Severe Vitamin D deficiency, anyone been through this?

[Ellen]

One of my sons was diagnosed with a very severe deficiency a few weeks ago. His level was at 7 ng/ml. Optimal is 50-100. He managed to walk around like this for years, we're not sure just how many, no thanks to 2 MD's, a bone doctor and a naturopath. The one to whom we are forever indebted on suggesting he be tested for it is, his counselor.

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has been on this horrendous journey.

I will list all the various symptoms later for those who are unfamiliar. There is an epidemic of this world wide, and it comes with a laundry list of symptoms from depression, to anxiety, to bone pain, to a variety of other odd things. Part of the blame lies in how we've been brain washed into believing the sun should never shine on unprotected skin. To the contrary, that is the number one best way to get D. Period. Most of the food supply has little in it, and most of us are not told to supplement, or not near enough.

Please check back later for the list, it could easily be pointing to you or one you love.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

My level was around that before. It is actually very common. I had to take a very high level vitamin D script for awhile.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I was found to be Vitamin D deficient as well. Probably not to the extent that your son is but still low. I take a supplement every day. My GP does this with regular bloodwork; I swear I don't seem to know anyone today that is not deficient to some extent!

I hope your son is feeling better soon!!

 

[AGBF]

I, also, was deficient. I see a nephrologist. He had me on prescription doses for a couple of years. Now I just take a non-prescription strength (2,000 IU) daily dose. No matter what the dose, even if non-prescription like my current dose, it is wise to check it with a blood test regularly. It can go too high. It is true that physicians did not, routinely, test for Vitamin D levels in the past, but more members of my family have been reporting that their doctors are now doing it. So it is not only people who see specialists who are tested nowadays.

I am sorry that your son was ill, however. I hope that he improves rapidly.

Hugs,
Deb

 

[ame]

I usually take around 50K units a week or every other week. I have been extremely deficient. I am fair enough that I can get a severe burn in 10-15 minutes even with SPF 70.

 

[Ellen]

From your responses, it seems this was not too traumatic for you guys? Not many symptoms/problems? Or are you just not elaborating?

My son, over the last some years, has experienced severe bone pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness. Back pain, shin pain, neck pain. You can literally gently poke him anywhere on his body and it hurts. It hurts him to sit, stand or lay. He has severe depression (though I see this starting to lift), bad anxiety. Light and sound sensitivity, little appetite, though that has definitely picked up. There are others but these are some of the worst/main ones.

He was prescribed 50,000 IU's once a week for 10 weeks, then bloodwork at 12 weeks. His doctor wrote a prescription for D, but I did research before we started taking it, and it does not work as well as OTC (over the counter). The script is D2, OTC is D3. Here is an explanation on the why's of this and also on testing.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/02/23/vitamin-d-deficiency-part-one.aspx


Glad to hear more docs are checking levels. I really wish every doctor was aware of this, but clearly they aren't yet, as we went through 4 and really, I am shocked the bone dr. and naturopath (who is usually MUCH more aware of nutrition aspects on health) didn't think of this. It seems there is no set protocol on treatment either. I've read all sorts of dosings for people. I am also giving my son 2000 D all the other days, along with K2.

Deb, from my research, you almost can't get too much D. If symptoms arise, it's often from lack of K2. Here's an explanation. A guy I go to church with told me he takes 20,000 IU's daily in the winter.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/19/vitamin-d-vitamin-k2.aspx


Thank you very much for the well wishes for my son, he needs them. From all I've read from others online with this, we are looking at many months before he is healed. He even had to quit his job right before diagnosis, as mentally and physically he couldn't take it anymore.

 

[amc80]

My level was around 17. I started taking 6k units of d3 daily, and got it up to around 28 in 6 weeks or so. I asked my doc about the weekly pill, but she said d3 is better. I can't say that I noticed any issues with low d, mostly because I'm battling thyroid problems, low iron, and pregnancy. So it's hard to pinpoint anything on one thing vs another.

 

[TooPatient]

Thanks for sharing those great links! We take vitamin D3 daily at dr recommendation (Seattle area...). I just picked up some more the other day and noticed they had D2 also. I was curious what the difference was but hadn't had time to look it up yet.

Vitamins can do all sorts of things! I'm sorry your son has gone through so much. I hope he feels much better soon!

