Question:

I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

Response:

        If I’m not mistaken it will stay in the system for several weeks or months.  Any steroids I’ve ever taken caused more trouble then it was worth IMHO                                         Pam

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

Response:

I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

I’ve noticed problems with mere inhaled steroids for asthmatic bronchitis. For me the effect is 20-50 mg/dl unexplainable rise in BG that can last up to five hours. That with 2 puffs of 110mcg FloVent and 2 puffs of 0.2mg MaxAir. (See my question – "another medication question" if it ever shows up! The Fates have conspired against me in all my attempts to post that message to this ng.)

Response:

Question:

Both to varying degrees. — CBI, M.D. Please note: It is impossible to accurately diagnose medical problems without seeing the patient and reviewing the entire history. These posts are intended to be helpful and informative. Always check with your doctor before following any advice given.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m curious about meds. Would Flovent and Serevent be prescribed for Emphysema or are they usually just dxed for asthma?

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I’m curious about meds. Would Flovent and Serevent be prescribed for Emphysema or are they usually just dxed for asthma?

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – LAst night I cam home from the store and sat down and got this need to cough.  Anyways, it was a gagging like cough and one which comes on suddenly and with like nausea so rushed to the bathroom and ended up coughing up a small amount of bloodstreaked mucous.  This morning my chest is achy and have decided to call the doctor after coming home early from work.  I felt shortness of breath.  Has anyone else had this occur to them and so suddenly.   The doctor has been reducing my flovent and all has seemed well with the exception of a sinus condition and I blew a great peak flow of 580 last visit almost 2 weeks ago. When I came home from work,  i blew around 450-480.  Am feeling pretty good unless i try to exert some energy and this is when I get the shortness of breath. Have you called your doctor yet? No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.

I called the doctor and he saw me right away.  Upped my Flovent back up, put me back on antibiotics and i went for chest xrays. The results should be back sometime this morning or this afternoon.  So will see… since then has been past 24 hours and although i’ve coughed a little, i haven’t coughed up anything but the dull ache is still in my chest. pam

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – LAst night I cam home from the store and sat down and got this need to cough.  Anyways, it was a gagging like cough and one which comes on suddenly and with like nausea so rushed to the bathroom and ended up coughing up a small amount of bloodstreaked mucous.  This morning my chest is achy and have decided to call the doctor after coming home early from work.  I felt shortness of breath.  Has anyone else had this occur to them and so suddenly.   The doctor has been reducing my flovent and all has seemed well with the exception of a sinus condition and I blew a great peak flow of 580 last visit almost 2 weeks ago. When I came home from work,  i blew around 450-480.  Am feeling pretty good unless i try to exert some energy and this is when I get the shortness of breath.

Have you called your doctor yet? No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.

Response:

LAst night I cam home from the store and sat down and got this need to cough.  Anyways, it was a gagging like cough and one which comes on suddenly and with like nausea so rushed to the bathroom and ended up coughing up a small amount of bloodstreaked mucous.  This morning my chest is achy and have decided to call the doctor after coming home early from work.  I felt shortness of breath.  Has anyone else had this occur to them and so suddenly.   The doctor has been reducing my flovent and all has seemed well with the exception of a sinus condition and I blew a great peak flow of 580 last visit almost 2 weeks ago. When I came home from work,  i blew around 450-480.  Am feeling pretty good unless i try to exert some energy and this is when I get the shortness of breath.  I was really hoping for a miracle here guys and this really is depressing! Always, pam

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Question:

So why is it there is such a shortage?  Is it for all types of phentermine? I was told that the company stopped making the 30 mg dosage so people were getting 15mg and taking 2.  But that the 37.5 was not a problem to get.  Is this wrong? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was reading a transcript of one of your chats on WebMD and I followed a link you had posted there to an Rx site http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/phenterm.htm. . I see that they have Phentermine hcl there. The cost is $20 for a 90 day supply. I was wondering if this was pure phentermine? I bought some phentermine pills a while back from another site and paid about $300 for a 90 day supply. I am wondering if you can tell me what the differences are in the different mixes of phentermine. I used to be on Phen-fen and have just never found anything quite like it since. I have pretty good results (2pnds per week) with the phentermine, but now I am not sure what kind to buy and where to buy it at a fair price. I would really appreciate any feedback or help you could give. As far as I know RxList is a monograph service, and it does not sell drugs. $20 for a 90 day supply sounds kind of low, maybe for a 30 day supply. But I don’t have any information about which pharmacies are reliable, or where the best places are to buy it. I do have a few "virtual pharmacies" listed on the OMR site, but they are regular pharmacies (like the cyberpharmacy) and they require a prescription from your doctor. With the shortage I don’t know what pharmacies still have generic phentermine, and I have no real advice to offer you other than that given in the April 2000 issue of OMR on the phentermine shortage. If you are interested in information on the various types of phentermine, there is an autoresponder on the Obesity Meds and Research News site. Just go to the FAQ page and click on the phentermine primer. That will send you an e-mail with the basics about all the major types of phentermine. You might also want to stop by current obesity medications FAQ and read the section there on phentermine. Been out of town for the last week, and off-line for the last several days. Hope this helps. Barbara Barbara Hirsch, Publisher OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS May issue: Ephedrine and thermogenesis. http://www.obesity-news.com/

Response:

As far as I know RxList is a monograph service, and it does not sell drugs. $20 for a 90 day supply sounds kind of low, maybe for a 30 day supply.

That doesn’t sound low at all for the wholesale price.  A 60 day supply goes for $17.76 at drugstore.com.

Response:

I was reading a transcript of one of your chats on WebMD and I followed a link you had posted there to an Rx site http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/phenterm.htm. . I see that they have Phentermine hcl there. The cost is $20 for a 90 day supply. I was wondering if this was pure phentermine? I bought some phentermine pills a while back from another site and paid about $300 for a 90 day supply. I am wondering if you can tell me what the differences are in the different mixes of phentermine. I used to be on Phen-fen and have just never found anything quite like it since. I have pretty good results (2pnds per week) with the phentermine, but now I am not sure what kind to buy and where to buy it at a fair price. I would really appreciate any feedback or help you could give.

