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Responsibility? If I were a doctor I'd know what to diagnose and prescribe for myself, but since I'm not I cannot diagnose and prescribe for myself. How do you figure people can do that, unless they're doctors? Sure, we can pick and choose and turn down treatment, but I need doctors.
It's a world view . . . if you are of the mindset that doctors are gods, then you will put yourself in a one-down position, and will put them in a one-up position. You may "forget" that they are human beings . . .with extremely demanding schedules . . .people who see patients, have families themselves, get tired . . .don't have time to keep up on the latest protocols for everything under the sun.
If you have an ailment and a computer, you can do your own research and figure out what might be in your best interest. Then you can discuss your findings with your doctor . . .if your doctor is someone who actually believes in the Hyprocractic Oath, they will listen to you and together you can figure out a game plan . . .but you have to take the first step . . .
I am not saying this can work for every malady, but I believe people have to advocate for themselves and if they are too sick, that family members should advocate for them.
Doctors are busy - they are only human, they make mistakes, they don't know everything . . .why pretend that they actually know everything and you know nothing?
If you see yourself as just a dumb pawn in the system, then that is what you will be treated like.
I realize this is not a popular viewpoint . . .it is an alternative viewpoint . . .take it or leave it, as suits you.
Not at all. They're not gods, but they do study to be doctors. I sure didn't. My degrees are in the liberal arts.
Quote:
Originally Posted by imcurious
It's a world view . . . if you are of the mindset that doctors are gods, then you will put yourself in a one-down position, and will put them in a one-up position. You may "forget" that they are human beings . . .with extremely demanding schedules . . .people who see patients, have families themselves, get tired . . .don't have time to keep up on the latest protocols for everything under the sun.
If you have an ailment and a computer, you can do your own research and figure out what might be in your best interest. Then you can discuss your findings with your doctor . . .if your doctor is someone who actually believes in the Hyprocractic Oath, they will listen to you and together you can figure out a game plan . . .but you have to take the first step . . .
I am not saying this can work for every malady, but I believe people have to advocate for themselves and if they are too sick, that family members should advocate for them.
Doctors are busy - they are only human, they make mistakes, they don't know everything . . .why pretend that they actually know everything and you know nothing?
If you see yourself as just a dumb pawn in the system, then that is what you will be treated like.
I realize this is not a popular viewpoint . . .it is an alternative viewpoint . . .take it or leave it, as suits you.
Not at all. They're not gods, but they do study to be doctors. I sure didn't. My degrees are in the liberal arts.
I don't know about you, but I was exposed to a lot of facts throughout my education and I doubt if I could recall them . . .so while they "study to be doctors," do you think their education instills a permanent and evolving knowledge of all things medical?
From my point-of-view (again, alternative, so take it with a grain of salt), all illness results from emotional/spiritual maladies/imbalances first . . .so "symptoms" are indicators of something gone awry in the body.
As this relates to the topic? The people who run to doctors must be of the mindset that symptoms can be "fixed" and that doctors are all-knowing . . .otherwise, they would take more responsibility for their lifestyles to begin with, their thinking, and would not be seeking attention in such a destructive way (and by "destructive," I mean wasting the time of doctors and Medicare dollars supported by taxpayers . . .it's irresponsible, self-indulgent, and in the end, does no one any good.
I agree that emotions affect the body. However, I also believe they're not the only things that affect the body. Also, who has full control of their emotions? I don't. And once a person is ill, to merely rely upon control of the emotions, or natural things, doesn't seem satisfactory to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by imcurious
I don't know about you, but I was exposed to a lot of facts throughout my education and I doubt if I could recall them . . .so while they "study to be doctors," do you think their education instills a permanent and evolving knowledge of all things medical?
From my point-of-view (again, alternative, so take it with a grain of salt), all illness results from emotional/spiritual maladies/imbalances first . . .so "symptoms" are indicators of something gone awry in the body.
As this relates to the topic? The people who run to doctors must be of the mindset that symptoms can be "fixed" and that doctors are all-knowing . . .otherwise, they would take more responsibility for their lifestyles to begin with, their thinking, and would not be seeking attention in such a destructive way (and by "destructive," I mean wasting the time of doctors and Medicare dollars supported by taxpayers . . .it's irresponsible, self-indulgent, and in the end, does no one any good.
Ummmm.... doctors are the only ones who can prescribe drugs, treatments, etc. It often takes more than one doctor to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. And they are the ones wanting you to come back all the time. You don't have that much leverage, do it the doc's way, or no way. Example:I have type II diabetes. to get my meds, test strips, etc, I have to see the doc 4x/year. Oh, yes, I know, I'm a real jerk for having Type II diabetes, its all my fault, guess I drink too many cokes (actually, I closely monitor my diet). However, I still need medication
I also have RA, for which I take a carefully controlled "mix" of medicines, all of which need frequent monitoring. Combined with the diabetes, well, seems like I go to the doc about every 6-8 weeks.
