Walk off Your Symptoms of MS

What is MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that is continual and chronic. It affects the brain as well as the spinal cord by causing scar tissue to be created in several areas due to nerve damage. Depending on where this damage is, it can cause muscular imbalance, loss of control, and speech or visual difficulties.                             

• There are four types of MS: relapsing-remitting, secondary-progressive, primary progressive and progressive relapsing.
• About 85 percent of those who are newly diagnosed have the relapsing-remitting form of MS.
• The disease is unpredictable, and each individual will not experience the same set of symptoms.
• Without disease-modifying therapy, about 50 percent of those diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS will become progressively worse at 10 years after diagnosis.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis isn't the easiest, especially when it begins to affect your mobility.   There are a variety of different symptoms of MS. Often times people who have MS become depressed and emotionally unstable. It is quite common that MS patients have muscle spasms. The bowel symptoms of MS patients includes diarrhea or constipation. Another common symptom of MS is chronic fatigue.   This picture mentions several symptoms of MS.

Though, as of yet, there aren't any permanent solutions for the symptoms of MS, great strides have been made in recent years in the development of new treatment options. Ampyra (dalfampridine) another form of fampridine (4-Aminopyradine) has shown exceedingly good results for those with walking difficulties due to MS. Low-Dose Naltrexone may also be helpful, as the National MS Society reports: 

"The investigators found that LDN significantly improved quality of life (specifically, mental health, pain and self-reported cognitive function), but no impact was observed on aspects of physical quality of life (such as fatigue, bowel and bladder control, sexual satisfaction, and visual function). Vivid dreaming was reported during the first week of treatment by some patients, but no other adverse effects were reported."
(http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Complementary-Alternative-Medicines/Low-Dose-Naltrexone)

    Karli- Your undercover technician for everything pharmacy

Have you found something that relieves the pain? Help us understand your symptoms and find more answers. Comment below!

Bleed Purple For Lupus Awareness

Purple is an incredibly unique color. The most beautiful flowers in my opinion are a deep dark violet color. I had a purple wedding dress because I adore the color. How can you not? Purple isn't just unique and beautiful it's a symbol. It represents lupus awareness.This month is lupus awareness, so to show your support you could educate yourself and others about lupus and don't forget to wear purple! 1.5 million Americans currently have Lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can possibly damage any of part of your body including skin, joints and organs. An autoimmune diseases suggest that your immune system does not know the difference between evil invaders and your healthy tissues. Generally, women ages 15-44 get lupus, but men,children, and teenagers can get lupus as well. Lupus symptoms can last for several years and it can be hard to diagnose as the symptoms mimic minor illnesses. 

Lupus symptoms consist of:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Stiffness
• Dry Eyes
• Headaches
• Butterfly-Shaped Rash On Face
• Fingers and Toes turn white or blue when exposed to cold or stressful periods
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of Breath

Can you imagine what it would be like to have a difficult to diagnose disease?  Ian Harding, the actor in Pretty Little Liars, tells us about his mother who has lupus. Mary Harding was diagnosed with lupus when Ian was six years old. Ian recalls the days when his mother's hands swelled and how she contently wore hats in public to protect herself from the sun. In several interviews he explained that as a child, he did not understand Lupus, but understands it more now as an adult. Ian Harding has always supported his mother, and has been working with the Lupus Foundation of America for the last two years to raise awareness.  His mother would talk to her children about Lupus as it evolved in her life. Her children did not know until they were older that Lupus was possibly a fatal disease. Ian had a stronger emotional sense of the world than most of the children his age and his mother's illness affected him greater because of it. His mother explained, "As a parent, I didn't need to be the perfect mom, but wanted to be apart of it. I needed to show up and do the things I needed to do to raise the kids. I didn't want my kids to grow up to think their mother was fragile." Mary Harding did not let Lupus get in the way of being there for her family. Ian told an interviewer about his opinion on Lupus awareness and finding a cure, "I think with any chronic thing no matter how strong or strong willed you are, there comes a time you just wish it wasn't there. The more I got involved in lupus foundation and see doctors speak on it, it feels like we are so close. I have this feeling that if we care about it a little more that would be the final push over the top."

There are a variety of different medications that can help with signs of lupus disease. 

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is used to treat symptoms of lupus disease including fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain. LDN helps the immune system, lowers the inflammation, and releases natural endorphins. 

• Quinacrine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Quinacrine reduces inflammation and helps control skin rash in people who have lupus. This medication also may help releive muscle, joint pain, fatigue, and fever.

• Chloroquine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. This medication treats auto-immune diseases to help suppress over activity in the immune system and limits inflammation. It also helps reduce signs and symptoms of Lupus such as pain and swelling.

• Hydroxychlorquine is an Antimalarial medication used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This medication is used to decrease the symptoms of lupus. It helps relieve inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. 

These medications help lupus disease patients stay healthy and cope with their disease. If you are looking for these types of medications, or someone to speak with, the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy might be a good place to start!www.WoodlandHillsPharmacy.com/contact_us

Jennie-Your Undercover For Everything Pharmacy

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life!

