Stress Center Peer Support

<span class="ev_code_RED">So I posted this in the original thread, thinking it would be easier to know the entire history. On second thought, this post can stand on its own, and I REALLY need some help here (thanks for your initial responses, Holly and Francis) ...anyway, here it is:</span>

It's been about a week since I saw Dr. Bradley (naturopath specializing in homeopathy), and I'm a BIT frustrated. Maybe someone can help me out?

I specifically made the appointment for a naturopathy consult since I wanted to ensure that I'm taking the correct supplements, AND that's what I feel most comfortable with at this time (though I've read about homeopathy and am beginning to understand it better, I don't personally know anyone who's tried it and had success???).

I kept a diet diary as required, requested the lab results from my scope be faxed, and had all paperwork filled out upon arrival,- including my top health concerns. There was room for 10- I wrote down 5, with acid reflux being #1, then anxiety, bouts with insomnia, mid-afternoon fatigue, and ???- can't remember.

Anyway, he said that there wasn't time to discuss all and to choose one- I selected a.r. He then looked at my labwork (ambiguous at best, BIG SURPRISE!!!) and diet diary, but didn't really give any conclusive answers??? He spent a lot of time asking about FEELINGS/SENSATIONS in relation to my reflux (from what I understand this is more homeopathy than naturopathy) and wasn't really all that interested in my speculation of what may have started the a.r. (I've ALWAYS eaten what I wanted to, esp. acidic and hot foods and NEVER even experienced heartburn. Last year about a month before the reflux began I started a bowel cleanse, which I personally think wiped out all positive flora/bacteria and began the reflux...).

Instead, he focused on diet and all the empty calories I consume and then really zeroed in on my past history with bulimia. He talked a lot about shame (frankly, I don't have any, as I feel I've already addressed this with therapists in the past). This was esp. aggravating because I've only voluntarily vomited 2x since last Nov. when being formally diagonosed with a.r. Additionally, my "bulimic" (I use this term loosely, since i have never been a binger and puker... for many of you this will not make sense. I've never gone on a FEAST with the deliberate intention of vomiting. I'm tall but slight and have never been able to eat as much as most [small stomach], so on the rare occassion that I overate- holidays, for example, I felt uncomfortable and the need to vomit) episodes were at the worst in college... well over 10 years ago! Even then, when my friends would sit around and pig out after coming home from the bars, I would sometimes chew my food and spit it out instead of having to puke. And, yes, I know these days this is also an eating disorder, and, no, I haven't done this since college, either.

Although I do feel that Dr. B. is genuine, the consult ran long and he never even looked at the supplements to see if they complement one another or are even suited for my conditions. THIS was the primary reason I made the appt.!

Here are his recommendations:
~eat 3 meals a day of REAL food (heavy on the veggies)
~apply the CBT skills learned for anxiety to eating. The idea of sensations and so on...
~moniter my a.r. (the dr. who performed my scope dropped my nexium from 2x daily to 1x), and maybe try stopping it for good.
~continue seeing my acupressurist

Frankly, I kind of feel like I've been scammed. Oh, lastly, I need to make an appt. in the next 4-6 weeks to see how I'm doing. I mean, I know I need to eat healthier, so I guess this is a reminder- and a pretty $$$$ one including gas (I drove over 200 miles) and MY TIME! Plus, I was the one who brought up regular exercise (haven't been so devoted this summer) as a means to feel better about body image- HONESTLY is there a woman out there who would shriek naked from the rooftop, "I LOVE my body just the way it is and wouldn't change a SINGLE THING!!!".

I don't know, I guess I just need an honest, OBJECTIVE opinion... is this typical, and would YOU go back?
Thanks in advance,
Emily

I would also like to add that living in the area I do, this is the ONLY ND in a 200 mile radius. A follow up nutritional/ naturopathic visit is $70 for 1/2 hour. Is this worth my $ and time?

Again, I do feel he's genuine in his desire to help (he did NOT try to sell me additional supplements) and has superior credentials, but is this reasonable advice/standard procedure for an initial naturopathic consult? I have nothing to compare this experience to, so I really don't know if i'm being too judgemental? Also, he's an MD with and ND but specializes in homeopathy... does this make a difference to his approach?

