Tuesday-Newsday #64

It’s time for Tuesday-Newsday! The featured blog post this week is “You Need a Rich Fantasy Life When You Live With Chronic Pain” by Sue Falkner Wood.

Let Me Know: If you’d like me to watch for articles on your pain condition, just drop me a note in the comments section below.

WARNING:  My goal is to provide the most up-to-date news I can, which you can then take to your personal doctor and debate the merits of before you try it. I do not endorse any of the docs, treatments, info, and meds in anything I post nor can I guarantee they are all effective, especially not for everyone. I always include the citation, source, or website so you know where it came from. As is the case with any health info, ALWAYS get your doctor's opinion first!

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*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

Chronic Pain Survey Seeking Patients

This study is an investigation into the role of concerns about medication, pain anxiety and self-compassion in dependence on painkillers in people with chronic pain. Click headline to take part. 

Patient Access to Critical Therapies Act (PACTA) - get your Congressional Representative to support it!

Legislation has been introducted to help end discrimination against patients who need so-called “specialty and biologic drugs,” by requiring insurers to impose the same co-payment obligations as they already do for other medications. Read more HERE and HERE

American Pain Foundation Shuts Down As Senators Launch Investigation Of Prescription Narcotics

Read opinions on APF shut down:

~Pain Foundation’s Drug Money Was A Shame, But So Is Group’s Demise
~Sad News: American Pain Foundation Closes Down

*I have to include these two stories about pain sufferers who were ignored and/or treated improperly - and both died from misdiagnosis of their pain. These stories make me so angry and sad. Pain, especially in women, seems to be taken less seriously. You can read another blogger opinion on this issue HERE.

~Woman who begged for pain treatment at 3 hospital arrested and jailed for trespassing - she died in her jail cell of a fatal blood clot 

~Woman told she had frozen shoulder for 3 years dies the day after being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer

*PAIN Rx

Ohio: Limitations on pain pills a ‘concern’ - experts say some patients may suffer

Drug Shortages Continue To Chip Away at Patient Care

Woman Jailed For Trying To Fill A Prescription

*MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

FDA Issues Warning on Controversial 'Liberation Therapy'

FDA Issues Safety Label Changes for Fingolimod (Gilenya)

Research study finds why hundreds of patients a year are misdiagnosed with MS

Vitamin D Levels Correspond to Disability in MS

Smoking Cannabis May Reduce Symptoms in MS Patients

Two MS Drugs No Better than One: Little clinical benefit seen for combining Copaxone with Avonex

*OSTEOPOROSIS

Early Menopause Tied to Osteoporosis in 29-Year Study

Certain Genetic Regions May Be Tied to Osteoporosis

FDA Still Cautious About Bisphosphonates, specifically Fosamax, Actonel and Reclast

Long-Term Bisphosphonates May Be OK for Select Patients

National Osteoporosis Foundation Responds to New England Journal of Medicine Articles Considering the Risks and Benefits of Long-Term Bisphosphonate Treatment

*FEATURED BLOG POST

You Need a Rich Fantasy Life When You Live With Chronic Pain

by Sue Falkner Wood