Does your closet reflect how you feel inside?? Can you wear anything you'd like to? Or has your personal fashion-sense been stifled?
You want to wear those darling boots with the buckles, but they are 2 1/2 inch heels. You still love your unique taste, and want to express yourself. Does your body say otherwise?
I had a funeral (of sorts) for my beautiful high heels recently. Well, most of them. I look back to the days I could wear 3 inch heels for work all day long while traveling Southern CA setting up promotions for Shiseido Cosmetics, and only had to deal with the 'normal' my feet hurt after a long day sensation.
Now, if I wore high heels for more than about a half-hour, my spine would be thrown dramatically out of alignment, instant and severe muscle spasms begin immediately; the awkward position of the spine when wearing high heels, is possibly causing more pain!!
I was bummed to have to get rid of the very shoes that only serve to do all great things: They make my legs look better, longer, they give them a nice shape, and also are considered sexy by some. I just like the way they look. I like the fashion of a short boot with a high heel. They are so cute, dressed up with my new leg warmers I discovered makes for a fun look. But what does it do to my pain and comfort levels? Nothing good, that's for certain. When it hurts like you had walked from CA to NY in them, that is not very realistic. (And I mean your back is hurt, not your feet.)
Oh, great. Comfort. Comfortable shoes. Good for your spine, or at the least, not contributing to increased pain levels. Comfortable shoes--sorry, but it brings to mind black waitress shoes, or maybe I should start wearing my prized nursing shoes around town.
Where is the line drawn for comfort, yet satisfy a gal who loves fashion? I understand this subject is not strictly about spinal pain with higher heels, it also covers those who may not be able to have fabric touch certain parts of the body, needing altered clothing to cover scars or other issues, those who have to deal with club foot and just finding shoes at all that do not cause extreme pain, on and on. Of course here I am focusing on the spine.
My back surgeries left scars on the Thoracic spine; T5 to about T12. The placement of them was excellent and after time has passed they are hardly noticeable, unless standing right behind me. I wear sundresses a lot in the summer, backless, exposing my back scars. I don't care one bit, and it has even started conversations when I am in line, and the person behind me asks about the scars.
I suppose it is shoes that is my only real fashion issue....I have come to love flats, or a very small heel with a platform either inside the shoe or a regular platform, which helps distribute the weight and helps stop that unnatural pitch forward that comes with regular heels. I found some cute suede boots that are slouchy, and flat. Comfortable, and easy to pull on.
Do you have issues with your spine, or other areas that are affected by what you are wearing? What do you do to try and cover both bases of being fashionable, and of wearing clothes and shoes that don't contribute to more pain? I would love to hear your fashion tips!!
Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Understanding Medical Terminology on Prescriptions
The last post I wrote concentrated on knowing and learning what must be on a security (and all other) prescriptions. If you know what to look for, what must be filled and completed on the prescriptions, then you will save yourself time, energy, pain and actually make live easier for your pain specialist!
Now that you know what to look for on your prescriptions, let's concentrate on that 'chicken scratch' we call doctor's writing. What are all those little symbols, those strange, unknown signs that make up a prescription?
It is easiest to just go along the prescription, as it must be written, to help you learn how to read them.
First, is the name of the patient. Your birthdate, which can be filled in later at the pharmacy, no big deal. The Doctors information-- which is most likely pre-printed on the script. The date the prescription was written. And then the fun part......
Sig: Vicodin 10/325 mgs. PO Take 1 q 4*hrs. PRN #120 (NR)
Name of medication. Let's use Vicodin again.
Strength of medication. Here it is shown as 10/325. This means that you are prescribed 10 milligrams of Vicodin, or Hydrocodone, and 325 milligrams of Acetaminophen, or Tylenol. The TOP number is the Vicodin milligrams. The bottom number is the medication the Vicodin is mixed with, usually Tylenol, or some type of anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen. Many people incorrectly state they are taking "Vicodin 500." They are actually taking 5 milligrams of Vicodin, and 500 milligrams of Acetaminophen written as Vicodin 5/500.
