MaryO

From Medscape: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/453151 Spironolactone Cost-Effective in Idiopathic Hirsutism CME News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD CME Author: Bernard M. Sklar, MD, MS April 28, 2003 ? Cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone are equally effective in the short-term control of idiopathic hirsutism, according to the results of a prospective, randomized clinical trial published in the April issue of Fertility & Sterility. But spironolactone was effective longer, and the investigators suggest that this treatment was also cost-effective. "Spironolactone is a competitive inhibitor of aldosterone that competes with dihydrotestosterone in target tissues and has antiandrogenic properties," write Francho Lumachi, MD, and Riccardo Rondinone, MD, from the University of Padua in Italy. Forty-one women with idiopathic hirsutism who had requested use of an oral contraceptive were randomized to 12 months of treatment with cyproterone acetate, 12.5 mg/day for the first 10 days of the cycle; finasteride, 5 mg/day; or spironolactone, 100 mg/day. At completion of treatment, the Ferriman-Gallwey score decreased by about 39% in all three groups. One year after treatment, the Ferriman-Gallwey score in the spironolactone group was 6.74 ? 1.41, significantly lower than in the cyproterone acetate group (7.92 ? 1.08) or the finasteride group (9.08 ? 0.99). The androgenic profile did not change significantly during treatment. "Spironolactone is especially useful for women in whom an oral contraceptive alone is ineffective," the authors write. "The combination of spironolactone (100 mg/day) and a monophasic oral contraceptive was effective for a longer time than was treatment with the other two drugs and was cost-effective." Fertil Steril. 2003;79:942-946 Clinical Context Many women seek treatment for unwanted hair growth. These women initially should be evaluated for endocrine abnormalities and these abnormalities should be treated when found. About 80% will be found to have treatable abnormalities. The other 20% will be found to have idiopathic hirsutism. Hirsute women with both normal ovarian function (history of regular and ovulatory menstrual cycles), and normal circulating androgen levels are considered to have idiopathic hirsutism. Hirsutism affects 5% to 10% of women, depending on their ethnic group. Many of these women will request treatment for idiopathic hirsutism. A commonly used method to grade hair growth is the modified scale of Ferriman and Gallwey, in which each of nine androgen-sensitive sites is graded from 0 to 4. These areas are the upper lip, chin, chest, abdomen, pubic area, legs, back and buttocks. According to Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, there is no drug currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hirsutism. In milder forms of hirsutism in women not satisfied cosmetically with mechanical removal, an oral contraceptive pill may be the best first-line drug. Spironolactone and cyproterone have previously been shown to be equivalent in effectiveness. Cyproterone is not available in the U.S. In more severe forms of hirsutism, a GnRH agonist (Buserellin) plus an oral contraceptive may be chosen over flutamide or ketoconazole, particularly when hepatic problems are a concern. Finasteride appears to have the fewest adverse effects of all and may be very effective in treating women with a low or no risk of pregnancy. Study Highlights 41 young women (median age, 21 years [range, 18-34 years]) with idiopathic hirsutism who had requested prescription for an oral contraceptive. Inclusion criteria were a modified Ferriman-Gallwey score of 6 or greater, regular menstrual cycles of 21 to 35 days; progesterone levels greater than 13 nmol/L in the luteal phase; normal circulating serum levels of free T, DHEAS, androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The mean Ferriman-Gallwey score at the beginning of treatment was about 11 to 12. No patient had any other disease or had received oral contraceptives or antiandrogenic drugs in the previous two years. Patients with abnormal results on routine laboratory tests were excluded. Patients were randomized to 12 months of treatment with cyproterone acetate, 12.5 mg/day for the first 10 days of the cycle; finasteride, 5 mg/day; or spironolactone, 100 mg/day. All patients also received an oral contraceptive during the two-year study. After one year, the Ferriman-Gallwey score decreased by about 39% in all three groups. One year after treatment ended (two years from the start of the study), the Ferriman- Gallwey score in the spironolactone group was 6.74 ? 1.41, significantly lower than in the cyproterone acetate group (7.92 ? 1.08) or the finasteride group (9.08 ? 0.99). The androgenic profile did not change significantly during treatment. The authors conclude, "Spironolactone is especially useful for women [with idiopathic hirsutism] in whom an oral contraceptive alone is ineffective. The combination of spironolactone (100 mg/day) and a monophasic oral contraceptive was effective for a longer time than was treatment with the other two drugs and was cost-effective." Pearls for Practice Cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone, given along with an oral contraceptive, were equally effective in reducing unwanted body hair during the period of administration of the study drug (one year). The effect of spironolactone was more persistent (one year after treatment ended) than was cyproterone acetate or finasteride. About News CME News CME is designed to keep physicians abreast of current research and related clinical developments that are likely to affect practice, as reported by the Medscape Medical News group. Medscape Medical News Coordinator is Deborah Flapan. Clinical review is provided by Gary Vogin, MD. News CME is managed by Elliott Silverman. Send comments or questions about this program to cmenews@webmd.net. Medscape Medical News 2003. ? 2003 Medscape Legal Disclaimer The material presented here does not reflect the views of Medscape or the companies providing unrestricted educational grants. These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. A qualified health care professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product discussed. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing medical education activity.

