Crap~~I Thought Doctors Were Supposed To Help You

@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 16, 2008 4:42pm CST
Many of my mylot friends here know I'm none to keen about taking medications, preferring more natural or herbal types methods of healing. The only medication I'll agree on taking, and usually have no problems dealing with are antibiotics...and I seem to tolerate the penicillin types better. Well I have to admit I haven't been feeling too keen...and recognize it as that twinge of bronchitis, as I've had it before. And believe me I've tried the natural route in dealing with it but just doesn't work...so this is practically the only time I'll go to a doctor and take a medication. So I just came home from the doctors...he did indeed prescribe a medication, an antibiotic, known as Ciprofloxacin at 500 mg....went to the pharmacist and got it filled. Once I got home I started checking up on it...I always do this...now I'm very hesitant to take it...as it says among other things ...DO NOT TAKE IF YOU HAVE JOINT PAIN. Lovely, cause that is exactly one of the problems I have...there have also been cases reported of not only increased joint pain, but can create ruptured tendons...LOVELY! So bottom line, I don't even think I'm going to take this crap....I'll go back to my pharmacist tomorrow (my doctor doesn't have hours again until Friday) and see if they can call my doctor at his other office (which is quite a distance from me and can't get to) and see if he can over the phone prescribe something else for me...either that or I'll just have to wait until Friday... Okay to turn this into a discussion. Have you ever been prescribed something that once you looked up the side effects, or warnings NOT to take it if you have a certain condition then been REAL hesitant to take it? Like I said in general I have no problems with taking antibiotics but I usually take the penicillin type which don't seem to affect as much as the more synthetic chemical concoction kind I just don't want to further aggravate my joint problems that I have...like crap, why should I?? It might make me worse.
12 people like this
28 responses
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
16 Sep 08
yup, i have severe arthritis in my knees and suffer with a great deal of pain and i also have asthma that makes me not able to take a lot of anti inflamitories but my dr still gave me one and told me not to tell my resparologist!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Oh gee, how nice that your doctor told you not to tell your respiratory doctor that you were giving a med that was a no-no...NOT
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I was given a medicine that when I checked the ingrediants - there was corn starch - no can take! You want the killer medicine story. My doctor gave me a script for an anti-biotic and stated - LIQUID. The pharmacy filled it with pills. I told her the script said liquid and I wanted it. "Oh, but you will save money with the pills." "I have insurance so its the same price," I replied. "And taking an $8 shot every day while taking pills is NOT saving me money." She looked at me like I had grown a second head. "the pills have corn starch, I'm accutely allergic to corn starch, I would have to take antigens every time I took the pills. FILL IT AS IT WAS WRITTEN." (very firmly but not loudly.) She did so.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Yikes!! At that time I hadn't established a relationship with a pharmacy. Then I had stopped at this store with a pharmacy because I wanted to get the script filled quickly. Let me tell you - I never got another script filled there again.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
17 Sep 08
There are hardly any family pharmacies around here - I have a list on file at Walgreens. I had a pretty good relationship with Eckards before they got to busy to do a good job.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
That is SO totally wrong for a pharmacist not to fill a prescription as it was written Actually my story is actually better...I've been going to the same pharmacist for eons..it's a family run business...anyway my doc prescribed two medications one was an antibiotic another an asthma type...when I handed it to the pharmacist he freaked out...he told me if I had taken that combo I'd be six feet under.
2 people like this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
16 Sep 08
All my doctors were keen to do was to force damn antidepressants down my throat, it's only because they get a nice backhander for offloading the damn things. I was totally adamant that I wasn't taking them, but did they care about the side affects no all they were interested were offloading them onto me, regardless! I refused point blank because it was their answer to everything! Sadly I can't take St.John's Wort because it interferes with the medication I am on. I went to a herbal medicine centre in London to prescribe me with an alternative, it didn't work for me, but the valerian did to help me sleep. I distrust doctors and they have no bedside manner at all, to them you are just a number, not a person anymore, it's all too impersonal and it's very rare to find a decent doctor who actually 'cares' rare breed indeed. You know your own body and you know what you want, sometimes you have to tell the doctor what you want rather than the other way round!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Thank goodness I've never needed antidepressants but that does seem to be one of the medications docs want to cram down people's throats...including kids that might have some behavioral problems whether real or not. Yes I have this herbal book that is good and it does mention about St. John's Wort...that herb actually does have a lot of side affects and one can't even eat certain foods with it...I've heard of Valerian ...good for anxiety, right?
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
16 Sep 08
I suffer with anxiety yes my friend, and valerian was prescribed for that, it also helps me to sleep, a relaxant. Antidepressants is a get out clause, too readily available and too readily prescribed. It seems to be their answer to everything!