Route of medication. Written as PO (by mouth). I always remember this as 'Pass Orally'. (Have no idea at this moment if that is the root of this term, but it works for me.) You may also see: SL (Sub Lingual--under the tongue), TD (Trans-Dermal for patches.) Other routes, IM, SQ, IV, etc., is usually not used or seen on a direct patient's script. These would be orders that nurses work with. You will see PO on most of your prescriptions, as most medications are taken by mouth.
Directions of medication. The doctor is instructing you to take one every (q) four hours, (hours are usually written as a little symbol as you would use for the degrees of an oven temperature, the little circle up on the upper right side of the numbers.) On a script, we write the word every, always as a q, followed by the number of hours, then the 'degree mark'; which is right next to the number of hours. Other basic symbols used: o=Other, d=Day, i.e., qd=every day; qod=every other day.
What is PRN? If the doctor wants you to take the medication only when you NEED IT, you will see PRN written after the directions. If you need the Vicodin for pain, you take it every four hours. But this prescription is not one in which the doctor instructs you to take a medication every 4 hours, with no ability to only take it when you 'need' it. PRN meds are usually for pain medications, for the most part. Chronic pain patients may have PRN meds, as most must take medication round-the-clock to take care of the baseline pain, and any breakthrough pain meds may be written PRN, as patients have a medication to use only when they need it, or PRN, but still following the directions.
Quantity of medication. Here the patient is prescribed #120 pills. On security prescriptions, there is also a place to mark the number of pills prescribed.
Refills? Here the doctor has written NR, or No Refills. Most security prescriptions are not given refills.
Signature of Doctor.
**There may be written a separate date to FILL the medication at the bottom, if the patient is not to fill the med until written date. This may be in the instance of the doctor writing a script before the actual date to fill, and this would be noted at the bottom. It would be handwritten by the prescriber.
Learn how to 'decipher' the chicken scratch on your scripts, and understand exactly what they mean!!
Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~
Now that you know what to look for on your prescriptions, let's concentrate on that 'chicken scratch' we call doctor's writing. What are all those little symbols, those strange, unknown signs that make up a prescription?
It is easiest to just go along the prescription, as it must be written, to help you learn how to read them.
First, is the name of the patient. Your birthdate, which can be filled in later at the pharmacy, no big deal. The Doctors information-- which is most likely pre-printed on the script. The date the prescription was written. And then the fun part......
Sig: Vicodin 10/325 mgs. PO Take 1 q 4*hrs. PRN #120 (NR)
Name of medication. Let's use Vicodin again.
Strength of medication. Here it is shown as 10/325. This means that you are prescribed 10 milligrams of Vicodin, or Hydrocodone, and 325 milligrams of Acetaminophen, or Tylenol. The TOP number is the Vicodin milligrams. The bottom number is the medication the Vicodin is mixed with, usually Tylenol, or some type of anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen. Many people incorrectly state they are taking "Vicodin 500." They are actually taking 5 milligrams of Vicodin, and 500 milligrams of Acetaminophen written as Vicodin 5/500.
Route of medication. Written as PO (by mouth). I always remember this as 'Pass Orally'. (Have no idea at this moment if that is the root of this term, but it works for me.) You may also see: SL (Sub Lingual--under the tongue), TD (Trans-Dermal for patches.) Other routes, IM, SQ, IV, etc., is usually not used or seen on a direct patient's script. These would be orders that nurses work with. You will see PO on most of your prescriptions, as most medications are taken by mouth.
Directions of medication. The doctor is instructing you to take one every (q) four hours, (hours are usually written as a little symbol as you would use for the degrees of an oven temperature, the little circle up on the upper right side of the numbers.) On a script, we write the word every, always as a q, followed by the number of hours, then the 'degree mark'; which is right next to the number of hours. Other basic symbols used: o=Other, d=Day, i.e., qd=every day; qod=every other day.
