General Chat

Let's take it off the 'other thread' as any opposing opinions are obviously not welcomed (nowt changes lol)...

When suffering chronic medical conditions, different people with the same thing may be on different medicines, or different doses of the same medicine. Couple with this some will also try natural remedies, which it is not known if they work or not. ie, I suffer with osteo-arthritis. cod-liver oil just put a layer of fat on my midriff, glucosamine had no effect at all, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen did much to ease it, and cortisone injections gave some relief at night for a few weeks after they were given. Eventually though, the hip replacement was the only real answer, and now the other one has started to wear rather rapidly. My partner is a diabetic amputee, and on 12 different meds every day, including Plavix, Gabapetin, beta-blockers and 3 diabetic pills among all those. Without them he would either be in severe pain or dead.

So, natural/herbal v conventional medicine?

Discuss. All opinions and points of view more than welcome.

i would never take anybody's word concerning meds
if in doubt i would ask a doctor thats what they get paid for
as for some of the health food shops meds
some of them can kill in the wrong hands
some are them are quack cures
made to make people rich by giving hope when there is none
or maybe they just don't work
the government should have stricter controls

your hubby's a good example TW
i am also a diabetic on lots of meds
though we have the same condition
my meds and his are totally different

You know my health problems and I rely on prescribed meds and physio.

If someone suggested I should try compound of Yew Tree leaves and berries would I? errrrr not unless I wanted to be planted next to the yew tree.

Sadly some people might just think it was a good idea.

It's a bit like bee sting therapy for MS, it's offered a short distance from us. Did I drag Caroline down there? no I didn't. Did I book her sessions in the hyperbaric chamber? yes I did.

Prove medication to me after long clinical trials and I will give them a go but before then, short pier and long jump come to mind :-D

Sue x

I never take vitamins or anything from a health food shop - can't stand the smell of those shops anyway

anything I take comes via my excellent GP - I never take advice from anyone else other than him

I might look for some illegal substances after my toenail has been removed or maybe gluesniff!

one natural thing I can vouch for is that dock leaves do help relieve nettle stings - well they do for me anyway

Shurrup about your toenail woman...lolol I may just be in Cardiff after your op and visit!!!!!!!

health food shops
might as well shake a few chicken bone
at least they are free with the sunday dinner :-D :-D

my whole life is centred around my toenail so shut yer gob!!!!

AnnCardiff, I totally agree with you, in both your posts. LOLOL

Julia in Derbyshire

Me, me, me...lololol @ Ann :-P :-P

Now I admit I do currently take an iron and vitamin supplement but that's because I was so stressed and run down after my OH's third op in three months it started to affect my immune system, and I started to get styes and then shingles for the second time. The doctor said it would do me no harm to take some supplements until things calm down, so that's what I'm doing.

But...the truth is, glucosamine only works if you think it will for OA, and I daresay it's much the same for other herbal remedies. It's just a placebo effect.

And Anne....yes dock leaves DO relieve nettle stings, that is fact, and that is why the two tend to grow in close proximity to each other. I also have no doubt that many herbs and plant derivatives can have a beneficial effect on a healthy person, as part of a healthy lifestyle, but that is with a holistic approach. Taking a herb to tackle a SPECIFIC area or condition is no more effective than doing a rain dance.

MY WORD, YOU DO LOOK QUEER
by
Bob Weston & Bert Lee

I've been very poorly but now I feel prime,
I've been out today for the very first time.
I felt like a lad as I walked down the road,
Then I met Old Jones and he said, 'Well I'm blowed!'
My word you do look queer!
My word you do look queer!
Oh, dear! You look dreadful: you've had a near shave,
You look like a man with one foot in the grave.'
I said, 'Bosh! l'm better; it's true I've been ill.'
He said, 'I'm delighted you're better, but still,
I wish you'd a thousand for me in your will.
My word, you do look queer!'

That didn't improve me, it quite put me back,
Still, I walked farther on, and I met Cousin jack.
He looked at me hard and he murmured,'Gee whiz!
It's like him! It can't be! It isn't! It is!
By gosh! Who'd have thought it? Well, well, I declare!
I'd never have known you except for your hair.
My word you do look queer!
My word you do look queer!
Your cheeks are all sunk and your colour's all gone,
Your neck's very scraggy, still you're getting on.
How old are you now? About fifty, that's true.
Your father died that age, your mother did too.
Well, the black clothes I wore then'll come in for you.
My word! You do look queer!'

That really upset me; I felt quite cast down,
But I tried to buck up, and then up came old Brown.
He stared at me hard, then he solemnly said,
'You shouldn't be out, you should be home in bed.
I heard you were bad, well I heard you were gone.
You look like a corpse with an overcoat on.
'My word you do look queer!
My word you do look queer!
You'd best have a brandy before you drop dead.'
So, pale as a sheet, I crawled in the'King's Head',
The barmaid sobbed,'Oh you poor fellow,' and then
She said, 'On the slate you owe just one pound ten,
You'd better pay up, we shan't see you again.
My word you do look queer!'

My knees started knocking, I did feel so sad.
Then Brown said, 'Don't die in a pub, it looks bad,'
He said, 'Come with me, I'll show you what to do.
Now I've got a friend who'll be useful to you.'
He led me to Black's Undertaking Depot,
And Black, with some crepe round his hat said, 'Hello,
'My word you do look queer!
My word you do look queer!

Now we'll fix you up for a trifling amount.
Now what do you say to a bit on account?'
I said,'I'm not dying.'He said,'Don't say that!
My business of late has been terribly flat,
But I'm telling my wife she can have that new hat!
My word, you do look queer!'

I crawled in the street and I murmured,'I'm done.'
Then up came Old Jenkins and shouted,'By gum!'
'My word you do look well!
My word you do look well!
You're looking fine and in the pink!'
I shouted, 'Am I?... Come and have a drink!
You've put new life in me, I'm sounder than a bell.
By gad! There's life in the old dog yet.
My word I do feel well!'

I am gardener, believe it or not. I grow many things including herbs. But I would not like to take these as means of easing my pains. I leave that to my GP and Prof. Consultant, and even these can be wrong at times.
Health shops, herbalists etc, as has already been said. Owt to make money. Rob dogs.
I am always asked when entering hospital if I am taking any other medicines, other than prescribed by the doctor. I don't suppose they are asking that question for nothing.
Now if I could get a pint of Gin on the NHS every night, well yes, I might subscribe to the theory.
That's my principle, and I'm sticking to it. LOLOL

Julia in Derbyshire

I have never taken cod liver oil however my midrift has come out in sympathy with Teresa's

Please advise traumatised of Ches'hire :-D

Sounds a bit fishy to me Hayley :-S

dear Traumatised of Cheshire - what is a midrift please!!

me sPare tire Ann.....Island dont give up the day job lolololol :-D

Before rubbishing all herbal/plant derived medicines you might like to read this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7196702.stm

But I do agree that before taking any new compound you should check with your GP

Something which may interest some of you is that a new study has uncovered a new secret weapon for fighting off hangovers before or after you have one too many ... asparagus.

It also makes your wee smell a bit off Carol :-D