Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI I have agressivness/anger/mood problems with prednisone in a major way.  This is the most problematic side effect for me.  :(

Yeah, it can do that too. See PI Precaution: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm#sect-Precautions Excerpt: "Precautions: General Precautions The lowest possible dose of corticosteroid should be used to control the condition under treatment, and when reduction in dosage is possible, the reduction should be gradual. Psychic derangements may appear when corticosteroids are used,  ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality  changes, and severe depression, to frank psychotic  manifestations. Also, existing emotional instability or  psychotic tendencies may be aggravated by corticosteroids." I try to stay away from oral steroids like prednisone; have been able to control exacerbations with very high dose inhaled steroids, which is still much less steroid than prednisone, since its targeted to the lungs. So I double, triple, or if necessary quadruple my inhaled steroids during exacerbation (per Action Plan) Note–Oral steroids probably needed for peak flows below 50% of personal best. Ellis

Response:

Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI

I have agressivness/anger/mood problems with prednisone in a major way.  This is the most problematic side effect for me.  :(  

Response:

Hi all  :) Anyone know the effect prednisone has on serotonin levels?

Response:

Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI

Response:

Anyone know the effect prednisone has on serotonin levels?

I don’t know about serotonin interactions. Here’s a link to PI: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm prednisone Excerpts: "Adverse Reactions: Neurological: Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema  (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually after treatment; Convulsions;  Vertigo; Headache Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities; Development of Cushingoid state; Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma,  surgery or illness; Suppression of growth in children; Decreased carbohydrate tolerance; Manifestations of latent  diabetes mellitus; Increased requirements for insulin or  oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics Ophthalmic: Posterior subcapsular cataracts; Increased  intraocular pressure; Glaucoma; Exophthalmos" Copyright 1998 – Mosby Inc. – Mosby’s GenRx Many asthmatics on oral steroids have been able to switch to High Dose inhaled steroids like Pulmicort or Flovent 220, which results in a smaller systemic dose. Ellis

Response:

Question:

WK, Now that you’re getting some relief with Xanax, are you going to try getting back into the work world?  Considering how long you’ve had to stay away, you might want to check with your local gov’t., your doctor, whoever, to see if there is "dept." set up to help people with mental disabilities re-enter the work force.  I’d like to say that potential employers will probably just gloss over your 2 year absence, but that’s unlikely.  Sad to say, but there’s still tons of ignorance and some stigma attached to having a disorder.  Anyway, getting back to some sort of go between organization, if it exists, (and I know it does in some states in the U.S.), such a dept. can smooth the waters some in locating employers who’re interested in what you can do and will have been properly briefed that you have an anxiety disorder, but are being treated for it.  Something else to think about, and you may already be doing this, is that for an interview or any particularly stressful event, I’ve found that taking an extra dose or two of Xanax all at once just before the ordeal can make it a lot less stressful. I had to experiment some to find the right amount and you may too (not enuf vs. too much).  Good luck. Doug On 2 Feb 2002 22:19:52 -0800, vegasrules…@yahoo.com (White Knight) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, or even 1mg 3 times a day……..The fact is that people level out, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

White Knight wrote:

I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO

Which posts? Anyway do you get pre, during and post anxiety or just anticipation and during anxiety? Cause I get all three and am curious about your experience. I the amount I get of each one depends on the situation. Richard — Registered Lunatic #100347

Response:

I..Am..A..Paxil..Zom Bie..You..Need..To Chill..Out..Man.. Simon. "White Knight" <vegasrules…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

news:28eafa9a.0202022219.7ee7d068@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, or even 1mg 3 times a day……..The fact is that people level out, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, or even 1mg 3 times a day……..The fact is that people level out, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

Question:

Hi, I have severe Asthma – My doctor has prescribed Foradil – The product helps me some of the time but I still find myself short of breath on a lot of occasions. Does anyone know of any product that is just as strong and may be more effective than Foradil Thanks in Advance Any advice would be appreciated Ron

Response:

I have severe Asthma – My doctor has prescribed Foradil – The product helps me some of the time but I still find myself short of breath on a lot of occasions. Does anyone know of any product that is just as strong and may be more effective than Foradil Thanks in Advance Any advice would be appreciated Ron

Foradil is a new long lasting beta2 agonist bronchodilator drug; somewhat similar to Serevent. However you should also be prescribed a preventor drug, usually a steroid inhaler, like the Pulmicort Turbuhaler [my favorite] or Flovent]. These drugs treat the underlying bronchial inflammation. Info on Foradil [pdf download] & Pulmicort at: http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/what/pi.html http://www.twistclickinhale.com/ Pulmicort Turbuhaler Ellis

Response:

Hi, I desperately need a link or info on side effects on this product. I have taken Foradil for a little over a month and it has worked wonders almost right away, but I ended up getting a lot of the side effects, the worst and most annoying being really bad twitches in my legs, up to every few minutes when I was on the twice a day inhalation. My doctor cut me back to 1 inhalation a day which has lessened the effects but not gotten rid of them completely and I am still faced with heart palpitations. This is not listed as a side effect but I am noticing increasingly bad foot cramps in the leg that is more twitchy and I get them at night, coincidentally I take my one dose at night. I talked to a pharmacist who doesn’t carry it, but he said it is uncommon to get muscle cramps from long acting bronchildialtors, any info would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I have reacted with foot and leg cramps from other asthma meds and it all started again shortly after starting this one. Otherwise I never experience them.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I desperately need a link or info on side effects on this product. I have taken Foradil for a little over a month and it has worked wonders almost right away, but I ended up getting a lot of the side effects, the worst and most annoying being really bad twitches in my legs, up to every few minutes when I was on the twice a day inhalation. My doctor cut me back to 1 inhalation a day which has lessened the effects but not gotten rid of them completely and I am still faced with heart palpitations. This is not listed as a side effect but I am noticing increasingly bad foot cramps in the leg that is more twitchy and I get them at night, coincidentally I take my one dose at night. I talked to a pharmacist who doesn’t carry it, but he said it is uncommon to get muscle cramps from long acting bronchildialtors, any info would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I have reacted with foot and leg cramps from other asthma meds and it all started again shortly after starting this one. Otherwise I never experience them.

