MATTERS
DEC 12 - 18, 2013
HEALTH INSIDE
p38-p39:
i Health Tips On Winter Blues
i Advice: Community Pharmacy
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
With God and medical help all things are made possible
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his story is not so very different to the testimonies you may have already read. Like so many couples today, this couple met late in life and started trying for a family straight away. A year passed by with no success and at this stage the female partner was aged 41, so they had to face the fact that getting pregnant was not as easy as they hoped.
In their own words, this UK couple outline their journey to parenthood: I conducted a search on UK fertility clinics and decided on a well-known Harley Street clinic. Prior to treatment I was made aware that my gynaecological problems (ovarian cyst, numerous fibroids, and blocked fallopian tube) would make it difficult to conceive, so treatment was delayed further while I went about sorting
myself out. In 2011 we were ready to start treatment. I was so excited about this first cycle and wasn’t put off by the numerous injections and scans I had to fit in during work time. However, two miscarriages and one failed cycle later my excitement turned to despair. Our savings were spent, my body was traumatised by pills, injections, pessaries and the emotional pain of two miscar-
riages left me feeling numb and alone. My husband on the other hand, remained optimistic and was happy for us to keep trying. I guess if I am honest I held on to hope; a fools hope some might say, but hope all the same. I’m not sure when it was that I reached a place of acceptance that at 44, my own eggs were past their best. I thought about donor egg programmes, but being black
it is very difficult to find donors in the UK. So I contacted another London clinic specialising in overseas donor egg programmes. We were put in touch with a clinic in the USA, but the price of treatment would have meant selling our home and then some! TREATMENT I went back to the drawing board and stumbled across
a fertility blog site for ethnic minority women where the Barbados Fertility Centre was mentioned several times. I contacted the clinic by email and received a very warm reply from Dionne the same day. I felt truly hopeful again, especially after speaking with Dr Skinner and realised how affordable treatment would be. Continued to page 38
38 | THE VOICE DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013
HEALTHMATTERS
Chase away winter blues
Continued from page 37 From the moment we made contact with Dionne the process moved along quickly. Rachel from the clinic arranged our flight, pick up and hotel, all we had to do was turn up at Gatwick. I felt very hopeful about this treatment cycle; the drug treatment was very different to previous UK IVF treatments. The support from the clinic left me feeling content whatever the outcome of treatment. We decided to enjoy our holiday and the clinic enabled us to do so by ensuring that all our appointments were in the morning leaving us free for the rest of the day. After the egg transfer my anxiety began to build up again and the two-week wait was agonising. On day 14, I tested using what I call an idiot proof pregnancy test, you know the ones that spell it out for you....PREGNANT or NOT PREGNANT you can’t go wrong interpreting the results! In my case there it was PREGNANT. Where was my excitement? It wasn’t there because I had been here before, twice. I informed the clinic and received a hearty congratulations and a letter with the treatment protocol for the next 12 weeks. As I feared by week six, seven I began to bleed heavily and thought to myself it is all over. I couldn’t sleep as I braced myself for the mother of all pelvic pains that one experiences with a mis-
carriage only it didn’t come. In the morning, my husband and I made the slow drive to the early pregnancy unit for an ultra sound scan. I noticed that the bleeding had stopped but there was still niggling pain on my right side. As for the scan...there it was a flashing light, it was like looking at a lighthouse from afar. ‘Your baby’s heart beat’ the nurse said. Beneath the flashing light was a dark shadow, a blood clot the nurse said, which was bleeding out and would need monitoring. DRUGS We returned to everyday life and had regular scans, which put my mind at ease. By week 12 I was glad to stop all the drugs and felt no anxiety about allowing my body to take over unassisted. By week 20 I started to believe that in another 20 weeks I would be a
mum at the ripe young age of 45! Estel Idia Salome was born on 8th May 2013 weighing a respectable 6Ibs 11ozs. I chose these three names for our precious baby girl because they sum up our journey and the joy we now feel. Estel in Tolkien’s Elvish means to have hope, Idia in Benin language means I’ve come to stay and Salome means peace; the peace we now feel in ourselves. FERTILITY To all you beautiful women and couples trying to conceive remember: Is there anything too hard for God? For with God all things are made possible. Please keep trying and hold on to hope. The Barbados Fertility Centre worked a miracle in our lives and come fully recommended. They made treatment overseas a seamless and stress free process.
Expert opinion of the week Dr. Tarun Weeramanthri
W
inter marks the start of shorter days and long chilly nights and can trigger a period of lower physical activity and a tendency to eat more high fat foods, especially during the festive season.
Dr Tarun Weeramanthri, on sharing top tips to stay healthy during this season says during winter it is important people take preventative steps to ensure they stayed healthy in the cooler weather, he said: “The onset of winter usually sees an increase in colds and flu, and a tendency to Continued to page 39
Reid’s Pharmacy “We provide our Best because we Care”
1 Cambridge Terrace, Bury Street West, Edmonton, London N9 9JJ Tel: 0208 360 2653 t 0208 360 3663 Email: info@reidspharmacyonline.co.uk Opening Times Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm Saturday 9am to 5.30pm Your community pharmacy is a good first port of call for support and advice in maintaining good sexual health. The majority of pharmacies now have consultation rooms, where you can speak with a pharmacist without being overheard by others. Terry Reid from The Award Winning Reid’s Pharmacy talks about the helpful services available in his Pharmacy:
i Emergency contraceptive pill:
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f you have had unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed, emergency hormonal contraception – also known as the morning after pill - can be used to prevent pregnancy. There are different types of contraceptive pill available - one has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. We here at Reid’s Pharmacy are able to give you Professional about the most suitable option for you.
i Erectile dysfunction:
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t’s estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have erectile dysfunction to some degree. Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse.
