Hi Lowell,

Thanks for the correction. I do need to keep the information in order. But let me take license to drift off into another scientific area, which I believe most readers here would agree with my thoughts.

Twenty or so years ago, herbal remedies for medical problems along with chiropractic medicine were truly foo foo'd by the medical establishment. By consumer demand, these two area's of medicine are showing not only acceptance, but the medical community is now of a mind set that in certain circumstances, they are correct.

But despite much advance in medicine, the money machine drives the outcome of medical care. Tests that automatically used to be run when seeking out a diagnosis are not today because of the costs of these tests. After my car accident it took more than a year for me to have an MRI and I only got one after talking to a retired back doctor who told me to ask my doctor to order one for me.

Well, it came with a true surprise to me that the accident I had ten years prior had left my back and neck in very damaged conditions. But the long term outcome did not come from the medical community, but in understanding, that when cost determines the quality of care, then you have to seek alternatives within the system to see results. Our medical treatment world is in a diplorable condition.

While those who suffer from routine problems have no problem working with this system, if you have anything that falls outside of immediate understanding, you better be prepared to run the gaunlet in finding the cure. For every doctor you'll see, each one has their own idea about what not to do. The more it costs them, the less likely the patient is going to get the cure, or a diagnosis that finally solves the problem.

I've suffered horribly from vertigo as a result of either a herniated disc or pinched nerve in my neck for more than a year. But to date I've been unable though two HMO's to see a neurologist to take a serious look at the problem. It has been suggested that I undertake some kind of exercise program, but why would anyone want you to exercise if they don't know the condition of the affected area. Does this sound like a sluff off. Believe me, it is.

Experience today is my guide from something I saw many years ago with my son. He had a seizure at school while they were spraying lawn chemicals right next to the kindergarten play area with the kids outside. Three doctors diagnosed him as having epilepsy and yet I knew nothing supported those findings. A wait of one year and a new medical plan put me on the track to confirming the answer I already knew, he never did. But would three doctors listen when I mentioned chemical spray? Not one of them.

A good friend of mine lost his wife a couple of months ago. He had been taking her to an HMO when she was having serious medical problems. She felt quite ill one morning so off they went again to the doctor, but in the midst of all the the visits she had before, no one noticed she had cancer. She died three days later.

Thanks to a new job and a choice of a new medical plan, I do believe getting help outside of a financially driven HMO will afford me the opportunity to seek out a doctor who thinks of his patients first and the costs of medical tests second.

The problems now within the medical system are outside of the hypocratic oath taken by doctors. They promised to treat patients with quality medical care, not care within financial budgets. In time, consumers will have reform, but the road to medical reform may be longer than the road to earthquake prediction. There is so much need and the consumer today only has one voice at a time.

I would hate to be old and feeble and try to deal with these problems. I hope more voices will speak longer and as loud as possible for reform. Pray you never have a strange medical condition, they just don't know how to deal with that.

Petra