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Naturopath in Boston? Need recs!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/20/2012 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter has now failed every drug up to and including 6MP and Remicade, and we are getting the full court press to have surgery. However her quality of life is still pretty good (she has no pain) and she, and her dad and I, are against it for now. There are so many things we haven't tried and her current doc is very mainstream. Does anyone have any recs for naturopaths, herbalists, etc. in the Boston area, and/or--in a perfect world!--an MD open to complementary medicine? We're open to acupuncture/TCM too. Thank you so much!
Posted 8/20/2012 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried the Marino Center in Cambridge and Wellesley?
Posted 8/20/2012 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Here you go. naturopathic.org/AF_MemberDirectory.asp?version=2.

I searched under Digestive Disorders & Boston MA for doctors and there were at least five results on my count! Good luck to you and your daughter.
Posted 8/20/2012 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry to hear about this situation.

I am also from Boston but seek the internet as my naturopath. I am currently on the SCD diet it its working great.

They are in NY but if I get sick again I am going to them
http://www.weillcornell.org/ibdcenter/index.html

Naturopaths seem to go about "the proper" way for treating IBD.

1. Rest the colon
2. Supply probiotics
3. Find a diet that works for you and you stay on it. (Usually have a form of the SCD diet)

Unless the naturopath suggests a diet, common treatments like "chinese herbs" or "acupuncture" or "aloe vera gel" may help some issues but aren't what you are looking for. Finding a diet that works for your daughter is what you need to do for your daughter.

Order Breaking the Vicious Cycle from amazon.com. The diet was actually developed for a 9 year older who had "uncurable" ulcerative colitis. Her mother Elaine, Gottschall went on a journey to find out what foods manipulate your gut bacteria... Well I don't want to spoil the book for you, so I suggest you get it.

www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info go read that now and see what you think.

Also, try to find a naturopath who supports the SCD or GAPS diet (moderation of SCD) and stick with them .Your child will get better I promise.
Posted 8/20/2012 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Nice finding stereo...

And in addition to my last post, I am not saying thats all they do! Just stereofidelics naturopath search tool I found one in Lexington and Methuen that both say they treat UC. One of the awesome things about naturopath's is that they love running tests... So she'll get tested for candida and all types of intollerances... I know stereo's visit to the naturopath he got a bunch of adrenal screenings and stuff.

Hopefully they all come back negative and she only has UC but who knows!

Please let us know how you fare!
Posted 8/20/2012 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Just my two cents: What can a naturopath do for you that you can't find on the internet? The naturopaths are just as much in the dark as the doctors are. It's like fixing a used car, try this, try that, keep on trying different things until you find something that works. If some Naturopath had the cure we would all know about it. They can't do anything more than try this, try that, and you can do that on your own - without them. Some of them are just plain crooks. I agree that you should keep fighting against the surgery until you try some knew things first. This is just one of those diseases where you can't rely on anyone but yourself, and this includes both doctors and naturopaths. Unfortunately, everyone has to find their own way.
Posted 8/20/2012 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, everyone, for all these replies!

I had done one search but felt like I was mostly finding reiki and massage therapists. Not that I don't like a good massage. Anyway thank you for helping with that.

I have to say that my dream is to get a personal rec of someone wise--bc I feel so overwhelmed with info right now and wading through all these different people will be strenuous. But will start with what y'all have found. Thank you stereo and sean.

Gary, I totally agree, but as I said I am starting to get exhausted from reading about options. And I also have a job and two other kids. In theory, this could be someone else's job, to be up on all the cutting-edge ideas--although I know I will have to stay vigilant and be my daughter's advocate.

Mindoverbutter--I do have that book--I ordered it right after she was dx, but we haven't tried it. She adores bread, ice cream, chocolate, all stuff she'd have to give up. I read about people for whom it's worked and then lots for whom it hasn't. If it were me I would give it a try, but she's not on board yet and I understand. She is game for a lot of things and a real trooper, and taking away more things she loves will have to be her choice. Trying to keep her stress down is one of my goals! I know we will have to address diet and we will get there bit by bit. Of course when she was dx one of the FIRST things the doc said was, "Diet has nothing to do with this," which made no sense to either of us, but with so much going on (and, as I mentioned, an entire family to feed) I did not push the diet aspect.

