Updates from February, 2011 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

  • David Dansereau 2:29 pm on January 30, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: dangerous-medicines, , reduce stroke risk, stroke medications,   

    Take any of these dangerous medicines? 

    Could you actually  triple your risk of heart attack or stroke on one of these medicines?

    Just pick up a prescription of this Cox-2 inhibitor….

    Interesting Fact: While studying the drug’s potential as an anti-cancer drug, the National Cancer Institute discovered that…

    Those taking 400mg doses had 250% greater risk of dying from heart attack or stroke… and those taking the 800mg doses has 340% times the risk!

    Read this report on dangerous-pain-medicines

    Source: http://www.my-physical-therapy-coach.com/dangerous-pain-medicines.html

     

  • David Dansereau 10:57 pm on January 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , facebook shutdown, , PIPA/SOPA,   

    Facebook Shutdown by my post on Know-Stroke.org?? 

    Remember I shut down my site last week to protest PIPA/SOPA?  Well, this post explores what could happen if PIPA/SOPA does pass…

    Here’s a potential scenario: 

    Let’s just pretend (in this Facebook Shutdown scenario) that I make a comment on my blog about an FDA scandal and I mention that there were reports linking politicians on Capitol Hill with “possibly” influencing choices being made by the FDA.  I post this to my blog which gets distributed through the WordPress blog network and automatically gets posted to my Facebook account as well as on my accounts on LinkedIn,Twitter and some of the other health websites which syndicate/RSS my know-stroke blog like Wellsphere.com.  (Follow me here please, just for illustration of course…)

    Let’s just say I go on to mention in my post that a “possibly” tainted FDA committee recommended that Bayer be allowed to keep its problematic birth control pills – sold as Yaz and Yasmin – on the market even though the agency’s adverse events reporting system had turned up higher risks of  blood clots, which can cause deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack and death.  My research for my post reveals that thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the company (Bayer) alleging the pills damaged women’s health.  Even with this evidence against this controversial birth control pill, I report on know-stroke.org that the FDA committee still ruled the benefits of having another birth control option on the market outweighed the risks.

    SO, what if this story wasn’t just made up?  What if news of this FDA scandal was really reported earlier this month in Washington Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal  which actually followed up with some juicy details about the financial ties between some of the researchers and Bayer.   Here’s an actual article with a good summary of the scary “funny” business really going on at the FDA, see Conflict of Interest Scandal Rocks FDA by Merrill Goozner.

    The point of my article is that my post here, even though sourced correctly and accurate could be deemed a threat and my site shut down (if PIPA/SOPA legislation go through) for sharing details of this “possible” funny business.  Also, by the way,  if you don’t really care about my site but you love Facebook, the proposed two bills in Congress RIGHT NOW, (the PIPA/SOPA legislation) would make the cost of enforcing copyright compliance incredibly high for social sites like Facebook and YouTube,etc..   Could these sites also be liable for not screening/censoring my blog content or perhaps your own uploaded videos?  YES

    See how this proposed legislation would make all sites “on the hook” for contributory infringement and their new forced policing role could crush these sites and the way we are able to share information.  Don’t believe me?

    Play this TED.com video below “Defend our Freedom to Share (or why SOPA is a bad idea) SHARED on YouTube to draw your own conclusion and see what you can do if you like your internet left alone.

    What this legislation really says is that you can’t share until you show US that you aren’t sharing something we don’t like…. scary… I think especially when you look behind the curtain and see who is really being paid to support this proposed legislation.

    By David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org

    (I disclose openly that I have no disclosures)

     

  • David Dansereau 5:27 pm on December 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , ,   

    Healthy 2012 New Year Wishes from Know-Stroke.org 

    As 2011 winds down I would be remiss if  I didn’t thank you all for visiting my stroke awareness blog over the past year.  

    I wish you all success and the best of health in 2012.

    Happy and HEALTHY New Year  Wishes from Know-Stroke.org  !!

     

     

  • David Dansereau 7:13 pm on October 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Hercules's Stoke, Kevin Sorbo, stroke connection, stroke recovery guide   

    Even Hercules Can Have a Stroke 

    Open a digital copy of this month’s Stroke Connection and read about Kevin Sorbo’s account of his stroke and recovery (YES that Hercules). His book is a great read too, but if you just can’t afford to miss a minute on Facebook then click on the link above to read this great article written by Jon Caswell in Stroke Connection on Kevin’s recovery after a stroke.