Here’s a link: http://www.virtualdrugstore.com/asthma/formoterol.html Formoterol (Foradil, United States and Canada) Excerpt: "Side Effects Formoterol or Foradil can affect the cardiovascular system,  especially in high doses." You could try another long-acting bronchodilator; Serevent inhaler or theophylline SR (TheoDur). You could also try increasing steroid inhaler or adding Accolate/Singulair, and not using a long-acting bronchodilator. Foradil is not available in the US, and Canadian law restricts drug information to patients, so its hard to find detailed info. Foradil is also used in the UK and many other countries. Here’s a link on Serevent, a similar drug: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/salmet.htm salmeterol (Serevent) Excerpt: "Adverse Reactions: Adverse reactions to salmeterol are similar in nature to reactions to  other selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonists, i.e., tachycardia;  palpitations; immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including  urticaria, angioedema, rash, bronchospasm (see WARNINGS; headache;  tremor; nervousness; and paradoxical bronchospasm (see WARNINGS)." Ellis

Response:

Question:

Went fine I think.  PDoc recommended Lexpro instead of Celexa – said less side effects I started yesterday and continued today.  No bad stuff yet.  :)  Hope there isn’t any to come….. He said 3-4 days 1/2 lex pill = 5mg. with 1/2 my zoloft dosage Then go up to 10mg. almost 2 days down already! thanks,

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what :luck How did your appt go? I hope well. Tell us about it Jackie ~*~I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what~*~           ~Harper Lee~     ~~To Kill a Mockingbird~~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:I started yesterday and continued today.  No bad stuff yet.  :)  Hope there :isn’t any to come….. : :He said 3-4 days 1/2 lex pill = 5mg. with 1/2 my zoloft dosage :Then go up to 10mg. : :almost 2 days down already! Glad it`s going well. Good luck with the lexapro, I hope it works out for you Jackie ~*~Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future~*~    ~ Deepak Chopra ~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what luck

Hope the appointment is productive! Let us know how it goes. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what :luck How did your appt go? I hope well. Tell us about it Jackie ~*~I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what~*~             ~Harper Lee~     ~~To Kill a Mockingbird~~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks Anne and Jacqueline for the followups. I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what luck Hope you are well.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour. I :kept startling MYSELF awake. When my anxiety and panic is really bad, this is what happens to me. Some nights it was so bad that I couldn`t sleep at all. It was like my body just couldn`t relax, it was so use to being tense. :The funny thing is that there really isn’t :anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, :got some nice trips planned with my wife. Makes no sense, huh I`ve had times in my life where there was no reason to be anxious or panicky, I just was. Then times…. when I should have been paralyzed by anxiety due to lifes stressors, that it didn`t rear it`s ugly head. :It just feels like lately a "grim :reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – :making everything difficult. When you get to this point, changes have to be made. No need to suffer like this when something could help. :The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of :celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. : :Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? I`ve never made a switch like this, but many others have with great success. Good luck and I hope you see some positive changes soon Jackie ~*~Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there’s still  time to change the road you’re on~*~" — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour.  I :kept startling MYSELF awake.   When my anxiety and panic is really bad, this is what happens to me. Some nights it was so bad that I couldn`t sleep at all. It was like my body just couldn`t relax, it was so use to being tense. :The funny thing is that there really isn’t :anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, :got some nice trips planned with my wife. Makes no sense, huh I`ve had times in my life where there was no reason to be anxious or panicky, I just was. Then times…. when I should have been paralyzed by anxiety due to lifes stressors, that it didn`t rear it`s ugly head. :It just feels like lately a "grim :reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – :making everything difficult. When you get to this point, changes have to be made. No need to suffer like this when something could help. :The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of :celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. : :Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? I`ve never made a switch like this, but many others have with great success. Good luck and I hope you see some positive changes soon Jackie ~*~Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there’s still  time to change the road you’re on~*~" — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi all, I wrote recently about how I’ve been on zoloft for 8 years and tried to taper off 2 times.  Last year I weaned back up to my normal dose of zoloft, but still things don’t seem very good.  I am doing ok during the days, but when evening comes, I start to feel the anxiety setting in.  Last night I took a xanax to help with it, and it was still pretty bad.  I haven’t been sleeping well lately so I’ll take a tylenol pm too. I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour.  I kept startling MYSELF awake.  I wake up feeling about 80% ok.  the other 20% is that oh-so dark feeling.  The funny thing is that there really isn’t anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, got some nice trips planned with my wife.  It just feels like lately a "grim reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – making everything difficult. The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? thanks, Phil — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens.

I did that with Paxil– Celexa, Phil.  I tapered down on the Paxil slowly (Verrrrry slowly!) from 30 mg per day to 10 mg.  I began to feel some breakthrough depression then, so my pdoc switched me immediately to 10 mg Celexa (discontinuing the Paxil) and I weaned up to 20 mg Celexa. This worked very well for me. I did have to wait a bit longer for the Celexa to address all my issues (depression in particular) than I had with the Paxil originally, but it was worth it — a great med for me, with almost no side effects. I hope the switch will work for you. It’s definitely better than going cold turkey off the Zoloft. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Question:

Hi Pepsi 46 Just want to wish you all the best i am also a mum of two teenagers, they can be quite a handfull without this kind of problems… Want to wish you and your daugther lots of strength, and best wishes ((((((((((((((((Pepsi JR and SR)))))))))))))))) Jeannette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

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To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

Hi again, I can relate to your being upset as I am a parent too. My oldest daughter has shown signs of an anxiety disorder and I have done everything in my power to help her.She refuses my help. Fortunately, your daughter wants help. You have the bond. Use it. I would strongly advise to seek a good Psych doc and/ or grill this one about his intensions. There is no need for your daughter to suffer. Best to you, Steph

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I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg?

The starting dose of Zoloft for someone with panic disorder is 12.5 to 25 mg/day. Benzos (e.g. Xanax, Ativan) are often added initially to help with the temporary side effects of increased anxiety and insomnia. She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant.

These are called "paresthesias" and are a symptom of Zoloft withdrawal and can occur if one tapers off Zoloft too rapidly. Is she taking her Zoloft every day? If not, she may be experiencing Zoloft withdrawal. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist.

