I injured my ankle in Bandera, Texas during a trail race. I was halfway through the race and it had been raining so I had a thick coat of mud on my running shoes. All of the sudden I rolled my ankle and heard a loud “POP”. Some guys running in front of me stopped and turned around and looked at me. I asked them what that sound was and they said it was me, and then I felt the pain! They wanted to help me to the aid station which was a mile and half away but I told them to go on and that I was fine. I tried running on it and that didn’t work because it kept rolling outward.

So I hopped all the way to the aid station and they suggested that I drop out of the race. I suggested that they duct tape it and let me finish, but they disagreed with me. By the time I made it back home and went to my sports medicine doctor, I had a grade 3 sprain and completely tore my ATF and calcaneal ligaments in my ankle and damaged my posterior ligament.

I purchased the Malleoloc Ankle Brace from AllegroMedical.com on the recommendation of my physical therapist. I wear it when I compete in trail races to prevent my ankle from rolling and possibly injuring it again. It works.

I also purchased the GenuTrain Knee Brace for my patellar tendonitis because an ER doctor told me I would never run again.

With the use of these braces I can compete in races with no problems.

This is the 2008 race calendar for Terra Firma Promotions Adventure Race Co. I’m on the cover, right side, on the mountain bike.

Has an Allegro product helped you? If so, let us share it with the world! Send 400-500 words in an email, (include a picture if appropriate), to Valerie Paxton at vpaxton (at) allegromedical (dot) com. (Email address deconstructed to prevent spam).

Because of the abuse, neglect, and poor nutrition she suffered in those early months, she was diagnosed early, at the age of 6, with Osteo-Arthritis and Degenerative Bone Disease. I began treating her with acupuncture right away and administering Glucosamine, in an effort to relieve her pain, before resorting to prescription medications. By the time she reached 11 or 12 years old it was necessary to begin a prescription anti-inflammatory drug.

Then, at age 13, Lady developed Cushing’s disease, a condition that creates an overproduction of cortisone by the adrenal glands, causing lethargy, muscle wasting, and weakness. When she was diagnosed with the Cushing’s, the prescription drug had to be stopped, as it could have worsened her condition, but the Glucosamine alone was no longer enough. The acupuncture helped quite a bit, but by the 5th or 6th week, she was struggling again.

Several people, including Lady’s acupuncturist, had told me how they were having positive results with light therapy and maybe I should give it a try. I searched on-line until I found a Light Relief unit at AllegroMedical.com. It came with a 30 day, money back guarantee, so I felt I had nothing to lose. I was amazed at the results! I purposely stopped her Glucosamine so I would know whether or not she was getting the relief she needed.

I used the unit consistently every day, leaving it on for the maximum amount of time, and placing it on each area that was affected by arthritis. One day, as I was standing in the kitchen washing dishes, Lady walked down the hallway from my bedroom, and greeted me in the kitchen. I thought at first that my son had helped her up, but when I called out his name to ask him, he wasn’t even in the house! In less than a week of consistent treatments, she was picking herself up and walking better than she had in months. Before the treatments, I was helping her both to get up and to walk, using a towel to support her. After the treatments, we even took a couple of short walks together, and several times, she attempted to dance with me again.

I know that she realized the Light Relief unit was helping her, because she never resisted a treatment. And, on the days that she felt really good, she would push the unit off with her nose to let me know that it wasn’t necessary that day. I really believe that using the light treatment improved her quality of life tremendously in her remaining months, and I have told all of my friends and clients how miraculous this product is.

Just a few months before I discovered the Light Relief therapy, I became afflicted with Plantar Fasciitis, a foot condition that occurs when the foot muscles tighten, in my case, from falling arches. The heel becomes inflamed and it can result in excruciating pain. After seeing how well it was working for Lady, I decided to try it on my Plantar Fasciitis, which is one of the conditions the Light Relief unit is recommended for. As I placed my foot on the unit and waited, I could actually feel the swelling and discomfort subside. Again, I was consistent with my treatments and today, my feet feel great. I continue to recommend the Light Relief unit to anyone who is suffering themselves, or who has an animal that might be in pain, because I am so grateful that I was able to help her live out her remaining months with less pain and a better quality of life.

With Great Gratitude,

Judy Jackson – Arvada, CO

Please visit my website at:
TwoPawsUpKennel

Allegro’s office is pet-friendly so we were thrilled that we could help Lady lead a more independent life. Andy Judy too! Get your own Light Relief Light Therapy along with all of your medical supplies at AllegroMedical.com.

Are You an Allegro Fan?

If you have a story about how an Allegro product helped you or someone you care for, we’d love to hear it. Please email up to 500 words to Valerie Paxton at vpaxton (at) allegromedical (dot) com. All submissions will be considered. Have a great day!

