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myliejoyner-blog · 6 years ago

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From Where Are You Able To Find Bargain Androgel

If you want to get a controlled drug in the united kingdom, you will have to obtain a prescribed out of your medical professional, or else you will not be able to buy it. Nonetheless, occasionally we must acquire medicines that are from the operated teams, because of boosting our lifestyle, and even to help make us feel great. The good news is, we can get medications on the internet without the need of demonstrating that we have a doctor’s notice. By way of example, you will find a medicine named Lyrica. The generic name is Pregabalin. Pregabalin binds into a channel that is located on the neurological terminals from the nervous system. If it binds to the channels it modulates the calcium influx in the nerves, and thus inhibiting excitatory neurotransmitter discharge which includes glutamate, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, compound P, and calcitonin gene-connected peptide. This biological process exerts antinociceptive and anticonvulsant action. Lyrica is utilized in different conditions that express with soreness, for instance fibromyalgia, neuropathic discomfort because of diabetic issues, spinal injury, and even following disease with herpes. You can buy generic Lyrica in several kinds, as tablets, remedies or tablet pcs with expanded relieve. The fast kind is administered in no respect with food items, because it is soaked up quickly within the tummy. The effects of discomfort treating begins only after having a week of therapies, therefore when starting the procedure, the patient need to know the consequences will appear only after having a 7 days. Also, the consumer of Pregabalin need to know what the unwanted effects are required, for example peripheral edema, vertigo, tiredness, putting on weight on the long run and a few other individuals but which are rarer. Nevertheless, if you want to buy generic Lyrica, you generally evaluated the total amount between benefits and threats, and also you nevertheless would like to bring them.

If you wish to get Lyrica in UK, then you will find that the costs are quite substantial. Luckily, due to the fact pharmaceutic firms do not need to get a patent to produce, any organization which has the best devices can develop Pregabaline. India is amongst the top rated manufacturer of medicine. It exports these to all the parts on the planet, for example the Uk. www.weshipmd.com is definitely an web shop where you can come up with a require to acquire pregabalin on-line. You can choose from 75mg, and 150mg. It comes in a blister which contains 10 capsules, and you will not get a better cost elsewhere out there. Once you have made a demand to acquire Lyrica, you may expect the transport to last around one or two months. Yet another medicine you could from WeShipMD is Androgel, where the energetic chemical is androgenic hormone or testosterone USP 1%. Most kinds of male growth hormone are applied using an injections in the muscles or within the pores and skin. However, Androgel is available in type of a gel, that you simply utilize about the dry skin from the shoulder area or the higher arms once daily. You will discover additional information in the WeShipMD internet site where you can also get testosterone gel. If you get generic Androgel, you will definately get satchels containing 5 grams of male growth hormone, and here is the recommended daily dose. Typically, men and women do not require to increase the day-to-day medication dosage, even so, if you wish to possess a more robust outcome, you can consume to 10 grams. Along side it negative effects of Androgel an identical to other anabolic steroids, however, if consumed the encouraged dosage, these are small. Head to WeShipMD to get generic Androgel on the most affordable price ranges in United kingdom. From the WeShipMD product catalog, you can buy Androgel, but in addition some other generic created by India. Head to WeShipMD to discover the complete selection of merchandise. ABOUT US: We're ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified Company, we hold a self-interest in your health and overall wellness. That’s the motive, we provide the low cost generic & branded medicines for pharmacy supplies that you, our valuable client, demand to lead a better life. All the prescription medications featured by us are FDA certified and safe for human consumption. We deliver medicinal drugs that are formulated in tandem with WHO and other established medical standards. These days, we are working together with several reputed pharmaceutical companies in India so as to deliver you medicines timely. In a minimum time span, we have achieved a good status for our self as a trusted drop shipper. Our company has joined hands with with multiple renowned manufacturers, such as Cipla, Natco, Intas, Sun Pharma, Lupin & Ajanta Pharma. Contact us on: Website: https://weshipmd.com

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rakibzameer12 · 3 years ago

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LYRICA 75 MG PFIZER (PREGABALIN)

Lyrica 75mg Capsule is a remedy used to alleviate aches as a result of nerve harm (neuropathic ache) because of diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster infection), spinal twine injury, or different conditions. It is likewise used to deal with vast muscle ache and stiffness in humans with fibromyalgia.

Lyrica 75mg Capsule belongs to the anti-epileptic institution of drug treatments and also can be used to deal with styles of seizures (fits) in aggregate with different drug treatments. Additionally, it is able to additionally be prescribed to deal with the signs and symptoms of tension disease if different drug treatments aren't suitable.

You can take Lyrica 75mg Capsule without or with food, however it's far vital to take this remedy at the same time every day to get the maximum benefit. The precise dose and period of remedy will rely on your situation and the way you reply to it. Your physician will possibly begin this remedy at a low dose and grow it gradually. It might also additionally take some weeks for the drugs to paint properly. Follow your physician’s commands and keep taking it often till your physician advises you to stop. Do now no longer omit any dose, otherwise, your situation might also additionally worsen.

The facet outcomes of this remedy are generally slight and leave through themselves. The maximum not unusual places are feeling sleepy or dizzy, dryness inside the mouth, blurred imagination and prescient, weight gain, edema (swelling over the entire body), and trouble in concentrating. Most facet outcomes aren't severe and do now no longer want clinical attention. Talk to your physician about capability facet outcomes and approaches that may save you or deal with them.

read more … Neuropathic pain.

Before taking the drugs you need to inform your physician in case you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or making plans to grow to be pregnant. Be cautious at the same time as riding as sleepiness, dizziness, and blurring of imagination and prescient can be visible as facet outcomes. You need to keep away from ingesting alcohol in conjunction with this remedy as it is able to result in immoderate sleepiness and dizziness.

