Question:

Interesting post I read here but no one expanded on the subject.  What is the opinion of inhaled steroids and weight gain?  I would like every ones opinion whether weight actually increases using inhaled vs oral steroids.

Response:

Interesting post I read here but no one expanded on the subject.  What is the opinion of inhaled steroids and weight gain?  I would like every ones opinion whether weight actually increases using inhaled vs oral steroids.

Weight gain is a common side effect of oral steroids.  The chances of a steroid side effect is proportional to the dose – the greater the dose, the greater the chance of side effects.  IIRC the rule of thumb is that once the daily dose of inhaled steroid goes over 1000 micrograms, there is a chance of side effects. However as in all things relating to asthma and asthma medications: ‘Your milage may vary.’ "…there is always a well-known solution to every human problem–neat, plausible, and wrong."    H. L. Mencken

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Oral steriods like Prednisone definitely cause sudden weight gain and haven’t heard any convincing evidence that inhaled steriods do not. I have put on considerable weight since on Flovent 220 mcg and wonder if it might be to blame. Anyone else? Dana

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I take Advair, in the lowest dose, but I have lost weight.  

Same thing with me. I was beginning to think I was a lone ranger.

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I use the Advair Diskus and I also have lost weight.

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I’m on 2000mcg inhaled steroid per day with short weekly courses of 30mg every day when required (usually every two / three months or so). Much as I’d like to blame my weight gain on the above, and I’m sure it does play some small part, I think the main reason for being my being overweight whilst taking steroids is that I find it hard to exercise without getting out of breath and wheezy, get depressed from not being as active as I’d like, and hence use food as comfort. I’m kidding myself if I think I can just blame it on the steroids.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting post I read here but no one expanded on the subject.  What is the opinion of inhaled steroids and weight gain?  I would like every ones opinion whether weight actually increases using inhaled vs oral steroids.

Response:

I take Advair, in the lowest dose, but I have lost weight.  I lift weights and work out 3 times a week.  I have lost 20 lbs since I started to work out.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting post I read here but no one expanded on the subject.  What is the opinion of inhaled steroids and weight gain?  I would like every ones opinion whether weight actually increases using inhaled vs oral steroids.

Response:

Question:

Aztek hands down?

Response:

Jeez, I heard someone bot one !

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aztek hands down?

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Aztek hands down?

‘58 Buick Limited ‘59 Olds

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That aztek reminds me of what a scaled-down version of the Family Truckster might look like……wonder if they have the Pea Green color

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the Olds Achieva

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the Olds Achieva

Oh, they are not all that attractive, but I would not say they were the UGLIEST thing GM ever came up with.  With all due respect to the folks who like ‘em I had an Achieva on rental for a couple of days about 3 years ago.  A real nothingburger of a car.  But no, I don’t think it was that ugly…

Response:

No question, it’s the Aztec. A GM screw-up of global thermo-nuclear proportions. I just hope that among those 2000+ GM executives who are being forced by the General to drive the things around Detroit are numbered the idiot-laden committees that approved the thing for production. It makes the Edsel Ranger look tasteful and refined. Yuck! — – GRL "When someone annoys you, remember that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but only 4 muscles to extend your arm and smack them on the back of the head."

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aztek hands down?

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That aztek reminds me of what a scaled-down version of the Family Truckster might look like……wonder if they have the Pea Green color

I think you CAN get a Aztek in metallic pee.

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The Achieva really looks good nowadays. neat profile. at first i hated the design. now after a few years, they look neat.

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No question, it’s the Aztec. A GM screw-up of global thermo-nuclear proportions. I just hope that among those 2000+ GM executives who are being forced by the General to drive the things around Detroit are numbered the idiot-laden committees that approved the thing for production. It makes the Edsel Ranger look tasteful and refined.

I find myself wondering: how long a run is GM gonna make of those before closing up production? You mentioned the Edsel Ranger.  Well, the Edsel got a lot of mocking in the press by various columnists, TV personalities, and all that.  I have heard no such similar mocking of the Aztek. Does anyone have any sales figures on that beast?

