Question:

My wife and I moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta, a year ago.  We came here from Prince Edward Island.  She is an American from Illinois. Since we got here, she has had increasing problems with her asthma, to the point that she is now being monitored and on a whole raft of medications, using sidestream, the whole nine yards.  My question is this; Is there any place in Alberta that is safe to live, or does the whole province pose a health risk to asthma sufferers.  If we can find relief further south, then we are willing to look at that option. Mike Nantau

Response:

Moving anywhere can usually be counted on to introduce the asthma sufferer to new triggers.  As usual it takes a while to get accustomed to them.  Hang in there. — Murray Stone phone:  (403) 486-5146  fax:  (403) 483-7791 snailmail:  616-21, 10405 Jasper Avenue Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S2 Canada

Response:

South is not good.  Here in Calgary asthma is pretty common.  Mine has gotten worse since moving here…but it is a beautiful city and I am not leaving.  I never had any problems in Grande Prairie with my asthma. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife and I moved to Grande Prairie, Alberta, a year ago.  We came here from Prince Edward Island.  She is an American from Illinois. Since we got here, she has had increasing problems with her asthma, to the point that she is now being monitored and on a whole raft of medications, using sidestream, the whole nine yards.  My question is this; Is there any place in Alberta that is safe to live, or does the whole province pose a health risk to asthma sufferers.  If we can find relief further south, then we are willing to look at that option. Mike Nantau

Response:

South is not good.  Here in Calgary asthma is pretty common.  Mine has gotten worse since moving here…but it is a beautiful city and I am not leaving.  I never had any problems in Grande Prairie with my asthma.

Hi, My asthma also seems to be a lot worse since I moved here to Calgary from Ottawa 10 months ago. However, I also love it and am not planning on leaving. I thought that the dryness (Ottawa is VERY humid) would improve my allergies and asthma, but it seems to have made me more sensitive. I’ve been to emerg 5 times since I’ve been here, but 4 of those times were prolonged exposure to a cat and the last one was the result of what I *think* is bronchitis (I’ve been coughing for 2 weeks!) So, I guess these weren’t speciically due to living in Alberta. I have noticed that the respiratory therapists seem a bit behind here in terms of medication. Each time I have been to emerg (at 3 different hospitals) and they ask me what I’m taking I show them my Maxair which I take along with Beclefort. In each case they had never heard of Maxair before. I thought that was kind of strange because it came out in Ontario about 6 months ago. I find Maxair to be wonderful, literally instant relief. Any suggestions on how to cure this bronchitis? My gp put me on antibiotics 2 days ago but it doesn’t seem to be going away. I’m having trouble sleeping because whenever I lie down I have a huge coughing fit. The Maxair doesn’t stop the cough or the congested feeling. I took an expectorand cough syrup – but stopped when I started on the antibiotics. Should I go back on the cough syrup too? Everyone in my office is buying me halls and bringing me water – very embarassing. Thanks for any advice. Alyssa PS – I tried Flovent and it made me cough even harder.

Response:

Question:

Just wondering if anyone has tried taking Singulair to treat allergy related sinus congestion.

Response:

I read that it was FDA approved for allergic rhinitis very recently. "Steven Balough" <sbalo…@mail.utexas.edu

wrote in message

news:avlc9n$2kp$1@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Just wondering if anyone has tried taking Singulair to treat allergy

related

sinus congestion.

Response:

Many allergists and ENTs have prescribed it for that for years, even without FDA approval for it ("off-label"). I’ve been prescribed it several times, for rhinitis. Recently I started taking it again. To tell the truth, I’m really not sure if it is helping me at all or not. (Sometimes it’s hard to know. You think–"I might be worse if I wasn’t taking this".) Anyone here noticed definitive results from it? Are there any published controlled double-blind studies on using it for rhinitis? (I guess there would have to be, if in fact the FDA has approved it for that purpose.) Anyone know where one can read the studies? Can’t regular Singulair use over years have negative effects on the liver? What if one takes both Singulair and acetaminophen regularly? "Joy" <n…@nospam.com

wrote in message

news:cy5U9.5794$Qr4.558783@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I read that it was FDA approved for allergic rhinitis very recently. > "Steven Balough" <sbalo…@mail.utexas.edu

wrote in message

> news:avlc9n$2kp$1@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu… > > Just wondering if anyone has tried taking Singulair to treat allergy > related > > sinus congestion.

Response:

Question:

Is there any research indicating that Singulair can have a beneficial effect for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? I’ve asked my doctor, an internist with a subspecialty in pulmonology, about this, and he was doubtful that the drug would be helpful to me. Since the various "classic" asthma meds are used in treating COPD symptoms, it seems strange that the anti-leukotrienes (and Singulair, in particular) have not been recommended by the drug mfrs. [I posted this question to this list several months ago. I'm asking it again, on the outside chance that there is possibly some new data available.] — Neal Blank http://p3.net/~nealb/

Response:

I am just taking a guess from what I know about Singulair.  I am sure If I am way off base here aleast one of you will correct me.  Singulair, goes after the chemical that at the root of the problem causes the bronchial spasms.  By stopping the spasms there will be less inflammation, in turn lessing the asthma attacks.  Bronchistis, and emphysema are due to inflamed bronchial tubes, but are not caused by the spasms that causes the inflammations of asthma, so Singulair will not help.  I am not sure if I am right but, this may (or may not)help.

Response:

Is there any research indicating that Singulair can have a beneficial effect for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? I’ve asked my doctor, an internist with a subspecialty in pulmonology, about this, and he was doubtful that the drug would be helpful to me. Since the various "classic" asthma meds are used in treating COPD symptoms, it seems strange that the anti-leukotrienes (and Singulair, in particular) have not been recommended by the drug mfrs. [I posted this question to this list several months ago. I'm asking it again, on the outside chance that there is possibly some new data available.]

