Holistic Medicine

[Paulin46]

Hi All..........Got a bit of a problem here.

My daughter-in-law has moved in with us while she goes to school in nearby Toronto. They live in Owen Sound, three hours away from the school. Here she is only about 1 hour away from the school.

Well here it is..........she is going to a Holistic School of Medicine and she is taking Holistic Nutrition. I talked to her yesterday and she said she had a few doctors from the Stated in her class. The conversation got on to me asking if this school believed in not taking medicine. She went on to basically say yes....Cancer can be healed through nutrition. I believe that too in some cases. But I said I believe in preventative medicine, but in some case people would die withiout medicine. She didn't say anything more, and I changed the subject.

"sigh" This type of thinking concerns me greatly. My son in involved in this too. I do agree there are great benefits to holistic nutrition but we still need medicine. It's just the whole idea that natural is best................we where does medicine come from.......I'm sure it comes from something natural somewhere and natural does not always mean safe and good.

I know she is young and very optimistic in her new career, but where does that leave me? I almost get the feeling that it is my fault that I am sick and I am a fool or weak+ to take medications .......

Sorry this is just bothering me at the moment. It causes me some stress to have this going on around me. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif

[mandynor]

Hi Paulin

I go back and forth on this subject it seems almost daily. I think we're all different, and what works for one person, may not work for another. I know I wouldnt be feeling as good as I do without the meds I'm taking. I also believe I wouldn't be feeling as good as I do with out the holistic stuff I do.
I know a guy who has virtually escaped the wrath of multiple sclorosis through all natural means....and i know others (like myself) who might not be alive without modern medicine. This debate will go on and on, I believe. It's a matter of what you believe in, and what works for each individual. just my two cents.

peace,
mandy style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[helloos]

Hi Paulin.

Me too.

Same wonders.

Wow, glad to hear I am not the only one.

I too think, maybe get off all meds and just do it !!!

But you need to be under the care of a doctor who is truly specializing in it.

I did get that book about natual healings....forget the exact name, the guy is on tv all the time.

I was frightened by it, my hubby bought for me and though a good thing, the book goes on and on about poisons...if man made it, don't put it in your mouth, so that includes all foods, drinks, etc....sugar, you got the pic I'm sure, and that all meds are for money purposes through the pharmacutical companies, and that is all it is...he goes on to say he had a heart problem which he was told die from, he went to China I think, did all that natural stuff and cured it. No heart problem. Says the same thing about cancer, lupus, etc.

He repeats over and over, if man made it, don't put it in your mouth. Even sprays, shampoos, soaps, etc.

So, who knows? I don't.

[jude mack]

Hi Pauline

I think holistic medicines have their place and work for a great many things or a least help. I know
a holistic specialist who agrees that we also need conventional medications. I used to try all sorts of
holistic remedies and most of them made me sick, so I really don't wonder about the all natural
anymore. I would try not to worry about it, let your daughter inlaw be happy in her chosen field and
gently let her know that not everyone feels the same way about holistic nutrition, and not everyone
responds to it, she can't disagree with that. You are not a fool or weak for taking medication and shouldn't
have to feel this way in your own house, maybe a mom to son talk would help. I hope things work out
and you feel more at ease soon.

Stay Well
Jude

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[Linda_L]

I think most decent holistic practitioners tend to work with modern medicine rather than against it. I take things that a while ago I wouldn't have dreamed of letting in my body but they have kept me alive. I also try to eat well, be sensible about exercise and have considered things like acupuncture and alternative medicine for the symptoms that the medication doesn't help (with the rheumatologists agreement). Holistic medicine can also help you deal with the effects of some the strong meds we take by strengthening the body and contributing to a feeling of well being. My personal belief is that any holistic practitioner that tells someone to stop their medication is really playing God and for every person that might feel it has helped there are probably 50 others who have got worse. When I was first prescribed immunosuppressants I looked up every paper I could find that evaluated their effectiveness and I know from discussions on this site that most people are quite cautious when it comes to taking prescribed medicine. Yet, we will happily take pills and potions prescribed by an alternative practitioner when there is in most cases absolutely no scientific evidence that they work (well, there is some for acupuncture). I have visited a naturopath and an acupuncturist but at no time did any of them tell me not to take my meds! I also get a little ticked off with well meaning colleagues that ask me if a) I triggered my illness myself because of stress, style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif whether I have thought about homeopathy or c) suggested some other cure they have read about! Before I was ill I ate a vegetarian, non -dairy, non wheat, caffine free diet and I still got ill! Since then I have started eating meat again and think that a cup of coffee is not going to do me any more harm than some of the medication I take so if I enjoy it why not!! Life is too short!!

[raggedyann1]

Pauline,

I understand where you are coming from. I was doing a lot of diet and supplement stuff when I was in remission and allowed myself to become convinced that my lupus would never come back because I was no longer putting "poison" in my body. I got sick again anyways and after a month or so I stopped going to my chiropractor because I felt guilty.

Perhaps there is something that your DIL can help with without touching your medications. There are things that complement our medications and not replace. Maybe you can sit down and tell her there is no way you will stop your medications but that you are open to considering other suggestions. Any herbal suggestions need to be googled to make sure they won't interfere with your meds.

Hang in there,
Karen

[oesa]

Hi there. I also did everything "right" - whole grains, legumes, very little red meat, lots of organic, locally sourced foods (hippie parents... lol), no caffeine or alcohol (I was 14 when dx'd) and still got SLE.

Maybe I'm biased (I work in a medical school), but people that peddle books telling you all you need to do to get well is to eat properly make me crazy. There is no conspiracy to hide a cure - in fact, independent researchers are working very hard to find better ways to diagnose and treat this disease.

