Monday 28 February 2011

Skeptical about cure-alls

OK so here is what I have ran into and what people have sent me, sites that claim to cure all, that claim to lower you pain, free you from fatigue and financially bankrupt you, that usually are just people on a power trip, people who are misguided, people who are just plain greedy.


http://www.fibrofix.com/ is a favourite:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=50735111668&topic=19565

Anne Hillebrand
FIBROMYALGIA'S *MEDICAL MAVERICK


*is not a medical professional but a former sales rep

It is wonderfully ironic that Anne has a buyer beware section in which she claims

Frequent use of bold lettering and all caps.




"A lot of text with many of the words in red and/or highlighted in bright yellow.

Empathetic language showing how they understand what you’re going through and how much you are suffering.

Lots of personal stories and testimonials from people whose lives have been changed by using this product.

References made to research proving their claims, but no links provided to the actual research."

Which all point to her site! (See picture)

NEXT ONE: I ran into www.foodsforfibromyalgia.com  natural solutions to stop pain & fatigue...the disclaimer says it all:
The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice or medical care of a qualified health care professional and you should seek the advice of your health care professional before undertaking any dietary or lifestyle changes. The material provided on this website is for educational purposes only. 


So please be aware when searching for help with your fibromyalgia. The best page on help is the UK page: fibroaction & NHS Conditions Fibromyalgia
 

6 comments:

Chronically Claire said...

Looks like fibrofix is disabled...... :-D

Just zis Guy, you know? said...

How can you be so harsh? It's clear to everyone that homeopathic dilutions of miracle mineral solution are the only cure for morgellons! Or something.

Chronically Claire said...

Wow I looked up morgellons....yup 30C of MMS seems the only cure....or anti-psychotics!

Unknown said...

I wonder how many of these quacks are just nutters and how many are shameless con men. How many actually buy into their own BS and how many know that they are actually hurting people at the same time as ripping them off.

Stephanie said...

Quite a few of them are bonkers. Take the guys who claim that you can feel better from the common cold by "strengthening your immune system". Pure bullshit.

Tongue-in-cheek: You could say that MMS is a cure-all. It "cures" almost every illness by killing the patient!

Rehan Qayoom said...

There are endless such websites and bogus companies offering miracle cures. I have even seen similar websites that do refer to academic peer-reviewed journals that don't even exist or are so obscure that even a google search will yield zero results i.e. they don't exist. I'm quite sure most of the testimonials are from people who don't exist either. Oli could not put it any better.

Stephanie's comment reminds me of a Persian verse:

Ta taryaq az Iraq awrda shud
Mar gazida murda shud


[By the time the antidote arrives from Iraq it would not be
For it to cure my disease but to bring a corpse back to life
]