Recent Amazon Purchases: what happens? Beginning April 16, 2003, Amazon will no longer be available on iGive.com, so it will not be possible to place new orders which qualify for donations. Also, orders shipped after April 23, 2003 do not qualify for iGive credit, even if they were placed prior to April 16, 2003. If you have not already done so, please report all your existing Amazon.com orders through the Transaction Reporting Form: http://www.iGive.com/html/missingtrans.cfm The deadline to report Amazon orders placed through iGive.com is June 23, 2003. Contacting Amazon.com Several members have written to us requesting contact information for Amazon.com. Many of you wish to voice your displeasure at Amazon's recent decision to leave iGive.com. To that end, here are a few ways to contact Amazon.com, if you so desire: E-mail Amazon's Associates Program: associates@amazon.com Contact Amazon's Customer Service: http://www.amazon.com/help Mail a letter to Jeff Bezos: Mr. Jeff Bezos Chairman and CEO Amazon.com, Inc. 1200 12th Ave., Ste. 1200 Seattle, WA 98144

Here are the eBay rules: $.03 donation/visit when you bid. $.02 for Buy-It-Now. New to eBay? Join via iGive & get $3! (place bid within 30 dys) Earnings from bidding/joining don't count as shopping & aren't tax-deductible.

What donations address?

Here's more on the iGive shopping wondow. I tried it out by buying a bathing suit at Land's End LOL With the iGive.com Shopping Window, you're ensuring that up to 26% (and sometimes more) of every purchase you make through a store in the iGive.com Mall helps Cushing's Help and Support! HERE'S HOW YOUR iGIVE.COM SHOPPING WINDOW HELPS YOUR FAVORITE CAUSE: ++ Just shop as you normally do-- by going directly to your favorite store's Web site. For example: Type http://www.LandsEnd.com in your Web browser. (The Shopping Window will *not* be activated if you click a link in an e-mail, or if the last site you visited is iGive.com.) ++ If the store you visit is part of iGive's Mall of 410+ stores, your Shopping Window will appear to make sure your purchase counts for a donation! No need to remember which stores are part of iGive.com! ++ If you see the iGive.com Shopping Window, up to 26% of your purchase at that store is automatically donated to your designated cause! Remember, if you don't see the iGive.com Shopping Window when you visit an online store, it's not one of the 410+ stores in the iGive.com Mall that help your cause with every purchase. If you don't see the Shopping Window, the purchase doesn't count for a donation. Start Shopping! For a complete A-Z list of all 410+ stores in the iGive.com Network, just visit: http://www.iGive.com/html/merchantlist.cfm A FEW HANDY LINKS TO HELP YOU GET STARTED ++ Check out the current Specials Coupons & Offers at the Mall! http://www.iGive.com/html/specials.cfm ++ Get FREE SHIPPING at some of your favorite stores! Visit: http://www.iGive.com/html/FreeShipping.cfm ++ Read iGive.com's weekly Newsletter, filled with new coupons, free shipping, Double Donation Days, & more! Read the newest issue online at: http://www.iGive.com/html/iGiveNews.cfm Happy shopping, and best wishes to you and your worthy cause! Robert Grosshandler CEO/Founder, iGive.com http://www.iGive.com

