Question:

Jim:  Have you ever had a cardiac workup? Bob

Response:

I’ve told her.  She didn’t seem highly concerned.  In fact, she began tapering my other meds.  (My peak flow was up.)  So now what? Aleta – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!     If your albuterol (which is the same thing as salbuterol) isn’t working – tell your doctor NOW!  When you have a severe attack albuterol and drugs related are the first line of treatment used to get you breathing again.  It is very serious if these types of drugs do not work for you as it gives the emergeny treatment team few options to use to improve your breathing quickly.  Please don’t panic when you read this – there can be many reasons why it doesn’t seem to be working for you such as inhalation techniques, expiration dates, over reliance on rescue medication, etc. but do look into this now. Marion B.Sc.Pharmacy And I use Albuterol, and it’s never let me down, either. Good thing there are medications that always work! So what does it mean when your albuterol inhaler doesn’t do anything?  My asthma is fairly mild, but when I get an attack, I cough and cough.  Sometimes the albuterol stopes it right away, but other times it doesn’t seem to have any effect.  I don’t notice any difference in the coughing between the times that it does work and when it doesn’t (which I would expect if something other than asthma caused the non-responsive cough). Aleta

Response:

Hi!    If your albuterol (which is the same thing as salbuterol)

snip Marion B.Sc.Pharmacy

Hi, "Salbutamol" [not salbuterol]  is the WHO recommended name generally in use outside of the USA for  "Albuterol". See Asthma FAQ medications: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/medicine/asthma/medications  Colleen

Response:

Hi Colleen! I see I made a spelling error. Thanks for pointing it out, Marion – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!    If your albuterol (which is the same thing as salbuterol) snip Marion B.Sc.Pharmacy Hi, "Salbutamol" [not salbuterol]  is the WHO recommended name generally in use outside of the USA for  "Albuterol". See Asthma FAQ medications: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/medicine/asthma/medications  Colleen

Response:

And I use Albuterol, and it’s never let me down, either. Good thing there are medications that always work!

So what does it mean when your albuterol inhaler doesn’t do anything?  My asthma is fairly mild, but when I get an attack, I cough and cough.  Sometimes the albuterol stopes it right away, but other times it doesn’t seem to have any effect.  I don’t notice any difference in the coughing between the times that it does work and when it doesn’t (which I would expect if something other than asthma caused the non-responsive cough). Aleta

Response:

And I use Albuterol, and it’s never let me down, either. Good thing there are medications that always work! So what does it mean when your albuterol inhaler doesn’t do anything?  My asthma is fairly mild, but when I get an attack, I cough and cough.  Sometimes the albuterol stopes it right away, but other times it doesn’t seem to have any effect.  I don’t notice any difference in the coughing between the times that it does work and when it doesn’t (which I would expect if something other than asthma caused the non-responsive cough). Aleta

Not all cough is caused by asthma; you could have a co-existing condition contributing to the cough. See: http://www.ummed.edu/dept/pulmonary/irwin/pitfalls.htm Common Pitfalls in Managing Patients with Chronic Cough "If patients continue to complain of persistently troublesome cough even after an extensive evaluation, reconsider the following pitfalls in management as possible contributing factors: 4.not considering that more than one condition is  simultaneously contributing to the cough;

Response:

Hi!     If your albuterol (which is the same thing as salbuterol) isn’t working – tell your doctor NOW!  When you have a severe attack albuterol and drugs related are the first line of treatment used to get you breathing again.  It is very serious if these types of drugs do not work for you as it gives the emergeny treatment team few options to use to improve your breathing quickly.  Please don’t panic when you read this – there can be many reasons why it doesn’t seem to be working for you such as inhalation techniques, expiration dates, over reliance on rescue medication, etc. but do look into this now. Marion B.Sc.Pharmacy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And I use Albuterol, and it’s never let me down, either. Good thing there are medications that always work! So what does it mean when your albuterol inhaler doesn’t do anything?  My asthma is fairly mild, but when I get an attack, I cough and cough.  Sometimes the albuterol stopes it right away, but other times it doesn’t seem to have any effect.  I don’t notice any difference in the coughing between the times that it does work and when it doesn’t (which I would expect if something other than asthma caused the non-responsive cough). Aleta

Response:

I seem to get a violent chest compressing asthma attack in the last few years once a day or so, that feels like somoene is sitting on my chest and I am about to strangulate. I have life long asthma and it is much worse in the spring and fall, I am on Flovent, and here is my point: Ventolin is amazing! I have used it for 20 years, but it is still amazing the little off blue inhaler buddy has saved my life hundreds of times.

Response:

Question:

WHAT IS ANYONES EXPERIENCE WITH FLOVENT # OF PUFFS/# OF TIMES PER DAY? ARE YOU MILD/MODERATE ASHTMATIC?  USE OF PROVENTIL HFA AND ACCOLATE.  Have been trying to cut back on flovent 110 mg 4 puffs/2x’s per day.  Have great success with accolate but upsets stomach.  Nee Proventil for exercise and in addition to flovent on bad days/ times. Thank you

Response:

WHAT IS ANYONES EXPERIENCE WITH FLOVENT # OF PUFFS/# OF TIMES PER DAY? ARE YOU MILD/MODERATE ASHTMATIC?  USE OF PROVENTIL HFA AND ACCOLATE.  Have been trying to cut back on flovent 110 mg 4 puffs/2x’s per day.  Have great success with accolate but upsets stomach.  Nee Proventil for exercise and in addition to flovent on bad days/ times. Thank you

I checked your meds against the 1997 Asthma Guidelines/Expert Panel Report. Your dose of Flovent, 880 ug/day, puts you in the Moderate-to-High category with Moderate to Severe asthma. The Guidelines recommend you also use a long-acting bronchodilator (either Serevent, or sustained-release theophylline, or long-acting beta2-agonist tablets). Proventil as needed. I’m suprised you get an upset stomach from Accolate. The product information sheet doesn’t seem to indicate this is a significant problem. I haven’t tried Accolate yet. My steroid inhaler is Vanceril DS 84. I tried to switch to Flovent 44 but my HMO won’t pay for it. I also use Serevent & Intal inhalers; and low dose Theo-Dur, 200 mg/day. Note that Flovent is twice as strong as Vanceril per ug; 1 puff Flovent 44 = 1 puff Vanceril DS 84 or 2 puffs Vanceril 42. Ellis

Response:

I use Flovent 220 mcg, two puffs 2/day. I am doing well on this dosage. Previously I was taking 500 mcg beclomethasone 2/day. I had to buy the stronger puffer in Mexico as it was never sold here. I began that treatment in France which made a world of difference in my condition. I have been told that Flovent is stronger than what I was taking and I should only need one puff twice a day, but it doesn’t seem to work that way. I need the four puffs/day. Sue

Response:

Bill, regarding your questions on Flovent, I use a combinaaation of Flovent/Serevent.  My M.D. feels the combination is better than just Flovent on its own.  I am now trying Accolate in order to reduce inhalants.  We shall see……. at least the combination above has gotten me off of prednisone for the first time in 4 years!!!  I use 2 puffs of the long-term bronchodilator twice daily and 8 puffs of the steroid inhalant daily in the afternoon (works as well as 4 puffs twice daily). My M.D. believes that Merck will have something even better than Zyflo or Accolate available in Sept.   Keep breathing!!! Jan

Response:

Bill, regarding your questions on Flovent, I use a combinaaation of Flovent/Serevent.  My M.D. feels the combination is better than just Flovent on its own.  I am now trying Accolate in order to reduce inhalants.  We shall see……. at least the combination above has gotten me off of prednisone for the first time in 4 years!!!  I use 2 puffs of the long-term bronchodilator twice daily and 8 puffs of the steroid inhalant daily in the afternoon (works as well as 4 puffs twice daily). Jan

Regarding the 8 puffs of Flovent/day in a single dose, the manufacturer, Glaxo, recommends divided doses, twice a day. See www.industryreport.com/glaxo/glaxo.html There is evidence that this can reduce the total number of puffs/day required, since the medication is designed to work for about 12 hr. If you took the Flovent at the same time as the Serevent, you would only be using inhalers twice a day instead of 3 times/day. Also it is beneficial to use a steroid inhaler in the evening because asthma is usually worst at nite with symptoms peaking around 3 am. Perhaps you could work back to 3 puffs twice a day. Of course you would need to monitor symptoms and peak flows. Congratulations on getting off the prednisone. Just a suggestion, Ellis

Response:

Question:

What is DHEA? When I was in college I had a blood test that said I was low in this, but noone could give me a clear answer on what that meant. Also, what vitamin supplement works? Thanks.

