I would not write him but is he in a private practice? group? etc. Some chiropractors have products in the waiting room that they sell, and will discuss them if you are interested, but I have never seen products in a Doctor's office. If you are really concerned contact your local AMA office. Or find another DR. Legal? Not sure, but not a wise decision.

I'd find another doctor and then let this guy know why you are leaving him. It would not have been inappropriate for you to tell him at the time he suggested the product.

Salgal - I know this isn't what your question is, but I do have a recommendation for your migraines, which is Biofeedback. It's done wonders for me. The bulk of patients that seek help from my biofeedback therapist are migraine sufferers sent by their doctors. Just a thought and might be worth looking into. I felt the same way as you did about taking meds. I was a skeptic going into biofeedback, but changed my mind very quickly.

May I ask what product he suggested? Just curious.

Sue

Sue, is it okay to post that?

I would feel so uncomfortable about this. On the other hand, you really need help, so it tempts you to try it. There are many meds which are not FDA approved which are helpful, but we don't always fully understand the side effects and interactions with other drugs we might be taking.

If we go to a personal financial planner, we are told to choose a planner whom we pay, not someone who is selling something like a mutual fund in addition to being a planner. That way we can be sure the planner has no conflict of interest. I feel the same way about this.

Matti, how does biofeedback work? Is there a machine or what?

Best wishes for getting help with your headaches.

I would be so put off by that. I'm not a fan of MLM products under any circumstances, but for one to be promoted by your doctor?? Oy....

Just to add my 2â, my daughter Jill had wicked migraines starting at age four. They were awful to witness, and even more awful for her. When she was eight or ten (I forget which), a homeopathic physician prescribed a one-dose systemic remedy that knocked out the migraines completely. They didn't come back until she was 18. You'd need a really skilled homeopath to come up with the right remedy for you, though. Homeopathy is the opposite of a one-size-fits-all treatment.

It would upset me too. Even if the product were completely legitimate I wouldn't feet comfortable with my physician selling it to me. My best friend's husband is an internist and a few years ago he considered selling nutritional supplements and vitamins in his office. He thought his wife could drum up business among her friends. Luckily I learned about this before my friend approached me so I was prepared when she asked me. I just told her that I wasn't comfortable with the idea and that I just buy my vitamins in the drugstore. There was a very high markup on these supplements and I'm relieved that he decided not to go ahead with it.

As you sound very uncomfortable with the situation, I would recommend looking for another doctor. If you feel writing a letter would help get things off your chest, then you should write it. It all depends on your relationship with your doctor.

I always tell my doctor what I want to do, then he gives his medical opinion and we come to an agreement together. If I went to my doctor about stress migraines, we would talk about medicine to control the pain along with research as to what is causing them and a CT scan.

This can be a serious medical issue.

Why Is a CT Scan Used to Evaluate Migraines and Headaches?
A CT scan of the head may be recommended if you are getting daily or almost daily headaches.
A CT scan can help your doctor rule out other causes of headaches, such as:
1. Brain tumor
2. Abscess (an infection of the brain)
3. Hydrocephalus (the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain)
4. Sinus blockage
5. Injuries
6. Aneurysm or bleeding in the brain

A CT scan is not able to diagnose migraines.

Sue, is it okay to post that?
I think it would be fine and don't know of any reason why it wouldn't be okay. Of course I will then be curious and look up what I can about it on the net and try to determine if it is some multi level marketing thing.

Having his identification on the brochure sure sounds like he is endorsing it.

Sue

I would consider reporting him to the AMA. It sounds unethical to me.
Donna

This link will bring up some info sites.

If it were me, I would make a copy of that part of the brochure that his the name, etc and send it with a short letter to what ever agency is in the chain, just to get their opinion.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: MLM

Sue, it is Isotonix OPC-3
I really don't know what to think of the virtues of the product...people sure seem to tout it's benefits.
I am a very hesitant person when it comes to things like this.

I found this link.

I still think it's a conflict of interest to be touting a product his wife sells.

