Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplet Recall!

Check your Tylenol Arthritis Pain bottles now!  The 100-count caplet bottles with the red EZ-Open cap have been recalled voluntarily by the FDA  and McNeil Consumer Healthcare due to an unusual odor and related nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. 

This recall is an expansion of a recall from November 2009.  The original recall only included 5 lots of Tylenol Arthritis Pain 100-count bottles.  The expanded recall now includes all available lots.

Read the press release for further details and specific lot numbers affected: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm195690.htm

Information from Tylenol website: http://www.tylenol.com/page2.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subp_tar_recall.inc

New Talk Show for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis!

Today is the start of a new online talk show called New Way RA.  The New Way RA program is a well-rounded and informative show for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  It not only focuses on medical treatment and diagnosis, but also includes relevant information on nutrition, fitness, workplace and career issues, relationship issues, etc. 

New Way RA is hosted by Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition, who has a personal connection with rheumatoid arthritis.  Throughout the program, Deborah Norville interviews experts on various topics. 

Here’s an introduction clip of the new show:

The experts in the first program include:

• W. Hayes Wilson, M.D., Chief, Division of Rheumatology at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia
• Laurie Ferguson, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Education at the advocacy organization CreakyJoints
• Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D., Food Network host of Healthy Appetite, registered dietitian and author
• Rosalind Joffe, a nationally recognized chronic illness career coach
• Ellen Shmueli, a certified fitness instructor

The first New Way RA show discusses 1) the importance of taking charge of your health and two-way communication with a doctor, 2) the effect of RA on relationships with advice on how to take charge, build a support network and live with intention, 3) simple meal considerations and recipes that demonstrate how small changes in the kitchen can positively affect overall health, 4) how work or career can be possible despite a diagnosis of RA, and 5) demonstration of several RA-friendly exercises.

In between the different segments, you will see perspectives from real people with rheumatoid arthritis.  People just like you.

I like New Way RA because it focuses on various aspects of our lives with rheumatoid arthritis instead of just providing medical information.  Check it out and see for yourself!

To view the show with all of the helpful tips and recipes, you will need to register at NewWayRA.com first.  Then you will have access to all of the features. 

The program is sponsored by Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.  Kudos for bringing attention to this chronic disease and providing information to help manage it!

Let’s hear your feedback about the new show.  Did you identify with it?  Did you learn something new?  Would you like to see more episodes?  What did you like best?  Leave us a comment to share your thoughts.

ArthriticJoints.com is on Facebook!

ArthriticJoints.com now has a fan page on Facebook!  Let us know that you are a fan and tell us what is important to you.  We want to hear from you! 

Let us know how you feel about your arthritis.  What kind of tips are you looking for?  Are you looking for information?  Do you have an arthritis-related problem that you cannot solve?  Are you an advocate for arthritis?  Do you want to share your story? Just want to be notified of new posts on ArthriticJoints.com?

We are here to help in any way we can.  Look forward to meeting you on Facebook!

FDA Approves New Ankle Replacement!

It’s time to do your happy dance if you have arthritic ankles desperately in need of surgical intervention!  Here’s why.  On May 27, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) System.

The STAR system is different from other total ankle replacements in that it may keep some range of motion in the joint.  According to the FDA release, “The new prosthesis is a mobile-bearing device, which relies on bearings that move across a surface of polyethylene, a flexible plastic. The device is the first of its type.”

The STAR system has been through clinical trials here in the U.S. and has been used in other countries.  According to Small Bone Innovations, Inc., the owner of the STAR system, “the S.T.A.R. Ankle has a 30 year development history” and “is designed to mimic normal ankle movement and function through its three functional components.”

So, congratulations to Small Bone Innovations, Inc. and to all the people that will have a better quality of life because of it!

Warning: Stop Using Hydroxycut Products Now!

