"Trick or Treatment?"......new book

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I have just rcvd my qtrly newsletter from NACC, my Crohn’s Assocn, and there is a review of a new book “Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial”, by Professor Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh (Bantam ISBN-10;0593061292) that some of you ladies may be interested in. Professor Ernst is the first complementary/alternative professor in England and works at Exeter University. A member’s review:

"As the title implies, this book seeks to find the truth behind alternative medicines - do they genuinely heal or merely provide a placebo effect, making patients believe their health has actually improved due to the therapy? Neither author has been employed by pharmaceutical companies or profited from so-called ‘natural’ health sectors, and offer an unbiased opinion on the subject. They take a close, scientific look (sometimes in too much detail) at four main areas of therapy - acupuncture,homeopathy, herbal medicines and chiropractic therapy. I found much of the information to be an ‘eye-opener’ as I had, up to now, been a fan of alternative therapies. To some degree I feel if the placebo effect of these therapies works for some people, what is the harm? However, there seems to be a very real concern that if these ‘natural’ remedies work, patients may fail to seek conventional medical help, thereby placing their health in real danger. Th authors suggest therapies should be regulated by the same stringent testing as conventional medicines.

They try to enlighten readers to the pitfalls of such remedies in the hope of enabling them to be better equipped in making important decisions and avoiding being exploited. I felt they succeeded at all levels."

Has anyone read this book, and if so, what is their opinion?

I had acupuncture, aromatherapy, reikki and reflexology when undergoing FEC chemo and found they did help relax and calm me down, but as a sceptic, was under no illusion that they were treating my cancer, or indeed my Crohn’s. What did disturb me was being badgered by the Chinese acupuncturist to purchase herbal treatments. Made me wonder which part of “No thank you” she didn’t understand!

My Oncologist and gastroenterologist strongly advised me not to take any supplements at all, herbal or vitamin/minerals and just take the allopathic medicines they prescribed. I am doing fine 5 yrs down the line. My Oncologist had to write a letter stating which types of massage I could have, when I went to a health farm in Somerset for a week, after finishing chemo and before starting rads. The therapists there would not agree to treat me unless I had this letter, and I had to send it to them before they would accept my booking.

I found the treatments were brilliant for “just me” time and wish I could afford them every week…better buy some lottery tickets!

Hope you are all well,

Liz.

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I haven’t read it but being involved in computer security I have read books my Simon Singh before (assuming it’s the same author) he’s a very good writer and very good at research so I’ll get a copy and write up a review here but that’ll take a while

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BTW I am using aromatherapy and homeopathy during my chemo. Not accupuncture though but several people have recommended it to me just don’t feel I need it at the moment.

My Oncologist and the nurses aren’t pro homeopathy either and I during my surgery I had to explain to more than 1 person that it’s just a few rogue homeopaths that advocate refusing alioathic treatment but most of them are being tarnished with that idea which is really hurting their profession.

When I told my mum (my homeopath) that I was going to be doing chemo she didn’t say no don’t do it she said we’ll build you up before, get your through it and then help your body recover from the affects afterwards. It makes me really sad that so many are under the impression that they’re anti medicine.

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I haven’t read the book but have read reviwes of it. I am agreat fan of Edzard Ernst so I guess I would agree with his arguments in this book. Many alternative therapists challenge him!

I am very sceptical of the huge million pound alternative medicine industry and I welcome sound analyses of this industry…we desperately need more. I have the occasional araomtherpay massage cause it feels nice, think Reiki is a joke…and as for homeopathy…well what a con! (as Ernst has shown in many carefully argued pieces.)

Thanks for reminding me that I want to read this book.

Jane

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Sounds like it a good combo of authors then. The Simon Singh books I’ve read in the past were about code breaking and mathematical challenges so this is very different for him. I’ll not rise to Jane’s comments re being a con. Placebo or not it works for me and that’s a far as I’m getting into it.

I am interested to read Ernsts research though as I like to analyze aliopathy and naturopathy with the same set of standards. I feel that’s scientific so am hoping that Ernst has got some proper trial data behind the research as that would be interesting. Must have facts behind it though. I don’t think I’ll be disappointed based on what I’ve just read about him though.

I would like to make this clear though. I do use homeopathy but I have decided not to get into debates about it’s efficacy and methods of doing trials in this forum because I know from experience that it can become heated and I’ve seen things get personal here about much smaller things so as they say “I’m not going to go there”… not here anyway :slight_smile:

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Yes Ernst does take what I would call a proper scientific approach to his work…ie the same principles of science being applied to all kinds of medicine. The evidence he has gathered against homeopathy having anything to it other than as placebo is impressive. He and his team have found some benefits withacupuncture and it is so great in my book to separate scientific evidence from fanciful hype.

