John, you’re not the first to stretch what I said completely out of proportion. To say we prefer holistic doesn’t mean ONLY to go holistic, and with all things in all ways, caveat emptor. And I did sat to question everything, which includes nutritionists, dieticians, any and all caregivers, by doing our own research and never assuming that anyone has it all together. I work with the VA, and have cherry picked providers who are athletes like I am. That’s not always possible, and as I get ready to leave my state I am also leaving the community of carefully curated caregivers behind. I have to start all over. Similar to your story, I weaned myself off years of anti-depressants which were pure toxic poison. I did the research, presented it to my doctors, and took six months to get it done. Like you, I no longer take them with my doctors’ blessings.

While I understand your point, and am sorry for your story, I struggle to understand why people take what I have written to such extremes. I’ve had a long, sordid history of doctors who not only sexually attacked me, but those who pooh-poohed the proof I brought them that I was a bona fide hemophiliac. They called me hysterical. You should have seen how hysterical that asshole was when I nearly died of blood loss on his fucking surgical table. I’ve had decades of instances like that. So, as a result, question everything, take nothing for granted, and trust no one fully. That includes holistic providers, who, just like doctors who barely passed their exams, still graduated, but who are more dangerous than they are competent members of the profession. For my medical dollar, it’s all about finding a mix. I use acupuncture, which has been hugely successful in preventing pain in various aging joints. She’s a holistic healer, and while I may not necessarily believe in some of her lotions and potions, the acupuncture works. Which is why the VA now pays for it.

You have a story and that is your truth. Doesn’t make it truth for everyone else, any more than my truth makes it true for everyone else. I believe we are all of us wiser to do the work ourselves, learn our bodies and challenge our providers. All of which I say over and over and over and over and over in my other articles.

Thanks for your comments.