Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Alternative Therapies => Topic started by: Bettyboo on November 13, 2016, 09:38:56 AM
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Hi chums
Just wondered what your thoughts are on homeopathy and whether anyone has had any success with using it?
It' pretty much a science-based household here, so OH dismisses homeopathy as - at worst, nonsense, and at best, a placebo effect. I tried it years ago for eczema but it did nothing. Here in France they are really keen on homeopathy and both of our Drs will prescribe it alongside normal medicine.
Specifically, I have a health anxiety problem that exacerbates/ causes IBS-d and other anxiety symptoms. I'm going through a bad patch at the moment after three good months. Hot and cold sweats, on and off IBS, pains moving about, adrenaline surges, general feeling of panic. Of course, 'brain' has gone off on one, thinking the worst. To be able to get out of the house (mentally) when having bad time due to fear of IBS, I often take precautionary immodium, which Dr knows about. Last time I went I said I wanted to try to stop doing this and she prescribed some homeopathic stuff. I've never taken it as OH just scoffed but I really need to get out of this bad patch so I was wondering about giving it a go. I suppose it can't do any harm - I already take beta-blockers, ecitalopram, probiotic & multi-vit.
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Sadly, I think trials with homeopathy haven't shown any real benefits. Like most alternative/herbal remedies the benefits tend to be short lived if at all, so are simply giving a placebo effect. The NHS would prescribe it if there was any real evidence that homeopathy worked.
Have you tried HRT? This can help so many things as the lack of oestrogen can effect so many things. HRT isn't for everyone and is a personal choice but it could be worth trying.
Do not underestimate the effect that oestrogen deficiency has on the brain - it does make anxiety etc. far worse.
Omega 3, Vitamin D and magnesium are vital for mood and energy but you have already said you are taking vitamins so hopefully you are not low on vital nutrients. I suspect you are still peri meno as you are describing typical peri symptoms - flushes etc come and go as the oestrogen levels rise and fall. HRT is the only thing that will regulate this so I would discuss this with the doctor. Increasing your intake of phytoestrogens/Isoflavines can also be beneficial though I haven't found it reduces flushes, however, I believe there are benefits for the heart and bones.
Just remember that what you are experiencing is very typical for the menopause - CBT and Mindful Meditation can be really helpful when trying to control low mood and anxiety. DG x
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Thanks DG.
I know that they probably won't do anything but I might take them anyway. I know what you say about the NHS, the weird thing here in France is that homeopathy is reimbursable by your state health cover, so that means it is approved.
I've tried to get HRT prescribed but Dr thinks it is more that I have depression/ anxiety than hormones, and I was getting better on the e-cit. Next time I go I will ask for an FSH blood test (is that the right one?) - you can get blood tests done easily here and the results are posted to you.
I already do ten minutes of Headspace meditating every day and half an hour of yoga every day plus just started trying to do couch to 5k on treadmill. I've only just started the vitamins because I realised there could be a deficiency especially as I am dairy-free vegetarian. Just fed up really, as I've had all these symptoms before and they went away. I thought it had finished but since beginning of Oct have started having hot episodes/ sweating in day (not sure if you'd call it a flush as I don't go red). It's been going on for four years now :(
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Ah Bettyboo - if you do't have dairy then you really need lots of extra calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D or your bones will suffer in the long term. Do seek theadvice of a dietician is possible to really look at your diet and make arureyou are getting the right balance of nutrients. I am vegetarian but eat eggs and dairy so this is easier to get enough amino acidics, vitamins and minerals etc.
Do bare in mind that if you are in the peri meno stage your own hormones will be fluctuating, meno symptoms will come and go, and this will give the impression that alternative remedies are working for a while. It's great you are getting some good exercise but do get outside for brisk walks to boost your mood and get some Vitamin D. We all need to take Vitamin D supplements during the winter due to lack of sunshine.
