I guess it depends on what you're gong there for. John spent 5 months there and received excellent care. And when we compare it to the other three hospitals he had the misfortune to experience, Hopkins still came out on top. But as good as they are, they have their biases, issues and glitches. But you would be hard pressed to find a major medical institution that doesn't.

We had a terrific Doc but not all docs are created equal. Every three weeks a new Attending was in charge and clearly, some were better than others. But our doc was involved throughout. It was an intense time.

Every year when we go back for a follow-up, we do tell them the supplements John is on. They can say what they want about them. If they have any objections to them, we will take that into consideration as to whether or not to continue with them. Since John is no longer on any medicines, it make this discussion a lot easier.

I don't think discrediting an entire institution is appropriate when it really comes down to the doctor you see. Just as Marlene said, every major institution will have some bias, glitches, and issues.

There are good and bad doctors everywhere. I see a several great ones at Hopkins, but I have also had a not so good one there as well. I have also been to Mayo and frankly, they have a great logistical system for patient care and many great doctors, but the one neurologist I saw was horrible...just down right horrible. But that doesn't reflect the entire system.

Sometimes you can find the best doctor right in your own back yard...one that is willing to read up on news things, explore the benefits of supplements, and take the time needed to provide you with quality care.

There is NO perfect institution...and no perfect doctor either. But there are good ones (and bad ones) at every facility.

I bet you can find a story like Echo posted for every facility...they have all had some problem at some time.

Just my two cents.

At Hopkins it wasnt a glitch, or a problem at some time. it was 4 decades of institutionalied fraud and corruption for personal and institutional gain at the expense, ruin and deaths of legitimate victims of black lung disease. Hopkins as an institution knew what was going on and did nothing about it except benefit financially.

No, it doesn't sound like a glitch, but I can't believe you are bashing an entire institution for this. I sure hope you don't use them for ANY of your care. But it sounds like you have...and also encourage people to do so for skin biopsies...even if indirectly. Because it was Hopkins that developed this test, and where most other hospitals send them to for reading/evaluation.

There is DIRT on every hospital out there. I'm not sure why you even singled out Hopkins on a thread about Mayo...that had nothing to do with the original question of this thread...supplements, not black lung.

The bigger problems in hospitals (all of them) does NOT start at the doctors (they are just either good at what they do or bad), but the bigger issues are from the "politically poisoned greedy men" as MrsD refers to them...and of course the direct ties of them to FDA and big pharma....this is what drives the health care (or lack there of).

As for the point of the thread:

Baba, I would tell them about ALL your supplements, as many might have a contraindication to medications they might prescribe. If they don't offer supportive thoughts on your use of supplements, then just chalk it up to their lack of education (because they really don't get taught about there uses and potential help). But brush that aside, and just know that you are doing more for your health and that in most cases a combination of medications and supplements can be quite helpful. Just be sure to mention for interactions...and look them up yourself to be sure.

Definitely look them up YOURSELF... don't expect any doctor to know about interactions. They certainly don't know about the DRUG interactions most of them prescribe! Many don't even know about Cytochrome-450 metabolism either.

Drugs.com has a good drug checker that includes food and supplements:

http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

I too feel disgust for this doctor. However, i do feel there are more good doctors there and this guy is one of few arrogant bad ones. The bigger and more disturbing issue is that miners are still getting black lung and other lung diseases. I wish things like this did not happen but it does. Money drives the behavior of many and I don't think anyone is immune to it's draw. I saw where the University received the money from the coal companies but the doctors did not. That sounds off. Why would a doctor continue this approach other than his arrogance/pride. There must be more to his involvement. Todays coal is not as clean as the stuff of today. Many of the mines have high levels of silica mixed in. Hopkins did not cause their disease nor their deaths. They did have a hand in wrongly denying black lung benefits and that too is criminal.

Will I stop going to Hopkins? No. We have a caring and compassionate doctor there.

Will I stop using fossil fuel? Would love to but doesn't seem I can choose or afford to stop completely.

It is a complicated situation and many are complicit in the ongoing support of poor mining condition. We see this type of fraud and corruption time and time again across multiple industries. The bulk of the blame rests with the coal companies for creating a workplace that is unsafe and an environment where worker are in fear of losing their job if they get ill or complain. And shame on Hopkins for their role in this.

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Hopkins came up because Hopeful was told by Hopkins not to take any supplements. " Hopkins told me to stop taking all my supplements. They said it was a waste of my money!"

So my comment was to the point of the thread. I wouldnt use Hopkins opinion as a standard to use when taking supplements.

Hopkins does deserve a bash to their reputation. they had knowledge of, condoned and profited off of this behavior for four decades. It would make me question what they are doing in other areas also. Hopkins is the one that needs to rebuild any trust in them as an organization. Some of the same administrators and doctors are still there. They should be doing time in prison.

While they did not cause their disease they certainly contributed to the deaths by issuing fraudulant medical testing and opinions used to deny them medical benefits and disability. There is no way to sugarcoat that.

Hello all

Just to add in the discussion about The Mayo Clinic.

I went there. They did not do anything there for me other than my local doctors had already done.
In their medical notes, they just regurgitated all that was in my medical history that was provided to them.

They did not seem to be interested in trying to reach further to try to find the underlying cause of my neuropathy, and called it idiopathic. The neurologist I saw there actually also thought one of my symptoms was due to panic attaches. So, so much for that.

Now, more than a year later, I have had more testing done locally, and I am praising my rheumatologist for doing all she does for me. She has actually now come up with what she thinks is the underlying cause and is treating me for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Oh no. Another one who impacts your further treatment by looking at the result of the illness (questionable panic attacks) rather than the cause).

Thanks for taking the time to post.

I am trying to keep a logical focus about all this.