Heavy use of the veterinary anesthetic turned club drug could have serious consequences. 

People who use the club drug Special K or Vitamin K (ketamine) might be at higher risk for serious bladder problems in the future. In most cases, the symptoms go away after the drug is stopped, but not always.

Ketamine also leads to problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.

Ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic in veterinary medicine, gives its users hallucinations, an “out of body” feeling, and feelings of euphoria or a dream-like state. It is swallowed, injected, or snorted. Ketamine also leads to problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.

A new study followed over 1,200 people who had used ketamine in the last year. Of the users, 17 percent were addicted to it, and 26 percent of users had experienced urinary problems, including pain in the lower abdomen, burning or stinging during urination, bloody urine, and incontinence (urine leakage).

The severity of urinary symptoms was connected to how often and the size of the dose of ketamine the participants used.

Half the participants reported that their symptoms improved after they stopped using the drug. a small minority (4%) said they continued to have symptoms after they ceased use.

Ketamine is known to cause irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes, as well as thickening of the bladder wall and kidney problems. but the exact mechanisms by which ketamine actually causes these changes in the urinary tract are not well understood.

The authors urge doctors and the public to be aware of the serious problems that can occur with prolonged ketamine use, in particular to “avoid progression to severe and irreversible urological pathologies.” In other words, the damage that is occurring to users’ urinary tracts could be permanent after a certain amount of use. if you or a loved one is using ketamine (or any other drug), getting help to stop it as early as possible is critical. For help with drug abuse, please visit the SAMHSA.gov website.

The study was carried out by a team at the Bristol Urological Institute in Bristol, UK, and published in the journal BJU International.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

“Measuring how well this network’s connections are working may provide a way to look beyond the wide-ranging symptoms of MS to help us quantify the disorder’s effects on the brain,” says co-author Maurizio Corbetta, MD, the Norman J. Stupp Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “This assessment could be very useful in diagnosing the disease and tracking the effectiveness of new treatments.”

Scientists at Washington University and the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf and the University of Tübingen, both in Germany, published the results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

MS damages brain cell branches, impairing the cells’ ability to communicate. The disease is highly unpredictable and produces a hodgepodge of symptoms that vary from patient to patient. These include fatigue, numbness, dizziness, pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, visual impairments, speech disorders, headache, depression and problems with balance, coordination and walking.

The brain can redirect energy and resources to make it possible for more signals to flow through damaged circuits. but in MS, the researchers speculate, that redirection may lead to a decrease in the brain’s ability to reconfigure itself for different cognitive tasks, such as speaking, processing sensory information, controlling movement, regulating mood and creating and accessing memory.

The current study focused on whether correlations could be made between the structural damage caused by MS, the cognitive problems experienced by patients and changes in brain networking, which refers to the ability of various regions in the brain to work with each other.

The study involved 16 patients who had been diagnosed with MS in the previous four years. For comparison, scientists also included 16 healthy individuals. all participants were given an extensive battery of behavioral and cognitive tests, as well as brain scans to look for structural damage. Researchers also evaluated the connectedness of brain regions that often work together in networks.

The scientists could see damage to brain cell branches on the scans of MS patients. The greater the damage, the more likely patients were to experience difficulties with brain function. These problems affected a range of cognitive domains, including decision-making, memory, attention and other factors. Researchers found that changes in one component of cognitive function that they defined as “cognitive efficiency” correlated with the great majority of symptoms and deficits measured by the battery of cognitive and behavioral tests.

The scientists also showed that patients with lower cognitive efficiency had enhanced connections in the brain’s default mode network. This network is one of many that supports brain function; it is only active when the brain is not engaged in a particular mental task. Increases in default mode network connectivity gave a direct index of the degree of impairment in cognitive efficiency.

“This correlation is very surprising because normally we would expect cognitive efficiency to improve with increases in the connectivity of the default mode network,” says lead author David Hawellek, a graduate student at the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf. “Prior studies have found that the strength of connections in the default mode network is a direct indicator of how well other networks can interact to support brain function. but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

The observation may result from the fact that the MS patients had only been recently diagnosed. Corbetta speculates that if scientists scan the patients’ brains again in a few years, more extensive damage from MS would likely impair connectivity in the default mode network.

“Another possibility is that the brain’s response to structural damage from MS may cause the various brain networks to lose their flexibility to interact with each other to support brain function,” says senior author Andreas K. Engel, MD, PhD, professor of physiology at the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf. “The networks might thus have become less variable, more often interacting among themselves instead of with other networks.”

