Question:

I rinse with 1/2 peroxide and water this doesn’t cure the thrush but it will get rid of the symptoms. The best thing is to use Nystatin to get rid of the thrush forever! Thrush makes my asthma worse. Take Care Pam

Response:

I rinse with 1/2 peroxide and water this doesn’t cure the thrush but it will get rid of the symptoms. The best thing is to use Nystatin to get rid of the thrush forever! Thrush makes my asthma worse. Take Care Pam

If I’ve got the symptoms, I use an anti-fungal mouthwash such as Oraldene (Hexetidene) or Betadine (Povidone Iodine) for more serious cases. If I act quickly, these usually sort it out, so I haven’t had to resort to Nystatin/Diflucan etc. Chris — Chris King                    | Information provided here should NOT be used http://www.csking.demon.co.uk | practitioner.

Response:

I know thrush can be a side effect of inhaled steroids, but can it trigger asthma as well.  I think I have a little right now and it seems as if my inhalers aren’t doing much. Also, is there any over-the-counter treatment for thrush?  In the past, my pulmonologist was so upset that I would get some thrush while using a spacer and rinsing after Flovent that he wanted to take me off Flovent (220, 2 puffs BID).  His reaction seemed a little severe to me, so sure would like to try to deal with this without involving him.   Thanks. Susan — Bob LeBailly Northwestern University

Response:

Gentian Violet.  You have to ask for it but it is OTC. Kavelina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know thrush can be a side effect of inhaled steroids, but can it trigger asthma as well.  I think I have a little right now and it seems as if my inhalers aren’t doing much. Also, is there any over-the-counter treatment for thrush?  In the past, my pulmonologist was so upset that I would get some thrush while using a spacer and rinsing after Flovent that he wanted to take me off Flovent (220, 2 puffs BID).  His reaction seemed a little severe to me, so sure would like to try to deal with this without involving him. Thanks. Susan — Bob LeBailly Northwestern University

Response:

Question:

Has anyone ordered from here? I am instrested in the Kramer that is $179 (I forgot the model and am to lazy to load up the browser I has 2 "quad rail" humbukers and 1 double rail humbuker in the middle. Also comes with a Floyd Rose tremolo and some kick ass tuners. So, any good? Or has anyone ordered from their yet? Thanks Nicola

I’m interested too… it’d be nice to have a backup guitar with a floyd for gigs if my JEM breaks a string… *sigh* why can’t I be endorsed for JEMs?   Hehehe…  Where is the company located?  *crosses fingers* please say Canada… -=Devon Lougheed=- "if politics is the blind leading the blind, entertainment is the f**ked up leading the hypnotised" to reply remove NOSPAM from email adress

Response:

I bought the same guitar your looking at. I love it! Right now I own two Les Pauls, a JB player PRS copy, and a Cort Flying V. This guitar doesn’t sound like any of them. The sound is close to a Jackson or Ibanez but a little beefier. I play mainly hard rock in the vain of Ratt and it does great for what I need it for. I haven’t played out with it yet but I’ve recorded with it and it did great!! No Noise. I have a Line 6 Flextone 300 watt head through a Peavy 412e cab. So just about any guitar would sound great to me!! It will depend a lot on what type of setup you have and what style of music you play. The guitar stays in tune providing you have it setup correctly. It seems like it will hold up against the test of a musicians time!! My experience with music yo was very good. I placed my order and got a receipt number right away, then a thank you for your order the next day as well as a confirmation of shipment with a UPS tracking number. It was here in 6 days. These Krammers are made by Gibson and are shipped from the Gibson factory in Nash. Tenn. You can email Gibson for more info on the Krammer line. (since they are real quite about it online) Visit www.gibson.com Good Luck Laura

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone ordered from here? I am instrested in the Kramer that is $179 (I forgot the model and am to lazy to load up the browser I has 2 "quad rail" humbukers and 1 double rail humbuker in the middle. Also comes with a Floyd Rose tremolo and some kick ass tuners. So, any good? Or has anyone ordered from their yet? Thanks Nicola

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought the same guitar your looking at. I love it! Right now I own two Les Pauls, a JB player PRS copy, and a Cort Flying V. This guitar doesn’t sound like any of them. The sound is close to a Jackson or Ibanez but a little beefier. I play mainly hard rock in the vain of Ratt and it does great for what I need it for. I haven’t played out with it yet but I’ve recorded with it and it did great!! No Noise. I have a Line 6 Flextone 300 watt head through a Peavy 412e cab. So just about any guitar would sound great to me!! It will depend a lot on what type of setup you have and what style of music you play. The guitar stays in tune providing you have it setup correctly. It seems like it will hold up against the test of a musicians time!! My experience with music yo was very good. I placed my order and got a receipt number right away, then a thank you for your order the next day as well as a confirmation of shipment with a UPS tracking number. It was here in 6 days. These Krammers are made by Gibson and are shipped from the Gibson factory in Nash. Tenn. You can email Gibson for more info on the Krammer line. (since they are real quite about it online) Visit www.gibson.com Good Luck

Just that everyone understands, the new Kramer Strikers may be "shipped" from Gibson’s factory in Nashville TN but they are made in Korea. I’m still looking for someone here to post a review of the guitar. I’m looking for quality and playability.  I have to be honest in that I am intrested in picking one up (can’t beat the price) but the one thing that holds me back in the "rail" pickups that the guitar comes with. The MusicYo site states that the rail pickup’s have a 2/4 configuration where you can pull up on the tone knob to turn on all four pickup rails.  The problem for me is if I don’t like the pickups it doens’t seem like it would be very easy to just replace them with better pickups. The 2/4 pickup selector switch may have to be replaced as well.  I have played the new Kramer Baretta’s with the rail pickups and I wasn’t that impressed. The Jackson DK’s sounded much better (with the Duncan design pickups).   So can anyone who has purchased a new Kramer Striker from MusicYo post an in-depth review of the guitar (quility, sound, opinion of the "rail" pickups etc..). Regards, — — Matt Costanza Austin, TX USA

Response:

Very good company for their guitars, great service. For strings, give www.stringsdirect.co.uk a try – they are also apparently excellent but have far cheaper delivery costs. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated Rgds Gary

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated

I purchased a guitar (Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro), gigbag, etc. from them.  I’ve been very pleased with their service, incl. customer service & tech support (I used email for both). Dave Morgenlender

Response:

I’ve dealt with them pretty extensively and have been happy with the instruments I purchased. I have purchased strings from them, but since I live in the US, shipping cost is not a major concern. My guess is you might be better off purchasing strings locally as suggested, unless they are the sole source (like for my Steinberger). If these are regular strings, I’d recommend also checking out musicians friend or American Musical Supply for bulk discounts and shipping. If you’r not concerned with brand names, they may have generic bulk strings you may purchase. Another possibility with Music Yo is to contact them to see if they will ship via your preffered shipper. They might be willing to do it for you. Contact is by email only, however, they have responded to some requests in the past and have been a pleasure to deal with. Toby

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Well, I don’t know about their shipping prices on small items like Christmas gift last year…….but I think if I was going to actually buy anything from them, it would be something like a guitar or amp and not strings.  Is there a reason you can’t go to a local store for strings? Charles — Head Papershuffler Paper Airplane Division (currently assigned to the Rubber Band Flight Dynamics project)

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair

I noticed the UK prices are much higher. I have no idea about tariffs or costs in the US. The prices in the US are lower and you can use the US postal service to lower the delivery costs – something a lot of places are now using after the tech bubble collapsed and freebies and subsidies went out the window as wel las the feeling that online sales was the future of retailing. Fuel costs also rose with the rise of oil prices causing a rise a shipping prices. I got my bass delviered I think for $12 or so by the postal service and it got here in about a week about the same as UPS which would have cost $30-40.  

Response:

Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair …..

Well, I don’t know about their shipping prices on small items like gift last year…….but I think if I was going to actually buy anything from them, it would be something like a guitar or amp and not strings.  Is there a reason you can’t go to a local store for strings? Charles — Head Papershuffler Paper Airplane Division (currently assigned to the Rubber Band Flight Dynamics project)

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated Rgds Gary

Response:

Question:

Here’s some stuff: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_specific_drugs_used_preven… Leukotriene-Antagonists. Leukotriene-antagonists are anti-inflammatory agents that blocks leukotrienes, powerful immune system factors that are important in causing airway constriction. They include zileuton (Ziflo), zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair), and pranlukast (Ultair, Onon). These agents are being used in asthma and some physicians have observed a reduction in migraine frequency in asthmatic patients who also had these headaches. In one study that investigated their use for migraine prevention, more than half of patients experienced a reduction in frequency of severe attacks. They are not approved by the FDA for migraines, however, nor are they routinely used by physicians.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

Response:

I liked what it did for my allergies/sinus but after 3 wks of taking it i had problems with my gallbladder/liver.  I stopped taking it and everything went back to normal. tracey Here’s some stuff:

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_specific_drugs_used_preven… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Leukotriene-Antagonists. Leukotriene-antagonists are anti-inflammatory agents that blocks leukotrienes, powerful immune system factors that are important in causing airway constriction. They include zileuton (Ziflo), zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair), and pranlukast (Ultair, Onon). These agents are being used in asthma and some physicians have observed a reduction in migraine frequency in asthmatic patients who also had these headaches. In one study that investigated their use for migraine prevention, more than half of patients experienced a reduction in frequency of severe attacks. They are not approved by the FDA for migraines, however, nor are they routinely used by physicians. Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and

http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks!

