Author Archives: Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

About Cynthia J. Koelker, MD

CYNTHIA J KOELKER , MD is a board-certified family physician with over twenty years of clinical experience. A member of American Mensa, Dr. Koelker holds degrees in biology, humanities, medicine, and music from M.I.T., Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the University of Akron. She served in the National Health Service Corps to finance her medical education.

What you will find here

This web site is devoted to empowering you, the reader, to care for your loved ones and yourself when there’s no other choice. Thank you for visiting and may God bless you richly in 2016 and beyond. – Doc Cindy … Continue reading

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Fish Antibiotic Update 2016

As of 2016 most preppers are well aware of OTC “fish antibiotics” intended for aquarium use. If the concept is new to you, please search this site for earlier articles, including yearly updates.

In reviewing several fish antibiotic web sites, I see certain retailers continue to offer ketoconazole, which is not an antibiotic, but rather an antifungal. Ketoconazole is sold right along with common antibiotics such as penicillin, likely leading the uninformed reader to wrongly conclude that they are equally safe and effective for bacterial illnesses such as pneumonia and strep throat, which ketoconazole is not. Continue reading

Posted in Antibiotics, Fish antibiotics, Over-the-counter meds, Stockpiling medications, Thrush, Yeast infection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Antibiotics – 5 Reasons to Avoid Them – Yeast Infection, MRSA, Resistance, Diarrhea, and Allergy

[Original publication date 2-24-11. Content and links checked and updated 5-21-16.]   Have a cold? Take an antibiotic?   Ear pain? Take an antibiotic.   Acne? Take an antibiotic. That’s what people think anyway.

Posted in Acne, Acne, Antibiotics, Common cold, Earache, Medical archives, Perennial Favorites, Prescription Medications, Skin, Stockpiling medications, Yeast infection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Human Nature and Why Socialism (and Socialized Medicine) Won’t Work

It was 2010 when I wrote the following…that was pre-Obamacare.  Did his plan even have a name back then? The Affordable Care Act. I sometimes forget that’s the actual name.  I’m supposing the doubling of my insurance premiums has made … Continue reading

Posted in Medical archives, Perennial Favorites, Poetry & Prose, Spiritual health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Broken Bones, Dementia, and the End of the World – Introduction

Twice so far I’ve ignored this blog for months on end.  Both times were for serious medical problems. There’s nothing like a crisis to interrupt your disaster planning! The first time, in 2010, my son was severely injured in a motorcycle … Continue reading

Posted in Broken bones-see fractures, Fractures, Injuries, Medical archives | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Asthma and COPD – Part II – OTC Medications – Update

Since this information was first posted November 2010, a few things have changed.  My book is no longer “upcoming.” It’s available for purchase on this very website!  Primatene Mist is no longer available OTC, though it may be again someday. … Continue reading

Posted in Allergic, Asthma, Asthma/COPD, Benadryl - diphenhydramine, Caffeine, chlorpheniramine, Chronic bronchitis, Claritin - loratadine, COPD, Herbal and complementary, Herbal medicine, Lung disease, Medical archives, Mild, OTC Antihistamines, OTC Decongestants, OTC inhalers, Primatene mist, Sudafed-PE - phenylephrine, Sudafed-pseudoephedrine, Vicks, Zyrtec - cetirizine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

How to get your doctor to help you stockpile medicine – Update

Since this information was originally published on Survivalblog.com in 2010, Obamacare has brought BIG changes to the health care system. None of these changes have made it any easier to stockpile medicines – in fact, quite the reverse is true. Though I … Continue reading

Posted in Chronic diseases, Injuries, Medical archives, Medications, Preparation, Prescription Medications, Stockpiling medical supplies, Stockpiling medications | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Medical Bartering, Part 2 – OTC Medications

Scenario #2 The grid is down, so you and a few friends have organized a neighborhood church for worship. One Sunday morning a stranger in a business suit struggles in, barely able to walk  After the service you sit with … Continue reading

Posted in Acetaminophen - Tylenol, Aspirin, Asthma and COPD, Asthma medications, Asthmanefrin, Barter, Bonine - meclizine, Claritin - loratadine, Dramamine - meclizine, Fish antibiotics, Ibuprofen, Meclizine, Medical archives, Naproxen (Aleve), OTC Antihistamines, OTC inhalers, OTC Nausea/vomiting meds, OTC NSAIDs, OTC Pain meds, Over-the-counter meds, Slide show, Zyrtec - cetirizine | Leave a comment

Medical Bartering, Part 1 of 5 – Introduction

Medical Bartering

In the following series of articles I will be addressing potential barter for medical items and skills, including:
1. Over-the-counter medications
2. Prescription medications
3. Over-the-counter products other than medications
4. Medical skills Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Barter, Equipment, Medications, Over-the-counter meds, Prescription Medications, Slide show | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Fish Antibiotic Update 2015

If you’re new to the whole concept of fish antibiotics, there are a few basics you need to know. These are not antibiotics made out of fish. Neither are they micro-pills you must cram down your guppy’s throat. In general they are pills or capsules of the same size and strength humans use.

Although you cannot buy human or even dog antibiotics in the U.S. without a legal prescription, a federal loophole allows these same antibiotics to be sold over-the-counter for aquarium use. (Most physicians and pharmacists are unaware of this exemption.) Many of these so-called fish antibiotics are the same quality and dosage as human antibiotics (USP grade, AB-rated generics). Those who purchase these products are implicitly agreeing to use these antibiotics for aquarium purposes only. Continue reading

Posted in Acute diseases, Armageddon Medicine, Articles, Bioterrorism, Diseases, Fish antibiotics, Gonorrhea, LIVE SURVIVAL MEDICINE TRAINING, Medications, Over-the-counter meds, Slide show, Stockpiling medications | Leave a comment