Finding a homeopathic Dr.

Hi! I see that Patti talks about April alot and how much she has helped. I would LOVE to talk to April about my son's ITP! I don't want to give him anymore treatments....too much like chemotherapy is my opinion. He is seeing a chiropractor, does vit.D suppliments, and I have "tweeked" his diet some. Have had a small amout of success,but still have low counts and bruising. April, if you see this, PLEASE contact me! I will look here everyday! And Patti, if possible could you tell me how to get ahold of April? Thank you

I'd be wary:

Homeopathy won't harm your child, because it basically contains nothing. Make sure anything you read or hear about any treatment, pro or con, "conventional" or not, is backed up by sound, reliable, repeatable and scientifically proven methods that make common sense.

here's a start:

Pro:
www.pdsa.org/treatments/complementary/homeopathy.html

Con:
altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/Default.htm

ffly530, you told us this about your son:
<<< don't know how low he would get w/out WinRho. He was down to 14 and 15 both times before the treatments. His Dr. hasn't even mentioned a "wait and see" as an option. So as soon as he gets below 20, they do a tretment. He gets headaches and tired, but has trouble falling asleep (does that make sence?)Yesterday he was at 42 and has had briusing on his legs and forearms since he was at 105...getting darker now. And his gums started bleeding while brushing his teeth yesterday.>>

Do you think maybe you should work with your doctor before deciding to withhold medical treatment from your son? Platelets in the teens are pretty serious business and children are active people - does your son wear a motorcycle helmet all the time? What if he has a head bump at those low counts?
Erica

April, you are SOOOOOOOOOO much nicer then I am at 1:00am. Thank you.

Hi Fly,

It's me, April! Just saw this. To contact anyone on the forum, simply click on their username and go to their profile. Then, at the top of the page click on Messages, then Send Email. Pretty simple. You can reach me this way.

A little history on me: I’m the mom of six kids, and my daughter was diagnosed with ITP when she was 12 (she’s now 19). You can read her story, and also quite a bit about homeopathy on this thread from the old forum: discuss.pdsa.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23985

As you can see, she went from 11k to 411k in only four days, as well as doing a 360 degree turn around in her behavior and resolving some longstanding physical problems. That’s really the beauty of homeopathy, as we don’t treat a specific disease. Instead, the entire state of the person is looked at and addressed, and you will likewise see changes on multiple levels, not only the platelet count.

It’s oft repeated on this site that no two ITP patients are alike, and will each respond differently to various treatments…very true…and exactly the idea behind homeopathy. Homeopaths actively look to understand the characteristic symptoms of each patient. We have literally thousands of remedies to choose from, rather than being limited to only 10 or so, like conventional medicine. Of course, this way of treating does require much more time and attention. An average initial appointment lasts 2-3 hours with the patient, and may involve much more time in the analysis. Another big plus for homeopathy is it’s safety, and that there are no side effects, if used according to homeopathic principles. Homeopathy has been used for over 200 years, in nearly every country. If you are even a little bit industrious, you can find a number of well done studies that confirm that it works. On a personal level, I have absolutely seen it work, swiftly and completely, in even very serious situations, that I have no qualms whatsoever in relying on it for my own family’s primary healthcare.

Just to clarify, I am NOT a medical doctor, but a professional Homeopathic practitioner. (There are very few doctors in the US who practice homeopathy, though in many countries, the majority of homeopaths are MDs, as well.) Homeopaths are not a licensed profession in nearly all states, though many of us are certified and have passed very difficult board exams and educational and clinical requirements. It’s best to do your homework and find out the extent of any homeopath’s education and experience, as it can vary greatly, and can make a huge difference in your experience and results. Please don’t confuse homeopathy with naturopathy. It is NOT about supplements, vitamins, herbs, juicing or special diets. It is a form of medicine that can be used as a compliment to other modalities, but stands alone on it’s own merits. Nothing else is required.

I do not diagnose or recommend that patients discontinue their current medications, as homeopathy is complimentary to the healing arts. I would say that most who have sought me out have already tried numerous treatments, which, if they were working, I guess they wouldn’t be looking elsewhere for answers, would they? Anyone who chooses to work with me, MUST continue to work with their hematologist, must continue to monitor their counts. I do not replace their doctor. I simply treat their state, and, if I’m accurate, the remedy can stimulate their body to heal itself. It’s really quite beautiful and simple. It does not involve expensive supplements or strict dietary changes. How homeopathy works is still somewhat of a mystery. THAT it works, I see evidence of it daily, as do other homeopaths and patients across the world.

