This Safety Announcement from the FDA came out over a year ago yet I read every day about patients being refused refills or quick tapering off of Opioids causing serious withdrawal symptoms.

This happened to me at the beginning of the pandemic. I didn’t want to go into the office for a urine sample instead offered to go to the local lab where I had already been and knew their safety protocol. I was clearly told I had to come in or the doctor would not refill my medication.

I was given two weeks’ worth of medication and told to g find another doctor. That is not being a responsible doctor! I filed a complaint with the Medical Board but they said it was within his right to require I come to the office.

We have to keep raising our voices loudly every chance we get to our government officials, policymakers, and the FDA, NHS, or other governing bodies that pain patients are not being treated properly.

Get involved and make sure to always file a complaint every time you are not treated professionally as a Pain Patient.

FDA Drug Safety Communication 

Safety Announcement

[4-9-2019] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports of serious harm in patients who are physically dependent on opioid pain medicines suddenly having these medicines discontinued or the dose rapidly decreased. These include serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, psychological distress, and suicide.

While we continue to track this safety concern as part of our ongoing monitoring of risks associated with opioid pain medicines, we are requiring changes to the prescribing information for these medicines that are intended for use in the outpatient setting. These changes will provide expanded guidance to health care professionals on how to safely decrease the dose in patients who are physically dependent on opioid pain medicines when the dose is to be decreased or the medicine is to be discontinued.

Rapid discontinuation can result in uncontrolled pain or withdrawal symptoms. In turn, these symptoms can lead patients to seek other sources of opioid pain medicines, which may be confused with drug-seeking for abuse. Patients may attempt to treat their pain or withdrawal symptoms with illicit opioids, such as heroin, and other substances.

Opioids are a class of powerful prescription medicines that are used to manage pain when other treatments and medicines cannot be taken or are not able to provide enough pain relief. They have serious risks, including abuse, addiction, overdose, and death. Examples of common opioids include codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone.

Health care professionals should not abruptly discontinue opioids in a patient who is physically dependent. When you and your patient have agreed to taper the dose of opioid analgesic, consider a variety of factors, including the dose of the drug, the duration of treatment, the type of pain being treated, and the physical and psychological attributes of the patient. No standard opioid tapering schedule exists that is suitable for all patients. Create a patient-specific plan to gradually taper the dose of the opioid and ensure ongoing monitoring and support, as needed, to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms, worsening of the patient’s pain, or psychological distress (For tapering and additional recommendations, see Additional Information for Health Care Professionals).

Patients taking opioid pain medicines long-term should not suddenly stop taking your medicine without first discussing with your health care professional a plan for how to slowly decrease the dose of the opioid and continue to manage your pain. Even when the opioid dose is decreased gradually, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal (See Additional Information for Patients). Contact your health care professional if you experience increased pain, withdrawal symptoms, changes in your mood, or thoughts of suicide.

We are continuing to monitor this safety concern and will update the public if we have new information. Because we are constantly monitoring the safety of opioid pain medicines, we are also including new prescribing information on other side effects including central sleep apnea and drug interactions. We are also updating information on proper storage and disposal of these medicines that is currently available on our
Disposal of Unused Medicines webpage.

To help FDA track safety issues with medicines, we urge patients and health care professionals to report side effects involving opioids or other medicines to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of the page.

Additional Information for Patients

Additional Information for Health Care Professionals

In Health,

Melinda

My legs from my thighs down to my toes spasm 24/7, I choose not to take medicine because who wants another addictive medication. Pain medication does not make the spasms go away. I have to wait until the sleeping medication kicks in and try to ignore during the day.

I think of who I once was and who I am now. Both have an upside, it’s a shame the two can’t meet. The empathy and patience I have now would have seerved me well when I was younger.

If I had friends would they understand? Time and distance already created a divide. How would we reminisces over the good times knowing the chances of me traveling to see them or travel again is unlikely.

Would I be strong enough to support my husband if the tables were turned? Could I be there as he has for over ten years, taking care of me every day, worrying about my health, wondering what diagnosis will come next.

My goals have been completely adjusted, a different mindset is required. I push myself each day to accomplish as much as possible but forgive myself if something has to wait until the next day. It will still be there, there aren’t many task so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow.

I have to make self-care a priority every day. Taking care of myself is great for my mental health, my self worth and my spirit. I do the smallest things to make my day brighter.

COVID has not changed my world, I didn’t leave the house except for doctor and lab visits and a daily Starbucks run. You should see the Clorox bath we go thru before leaving the drive thru lane. We take our dogs, it makes them happy and they always make me smile peering out the window at the Starbucks employees.

Guilt, frustration and anger are not my friends but are my daily reality.