USES OF LYRICA CAPSULE

Treatment of Neuropathic ache

Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

BENEFITS OF LYRICA CAPSULE

In Treatment of Neuropathic ache

Lyrica 75mg Capsule is used to deal with long-lasting (chronic) ache as a result of nerve harm because of diabetes, shingles, or spinal twine injury. It reduces ache and its related signs and symptoms along with temper changes, sleep problems, and tiredness. It is a notion to paintings through interfering with ache indicators that tour via the broken nerves and the brain. Taking this remedy often will enhance your bodily and social functioning and standard of life. It takes some weeks to paint so you want to take it often even in case you sense it isn't doing any good. Once your signs and symptoms have long gone you need to nevertheless preserve taking the drugs till your physician advises you to stop.

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lyrica150mgpregabalin · 3 years ago

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LYRICA 150 MG (Pregabalin)

Click here for order

INTRODUCTION

Lyrica 150mg Capsule is a medicine used to relieve pain caused by nerve damage (neuropathic pain) due to diabetes, shingles (herpes zoster infection), spinal cord injury, or other conditions. It is also used to treat widespread muscle pain and stiffness in people with fibromyalgia. Lyrica 150mg Capsule belongs to the anti-epileptic group of medicines and can also be used to treat certain types of seizures (fits) in combination with other medicines. Additionally, it may also be prescribed to treat the symptoms of anxiety disorder if other medicines are not suitable. You can take Lyrica 150mg Capsule with or without food, but it is important to take this medicine at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The exact dose and duration of treatment will depend on your condition and how you respond to it. Your doctor will probably start this medicine at a low dose and increase it gradually. It may take a few weeks for the medicine to work properly. Follow your doctor’s instructions and continue taking it regularly until your doctor advises you to stop. Do not miss any dose, otherwise, your condition may worsen.

BENEFITS OF LYRICA CAPSULE

In Treatment of Neuropathic pain

Lyrica 150mg Capsule is used to treat long-lasting (chronic) pain caused by nerve damage due to diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury. It reduces pain and its associated symptoms such as mood changes, sleep problems, and tiredness. It is thought to work by interfering with pain signals that travel through the damaged nerves and the brain. Taking this medicine regularly will improve your physical and social functioning and overall quality of life. It takes a few weeks to work so you need to take it regularly even if you feel it is not doing any good. Once your symptoms have gone you should still keep taking the medicine until your doctor advises you to stop.

In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures

Lyrica 150mg Capsule belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants which are used to treat some forms of epilepsy in adults. It is thought to work by slowing down nerve impulses in the brain which cause seizures (fits). It helps reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. It will help you go about your daily activities with more confidence and may allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work and during this time you may still have seizures. Do not stop using this medicine even if you feel well until your doctor advises you to. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

In Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Lyrica 150mg Capsule may also be used to treat pain in people with fibromyalgia. It reduces pain and also the mood changes, sleep problems, and tiredness that can be caused by the pain. It interferes with pain messages traveling through the brain. Keep taking the medicine until your doctor advises you to stop.

SIDE EFFECTS OF LYRICA CAPSULE

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about themCommon side effects of Lyrica

Blurred vision

Difficulty in paying attention

Dizziness

Dryness in mouth

Edema (swelling)

Sleepiness

Weight gain

For Contact us click here

#medicine #health #medical

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adavis · 4 years ago

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Lyrica (Pregabalin) – the Drug Treatment For Relieve Neuropathic Pain

About Pregabalin 75 (Pregalin) Tablet

Pregabalin 75 MG Capsule (Pregalin) is an anticonvulsant and is considered to be the first-line of treatment for neurotic pain, shingles, seizures and fibromyalgia. It is used for the treatment of diabetic nerve pain, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, restless leg syndrome and generalized anxiety disorder.

Pregalin works by binding to a certain region of the brain and reducing the pain signals sent out by the damaged nerves of the body. This medication is not recommended for you if you are pregnant, or have an allergic reaction towards any of its ingredients. Some medicines interact with it. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

· Angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors

· Benzodiazepines or narcotic pain medicines

· Thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agents

The initial dose for this drug is usually 50 mg, taken orally 3 times a day. The dosage can later be increased depending on efficacy and tolerability. Ensure your doctor is informed if you have any of the following medical conditions before starting the medication, if you are/have:

· Congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat, diabetes, bleeding problems, muscle problems, highballed pressure or low platelet count.

· Improper kidney functioning or are on dialysis.

· History of angioedema.

· Pregnant, planning to be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

· Take any other medicines, dietary supplements or herbal preparations.

· Mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts, or are dealing with depression.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Neurologist before using this medicine.

Pregalin (Pregabalin 75) Uses the medication can treat the below provided problems:

· Epilepsy

· Neuropathic Pain

· Anxiety

Pregalin (Pregabalin 75) Side Effects

A patient can suffer from the following side effects:

· Nasopharyngitis

· Increased Appetite

· Dizziness

· Headache

· Blurred Vision

· Nausea Or Vomiting

· Dry Mouth

· Flatulence

· Abdominal Pain

· Muscle Cramps

· Back Pain

· Erectile Dysfunction

Some Pin Points About Pregabalin 75 (Pregalin) How long is the duration of effect?

The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 10-12 hours.

What is the onset of action?

This medicine has a varying onset time depending on the intended use.

Are there any pregnancy warnings?

Use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.

Is it habit forming?

This medicine has a low abuse potential with limited physical and psychological dependence.

Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

The use of this medicine by breastfeeding women is not recommended.

Does this affect kidney function?

Dose reduction in patients with renal impairment and dose supplementation following haemodialysis is necessary.

Does this affect liver function?

No specific information is available for this.

For which country Pregalin (Pregabalin 75) Tablet Is Approved?

· India

· United States

· Japan

How Does Pregalin (Pregabalin 75) Works?

This medication is a GABA analogue and binds to the voltage-gated calcium channels in the central nervous system. This causes a reduced release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, substance P thus slowing down nerve signals.

FAQs about Pregalin (Pregabalin 75)

Ques: What is Pregalin 75 MG Capsule?

