Newsletter September 2021
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Newsletter September, 2021 |
What's in this Newsletter
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Enriching trip to Tiwi Islands – working to improve Aboriginal Health
It is extremely important to share with the community the storyline of the initial script and to take the opportunity to share its intent and to listen and learn the priorities and needs of the community. Tammy and Shane from Mamanta worked tirelessly to ensure that Jennifer and Ian from TV Works, along with Denis, had a full experience of Tiwi life and health challenges that we can help impact. We visited the key locations where we had the opportunity to meet and discuss the plan with a broad range of dedicated Elders, such as Marius, who is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in health and education. He is a joy to listen to how he now sees his challenge for the young people of Tiwi. We are encouraged and enjoyed meeting with the enthusiastic and dedicated residents engaged across the health sector. Each new project within this program opens exciting and culturally rich experiences where the challenge is not the message but how we engage and help transmission, this is not only what Dragon Claw has become recognised for but is continuing to learn and develop. This project will produce outstanding messages with a very exciting and colourful Tiwi style. |
COVID updateby Jill (retired Nurse)
BOOSTERS.Over the past few months, the Delta variant has spread widely in countries around the world, becoming the dominant variant. Its rapid spread has inferred that it may be able to bypass existing COVID-19 vaccines in some cases. Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, head of the Oxford Vaccine Group, has even commented that, in his opinion, the highly transmissible Delta variant has made achieving herd immunity an impossibility. “The Delta variant will still infect people who have been vaccinated. And that does mean that anyone who’s still un-vaccinated at some point will meet the virus […], and we don’t have anything that will completely stop that transmission.” Additionally, recent data have also suggested the immunity provided by COVID-19 vaccines fades considerably over time, which also means vaccinated individuals become more susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. According to Pfizer’s 2021 second-quarter report, receiving an additional booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccine after having had the initial two doses increases the amount of Delta variant antibodies five-fold in 18-to-55-year-old's and 11-fold in 65–85-year-old's. “The booster trial builds on the phase 1/2/3 trial and is part of the companies’ clinical development strategy to determine the effectiveness of a third dose against evolving variants.” This third dose would be identical to the two doses of the currently authorized Pfizer vaccine. However, the company is also investigating how an “updated” vaccine dose, altered to target the Delta variant specifically, would fare. Moderna has also said that an additional booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine would be able to keep the Delta variant at bay. The three boosters under investigation included their currently authorized shot, as well as two more experimental candidates. Following these findings, both Pfizer and Moderna have been seeking authorization for their respective booster shots from countries that have already authorized their main COVID-19 vaccines. So far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America has authorized the distribution of third booster shots of both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines — but only for those who are immuno-compromised, and therefore at higher risk of infection with emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Israel has also recently authorized the distribution of third shots of the Pfizer vaccine, which is now available to “people over 50, healthcare workers, people with severe risk factors for the coronavirus, prisoners and wardens.” While the United Kingdom has not yet authorized additional booster shots, unofficial reports indicate it has ordered millions of extra doses for a COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign in 2022. Australia has yet to authorize additional booster shots for people with compromised immune systems. |
Pfizer offers Aussies in Lockdown support
Leigh writes:“As this response to COVID19 has been a government vaccination roll out program, they have taken the lead with providing information”. “Feedback tells me that there is a need for us to assist with some specific information gaps where it may be helpful. “ “We would like to help you with answering questions you may be getting if we can, so we are compiling a list of questions specific to our vaccine that we are handling through our phone lines and through HCP’s from their patients. We are also liaising with the Department of Health, Federal & States to facilitate additional and consistent information for when you refer people there.” Pfizer Phone for medical info at 1800 675 229 “I am hoping to have this FAQ from us, for you in coming weeks if not sooner. In the meantime, you can also refer your patients to our medical information service (1800 675 229) or www.pfizermedicalinformation.com.au and our team will respond. “ says Leigh. USEFUL REFERENCESThese are really fantastic and credible resources, which you may already be referring to:
