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Re: The article on "Arthritis Basics - Some Self-Care Ground Rules."
I also use pure black cherry juice, 2 tablespoons a day, to reduce the pain in my hands and feet from degenerative arthritis. After taking it about 3 weeks, almost all the pain in both my hands and feet is usually gone. I get occasional days with pain, but no longer is it constant. And the juice tastes really great! – meowzietung

Lyrica^R Side Effect for Bipolar Patients

I wanted to tell fellow sufferers that while Lyrica [the first prescription drug to gain FDA approval specifically for Fibromyalgia treatment] seems to be wonderful for relieving pain, if you are bipolar, as I am, you need to be very careful taking this medication.

One of the rare side effects for the general public, but not so rare for those of us who are bipolar, is mania. You will find mania listed in the fine print of the list of side effects. I started taking Lyrica 50mg three times per day as prescribed by my rheumatologist, and enjoyed some degree of relief from my Fibromyalgia pain. My physician increased my dosage to 75 mg three times per day, and within a week I started to experience symptoms of hypomania [elevated or irritable mood - “below mania”].

The symptoms became worse, and only began to resolve after the Lyrica was tapered to 0 and the blood levels of medication dropped. It was my psychiatrist who researched the side effects of Lyrica and found that mania can be caused by this drug. Once I stopped taking Lyrica I returned to my baseline without need of further intervention. – Elaine

Note: This letter points out the importance of talking to your pharmacist before beginning any new medication. It also demonstrates why it’s best to use one pharmacy that has a record of your diagnoses and other medications you take. Pharmacists usually have more in-depth and up-to-date information about medications and their side effects than doctors because that is their specialty.

Red Yeast Rice Extract Missing Ingredient

Re: One of the "What Worked for Me" letters in your May 28 FM newsletter, stating “I was put on Red Yeast Rice Extract for high cholesterol.”
I also bought this supplement when I was told I had high cholesterol. When I researched it…I found that this supplement no longer contains the necessary cholesterol lowering ingredient. – lakerce

Note: Lovastatin is the cholesterol-reducing substance (statin) you’re referring to. In line with a decision the FDA made nearly 10 years ago, supplement makers should remove the naturally occurring lovastatin from their red yeast rice extract products sold in the US. This is because lovastatin is the active ingredient in a prescription drug sold in the US – so in the FDA’s eyes any product containing lovastatin is a drug, and any product containing it would require approval as a drug. The lovastatin-free supplements that ProHealth and other respected suppliers market in the U.S. still contain a constellation of compounds, including essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and isoflavones. (Red yeast rice extract is obtained from cooked rice fermented with red yeast - considered a beneficial food in China since the Tang Dynasty.)

Tip for Sleeping Despite Snoring Husband & Whining Dogs

My husband snores really loudly. I found some really good women’s earplugs that don't hurt my ears. They are called Pretty in Pink^TM. They are bright pink and foamy – very comfortable. I got them at Wal-Mart. I even sleep through the dogs’ whining so my husband has to get up and let them out. - Tammy

Note: In searching online for the earplugs, we see that the maker claims they reduce noise by 32 decibels – as noted by “biker chicks” who recommend them as feminine earplugs for motorcycle riding.

Setting Realistic Goals

I have had to give up many of the activities I used to do due to 20 years of chronic pain. But there are some that I just will not give up. I love working in my flower beds and pulling weeds. It is very therapeutic and peaceful! The main difference, as I've been able to do less and less physically, is that, instead of telling myself I'm going to go out and weed the front flower beds, I tell myself I'm going to go out and weed two or three square feet of the front flower beds.

That way I've set a realistic goal that I can achieve and be proud of, instead of feeling like such a loser and a failure when I have to quit after 20 minutes! - Anon

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Note: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is generic and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or health support regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.