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
16 Sep 08
only an inhaler works when I go to the doctor for bronchitis, I find honey works better on me than anything else
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
17 Sep 08
I don't know who you are addressing but in my case I have been to several doctors, the cough medicine, the anti biotics do not work, only the inhaler for asthma, honey works the best of all the things.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I take honey in my mint tea before I go to sleep and is probably helping me a bit
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
i mean broncitis is serious man! if the problem is about taking your meds and the side effects why not get a second opinion from another physicians and if your worried about side effects all synthetic meds have them except for the herbal try think of that dear.
2 people like this
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
17 Sep 08
My husband had a medical problem - the doctor prescribed Ciprofloxacin which is what you got. He got major intestinal problems from it. He took imodium like candy, ate yogurt and rice and nothing worked. He then ended up having multiple anaphylactic reactions to a medication he had been taking for his diabetes for months. He ended up being admitted to the hospital for the problems. The allergic reaction was attributed to the problems created by this antibiotic. My advice - don't take it unless nothing else is working. BTW - this is the same thing used to treat anthrax.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 08
The more I'm reading up on Cipro the more determined I am in NOT taking it...I'm just so glad I looked up info on it before popping one single pill! There are a lot of class action suits against Cipro. A friend of mine sent me this link about Cipro since I was telling him about all this crapola http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/search.html?keywords=cipro [b] {This is NOT a referral link but a link about this particular medication of which I've been discussing about}[/b] Most of the people in the articles written about it wound up practically crippled
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Makes you wonder why they keep such medications on the market at all, doesn't it? Like what are they waiting for? For a number of people to die from a medication before the FDA says, "Oops think we better pull this off the market"
@dark4eyes (161)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I recently "fired" my GP because she kept throwing fits at me because I quit taking the FIFTEEN perscrptions they were giving me for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerieds - they weren't changing any of the numbers and I kept almost passing out whenever I stood up. Within a week of stopping the crap - I felt wonderful - now I'm taking B comples, magnesium, zinc, calcium, cinnamon (helps w blood shugar) a multi-vitamin and fish oil. She went MAJOR ballistic and pretty much said she wouldn't keep treating me if I wouldn't "cooperate" - when I told her I was looking at Gastric Bypass she said "we don't approve of that" and kept insisting I get back on their "approved" liquid diet. Which made me sick as hell and after I lost 80 pounds it quit working - they accused me of CHEATING!! I'm fat so I MUST be a Liar! I won't go back to that place again.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Fifteen medications?? Yikes! That was way too much to take...sometimes these medications can actually trigger off other conditions..Like diabetes...maybe you were taking the medication but then it triggered off the high blood pressure or high cholesterol...so more meds. It'd be great if I could just find a better doctor... Glad to hear you're actually feeling better now without all those meds
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I have had to ask for different antibiotics before, but it was to get stronger or more effective ones. I had one year where my doctor gave me a certain antibiotic for my sinuses a number of times, and my dentist gave it to me for dental infections. End result was that it was not effective for either, and still is not. That was when I ended up on steroids just to reduce the inflammation. I did not have any trouble with Cipro, Pye, but that is me. I respect your concern and hesitancy. Besides, why take something that powerful if something less strong is effective for you. Last antibiotic I took was a couple of years ago, and I cannot think of the name, started with a D. I now just rinse with peroxide whenever I feel any kind of a dental pain coming on. Dentist says that is a good plan. The things I shy away from are things like Bextra, and Mobic. Prescription NSAIDs. For me and for my hubby they are scary.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
My foot doctor once prescribed Celebrex for me...a NSAID...it's in the same group as Vioxx that was pulled off the market...it has severe warnings too, like blood clots, strokes and heart attacks...did I take it....NOPE
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Oh I had to add...I saw where somewhere else you mentioned about candied ginger...there are a bunch or oriental type supermarkets near me and yup, got some..am nibbling on some now...yikes that's HOT!
