Functional Medicine

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:13 pm

Has anyone tried functional medicine to treat this? I have a friend who is trying to get me to go to a doctor who practices functional medicine. She says he has had lots of success in treating autoimmune conditions and specifically Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I guess he starts with testing all kinds of things in your body---toxicity levels, hormone levels, vitamin and mineral levels, etc. I've wanted to get my hormone levels tested for some time but I can't get my regular doctor to do it.

Anyone have an opinion on this? I think my insurance would cover it, so it might be worthwhile to see where all my levels are.

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:25 pm

I tried one last year. He was okay. He understood celiac and food sensitivites but, always pushed me to purchase the vitamins/powders they sold. One of them was giving me horrible D and he just wanted to me continue on it. He couldn't grasp that fiber was a no-no for a person who has LC. I think Tex has described it before like it is sandpaper for people like us who are trying to heal.

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:57 am

Okay, I will keep that in mind. That's what my GI doc wanted me to do for treatment---take fiber supplements. Thankfully, after reading here I knew better!

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:08 am

I used it and ended up giving it up because it was so expensive and not covered under my health insurance which meant all of the labs, doctor visits, supplements were out of pocket. I spent thousands of dollars and had no relief since I continued to eat soy, limited dairy, eggs, etc. which I now know I shouldn't. I'd say give it a try if it's covered under insurance but I found this forum to be the best help. I did a food sensitivity blood test and did a 4 month rotational diet based on the results. Other tests like the hydrogen breath test that would normally be covered under my insurance was not since it was my chiropractor who also practices functional medicare ordered them.

It was nice having a doctor that knows there is something causing the inflammation therefore, once those foods are removed the D should get better. However, his lack of experience with MC rendered my time and money wasted. I took a ton of supplements ($300+ each month) which did not help, I had D the entire time without even a norman once in a while. I trust my doc and his intentions were good but it just wasn't affordable. I now know that it's all in the diet.

Melanie · Post by **Melanie** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:19 pm

Thanks for your input.

I keep wanting to think that if I can find a way to treat the inflammation, I will heal faster. But thanks for the reminder that once I remove foods that cause the inflammation then, the inflammation will go away.