Response:

Hey there Erik have you scraped her bottom of the barnacles and are going to ride her like a wild man this season?  The boat Erik the boat  ~grin~ Ronnie

Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and

http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta… art=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was going to try it, but then my insurance wouldn’t fill it.  By then I found a different drug (seroquel) that worked great. Erik

Response:

I am starting to have some headaches, but since I’m on steroids, Advair, Albuterol, and God knows how many other drugs at this moment, it’s hard to say it’s actually the Singulair.  I can say it is the best allergy medication I’ve ever taken.  I’ve never had days like this where my nose wasn’t constantly dripping.  If I find it’s the Singulair giving me headaches, I’m going to try a 5 mg dose to see if that helps. Michelle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I liked what it did for my allergies/sinus but after 3 wks of taking it i had problems with my gallbladder/liver.  I stopped taking it and everything went back to normal. tracey Here’s some stuff: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_specific_drugs_used_preven… Leukotriene-Antagonists. Leukotriene-antagonists are anti-inflammatory agents that blocks leukotrienes, powerful immune system factors that are important in causing airway constriction. They include zileuton (Ziflo), zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair), and pranlukast (Ultair, Onon). These agents are being used in asthma and some physicians have observed a reduction in migraine frequency in asthmatic patients who also had these headaches. In one study that investigated their use for migraine prevention, more than half of patients experienced a reduction in frequency of severe attacks. They are not approved by the FDA for migraines, however, nor are they routinely used by physicians. Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

Response:

How did the doctor prescribe the Seroquel?  

What kind of doctor?  I’d recommend a psychiatrist that also suffers from migraines.  I’ve been very fortunate to find some very empathetic pdocs over the last few years.  It’s a whole different world and there is all sorts of drugs available to them that aren’t available to a neurologist. As for me, I showed up at a psychiatrist after persuing every other option.  According to him, I was suffering from classic anxiety attacks that were bathing my brain in adrenalin.  Beta blockers worked, but not very well.  Based on reports from another poster in the group, I asked for seroquel and he went along with it.  It proved to be a silver bullet for me. Ins companies have been starting to question seroquel because it’s being perscribed basically for sleep.  It’s a fairly expensive sleep medication, but if you’re suffering from daily migraines and it works, it’s well worth the cost. My pdoc had samples that I used for the first month.  I’d explain your ins situation and just ask for these.  If it works, you’ll know the fight is worth it. Keep in mind that seroquel is a powerful med.  Even at the lowest dose of 25mg, I’d recommend quartering the pill and working up.  I felt very groggy, tired, and light headed, but it was much better then a daily chronic migraine.   It’s usually perscribed for extremely agitated psychotics, so it may have profound effect effect on you.  For my first dose of 25mg, I slept for 16 hrs straight of badly needed sleep.  I worked up to 300mg, but I’ve weaned back down to 150mg.  Any lower and I go back to migraine hell. Also, keep in mind that because your ins company denies perscription, you can still purchase the medication yourself.  I know this can be a financial burden, but for me, it pales compared to the cost of not being able to work.  My perscription for 15 300mg (that I cut in half) runs me about $124/month before my ins pays half.  Money well spent. Erik

Response:

The boat Erik the boat  ~grin~

I was thinking boat and then I had to read it again to pick up the other meaning. Cat not on the beach yet.  It needs to repairs.  Maybe this weekend if it doesn’t rain. Erik

Response:

Erik, How did the doctor prescribe the Seroquel?  My neuro is trying to get this for me, but the insurance company says it’s an anti psychotic drug and using it for migraine prevention or insomnia is an off label use and therefore they will not cover it.  They’ve asked for him to cite two studies where Seroquel was used for insomnia before they will approve the prescription.  The doctor told me on Monday that he will look for the information, but I got a call today from his nurse saying that the prior authorization was denied. Maybe I should be looking for studies for allergies or migraine? Karen in San Diego – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. I was going to try it, but then my insurance wouldn’t fill it.  By then I found a different drug (seroquel) that worked great. Erik

Response:

I’ve never tried singulair,have tried Serquel {sp?} didnt help tho. I’ve tried benedril only helped allerigies,made go to sleep. MM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am starting to have some headaches, but since I’m on steroids, Advair, Albuterol, and God knows how many other drugs at this moment, it’s hard to say it’s actually the Singulair.  I can say it is the best allergy medication I’ve ever taken.  I’ve never had days like this where my nose wasn’t constantly dripping.  If I find it’s the Singulair giving me headaches, I’m going to try a 5 mg dose to see if that helps. Michelle I liked what it did for my allergies/sinus but after 3 wks of taking it i had problems with my gallbladder/liver.  I stopped taking it and everything went back to normal. tracey Here’s some stuff: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_specific_drugs_used_preven… Leukotriene-Antagonists. Leukotriene-antagonists are anti-inflammatory agents that blocks leukotrienes, powerful immune system factors that are important in causing airway constriction. They include zileuton (Ziflo), zafirlukast (Accolate), montelukast (Singulair), and pranlukast (Ultair, Onon). These agents are being used in asthma and some physicians have observed a reduction in migraine frequency in asthmatic patients who also had these headaches. In one study that investigated their use for migraine prevention, more than half of patients experienced a reduction in frequency of severe attacks. They are not approved by the FDA for migraines, however, nor are they routinely used by physicians. Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

Response:

I’ll call around and see who has the Seroquel and for what price and since it would be without insurance I could fill it anywhere.

If 50mg worked for you, great!  Given that I was comatose for 16 hrs on my first dose, I was a little more cautious. Wow, that’s really good that it worked for you.  I’ve found the best prices at Sam’s and Walgreens.  It’s usually priced per dose, so you can buy fewer larger pills for a better deal.  I recommend a pill cutter. You could also get a pdoc to give you an exotic diagnosis that the ins company won’t challenge.  <hint  (Just consider life & health ins before you acquire such a label.) Erik

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve heard of people on here who have in combination with other medicatins…not sure which ones.  I’m taking it right now for my seasonal allergies and it works great for me.  We’ll see if it helps curb the migraines as well as I have chronic daily migraines. Michelle Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

I saw a post here some time ago from someone who was using it with, I think, Vioxx, a COX-2 inhibiter.  Vioxx is gone, but Celebrex is still available, and it might work with an ordinary NSAID, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.  I think I was able to find an article about Singulair alone on a MEDLINE search of montelukast (Singulair(R)) AND migraine.  Zaphirlukast (Accolate(R)) does about the same thing and a months worth is about 40% less expensive than Singulair, but is a twice-a-day dose schedule. The rationale presumably is that the combination blocks both parts of the chain from eicosenoic acid or arachidonic acid to two pro-inflammatory substances, leukotrienes or long-acting substance of anaphylaxis, an important intermediary in asthma, and prostaglandins.

Response:

Erik, Thanks for the info.  At first, I was given 20 25 mg pills as a sample and told to take one or two before bedtime.  I did this on a Friday night.  I woke up Saturday after eight glorious hours of sleep!  So, 50 mg should not have been my first dose, I should have titrated up, interesting, they didn’t tell me that. Second time, they only had four pill sample packs, so they gave me four pills.  I took two 25 mg pills the first night, then two again the second night.  The next night, sans seroquel, I took 30 mg of temazepam, but had break through awakenings throughout the night. Last night I took two 10 mg Ambien.  Surprise, got eight hours of sleep only interrupted once.  It seems like my brain gets used to a med, but after awhile I can go back to it for a short time.  Halcion did nothing, but Ambien is the same type of med.  What gives? I will pursue Seroquel through my insurance and if they still deny it after the doctor does his research, I may try a month or two of paying for it myself.  My neuro is a sleep specialist, you’d think they would trust him to prescribed off label without all the run around. I’ll call around and see who has the Seroquel and for what price and since it would be without insurance I could fill it anywhere. Thanks again. Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How did the doctor prescribe the Seroquel?   What kind of doctor?  I’d recommend a psychiatrist that also suffers from migraines.  I’ve been very fortunate to find some very empathetic pdocs over the last few years.  It’s a whole different world and there is all sorts of drugs available to them that aren’t available to a neurologist. As for me, I showed up at a psychiatrist after persuing every other option.  According to him, I was suffering from classic anxiety attacks that were bathing my brain in adrenalin.  Beta blockers worked, but not very well.  Based on reports from another poster in the group, I asked for seroquel and he went along with it.  It proved to be a silver bullet for me. Ins companies have been starting to question seroquel because it’s being perscribed basically for sleep.  It’s a fairly expensive sleep medication, but if you’re suffering from daily migraines and it works, it’s well worth the cost. My pdoc had samples that I used for the first month.  I’d explain your ins situation and just ask for these.  If it works, you’ll know the fight is worth it. Keep in mind that seroquel is a powerful med.  Even at the lowest dose of 25mg, I’d recommend quartering the pill and working up.  I felt very groggy, tired, and light headed, but it was much better then a daily chronic migraine.   It’s usually perscribed for extremely agitated psychotics, so it may have profound effect effect on you.  For my first dose of 25mg, I slept for 16 hrs straight of badly needed sleep.  I worked up to 300mg, but I’ve weaned back down to 150mg.  Any lower and I go back to migraine hell. Also, keep in mind that because your ins company denies perscription, you can still purchase the medication yourself.  I know this can be a financial burden, but for me, it pales compared to the cost of not being able to work.  My perscription for 15 300mg (that I cut in half) runs me about $124/month before my ins pays half.  Money well spent. Erik

Response:

Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

Response:

I’ve heard of people on here who have in combination with other medicatins…not sure which ones.  I’m taking it right now for my seasonal allergies and it works great for me.  We’ll see if it helps curb the migraines as well as I have chronic daily migraines. Michelle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta…. Thanks!

