I'm not a conspiracy theorist but....

[ladycat]

they're trying to KILL us!

I'm talking about those TV commercials promoting prescription drugs. Do you ever listen to the side effects? People still ask their doctors for these drugs, even with all the horrible side effects that can occur. (How about some explosive diarrhea from your diet pills?)

One of the latest I've seen is for a drug called Amitiza for constipation. Hello! How about more fiber instead? Or is severe nausea and headache preferable?

Beware if you have the dreaded Restless Leg Syndrome. Scroll 1/3 down the page here and watch this short video: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/

[DaleK]

It's a good way to tell if you're watching a Canadian or American station along the border though. "May cause male pregnancy, elephantitis, unsightly hair growth"..... whoa, American station. Still no drug ads in Canada.

[mistletoad]

DaleK you missed the genital migration side effect! lol

There is a really odd weight loss product they are pimping here at the moment - the add shows a large capsule being opened next to an amorphous figure with large fatty deposits. When the capsule is opened is sprays the fat and melts it away. I somehow doubt the pill really works that way

[RoseGarden]

Here's my grrr with drug ads... they show people in this sort of before/after situation. Erectile dysfunction, depression, bladder control problems, male urinary problems, osteoporosis, migrane, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis.... before using the meds they're all decrepit and miserable, unable to do anything but sit in the dark. After, they are *always* and I mean *always* engaged in some sort of vigorous physical activity like dancing, running, biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, playing softball, swimming, surfing, blah blah blah blah. I mean, isn't it kind of misleading? I'm not saying there aren't people in their 70's who surf and kayak on a regular basis, but it just seems a bit disingenuous to depict people with health problems of the magnitude that these drugs are used to treat suddenly, after using these meds, to be able to go hike up a steep hill or bike in the country whereas before they are depicted as being basically helpless. I think the drug companies are a bit deceptive.

[quadcam79]

I like the one that cures toenail fungus....
The most commonly reported side effects were headache, which occurred in 12.9% of patients, gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea (5.6%), upset stomach (4.3%), taste disturbances (2.8%), nausea (2.6%), abdominal pain (2.4%), flatulence (2.2%), rash (5.6%), itching (2.8%), hives (1.1%), and abnormalities in laboratory tests of liver enzymes (3.3%). Because some people have developed serious skin conditions while taking LAMISIL Tablets, stop taking LAMISIL

[Elffriend]

They always remind me of the "Happy Fun Ball" commercials that were on Saturday Night Live years ago.

[Spinner]

And lets not forget all the attorneys commercials that follow the drug commercials. One commercial to sell the carp followed by one to sue the drug company for the damage their carp causes. And people still beat down the doctors doors WANTING the carp. It shows the mentality of the average joe.

[silentcrow]

I've been given 2 surveys on drug commercials for depression meds. One was for a pill I had taken in the past (but not due to an ad). I "blasted" the ads in the surveys, and told them it just wasn't right. I went off on how the side effects listed didn't come close to the reality. After well over a year of being off one med, I still have problems! Now I research everything before I will fill a script. It's like they think everything can be fixed with a pill. Not happy? Take a pill. Can't sleep? Take a pill. Too fat? Take a pill. Where does it stop? If they can advertise all that junk, why not just bring cigarette ads back? Sheesh!

[tanksoldier]

Originally Posted by ladycat

I'm talking about those TV commercials promoting prescription drugs. Do you ever listen to the side effects? People still ask their doctors for these drugs, even with all the horrible side effects that can occur.

If your doc gives you any drug you want just because you ask, you need to find another doc. If you don't trust your doc to prescribe a drug because you need it regardless of the side effects (ie: your problem is worse than the side effects the drug may bring) get another doc.

I mean, do you go into your doc and say: "Hey doc, I saw XYZ drug on a commercial. I want some!" and doc says: "OK, fine... here ya go!"? It doesn't work that way... or it isn't supposed to work that way anyway. If your doc is like that, get another doc.

ASKING a doc about a drug for whatever problem you have is fine. He/she should then tell you why they haven't already prescribed it for you. Being involved in your own health care is OK, educating yourself about what is out there and asking your doc questions about various options is GOOD. Knowing what's out there is part of taking charge of your own health instead of just relying SOLELY on your doc's advice. Doc should be able to tell you why you're getting the treatment you're getting instead of some other... but you should know enough to ask.

Just because a drug is on a commercial doesn't mean that it's bad, it doesn't mean that it's good, it doesn't mean it's what you need or don't need. Being on a commercial means that the drug exists... that's ALL. Everything else is up to you and your doc.

One things about side effects... every drug lists nausea, headache, sleep problems and a whole list of other problems. Why? Because statistically a certain percentage of the test subjects are ALWAYS going to have headaches or nausea or whatever.

[MoonShine]

Yes,I noticed that restless leg sydrome commercial a long time ago. I could kinda understand it causing sexual urges,because that could be hormonal or something. But urges to gamble??

Another one is a commercial for men,I think it's for a drug to help men with "frequent urination" problems. It says on the commercial that side effects could include passing out at random and swelling of the breasts! I know that "frequent urination" would be a bad condition to have..but what's worse to a man? Having to pee frequently or having breasts??

And,don't even get me started on that Viva Viagra commercial. Is that what older dudes do? They get together with their buddies and jam out to a song about their "ED"? Come on! It just goes right along with what RoseGarden said. It's funny..but then again,it's really not.

