Stephen Christensen, MD (”Doom” to his close friends), retired from medicine in 2003. When pressed about his decision to leave the profession, he might quote Henry David Thoreau: “Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one.”
The fact that he could no longer see well enough to interpret an Xray or navigate through a nasty wound may have had something to do with it, too; the thought of placing a patient at risk due to his own physical incapacity was intolerable.
In the ensuing years, Dr. C has expanded his knowledge of alternative medicine, though he rankles at that term. “Perhaps,” he says, “American medicine should be called ‘alternative.’ It is the most expensive form of health care on the planet, and our citizens are sicker than those of almost any other developed nation. We need an alternative to that kind of system!”
Indeed, much of his curiosity about “fringe healing,” as some of his medical colleagues are apt to call it, stems from his own practical experience with patients who were not benefiting from conventional Western medicine. Together, they often sought pathways to better health that led beyond where many physicians are willing to explore.
He has studied Herbalism, dabbled at the edges of Ayurvedism, rubbed shoulders with Native American Healers, and wondered about the healing powers of channeled energy. He is deeply worried that American medicine has passed into a shadow cast by commercial interests that are more concerned with profit than they are with the pursuit of optimal health. The doctor thinks we should still heed the counsels of Hippocrates, remember the wisdom of the Eclectics, and respect those cultures whose roots are infinitely deeper than ours… he believes that if we can set our arrogance aside for a moment, we might just learn something.
Hey Doc,
You seem like the coolist of human beings on this earth! Wish I had met you.
Im 57. Last year I was diagonised w/ Osteo and Rhumatoid, Raynuld’s, Graves, Exema, Hypetension and I have anemia (from no meat for 27ys of my youth I guess) and I have been trying to treat my self so as not to get tangled up in the pharmacutical/ama ca-ca. I dont have insurance of course. But Thurs. I was so messed up with the exema - all I have to do is scratch the littles bit and I have a half-dozen more sores. I just have them everywhere, like my boobs, butt, legs, back, arms are covered, you get the picture. I once admired my skin and teath as outstanding assets and now I have to put on face make up to go run to the store. I am using triamcinolone acetonide cream from the doc for the past 2 moonths and helps but not cures. Im scare to take the predzazone for many reasons. Thurs I went to internist and he talked me into a shot of the kind of chemo they used 20 yrs ago; the pressure was great; I had do decide right then and I had awoken with 7 more spots on my face that morning and so I took it. The drug plan he has in store for me is old chem that I can afford but is so toxic you have to have liver panel every 2 months.
So Dear Doctor, my question to you is how can I treat myself w/ herbs,vit, food in a wholistic way? I forgot to tell you that I am an herbalist, and nutritionist, and half Cherokee. But all the Old Ones I worked with in my day are gone, like Rolling Thunder, Sun Bear, Grandfather Wallace Black Elk, and Grandfather BearHeart. I have no Native teachers or friends left. I have a lot of knowledge about alot of things, but here when its me that need the work Im stick. Also I moved to MO. before this happened from FL. so I have no network of friends to help.
I need to know; if my auto-immune system is overstimmulated as in all autoimmune diseases; - do I need to stop all immune enhancing food/herbs/etc like garlic, astragulas, shitake mushroons?
OR
Do I continue to build up my immune system w/ astragulas, garlic, onions, and Oriental mushrooms, maka, and all the immune enhancing food and herbs Im used to using, and focus on elimanating the things that I know arent good for me like sugar and oils?
If you could just write an article on that one question;-whether to take simulating & building up herbs and foods when you already have autoimmune disease’s or to avoid them like a plague??? I know the herbs, food, vitamins - I just need to know the contex of how to THINK when treating something this complicated.
Thank you for your time. I will look forward to reading your articles and please put me on any mailing list you write for.
Many Blessings on your BeautyWay,
JH
Dear Dr. Christensen,
I read this website with great interest. I am a 31 year old women from Holland with a bad health, witch no doctor seems to be able to cure.
I am an Asperger-Autist, have dozens of allergies (pollen, mites, food, fungi), an immune system whose only task, it seems, is to cause me trouble, a likely Candida-infection, extreme bowel troubles and: I am desperate..
I have tried EVERYTHING, from anti-allergy-tablets to a TSO-therapy (with trichuris suis), a stay in an allergy clinic, alternative medicine and so on and am broke from all the costs..
NOTHING worked! I have lost three jobs because of my asperger/bad health an am dependent on my family and boyfriend for money.
I want to have children but are afraid that they might inherit my bad health and the autism. What do I do?
If there is anything you are able to do for me, doctor, I would be eternally greatfull then I am running out of straws to clasp on to.
Please contact me..
Hello, JK.
You have your share of trouble; I certainly understand your concerns about starting a family, since our children do inherit our immune tendencies.
It sounds like you’re dealing with a hyperactive immune system (allergies are essentially an exaggerated response to antigens in our environment).
You mentioned “extreme bowel troubles.” I’m assuming someone has checked for celiac disease. If left untreated, CD can contribute to many of the symptoms you have. Keep in mind that the blood tests currently used to help diagnose CD occasionally miss the condition. Short of getting endoscopy and small bowel biopsy (another expensive procedure), you might consider a gluten-free diet for several months to see if it helps your symptoms.