Definitely ask for oestrogen and FSH levels as this will indicate whether your symptoms are meno related. I really wouldn't bother with Homeopathic as it really isn't worth it - even if you don't have to pay for for it.
You may well benefit from a low dose of HRT even if you are still getting periods - keep doing what you are doing and see how things go. Dg x
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I do use homeopathy for, in particular, migraines. I have used it for that for the last 30 years. Back then, I got the pills from my (Chinese) gp. Now I am no longer with that practise, I see him privately. Have also used it in the past when my rheumatoid arthritis was bad and all the (different) doctor could offer me was steroids. I have found it has worked really well for that. So yes, I do believe in it but I think you really need to go to a good one. Not too sure about the Chinese herbalists you see in the shopping arcades.
I would say try it, especially as your gps use it.
Bramble
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Homeopathy cannot be prescribed on the NHS. Have a look at Ben Gold??? (?) web-site to see what his Research shows. The amounts are so minuscule that they are not found on testing and what are the preparations suspended in? :-\ ?
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I do use homeopathy for, in particular, migraines. I have used it for that for the last 30 years. Back then, I got the pills from my (Chinese) gp.
As above - my (Chinese) GP worked for the NHS - I got my homeopathic tablets on the NHS.
Bramble
Homeopathy cannot be prescribed on the NHS.
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Years ago, I had a painful boil next to my fingernail. Over several days, I tried bathing it in TCP and hot water, plus a number of other things to try and reduce the swelling. None of these were really doing anything and it remained swollen and sore. Getting a bit desperate, I bought some homeopathic tablets, just to try out - any port in a storm. I took whatever the recommended dose was and that evening the boil burst. (I was practising and the gunge went everywhere. Lovely. ::)) By the next day, it was much better. I don't know if I would recommend homeopathy, but it certainly worked for me that day.
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My best ever GP (sadly now passed away due to thyroid cancer) was also a practising homeopathist and his treatments were available on the NHS. However, he always said that when I got to menopause, if I had problems, then the only thing that would fix it would be "proper" HRT and not homeopathy. He did prescribe homeopathic remedies for lots of ailments which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't but I found it interesting.
Taz x
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I've had some (unexpected as I'm a bit of a sceptic) strong physiological changes from arnica and pulsatilla which weren't down to placebo effect. Science cannot demonstrate how it works as it's based on dilutuon memory but hypnotherapy is a bit like that as it's not something you can measure and do trials on (for insurance purposes we sometimes have to call it meditation ::))
Don't discount it because your OH has a closed mind but not sure how effective it will be on the menopause as it's action is to boost the immune system to heal itself and meno is not an actual ailment. It may work on symptoms though. If I get any more nausea I'm going to try the nux vomica and report back!
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'nux vomica' in un-diluted form is a vomit inducer so the theory is to reverse the way it works ……..
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Hi DG and all
Although I try to avoid dairy I do still eat eggs, and I try to eat a balanced diet. It is a bit of a hobby for me, vegan cooking, so I am always researching stuff. The trouble is that due to the IBS thing I get 'ideas' that I have to avoid certain foods and this makes me more paranoid. I know I need to work on overcoming this. I do eat soya things and nut milks that are fortified with vit's but I agree, I need to be careful about the calcium, magnesium and Vit D. I took supplements of all these last winter, but for the moment I have just pinched some of OH's 'vegetarian over-50' mix! I'll do some more research and order some more.
The homeopathic stuff is not for meno symptoms or as an HRT alternative - it is supposed to be for my (actual or perceived) IBS problem. I'm trying it anyway. The colocynthis seems to have good reports for colic in children and this is mentioned on NHS. I'll give it a couple of weeks and report back
Thanks all. BB
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IBS is different for each of us. For me it began because I was anorexic from age 5. Finally diagnosed when I was in crisis in the late 1990s. My GP gave me Colpermin to get rid of upper gut wind and Motillium to push food through the system faster.
