Sheridan reader compares & contrasts three columnists’ medical musings

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Dear Editor:

Sharon McMahon shared with us an excellent column about public advertising of new medicines. She advised us to talk to our private doctors before jumping on the band wagon on taking the advertised medications that tout a possible cure for acute and or a chronic disease. She pointed out that adding another medication whether by prescription or over the counter can become a dangerous mix with current medications being taken including supplements and vitamins. Sharon’s statement, “awareness can and should be a tool in one’s health management arsenal” pointing out the side effects of these and all medications.

In another column, Dr. Mathias P. Bostrom shares with us the importance of choosing the right surgeon who has experience and keeps up with current medical changes. What is important is how many surgeries the surgeon has performed and after surgery results such as lower infection rates, fewer follow-up procedures, reduced re-admissions, and steadier recoveries. Dr. Bostrom’s statement, “Anyone preparing for surgery ought to feel comfortable asking direct questions about a surgeon’s experience and results.”

Richard D. Feldman, M.D.’s column is the complete opposite from the previous two authors. He discourages patient and doctor “shared decision-making”. Feldman states, “This approach essentially sends the message that these vaccines are not essential but optional.” A one size fits all vaccine may be detrimental to some patients especially children. This is where research comes in.

Many children and pregnant women may have serious side effects that are harmful to themselves and the unborn baby. I recall that pregnant women were told to avoid vaccines while pregnant and children under the age of two should not be vaccinated. There is such a push to vaccine children under the age of two. Why the rush as their immune systems are developing naturally. Is it because of daycare regulations and how dare you get sick to infect others and the rate pay to daycare?

Feldman condemns Robert F. Kennedy for reducing some vaccines esp. the mandated Hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation. Many of the populous was not aware of this vaccine. It was used for mothers who had Hepatitis B while pregnant. I can see the usefulness of this for those mothers but not other uninfected mothers’ babies.

Feldman mentions that the measles rate is increasing. During the 1970’s the Measles vaccine was part of the vaccine schedule but when those students arrived in college, the rates soared showing the vaccines were not effective in the first place. Recall the rates being high in the state of Texas. Texas is a border state with many illegal alien children crossing the Texas border and most unlikely unvaccinated. This fact was never mentioned in the media.

Feldman poked his finger of non-belief at the research of Autism conducted by British doctor, Andrew Wakefield. I recall when Wakefield was on a television show and the audience made constant fun of him trying to explain his research. He was shamed and was forced to redact his research. The same thing happened when the Gardasil vaccine was introduced. Young girls who were physically harmed and shared their stories of the after effects of the vaccine were also mocked being told “it was all in their head or imagination”.

Sharon McMahon encouraged everyone to do their research of newly advertised medications and Dr. Bostrom said to ask questions about experience and results of surgeries. Every individual and parent has the right to question any and all vaccines being proposed for injection into one’s body. Do your research, ask lots of questions and explore the results of all vaccines.

Mari Briggs
Sheridan