Sorry. But this could be a money making scam.
Ulcerative Colitis is an auto-immune disease. There is no quick fix or cure. $49 grand is a lot of dough.

I cannot imagine!

Sue

I never heard of them. It is possible they are legit. However, what makes me suspicious is the fact that they do not list their physicians and credentials on the site. Also suspicious, is the use of "proprietary" treatments. This sort of goes against the notion of sharing treatment breakthroughs and knowledge with the medical community at large. There are no links to published professional articles, which is another aspect that raises my suspicion.

All of this makes it sound like more of a secret club than a respected medical institution.

Jan

After a little digging, I found that this is a naturopathic center, so not staffed by M.D.s. The Digestive Medical Solutions business is owned by Dino Prato, a naturopath licenced in a few other states, but not Arizona. There, he is just in an administrative capacity. He also runs Envita Center, also in Scottsdale. I find it interesting that the Digestive Medical Solutions business has only been in existence since September 2013, so I would take testimonials with a grain of salt.
http://www.publicnoticeads.com...9212013_20622700.HTM

It does seem that Dino Prato is making big money...

So, if you are into naturopathy, then it could be for you (but check with your insurance provider before committing to expensive treatment, as it may not be covered, depending on what they do.)

Jan

Assuming you have $40,000.00 laying around with an itch to be invested, which most of us do not, would you drop it on anything less than a 100% guaranteed, no roll of the dice cure? This sounds very borderline to me. 60 Minutes did a show on a guy just like this who has an M.D. pedigree (licensed in Mexico or somewhere in the Caribbean), and he was making a ton of money selling treatments to people with fatal or terminal ilnesses like ALS. He claimed he was selling them hope. Basically the treatments were snake oil therapy.

I think you need to watch that 60 Minutes episode in a big way.

I noticed this misinformation as well:

"Unfortunately, relapse in Ulcerative Colitis is common. When patients experience various GI flare-ups, medications can be altered. Statistically, of the people who use steroids, 30% will eventually need colon resection surgery within a year. The long-term use of steroid medications may also damage a person's immune system that brings about infections as well as additional cancer risks, such as Lymphoma."

As we all know, with UC, there is no "colon resection surgery" - it's all coming out! Also, I have not heard long-term steroid use being associated with "cancer risks, such as Lymphoma." That warning is usually associated with the biologic meds such as Remicade. Makes me think they are mixing up their meds / warnings.

It never bodes well when the medical information presented is not 100% accurate. If it were me, I would stay away.

And why do you need a user ID and password to access the site? Makes it seem shady.

Steve

Dino's LinkedIn Profile:

"Dino Prato, NMD Summary

Graduated from medical school in 2001 and completed two year preceptor training. Saw patients over several years in my clinic before transitioned to head of administration, educational content and visionary at Envita Medical Center and Envita.com

My Current goal is to improve the health care system that needs much progress by continuing to deliver the best combinations of advanced natural medicine and the state-of-the –art of conventional medicine to save, improve and extend life for cancer, chronic disease and Lyme disease patients. Thousands of patients are disenchanted with existing health care system and deserve higher quality of personalized medicine, and our goal is to lead the way."

He got a BS at Grand Canyon University in 1997 and his (Naturopathic Medical Doctor) NMD at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2001.

Only 68 connections in LinkedIn? Not very connected - but probably making gobs of money.

quote:

As you get older, you get a doctor for every body part.

In this case it's a doctor for your wallet, I think.

I sort of feel sorry for Dino Prado.

The poor guy had his Montana license challenged for a fraudulant application, because the question about prior actions against his license was left blank. At the time, Arizona was investigating him because he was calling himself Doctor, N.D., and N.M.D., when he was not licensed in that state. But, the case was dropped, since it was only an investigation, not a charge. In 2011 the Arizona board discussed allowing him to apply for a license, but he still does not hold any professional license in the state he lives and works in, so make what you want of that.

I also didn't want to lump Dr. Schwengel in with Dino Prado. It looks like he and his Shea Medical is a totally different entity. He also seems to have a different approach. He is a believer in homeopathy. He is a licensed osteopath, so has some real medical training (naturopaths have graduate training and education too). While I can't wrap my mind around homeopathy (it just makes no sense to me and just seems silly), there are a number of people who really believe in it.

You just have to go with what works for you. I just hope you don't go bankrupt doing it!

Jan

I found one of the reports that 60 Minutes did on the so called "Stem Cell Charlatans." Check out this video. At the 10 minute mark of this report, this knucklehead actually allowed Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes to interview his phony ass. The guy is obviously full of crapola:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7394380n

Selling stem cell treatments to parents of kids with cerebral palsy. They did another report on another Doctor who was selling stem cell treatments to people dying of ALS, which is a very, very horrible death.

