Posted on 01/06/2009 3:03:15 PM PST by lakeprincess
A tough economy has created a health hazard of its own. Strapped for cash, thousands of Americans are skipping medication doses, shunning doctor visits and forgoing diagnostic tests to save money. It's sickening. For real.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Certainly it would be much better if we mandated nationalized health care for everyone...
But are we to the “eating pet food” stage yet??? Poor granny is eating Fluffy’s cat food and poor Fluffy is on kitty welfare.
Dead serious here: I personally know of one person that stopped taking their multiple prescribed meds and got better!
Significantly so.
Permanently.
It is a problem for older folks on limited income. Especially at the beginning of the year when they have to pay for medications out of pocket until they meet their deductibles.
I will be honest, I skipped my 40 y/o baselines and cut out 1 prescription per month. I have insurance, but I am just cutting back, prudently. I have been tempted to go to the doctor with this shimmering vision, but I am gonna give it 6 months and see if it improves before a panicky and costly visit to the doc. Growing up, we only went to the doctor when necessary, like 1 time every two years.
While there *are* folks that do indeed require more medical intervention than others, there are plenty of folks that visit docs for a common cold, small splinter or some other minor upset.
I know of one woman who complains about no $ to visit the doc and yet she gets her nails done 2x a month ($40), a pedicure once a month ($25), hair done once a month (cut and weave $120), goes out to lunch on a regular basis ($$$) and is planning a vacation to another part of the nation ($$$). Well, the nails and hair alone are $185 a month - $2,220 a year. um. I think she can afford a few tests.
eye rollage.
As to those who ***truly*** have difficulty paying for Rx and tests, make your need known. There *are* folks willing to help. There *are* docs willing to lessen the fees.
What’s wrong with the so-called ‘goodwill war’? You can get $4 Scrips even if you have insurance.
If you need a mammogram or a follow-up procedure, and can’t afford it, there’s the Susan G. Komen foundation that will issue vouchers for procedures your doctor has ordered. Even check up mammograms. For nothing.
These things require that a person take responsibility for their own health, and ask for help if they need it. Many are simply not willing to do that.
I have asked for cheap and lower fees and shopped around for 20 years. I just signed up with Walgreen’s to get a prescription deal for the family (regular blood pressure and thyroid meds), and it should save us at least $400/year. My dentists take payments. I use my credit card when necessary.
In Washington DC the grocery store, Giant, is giving away FREE antibiotics for the next 3 months.
Free.....that’s a good price!
People are overmedicated anyway. They think they need all that junk because they believe what they seen in the TV ads.
***Growing up, we only went to the doctor when necessary***
Exactly.
My daughter has a condition where intramuscular injections are required each month...to the tune of about $1250 each month if one doesn’t have insurance. This year we only paid $30 each month but now we have a different insurance and will be paying about $1750 for year ($145 a month). I’m thankful we can provide for her needs.
I remember a good twenty years ago, some idiot called in to a radio talk show to proclaim his support for free medical care. He bitterly complained that it was unavailable.
The talk show host then asked him whether he made too much money for the free State provided health care. No, he was poor enough. So the host then asked him if he was receiving any other benefits that would prevent him from getting it. No, he replied.
So are you handicapped or can’t get a ride to get treatment?, asked the now puzzled talk show host. No, no problem there, replied the caller.
So why don’t you get free health care?, asked the talk show host.
I don’t think it’s right that I should have to go there to get it. They should come to my apartment, make house calls, said the caller, at some length, very bitter that he had to actually do anything at all instead of just being waited on.
“It is a problem for older folks on limited income”
You know what really hurts them? Printing money willy-nilly to distribute amongst ailing industries.
Probably one of the dumbest ideas ever.
I don’t agree with the others on this thread who think skipping meds is a good idea, but antibiotics as they are being used/abused is very dangerous. Leads to “super bugs.”
Well, the antibiotics must be prescribed, Giant isn’t giving them out without scripts. If a doctor considers them needed, I think I can trust their medical training.
