Television commercials for pharmaceutical products — drugs — fascinate me. Usually they do little to explain what the drug really does, but they certainly make it sound as if everyone should be taking it on a regular basis. All narrators are sure to say, “Ask your doctor if you should take [insert market-tested brand name].”
Also interesting to me are the lists of side effects that accompany any ad for drugs. Over the weekend, I heard a strange warning during a commercial for a drug I had never heard of before, Synvisc. The commercial (and the website) warn: “Before trying SYNVISC, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds — such as feathers, eggs, or poultry…”
Now why would this be an issue? I can only conclude that Synvisc (or SYNVISC) is made from birds. It is an injected drug, so my assumption can only be that in order to alleviate arthritis, Genzyme, the makers of this drug, have perfected a concoction of liquid birds. I’m thinking the combination might consist of sandpipers, swallows, cardinals, and goldfinches.
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Some vaccines are made using eggs, like the flu vaccine. Perhaps they use similar methods in making their drug.
I’m with Easy E. Not quite so sinister, but not vegan either.
I’m on a drug called Remicade that is made with mouse cells.
Hmmm, at least it doesn’t have side effects like heartburn, sideache, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, and the sense of impending doom that most other drugs have.
I am glad you could catch the warning part. Usually such advertisements are in the normal talking speed right till they come to the disclosure part…and then someone reads the warnings so fast that usually you just catch a couple of words of what it was about.
In the ’70s we had Bass-O-Matic, today we have the Finch-O-Tron 3000.
Wow, that’s terrific bird!
Actually, guys…
I hate to tell you this, but Synvisc and its counterparts are made using the ground-up combs of roosters. You see, the synovial fluid found in the knee is full of a compound known as hyaluronic acid. So are rooster combs. It’s kinda gross, but by all reports, it’s a dream-come-true for osteoarthritis sufferers… er, I mean, the pain relief, not the killing and de-combing of roosters. Because that’d be a little weird if someone dreamt of that.
I had a series of 3 Synvisc injections last year and as far as I am concerned, it has destroyed my health and my life. I did not know that the rooster combs are soaked in formaldehyde before being processed into the serum. I did not know that I was allergic to eggs AND formaldehyde and now am chemically sensitive to everything including plastic, petroleum products, ink, cosmetics, etc. I have been very sick and have a number of doctors working with me. I have developed lung problems, esophagus inflammation, toxic liver problems, etc. Can anyone help me or do you know of anyone with similar problems?
Nadia….Sorry to hear you had such an adverse reaction from your injections. I am glad you posted your comments though as my Dr. gave me info on SYNVISC to read over at home. I have had cortisone injections for my knees for 2 years now and they have been easing my pain. He said I could be a good candidate for SYNVISC but I have been researching it for a few days and will pass on the SYNVISC for now. The stats only give a 50/50 result anyway and the cortisone has always worked for me. Maybe later if that doesn’t work anymore…..who knows. I am not ready for knee replacements yet. I hope you can get some relief from your pain and that your health improves. God bless you.
we have a client who has just had this drug prescribed and I was compellinging curious. Fast-forward a few keystrokes and mouseclicks later, and voila! Now I can advise her much more authoritatively on the ups and downs of her feathered therapy. What stumps me is that I apparently have to believe her work-comp doc is actually trying to help her by giving her this stuff. What a novel concept!
Nadia, sorry about your reaction. I know how you feel. I walked in for synvisc two years ago and I’ve been on crutches ever since. I also did not know I was allergic to eggs when I got the shots. My leg on the outside of the knee gets so sore after I walk a short distance. Unfortunately the doctors thought I needed knee replacement and have had that done and a revision and still have the same symptoms I got after the synvisc shot. I’m only left to believe that my tissues are permanently damaged there. Have you done any research to find out about the connection of synvisc and eggs? I can’t find much on what to expect if you got the shots and were allergic? Nobody (docs) are very helpful Write back if you know anything. Thanks.