In Health,

Melinda

From the website of

In conjunction with traditional pain management, there are a number of self-management strategies that can help reduce pain levels and improve your quality of life. Don’t underestimate your ability to have an impact on your health and pain levels!

Here are some areas where lifestyle changes can help improve pain:

1. Activity modification
2. Exercise
3. Diet and nutrition
4. Sleep hygiene
5. Stress reduction

ACTIVITY MODIFICATION

Restricting or modifying your activities may seem obvious, but it can be difficult to adjust when you’re used to being able to do certain things a certain way. It can take many years of trial and error to identify your body’s limitations and specific triggers for pain, and then to find strategies to work with or around them. Be patient with yourself as you explore your body’s limits—and abilities.

You will need to determine what your limitations are, but perhaps it’s that you need to lie down for 10 minutes every two hours. Or maybe you find you can go for a 30-minute walk, but you need to allow 30 minutes of rest before and afterward. Perhaps you need a standing desk instead of a seated one to work at your computer comfortably. As you get to know your body, keep in mind there is a fine balance between getting appropriate rest and recuperation—and keeping up your strength, mobility, and stamina as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to get creative with accommodating your body’s needs. Investigate assistive devices, like braces or mobility tools, such as canes. Consider adaptive technology, too. For example, if typing on a computer is challenging, you may want to look into dictation software.

Occupational therapists can be very helpful in coming up with solutions for keeping up with your daily activities and continuing to do the things you enjoy. If you work, ask your manager about getting an assessment from an ergonomics specialist. Remember that you have a right to reasonable accommodations for your health in the workplace.

EXERCISE

As difficult as it is to get yourself moving when you have chronic pain, it’s also extremely important. Here are four key reasons to get moving:

1. Maintaining a healthy weight. Excess body weight puts extra strain on your joints, muscles and organs.
2. Cardiovascular health. Too little activity can result in disabling cardiovascular conditions, from orthostatic intolerance to heart disease. Your body already has enough to deal with with chronic pain – don’t add heart, circulation, and lung problems to the list!
3. Strength, flexibility, and stamina. Chronic pain can negatively impact your strength, flexibility, and stamina, which in turn increase your pain and level of disability.
4. Endorphins! Aerobic exercise produces endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that act as your body’s natural painkillers.

Start small and increase the intensity of your workout as your body allows. Remember that any exercise is better than nothing at all; just do the best you can. Here are some ideas for exercise to get you started:

• Yoga or tai chi. Some types of yoga are directly tailored to individuals who have physical limitations. Try searching for a YouTube video for “Restorative yoga,” or “chair yoga.” Tai chi is also a fabulous, gentle way to encourage flexibility and stability.
• Aquatic exercise. Pool therapy is great for those with musculoskeletal problems. It provides a gentle, low-impact way to get a workout. You can try your own exercises, find a group class, or a physical therapist who specializes in designing one-on-one aquatic exercises. Some pools are heated, to make it even easier on your joints and muscles.
• Even a short walk is good! Turn on your headphones and listen to a podcast or audiobook to help distract and encourage yourself.
• Short bursts of cardio. Science has shown that even one minute of all-out exercise has benefits. The key is to get your heart rate up and your blood bumping. Start small with a few minutes of exercise and build up slowly. Chronic pain-friendly cardio ideas include using reclining bikes and elliptical machines.

Please note: we recommend checking with a clinician before beginning any exercise program to ensure it is safe for you.

DIET AND NUTRITION

A thoughtful, balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy weight, reducing inflammation, and getting important nutrients that support your overall wellbeing. Some people find that certain types of diets lessen their pain, such as an anti-inflammatory diet; a vegetarian or vegan diet; a paleo diet; a gluten-free diet; and so on. Explore different diets to find out what works for you!

Regardless of whether you follow a specific set of guidelines surrounding food, here are some key principals that hold true:

• Eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as humanly possible.
• Limit extremely sugary and processed foods.
• Avoid foods with “bad” fats, like trans fats and saturated fats.
• Eat more foods that have “good” fats, like fish, avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
• Stay hydrated. The Institute of Medicine recommends 7 liters (15 cups) for the average adult male and 2.7 liters (11 cups) for the average adult female.

If you’re interested in extra help with your diet, consider meeting with a licensed nutritionist.

SLEEP

An estimated 50 percent to percent of people with chronic pain have ongoing sleep difficulties.[1] Studies show that inadequate sleep, however, can exacerbate pain.[2] Here are some tips for ensuring you get a good night’s rest despite pain.

• Establish a routine.Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day—even on the weekends—reinforces the natural sleep-wake cycle in your body. You can also help reinforce bedtime by establishing a wind-down routine, e.g. by taking a bath, meditating, reading or listening to soothing music.
• Create a restful environment. Turn on white noise, use ear plugs, invest in comfortable bedding, and keep the room temperature cool. Exposure to light is especially important: dim or turn off the lights in your house 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. The light from cell phone and TV screens can also interfere with circadian rhythms, so shut down all devices as you prepare for bed.

