Man prescribed Big Pharma combo drug for IBS gets leukemia i

[drdebc]

To all of you: In 2005, I lost my husband of 34 years to Non Hodgkin Mantle Cell Leukemia. He died 3 weeks after diagnosis. He did not have IBS but was on powerful drugs for thyroid and blood pressure (and who knows what else). I am so grateful that Tex emphasizes change of diet to cure MC VS drugs. Since leukemia is a topic dear to my heart and since this article related to drugs used for digestive conditions, I wanted to share it with you. I am grateful for the support you have given me and I hope this knowledge might help you.
Deb
_________________________________________________________________________

(NaturalNews) If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or some other form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and take multiple pharmaceutical drugs in combination with one another as treatment, you could be putting yourself at serious risk of developing leukemia. This is what happened to Joseph Phillips, an Illinois man who five years after beginning a treatment protocol involving the drugs Remicade (infliximab injection) and Imuran (azathioprine) developed chronic myeloid leukemia, a severe form of blood cancer.

Phillips says he was not properly warned by either his physician, Dr. Stephen Hanauer, nor the University of Chicago Hospitals (UCH) system where he received treatment, that the two drugs could cause serious complications. As a result, he is now suing UCH, Medical Specialist Inc. dba Ambulatory Infusion Center, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Janssen Biotech, Centocor, and GlaxoSmithKline, for the damage.

"Despite the fact that J&J, and/or its subsidiaries such as Janssen and Centocor, knew of the significant potential for the development of blood cancer and/or leukemia in patients taking Remicade in combination with other medications for ulcerative colitis, defendant, J&J, and/or its subsidiaries such as Janssen and Centocor, failed to timely and adequately warn physicians in the United States who prescribed Remicade about this significant risk to adult patients taking Remicade," says the suit.

Though not specifically intended for treating IBS, Remicade is often prescribed alongside other drugs like Imuran as a management protocol for the condition. But patients given these chemical cocktails are apparently not being told of the serious side effects that could result from their use, which include psoriasis, lupus, cancer, and even death.

"Joseph Phillips was infused with Remicade and Imuran in 2005 at the infusion center at U of C as well as at AIC (Ambulatory Infusion Center]," adds the filing. "On November 17, 2010 ... Joseph Phillips was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. Plaintiffs did not know of the product liability causes of action against these defendants until ... Phillips was diagnosed with [his condition]."

As a remedy, Phillips is seeking damages for strict product liability, breach of express and implied warranty, negligence, and loss of consortium.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/11/09/52143.htm


Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037988_IBS_d ... z2CR162iT3

[tex]

Hi Deb,

I'm so sorry to hear that your husband had something similar to this happen to him. Yes, immune system suppressants, and especially combinations of them can lead to very harsh unintended consequences in some cases. For some individuals they can bring almost miraculous relief, and for others, they can bring devastating grief. That's why it always concerns me whenever someone chooses to use them. They are high-stakes drugs.

Thank you for posting this.

Tex

[gluten]

Hi, How many people have been a drug to treat the side effects of the first drug. Everytime, I would go to my PCP for a physical I never complained because if I did he would prescibe another drug. Finally went holistic and do not take any meds now. Naturalpathtic doctors treat the whole body and understand that the biochenistry of the body has to be in balance. Some drugs remove trace minerals that will upset the balance. I have been given a drug to treat the side effects of the first drug. Jon

[drdebc]

I just had a visit with my MD. I refused statin drugs and she agreed to my plan to instead try niacin. We will re-test in 3 months. She also recommended our local functional MD for some other health issues and the 3 of us will consult. She supported the 8 week Pepto Bismol and Cultrelle plan for healing. In fact, she explained how the Bismol heals. I will use Lomitil only if necessary. It is refreshing to have an MD who admits that she does not have functional training, knows this can help, and wants to add this field for total health management.

Tex, thanks for your comment. I do agree that there are unintended negative consequences for too many meds. I posted the article in the hope that I could help someone.

[Deb]

Drdebc, I am currently treating my thyroid and have learned that high cholesterol and high blood pressure can be caused by untreated hypothyroidism.
My blood pressure appears to have improved. I haven't had my cholesterol checked since I started on the thyroid hormone. Apparently those of us with MC are 7X more inclined to have thyroid issues. Deb
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updat ... 106b.shtml

[JLH]

"(NaturalNews) If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or some other form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)...."

[tex]

If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or some other form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)...."

Yep, that IBS is bad stuff. I don't know what we'd do without such meticulous writers who report on medical issues in such accurate detail.

Everytime, I would go to my PCP for a physical I never complained because if I did he would prescibe another drug.

That sounds like me. I may have had trouble getting out of bed that morning, because of a backache, but I never mentioned it to my doc, because he would inevitably waste a lot of time trying to convince me that I needed to take an NSAID, or some prescription drug that I'm not about to even consider taking.

Tex

[drdebc]

I agree with you. My primary MD does not. I saw her on Thursday and she reported my thyroid tests were marvelous.

