An herbalist to cure apnea????

[SleepingBeauty]

The back story: I had a really bad case of the flu for the last two weeks. I ended up going to the urgent care with fevers of over 103, just in case it had turned to pneumonia (it didn't)

The doctor is one we've seen in the urgent care facility before. He commented that he wasn't going to give me an antibiotic because it was flu (I am fully aware an antibiotic doesn't work on a virus) and he started talking about how doctors over prescribe them, etc. Then he commented on the fact that he's been a doctor 25 years and the longer he practices, the more he is leaning toward alternative forms of treatment. Fine.

He then wrote me a prescription for cough medication with codine. I am currently on time-release morphine and few other meds, so I asked if they were safe together. I also mentioned I had apnea and try to be careful about medications that have a negative effect on breathing (such as morphine) and wanted to know how the codine, taken with my morphine, would affect me.

Okay, now here is the upsetting part. He said he "used" to have apnea too, but he went to an herbalist in Los Angeles that "cured" him of his apnea in one month. He said apnea is due to lack of muscle tone in the throat - it relaxes too much and blocks the airway. He claimed we lose muscle tone because of toxins. He drank beet juice and garlic and a host of other things for a month and it detoxified his liver - thereby curing his apnea.

He urged me to contact this LA herbalist to get my liver detoxed and thereby cure my apnea.

Has anyone ever heard such a claim before? I've read about surgery and dental devices, but I've never heard the claim that an herbalist can cure apnea.

Fortunately, this is NOT my regular doctor. In fact, I haven't seen anyone at this medical facility for my apnea, I have been using my software to monitor myself. I told my regular doctor I had apnea during my initial workup with him, and he's never mentioned it again. (Surprise!)

[LavenderMist]

Wow! That is pretty scary to me that a medical doctor would say that. I know herbs have their place, but that is hard to believe. I'm wondering if he had prior sleep study and then sleep study after to confirm. (I doubt seriously he did.) The muscle tone thing he mentions would work along the same lines as the didgerido. I think I'll stick to the therapy that I know works, the cpap.

[SisterShotgun]

I had a therapist tell me once that magnets would cure the depression she thought I was in..I didn't feel depressed just couldn't sleep well at night..

If anyone were to tell me that an herb would make my narrow airway become normal I would ask what kind of acid is in the herb that will widen my airway by melting it away

Who knows maybe it worked for him and he had mild apnea..I have severe apnea so it probably won't work for me

[rested gal]

I think I'd have a talk with the head of that urgent care facility. (Hope it's not that particular doctor who owns the place! LOL) He might be fine at treating everything else that walks in the door, but to me that's very dangerous advice for a doctor to be giving regarding sleep apnea.

There can be misinformation ANYwhere...not just on the internet. Some misinformation comes straight from some doctors' mouths!

[azaloune]

I have discovered there are all kinds of medical professionals trying to give alternative medicine information. They have no idea what they are talking about.

Alternative medicine, or natural herbal solutions can be just as dangerous as western medicine if the person that is dispensing them, and the person taking them, doesn't know what they are doing.

I have a friend that is an herbalist. She has been studying for over 20 years and I am sure if she had a cure for apnea she would have cured her own mother by now! (Who has apnea too.)

Detoxification of your liver will help with lots of different health issues, but, apnea is not one of them. It helps with cholestrol, digestion, and energy. In some cases it can help with gallbladder disease. It may (YMMV) help you sleep better since it seems to help with the natural rhythms of your body. But a cure for apnea? I would be very sceptical.

Disclaimer: I am not a Dr., Herbalist, or any sort of medical professional. What I have given here is my own experience and my own advice. Advice is worth exactly what you pay for it.

[Babette]

Maybe during the time he was taking this herb he left the wife that nagged about his snoring and shacked up with the 20-something chickie-poo that doesn't complain since he's paying the bills.

Just more proof that MD's are humans, and not gods, and often don't know what the hell they are prescribing...

LOL,
B.

[roster]

I have it from a good authority that there is at least one herb that will absolutely cure sleep apnea: Hemlock.