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I find myself wondering: how long a run is GM gonna make of those before closing up production?

You have to wonder, especially with vehicle sales going in the crapper as of recent.. As strange as they are, however, I’ve seen more then a few driving around here locally, so apparently _someone_ is buying them.. Personally, I like the front end, could live with the side view, but the rear-end is just too bizzare for even me, and I’m pretty forgiving when it comes to "Different" vehicles.. Take the new Impala, for instance..  When it first came out everybody screamed bloody murder about the rear taillights..   I never "Hated" them, persay, but they did have to grow on me, and now I envy the car quite alot, and the fact that the plant here in Oshawa can’t make them quickly enough speaks volumes towards the fact that they are selling like hotcakes….   Now, if only I could afford one.. — Mark – Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Chevy Astro / GMC Safari Message Board! Click Below! http://pub37.ezboard.com/bchevyastroandgmcsafari

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Hands down is right! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aztek hands down?

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……and GM scraped Olds with decent looking cars! RJL

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No question, it’s the Aztec. A GM screw-up of global thermo-nuclear proportions. I just hope that among those 2000+ GM executives who are being forced by the General to drive the things around Detroit are numbered the idiot-laden committees that approved the thing for production. It makes the Edsel Ranger look tasteful and refined. Yuck! — – GRL "When someone annoys you, remember that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but only 4 muscles to extend your arm and smack them on the back of the head." Aztek hands down?

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…….and GM scraped Olds with decent looking cars!

Decent to very nice, and that were not selling.  

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That aztek reminds me of what a scaled-down version of the Family Truckster might look like……wonder if they have the Pea Green color

More like a kid’s playhouse on wheels…

Response:

That aztek reminds me of what a scaled-down version of the Family Truckster might look like……wonder if they have the Pea Green color More like a kid’s playhouse on wheels…

When I was a youngster, they had these big compacting trash trucks running around in Los Angeles.  They were White trucks, and the compactor unit was Leach.  When I first saw an Aztek from the back, it brought back the picture in my mind of those trucks.

Response:

……and GM scraped Olds with decent looking cars!

Debatable..  But decent looking or not, they were poor sellers. Olds was nothing but a Cancer for GM..  It’s not something they needed to keep around. — Mark – Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Chevy Astro / GMC Safari Message Board! Click Below! http://pub37.ezboard.com/bchevyastroandgmcsafari

Response:

Debatable..  But decent looking or not, they were poor sellers. Olds was nothing but a Cancer for GM..  It’s not something they needed to keep around.

Hmmm, this is true.  I’m 24 years old and a die-hard Oldsmobile fan.  But, as an Economics major, I have to agree it was a good idea to kill Oldsmobile as a division.  I’ve watched the auto industry for several years now.  I’ve noticed that Buick seems to be trying to change it’s stodgy-traditional image of being a "old person’s" car.  Here you have the latest array of concept cars and the new Rendezvous "SUV" aka minivan with a defined front end.  If Buick is not able to change it’s image, I can only see it taking the highway to auto heaven with Oldsmobile in a few years.  I mean GM is obviously moving towards two main divisions, Chevrolet-Chevrolet Trucks and Pontiac-GMC.  Cadillac and Saturn both have their niche in the marketplace that is well defined.  Unfortunately, GM has been very slow at meeting customers’ demands and the import competition.  So, it only makes sense that traditional brands such as Oldsmobile and Buick be euthanized. Now, I mentioned that I am an Oldsmobile fan.  So, IMHO, it will be missed.  I thought the Olds cars were heading in the right direction design-wise.  Now that Olds is dead, I really have to question my loyalty to GM.  I mean, what kind of management do you have when you take one of the top selling American nameplates to demise in less than two decades.  Then again, there is GM’s SUV obsession.  Most people would agree that due to rising insurance rates and gas prices as unstable as a southern California faultline, the SUV craze has seen it’s zenith.  Unless GM can find a way to dump the tortoise attitude at meeting the customers’ demands, it’s market share will only continue to dwindle. Anyway, I will get off my soap box now.  I just had to vent. Take care and God bless, Jeremy

