doctors as true investigators

[liveinhope]

Hi,

Just some thoughts to ponder:

Why is it that what seems obvious and logical to me in regards to AP is dismissed or ignored or not even commented on by many doctors? Even good doctors whom I respect and have looked after me so well for other things.

It seems to me that many doctors are too comfortable in their well paid and respected positions. They are unwilling to move out of their comfort zone. They are unwilling/afraid to be pioneers. To investigate the evidence without bias or prejudice.

What do you think?

[Lynne G.SD]

Hi;
I know exactly what you mean.In fact I got a registered letter from one doctor telling me he did not want to look after me anymore because I stood my ground.I bet I am not the only one to whom this has happened.If you read Gord Bently’s article on micoplasma you can understand how stunned a doctor might be.On the other hand vetenary doctors know all about this.I have a similar article that I have had for many years and always have it with me when I have to confront an unbelieving doc.I usually get my way.
Lynne

[lynnie_sydney]

Here is Dr Mercola’s perspective on it. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/05/fewer-doctors-love-their-work.aspx
Whatever you think of Mercola, he makes some very good points. Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[gordbentley]

very good article! I like Mercolas articles. 😀

[liveinhope]

Hmm, interesting artilce, Lynnie. I truly respect all the doctors who have treated me. But I think Mercola has a point. Even though he is talking about the US, I think some of those issues apply here in Australia. There are those who try to break away from mainstream and cop the flak from collegues and also those who try and work within the system, as far as I can tell.

With SD, I think it is an interesting disease because not a lot is known about it and because of its rareness there is not as much money to be made from it, so therefore less pressure to downplay or ignore a cheap or simple ‘cure’ if it were suggested. I have had no doctor tell me this AP would not work or I am wasting my time. They all say similar to “give it a go, you’ve got nothing to lose”. One even said, and he an expert on SD in Perth, “if I had a wonder drug to give you that I knew could help I would be reluctant to endorse your trial with AP. But since I don’t, give it a try”. He did say “I can tell you SD is not caused by a mycoplasma”. I wish I had time to ask how he knew that but maybe next time. Anyway, only a respiratory specialist seems genuinely interested in my progress on AP. He gave a big smile and said “keep doing the good things you are doing” afer I explained my improved symptoms. I believe these doctors are secretly watching with interest to see what happens to me (and my mate in WA who has been on AP for SD 10 months longer than me). But will they have the gumption to run trials if they see success.

I am told only 3% of SD patients have a genuine spontaneous remission and this only after 2 years or so. Not very convincing or hopeful figures. And that 66% of diffuse SD patients don’t live beyond 10 years. So if both of us get better and improvement coincides exactly after taking antibiotics, surely it’s worth looking into. Not very expensive I would have thought and IV is covered by health insurance. Not to mention the huge body of evidence around the world and on the Road Back.

All it would take is a genuine doctor to start prescribing mino to all willing patients in his clinic (hundreds, I’m told) and get it peer reviewed and submitted to a journal or present at a Rheumy convention or something. Perhaps, yes, less money to be made off antibiotics than other drugs but think of your name up in lights as the doc who made a breakthrough for 5000 sufferers in Australia alone. Not to mention that the thought of anyone torn between making money out of me and getting me well again really gets my blood boiling!!!

I don’t know whether doctors are deliberately ignoring AP or whether they have genuine reasons to and need to see the evidence of extensive trials first. I admit that I don’t know all the factors and how the health system works. Do Australian docs get kickbacks from drug companies to promote or prescribe certain drugs? I think that alone is unethical and leaves the door open for massive corruption. Yeah, in other jobs, companies give incentive to the service provider to promote their products. Eg a mechanic to put in Bosch sparkplugs. But even mechanics (hopefully) wouldn’t replace your sparkplugs when what you need is a rusty fuel tank replaced – just to get the kickback. If you wouldn’t do it to a car, how much less a human being?