Check licensure on any Doctor you see. There are plenty of good doctors out there and there is no need to see a Charlatan.

Thank you SO much for all your information, I would not have known how to find all of that. I will investigate a lot further. I do feel quite desperate at the moment. I will report back on further finding.
Again, thanks SO much you are all incredible.

Good luck in your search for better health. What is your specific issue?

Just like there are great chiropractors among the quacks, the same is true for naturopaths. Good practitioners of complementary medicine work in tandem with traditional medicine and know their limitations.

To me, if there are proprietary treatments that are not shared with other practitioners, that leads me to believe that profit is the primary goal. Plus, when they are using supplements that are not proven to be safe or effective, they cannot claim to be treating a disease, otherwise they run afoul of the FDA and FTC.

Jan

I am in Arizona and have many friends who are using homeopathic and naturopathic docs. Never heard of this person.

Anyone who is putting that type of a price tag upfront is a sham.

Basic piece of advice, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Jan, My primary issue is I am on cipro and tintazole twice a day, have been for a long time and could be on it forever. Also my bacteria in the gut is terrible from testing I've had done, I have a RV fistula, blockages due to strictures and I am in the bathroom 12-16 times a day even with the antibiotics. I am having my integrated MD in OH check out this practice.

He practiced medicine and then "transitioned to visionary?"

Excuse me.... I think a gang of ducks just broke into my house, because I hear a lot of quacking going on.

What is all this talk about Dino Prato? Isn't this site about Shea Medical?? Let's stick to the facts shall we. Shea offers some great treatment, I know because i've looked into them. Find your own information, don't just take someone's word for something. Prato a quack? Come on now.

Chesterpen,
I have spoken to them about 4 times and spent about 3 hours doing research on their methods. I am trying to solve my problem, pouchitis-SIBO with diet and ammonium but am still thinking about them as a backup. Their primary treatment for people like us is IV therapy they said. Any comments you have one way or the other would be appreciated.

They treated me with mainly IVs as well and I was overseen by dr schwengel and dr tallman who were the first physicians that were able to figure out what I was dealing with. I have been previously diagnosed with fibromyalsia, CFS, and depression and Shea was the only one that focused on treating the cause instead of just treating my symptoms.

Chesterpen, lyme disease is nowhere the same thing as IBD and the problems we face after total colectomy. Dino Prato owns the company, so that is how he is connected. Individual practitioners may be fine, but if the owner is tainted, it trickles down because of the profit business model.

Still, their methods may be OK, just hard to say when they have "secret" treatments (proprietary that cannot be obtained elsewhere).

Jan

I know Dr. Dino Prato personally. 10 years ago I was told by Sloan clinic that I was going to die. Dr. Dino Prato was the one who saved my life – he is brilliant physician. He is a god fearing man who prayed with me while I was struggling with my cancer. I am in 13 years of colon cancer remission because of him. He is one of the most talented doctors I’ve ever met. It is ridiculous to slander such a great man. I was given this blog by Shea Medical’s manager who thinks these comments were horrible! Here, look at this site for the full story - http://www.envita.com/about/the-envita-story Shame on you for responding like this when you don’t even know someone!

Sandy, it is unclear to me why you are posting here, unless you are searching the internet for discussions about Dr. Prato that you feel the need to respond to. Nobody here was discussing cancer treatment. Seems like there is a bit of interloping going on here...

I don't think you know anyone here either. I am not saying that I do not believe your story, I do.

Anyone can go to those websites and get their information. 'Nuff said.

Jan

I am posting here because I heard of the shameful things you were saying. No one was talking Dino Prato until you brought it up this discussion is for Shea Medical. You apparently only care to slander a good doctor's name when you never met the man, I have! Anyone can find information, that is true, but I was a real patient - not a random person.

Nobody has slandered (or libeled) anybody here. I suggest you read the thread and understand that opinions were requested about the center and treatment for digestive disease. You'll find plenty of less than stellar reviews on the net. I don't think the OP was looking for a doctor to pray with. That is a fine thing, but not a measure of medical ability.

I am happy that you have conquered cancer and I hope the remission is forever.

Jan

Ok so I did some research on Dino Prato. Dino is a leader in field – 15 years in the field – watched his videos they are great he’s on the ball he’s sharp. He is licensed in 4 other states – he administratively manages clinics which span internationally and trains physicians. He was never suspended for licensing. In addition, I think Shea Medical is stellar and I would recommend them to anyone who asks.