For me it was acute continual nausea. I was able to eat until 12.30 when my gut became bloated, by mid-afternoon I had to undo my skirt zip/buttons. By 5.00 p.m. I was unable to take any food/drink on board even though I felt 'hungry'. The reason it appears is that my gut from top to bottom had 'forgotten' how to process properly in that the spasms had almost stopped. So food backed up causing the above symptoms. Fortunately I never suffered with pain or 'the runs'.
Within 3-4 days of beginning the prescription/s I felt 90% better, I had several set backs if I forgot to take the medication: always within an hour prior to eating my main meals: but within 6 months I had got rid of the bloating and nausea >PHEW<.
The result was slow transit. My body feels the need to poo but nothing is passed. Medication speeded that to within 'normal' limits. After 5 years of the above treatment I tried Actimel several times a day and that really did help, enough to stop the prescribed meds.. I found recently that if I eat too many chilly peppers stuffed with cream cheese works :o :-X as the oil is very well, oily ;D - so I've stopped eating those because it can take 2-3 days B4 I get a reaction :-X.
Let us know how you get on.
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Live yogurt is brilliant for helping digestive problems and also preventing thrush etc. I eat loads of yogurt - it's great for calcium as well.
My digestive system is really sensitive these days - can't eat any of the onion family or anything really spicy. Broccoli and too many greens give me terrible wind ;D :o
Couldn't manage without eggs and cheese.
CLKD - is right - we all have to find what works for us - I found Colpermin very good. DG x
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Can't tolerate eggs at all unless they are in :cake: or :cupcake: ;D Broccoli I love but it gives me belly ache. Haven't eaten cauli for years :-[
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I had the usual symptoms, hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, tiredness etc. I was reluctant to try HRT so decided, although I was not a believer in homeopathy, to give it a go. I had an initial half hour consultation with a medical herbalist at Napiers Herbalists in the West End of Glasgow ( Cresswell St, just off Byres Rd. A herbal medicine, prescribed to address my individual symptoms was made up which I collected several days later. Details were kept on computer so I could phone for repeat prescriptions.
At the time, a very large bottle, a months supply, cost £25. The initial consultation cost £25. This was some years ago so no doubt will have increased.
It tasted foul and for the first few weeks I noticed no difference but, because I had spent money I persevered! The medical herbalist told me it was a very gentle treatment and would take time to have an effect.
It was so gradual I didn't notice at first but gradually I noticed the night sweats and hot flushes reduced in frequency and after 3 months of treatment they were few and far between and eventually disappeared. I was delighted and persevered with the medicine for several years till my menopause was finished. I now am much more open to considering herbal and homeopathic medicines . There's also a homeopathic hospital in Glasgow as well (NHS funded) , might be worth asking your GP for a referral there, I'm not sure though. It was a great help for my daughter in dealing with allergies.
Good luck!
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Just realised you're in France so, if you can get it on your health system, try to see a medical herbalist as I previously suggested , for your menopause symptoms, really helped me and I was a sceptic. It's available on the NHS here in Scotland too.
Re your IBS symptoms, have you tried kefir? It's kinda like milk/ yoghurt, easy to make with kefir grains, which you can buy through the post, and cows milk. If you don't take dairy, could try making with almond milk. A bit of an acquired taste but worth it if it helps your IBS symptoms. As with everything natural, it takes time to work and repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria so patience is required. All the best!
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I don't think that the NHS funds any homeopathy in England because there are no peer reviewed tests yet.
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I don't think that the NHS funds any homeopathy in England because there are no peer reviewed tests yet.
Here is the list for the UK
http://www.the-hma.org/uk-homeopathic-hospitals.html
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:thankyou:
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What about 'pet homeopathy'. No placebo effect there. 8)
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I think Arnica is pretty clever. My mum recently had a new knee joint and I got her some 30c Arnica from Ainsworths and it was the only thing that took down the severe bruising.
She stopped taking it when she went to stay with my sister in Oz but when I joined them for a holiday and it had been hurting I gave her some more and it all went down again.
