Additionally, the Dr. who put me on this drug many years ago never spelled out
the horrific downside this product produces.
Anyone else interested in pursuing this ?
RJ
Anybody else's thoughts on this?
Karen
>I'm planning a class action suit against the mfg's. of Prednisone. There has
>never
>been any warnings on these presciptions re: the long term affects of this
>devestating drug.
I take it you never read the pharmicist's insert that came with the
medication?
You are probably the only asthmatic I've ever met who wasn't aware
that pred has severe side effects. Haven't you ever read any books,
magazine articles, etc. on asthma?
>
>Additionally, the Dr. who put me on this drug many years ago never spelled out
>the horrific downside this product produces.
Question: Did you ask him?
'Reply to' address changed to foil email spammers.
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>I take it you never read the pharmicist's insert that came with the
>medication?
I have taken prednisone a few times on the 15mg for 3 days, 10 mg for 3
days, 5 mg for 3 days schedule. I have never gotten a drug insert.
It's my experience that you never get them unless you ask, or have a
prescription that comes in a box (like Serevent).
>>Additionally, the Dr. who put me on this drug many years ago never spelled out
>>the horrific downside this product produces.
>
>Question: Did you ask him?
For a long time, and to some extent still, doctors were thought of as
god-like, and patients would never question their recommendations.
--
Jack Hamilton
j...@alumni.stanford.org
PGP ID: 79E07035
Karen
Caveat emptor.
Prednisone has been approved by the FDA for a very long time. Any class action
suit will not be entertained, let alone be fruitful. Any individual in the US
has the right to sue, but in this case a competent, and ethical attorney would
advise against. Information about the effects of Prednisone are just too
readily available, and one would certainly notice signs long before any
irreversable damage ensued.
I've taken Prednisone on many occcasions, and even had I not been told in
advance by my doctor of what to expect, each time the drug was dispensed, the
pharmacist included a very plainly written fact sheet, and a verbal
admonishment to contact him or my MD with any questions about adverse
reactions.
It sounds more to me that the original poster is merely very angry about having
his illness, and would best be advised to also seek treatment for that.
Proceeding with a frivilous lawsuit would only compound, and exascerbate the
anger.
For what it's worth, that's my opinion. Illness is a fact of life, and not
everyone departs as instantly, or painlessly as they arrived.
Life is not an entitlement, nor does it include any. Be thankful for,
and as best each can, have a Happy New Year.
Sheldon Martin
penm...@aol.com
But, by the smallest of chances you find some ambulance chaser to
actually take your case, simple question: "Is there another drug that
works as effectively a quickly as this medication?" and.. "Have people
died of asthma while on this medication as oppossed to not?"
PLEASE, let me know when the trial is.
> You are probably the only asthmatic I've ever met who wasn't aware
> that pred has severe side effects. Haven't you ever read any books,
> magazine articles, etc. on asthma?
I think this attitude is a bit naive. Most consumers assume that their
doctors will not give them any drug that will cause an adverse reaction
or have side effects. Only the most well-informed of us know that doctors
have no idea whether any given drug will produce side effects or adverse
reactions, and that doctors prescribe drugs presuming that we are the
"average" consumer and will only have the "average" reactions.
The doctor who originally prescribed prednisone for me did not mention
side effects. It would not have occurred to me to ask because I assumed,
as most consumers do, he would not have prescribed it if it had any
chance of producing side effects or adverse reactions.
As it happened, I had a severe adverse reaction and called to report it.
The response? "It is impossible to have an adverse reaction to prednisone
because prednisone is a naturally occurring substance in the body." It
was only after that that I did research and found from the drug company's
own literature that the adverse reaction I had was well-documented.
If doctors are in denial about adverse reactions, and tell consumers that
they're being hypochondriac or overimaginative when reporting adverse
reactions, that leaves the consumer even more confused.
Many consumers do not have access to prescription drug information, or it
would never occur to them to ask. The fault is not with the consumer, but
with the physician.
> >Additionally, the Dr. who put me on this drug many years ago never spelled out
> >the horrific downside this product produces.
>
> Question: Did you ask him?
One should never have to *ask* a doctor about side effects. Every time a
doctor dispenses a prescription, that doctor is obligated to detail every
single adverse reaction that could possibly happen. That is their job.
