Comments for

Comment on We support Obama’s choice to head Medicare by Cate

Cate — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:10:19 +0000

If Dr. Berwick is a good choice, then the truth about him could very well emerge from open discussion and hearings regarding his qualifications and his positions. He has been badly damaged by the sly, underhanded action of the political operatives who put him in place as a recess appointment.

Comment on MDs OK with industry gifts by Cate

Cate — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:03:10 +0000

This is so true. A few years ago, I was in shock when I visited the office of my cardiologist’s group. The wall clock at the intake desk,and another in the treatment area, the pens everywhere, the notepads, the calendars on the walls and on the desks all over the suite, the coffee mugs, everywhere one looked, there was drug advertising. If that was not bad enough, there was a skinny young woman dressed like a teeny-bopper flitting all around the nurses’s station, carrying in trays of veggies and snacks, and having high-spirited conversations with staff members. When I asked what the occasion was, I was told — “oh, it’s just the drug rep from ……. She’s very sociable.” I believe the cardiology practice has cleaned up its act a bit since then, but the drug reps could not take over the office if the people in charge put them on notice of where their boundaries lie. Lipitor, anybody? Whaddya mean you’re not taking any?

Comment on The shingles vaccine by medconsumers

medconsumers — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:45:49 +0000

You should have immunity after a bout of shingles, but the CDC doesn’t seem to think so. See my response below to Diana Laskin Siegal’s comment. Sorry can’t help you with the immune system support question.

Comment on The shingles vaccine by Carol Schaefer

Carol Schaefer — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:31:05 +0000

My shingles started with a severe pain in my shoulder blade, and flu aches, no energy for two nites until the rash started.. 5 pimple like dots. I got the anti viral med within hours of the breakout, and only had a minimal area like an inch by an inche. The muscle in my shoulder blade was painful but that subsided within the week. Now I Also want to know if I should get the vacine or whether I would have an immunity to it. Or how can I support my immune system?

Comment on The shingles vaccine by Sandra Neary

Sandra Neary — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:38:11 +0000

Thank you Diana for your question as my friend is just recovering from shingles and wants the vaccine to avoid a repeat so the answer from Medconsumers was very helpful. I’ve been wondering if I should get this vaccination. I believe in light of the discussion I will ask my doctor for a prescription for the vaccine.