Pharma-sea
Many of us in America are swimming in the “pharma-sea” of medications. We are a pill popping nation. Interestingly, years ago when I was dating a frenchman, whenever we’d go to France to visit his family, his mother would request certain vitamins/supplements that are not available in Europe. Apparently pharmaceuticals isn’t as “pushed” or emphasized in Europe as it is in the U.S. I found that interesting. I don’t know how it is today in Europe (that was more then ten years ago and the frenchman and I have since parted ways) but, I think it is safe and credible to say that big pharma is a big business in America.
When I have spoken to my mother-in-law about ALL the medications that she takes and ALL the ones that she is in charge of making sure my father-in-law takes, she knew the basics on what they were for. However, she wasn’t truly aware of how the medications “work” or the possible side-effects they can have. My father-in-law is the sickest person I personally know. My in-laws kitchen counter top practically looks like an apothecary! My husband believes that the years of prednisone that his father had been on for rheumatoid arthritis for years has kicked him into acquiring chronic myelogenous leukemia. It is worth mentioning that shortly after being on prednisone, my father-in-law gained quite a big of weight and eventually acquired diabetes. Perhaps it is my mother-in-laws generation that doesn’t question what the doctors prescribe them. They just want to feel better and they trust their doctors. My husband on the other hand isn’t as trusting. He has even done much research on the many medications that his father takes and even came across an article that said taking prednisone long-term is like giving yourself HIV because of how much is suppresses the immune system. When my husband spoke to his parents about the information he found on the certain medications his parents were taking, it seemed to go in one ear and out the other. Sad.
It is prudent to say that before we dive into the “pharma-sea” of drugs out there, we should definitely get some swimming lessons or at least wear our floaties, lest we sink.
