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Thursday, August 25, 2011 – Daily News 5A FEATURES Oomph oozes over oppresive occupation Dear Annie: I had a fab- ulous time in college. I was president of my sorority, a peer mentor at our advising center and active in many organizations. I also was granted many awards and honors. I loved rushing around with little sleep and juggling many things on my plate. Now my life is a dif- ferent story. Annie's Mailbox I struggle with severe clinical depression and debilitating anxiety. After graduating, I took a job that pays well and I met a great guy. On paper, my life sounds pretty good. But my job makes me miserable, and I dread going into work. There are few compliments and a ton of complaints. We work six days a week, which leaves little time to maintain friendships. When I get home at the end of the day, I feel like a failure, and all I want to do is curl up in bed. Downtime creates anxiety, which triggers my depres- sion and leaves me crying all day. I realize I cannot go back to the by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar lege is that at some point you have to enter the real world, which isn't nearly as supportive and affirming, and expectations are often unrealistic. If you have never faced true adversity and developed coping skills, it can be overwhelming. You are on the right track. You know you can't live in the past, and you are seeking help for your depression and anxiety. While you search for a more fulfilling job, please realize that overcoming a challenging situation can be tremendously rewarding, and each time you succeed, it will become easier and more satisfying. Hang in there. Dear Annie: How do I get a 65- halcyon days of college and that it is unhealthy to keep looking back- ward. But I feel as if I am grieving for the life I used to have. How do I move on? I am on antidepressants and am seeing a counselor, so I am working on treating my depression and anxiety, but I still feel hopeless. — Wish There Was a Time Machine Dear Wish: The problem with having an idyllic life through col- year-old male to shower and get a decent haircut? My husband retired from the Navy after 30 years of ser- vice, so he should know how to keep clean. It has been at least a month since he showered, and his hair hasn't been trimmed since Feb- ruary. I can hardly stand this. — Showerless in Sheboygan Dear Showerless: Many men become lethargic and depressed when they retire, especially if their identities are strongly tied to their jobs. A sudden lack of hygiene is also indicative of depression. The armed forces offer counseling ser- vices to retirees, although your hus- band may no longer be eligible. Contact militaryonesource.com (1- 800-342-9647) to find out. Other- wise, please ask your doctor or cler- gyperson to refer you to someone who can help both of you deal with his sudden change in status. Dear Annie: You printed a letter from ''Lonely in the Deep Woods,'' who was not interested in spending Sunday brunches with her grown children or her husband's. She pre- ferred to use the time to be with her husband alone. I completely agree with your advice. She should cher- ish that time with her husband, grown children and grandchildren. Many years ago, my in-laws began having Sunday dinners with their three grown children and all the grandkids. We called it ''lunner'' because it was after lunch but before dinner. It has been so rewarding, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. The adults update each other on what has been going on, and the grandkids get to know their cousins. It only takes a couple of hours. My children have gotten to know their grandparents, aunts and uncles better, as have we. And it has creat- ed rich memories that my children will have forever. I hope when my kids marry, we can carry on the tra- dition. — Sundays in Oregon Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Finishing touches under way on plaza Where do our drugs come from? GOTT: How can we know DEAR DR. the source (country and producing company) of drugs? Ordering drugs through an online company outside the United States, I've noted they have come from Germany but are of Indian origin. Are they equiva- lent to U.S. manufactured drugs and specifications? I've heard U.S.-made drugs may have compo- nents produced overseas, so how do we know if drugs like this are safe? Does the FDA have any jurisdiction over ingredi- ents made elsewhere for inclusion in U.S. pharma- ceuticals? Dr. Peter Gott menters, "disrupt- ing prices around the globe and forcing most Western produc- ers from the mar- ket." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention purportedly has a stockpile of medi- cines with enough antibiotics to treat 40 mil- lion people. However, if more medicine is needed, the nation simply doesn't have the plants to produce them, and it would take two years to begin produc- tion all over again. DEAR READER: According to a Consumer Reports article from two years ago, the FDA requires a drug's original packaging to list the name and address of the compa- ny that manufactures, packs or distributes a product. Unfortunately, this information often refers to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, because most prescription drugs are rebottled and relabeled at your local pharmacy. Many people obtain a one-month supply at a time. Those prescriptions that call for, let's say, 100 tablets may get a factory- sealed original package of 100 pills with the pharma- cy labeling affixed. Even in the instance of an OTC in lesser amounts, the information may reveal only where the drug is processed and packaged, not where the ingredients come from. `Courtesy photo Partner For Progress, Glynn Phelps Masonry getting started on the final element of the Cone & Kim- ball Plaza Improvement Project, a sign visible from Walnut and Main streets. Utility provides back to school safety tips As students return to campus for a new school year, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reminds families about the impor- tance of being prepared in the event of an emergency. Simple steps like preparing an emergency kit or making an emer- gency plan for one's family can help keep loved ones connected and ready for a natural disaster. Most importantly, learning about the dangers of power lines or natural gas can prevent damage or serious injury. Here are some important safety tips on electric and gas service: •Never go near downed power lines. Treat all downed lines as live and dangerous. If you encounter a downed line, stay far away and call PG&E at 1-800- PGE-5000 (1-800-743-5000) and 911 immediately • Only safety caps and plugs should go into electrical outlets • Make sure your hands are dry before you touch anything electri- cal, even if you think it is turned off. • Keep electrical cords and appliances away from water • Do not play near natural gas appliances or equipment like ovens, water heaters, and furnaces. • Remember the three important messages about natural gas: Smell, Leave and Tell! If you smell natural gas in your house, tell an adult. If no adult is home, get everyone out of the house. Do not turn on lights or use the phone. Ask a neighbor for help Each year, PG&E's Safe Kids program provides safety education materials to more than 20,000 edu- cators. The materials adhere to national and state teaching stan- dards and support a variety of learning styles through individual and group learning activities, facilitated discussions, experi- ments, quizzes, and interactive online games. Teachers can order free Safe Kids materials for their classrooms by visiting PG&E's website at www.pge.com/safekids. Counseling Center Giving Families Hope! Did you think we were just for children? • Individual & Family Counseling • Couple/Relationship Issues • Anger • Depression • Anxiety • Emotional Trauma • Family Relationships • Parenting Call our office for more info. 529-9454 Red Bluff 590 Antelope Blvd. Suite B-30 Corning Counseling Center 275 Solano Street #2 Prayer Rally Sunday August 28th 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM @RBUHS Stadium Field Sponsored by the Red Bluff Ministerial Association I understand that a per- son can contact the manu- facturer of most drugs to determine where it is manufactured and will receive a satisfactory answer; however, this may take several days, and a patient may choose to begin a medication faster than that. Manufacturing costs, ingredients and labor may be substantially cheaper in other countries. Beyond that, the FDA appears to inspect domestic facilities more frequently than for- eign facilities — another reason why drugs manu- factured and packaged here are higher in cost. One New York Times article covered by Con- sumer Reports indicated the critical ingredients for most antibiotics, pred- nisone, metformin, hyper- tensive drugs and others are now manufactured almost exclusively in China and India. The arti- cle went on to note that the Chinese government has been investing huge sums in penicillin fer- Consumers Union, the parent of Consumer Reports, is working with congressional leaders on a bill that will require the FDA to provide tighter scrutiny of foreign manu- facturers and imported drugs destined for the U.S. This legislation pre- sumably will also require foreign manufacturers and suppliers to be registered since, in some instances, the FDA isn't even aware of who is making what, and to permit inspectors to make unannounced inspections every two years! I guess this is an improvement, since the current inspection level is 10 or more years in some countries. What a dilemma. My advice to you is to make a list of your medications. Telephone or otherwise contact the suppliers to request the information you feel is relevant. Deter- mine if the drug or drugs and all ingredients are manufactured, packaged and distributed within the United States without any outside input. If you are dissatisfied with the answers presented, do your homework to find out if a comparable med- ication is available here and meets your standards. Good luck! Readers who would like related information can order my Health Report "Consumer Tips on Medicine" by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title), or print an order form from my website's direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com /order_form.pdf. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including "Live Longer, Live Better," "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet" and "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook," which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com Join community leaders, school administrators, teachers, students and parents as we pray for a safe and successful 2011-2012 Academic School Year for all our area schools. See you on the field at 6:00 PM