hello. this is my first time visiting here.
i was wondering just how well homeopathic remedies work? i really don't know too much about them, and i'd like to start using them instead of other drugs.
i have a bladder, possible kidney infection. i just used Macrobid for over a week and did not see one ounce of improvement.
Now i have to go back and probly end up taking some other ****.
anyway, do you think homeopathics work well enough once the problem has been identified? could they totally replace drugs for minor problems? i understand you aren't really allowed to say yes all the way, but for the most part? how do you personally rely on these natural drugs?
thank you for your help. i'm trying to learn in order to care for myself better!
Parvati

Dear Parvati,

You are a real mess! Is there anything else wrong with you? Just kidding. (I just finished answering your last letter about your cough and sore throat.) Listen to the following words of wisdom: VITAMIN C! I have had my share of bladder infections, and I can assure you that I am THE authority on the subject! Now, go out and get yourself a bottle one-gram C capsules. Take 6 of them. An hour later, take 4 more. You already may be completely cured at this point, but, if not, in another hour, take 4 more, and in another hour, 2 more, and that should do it!

Here's my story: Took antibiotics and they worked fine til the prescription ran out; so I had it refilled, which worked fine til the prescription ran out, which was on a Sunday night--all the dr.'s offices and drugstores, closed! I was panicking. Luckily I remembered having read about Vit. C and bladder infections, so I took it, not really believing it would help, but having no other choice. Well, it worked like a charm! One course of Vitamin C and that was that! What can I say!

Yes, there are homeopathic remedies for this problem, but you simply cannot prescribe for yourself without an acute prescribing book as I explained earlier.

Good luck,

Snoopy

thank you Snoopy, you are an angel!
Do you think the Vit. C would still work even though my kidneys hurt? i know if it gets too far, i could end up in the hospital.
i will try the Vit. C as well as go to the doctor. i just wish at the same time that health insurance would cover homeopathy as well as other natural remedies! how frustrating!
thank you sooo much! Parvati

I really wouldn't imagine that many people could tolerate that much Vit C and not have terrible diarrhoea. IMO 2-3g is plenty in a day!! Nmy more wuld be excreted. Drink loads of water and still more + lots of cranberry juice.

From me, who has had lots of kidney troubles in the past (I only have one functioning kidney now:

Also make sure your diet is bland. No oils and butter, no fried foods whatsoever, etc. until you are better. Less or no proteins too.

Eat grains, fruits, veggies and only very little meat - or do without meat for a few days if you can bear it.

Cranberry is WONDERFUL - and drink plenty of water too, but don't drink more than 8 or so glasses - as it could be too much. Also, drink it at a moderate pace - say, throughout the day - rather than gulping down a glass of juice or water at one time.

Make SURE you go and try to pass urine AS SOON as the urge hits you!!! This helps prevent reflux of the urine from your bladder up into your kidney!!!

MAKE SURE you EMPTY your bladder COMPLETELY - I mean SQUEEZE out the last drop. After you THINK you've already finished - try once more.

And rest. You must rest. This is important - and most people just carry on when they get sick, but please listen to your body and rest.

Don't overdo the Vit-C too much. It can actually aggravate your kidneys if you take too much DURING kidney infection. I was actually told NOT to take it WHILE I had a kidney infection.
Also avoid citrus drinks, e.g. Orange Juice, Lemon Juice.
No cokes - NO CARBONATED drinks whatsoever.

Hang in there..and hope you feel better soon.

OH - one last VERY IMPORTANT thing:
If you are in pain - please please do not take Ibuprofen (aka Brufen, Advil, Motrin) - as it has been found to stress the kidneys badly. My nephorlogist told me that they discovered some years back - that the transplant patients were actually rejecting their new kidneys..and after a study and some time, they discovered that this drug was the cause!
AND Tyleno, Panadol - aka Paracetomal and Acetominphen. They are one in the same - and they cause stress to the kidneys (also, liver and other organs) if taken too much.

