Tuesday-Newsday #161

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are “The uncertainty that the chronically ill face”, “When Chronic Illness Makes You World Weary” and “How I get by with RA: Finding what works.”

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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 * INVISIBLE ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK * 

September 8-14, 2014

This year’s theme is “Just One” 

You may be just one... but you are JUST ONE... 

of over 100 million people who are chronically ill. 

Visit the website, help spread awareness, 

read & share tweets/blogs/articles, connect with others. 

You are not alone! 

*OBAMACARE

A Doctor Reacts to Obamacare Plans

In Wake of Obamacare, Hospitals Question Charity for Some Patients Who Don’t Enroll

Hospitals Seek To Help With Obamacare Premiums

Patient advocates say insurers avoiding the sick

*MEDICATION NEWS

DEA Rescheduling Hydrocodone 

Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet or other HCP painkillers will be limited to 90-day supply and then you will have to see a doctor each time for a prescription when they need a refill

Hydrocodone limits may affect long-term-care patients: critics

New Palexia® (Tapentadol PR) Study Confirms Effective Pain Relief in Long-term Use

Fewer Painkiller Deaths in States With Medical Marijuana: Study

Smoking marijuana at 18 could leave men a third more likely to be disabled in later life

A new health issue is edging toward center stage: Drug costs

“Down the Rabbit Hole” of Chronic Pain

Some Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Affect More Than Their Targets

Treating pain by blocking the 'chili-pepper receptor'

Choose Painkillers Carefully If You Take Coumadin

New TaperRx Helps Physicians Wean Chronic Pain Patients from Complex Drug Regimens

Methadone Guidelines Focus On Primary Care

opinion: I Have Rights

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS 

Physical activity fails to show link with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Meeting Pain with Mindfulness

Pain Education Reduces Medical Costs for Back Surgery Patients

Women in Pain Survey Getting Brisk Response

How to cope with depression from disease

Chronic Illness Support Groups Transform Life for Sufferers

The Role of Spirituality in Healing: Mind & Body in Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain: The Importance of Telling Our Stories

*ARTHRITIS - GENERAL NEWS

Zorvolex (Diclofenac) Approved for Management of Osteoarthritis Pain

‘Sticky' lubricant stays in place to ease arthritis pain

Researchers are working on 92 innovative new medicines for Arthritis sufferers

New patient empowerment and educational initiatives unveiled

Hilotherapy: The 'ice machine' easing pain of arthritis sufferers

Guided Imagery Brings Real Relief: Harness the power of the mind to address arthritis symptoms like pain and anxiety.

CDC Says Those With Arthritis Face Higher Risk of Falls: Exercise, physical therapy may help by improving balance, strength and gait

Young Adults Experience Joint Pain and Don’t Do Much About It

Older Adults Feel Less Hip and Knee Pain When Moving to the Grooving

Joint Replacement Surgery Complication Rates Vary Widely

Nerve damage after hip surgery may be due to inflammation

Ankle replacement becomes more common to relieve severe arthritis pain

Success With Total Hip Replacements Is All About the Numbers

Can Epstein-Barr Cause Arthritis?

Enbrel Eases Nonradiographic Spinal Pain (axial spondyloarthritis)

Top 10 Yoga Myths Debunked for Arthritis Patients

opinion: The implications of pharmacists around the country saying they’re too busy to ensure patient safety

*ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Over half of ankylosing spondylitis patients suffer chronic pain

Lower Enbrel Dose Cuts Efficacy in Ankylosing Spondylitis 

Depression may run with opiate use in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

The uncertainty that the chronically ill face

by Toni Bernhard

When Chronic Illness Makes You World Weary

by Theresa Johnson

How I get by with RA:  Finding what works

by Jonathan Hunter for CreakyJoints

Tuesday-Newsday #160

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are “Look for a doctor who understands healing”, “Miss Understood: My Support Group” and “What's the Hidden Cause Behind YOUR Fibromyalgia Flares?”

