struggle

Hanging by a Thread

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.

hanging on treeDo you ever feel like you’re barely hanging on by your fingernails?  All might even look right when people look at you, but you’re really enduring a great struggle?  I think that is true of many people.  In this case, knowing you’re not alone doesn’t help the current situation.

What leads to this situation?

Wow, the number of ways someone can find him/herself in this situation is large and diverse.  Here are a few:

  • Loss of a loved one, friend, dear colleague
  • Loss of a job
  • Major life transition
  • Financial pressures
  • Unrealistic expectations
  • Isolation
  • Constant negativity
  • Not finding a source of hope
  • Situation that seems endless

What are the signs?

Sometimes people find themselves at this point and are surprised.  The loss or life change might have come out of nowhere.  Or, the slope to hanging by a thread might have been gradual and barely noticeable.

Some of the signs I hear clients talk about include:

  • Waking up with anxiety during the night
  • Loss of energy
  • Changes in appetite
  • Thoughts that are hard to quiet
  • Worry
  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Hopelessness
  • Decreased sense of self worth

There are physical effects of being in this dark place.  Blood pressure and blood sugar are harder to control.  When sleep patterns change, risk of depression, pain, and anxiety go up. Productivity declines, so there are lost days of work or decreased work getting done (and that can further increase the stress).  Relationships can suffer.

Taking the next steps forward

The first step in recovery is to recognize the signs.  Realize you are in this place.

The next step is to realize you don’t need to walk this path alone.  If you have trusted family or friends, let them help you.  Call your doctor and explain the situation and how you are feeling.  Reach out!

The step that is most important is to find your source of hope and meaning.

Finding and focusing on hope and things beyond yourself

Life contains many struggles.  That is true for everyone no matter their occupation, the country where they live, their religion, their political beliefs, or their hair color.

People really struggle to handle the ups and downs of life alone.  The tendency is to get more and more focused on yourself and your situation. This is a deep, dark, downward spiral. We have probably all found ourselves on that dark path at least once.  Some people live in this vicious cyclone of self.

If you’re there now, make a real effort to reach out the do something for someone else today.  It can be something as simple as holding a door or giving them a place in front of you in line.  Small and large acts of kindness toward other people is one of the best remedies for our own difficult times.  Try it and see!

The other is finding your source of hope.  Hope is what gets us through the tough times.  It is what changes our perspective beyond ourselves and our current situations.  It is liberating!

Hope through Christ is central in the Christian beliefs.

Hope is a critical element of the Jewish tradition.

Hope is integral in the Muslim faith.

Hope is a common theme in Buddhism.

If you aren’t sure of your source of hope, I encourage you to invest some time to reflect on this area of your life.

Retirement Wellness Strategies

A growing number of retirees are finding themselves disgruntled, disillusioned, and hanging by a thread.  Startlingly, the suicide rate is rapidly escalating.  One of the primary purposes of Retirement Wellness Strategies is to facilitate finding meaning, relevance, and peace in retirement.

You can reach us at www.retirewellness.com, michelle@retirewellness.com, or call at 410-472-5078.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

When have you last been, or why are you now ‘hanging by a thread’?  We’ve all been there.  Throughout the Bible, we are assured we will have trouble.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

These verses tell us trouble is just going to happen.  You are definitely not the only one enduring trouble.  You are not being specifically punished while the rest of the world goes on their merry way.

[Side note, the world you see people portray on social media is not all reality.  Those are the super great moments of people’s lives.  They have ugly, messy, stinky, troubling moment, too – just like you.]

These verses also tell us God knows we are living through difficult times.  God knows we struggle.  And, God has not left us alone.  He loves us!  He is looking out for us!  He is here to help us!

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:14 ESV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

Jesus was born to offer the ultimate sacrifice to save us.  It is in this HOPE that we can endure difficult times and rest assured of His unconditional love!

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

I’m praying you take the time in your busy-ness and struggles to reach for God and His promises.  May you find that peace that surpasses understanding!

