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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 25, 2002, at 12:58:06
Has anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' that doesn't use meds, such as someone from 'alternativementalhealth.com'?
Posted by judy1 on June 25, 2002, at 13:23:09
In reply to Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner', posted by bookgurl99 on June 25, 2002, at 12:58:06
You know I attended that seminar and found it fascinating. My psychiatrist uses a combination approach- he uses herbs and psychotropic medication. I'm very comfortable with that approach, it's like the best of both worlds. Unfortunately many practioners use an either/or approach, and I don't think that's the best way. It also depends on how ill you are- sometimes therapy alone is as effective as any AD in moderate depression. Take care, judy
Posted by Leighwit on June 25, 2002, at 17:51:39
In reply to Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner', posted by bookgurl99 on June 25, 2002, at 12:58:06
> Has anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' that doesn't use meds, such as someone from 'alternativementalhealth.com'?
My answer to your question is no ~ I've never seen an alternative practioner. I've tried some things like accupuncture and more recently, fish oil supplements, but I've not seen a holistic-based MD or naturopath or anyone like that.
I went to the site you've referenced, however, and found a clinic (Pfeiffer) in my area (Naperville, IL), and their web site is very interesting. Their initial consultation, involving 2-3 hrs. time and several lab tests, costs $915.00 (more if you use an off-main-site location.)
You'd think I'd run the other way, wouldn't you? I mean really ~ a thousand dollars for something that is loosely defined and proven by nothing other than a few testimonials on a website?
But I'm not running the other way. Some of the doctors in the group (one in particular) have some pretty impressive credentials. FDA approval isn't the panacea most Americans think it is. I'm convinced that the research is compromised when it's funded by patent owners. I appreciate the FDA and certainly have benefited from it (as a life-long diabetic) but when it comes to psychotropic drugs I think its performance as a gatekeeper has been mediocre at best.
What kinds of alternative practioners are you thinking about?
Laurie
Posted by krazy kat on June 25, 2002, at 19:54:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' » bookgurl99, posted by judy1 on June 25, 2002, at 13:23:09
judy:
is there a reference for the use of herbs and psychotropic meds? or can you give some advice on how to bring this up with one's current Dr.?
I am interested in it. I just have no idea what is safe and effective, and would never take something without his approval.
thanks!
- kk
Posted by judy1 on June 25, 2002, at 20:31:21
In reply to using herbs with meds - i'm interested... » judy1, posted by krazy kat on June 25, 2002, at 19:54:21
There is a tremendous textbook called "Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness", I have the second edition and it is written by Dr. Melvyn Werbach, a clinical professor at UCLA. What is so great about it is he lists by disorders and has several abstracts below each- both pro and con. e.g.- Bipolar- folic acid, B12,vit C, calcium, etc- just looking at calcium and he has in hypocalcemia, calcium replacement may precipitate a manic episode. There's about 20 pages just on bipolar with journal citations, case reports, etc. I returned Dr. Cass's book: "Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition and Mind/Body Techniques" simply because it was so one-sided. Right now my shrink has me on Omega 3's, klonopin and zyprexa (which I only take when I have auditory hallucinations) and I spend 50 min sessions with him. For me, he's perfect. Take care, judy
Posted by bookgurl99 on June 25, 2002, at 22:28:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' » bookgurl99, posted by Leighwit on June 25, 2002, at 17:51:39
Laurie,
I have consulted with a naturopath who has helped me improve after just one consultation -- mostly due to positive life changes.
But I am interested in seeing an M.D., someone who has studied the body, has access to the pharmaceutical 'arsenal', and still manages not to use it.
You have $900 laying around for a consultation? You're lucky. I can say that my naturopath took 2 hours and charged $90. She has a degree from the Naturopathic College of Medicine in Portland, OR, which is highly regarded. So I guess I got a deal.
Anyways, I'd say you should go while you're still well. Wish I had. :(
bookgurl99
Posted by Leighwit on June 26, 2002, at 8:23:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' » bookgurl99, posted by bookgurl99 on June 25, 2002, at 22:28:19
Hi Bookgurl,
Actually, I do not have nine hundred dollars I don't know what to do with. I haven't worked in a few years and things are tight, in fact.
I do, however, think that I might spend it if I did have it for the tests at that clinic .... I'm fully willing to try a different route at this point. The medications simply haven't performed that well, and I've tried many of them for the recommended time period at the commonly therapeutic (and above) dosages.
Like you, I'm going to look for a naturopath (for lack of a more descriptive/integrative title) who has a medical degree and licensed practice, I think.
Your naturopath investment (in both time and money) sounds like it was a good experience. I think an M.D. with that bent makes good sense, if you can find one. I have a library full of "alternative" medicine books ("Prescription for Nutritional Healing" is my mainstay text for general health) but I've never seen a professional from whom I could get guidance on any of it.
Laurie
> Laurie,
>
> I have consulted with a naturopath who has helped me improve after just one consultation -- mostly due to positive life changes.
>
> But I am interested in seeing an M.D., someone who has studied the body, has access to the pharmaceutical 'arsenal', and still manages not to use it.
>
> You have $900 laying around for a consultation? You're lucky. I can say that my naturopath took 2 hours and charged $90. She has a degree from the Naturopathic College of Medicine in Portland, OR, which is highly regarded. So I guess I got a deal.
>
> Anyways, I'd say you should go while you're still well. Wish I had. :(
>
> bookgurl99
Posted by Roo on June 26, 2002, at 10:24:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' » bookgurl99 » bookgurl99, posted by Leighwit on June 26, 2002, at 8:23:44
I am interested in this route. I live in Durham,
NC, and Duke just opened up it's Center for Integrative
Medicine, where they take a more holistic approach to
disease. I have an appt. in a couple of weeks and will
update everyone on how it goes. I'm interested in maybe
a combination of acupuncture, herbs and (if I HAVE
to) a lower dose of antidepressant.
Posted by Leighwit on June 26, 2002, at 11:15:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had luck with an 'alternative practicioner' » bookgurl99 » bookgurl99, posted by Roo on June 26, 2002, at 10:24:57
Roo,
Just as a note of compared thought and experiences, I saw a third-generation, trained in China, acupuncturist in Charlotte NC for depression. I didn't get any relief. I did, however, find the herbal tea she made me drink (I say "made me" only because the taste was something beyond description it was so nasty!) of help with anxiety and it helped me cut down on smoking (I've since quit smoking, it was four or five years ago that I did this) which helped me feel better overall at the time.
YMMV of course, (and I hope it does!) but I'm not of the opinion that acupuncture is an effective therapy for major recurrent depression. I truly think the practioner I saw was one of the best in the country (perhaps the world) and it didn't help a bit. I started Norpramin not long after I saw her, and felt significant improvement (albeit for short while) so I definitely recognized the difference.
FWIW,
Laurie> I am interested in this route. I live in Durham,
> NC, and Duke just opened up it's Center for Integrative
> Medicine, where they take a more holistic approach to
> disease. I have an appt. in a couple of weeks and will
> update everyone on how it goes. I'm interested in maybe
> a combination of acupuncture, herbs and (if I HAVE
> to) a lower dose of antidepressant.
This is the end of the thread.
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