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| Joined: | Sat Jul 10th, 2004 |
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Posted: Fri Sep 10th, 2004 19:48 |
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Quick-Scan Symptom Chart: with Thanks to JRFoutin
http://www.carouselcharts.com/JHR_tracking1.pdf
http://www.carouselcharts.com/JHR_tracking2.pdf
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Wed Feb 2nd, 2005 18:58 |
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Blood pressure monitors
It isn't necessary to monitor your blood pressure while you are on the Marshall Protocol unless your doctor insists on it. If you need to purchase a blood pressure monitor, the following info might help.
The June 2003 issue of Consumer Reports describes tests they have done on 16 top-selling home blood pressure monitors. These tests considered consistency, accuracy and convenience. They gave the most weight to consistency because you can adjust for a monitor that is inaccurate but consistent--it measures blood pressure, say, 5 points higher than the true pressure, but the readings seldom vary. Once you found that consistent error by having your physician check your monitor, you could simply subtract 5 points each time. But you can't adjust for an inconsistent monitor whose readings jump all over the place.
Two versions of the Omron arm automatic receive the Consumer Reports highest score. But at $80 and $70 they are pretty pricey and may have more features than you need. The $80 Omron, however, is the only top-rated model whose maker says it's appropriate for people with arryhthmias (irregular heartbeat).
They give a 'Best Buy' ranking to a Wal-mart brand called Relion which is an arm automatic and is made by Omron. It gives essentially the same excellent performance as the $80 model, works faster and has several of the same features for only $50. The other machine that gave consistently accurate readings is Lifesource Onestep, also an arm automatic. The others, including arm manuals were not as consistent. CR does not recommend wrist machines.
The manual arm monitors, also called semi-automatics, offer reasonably solid performance at lower cost --$35-$50-- than most others. While the readings display automatically, you have to inflate the cuff by pumping a bulb. so they're the hardest to use, and they measured pressure less consistently than the best automatics.
Using a monitor that scored only fair or even good on consistency theoretically might lead to inadequate treatment in some cases. But a monitor's performance can vary from person to person. So if you own a lower-rated meter, it's particularly important to have your doctor check it against a professional meter. If the readings seem inconsistent--or fluctuate inexplicably at home--consider switching to a higher-rated model.
It's a good idea to have any monitor checked against a professional machine, preferably a mercury device, for accuracy, every six months, or sooner if you've dropped it. You can usually do this at your doctors office or a public health office for free.
Interestingly, the Consumer Reports medical consultants recommend treating "white-coat hypertension". These are elevations in blood pressure apparently triggered by the anxiety of a doctors office visit. These elevations may indicate that blood pressure rises outside the office whenever the person feels tense.
Meg
Misleading blood pressure (BP) readings
From Dr. Alexander Grant's Health Gazette (R) A Digest of Medical Facts and News
August 2004 Volume 27, Number 7
While the need for using a pressure cuff correctly sized for the patient is well known, less attention is paid to positioning the patient's arm. If the arm is allowed to hang at the patient's side when readings are taken, high BP will often be diagnosed when, in reality, the BP is normal. To ensure that readings are accurate, the patient should be seated with the forearm resting a little above waist level on a table. In this position, arm muscles are relaxed (which is important) and the upper arm is at about heart level. A survey of BP-reading techniques used in 182 doctors' offices found that only 8% of those who made the readings were aware of the need to position the arm correctly. Nowadays, more and more patients are being asked to take and record their BP's at home. Daily averages of these readings taken between office visits provide the doctor with a more realistic picture of a patient's progress than do "spot-check" pressures taken only during follow-up visits. However, home readings must be taken correctly, and made in the same way each time. SOURCE: International Medicine Journal (34:290,'04).
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ESmith659 wrote: I bought a blood pressue machine called Microlife. Runs about 99.00 at Jewel/Osco. It is pretty cool for you can hook it up to your computer and it will have the graph showing. Also, you can email it to your doc for him to view for it will tell you if it picked up an irregular heart beat as well.
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It is not unusual for different blood pressure cuffs to read differently, and one size does not fit all. A regular cuff on a woman or adolescent with a small arm will always read low. A regular cuff on a person with a big arm will always read too high. Some providers just seem to forget to use the best size for the patient. If a person is able to talk you know they are getting enough blood to their brain, and I would tend to think that the 70/50 was really just a bit higher in reality; but many people do just fine with a BP in 75-80 range.
~P.Bear,RNLast edited on Thu Nov 23rd, 2006 02:56 by Meg Mangin R.N.
