[Kate*H]

Is anyone seeing an Osteopathic Dr? I'm thinking of changing from my rheumatologist. One reason is my rheumy is an hour away and it's very hard for me to travel 2 hours round trip to see her.Plus I lost confidence in her when I asked her for something to help with the pain at night that was keeping me from sleeping, and she told me to get up and stand in a corner until I felt bored and sleepy!! This Osteopath was reccommended to me from someone in my lupus support group who sees him and likes him. I don't have any organ involvement ,and the only drug I'm on is plaquenil,so i'm thinking he can handle me. Any thoughts on Osteopaths???

thanks ,Kate

 

[LBH]

Hi Kate

Hi Kate! No answers here but I am going to check into that further. Never thought about an Osteopath treating lupus and wonder if they can. But it would sound like a good idea to me. Just don't know if we have one here in my area!

 

[greenhaggis]

I know osteopath have a good success in treating MS symptoms - obvioulsy the disease stays but pains are eased!

Lesley

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Kate

I'd say it depends first what sort of osteopath we're talking about and that depends what country you live in.
It is very important to like and trust any health practitioner and have somebody who treats you as a whole person but equally important that they they know about lupus and will do all the necessary testing and will refer on if there is any sign of worsening disease beyond their expertise. I would distrust anybody who started talking about 'cure' or tried to put me off my meds.

I'd say that it could be a great help as complementary therapy and in some cases at certain periods even as alternative or maintenance therapy .

I'd want to keep on the rheumy's list though just in case I needed urgent access to a specialist. You wouldn't want to have to wait 3 months. Perhaps you could discuss with her making a 6 monthly visit or even annually so long as you are stable. Some doctors get rather uppity if you decide not to visit as often as they would like. Ideally both doctors should be willing to work with each other as part of your team.

Good luck with your decision making

Clare

From the Wikipedia article, search [osteopathy]. There's some controversy about the accuracy of this article but I can't judge that.

In most countries osteopathy is a form of complementary medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach and the skilled use of a range of manual and physical treatment interventions (osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM in the United States) in the prevention and treatment of disease. In practice, this most commonly relates to musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain. Many osteopaths see their role as facilitating the body's own recuperative powers by treating musculoskeletal or somatic dysfunction. According to the American Osteopathic Association, the difference between an osteopath and an osteopathic physician is often confused.[1] In the United States, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) are fully licensed medical physicians and surgeons, practicing in all clinical specialties along with their M.D. colleagues. Just like M.D.s, D.O.s practice the full scope of medicine.
In the United Kingdom, courses in Osteopathy have recently become integrated into the university system. Instead of receiving a Diploma in Osteopathy (D.O.), with or without a Diploma in Naturopathy (N.D.), graduates now become Bachelors of Osteopathy or Bachelors of Osteopathic Medicine, or Bachelors of Science in either Osteopathy or Osteopathic Medicine, according to the institution attended:[2] but these degrees do not lead to prescribing rights and in this case Osteopathy and Osteopathic Medicine are synonymous. There is one "cross-over" institution, the London College of Osteopathic Medicine[3], which teaches osteopathy only to those already qualified in medicine. Before using the title of "osteopath," graduates have to register with the UK regulatory body by statute; the General Osteopathic Council.

 

[Kate*H]

Clare,
Thanks for your thoughts. I am in Calif. This osteopath is a D.O.,so he does have his medical licsense. He's been treating my friend with lupus, who does have some organ involvement,and refering her to a rheumy if he doesn't think he can handle it. He does prescribe meds,and seems to be knowledgable about lupus. I think I will give him a try ,keeping in mind what you said about staying on good terms with my rheumatologist,but using him as my primary care Dr.... He is only 15 mins away ,while the rheumy is a 2hr round trip.

Thanks ,Kate

 

[mamascan]

Hi Kate H,
Just to put in my 2 cents worth, I go to a D.O. He is the greatest! I haven't had great success with the rhuemys in my area so my doc said he'd treat me until I need referrals for special problems. My doc is also the one who suspected SLE in the first place. I believe my D.O. is my greatest ally with all my medical difficulties. He feels like and treats me like a friend, as we were once peers. The other great thing about D.O.s is they can do manipulations ( realign bones like a chiropractor) which has helped me greatly. Not all doctors M.D., D.O.'s, are versed in the specialty of treating auto-immune illness but if you find one who is hang on tightly. :rotfl: I still go to the rhuemy a few times per year, but my beloved D.O. is my first line of defense.

Hope this helps.
Michelle

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Kate,

So far I have had great care by 3 D.O.'s. Two of them are OB GYN's and the third is my neurologist. They are concerned with my entire body not just their area of expertise. It was my GYN that ordered a thyroid check and a colonoscopy. To ensure they have the entire picture they keep in close contact with my rheumy. They are as concerned with my lifestyle as my health. My neuro is constantly doing research trying to find something to help her patients. I laugh every time I see my file. There are sticky notes everywhere. When she comes across something that might be helpful to me she adds another sticky note. Sometimes it is a question for my rhuemy or an article she wants me to read. I feel I am being given the best care possible.

Take care,
Lazylegs