I used to be one of those people who, when a doctor handed me a prescription, dutifully followed directions and took it all (with the exception of pain meds because sometimes you don’t need it all now but you might need it later, which is how I came to find a nearly full bottle of Vicodin in my nightstand a few weeks ago, which I think was leftover from a root canal). The only side affect I ever had was a rash in response to penicillin at age 10.
But then, about 10 years ago, I was complaining to my gyno about something perimenopausal (gushing periods, if you must know). She prescribed a generic version of progesterone and told me to come back in three months. When I returned, besides harboring the same perimenopausal complaints, I had experienced 10 out of 12 possible side affects (which, surprisingly, she wrote down in my chart; I think doctors are supposed to report them to whomever). She switched me to the non-generic progesterone and told me to come back in three months. Again, still gushing but I experienced only three side affects. We eventually resolved the gushing with an endometrial ablation (a compromise between doing nothing and having a hysterectomy), but my faith in pharmaceuticals was forever shaken.
Consequently, when menopause hit full force with all its hot flash glory, I was not inclined to indulge in HRT. Hormones are funny things and no one really knows how they work, so why go mucking about with them? I tried all kinds of supplements and herbs, but learned that hot flashes come and go, and while they are annoying and uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, they won’t kill you.
But HRT might. Or at least give you breast cancer.
At a subsequent visit, my gyno discovered that my cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated. She wanted to write me prescriptions right then and there because otherwise “You are going to die!” I opted to turn to my primary care physician who, if nothing else, was less dramatic about the whole thing, but just as quick with the Rx pad. I had every intention of taking those meds, even had the prescription filled, but could not get past the warnings. Instead, I eat a low fat diet, exercise, take some supplements that are supposed to help, etc. And I have not yet had a heart attack nor have I died.
Unlike some people taking Vytorin.
I’m not completely anti-pharm. When I wound up in the hospital with an emergency appendectomy, I was happy to get all the antibiotics and morphine they could serve up. But I was also angry at those who prescribe and those who consume antibiotics unnecessarily, rendering them less effective over time.
And now I am angry about those who blindly prescribe and those who blindly consume whatever the pharm reps and drug companies are pushing this week. I’m not talking about people with chronic or acute health problems. I’m talking about the people who think the solution to all their problems is in a pill, and the doctors who enable them.
