► Alternative Therapies, any real benefit?

[vikdoc]

I know that the use of alternative therapies - homoeopathy, yoga, other natural and traditional treatments, reiki, etc - is a highly contentious subject because it opens the door to all the quack treatments.

God knows that HIV has attracted more than its fair share of rogues who have passed off medicines that were at best placebos, at worst stuff like steroids, onto many desperate poz people. One can hardly fault many HIV activists who see red at the mention of alternative treatments.

And yet I have heard too many stories of poz people who have really benefitted from alternative therapies. One of the first I met was years back, a Swiss guy with an Indian bf whose T cells could be counted on one hand, who went through a course in ayurveda in Kerala and after following the diet and lifestyle changes required by it, made an astonishing return to health.

There are more stories like that and perhaps they shouldn't come as a surprise. We know that maintaining a general level of health, quite independent of medication, is critical with preventing the onset of AIDS. And this focus on overall body health rather than dealing with a specific symptom is exactly what many alternative therapies do best.

As a not inconsiderable side note, one of the benefits of alternative therapy seems to be that its practitioners are notably more sympathetic and willing to listen in deal with their patients in ways that might carry over into counselling, but overall are probably just what the person needs then.

I know of one guy who goes to a doctor who is perhaps the top HIV specialist in Bombay whose advice is perhaps excellent, but whose patient skills are zero. Partly to recover from the brusque, dismissive sessions with this doctor he started going to a homoeopath who treatment may not be medically validated, but whose sympathy in dealing with him was considerable. And between the two he is doing very well.

So it looks like one has to tread a middle path with alternative therapies and this is why personal experiences will be really useful. Could you share your experience, or the experience of poz people you know with alternative therapies - what they feel works, what might help and doesn't harm, and what should be avoided at all costs?

[jay]

I'll only add this: that "alternative therapies" or "supplementary treatments" are just that -- alternatives and supplementary, not the core of HIV treatment. There's no doubt that yoga will have a physical and psychological benefit for many; there's no doubt that some herbal treatments work because of the so-called "placebo effect" -- people believe the treatment is going to work and so it DOES work.

But the foundation of HIV treatment remains anti-retrovirals (ARVs). Any first-line regimen should consist of (a) either a protease inhibitor (PI) or an NNRTI, AND (B) two NRTIs

I'll be happy to expand on this, explain what all these acronyms mean etc, if people want me to.

Just remember: PI or NNRTI + two NRTIs. That's the standard-of-care around the world.

Jay

[Ben]

Dear Vik :
Thanks for the nice article.

I read somwhere that Aloe Vera too helps in all lot of problems, including HIV/AIDS. Well am not so sure, but still have taken a bottle of it.

Also it would be nice to have the names of Doctors, with Telephone nos etc. For Eg : I go to Dr. I S Gilada - Tel : 2306 1616. Situated at Grant Road. Near Minerva Cinema. who is the specialist. But maybe some more names etc. for others too.

Address :
Unison Medicare Polyclinic
Maharukh Mansion
Alibhai Premji Marg
Grant Roat Station East
Mumbai 400 007

This is just a suggestion.

Thanks

Ben