No I don’t think there is any data available. I note that in the UK the drug is only licensed for asthma. However, I have COPD with a ‘reversible componant’, which means that I respond to corticosteroid therapy with an improvement in PF and FEV1. I also respond to bronchodilators. Call this asthma if you like, and yes I have been perscribed Singulair and yes it seems to have definitely improved things for me. I have now just finished the first months treatment and the improvement I felt within days of taking it seems to have been maintained. Yesterday was the *first day for over ten years* that I have not used a single puff of Ventolin If you can persuade them to let you have it I would say it is worth a try. Regards Rob Remove the spam from address if replying by email

Response:

I am just taking a guess from what I know about Singulair.  I am sure If I am way off base here aleast one of you will correct me.  Singulair, goes after the chemical that at the root of the problem causes the bronchial spasms.  By stopping the spasms there will be less inflammation, in turn lessing the asthma attacks.  Bronchistis, and emphysema are due to inflamed bronchial tubes, but are not caused by the spasms that causes the inflammations of asthma, so Singulair will not help.  I am not sure if I am right but, this may (or may not)help.

Not wrong, but an oversimplification. Yes, LTD is a potent broncho-constrictor. BUt it appears to be having at least mild anti-inflammatory effects at least in mild to moderate asthmatics.  THe reasons arent clear yet, but bronchospasm can lead to secondary release of mediators (prostaglandin D, Thromboxane A, cytokines, etc) which ARE inflammatory. If LTD even partially inhibits the release of such mediators from mast cells, eosinophils etc, it would have anti-inflammatory effects. BUT – *I* don’t know of any evidence that LTD is a precipitating agent in COPD.  If it’s not a major player in that disease, SIngulair/Accolate’s impact is likely to be far less than in asthma.  To date, there are no scientific studies of the question.  Both LTE and LTB (a leukotriene NOT targeted by Accolate/Singulair) have been shown to be elevated in COPD, but whether reducing that elevation has any effect in the disease doesnt appear to have been studied.  IF LTB is importand, COPD may be better treated with Zyflo than with the LT-RAs.

Response:

Question:

I had asthma as a child as well.  Junior high school was the worst–we had to run around the track in PE every day, and although they let me walk instead, I would get teased all the time about it.  Sometimes I would run until I had an attack just because I was so embarrassed. I can’t suggest much in the near term, but when he gets older you might encourage him to get into anaerobic sports.  I finally learned to weight lift when I was 22, and it’s great for me–it improves my self esteem and very rarelly triggers my asthma. Try not to let his asthma cause him to exercise half-heartedly or not at all–when I was in high school they put me in an "adaptive PE" program where we walked around the track and "lifted weights."  What that really meant was we gossiped and tried to look busy while the teacher sat around.  We didn’t learn anything about weight training or learn to keep track of our walking performance to improve our cardiovascular fitness, both things I had to learn as an adult, after I’d developed lazy exercise habits.  I think it’s important to figure out what your asthma will let you do, and then DO IT, even if it’s just walking really slowly and stretching.  Hopefully your private school will be better about this, but it’s something to pay attention to. I recently started Singulair and it improved my peak flow quite a bit, although I don’t think it has helped my exercise-induced asthma much. Good luck, Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a twelve year old son who has had asthma since he was two, probably since he was born.

Response:

Hi Danielle, My heart goes out to you and your son. My son is 7-1/2 and has moderate-severe asthma, including the EIA variety. We started him out with an indoor soccer program a year and a half ago, pre-treating him with albuterol and Intal. At that age all they do is run all over the place at top speed and he came through okay except for one incident — he kept sitting down on the floor every chance he got. Half the team was this way, too, though, so there must have been something in the air. Anyway, based on that we tried outdoor soccer last fall — big mistake. He could barely play an entire quarter and the coach was just not sympathetic to the asthma — I think he didn’t accept the idea that fatigue is indicative of a flare and thought perhaps Ed should be turning blue and gasping in order to be having at attack. He kept Ed sidelined a lot or put him in as goalie — not Ed’s strong point as he’s easily bored <g so it wasn’t a good experience for any of us. Tee-ball was much more successful, I think because they’re not so physically active for extended periods. He’s in a baseball program again this summer and really looking forward to it. Is there a baseball program around and would your son consider that in lieu of football? My son’s (private) school has a very active sports program, football being the foremost event; the star player for the last four years is a severe asthmatic. I’m heartened by this, knowing that for all the negative aspects of his win-at-all-costs attitude, the coach is very willing to work with asthma rather than sideline a kid. Is it worth approaching the coach(es) or director of the football program and explain he might fail the physical if it happens to be a rough trigger day and that perhaps they could take a closer look at his overall abilities? I guess it all depends on the people running the program. We haven’t yet put Ed on Singulair — I keep waffling over the Churg-Strauss syndrome thing. From what I understand, Singular doesn’t work for everyone; it either works very well or not at all. Certainly, the convenience of a once-daily tablet can’t be beat! Best of luck to you and your son, Danielle. Jeanne Ed’s Asthma Track http://asthmatrack.com/

Response:

Hi Danielle, Our daughter is also 12 and she started using Singulair about 5 months ago. It has improved her nighttime symptoms and is giving her better sleep, which has improved her daytime quality of life. For the EIA she still must pre-medicate and we have seen some improvement in her overall ability there too. We haven’t noticed any negative side-effects but are truly enjoying the benefits. Dot

Response:

His Doctor is going to start him on singulair, (I think that spelling is right), it is a preventative medicine. Has anyone tried it, and please say it works, how long does it take to start showing success?

Singulair is a ‘leukotrine receptor antagonist’.  In plain english this medication blocks the receptor sites leukotrines (a key inflammatory moderator) in am manner analogous to toothpicks getting shoved in a lock. Singulair has a very low rate of side effects.  The bad news is that for 1/3 of the people who try it is has great effects, for another 1/3 it has minor effects, and for the final 1/3 it has virtually no effects. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

For the exercise induced asthma, two things can possibly help: premedicating (a couple of puffs of his rescue inhaler–likely albuterol–roughly a half hour before practice), and a slow warmup (15 minutes or so) before starting heavier activity.

