Question:

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking Pulmicort  in addition to Flovent?  My daughter was changed from Flovent 220 4 puffs 2x daily to 2 puffs of Flovent as well as 2 puffs of Pulmicort both twice daily. Dr. thinks she may be able to get the pulmicort deeper into her lungs, but wants to keep her on Flovent as well. She also is on an oral regimen.  Thanx in advance. Sorry to always ask so many questions, but am interested in others feedback.

Response:

Doesn’t make much sense to me. If he thinks the Pulmicort will penetrate deeper then why still use the FLovent? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking Pulmicort  in addition to Flovent?  My daughter was changed from Flovent 220 4 puffs 2x daily to 2 puffs of Flovent as well as 2 puffs of Pulmicort both twice daily. Dr. thinks she may be able to get the pulmicort deeper into her lungs, but wants to keep her on Flovent as well. She also is on an oral regimen.  Thanx in advance. Sorry to always ask so many questions, but am interested in others feedback.

Response:

To be honest the deeper pentration of Pulmicort is a promotional trick of the Pharmaceutical Company. Deeper penetration does not mean better action because the asthma inflamation is restricted to medium bronchi. Deeper steroid penetration may be joined with greater side effects as the drug is easily distributed to the blood from the pulmonary alveoli. Flovent has greater therapeutic index what means greater efficacy and less side effects. Rather stay with this drug. Marcin STrzondala MD

Response:

To be honest the deeper pentration of Pulmicort is a promotional trick of the Pharmaceutical Company. Deeper penetration does not mean better action because the asthma inflamation is restricted to medium bronchi. Deeper steroid penetration may be joined with greater side effects as the drug is easily distributed to the blood from the pulmonary alveoli. Flovent has greater therapeutic index what means greater efficacy and less side effects. Rather stay with this drug. Marcin STrzondala MD

I don’t knew, what you knew, but I think… …you have some friends from glaxo, …you don’t knew what Astra says, …you aren’t helpful for most ng-members, because your minds are indifferent and you make presumption of the work of an home-medician. You are right with the connexion of deeper penetration and Alveolitis. Lothar.

Response:

Question:

Howdy. I have a question.  I know from experience that exposure to a cat triggers a severe attack in me within an hour. I have an inhaler for these times. I am in the market for a home.  Should I even bother looking at the houses where cats are living?  I read on a couple web sites that within a few months, the allergen levels can be reduced to a non-harmful level.  Does anyone have experience with this?  I wonder what would have to be done – rip out all carpet, professional duct cleaning, etc.  Any help is appreciated – I’m missing out on some nice houses and want to know if I am being unrealistic.

Have the walls repainted, wash the curtains, and have the carpets professionally steam cleaned using the products that denature allergens. PS I can’t take meds b/c we’re thinking about becoming parents (I’m a woman! =)

Discuss this with your doctor.  They see this all the time and the combination of asthma meds and pregnancy is ‘routine’ to them. There is no ‘Army of One’ in the word: ‘Team’

Response:

Howdy. I have a question.  I know from experience that exposure to a cat triggers a severe attack in me within an hour Have the walls repainted, wash the curtains, and have the carpets professionally steam cleaned using the products that denature allergens.

I have a problem with this! I have read numerous accounts in this newsgroup where they paid a ‘Professional Carpet Cleaner’ to clean their carpets and use a so called product to eliminate allergies. Most have not met with success through this avenue, mostly because your average Carpet Cleaner is not an asthmatic nor a rocket scientist ( to put it mildly!), nor does it require any kind of training, just  a warm body and maybe a hustle attitude. Consequently, the average ‘behind the scenes’ experience that people have is that a Carpet Cleaner Guy will tell them they’ll take care of the allergy problem, then goes out and gets the Closest Shelf Product which happens to be for Dust Mites and uses it, and it does nothing for the Cat Allergen problem. However, the proper product is a Tannic Acid Solution at 3% which needs to be hand sprayed on the carpet on hands and knees…..no Carpet Cleaner guy is going to do this! You need to do it yourself!!! I steam cleaned my carpets 3 times myself to no avail, until I sprayed the Tannic Acid Solution, then that did a Big Trick!!

Response:

hi, we have a cat, and I am asthmatic. I used to get quite wheezy and needed my inhaler a lot when we lived in our last house. recently, we moved to London and our new house has no carpets at all, just wooden floors and tiles. The walls are painted – no wallpaper. since moving here, my asthma has improved beyond recognition. Now I only need my salbutamol inhaler before excercise and very occassionally when I feel a bit wheezy. I don’t think I ever want carpets again! Dan.

Response:

I am also very allergic to cats, so I can’t have one in my house. I had a cat the entire time I was growing up, but after 20 yrs, I had enough exposure to keep me from being in any house with cats. My last cat was outdoors only. And even with that, I had to take a shower when I went back in so I didn’t have any dander, saliva, etc. around me. However, once I was away from cats for a few years and have been using Serevent and Flovent during that time, I am having better luck. I agree with the carpet thing. I visited my sister a couple of years ago in her new house. It has no carpeting except in the bedrooms, and the sofa and chairs are leather. I was actually able to visit with her for most of the day. At least until the night that I could no longer resist her cat and he snuggled in my lap. Luckily I was staying at a hotel, so I was able to recuperate overnight. I didn’t take any more chances–just a pet and a rub here and there. In the past in her other houses, I was not able to spend more than an hour or so inside. And even then I still had problems while I was inside. I know that no carpets and less upholstery certainly helps. I can’t rely on that for my house, tho. Nothing works sufficiently to let me have another kitty of my own. I’ll just have to adore from afar… -Carly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi, we have a cat, and I am asthmatic. I used to get quite wheezy and needed my inhaler a lot when we lived in our last house. recently, we moved to London and our new house has no carpets at all, just wooden floors and tiles. The walls are painted – no wallpaper. since moving here, my asthma has improved beyond recognition. Now I only need my salbutamol inhaler before excercise and very occassionally when I feel a bit wheezy. I don’t think I ever want carpets again! Dan.