In addition to this forum, I am a member of trackyourplaque.com a forum by Dr. William Davis, author of The Wheat Belly Plan. I have lost next to no weight in the last 6 months despite following his plan. However, other conditions like sinus and osteo arthritis are far better! The only thing that really bothers me is the MC. He recommended I add 500 mg a day of kelp. I did so 3 months ago. This has slightly lowered my TSH-was 3.7 in August and now is 2.5. He recommends Armour thyroid should my numbers stay out of his recommended range for heart health. I am going to continue with the kelp and add some other supplements he recommends: DHEA, Magnesium Glycinate, L-Arginine Powder, fish oil, and Niacin (for cholestrol). I have 7 more weeks of the Pepto regimen and will have blood tests re-run in 3 months. If thyroid tests are no better, I plan to see a functional MD and see about Armour thyroid. If D is still present, I will, as Dr. Davis also suggested, get tests from the functional MD to rule out dysbiosis/bacterial overgrowth, failed CCK signaling/pancreatic insufficiency, and other conditions.

My Scores Dr. Davis' Recommended Scores for Maximizing Heart Health
TSH 2.5 TSH 0-less than 1
T3 Free 3.41 T3 Free 3.0-4.2
T4 Free 1.6 T4 Free 1.6-1.9

Hopefully I will be able to get this resolved either with or without Armour. I am starting to have energy, I am less depressed and have less D. This as a result of Week 1 on Pepto.

Thanks again Deb,
Dr Deb C

[Deb]

drdebc - my doctor (Mayo) is still using limits of up to 5 as okay even though the American Assoc. of Endocrinologists declared in 2002 that over 3 could be a potential problem and some are now thinking over 2 could be an issue. Mine was 4.76 which according to Mayo's standards was okay. I was feeling like crap. I've been treating with NDT (which Armour is) since June and have seen an energy increase, my mood has lifted, I've lost about 10 lbs which is amazing (I could have chronic diarrhea for months with no change....like Marliss, my weight never changed no matter what I did) my tremors in my hands have improved, my vertigo is gone as is the tingling in my hands. It's a slow process and I'm not fully optimized but believe I will get there. Deb

[drdebc]

Even the Mayo Clinic misdiagnoses hypothyroidism. Amazing! I took that article from the AAof Endos to my doctor and she said she trusts her lab's recommendation.
I also do have hand tremors. Did not know that was related. Four years ago, I had to pay for elective upper eyelid surgery. My eyes were drooping so badly, I couldn't even wear my contact lens. Now I note that this is another symptom of hypothyroidism.
My AM temperature is 96-another symptom.
Now Deb,
Here is my thousand dollar question to you: How did you get the meds since Mayo denied them? I really would love to lose weight and to be happy again.
Thanks so much,
Deb

[tex]

Deb,

Did I read your post correctly — Dr. Davis recommends a TSH between 0 and 1? The reason I ask is because my Free T4 is always near the bottom or below range (even with treatment). My TSH has come down after years of treatment, and it is now either near the bottom of the normal range, or below range. The best information I can find says to ignore the TSH and treat the Free T4, whenever the Free T4 is below range. However, on my last CBC, my Free T4 was within the normal range (low side), but my TSH was 0.01 That's the lowest it's ever been.

Tex

[Deb]

drdebc - There is a lot of information at this site www.stopthethyroidmadness.com I will send you a private message with further information. Deb

[nancyl]

Dr. Deb,
I am curious as to how you fare on Niacin. My lipoprotein (a) is very high. It's genetic and has nothing to do with the foods we eat. The only thing to treat it is Niacin. My cardiologist will not give it to me saying that anyone with digestive issues should stay about from it. I am being treated with a very low dose of simvastatin.

Nancy

[tex]

Nancy,

Here's why your cardiologist is not open to the idea of prescribing niacin for you:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/53549 ... nd-niacin/

Also, niacin can make allergies and sensitivities worse because it can increase histamine levels.

Tex

[drdebc]

I am basing the thyroid recommended numbers from Dr. William Davis' writings. About him:" I am a 1985 graduate of the St. Louis University School of Medicine and the Ohio State University Hospitals for training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases. I even trained in advanced cardiac catheterization techniques and coronary angioplasty in the Case-Western Reserve University system in Cleveland, Ohio. But I’ve essentially left that training in the dust of new-lessons-learned, including this incredible wheat-free world I’ve stumbled into..."
Here is the link: http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2011/07/w ... iam-davis/

I joined trackyourplaque.com, at a cost of approximately $80 and this cost included a number of program books and a CD and it costs $19 every three months for renewal. Dr. Davis also replies to member questions. This site includes a wonderful wealth of articles for members. I joined to improve my health and risk factors. I am 61. I lost my mother, father, and older brother in their 50s-60s of stroke (father and brother) and heart attack (mother).

In the booklet "Crack the Weight Barrier", he says: The low thyroid barrier is removed, when:
TSH is <1.0 mIU/L. The reference range is 0-1.5
Free T3 is at the upper half of the "reference range." The reference range is 3.5-4.2
Free T4 is at the upper half of the "reference range." The reference range is 1.2-1.9
Davis says 500 mcg of iodine supplements per day has helped 20% of participants to achieve the numbers listed above. If after 3 months of iodine per day does not produce these numbers, he recommends taking thyroid hormone in some form, preferably a T3/T4 combination such as Armour thyroid. The challenge with this is to find a practitioner who will prescribe Armour for hypothyroidism. After 3 months of Iodine (kelp) my TSH went down from 3.7 to 2.5. Therefore, I am hopeful.

PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT an MD. I am a retired PhD. I love research and I am doing my best to heal myself. On Davis' plan, the most annoying health condition I still have is MC. Most of my other health challenges have been cured. I pray that the Pepto regime will take care of this. So far, I am improving.

I hope this helps,
Deb