Medicine seems to have a one-size fits all theory when it comes to treatments. I do not mean this to be a dump on doctor thread, but I have had a couple of experiences in my life with doctors who insist that the only solution is to follow their instructions exactly. Generally they are right, but I do not think always, especially with chronic things. My personal issue is that I have been diagnosed with COPG, although the lab did the wrong tests and I never got back to those because I had already started treatment. A naturopath whom I respect pointed out that all the symptoms could be explained by food allergies. Once I started looking, I noticed things like Panda Express orange chicken almost gives me asthma (the problem is not their food - it is me). As I began cutting out things, I found I felt better and better.

The specific issue right now is that I supposed to take two puffs of symbicort twice daily. Now that I am looking at my body's reactions to things and avoiding some things, I found I feel the same with two puffs once every two or three days with occasional extra whiffs as needed. Doc wants to see how I am doing before refilling the prescription. He is the type of doctor who has told me the only solution to acid reflux and high blood pressure is medication, although I have calmed those issues thru non-pharmacy changes of lifestyle. I'd like some argument ammunition before seeing him.

So can the medical types here tell me how they come up with dosage schedules and if the methodology is so good that it actually means you are a kook if you do not follow it precisely? Is there anyplace you can find information on the long term affects of a particular treatment and how those might be changed if you can get by on less?

Thanks.

I tend to agree with you on this, one med for acid reflex I have stopped taking, the side effects are as bad as the acid. I have found Tums will make me feel better but I have also changed my diet, which is back to your point.

I think what doctors do is they have the standard dose, if you don't complain or the next visit you tell him the problem is masked your dose is right and life is good. However if you tell him its not working, they up the dose, until the problem is masked and your dose is right and life is good.

Years ago I was told I was suffering from depression, meds were given, it was not until they saw me on the floor in the corner that they decided I was bi-polar, the Doctor doubled my meds. When I switched to the VA they changed them, (cost) but I still had a big dose. After a few years I stopped the meds completely and that was when I really started feeling better.

Today I only take one med, its for the neuropathy in my feet, it dose not take the pain away only masks it some, I feel better when its 80 then when its -10 like today. This is one of the reasons I am moving to Hawaii, and for it I can grow my own and hopefully it will mask it all if I sprinkle some on my eggs in the morning.

I do believe a good medicine man/woman can help you as much as a doctor in most cases, sometimes that shaman is in fact a doctor.

River