As far as I know RxList is a monograph service, and it does not sell drugs. $20 for a 90 day supply sounds kind of low, maybe for a 30 day supply. But I don’t have any information about which pharmacies are reliable, or where the best places are to buy it. I do have a few "virtual pharmacies" listed on the OMR site, but they are regular pharmacies (like the cyberpharmacy) and they require a prescription from your doctor. With the shortage I don’t know what pharmacies still have generic phentermine, and I have no real advice to offer you other than that given in the April 2000 issue of OMR on the phentermine shortage. If you are interested in information on the various types of phentermine, there is an autoresponder on the Obesity Meds and Research News site. Just go to the FAQ page and click on the phentermine primer. That will send you an e-mail with the basics about all the major types of phentermine. You might also want to stop by current obesity medications FAQ and read the section there on phentermine. Been out of town for the last week, and off-line for the last several days. Hope this helps. Barbara Barbara Hirsch, Publisher OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS May issue: Ephedrine and thermogenesis. http://www.obesity-news.com/

Response:

I was reading a transcript of one of your chats on WebMD and I followed a link you had posted there to an Rx site http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/phenterm.htm. . I see that they have Phentermine hcl there. The cost is $20 for a 90 day supply. I was wondering if this was pure phentermine? I bought some phentermine pills a while back from another site and paid about $300 for a 90 day supply. I am wondering if you can tell me what the differences are in the different mixes of phentermine. I used to be on Phen-fen and have just never found anything quite like it since. I have pretty good results (2pnds per week) with the phentermine, but now I am not sure what kind to buy and where to buy it at a fair price. I would really appreciate any feedback or help you could give. Needing to lose 30 pounds……. happygirl

Response:

Question:

The answer is a maybe. It depends in part on whatever other medications she is taking, such as aspirin, or anything else. Look up the Physicians Desk Reference, latest or recent editions. If your local public library doesn’t have it, visit a medical library (hospital or medical school). You can also search on the internet. If your daughter is drinking herb teas, ginseng and ginko biloba contain a blood thinner (coumodin aka warfarin).  I developed this problem a few weeks back. this was due to the heart medicines I am taking. Using a water pick twice a day cleared up the problem for me.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -My daughter has exercise induced asthma (she is on her high school track team) and has started Serevent (once daily) and Flovent (110, once/day) about 4 weeks ago. Could either of these cause bleeding of the gums?  The package insert of Serevent has "dental pain" and the Flovent has "dental problem". Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pam

Response:

I had extreme reactions to serevent – like I was on super speed, even tho I can use ventolin with little effect. I almost lost my job I was so hyped up! But yes, also rinse after using any cortisone inhaler. ehansen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I use Advair, the combo of Serevent & Flovent. My doctor told me to rinse with mouthwash after using or it can cause mouth sores. – Sounded fishy to me until I got one & that was with rinsing! It wasn’t on the gums, though and went away within a couple days. My doc told me to rinse longer. Now, I also brush after every dose and I haven’t a problem with that since.

Response:

I had extreme reactions to serevent – like I was on super speed, even tho I can use ventolin with little effect.

This is an interesting tidbit.  I have low blood pressure, low body temperature, and also sometimes have a problem with depression (around periods).  I noticed that I’m feeling much more alert since I’ve been on Advair — like it also changed something that was causing me to get fatigued easily (like not breathing).  Now I’m wondering if it’s just a drug effect on my nervous system rather than the breathing relief.  Anyone else with some information on this?  How can I tell, I wonder? I’ve been drinking water after using Advair, but now I’m wondering if I really should be brushing my teeth immediately after each use. –Jane

Response:

If your daughter is not using an Aerochamber, get one. Serevent caused me bad headaches. I’ve used Flovent for many years without any side effects. regards, Kurt

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My daughter has exercise induced asthma (she is on her high school track team) and has started Serevent (once daily) and Flovent (110, once/day) about 4 weeks ago. Could either of these cause bleeding of the gums?  The package insert of Serevent has "dental pain" and the Flovent has "dental problem". Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pam

Response:

I use Advair, the combo of Serevent & Flovent. My doctor told me to rinse with mouthwash after using or it can cause mouth sores. – Sounded fishy to me until I got one & that was with rinsing! It wasn’t on the gums, though and went away within a couple days. My doc told me to rinse longer. Now, I also brush after every dose and I haven’t a problem with that since.

Response:

If she’s new to using an inhaler she could be getting medicine where it’s not intended to go in any significant quantity.  Getting most of the medicine into one’s lungs just takes practice.  The drill is to exhale completely, taking as long as necessary to force out all the air in the lungs.  Then start to inhaler and, just after you’ve started sucking in air, push the plunger on the inhaler while still inhaling hard. I find I often cough after I do this with no medication at all – it’s just the deep breathing that makes me cough – so I do one or two practice runs until I stop coughing before I take a "live" run with inhaler. -S- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My daughter has exercise induced asthma (she is on her high school track team) and has started Serevent (once daily) and Flovent (110, once/day) about 4 weeks ago. Could either of these cause bleeding of the gums?  The package insert of Serevent has "dental pain" and the Flovent has "dental problem". Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pam

Response:

My daughter has exercise induced asthma (she is on her high school track team) and has started Serevent (once daily) and Flovent (110, once/day) about 4 weeks ago. Could either of these cause bleeding of the gums?  The package insert of Serevent has "dental pain" and the Flovent has "dental problem". Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pam

Response:

My daughter has exercise induced asthma (she is on her high school track team) and has started Serevent (once daily) and Flovent (110, once/day) about 4 weeks ago. Could either of these cause bleeding of the gums?  The package insert of Serevent has "dental pain" and the Flovent has "dental problem". Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA, Pam

Doubtful; however side effects from MDI inhalers can be greatly reduced by using a spacer, the Aerochamber is popular; and rinsing mouth with water after inhaling. Are you sure the bleeding is from the gums, and not further down? For example, sometimes heavy coughing can irritate the throat and cause some bleeding with traces of blood in the sputum. [tell your doctor] Maybe the dentist should take a look at the gums; my dentist recommended vit C supplements along with proper brushing. Ellis

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Question:

