Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Resurrected!

This blog never really got off the ground, but I intend to change that in the coming days.

Monday, May 31, 2004

Arthritis drug may lead to heart risks, study says

The Toronto Star reports that frequent use of the COX-2 Inhibitor Vioxx can increase the risk of congestive heart failure. The headline however is misleading.

According to Dr. Arthur Bookman, chair of the medical advisory committee of the Arthritis Society Vioxx won't put anyone with a normal heart at risk.

Dr. Bookman stated:
"The worst thing that could happen is if people who are in pain and agony are throwing out these pills because they don't understand"

As I read on feeling very concerned and scared considering I can't physically function without my daily 25 mg Vioxx pill I learned that this study was exclusively using the elderly as examples. So I assume young folk like myself don't have anything to worry about....yet. We of course have no idea what the long term affects of Vioxx is. I wouldn't even need it if my damn HMO would approve me for Remicade already. I had my blood work done this past week and everything was copasetic except my CRP (which measures inflammation in the blood) was off the charts and higher than it's ever been. Normally, this would upset me but the fact that my CRP was so high will only help me the obtain the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow (Remicade).

I am going to add a "pain-o-meter" to the side bar in the coming days. I haven't done anything to promote this blog yet so if you are reading this please feel free to leave a message!


Oh how exciting. The Hindustan times reports that there is a cure for Arthritis. I'll be first in line!

Saturday, May 15, 2004

Brushing your teeth with Arthritis

Thankfully, my inflammation is in my left hand and not my right. I have gotten quite used to not using my left hand for opening doors, bottles and not carrying heavy shopping bags. Up until now brushing my teeth hasn't been a problem. I'll keep this in mind if my condition worsens.

Stanford offers online study

Stanford University's School of Medicine is accepting applicants for a six week study of self-management among sufferers of osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, degenerative arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to the Stanford website:

Your workshop will be facilitated by two trained moderators, one or both of whom also have arthritis like you. Workshop topics include pain management, exercise, healthy eating, medication use, communication skills, dealing with difficult emotions, treatment decisions, sleep, and problem-solving. You will also share your experiences with your classmates and moderators online, and have an opportunity to both receive and give suggestions and support.

The program includes:

- Techniques to deal with pain, fatigue, frustration and isolation;
- Exercises for impoving strength, flexibility and endurance;
- Appropriate use of medications;
- Making informed treatment decisions.

Unfortunately, I have psoriatic arthritis and the study is only open to US residents so I don't qualify. It sounds like an interesting study that can be beneficial to those who participate in it. I have seen three Rheumotologists - two of which who are the best in the country - and I found while their medical advice is top notch, there is definately a lack of guidance on how to manage my life with arthritis. I find that all the advice I find on the web to be confusing and a bit overwhelming. I know I don't take care of myself as much as I should (and could)but then again, I'm not sure where to begin.

Welcome to Arthritis Blog

Greetings and welcome to Arthitis blog.

I was motivated to start this blog when I noticed their was a niche to be filled in the blogosphere. Although there are a tremendous amount of Arthritis news sites on the web there was not a weblog that combined real life experience of someone suffering from arthritis with up to date news. I hope to fill that niche. I am 29 years old and was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis about three years ago after being misdiagnosed with everything from stress fractures in my foot to tendonitis. It's been a hard couple of years of trying an absurd amount of medications to deal with both the pain and the progression of the disease.

My goal for this blog is to chronicle my day to day struggles with my disability, detail my personal experiences with the medications I take, discuss alternative therapies and provide the latest news about arthritis with a healthy dose of sardonic wit and witty banter.