Alternative Medicine

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I have been taking Red Yeast Rice to lower my cholesterol (which was bordline) and the supplement did the trick.

I've just read somewhere that the FDA has banned that supplement. I have not read any reasons for this action but I can't help but think that Pfizer (lipitor) wanted to stop this RYR from competing with it. $8 v. $26.

Is anyone else into Alternative Medicine including preventive medicine.

Joe

 

[Ptichka]

I am rather ambiguous about it. I would like the FDA to treat alternative medicine the same way it's treated in Germany - that is, regulate it like any other medicine. When you buy a vial of, say, Black Cohosh or Valerian Root in Germany, you know exactly what's in it; it can be prescribed. In the US, on the other hand, it can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, I think alternative medicine is great when it is incorporated into the overall medical structure. Too often today, people feel like they have to choose, and often make choices that are not exactly the best for them.

 

[Ladskater]

I always look for natural treatments to take instead of chemical prescriptions from Drs. Of course, if there is no other choice I take the Drs. cure. However, I always see if there is something natural I can take as well. Sometimes I do both if the thing is dragging on. When I had my stomach problems - I took the prescription my Dr. gave me plus apple cider vinegar pills from the health food store. I know the prescription worked, but I think the apple cider vinegar pills helped as well. The acid in my stomach was reduced. I don't think it hurts to find natural treatments.

 

[heyang]

If you are going to use natural medicines, you should let your doctor know. A lot of people become sicker because of the interactions between their prescriptions and the natural rememdy supplements.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I tell my primary care doctor that I take many supplements and he does not approve of. He prefers pharmaceutical drugs which often give one side affects as a better choice. You figure.

Ptichka - I agree with you that alternative medicine products should come under the FDA but, unfortunately, that organization works very closely with the pharmaceutical companies. Those legal profit making drug companies do not want you to get better on your own. Illness is their business.

Joe

 

[Grgranny]

I list every little thing for my Dr's. You never know when something might interfere with something else. Also, my granddaughter is in pharmaceutical school ( has two more years) looks up stuff for me. Hopefully, Grgranny's Baby will log on here and tell her story. Most of her's is alternative and she is busy practically all day with it. One thing I do take is a tsp of Elderberry juice every day. I ran out and didn't take if for a while and didn't realize it was really helping. There is an Elderberry Winery out side of town here and I know the people. They used to take our jewelry on consignment in their store before it burnt down. Luckily we didn't have anything in it at the time. They built a new place out by the turnpike.

 

[Grgranny]

The website for the winery is www.wyldewoodcellars.com.

 

[bronxgirl]

As a practicing physician, I always encouraged my patients to tell me everything they too, whether vitamins or alternative medicines. You can't blame the FDA for not regulating the supplement industry, as they went whole hog in TV ads implying the government was going to take away your morning multivitamin. As a result, the doses of a medicine in a supplement varies from lot to lot and manufacturer to manufacturer. I once asked a supplement trade group about possible drug interactions between medications I take and supplements I was interested in taking. I never got a reply. The end results for both physician and patient in the US is that physicians dont know the possible interactions or the full risks or benefits for their patients, and patients dont tell their doctors what they take, which can also lead to a
lessening of the beneficial effect of the drug (and/or supplement) and an increased risk to the patient.
Unfortunately, this is just one of the many problems of the American health care system, and not even very high on the list of problems that need to be fixed.:disapp:

 

[Ravyn Rant]

I went without medical insurance for some years, due to the ex being self-employed and/or my working for a temporary agency. I learned about herbs, supplements and home remedies because these were all that was available. Some were more effective than others...much like pharmaceuticals. I think Ptichka's right about supplements being regulated so people know what they're getting. Just how stringent are the current regulations? (Is my milk thistle really milk thistle? And is the dosage the same from manufacturer to manufacturer?)
Now that I'm insured, I still use herbs, supplements and home remedies for minor things - peppermint tea for nausea, baking soda for heartburn, lavender for insomnia, etc. - but I have to tell you I'm relieved when something serious comes up that there's an MD available.
xoxo
Rave

 

[Ptichka]

As a practicing physician, I always encouraged my patients to tell me everything they too, whether vitamins or alternative medicines. You can't blame the FDA for not regulating the supplement industry, as they went whole hog in TV ads implying the government was going to take away your morning multivitamin.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's all the government's fault. However, they should be protecting the consumers, not either the vitamin or the pharmaceutical industries.

Also, alternative medicine is not just about supplements. Even in Russia, we had acupuncturists in many hospitals. Acupuncture is a powerful tool in right hands, but a dangerous one if mishandled. Another thing I want to see regulated a lot (though there is a lot of improvement on the particular front, at least around the Northeast).

Finally, I'd like to mention aroma- and music- therapy. I know it sounds like a crock, but I got into it when my grandmother was recovering from over-aggressive chemotherapy. She was so weak, it was scary. After doing some research, I put together for her some CDs of music that has been shown to work for chemo patients, and would put in scented oils with particular smells in the little burners I bought. It certainly did work, and she did feel much better. Caring for my grandmother at the time, my mom and I also got into rei-ki, but that's a bit different (I can certainly see how that is just too "new age"; I got into it when I really had no other choice - it's just so hard to see a loved one suffer, I'd have tried just about anything at that point).

 

[sillylionlove]

My thoughts on alternative medicine...I take my prescription medication on alternate days!!

Just kidding.

Alternate medicine is a scary thing!! Way to many things out there do not do a body good despite what they claim. Remember ephedra (sp?). I won't touch alternative medicine but that's just my view.

But then again even the medicine that's regulated by the FDA can cause you harm and they dont' know this until many years later.

 

[Grgranny]

My Angel daughter is a music and activity therapist at the state mental hospital so, of course, we "know" it works.
My "Baby" goes to an Alternative Dr. and we know it works. He was a Cardiologist, Internal Medicine & Nutritionist and is extremely smart so we believe in him too. He has kept my "Baby" alive and specialists only made her worse. I hope she feels like sharing her information. She hasn't been feeling well enough lately and the electricity from the computer often makes her worse.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's all the government's fault. However, they should be protecting the consumers, not either the vitamin or the pharmaceutical industries.

Depending on the ruling Party of government, one will protect the business people while the other will try to protect consumers. But the power of veto remains with the President.

I always think of the Repubican Party as believing in the Right To Cheat so buyer beware, and the Democrat Party as believing in Protect the Buyer so business has to shape up.

Joe

 

[Tonichelle]

both parties are equally corrupt...they're just interested in political gain, they don't give a crap about the average american.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

both parties are equally corrupt...they're just interested in political gain, they don't give a crap about the average american.

Got to agree with you, Toni. There is corruption in every phase of the country including both political parties.

But I wasn't talking about that. I was saying is what the Politial Parties stand for.

The Republicans stand for Business, and will protect business at all costs, and often say they want to keep business out of the Government.

The Democrate stand for the Consumer, and try their best to protect the consumer from fraudulent businesses. They want to keep the Government involved with business.

Joe

 

[show 42]

I take alot of vitamins for my eyes. I was diagnosed with early onset macular degeneration three years ago, so I take an ocular vitamin supplement plus extra lutine and omega 3 oil. I also take lipitor, even though my cholestrol is normal because it's suppose to help the eyes ( since MD is a vascular problem.) 42