Category: TOXIC TALES

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND ADVERTISING FOR ILLNESS

WITH THE RECENT EXPLOSION IN MASS MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FOR PHARMACEUTICAL MEDICINES AND ILLNESS, DO YOU THINK IT IS MORALLY AND ETHICALLY CORRECT?

WITH WWW.CASTMD.COM SHOWING THE RECENT EXPLOSION OF ONE EXAMPLE OF ILLNESS MADE PROFIT, MAYBE THE "OLD" DAYS OF PHARMA ADVERTISING SHOULD BE RETURNED.  THAT IS – WHEN LIMITED ADS COULD BE RUN.

THUS THE QUESTION:  SHOULD WE AS CONSUMERS BE BOMBARDED WITH ILLNESS ADS AND DRUG THERAPIES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HELP?  IT DOES CREATE HIGHER COSTS FOR THE MEDICINES THAT MANY PATIENTS NEED.

SOCIALIZED MEDICINE LIKE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO LIMIT ACCESS AND COSTS WITH SUCH BACK ROOM ADS GOING ON TO RUN UP COSTS AND USAGE.

VOTE IN THE CURRENT READER POLL IF YOU WISH.

DIARRHEA -TOXIC EPIDEMIC STRAIN – infection – diarrhea – ANTIBIOTIC OVERUSE ABUSE: DO YOU REALLY NEED THAT ANTIBIOTIC…DO YOU REALLY WANT IT ?

CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE IS THE MOST COMMON IDENTIFIABLE REASON THAT PERSONS GET ANTIBIOTIC ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA (CDAD).  THIS IS A GRAM POSITIVE ANAEROBIC BACILLUS.

THIS inland EMERGENCE OF A HIGHER TOXIC, MORE RESISTANT STRAIN (B1/NAP1) IS THOUGHT TO BE DUE TO THE WIDESPREAD USE OF FLOUROQUINOLONES, POTENT ANTIBIOTICS USED FOR LESS SERIOUS INFECTIONS AND EVEN VIRAL INFECTIONS, WHEN PATIENTS DO NOT REALLY NEED ANY ANTIBIOTIC.  USE OF TIER TWO AND THREE CEPHALOSPORINS, AMPICILLIN, CLINDAMYCIN OR THE FLUROQUINOLONES HAVE LED THE PROBLEM OF CDAD.

JUST LIKE WITH METH OR OTHER "DOA" SKIN POPPING – MRSA (METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPH A. INFECTIONS) CONTINUES TO PLAGUE THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE COMMUNITY AT ALL LEVELS. 

ton SO HOW HAS THIS PROBLEM OF SEVERE DIARRHEA CHANGED?

IN THE PAST, JUST STOPPING THE ANTIBIOTIC WOULD STOP THE DIARRHEA IN A FEW DAYS.  OVER THE PAST YEARS, WE HAD TO START TREATING THE INFECTIOUS DIARRHEA WITH ANOTHER ANTIBIOTIC TO KILL THE C. DIFF. BUG FROM THE BOWEL.

NOW, THE ROUTINE ANTIBIOTIC OF METRONIDAZOLE IS LIMITED IN ITS EFFECTIVENESS, THUS MAKING THE DOCTOR GO TO THE LAST RESORT ANTIBIOTIC OF VANCOMYCIN, A VERY STRONG, EXPENSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LAST RESORT.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO THE PATIENT?  INITIALLY, BAD DIARRHEA.  IF IT WORSENS, EVEN FULMINANT C. DIFF. ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA CAN BECOME TOXIC TO THE COLON, CAUSE SHOCK, AND EVEN COLON RUPTURE.  AT THIS STAGE MORTALITY APPROACHES 50% OF PATIENTS.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) ARE EVEN RECOMMENDING THE VANCOMYCIN AS A FIRST LINE MED FOR SOME HOSPITALS FOR CERTAIN BACTERIA.  NO ROOM TO WIGGLE HERE…

ABOUT 1/3 OF PATIENTS WITH ONE OCCURRENCE GET ADDITIONAL REOCCURENCES, THUS ACCELERATING THE PROBLEM OF LIMITED OR NO THERAPY LEFT IN THE DOCTOR'S MEDICAL BAG.

THUS THE STORY…TOO MUCH USE OF ALL ANTIBIOTICS HAS LED US DOWN THIS DANGEROUS PATH FOR PATIENTS.  RECENTLY, A REPORT SUGGESTED WAITING A DAY OR TWO ON ALL ANTIBIOTICS FOR CHILDREN'S "RED EAR" POSSIBLE INFECTIONS.  MANY ARE VIRAL.

ALL IN ALL, CAUTIOUS AND JUDICIOUS USE OF ALL ANTIBIOTICS IS A MUST.  PATIENTS MUST ASSIST THEIR PHYSICIAN ON THE DECISION TO MAYBE CAUTIOUSLY WAIT…VERSUS THE DOCTOR VISIT MANTRA REQUESTING: "I WANT AN ANTIBIOTIC."

