Doctor May Not Know What's Best

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2002

I personally know the drugs are very hard to keep up with. I don't know how Drs can stay abreast either.

renerian

2banurse · Dec 20, 2002

Interesting article.

I totally agree with the MDs influenced by the pharmaceutical companies. My poor dad has suffered from anxiety for almost 40 years (he is former NYPD) and he had been treated with valium, which did help. Well, recently MDs are not in favor of prescribing this anxiety medication, so my dad has been seeing different psychiatrists or another option. Now he only suffered from anxiety, not depression. Within the past two years they have him on all sorts of medications including antidepressants (I think everyone listed in the PDR)...now he is really suffering from depression. When he spoke with his most recent doc that the valium (he is down to 1.5 pills a day) helps the most, the doc tells him to TAKE IT!!! He is totally overmedicated and I told him that he needs to open his mouth and tell the doc that he wants off all medicines. (He sees the doc for maybe 10 minutes an appointment) His quality of life has been horrible and he is only 65!

My heart breaks because he is so far away. Other than talking with him, there is nothing I can do. Thanks for letting me vent!

Kris

oramar · Dec 20, 2002

As for the second link you posted Karen, I have something to say in favor of newer drugs. They were, as I recall, invented in response to the diuretic type medications tendency to pull potassium out of the body. Now, I know they were never meant to the first line of defense. However, when you get that patient who just can't maintain a normal potassium level no matter what is done, the newer types really come in handy. I have met a fair number of patients who can't tolerate potassium in any form. Sometimes the newer drugs are the only thing left. Please correct me if I am wrong.