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Functional Nutritionby Charlotte Hill
Regulating the immune system with Paleo template– complementary to conventional medicineThis month at one of the Dragon Talks I gave an introduction to the Autoimmune Protocol (“AIP”), a therapeutic version of the Paleo template designed to help regulate the immune system, mitigating autoimmune and other chronic diseases. In this month's newsletter, I am going to give an overview of the key principles of the template that is designed as a complementary approach to conventional medicine and has shown extremely promising results in small scale clinical trials. For more information click here or here. The Autoimmune Protocol involves both dietary changes and lifestyle modifications (including stress management, movement and sleep) to:
There are two phases to the dietary component of the dietary portion of the Autoimmune Protocol: the Elimination Phase and the Reintroduction Phase. The Reintroduction Phase results in a template dietary protocol that is individual to you and that you are recommended to follow alongside conventional medicine support to help best manage your autoimmune condition(s). The AIP diet focuses on nutrient density (not calories) and the key differentiator to many other diets that focus on nutrient density is that some nutrient dense foods are actually removed in the Elimination Phase (for example: eggs, nightshade vegetables, nuts and seeds) as these contain substances that can disrupt gut health, impact our hormones or stimulate the immune system which we are trying to improve! Here is a summary of both stages:
As already mentioned AIP also involves lifestyle changes that can't be overlooks although I haven't gone into them in detail here. Improvements to elements like sleep and movement can have huge impacts on our immune system regulation, gut health and hormone regulation that we cannot achieve by diet alone. So that is it for now on AIP! This is obviously a very in-depth topic that cannot be covered comprehensively in just one sitting but I hope you enjoyed finding out a bit more about it. There are lots of resources online for those that wish to find out more. For example 'The Paleo Mom' or Mickey and Angie from Autoimmune Wellness. In addition, there are now many practitioners who are AIP Certified Coaches - including me. If you wish to work directly with a coach here is a link to a directory of coaches all around the world. |
Dragon Talk update by Paul Kett
Our teaching/learning sessions are not all medical or clinical in nature. For example, recently two of our members facilitated discussions on the meaning of life from the perspective of our particular disease and debility. Robin approached this engaging topic from a philosophical perspective, quoting a number of contemporary thinkers and inviting us to choose one of the quotes and share how it affects us. The following week, I (Paul) invited the attendees to bring a poem, a song, or a short piece of prose, and to share it with the group, speaking to its meaning and inviting comments and reactions. As you might imagine, the offerings were varied but also poignant. Each one reflected a journey, or an aspect of the reader’s life. Both evenings were enlightening, with great group participation. I value my time spent with my Dragon Talk friends and I make it a priority each week. Please consider joining us. Charmaine or I would be happy to give you more information. Paul Kett Member Patient Advisory Committee, Co-facilitator of Dragon Talks, |
Contact National (Australia) Help Line
Our friends at Musculoskeletal Australia provide a contact free national Help Line! Do you have questions about dealing with pain, your musculoskeletal condition/s, treatment options, COVID-19, or accessing services? Then be sure to call their nurses on their free Help Line. They’re available weekdays between 9am-5pm on 1800 263 265. Alternatively feel free to drop a line to our patient volunteers with your phone number and we are happy to give you a call by appointment |
Invitation to Free event: Making sense of disabling back pain
Back pain is complex and the facts about it are rarely understood. Best care for back pain involves a journey with several key steps. Register with our friends at Musculoskeletal Australia’s free online Koadlow Community Lecture on Wednesday 15 September at 7.00 – 8:30pm (AEST), as Prof Peter O’Sullivan makes sense of back pain, busts common myths, and provides some practical information about how you can become more effective at managing your back pain. This event is supported by the Myotherapy Association of Australia. REGISTER NOW by clicking on the link |
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Our tentative (always open to change!) schedule for DragonTalksSeptember 2021Please share with anyone with an autoimmune condition who might benefit from a safe space to share and learn. |
| September 07/08 | Susan's Story - RA Patient Getting into the Driver Seat - challenges of diagnosis, getting the right clinical / medical support and help from my community / friends |
| September 14/15 | Jill Dunkley Bone-Fit programme |
| September 21/22 | Coffee Hour |
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September28/29 |
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Please contact Charmaine |
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Medical Disclaimer |
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