Thursday, December 23, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Prescription Drugs and the BIG Scare
OK. Goofy. Recently I made my own Wonder Hangers and it was that infomercial which inspired me and I thought it was a great idea. Each ScottWondaHanga took me approximately twenty minutes to make at the price of about $2.33 each. I made six of the things with two power tools, three hand tools and clear liquid nails.
One day I sneezed so hard that I lost consciousness. Went to see a neuro, did an MRA (MRI with nuclear contrast media), and was sent to opthalmologist due to incidental finding of papilledema. Findings were negative and inconclusive. Bills were probably pretty expensive. Insurance paid.
Anyone notice all the prescription drug commercials?
This morning I woke up around 5am after around four hour's sleep. I've had it on my mind for quite some time to watch different shows and sit there and list all the drug commercials which I usually tend to ignore. I'm not sure, but the drug stuff seems to be about one in every three commercials. Beer is pretty big business too, I guess, alongwith financial wars (investments), and cars - These four have got to be in the top ten categories unless you're watching Cartoon Network.
So today I've had the opportunity to check out all of the favorite drugs out there and discover how many disease complexes I am suffering from and how best to treat the ailments (as long as I don't listen to the nasty, quickly spoken possible side-effects at the end of the ad). We are a drug nation and a want-it-now country hooked on conventional allopathic western medicine.
By the way, do you believe that we are nearing the end of recession? I agree with Beck that we are only beginning. Kiyosaki says so as well. I have only seen things getting worse. Also Obama is a socialist/communist and I guess the words have now been twisted into "progressive" and so many people call it "liberal" which is just not accurate according to what our government is demonstrating today. Yes, I watch a lot of Fox News. Its the only one that makes rational sense. The others have blinders on and/or they are just communists and fascists.
Back to the drugs. I began writing down the commercials last night and the drugs they are attempting to sell. Started again at 5am and then went to office around noon and continued watching online while listening to the radio and flipping through the lame, lame, lame chick and old person magazines. Geez these ads make you really believe that everyone is dead and dying and that we absolutely need-need to be on ten scripts each and become walking pharmacies.
Whatever happened to Thomas Edison and his statement that, "The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his or her patients in the care...in the cause and prevention of disease"? Aah, its a long quote. According to pharmaceutical companies they think that everyone has forgotten Tom's quote anyway. They spend over four billion (4,000,000,000) dollars per year on TV advertisements alone just to make sure we forget intelligent statements like Edison's.
Another Edison quote is probably one the pharm's would like to keep, "Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something".
The pharms are currently pulling in somewhere near two hundred billion dollars ($200,000,000) per year. Well...guess that looks like a small number now since we keep upping the Federal deficit into the trillions - what is it, like, twelve trillion currently? That is nuts. The drug business is nuts and also all politicians need to have a swift banishing to some place like China (stupid communists joined together). Send the communist politicians FedEx overnight via luxury one-way jumbo jets and tell them there is Louis, Dom, women and caviar onboard and they are being sent to a luxury resort. Then drop 'em by parachute from 15,000 feet.
Okay, did you know that MD and prescription-related deaths per year amount to a now-calculated three hundred thousand (300,000) persons? Allopathic related deaths per year amount to more than guns and auto accident deaths combined. Top five causes of death in the USA are tobacco, alcohol, medical malpractice, traffic and firearms. Most label death in terms of symptoms: heart disease, cancer, etc. - but there are causes for those symptoms....i.e. tobacco causing cancer.....get it?
I'm a chiropractor. Most MDs I've ever met don't necessarily recommend chiros. I'm second in line for their pockets (2nd for the money and their Beamer). You've heard the term "Follow the money"? I've searched for deaths in chiropractic and I cannot find anything which is 1) a non-chiropractic source or 2) some guy not off his rocker and has independent peer reviewed research. I disqualify chiropractic sources due to bias and loons get disqualified due to....well, I shouldn't have to explain that one. What I do know is that the very low allopathic malpractice liability starts at thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) and most plans are much higher. My malpractice policy is about one thousand dollars ($1,000). And I get dividends from my policy for having no incident. Aww, its just because the insurance company loves me so much! Right, sure. Chiropractic is one of the safest medical professions on earth.
