Simply Carolina Dreamz » Health/Nutrition
Transdermal Patch equals non-stick
Years ago, I used to live on a transdermal Duragesic/Fentanyl pain patch. I had tons of trouble with the adhesive. It had to have the side taped.. the glue inflamed my skin, etc. It was a patch you change every three days. Well, my medical pain has advanced, now. I am now in the process of trying another new transdermal patch, that isn’t generic, like the one I mentioned below. This, with a savings card, cost over $60. Now imagine my surprise, this morning (less than 24 hours later) that the patch was almost completely off my skin??? Now what is wrong with this picture. Another pharmaceutical nightmare or a non-latex issue. I ordered this biofilm stuff from the pharmacy. You have probably seen it covering an IV in the hospital. It doesn’t need … Read entire article »
Filed under: pharmaceuticals, WLS
My own Pharmaceutical Situation
Before my Gastric Bypass, in 2003, we were spending hundreds of dollars, each month, on my pharmaceutical drugs. This reduction in the monthly cost was the biggest benefit of the surgery and recovery. No more blood pressure pills. I was taking three of them each month. No more a lot of things I know you’ve heard me complain, here, about statin drugs.. and how they scare me. Well guess who is on Lipitor now? Because my medication was one to dissolve in the duodenum part off the intestine (which is why some of your pharmaceutical medications say to take on an empty stomach) I was having trouble with my pain pharmaceutical medications that were extended release. Especially the one that needed my duodenum that I didn’t have. So, the other day, we saw the PA … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition, pharmaceuticals
Living withing Reach
I’ve considered over and over if I should write this post. I’ve been giving a lot about my personal life away, lately, for the sake of honesty and integrity in blogging and hoping that others out there don’t think that they are alone, in any way. I live within reach. This means that everything I may need or want has to be within reach of me. I fell off the bed, the other night, trying to reach for something. I yelled “help” for over an hour, before someone in my house, woke up for other reasons and could hear me. Helping me up was torture and only added to my pain, but I’m okay. But, this only re-enforces the idea of living within reach.. Except for when I was on the floor I’m in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Creative Chaos, Creative Domestication, depression, Featured, Health/Nutrition, Unexpectations
OCD trapped in a disabled body
I have always had obsessive compulsive tendencies in my home and environment. Things had to have a place and be in their place. Its like living company ready, all the time. I still wish I could do that. But, I can’t. My body is too broken and my mind won’t stop this OCD. I, often, hurt myself trying to fix things so they are just how they should be and all that does is put me into bed a few extra days that I could have had to do something fulfilling If you have or know someone who has OCD tendencies, can you imagine having a disabled broken body? Its a living nightmare to not be able to do stupid little things that bug you, or are out of place, that only you care … Read entire article »
Filed under: Feeding the Needz, Health/Nutrition, Rant, Unexpectations
Brain Blue Screen of Death
I think I’ve figured out why these accounts keep going down each month. For some reason they was no monthly contract to pay for the hosting. I’ve fixed that. My brain can’t seem to keep up. It is like the blue screen of death. It hurts to think about it. Come to think of it maybe all of these stressful things I haven’t figured out yet may be causing my daily headaches. Who knows? I wish life could be put into a tiny little box of things I could go through to fix all of the things my brain can’t keep up with. I read the first chapter of a great book, that a doctor gave to me, that explained why my brain doesn’t work like a computer. I wish I knew what the … Read entire article »
Filed under: depression, Rant, Unexpectations
Miss you Dad
“Oh, when we are journeying through the murky night and the dark woods of affliction and sorrow, it is something to find here and there a spray broken, or a leafy stem bent down with the tread of His foot and the brush of His hand as He passed; and to remember that the path He trod He has hallowed, and thus to find lingering fragrance and hidden strength in the remembrance of Him as “in all points tempted like as we are,” bearing grief for us, bearing grief with us, bearing grief like us.” ~ Alexander MacLaren Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-for-bereavement-10-helpful-scripture-quotes/#ixzz1oDYXLdce I’ve decided since I can’t walk the ALS walks, this month.. I’m going to go sit at the cemetery for a while, instead. I want to keep May private for my … Read entire article »
Filed under: ALS, depression, family and friends, Forever and One More Day, Inspiration, Stand For Something
