“I got my booster shot, did you?” I am not only talking about Covid. Many of us have forgotten the routine boosters we still need during this pandemic.

Shingrix- This is to protect us against shingles, a preventable and very painful miserable illness. If you have had chickenpox as a child (or even as an adult), you are at risk for developing shingles as the virus lays dormant in nerve endings. It can be triggered by illness, or stress, or other factors. We are all eligible to get this shot beginning at age 50. It is one shot with a booster given 2-6 months later. Most importantly, IT IS NOT COVERED BY MEDICARE but is paid for by most commercial insurances, so please get it before you go on Medicare and have to pay for it out of pocket. You can get it at most pharmacies or through your medical provider’s office.

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There is no question that the pandemic has stressed our hospitals, doctors, and nurses. Despite it all, our providers have continued to take care of us, sacrificing their own health, time with their families, and all too often, contracting Covid, and even dying.

The COVID pandemic has forced both providers and, therefore, hospitals to focus on the sickest patients, in the beginning of the crisis, typically those with Covid. Lately however, our caregivers have had to make choices to treat a patient with Covid vs. those with cancer complications. And it has caused great anxiety for those caregivers as well as burn-out. There was recently an article in the LA Times written by a physician describing the difference in her mindset when the pandemic began to one year later, after we knew how serious it was, and after immunizations were available. In the beginning, she had great compassion for anyone who developed Covid, and now, all she feels is anger, particularly at having to treat those who refused a vaccine, is now putting others at risk, and continuing to tax the overburdened system as well as expose others to the virus.

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According to the CDC, the current guidelines are only recommended for those who had the original Pfizer series (stay tuned, Moderna, and J&J should be coming out soon). There has been so much misinformation about who is eligible now and what the rules are, I thought it would be helpful to break it down. There are three groups of people that are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine at this time. Eligibility depends on your age, living and working environment, and underlying health conditions.

First, you are eligible if you are 65 years of age and older. Secondly, you are also eligible if you are immune-compromised, have underlying medical conditions, and are over 18; these conditions include cancer, dementia, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, asthma, chronic lung or kidney disease, pregnancy, heart conditions, liver disease, Down syndrome, among others.

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Too often, we have an appointment to see our physician, and when we leave, we suddenly remember the questions we forgot to ask. Perhaps we forgot to ask for a refill of prescriptions or inquired about medical tests that we think are due but weren’t discussed.

There are different studies out, but on average, doctors interrupt the patient after 12 seconds. Think about that, you barely have time to tell them why you are there, and the doctor has hijacked the visit.

How do we take charge of the visit and take care of ourselves? Let your physician know why you are there and prepare your goals for your visit. Think about why you are going to the appointment, and write down the reasons for your visit. Include your symptoms, when they started, and if and how they affect your quality of life. If necessary, look online at reputable sites to get some information about your particular problem to understand it better and be familiar with the medical terminology.

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How prepared were you when you were expecting a baby? The nursery was ready, and you had your hospital bag ready to go; you picked a pediatrician, arranged to have the new grandparents available at a minute’s notice, checked your insurance, etc.

While birth is exciting, full of promise for life just beginning, we also know that we all will die one day. Perhaps not a comforting thought but the reality.

Why are we not nearly as prepared for this as we are for childbirth? Because it is scary, and we don’t want to think about it. But we need to, and have been made more aware of this since the pandemic; when young, healthy people suddenly found themselves on ventilators, middle-aged and older people became very ill, and family members were in the dark.

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“Did you make your dental appointment yet?” Over one year has passed since our lives were upended with Covid-19. So many of us have canceled or missed our important medical appointments and we need to take care of ourselves. We need our routine health maintenance, which includes height, weight, blood pressure and laboratory tests depending on your health and your family history. And these have been missed. Now is the time to make your dental appointments, mammograms, colonoscopies, physicals and all of our other necessary visits.

The worry is that by missing our cancer screening tests, by the time it may be picked up, it may be at a later stage, and more difficult to cure or treat. And we forget that a dental exam is not just to look for cavities, but to prevent gum disease, which can lead to other health problems down the road. Our dentists also look for signs of oral cancer, something we need to be aware and which can be treated if caught early on.

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Do you find yourself struggling at times to open a prescription bottle with a child proof top? As I was struggling to open one the other day, I remembered that years ago, when a prescription was filled, we were offered either a childproof lid or non-childproof lid. My inability to open it that day jogged my memory to an easier time, one in which we, the patient/consumer didn’t have to take on so much responsibility. This is yet another example of why we need to be prepared and think ahead.

Yes, you can still get your prescriptions without those childproof tops, but you need to ask. If your provider fills your prescription via e-prescription, they have a place where they can put in a note to the pharmacist, asking for a non-child proof lid. You may have to remind your provider as it is no longer a question that is asked when your get your prescription. If you pick up your prescription, look in the bag. If you don’t think you can open, give it back and ask for a different top.

Bear in mind, most, but not all pharmacies will accommodate you. In addition, if it is a controlled medication (ie a narcotic) depending on laws, they may not be able to dispense it the way you want, but they may be able to give you an empty bottle. It will be your responsibility to be sure that these medications are out of reach (or sight) of young children, or anyone who can open the bottle and use them.

Another way for you to become empowered and be in charge of your health care needs.

#beyourownadvocate #beempowered

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Did you know that there are less expensive ways to get your prescription medications?

While many people have prescription drug plans, even these can cause sticker shock, and many times we can’t afford them even with our health insurance. Look no further than discount drug companies, it may mean a little work on your part, but it is well worth the savings.

All you do is type in the name of your prescription and the directions (quantity, how many times a day) and you will get a list of pharmacies near you that you can choose from. The range of prices can be quite large, and sometimes you may need to go to different pharmacies for multiple prescriptions, but the savings may mean that you can get all of your medications, and not worry about paying your electric bill this month.

A few of the companies are:

GoodRX, InsideRx, Single Care, blink health, Optum Perks, RxSaver.

Depending on your insurance coverage, it may be worthwhile to use these plans as opposed to your insurance. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist, or feel free to call me and we can discuss your best options.

#patientadvocate, #prescriptiondrugprices,#beingyourownadvocate,#betterhealthcare,

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