Wellness Tips
Merck & Vioxx Timeline
America’s Pain Epidemic! Why?
Because we are living longer, our joints have more time to wear out, Americans are more active now than in the past. Activity means more sprains, strains, bruises, repetitive joint stress and over exertion. Moreover, the majority of Americans are overweight, thus putting more pressure on joints and other support tissues.
Shaklee Pain Relief Safer Than Vioxx, Celebrex, Bextra
Natural Pain Relief for Occasionally Overworked Joints
Here's a great way to relieve discomfort caused by overexertion and promote comfortable joint movement: take Pain Relief Complex.
Pain Relief Complex includes a patent-pending safflower extract, plus Boswellia sernata, an herb used successfully in India for thousands of years that's now a clinically proven pain reliever for overworked joints. You'll start feeling results in just a few weeks.
COX-1 enzyme is responsible for maintaining the lining of the stomach and preventing gastric bleeding as well as ulcer formation.
COX-2 enzyme is responsible for inflammation and the resulting pain.
Vioxx & Celebrex inhibit the COX-2 enzyme, and leave the COX-1 enzyme alone. However, the COX-2 inhibitors have their side effects such as:
1. Increased risk of a heart attack
2. Possible gastric bleeding
3. Possible kidney and liver damage
4. A risk for those below 18 years of age
5. More upper and lower respiratory inflammations
6. Headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, heart burn and back pain
Shaklee’s Pain Relief Complex also inhibits the COX-2 enzyme and leaves COX-1 alone, but with NONE of the side effects of Celebrex or Vioxx. Because this product has a patent-pending combination of natural ingredients that can provide safe pain relief often within a few weeks.
It is gentle on the stomach and contains no SAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.
CHALLENGE
Every day, many of us push our bodies to the limit — whether it’s long morning jogs or bending and lifting things at work all day. In the end, our bodies, and especially our joints, pay the price. Pain. It is the body’s natural warning system, and it deserves a natural response. Pain Relief Complex can help.PAIN RELIEF COMPLEX
Pain Relief Complex is a patent-pending blend of natural plant extracts that provides
relief, often within just a few weeks.
_ Relieves pain and discomfort caused by occasional overexertion
_ Promotes flexibility and comfortable movement after exercise
_ Features a patent-pending combination of clinically proven Boswellia serrata
extract and proprietary, patent-pending safflower extract for natural pain relief
for occasionally overworked joints
Is gentle on the stomach
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM PAIN RELIEF COMPLEX? _ Those experiencing pain due to occasional overexertion
_ People who participate in strenuous recreational activities, especially “weekend warriors”who normally get insufficient exercise to stabilize joints by increasing muscle strength
_ Those who place repetitive stress on their joints at home or work — an increasingly common problem given that the incidence of repetitive joint stress has tripled in recent years.
www.shaklee.net/thewellnesshut/product/20667
2. Joint & Muscle Pain Cream
Arthritis Pain Relief That Works in a Hurry
This soothing joint and muscle pain relief cream distinguished itself in three ways: it's applied where it hurts, it works in minutes, and it's based on a patent-pending liposome technology for enhanced penetration.
Shaklee's new Joint & Muscle Pain Cream provides temporary relief from minor joint and muscle pain, including arthritis pain, back aches, sports injuries, sore muscles, and more. It is so fast, soothing, and effective, you'll want one for your medicine cabinet, purse, and gym bag, too!
This non-greasy, fast-absorbing, deeply penetrating, topical cream soothes in minutes.
www.shaklee.net/thewellnesshut/product/20669
___________________________________________
3. Joint Health Complex
Puts the Spring Back in Your Step
Slick as polished marble, tough as vulcanized rubber, cartilage is the wonder material that protects bones at the joints. No other substance is more resilient, a better shock absorber, or lower in friction than cartilage.
And while scientists have yet to figure out why this joint cushioner breaks down, they are learning how to support its natural renewal process. In a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, glucosamine, an amino sugar, was shown to promote cartilage formation and renewal.
www.shaklee.net/thewellnesshut/product/20668
Testimonies from believers:
Hi! Just a note to let you know we have a fabulous product that is bringing good/great relief to many people suffering from Arthritis. Here is what a few satisfied Joint Health Complex users have to say.
"I am 82 years old and Joint Health Complex helps meet my need for relief of pain and walking stability; I just can't do without it. L. Wieters Charleston, SC
"My knees hurt so bad I could hardly walk or stand and my job is on my feet! After beginning to take Joint Health Complex in less than a month it was somewhat better; after 2 months I have experienced excellent relief. Most days there is absolutely no pain at least 50% of the time; if I notice anything now it is at worst a mild annoyance. It's wonderful." S. Dempsey Charleston, SC
"I had severe left knee pain; I could hardly get up or down from/to a seated position, not yet mentioning a serious hard time to get down on my knees or squat!!! After just 2 weeks of taking Joint Health Complex, I experienced such relief that I had to share this news with my brother who also suffers with arthritis. After he experienced relief we shared it with our other brother. Guess you could call it a family affair of Relief." R. Turner Summerville, SC
Joint Health Works In One Week
A man from my church (Cleve) who is in his late 70's has suffered from
Arthritis for the last 10 years. He's been taking lots of Ibuprofen
Daily for 10 years. When I heard this a year ago, I said "yikes, your insides
must be a mess"! I gave him some information regarding Shaklee
alternatives for his pain and stiffness. He read it and said "no thanks"!
In the last month, he's no longer able to be a greeter at the door at
church. He's not able to stand up when we sing hymns. I started praying
for him "Lord, give him the courage to try something new and different
(Shaklee). I also gave his 42-year old daughter literature and said
"Please, talk to your Dad. He doesn't have to be in pain all the time.