Joan
>Colin Campbell wrote:
>
>> You are probably the only asthmatic I've ever met who wasn't aware
>> that pred has severe side effects. Haven't you ever read any books,
>> magazine articles, etc. on asthma?
>
>I think this attitude is a bit naive. Most consumers assume that their
>doctors will not give them any drug that will cause an adverse reaction
>or have side effects. Only the most well-informed of us know that doctors
>have no idea whether any given drug will produce side effects or adverse
>reactions, and that doctors prescribe drugs presuming that we are the
>"average" consumer and will only have the "average" reactions.
Long term oral pred is the drug of last resort for severe asthma. It
is used when nothing else will work. Anyway, using pred over a long
period of time _will_ produce side effects. And these 'average' side
effects are severe. Your doctor has to balance the dangers of
uncontroled asthma against the side effects of the drug.
What is naive is for any asthmatic to be a passive patient. Your
doctor cannot control your asthma without your help. You have to take
an active role in your treatment. This means asking questions, self
monitoring, using your action plan, and working with your doctor.
>
>The doctor who originally prescribed prednisone for me did not mention
>side effects. It would not have occurred to me to ask because I assumed,
>as most consumers do, he would not have prescribed it if it had any
>chance of producing side effects or adverse reactions.
Prednisone is very powerful drug with equally powerful side effects.
Also, FYI - All Drugs Have Side Effects. This is simply a fact of
life.
>
>As it happened, I had a severe adverse reaction and called to report it.
>The response? "It is impossible to have an adverse reaction to prednisone
>because prednisone is a naturally occurring substance in the body." It
>was only after that that I did research and found from the drug company's
>own literature that the adverse reaction I had was well-documented.
Then it sounds like you need to find a new doctor - And - to take a
more active role in your asthma control program. Your doctor cannot
control your asthma without your active participation.
>
>If doctors are in denial about adverse reactions, and tell consumers that
>they're being hypochondriac or overimaginative when reporting adverse
>reactions, that leaves the consumer even more confused.
I have yet to find a doctor who likes giving pred. You seem to be
thinking that all doctors have the attitude yours does. My expierence
(which probably mirrors that of everyone else in this newsgroup) is
that doctors are very careful to balance the benefits of a particular
drug against its side effects.
>
>Many consumers do not have access to prescription drug information, or it
>would never occur to them to ask. The fault is not with the consumer, but
>with the physician.
I'd say both are equally to blame. You cannot effectively manage your
asthma if you do nothing more than take the drugs the doctor
prescribes. IMO, the average consumer should have enough common sense
to read a book on asthma.
>One should never have to *ask* a doctor about side effects. Every time a
>doctor dispenses a prescription, that doctor is obligated to detail every
>single adverse reaction that could possibly happen. That is their job.
It is the job of the doctor to answer questions.
It is the job of the patient to provide information to the doctor and
to ask questions.
This is a _team_ effort. When you leave the docotr's office you
should know the following about your medicines:
1) Why you have been prescribed this particular medication.
2) What are the benefits you should expect to get from the
medication.
3) How to tell if the medication is working.
4) What the side effects and contraindications of the medication are.
IMO, you don't have a case against the drug manufactuer (since the
drug is a prescription only medication with well documented side
effects). And you probably don't really have a case against your
doctor - unless you can demonstrate that prednisone was not the
appropiate drug for your condition.
>I have taken prednisone a few times on the 15mg for 3 days, 10 mg for 3
>days, 5 mg for 3 days schedule. I have never gotten a drug insert.
>It's my experience that you never get them unless you ask, or have a
>prescription that comes in a box (like Serevent).
I _always_ ask for the insert and I alyways ask the doctor about the
medication. IMO, this is simple common sense.
>For a long time, and to some extent still, doctors were thought of as
>god-like, and patients would never question their recommendations.
This attitude is (IMO) simply an excuse for the consumer to be lazy.
Anyway this attitude dosen't work if you want good control over your
asthma. You have to take an active role in you treatment if you want
full benefit.
Loki
Joan Marie Verba wrote:
>
> I think this attitude is a bit naive. Most consumers assume that their
> doctors will not give them any drug that will cause an adverse reaction
> or have side effects. Only the most well-informed of us know that doctors
> have no idea whether any given drug will produce side effects or adverse
> reactions, and that doctors prescribe drugs presuming that we are the
> "average" consumer and will only have the "average" reactions.
