Pills Pills Pills | Arthritis Information

I truly feel that the only solution for most people to feel better is to fill their
bodies with medication. All I do all day is run to the medication
administration record to solve ALL patient problems with one pill, or one
injection, or one suppository, or maybe all three. People will not try any
other approach to help them feel better such as relaxation, soft music, a
back rub. They want medication, and as much as we can dole out. What
ever happened to other methods of pain control? Do these not exist
anymore? I'm tired of handing out pills like I do. I need to quit. It is
starting to get to me. Just venting.

Lorster, we both know this is the "new medicine" and people want instant gratification, they demand it, and they get it. It's easier to take a pill than fix the problem yourself. It's easier for the doctors to prescribe a pill than counsel a patient about diet and doing the required follow-up. Insurance companys won't pay for the extra time it takes to help a patient overcome their medical problem. It's cheaper for them to pay for a pill than extra medical billings from a nutritionist, counselor, or your family doctor. For the most part, pain control is subjective, due to how people react to pain on different levels. There are many other meds that are handed out that I question the need for but you know I'm not in those people's shoes and I don't know the full story.

I know exactly how you feel, but it's part of the job that you perform everyday. If you're questioning this and feel this strongly about your job, then you might be correct in reviewing what you want to do. I left nursing when I became disillusioned with the whole medical arena and I'm glad that I did. For me it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Lindy

Lorster - maybe you could you find an integrative health practice to work in, or something, where your skills would match your sensibilities. Our city is trying to make some advances in that area. One practice had to close recently, because patients (SATISFIED patients) were having to pay out of pocket because it wasn't covered by insurance. The hospital system is trying to find a way to include it in their care, so it will be covered, citing especially such things as relaxation techniques instead of drugs to get you through MRIs, etc.

I was telling a friend who is a GP how I met a woman on the exact same meds as my husband, and she wanted to know how my husband dealt with avoiding salt. Salt? Hadn't heard he needed to do that. Friend laughed and said he didn't worry about telling patients to change their quality of life. Quality of life? Not automatically putting salt in the pot when you boil spaghetti?

He also has laughed twice about patients on cholesterol meds coming in for a cholerestol check and telling him they had two sausage biscuits for breakfast. He laughs and says, "You shouldn't tell your doctor that!" Yes, you should!!!! If you don't, the doctor will add another med, right? Thinks the one they are on isn't working. But maybe that is what he prefers, I don't know.

[QUOTE=lorster]I truly feel that the only solution for most people to feel better is to fill their
bodies with medication. All I do all day is run to the medication
administration record to solve ALL patient problems with one pill, or one
injection, or one suppository, or maybe all three. People will not try any
other approach to help them feel better such as relaxation, soft music, a
back rub. They want medication, and as much as we can dole out. What
ever happened to other methods of pain control? Do these not exist
anymore? I'm tired of handing out pills like I do. I need to quit. It is
starting to get to me. Just venting. [/QUOTE]

This is just my two cents... but if the usual methods (relaxation, whirlpool, sauna, massage, etc) don't work, I'm going for the drugs. People don't see the doctor or go to the hospital because they feel OK.

I saw a report on a health show the other day, that antidepressants are the #1 medication given out with blood pressure meds #2........ I seriously would have thought pain meds would be one or two.

Seems like a lot of people who need pain meds also need anti-depressants (understandably); maybe that's what bumps them up. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/issues/articles/2007-05_4629.as p

I see Lipitor is number one. Did you see the 'controversy' on that one? Having Jarvik in the ad? People are saying he shouldn't be in it, he is not a doctor, can't practice medicine (didn't do an internship, or something). Hello - he invented a freakin' artificial heart! At least he isn't an actor!!! I don't get it. It's not like he says he rx's it for all his patients (maybe they think that is implied, but my take on the commercial, which I have only seen three million times, is that he is speaking as a patient on Lipitor, granted the only patient paid bucketloads of money to talk about it....) [QUOTE=Suzanne]I see Lipitor is number one. Did you see the 'controversy' on that one? Having Jarvik in the ad? People are saying he shouldn't be in it, he is not a doctor, can't practice medicine (didn't do an internship, or something). Hello - he invented a freakin' artificial heart! At least he isn't an actor!!! I don't get it. It's not like he says he rx's it for all his patients (maybe they think that is implied, but my take on the commercial, which I have only seen three million times, is that he is speaking as a patient on Lipitor, granted the only patient paid bucketloads of money to talk about it....) [/QUOTE]

I don't remember hearing about that. But if the man has a PhD and/or MD, even if he is not a practicing medical physician, he is a DOCTOR.

Lorster, your thread has gone awry...but at least it was done in a civilized manner...

Okay, I mentioned the salt, and to get me even more confused, hubby does have an enlarged heart, but not from a heart attack - he runs so much, they told him all that exercise had done it. I do not cook with salt or salt my food, but hubby loves to cook and experiment and literally once I thought he had tried to poison me when he brined a chicken, but he didn't think it tasted that salty at all.

