Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 GRRR! I get so mad when I here about jerky doctors! Sounds like it's time for a new allergist. There are some out there who are a lot more understanding, and who even understand (and condone!) herbal medicine. Man, when doctors take on that kind of attitude, I just want to slap them upside the head and tell them to " snap out of it!!! " (Side note - the " proper " name for a slap upside the head is a " whisterpoop " - silly name, isn't it?) Sounds like this guy needs a dose of reality. Some of the best docs around are those who've been in our shoes and personally KNOW what CU is like. I would demand a copy of all test results from this guy, just to see what has and has not been done. He'll probably give you the run-around, but be persistant. It's your health we're talking about here, and you have a right to know. As for mixing herbs and meds, I would proceed with caution, read the warning/interaction labels on the meds, then compare that info with the active ingredient info on the herbs you plan on taking. Do you have any good books on herbal medicine, preferably that give you a breakdown of the active ingredients? I know wheat-grass juice is a good thing to take and is fine with a lot of different meds - my (former-before-I-moved)allergist put me on it. If you take the pred, be sure to take plenty of calcium and potassium. That stuff just sucks the calcium right out of you. And whatever you do, DO NOT stop taking it suddenly. You have to taper off of pred. Hope I've been of some help. - Itchin' and scratchin' and being generally miserable no matter how loudly I cuss, Jackie >From: esthers.1@... >Reply-To: urticariaegroups >To: urticariaegroups >Subject: herb/med combo >Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 13:45:31 -0400 > >Hi, friends. Trip to the allergist was a total waste of time. Now why did >I expect any different? He is putting me on Zyrtec and Zantac based on my >readings from this list. He didn't think I needed the Zantac but gave me >the prescription anyway. He didn't take any blood tests; said I was >tested for everything already (oh really!) and that it would be a waste >of time since they never find a cause for urticaria. What he was saying >was that since modern medicine can't find a cause, then there IS no cause >(not in those words, of course), and that I should stop aggravating >myself by insisting that there IS. I countered with that by saying, " so >you're saying that healthy bodies randomly blow up in gigantic hives for >no reason? " Never answered the question, just changed the slant of the >conversation. *SIGH*. He also gave me a prescription for prednisone and >told me to take 6 tablets of 5 mg each, totalling 30 mg whenever I get >big debilitating ones. He didn't welcome my comments, and was really >annoyed whenever I questioned him (and as a patient, I certainly have a >right to do so). I asked if perhaps it would be better off taking a lower >dose of pred whenever I hive, and his response was, " look, this isn't a >rug bazaar. As a doctor I'm telling you that you need 30 mg. " Oh really! >So I have to take every word that comes out of his mighty mouth as >absolute truth! Whatever, I'm venting and sorry this is so long. I'll go >to someone else that I can communicate with and feel comfortable bouncing >my theories off of. (Just kind of disappointing, because the doctor who >sent me to him specifically told me he takes a lot of time answering >questions and stuff). If I had more guts I would've spoken up more, but >when I heard my voice shaking and felt my eyes watering, I knew it was >time to clam up. > >Now, here's my question for you folks: > >Do I take my herbs while I take the Zyrtec, and possibly Zantac? The list >of herbs meant nothing to the doctor, so he couldn't advise me, and >whomever I could theoretically ask is either prejudiced in one way or >other, or won't know! I am taking nothing now, since I am at a complete >loss. > >Thanks. > >Esther > >PS- another arrogant statement of the allergist: " hives ALWAYS go away " >________________________________________________________________ >YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! >Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! >Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 Hi Esther, Sorry for the " allergist " and his lack of information especially with the H1/H2 combo.. So much for the Prednisone. My daughter, 10 years old " would " have hives everyday, which we have already experiences numerous times, without taking her medicines on a timely basis. She has had success with her Zantac twice a day, Zyrtec at night and Atarax every 6 hours or so which I divide up at breakfast, lunch, dinner and as late at bedtime as she is up which is late during the summer. Her allergist has suggested l Atarax at breakfast, l dinner and 2 at bedtime which seems to be when the hives come on. It has not worked. Hives have happened!!!! We are going back to the old program which had worked 95 percent of the time. So, sometimes you have to push for the drugs when they don't know and work out the timing that works best for you. She has basically left the timing of Atarax for to me, whatever works, fine. She is very cooperative. This is definately what you need!Since has only had CU for 3 months and she will be at camp for one month in July to Aug. I have not gotten in to herbs. So far I have not heard anything ready positive on that front. The only thing that maybe in the future when she returns is the yeast free diet for a few weeks which I will support her and do the same. There is a cure, but I think for everyone is very evasive and maybe not always atainable. Good luck as always, Jane >From: esthers.1@... >Reply-To: urticariaegroups >To: urticariaegroups >Subject: herb/med combo >Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 