Ans: This medication is an anticonvulsant and is considered to be the first-line of treatment for neurotic pain, shingles, seizures and fibromyalgia.

Ques: How long do I need to use Pregalin 75 MG Capsule before I see improvement in my condition?

Ans: This medication is to be taken till the time you see an improvement in your health conditions.

Ques: At what frequency do I need to use Pregalin 75 MG Capsule?

Ans: This medication should be taken in the dosage as prescribed by the doctor.

Ques: Should I use Pregalin 75 MG Capsule empty stomach, before food or after food?

Ans: This medication should be taken after food in a prescribed dosage.

Ques: What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Pregalin 75 MG Capsule?

Ans: This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets.

Ques: Does Pregalin 75 MG Capsule work in the same way for each disease?

Ans: No, it works in different ways for different diseases.

Ques: How long do I need to take Pregalin 75 MG Capsule?

Ans: The duration of this medication depends on the condition for which you are consuming this medicine. It is advised to consult the doctor before consuming this drug.

Ques: Is it necessary to continue taking Pregalin 75 MG Capsule even if I feel fine?

Ans: Yes, you should not stop taking this drug even if you feel fine. Consult your doctor before stopping this drug.

Ques: Can I take Diazepam and Pregalin 75 MG Capsule together?

Ans: Yes, Pregalin 75 MG Capsule and Diazepam can be used together.

Ques: Can the use of Pregalin 75 MG Capsule cause weight gain?

Ans: Yes, this drug may cause weight gain because it increases your hunger. Consult a dietician if you have any further concerns to keep your weight stable.

#pregalin pregabalin 75 pregabalin 75 mg pregabalin side effectsneuropathic pain

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pharmaphorumuk · 7 years ago

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Pfizer increases prices in the US for the second time this year

The largest standalone drug maker in the US, announced it increase the prices of around 100 drugs for the second time this year, despite president Donald Trump’s pledge to slash the cost of drugs and treatments.

The Financial Times reported on Monday that Pfizer upped the prices of prescription drugs including widely used lung-cancer treatment Xalkori, Norvasc blood-pressure pills, Lyrica pain capsules, and erectile dysfunction pill Viagra.

The average 9.4% increase, effective as of 1 July, is the second time Pfizer decided to change prices this year after a double-digit rise about seven months ago.

The average wholesale cost of a 100 mg Viagra pill is now $88.45, up almost 20% from $73.85, while a bottle of Xalatan eyedrops for glaucoma currently costs $107.05, increased from $89.38 at the start of the year.

“The list price remains unchanged for the majority of our medicines. We are modifying prices for about 10% of our medicines, including some instances where we’re decreasing the price,” Pfizer said in a statement.

President Donald Trump

The rising cost of drugs in the US ignited a wave of public anger joined by President Donal Trump, who promised to lower the price of medication in the US in his presidential campaign.

Before taking the office, he voiced his disapproval for the pharmaceutical industry practices and accused biotech companies of “getting away with murder”.

Just a few weeks ago Mr. Trump introduced his radical plan, announcing that along with the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar will be working to “bring soaring drug prices back down to earth”.

These two price increases distanced Pfizer from biotech competitors who pledged to lift list prices only once a year and by less than 10% overall.

Sanofi increased recently the price of their eczema treatment Dupixent by 3%, saying in a statement that the drug’s price rise was less than medical inflation, it was and the first increase since the launch last March and the only one planned for 2018.

The post Pfizer increases prices in the US for the second time this year appeared first on Pharmaphorum.

from Pharmaphorum https://pharmaphorum.com/news/pfizer-increases-prices-us-second-time/

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buygenericmediciens · 5 years ago

Link

It’s an opioid medication whose generic name is Hydrocodone while it is sold in the market with the brand name of Hysingla. A patient can buy hydrocodone online from any of the trusted online medical stores.

What is Hydrocodone used for?

This medication is used for treating severe pain of a prolonged duration if other measures are not sufficient. Its other use includes using it as a cough suppressant in the adults.

How long does Hydrocodone stay in your system?

The pain relief effect of Hydrocodone will wear off within four to six hours. But the presence of drugs may still be detected in the saliva for up to 36 hours, in urine for four days and in the hair for 90 days after the last dose.

How to take the dosage of Hydrocodone?

The intake of Hydrocodone medication can be habit-forming thus it should be taken exactly as directed. Thus this point should be kept in mind while buying Hydrocodone online from any of the online medical stores.

While taking Hydrocodone to discuss with your doctor about your pain treatment goals, length of treatment and other ways to manage the pain. The patient should not fully crush or chew the extended-release capsules. This may cause serious problems, including overdose and death in the worst condition.

What are the Hydrocodone possible side effects?

If the patient is not taking Hydrocodone as told by the doctor then they may face certain side effects. Below are a few side effects of Hydrocodone:-

Sleepy

Dizzy

Lightheadedness

Nausea

Vomiting

Constipation

Severe headache

Increased urination

Visual disturbances

Hydrocodone Bitartrate

This is made from Codeine and it binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. It is a type of analgesic agent, a type of antitussive and a type of opiate.

Difference between oxycodone & Hydrocodone

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic and is synthesized from thebaine (an opium alkaloid) and will only relieve pain, not cough while Hydrocodone is also semi-synthetic but it is derived from Codeine and while more potent than Codeine, stills retain cough suppressant properties.

Hydrocodone Paracetamol interactions

Hydrocodone Paracetamol is a high power drug thus take it with extra caution. Hydrocodone Paracetamol does interact with several medications listed below:-

Acetaminophen

Ambien

Aspirin low strength

Celebrex

Cymbalta

Ibuprofen

Lyrica

Tylenol

Zyrtec

Synthroid

Vitamin B12

Is Hydrocodone a narcotic?

Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain reliever and a cough suppressant, similar to Codeine. Hydrocodone blocks the receptors on nerve

cells in the brain that give rise to the sensation of the pain. Acetaminophen is a non-narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer).

