The Health Care Blog of Caduceus Medical Group

Samme Sez!

I'm never wrong- and I can prove it!

  • Image of keyboard and stethoscope Fall Prevention Orange County - Keep the Spring in your Step In a few weeks we will face that annual ritual of resetting our clocks while reciting, “spring forward, fall back.”  But this year at Caduceus it’s “spring forward, fall not.” That’s right, this spring we are making falls a thing of the past.  Caduceus is proud to announce its...  read more
  • Image of keyboard and stethoscope CMO PATIENT BLOG ORANGE COUNTY- RSV FAQ's AND WHO IS HIGH RISK? - Aw-chew!Uh oh.  Well maybe it’s nothing… Aw-chewww!Ok that was a good one.  That’s it, get it all out of the system.  Two sneezes and off to wor… Aww-chewwwwy!Oh boy.  What do I do now? You’ve come to the right place.  Here at Caduceus & PDQ Urgent Care we have you covered. The first thing to know is that respiratory...  read more
  • Image of hand in surgical glove holding blood vials CMO Covid Blog Orange County Natural Antibodies "Get No Respect" - Natural Immunity- The Rodney Dangerfield of Covid "When I was born the doctor came out to the waiting room and said to my father, “I’m very sorry. We did everything we could…but he pulled through.” "My mother had morning sickness AFTER I was born." Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Cohen in New York in 1921....  read more
  • covid Monoclonal antibody vial and Latest Covid Treatment FAQ's Orange County - ANNOUNCEMENT from CMO- A woman calls a law firm,"This is Schwartz, Schwartz, and Schwartz. How may I help you?""I would like to talk with Mr. Schwartz.""Oh sorry; he is in court all day." "OK, in that case let me speak to Mr. Schwartz.""Apologies. He is on vacation." "Then let me speak to Mr. Schwartz." "Speaking!"...  read more
  • Image of hand in surgical glove holding blood vials Monoclonal Antibodies Now Available Through PDQ Urgent Care & More Orange County - ANNOUNCMENT from CMO- Caduceus Medical Group’s urgent care PDQ Urgent Care & More, in partnership with Infusion IV Hydration & Injection Therapy, have arranged for monoclonal antibodies from Regeneron (Casivirimab/Imdevimab) to be available to its eligible patients with Covid-19. As they say on Channel 13, supplies are limited; we are optimistic we can continue to...  read more
  • Image of hand in surgical glove holding blood vials Quantitative Antibody FAQ's Orange County - Since the blog last week advising antibody counts to help predict vaccine failures, we have had many questions. Let’s answer a few now. -Caduceus and PDQ Urgent Care and More can draw the counts during an office visit of any type or at their draw stations. Due to high demand, we have specific times we...  read more
  • Image of hand in surgical glove holding blood vials Antibody Quantitative Testing- Orange County CMO Covid Blog - In a world that keeps on pushin' me around  I'll stand my ground And I won't back down.  Tom Petty  Let’s present the actual real-life case of a Caduceus married couple I will call Donald and Daisy.  (It’s real except their names of course.) They are both in their 60’s. Both were vaccinated in Feb/March (the brand isn't important). Being fully vaccinated, they assumed they were safe to travel to the...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Long Haul Covid Treatment Orange County - I am Dr. Gregg DeNicola and I am a Covid Long Hauler.I had my first positive PCR on December 13, 2020.I entered the hospital with double Covid pneumonia December 22, 2020 and was transferred to the Covid ICU.I was discharged December 31, 2020. I tested negative January 25, 2021.I was unable to leave the couch...  read more
  • cartoon of medical provider with syringe innoculating covid molecule Blog- Monthly Covid Antibody Testing - Yesterday I bought a new Koi for the Caduceus 4 Kids koi pond. I named him "Jeopardy". That way when people ask me his name I can say in a booming voice: "This! Is! Jeopardy!" Since the passing of Alex Trabek there has been an increased interest in the Jeopardy TV show, with multiple guest hosts. Since we...  read more
  • Delta covid variant The Deets on Delta- FAQ's on Covid Variant - I have been asked when, as CMO, I would "declare" herd immunity for Covid and we can then move ahead and party like it’s 2019. I earlier announced we should see herd immunity by Halloween, or even Labor Day, and I’m sticking with that forecast. Yet I fear I must announce another "surge" in cases, at least within Caduceus and...  read more
  • New Cholesterol and Alzheimer's Drugs - FROM THE DESK OF THE CMO We have two items to discuss with our loyal patients: 1. New lipid drugs 2. New Alzheimer's drug New Lipid Drugs- 1. Although not exactly breaking news, over the last year or so, forgotten during Covid, two different types of medications for lowering lipids were FDA approved. They are only now being marketed heavily. First, Nexletol is NOT a...  read more
