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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
OK, so I have been having lots of bad days, like a whole bunch of them, like maybe oh I dont know about 45 of them in a row? yeah thats about right. So in the middle of this oasis of badness, I decide with no input whatsoever with anyone, to stop taking my hormone replacement therapy, because i am having migraine headaches about 5 out of 7 days. And I stop taking the hormones and the headaches stop. miracle! I finally won!! Until the next day when I dove into the olympic sized swimming pool of depression. went through preparing for 4 hurricanes in a row, kind of ruined every other weekend.
so my p-doc, my therapist, and my emdr therapist all go, omigosh you better take something because stopping hormone therapy is a really really bad thing. I say what did women do before hormone replacement therapy? and my T says: murder, suicide, ect. So I am recommended to an ARNP who practices in a wellness center.
now forgive me if you are an ardent believer in alternative forms of medicine.
I was um, unprepared for my experience at the appointment. she did an autonomic reflex test on me. what is an autonomic reflex test you may well ask, I can tell you exactly what it is. the practioner places one hand on your BELLYBUTTON. ok so far? on your bellybutton. with the other hand she put a small box of a toxic substance (solvents, or heavy metals, or pesticides) on my chest. in this manner she is able to tell which of my internal organs are poisoned.
ok i have to say that i was completely freaked out at this point. like having a gypsy read your palm,, you feel foolish for having done it in the first place, that you are letting a scary looking person who smells funny touch your hands.
the proposed treatment would cost $3141.00, less 15 percent if i prepaid.
so i go to work with this splitting migraine, no medicine because of course when i had YESTERDAY'S migraine i used what medicine i carried in my purse. i end up putting on my sunglasses and i catch it from every single person who goes by my desk. people asking for my autograph, i could have bit their noses off today.when the day finally ends i'm driving home and my purse starts ringing, and of course i can't find it feeling blind with one hand without carreening off the side of the road so i let it ring and wait for the next light. i look at it and i think it's my t calling me back about my experience because i left her this message all annoyed and snotty sounding like what were you thinking, you bimbo?. then the phone rings and its my husband who says what in the heck is going on? you answered the phone but you didn't say hi and there was lots of noise. so i say i have to go and call my t because i just missed her call and he says call me later (after he told me i told you so which always makes you feel just so very, i don't know, Special). so i thanked him again for his considered opinion and called the t.
she says, no i wasn't calling you but while we're on the phone let's talk about your experience today, because she was the one who sent me there in the first place and i'm thinking how could i have read my therapist so wrong?? and she sounded really annoyed WITH ME for going through the whole exam process. didn't you tell them you just wanted hormone replacement? and i said yes, but the ARNP said that in order to do that, they would have to assess the entire body because maybe there was something else poisoned in me that needed attention first. so i think my t thinks i am a meek moron, which i am. i could have stopped the exam at any time and said, sorry this is not what i had in mind, and walk away. but no i went through an hour and a half of this dubious diagnostic process, and paid them $125 for the privilege of having a stranger put one hand on my bellybutton and the other hand placing toxins on my chest.
ok. i think i am done now.
Posted by boomarang on September 30, 2004, at 20:58:03
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
ok i gotta say i would have reacted the same way you did. At least you got your headache back.
Posted by fayeroe on September 30, 2004, at 23:17:53
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
PC~~~~~~~~~i spent considerable time thinking about hormone replacement. as soon as i found out how premarin was made........i made my decision. i take belladonna (bellamine) for hot flashes and headaches. it also helps me sleep. a doctor has to prescribe it. i take two at night. it is wonderful. my pharmacist takes it. it might not work for you, but it's cheeeeep and no side effects, that i know of. i hope you're feeling better today........xoxoxopat
Posted by saw on October 1, 2004, at 2:15:23
In reply to Re: My biggest rant to date., posted by fayeroe on September 30, 2004, at 23:17:53
My friend PC
This writing is so not you. And I am aching for you. And for me. And then some more for you.
........Till later, in private...
Sabrina
(Ps. Wedding ring won't fit this morning, good old weight gain!!!!!)
Posted by ron1953 on October 1, 2004, at 10:30:56
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
Sounds like voodoo medicine to me.
It's tough enough that most of us have no other choice but to experiment with our neurotransmitter systems, which physicians and scientists readily admit they don't understand. Seeing the different reactions patients have to the same medications clearly shows what an inexact science it is. But we do it anyway, in order to at least be functional.
When it comes to messing around with the immune system, I say WATCH OUT! I can cite many examples of how inexact this science is and how casually physicians prescribe meds. Fooling with Mother Nature is not to be taken lightly.
Alleged scientific advances are constantly refuted by later studies. Which study are we supposed to believe?