I would like to think I got sick for a reason. Perhaps God will use me to help others with this terrible disease. I certainly think he led me to the roadback site and now I have hope where once there was none.

I will keep you posted on any info in regards to this topic from my journey with AP, SD and the good doctors I see. I am thankful for them but pray their eyes will be open to what they see as they compare me to others with SD.

Stay tuned 🙂

Ben

[lynnie_sydney]

Ben – unfortunately (western) medicine has always been like this. It is not something specific to AP. If you look at the Barry Marshall situation (great doco on this which you probably can still watch on ABC iview) re H.pylori and the vilification he received, it is just one of the stories re how the medical establishment reacts to something new. When I first came to AP, two things amazed me: firstly, that many doctors didnt seem interested in it or were downright hostile to the idea and, secondly, that some people with rheumatic illnesses reacted in exactly the same way! Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[Joe RA]

vBack in the 1940’s and 50’s when doctors had medical practices I can remember my mother paying $1.50 for a doctors visit to our house, giving me a shot of Penicillin and the next day I was back to school, I still remember DR Sherman Who invited his patients and their family to his house in the country for a swim and picnic outing, which he also supplied the 3 buses for the transportation to and from. Then in 1965 shortly after I was married, Dr Gellsauler came to our apartment and gave me a shot of Penicillin and the next day back to work, after pulling up my pants, “how much do I owe you doc?”, he replied “check $14.00 cash $7.00” He was also a good teacher, to this day I pay cash when I can save 10 or more % on the buck . The point is ,these doctors loved what they did, helping patients get better and knowing how to do it was their reward rather then the well deserved dollars in their pockets. and one other good thing is that I did’nt have to run out to the drug store to get or even pay for the penicillin. Then came the 1970s when the two people doctors office operation begin to come to an end with the so called “quality assurance programs” in that new guidlines and regulation for every medical and health care related operation new and old had to abide by, also the addition of 2+ million new health care workers needed for the QAP. Then slowly the disapearance and or haulting of many effective medications and treatments forever misplaced, Like my favorite treatment, the SHOT in the Butt. …..Joe K 😆

[gordbentley]

lol, it was such a good story Joe had to tell it twice 😆

[Joe RA]

Sorry about that Gord 😳 I had a problem copying /cutting and pasteing

[gordbentley]

lol no issues buddy i was just teasin yah. its all in good fun 😉

[mkay]

This is who I used to see as a little girl…his prices to this day have make him quite famous or “noticed”.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/40661756/ns/today-today_people/

That’s a doctor who loves what he does 😉

[Eva Holloway]

That’s a great story, wish we had more doctor with such a great heart for his patients.
Eva

Eva Holloway

[mkay]

I should really start proof reading before I hit submit! That should have been “made” not “make” sorry about that

Yes it is a great story Eva–I agree! Such a kindhearted man!

[lynnie_sydney]

I should really start proof reading before I hit submit! That should have been “made” not “make” sorry about that

Mkay – that happens to us all! 😀 You can edit the post afterwards – just click on edit and change any typos etc and re-submit. Lynnie

Be well! Lynnie

Palindromic RA 30 yrs (Chronic Lyme?)
Mino 2003-2008 100mg MWF - can no longer tolerate any tetracyclines
rotating abx protocol now. From Sep 2018 MWF - a.m. Augmentin Duo 440mg + 150mg Biaxsig (roxithromycin). p.m. Cefaclor (375mg) + Klacid 125mg + LDN 3mg + Annual Clindy IV's
Diet: no gluten, dairy, sulphites, low salicylates
Supps: 600mg N-AC BID, 1000mg Vit C, P5P 40mg, zinc picolinate 60mg, Lithium orotate 20mg, Magnesium Oil, Bio-identical hormones (DHEA + Prog + Estrog)

[mkay]

Thank you Lynnie…I’m still kind of learning my way around here. 😀

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