Vegans and health care: In keeping with the integrity of the vegan lifestyle, how do we make the right choices

Question

I'm new to vegetarianism (5 months, 1 month vegan) and I've so much to learn. I'd like to hear from other veg*ns to find out how they manage with things like:
Immunizations
Pregnancy & childbirth
medications
pain management
Health care providers (Dr or other type healer, methods)
Serious, chronic and terminal illnesses

Thank you for your help!

I saw all the choices where I could put this question and this was one of them. I agree, I with you, but I wanted to make sure other vegans saw it. If it gets deleted I'll ask in health.

btw gomanyes562, if you want to get touchy then you should know that you didn't answer the question and to just point out that I may have done something wrong without an answer is a violation.

Good point Allergic To Eggs, some people can't get immunizations. So what precautions do you take to help prevent flu?

For the others who answered my question--thank you for putting yourself out there. Health care affects all of us and it's an important consideration for anyone wanting to live a vegan life.

lo_mcg: I'm glad to hear you are doing well now:) You don't have to apologize, I wanted to hear honest responses and it's a sad day when veg*ns can't feel completely comfortable answering in a category specifically created for them because health issues are something we face daily and you're right, a serious illness can strike the healthiest of people or even an accident requiring emergency and follow up care.

Don't see why anyone gave jenny84 a thumbs down.

Answer 1

I went vegan in my 30s, and I'm childfree, so the immunizations and childbirth thing isn't an issue for me. I take a vegan vitamin every day. Maybe once or twice a month I'll have store-brand acetominophen for my monthly migraine or cramps.

I've been seriously ill maybe twice since going vegan--once with bronchitis (something I get every few years) and a brief hospitalization for symptoms that turned out to be something relatively easy to handle. And hooboy, was I furious when the nutrition department didn't get the repeated messages that I'm vegan. I get minor colds when the seasons change, but I alleviate the symptoms with herbal throat drops, lots of fluid, and lots of rest.

Neither my internist nor my gyno have expressed concern about my being vegan. I've never had a doctor react negatively or express concern about my not eating animal foods.

If I had a serious illness that could only be managed by conventional medication, I would try to find the least cruel options possible.

Answer 2

You know I haven't needed to think about any of these things since turning vegan because my immune systems great now and I haven't been ill. I used to get ill all the time! Actually I did drop something on my foot which hurt quite a bit but I just had some kratom (a natural herb) and the pain was gone. I generally don't like to put chemicals in my body so would opt for a natural or alternative therapy like acupuncture. If I ever had a serious illness then I'm not sure excatly what I'd do until I was in the situation but I'd probably let nature take it's course. I'm happy with the life I've led and am at peace with myself so wouldn't mind dying if that was my fate.

By the way, I think this deserves to be in this category... asking it here would get the most relevant answers as there are lots of vegans here and you're looking for vegan opinions on a vegan topic. Ask away!

Answer 3

Well, this is going to bring down upon my head the wrath of those omnivores who post here about vegan purity, but here goes.

I have had a serious life-threatening illness - cancer. I think it's very easy to preach absolutism and purism if you've never actually had to face such a situation.

All effective medicines have been tested on animals. Choosing to be a vegan does not mean you have chosen to be a martyr, and I accepted whatever medicine they could throw at the cancer and four years after diagnosis, and despite a poor prognosis, I am fit and well, with 'no evidence of disease' at my last routine check up.

Vegans can get cancer, it doesn't discriminate; those who think they would rely on unproven alternatives and natural remedies when faced with serious illness have never been in such a situation and have never properly researched the so-called alternatives.

If not dying an agonising and unnecessary death makes me a vegan of convenience, so be it. Life is good, and I want more of it.

Sorry for the rant, K, it's a good question. After I became vegan all the minor ailments I used to get stopped, so I hadn't really had to think about doctors and medicines till I got hit with the big one

Answer 4

Thanks for your question! It shows that you know that veganism is a lifestyle, NOT JUST A DIETARY CHOICE.

The main thing most "vegans" I've encountered are oblivious of is the fact that they're still funding animal torture by buying products from companies that conduct non-required animal tests:
http://www.caringconsumer.com/resources_companies.asp
for example: Secret, clorox, Crest, Aquafresh... the list is massive, but I don't find it hard to buy cruelty-free products, once you find some that you like.

Immunizations don't fit in with vegan values, either. Most of the time, the actual fluid was strained through animal tissue, and when you pay for the shot, that money goes to a company that tortured animals in "experiments" to develop it. Three different schools have attempted to harass us into getting our kids immunized, but it is a myth that this is required by law. All states allow you to opt out for religious beliefs, and in this aspect, veganism IS our religion. Plus, we'd be giving our kids a shot that could potentially make them really sick, all to PREVENT them from getting sick from something they might never catch in the first place.

I've been vegan since conception, as have my children, so veganism is an entirely healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy and childhood. Anyone who tells you otherwise is ignorant of the most up-to-date nutritional information.

Unless something is free, and thereby our taking it wouldn't contribute money to cruel companies, we don't take any medicine. I drink tea whenever I get a headache, which helps, but we're really very healthy and don't have too many complaints to worry about in the first place.

It helps to lay down the law the first time you see your doctor, or to activiely search for a vegan-friendly one. My doctor tried to get me to buy a baby formula (containing cow's milk, of course) for my daughter, but I just told her that it's against our beliefs and if she has a problem with it, we could easily find another doctor who supported our values. She didn't say anything after that. Doctors are very ignorant of nutrition, generally, especially the older ones, so it helps to have a nutrtionists written support to smooth things over.

We have yet to deal with any "serious" illnesses, because, as I said, we're really healthy. But if something was to happen, we'd find the most cruelty-free route to take.



Congratulations on becoming vegan!!!

Answer 5

Vegetarianism and veganism are dietary choices. I don't see what they have to do with health care.

Answer 6

don't get a flu shot because it's cultured in a BIRD EGG culture. ........so, obviously for me, i can never get a flu shot in the autumn because eggs wreak havoc on my system!

p.s. inanswer to your qestion about what i do during flu season, well, my answer is i dont do anything. i pray that i dont get it to be quite honest