Each patient or parent of a child with ITP, is the one who has the ultimate say so in their treatment. I believe it SHOULD be a fully informed decision, but from my own experience, and from talking to other parents, I find that rarely are you made fully aware of the possible complications ahead of time. The initial decisions are generally made in a state of fear and shock and unknowing. I think it really important that you trust your motherly instincts when something doesn’t seem right. Always, you must weigh the risks vs benefit. To imply that a parent who chooses ‘watch and wait’ or chooses to try a more natural approach is “withholding treatment” is quite unfair, IMO, not to mention, insulting. I have to believe that any parent on here has the best interests of their child in mind. I’m pretty sure that she cares more about the well-being of her child than you do, or even her doctor. To stand by helplessly and watch your child suffer through the awful side effects of many of these treatments is simply not acceptable to many of us parents. Especially if there is no long term improvement, as is very often the case, who's to say that they just need to suck it up and suffer through it ‘for their own good’? Besides the reality that quite often, there is no treatment that seems to bring the #s out of the teens, anyway. There are no guarantees that treatment=safe counts. Oh, if it were only so easy!

Actually, despite the very negative attitude towards homeopathy on this site, I’ve found that most doctors are open to patients giving homeopathy a try, especially when other treatments are not proving very successful, and/or parents are reluctant to offer up their children as medical guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical companies. Frankly, I think many doctors feel helpless and frustrated with patients who don’t respond well to treatment, especially with their youngest patients. Many seem to welcome a different approach, and I’ve found very few that have not given approval. I prefer that anyone I work with, should let their doctor know that they’re trying homeopathy. Most doctors seem somewhat interested, and will monitor the patient to make sure they stay safe. Never underestimate your doctor. More and more hospitals are taking an integrative approach. It's up to patients to let them know that you're interested in that.

There are many, many, many children on this site that have lived with < 20 counts for long periods of time, and been just fine. Of course precautions need to be taken to try and limit any injuries. With my own daughter, she got the dreaded head injury the very first week after diagnosis. You can read about it in her story, but, frankly, the medical system fell far short in nearly every way, in dealing with it. I dread to think what may have happened if I hadn’t used my $5 vial of homeopathic Arnica (not herbal!). It is an excellent remedy to have on hand for anyone in the case of head bonks, bleeding or bruises caused from blunt injuries or trauma. It can very quickly stop the bleeding, swelling, pain, as well as address any physical shock. It’s not difficult to learn how to use some basic first-aid remedies to have on hand. Seeing one work within seconds to minutes will change many people’s minds, even those that are convinced there’s nothing in them! These are not a substitute for finding a constitutional homeopathic remedy that can address the underlying cause of the ITP, but, nonetheless, at times they can be real life savers.

I initially came on this site at my daughter’s request, when she had met a young girl close to her age that had been through the wringer with all kinds of treatments, and was really suffering. It was kind of cute to hear her trying to explain to this girl how homeopathy works, and telling her quite confidently that, “I know my mom can cure you!”. She insisted that I give this girl my card. I never did hear from her, but my daughter was insistent that I should tell other parents about this option, as she really, really, really hated the way she felt on these other treatments that nearly killed her. I know there will always be those who for whatever reasons, are adamantly opposed to anything to do with homeopathy. But, I have seen very promising results with it in regards to ITP, and suggest keeping an open mind.

April

Here is an interesting site homeopathyusa.org/home.html
Go there and at the top of the page you will find:
FIND A LICENSED HOMEOPATHIC PRACTITIONER: CHOOSE STATE
Click on Chose State
And then read more of the site besides that section.

April Patti has mentioned that you have helped [cured?] many patients on this site - if they are not near where you live how do you help/cure them? What is your fee for those in and out of state?

You did mention "that there are no side effects, if used according to homeopathic principles" - a wise old doctor told me years ago nothing is non-toxic to everyone and that I believe.

Honestly I am not against homeopathy or anything really [well except one thing someone said cured her, something she drank, but that was before you came here] - what a person does is up to them. I will question however, just as I question any medication.

Erica - First of all, this is the forum for NATURAL treatment methods. And I feel as if you are questioning my parenting abilities! You do not know me. My son goes to his pediatrician regularly,gets his platelets checked every other week, and we talk to his oncologist every other week. NO. he does not wear a helmet....I don't let him ride his bike!!! Contrary to what you must think of me, all of my friends think I am a very over protective mother! I am doing what ANY concerned parent does...looking for ways to help my child.

