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Date: Wed, 5 Apr 1995 07:26:00 -0400 From: judith guttman <[log in to unmask]> Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Re: re medications I trust Worst Pills Best Pills because its writers do not benefit from the drug industry (unlike most physicians and many drug reference books). Worst Pills Best Pills is one of the few sources that is willing to say that some drugs are bad drugs. It is my experience that there are bad drugs. I am relieved to find a source that is not afraid to say so. I have had too much experience with doctors who don't know enough about the drugs they prescribe or who don't take the trouble to check for possible interactions (my daughter almost died from this kind of incompetence). Frankly, I never fill a prescription any more until I look a drug up. Worst Pills, Best Pills always gives alternatives to the drug it repudiates; it also gives reasons, and medical journal citations for its judgments (more than most doctors are willing to do when questioned). If a doctor is willing to take the time to show me, using citations and sharing whole medical journal articles, if necessary, that his/her opinion is right, I'm ready to listen. Until then, I'll stick with the books. Older people with Parkinsons, especially, usually have other problems, too, and my experience is that there are few medical people flexible enough and willing enough to take the time to think through the whole of the person and prescribe in terms of quality of life instead of knee jerk prescribing for a symptom at a time. Since doctors won't do it, I research drugs, cross check against what my Mom is already taking, ask questions and make counter proposals. I know I don't know enough; I still think I probably get a more comprehensive and cautious view than the doctors we have had. If I sound mad I am. By the way, I live in Washington DC where we are supposed to have a terrific medical system--as terrific is defined in this country. <---- Begin Included Message ----> Date: Wed, 5 Apr 1995 00:22:43 -0400 From: "Thomas W. Shinder, M.D." <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: re medications >When in doubt we check with our favorite reference source - "Worst Pills Best Pills" , published by the Public Citizen Health Research Group.< this is a very inaccurate book, and my opinion is that it creates anxiety. As a neurologist, I have found, almost uniformly, that the opinions expressed in this book are flawed, and sometimes blantently false. I would recommend this book to no one that is not an attorney or someone that just isn't interested in feeling better. Dr S <---- End Included Message ----> Peace, Judith Judith A Guttman "...we are wound Washington DC with mercy round and round [log in to unmask] as if with air" -- Hopkins