Response:

My allergy to cats is exactly like yours. After an hour or so, I’m wheezing from which i can recover fairly easy if I get away and have a nights rest Give me 4-12hours or so of exposure  and I am a very sick puppy. It wouldnt matter if you bought a house that had cats as long as you get rid of the carpets and then perhaps painted the walls. As to the statement that the allergen only lasts 2-6 months or so…. Carpets!!! Other than that there is a way to treat the old carpets with a Tannic Acid Solution that you can make yourself that will denature the cat allergen……. if you want more info ….just ask. Its worked for me. Moreover, I wouldnt let the fact that there was cats there before dissuade my purchase unless tearing up the carpets was out of the question. I made the mistake of moving into a NO PETS apt. but failed to find out ahead of time that they had a longstanding PETS ALLOWED policy before I moved in. Consequently, my apt. was making me very sick each and every weekend….I finally sprayed the carpets and denatured them…. and it was a miracle cure!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy. I have a question.  I know from experience that exposure to a cat triggers a severe attack in me within an hour. I have an inhaler for these times. I am in the market for a home.  Should I even bother looking at the houses where cats are living?  I read on a couple web sites that within a few months, the allergen levels can be reduced to a non-harmful level.  Does anyone have experience with this?  I wonder what would have to be done – rip out all carpet, professional duct cleaning, etc.  Any help is appreciated – I’m missing out on some nice houses and want to know if I am being unrealistic. PS I can’t take meds b/c we’re thinking about becoming parents (I’m a woman! =)

Response:

Howdy. I have a question.  I know from experience that exposure to a cat triggers a severe attack in me within an hour. I have an inhaler for these times. I am in the market for a home.  Should I even bother looking at the houses where cats are living?  I read on a couple web sites that within a few months, the allergen levels can be reduced to a non-harmful level.  Does anyone have experience with this?  I wonder what would have to be done – rip out all carpet, professional duct cleaning, etc.  Any help is appreciated – I’m missing out on some nice houses and want to know if I am being unrealistic. PS I can’t take meds b/c we’re thinking about becoming parents (I’m a woman! =)

Response:

http://www.aircleaners.com here If I were very allergic to cats { Which I Am } I would stay away from all homes that had cats in them. Its not worth the hassle of trying to find and clean all of the contaminated areas. Cat allergen can be very miserable to live with. Signature To Chat With A LIVE Sales Person { NOW ! } Click On The Box To The Right Add the HumanClick "Click to Chat" button to your own e-mails for free at www.humanclick.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy. I have a question.  I know from experience that exposure to a cat triggers a severe attack in me within an hour. I have an inhaler for these times. I am in the market for a home.  Should I even bother looking at the houses where cats are living?  I read on a couple web sites that within a few months, the allergen levels can be reduced to a non-harmful level.  Does anyone have experience with this?  I wonder what would have to be done – rip out all carpet, professional duct cleaning, etc.  Any help is appreciated – I’m missing out on some nice houses and want to know if I am being unrealistic. PS I can’t take meds b/c we’re thinking about becoming parents (I’m a woman! =)

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:

BPD is known to be "incurable". so is cancer, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and everything else except the common cold. If you get screwed by the insurance company call the board of insurance regulators in your state and file a complaint contact a lawyer and the newspapers-put some heat on them and they will pay-guaranteed

Thanks to everyone who replied.  All good advice. A few comments: I think that I got screwed by my employer rather than the insurance company. It was my employer who  CHOSE to switch from a better plan to one that reimburses psych drugs at 50%.   There were other plans to choose from and they chose this one. I used to pay 8 bucks for Zoloft while employed by these people under the old plan.  Isn’t that kind of like docking people’s salaries? One theory from another employee is that they wanted to cut costs and figured that this plan would screw the least amount of people.   PMS method? – I’m pretty sure that the drug is reimbursed at 50 percent no matter what the need is for it. But, I’m not certain about that. Boy am I confused. Generic Prozac? – I wonder why the psych doctor didn’t prescribe that for me. If it does the same thing and is exactly the same, what gives? Another question – is Prozac effective in helping to combat the tendency to get soooo freaking mad and disgusted that your entire body feels like it’s going to go through the roof?  That’s  one of my symptoms and I don’t mean road rage and stuff like that cuz that’s not what I get upset over. I get upset over nitwits like the people I work for.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -the major affective disorders like bp require an ongoing course of medication which changes frequently and costs money-they take the risk of insuring you ergo they take the liability of paying as well as the asset of receiving premiums LM

Response:

effective in helping to combat the tendency to get soooo freaking mad and disgusted that your entire body feels like it’s going to go through the roof?  That’s  one of my symptoms and I don’t mean road rage and stuff like that cuz that’s not what I get upset over. I get upset over nitwits like the people I work for.  

no not really in fact ity may alow you the pleasure of releasing this anger with less concern for your ramifications for doing so-a better plan is to stop demanding that those who do indeed act nitwitlike stop doing so since it won’t happen-you cannot change their nitwitdom but you can change your thoughts about how horrible their behavior is. This is cognitive therapy and it may allow you to stop reacting to others who push your buttons log on to www.rebt.org and get the book how to live with a neurotic by ellis it may be helpful LM

Response:

Christine wrote……

<snipped Here’s the real disheartening part of the story – I go to the drug store and find out that my company has switched insurance plans and that I have to pay aprox. $138.00 for a 30-day supply and will get only 50% of that back because it is a psychiatric drug.

insurance and with this plan I have to pay alot more out of  pocket if I am prescribed a brand name med when there is a generic available. You might want to inquire about how much they would cover if you were prescribed generic Prozac. Take care!! Jackie ~*~Beyond myself…….somewhere   I wait for my arrival~*~

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Christine wrote…… <snipped Here’s the real disheartening part of the story – I go to the drug store and find out that my company has switched insurance plans and that I have to pay aprox. $138.00 for a 30-day supply and will get only 50% of that back because it is a psychiatric drug. health insurance and with this plan I have to pay alot more out of  pocket if I am prescribed a brand name med when there is a generic available. You might want to inquire about how much they would cover if you were prescribed generic Prozac. Take care!! Jackie ~*~Beyond myself…….somewhere  I wait for my arrival~*~

all good responses but will only add that any doc who claims prozac is really the best drug for this or for you is talking outa paper butt if you catch my drift. Prozac is typically more stimulating then zoloft and if you had severe side effects to zoloft you may not tolerate prozac any better. They both do similar things slightly differently in ones brain. If you have gad the best treatment is a combination of a benzo and an ad med and I prefer the more sedating ad meds for this not the more stimulating ones-if he is so hell bent on the ssri class ask for some samples for paxil as for insurance reimbursement: consider it a terrorist attack on ones well being and medical health-managed care sucks LM ps. don’t let him give you the crapola about using buspar and an ad instead of a benzo-although it can work for those lucky few the benzo alone will help the generalized sensation of anxiety

