posted
Or am I mistaken? I don't hear about people doing rife or homeopathics or anything dealing with functional medicine, kinesiology, etc.
My LLMD is new in this scene, but she is a "holistic" MD. We both keep wondering why people aren't using other things in conjunction with antibiotics.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I think most MDs just don't know that much about alternatives.
I guess we have to research that for ourselves if we want to add it in.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I think that most of them don't know that much about alternative trx.
But mainly, I think that treating emperically with combo abx, one after another, and employing various anti-parasitic and -fungal meds, on an open-ended regimen, is pretty alternative.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
nomoremuscles, I have not heard it said that way before; but I definetly have to agree. Long term antibiotics and all the other crazy meds we take that only LLMDs are willing to do is "alternative". It must be since all the other ducks I went to never thought of it.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
My LLMD works closely with several ND's and he does recommend some alternatives.
My understanding is that an MD could get into some trouble if they even mention RIFE. My LLMD uses aggressive abx therapy but also has had me take some very effective homeopathic remedies.
The best of both worlds in my view and absolutely necessary for some of us with severe detox issues.
I've heard many others here mention that their LLMD uses some forms of alternatives. It does take knowledge and training though so it's another thing for them to add to their already full plate.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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lymeparfait
Unregistered
posted
I started with a traditinal LLMD who used some mild forms of alternative treatments, but mostly abx...but now have begun treatment with an alternative practitioner who does muscle testing with ART, along with keeping up with my regular LLMD> The muscle testing is like a fine tuner to my protocol. It confirms what I seem to feel about my treatment, and also confirms my blood test results.
I find that both have helped me get into remission. With just the abx treatment, I was able to get rid of co-nfections, now with only lyme left...I have decided to go mostly natural, ie rife, homeopathy, and am looking at the bionic 880. People I know that have gotten well, have all eventually gone the natural protocol so as not to use abx forever. although some of my friends need the log term abx as they are so very chronically sick, they cannot do well at all off abx.
We need to have room to try what works individually for each idividual..too bad that most LLMD's cannot be integrative Dr's. Using the best of both worlds to help their patients individually. Not a cookie cutter approach!
posted
Any doctor not adhering to the IDSA's so-called "Standard of Care"...is practicing "alternative" medicine. Most people think of "alternative" as CAM, but our LLMDs really do put themselves out there and do some radical treatments.
Posts: 371 | From CT | Registered: Jun 2008
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I will only work with medical doctors who practice CAM medicine. I want the best of both the allopathic and the holistic medical worlds.
My current doctor is ILADS LLMD. She is a rheumatologist and a graduate of The Functional Medicine Institute. My previous doctor who saved my life graduated from The American College of Advanced Medicine.
Both doctors have brought me back to 100% functional.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
My LLMD uses an integrated approach (western and alternative) and the longer she works with Lyme pts the more alternative methods she uses.
I feel very lucky to have her - it takes an army to treat this disease - many different approaches from my LLMD as well as other professionals (e.g. acupuncture, cranio osteopathy, nutritionist etc) is what has helped me function as well as I do
-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I disagree that all LLMDs are practicing alternative medicine. Just because something isn't widely accepted doesn't make it an "alternative method" in the sense of the original post.
Whether or not Lyme is chronic is a dispute within allopathic medicine. Not allopathic vs. holistic.
Those who take the chronic side are looking at peer-reviewed studies and a conventional (allopathic) view of how you get rid of bacteria.
The rationale behind approaches like rife and homeopathy is completely different.
With any illness that's hard to treat, some people turn to alternative approaches. Lyme is no exception. So some LLMDs use alternative methods, some don't. To me this is a good thing as it gives us all more options. Not all of us wants a doctor who uses rife, etc. (If you do, go for it.)
my .02.
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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The term "alternative" conjures up all sorts of things. I find the term itself to be too vague, yet far-reaching. Sometimes, it's too far-reaching for it can mean anything under the sun.
Something is either good medicine or not. Suggesting using support methods or even certain supplements when appropriate is just good medicine, if the knowledge base is there.
Suggesting stronger drugs when needed is just good medicine, too. Incorporating the overall best approach to get the job done while doing the least harm to the patient is better medicine.
The "best of both worlds" can be a good thing. Just remember to always be sure to address the specific infections with either Rx or other means that take into account the exact nature of the infectious agent.
