Overcoming Pain

Why people experience chronic pain, and the power they have to de-intensify it.

Dr. Mark Borigini is a board-certified rheumatologist who has devoted his career to treating, and training others to treat, a wide variety of illnesses that cause chronic pain and disability. See full bio

November 18, 2009

Awakening to the Reality of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

It has been twenty years since chronic fatigue syndrome was recognized by major medical organizations as a legitimate medical condition. Read More

November 4, 2009

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) National Meeting, 2009: Update on Novel Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments

Rheumatoid arthritis, with a worldwide prevalence of about 1%, remains a major cause of chronic pain and disability and depression. Ironically, (current) patients and their rheumatologists are fortunate this prevalence number is so high, as it gives incentive to pharmaceutical and biotech enterprises to continue to explore treatments. Read More

October 29, 2009

GHB: Rave or Relief?

I guess, all things considered, Philadelphia was not a bad place to be last week.

Philadelphia hosted the American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting, and while there were certainly no earth-shattering revelations, there were still many thought-provoking discussions. The mission remains: To help those suffering from rheumatic illness. Read More

October 9, 2009

The Impact of Immunosuppressive Drugs On The Risk For Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus)

Many medications prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis can weaken the immune system, including prednisone, methotrexate, and of course the biologic agents such as Humira,
Enbrel and Remicade, to name but a few. The use of these medications can make a patient more susceptible to so-called swine flu (H1N1 virus), and the regular seasonal influenza. Read More

September 4, 2009

FDA Announcing More Painkiller Warnings

Hot on the heels of the media blitz surrounding acetaminophen toxicity due to perceived excessive Vicodin, Percocet and Tylenol use, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now turning the spotlight on those pain medications containing propoxyphene (Darvon) and opioid.

The FDA is now requiring manufacturers of propoxyphene-containing products to enhance the label, e Read More

August 28, 2009

Impact of Depression In The Spouses Of Chronic Arthritis Patients: Disability Versus Divorce?

In the latest issue of "Arthritis Care and Research", there is finally a longitudinal study demonstrating an association between spouse depressive symptoms and disability and disease course in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

August 21, 2009

When Chronic Pain Confronts Remission In Rheumatoid Arthritis

To arrive at the definition of remission, perhaps it is best to discuss how the field of Rheumatology has managed to get to the point of even talking about remission. Those of us who remember those days when the only treatment for rheumatoid arthritis was aspirin and hot paraffin treatment, also remember that to speak of remission was considered by many an audacious act. Read More

August 14, 2009

What Wedding Vows?

Unfortunately, more than a few of us will have to face the "sickness" part of those iconic words, "in sickness and in health". This confrontation with reality can take place in a moment of self-reflection, or it can occur when we must change the soiled diapers of a spouse.

Are we all prepared to face chronic pain in a marriage? Read More

August 7, 2009

Big Pharma Feels Your Pain, But You Are Responsible For The Co-pay

Two large pharmaceutical companies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars over the last year or so, all in the attempt to raise awareness among physicians and patients of the existence of a chronic pain syndrome, known as fibromyalgia.

August 4, 2009

A Little Protocol, Please

It would be wise to make sure your health care provider is not only keeping things real, but keeping things clean, also.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been keeping tabs on 26 health care workers infected with the H1N1 virus (heretofore known as the latest version of the "swine flu"), and it has been found that none of these 26 individuals was following CDC's recommended infection control practices. Read More

Self-Help Basics

Most of us have things about ourselves we wish we could improve. Lasting change is difficult—many of our habits are deeply ingrained, and certain aspects of ourselves, such as core personality attributes, may be immutable. But many more things can be changed.

Go to the Self-Help Basics page for more on Self-Help including:

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