Rant alert :)
I've just returned from my 3rd appointment in 6 months with a derm. on the UK NHS, and I'm both disappointed and disgusted with the attitude towards vit that I've been shown.
To put this in context, the derm has been prescribing Protopic for 6 months, unsuccessfully, and I've started UVB at home (too early to tell how successful that will be).
At my appointment today, these were some of the things I was told (I'm paraphrasing only a little):
- Vitiligo isn't researched much in this country, because most of the population is caucasion! (Seriously, I couldn't believe my ears!)
- If Protopic isn't working, there's really nothing else anyone can do other than UVB which I'm already doing.
- Don't bother carrying on with Protopic, because if it hasn't helped in 6 months it probably won't help at all.
That was going to be it, goodbye Mr. White! After some persuasion from me, he agreed to prescribe a vitamin D analogue cream as a 'trial' before he left.
When I reached the front desk, I found out he had also 'discharged' me completely (so I won't get another appointment with him). He didn't discuss that with me at all!!!!!
Has anyone else been shown such a lazy and dismissive attitude on the UK NHS? Why is it that even medical professionals don't appreciate the physiological effects of this?!
Rant over :)
Replies
Have you considered going to the British Homeopathic Association?
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/about-us/
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/condi...
I hadn't, because I've had some poor experiences with homeopathy in the past (although not related to vit). I'm sure things have moved on a long way though, so I'll check out those links, thanks.
You're welcome.
If you haven't already, also check out this interesting interview between Scientist Richard Dawkins and Dr. Peter Fisher, as well as a debate on homeopathy with Dr. Ben Goldacre and Dr. Peter Fisher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaOd9zd3e7M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKEtHtl97D0
Given all that I've learned about it, and the affects I've seen on myself and others, I remain hopeful that it can help.
I have never been a big believer of alternative medicine. I thought it was a bunch of quackery but due to my family's personal experiences I have found that sometimes modern medicine (allopathic) does not work for a small percentage of conditions. Probably about 10 percent or so. I definitely think vitiligo is one of those conditions. I have come to conclusion that don't knock something until you have tried it. Ayuvedic, oriental (accupuncture), and homeopathic are worth looking into. I'm definitely sure that it will not help with all conditions and all patients but they should looked into as options. It would be good for allopathic, homeopathic and ayuvdic all to work as a team and not to knock each others work.
For gunshot victims or somebody who has suffered a stroke you definitely would not consider homeopathy, ayuvedic, or oriental medicine. Of allopathic medicine is the way to go in an acute situation. You would def. want a trauma surgeon to take care of you. However for some chronic condition its worth looking alternative medicine and it would ideal if all these branch worked in harmony (i'm thinking of utopia...i know.)
It seems quite clear to me from research and discussion that there's no solution that will help everyone, but, neither is there any magic involved when treatment is successful.
It should be a case of identifying what works for you from the huge list of possibilities and narrow down the best treatment for you accordingly, whether that's diet, drugs, supplements or lifestyle. I would expect a professional derm to want to help with that process, not give up at the first hurdle. Bizarre attitude I think.
vitiligo is one of those conditions that allopathic medicine cannot successfully treat. allopathic medicine wonderful for most ailments especially for high blood pressure, hyopthyroid and virtually 80 to 90 percent of ailments. Medication can reverse or alleviate the problem. Doctors like to be successful and right. In treating vitiligo in they don't expereince success and almost always experience frustration. Steroids don't work usually and the vit usually comes back with venegence is the anectodctal evidence.
based on by internet research...its best to adopt a healthy lifestyle and minimize stress in your life. Diet is extremely improtant. strong suggest stop eating toxic foods and start eating organic foods and avoid processed foods. are lives are crazy and sometimes its so hard to avoid junk and processed food but that would be the first step. Eliminate or reduce harsh chemicals in the form of beauty products, hair sprays, makeup as much as possible.
detoxifiying your body - try oil pulling, apple cider vinegar.
Try yoga.
Take multivitamins or vitamins you are deficient in eps. folic acid, paba, b12...and of course vitamin D. Ask your dermatologist or doctor about checking for vitamin deficiencies. Actually this should be first step.
Most people say that vitiligo is not a topical condition but systemic disorder in which pigment loss is the end result.
Has anybody tried accupuncture or cupping?
As far as uvb and depigmentation therapies both have pro-s and cons and its best to be err on the side of caution.
Has anbody tried homopathic, ayuvedic, naturopathic, herbal treatment? I did not believe in these treatments and would have laughed them off but unfortunately allopathic treatment typically does not work and again physicians like to be successful. If they are not it very distressing for them. This conditions only affects 1 percent of the population and its one of the those conditions that allopathic don't like to deal with.
I think parents have a hard time dealing with vitiligo too because its something that can't fix for their child. So i guess a doctor feels the same way.
I do beleive that there is no disease that nature does not have a cure for. Of course there are disorders that allopathic medicine does not have cures for. They are few and far between....unfortunatley vitiligo is one of them.
I've certainly given up on any derm proactively leading my treatment, just need to find someone willing to let me lead the treatment through them, otherwise I can't get hold of the meds safely. So frustrating.