February 23, 2010
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In this month's issue:
It's time for a Giveaway!
Buying Medication or Supplements Online?
Say what?! Pulsatile
It's time for a Giveaway!
Last month you received the 75th edition of the ezine, HeadWay. And this month I'm finally getting on ball and starting the party! We're going to celebrate with a giveaway. Sure, I could wait until the 100th edition, but we could celebrate again then, couldn't we? :)The winner will get a US$75 gift certificate to Vitacost.com or Drugstore.com (winner's choice). All you have to do is enter here (with your normal HeadWay password, nomoache). Tell us what you appreciate about HeadWay, how it's helped you, something along those lines.
The 20 best answers will be entered into a draw for the gift certificate. The winner will be announced the following week at Headache and Migraine News, and then in the next edition of HeadWay.
You only have one week to enter - the contest closes on the 2nd of March - so head on over there now!
Buying Medication or Supplements Online?
You've noticed, of course, that the winner of our giveaway will receive a gift certificate to a place where you can buy supplements and drugs. What about that? Is it a wise use of money and time to buy online? Or is it risky - far to dangerous?There's no doubt that a lot of business is done online. Before we get into the downside, what are the advantages to using the internet in this way?
- Variety - of course you usually have a much wider variety of products online. It's possible you can get a more specific product that will have a much better chance of helping you.
- Time and convenience - this is one of the biggest reasons people shop online. Having what you need delivered to your door - in some cases even on an automatic schedule - is very attractive. No searching for things in crowded isles.
- Savings - a lot of people just want to save money - that's certainly one of the big reasons I buy some of these things online (though all these reasons apply!).
- Scams - quite simply, there are straight out scams online (remember this one?). Supplements that make great claims but could actually be harmful. Bottles that claim to contain one drug, but they really contain a lesser amount, or dangerous additives. Fake testamonials. Fake research.
- Standards - If the provider is in your country, and they're legal, they will comply with the same standards anyone selling the same products needs to comply with. But if they're from out of the country, they may have different rules, or may not be regulated at all. Again, this may mean slightly different levels of medication, or simply poorer products than what is standard in your country.
Should I buy online?
I do, and here's why. If you're buying from a trustworthy source, you get all the benefits and none of the downsides. A trusted, legal outlet online follows the same rules as any brick-and-morter drugstore. In fact, they may be even more strict and safe in many cases.So how do you avoid the dangers and get the benefits?
- If possible, always buy from a large, well established site. Obviously, Vitacost.com and Drugstore.com are examples.
- Check for certification. In the USA, for example, sites selling medications are certified with the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) or LegitScript. Companies such as Vitacost which are more focused on natural products and supplements do not need to be VIPPS certified, but they may have other certifications. Pharmacy certification in other countries include groups such as CIPARx (Canada) and the RPSGB (Great Britain).
- Check the contact information. Is there an actual phone number?
- If you're buying drugs that need a prescription, the website should always request prescription information.
- Always talk to your doctor before taking any drug or supplement, no matter how "natural" or "safe" it claims to be.
- Is the site brand new? Or has it been around for a long time? Who links to it? Is the product you're looking at mentioned elsewhere on the internet? A good place to start your investigation of a website is here. Ask in forums (but remember, it's easy for unethical sellers to plant false information in forums. Check with people you trust!).
- If the site is focused on a specific product, does it sound too good to be true? Is it claiming a "cure" for migraine?
- Can you find the actual ingredients of the product on the site?
Summary
Buying online can be an wise, stress-free choice. But don't buy whatever from whoever. Stick with well-established sites or recommendations from people you trust. And always check with your doctor before taking anything new.Say what?! Pulsatile
Pulsatile means having a pulsating quality - pulsing to a rhythm. Migraine attacks often include a pulsitile pain - a throbbing pain. Tension-type headaches are often a more steady pain, and not pulsatile.Thanks for reading! Remember, if you have feedback or ideas for future issues, visit the HeadWay MailRoom. Your password is nomoache.