By the manufacturer’s own admission, "discontinuation effects are well-known to occur with anti-depressants".  Mr. Pittasso’s list is a very accurate one, and it’s very unfortunate that your 70 year old father did what he did, I am sure he suffered considerably.  This will happen with all of the SSRI medications if stopped abruptly, particularly after higher doses and long periods of use.  The syndrome WILL end, but not without some degree of torment to the patient. I hope that your Dad does not suffer any permanent injury from having fallen, as is so often the case with elderly people. Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – From http://www.adrugrecall.com/zoloft/effects.html "In addition to the Zoloft side effects that occur while taking the drug, patients who have decided to stop treatment have found that the Zoloft side effects resulting from withdrawal can be even worse. Although all SSRIs carry the risk of withdrawal, with Paxil’s among the worst, Zoloft side effects tend to rank as a close second. Patients who have stopped taking the drug have reported Zoloft side effects from withdrawal that include jolting electric "zaps", dizziness, extreme nausea and vomiting, high fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, aggression, nightmares, tremor, seizure, and confusion. The Zoloft side effects stemming from withdrawal can become so painful that some patients have committed suicide to end their misery. A more common result of Zoloft withdrawal is misinterpretation by the physician and/or patient, with a wrongful diagnosis of regression. " Can someone please tell me the side effects of a fit 70 year old man stopping Zoloft abruptly?  Dad has been taking 100mg of Zoloft for at least 2 years, maybe longer.  He stopped about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago.  Didn’t taper, just stopped.  Yesterday he was taken by ambulance and admitted to the hospital for having fallen off a ladder.  He’s been dizzy, he passed out and vomited.  He’s been sick at his stomach.  In the ER, he started shaking/tremors violently.  Looked like he was convulsing.  After two hours and 2 rounds of Atavan, he stopped.  He thought he was dying  All tests, including CTscan of the head, EKG, blood tests, blood oxygen, chest x-rays were normal.  BP normal except during the convulsions.  I know you shouldn’t stop this medication abruptly but I can’t find on the net WHAT to expect if you do. Thanks, Monica

Response:

Can someone please tell me the side effects of a fit 70 year old man stopping Zoloft abruptly?  Dad has been taking 100mg of Zoloft for at least 2 years, maybe longer.  He stopped about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago.  Didn’t taper, just stopped.  Yesterday he was taken by ambulance and admitted to the hospital for having fallen off a ladder.  He’s been dizzy, he passed out and vomited.  He’s been sick at his stomach.  In the ER, he started shaking/tremors violently.  Looked like he was convulsing.  After two hours and 2 rounds of Atavan, he stopped.  He thought he was dying  All tests, including CTscan of the head, EKG, blood tests, blood oxygen, chest x-rays were normal.  BP normal except during the convulsions.  I know you shouldn’t stop this medication abruptly but I can’t find on the net WHAT to expect if you do. Thanks, Monica

Response:

From http://www.adrugrecall.com/zoloft/effects.html "In addition to the Zoloft side effects that occur while taking the drug, patients who have decided to stop treatment have found that the Zoloft side effects resulting from withdrawal can be even worse. Although all SSRIs carry the risk of withdrawal, with Paxil’s among the worst, Zoloft side effects tend to rank as a close second. Patients who have stopped taking the drug have reported Zoloft side effects from withdrawal that include jolting electric "zaps", dizziness, extreme nausea and vomiting, high fever, abdominal discomfort, flu symptoms, agitation, anxiety, insomnia, aggression, nightmares, tremor, seizure, and confusion. The Zoloft side effects stemming from withdrawal can become so painful that some patients have committed suicide to end their misery. A more common result of Zoloft withdrawal is misinterpretation by the physician and/or patient, with a wrongful diagnosis of regression. "

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can someone please tell me the side effects of a fit 70 year old man stopping Zoloft abruptly?  Dad has been taking 100mg of Zoloft for at least 2 years, maybe longer.  He stopped about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago.  Didn’t taper, just stopped.  Yesterday he was taken by ambulance and admitted to the hospital for having fallen off a ladder.  He’s been dizzy, he passed out and vomited.  He’s been sick at his stomach.  In the ER, he started shaking/tremors violently.  Looked like he was convulsing.  After two hours and 2 rounds of Atavan, he stopped.  He thought he was dying  All tests, including CTscan of the head, EKG, blood tests, blood oxygen, chest x-rays were normal.  BP normal except during the convulsions.  I know you shouldn’t stop this medication abruptly but I can’t find on the net WHAT to expect if you do. Thanks, Monica

Response:

Can someone please tell me the side effects of a fit 70 year old man stopping Zoloft abruptly?  Dad has been taking 100mg of Zoloft for at least 2 years, maybe longer.  He stopped about 2-2 1/2 weeks ago.  Didn’t taper, just stopped.  Yesterday he was taken by ambulance and admitted to the hospital for having fallen off a ladder.  He’s been dizzy, he passed out and vomited.  He’s been sick at his stomach.  In the ER, he started shaking/tremors violently.  Looked like he was convulsing.  After two hours and 2 rounds of Atavan, he stopped.  He thought he was dying  All tests, including CTscan of the head, EKG, blood tests, blood oxygen, chest x-rays were normal.  BP normal except during the convulsions.  I know you shouldn’t stop this medication abruptly but I can’t find on the net WHAT to expect if you do.

