NHS prescribing.

[MissGrace]

A friend has just contacted me to say she’s been prescribed 10 sessions of Tai Chi paid for by the NHS. WTF? That’s Tai Chi, not T3. She’s had sciatica and I love her dearly and don’t want to see her in any pain, but even she was laughing. Especially as she could easily afford to pay for the sessions herself. I’m sure Tai Chi is very nice and may help some - but the NHS website says this...

‘While there's scope for more rigorous research on tai chi's health benefits, studies have shown that it can help people aged 65 and over to reduce stress, improve posture, balance and general mobility, and increase muscle strength in the legs.

Can tai chi help to prevent falls?

Some research suggests tai chi can reduce the risk of falls among older adults who are at increased risk. However, more research is needed.’

More research needed eh? The modal verb ‘can’ makes more than one appearance - maybe, perhaps, might help then? Seems to me they are talking out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to T3 and it’s ‘possible’ benefits. I can only conclude Tai Chi must be cheaper...

I’m not suggesting Tai Chi shouldn’t be prescribed if it may help someone feel well, I don’t want anyone suffering, (though it may be questioned in a time of cutbacks), just that the double-standard in comparison to T3, the studies and benefits, screamed at me!

[jimh111]

It is double standards, most T3 research seems designed to give a negative result and the NHS can't be bothered to challenge the price. Tai Chi drives me nuts, I get bored with it, but it is very effective. My mother in law did Tai Chi and was fully mobile into her mid-90s.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to jimh111]

My aunt did it (often outdoors) until she was 95 - very effective for many things (but probably not for the thyroid!)

[Nanaedake]

I take your point about double standards but in the Far East it keep older people mobile and is effective. It's recommended to help prevent falls with osteoporosis and may even help prevent osteoporosis if practised regularly. I wouldn't mind a prescription!

[shaws in reply to Nanaedake]

Despite good research showing the benefit of T3 added to T4, or T3 only, why do the BTA etc, refuse to recognise that many researchers have proven without doubt that levo doesn't suit some people and they would recover with T3 added to T4 or T3 only but are denied and continue with ill-health.

Will the NHS prescribe Tai Chi for us hypothyroid patients too, I wonder.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to shaws]

I agree, I’ve just gone back and read the OP again and am left wondering why they are prepared to use TaiChi which they say needs more research when as you say it has been proven that some patients need T3 to make them well. Bizarre!

[shaws in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

As 'power' or even the feeling of 'power' seems to enable those who believe they are the untouchables because they may have a paper qualification and that patients must 'bend' to their knowledge.

How is it that Dr Peatfield and Dr Skinner and other doctors who may well have been struck off for not following the 'rules' we (the patients) are forced to follow the 'modern-day disaster' of ignoring symptoms first and foremost. Dr Skinner would not accept the 'organisations' guidelines as they were making patients very unwell, either being under-dosed or not prescribed.

Doctors who did as they were trained were then pursued for not following "the Association's 'guidelines".

'Guide' means to lead us to safety. The two doctors pursued who did as they were trained and patients consulting with them because the 'modern method' of TSH up to 10 before being diagnosed and only prescribing T4 (levothyroxine) were not improving their condition. The Associations are not 'listening or paying attention' to the patients. Those people who seem to do o.k. on levo will not be searching the internet to find out why they are still symptomatic.

How many doctors in this world would have 10,000 testimonials sent to the overall Association stating the doctor 'saved their lives'.

Is there any doctor in the whole wide-world who've had 10,000 testimonials sent to their overall Association (GMC in UK) by grateful patients who stated their 'lives' he saved?

On this forum we know that many have recovered through getting NDT which used to be freely pescribed. How is it that the BTA etc - despite making False Statements about a replacement hormone used since 1892 which made many well again with no need for blood tests but the skill of the doctors trained in symptom never did respond to Dr Lowe's three requests for an answer to his Rebuttal before his death - that tells us a lot about them. Many on this forum have had to resort to sourcing their own hormones which isn't preferable but they have to choose between remaining symptomatic or relieving them.

Dr P and Dr S saw patients at their most vulnerable and what a joy/relief these patients would have felt with their recovered health.

First NDT was withdrawn and then T3 without warning and causing immense worry for the patients. NHS patients forced to source their own some of whom may not have the wherewithal to do so.

Endocrinologists who themselves don't have hypothyroidism work to a 'theory' which isn't proven to relieve every hypo patient and in fact cause more symptoms and illhealth (I am one) but recovered with T3. Also if all the 'extras' to try to control symptoms were added in, it would probably be nearer the cost of T3 (before the incredulous hike in cost).

[MissGrace in reply to shaws]

Wonderfully put and clearly heartfelt. It’s so true. 🤸🏿‍♀️

[elwins]

I do Tai Chi and one of the ladies who does it says she has less falls because of the Tai Chi but she pays for the classes herself.

[Hidden]

This is madness ( the prescribing of course) what a waste of NHS money. I have been doing this practice for years and Yoga for over 40 years. If your friend has a back problem a good chiropractor should be able to help and give her the exercises to do.

Tai Chi or Qi Gong can be found for free on goggle youtube it does help, of course with balance and breathing I do some everyday when I wake up.

It's actually a martial art.

[Babette]

I practiced tai chi for a few years and it definitely strengthens muscles and improves balance.

I think tai chi v T3 is a red herring. The NHS needs to challenge the cost of T3 and other overpriced medications so they can be available to everyone.

[MissGrace in reply to Babette]

I don’t see it as one or the other. I see it as the justification for Tai Chi should also be equally used for T3. 🤸🏿‍♀️

[Fruitandnutcase]

Tai chi - T3 - it’s not funny but it did make me laugh. I’ve got a vision of doctors sending all their patients for Tai chi because it’s cheaper than T3 and sounds the same.

Tai chi is supposed to be very good for back problems but it did nothing for me. We used to do sitting down exercises before we started ‘ parting the wild horses mane’. Well I used to get sciatica before we started the wild horse movements and next morning I used the get off my bed on my hands and knees.

I gather it is very good exercise for all sorts of things including back problems but it just wasn’t the best exercise for me - think the movements weren’t best for my hips - which was a shame - I love seeing people doing it, I’ve seen it in parks in Paris and I’ve seen people doing it as I’ve passed by on the train. I’m wondering if now I should try again with a different teacher - years of doing Pilates has totally improved my back.