Tuesday-Newsday #123

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are: “Getting a Handle on Resentment (When One Partner Has a Chronic Illness)” and “How to Cope With Unsolicited Advice When You Have an Invisible Chronic Illness.”

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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*MEDICATION NEWS

FDA Approves Pure Hydrocodone Painkiller: Zohydro

FDA Wants Tighter Controls on Hydrocodone

Living with Pain: The Fallout from Rescheduling Hydrocodone

FDA Approves Lower-Dose NSAID: Zorvolex (diclofenac) 

Scorpion sting gives desert mice pain-proof superpower 

Bumps in the Road to Developing Long-Lasting, Single-Injection Nerve Blocks: A Study of Liposomal Bupivacaine Gives Encouraging—But Puzzling—Results

FDA Comissioner on Research Investment and Clearing the Hurdles to Drug Approvals

Key Safety Questions May Linger for FDA-Expedited Drugs: Study finds medications sped to market are tested on fewer patients, with additional safety studies sometimes overdue

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

Women's Chronic Pain Is More Complex, More Severe

How soothing music can help to relieve a nagging pain: Pop songs reduce agony for chronic sufferers 

Study shows mindfulness-oriented intervention may reduce chronic pain in adults

Acupuncture Stops Pain Via Brain Pathways

'Love Hormone' May Mediate Placebo Effect

NBC Investigation: Obama administration knew millions could not keep their current health insurance plans, even though the president repeatedly said that if you like your doctor & health plan, you could keep them

*MISCELLANEOUS PAIN CONDITIONS

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: Steroid Shots May Be A Temporary Fix: Three-quarters of patients still had to have surgery a year later

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: Anti-herpes virus drug treatment may benefit some CFIDS patients

COPD Patients Suffer Chronic Pain

PARKINSON'S: Study Suggests Central Cause of Pain

PARKINSON'S: Dance away the pain: Parkinson's patients improve mobility through exercise 

PHANTOM LIMB PAIN: Nerve Blocks May Be An Effective in Treatment, Pilot Study Shows

PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: Aggressive treatment addresses many symptoms of the disease and results in better outcomes

SHINGLES: QD Gabapentin Lessens After-Shingles Pain

SINUSITIS: Chronic sinusitis can lead to unbearable pain, but there is help

*RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Early May Cut Damaging Effects: Study suggests that delaying treatment leads to more joint inflammation, disability down the road

Implanted Device Controls Rheumatoid Arthritis: A nerve-stimulating electrical implant could give people a drug-free alternative to current treatments

Drug Delivery Changes Offer Convenience: Self-injected Actemra and auto-fill methotrexate syringes could make living with RA easier

A simple injection of naturally occurring hormone Prolactin could one day ease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis

New Treatment Approach Shows Sustained Remission is Possible for RA using DMARDs

Subcutenous Tocilizumab Formulation for Moderate to Severe RA Approved For Those Who Didn’t Have Sufficient Relief with DMARDs

Abatacept as effective as adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis

Weather influences RA disease activity, study finds

Fish Oil May Promote Remission In RA: The supplement shows promise when added to standard rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Worrying Can Make RA Worse: Researchers explore how stress impacts disease flares

Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps fail to help rheumatoid arthritis, research says

Gum Disease Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Genetics Play Smaller Than Expected Role in RA

Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Potential for Blood Clots: Researchers find tripled risk of leg blood clots, doubled odds of lung clots

Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Have Same Impact on Time Lost at Work: Patients gained no more benefit from higher-priced biologic drug Remicade vs. cheaper medications

Childbirth increases risk of ACPA-negative rheumatoid arthritis

Knee Replacement Often Beneficial for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Patients did as well as those with osteoarthritis, but same did not hold true for hip replacement

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment May Not Work As Well for Heavier Patients: Although more medication taken by obese patients in study, remission was less likely

Risk For Rheumatoid Arthritis Increased By Smoking

Dangerous Connection Between Rheumatoid Arthritis, Heart Disease

Certain Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs May Also Protect Patients' Hearts: Biologic drugs such as Enbrel, Humira may lower rate of heart attack, researchers say

Specialist nurses as good as doctors in managing rheumatoid arthritis patients

Rheuminations: Can You Feel Your RA Patient's Pain?

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Getting a Handle on Resentment (When One Partner Has a Chronic Illness)

by Helena at Chronic Marriage 

How to Cope With Unsolicited Advice When You Have an Invisible Chronic Illness

by Andrea Runyan

Tuesday-Newsday #122

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are: “One Migraine Patient’s efforts to ease her pain by finding any food triggers leads to unintentional malnutrition” by Kerrie Smyres and “Make Different Mistakes: A Cautionary Tale From the School of Hard Knocks” by Annie Sisk. Both these posts focus on difficult issues. Being honest about needing help can sometimes feel impossible - but it’s often exactly what we need. Please don’t miss these two important posts.

