This has been a question of mine for some time now. Several years ago, I was given an incorrect prescription of an opiod for pain. I knew it was incorrect and wasn't going to take any of the pills. But what do I do with that medication? Throw it in the garbage and have the potential for someone else to get their hands on it? I guess pain sometimes negates rational thinking because at the time I never thought about flushing it down the toilet. And if I did, I might think -- and pollute our water?
Well, the FDA has provided the answer with updated guidelines on how to dispose of medications. There is a list of medications that are OK to flush. If a drug is not on that list, the best way to dispose of it is to crush it and mix it with something gross like kitty litter. Now that makes sense.
Read the article here: Disposal by Flushing of Certain Unused Medicines: What You Should Know
Now you know too! I'm off to a chronic pain support group -- a new one that meets less than a mile from my home. It's at a local wellness center. Today's topic is water therapy. I'm always interested in finding new ways to deal with pain.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
I got my H1N1 vaccine - grandson due in 5 weeks
I'm now medically prepared for the arrival of my grandson mid-December. Today I got my H1N1 vaccine. Last month, at my regular doctor appointment I got the seasonal flu shut, but finding the H1N1 vaccine was a lot tougher.
My pregnant daughter was part of a study of the vaccine in pregnant women. So, she's pretty serious about making sure everyone who comes in contact with her son is healthy.
I've been waiting and watching for weeks to find the vaccine around here. Wake County, NC, did hold a few clinics earlier this week, but they were only open to certain groups of people. I actually fit in the priority list -- I will be helping with a newborn, but it's difficult to stand in line (besides my pain being a deterrent) when I'm not pregnant or don't have a small kid.
Finally, my doctor received a small number of vaccines and knowing about the coming grandson, I made her list. Hooray for primary care physicians who care!
Now, I'm protected and counting down the days till I'm a grandma!
My pregnant daughter was part of a study of the vaccine in pregnant women. So, she's pretty serious about making sure everyone who comes in contact with her son is healthy.
I've been waiting and watching for weeks to find the vaccine around here. Wake County, NC, did hold a few clinics earlier this week, but they were only open to certain groups of people. I actually fit in the priority list -- I will be helping with a newborn, but it's difficult to stand in line (besides my pain being a deterrent) when I'm not pregnant or don't have a small kid.
Finally, my doctor received a small number of vaccines and knowing about the coming grandson, I made her list. Hooray for primary care physicians who care!
Now, I'm protected and counting down the days till I'm a grandma!
Monday, November 9, 2009
American Pain Foundation -- can I help?
Last Friday, I spoke with Darisse, North Carolina's volunteer leader with the American Pain Foundation. She was a captain in the Army and a helicopter pilot until she hurt her back. Like me, she feels that the chronic pain has forced her to re-look at who she is now. I enjoyed our conversation and want to work with people like her.
Why the APF? I like their web site and believe in their mission and vision. The organization has been around since 1997 and serves people with pain through information, advocacy and support.
Is there anything I can do to help? Darisse is looking for people to help spread the word in NC. We had a great talk and I got very excited about the idea that I could help and maybe make a difference to someone who is struggling with pain. Then I started to look at their web site again.
Where to start? What can I really do? It's almost overwhelming. I definitely think now (finally) I can be a positive representative of "People with Pain" and just need to find my place. I'll keep looking for my specific place.
For now, I hope you will take a minute to visit the American Pain Foundation's website, because like they say -- people with pain have a right to timely, effective, appropriate pain management.
Why the APF? I like their web site and believe in their mission and vision. The organization has been around since 1997 and serves people with pain through information, advocacy and support.
Is there anything I can do to help? Darisse is looking for people to help spread the word in NC. We had a great talk and I got very excited about the idea that I could help and maybe make a difference to someone who is struggling with pain. Then I started to look at their web site again.
Where to start? What can I really do? It's almost overwhelming. I definitely think now (finally) I can be a positive representative of "People with Pain" and just need to find my place. I'll keep looking for my specific place.
For now, I hope you will take a minute to visit the American Pain Foundation's website, because like they say -- people with pain have a right to timely, effective, appropriate pain management.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A web site finally ... mostly
Welcome to the T5 website ... finally. I've been working on this site for months. Motivation ... lacking. Direction ... lacking. Purpose ... lacking. Talent ... diminshed. I could have titled this "I'm not as smart as I used to be." I used to whip out projects that involved writing, creativity and details. Not so much anymore. I decided to upgrade from the lackluster FrontPage for web site design to the most popular tool -- Dreamweaver. Wow. I sucked it up and bought the entire Creative Suite. It can do anything ... if you can figure it out. Finally, I figured out ... the basics.
Current status on T5, the book? The book is written and I am doing my final editing before turning it over to a professional and unbiased editor. I had put the manuscript on the shelf and was contemplating if just writing it was enough ... or did I really need to print/publish it. I've decided. It's time to at least print enough copies for friends ... and then get started on my next project (I already have the name, but I'm not telling yet).
The blog? I always have something to say about my back, but since I was just writing for myself, I put it in my journal instead of a blog. Now that I'm ready to move on the actual book, it's time to get back to blogging about T5.
The web site? Too many details in html for me. You forget one letter or make one typo and the whole site doesn't work. Way too much brain power needed for a person in pain. It's amazing how much energy I spend on pain and trying to control it which results in me not being as smart as I used to be. I just don't think as detailed anymore. But I got a simple site published and now I'll take on the task of upgrading the site ... a little at a time.
How's my back? Seeing as the last two weeks have been overwhelmingly gray (as opposed to sunny and bright), I'm struggling, but this morning as I look out the office window, I see sunshine, so maybe today is MY day. Hope yours is great.
Current status on T5, the book? The book is written and I am doing my final editing before turning it over to a professional and unbiased editor. I had put the manuscript on the shelf and was contemplating if just writing it was enough ... or did I really need to print/publish it. I've decided. It's time to at least print enough copies for friends ... and then get started on my next project (I already have the name, but I'm not telling yet).
The blog? I always have something to say about my back, but since I was just writing for myself, I put it in my journal instead of a blog. Now that I'm ready to move on the actual book, it's time to get back to blogging about T5.
The web site? Too many details in html for me. You forget one letter or make one typo and the whole site doesn't work. Way too much brain power needed for a person in pain. It's amazing how much energy I spend on pain and trying to control it which results in me not being as smart as I used to be. I just don't think as detailed anymore. But I got a simple site published and now I'll take on the task of upgrading the site ... a little at a time.
How's my back? Seeing as the last two weeks have been overwhelmingly gray (as opposed to sunny and bright), I'm struggling, but this morning as I look out the office window, I see sunshine, so maybe today is MY day. Hope yours is great.
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