IPPF

The dog ate my homework!

Miki Pangburn — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:00:28 +0000

I was lying in the recliner getting my second infusion of Rituxan® (rituximab) and half asleep. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Slowly I opened my eyes, and from across the room approaching me was Dr. Grant Anhalt with a grin on his face. I got up out of my Continue reading

The story of a medical Interpreter

Cristo Rey Intern — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:49:48 +0000

Jessica Ruiz, a Riverhead High School graduate and Peconic Bay Medical Center employee, recently earned the distinction of completing her certification for the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters. The certification, according to PBMC staff, recognizes the "proof of the level of quality achieved and personal commitment to her profession." However, a quick conversation Continue reading

Supreme Court argues for health reform

Cristo Rey Intern — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:02:45 +0000

A raft of health charities and patient-advocacy groups are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the new health-care overhaul law, which has been challenged as unconstitutional for requiring most Americans to buy health insurance. The groups have filed briefs with the court saying that the health-issuance provision, known as the "individual mandate," is Continue reading

1st Rituximab Treatment

Miki Pangburn — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:01:14 +0000

After losing three family members in 2011, my daughter getting three major eye surgeries within three weeks in January (I almost jumped ship!), wonderful and loving Dr. Anhalt says to me, "I think we should try Rituxan® (rituximab) !" Doc and I have a good relationship - together for 11 years, I trust this man. Continue reading

Depression: more serious than we thought

Cristo Rey Intern — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:50:33 +0000

Patients about 65 and older may suffer from depression, even if they don't show sadness and it affects everyone differently. Instead of just being sad, some patients may experience appetite loss, weight loss, sleep impairment, fatigue, and concentration issues. To make matters worse, depression is rarely diagnosed in patients and if it is not treated Continue reading

Town Hall Meeting 2/29/2012

Cristo Rey Intern — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:56:44 +0000

The IPPF Town Hall meeting will be on Rare Disease Day, February 29, 2012. The conference calls last about an hour and are limited to 50 people. There is a leading P/P specialist available to answer patient questions. For more information on Town Hall events, visit www.pemphigus.org/townhall. Rare Disease Day helps raise Continue reading

Cristo Rey Intern — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:19:05 +0000

BACKGROUND: Rituximab induces depletion of B cells and has shown efficacy in antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders. In studies on small series of patients with pemphigus, rituximab administration results in significant improvement. However, differences in inclusion criteria, treatment protocols, and follow-up make it difficult to derive uniform conclusions. OBJECTIVES: We sought to test the efficacy and Continue reading

Study shows BP epitopes mapped

IPPF Webmaster — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:40:31 +0000

Title: Epitope mapping of BP230 leading to a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid Background: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterised by circulating autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230. For BP180, the NC16A domain has previously been identified as the main antigenic target in BP, while data about Continue reading

Be a doctor first; then specialize

Cristo Rey Intern — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:07:28 +0000

Dr. Harold Lancer is a celebrity dermatologist in Los Angeles, CA, and is affectionately known by his patients as “the lord of the skin." Dr. Lancer was the youngest of three boys. When he was five, he was severely burned with boiling water. The scars from the event started his inspiration to become a Continue reading

Guilt and the Caregiver

Cristo Rey Intern — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:24:01 +0000

Caregivers have many emotions they feel during caregiving. Guilt is the emotion that affects them the most. Even when caregivers do all they can to help a loved one, there is sometimes guilt of not working hard enough. Much of the time, caregivers don't realize how much they actually help the patient or loved one