Elmiron Drug: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Risks?

Imagine you have to make a choice between being able to urinate without pain or permanently damaging your vision. It’s one patient who was prescribed Elmiron and was forced to make many of them without their knowledge.

These people have an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition known as Interstitial Cystitis or IC. IC is characterised by mild to severe pain in the bladder, sometimes encompassing surrounding regions and frequent urination. The symptoms are disruptive enough to curtail the patient’s quality of life. Some people with IC have been known to go to the bathroom between 40 and 60 times a day. Their social lives, sexual relationships and sleep are affected and this is something that they’ll likely experience for the rest of their lives. There is no cure for IC.

Elmiron is one of the drugs used to treat this condition but it comes with a serious side effect. Long term use could potentially result in a condition known as Maculopathy. This causes damage to the eye’s retina. The retina translates the images we see. Damage to it can result in partial or total vision loss. As a result, several Elmiron disputes have been launched at the courts. These lawsuits maintain that Janssen, Elmiron’s manufacturer, was aware of the risk to patients’ vision and withheld this information.

There are at least 7 studies that link Elmiron to eye damage. Unlike other medications that have been recalled when links to serious disease have been found, Elmiron remains on the shelves.

People with IC who have suffered Elmiron related vision loss have the option of filing suit against its manufacturers once they can prove the connection. At Drug Guardians, we can help you establish this causal link and help you to be justly compensated. 

We have also put together the lists below outlining the pros and cons of continuing Elmiron use, for those who have not experienced retina damage.

Benefits of Elmiron

• Mitigation of IC symptoms

• Patients can have life returned to a semblance of normality. They will be able to sleep and take part in social activities 

• Elmiron is one of a few drugs designed to treat this condition

Drawbacks of Elmiron

• Elmiron can affect vision with long term use, possibly leading to partial or total vision loss. A doctor should monitor your progress on the drug regularly to see if your vision is being affected.

• Elmiron is considered a weak blood thinner and persons taking it risk bleeding at the nose and gums.

• Other side effects patients taking Elmiron were likely to experience include:

• bruising

• dizziness

• nausea

• diarrhea

• hair loss (alopecia)

• trouble sleeping

• unexpected weight gain

• skin rashes

• bloody stool

• headaches

• gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

• abnormal liver function

• Elmiron is expensive

What should I do?

If after reviewing this list, you and your doctor decide to stop taking Elmiron, there are some alternatives the both of you can look into. This study suggests that rather than focusing on medication, a holistic approach should be taken when treating IC. This is because recent research is hinting at the systemic origins of the disease. Treatments should therefore include behaviour change along with oral medication and/or natural remedies.

If you or a loved one have been affected by vision loss because of Elmiron, speak with us at Drug Guardians to see if you meet the criteria to file suit against its manufacturer. You may be entitled to compensation if you:

• Used Elmirond for 1-2 years before experiencing vision problems

• Have experienced the following:

• Unique pigmentary maculopathy (macular degeneration)

• Paracentral scotoma

• Impaired or blurred vision

• Retinal atrophy

• Ocular toxicity

• Macular dystrophy

• Night blindness

• Bilateral or unilateral blindness

• Permanent vision loss

It is expected that claims against Elmiron’s manufacturer, Janssen, will increase in 2021. Lawsuits are only at the beginning stages and there have been no trials or settlements yet. However, we are working with others across the country to file class action suits. and are experienced at this type of litigation. 

Before you hesitate about taking action, think of the loss of income and quality of life damage to your vision that represents you or your loved one. Drug Guardians may not be able to restore the peace of mind you had before your injury, but we can take you through the steps of filing your claim, gathering your evidence and preparing your case to receive compensation.

Moving to a New Place? Here Are Some Tips to Make It Easier

Moving can be a part of your life if you are a student, a professional, or even a business person who can choose to move to a different place or country to reside and run a business. While moving can be tedious, sometimes you cannot avoid it and you are better prepared for it in case it happens. You need to understand some packing tips, unpacking tips, and even some movement tips. 

You can be creative enough to reduce the amount of work involved with your movement and also make it easy for you to bounce back to your normal life in your new place of residence. Moving to a new place? Here are some tips to make it easier:

Prepare Accordingly

This sounds too obvious but it is paramount. The way you prepare to move can determine whether or not you shall have a successful move. Plan ahead so that it gives you peace of mind and so that you can begin packing early. Part of your preparation should be to book a utility company and inform the company of your next destination and your preferred date of movement. 