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
I have never gotten into a situation like what you wanted to know...I was prescribed alot of medicines for my heart though but it makes me feel drowsy and aside from that the meds are really expensive. I don't take them anymore and just try to live my life healthy. Like eating healthy foods and exercise. I have learned mostly that medicines have side effects on our body and one thing good for one sickness would just alter another sickness in another part of your body so I just play it safe. Since all medicines have side effects which will just trigger other sickness in my body.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
That really is the problem with most medications...it might help the initial problem but trigger off another health issue
• Canada
17 Sep 08
Yes what happened in my case was not the same but similar . I have something called H-Plori and the antibiodics used to help treat this causes me to have sores in my mouth and in my throat and it makes my throat have a numbing sensation so I am nervous to eat as I can't feel when I swallow and it is easier to choke . I looked the symptom up online and was told it was an alleric reaction so I quit taking them and went back to my doctor for them to prescribe me another antibiodic that would work . The pharmacist wanted to know the reason why I was unable to take the origianl antibiodic and when I explained what happened she told me this was a severe allergic reaction and that I was right to go back and get another prescription and they put it on my file at the pharmacy that I was never to have this prescription again because of an alleric reation to the medication . The only problem is , is that the doctor still wants me to take the original medication because it is supposed to work better and they have said if I get it back that , that is what they will prescribe to me again . If this happens then I will not be able to take it because the pharmacy knows that I am allergic to it yet the doctors are more concerned with getting rid of this then actually finding another solution . So far I have been lucky and have not got it back but have had it three times in the last couple of years and fear what will happen if it comes back . I hope your doctor is better and takes the time to give you a proper medication the next time you get to see him or the pharmacy speaks to him . It was a smart move on your part to check it out online for the simple fact that we are supposed to trust our doctors but more and more they seem to be making mistakes that could be costly to us . Take Care and Best of Luck
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I have one on-line friend of mine that is taking a cholesterol lowering medication, and he swears that ever since he's taken it he's in excruciating back pain...also the medication is known to affect the skeletal-bone system...Have you by any chance looked up your condition to see if there are any natural alternatives or at least a different medication that wouldn't affect you so
@relundad (2310)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Sounds like a case of western medicine...treat the symptoms not the problem!
1 person likes this
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
17 Sep 08
[i]Hi pye, I heard several friends who complain the same thing and sometimes, we will think that maybe they want to earn a commission from prescribing these medications, except for the responsible and good doctors but I feel like we can't trust a lot about them too! I haven't tried yet! When I have a little fever, I prefer herbal medicine![/i]
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I think most times docs prescribe meds just because they are considered the "new" popular one to hand out, rather than the older ones that might be better and more effective..mmmm...my great-grandmother insisted on brandy as a good cure all...LOL
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
17 Sep 08
pye want to hear a messed up scenario. I was put on avandia by mydoctor for my diabetes, side effects could cause loss of bone, could cause low red blood cells, could cause swelling and weight gain.okay my doctor said these were unlikely .okay in a month I gained forty five pounds, doc said wasnt the advandia, then I ahd a bad fall and smashed the bones in my left shoulder, doc said it wasnt advandia, but had to have a shoulder joint replacement, and that orthopedist said avandia should be b anned, causes bone loss, I had brittle bones and did not know it, then lab said I am anemic and the orthopedist again said avandia should be taken off the shelves as it causes all those and also causes heart trouble. so I rest my case, my p.doc was upset but he was also out ruled by me andthe orthopedist doc. avandia has a big black warning on it hell of a lot of good that will do now. I am still anemic and take iron for it. but I do not take avandia.it caused a lot of msery in my life.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
PS Thought I'd give you this link about the dangers of Avandia http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/search.html?keywords=Avandia [Warning this is not a referral link but a link about the dangers of this prescription medication}
@jerzgirl (9233)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Why the hell would they give you Cipro, one of the strongest antibiotics on the market, if a milder one would work? There are so many risks with Cipro! That's the one they used for the anthrax cases back in 2002! And, I was on it for Lyme Disease a few years ago, but they should NEVER prescribe it for bronchitis unless they know for sure the bacteria is resistant!! It's a good antibiotic, but is EXTREMELY strong and, as you are pointing out, can be dangerous if not used properly! I agree you should refuse to take it and request something else. If he doesn't like it, call whoever handles your medical care payments and tell them to see if they can find you someone else.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Yes I was reading that too that Cipro was the antibiotic prescribed for anthrax...uh, duh? Don't have that..LOL I'm glad you agree here though that prescribing Cipro to me was probably none to keen on his part. Actually it would be the opposite.. I rarely go to my doctor, but if I had taken this med and had a bad reaction to it, I'd be haunting him and in his face...LOL
@jerzgirl (9233)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Actually, what it sounds like is he wanted to make sure you didn't come back too soon. Doctors like him are the reason we have so many superbugs out there. They just look for the quickest way out or the simplest answer without considering the long term ramifications.
