Expert: Coninyah B. Dew - 8/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: my husband was given 2 gout meds. in hospital, he does not nor has never had gout. Within 3 days he could not walk, talk, or eat. He is now in a nursing home and on dialysis, he has regained use of upper body, but is feed through G-tube, he can not swallow safely (per speech therapist). He is doing physical therapy, occ. therapy, and speech therapy.
Do you think that acupuncture can help this at all? Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello Diane,

I have spoken with colleagues who have had great success in relieving symptoms associated with gout. Most of them however have used a combination of acupuncture and chinese herbs. The herbs would be specifically to help clear the body of toxins creating the gouty condition. Given that your husband is now in a nursing home, I am assuming he is on some pharmaceutical regimen. If this is the case, I would highly encourage you to consult the attending physician before seeking an herbal treatment. Acupuncture however is very effective for relieving pain symptoms he may be experiencing. Additionally, acupuncture may be beneficial in the restoration of normal swallowing functions. Treating for this symptom would require 2-3x/wk of treatments to begin to see some improvement. Not knowing your husband's full medical history, I again would recommend consulting the attending physician. I would also recommend consulting a local, nationally board certified Oriental Medicine Practitioner who is certified in Acupuncture and Chinese herbs. He/She would be able to work collectively with the physician for alternative options. I hope this has been helpful and I do wish you and your husband the very best. Please feel free to contact me with any additional questions you may have.

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello, as I stated in first email, he has never had gout and had been to his podiatrist the week before entering the hospital for dehydration from flu. The doctor says there was no gout seen the week before. So I do not want to treat gout, just what the wrong medicine did to him. Maybe I did not make myself clear enough in first email. Is there a different answer now?
Thank you, Diane

Answer
Hello Dian,

I would need to know the medications your husband received. Without knowing this, I can not speak to the potential side effects. Can you please provide this information?

Regards,
Coninyah B. Dew L.Ac., M.S.O.M.
Acupuncture Stress and Pain Management Practices