Naturopath, what is it and does it do any ... - PSP Association

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Naturopath, what is it and does it do any good?

Heady profile image
20 Replies

Hi, I have read about Naturopath in some body's blog. Never heard of it! Anybody any experience of it and what can they do for my husband? I am presuming it's not the magic wand I'm looking for, but a bit of magic dust will be perfectly acceptable!

Heady

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Heady profile image
Heady
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20 Replies
dorothy-thompson profile image
dorothy-thompson

Dear Heady

A Naturopath is a practioner in naturopathy which is a branch of alternative medicine.

Regards

Dorothy T

peterjones profile image
peterjones

hi heady well heady if it\ was the magic wand I would have tried it on myself years ago and even the magic dust that you spoke about because i was a magician a few years ago now \but if it had worked I would have been banging on everyone's door that had psp mate that's for sure

with my wand working overtime not so sure about the magic dust mate but we can bung that in with the coconut oil\ tumeric \\coq10 and all the other things we try and why not] its better than sitting back and whineging mate isn't it im sorry I cannot help y\ou about the naturopath but would be very interested in your replies take care petyer jones queensland Australia psp sufferer

Heady profile image
Heady in reply to peterjones

You never know Peter, some day, somebody might come up with the magic dust. Keep practising, we are all desperate for some!!!

Lots of love

Heady

jillannf6 profile image
jillannf6

hi heady

another good question

as Dorothy says a naturopath is a person who hands out alternative medicine like coq10/ turmeric /coconut oil etc etc

it is worth a try if u have hte cash to part with

lol jILl

:-)

nomansland profile image
nomansland

Heady 5 or 6 years ago we spent approx 60 to 90 dollars per visit for 65 visits to an accupuncture clinic as cure PSP had written of a possible benefit value,,then, many visits to a naturopath,then to an associate to this naturopath whose title I cannot recall ,what he did was pass his hands over Madeline,s head for 1 hour for 90 dollars,there was CQ 10 in mega doses,we then tried a company from Ottawa canada,,Immune systems management for a 6 month programme they preached success,at a cost of 6000 dollars,,we then worked on the possibility of lyme deiease for 2 years with antibiotics,that gave us some results as it likely cured some infections that were in the system but the government drove this Dr out of his practice,as you know,there is a terrible fear of antibiotics yet our meats etc are likely full of it,hope this may help,regards,Rollie

Heady profile image
Heady in reply to nomansland

Hi Rollie, what you basically saying it's a complete waste of time and money!!! I know I can't stop this disease, or put off the final day. What I would like to do, is give S a bit better quality of life! At the moment (touch wood) he is in a stable phase, recovered nicely from his cracked pubic bone and is in a fairly relaxed mood. But that has it's own problems, as he now wants to do more. Would like to for a walk, (or better still, rock climb!) it's so difficult to find places for him to walk in the countryside, by the time he is out of the car park, he is worn out and needs a "pee"!!! We use to do loads of hiking in mountains all around the world, all he wants is to get back into them. Walking around a Mall or garden centre , just doesn't cut it, but it's the only safe places to take him. Any suggestions????

Lots of love

Heady

jimandsharynp profile image
jimandsharynp in reply to Heady

Accepting limited mobility is always tough for all of us. However you must weigh the cost of another bad fall. Best to go where he is totally safe. IMHO. Jimbo

nomansland profile image
nomansland

Heady how advanced is your situation,remember in some cases the frontal lobe of the brain gets affected thus decision making can be off kilter ,in Madeline,s case this was one of the initial problems...this goes back to year 2000 or B4,weather all our trials were in vain one will never know but according to our nuro at the Montreal gnl hospital none of the items I listed previously counted for beans...if walking is still possible the beach was our best up to 4 years ago,if you want to tel me anytime let me know as I am a poor typist best regards,Rollie

quickgel profile image
quickgel

Hi Heady, one of the therapies available at the day hospice my wife attended was Reiki and when she was unable to go to the hospice the 'alternative therapists' came to her at home. The procedure was much as described by 'nomansland' and involved the therapist holding her hands above Margaret's head and body (not touching and incidentally, at no cost). Obviously it had no effect on the progress of PSP but Margaret said she felt calmer after the visit. Whether it was a placebo effect, or spending a quiet time with someone other than me or just having a different visitor I have no idea but anything that gave Margaret even slight and transient relief was good in my book. I'm not one for these 'act of faith' type cures but I wasn't the one with PSP.

