[Va Meds By Mail Still Suck]

I've had a few problems, too, but one of the best things that ever happened to me was the result of a pharmacy mnistake. I ran out of my antidepressant (Nortriptylene). The pharmacy mixed up the mailing label, sending it to a town I never lived in. I had taken that med for years, and was worried I would go back into a major depression. That was 5 months ago. Not only have I not had any depression, my mind has been clearer than it's been in a very long time. I'm able to work, to write, think, do all kinds of stuff I didn't have the mental or physical energy to do before. I don't recommend anyone go off their meds without their doctor's supervision, but from time to time, I think it's a good idea to question your doc about whether some meds can actually be causing more problems than they're helping to alleviate. For me, I'm just glad that pharmacist screwed up.

[Anyone Using Celexa And/or Clonazepam?]

I've taken both Paxil and Clonazepam, but at different times. The Paxil made me so mentally foggy that I just couldn't deal with it. I still take Clonazepam from time to time when I need it to help me sleep, and it works well, but I have to make sure I can stay in bed at least 10 hours or I won't get anything accomplished the next day. I've had no problems with it at all.

[Niacin]

My VA Doc has prescribed Niacin to help raise my good cholesterol. I am always in the low 20's and she wants me over 40 and even higher.

The side effect is sometimes I burn all over especially in ears and my arms. Anyone have a similar problem.

Hi, Pete.

My VA doc recommended I take Niacin to raise my good cholesterol. I buy the flush-free type, 500mg, from Wal-Mart. Very inexpensive. No side effects, and it does work. I also take 1000mg Fish Oil Capsules (also recommended by my VA doc...also from Wal-Mart). My good cholesterol is much improved. The Fish Oil seems to work best. For lowering the bad cholesterol, I take Simvastatin, prescribed by the VA. It has worked wonders. When I began, it was in the high 200s. Now it is at 90. Hope this helps.

[Get A Colonoscopy Before It's Too Late. I Didn't]

For 6 years, ever since I had been diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, I had been requesting a colonoscopy from the VA. My request was denied. My VA physician documented my request in my medical records, but told me I didn't qualify as a high-risk patient because I had no symptoms and I didn't have a first-degree relative who had colorectal cancer. I thought that was strange since colon cancer is known as "The Silent Killer." In most cases, there are no symptoms until the disease has spread and it's too late. If treated early, it's one of the most survivable forms of cancer. If not caught in time, it's the second most deadly.

I felt I was at higher risk because in addition to my having throat cancer, there is an extensive history of other types of cancer in both my parents' families.. My mother, grandfather, and several uncles died of cancer. The only screening I was given by the VA was an annual Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT), which I have since learned to be the least reliable method of CRC screening. Finally, a dedicated nurse practitioner got me the colonoscopy. It took the VA 7 months to approve it. Only 3 weeks prior to the procedure, I submitted a 3-card in-home FOBT sample. The results were negative. No presence of blood in the stool. 21 days later, I received the colonoscopy and was diagnosed with colon cancer. The surgery resulted in the loss of 22.4 inches of my colon and small intestine followed by 9 days in the hospital.

In January '07, The VA issued Directive 2007-004 which instructs physicians to discuss different screening options with veterans and allow patients their choice of CRC screening, including colonoscopy, even for veterans classified as average risks. I didn't learn this until after I had been diagnosed. Even Medicare allows any patient above the age of 50 to have a colonoscopy upon request, no matter what their degree of risk.

Please, everyone, get a colonoscopy beginning at age 50. If you're African-American, get one beginning at age 45. If your father, mother, sister, or brother has had colon cancer, get a colonoscopy no later than 10 years earlier than the age they were when diagnosed. Just do it, before it's too late. If the VA refuses, show them the Directive. Demand it. Fight for it. Be your own advocate. To the VA, it's more cost-effective to provide you with a headstone and a flag. than a colonoscopy. Don't let them.