SO, if you need pain relief, try to do it naturally - or post here - and maybe someone can help...or find a good local Homeopath to help you.

I used to find that a hot water bottle would help tremendously...some need cold applications.
Take care,
Lisa

And who, has diagnosed it to be a kidneyproblem? A MD? or yourself?
Also, certain back problems , or intestial problems may give kideny pais , as you call it.
None of the recomandations given here has to do with homeopathy, or being responbinsible.
It has to be aswered if its a infection, or what it is, from wher the pain steems.
Then, a aproriate remedie may be prescribed, after your sympotmes, and your problem, and that will cure.
Not vitamin c, if you have a certain kidney problem, or intestial problem, vit c will give serious bleeding, or it could also be that far more serious things is going on ..
If not checked this , get it done.

GM, I think he must have gone to an allopathic doctor - otherwise how would he have gotten the Macrobid? So, it must have been diagnosed by an allopath.

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the VitC...glad that you could back me up on that one, cuz I CLEARLY recall my nephrologist (who, by the way was very open to natural means of healing!) saying it was a BIG no-no while a kidney infection was going on.

Anyhow - it is important with a kidney infection not to stress the kidneys with a rich diet - and I recall you telling me not to eat spicy foods, so I thought I would pass on all this to Parvati.

Hope the pains aren't too terrible and hope you feel better soon, Parvati. Also, as GM says, it could be a problem in the back that causes pain in the kidney region - and something like that combined with your bladder infection could inadvertantly make you assume it is a kidney infection, while it just may be your back..better to get it checked as GM suggested! Take care,
Lisa

[This message has been edited by Lisa~Annan (edited 10 January 2001).]

Dear Parvati,

I doubt that this infection has spread to your kidneys or you wouldn't be so calm in telling us about it--you'd be in terrible pain and very ill! Ricky is right that vitamin C can cause loose stools and stomach growling; it usually is short-lived and if it occurred would be the least of your problems.

You have tried an anti-biotic and it hasn't worked; short of a homeopathic remedy,
vit. C is your best alternative, unless you want to wait around and try this and that and risk that the infection may, in fact, spread to your kindeys. A complete cure in 2-4 hours is what I am suggesting is possible with vitamin C. Perhaps you could buy the capsules in the ascorbate (non-acidic) form and it might be easier on your stomach. If you would rather try a homeopathic remedy, tell us your exact symptoms down to the letter and maybe we can help you.

Sincerely,

Snoopy

Dear Parvati,

Excuse me, I just read your 2nd post where you said your kidneys ached. I have never heard before that vit. C can be bad for your kidneys, but to be on the safe side, if you want to take less--maybe 3 capsules, and an hour later, 2 capsules and then evaluate how you feel, and just go slowly and cautiously, perhaps that would work just as well; certainly better than doing nothing.

Snoopy

Hi Snoopy, Vit C really is dangerous to take DURING a kidney infection.

My Nephrologist (okay, he's an allopath - but he's not your typical allopath - is very very open to Homeopathy, etc!!) told me in very no uncertain terms that it is contraindicated in kidney infections!! Even the non-acidic stuff.

Not so much in bladder infections - but it would have to be in lower doses than what you originally suggested.

I've seen this man since I was a teenager (I'm now 36) = and he isn't the only Nephrologist that worked on my case (years ago) and they all agree (it is common knowledge amongst Nephrologists) that dosing with Vit C DURING an infection can be dangerous.

His name is Dr. Larry Melton - and he is based in Houston (at the Medical Center).
Anyhow, I think it is very important NOT to take Vit C if you, Parvati suspect that this infection has indeed moved to your kidneys.

Please get it checked again to be on the safe side, if you are considering the Vit C supplements. Otherwise, as Snoopy said - post your case here and see what Remedies are suggested for you.

Hope you get to feeling better soon!
Lisa