COLUMBUS, Ohio – Seeking to improve on nature, scientists used a spice-based compound as a starting point and developed synthetic molecules that, in lab settings, are able to kill cancer cells and stop the cells from spreading.
The researchers are combining organic chemistry, computer-aided design and molecular biology techniques in developing and testing pharmaceutical compounds that can fight breast and prostate cancer cells. The synthetic molecules are derived from curcumin, a naturally occurring compound found in the spice turmeric.
Centuries of anecdotal evidence and recent scientific research suggest curcumin has multiple disease-fighting features, including anti-tumor properties. However, when eaten, curcumin is not absorbed well by the body. Instead, most ingested curcumin in food or supplement form remains in the gastrointestinal system and is eliminated before it is able to enter the bloodstream or tissues.
“Newer evidence describes how curcumin interacts with certain proteins to generate anti-cancer activity inside the body. We’re focusing on the pathways that are most involved in cancer and trying to optimize for those properties,” said James Fuchs, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy at Ohio State University and principal investigator on the project.
Fuchs presented the research today (8/17) at the American Chemical Society meeting in Philadelphia. He described a selection of the 40 compounds developed to date, emphasizing the synthetic molecules that appear to have the most potential to serve as the basis for anti-cancer drug development.
Fuchs and colleagues are continuing to refine compounds that are best structured to interact with a few overactive proteins that are associated with cell activity in breast and prostate cancers. Blocking these molecular targets can initiate cell death or stop cell migration in the cancers.
A major component of their strategy is called structure-based, computer-aided design, a relatively new technology in the drug discovery field. Before ever working with an actual compound, the scientists can make manipulations to computer-designed molecules and observe simulated interactions between molecules and proteins to predict which structural changes will make the most sense to pursue.
“Very small changes that may seem insignificant can have dramatic effects on these toxicity properties,” Fuchs said. “But most of the compounds we’ve made have been more potent than curcumin against the cancer cells.”
“Most of the interaction between our compound and the overactive protein comes from what are called hot spots on the protein’s surface,” said Chenglong Li, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy at Ohio State and an expert in computational chemistry. “For each spot, we can design small chemical fragments and link them together to make a molecule. This is what computer-aided design and modeling can do.”
Some of the most effective compounds have been tested for their effectiveness against human cancer cell lines – as well as whether they might be toxic to healthy cells. So far, the molecule favored by the researchers has a nearly 100-fold difference in toxicity to cancer cells vs. healthy cells, meaning it takes 100 times more of the compound to kill a healthy cell than it does to kill a cancer cell.
“Very small changes that may seem insignificant can have dramatic effects on these toxicity properties,” Fuchs said. “But most of the compounds we’ve made have been more potent than curcumin against the cancer cells.”
The computer-based predictions have suggested that the most effective compound developed to date can interact with proteins believed to be active in about 50 percent of all breast and prostate cancers.
“To be able to develop a drug that in the future could have potential to treat 50 percent of these cancers would be a major contribution,” said Jiayuh Lin, an investigator in Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and an associate professor of pediatrics. Lin tests the experimental compounds in different types of breast and prostate cancer cell lines. He said some of the compounds also show potential to kill pancreatic cancer cells and inhibit cancer cell migration.
The computer-aided design also offers hints at the compounds’ suitability as the basis for a drug, such as whether the molecules will remain stable during metabolism and whether they will maintain a structure that the body can absorb into the bloodstream and tissues. The team is planning to continue refining the compounds before advancing to animal studies to test their effectiveness. The scientists hope to develop a chemotherapeutic agent available in pill form.
Additional members of the research group, dubbed the OSU Molecular Target Team, are Pui-Kai Li, chair and associate professor, and graduate students Jonathan Etter, Dalia Abdelhamid, Nicholas Regan, Deepak Bhasin, Bulbul Pandit and Katryna Cisek, all of Ohio State’s Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy; and Ling Cen, Li Lin and Brian Hutzen of the Center for Childhood Cancer in the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
This work is supported by the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program, the James S. McDonnell Foundation, the National Foundation for Cancer Research, Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ohio State’s College of Pharmacy.
