Tuesday-Newsday #92

It’s time for Tuesday-Newsday! The featured blog post this week is “Lessons Surviving Sandy - surviving a disaster with a chronic illness", by Daniel Malito of CreakyJoints.org.

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 from the CDC: 510 Cases, 36 Deaths, 14 Joint Infections

NEW ALERT: The CDC reports an increase in infections among outbreak patients, both those who have already been diagnosed with fungal meningitis and those who haven't 

If you are one of the patients who was notified of being exposed during the meningitis outbreak, please read this story for details that you need to know.

FDA took 684 days to warn compounding center tied to meningitis outbreak

Meningitis Plaintiffs Ask Judge to Freeze $500M in Steroid-Maker's Assets

Defense lawyers of pharmacy owners say they had no hand in meningitis outbreak

*MEDICATION NEWS

Don’t eat Grapefruit when you take your Medication: Rx drugs that interact badly with it have more than doubled in 4 years

Discontinued Meds May Still Get Dispensed: Doctors sometimes fail to inform pharmacists when patients stop taking a drug - better communication needed

Insurers May Hold Back Medical Marijuana Use

Pain Patients in Canada: Federal health minister won’t block generic OxyContin from being sold

*PATIENT NEWS

'E-Medicine' May Not Be Cost Saver After All, Study Says: Patients with online access to medical records made more office visits

Many Doctors Unaware of Patients’ Use of Supplements

New Study Examines How Health Affects Happiness

Concern over 'souped up' human race: Medicine and technology can enhance the way our minds function, but at what cost?

Medications for Treating a Common Infection Are Losing Effectiveness

*MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America's Launches Mobile Phone App for the MS Community to help them better manage their illness

Improving Memory In Multiple Sclerosis

Month of Birth Might Help Determine MS Risk: Mothers who get too little sunlight produce less vitamin D, which could impact baby's lifetime risk

Vitamin D in Pregnancy May Be Key to Women's Risk for MS: Taking supplements might be good preventive measure, expert says

MS Progression Time Predicts Disability

Multiple sclerosis study uses nanoparticles to stop immune system from attacking

*FIBROMYALGIA 

Caffeine Intake, Fibro Pain Severity Linked

Lyrica Shows Promise as Daily Treatment for Fibromyalgia

The Profusion of Fibromyalgia Therapies Studied

Possible New Medications in Development for FM

Pain Regulation Goes Awry in Fibromyalgia

Social Security Ruling, SSR 12-2p; Titles II and XVI: Evaluation of Fibromyalgia 

QiGong Improves Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Two Case Reports

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE magazine

The Nov/Dec 2012 issue includes the following feature stories: 

     * COVER STORY:  New Considerations for Lab Tests in FM 

     *  But You Don't Look Sick! 

     *  FibroTrack--Reducing Symptoms   

     * Tips for Parents of Children with Chronic Pain or FM

     * TMJ and FM

     * Research Update: Cervical Spinal Abnormalities & FM  

     * and more

*FEATURED BLOG POST

Lessons Surviving Sandy - surviving a disaster with a chronic illness from one man’s perspective

by Daniel Malito of CreakyJoints.org

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I'm going to be in-and-out of town, so I won't be able to write anything new this weekend. Instead I'm going to share a couple of links to brighten your holiday.

I really had fun writing my Thanksgiving post last year; if you weren't following my blog then, I wanted to share the humor again. It still makes me chuckle! Just click on the title to connect to the post:

~ Thanksgiving: Using Life’s Ingredients To Make Our Feast ~ 

And just for a little additional fun, I have a couple more amusements to share. If you are planning to cook today, let me warn you not to make this dish!: Fried Gnocchi. When you click the link and watch the video, all the fun starts at about one minute in - and be prepared for the funniest laugh you've ever heard from a chef!

And in the spirit of the holiday, here's a cute & funny history lesson from Cats giving thanks for Thanksgiving.

