Are You Taking Medication as Prescribed?

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/

Medication adherence, or taking medications correctly, is generally defined as the extent to which patients take medication as prescribed by their doctors. This involves factors such as getting prescriptions filled, remembering to take medication on time, and understanding the directions.

Common barriers to medication adherence include

• the inability to pay for medications
• disbelief that the treatment is necessary or helping
• difficulty keeping up with multiple medications and complex dosing schedules
• confusion about how and when to take the medication

Poor adherence can interfere with the ability to treat many diseases, leading to greater complications from the illness and a lower quality of life for patients. Here are some examples of areas in which medication adherence can pose challenges, along with tips for taking medications correctly and talking with health care professionals about your questions and concerns.

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No Squeezing Today on National Handshake Day

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Lisa Copen

Rest Ministries www.restministries.org

Many of you may look at that title, and think… “Uh, what is the big deal?” But if you live with any kind of painful condition where your hands are easily hurt, or you have a chronic illness and germs spreading to you can be a concern, the simple handshake can turn into a big deal.

But as the arthritis worsened, I didn’t squeeze back I just put my hand out and cringed that people may think I was a wimpy girl that didn’t know how to properly shake hands.

And then… it started feeling like people were crushing my hands. I would walk away with tears on the rims of my eyes. The handshakes were often from men who really had no reason to squeeze any woman’s hand that hard. It seemed like some odd way to show off their strength, but it left me thinking less of them for practically bending my (wedding) ring.

How important is it to shake hands? According to CNN Employers are more likely to overlook body piercings than a bad handshake!

But how many of us really want to say, “I don’t shake hands. I have _____,” and go into an in depth explanation of our chronic illness or pain when people really don’t care?  I’d love to hear your solutions!

My temporary solution turned into one of over ten years. I offer my left hand, palm side down. It’s still a kind gesture. Though the CNN article does call a left-handed handshake “The “southpaw.” But they says it “happens when the person uses the left hand to shake because the right hand has food or a drink.”

When I reach out and grab the other person’s right hand, no one in American tends to even think I am waiting for a kiss on the top of my hand.

When they stretch their hand out, I smile and keep talking and extend my hand to theirs, curling my fingers over the top of their fingers just slightly and then taking my hand back.

To be honest, it throws them so off, they forget to squeeze it! Yet, I don’t have to give an explanation, nor do I appear rude. A little odd maybe, but that’s okay with me!

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Almost everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. But for as many as 4 million U.S. adults, teens and children, the fatigue is crushing, unrelieved by rest and accompanied by a constellation of other punishing symptoms. They suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (or CFIDS). Its symptoms are debilitating enough to destroy good health and active lifestyles, end fulfilling careers and devastate families.

More people suffer from CFS than MS, lung cancer or AIDS. Yet 80% have not been diagnosed by a medical provider. Preliminary studies indicate that for CFS, as with other chronic conditions, early detection, diagnosis and treatment ultimately yield better health outcomes.

If you think you may have CFS, use the “Do I Have CFS” questionnaire for an assessment that will familiarize you with the symptom patterns and exclusionary conditions that lead a health care provider to make a CFS diagnosis.

Disclaimer:
The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. does not dispense medical advice on the diagnosis or treatment of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS) or similar conditions. This questionnaire is provided only as a source of information to site visitors about the symptom patterns and exclusions that can lead a health care provider to make a diagnosis of CFIDS/CFS. The CFIDS Association of America assumes no liability for any medical treatment or other activity undertaken by readers. For medical advice, please consult your personal health care provider. http://www.cfids.org/default.asp

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We all know that forgiveness is a virtue. Still the question remains: “Why is it so hard to forgive?”

I believe there are typically three main roadblocks to forgiveness.

First, there’s the inability to see our own mistakes and imperfections. If we are unable to see our own faults and mistakes, how can we possibly move toward forgiveness in our relationships? We must first be able to admit that we are not perfect and that we are capable of hurting people we love.

