Comments for DrPullen.com - Medical and Health Blog http://drpullen.com Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:47:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Psyllium Husk Benefits by Sarah http://drpullen.com/psylliumhuskbenefits/comment-page-1#comment-2081 Sarah Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:47:39 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2304#comment-2081 Psyllium is available at the bulk food store and is very cheap to buy. I mix it with water and sometimes a sweetener, and have it as a dessert snack. It is filling and keeps my colon clean. Psyllium is available at the bulk food store and is very cheap to buy. I mix it with water and sometimes a sweetener, and have it as a dessert snack. It is filling and keeps my colon clean.

]]> Comment on Oxycontin vs Oxycodone by Jason http://drpullen.com/oxycontinvsoxycodone/comment-page-1#comment-2080 Jason Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:13:27 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=1932#comment-2080 I don't understand how people get addicted to this stuff. I have been on a script for over a year, taking 40mg of oxycodone + 40mg of hydrocodone. When I take a few days off the medications all I feel is the pain from my injury, not whole body aches, no sweating, no flinching, no fever, just pain associated with the injuries. Maybe its different for people who take it without high levels of pain, but I never crave this medicine. All it does is take the edge off pain. In fact it doesn't even bring anywhere near 100% relief. I don't get buzzed or high either. I have not taken oxycontin though I have been offered it from my doctor. These stories scare the crap out of me and once workers compensation approves my surgery I have a security sensitive job to get back to (pilot). So, out of fear of the contin medications I am in constant pain... If I could find the truth about the medication I might be willing to get that much needed relief. I was hoping to find data to correlate people with addiction problems having issues with oxycontin or is it everybody. If I am not addicted to codone, will contin be THAT much different? Im not looking for more pain later down the road - so if its really THAT bad I rather just have the physical pain that keeps me from enjoying life, sleep, think, etc etc than the pain of hardcore withdrawal and addiction. I don't need that in my life. Is there a valid use for this medication at all? All I keep hearing is how bad these meds are - and its keeping me from having any lasting comfort (beyond 20 minutes per dose). I don’t understand how people get addicted to this stuff. I have been on a script for over a year, taking 40mg of oxycodone + 40mg of hydrocodone. When I take a few days off the medications all I feel is the pain from my injury, not whole body aches, no sweating, no flinching, no fever, just pain associated with the injuries. Maybe its different for people who take it without high levels of pain, but I never crave this medicine. All it does is take the edge off pain. In fact it doesn’t even bring anywhere near 100% relief. I don’t get buzzed or high either. I have not taken oxycontin though I have been offered it from my doctor. These stories scare the crap out of me and once workers compensation approves my surgery I have a security sensitive job to get back to (pilot). So, out of fear of the contin medications I am in constant pain… If I could find the truth about the medication I might be willing to get that much needed relief. I was hoping to find data to correlate people with addiction problems having issues with oxycontin or is it everybody. If I am not addicted to codone, will contin be THAT much different? Im not looking for more pain later down the road – so if its really THAT bad I rather just have the physical pain that keeps me from enjoying life, sleep, think, etc etc than the pain of hardcore withdrawal and addiction. I don’t need that in my life. Is there a valid use for this medication at all? All I keep hearing is how bad these meds are – and its keeping me from having any lasting comfort (beyond 20 minutes per dose).

]]> Comment on Viibryd: A New Antidepressant without Sexual Dysfunction? by Rick http://drpullen.com/viibryd/comment-page-2#comment-2079 Rick Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:39:54 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2830#comment-2079 As a male who has suffered with erection and ejaculation problems with other SSRI and SNRI I had high hopes for Viibryd. It started fine but after 3 months I had to stop the drug, the side effects were so bad. Even tried 2 or 3 day "pill holidays" but with little effect. Returned to normal sexual function after 1 week off Viibryd. Very disapointed. Also, I had to take Imodium every day w/Viibryd because diarrha was so bad. This is no wonder drug. As a male who has suffered with erection and ejaculation problems with other SSRI and SNRI I had high hopes for Viibryd. It started fine but after 3 months I had to stop the drug, the side effects were so bad. Even tried 2 or 3 day “pill holidays” but with little effect. Returned to normal sexual function after 1 week off Viibryd. Very disapointed. Also, I had to take Imodium every day w/Viibryd because diarrha was so bad. This is no wonder drug.