[stickinthemud]

And how about the ones that urge you to "ask your doctor if XYZ is right for you" but don't tell you what XYZ is for?

[Traci Ann]

Sounds like the MS doc I HAD! The first drug he offered me came with his disclaimer that the first time it was out someone died from it!!! UHHHHH!NO!! The second drug required me to get liver enzymes tested monthly along with my white blood cell count...

Can I ask if I am already falling apart WHY I'd want to take something that could make me worse! NOPE!!

Think I'll go get some bee stings first!

[Quint]

The ones with the fake doctors. Oh how those annoy me. You have this group of actors/doctors/med students standing around talking about the benefits of some pharmaceutical. Do they realize how idiotic that looks? Are there people that seriously fall for that tripe?

Then the herpes commercials. "I have genital herpes..." Well, I'm glad you told me. I'll mark you off my list of possible intimate contacts.

Or the ED commercials "if effects lasts more than 4 hours.." 4 hours? What are these things some sort of time machine that make me 21 again?

Or the cialis commercial with the guy tossing the football through a tire swing. Pre-cialis he is throwing it at the tire swing and it keeps bouncing off the tire. He can't get it through the hole. The post-cialis shot has him throwing the ball right through the hole in the tire and he wife beaming and grinning like a mule eating briers.

A pestilence they are.

[tanksoldier]

Originally Posted by Traci Ann

Can I ask if I am already falling apart WHY I'd want to take something that could make me worse! NOPE!!

My wife has MS.

MS drugs can have severe side effects, but over the long term you'll be better off for having taken them. Go to an MS support group and talk to people who got MS before the drugs existed. You will find that anyone who's had MS for 20-30 years is in a wheelchair and in really bad shape. Anyone diagnosed in the last 5-10 years is usually in pretty good shape.

The drug that killed people, I can't remember the name now, actually works really well... as long as you are properly tested and monitored during use. IIRC 6 people, out of thousands, died and it was because the drug was new and the docs didn't properly monitor its use. It isn't the one my wife uses (she's in a study for a new type of Rebif now, with fewer side effects) but she knows several people on it and we went to a seminar about it. They have a much stricter protocol now since it was reintroduced.

Damage from MS flare-ups is cumulative. The more you have and the worse they are the more rapidly you deteriorate. The meds try to limit flare-ups, inflammation and limit the scarring your nerves receive because once the damage is done it's done.

There are always exceptions, but 90% of people who don't use meds go downhill fast.

[daytrader]

there is no conspiracy. 240 million and only 40 million non insured americans. Nope. They just want your money. Nothing wrong with that. Its called a advertisment. Just like Coke and Burgerking run. Only its medicin and many seem to think they need it.

They want it because they are not SURE if they can get it on their insurance plan. That makes it the gamble to ask. Hey if you could get a 300 dollar prescription for 25 bucks wouldn't you want in? lol

[daytrader]

Also the marketing that many doctors get to prescribe the drugs is even more alarming. Most folks live in the blind and have no clue. MANY doctors are given a reason to prescribe certain drugs.

Most doctors are not doing there job because its fun. Some of them do it for the money. Prescribing certain drugs can pay great rewards. Health care is not a government provided service. Its all about the money. That is why we have the best health care in the world.

[steff bugielski]

[QUOTE=Quint]The ones with the fake doctors. Oh how those annoy me. You have this group of actors/doctors/med students standing around talking about the benefits of some pharmaceutical. Do they realize how idiotic that looks? Are there people that seriously fall for that tripe?

That's the big problem, people do. I think the general public has gotten really stupid. If they hear it on TV it must be true.

[daytrader]

[QUOTE=steff bugielski]

Originally Posted by Quint

The ones with the fake doctors. Oh how those annoy me. You have this group of actors/doctors/med students standing around talking about the benefits of some pharmaceutical. Do they realize how idiotic that looks? Are there people that seriously fall for that tripe?

That's the big problem, people do. I think the general public has gotten really stupid. If they hear it on TV it must be true.

No, the general public is not stupid. They are mush rooms that are kept in the dark BY THEIR OWN cause and led to the water.

I bet soon someone will say the government should do somthing about this.

The government dosn't need to do a dang thing but sit back and let folks learn.

It is not the governments job to protect you from your own stupidity. That is YOUR JOB. Not you best freinds, neibors or even you bosses job. ITS YOUR JOB.

Shoot we had a time when lawyers could not advertise on TV. Remember that? Good thing a guy from Arkansas fought this in the grounds of the constitution. Now we have these ambulance chasers back on TV. Many of them wanting to sue pnarmacutical companies.

[paulaswolfpack]

Yes right now they are trying to settle the Viox one I know someone very dear who was in his 30's who had a heart attack after taking Viox for a year. They say he could get any where from $5000. to $43000. but he will probally only get 5 thousand. The drs. tried to get me to take it a few years ago saying it was a PAIN MED. Not what I take now are pain meds. I filled two scrips for it but never took it I was taking some powder for horses Nasty stuff to drink would mix it in OJ, but it cost way to much now for me it was helping me greatly the one doc told me I would be running trough the pasture if I keep it up.
The one drug called Miripex says a side affect is gambiling what dont you have a problem first,paula

[tomstractormag]

Originally Posted by daytrader

That is why we have the best health care in the world.

HUH. Why would you say that?
Tom