Response:

Why not just keep Cadillacs, Chevrolet, Park Avenues, Grand Ams and Prix’s. Everything else is duplication or doesn’t sell.  Have different handling/tire packages available on Chevrolets to please people who want handling or floating.  Market share is going to go down to maybe 25%, they couldn’t even figure out how to market their best driving car line.  Current new Olds owners for their next car probably won’t go for boyracer Pontiacs or floating Buicks, but they may use their $1500 vouchers for Chevys if they need to save the cash instead of getting that Maxima, Jetta, or Accord they really want to get.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ……and GM scraped Olds with decent looking cars! Debatable..  But decent looking or not, they were poor sellers. Olds was nothing but a Cancer for GM..  It’s not something they needed to keep around. — Mark – Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Chevy Astro / GMC Safari Message Board! Click Below! http://pub37.ezboard.com/bchevyastroandgmcsafari

Response:

That aztek reminds me of what a scaled-down version of the Family Truckster might look like……wonder if they have the Pea Green color More like a kid’s playhouse on wheels…

More like a scaled-down municipal trash truck. DS

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Nah, 1967 Bel Air, I had one of those battleships. Yeesh!!! About as long as a football field, no shape. The Aztec is not my favorite, but I don’t think that it is that bad. Personnaly, I think the Ford Focus is about the ugliest thing on the road now. Aztek hands down?

– See ya!!! Danman

Response:

I agree, I think you will see automobile manufacturers start to streamline their lineups. I mean, what is the use in making the same vehicle with minor cosmetic changes and selling it under 5 different names (import and domestic names I might add). It just doesn’t make good financial sense to do that. With so many automobile manufacturers getting in bed together (Ford, Mazda, Nissan) (GM, Honda, Isuzu, Toyota) (Chrystler, Mitsubishi), brands have really become a thing of the past. We kinda have generic vehicles now that are some sort of bastardization of several different manufacturers. I think you would be hard pressed to find a car true to it’s name anymore. I have a Nissan Pickup. It was built in a Ford plant with parts supplied by Nissan that were made in Tennessee. Eventually, I think you may see GM be reduced to Chevrolet, Cadillac, and maybe Pontiac. They could go after the Buick/ Olds market with some lower line Cadillac’s. It seems as if they are putting all of the performance vehicles under the Pontiac flag, and Chevy is going after the daily driver/ economical vehicles. Chrystler is killing Plymouth. I expect that it is only a matter of time before Ford kills Mercury. Certainly this trend will continue over the next 10 years. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Debatable..  But decent looking or not, they were poor sellers. Olds was nothing but a Cancer for GM..  It’s not something they needed to keep around. Hmmm, this is true.  I’m 24 years old and a die-hard Oldsmobile fan.  But, as an Economics major, I have to agree it was a good idea to kill Oldsmobile as a division.  I’ve watched the auto industry for several years now.  I’ve noticed that Buick seems to be trying to change it’s stodgy-traditional image of being a "old person’s" car.  Here you have the latest array of concept cars and the new Rendezvous "SUV" aka minivan with a defined front end.  If Buick is not able to change it’s image, I can only see it taking the highway to auto heaven with Oldsmobile in a few years.  I mean GM is obviously moving towards two main divisions, Chevrolet-Chevrolet Trucks and Pontiac-GMC.  Cadillac and Saturn both have their niche in the marketplace that is well defined.  Unfortunately, GM has been very slow at meeting customers’ demands and the import competition.  So, it only makes sense that traditional brands such as Oldsmobile and Buick be euthanized. Now, I mentioned that I am an Oldsmobile fan.  So, IMHO, it will be missed.  I thought the Olds cars were heading in the right direction design-wise.  Now that Olds is dead, I really have to question my loyalty to GM.  I mean, what kind of management do you have when you take one of the top selling American nameplates to demise in less than two decades.  Then again, there is GM’s SUV obsession.  Most people would agree that due to rising insurance rates and gas prices as unstable as a southern California faultline, the SUV craze has seen it’s zenith.  Unless GM can find a way to dump the tortoise attitude at meeting the customers’ demands, it’s market share will only continue to dwindle. Anyway, I will get off my soap box now.  I just had to vent. Take care and God bless, Jeremy

– See ya!!! Danman

Response:

Awesome on the inside,   but ugly on the outside.! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aztek hands down?