Jan, Clouseau...
Here in France Naturopath is covered by the national health system 'sécurité sociale' and is considered, for certain afflictions, to be more than just helpful but the 'only way to go'...the jury is out as far as I am concerned...I have dealt with different homeopathic meds (these funny little green and blue tubes full of tiny little white candy balls...makes you wonder what is in them!) but I am still not sure...I know that arnica works wonders for post op care and bruising...
But there are some serious advocates for it here....as well as for osteopathy...funny because they do not really believe in chiropractors!
I know what being desperately ill means and the 'desperate' is the part that snake oil salesmen capitalise on...I would ask for more than credentials but 'proof'...
Sharon

Yep, lots of people post very happy results with Shea, but mostly with lyme disease and cancer, from what I can tell.

I've read some problems regarding people unable to get billing and itemized treatment information for their insurance companies (having to file their own insurance claims, as you pay up front). But this does not seem to be a common issue.

I haven't come across any j-pouchers (or k-pouchers) that have gone there for treatment though. It would be interesting to hear from some.

Jan

Now this IS interesting ! This is down the street from the Mayo clinic,and the hospital where I had my j pouch surgery's.40 grand ? Wow!.Crooks know how desperate people with chronic disease's are to find a remedy.I once purchased a book written by a fella named Jordan who claimed to have cured his crohns disease with diet.If you Google his name now,it's pages and pages of scam related articles.Proceed with caution.I had a friend (also a jpoucher) that went to Santa Monica Ca. for experimental acupuncture treatments to shrink desmoid tumors,and it turned out to be legit.Cost was an issue,so he discontinued treatment,came home,and succumbed to Gardners syndrome.

Slightly off/on topic but...
Hubby asked me if I believed in miracle cures...(two popes are being Canonised this weekend in Rome so it is an interesting subject)...
I said that I wasn't sure.
I know that we want to believe that someone can help us when we are suffering and at the end of our ropes but I am really, really sceptical about these miracle cures that come with disclaimers that defy medical science. (and logic).
If they were giving them away for free or at least at a reasonable cost I would be less synical but having to refinance your house for a 'cure' goes against my grain.
Do I believe in miracle cures? Yes, when they are miracles but not when someone is trying to scam some poor person suffering from a chronic or terminal disease.
Sharon
ps...my mom was a desperate believer in these things...spent a fortune in Mexico for a cure for my grandmother's cancer (she died before it could be used on her), lost her home to dishonest miracle salespeople with cures for fibromyalgia and post-polio...she could spend up to 2000dollars/month on stuff with no guarentees...and she was a medical profesional!

There are no miracle cures but I feel that there are good alternative treatment options out there. Conventional treatment just doesn't cut it - that's why I sought out Shea Medical.

Probably depends greatly on what you are attempting to treat. Most of us who are here because we needed our colons removed could not be treated without allopathic medicine. But, using other methods to complement seems reasonable, for a more holistic approach. I guess that is why it is often referred to as complementary medicine.

You have to remember what this site is about...

Jan

Jan, you seem like a professional blogger...

Never blogged a day in my life. I am unsure what a professional blogger is (unless you get paid for it). This is the only discussion board I am involved in, and have been an active member for well over a decade. I also now help moderate here, but it is strictly as a volunteer.

I have a j-pouch (since 1995) and am also an RN.

Jan

If you are such a doubter go see the clinics. All you have to say is hearsay and not based on facts.

OK, fact, not hearsay:

http://archive.dli.mt.gov/hear.../poldec1072_2009.pdf

http://www.naturowatch.org/reg/arizona_letters.pdf. Scroll down to 2004.

Please note that there were no disciplinary actions, but there was enough to investigate in the Montana issue.

Shea Digestive may be perfectly fine, as I have said before. But, I do have a problem with a provider who is not licensed in the state in which he resides or owns medical facilities. He did apply for licensure, but his preceptorship expired without completing it. I have nothing personal against Prato, but let's not make him a saint.

Could be a non-issue, but I also have read that there appears to be active movement to remove any negative content on the internet. Obviously, he can't remove public record. Plus, I don't see evidence of this clinic with treatment for those in our situation.

So, unless this topic gets back to what the original poster requested, it will be closed.

Jan

You are the one guiding it off topic in the first place!

Unfortunately their minions appear to have found us. It will be very hard to have a rational discussion on this topic without the Stepford Wives piping up.

There are no huge secrets in medicine. If a treatment is marketed to appeal to the desperate, and priced like a miracle cure, then it's a sham until proven otherwise. This is an old business.

OK, I guess this is going nowhere. Sorry clouseau, if you have not gotten the answers you needed, but I need to close this thread.

Let us know how things go if you choose to treat at Shea Medical.

Jan