Did anybody else see Dr Oz on Friday?

Friday I was visiting my aunt in hospice and while the aids were making her comfortable I wandered into the family lounge where the television was tuned to the Dr Oz show.  He had some soap opera stars on as guests and they were asking health related questions.  One of the guests said he had a friend with Hepatitis C and asked if there was any cure that was an alternative to interferon/ribavarin.  I was absolutely shocked by the response.

Dr. Oz stated that HCV was passed by sexual activity.  He then gave some information about cirrhosis and showed healthy liver tissue and cirrhotic liver tissue and described the difference between the two tissues.  Then he said that for liver health people can just drink milk thistle tea!

I think we should all contact Dr Oz about this.  His remark about sexual transmission (he never said anything about blood borne pathogens or anything else, just that its transmitted sexually) was bad enough, but then he gave the audience the idea that milk thistle tea is a cure.  This is so wrong and so misleading.  People who watched that show will come away with completely false ideas about the disease, how to protect themselves from it, and how to treat it.

Please consider emailing the Dr Oz show and asking him to correct these false impressions.  Maybe he could do a show about liver disease and give some accurate information.  Lots of people watch that show and they should at least be told the facts.

[nygirl7]

You know this is not the first time I've heard of him giving some very, very innacurate information.  For a man who pretends he is an expert on every subject under the sun (isn't he a heart surgeon in real life?) I would think he would get his writing staff to check out what he is reading to a natinal audience and whether it's completely and totally WRONG or not!

While it's certainly true that there are plenty of snake oil salesmen online, I'm sure we could email him en masse but his opinion would surely be "it's only the internet, these people aren't doctors or experts in anything and I am a world famous doctor and television personality!!!"

I remember when going to my GI and I had made the mistake of saying how I had learned about Berg via an internet forum and boy oh boy that doctors head spun around as if I had said it was learned via listening to a Beatles album backwards.

At the end of the day we are just a forum on the internet after all.....we could try it but like I said I'm sure his opinion wouldn't differ any - it's only the net after all and there all sorts of kooks and crazies out here (even if HE is the one who doesn't know his Dr. azz from his elbow!)  ;)

[nygirl7]

There are lots of examples if you google Dr. Oz Wrong:

Riva Greenberg: Dr. Oz, How Did You Get It So Wrong?Feb 17, 2010 ... Countless in the diabetes community are stunned, and livid, about the hurried and confusing information that was delivered on the Oprah show ...
www.huffingtonpost.com/.../dr-oz-how-did-you-get-it_b_461466.html -
-----------------
Bee Advocates Miffed With Dr. Oz's Misdiagnosis - Washington ...Aug 27, 2009 ... Oprah's Dr. Oz shocks beleaguered bee advocates by making up the ... "When doctors make claims so wildly false, so absolutely wrong in ...

[charm27]

I saw this about 2 weeks ago. I cringed at what they were saying got aggravated and shut it off. I was overwhelmed at the inaccuracy of it all.

Made me sick.

[Marcia2202]

Idiots... if they don't know the facts, they should just shut up. Why is it so difficult for people to admit that they don't know stuff, if they don't. There is so much ego going on, it's amazing. You would think that a Dr. would know better. It is dangerous to pull things out of you a§§... on national tv.

[GoofyDad]

I lay the blame at the feet of the viewing public. Generally, as a population, we don't care much whether our news is acurate, whether medical or political. Consumer demand drives what gets broadcast, and if people cared about accuracy and accountability, that wouold be reflected in the programming.  

That said, since this man is trading on his status as a licensed medical doctor, he does of course have his own set of responsibilties.

  

[nygirl7]

He reminds me of Dr. Drew and if you've ever watched Sober House well........that show is as fake as a three dollar bill.  I think they should be held much more accountable as 'Doctors' then they are.  Most people are cows and just follow along with the herd - if he's on tv he MUST be smart right?

[susan400]

I did contact Dr. Oz several months back and asked him to do a show on Hep C.  I'm glad I've since stopped watching him and happened to miss Fri.'s episode or I would have been p*ssed off.  I have to admit that I do watch Celebrity Reha w/Dr. Drew AND Sober House just because I like to watch the shows, not because I actually believe that T.V. doctors don't say and do alot of stuff for the effect!  Of course they do!  If they actually were accurate, they probably think they'd lose viewers, you know?  I'm so frustrated by everything!!!  Susan400

[Fmulder]

I think Dr. Drew said something similar, There was a "House MD" episode where a mafia guy had Hep C, They said it was from gay sex!, Unbelievable!!!

[Lady Lauri]

I am furious! And very busy today but have just typed a letter to 'want to have a myth debunked' on Dr. Oz web site. I will post it when I am done!