    [My personal sidebar] Best line/take away: Kevin mentions in the article and in his book that his state of mind post-stroke was like ” looking out from inside an aquarium with a low humming sound in the back of his head that never stopped “.  I bet many readers of my blog that are migraineurs/stroke survivors can understand this all too well.

    BTW, If you like the article, click below on my Facebook button to Share this post.

     

  • David Dansereau 4:00 pm on September 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , patient guide for PFO, patient registry for PFO septal occluders, , pfo device erosion,   

    PFO, patient identification cards and fish tanks? 

    Sometimes when you speak the truth it can get you in trouble.   Let me explain.  I’ve been digging a little deeper lately trying to get some answers to the ongoing question of  PFO, septal occluders and exercise.  Completely for my own benefit of course,  but if you have been following my posts you know I am not the only stroke survivor with a septal occluder patent that is googling for help.  Let’s just say for now, I am thinking of boosting my exercise level and need to know if it still “OK” especially with recent rumblings of device erosion.   Anyway, you may be thinking I shouldn’t need to google for help, right?

    The answer as it turns out is not that easy.  I have this patient identification card that identifies me as an official recipient of a septal occluder married now to my ticker.  With my card  I received a one page letter that states  “Dear Recipient:” (that’s me)

    Enclosed please find your xxxxxx Occluder implant registration card.  Please keep this card with you at all times.  This card will notify medical staff of your implant in case of  medical emergency, and provides a contact number for us to reach you in case additional information might be needed for your care.  Below are some commonly asked questions about your device:

    (skipping to the part on exercise or as close to the part that mentions any physical activity guidelines)

    Q: What activities should be avoided after my procedure?  When can they resume?

    A:  All strenuous activity should be avoided for one month after the procedure.  Even though you may feel ready to resume your normal activity, you should take it easy for at least one month.

    I needed more information so I called the toll free number on my PFO Patient Identification Card.  What I quickly learned was “they (the device manufacturer) don’t set the guidelines, they just make the device”.  I would need to “speak with my physician who implanted the device”.  Honestly, I am not feeling comforted by the device support line these days especially after reading more about PFO device erosion.    I am suppose to feel better after speaking with my physician and having a long discussion about erosion that I have a “good” device.  Frankly, I don’t know what that really means because there is clearly  an accountability problem that needs to be addressed.

    Bray Patrick Lake of the PFO Research Foundation posted a great article on better accountability in this industry.   I hope we figure this thing out soon, I don’t want to get a call  “in case any additional information is needed for my care” just because I want to be more active.  I’ll tell you soon how this truth might be getting me in trouble  but for now read Bray’s article on why her fish tank/water heater may be currently better regulated than the individual devices that she and this author have patent.  That’s a shame.

    David P. Dansereau for know-stroke.org

    David Dansereau at Know-Stroke.org

     

    • Marcia 4:10 pm on September 21, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      David!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!! Keep us all posted! xo you!

    • Beth 5:28 pm on October 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I read Bray’s post a while ago in the group on Facebook, and made a *mental note* to immediately schedule an appt. with my cardiologist who preformed my surgery for an over due follow up visit. The metal note to myself failed, as I’ve been dealing with other health issues. Now I have my written note reminder as I shall be in his office tomorrow for an appt. with my electrophysiologist & neurologist in the same office. Glad I found your blog as a reminder, and looking forward to reading your past posts.

  • David Dansereau 11:08 am on September 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , stroke suvivor   

    PFO and Cryptogenic Stroke:Another Runner Shares his Story 

    Following this story
    Medical Mystery : The Runner who lost his voice
    http://www.nationalpost.com/m/blog.html?b=life.nationalpost.com/2011/09/20/medical-mystery-the-runner-who-lost-his-voice&s=Opinion

     

  • David Dansereau 12:45 pm on June 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Liz Bestic, , , , Stoke and PFO research,   

    “You Have Had a Stroke”-What to do next? 

    Yes, I admit, my posts these days on my stroke blog have been few and far between.  I have been extremely busy (more on this shortly) but  I had to comment on this story right away before I bookmarked it and  it got eventually lost in a sea of other things  “to do”.

