By Sharon Moore
Since my diagnosis I have contemplated the idea of  going
"Natural". It seems there are more drug warnings and recalls than
before.

Needless to say, neither the drug companies nor our doctors ever know
all the side effects that may transpire from long term use of a drug treatment.
Life with a chronic illness is  unpredictable enough, but when you add the
drug side  effects along with your everyday symptoms, life can be less then
bearable.

With this in mind you may ask – are there any other alternatives, besides
toxic treatments? If you’re curious to know the answer to this question, please
indulge your intellectual appetite by reading "Lupus: Alternatives
Therapies That Work". 

The author, Sharon Moore goes into detail about her prolonged diagnosis and
how she struggled for someone to listen to her. Sharon had several classic
symptoms of Lupus, from severe fatigue to the ever-so popular "Malar-Rash",
which all went un-noticed for five years. Sharon was active in the Peace Corps
when the  mystery illness began to reveal itself. She was told 
several times that she was just having panic-attacks. After a long hospital
stay, she was finally diagnosed with Lupus and like most SLE patients; she was
displeased with medication’s side-effects. She wanted to cure her illness, not
suppress it.

Follow Sharon on her safari to natural recovery (In  which she compares
her journey with Lupus to an  African Safari). She discusses how
everyday  natural plants can enhance our health, for example  Rose
Petals to steam, as you would a Lipton tea bag.

Sharon even mentions how environmental toxins in food play a role in Lupus
flares. For example, how research studies indicate that food chemicals may
affect the cellular structure of the immune system. 

I don’t know how many of us still have silver-fillings in our mouth, Sharon
also mentions the theory on the effects of mercury (used to  make
silver-fillings), the most toxic non-radioactive element on Earth. Who would
have thought that my old silver fillings could interfere with brain waves, and
cause neurological problems, or that chewing gum releases vapors from  the
mercury amalgams.

Sharon also touches on relaxing methods, traditional Chinese medicine and a
host of other natural methods to help heal your immune system. 

This is truly an educational find. I have to admit there are some points in
this book that persuaded me to at least want to try one natural method. Although
the author is an advocate of natural methods, she’s not condoning dismissal of
doctor prescribed pharmaceuticals. Research some of the possibilities 
mentioned in this book during your leisure.