URGENT ACTION NEEDED! FDA TO POSSBILY BAN SOME PAIN MEDICATIONS!

Please read the letter at the bottom I received from the American Pain Foundation, along with my own letter that I have posted, emailed to the FDA, my Congress man, my Senators, and the President!



http://www.painfoundation.org/ (The front page has the information about it)

I just read a disturbing email from the American Pain Foundation. I am a chronic
pain and chronic illness patient, and have been since I was 17. I began with
horrible migraines that plagued my life several times a month. For years, I got
only a short acting medication, or had to go to the emergency room to get
treatment. That got expensive, was not the real answer, and almost destroyed my
marriage, my job and my quality of life. I put up with that for years. Then at
40, I began to have degenerative joint disease. My joints quickly began to
disentegrate to the point, I have had to have several knee surgeries, including
two total knee replacements, 2 blow surgeries (both need it again, shoulder
surgery on both shoulders (the last was my right one, that has extensive issues,
and may need to be replaced soon also. Plus wrist surgery, now my other wrist
and both thumbs need surgery. I also have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease/Lupus
and Sjogren's. Without my pain doctors help, my quality of life would be none. I
lost all of my jobs due to massive pain, due to having to miss so much work. I
finally got my complete disability after over 3 years, appeals and a hearing.
The pain most days would be almost unbearable without my extended release
medications. With those given properly, and I am extremely monitored by a very
good pain specialist, plus my rheumatologist, my PCP, and my orthopedic
physician, all know about my pain specialist, and they all work together. I
cannot take many medications like NSAID's due to a heart attack at 40. I cannot
take any of the ergot medications for migraines due to my heart attack, and
being allergic to them. Without my proper daily extended release pain
medications, I would be basically unable to even get out of bed, much less have
my life back as I do now. I realize some abuse the system. But, why should I, as
a true patient that does really have health issues that cause so much pain, be
punished because of the abusers? If you take some of those extended release
medications off the market, I would be worthless, as far as my family, my
husband and my life. I have tried over the years every new medication that comes
on the market, yet I either cannot take them due to my other health problems,
such as the heart attack, GERD, kidney issues, high blood pressure and TIA's. I
am only 49 years old and hope to continue to have my life back from the
excruiating, daily chronic pain I had to endure for so many years of my life,
until finding a good specialist, to help me with monitoring and extended release
pain medication. Without control over my horrible pain, and without being able
to continue my medication as it is, I feel suicide could be an issue for not
just myself, but millions of others, who just could not withstand knowing they
would have to suffer horrible pain, have no job, possibly lose their spouses,
and their families, I fear many of us would give up and not be able to continue
on with life.

It is fine to do something about those who abuse the system. But there are
thousands of people like myself, who do what our doctors say, who take our
medications as they should be, and we do so in order to have our lives back. We
are never free of pain completely, but those medications give us enough relief
so we can try and half way life our lives normally.

I urge you to take my case, as well as the millions of chronic pain patients
into deep consideration. You would be taking people away from their jobs, their
families, their spouses, and taking away their quality of life.

I realize we may need more education about how to use medications properly for
some, how to store them properly, away from anyone but the patient, so they can
control the medications and keep them out of the hands of others.

Taking away the extended pain medications would drive the costs of emergency
room visits, doctors visits, and other medical facilities up by millions,
because people would flock to the ER, their doctors, and other clinics for pain
relief. Those visits would be often by millions without their proper extended
release medications. Short relief pain medications are potentially more harmful
due to the Tylenol in them, or NSAIDs in them. They can cause things like liver
failure, they do not work for chronic pain, and many people are unable to take
them to due stomach problems like GERD.

This type of action would also cause patients with true chronic pain issues to
have a stigma associated with them, and then those like myself, who are truly in
horrible daily pain, would not be able to get proper, and immediate treatment
with medications that control pain properly.

Without my good physician, who prescribes the proper extended release
medication, and monitors me, plus I have been well educated about opioid
medications, I basically would be useless, not able to run an errand, help clean
my home, or have any kind of quality of life. I too could lose my husband, and
others around me, just due to not being able to live my life, without being in
bed or on the sofa. I finally found relief from the intolerable pain that
consumed me for years. I urge you to leave things as they are as far as the
medications that help so many.

My best regards, Pam Steele


Here is the letter from the Pain Foundation:

APF URGES YOU TO READ THIS ALERT AND TAKE ACTION TODAY!


To: All individuals and organizations who care about access to pain care in America.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION!

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) may remove important pain medications from the market or couldvery likely limit access to certain pain medications that are currently legally prescribed to millions of Americans suffering from pain.

The FDA needs to hear how vital access to these medications is to people with pain and what tragic results could occur if they were denied access to these medications or if additional barriers were created making access more difficult for people who are legally prescribed these medications.

