I may see a naturopath dr. Please, anyone post your experiences with one here

[phix95]

I've recently posted about a terrible episode, of which I still don't know the origin, where I shook violently for over an hour and went to the ER. My thoughts were hormones (as the past 3 months I've been having hot flashes/sweats around my period), thyroid, medication lowering... I've already lost weight, quit school, cannot work, and am terrified. I also feel alone in that I cannot trust my drs and am even looking for a new psychiatrist b/c mine just thinks its panic and has nothing to do w/meds, is washing her hands of my problem. I am left doing all the work, possibly ordering a saliva test through the damn mail since drs don't do them--they do blood tests (for hormones, thyroid) which are unreliable and do not account for the bioavalible hormones in the body like saliva tests do. These tests will cost me hundreds of dollars, whereas at my hospital, I have financial aid, since I am below poverty level income.

I've read from a naturopathic dr, who's written some books, Dr. Sherril Selman, and I've also emailed her about what I went through, and she has said to go to a naturopathic dr. and names many things hormonally that can f*** up your system.
If anyone has been to one, please post your experiences here and let me know what happened and if it helped.

[mojo2339]

I'm sorry about your situation. Sometimes the worst part of panic/anxiety is just not knowing which way to turn? I personally haven't ever been to an actual homeopathic Dr, but I always try to go the natural route first. Have you ever thought about biofeedback or maybe a nutritionist? I mention these because they are typically much less expensive and really informative. I've had really, really great experiences. Good luck & I hope you find what you need.

[Wishingforcalm2]

I hate to give you bad news, but my experience was awful, in that it cost close to 700 bucks just for an initial appointment, and she wanted to give me some "homeopatic" sugar stuff, which cost money....and then when I left I didn't even buy the 400 dollars worth of vitamins she prescribed me.  I'm a huge fan of western medicine, but firmly believe there are other valid viewpoints out there.  What I can't stand is people taking advantage of people when we are at our weakest points and desperate for help.  They know that no price is too much if we will be better, but the truth is, for me, that price was far too high, and I got nothing but an expensive lesson.  Let me know what your experience is like if you try it out.  I hope it's better than mine!

[phix95]

At Northwestern hospital, here in Chicago, they have a part of it dedicated to naturopathy. You can look it up on Yelp...glowing reviews from everyone who went. I'm not going to chicago for this however. Homeopathic is not the same...thats just diluted versions of an illness given to you to fight it off. You just went to the wrong kind. You want holistic and naturopathic.

[Wishingforcalm2]

ohhh, then I stand corrected.  I didn't know there was a difference

[phix95]

Oh I know..I had to look all this crap up to find what I wanted. If you want to try again, just look up naturopath. As far I understand it, they have the traditional medical training plus training in natural remedies. Like herbs, vitamins, even foods. They take at least 90 min/appt. They can order testing and MRIs and all that too to see what's wrong. I just hope if I can actually go, that I don't have an experience like yours. I've been reading good things so...

[Wishingforcalm2]

yeah, it seems like the distinctions are so small, that I can hardly tell the difference!  I hope you have a good experience too...The lady I went to is an actual MD, but then she shifted her practice to the natural route stuff...vitamins herbs etc.  I loved the idea of it because she can (and did) order tests and blood work etc, but she didn't take insurance.  That's insane to me!   You have to update when you see someone....let us know how it goes!

[phix95]

Most of them don't take insurance b/c it's not a 'standard' accepted thing yet (naturopathy). They cannot even be licensed in my state (not allowed to be b/c of our laws).

[Irishmanwrites]

I won't even waste my breath speaking about a naturopath. You'd be as well tossing your money on the nearest river.
 

[coeus]

Naturopathy is generally considered as a pseudoscience - if there is no-to-limited supporting literature or clinical evidence of its efficacy, be very careful in involving yourself with any form of branch of naturopathy. Practitioners use unscientific methods to promote the evidence base of their products which, in turn, could be adverse for your health.