So there. Back to the advertisements from television, magazines, radio. After being inundated, I attempted to remember the ads I did not see but do remember. I came up with Crestor, Fosamax, Plavix and Zelnorm. What happened to these? Maybe they are on one of those annoying attorney tort commercials by now- Vioxx, anyone?
In the course of about one day, here are the prescription drug advertisements I viewed:
Actonel, Viagra, Nexium, Avodart, Valtrex, Prilosec, Wellbutrin, Zocor, Cialis, Boniva, Abilify, Alavert, Chantix, Effexor, Flomax, Nasonex, Aricept, Cymbalta, Restasis, Symbicort, Astepro, Norvasic, Lipitor, Gardasil, Januvia, Singulair, Yaz, Zicam, Spiriva, Lunesta. Geez, that is thirty (30) different drugs. Levitra never was there, thank God.
Okay so I must be suffering from COPD, BPH, ED, asthma, depression, sleep disorder, herpes, osteoporosis, smoking, sinusitis, ovarian cancer and high cholesterol. I don't remember my other symptoms but at least maybe twelve of the problems is enough since I will have to take that many drugs to take care of it all. I'm only sort of kidding as I do know a number of people who the docs have on five or more drugs. The most I saw a patient taking was fourteen different meds given by three different doctors. Quite a bill there for Medicare! Government program anyone?
These advertisements post disclaimers. Hmmmm. Wonder why. Makes the tort lawyers salivate in anticipation. The disclaimer doesn't do much to decrease liability (CYA). So the list has a number of options on side-effect possibility and many lists go pretty in-depth like this one from Boniva:
"Important Safety Information
BONIVA is a prescription medicine for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis. You should not take BONIVA if you have low blood calcium, cannot sit or stand for at least 60 minutes, have severe kidney disease, or are allergic to BONIVA. Stop taking BONIVA and tell your healthcare provider if you experience difficult or painful swallowing, chest pain, or severe or continuing heartburn, as these may be signs of serious upper digestive problems. Follow the once-monthly BONIVA dosing instructions carefully to lower the chance of these events occurring. Side effects are generally mild or moderate and may include diarrhea, pain in the arms or legs, or upset stomach. If you develop severe bone, joint, and/or muscle pain, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may also recommend a calcium and vitamin D supplement."
That one was easy to take down. I was surprised to see this ad since I think its Boniva and Fosamax which are the next ones we will see attorneys attacking. Seems that the big offender is Fosamax, though, with many thigh/femur fractures showing up from users. Ha, these two drugs are supposed to be meant to combat osteoporosis! Go figure.
But, anyway, just about every side-effect disclaimer pretty much covers every possible related system in the body. The drug company may as well just come up with one very good mass disclaimer to display with every ad they have out there. But that would make things too easy.
Thats my beef. I'm so sick and tired of these stupid prescription drug television advertisements. What's worse is, excepting movie channels, most of the channels I enjoy watching seem to have the most of the ads. I must be watching the shows that all infirms view. Discover, Fox News, TLC, History, things like that. Cartoon Network has cool ads.
This is a long one. I finally wrote it because a patient recently asked me what I thought of Boniva. Everything I wrote here is what I told her - except for my aside tangents maybe. You put it all together, your life is big money, and the drug companies and MDs want you sick and they are mass-blitzing us with their crap. You have to remember that you are what you think. If they get you thinking that you are a dying individual, then they have won the war and you finally gave up a battle. Do not let that happen.
Dr. Moller
P.S. Just so you know. I am not necessarily totally anti-drug, just anti-drug campaigning. There are some times when the stuff is needed. The prevalence of use is in the major abuse area, in my opinion. And most people need to get off their behinds and do something safely with their health rather than develop a super lame crutch. Do something much greater with your health and be a conservative and wise consumer.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
In a Writing Mood
This is my sister and her husband's band out of Honolulu.