Abrupt cessation of SSRI’s will cause the kind of symptoms your father experienced. A planned taper off  these medications should always be undertaken!! See: http://www.namiscc.org/News/2002/Summer/PaxilWithdrawal.htm

Response:

Thank you both for the information you posted!!  This describes dad’s symptoms exactly. Monica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can someone please tell me the side effects of a fit 70 year old man stopping Zoloft abruptly?  Dad has been taking 100mg of Zoloft for at least

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Question:

        I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day.         Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night.         Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?"             These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.           Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something.   It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here.             I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line.         Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.   Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

If you punch in "effexor" on yahoo, you will get some links to sites that might offer you some help on xr withdrawal. There is an anti-nausia drug reported to help some patients ease off this drug more effectively. If you have found anymore help for withdrawal, please let us know. More and more people are reporting this same difficulty of going through withdrawal "hell" from effexor xr and have had to return taking it again just to function. Wyeth, the manufacturer knows about this and have posted more info on their site about tapering off this med. Hope this helps. Thanx Steveb

Response:

I’ve had the same experience.  But I have decided to stay on Effexor because it is the best AD out there for my type of depression. — John Lundquist —-

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that…

Other people have reported "shocks" when withdrawing from Effexor and other antidepressants.  I quit Effexor XR 150mg cold turkey 1.5 weeks ago because my blood pressure was dangerously high.  So far I have not experienced ANY withdrawal symptoms.  My blood pressure is a bit lower but it may be because I also laid off most of the caffeine.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day.    Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive.   Then, came the night.    Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?"        These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven.      Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something.   It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here.        I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line.    Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

I was on Effexor XR 150mg for over a year, and suffered no memorable withdrawal symptoms when I d/c’ed.  Of course, I did taper off rather than going cold turkey, so maybe that helped.  Over a year later, I had another run-in with your friend and mine, the big "D", and now I’m on Zoloft 100mg.  From my personal experience, I would recommend either of these ADs to anyone, but would also suggest that they follow their doc’s instructions carefully. Andy

Response:

        Alright guys, I guess I’ve got a lot to think about.  Thanks for your input. -Jon

Response:

in general when stopping medication cold turkey one should expect withdrawal symptoms i have heard a lot of complaints from people who have stopped taking their medication abruptly…. however the simple solution to this is to not stop taking your medication abruptly if anyone has tapered off and still found themselves unable to escape severe withdrawal symptoms, i would like to hear it

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

I tapered off Effexor XR with what seemed to be an entirely reasonably schedule, from 225 mg/day to 150 for a week, 75 for a week, 37.5 for a week, then half of that for a few days.  Have been experiencing all the symptoms mentioned below ever since, about 2 weeks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – in general when stopping medication cold turkey one should expect withdrawal symptoms i have heard a lot of complaints from people who have stopped taking their medication abruptly…. however the simple solution to this is to not stop taking your medication abruptly if anyone has tapered off and still found themselves unable to escape severe withdrawal symptoms, i would like to hear it I’ve been on Effexor XR for a little over a month now.  I started with three days at 30-odd mg and then eleven days at 75mg, and have been at 150mg for the two weeks or so after that.  For shits and giggles, I decided not to take my fat pillie for just one day. Well, I made it through my day without feeling too shabby.  I learned how to drive a manual transmission and was otherwise productive. Then, came the night. Every time I fell asleep, I’d get this strong feeling that an electrical pulse was being sent into my back and neck.  I’d fall asleep, feel like I was shocked a few times, then wake up and ask myself, "What the hell was that?" These weren’t mild sensations.  Rather, it felt like the work of a cheap stun-gun or one of those electric weight-loss belts cranked up to eleven. Now, when my friend had told me he went through some bad times coming off of Effexor, I hadn’t imagined anything like this.  I’ve never had such a strong and violent response from simply NOT taking something. It seems especially odd because I’ve only been on the stuff for a month and change.  But now that I’ve read more about Effexor, I know it can only get worse from here. I don’t have a point really, and I don’t have a moral.  I have a definite problem with depression, and I need something to help me operate on a socially functional level, but now I’m a little scared of what the future has in store for me if I ever, heaven forbid, go longer than one day without my fix.  I think I ought to force myself off of this drug ASAP and save myself from a possibly much wackier and even more extreme withdrawal process months or years down the line. Oh well, at least it doesn’t make me impotent, right? -Jon

Response:

okay i do feel bad for you… my doc told me to take clonazepam… and it worked wonders maybe you should ask your doc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I tapered off Effexor XR with what seemed to be an entirely reasonably schedule, from 225 mg/day to 150 for a week, 75 for a week, 37.5 for a week, then half of that for a few days.  Have been experiencing all the symptoms mentioned below ever since, about 2 weeks.

Response:

Question:

I’ve been off of Zoloft for about 6-months….it helped a little bit….I guess?; I’m starting to feel that depression-thing( I never realized I had, until I’d been on Anti-Depressants! ( Zoloft) I had to stop, cause I just couldn’t stand the Anxiety…..while it seemed to give me a more up-beat Just looking for feed-back?  I haven’t started, as my mail-order has not come in yet!!!   "but I have good expections!!!!"  Everybody around here seems to think; if one drug doesn’t work…then try a different one. thanks for listening!!!      Wild & Crazy

Response:

I’ve been off of Zoloft for about 6-months….it helped a little bit….I guess?; I’m starting to feel that depression-thing( I never realized I had, until I’d been on Anti-Depressants! ( Zoloft) I had to stop, cause I just couldn’t stand the Anxiety…..while it seemed to give me a more up-beat Just looking for feed-back?  I haven’t started, as my mail-order has not come in yet!!!   "but I have good expections!!!!"  Everybody around here seems to think; if one drug doesn’t work…then try a different one. thanks for listening!!!      Wild & Crazy

Hi Wild & Crazy, It is true, if one med doesn`t work, move on to another one. Paxil has been a good med for me and *hopefully* you will have good results too. It is important to start Paxil at a low dose, 5 mgs is a good starting dose. You would stay at this dose for one week. Do all your increases in 5mg increments and stay at each increase for one week. Weaning like this will hopefully keep any side-effects that you have to a minimum. Having a benzo such a Xanax or Klonopin would help you deal with any increased anxiety you might experience. Give Paxil 6 to 8 weeks to kick in. Good luck!!! Jackie Hope is a strange invention– A Patent of the Heart– In unremitting action Yet never wearing out.

