If you're on Neurontin or a clone, and it's not for epilepsy, you probably want to read this. Like, now. And share it with your doctor. If you can still call them that.
See also: Demerol, Klonopin, Sarafem, Depakote, Risperdal, etc.
My personal favorite is when anti-seizure medication is perscribed for someone who dosen't have seizures, even though seizures is a side effect in those who don't have them.
So, like, if you didn't have seizures before, we'll GIVE you some, and then treat you for it. Genius!
And some wonder why I like working in a job where we *police* the doctors, eh? Being a Libertarian, I'd rather it not be the government doing this, but market pressure...but either way, this job would still be getting done, as it's a job that needs doing. Doctors forget they're fallible. I mean, REALLY. Prescribe a drug just on the say-so of a SALESMAN??? They haven't looked at the studies or seen the research or anything? Just listened to the salesman??
*throwing her hands up in despair*
*I* don't take drugs without looking up the results of the research on the drugs, myself, and deciding for *myself* whether the drug is actually suitable for my ailment. I will let doctors diagnose me when I need them to, and they prescribe because of government regulation (though I'd rather use them as a sort of advisory counsel, and then prescribe for myself...ah, well) but I do NOT let them have the final say. Ever.
EXCUSE ME! I have bipolar disorder. Anti-seizure medication WORKS in treating my disorder. I take it and it not only has controlled my mood swings so I can go to work EVERY DAY (something I couldn't do for years), but because of a unique side effect of this particular drug (Topamax or topiramate), I have lost weight (I am obese).
The real reason this article is scary is that it is extremely reactionary. I've known for a while that Neurontin doesn't work (and so do the docs at my clinic). The mass media's exposure of off-label use of medicine has been portrayed very badly. Oh, they SAID that it's usually a good thing but no viewer will remember that.
There's a high chance of legislation here that could limit drugs to their labeling and then I'd have to take Depakote (which makes you gain weight) or Lithium (ditto) or one of the few other drugs that actually have bipolar on their labels (all of which have NASTY side effects).
Sorry I stole your LJ, Azz. I just get so upset when I see stuff like this article.
Votania's had drugs prescribed to her off-label, and we researched it, and it was one of the workable ones (specifically for arthritis, and workable for many kinds of inflammation) and it worked beautifully.
It would be nicer to see legislation prohibiting drug companies or anyone paid by drug companies to specifically advocate any off-label useage. A drug rep would be able to say, "This substance could possibly be used in other ways but I can't mention any of them to you. If you're interested, do your own goddamn research."
Which would lead to all kinds of witch hunts as "independant research groups" were discovered to have been getting drug company money...
Two words. HOLISTIC THERAPY. Biofeedback therapy WORKS, and it dosen't take the same additude to neurochemistry that dark ages barbers took to surgery.
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My personal favorite is when anti-seizure medication is perscribed for someone who dosen't have seizures, even though seizures is a side effect in those who don't have them.
So, like, if you didn't have seizures before, we'll GIVE you some, and then treat you for it. Genius!
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*throwing her hands up in despair*
*I* don't take drugs without looking up the results of the research on the drugs, myself, and deciding for *myself* whether the drug is actually suitable for my ailment. I will let doctors diagnose me when I need them to, and they prescribe because of government regulation (though I'd rather use them as a sort of advisory counsel, and then prescribe for myself...ah, well) but I do NOT let them have the final say. Ever.
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The real reason this article is scary is that it is extremely reactionary. I've known for a while that Neurontin doesn't work (and so do the docs at my clinic). The mass media's exposure of off-label use of medicine has been portrayed very badly. Oh, they SAID that it's usually a good thing but no viewer will remember that.
There's a high chance of legislation here that could limit drugs to their labeling and then I'd have to take Depakote (which makes you gain weight) or Lithium (ditto) or one of the few other drugs that actually have bipolar on their labels (all of which have NASTY side effects).
Sorry I stole your LJ, Azz. I just get so upset when I see stuff like this article.
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It would be nicer to see legislation prohibiting drug companies or anyone paid by drug companies to specifically advocate any off-label useage. A drug rep would be able to say, "This substance could possibly be used in other ways but I can't mention any of them to you. If you're interested, do your own goddamn research."
Which would lead to all kinds of witch hunts as "independant research groups" were discovered to have been getting drug company money...
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also, try omega-3