On this special day, I give thanks to all of you who read my blog and give me a purpose and place to education & inspire those with chronic pain. I truly hope that I have helped each of you in some small way.

Many blessings to you as we start out the holiday season!

© Mkolodziejski | Stock Free Images &Dreamstime Stock Photos

Tuesday-Newsday #91

It’s time for Tuesday-Newsday! For this special holiday week, I’ve chosen two Featured Blog Posts to share: 1.) Head-Off Holiday Stress by Educating Loved-Ones About Your Health Limitations by Toni Bernhard, and 2.) Thanksgiving: Are You Really Truly Grateful? Prove It! by Jinny Ditzler

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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*UPDATE ON MENINGITIS OUTBREAK*

Current Count from the CDC: 490 Cases, 34 Deaths, 12 Joint Infections

Pharmacy owner refuses to testify about fungal outbreak in Congressional hearing

FDA to Congress: Fungal meningitis outbreak could happen again

Meningitis Deaths Stir a Dispute in Congress on Powers of FDA

Critics say Medicare may promote risky drug compounding which resulted in Meningitis Outbreak

*MEDICATION NEWS

Compounding Pharmacists Oppose More Regulations, Even After the Meningitis Outbreak

Acetaminophen Needs Better Labeling

Abuse rates of reformulated opioid Oxycodone are significantly lower than for the original formulation

Stock price soars for small Calif. company trying develop vending machines for medical marijuana

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

An end to the agony: Drug companies and doctors are starting to tackle pain not as a symptom but as an ailment in its own right

The teenage children of parents who suffer chronic pain are at higher risk of suffering pain themselves

Blogging helps chronic pain patients feel less isolated

Brain White Matter Structure May Predict Chronic Pain Vulnerability 

One man feels no pain, and another man always does: Why pain is a necessity for us

By understanding what has gone wrong in them scientists are starting to unravel the complexities of the relationship between the hard-wiring of our pain circuits and the influence of our brains in experiencing and processing pain.

The Hazards of Growing Up Painlessly: The story of the girl who cannot feel pain

(video) Living with Chronic Pain: Some people look healthy on the outside, but inside they're suffering from crippling pain. Why is it so hard to get help and acceptance?

*PATIENT NEWS

Protect yourself from medical identity theft

An impostor who steals your medical information and uses your identity to get healthcare could pose more than one type of problem. Read this article to find precautions and strategies to protect yourself.

Medical studies with striking results often prove false when others try to replicate them

Patient treatment preferences 'often misdiagnosed': Doctors are failing to really listen to patients' views on how they want to be treated

*MILITARY VETERANS and PAIN

Increasing number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer spinal pain

Troops transitioning out not always getting prompt pain and psychiatric meds

Soldiers receive alternative pain management

Pianist Teaches Veterans How to Play Instruments for Therapy for Pain, Depression

War vets find solace in four-legged friends

*LYME DISEASE

Guidance For Retreatment Of Lyme Disease May Be Flawed

Lyme Rash Reappearance Probably Signals New Infection: It's even more likely when bull's-eye rash shows up on different part of body

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Head-Off Holiday Stress by Educating Loved-Ones About Your Health Limitations

by Toni Bernhard 

Thanksgiving: Are You Really Truly Grateful? Prove It!

by Jinny Ditzler

The Holidays are Coming ... Pull up your Socks!

If you’ve been reading my blog posts recently, you can tell that I’ve been struggling with a lot in my life lately. Medical stuff, family stuff, pain of course - it feels overwhelming and it’s been difficult to follow my own advice to live in Brave Hopefulness. I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving will be here next week! The holidays are coming up like a freight train and I’m just not feeling festive.

I realize, however, that it’s not up to the holidays to make me feel good. I can’t depend on the decorations, the treats, the cards, the parties, the food, or the gifts to change the way I’m feeling. I’ve got to release the negativity, get off the “pity pot”, and as a dear friend from New Zealand used to say if someone was whiny and resistant to doing something: “Just pull up your socks & get it in gear!”

