Page 11 | Is it a con or can it help my sick child?

FlayOtters · 22/08/2025 09:02

Also to quote the great Minchin:
"Alternative medicine, by definition, has either not been proven to work or has been proven not to work. You know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work?..... medicine."

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 09:01

flossydog · 22/08/2025 08:32

PANS and PANDAS are speculative diagnoses that aren't widely recognised by the NHS. There's no way to prove that a bout of strep throat, or other illnesses, is the cause of later behaviour change. The diagnosis is spread by online advovate groups, not doctors.

So what do you suggest I do to help my child who has been ill for over a year and off school for over a year? How do I get my child back? How do we get out of this utter hell we are all living in?

OP posts:

GameWheelsAlarm · 22/08/2025 09:01

Homeopathy is a con, but can work by triggering a placebo effect in credulous people who are desperate for good news.

Herbal medicine that actually works is called "medicine". Lots of real medicines are derived from natural sources eg aspirin comes from willow bark. Herbal remedies are the ones that are too hit-and-miss in their supposed effect, or don't make a real difference, so don't get included in the knowledge of what actually works because they don't.

There isn't a medication that will make this go away. Sorry.

Annoyeddd · 22/08/2025 09:00

Owly11 · 22/08/2025 07:16

I’m a complete sceptic but I had a friend who was a homeopath. I had been mentioning to her my child’s verrucas that had been going on for years and I had tried everything they just would not budge. She gave me two small pills which I gave to my child thinking what harm can it do and I was astonished that within a couple of weeks the verrucas had completely gone. I have never used homeopathy before or since but it did always make me wonder. Also I noticed that at Great Ormond Street Hospital they had a homeopathy hospital which also surprised me. What harm can it do to try it?

My child's verrucas suddenly disappeared.
The old homeopathic hospital is in great Ormond street but nothing to do with the childrens hospital.
It has changed now and does complementary therapies and not homeopathy

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:59

sunshine244 · 22/08/2025 08:20

As a mum of kids with autism, anxiety and tics I'm quite aware of PANS/PANDAS and how controversial the diagnosis even is, let alone the treatments.

Are the symptoms sudden in nature or more gradual? FND often starts suddenly and can be prompted by stress.

Homeopathy is just placebo. You'd be better with a good multivitamin. Which might be helpful.anyway as deficiencies of things like iron, zinc, vitamin D etc can mimic symptoms sometimes.

It’s not FND

OP posts:

tryingtobesogood · 22/08/2025 08:58

notapizzaeater · 21/08/2025 23:14

what has she suggested she can cure ? The nhs offers some homeopathy - maybe try there first ?

No, the NHS does not recommend homeopathy because there is absolutely zero evidence that it works.

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:57

Plumbereft · 22/08/2025 07:30

Have a look at @parenting_pandas if you’re on IG, she is using homeopathy I believe with her child amongst other things and does (free) phone calls with pans parents for support and advice.
No one should make such definitive claims that something will help your child, I’d find a different person if you do go with homeopathy. Personally anecdotal accounts of something being helpful would be enough for me to give it a go, esp as it won’t do any harm either way.

I follow her, thank you 🙏

OP posts:

CuriousKangaroo · 22/08/2025 08:57

I’m so sorry your daughter is ill. I completely understand why you must be feeling desperate if nothing has worked to make her feel better so far. But as you have noted yourself, you are vulnerable as a result.

But there is absolutely no evidence that homeopathy works. At best, it has a placebo effect. I am so sorry that some online homeopath grifter is trying to exploit your situation to make money from you because I’m afraid that is what this probably is.

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:56

AussieManque · 22/08/2025 07:00

Have you already tried treating with antibiotics?

If someone is being pushy with their treatment then I'd be wary. I doubt homeopathy can harm in itself, but if means not following treatments that actually work then yes it's dangerous. You could use it as supplementary to conventional treatments.

And please take care as COVID is rising to keep your child safe from infection which could worsen symptoms. Talk to their school to ensure they are prioritizing ventilation in classrooms and running air purifiers. www.cleanairforkids.co.uk is a great resource to try and make schools less of a cesspit of airborne infection.

Show quote history

We’ve done so many rounds of antibiotics 😔

OP posts:

butterfly0404 · 22/08/2025 08:55

Has your daughter had her b12 and folate checked ? As someone who was fobbed off with a Fibromyalgia/CFS diagnosis it turned out to be severe and long term b12 deficiency which was causing neurological illness. I dont know much about PANS but if the above hasn't been excluded, ask for testing.
Many DR's are of the mistaken belief that children cannot suffer b12 deficiency but this is not the case. X

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:55

Pricelessadvice · 22/08/2025 06:52

My mum went through the same with me when I was very ill as a child. Homeopathy did nothing.

She really cleaned up my diet though- only organic food, lots of veg, fruit, nuts and seeds. Vitamins, minerals, Fresh air, controlled exercise etc.

Pans?

OP posts:

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:54

Lilactimes · 22/08/2025 06:52

Dear @Nightswimminginoldpants im so sorry for what you’re going through. I can only imagine how difficult it is to deal with.

i am a big believer in trying different types of meds (Chinese / Ayervedic and also taking supplements) however I genuinely don’t believe homeopathy works.

If I were you, I would ensure you’re getting a break and looking after yourself frequently enough that you don’t burn out and have strength to deal with this. Do what you need to, so you have the strength to keep fighting for your DC

I would try and ensure you’re following the best medical advice and taking all the meds supplied and throw money at psychiatric support and CBT for your child. And ensure you’re receiving the best advice on how to parent - holding the line on behaviours so they don’t get worse through enabling etc.

