Welcome to the Complementary Medicine Community<img src='/RoR/images/blank.png' class='icon_img_ww push_pin_icon'>

WELCOME to all our newcomers and existing members to the Complementary Medicine Forum! My name is Laura and as CL of this community I look forward to helping us grow this particular forum together.  As more and more people get sick and fail to get better, the journey begins as they seek alternative information and ways to find solutions to their health issues -- together as a community we can help each other heal.

Having gotten ill 5 yrs ago, and having looked into and tried many, many alternative ways to assist my healing, I've found successful common ground to blend western & complimentary ways. Having studied and applied alternative and complimentary medicine for the past 15 yrs, as well as  developed some wonderful friendships with naturopathic physicians whom have taught me so much, my passion continues to grow.   The greatest thing we all can do for ourselves is to take Preventitive measures with our health---and share our knowledge among each other on this community.

With your help, together we can build a wealth of information -- It's very exciting that a community like this available to all of us --- Thanks to YOU and MedHelp!!  

Laura1967
CL -  Compementary Medicine Community

[melissw]

Thank you Laura,
I'm very happy that this forum exists as I'm a strong believer in alternative medicine.  i've been taking western medicine for the treatment of ulcerative colitis since 2001 and am currently undergoing acupuncture twice a week while continuing with my medication.  I love acupuncture, i love the optimism, hope, and alternative path that eastern and holistic medicine take... and i'm feeling very good lately... just wanted to share and say thank you and encourage others who may feel that their western doctors may not be offering the support or understanding that they need/want to seek out some alternative means... and share your stories!  i know we all have 'em...

[laura1967]

welcome! I hope you continue here with us in this community! Acupuncture is great isn't it? I am also being treated by an acupuncturist and she is doing NAET on me as well. Look forward to your input here! :)

[dai3symae]

Laura,
It's great to see you as leader of this community.  I've connected with a great chiropractor who helps with my fibromyalgia.  I don't know much about accupuncture or holistic medicine but would like to know more.  I'm looking forward to learning from the other members of the community.

[laura1967]

Thank you! I am looking forward to all the fun stuff we are going to learn from each other as well! lol
Glad to see you here....spread the word.  :)

[melissw]

acupuncture IS great; can you explain a little more about what NAET is?

[SassyLassie]

Wow, I had no idea this forum existed. I am a big believer in complimentary medicine, in fact, my main doctor is a Naturopath, I actually have two and they both graduated from the wonderful Bastyr University.

I have acupuncture treatments once a week for back spasms, nerves, anxiety, and many other problems, and it helps, it takes time, but worth it.

I also see a chiropractor twice weekly. He is just now starting cold laser treatments on me for my upper back spasms, neck problems, and glandular health and lymphatic system. It has been like an answer to my prayers in the aspect that a lot of my neck pain is gone for the first time in months. Sure, I will have to keep having this particular type of treatment for awhile, but, who cares, it works, and I am so thankful.

I read constantly journals written by some of the tip top alternative medicine professionals, some to include, Dr. Sinatra, Dr Bruce West, Dr Jonathon Wright, who, by the way, used to be one of my doctors, and Dr David Williams. I wager, I read more books on health and healing than most doctors do, but then, I more than likely have more time to do so.

Many years back, I worked in a very well respected health food store and loved it so much, I learned lots there, however, so much as changed since then, and due to so many unfair government restrictions, a health store employee really cannot say or do things that will help the customer, it is sad. That is one reason I am planning on going back to school starting in may to become a Medical Assistant, afterwords, I would love to work with a Naturopath or some doc that thinks along the same lines as myself. Being a Christian, I would find it very difficult to work with a physician that cares nothing for the patient's well being and just pushed drugs, oh my, no way.

Anyway, I am sure glad to see this forum. I will post as my neck and back pain enable me. I am not on line alot due to that as my chiropractor told me to be careful when using this computer, we just discovered I have significant arthritis of the neck and a bone spur starting, an MRI done last May showed several bulging disc's in the mid back region, so, my acupuncturists and chiro are working on these areas as well.

I look forward to everyones' posts and learning new things. I hope I will be able to help at times as well.