Response:

BPD is known to be "incurable".

so is cancer, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and everything else except the common cold. If you get screwed by the insurance company call the board of insurance regulators in your state and file a complaint contact a lawyer and the newspapers-put some heat on them and they will pay-guaranteed the major affective disorders like bp require an ongoing course of medication which changes frequently and costs money-they take the risk of insuring you ergo they take the liability of paying as well as the asset of receiving premiums LM

Response:

forgot to mention this… while asking my company’s benefits coordinator what the story was with reimbursement, she asked, "Well, what kind of drug is it – is it a psychiatric drug or is it medically necessary? to which I responded – "IT’S BOTH". Boy, does that make me MADDDD!!!!!<

Well said! P.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yesterday, I met with the ole psych doctor to figure out what med I should start taking for GAD.  I had been using Zoloft in the past but didn’t get past 50 mg and stopped taking it because I thought it was causing me to wake up in the middle of the night.  While discussing my options with the doc, I asked him (like a always do), "Why is Zoloft your drug of choice for me?" He said that the reason he had prescribed Zoloft in the past was because it has a better track record for people actually getting through the initial side effects than Prozac has AND it has helped to ease many different kinds of anxiety situations (OCD, GAD, panic, etc..)  However, his opinion was that thee BEST drug for me to TRY would actually be Prozac.  He stated that although Prozac is a tough one to use at first (because of the jitteryness and anxiety inital side effects), in the long run it is VERY effective in treating GAD once it really kicks in. The plan was for me to very slowly ween (sp?) myself on it by starting with five (5) mg. then 10, then 15 and then 20 eventually over the course of 2 months (if that’s what it takes).  He said that although not gaurenteed, the chances are high that if I get through the side effects that the drug will do its job well.  Anyone agree? I’m kind of scared to death to take this stuff and can imagine freaking out from anxiety.

Prozac is the most stimulating of the SSRI

Question:

I’ve noticed, and maybe it is bogus until next years allergy season comes around, but since I switched to water and not much else in May, I’ve had virtually no problem with allergies, not even when I flew to Houston in July. My breathing is WAY better than it used to be. Now, I don’t always have a lot of allergies in summer, but slightly stuffed up is not unusual for me. But I’ve not been all summer, except for one head cold. So I can see that yes, it might help asthmatics. Anyway, if anyone is an allergy sufferer, it may be worth a try. I should know more next spring… Cynthia G – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For info, read http://dietchef.ecorp.net/articles/health/water.htm <snip I also just read that adequate hydration during exercise makes you able to breath much more efficiently.  In fact,  asthmatics who drank water while exercising cut way back on rescue inhaler use. If you are trying to lose weight, you should drink 64 ounces and then 8 ounces for each 25 pounds over weight you are. Once I actually made myself drink it, I find I crave it now. — claudia 565/355/157 To email me remove the potatoes Tipletter Writer for Dieting CyberTip4theDay Subscribe today:  http://www.CyberTip4theDay.com For hundreds of free low-fat recipes and info visit Claudia’s Corner http://dietchef.ecorp.net Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

Many in this newsgroup are more knowledgeable as to why we need to drink more… and I’ve often heard it said you should drink 64oz minimum PLUS an extra 8oz for every 25lbs you wish to lose.  Someone else suggested that you half your weight and drink that many oz’s daily…. Drink up.. You’ll be glad you did.

here is the link: http://www.classicx.com/html/2super.html   THE WATER QUESTION i not more knowledgeable than others, just great at grabbing links! rosie

Response:

I go through 2-2 litre pitchers a day.  I think most people here drink more than that, but I remember a time when I thought drinking a 32 oz tumbler of water was a huge acomplishment! I found, the colder the water, the better. Lisa B. 243/223/160 "There is more to life than increasing its speed" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

For info, read http://dietchef.ecorp.net/articles/health/water.htm An average sized person who is a total couch potato and not trying to lose weight should drink a minimum of 64 ounces a day.  If you are more active and/or trying to lose weight you need to drink a lot more.  When you don’t drink a lot of water, you lose weight much more slowly.  Weight loss occurs as your liver breaks down fat deposits and flushes them out of your body. But when you don’t drink enough water, your kidneys can not do their job and there fore your liver stops or slows metabolizing fat and helps the kidneys do their job.  No matter what, your body will always by default make sure that you remain a live as long as possible.  What your kidneys do is essential to survival, so by default the liver will take over some of it’s work. I also just read that adequate hydration during exercise makes you able to breath much more efficiently.  In fact,  asthmatics who drank water while exercising cut way back on rescue inhaler use. If you are trying to lose weight, you should drink 64 ounces and then 8 ounces for each 25 pounds over weight you are. Once I actually made myself drink it, I find I crave it now. — claudia 565/355/157 To email me remove the potatoes Tipletter Writer for Dieting CyberTip4theDay Subscribe today:  http://www.CyberTip4theDay.com For hundreds of free low-fat recipes and info visit Claudia’s Corner http://dietchef.ecorp.net

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

I like drinking water.  I also have a weakness for soda.  I drink about 6-8+ glasses of water today.  I tell ya.  I have known 4 people who have had kidney troubles this year.  I’m not certain what caused it in each of the women, but I know I’m gonna drink my water! Denise http://www.chistell.com

Response:

I drink 100 oz./day…this is fairly new for me (only a week) but it is getting easier. Good Luck, Renee

Response:

Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

brenda, although i follow the recomendation you mentioned below, my water intake is roughly 1/2 of my weight, ounce wise…..just a strange coinkydink with me Julie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Allen… I was one of those who rarely ever drank water, but I decided it was one of the things I was going to give an honest try this time around.  I started out with what’s considered minimum water intake for everyone..8 x 8oz glasses per day or 64ozs.  Within days, I had doubled it to 128ozs and it’s been the easiest change I could have ever made in my WOE.  It helps to curb my hunger; it makes my entire body function better…and I feel much better.  I now consider it one of the most important elements of my WOL. Many in this newsgroup are more knowledgeable as to why we need to drink more… and I’ve often heard it said you should drink 64oz minimum PLUS an extra 8oz for every 25lbs you wish to lose.  Someone else suggested that you half your weight and drink that many oz’s daily…. Drink up.. You’ll be glad you did. Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