You don’t state her age, but I believe a teenager should have some input into his/her treatment. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow

When tapering off Zoloft one should take some Zoloft every day (no skipping days). and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.

Should she experience the effects of Zoloft withdrawal, she can take some Zoloft that day to diminish them. The details of coming off a psychiatric med should be explained by a professional. Chip

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I started Zoloft at 25 mg too, and if I had to do it again, I would have started at 12.5.  Side effects are common until the body gets used to the changes. Your daughter might do better seeing a psychiatrist since they usually know the medicines for anxiety much better.  Cognitive Behavior Therapy with a therapist would help her a lot, too.  Please let us know how she is doing. Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.

– Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.                            –Henry Kaiser

Response:

To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

Response:

pepsi46 asked: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

Hi, 25 mgs of Zoloft is the usual dose daily for panic disorder initially. It is not unusual for your daughter to be having these side effects. It takes a good 8 weeks or so to wean onto an antidepressant. Actually my drug handbook states that after 1 week the dosage should be upped to 50 mgs, max dose being 200 mgs per day which of course depends on the patient and how they tolerate the med.I would strongly suggest you discuss this with her Physician or P-doc ASAP.You could always call a pharmacy and ask about the S/E if you cannot talk to the Dr soon enough. I was on Zoloft once but it did not help me. I hope your daughter finds relief soon. Take care, Steph

Response:

I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

Response:

I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

The electrical currents are Brain shivers which are common with antidepressant medications. But what you and your daughter need to do is contact the doctor that prescribed the Medication and he will help her withdraw from the medication and perhaps start her on something else. SHe should wean with the doctor and he will evaluate her progress. Otherwise the doctor will not know what is going on. I had experienced the brain shivers with Effexor but they were not enough for me to stop taking the medication. But if she is having panic attacks, her treatment may include a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Ativan, which would help her calm down within a half hour of the attack. I wish you and your daughter well.Julie

Response:

Question:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg What, no web-cam?

i dunno , i’m not done yet . but it don’t feel empty . —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

What, no web-cam?

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.

As a 70 year old man, I am pleased to report (using various methods) that I have this experience approximately 75 times per month. How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? I take about 6 kinds of medication and it has slowed me down considerably as you can see by my number. And I ask you, docz, can you top this?

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I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

  Orion The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.        Walden * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

+ I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I + wonder why? +Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA — For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail:

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i want to see the prevalence sexual disinterest side effect of meds for depression. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -x-no-archive: yes ummmm…why do you wanna know. and  why should we wanna answer? (besides – how do you quantify this when  multiples are taken into consideration?) I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA – Sasha "I must live this chaos"            - Anais Nin

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female. never achieved orgasm but still have hormones…. sex? whenever i want it, usually a fair bit at the moment. do not get me on the subject of sex when i have work to do… — And if I was an angel I could fly over Jordan And I wouldn’t need no Greyhound to save my soul But maybe that’s a good thing because I’ll be home before I know And if I was an angel I’d have a long way to go — Matraca Berg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

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lines of text: Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate?

To have sex you must have a partner to do it with.  whether you a partner or not will affect the frequency of your sex much more than any level of depression would. truthseeker (Don’t forget to change header to seekertruth0 at mindspring.com if replying by email.)

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+Please answer honestly. What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month. How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA

Well, I’m male, 22 years old, been diagnosed with dysthemia, and i’m on 225mg of Effexor Daily… With regards to sex, well, i’ll just say, i rub my firemans purple helmet till he spits in my eye(!)  one or twice a week, (8 to 10 times a month) or if i’m feeling fruity… I was one Seroxat once, which stopped my fireman sneezing!!!!!! (Not a very pleasant side effect, let me tell you). Oh, one more thing, i’ve also got a blue dick, as i’m a tight fisted wanker!!!!! DepressedNudist Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she! Lee * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

I would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

Shut up or I’ll tighten them again. Mary Beth

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Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she!

I yield to a champion.:-)) Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lee * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

very, very easily thank you very much. And no, i don’t need *your* help so stay the hell away from me *plonk* away you go — *** DO NOT ADJUST YOUR MIND; THE FAULT IS WITH REALITY! Adam came first. But then, men always do. God created men because a vibrator couldn’t mow the lawn so you can make me cum — that doesn’t make you jesus

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

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Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

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Question:

Things have been a bit better lately.  I’ve had less to think about, and therefore less stray thoughts, which is nice. Its funny, when I started taking Zoloft, I looked up on the CVS website drug interaction checker whether or not caffiene interacts with it, and it said it didn’t.  However, it was nice enough to inform me that caffeine interacts with food!  DUH!!!  :) Jason

Glad to hear that you’re doing better.  I’m not doing better–my anxiety and agitation levels are still pretty extreme, so I’m going to try decreasing my dose to 100 mg for a few days (though I need to remember to call my psychiatrist tomorrow to tell her what I’ve decided to do ) to see if it makes a difference. persephone — "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

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I haven’t told her yet because it only just recently started increasing to the point where I noticed it, but I meet with her in about a week, and I’ll mention it to her then.  It probably won’t make much of a difference because the Zoloft doesn’t seem to be working too well, and so she’ll probably put me on another AD soon unless it does start working.  Thanks! persephone << question about Zoloft What you describe is an occasional side effect of many AD meds. Have you told your doctor? Be well. Bob

– "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

Things have been a bit better lately.  I’ve had less to think about, and therefore less stray thoughts, which is nice. Its funny, when I started taking Zoloft, I looked up on the CVS website drug interaction checker whether or not caffiene interacts with it, and it said it didn’t.  However, it was nice enough to inform me that caffeine interacts with food!  DUH!!!  :) Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m sorry.  :(  Maybe you should talk to your pdoc about the agitation. She might be willing to try another med that’s not an SSRI.  If the Zoloft is really working for you, you might want to try to give up the caffiene, though I realize this is much easier said than done.  If I had to give up ice cream, I’m not sure what I would do… persephone Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason — "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

<< question about Zoloft What you describe is an occasional side effect of many AD meds. Have you told your doctor? Be well. Bob

Response:

