Functional Doctor's Treatment of Auto Immune Diseases

[Summer S]

Hi All,

I had mentioned about the Healthy Gut Summit before. It was an amazing eye opener, well I knew some of it but it opened my eyes wider. I learned about Functional Medicine doctors, who treat the cause, not mask with pharmaceuticals.

There were 32 speakers. I looked at most of their websites including Mark Hyman, MD. I looked at his books on Amazon and in amongst them was this one:

The Immune System Recovery Plan: A Doctor's 4-Step Program to Treat Autoimmune Disease - Susan Blum, MD

Colitis is an auto-immune disease. She has a Functional Medicine clinic in NY. I'll buy the book. My time with the dietician is getting really expensive. I'll see her through the 2nd appointment, which is after my 6 week avoidance of the main 'bad' foods and expensive supplements she provided. Hopefully with this book I can carry on healing myself.

I found a Functional Medicine doctor here in Tucson. I called last Thursday morning, left a message after listening to their message that their office is only open Thursday and Friday, and have not heard back. There is a gal at work traveling along a similar path as myself dietarily. An auto-immune disease 10 years ago has left her with atrophy or something, of one of her legs (she doesn't want to talk about it). She heard of this doctor, called several times and has never heard back. Too bad they can't put on their message that they are not taking any new patients but can put us on a waiting list or something, rather that ignoring people.

With all the talk about the gut/brain connection by several of the speakers at the summit, I purchased 'Why isn't my brain working?' - Datis Kharrazian, DHSC, DC, MS. My Dad has been diagnosed with dementia, I've had brain fog for decades, see if it can help both of us. It also mentions Meniere’s Disease that my Mom has had for decades and now has binaural neuritis that has her spinning 24/7. Western doctors have washed their hands of her. Of course she wants instant relief (take a pill) and my attempts to find her an alternative treatment (I found and emailed a naturopath in Australia where she lives), she went twice, but refused to go back after spending $600 and not feeling better. I've encouraged her to keep taking the supplements he gave her. At 87 and 86 years of age, my parents don't like change, SURPRISE! But I shall do what I can from afar, helping to guide my sister taking them to their appointments. I did find an Aussie equivalent of a Functional Medicine doctor in my parents community. Mom is game to go and see him. I told them to take the supplements that the Naturopath gave her, with them. Heck, my Dad should go too.

Tis scary how many people just think it is 'their lot in life' to have an auto-immune disease and take pharmaceuticals to mask, not improve, their symptoms, and won't listen to any of this 'new fangled' treatment.