Hydrocodone & Alcohol

Combining the prescription opioid Hydrocodone with alcohol can produce a range of health effects, from Drowsiness to severe liver problems. In some cases, drinking while using medication can lead to death. Alcohol increases the effects of opioids on the central nervous system. Consuming painkillers and Alcohol together produces sedative effects causing people to feel extremely tired.

Hydrocodone for dogs

The use of Hydrocodone is primarily as a cough suppressant ( antitussive ) in dogs, working on receptors within the brain. Hydrocodone is often paired with another drug, homatropine, mostly for purpose of preventing abuse.

Which is stronger oxycodone or Hydrocodone?

Both oxycodone and Hydrocodone are powerful painkillers and they have been shown to be highly effective at treating pain. A study shows that a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen was 1.5 times more potent than hydrocodone with acetaminophen when taken at equal doses.

Hydrocodone withdrawal

Hydrocodone is known to produce painful withdrawal symptoms (akin to a very severe flu) in people with chemical dependency or addiction that may need a detox. The withdrawal symptoms of Hydrocodone are essentially the opposite of the effects that the drug produces. The withdrawal of Hydrocodone induces depression. They experience a significant amount of discomfort as the brain and body learn to function without Hydrocodone. It includes withdrawal symptoms such as Nausea and physical pain.

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propharmacystore-blog · 6 years ago

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What is pregabalin prescribed for?

Pregabalin is used to treat epilepsy and anxiety. It is also taken to treat nerve pain .

Pregabalin capsules and oral solution are also used to relieve neuropathic pain that can occur after a spinal cord injury and to treat fibromyalgia (a long-lasting condition that may cause pain, muscle stiffness and tenderness, tiredness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep).

Buy Pregabalin Online

Pregabalin works in different ways:

in epilepsy it stops seizures by reducing the abnormal electrical activity in the brain

with nerve pain it blocks pain by interfering with pain messages travelling through the brain and down the spine

in anxiety it stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious

Pregabalin is only available on prescription. It comes as capsules or a liquid that you drink.

Key facts

Pregabalin is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. You can take it with or without food.

You don't have to have epilepsy for pregabalin to help with pain or anxiety.

It takes at least a few weeks for pregabalin to work.

The side effects of pregabalin are usually mild and go away by themselves. The most common ones are feeling sleepy, dizziness and headaches.

Pregabalin is also called by the brand names Lyrica, Alzain, Lecaent and Rewisca.

Who can and can't take pregabalin

Pregabalin is only for adults. Do not give it to children under the age of 18.

Pregabalin isn't suitable for some people:

To make sure pregabalin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to pregabalin or another medicine in the past

have ever abused or been addicted to a medicine

are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or are breastfeeding

are on a controlled sodium or potassium diet, or your kidneys don't work well - pregabalin liquid contains sodium and potassium, speak to your doctor before taking it

#buy pregabalin #buy lyrica

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titheguerrero · 7 years ago

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One Barely Noticed Settlement by Pfizer Suggests the Futility of Polite Protests about Health Policy

A few days ago we noticed just one more marcher in the parade of legal settlements. But it was once again a huge health care corporation, and it had aspects that demanded attention. Pfizer Makes $94 Million Settlement of Allegations of Fraud to Delay Generic Competition A tiny item in Becker's Hospital News on November 28, 2017, stated:

Pfizer will pay $94 million to resolve allegations that it used fraudulent patents to delay generic competition for its anti-inflammatory drug Celebrex. The lawsuit, brought by 32 direct purchasers of Celebrex in April and certified a class action lawsuit in August, claimed Pfizer attempted to revive its invalidated patent by making material misrepresentations to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. As a result, the U.S. PTO granted Pfizer a new patent based on this reportedly inaccurate information. Further, the plaintiffs — including American Sales Co., Rochester Drug Co-Operative, Cesar Castillo and more — allege Pfizer filed a lawsuit against five generic manufacturers for infringing upon the fraudulently obtained patent to maintain monopoly over the drug.

That was about it. I could find no more extensive coverage of this settlement in any source publicly available without a subscription. So this settlement, like many previous ones which suggested less than perfection on the part of the leadership of our dysfunctional health care system, was anechoic. Also, as is typical of settlements made by big health care corporations of unethical behavior, this settlement appeared small compared to the magnitude of the revenues likely generated by alleged bad behavior; and this settlement did not impose any negative consequences on any individual who might have authorized, enabled, directed, or implemented the bad behavior, and may have benefited from that behavior (for example, by getting a bigger bonus because of the revenue brought it). Thus, it fit right in with the march of legal settlements that we have been documenting for years. It was a slap on the corporate wrists that was unlikely to deter future bad behavior, and amounted to a grant of impunity to the corporate managers who were involved in and personally profited from the bad behavior. Furthermore, the settlement seemingly was not informed by previous bad behavior by the corporation or its managers. Pfizer, in fact, has a long and very sorry record of such behavior as documented by legal settlements, convictions and guilty pleas, and other governmental actions. In the last few years we have noted.... Pfizer Fined $106M in UK for Using Monopoly on Production of Generic Phenytoin to Overcharge National Health Service As reported by the Wall Street Journal on December 7, 2016,

The U.K.’s top antitrust regulator slapped Pfizer Inc. PFE 0.25% with a record $107 million fine, alleging it overcharged the national health-care system for an epilepsy treatment. The Competition and Markets Authority said Pfizer and drug-distribution company Flynn Pharma Ltd. broke competition law by charging unfair prices in the U.K. for the drug, phenytoin sodium, used by about 48,000 patients in the country. The CMA said the £84.2 million Pfizer fine was the highest it had ever imposed....

The article suggested that Pfizer took advantage of a loophole in UK law. Drug companies must negotiate prices of branded drugs with the British NHS, but Unbranded, or generic, drugs may be freely priced, but competition between suppliers typically drives the cost down.