    Liz Bestic, a health reporter in the U.K. recently heard the words “You have Had a Stroke” .  I would otherwise have no reason to know this other than Google Alerts gives me a poke every time the words PFO (patent foramen ovale) and exercise (as well as a few other PFO/stroke combinations I follow) appear in the news and shortly thereafter in my email.  Mostly these days I don’t get through all the alerts but “PFO Exercise Guidelines” still are tops on my radar because it is an area where much uncertainty remains and physician/patient  EDUCATION still is lacking or non-existent depending upon who you ask.

    Liz Bestic reveals in her great article about her stroke and  PFO diagnosis that she is exercising while she ponders a difficult decision on what to do next.  While this was the last interesting point made in her article and is what probably triggered the PFO/exercise/Google  “link” that now has me linking her to my blog I hope it isn’t the last on this important theme.  I do wish Miss Bestic well in her recovery and on her decision on how to best treat her PFO.  I also hope it may happen that she will find it timely to perhaps do another follow-up story as she now will no-doubt become an expert on the same PFO/stroke  journey many of us have already taken.   Miss Bestic may in fact be in a unique position as a survivor and health reporter to help improve this education gap. Who knows, perhaps Google may be able to help with this important alert too.  I welcome all your comments, and especially those of Miss Bestic if she happens to have her own name “tagged” and finds us here.

    Here’s the link to her article and it is worth the read right away, don’t just bookmark it “for later” :)

    David Dansereau for know-stroke.org

    David Dansereau at Know-Stroke.org

     

  • David Dansereau 9:24 am on March 19, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , MD, , Rebecca Ischord,   

    What would you do? 

    post by David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org

    A healthy 8 year old boy is playing with friends when suddenly he begins to experience severe left eye pain.  He goes to pick up the ball and his right arm isn’t cooperating, allowing the ball to continue to escape his grip.  You also notice his speech just doesn’t sound quite right.  What now?

    The scenario outlined above is based upon a slide presentation by Rebecca Ischord, MD Director of the Pediatric Stroke Program at the Children’s Hospital in Pennsylvania.  I had the privledge of  attending her presentation at the International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles in February on the challenges and opportunities on detecting and educating physicians and the public about childhood stroke.

    Here’s the presentation-> ISC2011childhoodstroke

    If you don’t have time to view it now, (and you should if you want to really know-stroke), a quick  presentation “take-away” that  hit home was when Dr. Ischord mentioned one of the biggest barriers that needs to be overcome is the misconception that “everyone knows kids don’t have strokes”.  That one sentence always sends shivers down my spine and continues to be the motivator behind the Community Impact Grant proposal I have written for the American Stroke Association.  Now more than ever we need to find cost effective and “viral” ways of getting the word out to teach stroke awareness, beginning with our youngest Bright Minds, our kids.  If you happened to read my last post, you are aware that Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts recently cut all funding for the stroke signs and symptoms campaign in that state.  I’m sure other state budgets already have trimmed or eliminated their prevention campaigns or will soon cut off funding  in these difficult times.

    Bright Minds grant proposal for stroke awareness by David Dansereau

    If you want to learn more about my Bright Minds proposal, click here.

    David Dansereau at Know-Stroke.org

     

  • David Dansereau 4:00 pm on March 14, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: AHA/ASA advocacy, , Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts State House, STOP Stroke, ,   

    Join the STOP Stroke event at the Massachusetts State House on March 31, 2011 

    We are all facing tight times, but I urge Governor Deval Patrick not to be “penny wise and pound foolish” when it comes to stroke education and prevention*.  -DP Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org


    Please help my good friends at the American Heart / American Stroke Association(AHA/ASA) in Massachusetts as they are planning an important stroke awareness event at the Massachusetts State House on March 31,2011.

    This event will help spread the critical message that recognition and timely care of stroke can prevent death and disability. Unfortunately, the Governor removed all funding in his budget for the stroke signs and symptoms campaign so they need your help! They are looking for people like you or who you may know living in Massachusetts who will share their stories with state legislators about how stroke has affected your life either as a survivor, caregiver or passionate advocate.

    According to an email from AHA/ASA the day will begin at 11:00 AM with an Advocacy 101 to help prepare you for your legislative meetings. They will provide a boxed lunch and then you will have the opportunity to meet with your legislators to share your story and express the importance of the STOP Stroke Program funding. Speaking points will be provided as well as a staff person to go on the visits. The day will end by 4:00 PM.

