Prescripton Drugs - Kill or Cure?

Are We Being Naive In Our Faith With The Drug Industry

When you get to read my book, (I am awaiting a conference call at the moment to go over the finer details of the pending publishing of it) you will see that I mention prescription drugs, especially anti-depressants and I tell you about all the alternatives you can take to help yourself.

You can read all about my book on my November post.

You do get the impression, early on, that I do not believe in drugs (unless given in a life and death situation, of course) and fought against being prescribed anti-depressants because I knew that I did not need them and this was confirmed by a psychiatrist (it's ok, I was pronounced as 'sane' and having no mental illness)! You will read on a post further down how I recently had these 'foisted upon me' against my will and so refused to take them.

This is not to mean that you can just suddenly stop taking any that you may have been prescribed because this is dangerous. They have been shown to help in major depression so they may be helping you ok, but I was only ever in the mild depression bracket because I have been taking alternative remedies for many years.

I have just read an article that can only add even more substance to my claim that a lot of prescription drugs may not be fit for their purpose. The only winners are the drugs companies and the billions of dollars that pour into their coffers each year. I will refer to extracts taken from my Candis (health/charity) magazine.

In the UK we spend out £8.2 billion (GBP) on prescriptions and it is said that GP's hand out an average 14 prescriptions per person which will increase for the over 65's. We accept our medication without even querying it. Would we just grab any old car, house or holiday without looking for a good deal. We trust our doctors and accept whatever they may hand out with a rather childlike trust.

Whilst drugs can help and heal, they can also hurt and harm us and we don't even give the fact another thought. Well, I have done and have also researched the subject in great depth.

In the UK alone, prescription drugs kill between 10 and 15,000 people a year and when you think this is 3-5 times the number of people who die on the roads here, the enormity of it will surely hit you. They also cause an astonishing one million admissions to our hospitals, which is a staggering 6.5 per cent of the total. A number of these may be accidental overdoses but unfortunately the rest is down to adverse drug reactions - from heart attacks to hallucinations.

In Canada, a study showed that the type of drugs to cause problems are:

• pain relief drugs (based on opium)


• heavy tranquillisers (known as antipsychotics)


• sleeping tablets


• anti-depressants

If road safety was treated in the same way as drug safety is, then we'd be driving with few traffic lights, without seat belts, no white lines or street lighting - and crashes would never be investigated, says Charles Medawar, director of the charity 'Social Audit', which monitors the pharmaceutical industry.

It is naive to think that every available drug has been trial tested and not only that, that interaction with other drugs has also been widely tested as this is just not possible. It costs the drug companies £300-600 million for the different trial types and would needs years and years of testing. Needless to state, the drugs companies have found ways around the rigorous process and can be set so they are more likely to show favourable results. Shocked? so you should be. They are likely to use volunteers who are younger and fitter then the elderly people who have the bulk of the prescriptions.

In a study, the 'New England Journal of Medicine' found that only 2 per cent of the people included in trials of aspirin-like anti-inflammatory drugs were over 65, despite the fact that this age group is more likely to use them. Also the elderly are more likely to suffer from drug reactions as when we age we get less efficient at handling toxins.

Women are also under represented in trials so reactions that women are vulnerable to, such as problems with heart rhythm, are less likely to show up in trials until after a drug is considered safe.

20 per cent of the most commonly prescribed drugs do not have a licence for the condition they are being used for. This is known as 'off label prescribing'. This means a drug may be prescribed for another purpose from that which it was intended.

For example: heavy tranquillisers that are licensed for use with schizophrenia are now also being routinely prescribed in the treatment of elderly patients with dementia and children with behavioural problems.

I have my own example where I was prescribed a drug that was supposed to help with my hot flashes (but it did not), which was marketed to treat high blood pressure! (belonging to a group of med's called vasodilators - which cause blood vessels to dilate (widen) thereby increasing the blood flow). These were originally trialled as an anti-depressant but were found not to be of much use. The leaflet says that it should not be taken if 'you have a history of depression or you are depressed' with such possible side effects as: low blood pressure, tiredness, difficulty in sleeping, hallucinations, confusion, nightmares, depression, anxiety, etc., etc., so be warned!

This 'off label prescribing' is widely practiced both in the UK and the US but it's one that is widely abused and it must be recalled the drug disaster stories that were around at the time - the link between HRT and heart disease and suicides and anti-depressants drugs for children - which were prescribed 'off label'.

