Studies on Painkillers In Jeopardy

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.

"...Shark Cartilage 14.5 mg..."

It does not have to be shark cartilage. Cook a chicken, add all the bony parts to a pan with water and make stock. You will get all the good stuff out of the chicken cartilage, and it may even be better. Stock made from a pot full of chicken feet is really good stuff.

I went thru 2 (very expensive) Remicade treatments in early 2002 and sufferered no bad sideffects, except my nose would start running sometimes for no reason. Completely put a severe Crohn's episode into remission> I felt so good that within 6 months I was 20 lbs overweight , which I did not like at all.

Unforunately, circumstances, like my excellent GI leaving my health program, and me aquiring a tech job part time that gave no heath bennies until I had been there 6 months; couldnt have been a worse time for a relapse, and the relapse was worse than ever (brought on by food poisoning or virus Nov 2003...

By the time I went thru all the red tape and hoops of getting coverage and seeing docs (and repeating a the tests (CTSCAN, etc.) the inflammation had spread to my kidney and caused an large e.coli (yikes)abcess near my lower spinal column.

Remicade at that point could have been fatal, because of my severe secondary infections, so the only alt was resection of the inflammed area (a small area of my lower small bowel where a fistual was found also)...

Now that's a whole 'nother story.

At least vicious pain of the Crohn's is gone, though it will still take me a few months to get back to fighting trim.

After my surgeries I first saw a remicade commercial in the hospital. Did'nt know whether to laugh or throw my food tray at the TV...LOL

I doubt I'll ever need/want remicade ever again.

WC

MY sympathies for all Freepers with RA, IBS and Crohn's/Colitis. I hope you all get better!!

"Sorry for all you have been through. Crohn's is a hard disease to live with. Hopefully there will be new safer drugs developed that will help."

I think you meant this reply for "wolficatZ"...

WolficatZ - later today I will forward you some info re Crohn's and the various viral/bacterial bouts via FReep Mail. I have some interesting info, and will include URL's for the info.

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