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I first time I saw one (aside from a dealer lot-many in stock) was on a return trip from the airport after dropping my brother off for an early morning return flight the day after Christmas. It was still dark and I wondered what the ugly vehicle was ahead of me. Up to this point my focus on the Astek being ugly was the front end. Well the rear end deserves its portion of criticism also. This is the only time I have seen an Astek on the road. Hopefully the Buick version will look better. BTW, I do like some other designs most others dislike. I liked the 96-99 Taurus and the new Maxima and even like its rear end styling. Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aztek hands down?

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Aztek

I dunno. The new Monte Carlos and Impalas look pretty goofy. "It’s a crazy world, have fun with it." -Jerry Springer "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." – unknown What is a Team Goon? http://www.teamgoon.com My Personal page: http://teamgoon.i85.net FORMAL NOTICE: unsolicited commercial email will be read at a charge of $500 per item. Harvesting of my email address, and receipt of such email shall be considered to constitute acceptance of contract, and will be billed immediately.

Response:

Question:

I am 26 and have had asthma since I was a child.  Today I consider my asthma to be well controlled.  I use my bronchodilator two puffs twice a day (sometimes 3 if I exercise or otherwise trigger an attack), take singulair once a day, and am getting allergy shots which seem to be reducing my asthmatic reactions to allergens. However, I still have occasional mild attacks when I go out in the wind and cold or when I exercise.  I use my inhaler (third time for the day) and it goes away.  To me, this is much better than my asthma has ever been and I’m satisfied, but my doctor says having any asthma symptoms at all can cause airways remodeling.  He wants me to take inhaled steroids (flovent) as well. I am worried about the flovent because I am at an extremely high risk for osteoporisis (my grandmother got it despite consuming 200% RDA calcium every day of her life and taking hormonal supplements after menopause–everything you’re supposed to do). Can an occasional mild, easily treatable attack really cause airways remodeling?  (Also, consider that when I was young my asthma was not controlled well at all–I had frequent moderate attacks, a couple of severe ones, and had to use my bronchodilator 6 times a day, so I’m sure some remodeling has already occurred–I don’t know if that’s relevant). Also, how long does Serevent take to start working?  I tried that once briefly and it didn’t seem to help, so I stopped, but am considering trying that again instead of the steroids. Thanks, Karen

Response:

Is trying a weaker inhaled steroid (such as Vanceril or even Azmacort) an option?  The side effects of steroids are more severe the stronger the steroid is, as I understand it, and Flovent is one of the stronger ones.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 26 and have had asthma since I was a child.  Today I consider my asthma to be well controlled.  I use my bronchodilator two puffs twice a day (sometimes 3 if I exercise or otherwise trigger an attack), take singulair once a day, and am getting allergy shots which seem to be reducing my asthmatic reactions to allergens. However, I still have occasional mild attacks when I go out in the wind and cold or when I exercise.  I use my inhaler (third time for the day) and it goes away.  To me, this is much better than my asthma has ever been and I’m satisfied, but my doctor says having any asthma symptoms at all can cause airways remodeling.  He wants me to take inhaled steroids (flovent) as well. I am worried about the flovent because I am at an extremely high risk for osteoporisis (my grandmother got it despite consuming 200% RDA calcium every day of her life and taking hormonal supplements after menopause–everything you’re supposed to do). Can an occasional mild, easily treatable attack really cause airways remodeling?  (Also, consider that when I was young my asthma was not controlled well at all–I had frequent moderate attacks, a couple of severe ones, and had to use my bronchodilator 6 times a day, so I’m sure some remodeling has already occurred–I don’t know if that’s relevant). Also, how long does Serevent take to start working?  I tried that once briefly and it didn’t seem to help, so I stopped, but am considering trying that again instead of the steroids. Thanks,  Karen

