Doctors

Ever find going to the doctor seems completely pointless? Why?

• they don't listen
• they just give you medicine (without telling you exactly what it does to your body)
• its awkward
• $$$$$$$

We need to learn how to interact with our medical professionals. Bring a notebook to your doctors visit that journals your pain and symptoms. Do your research on what you think you might have and what types of medication are given for it and what those medications do. Be specific when you ask questions and take your time to think of them. Make use of telephone calls to the office nurse who can give you feedback on certain things so you do not have to go in when you do think of questions. When it comes to medication see if there is something else you could do or try before you start taking medication. Make sure your doctor describes all the side effects of any medications they prescribe and make sure they help you understand what it does to your body. Keep your own good medical records and only go to the doctor when you need to and you can afford it. Take advantage of readily available information on diseases and symptoms and take care of yourself. 

Article on working with doctors.
Some emotional wellness help.

to shoot or not to shoot

Don't believe all the hype and blah around flu shots. They don't work. There are so many strains of the flu out there that that getting a flu shot is a waste of time and money and a nice afternoon without pain. A flu shot may or may not help - that's all there is too it. Every year a vaccine is given for a specific type of flu or one strain. There are hundreds of strains out there of the flu. Therefore, even if you get a flu shot you still have a hundred other possibilities that could make you sick. Also, it has been proven that the flu shot is more effective some years than other years. This is due to the fact that some years one strain of the flu is more prevalent than another. So if they got it right (meaning they have the flu shot that will help the most prevalent flu this year) then getting the flu shot might not be a bad idea (unless you just happen to get a different strain anyway). Then there is the question does a flu shot do harm? I don't know, but from my experience the least amount of manmade things you put into your body the better. My opinion if it is not clear - flu shots are pointless and wasteful.

Article on FLU SHOTS.