Response:

Has anybody hears about the use of Singulair tablets (normally used for hay fever and asthma) for the treatment of headaches.  From Google I got this Dr. Greene stuff http://www.drgreene.com/21_316.html and http://www.google.com/search?q=singulaire&sourceid=mozilla-search&sta….

I was going to try it, but then my insurance wouldn’t fill it.  By then I found a different drug (seroquel) that worked great. Erik

Response:

Clear DayHey Debbie, Watch all that jumping around – you might hit your head on the ceiling and…… "get a headache" Good for you. I am sure we are all happy for you. Go Girl Dan   I had my follow up visit to my neuro last week.  He finally decided that I needed preventative meds (originally he said that ONLY 3 headaches a month was not bad enough for them).  I had gotten to the point where I had almost daily headaches and had given up most days on treating them unless I couldn’t see to drive.  I have lived with these demons for 30+ years and some you live with and ignore.  ANYWAY, he had been to some drug rep meeting or something and had heard this news that people who had sinus problems and migraine were getting relief using Singulair daily.  Now, Singulair is actually an asthma prevention drug, so I don’t get the connection, but I have to tell you that for the first time in MONTHS I have not had a headache at all for almost an entire WEEK now!  HOORRAYYY!!  I know that my hormone headaches are only about a week or so away, and we will see how this treatment helps with those, but for now I am just so grateful that I have had some painfree days.  I am hoping also that the results from this will last for a while.  Most of the other treatments I have tried only lasted for a few months at best and then back to square one.   Anyone else heard about this?  My mom is getting it from her doc to try too.  I can actually jump up and down in joy and not be in pain.  It is wonderful…   —   Debby H

Response:

Clear DayI had my follow up visit to my neuro last week.  He finally decided that I needed preventative meds (originally he said that ONLY 3 headaches a month was not bad enough for them).  I had gotten to the point where I had almost daily headaches and had given up most days on treating them unless I couldn’t see to drive.  I have lived with these demons for 30+ years and some you live with and ignore.  ANYWAY, he had been to some drug rep meeting or something and had heard this news that people who had sinus problems and migraine were getting relief using Singulair daily.  Now, Singulair is actually an asthma prevention drug, so I don’t get the connection, but I have to tell you that for the first time in MONTHS I have not had a headache at all for almost an entire WEEK now!  HOORRAYYY!!  I know that my hormone headaches are only about a week or so away, and we will see how this treatment helps with those, but for now I am just so grateful that I have had some painfree days.  I am hoping also that the results from this will last for a while.  Most of the other treatments I have tried only lasted for a few months at best and then back to square one. Anyone else heard about this?  My mom is getting it from her doc to try too.  I can actually jump up and down in joy and not be in pain.  It is wonderful… — Debby H

Response:

Clear DayDebby, This all started when patients at the New England Center for Headache noticed that those who started taking Singulair for their asthma had a reduction in their migraines. They did a very small study there, and found that Singulair was an effective preventive for some of the participants in their small study. There are clinical trials being conducted now. — Teri Robert your About Guide to Headaches http://headaches.about.com visit our forum at: http://headaches.about.com/mpboards.htm

I had my follow up visit to my neuro last week.  He finally decided that I needed preventative meds (originally he said that ONLY 3 headaches a month was not bad enough for them).  I had gotten to the point where I had almost daily headaches and had given up most days on treating them unless I couldn’t see to drive.  I have lived with these demons for 30+ years and some you live with and ignore.  ANYWAY, he had been to some drug rep meeting or something and had heard this news that people who had sinus problems and migraine were getting relief using Singulair daily.  Now, Singulair is actually an asthma prevention drug, so I don’t get the connection, but I have to tell you that for the first time in MONTHS I have not had a headache at all for almost an entire WEEK now!  HOORRAYYY!!  I know that my hormone headaches are only about a week or so away, and we will see how this treatment helps with those, but for now I am just so grateful that I have had some painfree days.  I am hoping also that the results from this will last for a while.  Most of the other treatments I have tried only lasted for a few months at best and then back to square one. Anyone else heard about this?  My mom is getting it from her doc to try too. I can actually jump up and down in joy and not be in pain.  It is wonderful… — Debby H

Response:

Well, I am glad that they found it!  I know it might not last, most of the other treatments quit after a while, but I am just happy to (still) be under control.  I did get a doozy Monday morning after spending all day Sunday at the drag strip (had to cheer on my brother) in the sun with all that loud noise, but that was to be expected And it actually went away after only ONE dose of Maxalt. Still smiling…  the next test will be my hormone headache which is due in about a week, we will seeee… — Debby

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BTDTDW (been there done that didn’t work) — but no side effects for me, which was in itself a wonder. –Julianne

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Yes!  I tried it with no success, but my son tried it with wonderful results.  Didn’t completely get rid of his headaches,  but he had 80-90% improvement,and no side effects.  This is definitely worth trying. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody tried Singulair as a migraine preventive?

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Anybody tried Singulair as a migraine preventive?

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Question:

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com…

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hi Staggy, I too find it easier to dish out advise then to "help myself". Anyway, I am looking forward to your posts. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Lain –   My ocd is mostly what they would refer to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have much of the compulsions that are typical of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really hard for me. It keeps me isolated. I spent a month in a day hospital during october which did help but I have a lot of work left to do. The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com…

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hello Staggy Welcome to the group! Sounds like you’ve come to the right place. Dr Zorg

Response:

"Staggy" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72r14fctffbc1@corp.supernews.com…

The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Yes, "seems" like the is no light at the end of this tunnel. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Staggy wrote:

  My ocd is mostly what they would refer

to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have

much of the compulsions that are typical

of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really

hard for me. It keeps me isolated.

Copied from a post I wrote a few weeks ago –

‘FWIW, most people who claim to be ‘pure obsessionals’ or to have ‘pure o’ OCD, in fact perform mental compulsions. Which is good news, in a way, cos it was previously believed that people with just obsessions (people with ‘pure o’ OCD) were more difficult to treat because there were no compulsions to deal with. Most experts now see the concept of ‘pure o’ OCD as outdated and not useful for proper treatment as more has been learned about mental compulsions. Now, people who were once labelled as ‘pure o’ and thus ‘difficult to treat’ are seen as just as treatable as people with ‘regular’ OCD.’ I would add that it could be that isolating yourself is a form of OCD avoidance, which is very typical OCD behaviour.  

The cure is worse than the disease itself.

In some cases, yes. In many cases it’s the belief that the treatment is worse than the OCD that is the culprit. There are many studies that show that people with OCD devalue their ability to cope with ‘bad’ experiences, much more than people without OCD. Couple that with tendencies for people with OCD to exaggerate risk, catastrophize and to dwell on the negative, it’s no wonder many people with OCD do not do CBT. — ARQ Add a dot on each side of the ‘r’ in my name and a ‘c’ in front of lara to email me.

Response:

I drove an ambulance for 15 years and I’ve worked in a hospital for most of my adult life but I don’t want to delude you into thinking I’m a DOCTOR or anything. I also find it easier to help others than to help myself. I’ve been on this group for over for over 5 years and have gotten a lot of useful information from this group. I also find the moral support encouraging. I’ve was diagnosed with OCD & depression 12 years ago (have had it longer). I’ve taken Pamalor, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, & some others with varying results. SOme were pretty good (like Pamalor and Paxil) but I didn’t like the side effects. I’m currently on Zoloft and Tegretol and I am going to stop the Zoloft (gives me diarrhea & makes me anxious) and try Luvox starting tomorrow. Welcome. NK PS- I would be careful about using your real name on usenet. Too many psychos. "Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

Hi NK,         It is a known fact that diarrhea is a side effect of Zoloft. However, my experience is that you have less risk of it if you take it with a full stomach.  Also, thank you for letting me pick your brain about my current situation. JP

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Question:

I suspect high dose gabapentin (Neurontin) may help somewhat.  It may speed the recovery and re regulation of your endogenous opioid system. Take with clonazepam (Klonopin) for first two weeks (probably 1-5 mg/day).  Add Ambien for sleep as needed during week 1 and 2. Perhaps see a Doc? Dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi i just want to post this. This is sorta dam scarry for me. If someone could help me out, more so with a proper medicaton regimend and works, ill send them a check for 500 dollars. ya sounds funny but well worth it. to sum it up, iv been addicted to ghb for 2 yrs. It has cost me a 50 thousand dollar job, 2 cars, loss of an apt, loss of numeruous women, friens, family, felony record, 1 yr jail time, and about 50 thousaund on top of that. Iv been to 2 rehabs, 2 addiction specialists, 2 p docts. Have tried 5 different antidepressatns , remeorn, desipramine, prozac, effexor, depakote, xanax.  ALl to no avail.   Iv been humiliated in the media, and have severe social phobia. Have been tuted as a rapist, cannot get a girlfriend due to this, friends and family look at me as a rapist, and drug addict. I have tried alcohol, opiates, cocaine which STILL didnt help.  i tried being g clean for 2 months and sufferend from severe depression, i feel like im not living and this is a big dream, totally dyphoric, cannot even talk to my own family without being gd up.  my pdoc said he never seen sucha sever addciton much worse than heroin. Now what the fuck could i do. than next cap make me feel TOTALLY 100 percent great. help me please. gman

Response:

