More Help for Hepatitis C Sufferers

Posted on August 11, 2011 by ssaadvantage

The FDA has approved the company Vertex’s new Hepatitis C drug, Incivek, as an add-on treatment to the usual interferon/ribavirin therapy. The drug is considered an SVR, or sustained viral response, and although it isn’t an out and out cure, it will ensure that those suffering from Hepatitis C infections won’t develop the kind of life-threatening complications that used to be so prevalent with the viral infection.

Clinical trials have suggested that the new drug might vastly improvement Hepatitis C treatments. Receiving only the standard interferon/ribavirin therapy achieved SVR in nearly half the patients over the course of 48 weeks. The addition of Incivek improved those numbers by 20-45% in just half the time. But like most medications, there are side effects. Some of the side effects for Incivek include nausea, headache, rash, diarrhea, anal irritation, and pain. 

Incivek is being approved the same week as the similar drug Victrelis, and although they both have similar side effects, which are more intense than the standard two medication treatment, there is a pay-off with the shorter treatment time itself. People wondering which drug is better will have to wait for an answer as the two drugs Incivek and Victrelis have never been tested against each other. According to Daniel J. DeNoon, writing for WebMD, “A major marketing battle is expected between Merck and Vertex. Although each of the drugs is a major advance over current hepatitis C therapy, even better treatments are in the pipeline.”

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The Basics of Hepatitis

Posted on August 10, 2011 by ssaadvantage

Hepatitis, simply put, is a series of viral infections that affect the liver. Although there are many types of Hepatitis, the most common kind go by the names Hepatitis A, B, and C. Besides being the leading cause of liver cancer, Hepatitis is also a major cause of liver transplant. A total of approximately 4.4 million Americans live with chronic Hepatitis, with there being almost 80,000 new cases each year. 

 So how does one contract Hepatitis? The most common ways are through bacterial and viral infection, toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, and heavy alcohol use. But there are differences in the contractions, symptoms, and treatments of each different types of Hepatitis. Listed briefly below are overviews of the three major types of Hepatitis, along with lists of symptoms and treatments.

 HEPATITIS A:

A contagious liver disease resulting from a viral infection, it can range greatly in severity from a grave illness that can last several months, to something more mild that may only last a few weeks. The most common method of contracting Hepatitis A is through ingestion of fecal material, even at microscopic levels, in food and drinks. People most at risk of contracting Hepatitis A are those living in countries with outbreaks, people using illegal drugs, people with hemophilia, and someone who has had sexual contact with another person who has Hepatitis A. 

Symptoms of Hepatitis A include: Fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, bowel pain, joint pain, jaundice, dark urine, and clay colored-bowel movements. 

Due to a Hepatitis A vaccine being introduced in 1995, cases have been on the decline in America. Nevertheless, there is not yet a cure. People with Hepatitis A will feel sick for a few months before they begin to feel better. Some cases may require hospitalization. People who have Hepatitis A symptoms should see their doctor for a personalized regimen, which will likely include plenty of rest, fluids, and proper nutrition. 

HEPATITIS B:

Unlike Hepatitis A infections, a Hepatitis B infection could possibly last a lifetime, in the most serious cases. It is general considered either “acute” or “chronic”. “Acute” is a short-term illness which usually occurs within the first six months of infection. It can potentially turn into a “chronic” infection, which remains in the person’s body.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B include: Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint pain, jaundice, dark urine, and clay-colored bowel movements.

And although the best way to prevent Hepatitis B is through vaccination, there is no known cure. Acute Hepatitis B can usually be treated with plenty of rest and fluids, but a Chronic case of Hepatitis B requires more advanced treatments. The Center for Disease Control has the following to say about it: 

“People with chronic Hepatitis B virus infection should seek the care or consultation of a doctor with experience treating Hepatitis B. This can include some internists or family medicine practitioners, as well as specialists such as infectious disease physicians, gastroenterologists, or hepatologists (liver specialists). People with chronic Hepatitis B should be monitored regularly for signs of liver disease and evaluated for possible treatment. Several medications have been approved for Hepatitis B treatment, and new drugs are in development. However, not every person with chronic Hepatitis B needs to be on medication, and the drugs may cause side effects in some patients.”

 HEPATITIS C:

Much like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C can range from a milder, short-term infection, to a more serious one that lasts a lifetime. Also similar is the dual categorization of “acute” and “chronic”. It is much more likely that an acute case of Hepatitis C turns into chronic than it is for Hepatitis B to do the same. Chronic Hepatitis C can cause severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver.

 Symptoms of Hepatitis C include: Fever, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal pain, joint pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, and loss of appetite. 

 There is currently no vaccine against Hepatitis C, and no specific medication available to take for an acute Hepatitis C infection. Like the other forms of Hepatitis, doctors often times will recommend plenty of rest, fluids, and nutritious food. The treatment of chronic Hepatitis C is usually treated by some combination of the two drugs interferon and ribavirin. These drugs may cause serious side effects in some patients. Obviously, anyone with an Hepatitis C infection should coordinate any and all treatment with a medical professional.