]]> Comment on Octogenerian’s Letter to Santa by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/octogenerian/comment-page-1#comment-2078 Dr. Pullen Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:25:07 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3785#comment-2078 Emily, You can resubscribe. I have had a couple of other people who somehow stopped getting email subscription updates too. Not sure why. Thanks for the link. I like the article. You may also enjoy my post <a href="http://drpullen.com/overdiagnosis-2" rel="nofollow">Overdiagnosis</a>. DrP. Emily, You can resubscribe. I have had a couple of other people who somehow stopped getting email subscription updates too. Not sure why. Thanks for the link. I like the article. You may also enjoy my post Overdiagnosis. DrP.

]]> Comment on A Beautiful Story by Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion http://drpullen.com/beautifulstory/comment-page-1#comment-2077 Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:10:05 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2089#comment-2077 [...] You will love this book if you are a birder, and if you read it you may become a birder. It’s a beautiful story. [...] [...] You will love this book if you are a birder, and if you read it you may become a birder. It’s a beautiful story. [...]

]]> Comment on How to spot a drug seeking patient by No One (according to this 'doc') http://drpullen.com/how-to-spot-a-drug-seeking-patient/comment-page-1#comment-2076 No One (according to this 'doc') Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:07:49 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=406#comment-2076 As I type this my husband is trying to find a way to ease his pain by building a nest of pillows on our couch. He went to his 40 yr old doc today due to severe nerve pain. Husband has Lyme disease, which we think is cause of the pain. (?) Of course since the doctor couldn't' see an actual injury my husband was denied any medication....Can someone clue me in as to why companies even make pain meds if no one can get a script for legitimate reasons? So what do we do now? Go to downtown Hartford and buy some heroin from some thugs? Well that must be the solution cause we'd get shot in the head and therefore no more pain issues! As I type this my husband is trying to find a way to ease his pain by building a nest of pillows on our couch. He went to his 40 yr old doc today due to severe nerve pain. Husband has Lyme disease, which we think is cause of the pain. (?) Of course since the doctor couldn’t’ see an actual injury my husband was denied any medication….Can someone clue me in as to why companies even make pain meds if no one can get a script for legitimate reasons? So what do we do now? Go to downtown Hartford and buy some heroin from some thugs? Well that must be the solution cause we’d get shot in the head and therefore no more pain issues!

]]> Comment on Octogenerian’s Letter to Santa by Emily http://drpullen.com/octogenerian/comment-page-1#comment-2075 Emily Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:29:45 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3785#comment-2075 What a wonderful poem. For some reason I haven't received updates for your blog for several weeks now. I just came by on my own and was surprised to see how many posts I've missed. Well, I'm way behind. I hope your wife responded well to her robotic surgery. I wasn't offered this type of surgery, maybe because my surgeon is in his 60's. But the bottom line are the results, so good wishes for your wife at this time. One more thing, I know you contribute to KevinMD blog. And in light of your recent post on defensive medicine, I wonder what your response would be to this: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/02/ca125-50000-blood-test.html Best regards, Emily What a wonderful poem.

For some reason I haven’t received updates for your blog for several weeks now. I just came by on my own and was surprised to see how many posts I’ve missed. Well, I’m way behind.

I hope your wife responded well to her robotic surgery. I wasn’t offered this type of surgery, maybe because my surgeon is in his 60′s. But the bottom line are the results, so good wishes for your wife at this time.

One more thing, I know you contribute to KevinMD blog. And in light of your recent post on defensive medicine, I wonder what your response would be to this:

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/02/ca125-50000-blood-test.html

Best regards,
Emily

]]> Comment on Pradaxa: Better, Safer and Simpler than Warfarin? by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/pradaxa/comment-page-1#comment-2074 Dr. Pullen Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:01:45 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2961#comment-2074 Robyn: Sorry, but I have not heard of these issues with Pradaxa. DrP Robyn: Sorry, but I have not heard of these issues with Pradaxa. DrP

]]> Comment on Pradaxa: Better, Safer and Simpler than Warfarin? by Robyn Lockwood http://drpullen.com/pradaxa/comment-page-1#comment-2072 Robyn Lockwood Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:45:06 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2961#comment-2072 My father seems to be getting increased bloodpressure 220/90 and tingling in fingers after some months of being on pradaxa after been changed from warfarin. Can you comment? My father seems to be getting increased bloodpressure 220/90 and tingling in fingers after some months of being on pradaxa after been changed from warfarin. Can you comment?

]]> Comment on Prednisone Taper by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/prednisonetaper/comment-page-1#comment-2071 Dr. Pullen Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:43:06 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=1766#comment-2071 Cindy: Come on, just contact your doctor. I cannot give you advice on a subject like this. DrP. Cindy: Come on, just contact your doctor. I cannot give you advice on a subject like this. DrP.

