Services For People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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To accompany the Services for people with rheumatoid arthritis report, the NAO has produced a DVD with patient stories covering the themes in the report. The videos from this DVD are available below.

Introduction (2:09)
Symptoms (3:31)
Presentation to GP and Referral (6:05)
Diagnosis (4:47)
Impact on Life (5:42)
Awareness and Reaction of Family and Friends (2:40)
Self Management (3:41)
Working with Rheumatoid Arthritis (4:58)
Support and Information (4:45)

The full report, together with a transcript of this video, is available at http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/rheumatoid_arthritis.aspx.

Thanks to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) for sharing this information on their Facebook page. Some of the individuals who appear in this video are NRAS volunteers!

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FDA: Arthritis Drugs Pose Cancer Risk To Children

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WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Tuesday added stronger warnings to a group of best-selling drugs used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, saying they can increase the risk of cancer in children and adolescents.

After more than a year of review, Food and Drug Administration scientists said the drugs appear to increase the risk of cancer after they are used beyond 2 1/2 years. The agency studied several dozen reports of cancer in children taking the drugs, some of which were fatal. Half of the cases were lymphomas, a cancer that attacks the immune system.

Read More: The New York Times Article

The drugs which will carry a bolstered “black box” warning include: Humira, Remicade, Simponi, Enbrel, and Cimizia.

A few weeks back I wrote about the biologics exclusivity legislation that is currently moving through the U.S. Congress: The Battle Over Biologics.

Articles like the one shown above are yet one more reason to support Rep. Henry Waxman’s H.R. 1427: Promoting Innovation and Access to Life Saving Medicine Act. This legislation specifically calls for additional testing anytime a biologic response modifier drug is introduced for pediatric use.

The other version of this bill by Rep. Anna Eshoo, which benefits the biotech industry more than the consumer, continues to move forward. Just last week the House Energy and Commerce Committe voted 47-11 to grant the biotech industry the 12 year exclusivity period which they are seeking. Plus, Eshoo’s legislation actually allows for the following types of testing to be waived: analytical studies, animal studies, and clinical studies.

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What A Wonderful World

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Louis Armstrong was born on August 4th. Be sure to listen to “What a Wonderful World” – I don’t think this song can be listened to enough times!

Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer.

Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an innovative cornet and trumpet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence on jazz, shifting the music’s focus from collective improvisation to solo performers. With his distinctive gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also greatly skilled at scat singing, or wordless vocalizing.

Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and deep, instantly recognizable voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong’s influence extended well beyond jazz, and by the end of his career in the ’60s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general: critic Steve Leggett describes Armstrong as “perhaps the most important American musician of the 20th century.” Flea once proclaimed that “Louis Armstrong was probably the greatest musician that ever lived…one note implies that if he wanted to he could play ten billion notes, but just one simple note is a beautiful thing.”

Read more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong.

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NRAS Chief Executive And Ankle Replacement Surgery

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Me and my operation: I was in agony  – so they sawed off my ankles and gave me new ones

Hip and knee replacements are among the most commonly performed operations in Britain. Now patients are being offered ankle replacement, too. Ailsa Bosworth, 60, chief executive of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, was one of the first to benefit. She talks to LUCY ELKINS.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1204066/Me-operation-I-agony–sawed-ankles-gave-new-ones.html#ixzz0NDFT0wUu

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Surgery Fast Approaching – Need Your Help!

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In 32 days I will be having the much anticipated, life-changing surgery.

Through your generosity we have come far in the fundraising – to over $4100! However, there is more ground to cover.

I am shamelessly asking you all today to dig deep, and for everyone to reach out to your friends, families, anyone you know who may have a few dollars to give. All you need to do is forward them the site URL…

http://newkneesforlisa.blogspot.com

THANK YOU for what you’ve done. I hope that your actions will result in the world blessing you one thousand times over. I know I will do my best in the future to “pay it forward” in order to show my appreciation for how you all have helped me.

Sincerely,
Lisa

RA Guy wishes Lisa the best in raising the remaining funds for her upcoming knee surgery!

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