alternative medicine

[rah]

Hello, my boyfriend has been seeing a doctor in philadelphia for about two years. each time we go together he finds it frustrating that the doctors constantly change the condition. one visit it's crones dieases and the next it is clitis. he has been taking about 12 different pills aday for at least a year in cluding steroides which are not good. still the bleeding is controled some weeks good some weeks bad but has yet to get better and as soon as they start taking him of the medicine it gets worse forcing him to go back to his normal dose. i was ondering about alternative medicine and if there is any for this type of disorder thank you  sarah

[rthornton]

Autoimmune disease is very hard to diagnose.  Be patient and keep trying.  Be careful of so called "alternative" therapies as there is no scientific evidence of efficacy and in many cases they can do harm...especially liver damage!  "Dietary supplements" and herbal remedies are not FDA approved for safety and efficacy like other drugs...I would stick with traditional treatments and keep trying to find the cause.  Maybe seek a second opinion from another gastro....maybe see a rheumatologist, they often know more about autoimmune disease.  I am on steroids and yes, they can be dangerous...BUT they are also saving my life at the moment.  Some risks must be taken if the benefits outweigh them...but be careful and keep imformed!

Best of luck,

Rebecca