I have never figured out why the US people fear socialized medicine being a military member I have been through socialized medicine for 20 years.

now that I am retiring from the navy I will again have socialized medicine with the option of paying my own way to private practice. but i do normally get a chance to shift doctors from the same area if i want to.

you are defiantly right about making sure when you talk to a doctor you are asking for there help and advice and knowledge and that you have questions you want help with...

No doctors are not gods but you defiantly need to make sure you do not bruise there egos.

yes health care everywhere is complicated when you really need it.

honestly if you are a relatively healthy person with few medical needs one health care is as good as another. The problem is if you have major medical issues there is no good health care plan cause you end up fighting any way you go.

Be sure to ask what the side effects of the current and any new pain med choices are! I am on a daily Vicodin because the Tylenol I was taking were getting to dangerous liver damaging levels. Vicodin can be highly addicitive, ala Dr. House on tv, but it is not liver damaging so is better in that regard. Sometimes too a change in pain meds can mean a reduction in the amount as it acts differently than the old one, meaning you could feel better with less meds!! Ask too about acupuncture, it is a tried and true procedure in Asia but not in America too much, I do not know about Finland or Denmark. Although a Vet advised it for my dog one time!!

@ little mermaid
yes I go through multiple web sites for every medicine i get and search for alternatives. there are so many that its important to learn what interactions you have with medicine

@ LTDAkiles
my wife has degenerate disk disease so i know where you are coming from there. I know in the states they have replacement disks (synthetic) that can be used in some situations as well as fusing of the spine in 2 vertebra areas yes they do not want to do it to too many of them since each one they fuse together reduces your range of motion. and yes herniated disks are a very painful experience as well.

yes making a list of what questions you have is always nice. make sure you have a copy for both you and your doctor. also be sure you are careful with how the questions are phrased you do not want to sound superior to the doctor but in a semi knowledgeable question about what the doctor thinks about your options or a listing of what things you need for example
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1) was wondering if i could get labs for Vitamin D levels, calcium levels, cholesterol?
2) I have heard about an alternative therapy with a combination of cytomel and synthroid instead of just synthroid what have you heard about this and is this something I could try?
3) what were the results of they CT scan on my brain and what dose it mean? what are my options from here?
4) I need refills on the following prescriptions. synthroid, cytomel, gabapentin, diazepam
5) Can I get a referral to an ENT specialist for a 2nd opinion on ...
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once you get done with your visit you go over what answers you got and start making your question list for next visit for each doctor you will run into a different list some of the questions can be asked to your GP but most of them need to be saved for specialists. normally I have 5-10 questions for the specialists and at least 3-4 for each visit for a GP. Again remember you may want to rephrase your questions so it sounds like you are deferring to the doctors superior opinion about whatever you are asking about that way you do not offend the doctor although once you get a rapport with the doctor about the fact you bring printed questions every time you can get less subservient on your questions and more direct. Also have whoever goes with you to the appointment with you needs to listen to every word the doctor gives you if you have any questions about what was discussed then you can write those questions down as well and sooner or later you get much better questions and more direct questions.

Your support and help means a lot to me. Didn't know that WCG community can be this supportive. With pain and mental issues(caused by pain) it's very hard to make better health care happen, but i will be taking small steps with my wife(soon to be). I will use tips i have learned from you all and i m thankfull.

Thanks
LTDAkiles

HOPEFULLY you just overdid it!! With new shoes you REALLY need to be careful, when I buy I a new pair it takes me a couple of months before they become my regular everyday pair! I have had two foot surgeries, one on each foot, and get a new pair every year or so!! As you are thinking do not let this go too long before getting it checked out, if it is something serious time is NOT your friend!!