Response:

Wild and Crazy I guess what you have to decide is what is worse, the side-effects, or the illness

Response:

To Wild&Crazy,I have been on Prozac,Adivan,Buspar,Celexa,Zoloft,Xanax,and now Paxil.As you can see I’ve been through some meds.But I’m replying to you to let you know that Paxil(I take 10 mg. a day)is what has stopped my panic attacks.Zoloft seemed to make me have more attacks.Paxil is for PD more so than it is for depression.I don’t notice any side effects either. I have been on it for about 4 months. Good Luck. I know what you are going through. For 10 years I’ve been a sufferer. * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

Response:

I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

There is nothing sensible to say about this as our reactions to meds are totally individual. As a rule though if a med from a certain group (in this case the SSRI’s) doesn’t work for you it’s often a good idea to try another med from the same group first. I would try Paxil if I were you but if it doesn’t work well after eight weeks or so I would advise trying another group of meds (TCA’s, benzos) Philip

Response:

mr. zoloft worked on some of my obsessional thinking, then it killed my penis! no erection or orgasm for a month. i thought my doc poisoned me. got a new doc, put me on paxil. i have nothing but praise for mr. paxil at this point, but have only been on it for about a month. almost panic attack free. mr. zoloft is fucking poison for me. see another doctor if yours is giving you the nad killer. if mr. paxil doesn’t work for you, then try mr. effexor. if that doesn’t work then go back to steady, heavy drinking. lot’s of side effects in the morning, but no panic attacks and you don’t need a script. all kidding aside, paxil is the one! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

Response:

Question:

HomemakerJ wrote:

I thought walnut trees were the ones choked everything else out because of their high whatever (acidity?) so that nothing will grow under them. I know they’re the ones that shed so many leaves you are never done raking them.  I’m not sure how people friendly they are if they’re in your own back yard.

Well, actually I was sort of thinking of them being in orchards.  Maybe instead of coca in South America.  But I don’t know where they grow well.  I know we have them in Northern California, but I don’t think I have heard of them growing in dry arid areas (where I think even olive trees can survive).  But we have a ‘growing’ market in olive oils – why not in walnut oils (especially if they come in different grades…sounds yuppie enough to me). I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well.  But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

On 2 Nov 1998 06:02:10 GMT, hypo…@aol.com (Hypoint) wrote:

I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well.  But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood?

It most certainly is in Europe. The wood has beautiful patterns. I think it’s more of a forest tree as they are very big and slow growing.  Of course, these days I’d have thought dwarfing/fast growing root stocks would be available if walnuts were considered commercial enough! Bestishes Joanna

Response:

Joanna wrote:

(Hypoint) wrote: I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well. But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood? It most certainly is in Europe. The wood has beautiful patterns. I think it’s more of a forest tree as they are very big and slow growing.  Of course, these days I’d have thought dwarfing/fast growing root stocks would be available if walnuts were considered commercial enough! Bestishes

I’ve seen dwarf fruit trees, but I don’t recall ever seeing any dwarf nut trees, but I never really looked. In California, walnut trees could very well increase in value commercially if indeed they provide an oil that is both considered beneficial and able to be produced in various grades.  California is experiencing a re-surgence of olive tree plantings and lots of varieties of flavored olive oils are showing up in all sorts of stores.  So I wonder what walnut oil could be flavored with? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Valery, I use Natural Progesterone and supplements of Magnesium and Vit B-6 for my strong peri-symptoms.  I have used them for the past 2 1/2 years and have been able to use it alone instead of Imatrex for migraines and Xanax and Zoloft for anxiety and depression associated with my peri.  Feel free to visit my web site at http://www.expage.com/page/hotflash as well as the Hotflash Bulletin Board, theres lots of great articles there on alternatives. Itchy http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb129876 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Valery wrote:

Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian compound yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

Response:

Itchy wrote:

supplements of Magnesium and Vit B-6 for my strong peri-symptoms.  

Val, I think a similar post is what triggered my research into the food sources for various supplements.  If you search for Chicken using DejaNews you will find a recipe or two for Chicken with Beans that gives you nutritional sources of both Magnesium and B-6.  I will also see if I can round up a few more. I feel since we have to eat everyday anyway, we might as well figure out how to do it in a way that nourishes us a little better than if we didn’t put much thought into it. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

The URL Itchy offered up leads to her commercial web site. While she may be posting out of a genuine desire to be helpful, it’s important for folks to know she sells the supplements she uses. Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

Response:

Hypoint wrote:

… California is experiencing a re-surgence of olive tree plantings and lots of varieties of flavored olive oils are showing up in all sorts of stores.  So I wonder what walnut oil could be flavored with?

The flavored varieties of olive oil usually use the "light" (late pressing?) olive oils, which have so little flavor of their own that they can handle being doctored with garlic, chilis, etc. Flavored olive oils are classic marketing success story: With virgin and extra-virgin olive oil gaining favor in the American market, the olive growers found a way to dress up the "less desirable" "pure" quality oil, call it a specialty product and jack up the price. Walnut oil, like extra-virgin olive oil, has a fairly robust flavor of its own; if you wanted to flavor it, you’d either have to filter the walnut taste out, or add flavors that went well with walnut. Hm. I’ll have to ponder that for a while… –Pat Kight figuring "walnut chocolate oil" is probably right out … kig…@peak.org

Response:

Vlhb002 wrote:

The URL Itchy offered up leads to her commercial web site. While she may be posting out of a genuine desire to be helpful, it’s important for folks to know she sells the supplements she uses.

… and that the "natural progesterone" products, in particular, are the subject of a fair amount of controversy over whether they (a) contain any significant level of progesterone at all and (b) work, except in the sense that placebos sometimes "work." –Pat Kight kig…@peak.org

Response:

I hope someone else can come up with some good non commercial herb websites for Valery, Here is one that mentions scientific studies on Ginkgo biloba .  None of the other herbs usually mentioned for menopause are listed in this article. http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter25.htm Herbal medicines, an evidence based look I see Maida Taylor, MD has an article on Black Cohosh http://www.hcrc.org/faqs/c/cohosh.html On Tue, 03 Nov 1998 13:23:20 -0500, itchy…@postoffice.swbell.net wrote:

