Epilepsy Talk
Pharmacists Rule! | August 6, 2010
Your pharmacist is the least expensive and most accessible health resource you have. They fill prescriptions and provide expert information about medications — a very important role considering the prominent use of seizure medications to treat epilepsy.
While it might seem easier to forge a personal relationship with one pharmacist at a small mom-and-pop pill dispensary, smart patients can and do establish great relationships with superstore pharmacists too.
You can see the pharmacist anytime you want, without an appointment and all consultations are free. In medicine, that’s extraordinary.
Plus, they have an amazing wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, which means at your fingertips. Many pharmacists also have access to new technology that can answer questions such as, “Is it safe to take this brand-new medication with this even newer medication?”
What’s more, they get a soldier’s view of patients with similar conditions, using different medications every day. They see who improves and who complains about side effects. Plus, pharmacists can be helpful in discussing the potential adverse effects of medications, their costs, the relative risks and benefits of generic versus brand-name medications and potential interactions.
The “Four Cs” of pharmacy visits:
One way to keep your epilepsy treatment on track is to stick to the treatment plan you and your doctor agreed upon. Check your prescription every time you pick it up at the pharmacy and think of “The Four Cs” …
1.Compare the new pill bottle label with the label on your last prescription.
2.Check that the pills look exactly the same (size, shape, color, and imprint).
3.Confirm with the pharmacist (if anything looks different) that he or she is aware of any change and has discussed it with your doctor.
4.Contact your doctor (or have your pharmacist call him or her) if your doctor did not request a change to your prescription.
And, as extra insurance, you can bring this letter from the EFA:
Dear Pharmacist:
Thank you for providing me with the valuable service of filling my needed prescriptions. The purpose of this letter is to let you know that I have epilepsy and it is vital that I receive the same medication from the same manufacturer monthly in order to maintain the expected level of seizure control and side effects. Please ensure that no changes are made to my medications, including a change in manufacturer, without prior consent from my physician and myself. Please note this request in my file. To assist you, I have listed below the name, manufacturer and dosage of the medications I am currently taking.
To download and print the entire form, click on: http://www.nomoreseizures.org/pdfs/pharma_letter.pdf
Manage your prescriptions
Don’t forget to write down the names of all of your medicines and supplements, along with the dosage and who makes it. (I keep a copy on file, update it when necessary and then just make copies to bring with me.) Take this list with you to any doctor’s appointments and trips to the pharmacy.
Talk to your pharmacist about each medicine you’re picking up, why it is prescribed and how you should take it. And build a relationship with your pharmacist just as you do with your doctor. Say “Yes” the next time you are asked if you want to talk to the pharmacist.
As Kristin Weitzel, PharmD, CDE, Assistant Editor for Pharmacist’s Letter says: “The key for health professionals is to focus on the needs of the patient. Pharmacists are in an ideal position to help epilepsy patients by using their clinical judgment…”
Resources:
http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/11-secrets-of-great-doctors–/article179524-3.html?page=3
http://my.epilepsy.com/node/336
http://www.epilepsyadvocate.com/about-epilepsy/treatment.aspx#quest2
http://www.nomoreseizures.com/pdfs/pharma_letter.pdf
https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/32132
Tags: access, benefits, costs, EFA, expert information, free consultations, interactions, knowledge, pharmacists, prescription, risks, seizure medications
21 Comments »
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This is a great post. I have learned that pharmacists know more about medications than doctors.
A couple of times I have had side effects and I do not know which medicine it is coming from. I am thankful that I can ask the pharmacist for help. I have been helped at least 2 times that I can remember.
It is their profession to know all about medicines. If they do not know about one, they look it up. I appreciate the work that they do.
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 9, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
I had a parmacist in Boston (I used to call him “Uncle Gary,”) who literally saved my life when I discovered I was allergic to codeine.
He sent an antidote over by taxi because I was so sick (hallucinating) that there was no way I could get there and I lived alone.
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 10, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
That was really great of your “Uncle Gary” to help you out like that.
He went out of his way to save your life. That is what I call a great pharmacist. He should rule!!
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 12, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
I only wish there was another “Uncle Gary”! But, I suppose they’re few and far between.
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 12, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Be still my beating heart! I went to phone in my refills (at Walgreens) today and not only was I informed that a generic was now available for one of my thyroid drugs, I was TOLD that they would check the acceptibility of the generic with my “health care provider” before filling the prescription.
You could have knocked me over with a feather!
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 24, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
Have your doctor write down, Brand Name Only.
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 24, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
Sounds like Walgreen’s was a good choice ‘Pharmacy’.
Phylis, did you know Homeopathic MD’s treat Thyroid conditions, also?
