Question:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

On Sat, 08 Feb 2003 02:09:40 GMT, "Lis" <liont…@ptd.net

wrote: Many people are able to do this, and the next best drug is the clonezapam, it’s also a narcotic (highly addictive).

Clonazepam is NOT a narcotic, but it does have addicting properties (best tapered off slowly).

Response:

On Sat, 08 Feb 2003 00:58:18 GMT, "DenoxiS" <denoxisTHISPARTISFORS…@hotmail.com

wrote: When we sleep with my girlfriend in the same bed, she kicks and sounds like she is going to cry. I hardly stop her and usually cannot have a good night sleep. I saw a program on TV about this sleep disorder and they said there are some medicine available for this. They didn’t give more specific information. Does anybody know anything about the medication? Does it work? Is it expensive?

The usual medicine used for PLMD is Klonopin. It has antiseizure and antianxiety effects. It has been around for many years, and is available generically (which means "inexpensive").

Response:

DenoxiS wrote:

Hi, When we sleep with my girlfriend in the same bed, she kicks and sounds like she is going to cry. I hardly stop her and usually cannot have a good night sleep. I saw a program on TV about this sleep disorder and they said there are some medicine available for this. They didn’t give more specific information. Does anybody know anything about the medication? Does it work? Is it expensive? TIA — – Deniz

Deniz…… before you start thinking of treatment with medicines, you have to diagnose the problem.  She should go to a doctor and be tested. Self treatment is dangerous. Regards Lee in Toronto ———–== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Uncensored Usenet News ==———-    http://www.newsfeed.com       The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–= Over 100,000 Newsgroups – Unlimited Fast Downloads – 19 Servers =—–

Response:

Thanks for all the answers. Lee, sad thing is medication cost is an important decision maker on going to a doctor. Referring to the responses about the cost, I think we will see a doctor. I’ve never thought about self diagnose. Thanks for the warning. — – Deniz "Lee Babcock" <leebabc…@pathcom.com

wrote in message

news:3E451FD2.E9163DD4@pathcom.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

DenoxiS wrote: Hi, When we sleep with my girlfriend in the same bed, she kicks and sounds

like

she is going to cry. I hardly stop her and usually cannot have a good

night

sleep. I saw a program on TV about this sleep disorder and they said

there

are some medicine available for this. They didn’t give more specific information. Does anybody know anything about the medication? Does it

work?

Is it expensive? TIA — – Deniz Deniz…… before you start thinking of treatment with medicines, you have to diagnose the problem.  She should go to a doctor and be tested. Self treatment is dangerous. Regards Lee in Toronto ———–== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Uncensored Usenet News

==———-

   http://www.newsfeed.com       The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–= Over 100,000 Newsgroups – Unlimited Fast Downloads – 19 Servers

=—–

Response:

On Mon, 10 Feb 2003 21:13:59 GMT, "DenoxiS" <denoxisTHISPARTISFORS…@hotmail.com

wrote: Lee, sad thing is medication cost is an important decision maker on going to a doctor. Referring to the responses about the cost, I think we will see a doctor.

A lot of them (particularly now) seem to know a bit about the cost of meds. An almost foolproof rule is "available as a generic" means considerably cheaper than "not available as a generic." Another one is "available as a generic for more than six months" means cheaper than "available as a generic for less than six months." The one glaring exception in the USA: tamoxifen. It’s all made by AstraZeneca, even if it is in a Barr bottle. (This is expected to change by the end of the month.)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Charlie Perrin wrote:

On Mon, 10 Feb 2003 21:13:59 GMT, "DenoxiS" <denoxisTHISPARTISFORS…@hotmail.com wrote: Lee, sad thing is medication cost is an important decision maker on going to a doctor. Referring to the responses about the cost, I think we will see a doctor. A lot of them (particularly now) seem to know a bit about the cost of meds. An almost foolproof rule is "available as a generic" means considerably cheaper than "not available as a generic." Another one is "available as a generic for more than six months" means cheaper than "available as a generic for less than six months." The one glaring exception in the USA: tamoxifen. It’s all made by AstraZeneca, even if it is in a Barr bottle. (This is expected to change by the end of the month.)

Charlie so true. In Canada, many doctors have their prescription pads printed with a statement to issue generics if available. But then, we have a lot more generics here than in the US. If Beth is watching, what is the status of generics in Australia? Regards Lee in Toronto ———–== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Uncensored Usenet News ==———-    http://www.newsfeed.com       The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–= Over 100,000 Newsgroups – Unlimited Fast Downloads – 19 Servers =—–

Response:

In Canada, many doctors have their prescription pads printed with a statement to issue generics if available. But then, we have a lot more generics here than in the US. If Beth is watching, what is the status of generics in Australia?

oh, we definately have generic brands widely available, in fact, there’s a push to get people to use the generics now.  Thing is, our medication is generally subsidised by the govt (not all, but a lot) and if the govt can get people to use cheaper brands, then they’re pushing people to do it. Which is fine by me, cause the generics are exactly the same save the packaging. — Beth in Australia =================== FAQ for alt.support.sleep-disorder can be found here http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders this site is a work in progress – feel free to submit info/articles

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tal wrote:

In Canada, many doctors have their prescription pads printed with a statement to issue generics if available. But then, we have a lot more generics here than in the US. If Beth is watching, what is the status of generics in Australia? oh, we definately have generic brands widely available, in fact, there’s a push to get people to use the generics now.  Thing is, our medication is generally subsidised by the govt (not all, but a lot) and if the govt can get people to use cheaper brands, then they’re pushing people to do it. Which is fine by me, cause the generics are exactly the same save the packaging. — Beth in Australia

Not quite true… The active ingredients are the same but colouring agents, preservatives, binders can be a little different. Regards Lee in Toronto ———–== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Uncensored Usenet News ==———-    http://www.newsfeed.com       The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–= Over 100,000 Newsgroups – Unlimited Fast Downloads – 19 Servers =—–

Response:

On Tue, 11 Feb 2003 10:04:23 -0500, Lee Babcock <leebabc…@pathcom.com

wrote: In Canada, many doctors have their prescription pads printed with a statement to issue generics if available.

The way they do it in the USA varies from state to state, but here’s how they do it in Texas. The doctor has two lines on the prescription pad and signs one of them:         Dispense As Written         Product Selection Permitted Then, off to the pharmacy… where they then ask you if you want the generic (if there is one). In some states, they make them write out "Dispense as Written" (which the drug industry doesn’t like as much).