Hi Geno, I just wanted to say it’s possible…  My story is similar to yours and I’ve been clean off G about 2 and a half years. Currently on anti depressants, and living a decent life. Withdrawl is a bitch, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train… just seems like one. Best wishes, Rich

Response:

Hi i just want to post this. This is sorta dam scarry for me. If someone could help me out, more so with a proper medicaton regimend and works, ill send them a check for 500 dollars. ya sounds funny but well worth it. to sum it up, iv been addicted to ghb for 2 yrs. It has cost me a 50 thousand dollar job, 2 cars, loss of an apt, loss of numeruous women, friens, family, felony record, 1 yr jail time, and about 50 thousaund on top of that. Iv been to 2 rehabs, 2 addiction specialists, 2 p docts. Have tried 5 different antidepressatns , remeorn, desipramine, prozac, effexor, depakote, xanax.  ALl to no avail.   Iv been humiliated in the media, and have severe social phobia. Have been tuted as a rapist, cannot get a girlfriend due to this, friends and family look at me as a rapist, and drug addict. I have tried alcohol, opiates, cocaine which STILL didnt help.  i tried being g clean for 2 months and sufferend from severe depression, i feel like im not living and this is a big dream, totally dyphoric, cannot even talk to my own family without being gd up.  my pdoc said he never seen sucha sever addciton much worse than heroin. Now what the fuck could i do. than next cap make me feel TOTALLY 100 percent great. help me please. gman

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi i just want to post this. This is sorta dam scarry for me. If someone could help me out, more so with a proper medicaton regimend and works, ill send them a check for 500 dollars. ya sounds funny but well worth it. to sum it up, iv been addicted to ghb for 2 yrs. It has cost me a 50 thousand dollar job, 2 cars, loss of an apt, loss of numeruous women, friens, family, felony record, 1 yr jail time, and about 50 thousaund on top of that. Iv been to 2 rehabs, 2 addiction specialists, 2 p docts. Have tried 5 different antidepressatns , remeorn, desipramine, prozac, effexor, depakote, xanax.  ALl to no avail.  Iv been humiliated in the media, and have severe social phobia. Have been tuted as a rapist, cannot get a girlfriend due to this, friends and family look at me as a rapist, and drug addict. I have tried alcohol, opiates, cocaine which STILL didnt help.  i tried being g clean for 2 months and sufferend from severe depression, i feel like im not living and this is a big dream, totally dyphoric, cannot even talk to my own family without being gd up.  my pdoc said he never seen sucha sever addciton much worse than heroin. Now what the fuck could i do. than next cap make me feel TOTALLY 100 percent great.

Wow!  And I thought meth was addictive.  I’ve never tried GHB and have no idea what would counteract withdrawal symptoms.  Just found this link: http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/presentations/Patterns_trends_G… It says that high dosage benzodiazapene treatment can shorten withdrawal, but benzos are also highly addictive.  It also says that an anticonvulsants may help.  I would have suggested an anti-psychotic but the site claims that may increase the incidence of EPS; Haldol is recommended for delirium, though. Amphetamine would certainly pick you up but you aren’t going to find a doctor to prescribe it and it is highly addictive and the crash is terrible.  You should find another doctor and try something besides plain old antidepressant treatment.  Good luck.

Response:

Question:

I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes.

I’m glad you are giving up your silence. but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much.

<nod, nod I know this one. , and my moods can change so rapidly

Mine too. I just can’t sleep properly.  I just want to feel rested, and to wake up and not still feel tired.  It would be great not to wake up heaps of times during the night.  I’m back taking valium again,

OK, NOW you’re really starting to sound like me but I went on Xanax. The last two nights, I’ve taken more than I’m supposed to, hoping that an extra pill or two will be enough to let me sleep.

I’m not telling but I might do this too but the Xanax does knock me out for a while. I also have been having weird and bad dreams again. I hope you start doing better soon. Maybe by opening up it will help. Mary Beth p’ed and e’d

Response:

I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my

hugs to you too! Sfunny..  I was just thinking I hadn’t seen you for a while in asd… glad to see that you are okayish…. I know how you feel about tiredness…  I’m on 225mg daily of effexor, and i constantly feel very tired…..  I sleep ok, but i wake at 7am every day ((( have you tried herbal sleeping pills???  They may mess up with your meds….  Not getting enough sleep is annoying…. Have you mentioned your sleeping problems to your GP/therapist??? Don’t worry for posting for selfish reasons….  you have helped us loads of times in the past, so it’s time that we helped you…. Take care of yourself you hear??? Brian… Pooh…  Something stinks in my room….  Better get the hoover out!!! /~~ The Depressed Nudist ~~

Response:

I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes. I’m glad you are giving up your silence.

Thanks.  Staying silent seems safer, but I know talking and stepping over the other boundaries that I think keep me safe is the only way for me to make progress. but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much. <nod, nod I know this one.

It’s hard for people, even those who, like Leigh, have battled some depression themselves, to see things from my point of view.  When some days just getting out of bed is a great achievement, or even just staying alive, it seems to me like I’m making a huge effort.  But other people can’t read my mind, and they don’t know how hard some days can be, so to them, it seems like I’m doing nothing. , and my moods can change so rapidly Mine too.

This is new for me, since I’m not bipolar.  All I know is that one day, or even one hour, I can feel fairly good, and the next I’m crying or just unable to function at all.  It’s taking a bit of getting used to. I just can’t sleep properly.  I just want to feel rested, and to wake up and not still feel tired.  It would be great not to wake up heaps of times during the night.  I’m back taking valium again, OK, NOW you’re really starting to sound like me but I went on Xanax.

I haven’t slept well in years, so I’m thinking of telling my pdoc when I see him next week if I can try a different sedative, because obviously the valium isn’t working as well as it’s supposed to. The last two nights, I’ve taken more than I’m supposed to, hoping that an extra pill or two will be enough to let me sleep. I’m not telling but I might do this too but the Xanax does knock me out for a while. I also have been having weird and bad dreams again. I hope you start doing better soon. Maybe by opening up it will help. Mary Beth p’ed and e’d

Thanks Mary Beth.  I’m glad you’ve found a pill that helps you sleep, at least at the moment anyway.  Luckily, I haven’t had many medication induced dreams (in fact, I rarely dream at all) so I really hope those go away quickly. I hope opening up a bit and posting again helps me, because nothing else seems to be working anymore. Also, thanks for responding to my post.  You don’t usually respond to things I write, and I was starting to wonder if I’d offended you or something.  I couldn’t think of how I might have done that, but I felt like I was being ignored.  I’m glad I’ve been proven wrong, and I can assume those thoughts were my own paranoia sneaking in again. I would have said that via e-mail, rather than posting it to the group,  but my proxy server is screwed up at the moment, and I can’t access my web based mail, only the account and newsgroups I have set up through Outlook Express. Thanks again, Kylie.

Response:

CAREFUL WITH THE VALIUM. It is a muscle relaxant. And your Heart is a MUSCLE. I do hope you find something to help you get some sleep. Have you tried Ambien or Deseryl? I flip and flop like a fish out of water at times when i try to sleep at night, i have been meaning to go to a sleep clinic. If you constantly wake up, you will never get into your REM stage of sleep and you will feel tired all of the time. I hope that you are doing better. Sincerely, Trish

Response:

It sure sounds like you’ve been through an unbelievable amount of shit.  I can’t even imagine.

Yep, an "unbelievable amount of shit" sums it up pretty well, although there are others here who have been through worse.  I’ve been diagnosed for about 14 months now, and on meds for about 8 months, yet nothing has made any difference.  I’m now failing out of uni because I can’t function properly, and I’m just trying to hang in there until my psychiatrist finds a medication that works for me.  He does believe I will respond to an SSRI, but since there’s a hell of a lot of them it could take a while to find the right one.   I have depression and have been "lucky" – I found a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – great shrink many years ago who knew what she was doing about medication and put me on Parnate, which I have been taking for almost 10 years.  I also have seen her on a regular basis for psychotherapy.  It sound horrible that you had to experience these kind of side effects on your medication.  A competent doctor should work with you to find the best medicine for you which does not have those kind of effects.  There are so many medications available now – for me, I only got real help when I went to a shrink who was trained in psychopharmocology.  It was a great combination – she knew everything about the medicines and was a great psychotherapist.  There are a lot of people out there like that.  Maybe you could find a better shrink/therapist who would work more closely with you to get the right meds which don’t fuck up your body.  Good luck.