Hi Allen… I was one of those who rarely ever drank water, but I decided it was one of the things I was going to give an honest try this time around.  I started out with what’s considered minimum water intake for everyone..8 x 8oz glasses per day or 64ozs.  Within days, I had doubled it to 128ozs and it’s been the easiest change I could have ever made in my WOE.  It helps to curb my hunger; it makes my entire body function better…and I feel much better.  I now consider it one of the most important elements of my WOL. Many in this newsgroup are more knowledgeable as to why we need to drink more… and I’ve often heard it said you should drink 64oz minimum PLUS an extra 8oz for every 25lbs you wish to lose.  Someone else suggested that you half your weight and drink that many oz’s daily…. Drink up.. You’ll be glad you did.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

I like a good night’s sleep, so I usually don’t drink much water after about 9 PM unless I go for a walk later than that.  I go to bed pretty late (midnightish) so that’s usually plenty of time so that I avoid having to pee all night. Katie 183/168/163 Y4K:  568  /4000 — To reply by e-mail, take out all the x’s.

I drink a ton of water everyday on everyone’s advice.  But I try not to drink too much too late after one night a few nights ago waking up 3 times having to pee something terrible!  LOL! Desert Wind 296/291/125 Please visit my website

Response:

i know about those late nite potty visits. my biggest problem is getting my eyes to open up enough so i don’t trip over the dogs!! lol-janzbug

Response:

Hi Desert Wind, The nights when I have to get up and pee during the night is one I cherish. That usually is followed by a woosh the next morning Michael I drink a ton of water everyday on everyone’s advice.  But I try not to drink too much too late after one night a few nights ago waking up 3 times having to pee something terrible!  LOL! Desert Wind 296/291/125                      Please visit my website

– 214/197.5/190 Lowfat/Lowcal since Aug 26

Response:

I drink a ton of water everyday on everyone’s advice.  But I try not to drink too much too late after one night a few nights ago waking up 3 times having to pee something terrible!  LOL! Desert Wind 296/291/125

Please visitmy website

Response:

Water!!!! I drink it when I read ASD, every time I see the word "water, drink, drank, or drunk."  (It’s the ASD Drinking Game. Other than that, I drink *at least* 64 oz. per day, plus extra glasses in little "water rituals" such as the ASD Drinking Game, whenever I’m waiting for food to cook in the microwave, or whenever I’m in class or studying. Claudia’s right about asthma too – I’ve had fewer problems breathing since I’ve been fully hydrated (which in turn cuts down on my essential tremor because I’m not taking my inhaler as much). Basically, water is just *the* thing.   Ambrosia.  The Elixer of Life. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 Y2K 60/2000

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

…..and a catheter! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

Yep, I do think there is a relationship. I’ve been bad about drinking for two days now and I’ve noticed I am stuffier. Gotta go fill that water glass! Cynthia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Cynthia, I noticed the same thing.  All the more reason to drink that water. I’ve noticed, and maybe it is bogus until next years allergy season comes around, but since I switched to water and not much else in May, I’ve had virtually no problem with allergies, not even when I flew to Houston in July. My breathing is WAY better than it used to be.

Response:

Cynthia, I noticed the same thing.  All the more reason to drink that water.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve noticed, and maybe it is bogus until next years allergy season comes around, but since I switched to water and not much else in May, I’ve had virtually no problem with allergies, not even when I flew to Houston in July. My breathing is WAY better than it used to be. Now, I don’t always have a lot of allergies in summer, but slightly stuffed up is not unusual for me. But I’ve not been all summer, except for one head cold. So I can see that yes, it might help asthmatics. Anyway, if anyone is an allergy sufferer, it may be worth a try. I should know more next spring… Cynthia G For info, read http://dietchef.ecorp.net/articles/health/water.htm <snip I also just read that adequate hydration during exercise makes you able to breath much more efficiently.  In fact,  asthmatics who drank water while exercising cut way back on rescue inhaler use. If you are trying to lose weight, you should drink 64 ounces and then 8 ounces for each 25 pounds over weight you are. Once I actually made myself drink it, I find I crave it now. — claudia 565/355/157 To email me remove the potatoes Tipletter Writer for Dieting CyberTip4theDay Subscribe today:  http://www.CyberTip4theDay.com For hundreds of free low-fat recipes and info visit Claudia’s Corner http://dietchef.ecorp.net Hi: How much water do you all drink?  I have been trying to do about 50-60 oz. Is that enough? Perhaps we can setup intravenous water HAHAHAHHA thanks allen

Response:

Question:

Brenda, I have never taken Zoloft, but I am on Paxil and when I began taking it I too had increased anxiety for a few weeks.  I did not want to take my Xanax 3 times a day like the doc said.  I finally gave up and began taking it twice a day. Yes I was sleepy but not so anxious now I am on my eight week and take 10mg Paxil and Xanax only if I really need it like going on a long trip or anything out of the ordinary.  My Xanax prescription is .5 mg.  I began Paxil at 5mg, stayed there for a week and then took about 7mg (I had to break the tablets) for another two weeks and then the 10mg.  Your Zoloft dosage may be too high for the beginning.   25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

Mine was better by day 8…However, I just upped my dose and am worse than ever…So it comes back each time you up the dose while your body gets used to it apparently…And don’t worry about taking the Xanax for this…I’ve noticed the worst of the side-effects lasted about 8 hours after taking it… .5 mg every 4 hours will kill most of this, and then you can take less or none later…And believe me 1-2 mg of Xanax is a small dose…The studies on dependency often say it takes either a large dose (4 mg + daily) or a long period of time (many months) to get a dependency…Even then it just means you have to ween off the stuff slowly…Hope this helps…Also, I am right there with you having upped my dose recently… Take Care, — Charles Phipps

Response:

Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

Brenda –   If the anxiety is high enough, .25 mg Xanax WILL NOT work…This is why I take .25 mg every 4-6 hours…Once the anxiety kicks in you have to take more often to get rid of it…Try another .25 if the first doesn’t work…This is also why I have to take so much xanax in the morning…The combo of morning obsessions (the day’s going to suck), having taken the Zoloft, and not having taken Xanax in 8 hours leads to a terrible time…Anyway, hang in there… — Charles Phipps

Response:

Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that???