[snip]
I keep Prednisone in the house as prescribed by my allergist. He asked that
I talk to him before using it, if possible. He is very reluctant to use
Prednisone unless all else fails.
My feeling on a suit is this: Prednisone, and many other drugs, are there
for proper use and have helped save lives. Information about side effects is
available and doctors and patients should be aware of them. I think it's a
shame to sue a company making a viable, helpful, and reasonably-priced
product just because one doesn't bother to check on side effects first. In
the case of Prednisone, you have to choose between the possible side effects
and the ability to breathe.
Frivolous suits only increase the price of the product. Corporations don't
pay off law suits, the consumers do.
Jim
loki wrote in message <349EBE9A...@inlink.com>...
]
On 21 Dec 1997, ADVMAN1019 wrote:
> I'm planning a class action suit against the mfg's. of Prednisone. There has
> never
> been any warnings on these presciptions re: the long term affects of this
> devestating drug.
>
> Additionally, the Dr. who put me on this drug many years ago never spelled out
> the horrific downside this product produces.
>
I suggest reading up on Prednisone side effects and adverse reactions
because some of them can be permanent, yes. You can get osteoporosis from
Prednisone (some people have had to have hip replacements and such). You
can get cataracts from Prednisone. And the list goes on.
Joan
Joan Marie Verba wrote:
>
>
> Many consumers do not have access to prescription drug information, or it
> would never occur to them to ask. The fault is not with the consumer, but
> with the physician.
>
> One should never have to *ask* a doctor about side effects. Every time a
> doctor dispenses a prescription, that doctor is obligated to detail every
> single adverse reaction that could possibly happen. That is their job.
>
> Joan
Hi Joan,
Where is there any information on this duty of doctors "to detail every
single adverse reaction that could possibly happen"?
Cheers, Richard Friedel
Starshine wrote:
> X-no-archive: yes
>
> Surely the makers of prednisone and all corticosteroids have done far more
> good than harm? I'm certain I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for
> steroids. OK, so there are plenty of side-effects and I've suffered from
> some of them, but generally they are life-saving (and lifestyle-saving, for
> that matter) drugs.
>
> Even so, I would say that when I began taking steroids at the tender age of
> three (more than thirty years ago) neither I nor my parents were given any
> information whatsoever. It was only my dad, reading up on them, who learned
> of some of the ill-effects. By that time I was in my teens and had been on
> and off them all my life. I only found out the full potential list of
> side-effects when I was in my twenties, by which time I was experiencing
> some of them - again, it wasn't a doctor who told me, but my own reading.
>
> Whilst things have changed a little now, there are still many people who
> think of doctors as all-knowing gods and who do not question their
> judgement or ask them questions about the medication they're prescribed.
> Indeed, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting a doctor (in the UK) who
> likes a knowledgeable, questioning patient. They still prefer a passive,
> obedient one. Nor indeed, is there any information included with a bottle
> of prednisolone tablets in this country, except not to take them with
> indigestion remedies!
>
> Starshine
Hi Starshine,
With respect, your analysis of medical thinking is very helpful, but do you go
far enough? Isn´t the root of the problem partially in the asthma definition
"inflammation of...." which is just right for getting people started on
medication and all sorts of medical adventures and the notion that malingering
is also a lifestyle. If your mild sarcasm (I haven't had the pleasure of
meeting a doctor (in the UK) who likes a knowledgeable, questioning patient) is
justified, as you (and I) think it is, then, from a knowledge of human nature,
is it not likely that such people - doctors and the drug makers - would not
resort to manipulation (by using half truths) of the definition of the disease
itself if it suited them? If the claims of the Buteyko therapists are correct,
and I subscribe to them, but the whole matter needs time to be considered
methodically, then it would seem that many would be spared the agonies of
asthma by just being informed by a kind condescension of our really all
too-humane health professionals (does calling oneself a "health professional"
imply dispensation from the Hippocratic Oath somehow?) that asthma involves
hyperventilation (in the sense of breathing beyond metabolic requirements, see
standard research papers) and that the feeling of needing more air is a fatal
delusion. One should just try out breathing like a mouse as James Hooper said
here in another posting. I claim that such a breathing technique takes the
sting and the torture out of asthma and the disease then becomes something more
like a simple pain, which, absent the improper approach of said health
professionals, as you yourself hint, could be sensibly treated by the
conscientious variety of doctor.