BREAST SILICONE IMPLANTS released by FDA — DID WE LEARN ENOUGH OR STILL LEARNING

OVER 14 YEARS THE SILICONE IMPLANT STORY HAS BEEN ON HOLD.  BUT THE MANUFACTURERS HAVE LOBBIED TO REGAIN THE STRONG APPROVAL.  DESPITE THE NEW IMPLANTS UNDER A GUIDELINE OF FURTHER STUDY, THE IMPLANTS CAN BE USED.  ACTUALLY, THEY HAVE BEEN USED OVER THIS PERIOD FOR CANCER OR TRAUMA INJURIES FOR RECONSTRUCTION ALL ALONG. 

THE GROWTH IS EXPECTED TO BE A DOUBLE DIGIT NUMBER FROM NOW ON, UNDER TEN PERCENT A YEAR OVER THE PAST YEARS.  THE MARKET IS  HUGE – GREATER THAN ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE'S REPORT REACHED A "NO CONVINCING EVIDENCE" SUMMATION OF THE PROBLEM OF LEAKAGE, RUPTURE, OR DISINTEGRATION CAUSING AN INCREASE OF OTHER DISEASES SUCH AS LUPUS, IMMUNOLOGICAL DISORDERS, OR CANCERS.

IN ONE STUDY HOWEVER, OF NEARLY 1000 WOMEN, ABOUT ONE-THIRD HAD TO HAVE REPLACEMENT OR REMOVAL OF THE "DEVICE."  OF OVER 300 WOMEN, HAVING MRI STUDIES, SHOWED 69 PERCENT WITH LEAKAGE AT ONE POINT.

OVER 260,000 WOMEN HAD BREAST IMPLANTS LAST YEAR WITH THE SALINE-FILLED DEVICES, NOT THE SILICONE TYPE.  NEW RULES ONLY ALLOW WOMEN OVER AGE 22 YEARS OR THOSE NEEDING BREAST RECONSTRUCTION TO USE THE DEVICES.

SILICONE DEVICES HAVE BEEN USED FOR ABOUT THREE DECADES NOW.  THE "HOLD" WAS AFTER MANY WOMEN HAD LEAKAGE, DEFORMITY, PAIN, AND ILLNESS WHEN THE DEVICES FAILED. 

MANY WOMEN HAVE CONTRACTURE, FALLING, SCAR TISSUE, AND DEFORMITY.

ONE COMPANY IS REPLACING RUPTURED DEVICES AND PAYING FOR THE SURGERY AND NEW DEVICES.  HEALTH INSURERS DO NOT ROUTINELY COVER SUCH DEVICES OR SCANS TO CHECK FOR LEAKS, RUPTURES, OR OTHER PROBLEMS.

SO – WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SUBJECT…..TIME TO READ THE "SEQUOIA SEED."

(some portions adapted from SeaTim-FDA contributions)

METH BODY PACKIN’ ELMO EXTREME – BUSTED IN COLORADO

One of the best stories for the holiday season, is the recent bust of the California to Colorado methamphetamine bust.

It was reported by the DEA in Colorado, the drug ring was using the Sesame Street character "Elmo" for the meth "mule."

None other than "Tickle Me Elmo Extreme" was apprehended with the pre-street loot !

Just like meth, able to cause the toxic agitation, convulsions, repetitive movements – the Elmo Extreme character laughs, rolls, and hits the ground uncontrollably…or until it shuts off.

Unfortunately, the infamous "war on drugs" has not shut off the resources, money, or mules for meth, cocaine, crack, crank, weed, or other drugs of abuse – especially at the southern US border.  With the Afghanistan poppy crop at one of its highest production years, the disconnect of drug curtailment and drug support continues within our own government.  And that is a "mind stretch."

POISONINGS OF THE CRITICS – TOXIC POLITICAL THEORIES – HISTORICAL METHODOLOGIES

Certainly, the death of the former KGB agent criticizing the Kremlin's politics should awaken those that do not believe in the old ways.  Litvinenko died of complete bone marrow failure…due to radioactivity, initially thought however to be thallium poisoning – a toxic metal – used for rat poison in the past. 

Politkovskaya, the Russian investigative journalist was mortally shot October 7, 2006 in her Moscow apartment.   

THE OTHER ONE: 

Doctors at an Austrian clinic where Yushchenko visited after he fell suspiciously ill  – after a dinner with a political rival in September, found evidence of dioxin poisoning.

Dioxins are highly toxic chemicals that often are byproducts of factories that use chlorine in cleaning and manufacturing. In humans, dioxins in high doses can cause cancer and liver damage and have been linked to reproductive damage with an increased likeliness of diabetes and heart disease. Yushchenko had about 1,000 times the normal amount of dioxin in his blood.

The tests left "no doubt."  