Many people have chronic conditions, which means frequent, routine medical supervision. Oh, almost forgot to mention, I also see a podiatrist every 6 weeks to treat small ulcers on my feet. Many diabetics lose their feet due to complications, I don't want to be one of them. BTW, I'm 58, and I certainly don't enjoy going to doctors
I don't know about you, but I was exposed to a lot of facts throughout my education and I doubt if I could recall them . . .so while they "study to be doctors," do you think their education instills a permanent and evolving knowledge of all things medical?
From my point-of-view (again, alternative, so take it with a grain of salt), all illness results from emotional/spiritual maladies/imbalances first . . .so "symptoms" are indicators of something gone awry in the body.
As this relates to the topic? The people who run to doctors must be of the mindset that symptoms can be "fixed" and that doctors are all-knowing . . .otherwise, they would take more responsibility for their lifestyles to begin with, their thinking, and would not be seeking attention in such a destructive way (and by "destructive," I mean wasting the time of doctors and Medicare dollars supported by taxpayers . . .it's irresponsible, self-indulgent, and in the end, does no one any good.
Ummmm.... doctors are the only ones who can prescribe drugs, treatments, etc. It often takes more than one doctor to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. And they are the ones wanting you to come back all the time. You don't have that much leverage, do it the doc's way, or no way. Example:I have type II diabetes. to get my meds, test strips, etc, I have to see the doc 4x/year. Oh, yes, I know, I'm a real jerk for having Type II diabetes, its all my fault, guess I drink too many cokes (actually, I closely monitor my diet). However, I still need medication
I also have RA, for which I take a carefully controlled "mix" of medicines, all of which need frequent monitoring. Combined with the diabetes, well, seems like I go to the doc about every 6-8 weeks.
Many people have chronic conditions, which means frequent, routine medical supervision. Oh, almost forgot to mention, I also see a podiatrist every 6 weeks to treat small ulcers on my feet. Many diabetics lose their feet due to complications, I don't want to be one of them. BTW, I'm 58, and I certainly don't enjoy going to doctors
Isn't Type2 Diabetes lifestyle induced?
What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
What is the cause of your foot ulcers?
You are a good example of someone whose symptoms are being treated (at least "on paper," from just what you have written here).
I am not discouraging anyone from going to the doctor if it is warranted, just questioning the ones who do it out of habit . . . sounds like you have some "real" issues, for sure.
Anybody who wants or needs to, as the spirit moves them . . .I am just questioning the productivity of some of the visits, but obviously, it is all theoretical . . .no one is going to stop people from abusing their "right" to go to the doctor for any and all concerns and maladies.
There are many good, and not so good doctors. Of course doctors make mistakes. We all must be vigilant. Sad, but true.
Everyone should be an advocate for themselves, walk into their doctor's office with a list of their current medications/vitamins/supplements/alternative treatments and their medical history. You must be educated, and know yourself better then any doctor does. Unfortunately, most people cannot be.... especially when they are elderly. So a family member should help them. But unfortunately, many people cannot manage this.
Definitely many medical problems can be caused by lifestyle, stress, mind/body issues. But it is a complicated mixture of your genes, your behavior, and your environment that pretty much contributes to everything.... in different ratios. Nothing is black or white. We all do things that are bad for us, and good for us.... and many of us in the US have terrible lifestyle habits. It is also a stressful time full of financial stress, family stress, job insecurity.... and laziness. Life is hard for many. Kids don't play outside anymore.... we eat on the run/in the microwave.
Marylee, it sounds like you are doing the right things. Sorry you are dealing with so much, but you are a young woman with the potential to have a long life. Your medical issues are serious, and keeping them under strict control is critical. You know that, but I agree with you that it sucks having to go to the doctor so much.
And simply popping on the computer and "self diagnosing" is a double edged sword. I see people come in who are way off base, or think they have some horrible disease when it is something very simple. A medical education, does help.
At what point do you take responsibility for yourself, though? I "just say no" to tests and endless referrals . . .my GP actually asked me to explain something about a disease because I had information she had never heard of before . . .and based on her lack of info, she was going to refer me to a specialist that would have been way off track . . .that's how she was trained, but I did simple research and stopped the trajectory (and actually found a solution for my problem using diet).
This situation has happened to me; and I declined to continue to play on the medical merry-go-round.
I went to numerous specialists - was told there was nothing wrong; then I had chronic fatigue; then Epstein Barr; another doctor said - no that doesn't exist. Turns out I had an infection in my jawbone.
But don't get me started on that. It did finally get treated.
With continued pain, I could have continued being shuffled from one specialist to another. Finally, I changed my diet; started working out daily; and utilizing massage for jaw/facial/neck pain.
For the past few years, I see a doctor for preventative care only.
I definitely think we need doctors but once you get tangled in the system - watch out! Luckily, my father is of like mind. He now refuses to let the doctors do an ultrasound on his abdominal aneurysm; they refuse to treat it (he's not a candidate for surgery) so why should he get an ultrasound? There's nothing he can do about it and he's going with - no news is good news.
Not everyone can be so lucky; massage isn't going to cure cancer or ALZ. I'm just saying that I do think we all need to advocate for oursevles and our loved ones and know - when enough is enough.
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