All went well until 20 weeks when I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and put on bed rest. Even with all the efforts of my doctor, I had an emergency c-section at just 27 weeks and our son was born at just 1 lb 8oz. He faced all of the risks of such a premature birth complicated by his extremely small size, since he should have been over 2 lbs at that gestation. It was a nightmare experience, but miraculously, after 2 eye surgeries and one to repair a hernia, he overcame it all and was discharged from the hospital after 106 days at 7 lbs. He required oxygen therapy for another 2 months as well as physical therapy to overcome his developmental delays. And, at 1 year old he was developmentally caught up to his peers and no longer needed any special treatment.

His only lingering problem was a low appetite and a dislike of many food textures. Many preemies and other children who have had to be ventilated develop oral aversions, and although his are not severe, they are still a problem. I sympathize with those whose children won’t eat at all. He weaned off the bottle fine, but would not eat enough food to gain weight. Anytime he had a problem from a simple cold or an ear infection to the normal stresses of vacations and holidays, he would slow down on his eating and in some cases lose weight. At 18 months old, he only weighed 15 lbs. I was scared for him and worried about his adult height if he didn’t start putting on weight. I tried everything imaginable to get him to eat to no avail. After visiting with a nutritionist and his pediatrician, we put him on Nutren Jr.
This product has been a lifesaver for us. He gains weight even when he won’t eat solid foods. And he not only drinks it, he asks for it by the name he gave it – “high protein vanilla milk”! Everything else we tried, he actually spit out. Now at 2 ½ years old, he is a healthy 24 ½ lbs and finally on the “normal” growth curve for his age. He is eating more solids, but still gets two cans of Nutren Jr everyday.

I found Allegro Medical through Amazon.com and eventually went to buying directly from Allegro. I love the convenience of on-line ordering, and since I order so much of this stuff, the one time I had an issue with missing cans from an order, the customer service department set my next order up with free shipping. Thank you Allegro Medical, for offering these products and providing such good customer service.

I now order Carnation Instant Breakfast
shakes from your company as well. It seems my husband and I have the opposite problem from our son — we are trying to lose weight!

Are You an Allegro Fan?

If you have a story about how an Allegro product helped you or someone you care for, we’d love to hear it. Please email up to 500 words to Valerie Paxton at vpaxton (at) allegromedical (dot) com. All submissions will be considered. Have a great day!

After an MRI of my brain showed scarring on both sides of my frontal
lobe, I was relieved to have an answer: MS is causing the paralysis to
the entire right side of my body. Just as quickly as walking became a
pastime, within a few months I was running. No longer dependent on a
wheelchair but graduating to a walker . . . cane . . .then poof!! I was
walking, dancing, and playing tennis as if nothing had ever happened. It
seemed as if in a flash, I went from being able bodied to paralyzed and
back again and I wasn’t the only one who thought “that’s weird, right?”
I like to call it part of the “Wonderful and Strange” things associated
with this disorder.

For seven years I did not need or want treatment. I would relapse every
once in a while, in a different form; numbness from the waist down,
numbness in my feet or switch it up and the left side of my body was
numb for months at a time. It’s more of an annoyance but, the “Doctors”
called them exacerbations, episodes or flare-ups. Hey, they like giving
things names and that’s okay by me. I have tried different forms of
treatment; Avonex (3 years) and Rebif (3 years). I also changed my
neurologist and for the past 2 years have been feeling better than ever.
Currently, I am taking Copaxone injections daily along with some
medications and really trying to get a workout regime nailed down. I
have my trusty “shower chair” so as to avoid any falling while wet!

In January 2006, my neurologist said, “Lets try something different.
You’re tired and I don’t think there is now or ever will be that pill
that is going to give you the energy you need.” I told her to “Bring it
on!”. I’m always up for a new adventure. Now, this is important, I trust
this woman implicitly with my health. She is more up to date on current
MS treatments than I am and she has only my best interests at heart. No
hidden agenda. She works for me. She is my doctor. Refreshing, isn’t it?
It feels that way to me and I am so thankful she is in my life. So, this
new treatment is low dose Cytoxin and Messna. Chemotherapy! And it has
helped. I only do it every 4 weeks for about 3 months but I have more
energy and feel great.

MS is a different journey for each individual, I try to enjoy mine and
go with the ebb and flow as best I can. I’m also not in this alone and
that is truly a blessing to me. I’m grateful and humbled by everything
my loved ones do for me and with me. I enjoy life. My take on everything
is to have a positive outlook. It sure takes away the stress when you
start with yourself first, then clean house by getting away from
negative influences. Kick the negativity to the curb and let the street
sweeper suck it up and out of your life. I am very fortunate to have the
amazing family and friends that I have. They are super supportive of who
I am. I also have incredible doctors, I ask tons of questions and follow
their recommendations as best as I can. It is very important to remember
the doctor you choose can be changed. He or she works for you, not the
other way around. Ask questions, I can’t emphasize this enough!

Having a fabulous DME like Allegro Medical has helped in meeting my always changing needs for things like shower chairs, grab bars, yoga equipment, (mats, medicine balls, light weights), ice packs (shoulder holder), walking aids and much more.