Here is a link that might be useful: forum

I guess I don't have nearly the problem with the products as I do with the fact that his wife sells them. How can you know if he is really being objective about the product?

My husband has eye problems (slowly going blind). His eye surgeon's office sells eye vitamins, but they are in the waiting room and they never bring them up. If you ask, they tell you about them. Otherwise, they never mention them. I have also had dermatologists that sell different face cleansers and lotions.

Did anyone check out the forum link Donna provided above? All the posters take it, love it, and they all provide links to where they can purchase it, or ask that others email them. It looks to me like they are all selling it themselves. Did anyone else deduce that?

Sue, it is Isotonix OPC-3
I would compare it to snake-oil myself. The marketing system doesn't seem to be like multi-level according to the main on line site selling the stuff.

I don't understand why anyone would be upset about a doctor recomending something as an alternative treatment that isn't a chemical?? Just because his wife is a distributor doesn't mean either of them are "getting rich" on it. I would conside a physican that goes in another direction with a treatment that "may or may not" help (try it and see)a smart one.He said it "might help you".I'm sure he has done his homework.Would you have felt better about it if someone else had recomended it,or was it just the fact that it was your doctor and his wife sells it? He did give you the choice of deciding for yourself if you would like to try it,after you explained to him that you don't like the idea of taking a prescription medication,and he DID give you a prescription.I see nothing unethical about it. My family doctor is a DO and he recomends all kinds of supplements for different ailments.No different than recomending a vitamin or some other supplement as far as I am concerned.What he was recomending is just that,a supplement.I don't see the problem here.

I think it is unethical. It would be different if he had said "try aloe vera" (or whatever the main ingredient is in Isotonix).

lillie, I truly understand your point and do not consider it a bad recommendation. It just didn't feel right...like it was a conflict of interest. Yes, it was exactly that he and his wife were selling it.
Not a huge point, but he is not a DO. (not typical in my experience for an MD to suggest things like that, I did go to a DO in the past)) I do respect that there may be alternatives to life's ailments other than prescription drugs. In fact, I'm all for it. Just skeptical.
Another thing he said that I did not tell you was that it helped him lose 24 lbs and helps keep his blood glucose levels stable. Maybe it does do all those things. ??
It just felt weird that he suggested I try it for stress too.

salgal, I completely understand your point, and I agree. I wouldn't like my doctor to recommend something that his wife sells. It would just not sit right with me.

What's a DO?

"Another thing he said that I did not tell you was that it helped him lose 24 lbs and helps keep his blood glucose levels stable. Maybe it does do all those things. ?? "

That's the biggest red sign --- it's snake oil, pure and simple. Nothing does those things, or else we would all be on it and the inventor would have a Nobel Prize.

Snake oil.

DO is a Dr of osteopathic medicine..same training as an MD, but takes additional training for manipulative techniques. And in my experience was a little more open-minded to homeopathic methods.

I just had something similar happen when consulting a new MD. She started talking about a supplement (not a drug) that 'might help'. She said it was expensive but that she would soon be able to offer it direct to her patients 'at a discount'. HUH? Now I wonder if it's the same thing -- this Isotonix OPC-3. (She didn't name it, so I don't know. I just got OUT of there.)

Geez!

This was a customer review on Amazon.


"9 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
Unauthorized Sale, September 22, 2007
By Harley Hut - See all my reviews

This seller is not authorized to sell this product, or any other Market America product on this website, including Isotonix products.

The sale of Isotonix or any other Market America products on this website may result in your purchasing a substandard product. Products sold from this website cannot be guaranteed authentic. Specifically, any Market America products sold on Amazon.com will not be covered under any warranty or guarantee offered by Market America. If in doubt, contact Market America's Legal & Compliance Department at 336-605-0040 or via e-mail at internetcompliance@marketamerica.com for further guidance.

