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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by matt miklos on March 12, 2003, at 14:44:19
They will try you on every med the drug companies want them to... Why not? FREE VACATIONS. So beware... because these meds are not appropriate for everything even though they'd like to say so ($$$$$!) I struggled for 10 years through trial after trial of SSRI's, Welbutrin, Serzone, Lexapro, you name it. If it was name brand and expensive, then I was put on it. My main issue is social anxiety... Welbutrin for social anxiety?? Nope. None of it. Just be careful out there and don't be afraid to question your doc. They aren't always in it for your well-being... Take Care All.
Posted by fayeroe on March 12, 2003, at 15:42:49
In reply to Beware of Drug Company Doctors, posted by matt miklos on March 12, 2003, at 14:44:19
> They will try you on every med the drug companies want them to... Why not? FREE VACATIONS. So beware... because these meds are not appropriate for everything even though they'd like to say so ($$$$$!) I struggled for 10 years through trial after trial of SSRI's, Welbutrin, Serzone, Lexapro, you name it. If it was name brand and expensive, then I was put on it. My main issue is social anxiety... Welbutrin for social anxiety?? Nope. None of it. Just be careful out there and don't be afraid to question your doc. They aren't always in it for your well-being... Take Care All.
Having been married to a doctor and I've also always worked in medical facilities.....listen closely to the "Beware of Drug Docs". I'm amazed at what some of my friends have been given over the years! ALWAYS QUESTION YOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVIDER....HE/SHE PUTS THEIR PANTS ON ONE LEG AT A TIME AND SOMETIMES HAVE TO HAVE HELP WITH THAT! p.s. my husband was never given a trip or anything by the sales reps...he is a surgeon..but many of our friends take 3/4 trips a year courtesy drug companies.....
Posted by Dragonslayer on March 12, 2003, at 16:38:05
In reply to Re: Beware of Drug Company Doctors, posted by fayeroe on March 12, 2003, at 15:42:49
So true. Sit in the average Dr. office, esp. if it's a big group and watch how many 'suits with big briefcases' walk in, and how long you have to wait after that, too. Also, notice if the staff had lunch, breakfast, break food, etc... provided that day. It really sad and not in the good interest of the patient. We can hope all don't get sucked in all the way. All about the money and perks.
Posted by audrey on March 13, 2003, at 11:24:37
In reply to Notice next time you have an appointment, posted by Dragonslayer on March 12, 2003, at 16:38:05
This is a big issue with me, especially since I work in a huge hospital and see drug reps all over the place. Shortly after my psychiatrist started trying meds out on me, I confronted him about the pharm. reps and wanted to know who he got free drugs and favors from. He'd never given me any free samples like my family doctor (who had NO idea what he was doing) used to, but I wanted to know what was going on. So we had a long conversation about it. He told me he doesn't accept free samples or the free dinners or trips, but will occasionally take 5 minutes to talk to a rep. One interesting, and very disturbing, thing I learned is that drug reps have access to pharmacy records and can see what drugs a doctor is prescribing (just info about what the doc is prescribing, nothing about patients). My doctor once talked to a guy who was peddling Prozac to him, and he came back a month later and asked why he hadn't increased his Prozac prescriptions. My doctor told me he told the guy not to come back. Hopefully he's being honest with me! But it's indeed something to be aware of!
Posted by Kathii on March 13, 2003, at 16:24:27
In reply to Re: Notice next time you have an appointment, posted by audrey on March 13, 2003, at 11:24:37
My pdoc gives me samples when I'm first trying a new med, then about 6-8 weeks later, if I like it, he writes a script. I doubt he's getting any kickbacks because after 5-6 years of seeing him, his waiting room still looks like something out of a 70's home decorating magazine :)
Posted by Dragonslayer on March 13, 2003, at 16:48:23
In reply to Re: Notice next time you have an appointment, posted by Kathii on March 13, 2003, at 16:24:27
I actually have a good doc, too. I do think my waiting time is increased with all the *sales pitches*. I have seen as many as four reps arrive at the same time. The doc my partner went to was awful about the change to the latest thing going. Doc would give something that worked without problems and the followup visit would bring a *Here try this*.. ran into the same thing with one of my parents. I know there are good ones out there, thankful for that.
Posted by fayeroe on March 13, 2003, at 20:45:21
In reply to Re: Notice next time you have an appointment, posted by Kathii on March 13, 2003, at 16:24:27
Drug reps practically lined up at the trauma desk in the ER where I worked to give even the nurses gifts!!!! And nurses don't prescribe! I would see them there on a daily basis. And one drug rep feeds the ER staff on a regular basis and guess who his caterer is? His wife! Last time I visited my friends there, he was feeding the staff. It is pretty insidious....p
Posted by Ritch on March 13, 2003, at 22:26:01
In reply to Re: Notice next time you have an appointment » Kathii, posted by fayeroe on March 13, 2003, at 20:45:21
> Drug reps practically lined up at the trauma desk in the ER where I worked to give even the nurses gifts!!!! And nurses don't prescribe! I would see them there on a daily basis. And one drug rep feeds the ER staff on a regular basis and guess who his caterer is? His wife! Last time I visited my friends there, he was feeding the staff. It is pretty insidious....p
This all seems so much like "soft money" that is complained about with regards to political campaigns. One common denominator? TV ADVERTISING.
This is the end of the thread.
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