• • Watch what you eat and drink. Caffeinated products—like tea or coffee, chocolate—anything containing nicotine, or any other stimulants should be avoided for at least four to six hours before you plan to go to sleep. Even alcohol, which initially makes you feel tired, makes it harder to get high-quality sleepy. Furthermore, heavy meals and too many fluids before bed might keep you up because you are uncomfortable or need to use the bathroom.
  • Get tired! Napping during the day can interfere with sleep at night. If you must, limit your snooze to 30 minutes, and give yourself at least four hours between the nap and bedtime. In addition, exercising during the day helps tire out your body and can foster better sleep at night. Try to work out at least a few hours before bed, if possible.

Still struggling? Ask your doctor about meeting with a sleep specialist.

REDUCE STRESS

Pain increases stress, and stress increases pain. But you can break this cycle by proactively trying to reduce stress wherever possible. Multiple studies have shown that reducing stress and relaxation techniques can improve overall health and wellbeing, and may even reduce pain or improve the perception of pain.[3]^,[4]

Some examples of stress reduction techniques and strategies include:

• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, visual imagery, and mindfulness
• Music, art or dance therapy
• Journaling
• Exercise
• Support groups
• Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy

Generally speaking, reducing stress with chronic pain also requires:

• Pacing yourself to allow for sufficient rest and recovery;
• Learning to say no and putting your health first;
• Focusing on the things you can do and not what you can’t;
• Communicating clearly with your loved ones about your needs and challenges;
• Letting go of guilt and shame surrounding pain.

For more advice on managing stress when you have pain, find a psychologist, counselor or life coach in your area.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27208716

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26498229

[3] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/070674370805300402

[4] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022399909000944

In Health,

Texas Ambassador

Melinda Sandor

Want to know the facts? When it comes down to it, Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition where nerve signals produced in the brain cause widespread muscle pain and tenderness. Fibromyalgia can also often bring fatigue, disrupted sleep, memory issues, and changes in mood.

As of now, pain management is the only way to find relief from this condition, as there is no known cure for Fibromyalgia. Some common ways to help control the symptoms of Fibromyalgia include medications, talk therapy, and stress reduction.

According to Healthline.com, CBD is commonly used to ease chronic pain symptoms and reduce inflammation, as an alternative to taking opioid prescriptions. CBD is not suggested to be addictive or have any serious side effects like opioids.

What is CBD?

Want to learn more about CBD? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural occurring, non-intoxicating, Cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of types of Cannabinoids, some found in both plants and mammals. As you read this article, your body is generating its own cannabinoids. CBD is not the same as THC. THC is the intoxicating and psychoactive Cannabinoid found in cannabis that gives a “high” effect. CBD does not get you high, and CBD products have little to no THC in them.

Our bodies are designed to self-heal when operating at their best (homeostasis). However, like a car, the more strain or stress your body goes through, and the older you get, things may stop working. When this happens, your body is not as good at healing itself as it once was. This can be brought on early by sicknesses, chronic pain, mental health disorders, and more.

Often, substituting cannabidiol (CBD) instead of pharmaceutical drugs provides a safe, more natural approach to finding relief from your ailments. Using natural cannabinoids can help revive your body’s natural ability to fix itself by initiating an increase in the production of organic compounds vital to maintaining health and balance.

These organic compounds interact with one of your body’s best-kept secrets—the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Its purposes range from neuroprotection to regulation of your immune system, impacting appetite, sleep, mood, pain, and promoting overall balance.

CBD, Fibromyalgia and the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved CBD as a treatment option for Fibromyalgia or most other conditions.

According to Medical News Today, “Only a few studies have looked at the effectiveness of CBD in treating Fibromyalgia. Researchers cannot decisively say why the compound appears to reduce some Fibromyalgia symptoms, but there are some strong theories that are still being tested in research. They also do not understand why it works in some people and not in others. A review from 2013 states that cannabidiol (CBD) can help to relieve pain caused by Fibromyalgia and other conditions, including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).”

There are currently no published studies on Fibromyalgia that look at the effects of CBD on its own. However, some research does look at the effects of cannabis, which may contain multiple cannabinoids, on fibromyalgia.

Studies:

A 2019 study assessed any clinical improvement attributable to the addition of medical cannabis treatment (MCT) to the standard analgesic treatment of Fibromyalgia (FM) patients, the retention rate, and any changes in the concomitant analgesic treatment over a period of six months. This observational study shows that adjunctive MCT offers a possible clinical advantage in FM patients, especially in those with sleep dysfunctions. The clinical improvement inversely correlated with BMI.

