Alopathy vs Homeopathy

[carline2222]

I wrote my "Self introduction" a few days back. I was happy to find this site when I was asked to be under treatment, when the doctors suspect "LUPUS" in me.

During my introduction, I told that one of my cousin sister was suffering with Lupus. Her skins in the feet got worse to the extent that her bones are visible. When she was taken to "Apollo Hospitals", a very advanced hospital in our locality, she was informed that going for operation is the only solution. This had occured before a year. Since we could not afford for the operation, we decided to leave that as it is. On her own initiative she found a doctor specialized in Homeopathy. Homeopathy, is becoming very popular in Asian countries, especially in India. One of the greatest advantage in this is it does not have any side effects ( this is what they say). She was under the care of a Homeopathy doctor and now the legs are almost cured to the extent that she can put her feet on to the earth to walk a few steps.

The doctor had assured that she can become normal in a few months, as he was confident that SLE can be brought under control to the extent that day to day activities will not get affected because of this.

I was really sad to read all the query that was posted on this site, out of which almost 100% of the members talk about the pain they undergo because of the LUPUS. This ALOPATHY not even made the members to speak positive (hope all of the members were under Alopathy treatment)

After a long thought, I was thinking of shifting my treatment to Homeopathy. I kindly request you to give me feedbacks on this.

Thanks
Carline

[gladm]

Carline........I'm sorry I can't help you with your above treatments.
I have heard of Homeopathy, but don't know much about it.
I have never heard the term Alopathy at all.
Hope someone will give you some answers. love gladm.

[Clare.T]

Hi Carline

I have to tell you that if it were not for modern conventional medicine, understanding of the disease, medications and diagnostic techniques, about 50% of us would have been dead within five years of diagnosis, according to the statistics and large numbers suffering in misery, and that not so very long ago.

Lupus takes many forms affecting people in variety of ways and to differing degrees.

While it is undoubtedly a very serious disease, forums tend to give the wrong impression because it is mainly people who are having difficulties who post.

Some people, a few lucky ones, go into remission with hardly any treatment. Lupus is well known to come and go. It can surface many years after apparent remission even in different forms. Clearly when talking about "cures" and remission it is essential to know about long term outcomes!


Some like myself spent many years not getting the proper treatment . I post on forums although I am in remission, because I would like to help people get better treatment as quickly as possible and have the right information to empower them.

I am very glad your cousin is on the mend.

I am sure that herbal medicines have healing properties and a number are being investigated to find out what the active constituents might be.

It would be interesting to know what sort of lupus exactly your cousin had and what herbs were used to help even better if her doctors were to report in the scientific journals subject to peer review.

However, as they say, " one swallow doesn't make a summer".

Anybody who rushes off to the health food store and relies on the herbal preparations on sale there or on the quack remedies for sale on the web is taking very serious risks.

Incidentally, the main drugs responsible for my improvement have been the anti malarials, derived of course from a tree.

All the best !
Clare

[HelenS]

hi, i am moving your post to "complimentary therapies". take care. helenxxx

[bananawear]

Hi there - I have been deliberating all day about posting a reply to this message. I decided I feel strongly enough that I would post it.

First off I am studying for my Masters Degree in Naturopathy so I am very familiar with holistic or homeopathic remedies that are available. In most cases holistic medicine is not indicated for autoimmune diseases. And, in NO WAY is homeopathic medicine a replacement for allopathic medicine (traditional/Western medicine) where autoimmune disease is concerned.

There are some common sense "homeopathic" things you can do, like take a vitamin D supplement to replace what we would naturally get from the sun, and of course calcium, postassium and folic acid for those of us who are on plaquenil and/or prednisone but those dosages should be cleared with your Dr. Some other things that people may consider homeopathic would be chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, or bio feedback and most of the time those are relatively safe, but even with those, unless you are working with a therapist who is trained in dealing with lupus/fibro, you can do more damage than good.

Those of us with autoimmune problems don't have bodies that work like everyone else. That is to say that sometimes our liver and kidneys don't filter things the way they would in a healthy person and especially with medications and supplements, we can have a toxic level of build up in our blood. This has happened to me twice with medications, I had a reaction to it and my body couldn't flush it from my system. I ended up hospitalized and being flushed out with IV's. So you should never take anything without checking first with your Dr. Plus you never know how an herbal treatment might react with a prescription med.

I know I will probably get a lot of feedback from my comments, but felt I needed to speak from personal experience.