God bless
Susie

Oh yes, I do have issues also with anxiety, GERD, and heart PAC's, I am a member of those groups too, so, I am especially interested in alternative methods to help these problems as well. I have had the heart tests done, such as Echo and holter done, I asked my Naturopath to order them and she did, so, I know my heart is in pretty good shape, now, I just have to get over my fear of the "flutters" and get my anxiety and tummy problems under control. :)

[laura1967]

Hi there and welcome!! You have a wonderful history and background with Comp medicine. I sooo look forward to you joining us and sharing your experience and thoughts. There is so much to learn from each other.
When you are at your computer, if you are sitting up, try a moist heat pack while on computer so your neck doesn;t tighten with the strain. :)

[SassyLassie]

Thanks for the suggestion about the moist heat. I sit in a supposedly good chair with a back pillow behind me, but, it does not help much, so, I will try the moist heat. Now, is that to be on my back too, or worn like a collar around my neck?

[laura1967]

You can do it both ways. :)

[Janet25]

Hello everyone..
Anything  good out there for hair loss?

I went to a naturopath, but its really expensive, but I want to keep going.

[laura1967]

Hi there! You are over in the thyroid community aren't you? I think I answered your hair loss question over there......Having a thyroid issue takes a very very long time to get regulated sometimes. Also most of us experience hair loss from being hypo, and then more hairloss when starting meds! lol  After you have maintained optimum levels over a period of time, then the hair loss will stop and regrowth will begin.
Make sure you are supporting your adrenals properly because adrenal weakness can also cause hair loss.
:)

[guessagain]

You had replied to me on the thyroid forum. Thank you. My TSH level has never been lower than a 3.84 but would bounce around a little, up to 6.4 or so. I ended up in the hospital with chest pains and the doc had made the comment that my TSH was high, but he didn't think that was it. A week later labs were done and I saw the number, it was 10.85. He did start me on 75 mcg levothyroxin (levothyroxine). Also I have been treated for a number of years for chronic depression. I'm hitting a real roadblock here with both docs accepting the idea of people "on the internet", as they roll their eyes, using a level of 3.0 as the high side. But now the question as I know you go through the ups and downs. About 10 - 12 days after starting the meds, along with bp medicine and the regular antidepressants, I found myself doing more and actually enjoyed a period of 3 - 4 days feeling better than I have for a very long time, then it just started slipping away from me over the next few days. I thought I finally found the solution. Does this sound familiar by any chance?

Oh yea, a reminder, I've also heard "you have HYPOthyroidism." They stress the HYPO and say it slow like I'm totally lame with dead batteries in my hearing aid. "shouldn't affect your heart like that, that's HYPER". UGH!!!

[laura1967]

First off you are not crazy about about the heart affects of hypo. I myself have had aweful affects from being hypo and having hashimoto's thyroid autoimmune disease.  Every time I start to go hypo, my first clue is the palpitations that I get! Skips and palps!
You must have been seen by drs who are lacking thyroid knowledge (putting it nicely)!
Where are your levels now at? Did you have all the proper tests run? TSH, Free T3, Free T4?  How often are you being tested?
It can be common to have the ups and downs when first regulating your levels. Heck I am on almost 4 yrs of trying to regulate.....but I have hashimoto's so that is the reason for so many ups and downs.
Did you get tested for hashi's?  Sorry I don't remember what we spoke about over on the thyroid comm, so please refresh me. :)

[sick and tired 47]

I am "subclinical" hypothyroid and I have heart issues... my endo says I am one of several of her patients who have heart palps, tachycardia, PSVT (all symptoms of hyperthyroid).
It took me 4 endos to find one who would treat me.
Hang in there... we are all in this together.
Good luck, god bless.

[guessagain]

Thanks sick and tired, It makes me feel better that two have responded with these issues hypo issues and knowing more are out there.

Laura, before you had assured me I was not crazy. This stuff was completely new and very strange. You told me of your hashimoto's and regulation issues. I had not had the experience of feeling better yet and when it drifted away I became very curious and thought about what you had said. That's why I chose to ask you about it. I don't know if others experience a cycle as I described when it does happen to them or not.

I'm also afraid some of this I'm just sort of going to have to wing it so to speak. I lost my job, and do to some pre-existing conditions I'm pretty much uninsurable, paying staggering amouts for all current medical. In short, I don't have a clue what my levels are now, that's for another day. It's just been a little over a month since I started the meds. The GP has a very laid back attitude suggesting I "come back in a couple of months or so". No tests for hashimoto's.  