DHEA is a ‘dietary supplement’ that makes up for its lack of demonstrated effectiveness with wildly exaggerated claims. The _only_ indication that for vitamins to have any use at all in the treatment of asthma is for vitamin C.  However this is only as a protective effect against ozone exposure and even then the effect is weak. Anything else is nothing more than hot air. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein

Response:

I also suspect a link between my Flovent use and anxiety. Glad to hear it’s not just in my head. Is there any alternative? I’m going to start going for massages, and am considering seeing a counsellor if that doesn’t work. I’ve had a few episodes where my heart rate has jumped to over 130 for no obvious reason, and then taken several hours to come down. If that dosent work, its probably the steroids.  I’ve heard DHEA and a multi vitamin can help with the agitation.

What is DHEA? When I was in college I had a blood test that said I was low in this, but noone could give me a clear answer on what that meant. Also, what vitamin supplement works? Thanks.

Response:

if Ventolin gives you the shakes….it is almsot assuredly responsible for the agitation as well. It works that way with me. Just because it takes a long time to go away doesn’t mean anything. try using an Aerochamber spacer if you don’t already. And talk to your doctor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My rescue inhaler (not Ventolin) makes me agitated and it comes on quite soon after taking it. Also drinking more coffee than usual does. What dose are you taking of ‘the usual ventolin’? writes I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?                      Jerry Freedman,Jr — Surfer! Web site: http://www dot nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk Send Email to: {$surfer$} at nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk I am the original poster: To be specific I have, apparently – the pulmonary docs keep dancing around by saying "asthma-like condition – coughing asthma that is triggered by a cold/flu. After a bout with a cold or flu I get a killer cough that sometimes won’t even respond to prednisone. The Dr has me using ventolin ( although I never have the asthma symptoms most of the readers have ) 4 times a day – 2 puffs. Since I don’t have the breathing problems most have I often don’t make this. I am aware of the ventolin shakes but the "agitation" I am talking about lasts longer and doesn’t seem to be connected, causally to ventolin.              Jerry Freedman

— Emily

Response:

The feelings that you are experiencing sound very similar to feelings that I have had, when using Flovent 110mcg – two puffs twice daily. When using the Flovent, I become agitated, agressive, and extremely difficult to live with.  In fact, I cannot stand myself, and I do not blame anyone else for complaining  about my behavior. This is just one of many side effects that I have to contend with; however, which is worse – nice with no breathing – or an agressive animal with lots of "lung power"??!!  Lungs that function are an important part of my life! J Meyer love the Lord w/all your heart.                               matt 22:37    

Response:

Yes, I have found this to be true in my past steroidal based inhaler use as well as prednisone.  It is not uncommon.  Counseling may not be a bad idea to help you deal with every day stress as well as the stress of dealing with a chronic illness

Response:

I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?  

Do you take your ventolin regularly before your flowvent dosage?  I used too, but stopped being the ventolin made me nervious, and I didn’t really need it.  If your still wheezing, up your steriod dosage and drop the un needed ventolin. If that dosent work, its probably the steroids.  I’ve heard DHEA and a multi vitamin can help with the agitation.

Response:

DEAR JERRY, Iknow how you feel.  I have been taking oral steroids for over 10 years (prednisone-up to 40mg daily) and my nerves are driving me crazy.  It’s the only medication that controls my asthma.  I take "puffers too.  If I know of any help. i"ll let you know.  Please email  me.  I’d like to know more about your problem.  Thanks. julie

Response:

I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?

It’s highly unlikely.  It’s more likely that your stressful life is catching up with you. Chris Owens

Response:

I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?                       Jerry Freedman,Jr

Response:

My rescue inhaler (not Ventolin) makes me agitated and it comes on quite soon after taking it. Also drinking more coffee than usual does. What dose are you taking of ‘the usual ventolin’? writes I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?                      Jerry Freedman,Jr

– Surfer! Web site: http://www dot nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk Send Email to: {$surfer$} at nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My rescue inhaler (not Ventolin) makes me agitated and it comes on quite soon after taking it. Also drinking more coffee than usual does. What dose are you taking of ‘the usual ventolin’? writes I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?                      Jerry Freedman,Jr — Surfer! Web site: http://www dot nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk Send Email to: {$surfer$} at nevis dash view dot demon dot co dot uk

I am the original poster: To be specific I have, apparently – the pulmonary docs keep dancing around by saying "asthma-like condition – coughing asthma that is triggered by a cold/flu. After a bout with a cold or flu I get a killer cough that sometimes won’t even respond to prednisone. The Dr has me using ventolin ( although I never have the asthma symptoms most of the readers have ) 4 times a day – 2 puffs. Since I don’t have the breathing problems most have I often don’t make this. I am aware of the ventolin shakes but the "agitation" I am talking about lasts longer and doesn’t seem to be connected, causally to ventolin.              Jerry Freedman

Response:

I lead a stressful life but I have been handling it. Recently I have been on a sustaining dose ( 2 puffs twice a day of 220 mcg flovent, one niff each nostril twice a day for flonase) of steroids ( plus usual ventolin ). I notice I am getting more "agitated" to the point where I am considering counseling. could this be attributed to the steroids?                       Jerry Freedman,Jr

2 pf x 2 of Flovent 220 (880 ug fluticasone) is a High Dose of inhaled steroid, plus the additional from the Flonase. It’s possible to start getting the same side effects as oral steroids like prednisone, when on High Dose inhaled steroids. Be sure to use an AeroChamber spacer with the Flovent 220 MDI; it cuts the side spray and consequent side effects in half. Also rinse, gargle, spit out after inhaling Flovent. Side effects of steroids are dose dependent. Some steroid sparing drugs could be tried to reduce the Flovent dose; theophylline SR, Singulair, Serevent. The Flonase dose may also be reduced in some cases; or try using Nasalcrom (nasal cromolyn) or/and antihistamines, if allergic, and decongestants. If you are allergic to allergens in the air in the house, an air cleaner may help, or other avoidance techniques. Ellis

Response:

Question:

Bill has probably posted relevant, pertinent cites, but I’m wondering if someone might be able to either a) point me in the direction of info. on these meds, particularly the new one, singulair, and how they work, versus how steriods work, what’s the downside etc., or b)  summarize the info. in relatively easy to understand, non-jargonese.  Thanks a lot. Merril, writing from  where it’s -25 still, but warm enough that my cold induced attacks have stopped — and which I won’t seek advice on again since starting the last match.

Response:

Bill has probably posted relevant, pertinent cites, but I’m wondering if someone might be able to either a) point me in the direction of info. on these meds, particularly the new one, singulair, and how they work, versus how steriods work, what’s the downside etc., or b)  summarize the info. in relatively easy to understand, non-jargonese.  Thanks a lot.

You can try:http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/guide/guidelin/comp3/… A promotional site for Accolate (which is similar to Singular) is at: http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/zeneca/about/default.htm This has information on Leukotrines and Leukotrine receptor agonists (Singulair is a Lueknotine receptor agonist).

Response:

Question:

It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

Response:

Nicole wrote…. It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

Dear Nicole, Obsessive thoughts are common with anxiety disorders and they can be part of OCD……only your doctor can tell you what yours are. I`ve had what my psychologist calls OC tendencies, so I can relate to your thoughts. Increasing your Zoloft dose might address this more effectively. Since being on Paxil, obsessive thoughts are gone for the most part. Glad to hear you are doing better ) Jackie ~*~Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star

Response:

Does it sound like ocd?

no not really it sounds like you are habituated to negative scary thoughts of someone hurting you or you being in a position at the mercy of others control-I would say you tend to be perfectionsitic and like even need to be in control but I could be wrong this is cyber space if the thoughts are intrusive and you cannot stop them once you make some controlled observations ie: you check the seal on the water bottle and are satisfied it is sealed etc-then this is a type of obsessive thinking and the meds and some therapy will hopefuly help LM

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: lobby!newstf02.news.aol.com!audrey04.news.aol.com!not-for-mail Lines: 7 Newsgroups: alt.support.anxiety-panic Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

 Hi Nicole,  Does this worry about your bottle continue, or are there times when you are not so worried about it? We’ve a house full of anxiety people here , and at different times some of us have had an obssessing spell, which stops, while others (me) still obsess a bit, but to no great extent. Fear of being hurt by chemicals, even tho there is no way they could actually get onto you, is an irrational after-trace of the major anxiety you were experiencing. I found similar thoughts, but didnt get really upset by them, as I knew they were extremely unlikely. That rationalising did not stop them immediately though. Eventually they did drift away. After many years of meds, I’ve found this symptom to have dissappeared.

