Quote from Simon Baker as Patrick Jane in television drama, The Mentalist, entering upon a scene involving a meeting of hospital medics!
“A room of professionals who prescribe drugs they know little about
to cure diseases they know even less about
for people they know nothing about
– and they call me a fraud!”
Please take a moment to read this page.
It’s especially important if you're taking any prescribed medicines.
It’s especially important if you're taking any prescribed medicines.
Firstly, please make sure you check, regularly, that any medicine you’re taking is right for you. In their proper place, prescribed drugs can be essential and life-saving; in the wrong one, they may actually contribute to a worsening of symptoms. Did you know that a very large percentage of the drugs available on prescription have, believe it or not, never been shown in scientific studies to provide any benefit.
High numbers of patients have no idea what their prescribed medicine is for. Further, far too many patients rely on repeat prescriptions, sometimes for many years, without any kind of check-up in between.
For example?
Someone taking a particular type of antibiotic (prescribed in the UK) for a skin condition was allowed repeat prescriptions of the same drug for more than five years! No, that's not a misprint. Unfortunately, by this time, the patient concerned was suffering severe gut problems as a result of excessive use. But she didn't report this to the doctor and kept taking the tablets because no-one queried her request for repeat prescriptions - so she assumed it was ok to continue taking them. The situation was only discovered when she moved overseas and tried to obtain further supplies. At that point, she was advised that this type of antibiotic was not suitable for use where there was any likelihood of sun exposure (which should have been of special concern because this lady spent 6 months of each year in Spain). Other more suitable treatments were then prescribed for her skin condition and her digestive discomfort, and probiotics were recommended to try to repair the damage which would have been caused to her gut flora over so many years.
In another case, a hospital consultant prescribed a drug for a patient without realising that the same drug had already been prescribed by the patient's doctor. Unfortunately, no medication history was taken by the hospital and none was provided to the hospital by the GP. The patient didn’t realise he was taking double the dose of the same medicine because, even though the ingredients were identical, the brand names were different and the two lots of tablets were different in shape and colour. After a few months, when the patient's condition worsened, a long list of hospital tests was carried out, all of which proved negative. The reason behind the symptoms was only discovered when the patient was referred to me for nutritional advice and I enquired, as I do with all patients, about his prescription history. Having discovered the anomaly, I then referred the patient on to our chief medical consultant for review. Once the medication was sorted out and returned to the proper dosage, the gentleman made a full recovery.
In a third incident, a patient in his 80s was admitted to hospital with severe pain throughout his body, complete exhaustion, dizziness, loss of appetite, and widespread bruising of the skin which occurred at the slightest touch. A batch of tests were carried out resulting in a diagnosis of multiple organ failure. The patient's family were advised and the patient 'taken home to die'. On arriving there, this gentleman, who still had complete control of all his mental faculties, decided for himself to give up all his prescribed medication (twelve different drugs which, it was subsequently discovered, had been issued on repeat prescription and not reviewed by his doctor or consultant for several years!). Only one week later, all symptoms had resolved and the patient was working in his garden. He continues to be well. These kinds of 'illnesses' are known as iatrogenic (medically induced) and, sadly, over the years, I have encountered many such cases.
High numbers of patients have no idea what their prescribed medicine is for. Further, far too many patients rely on repeat prescriptions, sometimes for many years, without any kind of check-up in between.
For example?
Someone taking a particular type of antibiotic (prescribed in the UK) for a skin condition was allowed repeat prescriptions of the same drug for more than five years! No, that's not a misprint. Unfortunately, by this time, the patient concerned was suffering severe gut problems as a result of excessive use. But she didn't report this to the doctor and kept taking the tablets because no-one queried her request for repeat prescriptions - so she assumed it was ok to continue taking them. The situation was only discovered when she moved overseas and tried to obtain further supplies. At that point, she was advised that this type of antibiotic was not suitable for use where there was any likelihood of sun exposure (which should have been of special concern because this lady spent 6 months of each year in Spain). Other more suitable treatments were then prescribed for her skin condition and her digestive discomfort, and probiotics were recommended to try to repair the damage which would have been caused to her gut flora over so many years.