Ebay does? I didn't know that. I'm bidding on something right now and it looks like I'm winning. I had the shopping window on my last computer, but I thought that I knew it all. Thanks, Sue. I'll get the shopping window again before that auction is over.

Just a reminder

Dr. F. emailed me and asked me if I could post this study for him. He's looking for female patients with hypopitutiarism for his current study on testosterone replacment. WOMEN WITH PITUITARY PROBLEMS WANTED FOR A TESTOSTERONE STUDY Purpose: Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone but is also present in smaller amounts and may be important in women. Among its likely actions in women are the building of bone and muscle mass, increase in interest in sex (libido) and effects on the mood. The role of testosterone replacement in women with low testosterone levels is currently being studied. In this study, you will be given an experimental preparation of a testosterone gel which will be applied on the skin of your outer thigh for up to 2 months. It is anticipated that this experimental gel application will produce levels of the drug in the normal range for women. A further aim of this study is to assess whether female patients with dysfunction of the pituitary gland have abnormalities in body composition, muscle strength and thinking and sexual function. Criteria for subjects: Women ages 18 to 50. Hypopituitarism with documented central adrenal and gonadal deficiencies, on conjugated equine estrogen replacement Serum testosterone level of written informed consent No other significant medical condition Patients must discontinue their current testosterone replacement Number of patients-15 Location: King/Drew Medical Center in Willowbrook and UCLA in West Los Angeles Enrollment Period: Winter-Spring 2003 Patient Compensation: $500 For more information or subject referrals contact: Ted F., M.D., Ph.D. Clinical Director Telephone (323) 563-9353 Email: mail@goodhormonehealth.com Fax: (323) 563-9352 Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences 1731 E. 120th St. Los Angeles, California 90059

I'm moving this to The "Main" Board, where more people are likely to read it and respond. Daphne, great to read that you're doing so well! It was so nice meeting you before and after your surgery - not to mention getting "into formation" at the mall I'm so glad to read that you're on the mend now. Check for other responses to this on the Main Board.

I'm moving this to The "Main" Board, where more people are likely to read it and respond.

From NIH Current Clinical Trials listings: Search term:CUSHING'S Recruiting Long Term Post Operative Follow-Up of Cushing Syndrome Condition: Cushing Syndrome Recruiting New Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Patients with Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Study of Hypercortisolism in Cushing's Syndrome and Stress-Induced Pseudo-Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Study of Depression, Peptides, and Steroids in Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Genetic Investigation of Pediatric Tumors of the Pituitary Gland Conditions: Abnormalities; Craniopharyngioma; Cushing's Syndrome; Endocrine Disease; Pituitary Neoplasm Recruiting Dose Response Relationship for Single Doses of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) in Normal Volunteers and in Patients with Adrenal Insufficiency Conditions: Adrenal Gland Hyperfunction; Adrenal Gland Hypofunction; Cushing's Syndrome; Healthy Recruiting Defining the Genetic Basis for the Development of Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease (PPNAD) and the Carney Complex Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome; Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome; Lentigo; Neoplasm; Testicular Neoplasm Recruiting Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Major Depression Conditions: Healthy; Involutional Depression; Osteoporosis Recruiting Serotonin Receptor Imaging in Mood Disorders Condition: Mood Disorder Recruiting Study of Adrenal Gland Tumors Condition: Adrenal Gland Neoplasm Search term: ADRENAL Recruiting Catecholamine Reserve and Exercise Tolerance in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Conditions: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia; Healthy Recruiting Three Drug Combination Therapy versus Conventional Treatment of Children with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Conditions: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia; Growth Disorder Recruiting Dose Response Relationship for Single Doses of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) in Normal Volunteers and in Patients with Adrenal Insufficiency Conditions: Adrenal Gland Hyperfunction; Adrenal Gland Hypofunction; Cushing's Syndrome; Healthy Recruiting Iodine I-131 Iodocholesterol, its use in adrenal screening Conditions: Adrenal Gland Diseases; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms Recruiting Study of Adrenal Gland Tumors Condition: Adrenal Gland Neoplasm Recruiting Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Adrenal Gland Cancer Conditions: stage IV adrenocortical carcinoma; recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma Recruiting Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Calcium channels as therapeutic targets Condition: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Recruiting Brain Imaging of Childhood Onset Psychiatric Disorders, Endocrine Disorders and Healthy Children Conditions: Autoimmune Disease; Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia; Healthy; Mental Disorder Diagnosed in Childhood; Neurologic Manifestations Recruiting Defining the Genetic Basis for the Development of Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease (PPNAD) and the Carney Complex Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome; Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome; Lentigo; Neoplasm; Testicular Neoplasm Recruiting Diagnostic Study of Adrenal Cortical Function in Children With Septic Shock Condition: Septic Shock Recruiting Heart Disease Risk Factors in Major Depression Conditions: Adrenal Gland Hyperfunction; Cardiovascular Disease; Involutional Depression Recruiting Stem Cell Transplantation for Metastatic Solid Tumors Conditions: Cholangiocarcinoma; Colon/Rectal Ca; Bladder Ca; Breast Ca; Basal Cell Ca; Adrenal Ca; Esophageal/Gastric Ca; Hepatocellular Ca; Ovarian Ca; ... Recruiting New Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Patients with Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Study of Depression, Peptides, and Steroids in Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Combination Chemotherapy and Tamoxifen in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors Conditions: adult primary liver cancer; adult soft tissue sarcoma; childhood soft tissue sarcoma; Brain Tumor; Thyroid Cancer; childhood liver cancer Recruiting Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN) Conditions: Asthma; Lung Diseases Not yet recruiting Hormone Therapy Compared With Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage III prostate cancer Not yet recruiting Study of Bile Acids in Patients With Peroxisomal Disorders Conditions: Infantile Refsum's Disease; Zellweger Syndrome; Bifunctional Enzyme Deficiency; Adrenoleukodystrophy Recruiting Study of Pulmonary Complications in Pediatric Patients With Storage Disorders Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Conditions: I Cell Disease; Fucosidosis; Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Mannosidosis; Niemann-Pick Disease; Pulmonary Complications; ... Recruiting Study of Glyceryl Trierucate and Glyceryl Trioleate (Lorenzo's Oil) Therapy in Male Children with Adrenoleukodystrophy Condition: Adrenoleukodystrophy Recruiting Genetic Investigation of Pediatric Tumors of the Pituitary Gland Conditions: Abnormalities; Craniopharyngioma; Cushing's Syndrome; Endocrine Disease; Pituitary Neoplasm Recruiting Ovarian Follicle Function in Patients with Premature Ovarian Failure Conditions: Amenorrhea; Hypoaldosteronism; Hypogonadism; Infertility; Premature Ovarian Failure Recruiting Study of Hypercortisolism in Cushing's Syndrome and Stress-Induced Pseudo-Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Long Term Post Operative Follow-Up of Cushing Syndrome Condition: Cushing Syndrome Recruiting Study of Oral Cholic Acid in Patients With Inborn Errors of Bile Acid Synthesis Conditions: Infantile Refsum's Disease; Zellweger Syndrome; Hyperpipecolic Acidemia; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Peroxisomal Disorders; Cholestasis; ... Recruiting Treatment of Uterine Fibroids with CDB-2914, an Experimental Selective Progesterone Receptor Antagonist Condition: Leiomyoma Recruiting 131MIBG to Treat Malignant Pheochromocytoma Condition: Pheochromocytoma Recruiting Hormone Therapy With or Without Docetaxel And Estramustine in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer That is Locally Advanced or At High Risk of Relapse Conditions: stage III prostate cancer; stage II prostate cancer Recruiting Combination Chemotherapy Plus Hormone Therapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage IV prostate cancer; recurrent