So sorry that seniors are being misjudged about the meds they need.
That too, is a huge problem.

The addiction problem is also huge.
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Not so popular, but necessary.
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Posting to bring this back up to the top.
So many are caregivers too.
"Has their behavior or mood changed? Are they argumentative, sullen, withdrawn, secretive or anxious?
Are they giving excuses as to why they need their medication?
Do they ever express remorse or concern about taking their medicine?
Do they have a “purse supply” or “pocket supply” in case of an emergency?"
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I am a retired school teacher living in Jacksonville, FL. Even though I was the best teacher I could be and never wanted to stop teaching because I loved working with my students, I finally had to retire because of my chronic bursitis pain. I relied on the daily pain medication I took to help me function so I could do my job and have some quality to my life.
I have suffered from chronic pain for many years and have done all the "right things" to try to lessen the pain and rely on opioids as little as possible. But even physical therapy, steroid injections or anything else makes the pain bearable without that pain medication. Even so, even with the medication, the pain never goes away - it just makes it possible for me to function.
Now, I am being made to feel like a drug addict when I try to get my pain medication filled. I am not a criminal. I do not sell my medication or share it with others because I need every pill.
I served my country in the Navy during the Vietnam era and became a school teacher to also serve my country because I believe that our youth are the future of our strong, proud nation.
But now, I feel that I have been abandoned and that no one cares about the sacrifices I have made for my country or anything else I have done in the name of saving those drug abusers who choose to do the drugs. I didn't choose to be a chronic pain sufferer, but I am paying the price for those who make poor choices.
What sense does it make to punish those of us who need the medication because of the irresponsibility of those citizens who have not and will not help our country to move forward and continue to be the strongest and the best nation in the world? And yes, there are those who are not druggies who overdose, but doesn’t education make more sense than punishing your seniors?
Shame on any politician in this nation who chooses to support any law or legal action that punishes those of us who sacrificed everything for our country, or who have been law abiding productive citizens our entire lives. You should be fighting for us instead of punishing us. And make no mistake – every obstacle you put in our way to living without debilitating pain is shameful.
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Since N never says what’s hurting, what possibly can it be? Is it pain from just being sedintary, not getting enough exercise, she complains that her breasts hurt, her toe hurts, her back hurts, her butt hurts! This is the second time this month she is in the hospital and was at the doctors last week too! She does say I’m 80 and I hurt everywhere! I’m 60 and I also hurt everywhere too! But I can move around, run up and down the stairs all day long. She is very much over weight and I’m sure that is part of the problem too. I am dreading going to the hospital later this morning, I pray she won’t be hurting. Help!!!!
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Since N turned 80 in June she says “I’m sick” or “I hurt all over” every day and all day. Nothing seems to relieve it. When asked to be more specific and about being sick or what hurts she never has an answer. I try Tylenol, Aleve, Ibuprofen, different vitamin supplements anything she thinks will make her feel better. She has a list ready for her doctor I need Xanax, Vicodin, Muscle relaxer, Ambien. Of course she didn’t get any of that. She has a history of self medicating and abusing her prescriptions. Four years ago she was taking everything under the sun and laxatives because of opiate induced constipation. Well she had a new boy friend and stopped taking the laxatives and her intestines ruptured! She almost died. Now no doctor will give her any of those drugs. She has a paranoia that if she doesn’t have a bowel movement everytime she goes to the bath room she asks for some other form of laxative. Last week he prescribed Cymbalta for her depression and said it also will help her chronic pain, Ativan for anxiety and Lyrica for her diabetic nerve pain (which she already has been taking, he just increased the dose, instead of 150 mg a day it’s 300 mg a day). The first day she immediately took the 60 mg Cymbalta and 1 mg Ativan. Unbeknownst to me she got up and took another Cymbalta and Ativan and said it wasn’t working. Well it worked so well, she became lethargic, disoriented, her speech was slurred, she couldn’t hold a conversation and she started to sleep all day and night. I counted all the pills and hid them in the basement (she can’t climb downstairs). After seeing how she was acting I stopped the Cymbalta and cut the other meds back in half. Did I mention she fell everyday and would just sit there like she had no clue how to get up. I called 911 and she’s in the hospital and doing fine. They took her off Cymbalta and