Response:

I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

My pdoc uses a "one month" rule. If side effects are still bad after a month, then it’s time to try something new. If nothing has really happened, even if the depression hasn’t really lifted, he say’s to stick it out until 2 months. Don’t worry about the Xanax right now…but..you made need something longer acting to help with your anxiety. You may want to make an emergency appointment with your doc about using Klonipin, which lasts fairly long in the body, and after a month, you can decide if you wish to stay on them. Believe me though..I took Xanax and Zoloft…and I had MAJOR rebounds when the Xanax wore off. If you really feel you can’t function, then maybe you should try another med. BUT, I ask you, you may want to try the Klonipin route first. Best of luck…and keep posting. We are here to support you.. James MacLachlan

Response:

I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

Hi Brenda, You’re taking a *very* low dose of Xanax. On the other hand you’re on a nice low starting dose of Zoloft. In my unprofessional opinion it might be worth trying .5 mgs of Xanax (0.125 is too little), that is two tabs of .25 mg and see how that works before ending Zoloft maybe prematurely. If that doesn’t work either (and you should know within one day, so you won’t have the time to develop Xanax-dependence) I’d say Zoloft isn’t the med for you in which case the best thing to do often is to try another SSRI (Luvox has the lowest side effect profile rep) or maybe move on to a TCA. Philip

Response:

Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

Heart racing is not a benzo side effect, it is anxiety talking here. It’s harmless (but can feel quite alarming, doesn’t it?). Xanax will make you drowsy in the beginning, it’s a side effect which will disappear. Philip

Response:

Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that???

Yesssss, I don’t think it’s your lungs BTW but rather your chest (and possibly back) muscles. No reason to raise the Zoloft quicker than you feel you can. Of course 12,5 mg is not a therapeutic dose (although nothing surprises me anymore about this disorder and sometimes seemingly sub-therapeutic doses do actually help) but your doctor shouldn’t be in such a hurry, take your time! Philip

Response:

Philip Peters wrote to: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that??? Yesssss, I don’t think it’s your lungs BTW but rather your chest (and possibly back) muscles. No reason to raise the Zoloft quicker than you feel you can. Of course 12,5 mg is not a therapeutic dose (although nothing surprises me anymore about this disorder and sometimes seemingly sub-therapeutic doses do actually help) but your doctor shouldn’t be in such a hurry, take your time!

I just want to reinforce what Philip says here. The whole idea is to *work up to* a therapeutic dose. Not to scare you away from it. Please don’t let your pdoc bully you on this one. Doctor and patient must work *together* for optimal results. Be easy, Kathryn

Response:

I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

Response:

Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <major snippage I’ve been in constant pain for months and they’ve run more tests than I wanted them to, cat scans and ultrasounds in addition to blood tests. They tell me that pain can be from being BP. Are you saying not? brownee Brownee, I’ve had chronic back pain since a teenager, some…er…30 years ago. I even had an operation on a couple of disks back in ‘84, but was still in a lot of pain and used a cane to get around, had a handicapped plate, the whole bit.  When I started on my first antidepressant, I became pain free within three months.  That was 5+ years ago, and I don’t even remember where my cane is now.  So in my case, the pain was certainly related at least to the depressive side of bipolar;  but since I’ve been hypomanic nearly all my life, I’d vote that it’s the BP making me feel the pain.

That makes me think — an occasionally meritorious thing to do IMO — if not carried to excess of course. I wonder if BP-heightened sensitivities could somehow magnify small "normal" aches and pains into what becomes excruciating sensations for us??? It’s like the pain signals are being processed through a mental amplifier before impacting upon the portions of our brains that register pain. Hummm …. So it is all in my head after all. <G Brian

James

Response:

hey mc, same here. recently increased zoloft and all achey all over. also last summer while manic and on no meds i was in terrible pain that i couldn’t explain–neck, back, joints, bones, feet—even my hair hurt. must be that hypersensitivity or maybe the psychic pain manifesting as physical.     best, lny

Response:

Hi Brownee–I have major aches and pains, too. I’ve blamed it on fibromyalgia–or something– for quite some time…… Just read tonight that one of the more obscure side effects of Zoloft ( and the other SSRI’s, I assume ) is major joint aches…..Interesting, since I’ve been alot worse lately and have also recently upped my dose of Z. You might also do a search on Substance P. It’s a neurotransmitter that is related to pain transmission and they’ve also found it to have marvelous AD effects…..They’re making it sound like it’s gonna be the next generation of successful ADs…..and pain relievers.   mc

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <major snippage I’ve been in constant pain for months and they’ve run more tests than I wanted them to, cat scans and ultrasounds in addition to blood tests. They tell me that pain can be from being BP. Are you saying not? brownee Brownee, I’ve had chronic back pain since a teenager, some…er…30 years ago. I even had an operation on a couple of disks back in ‘84, but was still in a lot of pain and used a cane to get around, had a handicapped plate, the whole bit.  When I started on my first antidepressant, I became pain free within three months.  That was 5+ years ago, and I don’t even remember where my cane is now.  So in my case, the pain was certainly related at least to the depressive side of bipolar;  but since I’ve been hypomanic nearly all my life, I’d vote that it’s the BP making me feel the pain.

Hey, thanks for giving me some hope that there will be some relief to this pain. I have a lot of joint pain which they insist is not arthritis and sometimes move so stiffly and awkwardly that I scare the cats. I was not looking forward to that for the rest of my life. That makes me think — an occasionally meritorious thing to do IMO — if not carried to excess of course. I wonder if BP-heightened sensitivities could somehow magnify small "normal" aches and pains into what becomes excruciating sensations for us??? It’s like the pain signals are being processed through a mental amplifier before impacting upon the portions of our brains that register pain. Hummm …. So it is all in my head after all. <G Brian James

That’s kind of what I was thinking throughout the "intrusions" thread. Maybe it’s all the same thing. Maybe we’re just so hypersensitive to everything. On the other hand, when I had surgery to relieve pain, the doctors felt that, based on my behavior, I could wait until the next non-emergency surgery, 2 weeks away. When I woke up, the doctor was there apologizing for making me wait those 2 weeks — what he’d found inside would have made him schedule immediate surgery if he’d known. Maybe we learn to "maintain" in front of the "normals"? Well, speaking of intrusions, today was a nice rainy day in the NW and I didn’t have to leave the house today or even do too much around the house and got to enjoy the peaceful sound of rain on the skylight. No kids shrieking, no bass thrumming, no basketballs thwumping. no dogs barking. Just rain. It was wonderful. brownee