As you call your mover, inquire about what services the company offers and inquire about their charges too. This information is important for you to budget and starts packing if you must. According to movers at Reliant Moving services LLC, calling DFW movers before anything else can help you save some time and energy. For instance upon calling you can discover that the movers can offer you packing services at an affordable fee. This can make you opt for their comprehensive packages of packing plus moving as you concentrate on other things like work that matter to you. Ensure you set a budget for the movement and as you seek movement services look for companies whose charges are within your budget line. 

If you choose to pack your items yourself, plan the packing supplies you need and acquire them. Also, get rid of items you might not want in your new home as this can also make your packing easier. Purge your closet and donate some outfits that no longer satisfy your tastes. You can also look for centers that pick up donations from donors to reduce your expenses of moving goods to the center. Consider free packing supplies and operate within your budget line at all costs.

On The Moving Day

Ensure you fill your cooler with easy-to-grab items which you need to re-energize yourself as you move. Your snacks and water bottles should be in these coolers and ensure the coolers are in the car you will be moving in and not the one carrying other items like furniture. If you find it inconveniencing to move with your pets and children, have them stay at the daycare center as you move and once you have settled you can pick them up. 

You can also have them stay with relatives as you settle so that you do not stress them and yourself. Simultaneously, ensure you have packed all your items before the moving day as last-minute packing can stress you up and inconvenience you. Make the most out of your movers and let them help where they can.

Make Your Unpacking Easier

That you have arrived at your home is not the end of moving. As soon as you arrive at your new home, start unpacking the kitchen staff. This is often the most difficult to arrange and starting off with it can make you easily arrange your other rooms. 

Starting with the kitchen can also give you peace as you can cook food and keep yourself energized as you continue unpacking. Also, give yourself some timelines as they can motivate you and discourage you from stopping until you meet your targets. You can challenge yourself by planning for a house-warming party just a week after you have moved into your new house. This can put you on your toes as you wouldn’t want your invitees to find your home in a mess. 

You can motivate yourself with some encouraging and motivating music so that you do not realize you are exhausted until you are done unpacking. This does not however mean that you torture yourself rather take it slow and do what you can comfortably manage bit by bit. When you feel tired enough, take a bath, some coffee, and once you feel refreshed get back to work. After all, you wouldn’t want to keep your children and pets away any longer. If you have your goods packed in boxes, discard them after emptying them so that they do not fill your house with clutter

Moving can be easy if you plan accordingly. With some help from moving professionals, you can make it easier to move. Pack accordingly and use the ideal unpacking strategies to prevent taking extra time settling down. Don’t be too hard on yourself and ensure you stay hydrated and energized throughout the process.

Effortless Ways To Effectively Lose Fat And Achieve Your Weight Goal

Weight reduction takes less effort if you stick to a diet plan and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You’ll want to follow a balanced diet plan that changes your unhealthy eating habits and satisfies your cravings at the same time so that you don’t end up quitting, rather than going on an extreme starvation diet that burns 6 pounds a week but might lead you to gain all the weight back when you return to your regular eating habits. 

That being said, you need to stay away from restrictive diets and low-calorie meal plans. If you can’t find the right diet that will boost your weight loss efforts, this article explains the main ways by which you can effortlessly burn fat and reach your goal weight.

Eat Nutrient-Dense Food

The foundation of any person's diet should be nutrient-dense food that comprises a variety of vitamins, protein, and carbs. When you put your meal plans together, make sure your dishes or meals are made up of 50% vegetables and fruits, 25% protein, and 25% whole grains. Ensuring that your food has evenly dispersed nutrients will not just help you get rid of fat, but also strengthen your immune system and eliminate your chances of getting heart disease. 

After age 30, metabolism tends to slow down so you can consider taking supplements to boost metabolism and recover energy fast. Sean Newton, a Health And Fitness Writer provided a list of ingredients included in such a ‘reds’ type supplement if you're interested in learning more.

You should aim to reduce your saturated fats and avoid trans fats completely. While you should not eliminate foods from your diet entirely to avoid nutritional deficiency, some foods are considered unnecessary and are only harmful to the body such as sugar and trans fats. You should also aim to keep your fiber intake at 25 to 30 grams to stay full and avoid unnecessary snacking.

