Discovering how harmfull most prescribed chemicles are how do you live with yourself?

[steveogurule]

I am a third year nursing student who is out of school for the summer. After watchingthe documentary Food Matters, I have discovered and have been busy researching Orthomolecular medicine.Did you know each year, doctor-prescribed drugs kill more Americans than street drugs. Drug Abuse Warning Network statistics indicate less than 10,000 deaths annually from illegal drugs. 130,000 Americans actually die in hospitals each year from prescription medication. (Whitaker, J. in Health and Healing, September 1993 Supplement, Phillips Publishing, page 3). I am becoming a nurse to help and nurture people, how can I go into an industry polluted with greed and lies? If America was healthy who would pay? What do I dooooo!!!!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Hmm... I could match my tone to that of the OP, and say ...

How can a 33-year old adult be so unaware that ANY substance on this planet, naturally-occurring or manufactured, can be harmful under certain circumstances or in improper amounts? That includes the manufactured chemicals used in pharmaceuticals ... and sunshine, too. OP, how can you live with yourself for not having utilized the higher-level thinking skills to sort this out, before now?

IMO, that's pretty much how OP addressed the allnurses community. It doesn't stop being inappropriate and boorish just because you later come back and say, "I was only trying to work through my own thought process."

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I might just want to add that the source for the 133,000 "statistic" comes from a magazine, not a peer-reviewed journal article.

After taking MANY science classes as well as two semesters of statistics one can truly appreciate the need to educate people on the origin of information as well as the bias of studies.

While I understand that the opener feels that prescription medication is full of harmful chemicals, the reality of the matter is that those chemicals have helped countless people survive longer and healthier. If that statistic is correct than about .04% of the population dies from prescription medication based on current census data... that .04 is a negligible number meaning that 99.96% benefit.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

[steveogurule]

Maybe this is off topic, but how can a 3rd year nursing student list exp as 16 years? Just asking.

Are you asking out of curiosity? Wow this post really brought out the meanness in some people so it's hard to tell. I have been in the field for 16 years in various capacities.

[steveogurule]

Hmm... I could match my tone to that of the OP, and say ...

How can a 33-year old adult be so unaware that ANY substance on this planet, naturally-occurring or manufactured, can be harmful under certain circumstances or in improper amounts? That includes the manufactured chemicals used in pharmaceuticals ... and sunshine, too. OP, how can you live with yourself for not having utilized the higher-level thinking skills to sort this out, before now?

IMO, that's pretty much how OP addressed the allnurses community. It doesn't stop being inappropriate and boorish just because you later come back and say, "I was only trying to work through my own thought process."

You are not matching your tone to that of the OP because you are attacking me personally.

[SummitRN, BSN, RN]

Are you asking out of curiosity? Wow this post really brought out the meanness in some people so it's hard to tell. I have been in the field for 16 years in various capacities.

...and post less...

If you put a number for experience with no qualifiers, you are claiming professional nursing experience, which you do not have.

[steveogurule]

Well thank you I will be sure to change that. I am bran new to this site you will have to forgive me :)

[ktwlpn, LPN]

where is that "pot stirring" smilie when we need it?

[jmqphd]

Somehow my post attracted all the mean spirited nurses. OOPS!! It's funny because the rules say "no personal attacks" and WOW is that not enforced!

Honey, listen... you flamed just about every nurse on this board. We pretty much all give medications, and TAKE medications. Without my ARB, my BP goes up to (personal indoor record) 205/120. What would you have me do, pray tell?

HTN runs in the family, and in 1943 my grandfather died of renal failure and encephalopathy at age 54. The only treatment for HTN in his day was a low salt diet and phenobarbital. His daughter, my aunt, had early (in her 30's) severe HTN and an MI, but with careful, consistent use of medication, lived to be 92.

BTW: Had to read up on this the other week to give a lecture. In 1930, the average life span for Americans was 45 years. They did have asepsis, and running water and soap and all that stuff back then, but not many medications. Now it's in the high 70's.

You ask how I live with myself? And yeah, I'm pretty well informed about all those chemicals, and how they work on cells in our body 'cuz I have a doctorate in physiology/pharmacology. Not only is my conscience clear, but I'm still alive, thanks to those greedy scientists. God Bless Big Pharma!!!

[steveogurule]

Honey, listen... you flamed just about every nurse on this board. We pretty much all give medications, and TAKE medications. Without my ARB, my BP goes up to (personal indoor record) 205/120. What would you have me do, pray tell?

HTN runs in the family, and in 1943 my grandfather died of renal failure and encephalopathy at age 54. The only treatment for HTN in his day was a low salt diet and phenobarbital. His daughter, my aunt, had early (in her 30's) severe HTN and an MI, but with careful, consistent use of medication, lived to be 92.

BTW: Had to read up on this the other week to give a lecture. In 1930, the average life span for Americans was 45 years. They did have asepsis, and running water and soap and all that stuff back then, but not many medications. Now it's in the high 70's.

You ask how I live with myself? And yeah, I'm pretty well informed about all those chemicals, and how they work on cells in our body 'cuz I have a doctorate in physiology/pharmacology. Not only is my conscience clear, but I'm still alive, thanks to those greedy scientists. God Bless Big Pharma!!!

I completely understand where you are coming from and thank you for the thoughtfull response :)

[rn/writer, RN]

Closing this thread overnight so that we can all take a couple of steps back from the edge.