@mary1951 I have saved my kids from medical providers many times over, and my mother too. One of my kids has asthma and they wanted to discharge her from the ER (toddler at the time) because they didn't hear a wheeze. You need air to make a wheeze and she was too blocked to make one. I refused to leave and asked them to test her oxygen and she was in the hospital for 10 days. Anyone with type 1 diabetes views hospitals as dangerous and knows that providers- even ICU's- know nothing about management. I could go on and on.

I view the most important job I have right now is to protect myself from medical harm. Ten years ago I had my first afib episode, and a cardiologist wanted me on anticoagulants and heart meds right away. I am still not on meds and found a doctor who supports that and provides "pill in a pocket" meds to take with my still once a year episodes.

I had cancer and got 4 opinions before deciding what to do.

This is why I wrote that finding the right doctor is absolutely key. We need doctors to prescribe. Sometimes I wish we could prescribe for ourselves! So the key remains finding a doctor who listens, cares, and basically is flexible enough to follow our wishes and needs.