Our Bodies Our Blog: How Not to Write a Health Story

[jessicaabruno]

Thank you for blogging about this NYTimes article (http://ourbodiesourblog.org/blog/2008/01/how_not_to_write_a_health_story_1.php).

I'm glad that I decided not to read this article in Times (which my family gets deliver daily to our house).

[Buffalo Head '75]

I will say two things...

1. I have been greatly helped by anti-depressants and I have been equally pissed off by seeing their "sales representatives" lobbying at my psychiatrist's office trying to get the psych to use "their medicines". The thing is the medical professional should prescribe the drug that best fits the situation.

2. People in this country need to start taking mental illnesses seriously and stop being so prejudice. It shouldn't be taboo. I didn't ask for OCD. I have done everything in my power to treat it. I am certainly not enjoying panic disorder. Yet I have gotten responses like, "some people can deal with anxiety and others just can't."

wait.... I have more points.

3. if people are suffering whether it is in their mind or a muscle condition... IT STILL NEEDS TO BE TREATED!!!! This "it isn't real nonsense" is just stupid. If it isn't real WHY ARE THEY IN PAIN??? DUH, treat these people with compassion and help them live a life without pain.

4. The drug companies area sham... they DO provide drugs that help millions of people. It is time for the FDA to become a REAL organization that sets and enforces real standards.

5. I love commercials that ask me to ask my doctor if a specific medicine is right for me. That's right... I have no college education or medicine training but I will suggest meds to my Harvard educated doctor. Just like I want the doctor to set-up the fireplace in my house. Oh that's right.... that will blow the house up.

UGH!

Ok, my soap box has been put away... no wait, rant about insurance companies... and the uninsured. Another day.... another day.

[jessicaabruno]

Yeah to everything that buffalo head `75 in his response.

[PEACE FROG]

Hi Jessica, Thanks for posting that!!! I also wanted to welcome you to the board! You seem very sweet and a great addition to our family. Hey Buffalo head what does canabis do to someone with anxiety? Also I heard once that a blood panel might reveal to someone what their body is lacking in vitamins? ;) Thanks I'm buzzed :bandit: :cheers:

[Buffalo Head '75]

Hi Jessica, Thanks for posting that!!! I also wanted to welcome you to the board! You seem very sweet and a great addition to our family. Hey Buffalo head what does canabis do to someone with anxiety? Also I heard once that a blood panel might reveal to someone what their body is lacking in vitamins? ;) Thanks I'm buzzed :bandit: :cheers:

I can't say as to what Cannabis does to someone with anxiety because I have never tried it. The truth is I can't stand smoke. Any kind of smoke. It makes me cough.

I will say that Ricky Williams (NFL running back) had used marijuana for a long time to help deal with Social Anxiety Disorder. The marijuana did not cure the condition (he was later hospitalized for 4 months) but obviously the marijuana did help him achieve comfort at some level as he had reportedly used it since college.

If the question is do I think that Marijuana can be used as a "safer, less side-effect" alternative to anti-depressants my answer is going to be that it cannot be with any long term success.

To me anti-depressants are the way to go. Some people have liver problems or the anti-depressants just don't work or whatever and if a licensed psychiatrist then said that marijuana would be a workable alternative I think the psychiatrist needs to have the ability to then implement that treatment.

Alcohol and caffeine are bad ideas for anxiety. Alcohol is a definite NO-NO with benzodiazepines... and both would affect the effect of the medicine Luvox that I take.

Caffeine is just flat-out useless. It does nothing for you.

I would recommend everyone stay away from it.

You will have more energy by sleeping regularly and not taking it.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Yeah to everything that buffalo head `75 in his response.


did someone just agree with me? No one in the "real world" ever agrees with me. They just think I am wacked.

This IS a good day!

[Buffalo Head '75]

Hi Jessica, Thanks for posting that!!! I also wanted to welcome you to the board! You seem very sweet and a great addition to our family. Hey Buffalo head what does canabis do to someone with anxiety? Also I heard once that a blood panel might reveal to someone what their body is lacking in vitamins? ;) Thanks I'm buzzed :bandit: :cheers:

I do believe a blood panel will show if your body is lacking in vitamins. I know it is used to check for anemia and iron deficiency.

The basic blood test is basically used to find everything and anything.

hence the reason all the pro-atheletes are using HGH. They don't do the blood test.