Re: Re: optimizing (was Frustrated as H*ll Need to vent )

[Guest guest]

SUPER, Grania!!!

I do know that naturopaths CAN be super, and I am so very glad that such a one came into your life! and great re the multiple degrees and specialties! wow.

I have had contact with 'just what I needed' also sometimes.

It seems amazing when it happens, and I feel so blessed, and wanting similarly for EVERYone.

wow that you can do the NYTimes crossword!!

I used to love regular crosswords, but with my cognitive challenges back when, somehow they disappeared.

'twas before it was known that they are good medicine, as well as fun.

but yep, ANY of the brain activity stimulants do help.

and so you are near Bastyr In Washington state...

shucks, so far away from Massachusetts, 'cause I'd like to see her too!

but right now I'm too 'outta it' to do much of anything (just temporary after dust etc problee)

Jean

From: H R

Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 5:15 PM

Subject: Re: Frustrated as H*ll Need to vent LONG!!

Hi Jean!

I forgot to tell ya about another thing I do (courtesy of my neuro doc): crossword puzzles, suduko, memory games, finding hidden object games.....anythign to stimulate my brain. This has really helped. If I'm stressed about an appointment or test, doing a few games or battling over a crossword for a little while helps with the tension. it's also kind of rewarding when I can do a whole New York Times crossword.

My naturopath.....oh my...she was one of those docs who you find by accident during a time when you REALLY need one and they're one the best things that have happened to you in a long time. She has degrees from University of British Columbia and from one of the largest holistic accredited colleges, Bastyr (which is very close to where I live near Seattle). She isn't pushy, she works with my other docs as easily as they work with each other and supports my use of a balance of eastern/western meds. She freely admits when she doesn't know the answers or what to do next or if something should be referred to one of my other docs. She doesn't push any therapies or treatments...she just gives me the options, answers all of my questions and the rest is up to me. She spends an enormous amount of time with all her patients. I'm always in awe of this. She has treated me and even my Mum like family. Her husband runs the office/business part and she's the main doc but has taken on several specialists: a nurse who is also a Jinshindo practitioner, an acupuncturist who is also an nautropath, a nutritionist who is both a naturopath and has a degree in fitness management/instruction, a massage therapist and a colonic/hydrotherapy practitioner. She uses kiniesiology, among other things that I'm still learning about, to find different imbalances or areas that need to be cleared. She also uses emotional release therapy, has a number of gadgets she's thumped the acupressure/acupuncture points on my back/hands/legs with. I've taken some tinctures of different combinations of herbs and such for various problems and some chinese herb tinctures that last only a few days for some more specific problems. She just recently developed her own brand (in conjunction with her Bastyr connections) of herbals and supplements for her office even though she uses other brands too..but, still, there is no push from her to use these. I tell you....she has been better than a therapist and better than most docs I've seen. She is my primary doc and counselor, a bright spot in my life and a friend. I've heard horror stories about naturopaths and I'm SO glad I never had to have that experience. I wish so much that I had started seeing her when I first became ill, but I just wasn't informed enough.

take care,

Grania

Original Message Posted by: gettingthere35verizon (DOT) net jlrd35Date: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:44 am ((PDT))WOW Grania,You are actually DOing all this good stuff, and it sure is working for you!You've insprired me to (after we downsize) get going again on mine!!Hope my part-time brain remembers.... sigh...and YES, it sure is good to find others with similar concerns cognitively--- also -- so you found a naturopath that is doing well by you...I am interested. had tried once but was not impressed by the particular guy..Does he/she include homeopathics? vitamins? or just the naturopathic stuff?I gotta get ready for my sis to arriveJeanFrom: H R Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:48 PMSubject: Re: Frustrated as H*ll Need to vent LONG!!Hi and Jean!Wow, you can up with a way better answer than I could! I agree,concur, completely with everything you said! :)I'm another MSer. Diagnosed in 1999, I'm 36 and have been in apseudo-remission for about 2 years. I hear ya about the cognitive issues. Andyes, I've had to fight almost everyone because they don't think I havecognitive problems related to MS. Thankfully, my naturopath (primary doc) andmy MS miracle neuro doc believe me. **I have a desktop calendar that has enough space where I writeeverything from doc appointments to using it as a medical journal to write downwhatever is going on weird physcially or mentally with me. When I see a doc, Ibring the whole thing with me. That way, they can read the journal part and seewhere I'm having problems or patterns of pain, etc.**I use post-it notes and put them everywhere, especially if I have anappointment.**I have a list of my docs and all their information plus the dates formajor surgeries or diagnoses of illnesses, medicines and sensitivities...and Ikeep them in an envelope that never leaves my purse. If at any time I have tofill out a form and tell them about a surgery or a doc, I have the informationright there. I have a copy of it in a prominent place by the phone in myMum's kitchen (I live with Mum).

**I have multiple copies of my medicine schedule, dosage, the doc thatgave it to me and their info, sensitivies, emergency phone numbers posted atspecific areas in the apartment and always one in my purse. When I go to a doc,instead of filling out all that medicine, dosage and what doc is giving it to mestuff...I hand them a copy of my medicine schedule. Actually, they love it! Iwas surprised but many of my docs like it better than having to try to make meremember it on the spot.Man, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with the cognitivestuff. It's good to actually hear other people's stories..and ideas! Grania