Tuesday-Newsday #101

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Post this week is, “38 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Having Back Surgery,” by Stephanie Burke for Spine-Health.com. Although this article is written specifically for those who have spinal issues, the information provided could be helpful to patients who are facing any type of surgery. 

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. As is the case with any health info, ALWAYS get your doctor's opinion first!

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*MENINGITIS OUTBREAK NEWS 

Current Count: 704 Cases, 46 Deaths, Joint Infections 32
(these numbers were not updated this week because of the holiday)

Judicial Panel Centralizes Meningitis Litigation in Massachusetts

*MEDICATION NEWS

World's Most Popular Painkiller (Diclofenac) Raises Heart Attack Risk

Researchers are calling for diclofenac to be removed from national essential medicines lists and to have its global marketing authorizations revoked.

Vioxx and Diclofenac: Why Are Two Heart Risky Pain Drugs Viewed Differently?

New restrictions on painkiller prescriptions take effect Saturday in New York

Patients who take Vicodin and other painkillers containing hydrocodone will not be able to get them refilled starting Saturday unless they go to their doctor for a new prescription

Rx Drug Tracking Could Have QA Use, Review Finds

Drug REMS Falling Short

New study reveals racial disparities in prescribing opioids for chronic pain management

US report calls for global enforcement against fake drugs

Doctor pioneering the use of new painkiller for chronic pain, says it's safer (buprenorphine)

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

Chronic pain alters how DNA works in brain

The Role of Catastrophizing in Pain Care

Twelve Steps for Chronic Pain Recovery

Popstar Lady Gaga cancels tour because of chronic pain from synovitis and the need for hip sugery

Although apologetic for disappointing fans and unable to continue performing (let alone just walk), with humor she gives her wheelchair a name

*PATIENT NEWS

States worry about rate shock during shift to new health law: Even states that back Obama's healthcare law worry about a jump in some insurance premiums

What’s Really In That Vitamin D Pill?

How much will surgery cost? Good luck finding out

1 in 5 Hospital Docs Reports 'Unsafe' Workloads: Juggling too many patients increases risk of potentially dangerous medical errors, experts warn

Lessons From The Past: Dickens Used Literature To Showcase Discrimination Against The Disabled

Which Hospitals Got Rewards, Penalties Based on Quality

Life-threatening illness: To tell or not to tell?

*FOOT PAIN

Steroids Versus Botox For Painful Foot Condition, Plantar Fasciitis

An advanced virtual model of the human foot has been created by researches to drive forward improvements in treating serious injuries and illness

*PEDIATRIC PAIN

Teen told he had migraine was misdiagnosed; he was suffering a severe stroke

No Proof Drugs Ease Kids' Migraines Study Finds; And some of these meds 'are pretty nasty,' expert says

Common Painkillers Tied to Kidney Risks for Children: Study: Expert says NSAIDs are overused for treating kids with fever

Psychological Model Applied to Chronic Pain in Children

Children With Chronic Conditions Often Use Alternative Medicine

Study suggests genetic component in pain response among children

Childhood Pain Susceptibility Driven By Gene Variants

Program cuts down on unneeded scoliosis referrals

*FEATURED BLOG POST

Although this article is aimed at those with spinal issues, the information could be helpful to people with other conditions who are facing any kind of surgery:

38 Questions to Ask Your Surgeon Before Having Back Surgery

by Stephanie Burke for Spine-Health.com