[Lady Lauri]

This sh*t, like the Dr.s that missed mine for TEN or more yrs just infuriate me!

[Lady Lauri]

http://www.epidemic.org/
On this now, getting more facts!

[Lady Lauri]

And I hope no one minds I signed "Lauri and fellow med help members".


On the show on April 16th Dr Oz clearly stated that .....
"Hep C is passed by sexual  activity" which is no where near the facts that need to be presented in this disease! The rate of sexual transmission is 1-3%, and even that is being questioned AND referred to as 'abnormal sex' in that transmission. It IS transmitted through blood borne pathogens. It is believed that 4.5 million Americans are infected with this disease. That statement alone could cause thousands NOT to get tested.Millions are walking around, unaware, while it is silently killing them. We are teachers, nurses's, accountants, engineers, mothers, sisters, daughters, sons, fathers and brothers.  And while I/we are aware of and use milk thistle for liver health, it is NOT wise for anyone with Hep C to be under the impression that it's a 'cure all' for Hep C symptoms and over all health. We, thousands, millions, of us, are FIGHTING for Hep C awareness every day.  We have written your show on numerous occasions and asked for a show on the facts and myths about Hep C, along with the stigma we deal with every day. That one statement on public television just pushed us back years in Hep C awareness and FACTS. Millions saw it. Please read here...
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-Social/Did-anybody-else-see-Dr-Oz-on-Friday/show/1222470, then read more on the medical side of this web site. See the many that ARE cured and the desperate need for awareness and the facts. Hep C IS a silent killer of millions. Most don't get diagnosed for years. It is missed by Dr after Dr until it has done irreparable damage or death. I myself went to Dr.s for 10 yrs and was continually told "you are fine, great weight, your look great, good blood work, your just depressed, it's hormones'....and so on!  I have been shocked and appalled at how little my own Dr.s know on this disease. It was an acupuncturist that finally caught my Hep C. I was half way to cirrhosis even being a moderate drinker and NO drugs. I immediately started the viral chemotherapy and am now SVR (sustained virological response) 'cured'. My liver can repair, I AM one of the lucky ones in this.There are too few 'lucky ones' in this disease. Name ONE other disease that is so common, an epidemic, yet missed by so many Dr.'s, never diagnosed. There are far too many that are not, due to lack of testing AND awareness.
This disease can be transmitted via IV drug use, blood transfusion (though that is rare now), tattoo's, even nail salons far more than through sex! Just those two comments alone on your show last Friday can seriously hurt many with this disease. And it is long over due that SOMEONE did a show on Hep C awareness and the facts and myths.
We, and I am sure that I speak for many, are asking that you correct those statements and requesting a show, for millions to see, to get the facts and awareness to the public. It could save thousands of life's!
"The Silent Epidemic, Hep C"
" We stand at the precipice of a grave threat to our public health.....it affects people from all walks of life,in every state, in every country. And unless we do something about it very soon, it will kill more people than aids."
  C. Everett Koop, MD.
Former U.S. Surgeon General

Very Sincerely, Lauri **** and fellow Med Help members

[nygirl7]

I watch Dr. D every week (Sober House and Celeb Rehab) even though I know most of the stuff done in there is for effect (like would tom and Heidi REALLY be encouraged to be in the same place at the same time? Gah!) it's soap opera tv and it's fine with me.

What is not fine is these doctors playing around on their shows giving advice to people that seems like it comes down the Mount from God himself and then they are wrong.

Lauri's letter is excellent. Like I said since it's only the internet I doubt that he will pay attention but boy I'd sure LOVE to see that!!!!!!!!

[Lady Lauri]

  comes down the Mount from God himself and then they are wrong. .........
Yes, and right now he's the total 'in' Dr, 'God' type!

I'm sending that to other areas of the sight, any I can. Maybe even Ms. Oprahs, as she plugged him, perhaps she'll think "oh sh*t, this needs corrected" and cause a stir.
I was rushed in it, but it'll do!

Dr. D is a realty show, he's not handing out medical advice, short of 'don't be an alcoholic or addict", etc. I've  wondered tho, in my past dealings with young addicts, trying to find rehabs for those without $100,000. to get in, what he'd do with some of those, that can't pay? As he's making millions off of addicts and his biceps :)  In Fla. there are FEW. And half are BS 'free' rehabs.
Better stick to the subject on the thread, lol.

LL

[jdwithhcv]

Thanks Lauri, great letter.  Perhaps it will get noticed.  We may be only the internet, but we can make our voices heard.  I think its a great idea to send letters to Oprah as well since she has this guy on her show from time to time.  Maybe Dr Phil as well, as he frequently refers to the Dr Oz show, and sometimes has him on as a guest.