Below are some links that give further information, as well as detailed information on vaccines and tests:

The American Liver Foundation

Center for the Study of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B Foundation

Viral Hepatitis: A through E

Immunization Action Coalition

CDC: Vaccines and Immunizations

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Social Security Benefits On Schedule

Posted on August 2, 2011 by ssaadvantage

Thanks to a last minute debt ceiling compromise by Congress, Social Security retirement and disability benefits will be paid on time.  In a press release today, SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue reassured SSDI, SSI and retirement beneficairies that their checks will be sent as scheduled on the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th.  He also used the occasion to remind Social Security receipents that they must switch to direct deposit by March, 2013.  All new disability and retirement benefits applications must provide a bank account for direct deposit of benefits payment or sign up for SSA’s bank card account.

SSA Press release:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/ss-paid-ontime-pr.html

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Arthritis – A Pain In The Neck

Posted on July 25, 2011 by ssaadvantage

In its most simple definition, arthritis means an inflammation of the joints. But for the public, arthritis has become a sort of shorthand term for both inflammation of the joints as well as a variety of other rheumatic conditions. It’s become an umbrella term used to describe a variety of diseases, over 100 in fact, that affect the joints and their surrounding tissue. Rheumatic conditions are usually characterized by pains in and around the joints that have developed either slowly or suddenly, due to a buildup of Uric acids in the joint. Some rheumatic conditions are also associated with diseases of the immune system and internal organs.

 Risk factors for arthritis are broken up into non-modifiable or modifiable risk factors. The first group consists of: Age, gender, and genetic. Arthritis risk increases with age, and specific genes have been linked to certain types of arthritis. Women are more likely to develop most types of arthritis, but men are more likely to develop Gout.

The modifialbe risk factors include obesity, joint injuries,occupation, and infection. An excess of body weight can not only contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis, but can also cause its onset. Joint injuries are an obvious way to exaserbate the deveopment of osteoarthritis as well. Infections potentially introduce microbal agents to joints that are the cause of various forms of arthritis. And it should be remembered that occupations whose work causes joint stress are also contributers to arthritis.

With over 100 different types of arthritis, the most common types are childhood arthritis, fibromyalgia, general arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Of course,with so many different types of arthritis, there are a variety of treatments all dependent on the arthritic type as well as the individual patient. The three main types of treatment are: medication, nonpharmacological therapies like physical therapy or weight loss, and surgery.   

According to the Center for Disease Control, there are an estimated 50 million Americans who have arthritis. That’s about 22% of American adults. Over 294,000 children under the age of 18 also suffer from arthritis. As our nation’s population ages, these numbers are expected to increase. 

For More information see:

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002223/

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Social Security Field Offices Closing Early

Posted on July 25, 2011 by ssaadvantage

Come early but don’t plan on staying late.  In the latest reaction to Congressional budget cuts, Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue annouced that SSA field offices will be closing 1/2 hour earlier than previously posted.  It is presumed that Social Security field office staff will not answer phone calls from the public during that time. 

Astrue also pointed out that so far this year, SSA has 1600 fewer staff to handle retirement and disability benefits claims.  The Commissioner’s press release directs people to call SSA’s 800 number or check the SSA website for updates on SSDI, SSI and retirement claims status. 

To see the Social Security press release:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/fo-close-early-pr.html

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HIV Drugs May Be Causing Premature Aging

Posted on July 21, 2011 by ssaadvantage

According to a new study published on June 26 in Nature Genetics, a certain class of older antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV could cause premature aging. The study goes a ways in explaining why people receiving treatment with the drugs in question have experienced things that usually accompany advanced age, such as frailty, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. 

In the study, researchers determined that damage to the mitochondria of muscle cells were caused by zidovudine (AZT) and other drugs in the nucleoside analogue reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) category. Sadly, these types of drugs are also the cheapest and are still commonly used in developing countries. And the symptoms don’t seem to dissipate even after coming off of the drugs. However, their use is still vital in places like Africa where treatment options are limited.

Professor Patrick Chinnery, senior fellow of clinical science at the Institute of Genetic Medicine at Newcastle University in England, explains the effect of the drug in saying, “The DNA in our mitochondria gets copied throughout our lifetimes and, as we age, naturally accumulates errors. We believe that these drugs accelerate the rate at which these errors build up. So over the space of, say, 10 years, a person’s mitochondrial DNA may have accumulated the same amount of errors as a person who has naturally aged 20 or 30 years.” This is of course a disturbing revelation, but at the same time an important advancement in understand the side effects of NRTI’s and AZT’s.

To see more about the study:

http://www.nature.com/ng/index.html

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Need your Disability Benefits? Don’t Worry…

Posted on July 20, 2011 by ssaadvantage

Has the recent Federal debt ceiling crisis made you worry about getting your Social Security disability check?  Are you fretting over your next SSA retirement payment?  Are you afraid Congress and the President will leave SSDI and SSI recipients without disability benefits?  Well if you call Social Security and ask about your retirement or disability benefits they have an answer for you.  “We don’t know.” 

