Pushing drugs for the Man bother anyone?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello All.

I'm a newbie taking prereqs for a BSN.

I just have one big nagging concern :uhoh3: keeping me from fully committing to the program. I want to help people, but I feel that the western allopathic way of surgery/drugs is often very harmful (although sometimes needed in cases of trauma etc).

Does pushing drugs for the giant pharmaceuticals bother anyone out there in the nurse world? I just don't know if I could live with myself doing it all day when I know that many problems could be solved simply by diet change etc.

Please enlighten me!

You try and tell some of these people with depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia etc. That they can do just as well with exercise and diet. Thats far worse than forgetting to put the bathroom seat up before going, or forgetting to put it back down. WWIII

I am living proof that exercise (and diet) can indeed effectively replace drugs. I was severly chronically depressed :ofor years and was on several antidepressants (not concurrantly). They helped, but the side effects were really bad. Then :idea: I started doing yoga...Bikram yoga...and I couldn't believe how good I felt! I quite the antidepressants and not only have I not offed myself, but I continue to avoid depression as long as I don't go too long without yoga. I guess I am addicted to yoga, but what a great thing to be addicted to. It keeps me extremely limber which means less injuries (good when I start lifting pts), keeps me trim and toned, balances hormones, I could go on and on.

To EVERYONE:

It seems like alot of people are not aware of how well the body can heal itself if it is simply properly nourished, exercised, and rested.

If you are really skeptical why not do a scientific experiment on yourself...try some good, regular, vigorous, enjoyable exercise and/or a healthy diet of fresh, organic, non GMO food, maybe even raw food, and/or maybe a brief fast. And see how you feel...(aside from the detox of course). If you do, and you are objective, you may just experience for yourself how miraculous these simple, natural, and free remedies are both in preventing and in treating many ailments from acne to cancer.

I must say that I am happy to read some recent posts by some well informed nurses who know the extent of what is going on, yet are still encouraging me to pursue the field and find a good niche where I can help without compromising my beliefs too much.

I sure hope a lot of you who like getting free pens and the other bribes are kidding. Don't you realize you are being played?!

Thanks again for all the great feedback. I am glad I have sparked a dialogue about this important issue...man.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

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If you are really skeptical why not do a scientific experiment on yourself...try some good, regular, vigorous, enjoyable exercise and/or a healthy diet of fresh, organic, non GMO food, maybe even raw food, and/or maybe a brief fast. And see how you feel...(aside from the detox of course)..

So when my next pt crashes in the ICU I will just toss the levophed or Dopamine and make my pt eat a carrot and go for a walk?

I'm all for prevention, but my role as a nurse has nothing to do with that. Until the carrot trick works, I'll still be happily saving lives by pushing drugs-for the man.

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So when my next pt crashes in the ICU I will just toss the levophed or Dopamine and make my pt eat a carrot and go for a walk?

I'm all for prevention, but my role as a nurse has nothing to do with that. Until the carrot trick works, I'll still be happily saving lives by pushing drugs-for the man.

How many times do I have to reiterate that I believe there are definitely times when drugs are needed?! There have been many replies already saying what you just did again. I was just suggesting that those who doubt the healing power of natural remedies (when appropriate) could find out for themselves by trying it.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

In school I did a day following a NP in a clinic. That day I was appauled by the significance of the drug reps in that clinic. I kept track all day, 13 reps came through peddling their respective wonder drugs, handing out freebies, and stocking the sample room, and one brought lunch. That wasn't so bad, but when it came time for writing scripts, the NP changed her mind a couple times, saying.."Oh, I like this rep better, I will give him the business."

sorry drug rep rant..

i work in the middle of Research Triangle Park. i cant even count the number of reps that come through the unit everyday. they just try toooooo hard to get docs to write for their product. in the GI dept, in order for one of the GI docs to see a drug rep they have special rules now... they have to spend a day with us. they cant do any pt. care, but they have to sit there and watch what we do. see what the people taking their drugs look like. watch procedures. see what certain illnesses look like. hear bad news. by the end of the day, the drug rep for colazal will say "wow, i never realized how devastating UC was..." its amazing to see how little some of these people pushing these drugs actually know about the diseases and the pts suffering from them.

i definately think that samples are an awesome thing to have, esp. if the pt can't afford their meds... but i think the drug reps are way too frivalous! its gotten to the point where my docs have banned drug rep lunches because they were bringing this ridiculously expensive food to try and out do each other. we still get the pens and staplers and whatever, but for the amount of money they spent on one lunch, a person on a fixed income could have bought meds for a month. maybe if drug reps saved some of the money they used spoiling the office staff with happy hour and stuff, meds wouldnt be so expensive.

im all about pharmacotheapy. but the drug rep spending really, really bugs me.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

To EVERYONE:

It seems like alot of people are not aware of how well the body can heal itself if it is simply properly nourished, exercised, and rested.

If you are really skeptical why not do a scientific experiment on yourself...try some good, regular, vigorous, enjoyable exercise and/or a healthy diet of fresh, organic, non GMO food, maybe even raw food, and/or maybe a brief fast. And see how you feel...(aside from the detox of course). If you do, and you are objective, you may just experience for yourself how miraculous these simple, natural, and free remedies are both in preventing and in treating many ailments from acne to cancer.

I must say that I am happy to read some recent posts by some well informed nurses who know the extent of what is going on, yet are still encouraging me to pursue the field and find a good niche where I can help without compromising my beliefs too much.