 

[AGBF]

Hi, Ellen. I hadn't planned on doing a medical history here, but since you asked about whether we experienced symptoms of vitamin D deficiency the way your son did, here's my story.

I don't recall what kind of D my prescription was for. It was a long time ago. I also do not recall the dosage, just that it seemed astronomically high and was taken once weekly. Now I take the D3 daily. I was unaware of having any symptoms from low D, but that doesn't mean I didn't have any. I am slightly anemic secondary to less than ideal renal function. My iron deficiency has had my physician order IV iron infusion for me, so that was more of an issue than the vitamin D for me.

Deb

 

[susief]

Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common. The majority of darker skinned people in countries that do not get a lot of sun (e.g. the UK) are deficient. All my family have been. My father's levels were undetectable when he was tested! He had no particular symptoms from it but was treated to avoid the risk of long-term problems. We all take supplements now.

I agree with you that the constant use of sunblock and sunscreen has contributed. If you have extremely fair skin that burns easily, then yes, you have to use it. But most of us are fine for short periods of everyday sun exposure (not sunbathing) without it. You need about 20 mins of bright sunshine on your hands and face daily to get sufficient vitamin D. Though that's not easy in some places...

 

[MarionC]

[quote="Ellen|


Thank you very much for the well wishes for my son, he needs them. From all I've read from others online with this, we are looking at many months before he is healed. He even had to quit his job right before diagnosis, as m entally and physically he couldn't take it anymore. [/quote]

Ellen, I am reading this with interest and sorry to hear what your son is going through. I am going to go out on a limb here & get personal, so forgive if this is not helpful.

I have chronic depression and muscle & joint pain where everything hurts all the time.
Recently I went on the Paleo diet. Also on Krill Oil and B-vitamins. Lot's of kale.Coconut oil. Things improved greatly. The level of pain went down, my mood stabilized. When I "have a slip", i.e., eat sugar, potatoes, bread, or processed foods, etc. the pain returns and life feels out of control. Is it possible that your son's symptoms may be diet related?

My doctor finally put me on Ritalin 5 years ago since antidepressants don't work well for me. It's not perfect but it gets me up & moving, which also helps with the inflammation.
Can I assume your son is on an antidepressant for the pain?
What is his diet like?

edit: I wanted to add that I got some relief within two days of switching to the Paleo diet.

 

[missy]

Ellen, I am very sorry your son is dealing with this and as others have shared already it is unfortunately not uncommon.

I highly recommend your son take vitamin D3 and not prescription D2 which in the US is the only vitamin D that is prescription. At least this was true a few years ago.

Our bodies absorb D3 much more efficiently than D2 and that is why Rx vitamin D is 50,000 IUs. And D3 is safer. Speak to his doctor of course but I would recommend he goes with D2 in a lower quantity as that will get absorbed much better and he will reach the same goal of 50-100ng/ml.

http://saveourbones.com/the-huge-difference-between-vitamins-d3-and-d2-and-why-you-should-never-take-d2/

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589256_4

I hope he starts feeling much better very soon. Sending healing vibes and good thoughts his way.

 

[MissGotRocks]

And so the doctor thinks that all of his symptoms are attributable to Vitamin D levels and nothing else? Did they consider fibromyalgia or something like that as well?

I hope the Vitamin D heals all his ails - sounds like he has been miserable for quite some time!

 

[DAF]

I don't know how low my Vitamin D numbers were before it was detected, but I was experiencing shin and thigh bone pain, muscle aches and depression. I take 5000 units a day and I'm struggling to stay at 30.

 

[Ellen]

amc, your doc was right on the D3. Good for them actually knowing that!

TooPatient, glad the links helped. Yes, Vitamins are great helpers. Thanks for the good wishes.

Deb, I didn't mean to make you divulge anything you didn't want to. I just "assumed" you guys would have experienced repercussions and would share them. The prescription you would have gotten back then would have been D2. They just very recently came out with a D3 prescription. I came across that in reading. Good to "see" you miss.

susief, wow, your dad was REALLY low! It's amazing he had no symptoms! He was blessed in that regard. I have found through researching that some people don't have near as much as others, but he is the first I've heard to have a level like that and no symptoms at all.

