It is worse than people think. You go to the doctor and complain of Osteoarthritis pain, can’t take the OA drugs as they cause GERD and bowel shut down. Wham you get a script for 5mg NORCO (formerly Lore Tabs), then that becomes 10 mg, 15 mg 20 mg you are HOOKED.
Your DOCTOR is the worse legal drug pusher on the planet.
Same goes for the behavior drugs they like to stick little boys on. Those have some real doozy side effects, including suicide, and anger.
Same goes for the anti depression drugs, they are all addictive. Other drugs are addictive too. Lyrica, Gabapentin, Xanax, Cymbalta, Prosaic.
Now the push to legalize MMJ for pain, it puts you in LA LA land where you DON’T care about the pain. It does not work on pain.
No wonder we have an academic of drudged out people.
Again Your DOCTOR is the worse legal drug pusher on the planet.
I ought to know, mine pushes it all. I live in chronic pain 24/7/365, instead of fixing the issues they just try and dope you up. There are no cures for a degenerative spine, Colitis Ileus, damaged Vegus nerve, OA, OP, Fibromyalgia, and their drugs they use to try and control symptoms cause Drug induced GERD and Drug induced Osteoporosis.
Lyrica is one of the worst drugs ever marketed besides the OP drugs, ALL of which have FDA WARNINGS ON THEM!
FDA WARNINGS OP DRUGS
Reclast UPS kidney failure, A FIB risk, A Typical Femur Fractures, Jaw Degeneration. Not to be given to Asthma patients. Just 1 use of Reclast can leave it in your system for LIFE.
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20110901/fda-osteoporsis-drug_ups-kidney-failure-risk
Safety update for osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates, and atypical fractures
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/drugsafetypodcasts/ucm229800.htm
Black box warning Foreto (additional info, this drug REVERSES itself after the 18 month to 2 year treatment IF you survive the side effects)
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21853
Like most useful medications, Forteo may have its possible downside. In animals, it promotes the development of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. In humans, osteosarcoma has not been reported but it remains a concern with Forteo. (The daily injections are also a downside.)
Last spring I came down with pneumonia; dragged myself to the hospital on day three. On day six & coming out of it with antibiotic IVs I told the doctor I was so sick I hadn’t had a drink in six days. Sort of a joke.
He immediately wanted to put me on Librium! Assumed I had the D.T.’s. I extended my arm with fingers extended & joined & held it steady as a rock until he decided I wasn’t in alcohol withdrawal after all.
That wasn’t based on observed symptoms, that was only what I told the doc! I finally convinced him that going without a drink was no worse than going without a candy bar. Sheesh!
Your concerns about taking prescription drugs are valid.
Any drug that has a therapeutic effect is going to have side effects.
Pharma manufacturers are required to do large-scale clinical trials that generate data on therapeutic benefit, safety, and side effects. Even the promotional messages to doctors and patients are approved by the FDA.
This is more than can be said for OTC supplements or many food products that claim a health benefit. Remember how margarine was claimed to be a healthy alternative to butter? This was based on the now-discredited idea that saturated fat causes atherosclerosis.
Most doctors believe that they do not have time to read the trial studies for the medicines they prescribe. They rely on information from other doctors, from the pharma rep, and from their patients. Although clinical trials may he been done on 5,000 or 8,000 patients, through clinical experience it is learned which drugs work best in specific patient types.
In my view, each patient has the ultimate responsibility for the drugs that he or she takes. You do not have to take opioids if you are concerned about addiction or constipation.
You do not have to take Lyrica or Forteo, although the therapeutic benefits may outweigh the costs in terms of side effects.
One should read the scientific literature on the medicines one is taking, to have a full understanding of benefits and risks.
Personally, I take a set of dietary supplements that I have carefully researched. These go beyond simple vitamins- my goals are beneficial neuromodulation and non-senescent life extension.