Watching TV yesterday I was struck by an advertisement that said more about people's attitudes than it did about the product. I forget the exact product, and the ailment that it certainly treats… but the wording at the end of the advertisement made me jump. After the long list of frightening side effects that the government has forced them to mention (because sudden death makes a fun footnote) the friendly narrator tells you to "tell your prescriber about Protrax" (or whatever the drug was).
My Prescriber? Is that the roll of my healthcare professional these days? A monkey that needs to be convinced I know what drugs I need so he or she will wave their magic pen for me?
I have recently had my first run-in with heavy medication in having my arm worked on. As the crazy for-professionals-only narcotics of the general anesthetic wore off, I was given a few bottles of nicely potent drugs to help the next few days sliiiide by. The Oxycoden was delightful, and I spent the first night sleepless but relaxing in a warm state of comfort… not unlike that fleeting minute when you finally get to bed and realize just how comfortable it is. 8 hours of that was not bad at all.
Of course, when a friendly nurse called the next day, and I told her about some side effects, she told me to get off the drugs right away, and stick with straight up Tylenol. And you know what? I didn't have any pain on that either. I am very glad they could guide me through the use of these intense drugs, and ensure I was using them properly, explain what I need based on their experience, and monitor it's use.
A prescriber sounds like a travel agent for exotic drug-induced vacations, when what people really need is a travel guide to take them through new territory, and make sure they get home alive.