In another case, a hospital consultant prescribed a drug for a patient without realising that the same drug had already been prescribed by the patient's doctor. Unfortunately, no medication history was taken by the hospital and none was provided to the hospital by the GP. The patient didn’t realise he was taking double the dose of the same medicine because, even though the ingredients were identical, the brand names were different and the two lots of tablets were different in shape and colour. After a few months, when the patient's condition worsened, a long list of hospital tests was carried out, all of which proved negative. The reason behind the symptoms was only discovered when the patient was referred to me for nutritional advice and I enquired, as I do with all patients, about his prescription history. Having discovered the anomaly, I then referred the patient on to our chief medical consultant for review. Once the medication was sorted out and returned to the proper dosage, the gentleman made a full recovery.
In a third incident, a patient in his 80s was admitted to hospital with severe pain throughout his body, complete exhaustion, dizziness, loss of appetite, and widespread bruising of the skin which occurred at the slightest touch. A batch of tests were carried out resulting in a diagnosis of multiple organ failure. The patient's family were advised and the patient 'taken home to die'. On arriving there, this gentleman, who still had complete control of all his mental faculties, decided for himself to give up all his prescribed medication (twelve different drugs which, it was subsequently discovered, had been issued on repeat prescription and not reviewed by his doctor or consultant for several years!). Only one week later, all symptoms had resolved and the patient was working in his garden. He continues to be well. These kinds of 'illnesses' are known as iatrogenic (medically induced) and, sadly, over the years, I have encountered many such cases.
I think that patients are often just as much at fault as doctors over this problem of people either taking too many medicines, or being left on repeat medication for long periods of time without review - which is why it's so important to communicate with your doctor and/or consultant on a regular basis. One of the consultants I've worked with is strongly of the view that longer than necessary use (more than six months) of some types of medication - or of particular combinations of medicines - can cause severe deterioration due to side effects and interactions. He also follows a kind of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' rule of not prescribing anything at all unless there is real need. Another specialist I know who is particularly concerned about the problem of over-use and over-prescribing of medicines once told me this really sad thing: that she seemed to spend too much of her working life sorting out the prescribing mistakes of other doctors.
Certain medicines are, of course, essential for life. However, extended use of non-essential medicines (or of something that is allowed to continue unchecked when it is really only needed for the short term), can create not only unnecessary side effects or adverse reactions but also may be responsible for other problems. These might include multiple nutrient deficiencies as well as disturbance to the balance of bacteria in the intestines which, as I’ve explained in Good Gut Bugs, can be directly detrimental to your health.
1. Obtain as many details about your condition as possible and ask plenty of questions about any prescriptions you are given and don't stop using any currently prescribed medication without first talking to your general practitioner or specialist but do insist on a regular medical review of your prescriptions to make sure they are all still necessary.
2. Don't take antibiotics unless there is real need and never without medical advice. Remember that they DO NOT WORK for viruses (which includes colds and influenza). Don't put pressure on your GP to give you a prescription for antibiotics if he or she has told you they are not necessary. ***
3. Keep a note of all drugs, making sure that you know why you are taking each one.
4. Count the number of different medicines you are given and beware of something called polypharmacy, the practice of prescribing or using too many forms of different medication at the same time than are actually necessary. It’s common in the elderly but also widespread among the general population. People may be struggling with an extended list of daily drugs (sometimes eight or 10 or more different things) and, when we investigate, it often turns out that some of the worst of the symptoms are actually being caused by one medicine reacting badly with another. The older the patient, usually the greater the number of drugs. Many elderly people have absolutely no idea what their drug cocktail consists of or why they are taking it and most relatives don’t think to check because, of course, they trust the doctor and assume all is well.