Response:

Question:

What Makes Tics Tick? Clues Found in Tourette Twins’ Caudates August 1996 For the first time, scientists have a neurobiological explanation for the variation in severity of tics in Tourette Syndrome. Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health have traced such symptom differences to "supersensitivity" of certain neurotransmitter receptors in the brain structure responsible for carrying out automatic behaviors. They suggest that this dysfunction may underlie the compulsion to act out the sudden movements and vocalizations that characterize Tourette Syndrome, which affects about 100,000 Americans with its full-blown form and up to 0.5% of the population with milder symptoms. The researchers report on their findings in the August 30th issue of Science. In a brain imaging study of identical twins differently affected by the disorder, Daniel Weinberger, M.D., Steven Wolf, M.D., and colleagues in the NIMH Clinical Brain Disorders Branch found that binding to D2 dopamine receptors in the caudate nucleus was higher in the sibling with the more severe symptoms. "Strikingly, the degree to which the twins differed in this caudate D-2 binding predicted almost absolutely their differences in tic severity," said Weinberger. "This also likely explains the ebb and flow of tics experienced over the course of Tourette Syndrome and its overlap with obsessive compulsive disorder. "While we know that genetics plays an important role in transmission of Tourette Syndrome, the fact that identical twins show differences in symptom severity suggests that environmental influences modify the clinical expression of the disorder," he explained. "We studied identical twins discordant for such symptom severity to control for normal genetic variation in brain function." Although previous studies comparing unrelated Tourette patients with unaffected persons had failed to show differences in dopamine system function, the NIMH investigators were spurred by the fact that Tourette symptoms respond to drugs like haloperidol that block D2 dopamine receptors. They used a radioactive tracer drug, IBZM (iodobenzamide), that similarly blocks D2 receptors, and a SPECT* (single-photon emission computed tomography) scanner to image dopamine binding in five identical twin pairs with the disorder. In each case, the differences were observed in the head of the caudate nucleus, but not in the adjacent putamen, suggesting that D2 caudate binding accounted for almost all of the symptomatic variance within each twin pair. Previously, preoccupation with the motoric aspects of Tourette Syndrome had led researchers to search for clues in the putamen, according to Weinberger. Subtle changes in receptor availability in one small area appear to explain rather large differences in clinical presentation, say the researchers. Functional brain imaging studies of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), which often occurs along with Tourette Syndrome, also implicate a brain circuit that includes the head of the caudate nucleus, along with areas in the frontal and cingulate cortex. Thus, the new NIMH finding adds to evidence that the disorders are "overlapping neurobehavioral conditions," suggest the researchers. They speculate that the caudate nucleus may be related to the compulsive component of tics, whereas the dopamine dysfunction there may be the "common link between the ideational and motor components of Tourette Syndrome." Other NIMH researchers participating in the study included: Drs. Douglas Jones, Michael Knable, Thomas Hyde, Richard Coppola, Kan Sam Lee, and Julia Gorey. Twin subjects were recruited by the Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc., which also provided partial funding for the study. Additional information and b-roll are available from the association (718-224-2999). Information provided by the NIMH. *The SPECT scanner employs radiation detectors to get a fix on the location in the brain of a tracer drug. Unlike other similar techniques, such as PET (positron emission tomography), SPECT uses a tracer with a long half-life, making possible studies such as this one, which involved a prolonged series of scans over a 4-hour period. http://www.mhsource.com/hy/tic.html

Response:

Hi Elaine, http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/defined/forms.asp This is a link to they Dystonia Research Foundation website. You can check your symptoms with Ormandibular or Meige These are focal forms of Dystonia, which is a movement disorder. These are sometimes caused from side effects from certain medications. I have Blepharospasm which affects the eyes and Meige which affects the face. Facial tics and Meige are very similar. The best type of doctor for diagnosing would be a Movement Disorder Specialist. I was watching Oprah the other day, it was about Tourettes. It was an excellent show. I was very interested in the similaraties of finding things that we can do to get a rest from the movements (tics) they showed a girl who can act and sing on stage tic free. The other things were how we feel inside living and coping with this. The show came about from the book "Icy Sparks" which talks about emotions. Sounds like a great book. Please come back and let us know how you are doing. Best Wishes, Mindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, I was doing a search online, and obtained a reference to this newsgroup for possible help. I have Tourette Syndrome and have been on different medications over the years. Recently, I was taking Prolxin. When I stopped, a new tic appeared (which is common with TS — for tics to come and go and change). This tic was in my face though and hasn’t followed the usual course of tics I have had in the past. I am concerned that this is not part of TS but rather Tardive Dyskensia caused from taking Prolixin. At this point, I am not sure what to do, or what can be done. I contacted the doctor who prescribed the Prolixin who is located in Houston.  (I live in Albuquerque). He said I should make an appointment to come in for an exam. While this may be the best thing to do, I am concerned, since he was the one who prescribed the Prolixin to begin with. My symptoms include movements in my face, particularly the right side of my face in my jaw and check area. It has become quite painful for my jaw. It is a facial contortion that somewhat looks like chewing, and also smacking with my lips. I have read some information that the earlier it is detected the better the chance it will disappear. I don’t know if there is a treatment for this or not. I also have started taking Vitamin E, as I ran across this information as well as something that could potential help. I would appreciate any advice that I can get from anyone who has information regarding this. thanks, elaine

Response:

Hi, I was doing a search online, and obtained a reference to this newsgroup for possible help. I would appreciate any advice that I can get from anyone who has information regarding this. thanks, elaine

Hi Elaine, I had a no no tic for a few years and can really sympathize with you.  Tics are so exhausting and embarrassing.   Onset started after taking medication for an ulcer.   The prescrition’s name is unknown. I only made the connection between onset and the medication years later. I was never treated for the tic.  It went away on its own.   I do have essential tremor and Dystonia.   Please check out the following sites for more http://www.wfubmc.edu/surg-sci/ns/tremor.html http://www.parkinsons-information-exchange-network-online.com/archive… Regards, Gene

Response:

Hi, I was doing a search online, and obtained a reference to this newsgroup for possible help. I have Tourette Syndrome and have been on different medications over the years. Recently, I was taking Prolxin. When I stopped, a new tic appeared (which is common with TS — for tics to come and go and change). This tic was in my face though and hasn’t followed the usual course of tics I have had in the past. I am concerned that this is not part of TS but rather Tardive Dyskensia caused from taking Prolixin. At this point, I am not sure what to do, or what can be done. I contacted the doctor who prescribed the Prolixin who is located in Houston.  (I live in Albuquerque). He said I should make an appointment to come in for an exam. While this may be the best thing to do, I am concerned, since he was the one who prescribed the Prolixin to begin with. My symptoms include movements in my face, particularly the right side of my face in my jaw and check area. It has become quite painful for my jaw. It is a facial contortion that somewhat looks like chewing, and also smacking with my lips. I have read some information that the earlier it is detected the better the chance it will disappear. I don’t know if there is a treatment for this or not. I also have started taking Vitamin E, as I ran across this information as well as something that could potential help. I would appreciate any advice that I can get from anyone who has information regarding this. thanks, elaine

Response:

What a great group! Thanks for the quick response and the links you have all recommended. This is the kind of doc I went to for my Tourettes. It is Dr. Jankovic at Baylor in Houston. It is a Movement Disorders clinic. Unfortunately, he is also the one who prescribed the Prolixin. I am currently trying to get an appointment with him again to try to figure out what is going on. He also mentioned botox treatment. Has this been successful for any of

you? Several months ago, I heard that someone had gone to Dr. Jandovic in Houston, also for Tourettes and received botox injections.  Apparently, it is being done but I never heard anything else from this young man as to success.   Botox is also being used for tics with success. Dr. Jankovic has a good reputation.   I’ve heard from one lady here locally that saw him but she did not care for his bedside manner.  She hasn’t been happy with any of her doctors, though.  She has Blepharospasm symptoms but apparently keeps getting different diagnoses depending on where she goes. Shirley

Response:

What a great group! Thanks for the quick response and the links you have all recommended. This is the kind of doc I went to for my Tourettes. It is Dr. Jankovic at Baylor in Houston. It is a Movement Disorders clinic. Unfortunately, he is also the one who prescribed the Prolixin. I am currently trying to get an appointment with him again to try to figure out what is going on.

