Those Of You With Naturopaths....

[Joni63]

Hello,

I am so excited to have found a PHD in my area who is an ND and an RN!

She charges $45.00 for the first 1 1/2 hour visit and $28.00 for all visits after that. Isn't that really reasonable - like cheap for an ND?

How do your visits go?

What do they want to know?

Just curious what I should expect from seeing her. And what I need to be cautious about?

Thanks!

[okgrace]

Wow, I wish our naturopath was that cheap. I pay $100 per hour and her supplements are almost as expensive as RX. But she is worth every penny. She wants to know everything. Acne with pms is important to know ( I thought that was normal), your mood cycles, what your poop looks like. I have heard from other people that she tends to give lots more supplements then others. Expect to start feeling better soon and possibly to have a complex regime of supplements and if you are as spacy as I am this is tricky, but worth it.

Good luck!

[Joni63]

That is encouraging okgrace!

I asked her if she wanted copies of my tests/bloodwork and she said she wants everything!

Do you have to buy the supplements they supply? Or can you get them at a local health store or order online (which can be cheapest).

I still can't believe her rates. All other ND rates I've seen are far higher!

[confusedks]

That is encouraging okgrace!

I asked her if she wanted copies of my tests/bloodwork and she said she wants everything!

Do you have to buy the supplements they supply? Or can you get them at a local health store or order online (which can be cheapest).

I still can't believe her rates. All other ND rates I've seen are far higher!

I have been to some naturopaths who try to sell you the products in their office. What I do is I buy the first bottle from them, then I buy the other bottles online. For example, a NP I see has me on lots of supplements, so I bought all of the first "set" of them through his office, so I'd know the dosages, etc. but now I don't buy them from his office anymore. I buy them online.

I have a GREAT NP who works with my Lyme Dr and the both of them together are AMAZING! They are able to approach my health issues from both angles.

[Redsd]

I just buy everything at my doctors' offices. I've searched the web, and some of the products are only available to professionals, and others cost about the same, before shipping is added. I'd be interested to know what people are buying, where. Thanks, Lori

[Joni63]

I have been to some naturopaths who try to sell you the products in their office. What I do is I buy the first bottle from them, then I buy the other bottles online. For example, a NP I see has me on lots of supplements, so I bought all of the first "set" of them through his office, so I'd know the dosages, etc. but now I don't buy them from his office anymore. I buy them online.

I have a GREAT NP who works with my Lyme Dr and the both of them together are AMAZING! They are able to approach my health issues from both angles.

Glad you have great Doctors Kassandra. It amazes me when they will work together like that. I would love to be able to set up that kind of support. Actually, my PC just might be willing to work with the ND. She is very open-minded, just not Celiac literate (like many traditional MD's)

Smart idea to buy them at thier office first, then buy more online. I'll have to see if that will work for me!

I just buy everything at my doctors' offices. I've searched the web, and some of the products are only available to professionals, and others cost about the same, before shipping is added. I'd be interested to know what people are buying, where. Thanks, Lori

Can you get similar products online for a cheaper price? I would think it you can get the same ingredients from a reputable company (USP) certified, it might be cheaper that way? I'm sure it's not possible to do that with everything, but most things?

[Joni63]

My appointment is set for the 26th - 2 weeks from today.

Hopefully this will be a positive experience and step in the right direction.

[Joni63]

I figured I would update on my visit.

WOW! I never thought I would be taking so many pills! It is a very complex regimen - you were right okgrace. I have a list next to the supplements so I know what to take each meal and at bedtime.

It was over a week ago now, but I started a very complex supplement regimen the day after I saw her so 1 week ago today. I had 2 orders placed and added a lot of supplements Thursday and will add the last 2 herbs tomorrow. She didn't sell anything, but wanted me to order everything myself.

I went out for the afternoon yesterday and missed the lunch routine. What do you do when you go away for the day or on vacation? Take them with you, I suppose? It really seems like a huge and complicated task!