Response:

Hi, When we sleep with my girlfriend in the same bed, she kicks and sounds like she is going to cry. I hardly stop her and usually cannot have a good night sleep. I saw a program on TV about this sleep disorder and they said there are some medicine available for this. They didn’t give more specific information. Does anybody know anything about the medication? Does it work? Is it expensive? TIA — – Deniz

Response:

Deniz, There are several medicines. See the last link below for a description of what they can do for you. My husband and I have gotten a "California King" sized bed to prevent the injury problem (we BOTH kick). And I once had such a quick movement with my arm that I gave him a black eye (I woke up the instant my knuckles connected with his head ). And then there’s the time that I dreampt that someone was knocking on the door and no one would answer it. I woke to find that My hand, flung over my head, was shaking, and knocking against the headboard. The problem we are discussing is called either Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) if the movements are reflexive and repeated closely together. People who have this sometimes have an itchy or creepy-crawly sensation in their legs or arms before bed time (and sometimes in the day). I have that symptom (thought it was itchy varicose veins for a long time). My husband does not have that symptom. But he has another classic symptom: cramping at night, and legs that tighten up (toes curl upwards) and move up and down. It looks as if he were trying to ride a horse If it’s a single kick or an arm movement It’s Called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). It happens at a certain time during the falling-asleep-process (thus the black-eye story, above). I have both these problems. My husband has PLMD as far as I can tell. Either way, your girlfriend will have to see a sleep doctor for a sleep test and treatment if it is causing big problems, something that sufferers are surprised about if the problem doesn’t wake THEM up. Most people find out about such problems from their sleep partners. My husband has always refused testing and treatment, thus the really big bed . All our cuddling happens while awake, because if we sleep "spooning," someone either gets woken in pain, or wakes up with bruises the next morning. Sleep disorders often come in groups. The sleep test is vital to discover if your friend had some other problems (such as a certain breathing problem while sleeping, called apnea, which is sometimes accompanied by these problems). If you have trouble convincing your friend that she needs to see a Doctor for a referral to a sleep doctor/center for a "sleep test," try filming her at night as she sleeps, with her permission. She might be surprised to see herself beating you up in her sleep. There are some things she can do to lessen her problems on her own, if this is indeed the problem I’m talking about. I’m going to list those things as I wrote them to another sufferer (who also got severe leg cramps) last week or so: 1. Melatonin works to induce sleep. This sometimes helps you sleep through cramps. It is fairly safe and non-addictive. Benadryl brand antihistimine (and the generic brands, too) can induce deep enough sleep to over-ride the symptoms. Many people are able to do this, and the next best drug is the clonezapam, it’s also a narcotic (highly addictive). 2. Move your body. Get walking or leg exercise during the day. If you have an attack at night, get up and move a round a bit, then try again to sleep. Experiment with exercise times, as it takes a different routine with different timing (in relation to bedtime) for each person who suffers from this disorder. 3. Lose weight if you need to. Attacks are fewer and less severe when we weigh less. 4. For some people, heat helps. Try a hot water bottle, bed socks, a heating pad or a hot bath before bed. 5. Do as much as you can to be very sleepy before you go to bed. Do as much as you can to fall asleep quickly. The longer it takes to fall asleep, the more likely it is that you’ll be woken by the cramping. So, take hot baths or showers to relax you. 6. Develop good "sleep hygiene," which means do not use your bed to do anything but sleep in (no TV, reading, exercising, radio, etc…). Go to bed on a rigid schedule. Develop a bedtime routine that you can take with you wherever you go. If you cannot sleep, get out of bed and do something quietly until you are sleepy again. This trains your body to go to sleep as soon as you are in bed, and not wait for something interesting to happen . 7.Learn meditation and relaxation skills. They help. 8.Check with a dietitian to see what you can do with your diet to lessen leg cramps (get lots of potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc.). 9. Get educated! Educate your Physician. There are some links on this page (same tips, but it saves me typing web addresses):  http://www.anchorweb.com.au/sleepdisorders/RLS.htm And to add to those links, this is the Restless Leg Support Group homepage: http://www.rlshelp.org/  They are in Southern California, but there is a ton of really good informationon that page. I highly reccomend it. Good Luck! Lis "DenoxiS" <denoxisTHISPARTISFORS…@hotmail.com

wrote in message

news:KCY0a.43775$ce4.11927096@twister.socal.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi, When we sleep with my girlfriend in the same bed, she kicks and sounds

like

she is going to cry. I hardly stop her and usually cannot have a good

night

sleep. I saw a program on TV about this sleep disorder and they said there are some medicine available for this. They didn’t give more specific information. Does anybody know anything about the medication? Does it

work?

Is it expensive? TIA — – Deniz

Response:

Question:

We’ve done it, traded in the fifth wheel for a park model.  The dealer says he cannot find a source for a 150 gallon holding tank to put under it.  He used to get them for about $150.  Another dealer we are not enamored of, (where we did not buy the park model) says he can sell us one for $750, which seems completely ridiculous.  There mustbe someplace to get a reasonable price on a 150 gallon holding tank, anybody aware of where that might be? Romeo Raabe in Green Bay, WI

Response:

Check with El Monte Plastics, El Monte, California.  Or look up Northernhydraulics.com as I believe they have generic tanks at a reasonable price.  If that does not work, try Northerntools.com Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We’ve done it, traded in the fifth wheel for a park model.  The dealer says he cannot find a source for a 150 gallon holding tank to put under it.  He used to get them for about $150.  Another dealer we are not enamored of, (where we did not buy the park model) says he can sell us one for $750, which seems completely ridiculous.  There mustbe someplace to get a reasonable price on a 150 gallon holding tank, anybody aware of where that might be? Romeo Raabe in Green Bay, WI

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After this I tried Celexa, Effexor and Zoloft.  Each helped for a week or two and then the irritability and aggression began to steadily increase until it became urgent that I stop the drug. Hi Louise, I had feelings and thoughts of aggression for a few weeks after starting to raise the Zoloft dose to high levels. What I did was take a little bit of Benadryl, about a few grains from a broken store-brand capsule, to settle the agitation.  Eventually after a few days of the Benadryl the agitation stopped and never came back again. I also started raising the dose very gradually. I have a family history of bipolar (called manic depressive back then), and my pdoc concluded that I should NEVER take any more SSRIs because I have the biological tendency to become manic from them. Are you sure you are manic on them permanently? Some of us get manic on them for a while, but only for a while. I was euphorically hypomanic from Zoloft for four months, with some jitters thrown in.  Eventually all that left. How long were you on any of the SSRIs? So, does anyone know whether the Klonopin would prevent the irritable, agitated and aggressive symptoms that I always get after a few weeks on an SSRI?  Would it be worth trying an SSRI now that I am solidly on Klonopin or is it likely that the same thing will happen? Well, I took Benadryl for a few days to calm down the agitation. It wasn’t much–just a few grains once or twice a day–not enough to make one sleepy. It worked for me.  It is used to help those who go through akathisia/ agressiveness when having starting SSRIs.  It may or may not work for you.

I was never on an SSRI for more than a month or two because my I and my pdoc and my therapist became fearful that my anger and irritation were so intense that I would lose control and they felt I should get off of them. I guess I was wondering whether the Klonopin would be like the Benedryl. Louise — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ::Two people I was very close to have passed away in the last ::6 months and another is moving far away in about 6 weeks. ::The moving has thrown me over the line and I am becoming ::more and chronically depressed, hopeless and it’s getting ::real hard to function in the mornings. <gently snipped Dear Louise, Sorry about all the loss in your life. (((((Louise))))) You seem so sensitive to lots of medication. Have you thought about getting some therapy to help deal with your feelings of loss? It could help you a lot. Healing thoughts being sent your way. Jackie ~*~If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude~*~  ~~ Maya Angelou quote