MATURE MATTERS (c) – RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME OR PLACEBO

Recent reading lead me to wonder if the advertising behind the medical problem leads to greater use of the drug.  What is suspect is the $36 million dollars alone that the Glaxo-SmithKline company was reported to have spent on "consumer advertising" for the restless legs syndrome.  Evidently it paid off, with this year's sales of their drug Requip, to be in the neighborhood of $500 million dollars, a very fast growing drug…What is amazing – is that this is a Parkinsons medication.

With all the ads, the website "hits" of the company's advertising campaign went throught the roof.  Does everyone now have restless legs syndrome?  Does everyone now have depression?  Does everyone now have ADD/ADHD?  Does everyone now have anxiety to treat with strong mind-bending medications?

The continual bombardment of ads by the PHARMA industry is leading to disease propagation and profit propagation.  Buyer beware…patient beware…TV and ad blitzes are real…Is the disease real in all those taking the drug?  

(adapted:  wsj corp focus)

COACH BOBBY KNIGHT – INAUGURAL INDUCTION INTO NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME OR SEE HIS MUGSHOT ON THE “most” WANTED POSTERS ?

IN THE NEWS RECENTLY IS THE FACT THAT THE PLAYER-ABUSIVE COACH KNIGHT WILL BE WELCOMED IN THE INAUGURAL INDUCTION TO THE NEW HALL OF FAME.

THIS IS AMAZING.  MAYBE WE SHOULD INDUCT ALL OUR CHILD ABUSERS INTO SUCH FAME?

INTERVENTION AND COUNSELING. DO NOT PROMOTE HIS NEANDERTHAL BEHAVIOUR.  METH?

What did I miss?  Because you are a coach at a University, allows

you to physically abuse and psychologically misuse your players? 

NOT !   And not infront of national television audiences.

If anyone really cares whether or not Coach Knight breaks the record he is aimed at.  His abuse continues…just like that of domestic violence.  Now, the honeymoon period of flowers, forget-me-nots, and joking style.  But, as many Emergency Physicians know,  the cycle of his violence toward players, coaches, referees, and fans will only continue…Coach Knight has proven that already.  Is he on METH?

There is NO lesson learned here.  From the tape, the athlete’s TMJ now has a problem for life…Very difficult area once injured to rehab !  The athlete’s head “flew back” … not a “love tap” like the talking heads were saying on some shows trying to justify that violence.

Coach Few of Gonzaga Bulldogs and other coaches must take the lead here.  No person will gain self-respect, dignity, and optimism by being assaulted by an authority figure…just ask any child abuse victim !

 

FIRE HIM NOW

coach knight – fire his abusive butt

 

What did I miss?  Because you are a coach at a University, allows

you to physically abuse and psychologically misuse your players? 

NOT !   And not infront of national television audiences.

If anyone really cares whether or not Coach Knight breaks the record he is aimed at.  His abuse continues…just like that of domestic violence.  Now, the honeymoon period of flowers, forget-me-nots, and joking style.  But, as many Emergency Physicians know,  the cycle of his violence toward players, coaches, referees, and fans will only continue…Coach Knight has proven that already.  Is he on METH?

There is NO lesson learned here.  From the tape, the athlete’s TMJ now has a problem for life…Very difficult area once injured to rehab !  The athlete’s head “flew back” … not a “love tap” like the talking heads were saying on some shows trying to justify that violence.

Coach Few of Gonzaga and other coaches must take the lead here.  No person will gain self-respect, dignity, and optimism by being assaulted by an authority figure…just ask any child abuse victim !

FIRE HIM NOW

SOMEONE WILL GET HURT !   INTERVENE AND COUNSEL. 

WHO BEARS THAT RESPONSIBILITY THEN…THE UNIVERSITY, THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, THE MEDIA FOR PLAYING THE TAPE OVER AND OVER, OR HIS FAMILY FOR NOT STEPPING IN….ANY ATTORNEYS OUT THERE TO TAKE THIS ONE ON AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY?  ON BEHALF OF ALL “PEEWEES.”

top drugs in retail PHARMACIES 2005 legal use and abuse – and no meth ?

GENERIC FAVORITE FIVE

HYDROCODONE/APAP

GABAPENTIN

AMOXICILLIN/CLAV

PAROXITENE

OXYCODONE

HYDROS INCREASED OVER 10% FROM 2004

OXYCODONES INCREASED OVER 240% FROM 2004

 

BRAND FAVORITE FIVE

LIPITOR

NEXIUM

PREVACID

ZOCOR

ADVAIR

ALL HAD MODEST RISES OR FALLS IN GROWTH OVER 2004

 

USE AND ABUSE OF THE NARCOTICS CONTINUES AT A STAGGERING RATE IN THE UNITED STATES…DO YOU WONDER ABOUT DRUG PHARMA ADVERTISING AND IT'S EFFECT ON THE POPULATION…WHICH DRUG PHARMA COMPANIES REVEAL COSTS OF ADVERTISING RISING THE SAME?  A FUTURE BLOG PERHAPS…..

 

(lists adapted from drup topics 3-06)