March Pain Monitor

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I AM FOWARDING THE MARCH NEWSLETTER FROM THE AMERICAN PAIN FOUNDATION.THIS IS MY FAVORITE, QUICK SOURCE OF INFO ON UPCOMING PROGRAMS,LEGISLATIONS,ETC. FROM THE A.P.F. WOULD APPRECIATE FEEDBACK FROM THE FESITIES IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF INFO YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO INCLUDE IN FUTURE FEISTY POSTINGS.

ALL THE BEST,

BETH B.

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Pain MonitorMarch 2006

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THE NEWS

Team Up to Fight PainMore than 50 million Americans suffer from chronic-pain conditions, but now groups of specialists from both Eastern and Western medicine, are offering new hope.

Pain Patients Often Suffer in SilenceMore than 20 percent of people with chronic pain do not seek physician care for their pain.

Patient Involvement May Help with Back Pain RecoveryHealth care providers say involving patients in the decision whether or not to have surgery to treat lower back pain may be a key to their outcome.

Cut Your Drug CostsWhile the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is pushing for generic drug use to help lower prescription drug costs, drug companies are offering programs of their own.

Medicare Should Delay Signup Penalties, Groups SayOlder Americans who wait to enroll in the U.S. Medicare drug plan may have to pay extra fees for the rest of their lives.

Obese Seniors with Arthritis More Sensitive to PainA study of older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee has found that obese seniors may be more sensitive to pain than those who are not overweight.

Fake Drugs Thrive on Internet Criminals are using the Internet to sell increasing quantities of counterfeit medicines.

Katrina Evacuation Caused Rise in Chronic PainSome of the thousands affected by Hurricane Katrina who suffered from chronic pain before the storm hit experienced more pain in the disaster's aftermath, while others saw their pain scores subside.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Congressmen Charlie Norwood (R-GA) and Ted Strickland (D-OH) have just introduced legislation to eliminate illegal Internet drug sales. The Prescription Drug Abuse Elimination Act would require all online pharmacies to obtain and verify a prescription from the patient’s treating physician before shipping or to be certified by the National Boards of Pharmacy Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program. This legislation ventures into the highly sensitive territory of addressing the need to curb the diversion and abuse of prescription medicines while at the same time promoting access to those medicines by people who need them. No one could argue that there is not rampant illegal distribution of Schedule II drugs using the Internet. Also, no one could argue that pain patients have tremendous problems getting and filling prescriptions for strong pain medicines. This bill does not propose to close the door on Internet sales and distribution. It proposes to close the door on illegal and, in most cases, unsafe sale and distribution. Click here to see a summary of the bill. We welcome your thoughts, comments and reactions to this proposed legislation. Send an email to advocacy@....

APF Continues Study of Online Groups

Part 2 has arrived and you are invited! The American Pain Foundation’s study about adults with chronic pain who participated in the PainAid online support community is now recruiting participants for the second (and final) part of our study. Those individuals who enrolled in the first part of the study are now eligible to complete the second set of questionnaires. We ask that you complete them at your earliest convenience. And remember, a final report of the study will be released online this summer. Be sure to look for it! In appreciation for completing both parts of the study, participants will have the opportunity to download a free pain management relaxation audio file at the completion of this second part. The American Pain Foundation thanks you in advance for your help in furthering our understanding of how to better help those with chronic pain. Please click here to finish your questionnaires.

Are you coping with cancer-related pain?

APF needs your help to test a CD-ROM on managing cancer pain

HealthMark Multimedia, in partnership with APF, has designed a CD ROM to help people and their concerned loved ones learn how to manage and overcome cancer pain using medication and complementary methods. We're looking for cancer patients and/or caregivers to help us evaluate how people use the product. Testers will be paid $100 per household. Three phone calls and one home visit is required. The geographical area rangers from Baltimore to Richmond. This project was funded by the National Cancer Institute. For information or to volunteer, please contact Jane Lincoln, MSW at 202-448-6154 or JLincoln@....

APF NEWS

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth."--- Faulkner

Over 100 organizations have joined with APF and endorsed the consensus statement in support of H.R. 1020, the National Pain Care Policy Act of 2005. We are all raising our voices and speaking out against the injustices suffered daily by people with pain. One person wrote to us and said,

“Imagine an infant crying in pain and no one coming to comfort it or help prevent its suffering…why do we let ourselves suffer in pain just because we’re adults? I see a future where unless we as sufferers stand up and finally are heard, our numbers will only continue to grow and grow.”

YES!! STAND UP TOGETHER AND YELL!

Please join the growing numbers of people and organizations taking a stand.· Ask the organizations you’re involved with to endorse the consensus statement and support the Pain Care Policy Act.· Be an advocate for change. Click here to see the many other ways you can help.· Support the efforts of the American Pain Foundation by donating. Click here for more online information.

You can also mail a gift to: American Pain Foundation, 201 N. St., Ste 710, Baltimore, MD 21201.

SCIENCE & MEDICINE

Evaluation of a Single-Dose, Extended-Release Epidural Morphine Formulation for Pain After Knee Arthroplasty Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2006;88:273-281

Amantadine Sulfate Reduces Experimental Sensitization and Pain in Chronic Back Pain PatientsAnesthesia & Analgesia 2006;102:840-847

Using Statins to Potentially Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Study Finds Statins Have Beneficial Effect on Rheumatoid Arthritis Cells In Vitro

APF Hosts Information Series in APF Pain MonitorAPF started its question and answer section in January 2004. These Q & A articles address frequently asked questions about pain, answered by Dr. Fishman. These articles originally appeared on the DiscoveryHealth web site.#30: Diabetic Neuropathy

COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Meditation for Health PurposesThe National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has developed a new Backgrounder on Meditation that covers history of meditation, uses, and NCCAM research in the field.