  • Caduceus CMO Nomination My Hero Project - Big congrats to Caduceus CMO Gregg DeNicola MD who received a prestigious nomination from the MY HERO Project. The MY HERO Project uses media, art and technology to celebrate the best of humanity, one story at a time and operates worldwide in 197 countries. Dr. DeNicola was nominated in the Coronavirus Community Heroes Multimedia Contest...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Covid Blog OC Dinner with the Docs Series - To all of our very special patients and blog readers: Since our last communication, there have been three developments that I wanted to let everyone know about. First,I wanted to alert everyone to a observation we’ve had here at Caduceus the past few weeks. Yes, we are still doing PCR testing. We still are getting...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Covid Blog- Herd Immunity Orange County - A farmhand was helping the farmer with his herd of cows. The farmer asks, "How many cows are in my herd?" “49,” says the farmhand."Ok then; round them up!""Ok,fine! You have 50," says the farmhand. Now that I have you trying to figure this out, I will do something totally out of character for me.  I will make a...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Covid Blog 2021 Physicals Orange County - With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan, this is for all you Pirates of Penzance fans who have had to deal with the pandemic over the last year. Pirates of Pandemic Patter(to be sung at a rapid tempo) After all the quarantine it’s time to move around, even danceAsk Gilbert and Sullivan; sing along to Pirates of Penzance You...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post So What Now Orange County...Covid PCR, Antibody, Vaccine FAQ's - Sometimes, trends change just because that's what trends do....think -popcorn ceilings. We like them (ok, our parents liked them) then we don't - and prefer a different trend.  Other times, the new trend is due to a change in circumstances---think -gas powered SUV’s replaced by electric cars as being in vogue to reduce carbon footprints...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post CMO Covid Orange County Blog- Shares his story - It was 3 PM on my second day in the hospital--Christmas Eve- and was due to have a half hour IV infusion of Remdesivir for my Covid pneumonia.  I looked up at the IV bottle. It was a dark glass container, looking identical to an upside down Kahlua bottle. More bothersome - there were three...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post CMO Covid Blog Orange County- Latest numbers from the Caduceus Covid Treatment Team - Last week, we gave a special bulletin on five items relating to the pandemic. To update this week, we enlisted the help of one of the most famous doctors of all time. He did this by eavesdropping on Annie, a young adult who sported a "good Annie" on one shoulder, and a "bad" Annie on the other.  #1-...  read more
  • cartoon of medical provider with syringe innoculating covid molecule CMO Covid Patient Bulletin Orange County December 2020 - Special Bulletin- We want to alert our Caduceus and PDQ patients to new developments regarding Covid ---the usual disclaimer- These apply ONLY to our patients, other health systems may be experiencing different scenarios, or perhaps not reporting them. 1. New presentation of Covid2. Testing shortage looming3. New saliva testing update4. News on vaccinations5. How to reach us 1. New presentation of...  read more
  • CMO Corner- Orange County Covid Updates for December - Did you know Flintstone Vitamin D is only sold in one city in the United Arab Emirates? Citizens in other cities refuse to eat them. But Abu Dhabi Do! As the Covid numbers spike, I feel it may be time for a little humor…yes, I know what you're saying…very little! There are three questions I am continually asked,...  read more
  • covid image blue background CMO Corner- Covid Facts vs. Shiznit - “There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.”George Orwell  In the novel 1984 (written in 1949) George Orwell predicted that technology would develop and allow corrupt governments to manipulate and spy on their population. In the book, the dangers of false...  read more
  • cartoon of medical provider with syringe innoculating covid molecule Orange County Exclusive Caduceus Interview with "Cov" - (The author directs readers to watch the films Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, and The Producers prior to reading this blog. Failure to do so may cause credit-or blame- to be given to the author when it should be directed to Mr. Brooks.) "Life is a play- We're unrehearsed"--Mel Brooks Our loyal patients probably know Caduceus was the first medical group...  read more
