Just need to vent about modern Western medicine

[laohaire]

Nothing special, just the usual stuff. I wish so much that I could consult with an expert I could trust. I wish that a doctor would ask me questions about my symptoms instead of just jumping to whatever. I wish they weren't so dismissive about everything.

I wish I could take my DD to a pediatrician to look at enlarged tonsils and not have fully 50% of the visit be a vaccine advertisement.

I wish doctors would probe more rather than just jumping right to an expensive test or treatment based on someone saying they're "not sure" about a random symptom.

I do realize a lot of this isn't their fault - tort law and all that.

I try to be open minded - I promise you, I don't just dismiss doctors. Yet they disappoint me again and again. And DH has the same experience.

I wish doctors were champions of health rather than mechanics of the broken body. Time and again we've heard doctors say that a given symptom wasn't bad enough "yet" to worry about. And that's the end of it. Or they might say we're not as bad as a lot of other patients they see - so apparently that means there's nothing wrong. (For example, my DH was having heart-attack-like symptoms but the ER doctor was focused on the fact that DH is not 300 pounds like most of the guys he sees there... so what?).

Every time I see a doctor I go hoping to get help, to get guidance, to get answers. But I always leave feeling worse than when I went. I always feel like the health of my family rests entirely on my and DH's shoulders. And we're not doctors. But unless we need a broken bone fixed or something surgically removed, we're on our own.

[cristeen]

I completely agree on most of these issues... Although i am lucky enough to have a ped who does not endlessly harp on vax.

I had a dr who i went to see about a rash make a snide comment about how i'm so young i must have nothing better to do. Ive had a dr accuse me of fabricating asthmatic symptoms because the tests clearly show i dont have asthma (which i dont). No consideration of what else might be causing tge symptoms. I even had a specialist act like i was a hysterical mother for requesting allergy testing after dealing w a severe diaper rash for 6 mos.

I'm learning to stick to alternative care providers. I only deal w MDs when i have to any more.

[SilverMoon010]

I agree 100%, particularly on the vax/ped thing.

However, I also had an experience myself lately.  I don't like going to doctors myself unless I need to.  I went recently for an extremely sore throat and fever.  I've had issues with tonsillitis in the past so I thought I should get it checked out.  I went to my normal family practice but there have been so many changes there and I am no longer familiar with the doctors.

Well, the doctor never even told me what I had and I had to ask her myself.  She said I had pharyngitis and some nasal drip.   This is the thing, she wrote me out a prescription for an antibiotic, without even doing a throat swab!  I came home and went online and researched pharyngitis and that you don't want to take antibiotics unless you know it is a bacterial infection.  If you take them with a viral infection, they don't help and only helps strenghten bacteria.   Now how would she know if it was bacterial versus viral unless she did a throat swab?! Talk about overuse/misuse of antibiotics.  Thank god I never took them and I know to research myself.  I just let it run its course.

I have been so unhappy with the medical system and sometimes I feel like we, as parents, need to do our own research rather than rely solely on the doctors.  Anytime doctors tell me anything anymore, I just nod my head and then come home and research everything they had just told me

[Marnica]

I agree that your average run of the mill alloptahic doc is not where I find myself turning for anwsers most of the time. HOWEVER there ARE good MD's out there that do not overprescribe abx, that do not shove meds down one's throat, that DO listen and DO try and help but you have to seek them out. Sometimes it's luck or word of mouth and sometimes you can come by one by diligently searching for one. It shouldn't be that way, but it is

What I don't agree with is that if you reject what the mainstream doc just told you you are on your own. There are millions of qualified alternative practitioners all over the country. Granted for some access to them is more challenging, but when I have an issue our ND is the first person we consult and very rarely to I feel like I am totally on my own.

[laohaire]

How much do you pay your ND for a typical visit?

[SilverMoon010]

Originally Posted by Marnica 

There are millions of qualified alternative practitioners all over the country. Granted for some access to them is more challenging, but when I have an issue our ND is the first person we consult and very rarely to I feel like I am totally on my own.

Very true, at least for me anyway. I've been searching and searching for an ND in my area.  The closest one to me in my state is an hour away.  I did find one that's not too far away from me but in another state and I have to cross a bridge to get there, and I am terrified of bridges  It's probably only about 25 minutes away, but again, the bridge.  