Totally great music and I'm very proud of my sister for this production.
Some of the best work I've ever heard with Shane.
A chick in a band can be pretty kewl.
And look at her all skinny after two kids.
Shane is a fan of Martin Luther and they once had another band called Junker Jorg - Luther's code name when he went into hiding and the Wittenberg Door episode. I have written before about them, but I was thinking of my sister tonight and this week after Pastor Andy mentioned Junker a couple of Sundays ago. Shane and Jeanine also pastor a church in Hawaii as far as I know. Haven't seen them in quite a while and just miss my sister. I think last time was in Santa Barbara for my uncle Mike's surprise birthday party in '06.
Okay. Tonight was church pig roast night and last week I came up with a couple more suggestions: business card mentioning and altar call. I was actually a little embarassed to approach Pastor Andy with the suggestions, but he mentioned my jacket a little bit ago. I tell you what, I very much admire what the Faith Family Church is accomplishing. I also was brought up as a kid to only approach my pastor if they approach me, so the guy is busy and I don't like to break the rules my mom taught me early on when they were heavily involved with the Hickey's church. But I did approach and I know he is a cool guy.
The goofy part of this blog in this installment is this: Lately business is challenging and I called my buddy, Kurt, and we discussed the latest challenges and it was helpful. Kurt is one of the neatest guys to associate with. He ain't a C-h-ristian and probably has greater meaning in his life than many guys I know including myself.
So we talked for a while and I've been thinking about part of my earlier brief discussion with Andy. He stated that he can see that I am a Godly man. And I tell you what, the statement kind of shocked me because I do so many crazy things. Sometimes I come up with weird ideas like getting no sleep just because of I don't know why and I enjoy reading and researching. My ex-wife used to get angry at me for the sleep thing so we would go to bed and I would sneak up after I'd hear her snoring. You know just weird stuff and its been a long while since I've thought of myself as being exactly Godly and so much of my attention has been in business lately. Actually some days things just appear as going through the motions. I like to relax on patios and just watch things happen. Well, slight tangent and ramble.
I am getting to a point here. The Godly man statement got me to thinking back in time in my christian history of an entire lifetime and sometimes "Hide the beer the pastor's here" moments. Or "church of do what you want to" episodes. You see, I have always known my proclivity to make sure I stick with my roots and due to any number of things I have lately gotten some shallow times and pockets haven't been deep and stuff like that.
Here's the thing. Ever since I can remember, I have been this kid/man whose voice breaks when I am speaking in Christian moments and the only term I can come up with regarding that is because of the splanchtizomai in me. Its a deep gut thing when I am taking something seriously. I remember one time when my voice didn't break during a serious matter with a patient and I was pretty surprised. It was during a half hour where I practically quoted half of a Jim Richards book that this lady needed to hear. Shoot, just tonight I cracked just when praying over and with three guys I barely know but I still care.
So. You know, craziness aside, I guess I believe and know Pastor Andy's Godly comment. Its nice to be reminded of it when a few things have been a bit difficult lately and I've begun clenching my teeth when I've never done that before. The reminder has not happened in a while and I appreciate it.
So. You know, craziness aside, I guess I believe and know Pastor Andy's Godly comment. Its nice to be reminded of it when a few things have been a bit difficult lately and I've begun clenching my teeth when I've never done that before. The reminder has not happened in a while and I appreciate it.
Just a few thoughts on some of the recent happenings and things which came to mind. Ha! Guess the Red Eye is on now and that means its 1am. Crazy.
Great things to you, take it easy and God bless all the merry children. : )
Dr. Scott http://www.fnchiropractic.com/
P.S. Scottsdale office now up and running at Hayden and Raintree in http://www.bodytherapyaz.com/
and I'm in Chandler still as well.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Jacket
Recently I gave my pastor (Faith Family Church) a note in the suggestion box.