Response:

Don’t really have any info for you about he singulair, but having been through the over use of antibiotics leading to bowel problems w/ my son I’d like to put my 2 cents in there. Part of what’s going on  is that the antibiotics killed "good" bacteria as well as the "bad".  The intestines use the good bacteria to digest food. Have him eat  yogurt every day–make sure its the kind with active cultures, and try to stay away from the kiddie-fied stuff that’s loaded with coloring, flavoring and gelatin.  Dannon has a great fruit on the bottoom style, or Stonyfield farms makes a really great one that’s organic as well.  YOu could aslo talk to the  DR about his taking acidophilius (sp?) tablets on a daily basis.  This will help to restore his intestine. Also, make sure he eats enough fresh fruits and vegetalbes, and drinks at least 8 glasses of water daily. Lesa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a twelve year old son who has had asthma since he was two, probably since he was born. He was not diagnosed until two. He has been through so much, it breaks my heart. At two the doctors in an HMO overdosed him with antibiotics, which infected, (or messed up some how), his small intestine, which has left him with bowel problems ever since. Poor kid, as if asthma is not enough. He has either been in private school or home school up until the seventh grade, because he would have asthma attacks, and bowel problems at school and I would have to take him home, therefore, he missed too much school. We did home school for three years to get him caught up, and now he is in public school for the first time, (what an experience!) , He is going back to private school next year, he just needs closer attention. I feel I get more support from a private school, (probably because I am paying them), dealing with his special needs. He tried to sign up for football about two years ago, and he did not pass their physical,  this broke his heart, being a boy he wants to get involved and feels left out when he sees his friends going to practice. His sister is a varsity softball player, I know this also hurts him to witness her accomplishments. I have him signed up for acting classes, (he is a little comedian, I think it started as a cover up), his first movie will show on TNT in June 99, he is in three or four scenes, very small part , but he will be on TV. I thought this would make him feel accomplished, he will probably feel proud when he sees himself on TV, but I don’t hear much about it now. He came to me yesterday and asked to sign up for football again, of course I said we could try, but I am afraid for him, because he has exercise induced asthma, ( this is one of his triggers), and I can’t watch him be turned down again. His Doctor is going to start him on singulair, (I think that spelling is right), it is a preventative medicine. Has anyone tried it, and please say it works, how long does it take to start showing success? Is there any suggestions you have for my son? Thank you for all of your support, I will be looking forward to reading your posts. Sorry this is so long, but it is so hard to put 12 years in one story. Thanks, Danielle (worried Mom)

Response:

I have a twelve year old son who has had asthma since he was two, probably since he was born. He was not diagnosed until two. He has been through so much, it breaks my heart. At two the doctors in an HMO overdosed him with antibiotics, which infected, (or messed up some how), his small intestine, which has left him with bowel problems ever since. Poor kid, as if asthma is not enough. He has either been in private school or home school up until the seventh grade, because he would have asthma attacks, and bowel problems at school and I would have to take him home, therefore, he missed too much school. We did home school for three years to get him caught up, and now he is in public school for the first time, (what an experience!) , He is going back to private school next year, he just needs closer attention. I feel I get more support from a private school, (probably because I am paying them), dealing with his special needs. He tried to sign up for football about two years ago, and he did not pass their physical,  this broke his heart, being a boy he wants to get involved and feels left out when he sees his friends going to practice. His sister is a varsity softball player, I know this also hurts him to witness her accomplishments. I have him signed up for acting classes, (he is a little comedian, I think it started as a cover up), his first movie will show on TNT in June 99, he is in three or four scenes, very small part , but he will be on TV. I thought this would make him feel accomplished, he will probably feel proud when he sees himself on TV, but I don’t hear much about it now. He came to me yesterday and asked to sign up for football again, of course I said we could try, but I am afraid for him, because he has exercise induced asthma, ( this is one of his triggers), and I can’t watch him be turned down again. His Doctor is going to start him on singulair, (I think that spelling is right), it is a preventative medicine. Has anyone tried it, and please say it works, how long does it take to start showing success? Is there any suggestions you have for my son? Thank you for all of your support, I will be looking forward to reading your posts. Sorry this is so long, but it is so hard to put 12 years in one story. Thanks, Danielle (worried Mom)

Response:

Question:

Wishing you the best as you stop the effexor.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ((((Di)))) JimD — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.

Now stop right there young lady!  Who says we have assigned times when we should be helping others here?  I think we can all get what we can and give when we can.  No one should feel obliged!  When it happens, it happens!  (Besides, I haven’t even had the time to say hi to the new people and I don’t want to look bad.)  ;-) Hi new people!  :-)    I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}}

Wishing you the best with the med change! ((((Di)))) Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks so much Jim.  I really appreciate it.  :-) Hugs, Di

Wishing you the best as you stop the effexor.  I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ((((Di)))) JimD

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks. Now stop right there young lady!  Who says we have assigned times when we should be helping others here?  I think we can all get what we can and give when we can.  No one should feel obliged!  When it happens, it happens!  (Besides, I haven’t even had the time to say hi to the new people and I don’t want to look bad.)  ;-)

Thanks Tono!  :-)  You are right. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi new people!  :-)    I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Wishing you the best with the med change!

Thanks again Tono.  So far, so good. ((((Di)))) Tono

Hugs, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks so much Elise.  I hope the weeks go by fast.  :-) Hugs, Di

Hi, Di, Wishing you much success with the med change.

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di Hi Di — Glad to hear you’re nearly rid of the nausea. I hope you feel better with every passing hour. I’ll be interested to hear how you like your new drug combination. Love Deirdre

Thanks so much Deirdre.  I’ll be so grateful when I’m off this crap.  So far, so good with Inderal and Compazine.  It took 10 mgs. of Compazine and 1 mg. of Ativan for the nausea to go away, most of the way.  Took another Ativan a little while ago. Hugs, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di

Hi Di. I’m not sure why these two drugs are contraindicated but I’m sure it’s no big deal if your doc recommended both  I can pretty much guarantee you will feel less nausea after quitting Effexor – it is a very nauseating drug! If you are going through effexor withdrawal and you start taking Remeron be careful – both could make you eat like a horse.  I just quit Lexapro (another slightly nauseating drug IMO) and I am eating like crazy.  Be well! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Di, Wishing you much success with the med change.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea. I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di

Hi Di — Glad to hear you’re nearly rid of the nausea. I hope you feel better with every passing hour. I’ll be interested to hear how you like your new drug combination. Love Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea. I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that. I already sent you the email about the interaction, Di. Which isn’t clinically significant IMO. And taking the two together is not contraindicated. BTW benzos can be used for nausea. Occasionally I will take a Xanax for an upset stomach and find it very effective. Hope you feel better soon (((Di))) Chip

Thanks so much Chip.  I always appreciate it.  The Ativan helped and I took another one.  :-) Hugs, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di Hi Di. I’m not sure why these two drugs are contraindicated but I’m sure it’s no big deal if your doc recommended both  I can pretty much guarantee you will feel less nausea after quitting Effexor – it is a very nauseating drug! If you are going through effexor withdrawal and you start taking Remeron be careful – both could make you eat like a horse.  I just quit Lexapro (another slightly nauseating drug IMO) and I am eating like crazy.  Be well! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE

Thanks so much TJ.  You are soooooo right.  This is the worst med I’ve ever been on!  I’m not starting Remeron until I’m completely off Effexor.  I don’t mind the weight gain.  I need it.  LOL Hugs, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea.  I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.  Not too sure what it means.  Maybe that if I take Compazine the Inderal won’t work as well for migraines?  Well, as long as it doesn’t make me feel sicker I will take it.  I’m sure the nausea will pass once I’m off Effexor.  Just wanted to share and I hope everyone has an anxiety-free day. {{{{{ASAPM}}}}} Love, Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Everyone! I haven’t been really helping anyone lately, but I hope to as soon as I can get on Remeron which will be in a few more weeks.  I’m still weaning off of Effexor XR which has been giving me nausea for quite a while.  Yesterday I saw my GP and I have Inderal now for migraine prevention instead of Sibelium.  He also gave me a script for generic Compazine for the nausea. I read on Google that Inderal and Compazine are contraindicated or something like that.

I already sent you the email about the interaction, Di. Which isn’t clinically significant IMO. And taking the two together is not contraindicated. BTW benzos can be used for nausea. Occasionally I will take a Xanax for an upset stomach and find it very effective. Hope you feel better soon (((Di))) Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

Hi, I’ve been sufferig from epilepsy for about 12 years now, trying all sorts of medications and combinations without getting any noticable improvement. A year ago I started a new combination that improved my condition greatly, Sodium Valperate 700mg 3 times a day & Lamictal 75mg twice a day. unfortunately it brought with it some very aggrevating sideaffects. Several months after starting that combination,my right forefinger started trembling uncontrolably, later my pinky started the same kind of tremble and at the moment I’m starting to develop the same kind of tremble in my left hand as well. This is a very light tremble (not like "Parkinson"), steel it is very disturbing. For example, it forces me to hold my forefinger with my thumb if I don’t use it while typing to prevent it from disturbing my conentartion (this is only one example). Does anybody have any experiance with the use of this combination ? If you do, let me know. Thanks, B.G

Response:

Your best bet is to have it checked out next time you see your doctor.  It may be side effects from your meds that could be easily corrected.  

Response:

Hi BG, My daughter Harley used to be on that combination and i`m afraid to say it made her very very poorly ;-( She used to get "tremors" with it…in fact she got so bad that her whole body shook. But she obviously had a bad reaction to it. Could it be breakthrough sz`s? She also tremors from the ep. Have you ever tried Topiramate?…When Harley had to be weaned off the Lamotrogine,she was put onto that. Although she still doesn`t have full control,it has been the best combo she has had,and at the moment seems to be doing really well(for her!). My youngest son Marshall has just started on Lamotrogine with Epilim too,so please wish me(him!) luck! I hope you get some answers,please let us all know how you get on. Lisa,James,Harley and Marshall ;0) Zvi Galil <g_…@netvision.net.il

wrote in message

news:8umj9e$g3u$2@news.netvision.net.il… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi, I’ve been sufferig from epilepsy for about 12 years now, trying all sorts

of

medications and combinations without getting any noticable improvement. A year ago I started a new combination that improved my condition greatly, Sodium Valperate 700mg 3 times a day & Lamictal 75mg twice a day. unfortunately it brought with it some very aggrevating sideaffects. Several months after starting that combination,my right forefinger started trembling uncontrolably, later my pinky started the same kind of tremble

and

at the moment I’m starting to develop the same kind of tremble in my left hand as well. This is a very light tremble (not like "Parkinson"), steel it is very disturbing. For example, it forces me to hold my forefinger with my thumb if I don’t

use

it while typing to prevent it from disturbing my conentartion (this is only one example). Does anybody have any experiance with the use of this combination ? If you do, let me know. Thanks, B.G

Response:

You may want to be checked out by your doctor to see if it is side effects of medication.  You may also want him/her to check and see if it is the neurological movement disorder called essential tremor.  I have this and it makes me shake uncontrollably like you are talking about.  Hope you get the help you need. Rounder3 <round…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:20001113102239.20750.00001376@ng-fd1.aol.com… | Your best bet is to have it checked out next time you see your doctor.  It may | be side effects from your meds that could be easily corrected.

Response:

Hi, I see that you’ve already got some good recommendations already. It helps to know that you’re not alone, doesn’t it? My nieces has epilepsy and I have narcolepsy. I was put on a drug many years ago which I thought was an answer to prayer. It was called NARDIL. I have heard that it’s been around for a long time and not used too much anymore because of it’s diet constraints. If one doesn’t follow the diet restrictions instructed while taking the drug it could cause stroke/heart attack at any age. Anyway, I felt great on it initially,….was awake and had energy during the day. THEN the weird facial palsy stuff started happening. First gradually, just at night a couple of times and then more often and happening during the day. I was scared and didn’t think about relating side-effects to the drug at first. Then another side-effect was that I *couldn’t* get more sleep than 4 hours at a time and my body became more and more exhausted. The drug wasn’t "letting" my brain have normal sleep anymore in reverse. Narcolepsy without medication is when you fall asleep ALL the time. Needless to say, I reported to my doctor and was taken off the drug. She told me that the side-effects I had did happen to some people when taking Nardil. Additionally, once I was given *Phenothyiasine* (sp?) when I was a teenager for "dry heaves" when I was extremely ill with the flu. Gross,…but I kept retching even when I didn’t have any more to throw up. (sorry for description) By end of day two on it, it was throughing me into seizures. So unfortunately, what you’re experiencing could be directly related to your medication, but as the others have urged,….it’s best to go to your doctor about it. Sara  :) Zvi Galil <g_…@netvision.net.il

wrote in message

news:8umj9e$g3u$2@news.netvision.net.il… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi, I’ve been sufferig from epilepsy for about 12 years now, trying all sorts

of

medications and combinations without getting any noticable improvement. A year ago I started a new combination that improved my condition greatly, Sodium Valperate 700mg 3 times a day & Lamictal 75mg twice a day. unfortunately it brought with it some very aggrevating sideaffects. Several months after starting that combination,my right forefinger started trembling uncontrolably, later my pinky started the same kind of tremble

and

at the moment I’m starting to develop the same kind of tremble in my left hand as well. This is a very light tremble (not like "Parkinson"), steel it is very disturbing. For example, it forces me to hold my forefinger with my thumb if I don’t

use

it while typing to prevent it from disturbing my conentartion (this is only one example). Does anybody have any experiance with the use of this combination ? If you do, let me know. Thanks, B.G

