Question:

syncope is another word for fainting R

I’ve taken seravent for years and never had a problem.  My son takes singulair and I take Accolate and I’ve never had a problem with either.  Helen

Response:

I know that lots of people do really well on Serevent but like other similar drugs, I’ve heard that it has been known to cause symptoms especially in new users. I got a severe irregular heartbeat with my first dose – had to be treated by EMS! I was really lightheaded and dizzy while all this was going on. You an look up Servent at – http://www.glaxowellcome.co.in/ghome.htm

Response:

syncope is another word for fainting Renae

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve never heard of syncope.  What is it?

Response:

In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Syncope can be caused by many factors including stress. I also doubt either of these drugs could cause it but if I had to pick one it would be Serevent since it’s known to have some effects on the heart. See rxlist.com Here’s a link with more info on syncope: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinRef/FPHandbook/Chapter02/11-2.html University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook, 3rd Edition, Chapter 2 Cardiology: Syncope        Peter P. Toth, M.D., Ph.D. Excerpt: "I.Definition Be sure to differentiate between near syncope and vertigo.  The differential diagnosis is different. See Chapter 14 for  work-up and differential of vertigo.  A.Syncope is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness (LOC) and,  strictly speaking, is related to abrupt cerebral hypoperfusion.  B.Near syncope is a sense of impending LOC or weakness,  occurs more frequently, and provides valuable diagnostic clues,  since the patient usually has better recollection of the event.  C.Frequency of causes. 55% vasovagal, 10% cardiac, 10%  neurologic, 5% metabolic or drug-induced, 5% "other," and  10% undiagnosed causes. II.Causes of Syncope and Near Syncope  A.Cardiac and circulatory.   1.Vasodepressor syncope (vasovagal syncope) is the most  common cause and tends to be familial. It occurs when a  susceptible person is confronted with a stressful situation. " Ellis

Response:

Dear ASA’ers, In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Response:

I’ve never heard of syncope.  What is it?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear ASA’ers, In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Response:

Question:

would that be memory ‘loss’, or just short term memory is an effect in itself?  or do you mean short term memory is slowed, which would mean one would only remember what one did yesterday when yesterday becomes in my homestate this week: (connecticut))

Bikers? Or do you mean posers on "hawgs?" I don’t care what patch they wear, all I meet these days are suburbanites playing dress-up and gangster games. It’s not lost or anything. Short-term memory just becomes more difficult to access while under the effects of THC. After an hour, everything is back to normal, whatever that may be. — Compute Free <http://debian.org<http://freedos.org<http://openbsd.org Help People  <http://rawa.org<http://tibet.org<http://gadenrelief.org Do Something <http://www.msf.org<http://www.icrc.org/<http://icbl.org Now <http://www.foei.org<http://www.greenpeace.org<http://activist.ca

Response:

Short-term memory is the most easily noted effect for marijuana, but other processes are slowed too, such as reaction time.

would that be memory ‘loss’, or just short term memory is an effect in itself?  or do you mean short term memory is slowed, which would mean one would only remember what one did yesterday when yesterday becomes in my homestate this week: (connecticut)) —Brian

Response:

The wrong link for the Compassion Club listings. It’s with an ‘h’: <http://medicalmarihuana.ca/compassionclubs.html Maybe. Can’t seem to remember right now. hahahahaha — Compute Free <http://debian.org<http://freedos.org<http://openbsd.org Help People  <http://rawa.org<http://tibet.org<http://gadenrelief.org Do Something <http://www.msf.org<http://www.icrc.org/<http://icbl.org Now <http://www.foei.org<http://www.greenpeace.org<http://activist.ca

Response:

I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds?

Some of them. Vertigo, dizzyness and nausea. It can keep you from choking to death on vomit in your sleep. It renders a sense of euphoria. It is considered a euphoriant depressant drug. It’s very good for pain. Being called a "depressant" drug does not mean that it causes depression. A depressant drug slows down some brain processes. Short-term memory is the most easily noted effect for marijuana, but other processes are slowed too, such as reaction time. As for being a drug, it sure looks like a plant to me. Food. I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?)

Only if they’re brownies made with hashish. Pot cake and pot cookies are popular. To eat it, and not have it cost a fortune or use a whole lot, you have to first melt the finely-ground herb in the butter or other fat to be used in the recipe. Then bake it. By melting it into the fat prior to cooking it will emulsify and the active compounds will be more available upon ingestion. Do not cook with hashish – today that is considered a waste, which it is. The quality of both marijuana and hashish has changed a lot in the past twenty years. Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

Look for a Compassion Club in your area. Ask your physician for a prescription for medical marijuana if it is available in your area. In Canada and some US states, you can grow your own or contract for someone to do it for you. A prescription and some licenses are required. There are also medical marijuana suppliers, but they are quite expensive since the marijuana is indoor grown, organically under lab conditions at great expense. The price is similar to black market marijuana. If you grow your own, or contract a grower, it can be done anually and outdoors and can be very cheap. I don’t know which states in the USA it is legal in, but there are a few. There are also ways to get it in Europe and Britian, I don’t know those either. But, just in case it’s useful, here is the Canadian government site for obtaining the forms for the permits and licenses: Health Canada: <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/ocma/ Compassion Clubs: <http://medicalmarijuana.ca/compassionclubs.html There are more clubs than what are listed there. Good seeds: <http://www.kindseed.com/ The favourites for medical use are: Jack Herer – Sensi Seeds (way overpriced, but hardy) Chronic – Serious Seeds (medium priced, longtime favourite) Chemo – Jordan Island Seeds (very good price, upcoming challenger) I’d go for the Chemo. It was developed as a medical grade strain, hence the name. — Compute Free <http://debian.org<http://freedos.org<http://openbsd.org Help People  <http://rawa.org<http://tibet.org<http://gadenrelief.org Do Something <http://www.msf.org<http://www.icrc.org/<http://icbl.org Now <http://www.foei.org<http://www.greenpeace.org<http://activist.ca

Response:

snip Instead, I sit here with no way to solve anything,  Just withdrawing, knowing winter is coming, and I’ll still be in this stress mess.  I don’t have the energy I had before my trip to the hospital.  I need some help, and have tried everything, to no avail.  It’s complicated, and somehow there are no answers.   Just a big stress mess that is really taking it’s toll.

Sounds as though that spell in hospital triggered something.  Have you told your doctor what you feel like?   — —  Whiskers

Response:

Pigtail, I’ve got lots of thoughts on this, including someone in your area that might just be eager to help.  Loads of experience (23 years) from having my ill mother with me in my California residence and having to deal with the problem of needing medical benefits for her but the State disqualifying her because she was my dependant, but if she lived in her own place, she would be allowed to have a live in caretaker and still keep her benefits, but if the caretaker was related to her she’d be disqualified, because then they might consider her head of household…..  I’m sure you know this song by now.  It was written by the No Way to Win group of bureaucrats. Let me get my thoughts together, I’m still having trouble concentrating, and I’ll email you direct later today.  Also, you mentioned that your mother is 87.  My mother was 82, but I’m only 43 (the baby).  I need to know your age, simply because, as we both know, the State can be very fixated on your age and what benefits and help they will let you receive all due to that magic number.  Direct email me with it, so that I’ll hear the message come in. Blessings, Cait