    If you are from Central and Western Massachusetts, they will have a bus to transport you to the State House for the event.  The bus will pick up participants at our AHA Office, 54C Wayside Ave, West Springfield and in Auburn Park and Ride lot off 1-90 at Exit 10 (where 1-90 meets 290)

    For anyone interested in attending please register by clicking the below link:

    http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BYKZY8XXC/

    If you have questions or please call Allyson Perron at 508-935-3943

    Please help if you are  Massachusetts resident and have a personal message you’d like to deliver to Governor Deval Patrick.  As a stroke survivor, I know first hand the expenses that come after a stroke for diagnosis, treatment/rehabilitation and lost wages.  We are all facing tight times, but I urger Governor Deval Patrick not to be “penny wise and pound foolish” when it comes to stroke education and prevention*.-David Dansereau

    [My Sidebar] Here’s what I uncovered while researching the Governor’s position on “investing in prevention”  for health care.  What happened ?  Was this another case of an empty campaign promise??  Why is stroke not considered in prevention in Massachusetts??

    Prevention and awareness are the least expensive and most effective way to fight against our nation’s #3 killer and # 1 cause of long term disability.- Know-Stroke!!

    copy——————————–

    Invest in prevention

    When diagnosed early, many illnesses can be managed at far lower cost than if left until they breed more serious health problems. To keep our citizens healthy, I will invest in a robust public health delivery system. I will place a special emphasis on adequate childhood immunizations, effective drug & alcohol abuse education, HIV/AIDS prevention & care, and early cancer detection programs. Common sense prevention programs like these reduce system-wide costs, which saves money for insurance ratepayers.Source: Moving Massachusetts Forward, Patrick’s policy booklet, p.12 Sep 15, 2005

    Focus on prevention and wellness programs

    I envision Massachusetts as a model for public health stewardship, a state that gets healthy and stays healthy-emphasizing disease prevention and wellness programs that help reduce the total cost of illness, injury and disability. We will have effective programs to assure childhood immunizations, and to address drug and alcohol addiction, mental health needs, gun safety and other violence prevention, and HIV/AIDS screening, treatment and prevention.Source: Campaign policy booklet, “Moving Massachusetts Forward” Sep 15, 2005

    Source:

    http://www.ontheissues.org/governor/Deval_Patrick_Health_Care.htm

    David Dansereau at Know-Stroke.org

    





post by David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org
     

  • David Dansereau 8:56 pm on February 14, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: CBS reporter, , , Serene Branson, , stroke during grammys   

    Did Serene Branson have a stroke on live TV last evening during the Grammys? 

    by David Dansereau for Know-Stroke.org

    And is CBS and perhaps the folks involved in Miss Branson’s care that evening guilty of not knowing the stroke warning signs??  You decide…

    There are reports from LA circulating that a local reporter , Serene Branson, may have experienced a stroke or “some kind of neurological event” while reporting live during the Grammys Sunday evening in Los Angeles.  This is certainly a terrible event for Miss Branson to have to deal with, and I do wish her the best.   At the same time I also encourage her,  at her earliest convenience , to go straight to the ER to be checked out ASAP.  It is certainly understandable that  Miss Branson would want her video replay to be pulled off the web but without seeing it and based only on the comments here it appears that reports may be correct.  The most disturbing part of this story is the update from CBS here:

    This was the update from CBS today:

    UPDATE: CBS 2 posted a statement about Branson’s condition, saying “Serene Branson was examined by paramedics on scene immediately after her broadcast. Her vital signs were normal. She was not hospitalized. As a precautionary measure, a colleague gave her a ride home and she says that she is feeling fine this morning.“

    If Miss Branson indeed was slurring her words and had jumbled speech “all of a sudden”, then you simply do not allow someone to go home and sleep it off.   The best thing CBS could do, in my opinion, in addition to urging Miss Branson to seek follow-up medical care, would be to allow the replay of this event with Miss Branson’s permission.  Is she did indeed have a stroke, then it would be a once in a perhaps lifetime event for teaching stroke education “in real time” and learning the warning signs.  Read the mixed comments that follow the story here and you’ll see why we need to KNOW-STROKE !

    I welcome your comments and please chime in if you actually witnessed this report live during the Grammys or the replay before it was pulled by CBS.

    David Dansereau

    David Dansereau (Know-Stroke.org)

     

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