Reduce Your Intake of Refined Carbs

As mentioned previously, sugar is far more harmful than many people think and leads to weight gain and obesity. A quick way to lose weight is to stop consuming sugars, carbs, and starches. While cutting back on carbs completely is not ideal, you can stick to a low-carb diet that eliminates sugars to stay in shape. You can also replace refined carbs with whole grains to make your diet healthier and include fiber in your nutritional intake. Cutting back on sugars and refined carbs lets you curb your hunger and control the number of calories you eat per day.

Avoid Liquid Calories

The problem with drinking juices, teas, and other sweetened beverages is that you can end consuming hundreds of calories without even noticing.

 Nutritionists at Fintys define empty calories as those that come from drinks that only give you energy while providing no nutritional value. Simply put, these drinks make you gain weight without feeling full after consumption, no matter how high they are in calories. So, unless you’re replacing a meal with a fresh and highly nutritious smoothie, you should not be drinking sweetened juices, coffees, or alcohol. When it comes to reaching your goal weight, water is your best friend. 

Move More Often

Sure, exercise helps speed up shedding the extra weight in your body. Moving more often is not a must but if you do so, you’ll gain lean muscles that tone your body and make you look healthier especially if you lift weights, where you’ll be burning more calories and maintaining a steady metabolism rate. Most people suffer from a decreased metabolism after shedding a few pounds off, they usually end up hitting what is called a weight loss plateau. 

You can go to the gym three to four times a week to prevent that and keep your metabolism running. You can also try doing some cardio exercises like running and jumping jacks to keep your heart rate healthy and burn off some extra calories.

Control Servings And Food Portions

It’s important to control your food portions and know exactly how much your ideal food serving size is as overeating any type of food can lead to weight gain. Try monitoring your food portions by comparing the meal’s size to golf balls and tennis balls to make it easier when you’re not at home. For example, half a cup is as big as a tennis ball, while a full cup is as big as a baseball. A teaspoon can also be compared to playing dice in case you’re trying to monitor your sugar intake.

Most people find it difficult to stick to a diet, usually due to the extreme restrictions and hard-to-follow requirements. To successfully reach your desired weight, all you need to do is to reduce your sugar intake and include all food varieties in your diet to consume the recommended doses of nutrients. You should also drink water more often to stay hydrated and boost your metabolism.

Understanding Why Estate Planning is Important

Death is an unwelcome guest in many people’s lives but it still happens. The more reason you should allocate some time and resources to plan for your estate just like you plan for your vacation, and other life investments like buying a home or a car. Estate planning is a sure way to determine who should inherit your estate when you die. It is weightier than it sounds as your estates could be what you have worked for all your lifetime. Get started with understanding why estate planning is important:

Estate Planning Can Protect Your Beneficiaries

You do not want to imagine that one day when you die your children and spouse or other key relatives can end up not enjoying what you labored for while you were alive. While people initially viewed estate planning as an activity for high-end individuals, it is not the case today.  Provided you have an estate, you need to plan for it so that your loved ones can benefit from it even in your absence. Based on the advice given by the Atlanta estate law center, you should consult estate planning legal experts to help you write a will that is inclusive of all the people you want to benefit from your estate while you are dead. Legal experts can also help you make a perfect distribution of your wealth among your relatives based on your personal preferences otherwise the court can distribute it in such a manner that you would not advocate for if you were alive.  Having an estate plan can also protect your unborn children and their loved ones even while you will be long dead. By naming the guardians of those children in your will, you can secure the children’s future. 

Estate Planning Can Spare Your Heirs Unnecessary Taxes

Estate planning is more about your heirs than it is about yourself. With the proper guidance of a qualified and experienced estate planning attorney, you can protect your beneficiaries from the internal revenue service fees charged by your respective state. As you transfer your assets to your heirs you can strategically do so while reducing the possible tax burden they can bear. With estate planning, you can also reduce the federal and state estate inheritance taxes if they shouldn’t pay. There are also strategies under estate planning that you can use to reduce the amount of income tax your beneficiaries will have to pay. Without a proper estate plan, your beneficiaries can pay unimaginable amounts of tax. Discuss this with your attorney so that you can plan accordingly.

