HELOISE: Ask doctor before stopping your meds

Dear Heloise: As a nurse, I have become very concerned about lawyers advertising lawsuits against drug manufacturers. I see advertising about a different medication every day. I just ignored them until I had a person tell me she was considering not taking a medicine because of the claims of one of these advertisements.

Encourage your readers to speak to their physician (or health-care provider, nurse, etc.– Heloise) before ever stopping any medication. There are medicines that can have negative effects if stopped abruptly. The medications that I have seen on the advertisements are very important and can make life better for a lot of people.

People always should read the inserts for side effects, and discuss any concerns with their physician. Unfortunately, there are no medications without possible side effects. Always take them as directed.

Encourage your readers to ask questions if they do not understand the instructions. As a nurse, I would rather answer 100 questions than have a person take medication in the wrong way. Thank you for your time!

Amy, a concerned nurse via email

Thank you for a well-thought-out and well-written letter. Some class-action suits and lawsuits concerning medications serve a purpose; others may not. Readers, for you or a loved one’s best health, please don’t make a potentially life-altering medical decision based on a TV or radio commercial, print advertisement, Internet ad or email, or what your relatives, friends, neighbors or co-workers suggest. Talk to your doctor before stopping or changing how you take any medication.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I recently was fitted with a new type of contact lens, and the lenses are a little more difficult to insert and remove without dropping. I now keep a small flashlight next to the basin, and when I drop the lens, I simply reach over, cut the lights and use the flashlight to find the lens!

David M., Jackson, Miss.

Dear Heloise: I am always dropping my earring backs when I take out my earrings. I came up with an idea to help me find them. I cleaned out the dirt and dust from my hand-held vacuum, then vacuumed the area where I dropped a back. I carefully opened the vacuum, and it was in there!

Jackie in Illinois

Here’s a Heloise hint: Just cover the opening with a piece of pantyhose, and you don’t even have to open up the vacuum.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Toaster ovens get very hot on the surface. The wire/cord often rests on the back even if the appliance isn’t up against the wall. To prevent scorching and hazards involved with the cord, use a magnetic hook and lift the cord away from the back of the hot oven. A cup hook or something similar would work as well.

A Reader via email

King Features Syndicate