I’m sorry, I should have said that I am in therapy.  In fact, in January, my therapist of 10 years suddenly had a stroke and died – that is one of the "losses". I have started with someone else….but it’s not the same and I don’t know if it ever will be. Louise — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::I’m sorry, I should have said that I am in therapy.  In ::fact, in January, my therapist of 10 years suddenly had a ::stroke and died – that is one of the "losses". I’m so sorry (((((Louise))))) Jackie ~*~Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it    is. The way you deal with it is what makes the difference~*~   ~~ Virginia Satir   — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Over the last 10+ years, I’ve tried several SSRIs to treat a chronic low level, lifelong depression.  I have also suffered from a lot of anxiety and panic attacks and have usually been thought to have an "agitated depression" when I’ve sought psychiatric help. The only ADs that ever helped were the ones that put me to sleep and made me just able to function, but not "live", because I’d rather be sleeping, almost no matter what.  That was Luvox.  But when the dose of Luvox was raised, I didn’t become more sleepy, I became more agitated, argumentative and intolerably irritable.  I was on the verge of destruction – myself and others. After this I tried Celexa, Effexor and Zoloft.  Each helped for a week or two and then the irritability and aggression began to steadily increase until it became urgent that I stop the drug. I have a family history of bipolar (called manic depressive back then), and my pdoc concluded that I should NEVER take any more SSRIs because I have the biological tendency to become manic from them. I used Lamictal for several years with minimal success.  I need to take lots of benzos to counter the panic attacks and eventually began getting them in a variety of ways because the pdoc didn’t want me to take them every day (ativan mostly). Then I stopped the lamictal and felt better, as I suspected I would.  I was off all medication except for ativan prn for about 8 months. Then, last May (06), there were some serious changes in my life and I became extremely anxious.  I went to see a new pdoc who suggested that we focus on the panic attacks and the anxiety and see what happens.  I am now taking 2mg Klonopin daily and it has definitely helped to level me out and yet, to leave me able to feel and think clearly and have good judgment.  It has provided a lot of relief with minimal side effects.  I don’t really care that it might be addictive. Two people I was very close to have passed away in the last 6 months and another is moving far away in about 6 weeks. The moving has thrown me over the line and I am becoming more and chronically depressed, hopeless and it’s getting real hard to function in the mornings. Seroquel was suggested but I refused it because of its potential to cause diabetes.  This is a disease I dread and I will not take a drug that makes it happen to some people and they don’t know why! So, does anyone know whether the Klonopin would prevent the irritable, agitated and aggressive symptoms that I always get after a few weeks on an SSRI?  Would it be worth trying an SSRI now that I am solidly on Klonopin or is it likely that the same thing will happen? Thanks for reading this long post and for any experiences and/or suggestions you have. Louise — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Over the last 10+ years, I’ve tried several SSRIs to treat a chronic low level, lifelong depression.  I have also suffered from a lot of anxiety and panic attacks and have usually been thought to have an "agitated depression" when I’ve sought psychiatric help. The only ADs that ever helped were the ones that put me to sleep and made me just able to function, but not "live", because I’d rather be sleeping, almost no matter what.  That was Luvox.  But when the dose of Luvox was raised, I didn’t become more sleepy, I became more agitated, argumentative and intolerably irritable.  I was on the verge of destruction – myself and others. After this I tried Celexa, Effexor and Zoloft.  Each helped for a week or two and then the irritability and aggression began to steadily increase until it became urgent that I stop the drug. I have a family history of bipolar (called manic depressive back then), and my pdoc concluded that I should NEVER take any more SSRIs because I have the biological tendency to become manic from them. I used Lamictal for several years with minimal success.  I need to take lots of benzos to counter the panic attacks and eventually began getting them in a variety of ways because the pdoc didn’t want me to take them every day (ativan mostly). Then I stopped the lamictal and felt better, as I suspected I would.  I was off all medication except for ativan prn for about 8 months. Then, last May (06), there were some serious changes in my life and I became extremely anxious.  I went to see a new pdoc who suggested that we focus on the panic attacks and the anxiety and see what happens.  I am now taking 2mg Klonopin daily and it has definitely helped to level me out and yet, to leave me able to feel and think clearly and have good judgment.  It has provided a lot of relief with minimal side effects.  I don’t really care that it might be addictive. Two people I was very close to have passed away in the last 6 months and another is moving far away in about 6 weeks. The moving has thrown me over the line and I am becoming more and chronically depressed, hopeless and it’s getting real hard to function in the mornings. Seroquel was suggested but I refused it because of its potential to cause diabetes.  This is a disease I dread and I will not take a drug that makes it happen to some people and they don’t know why! So, does anyone know whether the Klonopin would prevent the irritable, agitated and aggressive symptoms that I always get after a few weeks on an SSRI?

Klonopin isn’t a mood stabilizer, so my guess is that it wouldn’t prevent a mood swing to hypomania/mania. Our resident psychiatrist Margrove might be able to suggest a good med combo. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is used for depression in bipolars cause it is thought it is less likely than other antidepressants to result in a mood swing . Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::Two people I was very close to have passed away in the last ::6 months and another is moving far away in about 6 weeks. ::The moving has thrown me over the line and I am becoming ::more and chronically depressed, hopeless and it’s getting ::real hard to function in the mornings. <gently snipped Dear Louise, Sorry about all the loss in your life. (((((Louise))))) You seem so sensitive to lots of medication. Have you thought about getting some therapy to help deal with your feelings of loss? It could help you a lot. Healing thoughts being sent your way. Jackie ~*~If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude~*~  ~~ Maya Angelou quote — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

After this I tried Celexa, Effexor and Zoloft.  Each helped for a week or two and then the irritability and aggression began to steadily increase until it became urgent that I stop the drug.

Hi Louise, I had feelings and thoughts of aggression for a few weeks after starting to raise the Zoloft dose to high levels. What I did was take a little bit of Benadryl, about a few grains from a broken store-brand capsule, to settle the agitation.  Eventually after a few days of the Benadryl the agitation stopped and never came back again. I also started raising the dose very gradually. I have a family history of bipolar (called manic depressive back then), and my pdoc concluded that I should NEVER take any more SSRIs because I have the biological tendency to become manic from them.

Are you sure you are manic on them permanently? Some of us get manic on them for a while, but only for a while. I was euphorically hypomanic from Zoloft for four months, with some jitters thrown in.  Eventually all that left. How long were you on any of the SSRIs? So, does anyone know whether the Klonopin would prevent the irritable, agitated and aggressive symptoms that I always get after a few weeks on an SSRI?  Would it be worth trying an SSRI now that I am solidly on Klonopin or is it likely that the same thing will happen?

Well, I took Benadryl for a few days to calm down the agitation. It wasn’t much–just a few grains once or twice a day–not enough to make one sleepy. It worked for me.  It is used to help those who go through akathisia/ agressiveness when having starting SSRIs.  It may or may not work for you. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

Hey moron, solar cells work at night too! We have these little things called batteries, you fucking idiot. "Bill Bonde, one of many Fair and Balanced Conservatives, AKA Spike, currently brunching on extra juicy ortolans, where do you put the beaks