I’m sorry.  :(  Maybe you should talk to your pdoc about the agitation. She might be willing to try another med that’s not an SSRI.  If the Zoloft is really working for you, you might want to try to give up the caffiene, though I realize this is much easier said than done.  If I had to give up ice cream, I’m not sure what I would do… persephone Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason

– "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the response, Jason.  Glad to know I’m not alone.  By the way, did you see the thread where ali mentioned that caffiene interacts with SSRIs and increases agitation?  It might be something to keep in mind.  Take care. persephone Hiya, I’m actually on Zoloft right now too, and I have the same problem unfortunately.  It usually happens at night, which makes sleep nigh impossible.  Its been really bothersome.  I’ve started taking it earlier in the day (I used to take it at 5:30pm every day), but it hasn’t seemed to help yet. Jason Okay, I’m going to take the plunge and post again… I have a question about Zoloft.  I’m currently on Zoloft, and since I started taking it, there are periods during the day where I have a lot of agitated, restless energy and my mind does nothing but race.  And, these periods get more frequent every time my medication is upped. Have people experienced this particular side effect on Zoloft, or do you think it’s just part of the depression? (I have a friend with depression who’s not on any medication who gets this way sometimes). Before you buy. — "It

Question:

I noticed the clusiness and dizziness with Zoloft, though none of the other side effects but not until I got to the higher doses, at 200 mg and 250 mg. You may be more sensitive to the drug than I was. The only other side effect I noticed was that I couldn’t remember dreaming and I have always been a vivid dreamer. Interesting… Regards, JaneG

I’ve been the opposite — generally I don’t remember my dreams, but since starting Zoloft I’ve had more vivid dreams. Go figure! I’ve always been sensitive to drugs in general — I’m allergic to about half of every antibiotic there is, and I’ve had adverse reactions to the other half! The one time I took Ambien, it gave me hallucinations and violent nausea within 15 minutes. Bleh. Thanks for your response! It makes me feel better to know that someone else has experienced the clumsiness. Souris

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What I am experiencing is trouble with my handwriting lately.  I can’t even read, so I have been printing.  I am only on 37 1/2 mg.  I have been on Zoloft for about 8 months.  It is hard sometimes to make o’s.   It really is strange. The intestional stuff was awful the first 2 months, then it went away.  I think I am going to mention this to my doctor.  I never really thought about it until I read your post.  Thanks.  Good Luck

Response:

What I am experiencing is trouble with my handwriting lately.  I can’t even read, so I have been printing.  I am only on 37 1/2 mg.  I have been on Zoloft for about 8 months.  It is hard sometimes to make o’s.   It really is strange. The intestional stuff was awful the first 2 months, then it went away.  I think I am going to mention this to my doctor.  I never really thought about it until I read your post.  Thanks.  Good Luck

I had trouble writing too for some time and occasionally still have. With me it’s an anxiety symptom, I think. Anyway, handwriting is getting obsolete ) Philip

Response:

I’ve been taking Zoloft for about two months now at a dosage of 75 mg. a day. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced side effects related to motor skills and memory? I find myself being clumsier — it’s harder to grasp things — and a lot more forgetful. Shouldn’t these side effects have gone away after two months? Because I’m taking Zoloft for depression brought on by health-related anxiety, these side effects have just served to give me new illnesses to worry about! I’ve also experienced a lot of intestinal discomfort, but I know that’s fairly common. Thanks! Souris

Response:

I’ve been taking Zoloft for about two months now at a dosage of 75 mg. a day. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced side effects related to motor skills and memory? I find myself being clumsier — it’s harder to grasp things — and a lot more forgetful. Shouldn’t these side effects have gone away after two months? Because I’m taking Zoloft for depression brought on by health-related anxiety, these side effects have just served to give me new illnesses to worry about! I’ve also experienced a lot of intestinal discomfort, but I know that’s fairly common. Thanks! Souris

Souris, I noticed the clusiness and dizziness with Zoloft, though none of the other side effects but not until I got to the higher doses, at 200 mg and 250 mg. You may be more sensitive to the drug than I was. The only other side effect I noticed was that I couldn’t remember dreaming and I have always been a vivid dreamer. Interesting… Regards, JaneG

Response:

Hello, I’ve tried Zoloft  off and on, the longest I’ve been on it for was 8 months.  Things got really weird for me, and I  lost the ability to feel sadness of any kind at all.  For instance if I say a dead cat on the side of the road, I wouldn’t even think  momentarily "poor kitty".  I was doing a lot of paper work at the time, and it made analyzing and writing about problems and their solutions a lot more difficult.  I just didn’t "get things" that I knew I should be able to grasp, and I couldn’t go on taking it feeling so clueless.  I tried Serzone too, but it seemed to make the depression worse, even though it did help the anxiety.  Good Luck. Blessings, Chrissie I’ve been taking Zoloft for about two months now at a dosage of 75 mg. a day. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced side effects related to motor skills and memory? I find myself being clumsier — it’s harder to grasp things — and a lot more forgetful. Shouldn’t these side effects have gone away after two months? Because I’m taking Zoloft for depression brought on by health-related anxiety, these side effects have just served to give me new illnesses to worry about! I’ve also experienced a lot of intestinal discomfort, but I know that’s fairly common.

– For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

I’ve been taking Zoloft for about two months now at a dosage of 75 mg. a day. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced side effects related to motor skills and memory? I find myself being clumsier — it’s harder to grasp things — and a lot more forgetful. Shouldn’t these side effects have gone away after two months? Because I’m taking Zoloft for depression brought on by health-related anxiety, these side effects have just served to give me new illnesses to worry about! I’ve also experienced a lot of intestinal discomfort, but I know that’s fairly common. Thanks! Souris

I’m no expert on Zoloft but I’d say that if you experience no significant improvement but rather serious side effects instead, you’d better try another, milder med. If you want to try another SSRI you might want to take Luvox or Prozac, which are weaker and more benign than Zoloft or Paxil. YMMV of course. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Question:

HomemakerJ wrote:

I thought walnut trees were the ones choked everything else out because of their high whatever (acidity?) so that nothing will grow under them. I know they’re the ones that shed so many leaves you are never done raking them.  I’m not sure how people friendly they are if they’re in your own back yard.

