Lessons Learned from One Entrepreneur on Vioxx

For the past ten-months, I tried every drug from the popular Vioxx, Celebrex and Aleve, to the long-standing Percocet, Ibruprofen 800, with some other fabulous ones like Fexeril, Ulltram, Naproxyn, and Antevert. (And, this is my short list).

I hate drugs and I try very hard to keep them out of my body. For example, for five years I was either pregnant or nursing so I knew the whole "What class is this drug in?" drill.

Unfortunately, there's a time and place for everything. To help manage my physical and "mental" pain, I had to wean my baby right after my car accident, so I can try some of these "Wonder Drugs".

[Note: My doctors prefer that I acknowledge my "neurological" pain. I developed an inner ear disorder (benign vertigo and post concussive syndrome) due to whipping my head around. I do not have any "mental" problems. I guess they're right, because "Psycho-Ponn" existed long before my accident :-)]

Lessons Learned From Taking the Infamous Vioxx. Tips Every Entrepreneur Should Apply to Their Business:

? If it's too good to be true?it is. I hated what Vioxx and what other hard-core pain killers like Percocet did to me: they'd be knocked out. How the heck can I watch my girls if I'm sleeping? Solution: I stopped taking them immediately.

? Trust your gut-instinct.Years ago, one family member was addicted (in my opinion) to Vioxx when they had knee surgery, and another one said he couldn't bare his back pain without this "wonder drug". I was suspicious way back then.

? Listen to yourself?even if the "professionals" say it's Okay and Test. I'm seeing so many different doctors, that I'm accustomed to asking, "Are you sure I can take these together? Even though one says "can cause dizziness" and the other says "to prevent dizziness"? I chose to try them separately, then, together. You have to run the trail and error tests yourself to really know what works.

? Educate yourself. If you're not getting the answers you want, you need to do the research yourself. I wouldn't have taken care of my benign vertigo if I relied on what I was told rather than what I learned through my own efforts.

? Limit yourself & Find Moderation. Don't wait for your doc to say "taking too much Naproxyn & Ibruprofen can give your liver damage?it's time for a new drug". Too much of anything is bad for you. Finding alternatives to a bad thing is not always a good-thing either. I have non-drug days and all-drug days. Just find your happy-medium.

? Believe in yourself. I don't care how many people don't believe in you (even your loved ones), or how many annoying remarks or huffs you get. If you know in your heart that you can be better?be prepared to walk this road alone.

? Never give up. Be heard and build your power network. Now, that you're listening, educating, testing, limiting, and believing in yourself?hang in there?you will be heard. I would've never seen the "specialists", if I didn't tell my story a million times. You need to work your way to the people who already believe in you and your mission. Persistence and patience pays off.

? Empower Yourself. Can't find the tools, resources, or community to share all your great discoveries? Well, then?do it yourself. I did at EmpowerWomenNow.com

So, there you have it. If you're not already doing all the above to catapult your business, than prepare for a quick entrepreneurial death.

I wasn't going to let drugs rule or take my life away. Yeah; I'm still taking a bunch of them but, I control them not the other way around.

As for my business, if you haven't heard of Ponn Sabra until today...viola: I made my point.

Don't agree? Then blame it on my being "high" on drugs, I don't care. I'm living!

A note to family members of those who died or those presently suffering: Drugs are addictive. So, fight hard. The above principles are tips for business entrepreneurs, not for your fight for justice. Share your stories and empowerment (men welcomed) at EmpowerWomenNow.com, and let me if there's anything I can do to help you.

(C) 2005 Ponn M. Sabra, MPH

Ponn M. Sabra, MPH is the Author of "Empowering Women to Power Network". To learn more about her book and sign-up for FREE tips, articles and resources, visit her at http://www.empowerwomennow.com . Ponn is profiled in Marquis' Who's Who of America and Who's Who of American Women.