1) HRT was at first supposed to be a HUGE advancement. Yet, women survived menopause for thousands of years without it. A very recent study showed that HRT actually causes bone density loss.
2) A study I read about some time ago recommended against the time-honored practice of fever suppression for common diseases. It indicated that fever was part of the natural process of the body fighting off infection.
3) Statin drugs are given out like candy for prevention of cholesterol placque buildup. Yet these drugs have been cited by many studies to cause liver damage. I suspect that the statin drugs prescribed to my late father-in-law after his bypass surgery caused the liver cancer that killed him 5 years later.
4) During a routine exam of my son in his early teens, his doctor wanted to prescribe hormones because he had entered puberty "early" and was short. Her idea was to slow down his puberty so he would be taller. When my ex told me this, I was floored. We said "no way" - if his DNA was programmed for him to enter puberty "early" (like both parents) and to be short (like his dad), so be it. Why would we want to experiment with a perfectly healthy child? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. He's now a short but very healthy 23-year-old.
5) My ex was finally diagnosed with Lupus in the 90's, years after she had a few horrible flare-ups which were a complete mystery to her previous physician. She and I read everything about Lupus that we could get our hands on. The Rheumatologist wanted to prescribe a therapy of daily anti-malarial medication that was believed to control the syndrome. We decided against it because her case was episodic, not chronic. She had a few flare-ups over the next several years that were quickly stopped with Prednisone. Otherwise, she was perfectly healthy. 9 out of 10 Lupus patients are female, and one of the scientific beliefs was that Lupus often goes away at or around menopause. This apparently turned out to be true. My ex hasn't had a flare-up for at least 4 years.
I know this is a long-winded post but my belief is that we need to be educated and prudent before submitting ourselves to any therapy, especially those that are experimental, controversial or unproven.
Posted by TexasChic on October 1, 2004, at 10:58:12
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
You poor thing! What a crazy mess. There's nothing worse than being in pain 'and' having to deal with ineptitude at the same time. I can certainly sympathize. All I can think to suggest is to get another opinion (by a regular doc, not alternative). I'll be sending you good vibes to give you strength.
(((PC)))
Posted by partlycloudy on October 1, 2004, at 11:03:39
In reply to Re: My biggest rant to date., posted by ron1953 on October 1, 2004, at 10:30:56
I absolutely agree about educating ourselves, Ron. Unfortunately I do have to be on some type of hormone therapy, as the past 45 days have been some of the worst I've experienced since puberty. For the time being I am going back to what I was on, getting a reassessment of my migraines by a neurologist, and thinking very carefully about my next move.
I appreciate your input.
Posted by Susan47 on October 1, 2004, at 12:20:09
In reply to Re: My biggest rant to date. » ron1953, posted by partlycloudy on October 1, 2004, at 11:03:39
I've been to see a naturopath who was a flake, IMO, and I became really angry with him because he didn't study up on what he said he would to figure out my son's problems. Then the a** sent me to NLP, and I, being the idiot I am, actually paid for that as well! Also seen other off the mainstream types who are bilkers and don't see/know it, but have also had good results with acupuncture and a certain type of chiropractic. (Had a flake there once too though) I guess these digressive therapies aren't very well regulated.
Posted by JenStar on October 1, 2004, at 19:15:23
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
oh PC, what a day! I guess you now have the dubious distinction of having been thru a very 'alternative' procedure...which might be kind of cool, although very unhelpful. I'm sorry about the migraines and the issues and that the treatment was so un-useful for you!
I think some alt. stuff like acupuncture really can work on a physical level, but some of the other "stuff" (like what you described) can ONLY work if the client believes it will work -- like a self-induced mental placebo effect. I wish that could work for me, but my mind won't accept it.
Sounds like this is NOT the right place for you!
I really sympathize. I hope it all gets better. Please tell us how you're doing in a few days...hopefully much better! :)
JenStar
Posted by SandyWeb on October 2, 2004, at 15:54:42
In reply to My biggest rant to date., posted by partlycloudy on September 30, 2004, at 17:49:21
Hi sweetie,
Gosh, you have a lot of strength!! Going through your physical problems, but also dealing with your job and those darn hurricanes at the same time. I've got to hand it to you, hun. You're awfully tough!! *smile*
Gotta luv ya!!!!
((Hugs to you FOREVER))
Sandy
Posted by partlycloudy on October 3, 2004, at 5:06:50
In reply to Re: My biggest rant to date. » partlycloudy, posted by SandyWeb on October 2, 2004, at 15:54:42
Thanks for saying hello - it means a great deal to me.
I feel a little better today. Pills must be kicking in.
pc
This is the end of the thread.
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