Me too! The scary part is the irreversable illnesses that they dont tell you about because they havent been tested thoroughly. The ones with all the class action suits pending in all those ADS from the cheesy lawyers.
Coffee Break #20 - Baseball weather??
I've decided not to take any menopause meds either.
Victor you NEED menapause meds. AHEM how much dancing have you done lately with Mrs. Victor on the dance floor? I rest my case.
I don't like to take any meds, there have been meds taken off the market after years of use due to unexpected complications. Side effects can be worse than the initial condition. Fortunately I'm still young and healthy enough not to need any.
I agree. Like Chris Rock said "the moneys' in the medicine, not the cure"
I was watching 20/20 last night about the book "Superfreakonomics" and the great inventions that have made us safe like the seatbelt, and they featured Jonas Salk and the polio cure. That was a great boon to the well being of the world. But since then it seems to be a commercial venture without heed to safety. I was surprised that they recommended an old tried and true method which works on a lot of common ills without prescription .....aspirin (which is made from the willow tree).
Love Chris Rock, was watching him on Comedy Central about the same time 20/20 was on. I flipped back and forth between the 2. lol
Oh Pixie, I missed it! I need Tivo :-)
Yes, that would of been nice to have but I don't either so I just did the flip. ^_^
BTW, he was doing the one about the meds and then went off onto the Crispy Cremes! lol
This message was edited Oct 24, 2009 9:09 AM
Oh, I saw that before! Love that one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7P4iFg048k
(Bad language alert)
I prefer not to take any meds unless necessary. But drug companies are demonized way too much. People are living way longer, and with good quality, mainly because of medication. They certainly are not eating better (especially Americans) and not exercising more. There would be so many more cancer, stroke and cardiac deaths and permanent disabilities out there without them.
That is definitely true Victor.
Yes, if they can afford them. Why does an asthma inhalor cost over $100.00? Overseas cost, less than a dollar? Why when most businesses are struggling,there is a new drugstore opening on every corner? Capitalism needs to be taken out of medicine.Older people who need it most, can least afford it and shouldnt have to choose between taking overpriced meds or eating.
We have too many old people. ^_^
True, people living longer was definitely a factor that was not taken into consideration years ago.
Very true that medicine & drugs have done a lot of good but many of those prescriptions (cancer fighters, beta blockers) are not the money makers. Depression, viagra, decongestants toe fungus,all the relatively elective medicines ("ask your Dr about _) are where they put their advertising dollars.
Big difference between the drugs they don't need to advertise (your doctor tellsyou that you need them) and the ones they try to get you to diagnose yourself & bring up to your Dr.
Quit picking on us old people.
Who would do the work if it wasn't for old people ?
Young people like to get big paycheck & not work.
As for old people can't afford meds. Bunk! I was paying $150.00 a month before I got on medicare. Now it is $2.40 per drug per refill. About $12 a month for me.
Don't believe all the bull you hear from your favorite politician.
Bernie
Yes, I was going to say that about affordability of drugs for seniors. Since they passed the prescription drug thing for medicare, I doubt many are choosing between food and meds.
As for the old vs young, I don't quite agree, Bernie. More and more burden is placed on younger people. It only takes a few years on average for retired people to take out what they've contributed to ss and medicare. It will be so much harder for our kids and grandkids because the pols are afraid to make the tough decisions. Seniors are the most reliable voting block. I remember in the early 90's when congress passed a catastrophic helath bill that seniors did not like. An angry 'mob' of seniors were rocking the car of Dan Rostenkowski outside the Capitol! They undid the bill in short order.
True about the advertising, Dave. As we were saying about the ED drugs.
I'm talking about WORK. Nothing to do with paying.
You know getting out there & shoveling, sweeping, packing, anything that requires more than standing around. Go to an construction site & see who's actually working.
Any other job that takes physical labor, same thing.
The medicare drugs only last so long & then you have to pay again. I was getting my tapes & lancets through medicare & that will stop because to keep up with that plant our independant pharmacist would have to pay more than he can afford. We are glad to have him instead of a chain.
That was my point Dave. i don't think dr's, lawyers and drugs (those ethical institutions) should be advertised. it just strikes me as wrong. Just my opinion.
Bernie, you are one of the lucky ones. Good for you. But I know some seniors who are having a hard time paying for meds.
Thank god for the seniors! They are the only ones who give you a smile and actually help when it comes to customer service.
Not sure which is worse - seeing ads for ED drugs or FEMININE PRODUCTS, with too many descriptive words thrown in!
