I don’t know who originally talked about “the calm before a storm,” but in my 26 years of existence, I’ve found it to be all too true.

Aside from the depressing news about the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date, last week was a pretty good week.

This week, after spending numerous days in the hospital with a loved one who’s suffered a brain stem stroke (I’ll talk more about that tomorrow), Warner Brothers’ big surprise with Harry Potter looks peachy by comparison.

Still, I have prepared a pretty decent Saturday Sanity, all things considered.

Enjoy!

This week at Mental Health Notes, I shared two very interesting interviews: One with Dr. David Clarke, author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong!, and another with Dee, a Cymbalta withdrawal survivor. I also shared with you one writer’s tips on how to de-stress, told you about Blog Action Day 2008, pointed out that lead is harmful to our health (in light of a recent “China’s at it again”-type hoax), and participated in this month’s Health & Wellness Channel theme day with Sunshine Can Help Your Brain Grow Big And Strong.

Regarding mental health advocacy, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has posted their latest newsletter online, and Mental Health America wants to know if you’ve saved a life today.

In the world of mental health news, researchers report that an increasing number of veterans home from Iraq and Afghanistan are turning to alcohol, Heather Yakin of the Times-Herald Record shares a heartbreaking story of conditions of New York’s Hudson Valley area adult homes, and the Los Angeles Times reports on suicidal thoughts among college students. Studies appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology report cancer is a risk factor for suicide, a study of close to 3,600 Americans suggests that early childhood trauma plays a role in people starting to drink at young ages, and researchers have reported on two genes that could play a role in a person’s risk for bipolar disorder in the journal Nature Genetics.

Here at b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel, we bloggers were busy with August’s theme day, “Summer Fun.” You can view a round up of all entries to learn how to be your healthiest this summer!

Image: SXC

Post from: Blisstree

Saturday Sanity: Recognizing The Calm Before The Storm

b5media’s Health & Wellness Channel theme for this month is “Independence.” Quite appropriate, given America’s Independence Day celebration each year on the Fourth of July; however, American or not, everyone can celebrate independence from ignorance when it comes to prescription medication.

I thought offering up ways to become independent from ignorance about prescription medications – specifically, five questions to ask our doctors about prescription medications – would be appropriate.

5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Prescription Medications

Question #1 – What are the known side effects of this drug? This may seem like a real no-brainer, but it’s not. In their haste to help you get well, or, write you a prescription and move on to the next patient, doctors sometimes rattle through the side effects faster than drug commercials do, or they fail to mention them at all. Ask your doctor about the known side effects of the medicine, studies regarding the side effects of the medicine, and any experiences with side effects s/he knows about firsthand. And, keep in mind the answers should include side effects that come along with stopping the medication.

Question #2 – Are there any older alternatives? Taking the newest prescription medicine isn’t always a good thing. The newer the medicine, the more likely it is that there are still unknown side effects. When it comes to prescription medications, “older” doesn’t necessarily mean ineffective (though it does often mean less expensive!), so ask your doctor if your particular condition would benefit from older, more “tried and true” prescription medicines.

Question #3 – Is there a generic form of this prescription medicine? Don’t be afraid of the word “generic.” I myself am a huge fan of nearly all things generic (of course, that may just be the cheapskate in me), and Gary Buehler, the Director of the FDA’s Office of Generic Drugs Some, tells us that “[t]he standards for quality are the same for brand name and generic products.” Some states actually require pharmacies to substitute generic prescription medications when available. It’s more cost effective, and you’ll find this extremely helpful should there come a time when you lose your health insurance.

Question #4 – How much does this stuff cost? This question goes hand-in-hand with the ones above. Whether it’s a name brand drug or a generic drug, you want to know how much it costs before you skip off to the pharmacy (honestly, passing out from price shock and sprawling out spread-eagle at the front of the line isn’t becoming). If it costs too much for you, pipe up. Ask if there is a cheaper, generic form, or a less-expensive, older alternative. This question can also help you prepare for financially unsure times.

Question #5 – Is there a non-prescription alternative? Medicine isn’t always the answer. Sometimes therapy, changes in diet, and changes in lifestyle may work just as well as a low milligram antidepressant. Obviously, your doctor (and not this blog post) should make that decision, but asking him or her about non-prescription alternatives may prompt a beneficial conversation that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise.

Do you have any experiences with asking doctors these or other questions you’d like to share? Feel free to leave ‘em in the comments!

In the meantime, for more information about prescription medications, check out the Mental Health Notes series Grab Drug Advertisements By The Pills.

Image: b5media

Post from: Blisstree

Independence From Ignorance: 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Prescription Medication

No, no, no. I’m not getting married. What I am doing, however, is offering up some tips for stress-free weddings for those of you who are!

June kicks off the unofficial wedding season, and I thought it’d be nice to help all the brides out there prepare for their big days in plenty of time with some tips on how to handle the various aspects of planning weddings – and carrying out those plans – stress-free!

Helping me is Molly McDonald, a freelance designer (and a sort of Jill of all trades – check her out at Molly McDonald Design!), who is definitely an expert in the field.

Why?

Because Molly managed to handle her wedding preparations while withdrawing from Cymbalta!  I tip my hat (or veil, if I ever don one) to any lady who can do that.

To kick off this Goin’ to the Chapel series, Molly would like to offer some words every bride should remember regarding her big day:

First and foremost…It’s YOUR day! It’s your day to celebrate your love for each other. That includes wearing what you want to wear, how many guests you want there, the food you want to serve (if any), whether there is alcohol or not, the venue, etc. There will be problems that arise, but there is always a solution, and you CAN be calm and collected about it, not Bridezilla!

Well said! During this week, you can expect to see Molly’s stress-free wedding tips on the following subjects:

• Staying within your wedding budget.
• Revamping your wedding guest list.
• Deciding whether your wedding will be child-friendly or adult-only.
• Handling those unwanted wedding arrivals.
• Determining wedding etiquette.

So, be sure to join Molly and me as we discover the secrets to planning – and enjoying – a stress-free wedding!

Image source and credit.

Interested in participating in another one of Mental Health Notes’ series? Then don’t forget to join This Is Why I ROCK!

Post from: Blisstree

Mental Health Notes Is Goin’ To The Chapel!