Isn't there a pill for that? This is one of the most common things that I am asked by my patients when I start talking about nutrition, exercise, weight loss, pain management and graceful aging. They ask me for pills to sleep and are initially upset when they find out that I can but will not write a prescription for Ambien. I tell them that I don't believe in Ambien ( or Vicodin) deficiency. They are often frustrated when I begin talking about sleep hygiene because they have already tried "everything".
Everything does not include cutting out coffee, soda, energy drinks, and other forms of caffeine. Notice I don't mention chocolate: I am not cruel. Everything does not include any form of exercise or a regular bedtime. Everything does not include getting away from screens and lights a few hours before sleep. Everything does not include any of the many things we all need to do in order to have restful sleep.
When I talk about eating healthier foods, they ask me for supplements. Can't I get a pill for that? I am not against supplements such as fish oil, but they miss the point. We need to eat real food. I know that many folks don't like water, fish, vegetables or exercise. Sometimes it is an aquired taste. But I remind them that coffee, cigarettes and alcohol were all nasty the first time we tried them, but we stuck with the gagging, choking and bitterness until we became convinced that we loved those things. We can do the same with fish and other healthy foods. We can.
Trust me, it is easier for me to write a prescription for that pill. I can be in and out of that visit in five minutes. I could more easily see the 25-42 patients that some clinics want me to see in a day. It takes time for me to get to know my patients. It takes time to understand what works for them and where they need support. There isn't a pill for that.
We have become so brain washed by the constant barrage of pharmaceutical ads that common sense is lost from the health equation. Kudos to medical professionals such as you! (of course, as your message reaches more ears, be on the lookout for the drug company hit squads. They loathe people who tell the truth about their products......)
ReplyDeleteI agree, we are made to believe that pills fix everything, when in reality It's temporary..I believe that people are not willing to work hard and make that lifestyle change..it's hard, I know I am one of those people.For me, I dislike taking pills simply because I don't like not having control of my mind( thought process) and body..Once the coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes and other forms of caffeine are eliminated your body goes into shock and you become very fatigued anyway therefore you don't need the pill to sleep..It's nice to read that there are Np's out there who genuinely care..You give them options and healthy choices, but at the end of the day it is up to us to choose...
ReplyDeleteI am deeply concerned about the power of pharmaceutical advertising and I am convinced that these ads have contributed to our many of our health problems. Those companies spend millions of dollars learning what we influence to buy those drugs. Lately, as we baby boomers age-the ads are often targeted at making us feel young and full of energy, even though the people who would use those drugs would not need them if they were living a healthier lifestyle. My current pet peeve is that horrid commercial that says "some days I have to wind myself up in the morning: WTF? Really? Really? How about taking walk, taking a shower, having some tea or even coffee ( which in moderation is good). But this is never an option. They work hard to convince my patients that all they need are more pills. I have to work really hard to convince them to at least try another way. I wish that all of the health care providers could ban together and start putting PSAs after EVERY one of those commercials. Maybe like the Mac and PC ads. Yes, you could take a drug ( and look really sad) or you could do this.
ReplyDeleteAlyson, firstly thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment. I really value the opinion of people who are struggling to make those lifestyle changes. You are right. It is hard. But so is needing oxygen to breathe. Dying of cancer is really hard. Losing your kidneys, eyes or feet to diabetes is hard. Trying to cope without all those chemicals when we live lives on the fly. I will not say that it is easy. But I am here if you need support or suggestions. I have my own struggles and freely admit them to my patients. I am so proud that you are making those changes. I know that you will be feeling better and better.
DeleteSing it, sister! :)
ReplyDeleteWestern medicine is all about treating symptoms and the general population has taken this for the end-all to their illnesses. We forget that the source of our symptoms should be the first thing taken into consideration. It's like your house going to pot and instead of cleaning it, you put a blindfold on so you don't have to deal with it.
In my humble opinion, it's a lack of education.
