Some factors that make our pain worse are common sense, other reasons are not so apparent.
The things we do, such as a new exercise, exerting ourselves physically, and outright stress are the common sense side of the things we do that can make our pain increase.
Here are a few things to ponder, if you are having a spike in pain levels and can not quite figure out just what you have done to increase them!
Those who live with pain know that there can be an increase in pain levels without having done anything at all that is new, stressful physically,or emotionally. Pain has it's own 'mind' at times, and seems to just do whatever 'it' wants to. Yet if we make note of our pain levels and see a pattern of sorts, that may show the hidden activities and thoughts that are increasing our pain.
So, for starters, try to keep a log of your pain levels. I keep a medication log daily. Kind of a crossover from nursing, having to keep accurate records of medications given to patients. This has helped me to remember exactly what was taken when, how much, what the effect was, and this also keeps a count of all medications. This is a habit for me, I feel odd to even take two Naproxen Sodium without writing it down.
Call me what you will, but it works for me. I know too many people that just pop their meds when pain is bad, and then forget exactly when it was, what worked and didn't work, and when the next dose is due. If you take a medication every 12 hours, then one every 4, and one twice a day, for instance, how on earth is one to remember what was taken, and when without noting it down? This worry alone can increase pain!
Some of the hidden ways that pain can be increased are: A change in medication; either in type, dosage, timing, or stopping a med completely. Not taking care to stretch or pay attention to your muscles can result in increased pain when those muscles are even slightly overused.
As I mentioned above, emotional stress can increase pain levels, but it is easy to pass pain off on more tangible reasons. Stress in your life causes muscle tension, which increases pain levels, which increase muscle tension/ muscle spasms. It can become a catch 22 that is hard to solve.
I will write further about how to keep that medication log; exactly what to start out with--just trying to write it all down without a plan, can be messy and aggravating!
Gentle Hugs...
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Five Tips For Keeping Your Medications Safe
Chronic pain brings many challenges to life. One of the modalities we use to help keep our pain at bay, are medications.
Many times, the medications prescribed for chronic pain are controlled. Having this type of medication in your home calls for some security measures, to keep your medications safe, and to keep the people around your home safe also.
1. Keep your medications in a safe, private, and preferably locked area.
This can be an actual safe, a locked drawer, or a room with a locked door. This method will keep both your meds and others safe. **Especially small children who may mistake your prescription medications for candy.
2. Do not assume others will not look for your meds, so keep your medication spot to yourself.
It is very disheartening to realize that even 'friends' can be interested in your medications to catch a buzz, and when any addiction is guiding a person, loyalty is out the door. They don't care if that will make you short, and therefore face days without the pills that they stole. Addiction has a mind of its own!
3. Stay aware of the amounts in each bottle.
It is easy for others to take just a few here and there, especially from a new prescription, and this is hard to notice in a full, freshly picked up bottle. Counting your meds can be tedious and boring, but it will not only alert you to the fact someone is taking them behind your back, but also counting your meds allows you to stay on track and be aware where you stand as far as refills go.
4. Always be aware of talking about the medications you take.
When in public, especially at the Pharmacy, keep your private information just that--Private!
You wouldn't stand at the pharmacy counter and talk loudly for people to overhear about your latest yeast infection, for instance, right? Your medications are your private medical business, they need to stay that way. There have been attacks and robberies targeted on patients picking up their controlled medications. One person stays near the pharmacy counter and listens for people to talk about, or confirm a medication with the Pharmacist, then passes that information on to a person on the outside, who waits for the patient to come outside with the meds in a bag, and subsequently robs them.
5. Keep a copy of all pharmacy receipts with you in your car; and while traveling. This is the medication information sheet that accompany the medications when you pick them up. They have all the prescribing information on them, i.e.: Medication name, dosage, directions, and quantity. If you keep this in your car, and are pulled over for any reason, you have the proof that the medications you have with you, truly belong to you. Keep these sheets with your important car information, like your registration, and this way you have them easily at hand. You do not need to offer these just because you are pulled over, unless there is a question of if any medications with you are yours or not.
Your medications are a personal and private part of your health care! They are not for everyone to know about. If you follow these simple tips, your medications and others around you will be much safer.
Gentle Hugs.......
Shauna
*I am aware that this list can go on and on, and there has been a lot of discussion and interest in the subject of the legality of carrying medications with you in the original bottles, or, in a daily pill reminder/carrier. I wrote a post on this subject years ago, and will be re-posting this along with some updated information on the legal ramifications of not carrying meds in their original bottles.
KEEP YOU AND YOUR MEDICATIONS SAFE!!