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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*MEDICATION NEWS

"Sorry, no pain pills here": Dan is blindsided at pharmacy by new New York state law when he tries to fill his script

Every illegal pill they take makes it that much harder for anyone with chronic pain to get them legally: Sandi rants about drug abuse, knowing there's no real answer 

'Chimera' Protein Could Lead to Drug Treatments for Chronic Pain

Researcher finds method to improve morphine's effect on managing pain

Weight-Loss Surgery May Add to Painkiller Dependence, Study Says: Doctors should warn patients their need for pain relief may continue

Congressional panels agree on bill to regulate drug compounding

One Senator Claims The FDA Has ‘Improper Relationship’ with Drug Makers

Natural form of Tramadol discovered in Africa

Centipede venom may fight chronic pain

Access to Opioids Different Around the World

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

UCLA to house worldwide database of brain images for chronic-pain conditions

Smokers More Sensitive to Pain

Partners of pain sufferers shoulder a heavy burden

Inflammatory Markers Elevated in Patients With Stable Pain

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Safe and Effective For Relief of Intractable Chronic Pain

Pain and gender: Men and women differ in the way they perceive and cope with pain

Future doctors unprepared to manage pain - one of the most common problems they will encounter in clinical practice, expert group warns

American Pain Society President: Budget Cuts Not Only Reason for Underfunded Pain Research

Researchers find triathletes feel less pain than the rest of us

*PATIENT NEWS

Thousands get health insurance cancellation notices due to Obamacare

Patients Made to Pay Before Seeing Doctor: Obamacare likely to accelerate the pre-payment trend as deductibles rise

High Out-of-Pocket Costs Called a Hidden 'Side Effect' of Treatment: Some doctors say it's time to discuss financial aspects with patients

Is your doctor spying on your tweets? Social media raises medical privacy questions

Poor Sleep Habits Linked With Chronic Diseases, Study Says: Too much shuteye may be even more damaging than too little

*MIGRAINE / HEADACHE

Movement & Animations in Apple’s iOS 7 Could Exacerbate Migraine Symptoms

Depression twice as likely in migraine sufferers: Study finds the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation much higher among individuals with migraine

Obesity May Increase Migraine Odds: Study found risk of painful headaches rose with body weight, especially in younger women and whites

Migraine May Change Structure of Brain

CT, MRI Overused for Headache, Study Finds

Migraine Attacks Shortened by Diamine Oxidase Supplements

Migraine Drugs Often Overused

Common Cause for Bruxism, Restless Legs, Migraine?

Alternative Medicine Often Used by Youth With Headache

Scientists discover drug that could combat migraines

Lightning Linked to Headache Onset

Study Evaluates Unmet Needs of People with Episodic Migraine

Migraines Linked to Artery Networks in Brain: Imaging showed sufferers had differences in the structure of their blood vessels

Chronic migraine sufferers have some options for relief, including Botox. But some headache experts advise caution on two surgeries intended to interfere with nerves that deliver migraine pain

Lulu Alvarado, 17, Cures Migraines With Omega Procedure: Are Electric Shocks To The Brain The Next Quick Fix?

Does migraine affect income or income affect migraine?

Migraines Last as Long in Rich as in Poor

-See the Featured Blog Posts below for an important post from a migraineur

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Note from me: 

    The first featured post is very important for all pain patients regardless of what their condition is. The writer’s effort to find relief from her debilitating pain ended up causing serious medical repercussions. Always keep your doctors updated on what you are doing on your own, even if you believe you are doing the right thing based on medical advice. We can’t always know how our individual bodies will respond, and having a constant connection to our treatment team is extremely important.

    The second post, though a different situation, has a similar thread: you have to be honest about when you need help. Don’t tell yourself that needing help means you are weak or that you’ve failed; asking for help may be the strongest thing you do for yourself and prevent you from having even bigger problems. We are all human and none of us are perfect. 

One Migraine Patient’s efforts to ease her pain by finding any food triggers leads to unintentional malnutrition

by Kerrie Smyres for Migraine.com

Make Different Mistakes: A Cautionary Tale From the School of Hard Knocks 

by Annie Sisk at PajamaProductivity.com

ALERT - Dangerous Dietary Supplement Claims to be Natural Pain Reliever

ALERT: Dangerous Pain Pills Marketed as “100% Natural Dietary Supplement” for Arthritis & Joint Pain

Mexican dietary supplement called Reumofan has gained a loyal following in the United States as a "100% natural" treatment for arthritis and joint pain. It's supposedly made by a company called Riger Natural from ingredients such as shark cartilage, white willow and glucosamine, or so the labels say.

But consumers who buy Reumofan products are risking dangerous side effects and trusting their lives to a company that uses fake addresses, lies about the ingredients in its products and may not even exist, a recent USA TODAY investigation has found.

