Alternative Medicines?

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Does anyone know of an alternative medicine for the treatment of Epilepsy? A friend of mine is a GI and he is very worried about his daughter but can't get a large supply of her current medication so is looking for alternatives for next year Thanks

-- matt (whome@somewhere.nz), October 10, 1999

Answers

Matt,

Instead of alternative medicines, your friend might consider alternative sources of medicine -- e.g., Mexico, or some of the new e-commerce medicine sites that seem to be willing to sell all kinds of stuff over the Internet.

This should not be done casually, of course, because you want to ensure that the medication is high-quality, and you need to be concerned about the shelf-life of the medication. But your friend might feel sufficiently protected if, for example, he could obtain an extra 2-3 month supply of his daughter's medication, and simply "rotate" it, along with the normal supply, to avoid using "stale" medication that might have lost its efficacy.

In the best of all worlds, he would have a sympathetic doctor of whom he could ask the obvious questions about shelf life, alternative sources, etc.

I'm sure that everyone on this forum would be willing to help your friend with whatever information and resources we can provide. Best of luck...

Ed

-- Ed Yourdon (ed@yourdon.com), October 11, 1999.


Lobelia (I'm not sure it's sold anymore) and valarian are advised for convulsions, but epilepsy is a serious problem. He should try to get meds ahead of time! If not dilantin, then maybe, at least, something calming like klonopin...

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), October 10, 1999.

A friend of mine used to get seisures and then became involved with an MLM Company that markets magnetic devices for beds, chairs, etc. I was real skeptical, but his seisures have disappeared!

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), October 10, 1999.

The herbalist Dr. John Christopher treated epilepsy using tincture of blue cohosh, black cohosh, blue vervain, skullcap and lobelia. Send me an email if you'd like more information.

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), October 10, 1999.

After consulting with your doctor and if he/she can't help you, you might contact Life Extensions. Their web site is at www.lef.org. They sell vitamins and other herbals, and are highly regarded I am told.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 10, 1999.



Thanks Mara,Ed and everyone, Am looking into the possibilities you mentioned and will relay your thoughts to my friend Many thanks

-- matt (whome@somewhere.nz), October 11, 1999.

Increasing your magnesium intake either through food or supplements will increase your seizure threshold and make it less likely to have a seizure.

-- zeda (rickster@n-jcenter.com), October 11, 1999.

Yes- it's not easy dealing with the insurance companies/doctors re: meds. I have been able to obtain scripts for a few extra months of my childs meds- which should get us thru February, but that's it. I will try to obtain more but not sure if I can- it's a sick joke as my pharmacy can't even fill a one month supply now without "owing" me some pills...next year? Hah...!

If you can swing the cost- do try the internet/overseas route. I can't come up with the money to do this- a months supply of his meds is about $300 now...

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), October 11, 1999.


Internet?? Overseas??

PULEESE clue me in?? How do I connect with an Internet Pharmacy?? Should I drive to Mexico?? Can I bring back meds for Blood pressure???



-- K. Stevens (K. Stevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), October 12, 1999.


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