In the past year or so I've noticed something.
I've been watching jackets and coats. Is it possible to think of Keanu Reeves without the Matrix jacket?
So much of the time the lead character in a role has some sort of jacket.
Even the villains have jackets.
The women sometimes do not but can you imagine Angelina Jolie in action without a coat?
(She has pretty cool looking jackets by the way)
Church pastors have the jacket - even the laid back type of pastor in the seekers area. One guy I saw pull anything off in clothing was Eastman Curtis - only coat I ever remember seeing him in was a leather riding one. The coat also helps with anyone overweight. A large basketball paunch can be well overlooked with the cover.
When I met Kiyosaki his shoes were a bit worn....but he sported the traditional blazer when he could have been wearing anything he wished.
See my don't need no stinkin' shoes blog archived April, 2009:
http://drsmoller.blogspot.com/2009/04/1000-thread-count-dont-need-no-stinkin.html
The Don wears the jacket. 'Nuf said.
So, anyway, I did a little research on the coat and now try to go with one on going out. Next one I get is another doctor jacket thing (monogrammed and tailored navy long sleeve, not white). My research was first in movies, then advice on clothing sites like Tom James.
In school we were made to wear coats most of the time and they were mandatory for examinations and tests. The reason behind it was that testing scores were markedly higher once the rule was implemented. President of my school was always dressed immaculately.
I ran across a website which suggested that the proper coat stated strength, power and wisdom. I thought that was goofy. I once was told by an instructor that your style of dress should be that of your best-dressed patient/client - that's pretty much what I have realized in most businesses.
So that is the non-comprehensive beginning of doing the jacket/coat/blazer. The next thing I've done in the past couple of years was testing. Networks, business to business, meetings, restaurants, outings. The sportcoat has gotten me more Respect and Recognition. In the business climate today and also in a quirky profession called chiropractic, those two R's are somewhat of a need.
I've seen goofy looking kids in coats and the appearance creates a goofy to not-so-goofy transformation (i.e. the prince of Wales kids - you know, Diana's boys). Rare to see a politician out of a coat, isn't it?
Okay. Out of school, I strayed from the clothes. I even showed up at my office in running shoes, t-shirt, shorts - probably a few times in flip-flops. I was comfortable. But as a doctor I probably looked like a schmuck to anyone who did not know me and my accomplishments - about 99% of all the people you run into during a day's time. After about two years in business I hired a consultant after we became friends. Dr. Kats would personally come to my office and help me out. His first thing he said? "Until you are at forty plus per day I will never catch you without a tie." (No mention on the coat, though). After his statement I remembered the days at ORU wearing a sweater with a cut-off tie and a knot showing at the neck so we could eat in the cafeteria - oooooooh, sweet rebellion in a tie mandatory school. I did what Dr. Kats ordered.
You know, I don't really care for the whole dress-up thing. Its a pain. I even pre-knot my ties so I can just slip them over my head and I have a large lot of neck extenders for collars so my shirts have stretchy room. The wardrobe is kept pretty basic and interchangeable.
In our culture today - following social mores - we can now get along with some scruff and, with the coat, I don't care about the matching aspect and different colors. I just now make sure I have the things on. If I were to go with just one style, I would have to defer to the basic blue sport blazer which you can go anywhere with. I'm not a fan of suits. Suits are just not my cup of tea.
There isn't much more for me to say on this subject that I can think of. I'm sure there is a lot more, but those are my basics. I guess I could say this: The coat/jacket goes well with the ladies. This is true. I've tested the fact. 80% of my business is female. At the club/bar/restaurant/billiards/bowling - probably have general ratio of 8:1 male-female. Hmmm, what is going to set you apart exclusively? Probably not your lucky socks and extra generous personality.
Ha! Things are good. Second office location in Scottsdale coming next week. Hayden/Raintree - AZBodyTherapy. Sweet.
Dr. Scott http://www.fnchiropractic.com/
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