner on an alternative radio talk show one morning. This happenstance was one of the luckiest occurrences of my life so far....and for the life of my beloved calico cat, Jazzy. Over the course of the intervening years, I have been fortunate enough to become friends with Dr. Plechner. I mention this only for a point I will make later.
That first morning I heard him speak, I listened with rapt attention as Dr. Plechner talked openly regarding his work and the lack of general acceptance of his work by the mainstream veterinary community. I immediately ordered his book and began waiting impatiently for its arrival.
After giving his book a quick read, I got on the phone and began looking for local veterinarians who would be open to working with Dr. Plechner's protocol. I lucked out, once again, and the first one we (Jazzy and I) went to agreed to run the I-E blood tests. The results showed that Jazzy clearly had the syndrome: Low Ig's; high estrogen; low cortisol. We scheduled a consultation with Dr. Plechner and he suggested a steroid injection, followed by tablet prednisone. Our local vet followed Dr. Plechner’s suggestions, and we rechecked the blood tests 2 or 3 weeks later.
Lo and behold, just had Dr. Plechner had purported in his book, all of Jazzy's numbers were moving toward their optimal ranges. Well done. Subsequently we rechecked about once a year and she held fine. All symptoms were gone. ( She previously had been diagnosed with IBD - inflammatory bowel disease. ) Now, let’s fast forward to end of March, this year.
Through a series of unfortunate and compounding occurrences, Jazzy became quite ill; she lost her appetite and was losing weight quickly. Blood tests showed three liver enzyme levels off the charts, her glucose was very high and also that she apparently was suffering from pancreatitis. It became necessary to hospitalize her. She was put on IV fluids and other medications. I paced for 3 days waiting for and IgA test result. When it did come in, it showed she was clearly under optimum range. Dr. Plechner suggested an injection of steroid, immediately, if her life was to be saved.
Neither of the vets here - the one at the hospital, or our usual - would agree to administer the needed medication. They both were of the opinion that the steroid would exacerbate the glucose and that it could cause her liver additional stress and possibly take her life.
This is the most important part:
As she means the world to me, it fell to me to make the decision that the trained, informed and professional caregivers would not: I had to find a way to see that she received the needed steroid. I did this based upon my understanding of the mechanism of the I-E imbalance, and my faith in Dr. Plechner's integrity as a veterinarian, and as a man. She received the steroid and based upon blood test results - not speculation, all of her numbers improved! The three liver enzymes had been markedly reduced, the glucose was coming down and the pancreatitis was abating. All within a few days!
People can say what they want and believe what they want. We are all entitled to our opinions. In this case, I really have no interest in someone who offers an opinion without any firsthand knowledge of Dr. Plechner and the syndrome he has identified. On the other hand, I do have firsthand knowledge; not only of the efficacy of Dr. Plechner's ideas and protocol, but also of the man. Throughout this recent ordeal, he was always there when I wanted to talk or ask for his input….Always.
I will personally stand with him in his fervent effort and hope to broaden the acceptance of his work. My dear beloved Jazzy is alive today because of him and his knowledge. I feel very strongly that if I had been complacent and had accepted the mainstream approach to treating her illness, she would not be here today.And this thought saddens me beyond measure. Our companion animals look to us and are dependent upon us for their nurturing, their homes and ultimately, their health.
What is it within us - people ( I'll not use the word humanity as to me it is not human(e) to treat our animal friends' health based upon our stupidity and small mindedness ) that causes us to constantly close our minds to a thought or idea which may not be our own? We take a stance and know we're right, usually with incomplete information. That’s fine, but why must our animal loved ones suffer because of our egos?
This is the crying shame in my opinion. How many animals are senselessly lost or suffer every year due to our small minds and belligerent sense of self-righteousness? If we could just get out of our own way, perhaps, at the very least, our animal friends could have a better chance of remaining well and living happier lives with us. It pains me deeply to think of this.
Certainly we’re entitled to treat ourselves based upon faulty and erroneous logic. Why do we subject our helpless friends to the same? I wish I knew.”
Ken Collier and Jazzy
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“I have two pets in my family who are on the “Plechner Protocol“. A spayed cat that has been on the Protocol for 5+ years and a spayed dog for almost 8 years. Prior to diagnosis and treatment for the endocrine imbalance, both animals showed various symptoms of disease.
The cat, a stray kitten, had gone blind from eye infection before being rescued by a veterinary facility. Her vision was lost and then her body began to show signs of auto-immune disease. She was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granuloma and rodent ulcers in her mouth. This blind kitty was adopted by one of my family members. Her veterinarian was unable to find a successful treatment for the body lesions and painful oral sores. She even needed surgery to close one of the lesions on her body.
The dog had various infections; skin, urinary, gastrointestinal, ear, etc. As soon as one infection had resolved it seemed another began. She was constantly in need of veterinary care. Both animals Endocrine-Immune test results were out of range, showing very low immunoglobulin levels and abnormal hormonal levels with elevated Estrogen (both animals were spayed when young, this is not ovarian estrogen).
Once both animals had their hormonal levels normalized with replacement levels of hormonal medication, their test results were no different than any normal healthy cat or dog that would have had the blood test. Their immune systems improved on their own, and their disease and symptoms resolved. IgA, IgG and IgM levels normalized.
