New articles

We have posted a couple of new articles on the site, in the FDA section as well as in the Fibromyalgia and coping section (coping with pain and sleep), in case you haven't been there in January (2012).

We are trying to rotate the articles to keep them fresh on the new site. We won't keep as many as we had on the old site, it was just so much overload so as we add new ones, we will take the last one off in each category.

I did want to put in another plug for an article that we have on the site that I seem to refer a lot of patients to lately; Addiction, Dependence, and Tolerance - What is the Difference?

It seems there are still some Drs. who are confused about the differences between the three, probably because many medical boards are putting incredible pressure on them regarding the dosing of opiods, due to the illegal sale and use of them. It is a good article and may help some of you, especially with family and friends who ask about it. It is a very touchy subject lately.

Send in any questions you have to keeths@mac.com

peace, Keith

American RSDHope

Let's end ignorance of CRPS!

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO CRPS

We have updated one of our more popular articles, "Beginners Guide To CRPS" on our website.

There is a little more information, more detailed, and probably better explained than the original version. It is a straightforward one page article that walks you through the website; explaining to first-timers, to both the disease and the website, what the disease is all about, the high points to hit for a better understanding of the disease, items of particular importance, and sections they definitely need to read in order to come to a better grip with the disease.

Some of the sections may be a little scary to the newly diagnosed but most find knowledge is key in this disease, seeing their symptoms come alive in front of them, knowing they aren't crazy, they aren't alone, and all the things they have been dealing with have a commonality.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

peace, Keith

American RSDHope

FDA ALERT FOR THE OXY FAMILY - JANUARY 2012

There is an important recall notice out regarding the Oxy family of medications, sent out by the FDA;

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY

It involves the following medications;

Endo Pharmaceuticals Opiate Products by Novartis Consumer Health: Public Health Advisory - Potential Safety RiskIncluding the following products:

• Opana ER (oxymorphone hydrochloride) Extended-Release Tablets CII
• Opana (oxymorphone hydrochloride) CII
• Oxymorphone hydrochloride Tablets CII
• PERCOCET (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII
• PERCODAN (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII
• ENDOCET (oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen USP) Tablets CII
• ENDODAN (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin, USP) Tablets CII
• MORPHINE SULFATE Extended-Release Tablets CII
• ZYDONE (hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen tablets, USP) CIII

For more details please click on the link above.

Peace, Keith

American RSDHope

CRPS and surgery

There is a new article regarding CRPS and surgery on our website;

CRPS and Surgery

in case you ever have that question tossed at you, for yourself or a loved one. It is a question we have been getting asked a lot lately so we thought we should post something about it!

Keith

Books on Pain

People are always asking me if there are any good books to check out. There are a couple of books I would recommend.

One of them is called "Living Beyond Your Pain" by Joanne Dahl and Tobias Lundgren. It is about using something called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to ease chronic pain. A few years ago I gave a talk on it at one of the national conferences up in Portland, ME. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Dahl at length before I put my presentation together and pick her brain a bit and it was very helpful. I am trying to figure out a way to put some of the parts of the video presentation of that talk on our website.

You should be able to find a copy of the book on Amazon.

Another book that might still be out there on Amazon, used copies maybe, is called Persistence is Power by Jeanne Lazo. Good book. Some of the info may be out of date now but most of it is very good info.

Another author to check out is Dr Allan Chino. He is a psychologist who specializes in behavioral pain management. His most popular book is called "Validate Your Pain, Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-Up". It is available on Amazon as well.

Dr Chino is a past governor appointee to the Oregon Pain Society and has worked tirelessly on behalf of pain patients. He also has spoken at a few of American RSDHope's past conferences.

So check these books out and see what you think, let me know!

have a great week,

Keith

Dead Links? Prior posts have links that don't work?

BTW, if you are reading any of the old blog posts and you come across a link that does not work, it is because it is linked to the old website. Chances are the information is still with us, just on the new site in a different place. Let me know what you need and I can direct you to it.

The website address is still the same but the site is all updated!

If you haven't been yet, check it out!

Take care, Keith

American RSDHope

Radio Show - National Awareness Month 2011

Hey everyone! Happy National CRPS Awareness Month 2011!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

If you were not following our new website you might not have seen that I was on one of the internet radio call-in shows last week. It was a 60 minute show, that they graciously extended to 90 minutes, to discuss CRPS / RSD and let me share some of my story and thoughts.

If you did not get to hear it you can go to the THE WEBSITE and listen to the show in its' entirety.

It was a great deal of fun, Marla the hostess is very funny and has a great outlook on life. We had some great callers and questions and both Marla and I have promised to do another show again in the future. I think she is very lucky to get to do this every week! She gets to talk to so many interesting people.

If you get a chance look through her show archives. One of her past guests was someone I have talked about here on the blog, Dr Spiegel. The Dr who I think is one of the best in the country at performing HBO Therapy. He even gets a chance to discuss something very near and dear to him, his charity work with returning soldiers. It is an amazing program that is growing by leaps and bounds.

The new look to the website, RSDHope is getting great feedback. Thanks everyone! It took a lot of work but it was worth it. If I was one of the "normals" (those people without disease of any kind) it probably would have been done in 1/5 the time it took me, but with all the cognitive issues to deal with everything takes so much longer. Plus, when you can only sit for so long at a time, well, you guys know where I am coming from.

There was an excellent article today from ABC News on Sjogren's Syndrome! I don't know if anyone else out there with CRPS has this but it is a real pain in the tuckkus!

After reading it if you think you might have it click on the link to the Sjogren's Syndrome website. It is a great website that has everything very well spelled out. It is easy to understand.

Well guys, have a wonderful holiday and if you have any questions, just shoot me an email. Check out our website and let us know what you think.

BTW, if you are reading any of the old blog posts and you come across a link that does not work, it is because it is linked to the old website. Chances are the information is still with us, just on the new site in a different place. Let me know what you need and I can direct you to it.

Peace all, be good to one another as they say,

Keith

American RSDHope