“National health insurance” will solve this problem, as medication and treatments will eventually be strictly rationed and the media will never report on it.
The people in this article will not have pills to take, or appointments to cancel, because the government will say it’s not necessary.
But we’ll all have “health care!”
ugh.
Gotta admit, I will readily skip a DR visit, if it means my son can get treatment.
And I have.
Here’s one study. Google “over prescribed antibiotics” and you’ll see the problem.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920072119.htm
They take way too many meds. They’re toxic.
I’m aware of the dangers of over-prescribing antibiotics. My own doctor was one of the first in our area to stop prescribing antibiotics for children’s ear infections and bronchitis. However, for those that need such medicine, it is extremely beneficial to have such meds provided free, whether or not they have insurance.
yes. i agree.
Wait until you pay $500 for one prescription which my husband has already done.
In February we’ll be paying $1250 for ***one*** Rx.
Not buying this ‘in total’. . .There are many good reasons to go to a Doctor; and there are many good people who go to Doctors for no ‘good’ reason. Somewhere; the stats should meet and make for a better ‘curve’.
Absolutely!!!
I still can not see all the patients who want to be seen daily. I have noticed NO change so far. And I live in a poor rural southern area. Nothing.
That's quite the scientific study!
Back in a bit. Going to toss out my pills and crutches.
Makes you sicker to think about it.
Yes, there are Bridges to Access and Connection to Care.
...but oh so necessary for my daughter. :o)
Reminds me of a Loui C. K. stand up routine about over drawing your checking account.
"Ever have negative money in your bank account? I had minus ten dollars in mine. That means if something's free, I can't f-ing afford it. I have to raise ten dollars just to be broke."
This is a bad thing? Then we have to assume that these drugs are always in a patient’s best interest. This is an assumption I am not willing to make.
I believe you. You just made my point from my prior post. I’ve seen the same thing over and over. Most drugs are dangerous.
It is a lot easier to get into my dentist’s office, by a couple of months.
What's the problem? Last time I did that, I just wrote the bank a check to cover it.
>>That’s quite the scientific study!<<
Thank you! The doctor involved had his ability to prescribe drugs revoked. It was not an isolated case.
On a side note, it was the same doctor that delivered me 55 years ago.
>>Back in a bit. Going to toss out my pills and crutches.<<
Yep, a shopping cart is every bit as good as crutches!
My mom has plenty of money in CD’s, but still wants to skip medications. It’s about $50 per week, but at the end of the year she was in the “donut hole” (no coverage). The money is a big psychological factor, but also the fact that the medications almost always have bad side effects. I suspect if you look at the elderly who are skipping meds and useless specialists (who could care less if you fall, break your hip and die), it’s more about avoiding medicine than the affordability.
Also be careful of over-the-counter drugs. A friend sent me this:
“All drugs
containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.
STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been
linked to increased20hemorrhagic stroke(bleeding in brain )
among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use
of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the F DA
recommended that everyone ( even children ) seek alternative
medicine.
The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:
Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Contr ol
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children’s Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (Cherry or Orange )
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka S eltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules< BR>Contac 12 Hour C aplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Dura tion
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C - Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp! DM Col d & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triam inic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & a mp; Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough
I just found out and called the 800 # on the container for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures i n children &n bsp;:
Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant
They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with the lot number on the box
so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!
DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed.
They can then pass it along to their families.
To c onfirm these findings please take time to chec k the following:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY GIVE
IT TO THEIR CHILDREN OR TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN
AND GRANDCHILDREN.”
Re: my last post
It looks like these drugs were from 2000. From the link:
“In response to the request made by FDA in November 2000, many companies have voluntarily reformulated and are continuing to reformulate their products to exclude PPA while FDA proceeds with the regulatory process necessary to remove PPA from the market.”
But it would hurt to watch for PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE, anyway, in case it pops up again, or we keep our meds that long. (I sometimes do.)
When people can’t afford doctors they might be more like to purchase over-the-counter meds.
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