prostate cancer Not yet recruiting Complementary Naturopathic Medicine for Periodontitis Condition: Periodontitis Recruiting Effects on the Brain of Lupron Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism with and without Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement Condition: Hypogonadism Recruiting Hormone Therapy and OGX-011 in Treating Patients Undergoing Surgery for Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage III prostate cancer; stage II prostate cancer Recruiting Hormone Therapy Followed By Internal Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage I prostate cancer; stage II prostate cancer; recurrent prostate cancer Recruiting Comparison of Radiation Therapy Plus Hormone Therapy, Radiation Therapy Alone, and Hormone Therapy Alone in Treating Patients With Stage III Prostate Cancer Conditions: stage III prostate cancer; stage II prostate cancer Recruiting Evaluation of Patients with Endocrine-Related Conditions Conditions: Endocrine Disease; Glucose Intolerance; Hyperinsulinemia; Impaired Glucose Tolerance; Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus; Obesity; ... Recruiting Leuprolide Acetate (Lupron) for the Treatment of Menstrually-Related Mood Disorders (MRMD) Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorder Recruiting Hormone Therapy Plus Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage II prostate cancer; stage III prostate cancer; stage IV prostate cancer; recurrent prostate cancer Recruiting Diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma Condition: Pheochromocytoma Recruiting Pilot Study of Intravitreal Injection of EYE001 (Anti-VEGF Pegylated Aptamer) For Advanced Ocular Disease Of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Disease Recruiting Acupuncture to Reduce Symptoms of Advanced Colorectal Cancer Condition: Colorectal Neoplasms Recruiting Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Major Depression Conditions: Healthy; Involutional Depression; Osteoporosis Recruiting Treatment of Mid-Life-Related Mood Disorders Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorder Recruiting Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients with Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer Conditions: adenocarcinoma of the prostate; stage III prostate cancer; stage IV prostate cancer Search term: PITUITARY Recruiting Genetic Investigation of Pediatric Tumors of the Pituitary Gland Conditions: Abnormalities; Craniopharyngioma; Cushing's Syndrome; Endocrine Disease; Pituitary Neoplasm Recruiting Study of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone in Normal Volunteers and in Patients with Thyroid or Pituitary Abnormalities Conditions: Healthy; Pituitary Disease; Thyroid Disease Recruiting Evaluation of Patients with Thyroid Disorders Conditions: Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Pituitary Neoplasm Recruiting The Treatment and Natural History of Acromegaly Conditions: Acromegaly; Pituitary Neoplasm Recruiting Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumor That Is Metastatic or Unlikely to Respond to Surgery or Radiation Therapy Conditions: ACTH-producing pituitary tumor; prolactin-producing pituitary tumor; growth hormone-producing pituitary tumor; recurrent pituitary tumor; ... Recruiting Androgen Replacement Therapy in Women with Hypopituitarism Condition: Hypopituitarism Recruiting Measurement of Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Patients With Acromegaly Condition: Acromegaly Recruiting Study of the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Familial Neurohypophyseal Diabetes Insipidus Conditions: Diabetes Insipidus; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurohypophyseal Recruiting Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) Conditions: Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH (SIADH) Secretion; Hyponatremia Recruiting Randomized Study of Growth Hormone on Bone Mineral Density in Patients With Adult Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency Conditions: Osteoporosis; Growth Hormone Deficiency Recruiting Leuprolide Acetate (Lupron) for the Treatment of Menstrually-Related Mood Disorders (MRMD) Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorder Recruiting New Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Patients with Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Long Term Post Operative Follow-Up of Cushing Syndrome Condition: Cushing Syndrome Recruiting Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Brain Tumors Condition: Brain Tumor Recruiting Dose Response Relationship for Single Doses of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) in Normal Volunteers and in Patients with Adrenal Insufficiency Conditions: Adrenal Gland Hyperfunction; Adrenal Gland Hypofunction; Cushing's Syndrome; Healthy Recruiting Effects on the Brain of Lupron Induced Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism with and without Estrogen and Progesterone Replacement Condition: Hypogonadism Recruiting An Endocrine Model for Postpartum Mood Disorders Conditions: Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorder; Postpartum Depression Recruiting Defining the Genetic Basis for the Development of Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease (PPNAD) and the Carney Complex Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome; Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome; Lentigo; Neoplasm; Testicular Neoplasm Recruiting Study of Recombinant Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor I in Patients with Severe Insulin Resistance Conditions: Insulin Resistance; Hyperglycemia Not yet recruiting Complementary Naturopathic Medicine for Periodontitis Condition: Periodontitis Recruiting Acupuncture to Reduce Symptoms of Advanced Colorectal Cancer Condition: Colorectal Neoplasms Recruiting Study of Depression, Peptides, and Steroids in Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Combined Hormone Replacement in Menstrually Related Mood Disorders Condition: Premenstrual Syndrome Recruiting Leuprolide in Determining the Cause of Gonadotropin Deficiency Condition: Hypogonadism Search term: CARNEY COMPLEX Recruiting Defining the Genetic Basis for the Development of Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease (PPNAD) and the Carney Complex Conditions: Cushing's Syndrome; Hereditary Neoplastic Syndrome; Lentigo; Neoplasm; Testicular Neoplasm Search term: ECTOPIC Recruiting New Imaging Techniques in the Evaluation of Patients with Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome Condition: Cushing's Syndrome Recruiting Study of Adrenal Gland Tumors Condition: Adrenal Gland Neoplasm