Keep those recommendations coming please please!
Posted 8/20/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I know it is overwhelming. I think that's one reason the doctors just go by the book and don't even try to be doctors. They know they have am impossible task and their patients are looking up to them for answers and they know they don't really have any - other than treating us like used cars until they finally find something that works (but usually doesn't cure). I had a previous autoimmune disease. I looked up to the doctors in the beginning until I realized that they really don't know anything. I began searching on my own and after 9 years I finally found something that has put me into remission for over a decade. It would have never happened if I hadn't done it on my own. Now, two years ago I came down with my second autoimmune disease (UC) and am trying to figure it out for myself. I am 100% certain that my UC is caused by the Epstein Barr Virus residing "dormant" in my colon. The problem is there is no known way to irradicate the EBV from your body. I went to the doctors and they put me on the same basic path that everyone else is, trying to work on controlling the symptoms because there is no known cure (I include surgery in this as it is not really a cure - it just makes your case a whole lot more tolerable and can often give you your life back - but it is not really a cure). I recently had to slap myself for agreeing to go down the path that doctors led me on. I am now on a new path - looking at natural and prescription antivirals in an attempt to treat the cause of my disease instead of just the symptoms.
Posted 8/20/2012 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
See, I've never experienced the typical 'scam' naturopathic doctor. If someone has an ND, that means they had to attend and complete medical school just like an MD, but their focus is a little different.

I experienced something similar to what you are referring to Gary, where one of the first doctors I approached about my symptoms (prior to UC) happened to be a licensed acupuncture physician (AP). alternativehealthclinicmb.com/custom_content/c_97122_dr_suzanne_swearengen.html. Here is her page. She didnt go to medical school, she went to school to become certified as an acupuncturist. But when I saw her, she was very typical of what a doctor would be. Sat down with me, went over diet + supplement protocols, etc. At one point I decided my symptoms were getting out of control, and I was spending so much money on plant supplements and acupuncture that I had to move on. And thats when I had my colonoscopy.

I was 21 years old last year, living in Myrtle Beach, very unfamiliar with what a certified ND would actually be, and I assumed.

So it's a lesson to me, and maybe others to always make sure that the naturopathic doctor you are seeing is infact an accredited ND or MD who studied naturopathic medicine.

Medical doctors are taught to treat with western medicine. Naturopathic doctors study eastern and western medicine, but treat with means of supplements + diet adjustment and get to the root of the problem, so to treat you better.

You will know if you have a naturopathic doctor. They would never recommend acupuncture for UC.
Posted 8/21/2012 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Gary--yes, I think it's hard for docs to admit they don't have the answers, even when it is obvious they don't. My daughter's first doc (who was more of a researcher) freely admitted it and I liked that. Her current doc (first one moved away) really thinks surgery is a cure.

Stereo--sounds like you had a bad experience--she should have realized she was out of her depth. However wanted to mention that in fact acupuncture (and traditional Chinese medicine) have really helped some people, and helped my daughter at the beginning of her disease. I really wish we could still see that doctor (who had practiced for years in China and then came to the US to get a PhD in microbiology, so she understands the Western perspective too). She's just too far away however. I wish I could clone her. She was very wise.
Posted 8/21/2012 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

bearmama said...


I have to say that my dream is to get a personal rec of someone wise--bc I feel so overwhelmed with info right now and wading through all these different people will be strenuous.

Hey bearmama, here you go!!!
http://www.weillcornell.org/ibdcenter/index.html

This is my personal recommendation. I know she loves to eat junk food, all 15 year old children do. Heck, everyone loves to eat junk food unless they are health conscious or plagued by disease or intolerance!

The SCD diet is not that bad... In fact it's worse on you. You will have to do all the cooking and preparing for her. However if you don't do the diet, it could be so much worse for your daughter. Think about the possible life she could have starting at 15: a gorgeous young girl wearing a bag the rest of her life.

Do you know how the SCD diet came about? Elaine Gottschall's 9 year old daughter had UC!!! Loosing tons of blood and night terrors. She didn't respond to any medication and surgery was scheduled!!! However Elaine realized it was up to her, her daughters mother, to know what is right and save her daughters life... and colon.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecpa3jGR5Fo) so inspirational.

You know whats right. Make the drive, make the soup, do the diet. The first week is the hardest, then you will start finding treats that are SCD legal and soooo delicious. I am on the diet 8 months and I cannot believe how far I have come. After you get relief from the diet, the stress will drop. I promise.

It's totally worth the shot, please please please please save your daughter's life.
Posted 8/21/2012 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Mindoverbutter--thank you for the rec. If we head to NYC will definitely make a stop there...I have also heard excellent things about Mt. Sinai's pediatric IBD dept.