Fischee-- I'm anxious to see if you get any replies on this here, as I was just considering going to a Naturopath myself. I found it kind of odd that he didn't want to know what supplements you've been taking. My initial consults with acupuncturists who also prescribe homeopathic remedies always included a review of my current supplements and herbs. If you can afford it, I would see what the next visit is like. Maybe he needs time to go over and review the initial visit before he recommends anything else??

Hey I'll get a reply out to you tonight. We just got back from voice lessons and errands in town. I have an opinion if it counts. LOL Talk soon ~ Sheila

I find all of this pretty bizarre really. Everything in the body is connected, so choosing something to work on confuses me. Also I feel like you went and spent a bunch of money for nothing, and it concerns me that you aren't working on your acid reflux the correct way. Medications only mask the symptoms, when what is needed is mega enzymes being you aren't digesting properly. I'm convinced if you get your digestion 'righted' you'll see a big turn around in your entire health. Diet IS very important, definitely, and I'm glad you're keeping track of what bothers you and what doesn't. BUT, and it's a big one...LOL....if your digestion is running like it should, an occasional 'no no food item' shouldn't cause a huge issue. If you're willing I'd love to talk privately and offer you a free on-line health survey so we can see what's really going on. Just send me your e-mail address and I'll send off the survey. God Bless !! Sheila aka MichiganMom

An additional comment you probably are interested in, after re-reading your post again. When you state you can 'eat anything you want and it doesn't bother you' that's a red flag for a weakened stomach condition. When the stomach is in this weakened state it cannot react. People who say they have a cast iron stomach ALWAYS have a weakened stomach condition. Therefore they CAN eat anything they desire with no ill effect in their digestion, etc....When you cleansed your body started to function properly, and only one cleanse doesn't fix everything, granted, but I feel it took enough of the toxic load of your stomach that NOW your stomach can talk to you...and it's crying out for enzymes. The meds just shut off the stomach and tell it to quit producing acid, when in all honestly, most everyone that eats the standard Amerian diet has LOW digestive enzymes...not too much!!! So keep this in mind, because I do believe your cleanse is what started this whole spiral, but it's for the better actually. Talk soon !!

Hey Fischee

I actually worked with a naturopath at one of the wellness clinics that i worked at so, maybe i can help you out a bit.

Naturopaths are trainned in a number of natural therapies and homeopathy is just one part of it. They will still diagnose in other methods...chinese medicine, homeopathy and other ways.

They don't look at all of the concerns at once no...that could take awhile with all the diffrent systems they diagnose with.

judging by what you mentioned about him looking at the results of the labwork and diet diary he may have figured that it is more to do with emotions which I know with chinese medicine is important. The food maybe an indication to him as well though...too much heat in your system...especially stomach heat.

What did this bowel cleanse consist of? Was it natural herbs? what foods were you allowed to eat when on it and what foods did you restrict?

They also look at the history as even if it has been awhile since you had the eatting disorder because it can still be effecting you...eatting disorders make the digestion weak and it could take time to rebuild it.

I do find it strange how he didn't even look at your suppliments...you should really insist and let him know you are concerned about them.

did he suggest to have more cooked foods or warmed foods?

The follow ups are to see if the suggestions are helping you any and if not then to change them...maybe he'd suggest some homeopathic medicine, tinctures, suppliments.

I hope this helps

Mike

Hi Mike,
You're the second person to mention the hot/cold business to me (different thread). No, he did not talk aobut this, though I do think I'll look into it for my own self-interest.

Maybe the biggest difference is this ND was/is that he's a board-licenced MD also. Despite my above concerns, his well-rounded and extensive medical background/training was what attracted him to me in the first place (I'm looking to replace my gen. prac.). I do believe I'll give him one more shot but do my homework before I see him and be far more assertive about the supplements.

Much thanks for your help,
Emily

MM- I'm going to pm you.

Oh- the bowel cleanse was BAD NEWS. It was NOT a gentle, herbal but a very harsh formula with laxative qualities. I'm not going to post the name, but if anyone wants to know pm and I'll tell you. I wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE!!!

My bf wants to do a colon cleanse and I keep telling him to do research first because i have heard that may not be that good for you. Can you PM me with what you used so i cantell him to steer clear