No H1N1 or Seasonal Flu Nasal Spray for Arthritis Patients

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people with inflammatory-types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, should not receive the nasal spray version of the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines.  If you fall in this category or are not sure if you have inflammatory arthritis, please read the full article on the Arthritis Foundation website.

If you have received your vaccinations already, then make sure you remember for the future that the nasal spray flu vaccine is not recommended for those with inflammatory arthritis.  When in doubt, get the flu shot!

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.

Can You Reduce Brain Fog by Playing Brain Age?

Do you experience brain fog?  According to the Arthritis Foundation, brain fog or fibro (fibromyalgia) fog is “commonly used for the cognitive difficulties that can occur with fibromyalgia.  These include confusion, lapses in memory, word mix-ups and difficulty concentrating.”  It is terribly frustrating when this occurs because it is difficult to pull yourself out of it.  Sometimes it seems like your brain is just numb to anything.

I recently starting playing the Nintendo DS Brain Age 2 game, in hopes of stimulating my brain.  After years of having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, increasingly potent medications and the onset of fibromyalgia, my brain does not function as I would like.  At times it feels as though I am in a perpetual fog that will not lift.

First, I can tell you that the game is just fun.  It takes you through three different tests in order to determine your brain age.  The overall process takes about 5-10 minutes.  When you are finished, the game computes your brain age score (however good or bad).  The game also keeps a record of your brain age scores and displays them graphically so you can gauge your improvement (decrease in brain age) or downhill performance (increase in age).

Second, your brain definitely receives a workout with this game.  You will sometimes be asked to provide a losing answer which is not an inherent way of playing a game.  All of the tests, really make you think in a way that you may not be used to or have not done in a while.

Now will it help your brain fog?  I hope so.  The game is designed to stimulate your brain.  It is essentially mental exercise.  In order to attain a better brain age, you must be able to concentrate more and effectively use your memory.  Those are the areas we struggle with when we are dealing with brain fog. 

I play the game for about 5-10 minutes every day and my brain age has been improving!  I feel like it gets easier every day for my mind to accomodate what I want it to do.  So why not try it out?  You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Recommendation:  If you have arthritis in your hands or fingers, I would recommend a larger and thicker stylus in order to prevent any hand pain while playing the game.

Good luck!

Let’s hear it.  Have you tried Brain Age?  Do you feel or see an improvement in your cognitive abilities?  Has your brain (fibro) fog lifted?

Celebrate Your Independence Today!

On this National Independence Day, celebrate your individual independence as well as the history of our nation.

Every little bit of independence is worth celebrating when you suffer from the debilitating effects and pain of arthritis.

If you were able to walk without a mobility aid…Celebrate!  If you were able to get dressed without assistance…Celebrate!  If you were able to make your own meal or go grocery shopping without any assistance, then by all means Celebrate!

Taking a few moments to recognize your improvements, rather than focusing incessantly on your limitations, does wonders for your emotional well-being.  Plus, your strides toward full independence will give you the encouragement you need to continue progressing.

Here’s to your independence!

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.

Do Medicine Bottles Have You in a Tizzy?

 

If you have any form of arthritis, you know that taking medicine is a must in order to manage your symptoms.  The problem is that the prescription bottles with the safety cap can be extremely difficult to open if you have arthritis in your hands.

Some of you may manage by dealing with the pain of opening it daily.  Others may have someone open the bottle and then transfer the medicine to pill boxes.  Shouldn’t there be an easier way?  Taking our medications should not cause frustration!

Here’s a tip.  Go to your pharmacy and ask for a medicine bottle with an easy-open top.  It is usually the flip top (which used to be standard many years ago).  Just a simple push of the thumb pops it right off.

You will probably be required to sign an authorization form indicating that you understand easy-open tops are not child resistant and that you give permission for the pharmacy not to use the safety cap bottles.  The pharmacy will keep the authorization on file and any future medications should be filled using the prescription bottle style you requested.  How great is that? 

You may be required to renew your authorization annually or every six months, but it is well worth it!

One word of caution:  If you decide to request the easy-open bottles, please make sure you put them in a place where a child does not have access.

 

Do you have a tip you want to share?  Let us know and we will include your first name and city when we mention it!

Need Help Finding the Motivation to Walk?

Are you feeling stiff and achy?  Do you feel like there is no way possible you could walk a 5K or even a 1-mile route in May?  Well, you’re not alone. 

Many of us need some motivation to help us get up and moving when we hurt, especially on the bad days.  Here are some tips that may help you:

Get a walking buddy.  They are there to support you and give you encouragement.  Don’t forget it goes both ways.

Take your dog for a walk.  They love to get outside and they love the attention.  Best of all, they give you motivation to keep you going.  How many can resist the wagging tail and playfulness of their pooch?

