OK... I have been looking and looking for a good homeopath in my area for months now (well, 2 months) and I've had no luck whatsoever. I was hoping to be discreet about my location, but at this point I am desperate. So: does anybody know a good homeopath in the Washington, DC area (including the 301 or 410 area codes in MD or 703 in VA)? I just can't believe there's nobody good within a 1-hour radius. Without naming names, the practitioners I've tried either specialize in children, aren't taking new patients, won't return email or have simply disappeared -- or some combination thereof. With another one, I never got past the receptionist because she acted really snotty and quoted me an exorbitant price for a short first visit, plus I would have to put down a deposit (!) three weeks in advance -- I know doctor's visits are expensive and I don't mind paying, but that seemed extreme.

Part of the problem is that I am looking for someone who works only or primarily with homeopathy; maybe that is too picky, but I don't think it's unreasonable. I was about to try one practitioner who is just around the corner from me, but when I looked him up on bigyellow.com I found that he was also listed under "Astrologers and Psychic Consultants", so I ruled him out. I've had bad luck with the NCH listings (tried 2 practitioners from there), and given other horror stories I've heard about that list, I am pretty wary. Also tried the Steve & Aviva Waldstein list (at homeopathy-cures.com), and even personal email to Steve Waldstein, with no luck. I don't want to just pick a name and make an appointment with someone because of the huge expense and the very high number of quacks who seem to be out there -- tried that in January with very poor results. What I need is a recommendation from a satisfied patient.

Hope you all can help. Thanks.

[This message has been edited by CRA (edited 22 February 2001).]

Hi CRA,

I don't know if I gave you this link before, but maybe you will find a satisfied patient in this study group:

www.baltimore-homeopathy.org

They have contact information on this site, but you may choose to write to Bernie Simon, who runs the site and organises the study group at:

bsimon@stsci.edu

Sorry this is so frustrating. Hope this will finally bring you into contact with someone available.

Divina

I know of someone in NY, where ever Hillary moved to. If that is too far, I will ask her, maybe she knows of someone.

Hi Divina, Thanks for letting me know about the Baltimore study group. You have been very kind to me through this whole thing. I sent an email to Bernie Simon this morning -- hope it works.

Mamma3, thanks -- NY is four hours away and I'd rather have someone closer. I could drive 2-3 hours to Charlottesville or Norfolk, VA, where I know of people who are definitely good, but I'd rather stay closer by. But could you ask the person you know for a referral? I'd really appreciate it.

Hi J, Thanks, Andrea Sullivan is one of the practitioners I already tried. But I like your idea about going the long-distance route. Generally it is hard for me to take time off work, but I certainly could manage once or twice a year. Then, there is always the modern miracle of videoconferencing. Good idea, thanks.

Hey CRA,

I answered one of your posts before and jokingly said maybe we're neighbors...guess what...we are! I've had no luck myself finding a homeopath locally, due to snotty receptionists & extremely high prices (maybe the same place?) plus like you said, part time psychics, etc.

I've got a few names yet to check for the future, but I have to dig them up, which I'll do shortly. One I talked to on the phone, in the Silver Spring area, too pricey for me but not too bad really, but DID get on the phone and offer to see me quickly...she has lots of letters after her name, trained in India...not that this means anything. About the Baltimore study group...if it's the one I know of, well, I've seen a doc who runs it, and he gave multiple remedies (8 actually) at a time, so maybe not the best choice unless that's what you're looking for...but it may not be the same person.

Let me hunt through my notes and I'll let you know. Feel free to email me if you'd like...kind of hard to say who NOT to go to publicly, you know?

Are you loving this snow today??

Sunny

OK, I found the name of the homeopath I talked to - Premala Brewster and her number is 301-460-6600. I called there just now to make sure the number is the same, and the receptionist put her right on the phone. She charges $200 for the initial 2 hour consultation and $55 for follow-ups as needed. She said she'll be happy to talk to anyone on the phone and answer questions, tell what to expect, etc. She also has info she can mail out if interested. She is a classically trained homeopath and also a certified nutritionist...hopefully not into pushing the nutrition aspect on unwilling people. Sorry I can't speak from experience about her, but you could call her and see what you think.

Sunny

Sunny, I love it! (the fact that we're neighbors, AND the snow... but then I'm weird that way)

For some reason our area seems to be extra-deficient in classical homeopaths, or maybe it's long on quacks. My old home state of Maine, with half the population of the DC area, has tons of good homeopaths. One DC practitioner I looked into has a website that offers a "complete naturopathic exam" which includes "a visual exam using Oriental observation, iridology, a tongue study, a ph test of the urine, a pulse study and a homeopathic constitutional evaluation." ... if I didn't laugh, I'd cry!

I can't wait to compare notes... I will be emailing you shortly.

CRA - The local Health Food/Nutritional shop I frequent was able to supply me with the names of a few good Homeopaths and also Holistic Clinics. I recently went to a Holistic Health Fair and came in contact with several Homeopaths, practising in a local Holistic Clinic. Maybe you could try these avenues and see if something pans out for you. Good luck - herb

I think I'm in close to the same situation as you are. I'm in Frederick, MD, and Premala Brewster is also the only close homeopath I've found, at least via the Internet. Any estimates how far she is from Frederick? Being at college without a car kind of limits the options... also anyone know if she is covered under any insurance plans? I know it's a long shot for homeopaths in the U.S. but...

Thanks,
Heidi