[azaloune]

Tee Hee! That one cures everything that ails you. It cures Life by causing Death!

[SleepingBeauty]

I was so bothered by his belief in the cure that I didn't feel confidant that he reviewed my medications list before prescribing the cough medication. I had the pharmacy give me their input on it too.

This doctor (??) works the walk-in urgent care. We've seen him three times now. I do not think he has a regular practice. This is through Kaiser Hospital. I think I will mention this guy to my regular doctor. He seems a lot more on the ball.

At least no one would be coming to the urgent care doc seeking a diagnosis and treatment for apnea.

I'm just amazed that he really really believed it.

azaloune, I'd be interested in your friend's reaction to such a claim!

[azaloune]

She didn't answer the phone, I sent her an e-mail requesting her thoughts and insights. Will post them when she responds.

[DreamDiver]

... He urged me to contact this LA herbalist to get my liver detoxed and thereby cure my apnea.

Has anyone ever heard such a claim before? I've read about surgery and dental devices, but I've never heard the claim that an herbalist can cure apnea.

A professional herbalist will spend as many years acquiring the comprehensive knowledge, skills and experience of their field as a their western medical counterparts. Sometimes more. And there are a number of vetted disciplines - Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic, among them. However, I know of no herbalist who will suggest that liver detoxification can cure a genetic condition. Run away. Run far away.

It amazes me when MD's think their license gives them the magical ability to diagnose what can be done with alternative treatments. I had one doctor who thought he could dispense ayurvedic supplements, but he hadn't even studied how the same ingredients can have entirely different effects depending on the patient.

[RosemaryB]

What kind of herbs is this guy on?

Seriously, talking to your own doctor sounds like a good start. I wouldn't trust anything this guy told me and would be cautious about the cough syrup unless your own doc says it's ok.

Is there some state medical board you might file a report with? It sounds like possible malpractice to me.

I have nothing against herbs. I take a lot of supplements and have occasionally taken herbs as well. I'm cautious with them, though as various ones can adversely affect the liver.

I'm not a doctor or medical practitioner, but common sense tells me this guy needs to be curbed.

[Babette]

Now now... If you turn THIS GUY IN, then I have to turn in my dentist who INSISTED his stupid plastic bite guard would cure MY apnea.

I think the guy is well-meaning, but misguided. Alot of folks have psychosomatic cures and insist beet juice is the cause, or magnets, or Jesus.

He's probably not doing any more damage to the public than the guy prescribing 57 different pills for whatever ails you.

Be smart, check out anything that doesn't feel right, and don't go back if you don't like him. But don't yank the guy's license over a harmless suggestion. He's human, He thought he was doing a favor for someone in need. Cut him some slack. If you feel strongly about it, send him a letter with some better info on Sleep Apnea.

Cheers,
Babs

[RosemaryB]

Now now... If you turn THIS GUY IN, then I have to turn in my dentist who INSISTED his stupid plastic bite guard would cure MY apnea.

I think the guy is well-meaning, but misguided. Alot of folks have psychosomatic cures and insist beet juice is the cause, or magnets, or Jesus.

He's probably not doing any more damage to the public than the guy prescribing 57 different pills for whatever ails you.

Be smart, check out anything that doesn't feel right, and don't go back if you don't like him. But don't yank the guy's license over a harmless suggestion. He's human, He thought he was doing a favor for someone in need. Cut him some slack. If you feel strongly about it, send him a letter with some better info on Sleep Apnea.

Cheers,
Babs

You may have a point. Try to educate him instead. I'm not against doctors prescribing herbs and supplements, so maybe this would just hurt others who are doing so legitimately. I just kind of hit the roof when I read about it. But to many, including doctors, sleep apnea is not a serious problem. That's why you get all the untested cure recommendations.

[j.a.taylor]

SleepingBeauty,

This is just further proof that patients need to be advocates for their own health care.

Alternatives medicines certainly have their place, but this Doctor sounds to me like he's pushing an agenda, without considering your needs as the patient.

I would certainly mention his behavior to your Primary Care doctor.

BTW-Glad you avoided pneumonia. Hope you're feeling much better.