What is the name of the painkiller made from the conotoxin of the coneshell marine snail?… by wildcatf
I have a friend whose mother is in constant pain due to impact fractures in her spine. She is on morphine and some other drugs but they aren't helping. I heard about this painkiller made from the cone shell's conotoxin that is much more powerful than morphine but has no side effects. What is the name of this painkiller? Does anyone know? Are there any doctors out there who know?
Best Answer:
The name of the drug from the snail is Prialt. There is another drug called Tectin that is made from blow fish. Both are very powerful.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
How important do you think video game women are to kids' perspectives on gender?… by Sha
I was thinking the other day about Chun Li in the Street Fighter games. She was really a rather breakthrough character, in that she was the first one (so far as I know) to be a hero rather than damsel. Moreover, she was not created as an inferior fighter to the males. Of the 8 original characters, she was the fastest fighter (hence the one I was the best at till I got to play Vega.)
Contrast this with video games in the early 80s. Any females would either be nonexistant or objects to be rescued–a trend that continued well after Chun Li in some cases. I never thought of women as lessers, as a child. I know some people have strong female role models in their real life, but I didn't, and not everyone else did either. Sometimes stories are all you have to go by.
So how important do you think this is anyway? For all those kids who have no other strong woman in their world, how much difference do you think a video game character can make?
By the way, I think presenting women as sex objects (such as Dead or Alive 3 where there are more female fighters than males, and most of them expose their panties with every move) creates its own problems. How important is it that more female characters be presented as important for whoever they are, and whatever they do, rather than how hot they are?
Oh, and outside of fighting games, if you played as Princess Toadstool in Super Mario 2, her only useful trait was that her dress let her 'hover' in the air. Fantastic.
Koreaguy: Good points, but is promoting a female character whose only redeeming characteristic that she kicks ass the best kind of female role model? (Particularly when she has to be HOT and kick ass.)
Robinson: That's kind of my point. If video games teach boys the only measure of worth is physical superiority, and then they realize in the real world women usually aren't the combat equals of men, how has this helped them get any sort of positive impression of women?
Best Answer:
I think it can make a huge difference. As someone who plays video games like crazy, I know about the hours one can invest into it. RPGs, for instance, can take up to 80 hours of game play, and most RPGs in the last 10-15 years have had plenty of strong female characters, usually fully dressed, even though the primary lead character is male most of the time. For instance, right now I'm playing Xenosaga, and about half the playable characters so far are female or female looking androids, only one of which really shows any flesh.
Other games I like such as the Resident Evil series and Parasite Eve have strong female lead characters who definitely look hot but are dressed reasonably and can kick ass. For instance, Aya Brea from Parasite Eve is a New York City police detective who looks good but her outfit is basically jeans, t-shirt, and a leather jacket.
So these days, you can have a video game that satisfies my “horny adolescent bloodlust” side without compromising the women characters involved. Everyone wins.
Unfortunately, it seems that it's the Grand Theft Auto type games that have everyone's attention (I don't mind violence in video games- nothing I enjoy more than blowing heads off zombies in RE 2- but beating up hookers is a bit sadistic for my tastes). But really, most games on the market aren't like that.
EDIT: Well, kicking ass is usually not her only redeeming characteristic; women in these games are often quick witted and intelligent. For isntance, Shion, the lead in Xenosaga is a genius who is in charge of the development of a powerful battle android called KOS-MOS. And as far as attractiveness goes, how many unattractive lead male characters are there?
To Robinson: I actually haven't played Xenogears, though I really want to. I've played most major RPGs since the early 90s; that's one of the few I couldn't get my hands on.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
What are albuterol inhaler side effects?… by marsmilkyw
What happens if you use it more than the recommended max three times a day? Can there be serious side effects? What are the best alternative asthma medications?
Best Answer:
If you get hospitalized for asthma, you will get albuterol more than the home-recommended amount. The big deal here is not so much the side effects of albuterol, which others have mentioned, but the fact that it's a marker of poor asthma control.
If you are taking no other medicines for your asthma, you should. You need a 'controller' drug — usually an inhaled corticosteroid (lots of different brands). It comes as a combination with a long-acting form of albuterol (Advair or Symbicort). If you don't use an inhaled corticosteriod, the main alternative is what's called a leukotriene modifier — the brand name is Singulair.
