Natural Remedies, do you use them?

I've not been well lately (kind of a long term thing)

I was wondering if anyone uses natural remedies for health problems and if they feel they work for them.

I've been using vitamin supplements and evening primrose oil and I do feel they benefit me health wise.

What are everyone else's experiences with herbal or vitamin/extract remedies, do you feel they work better than prescription medication or top up normal GP care?

 

I actually am interested to learn more about natural remedies, myself. I recently became sick again, with what seems to be the same sinus infection I had 4 months ago. I've been drinking airborne, which is OTC and basically just a punch of vitamins every 3-4 hrs. I am feeling a little better, but maybe need to try something in addition to this.

I was taking antibiotics for the last sinus infection, which worked quickly.

hate going to the dr. As well, hate taking a bunch of meds.

 

I feel you on that, I've made 4 visits to the GP and 1 to the nurse over my current problem and sometimes I'm so wound up about going that I don't put across the problem as I need to.
I hate making a fuss, I've been waiting on an appointment from the hospital since Nov only to find out that the referral hasn't been made because the Dr was holding off until the medication we are trialing to sort the problem out has either failed or succeeded (at the mo failed)

Also to add to the issue now, my GP has retired because of health problems and I've been passed over to another GP in the practice.

I know my issue/visits are on file, but I can't help feeling I'm starting from scratch again. :???:

Herbal remedies look like they are worth a go, we also have a Chinese medicine place in town and you see a lot of people in and out, so they must do something.

 

I understand your frustration w starting over w a new doc. I say give the Chinese place a go, what do you have to lose at this point?

I always feel like dr's give you minimum assistance and support ibky to have you back in the office, paying more $$ to get a little more help. This us the nature of the beast...insurance companies etc etc

Its almost like I am the only one w my best interest so I may as well do what I can to help myself.

 

i am always looking for a natural remedy before the final no other option seeing a doctor...so i would definitely give the chinese medicine place a shot...acupuncture is also an idea...

i take not only a multi vitamin but also a B12, vita D every day...there is a vitamin or supplement for almost everything...our bodies clearly do not get enough nutrients from the foods that we eat

i just bought the nutra bullet and plan to do fruit/veggie cleanse followed by a 1-2x a day smoothie...

did you google what is going on bug? i did and you are not alone on this one and the common thread is that the doctors seem to brush it off...

 

Yeah I have Lippy and I do feel a bit fobbed off, it's not normal it's actually stopping me from doing stuff now, can't even lift anything heavy as this seems to make it worse.

Also what really gives me the shit's at the Doctor's is they treat this like it's a problem I've always had.
This is not the case, never had any problems like this before until I had the C-section.

It's now accompanied by headaches that have me on my knees sometimes.

I think I will pop into the Chinese place in town to see if they can help me, worth a try at this point.

 

Has anyone here had (or know of someone who's had) experience with bioidentical hormone treatment?

 

Bio-identical HRT is a marketing tool with no solid science behind it to back up the claims. I'm putting in a link below, for the FDA which will probably help to answer some of your questions about it. I've talked to experts with years of experience, and they agree that it's a lovely idea, but not supported in reality.

HRT has its pros and cons and is best discussed with your gyn or endocrinologist as they know you best, know your risk factors for things like heart disease/stroke/osteoporosis/etc and can work with you to find the best option.

Save your money and avoid the bio-identicals...

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm049311.htm

 

Thank you, Athena. I will definitely check out that link.

I'm experiencing a raft of symptoms that I'm hoping are related to where I'm at in the life cycle (was that tactful enough?! Lol). I need to get blood work done to confirm that, but I'm dragging my feet because I'm afraid they will come back normal and then I don't know to what to attribute them. But my two options are to try a low-dose BC pill (do not want to do that because of the fear of further weight gain and moodiness) or seeing a compound pharmacist for the bioidentical hormone treatment. I feel like my GP is rather blasé about the whole thing. All I can say is that for the last year, and particularly the last 6 months, I've felt really lousy.

