Doubt cast on common back pain management (Reuters)

MedinewsDigest: Quoting Reuters:

"….Cohen and colleagues suggest skipping the diagnostic blocks and going directly to radiofrequency treatment…."

Seems this could save pain and expensive diagnostic procedure. We shall how the study is accepted.

Parkinson’s: New Clues to Alleviating Gait Disorders and Falls (ScienceDaily)

MediNewsDigest: A promising avenue of research for the difficult issue of Parkinson's falls

Quoting ScienceDaily  ,Journal of Clinical Investigation, via EurekAlert  "…Chantal François and Etienne Hirsch, at Université Pierre et Marie Curie — Paris 6, France, has now determined that the presence of gait disorders in patients with Parkinson disease and in aged monkeys with Parkinson-like disease was associated with loss of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in a region of the brain known as the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN).."

About Multiple Sclerosis, simvastatin, and other statins treatments

Simvastatin has been mentionned as a possible treatment for Multiple Sclerosis.  Here we provide some links to relevant studies on the topic.

First an article gathered by ScienceDirect in the Lancet about oral simvastatin and RRMS results seem promising, but the article is dated 2004

Another, more recent study mentionned in ScienceDaily  Statins May Have A Negative Impact In Multiple Sclerosis Patients, is negative. Quoting

"….The results of our study indicate that simvastatin has in fact, a slightly deleterious effect on myelin under non-pathological conditions, adds Dr. Miron…."

However, a UCSF study posted in Eurekalert, claims Statins may slow progression of multiple sclerosis ……..

So what is an MSer to think?

Seems to us the jury is still out, but, as always, talk to your doctor….

Novel Therapeutic For Chronic Pain (MedicalNewsToday)

 Columbia researchers may have discovered  powerful analgesic dubbed N60 that block the pain switch molecule PKG.

MediNewsDigest: Looks like a new class of painkiller, let us follow….

Evidence for a two-stage disability progression in multiple sclerosis (pubmed)

MediNewsDigest:   According to this study there are two distinct phases with MS, not to be confused with the usual categories of relasing-remitting or progressive. Those phases seem to have more to do with disability levels.  Pubmed ,     Brain   2010 Jul;133(Pt 7):1900-13. Epub 2010 Apr 27).

FDA’s warning on Rheumatoid Arthritis drug Arava: What next?

FDA's warning on Arava (Leflunomide): Risk of severe liver injury

What is a patient or doctor to do? (yes, we said patient, and not only the doctors, because it is your body…)

So MediNewsDigest has located a site where comparisons beyween similar drugs are made:

Comparison of Arava (Leflunomide) with other RA drugs (drugdigest): Well, the drugs are not that easy to compare and, as always, a discussion with your doctor is necessary. Might involve trial and error, or whichever he knows best.

Advice to rest in bed versus advice to stay active for acute low-back pain and sciatica (MDLinx)

MediNewsDigest:  Study says lying down or slighly active does not make a lot of difference for Lower Back Pain or Sciatica. Follow link MDLinx  and talk to your doctor.

Disney and disabilities: an entertainement guide site for the disabled

 Walt Disney's site to help for a "safe, fun & comfortable trip" to their amusement parks. Besides being helpful for disabled  in order to ascertain if a Disney park is for them, this is a one of a kind site on disability and entertainment

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FDA Questions Avastin’s Use in Breast Cancer (WSJ)

MediNewsDigest:   Do you get the feeling that the FDA 's drug acceptance protocol is in trouble?  link to  Wall Sreet Journal  article

quoting:

"…..At the time, the FDA went against the advice of a panel that voted 5-4 against recommending approval…"

This comes after the diabetes drug avandia' ambivalence….

Glatiramer acetate [Copaxone] exposure in pregnancy: preliminary safety and birth outcomes (sciencedirect)

MediNewsDigest:: Quoting the sciencedirect article:

"….our early experience suggests that when considering the risks and benefits of treatment withdrawal prior to pregnancy, it may be reasonable to continue GA in those patients with previously highly active disease…." A soft, provisional, safety conclusion for the use of copaxone during pregnancy.. More data needed.