As many as 200,000 dementia patients are being prescribed antipyschotics even though large scale studies have shown that they are not suitable for such people and can increase their risk of a stroke. There are also bad side effects such as: involuntary or repetitive movements, large weight gain, very low blood pressure, intense dreams or nightmares, lethargy or seizures.

They are also being prescribed to children with behavioural difficulties and is like giving chemotherapy for a headache.

The average person over the age of 65, is taking 29 different prescriptions! and as mentioned above, none of these multiple combinations have ever been tested in clinical trials and taking such a combination is likely to do more harm than good (Dr Malcolm Kendrick, a columnist for GP magazine 'Pulse'). Nobody is going to test them all because it would cost billions plus the drugs are made by different companies so co-operation between them all would be a problem.

It is mentioned that most elderly patients would be far healthier with fewer prescriptions. In-fact, an Israeli study in 2008 found that when a group of elderly patients reduced the number of drugs they took, they were 3 times less likely to have an emergency dash to hospital.

Relative and Absolute Risk

As well as becoming aware of the possible dangers from drugs, there are two things that can help you get a better idea of how effective a drug is. The first is the difference between relative and absolute risk. Your GP may tell you that a certain drug reduces your risk of some conditions by 25-30 per cent making it sound worth taking, but they might not mention how big the risk is to start with.

In trials of the risk of having a first heart attack, for example, it is 4 per cent on a placebo and 3 per cent on a cholestrol-lowering statin. That is a drop of 25 per cent - known as the relative risk. But the real (absolute) risk reduction is only 1 per cent. Not so impressive.

The second is something known as NNT (numbers needed to treat). This tells you how many people have to be treated with a drug over a certain period for one to benefit. So an NNT of one means that everyone who is treated benefits; NNT2 means that it works for one in two. e.g. head lice lotion has an NNT of one, aspirin has an NNT of two for reducing the pain of a sprain. Preventative treatments like the cholestrol-lowering statin drugs have very high NNT's, such as 641 to prevent one stroke.

So, it is up to us to ensure that we know everything we can about the drugs we are taking. My book stresses the fact that you must thoroughly read the leaflet accompanying your prescription. Do not be afraid to ask your GP questions about your med's and if you do suffer any of the side effects then it is vital you go back and tell him.

10 Questions to ask your Doctor (taken from Candis) - make an informed decision

1. Is this a drug that has only recently been licensed?
2. Is it a replacement for one that has just run out of patent?
3. Is this drug being prescribed 'off label' or not?
4. Have there been any trial of the drug run by researchers who are not financed by the drug manufacturers?
5. Was the drug tested on the same sort of people who are most likely to use it?
6. Has the drug been tested against any drugs already in use and how did it perform in those tests?
7. Are there any non-drug treatments that could be more effective than drugs for this condition?
8. Have all the trials carried out on the drug been registered anywhere so we know what all the results were? Did any trials show no effect or signs of problems?
9. What is the actual percentage figure for this drug's absolute risk versus relative risk and what is it's NNT?
10. What side effects are there and what serious side effects should I make sure I report immediately

I personally think that we probably won't have much luck in getting answers to some of these questions! Number 7 particularly interests me because when I told my doctor I was taking an alternative to anti-depressants he made it more than clear (on more than one occassion) that he did not believe in these alternatives, so I would be very suprised if your doctor recommends a 'non drug treatment that could be more effective'. If they do, then I suggest you hang on to them!

Remember - you must never just stop taking any medication that you have been prescribed as it is dangerous and could even be fatal. - I am not a doctor.

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Bonnie

The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It

Menopause - Does Not Cause Depression

The Truth About The Menopause and How Important It Is To Take Care of Yourself

My book (which you can read all about in my other posting, along with my post regarding anti-depressants), contains a chapter entitled 'How stress can double the misery of hot flashes and cold sweats during the menopause'. Like the rest of my journey, which you follow in my book, it shows you my experiences as they are happening and this is especially true in this chapter.

I tell how I gave in to HRT (hormone replacement therapy) patches against my better judgement and the resulting reaction in only two months, which ended up in my having to have a 'scraping' done of my endometrium for testing at the hospital. What I have not told you, which transpired 7 weeks after this test, was that the hospital managed to lose it! no trace could be found. It was fortunate that this was done as a precautionary measure only - to check that all was ok.

Luckily I recently had a couple of scans which showed that all was 'normal' which has gone a long way to reassuring me. I was disappointed because the patches had actually stopped the hot flashes, so now they are back again. I have no doubt that my alternative health therapies have stopped the severity of the menopause.

