Has anyone tried Chinese Medicine?

Before I found out I has psoriasis and PSA, I was told I had Grover's disease. I lived with that for a few years- very mild case - because it is chronic- I looked for alternative solutions and stumbled upon a Chinese Dr in Santa Barbara, Ca. I sought him out and began a regimen of bulk herbs which are VERY potent. It was almost completely gone- but my schedule got erratic and then I had surgery and laid off of them. I had prednisone in that time which led to total clearing. (I didn't know this at the time) but 2 1/2 - 3 months later was the first sign of little bumps on my knee. Came and went- then elbow - same. Had oral surgery and lots of antibiotics during the span of 5months. 4 very stressful months later- I broke out on my hand, chest arms and was baffled. It took a month to get to a derm who said-psoriatic arthritis. I wasn't feeling any particular joint pain...yet! That kicked in two weeks later with a vengeance. I went back to him- opting for the natural route but wasn't able to do it long enough to get a result. I'm curious if anyone else has tried- benefited or failed? They claim 90%cure rate to conventional medicine 70%.

By kelly-o
Reply 3370750
September 13, 2012 at 12:00 am
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I have a rheumatologist that practices acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine, she has me taking some bulk herbs right now but she has never said it would cure me, I have PsA, only help build up my body where it was weakened, at least that is how I understood her. I am very thankful to have her and be under her care. Good luck to you hope you can find the help you need again.

By Flying-Pig
Reply 3371845
September 13, 2012 at 11:38 am
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Rheumatologist that practices acupuncture?!?! Wow, that sounds awesome.
I have a fear for acupuncture. I tried it once, it felt really uncomfortable. It wasn't painful, but it was just too weird to put in words.
But if I ever find this combo, I would be more than willing to give it a try.
Too bad I'm on the wrong coast.

By kelly-o
Reply 3372201
September 13, 2012 at 1:27 pm
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Yes I truly am blessed! I am doing the diet she gave me which eliminates foods that cause inflammation so that has also helped tremendously. I have decided at this point not to do the Humira since i had such a bad reaction to the mtx shot. By the way I live here in Spokane Wa so it looks as though you are still on the same coast, but still to far away. Anyway I am also taking turmeric and fish oil together so it can absorb the tumeric and am feeling so much better,I read up on that and they haven't found that taking a high dose causes any problems yet. So I found some on Amazon the company is Vitacost and the name is: Tumeric Extract Curcumin C3 complex with Bioperine (which also helps your body absorb) 1,160 mg I take two with two salmon oil, going to switch to Krill oil with it as soon as I run out of this. I take some every few hours and it has helped me more then anything so far. Good luck to you, and by the way I don't like the acupuncture either for me it is painful, but it also helps me a lot so I grit my teeth and do it, for some reason my muscles relax and I feel better for awhile. Take care. Kelly O

By rottiemom65
Reply 3611519
December 10, 2012 at 5:26 am
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Yes, my husband has been seeing our Chinese Specialist for 3 months now and his Psoriasis has cleared up. Before seeing him, My Husbands P was so bad it looked like he was burned. In Chinese Medicine it is believed that Heat in the blood is the cause of P. If you remove the heat, you remove the Psoriasis. This has worked, he takes suppliments as well as a tea that was made for him, also he has totally changed his diet after having a very thorough blood test done for foods that aggrivate the blood. My husband is now 100% a vegan( his choice). He decided to eliminate all foods that were causing inflammation in his body. All I can say it that he is testiment that it does work.

By wolfmiester
Reply 3611872 · In reply to 3611519 by rottiemom65
December 10, 2012 at 9:11 am
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To rottiemom65,
Which food intolerance test did your hubby take as I am trying to find the most accurate and biggest bang for my limited resources. Thanks much!

By Ollie38
Reply 3612062 · In reply to 3372201 by kelly-o
December 10, 2012 at 10:08 am
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Kello O...I also live in Spokane. I go to Lorien Herbs and Natural Foods, 1102
S Perry St, and get the powdered turmeric, which is very inexpensive. They are great folks in there. I also get the "light treatments" 2 times a week at Advanced Dermatology. These together seem to help me a lot. Only occasionally do I use the salves or creams (when specific areas flare up).

Which specific Chinese Medical practicioner do you use?

Thanks!

Ollie

By kelly-o
Reply 3612367
December 10, 2012 at 11:57 am
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My Rheumatologist is also into Chinese Medicine. It is Dr. Sherri Wu at Rockwood Clinic on 5th and Cowley. I know where Loriens is I have been there, I didn't look to see how much the turmeric is in bulk. Thanks for that I will have to check that out. Kelly O

By SpringerS
Reply 3614719
December 11, 2012 at 9:39 am
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I do accupuncture weekly, the problem with chinese herbs is it comes in bottles that aren't labeled and they don't give you a sheet on drug interactions. Now I have a problem with that, I have no idea if its made in a facility that follows some semblance of cleaniless, non-leaded pans, etc. So I stopped taking the herbs. I like labels and knowing what's in the bottle.

By kelly-o
Reply 3615118
December 11, 2012 at 11:59 am
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My Rheumatologists sends in the prescription for the herbs and it is done by internet and wherever she gets it from it is labeled and it is a prescription so I don't have that issue.

By wolfmiester
Reply 3615242 · In reply to 3615118 by kelly-o
December 11, 2012 at 12:43 pm
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To kelly-o,
Wow. Sounds like you have a thorough Rheumy that is open-minded AND sharp. I also share SpringerS concerns as China is largely unregulated and I personally try to avoid consumption of anything from China. I would be interested in what your rheumy thinks about the concerns raised because even with labels cleanliness and lead factor still unknown as the US fails to regulate their imports in so many ways.

By kelly-o
Reply 3615383
December 11, 2012 at 1:42 pm
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wolfmiester:
The herb pharmacy that puts it together is processed in California, how they get the chinese herbs I do not know. But I do know that on my bottle it says Crane-West herb Pharmacy Sebastopol, CA. And yes, I am very fortunate and thankful for my Rheumatologist, she is open minded and is very intelligent, She is also Chinese. I guess that would explain her extra training in Chinese herbs and acupuncture. And her knowledge of diet, and exercise, herbs, acupuncture and modern medication, working together to treat the whole body.

By maryfromyonkers
Reply 3767394
February 2, 2013 at 5:19 pm
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I found acupuncture to be very beneficial. I did try Chinese herbs once and think they would have been of great benefit if only I could have kept going. My problem was the truly revolting smell and taste of them. I have to make a tea out of herbs like bark, roots, seeds and some sort of dried mushroom. This had to boil for one hour and it REALLY smelt bad. But the smell was actually quite pleasurable when compared to the taste! I stuck with it every day for three months and just as I felt I was starting to get results, I simply had to stop, as I could not face drinking the tea ever again. Thankfully I am now 90% clear using the Dr Joel Fuhrman nutritional program with a bit of the John Pagano Diet thrown in for good measure.

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