Valery, I use Natural Progesterone

Natural Progesterone is a hormone drug and should be considered in consultation with a health professional.   It is not an herb or vitamin. For  <non commercial

information on Natural Progesterone, otc and/or

prescription, not in any particular order  we have: http://www.menopause.org/naturals.htm http://www.menopause-online.com/progestins.htm http://www.pangea.ca/~afi/volxino1/progesterone.html http://www.rxmed.com/monographs/promet.html http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/96-97/97_31e.htm http://www.sma.org/smj/97aug16.htm http://www.cponline.gsm.com/scripts/fullmono/showmono.pl?mononum=562&… http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/reg/issues/vol350no9070/news_sm35…. http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/reg/issues/vol351no9111/research12… http://www.fda.gov/cder/approval/index.htm http://www.sciam.com/1998/0698womens/0698leibenbox1.html http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/womens.health/1998/v03.n05/wh5646.pe… http://www.hcrc.org/contrib/taylor/taylor.html http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/wildyam.html And probably many more. My point being there is no reason to consult with itchybaun about the use of this product. ( Medscape and The Lancet interactive require free registration for access) But rather than slogging through those urls, any good menopause book will have information on hormone drugs, including natural progesterone. I recommend Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone book, should be at any public library or now available in paperback. Kathryn droz…@direct.ca

Response:

Karen and Wendy wrote (sort of): walnut oil recipes? Karen wrote:

They are lowcarb recipes, not lowfat. Also, I did get them from the web somewhere, so they are out there. Since I don’t use a free-standing newsreader, I’d have to type them in, and since this is crunch time at work, I’m just not going to do that. I’m too close to an RSI right now. I looked for it at Trader Joe’s today, and didn’t see any, so I’ll check out a health food store in Castro Valley that carries lots of food stuffs. Trader Joe’s now sells lox bits, $2.50 for 8 oz. Perfect for omelets. And for eating out of the pkg.:)

I’ll search for walnut oil recipes. Got my salmon patties at Trader Joe’s today.  Also they were demo’ing lox. Didn’t notice the lox bits – will look for them next time.  Sounds like a good thing to take to work.  Thanks. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can’t remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.]

Remembered it.   Karydthopita …. transliterally Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Wendy wrote: Karen wrote:

BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil? I can’t recommend a brand, but yes, it’s a common ‘gourmet’ oil.

Have you ever used it?? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Wendy asks:

BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3

Hain has made walnut oil for as long as I can remember. I first bought it in the 60s. It makes a very pleasant mayonnaise. Although it comes from walnuts, it’s very delicately flavored. Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

Response:

vlhb002 wrote:

Wendy asks: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3 Hain has made walnut oil for as long as I can remember. I first bought it in the 60s. It makes a very pleasant mayonnaise. Although it comes from walnuts, it’s very delicately flavored.

Thanks, it’s now on my shopping list.  Various books recommend it when olive oil would not be appropriate and you want something more flavorful than a canola oil.  Also came across a review of a cookbook in my searchings where someone said they were  **tired** of all these recipes with olive oil, so I wanted to explore alternatives that would be as beneficial or better in some respects. Yesterday I was musing that walnut oil is probably a nice environmentally friendly crop (like olive oil, obviously).  Comes from trees which cleanse the air, probably requiring little fertilization, and no post harvest burning (except that they probably burn branches with their yearly pruning).  Do walnut trees only grow in certain types of climates?  Does anyone know? I know we have lots of groves in Northern California. Wondering where it might be good to use it as a substitute for butter or margarine in various recipes. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Pat Kight wrote:

Hypoint <hypo…@aol.com wrote: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.] Yes, walnut oil is available in trendy supermarkets and gourmet food departments. Pricey, but delicious. Buy it in small quantities — it goes rancid fairly fast. And it’s not just for sweets — walnut oil is a *great* substitute for olive oil in vinaigrette-type salad dressings!  One of my all-time favorite salads is a mixture of really fresh greens dressed with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with chopped walnuts, diced fresh pears and blue cheese!

Sounds wonderful!!  Are pears still in season? This *research project* has certainly affected me.  I don’t think I will ever be the same again.  I am sitting here eating my salmon patty that I sort of poached in my stir fry of green beans and 3 colors of bell peppers (with lots of garlic).  Then I threw in a bunch of my mediterrean olives at the end.  It tastes so good. Can’t wait to get Karen’s walnut oil recipes.  I love walnuts.  And knowing that their fat is good for the brain is great. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Hypoint wrote:

Yesterday I was musing that walnut oil is probably a nice environmentally friendly crop (like olive oil, obviously).  Comes from trees which cleanse the air, probably requiring little fertilization, and no post harvest burning

I thought walnut trees were the ones choked everything else out because of their high whatever (acidity?) so that nothing will grow under them. I know they’re the ones that shed so many leaves you are never done raking them.  I’m not sure how people friendly they are if they’re in your own back yard. Cool Runnings, HomemakerJ

Response:

In article <19981101023111.08075.00002…@ng39.aol.com

,

Hypoint <hypo…@aol.com

wrote: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.]

Yes, walnut oil is available in trendy supermarkets and gourmet food departments. Pricey, but delicious. Buy it in small quantities — it goes rancid fairly fast. And it’s not just for sweets — walnut oil is a *great* substitute for olive oil in vinaigrette-type salad dressings!  One of my all-time favorite salads is a mixture of really fresh greens dressed with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with chopped walnuts, diced fresh pears and blue cheese! –Pat Kight kig…@peak.org

Response:

I strongly recommend to NOT TAKE KAVA.  I had a severe reaction where my throat closed off.  My husband did the heimlach maneuver. The pill was not stuck in my throat, but put my esophagous into spasms about 2 hrs. after I took it.  I know of someone else that had the same thing happen. I work with drs. and they have had several cases that arrived in ER.  It was also written up in a medical journal. This should be taken off the market.

HELLO FROM NANCY FROM FLORIDA

Response:

I wonder if this is what has caused my husband to have esophagus problems — severe — over the last few months?!!!  He started taking kava in July (lots of it) and, since September, has been to several doctors and the emergency room just this week because of this!  Thank you!  You may have helped diagnosed a major concern in our lives for the last two months!  He loves how the kava helps his tension, but maybe there’s an alternative.  Thank you so much for posting this information — it might help others, too!     n2…@webtv.net wrote in message <1704-363C76F…@newsd-133.iap.bryant.webtv.net

…

    I strongly recommend to NOT TAKE KAVA.  I had a severe reaction where my     throat closed off.  My husband did the heimlach maneuver. The pill was     not stuck in my throat, but put my esophagous into spasms about 2 hrs.     after I took it.  I know of someone else that had the same thing happen.     I work with drs. and they have had several cases that arrived in ER.  It     was also written up in a medical journal. This should be taken off the     market.

