Are we a Nation of junkies?

[fallen-archie]

Been sat waiting outside help a GPs for half an hour. One by one they trot, crawl, get pushed and even walk into the surgery with their ailments. In the opposite directions steady stream head straight for the Chemist next door only to come out with armfuls of pharmaceutical delights. Once upon a time your were given drugs short term to assist with healing, now you seem to neon them for life, each time you go another drug appears, is this really the best way to treat people. When they talk about smart drugs is that smart for the patient or smart for the drug company.
I understand that there will be many with life threatening illness and who need regular medication to maintain a viable lifestyle but surely things have got out of hand?

[cee-dee]

That's not what I thought your thread title was about.

I thought it might have been like sitting outside a Chemists shop and watching the procession of people coming out clutching their paper bags containing their precious bottles of Green liquid........

[Anonymous]

Hello

but surely things have got out of hand?

I concur with you !!!

When I go to see my GP it is to find out if the problem I have is indeed what I think it is is !!  I have a great understanding with my GP where I refuse to be given any Medications/Antibiotics unless 100% necessary !! 

I rather & prefer the Holistic approach & in most cases using homeopathy/Herbal remedies/Acupuncture & seeing someone who does the Bowen Technique/Caropractitioner & massages have helped tremendously 

However we live & have live in a Culture where Pharmaceutical Companies are making big money & getting people hooked on various type of medications that also are given to children & teenagers

• Valium
• Ant-depressants

& the list goes on !!!

I also understand that Alternative medicine can be quite expensive & people do give it none or little value hence the need for Pharmaceutical products

At the end of the day the one who profits from it are the big Companies & the one who suffers are the one that are hooked on them & will have to learn to do without it or deal with the side-effects

It is also clear that Nowadays the Holistic Approach ( I hope) is taken more seriously & given as an alternative for some ailments

However as you pointed if someone is to be suffering greatly from an ailment then some type of medications will indeed be necessary !!

Hope this helps

[**caution**opinion_ahead]

The only point going to a GP is to get a prescription.  There's nothing else they can offer in the 6 minute time-scale.  Even if you go in just to get advice or an opinion on something, you're likely to come out with a prescription.

Also, life is so fast-paced now that people do not have time to "let nature take its course".  Symptoms of one sort or another need to be quelled at all costs as time off to recover can see you out of a job in short order, especially if you are towards the unskilled end of the labour market.  

[cee-dee]

The Art of Medicine consists of amusing the Patient while Nature cures the disease.

[otherego]

It does seem to make sense to avoid antibiotics except when absolutely necessary; as for the others, I rely on the doctor's expertise. My usual GP is far more likely to prescribe a brisk walk than a happy pill, in any case.

I try to keep an open mind about alternative medicine and have no problem with placebos (if a harmless lump of chalk or sugar makes me feel better with absolutely no risk of side effects or adverse reactions , I'm happy to go along with the deception.)

However, I do think this site might be on to something:

http://www.howdoeshomeopathywork.com/

[bankhaunter]

There can come a time in many people's lives when they seek medical help find their problem is one that will not get better and they will need medication for the rest of their life, medication which may be essential to relieve the symptoms or to try anf prevent the condition worsening.

The carrier bag I walk out of the chemist with every three months contain the reasons why I am now fourteen years older than my father was when he died, with a bit of luck I hope to double that.

For many nature's way would be to kill them somewhat quicker.

[cee-dee]

I think when Voltaire came out with that pearl of wisdom it was during a time of great quackery.

In the case of people with real problems, the Science of Medicine is their salvation.

However, for many other people, there is no cure for hypochondria.

[bankhaunter]

---

@otherego wrote:

It does seem to make sense to avoid antibiotics except when absolutely necessary; as for the others, I rely on the doctor's expertise. My usual GP is far more likely to prescribe a brisk walk than a happy pill, in any case.

I suffer from poor circulation in my legs leading to pain after walking for a while.

My doctor's advice was to walk for half an hour, then rest until the pain goes, walk for another half an hour, rest then do it again by which time my circulation would have adjusted itself and there should be no more pain.

All I could think was that I hoped that would be the case because by then I would be miles away and faced with a long walk back.

I try to keep an open mind about alternative medicine and have no problem with placebos (if a harmless lump of chalk or sugar makes me feel better with absolutely no risk of side effects or adverse reactions , I'm happy to go along with the deception.)

I once had acupuncture at my doctor's surgery suggested by my doctor and I think I have realised why alternative medicine can seem to work in certain cases.

It's not the actual treatment but rather the way it is given by the practitioner, you have a fairly long consultation or treatment in the case of acupuncture, which is done by a sympathetic, understanding person, the net result being an enhanced placebo effect, more than would be got by an ordinary doctor handing out a sugar pill.

My problem wasn't cured but I ended feeling I was in charge of it rather than it being in charge of me.

However, I do think this site might be on to something:

http://www.howdoeshomeopathywork.com/

---

[suzieseaside]

[al**bear]

I have to take 15 Tabs & Caps a Day

[malacandran]

Who told you had to take them?  Couldn't you try not taking them for one day. Then see what happens.

[al**bear]

My Doctor

nearly every one of them have warnings saying

'Do NOT stop taking these, unless by Doctors orders'

[malacandran]

I admire your faith in the Doctor's orders.  But, 15 tablets a day seems overdoing it a bit.

Could you try reducing the dose gradually, and see if that makes you feel worse?