Guest guest Posted May 9, 2005 Report Share Posted May 9, 2005 Dear Isobel, Your friend might like to read " Living Proof " by Gearin-Tosh. He had myeloma, the approach might be similar perhaps. Allshorn Amyloidosis The husband of a friend of mine was diagnosed last October with primary systemic amyloidosis (myeloma-associated), after having lost about 2 stone in weight and suffering fatigue. There are deposits of amyloid protein on his kidneys and some on his liver & spleen. He is about to start a course of chemotherapy, which he has been told has a 50 -60% chance of stabilising the condition, otherwise the prognosis is end-stage renal failure in 4-5 years . He is in his mid to late 40s, black (if this is relevant) and had otherwise been very fit and healthy, cycling to work on the other side of London every day to his pharmacy practice. They have 2 young children. Although I am not currently treating him, his wife is keen to explore all options. So I wonder if you have any experience of this rather obscure but otentiall fatal condition, and have any herbal or other 'complementary' suggestions. Would the protocol be similar to herbal approaches to cancer. Is Carduus indicated for the liver, and is there any point in taking concurrently with chemotherapy , or should he wait till after the course? Many thanks for any help, Isobel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 , is that right about treating cancer? I know it is best to concentrate on lifestyle treatment and ethically this is what we should be focusing on. However there are about ten conditions we are no allowed to say we can treat (IE promote), but I thought we could treat them if asked. Couls someone clarify. Re: Amyloidosis > > > > > > List Owner > > > > Graham White, MNIMH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Dear , As far as I'm aware that's the case, perhaps someone currently involved in the registration process would be better able to pinpoint the exact position. Working with patients using the Gerson Therapy I have had to do training in that therapy with people concerned and it seems that only oncologists can actually treat the cancer per se. Which means we have to be very careful about how we put to the patient exactly what we are doing when we offer lifestyle etc. advice and herbs which might be interpreted as having a direct anti-cancer effect, as opposed to supporting bodily functions to enable patient's own healing reaction to deal with the problem. Offering advice re. chemotherapy and radiotherapy might also be considered controversial. With the Gerson for example, though it is a self help therapy by definition and involves primarily diet, supplements and the " dreaded " coffee enemas my patients sign a Disclaimer setting out that they are embarking on this Therapy under their own responsibility. My role is supportive and I am separately insured for this. The matter still, I think has to be tested in court but one or two doctors, working on the fringes of alternative treatments for cancer are finding themselves in a very awkward situation. It's a very fine line between offering support and a)alternatives or b)remedies which are purported to have anti-cancer effects. Especially when some of those remedies only have those effects at doses relevant to rats or the test-tube. Some very wild , and often unsubstantiated claims are being made for herbal treatments for cancer. And small fortunes being made in the process. Bearing in mind that patients with cancer are often both vulnerable and highly stressed and what we say may be taken to mean that we are treating their cancer if prescriptions contain herbs with purported anti- cancer properties. I was trying to highlight that this is an area we should go into with eyes wide open, especially newer practitioners who may not be aware that it is a potential no-go area or one which they might feel more comfortable having clearer guide lines on. Bartram's entry under Medicine's Act includes cancer as one of the list for which we cannot offer medicines for sale, so wording is important when explaining a prescription to patient's. Other, more experience herbalist than myself will, I'm sure be able to fill in more precise definitions of our role. There is some wonderful work being done in the field, people have a wonderful healing capacity given the right environment at all levels but we have to be very aware of what we are doing, how we are communicating what we are doing to patients and the public. Are we really qualified to monitored detailed blood results? Advise patients with complicated and life threatening conditions without being sure we have open communications lines with their GP's, oncologists and that the boundaries are clearly stated before we start? Best wishes, Allshorn Re: Amyloidosis , is that right about treating cancer? I know it is best to concentrate on lifestyle treatment and ethically this is what we should be focusing on. However there are about ten conditions we are no allowed to say we can treat (IE promote), but I thought we could treat them if asked. Couls someone clarify. Re: Amyloidosis > > > > > > List Owner > > > > Graham White, MNIMH > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Dear , The one I have relates specifically to The Gerson Therapy I'm afraid and I'm not sure it would be relevant to Herbalist's generally. I think it might be something the Professional Bodies need to look at and give advice on especially as so many people are now seeking help. I can only speak from my own experience and understanding. Allshorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I seem to remember from ethics & jurisprudence that the law states that we can't " hold out to treat " those conditions, but we are specifically prohibited from treating venereal disease. Sally Owen > , is that right about treating cancer? I know it is best to > concentrate on lifestyle treatment and ethically this is what we > should be > focusing on. However there are about ten conditions we are no allowed > to say > we can treat (IE promote), but I thought we could treat them if > asked. > Couls someone clarify. > > > Re: Amyloidosis > > > > > > > > > > > > List Owner > > > > > > > > Graham White, MNIMH > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2005 Report Share Posted May 14, 2005 Sadly my friend's husband died very suddenly & unexpectedly before even starting chemo. He developed a fever and septicaemia. Thank you to those of you offered suggestions/insights. Isobel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 As far as I remember (correct me if I'm wrong) the only conditions we are not allowed to treat are the sexually transmitted diseases. There are several conditions we are not allowed to claim to be able to CURE including cancer and diabetes but we can treat them, althought that doesn't mean we should! Cheers Graham White B.Sc. (Herb. Med.), MNIMH. Medical Herbalist Bishop's Stortford ----------------------------------------------------------------- www.gcwhite.co.uk gcwhite@... > Dear , As far as I'm aware that's the case, perhaps someone currently > involved in the registration process would be better able to pinpoint the > exact position. Working with patients using the Gerson Therapy I have had to > do training in that therapy with people concerned and it seems that only > oncologists can actually treat the cancer per se. Which means we have to be > very careful about how we put to the patient exactly what we are doing when > we offer lifestyle etc. advice and herbs which might be interpreted as > having a direct anti-cancer effect, as opposed to supporting bodily > functions to enable patient's own healing reaction to deal with the problem. > <snip> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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