Great been trying to get to yoga Im so fatigued cant get their on time? I AM down to 99 lbs Im a 53 yr old woman with PBC 7 years I studied eastern and western medicine and am going for treatment with holistic pharmacy and aucupuncture got to call see if any tai chi or yoga is going on better than the gym I have to keep free range meats and gluten free carbs 1 serving a day to try to combat fatigue God Bless happy for you ! Deena

Deena,

Glad you bought up gluten free and Easter medicines. I also use acupuncture and it does help relieve the pain and inflammation. I also started with gluten free as part of my plant based diet. Stay strong and do what you can to stay active. All the best, Lisa

Hi,

Certainly seems like you have a lot to deal with, more than most people can imagine. The fact that you are coping with it at all is praiseworthy.
Just a note of caution on the gluten free thing, and Eastern medicine. If you are tested for Celiac and pass, no need to avoid gluten. "Gluten sensitivity" is unproven health wise but is proven to make extra cash for those selling the products. So, ask your doc for a test if you a curious about it. Unless you have severe ongoing GI problems, you'll probably pass. This is kind of important since by following one of these diets you may be limiting nutrients that will benefit your general health.
As far as Eastern medicine, there is clearly something to it but the tricks are: what really works? how much should you take? how will it interact with prescribed medications? can it do harm? These herbs are not regulated by the FDA so what it says on the bottle may in fact not be true. There is a subset of such medicines that may benefit, such as the various ginsengs, curcumin, rhodiola etc but be careful when putting together your own concoction. Here's a good website that Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center put together about Integrative Medicine.
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/treatments/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs
Look under "Search about Herbs" to investigate a particular one in detail.

Remember that traditional medicine isn't necessarily Eastern. It has a rich tradition in, for example, Appalachia, and of course among Native Americans.

That said, don't give up on mainstream medicine either. Sometimes it takes finding the right doctor and the right med(s).

Hope this helps.

The sloan web site is great, I had a rash on my left foot? I have been taking turmeric cucumin it said it can lead to dermatitis so I stopped for a couple days than took one and my foot started to tingle? I was taking it for asites and it worked pitted edema, maybe its the brand but have hay fever so have to watch plant based any thing even pain meds have to take synthetic version's, basically stopped taking all holistic medicine I was so fatigued was going to get treated by the PHD that runs the school but was so fatigued I missed 2 app. Last week had my fentanyl patch off for 5 days ? Was going for acupuncture and to the holistic pharmacy the problem is Dr Lee only does nights? I get up before the sun? I am greatful for the link to sloan much.appreciated thanks John Burns and for your concern!

John I scored a 2 on gluten test and reads anything under 20 is negative but gluten is made with 2 proteins not sure if it's animal or from nuts? I have read nothing good about it? Their is a big market in gluten free? Don't know what to think any more have to get another app with holistic PhD and ask her what she thinks? Have a good day Deena