Response:

Karen Kay wrote in message <71ghna$n4…@samba.rahul.net

… Jane Weaver wrote…gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting. The info about gingko makes sense–that’s what it’s for! (To increase blood

flow.) I had read that it would act more like cayenne, increasing the blood flow while at the same time decreasing the clots.  Instead, it seemed to bring on the megaclots and also appeared to contribute to the hemmoraging that ensued.   I now agree wholeheartedly with vhlb — herbs are no more innocuous than prescription medicine, and need to be treated with the same caution. Medscape’s Women’s Health tends to have up-to-the-minute articles (I think the base site is also listed on vhlb’s links). http://www.medscape.com/Home/Topics/WomensHealth/womenshealth.html

Response:

Val,

Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy!

That’s the plan.   Get yourself a good vitamin / mineral supplement and take it regularly.  I like to take the more trendy type at Trader Joe’s or one of the warehouse stores. Normally they have more ’stuff’ in it reflecting recent research.   And keep reading the FOOD and RECIPE posts because I’m going to keep pursuing nummy delicious irresistible  ways to get the benefits that a lot of the supplements are targeting. BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.] Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Jane Weaver wrote in message <71g9p4$cm…@autumn.news.rcn.net

… I was taking St. John’s wort, and also tried cranberry, kava kava, and

black

cohesh, as well as some other "menopausal" formulas I ran across.  I think the St. John’s wort did help mild mood swings, but gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting

Interesting!  My period came about at Day 23 the last time, and started with a flurry of small clots!  Usually they start out pretty light and then get into the clot thing in a day or so.  And I’ve been taking lots of gingko. And since I’ve been taking Gingko (about 3 months), I’ve had some awfully long periods  One lasted 11 days!  Thanks for this info.

The most helpful thing I’ve found, though, is really making an extra effort to eat a wide variety of whatever foods are in season, making sure I get plenty of exercise, and taking some supplements just to be sure of enough vitamins — especially chewable calcium (not Tums, which contain things I felt I don’t need).

I know I’m lacking in the water and exercise department.  From other posts I’ve read, not drinking enough water is probably a contributing factor to other difficulties.

I try to eat only virgin olive oil,   I continue to drink many herbal teas.  My favorites are Celestial Seasonings, not the specialty brands, although I experiment with everything.  I do think Sleepytime and Emperor’s Choice are the most relaxing, wonderful herbal concoctions I’ve found!  I also drink a lot of other Ginseng and green teas and love Royal jelly (especially the Korean variety).  Again, I feel they are calming.

Thanks to hubby (who’s a great and very particular cook), we always have virgin olive oil on hand.  And herbal and various green  teas, too — he’s a tea addict. Thanks for reminding me to make use of what’s readily available!  Gosh, I get so caught up in putting out fires and managing crises that I can’t even think of the obvious!  I’m going to make an effort to add your suggestions to the daily routine.  Will keep you posted, and you do the same — let us know how you’re doing. Val

Response:

Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian compound yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

Response:

I was taking St. John’s wort, and also tried cranberry, kava kava, and black cohesh, as well as some other "menopausal" formulas I ran across.  I think the St. John’s wort did help mild mood swings, but gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting.  I really saw no real improvement with kava kava or black cohesh.  When the clots were not huge, cayenne clearly did break them up.  Cranberry may have helped.  I think oatmeal is the very best thing I’ve found for digestion, or Ralston.  With severe symptoms, I found that none of these things worked well, and did finally switch for health reasons to more traditional medicine. The most helpful thing I’ve found, though, is really making an extra effort to eat a wide variety of whatever foods are in season, making sure I get plenty of exercise, and taking some supplements just to be sure of enough vitamins — especially chewable calcium (not Tums, which contain things I felt I don’t need).  I felt that it really did make a difference in the moods after just a few weeks (I also try to get 2 cups of 1% milk or equivalent yogurt each day in addition).  I also think drinking lots more water than one would think is necessary has been the best dietary change I’ve made (about 8 cups).  My skin improved and female discomfort diminished markedly in only about a week after I started the water regimen. I try to eat only virgin olive oil, and if I *really* want butter or margarine, I occasionally whip real unsalted butter with olive oil into a soft spread (or canola oil, if it’s going to go on something with a delicate taste that olive oil could overpower).  I continue to drink many herbal teas.  My favorites are Celestial Seasonings, not the specialty brands, although I experiment with everything.  I do think Sleepytime and Emperor’s Choice are the most relaxing, wonderful herbal concoctions I’ve found!  I also drink a lot of other Ginseng and green teas and love Royal jelly (especially the Korean variety).  Again, I feel they are calming. Please let us know what you decide to try, and with what results! –Jane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Valery wrote in message <71g0cr$…@dfw-ixnews9.ix.netcom.com

… Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian

compound

yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

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Valery asked about herbs: This is most emphatically *not* my bailiwick, as my eyes glaze over at the tincture recipes. But I understand from plenty of folks that the "gold standard" for herbal advice on menopause is _Menopausal Years_ by Susun Weed. Weed is quoted extensively in _Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone Book_, and by any number of other health care practitioners. You can find some of Weed’s recommendations  echoed in Love’s book, as noted…and in a truly hilarious online article, "Hotter than a Red-Assed Bee," whose URL escapes me at the moment, but there’s a link to it at http://members.tripod.com/menopause/ Probably the most important thing to remember about herbs, as I understand it, is that they’re not necessarily innocuous. It’s a good idea to read carefully and proceed with caution. For further information, see the web site of the American Botanical Council at http://www.herbalgram.org Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

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Question:

Good for you to find out about these drugs…from 1 to 10  my tinnitus is about a (7) right now… it was a(2) before a hip operation in Aug. this yr….Pain medication was the cause of the increase… I have hope that the T will drop down to (2) again since stopping the pain medication…

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        On Tuesday my psychiatrist wanted me to start Paxil 10mg (I really think of him as a doctor who writes prescriptions for my Ambien and Xanax, rather than a psychiatrist.  I had six visits precertified through my US Health Care Insurance).  On Saturday afternoon I had a severe agitated depression that lasted about three hours, even though my t wasn’t bothering me then.         This is the time of year that allot of people get depressed anyway. Especially the ones without family.         I’ve been having a really good week so far, the best since this t hit me in July.  So I decided not to start the paxil yet.  Even though I had loud t three days in a row, it didn’t seem to bother me as much.  I’ve also been eating well for the last week. I’m also anticipating starting TRT soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