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!  This is Pigtail back again.  Thank you Whiskers (love it) for your reply and help.  Thank you Alan for the great sense of humor in your message, and thanks Tara for welcoming me.  I appreciate all of you.  I have to say that I’m not really comfortable posting personal thoughts, etc., but could use some new friends, and support. I wish I could reach out somehow, and touch each one of you, and make things turn better…like quick for you.  My heart and thoughts are with you anyway.  It is hard to see other’s suffering. This will be too long to write at one time.  I live alone, and have helped the elderly and animals, my entire life.  I do many things for the less fortunate. A year ago, I had some kind of attack….physician said gall bladder, but I didn’t have very good vibes about it.  I had been out stacking bales of hay.  In brief, this became a nightmare from hell.  Before I was rudely interrupted and sent to the hospital, I was packing to move. You know….the entire house torn completely up.  Putting everything in storage, and trying to paint, digging everything out of the yard..(e-gads), etc.  I got out of the hospital in December, cold and raining, and back to the house just like I left it.  In no shape, or mood to do anything but look at it all. Here I sit a year later overwhelmed in trying to figure out how to ever accomplish this.  I can’t even find my good sense of humor….it is gone. I have became angry, stressed to the max, disgusted, and signs of depression lurking around me. Then I decided I would see about helping a couple people in the homeless shelter.  If I could find the right people, it would help us both.  I could give someone a permanant place to live, and maybe we could just get moved.  All of us could be close to homeless if anything went wrong with our income for a few months. I would need someone compatible, etc. and I didn’t know how to go about this too well.  I wanted someone that I could really help, and one who would appreciate it.  I finally decide to leave the house…….and go to the shelter. Well, that did not turn out too good.  They had to be screened, agree to see you, make an appointment, fill out all this information……  But, you can’t do it quite like that, it could mean losing your medical, etc. if you say they are living with you.  There must be another way, but I don’t know what it is. Nothing I try to do works.  I can’t figure out why. I have a whole business in storage.  I should be pouring plaster molds right now for Christmas.  It helps the animals, elderly, and the homeless. I do animal assisted therapy, and this helps support all of the above. Instead, I sit here with no way to solve anything,  Just withdrawing, knowing winter is coming, and I’ll still be in this stress mess.  I don’t have the energy I had before my trip to the hospital.  I need some help, and have tried everything, to no avail.  It’s complicated, and somehow there are no answers.   Just a big stress mess that is really taking it’s toll. Sorry this is so long.  We all have different things to deal with, don’t we?  Thank you for listening.  I’m here if anyone needs or wants to talk.  You can email me also, if you like.  I wish good things to happen to each of you.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

The pot is a depressant and will just make matters worse. Tell your doctor about you’re trouble with the meds. He can make changes if he deems it necessary.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

Response:

Hi!  This is Pigtail back again.  Thank you Whiskers (love it) for your reply and help.  Thank you Alan for the great sense of humor in your message, and thanks Tara for welcoming me.  I appreciate all of you.  I have to say that I’m not really comfortable posting personal thoughts, etc., but could use some new friends, and support. I wish I could reach out somehow, and touch each one of you, and make things turn better…like quick for you.  My heart and thoughts are with you anyway.  It is hard to see other’s suffering. This will be too long to write at one time.  I live alone, and have helped the elderly and animals, my entire life.  I do many things for the less fortunate.   A year ago, I had some kind of attack….physician said gall bladder, but I didn’t have very good vibes about it.  I had been out stacking bales of hay.  In brief, this became a nightmare from hell.  Before I was rudely interrupted and sent to the hospital, I was packing to move. You know….the entire house torn completely up.  Putting everything in storage, and trying to paint, digging everything out of the yard..(e-gads), etc.  I got out of the hospital in December, cold and raining, and back to the house just like I left it.  In no shape, or mood to do anything but look at it all. Here I sit a year later overwhelmed in trying to figure out how to ever accomplish this.  I can’t even find my good sense of humor….it is gone. I have became angry, stressed to the max, disgusted, and signs of depression lurking around me.   Then I decided I would see about helping a couple people in the homeless shelter.  If I could find the right people, it would help us both.  I could give someone a permanant place to live, and maybe we could just get moved.  All of us could be close to homeless if anything went wrong with our income for a few months. I would need someone compatible, etc. and I didn’t know how to go about this too well.  I wanted someone that I could really help, and one who would appreciate it.  I finally decide to leave the house…….and go to the shelter. Well, that did not turn out too good.  They had to be screened, agree to see you, make an appointment, fill out all this information……  But, you can’t do it quite like that, it could mean losing your medical, etc. if you say they are living with you.  There must be another way, but I don’t know what it is. Nothing I try to do works.  I can’t figure out why. I have a whole business in storage.  I should be pouring plaster molds right now for Christmas.  It helps the animals, elderly, and the homeless. I do animal assisted therapy, and this helps support all of the above.   Instead, I sit here with no way to solve anything,  Just withdrawing, knowing winter is coming, and I’ll still be in this stress mess.  I don’t have the energy I had before my trip to the hospital.  I need some help, and have tried everything, to no avail.  It’s complicated, and somehow there are no answers.   Just a big stress mess that is really taking it’s toll. Sorry this is so long.  We all have different things to deal with, don’t we?  Thank you for listening.  I’m here if anyone needs or wants to talk.  You can email me also, if you like.  I wish good things to happen to each of you.

Response:

Thanks Tara. Paul in Ontario discoursed thusly: I’ve become one of those people who I use to call

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – is everything. I’m really living my worse night-mare! I thought I could handle anything in my life but mental illness mixed with a chronic disease is a one two punch that has rocked me to my foundation. I feel lower than a snakes belly!!! The important thing to keep in mind, Paul, is it’s *feelings*and not reality. The reality is, anyone who gets hit with that kind of one-two punch is going to feel shaky. It’s not weakness. It’s not failure. It’s a hell of a hit to have to take. So, cut yourself some slack. You didn’t ask for this shit, you don’t deserve this shit, and you’re doing the best you can in the circumstances. That’s the most any of us can do. Tara J. Ballance Montreal, Canada

Response:

Thanks all for responding. I kinda felt I was clutching at straws with the cannabis thoughts, but when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired Endocet pain killers which ultimatley led to my attempt at suicide. is everything. I’m really living my worse night-mare! I thought I could handle anything in my life but mental illness mixed with a chronic disease is a one two punch that has rocked me to my foundation. I feel lower than a snakes belly!!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Twist- I also suffer from Hepatitis C, and a number of my friends (who do also) SWEAR by marijuana as a great way to relieve the pain and nausea from the Hep itself, as well as the Hep tx. As I’m sure you well know, a number of us are put on antids before beginning tx because of the side effects of the interferon. However, if you are suffering from NATURAL depression, (not drug induced) I’m not sure that I would go that route. Even though it DOES take 2-4 (or longer) weeks to fully realize any relief from a new antid, if the sides are THAT bad, it is unlikely that the relief will outweigh them. I would suggest that you go ahead and tell the doctor that  you simply cannot take the sides, and try something else. Better to do it now, than to go through however long you give it, then find that it doesn’t work. Simply MHO though. Wanda

Response:

Twist- I also suffer from Hepatitis C, and a number of my friends (who do also) SWEAR by marijuana as a great way to relieve the pain and nausea from the Hep itself, as well as the Hep tx. As I’m sure you well know, a number of us are put on antids before beginning tx because of the side effects of the interferon. However, if you are suffering from NATURAL depression, (not drug induced) I’m not sure that I would go that route. Even though it DOES take 2-4 (or longer) weeks to fully realize any relief from a new antid, if the sides are THAT bad, it is unlikely that the relief will outweigh them. I would suggest that you go ahead and tell the doctor that  you simply cannot take the sides, and try something else. Better to do it now, than to go through however long you give it, then find that it doesn’t work. Simply MHO though. Wanda

Response:

I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds?

It definately won’t help with depression, except that it might help you sleep. It is an amazing painkiller though, if the pain is physical. I suffer from severe migraine headaches and marijuana is the only thing I’ve ever known to successfully relieve them (after 10 years of looking). I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?)

I go to an affluent high school rife with drug use and no one I know of bothers with mixing it into food. I’ve been told you need quite a lot of it to do this, which could be expensive? I don’t know how much your medication is though.

Response:

I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

pot is a depressant as is alcohol…stay away from both, hang in there, let the meds have time to work.  I’m waiting on mine to kick in (just started 3 days ago) and its not easy.  I have good and bad moments…you will too-post here, check with your doc, call friends, play with a pet…stay away from self-medication though.

Response:

Yes, I know. But everyone keeps telling me I should wait another 2-4 weeks to see if effexor will work.

