Amyloidosis

[ecky x]

I have a client with this disease. His main organ affected is his kidneys (and can affect other organs, except the brain). He is in remission (2 yrs.)

He has just started a new job which is causing him a lot of stress. He is experiencing swelling in his legs and feet, common to his symptoms, and he feels it is stress-related, as is the itching he is experiencing.

It is a rare disease with no cure.

What would you suggest as a treatment plan for him?

 

[bigbossmamma]

After doing a quick internet search, if the diagnosis is correct, it is likely that a cure, from the standard medical approach, has yet to be found. However there are some suggestions on this site your client may wish to read about:

http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsConditions/Amyloidosiscc.html#Treatment

There is always hope, and many people who have been
diagnoised with incurable diseases, seem to live years beyond what doctors expect. It seems that a large part of dealing with this condition, is keeping down inflammation, and changing the diet, lifestyle, etc.

Perhaps other than seeing his current doctor your client would consider working with a good acupuncturist or a Chinese Medical doctor, as they have an entirely different approach to health, working to support the body, & correcting the imbalances.

In the meantime, at least you are there, & doing what you can to help. That type of support is wonderful for reducing stress & simply nurturing the individuals you work with. While you obviously care, keep in mind that the journey here, is your client's journey and that your role is to be one of the guides who is there to light the path for him now. Be fully present, & hold the space for him to release his fears, & his sorrows as well as aiding him according to your level of expertise. Your role must also include being certain that his medical condition is not contraindicated for massage.

If it is cleared with the doctor, & you have the training, then Lymphatic Massage techniques may be helpful for any swelling. The itching may be occuring due to the swelling itself, though at the very least there are a number of over the counter anti-itch products on the market ( I would think however, that he should avoid any of those which are steriod based).

Best wishes for you & your client.

 

[Sikenflossy]

Riversinger - thank you for your thoughtful post.

The link you provided was very informative, and that, along with reading his blog, has given me a much clearer picture of his condition.

Yes, the diagnosis is correct. Since his diagnosis in 2005, he has had two stem cell transplants, chemo, etc. He is in remission now.

He is open to alternative therapies, and I will offer the idea of acupuncture for him to consider. His main complaints are swelling and anxiety (about the new job).

I am studying lymph drainage therapy, ironically, as I have another client who is a breast cancer survivor in need of this therapy. I don't feel comfortable yet being able to "officially" offer this, however. In the mean time, I will suggest that he find someone qualified (there are few around my area, but the hospital in Boston where he goes may be able to offer it to him).

Thanks for your well wishes.

Donna

 

[Gerald J]

Depending on how open he is to new treatments and approaches to feeling better, I would recommend CST. Find someone with advanced training who can do some imagery and dialogue work. If he were my CST client, we would probably work in the direction of dialogue with the Kidneys, the immune system and possibly the disease itself. I'd do so in hopes of his body telling him what exactly it is doing, why it has gone in the direction of dis-ease and what he can do to keep it in remission, or at the least, keep symptoms at bay.

Just my $.02 :2cents:

 

[Alex ?]

I have had a few clients who have had itching disorders get good results with acupuncture and herb work (though it can take a long time in some cases). Although not the same thing, it is worth a shot. and the acupuncture can also be beneficial with stress.

I also agree with the "present" massage.