]]> Comment on Prednisone Taper by Cindy http://drpullen.com/prednisonetaper/comment-page-1#comment-2070 Cindy Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:13:40 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=1766#comment-2070 A doctor I recently saw gave me Prednisone 40mg a day for 3 days. I am afraid to take it because I had a systemic reaction to a Medrol-dose pack last November and had to stop it. I have had an upper respiratory / sinusitis infection of some sort since Thanksgiving - I've tried antibiotics but don't do well on them at all. I don't know whether to try the Prednisone 40mg a day, or would 20mg a day for 3 days be sufficient? It has been over one week now and am hesitant to contact the doctor. A doctor I recently saw gave me Prednisone 40mg a day for 3 days. I am afraid to take it because I had a systemic reaction to a Medrol-dose pack last November and had to stop it. I have had an upper respiratory / sinusitis infection of some sort since Thanksgiving – I’ve tried antibiotics but don’t do well on them at all. I don’t know whether to try the Prednisone 40mg a day, or would 20mg a day for 3 days be sufficient? It has been over one week now and am hesitant to contact the doctor.

]]> Comment on Doctors Die Too, but Maybe Differently by Brooklyn Doctor http://drpullen.com/doctorsdiedifferently/comment-page-1#comment-2069 Brooklyn Doctor Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:13:03 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3874#comment-2069 I read this article at the original site and could not agree with it more. As a physician I think we have a different view of the medical world. I read this article at the original site and could not agree with it more. As a physician I think we have a different view of the medical world.

]]> Comment on Oxycontin vs Oxycodone by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/oxycontinvsoxycodone/comment-page-1#comment-2068 Dr. Pullen Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:59:17 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=1932#comment-2068 Marie: Maybe she can enlist his physician to encourage him to get him off the med if he is getting prescriptions. If he is buying illicit pills it will be harder. Good luck. DrP. Marie: Maybe she can enlist his physician to encourage him to get him off the med if he is getting prescriptions. If he is buying illicit pills it will be harder. Good luck. DrP.

]]> Comment on Can’t find a doctor to prescribe pain meds? by -MeDotCom- http://drpullen.com/cant-find-a-doctor-to-prescribe-pain-meds/comment-page-1#comment-2067 -MeDotCom- Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:08:43 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=314#comment-2067 Seems ironic YOU are the cause of my worst LIFE ALTERING problem, and I to you as well. I am in my late 20's. No want to sell anything/ abuse anything... and no doctor will give me the common courtesy of just telling me how to tell my family why I am okay for a few days a month when I can take a pill that I only take when a bullet is looking less painful. I would love to see what life, liberty or happiness looks Like, but my life... is miserable because if I "found" a way to get narcotics (for a semi-worth while existence) then there goes my liberty (and family) as for happieness... ha. This country is not free, and justice and compassion have reverted to a tyranny of medicine, pharma, and banks. My Biggest goal in life when I hurt; is to have the strength to not die. So sorry for inconveniencing you,sir... we all are. Seems ironic YOU are the cause of my worst LIFE ALTERING problem, and I to you as well. I am in my late 20′s. No want to sell anything/ abuse anything… and no doctor will give me the common courtesy of just telling me how to tell my family why I am okay for a few days a month when I can take a pill that I only take when a bullet is looking less painful. I would love to see what life, liberty or happiness looks Like, but my life… is miserable because if I “found” a way to get narcotics (for a semi-worth while existence) then there goes my liberty (and family) as for happieness… ha. This country is not free, and justice and compassion have reverted to a tyranny of medicine, pharma, and banks. My Biggest goal in life when I hurt; is to have the strength to not die. So sorry for inconveniencing you,sir… we all are.

]]> Comment on Oxycontin vs Oxycodone by Marie http://drpullen.com/oxycontinvsoxycodone/comment-page-1#comment-2066 Marie Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:50:07 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=1932#comment-2066 My friends husband has been on oxycodone for many years, he was prescribed it initially for pain relief after reconstructive surgery of his shoulders. His energy level is down substantially and has very little motivation. He is down on himself, constantly dwelling on "how he used to be", physically. His wife doesn't know what to do anymore, ultimately she would like to get him into treatment, but he is not willing. He knows this drug is bad for him but he won't do anything about it. He gets dizzy and falls, hurting himself almost everytime, he does embarassing things infront of her friends and she's tired of it. What can be done? Treatment facilities won't take him unless he is willing, he won't listen to her about alternate pain relief. She feels pretty helpless and doesn't like watching her husband slowly kill himself, what can she do? My friends husband has been on oxycodone for many years, he was prescribed it initially for pain relief after reconstructive surgery of his shoulders. His energy level is down substantially and has very little motivation. He is down on himself, constantly dwelling on “how he used to be”, physically. His wife doesn’t know what to do anymore, ultimately she would like to get him into treatment, but he is not willing. He knows this drug is bad for him but he won’t do anything about it. He gets dizzy and falls, hurting himself almost everytime, he does embarassing things infront of her friends and she’s tired of it. What can be done? Treatment facilities won’t take him unless he is willing, he won’t listen to her about alternate pain relief. She feels pretty helpless and doesn’t like watching her husband slowly kill himself, what can she do?