Many times, the medications prescribed for chronic pain are controlled. Having this type of medication in your home calls for some security measures, to keep your medications safe, and to keep the people around your home safe also.
1. Keep your medications in a safe, private, and preferably locked area.
This can be an actual safe, a locked drawer, or a room with a locked door. This method will keep both your meds and others safe. **Especially small children who may mistake your prescription medications for candy.
2. Do not assume others will not look for your meds, so keep your medication spot to yourself.
It is very disheartening to realize that even 'friends' can be interested in your medications to catch a buzz, and when any addiction is guiding a person, loyalty is out the door. They don't care if that will make you short, and therefore face days without the pills that they stole. Addiction has a mind of its own!
3. Stay aware of the amounts in each bottle.
It is easy for others to take just a few here and there, especially from a new prescription, and this is hard to notice in a full, freshly picked up bottle. Counting your meds can be tedious and boring, but it will not only alert you to the fact someone is taking them behind your back, but also counting your meds allows you to stay on track and be aware where you stand as far as refills go.
4. Always be aware of talking about the medications you take.
When in public, especially at the Pharmacy, keep your private information just that--Private!
You wouldn't stand at the pharmacy counter and talk loudly for people to overhear about your latest yeast infection, for instance, right? Your medications are your private medical business, they need to stay that way. There have been attacks and robberies targeted on patients picking up their controlled medications. One person stays near the pharmacy counter and listens for people to talk about, or confirm a medication with the Pharmacist, then passes that information on to a person on the outside, who waits for the patient to come outside with the meds in a bag, and subsequently robs them.
5. Keep a copy of all pharmacy receipts with you in your car; and while traveling. This is the medication information sheet that accompany the medications when you pick them up. They have all the prescribing information on them, i.e.: Medication name, dosage, directions, and quantity. If you keep this in your car, and are pulled over for any reason, you have the proof that the medications you have with you, truly belong to you. Keep these sheets with your important car information, like your registration, and this way you have them easily at hand. You do not need to offer these just because you are pulled over, unless there is a question of if any medications with you are yours or not.
Your medications are a personal and private part of your health care! They are not for everyone to know about. If you follow these simple tips, your medications and others around you will be much safer.
Gentle Hugs.......
Shauna
*I am aware that this list can go on and on, and there has been a lot of discussion and interest in the subject of the legality of carrying medications with you in the original bottles, or, in a daily pill reminder/carrier. I wrote a post on this subject years ago, and will be re-posting this along with some updated information on the legal ramifications of not carrying meds in their original bottles.
KEEP YOU AND YOUR MEDICATIONS SAFE!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Good Samaritan Law--Have You Ever 'Used' This?
The Good Samaritan Law--What Is This?
The Good Samaritan Law is a legal stipulation for protection of those who give first aid in an emergency situation. The necessity for such legislation arose when physicians who assisted in giving emergency care were later accused of malpractice by the victim.
Can you imagine yourself being saved by someone, then later actually suing them, accusing them of malpractice? I find this unimaginable and shows the abuse of the legal system to the 'sue-happy' people in our society.
I would be forever grateful to anyone that took the time to stop in an accident or emergency situation, and help! I was in this situation, both on the receiving end first, and the giving end second.
When I was staggering around in shock after the van I was in had rolled over multiple times, a person that lived on the street nearest to the accident scene took the time and cared enough to help multiple victims of the rollover. Never would I think of then turning around and pressing legal charges against these people!! Their actions of simply calling 911 for us, and providing a safe environment for us to be in while we awaited the first responders to the accident scene will always be remembered.
After I was a nurse, I was driving home from work when I came upon an accident scene. The victim was a bicyclist who had run head-on into a car, gone through the windshield, and back out again. We happened on the scene immediately after this had occurred, and the bicyclist was lying on the ground, the car was there with a huge hole in the windshield, and I pulled the car over to the side, and ran across the street.
The victim was lying on his back, he was still breathing, and had a heartbeat. When I was kneeiling next to him, I noticed that he had begun bleeding from the side of his head. A few passers by had stopped and were standing around and I shouted for them to call 911. (This was before everyone had a cell phone.) I asked for one of the perople there to give me a shirt, a cloth, anything to press against the bleeding. One guy ripped his T-shirt off and I bunched it up, and held it against the side of his head. I was careful not to move the victim in any way.
No CPR was needed, and the victim did not need rescue breathing. He did, however, need to have the area that was bleeding attended to. I felt so helpless- even knowing I was doing everything I could at the time.
When Paramedics arrived, they took over and I waited to tell them what had happened. It all went by so quickly, as most emergency situations do. They thanked me for my help, and off they screamed, sirens blaring. I knew the hospital they were going to, and actually knew the ER staff on that afternoon. I prayed for the victim to receive the excellent care that he would, and for everything to work out in his favor.