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "It is a massively fragile Rube Goldberg device that dangerously and inefficiently carts around electricity from expensive, polluting and extremely unsafe central generating plants… The technology for a decentralized, solar-based power system is ready now. We don’t need massive research breakthroughs…" Does anyone out there actually believe this stuff? In 1952 a Blue Ribbon report to Harry Truman predicted that the future of America’s energy rested with the sun.  It predicted 13 million solar-powered homes here by 1975, and the promise of decentralized, off-grid self-sufficiency. Instead, Dwight Eisenhower took us into the pit of the "Peaceful Atom".  A trillion dollars later, we have a half-century of crashing grids and dangerous nukes that are vulnerable to terrorism and must shut down precisely when they’re most needed, as they did during this latest blackout. I suppose your solar power won’t shut down when it’s most needed, at night. The latest Bush energy bill only makes the situation worse, with more nuke subsidies and a powerful push for fossil fuels, especially coal. Nuclear power and coal are the only practical major new sources of energy right now. Nuclear power is especially attractive. The whole system demands a green deconstruction.  Solar technologies are ready to make energy self-sufficiency a tangible reality. Photovoltaic cells on rooftops and embedded in windows can produce grid-free electricity, with battery or fuel-cell backups. Do you know what fuel cells cost? Geothermal power can heat and cool with nothing but the power of the earth’s crust. Sure but it isn’t available everywhere and where it is, tapping it too hard can cause negative effects in on nearby national treasures such as Yellow Stone. Methane digestion can turn waste into usable gas.  Basement generators can use biomass fuels like ethanol and soy diesel for off-grid self-sufficiency. These systems need not provide 100% of a building’s energy, but can gradually make them increasingly self-sufficient. If they don’t provide 100% of the build’s needs, then we will still need a grid. Meanwhile more efficient heating, lighting and cooling systems can reduce demand. Windows that actually open and close can balance usage, building by building. Bush’s "upgrading the grid" means a new money pit for the same old unsafe nukes, polluting coal burners and gas turbines whose prices are set to skyrocket all looped together by dangerous, wasteful wires that are bound to crash again and again. Almost all of the alternative sources of energy are not available on demand. Coal, nuclear, gas, are available on demand. A grid could be used to transfer power from where there is a temporary surplus to where it is needed. That’s what is done now. Doing away with that seems like a negative for those who want to run homes in cloudy areas on solar power. San Francisco has used part of a public bond to put the first of a new generation of solar cells atop its downtown Moscone Center.  Those same cells could’ve kept Madison Square Garden or any other Manhattan building up and running during this latest outage.  Will New Yorkers know better next time? The person who wrote this didn’t bother to even do the most basic of math. Geez. What if the outage had occurred in the Winter? At night?

Response:

"It is a massively fragile Rube Goldberg device that dangerously and inefficiently carts around electricity from expensive, polluting and extremely unsafe central generating plants… The technology for a decentralized, solar-based power system is ready now. We don’t need massive research breakthroughs…"

Does anyone out there actually believe this stuff? In 1952 a Blue Ribbon report to Harry Truman predicted that the future of America’s energy rested with the sun.  It predicted 13 million solar-powered homes here by 1975, and the promise of decentralized, off-grid self-sufficiency. Instead, Dwight Eisenhower took us into the pit of the "Peaceful Atom".  A trillion dollars later, we have a half-century of crashing grids and dangerous nukes that are vulnerable to terrorism and must shut down precisely when they’re most needed, as they did during this latest blackout.

I suppose your solar power won’t shut down when it’s most needed, at night. The latest Bush energy bill only makes the situation worse, with more nuke subsidies and a powerful push for fossil fuels, especially coal.

Nuclear power and coal are the only practical major new sources of energy right now. Nuclear power is especially attractive. The whole system demands a green deconstruction.  Solar technologies are ready to make energy self-sufficiency a tangible reality. Photovoltaic cells on rooftops and embedded in windows can produce grid-free electricity, with battery or fuel-cell backups.

Do you know what fuel cells cost? Geothermal power can heat and cool with nothing but the power of the earth’s crust.  

Sure but it isn’t available everywhere and where it is, tapping it too hard can cause negative effects in on nearby national treasures such as Yellow Stone. Methane digestion can turn waste into usable gas.  Basement generators can use biomass fuels like ethanol and soy diesel for off-grid self-sufficiency. These systems need not provide 100% of a building’s energy, but can gradually make them increasingly self-sufficient.

If they don’t provide 100% of the build’s needs, then we will still need a grid. Meanwhile more efficient heating, lighting and cooling systems can reduce demand. Windows that actually open and close can balance usage, building by building. Bush’s "upgrading the grid" means a new money pit for the same old unsafe nukes, polluting coal burners and gas turbines whose prices are set to skyrocket all looped together by dangerous, wasteful wires that are bound to crash again and again.

Almost all of the alternative sources of energy are not available on demand. Coal, nuclear, gas, are available on demand. A grid could be used to transfer power from where there is a temporary surplus to where it is needed. That’s what is done now. Doing away with that seems like a negative for those who want to run homes in cloudy areas on solar power. San Francisco has used part of a public bond to put the first of a new generation of solar cells atop its downtown Moscone Center.  Those same cells could’ve kept Madison Square Garden or any other Manhattan building up and running during this latest outage.  Will New Yorkers know better next time?

The person who wrote this didn’t bother to even do the most basic of math. Geez. What if the outage had occurred in the Winter? At night?

Response:

"It is a massively fragile Rube Goldberg device that dangerously and inefficiently carts around electricity from expensive, polluting and extremely unsafe central generating plants… The technology for a decentralized, solar-based power system is ready now. We don’t need massive research breakthroughs…" "San Francisco has used part of a public bond to put the first of a new generation of solar cells atop its downtown Moscone Center.  Those same cells could’ve kept Madison Square Garden or any other Manhattan building up and running during this latest outage.  Will New Yorkers know better next time?" The latest bogus fossil-nuke blackout: this grid should not exist by Harvey Wasserman, August 15, 2003 This is the fourth—and worst—completely unnecessary major regional blackout in this country in forty years, dating back to 1965. It’s scope—from Detroit to Ottawa to New York and New Jersey—is absolutely awesome, especially since it’s due to total stupidity and corruption. This does not count the blackouts that raged through California in 2000-2001.  Those were "blackmails," set by Enron and the other Bush gas cronies to rip $60 billion out of the state, leading to, among other things, the impending ouster of Gov. Gray Davis. When the lights went out, Davis kissed the feet of Southern California Edison’s John Bryson, who engineered a deregulation bill that gouged $30 billion out of the ratepayers for the state’s failed nukes.  That opened the gates for the gas pirates to steal yet another $60 billion. Davis got caught in the backdraft. The culprits in this latest northeastern disaster are basically the same—the barons of fossil and nuclear power and their cronies in the electric utility business. Their "weapon" is an ancient electric grid that’s obsolete if not obscene.   It is a massively fragile Rube Goldberg device that dangerously and inefficiently carts around electricity from expensive, polluting and extremely unsafe central generating plants to buildings that waste massive amounts of energy and generate none. That the grid will crash again and again and yet again is absolutely certain.  The only question is who are the real terrorists:  errant crazies who blow things up, or entrenched interests that refuse to change? The technology now exists to transcend this mess.  In the mid 1990s California’s green energy advocates proposed a 600-megawatt mosaic of solar, wind and other renewable generators that would have entirely prevented the fake deregulatory crisis of 2000-1.  It was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, but then killed by Southern California Edison and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Today, the Bush Administration wants to further subsidize its fossil/utility friends with a bad energy bill, and by pouring billions into "upgrading" the electric grid.  The only thing certain is that every cent of that money will be wasted. In 1952 a Blue Ribbon report to Harry Truman predicted that the future of America’s energy rested with the sun.  It predicted 13 million solar-powered homes here by 1975, and the promise of decentralized, off-grid self-sufficiency. Instead, Dwight Eisenhower took us into the pit of the "Peaceful Atom".  A trillion dollars later, we have a half-century of crashing grids and dangerous nukes that are vulnerable to terrorism and must shut down precisely when they’re most needed, as they did during this latest blackout.  The latest Bush energy bill only makes the situation worse, with more nuke subsidies and a powerful push for fossil fuels, especially coal. The whole system demands a green deconstruction.  Solar technologies are ready to make energy self-sufficiency a tangible reality. Photovoltaic cells on rooftops and embedded in windows can produce grid-free electricity, with battery or fuel-cell backups.  Geothermal power can heat and cool with nothing but the power of the earth’s crust.  Methane digestion can turn waste into usable gas.  Basement generators can use biomass fuels like ethanol and soy diesel for off-grid self-sufficiency. These systems need not provide 100% of a building’s energy, but can gradually make them increasingly self-sufficient.  Meanwhile more efficient heating, lighting and cooling systems can reduce demand. Windows that actually open and close can balance usage, building by building. Bush’s "upgrading the grid" means a new money pit for the same old unsafe nukes, polluting coal burners and gas turbines whose prices are set to skyrocket all looped together by dangerous, wasteful wires that are bound to crash again and again. San Francisco has used part of a public bond to put the first of a new generation of solar cells atop its downtown Moscone Center.  Those same cells could’ve kept Madison Square Garden or any other Manhattan building up and running during this latest outage.  Will New Yorkers know better next time? The technology for a decentralized, solar-based power system is ready now. We don’t need massive research breakthroughs. We need public demand and fully funded production capacity.  And to stop repeating the same mistakes because the utility and fossil/nuke guys fund the politicians in power. This isn’t rocket science.  It’s just common solar sense, known to all since 1952. Harvey Wasserman is author of THE LAST ENERGY WAR and senior editor of www.freepress.org. CONTACT THE FREE PRESS: PRINT: 1240 Bryden Road Columbus, Ohio 43209 Ph/Fx 614.253.2571 SOURCE: http://www.freepress.org/columns.php?strFunc=display&strID=735&strYea… Author=7 = = = = STILL FEELING LIKE THE MAINSTREAM U.S. CORPORATE MEDIA IS GIVING A FULL HONEST PICTURE OF WHAT’S GOING ON? = = = = More information: Daily Online 2 hour radio show reporting: www.DemocracyNow.org = = = = Sorry we cannot read/reply to most usenet posts but welcome email For more information: http://EconomicDemocracy.org/wtc/ (peace) And http://EconomicDemocracy.org/ (general)

