Medication Mimics Disease

Medication mimics disease. Medication mimics disease. Medication mimics disease. This is one of the first medical pearls I learned in medical school. Tried an true. Time and again I have found it to be truer than I would like to believe.

I first wrote about this last year as my father was recovering from heart bypass surgery. Click the following link to read the blog on this after you finish reading this one, http://bit.ly/Dsr8H. I have experienced this myself and this time I know it is the medication that caused my recent asthma attacks.

When you are on more than one medication, it is hard to tell if it is the medication or another illness. In an effort to treat one problem, you develop another that makes you feel worse than what you have been treated for.

I was so pleased to see my blood pressure responding to about the fifth medicine my doctors had tried without success. Finally, the "magic" medication was working! After a few daily doses of this 24 hour, long acting, slow release pill, I started getting short of breath and wheezing. The asthma flareup was not responding to regular use of inhalers.

I could see no other cause for my asthma, so I decided to stop the blood pressure med. After two days the asthma attacks became less frequent, but remained. I went back to my medicine cabinet, and figured it must be another new med. I decided to read the drug information for side effects. Quite naturally, I trusted my doctors would know this was a side effect, and not give it to me since I have asthma (or not?). I read up on the side effects of yet another muscle relaxant "sample" my doctor had issued me. All my doctors missed this, and instead chose to give more med for the asthma.

I took matters into my own hands again, and stopped the other medication. After two days these 24 hour, long acting, "magic" meds were out of my system the asthma was gone, and I started feeling a lot better!

Medication mimics disease. Yes, it does. This was only one lesson learned. As I blogged before (http://bit.ly/r1snG), you should be reading the same information as your doctor on your medication and side effects. Well, if your doctor is not reading it, what are you going to do? Read it yourself, or get someone to read it to you!

You would like to think your doctor knows, but they don't especially if they are giving out new medication samples routinely. Second lesson, doctors are so eager to try new meds and to satisfy the drug reps that give them. This means they may get a financial incentive or some other "prize", and they will get more free samples.

Third lesson, we as patients are so eager to see results and feel better that we do as prescribed. We would like to know our doctor would "do no harm". Doctors hardly have or take the time to read about new medication. They just give it out, and if they pray, pray for the best.

Finally, once daily long acting medication sounds convenient. it is, but once you take it it lingers in your body longer. The side effects are continuous. When you have more than one medication, and more than one long acting, you can get a new disease or severe exacerbation of another.

Look out for yourself. Read up on your medicines before you take them. Check with your pharmacist who may be of some help (my pharmacist was unaware like my docs). Talk with others who may take the same. I would say call the drug company, but am hesitant to say if they would own up to whatever side effects you may be having.

Medication mimics disease. When in doubt, start with medication adjustment. Discuss it with your doctor, if you are able to get them before you succumb to another disease caused by medication.

Best, safe health to all!


By J.L. Richardson, MD, family medicine doctor, patient, patient advocate, and author of the award winning Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

www.mypatienthandbook.com/
www.blogtalkradio.com/drjfpmd
www.twitter.com/MD4U

5 More Medical Moneysavers

Thanks for your responses to the first ten medical money savers. So you want more? Here are five medical money savers to help you spend your health dollars wisely.

1. Keep weight stable. It is the healthy thing to do. This will save on grocery and clothing expenses. Long term savings on medical expenses.
2. Get prescription meds in bulk quantity of 100 versus thirty day supply especially if you are paying for your meds.Buy nonprescription medical items in bulk when on sale. You will be amazed at your savings when you buy a six to twelve month supply on sale. This tip is also effective for emergency preparedness.
3. Check with your state provisions for health care. Many states have low cost insurance plans available. For instance, in Florida the program is Cover Florida, http://www.coverfloridahealthcare.com/. Check what your state has to offer by contacting the state health agency.
4. Talk with your doctor by phone, fax, and email to save on the cost of an office visit payment. Just think about the number of office visits you have been to where all you did was talk (after waiting for a long while). Save your time and money.
5. For blood pressure checks, get yourself a home blood pressure monitor. Call in your readings. Many doctors will discover that your blood pressure is actually stable when the stress of the doctor's white coat is absent. For diabetics, a home glucometer is very useful for monitoring blood sugar.