Hubby thinks he can run everyday and that makes everything okay, he doesn't have to worry about anything else. I think that is wrong, based on his high blood pressure, enlarged heart, Synthroid rx.....

[QUOTE=Suzanne]

Lorster, your thread has gone awry...but at least it was done in a civilized manner...

[/QUOTE]

Does he see a cardiologist?

Nope. My OB was FREAKED when I was pregnant - hubby was hospitalized with one of the first cardio Bextra reactions. Kept giving me drs. names to have him see, said don't let him be one of those runners who drops dead. Hubby said he was fine, his GP said he was fine.

He did pay out of pocket for some ultrasound? Takes the place of catherterization? Anyway, that was fine.

His mom died of a heart attack at 47. His dad and uncles all have stents. YOUNGER brother has stents.

Whatever. He can run marathons, that makes you healthy by his logic.

I think patients especially of RA feel a need to get the pills for pain control---because ( and this is just my opinion ) thats all the insurance companies pay for!

And if that gets them pain relief--then so be it. Some of us are in pain all day long--that can get to you.
And unfortunately insurance companies DO NOT see the benefits of homeopathic remedies. I did acupuncture and I was able to go off ALL MY MEDS!!! But paying out of pocket for 2 sessions a week at was killing us, so I had to stop. Would my insurance pay for it??? NO WAY!
But they will pay for remicade infusions at thousands of dollars a wack!
Thats the reason pills are being handed out. Something has to be done about the insurance companies--they're a---holes! I would rather NOT take pills---but I have NO choice. Its the pain relief I can get thats covered.

I can only speak for me on using different methods of pain control. I use other methods of pain control in combination with pain killers. I do relaxation..have just started a low impact exercise routine....deep breathing is a good one for me...listening to music is another one...Danny gives me massages...I take a hot bath. My RA is pretty out of control and yes, I am in pain most of the time. If it wasn't for the pain pills and utilizing other methods of pain relief together...I most likely would have gone off the deep end. I wish my insurance paid for more alternative treatments but they don't. And since I can not work and we live on one income...how can I afford anything else?? Especially now with 3 of us in the house with RA!! I have to focus on being able to afford the RA meds for me and the girls. I wish I did have the extra money for alternative pain relief therapies. I hate being dependent on pain pills!!!

***Edited due to brain moving faster than fingers and forgetting some words lol****

grammaskittles39465.2881828704GRAMMASKITTLES,
You just proved my point!! I too would do more alternative things if the insurance company paid for it.
It stinks!This is what is so frustrating to me. Where I work, we have to have an
order to get a patient a heating pad as it is an insurance paid item. I
cannot tell you how many times I have been told NO, heat does not work
for pain. Doctors do not want to hear anything alternative. So,
unfortunately their patients develop a mindset that a pill is the only
answer.

I too, would seek more alternative treatments if my insurance would pay.
Acupuncture is 65 a session and since it takes many sessions, I cannot
afford it.

Insurance does pay for PT though so that is good.

I'm just frustrated....but I will not give up on trying to make people more
comfortable other than just pain pills. Maybe when you go to discharge a patient or even in the course of just chatting with your patients when you have to give out meds or do a treatment that the doc has ordered, maybe you can just mention some alternative things that have helped you with pain. Kind of like identify with them that you know how they feel being in chronic pain and this helped me or that helped me. Kinda see what I mean?? You don't need an order to make conversation and give a patient a few ideas on how to help themselves make themselves feel better without having to ingest so many pills to do it. Gramma. Most people do not want to hear it. I was told last week by a
patient that he came here for pills, nothing else. He asked me for a pill
that started with a D. I went through his list and there was nothing that
started with a D. He got mad at me and told me the nurse before me had
been giving this pill to him. So, I went through the three pages of meds
and when I said Ativan, he says....YES, that is it!!. I said. That starts with
an A. He said well, that is what I want. So I said. What are you taking
that for? He says. I don't know. These people have no idea what these
drugs are for, let alone the potential problems/addictivness that is
associated with them. We are making drug addicts, not really dealing
with the underlying issues of their pain. It is sad to watch and not be able
to do anything about. I have to do what is ordered. I have had patients
tell me to wake them up for a pain pill. I WILL NOT. That is a line I will
not cross.

I live in a small community where all doctors practice in a tight knit sort
of way and there are not a lot of alternative practitioners. I wish I could
find another job in an area that I believe in. I still do my job. I don't let
people suffer because I know about chronic pain. I have it daily myself.
So, I do understand. It is just that we are doing people a disservice when
we do not explore all avenues to help people better cope with their pain. [QUOTE=wysone]GRAMMASKITTLES,
You just proved my point!! I too would do more alternative things if the insurance company paid for it.
It stinks![/QUOTE]

The local YMCA has memberships for /month (less if you're low-income) and they have whirlpool, sauna, steamroom, etc... and they also have low-priced massage available. Don't know if you have that in your area.