If you are getting side-efects that you can’t put up with, then certainly talk to the doctor again.  There are lots of different anti-depressants, and each person reacts differently. Don’t stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first; some things are best ‘tapered off’ gradually. — —  Whiskers

Response:

No, I don’t think taking an illegal depressant will help your depression.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

Yes, I know. But everyone keeps telling me I should wait another 2-4 weeks to see if effexor will work.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this. see a doctor , there are lots of drugs besides effexor

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

see a doctor , there are lots of drugs besides effexor

Response:

I’m a 48 year old father of three and married to a great woman. But, and a big but, I’m sick and very depressed. I have Hep C and hemophilia etc, etc, tried to take my life 2 weeks ago, etc, etc,… I’m having a rough time with the side effects with effexor. It’s been years since I’ve done it but do you think Cannabis is a way to go to relieve some of the adverse side effects to depression and meds? I don’t smoke so I’m thinking more like Hash-brownies(do they still call them that?) Would love to hear some thoughts and Idea’s about this.

Response:

Question:

Well, I have been on 10mg of Paxil for a couple of weeks and at least I am sleeping better and my anxiety is not rearing its ugly head.  However, these tremors seem to be staying with me.  And when I moved up from 10-20 mgs a couple of days ago they got worse.  Is that probably a side effect?  I am thinking of going back down to 10 but wanted your opinions if it has happened to you…..

Response:

Fishman wrote….. Well, I have been on 10mg of Paxil for a couple of weeks and at least I am sleeping better and my anxiety is not rearing its ugly head.  However, these tremors seem to be staying with me.  And when I moved up from 10-20 mgs a couple of days ago they got worse.  Is that probably a side effect?  I am thinking of going back down to 10 but wanted your opinions if it has happened to you…..

Hi Fishman, Paxil can cause or excerbate tremors. Being your tremors are getting worse, I think it is important you discuss this with your doctor so he can advise you on what to do. Take care Jackie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I have been on 10mg of Paxil for a couple of weeks and at least I am sleeping better and my anxiety is not rearing its ugly head.  However, these tremors seem to be staying with me.  And when I moved up from 10-20 mgs a couple of days ago they got worse.  Is that probably a side effect?  I am thinking of going back down to 10 but wanted your opinions if it has happened to you…..

time to change medications-tremors can happen from any medication but are not a good sign nor one you want to tolerate-ask your doc about switching to celexa or luvox or effexor and if they persist get a neuro opinion and or switch to a different class of drugs altogether like serzone, doxepine, or imipramine LM

Response:

he said that there’s no way that an SSRI could be dangerous in causing this neurological effect.

they can be quite dangerous in this regard as can any med. The tca’s are a derivitive of the phenothiazine compounds so initially some tremor is expected and does go away for most people-the ssri’s are a different ball game and when they excert neuronal go signals when they by rights shouldn’t they are reacting in a way that may create damage that may be ireversible if pushed too far-but your pointabout "feeling" jittery or like your trembling is different then essential tremor. Tardive dyskinesias can be permanent so a doc had best be notified and you get examined LM

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –         "Fishman" says… Well, I have been on 10mg of Paxil for a couple of weeks and at least I am sleeping better and my anxiety is not rearing its ugly head.  However, these tremors seem to be staying with me.  And when I moved up from 10-20 mgs a couple of days ago they got worse.  Is that probably a side effect?  I am thinking of going back down to 10 but wanted your opinions if it has happened to you….. There can be confusion with the word "jitters" and "tremors."  If it’s jitters (more a feeling of nervousness, and thus, a feeling of bouncing against the walls), that would most likely be from the dose increase. Going back to 10 mg should relieve that, and discuss with your doctor about increasing in 5 mg increments, rather than 10 mg. Tremor is neurological, and it’s recommended that if this occurs, that your doctor be advised at once.  There’s a rather simple test for tremor, which is placing a piece of paper on the back of your hand, while holding your hand still. It should be noticeable if there’s a tremor (quite different than nervousness or jitters), but the motion (at least to a trained eye). BUT, I had this minor tremor with Celexa (and the insert said to contact doc in case of tremor), and my doctor said to forget about it. It was very slight, and he said that there’s no way that an SSRI could be dangerous in causing this neurological effect. I’m not sure who’s right, but it vanished in time. In either case, I’d suggest calling your doctor, and explaining what (or which) you’re feeling. You’re not alone… — Sloopy:)

A *slight* tremor doesn

Question:

Thank you for the ideas. I’ll be working on them tomorrow and will post the newer version. I appreciate all the suggestions. When this is finished I’ll have said what I want to say and be able to walk away knowing he understands. I couldn’t have made these improvements without all of your help. Thank you! Theresa

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jan 2001 Dec 2000 etc tends to learn on "topics" rather than as a general melee of info — k t1 13 yr What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Thank you for the ideas. I’ll be working on them tomorrow and will post the newer version. I appreciate all the suggestions. When this is finished I’ll have said what I want to say and be able to walk away knowing he understands. I couldn’t have made these improvements without all of your help. Thank you!

I don’t think the Dr. will read it. I would suggest taking a list of your concerns and questions with you and use them as a reference during the consultation. — pianoguy return email disabled

Response:

I don’t think the Dr. will read it. I would suggest taking a list of your concerns and questions with you and use them as a reference during the consultation.

there is a very high risk that the Dr won’t read……. that’s why i over….. the expectations may be, but who knows……. the medical history will be important and read……. Theresa can quickly read the expectations part to her Dr during their visit to ensure it will be heard your suggestion of a list of concerns/questions to reference is critical to any well-spent Dr’s visit (at least it is for myself ’cause i forget what i wanted to ask, and i forget my symptoms in the Dr’s office) — k t1 13 yr

Response:

It’s a good thing I’ve done this. I called past doctors and got the dates right. I am just going to memorize the expactations and say them. The thank you will be said and I don’t need to memorize it. So this, and the 3 lab reports I have, will be what I take in. Diabetes dx March 1998 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: January 2001 switched to Humalog and NPH .            Humalog: ratio of 1u to 8 breakfast/1u to 10 lunch and dinner .            1u to 50 mg/dl when above 140 NPH 10u bedtime August 2000 70/30 insulin therapy began January 2000 tried Gluophage then switched to Gluotrol 1999 semi-controlled with diet March 1998 untreated/uncontrolled 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise Medications Daily: Effexor XR 150 mg bedtime Risperdal 1 mg bedtime Alesse 28 bedtime/Estradiol 1mg (when not taking the Alesse) Humalog 1u to 8 carbs Breakfast 1u to 10 carbs Lunch/Dinner NPH 10u bedtime As Needed: Propo-N/APAP 100-650 Xanax Diphenox/Atropine Albuterol, USP Zomig 5 mg (new: have never used this one) — Theresa dx ‘98 t2 humalog & N, diet & exercise Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, it just means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Response:

a Dr usually wants only the salient details……. try a bullet format on a time line (if necessary)……. avoid any details that aren’t applicable in todays terms (or shorten them to….. history of glucophage, glycet, yada meds as just a point) i do hope you repost your next version so that further critique can be done an aside……. put the Thank you letter separate from the "salient details" letter……. two different messages you want to send, so make it easier for the Dr to sort out the messages — k t1 13 yr – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended. Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

Lot better hope the visit works out for you Theresa.

Thanks for the imput, Ozgirl. : ) Much appreciated. Theresa

Response:

Jan 2001 Dec 2000 etc tends to learn on "topics" rather than as a general melee of info — k t1 13 yr – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, Heres some more feedback that I hope to be useful. My wife has multiple medical issues that has required that we seek out various new doctors. We had a list of her medical history and prescriptions and began handing these to the doctors, and found they simply didn’t use it. In fact one doctor told us they were taught in medical school to ignore this type of thing. Their are two reasons they do this, one is to ask the patient the questions you need answers to in order to better analyze the patients current condition. The other reason is they suspect the patient to be a hypochondriac. The thing that works for us is to bring the list as a reminder, give the doctor the information as they ask for it, and fill them in on the rest when they are done asking questions. Just some ideas….. — John M.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended. Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

Lot better hope the visit works out for you Theresa.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read.

This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3.

I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun.

This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended.

Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Because this appointment will be our first I need advice in getting my letter fine-tuned. Any help would be appreciated. Help me get rid of the fluff and be as concise as possible as well as state my needs with clarity. tia Dr. **** Thank you for accepting me as a patient. I sought referrals and followed up on them trying to find an Internist, but was unable to locate any that would accept my insurance. This was very frustrating. When I finally got to your number I was overjoyed to find someone who cares about people more than their insurance. So this is a heartfelt thank you! Though I don’t know you I do want to introduce myself. The appointment will go fast so I am going to put things in writing so you’ll get a good picture of who I am and the sort of care I’ll need. I have diabetes, which is the primary care I’ll need from you. I also have panic disorder/depression/PTSD. I see Dr. Strgar for the latter. All of these conditions are under control with the use of medications, exercise, education, and determination. I own a small desktop publishing business. I work few hours but would like to work more. I struggle with my business. I sometimes have difficulty concentrating and tire quickly. Working is very important to me and as such has "pushed" me to get my medical conditions under control. I want to work. I’d like it if I could work full-time. For now I do what I can and strive to improve my condition. I have a teenaged daughter who is a delight. She is very helpful and a good student. I love being her mother and we get along very well. She also suffers from depression; it is also under control with medications. A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: In 1984 I had gestational diabetes. I controlled it with diet and exercise. My daughter was born and weighed 7′10. She was healthy and bright. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. Although I had had gestational diabetes and knew the diet/exercise regimen I was unable to get my bgs under control. With the help of Leslie Rohr-diabetic counselor-I was able to regain my control. This lasted for about a year. (diet and exercise only). My doctor had me fax her my logbook readings once a week, because my bgs were out of control. It didn’t seem to matter what I did. I was frustrated. I faxed the logbook but with nothing changing it seemed pointless. I finally gave up on testing. My numbers were not good. This went on for approximately another year. I felt terrible. I didn’t think about going back to Leslie. I don’t know why. Finally, after complaining and being in the office sick all the time the doctor started me on gluophage. I took this medication for 3 weeks, at a very low dose. It made me very ill, did not improve my numbers, nor did it seem as if the queasy feeling were going to dissipate with time. I finally called the nurse and asked to be switched to something else. The doctor prescribed gluotrol. I took glucotrol for approximately 9 months with fair results (readings under 160, but still feeling crummy). At one point I got the flu and the medication stopped working altogether, so the doctor increased it. This caused me to have what I experienced as panic attacks. I was having them 2-3 times a week. (Whereas before the increase in dosage I was having 2-3 panics a month). I say "experienced" these as panics because my symptoms were: shaking, sweating, inability to concentrate, feeling like I was going to die, feeling faint, etc. After much heated discussion, none of which contained hypos as the cause, my doctor suggested insulin. In August I started Insulin. With the change to insulin I saw Leslie Rohr again. Leslie got me started on the 70/30 insulin from Lilly. During a time when I was feeling panicy it was also time to test my bgs. Low and behold, I was near 50. This is when I realized the panics and hypos were similar. Since then before I assume I am having a panic I check my bgs. Because of the hypos I had while taking the 70/30 I checked my bgs before I would drive. I was having hypos partly because I was skipping snacks. I was eating 6 small meals a day, and at the end of the month I was having difficulty keeping enough snacks in the house. Sometimes my budget did not stretch far enough. About 6 weeks ago Leslie left the doctors office due to health issues of her own. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. This reduced the stress I felt when working with the doctor. I found that the doctor did not listen to me, but she would listen to Leslie. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. I read up on using insulin that was not pre-mixed and talked to my doctor several times about changing to the regular insulin. She wanted to wait until the Lantus came out on the market and then change me to the regular insulin. She wanted me to "play" with the "R" I used for highs. This was difficult with the pre-mix. I finally convinced her to let me use Humalog and Humilin N. I have been taking this for a month. In that time I have not had a single hypo. My numbers have been excellent and I feel great. This change has me very excited. The way that I take my insulin now is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1 U to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I would like to stay with the exchange diet, however I can’t always afford to eat as nutritiously as it recommends. I would also like to eat more of the lower glycemic foods, but the cost is prohibitive. I control portion size and hope for the best. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). I know this is not much, but I am working on increasing it. It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor. Again, thank you for accepting me as your patient.

Response:

Because this appointment will be our first I need advice in getting my letter fine-tuned. Any help would be appreciated. Help me get rid of the fluff and be as concise as possible as well as state my needs with clarity. tia Dr. **** Thank you for accepting me as a patient. I sought referrals and followed up on them trying to find an Internist, but was unable to locate any that would accept my insurance. This was very frustrating. When I finally got to your number I was overjoyed to find someone who cares about people more than their insurance. So this is a heartfelt thank you! Though I don’t know you I do want to introduce myself. The appointment will go fast so I am going to put things in writing so you’ll get a good picture of who I am and the sort of care I’ll need. I have diabetes, which is the primary care I’ll need from you. I also have panic disorder/depression/PTSD. I see Dr. Strgar for the latter. All of these conditions are under control with the use of medications, exercise, education, and determination. I own a small desktop publishing business. I work few hours but would like to work more. I struggle with my business. I sometimes have difficulty concentrating and tire quickly. Working is very important to me and as such has "pushed" me to get my medical conditions under control. I want to work. I’d like it if I could work full-time. For now I do what I can and strive to improve my condition. I have a teenaged daughter who is a delight. She is very helpful and a good student. I love being her mother and we get along very well. She also suffers from depression; it is also under control with medications. A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: In 1984 I had gestational diabetes. I controlled it with diet and exercise. My daughter was born and weighed 7′10. She was healthy and bright. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. Although I had had gestational diabetes and knew the diet/exercise regimen I was unable to get my bgs under control. With the help of Leslie Rohr-diabetic counselor-I was able to regain my control. This lasted for about a year. (diet and exercise only). My doctor had me fax her my logbook readings once a week, because my bgs were out of control. It didn’t seem to matter what I did. I was frustrated. I faxed the logbook but with nothing changing it seemed pointless. I finally gave up on testing. My numbers were not good. This went on for approximately another year. I felt terrible. I didn’t think about going back to Leslie. I don’t know why. Finally, after complaining and being in the office sick all the time the doctor started me on gluophage. I took this medication for 3 weeks, at a very low dose. It made me very ill, did not improve my numbers, nor did it seem as if the queasy feeling were going to dissipate with time. I finally called the nurse and asked to be switched to something else. The doctor prescribed gluotrol. I took glucotrol for approximately 9 months with fair results (readings under 160, but still feeling crummy). At one point I got the flu and the medication stopped working altogether, so the doctor increased it. This caused me to have what I experienced as panic attacks. I was having them 2-3 times a week. (Whereas before the increase in dosage I was having 2-3 panics a month). I say "experienced" these as panics because my symptoms were: shaking, sweating, inability to concentrate, feeling like I was going to die, feeling faint, etc. After much heated discussion, none of which contained hypos as the cause, my doctor suggested insulin. In August I started Insulin. With the change to insulin I saw Leslie Rohr again. Leslie got me started on the 70/30 insulin from Lilly. During a time when I was feeling panicy it was also time to test my bgs. Low and behold, I was near 50. This is when I realized the panics and hypos were similar. Since then before I assume I am having a panic I check my bgs. Because of the hypos I had while taking the 70/30 I checked my bgs before I would drive. I was having hypos partly because I was skipping snacks. I was eating 6 small meals a day, and at the end of the month I was having difficulty keeping enough snacks in the house. Sometimes my budget did not stretch far enough. About 6 weeks ago Leslie left the doctors office due to health issues of her own. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. This reduced the stress I felt when working with the doctor. I found that the doctor did not listen to me, but she would listen to Leslie. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. I read up on using insulin that was not pre-mixed and talked to my doctor several times about changing to the regular insulin. She wanted to wait until the Lantus came out on the market and then change me to the regular insulin. She wanted me to "play" with the "R" I used for highs. This was difficult with the pre-mix. I finally convinced her to let me use Humalog and Humilin N. I have been taking this for a month. In that time I have not had a single hypo. My numbers have been excellent and I feel great. This change has me very excited. The way that I take my insulin now is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1 U to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I would like to stay with the exchange diet, however I can’t always afford to eat as nutritiously as it recommends. I would also like to eat more of the lower glycemic foods, but the cost is prohibitive. I control portion size and hope for the best. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). I know this is not much, but I am working on increasing it. It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor. Again, thank you for accepting me as your patient.