Well, actually I was sort of thinking of them being in orchards.  Maybe instead of coca in South America.  But I don’t know where they grow well.  I know we have them in Northern California, but I don’t think I have heard of them growing in dry arid areas (where I think even olive trees can survive).  But we have a ‘growing’ market in olive oils – why not in walnut oils (especially if they come in different grades…sounds yuppie enough to me). I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well.  But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

On 2 Nov 1998 06:02:10 GMT, hypo…@aol.com (Hypoint) wrote:

I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well.  But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood?

It most certainly is in Europe. The wood has beautiful patterns. I think it’s more of a forest tree as they are very big and slow growing.  Of course, these days I’d have thought dwarfing/fast growing root stocks would be available if walnuts were considered commercial enough! Bestishes Joanna

Response:

Joanna wrote:

(Hypoint) wrote: I think its olive trees that ‘take over’, but it could be walnuts as well. But isn’t walnut a valued hardwood? It most certainly is in Europe. The wood has beautiful patterns. I think it’s more of a forest tree as they are very big and slow growing.  Of course, these days I’d have thought dwarfing/fast growing root stocks would be available if walnuts were considered commercial enough! Bestishes

I’ve seen dwarf fruit trees, but I don’t recall ever seeing any dwarf nut trees, but I never really looked. In California, walnut trees could very well increase in value commercially if indeed they provide an oil that is both considered beneficial and able to be produced in various grades.  California is experiencing a re-surgence of olive tree plantings and lots of varieties of flavored olive oils are showing up in all sorts of stores.  So I wonder what walnut oil could be flavored with? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Valery, I use Natural Progesterone and supplements of Magnesium and Vit B-6 for my strong peri-symptoms.  I have used them for the past 2 1/2 years and have been able to use it alone instead of Imatrex for migraines and Xanax and Zoloft for anxiety and depression associated with my peri.  Feel free to visit my web site at http://www.expage.com/page/hotflash as well as the Hotflash Bulletin Board, theres lots of great articles there on alternatives. Itchy http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb129876 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Valery wrote:

Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian compound yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

Response:

Itchy wrote:

supplements of Magnesium and Vit B-6 for my strong peri-symptoms.  

Val, I think a similar post is what triggered my research into the food sources for various supplements.  If you search for Chicken using DejaNews you will find a recipe or two for Chicken with Beans that gives you nutritional sources of both Magnesium and B-6.  I will also see if I can round up a few more. I feel since we have to eat everyday anyway, we might as well figure out how to do it in a way that nourishes us a little better than if we didn’t put much thought into it. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

The URL Itchy offered up leads to her commercial web site. While she may be posting out of a genuine desire to be helpful, it’s important for folks to know she sells the supplements she uses. Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

Response:

Hypoint wrote:

… California is experiencing a re-surgence of olive tree plantings and lots of varieties of flavored olive oils are showing up in all sorts of stores.  So I wonder what walnut oil could be flavored with?

The flavored varieties of olive oil usually use the "light" (late pressing?) olive oils, which have so little flavor of their own that they can handle being doctored with garlic, chilis, etc. Flavored olive oils are classic marketing success story: With virgin and extra-virgin olive oil gaining favor in the American market, the olive growers found a way to dress up the "less desirable" "pure" quality oil, call it a specialty product and jack up the price. Walnut oil, like extra-virgin olive oil, has a fairly robust flavor of its own; if you wanted to flavor it, you’d either have to filter the walnut taste out, or add flavors that went well with walnut. Hm. I’ll have to ponder that for a while… –Pat Kight figuring "walnut chocolate oil" is probably right out … kig…@peak.org

Response:

Vlhb002 wrote:

The URL Itchy offered up leads to her commercial web site. While she may be posting out of a genuine desire to be helpful, it’s important for folks to know she sells the supplements she uses.

… and that the "natural progesterone" products, in particular, are the subject of a fair amount of controversy over whether they (a) contain any significant level of progesterone at all and (b) work, except in the sense that placebos sometimes "work." –Pat Kight kig…@peak.org

Response:

I hope someone else can come up with some good non commercial herb websites for Valery, Here is one that mentions scientific studies on Ginkgo biloba .  None of the other herbs usually mentioned for menopause are listed in this article. http://www.ti.ubc.ca/pages/letter25.htm Herbal medicines, an evidence based look I see Maida Taylor, MD has an article on Black Cohosh http://www.hcrc.org/faqs/c/cohosh.html On Tue, 03 Nov 1998 13:23:20 -0500, itchy…@postoffice.swbell.net wrote:

Valery, I use Natural Progesterone

Natural Progesterone is a hormone drug and should be considered in consultation with a health professional.   It is not an herb or vitamin. For  <non commercial

information on Natural Progesterone, otc and/or

prescription, not in any particular order  we have: http://www.menopause.org/naturals.htm http://www.menopause-online.com/progestins.htm http://www.pangea.ca/~afi/volxino1/progesterone.html http://www.rxmed.com/monographs/promet.html http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/96-97/97_31e.htm http://www.sma.org/smj/97aug16.htm http://www.cponline.gsm.com/scripts/fullmono/showmono.pl?mononum=562&… http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/reg/issues/vol350no9070/news_sm35…. http://www.thelancet.com/newlancet/reg/issues/vol351no9111/research12… http://www.fda.gov/cder/approval/index.htm http://www.sciam.com/1998/0698womens/0698leibenbox1.html http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/womens.health/1998/v03.n05/wh5646.pe… http://www.hcrc.org/contrib/taylor/taylor.html http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/wildyam.html And probably many more. My point being there is no reason to consult with itchybaun about the use of this product. ( Medscape and The Lancet interactive require free registration for access) But rather than slogging through those urls, any good menopause book will have information on hormone drugs, including natural progesterone. I recommend Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone book, should be at any public library or now available in paperback. Kathryn droz…@direct.ca

Response:

Karen and Wendy wrote (sort of): walnut oil recipes? Karen wrote:

They are lowcarb recipes, not lowfat. Also, I did get them from the web somewhere, so they are out there. Since I don’t use a free-standing newsreader, I’d have to type them in, and since this is crunch time at work, I’m just not going to do that. I’m too close to an RSI right now. I looked for it at Trader Joe’s today, and didn’t see any, so I’ll check out a health food store in Castro Valley that carries lots of food stuffs. Trader Joe’s now sells lox bits, $2.50 for 8 oz. Perfect for omelets. And for eating out of the pkg.:)

I’ll search for walnut oil recipes. Got my salmon patties at Trader Joe’s today.  Also they were demo’ing lox. Didn’t notice the lox bits – will look for them next time.  Sounds like a good thing to take to work.  Thanks. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can’t remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.]

