Arhritis Another Merck Trick to Watch out for?

[Richard]

Third try at a new Topic

Anyone with arthritis might be interested to learn that Merck or MSD are being accused of their old tricks of trying to rig markets into paying them more money.

MSD allegedly attempted to prevent NHS doctors from using rival suppliers of a drug called infliximab, which it sells under the brand name Remicade, after its patent expired in 2015.

They have been sanctioned in other cases such as the now withdrawn VIOX disaster when their efforts o inflict the killer earned them odium round the world and a few fines to go with the odium. I have a passing interest, I was briefly on the stuff and know of others who died while taking it though it might not have been the sole cause. You do need to watch out whose muck you are given.

[Bob Williams]

I have osteo- and Rheumatoid arthritis and I long ago stopped taking anything. Every single treatment they gave me had gastric consequences. Ulcers, reflux, the lot. I still have reflux, a hiatus hernia and have to take a double dose of Lansaprazole due to the Barrett’s Oesophagus that also gave me.  IMO some of the nostrums that GP’s inflict upon us are either experimental (See what happens when he takes this) or at the behest of the all-powerful drug companies, all of which make stratospheric profits and have massive clout with governments. When you have an hour to spare, get out your prescription drugs and read the enclosed “side effects” leaflet. Scary.

I meditate, after being taught how to do so by a very good HK Chinese mate. Nothing else helps me more. I welcome the warmer weather and love living near the sea, where I can get into the North Sea and walk (HA! Walk?) through warm sand. My orthopaedic stick has to be replaced every couple of years, as it does not like salt water much. 30+ miles of Lincolnshire beaches, always somewhere to get away from the Grockles.

All you fervent MTBikers should keep an eye on developments here. The Council is going to develop a Lincolnshire Coast Path: I have seen the plans in local libraries and it will include a big stretch of the Lincolnshire Coastline, for walkers and cyclists. Miles of cycle tracks. Link:     https://tinyurl.com/m72v65m

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

One problem is that drug side effects can be subtle but lead to death. One fairly common hypertension pill I was taking had a known impact on blood potassium levels. I had no symptoms but I received an urgent call-in from my GP that my blood sample showed that I was very close to the point where people get heart failure! Treatment was simple, an immediate change of pills and a day or two gorging on banana fritters and drinking cider!

There are obvious morals to my experience: self-treatment using imported drugs from the web carries dangers when associated blood tests are not done. The second moral may be harder to put into effect – sign up with a GP who has all the drug check-lists on a database with automatic test call-ups.Judging from some of the negative experiences reported in this Forum I may be extremely lucky with the medical practice I use. (certainly no Wannacry incidents in the area.

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