Dr. Jankovic, apparently, is one of the top in his field.  He has an excellent reputation. He also mentioned botox treatment. Has this been successful for any of you?

Botox is used on  focal dystonias.  Many patients have had good results with it.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Several months ago, I heard that someone had gone to Dr. Jandovic in Shirley

Response:

Hi Mindy, It has been very helpful! I am grateful for the information. Positive thinking – BINGO Stress Management and Humor are the best medicines. I can’t forget God and prayer, is #1

Yes, I can see where all of these would be important. I have noticed stress plays a big part in the disorder. It does in Tourettes as well, but seems to be more so with this. the eye twitch you refer to I might describe as a soft fluttering feeling.

right, that is what I a good example… Our eye spasms are involuntary but they are hard blinks, sometimes forecful. Other times they close and will not open on command. These type of spasms are very noticable. The eye and facial spasms are extremely hard to suppress.

Tics from tourettes are involuntary as well, but there is this sense at some level that you "should" be able to stop the movement. I feel this as well with whatever is going on with my face. Even though realistically it doesn’t feel like I can stop it, it also doesn’t feel as involuntary as the eye twitch described above. It also seems much harder to suppress than tics that I normally have with TS. It also feels like it is getting worse. I don’t know if that is from stress or maybe from being off the offending medication for a longer period of time. Its very confusing! And painful… Just like TS, when I do try to suppress it, it is only short lived. It seems to be more prevalent in frequency as well compared to the tics I have with TS. That is exactly what happens. It would help if I laid down closed my eyes, opened my mouthly slightly, relaxing my jaw and my face. I would take slow deep breaths and focused on relaxing each part of my body from my head to my toes (very slowly, as I said the words to my self, relax your head, etc.) and don’t move on until each part is relaxed.

I will try this as well. It would be nice to get some relief. Dr.Jankovic is well known. I don’t know anything about him personally. I go to Dr. Bressman in Manhattan, she is an excellent doctor. She has tried me on many meds that didn’t agree with me at all. These types of disorders require lot’s of patience from the doctor as well as the patient to see which meds. or combination of meds. that will help. Life would be much easier if we all responded the same way to these meds. but, we don’t, unfortunately.

This is true for TS as well…except there really are no meds that really work with TS. Some will reduce tics, but none will make them go away. Unless for example, you take a neuroleptic in a high dose. In that case your tics would probably subside, but you wouldn’t be able to think! I’m pretty sure Dr.J. is one of the very dedicated doctors of this field. It’s important you have confidence in your doctor. Does he listen carefully and take his time with you? These things are also important.

I have only seen him once, last December. And he seemed pretty good. I e-mailed him about my frustrations of calling his office and not being able to get an appointment till December, and he wrote and said he would have his secretary arrange to overbook me on a day soon. So I was pleased to hear this. For a long time Dr.Bressman had me as "Meige vs. tics"  She said it is so similar.

I can see that! I think that has been a big part of my confusion. They are so similar it is hard to tell them apart. She would ask if I felt the need to blink, before I blinked. It was hard for me to answer because it was always changing.

It is common with TS to have "premonitory" feelings before a tic. That is probably why she was asking you this. For example, I have a tic that is in my torso. Inevitably, when I get in the car to go somewhere, I "have to" tic. I twist my upper torso from left to right repeatedly, until it "feels right". And I can always tell before I tic that it is going to happen. If anything, the tic or problem with my face now feels more like "a habit". That somehow it has become a habit for my jaw and mouth to contort about every 30 seconds or so. When I sleep, I don’t have it. I wake up in the morning and think, if I try really hard today, maybe it won’t come back. And it always does. Seems to get worse as the day progresses as well. I am hoping it is not damaging my jaw. It feels like it could be. It hurts into the jaw bone. I will be seeing my dentist next week, so I will ask if any damage has occurred. She said the treatment is the same. I was getting botox around my eyes and in my jaw.  It did help me.. How long it helps varies with each person. About 2 yrs ago it stopped helping. Which worked out fine, cause presently I am on medication that is helping.

What medication is that? Are you experiencing any side-effects from it? When you do something creative that you are totally engrossed in, you get a reprieve from your tics. Stress makes them worse. During sleep, they are usually much better Is this true with dystonia as well? Another BINGO Many with dystonia we found from our discussions hum or sing or make some type of sound.

I haven’t found that doing something creative helps alleviate the facial movements at all. Actually, that was probably my first clue that it might not be a "normal tic" that I experience with TS. I haven’t tried humming or singing though…definitely worth a try! Also, many have problems breathing they tend to subside when the spasms are helped with medicine. Does this happen with TS?

No, breathing problems are not common with TS. I can see where I tend to breathe more shallow now because of this facial tic. It’s kind of like your whole body is taking a toll because of the tic. Kind of like your whole body tenses up, which then makes your breathing worse. But on a more physical level, like the feeling of asthma, I have not experienced that. Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it. I am trying to learn as much as I can about this before I see Dr. Jankovic in the next couple of weeks. Have you had Meige all of your life of is it fairly recent? Do you know what caused it? thanks again, elaine

Response:

It has been very helpful! I am grateful for the information.

Me too )) It also feels like it is getting worse. I don’t know if that is from stress or maybe from being off the offending medication for a longer period of time. Its very confusing! And painful…

It might be a good idea if you write down all these feelings and symptoms because they are easy to forget. Take them with you when you go to the doctor. Leave a space between your questions, fill in with his replies. My sypmtoms started 8yrs. ago, it was my 40th birthday present (Ha Ha) (( I don’t know what caused it. My first few visits I took a small tape recorder with me, along with my husband and sister-in-law. None of us could have remembered everything, and we all walk out hearing something a little different – LOL For the pain, you can try moist warm heat or ice, you will get to know which makes you feel better. Don’t chew gum, that will give your jaw more of a work-out. You can suck on hard candy. That sucking action works the reverse of chewing. The dentist made me a mouth piece, nothing fancy, inexpensive. It’s clear rubber, molded from my teeth. I asked him to make the back a little thicker.  I wore it mostly during the night. There were times when I needed it for driving (sounds strange) It really is very painful, and no one can understand how exhausting it can be, unless you’ve experienced it. Really all the dystonia movements are painful and exhausting. TS tics are not painful or exhausting? This is true for TS as well…except there really are no meds that really work with TS. Some will reduce tics, but none will make them go away.

BINGO – they don’t know the cause, and they don’t have a cure.  Unless for example, you take a neuroleptic in a high dose.

My doctor told me Never Ever take any neuroleptics or dopamine blockers. There are lists of meds. that can cause dystonia. But strangely enough many on that list are prescribed to help dystonia. Let’s hope and pray if yours came from that med. it will subside and go away. I was given meds that gave me crazy side effects like making my arms fling about, and my head shake, etc. They did go away when the med. was out of my system. I e-mailed him about my frustrations of calling his office and not being able to get an appointment till

It does get frustrating, between the doses, and symptoms, there was always questions. I ended up goint to a psychiatrist in my neighborhood who is board certified in psychiatry and neurology to monitor my meds. He was in contact with my Movement Specialist, and I don’t take anything unless she ok’s it. When I sleep, I don’t have it. I wake up in the morning and think, if I try really hard today, maybe it won’t come back. And it always does. Seems to get worse as the day progresses as well.

Dystonia spasms go away while sleeping. It helps to get a good nights sleep, and a nap in the afternoon. I remember waking up with those exact feelings. What medication is that? Are you experiencing any side-effects from it?

I’m taking Parsitan, (My psych.does not monitor this med) It’s not sold in the States. I get it from Canada. I notice some short term memory loss. I haven’t found that doing something creative helps alleviate the facial movements at all.

I was able to crotchet, gardening, be on the computer, these would alleviate the movements, most of the time. I actually thought I could re-train my brain by doing something that kept my eyes open, I would stay at it for hours, days, months -LOL I still keep my hopes up that my brain will work around the mis-fired neurotransmitters.  Positive thinking LOL I can see where I tend to breathe more shallow now because of this facial tic. It’s kind of like your whole body is taking a toll because of the tic. Kind of like your whole body tenses up, which then makes your breathing worse.