I would recommend consider going on low dose beclomethasone; say 2 pf Vancenase or Beclovent twice a day. Beclomethasone is the steroid inhaler with the longest history of safety and is the one recommended in pregnancy. The dose is 42 ug beclomethasone per puff, so 4 puffs is only 168 ug/day. This should help prevent remodeling. There are some concerns that some other steroid inhalers like Azmacort, maybe even Flovent, have more severe side effects; certainly their record is much shorter. Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator. It should start working within 15 minutes and peaks out at about 4 hours later. Regarding calcium, note that vitamin D is also needed to enable absorption; this can come from milk, vitamin pills or sunshine. Ellis

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Question:

Just buy a separate voltage converter (what the heck are those things called?..someone help me) that will enable you to use your nebulizer, hairdryer, etc. when in Europe. They are not expensive. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m going to Europe for 3 weeks in June.  I’ve had severe asthma for my whole life (50, now) that’s usually under control with Albuterol, Serevent, and Flovent.  I’ll be taking those medihalers with me, but, thought it might be wise to take some kind of portable nebulizer and some albuterol solution just in case. I assume I’m looking for a battery powered ultrasonic one, but, was wondering if there’s one with a transformer/recharger that works with the European voltages (220 VAC/50Hz).  I’ll be traveling in France, Germany, and Italy. Thanks!

Response:

I know in England that Omeron does a battery one for

Question:

I have been on Singulair since Feb 98.  I also have noticed fatigue and depression.  I was going to stop once, but, since this is the only drug that has seemed to help I tell myself that I can handle it.  Since nothing else has changed in my life since I started taking Singulair, I really feel that this is a problem due to the drug  

Response:

I’ve noticed a tendency for Singulair to cause fatigue. I think the fatigue reduces with time, but still exists. [I'm in the 50% who experience significant improvement with Singulair, 25% get dramatic improvement, 25% no improvement] I still take Pulmicort, Serevent, and low dose TheoDur. My peak flows are running around 100%, but I have gained weight and have exercise induced asthma. I’ve been experimenting dropping the Singulair; or taking a reduced dose by using every other day (or splitting tablet). I am 60; children take a half dose; maybe certain others should be on a half dose? Singulair PI at www.singulair.com Fatigue is shown as 1.8% versus 1.2% for placebo. Also see: http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=806&order=0&… Patient Monograph – montelukast Excerpt: "What should my health care professional know before I use  montelukast? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

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.

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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)

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Question:

Bill has probably posted relevant, pertinent cites, but I’m wondering if someone might be able to either a) point me in the direction of info. on these meds, particularly the new one, singulair, and how they work, versus how steriods work, what’s the downside etc., or b)  summarize the info. in relatively easy to understand, non-jargonese.  Thanks a lot. Merril, writing from  where it’s -25 still, but warm enough that my cold induced attacks have stopped — and which I won’t seek advice on again since starting the last match.

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Bill has probably posted relevant, pertinent cites, but I’m wondering if someone might be able to either a) point me in the direction of info. on these meds, particularly the new one, singulair, and how they work, versus how steriods work, what’s the downside etc., or b)  summarize the info. in relatively easy to understand, non-jargonese.  Thanks a lot.

You can try:http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/guide/guidelin/comp3/… A promotional site for Accolate (which is similar to Singular) is at: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/zeneca/about/default.htm This has information on Leukotrines and Leukotrine receptor agonists (Singulair is a Lueknotine receptor agonist).

