DO I DARE? I have the greatest possible degree of trust in my personal physicians.
I think most people do so, and if you happen to have experienced several close encounters of the wrong kind which took you right up to where you could reach out just a bit and actually touch the garish door-knocker on the front door of Death's dark house. Anyone who has had that portion of life's possible termination so graphically depicted is going to believe just about anything a doctor might suggest in order to avoid such an end.
That's good. It is best that we learn to trust and obey persons authorized to assist in maintaining our good health. We have government standards by which we further seek to control the proper use of the medication prescribed for our use. None, it seems, is without potential hazard -especially if improperly used. With that in mind, printed instructions and a detailed analysis of possible ill effects are printed in in uninspired black and fliers - sheets folded ingeniousness inside the carton i n which the medicine is usually distributed.
Do you read these informational sheets? Most people do not.
They can undermine confidence you have in the preparation which is supposed to cure your particular malady. The required information page is found with every box of a particular spray medication I use. It, for instance, urges me to: "rinse your mouth after using the inhaler to help prevent dryness and relieve throat irritation." I am urged to "clean the inhaler at least once a month." "This medication may cause dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, runny nose or irritated throat. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely side effects occur: fast heartbeat, difficulty urinating white patches in your mouth or changes in vaginal discharge. If sprayed in the eyes, pain occurs." It may be a symptom of narrow-angle glaucoma. Get immediate medical attention. Rarely may cause worsening of breathing problems immediately after use. Contact your doctor at once." There may be allergic reaction, as well, but I think that's about all I care to know about the inhaler I'm using daily.
Side effects listed for a pill, I take include fast/pounding heartbeat, nervousness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, headache dizziness, anxiety, shakiness, pale skin, chest pains and irregular heartbeat, fainting, vision changes, seizures and confusion or "other effects not listed above. " Enough, once more!
I do not enjoy reading such "helpful" information. I realize they must be included with all drugs we buy, in accordance with laws of our land, but I have strong feeling urging that a family member of whomever is caring for a patient read the lists of possible things which could or might happen, rather than the patient.
I want to get well - not worse.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 10-01-06 [c479wds]