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Contact: James Fuchs, (614) 247-7377; Fuchs.42@osu.edu or Chenglong Li, (614) 247-8786; cli@pharmacy.ohio-state.edu
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/curcumin.htm
Written by Emily Caldwell, (614) 292-8310; Caldwell.151@osu.edu
How will this affect the treatment of anemia? Will it mean more transfusions and less ESAs? I’ve only ever had a few shots of Procrit, and have never had red blood cells (just platelets). What I’m afraid will happen is that people will be afraid of ESAs. If you think about it, the statement at the end of the summary makes a lot of sense. Were the patients in the group who were given the ESAs just more sick, with a poorer prognosis?
Public release date: 4-Aug-2008
Contact: Sean Wagner
swagner@wiley.com
781-388-8550
Wiley-Blackwell
Treatment with anti-anemia drugs may not be safe for multiple myeloma patients
Thessaloniki, Greece - August 4, 2008 - A recent study published in American Journal of Hematology demonstrated that Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), a widely used drug to treat anemia, may have a negative impact on the survival of myeloma patients. In the study, 323 multiple myeloma patients were evaluated over a 20 year period in Greece from 1988 to 2007. The investigators reviewed their medical records and observed an association between ESA exposure and a reduction in progression-free and overall survival.
The study demonstrated that ESA administration may influence the course of the disease, in that people who received ESA may progress earlier than those who did not receive ESA. The median survival rate was 31 months for patients who were administered ESAs, compared to 67 months in those who were not exposed to ESAs. The median progression-free survival for patients in the ESA group was 14 months, and 30 months for those without ESA exposure.
For the past 15 years, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have been used in the management of cancer-related anemia, but researcher Eirini Katodritou stresses the possible harmful effects ESAs may have on cancer patients. “Physicians should use ESAs with caution, based on the International Guidelines for ESA administration in cancer and on certain prognostic indicators to guide their use. Physicians need to identify the appropriate group of cancer patients who will benefit from ESA administration, while avoiding possible detrimental effects,” said Katodritou.
The question of whether ESAs are harmful in patients with myeloma is a pressing clinical issue with at least eight prospective controlled clinical trials in the last five years reporting poorer outcomes with ESA use in patients with cancer, according to Dr. David P. Steensma of the Mayo Clinic. However, only two of those studies included some patients with myeloma. Dr. Steensma pointed out that the patients in the retrospective Greek study were imbalanced for many of the known prognostic markers in myeloma, indicating that sicker patients were given ESAs preferentially and that this group would have been predicted to do more poorly anyway. Although this imbalance might explain the results, Dr. Steensma discussed the importance of additional prospective studies of ESA safety in myeloma and other forms of cancer.
We recently learned that our local oncologist is retiring. He’s 52 years old and has had it with the medical profession, citing increasing difficulties with insurance companies and litigious Americans as a few of the reasons for early retirement. I’m really going to miss him. He was probably the best doctor I ever had in my life. He shoots straight from the hip and tells it like it is.
I’ll continue with my quarterly visits to Duke and will see the replacement doctor at this local practice every few months.
No blood was drawn, so it’ll be September before I have any test results to share again. In the mean time, I’ll assume I’m still stable and myeloma will stay in the deeper recesses of my mind. It’s been a pleasure to have been treatment free for almost a year now. I still have myeloma, but it’s been sitting still.
ScienceDaily (2008-07-28) — An international team of scientists has identified processes that are heavily implicated in human multiple myeloma and other B cell cancers, moving us closer to developing quick tests and readouts that could help in the tailored treatment of patients.
“We already know that the over-expression or mutation of molecules known as NIK and TRAF3 in B cells is associated with human multiple myeloma,” said Professor Mackay. “Our collaborative research uncovered two distinct processes involving these molecules that help explain why.”
The news has been filled with reports about the death of Stan Winston from myeloma the last few days. I didn’t know who he was, but I saw many of the films on which he worked. As a myeloma patient though, I was more interested in his disease than his work. I wanted to know what treatments he had tried and how aggressive his cancer was. Where was he treated? Did he have a stem cell transplant? Did he have any remissions during that seven years?