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Wed Feb 2nd, 2005 19:02 |
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The right kind of Benicar
There are two types of Benicar and it is CRITICAL that you have the right kind, which is just plain Benicar:
40 mg tabs have C-15 written on them
20 mg tabs have C-14 written on them
There is also a form of Benicar which includes Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), a diuretic. You do NOT want this kind.
Please check your Benicar tablets to make sure that you have the right kind.
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Wed Feb 2nd, 2005 19:20 |
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[filelink]
Pill reminder alarms
(see more discussion on this topic here: http://www.marshallprotocol.com/forum11/1317.html )
I previously posted information about some watches and pillboxes with alarms to help with remembering to take Benicar on time.
Even though I purchased one of the watches, I have been using the Alerts feature of Yahoo calendar. Since you can set up Yahoo Alerts to come by Yahoo Messenger and because Yahoo Messenger will send alerts (as well as IM's) to your cell phone, you can even use Yahoo Calendar Alerts away from home if you have a cell phone.
Using Yahoo Calendar and the Alerts within your Yahoo (or SBC/Yahoo DSL) account is very easy. Just go to the Calendar section, set up an "Event", and configure it for a reminder to be delivered by Yahoo Messenger.
Just remember that you will always need to be logged in to Yahoo Messenger to receive these alerts and you will want to set the volume on your computer loud enough so that you will hear the alerts if you are not sitting at your computer at the time.
You may, like me, though, still want to use an alarm clock for early morning doses unless your computer is by your bed and you can set the volume up pretty loud.
Invisible clock
Hunting around for a better solution other than having 3 alarm clocks sitting in every room of the house, I found a US-company called "Time Now Inc" who have developped what they call the "Invisible Clock". It is a multi-alarm device the size, weight and shape of a small pager. You can set up to 12 alarms. The signal can either be beeps or vibration, whichever suits you best. The amount of the beeps and their volume can be customized, so can the amount of vibrations and their intensity. And trust me, the beeps will be loud enough even for the deaf amongst us (of for the young ones listening to loud music). On top of the alarms, there are more functions, that will perhaps not be all that important to many of us on the MP, but they include: countdown timer, custom timer, meeting timer, stopwatch and background light. You can clip the clock onto your belt or wear it around your neck, so whatever you're doing you'll always find a place on yourself where it is not too much in your way (it is actually quite light, so you can in fact wear it on a string around your neck). It runs on one ordinary AAA battery so there is no need to purchase expensive coin celles for watches or battery operated alarms. I have been using the clock now for around one week and am thrilled with it ! I've done away with all the alarms and mobile phones lying around, going off at different times of the day when I'm not even in the room...
The clock is sold by the manufacturing company directly for just under 40 $, free US-shipping. They do ship anywhere though for a very reasonable price and do take international credit cards. The contact details are:
Time Now Inc. 116 Ward St. #2, Larkspur, CA 94939
Toll free: 888-602-2588 Phone/fax: 415-924-6681
Email: eriksen@sonic.net http://www.invisibleclock.com.
The guy I spoke to was very nice and helpful and the order was processed rightaway. Shipping took ridiculously little time. I think I ordered on a Friday and the clock arrived in Michigan on the following Monday! Here is a helpful site for personal alarm clocks.~Sydney
-I keep a little compartmented pillbox in my pocket so I can always check if I've forgotten a dose. I keep spares in there too, in another compartment, just in case I get caught out someplace.
I also got myself a very nice vibrating 6-alarm watch to remind me to take my pills.
http://www.almedatime.com/medicalalarmwatches.htm
This is not cheap, but I figured I would ruin a cheap vibrator watch pretty quick. This one is built like a tank!  Looks pretty good too, but not "dainty". It has saved me many times when I was brain fogged or just busy on something. Worth every penny. ~knochen
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Wed Feb 2nd, 2005 19:28 |
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Digital timers, watches, pillboxes, reminder bracelets. helpful hints
Vibrating alarms: Hearmore
DNStog: excellent organiser
http://tinyurl.com/5u279
Up to four settings to remind you to take your Benicar every six or eight hours
Other options: http://www.epill.com/
http://www.epill.com/bottle.html
This watch http://www.epill.com/medose.html has up to six timers for those taking Benicar every four hours. Also, you may prefer to be reminded by something you are wearing rather than by something which might go off in another room where you won't hear it. Sound alarm or vibrates.