For instance, when I was first dx with 3 TBD, there was no LLMD in my state who would treat me. I went to an excellent ND. However, he thought that by getting my body stronger I would be able to fight infection.
That, alone, does not work with lyme unless the nature, forms and life-cycle of the spirochete are directly addressed. He completely underestimated the spirochete - and never bothered much with the coinfections, either.
The science of infection must be thoroughly understood in order to treat it. Lyme - and other TBD - are not taught in CAM courses or ND colleges anymore so than in medical school. It takes someone who has additional training to understand how to tackle these infections.
Now, we have a few excellent researchers who have looked at specifics. Many LLMDs do incorporate their suggestions. And many insist that support measures are necessary for full recovery. Liver support and attention to adrenal supplements is one of the keys in Dr. B's guidelines and in Singleton's book.
As for rife. I was told by an LLMD whom I called that (since it is not FDA approved) they are not allowed to bring up the subject of rife. However, if a patient asks, the doctor can share the experiences of other patients or some of his research on the matter.
Once I asked, that doctor told me that, yes, the reports he'd heard from his patients were very favorable regarding rife treatment. That LLMD also suggested many forms of nutritional support.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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On another note, the study of herbal medicine or supplements requires much study. NDs go to a four-year medical school to learn this.
For an MD to gather that scope of knowledge requires much more study. Working together, MDs and NDs often make a good team.
Some CAM doctors are more into nutritional supplements more so than herbal formulas.
Asking about one's background - and beliefs - around treatment options is essential. I once went to a CAM doctor without asking. He was one who did not believe in lyme (although he had an HBO unit in his office). He did do chelation. But he stopped there. All the research on lyme would not get him to even think of treating me.
--------
When my father was going through chemo for cancer, I asked him to ask his doctor about taking liver support, specifically, milk thistle.
The oncologoist (in 2005) said he had never heard of it.
Uh?
Well, my Dad's cancer later progressed to his liver. End of story.
I know not if, at that point, milk thistle would have helped. But it is alarming that my father was pumped full of toxic chemicals and never, at any time in his treatment, was liver support suggested. Never was it suggested to take anything to help keep him strong during chemo. Oh, other than steroids to help with symptoms (but I have to wonder what other effects they had).
I do hope that soon the MDs, in general, become not only braver, but smarter and work with NDs in various ways.
I applaud the many LLMDs who are already doing this.
luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Keebler,
Sorry about your dad.
Agree with all else that you say.
My ILADS LLMD uses both allopathic and alternative. She is very effective.
My first doctor saved my life by detox. I was so toxic from 6 mths of attacking lyme without addressing detox that I was close to death. As you said though, he thought by bringing my body back into balance, the body would deal with the lyme and coinfections which did not happen.
In one year that doctor brought me from housebound to fully functional. But he had done all he could. I moved on to the ILADS LLMD. She knew all that se knew plus plenty specifically about lyme and coinfections. Additionally, she is a rheumatologist and understood my R.A.
She has identified through bloodwork many coinfections. I have absolutely no trouble getting insurance to pay for my "standard" medical treatment.
Lucky me though. Turns out I can't detox well and the drugs just start backing up inside me causing again the toxic condition.
We ran a gene test and determined I am unable to eliminate the toxic side effects. So, now we battle my illness almost completely alternatively, using herbal protocols. I do still take a very low dose of doxy for mycoplasmas and I am taking prescription Whelcol for detox.
I am doing fantastic and my bloodwork results are improving in some areas and uncovering more pathogens too which is getting very tiresome. I'm kind of ready to just be well now.
Jan 1 and Jan 10 I passed 2 (each time) 3" worms. Lovely!
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Thanks, Luvs, for your comments.
You bring up an excellent point. Not everyone's liver can detox the same - and we all know that lyme really stresses the liver to begin with.
At this thread are some things to consider if someone has more trouble with certain medicines:
posted
I think a lot of it has to do with the rigid structure of med school and western medicine. Everything has to be treated on a straight and narrow path not to get sued, etc. Most people want medicine to be black and white, which it just is not, it is an art.
I have doctors in my family and it has taken some adjusting to get used to the different approach my LLMD takes. I am still a little overwhelmed with the combination of all the medications I am on. The more I learn about Lyme and how people are getting treated the more I realize my Dr is doing the right thing and the way medicine is practiced in this country desperately needs to change.
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