In need of a Doc using Complementary Med/Alternative to treat Valves

[pearl]

Hello everyone,
I have been writing to the Valve thread, but can't seem to get the information that I need. My mother is not a candidate for Valve Replacement Surgery. She has too many other complications, dialysis -4times a week-- that would make her at very very high risk for a stroke, blindness, loss of mental facilities, etc.

So, I am in search of a MD who is experienced in alternative medicine and can treat someone like my mother, medications, etc.... I am sure she is not the only person who is in this position. She does have shortness of breath which has hospitalized her for overnight. Otherwise, she functions... lives on her own, and is a very vibrant young woman of 76.

What can be done? Who can she see to address this problem. We live in the New York City metropolitian area, specifically-- Essex County in New Jersey. She cannot travel because of diaylsis 4 times a week.

I thank you ahead of time for your time and patience in helping me.
Glenda
(Pearl's Daughter)

 

[JimChicago]

One of the only Cardiologists I've heard of who researches the use of nutritional supplements as well as conventional medicne is Dr. Julian Whitaker in California.

I would like to find a local one myself so I can understand it is difficult to find one. It would probably be more likely that you would find an internist/PCP that uses nutritional/alternative treatments than a cardiologist.

But the internet is a great resource - for example Life Extension Institute gives out an imense amount of info at their site: http://www.lef.org

Perhaps you could call them and they could refer you to some doctors in New York- their numbers:
Toll Free Phone (Orders)
800-544-4440
Toll Free Phone (Advisors)
800-226-2370
Toll Free Phone (Customer Service)
800-678-8989
Direct Phone
954-766-8433

New York is particularly difficult due to the bias of your medical board who perhaps do not like competititon from alternative doctors -

From:
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/...ProductKey=26001&Style=/AMXSL/EssayDetail.xsl
>>>
State medical boards are persecuting alternative physicians for trying too hard to cure their patients

While the public clamors for more access to alternative medical therapies, alternative physicians are still being singled out by state medical boards. New York might be the worst offender. The physicians they have prosecuted reads like a "Who's Who" of alternative medicine. In the past that state's Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) has brought charges against Dr. Robert Atkins, whose low-carbohydrate diet is finally receiving validation after 30 years of professional ridicule and harassment; Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez, who recently received a $1.4 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to test his alternative cancer therapy; Dr. Warren Levin, who opened the first holistic health center in New York in 1974; cancer pioneers Drs. Emmanuel Revici and Michael Schachter; and famed Lyme disease doctors Joseph Burrascano and Charles Gant.

The latest outrage is the OPMC's revocation of the medical license of Dr. Serafina Corsello. Dr. Corsello is an internationally respected clinician, lecturer and author. She was one of 25 physicians chosen by the National Institutes of Health to participate in forming the NIH's Office of Alternative Medicine in 1992.

The OPMC has been trying to get Dr. Corsello for over 25 years. They held their first hearing for her in 1976, not because of any patient complaints, but because they heard that she was giving her patients nutritional IVs. She explained what she was doing and why, and the OPMC was unable to find any grounds to discipline her.

In 1982, Dr. Corsello's name appeared in a book in connection with ozone therapy, in which a small amount of a patient's blood is infused with oxygen isotopes and returned to the patient in order to kill pathogens. Again, there had been no patient complaint-and in fact, Dr. Corsello did not practice ozone therapy. Case dismissed.

Other incidents followed, which cost her much time, worry, and tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Then, in 1997, Dr. Corsello heard from an inside source that the OPMC had finally determined a way to charge her that would succeed. Again, without any patient complaints to instigate an investigation, charges were brought against her for "excessive testing."

What is "excessive testing?"