13:45:31 -0400 > >Hi, friends. Trip to the allergist was a total waste of time. Now why did >I expect any different? He is putting me on Zyrtec and Zantac based on my >readings from this list. He didn't think I needed the Zantac but gave me >the prescription anyway. He didn't take any blood tests; said I was >tested for everything already (oh really!) and that it would be a waste >of time since they never find a cause for urticaria. What he was saying >was that since modern medicine can't find a cause, then there IS no cause >(not in those words, of course), and that I should stop aggravating >myself by insisting that there IS. I countered with that by saying, " so >you're saying that healthy bodies randomly blow up in gigantic hives for >no reason? " Never answered the question, just changed the slant of the >conversation. *SIGH*. He also gave me a prescription for prednisone and >told me to take 6 tablets of 5 mg each, totalling 30 mg whenever I get >big debilitating ones. He didn't welcome my comments, and was really >annoyed whenever I questioned him (and as a patient, I certainly have a >right to do so). I asked if perhaps it would be better off taking a lower >dose of pred whenever I hive, and his response was, " look, this isn't a >rug bazaar. As a doctor I'm telling you that you need 30 mg. " Oh really! >So I have to take every word that comes out of his mighty mouth as >absolute truth! Whatever, I'm venting and sorry this is so long. I'll go >to someone else that I can communicate with and feel comfortable bouncing >my theories off of. (Just kind of disappointing, because the doctor who >sent me to him specifically told me he takes a lot of time answering >questions and stuff). If I had more guts I would've spoken up more, but >when I heard my voice shaking and felt my eyes watering, I knew it was >time to clam up. > >Now, here's my question for you folks: > >Do I take my herbs while I take the Zyrtec, and possibly Zantac? The list >of herbs meant nothing to the doctor, so he couldn't advise me, and >whomever I could theoretically ask is either prejudiced in one way or >other, or won't know! I am taking nothing now, since I am at a complete >loss. > >Thanks. > >Esther > >PS- another arrogant statement of the allergist: " hives ALWAYS go away " >________________________________________________________________ >YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! >Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! >Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 Hi Esther, Sorry you had such a bad time with the allergist. I know where you're coming from (was there yesterday), and I think one of the worst things about this is that you can that you go in there knowing exactly what you want to ask, all of your questions are logical, you're feeling confident, you know exactly where you want to get with your questions and you've been told this particular doctor is excellent and so forth, but when you get there - BAM! The doctor takes control, already has an agenda for your treatment so you can forget about all your questions, and then you lose all your confidence because you're talking to somebody that won't entertain your thoughts about your own condition (and you can bet it would be a different story for your doc if your doc had this condition!!). It concerns me a little that, as an allergist, that he knew nothing about the HI/H2 combination. I would understand this lack of knowledge more from a GP, but not in general from a specialist in the field that is supposed to be doing their reading on allergy and it's possible treatments. What other options do you have? Can you see anybody else? Can you go back to the same doctor with somebody close to you who understands your CU, and insist on being listened to? And if he mentions the rug bazaar again, maybe ask him what he's doing being a doctor if he has the time to patronise his patients but doesn't have the time to listen to them when they tell him important details about their own illnesses!! Hope you feel better tomorrow Love herb/med combo > Hi, friends. Trip to the allergist was a total waste of time. Now why did > I expect any different? He is putting me on Zyrtec and Zantac based on my > readings from this list. He didn't think I needed the Zantac but gave me > the prescription anyway. He didn't take any blood tests; said I was > tested for everything already (oh really!) and that it would be a waste > of time since they never find a cause for urticaria. What he was saying > was that since modern medicine can't find a cause, then there IS no cause > (not in those words, of course), and that I should stop aggravating > myself by insisting that there IS. I countered with that by saying, " so > you're saying that healthy bodies randomly blow up in gigantic hives for > no reason? " Never answered the question, just changed the slant of the > conversation. *SIGH*. He also gave me a prescription for prednisone and > told me to take 6 tablets of 5 mg each, totalling 30 mg whenever I get > big debilitating ones. He didn't welcome my comments, and was really > annoyed whenever I questioned him (and as a patient, I certainly have a > right to do so). I asked if perhaps it would be better off taking a lower > dose of pred whenever I hive, and his response was, " look, this isn't a > rug bazaar. As a doctor I'm telling you that you need 30 mg. " Oh really! > So I have to take every word that comes out of his mighty mouth as > absolute truth! Whatever, I'm venting and sorry this is so long. I'll go > to someone else that I can communicate with and feel comfortable bouncing > my theories off of. (Just kind of disappointing, because the doctor who > sent me to him specifically told me he takes a lot of time answering > questions and stuff). If I had more guts I would've spoken up more, but > when I heard my voice shaking and felt my