Other healing alternatives

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Feb 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Mateo06	24 Feb 2002
Ok, well ok i have this weird blood disease. the doctors refer to it as lopus. but i don't like it to be called that. but my question is since the doctors don't seem to know whats wrong with me. and when anythnig bad happens they just pump me full of pills in hope i will get better, but the meds don't seem to be working anymore. And i need some way to figure out wats wrong wiht me. or just any way to help me get better. i will use any advice with any meds and advice from my doctors. anything like meditation or stuff like that. please no spells or anything none christian ( i hope that doesn't offend anyone) i would rather be sick than go against my religion. its one of the only things i still have. thanks again

Pollux	24 Feb 2002
Yes, go homeo-path :-) It worked very well for my hay fever and allergy, and I believe it's indicated in cases of auto-immune diseases or organic ones. Of course, take it easy, and look carefully where and who ask for a cure... I wouldn't trust trainee, despite the fact I'm a trainee physician myself :)

Diana	24 Feb 2002
Mateo, are you sure of the spelling (lopus)? Is there another name for this illness? I can't find lopus anywhere in my alternative medical books, and they are pretty complete.

Scorpion	24 Feb 2002
Hi, Mateo06! I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I echo what the others have said about choosing your treatment carefully. I would be interested to know why you are unhappy with the diagnosis? A lot of people feel relieved as soon as they have a "label" for their illness (as I'm sure Pollux will attest). I would normally be very hesitant about recommending anything, particularly when I've not come across the illness in question, but my Sunday paper has an "alternative health" page which I keep an eye on because my youngest stepson has asthma and excema and it occasionally comes up with useful things and - guess what - today it mentions lupus, which I think is what you're talking about as it talks about it attacking the immune system (Diana - please note!). Too much of a coincidence not to mention it here, in case it can help you. It recommends an African plant called "hypoxis rooperi" which is also known as "African potato" although it isn't a potato at all - it just looks like one. "The reason it is thought to be effective against lupus is that it has been shown to balance the immune system, which with this skin condition, is malfunctioning. The active agents in the African potato plant are the sterols and sterolins, which are, in effect, plant fats. Studies conducted by immunologists at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, whose findings have been published in the International Jounal of Immunopharmacology, suggest that these agents can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of a range of diseases of the immune system, including lupus". It only gives details of how to get the supplement in the UK but you might be able to track it down - possibly through the Net? At least this gives you something to research. The article carries a disclaimer "it should only be taken for general immune support. If you have lupus or any other autoimmune problem, consult a qualified health practitioner". Hope this helps!

Scorpion	24 Feb 2002
If you look at my above post, it might answer the question!

Diana	24 Feb 2002
LouisQ, I also thought that Mateo might mean lupus, only lupus is more often related to a skin condition, not blood. That's why I just wanted to make sure with Mateo. If it's lupus, I have also found something interesting - nothing to do with medication though. Mateo, do you mean lupus?

Mateo06	24 Feb 2002
Yeah lupus seems more of a correct spelling. The reason i don't like it being called that.. well i really dont' know but i think i am in denial. Lupus just scares me. it seems to serious for what i have. I like the long no one but a doctor can say name, But i am in a small samll town in Michigan. theres no one here who do homeopath. and i really can't seek another professional. Maybe in like 4 years i can. I would rather prefer something that i could do on my own.Thanks again

Scorpion	24 Feb 2002
Quote: Diana (25 Feb, 2002 02:52): I also thought that Mateo might mean lupus, only lupus is more often related to a skin condition, not blood. Diana, According to the article (the first time I've seen a description of this condition) says "there are two types of lupus: systemic lupus, which can affect many different parts of the body, and discoid lupus, which primarily affects the skin". So, Mateo06 - am I right in thinking you're talking about the "systemic" version? And you prefer the Latin name? I think that's what doctors rely on - nobody else seems as knowledgeable (sorry Pollux)! I can understand the denial, but are you saying that you don't think you've got this or that you don't believe the doctors are doing their best for you? I'm going to look it up properly after my bath to see if I can find anything more useful.

amyel	24 Feb 2002
Mateo - I grew up in Michigan, and my sister & mom & step-dad still live there. Are you at all close to either Ann Arbor or Lansing? The reason I mention those is that they are big university towns (as I am sure you know - more for the benefit of our international members!) and often times, university towns do have some access to more alternative methods. Certainly Ann Arbor does. As for lupus, my mom had a very close friend who had lupus, and we also have an aunt who has been diagnosed with lupus. Unfortunately, what little I know of it, it seems to be a "catch all" diagnosis, sort of like schizophrenia for mental illnesses. Now, I don't meditate, so I am no authority, but I have heard and read that it does indeed help. There has been alot of focus on the powers of positive thinking, and I think even doctors have recognized it does have an impact on treatments. Good luck.

