Is homeopathy of any value?

[Dawn B.]

I would like to know if anyone here has had any help from seeing a homeopath/naturalpathic doctor? I've had people who want to help me make all sorts of suggestions, this is one of them I have heard more than once.
I just don't see what any sort of doctor is going to do to make this any better.
I have a homeopath, who is aware of my situation, but really has had no suggestions. Only that she's had other patients in withdrawal, who all seem to be okay now. She is going to get me that urine hormone test kit that someone suggested, but still, I'd like to know if anyone has been helped by this.
I've tried homeopathic remedies that have no effect on me at all.

[babs]

I would say you're better off leaving your body alone to heal. I saw a naturopath in early withdrawal and she tried her best to help me, but they really know nothing about withdrawal and are just guessing at what would help based on your symptoms. She had a whole 3 page printout of stuff for me to do but a lot of it really wasn't useful. For example she said I should take B vitamins, but post-Paxil I couldn't tolerate them. Also she said I should do detox stuff life hot/cold showers and a liver pack; but so many people here have problems when they tried to dexotify, I was afraid to try anything. She also sold me a bottle of (allegedly) liquid serotonin, which didn't do anything for me. I think the bottom line is, a lot of things that would work for a "virgin" are just not feasable for the withdrawal-shocked nervous system, when all bets are off. Also I would say just about everything she suggested was information could have found out for myself on the internet so it just wasn't worth the $200 I paid out of my own pocket.

[LCrawford67]

That's a good question, Dawn. But, I think - as with everything else - it works for some and not so much for others.

My SIL goes to a homeopath and swears by it! You should see/hear some of the stuff she's done. Now, I'm all about herbs, vitamins, etc. but some of the stuff she talks about, I'm like, "yeeeaaaahhhh, right." However, I've never tried it so I really have no business knocking it.

[Dawn B.]

The leave it alone thing seems like what I think most people here are going to say. My homeopath gave me a detox kit too, and I have not used it. I hear that phrase "Shouldn't that be out of your system by now" so many times. Detox can be a good thing, but then again, maybe not right now.
I've been taking Immunocal, 8 TBLS. for months. Actually, closer to almost a year and a half. At one time I stopped taking it, and saw no difference. Then I started it again after a while, and it seemed to really help at first. Then I thought I didn't need it, and stopped it again when I was 6 weeks off, and a week later I hit high anxiety, but looking back at it, that probably had nothing to do with stopping the Immunocal. I started it up again slowly, and again, I thought it was helping. I was doing okay around Dec./Jan. and hit a BAD 'wave', and still in that bad wave 3.5 months later, and I've been on the 8 TBLS Immunocal the entire time. I'm really wondering if it's actually making things worse now, and at the same time I don't know if things might be worse if I wasn't taking it! It's supposed to be a strong detoxer. I don't know how else to approach it other than cut down on it slowly and see how it goes.

[lavamama]

I think the benefit of a naturopath would be the simple fact that they aren't trying to push more pharmaceuticals on you. Whether or not they can help with your symptoms is another thing. I also think it might help to have someone you can talk to face to face to help you track your recovery.

[squirrel]

I have been seeing a homeopath for some months now.Dunno if I am convinced she is doing anything or if its just a coincidence that some things have changed, small subtle emotional changes really but she has cleared my cold sores up, I was getting them quite often and they have gone but again they could have gone anyway.Sorry I am not much help but I am just not sure.

[rob.pow]

I used to live with three studying naturopaths. They are all fully qualified and practising now. Sorry, but I homeopathy I found to be hocus pocus. I have seen infrquent results with people which could pretty easily be determined psychosomatic. As far as nutrition and supplements go and creating a well nourished and functioning system, hats off, number one, amazing. Be aware though that supplement companies push their stuff as hard as pharmas, and naturopaths can become victim to the latest trends and marketing rants. All that being said there is loads of appropriate nutritinal and supplement information on here directed specifically at w/d. So why pay to educate your naturopath. d.i.y!

[Songbird]

Originally Posted by Dawn B.

. I'm really wondering if it's actually making things worse now, and at the same time I don't know if things might be worse if I wasn't taking it!

I know what you mean, I was taking magnesium for a long time and wondering if it was doing anything, then I ran out and didn't get any more for a while. Recently I was having a patch of constant bad palpitations and so I bought some more magnesium and it really helped to get rid of them, so maybe all along it was actually doing something, preventing something worse. I don't know much about Immunocal but I believe it is just protein, I think it very unlikely to be doing any harm.

I've never found homoeopathic stuff to do anything for me. Naturopathy is different, it is something I would consider trying, although as has been said they may not understand enough about withdrawal to really be able to help, and you can find out a lot by doing your own research.

I would probably try acupuncture, although I have not actually tried it yet. Also I've been seeing a Neurolink therapist, it is kind of similar to acupuncture/acupressure but using nervous system pathways, using a kind of rubbing and tapping, no needles. It is very gentle and I think it would be very safe. It is not cheap but not super-expensive either.

It must be frustrating when people say to just wait and let time do the healing, I don't think I could do that, I would be trying things to try to help myself. Last year I found just waiting made me feel like a helpless victim, actually having a plan made me feel more proactive and at least a little more in control. Some things may be worth a try, do your research and weigh up the risks and potential benefits.

[roy100]

No value, its like tryingo to stop an elephant with a kleenex tissue.

[Rachelina]

Originally Posted by roy100

No value, it's like trying to to stop an elephant with a kleenex tissue.

Ha! Yup, when it comes to severe withdrawal, I have found that to be the case.

Naturopathy and homeopathy are different. . .in homeopathy the active ingredient is diluted to such infinitesimal amounts that it's practically not there at all, and logically I don't see how it can possibly work. Then again there is a lot we don't understand. I sometimes use Calms homeopathic pills for sleep, and they do seem to work, but chances are it's placebo effect.

[Songbird]

Originally Posted by Rachelina

Ha! Yup, when it comes to severe withdrawal, I have found that to be the case.

Naturopathy and homeopathy are different. . .in homeopathy the active ingredient is diluted to such infinitesimal amounts that it's practically not there at all, and logically I don't see how it can possibly work. Then again there is a lot we don't understand. I sometimes use Calms homeopathic pills for sleep, and they do seem to work, but chances are it's placebo effect.

This is what I think too. I don't think I usually get the placebo effect, which is probably why it doesn't work on me. On the other hand, herbs and other supplements often do seem to work for me, and those actually do contain chemicals that have an effect on the body.

[Dawn B.]

Originally Posted by roy100

No value, its like tryingo to stop an elephant with a kleenex tissue.

Thanks guys for the input. This about sums up how I feel about it too.

[staceyw]

dawn, I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad. I know it must be distressing to not get any relief after all this time. I truly hope you find some relief soon. I'm going to place you on my prayer list. I know it can't hurt.

[Dawn B.]

Thank you Stacey!!!!!

[Songbird]

I think if you are sensitive to specific supplements, something that might be worth a try is more general supplements that boost your whole body to help it heal itself. I mean things like Mona Vie (unfortunately it is very expensive), Goji juice, or even the whey protein people here talk about. The idea being that these 'super-food' kind of supplements are less likely to cause imbalances than taking one or two specific ingredients. It is possible some people may even be sensitive to these things, but it might be worth a try, just an idea anyway...