I know people for whom the diet has worked are true, true believers. I would like to try it with my daughter and will see what I can do to convince her...I am hesitant only because I know it hasn't worked for a lot of people, and because it would force her to give up what are literally her favorite foods. But I am talking with a friend of a friend tonight who "cured himself" from UC with the diet (and also uses it with their autistic son). So I will get the full story!
Posted 8/21/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
There is no treat that is gluten free/dairy free that is delicious I tried many and it's my opinion. Also I'm talking about alternatives of regular food but in gluten/dairy free version.

Secondly, doing a diet that is forced upon you is 10 times harder than doing a diet that you free willingly do.

Third, I am also on a SCD variation diet, I've been on it close to a year now. It's boring and sad.

Diets will make your life miserable if you are really not into it, the same as a job you go to but you don't like. Eventually you'll crack.

However with all that said, the important part is to get healthy by any means necessary. This trumps, what you like and you don't like.

 

Posted 8/21/2012 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
somedude: you are a smart guy.

My daughter has been a picky eater since day one. She can also be incredibly motivated and disciplined. So if she decides to do the SCD, it might work. I'm not going to force it on her--I can't.
Posted 8/21/2012 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
also, somedude--is it working for you? what are the variations?
Posted 8/21/2012 8:27 PM (GMT 0)

bearmama said...
also, somedude--is it working for you? what are the variations?

I include carbs such as rice and potatoes. I avoid gluten dairy ...However if some sauce may include gluten so be it.i avoid sauces when I can.

The rule of thumb of diets...if it tastes like crap its good for you.

They told me my inflammation dropped in half..so im doing something.
Posted 8/22/2012 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
nice work. bearmama, love to hear about your mate who "cured" himself... best of luck for your daughter!
Posted 8/22/2012 9:57 AM (GMT 0)
I would go with an integrative medicine doc with an MD, because they can rx you anything like a regular doc but are totally open minded re. Alternative therapies (indeed they try them first). Bear in mind that they fill a niche of allowing patients to pay for virtually any unproven (by evidence based standards) therapy, their mainstream colleagues accuse the integrative docs of basically soaking their patients on hopes and maybe getting placebo effects at best- I think the best one can do is to have noth a regular GI and an integrative MD alternative doc , and do ones own research, and rely in the untegrative doc for trying things the regular GI will just laugh at.

To find these sorts of docs- if word of mouth or the yellow pages or google alone dont do the trick- and Boston will have plenty of those docs I bet- you can for example go to websites such as those of national acupuncture associations (use google) for example, and drill down to their find a participating practitioner in your area who lists having an MD; and/or go to websites associated with alternative blood and stool tests such as Great Smokies labs or Great Plains labs (they like the word "Great" lol) and drill down to do the same.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 8/22/2012 4:13:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/22/2012 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
bearmama- 6mp and biologics failed me also. Rectal therapy, high dose probiotics (VSl#3), diet mods, and LDN helped get me to a manageable state. I went to a naturopath in Springfield, MA - New Leaf Holistic Health, and saw Dr. Finley. He was very familiar with UC and how the GI tract works. MY GI in Worc MA, Dr Papper at Reliant Medical is very supportive of alternate therapies. I also went to Dr Peppercorn at Beth Israel Deaconess and Dr Korzenik at MGH for second opinions. Both are very supportive of alternate therapies.
Posted 8/22/2012 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
bearmama, has your daughter and your doctors tried Cimzia or Humira yet? Have they tried VSL#3 DS? Have your tried a combination of those along with some of the different diets that are out there. So many things you can try and get covered by insurance if your doctor is willing.
Posted 8/22/2012 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I would like to add that I've been gluten free for a few months, and variety of 'good' food available really differs by location. If you live in areas close to cities, I can guarantee that there are some great foods out there. For example, living at home in Vermont, i've found this amazing gluten free (sometimes egg and dairy free) bakery that makes the fluffiest and tastiest foods I've ever had. westmeadowfarmbakery.com/

And, you can always find recipe blogs like this! detoxinista.com/2011/12/flourless-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-blondies/.

So following specific diets like SCD, paleo, allergen free, grain free, whatever is not as difficult as you think. It takes a while to adjust, but if you're creative, you can make it happen. :)

Those peanut butter blondies are my favorite!
Posted 8/24/2012 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Bearmama, hows it going? Lets not forget the Gottschall Autism Center is located in MA which uses SCD to help autistic children. I believe they have people who help with UC too.

http://gottschallcenter.com/
Posted 8/31/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
update?
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