I’m not considering changing therapists or psychiatrists yet, because I have a great relationship with my therp, and my pdoc’s specialty is abuse and trauma survivors, which is what I need, and he is nice.  I will admit that the side-effects are a total pain in the arse, but hopefully I will find a good med soon which will work, so I don’t have to keep getting used to new meds and adjusting to new effects. Thanks for caring, and I’ll definitely keep what you’ve said about changing therps or pdocs if I don’t start making some progress soon. Kylie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes. I’ve been on the medication side-effects roller-coaster for a while now, but my body has finally adjusted to Effexor XR 150 mg.  Before then, I had days of vomiting, and one really scary day when I couldn’t stand up or walk without feeling like I’d pass out, and my hands and feet going numb.  I ended up at the hospital for that one, but there wasn’t anything they could do.  I just had to adjust. Leigh and I are still together, but our relationship has been weakened recently by lots of fights, all caused by my moods.  He’s trying to be there for me, and understand how I’m feeling, but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much.  I tell him that I can’t leave my little room to stay at his place overnight, like I do every Tuesday night, and he gets angry.  I just need some space sometimes, and my moods can change so rapidly I  just know I need to be alone sometimes because I don’t want to say something and hurt him.  I love him too much. I haven’t seen my therp or pdoc in weeks.  I’ve spoken to both of them briefly on the phone, but that’s it.  I was genuinely sick last Monday, so I cancelled my appointment, and spoke to my therp on the phone instead. This Monday though, I wasn’t too sick to go.  I just couldn’t leave here, so I rang up and said I was still sick.  I only spoke to the receptionist.  I know I should get out of here and go see someone, but I don’t know if I can. I’m so tired, and all I want to do is sleep.  Getting dressed and walking to the counselling centre seems like too much. I just can’t sleep properly.  I just want to feel rested, and to wake up and not still feel tired.  It would be great not to wake up heaps of times during the night.  I’m back taking valium again, and even that isn’t working.  The last two nights, I’ve taken more than I’m supposed to, hoping that an extra pill or two will be enough to let me sleep.  It still hasn’t worked.  I take the maximum doseage when I go to bed, and still wake up within a couple of hours.  So I take an extra pill, hoping it will help me get back to sleep and stay asleep.  But I still wake up again and again. After a while I take one more, just hoping I’ll be able to sleep, but nothing works.  And yes, I do realise how scary that sounds, but I’m not going to take too many. Well, I guess that’s all the ranting I have to do at the moment.  Sorry for not posting lately.  There’s been a lot I wanted to say, but I just haven’t been able to come out of my shell.  Figures the time I do come out and post again, it’s for totally selfish reasons. Hugs to everyone.  I’ve been lurking, and have been with you all in my heart. Kylie. — ***** "I may seem alright and smile when you leave, but my smiles are just a front." "I try" – Macy Gray website:  http://members.dcscomp.com.au/thomas *****

Response:

I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes. i’ve missed you. sorry, i should have said something. i’m glad you posted though, and i’m sorry things are not better for you right now. keep hangin on, kylie.

Thanks.  I didn’t think anyone had noticed I was gone.  I was hoping someone would care and post an MIA or something, but I needed to talk so I decided that my pride isn’t that important after all, and I should do what’s right for me, which is posting when I need to. I’m still hanging on, even though it’s really tough some days.  I keep going because of the slight hope that things will get better, so I’m clinging to that as tight as I can. {{{{{{kylie}}}}}}

Thanks  Right back at ya. Kylie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — "there is a sadness that grows up around me like a weed" (ani) http://shattering.org x-no-archive: yes in the headers —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my hugs to you too! Sfunny..  I was just thinking I hadn’t seen you for a while in asd… glad to see that you are okayish….

Thanks.  I didn’t think people would notice that I was gone. I know how you feel about tiredness…  I’m on 225mg daily of effexor, and i constantly feel very tired…..  I sleep ok, but i wake at 7am every day (((

I understand.  Last year, I had problems falling asleep.  Now, I can fall asleep fairly quickly, but I just can’t stay asleep.  It’s become normal for me to wake up every 2 or 3 hours for no reason at all. have you tried herbal sleeping pills???  They may mess up with your meds….  Not getting enough sleep is annoying….

My boyfriend gave me some herbal pills called Valerian which sometimes work, and they don’t seem to interfere with my meds, but the instructions say take 3-6 tablets at night to improve sleep, and it takes the full 6 to have any effect at all for me, so I’m going through the bottle very quickly, and they’re expensive.  Unfortunatly I’m on a limited budget, so that has to be a consideration. Have you mentioned your sleeping problems to your GP/therapist???

Heaps of times.  They keep telling me the antidepressants or the valium will work, but since it’s becoming more and more obvious that they aren’t, hopefully they’ll decide to try something else. Don’t worry for posting for selfish reasons….  you have helped us loads of times in the past, so it’s time that we helped you….

I suppose…..It still feels like I’m being selfish though. Take care of yourself you hear???

I hear, and I’m trying. Brian… Pooh…  Something stinks in my room….  Better get the hoover out!!!

hehehehe Thanks Brian, Kylie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – /~~ The Depressed Nudist ~~

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CAREFUL WITH THE VALIUM. It is a muscle relaxant. And your Heart is a MUSCLE. I do hope you find something to help you get some sleep. Have you tried Ambien or Deseryl? I flip and flop like a fish out of water at times when i try to sleep at night, i have been meaning to go to a sleep clinic. If you constantly wake up, you will never get into your REM stage of sleep and you will feel tired all of the time. I hope that you are doing better. Sincerely, Trish

Thanks Trish. I know it was stupid to take that much Valium.  The only good thing was that I spaced the pills out through the night, rather than taking double my maximum dose all at once.  I’m just willing to try anything if it means I’ll get a good nights sleep, and not constantly feel exhausted.  I had no other intentions. I’m feeling a little bit better at the moment, but I hope stress doesn’t kick in too badly with my exams approaching, because I know how much that effects me.  I’m just hanging in there and hoping that my pdoc will have some new suggestions when I see him next week. Again, thanks for your concern.  I know it was a mistake, and I won’t experiment with my valium doseage again. Kylie.

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I also have been having weird and bad dreams again.

Are you sharing all your dreams with Terry? Is he interested, or bored? If he is bored, you could tell me instead. I could be your new husband for that purpose, until Jun.05 anyway.

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<<I can’t access my web based mail, only the account and newsgroups I have set up through Outlook Express. Did you get the e-mail I sent you on May.05&06?

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<<I can fall asleep fairly quickly, but I just can’t stay asleep. It’s become normal for me to wake up every 2 or 3 hours for no reason at all. I’m that way normally. If it’s dark at night, I fall back to sleep each time, but if I go to bed really late at night, then when it’s already morning light and I wake up I can’t get back to sleep. By the way, it’s 3AM now, which means I am going to get only 2.5 hours sleep before first light wakes me up and I can’t get back to sleep, shit!

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little mouse said: <<I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now. Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me. Last Fall we were exchanging e-mail. I was encouraging you to say ‘hi’ to people etc. to overcome shyness. Apparently my advice worked, because you met your sweetheart ‘Leigh’ and ended your virginity with him. But when I e-mailed you a few weeks ago because you were hurting so bad and I wanted to help you, you ignored my e-mail, never replied. What’s wrong with you? <<Leigh and I are still together, but our relationship has been weakened recently by lots of fights, all caused by my moods. Oh, that’s so sad. I was so happy for you when you found Leigh. Leigh, if you are reading this, when she’s depressed DON’T fight with her, just hold her in your arms and let her know you love her, and ignore anything she says that seems to come from her depression. Don’t let her bad mood sucker you into a fight with her. Just give her the love she deserves, and which I know you want to give her but she resists it. Give it anyway, even if she says no sometimes. Let her know you love her in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, unconditionally. If you don’t actually love her like that, send me private e-mail so we can discuss it without her eavesdropping on it (remove my "shell." to get correct address). <<He’s trying to be there for me, and understand how I’m feeling, but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much.  I tell him that I can’t leave my little room to stay at his place overnight, like I do every Tuesday night, and he gets angry. Leigh, she can’t come to your place, she’s too emotionally low. You need to go to her place and stay with her. When she feels better THEN she can come to your place again. Don’t get angry at her for being lazy at times like this, you hear?? I cared about her before you even met her, and I still care about her, and I’m not going to let you treat her bad in her time of need. <<I just need some space sometimes, and my moods can change so rapidly I  just know I need to be alone sometimes because I don’t want to say something and hurt him.  I love him too much. No, don’t do that! He loves you and wants to help you. Don’t turn him away. He’ll be hurt more by not being allowed to be with you and help you, and worry if you’ll commit suicide while he’s gone, than any trivial hurt from something that "hurts" him. Please don’t turn him away if he wants to help you get through this. Please don’t worry about saying something to hurt him. Please listen to my advice. <<There’s been a lot I wanted to say, but I just haven’t been able to come out of my shell. Back to shy like you were last Summer? I got that way myself from August to early April, due to depression caused by SweetPest’s ending our friendship and nobody else in Real Life ever wanting me. So I understand. But if you let Leigh be with you almost all the time, and let him hug and kiss you many hours per day, you won’t get so depressed as I was totally alone with not a single person ever calling or visiting to check if I was alive much less feeling OK. <<Figures the time I do come out and post again, it’s for totally selfish reasons. That’s fine with me. You need help right now. My help is yours.