eyes watering, I knew it was > time to clam up. > > Now, here's my question for you folks: > > Do I take my herbs while I take the Zyrtec, and possibly Zantac? The list > of herbs meant nothing to the doctor, so he couldn't advise me, and > whomever I could theoretically ask is either prejudiced in one way or > other, or won't know! I am taking nothing now, since I am at a complete > loss. > > Thanks. > > Esther > > PS- another arrogant statement of the allergist: " hives ALWAYS go away " > ________________________________________________________________ > YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! > Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! > Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: > http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > P.S. - You have to check this link out, it's pretty funny. > http://click./1/5994/1/_/453246/_/962214478/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide cyber-family. > > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria. > > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not wish to read such postings. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 HI JACKIE- JUST WONDERING......DO YOU KNOW IF IT WOULD BE SAFE TO TAKE JUST ONE(5MG) TAB OF PREDNISONE AT THE TIME OF SWELLING AND THEN DON'T TAKE AGAIN UNTIL NEEDED? I WOULD NORMALLY ASK MY DOC BUT LEFT OUT OF TOWN TODAY FOR A WEEK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 Thanks Jackie. You guys are so understanding, I wish the doctors would be too. > I would demand a copy of all test results from this guy, > just to > see what has and has not been done. He'll probably give you the > run-around, > but be persistant. It's your health we're talking about here, and > you have a > right to know. Yeah, well, persistence hasn't gotten me very far with him! At any rate, he didn't perform any tests so no big loss. I have gotten copies of all tests I have taken with other doctors, except for one, and I will pursue that. >As for mixing herbs and meds, I would proceed with > caution, > read the warning/interaction labels on the meds, then compare that > info with > the active ingredient info on the herbs you plan on taking. Do you > have any > good books on herbal medicine, preferably that give you a breakdown > of the > active ingredients? Myra is helping me a lot with that. I am still going through all her info, but so far I don't see anything telling me one way or other whether it's safe to take the herbs and meds together. >And > whatever > you do, DO NOT stop taking it suddenly. You have to taper off of > pred. My instructions with the pred are to take 30 mg when necessary (i.e. - large, debilitating hives) and call this allergist. From what I understand, it will be a one shot deal. How then do I taper off gradually? > Hope > I've been of some help. You have, Jackie, thanks tons. Love, Esther ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 , I see I have to amend something. When I said that he didn't deem it necessary for me to have both the H1 and H2 combo, I did not mean to imply that he was not aware that this combination is generally effective. Rather, he had a specific reason for not prescribing both, namely, that I did not meet the conditions to necessitate Zantac (I think acid reflux, or something). You described EXACTLY what I go through before, during and after a doctor visit. Yes, my confidence was totally shattered! (And speaking of patronizing, here's a good one. Putting it in parenthesis because it's not urticaria related. This particular allergist was concerned that the backs of my eyes were too red and sent me to an opthomologist after my session with him. When I sat down on the chair per the opthomologist's request, he said " good girl. " How DARE he patronize me with that sexist garbage! Would he dare say the same thing to my male 21 year old counterpart? " Good boy? " Please. ) That's all for now. Thanks for your support - and yes, I do believe there are some nice, understanding doctors out there, so I don't mean to bash them all - just the ones I've met! Esther On Wed, 28 Jun 2000 21:11:23 +0100 " Houghton " writes: > Hi Esther, > > Sorry you had such a bad time with the allergist. I know where > you're coming > from (was there yesterday), and I think one of the worst things > about this > is that you can that you go in there knowing exactly what you want > to ask, > all of your questions are logical, you're feeling confident, you > know > exactly where you want to get with your questions and you've been > told this > particular doctor is excellent and so forth, but when you get there > - BAM! > The doctor takes control, already has an agenda for your treatment > so you > can forget about all your questions, and then you lose all your > confidence > because you're talking to somebody that won't entertain your > thoughts about > your own condition (and you can bet it would be a different story > for your > doc if your doc had this condition!!). It concerns me a little that, > as an > allergist, that he knew nothing about the HI/H2 combination. I would > understand this lack of knowledge more from a GP, but not in general > from a > specialist in the field that is supposed to be doing their reading > on > allergy and it's possible treatments. > > What other options do you have? Can you see anybody else? Can you go > back to > the same doctor with somebody close to you who understands your CU, > and > insist on being listened to? > > And if he mentions the rug bazaar again, maybe ask him what he's > doing being > a doctor if he has the time to patronise his patients but doesn't > have the > time to listen to them when they tell him important details about > their own > illnesses!! > > Hope you feel better tomorrow > > Love > ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2000 Report Share Posted June 28, 2000 