Such a change could register as increased default mode network connectivity on scans, Engel says, but might actually indicate impaired cognitive function in early-stage MS patients.

MS symptoms tend to flare in intensity episodically. These unpredictable flares, known as relapses, involve worsening of symptoms and the development of new problems. None of the patients in the study was having a relapse. Scientists plan to follow up on their findings by gathering data on the same brain characteristics from individuals who are relapsing.

“This may give us additional insights into the relationship between changes in brain networks and problems in cognition,” Engel says. “if we can understand the dynamics that lead to these episodes, that may help us find better ways to predict and prevent them.”

more information: Hawellek DJ, Hipp JF, Lewis CM, Corbetta M, Engel AK. Increased functional connectivity indicates the severity of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nov. 22, 2011.

Provided by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (news : web)

Sativex? approved in Sweden for the treatment of spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Porton down, UK; 22nd December 2011: GW Pharmaceuticals plc (AIM:GWP) today announced that the Medical Products Agency in Sweden has granted regulatory approval for Sativex? (Delta-9-Tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD)) oromucosal spray as a treatment of moderate to severe spasticity due to MS in patients who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medicationi. Sativex? is a first in class endocannabinoid system modulator and is currently available in the UK, Germany, Spain and Denmark.

Evidence generated from clinical trials shows that Sativex? has a positive impact on spasticity in multiple sclerosis, while alleviating associated symptoms including pain, bladder or sleep disturbance. By relieving the symptoms of MS, Sativex? can improve patients' quality of life and allow them greater independence in performing their daily activitiesii.

the launch of Sativex? in Sweden is expected to take place during the first half of 2012 following completion of the national pricing and reimbursement process. Sativex? will be marketed in Sweden by GW's marketing partner, Almirall S.a.

Justin Gover, GW's Managing Director, said, "We are very pleased to announce the approval of Sativex? in Sweden. Sativex? addresses a significant unmet need for people with multiple sclerosis and we look forward to the launch of this important medicine in Sweden next year."

Sativex?, which has been developed by GW Pharmaceuticals, is also in phase III clinical development for the treatment of cancer pain, as the next indication following MS spasticity. Almirall holds the marketing rights to this medicine in Europe (except the United Kingdom).

Notes to EditorsSativex?Sativex? was developed by UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals plc in specific response to the MS population's unmet need for a prescription cannabis-based medicine. Manufactured under Home Office licence at an undisclosed location in the UK it is marketed in Europe (except the UK) by Almirall.

Sativex? is indicated as treatment for symptom improvement in patients with moderate to severe spasticity due to multiple sclerosis (MS) who have not responded adequately to other anti-spasticity medication and who demonstrate clinically significant improvement in spasticity related symptoms during an initial trial of therapy. Sativex? is delivered by an oromucosal spray (sprayed into the mouth either onto the inside of the cheek or under the tongue) and has a flexible dosing regime, particularly appropriate given the variable nature of both spasticity and multiple sclerosis from patient to patient.

Sativex? contains active ingredients called 'cannabinoids', which are extracted from cannabis plants grown and processed under strictly controlled conditions. Cannabinoids react with cannabinoid receptors that occur naturally throughout our bodies, including in our brainsiii.  a receptor is a site on a brain cell where certain substances can stick or "bind" for a while. If this happens, it has an effect on the cell and the nerve impulses it produces, which causes a 'dimming down' of the symptoms of spasticity. in patients who respond to Sativex?, it is this effect which helps to improve their symptoms of spasticity and to help them cope better with their usual daily activitiesiv.

SpasticityThere are almost 500,000 people suffering of MS in the top five EU countriesv. Spasticity (otherwise known as muscle stiffness) is one of the most common symptoms of MS, occurring in as many as 75% of people with MS and has a negative impact on patients' daily lives as it reduces their capacity to carry out everyday activities such as walking, keeping upright, as well as having an impact on their general mobility, bladder function, and quality of sleepvi. This means patients have to modify or give up certain activities and often require help from a family member or carer. About half of people with MS do not manage to find relief from these symptoms with currently available treatments.