I bought a similar watch, but cheaper.....and it only beeps (does not vibrate).Because it's sort of clunky, I cut the wrist band off and bought a ribbon to hang it around my neck. If I'm going someplace where I don't want to have it show, I take it off the ribbon and put it in the pocket of whatever I'm wearing. The website I bought it from is: http://www.jhewitt.com
Sharon
Less expensive model which does not have vibrate option but has up to 12 alarms and stores medical information: http://www.epill.com/cadex.html
Other options: http://www.epill.com/
This watch http://www.epill.com/medose.html has up to six timers for those taking Benicar every four hours. Also, you may prefer to be reminded by something you are wearing rather than by something which might go off in another room where you won't hear it.
Aussie Barb has 2 Salter Big Time Electronic Timer My Digital electronic timers can be found in the cooking section of the Big Stores. see Barb's timer tips HERE
Mic: My wife bought me a five alarm wrist watch at Wal-Mart yesterday for a Benicar reminder. She paid $10.00 for it.
-With this device, I can easily change my dosing schedule. (I use my cell phone or an alarm for my one dose during the night.) It's small enough to travel in a purse when you go out. Only drawback is that it is difficult to open once closed and so I keep it snugged and put it in a pocket of my purse so that it remains in an upright position (with the snugged up opening to the top). I've only forgot to take my Benicar a couple of times since getting this timer. Hope you find it helpful. ~Claire
http://www.epill.com/multibox.html?source=google
Helpful hints
To minimize MP and dosing issues, even while driving:
READY ACCESS--Within arm's reach have water bottle, pill case (72 hours minimum load), alarm (vibrate or sound modes acceptable for your workplace). Be sure you can open pill case easily with one hand. If you forgot to break or can't take it before a commute, pop Benicar in half for better absorption with one hand by pressing between top of boy scout fingers and thumb (Sept. long day driving to next state and back with few stops learned these tricks).
Prepare 25mg Mino capsules for ahead of time. 25mg good for controlling herx, too. Mino capsules feel different than benicar hard oval pills, especially if you use large, easy-load gel caps for "the other 1/2" of 50mg mino. ~jrfoutin
Last edited on Wed Feb 6th, 2008 06:35 by Meg Mangin R.N.
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Wed Oct 12th, 2005 01:34 |
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(filelink)
Financial help with Rx medications
This website has a 27 page handbook, "2003-2004 Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs", which can be downloaded for free via the internet. It gives contact info on all of the drug manufacturers so that needy patients can learn about how to obtain free Rx meds.
http://www.HelpingPatients.org
To download the handbook, look down on the bottom of the right side of the home page. The heading is in small bold print, but the words "click here" are in very small, light print -- just so you don't overlook it.
You can also do a search by each state to find out if there is any special information pertaining to programs in your state.
see Paying for MP meds
Topic: New Medicare prescription program
How to get Benicar and other MP meds covered
https://www.rxhope.com/pap_selectdrug.asp RxHope provides free drugs (Benicar is on their list) to those who qualify. You go through your doctor, who fills out the form for you - Be sure to check all the requirements, and the meds are sent to Docs office where you pick them up. Patients must reside in the United States and have a U.S. treating physician.
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Sat Sep 9th, 2006 00:04 |
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Suggestions for taking bad-tasting medications
(filelink)
My D2 has to take a med that she tell me has an awful taste and starts to dissolve in the mouth.No matter what she eat after the taste remain.We have been using a small strip of soft white bread,I roll the med up closing the sides and the end,until it look like a small ball of 'dough'.I don't press too hard as the med poke out.
Grace
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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Thu Apr 12th, 2007 20:31 |
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[filelink]
Online diaries
Hello! I'm here with a suggestion-- I am just beginning MP-- have been online now for a few weeks, gathering all the info, making doc appt, getting D tests and seeing my MP doc for the first time at the end of this month..so I'm excited as one can be with Sarc but anxious to get well. I have been so encouraged by not only the success stories but also reading through the struggles that all share and learning so much about "myself". I have been suffering with Th1 unknowingly for so many years...my pre-MP thanks to Dr. Trevor and his wonderful Staff, so I wanted to share this with you.
I have signed up with an online diary to write my daily thoughts and feelings as I go through MP-- your diary may be kept private on these sites or they can be made public for anyone that you wish to share your journey with-- It may be a place to keep track of the foods you eat, or a place to vent with a friend/family challenge or a day that you may just need to sit and pound at the computer to help get one through the challenging days. I personally have had a very emotional time being away from my job for the past four months and it gives me a place to write down my thoughts...
So here are a couple links, the first being the one that I've signed up with for free. Or you can search by "online diary" for other options! Happy writing!
http://www.onlinediary.net
http://www.diaryland.com
http://www.mydeardiary.com
~Deb Grabetz
Moderator add: MP.com Private Diary Calendar
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