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

Have Your Say: The Government Evidence Report On Use of Long-term Opioid Treatment of Chronic Pain is Open for Public Comment

Over 40% of Disabled Americans are on Pain Meds

Cannabis chewing gum - the latest development of medical marijuana

Risks of long-term aspirin use 'outweighed by cancer benefits'

Painkillers May Halve Risk of Breast Cancer Return in Obese Women: Experts think anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin might help cancer treatments work better

Risk of overdose or death from codeine prescriptions lower for immigrants than for people born in Canada

FDA Approves New Insomnia Drug Belsomra

Challenges ahead for Federal Drug Discount Program

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS 

4.5 Million Patients’ Data Stolen By Hackers - The Biggest Cyberattack Ever on a U.S. Healthcare Company

Expert Panel Concludes Neurostimulation Can Be Life-Changing Therapy for Chronic Pain

New clues to fibromyalgia's origins could crack the case of chronic pain

Chronic illness can be depressing, while depression makes chronic illness worse.

Small Study of 15 Patients Suggests Vegan Diet Eases Diabetic Neuropathy Pain

7th Annual Women in Pain Conference Coming up on September 12th 

The Sleep/Pain Connection (podcast)

When in Pain From an Injury, Should You Use Ice or Heat?

*FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia Drugs: Successes or Failures?

Marijuana Rated Most Effective for Treating Fibromyalgia

Access to Pain Medication Survey Results Printed in Practical Pain Management Journal

Lidocaine Injections Found to Reduce Hypersensitivity to Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients

Aerobic Exercise 'Most Effective Weapon' for Fibromyalgia

Vibration Exercise Lowers Pain and Enhances Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia Patients

The End of an Era in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Includes Cognitive Symptoms

Study Answers Question: Why Are Physicians Resistant to Accepting Fibromyalgia Patients?

Survey Results: Patient Experience with Doctors

Fibromyalgia: A New Paradigm?

Melatonin Improves Pain in Fibromyalgia, Study Finds

Various types of hydrotherapy and spa balneotherapy may be helpful for pain and quality of life of Fibro patients

Is Hyper-parathyroidism Sometimes Misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia?

10 Causes of Fibromyalgia Your Doctor Doesn't Know About

Fibromyalgia: Invisible Pain is Real Too

6 Things To Know About Mind and Body Practices for Fibromyalgia

UK Petition: Change DWP Medicals for Fibromyalgia

Effects of Milnacipran/Savella on Fatigue

The 'Body' is Back in Fibromyalgia: Small Nerve Fiber Damage Suggests the Pain Begins There

Fibromyalgia and Overlapping Conditions

How Social Security Evaluates Fibromyalgia for Disability

Fibromyalgia and Disability Claims

Disability Attorney and Nurse Discuss Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome (video)

Men and Fibromyalgia 

Meet the new Junior National Fibromyalgia Assoc. Spokesperson, 14-year-old Emma

Fibromyalgia “Is All in Your Head” and Other Abusive Nonsense

A Letter for People Who Ask You About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia HealthWatch e-newsletter

NFMCPA Voice Advocate Newsletter: July/August issue

June Newsletter from the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Assoc.

NVMCPA Monthly Newsletter

*CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS) / MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (ME)

Brain Scans Spot Possible Clues to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Inflammation may play a role, small study suggests

Toward a clearer diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

Stigma of chronic fatigue illness adds to suffering

Acupuncture Heals Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Patients with severe ME receive 'inadequate care'

Smartphone app and specialised clinic for chronic fatigue patients

Documentary: 'Perversely Dark' - Film about two people living in Norway with ME/CFS

British Doctor Wants to Rescue ME Patient Held at Danish Hospital

23-year-old Jessica takes her first steps in NINE years after being confined to bed with disabling illness

'The World of One Room': Jessica’s message of hope and a plea not to forgot those with M.E. (video)

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Even if a Featured Blog Post is written specifically with emphasis on one chronic pain condition, it may still have information and ideas which can help people with any type of chronic pain/illness. I always select posts which I think can provide help for the widest audience.

