A Message from the Moderator ... was Re: Re: Hanna's Ped appt

[Guest guest]

Good link . Thanks for sending it.

sonia (Aundrea 13 fibromyalgia, ibs)--

- In , " Slauson " <nancyslauson@...>

wrote:

>

> Good Morning, Georgina:

>

>

>

> I have not really had time to follow this particular

correspondence, but

> read your post with great interest. I too believe that many

unscrupulous

> manufacturers take advantage of consumers who are desperate to be

healthier.

> I always test these alternative methods by going to the following

link.

>

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/allergytests.h

tml

>

>

>

> They are a bit hardcore, but through the years, they've saved me

hundreds of

> dollars and helped me avoid various scams and rip-offs. (Excuse me

if this

> has already been circulated.)

>

> Take care all,

>

>

>

>

>

> From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf

> Of Georgina

> Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 2:15 AM

>

> Subject: Re: A Message from the Moderator ... was Re: Re:

Hanna's Ped

> appt

>

>

>

> Hi ,

>

> Don't get me wrong. I don't take issue with a parent eliminating a

> non-essential food item from their child's diet. Of course not.

That wasn't

> my point. When there are proven and scientifically validated

methods for

> assessing allergies and food intolerances, what sense does it make

to use an

> unreliable, unproven, unorthodox, alternative method that has no

diagnostic

> value?

>

> The manufacturers and proponents of the Antigen Leukocyte Cellular

Antibody

> Test argue that the test is predictive for assessing a variety of

> conditions. When evaluated, it's predictive value was found to be

extremely

> poor and not of benefit in identifying the trigger of patients'

symptoms.

> When patients used the diets recommended by the test results, and

were

> followed up by dieticians and doctors, there was no improvement in

symptoms.

>

>

> The evidence has already been gathered. The ALCAT test has been

studied,

> scientifically tested, and the results are in. The ALCAT test, and

> recommendations based on results of the ALCAT test, have no real

value in

> improving symptoms. The suppliers claims are false and not

reliable. When

> subjected to rigorous testing, results are not reproducible. The

> overwhelming consensus is to NOT use the test in the evaluation of

allergic

> or intolerance reactions or for diagnostic purposes. It does not do

what its

> proponents claim it does.

>

> There are many unscrupulous, unethical, people in this society -

people who

> prey upon others and take advantage of them for their own gain.

Some are

> easy to spot. Others are far less visible. If one of these types

was given

> an opportunity, they might try to sell a car without disclosing pre-

existing

> mechanical problems. In a different scenario, they might offer to

do a test

> that had no real value ... and even charge money for it. They might

give

> misleading advice or make unsubstantiated recommendations, all in

the guise

> of trying to be helpful.

>

> Many states have instituted the so-called Lemon Law to help

consumers avoid

> being ripped off by unscrupulous car sellers. An educated consumer

will

> check the car's history and have it evaluated by a mechanic before

making

> the purchase, if they aren't confident in their own judgment. It's

a bit

> different in the health care field of course, especially with

regards to

> complementary and alternative medicine. The 'buyer' must beware.

Regulations

> aren't as stringent and there's more room for opportunity for those

who

> might choose to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. Not all

will, of

> course, but there will always be those who do.

>

> If a particular practice has been evaluated by professionals, if

it's been

> tested and scrutinized and determined to be misleading, worthless,

fakery,

> it's important for people to be aware of this so they're not

unnecessarily

> taken advantage of. The ALCAT was popularized in the 1980's. My

> understanding is that by the mid 1990's it had all but disappeared,

except

> for a few die-hard alternative care practitioners. If there's a

chance that

> it's making a come-back now, in the 21st century, I think it's

important

> that we educate ourselves and the people we care about. A Google

search

> yielded 280,000 results in 0.04 seconds, most of them sites that

have a

> financial interest in related product sales. I think it's time to

inform

> people. If they choose, armed with knowledge, to go ahead and do it

anyway

> .... that's their personal choice. So be it : )

>

> All that said, ... it's probably been about 5 years since we

first met

> here. I love your input and your willingness to share about your

> experiences. Your friendliness. You've been very helpful to so many

people.

> Sort of feels like I've known Aundrea since she was little and now,

she's

> blossoming into such a beautiful young woman ... one you can be

very proud

> of : ) I know that it hasn't been easy, there have been so many

obstacles

> along the way, and blessings too. With your support and guidance,

and love,

> Aundrea thrives. That's what matters most. Our common bond, our

children's

> well-being, is the priority ... and we can agree to disagree on

some of the

> other issues, yah?

>

> Love and Aloha,

> Georgina

>

> A Message from the Moderator ... was Re: Re: Hanna's

Ped appt

>

> Hello Georgina,

>

> First of all I want to thank for providing so much information on

the

> ALCAT test. It was an intersting read.

>

> We had a naturopath perfom Aundrea's blood test and run the ALCAT

> test.

>

> The one thing I am fairly certain of is she wont have any terrible

> side effects from removing sugar or coco from her diet. :-) It's

> worth a try for us to see if it helps.

>

> On the other hand we did try methotrexate for two years and high

dose

> NSAIDS for a few years and the side effects from those treatments

had

> quite a negative experience for Aundrea.

>

> Parents face so many challenges in trying to find the answers for

> their chronically ill children. The search opens up doors to

> supplements, biofeedback, physical therapy, aquatic therapy,

> chiropractic, yoga, diet changes and the list just goes on and on.

>

> I am glad to be able to share what are experiences have been and

for

> the most part it's been sharing what hasn't worked while still

> searching for answers.

>

> Thank you for providing this forum that allows us to share our

> experience in this journey as we determine what we believe is the

> best path for out child.

>

> Blessings,

>

> (Aundrea 13 Fibromyalgia, IBS)

>

>

> > >

> > > We had an awesome visit with Hannah's ped today for her annual

> > physical. Obviously we talked about all her issues. He's pleased

> > with her asthma (first time ever). He is not as concerned about

> > her weight loss as the GI doctor was because she does not look

like

> > she's underweight and is mostly muscle. He agreed with having her

> > take the Carnation Instant breakfast every day (even told her to

> make

> > a smoothie out of it). He is adding a daily mulit-vitamin with

iron

> > and a calcium supplement. He will recheck her weight in one month.

> > The hope is she stays the same (he said he would not be concerned

> > with even a 1-2lbs more weight loss, but more than that would be

> very

> > concerning).

> > >

> > > As far as her joints go, he was totally open to all of the

> > suggestions we brought back from conference. He is checking her

> > cholesterol (for the weight issues). He also ordered a full

thyroid

> > panel (I believe it is 4 separate tests). We then talked about the

> > parathyroid, which is not his area. I called my endocrinologist

> > friend and he suggested that a calcium and vitamin D level be

> checked

> > first. If those are normal there is no need for parathyroid. So

the

> > ped called me this evening and added those too. He is checking

into

> > where around here we can have a bone density done. Our clinic does

> > not have the software for anyone under 18. So that is in process,

> > but on hold too. He is going to hold off on ordering any MRI's

until

> > he sees the results of the bone density. He also agreed that she

> > could very well have " mechanical arthrits " . Again he will wait for

> > the bone density.

> > >

> > > He also checked her skin for those strange spots she has. He

will

> > be watching them and told her to wash the spots with Head N

> > Shoulder's shampoo. There is a derm problem that this helps.

> > >

> > > So overall a great visit. Will keep you posted on the results.

> > >

> > > Beth & Hannah, 11, unspecified arthritis; asthma; gerd;

migraines;

> > stomach ulcers

> > > Sending prayers & happy thoughts,

> > > Beth

> > >

> > >