Feminine products are a fact of life. I'm sure you've bought some for your spouse Victor :-) Its no worse than women having to put up with racing stripes:-)
The worse commercial has to be Bob the nerd getting those admiring looks from women cause now he's on ED. Give me a break.
Lots of things are facts of life that don't really need to be shown on tv during kid time.
Actually, I do see a natural connection between some of these products and lawyer ads.
Another great ad.......take this drug to quit smoking before you commit suicide....just a minor side effect. Big Pharm is Big Money, but remember they spend massive amounts of money on R&D. Nobody wants a repeat of thalidomide babies, so they need to recoup their money before the patent expires.
I hope the Yanks play and win tonight. But whoever wins, I hope they give the Phillies a spanking! Bernie, I was born in Minneapolis, so the Vikings and Twins are firmly entrenched in my heart.
The Vikings have to go play in a soup hole at Pittsburgh tomorrow. Wonder how bad the collage game tore it up today.
Quit smoking, I don't even want to go there. It's as bad as someone whining about their weight while they are throwing down a huge plate of chow.
I quit August 13, 1982, 7:30 PM. I was 3 pack a day smoker. Quit cold turkey.
When I was scared by a little heart deal, not attack, I was informed if I lost some weight it would help. 50 lbs disappeared in 6 months. All it takes for either is will power! No fancy drugs.
Bernie
Wow Bernie
You could have been the poster child for Nancy Reagan :-)
I am on Medicaid AND Medicare and figuring out the approximately 12 prescriptions I take is pretty complex. (Some have to be with food, some on an empty stomach, etc.) I can't get more than 30 days worth of anything, so i can't plan ahead. Some stuff I have to get a new letter of medical necessity for from my MD every year, even though I've been taking the same drug for 10 or 20 years. Takes up a lot of time ....
Anyone remember which thread had those chips Victor was talking about?
What CR was talking about the drugs and cures is sooooo true! You're right, Victor, people are living longer with drugs, but at what cost? So many side effects, and more medications to control those side effects. And still there are not cures. People would get a lot less sick if doctors practiced preventative health care rather than drugging everyone up to control the symptoms of whatever is ailing them. Of course, once you get to that point of having an ailment, then I guess there's no going back unless someone can find a cure.
Bernie, maybe you're one of the few older people who can afford to pay a high amount for your medications. Many cannot, and I know some personally, including my father. He was recently prescribed a med that would have costed him over $100 a month just for that one, and he takes at least 6 others. Without medicaid and Mass Health (medicare), he would have to pay several hundred a month for all his meds, and that means he would be suffering financially. It's terrible when people can't afford the medications that can help them live a good quality of life. I have a good friend who does not qualify for Mass Health, as she and her DH make just over the minimum. She's constantly stressed out because of insurance companies giving her the runaround on paying for certain things, including meds. Carrie, I feel for you. Sounds like you're having the same kinds of problems as my friend.
Yeah, Victor, I agree with you on the ED and feminine products ads. Enough, already! But what about ads for underwear? Back in the 50's or even the 70's that would have been considered awfully racy!
Karen
I think it was this thread, Carrie.
People would not need so many meds if they would just take care of themselves. Eat intelligently, exercise and not smoke. It's not really complicated. Most of our problems are self-inflicted.
Not to mention unmentionable!
I agree with Victor!
I don't understand. Medicare or whatever is paying for the pills & they still can't afford them.
Everybody I know are getting help with meds one way or another, seniors.
My mom has all hers paid for too, so I don't understand why some seniors wouldn't be.
depends on the meds they need.
Depends on their income, too. Some people are just above the minimum and don't qualify for help, yet they really don't make enough to live on.
Karen
Isn't the medicare RX available to all seniors?
Only for a certain amount & time period. What do you do for the couple of months there are before the plan kicks in again?
Went to an Army hockey game tonight! Good game, but ended in a tie.
Can't do that in baseball. can one?
Yes, Victor, until they fall into the "donut hole" They are trying to resolve that issue with the ongoing healthcare reform bills. Healthy lifestyles do not always guarantee a drug free life. My Mom never needed any drugs until she hit 85 and had complications from cancer. She is now 89, breezed through her radiation for her second cancer, and does a happy dance because she's down to two scripts because she's so healthy. She's a tough bird.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe US citizens are eligible for medicare at 65 no matter what their income level is.
That is right.
All kind of rumors about SS & Medicare. Go to SS office & get it straight.
People are spreading these rumors for who knows why!