Hi, Gloria. ?I'm putting a copy of your post on The "Main" Board where more people are likely to read it and give you some good answers. You can access the other copy of your post by clicking here. Best of luck to you!

iGive.com allows online stores to donate a percentage of their profit to running these Cushing's Support sites (the message boards, http://www.cushings-help.com, http://www.CUSH.org, http://www.cushings-support.com and http://www.cushingsonline.com) at no cost to you. So far, members have raised $226.28, and it hasn't cost them a cent. Extended Deadline! Extra! Extra! Read all about it. $5 Free Donation. Through May 31, 2003, (extended deadline) each new member who registers at iGive and shops will earn an additional $5 for these Cushing's Support sites. That's on top of the standard of up to 26% from your shopping. Only hitch - you've got to shop within 45 days of joining. With over 435 stores now at iGive.com, you've got some great choices. See the list of participating merchants

FDA Approves Treatment for Growth Disease By LAURAN NEERGAARD .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - Sufferers of a rare disease that causes out-of-control growth are about to get a novel treatment that targets one of the condition's key villains. The Food and Drug Administration approved Somavert on Wednesday as a treatment for acromegaly. The injected drug blocks the effects of excess growth hormone. An estimated 40,000 people worldwide have acromegaly, which can make them abnormally tall, cause bone deformities and swell their facial features, hands and feet. Severe joint pain is common, and patients are at high risk of death from heart disease, diabetes and cancer spurred by the condition's excess hormones. The disease killed the wrestler and actor Andre the Giant, best known for playing Fezzik in the 1986 movie, "The Princess Bride". He died in 1993, aged 46. Acromegaly occurs when a non-cancerous tumor on the pituitary gland causes secretion of excessive growth hormone, which in turn causes dangerous overproduction of a second hormone called IGF-1. Removing the pituitary tumor is the first step. But often growth hormone levels don't return to normal for years, so patients also need radiation or drug therapy to suppress growth hormone - but some aren't helped. Pharmacia Corp.'s Somavert doesn't suppress growth hormone but prevents its bad action, by blocking special cell receptors needed to trigger excess IGF-1, explained FDA's Dr. David Orloff. More than 90 percent of patients who had failed other treatments saw their IGF-1 levels return to normal with daily Somavert injections, he said. Normalizing IGF-1 is expected to lessen, if not prevent, acromegaly's worst symptoms. Orloff called Somavert an "extremely promising" treatment. Pharmacia Corp. refused to reveal how much it will charge for Somavert, even though sales are set to begin next month. But treatments for rare diseases can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Side effects include injection-site irritation, sweating, headache and fatigue. Patients also must undergo regular liver testing during the first six months of Somavert use, the FDA warned. During studies, two patients experienced very high levels of liver enzymes that signal organ damage. Somavert, known chemically as pegvisomant, is the first drug to target growth-hormone receptors, and scientists are beginning to study whether that specialized action might help other ailments, too, such as diabetes-caused blindness and nerve damage. 03/26/03 15:10 EST Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Smallpox Risk, Vaccinated Doctors Studied By LINDSEY TANNER .c The Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) - More than half of all New York state hospital patients may face an increased risk of complications from contact with smallpox-vaccinated health care workers, a study suggests. With the voluntary vaccination of health care workers under way nationwide, the study's results underscore the need for strict adherence to safety guidelines, the researchers said. The federal Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommends daily inspection and bandaging of the vaccine site, meticulous hand-washing after contact and