What is PRN? If the doctor wants you to take the medication only when you NEED IT, you will see PRN written after the directions. If you need the Vicodin for pain, you take it every four hours. But this prescription is not one in which the doctor instructs you to take a medication every 4 hours, with no ability to only take it when you 'need' it. PRN meds are usually for pain medications, for the most part. Chronic pain patients may have PRN meds, as most must take medication round-the-clock to take care of the baseline pain, and any breakthrough pain meds may be written PRN, as patients have a medication to use only when they need it, or PRN, but still following the directions.
Quantity of medication. Here the patient is prescribed #120 pills. On security prescriptions, there is also a place to mark the number of pills prescribed.
Refills? Here the doctor has written NR, or No Refills. Most security prescriptions are not given refills.
Signature of Doctor.
**There may be written a separate date to FILL the medication at the bottom, if the patient is not to fill the med until written date. This may be in the instance of the doctor writing a script before the actual date to fill, and this would be noted at the bottom. It would be handwritten by the prescriber.
Learn how to 'decipher' the chicken scratch on your scripts, and understand exactly what they mean!!
Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~
Friday, November 4, 2011
How to Read a Prescription
When you are given your prescription(s) to fill, it is important that you are able to check it, so as to make sure everything is done right and will not cause any hold-ups in getting filled.
We would think that Doctors will make sure to write the prescription correctly, however, we know that doctors are busy, they may be interrupted during the writing of an RX, and that one missed part of the prescription checklist will only send you back to the doctor's for a complete prescription.
Security prescriptions require that the patient turn them in by hand; these can not be called in. So let's go over what needs to be checked by the patient.
1. The prescribing doctors information.
2. Your name.
3. Your date of birth
4. Medication name (Example-Vicodin)
5. Medication dosage (milligrams)
6. Medication route (By mouth--PO)
7. Medication directions (Take one every 4hrs.)
8. Medication quantity (This is easily forgotten to be checked)
9. Refill information; (Security RX's do not allow refills)
9. Date (For fill)
10. Doctors Signature
Now after you have checked the above, make a double check of the exact dosage, directions, and quantity.
If the prescription was written in 'longhand', it would be on a longgggg prescription paper!! Becoming familiar with Medical-speak; i.e., those strange looking, hard to read scribbles, is a huge advantage for you to know.
So, lets go over some of the common 'shorthand' used in prescriptions:
Vicodin 10/325mg., PO, take one q 4, #120. This simply says the name of the medication, the dosage, the route, the directions, and the quantity These are the main 4 items to check on your prescriptions.
I am looking for a prescription example to put up, and will do so asap.
Hope this has let you learn about checking your prescriptions before they are filled. This ability will allow you to perform a final check before leaving your doctor's office with any prescriptions.
Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~
We would think that Doctors will make sure to write the prescription correctly, however, we know that doctors are busy, they may be interrupted during the writing of an RX, and that one missed part of the prescription checklist will only send you back to the doctor's for a complete prescription.
Security prescriptions require that the patient turn them in by hand; these can not be called in. So let's go over what needs to be checked by the patient.
1. The prescribing doctors information.
2. Your name.
3. Your date of birth
4. Medication name (Example-Vicodin)
5. Medication dosage (milligrams)
6. Medication route (By mouth--PO)
7. Medication directions (Take one every 4hrs.)
8. Medication quantity (This is easily forgotten to be checked)
9. Refill information; (Security RX's do not allow refills)
9. Date (For fill)
10. Doctors Signature
Now after you have checked the above, make a double check of the exact dosage, directions, and quantity.
If the prescription was written in 'longhand', it would be on a longgggg prescription paper!! Becoming familiar with Medical-speak; i.e., those strange looking, hard to read scribbles, is a huge advantage for you to know.
So, lets go over some of the common 'shorthand' used in prescriptions:
Vicodin 10/325mg., PO, take one q 4, #120. This simply says the name of the medication, the dosage, the route, the directions, and the quantity These are the main 4 items to check on your prescriptions.
I am looking for a prescription example to put up, and will do so asap.
Hope this has let you learn about checking your prescriptions before they are filled. This ability will allow you to perform a final check before leaving your doctor's office with any prescriptions.
Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~
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