Jimmianne, good question on the diet. Back in the fall, when he really started falling apart, I took him to a chiropracter because we had gotten nowhere with three other docs. He did a hair analysis on him, and there were definitely some chemical imbalances, so we thought ok, that and his improper diet are the problems. So the guy put him on some supplements for depression/brain function, and recommended a certain diet guideline. (Weston A. Price) The supplements managed to take the very "edge" off things, but that was it. He really began trying to eat better, totally cut out bread and sweets for the most part. He comes here every night for dinner so I know he gets one truly decent meal for sure. It's made almost no difference. :/
As for your question about antidepressants for pain, I have never heard of that. I don't honestly know why that would work? He does not want Antidepressants, he wants to heal his body naturally, and I respect that. I know people who take them and are helped greatly and I respect them for that. But he wants actual healing and to "right" his chemical levels.
Most of his pain is from Osteomalacia, which comes from Vit D deficiency. Here is an explanation.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteomalacia/basics/definition/con-20029393

Thanks for suggesting a diet change though, it was a good one! The plan now is to get his D levels up and then see what is left. I am wondering how much the deficiency has played a part in other things being off. The human body is so intricately fine tuned, when one thing get off, it often is like a domino affect. thanks for your concern.

Missy, thanks. I think you maybe missed my previous explanation, but I realized in researching (before starting the prescription) the differenc in the 2 D's, and am giving my son a weekly dose of 50,000 D3, plus 2000 the other 6 days. You are correct in that D3 is better. Pretty sad that lay people know this and docs don't. And thanks for you good wishes.

MissG, sad to say, I don't know what his previous doc thinks. He didn't know to check this, and never could tell my son why he was in so much pain. (but he is the one who prescribed the D, of which he said the low level could be causing the depression, and this only after the counselor said to check his levels) We have left him in search of a better doctor. That led us to a new one in town who touted being into preventive medicine and a specialist in depression. Upon seeing my son he then told me basically that Vit D wasn't going to help his depression, and let's put him on an antidepressant and go see a psychiatrist. I was so shocked, I was rather speechless. I managed to get out people can alleviate depression through diet, but he felt this wouldn't help my son. With that all I could think was, get me out of here, you are NOT our guy. Interestingly enough, my son and I, in talking a few days ago, only then discovered both of us had disliked him the minute he walked in the room. Before he ever opened his mouth.... My son also said he mentioned all his pains and the doc said, like what? So my son listed just a few, hardly the whole list, and the doc's eyes got kind of big and he never said a word about it. Ever. We are moving on. I will keep searching until I find someone who knows what they are doing. I don't care if they are working out of their living room. (ok, just kidding lol) What I have found out though for sure is, a degree hanging on a wall doesn't mean squat. Seriously.

As for all his symptoms, I "would" have probably chalked most of them up to the chemical imbalances, if it weren't for what I found researching after the D diagnosis. The following links are to discussions with people who are deficient. SO many have all the same symptoms. Like I said earlier though, we will get his levels up and see what we are left with, unless someone can point to a totally unrelated symptom or more.
Good talking with you!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/recovery-after-vitamin-D-deficiency/Vitamin-D-deficiency--symptoms/show/1257522 (ignore fertlity comment)

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/recovery-after-vitamin-D-deficiency/Why-do-i-still-having-vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms-after-treatment/show/1173692

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/recovery-after-vitamin-D-deficiency/Symptoms-worse-in-humid-unstable-weather/show/1469553


In researching I found out that every cell in our body has a Vit D receptor. So, it only stands to reason, at least to me, that when D gets critically low, it is going to affect everything it has anything to do with. And that is a lot! The following link explains.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/11/01/vitamin-d-is-a-key-player-in-your-overall-health.aspx

DAF, so sorry to hear you are going through this. Do you try to get a little sun when you can? Also, do you eat good fats? Vit D is fat soluble, so fats are crucial for proper absorption. Here's a link that might help you. I wish you full recovery.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/vitamin-supplements/fat-absorb-vitamins.htm


Also, MissGotRock's mentioned fibromyalgia. My research has shown that often, D deficient patients are often diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and Carpal Tunnel. Two of those apply to my son, not the Fibro. One patient said when her levels got up, the CT was gone. As for Fibro, what is it, other than pain that no one can truly tell you what is causing it. So I would say it's possible.


Thanks again all.

 

[Ellen]

Almost forgot, you know the infamous silver lining? (and yes, there really is one most of the time) I found out Vit D helps with weight loss. And since I have started taking it, since I got tested and found I am on the cusp of insufficient, the pounds have FINALLY started falling off! YES.