The big question: Are my hormones imbalanced?

It's nearly impossible to really know if you have a hormonal imbalance. Women all over the United States are concerned about their personal hormone levels. Since 2012 the number of women using hormone replacement therapy has increased by 15 million. But how do you know if your hormones are imbalanced? Is a doctor's visit entirely necessary to know that you may need to  supplement your hormone production?

Just waking up in the morning can be a chore with imbalanced Hormones. A replacement therapy can make the difference between talking to loved ones, having confidence, and being success or curling up into an insecure, tired ball. When you finally realize it may not be normal to be dealing with these symptoms, it's like taking a breath of fresh air. Things that seemed so difficult to handle become a breeze. Women and men can benefit from hormonal replacement therapy, so all you men out there are included in this as well. It is often hard to tell if your hormones are imbalanced. You may want to see a healthcare professional to narrow it down but you will be able to make a good guess at whether or not you are imbalanced from a few common symptoms. The list below is the various symptoms women and men may receive from hormone imbalance

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The list below explains the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men and women.

You are a beautiful capable woman with the right to a healthy body, mind and soul. So many women believe that the hand they are dealt is the hand they are stuck with, when the real solution is out there just waiting to be found. Some supplement companies advertise products that can help with hormonal changes or Menopause. Though there may be some help to a few vitamin deficient individuals, for the majority of the world an imbalance can only be solved by a hormonal replacement therapy regiment.

With this in mind, your doctor can be a huge help to your hormonal health. I know it can be tough to muster up the courage to talk to a professional about your body, but with a caring doctor and a good understanding between you, you can have the best of what life can offer. 

Karli-Your Undercover technician for everything pharmacy

Take A Bite Out Of Lyme

We all love limes. They're great for cocktails and squeezed over rare meats. But it can also remind us of an important awareness. Take a Bite of Lyme is a wonderful trend going around to raise awareness for Lyme disease. Woodland Hills Pharmacy has been nominated to participate in the Lyme Disease Challenge! We would like to spread the word and nominate Jennifer Braunersrither, Tamara Bowen, Judy Advent and Zannie Liska! 
Show your support and take a bit out of Lyme!

Judy's Story

My aunt in law, Judy, was diagnosed with Lyme disease but she did not have the rash as the first sign of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, Borrelia burgodoferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of a tick. There are several different symptoms that Lyme disease patients exhibit which include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash. Lyme disease can affect the skin, joints, heart, and the nervous system. The blood tests that doctors generally use miss 55% of the Lyme disease cases. Lyme disease is often hard to diagnose.
Judy (shown on the left) emphasized how it felt to have Lyme disease, "Your body aches, you have headaches, and you are very tired.  My worst flare up was when the Lyme disease went to my brain.  I couldn't speak, I had a stutter, I couldn't find my words.  I lost my memory for about 2 weeks." Judy could not recall how she was infected with Lyme disease, but assumed it was from a deer tick. Lyme disease didn't effect her life until she had one of her worst flare-ups. She was checked into the hospital and sent home with an IV PICC Line of antibiotics that she changed daily. Judy explained that she never let Lyme disease interfere with her family's needs. Judy, instead, used her talents and understanding to raise awareness in her community. This bracelet (pictured below) represents a few different illnesses she fights for. The green represents Lyme disease, while the other colors represent the various illnesses she supports. She continues to stay strong and lead a powerful, encouraging life.


There are a variety of different medications that can help with signs of Lyme disease.

• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is used to treat symptoms of Lyme disease including fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain. LDN helps the immune system, lowers the inflammation, and releases natural endorphins. Borrelia burgodoferi releases a neurotoxin that is responsible for the symptoms that Lyme disease patients exhibits. 
• Cholestyramine binds the neurotoxin in the GI for excretion which over time reduces the symptoms to one's body. 
• Glutathione nasal spray helps Lyme disease patients replenish their cells with desperately needed Glutathione proteins.  

These medications help Lyme disease patients stay healthy and cope with their disease. If you are looking for these types of medications, or someone to speak with, the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy might be a good place to start! www.WoodlandHillsPharmacy.com/contact_us

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is Lyme disease awareness month.  Lyme disease organizations hold events as well as individuals all over the world are posting online in support of Lyme disease. The challenge consists of taking a picture or video taking a bite out of a lime, and posting a fact about Lyme disease. It is essential that we raise awareness about Lyme disease and it's symptoms. "Just by protecting yourself from ticks." Judy explains how to guard against the disease and why it's so prevalent, "The area in which I live has a high rate of Lyme disease because  we live in a heavily wooded area with lots of deer roaming around." It is important to be educated and support Lyme disease awareness. So do yourself a favor and take a bite of lime and join the Lyme Disease Awareness movement!

Jennie- Undercover For Your Everything Pharmacy

And the staff at Woodland Hills Pharmacy