ACTION REQUESTED

Send a letter to the FDA sharing your story about how their decisions would impact you or your loved one. The FDA MUST receive your letters by Tuesday, June 30th, so don’t delay.

Please review the following to assist in your letter writing and to provide further information on the issue:

Frequently Asked Questions
Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Consumer Talking Points
American Pain Foundation's Position Statement on REMS
American Pain Foundation’s Recommendations on REMS
Click here to go directly to the FDA comment submission page to submit your letter electronically or mail your letters to:

Division of Dockets Management (HFA305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852


Please Note: All letters sent electronically or through the mail must clearly include the following information at the top of your letter: Docket No. FDA-2009-N-0143. Please send a copy of your letter toadvocacy@painfoundation.org so we can also have an opportunity to hear your commentary.

Testimony of Pain Advocates at FDA Hearing, May 27th and 28th. These testimonies may also help you write your letter.

Mark Maginn
Carolyn Noel
Teresa Shaffer
Mary Vargas
FDA’s REMS Information

THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING YOUR LETTER AND ALLOWING YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD!

Sincerely,

American Pain Foundation

Climate and Clean Energy Petition - Please sign by Wednesday! From Moveon.org

Dear MoveOn member,
It's 2009. Democrats have ample majorities in both houses of Congress. President Obama campaigned on the promise to tackle climate change and boost our economy by investing in clean energy.

So why on earth is Congress considering an energy bill that:

Would weaken current law, repealing President Obama's authority to crack down on dirty power plants,1 and
Doesn't actually require the creation of new solar or wind power? (The Union of Concerned Scientists has concluded that the clean energy standards won't make power companies produce more clean energy than is already in the works.)2
Why? Because Big Oil and Coal have teamed up with conservatives in both parties, and they've been successful in weakening the bill.

These are major flaws, but the bill has a lot of really good provisions, too. The key thing is that Congress can still strengthen it—if there's a public outcry. But we don't have much time: Congress is expected to vote on this bill in less than three weeks.

Can you sign this petition to Representative Joe Barton today? Eighty thousand MoveOn members have already signed. We need to double the number of signatures by Wednesday—that means we need 3 more signatures in Ennis. MoveOn members will personally deliver this petition to many congressional offices the next day. Click here to add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/cleanenergy/o.pl?id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=4

The petition says: "We need a stronger energy bill to fulfill Obama's vision of a clean energy economy. Congress should strengthen the clean energy standards and restore Obama's authority to crack down on dirty coal plants."

Congress must change the energy bill to require power companies to produce more clean energy for America. Wind and solar create more than twice as many jobs as coal and oil.3 And Congress needs to hold polluters accountable by restoring President Obama's current authority through the EPA to crack down on global warming pollution from power plants.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that the current version of the clean energy standard "won't require utilities to use any more renewable electricity than...would be generated as a result of state renewable electricity standards already in place and the recently enacted stimulus package."4

If we just sit back, we'll miss our chance to go big with wind and solar—and we'll lose the jobs those industries would create. Big Oil and Coal will keep getting billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies. And President Obama will be powerless to stop more than 100 new dirty coal plants, which will crowd out the clean energy growth we need to boost our economy.5

There are some good parts of the bill, but these are significant problems. As the Sierra Club's Carl Pope writes, the bill establishes strong long-term goals for cutting carbon pollution and very strong energy-efficiency investments, "but in its present form, it won't do all that's needed. The oil, coal, and dirty-utility interests...were able to prevent enactment of President Obama's much bolder vision...Yes, they will try to kill the green-jobs recovery in its cradle, and yes, they will try to block our clean-energy future."6

Please urge Rep. Barton to fight for a stronger energy bill. Clicking here will add your name to the petition:

http://pol.moveon.org/cleanenergy/o.pl?id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=5

Thanks for all you do.

–Anna, Michael, Joan, Noah and the rest of the team

Sources:
1. "Bill Needs Strengthening to Guarantee Necessary Carbon Reductions, New Green Jobs and Consumer Benefits, Science Group Says," Union of Concerned Scientists, May 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51475&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=6

2. "EPA urged to act on climate, not wait for Congress," Associated Press, May 18, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51479&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=7

"American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," Library of Congress, May 15, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51482&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=8

3. "Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy," Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, September 2008
http://www.peri.umass.edu/green_recovery/
4. "Bill Needs Strengthening to Guarantee Necessary Carbon Reductions, New Green Jobs and Consumer Benefits, Science Group Says," Union of Concerned Scientists, May 14, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51475&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=9

5. "Stopping the Coal Rush," Sierra Club
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51483&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=10

6. "So How Good Is This Climate Bill, Anyhow?" Sierra Club, May 22, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51478&id=16315-7178190-thA2_Sx&t=11

Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

Another Monday, Hot Weather, Friends, Oceana & More

This truly hit home with me this morning. We have so many worries, concerns, and stresses in our lives, too often I know for myself, I forget to really remind myself, just how incredibly blessed I really am. I do have a little home to call my own, I have food and drink, I have a decent vehicle to get around in, I have my husband, my Mom, my two children, and now since the birth of Logan, a week ago today, three grandchildren. I also have my pride and joy, my "fur kid" my pug, Tazz, who is just a joy in my life. I do struggle with health issues that keep me from doing many things, yet I am still able to do other things I enjoy, from reading, writing poetry and short stories, crocheting, sewing, working some in my new garden, and the list goes on. No, I will never snow ski again, but I did have several years of going and so many wonderful memories from skiing and other vacations. I am able to worship where I want, and when I want, without being condemned or harassed... So, when I saw this, I wanted to share with you... because I am also very thankful for my friendship with you.

I wish you many incredible memories and times to come to make more... Pam

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN ?
(This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen, and it really puts things into perspective..)

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, 'This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.'

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section..

The angel then said to me, 'This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them... 'I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. 'This is the Acknowledgment Section,' my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed.

'How is it that there is no work going on here?' I asked.

'So sad,' the angel sighed. 'After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments ..'

'How does one acknowledge God's blessings?' I asked.
'Simple,' the angel answered. Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'

'What blessings should they acknowledge?' I asked.

'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy .'

'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity.'

'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day .'

'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.'

'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are envied by and more blessed than three billion people in the world. '

'If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare .'

'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair.'

Ok, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

ATTN:
"Acknowledge Dept.":

'Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with.'
I thank God especially for all my family and friends !!

If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on?


If you spent time to read the above, then you will see I am continuing from here. I posted the "What happens in Heaven" just due to how it hit me, that I so often want to gripe and fuss, rather than see all of the blessings I receive daily. We all get caught up in the negative sometimes, and have to be reminded, how much positive light we are given. Of course it is another Monday. Which means work for some, errands, running around, paying bills, or whatever and however your week begins. For myself, it begins with an extremely hot day. The humidity is already high, and we are to reach 90 degrees today, and more like 100 by Friday! I have to admit I am not looking forward to the heat. I guess old age has set in, but I have problems with extreme heat or cold now. My body just does not tolerate either. With the garden going, all of the new houseplants I have added to our home, we need to paint the outside of the house, plus everything else like cutting the grass and so forth, the extreme triple digit temps sure make those things much more difficult to do and enjoy. Thank goodness for the new propane grill. That way, we don't have to heat up the kitchen as much. Plus probably like most we tend to eat cooler and lighter meals, more salads, including tuna salad, chicken salad, taco salads, and things not as heavy as the Winter time meals.

My new grandson Logan, is doing well. Amanda says they are both doing okay. She is still tired and sore from the C-Section, but knowing her she is probably trying to overdo it too quickly. She says he is just such a good baby, that sometimes she has to wake him up to feed him. He is not wild about a bath yet, and she says he likes to be really bundled up tightly... probably like many, it makes them feel safe, since they are now out of the womb where they felt that.

Today is World Oceans Day... Oceana was started actually by the actor Ted Danson. Shortly after he began being in the sit com Cheers, he decided to give back... thus Oceana was born.

Not much to tell, still trying to get my shoulder completed rehabed, trying to stay cool, and just being... for a change...

I hope all is well with you... I wish the best for everyone.... Rhia

Time to play catch up on my blog...

Lots has been going on lately. Due to the wonderful weather, I have been working on the new garden, working with all of the houseplants we bought recently, keeping things watered and green, and enjoying being outside before the heat here gets too bad to enjoy it. We have already had some "code orange" days due to the pollution, the humidity, heat and no breeze.
We have bought the outside paint to begin painting the house also. There is still much to do on the house inside and out, but little by little it is coming together.
Of course lots in the news, from more murder-suicides, to more suicide bombers overseas reeking havoc on innocent lives, to the murder of Dr. Tiller, which to me was a senseless, stupid act. I am not saying I agreed with his practices but killing him in his place or worship, or anywhere for that matter was certainly not the answer. I have not caught up on who this guy was that did the ridiculous deed, but I feel certain he is probably a nut case. Of course, now we run a huge possibility of more just like him doing useless harm to others. We all are allowed and are even encouraged to have our own opinions. But, no where does it say that we are allowed to take lives just because we do not agree with someone. Violence is NEVER the way to settle anything.
I just read a really great article on the Care2 site, about the way to handle conflict without violence, or even raising your voice. Effective communication is the main key, along with truly not just hearing someone, but truly listening to their side and trying to see why they believe as they do. As humans we all want acknowledgment that we are worthy, our opinions count for something, and we have our basic right to our decisions and opinions.

Of course there is just so much controversy surrounding so many issues at this time, from personal to political, it is difficult to keep up with each of them.

Issues from the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler, to all of the instability of North Korea, and their nuclear testing of bombs, to our continuing down turn of the economy, to greed and corruption, to our much needed dramatic change in our health care system, to the ongoing brawl between the Senate and the House... moreover between the Republicans and the Democrats, our news seems to be filled with issues, rather than hope and peace. We have to make sure our eyes are wide open, and we are alert and cautious everywhere we go. No one wants to walk around in a state of being frightened, but the way things are, it is almost a given, from church, to your own home, the issues surrounding us are making way to the gruesome violence of many.

The plane that went down is a sad situation for those loved ones left behind. We may never know what went on those final moments, before the plane hit the Atlantic. I would hope those people went quickly and without suffering, but that is something as I said we can only have faith about, for finding any part of the plane is probably like looking for a needle in a hay stack so to speak.

I continue to recover from the shoulder surgery, and still have other issues, like the severe bruising and petechia on my arms especially that we do not have an answer to why it is happening yet. We are not very happy with our doctor at this time. He is either overwhelmed with too many patients or his staff is just plain stupid and not capable of doing their jobs correctly. I went there a week ago today in fact to drop off some blood work that my rheumatologist took about 4 weeks ago. There are several things that are abnormal, either too high or too low, that I feel really need to be addressed. Yet, still not a call back or anything. I even called on Friday, and the girl that answered the phone basically told me he had not even seen what I left. Which is frustrating and infuriating. So, I don't know if he just has not bothered, or if possibly he has not been given it to look at. Either way, it is just plain wrong.

I do have a new grandson as of yesterday at 7:59 am. He and my daughter are doing okay. He weighed 7 pounds nine ounces and is 19 1/4 inches long. Kind of light brown hair and so far blue eyes. He is a real cutie. My son in law emailed pics to me yesterday evening. His picture is at the top of this. Honestly, my daughter had already named him several months ago, but right now I cannot remember what she said. LOL, my mind is getting ancient.

Take care and best to each of you.... Rhia

Happy Sunday and Happy Mom's Day to All

Mother's Day Glitter GraphicsGood very early morning!!!




Sunday Glitter Graphics


LOL, try 4 am. For me that is very extremely early. We leave at 7 am Central Time for Bossier City Louisiana. Just an overnight trip and we will be home sometimes on Monday kind of late afternoon or early evening. It is about a 3 hour drive, so we will get to the Casino around 10 - 10:30 am or so. We usually play a little on Monday also, and then try and get on the road by about 2. The drive always seems much longer going since you are go thrilled about getting there, but then coming home, you are just ready to get the drive over with and be safe and sound at home. :)


Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we travel. We are supposedly going to have a clear window, with no thunderstorms, but you never know about this weather.


Plus, for all I did not tell about my daughter Amanda, we had a big scare yesterday. I think most everyone knows she is expecting her 2nd son, on June 1, via C-section. Well, she has been having issues with her gallbladder off and on for years. But, just has kind of put up with it, avoiding surgery mainly due to her two other kids, James her 3 year old and her step-daughter Heather who is 11.


But, she began having horrible problems with it early last week, and even went in to see her OB/GYN. They were going to do a sonogram on her gallbladder on this Monday (tomorrow). But, she was in such pain all night on Friday, she went to the hospital yesterday. She was having some contractions also, which they certainly do not want, so they kept her, gave her meds to stop the contractions, and the pain from the gallbladder and she was supposed to stay overnight, for observation.

Well, she cannot sit still... so the doctor felt if she felt okay, she could go home... and she did late yesterday evening.


She wanted to be home for Mother's day and not stuck in the hospital if possible.


So keep her in your thoughts and prayers as she tries to finish out the pregnancy with everything okay at least another 7 to 10 days to ensure the baby's lungs are completely developed. Hopefully, she will go until June 1, which is the ideal situation. She said the doctor told her they will probably go ahead and take the gallbladder out while she is in the hospital having her new son. If all is well, I hope they do. She has been putting up with boughts of this now for several years, but they never found stones, and felt the gallbladder was just "bad" and sometimes getting infected causing the nausea and severe pain.


OKay I close now.... with a Happy Sunday to all, and for all the Mom's adn Mom's to be a very Happy, Blessed, and Safe Mother's Day!


With all of my respect, honor, gratitude, and to let you know just how much you bless my heart with all of the wonderful posts, emails, cards, comments and so much more.


Pam p.s. Wish us a little luck at the Casino! :) We decided IF we won...(Not likely but you never know) we would put the money into getting a new kitchen floor, and a venta-hood for over the stove.