Vitamins and supplements can be helpful but they tends to support well-being if you're missing some of the essential nutrients. Consult with your GP for a professional opinion.

[AchromaticRainbow]

When I was little, my best friend had HORRIBLE ADHD.  He couldn't focus, would mouth off in class, and his parents were at their wit's end.  They took him to a naturopath, and she prescribed him some pills.  Within a few months, his grades and attitude improved and everyone was happier.

I went to the same naturopath for depression, mild anxiety, and stomach upsets, and I was also given pills and some sugar stuff.  I didn't feel any better. 

It's not going to work for everyone.  I'd love an update, though, when you see him/her!

[Irishmanwrites]

Rainbow, I'm glad your childhood friend became well, but it's difficult to prove a naturopath helped.

For everyone who convinces themselves they got some relief, there are countless folk who were taken advantage of!

Prescribed Meds to a good diet and exercise is the simple tonic.

[coeus]

Rainbow, you sure are more open-minded than I could ever with naturopathy!

I'd like to add that even the rare cases where naturopathy has worked - it is almost impossible to generalise the same benefits across other individuals. We also have to account for the placebo effect and avoid a post hoc fallacy that because it worked for one person does not necessarily infer that it will work for everyone else.

There is a slight similarity between medication and naturopathy: for the benefits they may provide, the mechanisms are relatively unexplained (to an extent). However, what makes medication comparatively acceptable is the fact that it is empirically supported by hundreds of controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy for treating certain conditions. On the other hand, the evidence for naturopathy is scarce. The point is to be well informed about what you put inside of your body to make a well informed decision.

That being said, I'm curious to see whether the OP benefits from naturopathy. Keep us updated!

[Irishmanwrites]

Naturpath / homeopathy - all a dreadful pseudoscience and waste of time.

There are always folk trying to grab money off the sick and worried. Don't become another statistic.

Speak to your medical doctor.

[phix95]

I have spoken to my md...had NOTHING to say to me. They blame it on panic, b/c they can't figure it out. If you're deficent in any mineral, or your hormones are out of whack, you'll feel like s***. But you need the right tests to determine that.
Homeopathy and Naturopathy are NOT the same; ND's may incorporate homeopathy as a form of treatment, but that's only one of many forms. That's why I did NOT look for a homeopathic practitioner.
A naturopathic dr is one who studies regular medicine in addition to extra courses. They look at the CAUSE of the problem, rather than covering up the symptoms. (Imagine that...trying to find the cause of a problem...s*** why didn't I think of that?....)

From Livestrong:
"Homeopathic treatments are drastically different from the treatment rendered by naturopathic doctors not using homeopathy as a treatment modality. Homeopaths offer a "remedy," which is an ultra-dilute "micro" dose of a plant, mineral or other substance found in nature. After you've taken the remedy, the homeopath will schedule a follow-up visit to track your progress and make any necessary modifications to your remedy. Naturopathic doctors, on the other hand, treat you using any or all of the following modalities: botanical medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, nutrition, exercise prescription and lifestyle counseling. Once your treatment plan has been given to you, your naturopathic doctor will schedule a follow-up visit to track your progress and make adjustments to the plan."

They take into account your lifestyle, what you eat, how you sleep, minerals, exercise, etc. Imagine...that could actually affect your health! And you wonder why dr appts are only 10 minutes long... They want you in and out...they have more money to make, after all. Who cares how you live, how you sleep, if your progesterone is low, if your estrogen is high, etc.

For those of us who have scary as hell symptoms that make us contemplate killing ourselves, that no one can figure out, we will gladly give this a shot. If all the toxins my psychs pump into me isn't' working, I wonder what could? If you've been there, you know what I mean. It's the difference between going mad and a bullet to the head and living and actually leaving your house. I need someone that gives a f***. Why is that such a hard thing to ask for?