Stage 4 appendix ca tired of chemo looking for alternatives

trish07

juliebeth said:

tcm
Where can I learn more about the broths and pills? So I can try it out.

Pseudomyxoma Peritoneal
Juliebeth,

I saw that you posted on the rare cancers site and its not very often that you find anyone on here with this. My husbands cancer also started in his appendix and spread through-out his abdomen. Diagnosed stage lV in Nov. 07.

I do not know of alternative treatments. He has had 3 surgeries and has been on chemo for most of the time. Oncologist says he will be on chemo for the duration of his life although right now he is on a break (3 months ) and will be starting back at the end of Nov.

I was just curious where you are being treated and what kind of chemotherapy you have done thusfar?

Trish

John23

knowwhen said:

Cost
One reason a lot of people don't use alternative treatments as an adjunct to mainstream medicine or in place of is that many people do have healthcare insurance. With the exception of acupuncture sometimes, healthcare insurance doesn't usually pay for alternative therapy/supplements so the cost is all out of pocket! I think more people would be interested in trying things if they were covered by insurance but just can't afford to pay on their own.

knowwhen -

Re:
"With the exception of acupuncture sometimes, healthcare insurance
doesn't usually pay for alternative therapy"

Absolutely right! I have Medicare 1st and BC/BS as 2nd, and
acupuncture is partially paid (as is the office visit), but herbs etc,
are not covered. Even an office visit to the TCM doc for anything
but acupuncture, isn't covered.

The herbs can be expensive, but to tell you the truth.... we were
spending almost as much for co-pays and deductibles (and for
all the "other" meds that weren't covered with western medicine),
over the course of years that we had to use them, than what we paid
for herbs for the short time it was needed to take the herbs.

It's "pay now, or pay later", regardless.

My wife spent years battling RA, and took Methotrexate and
Vioxx for quite a number of years, before the Vioxx caused a
cerebral aneurysm that finally ruptured. She stopped taking
any RA meds after that (they didn't work anyway), and went to
the Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor we remain with.

He put her RA into total remission within a year, and she went
for a long time without any problems at all, never needing to take
a thing for RA. (the story was in an above post)

The cost difference between the two are astronomical. Western
Medicine for years and years with no end in sight vs the TCM
route for less than a year, and seeing the finale'.

The cost of it all does play a role, especially with the times lately,
but I would prefer to use credit to get healthy, than have to lay in
bed watching HDTV while I attempt a recovery.

Pay now; pay later.... we all have to choose, one way or the other.

(it hurts my rear end too, honest)

John23

juliebeth said:

tcm
Where can I learn more about the broths and pills? So I can try it out.

broths and pills?
juliebeth -

You would have to do a search for a Traditional Chinese Medicine
practitioner in your area. There is more to it than simply ingesting
a bunch of herbs; I wish it were that simple (as we all do).

The whole body has to be evaluated; diagnosed, and a prescription
written for the herbs to be used. "One pill for all", isn't the course of
action in TCM, as it is in western medicine. We're all different, and
what one person may be deficient in, another can be totally different.

There might be other options also, so you should do a thorough
search at this board.for posts regarding alternative medicine.

If the "alternative medicine" is going to cost a lot of money,
it just might be "all about the money". "Cures" that are promoted
but only disclosed if you "buy the book", are usually useless.

(my opinions)



Search in good health! You will find the answer.