Look for a doctor who understands healing 

by Barbara Kivowitz and Roanne Weisman

Miss Understood: My Support Group

by Arlene Grau

What's the Hidden Cause Behind YOUR Fibromyalgia Flares?

by Sue Ingebretson

Tuesday-Newsday #159

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are “9 Things I Have Learned Through 20 Years of Chronic Illness”, “How do I stay on top of work while dealing with my chronic illness?” and “Things WILL Get Better.”

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

Pain Patients Can Have Good Outcomes With Long-Term Opioids

Painkiller Zohydro Sales Growing

Drug Related Suicide Attempts Soar in U.S.

NIDA Study Cites Dangers of Marijuana Use in Teens

Animal Therapy Reduces Need for Pain Meds, Study Finds

Advanced thin-film technique could deliver long-lasting medication

Researchers concerned about safety of new drugs

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS 

Study seeking women for a short online survey for feedback on issues faced by women in chronic pain

Medical labs to get new FDA oversight

For Pain Patients, the Physical and Emotional Are Intertwined

Pain Assessment Very Difficult in Deaf Patients

New Treatment Technique Iovera Works To Freeze Away Chronic Knee Pain

Meeting Pain with Mindfulness

Ask Dr. Beth: How Do I Find a Pain Psychologist?

The Startup That’s Helping a Preeminent Research University with Clinical Trials for Chronic Pain

Unspeakable pain: As many suffer in silence, a local initiative in Kansas City seeks to lift the shadows

Play An Active Role in Your Healthcare Through Clinical Trials 

Vitamin D – could it stop 'modern’ diseases such as MS, diabetes, schizophrenia and asthma?

Weight machines and stretching increase risk of lower back pain

Summer Road Trips and Back Pain

Foods that fight inflammation

*GERIATRIC PAIN

National Institute on Aging Supports Research on Pain in Older People

Importance Of Senior Pain Management

Ignoring pain can lead to problems, hasten death for elderly

Disabling back pain increases mortality risk for older women

Older Adults Feel Less Hip and Knee Pain When Moving to the Grooving

Pain Management in Dementia

*MILITARY VETERANS PAIN 

Veterans with chronic pain voice problems with VA’s new pain killer policy

Many U.S. Vets Suffer Chronic Pain, Take Narcotic Painkillers: Better pain management techniques needed, researchers say

opinion: The VA’s Pain Care Cluster

The Heartbreaking Suicide Note Left by a Navy Vet Suffering from Chronic Pain Who Killed Himself in Front of a VA Clinic

Telecare Intervention Improves Chronic Pain for VA Patients

Senator backs alternative treatments for vets' pain

Muscle and Bone Injuries, Mental Disorders Plagued U.S. Iraq War Vets

Head Injuries Tied to Higher Migraine Risk for Veterans

For troops, concussions from blast waves or impact are equally disabling

Battlefield Acupuncture; fighting the pain

Family of Iraq veteran forms nonprofit center in D.C. to research unexplained illnesses

VA rejects link between Gulf War service and cancers

New research links Iraq dust to ill soldiers

Iraq War Vet Lived to See Birth of 'Burn Pit' Registry for Ill Troops

Gulf War Illness Not in Veterans’ Heads But in Their Mitochondria

Chronic pain strongly reduced by brief PTSD therapy

Ketamine Significantly Improves PTSD Symptoms

Too Little Known About PTSD Treatments for Veterans, Experts Say: Therapies are costing federal agencies millions, but it's unclear which work best

Healing warriors by making a census of combat wounds' microbiota

Pattern of errors, sporadic review in military hospitals

Veterans Turning To American Legion For Medical Care

Operation Shifting Gears: Cycling for a Change, Encouraging, Facilitating, and Empowering Wounded Veterans

Veteran and 9-11 hero shares his chronic pain story

Two-wheel therapy comes to Segway-riding veterans in pain

Wounded Warriors find salvation in sport

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Even if a Featured Blog Post is written specifically with emphasis on one chronic pain condition, it may still have information and ideas which can help people with any type of chronic pain/illness. I always select posts which I think can provide help for the widest audience.