Acupuncture and Chronic FatigueYou've been told that you'd just have to live with it. The Western medical community is still struggling to understand the condition that is now being called Chronic Fatigue Immuno-deficiency Syndrome, or CFIDS.

Open Harp SurgeryCardiologists have a new way to pluck up your heart strings.

Holistic Healing with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Irritable Bowel SyndromeIBS is the most common gastrointestinal disease seen by general practitioners and makes up 30-50% of all referrals to GI specialists.

EN ESPAÑOL

Nuevo! Información Sobre Investigación Clínica Ahora Disponible en Español (APF Clinical Trials Center Information Now Available in Spanish)Our online clinical trials resource center now provides background information about the clinical trials process and what to expect when you volunteer to participate in a clinical trial, in English and now in Spanish. ¡Haga clic aquí para leer esto en español!

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is a leading health information source for women. NWHRC aims to enhance awareness about women's health issues (including pain), address unmet health information needs and develop outreach programs to reach underserved populations.

NWHRC offers a Spinal Fracture Awareness Tool Kit. Women can suffer a spinal fracture and not know it. Osteoporosis is the most common cause of spinal fractures, and women as young as 50 can have them. Tools, tips and resources to reduce the risks are available at http://www.healthywomen.org/spinalfracture/index.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ASPMN Journal Editor: Call For ApplicationsThe American Society for Pain Management Nursing is looking for a journal editor for Pain Management Nursing, its quarterly professional journal. If you are interested in being the next editor, please click here to view the 2006 Call for Editor.

Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship 2006: Call For ApplicationsThe Mayday Fund, a New York City foundation dedicated to alleviating the incidence, degree, and consequence of human physical pain, is accepting applications for the 2006 Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship: A Media & Policy Fellows Initiative. This is the third year of the program designed to equip physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, scientists, and legal scholars with the necessary skills to become effective advocates and spokespeople about pain issues in the United States and Canada. For more information, please read the call for applications.

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 31-April 2, 2006Annual Meeting of the American Society for Pain Management NursingLake Buena Vista, FL

April 5, 20062006 Hospice Foundation of America Live-Via-Satellite Teleconference The 13th annual HFA teleconference will be held on April 5th at 1:30pm EDT. The topic is Pain Management at the End of Life: Bridging the Gap between Knowledge and Practice. It will be moderated by Sesno, Professor of Public Policy and Communication at Mason University and Special Correspondent with CNN. For more information, learning objectives and list of panelists, including former APF board member, Kathleen Foley, MD, and APF staff member Yvette Colón, PhD©, MSW. Please visit the HFA website.

April 7, 20062nd Annual Pain Management Symposium: Campaign Against Pain (For more information, contact Ms. Ann Demrow at ann.demrow@...), MS

April 7, 20062nd Annual Public Policy Forum "Opioids and Policy: Barriers to Compassionate Care"Hilton Washington, Washington, DC

April 7-8, 20061st Annual American Conference on Pain MedicineNew York, NY

April 19-23, 2006Intercultural Cancer Council 10th Biennial Symposium on Minorities the Medically Underserved & Cancer: Committed to Eliminating DisparitiesWashington, DC

April 24-26, 2006Building & Streamlining Centers of Excellence for Pain ManagementSee Conference Overview or Conference Brochure. Please mention APF for a registration discount.Las Vegas, NV

May 3 - 6, 200625th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain SocietySan , TX

May 4-7, 2006Oncology Nursing Society's 31st Annual CongressBoston, MA

RESOURCES

New Book! The Savvy Woman Patient: How and Why Your Sex Matters to Your HealthAvailable in February 2006, The Savvy Woman Patient delves into the many sex differences in health, a wide range of diseases and prevention strategies, diagnosis, and treatments for those diseases. Researched and written by the Society for Women's Health Research this comprehensive guide provides answers to vital questions that affect a woman's health from young adulthood to menopause and beyond. Yvette Colón, MSW, APF's Director of Education & Internet Services, contributed to a chapter on pain conditions. Order a copy now!

VOICES OF PEOPLE WITH PAIN

Special PainAid ChatsClick on the links below to read the transcripts of these recent chats.

Talking to Your Doctor About PainGuest speaker Chester “Trip” Buckenmaier III, MD, LTC, MC, Chief, Army Regional Anesthesia & Pain Management Initiative (ARAPMI) at Walter Army Medical Center

Prevention and Management of Side Effects for People with PainGuest speaker Candace C. Coggins, MS, MA, CARN, NP, President of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing

Pain & CreativityPeople often find that expressing themselves through art, prose, and poetry can be healing to both the artist and the viewer. Pain and Creativity features the poetry and art of people living with pain.

Voices of People with PainTell us your story or read the stories of others affected by pain.

PainAid Online SupportJoin our vibrant community and share discussion and your personal stories with others affected by pain. Here you will find: Conference Rooms (regularly scheduled chats on a range of issues); Discussion Boards (threaded message boards on a broad range of topics); and Ask the Expert feature (pose questions to licensed healthcare professionals). PainAid is staffed by highly qualified volunteers with a range of backgrounds, all of whom either live with chronic pain or care for people who do. Visit PainAid!

Thank you to our medical/science editor, J. Vicente Ph.D., ABPP.

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