“We should give meaning to life, not wait for life to give us meaning.”

~unknown

With all the natural disasters, like Hurricane Sandy, and all the crises in the world, my problems are so tiny by comparison. It’s sounds trite and simplistic to say these things, but they really are so true. Why is it always easier to see the bad things, to fixate on them and let them take over our minds? When I start getting depressed and negative, I need to stop myself and counter those thoughts with positive ones. If I can dig deep and find just an ounce of positivity, then the holiday cheer can find a way in... but I have to be willing to receive it.

It sounds like a lot of work. Why does it have to be so hard to embrace our blessings and see the good things in life? It’s all up to us. We have to push aside the negative and let the positive flow into and out from ourselves. This Thanksgiving, if you’ve been feeling the same way I have, try to reach just a little deeper within yourself and “pull up your socks!” 

Holiday Note: 

Time again for white elephants ... Last year, I wrote a post about our church Holiday Bazaar, which I thought I would share it again since it returns today. 
Just click here:  Seeking the Perfect Gift among the White Elephants

Tuesday-Newsday #90

It’s time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Post this week is "Take the Pressure Off" by Jan Sadler, from the PainSupportUK Newsletter.

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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*FDA and CDC ALERT: UPDATE ON MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

Current Count: 438 cases, 32 deaths, 10 joint infections

Pace of Outbreak Begins to Slow

Federal inspectors find a multitude of problems at Ameridose, a major hospital drug supplier

Meningitis Risk at the Pharmacy Involved in the Outbreak Was Known by FDA in 2002

Risk Factors Emerge in Outbreak: Why some patients became ill and other did not

Meningitis: FDA Warns of 'Light Therapy' Claims

More die in fungal meningitis outbreak; state pharmacy chief fired

Fungal meningitis victim hopes Congress hears: 'It's torturous'

*MEDICATION NEWS

Testing pain killers on humans could save money and speed the arrival of new drugs

Connection Between Popular Pain Relievers and Bladder Cancer

Marijuana Use May Lead to Schizophrenia

New Research Sheds Light on Opioid Resistance

The Great Opioid Debate: PROP vs. PROMPT

Should the reins be tightened on the use of long-term opioid therapy for patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP)? Two physicians’ organizations debate the controversy

opinion: Wrong People Being Targeted in the War on Drugs

*OSTEOARTHRITIS

People With Type 2 Diabetes More Likely to Get Severe OA

Arthritis pain can turn up in surprising places: New research suggests that early treatment can help prevent arthritis pain from spreading through the body

Pursuing an Active Life With Arthritis

Game changer for arthritis and anti-fibrosis drugs: Discovery shows medications can treat inflammation without increasing risk for infection

Anti-TNF Therapy Fails to Relieve Pain Caused by Hand Osteoarthritis, Study Suggests

Expensive Arthritis Drug Works No Better than Steroid, Study of Thumb Arthritis Found

Clots Following Joint Replacement Surgery Prevented By Aspirin

Topical NSAIDs May Be a Better Choice for Elderly With OA

Knee and Hip Replacements Linked to Heart Attacks: Older Age, Recent Heart Attacks Increased the Risks Associated With Joint Replacement Surgeries

Arthritis Today tools to help manage your arthritis better

Stryker Recalls Hip Implants

The New Hip Replacement: Modular Dual Mobility (MDM)

Hip Resurfacing More Likely to Fail Than Hip Replacement: Women in particular had worse outcome

Drug Slows Knee Osteoarthritis Progression (strontium ranelate)

How to Stand Up to Knee Pain

Exercise Can Help Knee Pain if You Stick With It: Arthritis Patients Who Exercised Regularly Had the Best Results

Are Knee Injuries Tied to Menstrual Cycle? Researchers say monthly hormonal changes may contribute to ACL tears, chronic pain

Injections for Knee Pain: Ineffective, Harmful?

