Posted 8/16/2008 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
DISCLAIMER: I've always been skeptical about medicine, diagnoses, and doctors, particularly with what I'd usually call "touchy-feely hippie" medicine. My aunt, however, practices alternative medicine both on herself and her animals in her practice, which led me to this experience. So if anything, I went into it with a cynical eye.
BACKGROUND: I was diagnosed with moderate Crohn's in June 2007, right before my 19th birthday. Initially put on Asacol, which made me worse, and endured Prednisone for a number of months. Went on Remicade for about 9 months until I developed a reaction. For the past few months I've been controlling all my symptoms with diet, rather successfully, while deciding if I should try Humira. Recently, I've begun questioning whether I have true Crohn's as I do not suffer from the typical Crohn's symptoms and the Crohn's-like symptoms I do have are a result of something else.
As I said above, my aunt knows a naturopath in her area who uses a BioMeridian (http://www.biomeridian.com/energetic-balancing.htm) Machine. The machine uses acupressure points to determine which organs are "stressed" or "weakened" as well as measure the presence of toxins and food allergies. From there, the naturopath prescribes a regiment of nutritional supplements, homeopathics, and herbals. Initially skeptical, my aunt did her own sort of experiment, sometimes taking the pills, sometimes not, and found that taking the pills did bring her levels back up on the machine, suggesting it is accurate. After years of many food intolerances and issues, my aunt can now eat almost anything.
MY EXPERIENCE: Before arriving at the office, I filled out a scantron sheet which outlined my symptoms and how often they occurred. When I arrived, the receptionist ran this through a machine which then printed out what my problem areas were, based on the symptoms. To my surprise, they listed Liver/Gallblader Dysfunction as my biggest issue, followed by Digestive, Sugar Handling, and Foundational (relates to Vitamin B complex) issues. Aside from annual blood work, which has always been very good, I've never been told I have a liver/gallbladder issue, but I also don't believe it has been checked out fully.
The naturopath then began using the machine--I held some sort of metal tube in one hand while she placed a pen-like tool on the acupressure points on my hands and feet. After she tested all the levels, the machine found that my most stressed area was...Liver/Gallbladder! This was followed by Digestive, Thyroid, and a few other areas. The naturopath then began explaining the connection between the liver/gallbladder and digestive issues--if my gallbladder is obstructed then the bile from the liver has nowhere to go, and ends up irritating the digestive tract. I am going to research this connection more.
She then tested me for bacteria, parasites, and other toxins. The machine showed I had yeast (I have suspected I have a systemic yeast infection, thanks to miguelblanco!) as well as a fairly common parasite that could have been picked up a number of places.
Finally was the food sensitivity test. As I said before, I've been controlling my Crohn's with diet and through trial-and-error have cut out foods that I don't respond well to. I did not list any of this on the sheets I submitted to the naturopath. The machine, however, found me sensitive to Wheat, Corn Syrup, Corn, Mushrooms, and a few other things, all of which I had cut out based on my own trial and error!
From here, she came up with a supplement plan and entered it into a computer. The computer tests this plan against my current levels to see if the regiment would be successful, and so the naturopath can fine tune the plan.
I left the medical center (her office is located in an actual medical center) with four bottles of nutritional supplements all made from whole foods, two vials of homeopathics for the yeast and bacteria, and another vial of herbal liquid for the parasite. No matter my medical path (alternative or traditional) I am going to maintain my current diet.
CONCLUSION: Honestly, I'm conflicted. None of the pills/liquids I have can hurt me, so it might worth it to try for a month on this plan and see how I feel. I was surprised with the accuracy (though it could also be coincidental I suppose) or the machine, mostly concerning my food allergies. Similarly, I am weary of going back on an immunosuppressant, though Remicade did make a huge difference.
I do want to be open with my GI doc, but I also am fairly sure he won't approve of this path. On the other hand, I probably can't get in to see him for at least a month anyway, so once again, maybe it's worth a try. So I've begun the pills and we'll see what happens. I will surely keep you updated with how this plan helps me.