Response:

Question:

    Recently I read a study on sibutramine (Meridia).  I had read several others, but not recently.  In this study patients on 5 mg lost more weight than those on placebo.  Patients taking 20 mg lost far more than those taking 5 mg or placebo.  All patients were consuming structured diets, using behavioral modification, and mild exercise.     My question is this: since the drug appears useful in weight reduction (which I guess it’d have to be, to have ever been approved) why are so many people not seeing results with it?  I know a few people have seen results, but the majority, myself included, have been disappointed.     Why would prior phen-fen use make one less likely to benefit from Meridia (which seems to be the common opinion)?  I only took Meridia for 4 weeks; I didn’t want to fork out that much money for another month if it wasn’t doing anything.  Do the effects increase with time?  The study I refer to was only a 12-week study, although none of the participants  were currently using other meds, so phen users would have been excluded from the study.     Any ideas? Adria

Response:

I’ve been on 10mg per day of Meridia for two weeks and I’ve lost 8 pounds. As a purely subjective speculation, I wonder if it may be effective for so few people because it may work on just a single cause of obesity, that being due to an out-of-whack appetite. For as long as I can remember I’ve been able to look at what most people would consider a normal sized portion of food and know before I ever start eating that my appetite won’t be satisfied until I eat two or three times that amount. This is even more of a problem with sweet and/or fatty foods than it is with things like fruits and vegetables. I also tend to think about food very frequently throughout the day and as a result eat frequent snacks. This is independent of habit, mood, emotional or physical condition or any other variable I can think of. The bottom line is I just seem to be hard-wired to overeat. The Meridia seems to have almost magically "reset" my perception of how much food is enough. I prepare small portions of relatively healthful, varied kinds of foods, and even though sometimes my stomach feels physically hungry, I can easily resist what is now a much weakened urge to snack or overeat. And although it’s a distant secondary consideration, the price of the medication is a motivating factor, too! I’d hate to be spending so much money on something that turned out to be ineffective. Of course I realize 2 weeks isn’t very long, but since my doctor is concerned about my gradually but steadily increasing blood pressure and has told me a weight loss of even 10 or 20 pounds will likely prevent my having to control it with medication, even the weight I’ve already lost is of beneft.

<most of reply snipped – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -4) In the Meridia studies, patients did the best on the larger doses (20 and 30 mg), but the blood pressure results were unacceptable. The largest dose Knoll could get approved was 15 mg. Of the surveys I’ve gotten (something like 300 of them), I’d say about 80 percent of the people were not satisfied with the results they got. Barbara Barbara Hirsch, Publisher Obesity Meds and Research News OMR Web Site: http://www.obesity-news.com

Response:

   Why would prior phen-fen use make one less likely to benefit from Meridia (which seems to be the common opinion)?  

Here are a few reasons: 1) Phentermine and fenfluramine are releasers and reuptake inhibitors, Meridia is only a reuptake inhibitor of norepinephrine and serotonin. 2) Phentermine works on dopamine, whereas Meridia has a very small action on dopamine (which is one of the reasons some folks get sleepy on it). 3) Most people develop some what of a tolerance to obesity medications after a while. So if you develop a tolerance,  and you start taking a weaker drug, you are likely to see poor results. Of course, every one’s receptors are different, and YMMV. 4) In the Meridia studies, patients did the best on the larger doses (20 and 30 mg), but the blood pressure results were unacceptable. The largest dose Knoll could get approved was 15 mg. Of the surveys I’ve gotten (something like 300 of them), I’d say about 80 percent of the people were not satisfied with the results they got. Barbara Barbara Hirsch, Publisher Obesity Meds and Research News OMR Web Site: http://www.obesity-news.com

Response:

I’ve been on 10mg per day of Meridia for two weeks and I’ve lost 8 pounds. As a purely subjective speculation, I wonder if it may be effective for so few people because it may work on just a single cause of obesity, that being due to an out-of-whack appetite.

Meridia doesn’t work on any cause of obesity, it’s an appetite suppressant, and the serotonin component *may* help with OCD. But the jury is still out on that. But phen/fen didn’t work on a cause of obesity either. At this point in time researchers conclude that a variety of "susceptibility genes" cause people to be obese. The only way you could accurately treat an obese person is by knowing what those genes were, and then develop drugs or gene therapy to treat. We are many, many years from that point. I can easily resist what is now a much weakened urge to snack or overeat. And although it’s a distant secondary consideration, the price of the medication is a motivating factor, too! I’d hate to be spending so much money on something that turned out to be ineffective.

I’m glad it’s working for you. There’s no arguing with success <G! Of course I realize 2 weeks isn’t very long

No it isn’t. Let me know how you feel in another six months. If you still think it’s effective. Barbara Barbara Hirsch, Publisher Obesity Meds and Research News OMR Web Site: http://www.obesity-news.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Recently I read a study on sibutramine (Meridia).  I had read several others, but not recently.  In this study patients on 5 mg lost more weight than those on placebo.  Patients taking 20 mg lost far more than those taking 5 mg or placebo.  All patients were consuming structured diets, using behavioral modification, and mild exercise.    My question is this: since the drug appears useful in weight reduction (which I guess it’d have to be, to have ever been approved) why are so many people not seeing results with it?  I know a few people have seen results, but the majority, myself included, have been disappointed.    Why would prior phen-fen use make one less likely to benefit from Meridia (which seems to be the common opinion)?  I only took Meridia for 4 weeks; I didn’t want to fork out that much money for another month if it wasn’t doing anything.  Do the effects increase with time?  The study I refer to was only a 12-week study, although none of the participants  were currently using other meds, so phen users would have been excluded from the study.

My own belief is that the mechanisms involved are quite different.  If you were having success with phen/fen, this points heavily in the direction of problems with serotonin levels (Phen increases the release of serotonin, fen slows down the reabsobtion).  Meridia does not greatly affect the serotonin levels – it works (when it works) in other ways.  So it PROBABLY would be true in the other direction as well – IF you are helped by Meridia the odds would be good that Phen/Fen wouldn’t help you much (if you could get it).