GW PharmaceuticalsGW Pharmaceuticals plc (AIM:GWP) was founded in 1998 and is listed on the AiM, a market of the London Stock Exchange. Operating under licence from the UK Home Office, the company researches and develops cannabinoid pharmaceutical products for patients who suffer from a range of serious ailments, in particular MS and cancer pain. GW has assembled a large in-house scientific team with expertise in cannabinoid science as well as experience in the development of both plant based prescription pharmaceutical products and medicines containing controlled substances. GW occupies a world leading position in cannabinoids and has developed an extensive international network of the most prominent scientists in the field.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect GWs current expectations regarding future events, including development and regulatory clearance of the GW's products. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of the GW's research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of Sativex? and other products by consumer and medical professionals.

vi. Prevalence and treatment of spasticity reported by multiple sclerosis patients – MA Rizzo et al – Multiple Sclerosis 2004; 10:589-595.

Do you constantly feel like you “gotta go”? when you leave the house, do you always look where the nearest bathroom is, just in case? Bladder control problems are more common than you might think. Having an Overactive Bladder can affect your quality of life, and 16 percent of the adult population, or about 33 million people, have this condition, according to the Journal of Urology.

People with an Overactive Bladder, or OAB, often experience: 1. High urinary frequency: More than eight times in a 24 hour period 2. Urinary urgency: A strong, compelling need to urinate that cannot be delayed 3. Urge incontinence: Wetting accidents which occur before reaching a toilet

If you have bladder control issues, don’t let embarrassment stand in the way of finding a solution. after talking with a doctor, most people start with conservative therapies. For example, doing exercises like kegels to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle. other first-step treatment options might include dietary modification, bladder training programs and prescription medication.

Unfortunately, conservative therapies fail up to 80 percent of people. Prescription medications are not an option for many people, and for others, they may experience unwanted side effects and stop taking them altogether. Exercise and diet modification can be strict and require a timely commitment. furthermore, the results might not live up to what patients are hoping for.

Treatments like surgery work, but if you don’t want to go the invasive route, there is one more option to consider.

Bladder function is regulated by a group of nerves at the base of the spine called the sacral nerve plexus. by stimulating these nerves through gentle electrical impulses, you can gain better control of your bladder.

Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation, otherwise known as PTNS, is a non-drug, non-surgical therapy that is helping many people with OAB take control. The Urgent PC Neuromodulation system provides this low-risk treatment by indirectly stimulating the nerves responsible for bladder function using a nerve in your lower leg. up to 80 percent of people who get PTNS have significant improvement in their bladder control symptoms, even when other treatment options have failed them in the past.

To get an Urgent PC treatment, you visit a clinician’s office. during treatment you will sit with your foot elevated. This allows the clinician to stimulate the area near your tibial nerve using a very thin needle temporarily placed in your ankle. Impulses travel along your leg to the nerves in your pelvis that control bladder function.

What does a PTNS treatment feel like? Most people simply feel a mild tingling sensation in their foot or ankle during treatment. you will receive an initial series of 12 treatments for 30 minutes each, typically scheduled a week apart. after the initial 12 treatments, you may only need occasional treatments or none at all.

Urinary incontinence may be caused by a number of things. For many, it could be a normal part of the aging process. For some women, pregnancy and childbirth are the cause. Men may experience OAB due to prostate surgery. Injury, chronic disease and obesity are also causes. No matter what the reason, there likely is a solution for you. For more information, visit urgentpcinfo.com.

