My new rotation is at an independent pharmacy that specializes in compounding medicines. Which means it makes medicines from scratch including syrups, powders, capsules, creams, gels, etc. They use standardized formulas to make different strengths of forms of medicines that may not be made by pharmaceutical companies. It is very unique in that most pharmacies do not have the equipment of know how to compound medicines. The pharmacy makes a lot of medicines for children who cannot take the adult dose medicine, for pets who also cannot usually take drugs that are made for humans and specialty hormone drugs.
Today I got to make bacon and cheese flavored paste for a dog in order to prevent the dog from having a seizure. I never would have thought I would ever make a bacon and cheese tasting medicine...let alone any medicine for a dog! I also got to see the pharmacist make hormone lozenges for women going through menopause in order to prevent hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. It is like working in a laboratory making weird concoctions for people to use! HOW FUN!!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Stop #3 On my Year Long Adventure!
I have left the internal medicine clinic in Des Moines, IA and am now in Mt. Prospect, IL ready to start working at an independent pharmacy. It is nice to be in my hometown where I will be with family and friends for the next five weeks. A crazy five weeks at that as I have something going on each weekend with a full work week in between! Bridal showers, birthday parties, bachlorette parties, annual blueberry pick and so much more!
I am nervous for my first day tomorrow as I have and will be for the start of every rotation. I am the new kid on the block who does not know the ropes yet. I am excited to jump in and know that once tomorrow begins I will be on a speeding train to the end of August. Wish me luck!
I am nervous for my first day tomorrow as I have and will be for the start of every rotation. I am the new kid on the block who does not know the ropes yet. I am excited to jump in and know that once tomorrow begins I will be on a speeding train to the end of August. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Insomnia...Do We all Suffer at Some Point?
Today I gave a presentation to four physicians and one pharmacist about insomnia and sleep medications. I think it was well received. I talked about the 'non medical' ways to improve sleep, the over the counter drugs people use and the the prescription medications for sleep problems.
There are a LOT of drugs out there used for sleep problems that people use all the time. The funny thing is that most of the medications work by changing the way people sleep and not always .in a good way The medications increase sleep but not necessarily the restorative type of sleep that is the best for people. The drugs increase the 'light sleep' which is why people have weird dreams or may even sleepwalk, sleepdrive, etc while on these meds because their bodies are still "up". Plus most meds should be maxed out at 2 weeks. Many times people start the sleep meds and do not get sleep without them or never learn how to get good restorative sleep. I do not truly believe that sleep medications are the best but instead believe that the placebo effect they provide is what really makes them great.
The ironic thing with all this is that I myself get poor sleep and wish there was some magic potion out there that could help. Well I may just have to invent one....or just work harder at good sleep hygiene (but that takes too much work....darn)!
There are a LOT of drugs out there used for sleep problems that people use all the time. The funny thing is that most of the medications work by changing the way people sleep and not always .in a good way The medications increase sleep but not necessarily the restorative type of sleep that is the best for people. The drugs increase the 'light sleep' which is why people have weird dreams or may even sleepwalk, sleepdrive, etc while on these meds because their bodies are still "up". Plus most meds should be maxed out at 2 weeks. Many times people start the sleep meds and do not get sleep without them or never learn how to get good restorative sleep. I do not truly believe that sleep medications are the best but instead believe that the placebo effect they provide is what really makes them great.
The ironic thing with all this is that I myself get poor sleep and wish there was some magic potion out there that could help. Well I may just have to invent one....or just work harder at good sleep hygiene (but that takes too much work....darn)!
Monday, July 19, 2010
College Truth or Myth
Myth: My teen can make a good living without a college education.
Reality: There is no doubt that some people have done well without a college degree. However, a college graduate will earn on average about a million dollars more than a high school graduate in his/her lifetime. For most people, college pays.
Myth - I need to decide on my career before I can choose a college.
College is your time to explore. Except in a few specific situations, you can choose a major in your sophomore year and still complete the degree in four years. A surprising number of students discover their ideal field while taking a course they didn’t expect to like. If you're not ready, don’t let well-meaning friends pressure you into deciding on a major field or a career before you choose a college. Take your time.
Myth: Anyone can get into a public university, but it’s hard to get into a private college.
Reality: Some public universities are among the most competitive to get into, while other public universities are required to take nearly all applicants. It’s true that some private colleges are very selective, but others take students who wouldn’t even be admitted to a home state public university. Check with the colleges you are considering to learn more about the average academic credentials of its students and its admission policies.
Myth - If I haven’t heard of a college or university, it can’t be very good.