It took roughly two months for each animal to improve dramatically, but then it was evident that they would not revert so long as their hormonal levels remained within normal range. If their hormonal levels slipped, then their immune cell levels did also. Clinical symptoms would reappear and blood test results of CBC and Chemistry would show abnormal results until the hormonal levels were once again normalized.
My husband and I also had this blood test drawn at our own physical exams, thankfully both were normal results. I am a member of an online yahoo group that discusses Dr. Plechner's Protocol and it's Endocrine- Immune Imbalance. There are people who have tested with the imbalance and thankfully the treatment has helped them also, just as it has my family's pets.
Canines are commonly used in medical research and studies for human disease, education on human biology, and drugs. Research using dogs has aided the medical community on hormonal disorders. Common human thyroid and adrenal medication may be administered to treat dogs and cats. Canines used in medical studies have provided information for the human medical community on cardiology and various areas.
Felines are models for human neurology. I am just illustrating a point to show that the physiology is quite similar and therefore it is understandable how the Plechner Protocol applies to both humans and animals. So much of Dr. Plechner's work applies to various mammals, from horses to humans. My family was really at the end of the road with veterinary medical treatments, we had tried so many to help our dog and cat.
My vet, as well as my family member's, is very dedicated and we owe them gratitude just as we do Dr. Plechner for helping our animals. Had I not become aware of Dr. Plechner and his publications years ago, I feel that our pets may not be with us today.”
Kindly, Michele Walker-Lewis
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“Please let it be known that Dr. Plechner has never, nor will ever, self promote!!! "Dr. P" as he is known to his clients, has proven his abilities and concern to all of us. My family and I, have been so thankful for his dedicated EDUCATED concern for our animals for over 20 years. He has given us the opportunity to live longer lives with our family (pet's). He has raised the quality and extended our time together, due to his unique approach (which is not recognized by his peers)… Dr. P is a great healer... TAKE HEED YE ALL!!!”
Alexandra Vallier
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“Your article has really stirred up some emotions from people who resent the fact that there are doubts about this deadly Syndrome and the Protocol I developed that has not only helped their pets but themselves also. Dr Rashimi Pace is a physician that I have helped, that has well over 100 patients doing well on my protocol. My findings have convinced me that this syndrome is the cause of AIDS, Cancer, Auto-immunity and Allergies. It is, beyond any doubts, the cause of chronic disease in humans and animals. You cannot believe how frustrating it is to see young children and pets die from terminal diseases, when ‘Death does not have to be the answer‘. Thank you for helping me.”
Al Plechner
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In closing I will say that I have not benefited, personally or professionally, from Dr. Plechner’s research and expertise. A friend of many years recounted to me his experience with “Dr. P” and I felt obligated to share the Doctor’s story with all of you. After receiving the preceding positive comments I am very happy I did.
To those who might respond negatively to his lack of “established peer reviews” and “placebo comparisons and blind studies” let me say that you, obviously, are not one of the Dr.’s clients. Doctor Plechner has devoted over forty years to his practice and research, has received no grants or other types of funding and still has successfully treated thousands of afflicted animals, most of which were "end of the line animals" that his ( above mentioned ) “peers” had given up on. He has an amazing record of success and thousands of grateful beings, all of whom I’m positive, would stand up and shout, bark or meow his praises if asked.
For those who doubt the possible benefits his research offers the human species, let me add the following. William Jeffries, MD, emeritus professor of internal medicine, University of Virginia pioneered long term, low dosage cortisone treatments for humans. This method has safely and effectively treated patients with allergies, chronic fatigue and autoimmune disorders. Yet, just as in veterinary medicine, has been largely ignored.
This may be due partially to the stigma attached to cortisone therapy which may cause side effects when given in pharmacological dosages. The small physiological dosages of natural cortisol or synthetic cortisone medications recommended by Plechner and Jeffries are used as a form of hormone replacement to compensate for a hormone defect. This is an important distinction.
As you can tell by the opening paragraphs of “M.I.A?”, I cast a rather jaundiced eye at our current medical and pharmaceutical industries. The days of “Dr. Kildare” and “All Creatures, Great and Small” are just a misty eyed memories. Research today seems to be more concerned with erectile dysfunction and aids for depression and acid reflux ( says something about our modern society, doesn’t it? ).
The main thing to consider is the reality that the majority of our species’ most fabulous and beneficial ideas have come from thinking outside the box and not from hiding inside it. Before I close, I’d like to present one more thoughtful submission…
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From: Michele
“I recall Shaun Stannert's words (“Dr. P” had advised on treatment of her English Labrador 'Tubbs'). She is a medical writer. As I recall she placed a time frame, whether it was twenty or thirty years, that it takes sometimes for medical discoveries to really be accepted by the medical community, despite the very real and tangible successful results they have yielded within that time. From what I gather, doctors and researchers who make life changing discoveries tend to be harshly viewed at first , BUT then later revered as time goes on. Linus Carl Pauling was labeled a quack at first- and then he won the Nobel prize for his research into chemical bonds.
The following article titled " Familiar Quacks and Heretics (Now considered Heroes)", on Healthier Talk,com, explains how the medical community turns their back on those people who have made outstanding discoveries but then later embraces them (fair weather friends!).”
Familiar Quacks and Heretics ( Now considered Heros )
