Naturopaths - Looking for opinions from Perbites

[cruiser]

I'm thinking of seeing a Naturopath for a second opinion about a medical condition that I have (I believe that I'm lactose intolerant). I have a regular MD that I have been seeing for 15 years but am now looking for a second opinion and someone suggested to me to see a Naturopath.

I'm not very familiar with them. I've been told that they have the same medical training as a regular M.D., but that they aren't covered by Alberta Health Care, so have to do private billing.

Is anybody familar with them? How would you compare them to a regular M.D.? If they privately bill, what can a person expect to pay for their services? (in Alberta). How can you be sure to find one that just didn't set up shop yesterday?

Appreciate any feedback.

thanks,
Cruiser

 

[WalterMitty]

Never been to one, probably never will. But I can tell you

1. they DO NOT have the same training as regular MDs. They have their own training programs run by naturopaths. I believe it is structured similarly, but the curriculum and training is quite different.

2. they directly profit from the "cures" that they sell. Unlike regular MDs, who make no money off the drugs they prescribe, naturopaths make most of their money selling their products. Seems like a potential conflict of interest to me.

You can get more info at their association website www.cand.ca

Walter

 

[Surrey's Jewel]

Obviously depends on what you can afford.

I would say if the condition was life or death then it would be a no-brainer to get all the input/help you could. Move heaven and earth to possibly find that one thing that might keep you alive but since lactose intolerance is more of a pain in the butt then it sort of comes down to what you are willing to spend. The treatment that traditional medicine prescribes is quite successful or at least you can prevent the symptoms by avoiding things so you might want to hang on to your money and use the internet to read up on it.

 

[oh3421]

I'm thinking of seeing a Naturopath for a second opinion about a medical condition that I have (I believe that I'm lactose intolerant). I have a regular MD that I have been seeing for 15 years but am now looking for a second opinion and someone suggested to me to see a Naturopath.

I'm not very familiar with them. I've been told that they have the same medical training as a regular M.D., but that they aren't covered by Alberta Health Care, so have to do private billing.

Is anybody familar with them? How would you compare them to a regular M.D.? If they privately bill, what can a person expect to pay for their services? (in Alberta). How can you be sure to find one that just didn't set up shop yesterday?

Appreciate any feedback.

thanks,
Cruiser

If you want a SECOND opinion, you must see an MD. What you are trying to do is assess whether your first MD did a good job, and you will need another MD to do that. Problem here is that BOTH MDs will just regurgitate what school medicine teaches and not go beyond that horizon.
If you want an ALTERNATIVE opinion, you must see an Naturopath, they are specialized in alternative remedies. I have had very good experiences (and results) consulting with naturopaths, they are offering a different perspective.
Don't get yourself discouraged by the criticism above - naturopaths have to go through a rigorous 4-year university level program with the same level of rigorous basic scientific training as MDs.
Also, homeopathy is just one out of many different alternative treatments available, some naturopaths believe in it and others don't. I personally don't buy into it either, but that does not diminish the value of the other numerous treatment options available.
Finally, unlike prescription drugs (that you can only get from pharmacies), there is an open, competitive multi-player market out there for natural remedies. In my own case, I know what remedies I personnally need, than I google it and have multiple competitve sources to get it shipped to me - there is hardly any space for the naturopath to rip me off, he just recommended the supplement and than I go out and buy it.

Hope that helps

 

[bcneil]

I am lactose intolerant as well. Sure it can be a pain sometimes.

However, I have found out the best way to deal with it, and its free.

AVOID MILK PRODUCTS

 

[Validator]

I think it's mentioned above - homeopathy is a form of naturopathic medicine but is not what naturopathy is all about-it depends on what the ND specializes in.

If you're lactose intolerant, there's really no cure out there for you, guy. Simply avoidance of lactose-containing foods. If this is the case, a second opinion won't help you nor would an ND.

If ur really eager on doing it, give it a shot! There are things that cannot be explained or defined (at this time) by western medicine.

Go talk to another MD and if ur still not satisfied, go to the ND. Lactose intolerance is fairly simple to diagnose. U can try those lactase enzyme pills and if u fine that they kind of help, then u know for sure ur lactose intolerant.

 

[rossedm34]

Check Richard Dawkins "Enemies Of Reason". It starts off with the usual dodgy suspects of mediums and auras, the later half deals with Naturo and Homeopaths. Very interesting viewing.

Part one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyQ57X3YhH4

*note, it's two parts, this is part one, I think part two, the second hour, deals with homeopathy.

 

[Mr Blonde]

i checked out a naturopath for my pesky bipolar tendencies and based on my first visit they are interested in getting down to the route of your ailment, rather than treating your symptoms, which is apparently what is wrong with western medicine.

at any rate, my first, and only visit involved an analysis of my urine, with a request for full blood work. i walked out twice as confused, and a hundred bucks lighter in the pocket for what could best be described as snake oils. i never went back, not because i didn't believe in it, i simply didn't have the income to pursue any possibility of treatment.

perhaps a trip to a dietitian is in order?

if you've been seeing your current doctor for 15 years, i would assume there is some sort of trust/confidence that you have in him. doctor's these days have a nasty habit of analyzing your symptoms and firing off a prescription that will suppress your symptoms and noting it on a file. i'm sure he's also said, "you're lactose intolerant. stay away from dairy products and you'll feel better." i doubt there's been little thought past his diagnosis.
and whatever he prescribed you

say what you will about dairy products, how our bodies aren't meant to digest milk and whatnot properly, but there are vitamins and nutrients we need from dairy, especially if we're getting up there in years (i have no idea how old you are.) what it comes down to is you're having to eliminate something from your diet that's been with you in all probability since childhood. a dietitian could probably guide you to new eating habits that would provide you with the nutrition you require from dairy without the discomfort that comes from consuming it.

 

[Validator]

Yes - ND's go thru 4 years of training and clinicals. Yes it can be rigourous. But it's still not comparable to MD training. The topics discussed in naturopathy schools are stuff about herbals,concepts of what death is like etc. It stays away from biochemical pathways and such. Is one better than the other? Maybe yes maybe no - but who do u run to when someone drops dead in front of you?

The reason why md's offer no other treatment for lactose intolerance is simply because the mechanism for it is discovered - a lack of the enzyme needed to breakdown lactose. This enzyme is made at the genetic level - no herb or anything can fix it at such a rooted level. Any nutrients missed by the avoidance of milk can be picked up via other foods. It is not uncommon for people of asian and african rac to be lactose intolerant. It's a result of generations of not having milk as part of their diet - they've made it ok without milk. You do not NEED milk to be healthy. It is similar to those allergic to bee products (sure honey has some other nutrients but u don't need honey).

 

[PatB5678]

ND's

I have seen two different naturopaths for different aliments. My experience ranged from poor to bad in both cases.

I would never see another one again. I really found it to be a waste of time and money. Actually a little worse, because during the many months I naively took the "medicene" from the ND without any real improvement, I could have actually been pursuing a realistic cure from main stream health care.

Anyways, my impression of ND's is that they have a few 'remedies' they can sell you that they suggest 'may' help you.

Frankly, I think they usually just sell hope to the desperate.

 

[aznboi9]

I think the idea of not having the same type training, implying inferior training, is a bit misleading. ND's and MD's have very similar schooling in the first two years which should/would be devoted to the study of basic anatomy/physiology, pathology and diagnosis. It's around the next two years where you would see the deviation as MD's in training will have their studies concentrating more on pharmacology and surgery while ND's would be centred more on natural remedies and herbal medicine.

MD's will not have the same level of understanding of nutrition and herbal medicine as ND's and vice versa. That doesn't necessarily mean one is better than the other, they're just different approaches.

 

[bobby]

dude why not go see a medical doctor who specializes in alergies.

 

[Validator]

Yes agreed - approaches are not better just different. One major problem IMO is that many of the treatments that ND's employ have not been verified in a clinical trial setting comparable to meds. Instead they rely much on theoretical, texts and traditional beliefs. We are seeing 1) a lack of trials conducted and 2) if any, many are nor showing efficacy. And 3) if any, many are poorly designed or have incredibly small sample sizes


As for seeing an allergist - assuming he is lactose intolerant, an allergist can't help. He is not allergic to milk - he is intolerant to milk - the mechanism of actions are completely different as one is an allergic reaction and the other is the inability to digest lactose.

 

[island-guy]

I think the question to ask is why do you want a second opinion?

Do you think that you aren't really lactose intolerent? There is a very simple test that is very accurate. It's called the Hydrogen Breath Test. There is also the "Dr House" method, take the drug and if it works, then you have the diagnosis. Lastly there is the simple route of avoiding milk products and if that works, you have the diagnosis.

Do you disagree with the treatment option being given by your doctor? Your choises are to take Lactase, to drink that special milk that has lactase in it or whatever (the one that says it is for lactose intolerence) or to just avoid milk products (no more ice cream).

I've been through all of the above, turned out I wasn't lactose intolerent but was actually allergic to cow milk. Now I just avoid the stuff and if I screw up, I pop a benadryl and take a nap.

 

[Validator]

Hahah - the "dr house" method. Love it! Ya, start off with interferon...then move onto broad spectrum antibiotics. You'll also have to go through one incident of rectal bleeding and a spinal tap. After all that, you'll realizse that the real cause of ur sickness is cuz you chewed too much gum everyday.

 

[cruiser]

Thanks for the replies.

My doctors reply to me being lactose intolerant..."if you know what's causing it, then don't take it". He basically explained it that milk fat is something that is hard for our body to digest so we don't need it. I can have milk in tea (because it's a small amount)..eat cheese in a sandwich or in pasta, etc, but nothing really creamy (I will miss my milkshakes!). If I do happen to eat the wrong thing, I only have minutes before it hits me and then when it does, I have to literally run for a bathroom!

He didn't give me a perscription "per se", except told me that I should start taking Vitamin D and Calcium pills. I do already take a male multivitamin from GNC called "Megamen", but they don't have enough Calcium and Vitamin D for what I should be taking, so I should take something on top of those.

Based on the feedback about Naturopaths, I think that I'll pass on them. I wasn't sure about their training and do appreciate the feedback from the board in what their experience has been.

 

[Georgieboy69]

A friend of mine has been talking about something called biofeedback. Aparently she loves the sessions. Don't ask me what or how so take it as is maybe someone else can provide some details.

 

[stroker]

ND's do not go through the same level of training as MDs. Do NDs do 2-7 years of residency after they get their degrees to practice? Do they see the number of patients MDs do? Are they on call seeing the most acute and severe? Do their "remedies" go through the scrutiny of clinical trials?

 

[hunsperger]

...

i checked out a naturopath for my pesky bipolar tendencies and based on my first visit they are interested in getting down to the route of your ailment, rather than treating your symptoms, which is apparently what is wrong with western medicine.

at any rate, my first, and only visit involved an analysis of my urine, with a request for full blood work. i walked out twice as confused, and a hundred bucks lighter in the pocket for what could best be described as snake oils. i never went back, not because i didn't believe in it, i simply didn't have the income to pursue any possibility of treatment.

perhaps a trip to a dietitian is in order?

if you've been seeing your current doctor for 15 years, i would assume there is some sort of trust/confidence that you have in him. doctor's these days have a nasty habit of analyzing your symptoms and firing off a prescription that will suppress your symptoms and noting it on a file. i'm sure he's also said, "you're lactose intolerant. stay away from dairy products and you'll feel better." i doubt there's been little thought past his diagnosis.
and whatever he prescribed you

say what you will about dairy products, how our bodies aren't meant to digest milk and whatnot properly, but there are vitamins and nutrients we need from dairy, especially if we're getting up there in years (i have no idea how old you are.) what it comes down to is you're having to eliminate something from your diet that's been with you in all probability since childhood. a dietitian could probably guide you to new eating habits that would provide you with the nutrition you require from dairy without the discomfort that comes from consuming it.

thank you...

excellent post...

Naturopaths are irrelevant...

comparing are Naturopth to an MD, is like comparing an electrician to an electrical engineer...