I actually just spoke to her today and she sounds great.  Hubby and I are going to go there for a consultation soon. The thing is is that she is only there once a week, which stinks,  no insurance coverage, and there's neither licensing in my state or the state she practices in.  I'm really only concerned about my son seeing an N.D. but at least I'll feel like I have some guidance with natural remedies and won't feel like I am only exposed to the conventional-medicine-mind of thinking, although I do believe some things require conventional medicine.  I guess my best bet is to keep both my DS's M.D./ped and also see an N.D. for preventative care and tomake sure the first line of defense is top notch.

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by laohaire 

How much do you pay your ND for a typical visit?

I'm lucky. ND's are licensced in our state and I have chosen ones that participate in my insurance plan.

 

[Marnica]

A great motivation to face your fears! 

 

Originally Posted by SilverMoon010 

Very true, at least for me anyway. I've been searching and searching for an ND in my area.  The closest one to me in my state is an hour away.  I did find one that's not too far away from me but in another state and I have to cross a bridge to get there, and I am terrified of bridges  It's probably only about 25 minutes away, but again, the bridge.  

I actually just spoke to her today and she sounds great. Hubby and I are going to go there for a consultation soon. The thing is is that she is only there once a week, which stinks.  I'm really only concerned about my son seeing an N.D. but at least I'll feel like I have some guidance with natural remedies and won't feel so alone.
 

[kellyrenee]

I found a great one the other day :D  She has an MD, but did a fellowship in homeopathic remedies.  She is open to discussing vaccinations and will give you the advice of whichever school of thought you prefer, whether that is western medicine or if you prefer a more natural methed.  You may have more luck with a D.O. (doctor of osteopathic) medicine than with an MD, but if you can look at where the Dr. did their residency and fellowships you will get a much better ideal of what type of training they have had.

[HollyBearsMom]

That is too bad.  How long have you been seeing your Peed/Dr??  We have been seeing ours for well over 15 years.  We see a family practitioner who treats the whole family. He supports our medical opinions and never pushes anything. It would drive me crazy if I had to "make my case" or listen to that kind of crap.

Maybe it's time to find a new practitioner or office?

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom 

That is too bad.  How long have you been seeing your Peed/Dr??  We have been seeing ours for well over 15 years.  We see a family practitioner who treats the whole family. He supports our medical opinions and never pushes anything. It would drive me crazy if I had to "make my case" or listen to that kind of crap.

Maybe it's time to find a new practitioner or office?

Sure, I'd like to find one. It's just that as I look back over my 34.5 years, I don't remember any doctor that I think would be able to do what I need. I've known some doctors with outstanding qualities - compassion, communication, straightforwardness. But not the ability to tell me how to truly SOLVE a problem without just treating the symptoms. Maybe I'm just really feeling the limits of medicine. We think we know so much about the human body but we don't. And the scientific method, which is awesome in its way, has some flaws. You kind of have to break everything down into parts and isolate them (which makes sense because you have to prove it was really this factor and not that factor that caused X) but it discourages an understanding of complex relationships, or of things you can't see or touch or weigh.

It's not merely that I'm looking for a doctor that won't push vaccines. In fact we had one before this current pediatrician. But he didn't tell me anythiing. All three of us have medical problems (nothing we're dying of or anything, I hope, but real things that are interfering with optimal health) but there's just nothing in conventional medicine to fix it. And the things that have worked for me so far just aren't things I've gotten even a hint of from any doctor. No doctor has ever asked me what I ate, for example. And what I eat is a HUGE factor in my health, obviously. And if a doctor asked what I ate, I'm not so sure they would even give me advice other than what you read in Reader's Digest - eat a low fat, low calorie diet. Doesn't really matter much what you eat as long as it's fat free and you maintain a 1200 calorie diet. Doesn't matter if you feel awful on it and can't possibly maintain it. Doesn't matter if you can't exercise because you would pass out. Doesn't matter about the vitamins and minerals and macronutrients (except of course to avoid fat). And it doesn't matter if the vitamins are real or chemical - of course our body absorbs them all exactly the same. And of course vitamins are not better absorbed under different circumstances. They just have a checklist. My checklist would call for a blood test to test for anemia (seems I'm ok there) and because of the energy issue I must have a heart problem (which I really don't think I do). Nobody ever breathes the word "mitochondria" to me. That's just woo-woo stuff. My fatigue could not possibly have anything to do with my energy centers. It's gotta be with my heart, because my heart is something they can give me drugs for or even open me up for.

And DD is low weight because we're not feeding her enough fast food. We're denying her. If ever a kid in pre-McDonald's times or in a low-McDonald's country ever failed to thrive, it's because our savior Ronald McDonald had not come. There could not be something else impeding her appetite. Allergies. Immune problems. Insulin resistance. I don't know what but surely I shouldn't even be trying to go in that direction.

