Stupidity? Idiocy?

I just couldn't resist.

After seeing the fun Porter and Dan have in The S&A Digest every day, I had to join in with my own feedback section. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did:

 "What kind of doctor is Dr. Eifrig? I noticed he was giving advice on healthy living or similar and wondered why he just signed off Dr. David Eifrig. Is he an MD?" – Raymond Wood

Eifrig comment: I am a medical doctor, or M.D. I did my training in North Carolina at Chapel Hill – GO HEELS! In fact, I am actually what is called a board-eligible ophthalmologist. This means that I am trained as an eye surgeon and will be sitting for my board certification next year. I also did a research fellowship at Duke University (GO HEELS!) and have published in several peer-reviewed journals.

I found along the way that many M.D.s (though not all) don't think, let alone listen. And I have a big problem with anyone giving medical advice if they can't do those two things.

Here are a couple of doctors writing in...

 "I have written before about my reservations about Dr. Eifrig. After reading his column this time, I am sure that he has validated my concerns. He props open his credibility gap with the following confessions:

I walk by every single poster. I try to take no more than a few seconds at each one... glancing at the title and quickly scanning the conclusions. I attend whatever presentations appeal to my curiosity, but leave if the speaker is dull or the material nonsensically presented. This happens quite a bit in science conferences, by the way. I make sure to get a cup of coffee prior to strolling the posters. I stop at posters where people have congregated and listen to see if it is truly new or unique.

"In essence, he confesses that without any pretense of assessing the merit of any presentation, he scans title and conclusions and swallows it all whole, apparently believing that if it's hanging up there it must be good. He leaves presentations that don't inspire him before the speaker wraps up and has a chance to prove his point (maybe it's the coffee). He relies on the opinions of others in group discussions to identify what is valid. He drinks coffee to spur his frenetic dash to scan the totality of the scene and insure that he doesn't daudle in deep contemplation over any one issue.

"I truly think you do your readers a disservice with this guy. As an educator for almost 30 years in medicine, I can tell you that his confessions betray a dangerous superficiality that has no place in an advisory forum. Is he your brother-in-law or something?

"I'm a faithful reader, but a conscientious skeptic. I would feel remiss if I didn't tell you these thoughts. If any of your other experts approached investment analysis like he describes his medical analysis, you would pink-slip them in a heartbeat." – Richard P. Perkins, MD

Eifrig comment: This is classic: A doctor telling me how to gather information. I guess the good doctor would have me sit in a presentation to the end, even if it's boring and poorly presented. He would probably have me read a book to the end just because I started it.

Yes, I do rely on groups of people discussing issues in front of a poster, because usually they are experts and most often know more than I do. It's actually a quick, cheap, and easy way to learn.

I always love claims like "30 years in medicine" as an educator. I've heard that before, and it goes something like this... "Dr. Eifrig, that's the way we've always done it – just do as I told you!"

And no, I am absolutely not Porter's brother-in-law. Could you imagine?

 "This 'doctor' is not very bright!!! If you already had chicken pox, you can not catch them again. and YOU CAN NOT CATCH SHINGLES, from anybody but yourself!!!

"SHINGLES develop from the chicken pox virus in your nervous system after having chicken pox. so the only reason to 'stay away from children that have chicken pox. If I see a little kid with bumps all over his body I run the other way.' is if you Never had chicken pox.

"This 'doctor' is an IDIOT!!!" – Dr. Andy Ti

Eifrig comment: Ah yes, this is another book-smart doctor. Sure, I know what the books all say, but let's look at the points and you can decide for yourself.

"You cannot catch shingles" – Yep, shingles is thought to come from your own immune system. And yes, the chicken pox virus causes it. But research shows that 5%-6% of adults don't have any immunity to chicken pox. So if you are 70 years old, among the 5% (though probably higher) lacking the immune protection, and exposed to kids with chicken pox, then guess what? You are going to inhale the virus and quickly get chicken pox followed shortly by shingles. By the way, the virus is one of the most contagious viruses known.

Now, here's where the doctor just doesn't get it. Why spend $150 for a blood test that measures antibodies – known as a titer – to tell you if you are one of those 5%, when you can get a vaccine for $180 and be done with it. That's the main reason for getting the vaccine when we're older. It's sort of a booster.

Finally, it is really naïve to think "you cannot catch them again." Amazingly, this same nonsense about not getting a disease a second time was perpetuated about mononucleosis... And is now known to be false. The same is true for chicken pox. The virus has at least 22 known strains. Could it be possible that exposure to a different strain later in life triggers the onset of shingles? Sure. But if you want to listen to the mantras and hang around children with chicken pox, don't wait for me... I'm running the other way.

 "Porter, one of the best gems in your writer crew is Dr. Eifrig. What good is making money if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it? He provides such good, simple, common sense advice that all of us should follow. I simply say, thanks and keep up the good work." – John Filar

Eifrig comment: John, thanks for the kudos. I like the thought of being a gem in Porter's crew because he has some amazing minds working with him. In fact, the people behind the scenes are precious, too. They keep this place moving on time and with incredible accuracy.

 "I am an Alliance member. As such, I receive on occasion the S&A Health Report by Dr.Eifrig. I admire his approach to medicine and health as presented in his reports. I am in need of my regular physical exam and would like to know if he sees private patients? May I book an appointment with him for my physical? Thank you for any assistance." – Dr. Lynne F. Shepard

Eifrig comment: Lynne, it is truly a compliment to be asked to be your doctor. I don't maintain a practice or take private patients. My hope is through my Health Reports and my new letter, Retirement Millionaire, you find all the common sense about health and wealth you need.

As much as I love the one-on-one contact with patients, I just didn't feel like I could make much difference. Trust me, I thought long and hard about it. However, I am keeping my medical licenses current and will sit for boards in ophthalmology next year. I plan to give some care to the poor and less fortunate shortly.

 "I realize that Dr. David Eifrig Jr. takes a lot of heat for his S&A Health Report, and I would like to take some of that heat off him! I read, with great interest, his December 3, 2006, offering Prostate Cancer - What You Don't Know Can Kill You. In that [essay], he listed six symptoms of prostate cancer. I realized as I read his report that I had four of those six symptoms. I was shocked and scared. It took me awhile, but I finally made an appointment with an urologist for a PSA and DRE. I also made an appointment with my wife's doctor for a general check up. What you need to know is that I am 73-years old and haven't had a doctor's appointment for at least 40 years.

"Long story short, I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and am about to start external radiation treatment and hormone treatment for my cancer. I had a bone scan and a CT Scan, and the cancer has not gotten into my bones or traveled to other parts of my body. It was caught in time. I thank God and Dr. David Eifrig for my extremely great luck. Thank you, Dr. Eifrig, for saving my life!" – Paid up subscriber Ron Putman

Eifrig comment: Ron, I am speechless... thanks.

When it comes to feedback what do I do?

Remember, I look for simple, cheap, and safe things to improve the long-term quality of my life. I hope you do too.

Here's to our health,

David Eifrig Jr., M.D., M.B.A.