An Estate Can Prevent Family Wrangles

In the recent past, family inheritance wrangles have been on the rise, and often they do not end up well. You can spare your family this by planning your estate. You can decide who should take what percentage of your wealth when you die so that the same can be used to distribute your wealth to all the people whom you want to benefit from the same. With an estate plan, you can choose who should control your finances and assets anytime you become mentally incapacitated to make informed decisions and at worse when you die. You can also clarify in your estate plan how your assets should be handled if you do not want them to be distributed among individuals and this can still prevent conflicts among your family members as every one of them shall abide by your will. Furthermore, with an estate plan, you can define further individualized plans if the need arises. For instance, you can arrange for a child with health challenges or even establish a trust for one of your children that you are confident can be better off if he/she does not receive a huge amount of your asset finances. An estate plan can help you be biased to the child you love the most. Likewise, if you have more than one spouse or children with a woman or man that is not known to your current family, you can also accord them some benefits on your estate plan.

Establishing an estate plan is a wise thing to do if you want your assets and finances to be enjoyed and controlled by your loved ones anytime you become mentally unfit and when you die. An estate plan is also a good strategy to prevent your loved ones from being charged avoidable inheritance taxes. Furthermore, with an estate plan, you can decide how you want your assets to be distributed among all your beneficiaries so that the court does not randomly distribute your assets when you die.  An estate plan is a good thing if you want to prevent your family from falling apart because of wrangling over your assets and money when you die. Ensure you involve an experienced estate planning attorney to guide you through the process of developing a perfect estate plan. Likewise, ensure you are involved in the process so that you are sure of the content of your plan.

Amazing Habits That Will Make You Start Your Morning With A Great Energy

The way you start your day is important. This way, you’ll have enough energy to help you be productive throughout the day, especially if you’re expecting a long day ahead. However, truth be told, not every day is a good morning. But, fortunately, there are ways how you can improve it.

Whether you’re about to face a long day ahead or it’s just a normal relaxed day, here are a few tips on how you can start your day with great energy.

Start with the Night Before

The key to that really good morning is to start the night before. Before you go to sleep, make sure that you’re prepared for tomorrow.

If you’re expecting a hectic schedule, you’ll need to prepare the things you’ll need tomorrow, such as your bag, the files, and documents you need, as well as your clothes. This way, everything will be much smoother when you wake up. Especially if you’re in a rush, you won’t feel stressed about finding your keys, your shoes, your uniform, etc.

Aside from that, make sure that you get a good night's sleep. Make it a point that you sleep early to reap the benefits of a full night’s sleep.

Don’t Forget Your Breakfast

As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This gives you enough energy in the morning. That said, no matter how much you’re in a rush, make sure that you eat your breakfast.

And don’t forget your coffee too. Coffee connoisseurs from Daily Espresso say that a nice cup of coffee a day will give you enough energy boost that will help you throughout the day. Plus, if taken moderately, you can also reap its health benefits, such as lowering the risk of several conditions, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease.

Drink Water

Your body is made of about 60 percent water. And as you sleep, since you can’t get up to drink, your body loses some water that keeps you hydrated. Thus, as you wake up, make sure to replenish the water you lost while sleeping.

This will help increase your energy levels. Additionally, it will keep your metabolism functioning at its best.

To stay hydrated, always keep a glass of water beside your bed and drink it in case you wake up in the middle of the night. As soon as you wake up, drink eight to 16 ounces of water to replenish your body.

Exercise

Being an adult is hard because often, we don’t have enough time for exercise. However, our body needs it to stay fit and keep diseases at bay.

Thus, if you can, don’t forget to do your workout routine too. This will also give you enough energy for the day and release happy hormones that will improve your mood. You can also workout the night before to help you sleep better and have energy the next day.

Establish Intention

At first, this might feel a little bit weird if you’re not used to doing this, but establishing intention the moment you wake up will help you feel more positive vibes.

Instead of checking your phone, try to write a journal and reflect on at least three things you’re grateful for as you wake up. Choose something within your control that you think would make your day great. Aside from that, read a positive daily affirmation to feel good about yourself. Doing this will help you have more confidence and a positive outlook on life.

Put Your Phone Away and Just Enjoy the Morning

Our phones truly do wonder when it comes to making our tasks convenient. Hence, you’ll see nearly everyone in the world glued to their phones.

However, sometimes, it comes with cons. If you start your day immediately checking your phone, you're likely to feel more drained, frantic, and stressed, knowing what’s going on around you. While it’s good to be informed about your surroundings, sometimes, it can also ruin your morning and even your mental well-being.

So, instead, try to just relax and put your phone away. Doing this will help you enjoy your mornings more as it will be easier for you to notice your surroundings. This will also help you focus more and set a calm yet energetic tone.