Authorized distributors of the Isotonix product line, or any of Market America products, may ONLY sell from the Market America web portal (www.marketamerica.com/[distributor name])"

This doesn't sound weird to you???
I go to a Internist who uses Chinese herbs and suppliments. I can understand how this would not be a conflict of interest. This doctor you are going to is a distributor and it's completely unethical. I doubt he has a medical license. I would stay far away from this doctor.
Donna

"I doubt he has a medical license. I would stay far away from this doctor."
Donna-Why would you say that? Your "internist" uses Chinese herbs and suplements.What is the difference? Lots of doctors believe there are alternative treatments and don't hand out prescriptions for a drug for every little thing that ails you/us! Sorry,but I still see no conflict of interest or unethical behavior,but that's just me.
Salgal- I can see your point.If something makes you feel uncomfortable you should go with your feelings.

I'm certainly not opposed to doctors suggesting alternative methods. It's a point in their favor in my book. And if they avoid unnecessary prescriptions, better yet. And if they have the guts to tell some people that they should quit trying to suck pills all the time, I'd take him/her out for lunch.

But, I am troubled that his wife sells this stuff and he's suggesting it. His wife is a greedy idiot and he's not much better.

According to the site where it is sold...
# Combats free radicals
# Demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity
# Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels
# Helps maintain healthy circulation by strengthening capillaries, arteries and veins
# Helps maintain joint flexibility
# Helps promote cardiovascular health
# Helps reduce mild menstrual cramping and abdominal pain
# Helps support visual health/visual acuity
# Potent free radical scavenger
# Promotes healthy blood vessel dilation
# Promotes healthy nitric oxide levels
# Supports a healthy complexion
# Supports healthy blood glucose levels
# Supports healthy platelet activity
# Supports healthy sperm quality

Another thing he said that I did not tell you was that it helped him lose 24 lbs and helps keep his blood glucose levels stable. Maybe it does do all those things. ??
Hmmm...he must not have known that weight loss wasn't one of the benefits listed for it....lol He needs to do some studying up on wifey's brochures.

And then from the forum linked above...
People at work have told me about this OPC-3 stuff and how well it works. They know people with back injuries, migraines and other health issues that have been pretty much cured by taking this group of herbs in the product.

and
I am an avid user of OPC-3. Although I am relatively young, I have seen incredible results from this product. It helps to boost your energy, lower blood pressure, and I have even found that it helps me sleep better.

A friend of mine had severe fibromyalgia...to the point where she could barely walk. She is now walking without problems and enjoying her life thanks to OPC-3.
and
I went to the doctor, and he told me I had arthitis in the knee. He prescribed an anti-inflamatory. It did help, but it made me feel tired and weak. A friend of mine told me about the OPC 3. I resisted for over a year, but finally he gave me a bottle. I tried it, and within 3 days, the pain and swelling in my knee went away. I was able to stop taking the drugs the doctor prescribed, too. The pain has not come back, and it even fixed my hemmoriod problem too. (I know it did, if I stop taking it, the symptoms come back)

All good testimonials by folks that are selling the stuff.

I wonder what studies were done to prove that the stuff supports healthy sperm quality. Maybe that was added to get the guys trying it, think? I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain of having unhealthy sperm quality, have you?

Your "internist" uses Chinese herbs and suplements.What is the difference?

The difference is my doctor does not sell the herbs for profit. He is not a distributor.

Donna

Donna- Did your internist take any special training in utilizing Chinese herbs and supplements? and does your internist give them to you for free? I'm not trying to start anything controversial but I'm curious.

"I guess I don't have nearly the problem with the products as I do with the fact that his wife sells them. How can you know if he is really being objective about the product?"

Well, if you think your doctor is endorsing a cruddy product just because his wife sells it, you should definitely find another doctor as nothing he says would be trustworthy. And if he doesn't have a problem with his wife selling a cruddy product, you should defintely find another doctor.

Organic Donna, you said, "The difference is my doctor does not sell the herbs for profit. He is not a distributor."

So.... Let's say you go to the doctor and he doesn't give you any Chinese herbs or supplements, and charges you $65 for the visit. Then, you go to the doctor another time and he does give you some Chinese herbs and/or supplements. Does he still charge $65 for the visit? Or does he charge a different price?

My doctor is a trained Western Medicine Internist. He is of Chinese decent and later in his career decided to go into Traditional Chinese Medicine. He does mainly acupunture as his treatment of choice. Every so often, he will prescribe Chinese herbs along with his treatment. It would be the same as a Western M.D. prescribing a pill to take from the pharmacy. He charges the same fee whether he suggests herbs or not. He is covered under my health care plan. He does not endorse any herbs for his own financial gain.

The original poster said, "The product is distributed by a well known marketing company, technically not a pyramid, but close in my opinion.
My problem is that while he did give me prescriptions for my issues, he was peddling a non-FDA approved product that his wife sells and he, as an MD, endorses and is recommending to his patients (many are seniors as his office is in retirement village) "

The question was do you think this is ethical? I have never had any doubt about my doctor being ethical. I think you have to go with your gut feeling. If you're even asking the question "is this ethical" then you have your answer.
Donna

This is a clear case of a conflict of interest.

It isn't about recommending alternative therapies. It is about potentially putting a patient at risk by putting one's personal financial gain over good business practise. And sucking them into something they don't need.

Most corporations will not allow their employees to do business with anyone they are related to. And if the product a relation is selling is unique or unavailable elsewhere, the vendor has to be cleared by the legal department to avoid having people favor certain vendors over others for personal gain and without the benefit of competitive bidding.

I would call the state licensing board and ask them if this is something they would like to know about.

As for alternative medications, that is a personal choice. But you should be able to competitively shop prices, not be "sold" by your own doctor into buying his wife's products and pocketing the profits.

I'm sorry to say that I'd just walk away. What good will it do to report the MD? We all know that nobody is policing MD's.

"I'm sorry to say that I'd just walk away. What good will it do to report the MD? We all know that nobody is policing MD's".
I would report him because the poster said that many of his patients are senior citizens. They are very vunerable to this kind of scam.
If you don't want to report him post his name here and I will make the call.
Donna

OMG! At the foot of this thread is a link to an ad *promoting* this 'Isotonix' product!

Where is it chisue? I don't see the link.

Maybe I'm the only 'lucky' one? (Or your ad blocker is better than mine!)

Under where it says "Return to the Kitchen Table" are three sponsored links in red type. Isotonix OPC-3 is one. (It's www.sipyour.isotonix.com) The others are Garden-related.

I don't have that link....but that is really weird. This whole thing smells really fishy.
Donna

Donna, they are randomly generated advertising links that are geared to the content of the post and/or places you might have visited based on your cookies.

Everyone sees different links. Right now I'm seeing a Fitz & Floyd link, Ask a Cat Vet and Cat Care certificate.

If it is not FDA-approved, then there have been no "official" studies of how this substance interacts with other pharmaceuticals. That's dangerous. A variety of herbs can interfere with other meds; heck, even licorice or grapefruit juice can have negative effects on how your meds work.

The problem with him suggesting this substance is that he is in a position of authority. If a doctor recommends you take something, how many of you would actually doubt him or her? A doctor says, "You have high cholesterol, you should take this pill"--and do you question that? Do you say, "What is special about this pill, and what are other cholesterol-lowering meds out there on the market?" Probably not.

Even my dog's vet does not push products, and if you have a pet, you know there's a range of products for the two big things a dog needs (well, at least what many people believe they need--heartworm preventive and anti-flea stuff). This vet handed me the public-relations stuff all the companies put out so I can make my own decision.

(And I do see the ad at the bottom of this page--you'd think they could spell "absorption" correctly; unless "absorbtion" is British or Canadian spelling? It reminds me of the knock-off suspect web shopping sites out there and the scam "spam" e-mails that flood so many people's e-mail accounts.)

english language is interesting...

absoPtion is the act of absorBing! lol

Salgal, I have no experience with migraines, and I am sure you have done your own research on them, but I used to work with a young woman who also had terrible ones. She has actually found relief through Botox! Do a web search to find out how; I'm not sure how that works, but it certainly is interesting--that's a two-fer! You can get a mini-facelift and ease a migraine at the same time!

I have heard that about Botox!