______________________________________________________________________ Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com – Still Only $9.95 – http://www.uncensored-news.com  With Servers In California, Texas And Virginia – The Worlds Uncensored News Source

Response:

Question:

hi key, that happened for me on effexor and every other a-d  i tried including aurorix, celexor, tofranil and luvox. my doc said the effects would wear off over time- but they didn’t. it took great perseverance to get it up, let alone climax. naturally, being a guy, this is hard to take. I was going to say ‘hard to swallow’, but I’m trying to be serious here…. normal sexual response returns within weeks of giving up the a-d. at least it has for me. Erm, Wellbutrin is an a-d that’s known to have a positive effect on sex drive so, if you’re somewhere in the world where its available (its not available in Australia – dang!)  you could ask your pdoc to swap you over. hope this helps… rossco (aka brother john) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key Before you buy.

Response:

Key, I’m on 150mg Effexor a day also.  I’ve been on it for a few months.  I have the same problem.  It’s faded a little, but it still takes a long long time to reach orgasm.  I don’t know though, I think it’s different for everyone.   Jen(I know this didn’t help much) I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key

And there was much rejoicing,     yaaaaaaaayyyyyyy. "My head won’t leave my head alone" -Dave Matthews band

Response:

Hi key… It’s the same thing with Paxil… I don’t know how reduce side effect. Aline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key Before you buy.

Response:

I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key Before you buy.

Response:

     The side effects I experienced were similar to the ones experienced on 20 mg of Paxil.  I am now taking 225mg of Effexor XR.  I am experiencing delayed ejaculation, it now takes about 20 minuets.  As opposed to the usual 5 to 10 minuets unmedicated. I left off reading newspapers once i got my journalism degree and realized HOW THEY WERE PRODUCED, and by WHAT sort of … life form.                                             – Ron Zucchini

Response:

I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key

No sex drive and inability to reach orgasm.  I had the same side effects. After several months these side effects hadn’t gone away, so my pdoc added Wellbutrin.  Much, much better now.  :-)

Response:

Classic Effexor side effect. In some people the sex drive comes back. I don’t think the anorgasmia (is that what they call it?) goes away, if it’s one of the side effects for you, until you’re off Effexor. Then everything will be back the way it was before. Let the doc who prescribed it for you know if it’s a big issue for you. Take care. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m experiencing loss of sex drive and inability to reach orgasm on 150mg Effexor XR/day.  Has anyone had a similar experience and noticed a reduction of these side effects?  Basically, will I get my sex drive back? key Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg What, no web-cam?

i dunno , i’m not done yet . but it don’t feel empty . —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

What, no web-cam?

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.

As a 70 year old man, I am pleased to report (using various methods) that I have this experience approximately 75 times per month. How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? I take about 6 kinds of medication and it has slowed me down considerably as you can see by my number. And I ask you, docz, can you top this?

Response:

I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

  Orion The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.        Walden * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

+ I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I + wonder why? +Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA — For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail:

Response:

i want to see the prevalence sexual disinterest side effect of meds for depression. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -x-no-archive: yes ummmm…why do you wanna know. and  why should we wanna answer? (besides – how do you quantify this when  multiples are taken into consideration?) I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA – Sasha "I must live this chaos"            - Anais Nin

Response:

female. never achieved orgasm but still have hormones…. sex? whenever i want it, usually a fair bit at the moment. do not get me on the subject of sex when i have work to do… — And if I was an angel I could fly over Jordan And I wouldn’t need no Greyhound to save my soul But maybe that’s a good thing because I’ll be home before I know And if I was an angel I’d have a long way to go — Matraca Berg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

lines of text: Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate?

To have sex you must have a partner to do it with.  whether you a partner or not will affect the frequency of your sex much more than any level of depression would. truthseeker (Don’t forget to change header to seekertruth0 at mindspring.com if replying by email.)

Response:

+Please answer honestly. What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month. How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA

Well, I’m male, 22 years old, been diagnosed with dysthemia, and i’m on 225mg of Effexor Daily… With regards to sex, well, i’ll just say, i rub my firemans purple helmet till he spits in my eye(!)  one or twice a week, (8 to 10 times a month) or if i’m feeling fruity… I was one Seroxat once, which stopped my fireman sneezing!!!!!! (Not a very pleasant side effect, let me tell you). Oh, one more thing, i’ve also got a blue dick, as i’m a tight fisted wanker!!!!! DepressedNudist Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she! Lee * 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 would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

Shut up or I’ll tighten them again. Mary Beth

Response:

Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she!

I yield to a champion.:-)) Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lee * 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:

very, very easily thank you very much. And no, i don’t need *your* help so stay the hell away from me *plonk* away you go — *** DO NOT ADJUST YOUR MIND; THE FAULT IS WITH REALITY! Adam came first. But then, men always do. God created men because a vibrator couldn’t mow the lawn so you can make me cum — that doesn’t make you jesus

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

Response:

Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

Response:

Question:

Hello everyone i have not posted in a while but just wanted to let everyone know that i went for my first psych visit, she started me on 0.5mg of xanax and gave me the zoloft starter kit, she said start with the 25mg and cut them in have so that i will only be taking 12 1/2 mg for 4 days then take 25mg for a week then start on the 50mg. so i dont have many side effects she wants my body to adjust slowley. I  really like her my family doc wanted to start me on 50mg my psych doc says thats to much to start on so thats why she is starting my slowly. Has anyone else started slow like this, I am in a wedding in 3 weeks and i am hoping that i wont have one of my attacks while standing up there for 1 hr. ok well i guess i am done. Talk to everyone soon Diana

Response:

Hello everyone i have not posted in a while but just wanted to let everyone know that i went for my first psych visit, she started me on 0.5mg of xanax and gave me the zoloft starter kit, she said start with the 25mg and cut them in have so that i will only be taking 12 1/2 mg for 4 days then take 25mg for a week then start on the 50mg. so i dont have many side effects she wants my body to adjust slowley. I  really like her my family doc wanted to start me on 50mg my psych doc says thats to much to start on so thats why she is starting my slowly. Has anyone else started slow like this, I am in a wedding in 3 weeks and i am hoping that i wont have one of my attacks while standing up there for 1 hr. ok well i guess i am done. Talk to everyone soon Diana

Hi Diana! I’m glad to hear that you actually found a pdoc who seems to be doing everything right! Starting Zoloft at 12,5 mgs and then weaning on slowly with Xanax on the side is absolutely the best way to avoid or minimize initial side effects. Such docs are rare and as you also like her as a person you’ve been very lucky. About the wedding: maybe Zoloft will not yet be at therapeutic dose after three weeks, but Xanax will keep PA’s at bay. If necessary you could take some more Xanax that day – Xanax works very fast and will take care of an upcoming PA or prevent one from manifesting itself at all within 15-20 minutes for many people -but you should talk this over with your doctor. Philip

Response:

Hello everyone i have not posted in a while but just wanted to let everyone know that i went for my first psych visit, she started me on 0.5mg of xanax and gave me the zoloft starter kit, she said start with the 25mg and cut them in have so that i will only be taking 12 1/2 mg for 4 days then take 25mg for a week then start on the 50mg. so i dont have many side effects she wants my body to adjust slowley. I  really like her my family doc wanted to start me on 50mg my psych doc says thats to much to start on so thats why she is starting my slowly. Has anyone else started slow like this, I am in a wedding in 3 weeks and i am hoping that i wont have one of my attacks while standing up there for 1 hr. ok well i guess i am done. Talk to everyone soon Diana

 That is exactly the right way to start and if you DO experience any increase in anxiety while starting ask your doctor for a temporary amount of a benzo, for example Xanax to help you get past that, and to help you in the period where you are waiting for the real effects of the Paxil. I would surely want a bit for the wedding on hand just in case, as your Paxil wont probably be at full therapeutic levels at that time. Best of Luck! May — "Believe me! The secret of reaping the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment from life is to live dangerously!"      -                Nietzsche

Response:

DynaSoft66 wrote – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello everyone i have not posted in a while but just wanted to let everyone know that i went for my first psych visit, she started me on 0.5mg of xanax and gave me the zoloft starter kit, she said start with the 25mg and cut them in have so that i will only be taking 12 1/2 mg for 4 days then take 25mg for a week then start on the 50mg. so i dont have many side effects she wants my body to adjust slowley. I  really like her my family doc wanted to start me on 50mg my psych doc says thats to much to start on so thats why she is starting my slowly. Has anyone else started slow like this, I am in a wedding in 3 weeks and i am hoping that i wont have one of my attacks while standing up there for 1 hr. ok well i guess i am done. Talk to everyone soon Diana

Hi Diana, glad to hear you found a good pdoc, sounds like she is on top of things. You definitely want to start slow to minimize initial side effects, don’t try taking more to rush yourself into being ready for the wedding, this probably won’t help. You may see some improvement in the next three weeks, let’s hope so. Good luck with the Zoloft/Xanax combo. Ray

Response:

Question:

ya gotta hang in there with it!     Why are they so sure that the Effexor is possibly causing the manic reaction??  Why couldn’t it be one of the other drugs in the combination? (You’d said you were on more than one thing, right?)   Maybe you could just….um…take a little LESS of the Effexor, rather than stopping it altogether??    Don’t give up!   Don’t despair!  Hang in there!   {{{{{JENNY}}}}} — Connie

Response:

Jenny, Stay very very very close to us right now. Check in every 15 minutes if you want. Consider them YOUR 15 minute checks instead of theirs. Make us your locked ward. We love you dearly. We’ll all join hands and make a wall around you, your own living locked ward. Locked in our hearts anyway.  Breathe in, breathe out, let the minutes pass, you can get thru this. E-mail me every 5 minutes if you want, I’m sure there’s a line of ppl willing to be accessible to you during the hours I don’t have a computer. You can do this, it’s not as overwhelming as it feels, it’s a trick, trying to get you to panic and trip. Such a *smart* girl you are to ask for our help, we can tell you the truth… it IS illusory, you can get thru this. You can get to the other side, and look back and see it for what it is now… the past, something hard you got thru. Nobody could serve up the generous portions of love and truth that you give us…and not have the capacity to serve some to herself. We’ll spoonfeed you love and support if you need it, because we love you, and some of us (blush) have been where you are now, and know what we’re talking about.You recently sent me a massage about my inability to believe someon’e claims that it’s possible to eat and not go nuts.You told me to trust it was the truth b/c you had experienced it yourself. I’m sending you this message to tell you some of the same. You can get thru this, I have experienced that, and can tell you it’s true. Don’t give up.   -Sin Eater

Response:

I need some advice or at least some encouragement.  Please, please, could I have some responses, dearest friends — all it has to be is "hang in there" and "{hug}" — just PLEASE, say something to me.  I’m very confused….

As a former ruling member of the royal family of anxiety disorder, I definitely understand how you are feeling. (I’ve since abdicated my crown, but I was lucky.) What if you work out a deal with your therapist? Since part of the ed is needing to feel like you have control (and since you obviously don’t feel like you do), perhaps you can make some sort of arrangement which will help you to get off this med (if that’s what’s appropriate for you) but to help you feel like you have some options if you start feeling bad again. Jenny, I don’t know you *really* well…I mean, our contact has been limited to email exchange (and a few notes, right? =-) ) but you haven’t sounded like yourself in the last few posts I’ve read. This may *feel* better than it did before, but it might not be a great way to spend the rest of your life. Anyway, I want you to feel good and have a great life. You need to do what’s right for you. Maybe you can work out some sort of agreement with your therapist which will be acceptible to you both. Please write me if you need some hand-holding. Aside from being a hulktress, I’m also a pretty good listener. =-) Patti

Response:

jenny w. i keep searching for something to say that will just cheer you up, cheer you on, lessen the struggles and all that.  But i guess i cannot do that.  I know i cannot.  sigh.  but i wanted you to know i will be thinking of you.  i can only imagine how hard things are….meds, drs, ed, court, exes….sigh… and i just want you to know i think you are one of the most wonderful assets to this group.  i  mean, you have this quirky crazy (in a good way) manner of responding here and i think you are wonderful.  i dont know what else to say, but do know that you are being thought of. krista

Response:

I read your post and I wished I could just be there for you.  I wish there was a way for me to take it all away.  SO I closed my eyes and I tried to send you vibes.  Nice vibes of a good world.  Where things where o.k. and you know what… part of it came true.  There is some good out there as impossible as it may seem.  The spring rain, children’s laughter, a sweet little puppy.  There is stuff out there.  Here(I hope you are not allergic to puppies) can you feel the puppy.  Close your eyes and picture it.  It has a soft fur coat.  Cute little eyes.  I playful energy.  Hey.. it is licking you.  It loves you and thinks you are wonderful.  Just like that innocent little puppy there are other things out there that are good.  I hope some of it crosses your path soon.  But if it just doesn’t seem to be happening.  Be strong.  Jenny..you are an inspiration.  Your power to overcome what you have overcome is amazing.   There is a reason for that.  There is a plan.  SO maybe you have had to run into some really shitty stuff.  Maybe things keep running into you.   But you have survived and have been strong and you are fighting.  Wow you are amazing.  Keep going Jenny.  Keep going.  I am cheering you on 100%. I will be thinking about you. Here is a ton of hugs and stenghth vibes.          ((((((((((((((((((((JENNY)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))                                 Love and peace, Heather  

Response:

ok, bear of very little brain, here goes: (((((((((((((((((((((JENNY)))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((JENNY)))))))))))))))))))))))) (((((((((((((((((((((JENNY))))))))))))))))))))))))                     \ ///                      O   O                        /                        ..                      ^    ^                       __/ (that’s me giving you a demonic grin and lots o’cyber hugs!) love, moonbeam — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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Jenny, Stay very very very close to us right now. Check in every 15 minutes if you want. Consider them YOUR 15 minute checks instead of theirs. Make us your locked ward. We love you dearly. We’ll all join hands and make a wall around you, your own living locked ward. Locked in our hearts anyway.  Breathe in, breathe out, let the minutes pass, you can get thru this. E-mail me every 5 minutes if you want, I’m sure there’s a line of ppl willing to be accessible to you during the hours I don’t have a computer.

Jenny, I am home pretty much all day and if I work it’s in the evenings so I check the group and email often if you need to check in count me in as available for support! Every 5 minutes, every two minutes I don’t care if you need some extra support you got it!!!!If you need help I’m HERE for you!!!! HUGS  AND GOOD THOUGHTS TO YOU!!!!!                                       ~Beth~  You can do this, it’s not as overwhelming as it feels, it’s a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – trick, trying to get you to panic and trip. Such a *smart* girl you are to ask for our help, we can tell you the truth… it IS illusory, you can get thru this. You can get to the other side, and look back and see it for what it is now… the past, something hard you got thru. Nobody could serve up the generous portions of love and truth that you give us…and not have the capacity to serve some to herself. We’ll spoonfeed you love and support if you need it, because we love you, and some of us (blush) have been where you are now, and know what we’re talking about.You recently sent me a massage about my inability to believe someon’e claims that it’s possible to eat and not go nuts.You told me to trust it was the truth b/c you had experienced it yourself. I’m sending you this message to tell you some of the same. You can get thru this, I have experienced that, and can tell you it’s true. Don’t give up.   -Sin Eater

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<<rational self peeks head back in door and says the following… I don’t *know* what to do.  I need some advice or at least some encouragement.  Please, please, could I have some responses, dearest friends — all it has to be is "hang in there" and "{hug}" — just PLEASE, say something to me.  I’m very confused…. Thanks for letting me spew. Love, Jenny

Oh Jenny,   your post made me alternately want to cry and laugh…. you have a wonderful sense of humour, even when you are low and confused hugs?   encouragement?  you don’t have to ask twice Jenny {{{{{ JENNY }}}}}  {{{{{{ JENNY }}}}}}  {{{{{{ JENNY }}}}}}} you can do it Jenny,  I know you can, you’ve come a long  way,  you know you can continue Jenny…. you have wonderful children,  you are a wonderful person and lets face facts Jenny,  you are out of this world [grin] well, gotta keep this short as like i said in my post just before i’m trying to keep my time here down,…. but i couldn’t resist replying to this post Jenny. {{{{ few extra hugs to keep you going }}}}}}} take care love and hugs Susan