Second, there’s unresolved anger. Unresolved anger is a major hindrance to the healing power of forgiveness. If we refuse to let go of bitterness, rage, or hatred, we are holding on to very destructive forces. These forces are in direct contrast to the power of forgiveness, and they cannot exist together.

Finally, there’s a misunderstanding of what forgiveness is. Many people have great misconceptions about what forgiveness is, and therefore they struggle with it. Delusions about forgiveness are dangerous because they are not the truth. The truth will always set us free. But if we believe the lies about forgiveness, then we will refuse to forgive.

Forgiveness is key in creating loving relationships.

© Copyright 2004 Smalley Relationship Center

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 Voice Your Concerns about Pain Meds Access

Let your voice be heard! The Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing on pain medicines could severely limit your access to pain meds.  You have an opportunity to have your voice heard by sharing your comments about the needs of people with pain to improve quality of life and to reduce their sense of suffering.

It is difficult enough to live with pain, it shouldn’t have to be so hard to find appropriate treatment.  For many, pain medicines are one of the necessary tools in moving from patient to person.  Let your voice be heard . . . it will make a difference!

According to the FDA, REMS for certain opioid drugs is a strategy to manage a known or potential serious risk associated with a drug or biological product.

For prescribing of certain pain medicines, REMS will require:

• Healthcare providers to have particular training or experience
• Pharmacies and practitioners to be specially certified
• Drug(s) to be dispensed to patients only in certain healthcare settings
• Safe use be documented through laboratory tests
• The patient using the drug to be enrolled in a registry

read more…

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How do I find happiness?

Smiles and laughter begin in the heart and soul. People can be overwhelmed with trouble, but according to Solomon, a truly cheerful face comes from a merry heart.

What in your relationship with God is keeping you from contentment and peace in your heart?

Gary (& Norma) Smalley
Editor, Smalley Relationship Center

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We Don’t Communicate Enough!

Have you ever gotten stuck in a conversation unable to express your true feelings? Effective communication can be very complex. If you go into it expecting things to flow easily and without a lot of effort, you’re just kidding yourself. I recommend that you adjust your expectations from “simple” to “complex,” especially in three key areas:

It takes talking and listening to capture the skill of communicating effectively. Practice may not always make perfect but it sure improves your changes to get there!

Gary (& Norma) Smalley
Editor, Smalley Relationship Center

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Many people with interstitial cystitis (IC) and their physicians are turning to physical therapy to help ease IC symptoms and pain.  This kind of therapy is especially helpful if you have pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).

• Hands-On Therapy
• Helpful Tools PTs Use
• Find a Knowledgeable PT
• Paying for Therapy
• Education and At-Home Programs
• Order the Physical Therapy Brochure

Many of the urinary, bowel, or sexual symptoms IC patients can be signs of PFD, including:

• Urinary urgency, frequency, hesitancy, stopping and starting, painful urination, or incomplete emptying
• Constipation, straining, pain with bowel movements
• Unexplained pain in your low back, pelvic region, genital area, or rectum
• Pain during or after intercourse or orgasm

read more…

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(WebMD)  For the treatment of pain, Americans rate massage as highly as medications, a new survey shows.

Conducted by an independent research firm, the annual survey is the ninth commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

It shows that one in five U.S. adults got a therapeutic massage in the last year. Three-fourths of them would recommend it to others — one reason for the body therapy’s growing popularity.

Among those who actually had a massage in the past year, 28 percent say massage therapy gives them “the greatest relief from pain.” Another 28 percent say medication gives them the greatest relief. Chiropractic comes in third at 11 percent, followed by 8 percent who got the most pain relief from physical therapy, 3 percent who said acupuncture was best for their pain, and 1 percent whose pain best responded to biofeedback.

read more…

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The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed “Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality,” or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
 
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
 
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

 
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with: 1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers’ Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. 
 
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your attention!

- GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee mail’.  

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