]]> Comment on AFIP Closure a Sad Time for U.S.Health Care by William Bieber http://drpullen.com/afip/comment-page-1#comment-2064 William Bieber Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:47:38 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3215#comment-2064 I assisted in research in the Dept. of Radiation Injury (a cold war thing) in summers of 1956 and 1957 during medical school. Some great names passed thru there. Sadly, there is no replacement, only migration of a concept. I am surprised it persisted as long as it did, considering the dead hand of civilian and military bureaucracy that hung over it. No doubt it was the enthusiasm of the people involved that gave it longevity. I have great memories. RIP AFIP. I assisted in research in the Dept. of Radiation Injury (a cold war thing) in summers of 1956 and 1957 during medical school. Some great names passed thru there. Sadly, there is no replacement, only migration of a concept. I am surprised it persisted as long as it did, considering the dead hand of civilian and military bureaucracy that hung over it. No doubt it was the enthusiasm of the people involved that gave it longevity. I have great memories. RIP AFIP.

]]> Comment on Pruritus – When Should You See Your Doctor? by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/pruritus/comment-page-1#comment-2063 Dr. Pullen Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:23:11 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3058#comment-2063 Roberta: Sorry I'll not be of help. Sounds like some variant of a physical urticaria. These can be from friction, heat, exercise, etc. Good luck. DrP. Roberta: Sorry I’ll not be of help. Sounds like some variant of a physical urticaria. These can be from friction, heat, exercise, etc. Good luck. DrP.

]]> Comment on Pruritus – When Should You See Your Doctor? by Roberta http://drpullen.com/pruritus/comment-page-1#comment-2062 Roberta Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:52:40 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3058#comment-2062 I have had these symptoms for 2 years now. I have gone to a couple of doctors after first going to a dermatologist who couldn't find a problem. The last one was an internal med dr and all they did was run a blood test said all was ok and gave me a prescription for Levocitirizine for the itching. When it starts it is so bad i want to rip my skin off. It mostly itches on my lower back, top of my thighs and around my waist. Not limited there but mostly there. One other thing i have noticed that the itching begins when i seem to need to have a bowel movement or have just finished having one. Not sure if this is a coincidence but seems to be the case. Not all but maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Help! I have had these symptoms for 2 years now. I have gone to a couple of doctors after first going to a dermatologist who couldn’t find a problem. The last one was an internal med dr and all they did was run a blood test said all was ok and gave me a prescription for Levocitirizine for the itching. When it starts it is so bad i want to rip my skin off. It mostly itches on my lower back, top of my thighs and around my waist. Not limited there but mostly there. One other thing i have noticed that the itching begins when i seem to need to have a bowel movement or have just finished having one. Not sure if this is a coincidence but seems to be the case. Not all but maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Help!

]]> Comment on Benadryl High: Huh? by Tim Conner http://drpullen.com/benadrylhigh/comment-page-1#comment-2061 Tim Conner Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:14:28 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=3815#comment-2061 I had a close call with Benadryl recently where I nearly overdosed. I definitely felt high off the benadryl for a few hours before I went to sleep. I asked the person who gave me their benadryl if they had ever experienced a benadryl high, and they said they had not. If any other people reading this could fill me in with their knowledge about this subject of crazy benadryl side effects I would greatly appreciate it. I had a close call with Benadryl recently where I nearly overdosed. I definitely felt high off the benadryl for a few hours before I went to sleep. I asked the person who gave me their benadryl if they had ever experienced a benadryl high, and they said they had not. If any other people reading this could fill me in with their knowledge about this subject of crazy benadryl side effects I would greatly appreciate it.

]]> Comment on Vimovo – Give Me a Break by Dr. Pullen http://drpullen.com/vimovo/comment-page-1#comment-2060 Dr. Pullen Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:38:39 +0000 http://drpullen.com/?p=2592#comment-2060 Sri Salla: I'd expect to see some help by 3 weeks. DrP. Sri Salla: I’d expect to see some help by 3 weeks. DrP.

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