Having great energy in the morning is vital to endure the whole day that’s ahead of you. So, as you start your day, make sure to protect your peace and just enjoy it as you prepare for another day of work.

Simple Ways You Can Make Your Life Easier Through Self-Care

From time to time, we all feel as though life catches up with us. Whether you have been working from home and struggling to meet deadlines or navigating your way through a relationship breakdown - there are simply hundreds of occasions wherein you may let self-care take the backseat. However, in order to feel healthier and happier in our day-to-day lives - we need to find ways to put self-care behind the wheel instead.

With that in mind, here are some small ways in which you can make your day-to-day life a little easier by practicing self-care. 

• Keep a good routine, even during difficult or turbulent times in your life. This can help you find normalcy when things seem to be spiraling and help you stay on track. 

• Find a way to introduce exercise into your routine - whether that means you head out for a daily jog or build a home gym. Even 15 minutes a day can have a lasting impact on your mind and body. 

• While you are allowed to indulge from time to time, try to really get to grips with healthy eating - ensuring that your diet is packed with nutrients, fruit, and vegetables. Remember - eating healthy does not have to be boring - and there are thousands of different recipes you can choose from. When possible, try to find alternatives to dining out. 

• If you are super busy during the week, set aside some time at the weekend to batch cook meals that you can then heat up at a later date. This is a great way of avoiding reaching for that takeout menu and can save you a lot of time in the long run. 

• Make the most of online services that can help you from the comfort of your own home. For example, many pharmacies now offer online consultation services - meaning that you can address any health issues you may be facing right away as opposed to having to find time in your schedule to drop by your local pharmacy.  This also means you can gain easy access to medications such as Lyclear cream to treat lice and scabies. 

• Talk openly and honestly about how you are feeling - as opposed to bottling up your emotions until they spill over. Though having this kind of conversation can be hard, speaking up sooner rather than later can help you process how you are feeling, meaning you can work towards a resolution quicker. 

• Set aside some time each week to indulge in your favorite hobbies and pastimes. Whether that means you spend half an hour reading, exercising, or even re-watching your favorite TV show - do something once a day that makes you smile. You deserve it! 

• Though it’s tempting to spend hour after hour scrolling through social media to see what people are up to, try and have a social media detox from time to time. Turn off your phone and give yourself a well-deserved break.

• As opposed to setting yourself big goals throughout the year (many of which are often unattainable), find a way to break them down into smaller, more reasonable targets. For example, you could separate them into monthly goals.

• Though it is important that we help others, you also need to know when it is time to put yourself first. There is nothing remotely selfish about doing this, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. 

• Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone - whether that relates to trying out new foods or participating in an activity you’ve never partaken in before. Though this may seem scary initially, it is a great way to bring about change and can also give you a much-needed confidence boost. 

• Begin practicing mindfulness or meditation. To begin with, you can follow online guides that are designed to get you in the right headspace for mindfulness. Though you may feel self-conscious to begin with, meditation is a great way to clear your mind, reduce stress and process your feelings.

• Find ways to identify and reduce stress in your life - as stress affects the body and mind in more ways than you can imagine.  

• Find new and inventive ways to express yourself every day. Whether you do that through writing, dancing around your home, or trying out new clothing styles. Remember, when it comes to fashion, you don’t have to conform to popular styles. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in - and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. When you stop caring about how others think, you can start being your true self. 

• Spend time with people who lift you up instead of those who drag you down. For example, if you have known somebody for a long time, but they continue to belittle your feelings, it might be time to cut the cord. You don’t have to be around people who don’t make you happy.

• Remember that self-care falls under many different categories - and it doesn’t necessarily mean face masks and bubble baths. However, don’t be afraid to indulge in some pampering from time to time - whether you book yourself in for a massage or splash out on some expensive skincare - the time to treat yourself is now. 

• Try your hand at journaling. Sometimes, it can be hard to separate our feelings from a situation or figure out the next best step. However, writing them down so that you can see them on the page can help you figure out what the next step should be. 

• Remember that many problems cannot be resolved overnight - meaning you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself to find a solution right away. Sometimes, self-care means giving yourself time off and accepting the fact that you can and will make mistakes from time to time. 

• Start dating yourself. Though this may sound odd, it simply means that you treat yourself with the same grace and kindness that you would treat a romantic partner or friend. Buy yourself flowers or an odd gift. Stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself just how good you look. Shower yourself in praise when you do something well and spend some time getting to know who you are on a deeper level. This can have a truly positive effect on your mental well-being.