Try something new to keep your brain young

Research shows that learning new things helps keep the brain sharp. Read a book, build something, weed the garden and plan your new plantings, learn a new language or explore a subject you always wanted to know more about. Meet new people and socialize with your friends--cultivate people who disagree with you on politics, religion or other controversial topics and learn to hold your own in a civil discussion/debate. Whatever you do, DON"T VEGETATE. Use it or lose it!

Maxacaiburn keeps on TAKING

It seems that hidden in the small print are trial memberships to 2 monthly subscription weight-loss support programs. I got charged by both because I didn't know to cancel them. Call BEFORE they pick your pocket.

888-332-2707 monthly charge $3.24

888-779-5303 monthly charge $7.14

Once the charge hits, it's NON-refundable.

got my refund from Maxacaiburn

I called them the Monday after the Post Office confirmed delivery of my return. they checked the tracking code and issued me a refund authorization code. They said the money would take 5-10 days to arrive in my account--but I had it the next day. Case closed.

Followup on Maxacaiburn

Called them this morning and gave them my post office tracking number. They see it's in transit, but won't refund my money until the post office confirms delivery. Next update when it arrives. The way they work, I can't recommend trying the product unless you are willing to pay for at least one month's supply. The "free trial" costs a lot more than $4.95 shipping and handling.

Maxacaiburn trial very expensive

I tried the 14 day trial for $4.95 shipping and handling. When I called to cancel future shipments, I was told to return the unused portion (32 capsules out of 60). It had to be returned insured and with a tracking #. That cost me $3.94 at the post office. The company has since charged me $58.76 while my return is still on its way to them. This is the ONLY time I have ever tried a trial offer and been told to return the product. The recording on their cancellation toll-free # says to give your unused portion to a friend to try, but once you reach a service rep, they tell you to return the product or pay! So, a $4.95 14 day trial has now cost me $67.65 and I only used 28 capsules. They are closed for the weekend, so I'll have to wait until Monday to contact them. Will I get my money back? I'll let you know.

Dr. Frank's Pain Relief Spray

I saw the ads for this homeopathic remedy and decided to try it. Unfortunately, I'm not one of the people it works on. But they were so cooperative on refunding my money--except for shipping costs--that I'm still recommending the product. If it works for you, like it works for the people in their ads, you'll wonder how you got along without it. If not, send it back for a refund. All it will cost you to try it is the shipping charge. I bought the 400 spray bottle and a 200 spray bottle. I sent back the larger bottle, and was credited for both.

How Much is YOUR Doc Being Paid to Drug You?

From The Daily Dose By Dr. Douglass
Earlier this week I spilled a lot of ink on the shady goings-on between the guys who make prescription drugs and the ones who prescribe them. But it wasn't the first time I've blown the whistle. And as I've told you before, these kinds of industry ties are especially strong among the psychiatric docs.

Over the last few months, Minnesota, Vermont, and Maine have been in the spotlight — not because they're any worse than the other 47 states, but because they're actually required to document that sort of thing.

As you might expect, their record-keeping has been anything but stellar. But it's amazing what you can find when you're looking for it. Last year in Minnesota, psychiatrists who took the most money from drug makers just so happened to prescribe those drugs more often than other doctors.

And in Vermont, as drug company payments to psychiatrists doubled from 2005 to 2006, antipsychotic medications jumped to become one of the highest expenses of the state's Medicaid program.

I'm sure last year's numbers aren't any worse than any previous year's. But once the AP got wind of it — and made it national news — the Minnesota Psychiatric Society decided it needed a scapegoat in order to save face. Dr. John E. Simon was an easy target.



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Last year, Simon received over a quarter million dollars in "speaking and consulting fees" from various drug companies (including Eli Lilly, maker of such household names as Prozac, Cymbalta, and Cialis). Now, Simon is stepping down (he says it's voluntary, I say yeah right) from a panel that advises the state on drugs for low-income families — even though he says the money he received had no bearing on the decisions he made on the committee.

In an attempt to adopt a farther-reaching solution, the Minnesota Department of Human Services is taking the first steps to keep questionable connections to a minimum. Their solution: To get the panel members to reveal any conflicts of interest and then abstain from voting on any "related matters that could come before the committee."

But wouldn't that require integrity on the part of the doctor? I'm not saying psychiatrists don't have any… but if the issue here is a question of ethics (financial ties influencing policy-making decisions), I have my doubts.

You might not ever be in front of the panel, but you do get an audience with your doc or shrink. Before you take any anti-depressant drug, ask why… Why at all? Why this one? Then take the prescription and toss it in the trash on your way out the door. There are much safer, easier ways to stay sane. For starters, try St. John's wort. It's a proven, safe herbal treatment available in almost every supermarket.

Maintaining my sanity (barely),

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.