administrative leave if vaccination-related complications develop. ``Successful implementation of this policy will require the complete cooperation of every vaccinated health-care worker to avoid complications among vulnerable hospital patients,'' said the study by Dr. Perry Smith and Hwa-Gan Chang of New York's health department and Dr. Kent Sepkowitz of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. The smallpox vaccine is made with a live virus called vaccinia that can infect those who come into contact with people who have been vaccinated. Such infections are called contact vaccinia. The CDC says no doctor-to-patient cases have been reported in the voluntary program in which more than 21,000 health care workers have been vaccinated since January. The researchers examined data on 2.4 million patients discharged from New York hospitals in 2001; about 1.3 million of them had conditions that may put them at increased risk for contact vaccinia. Those at increased risk include: newborns; patients with immune system diseases; those with skin conditions including eczema; and cancer patients and others on immune-suppressing medication. The CDC has estimated that between 15 percent and 18 percent of the general population has an at-risk condition. The percentage among hospitalized patients naturally would be higher. CDC immunization specialist Dr. Walter Orenstein said the risk of doctor-to-patient transmission is very small if precautions are taken. On the Net: JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org CDC: http://www.cdc.gov 03/25/03 16:33 EST Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

I'm putting a copy of this on the News Items Board, too, Simone.

Deb, I'm so sorry! I'm putting a copy on the Introduce Yourself Board where more people will see this. I know that there are a few people who have had adrenal cancer, but I don't know how often they post. Their bios are mixed in with the other adrenal patient's bios at Adrenal Bios I wish your nephew and your families all the best with this difficult disease.

I got it ok, too.

Julia, Spencer's Mom, is offering these to us: Burn This 5? Pies $10 each These three-wick tantalizing pies are appropriately scented.? They come in a bakery container and make a great gift!? Strawberry, Cherry, Apple, Blueberry (with lattice top)? Chocolate & Pecan (without lattice top) 3? Pie Tarts $5 each These are the same as the 5? pies, only smaller! Strawberry, Cherry, Apple, Blueberry, Chocolate & Pecan (all no lattice top) with lattice top add $1 Cobblers?$12 each Just like Mom used to make only without the calories! Peach, Blackberry, Cherry Cupcakes $3 each or 12 for $30 Looking for a unique Birthday gift?? How about a plate of Cupcake Candles?? Vanilla or Chocolate ?cake? with white frosting and sprinkles Cinnamon Bun - $12 (not pictured) Just imagine hot cinnamon buns fresh out of the oven and that is what you?ll get with this huge candle.? (plates vary) Chunk CandlesFloating Candles: choice of colors & scents These can be customized with your choice of color chunks. Tealights 6 for $3.00 3 x 4? hex $12 Tarts 6 for $5.00 Pyramid? $15 Votive $1.50 Please allow 2 weeks for delivery, as each candle is hand poured.? Complete the order form below and e-mail to jwahlton@cfl.rr.com.? 20% of proceeds will be donated back to CUSH.? Payment is made via Paypal only to jwahlton@cfl.rr.com.? Once order is placed we will send you a Paypal invoice for payment, which will include shipping charges.? Colors: Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Grey, Ivory, Lavender, Orange, Purple, Red, Yellow, WhiteCoral, Lime Green, Hot Pink (these are fluorescent and will glow under a black light) * If you do not see a color here ask me and I?ll try to get it for you Scents: Carnation, Cherry, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cucumber, Eucalyptus, Floral, Georgia Peaches, Hot Apple Pie, McIntosh Apple, Musk, Orange Blossom, Pear Blossom, Polo (for Men), Raspberry, Sugar Cookie, Vanilla* If you do not see a scent here ask me and I?ll try to get it for you I?m constantly adding new products so if you?re looking for something just ask! Cushings Support Fundraiser QTY ITEM DESCRIPTION SCENT/COLOR COST EX: 1 5? pie Apple $10.00 Total:

