Do you greet everyone you meet in the morning with a one-way "Hello"?

If you ask "How are you?" do you wait for an answer? Do you think before you respond yourself? Does the answer "fine" really have any meaning anymore? I have heard it said that "The definition of a bore is somebody who, asked how he is, tells you!" That's probably why the response "fine" is used so often… we don't want burden others with our aches, pains, or frustrations. If you want to feel better start thinking better. Thinking better can start with speaking in more positive terms. People around you catch the positive energy and reflect it back to you.  It is hard to resist a positive attitude. Unpleasant "Stuff" happens to everyone and it is at that point that we make an important choice: we can choose how we respond. Negative reactions will only generate negative responses in those around us and not improve the situation. A positive response (positive attitude) can turn frustration into learning or a negative experience to everyone's advantage. Encounter heavy traffic?…enjoy another 5 minutes of music or news. A flat tire?….could it be that your delay kept you from an accident 5 miles down the road? Other "stuff" might require you to be more creative in finding the good in a situation. When all else fails you could fall back on a German proverb "What doesn't kill you makes you strong" or one of my favorites "Every day above ground is a good day".  Hang in there, guard your attitude and begin each day with positive self talk. It would hurt not to listen to others or notice something to compliment…. do it out of giving and you'll get back 10-fold!

 1) Lilly happily rings in a new drug…Cymbalta… as FDA approves it.

As the second drug in the SNRI class of antidepressants it does offer additional hope to those who suffer from depression. Both serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters, are increased. Lilly's original drug, Prozac, only increased serotonin. Some think that this drug will lift Lilly out of the depression felt when Prozac lost patent…. it couldn't hurt! Now comes the odd part….While does not yet have the FDA nod, it could also soon be approved for urinary incontinence. If you happen to have both….this could be the drug for you! (Stay tuned on that one!)

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=RTR&Date=20040804&ID=3886537&Symbol=US:LLY

2) The cost of depression?

Want to know how much depression costs your organization? Follow this link to a site that will use your populations age and gender distribution for 3 groups:age 18-44, 45-54 and 55+. (You can use the defaults if you don't know). Have your population's average daily wage handy (or an estimate). The other questions should be easy (you will pick your industry type from a list)

One 70,00 employee financial institution would have a benefit of between $4,653,303 and $8,748,209 from treating depression. (Increase in productivity and reduction in direct medical costs of $1.5 million to $2.2 million)

Go ahead….what do you have to loose?

http://www.phrma.org/publications/policy/07.06.2005.1014.cfm

3) Happy on the wings of a DOV….

Merck licenses a new antidepressant compound from DOV pharmaceuticals. In today's market climate it may cost less for a one pharmaceutical company to buy another WHO:E company than to by parts of the pipeline. Time will tell if this will be a profitable deal.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040805/health_merck_dov_2.html

4) Put on a happy face… even if you have AIDS.

Sculptra is now an FDA approved face putty. It is used when patients become gaunt looking. Originally approved for AIDS wasting it will likely find a use in the cosmetic cabinet of non-aids patients. It is expected to be marketed in the 3rd quarter so we have some time to develop strategies to avoid misuse? PA anyone?

5) Happy news about steroids and asthmatic children.

No link found between bone fractures and inhaled steroids used against asthma. This takes away another small worry from parents who were worried about this and stunted growth (The steroids are off Scott Free and that charge as well). When you consider that an attack of status asthmaticus can be fatal… these were small worries from the start. Keep treating that asthma!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/484938?src=mp 

6) Risperdal make may you sweeter than you like…. if you are diabetic.

Janssen has send a letter to physicians and will revise their package insert to include a warning about hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in patients taking Risperdal (with or without a diagnosis of diabetes)./

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/risperdal.htm

7) Tan quicker at what cost?

Some people are touting oral melatonin as a way to tan faster. The truth is that it is still experimental. The "safety" comes from a quicker tan with less UV exposure. I wouldn't risk the use and would still avoid the sun as much as possible. The "tan" produced by the drug…or any tan… will not protect you from the damaging rays of the sun…you just might not feel it as acutely. What is not contained in the MSN story are the potential mental adverse effects related to sleep, depression, etc.   Wait for the studies of safety and efficacy before going out to buy this…. that is what the FDA gets paid to do! (Note that consultants or shareholders did the work presented!)

http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/90/100874.htm?GT1=4541