Response:

Question:

Tapering is good.  I had a bad reaction to Zoloft, made me manic-like and/or obsessive.  I thought I was in control, but was actually very far gone.   Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * 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:

You’ll probably have to taper off – if they don’t you’ll feel like crud – they pulled me off Effexor XR when my manic episode was in swing – now I feel sick without the Effexor. However, you are on a very low dose and if you start another AD in a few days, you should be ok. Good luck.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * 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:

For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days?

How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  50 mg is a low dosage, so my guess is you can just switch, but your best bet is to consult your doctor. * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare.

I’ve been taking Zoloft for over a year.  I’m up to 100mg/day. I think I sort of feel like this when I’m on it, but it doesn’t bother me.  Maybe I like being disconnected? Good luck! BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s

Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

i have been taking it for 2 weeks now and that is exactly how i feel every day…. i hope it goes away – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * 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:

For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * 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:

Hi I just started Zoloft too and I am glad to "meet" someone else who is too please keep me posted and I’ll keep you abreast of what happens to me — Demise

Response:

Hehehehe! — Demise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Unwanted" high or sedated feeling?  Who’d be crazy enough to NOT want those effects? [g] =JaGNuT=

Response:

Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft.

"Unwanted" high or sedated feeling?  Who’d be crazy enough to NOT want those effects? [g] =JaGNuT= Visit Jaguar’s Psych Center "http://www.jaglair.com/psych/jag-psyc.htm"

Response:

Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft.

That’s good news!  Good luck with your new prescription. Take care. Athena * 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:

Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I’ve been on the Z for only 4 weeks.  Haven’t really felt any mood effect, and the daze I’m in hasn’t helped much at all.

Well, that’s definitely long enough for the drug to take effect if it’s going to.  The daze doesn’t sound like a good side effect.  I guess I don’t have that side effect because I can still function — sort of! I see the doctor tomorrow about switching to something else. I couldn’t function in college when I was high, and I’m no better at it 10 years later.  Makes it awfully hard to function at work, especially for paying attention in meetings.

Good luck on your doctor appointment. Let us know what he/she recommends!  Take care. -Athena * 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:

How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  50 mg is a low dosage, so my guess is you can just switch, but your best bet is to consult your doctor.

I’ve been on the Z for only 4 weeks.  Haven’t really felt any mood effect, and the daze I’m in hasn’t helped much at all. I see the doctor tomorrow about switching to something else. I’ve been taking Zoloft for over a year.  I’m up to 100mg/day. I think I sort of feel like this when I’m on it, but it doesn’t bother me.  Maybe I like being disconnected?

I couldn’t function in college when I was high, and I’m no better at it 10 years later.  Makes it awfully hard to function at work, especially for paying attention in meetings. BGS (in NY State) * 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:

Question:

<Posted and Mailed One thing that my therp threw at me that was hard to accept (okay…still is), but I know is true, is that we cannot control the way we feel, only how we act because of our feelings. Yeah, it’s kind of warped sounding in a way, but it is true. For instance, I can’t stop myself from feeling I’m a completely useless turd, BUT, hopefully I can stop acting like a completely useless turd until I finally (maybe) feel differently.

This is similar to what I call "acting you way into a feeling". It is far easier said than done — particularly when you’re very depressed. But for example lets say that you are mildly depressed and don’t want to go to a party that otherwise you would want to go to. But you are going to make the effort to go anyway in spite of how you feel. You decide that you are going to act like you are having a great time. So you put on your best party grin and start mingling and talking. Pretty soon you find that you are no longer acting a role — but you are really enjoying yourself. This technique works better with situational depression than with bipolar depression. It’s much harder to fool neurotransmitters!

Response:

permanently in the ether: I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.

The drowsiness you describe does sound like what happened to my MIL her first few weeks on buspar–then she adjusted–but she does take a nap after lunch and sometimes tries to take on after breakfast. Buspar has made a world of difference for her.  Before buspar, she refused to go to any activities–and kept asking ppl to take her home. After a couple weeks on buspar–she turned around. These drugs have so many different effects on different ppl.  When I was in college I took a pharmacology class that was a survey of all drugs, from caffeine to heroin to thorazine.  One of the first things covered was the LD 50 and the ED 50. LD 50 is the lethal dose for 50 ppl out of 100.  That means the lethal dose stated on your insert will kill 50 out of 100 ppl, of the  50 ppl left, some will die at a lower dose and some will not die at the LD 50 level.  I dont like those odds. ED 50 is the effective dose for 50 out of 100 ppl.  So if a dr prescribes a med based on the medical information provided, you only have a 50/50 chance of the drug even being an effective dose for what you are trying to change.  You also have a chance (if you are one of the 50 ppl that the LD 50 doesnt work for) of the drug being either too strong or too weak for the benefit you are after. I find this whole medical crapola to really be one big game of Russian Roulette.  JMAO.    Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.

Please contact the power company if you are not already on lifeline service.  If you are not on lifeline service–they can cut you off. Even my kid got lifeline and he is fairly normal.   Also, I thought cable companies were  required to provide a basic economy package for ppl with low incomes?  Maybe it is a california thing–but here it is the law. Nancy in CA All thoughts posted here, unless otherwise cited, are my opinion based on my research and my experience.  Everyone should do their own research and make their own choices based on their situation. Please visit the new fms-guaifenisin support group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenisin Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Please visit the new grandparents ng, alt.talk.grandparents. To respond via email, delete "Z" from my addy.

Response:

hi…me again! for what it is worth, i find it interesting that you get sluggish from buspar…when they had me on that stuff i felt like i had water flowing through my ears constantly, and i was always wired…i never slept. i went on xanax and zoloft after that and even though the zoloft made me that way for around a week, i got over it. but buspar never agreed with my system.(made me want to call the phone company to thank them for billing me…ugh.)…bruce

Response:

Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety.

That is a good g, eh? Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing.

Yes…3 times a day. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium.

Yes it is. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now? And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used.

Peace,

Response:

Hey Ralph you think the Buspar actually works? I was kin a thinking of blowing off refilling mine this month. The freaking prescription is $80 to refill…….anyway. Maybe the therapist will help? Hey its possible. Your not useless you provide a lot of help to us, and personally I like reading your posts. Hopefully your depression will lift soon. ((((((((((((Ralph)))))))))))

Dear Robert,         I don’t know about the buspar, myself. It seems to help me sleep when I have a lot of anxiety. I also seem to forget to take it, a lot. I never forget to take my Prozac. Boy, am I grateful that my Medicare HMO has a RX plan. Without it, my meds would be over $700.00 per month. I think what I am trying to say is that Buspar helps when I am really agitated/anxious and can’t sleep; but I question the usefulness of it day in and day out.         Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you are right, I am not totally useless. But lets just say that my usefulness is severely impaired by this damned condition. When I realize that I haven’t had the ability to so much as keep my apartment clean for over 3 years now; to do the simple things that most people take for granted…. but hey, I am sure that I am not alone in this.         Hope you are having a great day.  Hugs back to you Robert, Ralph

Response:

Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt)

Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

Response:

I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.         Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.         I have "faith" that somehow I will get bailed out of this mess; but if not, there is nothing I can do. Oh well, no sense me working myself up. Hope you are having a good day,  Ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

Response:

Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

Response:

So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

Response:

How do I feel? With my hands! How do you feel? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger,  ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

Response:

You got a deal. Now, just how do we get you here? Tie me down? Hmmmm, whatever do you have in mind? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger, ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wish I lived close by, Ralph.  I’d drop by, do your laundry, clean your house, organize your meds.  Then I’d tie you down and relay 3 or so decades of my life, viola!!–you have thus served a function–eliminate useless.  Dirt poor?  Sorry, sport, miracles belong to the manic and she ain’t here today. Houston Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

Response:

Question:

Well excuseeee me for having a fucking rotten life.

Aw Lee…..you ain’t alone!  If you don’t like them, don’t read them.

The wisest philosophy – seems a bit too complex for some. This is a support group for gods sake.  WE ARE TRYING TO FEEL NORMAL!!!