Invest in your most important asset - YOU.

Great health is true wealth!

J.L.Richardson, MD, family medicine expert, is the author of the award winning, Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/

10 Money Saving Medical Tips

You are your most important asset. Here are some money saving medical tips to help you during these tough financial times.

1) Keep your health insurance coverage. This is as important as your home and food. Cut expenses elsewhere to keep it in your budget. Let your doctor know if you do not have insurance coverage. Many offer discounts to the uninsured as do other health providers like hospitals and diagnostic centers. Pay for what you need instead of relying on insurance.

2) If you lose your job, get COBRA through your employer. You will have at least 18 months of coverage. You will have to pay for it. It is worth it.


3) Be sure you are up to date on your health maintenance. Get in now for your physical and preventive tests (mammogram, blood tests, eye exam, shots, etc.).

4) Check your medication, prescription and non-prescription. Review these with your doctor to discontinue any you really do not need, and/or can't afford. Let your doctor know if you are unable to afford any of your medication, so other options can be discussed such as drug assistance programs. Research them yourself on the Internet, and by calling or writing the drug company that makes your medication. Remember to include your non prescription medicine in your budget (like cough medicine, stool enhancers, pain relievers, etc.). Talk with your pharmacist.


5) Discontinue unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking. These items cost money and your health.


6) If you are disabled, you can withdraw money from your IRA without paying the penalty and taxes. You may need this money to pay for present or future health costs. It may benefit you more while you are well enough to enjoy it. By the time retirement rolls around, you may not be around.


7) Eat healthy small servings. Smaller portions of healthy food save your money and your health. Remember this when you eat out.

8) Exercise at home. Save your money and time on that gym membership. You can reap the same and better benefits with a home exercise program with or without expensive exercise equipment. Turn on the TV and participate in the fitness shows that are best for you. Exercise DVDs and tapes are a one time expense that can be used again and again. Ride your bicycle, take a walk or jog in your neighborhood. It all counts.


9) Continue your home exams like self breast exams, and self scrotal exams. You may detect something early. There is much controversy about the self breast exam, and it is no longer recommended by some. Common sense tells you that self detection is a smart thing to do.

10) Save money for your health bank. As insurance companies and plans cover less, you will be paying for more for services and premiums. Keep a nest egg for health expenses.

Remember that YOU are your most important asset. Great health is true wealth.

Dr. Richardson is the author of the award winning, Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health
Guide.http://www.mypatienthandbook.com/

Drug Prices Cheaper With Coupons?

This week my doctor gave me samples (about 4 to be exact) of a new medication he thought would benefit me. He also gave me a coupon for up to $30 off with the written prescription he gave me. On this coupon your patient information must be disclosed. There is space for your name, address, and a check box "if payment to pharmacy".

I call it a coupon. The drug company calls it a copay assistance card. If by chance, your pharmacy does not accept the copay card it instructs you to complete the personal information and mail it in with your pharmacy receipt (cost to mail another 43 cents).

There are all sorts of codes listed on the card in a small box. What does this mean? It seems like some secret tagging process.

I have two issues with this - the privacy afforded patients by HIPAA , and the copay card itself. If you get "up to $30 off", that can only mean that the medication is at least $29.99. This is an average amount for any monthly supply of meds as far as I am concerned.

Thank you, but no thank you, doc. Did it ever dawn on you that I may not be able to fit this in my already tight medical budget? I would have appreciated more samples especially if you have prescribed it to help me. Even information about the drug would have been welcome.

I was turned down for more samples even after shouting down the hall that this seemed unaffordable. I was denied the time to even think about asking for written drug information. Makes you go hmmm....


J.L. Richardson, M.D. is author of the award winning (soon to be NY Times bestseller), Patient Handbook to Medical Care: Your Personal Health Guide.

http://mypatienthandbook.com/