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Question:

Have you had your thyroid tested? for sure………it can cause all those symptoms!!!!!!!!!!!!

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In article <3D1791AD.3020…@comcast.net

, FurPaw <furpawn…@comcast.net

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Thanks for your response. I didn’t get a hand tremor until a month ago. The gyno doctors wanted to prescribe tranquil. because they felt the headaches, nausea and intermittent fevers  were not  menopause related and I looked depressed. I explained they would look depressed too if they sat where I was sitting with a headache, nausea and a 99+ fever. I couldn’t possibly be cheerful. No one tested me for depression. I’m waitng for an MRI and neuro consult. Although I never heard of hand tremors associated with menopause I was hoping maybe it was a rare symptom rather than the alternative diagnosis of brain inflammation, brain tumor, Parkinsons. Dale

Response:

Hi Dale and welcome to a.s.m.  For what it’s worth, I have hand tremors under two circumstances, neither of which is, I believe, directly related to menopause.  In 1998 I had a neuropraxia of my right hand.  I thought I had had a stroke and went to the emergency room.  Believe it or not, my doctor advised acupuncture (which I was getting for a shoulder injury) and it eventually went away by itself.  Affected my handwriting something awful for a while.  Now I get hand tremors from pain.  I have recently posted under other threads about dealing with unwanted facial hair and, respectively, electrolysis and most recently (today, in fact) laser hair removal.  The pain causes hand tremors.  I think it is wise of you, though, to have a checkup to see if there is another reason for them.  I have had headaches for many years, but nausea and fevers (unless you are referring to hot flashes, which, at least in me, do not cause actual measurable fever) is a good thing. Best wishes, RuthJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Dale Davis wrote:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

Response:

Dale Davis wrote:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

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posted and e-mailed "Dale Davis" <d…@aloha.net

wrote in message

news:ded-2406020826210001@ip64-75-154-101.dial.aloha.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At

first I

attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of

feeling

badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno

offices.

No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been

one year

since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new

symptom of

hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a

symptom of

menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run

this by

the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably

depressed

since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I

don’t buy

that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much

info as

possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have.

Hope

someone can offer some help.

I understand your frustration as I went through many years of ‘mis-diagnosis’ before I got an answer to all my symptoms. The best advice I can give is for you  to ask your neurologist for a brain MRI scan, it’s a painless non-invasive procedure. I hope you can get your health problems resolved quickly. — Shirley see my cat pictures at http://communities.msn.co.uk/Friendsfamilyandfelines2

Response:

Aargh – I forgot to paste the URL before I sent the message.  Sorry about that!  Here it is: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=973&cn=5 It’s a form that you can fill out on line.  It won’t give you a "definitive diagnosis" but it will help you to understand if you are showing a lot of the symptoms of depression. FurPaw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mink wrote:

Can you pls. fill me in on this depression test?  Is it a form with lots of questions on it? Thanks. Kate FurPaw wrote: Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Response:

Can you pls. fill me in on this depression test?  Is it a form with lots of questions on it? Thanks. Kate – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -FurPaw wrote:

Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Response:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

Would anyone tell me expiriences on this medication?

I take Sinequan which is doxepin hydrochloride. It is an older, tricyclic anti-depressant. I find it very sedating. I am taking 150mg/day. Gives me the munchies. — bev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://members.tripod.com/~Veb

Response:

I slept non-stop for two days…my sister and boyfriend dragged me to the BR when they could. I stopped taking those pills right then. Nowadays they have MUCH BETTER meds…. Try Prozac, effexor,etc. Kathy

Response:

Would anyone tell me expiriences on this medication?

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Question:

Cyndie  I’ve had PAs that last about a second and can leave me shattered for hours afterwards. The last time it happened it was a sudden escalation of fear caused by rapid thought connections. Something made me think of death and life. How this is the life bit, and the other was the death bit. The result – sudden terror and then nothing except – what the fuck was that? I have no idea why I became so frightened. It happened once when looking in the mirror. All of a sudden I couldn’t decide which was me – the looker or the reflection. They sound a bit like bad trips or temporal lobe seizures rather than PAs. On the other hand I’ve had PAs that last for days, almost seemlessly. Fred

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is going to sound weird, but this hasnt happened to me before and I would like to know what you think about it.  Today while I was working on a project with the Col. (no not KFC <g)  I noticed a flash of a PA.  It was so weird!  It was like it lasted a second!  It wasnt like a head rush, more like an extremely fast PA! I didnt get upset and nothing else happened, but thought about it off and on cause it was so weird.  I was wondering if it might have been a PA trying to come on but stopped short? I know this sounds weird, but it felt weird too!  I have been on 20mg ever other day of Prozac for a week and a half? and started lowering my dose of Xanax by .5mg a day about a week ago.  Maybe rebound from withdrawel?  I also noticed that in the past few nights I see weird monsters and images (in my mind, not hallucinating) right as I am about to fall asleep and I wake with a start.  I remember having that problem before, when this first started for me 7 years ago.  When I awake I dont have a PA, I just keep trying to go back to sleep, it happens a few times, then I am out like a light until morning.  Does anyone else have these problems? Cyndie

Hi Cyndie: Those PA flashes could very well mean that the Prozac is starting to take effect.  It somehow seems to cut them off before they get going.  Just a guess though, based on my own experience. Also, again just a thought, I would have thought that the rate you’re reducing the Xanax is a little too fast and too soon.  Just my own personal experience and what I’ve read talking here……but usually you stay on your regular doseage of Xanax for the first week or so at least and then, very slowly and minimally, taper down over a period of months.  You might want to check this out with your doctor. Take care. Mally  

Response:

<snipped I have been on 20mg ever other day of Prozac for a week and a half? and started lowering my dose of Xanax by .5mg a day about a week ago.