Disabled Dilemmas for 2012 ALS Walks
March has a lot going on that I may miss because I can’t walk as normal, fast, or as long as usual. March 24, 2012 – ALS Walk Low Country – Riverfront Park March 24, 2012 – ALS WAlk – Augusta, Georgia (again a conflicting date, too) March 31, 2012 – ALS Jacksonville I may have to miss them this year. I know my dad will understand but it still upsets me. If you can walk, I’d appreciate you walk any of these for me, in honor of my father Michael Jeffers I’m going to looking into an auto wheel chair to rent for these walks. I have no idea how much they will be but I do have a hitch on my van and a hitch tray if needed. At first, I was looking for … Read entire article »
Filed under: ALS, depression, Forever and One More Day, Health/Nutrition
I’m a depressed adult born of a depressed adult
For the most part, I don’t write about my depression. I only try to keep this blog full of the good times. Hence the emptiness in the last year or two. Something happened to me two weeks ago, though. I found me again. That’s the only way I can describe it. I could set aside the war torn, tossed and turned life I’ve lived, and think of things to write about again. A battle emerged on my Facebook page, the other night, and my “grandmother” said something about stepping back and re-evaluating how I felt. I deleted all the posts related to this entanglement. For the first time I saw and realized that many read and don’t comment. I realized they were there. I wished someone a Happy Birthday and in their Thank-you, they … Read entire article »
Filed under: Creative Chaos, depression, Featured, Stand For Something
Pharmaceutical Wars
I have a new long term extended release medication. Its controlled. I’m not allowed to get it filled until the day before or the day you run out of the current medication. Guess what, though? (Almost had it hijacked cuz I couldn’t pee.. in the cup) CVS doesn’t have it and won’t have it, by order, for 2-3 days. None in the area have it. Umm.. that’s so unacceptable. Make me wait until the last minute and then make me go without. That’s health care for you. Any non controlled medication must be faxed into the insurance company to be mail ordered. Last month, one of my pain medications was increased to 6mg, from 4mg. I called the pharmacy to get a refill ordered. They never filled. I went back to the doctor, the next month … Read entire article »
Filed under: Creative Chaos, Health/Nutrition, Stand For Something
All in the Life of CarolinaDreamz
Lately, everyday, I want to climb under the covers and hide until it ends. Or go outside or into a closet and scream. (make sure you are able to utter “i’m okay” to the minions, that really need you when you are on the phone or on the commode. If you do this. I am not liable for your own decisions. :) ) For those familiar, its a big Fibro hell. So in the recent past, I’ve survived these: I dropped a whole mostly full bottle of Frappacciino, in the dark,around 5:30am. This, of course in in a space between the wall and heavy furniture (and the bed) so I can’t get to it to clean it up. (Oh, I forgot to tell you the lid came off and the stuff gushed like … Read entire article »
Filed under: Feeding the Needz, Health/Nutrition, LowCountry, Rant, Stand For Something
Have you seen the commercial about the lady on the laying on the couch in the mall?
This particular commercial about the lady on the red couch in the middle of the mall is about migraines and 1/2 living. I have to relate this situation and peek at how my life is. I’m holding down my couch. I can see the Endo in the end of January, and I made the appointment in October. Now, new problem and I’m seriously considering a complete hysterectomy like my hematologist wants. This health is just getting to the point of ridiculous. I’m the one on the red couch.. think of me when you see it. Life is moving around me. Well, what more can I say? The only test that came back abnormal was my upper high cholesterol. The HDL? What a zoo. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Creative Chaos, diet, Health/Nutrition, Rant
Serious Confession
My absence in this blog has a lot to do with a complete depression I’m experiencing. It all seemed to start when my father passed away, but that was because I made the mistake of going on an anti-depressant that severely started adding pounds to my body. Supposedly those medications have been changed. Last month, however, I thought that maybe I’m drinking too many of my calories and restricted myself in half of my regular consumption. The result? I gained 20 pounds. 20 pounds! This time, last year, I weighed 100 pounds less than I do today. Since I am post weight loss surgery/gastric bypass and have reorganized insides, traditional diets are out of the question, especailly low carbing. One of my doctors thinks that its metabolic and thyroid related. My therapist … Read entire article »
Filed under: Stand For Something, WLS
Why is it acceptable to have Insurance companies prescribe our medications?