This chapter also tells of how I helped myself and the various alternative therapies that you can try to alleviate the distresssing symptoms for yourself, along with healthy eating. I am bringing you this post to further help you (which was the reason for writing my book in the first place). By chance I found the article below and as it says to share the information, I am pleased to do so - therefore not taking any credit for the article whatsoever!

Here goes, I hope that it helps you:

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Menopause, Menopause Symptoms, Perimenopause

Menopause is a normal part of life. It is one step in a long, slow process of reproductive aging. For most women this process begins silently somewhere around age 40 when periods may start to be less regular. Declining levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause changes in your periods. These hormones are important for keeping the vagina and uterus healthy as well as for normal menstrual cycles and for successful pregnancy. Estrogen also helps to keep bones healthy. It helps women keep good cholesterol levels in their blood.

Some types of surgery can bring on menopause. For instance, removal of your uterus (hysterectomy) will make your periods stop. When both ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), menopause symptoms may start right away, no matter what your age.

What Are Menopause Symptoms, Hormones and Change?

A woman’s body changes throughout her lifetime. Many of those changes are due to varying hormone levels that happen at different stages in life. Puberty often starts when a girl is about 12 years old. Her body changes breasts and pubic hair develop, monthly periods begin.

Menopausal transition, commonly called perimenopause, is the time when a woman’s body is closer to menopause. At this time, a woman’s periods may become less regular, and she may start to feel menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Perimenopause usually begins about 2 to 4 years before the last menstrual period. It lasts for about 1 year after your last period. Menopause is marked by a woman’s last menstrual period. You cannot know for sure what is your last period until you have been period free for 1 full year. Post menopause follows menopause and lasts the rest of your life. Pregnancy is no longer possible. There may be some symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, which may continue long after you have passed through menopause.

What Are the Signs of Menopause and Menopause Symptoms?

Changing hormone levels can cause a variety of symptoms that may last from a few months to a few years or longer. Some women have slight discomfort or worse. Others have little or no trouble. If any of these changes bother you, check with your doctor. The most common symptoms are:

Changes in periods. One of the first signs may be a change in a woman’s periods. Many women become less regular; some have a lighter flow than normal; others have a heavier flow and may bleed a lot for many days. Periods may come less than 3 weeks apart or last more than a week. There may be spotting between periods. Women who have had problems with heavy menstrual periods and cramps will find relief from these symptoms when menopause starts.

Hot flashes. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat in the upper part or all of your body. Your face and neck become flushed. Red blotches may appear on your chest, back, and arms. Heavy sweating and cold shivering can follow. Flashes can be as mild as a light blush or severe enough to wake you from a sound sleep (called night sweats). Most flashes last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes.

Problems with the vagina and bladder. The genital area can get drier and thinner as estrogen levels change. This dryness may make sexual intercourse painful. Vaginal infections can become more common. Some women have more urinary tract infections. Other problems can make it hard to hold urine long enough to get to the bathroom. Some women find that urine leaks during exercise, sneezing, coughing, laughing, or running.

Sex. Some women find that their feelings about sex change with menopause. Some have changes to the vagina, such as dryness, that makes sexual intercourse painful. Others feel freer and sexier after menopause relieved that pregnancy is no longer a worry. Until you have had 1 full year without a period, you should still use birth control if you do not want to become pregnant. After menopause a woman can still get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV/AIDS or gonorrhea. If you are worried about STDs, make sure your partner uses a condom each time you have sex.

Sleep problems. Some women find they have a hard time getting a good night sleep they may not fall asleep easily or may wake too early. They may need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and then find they aren’t able to fall back to sleep. Hot flashes also may cause some women to wake up.

Mood changes. There may be a relationship between changes in estrogen levels and a woman’s mood. Shifts in mood may also be caused by stress, family changes such as children leaving home, or feeling tired. Depression is NOT a symptom of menopause.

Changes in your body. Some women find that their bodies change around the time of menopause. With age, waists thicken, muscle mass is lost, fat tissue may increase, skin may get thinner. Other women have memory problems, or joint and muscle stiffness and pain. With regular exercise and attention to diet, many of these changes may be eased or prevented.

What About Heart and Bones for Menopause Symptom Relief?

