Lukner Medical Clinic, LLC

03/10/2026

An update on a remarkable trial from 2025, which found greater benefit with quetiapine than lithium augmentation in treatment-resistant .

In this re-analysis, quetiapine's superiority only held up for those with severe anxiety:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41762225

Despite this, both meds had similar anxiolytic effects, suggesting it may be the more severe depressions that responded better to quetiapine.

03/10/2026

UNDERSTANDING THE PATH TO DEPENDENCY: WHY EARLY CONVERSATIONS MATTER 💙

Recovery is a journey that often begins long before we realize it.

At the recent TxSUS 2026 conference, Armani Je Balderas (Rise Recovery) shared critical insights on the Stages of Dependency and the vital role families play in breaking the cycle.

Did you know the average age for first-time experimentation with substances has dropped to just 7 years old? At this age, the drive to "fit in" is incredibly strong. 🧒

THE STAGES TO WATCH FOR:

📍 Experimentation: Often driven by social pressure.

📍 Regular Use: This is the "intervention window." Look for changes in friend groups, broken curfews, or the "I’m not hurting anyone" mindset.

📍 Risky Use: When consequences (legal, financial, or professional) no longer stop the use.

📍 Dependency: The brain begins to rely on the substance just to feel "normal."

THE FAMILY FACTOR:
Many families unintentionally adopt the "what stays in the house, stays in the house" mindset. While this feels like protection, it often blocks life-saving recovery resources from entering the home. 🏠❌

Don't wait for a crisis to start the conversation. If you’re noticing these patterns in your loved ones, early intervention is the most effective tool we have. Lukner Medical Clinic is here to support your family with the resources and care needed to navigate the recovery process.

Let’s break the silence together. 🤝

DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, parenting, or psychological advice. Always seek professional guidance from a qualified healthcare provider in substance use situations.



Source:
Balderas, A. J. (March 3, 2026). Family Engagement in the Recovery Process [Conference presentation]. TxSUS 2026, Henry B. González Convention Center, San Antonio, TX, United States.

03/08/2026

Feeling like you’re running on empty? 🧠✨

At Lukner Medical Clinic, PLLC, we often see patients struggling with "brain fog" or exhaustion that a simple cup of coffee just won’t fix. Often, the culprit is a Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, brain health, and creating red blood cells. When levels drop, your body starts sending out distress signals.

🚩 Common Red Flags
* Physical: Extreme fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.
* Neurological: Tingling or numbness in hands and feet (paresthesia), or an unsteady gait.
* Visible Signs: A "beefy" red tongue (glossitis), mouth ulcers, or pale skin.
* Mental: Irritability and difficulty concentrating.

🔍 Why Does It Happen?
It’s not always just about what you eat! Common causes include:
* Dietary Choices: B12 is found mostly in animal products, so those on vegan or vegetarian diets may need to supplement.
* Absorption Issues: Conditions like Pernicious Anemia or Crohn’s disease can prevent the gut from absorbing B12.
* Medications: Long-term use of Metformin (for diabetes) or PPIs (for acid reflux) can interfere with B12 absorption.

💊 How Is It Treated?
The good news? It’s highly treatable! Depending on the cause and severity, we typically recommend:
* Oral Supplements: High-dose tablets or sublingual (under-the-tongue) drops for those who can still absorb the vitamin through the digestive tract.
* B12 Injections: For those with absorption issues or severe deficiencies, intramuscular injections bypass the gut entirely, delivering the vitamin directly into the bloodstream for faster results.

Is it time to check your levels? 🩺
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, don't wait. Give us a call at Lukner Medical Clinic, PLLC to schedule a consultation and get back to feeling like yourself!

⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

03/07/2026

HEALTH SPOTLIGHT: THE STORY YOUR TONGUE IS TELLING 👅
Does your tongue look like the one in this photo? Have you noticed "scalloped" or wavy edges along the sides?
This is often a sign of Macroglossia, which is an abnormally enlarged tongue. While it might seem like a minor quirk, it can be a signal of something much deeper happening in your body.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? 🦷
Living with an enlarged tongue is more than just uncomfortable. Our patients often describe:
* Food getting stuck behind teeth while eating.
* Difficulty chewing or "slushy" speech.
* Heavy snoring or waking up gasping for air.
* A constant ache from the tongue pressing against the teeth.

WHAT CAUSES IT? 🩺
Macroglossia can be caused by many things, including vascular issues or metabolic disorders. However, it is also a primary warning sign for Amyloidosis: a condition where abnormal proteins build up in your organs. In many cases, a scalloped tongue is the VERY FIRST symptom to appear.

WHY WE CARE AT LUKNER MEDICAL 🏥
In rural care, these symptoms are often overlooked or dismissed as "just aging." But when an enlarged tongue is combined with fatigue, swelling, or heart issues, it needs a closer look. Early detection changes everything.

WE ARE HERE TO LISTEN 💙
If you or a loved one have noticed these changes, don't ignore them. Your symptoms tell a story, and we are here to help you read it.

📍 Lukner Medical Clinic in Pampa, TX
📞 Call us: 806-329-3050
🌐 Visit: Luknermed.com

03/04/2026

"I’d been putting off scheduling my first colonoscopy. But when a family member’s screening revealed several large polyps -- clumps of cells that could turn into colon cancer over time -- I set my fears aside." 5 things to know before your colonoscopy: https://wb.md/4bjEl0w

03/02/2026

“Tens of thousands of Americans with Hepatitis C are getting liver cancer, suffering liver failure, or dying because they can't access lifesaving medicine. In our nation, no one should have to live knowing a cure for their potentially deadly disease is available, but out of reach."
— Dr. Mermin, CDC 🩺

Hepatitis C is often a "silent" virus ... until you get very sick and it’s hard to treat. Many people live with it for years without any symptoms. 🤫

The good news? A simple blood test can detect it, and modern treatments cure over 95% of cases with just a few weeks of daily medication! 💊✨

WHO SHOULD GET TESTED? 👤
The CDC recommends that every adult (18+) get tested at least once in their lifetime, and during every pregnancy.

You should prioritize a test if you:
✅ Were born between 1945 and 1965
✅ Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
✅ Have ever used IV drugs or shared equipment (even once, years ago)
✅ Are living with HIV
✅ Have a history of STDs or high-risk sexual activity

WHERE TO GET TESTED IN PAMPA 📍
Testing is fast, confidential, and available at these local providers:
🏥 Lukner Medical Clinic, PLLC
🏥 Pampa Health Department (DSHS)
🏥 Pampa Medical Group or Pampa Hospital ER
🏥 Harvester Health Clinic

Take the first step toward a healthy liver. Schedule your screening today! 🩹👋

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move the limbs and can negatively affect sleep and quality of life.

Approximately 8% of US adults experience symptoms of restless legs syndrome each year, and 3% have moderately or severely distressing symptoms at least twice weekly.

📄 This JAMA Patient Page describes restless legs syndrome and its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and management.

This JAMA Patient Page describes restless legs syndrome and its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and management.

02/21/2026

A meta-analysis of 55 longitudinal studies found that spiritual exposures, including religious service attendance, are associated with reduced risk of harmful or hazardous alcohol and other drug use.

Across more than 540 000 participants, spiritual involvement was linked to a 13% lower risk of substance use, with an 18% reduced risk among those attending religious services more than weekly.

The protective association was consistent across alcohol, to***co, ma*****na, and illicit drugs, highlighting implications for and prevention strategies in clinical and community settings.

https://ja.ma/3MlVY6t

02/07/2026

Let’s have a conversation—without judgment and without pressure. 🥂✨
Rethinking your relationship with alcohol or other substances isn't easy, but you don't have to do it alone. Your local Be Well Texas team is right here in Pampa to provide a safe, supportive space whenever you're ready to talk.
• 📞 Call us 24/7: 806-329-3050
• 📍 Visit us: Pampa Mall, 2545 Perryton Pkwy, Ste. 31
• 🌐 Learn more: BeWellTexas.org

02/06/2026

Between the Doors: The Sacred Pause of a Healer 🩺✨

Every exam room door represents a transition. Behind one, a heavy conversation just ended. Behind the next, a new story is waiting to be told.

At Lukner Medical Clinic, we believe healing is a partnership of medicine and spirit. Here is a guide for the "Threshold Moments" in your day:

THE CLOSING (Releasing the last patient)
“Lord, I place this patient in Your hands. What I could do, I have done. What I cannot do, You can. Guard what was spoken and bring healing where I cannot reach. Amen.”

THE THRESHOLD (Resetting your heart)
“New eyes. New ears. Your wisdom.” (A 6-word breath prayer to use while washing your hands).

THE OPENING (Preparing for the next patient)
“Lord, don’t let me go on autopilot. Even in the routine, let me notice what matters. Let me see the person, not just the problem.”

The Physician’s Daily Prayer:
"Where I’m skilled, keep me humble. Where I’m uncertain, keep me honest. Where I’m weary, keep me kind."

To our fellow healthcare workers: Which of these do you need today? Let us know in the comments so we can pray for you. 🙏

Lukner Medical Clinic:
Innovative, effective care.
Primary & internal medicine for adults & teens.