Diana	24 Feb 2002
Here is what Jacques Martel, who has studied with Dr. Claude Sabbah (who was inspired by Dr. Hamer) has to say about lupus. These doctors are extremely knowledgeable (understatement) about why people get certain diseases. This is a translation from the French, I'll try and make it as flowing as possible. "I develop a lupus when I am living a very deep discouragement, hate or shame towards myself, which makes my defense system weaken. My dis-ease (unease) often has it's source in a deep emotional guilt which is eating me from the inside. I prefer to punish myself rather than affirm myself. I give up, I capitulate because I have the impression there is no way out, no solution, and I can feel frustrated with my powerlessness. I refuse to accept love and pardon towards myself or others. Learning once again to love myself is an important, or rather an essential step, towards my healing. I can ask for help within myself or ask competent people to help me get myself on the road to internal healing". If the above speaks to you, perhaps you could get help from a psychologist in order to get the healing process begun? Meditation could be done in conjunction with this. Don't lose hope. "Miracles" in medecine are not as rare as one thinks.

Mateo06	24 Feb 2002
No, i live in the upper penenisula. No where near a university town. we do have a community college. but thats no help. To answer LouiQ questions systemic lupus does seems to be more accurate. but the only thing i see that it affects is my blood platlettes (sp). I know the doctors have my benefits in mind, and they're doing everything in their power to help me, but i don't think thats enough. I just can't help wonder why my blood platlettes are low. I mean when i think about it theres no logical explantion why. Its kinda hard to explain. They just labeled the disease. but i want to know whats actually wrong. I would much prefer to know whats wrong then have a label. Because the label is so broad that its just saying I am a human being. i know that but what kind, white, black, asian, young, old...the label is just the same. its a disease. but what kind, and why does it do what it does. Do you get what i am saying?

Scorpion	24 Feb 2002
OK, Mateo06 - you may be physically distant from homeopathic centres, but you do have the Net. Have you tried searching for details of your condition and where you can obtain homeopathic remedies? The former might help you with the information you seek and the latter might give you the means to fight it. You've mentioned your mother in another post - would your parents be willing to help you in your quest? I know you're only young and I'm sure they want to do all they can for you. You may have to accept that no-one will be able to tell you why you've got this, but it sounds as if the doctors have identified it and at least armed with that information you can look up as much as possible to keep yourself fully informed.

Mateo06	24 Feb 2002
I really don't want to ask my mom. she would flip out. I think she relies way to much on modern medicine. But i might try to look it up myself. Are there any homeopathic things i can use at home. Like a homeopathy do it yourself at home kit???

Scorpion	24 Feb 2002
Well, I think the general message has been that complementary medicine is just that - it often goes hand-in-hand with regular medicine and it's always recommended that you consult your doctor. Your mother might not have such a problem if she realised that you weren't just wanting to jettison conventional medicine. I'm sure she'd want what's best for you and might appreciate you trying to talk to her? I've run a Google search (www.google.com probably for you) as it's my favourite search engine (it's how I found Aecletic) on both "homeopath", "homeopathy" and "homeopathic remedies" and there's loads of entries - you'd have to choose what interests you. I did the same for "lupus" and there's plenty of dedicated sites with helpful information and contacts. Of course, you may already have done this. As for self-help homeopathy, I really do think you'd be better off finding a practitioner as Diana recommended: you may be able to find someone within a reasonable distance of you online. I haven't had any homeopathy myself but from what I've heard, a lot of consideration goes into individual dosage etc - done properly, I believe it really is a science. Also, most of the ingredients aren't something you can pick up at the chemists. You mentioned meditation and I'm a great believer in it - I try to get some done whenever possible (but my Aecletic addiction doesn't help!). I think it's very beneficial for one's state of mind. I just sit in a dimly lit room and listen either to my soothing music while vizualising or one of my "guided meditation" tapes. Have you come across the energy centres called "chakras"? if not, you might like to look at http://healing.about.com/cs/chakratheseven/index.htm (or run a search yourself) as it's too complicated to go through it all here. I've got a chakra balancing guided meditation tape and I love it - I always feel better afterwards and I would recommend it to anybody. Or you could start a thread asking about Reiki - something else I've not done, but I think there are a few practitioners out there who might be able to give you some pointers. Looking back at your original post, I note your worry about any suggestions that are non-Christian. I think the concept of the chakras is eastern, but I wouldn't let that worry you. A major part of Jesus' mission was healing and he didn't use traditional methods for his time - he used what was available to him. I'd like to think he'd be the same today - simply wanting you well. Fraid I'm finished for the day now and it's boringly back to work tomorrow. But I suggest you have a look round and see what's available and whether it gives you any ideas. "Speak" soon!

Mateo06	24 Feb 2002
Thanks, everyone heres been some helpful and caring. I'll look into it, But i think most of it is in my mind. If i just want to get better it should help, but until i do i'll look into both chakra meditaion, reiki and homeopathy.

Scorpion	25 Feb 2002
Quote: Mateo06 (25 Feb, 2002 10:27): Thanks, everyone heres been some helpful and caring. I think everyone would agree that's what it's all about. Quote: I'll look into it, But i think most of it is in my mind. That's as may be (and I do completely believe that the power of the mind can affect the body's wellbeing), but it's obviously having a very physical effect on you. I understand it can take some people up to five years to get a diagnosis for this - at least you know what it is and how it's affecting you, which is extremely useful knowledge. My favourite lunchtime wander is to Borders and while I was there I thought I'd have a look to see if they'd got any information (a vain attempt to stay away from the Tarot section - they've got a whole new batch in!). There were only two books - one of which was directed at women. The other looked quite informative. If you're interested, I can e-mail you details. As for homeopathy/natural healing resources, of course the shelves were overflowing: I wouldn't know where to start! If you look at another thread recently posted on meditation, you'll see someone's listed a site for music and tapes which you might like to look at.

Mateo06	25 Feb 2002
I feel so much better now... but i dont' think i could stand to listen to peaceful music. its not for me. but the way i do try to meditate is i imagine my self surround in a white light and the white light is like a water fall pouring down on me (got it from an indigo children site) and i just imagine the white light going any where i need to be healed, in this case i imagine the energey turning into blood platlettes. i think its helping. i'll find out later today though

Scorpion	25 Feb 2002
Quote: Mateo06 (26 Feb, 2002 06:57): I feel so much better now... Glad to hear it! Quote: the way i do try to meditate is i imagine my self surround in a white light Sound like a cross between white light meditation and creative vizualisation and if it works for you, that's brilliant.

Mateo06	25 Feb 2002
It seems to heal my everyday aches and pains... but I now think its gonna take something a little more advanced to help control something like lupus, but maybe if i keep trying. It certainly isn't gona go away in day, even though i wish it would

scorpio	26 Feb 2002
i have an awesome book called Smart Medicine For Healthier Living by Janet Zand, Allan Spreen, and James LaValle that explains your ailment and gives conventional and alternative treatments. it has a full section on lupus that has a section on diet recommendations,nutritional supplements, herbal treatment, homeopathy, bach flower remedies, accupressure, aromatherapy, and general recommendations. i love this book and if you look at it i hope it gives you some assistance. good luck

Mateo06	26 Feb 2002
Ok, i have gone about this whole thing all wrong. I have been trying to make my body produce more blood platlettes, but wats actually is wrong is that my body is destroying the blood platlettes, so no matter how many are made, they're all going to be destroyed. so i need an imginative way to make my body to stop destroying its own cells. This is alot harder than trying to heal a cut. I mean wiht that all i need to do is imagine the cut healing and concentrate on the cut. and then it heals faster. but this is dealing with the whole body. So how do i actually go about doing it. I mean if i just could know what to concentrate on i think i could do it. but i don' tknow how. I guess i could just feel in myself that i don't want the platlettes destroyed, but i don't know if that will work... can anyone help me out. thanks a bunch... A bonus from this is now i am gonna be on a muscle building steroid. so at least i'll look a little more buff in a few months ( hey you need to look on the bright side of things sometimes)

The Other healing alternatives thread was originally posted on 24 Feb 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.