I think you hit the nail on the head. If you pracitce deep breathing excersises everyday, it will automatically kick in when you need it. It takes a long time, but the everyday benefits are definately worth it. Not only for us, for everyone. It’s great for mind and body. Thanks for all the help! I really appreciate it. I am trying to learn as much as I can about this before I see Dr. Jankovic in the next couple of weeks.

I’m really enjoying our chit-chat Marie and Shirley have the same type of dystonia as I do. Hey Marie & Shirley, we could use your 2 cents thanks again, elaine

thank you, Elaine, Mindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

What a great group! Thanks for the quick response and the links you have all recommended. I had a no no tic for a few years and can really sympathize with you.  Tics are so exhausting and embarrassing.

yes. they sure can be! it is a bizarre disorder… I was never treated for the tic.  It went away on its own. I do have essential tremor and Dystonia.

I am hoping that I caught this soon enough and it will go away…positive thinking! It is interesting that you have essential tremor. When I went to see a new specialist last December regarding my Tourettes, he did a standard neurological evaluation and also told me I had essential tremor. I had known for years that my hands would shake for no apparent reason. Primarily when I tried to do fine detail work. Interestingly enough, I am a graphic designer. Most of my work now is done on computer. But in the past, and still when I paint or illustrate, if I am really focused, my hands don’t seem to shake. Yet, if I am doing something "non-creative" like trying to screw in a screw or solder something, they shake so much it is hard to be effective. My hands have been this way so long that I just thought it was me…so I was surprised when my doc had a term to describe it. You can check your symptoms with Ormandibular or Meige…

<snip thanks for the links… one of my questions is that in the description of these disorders, it describes it many times as being a "spasm" What is happening with me, doesn’t feel like a spasm. We sometimes have discussions like this on Tourettes lists that I am on, so I am sure you have discussed how these movements "feel"… To me a spasm feels more involuntary. For example, an eye twitch. This is a common experience that most people experience at different times in their life. The muscle twitches, fairly rapidly and the person has absolutely no control over it. Is that what dystonia is like? That is not what is happening for me. This movement is actually very similar to the tics I experience with Tourettes — if I really try, I can somewhat suppress this movement. The thing that feels different with the facial movements I am describing to you compared to the tics I normally feel with TS is that it is more difficult to suppress the movement. Just like TS, when I do try to suppress it, it is only short lived. It seems to be more prevalent in frequency as well compared to the tics I have with TS. The best type of doctor for diagnosing would be a Movement Disorder Specialist.

This is the kind of doc I went to for my Tourettes. It is Dr. Jankovic at Baylor in Houston. It is a Movement Disorders clinic. Unfortunately, he is also the one who prescribed the Prolixin. I am currently trying to get an appointment with him again to try to figure out what is going on. He also mentioned botox treatment. Has this been successful for any of you? I was watching Oprah the other day, it was about Tourettes. It was an excellent show.

Yes, it was very well done! There were a lot of shows in the past that only showed the sensationalized aspects of Tourettes, so it was nice to see one that was accurate for a change! I was very interested in the similaraties of finding things that we can do to get a rest from the movements (tics) they showed a girl who can act and sing on stage tic free.

this seems to be fairly common with TS. When you do something creative that you are totally engrossed in, you get a reprieve from your tics. Stress makes them worse. During sleep, they are usually much better. Is this true with dystonia as well? Thanks again Gene and Mindy for your help! sincerely, elaine

Response:

I am French, though I don’t understand all the details of your conversation, I am very interested in reading your messages. I’ve been suffering from what is called "hemispasme" in French for about 8 years. Obviously it is not genetic but the symptoms are very similar to what I can read in some of your messages. It started slighly with my right eye as I was expecting my fourth child. No doctors could really help me, giving me neuroleptic which had all the possible effects on my body except on my eye. 2 years ago, I was about leaving my job I love so much, I couldn’t bear the spasms which occured every 30 seconds all day long. Though my life was harmonious, however I felt exhausted. My doctor sent me to a French specialist who started Botox. I have injections every three months, the medicine comes from the US and is not entirely recognized in France as it is considered as a "treatment for comfort !!". Besides, it is very expensive. I’ve had a new life since that time, though the right side of my face has changed a bit -people often ask me why I am so tired !. I perhaps look tired, but I feel very enthusiastic inside. I am 40 now and I wonder how long Botox will continue to help me. Have a nice day; Jo

Question:

Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

Response:

hi Emily. this is interesting! did you see yourself at all becoming tolerant to the stimulants?  If so, did effexor help with this? also, I have anxiety which mostly manifests as stomach pain (nausea/butterflies).  did you get this too?  Did the drug combo you’re on help? thanks!! – Jason Web Page: http://www.JasonsWeb.com "Quantum Physics: The dreams that makes up stuff"

Response:

Our psychiatrist says that Jesse shouldn’t worry about taking Adderall or Ritalin in eves, as once the brain waves are working correctly sleep should come MORE easily.  This isn’t true for all patients, but works for many. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. I think I know a little about the razor thing.  When I was in high school I had a problem with an ingrown tow nail.  The school doc did a painful hack job and the toe eventually got worse.  I figured that I could do better without anaesthetic than he did with it. I got out a new razor blade and started cutting carefully.  It was a little bloody, but I felt little pain and a sense of quiet calm.  It was strangely soothing. I cleaned up the problem. The toe got better and I haven’t had any problems with it since. There’s no need to be ashamed.  The cutting was a way of self-treating the anxiety.  Effexor is a much better way.  You are making progress. George Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

Before you buy.

Response:

Hi there! This is great feedback to be getting! I was diagnosed with ADD comorbid with depression five years ago, and got every book on the subject I could find. I joined a support group too. Everything was starting to work out. But because I didn’t have insurance at my job, it was also very expensive. The doctor, plus the counselor, plus the liver tests for the Cylert, plus the cost of the Cylert was forcing me to pay nearly $500 a month out of my pocket. I couldn’t afford it anymore so I quit. Well finally, being very depressed and still ADD, I went to see another psychiatrist that works on a sliding scale. She decided I didn’t have ADD at all because "adults don’t have ADD." She told me that when adults think they have ADD it’s really just Bipolar II. So she put me on lithium. I thought she was wrong but gave her the benefit of the doubt. I tried lithium for a couple of months. It did nothing for me at all. So I gave up on it and went to see a psychiatrist who was more expensive. But by this time I had insurance and could afford him. He told me that I was definitely depressed, that the Bipolar II diagnosis was ludicrous, and that he wasn’t sure about the ADD. He wanted to wait a while to see if ADD is really there and not just depression masquerading as ADD. He put me on Effexor. I got to tell you, the stuff is a miracle drug for me! When I’m on the Effexor, I feel like a totally different person. I feel happier, my thinking is less gloomy and dark. I’m less irritable, and more sociable. But without it, I’m deeply depressed. But the ADD symptoms never really went away. I still have the attention-holding and short-term memory problems. I still can’t read a book with out flying off with a million new ideas. I still get easily distracted, even by my own thoughts. And I still have trouble finishing things. The doctor decided that I am indeed ADD, and now he wants to try me out on Adderal. I pick up the prescription this afternoon. Your feedback is invaluable, and thanks. I hope it works as well for me as it has for you. Cliff Pearson Dallas, Texas USA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao! -Emily

– Cliff Pearson Dallas Progressive Action League 1920 Abrams Parkway, #354 Dallas, Texas 75214-6218 Hotline: (214) 319-9819 Web: http://www.dallasprogressive.org

Response:

Oh darn!   I was hoping to be able to claim the silly curls on something…….  lol — Annie

| | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol). I | guess with the meds , my BP is normal. | | Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is | 80/58. | | — | Ann

Response:

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal. I talked to my GP about Prozac and she told me that it was normally given to people who are very low energy wise and that I was too peppy for that drug….. oh well…. — Annie

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | | John | | | | | Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. | Up to 100 minutes free! | http://www.keen.com |

Response:

I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal.

Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is 80/58. — Ann

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it.