The following is from the text of an emergency bulletin sent out to Social Security field offices last week.

Retention Date: January 14, 2012

This message instructs you how to respond to inquiries about payment of Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments if the United States does not raise the federal debt ceiling.

Responding to inquiries from the public

If an individual inquires about payment of Social Security or SSI checks due to concerns about the federal debt ceiling, provide the following response:

“We’re sorry but we don’t know.”

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ADHD In Adults

Posted on July 18, 2011 by ssaadvantage

Treating ADHD in adults requires a more multi-faceted approach than one that would normally be used to treat children with ADHD. The need for this kind of approach becomes obvious when you consider the types of pressures that an adult faces. Julie Edgar at webMD suggests that some forms of treatment might consist of cognitive therapy or even of seeking the assistance of a life coach. Of course, these other forms of treatment are usually an accompaniment to, and not a replacement for, a doctor prescribed medication.

The medications used to treat adult ADHD are pretty much the same used to treat ADHD in childhood. Leonard Adler, MD, a psychiatry professor at New York University and head of the Adult ADHD Program at the same institution, lists the most common drugs used to treat adult ADHD as: Adderall, Concerta, Focalin, Vyvanse, and Ritalin in its long-acting form. The only non-stimulant usually prescribed is Strattera.
Choosing which combination of medication to use can be incredibly complicated. There are always mitigating factors involved. Adler, for instance, refuses to prescribe stimulants to people with a history of substance abuse. The type of medication previously taken can also have an effect on what specific drugs are prescribed. Because ADHD has a strong genetic link, even the medication family members have taken, and their reactions to those drugs, also figure into what might be prescribed.
Side effects of ADHD medication should always be strongly considered. People with a history of heart disease or fainting are strongly advised to be cautious with stimulants, although in the short-term they are considered safe. ”They are generally safe medications,” Adler says. But he does go on to say that he regularly monitors his patients blood pressure and pulse on the lowest dosage in order to gauge their reactions. Some common side effects include nausea, agitation, insomnia, and variations in blood pressure.
To complicate things even further, most adults with ADHD also are diagnosed with other disorders such as mood swings and depression. According to a study published by BMC Medicine 75%- 80% of adults with ADHD also have such problems as anxiety and substance abuse. ”Honestly, most adults who are going to seek treatment aren’t going to seek treatment for just ADHD,” says Angela Tzelepis, PhD, a psychiatry professor at Wayne State University. “My approach, and this is supported in the literature, is this is a neurobiological problem. The best treatment is going to involve a combination of medication and the therapy, or other nonpharmacologic interventions.”
The thing one should take away from all this is that there are a number of treatment options available to adults with ADHD. The path that’s taken is a complicated choice based on a variety of variables. Consult with you doctor to see if ADHD medications, or a combination of therapies and medicine, is the best option for you.
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You Gotta Have Heart

Posted on July 16, 2011 by ssaadvantage

For people who apply for SSA disability benenfits with select illnesses, Social Security has a program called Compassionate Allowances.  The latest update to the Compassionate Allowances program is aimed at people with serious cardiac disabilities.   Applicants for SSDI or SSI disability benefits can have their claim approved in as little as two weeks if they meet the Compassionate Allowance criteria.  In some cases it is as simple as Social Security confirming the diagnosis with a medical provider.  For example, if you are awaiting a heart transplant, SSA can expedite your disability benefit application. 

To see the latest updates to the SSA Compassionate Allowances program:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/compassionate-allowances100conditions-pr.htm

To see the complete list of diagnosis qualifying for SSDI or SSI disability benefits:

http://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/

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Send More Judges

Posted on July 12, 2011 by ssaadvantage

On July 11, 2011, Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue testified before a joint committee meeting of Congress.  Members of the Ways and Means and Judiciary committees wanted information about the SSA disability hearing backlog after a recent report from Syracuse University critizied the way Social Security is handling the growing number of disability benefits applications and appeals. 

Since 2007, Commissioner Astrue has been working to reduce the amount of time it takes to get a Social Security disability hearing.  Prior to Astrue’s arrival SSDI and SSI applicants often waited up to two years to get a disability hearing.  Over the past three years, SSA has hired 300 additional judges to handle disability claims.  While the total time SSDI and SSI applicants wait for a hearing has decreased, the total backlog has risen.  Astrue points out that the increase in pending disability hearings is due to more people applying for SSDI and SSI benefits.

The commissioner is working to make SSA judges more productive.  But to keep up with the increased volume of hearings, he needs more ALJs.  SSA recently had its operational budget cut by $1 billion dollars.  In 2012 Astrue hopes to hire 125 additional disability ALJs.  The current budget impass makes it doubtful if enough money will be given to SSA to keep up with disability claims. 

To see Commissioner Astrue’s prepared testimony to Congress:

http://www.ssa.gov/legislation/testimony_071111.html

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