Its no secret that in January, I had to get new medical insurance. It was part of an acquisition. So, I’ve dealt with their denials of filling many prescriptions that I and my doctor had agreed that I needed. I’d dealt with their letters suggesting another medication that they feel is better or, more like they’ll allow (pay for.) Now, after last week and I finally got my medication, that my doctor didn’t call in for me, that he won’t give me refills for, as if that’s insurance that I’ll make my not needed appointments to him, every month… the insurance company would not pay for it. They claim that its a “maintenance medication” and I must get them 90 days, at a time, from them, directly. Now what do I do? The doctor has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition, Rant, Stand For Something
A Mixture of Emotional Breakdown Feelings – Latest Refills
The ice cream topping to my dessert of being pissed at my latest doctors appointment surfaced yesterday. In almost a way to control that I go to the doctor every month, my doctor doesn’t give me refills to any of my medications. They have a call-in, email, or fax system that I had signed up for, at the first of the year. So imagine my surprise when one of my major medications was out and not called in. I waited til Monday, called the nurse, explained the situation, and then she called me back because I left CVS and their phone number on the recorder (the pharmacy that was required of me to have another drug, by contract, filled there, and they messed all those refills up, too,) They said they only had … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition, Rant, Stand For Something, Unexpectations
You Must See These – Its time to be disgusted
You’ve heard about how you should see Food, Inc. And you should. You should also add SuperSize Me to that list of Must See’s. But I just finished watching King Corn and if you have Netflix, you should go watch it now. I’m amazed. I’m not sure any food is all that great for us anymore. We are killing ourselves one sip and bite at a time and only we can do something about this. I stopped eating fast food a long time ago. I’m an avid food label reader. I live with others who demand foods i would never buy.. but they are in my refrigerator. I <3 Dr. Pepper. I can live on Pepsi Throwback from Publix until I can switch off the whole soda bandwagon. I’m not there, yet. But … Read entire article »
Filed under: diet, Featured, Foodie Frenzy, Health/Nutrition, Mercury, Stand For Something
I met the new backcracker..
I went to a new chiropractor yesterday. After discussing my major weight gain and the absolute need of an endocrinologist and the thyroid issues vs tests that lie.. we measured my hips 1.5 inches off each other. He said that when your hips are twisted, like mine were, you can not stay in alignment. Then I got all cracked up. Literally. Walked out, standing up straight. Amazing. I was so excited to hear “see you next week.” Yes! Going to get cracked again. Love. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition
Lowered body temperature and cold hands and feet to start..
I’ve been asking so many people, for the last year, what the medical words for “generalized lowered body temperature” were. I just know there must be a name for this condition, yet no one has had an answer, yet. Recently, I’ve started back on some medications to help with the side-effects of my Fibromyalgia, because the pain has started to interfere with my daily life. I spend countless hours, in my bed, under an electric blanket, being used like a heating pad for my hip and back pain. So, today, in my IN Box appears Dr. Mercola talking about Fibromyalgia. It got my attention and I began to read many articles that I’d like to share snippets with you.. From http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/02/26/dr-john-lowe-on-thyroid-disease-part-1.aspx A common give-away that you may be hypothyroid is feeling cold most … Read entire article »
Filed under: Cancer, diet, Health/Nutrition, Iodine, Mercury
Just three little numbers I promised to share
224. I really have nothing more to say right now. :) … Read entire article »
Filed under: diet, Stand For Something, Unexpectations, WLS
My spoonfuls of Peanut Butter are sticking to my thighs!
