drugs your doctor prescribes you

[jujube]

We all know Judy was prescribed drugs that made her die, however, are you aware of what your own doctor is prescribing you?

Doctors are STILL prescribing addictive drugs today without warning. I went to see a doctor because I have a cold/flu, all I needed was some amoxcillin antibiotic for chest infection, and then he prescribes me codeine phosphate, an addictive painkiller?? What the??? I didn't ask for this.

He says it is for cough, but I'm like, I'll just take opium in alcohol for that thank you very much.

[bogart]

The pharmaceutical industry pimps doctors. Doctors in Hollywood are professional pushers with a degree.

I don't know if anything has changed from the time Judy was brought up on these addictive 'wonder drugs'. The wonder drugs' of the 90's were prozac, viagra, and xenical. These are now shown to have serious side effects.

I'm amazed at how corrupt 'modern' medicine is.

[rainbowgirl]

Judy was on ritalin.. a drug used these days to calm hyperactive children diagnosed with 'ADHD' . I teach kids..and some of them are on the drug. Let me tell you drugging kids isn't the answer. They have to be reminded to take them and it's heartbreaking to see them dependent on some pill from such an early age.

It is very over prescribed.

[bogart]

Just saw this today..yes, still happening, look at Heath Ledger. You'd think they'd learned from Judy Garland's life, but noooo...

Reuters | Thursday, 31 July 2008

Prescription drug addictions rise
When Sarah Roisman was 11 years old, her doctors prescribed Klonopin, a muscle relaxant, for a psychiatric disorder that caused her to have seizures. She liked how the drug made her feel. Her seizures went away.

But that's where her trouble with addiction began.

By age 14, the teen from an upper middle-class Philadelphia suburb led a dangerous double life. Editor of her school paper, strong student and popular athlete, Roisman was also hooked on painkillers and other drugs in an addiction that illustrates the rapid expansion in prescription drug abuse in America.

"My friends and I would take a bunch of different pills and break them up and put them all together and call it confetti. It could be any combination of anything. We could learn from it, and continue to take it," said Roisman, who is now 17.

The issue of prescription drug abuse shot to prominence with January's death of 28-year-old Hollywood actor Heath Ledger after he took six different prescriptions. The death of Ledger, who plays the Joker in the new Batman film "The Dark Night," adds to a growing list of prescription drug overdoses that includes Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith in 2007.

Other deaths are less celebrated. In the 45-54 age group, overdose deaths fueled by prescription drugs now surpass motor vehicle deaths as the nation's No. 1 cause of accidental death, federal data show.

The federal data also show nearly 7 million Americans abused prescription drugs in 2007 -- more than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy and inhalants such as marijuana combined. The figure is up 80 percent since 2000.

Definitions of abuse vary but refer typically to nonmedical use of prescription drugs.

The number of Americans treated for abuse of painkillers surged 321 percent from 1995 to 2005, federal statistics show -- a trend some health experts link to another stunning figure: the 180 million prescriptions dispensed legally by U.S. pharmacies each year for pain medication.

In Florida, whose reputation for cocaine and other hard drugs was burnished in movies such as "Scarface" and "Miami Vice," the rate of deaths caused by prescription drugs was three times the rate of death caused by all illicit drugs combined, according to an analysis of 2007 autopsies by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission released in June.

'LOW SOCIAL DISAPPROVAL'

"What you have among over the counter and prescription drug use is a very low perception of risk," said Stephen Pasierb, president and chief executive of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, a nonprofit advocacy group.

"There's very low social disapproval. In fact, there are parents who almost relieved that their kid is using Vicodin and not smoking marijuana," he said.

Len Paulozzi, an epidemiologist with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, testified recently in Congress that he believed physicians were improperly trained in the long-term dangers of therapy involving opioid painkillers, or drugs containing opium.

"There are guidelines out there, but we don't think that they're being routinely followed," he said.

Sen. Joseph Biden, a Democrat from Delaware, proposed to make August 2008 "National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month" in a resolution now before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying the Internet had become "an information superhighway" for abuse of medicine in the United States.

But containing the abuse is notoriously difficult. Thirty-eight states have passed legislation for prescription drug monitoring programs to trace the source of drugs, and police in some states have had success in reducing pharmacy break-ins.

A University of Maine program provides pre-addressed, postage-paid pouches to the elderly so they can mail their surplus prescription drugs to state authorities for disposal in a bid to reduce the amount that get into the wrong hands.

None of the measures has stopped the growth nationwide, and experts point to several stubborn problems, including the phenomenon of "doctor shopping," in which patients go to multiple doctors to get several prescriptions.

Hundreds of online pharmacies also offer drugs that include generic versions of opiates like Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, methadone and Abbott Laboratories Inc's Vicodin, which are legitimately prescribed as painkillers, along with stimulants like Ritalin made by Novartis, and benzodiazepines like Pfizer's Xanax.

It is as easy in the United States to buy opiates or other abusable prescription drugs online as it is to purchase a book, said David Festinger, a scientist who has studied online drug sales at the Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Regulating such trade is tough, he said.