YEAH YEAH!!!  Well, as best we can! Lee ::kicks the damn computer::

Ooooo..don’t do THAT…we might lose ya for another week!  :) Gwen

Response:

anyone else have a web tv . other than this group what do you look at anne in sf

Hi Anne, You might want to go into TALK City, there are alot of support chat groups and other topics. But watch out there are some chat rooms that you really don’t want to venture into. John

Response:

reading all these messages is depressing.  I here a lot of pain and grief

and I hope there’s more people out there who are actually feeling

normal. Well excuseeee me for having a fucking rotten life.  If you don’t like them, don’t read them.  This is a support group for gods sake.  WE ARE TRYING TO FEEL NORMAL!!! Lee ::kicks the damn computer:: "Life sucks and then you die" but in the mean time, "shit happens" so "deal with it" and "go with the flow" because "life is too important to be taken seriously".

Response:

I’m 19 years old and found myself the other day talking to a psychiatrist. The next thing I know, I’m popping in Zoloft pills.

What was your diagnosis to be put on Zoloft?     The very next day, walking to class, I felt so weird.  My hands were more     ultra clammy, my feet were clammy, my pits were sweating, and I     didn’t have a nauseaous attack luckily, but I had a nausea sensation all that    morning just enough to tick me off.

Sounds like normal side effects when starting an SRI, tho normal seems an odd word to use in this case. mmmm.  reading all these messages is depressing.  I here a lot of pain and grief and I hope there’s more people out there who are actually feeling normal.

I see many positive posts here.  Hope you are seeing those as well. How long are the Zoloft side effects suppose to remain?  I feel like I’m wired up, but tired.

Typically….2 – 6 weeks, but they should lessen dramatically in 2 if the med is going to work for you.  There is no one answer for every person.  Do talk to your doc if you need some reassurance or something to help with the increased anxiety Zoloft sometimes causes in the beginning. Gwen

Response:

anyone else have a web tv . other than this group what do you look at anne in sf

Response:

im using my real name now , i dont know why lady told me to use coded name sfannie

Response:

this is anne . i know i have the web and  am relitavely new. where do other people go to check about  anxiety .  please give  on line address in blue. i dont know if you know what i mean by blue but that means i can click it on without having to type an address . i have a hard time getting around  on line  thanks

My web page is listed below, and might be "in blue" to you… I guess it depends on your mail reader and its set-up.  In any case, I have a references page that lists some other web pages I have found useful, and books, etc.  Let me know if you find it useful. Snit Snit’s Anxiety Suggestions: http://www.azstarnet.com/~snit/anxiety.html Ramblings about my journey toward recovery.  

Response:

(lynn) writes: anyone else have a web tv . other than this group what do you look at anne in sf

No, I don’t. It sounds cool. i’m a tv addict, anne. So i watch lots of different shows. my favorites include: Ally McBeal, Seinfeld, Rosie O’Donnell, Oprah, NYPD Blue, Homicide: Life on the Streets, ER, Law and Order, Larry Sanders, Dennis Miller. I could go on but it’s embarrassing how addicted I am. These tv people are often characters who’s company I prefer to Real people. Not healthy, I know. But I rationalize it that it’s a healthier addiction than alcohol or cocaine. Maybe not. It keeps me isolated. Helps keep me isolated. But now I’m dating and getting out more. Tell us about Web tv. Is it really great? do you have picture in picture? WRITER/CATCH MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT "You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?" (Steven Wright)

Response:

I’m 19 years old and found myself the other day talking to a psychiatrist. The next thing I know, I’m popping in Zoloft pills.      The very next day, walking to class, I felt so weird.  My hands were more      ultra clammy, my feet were clammy, my pits were sweating, and I      didn’t have a nauseaous attack luckily, but I had a nausea sensation all that     morning just enough to tick me off. mmmm.  reading all these messages is depressing.  I here a lot of pain and grief and I hope there’s more people out there who are actually feeling normal. How long are the Zoloft side effects suppose to remain?  I feel like I’m wired up, but tired.

Response:

this is anne . i know i have the web and  am relitavely new. where do other people go to check about  anxiety .  please give  on line address in blue. i dont know if you know what i mean by blue but that means i can click it on without having to type an address . i have a hard time getting around  on line  thanks

Response:

Question:

drownproofing it could save your life first, take a deep breath and hold it. next, relax. float with your arms level with your shoulders. legs pointed down, head under water, with the top of your head at the surface. do not tread water. to breathe, make one stroke down with both hands and arms simultaneously. blow out air as your face breaks the water surface, inhale a full breath quickly when your mouth and nose break the surface, and relax again going back to the float mode with the head not out of the surface. dump items that cause negative buoyancy as coins ,watch, keys chains, etc. repeat the steps continuously as needed.

Response:

Paul’s list on saving your life by drownproofing is well-timed for this part of the year. Thank you Paul. However, I seem to recall that within the last few years, there has been further information given out about how drownproofing can speed up hypothermia. Too much time with head in water, too much energy out-put, those sorts of things. drownproofing it could save your life first, take a deep breath and hold it. next, relax. float with your arms  level with your shoulders. legs pointed down, head under water, with

   the top of your head at the surface. do not tread water. to breathe, make one stroke down with both hands and arms simultaneously. blow out air as your face breaks the water surface, inhale a full breath

  quickly when your mouth and nose break the surface, and relax again   going back to the float mode with the head not out of the surface. dump items that cause negative buoyancy as coins ,watch, keys chains, etc. repeat the steps continuously as needed.

Any input from someone up to date on the latest in water-related hypothermia would be appreciated. Now is the season for such problems. Oh, and let’s try to stay on the boat, wear a pfd of some style of our choosing, or wear a survival suit. I don’t have a "Gumby" style suit, but do have a padded "Cruiser" suit by Mustang. Wonderful thing. Keeps me warm at the wheel, and even when sleeping off watch at night off shore. Hard to get out of if need to use the head, and the crotch is too low for short me, but otherwise, a very good thing. We wore our suits at night along the Washington coast this *summer* and felt very comfortable. One has to get out of the suit in the morning as the sun warms the air or you get wet from the inside. ANNE  (thanks Paul, again, for reminding us of the water being a danger) Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-28800, N81)

Response:

Paul’s list on saving your life by drownproofing is well-timed for this part of the year. Thank you Paul. However, I seem to recall that within the last few years, there has been further information given out about how drownproofing can speed up hypothermia. Too much time with head in water, too much energy out-put, those sorts of things.

 I doubt that energy expenditure could be too much.  Drownproofing allows even poor swimmers to stay afloat for hours.  The hypothermia risk I think is a significant increased risk.  You can drown-proof with your legs tucked up.  This will reduce heat loss, but the head underwater is a worry.  A floatcoat would be a much better option. Especially compared to basic drownproofing, but not as good as a "gumby".  If caught overboard in a floatcoat, or other jacket, tighten the collar and waist drawstring to minimize the cold water exchange. Mark Anderson

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Paul’s list on saving your life by drownproofing is well-timed for this part of the year. Thank you Paul. However, I seem to recall that within the last few years, there has been further information given out about how drownproofing can speed up hypothermia. Too much time with head in water,  I doubt that energy expenditure could be too much.  Drownproofing allows even poor swimmers to stay afloat for hours.  The hypothermia risk I think is a significant increased risk.  You can drown-proof with your legs tucked up.  This will reduce heat loss, but the head underwater is a worry.  A floatcoat would be a much better option. exchange. Mark Anderson

At the risk of repeating what the previous post wrote, I don’t think the following can be said enough: Drownproofing is a life saving technique that is now somewhat discredited. From recent literature I have from the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Red Cross ‘drownproofing’ will SUBSTANTIALLY reduce the amount of time a person can expect to remain alive in the water compared to other techniques. This includes simply treading water. As the other posts have stated this is becuase of the greatly increased heat loss through the head when is it is in the better thermal conducter; water. Most of our body’s heat loss is through the head. However, if the water is very warm, then it might make sense if a person is starting to have difficulty treading water. Of course if a PFD is in the equation then treading water ceases to be much of a concern. But hypothermia is still a very real problem in the cooler waters this time of year.Our lake was 3 degrees celsius when we pulled out last week-end. The Coast Guard literature went on to state that wearing a ‘float coat’ can increase one’s survival time many times over what it would be with a standard key-hole lifejacket.  