The regulator said Pfizer and Flynn Pharma “deliberately debranded” the drug in 2012 to raise the price and were able to do so because there were no competing suppliers. The CMA said the price of a 100-milligram pack of phenytoin sodium shot up—to £67.50 from £2.83—after Pfizer sold the rights to sell the drug to Flynn Pharma in September 2012. It said the price decreased to £54 in May 2014. Before the agreement, Pfizer had sold phenytoin sodium capsules directly to U.K. wholesalers and pharmacies under the brand name Epanutin. The price increase was partly because Pfizer, which continued to manufacture phenytoin sodium, sold the drug to Flynn Pharma at up to 17 times the price than it charged wholesalers and pharmacies previously, the regulator said. Flynn Pharma raised the price further still.

So this was the resolution of yet more anti-competitive behavior by Pfizer which allowed it to overcharge taxpayers. Like the settlement above, it allowed the Pfizer management involved impunity. Pfizer Made $486 Million Settlement of Allegations It Bilked Shareholders by Concealing Research Showing the Harms of Celebrex As reported by Reuters in August, 2016,

Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) on Tuesday said it has reached a $486 million settlement of litigation accusing it of causing big losses for shareholders by concealing safety risks associated with its Celebrex and Bextra pain-relieving drugs.

As usual, there were no penalties for any individuals who may have been involved with the bilking. Note that while this particular lawsuit was about financial losses to shareholders, concealing the harms of this drug obviously had the potential of allowing harms to patients. Of course, this was just the most the second most recent settlement involving Celebrex. Pfizer's Track Record Prior to mid-2016 Our over 100 posts on Pfizer can be found here. Since 2000, Pfizer's troubles started, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, with the following... - In 2002, Pfizer and subsidiaries Warner-Lambert and Parke-Davis agreed to pay $49 million to settle allegations that the company fraudulently avoided paying fully rebates owed to the state and federal governments under the national Medicaid Rebate program for the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor. - In 2004, Pfizer agreed to pay $430 million to settle DOJ claims involving the off-label promotion of the epilepsy drug Neurontin by subsidiary Warner-Lambert. The promotions included flying doctors to lavish resorts and paying them hefty speakers' fees to tout the drug. The company said the activity took place years before it bought Warner-Lambert in 2000. - In 2007, Pfizer agreed to pay $34.7 million in fines to settle Department of Justice allegations that it improperly promoted the human growth hormone product Genotropin. The drugmaker's Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. subsidiary pleaded guilty to offering a kickback to a pharmacy-benefits manager to sell more of the drug. Thereafter, - In 2009, Pfizer paid a $2.3 billion settlement of civil and criminal allegations and a Pfizer subsidiary entered a guilty plea to charges it violated federal law regarding its marketing of Bextra (see post here). - Pfizer was involved in two other major cases from then to early 2010, including one in which a jury found the company guilty of violating the RICO (racketeer-influenced corrupt organization) statute (see post here). In that year the company was listed as one of the pharmaceutical "big four" companies in terms of defrauding the government (see post here). - In early 2011, Pfizer's Pharmacia subsidiary settled allegations that it inflated drugs costs paid by New York (see post here). - In March, 2011, a settlement was announced in a long-running class action case which involved allegations that another Pfizer subsidiary had exposed many people to asbestos (see this story in Bloomberg). - In October, 2011, Pfizer settled allegations that it illegally marketed bladder control drug Detrol (see this post). - In August, 2012, Pfizer settled allegations that its subsidiaries bribed foreign (that is, with respect to the US) government officials, including government-employed doctors (see this post). - In December, 2012, Pfizer settled federal charges that its Wyeth subsidiary deceptively marketed the proton pump inhibitor drug Protonix, using systematic efforts to deceive approved by top management, and settled charges by multiple states' Attorneys' General that it deceptively marketed Zyvox and Lyrica (see this post). - In January, 2013, Pfizer settled Texas charges that it had misreported information to and over-billed Medicaid (see this post). - In July, 2013, Pfizer settled charges of illegal marketing of Rapamune (see this post.) - In April, 2014, Pfizer settled allegations of anti-trust law violations for delaying generic versions of Neurontin( see this post). - In June, 2014, Pfizer settled another lawsuit alleging illegal marketing of Neurontin (see this post). - In 2015, a settlement by Pfizer of a shareholders' lawsuit stemming from charges of illegal marketing was announced (see this post). - In October, 2015, a UK judge found that the company had threatened health care professionals for using a generic competitor (see this post). - In February, 2016, Pfizer settled a lawsuit for $785 million for overcharging the US government for Protonix (look here). That is a stupifyingly bad ethical record stretching over about 17 years. Yet each new settlement seems to disregard all the others before. And since 2000, no top Pfizer executive has ever suffered any negative consequences for any of this behavior. All CEOs who have retired did so as rich men. Summary Pfizer provides an amazing example of a huge health care corporation that just marches along, settling or otherwise resolving case after case of over-charging, anti-competitive behavior, deception, sometimes fraud, bribery, and various other unethical and potentially illegal behaviors, without ever too greatly inconveniencing the managers and top executives who have been profiting from this behavior. We have again and again railed against how the US government (and actually governments of other developed countries) have use light-touch regulation on big health care corporations that allows impunity for their top leaders. For example, we wrote in 2015,

As long as top managers of big health care organizations can act with impunity, can avoid all responsibility for their organizations' bad behaviors, and can personally profit wildly from their companies actions, the health care death spiral will continue. Will we continue to cry out in the wilderness, or will anyone else see the writing on the wall?

But it gets worse. Note that two of the recent Pfizer settlements were of private litigation in which the US government was not involved. One was of alleged anti-competitive behavior, and the other of alleged deceptions that could have resulted in patient harm. Both of these could have been causes of government action, but were not. So it appears that the US government is getting less inclined to do anything to challenge the impunity of top corporate leaders. Instead, the current Trump regime and its allies in Congress seem hell-bent on further rewarding top corporate leaders. For example, while the supposed tax reform legislation that just passed Congress was pushed by Trump as a way to improve the economy, it looks like it will most benefit corporate leaders. A story in Bloomberg on November 29, 2017, stated,

Major companies including Cisco Systems Inc., Pfizer Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. say they’ll turn over most gains from proposed corporate tax cuts to their shareholders, undercutting President Donald Trump’s promise that his plan will create jobs and boost wages for the middle class. The president has held fast to his pledge even as top executives’ comments have run counter to it for months. Instead of hiring more workers or raising their pay, many companies say they’ll first increase dividends or buy back their own shares.

