tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post8386214504836421824..comments2024-03-10T03:36:06.267-07:00Comments on Is this the middle?: Me? Defending Prescription Drugs? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-72001106357107411892012-12-01T10:47:45.066-08:002012-12-01T10:47:45.066-08:00This is one of those issues--like so many issues--...This is one of those issues--like so many issues--that come down to striking a balance. And I think you're definitely on to something with the informed consumer issue. Working in a halfway house for recovering addicts and alcoholics, I can say that a lot of the men who come here from rehabs and other medical facilities come with sheafs of prescriptions to the point where it seems the doctor at the other end was on auto-pilot rather than rationally responding to actual patient needs. Pharmaceutical companies aggressive marketing practices are a huge issue, too. But, as you said, there are prescriptions that are absolutely necessary and that make huge positive differences to individuals and their families. Balance and information are key.Masked Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08197019009052401812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-3091508638503104992012-11-21T11:57:01.697-08:002012-11-21T11:57:01.697-08:00Giving in to meds is such a difficult thing. A han...Giving in to meds is such a difficult thing. A handful of years ago, my hubby's check-up revealed that his blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar were all elevated. His family history is wicked, so he took the numbers seriously, but hesitated about going the prescription route. <br /><br />We changed everything. I purged the cabinets, tossed stuff from the fridge, and restocked with nothing but healthy stuff. We got off our asses. Every. Single. Day. We both dropped a bit of weight. After 30 days, his numbers were better. At 60, better still. By day 90, all were normal. Yipppeeee!<br /><br />After some time, we both slacked off a little. Then more. We'd sporadically stay on track, then plunk, off. Finally, he agreed to certain scripts. We eat *mostly* healthy. I work out more than he does, but less than I should. His numbers are all good. Mine are, too. Well, except for my jean size. That number still pisses me off. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-82158429058315837892012-11-15T08:37:49.871-08:002012-11-15T08:37:49.871-08:00Thanks so much for dropping by, Elaine. I was so c...Thanks so much for dropping by, Elaine. I was so concerned about getting this post "right," so that Caroline would understand that I'm not trying to prove anyone right or wrong, or strong-arm her into "my way or the highway." <br />Many of us know more than one person who prefers to avoid doctors no matter what, and many of us have had a doctor who wasn't a good fit for us. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make taking care of ourselves easier. It takes a lot of thought,sometimes shopping around for a doctor/office that is "right" and hopefully a caring team of health professionals including the pharmacist. Not easy, but we all want the best outcome for Caroline. Hugs, Ms. Elaine!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-212929577878959302012-11-15T08:07:46.013-08:002012-11-15T08:07:46.013-08:00Hopefully your friend "Caroline" will re...Hopefully your friend "Caroline" will reconsider her treatment options. While I know she is scared because of her family history, she is much better off being treated before her situation becomes more serious. That is usually when the body is not as healthy and the medication may not be as effective. Of course, drug reactions can happen at any time. That is why taking a team approach and involving ones local pharmacist is a good idea. After all, they are the drug experts. <br /><br />Loved this post for its realistic approach, especially when talking OTC offerings. There is no medication without risk, including the ones that we tend to take for granted like Tylenol. That is why every consumer should do a personal risk benefit ratio to determine if they want to take a medication or not. <br /><br />If "Caroline" reads this, please know that you are loved by all who come in contact with you and we all want you to be healthy and live until past 90 years. Visit your doctor, consider your options and use information to overcome your fear of the unknown. Nurse Elainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11150885550865543802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-37035398363270538172012-11-14T10:06:29.957-08:002012-11-14T10:06:29.957-08:00Now if only I can get lucky and find a good doctor...Now if only I can get lucky and find a good doctor: one that really cares and listens to his patient. :)<br /><br />Hope you are feeling much better these days, Amiga. And keep smiling, for that is how I always see you. Smiling!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-45423852710224180822012-11-12T19:41:28.218-08:002012-11-12T19:41:28.218-08:00My family tree has quite a few long-lived people, ...My family tree has quite a few long-lived people, amazingly so when you think of all the odds working against them from tooth decay to contagious diseases! So I was pretty p-o'ed to get the cholesterol news. Glad your hubbypants had better luck with the statins-- they help a lot of people. <br />My husband,like you, has no thyroid so he takes synthroid and gets his levels checked regularly. Even my cantankerous mother takes meds for her heart rhythm (she's the one that wouldn't take a tylenol if she was delirious with fever). <br />I hope Caroline goes for that check up, and gets a second opinion if needed. It can be scary, but she is a brave, strong lady.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-23830190245268624982012-11-12T19:25:29.110-08:002012-11-12T19:25:29.110-08:00How I would enjoy that cup of tea, and our chat wo...How I would enjoy that cup of tea, and our chat would go on until we were both hoarse! I have had those imperious doctors in the past, so I count myself incredibly lucky to have several good docs in my corner these days. Call me prejudiced, but I am partial to female practitioners. My cardiologist is a man, but of the younger generation. He's a delightful geeky sort, who treats me like a member of the family. It's pretty miraculous to find doctors who have empathy-- glad you have!