[laura1967]

You may message me at any time with questions. I just went through yet another med increase today because my levels crashed, and my body is feeling the crash.
It is very difficult to understand this disease and even harder for those of us who were fast paced energetic people. I had a corporate management position that I had to give up when I was at one of my sickest points, so I understand completely. I am also a single sole supporting mom with a house as well.....it made it even more stressful.
Whenever you go to dr, always ask for self pay amounts....stress that to them. You might have to bite the bullet and find a new dr who specializes in thyroid. It is critical that you keep track of your levels every six weeks to see if you need medicine increase. Call the hospitals and labs in your area and ask them for the self pay costs of TSH, Free T4 and Free T3.....usually all for under $100.  Also you are going to have to have a hashimotos test eventually.
Have you thought about applying for medicaid? Or a program through your county. You have paid your taxes towards it and you might as well apply and use it.
This insurance world isn't fair...this I know and feel for you as well....the whole system stinks!
I can try to help you walk through as much as I can.  :)  

[wonko]

Hi, I'm a long time MedHelper, but new to this community.  I'm battling Lyme and co-infections that went untreated for at least 1.5 years and likely much longer.  (I don't recall a tick bite, so I don't know when I was first infected.)

I've been on an antibiotic regimen for about 5 months, but literally can't stomach it anymore.  I'm interested in learning more about how to work towards better health without antibiotics.

I have a lot of weird, painful, and bizarre symptoms from the Lyme, as well as the same type of issues found in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, though I am not diagnosed with those later conditions.  I also have a sluggish thyroid, but my TSH is always on the boarder line of the normal limits, so I'm not being treated.  I really need to have more and better energy.

I'm looking forward to reading the posts here and hopefully getting some ideas for how to manage my symptoms and illness.

[PlateletGal]

Hey wonko !

It's great to see you posting here. I also have a sluggish thyroid and my TSH is also on borderline. I really, really wish that these Endocrinologists, who I understand frequently discuss changing the normal lab values for these thyroid tests, would step up to the plate and do it. What I did was follow Jernigan's instructions and take iodine, but I did it responsibly and worked with my Endocrinologist first. After a few days, I noticed improvements and I'm just thrilled that I no longer have dry hair ! LOL ! In fact, I washed my hair last night and used a deep conditioner that I had and my hair even looks oily today.  I no longer need to supplement with iodine... at least not at this time.

I wish they would do more research on hormones and autoimmune diseases... don't you ?

[Kaydey]

Nice to see you here...

[PlateletGal]

Hey... great to see you here !

[FurballsMom]

I suspect I'm one of the ones with undiagnosed thyroid issues since I have symptoms but my TSH tests within normal levels.  I keep coming up against the usual protocol and can't get anyone to test the thyroid using the other thyroid tests.  However, I have a friend who has to take thyroid medicine for clearly diagnosed thyroid issues who was experiencing hair loss for many years.

Quite unexpectantly, my friend finally experienced an inexpensive solution to her own hair loss that I'm sure others would like to hear about.  She said that when she started taking folic acid that she stopped experiencing such dramatic hair loss.  This was actually just recently that she discovered this as a solution in her own case.  I don't know if this will work for everyone with thyroid issues, but folic acid is something that many of us are low in, so I'm sure that supplementing folic acid is something that wouldn't hurt, in any case.

[HolisticHealing]

Wow Sassie! What a wonderful contribution! I am happy to see someone who cares deeply for the people around her taking the steps to get involved in natural medicine. We need more health professionals like you. I have 2 great friends who after 10+ years of working in health stores, alternative therapies and reflexology finally took the plunge and came back to university (one of them with 2 kids at home!) to study a 6 year course in homoeopathy! I know the legislation can be tough to get around and can be disillusioning but I have also seen people abuse a lack of legislation and give second hand advice which turned out to be dangerous for the people they were advising. I hope you follow your dreams and get to study in the field, we need more people who take responsibility to keep themselves informed and believe caring is part of the medical profession.

To Wonko,
Your mentioning ''weird, painful and bizarre symptoms'' prompts me to suggest that an alternative therapy specialist which will take your full case history and try get to the root of the problem would help set out an individualised treatment plan for you. I know Homoeopaths are trained to do this, perhaps natropaths or experienced herbalists would be able to help as well.

health and happiness.