Chill Pill

Just read an article regarding the cholesterol medications... seems they're not particularly effective for the reason they're usually prescribed. Most folks take them because they're supposed to reduce the plaque in arteries. And now, it appears from LONGTERM studies that they don't perform as advertised...in fact, they may increase certain types of plaque.

Riiiight.

BUT, just in time, the pharmaceutical companies have come up with a NEW drug that will perform, nay, it will perform miracles! What about all those people on the old drugs, you say? Well, no doubt, as soon as the new drug is approved, doctors will rush to prescribe the new, far more expensive meds. Because, after all, that's the way it works.

My doc recently prescribed a new med for my diabetes. Now, I need to explain that the most prescribed med (cheap, cheap, cheap) makes me quite ill. So that one is OUT. The new one is $85/3 months--my cost--on our prescription plan. Without a prescription plan? $500/3 months.

I'm on Social Security/retirement, but not yet eligible for Medicare. AND even if I was eligible, it doesn't cover everything. So what's the solution?

Maybe, since all the pharmaceutical companies are in the government's pockets anyway, we should just cut out the middleman (the consumer) and let the government pay for the research and development. And charge the consumer $5/per month for all meds, regardless of what they are.

Maybe then, some people wouldn't have to decide between meds and groceries.

anny

Here a pill, there a pill....

There are few things more exciting than rolling out of bed early in the morning and running out the door without coffee or breakfast because you need to have fasting bloodwork done. I have to do this on a regular basis and I tell you, I just wouldn't know how to live without the excitement.

When combined with an office visit with your doctor, it usually results in no breakfast/lunch until sometime around noon. Hmmm.

The cold I've been battling is actually an allergy attack. Thank you, spring/summer! Combined with the abundant rain and air pollution, this summer will not be fun.

And after reviewing all the stuff going on with the diabetes, I'm now on new meds. I love the paperwork they give you when you start new meds. First there's the very serious exhortation--Read this information sheet carefully before taking medication.

If everyone actually read those info sheets, no one would take any medicine--ever. I started three new meds. Side effects for #1...Dizziness, headache, stomach upset.
#2...burning or irritation inside the nose, coughing, headache, muscle and joint pain, nosebleed or pink color to the mucus, painful menstruation, sinus inflammation, sore throat, upper respiratory tract infection, viral infection vomiting, wheezing. (nasal spray for allergic rhinitis.)
#3...headache, weight gain (this one suggests losing weight to make the medication work better).

Confusing, much? Those were the highlights. The actual sheet are two pages long. I rarely watch television, but when I do, it always amazes me when I listen to pharmaceutical commercials. The cure is frequently far worse than the disease. Faaaaar worse.

I understand the companies are trying to cover their butts so they list every conceivable possibility. I wonder how many people actually listen to the tale end of the commercial when it lists side effects? Do the companies count on people tuning that part out? Or do they count on doctors reassuring their patients? How does that work?

Have you ever taken a medicine that was later taken off the market?

anny