In particular,

Robert Bradway, chief executive of Amgen Inc., said in an Oct. 25 earnings call that the company has been “actively returning capital in the form of growing dividend and buyback and I’d expect us to continue that.” Executives including Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey, Pfizer Chief Financial Officer Frank D’Amelio and Cisco CFO Kelly Kramer have recently made similar statements.

Share buybacks, like dividend increases, tend to benefit stockholders, but not workers (much less customers, or in Pfizer's case, patients),

in testimony before the bicameral Joint Economic Committee on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said that the plans outlined by corporate executives to reward investors were unlikely to raise wages for workers. 'I don’t think share buybacks would increase wages,' Yellen said when asked by Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters about the impact of CEOs’ plans. Investment in capital and equipment, not buybacks, would raise productivity and pay, she said.

Left unstated is that top corporate executives are now paid mainly in stock shares and stock options. So they would be major beneficiaries of increased dividends and increased stock prices. For example, the Pfizer 2017 proxy statement lists the following share holdings of its top-paid executives: common stock shares stock units Group President, Pfizer Innovation Health Albert Bourla DVM, PhD 112,489 30,653 Executive Vice President, Business Operations and CFO Frank A D'Amelio 342,176 76,009 President, Worldwide Research and Development Mikael Dolsten MD, PhD 50,820 191,189 Former Group President, Global Innovative Pharma Business Geno J Germano 115,712 35,546 Chairman of the Board, CEO Ian C Read 645,370 317,117 Group President, Pfizer Essential Health John D Young 92,434 78,559 Note that Mr D'Amelio was quoted in the article above. As an owner of more than 400,000 Pfizer shares or share equivalents, he would be expected to substantially personally profit from increases in dividends and stock buybacks. And how likely is it that the Trump regime will respond to any entreaties about tougher law enforcement and more rigorous regulation of pharmaceutical and other large health care corporations? After all, huge numbers of executive branch appointments to positions that deal with health care have been coming through the revolving door from health care corporations and their lobbying firms, etc. At the time of his appointment, the current head of the US Food and Drug Administration had huge conflicts of interest generated by his former positions in and allied with the pharmaceutical industry (look here and here). The gentleman currently nominated to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services was a former top executive at pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (look here). And do we really expect rigorous law enforcement from a regime whose former national security adviser just pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (look here); and whose former national security adviser and current nominee to be Ambassador to Singapore K T McFarland was just shown to have admitted that Russia had "thrown" the election to Mr Trump, but seemed to think that Mr Trump should then reward Russia by reducing sanctions imposed by the Obama administration (look here)? The Sunlight Foundation has found that President Trump has over 600 conflicts of interest, and that his family has over 1100 (look here). Do we really expect his regime to improve the integrity of health care leadership? It is now past time to expect that our polite protests about health policy and measured calls for true health care reform will have any impact on health policy, as long as the inmates are in control of the asylum. We need wholesale changes in top health care leadership in government, and wholesale changes in the top leadership of the government, if we want anything even slightly resembling true health care reform. Achieving true health care reform will require much more than polite protests. Article source:Health Care Renewal

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fckingfibro-blog · 8 years ago

Text

A Good Day

Ohhhhhhm’gosh, what a beautiful day yesterday was! ❤ [heart] I went to my first pain management specialist appointment yesterday and was really nervous about it, but it went amazingly well! Especially considering how many shitty doctors I’ve had to deal with before!

Went to see Dr. John Michalisin, Jr. for help with my chronic pain from fibro and my shoulder’s adhesive capsulitis. He was very respectful, kind, understanding, and listened to me and made sure to tell me I was the boss on how I wanted to pursue treatments. Hell yes!

I explained to him that I’d had some really bad experiences with doctors, particularly rheumatologists and psychiatrists, and that I just wanted some pain relief and help, and he took what I said to heart. He explained a little about fibro to me where my rheumatologist (who diagnosed me!) did not, and he happily covered the treatments usually used to help with the pain. He immediately explained how little treatments there are for fibro-- not to make me feel hopeless, but to inform me that the basics for fibro treatment are “eat nutritious foods, try to exercise when able, and rest/avoid stress,” which is really what

everyone on Earth should be trying to do as a simple baseline for health, so, he explained, that this was pretty much useless for actual treatment of fibro. He explained this to me in a way that made it clear that any failing for treating my fibro is not on me, the patient with the condition, but rather on the fact that fibro research is still in its infancy and not always taken seriously by the medical community. I really appreciated him saying that because that’s exactly the attitude I often encounter and fear with new doctors who look to use these “findings” to blame me and other patients for something they feel unequipped to treat.

He informed me that he feels the best method for treatment is a global treatment of the issue rather than targeting whichever part of my body is acting up at the moment and returning for a visit each month for an injection of some sort. I was pleased with his comment and expressed my desire to do this, as well, since I’m so sick and fucking tired of going in to see doctors all the time. He said that the first treatment typically attempted is an antidepressant or gabapentin medication. I explained that I was really not wanting to attempt things like that, such as Cymbalta, Lyrica, etc, because I knew that they had a chance of suicidal ideation and depression, and I’d become highly suicidal and depressed while taking 3 different antidepressants in 2014 and was really scared that I might have another bad reaction to them when I had just this year started to recover finally. I told him I didn’t want to end up dead trying to treat my fibromyalgia, and he was totally cool with it (lol imagine that! It’s sad how absurd that sentence is and how many other doctors ignore me on this critical issue). He agreed that it could be risky since I have a history of responding poorly to medications and have an increasing allergy to many things I digest, food and medicine, and he said that we could exhaust other options first before returning to this option if necessary.