Remembered it.   Karydthopita …. transliterally Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Wendy wrote: Karen wrote:

BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil? I can’t recommend a brand, but yes, it’s a common ‘gourmet’ oil.

Have you ever used it?? Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Wendy asks:

BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3

Hain has made walnut oil for as long as I can remember. I first bought it in the 60s. It makes a very pleasant mayonnaise. Although it comes from walnuts, it’s very delicately flavored. Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

Response:

vlhb002 wrote:

Wendy asks: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3 Hain has made walnut oil for as long as I can remember. I first bought it in the 60s. It makes a very pleasant mayonnaise. Although it comes from walnuts, it’s very delicately flavored.

Thanks, it’s now on my shopping list.  Various books recommend it when olive oil would not be appropriate and you want something more flavorful than a canola oil.  Also came across a review of a cookbook in my searchings where someone said they were  **tired** of all these recipes with olive oil, so I wanted to explore alternatives that would be as beneficial or better in some respects. Yesterday I was musing that walnut oil is probably a nice environmentally friendly crop (like olive oil, obviously).  Comes from trees which cleanse the air, probably requiring little fertilization, and no post harvest burning (except that they probably burn branches with their yearly pruning).  Do walnut trees only grow in certain types of climates?  Does anyone know? I know we have lots of groves in Northern California. Wondering where it might be good to use it as a substitute for butter or margarine in various recipes. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Pat Kight wrote:

Hypoint <hypo…@aol.com wrote: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.] Yes, walnut oil is available in trendy supermarkets and gourmet food departments. Pricey, but delicious. Buy it in small quantities — it goes rancid fairly fast. And it’s not just for sweets — walnut oil is a *great* substitute for olive oil in vinaigrette-type salad dressings!  One of my all-time favorite salads is a mixture of really fresh greens dressed with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with chopped walnuts, diced fresh pears and blue cheese!

Sounds wonderful!!  Are pears still in season? This *research project* has certainly affected me.  I don’t think I will ever be the same again.  I am sitting here eating my salmon patty that I sort of poached in my stir fry of green beans and 3 colors of bell peppers (with lots of garlic).  Then I threw in a bunch of my mediterrean olives at the end.  It tastes so good. Can’t wait to get Karen’s walnut oil recipes.  I love walnuts.  And knowing that their fat is good for the brain is great. Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Hypoint wrote:

Yesterday I was musing that walnut oil is probably a nice environmentally friendly crop (like olive oil, obviously).  Comes from trees which cleanse the air, probably requiring little fertilization, and no post harvest burning

I thought walnut trees were the ones choked everything else out because of their high whatever (acidity?) so that nothing will grow under them. I know they’re the ones that shed so many leaves you are never done raking them.  I’m not sure how people friendly they are if they’re in your own back yard. Cool Runnings, HomemakerJ

Response:

In article <19981101023111.08075.00002…@ng39.aol.com

,

Hypoint <hypo…@aol.com

wrote: BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.]

Yes, walnut oil is available in trendy supermarkets and gourmet food departments. Pricey, but delicious. Buy it in small quantities — it goes rancid fairly fast. And it’s not just for sweets — walnut oil is a *great* substitute for olive oil in vinaigrette-type salad dressings!  One of my all-time favorite salads is a mixture of really fresh greens dressed with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with chopped walnuts, diced fresh pears and blue cheese! –Pat Kight kig…@peak.org

Response:

I strongly recommend to NOT TAKE KAVA.  I had a severe reaction where my throat closed off.  My husband did the heimlach maneuver. The pill was not stuck in my throat, but put my esophagous into spasms about 2 hrs. after I took it.  I know of someone else that had the same thing happen. I work with drs. and they have had several cases that arrived in ER.  It was also written up in a medical journal. This should be taken off the market.

HELLO FROM NANCY FROM FLORIDA

Response:

I wonder if this is what has caused my husband to have esophagus problems — severe — over the last few months?!!!  He started taking kava in July (lots of it) and, since September, has been to several doctors and the emergency room just this week because of this!  Thank you!  You may have helped diagnosed a major concern in our lives for the last two months!  He loves how the kava helps his tension, but maybe there’s an alternative.  Thank you so much for posting this information — it might help others, too!     n2…@webtv.net wrote in message <1704-363C76F…@newsd-133.iap.bryant.webtv.net

…

    I strongly recommend to NOT TAKE KAVA.  I had a severe reaction where my     throat closed off.  My husband did the heimlach maneuver. The pill was     not stuck in my throat, but put my esophagous into spasms about 2 hrs.     after I took it.  I know of someone else that had the same thing happen.     I work with drs. and they have had several cases that arrived in ER.  It     was also written up in a medical journal. This should be taken off the     market.

Response:

Karen Kay wrote in message <71ghna$n4…@samba.rahul.net

… Jane Weaver wrote…gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting. The info about gingko makes sense–that’s what it’s for! (To increase blood

flow.) I had read that it would act more like cayenne, increasing the blood flow while at the same time decreasing the clots.  Instead, it seemed to bring on the megaclots and also appeared to contribute to the hemmoraging that ensued.   I now agree wholeheartedly with vhlb — herbs are no more innocuous than prescription medicine, and need to be treated with the same caution. Medscape’s Women’s Health tends to have up-to-the-minute articles (I think the base site is also listed on vhlb’s links). http://www.medscape.com/Home/Topics/WomensHealth/womenshealth.html

Response:

Val,

Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy!