It also makes me have a cold if I take it, like clockwork about a week later, as it boosts the immune sytem and I didn't even know that when I took it as had for bruising and when had wisdom tooth out.
I can make scientific reasoning for hypnotherapy (which I use in my practice) but all I can come up with for homeopathy is the water memory triggering the brain to heal specific areas, where the molecules left are too small to physically measure.
It's one of those unknown mysteries about the World that I love! How boring if everything could be measured.
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So drink plain water ::)
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I'm not sure about homeopathy. I think it works in specific cases, for single issues, and only if you believe it will help! For a multi-faceted 'condition' such as menopause, I can't think how it would be helpful. A nutrient-dense diet with lean protein and loads of veggies, plus 2-3 litres of water a day, will have more impact. In my view, gut health is absolutely key to managing menopausal symptoms. Is your IBS really IBS, or are your symptoms related to wider issues around your gut bacteria? Probiotics can be helpful here, but so many claim probiotic effects but actually have little impact. Prebiotics might be better, and get a really good one. After that, eat greens, drink water, manage stress (cortisol is a beast) and regulate sleep. Vitamin D might also be useful. According to my research, it's actually a hormone substance rather than a vitamin, so can really help to regulate hormone balance in menopause. These are just my ideas, but I hope they are helpful. Alison x
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Thanks but 2-3 litres is probably too much as we get liquids from our over-all diet. 2-3 litres was being pushed by the bottle water Companies several years ago ::).
If we have a healthy diet the body shouldn't require any supplements but add stress and hormonal upheavals which burns off energy and we can soon feel poorly.
Nowt wrong with the placebo effect!
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I just stumbled across this thread and noted what DG said regarding 'if homeopathic medicine worked then the NHS would prescribe it'.
Well the NHS DOES prescribe it at our excellent Integrative Care Hospital which is an NHS facility here in Glasgow:
http://www.nhsggc.org.uk/patients-and-visitors/main-hospital-sites/gartnavel-campus/nhs-centre-for-integrative-care/
They also prescribe mistletoe therapy to cancer patients, which has promising clinical benefits.
I just thought some of you may be interested to know this. xxxxx
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What about 'pet homeopathy'. No placebo effect there. 8)
But does it work anyway? It didn't work for my cat. Years ago I was going to a vet who was into all that stuff. None of it worked and my cat still had to have conventional treatment. So basically all that happened was that it cost me twice as much and I found a new vet.
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There is no medical proof that it 'works' but people have had results - a lot of medicine is about being listened to.
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I have great faith in homeopathic medicine. It may not work as quickly as pharmaceuticals but is gentler on the system. If it is from a reputable source I say go for it.
Brramble
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We seem to be evenly split between those who believe in it and those who think it is a load of codswallop! It has certainly helped me in the past with arthritis and migraines.
As I said before, if it is from a reputable source, try it. You never know.
Bramble
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People are entitled to try and use whatever they want. It is also up to them to spend whatever money they think is appropriate.
What I have an issue with is the often incorrect "scientifically proven" information a lot of these products post on their websites. Sometimes practitioners actively discourage people from using medications and seeking medical advice, even when they have a serious health condition and they really need to be using something that has proven effectiveness.
So many people these days have this conspiracy theory mentality towards doctors and "big pharma", yet without big pharma we wouldn't be enjoying the high standard of health and longevity we have now.
From my point view, having spent thousands of dollars on alternative remedies for menopause, and only being worse off, I will support doctors and big pharma over alternate stuff any day of the week, but each to their own.
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Betty boo said her doctor had prescribed it so it is coming from a reputable source. It is interesting that homeopathy is more popular in France. Over here it is quite rare to find a nhs gp who does both.
Bramble
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My old GP was wonderful and was also a well respected, practising homeopathist so he would always offer homeopathy to patients. However, he always said that once I hit menopause then he felt that only HRT would help as he had no success with prescribing homeopathic treatments to combat flushes, VA etc.