Oh, and my husband's heart issues can only be treated when he has a heart attack. And since he's not 300 pounds, and he's not totally blocked up, theres nothing that can be done. All they would have said is to lose weight. Later, when he's sick enough, they can give him drugs. Until then he should just enjoy life and eat whatever he wants, because the triglycerides in his blood are just there because he's doomed, and there's nothing he could do about it.

Blah. Sorry. But I did warn this was a vent :)

[lookatreestar]

i totally get it... 

[Marnica]

I agree and it IS frustrating! Even with good relationships with alternative providers I feel like you do at times. I think you are right - what we feel is the limitations of medicine. What we want are answers - accurate answers to what ails us - whoever that comes from MD or ND. Often we don't get the answers we are looking for from either! I guess I just feel Ive gotten MORE from my ND than from my MD, BUT I still feel the limitations frequently as well. ARG!!!!

 

Originally Posted by laohaire 

Sure, I'd like to find one. It's just that as I look back over my 34.5 years, I don't remember any doctor that I think would be able to do what I need. I've known some doctors with outstanding qualities - compassion, communication, straightforwardness. But not the ability to tell me how to truly SOLVE a problem without just treating the symptoms. Maybe I'm just really feeling the limits of medicine. We think we know so much about the human body but we don't. And the scientific method, which is awesome in its way, has some flaws. You kind of have to break everything down into parts and isolate them (which makes sense because you have to prove it was really this factor and not that factor that caused X) but it discourages an understanding of complex relationships, or of things you can't see or touch or weigh.

It's not merely that I'm looking for a doctor that won't push vaccines. In fact we had one before this current pediatrician. But he didn't tell me anythiing. All three of us have medical problems (nothing we're dying of or anything, I hope, but real things that are interfering with optimal health) but there's just nothing in conventional medicine to fix it. And the things that have worked for me so far just aren't things I've gotten even a hint of from any doctor. No doctor has ever asked me what I ate, for example. And what I eat is a HUGE factor in my health, obviously. And if a doctor asked what I ate, I'm not so sure they would even give me advice other than what you read in Reader's Digest - eat a low fat, low calorie diet. Doesn't really matter much what you eat as long as it's fat free and you maintain a 1200 calorie diet. Doesn't matter if you feel awful on it and can't possibly maintain it. Doesn't matter if you can't exercise because you would pass out. Doesn't matter about the vitamins and minerals and macronutrients (except of course to avoid fat). And it doesn't matter if the vitamins are real or chemical - of course our body absorbs them all exactly the same. And of course vitamins are not better absorbed under different circumstances. They just have a checklist. My checklist would call for a blood test to test for anemia (seems I'm ok there) and because of the energy issue I must have a heart problem (which I really don't think I do). Nobody ever breathes the word "mitochondria" to me. That's just woo-woo stuff. My fatigue could not possibly have anything to do with my energy centers. It's gotta be with my heart, because my heart is something they can give me drugs for or even open me up for.

And DD is low weight because we're not feeding her enough fast food. We're denying her. If ever a kid in pre-McDonald's times or in a low-McDonald's country ever failed to thrive, it's because our savior Ronald McDonald had not come. There could not be something else impeding her appetite. Allergies. Immune problems. Insulin resistance. I don't know what but surely I shouldn't even be trying to go in that direction.

Oh, and my husband's heart issues can only be treated when he has a heart attack. And since he's not 300 pounds, and he's not totally blocked up, theres nothing that can be done. All they would have said is to lose weight. Later, when he's sick enough, they can give him drugs. Until then he should just enjoy life and eat whatever he wants, because the triglycerides in his blood are just there because he's doomed, and there's nothing he could do about it.

Blah. Sorry. But I did warn this was a vent :)

[ambivamom]

I feel EXACTLY the same way, laohaire.  Every time I have an issue with my children I feel like I am in a struggle to get past my anger over not being able to have a reasonable, respectful discussion with my doctor.  Right now I am up late because my son has a possible ear drum rupture after a few days of ear pain...trying to talk to the doc about when to bring him in was like pulling teeth.  I actually can't even get my actual ped on the phone; it's like a game of carrying messages from one person to another.  

It really comes down to the fact that I do not feel I can get proper care for my children because everything is always a power struggle.

Also, I truly wish I had the money to do ND, chiropractic, etc.   But I don't.   Sometimes the whole thing makes me feel like it is a tool of oppression for the poor.  Which I know is not the way individual doctors think about it, but still.  

I know what you mean.