The good news is that I do feel better already. I have been on the iron and d for a couple weeks and maybe they are starting to come up too. Whatever the reason it's great to have a little more energy than I had before. I honestly felt bad. I've been working around the house and getting some things accomplished that would just fatigue me before. I took the kids out all day yesterday and was able to get dinner, clean up the mess, and visit my mom last night. That was more than I could have handled before, especially without a nap. I kind of crashed today a little and needed a nap, but I guess that's to be expected!

She also wants to run a lot of bloodwork on me and wants me to visit an allergist. She even recommended one that she really likes. I thought she was extremely thorough and she was definately worth every penny.

[Rachel--24]

I'm glad you had a positive experience.

I absolutely LOVE my ND.

I dont see any conventional doctors anymore however, I do see two MD's as well as two ND's. They are all on the same page and I pass along all info./test results/opinions regarding my treatment to everyone involved.

One of my ND's is out of state and I see her every 3 months when she comes to my area. I always look forward to it. My appointments usually last about 90 minutes so the price is higher than what you pay....but definately worth it.

She's very thorough. My ND does a type of testing called autonomic response testing (ART). Its an advanced form of muscle testing which is very reliable. For me its been great as far as saving money on supplements. Shes able to determine what my body needs as far as treatment goes and then when choosing supplements or even prescription drugs everything is tested first to make sure that I can tolerate it.

I usually dont test well for alot of the supplements so my list is always very short. I dont take a ton of supplements so it hasnt been difficult for me to remember it all.

It can get pretty expensive when alot of supplements are recommended. In my case I'm usually leaving the office paying only the cost of the visit. Occasionally shes needed to call in prescriptions for me and for the stuff that she cant order herself I go to my MD.

A couple times I've purchased the supplements from her, sometimes I get them at either of my MD.'s offices (if they have what I need), and more often I order online. If I purchase something that is expensive I usually have the ND test it before I open the bottle. That way I'm able to return it if its not something that is going to benefit me.

All of my Dr.'s sell supplements in their office...but none of them push supplements on me and I only take a handful of things. Lately I've purchased everything I need online.

I think for anyone interested in seeing an ND...be leary of the ones who want to sell you the stuff from their office only.

She also wants to run a lot of bloodwork on me and wants me to visit an allergist. She even recommended one that she really likes

This is also a good sign. Be leary if they arent running tests and are less willing to send you to other doctors who can assist in diagnosing other possibilities outside of the ND's realm.

Be very leary if they diagnose conditions like candida or adrenal fatigue without doing labwork for things associated with causing those conditions.

[frec]

I love my ND. Unfortunately he is not covered by my insurance. He is very good about cooperating with my regular MDs. Sometimes he suggests I ask the MD for a certain test or scan so that it is covered by insurance. My primary care doctor is not quite happy about my ND, but I think he can see that a lot of my problems are nutritionally based, and the ND obviously has more background in that. I am afraid that I don't tell my primary care doctor everything I am doing with the ND unless it is medically necessary for him to know because he aruges with me about it. He argues about my not taking Fosamax, for instance. I'm using supplements and hormones instead. He doesn't trust the blood and urine tests the ND has done that show the osteoporosis is reversing. But of all my doctors, it was my ND who, knowing I had celiac, told me I should get a bone scan and found the osteoporosis. My MD--my gastro and my primary-- hadn't even thought of it. I just told my MD that I really respected him AND my ND and that I would have to make my decisions the best I could.

I take two huge pill boxes on vacations. I have trouble with my midday supplements though. I keep a pill box at work that I fill each week, but it is really tough to remember. Most of them are just an additional fish oil or calcium and hopefully forgetting sometimes is not crucial.

[rick-spiff]

I am really glad the appt went good and you like your ND. (I was wondering...)

It certainly sounds like you took the step in the right direction and can see the results already. YAY!!

Our ND helped us get diagnosed with celiac/gluten allergy. They rally are great when you find the right one!!

[Joni63]

I'm glad you had a positive experience.

I absolutely LOVE my ND.

I

Thank you Rachel!

Your very lucky to have such a great team of doctors and that the MD's you see are open minded. The ART testing sounds very interesting. I've never heard of it before, but I'm curious about it now. I'll have to google it!