<snipped I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop taking Effexor? (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side effect.) Sodah

Response:

I take Effexor for different reasons then you but I’m curious about the side effects you are taking about. I started to take Effexor because of depression due to the M.S..  The one thing I liked about the drug was the lack of side effects.  So I’m real curious to find out about the side effects you have. They might be caused by the combo of the meds your currently on. Take care! — Annie

|

| Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful | until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. | | <snipped | | I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop | taking Effexor? | | (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect | from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive | results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there | was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same | benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side | effect.) | | Sodah | |

Response:

Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. Could either of these be the unusual side effect? John Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Self injure??  Like what, if I may ask? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

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Question:

Effexor can cause terrible nausea. You need to take it on a full stomach, and with some time (a week?) it usually dissipates. Nausea can be a side effect of SSRI’s too. The reason is that there is seratonin receptors in the stomach, and having these stimulated can make you nauseaus. It almost always goes away. Talk to your doctor, though. They are the best to help you with this stuff.   Also, 50mg is a very low dose of effexor. They usually taper you up slowly to avoid side effects. But keep in mind, the average dose is around 225mg, so if 50 mg didn’t work before, that may be why. You have to give it time and taper up at your doctor’s discretion. Good luck.

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I take Effexor and have not experienced that…but I know Effexor is one med that you must slowly increase your mg’s.  It may have been a shock to your body taking Effexor after being off of it. I think Effexor is a good med.  I hope you continue with it and it works. Chris G

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Damn.. I haven’t posted here in awhile, but I was just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar to what I just did.  A bit of history first..  I was in a very bad place a few months, mentally.  I don’t want to go into the whole thing, but I wasn’t interested in anything in life, to put it mildly.  No medication that they tried worked (Prozac, Effexor), so I stopped taking it. My condition slowly and eventually improved to the point where I can now funciton in life.  Something is still missing (which I don’t know if I’ll ever get back), but I am able to laugh and have a good time again. Lately, I’ve been getting an empty feeling that I had before again.. not as strong, but it’s still there.  So, today I decided to start taking Effexor again (I have a bag full of it left over).  I took 50mg about an hour ago.   While I was playing the game Half-Life, this overwhelming wave of nausea came over me.  I have never felt it that strongly before.. I went into my bathroom and dry heaved for about 5 minutes before the feeling passed (I haven’t eaten since yesterday – I would’ve definitely vomited if I had).   Well, the nausea is gone, and I hope it doesn’t come back (especially since I have a job interview in 45 minutes).  Has anybody else experienced anything like this with anti-depressants?  I don’t think the game helped, as it is a 3D shooter that can be nausea inducing. I’m kind of afraid to take it tomorrow, now.. Web site: http://www.blarghnet.com/supper "What do you do when your roots have dissolved and broken down  And the soil that you grew in when you were small  Has become nothing more than dirt  In some dirty town" – Marillion, "This Town"

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Question:

Hey Melissa, I agree with everybody else that the "Prozac turns people into axe murderers" thing is a lot of hype. Some people do get worse on antidepressants – it happened to me on Wellbutrin (though a lot of that may have just been the natural course of the illness). But if you were one of these people, you’d know it! In regard to people who became violent/suicidal on antidepressants, they and their relatives claimed that they had no prior history of violence/suicidality, but to the best of my knowledge, closer examination revealed that they did have histories. One other thing – if this helps any, the sleepwalking/axe-murdering (or whatever it was) story involved a person on *Halcion*, not an antidepressant. -elizabeth

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Thanks to all of you for assuaging my fears about zoloft and axe-murderers. Sometimes I need to hear it from others before it "sinks in."  Take care, Melissa

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Quick question.  I’ve been on Zoloft for four weeks now with very desirable results…getting out more, driving alone, etc. But after reading some of the stuff posted about SSRI’s causing people to commit suicide, homicide, or other atrocities, I’m freaked!!  Someone please tell me that I’m not going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids!  I mean, all that stuff was political *wasn’t* it?? Thanks!  Melissa

Melissa, relax. Most of these claims are a lot of ::insert favourite expletive here::  Some have been spread by a particular organisation that has it’s own ideas about how psychological disorders should be treated (giving them lots a money, in the main) and some lawyers have tried to implicate them as being responsible for their client’s crimes. However, the only one that may be applicable is that some people on SSRIs have committed suicide. So have a lot of people that were not taking SSRIs. The fact is that many, if not most, were taking SSRIs because they were at risk. I’m one of those that cannot handle the effects of SSRIs – I get really wired on them, but I’ve never found that they have lead me to do something I wouldn’t normally contemplate. One the assumption that your cellar isn’t already stacked to the ceiling with the remains of your victims, after 4 weeks your should be reasonably safe!   :-^) Ian BTW-If you suddenly get the urge to commit henious acts apon *Moat Monsters* then up the Zoloft dose and give me a call!   <VVVBEG  

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Quick question.  I’ve been on Zoloft for four weeks now with very desirable results…getting out more, driving alone, etc. But after reading some of the stuff posted about SSRI’s causing people to commit suicide, homicide, or other atrocities, I’m freaked!!  Someone please tell me that I’m not going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids!  I mean, all that stuff was political *wasn’t* it?? Thanks!  Melissa

Hi Melissa! Don’t worry! You’re definitely *not* going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids. (There, I said it ) These stories *are* political indeed and if the odd criminal happened to be on an antidepressant that doesn’t mean that the antidepressant was the cause of his acts. Many criminals drink milk, I suppose, but milk won’t cause them to commit murders. In these *stories* it’s always Prozac BTW and never Zoloft, so I think you’re in the clear…;)) And it’s great that Zoloft is agreeing so well with you! Philip

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HI Melissa, If you have been on Zoloft for a few weeks and are doing good, IMO, don’t worry.  I am one of those people who had a bad time with Prozac, but my BAD symptoms developed after only 3 days on it. Cathy When we talk to God we’re praying. When God talks to us we’re schizophrenic. –Lily Tomlin P.H.O.B.I.A. Off-line Panic/Anxiety Support Group Learn about us at http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Quick question.  I’ve been on Zoloft for four weeks now with very desirable results…getting out more, driving alone, etc. But after reading some of the stuff posted about SSRI’s causing people to commit suicide, homicide, or other atrocities, I’m freaked!!  Someone please tell me that I’m not going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids!  I mean, all that stuff was political *wasn’t* it?? Thanks!  Melissa

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Quick question.  I’ve been on Zoloft for four weeks now with very desirable results…getting out more, driving alone, etc. But after reading some of the stuff posted about SSRI’s causing people to commit suicide, homicide, or other atrocities, I’m freaked!!  Someone please tell me that I’m not going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids!  I mean, all that stuff was political *wasn’t* it?? Thanks!  Melissa

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Quick question.  I’ve been on Zoloft for four weeks now with very desirable results…getting out more, driving alone, etc. But after reading some of the stuff posted about SSRI’s causing people to commit suicide, homicide, or other atrocities, I’m freaked!!  Someone please tell me that I’m not going to sleepwalk and axe murder little kids!  I mean, all that stuff was political *wasn’t* it??

Hi Melissa, I can quarantee that we will not be hearing about you in the news, because you commited some despicable act<G. I think this all stems from the Prozac rumours. I am sure on very rare occassion, someone on Prozac killed themselves, but can we say for sure that the Prozac made them do it? I don`t think so. And there a few people who had bad reactions on Prozac, but you can have a bad reaction on any med there is. I am a med phobic, and if I felt there was any truth to what you fear, I would never had gone on it. I am fine, and nothing happened to me. And being you have been on Zoloft 4 weeks, the side-effects you have now, are it…..and they should start diminishing. You are going to be fine, stop worrying and enjoy how well you are feeling on the Zoloft…..that is what Zoloft is suppose to do, not make you crazy.  Take Care!! Jackie ~Dreams that come true can be as unsetting as those that don’t.~

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Question:

The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake". That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay! Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!! -Slipper

Thanks, Slipper.  I needed that …except it hurts to laugh!  You reminded me of a professor I had in grad school who had Parkinson’s. On those wonderful occassions when we would teach together, he would enter the room first with me trailing (and flailing). We would finally get to the front of the lecture hall and he’d introduce us.  "Hi. They call me ‘Old Shaky’ and this is my partner, ‘Spaz’." Shalom, Chana Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy."

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This is so cool.  Here I am, aspiring to become a writer; I answer a newsgroup post and now I’m gonna be in print all over!!!  And more than anything, I’ll have the ultimate "last word" on a multitude of physicians via my pals, the dystoniacs. The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake".  That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay!  Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!! -Slipper

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The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake". That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay! Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!! -Slipper Thanks, Slipper.  I needed that …except it hurts to laugh!  You reminded me of a professor I had in grad school who had Parkinson=

’s. On those wonderful occassions when we would teach together, he would enter the room first with me trailing (and flailing). We wo= uld finally get to the front of the lecture hall and he’d introduce us.  "Hi. They call me ‘Old Shaky’ and this is my partner, ‘Spaz= ‘." Shalom, Chana Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy."