Taz x
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Well - how would that work: would need to be tracked throughout menstruating life-span and as many ladies become unstable during peri ::) - my Gran was 'put away' due to what I believe was post natal depression :-\ but I don't know how she coped with menopause :-\. My mood swings would have been difficult to 'assess' and my constitution varies depending on my mood ::)
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There really is something in all this.
I took a 30c Arnica this morning as I bruised my hand (hormones have definitely made me mis-judge my spatial awareness!) and, exactly like the last 2 times, I went all flu-like by the afternoon, sneezing, temp up, inflamed sinuses. i've put this down to Arnica ramping up the immune system, as I'm one of those mad people who think germs are around us all the time and colds only happen when our immune system has been suppressed and it then gets the energy back to deal with the germs.
Anyway, as one of my clients swears by homeopathy for all medical issues, and a homeopathic doctor actually un-breached her baby in a couple of minutes with a special remedy, I thought I would give it some proper research for my hormonal imbalance.
I'm doing so much better with progesterone for part of the cycle but I still have a constant nausea/dizziness migraine (since 18 months ago) that waxes and wanes, depending on how high my oestrogen is surging.
I came across Sepia (which I had in my Ainsworth first-aid kit) and took that this afternoon as it mentioned hormone imbalance and a full paragraph on my sluggishness that I could have written myself. Since early evening I have felt strangely chirpy and energised. The usual low-ebb anxiety has completely vanished and I feel a sense of balance and lightness that hasn't accompanied my wonderful moments of motivation I've had since being on the prog cream. It feels a bit like a depression has lifted even though my anxiety felt too strong, even now toned down, for me to fall into a low of a depression.
I've since done some more reading and have seen that Sepia is, indeed, a good remedy for depression, particularly with women and when linked to hormones. I've also checked out the Sepia personality which is strangely very 'me' (fiercely independent, creative, free spirit etc.) and then the bad stuff that comes out when we aren't allowed to be ourselves, anti-social, frozen to the spot laziness, irritable etc. I have no idea yet if this is placebo as it will, of course, play a part of the response, however, this state of mind is very different to what I expected (if anything) and only time and more Sepia will tell!
I also got to reading about how menopause, like PMT, is meant to disturb us into taking action and making drastic changes in our lives which I've always enjoyed thinking about. It was interesting that I went through a period of trying to escape from my last job and after I 'escaped', I was ecstatic for a few months and then got struck down with the hormonal migraines that devastated my life for a few months (bed bound pretty much due to extreme nausea and docs mis-diagnoses) until I worked out they were in sync with my cycle. The pill was my saviour in suppressing my cycle and since coming off to try other options the severity has only re-occurred for a day or two at ovulation.
Anyway, forgive the ramble, but just wanted to share about the homeopathy. I shall report back to say if was short-lived or something life-changing. You never know!
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Oh waw, Dangermouse! So interesting! Please keep posting updates please!
I was once evaluated as a Sepia-type personality by a homeopatic practitioner, but never tried the remedy :(
She also described Sepia like fair complection but dark brown hair, blue eyes - that's me to a dot! Who knows, might try Sepia as well. Homeopatic remedies are very widely used here where I live and also readily available in most, if not all pharmacies.
Good luck and thanks for sharing you experience!
Milamam
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Ooh I didn't know about the physical traits. I have blue eyes, pale skin and mousy hair!
Still doing well thanks! Once I've been through a whole cycle I'll have more idea of any consistency in improvement so will report back then.
I'm actually thinking of studying for a Licentiate, which I was going to many years ago but found it too expensive (as undergrad fee equivalent) but may be able to do now as professional track (as already alternative practitioner).
I did a similar thing with clinical hypnosis after London Zoo's hypnotherapist cured my spider phobia instantly (and it was REALLY bad!). Once I know something works I'm too curious and have to study it properly!