iGive.com allows online stores to donate a percentage of their profit to running these Cushing's Support sites (the message boards, http://www.cushings-help.com, http://www.CUSH.org, http://www.cushings-support.com and http://www.cushingsonline.com) at no cost to you. So far, Cushing's members have raised $225.01, and it hasn't cost them a cent. Through April 30th, iGive.com is giving away FREE $5 donations for each new member who joins iGive & shops within 45 days! See the list of participating merchants. Thank you so much for your support!

Yes, I think that you're right - although the Original shirts are still good, too I'm accepting any and all ideas.

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It's not too late to order a candle for your Secret Someone...

FDA OKs Unique New Psoriasis Treatment (Non-steroid) By LAURAN NEERGAARD .c The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - A unique drug that targets renegade immune cells to control hard-to-treat psoriasis won Food and Drug Administration approval Friday, offering a long-awaited new option to patients covered in the itchy skin disease. Called Amevive, the drug has been eagerly awaited by physicians because it works differently than the many other psoriasis treatments on the market. Amevive has not yet been compared to any other treatments so there's no way to know if it will prove a better option for patients, the FDA cautioned. Still, about 1.5 million Americans have moderate to severe psoriasis. While it's not yet curable, many are searching for new options to control the stubborn disease that can cover much of the skin in red, scaly, itchy patches. Particularly severe forms also can cause a type of arthritis. Amevive, which comes in intravenous and intramuscular injection forms, will begin selling Monday, said maker Biogen Inc. It will cost $7,000 to $10,000 for a 12-week course of treatment; each weekly dose is given in a doctor's office. Psoriasis is thought to form when the immune system runs amok and cells called memory effector T cells prompt skin inflammation. Current treatments for psoriasis range from ointments to ultraviolet therapy to other injected drugs that can broadly suppress the immune system. Amevive, known chemically as alefacept, was designed to target only the harmful T cells, not the rest of the immune system. ``That's certainly a hope, that you have a much more selective effect'' than with other medications, said FDA's Dr. Karen Weiss. But, she cautioned, ``it's too soon to say it's a very selective and therefore a very safe therapy.'' In fact, patients will require a blood test before each weekly Amevive dose to ensure their levels of infection-fighting immune cells haven't dipped too low, which would require postponing a dose. Another theoretical concern is that by suppressing the immune system, the risk of cancer might increase. Biogen-sponsored studies enrolled patients with chronic psoriasis that covered at least 10 percent of their bodies, and gave them either Amevive or dummy injections. About 40 percent of Amevive patients saw their psoriasis symptoms cut in half, compared with about 10 percent of placebo-treated patients. A small number even saw their lesions almost vanish, for at least a while. How long the effect lasted varied, but a small subset of patients went seven months or longer before needing additional treatment, FDA said. The FDA didn't restrict the number of times patients can repeat Amevive therapy when their psoriasis recurs. But Cambridge, Mass.-based Biogen did agree to track such patients to provide more safety data, Weiss said. One additional warning: No one knows if the drug will harm a developing fetus, and many psoriasis patients are women of childbearing age. So doctors are encouraged to list any patients who become pregnant while using the drug in a Biogen pregnancy registry, by calling 1-866-AMEVIVE

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