Tuesday-Newsday #147

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are “Be a Better Patient: What Your Doctor Recommends When You Visit,” "Diagnosis Dilemmas” and “Helpful Things TO Say to Someone in Chronic Pain.”

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 re-advises against using extra-strength Acetaminophen

FDA Commissioner: Zohydro Won’t Increase Drug Abuse

New extended-release formulation of Hydrocodone has 24-hour analgesia, less abuse potential

Studies, Reporting Significant Reduction in Chronic Pain Via Non-Opioid Prescription Creams, to be Presented at American Pain Society Conference

Safer Alternatives to Nonsteroidal Antinflamatory (NSAID) Pain Killers

American Pain Society Publishes New Clinical Practice Guideline on Methadone Safety: Mortality Significantly Higher than Other Opioid Medications

Potential for heart attack, stroke risk seen with Marijuana use

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS   

Pain-relief procedure bill splits state parties in Minnesota

New smart phone apps help doctors manage pain patients

Chronic pain linked to vitamin D deficiency in men

Vitamin D deficiency doubles risk of chronic musculoskeletal pain

Patients' Eye Color a Clue to Pain Tolerance

Treat Car Crash Pain Early On, Lest It Linger

Laughter May Work Like Meditation in the Brain

Neuropathic and psychogenic pain contribute to chronic musculoskeletal pain

Pressure sensors to help prevent pain for amputees

Chronic Pain or an Under-reported Birth Defect?

Pain management training for doctors faces funding issues in Canada

Pain Patients in NHS Scotland wait up to two years for chronic pain treatment

Pain Patients in Canada’s national health system can wait 6 to 12 months for pain care: One man's story

*PATIENT NEWS

Docs' Medicare Pay Made Public: 'You Cannot Call a Plumber for $57'

U.S. Health Care System Has $5.6 Billion Security Problem

Misdiagnosed: Doctors' Mistakes Affect 12 Million a Year

Women Still Left Out of Medical Research: Report

A Doctor's 'People Skills' Affect Patients' Health

Doctors' Free Samples Have a Hidden Cost

Why Your Doctor Might be Wearing Google Glass

*MILITARY VETERANS

VA Medical Care Woes Extend Far Beyond Phoenix Scandal; Congressional Investigation Continues

Senators, Veterans’ Groups, Call For VA Secretary's Resignation Amid Mounting Scandals

U.S. Senate on Veterans’ Affairs examines alternatives to pain drugs for vets

Congress Says “No” To VA Doctors’ Abilities To Recommend Pot To Vets

Navy psychiatrist's acupuncture, meditation methods embraced by special operators

Air Force: Battlefield acupuncture fights pain, skepticism

Acupuncture Helping Reduce Use of Pain Killers in Army Patients

Restoring a Sense of Touch to Amputees, Easing Phantom Limb Pain

For Soldiers With Gulf War Illness, a Clue to the Mystery in Their Cells

Toxic causes of Gulf War illness confirmed: new report

Scientific panel unable to come up with singular definition for Gulf War illness

Top VA official questions use of term 'Gulf War illness': Undersecretary for benefits said name change would be 'limiting'

Clinic helps veteran wounded in Iraq cope with chronic pain

'Why Me?' Vets Face Much Higher Risk of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Inflammation May Be PTSD Risk Factor

Marijuana study in veterans with PTSD wins federal backing

Colorado rejects pot for PTSD

Pig Cells Help Injured Soldiers Recover From Lower Limb Muscle Loss

Veterans of the Burn Pits: Lungs full of toxic fumes follow soldiers home, even as the VA drags its feet

Injuries outside of combat take painful toll on veterans

Three-part PBS documentary that personalizes the experiences of returning veterans and celebrates their lives - starts May 13th

Your military medical files may be at risk

Iraq vet finds the funny in his injury

Caregivers for post-9/11 vets need more help, study finds

"More than 1 million Americans provide care and support for injured or ill Iraq and Afghanistan war-era veterans, and they often do so at great personal sacrifice, facing social isolation, income loss and poor health..."

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Be a Better Patient: What Your Doctor Recommends When You Visit

by Dr. William English and Lue English

Diagnosis Dilemmas 

by Jan Sadler of Pain Support UK

Helpful Things TO Say to Someone in Chronic Pain

by Tracy Rydzy