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I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes. I’ve been on the medication side-effects roller-coaster for a while now, but my body has finally adjusted to Effexor XR 150 mg.  Before then, I had days of vomiting, and one really scary day when I couldn’t stand up or walk without feeling like I’d pass out, and my hands and feet going numb.  I ended up at the hospital for that one, but there wasn’t anything they could do.  I just had to adjust. Leigh and I are still together, but our relationship has been weakened recently by lots of fights, all caused by my moods.  He’s trying to be there for me, and understand how I’m feeling, but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much.  I tell him that I can’t leave my little room to stay at his place overnight, like I do every Tuesday night, and he gets angry.  I just need some space sometimes, and my moods can change so rapidly I  just know I need to be alone sometimes because I don’t want to say something and hurt him.  I love him too much. I haven’t seen my therp or pdoc in weeks.  I’ve spoken to both of them briefly on the phone, but that’s it.  I was genuinely sick last Monday, so I cancelled my appointment, and spoke to my therp on the phone instead.  This Monday though, I wasn’t too sick to go.  I just couldn’t leave here, so I rang up and said I was still sick.  I only spoke to the receptionist.  I know I should get out of here and go see someone, but I don’t know if I can. I’m so tired, and all I want to do is sleep.  Getting dressed and walking to the counselling centre seems like too much. I just can’t sleep properly.  I just want to feel rested, and to wake up and not still feel tired.  It would be great not to wake up heaps of times during the night.  I’m back taking valium again, and even that isn’t working.  The last two nights, I’ve taken more than I’m supposed to, hoping that an extra pill or two will be enough to let me sleep.  It still hasn’t worked.  I take the maximum doseage when I go to bed, and still wake up within a couple of hours.  So I take an extra pill, hoping it will help me get back to sleep and stay asleep.  But I still wake up again and again. After a while I take one more, just hoping I’ll be able to sleep, but nothing works.  And yes, I do realise how scary that sounds, but I’m not going to take too many. Well, I guess that’s all the ranting I have to do at the moment.  Sorry for not posting lately.  There’s been a lot I wanted to say, but I just haven’t been able to come out of my shell.  Figures the time I do come out and post again, it’s for totally selfish reasons. Hugs to everyone.  I’ve been lurking, and have been with you all in my heart. Kylie. — ***** "I may seem alright and smile when you leave, but my smiles are just a front." "I try" – Macy Gray website:  http://members.dcscomp.com.au/thomas *****

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It sure sounds like you’ve been through an unbelievable amount of shit.  I can’t even imagine.  I have depression and have been "lucky" – I found a great shrink many years ago who knew what she was doing about medication and put me on Parnate, which I have been taking for almost 10 years.  I also have seen her on a regular basis for psychotherapy.  It sound horrible that you had to experience these kind of side effects on your medication.  A competent doctor should work with you to find the best medicine for you which does not have those kind of effects.  There are so many medications available now – for me, I only got real help when I went to a shrink who was trained in psychopharmocology.  It was a great combination – she knew everything about the medicines and was a great psychotherapist.  There are a lot of people out there like that.  Maybe you could find a better shrink/therapist who would work more closely with you to get the right meds which don’t fuck up your body.  Good luck.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I haven’t posted anything in almost 2 weeks now.  Perhaps I wanted to see if anyone would miss me….It doesn’t matter though.  I need to break my silence and delurk for a few minutes. I’ve been on the medication side-effects roller-coaster for a while now, but my body has finally adjusted to Effexor XR 150 mg.  Before then, I had days of vomiting, and one really scary day when I couldn’t stand up or walk without feeling like I’d pass out, and my hands and feet going numb.  I ended up at the hospital for that one, but there wasn’t anything they could do.  I just had to adjust. Leigh and I are still together, but our relationship has been weakened recently by lots of fights, all caused by my moods.  He’s trying to be there for me, and understand how I’m feeling, but he doesn’t think I’m doing enough to fight my depression, and that I’m just giving in and staying in bed too much.  I tell him that I can’t leave my little room to stay at his place overnight, like I do every Tuesday night, and he gets angry.  I just need some space sometimes, and my moods can change so rapidly I  just know I need to be alone sometimes because I don’t want to say something and hurt him.  I love him too much. I haven’t seen my therp or pdoc in weeks.  I’ve spoken to both of them briefly on the phone, but that’s it.  I was genuinely sick last Monday, so I cancelled my appointment, and spoke to my therp on the phone instead. This Monday though, I wasn’t too sick to go.  I just couldn’t leave here, so I rang up and said I was still sick.  I only spoke to the receptionist.  I know I should get out of here and go see someone, but I don’t know if I can. I’m so tired, and all I want to do is sleep.  Getting dressed and walking to the counselling centre seems like too much. I just can’t sleep properly.  I just want to feel rested, and to wake up and not still feel tired.  It would be great not to wake up heaps of times during the night.  I’m back taking valium again, and even that isn’t working.  The last two nights, I’ve taken more than I’m supposed to, hoping that an extra pill or two will be enough to let me sleep.  It still hasn’t worked.  I take the maximum doseage when I go to bed, and still wake up within a couple of hours.  So I take an extra pill, hoping it will help me get back to sleep and stay asleep.  But I still wake up again and again. After a while I take one more, just hoping I’ll be able to sleep, but nothing works.  And yes, I do realise how scary that sounds, but I’m not going to take too many. Well, I guess that’s all the ranting I have to do at the moment.  Sorry for not posting lately.  There’s been a lot I wanted to say, but I just haven’t been able to come out of my shell.  Figures the time I do come out and post again, it’s for totally selfish reasons. Hugs to everyone.  I’ve been lurking, and have been with you all in my heart. Kylie. — ***** "I may seem alright and smile when you leave, but my smiles are just a front." "I try" – Macy Gray website:  http://members.dcscomp.com.au/thomas *****

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Question:

if you have a brookstone store in your area, you may want to check them out. i don’t remember catching the site soma suggested, but what about this one? http://www.brookstoneonline.com/ you may be able to find the location of the store nearest you that way too….and if they don’t have one in stock they can call around for you–part of the perk of going to an overly expensive store. Julie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Interesting suggestions Julie.  Personally I can sleep in any temperature — warm, cold, in-between, but I can’t stand to get out of bed if it’s cold!  (I personally believe that all mammals, including humans, should hibernate in the winter.  *g*)  We tend to keep the temperature in our house relatively constant. As for the compressed air cans with horns, that’s pretty much what my current alarm clock sounds like!  (I had one in college in my dorm that you could actually hear all the way down the hall.)  I usually need them that loud to wake me up, but I’ve gotten to the point (in my old age) where the noise really is starting to annoy me.  I’m looking for a more "gentle" way to wake up that will still be effective.  Music won’t do it for me unless it’s blasting (and that’s not very gentle either). The dawn simulator alarm clocks are terribly expensive … and apparently hard to come by this time of year!  The site soma referred to is sold out til 12/1.  I found some other sites that carry them — the company that manufactures them sells them for "only" $99.00, but they’re sold out indefinitely.  Obviously this is the wrong time of year to be looking!  I’m thinking that it might be worth a try though — they do have a 30-day money back guarantee if they don’t work. i too get the same way come the cold winter months….the one thing hubby and i have come up with believe it or not works really well for some strange reason. since both of us like to sleep with the air temp in the home quite chilly–about 65F or so and have a prob sleeping when it’s warm–above 72F, what we decided to do (also since he has no problems at getting up at the crack of dawn–read:5:00 amish) was keep the temp low at night, and since he gets up so much earlier than i do, he just cranks up the heat to about 72ish when he gets out of bed.  since it doesn’t take all that long for the place to warm up, and i can’t sleep when it’s too warm (i’m repeating myself, i know)…i am usually up by 6:30 at the latest….besides nothing beats coming out of the shower to a nice warm environment.  after i’ve recharged my body temp in the shower, i turn the heat back down.  it works really well, and since neither of us really want to actually shell out the $100 or so for the sunrise alarm clock…..well, you see where this is going. another thing i’ve done in the past, and still do, is use an alarm clock that plays tapes.  it’s really nice because i put on the music i like and actually want to listen to instead of talk on the usual morning shows.  granted my problem is that the morning show i used to listen to was cancelled and they are now in richmond virginia–anyone in richmond who listens to bender & jackie knows what i’m talking about. maybe those are some options you haven’t looked into? if all else fails, what about those cans of compressed air that have the horns on them? they’ll scare you awake…all you need is someone to use it for you in the am. Julie I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work. While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 — KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." Plato. — KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." Plato.

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i tried using a grow light for plants since it is supposed to emulate sunlight. it actually works pretty well, and keeps me warm too (added bonus).  just a thought for you Julie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I totally know what you mean with the air raid sirens.   I’m a pretty light sleeper in the morning, but that doesn’t stop me from rolling over and falling back to sleep if it’s still dark.   It’s just annoying to wake up to a buzzer or a beeper, or worse yet, the radio.   It makes my heart pound and I start shaking before I even get out of bed.   (I have a severe essential tremor in my hands.) So waking up to the light works much better for me.  :-)   I also wondered how they worked and went out on a limb when I bought it, which is why I thought I’d post about it.   Might as well save someone else the anguish of shelling out that much dough for an alarm clock without knowing if it will work. I found the clock while doing searches on SAD, because I knew what I wanted, I just couldn’t remember what it was called.    I don’t have SAD either, but like you, I do find that my energy level decreases a lot in the fall and winter because it’s so dark.   Plus I work in a windowless room all day long!   Bleh!   Maybe next I’ll get some high-intensity light bulbs for a lamp on my desk!  :-) Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 Y2K 60/2000 I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work.

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I won’t ask what kind of plants Julie <wink Betty i tried using a grow light for plants since it is supposed to emulate sunlight. it actually works pretty well, and keeps me warm too (added bonus).  just a thought for you Julie

Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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hehe, tropical….and no funny sharp looking leaves…..cactus actually. (although technically the poker things are sharp funny looking leaves, but not the kind you mean) J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I won’t ask what kind of plants Julie <wink Betty i tried using a grow light for plants since it is supposed to emulate sunlight. it actually works pretty well, and keeps me warm too (added bonus).  just a thought for you Julie Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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I won’t ask what kind of plants Julie <wink Betty

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one whose mind went there.  I knew I could always count on you Betty! Ismile 138/119/115 (for now) Y2K: 250 minutes aerobic; 80 minutes weight lifting; 330 minutes total Don’t exchange what you want most for what you want at the moment.

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I figured she might be growing some "natural herbs" to calm her nerves these days Betty I’m glad to see I’m not the only one whose mind went there.  I knew I could always count on you Betty! Ismile 138/119/115 (for now) Y2K: 250 minutes aerobic; 80 minutes weight lifting; 330 minutes total Don’t exchange what you want most for what you want at the moment.

Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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But think of what it would do to your appetite, Betty, my love! Jacqueline 180/148/140 It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I could use a few my self-heaven forbid they should legalize it so those who suffer pain would get some relief!! Betty I think I need some of them "natural herbs" ….    :) IS Manager:  Delete the "not.at." to reply 138/130/120 Y2K Areobics 60 minutes …  I’m trying, just can’t find the time or motivation Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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I’m with the legalization thing. I sprained both my ankles and left foot simultaneously once, to the point of hemmorhage. I am not sure I could have got through the first few days but for a friend’s gift of some good Hawaiian stuff. When needed it is highly effective. Cynthia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I could use a few my self-heaven forbid they should legalize it so those who suffer pain would get some relief!! Betty

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tsk tsk tsk, besides those herbs do nothing for me anyway.  BTDT, useless…. Julie (smiling innocently, nope, not that innocently) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I figured she might be growing some "natural herbs" to calm her nerves these days Betty I’m glad to see I’m not the only one whose mind went there.  I knew I could always count on you Betty! Ismile 138/119/115 (for now) Y2K: 250 minutes aerobic; 80 minutes weight lifting; 330 minutes total Don’t exchange what you want most for what you want at the moment. Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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I could use a few my self-heaven forbid they should legalize it so those who suffer pain would get some relief!!   Betty I think I need some of them "natural herbs" ….    :) IS Manager:  Delete the "not.at." to reply 138/130/120 Y2K Areobics 60 minutes …  I’m trying, just can’t find the time or motivation

Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

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I figured she might be growing some "natural herbs" to calm her nerves these days Betty I think I need some of them "natural herbs" ….    :) IS Manager:  Delete the "not.at." to reply 138/130/120 Y2K Areobics 60 minutes …  I’m trying, just can’t find the time or motivation

Response:

i tried using a grow light for plants since it is supposed to emulate sunlight. it actually works pretty well, and keeps me warm too (added bonus).  just a thought for you

There are full spectrum lights. Ott Lights, and Vitalight are 2 brand names. If you are dealing with SAD, these are the lights you should use. Marianne

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Yes, it might actually give me one Betty But think of what it would do to your appetite, Betty, my love! Jacqueline 180/148/140

Stroll to Goal Barmaid remove the bs to email 255 low fat-cal/249 Atkins/240/150 or Size 9 whichever comes first! On Atkins since 8/22/99

Response:

Interesting suggestions Julie.  Personally I can sleep in any temperature — warm, cold, in-between, but I can’t stand to get out of bed if it’s cold!  (I personally believe that all mammals, including humans, should hibernate in the winter.  *g*)  We tend to keep the temperature in our house relatively constant. As for the compressed air cans with horns, that’s pretty much what my current alarm clock sounds like!  (I had one in college in my dorm that you could actually hear all the way down the hall.)  I usually need them that loud to wake me up, but I’ve gotten to the point (in my old age) where the noise really is starting to annoy me.  I’m looking for a more "gentle" way to wake up that will still be effective.  Music won’t do it for me unless it’s blasting (and that’s not very gentle either). The dawn simulator alarm clocks are terribly expensive … and apparently hard to come by this time of year!  The site soma referred to is sold out til 12/1.  I found some other sites that carry them — the company that manufactures them sells them for "only" $99.00, but they’re sold out indefinitely.  Obviously this is the wrong time of year to be looking!  I’m thinking that it might be worth a try though — they do have a 30-day money back guarantee if they don’t work. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i too get the same way come the cold winter months….the one thing hubby and i have come up with believe it or not works really well for some strange reason. since both of us like to sleep with the air temp in the home quite chilly–about 65F or so and have a prob sleeping when it’s warm–above 72F, what we decided to do (also since he has no problems at getting up at the crack of dawn–read:5:00 amish) was keep the temp low at night, and since he gets up so much earlier than i do, he just cranks up the heat to about 72ish when he gets out of bed.  since it doesn’t take all that long for the place to warm up, and i can’t sleep when it’s too warm (i’m repeating myself, i know)…i am usually up by 6:30 at the latest….besides nothing beats coming out of the shower to a nice warm environment.  after i’ve recharged my body temp in the shower, i turn the heat back down.  it works really well, and since neither of us really want to actually shell out the $100 or so for the sunrise alarm clock…..well, you see where this is going. another thing i’ve done in the past, and still do, is use an alarm clock that plays tapes.  it’s really nice because i put on the music i like and actually want to listen to instead of talk on the usual morning shows.  granted my problem is that the morning show i used to listen to was cancelled and they are now in richmond virginia–anyone in richmond who listens to bender & jackie knows what i’m talking about. maybe those are some options you haven’t looked into? if all else fails, what about those cans of compressed air that have the horns on them? they’ll scare you awake…all you need is someone to use it for you in the am. Julie I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work. While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 — KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." Plato.

– KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow."   Plato.

Response:

I totally know what you mean with the air raid sirens.   I’m a pretty light sleeper in the morning, but that doesn’t stop me from rolling over and falling back to sleep if it’s still dark.   It’s just annoying to wake up to a buzzer or a beeper, or worse yet, the radio.   It makes my heart pound and I start shaking before I even get out of bed.   (I have a severe essential tremor in my hands.) So waking up to the light works much better for me.  :-)   I also wondered how they worked and went out on a limb when I bought it, which is why I thought I’d post about it.   Might as well save someone else the anguish of shelling out that much dough for an alarm clock without knowing if it will work. I found the clock while doing searches on SAD, because I knew what I wanted, I just couldn’t remember what it was called.    I don’t have SAD either, but like you, I do find that my energy level decreases a lot in the fall and winter because it’s so dark.   Plus I work in a windowless room all day long!   Bleh!   Maybe next I’ll get some high-intensity light bulbs for a lamp on my desk!  :-) Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 Y2K 60/2000 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work.

Response:

i too get the same way come the cold winter months….the one thing hubby and i have come up with believe it or not works really well for some strange reason. since both of us like to sleep with the air temp in the home quite chilly–about 65F or so and have a prob sleeping when it’s warm–above 72F, what we decided to do (also since he has no problems at getting up at the crack of dawn–read:5:00 amish) was keep the temp low at night, and since he gets up so much earlier than i do, he just cranks up the heat to about 72ish when he gets out of bed.  since it doesn’t take all that long for the place to warm up, and i can’t sleep when it’s too warm (i’m repeating myself, i know)…i am usually up by 6:30 at the latest….besides nothing beats coming out of the shower to a nice warm environment.  after i’ve recharged my body temp in the shower, i turn the heat back down.  it works really well, and since neither of us really want to actually shell out the $100 or so for the sunrise alarm clock…..well, you see where this is going. another thing i’ve done in the past, and still do, is use an alarm clock that plays tapes.  it’s really nice because i put on the music i like and actually want to listen to instead of talk on the usual morning shows.  granted my problem is that the morning show i used to listen to was cancelled and they are now in richmond virginia–anyone in richmond who listens to bender & jackie knows what i’m talking about. maybe those are some options you haven’t looked into? if all else fails, what about those cans of compressed air that have the horns on them? they’ll scare you awake…all you need is someone to use it for you in the am. Julie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work. While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135 — KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow." Plato.

Response:

I actually looked at getting one of those last year, as they are supposed to be good for people with SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I don’t think I actually have SAD, though I do find I tend to be much more fatigued, less enthusiastic, and less inclined to get out of bed as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.  I’ve always had a horrible time getting out of bed in the morning, and have had to buy alarm clocks with incredibly loud alarms (can you say "air raid siren"?).  I’m at the point where those alarms are getting really annoying to wake up to though, and am looking for something a bit more gentle. Thanks for the info … I’d been wondering how well they actually work. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135

– KC "Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow."   Plato.

Response:

thanks for the recommendation! might do a couple of my children some good!  :) rosie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135

Response:

i’ve been looking into getting one of those.  they sell it at brookstone i think or sharper image….it looks really cool. Julie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135

Response:

I’m one of those people who can’t get out of bed for work, never mind exercise… I have my alarm clock across the room so that when I finally wake up 10 minutes after it started going off, I can switch on the light on my way back.  At least when I do that I don’t hit snooze ten thousand times. Only one thousand times and then I’m so annoyed by the light I get up. This clock sounds like a good idea.  Christmas is coming — Mom? Jennifer in Vancouver Y2K – 100 down; 1900 to go 140/122.5/110 "I’ll make it to the moon if I have to crawl" — Scar Tissue; Red Hot Chili Peppers [seeking Bonnie Sharon Porter] * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

While this technically is not on-topic, it sort of is.   I’ve mentioned on the list a few times that it’s really difficult for me to get up early to exercise when it’s dark outside.   I found the solution, so I thought I’d post about it for other people who may have the same difficulty. It’s called the Soleil Sun Alarm Clock.   It has a little built in lamp, and if you set it for 6:00 a.m., it will start fading from low to high light, just like sunrise.   It has a little beeper thing that goes off at the time you set the clock for, but believe it or not, you usually wake up before the beeper goes off.   It’s pretty darned cool!!! Here is where I bought mine from (no this isn’t a spam, I don’t sell the things, I just really like mine….) http://www.sadlight.com/ss-soleilsunmain.htm BTW, I know it’s expensive, but if you have a committment to exercising every day and early in the morning is the only time slot open, and if you can’t wake up while it’s dark, then it’s really worth the expenditure….. Live well, — soma 180/17?/135

