Prescription for Supplements

[pluto1]

Hey All: Have any of you pursued a prescription for supplements (i.e., r-ala, glutamine, taurine, flax, protein, etc.). Under the Flex plan health benefits at my work, if I have a prescription for any supplements, I can be reimbursed for the costs of these supplements from my Flex Plan contributions. Any suggestions or experiences?

FYI, a Flex plan works so that I contribute into the plan using pre-tax dollars. If I were able to get a prescription for my supplements, I could essentially buy $100 worth of supplements for $65.
TIA for your thoughts!
Pluto1

 

[BrandonXJ]

Obviously you don't need a rx for any of that, but I guess you could explain it to your dcotor, and tell him why you were planning on taking any of it, and ask him to write you a rx for them, so you have something to send to you flex people.. I actually have the same thing at my work, but I've never bothered.. I'd rather wait and see if I need the flex money for real medical bills first.

 

[pluto1]

Thanks, I agree with you on the wait and see approach, but I actually contributed extra dollars this year to take into account my purchase of supplements and the intent to obtain a prescription (I also have excellent health insurance that I hope will cover most medical necessary procedures).

 

[BrandonXJ]

Well as long as you planned for it, I guess you should be good to go. Just go ask your Dr. if he wouldn't mind giving you an rx!

 

[pluto1]

I hope to hear from actually experiences on this issue, because as you can guess, obtaining a prescription for anything from an M.D. is not as simply as asking for one. There has been legislation circulating regarding this issue, and it's not been in favor of allowing M.D.s unfettered discretion in this area, not to mention due to the lack or FDA oversight, risk adverse M.D.s tend to stay clear from this area to avoid medical malpractice claims (think ephedra).

I've tried to obtain a script from a Physicians Assistant with no luck (FYI, a P.A. usually has a Masters Degree in a health related discipline and has certain prescription writing authority). I will most likely seek a script from a homeopath (sp?) who deals in natural remedies. Anyone tried this approach?
Peace!

 

[Ulter]

Here's your problem, as if you didn't alread know. Your doctor probably isn't going to know anything about supplements because he only knows what's written in the PDR or what drug company sales people have told him. A doctor only needs 6 hours of nutrition in medical school to graduate. Bet you didn't know that.
When we submitted Glucorell R to the pharmacist at AARP for review the first time he declined it and said it wasn't tested in humans and so it was unsafe. So we had to send him the literature of all the studies on humans, inform him that it has been used in Europe by diabetics for over 20 years, and also that it is a natural occuring anti-oxidant. Another pharmacist refused it because it wasn't FDA approved. We had to point out to him that the FDA doesn't regulate supplements. These are 2 pharmacists whose job it is to know these things because it's their job is to review supplements.

But lets assume your doctor is brilliant in the field of dietary supplement pharmacology. And yes homeo's are great at this.
I think the strongest case you can make is for Glucorell R. The health benefits of this supplement are close to miraculous. Glutamine would be next, then Neurogenex. Neurogenex may be a hard sell though because it's a complex formula for him to figure out. Alcar, flax, and Taurine are also good choices.

 

[pluto1]

Thanks Ulter, I surmised as much, but before I headed down the road I thought I would vent the issue here. I believe it is very possible to find an M.D.(one who works out consistently) who understands the benefits of taking certain supplements, such as those you listed, and in turn is willing to write script based on a person's deficiency (as opposed to overall maintenance).
Peace