That’s the plan.   Get yourself a good vitamin / mineral supplement and take it regularly.  I like to take the more trendy type at Trader Joe’s or one of the warehouse stores. Normally they have more ’stuff’ in it reflecting recent research.   And keep reading the FOOD and RECIPE posts because I’m going to keep pursuing nummy delicious irresistible  ways to get the benefits that a lot of the supplements are targeting. BTW – haven’t done the research yet, but was curious does anyone know if anyone makes walnut oil?  Seems like it might be a good thing for sweet types of food since walnuts are a source of omega-3.  [Just thinking about it makes thoughts of baklava run through my brain  ... and the Greeks have a wonderful cake that I can't remember the name of that is chock full of walnuts and walnut flavor.] Wendy hypo…@aol.com

Response:

Jane Weaver wrote in message <71g9p4$cm…@autumn.news.rcn.net

… I was taking St. John’s wort, and also tried cranberry, kava kava, and

black

cohesh, as well as some other "menopausal" formulas I ran across.  I think the St. John’s wort did help mild mood swings, but gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting

Interesting!  My period came about at Day 23 the last time, and started with a flurry of small clots!  Usually they start out pretty light and then get into the clot thing in a day or so.  And I’ve been taking lots of gingko. And since I’ve been taking Gingko (about 3 months), I’ve had some awfully long periods  One lasted 11 days!  Thanks for this info.

The most helpful thing I’ve found, though, is really making an extra effort to eat a wide variety of whatever foods are in season, making sure I get plenty of exercise, and taking some supplements just to be sure of enough vitamins — especially chewable calcium (not Tums, which contain things I felt I don’t need).

I know I’m lacking in the water and exercise department.  From other posts I’ve read, not drinking enough water is probably a contributing factor to other difficulties.

I try to eat only virgin olive oil,   I continue to drink many herbal teas.  My favorites are Celestial Seasonings, not the specialty brands, although I experiment with everything.  I do think Sleepytime and Emperor’s Choice are the most relaxing, wonderful herbal concoctions I’ve found!  I also drink a lot of other Ginseng and green teas and love Royal jelly (especially the Korean variety).  Again, I feel they are calming.

Thanks to hubby (who’s a great and very particular cook), we always have virgin olive oil on hand.  And herbal and various green  teas, too — he’s a tea addict. Thanks for reminding me to make use of what’s readily available!  Gosh, I get so caught up in putting out fires and managing crises that I can’t even think of the obvious!  I’m going to make an effort to add your suggestions to the daily routine.  Will keep you posted, and you do the same — let us know how you’re doing. Val

Response:

Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian compound yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

Response:

I was taking St. John’s wort, and also tried cranberry, kava kava, and black cohesh, as well as some other "menopausal" formulas I ran across.  I think the St. John’s wort did help mild mood swings, but gingko seemed to worsen my bleeding and clotting.  I really saw no real improvement with kava kava or black cohesh.  When the clots were not huge, cayenne clearly did break them up.  Cranberry may have helped.  I think oatmeal is the very best thing I’ve found for digestion, or Ralston.  With severe symptoms, I found that none of these things worked well, and did finally switch for health reasons to more traditional medicine. The most helpful thing I’ve found, though, is really making an extra effort to eat a wide variety of whatever foods are in season, making sure I get plenty of exercise, and taking some supplements just to be sure of enough vitamins — especially chewable calcium (not Tums, which contain things I felt I don’t need).  I felt that it really did make a difference in the moods after just a few weeks (I also try to get 2 cups of 1% milk or equivalent yogurt each day in addition).  I also think drinking lots more water than one would think is necessary has been the best dietary change I’ve made (about 8 cups).  My skin improved and female discomfort diminished markedly in only about a week after I started the water regimen. I try to eat only virgin olive oil, and if I *really* want butter or margarine, I occasionally whip real unsalted butter with olive oil into a soft spread (or canola oil, if it’s going to go on something with a delicate taste that olive oil could overpower).  I continue to drink many herbal teas.  My favorites are Celestial Seasonings, not the specialty brands, although I experiment with everything.  I do think Sleepytime and Emperor’s Choice are the most relaxing, wonderful herbal concoctions I’ve found!  I also drink a lot of other Ginseng and green teas and love Royal jelly (especially the Korean variety).  Again, I feel they are calming. Please let us know what you decide to try, and with what results! –Jane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Valery wrote in message <71g0cr$…@dfw-ixnews9.ix.netcom.com

… Thanks again, everybody, for your insights and understanding when I posted earlier this week  You helped me through a really stressful week, and I really appreciate it. I know this has probably been discussed before, but what herbs/vitamins are good for our peri symptoms?  Seems like Gingko helps, but is there anything else?  Thought about trying the Kava kava again, but I don’t respond to it as dramatically as some people – unfortunately.  Took some Valerian

compound

yesterday and this morning, and think it helps some. Thanks also for all the food information!  Even though reading through it makes me hungry    :  )   Can’t wait to try the Tapenade!  Sounds yummy! Val

Response:

Valery asked about herbs: This is most emphatically *not* my bailiwick, as my eyes glaze over at the tincture recipes. But I understand from plenty of folks that the "gold standard" for herbal advice on menopause is _Menopausal Years_ by Susun Weed. Weed is quoted extensively in _Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone Book_, and by any number of other health care practitioners. You can find some of Weed’s recommendations  echoed in Love’s book, as noted…and in a truly hilarious online article, "Hotter than a Red-Assed Bee," whose URL escapes me at the moment, but there’s a link to it at http://members.tripod.com/menopause/ Probably the most important thing to remember about herbs, as I understand it, is that they’re not necessarily innocuous. It’s a good idea to read carefully and proceed with caution. For further information, see the web site of the American Botanical Council at http://www.herbalgram.org Regards, vlhb…@aol.com

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Doea anyone know if there is an effect on arthritis if you are in that time of your life when estrogen levels are behaving like the latest roller coaster from hell.  I know I read somewhere that this could impact one’s immune system and arthritis and Ijsut wondered if going on the birth control pill might even it out.  I am not yet menopausal but at 43 I am heading down that road soon. I know they will not start you on HRT until you are not having your period for at least 6 months.  I woul like to talk with someone who may have experienced this.  Thanks for your help! Nan

I am on HRT and I am menopausal.  Prior to menopause, my arthritis ebbed and flowed with the level of my estrogen.  As the estrogen dropped, the pain increased.  As you probably know, it’s the drop in estrogen–that brings on a period every month. For me, it also brought on pain. Four months ago, I started HRT. I would take Premarin (estrogen) for 25 days and Provera (progestin) for the last 9 of those 25 days.  Then nothing for 5 days.  As soon as I would start the progestin, I would get a killer flare. The gyn adjusted the Premarin dose (up) and I’ve been great since…no flare, more energy…not such a crab ass. Carol                 Human beings are flawed individuals…the cosmic bakers took us out a little too early.  That’s why we’re as crazy as we are—Jimmy Buffett

Response:

 I know they will not start you on HRT until you are not having your period for  at least 6 months.