Also, my insurance pays for chiropractic and other "alternative" therapies (with a standard co-pay, of course).
[QUOTE=lorster]This is what is so frustrating to me. Where I work, we have to have an
order to get a patient a heating pad as it is an insurance paid item. I
cannot tell you how many times I have been told NO, heat does not work
for pain. Doctors do not want to hear anything alternative. So,
unfortunately their patients develop a mindset that a pill is the only
answer.
[/QUOTE]

Yikes! All of my doctors (rheumatologist, internist, orthopedic clinic) recommend heat as a first-line treatment for pain (unless it's a fresh injury, then the recommendation is ice for the first day, then heat).
Unfortunately it was acupuncture that did wonders for me and insurance doesn't pay for that. They don't see it as a viable method of medicine. Too bad.Many of our main line hospitals are now offering alternative therapies along with basic 'western' medicine. It isn't unusual for them to offer massage, accupressure, aroma therapy, relaxation therapy, even art or music. If it helps spread out the time between the needed pain pills then that has to be a plus. [QUOTE=pammy416]Many of our main line hospitals are now offering alternative therapies along with basic 'western' medicine. It isn't unusual for them to offer massage, accupressure, aroma therapy, relaxation therapy, even art or music. If it helps spread out the time between the needed pain pills then that has to be a plus.[/QUOTE]

My dentist has been offering headphones w/music (BYO or choose from his selection) for 20 years; for the past several years, you can also watch a movie while being cleaned/drilled. It cuts way back on pain and anxiety while at the dentist, which equates to less drugs.[QUOTE=wysone]I think patients especially of RA feel a need to get the pills for pain control---because ( and this is just my opinion ) thats all the insurance companies pay for!

And if that gets them pain relief--then so be it. Some of us are in pain all day long--that can get to you.
And unfortunately insurance companies DO NOT see the benefits of homeopathic remedies. I did acupuncture and I was able to go off ALL MY MEDS!!! But paying out of pocket for 2 sessions a week at was killing us, so I had to stop. Would my insurance pay for it??? NO WAY!
But they will pay for remicade infusions at thousands of dollars a wack!
Thats the reason pills are being handed out. Something has to be done about the insurance companies--they're a---holes! I would rather NOT take pills---but I have NO choice. Its the pain relief I can get thats covered.[/QUOTE]

I've been getting acupuncture at my TCM appointments and it does help (I hardly ever use pain killers). I have extended insurance on top Medical Services Plan (Canadian healthcare) and it pays 80% for acupuncture, massage, chiro, physio, etc. These are also covered under MSP but in a very limited amount (it used to be more but it got cut back at some point). I don't have any problem getting insurance to pay. In fact, I just got a reimbursement cheque yesterday and they paid 92% instead of 80%, with a letter of explanation why it was more. (Look of amazement, head spinning 'round, boinging sounds). I agree people should have access to all branches of healthcare, not just pharmaceutical ones.

What kills me financially is supplements, which are not covered under anything. My goal since "getting " RA has been to take less meds. Unfortunately, what often replaces meds is supplements. I can save on OTC probiotics by incorporating probiotic foods into my meals, but there's no way I can afford to eat enough fish to get my required amount of fish oil!

Whatever the approach, I agree most people are WAY over medicated. I love my Dr because she always gets me to try a home remedy before she'll write a 'script.
Maybe in the future insurance companies will look harder into other things for chronic diseases. If they did--it would actually be to their benefit--they would end up spending less money in the long run. I wish they would do more. We pay the premiums after all! [QUOTE=wysone]Maybe in the future insurance companies will look harder into other things for chronic diseases. If they did--it would actually be to their benefit--they would end up spending less money in the long run. I wish they would do more. We pay the premiums after all![/QUOTE]

We have United Healthcare, and it seems they are always calling my husband and me about our respective issues (his heart disease, my RA). Everything from dietary advice to stress reduction to non-drug pain management techniques. Medication advice also - especially for the husband, stressing the importance of taking his medications EVERY DAY and keeping all his cardiologist appointments. Not sure if they cover acupuncture, but they do cover chiropractic, and massage therapy if prescribed by a physician. That's done at the local hospital in the physical therapy department, but we both prefer to go to our health club/gym instead (that's not covered). It's alot more "pampering" than the PT department at the hospital. As with many diseases I don't think there is any one answer for RA. I do not eat a low acid diet. I have too much calcium in my body, I do not have osteoporosis. Maybe I just don't understand what your talking about, with a high acid diet dissolving calcium. I know acids can dissolve your teeth, but I don't think RA or any boneloss disease is from an acidic diet. Traditional Japanese have one of the healthiest diets in the world but have high osteoporosis. I have kidney stones (calicium oxylate) I also have multiple phleboliths throughout my blood stream, this is where calcium is deposited and shows up on Xray. The calcium didn't leach from my bones. I am glad you are better, but it just doesn't make sense to me. Wendy, I think the previous post by "Nine" was just a bit of SPAM... and I don't much like SPAM, Sam-I-Am! JasmineRain39467.3161226852I suppose there are "trolls" on any message board. I hate it when I fall for it!! Thanks for pointing it out, JasmineRain :)
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com