Tuesday-Newsday #177

Sorry for the late posting, but here at last is the newest edition of Tuesday-Newsday... well, it's actually Wednesday. The Featured Blog Posts this week are all related to starting out in the new year.

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 Okays Diclofenac Injection for Pain: Dyloject

New Opioid ‘Film’ Could Be Alternative to Hydrocodone: New formulation is absorbed inside your cheek

Fewer U.S. Teens Abusing Painkillers

Treating Neuropathic Pain With Cannabis: Pro and Con Debate at the World Congress on Pain

Legal 'E-spliff' helps relieve pain of MS and cancer patients - without the cannabis high

Common Painkillers May Help Prevent Certain Skin Cancers, Study Finds

Dosing instructions for common meds are too complicated for many patients.

*UPDATE on MENINGITIS OUTBREAK FROM CONTAMINATED Rx in 2012

Federal agents arrest 14 senior pharmacists over deadly Meningitis outbreak caused by 'filthy' drug lab that killed 64 people and sickened over 750 as part of landmark indictment

U.S. seizes $18 million from owners of pharmacy tied to meningitis outbreak

Mixed Emotions For Meningitis Victims Following NECC Arrests

*CHRONIC PAIN NEWS

New studies suggest patient descriptions of pain help in diagnosis

Apostherapy: Shoes for Pain

SAM: New ultrasound technology is helping people dealing with chronic pain

A Virtual Refuge From Real Pain

Acupuncture as effective as drugs in treating pain, trial shows

Could Your Chronic Headaches, Sleep Issues, Vision Changes, and Debilitating Pain Be Caused by Pineal Cysts?

Who Will Relieve Americans’ Pain Once the Physician Shortage Hits?

American Pain Society Releases Pain Research Agenda for the 21st Century

What is Pain Coaching?

The Chronically Ill & Disabled Parking: The harassment people with invisible diseases 

opinion: Should I Talk About My Pain?

*TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS: TMD / TMJ

TMJ NextGeneration Device Approved by FDA 

Off-label use of Botox to relieve TMJ and associated myofascial pain may threaten bone density

Laser Acupuncture Alleviates Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) Pain

NICE upgrades guidance after concluding ‘bionic jaw’ procedure is safe and effective

TMJ: An infographic

Study finds higher rates of TMD, paresthesia after third-molar removal

The TMJ Association, Ltd. website

*BACK PAIN / SPINE

Lyrica Not Effective for Lower Back Pain

Panel Rejects Sternest FDA Warning for Steroid Shots

Controlled Study Strengthens Case for Transforaminal Epidural Injections in Chronic Low Back Pain

Groups Angered Over FDA Warning on Epidural Steroid Injections

Amitriptyline beat pregabalin for chronic low back pain

Evaluating the Use of Single-entity Hydrocodone to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain

Rethinking Tylenol and Rest: Movement Is Key to Keep Back Pain at Bay, Physical Therapist Says

Canadian doctors given advice on prescribing medical pot; Guidelines say no evidence that Cannabis helps for low back pain 

Small Trial Finds Single IV Dexamethasone Dose Eases Low-Back Pain and Radiculopathy

Medical firm profited on pain with knockoff spine surgery hardware

FDA Approves First Customized Spinal Rod

Stimwave Freedom, World’s Smallest Neurostimulator, FDA Cleared for Back, Leg Pain

Neuromodulation for Back Pain

Experiences With Spinal Cord Stimulator in Patients With Chronic Neuropathic Back Pain

Insomnia can predict the appearance of back pain in adults

Smokers with new back pain less likely to recover, likely to develop chronic pain

Body Mechanics Key to Avoiding, Relieving Chronic Lower Back Pain

A single yoga pose each day may improve spine curvature for scoliosis patients

Disabling back pain increases mortality risk for older women

Spooning May Contribute to Low Back Pain

Smokers with new back pain less likely to recover, likely to develop chronic pain

What texting does to your spine

New findings will improve the sex lives of women with back pain

PACIF Procedure Targets Pain Source To Relieve Chronic Low Back Pain

Separating Spondyloarthritis From Back Pain Still Problematic

Opioid use prior to spine surgery linked to diminished patient reported outcomes

Preop Depression Tied to Lower Quality of Life After Back Surgery

Minimally invasive disc surgery is a pain in the neck

Spinal Surgery Varies by Region in U.S.: Study

New Research Offers Help for Spinal Cord Patients

3D Printed, Fashionable Back Braces Encourage Kids with Scoliosis to Wear Them

*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.

New Year: 7 wishes that I hope come true for those with health problems

by Toni Bernhard

How to Have a Happy New Year in Spite of a Life With Chronic Pain 

by Sue Faulkner Wood 

New Year’s Resolution: Celebrate the Victories

by Lana of Chronic Illness is a Journey

A New Type of New Year’s Resolution

By Linda Sapadin at PsychCentral