Maybe rebound from withdrawel?  I also noticed that in the past few nights I see weird monsters and images (in my mind, not hallucinating) right as I am about to fall asleep and I wake with a start.  I remember having that problem before, when this first started for me 7 years ago. When I awake I dont have a PA, I just keep trying to go back to sleep, it happens a few times, then I am out like a  light until morning.  Does anyone else have these problems? Cyndie

Dear Cyndie, Although I’m sorry that you’re having this problem with sleeping, I have to tell you that I am relieved to know that you share this problem with me.  I having had these sorts of images while trying to get to sleep all of my life.  It’s one of the reasons I know that I’ve been having panic attacks for so long.  I think the images are just a way for my mind to cope with the nocturnal PA’s.  When you wake up scared to death, your mind might be inserting a "reason" for your fears.  I’ve often tried to describe these images as little mini-dreams because they’re not hallucinations, although I’m not sure if I’m entirely asleep when it happens.  Anyway, these are just a few theories I have about them.  When you describe waking "with a start," you might actually be describing a panic attack.  My nocturnal PA’s are much different from my daytime PA’s.  It’s something I’ve realized recently. The good news is that when I was on Zoloft (similar to Prozac) these images went away.  In fact, although insomnia is a possible side-effect of Zoloft, my horrible insomnia went away.  I think my insomnia is caused by these nocturnal attacks as well as depression, and the Zoloft helped with both.  And, I wasn’t using Xanax or any other benzodiazepine at the time.  It DID take a few weeks, though: about 6 weeks after I built up to the full dosage for me. Because of that length of time, you might want to consider tapering off the Xanax more slowly.  I realize that this is up to you and your doctor, but going off a benzodiazepine too quickly can be uncomfortable. It does NOT mean that you are addicted.  In his book "Panic Disorder: The Medical Point of View," William D. Kernodle states that everyone will have a different experience when going off a benzodiazepine and that you should go as SLOWLY as you need to.  By the way, I highly recommend this book (1995 edition), if you want some sensible, professional answers to your questions about anxiety medications.  I have been fearful of medication in the past, and this book has explained a lot to me. You’re not alone in these particular experiences, Cyndie, and I want to thank you so much for letting me know that I’m not alone.   Take care, Cathleen P.S.: The reason I stopped the Zoloft had nothing to do with its effectiveness but rather with my financial situation at that time (and my ignorance–and my psychiatrist’s–of financial aid for these sorts of things).

Response:

: This is going to sound weird, but this hasnt happened to me before and I : would like to know what you think about it.  Today while I was working on : a project with the Col. (no not KFC <g)  I noticed a flash of a PA.  It : was so weird!  It was like it lasted a second!  … Wow, that is wierd. The fastest PA I’ve ever had lasted 5 minutes. But then, 5 min is quick compared to the 45 min endurance terror PAs. Perhaps its a good sign?                                         Best Wishes,                                         Arthur

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This is going to sound weird, but this hasnt happened to me before and I would like to know what you think about it.  Today while I was working on a project with the Col. (no not KFC <g)  I noticed a flash of a PA.  It was so weird!  It was like it lasted a second!  It wasnt like a head rush, more like an extremely fast PA! I didnt get upset and nothing else happened, but thought about it off and on cause it was so weird.  I was wondering if it might have been a PA trying to come on but stopped short? I know this sounds weird, but it felt weird too!  I have been on 20mg ever other day of Prozac for a week and a half? and started lowering my dose of Xanax by .5mg a day about a week ago.  Maybe rebound from withdrawel?  I also noticed that in the past few nights I see weird monsters and images (in my mind, not hallucinating) right as I am about to fall asleep and I wake with a start.  I remember having that problem before, when this first started for me 7 years ago.  When I awake I dont have a PA, I just keep trying to go back to sleep, it happens a few times, then I am out like a light until morning.  Does anyone else have these problems? Cyndie

Cyndie, Happens to me all the time…like 10-20 times a day.  They last 1-2 sec’s and don’t really bother me at all…in fact i kind of laugh at them.   -Scott

Response:

This is going to sound weird, but this hasnt happened to me before and I would like to know what you think about it.  Today while I was working on a project with the Col. (no not KFC <g)  I noticed a flash of a PA.  It was so weird!  It was like it lasted a second!  It wasnt like a head rush, more like an extremely fast PA! I didnt get upset and nothing else happened, but thought about it off and on cause it was so weird.  I was wondering if it might have been a PA trying to come on but stopped short? I know this sounds weird, but it felt weird too!  I have been on 20mg ever other day of Prozac for a week and a half? and started lowering my dose of Xanax by .5mg a day about a week ago.  Maybe rebound from withdrawel?  I also noticed that in the past few nights I see weird monsters and images (in my mind, not hallucinating) right as I am about to fall asleep and I wake with a start.  I remember having that problem before, when this first started for me 7 years ago.  When I awake I dont have a PA, I just keep trying to go back to sleep, it happens a few times, then I am out like a light until morning.  Does anyone else have these problems? Cyndie

Response:

Question:

I sure do know about those meetings with the stone faced and tight lipped teachers and the tables like aircraft carriers!!!

George and Cathi- I know about these too.  I get anxious every time I walk into my son’s school (which is every day to pick him up) when the teachers accost me.  It is always them against me.  And I say to myself, if this is how I feel, imagine how my child must feel!     Judy

Response:

Why is it that the educators are so slow when it comes to Tourette’s and ADD. Why can’t they understand it? One produces books, papers, professional educational advocates and testers, neurologists and psychopharmacologists to explain it to them , and they still don’t get it. Why is there no accountbility in our educational system? Does the American Civil Disabities act address discrimination against the handicapped in our public school ?                                               Dr. George

Response:

I have a unique perspective of this being both a teacher and a mother of a child with TS.  In college, a BA and a MA degree, I never learned one bit about TS or ADD.  Everything I know I learned on my own as I had to deal with students with ADD and now my TS son.  As educators, we walk a very find line.  The law says we have to educate everyone.  The problem is these children can be very disruptive in a classroom.  Then the parents of the other children complain.  It is very difficult to keep all of the parents happy.  In a large school, children who do not succeed in one classroom can always change to another.  In the school where I teach, there is only one class of 5th grade.  There also are no private schools. Again, if you have problems contact the Office of Civil Rights.  They are the branch that investivates and doles out punishment for schools that violate children’s civil rights.  All of these services are FREE.  Contact them through a hotline for the handicapped or your state education department.  

Response:

"They" don’t get it….unless "they" have to…or, perchance, "they" are among the more compassionate, devoted, and tireless (of which there ARE many). Good rule of thumb..don’t assume that all "professionals" are humanists. Take charge of your own destiny..and make certain that "they" have what "they" need to treat you, and your children, correctly. If they don’t, see that they do. One way or another. KAT in CT In <4frn9a$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com

drgeor1…@aol.com (DrGeor107a)

writes:

Why is it that the educators are so slow when it comes to Tourette’s

and

ADD. Why can’t they understand it? One produces books, papers, professional educational advocates and testers, neurologists and

psychopharmacologists – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

to explain it to them , and they still don’t get it. Why is there no accountbility in our educational system? Does the American Civil Disabities act address discrimination against the handicapped in our public school ?                                              Dr. George

Response:

darc…@aol.com (DarcieG) wrote:

The problem is these children can be very disruptive   in a classroom.  Then the parents of the other children   complain.  It is very difficult to keep all of the parents   happy.