As a matter of fact… my father went through a few treatments and has now been in the hospital for 3 weeks almost completely paralized and has little strengh left in his arms and his legs are useless. This all started with a knee problem. So today I contacted an attorney and he found a legal matter occuring in New York concerning salmonella contaminated Synvisc. Makes sense. It is a product of a bird. So we are checking into this. If someone knows more about this product, please clue me in…I’m desparate!
I personally think that it is hilarious when they start reciting all of the cautions off when they tell you about a drug on TV. There are more side effects that are evil that the symptom that the drug is trying to take care of.
Comment to April – have you gotten any more information on adverse reactions to Synvisc?
I live in Pennsylvania and wonder if my batch had been contaminated somehow. Please update! Thanks
Could it be that the product is composed of just bird-brains? Here’s my personal experience so far: http://without-warning.blogspot.com.
I’ve the Synvisc injections recently. On the third injection in one knee and the simultaneous first injection in the other knee, I had a reaction of sever swelling, pain and fluid build up. I am still dealing with what seems to be a tendency towards more swelling. I’ve had a draining of one knee and inflammation drugs that seem to keep it under control, but my knees and legs seem to be more sensitive to pain now.
I need a total knee replacement, but I am only 53 so my doctor said lets do synvisc shots. I had to have a series of 6 over 6 weeks. The first one, I had some reaction but marked up to a new thing. After about the 3rd shot, I told my doctor that something was wrong with me. Internal type itching, pain, weird feelings within one to two days of my shots. He assured me the drug rep said other than local swelling, no side affects. That’s like putting the fox in charge of the hen house and that is what I told him. I continued with my shots and , of course, the pain is still there, but I am not upset over that as much as I am about my entire body is never been the same. I went to my reg doc and we are now taking a full second set of blood test because my blood is out of wack. She said that she will talk to me when this blood gets back. I am not allergic to eggs, birds or feathers. I am not saying my blood work is about my knee, but it has all happened within two months. My knee feels like something is trying to come out of it, pressure maybe. I have been lucky and never had bad blood test, if it comes back some how connected to my knee, I will write back on this blog.
I have had 2 hip operations – the first was a repair using 4 screws which was then followed by a total hip replacement. Three weeks ago I had what I lovingly call a “knee and C” – arthroscopy – all on the one leg. I am still experiencing pain in certain areas of my hip, left thigh and left knee. Someone suggested I look into the Synvisc but now that I have read your notes I am not so sure. Endocet does not really help with the pain. Freezing part of the hip where the surgery occurred only made me more aware of the pain in other areas. Any suggestions because I am into month 8 of pain and am so frustrated at my lack of progress in the healing department.
I had a series of three Synvisc injections between Feb and Mar ‘08. I had tremendous pain in my lower leg after the 2nd one. My doctor said that my symptoms were NOT related to the injections. I had the third one. Within 24 hours it felt like battery acid was eating through my shin and behind my knee. I couldn’t walk without assistance for 2 weeks until I had accupressure treatments.
Within 10 days my elbows burned, from there the burning moved to my forearms, finger tips, upper arms, chest, neck, face, back of the head, kidney area, and caused me to hyperventilate on more than one occasion. Night tremors started early on and escalated beyond control.
If the injections had caused my pain to reduce in my knee, Synvisc would get the glory because the relief had followed the shots. My intense adverse symptoms followed the injections BUT my doctor says there’s no relationship. Funny how that works. Denial and pride and money are more important to some who took an oath to “do no harm.”. Meanwhile my life has been shattered by this “device” that was apporved by the FDA, knowing that the half-life is “unknown” and there’s NO KNOWN way to get it out of your system if something goes wrong. They do not even have a test to detemine if it’s in your bloodstream. KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN CONSIDERING THIS INJECTION.
This is a living nightmare for me.
