......but learn from reading about real life experiences of others, too.....
During my last entry, I forgot to stress the fact that the
inappropriate use of beta blockers cause thousands of deaths each year. I have low blood pressure and I questioned my
doctor numerous times why he thought I needed such a strong heart
medication. He simply told me that it
would strengthen my heart. How can your heart be stronger if you are weak, dizzy and often unable to stand without falling over? I have thought many times
over the years that perhaps my cardio and that first nephrologist, who I
dropped like a hot potato – may have been in cahoots. One now runs the local hospital’s cardio center
while the other runs the dialysis center.
Due to my diagnosed kidney disease, my new nephrologist was
concerned about my low hemoglobin levels.
This led to being checked once and month and receiving a Procrit shots if
the numbers were deemed too low. I was
told nothing about Procrit or its risks. I learned more about it long after I decided to stop being tested.
I found an easy way to avoid the shots early on. A daily dose of Geritol tonic
built up my hemoglobin and provided more oxygen to my body.
The Kidney Factor
The human kidney secretes two hormones: Erythropoietin (EPO) and calcitrol (1,25[OH]2 –
better known as Vitamin D3. It also
secretes the enzyme renin.
EPO is a glycoprotein that acts on the bone marrow to
increase the production of red blood cells.
When blood oxygen is low, EPO is released.
If your blood oxygen is low (generally due to low iron),
your body will instruct the kidneys to increase the production of EPO. EPO, produced by the kidneys, is responsible
for red blood cell production. Stem
cells from the bone marrow are then transformed into red blood cells.
EPO is used to treat anemia in people with kidney failure as
well as those with congestive heart failure.
EPO receptors are present throughout the cardiovascular system since the
heart and blood vessels must have oxygen.
Some studies suggest that EPO may increase the ejection fraction and
raise good HDL cholesterol. It is also
used to treat left ventricular hypertrophy.
However, EPO raises blood cell count and makes blood thicker
and more prone to blood clots and that can lead to heart attack or heart
failure! In my weakened state – on drugs
that were making me weaker – without the supplements my body needed – I went
along with the program for a while. I understood
little about EPO but did know that I was anemic and needed iron.
Many athletes take Procrit and this practice is known as “blood
doping.”
Other supplements that can help increase EPO are the
adaptogens like astragalus, rhodiola, ashgawanda and cordyceps sinensus. Echinacea is mentioned quite often as an
alternative. Green tea is also
helpful. Exercise is a must.
Contrast this simple natural solution to information found
on the Procrit (epoetin alfa) insert (which I never saw and which I knew nothing about)
PROCRIT®
(epoetin alfa) For Injection
(epoetin alfa) For Injection
WARNINGS: INCREASED
MORTALITY, SERIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS, THROMBOEMBOLIC EVENTS, STROKE and
INCREASED RISK OF TUMOR PROGRESSION OR RECURRENCE
Remember – I had only been out of the hospital for one week
after a near fatal congestive heart failure when I was given this "treatment."
"In clinical studies, patients experienced greater risks for
death, serious cardiovascular events, and stroke when administered
erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to target hemoglobin levels of 13 g/dL
and above." (Note: Those levels are the “one
size fits all” kind that are set by the Pharma powers that be. Procrit is not cheap. Geritol is.)
Procrit is also used on cancer patients:
"ESAs shortened overall survival and/or increased the risk of
tumor progression or recurrence in some clinical studies in patients with
breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid, and cervical cancers. To
decrease these risks, as well as the risk of serious cardio- and
thrombovascular events, use the lowest dose needed to avoid red blood cell
transfusion."
(I had no idea what dosage they were giving me)
"Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of
an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips,
tongue, or throat."
"Contact your doctor if you feel weak, lightheaded, or short
of breath, or if your skin looks pale. These may be signs that your body has
stopped responding to this medication."
"Epoetin alfa can increase your risk of life-threatening
heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will
increase the longer you use epoetin alfa."
"Before using epoetin alfa, tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you are allergic to it; or to other drugs that cause more red blood cells to be
made (e.g., darbepoetin alfa); or to products containing human albumin; or if
you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients,
which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist
for more details."
"Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist
your medical history, especially of: high blood pressure, blood disorders
(e.g., sickle cell anemia, white blood cell or platelet problems, bone marrow
problems), bleeding/clotting problems, blood vessel problems (e.g., stroke),
heart problems (e.g., angina, heart failure), seizure disorder, a certain metabolic
disorder (porphyria)."
Human albumin? That doesn't sound natural, does it? I never talked to a pharmacist because these were given in the hospital blood lab.
The Conventional Method: Prescribe more Drugs
No doubt, the hospitals receive Procrit for a good price as
a preferred drug. Private health
insurers and employers fought back against monopolized Big Pharma prices. We now have a three-tiered coverage for
prescription drugs. Full coverage for
generics, partial covered for useful brand-name drugs and no coverage for
expensive drugs. Pharma worked around
the system, however, and there are expensive, brand-name drugs on formularies.
Big Pharma spares no expense in marketing their product by
any means possible. Selling doctors on
writing prescriptions for their drugs is a big part of that strategy. Seminars are given under the guise of medical
education that are little more than sales pitches. Incentives to prescribe this or that drug still
remain part of Big Pharma’s business model even though we are told reforms were made.
Contract research organizations now “hire”
doctors to collect data on patients. The
contracted doctors are not trained researchers so they do what they are told. Information
is sold to Big Pharma.
Pharma saves money and they gain control over the trials. No scientific analysis necessary. No pesky whistle blowers to contend with either.
Did you catch that?
Doctors are paid thousands of dollars per contract and so there is temptation and incentive to prescribe the drugs which the research organizations want data
on. The patient becomes a free “clinical drug trial” subject - without his or her knowledge - while the doctor makes more money and Big Pharma
skews the information to their advantage.
What must the doctors think when I tell them I no longer
take their prescribed medications? Is it
any wonder that doctors will quit seeing patients that have figured out what a
sham they are??
Selling Drugs is a Business
Sell the most drugs to the most people. Create a drug so general in nature that a
majority of people will want to buy it. (
a few examples – acid reflux medication, vaccines, NSAIDs) Don’t waste time on
drugs that are REALLY needed for people and countries, too poor to buy them.
At one time drug companies promoted drugs to treat
disease. Now they invent and promote “diseases”
to sell drugs.
More Info
The Big Fix Katharine Greider
(How Drug marketing permeates the medical profession –
marketing under the guise of medical education)
No comments:
Post a Comment