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I only know sepia as a reddish brown pigment in old photographs. Can you explain for me more about what it is in the context of homeopathy please? :)
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I'm very late to this topic but I'm a user and obviously a believer in homeopathy.
I used it when I was pregnant for morning sickness and it worked.
Many years later my daughter, as a young child, had a lot of teeth problems. She was prone to abscesses. The dentist who practiced homeopathy was not happy giving such a young child ABs so often. Neither did she want to pull teeth as the gap then fills and the mouth becomes crowded.
She gave us a homeopathic treatment ( the name escapes me at the moment) and it worked. Time after time over quite a few years.
I've used it myself on the few occasions I've had an abscess and in all but one occasion I avoided ABs.
How it works....not got a clue....but for my family it really does.
Mrs Brown
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I only know sepia as a reddish brown pigment in old photographs. Can you explain for me more about what it is in the context of homeopathy please? :)
It's the ink from a cuttlefish. I also have no idea how it works as there is no direct action that can be scientifically measured but it's about treating like with like. A little poison (and I mean a little!) to trigger the immune system into a specific action.
I suspect the specific way an immune reaction will target one poison is matched to a similar illness and a specific temperament, where the latter is a reflection of our psychoimmunology.
In modern medicine it's concept is similar to immunisation, treating the flu with a little of the flu. However, homeopathic poison is diluted to the point that the molecule can no longer be measured and apparently the more diluted, the stronger the action.
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I used it over the years - since my granddaughter was born I have used chamomile granules for colic and teething.
Tonne it was always a gentle approach - and sometimes I just want the Calvary!
That said i took it years ago for a cold - which quickly became a bad infection! Def not the reaction I was hoping for :-\
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Hey dangermouse,
When you take Sepia, do you dilute in water or you use sublingual pearls? I have also heard that if diluted, the effect is stonger!
Also the practitioner I once visited said that coffee and anything with mint is a big no-no if you use homeopaty . Too bad as I love my morning (and only) coffee and I also tend to chew mints throughout the day! So was never able to completely not have mints or coffee while trialing homeopaty.
In retrospect, I have often used various preparations for my daughters when they were young to cure stuffed noses, sinus infections and throat inflamations. Every time with success - seems that children are very suseptive.
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I have the little pearls so I didn't do any diluting myself. I spoke to a homeopath in Ainsworths and she said to stick to 30c and not go stronger with 200c if it's working but to up it around ovulation to twice a day if need to. She also said that Sepia regulates progesterone.
I think you only have to avoid the mints etc for 30 mins or so after taking the sublingual as they'll have absorbed by then.
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Sepia arrived :) giving it a whirl :)
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Ooh, let us know how you get on!
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Will do DM- migraine started again yesterday morning - started sepia last night. Will let you know how I get on. ;)
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Both of my older brothers are doctors and one works in an Emergency Department. He always says that if alternative medicine worked, they would have their own emergency departments. However, when an emergency strikes, where do people go? Yep! Straight to a GP or hospital! Having said that, both brothers believe strongly in the benefits of healthy diet and exercise. Neither of them are overweight. I have also tried to eat a healthy diet my entire life and I am currently 61kg and 173cm tall at 51 years of age. I personally do not believe in homeopathy, but I do believe in healthy eating, exercise and trying to live as stress free as possible. Being good to others is also really important I think as it comes back to you.
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There's certainly no replacement for ER when someone has a serious injury or organ failure. Complementary medicine is more a route to health as opposed to a quick fix which Western Medicine is about, with clear easily tested cause and effect. It's modern and, like a gastric band, can cut out the bulk of natural healing for fast results. It's very important it's down to the individuals choice as, even with Western Med, if you don't believe it will work, it probably won't.
I went to see a homeopath today and she told me the remedy I need (after a very long consultation) was Pulsatilla and laughed as it was the first one I mentioned which got rid of chronic sinusitis after 3 years on and off amoxicillin. She said the Sepia may have just eased some symptoms but I have the 200c to take 2 doses per week so will report back!