I praise God for the alternative doctors who have worked to clear this out of my system through chelatin, homepathic options, etc. I believe I would be dead if it weren’t for them, with my doctor denying it all the way to the bank!!
To date, 5 months post injections I still struggle with my energy level (which was HIGH prior to injections). I still have night tremors. I still can’t get around well on my leg.
Nadia,
I know I’m a little late here and you may not get this, but how are you doing?
I highly recommend Chelation Therapy to detox Synvisc out of your system and liver. Conviently for Genzyme, there’s no “known” way to remove it or measure it in you system. But I’ve had significant increases in health after Chelation. I can’t say that I’m back to 100% by far, but it helped me gain more energy, and burn less through my body. You can read the synopsis of what I’ve been through below. You may also want to try the amino acid L-Methionine with Vit B complex for Liver detox.
I’d also recommend Dr. Calzada in Tijuania, Mexico. He’s an excellent physician who specializes in healing the “things” that baffle the American Doctors. I know MANY who live over 1000 miles from the border and have crossed it for healing with great success…including me. I have not ruled out going back when money allows.
I feel your pain. I’ve lived part of it!! I pray that NO ONE else has to suffer like I have and like you have. This has been an EXTREMELY disappointing experience of a life time. I’ve lost any bit of confidence in the US FDA , pharmaceutical companies and …well…any doctor who makes money off of this device! (I know that there are exceptions to the doctors…I’ve talked to a couple.)
My 50 year old healthy husband who’s had 3 knee surgery’s in past years and been doing fairly well, started having some pain again in one knee and went to see the Dr. who suggested Synvisc .(even though the pain he was having was not in the joint) He went ahead with 3 injections, 1 week apart. Still feeling achey, he began physical therapy thinking that would help get it back in shape. He was taking Advil or Aleve at the time for pain and inflammation. Had to quit therapy after two weeks, it was too painful. Went and had blood tests that were negative for a bunch of diseases, just showed inflamation. Both knees were crippled with pain, then it would travel to his hips(with sciatic pain also) and they would ache, then it would travel to his shoulders and they would ache. Then start the same cycle over again. That’s been going on for month and a half. He can barely move when it’s in his hip area, very crippling. He’s been to the chiropractor and had adjustments. We’re assuming it is some sort of allergic reaction to Synvisc and have an appointment with a Naturopathic Dr. this coming Monday. If this is what Synvisc does, it should be pulled of the market, we were told there are no side effects, it’s all natural. Well, so is cyanide!!
Synvisc is NOT all natural. It is processed with formaldehyde and vinyl sulphone (divinyl sulfone). Both highly toxic chemicals.
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=US2005046409&DISPLAY=CLAIMS
Elizabeth,
What is your current status????
Carolyn Mild wrote:
> From Nadia – It’s been 2-1/2 years since I was injected with Synvisc
> (my reactions were stated above 3/19/07.) I became allergic to chemicals,
> preservatives, gasoline, smoke-including most everything in my environment.
>
> I believe that they didn’t get the formaldehyde filtered out of the
> batch I was given but I was not able to prove anything. If the FDA
> inspected the plant where the product is made (Genzyme), I have never
> heard about it. The FDA was no help to me.
>
> I tried to get an attorney to help me but they said I couldn’t prove
> that the Synvisc gave me RADS (chemical asthma), Barret’s esophagus,
> and many other health related symptoms that I never had before..
>
> I’m much better now but still have a problem with smoke, gasoline, and
> preservatives. If I can help anyone else, please feel free to contact
> me.
Carolyn,
How can I contact Nadia?
Thanks,
The Flea,
What’s the status of your husband??? Is there a way i can contact you??
I’m so glad I read everything here. My doctor had suggested Synvisc, but after reading everyone’s comments, I am definitely going to say “NO”! I was a little leary about this anyway since he told me it was made from chickens.
