Modern medicine seems to have a cure, or at least a way to manage, just about any disease or disorder imaginable. Many people would believe that this is the miracle of modern medicine. In many ways this is true. However, many medications have harmful side effects that appear to be worse than the disease or disorders themselves.
It is very important when you are diagnosed with a disease or disorder that you have a very open conversation with your medical provider about your treatment plan. Do not just accept blindly what the physician prescribes.
Many times physicians are prescribing the latest medication to hit the market, or one that has the most benefits for their practice. It is not beyond a pharmaceutical companies marketing strategy to provide bonuses to medical offices that issue high amounts of prescriptions manufactured by their company.
Take the time to ask your doctor the following questions:
• What Are The Side Effects? Make sure that you discuss all the potential side effects with the doctor, not just the common ones. Many medications have serious side effects that could harm you more than the disease.
• What Are My Other Options? If you do not like what the medication may do to you, ask for other options. If your doctor becomes offended by this, or if they state there are no other options, seek a second opinion.
Dangerous Medications
Many medications come on to the market as “wonder drugs” or “beak trough drugs” and are quickly prescribed by doctors. However, within a very short period of time, the side effects become an issue. For instance, Januvia is a new medication that was released as a secondary medication for the treatment of Type II diabetes. It was recommended that patients receive this medication if they are having a hard time managing the condition with only one type of medication.
Within a very short period of time, people taking this medication began developing pancreatitis, a very painful and debilitating disorder. What is perhaps the scariest part of this development is that many of these people went on to develop pancreatic cancer, the most aggressive form of cancer known.
Another example is Pradaxa. Marketed as the wonder drug to replace Warfarin, Pradaxa was immediately prescribed to millions of patients. Not long after it was released, Pradaxa side effects that patients experienced included bleeding episodes and hemorrhaging. It was then discovered that there was no antidote for Pradaxa and that the bleeding could not be stopped and the patient could not be removed from the drug without possibly death.
Sadly, the list of drugs that are later found to be too dangerous to take could continue for a very long time.
With this in mind, make sure that you are willing and able to talk to your doctor. You are not questioning their authority, you are protecting your health. Your doctor should welcome an open discussion about your health and medications. If not, then it may be time to find a new doctor.
Researcher Melanie Fleury has an autoimmune disease that often is prescribed medications, which she avoids. Before adding a new medication, she determines if the side effects are worth the pill. She hopes that those who read this article will make the decision to maintain open communication with their doctors so that they can be prescribed the best possible option. If you are experiencing Pradaxa side effects after being prescribed the medication, there is legal recourse available. Doyle Raizner LLP can help you to get proper compensation if you are in this situation.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doug88888/2800841720/