Yup. Consider the mother of two sons, one tourettic, the other "normal". Her normal boy is in a classroom with a   severly disabled student who needs constant attention; her tourettic boy is disrupting his own class. She’s experiencing it from both perspectives. It is hard to find the philosophical middle ground. I was a difficult, disruptive student, back in the bad old pre-LD, pre-TS days of the 50’s and 60’s.   My sisters and my father (all educators) glare at me when I say this, but I have long favored the so-called voucher plan where the government gives the parent of each child a voucher valid for education. It’s up to the parent to match the school to the child.   With a diagnosis of TS and what we know now, I would have done   well in a small private school, considerably better than I did in huge public schools. In the larger cities at least, there is the critical mass of special students necessary to support such schools; the public system, however, is inescapably (and often necessarily) mired in a slow moving, slowly reacting, and   frequently unresponsive bureaucracy. Nobody, including the parents of "normal" children seems happy with the US public school system. (But consider our non-US readers, from South Africa, Canada, Ireland or Israel, dealing   with radically different systems of public education; we   actually have it pretty good in the US).   — Mark Odegard         mlom…@nyc.pipeline.com

Response:

It is not fair to generalize about educators . I have found that they are very willing to learn about Tourett’s and will try to make adaptations in their programs. Of course, not all educators are "open" but neither are they all "closed". Educators are facing many more challenges in the classroom right now. Public support is most important. I provide a package of materials for teachers and other people working with my daughter. I also make myself available to the teachers. I also speak to groups of teachers in inservice situation.                                      Regards, Ramona Jennex Williams

Response:

In article <4fqhv3$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com, heyjud…@aol.com (HeyJude49) writes: (written by someone else) I sure do know about those meetings with the stone faced and tight lipped teachers and the tables like aircraft carriers!!! What a great analogy!  I have a follow up meeting tomorrow with Jason’s teachers.  I wonder if I should prepare an opening joke <G. Bonnie Grimaldi   in Columbus, Ohio

WhatEVER you do, don’t wear that T-shirt with the big red sun on it….in light of an earlier post I saw here today, it could be somewhat counterproductive!! (sorry, ya’ll…..I’m losing it this A.M.) KAT in CT

Response:

kat, whata great idea. Mike can wear his "we tic together" shirt, I’ll wear the tourette athletic dept shirt and Neal can wear a TS shirt to our IEP review and transition meeting on Wednesday.  I stopped by our dept.of rehab. services to ask about more info for transitioning kids and getting him in the VECTOR program. Turns out the gal who works with hios high school had been complaining that she notifies the high school several times a year that she is available for transition meeting and they have NEVER called her. Well, I left a note inviting her to his meeting. If she comes, as well as the PACER advocate, we will have some good moral support for Neal. he is nervous about the meeting as the last one, he was seated in back of all the adults at the table and it was a major bashing session on how he needs to do better, if they write an IEP and make all these accomidations for him, they expect him to do better (might help if they followed the IEP). They were also on him about regardless of his "handicapping conditions" (I hate that phrase as much as on task and focused) he cannot miss school. I am hoping for a good positive meeting this time with advocates there to keep the school on the straight and narrow and as a backup for us (we make excuses, are overprotective, don’t push him enough,etc. -and besides that, I know too much!)  Pat

Response:

In <312879F3.4…@metvax.metro.msus.edu

Pat Rummenie

<rumme…@metvax.metro.msus.edu

writes:

 we will have some good moral

support for Neal. he is nervous about the meeting as the last one, he

was

seated in back of all the adults at the table and it was a major

bashing

session on how he needs to do better, if they write an IEP and make

all

these accomidations for him, they expect him to do better (might help

if

they followed the IEP). They were also on him about regardless of his "handicapping conditions"

Ethologists have known for some time now that one of the things that causes "higher animals" such terrific grief and stress is the feeling of loss of control. Picture this: a kid, about half the size and age of the roomful of "grownups" sitting in the back of the room, facing a desk that looks like "an aircraft carrier" (great metaphor, by the way!), waiting to hear what those "grownups" are going to decide to do with his life for the next few years..or longer. If he speaks up, he’s being "out of control, impertinent, willful" etc. If he doesn’t, he’s at risk of finding all his decisions made for him..whether he likes them or not. Either way, he loses. Talk about "loss of control." Is it any wonder then, that our kids go off the wall when they get home, out of school, and out of the straightjacket imposed by society’s "rules of order?" I think not. To me, it seems all perfectly logical. To wit: how many of "our" kids do MUCH better in the summer time…when time and circumstances allow them to be in more control of their own, immediate destinies? Food for thought…at the very least. KAT in CT

Response:

I am hoping for a good positive meeting this time with advocates there to keep the school on the straight and narrow and as a backup for us (we make excuses, are overprotective, don’t push him enough,etc. -and besides that, I know too much!)  Pat

Good luck at your meeting.  Know that there is a group of people out here rooting for you.    Judy

Response:

    Gosh, Pat, does Neal have to be in the room when all of the decisions are made?  That’s enough to make any adult nervous, let alone one of our TS kids.  Does Neal have to put his hand over his heart and promise to …………..? I consider this cruel and usual punishment.  No wonder he is nervous.  I’m nervous for him. I would think this is very counter productive.     I agree with KAT’s wonderful objectivity.  She is always right on.       Good luck.  Let us know what happens.                           Karen in Ohio  

Response:

One approach that should alleviate a lot of school adjustment problems,  is the evolution of more and more long-distance learning technology.   I am right now working on a possible book proposal to write a book to help teachers understand how to use HTML FORMS and CGI scripts,   to develop their course outlines and lesson plans.   Any of the home schooling or long-distance learning technologies might be the answer for lots of these children who just don’t fit the classroom attendance model. I know that this is not much of an answer for right now,  but there is always another approach,  on the horizon.

Response:

In article <312879F3.4…@metvax.metro.msus.edu

, Pat Rummenie

<rumme…@metvax.metro.msus.edu

writes: "handicapping conditions" (I hate that phrase as much as on task and focused) … (we make excuses, are overprotective, don’t push him enough,etc. -and besides that, I know too much!)  Pat

I could have written those words myself, Pat. Sure you haven’t been coming to our meetings??? I wish you a positive meeting (although the school may be on the defensive with advocates present, but hopefully they will also be careful!). I’ve been to enough meetings to last several lifetimes, so you’ve got a sympathetic mom here! So hope it’s a good one, and don’t forget to treat yourself afterwards!!! (I went for a chocolate cream cheese brownie after my last meeting!) Cathi

Response:

Good luck at your meeting.  Know that there is a group of people out here rooting for you.    Judy               Ditto!                       Dr. George

Response:

George- I sure do know about those meetings with the stone faced and tight lipped teachers and the tables like aircraft carriers!!! We have a "team meeting" like this every week! I dread them. You would think I could handle them, because in "my other life" I am a special ed teacher, but when it’s my own child, it’s a whole different world. But I can offer you sympathy, as another parent in a similar boat. At a recent meeting, an administrator told me "Well, he may have Tourette’s, but this is PURPOSEFUL behavior we are talking about."   <Sigh

 I have shared handouts, research articles, books, etc on TS. I’ve

had our physician attend meetings. And here we still are. (Ideas and advice are always welcome, if any of you have any suggestions!) Please keep on posting about your son. And hang in there. Feel free to e-mail if you’d like. Cathi in Vermont In article <4fm7tr$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com

, drgeor1…@aol.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(DrGeor107a) writes:

I live in a rural town in Massachussetts and have read most of the books on ADD and Tourette’s. My son is on Ritalin ( a low dose because it brings out the ticks) and Nortryptiline.  He suffers from Tourette’s ,

