Frisco's trusted Ob-Gyn, Jonathan Weinstein, MD, FACOG of Frisco Women's Health covers our concerns about generic and prescription medication.

Prescription or Generic?

In general, I am a big fan of generic medication for one big reason they are much less expensive.  With the rising cost of healthcare premiums and the lower amounts of coverage, being provided at even higher deductibles this is the only way to keep people from going broke.  The elderly in particular, are the hardest hit because often they take multiple medications.  My dad takes ten medications and Medicare may pay for half.  Unfortunately, some day we are all going to get old so this will affect us at some time.

Pharmacists trying to change your medications at the counter stating, “they don’t make that particular prenatal vitamin anymore” or “we don’t stock that medication anymore”, all to increase their profit margin. Multi-million dollar companies like CVS or Walgreens that can have the medication by the next day.  Bottom line these companies make a lot more money selling you a generic and they are pressured by the insurance companies to push generic medication.

What are the FDA Requirements?

You may be surprised.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows for 20% variance (less or more) in dosing for generics compared to the branded equivalent.  For example, if you get 100 mg of a brand medication you may get 80 mg or 120 mg of the generic pill.  What dose do you think the generic company is going to put in the pill?  My guess is 80 mg.

When Should I Avoid Generics?

As an OB/GYN, there are only two occasions where you should try to avoid generics.  One is low dose birth control, if you take 80% of a low dose birth control pill your breakthrough bleeding and risk of pregnancy can go up.  The other is prenatal vitamins, which have specific amount of folic acid dosing to prevent birth defects among a number of other vitamins and minerals that help your baby’s growth and brain development.

Birth Control

Luckily, branded low dose birth control pills are usually available with coupons from your OB/GYN's office and help offset additional cost. Providing you the piece of mind of branded birth control at a reasonable price.

Over-the-Counter Prenatal Vitamins

Did you know over-the-counter vitamins are not regulated by the FDA?  Three years ago 20/20 did a study taking 10 different OTC vitamins all with the same dosing.  The results showed variations of up to 100% in the dose, meaning some of the pills did not even have the vitamins described in them.  Look on the bottle there is no FDA seal.  It is just like those commercials on TV that say in small letters, “these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA.” Learn more about prenatal vitamins during pregnancy.

Newly released, Dr. Weinstein's Pregnancy FAQ's, covering vaccinations during pregnancy, labor signs, exercising during pregnancy and more...

In America today, seven out of ten people are looking for an easy, proven solution for weight loss. Our health costs are soaring because of obesity, heart conditions and cancer and the majority of people report they are experiencing some degree of insomnia. Continued health concerns in the Plano and Dallas area like depression, weight loss, insomnia, stress relief and pain management can be minimized and eliminated without the use of prescription drugs. Hypnotherapy has come back into the spotlight in Dallas for natural alternatives for patients concerned about harmful side effects of prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs. The success rate has soared to over 90% for patients participating in hypnotherapy and cold laser treatment.

"This has, without a doubt, been one of the more positive experiences in my life. Not only do I see my goal weight in sight, but I have the tools to acheve it and maintain it. Most importantly, I have regained my positive outlook, and really like myself again."

-Barbara Well (2011)

Hypnosis is not new. It was accepted by the American Medical Association before 1960. It has recently become more popular due to television programs like the Mentalist and Complementary Physicians like Dr. Oz who promotes wellness and prevention. Decades ago, we've proved if we change the way we feel about something, it is changed in your mind and in your behavior. Hypnosis does just that.

With new combined treatments like hypnosis; cold laser therapy and supplements, the old myths and concerns still arise from curious patients.

Common concerns are answered directly by Jhon Whitaker CHt DCH PhD, owner of Metroplex Hypnosis and Cold Laser Therapy;

Do I ever lose control of my mind or will?

Absolutely not, You are always in control. You enter the REM (rapid eye movement) level of consciousness, just before you slip into sleep. You can hear everything that is going on, many people do not remember much, so it is recorded for you. You can then listen to it while you sleep and make permanent change while you are in REM.

Can I get stuck in Hypnosis?

No! You can come out of Trance State anytime you wish. Most people enjoy the profound relaxation so much, they choose to remain in Hypnosis as long as possible. The worst case scenario is you could drift into a deep sleep, from which you would waken and feel rested.

Am I a candidate for Hypnotherapy?

You must be willing to change. Although everyone is capable of being hypnotized, strong willed individuals respond best to hypnosis. Humans are habitual, each day you wake up and brush your teeth, you automatically follow a pattern. That is you subconscious mind at work. You can easily train your subconscious mind can be trained to make the changes you need in your life.

Can be Hypnotized?

Common concern, before Dr. John Whitaker personally discusses options with her new clients she asks they take a quick, easy Hypnotherapy Test. A quick survey can tell you your chances of success with her programs...more FAQs for Hypnosis. You must be willing to change and have an open mind and reasonable intelligence.

Jhon Whitaker CHt DCH PhD, owner of Metroplex Hypnosis and Cold Laser Therapy, has built her practice around helping educate her clients about living the happiest life possible. Visit her for a free 20 minute consultation and feel free to look through the stacks of success stories laying in her lobby.

Visit her website for more information on her programs serving the Frisco, Plano, Little Elm, Richardson, Grapevine, McKinney and surrounding areas.

Please take the Hynotherapy Evaluation Test.

Next, schedule your free consultation by calling her office 972.934.7066.

Metroplex Hypnosis and Cold Laser
Plano TX 75093 Suite 800
972.934.7066

Frisco Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Christine Stiles offers The Natural Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation & Breast Reduction to her patients!

I am Pregnant & live in Collin County, so which Hospital has the Best Nursery for my Baby?

As an OB/GYN practitioner in just one hospital, Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, my patients occasionally express concern about the nursery, having heard the hospital down the road was better. Of course, for most patients the level of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nursery (NICU) will never be an issue, as their baby will be born perfect.

Unfortunately, what they hear is what is being advertised? ‘So and so said that the big hospital down the road has a Level III Nursery,’ I see it plastered on area billboards. The truth is the NICU at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco is also a Level III Nursery but is smaller, which to me is a huge plus as you really do get to know the nurses and doctors, in addition, any nurse in the NICU could tell you about any baby there. I have experienced this myself as I went in to the NICU to check on one of my babies several months ago and was greeted by nurses who gave me an immediate update on a baby I delivered; it had been slow to transition to breathing air. The baby only stayed in the NICU for two days and when the family came to visit me in the office a week later they had nothing but wonderful things to say about the nurses and excellent care given to their baby.

Concerning the Neonatologists (pediatricians, with fellowship training in intensive care), it so happens the Baylor Medical Center at Frisco’s Neonatologists are the same physicians who cover the bigger hospital down the road. I also know that there are different levels of Level III NICUs according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

I was reminded of this recently when one of the first patients I delivered in Dallas came to see me for her second child, now two years later. She delivered at Baylor downtown (Level III NICU, academic institution, nationally recognized) and the baby was diagnosed with meconium aspiration syndrome (baby had a bowel movement in utero). For two days, I visited the family, baby and spoke with Neonatologist daily. On day number three, the Neonatologist said the baby needed to be transferred to Children’s Hospital for ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), a specialized respiratory machine only available at Children’s, obviously a higher Level III Nursery with more experience. The baby was transferred and I spoke with the parents daily. Two days after the baby transferred, it was off the ventilator, it did not require ECMO and was ready to go home. Where would be the best place to have your baby if he or she was sick in Collin County, a children’s hospital, like Children’s Hospital of Plano.

Like everything I do in guiding my patients as a medical professional, I always practice as if each patient was my own family member. I could have privileges at the big hospital down the road, but why? Baylor Medical Center at Frisco is a women’s hospital that delivers babies and does elective surgeries like the da Vinci robot-assisted hysterectomies, that is it. There are no adult medicine floors with chronically ill patients, medical or surgical intensive care units. These locations often carry with them the worst, most resistant bacteria known to medicine.

So the next time someone tells you to deliver at the big hospital down the road because of the Nursery, think again. If your baby needs extra help from the Level III NICU at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, you are in good caring hands. Oh, one more thing, if your baby should require additional medical care, it will be transferred to Children’s Hospital of Plano, which is where I would want my child to be.

I hope this article was instrumental in allaying any fears about where you should have your next baby in Collin County.

My staff and I are always available to answer questions. Just like many of you, my family was new to this area, less than two years ago. If you need advice like, who is the best specialist or primary care doctor? Feel free to give us a call (972) 668-8300. Frisco Womens Health is a family oriented office where we treat everyone like family, and no, we do not have any financial investment in any medical facility.

To your continued health,

Jonathan Weinstein, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

5575 Warren Pkwy, Ste 116, Frisco, TX 75034

Baylor Medical Center at Frisco Professional Building I

Jonathan Weinstein, M.D., a Frisco Ob Gyn Doctor at Baylor Medical Center at Frisco, cares for patients that come from Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Allen, Dallas and surrounding cities for all their obstetrical and gynecological needs.