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PRESS RELEASE for immediate release: 3 November 2011 Menopausal symptoms you may not recognise most women know that the menopause can cause hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. But there are many other symptoms that are also linked to hormonal changes at this time of life but tend to be overlooked. in the 50th issue (Autumn 2011) of the Menopause Exchange newsletter, consultant gynaecologist Dr Claudine Domoney discusses menopausal symptoms that are commonly misdiagnosed and possible ways to manage them. she covers periods and associated symptoms, thyroid trouble, aches and pains, bowel, bladder and vaginal symptoms and mood and emotions. “The menopause causes a wide range of symptoms, and every woman’s experience is unique,” says Norma Goldman, founder and director of the Menopause Exchange. “The fact that the symptoms are associated with hormonal changes may not always be clear at first. However, menopausal women shouldn’t assume that all of their symptoms are due to the menopause and must speak to their GP to establish the cause of any new symptoms.” the Menopause Exchange is completely independent – it’s not sponsored by any companies and is funded purely by subscriptions from individuals and healthcare professionals. Other articles in the Autumn 2011 issue include oestrogen-only and ‘bleed’ HRT, weight gain at the menopause and the menopause at work. To celebrate the 50th issue of the Menopause Exchange newsletter, we have a special offer for new members. become a member of the Menopause Exchange before the end of January 2012 to receive our special offer. this includes one free back issue of the Menopause Exchange newsletter and two free fact sheets in addition to the usual membership entitlements. (Members of the Menopause Exchange receive four issues of the newsletter, regular fact sheets, use of the information service and access to the ‘Ask the Experts’ panel). Annual individual membership to the Menopause Exchange is £18. Visit the Menopause Exchange website at menopause-exchange.co.uk. for more information on the Menopause Exchange, write to the Menopause Exchange at PO Box 205, Bushey, Herts WD23 1ZS, call 020 8420 7245, fax 020 8954 2783 or send an e-mail to norma@menopause-exchange.co.uk end NOTES FOR EDITORS: 1. The Menopause Exchange was launched in June 1999. 2. The founder and director of the Menopause Exchange is Norma Goldman, a pharmacist with a Master’s degree in health promotion. she gives talks on the menopause to employees in the workplace and hospitals, women and women’s groups, healthcare professionals, GP practices, organisations, health clubs and at exhibitions. her daughter, Victoria, the editor of the newsletter, is an experienced health journalist with a BSc. degree in Biomedical Science and a Master’s degree in Science Communication. 3. The aim of the Menopause Exchange is to raise the awareness of the menopause among women, healthcare professionals (e.g. nurses and pharmacists) and complementary practitioners. 4. Topics covered in previous issues of the newsletter include: the perimenopause; HRT questions you forgot to ask your doctor; easing flushes and sweats without HRT; treating vaginal dryness; sleeping better at the menopause; phytoestrogen and herb safety; menopause relief through your pharmacy; essential fatty acids; screening for women over 50 and premature menopause. 5. UK annual membership (4 issues of the newsletter, regular fact sheets, use of the information service and ‘Ask the Experts’ panel) costs £18 for individuals; £22 for local organisations; £40 for companies/national organisations; corporate (over 10 copies) and overseas memberships are available on request. 6. All press enquiries to Norma Goldman on 020 8420 7245.

October 20, 2011 12:03 PM Eastern Time 

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Greene LLP, a Boston complex civil litigation law firm specializing in suits brought by whistleblowers under the False Claims Act, announces the $14.5 million settlement of a lawsuit alleging improper marketing of the prescription drugs Detrol and Detrol LA by defendant Pfizer, inc. the lawsuit was brought on behalf of the United States by two former employees of Pfizer under the False Claims Act, which permits individuals with knowledge of fraud against the federal government to sue on its behalf. Relators David Wetherholt and Marci Drimer will receive 27% of the federal government’s portion of the settlement.

“over active bladder with symptoms of urge incontinence, urgency and frequency.”

Detrol and Detrol LA are prescription drugs approved for the treatment of “over active bladder with symptoms of urge incontinence, urgency and frequency.” the lawsuit alleged that Pfizer improperly marketed the drug to men who were suffering from the signs and symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), commonly referred to as an enlarged prostate, even though Detrol treats detrusor muscle overactivity and the drug does not have any therapeutic effect on males whose symptoms are caused by BPH.

the Detrol suit marks the third time that Greene LLP attorneys have successfully resolved claims against Pfizer that the company illegally or fraudulently caused off-label prescriptions of its drugs, following two cases involving Neurontin, a drug approved to treat epilepsy: a $142 million RICO verdict in 2010, and a 2004 False Claims Act settlement of $430 million in criminal penalties and civil fines, the first successfully resolved False Claims Act case brought under a theory of improper off-label marketing. Both the Neurontin and Detrol cases were settled without government intervention.

the relators were represented by Thomas M. Greene, Michael Tabb and Ilyas J. Rona of Greene LLP. the firm would like to recognize the contributions of Robert Patten of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and Zachary a. Cunha of the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

The case is United States ex rel. Wetherholt and Drimer v. Pfizer inc., CV-06-10204, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The complaint may be accessed online at greenellp.com/Detrol-Amended-Complaint.pdf , and an extended version of this release is available at greenellp.com/press-releases/detrol-settlement.

Published on 01/10/2011

Some women are as skilled as men at switching to denial mode and deliberately ignoring warning symptoms, writes Dr Marga Boyani

Women tend to be more vigilant than men about getting recommended health checkups and screenings, as well as getting potentially worrisome symptoms checked out.

