Stage 4 appendix ca tired of chemo looking for alternatives

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  • trish07
    trish07 Member Posts: 138
    #22
    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
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #23
    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
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #24
    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.

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