Response:

My own belief is that the mechanisms involved are quite different.  If you were having success with phen/fen, this points heavily in the direction of problems with serotonin levels (Phen increases the release of serotonin, fen slows down the reabsobtion).

Phentermine is thought to act by releasing dopamine and retarding its reuptake.  I’ve never heard of it affecting serotonin. Meridia does not greatly affect the serotonin levels – it works (when it works) in other ways.

Siburamine is, like venlafaxine (Effexor), a NE/SRI, reducing the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin. — Steve Dyer

Response:

Harold, I read what you wrote about Phentermine. You got it all wrong. I’d suggest reading the articles on Phentermine on the web site for Rx on the Internet. Love your Dutch name. I am Dutch also.   John Bowen   Nipomo, California   http://www.thegrid.net/jhbowen/life.htm  "Too bad the only people who know how to run this country are too   busy driving cabs and cutting hair." — George Burns

Response:

phentermine releases stored norepinephrine. Main site of activity appears to be thecerebral cortex and the reticular activating system. Promotes nerve impulse transmissions by releasing stored norepinephrine from nerve terminals in the  brain.

I always understood amphetamine, phentermine and the like worked (to the extent that we know how any of these drugs "work") by enhancing the release and reducing the reuptake of dopamine, not NE. — Steve Dyer

Response:

phentermine releases stored norepinephrine. Main site of activity appears to be thecerebral cortex and the reticular activating system. Promotes nerve impulse transmissions by releasing stored norepinephrine from nerve terminals in the  brain.

Response:

Steve, Since sibutramine inhibits re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine, do you think that Wellbutrin (buproprion) would also work for weight loss since it is a dopamine-reuptake inhibitor?   Thanks! Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – phentermine releases stored norepinephrine. Main site of activity appears to be thecerebral cortex and the reticular activating system. Promotes nerve impulse transmissions by releasing stored norepinephrine from nerve terminals in the  brain. I always understood amphetamine, phentermine and the like worked (to the extent that we know how any of these drugs "work") by enhancing the release and reducing the reuptake of dopamine, not NE. — Steve Dyer

Response:

Since sibutramine inhibits re-uptake of serotonin and dopamine, do you

Serotonin and norepinephrine. think that Wellbutrin (buproprion) would also work for weight loss since it is a dopamine-reuptake inhibitor?  

Although bupropion is one of the few antidepressants that rarely causes weight gain, and often causes a slight amount of weight loss in people taking it for depression, and even though it’s chemically related to the anorectic drug diethylpropion (Tenuate), I don’t think it’s a very powerful drug when it comes to weight loss. — Steve Dyer

Response:

If one is already taking Prozac, is it safe to try Meridia? I used Fen/Phen and Prozac successfully with no side affects and had good results in  weight loss, FM pain relief, and depression control. My doctor is recommending Meridia, but would like to have me discontinue the Prozac, I’m worried about removing the Prozac. Have been advised by other doctors not to stop taking it because of previous "crashes" following attempts to come off it.

Response:

If one is already taking Prozac, is it safe to try Meridia?

Meridia product info specifically states "no Prozac." My doctor said the same thing. Weening off Prozac should help "crashes." This is conjecture…I "crashed" big time 4 weeks after stopping cold (only 20mg dose/day). It was not fun, but only lasted about 2 weeks. Waited another week before starting Meridia and am not having any difficulty. I used Fen/Phen and Prozac successfully with no side affects and had good results in  weight loss, FM pain relief, and depression control. My doctor is recommending Meridia, but would like to have me discontinue the Prozac, I’m worried about removing the Prozac. Have been advised by other doctors not to stop taking it because of previous "crashes" following attempts to come off it.

– Mary

Response:

I don’t know about Meridia, but if it’s like Phentermine you CAN’T take Prozac with it. Please refer to an MIT study posted at: http://drugawareness.org/MIT.html Appetite suppressants are MAO inhibitors and cause an internal battlefield when paired with anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac (or fenfluramine, the phen/fen combo we all know and love.) From the article: "Maher said that the information that appears on drug labels, in the   Physician’s Desk Reference and on package inserts that reach   consumers is negotiated between the manufacturer and the    FDA."When the labels for phentermine and Sudafed were negotiated,    their MAO inhibitory activity was not known or appreciated or    considered to be important. And apparently there was no requirement    for phentermine’s label to be updated 20 years ago when it was first    shown to be an MAO inhibitor," he said.    The new findings also probably explain why only a handful of the tens     of millions of patients outside America who took drugs in the     fenfluramine family without phentermine developed pulmonary     hypertension or heart valve lesions, and almost all of these people were     also taking other drugs that we have found are unrecognized MAO      inhibitors," he said." So, my advice would be to find out if Meridia (like all other appetite suppresants is an MAO inhibitor). If so, Prozac and Meridia can be a dangerous combination. Good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If one is already taking Prozac, is it safe to try Meridia? Meridia product info specifically states "no Prozac." My doctor said the same thing. Weening off Prozac should help "crashes." This is conjecture…I "crashed" big time 4 weeks after stopping cold (only 20mg dose/day). It was not fun, but only lasted about 2 weeks. Waited another week before starting Meridia and am not having any difficulty. I used Fen/Phen and Prozac successfully with no side affects and had good results in  weight loss, FM pain relief, and depression control. My doctor is recommending Meridia, but would like to have me discontinue the Prozac, I’m worried about removing the Prozac. Have been advised by other doctors not to stop taking it because of previous "crashes" following attempts to come off it. — Mary

Response:

I don’t know about Meridia, but if it’s like Phentermine you CAN’T take Prozac with it.

There’s no absolute contraindication in taking phentermine with Prozac. Please refer to an MIT study posted at: http://drugawareness.org/MIT.html Appetite suppressants are MAO inhibitors and cause an internal battlefield when paired with anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac (or fenfluramine, the phen/fen combo we all know and love.)

