First do no harm

Imagine your car has just been serviced. You mention to the technician that you’ve noticed some engine knock. He/she responds by saying: funny you mention that. A rep was in this morning and gave me samples of a new engine oil. Studies show it may help reduce engine knock – though (I should tell you) it can cause up to 30 other problems and occasionally has been known to completely destroy the engine. I think we should try it!

Sound absurd? Of course it does - for our cars! Yet this type of conversation goes on tens (more likely hundreds) of thousands of times each day in doctors’ offices across North America; ads saying (virtually) the same thing bombard us in every media. The real question is: why are we ok with it?

So it’s clear:

-       When Guillain Barre Syndrome struck at 40 a pharmaceutical product gave me my life back. 

-       When I needed hernia surgery at 60 I was really glad a pharmaceutical product put me to sleep.

But:

-       My second “GBS hospitalization” was due to an adverse drug reaction that I swear to God was worse than anything GBS threw at me.

-       And despite filling out multiple forms advising about my previous reaction to this particular drug, my hernia surgeon prescribed it for me (as if by reflex).

In short I am grateful prescription drugs exist and when I need them I am as compliant as compliant gets. But after my adverse drug reaction twenty (20) years ago I stopped listening to everything my doctor(s) suggested I do - and equally importantly added in technologies/methods they know little (if anything) about. 

Thus in July 2016 (at age 60) I returned to full workout 9 days after hernia surgery. This was in stark contrast to the instructions given by a young nurse: do little activity, take the prescribed opiate pain killer, and see my surgeon in 6 weeks. 

I laughed out loud! I would again!

I do not say this disrespectfully or irresponsibly.  I DID obey my doctor’s instructions up to the point it made sense to me: if it hurts stop; if it doesn’t hurt be smart! 

I did EXACTLY THAT! 

Of course neither my doctor nor the nurse knew I had access to High-Powered Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy - proven to reduce pain and accelerate surgical recovery. I literally started “pulsing” 5 minutes after returning home from the hospital. 

And I started exercising the very next day – walking/running/walking/running until after 5 days I was able to run 5 miles without discomfort.   

Ultimately High-Powered PEMF completely eliminated my need for pain medication. 

BTW: here are the reported warnings for the drug prescribed. 

You’d laugh at your mechanic! 

Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take tramadol in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.

Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking this medicine. Tramadol may be more likely to cause a seizure if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, narcotic, or medicine for nausea and vomiting

MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Tramadol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Fatal side effects can occur if you use tramadol with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing. Tramadol can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death. (www.drugs.com)

I think I will be sticking with my approach!

Kindest regards,

James, www.replenishingtechnologiesinc.com

Replenishing Technologies Inc (RTI) does not diagnose, treat, nor cure any illness or medical condition. Our services promote wellness and improved athletic performance; results vary. Readers and users alike are advised to use the information, technologies, and methods presented under the supervision of their family doctor and/or other health professionals they rely upon.  

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