   Interesting. You dont say how many milligrams you were on. I was put on 20 mg a day. After two months i decided to cut my dosage in half due to side effects. I am on 10 mg a day.    I havent noticed any increase in ringing. The drop down to 10 mg very quickly eliminated the side effects including alternating hot and cold flashes and extreme fatigue. My mood was not affected.    My psychiatrist became very upset when i told him i had done this and told me i had made a serious mistake and was in for a big accident. He then threw me out of his office because i didnt want to return to the full dose.    I am going to slowly ease off the Paxil totally. If i feel the need to go backon it i will certainly find myself another doctor.    I have been on so many different medications the past three months trying to get back to "normal" which hasnt really happened, although life is more livable..thats a start. Anti depressants can help. Paxil seemed to level everything out. But it does affect your body and i didnt care for that discomfort on top of my tinnitus.    It doesnt totally get you out of the funk. Even on my full dose i got bouts of depression, I still do. Lots of emotions are tied up in this and if you already are experiencing stress or disapointments in life, tinnitus just adds to it, making you feel broken, victimized and helpless. Cynthia    I

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FYI Paxil withdrawal is NOT pleasant. Dizziness, vomiting, loss of balance and *auditory hallucinations.*  These have been documented in others than I.  My psychiatrist found a paper on SSRI withdrawal, how lack of knowledge in this area is starting to cause problems. The drug companies don’t want to talk about this. This report has been my experience, only. I hope it helps others. BUT I will always belong to the ATA and a T. suffer’s advocate. Best to all. ciao, randall

        Interesting. You dont say how many milligrams you were on. I was put on 20 mg a day. After two months i decided to cut my dosage in half due to side effects. I am on 10 mg a day.         I havent noticed any increase in ringing. The drop down to 10 mg very quickly eliminated the side effects including alternating hot and cold flashes and extreme fatigue. My mood was not affected.         My psychiatrist became very upset when i told him i had done this and told me i had made a serious mistake and was in for a big accident. He then threw me out of his office because i didnt want to return to the full dose.         I am going to slowly ease off the Paxil totally. If i feel the need to go backon it i will certainly find myself another doctor.         I have been on so many different medications the past three months trying to get back to "normal" which hasnt really happened, although life is more livable..thats a start. Anti depressants can help. Paxil seemed to level everything out. But it does affect your body and i didnt care for that discomfort on top of my tinnitus.         It doesnt totally get you out of the funk. Even on my full dose i got bouts of depression, I still do. Lots of emotions are tied up in this and if you already are experiencing stress or disapointments in life, tinnitus just adds to it, making you feel broken, victimized and helpless. Cynthia         I

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In article <01bcf5e6$d2cd89e0$0521accf@larrygol

, "Larry Goldman"

<larrg…@erols.com

writes: On Tuesday my psychiatrist wanted me to start Paxil 10mg (I really think of him as a doctor who writes prescriptions for my Ambien and Xanax, rather than a psychiatrist.  I had six visits precertified through my US Health Care Insurance).

Hi, Larry! We have all been pulling for you here, knowing how tough the past few weeks have been for you and hoping you will find something to help.  Glad this week has been better.  It’s about time! I thought I would clarify that a psychiatrist is a medically trainned doctor who generally has specialized training in medication.  A psychiatrist usually sees a patient and interviews him on a periodic basis in order to assess and monitor his meds.  If a person needs to be hospitalized, a psychiatrist generally is responsible, although more and more other mental health professions are becoming involved in hospitalization these days. A psychotherapist is a person with specialized training in psychotherapy.  This training varies, but may easily take 8-12 years or more of graduate school.  A psychiatrist may go on for more training in therapy, and some do, but by the time they have finished all the education that it took to get this far, many don’t sign up for an additional 8-12 years.  Many either are not interested or feel that it is time to get on with their lives.  Therefore, it may take some exploring to find out what training a particular psychiatrist has, or for any other therapist, for that matter. Good luck with the TRT.  We are all crossing our fingers for you. Ginny

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This has been my experience. I developed *unbearable* tinnitus around Labor Day.  I have always noticed a slight sound [note] every now and again, but nothing *devastating*. This was.   1. Psychiatrist, Primary care, ENT: all tests MRI; another ENT; Tinnitus specialist who recommened a plan of treatment for T., long and involved. 2. I looked up several drugs in PDR. Found for Paxil [a Prozac relative] [all SSRIs, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Desyrel(R), ] and Desyrel a small incidence of tinnitus. 3. 5 doctors and $2000.00 later, I decided to try and see if I was one of the small few in whom SSRIs caused tinnitus. 3. I stopped PAXIL and DESYREL. 4. 3 weeks later [today] tinnitus is 90% gone.  I comes and goes and changes daily, but on the whole, for the first time in 2 1/2 months I can honestly say I believe these drugs to be the cause of *my* tinnitus. 5. I put the connection together, because of Effexor withdrawal, caused a feeling of loss of balance control [INNER EAR]. 6. I knew if I missed 2 days of Paxil I became VERY dizzy and felt "swimmy."  [again, INNER EAR] 7.  I figured if the drugs [SSRIs] caused dizziness upon withdrawal, they were doing something in my inner ear, so what not the T. 8. Most of the tinnitus is gone. I still feel swimmy.  Waves of nausea will hit, along with a symphony of sounds in my ears.     So, I certainly believe IF you developed T. after starting an anti-depressant [namely SSRIs] or your T. has gotten worse, I would talk to your doctor about these drugs. FYI Paxil withdrawal is NOT pleasant. Dizziness, vomiting, loss of balance and *auditory hallucinations.*  These have been documented in others than I.  My psychiatrist found a paper on SSRI withdrawal, how lack of knowledge in this area is starting to cause problems. The drug companies don’t want to talk about this. This report has been my experience, only. I hope it helps others. BUT I will always belong to the ATA and a T. suffer’s advocate. Best to all. ciao, randall

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