November 2011
59 posts
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Weekly Link Roundup 11/30/2011: November...
In recent Rheumatoid November news:
EMA accepts submission of Pfizer’s new arthritis drug— November 21, 2011: The European Medical Association has accepted Pfizer’s latest autoimmune arthritis drug tofacitinib for review in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. A new drug to compete with other biologics? Click to read more. New options are always a plus.
Rheumatoid...
Thanks for the Feedback!
I really appreciate the amount of honest feedback I got on that last post. It takes a lot to admit openly that you resent others because of your illness and more than a few of you via reblogs and messages did so, even acknowledging it isn’t the greatest attitude to have. I also really appreciated the blogger who wrote about when the line between wanting to help yourself and not is...
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Where I Draw the Line
“And even if somebody else has it much worse, that doesn’t really change the fact that you have what you have.” — Stephen Chbosky
I know a lot of chronically ill bloggers who can’t stand to hear others complaining about pain and illness because it’s “nothing” compared to the intensity of chronic disease. While I understand this viewpoint, I find it...
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Autoimmune Arthritis Patients at Higher Risk for... →
To read the actual study: click here. Nov. 26, 2011— “People with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, who are hospitalized, may have an increased risk of developing a pulmonary embolism…”
Just another reason to take care of your body in any way you can.
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But You Don't Look Sick...: Being sick in your... →
butyoudontlooksick:
It may seem petty to some, but I think one of the most frustrating things I have encountered since being diagnosed is how being sick affects having a normal romantic relationship. To those of my followers who have significant others who are there for them and are supportive and understanding, you…
So true. It’s hard to even consider dating when I’m...
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Bowel symptoms & endo →
Bowel symptoms are a common but often unrecognised consequence of endometriosis, especially chronic and recurrent endometriosis. Nobody knows exactly what proportion of women with endometriosis have bowel symptoms; it could be five percent, thirty percent, or anywhere in between. However, we are fairly sure that a relatively large proportion of our members suffer from bowel symptoms of some...
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Any followers in Tallahassee or FSU students:
Would you be interested in a once or twice a month support group for chronic conditions/pain? I’m working on starting something on campus or near-campus for FSU/TCC/FAMU students or really anyone in the area of any age. I know I could benefit from a support system away from home.
What do you think? Feel free to message me if you’d rather not comment with your thoughts.
Hope everyone...
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Lessons Learned: Happy Thanksgiving
This time last November I was a college freshman with a full course load, going to the gym a few times a week, settling into a new life. And then I got sick. I never recovered.
That sinus infection that turned into bronchitis and then some? It was a two month ordeal that triggered the very first flare— one that has not gone away. I’ve officially been in a flare for an entire year with...
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FDA advisory committee recommends banning Vicodin... →
hurtblogger:
The FDA advisory committee was the group that got Darvocet banned. Now they have fears over liver damage for high users of Vicodin and Percocet due to the acetaminophen. This could become a real problem for chronic pain patients if they continue to ban pain killers, as most of us are only able to take certain ones!
The FDA needs to to come up with a better game plan to curtail...
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Weekly Link Roundup 11/23/2011
Good Days Chronic Disease Fund — Founded by Mike Banigan after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. CDF is a nonprofit organization that awards financial assistance to uninsured patients suffering from any of these diseases. The organization covers up to 100% of out of pocket payments (copay, medication costs) and pay pharmacies and doctors directly without forcing a patient to jump...
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“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be...”
– ― Maya Angelou (via justbesplendid)
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Anonymous asked: what kind of prednisone allergy?
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research: I need your help. Mind answering 3...
What foods have you been told to stay away from and why?
What foods have you been told will help your chronic illness and why?
Did your doctor recommend these foods? If not, who did?
If you could send me your answers via ask box or email that would be great. I’m writing something in collaboration and before I started I want to get a feel for what some of you know and have been told....
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What Does It Mean to Maintain Wellness When You...
I get a lot of emails asking me to include outside-sourced wellness articles on my site. While I never have a problem sharing someone else’s site if it fits with CC’s goal, I do have a problem with the whole “maintaining wellness” idea. I think a lot of editors and bloggers forget that most of Chronic Curve’s audience is not well and therefore is not maintaining...
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Anonymous asked: what do you do for pain? :(
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Chest x-ray: 8:30AM
Back to sleep by 10
Awoke around 3
Nausea/chills/fever for hours
Throw up around 6
Not a good week for me, so if the next few days stay the same expect similar posts or none at all :)
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surgical follow up II
Doctor said everything I’m experiencing is normal and the pain I’m having isn’t too much for my recovery period, as he so bluntly put it I was “basically cut in half.” It could take up to six months for my back pain to go away. A tight corset-like brace to keep my side incision from moving should decrease some pain, so I have a prescription for that and I’m off...
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weekl y link roundup 11/16/2011
Smoking Rises Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk — An article that explains the link between smoking and RA. Yes, it’s very real for anyone with an autoimmune disease, not just RA, if these facts have the ability to trigger immunologic processes. Stay away from those cigarettes and second hand smoke if at all possible. For even more detailed information on how the two work together, read this...
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“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When...”
– Arnold Schwarzenegger
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New "Suicide Molecule" Halts Rheumatoid Arthritis →
gigglingatcrimescenes:
A researcher from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has invented a novel way to halt and even reverse rheumatoid arthritis. He developed an imitation of a suicide molecule that floats undetected into overactive immune cells responsible for the disease. Whimsically referred to as Casper the Ghost, the stealthy molecule causes the immune cells to...
I've had hiccups for four hours...sorry, SIX hours...
and I’m about ready to lose my cool. No one warned me about the excruciatingly painful hiccups after surgery and that valium wouldn’t work. or the three week vacation my doctor took. or the air trapped in my side that feels like bubble wrap or that no one knows where these hiccups are coming from.
Has anyone else had this after spine or thoracic surgery? I’m so frustrated.
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An Identity Crisis for RA →
If you have Autoimmune Arthritis, you need to read this. If you support the cause, you need to read and reblog this. Written by a rheumatologist, a beautifully detailed account of the identity crises experienced by RA patients, why it exists and what can be done.
“I feel it was a tactical error years ago when many rheumatology charities were lumped under the heading of the Arthritis...
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Showering: Don't You Judge Me.
Showering. How many of you find that task to be not only painful, but completely exhausting? Sitting, standing, it doesn’t matter. It hurts every joint and muscle, especially in a flare, and spikes my temperature that takes forever to get back down. Brushing or doing my hair? Funny. I put it off as long as possible.
My family doesn’t seem to understand why such an every day task is...
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There is a disclaimer on this blog
If you are going to reblog one of my posts as a full post and not a link, please make sure the SOURCE is visible. I spend a lot of time and hard work when I research and write up important posts to share; for that I deserve both proper credit, no matter how deeply the words resonate with you.
Cite your sources. Don’t tag posts with blogs that do not author the post. I’m getting...
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Air Pollution May Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis? →
“Exposure to some types of air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide — one of the six most common pollutants in the United States — is associated with a somewhat increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.”
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Doctor Hunting: Finding Dr. Right
How to find Dr. Right. Patient responsibilities, Do’s and Don’ts, how and where to do some research, and don’t forget to be picky when choosing a physician.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while you hunt for a specialist:
When it comes to poor physicians, I think I’ve had every experience in the book. I have been called a drug addict, a...
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11/09/11-- Rheumatoid Arthritis Doubles Fracture... →
“Rheumatoid arthritis more than doubles the risk of fracture in women younger than age 50, according to the results of a large population-based study.”
Something to be aware of, though I think the fact was somewhat obvious.
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Anonymous asked: Do you believe in alternative medicine?
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Weekly Link Roundup 11/09/2011
Leeza’s Place — A place for caregivers. Leeza’s place serves as “a community gathering placed and resource center committed to providing free support services, resources,” among much more. With a blog, mentor program, and resource library, Leeza’s Place is much like Chronic Curve, only for caregivers of those who suffer from progressive/chronic disorders or...
The average doctor interrupts a patient 12-18...
cranquis:
… Yet, if allowed to speak uninterrupted, the average patient tells his/her story in 60 seconds or less.
(Cranquis is stuck at a conference on doctor-patient communication today, so you get to share the joy.)
I have a doctor checklist that I will be posting tonight (hooray new article). This is on it. Interrupt me right away on the first visit and you probably won’t see me...
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New Approach to Re-Educate the Immune System Could... →
lifewithautoimmune:
A vaccine designed to re-educate the immune system has been shown to be safe and feasible in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.
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“The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart”
– Nikolai Lenin
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For those of you near Tampa, FL:
AOII at University of South Florida is holding Alpha Male; a male pageant to raise money for arthritis research. Facebook event and details here if you have an interest in going.
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Chronic Curve has officially made Tumblr...
Chronic Curve started out as a goal. It helped me focus on positive constructs while helping others. It was a little nothing 20-follower blog for a long time and I wasn’t sure where it was headed. Four months later? It’s something bigger than I could have imagined.
And now I just received an email alerting me that I will be featured on Tumblr’s Spotlight Medicine page, which...
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beautifulingodstime:
The unexpected.
It’s like being right handed your whole life, and suddenly having to learn how to write with your left hand.
That is seriously the perfect way of explaining being first diagnosed or having the first symptoms.