However, younger women tend to ignore symptoms that could point to cancer because they have the notion that cancer is a problem for older people. for others yet, there is a belief that cancer is incurable, so why go there.

Here are some symptoms that may not immediately make a woman worry about cancer, but that should be checked out:

This is so common that many women just live with it yet it could point to ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of this deadly disease include abdominal pain, pain in the pelvis, feeling full quickly even when you have not eaten much, having an urgent need to go to the bathroom all the time and changes in your stool habits.

2. Unexplained and excessive weight loss

Many women would be delighted to lose weight without trying but unexplained and exccessive weight loss in a couple of months without an increase in exercise or a decrease in food intake should set the alarm bells ringing. it could be due to cancer but could also turn out to be another condition, such as an overactive thyroid gland.

3. Breast changes

Lumps are not the only breast symptoms that could point to cancer. Redness and thickening of the skin on the breast could indicate a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer. if you have a rash that persists over weeks, see a doctor. if the nipple changes or if you notice a discharge and are not breastfeeding, see a doctor, too.

4. Between-period bleeding

Premenopausal women tend to ignore between-period bleeding. But if a woman never spots between periods and she spots, this is abnormal for her. Between-period bleeding, especially if you are typically regular, needs to be checked out. Bleeding after menopause is considered a sign of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) until proven otherwise.

Changes in moles are a well-known sign of skin cancer, but we should also watch for changes in skin colour. Sudden bleeding or too much scaling should be checked, too.

6. Blood in the wrong place

If you notice blood in your urine or your stool, don’t assume it is from a haemorrhoid or that it may be your period because it could be a sign of colon, bladder or kidney cancer. Coughing up blood is another danger sign that should not be ignored.

As people age they seem to complain more of various aches and pains, but pain, as vague as it may be, can also be an early symptom of some cancers. Pain that persists and is unexplained needs to be checked out. for example, gnawing abdominal pain and indigestion for no apparent reason could be an early clue to cancer of the oesophagus, stomach or throat.

Smokers should be especially alert for any white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue because both can point to a pre-cancerous condition called leukoplakia that can develop into cancer of the mouth. Ask your dentist or doctor to take a look. if you have difficulty swallowing, it could be a sign of cancer of the oesophagus.

9. Changes in the lymph nodes

If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit, in your neck or anywhere else or have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it has been longer than a month, see a doctor urgently.

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None of my fancy goldfish have it, but I want to be aware of the symptoms. also, what can you do to stop it? I've heard feeding it peas and medicated food, but is that it? Thanks!

swim bladder problems are actually a couple of different things that all result in the fish being unable to keep himself rightside up without effort.

Feeding:
usually it's because of overfeeding or feeding too large a pelleted food, or too much of a meaty food like bloodworms.
some people feed shelled/skinned peas, either thawed from frozen or slightly cooked if from raw.
frozen brine shrimp or mysis shrimp can also be ok treat foods as long as not overfed
If you don't feed for two or three days the symptoms should go away or get better

Water Quality:
a variety of things can cause bad water quality or stress to the fish which may lead to the same symptoms.
too many to list, but the most common are
temperature shock, like what happens when you take the fish out to clean the tank or something ridiculous like that.
cold tank
high waste levels or high bacterial levels, from either overfeeding or from overcleaning the filter

Genetic Defect:
can't do too much about this, except feed properly, keep tank above 74 degrees F, maintain good aquarium cleaning and maintenance practices, and don't over feed. Fish with this defect can live healthy lives unless they are fed badly and an infection sets in.

Internal Infection:
usually caused by one or more of the above, no treatment is effective until the above items are correct, and often will clear up if you have corrected the cause. in extreme cases, an antibacterial food is the best treatment.

The fish will be floating upside down in the water if they have swim bladder probs. I don't know how to cure it though….sorry.

what Kim said but here is a website to help you also.

A friend of mine suspects she might have this. She is currently going to the Dr, but she was wondering about the symptoms and effects of this?

Thank you.

About 90% of gall bladder disease provoke no symptoms at all. If problems do develop, the chance of developing pain is about 2% per year for the first 10 years after stone formation, after which the chance for developing symptoms declines . On average, symptoms take about 8 years to develop. The reason for the decline in incidence after 10 years is not known, although some doctors suggest that "younger," smaller stones may be more likely to cause symptoms than larger ones.