[\quote]

you absolutely can become a nurse no matter what your beliefs are! dont let anyone discourage you.

i agree with you that we all need to exercise and eat well. but as a vegetarian who spends extra money on organic food, who works out everyday, doesnt smoke or drink and still takes daily medication for epilepsy and mitral valve disorder, i can tell you it doesn't work for everyone. medication is my only option. i can choose to eat right and stay in shape. i can't choose how to correct conditions i was born with.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

If you don't like giving meds, there are specialties where that isn't the focus. In the OR, we solve problems by cutting and sewing, which fits my results oriented personality. IMO, natural medicine is not inherently evil or anything, but I don't think it is a stand-alone solution. I'm all for prevention and eating right, but there are some problems that are better solved by not pussyfooting around. As an example, I had severe GERD some years back. Tried everything, elevated the head of my bed, wore loose clothing, lost some weight, dietary changes etc, etc. Still had GERD. Tried meds, which helped a little but were expensive at the time. I ended up having a Nissen Fundiplication(laparoscopically). Problem fixed. Now, that might not have been the solution for someone else. I think as you go along in your career, you'll see instances where modern medicine is not the great evil that some in the alternative culture make it out to be. I think that prevention is the ideal solution but some patients just can't comply. Good luck in school and use this forum as a resource and sounding board..it sure helped me keep my sanity during my first year as a nurse. PS...I like the free food and pens and I'm NOT kidding. That's the other thing I've learned as I get older. Never turn down a free lunch!(or pen, since I'm always losing them) Also, a good steak and a shot of fine whisky can often be a remedy for a bad day, LOL. Thank god for the surgery, else I'd be a hurting pup if I tried to eat stuff that actually tastes good!

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

I also like the free pens & food, and I'm NOT kidding either! I don't choose what medications a pt. is given, the Dr. does, so if the doctor orders a med, unless the order is in error, I'm going to give what was ordered. If the drug reps want to come in, bring me food & pens, and tell me about the different drugs I might be giving my patients, GREAT! I get pens, food, and I get to learn something! So, I'm NOT being played..... In some areas of healthcare (like ER & ICU), nursing practice is more "drugs, not hugs". Once someone is in my ER crashing, it's too late to talk about lifestyle changes- it's time to start pushing drugs to save their life.....

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What an interesting topic to discuss.

Lifestyle changes including weight loss, stop smoking programs and exercise routines are part of primary care in the community. As part of general medicine Drs and Nurses educate and encourage patients to make important changes to decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.

However once a patient comes to hospital, particularly to ER, it's a bit late for all that. Of course once they're stabilised it is again time to address the lifestyle changes that need to be made.

I certainly believe that nurses, as a patient advocate should be educating people but I also believe pharmacology has an important role to play in healthcare.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.
I am living proof that exercise (and diet) can indeed effectively replace drugs. I was severly chronically depressed :ofor years and was on several antidepressants (not concurrantly). They helped, but the side effects were really bad. Then :idea: I started doing yoga...Bikram yoga...and I couldn't believe how good I felt! I quite the antidepressants and not only have I not offed myself, but I continue to avoid depression as long as I don't go too long without yoga. I guess I am addicted to yoga, but what a great thing to be addicted to. It keeps me extremely limber which means less injuries (good when I start lifting pts), keeps me trim and toned, balances hormones, I could go on and on.

To EVERYONE:

It seems like alot of people are not aware of how well the body can heal itself if it is simply properly nourished, exercised, and rested.

Facts:

A) Insurance won't pay for yoga classes/massage therapy/etc.

B) Most people in the world are lazier than you.

C) Most people would prefer a quick fix than longterm life changes. That's half the reason most people are in the hospital/LTC/Dr's office in the first place. Everyone and their mother knows they should get exercise, get plenty of sleep, and eat healthy. That's really basic nursing stuff (we call it Maslow's Hierarchy). How many people actually make the proper choices/prioritize their health over their desires? I hear obese people say how guilty they feel because they ate chocolate cake or something all the time. They know better. How many people do you know that buy exercise bikes/treadmills and then never use them? You'd be extremely hard pressed to change some people's attitudes / habits. That's why pharmaceuticals are effective and sell well.

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You try and tell some of these people with depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia etc. That they can do just as well with exercise and diet. Thats far worse than forgetting to put the bathroom seat up before going, or forgetting to put it back down. WWIII

WWIII -

don't know enough about fibro, but absolutely the anxiety, and sometimes the depression. Some depression is refractory, but isolation, inactivity and lack of stimulation contributes to depression. There are many people who battle depression in spite of doing all the right things. There is NO cure for the vile seat-leaver-uppers!

Diahni

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Be careful with that Alli! It has been known to cause anal leakage! Who wants that as a side effect? Ewww!:barf01:

Oh right! you reminded me that Alli is like Zenical. Ugh. Which is worse, ingesting a few more fat calories or getting fat soluble vitamin deficiencies. That stuff is truly vile. We all gotta shut up and exercise, I say.

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So when my next pt crashes in the ICU I will just toss the levophed or Dopamine and make my pt eat a carrot and go for a walk?

I'm all for prevention, but my role as a nurse has nothing to do with that. Until the carrot trick works, I'll still be happily saving lives by pushing drugs-for the man.

CardiacRN, yeah, you got 'em after all the burgers, too much tv, no exercise. Some people are unlucky and get sick anyway, but many of us have to eat the carrots and walk so we don't end up on your table!

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