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 ...
Pain is ONE thing.....getting to the BOTTOM of WHERE the pain originates is another.....I know....I'm in that process....it ain't fun....BUT, I refuse to listen much to the allopathic docs who just push drugs - as their solutions are sometimes worse than nothing.....I WANT to know WHY there is a PROBLEM, and get rid of THAT problem! (Right now I'm working with enzymes among other things.)
Answer: This drug used for rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of malignant lymphoma by 71%, and can also reactivate dormant tuberculosis infections.
Question: What is Remicade.
YEP.....THAT'S why I'm looking at alternatives....I've been diagnosed with R/A....and the Rheumy doc would just LOVE to give me some of the drugs out there.....NO WAY!
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
BUMP
Seems the participants in this study were over the age of 70, and already had succeptibility to heart trouble.
My question is: Why were these facts left out of the original story?
Pain killers are bad because they mask the symtoms and allow you to ignore the cure.
But here we are talking about anti inflamatories which in many cases is the cure.
The ambiguities of a particular drugs effect upon body systems must be weighed in any given patient circumstance. Aspirin is also a COX inhibitor, yet it is used extensively to "prevent" heart attacks. Theoreticaly there are anticoagulant effects of COX1 inhibitors, and pro-coagulant effects from COX2 inhibitor. Although minor, they show up when examining large groups of people. It is important not to ban a drug for this, but that the physician keep this in mind when selecting a COX inhibitor for a patient in need.
And by the way, the main reason drug costs are so high is that they are out of the capitalist system. The answer is to put (almost) all non-controlled substances OVER THE COUNTER... as in most other countries. Doctors would still be needed, and the prices of the drugs (d/t competition) would plummet.
I can't answer your question about the tests. However, my wife and some of her co-workers aged in 40's & 50's were showing heart problem symptoms on Vioxx.
YES, inflamation is a major part of my problem....which is also what Naproxen really helps with, but it also can burn a hole in your stomach. I probably have "leaky gut syndrome" I believe.....so am trying to approach "cure" from THAT standpoint.
I am in the beginnings of all this (past 6 months).....right now am trying wobenyzm N (enzyme) and doxycycline......have added gluc chondroiton occasionally, but with so many pills it sometimes doesn't make it. What is "next level?" All I could find in a cursory google search is an animal medicine.....I am also beginning a total vegetable/small amount of fruit diet.....well, trying to.....with problems I've had over the years, it seems like my intestines must be the issue (asthma type stuff, nasal polyps, colon polyps, food allergies, etc.) I'm reading a lot on Dr. Mercola's website too....if you haven't seen it, you might be interested.
Please put me on your list--my next book is going to be about health care and how lay-people can be proactive in their health care, determine alternatives to drugs when appropriate, figure out what the 'studies' mean, etc.
Much interesting info in this article!
Well, I buy Next Level by the quart ($39) and it does say equine on the bottle. Mail order or feed store, your choice. Occasionally I have to share it with one of our horses.They have the same stuff in capsules for humans but costs more (I visualize tiny little funnels, tiny little hands into little capsules). On line or health food store for these guys.
Next Level: Per Oz. (daily horse maintenance level, teaspoon works for me)
Glucosamine 5000 mg
MSM 1750 mg
Ester C 1000 mg
Perna Mussel 3.5 mg
Shark Cartilage 14.5 mg
Bromelain 37 mg
(an ezyme, aids absorbtion)
Hmmm.....did you say you had RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? Or some other kind? Just wondering......told my husband about your medicine....he said...."better keep that info." I'll check with my wholistic doc and see what he says. LOL.
My son is on disability, he is so crippled up with RA. One thing he's learned is to completely eliminate all night shades from his diet, including tomatoes and peppers. When he does eat one of them, he sure suffers from it.
Yes, I have heard that.....just had fish soup for dinner with TOMATOES and RED peppers......I've also heard that it's an old wives tale, but I'm inclined to believe people when they say it works for them......I'll try it. Thanks.
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