Functional medicine is based in Lifestyle Modifications. Conventional Medicine is often based in Prescribing Medications.
As a functional medicine practitioner, I deliberately choose to not be your primary prescriber of medication. Putting someone on a medication requires constant follow-up to determine if you are responding positively or negatively to the effects of the medication. That is not the focus of my treatment plan, and I would not be able to devote the time that it takes to do that according to standards of care.
Prescribing medications should always be taken seriously. It is not enough to give you a medication and then say: return in 3-6 months. When I taught pharmacology courses, my first statement to my nursing students was: Drug are toxic, poisonous substances that are not meant to be in our bodies.
Don’t get me wrong. There is a place for certain medications, especially in the acute phase of illness. Since I am primarily focusing on your chronic problems, there may not be a need for a medication. If I feel that you will benefit from a medication, for example if you have low thyroid or high blood pressure, I will refer you to an appropriate provider who can best monitor and manage your response to medication.
If you feel that you need to take a lot of medications in order to feel better, perhaps Functional Medicine is not for you.
If you are interested in stopping your medication, we can have an individualized discussion about the pros and cons of doing so – but this is best done through the provider who prescribed them. The decision is ultimately up to you.
Prescribing
I am comfortable in “prescribing” or suggesting certain supplements for control of your symptoms but here are a few things to remember:
1. Supplements are not regulated by the government
2. If you take 10 supplements, is that much better than taking 10 prescribed medications?
3. There are a few, but not many studies that confirm the claims that are made about the use and the purpose of supplements.
4. If you take a supplement and it makes you feel better and is not giving you side effects or interfering with your other supplements or medication, then by all means, you should continue that supplement.
5. The best way to get the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs is through Food.
De-Prescribing
Oftentimes, patients are interested in discontinuing their laundry list of medications.
Some medications are necessary for survival while others might not be necessary after going through a functional medicine treatment program.
Ideally it is best that you work through the provider who originally prescribed your medications.
However, you may find that after going though this program, that you no longer need these medications or at a minimum, you can discuss with your primary provider about reducing the dosage or quantity of medications you are taking.
It is not wise to suddenly stop taking medications you have been on for many years.
I will provide individualized education regarding your medication.
The Center for Happy-NESSS 