I didn’t know this,is it standard procedure? Shel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Doea anyone know if there is an effect on arthritis if you are in that time of  your life when estrogen levels are behaving like the latest roller coaster  from hell.  I know I read somewhere that this could impact one’s immune system  and arthritis and Ijsut wondered if going on the birth control pill might even  it out.  I am not yet menopausal but at 43 I am heading down that road soon.  I know they will not start you on HRT until you are not having your period for  at least 6 months.  I woul like to talk with someone who may have experienced  this.  Thanks for your help! Nan

Response:

Doea anyone know if there is an effect on arthritis if you are in that time of  your life when estrogen levels are behaving like the latest roller coaster  from hell.  I know I read somewhere that this could impact one’s immune system  and arthritis and Ijsut wondered if going on the birth control pill might even  it out.  I am not yet menopausal but at 43 I am heading down that road soon.  I know they will not start you on HRT until you are not having your period for  at least 6 months.  I woul like to talk with someone who may have experienced  this.  Thanks for your help!

Well, I’m perimenopausal, I have severe RA, and yep, fluctuations in hormone levels *do* have an effect.  In my case, I’ve always had a worsening of my symptoms during the pre-menstrual period, when estro- gen levels spike.  These days, I’m experiencing out-of-cycle spikes, with the same worsening in joint pain, swelling, and length of morn- ing stiffness. I’ve discussed the problem with both my RD and my gyn, but there’s been no mention of using birth-control pills to level out the effect. Actually, I wouldn’t use them if they did have this effect; I still remember vividly the surge in well-being I experienced when I stop- ped using Lo-Ovral years ago (this was a low-dose combination pill). My gyn has recommended evening primrose oil, on the basis of what other patients have told him — he believes it to be safe, and did not think it would conflict with my other medications.  I’ve done some checking on the web and I believe this is probably true, but I’m waiting to check with my RD before I start.  According to the abstracts available through Medline, trials of evening primrose oil both for RA and for menopausal flushing have shown no significant benefit, but neither did they report any significant difficulties. Stacy Scott

Response:

Hi Nan and group, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Doea anyone know if there is an effect on arthritis if you are in that time of your life when estrogen levels are behaving like the latest roller coaster from hell.  I know I read somewhere that this could impact one’s immune system and arthritis and Ijsut wondered if going on the birth control pill might even it out.  I am not yet menopausal but at 43 I am heading down that road soon. I know they will not start you on HRT until you are not having your period for at least 6 months.  I woul like to talk with someone who may have experienced this.  Thanks for your help! Nan

      I’m not perimenopausal but I did think that there might have been a  connection between my overall increase in disease activity in the last year,  year and a half and my going off the pill.  My gyn/RD said it would be worth a  shot, so I’m back on the pill now for about 4-5 months.  Can’t say there’s  been any noticable change as yet and I’ve also added sulfasalzine to the mix  in the last month, so I’m hedging my bets, I guess.        I’m sure if you did a search on Medline, you’d get some info.  A friend  sent me the following abstract after hearing of my decision to get back on the  pill and I’m sure there’s lots more. Best wishes, Denise Sex hormones and rheumatoid arthritis: cause or effect relationships in a complex pathophysiology? Abstract: Sex hormones are believed to contribute to the risk of rheumatoid  arthritis (RA) because of the disease’s female preponderance, especially during the child-bearing  years, and because of the dramatic improvements seen during pregnancy. Available controlled data on serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in  RA patients not treated with glucocorticoids are summarized. Hypotheses of sex hormone  contributions to RA are tested by judgemental criteria for the causes or determinants of disease.  Available data support hypoandrogenicity in RA patients, especially among premenopausal females and  males. Limited prospective studies in women and therapeutic trials of testosterone therapy in  men further support a role of sex hormones in RA. Interactions of sex hormones and glucocorticoids  are also believed to be important and deserve priority in future research. Author: Masi AT Address: University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOM-P) 61605,  USA. Abbreviated Journal Title: Clin Exp Rheumatol Date Of Publication: 1995 Mar-Apr Journal Volume: 13 Page Numbers: 227 through 240 Number of References: 105 Country of Publication: ITALY Language of Article: Eng Issue/Part/Supplement: 2 ISSN: 0392-856X MESH Headings: Animal Arthritis, Rheumatoid (Central Concept) Disease Models, Animal Female Gout Human Immunity Male Pregnancy Risk Factors Sex Hormones (Central Concept) Steroids Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number: 0 (Sex Hormones) 0 (Steroids) Article ID: 95385254

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Before I developed the RA I was the study coordinator for PMS and Preimenapause  studies at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.  I agree, nono of  our data supports more than a placebo response from eveing primrose oil.  It  has some diaretic properties, so some women troubled with fluid retention may  experience some relief of that symptom only.   If you are taking an SSRI (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) you may find that increasing  your dose during the premenstrual time decreases your symptoms.  Our research  showed strong evidence that PMS and preimenapausal symptoms could be reduced  by mid-cycle dosing, or mid-cycle increase.  I have seen good results during  studies, and I have good results increasing  my own Zoloft dose from 50 mg to  100mg pre-menstrually.  Good results meaning no increase in RD symptoms at  that time — not a reduction in overall symptoms. We were just doing some DHEA studies when I left, and I think that it an  interesting idea.  Be careful with DHEA from health food stores.  As DHEA is  not yet FDA approved except for research proposes as a medicine, it is not  regulated by the FDA for safety or efficacy.  Health Food store preparations  are regulated as a food, and purity and dose may vary widely. Donah Zack Crawford

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