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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 29/02/2008 12:19:38
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I am writing to comment on the article 'Do It Yourself Health' which appeared in the March issue. The author is very patronising towards the large number of people suffering from chronic illnesses who want to help themselves in order to have a better quality of life. What an insult to brand us as hypochondriacs. Whilst the NHS has a great number of positives, what about the fact that the vast majority of GPs treat by symptoms whilst refusing to take a holistic approach and look for the root cause.
I have to say that as a long term hypothyroid patient I have first hand experience of how the NHS continuously misunderstands this illness. The testing in the country is inadequate as is the only medication on offer. I was treated by the NHS for my thyroid problem for fifteen years and got gradually more ill. (I was diagnosed at 16 - now 31). After my problems reached an all time low after the birth of my son I decided to research things for myself. By this time I had suffered from sciatica, chronic IBS, anxiety, palpitations, depression and severe endometriosis. All the NHS doctors I saw said my illnesses were not linked. As an educated person this made no sense to me at all - I was only 29 at this point. I found that there are hundreds of thousands of thyroid patients out there in this country and the world who are not taken seriously and are expected to live a life of misery. I have subequently seen a doctor privately and use thyroid meds which are not available on the NHS - in fact I buy them from America. I have got my life back since I have done this.
During the time I was trying to get myself sorted I found alternative treatments such as reiki and reflexology invaluable to making me feel better, so I resent the sweeping dismissal of these treatments by the author.
Thyroid disease is misunderstood world-wide. The sheer scale of unecesary suffering due to this becomes clear when these websites are visited: www.realthyroidhelp.com, www.stopthe thyroidmadness.com, www.thyroidabout.org. Yes, these websites are created by patients and not doctors, but how about listening to the people who have experienced first-hand what their doctors will not take seriously, rather than dismissing it as hypochondria
This author gives no credit to the basic intelligance of most people who are not imagining illnesses - rather they want to improve their quality of life rather than just accepting anti-depressants - whatever the symptoms.
Link forum subject http://candis-forum.publishingmedia.co.uk/Forum83-1.aspx
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 14/03/2008 13:49:55
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The "Do It Yourself Health" article was very provocative and quite patronising towards those people who have tried all of the 'traditional' remedies and so-called cures that modern medicine can offer but in the absence of any improvement in their general health, are simply looking for any other option that may relieve them from chronic symptoms that effect their everyday lives. It is also misleading to use the term "alternative" because many of these therapies are not promoted as a substitute for conventional treatment but are often used in conjunction with modern medicine - hence they are more accurately known as "complementary". I am a fully qualified Complementary Therapist and I have clients who have enjoyed and benefited from regular Reflexology treatments when presenting with such conditions as depression, IBS and Crohn's Disease. Professional therapists can never guarantee a 'cure' but there is no doubt that clients notice an improvement in their condition after a course of treatments. I also work as part of a team of voluntary therapists in a cancer support unit where we offer a range of complementary therapies, and have known several people experience significant relief from the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a result of the treatments that they have been given.
Another aspect of these therapies that Polly Toynbee fails to mention is that you do not have to have any medical problems to enjoy these treatments - they are very good stress-busters as well!
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 30/05/2008 16:58:48
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| Stranage that even an Endocrine Nurse could tell me to take Vitex to help control my menstrual cycle but the NHS didn't prescribe it, I had to go to the local naturopath! Strange how the NHS waiting list is months for some things in some areas, but you can see a Holistic practitioner within days, if not minutes. Strange how the physiotherapy wait on the NHS is huge, but the local chiropracter I can see and have some relief from almost immediately. The thyroid is another example raised here - the NHS are brilliant with it and can offer a range of *censored*... so long as your specialist knows about them and is willing to talk to you rather than just tell you how you should be doing. It depends on who you see, and if you have a bad specialist and there is no other in the area then of course you look to less conventional treatments. You just want to be healthy! For my depression, I was adamant I didn't want *censored*. That frustrated the NHS, but not the homeopath. If my latest migraine treatment from the NHS fails to work (and let's face it, this is their third attempt!) I'll try the homeopath again. And probably be given something to deal with the stress so the migraines disappear. I have tried homeopathic and chemical treatments on my son's eczema - only steroid creams work, but at least I've tried all avenues before I had to resort to that. Imagine putting steroids on a toddler when you could just use an "alternative" (but frequently more mainstream) treatment.
Hugs!
Terri
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