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Howdy group.  I was just diagnosed with cervical dystonia last week. While I have had symptoms for YEARS all of the doctors I went to either could find nothing wrong or told me to "relax"! I am so happy to find this news group on here.  A big relief.  I did find a fantastic Neurologist who believed me and understood exactly what I was talking about.  We are currently trying a variety of oral medications to see if we can control it.  Of course as all of you know, with these types of medications come side-effects.  After being on one medication for 2 days, my husband said, "you don’t need to be on that, it will make you crazy." I don’t think my husband is understanding what dystonia is all about quite yet.  I am looking for some encouragement and am hoping to find it here. Thanks for letting me get a little bit off my mind…I hope I can be of help to other people here as well. Connie

Welcome to A.S.D., Connie!!!   We are so happy to meet you!  I am hoping that some of our ‘dystonia spouses’ will respond to your husband and his concerns.  We have found that significant others in our lifes often have a hard time watching us go through this process.  Connie, please know that all of us here at the n/g are more than eager to lend a listening ear, commiserate, and even laugh occasionally!!!  Please keep in touch!! TTYS, MB

Response:

Howdy group.  I was just diagnosed with cervical dystonia last week. While I have had symptoms for YEARS all of the doctors I went to either could find nothing wrong or told me to "relax"! I am so happy to find this news group on here.  A big relief.  I did find a fantastic Neurologist who believed me and understood exactly what I was talking about.  We are currently trying a variety of oral medications to see if we can control it.  Of course as all of you know, with these types of medications come side-effects.  After being on one medication for 2 days, my husband said, "you don’t need to be on that, it will make you crazy." I don’t think my husband is understanding what dystonia is all about quite yet.  I am looking for some encouragement and am hoping to find it here. Thanks for letting me get a little bit off my mind…I hope I can be of help to other people here as well. Connie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Howdy group.  I was just diagnosed with cervical dystonia last week. While I have had symptoms for YEARS all of the doctors I went to either could find nothing wrong or told me to "relax"! I am so happy to find this news group on here.  A big relief.  I did find a fantastic Neurologist who believed me and understood exactly what I was talking about.  We are currently trying a variety of oral medications to see if we can control it.  Of course as all of you know, with these types of medications come side-effects.  After being on one medication for 2 days, my husband said, "you don’t need to be on that, it will make you crazy." I don’t think my husband is understanding what dystonia is all about quite yet.  I am looking for some encouragement and am hoping to find it here. Thanks for letting me get a little bit off my mind…I hope I can be of help to other people here as well. Connie Welcome to A.S.D., Connie!!! We are so happy to meet you!  I am hoping that some of our ‘dystonia spouses’ will respond to your husband and his concerns.  We have found that significant others in our lifes often have a hard time watching us go through this process.  Connie, please know that all of us here at the n/g are more than eager to lend a listening ear, commiserate, and even laugh occasionally!!!  Please keep in touch!! TTYS, MB

Ok MB…I have been extremely busy the last month, but i have been lurking:)  so seeing this post I had to reply..Lacking the time to form a newsgroup for us sig/others & spouses i have formed an email chain. anyone who wishs to share in our letters please feel free to email me. It is indeed very hard to not be able to "fix " my wife and make everything ok.  We go through life one day at a time and I try to stay with what I am powerful over and accept what I am powerless to change. Not my words…they come from a 12 step group. but it helps me to cope.it also helps to keep up with the newsgroup and share with you all when I can.  It also makes me feel good to see that this group has helped my wife Aimee where I have not been able to, and I thank you all for that…:) John F

Response:

Howdy group.  I was just diagnosed with cervical dystonia last week. While I have had symptoms for YEARS all of the doctors I went to either could find nothing wrong or told me to "relax"!

Hey I too have been there. After seeing approx. 6 specialists in the varies fields of medicine, I was finally diagonised with ST. I am so happy to find this news group on here.  A big relief.  I did find a fantastic Neurologist who believed me and understood exactly what I was talking about.  We are currently trying a variety of oral medications to see if we can control it.  Of course as all of you know, with these types of medications come side-effects.  After being on one medication for 2 days, my husband said, "you don’t need to be on that, it will make you crazy."

I remember those days indeed. Taking  all kinds of oral medications for approx a 4-6 month timespan to see if any worked, unfortunately in my case none did, but that isn’t too say that you will not have positive results. We share a strange disorder indeed. I don’t think my husband is understanding what dystonia is all about quite yet.  I am looking for some encouragement and am hoping to find it here.

My wife/family/friends also did not, in fact I didn’t, but we all know alot more now : ) Thanks for letting me get a little bit off my mind…I hope I can be of help to other people here as well.

I am sure you will and am happy too meet you. There is an chatline where many people with Dystonia meet every Wednesday night at 9:00pm EST in the channel named #sd. The chatline program is mIRC. If you don’t have it but would like to know where/how to get it, just say so and all the information will be sent too you here. God bless Mark

Response:

The basal ganglia may be like a computer which, if you have dystonia, malfunctions.

Are you trying to tell us that not only do we have dystonia but our brains are running Windows ‘95?! <g (err… nobody from MicroSoft is on here, are they…?) Cathy. —  (—-)                                                     (—-)   "  "         http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~collisoc          "  "

Response:

Howdy group.  I was just diagnosed with cervical dystonia last week. While I have had symptoms for YEARS all of the doctors I went to either could find nothing wrong or told me to "relax"! I am so happy to find this news group on here.  A big relief.  I did find a fantastic Neurologist who believed me and understood exactly what I was talking about.  We are currently trying a variety of oral medications to see if we can control it.  Of course as all of you know, with these types of medications come side-effects. on’t think my husband is understanding what dystonia is all about quite yet.

Dystonia is a disorder of movement.  It is frequently misunderstood  by the public and misdiagnosed by the medical profession because  of its complexity.  It is a syndrome of sustained muscle contractions frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal  postures.  The cause of these abnormal postures is thought to be  problems in the area of the brain known as the basal ganglia.  Messages to initiate the correct muscle contractions required for specific movements are thought to original in this region.   The basal ganglia may be like a computer which, if you have dystonia, malfunctions. There are no laboratory tests which can confirm the diagnosis of dystonia.  The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical neurological history and examination. Thanks for letting me get a little bit off my mind…I hope I can be of help to other people here as well. Connie

Gene

Response:

A small correction using the computer industry lingo is that our "Operating System" has a small bug that causes intermittent failures of the computer itself.  Consequently, a number of highly paid researchers (Systems Analysts) are attempting to debug the system but so far have not been successful.  We may need to hire more competent personnel. Larry Barlar

Response:

Are you trying to tell us that not only do we have dystonia but our brains are running Windows ‘95?! <g That’s a 32 bit application MB

Hey Larry!  You catch that?!  The gal’s getting smart on us! <g Cathy. —  (—-)                                                     (—-)   "  "         http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~collisoc          "  "

Response:

I am so happy to find this place on the internet–I was diagnosed with dystonia in the upper extremities and essential tremor of the head 2 years ago. It has been a struggle to finally get a diagnosis and even more of a struggle to find out more about it. Thank goodness I stumbled upon this newsgroup. I would like to exchange e-mail with anyone who feels inspired to write and share their experiences with me — I have felt so all alone through all of this. Barbara Zalesny

Response:

The basal ganglia may be like a computer which, if you have dystonia, malfunctions. Are you trying to tell us that not only do we have dystonia but our brains are running Windows ‘95?! <g (err… nobody from MicroSoft is on here, are they…?) Cathy.