Make it a family event.  Go for a walk after dinner.  When your family supports you, it makes things a little more attainable.

Are you motivated by a sense of accomplishment?  Then, today decide to get out of the house and to the end of the driveway.  Tomorrow, go a little bit further, maybe two houses down from yours.  The next day, try to walk to more houses or the whole block.  Just keep adding on to it.

Try using a pedometer.  Wear it throughout the day.  Even if you can’t get outside or on a treadmill to walk, the pedometer will record your strides throughout the day.  Take a look at the pedometer reading at the end of the day.  Then, commit to walking more the next day and so on.

Another thing you could do is to try to recruit family, friends, coworkers, etc, for the arthritis walk.  You can walk together, plan together, exercise together, etc. 

Whether you get to the Arthritis Walk or not, the important thing is to just get up and get moving.

Heart Disease & Arthritis – Know Your Risk

Did you know February is American Heart Month?  As such, this is a great time to consider the connection between arthritis and heart disease.

 If you have rheumatoid arthritis, pay close attention.  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been found to increase your risk of heart disease.  According to an article in US News, “the increase in heart disease risk among RA patients may be due to the systemic inflammation brought on by the disease”. 

A Mayo Clinic study, reported in US News, “found that while 85 percent of the RA patients between the ages of 50 and 59 had an intermediate or high risk for developing heart disease within 10 years of diagnosis, just 27 percent of comparable non-RA patients did.”  That should get your attention.

In addition, WebMD reports, if you are a woman with rheumatoid arthritis, then your risk of having a heart attack doubles.   Your risk triples if you have had arthritis for 10 years or more.   Did you get that?  Triple the risk!

So, if you fall into this category, what do you do?  Get to know what other risk factors you have.  You can find risk factor information at the American Heart Association, such as physical inactivity, smoking, high cholesterol, etc.  Take this information to your next doctor or rheumatology appointment.  Discuss it with your doctor.  Find out what steps you can take to decrease your risk and improve your heart health.

Want more information on Heart Disease?  Check out the American Heart Association.

Get Those Walking Shoes Ready!

It’s that time of year again!  Yes, you heard right.  It’s time to start thinking about the Arthritis Foundation’s 2009 Arthritis Walk. 

Those of you that have participated in the Arthritis Walk know that it is a great time.   For those of you that have not participated in an Arthritis Walk before, take a look at the video below.  It shows what you will encounter at the walk and why the walk is so important.

I really enjoy going to the Arthritis Walk.  You meet other people, children and pets that have arthritis.  You meet their friends and families that are their to support them.  You also meet various vendors that can answer your questions.  In years past, I have seen rheumatologists, chiropractors, representatives from joint replacement companies, health-related companies, animal hospitals, etc.

On top of all that, the Arthritis Foundation has tents for Arthritis Advocacy, general information, a children’s area with fun things to do and educational materials.

The walk is usually held in May in numerous cities nationwide.  Find the location closest to you. 

It only takes a few minutes to register.  If you register now, you have time to start a team, raise some funds and start preparing your body for the walk.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts on preparing for the walk.

Can Vitamins Be Harmful?

As an arthritic, who takes a TNF-blocker, my immune system has been almost non-existent in the last six months.  (I’m sure that many of you can relate.)  In an attempt to improve my health and my immune system, I began taking a daily vitamin pack.   Each pack had several pills to provide overall health.  I was so excited to find something that I thought would pull me out of the frequent bouts of sickness.  However, that was short-lived.

After about three weeks of taking these vitamins, I began having heart palpitations.  This was not a sudden onset.  At first, it happened once or twice a day.  Then, increased to the point where they would occur several times in just a few minutes.   When I realized that they were getting worse, I scheduled an appointment for my physician. 

So after two appointments with my general physician, trips to pick up and drop off a 24-hour heart monitor, wearing the heart monitor and documenting palpitations for that 24-hour period, bloodwork, four hours in the emergency room and an appointment with a cardiologist, it turns out that the culprit was the vitamins.  Can you believe that?  Because the palpitations started slowly, I did not suspect the vitamins.

These vitamins were distributed by a well known company, so I don’t believe there was a problem with the quality of the vitamins.  Instead, I think that there are so many things in vitamins that may contradict with medicine that we are already taking or our bodies may just have a reaction from a combination of some of the ingredients.  It is difficult to know exactly what caused the reaction. 

I have been off of the vitamins for about two and a half weeks now and am feeling back to normal.  Well, as normal as can be anyway. 

My suggestion to you, if you start taking new vitamins, is to be aware of how you feel while taking them.  You know your body.  If you don’t feel right, stop taking them and call your doctor if necessary. 

I also recommend discussing the vitamins with your doctor before taking them.  Obviously, your doctor will not always know how you will react on the vitamins, but it is good to let them know what kind of vitamins you want to take and find out if they will conflict with your current medications.

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