Not sure if this will surprise you or not. I was actually rather taken aback.
Almost HALF of Americans are on some sort of prescription drug.
Right now. This very minute!
This includes children by the way, it’s not just adults.
Americans are truly a drugged up nation yet thorough examination of the situation reveals that most prescription drugs only work for 30% of the people for which they are originally intended!
The most popular drug prescribed by doctors is by far antidepressants although these drugs work no better than a placebo. Even “talk therapy” was found to work 20% more effectively than antidepressants in clinical trials.
Why are half of doctors (by their own admission) routinely prescribing drugs they know won’t work and despite the fact that 85% of new drugs hitting the market have been found through research to provide little to no benefit to their patients?
Psychiatrists, for example, earn twice as much when they prescribe drugs instead of therapy for their patients.
It’s easy to point the finger at Big Pharma and corporate greed in general as the cause of America’s drug woes. The fact is that many doctors are complicit and just as guilty. If doctors refused to go along with the drug companies’ shenanigans, the game would be over tomorrow.
Big Pharma has your doc’s back though. $7 Billion was paid out by the pharmaceutical industry between 2007 and 2010 for lawsuits where doctors were actually paid to prescribe drugs for unapproved uses.
Insist on the 10 Year Rule
The best way to protect yourself from falling victim to unnecessary prescription use is to question when a doctor writes you a script rather than dutifully filling it without a second thought which is what most people do.
Do you really need this drug? Would wiser lifestyle choices result in a better outcome long term? Would herbs or natural therapies produce the same improvements without any risk of toxic side effects?
If you do feel that you need the drug for whatever reason, be sure to research it yourself and determine whether it is really as effective as marketed. Â A good rule of thumb is to insist that your doctor only prescribe you a drug that has been on the market for at least 10 years. Â This is the rule my father used when prescribing for his patients and he never felt like he was being overcautious in his approach.
By using the 10 year rule, he knew it was highly unlikely his patients would turn out to be guinea pigs for the drug companies and that the drugs his patients did take under his guidance would most likely work as he anticipated given that they had been on the market for awhile.
What is your doctor’s drug prescribing philosophy? Â It might be worth your while to ask a few questions and find out.
You just might be surprised.
Hint: Â If they don’t have one, run!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Good advice on the 10 year rule. Doctors should not be allowed kick-backs from drup company reps, or they should at least by law be required to publically report who doctors are getting kick-backs from.
On another note, I know far too many people who would rather just pop pills than make any lifestyle and/or dietary changes. I also heard docs write scripts to cover their own butts from a lawsuit for not doing enough.
I have osteoporosis. A few years ago, after I had tried Fosomax and Actonel and they caused extreme stomach pain, my doctor was urging me to take Boniva. I told him no, I didn’t want to. The next time I went, he told me that he had found out they have to treat 85 women with Boniva to prevent ONE hip fracture! He said that a year after a woman starts taking Boniva, she will show an increase in bone density, but that whatever is going on doesn’t prevent fractures. Now, Boniva has full page ads in magazines pretty much admitting that it is next to useless. I felt that if I could take ONE pill a month and it was going to strengthen my bones, what ELSE would it be doing to my body? No thank you! Now, I drink raw milk, eat the WAPF way and lift weights. I hope it will be enough, but even if not, I am not going to take those drugs.
On the other hand, I take Sertraline every day (Zoloft) and have for several years. I have had 4 severe episodes of anxiety/depression, (the last one brought on by a case of influenza) and Sertraline keeps me safe. For me, it’s not a choice. My mental health issues are physical… something amiss with my brain chemicals. I am exceedingly grateful for the medication.
Each person needs to keep their eyes wide open and ask questions and, as you suggest, do all in their power to enhance their own health. Sometimes, medications are life savers. Sometimes they take lives. We need to not just be sheep and assume our doctors know everything. They don’t, but they also can be a wonderful help.
I avoid doctors as much as possible. In fact, I don’t recall the last time I saw a doctor for an illness. In fact, given that my mum was a doctor… I don’t think I ever have ;). Mostly if I was sick mum would just send me to bed!
My own kids don’t see the doctor either unless they’re really sick. Really the only child I’ve had a problem with is my daughter who suffers from ear infections. I tried to treat them naturally (using home remedies) but unfortunately it really didn’t solve the problem and I took her to the doctor and got ear drops prescribed. The “normal” antibiotic drops don’t work (I’ve had other doctors prescribe them even when I tell them they DON’T WORK, and when I saw the last doctor he prescribed different drops that worked straight away).
I do see my daughter as an example of why it is SOMETIMES important to see a doctor, and why prescription medication is SOMETIMES the best choice, but you need to be careful and ensure the doctor listens to you!! I was sooo frustrated by the doctors who kept giving me antibiotics that just didn’t work, even when I told them that they’d do nothing.
Fiona, (in case of minor sicknesses) along with the suggestion/order to go to bed usually came the Vicks and a chest rub and a really warm towel on the top; it felt so good, and a cup of tea with lemon. Having to stay in bed, not up running around, honest resting, was a great incentive to get better.
I was never a rebel as a child in the usual way. Today I am WAY more of a rebel priding myself in taking care without a Dr.’s care when ever possible. I also have learned to listen to my enter self and that gut feeling that tells me, if the doctor isn’t smarter than me, I don’t need him, and since I’m NOT the brightest bulb on the tree, this relationship is in a world of hurt.
