Saijen SilverWolf
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Location: Upper North East Tennessee
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Reference book....
I just received this book yesterday. It's one I had ordered from One Spirit. It's called
'Prescription for Drug Alternatives' written by James F. Balch, MD, Mark Stengler, ND and Robin Young Balch, ND.
I have already delved pretty heavy into it. It's not a book that tells you NOT to use pharmaceutical medications, but that in some cases, natural medications may be better for some ailments, and can be used along with contemporary medications that are being used for another problem. In main section of the book, it breaks everything down into ailments/illnesses/diseases, the types of usual medications given for that, the benefits, the side effects, ....let me give an example..that may be easier.
I am a diabetic, so I'm looking under 'Diabetic Drugs and Their Natural Alternatives'.
Under Biguanides, the medication I take is listed: Metformin (Glucophage)
It tells me how this medication works, then it tells me what the benefits are. Next, potential side effects are listed:
Nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
Major cautions is the next paragraph, then Known drug interactions. Next, food or supplement interactions, followed by nutrient depletion/imbalance.
After this section goes through all of the different medications like this, it gives natural alternatives to diabetic drugs, followed by a reference page.
I have to wonder if some of my problems mentioned in Open Circle aren't from all the danged medications I am on for this, that and the other, and then some.
I will be reading this book in more depth and making notes to take to my doctor for my next visit with her!!!
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
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3/22/2009, 8:32 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Reference book....
A lot of medications have side effects that almost seem worse than the condition they are treating. While I strongly encourage people to seek out more natural alternatives, I do still think there is a limit to herbal remedies (type I diabetes, for example, might be controlled by natural methods but it is so dangerous to experiment with it - boss's son almost died when he tried). Western medicine has plenty of drawbacks but also has plenty of advantages! In my opinion, it's really about only taking what you NEED instead of what might help you - which doctors seem to just prescribe a standard medicine and don't necessarily look for alternatives.
I hope you can find some relief if you really are experiencing those side effects! Do you know if there is a different diabetes medicine that you can try to switch to as well as a natural version? Might be worth trying another pharmaceutical as well. I'm glad you are going to speak with your doctor about it all - they sometimes get a little uppity when their patients try things on their own! 
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3/24/2009, 8:03 pm
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Re: Reference book....
Texas, there are several different pharmaceutical meds I can use for my diabetes since I am type 2. Thankfully, I don't have to do insulin in any shape or form. What I am on right now does help considerably, so I don't know that I would change that at this point, but there are other medications that I think I may be able to go natural with that won't interfere with the diabetes med I'm on.
About a year ago, I asked to be sent to a dermatologist to see if we could figure out why my hands itch so badly at night. They itch to the point that they swell up and turn purple if I don't use the medication I was given. The medication is to treat the symptoms, not the underlying cause. The dermatologist I saw was aghast that I wanted to be checked out if the medication was working on the symptoms. I guess he never understood that I was hoping to find the cause and treat the cause rather than treating the symptoms. I never bothered to go back, so I continue to take the little pill that keeps my hands from blowing up like a balloon and turning colors.
As for talking with my primary care person (my "doc" is actually a nurse practitioner), I don't do much without talking to her or my pharmacist, or both. I don't need to end up worse off. But yeah, most don't like when you to self treatment....but then, most don't like natural remedies either. Not sure about our FNP...what she'll think or do.
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
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3/28/2009, 10:14 pm
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TexasMadness
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Re: Reference book....
A good friend of my mom had terrible itching hands. Turned out it was food allergies. Might be something to look in to!
I can't believe that so many western doctors are completely fine with just treating the symptoms. It can be frustrating when you really want a cure!
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3/29/2009, 2:17 am
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Saijen SilverWolf
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Re: Reference book....
TexasMadness wrote:
A good friend of my mom had terrible itching hands. Turned out it was food allergies. Might be something to look in to!
Mine only itch at night. Not sure that a food allergy would do that, but then, who knows! It's horrible if I don't have the meds for the itching. I lay awake most of the night fighting myself to keep from scratching my hands raw. I have been known to scratch them bloody! That's not fun.
TexasMadness wrote:I can't believe that so many western doctors are completely fine with just treating the symptoms. It can be frustrating when you really want a cure!
SOOoo true! And yes, extremely frustrating. I would LOVE to treat the cause of my problems and take care of it rather than just treating the symptoms. I know some of my problems, the cause can no longer be treated, so I have to just work on the symptoms, but there are other things going on that should have a 'cure'. It's beyond frustrating at times. I would love nothing more than to ditch most of the medications I am on due to being cured of the problem!! Somehow, I don't see that happening. 
--- Blessed Be,
~*~ Saijen ~*~
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3/29/2009, 9:12 pm
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