Peaceful Isle Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 (edited) Has anyone been desperate enough to cash out the money to go to a natural doctor for certain conditions? Regular doctors are not helping. My dr recently said" if this pill doesn't help, then there is nothing more I can do for you." I am thinks about going and also have one I have researched as well. Can you ladies give me your experiences with these natural doctors? Was it worth it to go? Did they help you? What did they help you with? Edited May 9, 2016 by Peacefulisle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I go to a naturopathic doctor. I am not desperate. He is the best specialist for chronic conditions and my primary doctor agrees. My insurance covers naturopathic doctors the same as allopathic ones. My ND prescribes both supplements and prescription meds. (There might be some variation depending on what state you are in since those rules are made by the state.) He also uses labs to give more information on my thyroid levels etc. For thyroid - my ND prescribes a natural thyroid medicine (like Armour) and monitors my thyroid levels. For fibro it is less defined since fibro does not have a specific known cause at this time. (Current theory is that it is a central-nervous system disorder.) I take a number of prescription meds and supplements for various symptoms. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 (edited) Thank you for your reply, Jean. :) I didn't mean desperate in a negative way. I guess because my insurance doesn't pay for it, and I have to pay out of pocket, it is a last resort for me. I have always wanted to go to a naturopath dr , but haven't because I've used the money for my kids etc.. It is time now to take care of myself, I think ;) Thanks again for your reply. Edited May 9, 2016 by Peacefulisle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I live near a ND university. I have taken dudeling to one for six years. his allopath was worse than worthless in helping him. fortunately, I'm in a state that at least some insurance covers some alternative medicine. she'd have been worth every cent even if I'd had to pay all of it out of pocket. I do joke she is worth the toll I have to pay to get there. I am now seeing one for myself. one of the reasons I'm seeing her is thyroid. we're still early stages, but I added emerald laboratories thyroid (contains bovine desiccated thyroid) because I could get it otc (off amazon) to the levo my allopath rx, and I'm feeling much better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I never did, only because a friend of mine had tried every type of doctor (and non-doctor) in our greater area without any results. Had I gotten any positive reviews from people I felt I could reasonably trust, I might have considered it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I was not impressed with the ND that I saw way back when- but I see a Integrative Medicine Dr. now. He isn't perfect but is willing to listen and believes me when I tell him how I feel. It is absolutely worth it to me to pay more to get actual care. I don't think however that every natural dr. is worth it, there are good and bad ones, just like in traditional medicine. I read reviews and looked at his website before seeing him to get an idea of his practice. I have another friend that is a lot more alternative than me who just starting seeing a new ND and is thrilled so far- although he would be the wrong fit for me and likewise my dr. would likely be too traditional for her. I originally started seeing the Integrative dr. due to being diagnosed Hashimotos. I knew from what I'd read that with my subclinical levels a regular endocrinologist would blow me off- the standard is to wait until your thyroid is dead before treating. I'd highly recommend checking out Stop the Thyroid Madness and their companion FB group FTPO - Thyroid Topics(for thyroid patients only) to get yourself informed before the visit- don't assume that a natural dr. will have all the ansers. It is good to be your own advocate regardless of what kind of dr. you see. Anyway, I had thought my healing would be immediate. I'd get diagnosed and get better. It has been an up and down ride and like many with thyroid disease I have multiple issues. So, I'd encourage you to check out options- don't just give up with substandard care. But check out your options and go into it knowing that it is not likely to be a quick and easy fix regardless of who you see. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I considered going to a naturopath when I wanted care more along those lines. I found it almost impossible though to find someone I was willing to see. Around here many make money from selling remedies and supplements, which I think is rather a conflict of interest, and one that I've seen abused. I also couldn't find anyone who didn't promote therapies I considered pure woo in the most obvious way - it seemed like they all advocated anything labled alternative. Whereas to my mind - not all alternative therapies are actually sensible. Given that a lot of them don't have much emperical evidence, i wanted someone who had an active BS meter, and that didn't seem to exist. If I could find someone, I would consider going, especially if I was having no luck elsewhere. To me the thing to be careful of is that people who can't find other solutions to pain can sometimes be taken advantage of by the unscrupulous. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 (edited) Wow, some really good info , thank you all. I have been to 4 different doctors in the last 7 years. Not bad, lol. I have have tried almost every pill for pain, nothing works. I have also gone on gluten free diet for two years. Nothing. When I eat organic, I feel a bit better. Atkins literally makes me feel horrible. I've tried it twice. My friend gave me a canister of Zeal to try for a month. I guess I've come to the point where I will either go in a hole and hide forever because of the pain, brain fog, and fatigue ( or so it seems ), or I will again, get off my butt and find another dr that can maybe help me. Sigh Edited May 9, 2016 by Peacefulisle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 (hugs) Fwiw too low carb can exacerbate thyroid issues. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Ariel Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Sorry if this may seem totally off from what you are asking, but are you sure you have fibromyalgia? I ask because I thought that it was what I had for many years until I found out 18 months ago that I have Lyme disease and co-infections plus co-existing infections. It might be something to check out if you are not finding answers or finding relief. The Lyme MD that I see thinks I probably had it for many years. Diagnosed by blood test but it doesn't always show up in a blood test. Good luck to you! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 It is absolutely worth it to me to pay more to get actual care. I don't think however that every natural dr. is worth it, there are good and bad ones, just like in traditional medicine. this. and this is the case regardless of the type of provider. there are good ones and bad ones. (and just because someone raves about a particular provider doesn't mean they'll give you what you need.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 I pay out of pocket. My doc is absolutely worth every penny. I'm not desperate any longer but I was, once. She was, however, an allopathic LLMD when I started with her. LLMD meaning Lyme Literate, so she was already rocking the boat, so to speak. I started with her in 2005. She saved my life, literally. :) She does much more than Lyme and TBDs now. Over the years she's progressed and learned and is now an integrative meds doc. She keeps me on armour thyroid, monitors my levels, treats my endocrine disorder (Addison's), fibro, cfs, and my complicated GI issues. She does cranio sacral, visceral manipulation and a ton of other hands on stuff. I am happy to support her, now that she's out of pocket, since she's done so much for me and mine. (She treats our whole family, and when we adopted DD, she was the one to see/diagnose a rare disorder the pedi hadn't caught - and DD wasn't even her patient yet!) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 (edited) Have you seen Dr. Jorge Flechas video & website? He says thyroid problems & fibromyalgia is due to low iodine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBM2qWKkFxE I am on the iodine protocol: http://jeffreydachmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/The-Guide-to-Supplementing-with-Iodine-Stephanie-Burst-ND.pdf Have you considered doing your own tests thru a lab? I highly recommend the book, The Iodine Crisis. Edited May 9, 2016 by MIch elle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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