Blessings,

Michelle

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Medication Choices for ‘Everyday’ Pain

Posted on by Michelle Fritsch, Pharm.D.
otc-pain-meds
Everyday pain meds are important to discuss with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do you ever have pain when you wake up?   Do you have pain when you sit too long? Does your back bother you on a long car ride? Do you get a headache when the weather changes? Do your muscles hurt the next day when you overdo it?

What do you do about this ‘everyday’ sort of pain? 

You have many choices. Walk in to any pharmacy, grocery store, or super store and you will find several shelves of options. You will find brand name pain medications next to generic, or store, versions of the same medication.

Which ones do you pick? Do you have a ‘stand by’ favorite or do you like to keep switching to try something new? I have had many clients with either of these philosophies.

Here are a few things I want you to know about these options so you can make an informed decision.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are medications such as ibuprofen (brand names Motrin and Advil), naproxen (brand name Aleve), and aspirin (brand names Bayer, Excedrin, Bufferin). These can relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. The over-the-counter doses are lower than the prescription doses.

There are three big risks associated with these that I want you to know about:

  1. They can be hard on your kidneys. Be sure your doctor and your pharmacist know that you take these, how much you take, and which ones you take. They will monitor your kidney function and likely ask you to stop taking them if your kidneys show signs of injury.
  2. They can be hard on your stomach. Your risk of stomach ulcer goes up when you take these. ALWAYS take them with FOOD. If you develop stomach pain, more indigestion, reflux, or burning, tell you doctor.
  3. They can raise your blood pressure. This in turn can increase the stress on your heart. If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, talk with your doctor and pharmacist BEFORE choosing to take an NSAID.

Another important tip is to make sure your doctor and your pharmacist know you are taking any NSAID and how much. There are many of these available by prescription. I have seen many people who are taking a prescription and an over-the-counter NSAID at the same time. They had no idea because the names are different. So, share all of your medications – prescribed and self-selected – with your healthcare team. Too much NSAID makes the three risks stated above worse.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) is similar to the NSAIDs without the anti-inflammatory part. Acetaminophen can relieve pain and fever. Studies have found it is just as effective as NSAIDs for relieving pain not associated with inflammation.

There are two primary risks with acetaminophen:

  1. Too much can hurt your liver. The current guideline is to take no more than 3 grams (3,000 mg) per day.
    1. Drinking alcohol can make the damage to your liver even worse.
    2. If you already have liver problems, talk with your doctor and pharmacist BEFORE taking acetaminophen.
  2. It can increase the blood thinning effects of warfarin.
    1. If you are on a blood thinner, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about taking acetaminophen.

Note, acetaminophen can be found in many combination products. Please look for it in your headache, cold, flu, sinus, and prescription pain medications. The TOTAL amount for the entire day should be 3,000 mg or less.

Some other options

Sometimes there are simple things you can do that will relieve the pain without the use of medication. Here are just a few:

  • Stretching – for sore muscles and back pain
  • Icing – for sprained or strained muscles
  • Applying heat – for back pain
  • Drinking plenty of water – for headache
  • Closing the eyes and covering with warm compress – for headache
  • Exercising – even a stroll can help with some muscle and back pain and relieve tension related headaches

Your physical therapist is a wealth of information about stretches and exercises to relieve many types of pain. In many states, you can call and make an appointment with your physical therapist without a referral.

For more information about pain treatment options, contact us at Meds MASH at www.medsmash.com/contact.

BIBLICAL APPLICATION

What are the spiritual pains you have experienced or are experiencing now? Life brings plenty of pain and turmoil and struggle. NSAIDs and acetaminophen won’t do much for this type of pain. So what are your options?

Jesus, his disciples, and Paul provide us with a lot of instruction and comfort to guide us through these life pains.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

If you’ve experienced painful experiences in your life, you are certainly not alone. We are guaranteed hardships. Our choice is how we deal with them. Most importantly, it’s how much we lean on God through them that matters.

Romans 8:18 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 5:3-4 ESV

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

I think the following is a very comforting verse to memorize and lean on in difficult circumstances.

John 16:33 ESV

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Blessings,

Michelle