This is really off topic....

Shizelbs

As some of you know, I am in pharmacy school. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. On the other hand, the more I learn, the more I realize how many crappy products are out there and how many people are just trying to rip you off.

I realize that not everyone subscribes to the theories of traditional western medicine, and I am wondering why. Are there any of you out there that go for the naturopathic approach? Chiropratic? Herbalist, accupuncture, or even those internet ads for totally safe herbal supplements? I am really curious about this.

This weekend, really late I was watching an infomercial about a coral calcium supplement. We have actually learned a fair amount about calcium supplements and all the different forms and their uses. Anyways, this ad was really appaling. It was nothing but lies. Dr. Calcium on the ad made several claims, and I would say 95%, in all seriousness, were either total lies or completely unsupported. That is to say that hearsay and guessing is not supportive material. These coral calcium supplements did dang near everything BUT help with osteoporosis. Never was osteoporosis mentioned! There were several lies in the advertisement too.

I guess my point is, talk to your pharmacist or general practice physician if you go for anything like this, or anything they don't know about. I would really like to hear your thoughts on all this too. I could go on and on, but I don't want to trash on someone's beliefs. I have mine, you have yours, but I would like to hear your thoughts.

ken brydson

I'm a firm believer in chiro. I've been seeing the same DR for 20+ years. The cool thing is he's not one of those who give them a bad name by convincing you that you need adjustments every week. Sure, if I go in with a problem and haven't been in to see him in 6 months he might give me a little grief but it's mostly in fun. When my kids get ear infections we've found that a chiro adjustment helps clear it up w/o all of the antibiotics that may or may not work that the pediatrician would prescribe.
Haven't really done anything with accupunture or herbal although I took Metabolife a few years ago and took off 45 lbs and have kept it off. Lot of bad press these days about the ephedra in it so I'm glad I'm not taking it anymore.

Shizelbs

Chiro is fine for somethings. I have known some pretty sleazy chiropratic offices, but I know there are some out there that are just fine. I have a big problem falling for them telling me that back adjustments cure everything. Some of them, in my little opinion, get really carried away with its merits.

Yeah, I would really urge anyone to stay away from Metabolife. It is plain not safe. It messes up your heart valves, and you don't want that to happen. Unfortunatly, it works really really well for a fair amount of people.

Ron-P

About six months ago I started getting sharp pains in my arms, neck, upper body. Nothing major, just irritating. Went to the doctor several times, they offered me relaxers and such (great with beer). But, all that did was cover up the problem, the pain was back after the medicine wore off. Went to a chiropractor and within 3 weeks the pain was gone. Same happened with my wife and a leg cramp she kept getting. Gone after seeing the chiro.

I rarely, rarely take medicine and almost never any over the counter stuff.


Peace Out~:D

Shizelbs

Ron-P,

Those are good examples of what the chiropractor is good for.

ken brydson

Whats worse, taking Metobolife and losing 45# or being 45# overweight. I don't know.
Didn't have near the sucess with any other methods for weight loss. Haven't taken it in 4 years and still haven't put any back on. Not bad for 43 years old

Shizelbs

I would say taking the metabolife is far worse than the 45 lbs, but that is only from a health stand point.

brettw22

Shizelbs,

How long ya been goin to Pharmacy School? How much remaining? I work for Albertson's Drug Division, which includes Osco and Sav-On, setting up the computer systems in our stores. I'm around pharmacy people all the time, and it's damn near sickening the amount of money that they make. (Tech's not included) I've casually thought that it'd be good to go into, strictly for the money....I don't think that i could stand in one place all day and deal with sickies.......

Shizelbs

I have two and half years left. If anything, pharmacists are an underutilized member of the healthcare industry. I disagree that pharmacists, especially clinical pharmacists are overpaid. But anyways, I don't really want to get off subject and bring that up.

brettw22

I dunno what the going rate is for Pharmacists out there in Washington, but in CA, it's hovers around $50/hr.....What is average for a pharmacist to make up there? (I'm not trying to derail.....just curious)

Shizelbs

Less than that. You have to remember that California is by far the most difficult state to get liscensed in, and there is an extra high demand on pharmacists there.