Posted by medlib on March 26, 2001, at 19:09:55
In reply to New-frustrated w/doc-misdiagnosed? long..., posted by Mo on March 24, 2001, at 7:47:36
Mo--
Welcome to Babble! I underwent surgical menopause in my early 40s and have been on Estrace ever since. If you *do* end up on hormones, be sure to ask your new doc's opinion on generic equivalents. Generics are fine for many meds, but there are 2 categories of drugs (that I know of) for which docs often specify brand-names--hormones and anticonvulsants. Pharmacies may use diferent suppliers for the same generic drug, and small differences between manufacturers in bioavailability, delivery or types of binders used can have unacceptable consequences. Babble participant Cam W is a pharmacist (Canadian) and can probably tell you more.
Sarafem is just another name for Prozac--it's Eli Lily's attempt to continue milking their #1 cash cow (whose exclusive patent is expiring) by prescribing it for a different condition under a new name. I find their greed egregious--I paid exorbitant prices for Prozac for 17 years (for psych purposes). Enough already!I have 3 suggestions for you:
1) Trust your instincts, especially as they seem unbiased by major psych complications. Insist on a collaborative, not a compliant, medical relationship.
2) Consider a female gynecologist. Though I don't believe that one must be it or have it to treat it, gynecology and obstetrics are the only gender-specific medical specialities. Why choose to hire an expert who doesn't have relevant instincts or personal experience with which to supplement their medical knowledge, when it is not necessary? (I suspect that these qualities may be important components in building respect, as well.)
3) Check out a book by the well-known gynecologist Dr. Christiane Northrup entitled "Women's bodies, women's wisdom." I first saw her on my local PBS station; her approach is appealing and commonsense and her book is comprehensive. I believe that she has a new title out specifically on menopause (I haven't read this one, so don't know whether I can agree with her approach). Knowledge IS power, and what you don't know CAN hurt you--that's part of what this board is about. Anyway, it's a good book which addresses concerns you have raised--your public library will have it.BTW, when I buy books, I usually do so online from Amazon, and I connect to them from this page--so that Dr. Bob can get l5% of what I spend. It doesn't cost me any more, and it helps a little to defray his costs for this site.
BTW 2, it's important not to rely on anyone here as an expert; we're very different individuals who can offer opinions, ideas, support and/or information (which may or may not be accurate--you *must* check that out for yourself).
You are wise to seek out more information and a second medical opinion before embarking on a life-affecting course of action. Let us know how it goes.
Good luck---medlib
poster:medlib
thread:57359
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57624.html