Okay, I'll bite. 
I'm sure someone will be along shortly who has lots more insight & experience, but my gut reaction says you shouldn't completely discount taking the RX meds for your condition. There is no point in suffering major complications (heart attack, thyroid storm, etc.) just to stay away from certain medicine(s).
That being said, I've done a complete 180 degrees over the last few months regarding natural medicine. After suffering with liver disease a few years ago, then enduring chemo, and all the while bouncing around between various doctors looking for answers, I was the "perfect patient". I did what was asked, took what was given, and showed up to all my appointments. But here I am, years later, now suffering with new maladies (Hashimoto's, low testosterone, etc.).
So I decided to think outside of the box and try something else. This found me in the office of a local naturopath. I had put this off for years and years, always shunning the "hippie doctors". I was burned out from getting the runaround from other docs lately and wanted to work on some results. I wasn't expecting a miracle, just a little help. Boy, what a surprise I had. The naturopath doc sat and listened to my concerns, took my medical history, examined my previous labs, performed a physical exam, and worked on a game plan to help address my health issues. This meant using vitamins, supplements, healthy foods, and exercise to get there.
Fast forward about a month to today and I have to say, overall things have improved slightly. There have been plenty of rough spots along the way, but again, I'm not expecting to feel better overnight or be completely healed. And I plan on using the natural medicine in conjunction with conventional medicine to hopefully get to where I need to be.
I'm sure every state is different, and it's important to know the limitations of a possible naturopath doc. For example, here in Oregon they must satisfy four years of pre-requisite schooling, then attend a certified four-year naturopath medical school. Once they begin practicing, they are highly regulated and licensed by the state. On the plus side, this means they can order medical tests, labs, prescribe RX meds, etc.
One down side to all of this is getting medical insurance to cover a naturopath. Most won't pay for it, so this means paying out of pocket up front. Some supplements and vitamins the naturopath might want you to take can be found cheaper in places like Whole Foods, Amazon, etc.
Personally, I think you should still pursue conventional medicine, but I don't think an introductory visit to a naturopath is a bad thing. Others have warned me to be careful with anyone recommending all sorts of supplements and treatments, and I think that's an excellent concern. I'm taking baby steps and trying not to overdo it, asking lots of questions, and doing my own research at home to validate things.
I'm sure someone will be along shortly who has lots more insight & experience, but my gut reaction says you shouldn't completely discount taking the RX meds for your condition. There is no point in suffering major complications (heart attack, thyroid storm, etc.) just to stay away from certain medicine(s).
That being said, I've done a complete 180 degrees over the last few months regarding natural medicine. After suffering with liver disease a few years ago, then enduring chemo, and all the while bouncing around between various doctors looking for answers, I was the "perfect patient". I did what was asked, took what was given, and showed up to all my appointments. But here I am, years later, now suffering with new maladies (Hashimoto's, low testosterone, etc.).
So I decided to think outside of the box and try something else. This found me in the office of a local naturopath. I had put this off for years and years, always shunning the "hippie doctors". I was burned out from getting the runaround from other docs lately and wanted to work on some results. I wasn't expecting a miracle, just a little help. Boy, what a surprise I had. The naturopath doc sat and listened to my concerns, took my medical history, examined my previous labs, performed a physical exam, and worked on a game plan to help address my health issues. This meant using vitamins, supplements, healthy foods, and exercise to get there.
Fast forward about a month to today and I have to say, overall things have improved slightly. There have been plenty of rough spots along the way, but again, I'm not expecting to feel better overnight or be completely healed. And I plan on using the natural medicine in conjunction with conventional medicine to hopefully get to where I need to be.
I'm sure every state is different, and it's important to know the limitations of a possible naturopath doc. For example, here in Oregon they must satisfy four years of pre-requisite schooling, then attend a certified four-year naturopath medical school. Once they begin practicing, they are highly regulated and licensed by the state. On the plus side, this means they can order medical tests, labs, prescribe RX meds, etc.
One down side to all of this is getting medical insurance to cover a naturopath. Most won't pay for it, so this means paying out of pocket up front. Some supplements and vitamins the naturopath might want you to take can be found cheaper in places like Whole Foods, Amazon, etc.
Personally, I think you should still pursue conventional medicine, but I don't think an introductory visit to a naturopath is a bad thing. Others have warned me to be careful with anyone recommending all sorts of supplements and treatments, and I think that's an excellent concern. I'm taking baby steps and trying not to overdo it, asking lots of questions, and doing my own research at home to validate things.