None of my questions was answered. I think he may have been treated at the IMBCR, because I saw that listed as one of the preferred recipients of donations to be made in his memory.
I wanted to post this for other fans of the B’s. It was difficult to do more than get close-ups because of the people standing in front of us. It would have been nice if people would have remained seated and quiet for the show!
This is a chart of my IgA values since before the SCT last summer. I stopped Velcade and Doxil in July, 2007 and the SCT took place at the end of August. This is quantitative serum IgA in mg/dL. The test on 10/11/2007 was the first one I had after stem cell transplant.
I’ve never once regretted having the SCT, and only wish I had done it earlier. In my case, nothing was keeping the mm under control for very long. The SCT has allowed me to be off treatment for 10 months now, which is a long time for me.
Duke allows me to look at my lab results online, and I’ve been waiting to see what my m-spikes are (I have two). So far, they’ve stayed under 0.5 g/dL when added together. That’s so much better than the 3.4 g/dL they were back in 2003.
The reference range at Duke’s lab for IgA is 46 - 287.
I’ve liked the B-52’s since I first heard them back in 1979. For some reason, it took me this long to go see them perform. I think everyone should see them! Buy their new CD, Funplex, and all the other ones, too!
I sneaked this quick video. It’s Cyndi Lauper introducing the B-52’s. Don’t tell anyone about this.
I was at the Cary Amphitheatre for the first time last week to see Duran Duran. It was a great show, and I loved the venue. I plan on going back in the future.
Duran Duran was fabulous! You know how some bands don’t sound like themselves at a live performance? I think some musicians have so much in the way of studio enhancements that they can’t match it when they play in front of a live audience. Duran Duran isn’t like that. They sounded great. They’ve been playing some of their stuff for nearly 30 years, so they’ve had a lot of practice.
They played a good mix of old and new songs. Is there anyone else who thinks Last Chance On the Stairway and Ordinary World are their best songs ever?
We all had a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to doing it again soon. Thanks, everyone (MZ, TV, RS)! KF, it would have been so much fun if you could have made it. Maybe next time?
Mayo researchers isolate compound that obstructs cell growth in multiple myeloma and other cancers fueled by certain proteins
Extract of coconut shrinks tumors by killing cancer cells
Friday, May 09, 2008
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A natural compound extracted from the milk of coconuts has proven effective in curbing the uncontrolled growth of certain cancer tumors, according to researchers at Mayo Clinic.
A recently published study by Drs. A. Keith Stewart and Rodger E. Tiedemann of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center indicates that a substance called kinetin riboside, prevents new cell growth in tumors controlled by cyclin D proteins. (Cyclin D proteins are members of the cyclin family of proteins related to cell division.) Kinetin riboside is found in minute quantities in coconut milk and other natural plants and is related to the hormones that govern root growth in plants.
The results of the study were published in the May 1, 2008, issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The journal is published by the American Society for Clinical Investigation, founded in 1908 to recognize important advances in medical research. “Cyclin D is like the gas pedal for cell progression,” Stewart said. “In cancer cells, too much cyclin is produced and overwhelms the cell, causing it to grow too quickly. Kinetin riboside appears to switch that process off.”
Three closely related proteins called cyclin D1, D2 and D3 are found in all proliferating cell types and collectively control the progression of cells through their cell cycle. Since D-cyclin proteins are essential to cell division, they are implicated in certain types of cancer.
After screening more than 4,000 drugs and natural compounds for their ability to control cyclin, the study narrowed the possibilities to about 30. Eventually, Stewart and Tiedemann focused on only one—kinetin riboside—as a way to control the cyclin D proteins.
Kinetin riboside works by rapidly binding itself to the cyclin gene and switching off the normal progression of cell division. Laboratory tests on mice demonstrated some cancer cells died as a result of the process, causing tumors to shrink in size. Healthy body cells remained unaffected.
The Mayo study focused on cells found in multiple myeloma tumors, but Cyclin D1 and D2 is important in the progression of many other cancers, including breast, prostate, colon, parathyroid adenoma, certain lymphomas and melanoma.
“Kinetin riboside not only stops myeloma cells from growing, it kills large numbers of the tumor cells as well,” Tiedemann says. “Its effectiveness in controlling cyclin holds the promise of a therapy for a number of different cancers.”
The researchers are now focusing on developing modified versions of the compound that offer the same benefits but possess specific characteristics that make it more desirable for the development of clinical drugs.
More than 60,000 Americans have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. An estimated 15,000 new cases are reported each year and it accounts for a disproportionate 2 percent of all cancer deaths. The research was partially funded by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
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Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is one of only 39 U.S. medical centers that have been named as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center. To receive this designation, an institution must meet rigorous standards demonstrating scientific excellence and the ability to integrate diverse research approaches to address the problem of cancer. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center is the only national, multi-site center with the NCI’s Comprehensive Cancer Center designation. In Arizona, Mayo’s clinical and research experts work together to address the complex needs of cancer patients, with a dedication to understanding the biology of cancer; discovering new ways to predict, prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and transforming the quality of life for cancer patients today and in the future.
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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com is available as a resource for your health stories.
I have an idea for Google! How about Google Home Search? When I’m looking for something in the house, it would be great if I could type in my query and Google would find it for me. If the item can’t be found, Google could suggest an alternative.
Question: Where’s the TV remote?
Google: The item you searched for could not be found. Perhaps you should go for a bike ride instead.
Last weekend was our local “Relay for Life” event, which I attended. My nephew, who is almost seven years old, went along with me. He walked with me for the survivors’ lap, which starts the relay. As the survivors pass by, the team members and other spectators usually give a big round of applause. My nephew said he was embarrassed by this and asked why everyone was clapping. I asked him if he knows what cancer is, and he said he did. I explained that everyone he saw walking was a cancer survivor and that people were applauding because we had all been successful in fighting our cancers. He asked, “can it kill you?” I said that it can, and his response was, “I don’t want it to kill you… because I love you.”
This is why we have chemo, take dex and all the other stuff we have do to stay here.
The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link is working with Dr. Steven Pavletic and his staff at the National Institutes of Health to develop a web cast on Coping with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease. The 30-minute presentation will provide an overview of cGVHD, recommendations for care of the cGVHD patient, and personal reflections from current cGVHD patients and their caregivers. The web cast will be launched on our web site, www.nbmtlink.org late this summer. We are grateful to the National Marrow Donor Program for supporting this product
I just noticed this on Reuters and wanted to post it before I forgot about it. I’ll comment later on and will be looking for the original article published in the medical journal.
Mon Apr 21, 2008 6:29pm EDT
By Megan Rauscher
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For the first time, researchers have evidence of an association between renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, one that “cannot be explained by random incidence alone,” they say.
“I think general oncologists as well as myeloma and renal cancer physicians should be aware of this association,” Dr. Mohamad A. Hussein of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, noted in comments to Reuters Health.
Renal cell carcinoma begins in the kidney cells and although it may progress slowly, it is very resistance to chemotherapy. Multiple myeloma, which may also progress slowly, is likewise resistant to treatment. It begins in the blood’s plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. Over time, myeloma cells build up in bone marrow and then in the solid parts of bone.
In a review of data from patients referred to the Cleveland Clinic between 1990 and 2005, Hussein and colleagues identified 1,100 patients with multiple myeloma, 2,704 with renal cell carcinoma, and 8 with both types of cancer.
In 4 of the 8 patients, renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed 3 to 46 months after the multiple myeloma diagnosis. In the remaining 4, renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed 1 to 108 months before the multiple myeloma. Seven of the 8 patients were first diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma on the right side.
“The probability of this association was much higher than that expected in the general population,” the researchers note in the medical journal BJU International. “No clear treatment-related, environmental, genetic or immune-mediated common factors can fully explain this association.”
The investigators point out that interleukin-6 supports the growth and expansion of both types of cancer. Interleukin-6 is a “cytokine” that normally enhances the body’s immune response to disease and infection.
“I think the take-home message,” Hussein said, “is that after active therapy for myeloma, if the kidney lesion does not clear — especially if it is affecting the right kidney — renal cell cancer should be considered.”