I can certainly sympathize with you. In an attempt to treat the autoimmune condition that was damaging my vision, I submitted to high-dose prednisone, intraocular injections of corticosteroids, an eye surgery to deal with the complications of the injections, etc. Then, when the inflammatory arthritis flared up and my doctors started to talk about expensive anti-rheumatoid medications (along with the side effects) I went looking elsewhere. I stumbled across transfer factors, which have been a boon to me.
While transfer factors are not a cure-all, they will help to modulate an overactive immune system in many individuals. They’re regulatory cytokines that are produced by our white blood cells. For more information, click on the ‘Immune Health’ link on the right side of this page, and then click on ‘Transfer Factor Story’ at the top left.
If you’d like to hear more about Transfer Factor, you’re welcome to join our weekly conference call on Thursday evenings (although it may not be at a convenient time if you live in Holland). Most of us get on the line at 5:55pm Pacific time, and we get started at 6 pm sharp. The number is 218-936-1100, and the conference ID is 22759#.
Stay in touch, and good luck!
Hi, JH.
When it rains, it pours. I wonder if your symptoms are due to the same process as JK’s(see above). You, too, might consider a diagnosis of celiac disease, if that possibility hasn’t already been addressed (you might also be interested in investigating the ‘Transfer Factor Story’ through the ‘Immune Health’ link on the right side of this page).
I’m especially intrigued by your mention of anemia and eczema. Anyone with unexplained iron-deficiency anemia should be evaluated for celiac disease. And one of the classic findings in CD is dermatitis herpetiformis, an itchy, sometimes weeping rash that is usually found on the arms, knees, buttocks, shoulders, and scalp.
I would certainly make sure I chased all possibilities down before I launched into a regimen of long-term prednisone and drugs like methotrexate (I’m just guessing that’s one of the meds you’re considering). The potential side effects of some medications (such as ‘methotrexate lung’) can make the initial symptoms seem trivial by comparison.
Now, your question about the use of immune-building herbs in the face of autoimmune symptoms is a good one. There is some evidence that certain herbs (echinacea, for instance) can aggravate some autoimmune conditions (eg, type 1 diabetes) or lead to ‘immune fatigue’ when used for a long time. Many scientists have expressed concerns about the theoretical risk of stirring up an already-overactive immune system with activating herbs. Unfortunately, not much research has been done to definitively answer this question.
I’ll nose around to see if there are any new clinical studies addressing specific herbs–like astragalus–and their influence on autoimmunity. If I can gather enough useful information, I’ll put an article together.
I wish you strength for your journey.
I am so impressed — both with the articles and also with the personal qualities and values you describe. My exposure to the American medical system (especially since I have reached the elder/elder age of 84) that is isn’t reasonable to expect that the very good family doctor that I occasionally see is not all that aware that the assment yardsticks he applies to middle aged or younger patients don’t apply all that well tome. In any event, I will be reading through all of your articles
In that regard, I do have a complaint. I am currently recovering from an AMD condition in both eyes (dry in one and wet in the other), and since the format of your articles places the print upon a darkish gray background, I have to get out the large magnifying glass to read. I haven’t had to resort to that for a few months now and it gives me a creepy feeling that the recovery I have made (thanks to home-made procedures for reactivating adult stem cells in my eyes) has spun into reverse.
Charles Colenaty
Dear Dr. Christensen,
My name is Batsheva Lazarus and I am part of a team working on a documentary on the topic of drinks at The BBC.
As part of this program we are looking into drinks that make health claims-such as dietary supplements, endurance and even slimming aids.
We have found your name associated with research on the supplement L-Carnitine and were hoping you might be able to lend us your expert opinion on the topic.
We are researching claims made by some drinks intended for “slimming”-specifically a product sold in The UK called “Bio Skinny Water”. This drink contains L-Carnitine (a 500mg dose per bottle, recommended 4 bottles a day). We are trying to gage the effectiveness of L-Carnitine in general for weight loss and specifically in the dosage recommended by Bio Skinny Water.
In short, will The L-Carnitine in Bio Skinny Water help you “get skinny”?
We have read many studies that claim different effects of this supplement and would be so grateful for some clarification on the subject. Might this be something you might be able to guide us on?
We would be thrilled to speak with you and possible arrange an interview by phone.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at any time.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Many Thanks,
Batsheva Lazarus
BBC
Batsheva.lazarus@bbc.co.uk
Dear Colleague
I need regular information about psychopharmacological drugs that can be precribed during pregnancy and that have been approved by FDA
Thanks a lot
Dr.Humberto Gobbi,MD.
Psychiatrist
hgobbi@gmail.com
Adress: Ave. Coronel Diaz 2277
Buenos Aires
CP 1425 - Argentina
Dr. Gobbi,
The Physician’s Desk Reference, of course, is the primary resource that most doctors consult when they need information about a drug’s safety. Downloadable versions of the PDR keep it up to date with data on new agents — as well as new information on old drugs. Websites like safefetus.com and obfocus.com are also helpful. Finally, there are several books (e.g., Gerald Briggs’ “Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation”) that offer valuable advice. Unfortunately, such books quickly become obsolete due to the ongoing development of pharmaceutical agents.