It's swell

  I was a bit under the weather, as the old saying goes, and stayed off Facebook for a couple days. Perhaps it was because of my illness but I was surprised to learn that I didn't miss it all that much. Guess I haven't become addicted, drawn into that world nearly as deeply as I thought I might have been. And, that's a good thing. When I returned to my usual posting I was very pleased to have so many ask about my health, send well wishes and express concern. Wouldn't it be great if that were always the case with social media postings/remarks? A positive experience instead of stirring up hate and negativity. 

  I was asked if it was Covid. I have no idea as I didn't go to a doctor, do any home testing or anything like that. Ginger ale, tomato soup, rest. That's what I did. It wasn't debilitating, so it wasn't necessary. I had a few folks saying they had/where suffering from covid right now. To be honest I didn't think it was much of a thing anymore, just another variation, like the seasonal flu. We do still have a seasonal flu don't we? Yes, we need to sell that shot as well. I'm told I should get some shots specific to old people. It amuses me because I don't identify as an old person. We are going by whatever it is you identify as, right? Biology doesn't figure into that.

  Growing up my family didn't have any medical insurance. As a consequence we didn't consult a doctor unless it was considered serious. You pretty much had to be bleeding badly enough to cause alarm. It took a lot to do that as we weren't sissies or squeamish about a little blood. Broken bones was a good reason or a very high fever that lasted for more than a day. If that ginger ale, saltines crackers and tomato soup didn't work, it was probably serious. I still follow those basic guidelines to this day. Now I do have insurance and do checkups regularly, I'm progressive. Don't really see the need however, I don't take the car to the mechanic when it's running fine, why take my body to the doctor? But whatever. I'm thinking our healthcare system wouldn't be as overwhelmed and expensive if more people followed those guidelines of old.

  Well today we have "theme" songs for the various medications you can suggest to your doctor. I guess the thinking is to relieve the physicians of the stress in deciding what medication may be required. Just go into the office singing that jingle. "It's easy to see, I'm lowering my AIC" I just ran into a flash mob doing that that. So exciting. The music is supposed to distract you from the listing of possible side effects, effects like dying, don't worry it's rare, well only one incidence per patient has been reported.       You could take Jardiance, the have a cute turtle informing you about treating your CKD. They do say don't take it if you are allergic to it. If you're not, you will have an increased risk of losing your lower limbs after you take it. You are urged to ask your doctor if Jardiance is right for you. In my thinking it's like taking the car to the mechanic and asking him if new brakes are right for me. Pretty sure I know the answer to that one. Why that analogy? Because Jardiance slows the progression of CKD, doesn't actually cure it. 

  A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing. There are a number of things I know just enough about to be dangerous! But, I have learned over the years when I know enough to keep my hands off things too. Now it is good to ask questions, be informed and make a considered judgement on things. Thing is I can't learn years of medical knowledge and training by asking a few questions. That is why the  FDA mandated that all side effects must be disclosed to the public.

  Did you know if a side effect is only reported once, it must still be listed as a possibility. For that reason I'd suggest you study statistics instead of medicine when suggesting medications to your doctor. "Serious side effects may include" isn't providing much information. In fact, the more listed  makes it seem less likely that one of those "effects" may happen to you. The listing of side effects has been mandatory since 1962 following a drug called thalidomide was linked to thousands of birth defects! Fortunately it was never approved for use here in the United States.

  Well, I've been sitting here at this keyboard just rambling on. I'm not inspired to become an activist or social media influencer. No, I'm just a great grandfather sharing his thoughts with the world wide web. Those reading can simply take it for whatever they like. I'm not surprised if the majority will read and go away with a negative attitude. The experts all agree it is far easier to garner negative responses than it is to gain positive ones. I'm not seeing many negative comments and I'll take that as a positive. It could be that not many are reading, it's a possibility. But, I'll just take it as they agree with me and leave it at that. 

                                                                                     

                             Jardiance is really swell! :)  A.I. lists seven "common side effects" and seven more "serious side effects" but when it works, it's swell.  When I was a kid you could tell when it was Mattel, it was swell. Never heard of any side effects from any of their products.