Upjohn Holds Talk on Chronic Pain Management

Being homebound is a good thing nowadays. If you suffer chronic pain, it is a little challenging as tele-consultation can only do so much. With this, Pfizer’s GM for Upjohn Philippines Ms. Melissa Comia says “Under the new normal, it is important to still talk to our doctors and manage the condition, so it does not get us away from life.”

Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan the Chief of UP Medical Informatics Unit says “I have a low pain threshold and it is one of the reason I am in this profession. Today, people suffer from delayed procedures, but telemedicine will have to stay until the dust settles. It offers hope, patients should prepare, find the teleclinic, get accompaniment and inform your doctor, prepare your gadgets and make sure devices are charged. Prepare your medical records, list down your questions, sign the consent form. It can be done via Video consultations or Audio Calls. You can describe the pain and rate it, tell them episodes, location, medical treatments you have tried and what activities trigger the pain. Follow directions and clear things by asking the right questions, also when to have follow up care and the next consultation. Make sure you also give feedback if you are satisfied with the doctors consultation.” 

Rheumatologist Dr. Lisa Teaboco says “Joint pains are nothing new but telemedicine is a new strategy. Knowledge, Indoor Lifestyle and Teleconsultation is KIT. Languages are complex and what is important is to ask further clarification is needed. It can’t be just “basta masakit” or “may rayuma” as it is too broad. Males 30-50yo with history and high alcohol intake are prone to gout. Osteoporosis usually happen to older females but pain can have many causes. Staying at home is still done under these conditions, weight reduction and exercise is important. That is 30-150 minute physical activity per week and can be done in many ways. If you have kids with game consoles, there are activities with active games available even for elder generation. Reduce on simple sugars and cut back on salt. It is also important to note if after diagnosis, you still need further consultation, then doctors can recommend face to face consultation.”

Teleconsultation is in its infancy in the country, but hopefully, taking care of patients will be easy and a hybrid approach can be adopted to make sure of accuracy. We also have to have internet connection that is capable of making this possible for all, no matter what socio economic condition we have in the country. 

Follow doctors advise, hopefully this would inspire and make all of us keep moving to take charge of chronic pain. Thanks to Upjohn for holding this virtual press conference. I learned a lot!

Sanofi Launches WeHealth Program

The country has been under GCQ for quite some time now. Under the pandemic, we all were met with a lot of stress, uncertainty, even fear. At home, we confined ourselves just like the rest of you guys so as not to endanger ourselves, or any member of our family. We scour to find work, to earn a living at a time where businesses suffer because they are either forcibly closed, or just didn’t survive economic struggles. Add to that, our own struggles to contain our seniors at home and our own health conditions. 

I was born to a family with a lineage known to have diabetes and hypertension. Mom started chewing on sugar cane when she was 5 in the fields that spread across towns and cities in Negros. Dad on the other hand was always the hot headed one, flares up like clockwork. To think that I wouldn’t have these same traits, might be a little too slim or close to none. Yes, I am a diabetic, so is my Mom and siblings. My Dad went ahead for the same reason a little over two years ago. Lifestyle change? Oh we try. Tried it for years in fact, but of course our bodies are different, metabolism too. We all are fine, but like normal people, we worry. 

This pandemic has actually brought upon complications in our usual visits to the doctor. For people who have diabetes and hypertension, regular checkups are a must because laboratory procedures should be done to check signs of recovery or worsening of it. Honestly, I fear going to the hospitals as they’re probably full of COVID-19 patients who need urgent care. Nobody also wants to get sick of course, so that actually worries me a lot because of the fact that we can’t seek consultations and physically be there in the clinics. That includes every member of my family, some seniors too in the mix. So doing that is just, not an option. We cannot neglect our blood sugar levels or pressure and adhere to doctors specified treatment. Online perhaps? That sounds good.

Recently, there is a program that Sanofi launched to help. They call it WeHealth, an e-health ecosystem which can help you and your family achieve healthy lives. This is part of their goal to make a healthier Philippines. Their aim is to also connect doctors, patients and healthcare providers. This takes you to a place where you can get medical consultations online and have your medicines delivered to your doorstep. Sanofi have seen how Filipinos lacked access to healthcare even before the pandemic began. WeHealth can empower you to control your own health journey. Taking online consultations eliminates the risk of getting exposed. Aside from that, you won’t have to go to the hospitals anymore (which might be difficult to go to distance wise) and pay for parking and gas. That would make it safe for you, your family and even your doctors. Sanofi partnered with SeriousMD, AIDE, KonsultaMD, HealthNow and Medifi as telehealth providers. Aside from that, they also got Watson’s and SouthStar Drug as pharmacy chain partners.

This makes it a very holistic e-Health program especially if you have family and friends who suffer from diabetes and other chronic illnesses. This would be a great start to bringing healthcare for all. You may visit Sanofi here for more information about it. 

https://www.sanofi.ph/en/healthier-philippines/wehealth

FreeStyle Libre is on Sale at Lazada

I've been using this for a couple of weeks now and I've never had so much confidence knowing that I know my blood sugar level every minute instead of going to the clinic pricking and waiting for the med tech to tell me how high it was. Now I manage it really well and I have adjusted what I eat because that seems to be the culprit when my blood sugar goes haywire. I used this special reader and scanner system by Abbott called FreeStyle Libre. I don't prick anymore and it does wonders when data is available right there. Now since it is Lazada 9.9 Big Brands Sale, the usual 3,500 worth device is now Php 2,940 which is 16% cheaper than usual. The sensor on the other hand costs 3,500 also on a normal day has become Php 3,150 which is 10% off, that's just amazing!

The whole kit which has both now costs Php 6,020, that's 14% worth of savings compared to its original price, now diabetics have the chance to experience the convenience I have had. This sale however is only from 12--2am. You can get 12% off the reader, 6% on the sensor and 10% on the kit from 2am onwards. Still a good day to get one.

I'm just glad I told you about this now.

Hurry over to the Lazada App because the sale only lasts a day!