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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/3/2015 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. When I was last in hospital the admitting dr (internal medicine) recommended in the discharge instructions that I should see a naturopathic doctor to help compliment the rest of my care. Do any of you do this? What should i expect?
Posted 1/3/2015 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't heard of many people having too much luck with them. They aren't actually doctors I don't think either. If they are going to help you with nutrition and get you on a healthier path, I can't see it being a bad thing. I personally wouldn't pay for it. I wonder if insurance covers that...
Posted 1/3/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
My insurance will cover $500.
Posted 1/3/2015 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
i think i saw four of them but always ended up in the hospital anyway. i'm not a fan. $500 will maybe get you the first appointment and a few supplements. not much else though.
Posted 1/3/2015 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
The problem is they have the same treatments for everyone whether you have UC, cancer, the flu, or the hiccups. They are usually pretty good at selling themselves though, especially if you are a believer in the first place. Honestly, there's nothing they can do for you that you can't research and try for yourself much cheaper. Some supplements can and do work but you don't need a Natureopath to figure it out.
Posted 1/3/2015 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
It is very expensive. But if your insurance covers 500.00, why not go one or two times?? Can't hurt any. They may have some good advise.

I went one time to a local college with interns. It was cheap and got a good work up. Blood work & physical. They are very strict with the diet thing. Almost too hard to follow.
Posted 1/3/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
My insurance will not cover a naturopathic doc.

That being said, I have read many books written by "health gurus" who recommend specific diets and basically healthy living. Have also learned a lot from others on this forum.

I really don't know what a naturopath can advise that you can't find in a book or online.
You have to do some research, try different diets and supplements to see what works for you and stay away from things that cause problems.

IMO, the hard part is resisting the temptation to indulge in things (food, drink, lack of sleep, etc) that are harmful.
Posted 1/3/2015 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I saw one during my first flare - it was part of my "everything but the kitchen sink" panicking treatment plan. In all fairness, he was really nice, very accessible, and it helped me to have someone to reassure me. He was also really responsive to emails when I had issues, which was nice.

Ultimately, the cost was high and I felt like I was getting more from my acupuncturist- plus after a while, I was on SO MANY SUPPLEMENTS, and some of his advice started contradicting itself. I was on a crazy strict gut healing diet with no seeds allowed, except he wanted me to eat seeds to try to jump start my period. I also didn't love that he focused a lot on how I wasn't able to carry out my, ahem, "wifely duties" with my husband. Um, let's get me continent first, buddy - priorities.

It can't hurt -maybe try it out and see! I think it all depends on who you get - at least your insurance gives you the chance to check it out.
Posted 1/3/2015 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
as far as I'm concerned, nd's are no less intellwigent than md's - they just spend more time with you and cost you more -
Posted 1/3/2015 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
There's not a whole lot of difference between md's and nd's as neither one knows ahead of time which treatment will work in which patient and it is basically all trial and error. You have to have an md to prescribe meds but you don't have to have an nd to prescribe supplements and diet changes. That information can be easily researched withot paying a nd, which is usually not covered by insurance.
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