Medications

 

I am just going to take a step back in time, way way back to my childhood. The only medication I ever remember receiving as a child was an adult aspirin crushed up in brown sugar. Vicks or Watkins medicated ointment was rubbed on my neck and chest, my neck was then wrapped in one of Dad's wool socks. I believe there was baby aspirin, but we didn't have any in our house. The Aspirin bottle didn't have an expiry date and was used until it was gone. I am not sure what they gave us as babies but pretty sure it was aspirin dissolved in liquid.    

Recently, there was a panic that swept the country when supplies of Children Tylenol and Advil ran low.  It was a very serious situation that involved the federal government, and the solution was to have supplies shipped in from other countries.  I have to admit I was rather perplexed why parents weren't just giving adult medication during the shortage.  Think it through and cut in half or quarter and give with brown sugar. In medicine, scoring tablets to get a lesser dose is done routinely. I understand that some pharmacies are compounding medications, which means crushing adult medications and making a solution of the appropriate amount, so parents are comfortable giving them as an alternative.  I did read one article which stated: for older children parents can give a smaller dose of an adult dose, in the form of a crushed tablet or teach them how to swallow pills.  It was also suggested that the parents discuss with a pharmacist before doing this so that the child doesn't receive an overdose.  I can't even imagine in my wildest dreams my parents or anyone else's parents in the late 50s calling a pharmacist before crushing what was probably a whole adult aspirin, they just did it so their child would feel better.  Pretty sure the thought of overdose never crossed their mind.

In my history of Aspirin use, I loved it.  It would drop a temperature like no other medication.  Many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers used maximum number of aspirin to help with their pain when nothing else seemed to.  They had to be very careful not to cut themselves, as it was a powerful blood thinner. Aspirin was such an old tried and true medication.  It was developed in 1897 and in 1915 it became an over-the-counter medication.  In the 50s Aspirin hit the Guinness world book of records as the most used pain killer. Over the years Aspirin has been used for inflammation, prevention of strokes, heart attacks and has been known to lessens the frequency of cancer in the GI tract. It has few side effects, allergy being the worst, thins the blood and can cause stomach upset.  

In 1986, the government issued a warning on Aspirin for children under 16.  They felt that Aspirin could put them at risk of getting Reye's syndrome.  Although there are about two cases a year diagnosed with Reye's syndrome, parents quickly changed to Tylenol or Advil for their children.  I am sure it would be rare to see Aspirin in a home right now. Before 1986, Aspirin was my front runner for fever and pain for my kids.  Crushed in brown sugar of course. 

Tylenol was developed in 1955 and apparently there was a children's elixir at that time.  Tylenol works on the brain and has no anti-inflammatory properties.  Advil works in the brain and the rest of the body and has the active ingredient Ibuprofen in it.  So, if you sprained your ankle, you need Advil or Aspirin.  Tylenol only works to manage pain and helps to lower a temperature. One thing that is often not known about Tylenol is it is hard on the liver. 

Not sure what my point of this mini pharmacy course was, I guess it is because of the panic over the children's pain medication.  I have read articles of the increase in ER visits with the recent bout of children's respiratory infections. It has been stated that the parents are seeking Tylenol and Advil. I do wonder if some parents think those mediations are the cure for the infection their child has as opposed to comfort measures.  The whole news reports just prompted me sharing my memories and thoughts on medications, with the assumption that others have the same thoughts. 

I rarely go to the Doctor but just recently I have been in a doctor's office twice.  Once for me and the other with Mom. The whole experience of visiting a doctor has evolved over the years. There is nothing to say that person is your doctor unless they are wearing a lab coat.  The casual wear is how it works in today's world.  No white shirt and tie like the good old days.  A doctor visit is now the Doc studying the computer screen, asking questions from behind a mask and making random eye contact.  As you are speaking, they are typing their report.  Which they are totally capable of multi-tasking and are also extremely efficient doing it.  The face of going to the doctor has changed, right along with the rest of the world.  Before you leave the office, your prescription is already on its way to the pharmacy, you have a new copy of upcoming tests, and you have your next visit booked.  Very efficient to say the least.  

In Saskatchewan they have the most wonderful website that allows you to see lab and test results, medications, vaccination history and other pertinent medical information.  I find this so valuable keeping track of my mom's health. Once again you have to understand what you are reading and also be able to manage the site.  But it is available.  

Not sure what the heck is going on with me.  On Monday, I started to cough at 4 am and by nightfall I was a mess.  I have already done my complaining in the post "Girl Sick", so I will spare you the details.  So, this is #3 sickness since June.  Up to that point I hadn't been ill for years.  I have every shot known to mankind and so it is forcing me to rethink what is the problem here.  

I have a friend that is just amazing with alternative medications.  It is because of her that I am using RespirActin morning and night, and mercy does it sooth the cough.  I have purchased Silver Water and I am 3 doses in.  It is centuries old and is used as an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-everything.  Not sure if it is the turnaround, I needed but I have to say I feel 50% better this morning.    

                  

Clearly, something is wrong with my immune system.  I have to look at the bigger picture here.  Yes, get rid of what I have right now #3 - life interrupted.  But I need to pump up my immunity because to be honest I am not going to have something every 3 months.  I am not going to hide out my house to make sure I don't get anything; I just have to form a plan.  Up to my time of retirement I was very healthy.  I was surrounded by lots of people, often sick but now look how soft I have become.  I don't even know where I got #3.  I realize there is lots going around, but that doesn't mean I have to catch it.  My biggest problem is I had so many wonderful things planned for this week, and I had to cancel them.  It was going to be an extremely productive week as well which clearly that is not happening.  Promising not to go on and on, I am stopping here.  

In closing I am reminded "if this is the worst thing that is happening in my life right now, I am still pretty lucky".  I need to exercise patience and just get better.  Pretty darn simple concept.