Homeopathy and other alternative therapies

Do you go to registered homeopath paddyann?

yes I've used a couple ,The De Vries clinic in Glasgow and a clinic in my hometown.De Vries has other therapies on offer but I'm looking for recommendations about what works rather than her having to try different things until she finds the right one.This weekend she's had the choice of being hospitalized or being in bed at home on morphine,neither is ideal as she has 3 children to care for and a husband who works away

My niece has the same complaint, I will phone her in the morning to ask what she does to ease the pain

I have RLS and fibromyalgia. Some years ago I attended Jan De Vries himself with regard to the RLS and was greatly disappointed to find no benefit. Indeed have found no benefit from any of the alternative options including faith healing.

Sorry, I can't give any good advice on this and now rely totally on medication.

her medication isn't working Coolgran65,she had some relief from actipatch but it only worked for around 6 months and she's tried CBD capsules(cannabis oil) and they have made a differnce to her sleep .I could cry watching her struggle with samll things,she was always such a healthy person,right up until her last baby 5 years ago,since then its been one thing after another .I really dont know how she copes

paddyann, fibromyalgia is a truly horrid syndrome. I feel for your daughter who sounds to be very unwell. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago following CFS. I can't tolerate strong painkillers including anything morphine based so for a traditional approach simply use a mix of slow release ibuprofen along with a stomach protector and paracetamol. I know, it's minimal but it helps a bit. I am also treated by a homeopathic consultant at one of the rare NHS homeopathic facilities. As you will know homeopathic treatment is very individual. It is my understanding that prescribed remedies are focused on assessment of physical and emotional symptoms so vary from person to person. Homeopathy has been my lifeline but if I'm honest it impacts less directly on the pain but rather on energy and resilience which when boosted help pain management. For pure pain management I would suggest a referral to a pain management clinic if this hasn't occurred. The consultant there will be an expert. I am so sorry I can't tell you what will work, having spent time with a variety of people experiencing this horrid syndrome my belief is that it is so individual that one approach does not suit everyone. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear and it is only my belief. You may get other thoughts which are more helpful. You must be at your wits end, as must be your daughter. I hope something can be identified that can help her live her life and be able to be a Mum, also that you can worry less. My best wishes to you both.

Hi, I'm a homeopath. I would expect the treatment to be able to address the acute symptoms, even if the remedy needs repeating often, but also deeper acting remedies can give much longer term relief, if not cure the condition. Perhaps she could discuss this with her homeopath...or go to another one.

I also have fibromyalgia and live in Scotland. There are a limited range of pain killers that are effective when you have FM. The pain becomes all consuming. More difficult for your daughter (childcare) but my GP referred me for a pain management course which made a huge difference to my life. Waiting lists are horrendous and many areas don't have them.
TENS machine was my best friend for many years.
I have in the last 2 months had a course of reflexology. A huge difference in every way. The reflexologist has given me a special price - don't know if it was because she felt sorry for me! This is the best I've been in almost 10 years. Sleep improved - pain vastly improved - movement improved ... Financially we can't afford to keep this up. I have not had a treatment for 2 weeks because of the festive season and am shutting down again. We can budget for a monthly session.
Acupuncture - I was lucky as i responded but again can't afford the cost. GP has referred for me for a course of NHS acupuncture for specific problems but they are very strict ie 6 or 8 sessions.
For the last year I have a weekly pilates class with a physio to work on my core as unsteady at times because of the pain and spasms. It is helping.
We have adapted our house so I manage mainly quite well at home and we are now adapting the garden. Cleaner for 2 hours a week who do the bits I struggle with - hoovering the stairs etc.
The financial costs have been huge - medically retired before I was 50 - what helps seems to cost. Some days are just about surviving but I do feel I have achieved a quality of life now. For me it was about accepting my limitations but looking at ways I could manage them rather than them managing me.
Happy to answer any questions or elaborate on anything.

SussexGirl60,when I first used homeopathy in the late 70's the pillules I was given made my symptons much worse for the first week or 10 days ,would that be the case with all treatments? She hasn't seen a homeopath yet ,its a last resort with her,she was confident ...over confident she could have it controlled by medication from the GP and light exercise and diet .Have you heard of leaky gut syndrome? I read that its aften a cause for Fibro symptoms but she says she cant take the supplements for it while on her medication and she's scared to come off the meds .I spend a lot of time looking for things to alleviate her symptoms and I need to convince her homeopathy COULD work before she'll try it.I know she can just about manage some days but she's having a really bad flare up now and nothing is helping.Any advice will be welcome

Gosh. Respect to all of you and yours struggling with this condition. I truly hope this pain can be ameliorated in such a way that your/their lives can resume.