Yes, I feel better when I eat well and exercise, but that's not exclusive to lupus - most people do!

Sorry - rant over.

Having said that, I've also tried a few different complementary therapies - massage, shark cartilage, Chondroitin, glucosamine - and think they can help some people. (I certainly would get a massage weekly if I could!) I just don't see a way of throwing out my Imuran without seriously jeopardizing my health.

Maybe you could ask your DIL to share anything that she learns that is specifically about lupus - you didn't say in your post that she believes lupus is curable by diet, and maybe she hasn't hit that topic yet, but it might be a way to open up a dialogue with her...

Lisa

[Paulin46]

Thanks to all of you. You are so wonderful and have helped so much. I think I may have overeacted a lot!!! Lol........ style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

My daughter -in-law didn't say anything really against me taking meds for Lupus. She really didn't say anything like that. She was really careful. It's me, I'm just super sensitive to anything like that right now. You guys understand, I mean lots of well meaning folks try to tell us what to do to make us better. They just don't get it.

I have decided to not let this bother me. Afterall, they are young and full of youthful optimism. Weren't we all at that age? I will take everyone's advice and maybe ask her for suggestions and be very careful as to how I take them. She is just starting, so it' too early to tell.

Thanks for allowing me my rant and thanks for the comfort you gave. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[Rose Too]

Hi Everyone,

I think that an awful lot of people get very confused with the terminolgy used in these fields?
Let me show you a bit of what I mean?

Lisa wrote....Hi there. I also did everything "right" - whole grains, legumes...

Legumes have been indicated in trials that they exacerbate Lupus, alfafa is another that brings on a flare.

Lisa then wrote... I've also tried a few different complementary therapies - massage, shark cartilage, Chondroitin, glucosamine - and think they can help some people...

Massage is the only complementary therapy you have mentioned. The others are 'nutritional' approach supplements, some with dubious effects.

Most complimentary therapies are physical and use our energy meridiens and can work to relieve pain and discomfort, they do not ask for the withdrawel of allopathic medicines but work in harmony alongside to compliment them.

Linda wrote...Yet, we will happily take pills and potions prescribed by an alternative practitioner when there is in most cases absolutely no scientific evidence that they work (well, there is some for acupuncture...

Accupuncture is a complimentary therapy, pills and potions mostly have a basis in ancient history,. Whether in homoeopathy where like cures like, symptom wise not illness wise. Herbal tinctures and potions have a place in society, as long as they are used masterfully and truly holistically. There have been lots of trials and history of efficacy of natural medicine, ( try looking at University drug trials) after all where do you think things like Plaquenil come from? Most are made from natural things apart from the range that are engineered from petroleum, but it could be argued that even they are from a natural source?

After all we are all moaning that doctors and rheumies don't listen to or look at the whole picture? Thats what true Holistic medicine is all about, taking into account the whole picture, internally, externally and mentally and spiritually?

So please don't rule anything out just yet, don't stop taking anything just keep an open mind?


Rose xxx

[goody_gum_drops]

We were talking about Naturopaths in our health class today. My parents i guess have tried to get one, an Asain one. He told me first thing i would do is stop taking all of my prescription drugs and medicines. My parents were a bit concerned, because he was all the way in New York and if he frauded us, he'd have plenty of time to run because we live on the other side of the US. And we'd also have to send him money for the "custom" package of health remedies he would send to us monthly. And after a while I would he claimed be cured if not no more pharmacy drugs with all the side effects, and just natural. I convinced my parents not to listen to him. because i was scared. So we didn't. and a few years later my friend's mom is a social worker and she has found naturalists whom have allowed people to take natural things with their meds and get off of them man made meds. Which i think is a miracle. And my teacher was talking about how his naturopath friends saved his knee and let him become active again. I know these naturalists aren't in our insurance because they aren't approved by a board or the FDA. But i'd like to maybe just meet one in the future or get in contact with one. I know i might need to convince my parents about it and the money factor might be a bit tougher, but i'm willing to try. I've got nothing but hope now. ANy suggestions or lists of naturopaths in oregon? or just any i can contact? i want to get some information and educated first.
thanks

smiles and hugs,
Jessica

[Mootie]

Hi Pauline,

I guess you are biting your tounge a lot. Nutritional medicine would be great if we are living in a pure world but we are not! We live with chemicals and fumes and pollution. I get so angry when people say that I should not take any drugs and heal myself with food and relaxation. Walk a mile in my shoes I say, lets face it, a few of us would not be here if not for our drugs.

I took my little dog to the vet this morning, she had a bad turn for the worst (her heart is failing) I was taking her to the vet to get her put down. The vet gave us hope and suggested a new medication and it looks like our lil pup is going to respond. We are hoping to get another 6 months with her. I love her so much I would not let her suffer. However, no amount of brocolli or spinach is going to save her either.

My son does not beleive in immunisation - I fear the worst should he have children and wonder if he will stand by and watch his child die with an ear infection or diptheria. We will see.

As I see it no-one dies healthy!!!!


Mootie

[Paulin46]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>As I see it no-one dies healthy!!!![/b][/quote] Mootie

LOL.............that is so true Mootie!!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif



Everyone, thanks for all your answers.

I have experience with dealing with holistic remedies too. I took a greens + drink for a few years and it didn't cure my Lupus, but I think it made it worse.........can't be sure though.

It's dangerous to say I will never take medicine. I have seen and heard of people dying because they believed this. Everything we have in this earth originated with something natural at some point, even medicine. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif