Question:

I hadn’t thought of iron levels being low, but I’ll suggest that he have those checked out next doc visit.  DH is 64, and as we age, not only do our appetites decrease, but also  our absorption of nutrients. Rose – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – But usually when I notice i’m bruising more, i make sure to have my iron level checked, because that is also a common problem that has the same results; probably more often in young women than men but.. who knows. my two cents. K

Response:

i was concerned about this too. i’ve been taking flovent for a few years (before that, aerobid, azmacort, etc).. i bruise very easily, i’m a big fan of arnica too. I actually ran into someone at a pharmacy who was asking about people who take flovent, and since I was there to pick mine up I spoke up. Turns out she works for glaxo-welcom selling it and hadn’t talked to a lot of people who used it. Anyways I mentioned a few side effects, such as bruising, lower bone-density, etc, that are common with steroids, and basically she said that because they are inhaled corti-costeroids and not quite the same as pill popping ones like prednisone, those kinds of effects should be pretty much negligible. Granted she does work for the company.. My own doctor was able to reduce my Flovent when I went in asking about bruising; i’d had a particularly clumsy week.. But usually when I notice i’m bruising more, i make sure to have my iron level checked, because that is also a common problem that has the same results; probably more often in young women than men but.. who knows. my two cents. K – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi. Dh uses Flovent and other inhalers, and they do contain steroids, which does cause thinning of the skin and yes, he does bruise easily.  Seems that he’s bruising more easily lately. The arnica works?  I use it and I’ll see if he will.  Thanks for the suggestion. Rose

Response:

I’ve had trouble with brusing, but i didn’t know that it was related to using flovent.  I’m on 220 one puff twice a day (it was 2 puffs 2x daily, but they are trying to decrease it, so far no probs).  I always thought it was something wrong with me.  wow.  kris

I don’t know why docs don’t mention this to patients since it can be common esp. with FLovent. Just wait until it happens, I guess. Some docs may not even know about Arnica. But they should.

Response:

I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms. Side effects of MDI inhalers can be minimized by using a spacer, such as an Aerochamber. Cuts side effects by factor of 2. Also advisable to rinse, gargle, spit out, after inhaling.

I have used a spacer ever since I started on Flovent – over a year ago. (And rinse and gargle really good.)

Response:

Do you also take at least one aspirin per day?  I have been using Flovent for several years, but not until I was put on an asprin regimen did I get the bruise spots.  It is the apirin that thins the blood. Israel Weber

No, no aspirin. The Flovent thins the –skin.

Response:

What is Arnica, and where do you get it? I am on Flovent and also easily bruised. The least little tap leaves a mark. If I bump into something, I really have some black and blue marks.

I get it at an organic food store. But I would imagine maybe you could get it at some health food stores — or check your local drugfood store. It comes in gel and cream. It DOES work. Takes a few days but the color of the bruise lightens and eventually is gone. I have more on my wrists than anywhere.

Response:

I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms.

Side effects of MDI inhalers can be minimized by using a spacer, such as an Aerochamber. Cuts side effects by factor of 2. Also advisable to rinse, gargle, spit out, after inhaling. You might also try a different steroid, such as the Pulmicort Turbuhaler [my favorite] Ellis

Response:

I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.

Hello, I use Flovent 220 one puff two times daily and I bruise horribly.  I wake up with small round bruises and if I bump into something the resultant bruise is really large and painful.  Gross.  I can’t do without the Flovent, tho. So, guess it’s a trade-off. I wish, wish, wish someone would come up with an inhaled anti-inflammatory or like drug with no side effects like bruising, weight gain and the like. It would be nice to shed the 35 pounds I’ve put on since being diagnosed with asthma and taking all the meds. Patrice

Response:

I’ve had trouble with brusing, but i didn’t know that it was related to using flovent.  I’m on 220 one puff twice a day (it was 2 puffs 2x daily, but they are trying to decrease it, so far no probs).  I always thought it was something wrong with me.  wow.  kris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin. Hello, I use Flovent 220 one puff two times daily and I bruise horribly.  I wake up with small round bruises and if I bump into something the resultant bruise is really large and painful.  Gross.  I can’t do without the Flovent, tho. So, guess it’s a trade-off. I wish, wish, wish someone would come up with an inhaled anti-inflammatory or like drug with no side effects like bruising, weight gain and the like. It would be nice to shed the 35 pounds I’ve put on since being diagnosed with asthma and taking all the meds. Patrice

Response:

The light and dark sides of Arnica….. Light:  http://www.kcweb.com/herb/arnica.htm Dark: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Arnicmo.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What is Arnica, and where do you get it? I am on Flovent and also easily bruised. The least little tap leaves a mark. If I bump into something, I really have some black and blue marks. I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms. remove nospam to email

Response:

What is Arnica, and where do you get it? I am on Flovent and also easily bruised. The least little tap leaves a mark. If I bump into something, I really have some black and blue marks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms. remove nospam to email

Response:

I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms. remove nospam to email

Response:

Hi. Dh uses Flovent and other inhalers, and they do contain steroids, which does cause thinning of the skin and yes, he does bruise easily.  Seems that he’s bruising more easily lately. The arnica works?  I use it and I’ll see if he will.  Thanks for the suggestion. Rose

Response:

(gaetz) writes: I use Flovent inhaler – 2-3 puffs twice a day. Does anyone have the bruising who use these inhalers? Supposedly thins the skin. Some spots are spontaneous  —- others – if you bump your arm are really noticeable. Large bruise type spots under the skin.  I have been using Arnica (cream or gel to rub on those spots to make them go away faster). It helps — but I don’t like these spots on my arms.

Do you also take at least one aspirin per day?  I have been using Flovent for several years, but not until I was put on an asprin regimen did I get the bruise spots.  It is the apirin that thins the blood. Israel Weber

Response:

Question:

I have found that taking chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine found in OTC medications such as Chlor-Trimeton) can stop my migraines within 15 minutes in many cases.  However, both pharmacists and doctors tell me that this isn’t supposed to happen.  But it sill works.  Can anyone tell me why?  I try aspirin, acetaminophen, codeine, and ibuprofen, but ultimately if all else fails I take chlorpheniramine, and very often that works (the reason I don’t take it to begin with is that it puts me to sleep). Any suggestions on why this particular medication works for my migraines, even though it’s "not supposed to work"?  Aren’t antihistamines usually effective treatments for migraines, or is it the other way around? — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

I’m not really sure, but many people here have taken Singulair and reported that works for them.  So many drugs, so many different people.  You know whenever doctors tell me it isn’t supposed to happen, it just means they don’t know about it Michelle

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found that taking chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine found in OTC medications such as Chlor-Trimeton) can stop my migraines within 15 minutes in many cases.  However, both pharmacists and doctors tell me that this isn’t supposed to happen.  But it sill works.  Can anyone tell me why?  I try aspirin, acetaminophen, codeine, and ibuprofen, but ultimately if all else fails I take chlorpheniramine, and very often that works (the reason I don’t take it to begin with is that it puts me to sleep). Any suggestions on why this particular medication works for my migraines, even though it’s "not supposed to work"?  Aren’t antihistamines usually effective treatments for migraines, or is it the other way around? — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

Rick writes: The only explanation I can think of is that your headaches aren’t migraines, but are tension headaches instead.  Antihistimines are effective (especially in conjunction with analgesics) to treat this type of headache.

I thought they were tension or sinus, too, but a doctor pointed out to me that virtually all my symptoms are consistent with migraines: pain on one side of the head (usually the same side), a feeling that something is drilling or splitting into that part of the head, a change when I move around, nausea, watering eye on the headache side, sensitivity to smells, light, and some sounds, triggers that include barometric pressure changes and certain types of pollution or smells, etc. Anyway, it does seem like a migraine, but antihistamine still works. BTW, why would antihistamine be effective against tension headaches? — Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.

Response:

I have found that taking chlorpheniramine (an antihistamine found in OTC medications such as Chlor-Trimeton) can stop my migraines within 15 minutes in many cases.  However, both pharmacists and doctors tell me that this isn’t supposed to happen.  But it sill works.  Can anyone tell me why?  I try aspirin, acetaminophen, codeine, and ibuprofen, but ultimately if all else fails I take chlorpheniramine, and very often that works (the reason I don’t take it to begin with is that it puts me to sleep). Any suggestions on why this particular medication works for my migraines, even though it’s "not supposed to work"?  Aren’t antihistamines usually effective treatments for migraines, or is it the other way around?

The only explanation I can think of is that your headaches aren’t migraines, but are tension headaches instead.  Antihistimines are effective (especially in conjunction with analgesics) to treat this type of headache. Rick

Response:

Question:

Is there any research indicating that Singulair can have a beneficial effect for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? I’ve asked my doctor, an internist with a subspecialty in pulmonology, about this, and he was doubtful that the drug would be helpful to me. Since the various "classic" asthma meds are used in treating COPD symptoms, it seems strange that the anti-leukotrienes (and Singulair, in particular) have not been recommended by the drug mfrs. [I posted this question to this list several months ago. I'm asking it again, on the outside chance that there is possibly some new data available.] — Neal Blank http://p3.net/~nealb/

Response:

I am just taking a guess from what I know about Singulair.  I am sure If I am way off base here aleast one of you will correct me.  Singulair, goes after the chemical that at the root of the problem causes the bronchial spasms.  By stopping the spasms there will be less inflammation, in turn lessing the asthma attacks.  Bronchistis, and emphysema are due to inflamed bronchial tubes, but are not caused by the spasms that causes the inflammations of asthma, so Singulair will not help.  I am not sure if I am right but, this may (or may not)help.

Response:

Is there any research indicating that Singulair can have a beneficial effect for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? I’ve asked my doctor, an internist with a subspecialty in pulmonology, about this, and he was doubtful that the drug would be helpful to me. Since the various "classic" asthma meds are used in treating COPD symptoms, it seems strange that the anti-leukotrienes (and Singulair, in particular) have not been recommended by the drug mfrs. [I posted this question to this list several months ago. I'm asking it again, on the outside chance that there is possibly some new data available.]

No I don’t think there is any data available. I note that in the UK the drug is only licensed for asthma. However, I have COPD with a ‘reversible componant’, which means that I respond to corticosteroid therapy with an improvement in PF and FEV1. I also respond to bronchodilators. Call this asthma if you like, and yes I have been perscribed Singulair and yes it seems to have definitely improved things for me. I have now just finished the first months treatment and the improvement I felt within days of taking it seems to have been maintained. Yesterday was the *first day for over ten years* that I have not used a single puff of Ventolin If you can persuade them to let you have it I would say it is worth a try. Regards Rob Remove the spam from address if replying by email

Response:

I am just taking a guess from what I know about Singulair.  I am sure If I am way off base here aleast one of you will correct me.  Singulair, goes after the chemical that at the root of the problem causes the bronchial spasms.  By stopping the spasms there will be less inflammation, in turn lessing the asthma attacks.  Bronchistis, and emphysema are due to inflamed bronchial tubes, but are not caused by the spasms that causes the inflammations of asthma, so Singulair will not help.  I am not sure if I am right but, this may (or may not)help.

Not wrong, but an oversimplification. Yes, LTD is a potent broncho-constrictor. BUt it appears to be having at least mild anti-inflammatory effects at least in mild to moderate asthmatics.  THe reasons arent clear yet, but bronchospasm can lead to secondary release of mediators (prostaglandin D, Thromboxane A, cytokines, etc) which ARE inflammatory. If LTD even partially inhibits the release of such mediators from mast cells, eosinophils etc, it would have anti-inflammatory effects. BUT – *I* don’t know of any evidence that LTD is a precipitating agent in COPD.  If it’s not a major player in that disease, SIngulair/Accolate’s impact is likely to be far less than in asthma.  To date, there are no scientific studies of the question.  Both LTE and LTB (a leukotriene NOT targeted by Accolate/Singulair) have been shown to be elevated in COPD, but whether reducing that elevation has any effect in the disease doesnt appear to have been studied.  IF LTB is importand, COPD may be better treated with Zyflo than with the LT-RAs.

Response:

Question:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott

Response:

Dear Scott, Pulmicort is approximately the same potency as Becloforte.  The most significant difference between them is that Becloforte is a traditional spray inhaler and Pulmicort is a dry powder inhaler without aerosol propellant.  Some people find that dry powder inhalers are much easier to use than an aerosol.  Many people find it difficult to inhale from spray front moving at more than 100 kilometers per hour.  For such people, switching to Pulmicort (or a comparable dry powder inhaler like Flovent Diskus) can improve asthma control.  If patients can use an aerosol inhaler and a dry powder inhaler with equal ease, Becloforte and Pulmicort will generally produce similar clinical benefit.  Has your doctor, pharmacist or other caregiver watched you using your inhaler to be sure that you can use it adequately? Your treatment regimen seems a bit confused.  Most asthma experts find that there is little benefit from adding Intal to a high concentration inhaled steroid like Becloforte.  Is your asthma being monitored by a specialist? Good luck. — Kenneth Chapman Director Asthma Centre of The Toronto Hospital Professor of Medicine University of Toronto

Response:

I have moderate asthma and have been on Pulmicort since 2/98.  I used to take Flovent 220mcg.  I was switched to Pulmicort as it did not have the systemic steroid side effects as Flovent. I have found Pulmicort to be very effective in controlling my asthma.  It has been used in europe for years prior to being approved for use here in the States.

Response:

One thing that is important is the way you take the medication. Do not tip the inhaler upward when delivering a dose.  It is easier to tip you head back slightly to open the airway and inhale the medication. It take a little time to get used to using this inhaler versus the propellant type inhaler we where all used to taking.  Good Luck!  

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/freemedl.html and then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body’s reaction asthmatic attacks. There are other internet sites available to consumer such as http://www.rxmed.com and http://www.fda.gov that provide helpful new and past drug information, including clinical trial information, dosage available, drug interactions, and contraindications. If you click on http://www.pslgroup.com/ASTMA.HTM, there are over 50 internet sites that are linked including the American Lung Association and more discussion groups available. Also, http//www.publinet.it/pol/cmol/steroids/htm has individual drug monographs available on other asthma drug medications. Finally, Pulmicort should be more effective then your current medications, and if you use it chromically, it should help you to control the asthma to improve your quality of life.                                                         Bly I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation. There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional whom you know and trust. Good luck.

Response:

Can anyone tell me if Pulmicort is as effective as I have heard from people? Side effects?  I am currently on intal, becloforte and singulair but my asthma is not completly controlled. Thanks Scott If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I

suggest you refer to the internet site www.nlm..nih.gov./databases/freemedl.html  then click on INTERNET GRATEFUL MED and enter in the Query Terms: pulmicort, side effects, and efficacy, which should result in 17 articles you can look up in your nearest health science library or you can get an overview of the information by reading the abstracts. Budesonide, generic for If you would like current and past scientific research material, then I suggest you refer to the internet site Pulmicort,  is the first corticosteroid dry powder inhaler for the maintenance treatment of asthma that is used in prophylactic drug therapy. The usual dosage is 2-3 puffs per day in which there is 200mcg/puff. The drug should improve nighttime symptoms and reduce the dependence on direct beta-2-agonist bronchodilators such as albuterol sulfate. The most common associated side effects are respiratory infection, headache, orad candidiasis, dysphonia, and pharyngitis, but inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and effective anti-inflammatory medications. However, as with any medication, your doctor should monitor your drug therapy and any switches/add-ons to your current medications. Also, a common consumer complaint is that the drug is very fine so you might not see the drug inhalation. Intal, a mast cell stabilizer, and Singulair, a leukotriene modifier, act on different steps of the body

Question:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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Question:

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

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

, FurPaw <furpawn…@comcast.net

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

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

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

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

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

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Dale Davis wrote:

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

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

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

wrote in message

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

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

first I

attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of

feeling

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

offices.

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

one year

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

symptom of

hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a

symptom of

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

this by

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

depressed

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

don’t buy

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

info as

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

Hope

someone can offer some help.

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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Question:

Does anyone have experience with taking Celexa vs. Prozac?  Thanks so much.

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Does anyone have experience with taking Celexa vs. Prozac?  Thanks so much.

I tried Prozac once a long time ago, but I had to stop after a few days. Prozac made me extremely anxious. Celexa is the best SSRI I have taken. I just switched from Zoloft to Celexa, and Celexa is equally or more effective as an anti-depressant with fewer and milder side effects than Zoloft, which is already a lot better than Prozac.

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Question:

I have crohn’s and I have been taking propranolol for essential tremor for 3 years now.  I have not noticed any side effects. I assume by your phrase "the opposite of the usual" that you mean constipation as opposed to diarreha.  I have always been constipated so maybe that’s why I don’t notice it. Before you buy.

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Hello, Is anyone taking this besides me? I take it for essential tremors and for the first time in over 20 years my hand writing is readable. There are some side effects with my crohns which are just the opposite of the normal side effects. Thanks, Ricko in KY

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I take it sometimes before performances and have never had any problems. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, Is anyone taking this besides me? I take it for essential tremors and for the first time in over 20 years my hand writing is readable. There are some side effects with my crohns which are just the opposite of the normal side effects. Thanks, Ricko in KY I used to take it, but stopped when my intestinal disease became unbearable. Too many pills to take, sick anyway, don’t need anymore pills. —- stevenscott

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Question:

 Well, I have stumbled into a setback the last few days…I am much more functional since I started the Zoloft, and when my time is occupied I do pretty dang well…However, the last couple of days, I have been alone with not much to occupy my time…This has been difficult…Not as bad as before but difficult…Today I cannot enjoy my usual Sunday morning lounge with paper in hand…Now I am begining to worry that I have peaked in the effect I will get from the Zoloft/Xanax combo…Could this be?  I am just about through with week 4 (2 weeks at 50, 2 at 100), will I see more improvement as the weeks go on…I got lots of improvement after 2 weeks, but haven’t seen any since…Need some good stuff today from you all!

Hi Charles, I can only speak from my experience with Paxil, the way I felt at week 4 was alright, the way I felt at  week 8 was good. I had a slow but steady improvement from the second week on Paxil which was the beginning of April, all the way through the summer, even though I didn`t increase my dose past the beginning of May. And I do remember having a off week around week 9 or 10, it had to do with a conflict I had with a family member. And I was so afraid I was having a setback or the med stopped working, which just added to my anxiety. Being alone use to  be a trigger for my anxiety, I think it was a lack of stimulation for me. I can tell you since being on Paxil, I LOVE being alone when I have the opportunity. My husband just had a business trip to Mexico, and normally I would be anxious, I enjoyed him being gone, this tells me I am really doing well( or maybe it is that he annoys the hell out of me <g ) You are having a rough week, but the Zoloft probably has not reached full effectiveness. You have to give it more time. I know this is easier said than done, but you need to occupy your mind. When I had a problem with boredom, what would happen is my thoughts turn inward, thinking about my anxiety and monitoring every sensation and twitch I was having. Even though you are having a bad time, from what you wrote I see improvement.  Sometimes getting better isn`t just measured in  having "good" days, but how we handle our bad days, and you say yourself, it is not as difficult as before. That tells me Zoloft is having a effect on you. Patience my dear friend, you will get there. *Hugs* P.S. And in a few weeks, if you feel you are`nt at the place you want to be, maybe increasing the Zoloft, you can go as high as 200mgs. Jackie "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I cannot accept, And the wisdom to  hide the bodies of those I had to kill today because they ticked me  off and also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today, as  they may be connected to the butt I may have to kiss tomorrow.

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Hi Charles! I cannot help with the meds questions, but I did want you to know that I am sending positive thoughts your way1 I hope you feel better soon! Being alone is tough, I know but you will get through it! Hang in there! Steph

Charles Writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -To all:  Well, I have stumbled into a setback the last few days…I am much more functional since I started the Zoloft, and when my time is occupied I do pretty dang well…However, the last couple of days, I have been alone with not much to occupy my time…This has been difficult…Not as bad as before but difficult…Today I cannot enjoy my usual Sunday morning lounge with paper in hand…Now I am begining to worry that I have peaked in the effect I will get from the Zoloft/Xanax combo…Could this be?  I am just about through with week 4 (2 weeks at 50, 2 at 100), will I see more improvement as the weeks go on…I got lots of improvement after 2 weeks, but haven’t seen any since…Need some good stuff today from you all! Thanks, — Charles Phipps

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Question:

Sally, beware of drugs touting false promises for BPs. St. John’s Wort, while very  effective in studies overseas, is only effective for MILD DEPRESSION, not for  bipolar. when you’ve got this particular lion banging at the doors, you need  something different. a mood stabilizer (sorry, i’m not a doctor & i dont play  one on tv) will help prevent the manias (what goes up must come down), and  regulate the neurochemicals. having just been diagnosed as BP during the summer (and misdiagnosed for years  before that, living on klonopin, zoloft, xanax, ritalin, whatever i/the docs  thought would work), i can say i’ve been through the litany of drugs. i’m not  physically tiny, but i am very sensitive to medication, and i am on doses that  would not pass in the PDR for therapeutic. (900 mg of neurontin & 250 to 325  mg of depakote and that’s IT). i’ve had my share of cocktails, mixes, dosages,  and unfortunately, it just does take a while to find the right drug or drugs.  i can’t tolerate lithium, and everything else i’ve tried has produced a  variety of side effects, some bearable, others not. i’m lucky because my doctor believes in simplifying the medication regimen as  much as possible, so we started out with the idea that maybe i’d only need a  single drug. it hasn’t worked out that way, but that’s life. what you DO need, IMO, is a doctor you trust. if you’re scared of the meds and  you’re not being listened to (but you do have to listen, too), then you’re  really doing yourself–and your kids–a disservice. Find a doctor you like and  trust, be willing to deal with some side effects (make sure your doctor  understands that you have kids and responsibilities), and try to have patience  (yeah, right). feel free to email. Miz

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m really scared of getting prescribed medication – once, before i was diagnosed as bipolar II, a doctor prescribed paxil. it knocked me out, all i did was sleep. then, when i said i thought it was too strong, he said it was all my imagination. so, i quit going to that doctor and months later i have been diagnosed BP II. i only weigh 90 lbs, and i’m 37. just have very small bone structure so it is a natural weight for me. but i can’t tolerate adult dosage, and docs never seem to take that into account.  anyway, i’m rambling, my mind is a mess right now. sorry. the point is… i’m really afraid of taking these cocktails and such that you all describe. i have two children and i’m on my own with them most of the time (my husband’s work takes him away 3 weeks at a time, then home for 3 weeks). i HAVE to function to take care of them. but then, the doctor says she feels i really need them, and probably always will. do these medications always make people so sick? is there anyone out there who can say the meds are really helping them? i don’t think i understand this at all. also, sorry i’m using a fake email address, i have never been involved in a newsgroup and was afraid of getting weird mail or something.

Yeah,  you’d get weird mail all right.   I wish I’d never given my real address.   My box is full of filthy trash mail every day.  I wish I could e-mail you directly because the posts don’t go to everyone. Try using a fake address and put  decoding directions in your signature.  . . .Now to answer your question. Yes,  meds will help you when you get the right one and the right dose.  Sometimes that is not easy.   Some docs won’t listen to you.  I eventually had to take charge of adjusting the dosage myself.   I too am very sensitive to meds of all types and usually half of the prescribed dosage is about right.   Caution:   if you are suicidal, don’t mess around with the dosage until you are stable.   Also try to find a doctor that is willing to try different meds at different doses until you get it right.   Also give it enough time.  It takes a month or more to stabilize you.   I think the longer you have been depressed, the longer it takes.  Paxil however is one of the fastest acting ones and the quickest to wash out of the system.   Depression also makes a person stuporous sometimes.  I had one doctor who always thought I was zombied out by the depression and needed a higher dose, so he’d prescribe more and more and more.  I finally had to dump him because he refused to listen to me and I was only able to function for one hour a day and gained 30 pounds sleeping all the time. Meds affect each person differently.   Prozac puts me to sleep. Others feel great with it.  Paxil makes me feel great, but puts you to sleep. For Bipolar Disorder, and antidepressant alone may not be the right medication.   It works for me, but I’ve been under treatment for years.  You must find a doc who will listen to you and work with you to help you feel better.   Don’t give up on meds –they really do work! Take Care, –Carroll

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i’m feeling better today but i know it’s because i was out to see my daughter’s play and she was so good in it, it was great to see her so happy with her performance and we gave her 2 dozen roses when it was over. she’s 12, and is able to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to without having a downside, self-esteem problems, all those things i have always had. i love my kids, and i’ll never leave them no matter how down i get. this keeps me going day after day. i’m rambling again.

Dear Sally, You are not rambling. You are a human being who wants to live a normal life, stop worrying what others think of you. DO not let let anyone convince you that you are a broken thing, someone who can not think for herself. Use your eyes, ears, brain and a little help from friends, because that is all you need. Good luck with bringing up your child. I have two kids and it is a great experience, they teach me about life everyday. — Joop Kaashoek INSA Limited http://www.insaltd.com (408) 268-9650

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i’m really scared of getting prescribed medication – once, before i was diagnosed as bipolar II, a doctor prescribed paxil. it knocked me out, all i did was sleep. then, when i said i thought it was too strong, he said it was all my imagination. so, i quit going to that doctor and months later i have been diagnosed BP II. i only weigh 90 lbs, and i’m 37. just have very small bone structure so it is a natural weight for me. but i can’t tolerate adult dosage, and docs never seem to take that into account.  anyway, i’m rambling, my mind is a mess right now. sorry. the point is… i’m really afraid of taking these cocktails and such that you all describe. i have two children and i’m on my own with them most of the time (my husband’s work takes him away 3 weeks at a time, then home for 3 weeks). i HAVE to function to take care of them. but then, the doctor says she feels i really need them, and probably always will. do these medications always make people so sick? is there anyone out there who can say the meds are really helping them? i don’t think i understand this at all. also, sorry i’m using a fake email address, i have never been involved in a newsgroup and was afraid of getting weird mail or something.

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seems like everyone that’s BP has had an awful hell of a time, and it makes me feel like there are finally some people out there who understand in this group. carma – i’m glad you are hanging in there and thanks for the message. going to hang in there myself with the st john’s wort for the 3 weeks the naturopathic doc says it will take for it to begin to have effect. it’s only been a little under 2 weeks but it seems like a lifetime waiting for this change. if this doesn’t work i think i’m forced to go ahead with the prescription meds and from what you say, it is worth the trouble. if there had been help for my mother (who killed herself in ‘67 at my age – 37),  she might have been here today to see her beautiful grandchildren. i miss her every day. by the way, you are an incredibly strong woman with a will to match. thanks for the encouragement. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Once I made that med decision and saw how it did help me I won’t go back. I may trade one non-working med in for new ones but now that I have quit lying about how bad my life really was at times I’ll keep trying until the make the right med combination for me. Carma

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i don’t know what a mood stabilizer is, and don’t know what drugs are considered to be mood stabilizers. so, hopefully i’ll find some sort of alternative (as St. John’s Wort) that will act as a mood stabilizer. as for self education, i’d like to find some resources that will explain how  the brain chemicals are affected when you are BPII. which ones are up, down, etc., so that i can find ways to improve my diet and life (this is optimistic on my part probably, but why not). HarvilleC wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bipolar II patients need a mood stabilizer, in addition to an anti-dperessant (usually).  And anti-depressant alone may bring on wider mood swings and mania. It takes a while for meds to work, and it is a gradual process.  The drugs first have to "prod" the brain out of the swings, then establish a new set point.  It can take months. I am grateful for finding the right combination – it took a while, but with a dedicated doctor, and self-education, meds can and do work. Hang in there, and write to me anytime. Smooth sailing, Cathy

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By the way if it had been there in 1964 it could have helped my aunt DeLorice who killed herself at age 37 as well. Good luck with the SJW. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – seems like everyone that’s BP has had an awful hell of a time, and it makes me feel like there are finally some people out there who understand in this group. carma – i’m glad you are hanging in there and thanks for the message. going to hang in there myself with the st john’s wort for the 3 weeks the naturopathic doc says it will take for it to begin to have effect. it’s only been a little under 2 weeks but it seems like a lifetime waiting for this change. if this doesn’t work i think i’m forced to go ahead with the prescription meds and from what you say, it is worth the trouble. if there had been help for my mother (who killed herself in ‘67 at my age – 37),  she might have been here today to see her beautiful grandchildren. i miss her every day. by the way, you are an incredibly strong woman with a will to match. thanks for the encouragement. Carma Winfrey-Hayes wrote in article Once I made that med decision and saw how it did help me I won’t go back. I may trade one non-working med in for new ones but now that I have quit lying about how bad my life really was at times I’ll keep trying until the make the right med combination for me. Carma

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another note about mood stabilizers… i have to learn about this! what can you tell me… when i say i’m new to this diagnosis, i mean REALLY new. like, last Friday. i’m feeling better today but i know it’s because i was out to see my daughter’s play and she was so good in it, it was great to see her so happy with her performance and we gave her 2 dozen roses when it was over. she’s 12, and is able to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to without having a downside, self-esteem problems, all those things i have always had. i love my kids, and i’ll never leave them no matter how down i get. this keeps me going day after day. i’m rambling again. can you tell me about mood stabilizers? SMxMS wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Are you taking a mood stabilizer as well?  An antidepressant for a bipolar can be activating, and this could be working against your best interests. Please make sure your psychiatrist knows what your naturopath doctor is prescribing for you.  Just make sure everyone is working together. Hang in there–Meds don’t work overnight.  I know it seems forever.  Are you quite sure you’re not supposed to be taking a mood stabilizer? I am NOT a doctor, but I just wanted to clarify this point. Hang in there–we all can sympathize.  We’ve been there.

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but then, the doctor says she feels i really need them, and probably always will. do these medications always make people so sick? is there anyone out there who can say the meds are really helping them? i don’t think i understand this at all. also, sorry i’m using a fake email address, i have never been involved in a newsgroup and was afraid of getting weird mail or something.

Sally, Bipolar II patients need a mood stabilizer, in addition to an anti-dperessant  (usually).  And anti-depressant alone may bring on wider mood swings and  mania. It takes a while for meds to work, and it is a gradual process.  The drugs  first have to "prod" the brain out of the swings, then establish a new set  point.  It can take months. I am grateful for finding the right combination – it took a while, but with a  dedicated doctor, and self-education, meds can and do work.   Hang in there, and write to me anytime. Smooth sailing, Cathy

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They are correct and sorry if I wasn’t explicit earlier. To be stable means you need something for mood cycling like Lithium, Dpakote or Tegretol or one of the more experimental newer meds like Neurotonin that are helping many bipolars. While some BP’s have traded in their anti-depressants for SJW in general this would  probably only work for people whose depressive cycles are milder than average. To be really stable most BP’s need a good mood drug AND a good anti-depressant and some with more difficult to treat BP take multiple combinations of these two med categories. The 2 1/2 years I took only an anti-depressant made no dent on my hypomanic anger or rage. That didn’t happen until after I started the lithium. Like I said the lithium side affects have been a pain in the butt but I’m still willing to hang in there until something better comes along. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i don’t know what a mood stabilizer is, and don’t know what drugs are considered to be mood stabilizers. so, hopefully i’ll find some sort of alternative (as St. John’s Wort) that will act as a mood stabilizer. as for self education, i’d like to find some resources that will explain how  the brain chemicals are affected when you are BPII. which ones are up, down, etc., so that i can find ways to improve my diet and life (this is optimistic on my part probably, but why not). HarvilleC wrote in article Bipolar II patients need a mood stabilizer, in addition to an anti-dperessant (usually).  And anti-depressant alone may bring on wider mood swings and mania. It takes a while for meds to work, and it is a gradual process.  The drugs first have to "prod" the brain out of the swings, then establish a new set point.  It can take months. I am grateful for finding the right combination – it took a while, but with a dedicated doctor, and self-education, meds can and do work. Hang in there, and write to me anytime. Smooth sailing, Cathy

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