I never knew what happened to that man, but I would sure be astounded if I was to one day find that he was suing me for helping him at the accident scene! I knew that the Good Samaritan Law covered me in that situation, but with my attitude of only wanting to help, it still would have been surprising to find the person wanted to get monetary compensation through suing me. Of course we would all expect that the victim would focus on the car that had been involved in the accident.
It is sad that we have to put these types of laws into place, but in the world we are in now, it is only reasonable to cover those that simply are trying to help their fellow man, and be a Good Samaritan.
Have you ever been involved in this type of situation where the Good Samaritan Law was used? I would love to hear your stories.
With Gentle Hugs......
Shauna
Research Source: Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, edition 16
The Good Samaritan Law is a legal stipulation for protection of those who give first aid in an emergency situation. The necessity for such legislation arose when physicians who assisted in giving emergency care were later accused of malpractice by the victim.
Can you imagine yourself being saved by someone, then later actually suing them, accusing them of malpractice? I find this unimaginable and shows the abuse of the legal system to the 'sue-happy' people in our society.
I would be forever grateful to anyone that took the time to stop in an accident or emergency situation, and help! I was in this situation, both on the receiving end first, and the giving end second.
When I was staggering around in shock after the van I was in had rolled over multiple times, a person that lived on the street nearest to the accident scene took the time and cared enough to help multiple victims of the rollover. Never would I think of then turning around and pressing legal charges against these people!! Their actions of simply calling 911 for us, and providing a safe environment for us to be in while we awaited the first responders to the accident scene will always be remembered.
After I was a nurse, I was driving home from work when I came upon an accident scene. The victim was a bicyclist who had run head-on into a car, gone through the windshield, and back out again. We happened on the scene immediately after this had occurred, and the bicyclist was lying on the ground, the car was there with a huge hole in the windshield, and I pulled the car over to the side, and ran across the street.
The victim was lying on his back, he was still breathing, and had a heartbeat. When I was kneeiling next to him, I noticed that he had begun bleeding from the side of his head. A few passers by had stopped and were standing around and I shouted for them to call 911. (This was before everyone had a cell phone.) I asked for one of the perople there to give me a shirt, a cloth, anything to press against the bleeding. One guy ripped his T-shirt off and I bunched it up, and held it against the side of his head. I was careful not to move the victim in any way.
No CPR was needed, and the victim did not need rescue breathing. He did, however, need to have the area that was bleeding attended to. I felt so helpless- even knowing I was doing everything I could at the time.
When Paramedics arrived, they took over and I waited to tell them what had happened. It all went by so quickly, as most emergency situations do. They thanked me for my help, and off they screamed, sirens blaring. I knew the hospital they were going to, and actually knew the ER staff on that afternoon. I prayed for the victim to receive the excellent care that he would, and for everything to work out in his favor.
I never knew what happened to that man, but I would sure be astounded if I was to one day find that he was suing me for helping him at the accident scene! I knew that the Good Samaritan Law covered me in that situation, but with my attitude of only wanting to help, it still would have been surprising to find the person wanted to get monetary compensation through suing me. Of course we would all expect that the victim would focus on the car that had been involved in the accident.
It is sad that we have to put these types of laws into place, but in the world we are in now, it is only reasonable to cover those that simply are trying to help their fellow man, and be a Good Samaritan.
Have you ever been involved in this type of situation where the Good Samaritan Law was used? I would love to hear your stories.
With Gentle Hugs......
Shauna
Research Source: Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, edition 16
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Updated CPR--Remember C-A-B
Updated CPR protocols have changed the American Heart Associations certified teaching for Health care providers and lay rescuers who learn this life-saving technique.
The old 'ABC' of CPR have changed to CAB.
We used to remember the steps of CPR by the acronym ABC that stands for:
A-AIRWAY
B-BREATHING
C-CIRCULATION
In the new and improved steps, simply start with the Circulation step in the beginning.
C-CIRCULATION.....Then on to the usual ABC's of CPR:
A-AIRWAY
B-BREATHING
When coming upon a person who needs assistance, and we determine that the person or patient needs CPR, we begin with giving COMPRESSIONS right away. If this is a patient who has compromised circulation, or lack of a heartbeat, by beginning with the C step, compressions first; there is more oxygen given to the brain.
'Old' CPR had the Airway checked first, then Breaths given, THEN Compressions. ABC. Using the new CAB's of CPR, we also can take care of the potential choking victim. If something is lodged in the airway, and we give compressions, we have given a form of the Heimlich and help to move the foreign body out through compressions.