You may not even notice two important changes that happen with menopause.
* Loss of bone tissue can weaken your bones and cause osteoporosis.
* Heart disease risk may grow, due to age-related increases in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Osteoporosis. To maintain strong bones, the body is always breaking down old bone and replacing it with new healthy bone. For women, the loss of estrogen around the time of menopause causes more bone to be lost than is replaced. If too much bone is lost, bones become thin and weak and can break easily. Many people do not know they have weak bones until they break a wrist, hip, or spine bone (vertebrae). Doctors can test bone density (bone densitometry) to find out if you are at risk of osteoporosis. You can lower your risk of bone loss and osteoporosis by making changes to your lifestyle regular weight-bearing exercise and getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D can help. There are also drugs available that prevent bone loss. Talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you.

Heart disease. Younger women have a lower risk of heart disease than do men of the same age. But after menopause, a woman’s risk of heart disease is almost the same as a man. In fact, heart disease is the major cause of death in women, killing more women than lung or breast cancer. It’s important to know your blood pressure, and levels of cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose. You can lower your chance of heart disease by eating a healthy diet, not smoking, losing weight, and exercising regularly. There are also drugs that can help. Talk to your doctor to be sure you are doing everything possible to protect your heart.

How Can I Stay Healthy Throughout Menopause?

To stay healthy you can make some changes in the way you live. For example:
* Don’t smoke.
* Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat. Your diet should aim to be high in fiber and include fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods. It should also be well balanced in vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* Take part in weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, jogging, running, or dancing, at least 3 days each week.
* Take medicine to lower your blood pressure if your doctor prescribes it for you.
* For vaginal discomfort, use a water-based vaginal lubricant (not petroleum jelly) or an estrogen cream.
* If you frequently feel an urgent need to urinate, ask your doctor about techniques such as pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback, and bladder training that can help you improve muscle control.
* Be sure to get regular pelvic and breast exams, Pap tests, and mammograms. Contact your doctor right away if you notice a lump in your breast.
* If you are having hot flashes, keep a diary to track when they happen. You may be able to use this information to help find out what triggers them.

Try these tips to help manage hot flashes:
* When a hot flash starts, go somewhere cool.
* If hot flashes wake you at night, try sleeping in a cool room.
* Dress in layers that you can take off if you get too warm.
* Use sheets and clothing that let your skin breathe.
* Have a cold drink (water or juice) at the beginning of a flash.

What About Hormone Replacement for Menopause Symptom Relief?

Recent studies are recommending that hormone replacement therapy using estrogen and progestin (HRT) be used only for short-term treatment of menopausal symptoms.

Studies involving women taking estrogen without progestin (ERT) are still in progress. While ERT alone increases the risk of endometrial cancer, estrogen taken in combination with progestin (HRT) does not increase the risk. Women who have had a hysterectomy do not have an increased risk of uterine cancer.

A woman who has a uterus and is unable to tolerate the side effects of progestin in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may consider estrogen-only replacement therapy (ERT) if testing shows no abnormalities of the endometrium. Close observation for precancerous changes of the endometrium is required, including an annual pelvic exam and an annual endometrial biopsy.

No studies have compared different types estrogens to see whether there is a difference in their effects. Some women prefer estrogens that do not come from animal products.

HRT was initially only licensed as a treatment for osteoporosis

but was widely prescribed for symptoms of the menopause and to prevent heart disease - based on the assumption that women are less likely to suffer a heart attack while younger because of high estrogen levels. so if they were given high doses in later life if would offer the same protection. When the results of the Women's Health Initiative study were published in 2002, involving over 16,000 women over 50, it turned out that those on the drug did have fewer hip fractures and colorectal cancer they also had an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.

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Unfortunately, I had a coil fitted for 5 years because of very heavy periods for 35 years so it was impossible to know just when my periods had stopped naturally (they had stopped altogether when having the coil fitted). You do need this information before starting HRT so this did ultimately worry me as both myself and my doctor had no way of knowing this.

This was not helped by the fact that 10 months before I had had some blood tests taken and was only then informed, by chance, that my periods had stopped then! this meant that I had the coil in for no good reason! Also, I started HRT patches just 12 days after having the coil removed.

I strongly suggest that all factors are considered before you decide to go down this road. Personally I am now glad to have ceased the patches and will try every alternative method going as I really do not want any more HRT in any shape or form!

Again, you can make your own informed decision but remember there are lots of other things you can try - most of which you can read about in my book which will be out soon, both in physical form and PDF.

Your comments and stories are welcome and you can contact me on:

howyoucanbeatdepression@googlemail.com

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Are you planning to, or have you already written your own book? Then I can highly recommend my own publisher. click on the link below for details:

Bonnie

The Truth About Depression and How You Can Beat It (author)