 

[TooPatient]

Almost forgot, you know the infamous silver lining? (and yes, there really is one most of the time) I found out Vit D helps with weight loss. And since I have started taking it, since I got tested and found I am on the cusp of insufficient, the pounds have FINALLY started falling off! YES.

Yay!


Have they checked his other levels too? Some deficiencies will drag other stuff down too. Like D and B12 are linked somehow. I forget the specifics, but might be worth looking into. (I described your son's pain to my DH and his initial guess was B12 maybe also with D -- DH has a B12 deficiency and his D drops from that.)

 

[Polished]

"My son, over the last some years, has experienced severe bone pain, muscle pain, muscle weakness. Back pain, shin pain, neck pain. You can literally gently poke him anywhere on his body and it hurts. It hurts him to sit, stand or lay. He has severe depression (though I see this starting to lift), bad anxiety. Light and sound sensitivity, little appetite, though that has definitely picked up. There are others but these are some of the worst/main ones."

I think MissG. might be onto something with fibromyalgia. It might be an idea for your son to see a neurologist. I think one of the indicators for fibromyalgia (apart from many you list above that your son is experiencing) are tender points that are painful when pressed, located at specific areas through the body. Fibromyalgia is strongly linked to depression and anxiety and as fantastic as it sounds the myriad of often severe physical symptoms actually has it's source coming from the brain and the central nervous system. The complexity of this flummoxes many doctors because often the pain isn't "real" in the sense that taking a particular medecine will fix it.

This might not account for all your son's medical problem but it might account for some. The label fibromyalgia isn't as important as the concept ie that it is a problem to do with the central nervous system sending signals to the body that manifests itself as pain. With this condition addressing the pain isn't as important as addressing the mental issues that is helping to cause it and perpetuate it. Therapy is multi-dimensional involving the use of anti-depressants, exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, meditation, massage. I think not withdrawing socially is supposed to be important, keeping a hand in with work etc. However you would need professional help and someone to assess what your son would be up to doing. There's no silver bullet though, from what I've seen it takes work.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi, Ellen! I have also been diagnosed with D deficiency in the last few years. I don't know if I was checked the last time I had a check up or not. I know especially through the winter I do not get any sun to speak of, so I should do better with the supplements. I have incentive now that you tell me it is helping you drop pounds!

I have a son with all kinds of issues, and I am sure he is probably D deficient, too. He takes a lot of meds. He has depression and anti-depressants never work for him past the placebo effect time. So it does remind me to remind him to be sure he is taking the D3 just in case that is part of the problem, and it probably is. I think depression often is a symptom of something else, and you need to get to the root of it instead of just taking antidepressants.

I am connecting to a MD who also has alternative/intergrative training. She recommends natural and alternative things instead of some of the meds with horrible side effects to try if you prefer. I extremely dislike when doctors just want to throw a prescription without getting down to the root of the problem.

I hope your son can find some relief soon!

 

[Ellen]

TooPatient, thanks for sharing in my excitement.

He had a lot checked on this last blood test, but I don't see B12. Looked it up and the article said most docs don't test for it. Some symptoms "could" be related, unfortunately many things overlap. I do want to think one of the neuro supplements he's on has a lot of one of the B's in it. I will check on that and when we find a suitable doc will suggest testing. Thank you!


Polished, thank you. I tend to think his pains are probably from the low D, since bone and muscle pain are two of the top symptoms for low D, as is depression. Anything is possible though, and when I can find a truly decent doc, I will certainly explore all avenues to get him well!


ds, I'm telling you, I never really expected this (even though the 2 books I bought on Vit D both stated weight loss as a benefit, I guess cuz I have battled this so long). And the thing is, I am not even up to the dose I should be yet, or even every day. Because D is a hormone and my system is so sensitive, I am gradually working my way up. So if I'm losing weight this easily now, what might happen when I'm one a full dose!? Grab that bottle woman!

I actually have thought of your son since all this came out, and if you had not commented I was going to jog you up. I would not be surprised if it wasn't at least some of his problem. Hope he will be inclined to get serious about taking it. It's hard to get pat dosages from experts as they all differ slightly, but putting everything I have read together, 4-5000 IU's daily would be a good dose. If he went 5000 he could get it in just 1 tab which is simply easier to take. All aren't created equal though, make sure you get a reputable brand. And make sure he takes K2 (with mk7) with it. If you don't, calcium can be deposited in soft tissue, i.e. arteries. The role of K is to make sure calcium gets to the bones.

