Originally Posted by onesnowyowl

I'm of the opinion that you're responsible for your own health, not your doctor. It is your responsibility to increase your medical literacy, so you understand what your doctor is telling you, and so you can ask educated questions.

Doctors play an important role, certainly, but the overall picture of your health is so big comparatively.

I happen to like doctors a lot, but I'm highly medically literate, and so I know when a doctor isn't treating me correctly (isn't listening to my problem, is moving too quickly into a diagnosis, etc). That's when I find a new doctor.

And Ustwo, some of the best doctors I've met were those who were both medically trained and had an interest in alternative treatments. They seem more interested in finding the root of the problem than just treating the symptoms. Obviously, in your case, the cure is clear and an alternative method wouldn't work. But for many of us with chronic health problems who aren't interested in a pill for every ill, alternative treatments are quite helpful--and again, part of that big picture that is one's overall health and wellness.