Take good care - Chris

[Lily]

I agree with what you have said, Clare and Chris. We are each and every one of us individuals and with a disease like Lupus we react differently to both medications and any 'natural' remedies. Our own individual make-up and even our livers determine how the course of Lupus goes and how meds affect us. We need to be under the care and guidance of doctors who understand the disease.

I actually had a vitamin D deficiency at the outset of a very severe flare...........my doctor had me take vitamin D and in many ways it greatly improved my condition at the time, I'm not sure I wouldn't have suffered brain damage or even a stroke had he not found the deficiency.......but like some of the other meds it had some 'unexpected' results as well as the obvious improvement. I saw a return of kidney problems and I also got inflamed blood vessels made much much worse..........! So even in so called natural therapies, even in cases where documented deficiences of certain substances in our bodies exist I saw an increase in some areas of my disease. Not something we counted on and not something I continued with once the levels had been increased to a more normal level.

love
Lily

[lilymcherokee]

Hello, I am happy to see there is a post talking about "Homeopatic" treatments because I have my very first appointement to see an Homeopatic Doctor in the begining of december. I mostly want to see him because of my difficulties becoming pregnant. I heard there were two women who had trouble getting pregnant and had homeopatic treatement and became pregnant a couple months after starting their treatements. They do not have lupus though.

I was considering maybe having a homeopatic treatment for my lupus symptoms but I guess I'll talk to my doctor first. I'll let you know how my family Doctor reacts to this and what the homepatic doctor has to say afterwards. We'll see....

If anyone has tried any homeopatic treatment experiences and would like to share, I would appreciate it very much.

Good luck to all.

Thank you
Lily M.

[Clare.T]

Thank you for your post Chris. You make some very good points.

You rightly mention drug herb interaction and there is also the question that many herbal remedies may be the very worst thing for certain lupus related conditions.

I would go so far as to say that any herbalist who claims to be able to treat lupus should be regarded with the greatest suspicion.

Perhaps we could draw up a list of questions to be used when evaluating a herbalist's knowledge of lupus and related topics. Heavens above it is hard enough to find alopathic doctors who are well informed !

One question is how much checking there will be of possible harmful side effects on kidney and liver. How much responsibility is the herbalist going to take for the patient's welfare.
I have regular checks to detect side effects of my meds.

By the way I am very photosensitive & wear sunblock all the time as well as avoiding exposure as much as possible.

I do take Vitamin D as recommended by my doctor, as well as calcium and magnesium for osteoporosis, but this question has come up before and my lupus skin specialist assured me that we do get enough sun exposure to avoid Vitamin D deficiency from that.
All that's needed is 20 minutes a day face and hands and unless one is living in a cave one gets enough.
Too many vitamins can be as harmful as too little. If there is any doubt blood levels can be checked.
Wishing all Well
Clare

[bananawear]

I'm glad it seem that there is some general agreement here regarding herbal supplements. I'm not sure how it works in other parts of the world, but at least here in the US herbal treatments are not regulated or overseen by the Food and Drug Admin. for efficacy or safety, there by there are not prescribed recommended dosages, or regulated dosages on production of these items. Even a plain old multi vitamin can have slight variances from batch to batch, and in a healthy person this is normally not a problem.

I agree with you Clare that if there is an herbalist out there who claims to treat autoimmune disease they should be regarded with extreme caution. I even went to a psycotherapist at the onset of my Lupus who told me that until I was willing to accept that I was responsible for making my own self sick and this disease was all in my head and that I had total control over the symptoms that she could not treat me. I said "good bye" and found another therapist, one who deals with chronic pain management.

We all have to be smart and cautious about chosing our providers.

All the best - Chris

[andrushka]

Hi,

As I have told you before I have some experience with herbal products and supplements. When I was first told I had Lupus I was also told to take Prednisone, Imuran, Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D. But being so shocked after hearing about this, although it was mild Lupus, I was ready to do anything. So, I tried a so called miracle tea that was supposed to help and even cure it. Of course, as I have found out later, after going to a really good doctor that I trust very much, that tea, instead of makeing me better it was doing more harm to me, by destroying the red blood cells ( I don't know exactly the correct word for it ). He is an Immunologist, but he trusts herbs and supplements only after testing them on the patient's blood. After these tests he gave me also a proper diet ( lactose free, gluten free - I never knew why I was so sick after drinking milk ). So all the herbs and supplements where first tested and the prednisone and imuran were slowly dicreased. Now I take only these supplements, not any meds and I have no pain, no simptoms, no nothing. I can't say that it's because of the herbs and supplements or because of the meds I am feeling fine now, or a mixture of meds, herbs, supplements and optimism... all I know that I am ok and I hope to be so for a ver very very.... very long time. My blood tests have shown a lot of improvement... the lupus cells and the ANA are still there, but I don't expect them to go away as I am not cured, only in remission. This doesn't mean I am not still praying every day for a cure to be found.

