Wellness

[Shelbelle]

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@hckynut wrote:

@Cakers3 

I don't think @Shelbelle was knocking Colonoscopy. Why she decided to use that as a profit maker example I have no idea. Anyone that decides to go the Cologard route in place of a Colonoscopy, in my view, is rolling the dice. There is a Gold Standard and it is not Cologard.

I am not on the doctors money wagon train for writing prescriptions. From my family and close friends relationships with Doctors from a GP or a Specialist Field? I believe and trust them.

For those that want to follow the BIG $$$$$ trail? Look at Pharma and Insurance, that is where you will find much of it.

hckynut 

Hi, John hope all is well with you. Just to clarify, it was not me who said a thing about colonoscopy, I have had 2, and never would discourage them. My only comments were about over prescribing statins. 

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[hckynut]

Hi there @Shelbelle 

I didn't think you were saying anything negative about a Colonoscopy. Since my Cardiologist still believes I should stay on my low dose statin, and he's saved my life twice?  Gonna stick with 'em since I am still pretty fit and doing everything I enjoy.

My best to you and all of yours,

JOhn(hckynut)

[D Kay]

Obstructive sleep apnea can cause serious health problems.  It should not be ignored or taken lightly.  No one would choose to use a CPAP machine.  Insurance won't cover it unless you  actually need and use it.

[BalletBabe]

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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@BalletBabe wrote:

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@Shelbelle wrote:

I feel the same way about statin drugs, way over prescribed, must be a payoff in there somewhere. 

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@Shelbelle   You bet they are and a lot of other things.  They make between 6 and 8,000 for a Colonoscopy.   People need to wake up and realize that some Dr.'s will test and prescribe you to death if you let them. 

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@BalletBabe   My mother died from colon cancer.

I wouldn't knock colonoscopies.

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@Cakers3   I am so sorryto hear that.  I just feel it is a really big money maker.  I also feel that it is a surgical procedure.  I Know a few people that died having them also.  We all have to do what is best for ourselves. If you have issues or it is in the family then that is a different story.  I just don't feel that evryone needs them.   

[Cakers3]

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@hckynut wrote:

@Cakers3 

I don't think @Shelbelle was knocking Colonoscopy. Why she decided to use that as a profit maker example I have no idea. Anyone that decides to go the Cologard route in place of a Colonoscopy, in my view, is rolling the dice. There is a Gold Standard and it is not Cologard.

I am not on the doctors money wagon train for writing prescriptions. From my family and close friends relationships with Doctors from a GP or a Specialist Field? I believe and trust them.

For those that want to follow the BIG $$$$$ trail? Look at Pharma and Insurance, that is where you will find much of it.

hckynut 

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@hckynut   Hi John:  She posted in response to over-prescribed meds and then extended out to tests being prescribed - a quote from her post:

You bet they are and a lot of other things.  They make between 6 and 8,000 for a Colonoscopy.   People need to wake up and realize that some Dr.'s will test and prescribe you to death if you let them. 

I read this as a colonoscopy is a test being over-prescribed, too.

Doctors are under different "rules" today, too.

ColoGuard will not be covered by insurance for high risk people.  I am high risk and would have to pay out of pocket.  Since colon cancer isn't just for "older people" anymore-I think the age of the initial screening should be lowered.

I agree ColoGuard is a roll of the dice and I hope people who are prescribed are instructed about all the facts so that there is no false sense of being ok.

Much prefer a colonoscopy, as odd as that sounds.  LOL

Our PCP handles many issues for us and we would never change him.

The specialists he uses have all be top-notch.  The front end people, however, often leave somthing to be desired. 

I'm happy you and CIndy are comfortable with your Drs/Specialists as we are-it is a good feeling to be an informed patient and to trust in our care.

Be well.

[hckynut]

Hi @Cakers3 

I'll stay out of the who said what part of this thread. Pretty much addressed that already.

I will say that those that say here they feel a Colonoscopy is prescribed as a $$$$ maker, I emphatically disagree. There are hundreds of cosmetic procedures done daily that have nothing to do with living or dying, and that is BIG $$$.