Just wanted to get this off my chest, Cheers, Richard Friedel
Jim Wheelock wrote:
> I haven't read any responses yet, but my first is... you're an idiot.
Ok Jim fair enough, I might well have written the original posting and am
therefore an idiot. But the punishment meted out is too harsh and
furthermore the Prednisone Co. would be making money from people愀
stupidity, which is immoral.
Friedel
> Where is there any information on this duty of doctors "to detail every
> single adverse reaction that could possibly happen"?
It's called "informed consent." That is, doctors are obligated to give
consumers the advantages and disadvantages of every treatment or
procedure (including medications), so that a consumer can make an
informed choice on the treatment and procedure.
Failing to give consumers information on potential side effects or
adverse reactions means that the consumer cannot make an informed choise
on whether or not to use the medication.
Under that principle, yes, physicians are obligated to give consumers any
and all information about any medication they prescribe, without the
consumer having to *ask* for it.
Joan
>
>With respect, your analysis of medical thinking is very helpful, but do you go
>far enough? Isn´t the root of the problem partially in the asthma definition
>"inflammation of...." which is just right for getting people started on
>medication and all sorts of medical adventures and the notion that malingering
>is also a lifestyle.
It would be more accurate to say that the problem is inflamation.
Even you have to admit that the scientific evidence is overwhelming
that asthma is an inflamitory disorder.
If your mild sarcasm (I haven't had the pleasure of
>meeting a doctor (in the UK) who likes a knowledgeable, questioning patient) is
>justified, as you (and I) think it is, then, from a knowledge of human nature,
>is it not likely that such people - doctors and the drug makers - would not
>resort to manipulation (by using half truths) of the definition of the disease
>itself if it suited them?
Do you have any evidence that we are being lied to? For this to be
true there has to be a major conspiracy among government officials
(from almost every country) doctors (again, from every country),
researchers (ditto), etc. I'm sorry, but this theory just is not
credible.
>If the claims of the Buteyko therapists are correct,
This is the big problem. The word "if". The scientific evidence
supporting Buteyko is (at best) thin. IMO, Buteyko theory needs more
research, even if for nothing else, to put it to rest once and for
all.
Remember, just because you believe something dosen't necessirally make
it correct.
It is idiots like you that cause people to die. Get over it.
The doctors in this country are good people who have gone through years
of hell to be qualified to help people. They are not out to "line their
pockets" at the expense of your health.
Yes, I have met a few like that but I'm in hospitals all over the US and
I've met many more doctors than most folks will meet in a lifetime.
They really are concerned about their patients. I've seen them do
things that would amaze most people.
You must be watching too much X-Files. There is no conspiracy of the
drug manufacturers and doctors. The doc's I know don't take the drug
salesmen at their word. They do the research themselves. They worry
about new meds being unproven because they don't want to take a chance
on hurting a patient. They worry about us.
You just want to feed your ego and be right. You are wrong. Get a
life.
Loki
A.R.Friedel wrote:
>
> Hi Starshine,
>
> With respect, your analysis of medical thinking is very helpful, but do you go
> far enough? Isn´t the root of the problem partially in the asthma definition
> "inflammation of...." which is just right for getting people started on
> medication and all sorts of medical adventures and the notion that malingering
> is also a lifestyle. If your mild sarcasm (I haven't had the pleasure of
> meeting a doctor (in the UK) who likes a knowledgeable, questioning patient) is
> justified, as you (and I) think it is, then, from a knowledge of human nature,
> is it not likely that such people - doctors and the drug makers - would not
> resort to manipulation (by using half truths) of the definition of the disease
We have gone from revering doctors as gods to expecting them to have
godlike abilities -- one of which supposedly being to anticipate their
patients' every need. Get over it and get informed. You are
ultimately responsible for your body. If your doctor spent as much
time explaining all of this to you as you'd like, your doctor's
appointment would cost at least twice as much (and you'd be
complaining for another reason), and your insurance company would deny
it anyway (for being too expensive). Doctors today are trying to find
a delicate balance between providing the care they want -- and are
trained -- to provide and meeting their office costs.
Like it or not, in the era of managed care, responsibilities for many
things are turned over to other health care providers. Take advantage
of the service your local pharmacy offers - read the product
information, talk to the pharmacist. In short, take responsibility
for your care and take advantage of the resources that are our
there...