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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MidnightBlue on April 14, 2005, at 15:49:13
In reply to Re: Symptoms on Lunesta withdrawal? » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on April 14, 2005, at 12:41:27
I'm sticking to Ambien thank you! I do get used to it. I have been on it for about 10 years, but try to only take it a couple of times a week. As long as I don't take if every night it seems to work.
Posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 20:51:25
In reply to Re: Symptoms on Lunesta withdrawal? » ed_uk, posted by MidnightBlue on April 14, 2005, at 15:49:13
> I'm sticking to Ambien thank you! I do get used to it. I have been on it for about 10 years, but try to only take it a couple of times a week. As long as I don't take if every night it seems to work.
That is the way it is suppose to be used. Some people take it every night. It's suppose to help you get back into a regular sleep pattern ... break the insomnia.
Maxime
Posted by yxibow on April 14, 2005, at 23:19:31
In reply to Re: Symptoms on Lunesta withdrawal? » MidnightBlue, posted by Maxime on April 14, 2005, at 20:51:25
Well I entered the brave new world of Lunesta last week; its a more subtle drug than Ambien. As for the taste, I can concur... I know when it is starting to hit me when I have a slight metallic taste in the mouth. Doesn't really bother me too much and doesnt last post-sleep. I'm not sure how long I'll continue this trial.
I had been taking Ambien 20mg for at least a year. It in combination with the Seroquel I also take tended to cause disconcerting orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure) when the drug(s) started to hit -- i.e., standing up wasn't the most pleasant if I didnt hit the hay in time.
Sepracor is rolling out a major TV campaign to counter Ambien's commercials. I think it can be a good sleep aid for people who havent been as dependent or exposed to as many benzo-related drugs, as I say the onset is subtle. But it does keep me asleep, for now anyway, so as an insomniac thats what counts.
Posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:06:41
In reply to Re: Symptoms on Lunesta withdrawal?, posted by yxibow on April 14, 2005, at 23:19:31
>Sepracor is rolling out a major TV campaign to counter Ambien's commercials.
I must admit that I find it very amusing that prescription psychiatric drugs are advertised on TV in some countries! There is something rather distastful about it!
Also, pdocs giving patients samples of drugs from drugs reps???? Hilarious! I can't imagine it ever happening here. It makes me think of that episode of Ally McBeal where the pdoc opens the draw full of drugs and tries to give her some Xanax :-D
Ed.
Posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 10:16:55
In reply to Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:06:41
Have you ever seen the commercials? I imagine not....the best part is while they show pretty people having the time of their life (and you are supposed to think WOW if I take drug x I can feel and look that good?!?), a pleasant woman's voice quietly reads off a whole list of caveats and horrid potential side effects. But they have done a great job of having those seem like meaningless background noise. After all, THOSE pretty people obviously have no side effects, and aren't worried, why should then *I* worry about it? You should see the commercials for Viagra.....
I swear my pdoc sees as many drug reps a day as he does patients. When we have gone to a new medication, he is very apologetic that he has no free samples to give me!!
Posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:41:15
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 10:16:55
Hi!
>Have you ever seen the commercials? I imagine not....
I've seen commercials for Paxil and Viagra. IMHO, the advert for Paxil was not in good taste!
Ed xxx
Posted by KaraS on April 15, 2005, at 14:50:16
In reply to Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:06:41
The commercials are definitely very tacky. No question about it. Business rules in the U.S. so I doubt that they'll go away anytime soon.
The samples, OTOH, are a good idea. Meds are SO EXPENSIVE here and not everyone has insurance. It would be criminal to have to pay for a month's supply of medication that you're not able to tolerate.
K
Posted by Maxime on April 15, 2005, at 15:09:01
In reply to Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:06:41
In Canada you are not allowed to have TV advertisements for drugs where you mention the name. But they have a really cute one for Viagra to the song "Good Morning" from Singing in the rain. The man is so happy as he goes to work. He jumps over hydrants and as gets to work and gets on the elevator the doors of the elevator close and it says "Viagra". But that's all. It's the only med that you can get away with doing such an ad for.
I have a warped mind and I have story-boards in my head for anti-depressant meds! LOL!> >Sepracor is rolling out a major TV campaign to counter Ambien's commercials.
>
> I must admit that I find it very amusing that prescription psychiatric drugs are advertised on TV in some countries! There is something rather distastful about it!
>
> Also, pdocs giving patients samples of drugs from drugs reps???? Hilarious! I can't imagine it ever happening here. It makes me think of that episode of Ally McBeal where the pdoc opens the draw full of drugs and tries to give her some Xanax :-D
>
> Ed.
Posted by Maxime on April 15, 2005, at 15:12:05
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 10:16:55
Oh my god, I love the list of side effects. It's too funny. "Side effects are mild. Some people get an upper respiratory infection, or thrush ...." And it said in such a sing-song voice.
Or the booming voice for "NEXIUM"!
Maxime> Have you ever seen the commercials? I imagine not....the best part is while they show pretty people having the time of their life (and you are supposed to think WOW if I take drug x I can feel and look that good?!?), a pleasant woman's voice quietly reads off a whole list of caveats and horrid potential side effects. But they have done a great job of having those seem like meaningless background noise. After all, THOSE pretty people obviously have no side effects, and aren't worried, why should then *I* worry about it? You should see the commercials for Viagra.....
>
> I swear my pdoc sees as many drug reps a day as he does patients. When we have gone to a new medication, he is very apologetic that he has no free samples to give me!!
Posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 15:18:40
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » banga, posted by Maxime on April 15, 2005, at 15:12:05
> Oh my god, I love the list of side effects. It's too funny. "Side effects are mild. Some people get an upper respiratory infection, or thrush ...." And it said in such a sing-song voice.
it's even better when she says "a small amount of people get a serious rash and headaches......If you feel faint and have chest pains, call your doctor immediately...."HOw can she say things like that and make it sound almost *good*??
I would like to meet this woman and have a bit of a conversation...
Posted by Paulbwell on April 16, 2005, at 1:18:40
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by banga on April 15, 2005, at 15:18:40
> > Oh my god, I love the list of side effects. It's too funny. "Side effects are mild. Some people get an upper respiratory infection, or thrush ...." And it said in such a sing-song voice.
> it's even better when she says "a small amount of people get a serious rash and headaches......If you feel faint and have chest pains, call your doctor immediately...."
>
> HOw can she say things like that and make it sound almost *good*??
>
> I would like to meet this woman and have a bit of a conversation...She'll want her check first!
Drug xyz-showing happy rich people playing, then lovely lady, or micro words of SE's
drug xyz may cause lalalalalal-sore joints
-URI's
-tiredness
-Blurred vision
-Depression
-SUDDEN DEATHBut these won't happen to you right?
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 14:40:02
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by KaraS on April 15, 2005, at 14:50:16
Hi K!
>It would be criminal to have to pay for a month's supply of medication that you're not able to tolerate.
You could get two prescriptions, one for a few tablets and one for the rest of the months supply!
Ed xx
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 14:40:48
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by Maxime on April 15, 2005, at 15:09:01
Hi Maxi!
>I have a warped mind and I have story-boards in my head for anti-depressant meds!
Do tell.........
Ed xxx
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 14:56:44
In reply to Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by ed_uk on April 15, 2005, at 10:06:41
> Also, pdocs giving patients samples of drugs from drugs reps???? Hilarious! I can't imagine it ever happening here. It makes me think of that episode of Ally McBeal where the pdoc opens the draw full of drugs and tries to give her some Xanax :-D
>
> Ed.Sometimes it totally relieves the patient of a drug expense, though. I'm sure the companies write it off as a promotional expense, but I've had more than one occasion where it is the only way I would ever get the drugs I need.
I get an anti-IBS med, a highly-specific calcium channel blocker, totally through these sample packs. My doctor gets dozens of sample packs from the rep, just for me, and just hands them over.
Lar
Posted by MidnightBlue on April 16, 2005, at 15:55:11
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 14:56:44
Today I got enough Rhinocort to last a couple of months. A HUGE help! And I am usually much more willing to try a new med if I know I can try a sample rather than paying a $45 co-pay for something I might take twice. Buying a "few" pills instead of a month's worth can cost up to $4 or more a pill depending on what it is.
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 16:35:59
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 14:56:44
Hi,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I just don't like to think of doctors' prescribing habits being so powerfully influenced by the pharmacetical companies.
Which drug(s) do you take for IBS?
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 16:37:10
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by MidnightBlue on April 16, 2005, at 15:55:11
Hi,
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I just don't like to think of doctors' prescribing habits being so powerfully influenced by the pharmacetical companies.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 17:53:32
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » Larry Hoover, posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 16:35:59
> Hi,
>
> I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I just don't like to think of doctors' prescribing habits being so powerfully influenced by the pharmacetical companies.No offense taken. Ya, it's all about influence, these drug reps.
> Which drug(s) do you take for IBS?
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.Dicetel (pinaverium bromide).
Lar
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 19:57:43
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 17:53:32
Hi Lar,
Is pinaverium marketed in Canada or do you have to import it?
Ed.
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 21:18:07
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » Larry Hoover, posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 19:57:43
> Hi Lar,
>
> Is pinaverium marketed in Canada or do you have to import it?
>
> Ed.It's got to be Canadian, or I'm sure they wouldn't be handing it out. It's on the Health Canada list. It's made by Solvay.
Lar
Posted by MidnightBlue on April 16, 2005, at 22:00:28
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » MidnightBlue, posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 16:37:10
Absolutely NO offense taken! Just trying to explain the "American" way. The closet full of drugs is a double edged sword. It is a way to try a new drug without paying a fortune, but it is also a way to provide medication for someone who can't afford it and doesn't qualify for a "free" medication program.
Posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 22:10:26
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by Larry Hoover on April 16, 2005, at 21:18:07
>It's got to be Canadian, or I'm sure they wouldn't be handing it out.
Perhaps I'm cognitively impaired :-S
Ed.
Posted by KaraS on April 16, 2005, at 23:35:23
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on April 16, 2005, at 14:40:02
> Hi K!
>
> >It would be criminal to have to pay for a month's supply of medication that you're not able to tolerate.
>
> You could get two prescriptions, one for a few tablets and one for the rest of the months supply!
>
> Ed xx
The trouble with that is they charge more for smaller amounts so you end up paying like $5.00 or more per pill!!! I've done that with Effexor. Unbelievable. (It's better to get free samples.)
Posted by ed_uk on April 17, 2005, at 11:21:24
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA! » ed_uk, posted by KaraS on April 16, 2005, at 23:35:23
Hi K!
>The trouble with that is they charge more for smaller amounts so you end up paying like $5.00 or more per pill!!!
Expensive!
Ed xxx
Posted by KaraS on April 17, 2005, at 17:40:57
In reply to Re: Funny things happen in the USA!, posted by ed_uk on April 17, 2005, at 11:21:24
> Hi K!
>
> >The trouble with that is they charge more for smaller amounts so you end up paying like $5.00 or more per pill!!!
>
> Expensive!
>
> Ed xxx
I think it's more like highway robbery!K
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