I am a big believer in the health of the gut micro biome especially if your DC is taking a antibiotics long term. I do feel as a secondary support to everything else medical you’re probably doing, I would improve this rather than homeopathy. However, I totally get this may be hard if DC not wanting to eat properly or being oppositional or your just simply exhausted .

I hope you’re ok x x

Show quote history

Thank you 🙏 it’s pure hell

OP posts:

Chocja · 22/08/2025 08:54

I strongly believe in alternative medicine and diet as long as it is a complement to modern medicine.

Giving your body the right nutrients to enable it to function as effectively as possible can only help and things like yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, walking etc can really help to keep your stress levels down and your body moving and keep the blood flowing.

I would be wary of giving someone online money for a magic beans cure though.

BunfightBetty · 22/08/2025 08:54

EyeLevelStick · 22/08/2025 05:50

The harm is separating OP from her hard earned money in return for snake oil.

If homeopathy worked there would be studies proving its efficacy.

Show quote history

That’s for OP to decide for herself, as an adult. She may feel it’s worth a punt, she may feel it isn’t. In a world where I’m often paying an inflated price for things, or buying stuff that doesn’t work as claimed, or I just don’t need, I don’t see the cost of a consultation as something ‘harmful’, as long as I can afford it, I go into it with my eyes open and know I may not see results for the money.

Yesitisred · 22/08/2025 08:53

Booboobagins · 22/08/2025 06:32

Years before big pharmacy came along, homeopathy was all we had.

Indigenous tribes still use it. My dad used to make his own medicine, it was unbelievable.

It can work, but without specifics, who knows if you're being sold snake oil or not. My view would be to start thinking your child is well, tell your child to start thinking they are well. Tell the body to self heal (I know it sounds barmy but lots of scientific research going into this right now) and if the homeopathy isnt expensive, you can afford it, and it doesnt workcobtrary to the medication your DC is taking, try it.

Btw 25-50% of pharmaceuticals are derived from plants/natural substances.

Youre confusing homeopathy with herbalism. There are many scientific studies proving some herbal medicines work - St John's Wort for depression for example.

BobButtonsismycat · 22/08/2025 08:53

I have struggled with chronic health conditions spanning over decades and in my desperation I've parted ways with my money to 'alternative' health practitioners more times than I dare admit to.

Sadly, none have had any lasting positive effects (especially homeopathy), so I've had to come to the painful conclusion it's all bollocks and many of these people praying on those desperate for help outside the NHS (they have not been helpful in my circumstances).

Of course, if you can afford it then it's worth trying, your dc may respond, who knows. Any parent would try anything to help their child return to good health. I really hope you find something which helps them.

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:51

Barnbrack · 22/08/2025 05:54

Who diagnosed pans/pandas? It's a very controversial diagnosis in that there's no real test for it. Most consultants I know consider it to be autism that is impacted by fevers etc while a child is ill. How old is your child? What does their doctor say about treatment etc?

Homeopathy is complete and utter money grabbing nonsense with no basis in reality, well done for being concerned and asking.

My child isn’t autistic, is completely fine and displays no behaviours etc until after being unwell, we’ve gone up to a year with *Typical behaviour

OP posts:

DOCTORCEE · 22/08/2025 08:51

Nightswimminginoldpants · 21/08/2025 23:11

Homeopathy?

Feeling a bit vulnerable at the moment, so not sure if it’s clouding my view.

Dd is ill and I’m getting desperate. Have been talking to a homeopathist online, she is very intent that homeopathy will help my Dd get better.

Does it work?

It’s nonsense- no evidence to support its effectiveness.

Jellybellycat · 22/08/2025 08:50

Homeopathy - no.

However, I think alternative medicine and treatments are worth exploring alongside conventional medicine.

Acupuncture being one example.

oldclock · 22/08/2025 08:49

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 22/08/2025 08:46

You can say absolutely the same about many other treatments.

Show quote history

Of course, but licensed medicines have been proven to actually work over and above placebo effect.

ThriveAT · 22/08/2025 08:49

OP, my thoughts are with you. I'm sorry that you and your child are going through this tough time. You sound like a very caring mum.

Original poster

Nightswimminginoldpants · 22/08/2025 08:49

Lunchinspo · 22/08/2025 01:01

My DD has PANS/Pandas and we used dr Gareth Morgan. She had antibiotics and ibuprofen and made vast improvements after numerous nhs diagnosis/ suggestions failed.

We’ve tried both antibiotics and Ibuprofen, just keeps getting ill again each time she has a standard illness 😔

OP posts:

Missohnoyoubetterdont · 22/08/2025 08:46

oldclock · 22/08/2025 08:41

And of course homeopathy doesn't 'work' for anyone. The consultation and use of the 'treatment' has a placebo effect.

Show quote history

You can say absolutely the same about many other treatments.

toadinthebucket · 22/08/2025 08:46

It's very telling that a lot of the people on this threas claiming homeopathy works don't actually seem to be talking about homeopathy...

Of course it doesn't work, it's just water.

BunfightBetty · 22/08/2025 08:43

flossydog · 22/08/2025 08:32

PANS and PANDAS are speculative diagnoses that aren't widely recognised by the NHS. There's no way to prove that a bout of strep throat, or other illnesses, is the cause of later behaviour change. The diagnosis is spread by online advovate groups, not doctors.

Worth bearing this in mind, and your point about the mixed opinion on PANS is valid, but also worth bearing in mind that the NHS can be notoriously slow at updating its protocols in the light of new medical advances. I’m not sure I’d take the NHS as the arbiter of what’s real and what isn’t, or what is the most effective treatment, if I’m honest. It can take years for them to catch up at times.