Oh me…It is the Chana & Slipper show!!  How fun!  And Chana, your post also appeared as one long line on my server…it is only when I do a ‘post reply’ that your post and Slipper’s take on ‘normal’ form!!  Wonder if it is moi or yoi…<<<VBG MB

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Hi gang. Yes, I feel like I have found a "special" place.  I moved from VA to TX 2 years ago leaving behind family and friends that had been thru it all with me.  That was quite a loss and have been depressed since. (though my husband and daughter are wonderful ) Thanks for all your responses.  I have laughed and cried. I am sure you understand what a.s.d. means to me already. I had my botox shots last Wednesday (300 units) and dr. started me on Klonopin (1 mg). Sure hoping this helps my spasms which for some reason have gotten worse lately. Thanks again.  Talk to yall soon.    Bonnie

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 <SNIP…   Ahhh, but Roger has already warned Slipper of the infamous Mary Beth–NO FAIR, Roger!!!  Now I cannot pounce and be taken seriously <<VBG C’mon now MB! That’s "I cannot pounce OR be taken seriously!"

OOPS!!  Grammar check failed me…what to do, what to do?? Now I tell you, has anyone in any of the countries to which our group us ever taken an MB pounce seriously. (Slipper, it’s those innocent approaches you will have to watch.

John you know me too well!  Now Slipper will just be a lil devil and the Den Mom will have to grin and bear it.  What trouble you do cause, Sir John!! Giving MB the Slip<per I remain, Your humble servant  John  :-)

No, no…I raised your rank above =8-} – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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  <SNIP…       Ahhh, but Roger has already warned Slipper of the infamous Mary Beth–NO FAIR, Roger!!!  Now I cannot pounce and be taken seriously <<VBG

C’mon now MB! That’s "I cannot pounce OR be taken seriously!" Now I tell you, has anyone in any of the countries to which our group us ever taken an MB pounce seriously. (Slipper, it’s those innocent approaches you will have to watch. Giving MB the Slip<per I remain, Your humble servant   John  :-)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Believe us when we say we have "superior intelligence".  You know how many doctors it takes to diagnosis dystonia? Ten: One to explain that doctors are not magicians; One to say that you have fribromyalgia; One to say you have slight scoliosis; One to say you have a headache and some endurance problems; One to say you have TMJ One to say you have a Benign Essential Tremor and rigidity; One to say you are suffering from a psychogenic disorder aka depression; Two to hold the neurological textbooks at the public library open for you while you diagnosis yourself using American Online’s Medline; And one to follow your instructions when you decide which medications you need to take. SLIPPER I thought I had read this somewhere before,then I seen the name in the address. Glad you found us. Everyone meet slipper. We have become friends through e-mail recently. Slipper meet the gang, just watch out for that Mary Beth. Good to see you have joined our online family. Roger

I LOVE THIS GROUP!!!!!!!  With Roger’s ‘Stamp of Approval’, this new one ‘Slipper’ has an easy road <<giggle Of course the fact that what was posted is completely Wonderful has something to do with it!  Like Chana, I have also printed it out to disperse among friends & doctors. Ahhh, but Roger has already warned Slipper of the infamous Mary Beth–NO FAIR, Roger!!!  Now I cannot pounce and be taken seriously <<VBG Anyhow, welcome Slipper, be ye male, female, or…well, OK I’ll say it… Slipper kinda sounds like a pet’s name, as in ‘here Slipper, Slipper’ Sorry Roger, you always bring out my ‘best’ side!! MB

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Believe us when we say we have "superior intelligence".  You know how many doctors it takes to diagnosis dystonia? Ten: One to explain that doctors are not magicians; One to say that you have fribromyalgia; One to say you have slight scoliosis; One to say you have a headache and some endurance problems; One to say you have TMJ One to say you have a Benign Essential Tremor and rigidity; One to say you are suffering from a psychogenic disorder aka depression; Two to hold the neurological textbooks at the public library open for you while you diagnosis yourself using American Online’s Medline; And one to follow your instructions when you decide which medications you need to take.

I LOVE THIS!!!  There is someone else out there who is brilliant and funny just like the rest of us!  We ARE a smart bunch, no? Chana P.S.  I’m sending a copy of this to my neurologist and family friend and physician.  I know that, at least, the latter will ROFL… Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy."

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Believe us when we say we have "superior intelligence".  You know how many doctors it takes to diagnosis dystonia? Ten: One to explain that doctors are not magicians; One to say that you have fribromyalgia; One to say you have slight scoliosis; One to say you have a headache and some endurance problems; One to say you have TMJ One to say you have a Benign Essential Tremor and rigidity; One to say you are suffering from a psychogenic disorder aka depression; Two to hold the neurological textbooks at the public library open for you while you diagnosis yourself using American Online’s Medline; And one to follow your instructions when you decide which medications you need to take.

SLIPPER I thought I had read this somewhere before,then I seen the name in the address. Glad you found us. Everyone meet slipper. We have become friends through e-mail recently. Slipper meet the gang, just watch out for that Mary Beth. Good to see you have joined our online family. Roger

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Believe us when we say we have "superior intelligence".  You know how many doctors it takes to diagnosis dystonia? Ten: One to explain that doctors are not magicians; One to say that you have fribromyalgia; One to say you have slight scoliosis; One to say you have a headache and some endurance problems; One to say you have TMJ One to say you have a Benign Essential Tremor and rigidity; One to say you are suffering from a psychogenic disorder aka depression; Two to hold the neurological textbooks at the public library open for you while you diagnosis yourself using American Online’s Medline; And one to follow your instructions when you decide which medications you need to take.

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Hi! Bonnie I just read your post and I’m also excited about finding all this on my new computer.  I’m had Dystonia since I was a teenager and I am a NSTA support leader in Atlanta, Georgia.  I would love to correspond with you and maybe we could compare notes, this is a GREAT newsgroup and you will love it. Best wishes, Kathie

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Welcome Bonnie! If you’ve got a sense of humor, you’ve found the right place!  As serious as we can be, most of us can find SOMEthing to laugh at! Have you thought of contacting your regional coordinator from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation in starting a support group?=

  I’ve just come back from one of their conventions and we sure do have a lot to offer?  MB will pipe in with more information and h= I’m a bit older than yourself but just beginning my ‘relationship’ with the diagnosis of dystonia … even though I’ve had dystonia=

 since I can remember.  Personally, I think we were given ’superior intelligence’ to make up for our differences. <<grin Looking forward to hearing from you again. Chana Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy."

Golly, I feel like I am being paged again!!  Yes, Chana, here I am at your service <<giggle Actually, Bonnie!  Chana has a wonderful point which I completely overlooked [I am really scattered presently].  There is a support group called the ‘Dallas-Fort Worth’ Support Group in Cedar Hill TX.  Leader is Patricia Foreman and her home # is 214 299-5715.  You might want to touch base with her OR the Regional Cordinator for that regon is Bill Rapp in New Orleans and Bill’s # is 504 254-2455.  Good Luck, Bonnie! MB

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Welcome Bonnie! If you’ve got a sense of humor, you’ve found the right place!  As serious as we can be, most of us can find SOMEthing to laugh at! I’m a bit older than yourself but just beginning my ‘relationship’ with the diagnosis of dystonia … even though I’ve had dystonia since I can remember.  Personally, I think we were given ’superior intelligence’ to make up for our differences. <<grin Looking forward to hearing from you again. Chana Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy."

