I am sorry to say that I haven’t had the time to document this little blurb more thoroughly. However, I am sure you will agree with me when I say that many of the new prescriptions or medications that are being developed, have been manufactured under pressure to find quick results and also keep the pharmaceutical industry flourishing.

Many illnesses and diseases are so in need for new treatment methods at such a rapid pace, that conventional methods have not really been employed in terms of testing. In desperation patients and their families consent to taking and trying these medications in hopes of finding the miracle cure all.

I am not saying that you shouldn’t check these new methods of treatment or medications out. I am merely hoping to make you aware of the obstacles and end results that can manifest from these newer remedies. No one knows the long term effects or reactions because they have not been tested in situations that have passed a long period of time.

With all the new medications that are being given to an individual at one time, no one knows the adverse reactions that they can experience. I know that more and more there are more stories released in the media regarding these situations. I am also sure that there is an incredible wealth of documentation on the Internet as well.

Just last week there was an article in the NY Times which addressed these issues. They also mentioned that a patient died because their Pharmacist filled a prescription with the wrong medication. The names of the medications were very similar and the pharmacist had dispensed the wrong one, which killed the patient.

What is my point? Please be conscious and aware of medications and treatments and what the reactions might be when taken alone or in combination with other medications, as well as their long term effects. Your loved one’s life may rest in your hands.

LOOK UP drug and medication information at::

Drugstore.com
http://www.drugstore.com/pharmacy/drugindex/default.asp?trx=3483

RxList – The Internet Drug Index http://www.rxlist.com/ A source to keep bookmarked.. insert the name of the drug and find out all the side effects, interactions with other drugs, etc.

Copyrighted Gail R. Mitchell 6/6/99

Author

  • Ms. Mitchell began her full-time caregiving experience in the early eighties when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Later on she became the primary caregiver for her father, along with her mother who had become critically ill from burnout prior to her dad’s passing. In recent years, she cared for several friends with AIDS while continuing to care for her mother and actively providing support, information, referrals and resources for caregivers.

    Gail's leadership on the Internet and her success with Empowering Caregivers led her to found National Organization For Empowering Caregivers (NOFEC) INC in 2001.

    Prior to founding NOFEC, she created the iVillageHealth Chat: Empowering Caregivers, which she hosted for over 5 years. Within a month of hosting she created Empowering Caregivers: www.care-givers.com in 1999 as a resource for caregivers around the globe. Over three million visitors have frequented the website.

    She has presented at national and international care-related conferences and programs and has been a keynote speaker for many programs as well.

    Ms Mitchell has assisted thousands of caregivers online and offline in ways to empower themselves in their roles in caring for loved ones.

    For a list of clients and/or her resume, please contact info@care-givers.com

    Gail's articles have been published in many venues nationally and in Canada. Presently, she is a member of American Society on Aging and National Quality Caregivers Coalition.

    Gail has discovered that there is life after caregiving: She has become a successful ceramic artist and installation artist. She created Crystal Illumination Art to bring the transformative quality of illumination, light and color to the human experience and celebrate its ability to inspire, heal and nourish our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.