You may not hear about many of the nation’s finest colleges until you are well into your adult life. Athletics on television is how most colleges get to be known, but many great colleges do not get that kind of exposure. Some of the nation's finest colleges don’t play big-time athletics. Judge a college on its own merits. Don’t let name recognition determine a good or bad college.
Myth: The college with the lowest price will be the most affordable.
Reality: Not necessarily! Some of the colleges with a high “sticker price” have raised significant amounts of money for scholarships from their graduates and friends. As a result, they have more money to give to students in the form of scholarships, which reduces the “sticker price.” After taking financial aid into consideration, a seemingly more expensive college may be more affordable than a college with a lower list price. Tip: Find out what kinds of scholarship options are available at the colleges you are considering.
Myth: There isn’t a lot of financial aid available, and what is available only goes to a few of the very best students.
Reality: During the 2002-03 academic year, more than $105 billion dollars in financial aid was awarded. The vast majority of this money was doled out by the federal government through grant, loan and work-study programs, while colleges’ own grants and scholarships accounted for almost 20 percent of all financial aid. States helped too by contributing more than $5.5 billion to the pot. That’s a lot of money for a lot of students. In fact, more than 70 percent of students nationally receive some kind of financial aid.
Reality: There is no doubt that some people have done well without a college degree. However, a college graduate will earn on average about a million dollars more than a high school graduate in his/her lifetime. For most people, college pays.
Myth - I need to decide on my career before I can choose a college.
College is your time to explore. Except in a few specific situations, you can choose a major in your sophomore year and still complete the degree in four years. A surprising number of students discover their ideal field while taking a course they didn’t expect to like. If you're not ready, don’t let well-meaning friends pressure you into deciding on a major field or a career before you choose a college. Take your time.
Myth: Anyone can get into a public university, but it’s hard to get into a private college.
Reality: Some public universities are among the most competitive to get into, while other public universities are required to take nearly all applicants. It’s true that some private colleges are very selective, but others take students who wouldn’t even be admitted to a home state public university. Check with the colleges you are considering to learn more about the average academic credentials of its students and its admission policies.
Myth - If I haven’t heard of a college or university, it can’t be very good.
You may not hear about many of the nation’s finest colleges until you are well into your adult life. Athletics on television is how most colleges get to be known, but many great colleges do not get that kind of exposure. Some of the nation's finest colleges don’t play big-time athletics. Judge a college on its own merits. Don’t let name recognition determine a good or bad college.
Myth: The college with the lowest price will be the most affordable.
Reality: Not necessarily! Some of the colleges with a high “sticker price” have raised significant amounts of money for scholarships from their graduates and friends. As a result, they have more money to give to students in the form of scholarships, which reduces the “sticker price.” After taking financial aid into consideration, a seemingly more expensive college may be more affordable than a college with a lower list price. Tip: Find out what kinds of scholarship options are available at the colleges you are considering.
Myth: There isn’t a lot of financial aid available, and what is available only goes to a few of the very best students.
Reality: During the 2002-03 academic year, more than $105 billion dollars in financial aid was awarded. The vast majority of this money was doled out by the federal government through grant, loan and work-study programs, while colleges’ own grants and scholarships accounted for almost 20 percent of all financial aid. States helped too by contributing more than $5.5 billion to the pot. That’s a lot of money for a lot of students. In fact, more than 70 percent of students nationally receive some kind of financial aid.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Summer in Des Moines
Iowa Cubs:
Downtown Farmer's Market:
Des Moines Arts Festival:
Movies in the Park:
Fireworks on the Fourth:
80/35 Music Festival:
Monday, July 12, 2010
Graduating to Be a Monkey
Funny stories not only happen to me when I am working at the pharmacy but also when I am visiting the pharmacy as a patient. For example last night as I waited in line to pick up my prescriptions I overheard the patient in front of me:
Customer: “Why isn’t my prescription ready yet?”
Pharmacist: “We are trying to get in contact with your doctor because of a problem with the prescription. You’re profile says you’re allergic to penicillin. Is that correct?”
Customer: “Oh yeah, that stuff is real bad for me!”
Pharmacist: “The medication your doctor prescribed has penicillin in it, so we’re trying to get a hold of him to find out what he wants you to take.”
Customer: “Oh, well, he wants me to take the penicillin. That’s what he wrote down, right?”
Pharmacist: “Yes, but you said you were allergic to it.”
Customer: “But he’s a doctor, so he knows what’s best. If that’s what he wrote, then just give me that.”
Pharmacist: “Well, we’ll check with him first to make sure that it’s safe for you.”
Customer: “Of course it’s safe for me or the doctor wouldn’t have prescribed it!"
Customer: “Why isn’t my prescription ready yet?”
