Posted by fachad on July 21, 2002, at 9:38:40
In reply to Re: frustration - the medical monopoly, posted by cybercafe on July 21, 2002, at 1:53:40
> > If you call the company that manufactures the medication you need, would they refer you to doctors in your area that have prescribed it for your diagnosis? Do they have that kind of information? Maybe one would be on your insurance plan. It seems your only recourse is to somehow find a doctor who you know would prescribe what works for you, and go to them wherever they are (ideally not too far from where you live).
>
> Damn that is a really good idea .. I never thought of that... and I have always had the problem that I did not want to wait 4 months for an appointment to simply ask "have you any experience with lamictal, gabapentin, stimulant augmentation, etc etc" .....
> I'm thinking now it might be wise to talk to the pharmacy and see if I can get a doctor's name (is this confidential?) or some governing body...It's a great idea for on-label uses for medications, but I think Elizabeth is using a narcotic pain medication for depression, and that's definitely off-label.
I'm not sure, but I think the pharmaceutical companies are forbidden by law from promoting off label uses for their products.
The same consideration applies to stimulant augmentation.
Also, there is the "drug seeking" consideration whenever you are dealing with controlled substances (e.g. benzodiazepines, stimulants, steroids, narcotic analgesics.) There is always some desperate addict who is willing to deliberately dislocate his shoulder to get some Percocet. And doctors, pharmacists, and other medical professionals are required by law to be "on the lookout" for that sort of thing.
poster:fachad
thread:112998
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113145.html