Or maybe its the the Lindt Chocolate with Sea Salt. Or maybe its the Dr. Pepper. This is becoming a very serious weight problem that my doctor is getting involved with. That’s how you know your weight is getting out of control. Your doctor mentions it to you and tells you to lose four pounds before you see him the next month. (Forget the 3 I lost from seeing him the week before.) So, after my appointment, next week, I’ll publicly announce my weight and go from there, reducing it. (I don’t think I’m over 212.) My weight loss surgery honeymoon was over 7 years ago. I’ve done real well, for a long while. I seem to gain with certain medications that I take. (But, I fear its really the Dr. Pepper. :) … Read entire article »
Filed under: diet, Health/Nutrition, WLS
Rx Insurance Nightmares
<rant> Every new prescriptions and now refills are being rejected by my new insurance company, Express Scripts. I didn’t have a choice to change to this new company. But, they seem to think they are better at medication dispensing than my doctor. What do I need the doctor for? They should have a hotline that tells me what they’ll cover by my complaints, symptoms, or injury. The jerks. They decided, in January, the one co-pay only covered 17 days of my Ambien. Now I have a partial refill left of 14 pills. I got an email today, from last night’s refill request that they are not paying for that, either. I don’t know what I’m going to do but one of my medications helps me be mobile and I hate that I’m suffering in more … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition, Rant, Unexpectations
Serrapeptase Lowered my Cholesterol 32 points!!
Image via Wikipedia Its strange to write about a topic that isn’t new to my blog, but is new because its lost somewhere in the crashed blogs. I first ran into the name “Serrapeptase” when researching for natural remedies for sinus troubles/infections. Serrapeptase, in case you aren’t aware, is the enzyme silk worms use to get out of (dissolve) the cocoon. I tried several different products and found some amazing relief from the particular brand called Doctor’s Best. Each coated tablet is 40,000 Units, which is really foreign greek, to me. I’m just the messenger. :) It is coated so it won’t dissolve in your stomach, but wait to get to your intestines to work. If you eat with it, it will work on dissolving the food you eat with it, instead of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Health/Nutrition, Unexpectations
ALS is a fungus?? This Oncologist thinks so..
A couple of things are on my mind. One, I’ve lost all my ALS research when that blog crashed. Two, I was just in the Cancer Center, having an iron infusion, surrounded by people having chemotherapy. I remembered these videos. You need to hear what the doctor has to say. This amazes me because you can’t make any pharmaceutical money with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) but here he says he’s, personally, seen it cure. Just listen to what he says.. its worth your time. This could save lives. … Read entire article »
Filed under: ALS, Cancer, Forever and One More Day, Health/Nutrition
My HomeMade Non Hydrogenated Margarine – Butter Extender
In direct response to this post about healthier choices, I share my option for still eating butter, but extending it and adding the olive oil, too. 1 cup room temperature butter 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup filtered water 1/4 tsp liquid lecithin Whip together to form your home made margarine. Its healthy for you. It extends your butter, so its a less expensive option, and you don’t lose any of the taste of the real stuff. Non hydrogenated and all. :) If it doesn’t come together, I add a few more drops of lecithin. I don’t use this, at home, as often as I should, but I always make it for baked potato parties or potlucks. I should make this more often, for home use. hat tip to article: Saturday Stumbles at Not a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Health/Nutrition, Kitchen Miracles
My Silent Disability
I found this on a friend’s site and it is amazingly true. Some disabilities appear quite normal, in public. Please think before you get mad and Judge wrongly. No one would choose to have any illness. Some days these are all me and sometimes just part me.. rarely are they never me. For anyone who suffers with Fibromyalgia this is for YOU OR for anyone who has a family member, loved one, friend or knows anyone living with Fibromyalgia this is also for YOU … perhaps it puts into a perspective what someone who has this goes though!!! Remember, never JUDGE a person UNLESS you walk in their shoes!!!!! YOU THINK YOU KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE NOO IDEA!!! 1. My pain – My pain is not your pain. It is not caused … Read entire article »
Filed under: Featured, Health/Nutrition
Do I regret my Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery? (Re-post)
I’ve decided to share Beth’s WLS story with you. I’ve followed Beth’s blog for quite some time and since I’ve been posting some of my more negative health problems, post weight loss surgery.. I thought I should answer this question, for you, my reader’s, too. This is the first of two videos in this brutally honest post. Please click and listen to her own reply to some of the trouble it seemed to stir. I firmly believe in “YMMV”, Your Mileage May Vary, when it comes to any type of procedure, diet plan, or health change.. I appreciate Beth’s brutal honesty. I stopped going to local support groups, after my surgery, because the upcoming candidates for surgery scared the crap out of me. This is the hardest thing that I’ve ever done. I … Read entire article »
Filed under: WLS
Your footprintz