Hey, Forest:
Thanks for taking the time to read my previous note and respond. In addition to learning what people are dealing with, I'm equally interested in the human aspect of them.
Also, I appreciate the details you generously shared. You have an interesting history and your experience as a Nurse and now training to be a medical professional helps me better understand some of your writings.
By the way, once you're healed, should you still choose to become an MD or ND, I'm certain you will make a great one. Some of these traits we share can certainly exhaust us, but they can also make us great at what we do. No matter which path you pursue, however, you will have even more empathy and compassion than before. So, despite how it may feel, your pain and suffering aren't in vain.
In reading your signature line and going through two of your posts above, indeed, you've been through -- and, are still going through -- quite a lot. I'm sorry you've had so much to deal with at such a young age. And, I regret that you've been mishandled so much by the medical establishment.
Certainly, your distrust of doctors and the medical system are warranted and understandable, given your experiences. While our situations are different, I recently had a demoralizing experience with an Infectious Disease doctor at a VA Clinic. It was a "blame the patient" move and then a referral to mental health.
It still irritates me, but I now accept that this doctor -- and, the legions of clones like her, whether in Infectious Disease, Rheumatology, Cardiology, etc. -- has to follow the "Standard of Care." Obviously, you understand better than me. I understood it as a concept, but I really rejected it, because I reasoned that the "Standard of Care" is inadequate. And, for some things, it is. But, for many other things, it's appropriate. Conventional medicine will eventually come around to newer ideas, but we can't wait around.
Alternative healthcare doesn't get a free pass from me, either. Like conventional medicine, alternative medicine is also a mixed bag. There are many expensive tests, treatments, and supplements that don't always have sufficient evidence to support their claims. While there's certainly oversight in alternative healthcare, it doesn't seem to be as easy to police and enforce. There are many "off-label" uses for things and patients usually sign stacks of waivers for their treatments.
My point in all of this is we have to take the best of what each has to offer and realize that our needs (and, thus, our treatments) will change over time. Many of us help from both conventional and alternative providers. Unfortunately, it's usually a lot of trial-and-error. Some of this involves feeling worse before feeling better. The only way out is through. If we can accept this fact, then things become a bit easier. Expectations matter.
Now, you're in an especially tough spot. I'm particularly concerned about
your 65 pound weight loss. Unless your about
5' 5" tall, you're quite underweight. But, I also understand you want to eat and that you're having severe food reactions. I can't understand how any reasonable physician wouldn't be concerned and make your weight loss their primary focus. What have your doctors had to say about
your weight loss?
Are you able to ingest any liquid nutrition drinks? Previously, you mentioned possibly going to the ER. If you did so and mentioned your significant weight loss, I wonder what they would do? Do they place G-tubes in an ER setting? (Hence my question about
liquid nutrition drinks.) I'd imagine that would be more for a hospital admission. Or, they'd simply release you and tell you to follow up with your primary care physician.
To me, it seems that getting your digestion and assimilation stabilized should be foundational. Otherwise, everything else is only going to get worse. Food, water, sleep, and a non-toxic environment are non-negotiable.
As for anxiety, are you familiar with Dr. Abram Hoffer and his work with Niacin? If not, here are a few resources from the website of Andrew Saul to consider:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/anxiety.htmlhttp://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.htmlhttp://www.doctoryourself.com/niacin.htmlNOTE: Not all of Dr. Hoffer's or Andrew Saul's claims are accepted by mainstream medicine.
I've never tried Niacin therapy for my own anxiety, so I can't give any personal testimony. Also, as a non-physician and non-scientist, I can't speak to the veracity of what's written in the above articles.
However, it would seem to me that Niacin might be a safer therapy to try, versus psychiatric medications. Then again, I'm a layperson. So, do your own research and discuss with your own doctor before trying anything.
I think you have to get yourself stabilized first, before you do anything else. That's just my opinion.
Dude