And his insides are going to eventually give him mega trouble." She talked
to him. A week ago he said "Give me a month's worth"! So I put him on
Joint Health (3 per day/ 1 per meal) and Alfalfa (3 per meal, gradually
going up to 5 per meal - some at bedtime if you are stiff in the a.m.).
Yesterday at church, Cleve greeted me at the door. He said "I'm pain
free". I stopped all my Ibuprofen and other than a little stiffness, I feel
great!" Hallelujah! What a blessing that was for me! What did I tell him?
"Tell all your friends"! (ha)!
Shaklee - you just keep producing awesome products! But what a blessing
Joint Health is for our hurting seniors! Keep up the good work, or
Should I say research, testing, etc.
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
___________________________________________________________
Key events involving the safety of Vioxx, Celebrex and other painkillers -
Timeline:
_December 1998: Food and Drug Administration approves Pfizer Inc.'s Celebrex, the first Cox-2 inhibitor, to treat arthritis. Cox-2 drugs, part of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug class, inhibit the Cox-2 enzyme, which promotes inflammation, but protect users against stomach bleeds and ulcers, unlike other NSAIDS._May 1999: FDA approves Merck & Co.'s Vioxx, another Cox-2 inhibitor, for treatment of arthritis and acute pain in adults.
_June 2000: Merck gives FDA results of VIGOR study, which shows Vioxx users suffered five times as many heart attacks as users of the older painkiller naproxen, sold under the brand name Aleve. Merck attributes the disparity to naproxen's cardioprotective qualities rather than a defect in Vioxx, garnering a rebuke from the FDA for making that assertion without scientific proof.
_September 2001: Merck receives a warning letter from the FDA about the company's post-VIGOR Vioxx promotional campaign "that minimizes the potentially serious cardiovascular findings" and "misrepresents the safety profile of Vioxx."
_November 2001: Pfizer's Bextra, also a Cox-2 inhibitor, approved by FDA.
_April 2002: FDA changes warning label on Vioxx to reflect VIGOR study results showing increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
_May 2002: Carol Ernst sues Merck, alleging Vioxx triggered the May 2001 death of her husband, Robert Ernst, a 59-year-old Wal-Mart produce manager who ran marathons.
_September 2004: Merck stops long-term APPROVe study, saying it showed Vioxx could double risk of heart attack or stroke if taken for 18 months or longer. APPROVe had focused on whether Vioxx could prevent reoccurrence of colon polyps, and on cardiovascular effects. Merck then voluntarily withdraws Vioxx from the market.
_February 2005: FDA panel concludes Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra all pose heart risks, but should be available to consumers.
_April 7 2005: Pfizer withdraws Bextra from the market at request of the FDA, which said it carries additional risks of serious, sometimes fatal skin reactions. The FDA also says not just Cox-2 inihibitors, but all prescription NSAID drugs, should carry a black-box warning label about cardiovascular risks.
_July 13 2005: A jury of seven men and five women is seated to hear the Ernst Vioxx lawsuit in semi-rural Brazoria County, south of Houston.
_July 19 2005: U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon schedules the first federal Vioxx trial for Nov. 28.
_Aug. 19 2005: Texas jury finds Merck liable or the death of Robert Ernst, awarding his widow $253.4 million in damages. That will be reduced to about $26 million under Texas caps on punitive damages; Merck plans to appeal.
_Sept. 14 2005: The second Vioxx trial begins with opening arguments in New Jersey Superior Court in Atlantic City, as lawyers for Boise, Idaho postal worker Frederick "Mike" Humeston argue his Sept. 18, 2001, heart attack was caused by Vioxx, which he had been taking for about two months.
_Oct. 24 2005: In its quarterly earnings report, Merck says that as of Sept. 30, it has been named as a defendant in about 6,400 lawsuits over Vioxx _ about 160 of them potential class-action suits _ and has signed agreements with about 3,000 other claimants temporarily suspending the clock on their state's time limit to file suit. At least several hundred at additional lawsuits are filed in October.
_Nov. 3 2005: Atlantic County Superior Court jury rules Merck & Co. not responsible for Humeston's heart attack.
_Merck Cleared in Vioxx Case
November 3, 2005This week, a New Jersey jury concluded that Merck, the makers of Vioxx, provided sufficient warning about possible Vioxx cardiovascular risks and, therefore, did not commit consumer fraud while marketing Vioxx. The result of this high-profile Vioxx case comes as a major victory in Merck's battle over Vioxx. Merck took Vioxx off the market in September 2004, after a self-sponsored clinical trial found increased cardiovascular risks associated with Vioxx.
Much of the New Jersey Vioxx case relied on expert medical testimony. Medical witnesses testified that Merck believed Vioxx was safe before they received the results of their clinical trial. Once this information was available to the drug maker, they took proper steps to pull Vioxx off the market and inform consumers about the serious cardiovascular risks discovered in the trial, according to some experts.
After a seven-week trial and just eight hours of jury deliberation, Merck was cleared of liability in this New Jersey Vioxx case. As a result of these findings, Merck will not be held responsible for the heart attack 60-year-old Mike Humeston suffered while taking Vioxx. This legal decision will have monumental impact on the course of future Vioxx lawsuits. More than 6,000 Vioxx lawsuits have been filed, half of which have been filed in the state of New Jersey. The fate of these cases will be undoubtedly affected by this recent Merck victory.
During the first Vioxx trial, which took place in Texas earlier this year, the jury found that Vioxx did contribute to the death of one man and that Merck was responsible. Merck was ordered to pay $253 million in damages. This total amount has been drastically reduced due to the state's limitations (caps) on punitive damages. Merck is currently appealing this Texas Vioxx decision.
http://www.shaklee.net/thewellnesshut/product/PainReliefemail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
| Next > |
|---|