My Mom talked my Sis into meeting w/ her MD. I don’t know what kinda treatment he used, but, it worked for Sis. 
It may be a safer? alternative?
Problem is though, Unfortunately, Health Care Providers don’t cover Homeopathic MD’s.
I wonder, sometimes, if my Sister wasn’t the ‘wiser’ of the 2 of us? Even though she waited sooo long till she informed him of her EP status. Just wish, sometimes, that it was me doing the ‘natural’ way.
But, I can’t afford them DR bills. 
I have never heard of Health Care Providers turning down ‘generic’ scripts. IF that’s the route you take, I hope the generic works.
Love Candi
Comment by Candi — August 24, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Actually, Arthur uses different Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) for his neuropathy. Among them is the naturopath Dr. Mark Stengler, in California, who Arthur became friendly with after writing about him.
I believe in the best of all possible worlds, we would use multi disciplines in our healing (Arthur also uses accupuncture, massage, physiotry and exercise, together with nutritional supplmemnents.)
But I think our acceptance of alternatives has a very long way to go…
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 25, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
I accept it.
Just don’t practice it. Spoiled by my Pills. 
When they say Pheno’s are a sedative, they mean it! 
Even though My Energy level decreases every yr, I go w/ the flow, cuz, they control. So far. 
It’s like I am in my own Cocoon, of my own making. My “comfort zone”.
Love Candi
Comment by Candi — August 25, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Well, there’s plenty to be said in favor of comfort and control. Alternative or Complementary medicine is simply an added option and a matter of choice. (However, it does NOT replace conventional medicine. It’s just meant to enhance it.)
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 25, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Agreed!
Speaking of pharmacies. I need to contact mine & see if a Whey Protein additive is acceptable. I started on it last week to increase weight. I’ve lost 4lbs in the past 3 days. 
I hit 100 on the scales this morn. Should have ate my ice cream last nite. I have noticed when I skip my IC, I Do lose a few lbs. 
I know I am eating the rite foods, just nothing works w/ this blasted COPD/EP/med combo. I tried Ensure the last time I dropped so drastically. It didn’t work. Utah cleaner air Did. But, BHC, AZ summers/dirty air take the weight off. Tried telling my DR that. He suggested I move back to Ut. Then proceeded w/ tests to rule out other possibilities. 
Sure wish we could afford to move & live in a cleaner environment. 
Love Candi
Comment by Candi — August 26, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
Try this link for iherb’s nutritional weight gain products. They’re a good outfit, with excellent products, at fair prices… http://www.iherb.com/Weight-Gainer
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 26, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
Good Site.
But, Hubby says WalMart is still cheaper. Problem is it’s an either/or gain/lose weight product. Yours were all weight gain. 
My Sis sent me this site. Also a supplement site. 
Couldn’t find the article she wanted me to read for May/June issue. 
I thought you mite be interested in reading/posting this article on your site, though. 
Life Extension Retail-Magazine article
http://www.lifextensionretail.com/MagazineArticleDetail.aspx?article=117467
Love Candi
Comment by Candi — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
Candi, for some #*!? reason, the link didn’t take me there…although from the looks of the link, you would think it would work. Strange.
But I do know, from my health and wellness writing days that it’s an excellent publication!
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug
I found the mistake.
Not enough E’s 
Here we go again. 
http://www.lifeextensionretail.com/MagazineArticleDetail.aspx?article=117467
Since this was published just this Mth, you should be able to read the article. This article deals w/ a subject we are all to familiar with. Depletion of Nutrients caused by Meds.
Love Candi
Comment by Candi — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Thanks for your research Candi. Great article!!!
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 28, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Candi, I went to http://lifeextensionproducts.com
and http://www.lifeextensionvitamins.com
They both had the search history with your link. Those articles no longer exist. The link did not work for me either. There is a Life Extension Index that you might find the article in.
Phylis, I wish you had an edit button so I could get rid of my 2 other posts. Can you please get rid of them? I am bad on links.
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
There is an “Edit This” link in blue…but it doesn’t appear until after you post your comment. So, if you want to change something, you can…sort of…after the fact which is a little backwards, but…
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Ruth, I did delete the 2 posts.
FYI…when you get to the edit page, you can just edit your copy in the box or go to the “trash can” on the right and delete the message.
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Where is the “edit”? It does not appear in blue after I comment. I think that is strictly for you. Anyway, thank you for deleting them for me.
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 27, 2010 @ 9:15 PMAug -04:00Aug
Thank you Candi,
I read the article and bookmarked it, so I can refer to it again.
Comment by Ruth Brown — August 28, 2010 @ 9:15 AMAug -04:00Aug