The last time I went to the eye doctor, I skipped the
part of the form asking about drugs.
The doctor confronted me about this.
I said I don't take drugs.
She looked incredulous.
"None?" Well, vitamins. "You're how old?", she asked as
she flipped through my folder.
I have to wonder at what age doctors think everybody should
start taking drugs and at what age it's actually in our best interests to do
it. Really, we'd all be better off to
meditate more and medicate less since stress is one of our biggest health risks.
I went to a therapist when I was separated from my
soon-to-be ex. Shortly into my first
visit, the therapist insisted I take antidepressants. I said I wanted to face this challenging time. That's why I had gone to her. I wasn't interested in drugs to prolong my
miseries. She insisted some more. I told her I knew about drug side effects and
that I wouldn't be able to just quit taking them when I got my life in better
control. I didn't want to be on drugs
for years for a temporary crisis.
"I can't help you then!"
Right. I guess you can't if your
only solution is to drug me into compliance and complacency.
I know, there are plenty of people who feel like their
antidepressants are the answer to their prayers. Drugs do help some people with some problems. The bigger problem I see is that too many
people take too many drugs. It's a big
business that profits off people in a way that harms too many of us, and
doctors are often drug pushers.
My thyroid went out of whack at another stressful time in my
life. The doctor recommended I go to
the hospital to have my thyroid killed radioactively. I'd be on thyroid replacement for the rest of my life. Wow.
That seems extreme. I went home
and researched hyperthyroid online.
Turns out stress can trigger this condition. Europeans take an inexpensive little pill to regulate it. Natural solutions include eating kohlrabies
and broccoli. I like kohlrabies and
broccoli.
I went back to the doctor and asked about the European pill. He said okay, if that's the treatment I'd
prefer. I asked why he'd suggested the
radioactive solution. "You've got
to understand, endocrinologists have very few money making procedures they can offer." Wow again.
I'm glad he was honest about it any rate. I asked him about broccoli.
"I'm giving you a pill to take care of things!!"
Fine, but I ate my kohlrabies and broccoli. I dutifully got blood tests, my numbers went
down. I started cutting my pills in
half, then in half again. Eventually,
my numbers were normal. I quit taking
the pill fragments altogether.
Years later, I got my blood tested again. Everything was still normal. I asked the new endocrinologist if I should
worry about my thyroid in the future.
"You're fine. You'll
probably never have this problem again."
Healthy skepticism and online research can go a long
way. Second opinions are great. Wishing all of you the best of health!
The T1 vertebrae above doesn't have anything to do with
drugs or thyroids. It's the beginning
of another painting which I figure counts towards my meditation time for a
stress-free, drug-free life :)
Less stress, more kohlrabi! Sounds like a good prescription for you. I also get funny looks when I have no drugs to list on my various visits to medical specialists. Their surprise pales in comparison to the looks I got when going through my separation and they asked me to list my debts. This caregory is also zero. I got asked a few times. Always met with incredulity.
ReplyDeleteStay healthy, Laura. Keep painting. Keep asking those questions.
I've seen that look about being debt-free. (Though not when I was still with the ex.) We must be kinred spirits :) Wishing you a continued debt-free and healthy life!
DeleteAmen, Linda. Western medicine, in general, is too quick to reach for the prescription pad or surgical tools. I think it's probably in part because many patients expect or demand it.
ReplyDeleteGotta be proactive!
Thanks for identifying the T1 vertebrae. I'm sure it's an accurate depiction, but I wouldn't have known otherwise :)
It's as accurate as my internet research provided :) What did we ever do before computers?! I suppose you're right that patients demand the drugs and surgeries, but the doctors are part of the problem, and the drug companies, and insurance people, and, and, and... Kohlrabi farmers need to change their tactics.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. In western medicine the tendency is to resort to drugs in the majority of cases. As you point out, it's profit driven and also an easy "cure" - although usually you are not really cured as pills mostly are symptom treatments.
ReplyDeleteIn America, countries with national health care plans are vilified. I think it would help us if those of you in other countries talk about your satisfaction (or not) of your health care.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how often drugs are the 1st choice when it comes to health, there are a lot of other options. I have been trying to find simple ways to improve my overall health and posts like this are very helpful! I found another that lists some items that I never thought could affect my health but probably do. (https://www.deltachem-dry.com/11-dirty-everyday-items/)
ReplyDelete