Shot for Shingles?

By Larry Ready

     Shingles (herpes zoster) is an outbreak of rash or blisters on the skin that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox — the varicella-zoster virus. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles.

     In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine (Zostavax) for use in people 60 and older who have had chickenpox. Researchers found that giving older adults the vaccine reduced cases of shingles by half. And in people who still got the disease, the severity and complications were dramatically reduced. About 20% of people who get shingles have a complication called postherpetic neuralgia that continues to cause problems long after the shingles outbreak is over. The vaccine reduces postherpetic neuralgia by two-thirds.

     A 2006 study found that fresh fruit is associated with a reduced risk of developing shingles: people who consumed less than one serving of fruit a day had three times the risk as those who consumed over three servings.

     In October 2007 the vaccine was officially recommended in the U.S. for healthy adults aged 60 and over. The vaccine is recommended based more on the reduction in severity than in the number of cases it prevents. But notice that fresh fruit is actually more effective, it seems to prevent two-thirds of the cases! Based on your insurance coverage and the recommendation of your physician the smartest decision might be to get the vaccine, and eat three or more servings of fruit every day!

Notes from the MAPPSG Meetings

April Meeting

Patsy Adams facilitated the meeting on April 26, 2008. Eighteen people applauded the invitation issued by Jim and Shirley Neil to a joint meeting at their home for the May meetings. In response to the question, “What makes life easier for you?” the following were mentioned: cell phones, literature at pharmacies, pain management books, health fairs, bath seats, safety alert systems, dress early and rest before going out, don’t rush, prayer and meditation, friends and family, mobility carts and power chairs.

Attendance:
Patsy Adams ~ Laurence Byrd ~ Susan Cobb ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Ed Geci ~ Joye Geci ~ Carolyn Jones ~ Leland Jones ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller ~ Carol Wiese.

May Meeting

Saturday, May 24th, was a beautiful day. The Mobile and Pensacola Support Groups gathered at the home of Jim and Shirley Neil in Lillian, AL for a cookout. We dined on hot dogs and hamburgers with fixings, plus other dishes brought by the members.  

It was especially good to see everyone since we didn't get to attend camp this year. The fellowship at these get-togethers is invaluable! Everyone wants to know how you are and what you've been doing lately. As a group, despite bad falls and broken bones, we are still very much alive and interested in life. Those who were unable to come were really missed.  

Jim Neil presented Clara Norsworthy, Leigh Dethlefs, Patsy Adams, Vera Moore and me with a certificate of appreciation for our work with the two support groups. What a lovely gesture! Thanks Jim. I reminded everyone that it takes all of us to make things work. Sometimes you may think that your presence at meetings is insignificant. NOT TRUE! You may be the very person we need to see. Often people help each other without realizing it. Each one of you is very important, and we value your participation both in Mobile and Pensacola.  

Thank you Jim and Shirley. We had a great time! … Sylvia Bern

Attendance:
Patsy Adams ~ Sylvia Bern ~ Tommie Bredenback ~ Bill Bredenback ~ Juanita Campbell ~ Carole Cofer ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ George Dethlefs ~ Cyndee Ice ~ Mike Ice ~ Theresa Inge ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Carol Nelson ~ Frank Nelson ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Ed Weller

June Meeting

Patsy Adams served as facilitator at the June meeting with thirteen people in attendance. A general roundtable discussion was held concerning how we can improve attendance at the meetings and make full use of the excellent meeting space provided by the Library. We also talked of the need to continue to be supportive of all the 80+ contacts on our mailing list, many of whom are not able to attend meetings for one reason or another.

Attendance:
Patsy Adams ~ Laurence Byrd ~ James Cheeseboro ~ Betty Driscoll ~ John Driscoll ~ Julie Ford ~ Rus Ford ~ Barbara Gollott ~ Charles Gollott ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Larry Ready ~ Ed Weller

Notes from the PPPSG Meetings

April Meeting

We had 14 people at our April meeting. We discussed our May Camp ASCCA trip being canceled, but also our plans to meeting with the Mobile group at Jim & Shirley Neil's house for May 24th. We had such a good time in October and are looking forward to this get together. Maybe next year we will have better health so we can attend camp again. (What's Sylvia going to do for her annual boat ride on the float?)

We had a big discussion concerning the newsletter for this month, concerning children not getting their polio shots. We were not listed as a border state, but with the Caribbean not far from us and so many out of country people that came to help after Ivan, it should have been. We do fear people thinking that polio is no longer a problem will not think to vaccinate. That made us ask the question about Florida , who must be vaccinated? Clara Norsworthy jumped right in and went to Easter Seals and was directed to the Health Dept. If you go to a public school you must have all your vaccinations. There are exceptions such as religion and if they go to a private school or home schooled. It would be awful to even have one child to get polio when help was only a shot away.

Hope to see you all at the May meeting in Lillian, AL. Leigh Dethlefs

Attendance:
Bill Bridenbrack ~ Tommy Bridenbrack ~ Jane Clark ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Cliff Martin ~ Kay Martin ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ George Norsworthy ~ Mary Warneck

May Meeting

See Sylvia’s notes on the Mobile page telling of the combined Mobile & Pensacola Groups.

June Meeting

We were very glad to have a great turn out for our meeting. Cindy Ice and Clara Norsworthy reported on their visit to Dr. Peach. Both of their reports were good. Cindy filled us in on her talk with a nutritionist and says she will report more next time when she hopes to learn about the foods and vitamins that we will need to cope with our post-polio syndrome. I am all for better food and less prescription medicines. Maybe that would give us more energy to do the things we like to do but have no energy for.

We were very sad to hear of Pat Kaderly's father passing. He had come to one of our meetings before and was so full of fun and spirit. Pat and Ron will be going soon on their trip out west. It is something they have always planned to do. Pat is nervous because of her disabilities but Ron says there is nothing they can't figure out together. That goes for all of us.

Hope to see everyone soon. Leigh Dethlefs

Attendance:
Wayne Baggett ~ Sheryl Cooper ~ George Dethlefs ~ Leigh Dethlefs ~ Cindy Ice ~ Theresa Inge ~ Pat Kaderly ~ Ron Kaderly ~ Charlie Murphy ~ Jim Neil ~ Shirley Neil ~ Clara Norsworthy ~ Bill Way ~ Sally Way