Self Education

[Jorgy]

I do not mean to offend anyone...just to relay info. It is not only the right but is also the responsability of a product user to know the product. IE: If a doctor prescribes a medication it is the responsibility of the consumer to know
1. what this med is being used for
2. why you are using it
3. side effects
4. what to watch out for when using this med
5. signs and symptoms of overdose
6. treatment of overdose

This also holds true when going the natural alternative route. We, as parents and consumers, must educate ourselves. Everyone makes mistakes...parents, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, etc. There are safegaurds in place but these also fail at times. The best safegaurd is a well educated consumer. There, in this day and age, is no excuse not to be educated on ADHD and everything related to it. PLEASE, PLEASE BE SAFE AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICATION (AND THIS INCLUDES NATURAL SUPPLIMENTS). If you have questions ask and research. Do not assume. Thank you, Sue

I forgot to mention that a great site for understandable medication info is www.medlineplus.com

[tridlette]

Sue, this is well spoken and I applaude you for making the point.

We all know that ignorance is no excuse when it comes to breaking a law. Mixing medicines the wrong way, or natural alternatives, can be just as devestating as breaking certain laws, and can at times be deadly... thus the current situation with ephedra and the phen-phen combination.

I worked in a hospital pharmacy 20+ years ago when I was in college, but even the scope of medication has evolved profoundly in that "short" period of time. What I knew then is practically obsolete already.

Again, thank you for a wonderful New Year reminder to be safe and not sorry.

[Linda]

Sue,why would this offend anyone? This is excellent information and advice. Thank you for sharing.

[Jorgy]

Linda, sometimes...nah, alot of times my mouth goes faster than my brain. I didn't want to post something and then later read it a realise that I said something that could be misconstruded. So I thought I would cover myself...just in case. Sue

[LitlBaa]

One of my favorite Christmas presents this year was a Nurse's Guide to Medications...it has everything you could think of and then some. Dosage amounts, side effects, what to take and not to take while on the med...it's been a big help in my "self education".

You made an excellent point by including natural supplements. Sometimes they can counteract with other meds.