If you are taking Advair, one of the things to consider with increased albuterol use is that the albuterol might not be as effective. While Advair has a black box warning from the FDA for an increased risk of death, the bigger issue may be that when you need albuterol for worsening asthma, it might not be as effective.
Please don't misunderstand this — I am not advocating stopping Advair if you're on it — but if you are, and still needing frequent albuterol, you should speak to your health care provider about this.
Ther is a very small, but potentially very serious, possibility of bad effects on your heart with overuse of albuterol. Yet another reason to get better control.
If you are already on a controller drug, several drugs can be added to improve asthma control. Someone mentioned caffeine — it can work (modestly); one of the early drugs used to treat asthma (theophylline) has a chemical structure very similar to caffeine. I would NOT substitiue caffeine for a medication designed for asthma.
What other folks spoke of — understanding and avoiding your triggers — is equally important.
Good luck!
Powered by Yahoo Answers
Are their any grants out there for people with terminal cancer?… by St
I was wondering if there were any grant programs out there for terminal cancer patients. My mom, single mother of three, has terminal cancer, and she is still working, but barely getting by. I try to help as much as I can, but it's not as much as I would like. any tips?
Best Answer:
Financial Assistance Links for Cancer
Amercian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org
BTS Cares
http://www.tbts.org
Cancer Care, Inc.
http://www.cancercare.org
Cancer financial aid links
http://www.rare-cancer.org/financial-aid.html
Cancer Fund of America
http://www.cfoa.org
Cancer Medicine Assistance links
http://www.rare-cancer.org/medicine-assistance.html
The Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Foundation
http://www.candlelighters.org
Children's Emergency Relief Foundation & Children's Wish Foundation Intl.
http://www.childrenswish.org
Copay Assistance
http://www.copays.org/ (Patient Advocate Organization..copay assistance for certain diseases and types of cancer)
Genentech Access to Care Foundation
http://www.spoconline.com
Hill-Burton Free Health Care
http://www.hrsa.gov
Lymphoma patients assistance
http://www.lls.org/all_page.adp?item_id=452658&OTC-07PS_CoPay&attr=LLS_FeatureBarker (copay assistance for lymphoma patients)
Medicine Program
http://www.themedicineprogram.com
National Association for the Terminally Ill
http://www.terminallyill.org
National Bone Marrow Donor Program
http://www.marrow.org/PATIENT/Plan_for_Tx/Planning_for_Tx_Costs/Financial_Assistance_for_Trans/index.html (financial assistance for bone marrow transplant patients..ie leukemia,etc)
National Children's Cancer Society
http://www.children-cancer.com
Patient Advocate Foundation
http://www.patientadvocate.org
http://www.copays.org
*********
Financial Aid for Health care for uninsured people
Consumer Guides for Getting and Keeping Insurance
http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/ (by state)
Low Cost Health Insurance for Children and Families
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp (SCHIP program)
When you don
Is there a product that can get rid of acne and blackheads?… by ilovemus
like in within a wk?
i dont care how expensive it is, it just has to work and not damage my skin. only from experienced ppl please!
i only have mild acne
Best Answer:
I highly recomend proactive I have been using it for about three years and It got rid of all my acne and blackheads with in a couple of weeks, it's only about 60 dollars and it's available without a perscription. Also if you tried proactive and it didn't work or you want faster results, you can go to your dermotologist and ask about Evoclin it's the best acne product I have ever tried, it might be a little more expensive(about $100)but it's more potent and will get rid of your acne alot faster
Hope I helped, Aly =D?
Powered by Yahoo Answers
For those that have taken or know of Cytoxan IV treatment?… by
With Cytoxan treatments, is this drug usually given to u after the drug mesna is given ? Or have u gotten this drug by itself?
Best Answer:
I would typically get my chemo, then the mesna. I did receive Cytoxan as one of my drugs. There are certain chemo's that can destroy the lining of your bladder and the mesna is given to coat the lining.
Years ago, patients were made to drink the mesna. We're blessed that it can now be given through iv.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
My face stings like a *#@!& from retin-A. What can I do to get rid of the burning?… by sarcastro19
I know to stay out of the sun, and mild, fragrance-free moisturizer isn't doing the trick. I also tried a little triamcinolone cream (mild steroid). Any other ideas? (Please, don't tell me to see a doctor because I don't have one).