5. Tell your consultant or GP about any other medicines you’re using and don’t presuppose they will always have this information to hand. This is especially important if they are writing up a new prescription. If they don’t talk to you about any possible side-effects or interactions with something else you’re already using, then ask him or her to look them up. All doctors have detailed lists that they can turn to for this kind of information and, considering that there isn’t a single drug in that list which doesn’t have potential side effects, adverse reactions or interactions, it’s a pity they don’t do it more often.
6. If you experience new symptoms when you’ve started on a new drug, then go back and tell the GP. This is really important. Sometimes, side-effects do outweigh the benefits of the drug. Mixing the wrong medicines - and that also includes over-the-counter products from the pharmacy - can cause a wide range of unpleasant effects.
7. If you have a problem with pain control, don't get sucked into the idea that if one type of painkiller isn't working that you should add more and/or different painkilling drugs to the mix. This is a prescription pattern sometimes recommended by doctors to patients suffering chronic pain while no thought or consideration is given to the side effects of each drug or to any possible interactions or contra-indications of mixing these often very strong medications. If you're already taking several types and your pain is not responding, then talk again with your doctor or specialist about the possibility of coming off those that aren't working and trying something different. Don't stay on a whole heap of stuff that isn't helping you. Remember that your body - in particular your liver - has to deal with the residues of all these chemicals.
8. If you buy any medication over the counter from the pharmacy, don't forget to tell the pharmacist about other drugs you are taking and ask if there are any problems with contraindications.
9. Keep your medical adviser informed of any dietary changes you make and of any supplement programmes you intend to follow. And it should go without saying that if you’re concerned in any way about your health, you should visit your doctor or hospital consultant anyway and ask for a check-up - and, if you’re still worried, a second opinion.
10. Don’t be nervous about asking for - or providing - information. Many doctors are really switched on to the dangers of drug interactions and contra-indications but some are not and, unfortunately, there are a few who seem to think that it isn’t something they need to discuss with you. Just because you ask questions, it doesn’t mean that you’re cross-examining the doctor’s ability or authority; it’s simply that you want to know what’s happening. It’s fine to be respectful and polite but remember that the doctor has a responsibility to keep you fully informed – it’s your body and your health they are treating.
In the meantime, I wish you a varied and sensible diet containing plenty of fresh, unprocessed whole foods, daily green and root vegetables and pulses, and plenty of fresh fruit, water and juices. And, of course, I hope that you’ll be able to include some of the probiotic and prebiotic foods that you’ll find out about in Good Gut Bugs. I hope, too, that you can take some regular exercise, avoid cigarette smoke and be sensible about alcohol.
And as I always say, don't rely on one person's advice, especially when it comes to your health. Read other opinions. Stay savvy and be well informed at all times. The links and recommended reading at the foot of this article and in the article on cholesterol may be of further assistance.
Please also breathe deeply, chew thoroughly and smile more, although not necessarily in that order or all at the same time. Above all remember that laughter and good stress management can be the best medicines!
Wishing you the best of better health.
Kathryn Marsden
*** November 2011: In a study commissioned by the Health Protection Agency, it was found that a huge percentage of doctors still prescribe antibiotics to patients in spite of the well-known dangers of antibiotic resistance. The report showed that 53% of people expected to be prescribed antibiotics and 25% said they believed antibiotics worked on most coughs and colds. (NO THEY DON'T).
FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK THESE LINKS:
ON CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION?
18 MILLION DRUGS PER WEEK? NOW THAT'S SCARY!
STATINS AND DIABETES:
http://www.nhs.uk/News/2011/06June/Pages/anti-cholesterol-statin-pills-diabetes-risk.aspx
Kathryn's views are completely independent. She is not employed by any pharmaceutical company, supplement supplier or food producer nor is she persuaded in any way, financially or otherwise, to recommend particular products or services.