Adverse reactions to medications

I have had to help my sister get medical care to deal with adverse reactions to medications twice in less than a month.

The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.

* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!

Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.

* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!

Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.

* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.

* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY

Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.

If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.

9-11 memories

This is the anniversary of the downing of the two World Trade towers.

One of the planes did not make the intended target because the brave passengers stopped them.

More than 3000 people died that day. Thousands more suffered permanent injuries and are still coping with those today. The economic, medical and emotional losses are still horrendous.

This is a good day to focus on how we can each take small steps to improve our own lives. Changes can be like ripples in a pond. Once change can influence others to make changes in their own lives.

Random acts of kindness can and often do make huge differences.

Fibery Co-Op

Fibery Co-Op members are talented, resourceful folk, and many have products and goods available that will make your world of fiber far, far more fun and productive.

So, The Fibery Co-Op will offer a selection of goodies, a different Fluff 'N' Stuff collection, perhaps 6 times a year. The Fluff 'N' Stuff menu link to the left will lead you to the current collection's page, and, when the box is for sale, there will be a link there to the shopping cart.

All proceeds from the sale of Fluff 'N' Stuff Collections will be sent in the name of The Fibery Co-Op to Heiffer International to help families around the world achieve self-reliance through the gift of livestock and training.

If you want to be included in the next collection, contact

jackie@fibers.downinthecountry.com