Alternative approach

11:54:13 ‹silcher@montana› Hi, I have had ITP for about 8 years. I have my spleen and have for the most part been on Win Rho to maintain my platelets. It has worked well till now. I am having severe reactions to it. I don't want to go on steroids, Rituxan doesen't work for me. Has anyone with similar case had any luck with acupuncture?

No, but I'm sorta "interested" in acupuncture also so I'll tag this topic if you don't mind. I've used acupuncture once, years ago, for a muscular problem and it worked amazingly well when P/T failed - a little (maybe a lot) cynical about needles with ITP but that's my hangup.

We used acupuncture for my MIL's blood disease years ago and it worked well for a bit. We are a natural oriented family so we do lots of natural stuff right now for our DS. It takes longer to heal things naturally, but I've seen it work pretty well in our home. The hard part is most people (me included) want a quick fix. ITP is autoimmune. So to fix it, you have to fix the immune system. Acupuncture will work on both the immune system and platelets. It would be the best if you can find a traditional chinese medicine doctor to do acupuncture. We were fortunate enough to have one who happened to be one of the best hemo/oncs in china at one time. But I think they might be hard to come by. As far as is it worth it - I think it's worth it for sure. But don't expect overnight miracles. You need to give it some months. Reminding yourself the whole time that natural healing takes much longer. Also, platelets are the hardest part of the blood system to fix. Reds and whites are much easier to fix. So give it time if you decide to do it. Also, if you're not feeding your body what it need to heal, then don't waste your money. A crappy diet will not allow for healing no matter how much you do otherwise. It takes working on the whole body.

No problem tag it. We all need as much info as we can get. I too am skeptical, but we will see the response. I know one woman that had ITP for 4 years, used chinese herbs and acupunture. She has been in remission for years now, never know.

Best of luck to you

I agree with the diet concerns. I do not know what they want for diet, but mine in general is quite good. Little to no processed food, fresh veggies etc., never smoked, little to no alchohal (wine with dinner about once a week). Would you mind giving me the information on who you went to (location, phone no., name) so I can consult with them and see if they have a referral in my area or even close?

Thanks so much. Best to you and your health

We used Dr. Menge Kou in Portland, OR. I have serious doubts he would know someone outside the Portland area. He speaks very little English. But you never know!! www.ncnm.edu/ is the website for the school he taught/teaches at once in awhile. Somewhere on the site is a place where you can check for a practioner in your area. What you're looking for is someone who practices traditional chinese medicine. If you want natural medicine without acupuncture, you can also try indian medicine. We are doing that now with our DS.

Sorry for my ignorance, I don't know what a DS is. Does Dr. Kou see people or just teach now? I can go to Portland, not out of reach. I live in MT, a practioner in my area is unlikely, but I will certainly look. Thank you so very much for your help. Is your ITP in remission? I pray it is and good health to you.

patti wrote:

It would be the best if you can find a traditional chinese medicine doctor to do acupuncture.

Why?

Acupuncture points are acupuncture points are they not? So someone well trained in acupuncture knows the same points as a traditional chinese medicine doctor. I would think the important thing is to make sure of your acupuncturists credentials.

silcher@montana.com wrote:

Sorry for my ignorance, I don't know what a DS is. Does Dr. Kou see people or just teach now? I can go to Portland, not out of reach. I live in MT, a practioner in my area is unlikely, but I will certainly look. Thank you so very much for your help. Is your ITP in remission? I pray it is and good health to you.

Sorry. DS=dear son

My last time with Dr. Kou (he was treating a family member) he was in private practice as well as still teaching at the college. That was 3yrs ago so not sure where he's at now. I just found his business card for you.

Mengke Kou L.Ac
725 NE 102nd Ave. Suite A
Portland, OR 97220

(503) 261-9603

He and his wife (his receptionist)speak terrible English so be willing to be patient. I do not know if he's moved in the last 3yrs. I know of one other person he treated in person that was from Michigan and then treated with chinese herbs long distance after that.

hope this helps you

patti

Melinda wrote:

patti wrote:

It would be the best if you can find a traditional chinese medicine doctor to do acupuncture.

Why?

Acupuncture points are acupuncture points are they not? So someone well trained in acupuncture knows the same points as a traditional chinese medicine doctor. I would think the important thing is to make sure of your acupuncturists credentials.

Yes on the acupuncture points. I have used both. Someone who was trained to do acupuncture and then someone who was a chinese traditionalist. It's difficult to explain. Chinese medicine doctors have an intuitiveness about them. They will rarely just do acupuncture to a treat a person. They almost always use herbs as well. If one wants just acupuncture then it probably doesn't matter. Although there are those that aren't good at it for sure! I had one of those treat me. Yikes! For straight acupuncture getting references from people they've treated is important. Just like a good MD, not all natural practioners are good (we have been there/done that). If one wants a combination acupuncture/herbs then a traditional chinese medicine doctor is better.

hth

patti