That’s a 32 bit application MB

Response:

Question:

Hi Rhenda,    The office help at your mom’s doctor’s office is deplorable.  As someone else mentioned, perhaps this dr. doesn’t have enough patients who need Botox to keep a sufficient supply around.  What to do?  Try all the suggestions offered, also consider this one.    The neurologists at the large university hospital where I get Botox, set aside only a couple of days to do nothing but give injections – the hospital obtains a supply of  the poison.  However, a couple of the doctors have suggested to some dystonics in my support group, that if they prefer, their pharmacist possible could order Botox for them.  The patient would then bring the vial(s) with them to their doctor for the injections.  This seems to be advisable or suggested to those people whose insurance likes it that way.  But, why would this not work for your mother – for whatever reason!?  If she can obtain Botox herself, maybe the neuro would be willing to inject her…that is if she can by-pass the rude office help.      Maybe worth a try.  I know of at least two people who obtain their serum directly  from their pharmacist.  One problem of course, would be that she would have to get an Rx for the stuff.     Keep trying!     Best Regards,       Nancy

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Rhenda,   The office help at your mom’s doctor’s office is deplorable.  As someone else mentioned, perhaps this dr. doesn’t have enough patients who need Botox to keep a sufficient supply around.  What to do?  Try all the suggestions offered, also consider this one.   The neurologists at the large university hospital where I get Botox, set aside only a couple of days to do nothing but give injections – the hospital obtains a supply of  the poison.  However, a couple of the doctors have suggested to some dystonics in my support group, that if they prefer, their pharmacist possible could order Botox for them.  The patient would then bring the vial(s) with them to their doctor for the injections. This seems to be advisable or suggested to those people whose insurance likes it that way.  But, why would this not work for your mother – for whatever reason!?  If she can obtain Botox herself, maybe the neuro would be willing to inject her…that is if she can by-pass the rude office help.     Maybe worth a try.  I know of at least two people who obtain their serum directly  from their pharmacist.  One problem of course, would be that she would have to get an Rx for the stuff.    Keep trying!    Best Regards,      Nancy

Nancy, your idea is great and might provide an avenue around this mess. One problem, though, many trained neuro. at Univ. will NOT inject unless the vials come from their freezer. The problem is legal in nature. I tried to get the vials oversees (price is much less in UK & France). They would have been packaged and remain in a frozen state but the FDA does not allow out-of-country medicine to be used in U.S. Maybe the antibodies I have to BOTOX A & F are a blessing in disguise! —         ——-Dystonia Foundation’s co-Webmaster——         ** (312) 755-0198 [v], (312) 803-0138 [fx],  **         ** http://www.zipnet.net/users/dystonia/     **         ** One East Wacker Drive – Chicago, IL 60601 **

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her.   My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother.   So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

Hi Rhenda and welcome!! Sounds as though you are going through a tough time…good grief! I don’t know a thing about the situation with Botox.  I’d almost be tempted to telephone Allergan and ask them. The treatment your mom is receiving from the drs office is inexcusable IMHO.  However, it is your mom’s dr so it makes the situation delicate for you to say the least. Hopefully others who are more up on Botox will respond to your post.  In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to e-mail the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and ask whether there have been any recent problems that they one recommended by the Foundation…perhaps a mention of situation would be warranted here, although it sounds like the office staff leaves much to be desired moreso than the dr. I wish you luck and a good ending to your mom’s situation. MB

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her. My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother. So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

I would e-mail the dystonia foundation with cc to the hospital.  I would e-mail or write allergen and cc the hospital.  Let the hospital know te enths you ar going to to get the botox for THEM. I think people with a power trip take the phones at clinics.  Either that or the sheer volume of calls make them misanthropes.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks for the suggestion, Mary Beth.  Public thanks also to Sherrie and Becky who were kind enough to send very nice email messages with helpful suggestions.  And each of you added a different piece of information!  My next challenge is to get mom on the Internet.  She has a new electronic typewriter and thinks it’s the "cat’s meow".  I tried to get her interested when she was here, but she said she’s too old (62! that used to be "old" when I was 21, but now I’m 41 so it’s not) to learn this new "widget" and it hurt to hold her head still and look at the screen.  (She has essential tremor which she has had since her late teens.  It is familial.  She has had a few "supermarket" diagnoses of Parkinson’s from absolute strangers.  I still can’t believe the stupidity of someone who would offer up unsolicited outrageously inaccurate advice on a medical problem to a total stranger, but I digress.)  I wish I had found this newsgroup before I was trying to turn Mom on to the wonders of the ‘Net. She’ll be back this fall, I hope.  If we can get the damned Meanwhile, I am calling her up (long distance) and reading your email to her. Rhenda

Hey Rhenda!! Tell your Mom that I am 52 and just began with a computer in late 1993, so it is never too late to learn…as you say, 62 is young Rhenda, you are one spunky gal!!  I just want to keep yelling, "Go Girl"!!!  I am certain with you on Mom’s team, she can’t go wrong!  But the doctors sure can–tee hee! Take care, MB

Response:

Tell your Mom that I am 52 and just began with a computer in late 1993, so it is never too late to learn…as you say, 62 is young

My future mother-in-law is 63 and has been using a computer for about a year now.  We got her "addicted" through games and word processing, and now she’s into email and the internet.  My Grannie, at 76 is quite keen on learning the internet and email as well.  Maybe your Mom just isn’t old enough yet. <g Cathy. —  (—-)                                                     (—-)   "  "         http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~collisoc          "  "

Response:

writes: You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX   injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky

I was wondering how to post what I wanted to pass along to you then I read the above portion of Becky’s post. There is a company called ATHENA RX HOME PHARMACY. The number is 1-800-528-4362. They have Botox listed in thier Neurolgy Products catalog that I have. They don’t give a price for it,say’s to call for price. Maybe your mother can call and get some information from them and then call doctors office and tell them to give her an injection date and she can have the botox there. See how fast they get some Botox in then. Might be worth checking into. I got the information on Athena from some stuff I got at the symposium. Good luck Roger

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky I was wondering how to post what I wanted to pass along to you then I read the above portion of Becky’s post. There is a company called ATHENA RX HOME PHARMACY. The number is 1-800-528-4362. They have Botox listed in thier Neurolgy Products catalog that I have. They don’t give a price for it,say’s to call for price. Maybe your mother can call and get some information from them and then call doctors office and tell them to give her an injection date and she can have the botox there. See how fast they get some Botox in then. Might be worth checking into. I got the information on Athena from some stuff I got at the symposium. Good luck Roger

Thanks for sharing this bit of info with us, Roger.  Had I gone to the New York Symposium in May, you better believe I would have grabbed *any* BOTOX info there. I do know that BOTOX is *VERY* expensive because I see the charges on my health insurance bills.  The reason BOTOX is expensive is because only one company makes it – as the one you mentioned in your msg.  I may be wrong, but I don’t think the company would issue the medicine to one dr alone unless s/he is associated with a ‘BOTOX’ clinic.  This is a good idea — to call the company and find out if the particular clinic is still giving BOTOX injections and when the injections are given.  But, by the same token, you could also ask where the other ‘BOTOX’ clinics are in the area — if the company would give out such priviledge info.   BUT, then finding another dr would be a ‘hassle’ in this process. Anyway, hassle or no, it is worth the effort to track things down if you feel the particulars are helpful to you.  There, I’ve said my 2%…. Cheerio, Becky

Response:

Hi All: Just wanted to let you all know that I’m alive alive and well.  Just took a ‘computer break’ to write a paper and other things to prepare fore a job that I might be hire for in the Fall…  But, I’ll make my present known on this n/g ASAP… Anyway, just wanted to share with you my answer to Rhenda that I personally answered with you all. Yes, MB, I practically said the same thing you said, but added my 2% worth…  I do lurk on here now and then no matter how *busy* I am.  I know what’s going on…  <<<VBG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her. My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother. So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

[ Rhenda 5K ]

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her.   My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother.   So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

Hi Rhenda: I’m sorry your Mother has been having a frustrating time — I know what it’s like to go without my BOTOX injections — and I have injections not only to my neck, but also my vocal chords and face. …And it must be very frustrating for you as well not knowing what to do about your Mother’s situation, especially when she *FORBIDS* you not to intercede.  Since when does a loving daughter always obey her Mother???  I know I can relate to your situation as I live with my 90 yr old Mother. Mother’s can be VERY stubborn at times! Anyway, back to your problem with drs and BOTOX.  I’ve been to many a dr and would like to kick some of them in the butt.  Some drs have very poor ‘bedside’ manners.  And their secretaries are like a drill sargeant — if you can get past them you’re lucky…  BUT, there’s no reason for a clinic to act in such a non-professional way.  The only thing I can say here is maybe the clinic is giving up the ‘BOTOX program’ because of budget problems (yeah!  that ’song’ has a ring to it, doesn’t it?). Still, they should have alerted the patients to this. You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX   injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |Rebecca Ladew                  |"Watch me disappear!"  CLICK.           | |70323,722 (Compuserve)         |                                        | <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Response: