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

[Guest guest]

Georgina,

Thank you for taking the time to give me a more detailed

explanation. It helped.

In fact, I intend to print it out and take all of the information

back to the doctor and ask why this was the recommended test for

allergies.

I want a true and accurate picture of Aundrea's food intolerances.

If I just spent $200 on something that isn't giving me accurate

results then I am quite frustrated.

I am also going to take this information to Aundrea's pediatrician.

Geez, the battle never ends.

On a positive note, Aundrea does seem to be doing better with having

removed sugar from her diet amongst other thigns. She has lost quite

a bit of weight. 5 lbs so far and she was already thin to begin

with. The weight loss has been from the nausea and other GI issues.

Hopefully things will stabalize soon.

Be Blessed Georgina and have a great day. ;-)

-

-- In , " Georgina " <gmckin11@...> wrote:

>

> 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

> > >

> > >