Appetite suppressants like amphetamine and phentermine are "MAO inhibitors" only in an extremely restricted sense; one with unproven clinical relevance, despite the claims on that web page. The reason you wouldn’t want to take Prozac and Meridia together is that they both act as serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (with Meridia also acting as a norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitor.) — Steve Dyer

Response:

Question:

Jim wrote Rob, I’ve taken Zoloft, too. (200 mg: 100 mg 2xday). I have been diagnosed with Depression and Panic Disorder for 11 years now. I have tried every med combo possible and have just tried a new combo. My Xanax has been increased to 4mg per day. In addition I have been given 150 mg of Zoloft per day. After 6 weeks I have had the most marked improvement ever. However the Zoloft seems to give me naseua and loss of appetite. Is this a common side effect and will it ever go away? Anyone ever using Zoloft, Pleas

Rob, I didn’t experience nausea or a lack of appetite. Perhaps I was doing something differently than you.  How are you taking it? (divided dose, twice a day)? Taking any med on a full stomach usually helps with the nausea. I’ve also taken Zanax, briefly, as it didn’t agree with me very well. E-mail me if you want. Best regards, Jim

Response:

Dear Jim, I am interested to know what the side effects were from taking Xanax.  I have been taking inc. amounts of it as per MDs directions and it doesn’t agree with me, either.What did you take in its place, if anything.  Thanks for your help – either e-mail me or post to group your feedback.

Response:

Hey Rob, All I can tell you is that I’ve been diagnosed with manic depression for five years and Zoloft is the only medication that has not in any way caused any side effects. Good luck. .. Yours, Joe Pirrello – Toronto

Response:

me  too

Response:

I have been diagnosed with Depression and Panic Disorder for 11 years now. I have tried every med combo possible and have just tried a new combo. My Xanax has been increased to 4mg per day. In addition I have been given 150 mg of Zoloft per day. After 6 weeks I have had the most marked improvement ever. However the Zoloft seems to give me naseua and loss of appetite. Is this a common side effect and will it ever go away? Anyone ever using Zoloft, Please give some advice to me via E-Mail. Sincerely, Rob

I started taking Zoloft about 6 months ago and had the same problem. Try taking the Zoloft after meals & the nausea should subside.

Response:

I have been diagnosed with Depression and Panic Disorder for 11 years now. I have tried every med combo possible and have just tried a new combo. My Xanax has been increased to 4mg per day. In addition I have been given 150 mg of Zoloft per day. After 6 weeks I have had the most marked improvement ever. However the Zoloft seems to give me naseua and loss of appetite. Is this a common side effect and will it ever go away? Anyone ever using Zoloft, Please give some advice to me via E-Mail. Sincerely, Rob

Response:

Question:

Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  For those who did gain weight, was the amount small, or a lot? I’m really worried. I don’t like this side-effect… i really don’t like it and it’s scaring me. I really don’t want to gain any weight.  And why does one gain weight on this med (actually, most of these types of meds?)? Does it just mess up your metabolism or just make you hungrier, or both? The hungrier part I can handle..it’s the metabolism thing I can’t. Thanks. — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

I’ve been on Depakote (same thing) and experienced weight gain.It helped with the mania but couldn’t keep depression under control with anti depressents. Taken off Depakote to have ECT. (Mary Jo Hendricks)

Response:

Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  

It sounds like a lot of people gain weight, but it’s not universal.  I didn’t gain any weight.  Maybe it just seems like most people gain weight because they are the ones who complain about Valproic Acid. June "word I was in my life alone, word I had no one left but God."                                                   — Robert Frost

Response:

Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  For those who did gain weight, was the amount small, or a lot? I’m really worried. I don’t like this side-effect… i really don’t like it and it’s scaring me. I really don’t want to gain any weight.  And why does one gain weight on this med (actually, most of these types of meds?)? Does it just mess up your metabolism or just make you hungrier, or both? The hungrier part I can handle..it’s the metabolism thing I can’t. Thanks.

I was supposed to go on depakote, but one of the things that bothered me was the weight gain.  I’m  all over it, spacegurl (is that a family name?).  I think it’s really important to consider these things.  I’ve had a weight probelm before and I’m definitely never going there again as long as I can help it. Although, like Alex said, in cases where you are eating wrong in response to bipolar symptoms, meds will make this easier probably.  Never had depakote, so I can’t speak from experience here.  I just wanted to let you know I kinda understnad your concerns and stuff.   -sophia

Response:

<snipped I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….I’m really worried. My philosophy is nothing ventured — nothing gained. Even if you do wind up in a closet sleeping with your dog!

At least you know your dog loves you. -sophia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks! Spacegurl Wishing you all the very best from, James — * Since I do not get a complete Newsfeed, I would appreciate receiving * * a copy of any responding posts. Please also indicate if you are      * * posting as well as emailing me. Thanks for helping me out!           *

Response:

Well, day…..2 of taking this crap.  I’m at loose ends.  I’m feeling very tired all of a sudden, and more more angry.  My temper just seems to be out of of control.  Is this just maybe something coincidental or do many people experience this? I am going nuts.  i just sent a nasty hate-letter to one of my very best-friends, but i couldn’t help it.  I knew that I shouldn’t and I knew that deep down, it wasn’t him, but something in me just go so mad and I coudln’t help it. how long until this stuff works? when people gained the weight, how long until they noticed a difference?  I’m so serious about the weight thing. So serious, in fact, that if i do put on more than 5 pounds, i’m gonna go off of the meds. So far, no weight gain, but I can’t take this much more – waiting and drinking gallons of water (ok fine maybe not gallons) so that I don’t get hungry. what the hell?                                 S P A C E G U R L         "…TODAY I HATE EVERYONE…"  - Killjoys — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

Spacegurl, I am taking depakote, and am having decent results. The potential for side effects are there though. I read the insert and it was not to good. However, hairloss and occasional weight gain is often the most common effect. Hope this helps, Phil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried. Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to: Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried. Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

<Posted and Mailed to Spacegurl Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawal HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawal).

Absolutely! A person needs to be slowly weaned off of Effexor (as well as many other meds). My new(ish) pdoc has me on Valproic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med?

It is the same as Depakote except that Depakote enters your system more slowly. That’s why most pdocs prefer Depakote. But Valproate is cheaper. If you experience an upset stomach, you may want to talk to your pdoc about an extended release formulation of Depakote. Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….I’m really worried.

My philosophy is nothing ventured — nothing gained. Even if you do wind up in a closet sleeping with your dog! Thanks! Spacegurl

Wishing you all the very best from, James — * Since I do not get a complete Newsfeed, I would appreciate receiving * * a copy of any responding posts. Please also indicate if you are      * * posting as well as emailing me. Thanks for helping me out!           *

Response:

Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried.   Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response: