CarlM

Ta.

Rushman

I'd be interested to know how many of you gave a f**k about your daily cholesterol intake allowance before you came to this hypochondriac filled country.

Now awaiting everyone saying "Oh actually i really did watch my cholesterol in the UK"

Sure you did

Angry White Pyjamas

My wife is a nurse. Say no more.

rincewind

Never used the word till I came here

Dan725

Hehe, it really is pathetic over here. Lets make up an illness, so the pharmaceutical companies can sell more crap! The latest thing seems to be that effing "restless leg syndrome" - come on people, it's not for real. Another thing I've never heard so much of here is my allergies for this, allergies for that - they wouldn't have these allergies if they had never seen them on TV!

Woops gone a bit OT, sorry.

Elvira

Saying that restless leg syndrome doesn't exist would be going too far. For the VERY SMALL minority who have it, it can ruin their quality of life. But the ads you refer to are now trying to persuade people who are just feeling a bit 'itchy and antsy' that they have RLS, and thus need treatment. Some of them will badger their doc for a Rx and some harrassed docs will prescribe it.

The same happens with anxiety and depression - real conditions, devastating for those who have it, but no reason why so many people who are just finding life a bit difficult should be on SSRIs etc.

Also applies to allergies and much else.

The ads that really gets my hackles up, though, are those that suggest that popping a Pepcid before pigging out on a gluttonous meal is a good idea!

TN-Dave

I did because I have been forced to by my doctor for a few years now, even before I came here. It's an inherent family trait and require medication in most cases in our family. SOrry to spoil your fun rush.

Although since I've been here I've let it lapse unfortunately.

Partystar

I agree with the allergy thing, I mentioned this to my American friends here & I think they thought I was a bit mad. As for restless leg syndrome, I suffer with that from time to time, but I'm not about to start getting pills for it!!!

rincewind

I won't touch the meds here. I suffer from Gout and there is an Rx pill I can take to keep it at bay. Not interested. Info on the meds say long term use can cause kidney problems. No thanks.

I found a herbal pill online which I take everyday and (touch wood) I haven't had an attack since.

Britdrinker

I did a double-take in the grocery store the other day when I spotted the Hungry Man 'XXL' meal, which is in a box the size of a small car. It's seriously intended for one person, well one Texas person anyway.

CarlM

They come up with Restless Leg Syndrome, yet where is the help for men with Itchy Scrote Syndrome.. thats a distressing condition to have..

when youre caught scratching them its distressing anyways..

Dan725

Haha, good point - all the meds here when advertised on the radio have that disclaimer that is spoken at a million miles and hour and goes something like this: Sideeffectsmayincludehighbloodpressureliverfailure kidneyproblemsdisintergratingjointspshycologicalpr oblemsdifficultybreatinganddeath. Have a nice day!

TouristTrap

Roflol!

Rince, you're a man after my own heart!

Rushman

ah..so you are a fat bastard from a family of fat bastards then?

Rockgurl

LOL! Brilliant!

That meal looked pretty gross I must say. I'd never eat anything like that anyway as I'm a health freak and don't eat stuff out of packets. How can anyone eat that garbage? I always watched my diet and cholesterol intake but that's because I'm a nurse so of course I would. Having said that there are plenty of unhealthy nurses in my unit. My dad dropped dead of a heart attack though so I always worry about it.