I do think though that the whole area of placebo itself is perhaps under researched…both alternative and allopathic practioners acknowledge the placebo effect and allopathic doctors can dismss it with an ‘only’…but what is it? How does placebo work??

Sorry to ue the dismissive term: ‘its a con’…sometimes I think alternative therapists and their supporters are so damn serious about completely out to lunch theories that I find it hard to remain respectful…sorry.

Jane

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Hi everyone

I was diagnosed in 09/04 so am nearly 4 years down the line!

I first had Reiki shortly after finishing chemo in 05 when I was feeling very low. It made me feel really relaxed and stress free for 3 weeks! After my first treatment, I decided to take up Reiki myself, I am now a Reiki Master. I understand that everyone has their own opinion about complementary therapies, so its a case of each to their own. All I can say is it has helped me! It has given me something to focus on other than the cancer.

The year I got diagnosed was immense- gave birth to my son Oct 03, lost my mum 12/03, lost my father in law 06/04 (he was an alcoholic and in and out of psychiatic unit), then diagnosed 08/04, then got divorced/separated 02/05. So a pretty hectic couple of years, oh and with a house move in the middle of it all.

To me without the Reiki, I would not be here now. It has given me much strength. I also did a uni course in complementary therapies and we used Ernst a lot. Part of the course was holistic massage, where I received a massage at least once a week. There was no problem in me receiving a massage as it is healing and theraputic and there is no evidence to show that it spreads cancer. Although, when I went to a salon, they would not give me a massage as I hadn’t hit the 5 year mark!

I have also had reflexology, acupunture and agree with the sales tactics!!!

I use Reiki in my life everyday, I find it calms me, gives me peace and well being together with clarity. It’s not a miracle cure, it is meant to be complementary.

Good luck to everyone and the path they choose.

Lots of love to everyone

Jeni x

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What a wonderful uplifting post Jeni…I live in a very isolated area in South East Cornwall, where we have a lot of alternative health practitioners and as some locals have told me a witiches coven! Defies belief, but my GP told me a few weeks ago that he has written letters for some “prominent locals” to give the police if they are stopped for cannabis use. You couldn’t make this up could you? I found aromotherapy during FEC so calming my therapist said I should have someone drive me home afterwards as I used to fall asleep. Think I will go for Reiki therapy now after reading your post. I am back on steroids for my Crohn’s flare and feel wired to the moon, so need some calming therapy. Gastro has doubled my weekly injections of chemo (methotrexate) and I am floundering mentally.

An update, saw my gastro at the hospital last Friday…he thinks my current gastro problems are due to my bc meds…Arimidex and Alendronic Acid so have stopped them. I have been on Arimidex for 4 years, Aromosin for 2 weeks, bone problems back and now about to try letrazole. Think I just have to decide if my quality of life is better without aromatose inhibitors. Bisphononates are another quandary. gastro thinks they are causing my oesophagitis, so have stopped them also. He has suggested I try an infusion second line therapy because of known osteopenia with steroids and Arimidex. A drug cslled teriparetiide…anyone ever heard of it? Would love to hear of anyone’s experience of this drug, or their experiences of the 3 AI’s …

Liz.

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Hi Liz,

I love aromatherapy too, I use the oils around the house. I don’t buy chemical cleaners anymore. It’s a bit of washing up liquid and tea tree!! And a good old scrub!

Hmm, you do have to be discerning when choosing a therapist, you have to feel safe and secure in their company. Ask around for a therapist, get one by recommendation, it’s always best.

Totally agree with “quality of life” it is very important. Do what is right for you, not what they want you to do! Is there a self help centre near to you, if so they probably offer free or discounted treatments.

Orange and blue would be good colours for you.

I’m wired to the moon too, the eclipse on Friday was very powerful.

Lots of love

Jeni x

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Ernst is not a very good advocate for his own discipline, so does he have another agenda, ie to debunk the potential benefits of alternative/complementary therapies? Have a look at canceractive.co.uk to get a more balanced approach. Don’t forget that UK doctors are not trained in anything but conventional medicine so they cannot advise the use of anything which may interefere with the action of their chemicals. (Even if there is no evidence that it does interfere!) In Germany, they prescribe herbal and other medicines as appropriate because training includes the use of herbs. Surely it is not possible that English and German physiology differs so much that herbs for the English will kill or maim while the German recovers? My own view is that if you have done your research and feel that something will help you, then go for it. Making your own decisions is very beneficial.

There is a field of medicine called psychoneuroimmunology, which shows scientifically, that many alternative things have a very measurable and positive effect. For example, Accupuncture will increase the NK cells in the bloodstream.
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