RE: [SouthBayVeggies] supportive doctor at Kaiser in the Southbay...?

[Guest guest]

Hi Melissa! Look for Hindu names. I have a Hindu doctor from India. She's not

completely as herbal and homeopathic as I'd like, but she's supportive of a

vegan diet and is familiar with alternative medicine, such as ayurveda. This is

a far cry above the typical allopathic Kaiser doctor.

 

On the Kaiser website, there's a " choose a doctor " link, and you can look at all

the available doctors and switch if you want without having to go in to your

current doctor and say " you're fired! " . :-)

 

Sincerely,

Diane Harrison, Certified Master Cruise Counselor

Advantage Cruise & Travel CST #2015277-40

46 Dartmouth Place

Danville, CA 94526

408-554-5854 - Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays

Fax: 408-716-2723

diane

www.advantagetravel.com

 

 

 

vegan4animals

Fri 5/8/09 9:21

;

[southBayVeggies] supportive doctor at Kaiser in the Southbay...?

 

 

 

 

 

Hi everyone,

 

Does anyone have a doctor at either the Cambpell or Santa Clara Kaiser

that is supportive of veganism and natural supplements/treatments,

i.e. herbal, homeopathic, etc and doesn't just prescribe

pharmaceutical drugs like crazy?

 

I had a terrible experience yesterday with a doctor who was horrified

that I take herbal supplements. I didn't have a chance to say I was

vegan but I think if I did, the guy would have seriously had a heart

attack.

 

Thanks for any leads,

 

Melissa

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry that I can't help you with that. I have the same question

regarding finding a Kaiser doctor in Livermore or Pleasanton who is

supportive of natural approaches to health care. Thanks if anyone can

help with that, too.

 

CarolynB

 

 

vegan4animals wrote:

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> Does anyone have a doctor at either the Cambpell or Santa Clara Kaiser

> that is supportive of veganism and natural supplements/treatments,

> i.e. herbal, homeopathic, etc and doesn't just prescribe

> pharmaceutical drugs like crazy?

>

> I had a terrible experience yesterday with a doctor who was horrified

> that I take herbal supplements. I didn't have a chance to say I was

> vegan but I think if I did, the guy would have seriously had a heart

> attack.

>

> Thanks for any leads,

>

> Melissa

>

>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

On May 8, 2009, at 9:21 AM, vegan4animals wrote:

> I had a terrible experience yesterday with a doctor who was horrified

> that I take herbal supplements. I didn't have a chance to say I was

> vegan but I think if I did, the guy would have seriously had a heart

> attack.

>

 

 

I hope I don't get flamed for this, but please please please be very

careful with supplements.

 

It sounds to me like this physician was very unprofessional. I would

never treat a patient like that. However, there are legitimate

concerns with herbal supplements that physicians have.

 

I don't have an issue with some herbal supplements, but I could never

recommend them to a patient. The reason is that supplements are not

regulated by FDA. Manufacturing, purity, etc. is NOT monitored. Even

the dosage can be way off. If a physician recommends an herbal remedy

that is tainted or in some other way dangerous, it opens the physician

up to huge malpractice risk. (BTW, I'm not claiming that pharma is

perfect; manufacturing issues happen there too.) Unfortunately, the

fear of malpractice really affects patient care.

 

There are lots of good herbal supplements, and some dangerous ones.

Unfortunately, the lack of regulation makes it very difficult to tell

them apart. It sounds like you are doing the right thing by carefully

researching supplements and working with a naturopath.

 

I'm glad you explained to the physician why you would be switching. I

don't think it's going to change his mind, but it's important that

doctors hear that their patients want a more holistic approach.

Finding the right fit is really important. You might try calling or

emailing the physician and asking if he or she is supportive of

complementary and alternative medicine. You might also look a

physician with a DO instead of and MD. Osteopathic physicians might be

more receptive.

 

Good luck!

 

-Steve