OCD

, ADD , Sensory Integration with touch defensiveness, Dislexia , and has an essential tremor which effects his writing ability. Yet he is

extremely

bright . The school system has responded by keeping him back a year, trying to label him as an emotional problem and basically stonewalling us the whole way. This is a battle my wife and I have been fighting with

them

for years and getting no where.         Most of the hospital centers are great at diagnosing the problem but have no real delivery system for aiding one in dealing with the schools for services. The school makes no effort to inform us of any services for this condition. Our child is the first in the system to have Tourette’s and he is being discriminated against because of it.  I have just hired a professional advocate and a laywer to deal with the school system because I can not take walking into these parent teachers conferences having to face 15 – 20 educators siting stone face and tight lipped around a table that looks more like the deck of an aircraft carrier, saying absolutely nothing other than your child is a slow

learner

and we need to place him in an inclusion class with other slow learners. When told that he is not learning because he is bored out of his mind and that he is two to three grade levels above the other children in math and science and merely has a languaged based processing problem, they fail to respond. We have been going around on this for years , meanwhile my son has become depressed and withdrawn because of the constant teasing and chastisement by the teachers and other students. I am hoping that the advocate can steer us in the right direction , but as with all other professionals we have to wait a month or two because of the back load of people she has to deal with. Got any suggestions?                                     Dr. George

Response:

Dr. George, Many of us can relate to the heartbrake that you and your wife are experiencing.  You need to take action.  Your school is not living in the nineties or even the seventies!  Someone, perhaps your son’s doc. must explain to them that they are doing the worst possible thing for him!  If he’s not being treated by a competent pediatric neurologist, find one fast.  He may very well respond to medication as both of my kids have. The process may be long and difficult but you have to find the right med. or combination.  Insurance companies will reimburse most of your medical expenses.  I don’t know what state you live in, but in most cicilized communities, your school system should be able to help.  You’ve got to get to know the system. Also, stay tuned to here to get some good advise as many of us here have.  You didn’t get into details as far as what paths you have taken, but there are ways to get help for your son.  You and your wife have got to be optimistic.  Good luck.

Response:

     Here is a poem my wife wrote about our son. We are currently experiencing difficulties in the public school system , which has responded to the diagnosis of Tourette’s simply  by hiring an aid to sit behind our son to tell him to stop his ticks everytime he does it. They refuse to believe they are not voluntary behaviors despite being told by a Neurologist.  His current ticks are rocking and picking his nose . Naturally his ticks are becoming worse and the town refuses to respond to his special needs. Meanwhile all our monies are being drained on doctors , lawyers , eductional advocates, with no end in sight. How can this type of ignorance still exist in the nineties?                                      Dr. George                Chris The children call him a tard, life for my son has been hard. Their words burn in his ears. He turns inwards to hide the tears. Rock back and fourth in his pain, people treat him with disdain. They talk to him real slow. It makes him want to get up and go. My son pulls out all his hair, he has to snort, burp,  and swear. If you look at him in the eye makes him feel like he’d die. In sadness he sinks all alone A boy’s heart, heavy as a stone. He’s different from us, can’t you see? He has Tourette’s syndrome and A.D.D. Body and mind in constant motion gentle spirit grows in the commotion. God give him strength I pray, he will be happy someday.                                        by Millie

Response:

    I live in a rural town in Massachussetts and have read most of the books on ADD and Tourette’s. My son is on Ritalin ( a low dose because it brings out the ticks) and Nortryptiline.  He suffers from Tourette’s , OCD , ADD , Sensory Integration with touch defensiveness, Dislexia , and has an essential tremor which effects his writing ability. Yet he is extremely bright . The school system has responded by keeping him back a year, trying to label him as an emotional problem and basically stonewalling us the whole way. This is a battle my wife and I have been fighting with them for years and getting no where.          Most of the hospital centers are great at diagnosing the problem but have no real delivery system for aiding one in dealing with the schools for services. The school makes no effort to inform us of any services for this condition. Our child is the first in the system to have Tourette’s and he is being discriminated against because of it.  I have just hired a professional advocate and a laywer to deal with the school system because I can not take walking into these parent teachers conferences having to face 15 – 20 educators siting stone face and tight lipped around a table that looks more like the deck of an aircraft carrier, saying absolutely nothing other than your child is a slow learner and we need to place him in an inclusion class with other slow learners. When told that he is not learning because he is bored out of his mind and that he is two to three grade levels above the other children in math and science and merely has a languaged based processing problem, they fail to respond. We have been going around on this for years , meanwhile my son has become depressed and withdrawn because of the constant teasing and chastisement by the teachers and other students. I am hoping that the advocate can steer us in the right direction , but as with all other professionals we have to wait a month or two because of the back load of people she has to deal with. Got any suggestions?                                      Dr. George

Response:

I am hoping that the advocate can steer us in the right direction , but as with all other professionals we have to wait a month or two because of the back load of people she has to deal with. Got any suggestions?

The frustration you experience as a result of dealing with the ignorance and hostility of the school system can be overwhelming- I know.  As you anticipate, an impartial outsider who truly understands both TS and the school system may be able to help.  While you are waiting for the advocate to get involved, there are a number of options for you.  Some things to consider are:  enlist the aid of a sympathetic legislator or other community member who has high esteem and/or power in the community (this worked  for us in getting the Committee on Special Education to listen to us); homeschool temporarily until the school makes the necessary educational modifications; give up on public education and opt for either private school or homeschooling.  Meanwhile, make sure you document every contact you have with the school system- keep written records on everything.  It is also necessary to have a doctor who will assist you with the educational problems associated with TS- you need to have a medical report that specifies the behaviors that your son has that are due to a neurological disorder (not emotional) and what educational modifications are necessary because of his neurological disorder.   Good luck-    Judy

Response:

Have you checked out your local office of civil rights (OCR).  As a parent of a special ed. student, you have a tremendous amount of backing.  They will file a lawsuit for you against the school at no cost to you.  But I warn you, teachers/adminstrators don’t like this and will act so coldly towards you that it could backfire.  Darcie

Response:

I live in Eastern Massachusetts. I prefer not give the name of my town because I don’t want my son persecuted any more than he already is. But any suggestions on how to deal with the school systems properly would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to E mail me too.                                Dr. George PS           I posted the poem in the hope that it would strengthen others. My prayers go out for all of you.

Response:

THis year’s

in late March, would be an excellent resource for you, your wife, and some of the educators (if they would go) in your school ;system.< Yes , I am signed up for this, have notified the school , and my newly hired advocate will come as well. She asked me to find a contact person from the Tourette’s support group who deals with school issues near the Worcester area. Can you E mail me who this would be?                            Dr. George

Response:

Ramona writes:

It is not fair to generalize about educators . I have found that they are very willing to learn about Tourett’s and will try to make adaptations in their programs. Of course, not all educators are "open" but neither are they all "closed". Educators are facing many more challenges in the classroom right now. Public support is most important

In the last four years, since my 11 yr old son’s TS symptoms were severe enough to interfere with his classroom behavior, he has had eight teachers (not counting music, art,  health, and gym, which he only has once or twice a week).  Four of them have been accepting, creative, took a positive approach to problem solving, and worked very well with my son. Two of the eight were bordering on abusive (name-calling, ridiculing, screaming) and refused to change their behavior.  The other two are misinformed  defensive and antagonistic, but are trying to be open-minded and are still approachable.   I don’t think anyone is saying all teachers are bad.  In our case, it has been 50%; that is a whopping high proportion.  Fair, you say?  In our district, the median teacher’s salary is $65,000.  These teachers have tenure, unlimited sick leave with pay,  health insurance completely paid for by the school district,  generous retirement plan.  Sorry, I do not support these teachers- they’re getting an awful lot for not doing their job.  BTW, I think the other 50% deserve everything they are getting and more.    Judy Simon

Response: