Comment on Overdosed America: July 3, 2005

Thank you...thank you...thank you! From an RN of thirty years who did not have the "scientific evidence" to back up what I have been telling my patients over...and over...and over about the problems prescription drugs as a quick fix, and the need for a healthy diet, exercise, and to not smoke. I tell them the Dr. cannot cure you, that he can only treat the symptoms, and drugs come with side effects, and side effects need to be weighed against the benefit.
I had a 95 year old MI pt who was on Heparin and refusing the Lipitor at HS. The resident talked her into it, telling her it will increase her life expectancy by 30%! She informed me that she was not planning on taking these meds when she went home, as she read that Lipitor can affect the liver. She went on to tell me that she was use to walking on a treadmill on a regular basis, and they were keeping her in bed, which could cause her harm. She went on to say that "you know, so many of my neighbors are on so many prescription drugs, and they seem to have more problems because of the drugs, and are always in and out of the hospital! That very day, and when I went home, there was the article, stating the efficacy of Lipitor had not been proven for those over the age of 75!

That was perhaps the most outrageous example...

Obviously, I could go on and on and on. I was told by a nurse on a floor I was working that 90% of nurses are on antidepressents. I thought it was suppose to be a joke. I was the only nurse working there that shift that was NOT on antidepressants! I find it frightening.

Again, thank you for making me feel SANE!

Linda