Hi Melinda,

You asked:

April Patti has mentioned that you have helped [cured?] many patients on this site - if they are not near where you live how do you help/cure them? What is your fee for those in and out of state?

The majority of the people I’ve helped with ITP (and many have come to me from other sources, not just PDSA, quite a few are from word of mouth), do not live close enough to me to visit me in person. I was rather reluctant at first to try and take a phone case, but it seems to have worked out okay in most cases. I just had to learn to really focus my listening skills, to listen closely when there is more energy or emotion in the voice, or a sudden catch, where you can hear they’re holding back the tears. I guess it’s kind of like a blind person, where they develop their other senses more acutely.

I also have the patient fill out a very detailed and extensive Medical History form that I review closely, prior to our appointment. If they can send a few photos or video, too, that is really helpful. For kids, I find for most, it is difficult to get them to want to say too much to some total stranger on the phone. So, I really depend on the parent to be my eyes and ears and give me a very detailed picture of their child, their general nature and personality, anything that has changed significantly, their likes and dislikes, their food desires and aversions, their sleep, dreams, fears or anxieties, any behavioral issues, vaccination history, their entire medical history, the mother’s state during pregnancy, the birth and early infancy, how and what they like to play, in what areas is there disharmony or imbalance? The trick is to understand, What is it that really needs to be cured in this person? How does the ITP impact them? For each person, it will be different, and with all this information, a pattern begins to develop. It’s like putting together the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle—at some point, I’ll begin to see a recognizable picture, and I’ll match that with a remedy that has a similar pattern.

Any spontaneous art or writings can also be helpful in understanding the state of the patient. Even if I don’t speak with the child, I try and listen whenever I hear them in the background, as it gives a lot of clues-their voice can be dictatorial, impulsive, dramatic, timid, whiny, irritating, sullen, friendly, abrupt, complaining, etc. I like parents to tell me the exact wording that their child says, especially when they’re angry or stressed or upset. Unusual phrasing or expressions can offer some very helpful clues.

My fee is the same, whether I see the patient in person, or over the phone. Working by phone usually requires more of my time, and is somewhat more challenging for me. I also need to allow for more phone and email communications, as it is infinitely easier and quicker to converse in person. Those that have done the best with homeopathy are the ones who have given me frequent updates and feedback. If a case is not progressing or a remedy doesn’t seem to be working, I need to know. Don’t just assume that homeopathy doesn’t work. Sometimes I may need to just tweak the potency or dosage, or perhaps a different remedy is needed. I’ve found that any of the immune-suppressing drugs will significantly slow down the body’s healing mechanism. I do have ways that can help lessen that damage, but, still, the longer you’ve used something like Prednisone, the longer it will take for your body to overcome it.


Be aware that homeopathic MDs generally charge 3 to 4 times more than a homeopath who is not an MD. That is mostly because of the outrageous amounts of malpractice insurance that all doctors are required to carry.(Most of the homeopaths listed on the site you posted are MDs or other types of licensed professionals, such as chiropractors, osteopaths or acupuncturists. Homeopaths are licensed in only 3 states: Arizona, Connecticut and Nevada. You can read more about the legal requirements, here:
www.similima.com/homeopathyeducation/edu67.html )
I might also add that already licensed professionals may only have a relatively small number of educational and clinical hours, as very often, they study homeopathy only as a continuing education course. Some of the best homeopaths I know are neither MDs, nor certified, but they've been in practice for 2 or 3 decades, and have a much broader understanding of homeopathy.


But,some health insurances may pay for a homeopathic consult, if done by an MD, so that is another thing to consider.

April

Thank you April, I appreciate your reply. Also I wasn't sure if someone had to be seen or if this could be done long distance.

Melinda

You're welcome, Melinda. You'd have to check with whatever homeopath you chose to work with. Some will only see patients in person, but many only require this for the initial visit, and will do follow ups by phone. Others work almost exclusively through phone or email consults. Skype and similar are effectively used by many. I'd say the ideal is to be seen in person, but that's just not always possible. I know of many who have done quite well with phone consults. I think it's good to be flexible when necessary.

April

You're welcome, Melinda. You'd have to check with whatever homeopath you chose to work with. Some will only see patients in person, but many only require this for the initial visit, and will do follow ups by phone. Others work almost exclusively through phone or email consults. Skype and similar are effectively used by many. I'd say the ideal is to be seen in person, but that's just not always possible. I know of many who have done quite well with phone consults. I think it's good to be flexible when necessary.

April

April,

I've sent you a message. I'd be very interested to talk more with you.