lowered her doses on the other two. All week I was emptying the Cymbalta and just giving her empty capsules because if she thinks she getting a drug it amazingly works. Just like when I gave her Zantac for her heartburn and she thought I said Xanax! Immediately she said oh that Xanax really helped, it took the edge off and my pain is gone! She has an OTC called Move Free, she honestly believes she can move freely! I’m at my witts end trying to give her OTC pain relievers and don’t know what they will send her home with. She will moan and fake cry all day and night saying she’s in so much pain. She’s had MRI’s, CT scans, X-rays and there is nothing wrong! Today the nurse gave me her pills and said tell her it’s her pain med and sleeping pill. It was Tylenol and her blood pressure medicine. She went right back to sleep!
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I am running into problems just trying to get non pain medicine for my mother. We ended up having to go to another doctor. The first one refused to give her a refill - after she dropped some pills into the sink by mistake. The second doctor said 'this is ridiculous - it's not an opiod.' They acted like we were criminals or were hoarding the meds. ( Yes, you know people get high on BP meds all the time, right?) I have no problem with the medical establishment and the government trying to curb the pain medicine addiction problem, but they have to provide these people with treatment to get off; they have to give people who really need the meds some alternative, and they need to stop over reacting and cracking down on medicines that you cannot even get addicted to!
Things are stressful enough with having to worry about whether you can get the meds that you MUST take every day.
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Myachingass75: I'm calling Cali pharm board today. When you have years of same meds and no issues, they cant just "not fill the script" when its due! They know we are in constant pain, have little joy in life, then to be devastated having an entire weekend outing ruined because we cant get out meds!! Its a travesty! Im sick of life and suffering to the point of almost ending it! They don't realize they cause suicides because we're old and tired of fighting to get relief. Its inhumane. Wow you worked long as Ive lived! God bless you! They need to treat us with respect, the fact we follow the rules and just want to survive as best we can. Google chronic pain relief petition. I should've looked it up. If we get enough voices, we'll get action. They cant stereotype us with abusers altogether. Trumps trying to cut us off too. Instead of stopping the DC child trafficking or keeping his 100 promises, he's breaking he now is focused on taking our meds away. Again, 4x more die from alcohol. Wheres the program to curb that abuse? Any will die who choose. DON'T PUNISH THE SUFFERING ELDERLY! Also, the DEA excuse is a lie, they're even upset with Trump opioid attempt to stop our meds. They couldn't care less, as long as everyone is compliant, which Ive been. Its only those who go to several docs, "lose" their pills, etc., or have prior addictions Ive never had nor many others. Just pray and lets fight this together! PS: Love your name! LOL I cant' wait til they have to suffer!
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Yes, if you actually ever worked, a physical job, as I did most of my adult life, ( 1957-2012 ), chances are you will acquire very painful conditions plus loose your hearing. It was great to have a one in one relationship with the same doctors (2) for close to 30 years. They kept me employable. I don't know what " the kids" are ever going to do, as that kind of relationship no longer exists.
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I've been inoperable since 1998, was getting my prescription meds in 90 day supply from mail order pharmacy that supplied all my other meds. I take benzo's also for PTSD & severe spasms that cost me two jobs,as the attacks come out of nowhere land. A Cleveland Clinic specialist in that field agreed with my psychologist that the "rare" disease was from severe childhood abuse. Now, I can't even afford to see most of the medical people. I can't even find a doc that will write anything opioid related, not that I ask anyone but my PCP. Was so bad having to take half a day just to get a 30 day written letter from my doctor, but he won't write it anymore.
Lousy SOB government takeover of health care is criminal. Thanks for your excellent letter. I appreciate your time & kindnesses!
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SMMRR2: Severely more mentally ruined, retarded x 2: First, I dont believe any lady "sees several docs, or forges scripts"! Strict systems in all states to prevent this. All US pharms are linked countrywide. No one can "over fill or doc shop" with todays systems. LIE! Second, any feeling a 60 y.o. chronic pain patient, as myself is confabulating with MRI verified 6 herniated bulging discs, L 4-5, S1, C 4-6, sciatica, annular tears, osteoarthritis, and migraines from 10 car wrecks over 40 yrs., none are my fault. Perfect driving record, dont drink, NEVER a drug issue! Proven 4x die from alcohol than prescription meds. Any who want death find a way. This is easiest. Stats prove 60+ have lowest abuse and /or death rate. Yet, we are now punished and stigmatized, due to "young punks on dope" who cant follow a script or have