?Please Help -Scared for My Sister.

Sounds like she is having major anxiety problems. She needs to be seen by a doctor, not a naturopath ( not that I don't agree with them..but she needs help now). Medical insurance or not, she should see a doctor and possible a mental health doctor right away. Maybe it's drastic, and I don't know what you mean by negative, but she could check herself into the mental portion of a hospital.

If she was my sister.....she would be going to the er right now.

She sounds like she's having major anxiety issues and possible panic attacks - she needs to be seen by a doctor and under the care of a mental health professional. If you are that concerned for her safely, maybe she needs to be checked into a hospital. Not that I don't believe in more natural remedies, but I am not buying the whole acupuncture and drinking water and baking soda bit - I mean, how does this person know she has a partially blocked artery? And if she does, that's the main artery that goes to your brain and blockage could mean a major stroke. So how is drinking water with baking soda supposed to help? Sorry, but your sister needs to see a REAL doctor, whether she has an insurance or not - perhaps one can work with her on a sliding scale and be willing to adjust their fees so that she gets the help she needs, or you can try a low-cost clinic. An ER has to see her, regardless of her ability to pay or her insurance coverage. She may also qualify for Medicaid.

She should go to the ER. She can't function? She may have a physical problem, not just stress. If I started shaking uncontrolably, I woudl be in the ER. I'm all about alternative treatments, but screw baking soda. She needs a doctor and possibly a psychologist. If it is not merely physical, she could be admitted for mental health care. It is not the same as being committed to a mental ward. But if you fear her behavior (she might hurt your child), maybe she should be forced to go.

Tell her to go to the nearest ER-they will treat her-they must treat her!

so, your sister has a choice to either see a doctor or continue to feel this way. I get that she isn't into mainstream health but the alternative hasn't helped. And with major anxiety going on she isn't able to make good choices. I recommend that you take her to see a doctor or even take her to the ER.

Community Health Clinics charge on a sliding fee schedule. Call and see if they have an urgent care clinic or can make an immediate appointment.
Jennie H. gave you a web address where you can find a phone number.

It is true that the medical system can be difficult to use but when the issue is this serious it needs to be faced. You do the research and then you insist that she go with you. Using Medicaid may not always give you quality care but not seeing anyone is no care at all.

If she truly has a partial blockage this is a serious medical condition and could have something to do with her extreme anxiety. Heart issues often cause anxiety. It's our body's way of telling us something is wrong.

There are several medications that can provide relief for her. She can take one of them short term and see if it helps.

Get her to the ER. I suspect the "naturopath" gave her something medicinal that you don't know about that is causing her symptoms. Just because something is touted as natural, doesn't mean it's safe. Just because he claims to be an expert, doesn't mean he isn't a quack.

Worse case scenario, from what you describe, she's in the middle of a mental breakdown and needs to be seen by a doctor ASAP.

Or it's a combo of both. Weird naturopath did or gave her something that triggered a mental break of some sort.

Whatever is going on, she should be taken to the ER because as of right now, legally they can not turn her away...even if she has no insurance. No it's no guarantee the medical treatment will be good or fair, but right now she has nothing else and she sounds like she's in desperate need for medical intervention. A blocked artery means she could have a stroke or heart attack. Is he talking about a blood clot or a clogged artery? People can have changes in personality and behavior before having a stroke. It is a warning sign. I can't believe the stupid naturopath "worked on it" and didn't tell her to see a regular doctor. Depending on how he "worked on it" he may have caused more problems than good. That is deadly. Read up on blockages, heart attacks, and stroke. But more important go, get her help. Go to the ER.

T.:

I'm sorry that your sister is not doing well. It sounds like she needs a complete physical and some blood work drawn.

No, I have not dealt or have experience with these symptoms. By your SWH - your sister is having major anxiety attacks - and I mean MAJOR - I'm not a doctor - but those are some of the symptoms of anxiety - lack of sleep, etc.

There is NOTHING your sister or ANYONE can do about their past. She needs to seek counseling - even with a Priest/Pastor/Rabbi if not a psychiatrist to make peace with her past, learn from it and proceed on to her future. She CANNOT live in the past and CANNOT stand still - she has to learn from her mistakes and her regrets - NO ONE can do that for her but HERSELF. She has to want to help herself. She has to want to change. Kinda like an addict - they have to want to help themselves - no one can force them into it.

The free clinic may have thought she had allergies and that's why they gave her an antihistamine. Unless you went with her - you don't know what she told the doctor and what they did.

I personally have never dealt with an acupuncturist or a naturopath. I've had people that have done acupuncture and swear by it.

Tell your sister to start a journal to track her feelings and anxiety. Even if it means typing into a computer if she can't write. Or even recording it on a recording device. Just to get it out there. Breaking down what is causing the anxiety is what she will need to do. Figure out her regrets from her past and how she can move forward.

Good luck to both of you!!!

Get her to the ER ASAP. this is serious and needs to be handled byprofessional doctors. Don't delay; call an ambulance if you have to. Let us know how everything turns out. Will keep her in my thoughts today.

Best wishes.

I agree she needs a doctor but if money is tight, don't take her to the ER or a mental hospital - the bill will be crazy and that will only cause more anxiety. Call the county and find the best community health center near you. Good luck!

ETA: You can start by calling one of these: http://www.elcajonresources.org/adult-health-clinics.html

I think with the shaking and not sleeping there are a variety of medical conditions that are serious that could be the problem, including issues with her thyroid or her adrenal glands. Anxiety is a diagnosis of exclusion, but she needs a proper work up. Free clinics and some naturopaths are. Ery restricted in the type of work up they can do. I would advise going to urgent care, not ER. It's cheaper and they can do the correct labs to make sure it isn't something very serious.
Carotenoids are vitamin a in the inactive form in food. The carotid artery is one of 2 main blood vessels to the brain. You cannot tell from physical exam if it is blocked, only if there is rough blood flow. You need imaging for this. Her symptoms don't sound like it.
I am in both mainstream and alternative medicine, and I won't comment on what was done in other practitioners' offices because I wasn't there and I don't know.
However good alternative medicine is great for anxiety whereas much of mainstream medicine does a poor job beyond temporary medications. She just needs to be sure that is what it is first. Get your diagnosis first, that is what mainstream medicine is good at, most of the time. The decide how you want to approach treatment.
The language used to describe much of alternative medicine systems is completely different than mainstream medicine, even though they use the same words often. Hope that helps and PM me if needed. I hope she is doing better.

Your sister needs to see a doctor, NOW. She can't work/function, she needs medical treatment.

if negative you mean suicidal or psychotic? I think in this way, this needs medical supervision, this is more than a Naturopath or anyone not familiar with how the mind works can handle. She needs to find herself again. Do you also mean that you fear for your child's safety around her, or you just dont want to expose your child to her behavior? that kind of information with help other people with answers.

Do you have a free or sliding scale county mental health service? Check into it. They should be able to give her something to help with anxiety and or depression.

If you would take a ride up to Santa Monica there is a GREAT homeopathic store and they are EXTREMELY helpful (just went there yesterday for high blood pressure relief $10) If you need more info pls feel free to email me