Drugs and drug companies

[UTdave]

Well,

Yesterday I commented that perhaps I had been cynical regarding drug companies, their products and their heavy marketing to patients. Well, maybe I should have remained cynical. . .

https://online.wsj.com/article/SB123672510903888207.html

It appears at least some of the data regarding Lyrica and Celebrex for post-op pain is fabricated. I'm sure Pfizer will come out of this with no "proof" of wrongdoing, but it's hard to imagine they didn't pressure this doctor financially to produce favorable results. I'm more disappointed that a doctor who gives about 24 years of his life towards school and training and takes the Hippocratic oath can do such a thing.

Well, anyway, I'm not saying don't take your post-op pain meds, but at least broach the topic with your anesthesiologist. . .

 

[TBONE]

Dave-Interesting post for me, especially since I will be on both Lyrica and Celebrex, as well as Vicodin or Tylenol, as needed. I thought that you also were on Lyrica and Celebrex and liked it.
I will be curious to see whether my OS alters his pain management plan as a result of this study. My guess is he will not.
I got my Celebrex scrip approved yesterday so I am on it and I like it very much. It has allowed me to get back to the gym and back into shape before the surgery. My pre-op physical is this Monday.
I also saw my long-time GP and told him about the surgery and meds--he did not like the Lyrica-Celebrex plan and indicated that I would have lots of swelling.
Anyway, the message is clear--remain cynical.
Tom

 

[Judles]

The less drugs in our system,guys, the BETTER!!!!!!

 

[UTdave]

Tom,

Not trying to scare anyone off these meds and I still feel that celebrex is a good choice for numerous reasons outlined in other posts, despite its expense.

The lyrica I was a little unsure about and still am. In the grand scheme of things, my insurance company probably got a $30-40 bill for it, so no big deal for my individual case - but maybe for the system as a whole. I don't think it hurt me and it very well may have helped.

Sounds like your GP has healthy skepticism. Glad to see you got your celebrex approved! Usually the insurance allows for several months of the Rx once it's approved, so that should carry you through the day where you may find no need for pain meds at all. . . imagine that!

 

[JudyS]

Dave
That is very disapointing for sure. Thanks for the info . My hip surgeon gave me samples of celebrex but said he does not like to prescribe long term meds for anyone. I took it for about 2 weeks. I still have about a 2 week supply of samples.
Judy

 

[PRGal]

I think the most disturbing part of all this is that it undermines trust in our doctors, even though they obviously can be just as misled as consumers. Perhaps this will eventually lead to mandated public disclosure of physician compensation by drug manufacturers, as is the case for ortho implant makers.