Generic Aceon is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent heart attack in people with coronary artery disease. More info »
Generic Aciphex is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid). More info »
Generic ActoPlus Met is used for treating type 2 diabetes. It is used along with diet and exercise. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar the liver produces and the intestines absorb. More info »
Generic Aggrenox is used for reducing the risk of stroke in patients who have previously had a stroke due to a blood clot in the brain. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients who have had transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). More info »
Generic Aldactone is used for treating swelling and fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis or kidney problems (nephrotic syndrome). It is also used for treatment of high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat or prevent low blood potassium. More info »
Generic Allegra is used for treating seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, or itchy, watery eyes. It is also used to treat hives and skin itching. More info »
Generic Allegra-D extended-release tablets is an antihistamine and decongestant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the effects of histamine, which cause allergy symptoms. The decongestant works by stimulating the body's natural response and reducing the swelling in the blood vessels that supply the mucous membrane, thereby decreasing nasal congestion. More info »
Generic Altace is used for treating high blood pressure or decreasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in certain patients. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It is used along with other medicines to manage heart failure and improve survival after a heart attack. More info »
Generic Amoxil is used for treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It is also used with other medicines to treat H. pylori infection and ulcers of the small intestines. Amoxil is a penicillin antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria. More info »
Generic Antabuse is used to treat chronic alcoholism. It interferes with the metabolism of alcohol resulting in unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed. More info »
Generic Aralen is used for treating and suppressing acute attacks of certain strains of malaria and a certain type of parasitic infection (extraintestinal amebiasis). More info »
Generic Arava is used for reducing signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to improve physical function and to prevent the development of structural damage to the joints. More info »
Generic Arcoxia is used for treating acute and chronic pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used for management of ankylosing spondylitis and relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain. It is also used for treating gout.
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Generic Aricept is used for treating dementia (eg, impairment of memory, judgment, and abstract thinking; changes in personality) in patients with Alzheimer disease. More info »
Generic Arimidex is used for treating breast cancer in women who have been through menopause, including women with disease progression after tamoxifen therapy. More info »
Generic Aristocort reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling. It is used to treat the inflammation caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis. More info »
Generic Artane is used to treat Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. More info »
Generic Asacol is used for treating and causing remission of various forms of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). More info »
Generic Asendin is in a group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced. It is used to treat symptoms of depression, anxiety and agitation. More info »
Generic Atarax is used for treating anxiety, for sedation before and after general anesthesia, and to treat itching due to certain allergic conditions, including hives and contact dermatitis. More info »
Generic Atrovent inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing airways in the lungs, in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). More info »
Generic Augmentin is used in the treatment of lower respiratory, middle ear, sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections that are caused by certain specific bacteria. These bacteria produce a chemical enzyme called beta lactamase that makes some infections particularly difficult to treat. More info »
Generic Avalide is a combination medication used to treat high blood pressure. One component belongs to a class of blood pressure medications that prevents the hormone angiotensin II from constricting the blood vessels, thereby allowing blood to flow more freely and keeping blood pressure down. The other component is a diuretic that increases the output of urine, removing excess fluid from the body and thus lowering blood pressure. More info »
Generic Avandamet is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels. It is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. More info »
Generic Avandaryl is a combination of two oral diabetes medicines that help control blood sugar levels. It is for people with type 2 diabetes who do not use daily insulin injections. More info »
Generic Avodart is used for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlargement of the prostate gland. It also helps to reduce the risk of urinary blockage and the need for prostate surgery. More info »
Because of the ‘surprise’ element with cancer, it is not uncommon for the woman to ‘blame’ some aspect of her lifestyle for its cause – diet, stress, sexual history and other unproved ‘myths’. This ‘blame’ often contributes to the loss of self-esteem and diminished self-acceptance as a ‘total’ woman. Some suggest that the way we see ourselves after a cancer diagnosis, however, is linked to personality type and level of self-esteem prior to diagnosis. Dr. Wendy Schain, an American psychologist, suggests four frameworks of self-perception – physical, social, achieving and spiritual self. Despite the fact that cancer treatment can deplete and alter the sense of ‘physical and social self, women who are self-assured, who have a positive self-image and have balanced relationships, generally cope with the impact of physical change more readily. There is a quicker acceptance that the treatment is necessary to save her life, and that she will adapt to the physical changes in a short time.
Women who have lower self-esteem, for a variety of reasons, or are in unstable relationships often are slower in coming to terms with the impacts of treatment and may require professional intervention. They are also more likely to blame the cancer for the changes in their lifestyle.
I am feeling more comfortable about my scar than I did 12 months ago.
Both her own and her partner’s sense of loss may be quite profound in the early stages, and require open and honest communication to reestablish a feeling of connection with each other as soon as possible. For some, this may take years, if ever.
In some cases, insensitive remarks can unwittingly set back recovery and sense of self. Because the medical team has a vast amount of knowledge about cancer and its impact, many assume that the patient is more knowledgeable than they actually are about basic physiological changes. They forget the intense curiosity that some women have about the effect of treatment on their anatomy. Extra sensitivity is required when communicating to women about all aspects of the physical changes.
Top tip
Love who you are. Remember all the wonderful aspects of who you are and what you have achieved. Cancer does not take away your femininity – attitude does!