A 2011 study looked at 56 people with Fibromyalgia who did not respond to current treatment. Significant relief of pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence, and perception of well-being was evaluated before and 2 hours after cannabis self-administration was observed.

 A 2009 review found that CBD can be used to relieve neuropathic pain and suggests it might be a useful adjunct to other pain medications.

What CBD Products are Best for Fibromyalgia?

With a limited number of studies, it’s impossible to say right now which CBD products will work best for Fibromyalgia. One thing studies have shown is that it can vary from person to person. In many cases, the best way to find the right CBD product for you is simply trial and error.

Generally speaking, individuals who may only need occasional relief from aches and pains in specific areas may be satisfied with a CBD pain cream. For others looking for relief from stress, anxiety, sleep disruptions, mood disorders, and overall balance, a CBD tincture spray incorporated into a regular wellness routine may do the trick. Combining the two could do wonders.

If you’re wondering about edibles, capsules, and other CBD products consumed through your stomach and digestive tract, the simple answer is that these prove to be less effective than Topicals and Tinctures.

One of the biggest factors to consider in the performance of CBD products is the thoroughness that the CBD is absorbed into your bloodstream.

This is why Redeem Therapeutics is focused on providing the very best Tinctures & Topicals (essentially this means oils and lotions). By avoiding gastrointestinal administration completely, you get maximum effectiveness.

Where Can I Find the Most Effective CBD Products?

When it comes to CBD, you want to find a brand that you can trust. That’s why I recommend Redeem Therapeutics.

Redeem Therapeutics is a manufacturer of CBD products based in South Carolina. From seed to sale, their all-natural CBD products are carefully crafted locally in the Carolinas. Redeem Therapeutics is my go-to CBD company and has been generous enough to allow me to offer all followers a 15% discount with the code LFTL15.

Redeem™ is focused on providing natural alternatives with pharmaceutical precision.  The Redeem™ Team has the scientific discipline of more than 60 years in the pharmaceutical industry. They adhere to cGMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), utilizing audits, process validation, and cleanliness controls to produce a clean and precise product every time. All of their product batches have been tested by a 3rd party and it’s easy to find the test results on any product that you purchase. Their CBD products are vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

I highly recommend that you visit Redeem’s online store and use my 15% discount, LFTL15 to get 15% off your first purchase. Browse their website and you’ll find a large amount of CBD resources to help you on your journey.

I love their products so much and I’m positive you will too! I became an affiliate because I genuinely love this product and refer people to their products all the time. I do make a little money which helps cover the cost of buying products so I can continue to review them for you! Please let me know if you try them out and how it works for you!

This post is provided in part by Guest Blogger: Redeem Therapeutics. Check out their blog at https://redeemrx.com/blogs/news.

Moving to a new home can often seem like an absolutely enormous task, as there are just so many different responsibilities you have to think about at any given time during your project. Luckily, keeping calm throughout your home move needn’t be as difficult as you might think, as there are a few simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure everything goes to plan. So, if you would like to find out more about how you can take the stress out of your move, then read on to uncover some of the best steps that you can follow now!

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

Struggling through such a large task by yourself is bound to become a laborious and draining exercise, so you needn’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether you reach out to family and friends to ask a favor or seek some specialist professional support, don’t make the mistake of tackling every step on your own. You can find friendly estate agents to help you uncover the ideal property, visit a reputable vehicle relocation site like https://carsrelo.com/ that can transport your car to your new home, hire some handy tradesmen to tackle any decor or engineering tasks, and even enlist the services of a stylish interior designer!

Plan Every Detail 

Far too many people make the mistake of simply diving headfirst into a home move by facing different tasks whenever the dire need arises, but one of the best things you can do to reduce your stress is to plan each and every detail. It’s a great idea to take a notebook or utilize a digital alternative on your smartphone, writing down each task (such as payment deadlines, move-in dates, change of mailing addresses, etc). Search online to find inspiration for what to include on this list, as there are many helpful resources that can help to make sure that you don’t forget any of the essentials. You can tick off each task as you go to encourage you to stay motivated and identify which steps remain to reach your ultimate goal. 

Take Some Time Out 

Moving to a new home can be a totally consuming process, as it’s such a huge life change that will no doubt affect the way that you lead each day. Letting yourself get too involved with your move will raise your stress levels and inspire you to think of nothing else, so you should take some time out every now and then to relax and unwind. Whether you decide to have a long hot bath, a session of meditation, or a walk around your local park, just having the opportunity to take your mind off your project will do you good. 

Keeping calm when moving house has never been so simple when you are able to make the most of the top tips and tricks detailed above! Stay cool and collected whilst you start a new chapter. 

This is a collaborative post.

In health,

Melinda