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.
Cimzia Drug Approved for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
May 15, 2009 by Michelle
Filed under Treatments
Great news for rheumatoid arthritis patients!
UCB announced yesterday, May 14, 2009, that their Cimzia (certolizumab Pegol) drug was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis.
According to UCB, “Cimzia® is available in an exclusively designed, patient-friendly, prefilled syringe resulting from the UCB partnership with OXO®. The new syringe carries the Arthritis Foundation(TM) Ease-of-Use Commendation.”
If Cimzia sounds familiar to you, it may be because the drug was already approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease in April 2008. This recent approval brings hope and another treatment option for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
See UCB’s press release for more information regarding the FDA approval.
As soon as the FDA approval announcement is released, it will be posted here for you.
Study for New Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug – Tocilizumab!
May 6, 2009 by Michelle
Filed under Health, Treatments
Hoffmann-La Roche is sponsoring a Phase III clinical trial for the drug, Tocilizumab. It is for individuals who have moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not had success with current biologic and non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
The study requires infusions of the drug every four weeks for a total of six infusions.
The size of the study is estimated to be about 750 individuals in 56 different locations. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the clinical trial.
The recruiting for the trial has not started yet. However, if you are interested in the study, do not wait long.
Here are some steps to take if you are interested in participating in the study:
- Check the Tocilizumab clinical trial information to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Check the list of study locations to determine if it will be conducted in your area.
- Discuss it with your rheumatologist.
- Call for more information, if necessary. Identify study #ML22533 when calling (973)235-5000 or (800)526-6367.
Good luck!
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.
Do You Think You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis?
March 13, 2009 by Michelle
Filed under Diagnosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
Are your joints red, swollen and painful? Do your affected joints feel stiff in the morning? Do you feel fatigued or have muscle aches? These are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1.3 million people in the United States. It is an autoimmune disease which must be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent joint damage.
If you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis, watch the educational video below. Then make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
You may also want to write down your symptoms, how long the symptoms last, where the pain is located, etc. This information will be helpful to your doctor or rheumatologist.
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.