Nobody should trust anybody that gives them a cure for eveything. ( Another thing: a real doctor in a real hospital tryied to sell me a remedy some injections that boost the immune system and he said: who knows, noone tried to boost it instead of calming it down, so why don't we give it a try to see what happens. I couldn't belive my eares I left his office and I was really shocked of his guts or stupidity.)
I learned not to belive miracle makers.

Take care, andrushka

[Cassie]

Hi andrushka,
I am glad to hear someone else say that they are taking herbs besides me. We moved last year and to my surprise my new doc encouraged me to continue my herbs as long as they worked for me. He did recomend that I take biotin for my soft fingernails and promply put me on one that was lactose based. I figured it out after a few days and got another brand. Fingernails are back to normal now. I would like to know what you take since my doc also calls my lupus "mild". I t is mostly controlled by herbs but also a strict diet, no lactose, gluten, lots of fresh vega's, and exercise. Although I did go back to work this summer after a chest pain scare(arthritus) I am having more fatigue than I like and would love to hear your routine.
lilymcherokee, I have taken homeopathic remedies for swollen glands and for pain with great success but never as a regular routine, if you have success please let us know what you took and for how long. I feel that Bananwear is right, homeopathic medicine should never 'replace' allopathic for autoimmune diseases simply because of the nature of homeopathy. It is supposed to be a cure for specific disease and we all know that for lupus as yet there is no cure. And we do have to be careful on how many things we take at one time to protect our liver. My first MD treated me with several courses of herbs but never all at one time.
I love that we can discuss this here as there is nowhere else that I have found that is as comprehensive.
THAnks to all, good night and God bless,

[itchy]

I spent the first two years of my major onset of Lupus doing Iridology, kineselogy, homepathic, holistic , changes in diet, and herbal stuff. In the beginning my regular dr. had no idea what was wrong. He didn't understand that my high sed rate was very unusual because I had a neg. ANA. He thought I may have had a tooth going bad. (Which I didn't) So I turned to alternative methods. Still to this day my mom, and friends try to help me get off my prescribed meds by trying to diagnose me with something else besides Lupus. One friend trys to get me to take MSM, and my mom had a lady call me just today and she was telling me over the phone that I had a yeast problem. Maybe they could be right but I wasted tons of money on alternative methods because my insurance didn't cover them and it was most costly. Some made me even sicker, and some did nothing. I was so glad that I found a good Rheumy. I don't take anything that I don't check with him first. So many people have symptoms that may be like ours but I have found that just because something may have worked for them dosn't mean that it will work for me. For me, I went thru all the stages of trying to fix myself and this lady told me I had give in to this disease and I needed to continue to try things. Without being to rude I told her that it stressed me out trying to hunt for miracle cures. For the time being I was doing good and I wasn't going to rock the boat. I found for me just accepting it was a load off of my little fogged up brain. :P

[blackbird]

wow! well I think this message did deffinetly get off track.
I am trying altenative things, I just started a homiopathic treatment and although as yet I have had no experince of change I am contontinuing to take it.
I find that there is alot of pushing of doctors on this site.
I could tell you the horror stories of all the doctors I have seen but I am sure there are others out there who have been thru it. RIGHT!!!
it took me 8 years to get diagnosed and even then the DOCTOR who did said "really you dont have to see a rhumitologist they cant do much" smart right ,NO
I think that you see a doctor for what doctors can do and you see a others such as
natropaths, chiropractors, accupuncterists,massage therapists, ect. and you use your head.
it sounds like the GOD syndrom to me
like whatever the doc says is god.
well I say do what works.
and really all this check with your doctor stuff. I am getting a little tired of it.
my doctor didnt even talk to me after I got diagnosed. they usually are so scared of anything alternative they just say dont do it. while I had kidney deseas(really lupus that the doctors couldn't figur out) I had a nephrologist say dont take chinese herbs, I asked what kind he said, I dont know, any. isn't that a bit broad
doctors really arn't saints. some are good some arn't just like everone else and other therapy

[Clare.T]

Of course you can do what you like - it's your body, your suffering !
There are very good reasons why we should steer clear of herbals and those who advocate them but if you can't be bothered to find out what they are, or don't care that's your problem.
Me, I like to know about what I'm taking whatever it is, pharmaceuticals weeds from back yards or food.
The fact is that without modern medicines and expertise a lot of us would be dead by now or living in abject misery and poverty.

