Functional doctor?

[Ronnie101]

Has anyone had a good or bad experience of a functional doctor?

[jinasc]

What is a 'Functional Doctor'?

[Ronnie101 in reply to jinasc]

As I understand it, it's a professional who is trained to look at the body as a whole, rather than speciliaties. Also involves dietary solutions.

I'm so fed up with getting little relief from my gp and rhuemy!

[Hidden]

Seems a branding description. Never heard of it. Some docs are just better & qualified. But whatever works for yourself is best.

[suzy1959]

I have recently consulted a Functional Medicine specialist. Basically, I think they are slightly more trained nutritionists. Because my presentation is complex- PMR and Osteoarthritis, I got a very complicated report back, but actually, like all the other nutritionists I have ever consulted, she recommended an elimination diet. That usually means no grains, no dairy, no sugar etc etc. The principle is that you eliminate any foods that are thought to increase inflammation and then you can re-introduce them one by one to see which food causes you problems. The problem for us I think is that because we are on Pred. our bodies are not going to react clearly to this and we may never find out which foods, if any, we are sensitive to, or which are causing inflammation in us.

She also suggested I eat bone broth every day, only eating organic or grass-fed meat and eating the meat fat, increase my intake of offal, eliminate soya altogether. I was a bit horrified! I decided that my life is curtailed enough without changing my diet so drastically as well.

My problem is that I still have to lose 10 kgs. in order to have my hip replaced- wish me luck!

[Hindags in reply to suzy1959]

Good summary as I understand functional medicine. In the USA it is becoming more recognized and popular because we are feeling so sliced and diced by specialized doctors who don't often have the time or inclination to take a broad perspective. They are also more likely to order more tests to check on deficiencies that are often overlooked by other MDs.

My acupuncturist recommended the elimination diet last December. I had just been diagnosed and was scared and desperate enough to follow her recommendation. I have no proof, but I do believe that this has helped me tremendously with my PMR journey to date.

If nothing else, I lost almost 25 pounds over four months and seem to have stabilized my weight.

[Ronnie101 in reply to suzy1959]

Thanks, that's very helpful. I think I would have expected more from them. I would rather eliminate one thing at a time. I'm currently listening to "Autoimmune Fix" by Tom O'Bryan who's theme is the elimination of gluten - not just for celiacs. He demonstrated through a host of studies that it causes all sorts of problems. I'm still sceptical, but I'm giving it a go.He also recommends getting sensitivity tests for dairy and to eliminate sugar wherever possible.

I'm a bit of a fan of Dr Greger (nutritionfacts.org/) who recommends a whole plant based diet.

It's so difficult to do these things in isolation. I guess one of the benefits of consulting a nutritionist is to have an incentive to stick to the plan. So far none of my attampts seem to have abated the PMR/GCA symptoms.

As for losing weight, it seems the concensus of opiion here is to cut out carbs! Again, easier said than done! Good luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ronnie101]

I had gone gluten-free when my PMR was diagnosed. It made not the slightest difference. Now I am not gluten-free, just wheat-free as it is something in the structure of wheat starch that causes the problem, a rash.

I find cutting carbs quite easy - and do so.

[TooSore]

I saw a physiatrist on my journey to diagnosis. I think that's another named for functional medice. She seemed to be a cross between a neurologist and a orthopedic. Very thorough exam including reflexes, strength, range of motion, gait, followed by bloodwork. Next stop was the rheumatologist. It was the first doctor to look at the big picture. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I was unsure or unhappy with a diagnosis. She did not do the treatment herself though.

[sondya]

What I would call a GP - general practitioner. Entry-level diagnostics but hopefully smart enough to realise when special diagnostics (second opinions) are called for.