death wishes. Maddening when we never abused are "cut back" and still suffering! We just want to sleep through night, do my yard work, continue exercise; swimming, walking. Gave up cycling, dance, lifting weights. Cant even carry a case of water. Add the stress of begging for your meds, while missing out on life and this is why many srs. end it, I've read. NOT accidental. I'm inoperable, as are many and begged for surgery. Tried injections, (can cause even worse damage) the tens machines, massage is nice while it lasts, nothing works permanently. As a former CMT, many clients are worse off than before! Now many forced to suffer when only relief is same meds they for years w/o incident due to addicts? Cars cause death. Remove them from the road. Ban alcohol causing 4x death than prescribed meds!! Countless lives saved! Goal is pop control, why the vaccines, chem trails, fluoride, EMFS, GMOS, HAARP geo engineered storms Harvey, Irma, Katrina, more killing100's of 1000's.
Many have problems getting meds filled with a valid scripts! Mine at 27 days saying FILL NOW! I missed a very important retreat with my bible study group. No "lost, stolen meds, doc shop, nothing! Once in life doc agrees 5 day early for out of state b-bday trip, & so all meds due together. You cant fill out of state. 4 oxycodone, 3 soma daily for above conditions & 3 xanax for PTSD from 10 yrs. severe child abuse. Friends in other areas on 3-4 x my dose; have no probs with their meds. Wed. pain and shrink docs said "FILL TODAY"! Pharm. punk used to be nice, that day RUDE! In restroom, I hear him LOUDLY bellowing, my name! SO unprofessional, REFUSED after 30 min wait! Charged parking fee, left w/ nothing! Had bottle w/extra pills to show date; (was 28 days prior 2 mo.) he starts counting! WTH? Reminded he said 27 days OK & doc said FILL NOW! Promised delivery (Thurs). I know law after 30 yrs. it what my friends get. Did yard, skipped shower sweating in 99 degrees, fear miss delivery. NO SHOW! My group left w/o me :( Doc calls Friday asks why over riding orders? I called pharm board who say 3-5 days early OK! IM DONE! ABUSED MY ENTIRE LIFE AND AGAIN! BEING IN PAIN THEY TREAT YOU LIKE A CRIMINAL! MISSED MY RETREAT! FEEL WHATS THE USE OF LIVING LIKE THIS! Oh and the best part! Im sweating waiting AGAIN all day Friday, finally go outside and see MY MEDS ON THE STEP! NO KNOCK. Driving a car with "drugs" printed all over. Appalling! Gated comm, but still theft! Gardeners, pest control, pool workers, kids, etc. Easily STOLEN! SO MAD, I felt like saying I didnt get them, they'd be in trouble, but Im too honest! Usually pick up, but after this fiasco, missed trip, wasnt about to drive 30 mi again. They know to leave behind gate! You don't leave narcotics sitting by front door in plain view! What if stolen??? Id have no medicine! Closed Monday, only open 9-5 M-F. Getting new pharm STAT! REPORTING THEM!! You probably say go to another Pharm., but theyre all the same. "we don't have that", efuse to order. Ive been to CVS, (NIGHTMARE) Thrifty, Wal mart, Target and Walgreens. All whom have a vested interest in depriving me of my meds. If you hate your job so much, get another. I hear the pay is good, but all druggists seem miserable. DEA who said they have no right overriding docs orders. We must sign a petition, as there is one for this epidemic its become! What they're doing is illegal and can be life threatening. I forget the site, but theres several. PATIENT MED DEPRIVATION MUST STOP! Sorry fuming so badly right now I cant recall. Should be in Lake Tahoe communing with friends and God, instead of boiling angrily in 100 degrees. Venting to set others straight and hopefully inspire us not to take this abusive torment any longer! God bless all and heal your pain!
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I'm 65 and I am still a person! My doctor put me on hydrocodone 5-325 twice daily, for chronic pain and fibromyalgia. 6 months ago he increased the dosage to 3 a day. I went for my checkup last week and he is suddenly weaning his opioid patients off pills!! He gave me no alternative ideas for pain or help from withdrawal. I have taken the pills for six years. I am angry and terrified and disgusted!
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This is what happens when you let the government take over your health care. An individuals medical belongs to them, not pencil pushing bureaucrats and their agendas. Fear drove me to making sure I never have to beg for pain & anxiety medications. That fear is real. It began before I was 4, and that was over 70 years ago. Ever experience anaphylaxis? Or being raped by medical people in a hospital? If not, your not qualified to lecture me about my shortcomings. Are we clear?
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Please help me find a reputable hospital I need to get off all these prescription drugs they are killing me
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Seniors are treated like infants these days. They use their senior citizen card when it's convenient and when they want to be particularly nasty and hide behind "Grandma" and "Grandpop" while being demonic. And shame is a wonderful thing at times. It exposes the lies.
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And I see a lot of anger and shaming.
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I see a lot of excuses and a lot of individuals who may need to enter treatment.