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-82969009610940048182012-11-12T19:19:38.784-08:002012-11-12T19:19:38.784-08:00I hear you, my friend. I am the biggest bundle of ...I hear you, my friend. I am the biggest bundle of fear possible when it comes to my health, lol. Often I think, why me? when it comes to high cholesterol. <br />In desperation, feeling like I was going to croak any moment, I went to my cardiologist to ask him what to do after the statins failed. He was so kind and so honest. He said as long as I don't have any other risk factors for heart disease (and I don't, so far) that I should just not worry about the cholesterol-- just take fish oil to keep my good cholesterol high. I love that man! A caring doctor makes all the difference!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-1519167503975244802012-11-12T19:13:44.656-08:002012-11-12T19:13:44.656-08:00Hi Sharon-- thanks so much for your thoughtful com...Hi Sharon-- thanks so much for your thoughtful comment about this post that was so difficult for me to write. I'm glad that you had better luck with statins than I did! The rest of my family has better genes than I do, so it makes me grumpy that I got the ridiculously high cholesterol gene, bah. I'm lucky to have found a primary care doctor, a woman, who is in my corner and keeps a close eye on me. That makes all the difference to me, and I hope Caroline also finds a doctor who can answer her questions and allay her concerns.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01468655681800817415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-9141395670315683762012-11-12T16:32:16.681-08:002012-11-12T16:32:16.681-08:00Excellent posts from both sides. My hubbypants had...Excellent posts from both sides. My hubbypants had trouble with a particular statin, but hasn't had any joint issues since changing brands. He would have to live off water and lettuce to control his cholesterol otherwise. My step-grandmother has such high cholesterol that even on medication hers hovers in the mid 300's, bad genes. I think that a majority of medications provide us with a comfortable, long life. There is a risk that taking a medication will lead to another one, but I think it has more to do with us aging than anything else. I would, in a heartbeat, take a prescription drug if it meant I'd be out of a danger zone or it prolonged my life - after weighing the options or trying natural methods first. My fear is that by not taking something that can, for example, help prevent a stroke that we are opening ourselves up to that very thing. I'd worry less about the stroke killing me than leaving me an invalid and being a burden to family that would have to care for me or pay for my care. If a drug drastically reduced that chance and gave me good quality of life...I'm all over it. alienbodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16553792913801374123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-35047877718156413862012-11-12T14:15:41.933-08:002012-11-12T14:15:41.933-08:00These are tough things. ALthough I strongly appre...These are tough things. ALthough I strongly appreciate all your arguments to get Caroline to get checked out by the doctor, I must also say I am one who takes ANYTHING the medical establishment days with a great deal of skepticism. I suspect they mean well (most of the time) but the god complex, the arrogance of many in the health care field, makes me want to avoid them like hell. As a profession, I am appalled at the general disregard for the body in front of them as a real person, with needs, fears, and a busy life. The medical profession, again as a blatant stereotype, needs to step WAY down from their high horse. <br />Having said all THAT, I will say that I had a professional encounter with a cardiologist this week who actually listened to ME and we both agreed that I am so not a candidate for coronary heart disease. Additionally, I had a meeting with my primary care doctor in which she entered the room and actually simply sat down on the extra chair in the room and gave me her 100% attention - WITHOUT immediately jumping in with a diagnosis, prescription and slam ,bam. thank you , ma'm attitude.<br />Interesting topic, Melanie - I wish we could have a cup of tea over it (since I am choosing to step away from wine for now....)Graciewildehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00142582724233027386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-30048578139345067152012-11-12T13:32:59.609-08:002012-11-12T13:32:59.609-08:00This is wonderfully excellently written post, Amig...This is wonderfully excellently written post, Amiga. And I don't see how your friend cannot hear you: your pros and cons, your advice and concern from the heart. I know that I hear you. :)<br /><br />Both sides should be looked at and weighed. For many of us, it is fear that hols us back, but not being around for the family and friends that loves you is a very sad situation.<br /><br />An excellent post, querida Amiga. I think we can all thank you for speaking out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422383139355516259.post-85442298602710559232012-11-12T06:49:50.499-08:002012-11-12T06:49:50.499-08:00I can't imagine why someone wouldn't try a...I can't imagine why someone wouldn't try a prescription drug that their trusted doctor recommends to improve something that's not right. Blood pressure in particular is a silent killer, and needs to be managed and monitored carefully. <br /><br />Your experience with statins was unfortunate but not unusual, from what I understand. I have friends who are far more vigilant and careful about exercising and eating than I am who can't bring down their numbers no matter what they do, and that includes taking medication. My experience with statins has been quite different, and my cholesterol has improved dramatically because of medication. There are hereditary problems that can only be improved with medication, and cholesterol and blood pressure are two of them.<br /><br />Of course we need to be careful about not overdoing medication, and must communicate with our doctors regularly, but in my opinion not taking available medications to improve your health - unless they don't agree with you or cause uncomfortable side effects - is foolish. Sharon Greenthalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06341769570752679625noreply@blogger.com