Carolyn Mild, Nadia and The Flea,
I would LOVE to get in direct contact with you. Will you e-mail me at
kreglogo (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thanks,
I got my second injection of SynVisc ten days ago. Then four days passed. And then all hell broke loose! First my right knee swelled up like a balloon. Then my left knee follwed suit two days later. I couldn’t walk, was in total pain. At my doctor’s appointment, I was told to ice my kness. Ice? Yeah right. I can hardly walk, I’m suddenly like a crippled old lady and I’m supposed to just use ice?
But wait, it gets worse. A day later that “battery acid” pain started to set in for my knee area, down to two inches below my knees. Then the battery acid rain went down to my calves. Then both legs became hard as a rock. THEN my ankles swelled up to twice their normal size. And that’s how things stand today.
I’m screwed.
Thanks for the recommendation fo Chelatin. I’ll try it tomorrow. How do I get this freaking stuff out of my system! Will I be like this for the rest of my life? A year ago I was jumping on and off helicopters in Iraq as a journalist. Now I can barely make it to the kitchen in the morning.
Jane,
Can you contact me at
kreglogo (at) yahoo (dot) com.
I’ll fill you in on all that I had to do to reach the level of
“healing” that I’ve achieved so far.
Be aware that Synvisc is classified as a “medical device”. This classification by the FDA means that the “injected gel” that eventually ends up in your bloodstream DOES not have to follow the same stringent guidelines as something classified as a “drug” by the FDA. This likely accounts for Genzyme offering so many “unknowns” when asked about the “systemic half-life” or the “metabolic pathway” or “how do you get this out of your system”…especially under life-threatening reactions. AND be aware that on Feb 20, 2008 the US Supreme Court RIEGEL v. MEDTRONIC, INC. voted 8:1 to protect the manufacturer’s of medical devices from any liability if the product causes harm to a patient.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/06-179.pdf
http://www.afj.org/check-the-facts/cases/medical-device-safety-act-2008.html
This gel is crosslinked and processed with formaldehyde ( http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/FO/formaldehyde.html ) and divinyl sulfone ( http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/DI/divinyl_sulfone.html ) . Check out thier toxicology rating at the provided links and see if this is something you want in your body at “permissible” levels, that are not disclosed. Read here regarding the regiments and the processing of Synvisc
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=US2005046409&DISPLAY=DESC
UNDERSTAND: You will have NO recourse if this causes you bodily harm.
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/06/congress-has-a-bill-to-reverse-device-preemption/
Contact your congressmen and senators and see where they stand on this issue.
http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=9E5214E5-F445-49F5-BE9A-132B304980A2
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/359/1/1
Another point to realize, if you have a reaction outside of the clinical trial study claims, ODDS are that the injecting physician will NOT be on your side. Think money!
PLEASE be smart, and take this into consideration before you consent to this injection.
I wish someone had posted this before I consented.
For all: I am so sorry to hear about all the medical problems associated with Synvisc. There are good alternatives however that are pure Hyaluronic Acid products and far less expensive than Synvisc. Supartz and Hyalgan are the most common ones. Very pure. They do not contain formaldehyde, divynl sulfone or anything else. The hyaluronic acid, which is found in your synovial fluid is the same as what comes from chicken combs. By the way these are chicken combs that come from the chckens you are eating anyway-they just aren’t thrown away but saved for this purpose. no chickens are killed for this. Why doctors still use Synvisc is because Genzyme is politically connected (Ted Kennedy knows the CEO personally) and they spend allot of money advertising. They can afford this because they charge double the price for Synvisc compared to the others and you should see what a poor patient with Gauche’s disease has to spend on medication from Genzyme, $100,000 to $200,000 per year!! Hope this information helps someone.
For more information on Synvisc go to http://synviscsurvivor.blogspot.com/
VERY informative.
You should try to find a prolozone therapist who injects ozone into the joint to stimulate regrowth. Search web for ozone physicians. It’s very clean and natural.
Here’s more information
http://drericchan.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/arthroscopic-knee-surgery-here-is-an-alternative/