AboutBaihu Expertise I can answer questions about using holistic, natural healing methods to preserve health, manage stress, and assist mainstream healing efforts. My specialty is Reiki, Traditional Usui style, where I am a master-practitioner. From my doctorate level studies to date I have a basic familiarity with a variety of methods including herbal treatment, aromatherapy, TCM, homeopathy,amoung others. There is an intuitive componant to my consultations, consistant with Reiki practice and tradition. I in no way diagnose disease. It it my goal to empower and educate the individual, while encouraging the thoughtful integration of mainstream and alternative healing stratgies.
Experience I have had 13 years clinical practice as a physician assistant with experience in both psychiatry and cardiology. I am currently working toward a Ph.D in Natural Health.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science in Medical Science (physician assistant) with past national certification. Currently enrolled in Ph.D. program with Clayton College, Birmingham, Alabama.
Awards and Honors Outstanding Young Women of America 1988, 1997
Expert: Baihu Date: 7/15/2008 Subject: Supplements to support surgical recovery...
Question Hello! First, thank you for being available here on the web. My Mom has recently had a cerebral aneurysm clipped. They performed a craniotomy, and they clipped and shrunk it (it was so large it was causing seizures and vision loss-it was pressing on her optic nerve). The surgery was a success, but my Mom isn't "my Mom" because, well, they did surgery on her brain. Never a big fan of the medical community, I am eternally grateful to them for their amazing feat of modern medicine. However, I am very leery of her anticonvulsant meds. Dilantin almost killed her, caused a very nasty reaction just prior to surgery. Now they have her on Topamax and Keppra because even though they shrunk the aneurysm, she may still have a "propensity" towards seizures. They also stated that they were giving her the anticonvulsants to "optimize her labs." The side-effects of these meds are the same thing that she needs to recover from after brain surgery - loss of coordination, confusion, loss of vision, fatigue, the list goes on and on....I don't know if the meds are affecting her, or if it's from her surgery. She just sits in her wheelchair with her head slumped forward. She's in a diaper. She can't always come up with the right word (another side effect, word for word, of anticonvulsants. She's asleep most of the time, and I know that the brain needs sleep to recover. I realize there is going to be a huge rehab time for her, but is there anything that can support her healing? This is beyond my scope!!! I suggested to her doctors to give her Vit C after her horrible reaction to Dilantin, and they looked at me like I was an idiot. (I'm no stranger to staving off the medical community - my son is non-vaccinated). Anyways, I just want the best for my Mom, and I know this is pretty complicated, and I'm trying to do my research. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Bright blessings,
Michelle
Answer Hi Michelle
My first question was "are we related?" My mom is going through something very similar, and it is particularly vexing for me, because not only has she had a lot of difficulty with her medications too, she doesn't want anything to do with anything alternative or natural.
Anyway...it's hard to answer your questions because it is indeed about someone else. And a very complicated someone else at that. Brain sugery is a whole other level of things, and not something that I can answer without meeting her in person and going through the whole evaluation...that is what holistic medicine is all about after all, getting to each individual as a whole person. If she is open to it, the only way to do that is to see a holistic practitioner in person.
That being said, here are a few helpful hints...
First, since she is on antivonvulsant medications I would avoid any suppliments, vitamins or herbs without getting the ok from the doctor in charge of her care. The chances of a suppliment - herb - drug interaction here are enormous.
Second, as simple as it may seem, good basic health habits can play a huge supporting role in this kind of recovery. Sleep is crucial. Even mainstream medicine will concede that sleep helps brains to heal, and the lack of sleep can lower the seizure threshold and make it more difficult to adjust medicines. So encourage her to get a regular amount of good quality sleep, in adequate amounts.
Caffine can also make it easier to have a siezure, so ask the doctor if she should avoid caffiene.
While suppliments may not be a good idea, a solid diet is...that way there are no vitamin deficiencies to suppliment...whole unprocessed foods in good balance is a good idea for everyone.
Gentle exercise will help sleep...
Aromatherapy like frankincense diffused (not rubbed on) can help any headache, and other fragrances can help mood and sleep if needed.
Energy therapies like Reiki is generally helpful, but keep in mind that the energy goes where the body and mind need it...not where we want or expect it to go, so keep a very open mind and heart about those kinds of therapies...but they are relaxing and wonderful. Keep an eye on any medicines that require a target blood level and let your doctor know about Reiki too...he or she may be skeptical and not care, but in some rare cases Reiki can change blood levels of medicines.
As you do your research, talking to practitioners and having your mom seen in person is a good step. Do a search online for resources from the National Institute of health office of complimentatry and integrated medicine...niccm i think it is...that and medline can give you mainstream scinetific ammunition to use in your quest for natural and holistic care.