In this study, when myeloma was the first malignancy diagnosed, “the renal cell carcinoma was at a very early stage and therefore surgical exploration is critical.”
There are a few sources for news about myeloma on the web. One thing I’ve done is signed up at www.bloglines.com, where I can search on topics that interest me. News can also be found here:
The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research has published some good videos which will answer some of your questions. These were informative for me, even after having lived with myeloma for the past 5 years.
MMSupport.net unveils “Ask the Expert”, featuring Multiple Myeloma physician and scientist, James R. Berenson, M.D.
Ask the Expert is a free online web-forum where Myeloma and Bone Cancer specialist, Dr. James R. Berenson offers medical answers to questions surrounding quality of life and longevity issues for patients living with this rare form of cancer.
Los Angeles, CA – MMSupport.net and the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research are proud to announce the creation of “Ask the Expert”, a free online web-forum featuring Multiple Myeloma expert, Dr. James R. Berenson.
MMSupport.net is the creation of myeloma-advocate, Beth Morgan. The website serves to foster community in the form of an online forum where patients and caregivers could learn more about Multiple Myeloma, a plasma cell cancer that resides in the bone marrow. Thousands of people visit MMSupport.net every day. Many visitors are Myeloma and Bone Cancer patients, caregivers and other medical professionals who actively participate in online discussions about treatment options and personal experiences. “Ask the Expert” is the latest addition to the MMSupport.net website and is available at no charge by registering on the site. Visit www.mmsupport.net for more information.
James R. Berenson, MD has 25 years experience in treating Multiple Myeloma and Bone Cancer patients. Dr. Berenson is CEO and Medical Director for The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research and CEO and President of Oncotherapeutics, an oncology-specific clinical trials management service. Dr. Berenson is an active clinician who treats patients daily in his Los Angeles offices and acts as a specialist consult to patient’s primary oncologist or primary care physician throughout the world. For more information, visit www.berensononcology.com
The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, based in Los Angeles, California, is an independent cancer research institute with a primary focus on hematologic cancers. Established in 2004, the IMBCR is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization. Over the last four years, the IMBCR has created novel breakthrough therapies that have substantially increased the longevity and quality of life of myeloma patients. The latest initiative at the institute is “The Cure Myeloma Project”, a multi-year research project that targets myeloma cells while keeping the non-cancerous cells intact. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.imbcr.org
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Media contact:
Beth Morgan, MMsupport.net beth.morgan@connectnc.com or,
Cheryl A. Cross, MPH, Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research ccross@imbcr.org 866-900-1035
When analyzing how much of the email that comes into web hosting accounts, we discovered that it’s 94% spam and viruses. Thanks to our mail filtering device, most of that is blocked or quarantined. I went to google to look for stats, and found that our figure agrees with what’s reported by most other ISPs. A graph from one of our mail filters shows the severity of the spam problem, which is universal.
Increases in junk mail has required us to invest in mail filtering appliances and software, which is the case for many large companies and universities. However, not all companies can afford to make this investment. We offer mail filtering for web sites whether they are hosted with us or not. For a low monthly rate, your domain’s email can be protected. Pricing starts at $13.50 per month, for up to 10 mail accounts. Using the service is easy. A simple change is made to your DNS. No software needs to be installed on any of your systems. We do still recommend that each of your machines has an anti-virus application installed. While most viruses are email borne, there are still risks associated with simply being connected to the Internet. For more information, or to sign up, call us at 888-290-4601, extension 22.
This is what my head looks like now. The rash is gone. There’s discoloration there, and the skin is extremely sensitive. Sometimes it itches, too. I have another appointment to see the eye doctor on Tuesday, and I think it will be the last one for this.
If you’re wondering, the thing sticking out of my ear is from my iPod. This has been the first time I’ve tried to use it since before I had shingles. The virus caused pain even in my ear, which made it hurt to listen to music or even the telephone on that site. I still have headaches on the left side of my head, but they’re not as bad and not as constant as they were even a week ago.
You can see that my hair is growing. I hope to look half way normal by spring.
