Latest News

For most people one of the realities of living with a chronic condition is the need for health
insurance cover. It can be difficult deciding which is the best and most cost effective for each one’s
personal circumstances and needs, and difficult to know who to go to when health insurers don’t
met our expectations. Michael Fotheringham summarises an excellent source of information on
private health insurance.

Read More

Private Health Insurance Update

Phone Jundi on 8423 0916 for more information

Arthritis Australia response to MJA_multimorbidity

How to prevent making mistakes with your medicines and what to do if an error occurs.

It is very easy for anyone taking medicines to make a mistake, eg take the wrong dose, the wrong medicine, the wrong time. Such mishaps are sometimes called ‘therapeutic errors'. Many therapeutic errors result in no or minimal toxicity; others may cause significant problems.

Prepared by Jeff Robinson, Manager, Victorian Poisons Information Centre read more on how to prevent maiking mistakes.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has given its formal approval to Pfizer Australia for the use of its COX-2 inhibitor, Celebrex (celecoxib), for the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Celebrex is currently indicated for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and primary dysmenorrhoea in adults. The addition of ankylosing spondylitis to the indications extends the clinical uses and experience with Celebrex.

Celebrex gets TGA approval for Ankylosing Spondylitis 08

The scientific evidence for glucosamine or glucosamine/chondroitin is making it seem doubtful that it’s effective at relieving the pain of osteoarthritis. However, plenty of people who suffer from osteoarthritis think it’s worked for them, so it’s still worth giving glucosamine and chondroitin a try, even if the only result is the placebo effect. If you get any affect at all, it’s likely to take four to six weeks. On the other hand, exercise and weight loss are likely to benefit you more.

“Use the table as a guide to what to choose. It lists the products in the order of cost per maximum recommended daily does, so start with one of the cheapest that has a dose of 1500 mg/day or more of glucosamine. Avoid any that give you less than 1500 mg/day of glucosamine.

“If you think it’s worthwhile trying the glucosamine/chondroitin combination, only three of the products (shown in orange in the table) contain the level shown to be effective in the big US trial – and they’re among the most expensive per daily dose.”

Choice Magazine article on glucosamine and chondroitin

Arthritis is a very common condition in Australia affecting people of all ages and from all walks of life. Its symptoms often have a big impact on the daily lives of people

This book will put you on the path to managing your arthritis by taking an active role in understanding and treating your condition. By doing this,you will experience less pain and stay more active than those who feel there is nothing they can do.

To get your FREE copy of 10 Steps For Living With Arthritis call
1800 011 041 today

The information inside is based on the latest research
and recommendations, and has been reviewed by
Australian experts in the field of arthritis to make sure
it is current and relevant to your needs. So go ahead
– take control of your rheumatoid arthritis!

Call 8379 5711 or 1800 011 041 to receive your free copy

The information inside is based on the latest research
and recommendations, and has been reviewed by
Australian experts to make sure it is current and
relevant to your needs. So go ahead – take control of
your psoriatic arthritis!

Call 8379 5711 or 1800 011 041 to receive your free booklet.

The information inside is based on the latest research
and recommendations, and has been reviewed by
Australian experts in the field to make sure it is current
and relevant to your needs. So go ahead – take control
of your ankylosing spondylitis!

Call 8379 5711 or 1800 011 041 for your free booklet.

The information inside is based on the latest research
and recommendations. It has also been reviewed by
Australian experts in the field of arthritis to make sure
the contents are current and relevant to your needs.
So go ahead – take control of your osteoarthritis!

Call 8379 5711 or 1800 011 041 to receive your free booklet.

Having trouble removing lids due to arthritis?

The J-Popper is designed for removing lids from ring pull cans and the Jar Key removes vaccum sealed lids.

These handy items are on sale from the Arthritis Foundation.

Go to the merchandise area for more information.

The 2008/2009 Entertainment Books are now available!

The 2008/2009 Entertainment Books are now available form Arthritis SA.

Book now to receive over $15,000 in valuable offers, valid through 1 June, 2009. At the same time you will be helping raise funds for Arthritis SA as 20% of the proceeds go towards our fundraising efforts.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER - PURCHASE YOUR BOOKS PRIOR TO MARCH 27TH, 2008 AND RECEIVE 6 BONUS OFFERS FOR RESTAURANTS BRAND NEW TO THE 2008/2009 ENTERTAINMENT BOOK.

Phone 8379 5711 to order your book.

The TGA has listed an adverse reactions bulletin for glucosamine and warfarin.

In response to this bulletin, Arthritis Australia’s medical director, Prof Graeme Jones has provide the following statement.

Glucosamine is widely used for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Recent reports have suggested that it may interact with warfarin and thus make blood less likely to clot. The mechanism for this is uncertain. However, AAust recommends that patients on warfarin who are starting or stopping glucosamine should have their INR (blood clotting) checked regularly for the first month. Patients who are on stable doses of both are unlikely to have problems.

For more information please go to the website - www.tga.gov.au/adr/aadrb/aadr0802.htm

Juvenile Arthritis receives support from Morialta Trust

Arthritis SA were the recipients of a grant from the Morialta Trust to assist Juvenile Arthritis.

In particular the funds will go to implement the 'Me Managing Me' school program. The planned project will be directed at all children in the school setting, with the focus on learning to manage their own healthy lifestyle. Within the program there will be reference
made to children with juvenile arthritis, other chronic illnesses and disabilities. The program will enable participants to develop an appreciation of the difficulties faced by these children in
setting and achieving goals, being accepted by their peers and adults in the school and community and managing symptoms of their illness such as fatigue, continuous pain and inability to participate in physical activity. By working with class groups we are not isolating
students with chronic illness or disability, but rather developing a sense of peer support and understanding along with self management skills that all young people can learn and which will benefit them in school, work and social environments. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the second most common chronic illness in children after asthma and numbers may be as high as 1 in 250.

A pilot program was conducted late last year at Paralowie Reception to Year 12 School in Salisbury South Australia. The program was facilitated by Jenny Bennett, Education Services Manager for Arthritis SA and Carol Spargo, Juvenile Arthritis Coordinator. Initially, the program was to be for self management of chronic pain from juvenile arthritis among schoolchildren, but it was realised that it could have far wider benefits in developing a range
of skills, including goal setting, effective communication, nutrition, fitness and stress management.

The Morialta Trust supports not for profit organisation who assist disadvantage children.

City of Marion Community Grants assisting Marion Arthritis Branch

Through its Community Vision and Community Plan, the City of Marion has expressed a strong commitment to the provision of support to its community.

The purpose of the Community Grants Program is to assist local non-profit community groups and organisations to establish and undertake innovative projects or activities that are of benefit to the community and which support Marion’s Strategic Plan.

The City of Marion has made $75,000 available for community grants in the 2007-08 financial year. Last year’s grants program supported 44 non-profit groups to develop innovative projects benefiting the community.

The Marion Arthritis Branch were successfull in applying for a grant to acquire a XP Super Computer to assist the Branch in providing services to its members and the community.

Branch President Barbara Cranwell thanked the City of Marion at a lunch held for the Branch and its supporters at a Christmas lunch.