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My name is Bonnie and have had dystonia since I was 18 (now 41).  I receive Botox injections (ST) also have problems with left foot and writers cramp with scolosis and degenerative disc disease. Whew!!! But keeping a positive attitude and a sense of humor is the only way to deal with this.  So glad I got a computer in Dec.; never expected to find anything when I typed in dystonia for web search ;boy, was I suprised. This is great.  Well, I could write a book of my experiences over the years.  Just wanted to say hello and this has been a godsend.  I have never encounted anyone else with dystonia; have joined NSTA and talked with my doctor yesterday about starting a support group in my area (Ft. Worth, TX).  She has other patients she is contacting for me anf if they are interested will give them my #.  I sure hope this works out.  If I can help any one, please do not hesitiate to post or e-mail me. Thanks and remember you are not alone.      Bonnie

Welcome Bonnie!!  We are so glad you have found us and are willing to post!  Another Texan…hmmmm, we are blessed with Canadians and Texans, aren’t we? Good luck with the support group…if ya happen to speak with either Jan Richter or Patricia Murray, say hi from Mary Beth (MB). And please keep posting, your experience is invaluable! TTYS, MB

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My name is Bonnie and have had dystonia since I was 18 (now 41).  I receive Botox injections (ST) also have problems with left foot and writers cramp with scolosis and degenerative disc disease. Whew!!! But keeping a positive attitude and a sense of humor is the only way to deal with this.  So glad I got a computer in Dec.; never expected to find anything when I typed in dystonia for web search ;boy, was I suprised. This is great.  Well, I could write a book of my experiences over the years.  Just wanted to say hello and this has been a godsend.  I have never encounted anyone else with dystonia; have joined NSTA and talked with my doctor yesterday about starting a support group in my area (Ft. Worth, TX).  She has other patients she is contacting for me anf if they are interested will give them my #.  I sure hope this works out.  If I can help any one, please do not hesitiate to post or e-mail me. Thanks and remember you are not alone.      Bonnie

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This is so cool.  Here I am, aspiring to become a writer; I answer a newsgroup post and now I’m gonna be in print all over!!!  And more than anything, I’ll have the ultimate "last word" on a multitude of physicians via my pals, the dystoniacs. The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake".  That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay!  Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!! -Slipper

Oh Great Slipper, I would like to respectfully welcome you to the alt.support.dystonia news group on the part of those of us living in the maritime provinces:-) I am sure our charming Mary Beth Chan will be officially welcoming you shortly. Gene

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<<snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Oh me…It is the Chana & Slipper show!!  How fun!  And Chana, your post also appeared as one long line on my server…it is only when I do a ‘post reply’ that your post and Slipper’s take on ‘normal’ form!!  Wonder if it is moi or yoi…<<<VBG MB MB I have the same problem.  I always find this very baffling as most of the post I can read on my screen but there are one or two that seem to go past the right hand margin.  Mally made a suggestion of what I should do but I have never been able to get it to work. Glad to have the company. Faye

If you are using Free Agent, try this: Click Options, then Posting, then pick the "General." tab.  There is a choice for Line length.  Choose 70, then click OK. Other newsreaders should have similar options. Jeff Jeff H.

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I am curious about your post itself…it came onto my server as one long line and then a line that appeared to be typed and typed over-top-of many times.  This happened to Chana’s posts too, still is on my server at least.  AOL is having more trouble?  Or what? Ideas anybody? In any case, no matter how your posts ‘look’, I really enjoy having you with us! MB

MB, I just finished describing this problem to Chana… I guess if others are having it too, I should redo it publically. The problem lies within the AOL newsreader.  It appears to not know how to insert a carraige return to wrap a line, and so those posting from AOL are indeed writing one *very* long line instead of a paragraph.  Those who can read the messages fine are using newsreaders that are able to fake-out the problem and wrap the lines to fit that user’s screen.  This is why some people are able to read these posting no problem but others are having troubles and seeing only one line. We need those using AOL to manually insert carriage returns when they come to the end of a line on their screen (and continue their sentence on the next line).  They will need to do this for every line of text for their whole posting as the problem will occur any time they don’t hit that ol’ "return" key. Other than that, people having troubles can see about any "line wrap" options in their own software that they can turn on when they come across a one-line AOL posting, or other means of justifying the message so it is readable in a paragraph format (such as saving the message and opening it up in another program such as a word processor.) Cathy. —  (—-)                                                     (—-)   "  "         http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~collisoc          "  "

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I have the same problem.  I always find this very baffling as most of the post I can read on my screen but there are one or two that seem to go past the right hand margin.  Mally made a suggestion of what I should do but I have never been able to get it to work. Glad to have the company. Faye

Someone mention my name?  Hi Faye!  <waving away at you Depending on what newsreader you’re using, search through your menu lists for "word wrap".  In Free Agent, if you click on that, it will stay "clicked" – a check mark will appear beside it.  Then any post that goes off the side of your screen will get "wrapped" automatically.  IOW, it will fit into the margins you have set in your default.  You may find that you will then half lines followed by "=" or some such weird little squiggles or symbols.  Just ignore those, they are the "line breaks" showing up as symbols.  Hokey? For those whose posts are too wide, check in your "Page Setup" for margins – usually found under "File".  Do this while you are in "Post" or "Reply" mode/screen. Mally  :)

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake". That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay! Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!!! -Slipper Thanks, Slipper.  I needed that …except it hurts to laugh!  You reminded me of a professor I had in grad school who had Parkinson= ’s. On those wonderful occassions when we would teach together, he would enter the room first with me trailing (and flailing). We wo= uld finally get to the front of the lecture hall and he’d introduce us.  "Hi. They call me ‘Old Shaky’ and this is my partner, ‘Spaz= ‘." Shalom, Chana Mitzvah g’dolah l’hiyot b’simcha. "It is a great mitzvah to exist in a state of joy." Oh me…It is the Chana & Slipper show!!  How fun!  And Chana, your post also appeared as one long line on my server…it is only when I do a ‘post reply’ that your post and Slipper’s take on ‘normal’ form!!  Wonder if it is moi or yoi…<<<VBG MB

MB I have the same problem.  I always find this very baffling as most of the post I can read on my screen but there are one or two that seem to go past the right hand margin.  Mally made a suggestion of what I should do but I have never been able to get it to work. Glad to have the company. Faye

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This is so cool.  Here I am, aspiring to become a writer; I answer a newsgroup post and now I’m gonna be in print all over!!!  And more than anything, I’ll have the ultimate "last word" on a multitude of physicians via my pals, the dystoniacs. The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exhibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake".  That does not fit on contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some res -Slipper

Spaz-twista-shake,hey that fits me oh she who is great. I thought that was a nick name you had,and here I thought I knew you. Well I’ll talh to you later. Roger

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Hi Bonnie- Greetings to you from Chicago!  Just a quick note to welcome you to the "family."  I wanted to ensure that you are also familiar with our organization, The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.  We are the largest international organizations for dystonia-affected persons and their families (over 25,000 members!)  Our Foundation has a 3-fold mission:  to support dystonia-specific medical research (we have supported over $14 million to-date), to increase public and physician awareness of dystonia, and to sponsor educational and support programs for affected individuals and their families.  If you are not familiar with our gladly send them to you.  We also have a support group manual that may help you to get things started in Ft. Worth.   Take care, Jennifer Molski Dystonia Medical Research Foundation

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is so cool.  Here I am, aspiring to become a writer; I answer a newsgroup post and now I’m gonna be in print all over!!!  And = more than anything, I’ll have the ultimate "last word" on a multitude of physicians via my pals, the dystoniacs. The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exh= ibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was= 1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake".  That does not fit on = contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay!  Jeeeeeeeeeeeee= ese!!!!!! -Slipper Hi Slipper, So I am understanding that you are part Jew, part American Indian?  WOW!! What a wonderful combination I am curious about your post itself…it came onto my server as one long line and then a line that appeared to be typed and typed over-top-of many times.  This happened to Chana’s posts too, still is on my server at least.  AOL is having more trouble?  Or what? Ideas anybody? In any case, no matter how your posts ‘look’, I really enjoy having you with us! MB

Shoot!!  First it would not post and then it posted twice!!  Sorry! MB

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This is so cool.  Here I am, aspiring to become a writer; I answer a newsgroup post and now I’m gonna be in print all over!!!  And =

more than anything, I’ll have the ultimate "last word" on a multitude of physicians via my pals, the dystoniacs. The name "Slipper" ain’t a pet name.  It is a version of an old family name handed down over the years to the "chosen" ones who exh=

ibited certain qualities.  "Slipper" is a Hebrew term for, "She who is great".  My great, great grandmother, also a chosen one,  was=  1/2 American Indian and was called "She who is great", but in indian it was pronounced, "Spaz-twista-shake".  That does not fit on = contemporary birth certificates. Therefore it was shown in Hebrew, pronouced "Slipper". Yaw show some respect, okay!  Jeeeeeeeeeeeee= ese!!!!!! -Slipper

Hi Slipper, So I am understanding that you are part Jew, part American Indian?  WOW!! What a wonderful combination I am curious about your post itself…it came onto my server as one long line and then a line that appeared to be typed and typed over-top-of many times.  This happened to Chana’s posts too, still is on my server at least.  AOL is having more trouble?  Or what? Ideas anybody? In any case, no matter how your posts ‘look’, I really enjoy having you with us! MB

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