9 Things I Have Learned Through 20 Years of Chronic Illness

by Lisa Copen, founder of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week and Rest Ministries

How do I stay on top of work while dealing with my chronic illness? (AWAP Wednesday) 

by Jenni Prokopy, editrix of ChronicBabe

Things WILL Get Better

by Kelly Patricia 

Tuesday-Newsday #158

Time for Tuesday-Newsday! The Featured Blog Posts this week are “6 things not to do as a caregiver”, “Do You Really Want to Know How I am Feeling?” and "Two Powerful Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels." 

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

Ask the Pharmacist: Why Are Pain Patients Treated Like Criminals?
If you are denied you pain medication - the law is actually on your side

Referred pain can often be misdiagnosed

Pain Patients Blast Consumer Reports’ Opioids Story

Race Impacts Opioid Prescribing for Cancer Pain

Less Pain, Fewer Pills

Cobra Venom Relieves Chronic Pain

8 Ways to Save on Prescriptions

Swallow Large Pills Without Gagging: How To Do It With Ease

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS 

208 New Pain-Related Laws Across U.S.

Plan Ahead: 8th Annual P.A.I.N. Summit on November 14, 2014
This event offers pain education for providers, patients and their caregivers

Medicare Experiment With Pallative & Hospice Combo Could Signal Change of Care for Oldest and Sickest Americans

Study reveals brain mechanism behind chronic pain’s sapping of motivation

Aquatic rehab on a pool treadmill works injured, painful joints without stressing them

The history of pain, with UK historian Joanna Bourke

*PATIENT NEWS

IRS Caps Fines on Uninsured Americans at approx $2,450 for Individuals, $12K for Family of 5

How do you choose a good doctor? Check doctors' vitals, before they check yours

More doctors are a click away, but some say it’s not a healthy trend

Making connection between bullying, health problems

Smartphone app could simplify diagnosis of hereditary diseases

When patients wish for a miracle, tool helps medical staff say 'Amen'

New Doctors Must Pass Boot Camp First before Practicing

*FEMALE PAIN CONDITIONS

RECALL: Surgical Device for Fibroid Removal and Hysterectomy Removed from the Market for Increased Risk of Spreading Undetected Cancers

Research shows revolutionary drug Esmya shrinks fibroids could spare women hysterectomies

With flip of wrist, interventional radiologists treat uterine fibroids

MR-guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery: The ultrasound beam that could save you from a hysterectomy and painlessly zaps fibroids in just four hours

Chronic Pelvic Pain: One doctor has made it his mission to alleviate chronic pelvic pain in women

For Pelvic Pain, Use Patient-Centered Approach

New Study Proves Neogyn Significantly Helps Menopausal Women Alleviate Vulvar Pain, Improve Sex Lives

Quality of life for couples can be improved despite PVD (vulvar vestibulitis)

Women Seeking Relief from Chronic Pain from Vulvodynia Needed for Study of Effectiveness of the Drug Gabapentin

Vulvodynia Causes Painful Sex In Twice as Many Hispanic Women, Half as Many Black Women
Incidence varies by age, ethnicity and marital status; potential higher risk for women with pre-existing depression, sleep or pain disorders

Patient Pain Reduced With Vaginal Mesh or Tape Removal

Surgical mesh pain tortures woman years after surgery

Clinical trial seeking women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome

Research shows bladder pain syndrome patients show changes in gene expression

Solstice study evaluates investigational drug for moderate to severe endometriosis pain symptoms

New research provides better understanding of endometriosis

I was branded mentally ill for 20 years when all I had was bad PMT: The severe hormonal disorder Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder affects 5%t of women that many GPs have never even heard of

*FEATURED BLOG POSTS

Even if a Featured Blog Post is written specifically with emphasis on one chronic pain condition, it may still have information and ideas which can help people with any type of chronic pain/illness. I always select posts which I think can provide help for the widest audience.

6 things not to do as a caregiver

by Toni Bernhard

Do You Really Want to Know How I am Feeling?

by Jasminne Mendez

Two Powerful Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels 

by Jan Sadler of Painsupport.co.uk