I mentioned to him that I had read many things online from various fibro sources and friends with chronic pain for pain help, including medical marijuana, TENS units, herbal remedies, muscle relaxants, sedatives, and so on, and that I wanted to try these before resorting to Cymbalta/Lyrica, etc. as a last resort only. He was very happy to give me a referral to an anesthesiologist who would be able to help me obtain a medical marijuana prescription, and he himself prescribed me both a low dose muscle relaxant and some generic lidocaine topical cream to help numb areas with high amounts of pain, such as my shoulder. He also made sure to point out to me that in case it wasn’t something my insurance would cover, lidocaine is available over the counter (OTC), which I hugely appreciated. I am always so grateful when doctors try to be mindful (on their own initiative) that poor and disabled people don’t have the same access and coverage that richer folks do.

He also had me do some movements to check my range of motion (ROM), explaining to me the things he was looking for as he did (always a plus when the doc wants you in on things), and was incredibly gentle when checking my pressure points. My rheumy, Dr. Mehta, had been unnecessarily rough when testing mine, nearly causing me to cry out from the pain as she repeatedly dug her fingers into tender spots, never once acknowledging the amount of pain she was clearly putting me in or explaining what she was looking for. It wasn’t until I looked online that I understood that this was a trigger point examination, but I also knew that she neglected the fact that she isn’t supposed to use more pressure than it takes to whiten your fingernail when you press it when examining these areas. I believe that because I’m fat, she probably felt (wrongly) that she would need to dig into my body to be able to feel those parts, but it was completely unnecessary and cruel on her part to do so. Dr. Michalisin, however, used the correct pressure amount, was kind in his approach, and even was apologetic, acknowledging that he was putting me in pain but explaining why it was necessary, which I greatly appreciated. He also tested for a significantly larger ROM in my body and especially shoulder than did Dr. Mehta, which I also appreciated. And to top off my respect for him, when I mentioned that I was on the verge of triggering a migraine with certain motions, he was totally fine with not having me do a certain movement with my head and neck that I knew could push me over the edge.

To be taken for my word and respected and deferred to about my experience is such an incredibly validating and humanizing experience that is frequently completely missing from healthcare. I am more accustomed to doctors immediately dismissing and even mocking my pain or insinuating that I am just lazy because I’m fat. Chronic pain is often not believed by doctors, and it’s even worse when you’re fat because they seem to feel you caused it to yourself and therefore kind of deserve whatever they give you in examination. So to have Dr. Michalisin treat me as human and deserving of respect simply by that right was something I am incredibly grateful for and will not relinquish. This is the kind of treatment every single fucking human being on the planet deserves. Period. Absolutely no excuses.

Dr. Michalisin also didn’t subject me to taking a urine sample to prove anything and didn’t even bring up the idea of signing some ridiculous contract stating that I wouldn’t seek medicinal pain treatment from anyone but him while in his care. I understand that doctors face difficulties and fears in their fields, but forcing people who have few options while suffering from chronic pain into coerced agreements is abusive, stigmatizing, and horrendous. Even if someone is using drugs considered illegal, that is still a medical fucking condition that deserves treatment. There is plenty of evidence globally that demonstrates the necessity of legalizing drugs and chemicals to remove stigma and help protect users and help prevent them from dying. There is plenty of evidence globally that being able to seek help for a substance use issue helps decrease the chance of overdose and death in users because they don’t have to hide shit they’re dealing with and can make sure to get help if they want/need it in a way that won’t criminalize or stigmatize them.

Now, granted, I told him straight up that I wouldn’t be able to use things like Tramadol and Percocet because they trigger migraines in me and that I was concerned about their use because of addiction issues that run in my family. So I can’t say for sure that if you go to him and are going to request/receive any controlled substances that he won’t ask you to submit a urine sample or sign a contract. I really hope he doesn’t, but I can’t know that from my experience. So if you go in to see him, please keep that in mind. (Also feel free to let me know, anonymously or otherwise, if that does become the case and you would like folks to have a heads up.)

Anywho, to continue on with the appointment, I also asked him about TENS units (a friend of mine uses one for their chronic pain and seems to find relief) and herbal remedies, including topical ointments and such. He said that research has shown that over time that TENS units don’t always work/don’t have a consistent showing of relief, but when I interrupted him saying that they say the same thing about herbal options and acupuncture, he agreed very much and said that it’s something that can’t hurt you for trying it and that it does seem to bring relief to some, so it’s worth a shot to see if you’re one of the people it will help. He also agreed that herbal remedies might be helpful but that he sadly didn’t know much about them himself; however, he didn’t discourage me from trying and was open to the possibility that it could help. So if I try anything and find it helpful, I’ll bring it up to him in the future and see if he’ll hold on to that. I just hope he also takes any patients who are BIPOC as seriously as he did me, a white patient, if they bring it up as an option.

We also briefly discussed acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractics as treatment options, but those are all unfortunately not covered by my insurance. :\ [disappointed face] I’m hoping one day that will change, but in the meantime, it’s nice to know that it’s doctor-encouraged and not dismissed. If I ever get the money, massage therapy is high on my list since I know from experience that it helps me tremendously in ways pain killers do not.

I had mentioned corticosteroid injections as an option, and he explained to me that while it helps for an acute injury, for chronic pain such as mine, it could actually worsen things over time. I had a suspicion about that because I use an inhaler that has corticosteroids and had heard similar things, so I had been surprised when I saw it as a suggestion online for chronic pain in fibromyalgia. He said that if I get an acute injury, he’d consider it, but for something like this, he was afraid of putting me in more pain down the road. I wholeheartedly agreed and decided against the injections. It also made me think about all the doctors who have been insisting I try them for other issues such as my bone spurs in my heels. I had always been reluctant to try it, and now I’m really glad I waited for better informed folks on the issue who also didn’t have an investment in the hyper use of it as a treatment (hello, local podiatrist).