almonds,thank you ,her GP practice has two doctors one who dismisses Fibromyalgia as "mostly in her head" he;s an old boy and he'll withold medication as he thinks she doesn't REALLY need it.The other doctor is great and has tried everything he can but she's having a tough time ,especially in winter.She waited 8 months for a pain clinic appointment only to be told there was nothing that will help and she'll have to change her lifestyle to accomodate her symptoms....thats not something she can do with 3 children to care for .The choice was hospital or in bed at home with morphine for this weekend ,she stayed at home ,but the poor kids are distraught and thats breaking her heart.She was always so healthy before this hit ,so its unknown territory

paddyann you are describing my daughter too. Add into this gastroparesis resulting in ileostomy surgery and a stoma plus severe bladder problems which may mean a second bag in the next year or so.
She started on a pain management course in Glasgow but was too ill to continue and had to abandon it. That was a year ago and she's waiting for a new date.
She hasn't tried homeopathy but we're running out of options now.
Her condition has deteriorated since DGD (6) was born. All the hospital admissions have meant that in 2016 she missed the b'day of both children plus her own and mine and so much else.
It's hard to stand by and feel helpless but would've been much worse if I'd still been working.
Let's hope this year brings some relief.

mcem where was the pain management course? Glasgow is her nearest city although its over 50 miles from her ,we could get her there if it would help.Did your daughter have Fibromyalgia BEFORE her daughter was born ? I wondered if it was something that could have happened in hospital that caused it

Can't be sure about that as for some years she was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis and only later the diagnosis became fibro ( when she registered with a new gp). The urinary and gastric problems kicked in after the pregnancies.
Pain management course based on Glasgow - 60 miles away but residential accommodation is available. Pl pm if you want to know more.

thanks for your help I'll tell her about the pain management course and she can ask at her surgery about it

Not sure where your daughter is located, paddyann. Many pain management courses are run under the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) umbrella. The one I attended required referral into secondary services and assessment by a psychologist. The pain clinic I was referred to was headed by a consultant anaesthetist who was very open to 'non standard' approaches. One problem for anyone experiencing fibromyalgia is finding the energy to fight the medics when necessary. Another thought is sometimes if there is a local support group members can advise which consultant is the most experienced and clued up. There can still be NHS referrals for both homeopathy if there is a service in your area and acupuncture via a physiotherapist if there is one in your local physio department who offers this. Don't give up. There will be help somewhere. Please PM if I can help in any way or if anything here doesn't make sense.

DD's referral came from head of pain management team (an anaesthetist) in our local hospital and backed up by her excellent gp. Don't know how it would work elsewhere but in Scotland the only course available is at Gartnavel. A lot of emphasis on alternatives to drugs.

A friend of mine suffered from ME for 20 years and finally got her life back after seeing a Mickel therapist. Someone who was confined to bed for a lot of the time now thinks nothing of going on 10 mile hikes up hill and down dale.
She was so grateful that she trained to become a Mickel therapist herself.
I understand that fibromyalgia is one of the conditions that can respong favourable to this therapy. It minght be worth a try Paddyann

respond favourably!

Oh i have just looked this up! How interesting. I know a couple of friends who may benefit from investigating this therapy. Thanks for the info janea

Paddyann, my husband's GP taught him self hypnosis. Have you thought about that? Lots of GPs do/did it.

Hi paddyann the aggravation that you experienced can happen but it's not common at all and does depend on individual response. She need not be frightened of that-but if she's not into homeopathy, I wouldn't try and convince her! She needs to find the right way forward for herself...and it could be another therapy. As far as the leaky gut goes, on the whole, homeopaths don't make it their business to see things from a more allopathic or material level. They simply take the case and prescribe-the aim being to promote self healing and rebalance the body's energy such that the physical symptoms drop away. But I can't say that I've noticed any obvious connection in clients I've treated. It tends to run deeper than that.

I would suggest you ask your GP to refer you to the Chronic pain team. They can help you with pain management and include alternative therapies

franjess2000 she saw the pain clinic and they said she just has to work round th epain that theres really nothing they can do that she hasn't tried .Its very frustrating for her.They advised that she change er life style to accommodate the ppain,thats not practical with 3 children to care for and virtually no help.We live too far from her to be there daily and we are looking for a house nearer her...but it takes time.I had never heard of Fibromyalgia until she was diagnosed .Its a hellish thing and I am very proud and amazed at how she manages .Thank you to everyone for their input ,we'll check out local reflexologists,and the Mickel Therapy this morning and speak to someone about self hypnosis .Best to speak to a few options and decide what might be the best one to try(first) There is a holistic centre about 40 miles from her and I'll call them today too