Glad to hear you've found someone who is truly interested in healing. Most docs aren't, they only know prescriptions. I have read more than once lately true "health" doctors say, they spent about one day on nutrition in med school (so they had to really learn about health and nutrition afterwards). That's pathetic, but would explain why they just want to throw drugs at people. Food is medicine.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. - Hippocrates


So good talking with you, take care.

 

[MarionC]

My DD also has issues and will not medicate either. She uses diet, therapy, acupuncture and exercise regimes and also wants to heal naturally. It breaks my heart for these kids having to spend so much energy on trying to get to "OK".

I know this next statement is not helpful - but what the heck is going on that so many of us are not totally well!?
or perhaps people just suffered in silence in prior generations.

In any event, I hope that through this thread we all get some answers as our kids explore paths to wellness.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Jimmianne, I think about that, too. I think a lot is triggered by other things we put into our bodies such as processed foods, GMO things, preservatives, pesticides, even though this is not the topic and some deny it, there are people injured by vaccines, etc.

Ellen, I didn't know that about K2. Thanks for mentioning that. How much do you take with the D3?

 

[Bonfire]

Right you are Ellen, be sure to take D3 with K. The supplement I take has 5,000 IU D3 and 2,100 mcg K ( K1, K2m-4, K2m-7) all in one small capsule.
My blood work came back with a D level of 65 two weeks ago. My Doc is very happy with that and wants me to continue with that dosage.
I have Osteoporosis and don't want to take any of the bisphosphonates with all those side effects

 

[AGBF]

Right you are Ellen, be sure to take D3 with K. The supplement I take has 5,000 IU D3 and 2,100 mcg K ( K1, K2m-4, K2m-7) all in one small capsule.
My blood work came back with a D level of 65 two weeks ago. My Doc is very happy with that and wants me to continue with that dosage.
I have Osteoporosis and don't want to take any of the bisphosphonates with all those side effects

Good work and continued good luck, Bonfire!

Hugs,
Deb

 

[MarionC]

Right you are Ellen, be sure to take D3 with K. The supplement I take has 5,000 IU D3 and 2,100 mcg K ( K1, K2m-4, K2m-7) all in one small capsule.
My blood work came back with a D level of 65 two weeks ago. My Doc is very happy with that and wants me to continue with that dosage.
I have Osteoporosis and don't want to take any of the bisphosphonates with all those side effects

Off topic....Have you tried/considered Prolia? I have been on it for 4 years with no side effects and good results [bone density reversed to 10 years ago]. Two shots a year.

 

[BeekeeperBetty]

I'm glad you found out what was wrong, and that it is easy to treat. I understand the frustrations with doctors, but sometimes things take a while to ferret out. People don't have manuals or diagnostics that print out and tell physicians what is wrong. It took a while to figure out my health problems, because they are less common. Sometimes it is a process.

I'm not surprised that the Weston Price diet didn't work. If you do some research in to Weston Price and the foundation I think you would be horrified. He was a dentist that used to do very questionable animal studies with rabbits to justify his ideas that root canals released disease and toxins into the system and harmed people. He was also racist and had some odd ideas about the "savage" diet. Bad news all around. You have to be careful with chiropractors, especially ones who think they can cure complicated medical problems with diets and other treatments that have not been backed by science or studied.

I don't think people are less healthy than they used to be. After all the life expectancy keeps getting longer. And things that people used to die of, we can treat now and they will live longer, albeit often with life-long health issues. But they do live. My husband is a physician and takes care of critically ill people. 40 years ago, the vast majority of his patients would die. Now they live, but often with some level of disability.

 

[missy]

Right you are Ellen, be sure to take D3 with K. The supplement I take has 5,000 IU D3 and 2,100 mcg K ( K1, K2m-4, K2m-7) all in one small capsule.
My blood work came back with a D level of 65 two weeks ago. My Doc is very happy with that and wants me to continue with that dosage.
I have Osteoporosis and don't want to take any of the bisphosphonates with all those side effects

Ellen, this is the Vitamin K I take fyi.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Naturals-featuring-Manufactured-Guaranteed/dp/B00N0YRR2C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Continued best wishes for your son's recovery.

