My HMO now covers Mevacor (Lovastatin) while I have been using the much more
expensive Zocor (Simvastatin), which is still not covered.
Is there a substantial difference in efficaciousness between Zocor vs
Mevacor? I am trying to reduce my high drug costs for Zocor.

A vein on my hand into which anesthetic was fed via an IV tube during
a colonoscopy three weeks ago is still not only painful but hard/rigid
and noticeably larger along a half-inch stretch. Over the phone the
doctor just says apply warmth, but this bulbous hardness strikes me as

On Friday, I lifted a 50# item and hurt my back badly (lower left side). I
rested and it was MUCH better on Saturday. So, the lawn needed mowing. I had
some problems with the lawn mower and my back went out again, this time the
lower right side.

Medical patience
Patients often think they are allowed too little time in the office
— especially for a routine physical examination — and
aren't given enough information about medicines or tests prescribed.

Fluoride Causes a Close Call for an Area Child  
(KAAL)--  It looked like Kool-Aid...it tasted like bubble gum...so he
swallowed it.
Tonight a northern Iowa couple is thankful their 3-year-old son

Three mos. ago i had an abdominal aortic aneurysm repaired, the resulting
incision scar is from my breastbone to my groin. I noticed a few days ago that
i have a lump about the size of a pea, just to the side of the scar. The only
reasom i can think of is a stitch gone astray. Any ...

Last summer, I started having the worst itching in my rear end that I'd
ever experienced.  Basically, from the base of my scrotum and all the
way back from there would itch terribly, and the skin there would be
slimy-feeling (sorry, gross but true...).

This is a short note to inform you that the DVD footage of the entire
International Longevity Conference (Sydney, Australia, 2004) has
become available now:
http://www.longevity-international.com/DVD/

What does $cientology want from you?
The answer is simple. They want your MONEY. They want all the
money you have. Once they have you hooked on their "auditing"
(very expensive counselling techniques sold through high-

Hi, over time my blood pressure gauge (needle) is totally off "zero".
There is no indication in the manuals on calibration.  It was an
expensive one top quality - I've heard others have similar problems.
Is it possible to calibrate?!  I've tried moving the needle back to

It appears to me that something pretty disgusting is taking place on the
internet with dispensing of prescription drugs, including narcotics.  My
understanding is that to dispense any prescription drug, requires a
"good faith" examination. This virtually always happens, at least the

   Has anyone went to one of the Mayo Clinics? Their website looks good,
and mentions test and treatments I've never heard of. Again, if there is a
better newsgroup to ask this question, please let me know.
Thanks,

Are there certain medications that an otolaryngist is not allowed to
prescribe? Are there certain medications that they just won't
prescribe? Like would they prescribe anti-depressants for a patient?
Or what about medications such as Xanax?

Times (London)
May 21, 2004
Thousands carrying hidden CJD timebomb
By Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor