Posted on 12/26/2004 8:16:14 AM PST by neverdem
Researchers Assess Risk-Benefit Ratio
The spate of bad news about painkillers has dealt a major setback to what had been a highly promising effort to use the drugs to prevent a host of leading killers, including many types of cancer, Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Since concerns emerged that drugs such as Vioxx and Celebrex might cause heart attacks and strokes, researchers testing the drugs in dozens of studies have been frantically scouring whatever data they have gathered so far for signs of danger, urgently debating whether the trials should continue, and quickly informing participants of possible risks.
Several large studies have shut down fully or partially, including trials for preventing colon cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's and, just last week, two large international studies evaluating Celebrex to cut the risk of getting breast cancer or suffering a recurrence. Other studies have been temporarily suspended until all participants could be warned of the possible danger.
Overall, the startling new concerns about the drugs' safety have cast a pall over what had been one of the most exciting fields of biomedical research, which was trying to harness important new insights into the underlying cause of a wide spectrum of illnesses.
"It's definitely been a big setback," said Raymond N. DuBois of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. "It's really disappointing because there had been a lot of enthusiasm in this area, and a lot of trials were underway. I think this is going to slow things down considerably. It's really unfortunate."
The developments are particularly distressing because a large body of evidence indicates the drugs could provide significant benefits aside from relieving pain. Even the studies that revealed the possible heart disease and stroke risks produced evidence that the approach could be highly effective for reducing the risk for cancer.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It is my understanding that RA is an autoimmune disease. Is it ever treated with immunosuppressants like Immuran / Azathioprine, and do they help much?
bttt
May God bless you. I hope you had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!
Rheumatoid arthritis? I really don't know. Ten years ago I had a knee operation and the doctor said I had about three things going on but never went into which particular arthritis. I look at Next Level as a vitamin supplement that I will take the rest of my life, along with a vitamin pill.
Interesting....I had bunion surgery....Before it I was beginning to have ham string problems, but the surgery just EXPLODED the problem all over my body.
Don't know about the treatments of which you speak....I'm using doxycycline and lots of other "natural" things to beef up my immune system....but, what I REALLY think is going on is a leaky gut problem, because I've always eaten healthy, exercised, etc.
Thanks for your info.....yes I have been diagnosed with RA (although I do not have the RA positive factor), and as far as I'm concerned you are partially right....the immune system is over-REACTING to an invader, so there are immunity problems, however, I do not think "beefing" up my immune system in the way I am is the problem. The problem is WHAT is causing my immune system to react the way it is....that's what I'm trying to get to the bottom of. Knowing my history.....food allergies, asthma like reactions, colon polyps, etc. over the last 15 years I really do think there might be something to the "leaky gut" problem for me. I'm not one of those who NEEDS an IMMEDIATE FIX just to feel better (although it sure would be nice)...I need a long term solution for my health. Are you a doctor/pharmacist? Just wondering.
I looked at your info on Imuran and did other searches.....I'll bring it up with my doc, but from the possible side effects, it looks like a last resort....I'm still going to pursue other avenues first. Thanks again.
gw
Dr. Gott recommends Certo
I have been taking Daypro (oxaprozine) 600mg for osteoarthritis for about 8 years now. This is in the nonsteroidal anti inflammatory family of drugs. I have not heard it mentioned in any of all this hoopla. Anyone have any information on Daypro and the long term use?
A Ken Jennings doping scandal? ;o)
I have R/A also. Celibrex did squat for me. One Naproxen pill,twice a day works for me. It keeps the pain to a managable level. However my spelling is still crap!
Your spelling is a little off. Check related links as well as enter the following :
oxaprozin, adverse effects
Try that in the first link below. There were 45 citations for oxaprozin, adverse effects. This is the first of the 45. I didn't look at the other 44. The main risk from all NSAIDS is ulcers with GI bleeding and kidney failure. That's why getting this stuff over the counter is problematic for people that take them on a chronic basis. You need to see a doc periodically to make sure that there isn't occult blood in your stool and to check your blood. Daypro, oxaprozin, came off smelling like a rose in this citation, BTW.
If some words leave you stumped, here's Dorland's Medical Dictionary.
There is no question that Imuran is dangerous, but in my case the only alternative is the steroid Prednisone, and the long-term side-effects of that puppy makes Imuran look like Jujyfruits. (I try to avoid taking drugs that have their very own psychosis associated with them.) I've been on Imuran for a couple of years with no obvious side-effects, and I follow the safety regime religiously - regular blood tests and dermatologist visits, and yearly cancer screenings.
If you can avoid getting on Imuran, you should, as it is very much a second-to-last resort. I just thought that you should know the information, in case it might spare you some pain.
How's your stomach? From my reading Nsaids and antibiotics (I'm taking both) are bad for those with R/A that might be caused by leaky gut....i.e. intestinal permiability problems (which I'm starting to believe is MY problem.) My doc has me taking DGL to help with the stomach problem. And, I'm trying to take Naproxen once every 4 days.....I'm not much fun after the 2nd day!
How's my stomach? FAT! LOL!
Serious: I make sure to take my meds with food so I don't have stomach problems. When I was first diagnosed with R/A my R-Factor was 289. I was put on Prednasone and Methothrexate. The Methothrexate did not play nice with my heart meds and I spent 2 days in the heart floor of the hospital. Now I take Prednasone with Sulfazine EC to treat the R/A, and Naproxen with Tylenol twice a day to keep the pain in check.
Naproxen WITH TYLENOL? Hmmm.....I have NO R-factor....so, what mine is, although called R/A....is suspect. I'm dreaming of a day without pain, and without drugs. That day WILL come.....it's just that the mystery has yet to be solved. My Rheumy doc actually gave me some stomach meds WHEN he gave me the Naproxen....saying "You WILL need these." How long have you been on the Naproxen?
I started in September. Before that I was on Celibrex twice a day. That did nothing for the pain. At least now I can walk for 10 minutes at a time.
Check out http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis . Best site I found for information.
"I'm reading a lot on Dr. Mercola's website too...."
Dr Mercola's site is good - http://www.mercola.com/
Also, Univ of Maryland site for Alternative/Complementary Medicine is good for info on Conditions, Herbs, Supplements, Drugs, Depletions, Treatment Options, plus more - http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ This is almost surprising, considering it is from a main-stream medicine facility. They tell you a lot more about Herbs and Supplements than those who sell them can tell you. All in all, I have been impressed with the caliber of the info there.
"Well, I buy Next Level by the quart ($39) and it does say equine on the bottle."
That equine stuff IS good for us too. MSM is an oxidized form of DMSO, readily available at reasonable prices from your equine meds supplier, and you are probably familiar with its benefits. DMSO can be used to treat horses by applying topically, internally by ingestion, intravenously. Anti-inflammatory’s can be applied to aching joints by dissolving in DMSO and then applying topically (equine joints, of course). This avoids stomach distress that often results from ingestion of anti-inflammatory’s.
We have a young filly who had a severe head injury when a couple of days old. We nearly lost her, but the Vet treated her with DMSO, diluted 50/50 with normal saline and injected directly into the carotid artery. This reduced the swelling in her brain, and also increased the oxygen supply to the brain. The effects were miraculous. Here is a web site http://www.krysalis.net/dmso.htm that gives some other interesting stuff on DMSO.
Needless to say, we keep DMSO on hand, and once in a while some of it might even be used to treat one of our horses. :)
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