Northern Sun Family Healthcare

[Trish101]

Have any of you in Maine heard of Northern Sun Family Healthcare? I just made an appointment for my daughter because I want to switch to a naturopath, but don't know anyone who has used the practice. Being totally new to naturopathy I'm a little nervous about just picking a place because it's close to where I live, but from their website and talking to the secretary on the phone, it seems like a good place.

Trisha

[shayinme]

If you are on the MMM board you may want to post this there as well.

Shay

[mamatojackn]

love it! who did you make an appt with it- allison wilette or sarah ackerly? i know sarah personally and professionally and she is extrememly knowledgeable and compassionate- great with children. i haven't had professional experience with dr. wilette, but have met her in the office many times and she is very nice- and i hear great things about her too. you will be in good hands. they know their stuff.
one thing: just be prepared to pay a lot of money. most insurance companies don't pay for naturopaths and if they suggest any supplements or lab tests, the cost can really add up. we have used kathryn landon malone at true north as our official pediatrician (for all those well baby/child check ups in the first few years) but have taken jack to see sarah when something comes up- that i would want to treat/discuss more naturally. and now that he is three and half, and only goes once a year, we plan to switch over there permanently as it will be more affordable than having to pay every 3-6 months. not sure how old your daughter is, but something to keep in mind to keep costs down.
pm me if you have nay more questions...
jen

[christinar]

I've heard great things thru the grapevine about Northern Sun in general, and from a mom who took childbirth classes with me - Sarah Ackerly attended her homebirth.

[femalephish]

Never been- but one of my friends (with two little ones) LOVES them.

Welcome to MDC!

[mooliette]

Sarah is wonderful, she attended all 3 of our homebirths. I met Allison during my last pregnancy, she seems very nice If our DD has one more bout with MRSA we will making an appointment for some holistic ways to treat. It's been a long journey! Good luck

[Christine4kiddos]

Sarah is truly lovely... you won't be disappointed!

[Trish101]

Thanks everyone- I'm even more excited about our appointment now. We took Grace to our regular pediatrician for a cold/cough/ear ache that just wouldn't go away and they said "there isn't anything you can do." I know there are natural things to help, so it will be nice to have a doctor that will suggest them instead of just antibiotics!

[lincap]

We saw Allison Willette for quite a few months to help with DS1 eczema. We really truly loved her. She was great with DS1 (then 15 months old), and listened intently to us, always took plenty of time with us and answered any call I made.

The thing that made me stop going there was cost and they did a test of DS1 that the results caused me to take him to a Specialist in Boston only to find out that the lab Northern Sun used wasn't regulated and the results were bogus. So that being said, research the companies that does testing before you waste your money on some testing. On the cost end we were really just getting in way over our heads with supplements and visits.

I will say that she predicted DS1 dust mite allergy 2 yrs before it was confirmed by an allergist. So major kudos there. And after homeopathic remedies, DS1 eczema got way better. Much much better. and better than any steroid cream any MD gave us. We still use steroid creams and anti-histamines for flare-ups to control it, but it is rare now.

I do plan on going back to see her some day once DH and I get our finances in order. I hope to use a nice balance between naturopathic and traditional medicine, as IMO each has their place!

Linda

[mooliette]

Any blood I had drawn through NSFH were processed through Parkview Hospital, the only thing ever processed onsite was a protein dip stick.

[lincap]

Yes! Blood is Parkview!

We had some hair analysis done that was sent to another lab and the false results almost caused us to hospitalize DS1 and tear down our home because it indicated rare heavy metal poisoning. Luckily for us the specialist re-tested and assured us our home did not have these rare heavy metals in it. It was months of worry, anxiety, unnecessary testing of our home, seeing specialists and accruing a large debt for it all. So for normal bloodwork, I would not worry, I just would hate to see a family go through what we did because a lab was not regulated well, did not follow regulations, chose not to be certified, and declared that testing was for research not diagnostics gave results that caused a MAJOR life over-haul.

[mooliette]

Linda, I could not imagine having to go through what you went through. I hope that NSFH took your situation as an education opportunity and ensures the labs they send any type of sample is regulated, if not what's the point? The stress you must have endured ((hugs))