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Valerie Wells <[log in to unmask]>
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Date:
Tue, 30 Dec 2003 14:31:55 -0800
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<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Conventional and alternative medicine can be used effectively together in
a lot of cases.  Frequently it is not a case of one or the other
treatments, but a combination. --Betsy, Texas
-------------
If it were not for alternative medicine, heaven alone knows where I would
be, or my 28 year old son either.
I have not been tested, as the gastro suspects I have always been Celiac,
and I refused to go on gluten long enough to even bother with the blood
test (I had blood drawn, and the results never came back), or have the
biopsy, as the gastro told me that the only real thing would be the
gluten free diet. My son had 3 very bad  seizures, and follow-up EEG,
MRI, etc, and we were told if there was epilepsy it would show, well
NOTHING showed, so on further investigation, he had the blood work done,
and the naturopath phoned him and told him he was definitely Celiac.  He
is now on anti-seizure medication for life, if he cuts back or quits it,
he has to give up his driver's licence for a year.  And we have done a
lot of research and found that Celiac can cause seizures.  Does the
medical profession know this?  Who knows? The family doctor has yet to
call and inform him that he is even "wheat intolerant", plus lactose
intolerant.  And we can pinpoint the seizures to him taking Lactaid the
day before the two worse ones, so he could have a milkshake.  And Lactaid
(or generic brand thereof) has gluten in it, like thousands of other
things that as far as we are concerned do not need it as a binder. My
medical doctor does not know what my bowel problem is, (and does he
care?), I have diverticulitous, anal fissure, spastic colon, IBS, and had
my gall bladder out and if I tend not to eat regularly, the bile will
still be produced and cause diaharrea.  Great fun, yes, but the
naturopath  suggested (not prescribed) a lot of, yes expensive, items but
my gut is now healed and I can deal with it.  I had the best year last
winter that I have had in probably 30 odd.  A bit of a flare-up
sometimes, but nothing I cannot handle.  My doctor when I see him (not
for over 2 years now) says the bowel is behaving, I say yes, thanks to
the naturopath. I also have low thyroid function and am dealing with that
also through the  health food store, I refuse to go ask to have it
checked as the last time the doctor told me it was fine.  Well, I live
within this body, so I know when it is fine and when it is not. Anyway, I
am going to forward your email to my son, and see what he thinks of it.
Very interesting, very valuable information, and well worth taking the
time  to investigate for yourself.  Joan
------------
[The following is an exchange I had with Ron Hogan, co-author of
"Dangerous Grains."
[Valerie:] So glad to hear that.  I couldn't fail to mention you & your
co author.
[Ron:] Thank you. I forwarded your post to my mom in Kelowna, BC.
[Valerie:]  What's so funny about this whole thing is being called
"alternative" in the first place  For some folks, "alternative medicine"
conjures up images of pyramid crystals, insense and other generally
useless stuff.
[Ron:] I know. I must admit that I was as guilty as anyone before my
diagnosis and subsequent improvement.
[Valerie:] It's so crazy now days that anyone who recommends diet changes
instead of patent prescription medications for solving health problems is
now considered an "alternative quack."   Gimme a break.  It's just good
old common sense and frankly good medicine.
[Ron:] Agreed, but these ideas run quite contrary to conventional medical
training, as you know better than me.
I'm getting a lot of supportive responses from the list members.
[Ron:] I'm very pleased to hear that. ... I'd be interested in addressing
that more directly..... I'm dealing with a similar perspective here in
Calgary. In fact, I have stopped writing for the Calgary Celiac News
because they insisted on titling all my articles under the heading: "From
the Fringes". I felt that was somewhat discrediting, so I refused to
write any more articles until that is changed. -Ron
----------------
Congrats to you and your son.  It is unfortunate that some of today's
medical doctors cannot see beyond what they consider "true medicine" and
consider the alternatives.  It is also a great success story, and one
that
tells how devestating, as well as complex, celiac disease can be.  All
the best to you both.  Barb
---------------
Unfortunately poor handling of celiac disease is not the only condition
which is poorly treated by conventional medicine.  I'm an RN with a
conventional medicine background and I've learned through the years the
MOST illnesses are poorly treated by conventional medicine and most
patients would be healthier & happier if they sought out, accepted and
practiced the recommendations of "alternative" physicians.  I worked
conventional medicine for 10 years.  The patients just got sicker &
sicker through the years while being layered with more and more
expensive, largely useless and often harmful drugs & surgeries.  But, I
worked only briefly for an "alternative" MD.  In a few months time, I
literally witnessed miracles.  I saw people recover from chronic fatigue
syndrome, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, various crippling forms of
arthritis, serious spinal injuries that didn't respond to surgery,
cirrhosis of the liver, etc.  It was amazing to witness.  I never saw
anything like that in conventional medicine.  I understand and appreciate
those who question the validity of EnteroLab, but often waiting for peer
review & approval destroys the work of a real healer that has a
significant contribution to make.  I'm grateful for the doctors who break
out of the box and defy convention to help the sick.

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