I get smarter by researching no matter what the topic especially on people to people forums. I learned a whole bunch when I thought I had hypothyroidism and the number one site was http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ which taught me a lot, patient to patient. Later, I realized I never had a problem. Keep up the good work everyone, you never know who you might be educating.
Rose, a teaspoon or so of apple cider vinegar works wonders for acid reflux without the side effects of a prescription.
I have worked in a doctor’s office and prescriptions are pushed way too much and too often.
Truth is…most patients would rather swallow a pill than change their lifestyle or try a healthier alternative.
I think another part of the problem is the expectation a lot of people have (though I’m sure none of the people here!) that when they go to the doctor they will leave with a script for something that will “fix” whatever their problem is. Our society has become reliant on these quick fixes and I think many doctors do feel pressured to do something immediately to help their patients. I bet many people would be irked if their doctor told them to eat better and exercise and didn’t offer up some medication. It really is a whole cultural problem that is fed by the greed of big pharma and doctors but is definitely re-enforced then by patient’s expectations of their physician’s abilities (and the denial of their own role in their healthcare.)
AMEN!!
Any thoughts on natural remedies for cronic UTI in a 9yr old when we’ve tried EVERYTHING we know. I’m fed up with having to give her antibiotics yet again. Yes, she knows how to properly clean herself, no she doesn’t take bubble baths etc. I’m looking for someone or something that’s different than what every pediatrician and urologist tells you.
GAPS diet is what comes to my mind. I have reoccuring UTI’s because of a Candida problem. It was raging but it is coming along slowly with coconut oil and diet. If your daughters gut is comprimised, the GAPS will help and will beat down the Candida infestation.
Have her checked for diabetes and thyroid – both can cause chronic UTI as can some other immune issues. A clean no sugar diet helps immensely. You can also take D-mannose rather than antibiotics. It works great!
Suzanne Somer’s book “Breakthrough” has a interview with a doctor who says there is a natural substance called D-mannose that cures bladder infections. I think it is supposed to work on urinary tract infections also. He explains the science in the book. (Basically the bacteria love the D-mannose and stick to it and exit the body, and do not build up to cause infection.) He says it is completely safe, and I think as long as the person takes it the bacteria will not build up. Maybe that would be something to look into.
Found this comment online recently – it could help:
“I know for me I didn’t know for years I had an Oxalate issue. I have had IC and Vaginits for over 18+ years in HORRIBLE Pain. No Doctor seemed to beable to help inthe first few years. I then Got rid of all the Specialist……. I went to school. I became an Iridologist under Dr. Jensen. I learned about nutrition. went to other Herbal classes in seattle, did all RAW foods which made me worse. I couldn’t figure it out I was cleaning,Raw food,Organic I did everything I learned!! Still peeing Razor Blades and vaginal issues were bad, there would be few times they were good. So I figured it was how I had to live for the rest of my life in Horrible pain.
I am in good health. 5’5 120lbs never sick except Bladder and vaginal pain.
Over 3 years ago I learned about Oxalates in food. I had to turn all of my eating around. I found The Vp Foundation, ordered all there info. I then found the Low Oxalate Group, I started Low Oxalate Diet. in a week I noticed a differance in 3 weeks my bladder was 1/2 the pain. I then started taking calcium citrate before I ate……. WOW is all I can say. in 3 weeks all my pain was GONE!!!! I could sleep. I didn’t have to get up and pee 10x at night. I was so happy I cried. All the pain after all those years GONE!!!!
See I never knew I had an issue with Oxalates I am so glad I experimented and found out that is what all my pain was from. I am leading a great life! I have a NEW lease on life now
Hope this helps someone find health out there.”
Have you looked into D-Mannose? It treats and prevents UTIs. Also, when she is having the pain from the UTI, have her sip 1/2 tsp baking soda in 8-10 oz of water. This does not cure a UTI, but will help eliminate the pain. Colloidal Silver might be helpful too, but this is one i would not use daily (D-Mannose can be used daily without problems) but only when the UTI is flaring. Best of luck. 🙂
Sarah, do you know of any good doctors in the Tampa area? I live in Valrico and it is hard to find a good doctor that one can really trust.
My husband recently switched and has been very pleased with a Dr. Steven Noseworthy, you can check out his site here http://www.drnoseworthy.com/
Why would you post a picture of a pill bottle with someone’s name on it in your post?
I don’t even have a doctor for myself or my husband. Except the chiropractor, and an acunpuncturist. No “normal” doctor.
The kids do see a pediatrician, but at their last visit he said “There’s this book I recommend, it tells you about all the natural and homeopathic treatments for common illnesses, and also tells you when to worry and call.” He knows what GAPS is and recommends it for children who need it. Doesn’t even mention vaccines. Takes 30 minutes per child per appointment to get a thorough history. Umm…yeah, we’re lucky. 🙂
Kate,
Please tell me what the book is.
Most of my treatment at this stage is supplements and I am very thankful for that. I did have to depend on meds for a looong time. I am inching my way into Real foods, my fatigue holds me back. I am, also, waiting for my WAPF Welcome pack and journal to find some healthy sources nearby.