1 person likes this
@relundad (2310)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I understand your dilemma, however we as the patient bear some responsiblity. First the doctor only knows what we tell them. So if your doctor doesn't have your medical records that would indicate that you suffer from joint pain, how would he know? As I am sure that you know based on the research that you did for the medication, there are many side effects that are listed but may not necessarily be specific to you. As well they have to list any side effects that have been reported while in the approval test and it may only be 1 in a million be has to be reported. I would bet that no matter what is prescribed you will be able to find something on the list that could possibly be a side effect, and maybe even something that you are more prone to have. Thus there is not a medication that doesn't have some listed or reported side effect. The only reason that "natural" remedies or homeopathics don't have side effects or warnings is because they aren't regulated or tested. Not only that but because they have been degreed as a medical doctor is that a automatic that they know everything about every medicine, every side effect, every ailment? I think not. They are no different that any job or position that any of us work. We don't know every possible thing about our job. Sometimes you have the same routine thing day after day, and then you have the odd thing that comes up once in your career. I understand that as with any professional that we seek, we expect them to know more than we do about their particular field. When it comes to our bodies, we are the experts.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I've been going to this doctor for a good number of years and he does have my medical records. And yes, I'm aware all medications have side affects, but this wasn't a side affect that worried me but that one shouldn't take this medication at all if one has joint problems/pain. And while I realize that docs can't memorize every single thing about each and every medication, they do have computers on their desks...If I were a doctor, each and every time I prescribed a medication I would take the time to look up the facts about the medication discuss the warnings and side effects with the patient
@relundad (2310)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Well I am just glad that even though your doctor did not do his due diligence, that you did and did not have any additional problems as a result of.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Sep 08
I agree. last moneth i broke my knuckles on my legg. They couldnt fis it. Iwas sooooo mad. I couldnt play sports anymore it thought. But the gave me medicine and no pain. only sometimes
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Do you still have to take the medications?
• United States
18 Sep 08
not anymore. Its getting better. I cant wait until I can play sports again. The medicine taste horrible. Last time it was soooooooo bitter that it was there for the whole day. I was angry at the doctor. But my parents are doctor too so I couldnt. Well espicialy if that person was my parents boss!! LOL -rangerkoji-
1 person likes this
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Ciprofloxacin is widely used now for long infections. It is one of the first for them to try. I have had it several times in the last three years and I also have severe arthritis. I just looked up the medicine and I does give a warning if you have arthritis and joint pain but then it describes that you need to be monitored better and watch for side effects. So I would not worry to much about taking it.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Sep 08
I still refuse to take it though...I just don't want to risk getting worse joint pain as it is...there are days I can hardly walk when my joint pain is bad, so I don't want to become a complete cripple due to a medication
@AmbiePam (85492)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Yes, I've looked up a prescription after buying it and thought, wait a minute, according to this I shouldn't be taking this medication due to other problems I have. And when I bring it up to my doctor the answer is always the same: what the medication is treating is more important than any side effects I may have. Or for instance my liver problem. The medication will say do not take if you have liver problems. My doctor says the risk to my liver is too small to warrant not taking the prescribed medication. So I guess I just should toss a coin, lol.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Sep 08
Gee that really sounds "caring" of your doctor...NOT...How does he KNOW it wouldn't affect your liver? Can he one-hundred percent guarantee it won't...well maybe you can scare the shat out of him/her by saying.."Okay doc, I'll take the medication, and if I develop a further liver problem I'll sue your buns off." LOL
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Bronchitis...I've had it a month now and the antibiotics didn't help it at all. Dr. gave me a steroid, which I don't like taking to begin with, to knock out this bronchitis along with an inhaler and abruterol for the nebulizer to take as needed. That stuff is working alright cause I went for my usual walk and started coughing up crap like crazy. After that, I felt great for a while. Hope yours is finally leaving you, Pye.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Well I've already finished up the antibiotic...I changed it for Augmentin after refusing to take the other one....and really not much better...I'm instead giving myself doses of natural supplements and am starting to feel better that way..LOL
@snowy22315 (169965)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I was taking Impramine one time that casued heart palpitations like crazy. I ended up in the hospital for a bad reaction. I really felt terrible. The medicine just really did not agree with me at all. It's a long story but I never would take that medicine again. I should have definitely read up on it before I started taking it. I think it would have saved me alot of aggravation.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
What is Impramine for? My doc once prescribed theophylline to me...I only took it in very low doses but it still gave me heart palpitations and my blood pressure soared up...once I stopped it my heart and blood pressure went back to normal
@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
18 Sep 08
well, there is not one pill, even an aspirin, which cannot cause side effects. these are the ones that could cause you problems. IF you get those problems, then stop. you may NOT get those problems. check with your pharmacist. see how many complaints he knows about. it may be 2 % in a million. of course, you don't want to be that 2%. doctors have been known to NOT tell a patient about side effects only because then the patient can sometimes "talk" themselves into it. it's probably only 8-10 days work of meds, too. good luck taking the meds (yes, if you've tried homeopathic and it didn't work, i'm suggesting you take these) with not one side effect !
1 person likes this
@lilcee (2703)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I've been there, done that. Now I always check online for the side effects. If it has a lot of bad side effects, I won't take it. I hate going to the Dr and all they do is prescribe some med. that causes more harm then good. Hope you feel better.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I'm generally one that doesn't race to the doctor's either. Maybe my great-grandmother who was a nurse was right..the more you stay away from doctors the better you are....she lived to be 98..LOL