 

You are very welcome. My question is, why are those your only two options? There are many options to consider with HRT other than bio-identical and OCPs. Is that all your GP is offering you or is it an insurance thing? (I'm still learning the US medical insurance business lol)

Good luck Ches!

 

That's all my doctor is suggesting. And my insurance can be persnickety (I couldn't get authorization for a SynVisc 1 injection for my knee even though I'm in daily pain, am bone-on-bone and PT doesn't help), so I may have few options insurance-wise too.

What other options are there?

PS I read the info in the link, and I was surprised that there is so little scientific information backing up the bioidenticals. I have to admit, I first heard of them and was intrigued by reading Susanne Somers' books. I know she's hardly an authority, but she experienced much success with them and has devoted a lot of time to researching their benefits. I guess I thought they were pretty highly regarded as an alternative to standard HRT.

 

I take ginger daily, it definitely helps me with nausea (caused by arthritis meds). I take Vitamin D3 & get monthly B12 shots. I also take a prescription folate.

Have you ever gone to a naturopathic? I've considered it but my insurance doesn't cover.

 

No I'd never heard of it before I read your post, but I've just googled it and there is a Naturopathic RN 3 towns from me, think I will give them a call but it looks expensive, the fact she is a registered nurse tells me it's going to be expensive and I'll be paying from my own pocket.
I will give them a call though, you never know hey, might be cheaper than I imagine.

I take Ferrous sulphate on prescription basically Iron tablets, Evening primrose oil, vitamin C and when I remember vitamin E.

Vitamin D couldn't hurt I might get some of that when I'm shopping Wednesday, never enough sun here and I'm inside a lot in this weather.

 

I never thought I needed Vitamin D but evidently unless you spend numerous hours outside each day with 2/3 of your body uncovered the average person is not getting enough vita D...

i also read that the vita D will help your body absorb the iron you are taking better

 

Yeah that's what I just brought up, funny it's not more common to see vitamin D advertised here on the same level as vitamin C.
With only 6 weeks worth of real summer here and the rest overcast for the most part, I'm surprised it's not rammed down your throat.

I'm sure I read somewhere a while ago that Rickets was making a comeback in the UK.

Defo gonna grab myself some

 

Vitamin D3 is really being strongly encouraged in US (curious about recommendations in UK). Last year my levels were so low that I was prescribed prescrition strength D3. If you decide to go to the Naturopathic I hope it's not too expensive.

 

There's a few options from low dose OCPs to transdermal estrogen, and if you still have your uterus, adding oral progesterone analogues now and then to prevent endometrial cancer. Talk to your doc or get a referral to a gynaecologist....

 

Vitamin D is something a lot of people who work indoors lack. Without it, people are also more susceptible to developing cancer, was one thing I read. Apparently, there is something protective in this vitamin.

I'm big on natural remedies in general. If I had to pick just one it would be garlic, it's a really useful antifugal, antiviral and antibacterial. It kills a lot of things, including your breath, lol. I love eating garlic.

 

Going the natural route is often more useful as a preventative than a treatment. When a chronic condition becomes too severe (due to lack of prevention in the first place), that's when the pills and the knife do have to come in. However, I can attest to the fact that doctors severely overprescribe drugs. When I was in my 20s doctors were trying to put me on a couple of different meds indefinitely. After saying no the drugs, I was able to handle my problems naturally. Beware especially if you are young (20s).... of doctors trying to give you meds for conditions which your resilient body at that age can bounce back from with just a little research and extra attention to habits. Of course, since I am not a doctor, I do have to c.m.a. and end this little tidbit with: I am not a doctor. Consult your general practictioner before embarking on any new treatment on your own.....

 

Thanks! I think a referral is a good idea.

I believe I might add some vitamin D to my supplements, and also chromium picolinate to help stabilize my blood sugar