  • Covid FAQ Logo maroon background Top Five Covid FAQ's- Just the Facts for Orange County - Mark Twain once said there were three types of lies... “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics”...meaning we can bend statistics into verifying wrong conclusions.  Mr. Twain actually modified a quote by T.H. Huxley---"There are three types of liars- Liars, Damned Liars, and Experts.”   The more I research Covid and its physiology and treatment, this quote...  read more
  • person wearing medical gloves inserting swab in test tube Now Offering Covid Rapid Antigen Testing Orange County - There's something happening here…What it is ain't exactly clear… Stephen Stills had it right in the 80's. We’ve been dealing with Covid for over six months now, and how do we deal with it? Well- it’s not exactly clear. We will address these issues today: • The newer trends and what Covid has told us•...  read more
  • covid image blue background CMO Covid Corner - URGENT ALERT- As CMO I want to report to our patients a dramatic upswing in POSITIVE Covid19 PCR cases. After seeing a drifting downward of new cases between late August and early September, we are experiencing large numbers of new cases similar to our dark days of April.  We are in the middle of another surge....  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Covid 19 Coronavirus September Updates- The Hard Facts on Our Progress in Orange County - CMO Covid Corner A quick visit to the archives for a new take on an old TV show… Who can you trust for Covid-19 advice? Not WHONor FDANor even the CDC blog... Just little ol' us...We're UNDERDOG! At Caduceus, we are used to being an underdog. Our entire annual revenue would possibly fit in Kaiser’s petty cash fund.  Mammoth health "systems"...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post Now Offering Covid-19 Coronavirus Diagnostic Nasal Swab Results in 48 Hours or Less - (With apologies to Messrs, Chandler, Hammett, Spade and Marlowe...) THE BIG SLEEPY SWAB  A novella in 5 acts Act 1- The Wife I have two rules. First, I don't follow any rules. Second, rules are for suckers.  It was a balmy August morning, the early morning fog hovering over my beach town - so thick it made pea soup look like Evian. The town...  read more
  • Group of medical providers in lab coats and wearing masks giving thumbs up CMO and Caduceus Covid-19 Coronavirus Team August Updates - I’m not looking to fight with youFrighten you or tighten youDrag you downChain you downOr bring you downAll I really want to doIs discuss Covid with you Ok, so we took some liberty with Mr. Dylan’s poetry.  It’s time to look at the path we have traveled the last five months.  We began Covid testing March 11,...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test NOW OFFERING ORANGE COUNTY MODERATE/HIGH COMPLEXITY COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS ANTIBODY TEST- - OK, another game....Let’s pick something "low" complexity, and then counter with the first "high" complexity thing we think of...Ready?? Low complexity........floating in your pool on a rubber raft.High complexity...taking on Class V rapids in the Grand Canyon. Got it? Easy huh? OK OK let’s do a few more... Low complexity...driving a Kia to the grocery store.High complexity...driving...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test Testing Testing 1-2-3 - COVID 19...Testing…Testing...Testing… 1-2-3     For my fellow baseball fans, this is a good time to recall the beloved Yogi Berra who told a post-game interviewer after a bad loss... "We made too many wrong mistakes." That sums up my viewpoint on our response to the Covid pandemic, both nationally and here in California. I have been purposely apolitical during the...  read more
  • Close up of hand with glove holding covid antibody test tube Covid Diagnostic and Antibody Testing Updates for Orange County - We have been pushing the mantra of-- Know if you’re contagious Know if you’re immune  Test. Test. Test.  We are all aware of the large spike in new Covid cases recently. This has created a unprecedented demand for the PCR swab test. We continue to do these curbside on a near daily basis. That will...  read more
  • Group of medical providers in lab coats and wearing masks giving thumbs up MEET YOUR ORANGE COUNTY COVID TEAM - A Message from our CMO- With movie theaters being closed, I’ve found- like many of you-the magic of Netflix. And since I do not have sports to follow, I gravitated towards sports movies.  I found that no matter what era or sport, the main characters varied little. It appears that success of a team is predicated on a...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test Covid Facts About Transmission- A Message from our CMO - In a very different era, before the Jimmies and even Jay, we had Johnny. And my favorite version of Johnny was “Carnac the Magnificent.” Carnac was a seer who, in full turban, would give the answers to a sealed question. Confused? It went something like this.... Covid-19, Al Capone, and Plaquenil.(The envelope tears open....) "Name an...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post A Word of Caution as We Reopen in California - As we reopen our cities, schools, restaurants, and theaters, we can celebrate the Covid-19 virus has finally flattened the curve, and new cases are dropping over California.  Just like the flu, the Covid virus is dying off after four months, and society can finally resume life as it was in 2019, before this worldwide nightmare began....  read more
  • Group of medical providers in lab coats and wearing masks giving thumbs up Ode to the Mask... A Message from our CMO - Ode to the Mask (with apologies to any other “Ode to the Mask” ever written) Oh my wondrous mask!You protect me from viruses unknownYou are the mightiest defense I own Oh my magnificent mask!Some accuse that you are a shamOthers say you are worse than spam Oh my beautiful mask!Sometimes you hide a smileOr show an image of teeth quite...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test Covid 19 Universal Antibody Testing - An Important Message from Our CMO  If you have been following our blogs since the Covid-19 pandemic started, you know our mantra: Test.Test.Test. If you are concerned you have Covid-19, it’s the swab. If you think you've had it, it’s the antibody blood test. For possible proof of immunity, it’s the antibody. In doing over 1,500 antibody tests over the last...  read more
  • Coronavirus molecule CMO Perspective on Covid-19 over the Last Two Months - COVID-19….the first 60 days from the Caduceus perspective.  Caduceus started testing for Covid in mid-March. We began treating patients within days and started accepting referrals in early April. Overall we have tested over 2000 patients in our three OC testing sites and have actively treated over 85 cases with a "Covid Team" approach. Approximately half have recovered; the other half...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test Antibody Testing.. Fact or Schiznick?? - Since there are no sports to entertain us, let’s play a new sport we can do from our homes....we call it “Covid FACT or SCHIZNICK??”  Ok; we COULD call it TRUE or FALSE but what fun is that? We will make a statement about Covid and you have to figure out if it is FACT..a...  read more
  • Close up of medical glove and hand holding covid antibody test COVID 19 ANTIBODY TESTING- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - Since March 1st, we have evolved— -First there was no test available for Covid 19.- Then came the nasal PCR swab PCR to show us evidence of the live virus.-And now, antibody testing has arrived.  Depending on your age, you can hear Roseanne Roseannadanna in the distance. I know a lot of you are asking, what is an antibody...  read more
  • coronavirus molecule Covid 19- Our CMO Answers Your Questions - AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER GREGG DENICOLA MD Is this the real life?  Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide; no escape from reality. Freddie Mercury did not know his lyrics would be so prophetic when he wrote them 45 years ago. He asked two very poignant questions but never really answered them,...  read more
  • Covid19 Treatment- What You Need to Know - As more of our patients test positive for COVID19, it’s a good time to look at treatment options. Caduceus is actively managing a case load of over 50 cases, all accumulated over the last three weeks. There will be more by the time you read this; we take on additional cases every day. Most are...  read more
  • COVID-19 TESTING 101 - AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER GREGG DENICOLA MD One of the most heated topics when reviewing patient feedback on our blog involves COVID-19 testing and the length of time to receive results as well as the availability of tests. We sympathize on the turn-around time complaints as we are as anxious to get...  read more
  • Black and yellow image to designate doctor blog post COVID-19 IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM OUR CMO - AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR CMO (CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER) GREGG DENICOLA MD There is a new phrase I've noticed being used regularly. It used to be when discussing travel plans and logistics, we would refer to a time frame.  “Want to plan a vacation?” Maybe in the fall!“Try the new sushi place?” Let’s go next month!“Go wine tasting?”...  read more
  • coronavirus molecule COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS LATEST UPDATES AND FAQ'S - AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER GREGG DENICOLA MD Published 3-16-2020 It is impossible to turn on TV or engage on any social media platforms without being informed about the Covid-19 crisis, thus we felt it best to use the newest update in an “FAQ format.”   Q: Are things getting better at all? How...  read more
  • coronavirus molecule COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) TESTING NOW AVAILABLE - BREAKING NEWS FOR LA/OC/RIVERSIDE county residents – Caduceus Medical Group will now be offering Coronavirus COVID-19 curbside testing and medical travel clearances. A few COVID-19 facts: • The virus is NOT slowing down. A month ago the WHO (World Health Organization) was publishing 1000 new cases a day. Two weeks ago, 2000. As of this morning,...  read more
  • coronavirus molecule Coronavirus-What You Need to Know - As Chief Medical Officer I am asked daily about advice to Caduceus patients about the Coronavirus; now called Covid-19.  Wanting to keep the advice timely and factual, it is very difficult to separate the facts from hysteria. But someone has to do it, so here are the recommendations for Caduceus patients from the CMO. First...  read more
  • Injection drawing How effective was the flu vaccine this season? - Does the flu vaccine cover A or B or both? Many patients have inquired about the efficacy of this season's flu vaccine. The flu shot designed by the CDC in cooperation with other countries covered both A and B. But because there are new strains every year, they are basically making a best hypothesis on...  read more
  • FDA proposes rule to notify women with dense breasts about increased cancer risk and imprecise mammograms - The FDA is proposing a rule for breast cancer screenings that would require doctors to give women more information about the risks associated with dense breasts.  Read the full article here. Caduceus Chief Medical Officer, Gregg DeNicola MD, shares his take for our patients. “Informing women that their amount of breast density may affect results of...  read more
  • Sign with Hormone Replacement Therapy on it Hormone replacement therapy for women- Is it right for you? - There have been many recent articles and online buzz about hormone replacement therapy for women and our Chief Medical Officer and Caduceus physician Gregg DeNicola MD wanted to weigh in on the discussion. To provide some perspective, in 2002, an extensive study of over 16,000 women supported by the National Institutes of Health, was halted...  read more
  • Sign that says food allergies surrounded by food Millions of Americans incorrectly think they have food allergies, study finds - You may have read the story recently that new research suggests Americans may be over-diagnosing themselves with food allergies. A study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open estimates that nearly 19 percent of adults think they have food allergies, but less than 11 percent actually do. Caduceus Chief Medical Officer Gregg Denicola MD adds, “I have felt this way...  read more
  • The word Allergy on top of peanuts New Peanut Allergy Drug Shows ‘Lifesaving’ Potential - Results from a new study may lead to approval of what could be the first drug that ameliorates potentially deadly reactions in children with severe peanut allergies.  Caduceus physician and Chief Medical Officer Gregg DeNicola MD weighs in, “I agree with the spirit of the article; a breakthrough and very promising, but not necessarily a...  read more
  • Medical Record Form Colorectal cancer screening? To screen or not to screen before 50? - As CMO for Caduceus Medical Group, Gregg Denicola MD agrees that colon cancer is striking at a younger age than previous years.  Especially in high-risk populations, earlier screening may be beneficial. He shares that the data that the American Cancer Society is using appears to be somewhat mixed and does not definitively show a benefit...  read more
Cute Green and Yellow Snake
Samme is the beloved mascot of Caduceus Medical Group. Caduceus Medical Group is a multi-specialty medical practice, centered around primary care. We believe in giving patients access to healthcare, and offer many specialists and diagnostic services on-site to support that belief. Samme’s favorite job is to share accurate and relevant medical information with you. Samme keeps it simple and uses a little humor now and then to get his point across.
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