Best Answer:
Retin-A (generic name Tretinoin) removes wrinkles and acne, but can make your skin sensitive to sunlight, a condition called photosensitivity. Aside from that, when sunlight hits your face, it causes irritation in your skin, which can make it sting and dry.
I advise that instead of applying it in the morning when you wake up, apply it at night 15-30 minute before you go to bed so it has time to absorb before your pillow wipes it off your skin. Then every morning when you wake up, wash your skin properly with gentle soap (e.g., Dove white, unscented, Cetaphil), apply a hypoallergenic lotion, let it dry, then apply sunblock on top of it (SPF 50 is better than the lower number) to protect your skin from UV light, the culprit of stinging.
Also, instead of applying it every NIGHT, apply it every other day or every 2 or 3 days. It give the same effect, especially if you have used it for quite some time. Still, wash your skin every day and apply sunblock even on the days that you skipped, because the effect of Retin-A is still working on your skin. If your skin clears up, a dermatologist told me that Retin-A can be used once a week, for maintenance of clear, radiant skin.
I don't recommend using steroids, because Retin-A induces micro-peeling of the skin, and even mild steroids can make your skin thin and red.
Hope that helps you somewhat.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
People suffering depression: What meds are you on and how did you find your doctor?… by Lynne
I think I am in a serious depression. I used to take Parnate about 18 years ago for post partum depression. I don't take it anymore, but in all honesty, I have never recovered from my 2nd pregnancy. Now, lately, it has gotten worse and I need to go back on medication, but where do i start? I don't want to do anything that takes effort.
Best Answer:
I'm on Effexor. I also tried Citalopram/Celexa, and Prozac. The Prozac didn't shift the depression but was great at reducing anxiety.
I've read about Parnate; apparently it's amazing and really achieves significant mood elevation.
You can ask your doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist; he can then evaluate you properly. If he knows that Parnate helped you before, he may offer you that again.
Hope you feel better soon.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
how long does it take for eye antibotic drops to work?… by Brandie
i went to the doctor today with a eye infection, its not pink eye cause its just really red with no pain. i was perscribed bausch & Lomb sulfacetamide sodium opthalmic solution 10%. i have been using them for almost 8 hours and i havnt seem any improvement. has anyone used these drops before or have any idea how long it will be before i will see results. i just began my vaction yesterday and i dont want to go out with a bright red eye…i been hiding behind my sunglasses!
Best Answer:
There are a few things I would like to address. First, the drug you have been prescribed is BACTERIOSTATIC rather than BACTERIOCIDAL. That means the antibiotic does not actually KILL the bacteria causing your infection. Rather, it inhibits its reproduction and keeps the bacterial load stable in your eye. Then with time your body's own defenses can kill the bacteria. I would much rather see you on an antibiotic like Zymar or Vigamox. Or maybe something like Ciloxan. These aggressively KILL the bacteria. You will notice much more rapid improvement and also it is much less likely that we will breed resisitant forms of bacteria by not aggressively killing all the bacteria rapidly. I would say there is a very good possibility you were prescribed this drug by a general medical doctor with no training in eye care. It is probably the most commonly prescribed by this group of practitioners. Next time you have an eye infection go to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. They are much better trained at diagnosing and treating eye infections.
Second, antibiotics should be used consistently for 8 to 10 days to assure that the infection is resolved and decrease the risk of a regrowth of bacteria should not all the bacteria be killed. This again goes back to one of the reasons you should be using a bacteriocidal rather than bacteriostatic antibiotic.
Third, if you indeed did NOT go to an eye care professional there is a good possibility that you do not have a bacterial infection but rather a VIRAL infection. General medical physicians are not equipped nor are they educated to make a differential diagnosis between the two types of infections. They tend to use an antibiotic on every red eye because they know that if it is VIRAL in nature the virus will run its course in about 1 to 2 weeks and the patient will get better no matter what they do. Studies have shown that the great majority of eye infections are actually VIRAL in nature. Antibiotics, therefore, will be of NO benefit whatsoever.
So having said all this, give it a couple of days. If you are seeing NO improvement go see an EYE doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Hope this helped.
Powered by Yahoo Answers
What are the side effects of Catapres?… by Smart18YearOldG
My girlfriend and I were sending messages to each other last day and suddenly she didn't answer no more, next day she said the “Catapres” pills made her fall asleep right away,,,,can it be possible?
Best Answer:
clonidine
(KLOE ni deen)
Catapres
What is the most important information I should know about clonidine?