I'm probably too tired to write this, but it's on my mind.

We have a relative that is a self-proclaimed "victim" of the medical "industry" (as she refers to it).

According to her, all doctors, insurance companies, receptionists, pharmaceutical companies, the CDC, the FDA, the government, you name 'em, they're all in cahoots in a conspiracy to suck up all of our money and let us die.

If I try to tactfully mention a peer-reviewed study that proves something to be so, she'll say, "Well, yeah, that's what they TELL us. That's what they WANT us to think."

Now I've had some less than happy experiences with the medical professions (and auto repair, and apparel catalogs, and so on). I don't accept as gospel every PR blurb from the drug companies. But mostly I have NOT had bad exepriences.

I just can't live like she does, thinking that they're all lying crooks! Really? I have friends and relatives who are doctors, nurses, insurance agents...I have a cousin that works for the CDC. My cousin isn't a lying crook.

She's our relative and I love her, but she will have no middle ground. I have another friend, a close friend, who thinks the government, the CDC, the medical world, and others are involved in a big cover up that keeps her from getting the care she "needs". *sigh

I don't consider myself naive, far from it. But God help me if I become that paranoid.

I'm OK

You're OK

ANN

I agree, Blessings..

Well the fact of the matter is that Big Pharma is something everyone should understand. Drugs today are not like they were 30 yrs ago. They cause considerable damage, and often this is not revealed to doctors, who blindly accept the lies Big Pharma provides. One has only to learn about price fixing, and deceptive practices easily found on the net. Google "Pfizer fines"
"Lilly fines" and just recently J & J.

http://www.statejournal.com/story/17...risperdal-case
1.1 billion.... just chump change for what they got away with!

Parke Davis and Pfizer experimented on patients with doctor permissions in violation of FDA drug approval processes.
http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/pf...ave/2009-09-03

Merck and Vioxx? 60 minutes aired memos from Merck showing how reps could avoid questions and the truth when asked by doctors!

These are conspiracies, real ones against consumers. They are enough to strike concern in many people's hearts.

Medical devices? Also a big problem.

Being careful is not being paranoid. But letting this consume you? That can get out of hand.

I agree, Mrs D. There are problems, BIG problems. Greed can obscure the public good, and it has (in my opinion) in not just big pharma, but the auto industry, tobacco, the list goes on. How many times have we heard "they've known that for ten years but they covered it up"?

I also agree that we need accountability, "watch dogs", and that we need to be our own health care advocates. Amen! Education is our friend.

Most of the time, I think I know where the line is between careful and paranoid. I don't want to be all la-la-la, I'll just do what they tell me to, they know what's best for me, I'll ask no questions. I'm just seeing the pendulum swing from where, as a society, we trusted everybody to one where we don't trust ANYbody.

Maybe it's just me having a mood.

I think it is just appalling about medicine today. 30 yrs ago I was given overdoses of a blood pressure drug, while in the hospital for pregnancy high blood pressure. I could have become a statistic that night. I had to fight with two doctors, and finally my doctor on the phone, put an end to the problem!

It is no accident that 4th leading cause of death has been medical errors in hospitals, and missuse of drugs in treatments.

When I refused treatment having my massive drug reaction, the resident was not happy. But I stuck to my guns and he left.
I was so sick...I had a migraine from "you know where" because the blood vessels in my head were so dilated, my face was purple! Good thing I didn't burst one. And you know, 2 nights later when my BP was down to 140/90 a nurse brought the dreaded injection in to me at 2am, I could hear it clank in the tray, and it woke me up, and I said.. "What's THAT?" She said your nightly injection, and it turned out to be the horrible massive dose that almost killed me 2 nights before!. That had been discontinued on my chart supposedly and there it was, she was going to give it to me AGAIN! Events like this do not inspire confidence!

My baby son and I almost died that night. But only my vigilance saved us!

Since I was pregnant I could have no pain meds for my killer headache, so a nice nurse brought in some ice and sat with me to calm me down. She winked at me and said..."you did a great job with Dr. X.... none of us women nurses like HIM at ALL!" I imagine nurses see many such events...like a stupid doctor ordering MORE of a drug that is causing a visible alarming reaction in someone! I had to tell him I know more about hydralazine that he did...and I REFUSE more of it!
And to have it brought back 2 nights later.... I felt like I was on a Dateline show or something!

One has to be very very careful when doctors are concerned!

Greed, that is what I see. It isn't everyone you are right. but there is alot of greed, and Mrs. D is right. I was not treated right by a doctor, just recently. he left me in pain for 7 years, and did not diaganos me correctly. You have to be your own advocate with the medical industry. I don't think everyone is out to get your relative, but there is a degree of education we must have for our own protection. So a little bit of caution in all choices we make with medicine, drugs and doctors is indeed important. If it were not for myself being my own advocate, I never would have found a solution for the medical problem I have. It sure wasn't from the doctor who treated me for those years. I would say a degree of caution for all of us, and to be our own best advocate helps alot. ginnie