Living past a certain age doesn't mean you are allowed to do whatever you want and take as many pills as you'd like.

I think doctors should look at elderly prescription drug abuse more closely. It is so easy to be fooled by Grandma and Gramps and their woe is me routine.

I have an elderly family member who has been on Percocet for decades. It's absolutely ridiculous and no one in their 30's or 40's could get away with it. This is all for "pain management" and yet she complains after popping 3 or 4 (doctor is fine with it she claims, yeah right) of those bad boys she is still in pain.

She has built up a tolerance and is a banshee when she runs out (which is often) or when she's due for her next hit. She now has another prescription from another doctor for Vicodin.

Now, what kind of Doctor would prescribe a narcotic with the same ingredient (acetaminophen) to an elderly patient? Why a doctor who isn't aware of all of the drugs the patient is taking!

Oh she did have physical therapists helping her to get through her "pain" but she sent them away as they were interfering with her precious schedule.

The pain meds only mask the issues. Physical and occupational therapy will help manage the pain.

The reason we even have the DEA watch list is because of these elderly drug abusers who go to two or three doctors in different cities and even states and use their charm to get their high.

I have just caught on to what this relative is doing and I will be contacting both doctors and the pharmacy today. If they didn't know, they will now. If they did know, shame on them and I will be reporting them to the medical board.

Instead of allowing old drug addicts to die as drug addicts, family members and friends should step in and speak to these physicians.

And for the elderly who think because they are older they can't possibly be junkies, well you're wrong and you're probably miserable, wondering if and when you'll get your next 30 day supply. Get help.
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I was my Grandmother's caregiver for 6 yrs, it was a wonderful thing for both of us for 4 yrs and she was prescribed Pradaxa for AFIB however it immediately began to kill her I could see it! she could not move out of bed and we went to the ER where the Dr said I have never had a Pradaxa overdose before, there is no antidote! she needs 4 pints of blood and they might not be able to save her but I saved her by bringing her in, her Drs office told me she was scheduled to be seen next week and Pradaxa will do this at first, good thing I didn't believe it! I learned after that it was new and she was a guinea pig! turns out the old guinea pigs died almost all the time! They ruined her life from Feb 2011 to her death Feb 2014, it was a steady series of ICU stays weeks at a time, transfusions, chronic anemia, headaches that she never had before, it profoundly altered her personality but in an almost cute way as she became more raunchy and tough when she was Harriet Nelson my entire 50+ yrs, she was tougher on me, but before this I was adored by her all my life, calling me Keithy David as a man !ol.where she was my defender before, now she gets what she pays for she guessed lolol funny but not considering how she actually felt inside which must have been bad however she stayed with me so its not sensible, but anyways Her care is a 24-7, 365 task here last 2 yrs, I was already a 50% beneficiary of the family trust before she asked me to be her caregiver, avoid a care home, live with family and preserve the trust.
Her last 4 months were in 3 care homes evidencing what a pill she became with each mini stroke. imagine my horror upon reading the trust she had made 6 secret codicils over the last year bit by bit punishing me then taking my share and giving it to a 33 yr old daughter in LA I had that was always in a new jam and calamity never calling my Grandmother with normal talk just crying and flattery etc, well she has a consignment attorney at 33% of her award if any as I do have a signed fullfilled contract however am in a 5 yr fight to get it back - lawyers fees of 33% myself!
Pradaxa DESTROYED MY LIFE TOO JUST INDIRECTLY
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Prescription Drug Addiction Retirement, especially for players and heavy machinery workers, comes with chronic pain. Many retirees have been known to live on pain pills. In most cases, these pain pills lead to many to to begin a Prescription Drug Addiction.
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Fine and dandy, but she will go no where. Won't leave home, except to the doctor.
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We can do all the things suggested, but my mother at 83 yrs. has been doing this for at least 40 yrs. now with dementia and pain pills, And has money, And still lives at home with one daughter 60 yrs. old. And is cruel, mean ,and does not care about any thing .
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At the other end of the spectrum, my 87 year old mother developed severe abdominal pain about a month ago, and after at least 6 different tests, scans, etc., they still can't find the problem. Her doctor will not prescribe narcotics. She has lost weight because she throws up what she eats most times. She has recurrent colorectal cancer, but that is not what's causing this according to test results. I realize narcotics addiction is very prevalent, but even if my Mom were to develop an addiction, I would not care as long as she can get pain relief because her cancer prognosis is death within a year. It's excruciating to watch!
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oladywho, I agree. There is a difference between addiction and abuse in that context particularly. Many people take prescription drugs that their bodies are "addicted" to - in other words if they stopped them cold turkey they'd be in trouble - even though the are taking them as prescribed. They are not abusing the drugs.

