Boosting HDL level - Page 4

JJ · 12-13-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsabi

whackedback,
This time last year my cardiologist asked me to go on Vytorin. I told him I had tired it before and had problems. He asked me to describe the pain and I did. He insisted that the pain was not caused by the Vytorin. Trying to be a good patient I tried Vytorin once more. After the first week I could hardly walk, but I stuck with it. Then I began to develop peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Over the next four weeks the pain travel from my feet through my legs into my buttocks and began to spread in my lower back. During this time the PN also became worse. I called the cardiologist and told them what was happening. They told me to quit taking the Vytorin immediately. They also insisted they the doctor never prescribed it for me. This cardiologist actually told me I would die if I did not take it and if I still refused he wanted me to sign a waiver stating I refused the medication. Needless to say I fired this so-called doctor. Now I take no crap from any MD. I am in charge of my health and I will also take the responsibility for it good or bad.
Since then I relocated. I told my new cardiologist my history with statins and he agreed I cannot take them. He prescribed Tricor which I am not having any trouble with.
If there is such a thing as an AMA flag I would be glad to tell them where to fly it.
Look after yourself, these days most doctors view patients as boats, tennis courts. swimming pools, etc.
BTW, all pain subsided but I am left with the PN. My new MD thinks it will never go away. My reward for being a “good patient.”

Don..U said the dr. insisted he never prescribed the meds.? How dumb is that, as didn't he write U a prescription, or was it a trial "freebie"? Glad U got rid of him, and yes, my husband now has permanent PN after trying to be a good patient for almost 7 years.

I took Lipitor for about 3 1/2 months and wound up with nasty GI problems. It took a GI guy almost 6 months to finally get me back on track, then my new dr. tried me on Baycol...OH JOY!!! Needless to say I dumped him and the drugs, and now fight with the drs. trying to make me take something. Seems once they find U fighting back, they treat U alot different then when U started with them. Oh well, I don't care if I have to switch drs. every 6 months, I'll find one yet that is not a pill pusher. Hubby got lucky, his cardio guy and his PCP both have no problems with him not taking anything, as they know what he went thru. Sheesh, glad someone listens!!!

ChristianZane · 12-13-2005, 09:16 PM

Doctors are always going to be pill pushers, even mine. Why? Too many reason to get into, but mainly because they have pharmeceutical reps hounding them all day, phone calls, dropping by the office with boxes of samples, plus free trips, golf games, etc. Plus it's easier and time efficient for a doc to write a prescription and have you follow directions on bottle than sit down and explain the intricacies of diet modification, Niacin, etc.

JJ · 12-13-2005, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristianZane

Doctors are always going to be pill pushers, even mine. Why? Too many reason to get into, but mainly because they have pharmeceutical reps hounding them all day, phone calls, dropping by the office with boxes of samples, plus free trips, golf games, etc. Plus it's easier and time efficient for a doc to write a prescription and have you follow directions on bottle than sit down and explain the intricacies of diet modification, Niacin, etc.

Alot of them are, but every so often U get one that will work with you. Like I said, hubby's cardio guy and his PCP know what he went thru on statins and other things, so they keep a good eye on him, and don't get on his back about meds. Our old dr. of 32 yrs. was a total peach, he would explain any drug he thought U should or should not take, and give U reasons for or against. Last week I went to my GYN guy, and showed him my latest blood test results, and he told me, tell your PCP to get off your back, your doing fine, and he knows her very well. LOL Ahhh, give me the good ole drs. who didn't over schedule people and actually took time to know their patients.