What kind of tests did Dr. Corsello order that were considered "excessive?" One example is that when a female patient would come to Dr. Corsello complaining of perimenopause or menopause symptoms, Dr. Corsello would usually order a hormone-level test before prescribing any type of hormone replacement therapy. This differs from the usual medical practice of just prescribing standardized doses of hormones based on a patient's description of her symptoms. Which practice sounds like better medicine?
>>>

 

[bvdr]

Glenda,

I think the reason you aren't getting much response is because unfortunately, there just isn't any medicine that counter-acts valve problems. There are things that can be done to help lessen the work load of the heart and hopefully keep symptoms at a minimum for a bit longer. Weight loss helps. Eating smaller meals and reducing activity may also relieve the work load of the heart.

And of course, there are some medications and treatments to ease unpleasant symptoms.... such as nitro for chest pain and even oxygen for shortness of breath. I think you know this but are so hoping for something else that will help fix the valve itself.

I thought I had read a post a while back that said your mom had seen a doctor that would operate on her. I might be remembering wrong. I know you are in a very difficult position and I wish I could tell you that there was something available other than surgery. I am so sorry about this, Glenda.

 

[taranjit]

Alternative medicine does help - if not to completely correct your problem, to improve on it... it can be especially helpful in patients who have multiple issues like your mom.. if one or more of those can be made better, that can be helpful right?... Well you have to try it for yourself... here are some of sites that might be helpful:

http://www.startthehealing.com
http://www.800herbdoc.com
http://www.doctoryourself.com

good luck..
taranjit

 

[Granbonny]

Glenda

Glenda

My age 90 year old father has an aneurysm around his stomach. First found many years ago. We took him to a specialist in Montgomery, Alabama 2 years ago. We were told at his age..impossible..He lives a very active life..cutting grass, ect. in the heat in alabama. Takes 1 b/p med a day. We never mention his aneurysm......I think he has forgotten he even has one.....We don't bother to take him anymore to see if it has grown. Just don't want to know...I meant to say that surgery was out of the question. Better, he just live his life out and hope it never burst...From the time they found it 7 years ago until when he was checked 2 years ago..had grown just a tad...Bonnie

 

[pearl]

In response

In response

Thank you all for your responses. Great! I will begin my research tomorrow and let you know what I find. Thanks again for all your help.
Glenda
(Pearl's daughter)

 

[azpam]

You can call julian whitakers institute and see if they can refer you to someone in your area that he might know. their # is 714-851-1550. also there is a dr. stephen sinatra at the new england heart and longevity center in manchester,conn. their # is 301-738-8234 called the heartsense hotline. hope this helps. i like alternative medicine too! nurse azpam

 

[Harpoon]

On diet, check out books on low sodium foods and diet plans.

They may be helpful in combating some of the side-effects of having a valve problem such as fluid retention.


With your mother's age, treatment of symptoms may be the better option. The only "high risk" place that I'd kind of recommend would be Cleveland Clinic, but then I'm biased towards them in a lot of ways because they're at the top of the top ten for all kinds of heart care....

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Pearl -

I've not found where you stated the nature of your mother's valve problem(s). Basically, valve issues are PLUMBING issues and when a valve fails (open or closed), that failure is catastrophic.

Bandaids such as reducing fluid retention and reducing blood pressure allow the patient to be 'more comfortable' for a time, UNTIL the valve becomes fully NON-functional resulting in their demise.

Sorry for being so blunt.

Another 'possible life extender' might be VALVULOPLASTY where a balloon catheter is used to enlarge the opening. I've heard of these being used for Mitral Valve Stenosis. I'm not sure if it is viable for Aortic Valve Stenosis. Since this is a catheterization procedure, it is most likely performed by (specially trained) cardiologists. Recovery time would likely be a matter of a few days vs. MONTHS for surgery.

'AL'

 

[pearl]

on response

on response

Thank you all for your response. The reason for not doing valvuplasty is the same reason for not doing surgery. The risk of stroke, blindness, lessening of mental capacity, etc.

In any case, we have an appointment on Tuesday with Dr. Oz. I am hoping that he will be able to offer some positive direction.

Thank you again.
Glenda
(Pearl's daughter)