This has turned out to be a very interesting thread but there’s one thing I’ve bit my tongue from saying outright over this year and I wonder why now.
1 person says that it makes them angry that Homeopathy is available on the NHS, I am of course very glad that the decision of what is and isn’t used isn’t in their hands personally but I would like to ask them to consider the fact that there really isn’t a lot of trial data, it is actually very cheap and I bet they would be quite peeved if someone was to suggest that their treatment choices should be limited, really doesn’t warm me towards supporting them should they ever want my support signing a petition for a new chemo drug that hasn’t been fully trialled yet. Honestly I don’t want to start a war here but I will defend my right to choice.
I totally agree with you. I know little about homeopathy but do know that there is not a great deal of evidence to support its use, only because of the lack of funding for research. This does not necessarily mean it doesnt work, only means that we simply don’t know for sure - how can we until research is in the same league as allopathic medicine which is of course, funded by the multi-million dollar drug industries? If more money was spent on reseach, then we would know for sure. Modern medicine hasn’t got all the answers - far from it. There is loads of evidence to suggest there is lots of harm (iatrogenisis) caused by modern medicine - all drugs have side effects, some extremely serious side effects, not to mention the problems occuring when the wrong drugs are prescribed or administered in error. There is a very interesting book by Ivan Illich called “Medical Nemesis” which argues that modern medicine causes a considerable amount of harm. In some treatements, using homeopathy or acupuncture that have a low risk profile would make more sense than reaching for the powerful, but potentially harmful drugs. It depends of course, on the condition. No regulated homeopath would suggest that they could cure cancer, but for certain conditions such as allergies, muscular pain, PMS etc homeopathy makes a good alternative than taking loads of anaelgesics or anti histamines if it can be avoided. Used in conjunction with modern medicine, it can compliment the treatment.
I have only read this thread today - i am unhappy that questions asked become polarised issues - we have seen this before and it is unhealthy. All of us are entitled to a view.
I am not a huge homeopathic remedies person, so boringly i do check with hosp before i try anything - but after mastectomy last year a good freind gave me a pack of stuff… and the rose oil is agreed with for scar healing when it is no longer raw… and a few other things.
i try REALLY hard to eat properly because to me this is a key but i don’t sleep so well since chemo…long over but still wakeful.
Dear rjenr2 agree with you on this… all discussions should be respectful of other peoples views. Respect is the keyword here!! Lets hear from others about their expereiences I have been involved with Homeopathy for 20 years and found it really good for me and all my family.
Best wishes all
Oh yes I forgot, I think it would be healthy if anyone challenges another if they found thier answers offensive and why… sometimes things can be written here and not meant in that way…words are hard on e-mail sometimes! That way some people won’t be put off and nt come back here
Most complementary treatments complement medical treatments, providing users with a feeling that at least they can be in charge of something. I certainly found Reiki of great help in the first two years after diagnosis, but stopped when I found I was forgetting appointments (a sure sign that the treatment is no longer effective), and have no hesitation in taking a series of supplements. If my feet were not in a painful state, I would seriously consider reflexology in order to help me relax - life is really a bit over-stressful at present.
There are some people who can never take something on faith alone, but have to have “scientific proof” before they will regard a non-mainline treatment as a possibility. They have every right to express their own disbelief, and I would argue that equally we all have a right to disagree with them. Let’s agree to disagree, but not argue the point.
As to homeopathy, I would only go to a practitioner who has both full medical qualifications and full accreditation. I have my eye on one who has moved into my area and who is specialising in cancer. Some while back my Macmillan nurse suggested it was worth considering for dealing with the effects of treatment.