Anti-woo commentators are a bunch of smug and condescending...

[Siwsan]

41. I have experience on both sides of the issue

My sister, who is in her 3rd bout with cancer, is still alive thanks to medical advances.

My Grandmother, at 80, was put on HRT by a physician who didn't want her to develop a 'widow's hump'. She died of cancer within a couple of years. Same with an Aunt who was prescribed HRT AFTER a bout with cancer. She lasted a few years and died far too young.

My father was diagnosed with MS (at age 67) by some highly recommended neurologists at some very well known medical centers. It was actually a brain tumor and the immune-suppressor medication they put him on killed him.

I have white coat hypertension - a very severe case. They put me on BP medication that caused me to lose 30 lbs (I was pretty slim, to begin with) and it did nothing to control the problem. I stopped taking it, and as long as I'm not near a doctor, my BP is fine. Yes, I monitor it. I also had a chronic ear infection that would not clear up, no matter what the doctor's did. I treated it, myself, with swimmers ear drops - never had another. I used to get serious bronchial infections and faithfully went to the doctor and took every medication they prescribed. They got more frequent and more severe. I finally got frustrated and started treating them, myself, and the last one I had was about 20 years ago.

But, when I developed a very early case of cataracts, naturally I went to a highly recommended eye surgeon who saved my vision.

So, my experience with doctors is, at best, sketchy. I accept the risk of treating most ailments, myself. I figure my best chance at a stroke or heart attack would be IN the doctor's office. I don't judge people on either side of the issue. We should all do for ourselves what we think is best for ourselves, and have to accept the consequences, good or bad.