Pharmacist: “We are trying to get in contact with your doctor because of a problem with the prescription. You’re profile says you’re allergic to penicillin. Is that correct?”
Customer: “Oh yeah, that stuff is real bad for me!”
Pharmacist: “The medication your doctor prescribed has penicillin in it, so we’re trying to get a hold of him to find out what he wants you to take.”
Customer: “Oh, well, he wants me to take the penicillin. That’s what he wrote down, right?”
Pharmacist: “Yes, but you said you were allergic to it.”
Customer: “But he’s a doctor, so he knows what’s best. If that’s what he wrote, then just give me that.”
Pharmacist: “Well, we’ll check with him first to make sure that it’s safe for you.”
Customer: “Of course it’s safe for me or the doctor wouldn’t have prescribed it!"
The customer turns away angry. As he walks away he tells me: "Those damn pharmacists. All they got to do is count pills like a monkey but instead they just make life harder."
Obviously the customer had no idea I was going to school to study to be a Monkey (Pharmacist)!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Why A Pharmacy Career Can Be Rewarding
Some of my experiences at the clinic that remind me why I chose a health care profession.
1. Helping an older women understand how to use her diabetes meter after two other individuals tried but could not help
2. Realize and administer a pneumonia vaccine to a patient at high risk for getting the infection
3. Train a patient in self administration of insulin while helping the patient get over the fear of injections and stigma of diabetes
4. Finding cheaper alternative medications for elderly patients on a tight budget
5. Realizing that a patient's blood thinning medication dose was too low and requesting the physician change it accordingly
6. Find the only pharmacy in town that had the diabetic supplies that make a patient feel comfortable with themselves
Monday, July 5, 2010
Horoscopes...Believe it or Not?
My horoscope (scorpio) for the month of July:
"Flowers. Poems. Songs. Love songs. Chocolate souffle. Oysters. Oh my! It looks like the 1st and 2nd are going to be pretty romantic days for you! Enjoy this flurry of lovey-dovey activity."
Wrong so far. No relationship, no love, no flowers, not even any lovey-dovey activity.
"The 5th, 6th and 7th, on the other hand, are going to be days devoted to figuring out the nuts and bolts of the relationship. Compromise, compatibility, goals: You'll have to go over all these, and more. Be sure to be honest."
Still wrong, considering I did not have that relationship in the first week. So I still do not have any lovey-dovey activity to figure out or be honest with.
"Work is taking top priority on the 12th and 13th. Give it your full attention. A piece of really good career-related news comes your way on the 18th and 19th. Just in time! But do you think it might be time to step off this work-related roller coaster? Can you think of any way to change things fundamentally in the future?"
Work probably will be a priority in these weeks because my rotation will be wrapping up and I will have two presentations associated with that. I thought I would not have homework after I finished school but that is not true as I have presentations to take care of. I hope my future "changes Fundamentally" for the better!
"Make a deal and sign all the paperwork on the 24th. By the 29th, you're ready to tap your hidden talents."
I hope it is a really good deal! Like a job, or a lottery winner or a free car!
"End the month with a really good workout on the 31st. Physical exercise is just the ticket for working off frustration and getting into a really good space, physically and mentally."
This will be true as I celebrate at a bachelorette party with my friends and bride to be best friend!
"Flowers. Poems. Songs. Love songs. Chocolate souffle. Oysters. Oh my! It looks like the 1st and 2nd are going to be pretty romantic days for you! Enjoy this flurry of lovey-dovey activity."
Wrong so far. No relationship, no love, no flowers, not even any lovey-dovey activity.
"The 5th, 6th and 7th, on the other hand, are going to be days devoted to figuring out the nuts and bolts of the relationship. Compromise, compatibility, goals: You'll have to go over all these, and more. Be sure to be honest."
Still wrong, considering I did not have that relationship in the first week. So I still do not have any lovey-dovey activity to figure out or be honest with.
"Work is taking top priority on the 12th and 13th. Give it your full attention. A piece of really good career-related news comes your way on the 18th and 19th. Just in time! But do you think it might be time to step off this work-related roller coaster? Can you think of any way to change things fundamentally in the future?"
Work probably will be a priority in these weeks because my rotation will be wrapping up and I will have two presentations associated with that. I thought I would not have homework after I finished school but that is not true as I have presentations to take care of. I hope my future "changes Fundamentally" for the better!
"Make a deal and sign all the paperwork on the 24th. By the 29th, you're ready to tap your hidden talents."
I hope it is a really good deal! Like a job, or a lottery winner or a free car!
"End the month with a really good workout on the 31st. Physical exercise is just the ticket for working off frustration and getting into a really good space, physically and mentally."
This will be true as I celebrate at a bachelorette party with my friends and bride to be best friend!
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