| >> Complementary medicine |
General guidance No alternative, herbal, or any other non-traditional method is known to have been successful in treating PV itself, but some people think Complementary medicine can help them deal with unwanted side-effects from the necessary drugs. If you do want to use complementary therapies, it is essential to find a practitioner who understands the seriousness of PV and the risks of changing your treatment. It is vital that you continue your usual medical treatments. To refuse your usual medical treatments from your doctor is to risk PV getting more active and uncontrolled. A good rule of thumb is: if an alternative/complementary therapist suggests stopping or changing your treatment, it is unlikely they understand about PV and they could be putting your life at risk. Chinese herbal medicine and western herbal medicine The problem with most herbal medicine is that it may well increase the activity of the immune system. Yet in order to control PV it is currently thought necessary to suppress activity - the direct opposite. This is why most dermatologists would be extremely worried if people wanted to take herbal medicine instead of the drug treatments referred to earlier in ‘How can it be treated?’ Another problem is that herbal medicine does not view illness and disease in the same way as Western medicine. So a herbal practitioner may not even be able to tell you if the medicine they are prescribing stimulates the immune system. Patients should be aware that herbs are not necessarily safe just because they are herbs. They should be treated with the same respect as mainstream medicines. Unfortunately, there have been instances where some patients have suffered liver damage from herbal treatments and some imported herbal supplies have been contaminated with steroids. Sometimes people choose to use herbal medicine to help them deal with the effects of the drugs. But this can only be done safely by still taking your usual drugs and working with an experienced herbalist who understands PV. Even then many people would feel it was very risky. See the National Institute of Medical Herbalists at www.nimh.org.uk Some people use acupuncture to help with nausea, pain and the Side-effects of treatment. However, if skin erosions are active it may be impossible for needles to be used. It may be possible to use electro-acupressure, where nothing penetrates the skin. It would only be safe to use acupuncture if you were also taking your usual drugs. Moxibustion, which is the burning of a herb on acupuncture points, may also be used but this can further damage vulnerable skin. See the British Acupuncture Council at www.acupuncture.org.uk See the British Medical Acupuncture Society at www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk A lot of western doctors do not think homoeopathy works. By the same token, they may not be concerned if PV patients want to use homoeopathy because homeopathy is not believed to be associated with serious side-effects. If you want to try homeopathy, it is essential to find a homoeopath who understands PV and does not suggest you stop your medicine. The Society of Homoeopaths at www.homeopathy-soh.org/ Alliance of Registered Homeopaths at www.a-r-h.org If you do not have body erosions or broken skin, massage can be a safe way to help with joint and muscle pains from Corticosteroids. Many people also think it helps them relax and helps manage problems like sleeplessness and anxiety. You would need to find an experienced massage therapist who understood the seriousness of PV. International Guild of Professional Practitioners www.igpp.co.uk Massage Therapists Institute www.cmhmassage.co.uk |