The picture was taken with PhotoBooth on the Mac, which, for reasons unknown to me, produces a mirror image. So, when I talk of having shingles on the left side, it’s true.
Contact: Linda M. Parsons, Vice President
Phone: 910.692.2936
Email: lparsons@moorecountychamber.com
Moore County Chamber Announces Finalists: Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year
SOUTHERN PINES, NC – The Moore County Chamber of Commerce announced at a press conference on January 24, 2008 the six finalists for the Chamber’s Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year Awards. The winner of each of these awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 and is made possible in partnership with Progress Energy.
“The Chamber is proud to showcase the six finalists and their contributions to the enrichment of Moore County’s business Community,” stated Sherwood Blackwood, 2008 Chairman of the Board. According to Sherwood, “The Chamber was looking for a business that despite facing tremendous adversity would do it all over again, and whose fervor for running a business is rivaled only by their willingness to serve the community.”
The criteria for both awards included innovation, response to adversity and community involvement. For innovation the businesses needed to cite examples as to marketing ideas, overcoming significant challenges, employee relations, customer development, technology, distribution and competitive advantages. The category of adversity, the business needed to show how they addressed significant challenges, overcoming one or more of the following: Employee relations, growth, training, retention, management and technology. In the last category the business needed to indicate their involvement in the community, not including industry related organizations or affiliations. The steering committee that reviewed the applications received were Chamber executives and economic development executives from outside of Moore County.
The three finalists for the Entrepreneur Business of the Year Award have been in business less than five years and with less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include HomeChoice Network Inc., Bliss, A Salon Experience and Weichert Realtors, Larose & Company. The finalists for the Small Business of the Year Award have been in business more than five years and also have less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include Pinestar Farms Inc., ConnectNC Inc., and Moore Uniforms. The final award winner of each category will be presented at the Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 at the Carolina Hotel.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the Moore county Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet visit www.moorecountychamber.com or call (910) 692-3926.
The mission of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce is to provide quality, value-added services and programs to members to unite Moore County area businesses in a committed effort to strengthen the economic environment and thus, improve the quality of life for all of Moore County. With nearly 800 members the Chamber is instrumental in Advancing Commerce and Community and exists to help strengthen the local economy and promote comprehensive community development.
Linda Parsons
Vice President
Moore County Chamber of Commerce
10677 Hwy 15-501
Southern Pines, NC 28387
910.692-3926 Fax 910.692-0619
On Friday I started taking famvir for an outbreak of shingles. I knew from previous times that famvir gave me a pretty bad headache, but I thought I’d do it anyway and maybe this time it wouldn’t happen. I withstood it for almost 4 full days, but then called the doctor to get something else. It was a wicked headache and I thought anything else had to be better. I got the rx for acyclovir Tuesday and took my first dose with dinner. Pretty soon I was experiencing nausea. Those of you who know me, know that this is a serious situation. I fought off the nausea for four hours and then finally had an episode of vomiting and diarrhea. It was over fast, and probably not worth the four hours I spent trying to avoid it. We do what we do though, and it’s hard to overcome a phobia you’ve had all your life. This could have very well been a coincidence, but I attributed it to the acyclovir (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are reported possible side effects). I called my doctor the next day, and a nurse asked me if I could tolerate the famvir headache for just 3 more days. So, I’m back on famvir now. Just a couple of days to go. Afterwards, I will probably take one a day to help prevent a recurrence of shingles.
The eye doctor told me that he saw no internal goings-on in my eye. Only the exterior was affected, including the eyelid (outside and inside). I have an antibiotic ointment to apply twice daily and a return appointment next week.
I should expect to have a complete recovery anywhere from a few weeks to 6 weeks.
I just learned that shingles’ name comes from the Latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt. There’s a lot of useful information about shingles at the FDA web site.
I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about my left eye. Here’s where I’ll be: Carolina Eye Associates
Here’s a new picture of what the rash looks like. Don’t click on the thumbnail if you don’t want to see it. I think it’s hideous. I try to stay in so that I don’t attract mobs of torch-wielding villagers out in front of the house.
I’m still taking the 500 mg of Famvir three times a day and am taking some oxycodone as needed. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I had some dex.