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<<<<<<<<<GIANT HUGS <<<<<<<<<EVEN MORE GIANT BEAR HUGS <<<<<<<<<hug <<<<<<<<hug X 100000000000000000000000000000000 Hang in there Jen! Gosh you’ve been through so much…. I just wish I could be there for you. <<<<<more hugs Take care Christine :~) <- tear in eye after reading your touching post! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hi.         Oh goodness, where to begin??? Jenny, is it possible to wait *before* making any changes with the Effexor to see just what happens with the mania? In other words, is the mania interfering with your life? How long has it lasted? Does it come and go within a days time? Could the mania be due to other medication? Another alternative might be to reduce the Effexor *then* see what happens, rather than stopping it altogether. That way, you could, hopefully, see exactly which medication is triggering the mania. It may not be the Effexor itself, but the Effexor combined with another medication. (I, obviously, no NOTHING about the side effects of medicine, so bear with me!) As much as you might hate the thought of this, if the mania *is* bad, could you add an anti-anxiety type of drug to use on a PRN basis?         I don’t know the relationship you have with your shrink,but has he ever steered you wrong before? I understand that medication is trial and error, so I don’t mean it in that way, but were you ever on a medication you *didn’t* want to stop, he thought you should, and his advice turned out to be right? I guess I would evaluate his track record and weigh that into the decision. I was also wondering if he had a strategy? One that sounds like a good alternative to stopping the Effexor, something hopeful? It doesn’t sound very encouraging to just stop something that is pretty much useful without having a back-up plan. I was curious about one thing. If you shrink can predict that you *WON’T* return to your depression, why hasn’t he been able to predict which medication *WILL* be helpful?? In other words, I think he is pretty arrogant to suggest that you won’t become depressed again, especially given your history. Jeepers, it doesn’t take an M.D. to figure that one out! *sigh* Could I slug your shrink?!? Well, I realize this is so much easier to say than do, Jenny, but my advice would be to do what you gut tells you to do. He may be a doctor,but you also know yourself very well. We don’t have to be conditioned to do what a doctor tells us to do. You know what is helpful, what isn’t, what feels good or bad, what your body can handle, etc. This relationship (with your shrink) should be a collaborative effort. Not just him telling you, or any client, what to do and the client following along like a little robot. Your input should matter A GREAT DEAL. If he isn’t respectful of that, find someone who is. I hope some of this has been helpful, Jenny. I am worried for you and really want you to continue feeling better. One last thought, I hope you don’t mind. Since it is hard to resist the urge, when you are feeling badly, to overdose on your medication, could you ask that the prescription only be filled for a few days worth? I know that is a pain to go to the drug store so often,but it may help. I understand how it feels to be suicidal, and I know that if you really want to do it there are other ways, but for me, it helped to get rid of any medication in the house, I became less impulsive. Just a thought. Lots of safe, warm hugs being sent your way…. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<JENNY ~~Emma P.S. Please keep us informed? — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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Dear Good People, Strange Days have indeed found us… or at least they’ve sure found me, and through their strange hours, we linger alone, etc. etc. (you all know the rest).  But it’s TOO strange, even for me — and I need some reassurance.  QUICKLY.  Five minutes ago.  No!  Wait!  I need it 100 years ago, in the year 1896!  You guys can do that, right? Here’s a quick rundown — a little background. Eating disorder, as you know, and as you’ve probably figured out by now, depression.  Then…. … worse depression.  Suicidal depression.  Overdose, overdose, overdose.  Hospital, hospital, hospital.  Always the locked ward. Hospital, ER, OD, stomach pump, locked ward, court examiner, hahahahahaha what a Big Joke *he* was!  Released to go home.  What a laugh — a laugh and a half… Out of hospital — but with new meds from previous hospital!  What would YOU do if someone just, like, *gave* you lots of Dangerous Drugs and you were feeling suicidal?  I think it’s obvious….. Back in hospital.  ER, stomach pump, locked ward, meds.  MORE meds. Increase meds.  Add meds.  Subtract meds.  Add another and another. Increase meds and cut one and add some more. (Psychiatry is done by trial and error.  The only difference, when they’re doing their little experiments, is psychiatrists don’t use rhesus monkeys or rats — they use People.  And who cares anyway?  If you’re in a Locked Ward, caged up, wrong side of the zoo — hell, you qualify as an animal so why NOT get into some experiments?  Shoot some of that hairspray in my eyes, doc.  Do it again, it hurts SO good.  Gimme some bacteria.  Inject me with Trial Medications.  More, more, MORE!  Oh how I adore being at the mercy of these fiends!) Released again.  OD again on prescribed psych meds.  Repeat. Hospital hospital hospital, then a "sub-acute care facility" — but it, too was locked.  Meds don’t work.  Won’t ever get better.  Screw everything.  Signing contracts not to hurt myself.   Like I cared…. Fifteen-minute checks…. half-hour checks…  screw it all, nothing’s going to work. THEN SOMETHING HAPPENED.  An entirely arbitrary combination of meds (they’re ALL arbitrary!!!!!!) started to have an effect.  LESS depression!  Feeling better!  It can’t be true!  Thank you, God, thank you! Going home, and STILL feeling better, and not quite believing it, but it’s TRUE.  One week, two weeks, three…. NO suicidal thoughts! Able to CONCENTRATE at work!  DOING things!  Opening my mail! Answering the phone!  Thank you, God, and PLEASE let it last…. THEN SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED.  A week ago I started getting a little bit manic.  Or… "manicky."  Manicky — that’s what one counselor said.  Can you believe it?  A *professional* said that to me. Manicky?  MANICKY??   Please.  That’s not even a WORD.  Maybe it *should* be a word, because after all it *does* rhyme with "panicky," but it’s NOT a word, and that’s goddamned inexcusable, making up words to fit your fancy!  Why *have* a language anyway?  DEATH to all those who would whimper and cry…. Manic (not manicky) — a state of mania.  Is it strictly medication-induced, or was I bipolar all along & this drug just triggered a manic episode?  Is it going to happen again?  It doesn’t matter right now — what DOES matter is that I have to stop taking the ONLY meds that ever helped me. I "have to" (more truthfully, I have been *told* to) taper down on the Effexor, and by tomorrow I’m supposed to be off of it entirely. I’M NOT FUCKING GOING TO DO IT.  No Way, No Day.  I *know* the depression will return if I do what I’m "supposed" to, and I WON’T DO IT!  Why should I do something to make myself feel BAD on PURPOSE?? My shrink says, "No, the depression won’t come back" in this reassuring voice that I *know* he’s creating artificially in order to trick me into doing this thing; I *know* he’s LYING.  He’s lying to me so I’ll stop taking the Effexor. I *KNOW* HE’S LYING, it’s so obvious!!!!  Son of a bitch!  Of COURSE the depression will come back!  Anything else flies in the face of Common Sense, and he KNOWS it and he’s LYING to me because he thinks I’m BETTER OFF suicidally depressed than having a little touch of mania!  BETTER OFF?  BETTER I HATE THIS!  I HATE THIS!  I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE THIS!  I don’t WANT to go off the meds.  I don’t *care* what he thinks.  He’s just being a PRICK! So anyway, like a Reasonable Person, I told him, "Just wait a minute here — I don’t *want* to be depressed again.  THIS isn’t so bad. He said, "It’s *not* better.  You’ll just have to trust me on that." << rational self steps in for a brief interjection — I *am* afraid, though, of what would happen if I have to go into the court-ordered psychologist’s assessment & am acting somewhat manic. That would…… not be good.  BUT only if I’m being delusional or hostile or something.  It could still be okay! <<anxiety attack — get in a doorway or other safe place, and cover ears AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!! I CAN’T STAND IT! <<rational self is ushered out of room at bayonet-point I *like* the Effexor & I don’t think a little bit of mania is going to hurt me or get me in trouble & I don’t CARE if it’s some goddamned "disorder."  I don’t fucking CARE!  My shrink can go to hell and fuck himself while he’s at it, and I’m REALLY, SERIOUSLY quite inclined to IGNORE said shrink’s instructions, and CONTINUE to take my Effexor; after all, I have a bottle of them with 270 tablets and 3 refills, and I’ll do as I damn well please with them! <<rational self peeks head back in door and says the following… I don’t *know* what to do.  I need some advice or at least some encouragement.  Please, please, could I have some responses, dearest friends — all it has to be is "hang in there" and "{hug}" — just PLEASE, say something to me.  I’m very confused…. Thanks for letting me spew. Love, Jenny

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