We know that having arthritis makes it difficult to work out or lose weight.  If you have been taking Hyrdroxycut to help you lose weight, stop now! 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)is warning consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products immediately.  According to the FDA, “some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries.”  There have been reports of one death due to liver failure, the need for liver transplants and other health problems.

Iovate Health Scienceshas agreed to recall their Hydroxycut products.  The following Hydroxycut products are included in the recall:

• Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
• Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
• Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
• Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
• Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
• Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
• Hydroxycut 24
• Hydroxycut Carb Control
• Hydroxycut Natural

Not all Hydroxycut products are being recalled.  However, if you have been taking any of the Hydroxycut products in the recall listed above, stop taking them and return them to the place of purchase or throw them away.

For more information regarding the recall, see today’s FDA announcement and information from Iovate Health Sciences.

New Drug Approved for Some Types of Arthritis

Great news! The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new drug for three types of arthritis. 

If you have moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis, this drug may be for you.

The drug is called ”Simponi” (golimumab) and is a product from Centocor Ortho Biotech (the same company that produces Remicade).  Simponi is a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) blocker.  The best news is that it is a monthly injectable treatment for adults.  Not weekly or biweekly…MONTHLY!

Other TNF-a blockers currently on the market are Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab).  Enbrel is a weekly injectable; whereas Humira is injected every other week.  Remicade is an infusion treatment.  Timing of infusions varies depending on type of arthritis.

If you have moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis or active ankylosing spondylitis, check with your rheumatologist to see if this drug may a good treatment option for you.

For more information about the approval announcement, see the FDA press release.

Rubber Fitness Ball Users Beware!

If you manage your arthritis by exercising with a fitness ball, please use caution.  On April 16, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of rubber fitness balls due to a “fall hazard”.

The brands affected are Bally Total Fitness, Everlast, Valeo and Body Fit Fitness Balls.  The recall applies to the 55, 65 and 75 cm in diameter rubber balls. 

The hazard is associated with the fitness balls being over inflated.  If the ball is over inflated, it may burst causing the user to fall and possibly sustain injury.

Valeo has already released the revised inflation instructions for their fitness ball.  If you have one of the other affected fitness balls, please contact the manufacturer, EB Brands for updated inflation instructions.

Want to Save Money on Arthritis-Related Products?

Individuals with arthritis need arthritis-related products from time to time, but we also want or need to save money nowadays.  ArthriticJoints.com now has a Special Offers page to help you save money on the products you may need! 

When we come across sales, discounts, electronic coupons, coupon codes or rebates for arthritis-related products, we will post them on the Special Offers page.  The offers are from various manufacturers and stores.

We look for discounts on arthritis-related books, aids, assistive devices, mobility products, health care products, heating pads/blankets and other general products.

Make sure you check our Special Offers page frequently or subscribe to our newsletter for notification of new offers!
 

Arthritis Research Funding in Stimulus Package!

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1) will be signed today by President Obama.  Overall, it is a $787 billion economic stimulus package.  The details are too numerous to list here; however, the great thing for us is that it includes $140 million in funding for the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).

NIAMS supports research for the causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis, musculoskeletal and skin diseases.  Check out the clinical trials currently underway at NIAMS.

This is great news for the arthritic community!  I can’t wait to see how this is implemented!

Want more details on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?  You can read the full text of ARRA and submit comments on the White House website.

TNF-Blocker Users At Risk For Fungal Infections

originally published on 9/5/08

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release on September 4, 2008 indicating manufacturers of TNF-Blockers need to highlight the risk of fungal infections for patients taking those TNF-blockers. 

According to the FDA, “Patients taking TNF blockers should be aware that they are more susceptible to serious fungal infections.”  Additionally, “health care professionals are not consistently recognizing cases of histoplasmosis and other invasive fungal infections, leading to delays in treatment.”  Some of these cases even resulted in death.

The medications involved are Humira, Enbrel, Remicade, and Cimzia.  They are commonly used to treat some forms of arthritis and Crohn’s disease.  If you are taking one of these biologic drugs, then check out the press release for further details.  It is a must read!