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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ShelliR on November 13, 2002, at 19:40:16
in.
It's too early for me to say for sure, but this is the first time in over a year that I am not feeling horrible depression in my chest without taking opiates.
I started being treated by a homeopathic physician
(he's an MD). I had heard great things about him, and decided it could be nonsense, but I might as well give it a try. After a month of taking about 15 tiny pills and drops three times a day, the depression has lifted from my chest. Since I'm not one for getting placebo effects, I'm very very optimistic.I know you tried acupuncture and decided you'd better go back on meds. I actually think that was a good decision, since when I first started reading your posts, you were on meds and doing a lot better than a few weeks ago. But the good thing about this doc is, he doesn't tell you to go off regular ADs until you feel ready.
I'm not ready quite yet to endorse homeopothy, but I'll let you know how it goes. I know you would perfer not to be on an AD again at some point, and I remember that you are interested in alternative medicine. For me, no AD was working at all. I am also getting some acupuncture from him, but I think the remedies so far are what has helped.
Shelli
p.s., so far it cost me about $500. That includes a series of three tests he gives you over 6 months and the pills. My insurance paid for the visit because he's an MD. The pills are to balance your system and generally you only take them for a couple of months. Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't pay for acupuncture, but he's only charging me $40 a session, because he knows I'm not in great financial shape this year. (Most practioners in this area charge about $85)
Anyway, just thought you might be interested! You sounded much better in your last post (on spb) so I hope you're feeling better, on or off meds.
Posted by meow mary on November 13, 2002, at 22:12:37
In reply to Roo: Alternative medicine you might be interested, posted by ShelliR on November 13, 2002, at 19:40:16
Hi Shelli,
I can't recall for sure, but I thought I remembered you posting that you were currently using methadone (as an alternative to other opiates). If so, were you able to stop it easily before trying the homeopathy? Thanks, Mary
Posted by ROO on November 14, 2002, at 10:19:10
In reply to Re: Roo: Alternative medicine you might be interes, posted by meow mary on November 13, 2002, at 22:12:37
ShelliR--
How sweet of you to think of me. I am finally, and I
mean just within the last couple of weeks or so, just starting
to get stabilized after a long, hard 6 months or so. Probably
the worst 6 months of my life actually. I hope to revisit the alternative
scene one day, but now is definitely not the time. I will keep someone like
your doctor in mind when that time does come. So tell me more about this journey
of yours and what you've been up to with all this. How are you anyway? You can
either post here or on PSB...I'm really curious...
Thanks again for thinking of me...Roo
Posted by ShelliR on November 20, 2002, at 16:09:15
In reply to Re: Roo: Alternative medicine you might be interes, posted by meow mary on November 13, 2002, at 22:12:37
> Hi Shelli,
> I can't recall for sure, but I thought I remembered you posting that you were currently using methadone (as an alternative to other opiates). If so, were you able to stop it easily before trying the homeopathy? Thanks, MaryHi Mary,
I *was* on methadone when I started homeopathy. My doctor doesn't encourage you to go off any prescribed meds you're on until you've benefited from the treatment, and feel comfortable about it. He's clear that it won't interfere with the benefits of what he's doing.
I was an impulsive fool. After feeling better for less than two weeks, I started to decrease my methadone; just wanted to get off. That part was fine, but then I lost track and got off 80mg in less than four days. Because I had no desire to take it when my chest depression/pain was gone (no craving feelings), I just kind of forgot about it. Probably the half life was long enough that it took a couple of days after getting off of it to really feel the withdrawal effects.
I wanted to get off because of the horrible constipation it caused. I thought it was giving me stomach pain, but it turned out the pain was being caused by an ulcer I had developed. That cleared up after about five days of taking AcipHex.
After a horrible five days of withdrawal and horrible stomach pain from the ulcer, I decided to go back on the methadone, at least for now. The decision to go off was way too impulsive; I run a one person business (portraits) and it was crazy to take any chances of putting me out of commission so close to Christmas. As it was, I lost six days of work.
So I'm still doing the homeopathy, taking methadone and omega fatty acids. I'm decreasing the methadone very very slowly, and if it causes me too much discomfort, I'll wait to go lower until after Christmas.
Long answer, for such a short question!
Shelli
This is the end of the thread.
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