[golfhobo]

I LOVE the commercial for Cialis (I think it is) where the couple are sitting in twin bathtubs or something, looking out over the ocean.

When they start listing all the possible side effects, I can't help picturing the water in their tubs turning BROWN!!! :shock:

Real romantic!! :roll:

[Goin Fer It]

Originally Posted by gordoUSA

Lipitor:

Well sorry to inform you. Lipitor is the largest selling and most succesful drug in the world.
I also have taken Lipitor for 3 years. I have the regular 6 months checks. And I have abosolutely NO problems with the drug. The results have been as my doctor had predicated within 1 point.
A small percentage of people have reactions to any drugs. Hell, some people are allergic to aspirin!! You want to ban that too? I personally am allergic to a compound found in Neosporin and Neomycin. I am maybe .01% of the population that is allergic to it. What? Ban that too?
The radio talk show "Doctor" is probablty some quack, with little research creditionals. Or more likely, he has a financial interests in Fish Oil, rattle beads or something else he is trying to peddle for personal financial gain.
Pay very little attention to what you hear on "Talk Radio." It is simply entertainment. Same as Rush Limbaugh. (sick entertainment) If they can make some sort of sensualistic claims, that somehow makes the national news, they increase their ratings and then they can charge advertisers more for air time.
But, also the FDA needs to remain more idependent and absolutely non political. There are $ BILLIONS to be made on new pharmaceuticles. And some drug companies will do what is necessary, including fraud, bribery, etc., to get these drugs approved and on the market. And there are plenty of Wasington politicians willing willing to help them along for a generous "political" contribution.

What are they testing you for every six months? Do they test your liver?

This is straight from the Lipitor official site

Liver problems. LIPITOR can cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking LIPITOR, and while you take it. Symptoms of muscle or liver problems include:

Just google Lipitor and Liver problems! Find out how the drug works to lower your cholesterol.

Here is a little more.

Before taking any medicine, it's good to know how it works. LIPITOR lowers cholesterol in your body by blocking an enzyme in the liver. ...
http://www.lipitor.com/.../home.jsp&...itor-works.jsp
Understand how liver functions and what this is doing to it's function.

Since Red Yeast Rice and Fish Oil with the Omega 3 cost far less and do not require liver test I think we will stick with them. Heck you can buy these two at the health food store or at Walmart. They are widely available.

Ask your doctor how it works and do some research on your own.

You may be fine now but is this drug slowly impacting and doing damaging your liver?

Goin Fer It's Wife

[gordoUSA]

Goin fer Its Wife

Yes, I have my liver checked every 6 months, along with maybe another 60 "blood" items. The "report" is 2 pages in length. My doctor is highly qualified, diagnostics, not a HMO doctor.
I am aware of how the liver works and it's function.
The drugs are free. One of my best friends is a pharmaceutical rep. Althought the drug is now "off" patent, I also can get samples from my doctor for free, when needed.
With all drugs, EVERYONE needs to educate themselves as to the medicines or remedies thay take. Each person is unique, what is good for one, may not be good for the other. NO doctor can keep up with the number of drugs currently available on the market today. And don't trust the drug companies to tell the whole truth, it's all about the money.
How are the Omega 3s you take, maunfactured? How are the compounds extracted? Is it a "natural" process? The maunfacturing process can alter the moleculars. Remember, if you even "bend" a molecule if can have different effects on "some" people. Of course the label can say "natural" or anything for that matter, because there is no regulation. Or are the compounds created artificially? What is the quality of the compounds used? Where were they manufactured? In a clean inspected plant? Or overseas, where there are no inspections. And what was in the "vat" before they started making the Omega 3s? Insecticides? PCPs? No one knows because they are not regulated and no one checks, especially overseas.
And just because WalMart sells it, don't think they aren't above selling crap to make a buck.
But I honestly do appreciate your concerns. I do keep on top of it.

Try being me the Drug companies also pay the Doctors for how many prescriptions they write for the newest meds. I have been to several Neurologists and they are all pushing this same med on me. Problem is I am ALLERGIC to it. In my medical records it states that yet they all are trying to get me on it again I refuse and say you know I am allergic to it. They then look at my records and go WHOOPS Sorry they say yet they are not the ones who have to deal with the side effects of it.

[gordoUSA]

Ironeagle2006

Understand the problem. Especially if you are always seeing a different doctor. No way a doctor can keep track of everything for all their patients. Especially HMO doctors. You are doing the right thing. If you don't feel comfortable with something, voice your opinion and ask questions!
Like any business, and medicine is a business, there are "good" doctors and "bad" doctors. I might be wrong, but I think it is illegal for a doctor to be getting "kick-backs" from drug companies. Some doctors will be illegal, take the money, same as any business. However, drug companies DO keep track of which doctors write which prescriptions. Most of the time this is used to see how well the pharmaceutical company's sales rep is doing. And the reps do have quotas! And they do get bonuses! And of course the pharmacies will sell your name, address etc., to other drug companies and insursance companies for $ also.
But the days of all doctors being multi zillionaires is gone. Many are far overworked, especially HMO doctors, the insurance companies push the patients, schedules and pricing on them and they have incredible expenses, ie. malpractice insurance. The insurance companies are running the show now.
With the aging population, we have far too few qualified doctors for the number of patients. Too many times the insurance companies dictate the care provided. I do not know what the answer is.

It is right there on the chart in RED in the ALLERGY section that I am allergic to this med and they keep trying to ram it down my throat. The med they keep trying makes me want to kill myself and everyone around me via torching my house not a good thing. We as a country need to stand up to the drug companies and let them know that yes we appreciate their products however we do not need 4 Erectile Dysfunction treatments. Sometimes I swear the drug companies come up with a problem then come up with a drug to treat it.

[gordoUSA]

Ironeagle2006

I'd be looking for another doctor or a different group. I have no health insurance, I pay out of my pocket. So at least I do have a choice.
I am sure you have done this already, but search the interent for your problem and try to find maybe a different approach to the solution.
If you live close to a University medical school, you might also try there. If you are otherwise are in excellent health, and have a good health history, you might be a prime candidate for a department. The downside is the time it takes sometimes to "get into the system" or "program" and you will then be seen by alot of new doctors with the instructors, compared to today, it's almost like "over care." LOL.
Good luck!

[greg3564]

Originally Posted by ironeagle2006

the Drug companies also pay the Doctors for how many prescriptions they write for the newest meds.

That's a total farce. It is against federal law to even give a doctor a toater oven let alone pay them for writing presciptions. The only benefit they see is free samples that they can use to help patients who may have a hard time paying for the meds.