Month: July 2015

Caregiver Tips I Missed *What I Know Now*
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Caregiver Tips I Missed *What I Know Now*

Looking for the Light7 Comments

I wrote the post on 12/23/2009, and Gramps died a year later. Many people are finding themselves in a caregiver role. I’ll post several of my experiences as a caregiver.  Breath. 

As mentioned in an earlier post I care for my 92-year-old grandfather, I’ve been here for five weeks. Here are a few lessons I missed in the Caregiver 101 manual.

Ask the doctor what happens if the procedure does not work.

If a second procedure fails does not work, is there a third option.

What is the recovery time and what type of home health services are needed?

Is the surgery needed for a 92-year-old who is already dying?

Gramps went in for non-invasive surgery, but nothing prepared me for the outcome. I’ve been through many surgeries with my grandfather. The procedure had not been performed before however it was non-invasive. It actually sounded like the least complicated procedure to date. I forgot nothing is normal or non-invasive at 92 years old. We went from going home that afternoon, to having three surgeries over the next seven days. I made the mistake of thinking the procedure would go as they had in the past. Age makes all the difference, just five years at this stage in life can change everything.

I’m blessed to spend this time with my grandfather. We still have a long road ahead. It is very emotional and tests my patience. I’ve become the parent and he doesn’t like me telling him anything especially when to take his medicine. He has raised his voice more in the past month than in my lifetime. It’s hard to take it in stride. The stress has triggered my depression so I struggle to keep myself in check and take care of my grandfather.

XO M

Men & Womens Health

Care of the Adult Patient after Sexual Assault *NEJM Report*

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New England Journal of Medicine

Care of the Adult Patient after Sexual Assault
Judith A. Linden, M.D.
N Engl J Med 2011; 365:834-841  September 1, 2011DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp1102869

This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the author’s clinical recommendations.

The author, Judith A. Linden, M.D. has written one of the most comprehensive medical reports on the care needed after Sexual Assault. The report is quite long, I’ve included the link.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1102869

If interested in receiving their newsletter www.nejm.org

XO  M

Celebrate Life

Throw Back Thursday * Three of My Favorite Rock Love Songs *

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The songs make me feel loved or falling in love. Wonderful Tonight is my number one tune. The words are beautiful and that’s how I feel every time. Stay the Night by James Blount paints a picture of getting to know each other and falling in love. Edge of Ecstasy by John Mayer speaks for itself. Drop a line tell me what you think of the songs. I would like to hear from you. Grab a drink of choice and be ready for something different.   XO  M

Men & Womens Health

TED Talk: Meet The First Women To Fight On Front Lines of an American War

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I hope you’re eyes opened as much as mine. This is a tremendous change in policy. A policy now able to see the value of women on front lines. Some mixed feelings are swirling in my head. Time will tell if women are treated as equals. There other thoughts I’m not ready to express now, I need more time for all to sink in. I pray for justice for all and punishment on either sex if disrespectful.

Survivor

FDA Investigate Serious Side Effects Of Codeine In Children’s Cough And Cold Medicine

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FDA MedWatch – Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
07/01/2015

Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Surgery, Patient

ISSUE: FDA is investigating the safety of using codeine-containing medicines to treat coughs and colds in children under 18 years because of the potential for serious side effects, including slowed or difficult breathing.

Children, especially those who already have breathing problems, may be more susceptible to these serious side effects. In 2013, FDA warned against using codeine in children who recently had surgery to remove their tonsils and/or adenoids.

In April 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that codeine must not be used to treat cough and cold in children under 12 years, and that codeine is not recommended in children and adolescents between 12 and 18 years who have breathing problems, including those with asthma and other chronic breathing problems.

FDA will continue to evaluate this safety issue and will consider the EMA recommendations. Final conclusions and recommendations will be communicated when the FDA review is complete.

BACKGROUND: Codeine is a specific type of narcotic medicine called an opioid that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and also to reduce coughing. It is usually combined with other medications in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cough-and-cold medicines.

RECOMMENDATION: Parents and caregivers who notice any signs of slow or shallow breathing, difficult or noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness in their child should stop giving their child codeine and seek medical attention immediately by taking their child to the emergency room or calling 911. Parents and caregivers should always read the product label to find out if a medicine contains codeine and talk with their child’s health care professional or a pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns. Health care professionals should continue to follow the recommendations in the drug labels and use caution when prescribing or recommending codeine-containing cough-and-cold medicines to children.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts

FDA Investigate Serious Side Effects Of Codeine In Children’s Cough And Cold Medicine
Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical

FDA Investigate Serious Side Effects Of Codeine In Children’s Cough And Cold Medicine

Looking for the Light19 Comments

FDA MedWatch – Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
07/01/2015

Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Surgery, Patient

ISSUE: FDA is investigating the safety of using codeine-containing medicines to treat coughs and colds in children under 18 years because of the potential for serious side effects, including slowed or difficult breathing.

Children, especially those who already have breathing problems, may be more susceptible to these serious side effects. In 2013, FDA warned against using codeine in children who recently had surgery to remove their tonsils and/or adenoids.

In April 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that codeine must not be used to treat cough and cold in children under 12 years, and that codeine is not recommended in children and adolescents between 12 and 18 years who have breathing problems, including those with asthma and other chronic breathing problems.

FDA will continue to evaluate this safety issue and will consider the EMA recommendations. Final conclusions and recommendations will be communicated when the FDA review is complete.

BACKGROUND: Codeine is a specific type of narcotic medicine called an opioid that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and also to reduce coughing. It is usually combined with other medications in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cough-and-cold medicines.

RECOMMENDATION: Parents and caregivers who notice any signs of slow or shallow breathing, difficult or noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness in their child should stop giving their child codeine and seek medical attention immediately by taking their child to the emergency room or calling 911. Parents and caregivers should always read the product label to find out if a medicine contains codeine and talk with their child’s health care professional or a pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns. Health care professionals should continue to follow the recommendations in the drug labels and use caution when prescribing or recommending codeine-containing cough-and-cold medicines to children.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts

Melinda

Survivor

TED Talk Steve Silberman: The Forgotten History of Autism

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This short video taught me more than I can digest on Autism. Every parent needs to watch, the signs of bad behavior can also indicate symptoms on the Autism Spectrum.  XO M

One in every 68 people is on the autism spectrum — a condition that, even just a few decades ago, was rarely diagnosed. To understand the history of autism, says writer Steve Silberman, we have to go back even further, to an Austrian doctor by the name of Hans Asperger, who published a pioneering paper in 1944 on the “little professors” he was working with. Asperger’s paper was buried by war and time — and much crueler theories of autism prevailed. Follow Silberman’s journey as he uncovers the lost history of autism. (This talk was part of a TED2015 session curated by Pop-Up Magazine; @popupmag.)

 

 

Men & Womens Health

American My Home Sweet Home *Military Families You Are Not Forgotten*

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DC FLAG_edited-2copy.jpeg

 

The American flag is a symbol of freedom. Freedom we have enjoyed since the birth of our country. Military families have made sacrifices every time called to duty. If your boots are on the ground, you’re on my mind. We want you on American soil soon. A hug to all who’ve fought for our freedom. You are not forgotten! Sending a laugh.   XO  Melinda