Questions began circulating about the Pfizer TV and magazine commercials for Lipitor earlier this month. You’ve seen them — Robert Jarvik, the supposed “inventor of the artificial heart” touts his use of Lipitor as his way of controlling his cholesterol levels so he won’t have a heart attack like his father did. He runs. He […]
Jarvik’s Lipitor Commercials – Was Any of It True? Read More »
This New York Times letter to the editor caught my eye… Second opinions are so very necessary in a case of a difficult diagnosis, or when treatment will be needed for chronic recurrences of a disease, or in particular when a patient needs surgery. Patients are way too often intimidated at the thought of telling
Three Cheers – Cardiology and Second Opinions Read More »
The subtitle reads, “Good physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don’t they point fingers?” Good question, don’t you think? The article, entitled Doctors Who Do Harm, tells about doctors who maim and kill — as their colleagues stand by, watch, and don’t tell a soul. Why? According to Arthur Levin, of the
Reader’s Digest “Outrageous” Tells Michael Skolnik’s Story Read More »
My friend Sharon Feder from Lynxcare sent me this article from the LA Times about taking your fair share of medical deductions when it comes time to put together your tax return this year. (OK– detour here — why do they call it a tax return when it’s so rare that they return much of
Taxes and Medical Deductions — a Heads Up Read More »
Sherri Silesky has been blogging for over a year on topics pertaining to her chronic illnesses and her ability to advocate for herself. She is the first guest to post on this blog. Take a look at what Sherri has to say about learning to step up to the plate when you least feel like
Guest Post — Learning from the Constant Patient Read More »
I’ve told you before about one of my patient advocacy colleagues, Kim Witzcak. Kim’s husband, Woody, a vibrant, successful, energetic young man, committed suicide after being prescribed a drug to help him sleep. Since figuring out the basis for Woody’s complete change of personality — Zoloft — Kim has since campaigned to make the world
Disapprove of Drug Ads? Suffered Adverse Events? Do Something About Them! Read More »
The FDA came out with a report on the negatives of botox injections… It’s like deja vu, isn’t it? Where is common sense? Read this post at About.com, Patient Empowerment.
Smoking and Botox — Wishful Thinking and Common Sense Read More »
Perhaps the most basic of patient empowerment skills is the ability of patients to ask questions of their doctors. The AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) recognizes that an informed patient will be a healthier patient — and has put together a video they plan to run (and already have in some places) on
Do You Ask Your Doctor Questions? Read More »
