Homoeopathy on the NHS

[sasguru]

My youngest son is currently going through a course of homeopathic remedies (he is 2). My wife and I are both sceptical but have tried the conventional route (he has chronic tonsilitis) and is on a daily dose of antibiotics at the moment as well. Previous courses of antibiotics have not worked.

This also impacts on his sleeping (and therefore ours) - not had a good nights sleep for well over two years now.

On a science note: we are curious to see how it works (if at all) as surely a placebo will not work on one so young? Surely you must understand that the medicine will make you better? We have pumped so many different antibiotics into our son we dread to think what they are doing long term.

Sorry a bit rambling.

Do they not do tonsillectomies any more. I had mine out when I was 5.

[minestrone]

Do they not do tonsillectomies any more. I had mine out when I was 5.

They dont like to do them anymore.

[Coalman]

Do they not do tonsillectomies any more. I had mine out when I was 5.

Yes but not on one so young if they can avoid it - risk of blood loss and general aneastetic (sp?).

[Pickle2]

http://skepdic.com/homeo.html

The skeptic's dictionary??? You can't believe a word they say, surely?

[FSM with Cheddar]

On a science note: we are curious to see how it works (if at all) as surely a placebo will not work on one so young? Surely you must understand that the medicine will make you better?

Your child will definitely pick up on the fact you are trying to help him.
But from what I remember the placebo works, even if you know it is a placebo.

[Mich the Tester]

oddly like the current state of play in particle/quantum mechanics. quark behaviour can have an effect via no discernible means on other quarks etc.

Nothing whatsoever to do with homeopathy. The so-called ‘memory’ in homeopathy water is supposedly at a molecular level, while quantum physics is about the behaviour of sub-atomic particles. A quark is not a ‘water quark’ or a ‘herb quark’ or a ‘medicinal ingredient quark’ in the way that a molecule can be a water molecule, a benzene molecule or a chlorophyll molecule; it’s just a quark.

Molecules do not ‘remember’ the molecules they have met in their travels unless they react with those molecules to form a molecule of another substance; that substance would be detectable with normal chemical tests if it were to be found in the little bottle of expensive shaken water; it isn’t.

[FSM with Cheddar]

I am told that GPs now are meant to offer up options to the patient then anser any question so that the patient gets to decide their treatment. Did this happen?

It wasn't me that went, but I believe the doctor did say it was a homoeopathic remedy. However MRS FSM didn't know anything about them (apart from the voice of Mr FSM saying "Bah"), so wasn't in a position to say b@llocks.

[scotspine]

"That's neither here nor there." "supposedly"

ah, i see

[sasguru]

"That's neither here nor there." "supposedly"

ah, i see

Mich explains it better.

[minestrone]

The amount of pressure GPs get to prescribe certain drugs is amazing, they don't like to give out antibiotics anymore for valid reasons, the government tell them what to do, the trusts tell them what to do then the media wind it up with "ask this GP why you are not on this drug NOW" headlines then the following year "this drug is not safe and should be removed". Patients who think they can do a doctors job.

Add that to the companies who are round them like flies round tulipe, I have a life time supply of branded pens in my house, torches, mini tool kits, PC mice, notepads etc etc.

They get phoned all the time by reps asking them what they want for lunch, she got a trip to Gleneagles last week and taken to probably Scotlands best restaurant. Must have cost a fortune, if you are 'onside' they will take them abroad for 'courses'.