It is simple, makes sense, and SAVES LIVES! Any time we have a positive outcome through updated procedures in Health care, it is worth learning, and then putting into action if ever needed.
Remember C-A-B and be a lifesaver!!
Gentle Hugs......
Source: American Heart Association
The old 'ABC' of CPR have changed to CAB.
We used to remember the steps of CPR by the acronym ABC that stands for:
A-AIRWAY
B-BREATHING
C-CIRCULATION
In the new and improved steps, simply start with the Circulation step in the beginning.
C-CIRCULATION.....Then on to the usual ABC's of CPR:
A-AIRWAY
B-BREATHING
When coming upon a person who needs assistance, and we determine that the person or patient needs CPR, we begin with giving COMPRESSIONS right away. If this is a patient who has compromised circulation, or lack of a heartbeat, by beginning with the C step, compressions first; there is more oxygen given to the brain.
'Old' CPR had the Airway checked first, then Breaths given, THEN Compressions. ABC. Using the new CAB's of CPR, we also can take care of the potential choking victim. If something is lodged in the airway, and we give compressions, we have given a form of the Heimlich and help to move the foreign body out through compressions.
It is simple, makes sense, and SAVES LIVES! Any time we have a positive outcome through updated procedures in Health care, it is worth learning, and then putting into action if ever needed.
Remember C-A-B and be a lifesaver!!
Gentle Hugs......
Source: American Heart Association
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Nurses Walk Off the Job at Kaiser Los Angeles
Nurses at Kaiser Los Angeles walked off the job this morning at 6 am, to join in a 24 hour strike in front of Kaiser's Los Angeles facility.
In an interview on KTLA TV, a Kaiser physician spoke of the hours that Hospice nurses were being required to work, and noted that after 18 to 32 hours of work for instance, there was a reduction in the ability to function properly in the job required. He said that in Hospice, the idea is to help dying patients to have a calm, quiet atmosphere, and pass peacefully with the help and assistance of trained Hospice nurses. The physician continued to state that the required hours that Kaiser is asking of their nurses is not conducive to this area of nursing.
Nurses in the hospice department at Kaiser L.A. were working an eight hour shift, followed by a period of being on-call for 16 hours, then returning for another shift of eight hours. "No health care professional can keep up this type of schedule", the Kaiser physician noted.
Kaiser management stated on the news broadcast that they are listening to the nurses concerns, and the nurses who have walked off the job for the 24 hour long strike will be welcome to return to their normal positions after the strike is over.
Nurses interviewed on the strike line belonged to the Union that most Kaiser employees are a member of. "This is for our patients", one nurse noted as she walked the large circle with picket sign in hand. "We are concerned that our nurse to patient ratio is getting out of hand, and our patients are our livelihood, our greatest concern; the people we advocate for."
When a staffing issue such as a high nurse to patient ratio can not be rectified, a strike is imminent. Nurses need to be able to perform the job, which is already stressful in itself, in a safe and efficient manner. Having too many patients per nurse is not a good situation for any facility, patient, or healthcare worker. In the end, all three entities lose.
Is this another sign of a nursing shortage in California? Or is this more an issue of employers in general wanting and needing to reduce the cost of added employees?
I know personally of three nurses, all in different specialties and different degrees of experience who are looking for employment. Why are there consistent reports of nursing shortages, when nursing schools are turning out record numbers of graduates? When experienced nurses are searching for positions?
I would like to hear from you on this issue. We are all affected by this subject. Proper patient care is at stake!!
Any of us could be a patient at a moments notice.......
Gentle Hugs...
In an interview on KTLA TV, a Kaiser physician spoke of the hours that Hospice nurses were being required to work, and noted that after 18 to 32 hours of work for instance, there was a reduction in the ability to function properly in the job required. He said that in Hospice, the idea is to help dying patients to have a calm, quiet atmosphere, and pass peacefully with the help and assistance of trained Hospice nurses. The physician continued to state that the required hours that Kaiser is asking of their nurses is not conducive to this area of nursing.
Nurses in the hospice department at Kaiser L.A. were working an eight hour shift, followed by a period of being on-call for 16 hours, then returning for another shift of eight hours. "No health care professional can keep up this type of schedule", the Kaiser physician noted.
Kaiser management stated on the news broadcast that they are listening to the nurses concerns, and the nurses who have walked off the job for the 24 hour long strike will be welcome to return to their normal positions after the strike is over.
Nurses interviewed on the strike line belonged to the Union that most Kaiser employees are a member of. "This is for our patients", one nurse noted as she walked the large circle with picket sign in hand. "We are concerned that our nurse to patient ratio is getting out of hand, and our patients are our livelihood, our greatest concern; the people we advocate for."