"These Internet enterprises set up a bank account in one country, buy their drugs from another country, and do their merchandising and sales from another country," he said. "Everything is spread all over the globe. And in an instant, if anybody's on their tail, they can switch everything around."

RAIDING MEDICINE CABINETS

For many children, getting the drugs is simple.

In Philadelphia, Roisman and her friends raided family medicine cabinets for the big prizes -- OxyContin, a kind of synthetic morphine also known as "hillbilly heroin," along with Ritalin and Vicodin -- until she eventually passed out one day in school. A drug test showed she had seven drugs in her system.

"People think that it's OK because it's a prescribed pill. It comes from a credible source. Even if a doctor has not told you it's OK, they've told someone else it's OK," said Roisman, who became sober two years ago after treatment at a rehab center run by the nonprofit Caron organization.

She blames doctors for failing to "watch what they are prescribing" and parents for failing to understand "just how hard people will work to get what they want when they are an addict," adding many teens use the drugs to help study.

On college campuses, popping Adderall, Ritalin and other prescribed amphetamine-like psychostimulant drugs is a popular way to help cram for tests and cope with academic pressure.

Some are legitimately prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, helping sufferers increase alertness, attention and energy. But many use it without prescriptions.

Almost 60 percent of students have been offered an opportunity to try prescription stimulants by their junior (third) year of college in the United States, said Amelia Arria, a senior researcher at the University of Maryland's Center for Drug Abuse Research, which surveyed 1,253 students on drug usage.

Health insurers are also feeling the effects. Some face mounting pressure to expand coverage to include substance-abuse disorders. Others are grappling with swindlers who obtain illicit prescription narcotics through fraudulent insurance claims for bogus prescriptions, treating phantom injuries.

Such fraud costs health insurers up to $72.5 billion a year, according to a 2008 report by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, an advocacy group based in Washington.

[rainbowgirl]

I read that Judy would raid medicine cabinets at the homes of other people to get her drugs. She was totally hooked..on various kinds including ritalin, amphetamine, morphine, alcohol, seconal, dexedrine, a list as long as your arm. Sid would half fill them with sugar so she wouldn't accidently overdose.

She was in complete denial - when she was interviewed for Valley of the Dolls press conference, she denied popping pills. It seems she took at least one to lose weight, one to help her sleep, one to wake her up, one to kill the pain, and one to calm her down. She thought they were her 'medicine'.

It's a huge problem in the States, and also in France. Then there's the counterfeit drugs as well. In the US they call their chemists/pharmacy the drugstore. It's like an accepted thing there. Crazy.

I wonder why the issue of prescription drug abuse didn't shoot to prominence with the death of Judy Garland, or Marilyn Monroe, or Elvis Presley..or any of the other hundreds of celebrities who have died from it?

[jujube]

Judy went from doctor to doctor getting prescriptions. If she ran out she was in trouble.

Did she know how bad it was? I think she did. She once said about the dangers of taking a pill and then forgetting it and then taking another and then realising that you'd taken too much. She said this after learning about the death of Marilyn Monroe in 1962.

Marilyn's death didn't stop her from using though.

[bogart]

Some people have to learn from actual experience, that's the only way. Its true that Dorothy says at the end of Wizard Of Oz when she asks Glinda why didn't she tell her that [she could go home] before and Glinda says she would never have believed it, she had to find out for herself.

Its the same with things like alcohol and cigarettes. You do it because you think it's cool, and adults older than you do it. You don't question their authority..they are older, they must know better. Then you try it. NOBODY likes their first drink, or cigarette. You cough or you vomit and you feel awful afterwards. But that doesn't stop you. If you persist, soon you are hooked. The social side of it makes you feel like you belong. Afterwards it feels normal to have stained teeth, bad breath and hangovers. Then you introduce the drug to others. And you aren't surprised when your friends die in car crashes, or succumb to cancer, or overdose. Life is hard enough already so who cares if another puff, another drink. And so it goes.

[rainbowgirl]

The jury's still out on Heath Ledger. Apparently sleeping pills and painkillers? Alcohol? What drugs killed him exactly?

[judydarling]

The sleeping pill Ambien (aka Stilnox).

Lots of people have reported bizarre behaviour with this drug.
I have no doubt that the kinds of drugs Judy took caused her to hallucinate and contributed to her bizarre behaviour and frequent collapses onstage.

[bug]

This doesn't really have anything to do with Judy, but I was wondering if anyone has heard anything more about that Olson twin ( can never remember which one) who asked for immunity before she would be interviewed by the authorities regarding some drugs that were in Heath's system.
Can't stand those Olson twins-- they are so creepy. And if she gave his any kind of medication that she wasn't supposed to have, or knows where he got it, I hope they don't grant her any immunity. I don't like these stars-- especially no talent ones like the Olson twins-- who think the law does not apply to them.

Back to Judy-- In the Me and My Shadows movie, it sure looked like she knew that the drugs were bad for her. She just always felt she couldn't continue working without them. Always someone pushing her to do more.
I think that's why she called it her 'medicine', even though I think deep in her heart she knew better. If doctors prescribed it, then she much need it....

As for all of us, we all need to keep track of what we are taking, even down to herbal supplements. We can't always trust the doctors and pharmacists to know about everything, and we always need to keep them informed.

Sliding a bit off topic again... I've seen many elderly people who are taking so many pills... and they still don't feel good. I've seen them stop, or greatly cut back on the pills and feel so much better. I know this isn't always possible, but if you do know someone who is taking lots of different meds, you should probably encourage them to have it all reviewed by their dr., and see if something could be eliminated.

[judydarling]

no...I don't know anything about that?? But I do know one of them was involved.
I agree the Olsen twins are creepy. They were even kinda creepy on Full House when they were young..a little too cute, too saccharine. One of them is anorexic ..the other ones a party girl/druggie. If one of my friends died I would want to know what and how it happened. Even if it was an accident..you know? Lots of people have no idea how harmful those drugs are.

I think the thing with meds is..they are ok for short-term emergency situations but in the long run they don't do anybody any good. It's a hard one though, especially when doctors and family members pressure you to take them. Mixing medications is not good. If you have to take them, try and only take one or at most two at a time. There are all sorts of contra-indications and interactions you have to be aware of, and the problem is, doctors and pharmacists aren't always going to tell you what's in them. I think it is getting better lately, they give you information sheets now, but I know I've been prescribed a lot of things and I had no idea what I was taking. I had the worst side effects too.

[rainbowgirl]

That's the thing. If the doctor prescribes it, then it seems you got no alternative but to listen to the doctor and take it.

However..there ARE alternatives to medicine. Much of keeping in good health is down to sensible diet and exercise, and enough sleep each night. I think Judy never had much of that - working in the studios - I read that if they asked her to she'd work all night. Nowadays there are laws against that.

[judydarling]

I found what really worked for me was yoga. I mean just the whole idea of balance in your life. If you can achieve that, you'll have good health always.

Its funny how in California you'll find absolute health nuts..vegetarians, pilates, joggers, holistic health new age freaks and then the complete opposite, people like Judy who starve themselves, work long and hard then party all night and collapse with exhaustion at the end of the day.

[jujube]

The sleeping pills were the poison, I think..but what really started Judy off were the weight-loss pills.

Does anyone know what ones they were?

I just think the whole thing started with the studio getting Judy to lose weight really fast and the quickest way to do that was through pills.

I thought xenical was a recent invention though.

[bogart]

I am not sure what the ones Judy took were called but I found this on the internet about the current weight-loss pills Hollywood stars are taking to lose weight fast

Weight Loss Pills Review

Following is a short review of few common weight loss pills:

Clenbuterol: This pill has been in news recently and is often called the Size Zero Pill. Some of the Hollywood stars have been using this pill and it gets it's name Size Zero because of the undernourished and starved look of these Hollywood Stars. This pill is not meant for human consumption. It is an FDA approved drug for Horses and not for humans. What it does is that it increases heart rate and body temperature and helps in burning fat. Moreover, it suppresses appetite for about 9 hours after having it. It is an extremely unsafe drug and if it's use is continued, we might very soon hear how it has started affecting people adversely.

Alli or Xenical: It is a fat blocker and is an approved FDA product. Weight gain is caused by excess calorie intake and consuming fat is the main reason behind excess calorie intake. Alli reduces fat absorption in the body and this undigested fat is passed out naturally through the body. Since Alli reduces fat absorption in the body, it is effective in helping you lose weight. However, you are required to limit your fat intake to 15 grams in a meal which is very hard to accomplish. Moreover, if you fail to do this you are likely to experience some rather unpleasant side effects that include loose stools, farting with oily anal discharge and urgent bowel movements that are difficult to control. All these could be highly embarrassing at times. It is alright if you lose weight but if you have to carry an extra pair of trousers every time you go out, things could become really ugly and embarrassing.

Xenical and Alli have the same composition and are just one and the same thing.

Ephedra: Ephedra is used in dietary supplements to suppress appetite. Many popular weight loss products included ephedra at a point of time but it has some serious side effects. It can play havoc with your cardiovascular system and can even lead to death. Now, it has been banned by the FDA. However, in spite of the ban, many products containing ephedra are being sold on the internet. What ever pill you decide to take make sure it does not contain ephedra.
It is called Ma Huang in Chinese, so do not be fooled if you see the name appearing as Ma Huang instead of ephedra in ingredients.

Hoodia: This is an extract from a cactus-like succulent plant from deserts of South Africa. It is being sold as natural appetite suppressant.

Proactol: Proactol has been making news as the most effective and natural ways to lose weight. It is a fat binder that prevents up to 28% of dietary fat from being absorbed by the body. This unabsorbed fat is passed out naturally through bowel movements.

This pill does not have any side effects and is approved by doctors for safe weight loss. It is a natural appetite suppressant and reduces cravings. It has been listed as one of the Top 5 Ways to Lose Weight by The Telegraph, UK. Moreover, the weight loss claims Proactol makes have been examined and approved by ERSP which is a self regulatory program based in USA under the control of National Advertising Research Council.