The elderly are some of the biggest gamblers left on the earth. Every time we go to see a doctor we roll the dice. Every time we get a prescription we double down. One of the questions we rarely ask is, “Are the side effects worse than the problem?” Like drawing to an inside straight, you never know until you try and keep in mind, someone wins the lottery. Eventually.
This comes to mind with a recent post I read somewhere about the dye used in MRI exams. Evidently it has serious side effects for some people but even the doctors don’t seem to know this. I am taking a blood thinner. So far it has had little effect other than my skin seems to be thinner and I get cuts I don’t even realize I have until the blood drips on something. The side effects involve internal bleeding that can be really serious. I still take the pill.
The elderly are bigger gamblers mainly because by the time you reach your three score and ten the parts start to wear out and slow down. Some people refuse to accept that and want a cure. The drug companies are glad to fill the demand. In spite of all the complaints about Big Pharma, what they do must be working because we are living longer than ever.
Just for entertainment, next time read the mini-book that comes with your medication. It will point out all the ways you can die from taking your life saving drug. Try it on over the counter stuff too.
It is a good thing I am ready to go.
homo unius libri
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