Good luck in your hunt for that bit of 'magic dust'. Regards, Jerry.

SharonAB profile image
SharonAB

Dear Heady,

I tend to think of the services of a Naturopath as being along the lines of "What would my grandmother have done to help herself, friends and family? Given she had no contact with any of the General Practitioners and Specialists we have of today, and lived in a very remote location with minimum resources.

The hiking that you were so actively involved in, aided in far more than providing physically activity and now given the change in circumstances, have you tried other activities to assault the senses. Is a ride in a helicopter or light plane an option? Do you have a wildlife sanctuary or zoo you can visit - I can still recall asking for and being given the privilege to be part of some feeding activities that really made me feel alive!

Do you use hot and cold compresses, massages and herbal preparations to inhale and massage. I am very much into using different treatments on one part of the body to provide relief to another, Yes - all pretty much mind over matter quackery (and involves things like using fresh olive oil & leaves, steaming rosemary, bay leaves, eucalypti, tea tree, lemon, lime, sandalwood in carrier mediums like sweet almond oil, beeswax)

> NB My concoctions also bring on the laughs - A few months ago (again) another swarm of bees excitedly hovered around the home. Seems they also love my home brews...

Regards,

Alana - Western Australia

ultramodern profile image
ultramodern

Bonjour Heady, sorry to have to agree with those on the forum who say 'It's a waste of time and money. I finally lost count of the pendulum swingers, the layer of hands ,the healers,the special diets, the pin stickers,that tried to make my bride with PSP/CBD better. I'm quite sure that in certain cases these parallel medicine practitioners can actually cure .

But are utterly useless except as Jillian says it's nice to have different people than the carer spending time and trying at least. But at what price?

We found that the Physio and Speech Therapist were the most useful persons to have around . Of course along with the trained home help nurses to get Jo up in the morning, showering,dressing. Then at night putting her to bed.

I think it is far more useful and economical for the carer to be alleviated of these repetitive jobs than to pay for something that very unfortunately cant yet be mended.PSP/CBD.

But I don't want to sound pessimistic and all you folk who are taking whatever magic dust concoctions---carry on, you may well be onto something that Big Pharma has missed! Who knows?

On an upnote, some brilliant researchers are on to some very heartening stem cell testing which could be a real breakthrough into helping to cure some auto-immune diseases. Promising as a Magic Wand!

With you all in mind ,brian.

Hoagy profile image
Hoagy

I am currently using a naturopath, only seen him twice for visits and supplies I have $1700.00 invested so far. I have CBGD and life expectancy is 7 to 8 years from onset. I believe I am at about the 3 year mark. For me I been told maybe he can slow the progressive down or with some real luck maybe stop it. It will not reverse the damage done to my left side. I look at it from a point that money is useless if I am dead. Most people I talked to have good thinks to say about it. People i have talked to that we're all negative had never gone, maybe they could not afford it. It is expensive, I am prepared to sped $10,000 to see if it helps, if it does not show any sign of helping I will discontinue it. The problem with modern medicine is it deals with the situation at hand not the cause. I have had a feel friends who went thru with it . One with Lyme des ease she is almost back to normal. Another with prostate problems after 1 year he has no more prostrate issue. It's been known to help people with heart decease also. I won't knock it until I give it a fair chance. But as I said it is expensive.

laroux profile image
laroux

I truly believe naturopaths are an amazing part of the healthcare world. They are expensive, because our gov'ts don't recognize them as health practicioners. We saw a naturopath before Bob was diagnosed, and she helped us to rule out some rare diseases that the Doctor hadn't even taken into consideration. He was tested for lyme disease, and it cost $800.00 Canadian dollars...but, she had to ship the blood sample from Canada to California, USA to one of the few labs that does the testing. Other than that, I didn't find her costs outrageous, nothing was covered by medical insurance of course. We were referred to her by a friend of ours that has liver cancer. His oncologist gave him 8 months to live and said no treatments would help. The naturopath told him she can't cure the cancer but can prolong his life and give him some good quality of life. He is doing well, and it has been 4 yrs. BUT... with PSP, or many neuro-degenerative diseases, there are too many unknowns. I believe by the time there are symptoms the disease has already mapped out it's course. The doctors can't really do anything for this disease, so a naturopth doctor has nothing to go on either. If they had something to slow down, make better or to cure, a naturopath would be able to find alternative, more natural ways, but until then... It is what it is.

