Those Side Effects

Truth in advertizing is a rare thing so we should always question what we are seeing and hearing from companies and especially political ads. The ones to be very careful about are the drug companies who must tell us about side effects of their products. This usually comes at the end and the volume is turned way down as a soft voice tells us about them. Side effects that often make such a long list that the ailment seems easier to deal with.

One ad I watched on TV last night had a long list of side effect that included “flushing” and that word was almost inaudible. As I take a medicine that causes “flushing” I can say that it is a euphemism that does not accurately describe what that side effect will do to you. Flushing sound so innocuous to hear it in that ad or for that matter from a doctor.

When my doctor prescribed the pills she said, “There will be some flushing and that is normal for this medicine.” That didn’t sound so bad until I discovered that “flushing” really meant “HOT FLASHES” and I found that out in the middle of the night. I thought I was on fire and my whole body was sweating.

I now have a great respect for what menopausal women go through. My darling though it was very funny except that the bed linens need washing more often. Before you take your meds check the “side effects.”