Colon Cancer along with Prostate Cancer are among the 2 most preventable cancers there are in medicine. Neither of these types of deaths are a quick, you got it, you die. I have had good friends of mine die of both, and neither are pleasant to watch.

Why people that should have a Colonoscopy, be it age or genetic related, are so concerned of the cost? I would like to think that most have some type of Meducal Insurance, thus what they pay is not in the 4 figure category, to the best of my knowledge.

Having had 15 of them, I never saw any extravagant charges for any of them. The In-patient ones were virtually free of cost. If some are more concerned about a Doctor's profit than possibly preventing Colon Cancer? Their choice of course, but I just will never get it.

Someone said they know people that have died during/from a Colonoscopy, there are risks in almost all types of medical treatments and procedures. They are usually well explained before a patient "signs their name" to agree.

As usual I could go on and on, but! Mercifully today is my ice skating day and I have to get my stuff packed and ready to go for later today.

Stay well,

hckynut 

[pitdakota]

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@SurferWife wrote:

There is a lot of money to be made on CPAPs; hence, the numerous prescriptions.

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@SurferWife , actually the vast majority of docs in the field of sleep medicine that run the sleep clinics and do the prescribing are in general former critical care medicine docs such as pulmonologist, cardiologists, and neurologists.  If they are in it for the money, I can assure you there would be more money for them involved to take care of people with the chronic problems that sleep apnea can cause.  There is a considerable amoung of money taking care of people in critical care units and the hospital from complications of obstructive sleep apnea.

Multiple research studies correlate obstructive sleep apnea with increased risk of metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes), hypertension, atrial fibrillation to name just a few.  Undeniably alot more money in taking care of those patients in the hospital and follow up visits for those docs than in running a sleep disorder clinical and prescribing CPAPs.   

[pitdakota]

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@depglass wrote:

I have several friends with these now days.  No matter what your complaint is, it seems like the docs recommend CPAP.  I think this is a case of over-prescribing.  I'm talking men, women, average weight people, heavy people.  In only one case did the friend say the word "apnea."  

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@depglass, CPAPs must be prescribed by a physician and the individual needs a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is present, etc.

I imagine why they are prescribed so frequently is there is considerable research associating sleep apena with various cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological problems, and type 2 diabetes.  Additionally, there is research that sleep apnea can also cause further complications in a whole host of other medical problems.   Combine that with lifestyle factors associated with sleep apnea along with other risk factors and sleep apnea is really quite common in our population today. 

You mention weight, but under weight and individuals that are in a normal weight range can and do have sleep apnea.  Being overweight is a risk factor for sleep apnea, but that in no way means that sleep apnea only applies to those that are overweight.  Additionally, not all people that are overweight have sleep apnea either.  

[on the bay]

@depglass,

et all! You want to hear something creepy?

I was just reading reviews of the sleep clinic near me which I went to several years ago.

Several said they felt the doctor was being paid by the company that sent the cpaps because they went thru the sleep study and were diagnosed with "mild sleep apnea" but it turned out they did not have sleep apnea when they went to another doctor. One had an enlarged prostate and the other didn't say but said their sleep became worse after using the cpap for 4 months and being diagnosed with "mild sleep apnea."

Then had to return the equipment but still being charged for entire thing because they said it didn't work.

I tried 4 different types and returned them all but fortunately was not charged.

So I recommend making sure it is not due to some other thing aside from sleep apnea ( and from another doctor) before signing up for the cpap. They did admit to me that there are some that just cannot use it, whether the nose one or any other type.

That's what I wondered when I spent the night and was diagnosed with "mild sleep apnea".
I wondered how it seemed almost everyone I knew (and not just elderly) were being diagnosed with this.

Some, yes really need it but others like me? questionable!

[marky]

I expressed to my doctor my need for something to help with anxiety and to help with my sleep.  She mentioned a sleep study several times.  I finally told her that I did not want one because I didn't need one.  I know I do not have sleep apnea.  Besides, I can't even sleep in my own bed in my own home so no way would I be able to sleep in a clinical setting with wires hooked up to me.

I am pretty sure that there is money in it for both the medical clinic and the doctors.   She gave me a mild anxiety med and all is good now with my sleep.  I am still anxious and worried about the virus but I can sleep better now.