joan

Vanillasky profile image
Vanillasky

Yes naturopaths work well for people with PSP. My mom had added about 5-6 years to her life thanks to biological/organic foods and natural medicines. We use both together because they work on different levels. Contact me personally if you desire additional information. BUT my recommendation would be to stop counting your investment in terms of dollars and try to reap the benefits in terms of life living days. FYI I have added 5 years to my mom's life with quality of life benefits so trust the people you work with and the universe.

God Bless. Vanillasky

Vanillasky profile image
Vanillasky

I hope you receive my reply :)

Heady profile image
Heady

Hi all! Thank you for your replies. I agree with everything you all have said. I do believe in alternative medicines and may look into this. Thankfully, money is not a problem and I definitely agree with Vanilasky, that if you have got money, then spend on your health. No way should it be left in the bank at times like this. Of course, with knowledge that it will benefit you. At the moment we are spending ours on travelling to our house in South Africa. The extra sunlight and warmth, than we get in jolly old Blighty, is doing S a power of good. Unfortunately, we have to travel home tomorrow! While here, we have been going to an extremely good physio. She has done wonders for his stiffness. Is walking and moving a lot better.

Love to you all

Heady

wifemo profile image
wifemo

Hi Heady -

Reiki - as mentioned by quickgel - Tony had one session, which certainly seemed to calm him down. As he was a great sceptic, I was surprised how well it worked. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have another session, so we will never know if it was coincidence or really worked.

Try anything (for free) once?

Mo

Heady profile image
Heady

Hi Mo,

I think I will try the Reiki. If S doesn't get on with, I'm sure it will do me some good. I have heard it's very good for relaxing people. Not that S needs relaxing (I do!!!) the opposite really, but anything that gets the blood flowing must be good!

Lots of love

Heady

Hoagy profile image
Hoagy

Hello it was me who left a post about seeing a naturopath. I stated in march of this year and I gave it six months as i agreed to with my wife Linda. The results were I lost 50 pounds and was almost completely of my diabetic medicine, the unfortunate thing is my CBGD progression got worst and I had spent approximately $8,000.00 What I have don't now is stopped the naturopath treatment and have just carried on with my great Neurologist in Toronto Ontario Canada. I have had Botox injections in both my legs, the right foot is very controllable now, the left I can control a little but it is an improvement an d I will be getting some more in January. My levodopa has been increased to 375mg 3 times a day has help a little with the tremor in m y right hand. I have also started Donepezil (Aricept) for my confusion which has helped. I no longer find myself in a store for exam[le and wondering where the heck I am. My wife has bought me a lift recliner and also a stair lift. I have come to terms with my problem and have decided to do as much as I can while I still can. I live for today and will worry about tomorrow , tomorrow. The only long term I am planning is Myrtle Beach this coming March and a family vacation in Florida the end of April with my wife and children and grandchildren and our lovely niece 15 in all. I rented a 8 bedroom house about 15 minutes from Disney. This will be the last family vacation for me. I just hope my health holds. The one thing I have learned in the last few years is stop worrying about dying and just live life to the fullest as you can.

Heady profile image
Heady

Hi Hoagy, lovely to hear from you again. I don't suppose anything out there is the magic wand! But at least you lost some weight and got one problem under control. Shame is wasn't the big one!

Your holiday sounds brilliant, apart from the bit about being your last family vacation! I know we are meant to live every day as if it's our last, so yes, treat this trip as if its your last, but please, PLEASE don't believe that. OK, it might be, the cost, kids growing up, getting everyone together etc. etc., but NOT because of your health!!! The last thing this blasted disease needs to know is that's its won! You have to fight it everyday. I know as each day goes by, planning things in the future, has to stop, only think of a couple of months ahead, but you can still think ahead.

So have a wonderful time in Myrtle Beach with your family and plan for the next one!!!!

Lots of love

Heady

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