Frankly, oladywho, I feel that people who need medication in order to feel even decent should have what they need. Apparently there are doctors who prescribe as much of anything that their patients want without deciding together what the patient needs, but that certainly isn't the case in my community. Our doctors seem to be very responsible. I'd hate to see them restrained because of fear of reprisal just because there are other doctors who are irresponsible.

It's frustrating, too, for many people to find out that a pain medication that has helped them for years has suddenly been put in a different category and is now "controlled" when before it was just a regular but highly effective pain reliever.

The best thing people can do is work with their doctor and if they are not being treated with respect, then move on. I hope that you can live your years out in reasonable mental and physical peace and comfort. That's what most of us want.
Take care,
Carol
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you folks seem to be COMBINING two words here! "addiction" and "abuse". so what I am to assume is that there is no difference?? sorry! I, personally, see a DIFFERENCE!! I would like to say that I have an "addictive" personality. I therefore have tried HARD not to take any more than I must to remain COMFORTABLE of anything that I've ever been prescribed. I have therefore, managed to cut back on the narcotic drugs over the years. UNTIL.... after having been prescribed Xanax for about 23 years - I relocated. the Dr said, "oh, no"! I won't prescribe Xanax - you could become ADDICTED TO IT"! Of course, my response to that was, "after 23 yrs, I would imagine I AM addicted to it"! he says "exactly! NOPE!" other than to say I've been treated for major depression since I was 17, and have been told I should NEVER try to get off antidepressants - and that I have REQUIRED some sort of tranquilizer since around 30 yrs of age - I will offer no other excuse for any "addiction" I may have HAD (past tense)! Currently, I am concerned that I've become a "wino" at the tender age of 71!! I've been a "drinker" since my late twenties of early 30's - but (having several alcoholics in my family tree on both sides) I have always checked myself to see if I was USING alcohol, and never met that ciriculum. UNTIL NOW! Gee, thanks, doc! and this may be the depression talking (??) but what is wrong with a person who has "served" for 71 yrs, who has NO ONE, who lives a lonely life, in pain and up tight, 24/7, just expecting to live out their next (last) few years relaxed and feeling good?? Com'on!
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I agree that not all doctors are on top of this, but I also feel that there are some who feel the compassionate thing to do under certain circumstances may be to give someone like the neighbor more time before trying to wean her off the medication.

However, I agree that if she's willing to get help going with her would be kind. Friends are a wonderful balm for the suffering.

It would be nice if this were a simple topic but it's not. People need pain relief and they often need medication for emotional issues - neither type of medication is risk free or even reliably effective. Compassion needs to be a part of the mix so that people can get the relief that they need while lowering the risk for complications.

Thanks for all of the great comments!
Carol
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@sbrisend. I frankly don’t think doctors ever monitor that. There is a list of informative links in the Prescription Drugs tab on Canada Drug rehab site. There you can take a look at the safe prescription limit for different types of drugs and a lot of other info.
In my op you should just go talk to her openly and tell her you want to help. If you can get her to understand that she does have a substance abuse problem asap, great. Health problems due to drug usage tend to be more pronounced among elders.
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Carol, I appreciate your insight - "Looking into negative effects from the sleeping pills may be an option but I wouldn't exclude the possibility that she is giving up on life. " That had crossed my mind. And I understand. But if it is the sleeping pills, why might her doctor not be proactively managing the addiction? I am trying to understand whether to discuss this with my neighbor in a non-confrontational way, but wondering how to get her help, if she is willing.
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The sleeping pills could be the issue, but it's very common for someone that age to "follow" his or her spouse soon after one dies. He was no doubt her lifelong partner for decades. Looking into negative effects from the sleeping pills may be an option but I wouldn't exclude the possibility that she is giving up on life. Some people pull out of it but many don't. You are a good neighbor to be so concerned. Either way, your support will help.
Carol
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I agree about using pain meds at end of life. And I'm experienced caring for two parents with Alzheimers, my mom still with me. But I have a 91yo neighbor who has been in amazing health, lost her husband +6 months ago, and was prescribed sleeping pills at the time. The doctor told her she could only take them for 6 months. It has been 8 months and this formerly strong, healthy, bright lady is fading. The cause is not clear. But as a good friend and neighbor, I suspect the following symptoms are either caused or aggravated by nightly sleeping pills (don't know which drug she is taking):
Unsteadiness/shakiness
Unable to make decisions
Sleeping pills not working so increased worry about not sleeping and about taking the pills
Headaches

She has a few other moderate to light health issues so the effect of sleeping pills is unclear. I'd appreciate any specific comments or experience anyone might have specific to addiction to sleeping pills in the elderly.
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Please excuse the typos. I pads are not the best for typing.
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