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect. My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation? Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection? It’s the strangest thing I ever heard. Because methylphenidate isn’t the same as L-dopa and it isn’t effective against tremors from parkinsons. So it’s strange…

<G I do not care if it is "coincidental"….or even placebo….as long as it works <g  But, from what I understand, doesn’t methylphenidate work on the dopamine levels in the patient? Besides, parkinsons is not the same thing as essential tremor…though it does appear that having ET might increase the chances of getting parkinson’s… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_tremor Mine currently is only in my hands (as is my mother’s)…my grandfather’s was in in hands, his arms, and showed up in his gait as well…the weird thing is, it shows up when I am "at rest," but when I do something with my hands (such as play guitar), I do not tremble as much (i.e,. when my hands are resting against the guitar, they might tremble a bit, but when then are pressed down to hold a chord, the whole guitar is not shaking, and the hand stops shaking). — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

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Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2

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Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Does the shaking go away when you stop taking the Adderall? Priscilla

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Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

It sounds like the Prozac to me – that’s what has changed.

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Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2

Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation?

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation?

Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection? — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation? Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection?

It’s the strangest thing I ever heard. Because methylphenidate isn’t the same as L-dopa and it isn’t effective against tremors from parkinsons. So it’s strange… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

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Got a lecture from my sister. Told her that I might want to go back to my old job and risk moving. She said I was crazy after getting exactly what I wanted in the new job. I just told her that I was very insecure about walking in the door. She said huh?   Another misunderstanding. Now my fingers don’t work – Another Effexor withdrawal symptom?  MAC who claims to be…… Ativan time……

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got a lecture from my sister. Told her that I might want to go back to my old job and risk moving. She said I was crazy after getting exactly what I wanted in the new job. I just told her that I was very insecure about walking in the door. She said huh?   Another misunderstanding. Now my fingers don’t work – Another Effexor withdrawal symptom?  MAC who claims to be…… Ativan time……

make a pro and con list for both jobs write it down so you can evaluate and re-evaluate it

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Hi, Mac, Only you can make this decision.  As Margrove stated make a pro and con list – see which weighs out in your favor… Remember, you have visited the new environment which in turn means you have walked through the door (literally)… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got a lecture from my sister. Told her that I might want to go back to my old job and risk moving. She said I was crazy after getting exactly what I wanted in the new job. I just told her that I was very insecure about walking in the door. She said huh?   Another misunderstanding. Now my fingers don’t work – Another Effexor withdrawal symptom?  MAC who claims to be…… Ativan time……

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Has anybody been on Effexor? I have been on it since November and I have recently figured out it is the cause of the strange symptoms I’ve been having. I have been bothered by mouth ulcers that make eating and drinking almost anything painful. I also get very hot with the least little bit of exertion. And it also was part of the cause of the strange dreams I was having, as well as the dizziness. I think the Effexor along with the Ginko Balboa I was trying did not do well together. Since I stopped taking the Ginko Balboa, neither one has bothered me as bad. Anyway, my question is: has anyone taken Effexor? I need to know how to taper off, because I hear the withdrawl can be bad. I was taking 225mg and have gone down to 150mg, as of two days ago, but am afraid to cut back anymore. I have a job and a family, and I don’t need to hallucinate or be sick right now! If anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it. Michele

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Hi Michelle I was just prescribed this wonder drug ang I was so dizzy and sick to my stomach so I cut my per down to 1/2 a pill twice a day.It was prescribed for neurogenic pain and muscle spasms.I wanted Neurontin but the doc said this had less side effects!As far as I can see,all it is,is an antidepressant.What did you get it prescribed for?225 mg is the maximum dosage.Your doctor really started you off with a bang. What do you think is a better alternative? Carol — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

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the smart thing to do is to call your doctor. you shouldnt be looking to non-medical people for such important info! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Be Well, Lisa anti-spam in effect. remove 123 from my address. "Please explain to me the scientific nature of ‘The Whammy’" – Scully "The dope’s that there’s still hope." – Bruce Springsteen @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

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I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it while I was waiting for him to call me back. Michele

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I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it

while I was waiting for him to call me back.

I just quit.  Didn’t suffer for it.  Were there more specific questions you have? Dabrinah

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