Discussion Board

Thought my post may have more response on this forum.
Comes from Comments on one of the stars.

Thinking outloud about a quote by Dr. McD:

Modern Medicine: Fat, Sick Patients on a Bag Full of Drugs

I have told you many times that I am the luckiest doctor in the world because my patients regain their lost health and appearance. Real enjoyment in life comes from helping others. Growing up, I was often reminded by my father that, more than any other profession, being a physician afforded the greatest opportunity to help other people – this encouraged me to enter medicine. I believe that almost every young medical student began his or her career with this same "need to help" as the primary reason to become a physician. Unfortunately, the tools we are given to improve patient's lives are largely ineffective – specifically, I am talking about the medications used to treat the vast majority of people with chronic diseases. These diseases, in almost all cases, are due to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

Look around at your friends and relatives. These people faithfully visit their doctors for problems, like obesity, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. What do you notice different after all the time and money they have spent? Nothing! They are still fat, sick people, but now they have a medicine cabinet full of drugs they take daily. How sad! Not just for the patients, but sad also for their doctors. After dedicating six to ten years to intensive training at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars, none of their patients with dietary diseases ever get well – and this means general doctors, especially those in family practice and internal medicine, and specialists, like cardiologists, endocrinologists, and gerontologists are failing, and must be terribly unhappy in their career as a result.

You may have heard about the discontent among medical professionals. Many doctors are retiring early, and some are looking for other jobs, even becoming Amway distributors, rather than practice medicine any longer. They blame the paper work, low-pay (not true), and bureaucratic control over their practices for their misery. No doubt these are annoyances, but if they had job satisfaction, these dedicated doctors would not be quitting. If their patients stopped medications, lost weight, lowered their blood pressures, reduced their sugars, cholesterol, and triglycerides, and felt better with each monthly return visit, then every doctor would treasure every day at the office. But, as Jeff Armstrong told us about his doctor, "…out of all of his patients he has only had 3 or 4 that have been able to do what I have accomplished." Can you imagine succeeding only three or fours times in an entire career spanning decades of hard work?
_________________________________________________________

After reading this my thoughts went to my personal experiences with standard Medical Doctors vs/ myself. Don't get me wrong, the medical practice is very useful taking care of many health problems. But as to prevention and common sense, sorely lacking.

Since a young woman I have believed that the only real doctor I have is myself. The problem with that is lack of accurate knowledge and confusion. I have read many health books, and they can be quite conflicting between each other.

I was just appreciating you Dr. McDougall, your reasoning and courage to do what's right for your patients blending the best of both worlds in your practice, medical and preventative through diet. The way you share your knowledge, your sincerity and dedication is ADMIRABLE , to say the least.

I'm so glad you found a way to enjoy your job!

Chrissy

I did have a question though, Dr. McD.

In all the years you've been practicing healthier medicine, have you influenced any other doctors to follow the healthier medical practice like yourself?
Please share.

I heard Dr. McDougall speak these words on his free electure available here on the website and it's stuck in my head ever since. All these years I never gave that obvious observation a thought till I started accumulating the medications. First one, than two, than three blood pressure pills. Then came the statins for cholesterol, then baby aspirin and nitroglycerin. Just hearing him speak about what was now my present situation and what was to be my future, hit me like a ton of bricks. Talk about your scary, moment of reflection!!! He was talking to ME!!! That message saved me from a lot of pain, expense, and worry. I make it my habit now, whenever I speak with him, to thank him for his contributions to my health. He gave me the most valuable gift I have ever received, short of my mom.
f1jim

Your open gratitude and heartfelt words brought tears to my eyes. Empathy abounds.

I think I understand how almost impossible it is to put into words the thankfullness felt to Dr. McDougall and his work, and the generous sharing of his knowledge and resources, for the gift of health that seemed at one time impossible to recover. I, too, am so deeply grateful to Dr. McDougall and for walking around in life with my own bones and joints rather than the patient of a total hip replacement, and pain free over the rest of the joints in my body.

Eat, eat, enjoy, enjoy.

LINKS to good news, current and in-the-making, about your question:

In the March 2009 Dr. McDougall newsletter: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2009nl/mar/090300.htm
Scroll down to: Urgent: Support the Proposed New Law in California Requiring Doctors to Provide Patients with Information on Diabetes and Heart Disease

In the April 2009 newsletter: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2009nl/apr/090400.htm
Scroll down to: Urgent: Support the Proposed New Law in California Requiring Doctors to Provide Patients with Information on Diabetes and Heart Disease. Part 2 - Diabetes

And the good news, worth repeating , in the previous thread:
http://drmcdougall.com/forums/viewtopic ... ght=#93286

I often leave doctor's offices feeling quite depressed. My main problem over the years has been dermatitis on my hand, which I think I've finally taken care of--but I'd leave the dermatologist's office, after hearing him say, "hmm...looks like you're allergic to something. Try to find out what it is, stay away from it, and use this cortisone cream," and I'd think, "you went to MEDICAL SCHOOL to learn that?"

I get care at the VA, and need to go every other year to see my primary care doctor. I think she's actually annoyed that there's nothing wrong with me, and that's depressing, too (and anyone who's been at a VA hospital probably knows that just being there is depressing--it's full of overweight men pushing oxygen tanks around and walls plastered with signs about smoking cessation, diabetes management, etc, and I can't help but think that these were once handsome, young, strong men who risked their lives for us).

When I hear Dr McDougall talk about being the luckiest doctor around with his patients getting better, it really saddens me that more doctors don't strive to do that. I tell my children that I'm thinking many people become doctors simply because they have the ability to memorize a lot of things and can make it through med school, but that it doesn't mean they know how to THINK.