Originally Posted By Dabob2 I don't live in CA anymore, but it sounds to me like there are some doctors there who will prescribe it freely, and others who are worried about bumping up into federal law who are erring on the side of caution (for themselves) and not prescribing it for anyone, even cancer patients.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Sport Goofy was dead on. Just because the guy didn't like the answer doesn't mean Romeny "got nailed". He was asked the question, he answered it and didn't waiver. Now, I suppose he could have softened his stance or just flip flopped but I give the buy some credit for sticking by his position. Too many other politicians don't. Now, I'm not likely going to vote for the guy but let's not call an apple a carrot here.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Doctors are writing marijuana prescriptions for anything under the sun because there are no limits in the California laws that determine what marijuana can be used for. Anyone can walk into a doctor's office and get a prescription for marijuana right now, whether they have a severe illness or just some make believe syndrome.** If it helps some people who are sick and dying, then that's perfectly fine with me... People like this Romney guy make me sick. This entire issue is a complete and total national SHAME... And the polititians themselves with their soapboxes and pandering are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the suffering and dying that is a result. I'd love just one minute at a microphone to say just that to this Romney jerk.
Originally Posted By Mr X <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY6UTnS6Z-A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =NY6UTnS6Z-A</a> Watch the vid...he did NOT answer the guys question (would you arrest me and my doctors), and not only that he totally cut the poor guy off and walked away hurridly with a SMILE (how can you be smiling when you've just had a sobering conversation with a dying man?) to go kiss some babies. Really, some polititians are true scumbags.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan He didn't answer the question. It's wonderful he can take this "high-minded" approach on something that can ease the suffering of people battling a disease. All sorts of pharmeceuticals can be misused. So, we monitor them as carefully as possible and make them available by prescription. Marijuana has medicinal value.
Originally Posted By Mr X Absolutely it does, K2M. Only an idiot or a liar would say otherwise. Sorry to read that story about your Dad...tragic.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << All sorts of pharmeceuticals can be misused. So, we monitor them as carefully as possible and make them available by prescription. >> I don't think we do all that good a job of monitoring, and in most cases, we overprescribe medications that people have no business taking. I have a good example from my personal experience this past weekend. I had a minor outpatient surgery on friday and was discharged with a bottle full of narcotic painkillers and sedatives. Both medications have a history of abuse. I had some discomfort from the surgery, but found that a couple of Tylenol was more than sufficient to keep things tolerable? Why on earth did I need to get a prescription for a narcotic? Should I have just taken the pills because the Dr. gave them to me? I wonder how many people in the same situation would have taken the drugs just because that's what the doctor prescribed? Maybe I have an abnormally high pain threshold compared to the rest of society, but I can't believe how reliant we have become on drugs to ease our suffering -- to the point where we'd rather be lying around like vegetables in a medicated stupor.
Originally Posted By Mr X While I understand your point, Goofy (American docs are extremely generous with the pain medicine, I agree), once again I couldn't care less so long as the people who really NEED those medicines can get them. In the case of painkillers, that sure isn't a problem...but the fact that medical pot is such a soapbox issue for those scumbag polititians means that many will continue to suffer greatly and some will even die...all while being refused the one and only medication that could truly help them. That part really makes me sick. p.s. I think part of the problem that you are describing is the fault of the HMO system and the fact they all the docs are forced to "get you out" as quick as possible...a few years back, you'd probably have stayed at the hospital overnight and could've TOLD the doc or nurse whether you felt the need for pain relief or not. Now, it's "get em out the door"...so I think the doc has to decide what's worse, having pills that you might need but don't end up using (responsible adult warning), OR not getting the proper painkillers and finding yourself in extreme discomfort and perhaps even needing to return to the hospital?
Originally Posted By Mr X *Should I have just taken the pills because the Dr. gave them to me?* Weren't they labled "as needed"? Yes you should take medicine as directed by your doctor, but of course if the medication was labled as such then you followed the correct method. And I'm glad to hear things went well and you felt pretty good after the surgery!
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan in most cases, we overprescribe medications that people have no business taking.<< Sure it happens, I don't know if it's in "most cases" or not. But in terms of medical marijuana, it is not likely to cause addiction like stronger meds can. And in cancer patients and others, it can be very beneficial in terms of pain management and stimulating appetites. And it's curious, to use your example, that Romney doesn't seem to take a position on much stronger drugs being handed out for use at the patient's discretion, but the evil marijuana must be prohibited and shunned. I think that's, pardon the expression, just dopey. >>I think part of the problem that you are describing is the fault of the HMO system and the fact they all the docs are forced to "get you out" as quick as possible...a few years back, you'd probably have stayed at the hospital overnight and could've TOLD the doc or nurse whether you felt the need for pain relief or not.<< Definitely. I am amazed how quickly people are booted out of the hospital now.
Originally Posted By Mr X When my wife had our baby, she was in the hospital for an entire week and apparently that's the norm here. The doc even extended her stay by one day because she was still a touch hypertensive... When I told her and her Mom how quickly they kick the Moms out in America, they were absolutely shocked (unless I'm mistaken...they don't generally stay in the hospital seven days do they?).
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>When I told her and her Mom how quickly they kick the Moms out in America, they were absolutely shocked (unless I'm mistaken...they don't generally stay in the hospital seven days do they?).<< Basically, here they hose them off and wheel them to the car. : p
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Generally speaking I agree that patients are booted out of the hospital way too quickly. That said, there is absolutely no reason that a mother who had an uncomplicated delivery should be in the hospital for a week. It's been proven that the hospital atmosphere interferes with lactation. It's also been proven that the longer you're in the hospital the more likely you are to get an infection which could require further medical intervention. There is already far too much medical intervention in births. Mothers should get out of the hospital and back home as quickly as they're able. Of course if there are complications then that changes everything. But in a normal, uncomplicated delivery then there is really no need to stay even for several days let alone a week. P.S. I laughed at the "hose them off" comment.
Originally Posted By Mr X I probably used the term "hospital" a little too loosely, Gal...in Japan most births take place in a smaller "home style" hospital (still got the delivery room and all that, but the child is WITH the Mom and Dad in the room (which is very homey) from day one, and you only receive child care if you request it). Ours was a three story, quasi "house" that was very un-hospital like, and yet my wife and child had access to 24 hour care if needed plus good food (special diet), and any assistance on questions or whatever. She needed the week, that's for sure.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Ah. I see. Yes, birthing centers are very different from regular hospitals, even here. I am glad everything went well!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP As I understand it, the point of medical marijuana is less about pain medication and more about anti-nausa. My mom works as a cancer RN administering Chemo and radiation, both of which make it hard to eat at a time when it's most important to eat. So, the doctor prescibes THC, in a pill form, which works just fine. Neither the pill for anti-nausa or the pill for pain messes up your lungs! My personal stance: neither marijuana nor tobacco nor alcohol should be consumed on a regular basis by anyone. On the other hand our Califonia jails and courts are way too crowded with marijuana users. Studies can be interpreted to show that if Marijuana is legal it becomes no more of a gateway drug than tobacco or alcohol. I guess the best I can say is that I would't vote against it's leagalization, even though I really don't think it's good idea for anyone.