Stephanie, thank you so much for taking the time to visit here. Yes, Western or Allopathic healthcare, does focus on the symptoms. So high blood pressure is treated as if looking at the numbers and prescribing the correct medication is the solution to the patient's high blood pressure. But to me, the high blood pressure is a symptom of a greater problems-physical, spiritual, emotional, or social. It is not that blood pressure medicine isn't helpful; it is. But is only a partial solution. Addressing the underlying issues is key. I agree that education is a necessary but not always sufficient component of health care.
DeleteThank you again so much for dropping by and I look forward to your future comments.
Thank goodness you have begun to blaze this trail. It's more than over due, and collectively we are paying the consequences in many areas. A total wellness center is perfect for addressing this issue because when a client requests a 'quick fix' you can be sure this is not the only arena in which this protocol is followed in their lives and in the lives of their children. These people are sure to have issues delaying gratification in every facet of their lives. It takes a well trained and passionate professional to dig into the rest of the story. Typically, this is indicative of mental health issues illustrative of inadequacy to delay gratification in any area due to lack of self-worth etc. ADHD, BP, BPD,and similar disorders are all inclusive of the variety-pack of behaviors; impulsivity, unstable relationship history, inability to complete tasks or stay on task etc. In other words a lifetime of good ideas, far off dreams, failed diets, sabotaged relationships and substances to fill the voids of self-inflicted torture lands them in your office asking for something to make it go away. Clients may have spent their entire lives chalking these hurdles up to repeated failures, and following uninformed logic, declaring themselves unworthy, even unworthy of treating their bodies well. Unveiling this will require a safe, transparent culture within an agency, and the acceptance that change will not happen over night. I'm excited to see where you will take us.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, Belysiamommy, there is no quick fix. We all are focused on a holistic approach to healthcare. I recently asked a potential patient what would help her cope with her stressors in life and she told me that learning to deal with money. Now, you can bet we will be working on developing some services that will include that.
DeleteI think in our "instant" culture, we all struggle with delaying gratification. Just look in the grocery store at all the "instant" products. There is a little boy on you tube who goes on a rant about his parents giving him lunchables. How long does it take to make a sandwich? ( I can't figure out how to link him here).
I am planning to continue being transparent with my patients. I do share my personal experiences with some of the things that you mentioned if I think it will be helpful to my patients. I also share the experiences of family and friends. I will talk to my pregnant teens about someone I know who got pregnant in high school and graduated Valedictorian and is working toward her graduate degree. I think we all have our struggles, but we don't need to cave in to our circumstances.
"In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed."
Our place is where we will all learn that " I am the master of my fate: the caption of my soul"
How will you help people who have a deep seeded mentality understand the reality of their responsibility for their health? A lot of people in the community really just don't know. Will there be community outreaches?
ReplyDeleteWhat makes a meth addict feel safe enough to walk or ride a bike to your office for a yeast infection without being afraid of an intervention or police? She won't know you well enough to know that you won't be afraid to touch her, or that you won't make condescending comments to her that will make her never want to come back?
How will it become more important to her to tell you the truth?
Different things work for different folks. I think the answers are more in the relationship. So, I don't have a one size fits all answers. I believe that we are ultimately responsible for our actions, especially our health, so it comes across in the way I take a history. I ask a lot of questions besides the usual "Review of systems" I ask what they are doing to keep themselves healthy. I ask about what they eat, how they sleep, how their relationships and job is going etc They emphasis is usually on lifestyle. For instance, when someone tells me that they have fibromyalgia as if that is a reason for not exercising etc. I usually ask about the details of their plan for getting well. Most folks have not given any thought to getting well all.
ReplyDeleteAddicts know that I care about them and am willing to help them because I don't express any more judgement over that than I do to regarding someone who tells me that they had knee surgery in the past. My patients know that they are safe with me, because I feel safe with them and as you know I am pretty transparent with folks in general.
I think many of us know the truth. I mean I know someone smokes because they reek of cigarette smoke. So, I don't ask questions of them like "do you smoke?". I might ask "how much to do you think you smoke?"
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. You really do give me some things to reflect on.