The FDA has issued several warnings that Reumofan contains three prescription medications that can cause dangerous, possibly life-threatening, side effects. So far, the FDA has received more than 60 reports of consumers suffering adverse health events including 28 categorized as serious, seven as life-threatening and three involving deaths.

The number of people using Reumofan is difficult to determine because the product is sold by multiple sellers online, in Mexican border stores, in some U.S. shops and at flea markets.

If you are taking Reumofan:

-- The FDA recommends you consult a doctor or other health care professional immediately. Besides the direct risks of the hidden ingredients on you, they may also dangerously interact with other medications you are taking.

-- Because of the risk of a serious withdrawal syndrome and life-threatening adrenal suppression, DO NOT abruptly stop taking the supplement. Some versions of Reumofan Plus contain the corticosteroid dexamethasone, and a health professional would need to assess whether medical intervention is needed to slowly taper you off of the corticosteroid.

-- To report suspected adverse health effects from Reumofan or any other dietary supplements to the FDA, call 800-332-1088 or go to www.fda.gov/medwatch

To learn more about Reumofan, read the articles I consulted for this alert:

~Maker of dangerous pain pills is 'ghost' that can't be found

~AARP: Buying Arthritis Supplements Online? A Warning

Tuesday-Newsday #121

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are: “Illness Advocate Kelly Fricke Touches My Heart“ by Lisa Copen and “100 Ways to Reboot: A Free Download from Me to You” by Jenni Prokopy.

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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*MEDICATION NEWS

"War on prescription drugs. War on us": Dan on speaking up before pain meds are outlawed completely

Walgreens’ ‘Secret Checklist’ for Pain Meds - See an actual copy of it HERE

The Future Of Pain Management under Obamacare's Impact: “In the long term, I feel things will change significantly and for the worse,” predicts pain doctor 

Pain Meds Sold Illegally on Craigslist: Legitimate pain patients say they’re having a hard time getting opioid pain medicines, but no such problem exists on the Internet

Opioids: A Double-Edged Sword

Suboxone: The New Drug Epidemic?

Suboxone Destroyed My Teeth

Personalized Medicine Through Pharmacogenetics

Tylenol’s Risks Not Fully Understood, Poll Shows

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

ACCURATE Clinical Study Seeking Patients 

If you suffer from chronic pain affecting your lower limbs (such as the leg, foot, or groin), you may be eligible. The study is evaluating the Axium™ Neurostimulator System.

Coaching Away Chronic Pain

Paintracking Your Way Through Travel and the Holidays

Guided Imagery: A Valuable Tool for Managing Pain

Pain relief in dementia patients needs 'more skilled care'

*FIBROMYALGIA

Groundbreaking FDA Patient-Focused Meeting in December Seeks Input From Those With Fibromyalgia

Advocates pressure Oregon to cover fibromyalgia treatments

Summer edition of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE Magazine now available online 

VIDEO: Doctor's Confession to Women with Fibromyalgia

Spine Treatments Little Help in Fibromyalgia

Telomere Length Linked to Fibromyalgia Pain

Creatine No Help for Fibromyalgia

Chemicals in foods may worsen fibromyalgia symptoms

Adolescent fibromyalgia May Persist Into Adulthood, Study Shows

TENS reduces pain, fatigue, and hyperalgesia in fibromyalgia

Evidence of Nerve Damage in About Half of Fibromyalgia Patients

The Fibromyalgia Drugs Your Doctor (Probably) Knows Nothing About

Savella (Milnacipran) Effective for Long-Term Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Hypothalamic-pituitary disorders increased risk for fibromyalgia-associated symptoms

Researchers Assert Inexpensive Biomarker For Fibromyalgia Found: Immune System Implicated

Fibromyalgia Sufferers Get Significant Pain Relief From IV Lidocaine

*OSTEOPOROSIS

World Osteoporosis Day: October 20, 2013

No Sign That Vitamin D Supplements Help Aging Bones: Large data review found no effect against osteoporosis at most sites tested in healthy adults

Combo Drug Therapy May Work Best to Strengthen Bones: But osteoporosis experts say fracture resistance must also be assessed

New Method May Help Pinpoint Woman's Final Menstrual Period: Doctors could use information to start preventive treatment for bone loss

Calcium Supplements May Not Prevent Bone Loss in Women With Breast Cancer

Portable, Low-Cost Early-Warning Test for Osteoporosis

Men get osteoporosis, too -- but they probably don't know it

Osteoporosis An Increased Risk If Your Grandfather Suffered A Hip Fracture

Obesity And Osteoporosis Are Genetically Linked

How Smoking Causes Osteoporosis

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Illness Advocate (Kelly Fricke) Touches My Heart

by Lisa Copen

100 Ways to Reboot: A Free Download from Me to You

by Jenni Prokopy printed with permission