Lack of vitamin D contributes to pain in black Americans with knee osteoarthritis

Consumption of weekly soft drinks progresses knee osteoarthritis in men

Intra-articular Pain Pumps and Anesthetics Are Linked to Poor Results in Knee Cases

Topical Pain Reliever Significantly Reduces Pain During Functional Activities in Knee Osteoarthritis (Biofreeze®)

Timing of Rehabilitation After Total Knee Replacement Surgery May Hurt Patients’ Ability to Regain and Improve Function

Lower Income Patients Fare Better Than Wealthier After Knee Replacement

Anesthesia type affects outcomes of bilateral knee replacement surgery

Improvement Needed In Patient Selection For Bilateral Total Knee Replacement

*FEATURED BLOG POST

Take the Pressure Off 

by Jan Sadler, from the PainSupportUK Newsletter

Autumn Brings Change

The weather in our area has taken that big dip from summer hot to autumn chilly. That seasonal change was very noticeable today as I dealt with a broken furnance; though it’s certainly not freezing where I live, I’m just so sensitive to cold and it aggravates my pain. It’s certainly undeniable that autumn is here in full force with all the changes it brings. So here I am, bundled up in my wooly bathrobe with a warm cat on my lap and a hot cup of tea in hand, browsing through some of my books and waiting for the furnace repair person. 

There has certainly been a lot of change in my life recently and not all of it is good. However, addressing my recent health setbacks instead of ignoring them is helping me to put in place plan which will hopefully lead to less pain. 

I now realize even bad changes can ultimately lead us to something positive. As I was thumbing through a book of poems, I found one which spoke to me on this subject. I hope you’ll also feel that connection as you watch the autumn leaves falling outside your own window today.

From Every Change in Life

You Can Learn Something Important

In every change 

that you experience in life,

there will be times when

you’ll wonder if you can endure.

But you’ll learn that facing 

each difficulty one by one

isn’t so hard.

It’s when you don’t deal 

with a situation 

that it sometimes comes back

to confront you again.

Changes are sometimes very painful,

but they teach us

that we can endure

and that we can become stronger.

Everything that comes into your life 

has a purpose,

but the outcome is in your hands

by the action you take.

Be wise with your life,

be willing to endure,

and always be willing

to face life’s challenges.

~by Sherrie L. Householder

from the collection of poems entitled, “Life Can Be Hard Sometimes... but It’s Going to Be Okay” edited by Susan Polis Schutz

Harvest Time: These pumpkins were grown
in the garden of a family friend.
The large orange one weighs 862 pounds!

Tuesday-Newsday #89

It’s time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Post this week is “I Spy With My Little Eye a Life of 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. As is the case with any health info, ALWAYS get your doctor's opinion first!

====++++====++++====++++====++++====++++===

*FDA and CDC ALERT: UPDATE ON MENINGITIS OUTBREAK

Current Count: 419 Cases, 30 Deaths, 10 Joint Infections

Spine Infections Hit Fungal Meningitis Survivors: Dangerous 2nd Infection Adds New Concerns

Congress to hold hearings on meningitis outbreak

New Legislation in Congress Would Give FDA More Authority Over Compounding Pharmacies

FDA: More Tainted Products at Firm Tied to Meningitis Outbreak

More Drug Shortages in Fungal Meningitis Aftermath

*MEDICATION NEWS

Prescription Painkillers not as addictive as feared; Study finds that concerns about the risk of becoming addicted might be "overblown"

The DEA’s War on Pain Patients Reaches California

Should specialized nurses be allowed to diagnose and treat pain patients? Reaction is mixed

 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have decided to allow Medicare funds to be used to pay certified registered nurse anesthetists to diagnose and treat chronic pain patients. The American Society of Anesthesiologists is outraged and warns this will jeopardize patient safety and increase the risk of fraud. Nurse Anesthetists applaud the ruling.

The Prescription Drug Shortage Dilemma

In 2012 we're in the midst of a different kind of drug war, fighting to get the ones many people need. 

     ~ Why do we have The Problem?

     ~ How is it affecting The Patients?

     ~ What is the answer to Prevention?

     ~ To find out if a drug you take is in short supply or if it has become available again you can visit this website and also a second website here

*MIGRAINES and HEADACHES

Hurting for migraine relief? How to time treatment

Migraine Sufferers Find Relief From Handheld Magnetic Device

Painkillers 'are the cause' of millions of headaches

St. Jude Medical's Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Study Confirms Benefit For Chronic Migraine Patients

All Acute Antimigraine Drugs Protect Against Chronic Migraine

Woman's 20-year headache finally gets a diagnosis: Hemicrania continua

A Sumatriptan Iontophoretic Transdermal System for the Acute Treatment of Migraine

Frovatriptan Shown Advantageous in Menstrual Migraine

Migraine In Kids Linked To Poor School Performance

CAM for Headache & Migraine Reviewed

100th issue of HeadWay newsletter

*FEMALE PAIN CONDITIONS

The National Vulvodynia Association is seeking patients to take a short online survey

Patients Sought for Study of New Drug to Reduce Pain and Symptoms of Endometriosis

New Device Dramatically Reduces Pain in Chronic Pelvic Pain and Interstitial Cystitis Patients, Finds Clinical Study Presented to the International Pelvic Pain Society

Cranberries of Little Help in Preventing UTI

Antibiotic Resistance Increasing With Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Overtreating UTIs: Walk Softly and Carry a Dipstick

Persistence Is Key to Treating Vaginal Pain

Continuously Taking Birth Control Pills Lowers Pain During Menstrual Cycles

Women with severe endometriosis may be more attractive

Scientists Uncover Genetic Link for Uterine Fibroids

Unique Uterine Fibroid Treatment

*FEATURED BLOG POST

I Spy With My Little Eye a Life of Chronic Pain

by Sue Falkner-Wood

Turn Your Attitude Around with Brave Hopefullness

Lately my life has been more hectic than usual and it doesn’t look to be settling down anytime soon. Higher stress levels always lead to higher pain levels, and I  admit I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself. However, something happened this week to turn my attitude around. Two good friends got some very bad news: one of them was diagnosed with breast cancer and the other, who has battled cancer through five recurrences, has developed a severe infection and is back in the hospital. I’m so amazed at how they are each handling their devastating news. Both are positive, upbeat, and facing their respective situations with a peacefulness drawn from their faith. 

It’s very humbling to listen to them, and I can truly see they are not just putting on a front but honestly feeling the way they say they do. I don’t know if I could be so optimistic in their place. It makes me realize that despite my many health issues and normal everyday problems, my life is filled with myriad blessings and I need to focus on how fortunate I am.

“Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, 

and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning 

if it were not balanced by sadness. 

It is far better to take things as they come along 

with patience and equanimity.”

~Carl Jung

In your life, it may feel like you are buried in total chaos and overwhelming difficulties. However, there are always things to be thankful for, and it can be helpful to stop and really reflect on all the positives around you. You still have to deal with all the difficulties, but they can be faced with a greater sense of acceptance when you realize a myopic view of your life as being “bad” is what’s keeping your glass half empty instead of perceiving it as half full.

Life can be tough but sometimes we are our own worst enemies by allowing fear, stress, worry, anger, negativity, etc. to shut us down. It’s harder to stand up, hold tight to what is important to us, and forge ahead using hope as a shield and wearing our heart on our sleeve. It’s not that we have any more to lose, but revealing our brave hopefulness to everyone - and especially to ourselves - just seems so much scarier.

I greatly admire how my two friends are facing their adversity, and I hope I can learn from their example that reaching toward optimism will help me get through anything. I send my love & prayers to both of them for healing and a quick recovery.