by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: I am a 27-year-old woman with Stage I sarcoidosis affecting my lungs, and I experience a lot of shortness of breath. I am currently being treated for severe bronchitis. Are there any alternative treatment options I could consider?
A: Sarcoidosis is an elusive condition that can affect many different organ systems, most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, and skin. The kidneys, heart, eyes, liver, nervous system, and joints (particularly ankles and knees) may also be involved. Common symptoms of sarcoidosis are shortness of breath, a persistent cough, joint pain, and skin changes (either redness or distinct smoothness). However, this condition often does not present any symptoms and is diagnosed incidentally. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but some speculate that it may be an exaggerated immune response to an infectious agent.
Between 20% and 70% of all cases of sarcoidosis improve or resolve on their own without intervention. Among people with stage I stages range from I, which is considered the mildest, to IV, which is irreversible spontaneous remission is estimated to occur in as many as 80%, but 40% of these people will experience a recurrence.
The main goals of sarcoidosis treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent organ damage. Unfortunately, the mainstays of conventional treatment often involve steroids and other medications that suppress the immune system.
As far as alternatives to complement conventional care, there are a few case reports of the use of melatonin as well as homeopathy, but there is not yet enough scientific support to know how well such approaches will work.
In the reports of melatonin use to suppress symptoms of sarcoidosis, the individuals took high doses of the supplement 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) compared to the usual recommended dose of 1 to 5 mg. An additional problem is that the people in these case reports took the supplement for a number of months and their symptoms improved while taking melatonin but resumed soon after stopping. My concern is that the effects of long term, indefinite use of melatonin are not known, particularly for someone, such as yourself, in your mid-twenties. Also, melatonin should be avoided when taking steroids or immunosuppressive medications, and it should also not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
I am more encouraged by the individual reports of improvement in symptoms of sarcoidosis from the use of homeopathy. Homeopathy strives to heal a person from the inside out, by building up rather than suppressing ones immune system. The main treatments used by homeopaths in these case reports were Tuberculinum bovinum and Beryllium. Secondary remedies used under the guidance of these experts included Euphrasia (often used for colds, bronchitis, and allergies), Graphites (used for skin disorders), and Sepia (also used for skin disorders). Your care would be best directed by a well-qualified and certified homeopath who will individualize the treatment appropriately.
Be sure to communicate any use of homeopathic remedies to your physician who can coordinate all of your care and continue to follow you for worsening or improvement of your sarcoidosis.
Q: I am a 27-year-old woman with Stage I sarcoidosis affecting my lungs, and I experience a lot of shortness of breath. I am currently being treated for severe bronchitis. Are there any alternative treatment options I could consider?
A: Sarcoidosis is an elusive condition that can affect many different organ systems, most commonly the lungs, lymph nodes, and skin. The kidneys, heart, eyes, liver, nervous system, and joints (particularly ankles and knees) may also be involved. Common symptoms of sarcoidosis are shortness of breath, a persistent cough, joint pain, and skin changes (either redness or distinct smoothness). However, this condition often does not present any symptoms and is diagnosed incidentally. The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, but some speculate that it may be an exaggerated immune response to an infectious agent.
Between 20% and 70% of all cases of sarcoidosis improve or resolve on their own without intervention. Among people with stage I stages range from I, which is considered the mildest, to IV, which is irreversible spontaneous remission is estimated to occur in as many as 80%, but 40% of these people will experience a recurrence.
The main goals of sarcoidosis treatment are to relieve symptoms and prevent organ damage. Unfortunately, the mainstays of conventional treatment often involve steroids and other medications that suppress the immune system.
As far as alternatives to complement conventional care, there are a few case reports of the use of melatonin as well as homeopathy, but there is not yet enough scientific support to know how well such approaches will work.
In the reports of melatonin use to suppress symptoms of sarcoidosis, the individuals took high doses of the supplement 10 to 20 milligrams (mg) compared to the usual recommended dose of 1 to 5 mg. An additional problem is that the people in these case reports took the supplement for a number of months and their symptoms improved while taking melatonin but resumed soon after stopping. My concern is that the effects of long term, indefinite use of melatonin are not known, particularly for someone, such as yourself, in your mid-twenties. Also, melatonin should be avoided when taking steroids or immunosuppressive medications, and it should also not be used if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
I am more encouraged by the individual reports of improvement in symptoms of sarcoidosis from the use of homeopathy. Homeopathy strives to heal a person from the inside out, by building up rather than suppressing ones immune system. The main treatments used by homeopaths in these case reports were Tuberculinum bovinum and Beryllium. Secondary remedies used under the guidance of these experts included Euphrasia (often used for colds, bronchitis, and allergies), Graphites (used for skin disorders), and Sepia (also used for skin disorders). Your care would be best directed by a well-qualified and certified homeopath who will individualize the treatment appropriately.
Be sure to communicate any use of homeopathic remedies to your physician who can coordinate all of your care and continue to follow you for worsening or improvement of your sarcoidosis.