About advice on the forum whatever it is, none of us are doctors of any sort and if we were we couldn't advise on a forum because it is unethical & we would lose our licences. Even the * facts* given by health care professionals must be checked out as there are different opinions and schools of thought.

I wouldn't be posting here if it was a free for all, anything goes place with advocacy of alternatives simply because there aren't any.

Complementary therapies are another thing.
If you want to go the alternative route make sure you find a medical doctor who knows about complementaries and distrust anybody who claims to cure lupus.
I once made an experimental visit to a chinese store front practitioner I never heard such a load of rubbish in all my life.
The lotion she gave me was for ringworm and she was very reluctant to tell me what was in it and I am sure wouldn't have said if there was steroids in it which were found in one third of skin creams in a UK survey a couple of years ago including some very strong ones that were given for babies faces.
Of course alopathic medicine isn't perfect nobody says it is.
Of course lupus awareness is pathetic, ignorance is widespread and the number of competent physicians lamentably small but I know for a fact that this forum has transformed the lives of many people with lupus enabling them to get good doctors and effective treatment.

Like so many others I went from doctor to doctor for 26 years, diagnosed but without effective treatment. Soem were kind likely and did their best others were a disgrace to their profession, callous and stupid.

I got the the contact that led me to my present doctor from a forum and I am now in remission.

I hope you will luck out eventually too & quicker than I did.

All the best
Clare

[pennylp]

Hi there,

I am happy your cousin got some help through homeopathy medicine... My brother is a homeopathic practionier.... and I beleive also that there is a lot of good advances and that people are helped... My brother has helped a lot of people.... I have not tried anything for lupus... Not that I dont believe, it is just that since my drugs are covered it is cheaper for me to go the medical way.... Plus since I have other problems.. it might interfere with my mediciations....

I am sorry some of the people sounded negative to you.. I think some people have strong opinions... But we do have a forum here so that people can talk about different things... And it is open to discussions.... I dont think I can say anything negative about it... Because I havn't tried it...
I do know a girl who has lupus who is totaly on homeopathic remedies... Not sure what she is taking.. But goes to her regular doctor for blood work and work ups all the time and she is fine... So I know it works for some.....

I wish you well and thank you for giving us this information....

Love Penny

[joannemc]

I have never tried homeopathic medicine, but very curious about it. Have you done both (regular Dr visits)? If you have was there any difference? I cant even take a vitamin without consulting my dr first, pesonally I think we need to find out whats causing autoimmune diseases before we can try untraditional medicine. But thats just me!! :unsure: Some people do prefer homeopathic over traditional for all kinds of reasons. I need more info on this matter. (((Hugs))) Joannemc

[blackbird]

good to here people talking about things.
thank you!
clair I respect you it appears you have been thru a lot and your information is valiable.
the statement "stay clear of herbs and people how advocate for them" I hope this was said in hast and I do not belive this. I do a great deal of reserch and I would hope others would do the same.
Penny thank you for your reply. I do very much like coming to the board and hearing what others are going thru. I think it is important for all of us to have a voice. as long as we remember to respect EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you did so thatnk you.
who knows what others have gone thur, who knows what others have to offer.
it is our journey.
I could have just left the baord but I feel it is more important to have everyones voice out there. including mine.
:D

[farhat]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joannemc @ Jan 17 2004, 02:57 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I have never tried homeopathic medicine, but very curious about it. Have you done both (regular Dr visits)? If you have was there any difference? I cant even take a vitamin without consulting my dr first, pesonally I think we need to find out whats causing autoimmune diseases before we can try untraditional medicine. But thats just me!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif Some people do prefer homeopathic over traditional for all kinds of reasons. I need more info on this matter. (((Hugs))) Joannemc
[/b][/quote]



hi there !

i was diagnosed with SLE 5 years back and was completely dependent on steroids and anti malarials for the initial 4 years to cope up with the symptoms. after that i was put on immunosuppresents in place of steroids which i took for 6 mnths. needless to say i was aghast when my own allopath suggested i try homeopathy... somehow, over the course of years i had started feeling SAFE under the shelter of alopathic medicines, so this time when i went to India , i half heartedly met the homeopath who started treating me with just 2 drops of a tincture and sugary balls ... i completely stopped all other medicines and took only what this doc gave and surprisingly i was completely hale and hearty.... this state has continued till today... though there r aches and pains sometimes which come and go by themselves but rarely i have taken painkillers for that..... so homeopathy really works !!!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif


of course, they say that one shd combine some physical exercises and meditation also when u try alternative medicine but i havnt tried that yet being too lazy till now.... hope this helps style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif