Alternative Medical Options?
I can confirm that all my tests have come back negative. Which basically means all kinds of scary sounding things like E.coli, salmonella, c. difficile, campylobacter, etc. have officially been ruled out. Which is a good thing, but also completely horrible because I’m desperate for an answer. I feel like throwing a Little MPB sized temper tantrum!!
Tomorrow is my last remaining test – the H. Pylori test. After this test, the only option will be a referral to a GI specialist.
.
All the while, life is still pretty miserable. If I eat anything, I have sever diarrhea. If I don’t eat, then I’m starving. Neither is much fun.
.
If I’m being honest, I think the H. Pylori test will be negative, because when this happened in 2009 I didn’t have it. I suspect I will end up getting a referral to a GI, but I also suspect that it will take a few months before I get an actual appointment with a GI.
The thought of waiting a few more months for possible answers just pisses me off. I’m done pinning my hopes on a medical system that is telling me to starve myself because they cannot get me into the specialists that I need to see.
So, while I never thought I’d say this, I’m now looking at alternative medical options. I’ve always been one for scientific fact, I take comfort in science and fact. But, the medical system is just not getting me the facts, and I cannot keep living this way. So, I think I’m going to try a naturopath, because honestly, what do I have to lose?
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Good plan! You likely know this, but just in case, naturopathic.org is our professional organization and lists actual doctoral level trained and licensed naturopaths under the “find an ND” link. Canada 🇨🇦 is included! I’m sorry you’re suffering, and I wish you well. ~Baba
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Sounds like a good plan. I’m guessing your gallbladder is acting up.
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This is really scary and you’re doing amazing. I hope you can find some answers on your own. I’ve been disappointed multiple times with our medical system, even when I was able to go see a doc, and the most relief I’ve seen was when I took things into my own hands.
❤ Thinking of you.
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I’m sorry you still don’t have an answer but I can understand being relieved you don’t have any of those things.
Maybe you should talk to an acupuncturist? I can’t speak highly enough about my experience with one. Wishing you the best!
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How frustrating. Thinking of you lots
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A lot of “alternative” health stuff has science backing it. It’s not all woo woo and mysticism. Functional and naturopathic doctors have a lot of tools that alopathic doctors are only just beginning to acknowledge. Look up cow colostrum/transfer factors. There’s research that shows it is safe and can heal leaky gut and gut imbalances and more. I have been taking one brand for a couple months now but have not had fantastic results, just some mild positives (I am dealing with celiac, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, migraines, and chronic GI issues). I also just started taked taking CBD oil and have had some good results with my pain and migraines. Chiropractic and acupuncture have also served me well over the years.
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I have a wonderful homeopath who is also a physicians assistant. https://homeopathy1st.com/about-us/
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You sound like I did when my gallbladder failed, which resulted in having it removed. It took six months for them to figure out what was wrong, but my GI doc referred me for a HIDA scan of my gallbladder at the hospital, and that was what gave me my answers.
If it is your gallbladder, cutting down on fats may help ease some of the pain off until you can see the specialist. The gallbladder releases bile, which breaks down fats in the food we eat. Without the right amount, food doesn’t get broken down properly and then “fun” GI things begin to happen.
I know by the time I was diagnosed, it felt like I was being stabbed in the stomach after even just drinking water.
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Nothing at all. And gut health is becoming more mainstream anyway now the science is catching up. Have you tried drinking cups of bone broth??? They say it has all sorts of healing properties for the gut. Anyway you can see what the naturopath says but I’d be surprised is they didn’t suggest something along those lines. Good luck!!
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Naturopaths can be great, and not quacks, just as some MDs CAN be quacks. Just have to find a good one… Can you get a referred one from any of your social circles?
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I love this!!! I think every industry has quacks, the key is to avoid the quacks. I did get a reference from a friend to one so I’ve booked their first available appointment. So hopefully they are one of the good ones. 😊
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😦 Something is clearly wrong – if the tests are all okay you will have to work to get to the bottom of it. So frustrating, but it could set you out on the path to much better health in the long run. I think I would go for a nutritional therapist – our bodies are literally made from what we eat.
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Well I’m glad you don’t have any of those horrible things, but I wish they knew what WAS going on. Hopefully your test today will get you somewhere. I think finding a naturopath is a good idea, because like you said, it’s not going to hurt anything! The fact that the Drs think it’s okay for you to live in this condition is just maddening. Hope you get some answers and relief soon!!
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Hope you find answers soon. Any thoughts to a possible bowel obstruction?
My significant other has chron’s and had very similar symptoms for over a er. More er visits than I can count. Several overnight and 3 day hospital stays. They removed his gallbladder only for surgeon to tell him so that wasn’t the problem. Ended up having exploratory surgery, they found a narrowing of a small section of bowel. Removed it and not one incident in over a year.
Do they do swallow cameras where you are? 15 years ago that’s how they diagnosed him with chrons’s because to my understanding there is no test other than a sample of afffected area, which can be anywhere on digestive tract from mouth to end. He had swallow camera and they saw a spot, used a special scope because previous scopes couldn’t reach that spot, removed a sample and had a diagnosis. With meds he was symptom free for 15 years before this narrowing. Dr said probably ok for 15 more years.
Sending positive thoughts your way.
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😡 this sounds awful, it drives me nuts that GI related issues that don’t show any positive test results gets treated like it’s non urgent or unimportant. I’m sorry you are having to seek alternatives. Without a diagnosis I’m not sure what alternatives to suggest but could you seek a private GI specialist that comes with a good reputation?
I went to a GI specialist recently and was told there is a 3 month wait! But then they called me the day after and said we have an open appointment today can you come??! Ummm no. So I feel your frustration with the wait aspect and I was at least able to eat properly, I can’t believe you have to go through that 😔 Anyway when I finally got there it was an amazing experience to finally speak with someone who took my symptoms seriously. The doc said he can’t ‘prescribe’ various alternative methods because insurances don’t cover it, but here is what you can do if you want to know. I said yes please I’d like to know what I can do without taking drugs!! His course of action included meditation, yoga, natural supplements and probiotics. I loved seeing a doc in the US who wanted to treat the cause not just hide the symptoms. I hope you get to meet someone like this QUICK!!
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What naturals supplements were you recommended??
And unfortunately I cannot seem to find a way to pay to see a private GI specialist here. I guess we could pay to go to the USA, but honestly we don’t want to spend multiple thousands of dollars on a trip and USA medical bills at this point. At some point it may come to that though….
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In Canada, naturopaths take the 4 year MD program plus the natural medicine. They are certainly qualified to give an opinion and I hope you’ll find some help by going that route.
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I had no idea about this until I started looking into naturopaths this week! I’ve book an appointment so hopefully the naturopath can help me. 🙂
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Ugh, I can understand why you are frustrated. Yes, it’s good to know that some things have been ruled out, but you are obviously still suffering and need a diagnosis that can be treated.
Have your doctors ruled out Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome? Just a couple of thoughts.
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That is so frustrating! I wish there was an easy way for you to go private and see a GI faster. That is one thing very wrong with Canada’s healthcare system. I wish they would change that.
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Oh Friend, I had no idea you were still dealing with this. I’m so sorry! I’m a huge believer in going naturopathic. Huge changes to diet, quality supplements and in my case, young living oils have kept me away from the dr for the most part for the last 4 years. I hope you find some relief soon.
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