When a staffing issue such as a high nurse to patient ratio can not be rectified, a strike is imminent. Nurses need to be able to perform the job, which is already stressful in itself, in a safe and efficient manner. Having too many patients per nurse is not a good situation for any facility, patient, or healthcare worker. In the end, all three entities lose.
Is this another sign of a nursing shortage in California? Or is this more an issue of employers in general wanting and needing to reduce the cost of added employees?
I know personally of three nurses, all in different specialties and different degrees of experience who are looking for employment. Why are there consistent reports of nursing shortages, when nursing schools are turning out record numbers of graduates? When experienced nurses are searching for positions?
I would like to hear from you on this issue. We are all affected by this subject. Proper patient care is at stake!!
Any of us could be a patient at a moments notice.......
Gentle Hugs...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Chocolate & Vicodin: A Book Review
I opened the book Chocolate & Vicodin by author, blogger and headache sufferer Jennette Fulda, and did not put it down until my stomach was yelling at me three hours later to stop the hours of reading and take a break!
Jennette's newly-released book has grabbed the attention of many; above all, those that also suffer from debilitating headaches. This is a must read for all who have ever gone down the road to attempt a cure for chronic headaches.
In Chocolate & Vicodin, Jennette chronicles her long journey to find relief for the 'Headache That Wouldn't Go Away." I know that many of my regular readers can relate, whether it be pain in your head, or pain in other parts of the body. We are all seeking the same thing: A CURE.
Jennette's writing style is brutally honest, (My kind of gal!), funny, the LOL kind of funny, and descriptive, my favorite writing style. From the colors of the walls in various doctor's office waiting rooms, to the smells that accompanied each visit for her next diagnostic test, you will feel as if you are sitting right there with her as she waits for test #108 to start.
Pain is quite an amazing partner. Just because Jennette's pain is in her head, (and I am not insinuating that she is making it up), her story is just as relateable as if she was writing about Thoracic spine pain in my account, for instance. One line she writes says so much for all pain sufferers:
......"The only people who seemed to understand how to talk to someone with a chronic illness were other people who were sick.".......AND ......."Pain was lonely. I wanted someone to stand next to me and share my view of the world."
From massage to neurosurgeons, from neurotransmitters to marijuana, chiropractors to shots of vodka; Jennette has tried it all in her quest to find a cure for her one very long, very bad headache. Her writing will have you definitely laughing out loud. The book is hard to put down once you get to the 2nd page. I recommend Chocolate & Vicodin to all chronic pain patients, and also to anyone who would just like a really great, insightful, smart, funny and informative book to read.
You can find Chocolate & Vicodin at bookstores, on Jennette's site, PastaQueen. I really think that you will enjoy it!!
Gentle Hugs......(cuz she has a really bad headache!!)
Jennette's newly-released book has grabbed the attention of many; above all, those that also suffer from debilitating headaches. This is a must read for all who have ever gone down the road to attempt a cure for chronic headaches.
In Chocolate & Vicodin, Jennette chronicles her long journey to find relief for the 'Headache That Wouldn't Go Away." I know that many of my regular readers can relate, whether it be pain in your head, or pain in other parts of the body. We are all seeking the same thing: A CURE.
Jennette's writing style is brutally honest, (My kind of gal!), funny, the LOL kind of funny, and descriptive, my favorite writing style. From the colors of the walls in various doctor's office waiting rooms, to the smells that accompanied each visit for her next diagnostic test, you will feel as if you are sitting right there with her as she waits for test #108 to start.
Pain is quite an amazing partner. Just because Jennette's pain is in her head, (and I am not insinuating that she is making it up), her story is just as relateable as if she was writing about Thoracic spine pain in my account, for instance. One line she writes says so much for all pain sufferers:
......"The only people who seemed to understand how to talk to someone with a chronic illness were other people who were sick.".......AND ......."Pain was lonely. I wanted someone to stand next to me and share my view of the world."
From massage to neurosurgeons, from neurotransmitters to marijuana, chiropractors to shots of vodka; Jennette has tried it all in her quest to find a cure for her one very long, very bad headache. Her writing will have you definitely laughing out loud. The book is hard to put down once you get to the 2nd page. I recommend Chocolate & Vicodin to all chronic pain patients, and also to anyone who would just like a really great, insightful, smart, funny and informative book to read.
You can find Chocolate & Vicodin at bookstores, on Jennette's site, PastaQueen. I really think that you will enjoy it!!
Gentle Hugs......(cuz she has a really bad headache!!)
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