What You Should Ask Your Doctor When Prescribed Medications

                                                                      

I don't usually talk about medications on my blog, but I was contacted by Judy Cohen, Outreach Coordinator of the American Recall Center located in New York City. I'd rather not take medicine if I can help it, but with a compromised immune system; what you want isn't always what you can get.

I have a primary care doctor, who in my opinion is the best damn doctor in the world. Dr. Joseph Mangel of South Philadelphia. Unable to get a shingle shot because of my compromised immune system, my doctor put me on an anti-viral medication. This medication is protecting me from another horrid shingle attack like I had a few years ago. My hematologist and my primary doctor both talk to me about my medicines and always check to make sure that I'm not having any side effects. I have none.

                                                                    

Not every doctor will ask, but I think all patients must be more aggressive in learning what side effects their medications  might cause. I would make this suggestion. When your doctor prescribes medicine for long term use, ask for a printout of the expected side effects of the drug. If you begin to experience any of the listed side effects, notify your doctor immediately. Always make sure that your medication is not outdated. Throw away old pills.

                                                                       

Remember to take your medicine at the same time each day. Some of my friends will tell me that they take over the counter or mail order homeopathic supplements, but that can be dangerous. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to learn if the supplements can interfere with your prescribed medications effects.

If you have to take medication, do it the right way and tell your doctor of any unusual symptoms.


Also, check out this site on medications http://www.recallcenter.com/

Hubby Update Part Two

                                                                 

                                                                       

We were back in the emergency room again, but this time because Dan's blood pressure was through the roof. I don't think he can blame this on my driving, although, I've been using his car to get us all over town.

                                                                  

No, I think his high blood pressure was maybe due to the leg pain.This has not been a good month for my husband, but... we did learn that there was an Urgent Care next to the Wawa's on the White Horse Pike .

                                                                      

Having worked in the medical field for twenty plus years (Intensive Care, Operating Room, staff for Chief of Urology of Pennsylvania Hospital) before starting a new career at the Academy of Natural Science, I know good health care when I see it and so does my retired Philadelphia Fire Fighter/Paramedic husband. But, we had never been to an Urgent Care Center before. Who would take care of us? What if the doctor's name was Frankenstein?

                                                                          

I had this false assumption that these Urgent Care Centers were...I don't know....staffed by Joe Blow who never really passed the medical board's stringent requirements, BUT, I was wrong!!!

                                                                             

The reception staff, nurse and doctors were the real thing! They did the necessary tests while keeping us updated on their findings and they even touched base with our family doctor before ordering the needed blood pressure medication for Danny. They are part of the Cooper Health System and were able to pull up my husband's x-rays and blood pressure data from the day before. I have to say that Dan and I came home feeling a lot safer. We visit our family doctor in Philadelphia on Monday and hopefully get hubby's body back in working condition.

                                                                       

When we left the Urgent Care it had started to snow. Can you sue the weather? No! But, it doesn't matter. We were feeling pretty good with the courteous and professional care that we had received from the Cooper Urgent Care Staff. Thank you Cooper Hospital.