There are several new studies you might want to know about before your doctor suggests changes to your regimen, assuming of course, you haven’t committed to the diet solution yet.
Some of the research deals with the assessment of damage to joints using high tech methods like optical imaging and something called PET. They have some similarities. Both methods are experimental, much more expensive than standard x-rays (you know how I feel about those), and beg the question: so what? They will cost you or your insurance company lots extra without giving you information that you can use. What difference will it make to you to know if your joints show bone erosions? None except to possibly make you more anxious and who needs that? I suspect it will also mean little to your doctor beyond satisfying his or her own curiosity.
These are more of those expensive medical innovations that I would handle by just saying ‘no thanks.’
A new study regarding Cimzia has information everyone taking it needs to have. A tried and true method of handling prescription drug resistance has always been to increase the dose. This research says that it does no good to escalate the dose of Cimzia (Certolizumab Pegol) beyond 200 mg bimonthly. Increasing the dose will increase side effects but will not make the drug more effective.
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May 5th, 2011 |