M. D. Anderson Cancer Center transcript

lisa42 said:

interesting
Thanks- this was interesting!
Although I have been seeing a naturopathic dr., I also have an appt in another week and a half with a TCM specialist, to kind of compare what he would want to do with what the naturopathic has me taking. My big issue is that I've been having a hard time with needing to swallow so many pills/capsules lately. My throat constricts and it hurts- I'm swallowing 25-30 supplement pills at times. I didn't take any yesterday to avoid that constricting problem & so I didn't take what I should be taking. I know the TCM uses teas and other liquids- thinking these might go down easier.

Lisa

Lisa -

Different TCM practitioners use different methods and practices,
just as western medicine physicians use different medicines and
practices. And just like we "shop around" for a qualified WM
physician, we should not limit ourselves to the opinion of one
TCM physician, either.

That said..... In TCM, the herbal broths and/or treatments
do not continue on forever, they are used until the problem
is resolved.

The TCM physician we use, does not believe in vitamin or
mineral "supplements". He writes the prescription, and his
pharmacist fills it drawing from the 300+ herbs they have
in stock.

Personally, I can understand the need to take a specific "supplement",
if the body is totally unable to absorb that specific vitamin or
mineral element naturally.... However, if that is the situation, taking
the supplement orally will not get it into the blood stream if the
body is unable to absorb via digestion. So why do it?

(My colon is gone, as well as at least half of my small intestine,
and they said that my body will no longer absorb magnesium
or B-12. I add the magnesium to the IV hydration fluid. But
after seeing my last CBC and the normal amount of B-12, I do
not see any reason to add that to the hydration as they instructed.

In fact, since my magnesium is almost normal without taking
IV magnesium, I may eventually eliminate it from the IV fluid
and eat more foods containing it instead).

The TCM herbal broths can taste terrible, and some will
gag a maggot, but it's not forever. The broths are usually taken
three times daily, and the prescription changes as your health
changes.

The money you save by not buying all those supplements may
be enough to pay for your complete TCM treatment.

My last visit for TCM treatment was some months back. I had
what was diagnosed by my WM GP as DVT behind my left knee.
They wanted to give me blood thinners and set up an appointment
to have an "umbrella" installed in the main return from the leg to the
Heart, telling me that if I did not do that ASAP, I could die from
a "PE" when the clot gets into the lung.

My TCM prescribed a broth that dissolved clots, and within
two days the pain and swelling was gone - so was the clot.
And again, my WM physicians feel that I am just lucky.
Lucky to be alive since 2006 with a dx of cc4, without ever
taking the absolutely required chemo; lucky to have kidney
stones magically disappear, lucky to have my AF a thing of
the past without surgery or meds, lucky to have a DVT seem
to evaporate into thin air?

I met an awful lot of other very, very "lucky" individuals over
the years we've visited the TCM's office for conditions and
check-ups.

What a bunch of lucky individuals!

You'll do OK Lisa. Read the "blog" for what to expect on the
first visit, and what to look for in a TCM practitioner.

It's a difference science using very different terms and expressions.

Let me know how you do, of if you need any info.

Best wishes!

John