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The Rx Saga Continues
So today I went to Costco to get my new prescription filled. I was assured that this one will be safe for nursing since it is topical rather than oral. Finally, I can get rid of this infection. I pick up my prescription and head for the milk aisle. Oh, but what’s that? Duncan needs to go to the bathroom. We turn and head the other direction. While waiting for Duncan, I open the stapled pharmacy bag. I take the package insert out of the box and begin reading. It says the usual “Full clinical trials of difficult-to-pronounce-drug have not been done, but levels in plasma are similar to when hard-to-pronounce drug is taken orally. Due to tumorgenicity in mice and rats . . . . What? So my new more expensive, less convenient (because topical rather than oral) prescription, will have the same effect on my bloodstream (and presumably my milk) as the first prescription? The prescription with the big “DO NOT USE IF BREASTFEEDING” flap on the label?
So,
1. My infection is still untreated, and it’s almost a week later.
2. I want a new doctor.
WFMW: Reading Rx info
You can’t get through life if you read all the fine print. Anyone who owns a computer (not another EULA! ) or has bought a home (endless title & mortgage paperwork) knows this. I, however, have found some fine print that works for me : the pharmacy literature that comes with prescriptions.
Seven months ago, I was about to give birth. Today I have a charming nursling. Two different doctors have prescribed medicine dangerous for my condition (pregnant or breastfeeding) in these past seven months. When it happened last week, I was given every assurance that the Rx was safe to take while breastfeeding. The pharmacy info assured me that it wasn’t. After the fact, my doctor offered her apologies. I accept them (we all make mistakes), but I don’t know that I will trust her again.
Remember: you are the best guardian of your own and your sweet baby’s health. Rx mistakes are much more likely in case of pregnancy or breastfeeding. Beware!
P.S. Did you know that some medicines that would be fine to take in your second or third trimester should not be taken right before you expect to give birth? I didn’t–until I learned it from the Rx literature I’d been prescribed immediately before my due date.
See more Works-For-Me-Wednesday ideas at Rocks in my dryer.
Yes, I’m pro-breastfeeding
Okay, I just got totally carried away commenting on a post at Mormon Mommy Wars Unfortunately, I was very late to join that thread and I don’t think anyone will ever read it, so I’m going to copy my comment here with a few modifications.
***
Did you see the Washington Post article that came out last week?
There is a problem in our country. Moms are constantly marketed to by formula companies. No one markets breastfeeding. The Washington Post Article I linked to discusses how the government was going to market breastfeeding, but then formula companies fought and fought and fought to get the message softened and they won.
I understand why people favor the softer message. There are a whole lot of women out there (my mother and most of my friends) who have fed their babies formula. No one wants to hear that they haven’t done the best thing for the baby. The problem is, too often we allow our reticence not to hurt others feelings (which is a good thing) keep the truth about the importance of breastfeeding hidden. And then another generation of mothers turns to formula. Unfortunately, breastfeeding can be really, really hard. We want to believe what the formula companies tell us: that formula feeding is almost equal to breastfeeding. That you’re not a bad Mom if you want to give your baby a bottle.
It’s true, you are not bad if you are that Mom. Those feelings make sense and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way! But for your baby’s sake, you need to know what the best medical studies suggest about the benefits of breastfeeding. [I strongly recommend the book So that's what they're for! It’s hilarious and has a lot of great information.]
When mothers are fully informed about the health of breastfed babies vs. bottlefed babies breastfeeding is worth the struggle in most cases. Obviously, there are exceptions. But they are *exceptions.* [Unfortunately, in our country breastfeeding for any sustained length of time is the exception. We have it backwards.] It’s true that some women can’t successfully breastfeed (although it’s a much smaller number than the number of women who believe they are in this category). Some have had breast surgery, others need medicines that make it too dangerous. But most of us can.