 

[Bonfire]

Right you are Ellen, be sure to take D3 with K. The supplement I take has 5,000 IU D3 and 2,100 mcg K ( K1, K2m-4, K2m-7) all in one small capsule.
My blood work came back with a D level of 65 two weeks ago. My Doc is very happy with that and wants me to continue with that dosage.
I have Osteoporosis and don't want to take any of the bisphosphonates with all those side effects

Off topic....Have you tried/considered Prolia? I have been on it for 4 years with no side effects and good results [bone density reversed to 10 years ago]. Two shots a year.

Hi jimmianne ,
Yes I've been on Boniva, Forteo injections and Prolia shots. Prolia is no different then bisphosphonates in that it basically coats your bones (explained to me my another holistic doc) makes it look good on the density scans but in reality makes your bone more like porcelain. Side effects come with all of these products. I prefer a more natural route of weight bearing exercise and diet. We'll see, I don't like to " rob Peter to pay Paul" when it comes to my health. Good luck! Sorry to thread jack!

Thanks for the good wishes Deb

 

[Ellen]

Jimmianne, I echo ds on why so many of us aren't feeling well. We are truly being assaulted at every front. Air, water, food, vacs, etc. Sometimes, I marvel at how well made the human body actually is, you'd think we'd all be in worse shape than we are. I pray your dd finds good health soon.


ds, again, there's no hard rule on dosage with K as they are really still learning just what all it can do and how much we need. But from what I've gathered, 100-125 mcg's a day is a safe number. And it is fat soluble also, so take with good fats.. One important note, K has blood clotting abilities. Please read this link.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/11/vitamin-k1-k2.aspx


bonfire, that sounds like a lot of K compared to what I have read. But if it is working for you and you are getting checked that is what matters.


BeeKeeper, with all due respect, doctors go to med school to learn how to recognize certain symptoms that go with certain diseases/illness so they can make a diagnosis. It's their job to do that, that's why they make the big bucks. And while I appreciate the fact that no doctor knows everything, we are not talking about some rare disease my son picked up in the back hills of Botswana. No, we are talking about A Vit D deficiency. And while none of the good doctors could figure that out, one would think at least a BONE doctor would have. I mean, that's what he does, right? Bones? One of Vit D's biggest roles.... But no, the only person who managed to figure out what might be the problem, based on his symptoms, was his counselor. The one who didn't go to med school, and doesn't make the big bucks. That, is pathetic. Forgive me if I sound angry, I am. And making excuses for doctors who should have caught this just doesn't fly with me.

As for the diet, I don't support the man, or the diet for that matter. It's basically the same as a dozen others. Get off white flour, sugar, additives, and get on veggies, fruits, etc. And it has been my experience that Chiropractors care FAR more about actually healing people and getting them well compared to most MD's. And at a fraction of the cost. So I guess I could look at like this, if they're all going to get it wrong, I may as well pay them as little as possible.


Missy, thanks for posting that info, I appreciate it. And thanks for the well wishes.

Thanks again all.

 

[AGBF]

BeeKeeper, with all due respect, doctors go to med school to learn how to recognize certain symptoms that go with certain diseases/illness so they can make a diagnosis. It's their job to do that, that's why they make the big bucks. And while I appreciate the fact that no doctor knows everything, we are not talking about some rare disease my son picked up in the back hills of Botswana.

Speaking of doctors in Botswana, I hope all of you have read the series about Mma Ramotswe by Alexander McCall Smith. (The first book in the series is The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.) I have now gotten everyone in my family reading them and watching the BBC television series that was made about the first books in the series.

But my point was going to be that there are doctors and there are doctors. I always research a great deal if someone in my family is going to have surgery. When my daughter was a child and one pediatric orthopedist suggested surgery, I got four more opinions from four more physicians (and, if I were truthful, I would tell you that all four of the next four physicians I saw were far and above brighter and more qualified in their various fields than the first physician had been). Because once I saw a local doctor and I heard that there was trouble, I started doing research and I sought out the best of the best. Then I kept seeing more people until I felt I really had a handle on what they were all telling me and what they were saying about each others' opinions. Doctors are highly trained. At least the best of the best are. But one must make good use of them.

At least that's my opinion.

Deb