If we can correct some of these misconceptions that are broadcast far and wide on these shows, perhaps a few people will learn where the real risks lie, and will protect themselves.

He who saves a single life, saves the world entire.  Thanks again Lauri.

jd

[nygirl7]

I thought Oprah found him and made him famous like Dr. Phil and Martha Stewart - if so you better believe she owns a huge piece of that pie!

The thing I don't like about stuff like Sober House and Celeb Rehab is those people are paid to be there......that to me says a lot since most of them are washed up D list actors and musicians you know?

Anyhow as Lauri said better stick to the original thread LOL!  ;)

[tashka]

That is a great letter. I could not say it better myself. You expressed my thoughts, but in a much better way then I would.

It really upsets me to see the DOCTOR, who perpetuates such ignorance-and on TV too, for millions to see. If doctors give such false information, what can be expected from your average person? I don't watch much TV, but this is just horrible, totally false, and unsupported by any scientific evidence.

[susan400]

It makes me burning mad, too!  I happen to know of a friend of mine who got it from a blood transfusion from when she lost a whole lot of blood during her giving birth to her premature son.  It was before they had the blood tests to wean the Hep C out of the blood donations.  She was a completely 'innocent victim', if I can even use such a term.  None of use purposely set out to get Hep C and Dr. Oz could have just of easily been infected himself through blood exposure from one of his own operations!  Wouldn't that be odd?   Not that I'm saying that I would ever wish that on anyone, because I wouldn't.  Sigh.....

Need I say more?

Susan400

[child24angel]

Great letter !!

Susan 100% agree with you

[RCM829]

I don't usually come over to the social side of the Hep C forum but I really had to comment on this one.
Thank you for sending your letter on all of our behalfs. That ANY doctor (especially one on daily broadcast television) is giving out such blatantly inaccurate medical  information is so disturbing. Grrrrr!

[Isobella]

Thanks for the post.  I missed the show, but now my blood is boiling over it.

Nice letter, Laurie.  An inspiration to do the same.  

Isobella

[IAmTheWalrus]

Well put Lauri! Thank you for expressing my sentiments and undoubtedly others' sentiment as well. I hate it when this kind of myth is propagated. You would certainly think that an MD would be a little more careful about his basic facts. What a set-back for the cause of fact-based behavior in our society. Truth gets buried when there is a catchy story to tell, I guess.

Brent

[IAmTheWalrus]

I just posted a couple of straight up questions to him on his website.

Is it really true that Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted sexually?

Is it true that milk thistle tea will cure viral hepatitis?

Maybe if he gets enough questions he will hire someone to read up on the facts and publish them.

[mj6000]

There is one group where it is spread sexually much easier,it's gay men that are also HIV positive who practice unsfe sex.

[Lady Lauri]

All, thanks for the thanks ;)

mj6000....that's probably in the 'abnormal sex' area (not a dig! Just sayin')
Anal sex tearing tissue more, etc. But even then, blood has to be in the semen (??)
(It's a medical site, thats medical!)
But think about it, how many may be sharing other things in that, be it razors, needles, coke straws, etc. So even that is probably low. (and 'low' being enough reason to practice SAFE sex) I know a lot of gay guys, none with either honestly.
  
  I'm going to resend that sucker till they reply! Also going to do a few questions like Brent is. Maybe I am missing something, but I found no place to send a letter on Ms. Oprahs site?

LL

[WriteItDown]

I know you're not trying to make a dig, but why do we need to label sex as "abnormal"?  I mean, don't many of us get crap all the time from other people who judge us because of HCV? So why not just say "sex that causes blood to be exchanged" or something like that, which isn't implying that gays or whomever are somehow perverts?

Just a thought.

[Lady Lauri]

Writeit.....your preaching to the choir, I have a very close family member that is gay, I have watched him suffer many times in others ignorance.
Whenever you see "  " enclosing a word or phrase, it is a quote, not always my phrase, word. I was simply quoting what is often said in sexual transmission. A lot of hetros have the same sexual activity. Just a quote.

LL

[WriteItDown]

Oops, sorry, guess I have brain fog myself and didn't notice the quotes!

[Diane12855]

I think we all should send our comments to Dr. Oz. Maybe they will pay attention if they notice many different sources writing about the same subject.

[susan400]

I've decided after watching many of Dr. Oz's shows that his basic favorite topics are:  Poop, Weight issues and Sex.   Anything else that comes up on his show gets about 3 min. out of the entire hour long show.  That's my opinion..   Susan400

[annieCinMD]

Oy Vey! Do I have to write another letter? I fired one off to Dr. Nancy Sniderman for her epic blunder on the same subject. Hate it when doctors go spouting off bad information on national television and the internet. No wonder there is so much stigma still attached to this disease.