I was glad and relieved when she told me to order everything online, especially seeing the huge checklist that she gave me. I was extremely pleased when I came home and looked up everything in a great book I have. It's called Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, and it's written by Phillis Balch, CNC and James Balch, MD. She prescribed everything in it under Celiac Disease, except two things called Glutathione and Digestive Enzymes. I asked about the digestive enzymes and she said I gave her no indication of having any current digestive issues. I don't seem to have any now, but never really had the obvious issues most Cealiacs get. The Glutathione is an aid to help heal the gut. My 6 month Celiac panel all showed up negative so I'm assuming my gut should be mostly healed.

From your input and others, it sounds like she is very good. I'm very pleased with her and feel like she is addressing many of my issues. I just want to be as healthy as I can be at this point and avoid any problems that might be pending.

Rachel I remember you saying in another thread that your problems started from having an amalgam removed. I had a root canal a couple years back (I need to pinpoint the date) and am wondering if my problems started up about that time. There was an amalgam that got drilled out and removed in order for them to do the root canal. I need to go back and check that out. I'm just wondering if that could be an issue of mine.

I love my ND. Unfortunately he is not covered by my insurance. He is very good about cooperating with my regular MDs. Sometimes he suggests I ask the MD for a certain test or scan so that it is covered by insurance. My primary care doctor is not quite happy about my ND...

Hi frec,

Glad you have a great ND. Mine is not covered by insurance either. I'm a little nervous about telling my MD about the ND. I wonder if that will cause problems. I'd like to be able to be open about everything, but at this point I have to do what I think is best, just like you. It's sad that your MD is not more accepting of your ND, but it might seem like a threat. Do you think you could find one that is more open minded. It just seems like it's friction that you shouldn't have to deal with?

The pill boxes are a great idea. Fortunately in about a month I should only be taking about half the supplements which won't be too bad at all. It's just that there are certain things I'm taking 3 times a day at 3 pills each so the list is big! I go away overnight in a couple weeks and I think I'm just going to do separate baggies labeled breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime, lol!

I am really glad the appt went good and you like your ND. (I was wondering...)

It certainly sounds like you took the step in the right direction and can see the results already. YAY!!

Our ND helped us get diagnosed with celiac/gluten allergy. They rally are great when you find the right one!!

Thank you rick-spiff! I am really positive about this change, it seems to be for the best.

Do you also have an MD? I'm just wondering if they are accepting of one another?

Does anyone know how the insurance works with bloodwork? The ND told me to hand the slip in with my PCP's slip after my next visit with her. She said the insurance will pay for the blood tests with no problem. I read over my insurance plan and it doesn't say that the PCP has to order bloodwork so I guess as long as it's a valid script by a person eligible to write it out, they will pay for it?

So..is it just the non traditional tests the HMO won't pay for such as hair analysis?

Should I call my insurance company to be sure they will pay for the blood work?

[rick-spiff]

No we don't have a MD. Occasionally we went to the walk in clinic but after my kids were treated like crap by the walk in clinic and the health dept because they got whooping cough from their aunt, i was totally disgusted!! I swore no other MD's!!

My son was going to a doctor for his ADHD and she didn't have the best attitude about the situation. Didn't make me happy but will never do something like that again.

My ND also is a midwife and my mother-in-law is a RN and my father-in-law is a MD, but he's got a great attitude about ND's.

[Rachel--24]

Rachel I remember you saying in another thread that your problems started from having an amalgam removed. I had a root canal a couple years back (I need to pinpoint the date) and am wondering if my problems started up about that time. There was an amalgam that got drilled out and removed in order for them to do the root canal. I need to go back and check that out. I'm just wondering if that could be an issue of mine.

Yeah...my problems started when 2 of my amalgams got drilled out. I was symptom-free prior to that. My health deteriorated pretty quickly...I had to go on disability just a few months after the removals.

Root canals can also be an issue. They can be extremely toxic...causing all sorts of health issues...and yet none of it seems related to the root canal. I know of people who only regained their health after getting rid of the root canals.

So yeah...if you can link the onset of your symptoms to the work you had done it could be the mercury, it could be the root canal....or it could be that both contributed.

I didnt have any root canals when I got sick but as all of these crazy symptoms appeared I also had problems with one of the teeth where the amalgam was removed. They told me I needed a root canal and I had it done. After that I seemed to get even worse and the tooth was still bothering me. The "specialists" were telling me it couldn't possibly hurt...because the tooth was dead....but it *did* hurt.

Eventually a biological dentist informed me that the root canal could be toxic and contributing to my health issues. I decided to pull the tooth and once I did that I felt alot better.

Root canals actually allow for something which is "dead" to remain in the body. Its produces toxins and its a huge burden to the immune system. If other parts of our body go bad and are no longer functioning we dont keep them around to make us sick......thats basically what we're doing with root canals....we're holding onto something which is dead....and it can make us very sick.

[dlp252]

I see many of the same doctors and practitioners as Rachel does, so yes, it's GREAT to have a team of practitioners who know about each other and work together!

Joni, yours sounds very promising! I have been able to cut down a little but at one time I had a SPREADSHEET to keep track of everything I had to take, lol! I still take lots of supplements though. For convenience I do buy most of them at their offices, but I do buy some of them at Whole Foods once I know what I need to take.

[Aleshia]

So..is it just the non traditional tests the HMO won't pay for such as hair analysis?

my ND is covered by my insurance but when I went to her I got a statement from the insurance company saying that my responsibility was almost $900 and that my ND wasn't covered ($260 for first 2 hour visit) and that the lab work wasn't covered either... anyway my ND had done some tests related to hair loss and the insurance doesn't cover that because they assume that it is some bald guy trying to get hair replacement paid for... anyway my ND and the lab both resubmitted the claims and put the hair related stuff farther down on the list... and finally after a YEAR the insurance covered it all. I think they just had a problem that "hair loss" was at the top of the list so they didn't even look to see what the rest of the stuff was! anyway, my husband said not to go back to her until everything was sorted out so now I have an appt. for tomorrow... hopefully she'll help me figure out what is wrong with me!

[Joni63]

Root canals actually allow for something which is "dead" to remain in the body...

Yeah, it really doesn't sound good at all when you think of it like that. I didn't get sick all at once though, my symptoms have been gradual and they started when I was pregnant for my 2nd child with yeast infection issues. I'm definately one of those that candida seemed to bring out the symptoms of Celiac.

I see many of the same doctors and practitioners as Rachel does, so yes, it's GREAT to have a team of practitioners who know about each other and work together!

Joni, yours sounds very promising! I have been able to cut down a little but at one time I had a SPREADSHEET to keep track of everything I had to take, lol! I still take lots of supplements though. For convenience I do buy most of them at their offices, but I do buy some of them at Whole Foods once I know what I need to take.

You are both lucky to have such great Doctors. I'm envious!

I'm happy though, I really think she can help me and that's what counts at the moment. Feeling better is my #1 priority!

A SPREADAHEET, LOL! I should have known, Donna!

my ND is covered by my insurance but when I went to her I got a statement from the insurance company saying that my responsibility was almost $900 and that my ND wasn't covered ($260 for first 2 hour visit) and that the lab work wasn't covered either... anyway my ND had done some tests related to hair loss and the insurance doesn't cover that because they assume that it is some bald guy trying to get hair replacement paid for... anyway my ND and the lab both resubmitted the claims and put the hair related stuff farther down on the list... and finally after a YEAR the insurance covered it all. I think they just had a problem that "hair loss" was at the top of the list so they didn't even look to see what the rest of the stuff was! anyway, my husband said not to go back to her until everything was sorted out so now I have an appt. for tomorrow... hopefully she'll help me figure out what is wrong with me!

Your fortunate that your insurance covers your ND. The only way mind would is if an MD took the additional coursework to become and ND. But ND's aren't even allowed or required to be certified in New Jersey.

Strange how it took them so long to figure out your claim was valid. At least they finally paid it all. Good luck, let us know how you make out with your appointment tomorrow. Good luck!