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Here at the Award Winning Reid’s Pharmacy, we provide an erectile dysfunction service without need for appointment. Your consultation will be professionally and confidentially conducted by Terry Reid. During the consultation Terry Reid will need to asses your case and determine if you will be suitable to receive medication (Viagra, Cialis or Levitra) for your condition. So there is no need for an appointment. Your pharmacy team can also give advice on making changes to your lifestyle that might improve your symptoms such as stopping smoking, losing weight and exercising regularly. We also have an online Prescription service visit: www.pharmadoctor.co.uk/reids Reid’s Pharmacy, previously a winner of an Alphega Regional Award 2013, was recently announced as being one of three finalists in the UK as part of the Pharmacy Business
Awards 2013 in the category of Pharmacy Team of the year. Reid’s Pharmacy is located three-quarters of a mile away from the nearest surgery, with two pharmacies in between; Terry Reid has always had to work very hard to make his pharmacy successful. This latest accolade is recognition of the outstanding customer service provided by a dedicated Pharmacy team. One of the pillars of his success is his team of tight knit, customer focused staff. Each member of staff takes extreme pride in their appearance and everything they do. Their customer service is second to none, epitomised by excellent mystery shopping scores which have been carried out during the past two years. Terry is big on personal development which has brought his team together and that has been reflected in the standard of care they provide to their local population. ‘This is an excellent business, very well run and a very attractive business’ one awards judge remarked.
HEALTHMATTERS
DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013 THE VOICE | 39
Continued from page 38 eat more and exercise less,” “People often feel sluggish and less social during winter but it’s important to make time to get out of the house and enjoy some physical activity. “Staying active and maintaining a healthy diet is not only good for general health but it will also help boost your immunity.” Research shows, that elderly people with a serious illness, young children and babies are more vulnerable than others when the temperatures dropped. He added: “It is important that these particular groups stay warm and hydrated, especially since people tend to drink less fluid in winter. Winter can leave you feeling tired and unmotivated. Whether you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D) or you are just a little down, it is easy to head to the kitchen for a ‘treat’. So many of us admit to reaching out for comforting, stodgy foods during the winter, however, research results published in the Public Health Nutrition journal reveal that regular consumers of fast food are 51 per cent more likely to develop depression. Instead, we should try to fill our diet with nutritious healthy foods, particularly those rich in B vitamins, which help the brain produce serotonin; Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lift depression; and vitamin D, which you may be short of in the winter months. SEVEN HEALTH BOOSTERS These seven natural and organic foods can help you boost your mood and eat away the winter blues. 1. Dark Chocolate - It’s good for your mood in moderation, of course. Dark chocolate contains Phenylethylamine,
the same feel-good endorphin that’s released when people fall in love. Try some natural orange peels covered in dark chocolate; the immune-boosting vitamin C is an added perk. 2. Rosemary – This aromatic herb has been shown to make you feel more content and increase awareness – it’s also full of health-boosting essential vitamins. Add a few organic rosemary leafs to your favourite dishes or take the herb as a supplement. 3. Whole Grains – Start your day with whole grains. Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains help you stay full longer, so you feel satisfied and relaxed, not hungry and grumpy. 4. Walnuts – These nuts are a rich plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy, alert brain. Walnuts are reported to reduce feelings of sadness, pessimism and anxiety. 5. Turmeric – This bright yellow spice and powerful antiinflammatory has been shown to help you feel less stressed. Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry powder, so have some Indian for dinner tonight and relax a little. 6. Apples – Are a great source for fibre and make up a quarter of our recommended daily intake. Fibre plays an important part in maintaining steady energy levels throughout the day and prevents you from feeling sluggish. 7. Shiitake Mushrooms – If you are not your usual chirpy self, you might need a selenium boost. Low selenium levels have been tied to feeling anxious, or feeling down beat. These organic shiitake mushrooms are rich in selenium and can be just the pick me up you need.
NEED DONOR EGGS? There is a marked decrease in women’s fertility after the age of 35, and if you have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months with no success then you must seek medical advice. Some women may need to consider the use of donor eggs in order to achieve a pregnancy, however waiting lists in the UK can be as long as 3 years and if you need an Afro Caribbean egg there is no time limit on how long you can wait. But help is at hand - Barbados Fertility Centre will be exhibiting at The Fertility Show at Olympia from Nov 2 to Nov 3 2013. Please come along and meet Dionne Holmes, IVF Donor/Recipient Coordinator for more information on our EXCELLENT donor egg programme with success rates of 72% and no waiting list for treatment.
www.barbadosivf.com 001 246 435 7467 dholmes@barbadosivf.com
Organization Accredited by Joint Commission International