Summary of "QUTENZA Patient Testimonial From Gary"
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Diagnosis and Initial Pain (00:00-00:40): Gary, an attorney diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2012, experienced painful and aching feet, impacting his ability to work and participate in family activities.
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Seeking Treatment (00:40-01:24): After discussing his symptoms with his doctor, Gary was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy and referred to a specialist for pain management.
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QUTENZA Treatment (01:24-02:13): Gary underwent treatment with QUTENZA, a topical capsaicin system, which significantly reduced his foot pain after the first session and improved his quality of life.
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Improved Outcomes (02:13-02:57): Following multiple treatments, Gary experienced further pain relief, enabling him to stand and walk without discomfort and sleep better at night.
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Long-term Commitment (02:57-03:40): Gary plans to continue treatments every three months, expressing how QUTENZA has been life-changing, allowing him to participate in family events again.
Did You Know
QUTENZA, the treatment Gary used for his diabetic neuropathy, is a topical capsaicin system that targets nerve endings to alleviate pain. After just a couple of treatments, he experienced significant improvements in his ability to walk and stand without discomfort, highlighting its effectiveness for managing neuropathic pain.
Transcript
In 2012, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. As I got older, my feet started hurting. My name's Gary, and I'm an attorney. If you can imagine trying to convince 12 people that your client is innocent, while your feet are hurting, and you're concentrating on your feet instead of what you need to be doing, it’s challenging. I remember having some numbness and aching feet, and I just thought it was part of being a diabetic. Sometimes, when my feet were red-hot, I put them in ice baths. Standing for any length of time hurt.
When I went to see my doctor, I told her about the pain in my feet, and she told me that I had diabetic neuropathy. I don't go to football games anymore. I go to my kids' or grandkids' games, but if I have to walk a distance or stand, I can't have my feet hurting me—it distracts me from what I need to do as a lawyer. I couldn't sleep at night, and it just got worse and worse.
I approached my endocrinologist and asked what we could do because I wanted to get some of my life back. She told me about a healthcare provider in her building that specialized in pain and neuropathy in the feet. So, I went to this healthcare provider. He explained why my feet had pain and talked about Cenza. He applied Cenza to my feet and then wrapped them. Sitting there, I could feel my feet heating up—not uncomfortable—you know, I realized that’s what we wanted it to do because it was addressing the issues of the nerve endings.
After 30 minutes, the nurses came in, unwrapped my feet, and took the product off. After the treatment, I noticed less pain in my feet, but it was maybe 48-72 hours after the treatment. I was looking forward to the second treatment because things were improving. I was able to stand longer without my feet hurting, and I could walk without pain. We did it again, and, lo and behold, my feet got better than they were after the first treatment. I didn’t have as much pain, and I could sleep longer at night. I could tell this was a long-term type of solution.
I have a third treatment coming up, and I’m looking forward to that because my feet don’t hurt right now. I’m not going to skip it being scheduled. I’ll be doing it every three months. Compared to the way my feet were hurting before using Cenza and how they feel now, it’s been a life-changing event for me. It has improved my life, and now I can go see my kids and grandkids play games.
Indication:
Cenza capsaicin 8% topical system is indicated in adults for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) or diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) of the feet.
Important Safety Information:
Treatment with Cenza must be performed only by a healthcare provider. You should never apply or remove Cenza yourself. Do not touch Cenza or items exposed to capsaicin. Touching Cenza and then accidentally touching other areas of your body can cause severe irritation of eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin. Do not touch your eyes or other unintended areas during the application. Cenza is not for use near eyes or mucous membranes. Do not sniff or inhale near Cenza, as this may cause coughing or sneezing. If irritation of eyes or airways occurs, or any side effects become severe, notify your doctor immediately.
The treated area may be sensitive to heat (e.g., hot showers, baths, direct sunlight, or vigorous exercise) for a few days following treatment. You may experience substantial pain during the treatment—inform your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing pain. A cool compress or medicine for the pain can be provided to lessen your discomfort.
Cenza can cause serious side effects, including pain and increases in blood pressure during or immediately after treatment. Your healthcare provider should check your blood pressure during treatment. If you have high blood pressure that is not well controlled by medicine or have had recent heart problems, stroke, or other vascular issues, you may be at increased risk and should discuss with your doctor whether Cenza is right for you.
Tell your doctor if you have reduced sensation in the feet. You may notice less feeling for hot or sharp pain where Cenza was applied, but this is usually minor and temporary. The most common side effects of Cenza are redness, pain, or itching at the application site. You should tell your doctor if any side effects bother you or do not go away.
To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Averitas Pharma Incorporated at 1-877-900-6479 (Option 1) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Please see full prescribing information provided by your healthcare provider or at Cenza.