Speaking of chronic issues, he explained to me about my adhesive capsulitis (again, a condition my rheumy diagnosed me with and refused to tell me anything about) and said that it’s not, as I had suspected, something caused by my injury doing the self defense practice but simply a chronic condition that had likely been building up for years. He said that the good news is that it wasn’t an acute issue like a rotator cuff tear-- I laughed at it being called “good” news, but I got what he meant. It was also kind of nice to not have a doctor try to describe chronic pain as always worse than acute pain. I’m hoping that this is a sign of a healthy attitude of accepting chronic illness as another normal way of being human and not a sign of dismissing the debilitating nature of long term pain, but I really didn’t get a negative vibe from him like that at our appointment. Overall, he just acted as though this was all very normal from a medical standpoint and not something of a moral failing on my part as the patient.

He asked if I had ever been in physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT), and I told him about my three failed attempts to try for my back pain and carpal tunnel, mentioning that after the initial few appointments, it just became so stressful and overwhelming to go several times a week, spending hours at the appointments/rides to and fro, spending hours scheduling my rides and appointments, etc., that my days quickly became subsumed by treating my health and I had no energy or ability to pursue anything else at home. It seemed clear to him immediately that this was an issue, and I didn’t even need to explain that I needed more from my life than just exercising, scheduling medical appointments, and resting from those two things, and I was so damn glad I didn’t have to. He immediately just nodded his head and continued to discuss our other options.

It was a holy shit moment because, as a fat person especially, I always get treated as though if I don’t pursue every opportunity to “heal” the way the doctor feels I should, I’m deserving of and trying to be unwell and in pain. So to not be forced to explain myself, to be allowed to have desires in life for things other than exercise and therapies that only others (and not me) felt would help me was fucking amazing. A little confusing at first, but then it felt completely normal, which is how it should fucking feel. We deserve, as disabled people, to choose how we want to treat or not treat our conditions without being shamed for it or coerced into doing differently for someone else’s conception of what is healthy for us as individuals.

I also asked him about low impact exercises, and he told me basically what I already knew: using an elliptical, swimming, walking, and so on are all good, so I said I would just do my best to continue with that.

At the end, I also asked him about how to proceed with other issues, saying, “I’ve been seeing a lot of doctors the last couple of years, and I would like to stop.“ lol I explained that I had been through so many tests, kind of expecting that fibro might be a possibility and doing those tests to eliminate other conditions just to be sure, including with a gastroenterologist who ruled out IBS, Crohn’s, Celiac, parasites, etc., despite ongoing gastro issues. I explained that I was still going to check about the possibility of dysautonomia, which he encouraged me to look into to be sure, suggesting a neurologist would be best for that, and I explained that I wanted to basically just get confirmation that most, if not all, of my symptoms were attributed to fibro or were common issues with fibro, and I can finally stop looking and go home to rest and heal and pursue my life secure in the knowledge that this is my diagnosis. He said, “Yes.”

...

Y’all, I almost cried. ❤ [heart] I was so grateful. I’m tearing up just typing this. lol He said that since I’ve been worked up in so many ways and tests and have been able to rule out so much, that it’s pretty conclusive that fibro is the likely culprit for all my symptoms. We talked about the fact that fibro doesn’t cause things like IBS/IBD, migraines, etc., but that they’re often simply comorbidities and that I just have them now. I was so, so grateful to finally hear the words I’ve been needing for so long, the words I was looking for after 5 years of searching for an answer to this shit I was going through. I have a name for it. It’s real. There’s no cure, but I can try to treat it by doing all the things I’ve known all along would help. I don’t have to continue this hellish cycle of going into the doctor’s office so often that they know my name and face when I walk in the door and know my voice over the phone without even my name. God, I can’t wait to be unknown or barely remembered at all these doctors’ offices. It’s gonna be fucking glorious.

And let’s just take another moment to compare Dr. Michalisin with Dr. Mehta, shall we? In this instance, instead of shaming me for needing answers when I expressed confusion about my other non-fibro-caused symptoms or accusing me of seeking to be ill like Dr. Mehta did, Dr. Michalisin understood that I needed to simply hear answers and explanations about my condition and that I needed confirmation that I could stop looking for shit wrong with me because this is it. A conclusive diagnosis. Fucking thank you. What a beautiful thing to know.

We finally wrapped up the incredibly human-feeling appointment with a prescription for a muscle relaxant called cyclobenzaprine (commonly called Flexeril) at 5 mg, a prescription for lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5-2.5 % cream (commonly called Emla), and a referral for Dr. Daniel Hanono to discuss medical marijuana for my pain. He told me that if the relaxant helps, I don’t need to really come back, but that I was always welcome to come back, call him, or message him if it didn’t help or if something changed or something new popped up and we could try dose adjustments or something new. We exchanged pleasantries and parted ways, me feeling human in ways that I’m usually denied at doctor appointments, empowered by my pain treatment options, and hopeful that I could finally get even a minute amount of relief from my constant symptoms.

It felt so, so, sooooo fucking good to tell the receptionist no when they asked me if I needed a followup and even better to go, practically skipping, to CVS for my prescriptions which were all covered by my insurance and therefore costing less than five bucks out of pocket. It was like fucking Christmas in my house, I swear, that’s the most I’ve probably smiled since I got approved for my hysterectomy. lol What joy it was to have and what joy it was to feel joy again after so long!! ♡ ❤ ♡ ♡ ❤ ♡ ♡ ❤ ♡ [9 black and white hearts]

I’m so grateful to have been able to get this care. I’m so privileged and lucky to have been able to do so. Everyone deserves this in their lives. And if you haven’t been given this kind of treatment or been allowed to be and feel human, you deserve to be given that. You deserve kindness and respect and belief in your symptoms and difficulties and accessibility needs. You deserve pain treatment. You deserve care, quality and humane care. You deserve help and answers. My love and strength to you in the face of anyone who dares deny them to you. ❤ [heart]

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