Hi Esther, It's OK to vent. Having to deal with this type of doc is very frustrating. We understand. Don't let it get you down. You are fighting CU and that takes a lot of guts. Good idea you didn't waste your breath trying to reason with him. He wasn't worth it. He could have learned more about CU from you and with you, but denied himself the opportunity. His loss. As far as taking herbs and meds at the same time, think caution is indicated. There could be some interaction because some herbs are as powerful as meds. For a while last year, was on various vitamins and natural products (primrose oil, linseed oil, etc.) at the same time as meds, but all were prescribed by a doctor who had some testing (blood, urine, hair, etc.) before recommending I take them. They helped some, but my best results were when stopped all vitamins and natural supplements (the cost was astronomical and results minimal) and just took meds (Zantac/Zyrtec combo twice a day) Still broke out a little too often and had to take benadryl. After experimenting with Ketotifen and Singulair (which I couldn't tolerate) added Accolate a few months later. This was all with a doctor's approval. Now have 95% control of CU. Have always been careful to add only one med (or natural supplement) at a time so that I can tell if I can tolerate it and also see if there are any benefits or not. Also kept a daily log of meds/supplements taken or any new foods added to my diet. It's been helpful in eliminating the meds (and or natural supplements) I couldn't tolerate, increased oubreaks or just didn't bring any improvement. My success with the Zantac/Zyrtec/Accolate combo can be attributed to the great people on this list and the info they posted. (Thanks again folks. My docs are happy that I have now been off prednisone for over 9 months, know about all of you and have great respect for your experience and knowledge.) Keep on searching for the right doctor who will help you try find the cause of your CU. If a cause can't be found, this group's experiences may help you find the measure of control which is appropriate for you and enable you to regain some quality of life. Take care. Mado in Quebec (Canada) herb/med combo > Hi, friends. Trip to the allergist was a total waste of time. Now why did > I expect any different? He is putting me on Zyrtec and Zantac based on my > readings from this list. He didn't think I needed the Zantac but gave me > the prescription anyway. He didn't take any blood tests; said I was > tested for everything already (oh really!) and that it would be a waste > of time since they never find a cause for urticaria. What he was saying > was that since modern medicine can't find a cause, then there IS no cause > (not in those words, of course), and that I should stop aggravating > myself by insisting that there IS. I countered with that by saying, " so > you're saying that healthy bodies randomly blow up in gigantic hives for > no reason? " Never answered the question, just changed the slant of the > conversation. *SIGH*. He also gave me a prescription for prednisone and > told me to take 6 tablets of 5 mg each, totalling 30 mg whenever I get > big debilitating ones. He didn't welcome my comments, and was really > annoyed whenever I questioned him (and as a patient, I certainly have a > right to do so). I asked if perhaps it would be better off taking a lower > dose of pred whenever I hive, and his response was, " look, this isn't a > rug bazaar. As a doctor I'm telling you that you need 30 mg. " Oh really! > So I have to take every word that comes out of his mighty mouth as > absolute truth! Whatever, I'm venting and sorry this is so long. I'll go > to someone else that I can communicate with and feel comfortable bouncing > my theories off of. (Just kind of disappointing, because the doctor who > sent me to him specifically told me he takes a lot of time answering > questions and stuff). If I had more guts I would've spoken up more, but > when I heard my voice shaking and felt my eyes watering, I knew it was > time to clam up. > > Now, here's my question for you folks: > > Do I take my herbs while I take the Zyrtec, and possibly Zantac? The list > of herbs meant nothing to the doctor, so he couldn't advise me, and > whomever I could theoretically ask is either prejudiced in one way or > other, or won't know! I am taking nothing now, since I am at a complete > loss. > > Thanks. > > Esther > > PS- another arrogant statement of the allergist: " hives ALWAYS go away " > ________________________________________________________________ > YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! > Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! > Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: > http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > P.S. - You have to check this link out, it's pretty funny. > http://click./1/5994/1/_/453246/_/962214478/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > This list is in the service of those who suffer from Chronic Urticaria (hives). We strive to support and lift each other as a worldwide cyber-family. > > We share whatever needs to be shared to help one another in our struggle with Chronic Urticria. > > Any posting that is off the main topic of Chronic Urticaria, we post with a prefix of NCU -. This is done out of respect for those who do not wish to read such postings. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2000 Report Share Posted June 29, 2000 Guys I would just like to say that the Chinese herbs seem to be working. For the first time in 12 months my fingers have shrunk back to their normal size!!! I feel so happy. Ok the hiving is still there but it is a start! It took a year of steroids to mess me up it will take a year of herbs to 'cure' me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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