Please dont misunderstand

[Guest guest]

tried/failed to email the post below about 5 hrs ago...so Ill just

direct post it now:

Hi all

after getting a few emails asking me why Im so negative or against

everything be it drugs or herbs I feel that I have been

misunderstood.

Informing of the risks, and the possible contraindications, along

with suggesting that doctors or other professionals be consulted for

some of the riskier substances, is NOT the same as saying " Don't

take them " . Neither is asking for the citations/journal articles

showing efficacy etc.

I have seen ( and experienced myself) situations where one has

wished they'd known more.

I am a VERY big proponent of information and especially " informed

consent " . Most of us agree that the pharmaceutical giants do us a

disservice when they hide negative data, indeed the Vioxx victims Im

sure wish theyd known. Well, in MY opinion, the same should be true

for anything we are exposed to.

Whether it be ingested ( herbs, supps, drugs, etc) ; inhaled (

polluted air, fumes, etc); cutaneous,...you get the picture...we

should know WHAT the substance is, what it CAN and/or MAY do to us

and what if any may be the individual risks we face. This means how

our own health status, what we are already taking or eating...how

all this will affect us.

MANY of us ( myself again included) are desperate and end up on our

own trying to heal from various chronic illnesses. Some of us have

science or medical backgrounds. Others of us have had to take " crash

courses " or become self-taught for survival. Still many others

simply follow blindly what others are doing. ALL of us need to be

mindful of the possible risks, and have ALL the information

available so that we can at least make INFORMED, intelligent and

hopefully SAFER choices.

and ALL of us should strive to be more accepting of the others'

opinions too. When we ask for " proof " ( or provide alternative valid

evidence ) its not that we doubt you or question your experience,

expertise...its that we wish to share ALL sides and ALL information

even if it happens to be contrary to prevailing opinions

I know that I couldnt sleep nights if someone were made more ill or

worse simply because they didnt have all the info about a substance

they used and I was the one who didnt take the time to provide the

info I could.Or if I didnt ask for more info.

Many is the time Im feeling crummy, or have ZERO interest personally

in a particular subject...BUT if I think there is even the slightest

chance for harm, I feel compelled to provide more info ; Hoping

others would do ( and have done) for me!!

So please, I dont post as a naysayer or a " chicken little " as Ive

been accused. Everything is NOT bad for us...but MANY things are bad

for a few of us given our fragile health state--if we were perfectly

healthy we wouldnt be on these boards..and we ALL have the right to

know ALL the info before we expose ourselves or loved ones to

anything and everything.

If after reading the warnings and risks you still feel its worth it,

or the possible gains will outweigh the risks, or that you cant be

bothered to get professional advice, that is your right and I

respect that. But then at least no one can say " why didnt anyone

tell me " or " I wish Id have known " .

Thanks for hearing me out, and for trying to understand why I often

feel compelled ( despite my own infirmity) to take the time, energy

and look up info, and report possible risks even when its something

that I would have no interest in. And why others may also feel the

need to ask " how do you know " or " show me/prove this "

Be well

Finette