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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Question:

My doc wants me to take Zoloft and gave me a 3 week sample to start. (I haven’t tried them yet). I asked my pharmacist how much it would cost and he said 30 days of 50s would be well over $60.00. I don’t think so, I am on Medicare (a whole $578/mo) and pay for all my drugs.  My husband works but I really want to be able to cover anything I need just in case he ever looses his job or something. I cannot take Elavil, I tried it once (psych dosage) and became a raving bitch and couldn’t make a rational judgement.  My husband asked me after a week to quit taking the stuff, which I was glad to do as the side effects were awful.  The depression I was going through at the time was nothing compared to how horrible I felt on the stuff. So, my PC’s assistant gave me the Zoloft to try.  Is there anything similar that is cheaper? If I asked this before, please forgive me…. my Fibro is making me so forgetful lately that I’m not sure if I wanted to ask this or if I have already. Robin

Response:

My doc wants me to take Zoloft and gave me a 3 week sample to start. (I haven’t tried them yet). I asked my pharmacist how much it would cost and he said 30 days of 50s would be well over $60.00. HI,the older classes off anti depressants..I.E. amatriptline,nortriptoline are available ,via generic….P.S.try calling some discount drug stores don’t expect a big difference in price ,but it all adds up….    All so do you have any supplemental insurance,they don’t cost that much.If money is a real issue you can always join an HMO…….from Bob F.C. ps keep getting those free samples.it can take up to 30days for these drugs to kick in…

Response:

I am one of many who do not have medical insurance to cover the costs of my treatment (herniated c6-c7 disk and rotator cuff injuries).  A recent doctor switch finds me prescribed TRAZODONE (look it up on medicine.net) as an anti-depressant for chronic pain.  I take the 50mg tablets, and the prescription was $10.99 at my nearest drug store (#30).

You’ll have to remember that drugstores vary widely in their prices for even the same prescription — don’t be afraid to shop around. And for my own question — what exactly are anti-depressants supposed to do for pain treatment?  My doctor wasn’t awfully clear on this, but I’m willing to try almost anything at this point.  It’s only been a few days, and I know that it can take several weeks for such medications to begin their work. j.

Response:

Beware of online drug stores….they are not always what they seem. Also, as for the anti-depressants. They are a God send for a lot of Chronic Pain sufferers!  Pain is a cycle…more pain, more depression, more depression, more pain, round and round you can go.  If the doctor has suggested a anti-depressant I would give it a try!  There are several different kinds and if one doesn’t seem to help, try another. You will find one that works!  But…they do have side effects..so read the print out carefully.  Dry mouth is a big time one.  Almost every one has that side effects. But the benefits out-weight the side effects. Dealing with Chronic pain is terrible. There is not a drug made that will take all the pain away!  That is a point we all must learn to accept.  But the proper pain meds and a good anti-depressant will help.  We are all grieving…we grieve for the lost of our lives. The way we thought our lives would be if it wasn’t for the pain and disability. So, IMHO try it and give it at least six weeks!!  That is important…It is a slow acting thing…one day you just wake up and although you may need your pain meds., you feel like the day is brighter…the fog starts to lift and the world gets lighter to carry!  That is worth the cost…BTW if you do not have insurance or if you are on Medicare and have no coverage, there are some drug companies that will provide them, free…talk to your doctors.  Hope you start feeling better soon!  <VBH  Joani – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am one of many who do not have medical insurance to cover the costs of my treatment (herniated c6-c7 disk and rotator cuff injuries).  A recent doctor switch finds me prescribed TRAZODONE (look it up on medicine.net) as an anti-depressant for chronic pain.  I take the 50mg tablets, and the prescription was $10.99 at my nearest drug store (#30). You’ll have to remember that drugstores vary widely in their prices for even the same prescription — don’t be afraid to shop around. And for my own question — what exactly are anti-depressants supposed to do for pain treatment?  My doctor wasn’t awfully clear on this, but I’m willing to try almost anything at this point.  It’s only been a few days, and I know that it can take several weeks for such medications to begin their work. j.

Response:

Jennifer, The use of depressants for chronic and cancer pain is not solely for the purpose of treating depression. The emotional response to chronic pain poorly managed is depression. While the antidepressants are useful for this problem, their primary function is to treat the pain associated with nerve dysfunction (neuropathic pain resulting from trauma, diabetes, chronic inflammation associated with degenerative disc disease, prolapsed disc with pressure on nerve roots, etc.). Increasing the level of serotonin in the brain not only improves mood, but may potentiate the effects of the bodies own pain relievers and may also have a direct pain relieving effect. Common Antidepressants include: Amitryptiline (Elavil), Amoxapine (Ascendin), Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Trazadone (Deseryl), Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Nefazodone (Serzone), Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft) and Venlafaxine (Effexor), Luvox, Remeron. Jack

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am one of many who do not have medical insurance to cover the costs of my treatment (herniated c6-c7 disk and rotator cuff injuries).  A recent doctor switch finds me prescribed TRAZODONE (look it up on medicine.net) as an anti-depressant for chronic pain.  I take the 50mg tablets, and the prescription was $10.99 at my nearest drug store (#30). You’ll have to remember that drugstores vary widely in their prices for even the same prescription — don’t be afraid to shop around. And for my own question — what exactly are anti-depressants supposed to do for pain treatment?  My doctor wasn’t awfully clear on this, but I’m willing to try almost anything at this point.  It’s only been a few days, and I know that it can take several weeks for such medications to begin their work. j.

Response:

Beware of online drug stores….they are not always what they seem.

     Oh, I’m afraid that I put in the wrong ‘net reference.  It should have been medicinenet.com, which is an informational medical site.  It has a good listing of prescription drugs, and I use it to check out the things I have been prescribed.  It’s rather a good site – for example, it mentioned one potential (and I think serious!) side effect of TRAZODONE that my pharmacist did not — sexual dysfunctions. My drugstore is only a block away — I’d never order medications through the Internet!      Thank you for the kind words of encouragement.  I’ve seen the common thread that when people see you on your good days, they naturally assume that every day is a good day — I share that frustration, and many others stated.  It’s reassuring to find that my experiences are not isolated. jenn

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Question:

Hi. I have not posted here before, as I only recently became aware of this ng. It certainly loads faster than the Fairlite BB. I am just wondering if anyone else here is recovering from a substance abuse problem. I am, and the thing is, I feel inhibited sharing about my OCD at AA meetings because I might stigmatize myself as "crazy". At meetings, we are supposed to share our problems in order to recover, but my most pressing ones I feel I cannot share. I have been in an OCD support group, but it is on hold because of poor attendance. I have an individual counselor, and am on Zoloft, but this subject is a very troublesome one for me. Any answers?                         Chuck E. —

Response:

On 5 May 1997, ChuckE wrote:

Hi. I have not posted here before, as I only recently became aware of this ng. It certainly loads faster than the Fairlite BB. I am just wondering if anyone else here is recovering from a substance abuse problem. I am, and the thing is, I feel inhibited sharing about my OCD at AA meetings because I might stigmatize myself as "crazy". At meetings, we are supposed to share our problems in order to recover, but my most pressing ones I feel I cannot share. I have been in an OCD support group, but it is on hold because of poor attendance. I have an individual counselor, and am on Zoloft, but this subject is a very troublesome one for me. Any answers?

    Hi, Chuck!  I’m Dennis, and I’m new here too.  I’m not a substance abuser, but I’ve been active in AlAnon, for people involved with substance abusers, so I’m familiar with 12-Step programs.  I don’t currently have active OCD, but I did when I was a teenager.  My recovery from that is a long story, that I will share here as I go.  I’m still interested in OCD because I still have a lot of the personality characteristics.  I’ve never been to an in-person OCD support meeting.     I’ve shared about OCD at some AlAnon meetings.  No one thought I was crazy, but no one identified very strongly either.  However, control and letting go of the need to control are central AlAnon topics and receive plenty of discussion at AlAnon meetings.  I use Alanon ideas to help. Meditation is a good exercise in letting go for me.     I discussed my OCD with one AA and he told me it sounded like some AA problems (the desire for magic, the desire for ultimate power, etc.)  He suggested I try going to some open AA meetings, and I plan to do that. However, OCD is obviously different from addiction in other ways.  There’s no substance involved, and usually no denial either.     I now suffer from chronic daily headaches.  My headache doc says it could be related to my former OCD, since migraine, depression, and OCD are all serotonin problems.  I’ve tried every SSRI that I know of (Luvox, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Paxil) except Serzone.  I’ve also tried Anafranil and Desyrel.  Of all those, Prozac, Desyrel, and Paxil have helped the most.  Right now I’m using Paxil, along with verapamil and Sansert.  That’s helping a lot with the headaches.     Because of my tendency to obsessively focus on things, I was preoccupied with my headaches for the last several years.  However, I finally realized that focusing on pain was a sure way to stay miserable. AlAnon ideas helped me to realize that.  Now I use AlAnon, and I’ve found personal interests I like to focus on, too.     I hope that helps some. More later, Dennis — For more information about this service, send e-mail to: h…@anon.twwells.com   — for an automatically returned help message ad…@anon.twwells.com  – for the service’s administrator ano…@anon.twwells.com — anonymous mail to the administrator

Response:

This is for ChuckE, who noted that the Fairlite OCD site takes a long time to load.  Actually, it loads pretty quickly if you turn off your graphics and get text-only.  There’s nothing much to see on that site, but there’s some invaluable information. KimJ

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