Question:

Selling collection of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 vinyl 12" records. There is a mixture of Rap/Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, Soul, Techno, and Funk from the 80’s and 90’s.   Most are 12" singles, some full albums. Some have picture sleeves, some have generic or label covers. Conditions are mixed, most are in Near Mint condition.  There is no list, sorry.  $1500 bid + shipping.

Response:

Here’s the link: http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/auction/43211597 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Selling collection of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 vinyl 12" records. There is a mixture of Rap/Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, Soul, Techno, and Funk from the 80’s and 90’s.   Most are 12" singles, some full albums. Some have picture sleeves, some have generic or label covers. Conditions are mixed, most are in Near Mint condition.  There is no list, sorry.  $1500 bid + shipping.

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening. I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent. Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Saw my doctor today and he said the Serevent can cause the anxiety problems. He suggested I try 1 puff twice a day, or 2 puffs in the a.m. and 1 at night to see if that would work.  Also told me to use my peak flow meter to see if I even needed to the Serevent to open the airways.  I had been using to open it up so the Flovent would work.  So…we shall see how it goes. Thanks for all your notes. CarolR

Response:

I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening.  I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent.  Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Response:

You are not nuts. I had the same experience and had to eventually cut out the Serevent due to the anxiety attacks. I know I am very sensitive to medications, and even one puff once a day was too much for me. I am feeling alot better as far as the anxiety goes since stopping Serevent. Hope this helps.

Response:

You are not nuts. I had the same experience and had to eventually cut out the Serevent due to the anxiety attacks. I know I am very sensitive to medications, and even one puff once a day was too much for me. I am feeling alot better as far as the anxiety goes since stopping Serevent. Hope this helps.

It helps a lot.  At least I know I’m not the only one this has happened to! What’s weird is that it doesn’t happen witht he morning dose but just the evening dose.  Maybe I can only take 1 dose a day now? I didn’t take it this morning and I found I really needed it.   Is nothing simple anymore?? (G) CarolR

Response:

Hello: This is EXACTLY why I stopped taking serevent. The exact same symptoms you have. You know, I don’t know why there is so much emphasis on using serevent to get off of a shorter acting type of albuterol. In my opinion, serevent has more severe side effects. I’d talk to your doctor about stopping the serevent. The flovent for me made a HUGE difference. Mabye up that if it gets worse when you go off the serevent. On 12 Aug 1999, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening.  I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent.  Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Jennifer Gerbi                          http://www.students.uiuc.edu/~gerbi Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   1-113 ESB             (217)244-0332

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Question:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with.

Yep, pretty sure I’ve got the flu now.  It’s wreaking havoc with my asthma and I almost ended up in the ER yesterday.  Once I took all my meds and doubled my inhaled steroid, I got my peak flows *UP* to 80% of normal. This is still not as bad as the last time I got the flu when I wasn’t taking Singulair.    I’m only on my third day though. Loki

Response:

I started taking Singulaire in Aug./98, also had the flu shot, did not catch the flu this year. I don’t think Singulaire should have any bearing on catching the flu at all.  Singulaire is to stop the process which causes inflamation and the flu is of course a virus that enters the system.

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Hi,I have been on singular for about 10months and had the flu 2 times on it.I was real sick with the flu but,my asthma thank God was not affected by it.In fact, I did peak flow readings and had the best readings I have ever had.Go figure huh?This last flu I had a cough and it is still there the cough but,I understand it hangs for about 2weeks.I thought Oh,no,I wondered if it was congestion but,each time I coughed it was clear breathing.Then the peak flows were very good. I feel like stronger in my breathing since I have been on singular.I know it is doing something good for me.I guess some people dont feel it did anything for them.I hope you have had success on the singular and stay well.Leona

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Question:

I have been on Singulair since Feb 98.  I also have noticed fatigue and depression.  I was going to stop once, but, since this is the only drug that has seemed to help I tell myself that I can handle it.  Since nothing else has changed in my life since I started taking Singulair, I really feel that this is a problem due to the drug  

Response:

I’ve noticed a tendency for Singulair to cause fatigue. I think the fatigue reduces with time, but still exists. [I'm in the 50% who experience significant improvement with Singulair, 25% get dramatic improvement, 25% no improvement] I still take Pulmicort, Serevent, and low dose TheoDur. My peak flows are running around 100%, but I have gained weight and have exercise induced asthma. I’ve been experimenting dropping the Singulair; or taking a reduced dose by using every other day (or splitting tablet). I am 60; children take a half dose; maybe certain others should be on a half dose? Singulair PI at www.singulair.com Fatigue is shown as 1.8% versus 1.2% for placebo. Also see: http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=806&order=0&… Patient Monograph – montelukast Excerpt: "What should my health care professional know before I use  montelukast? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Question:

I am a 23 year old who has had excercise induced asthma since I was 16.  Until I was 22, I was able to control my symptoms with Proventil. In the past year, I developed horrible asthma symptoms on a regular basis, not just from excercise.  While I have been able to control the symptoms with Pulmicort and Serevent during regular activity, I am still unable to excercise easily.  It take me weeks to build up the ability to jog on a treadmill for 10 minutes.  I have always been an active person and have become frustrated and angered by my inability to excercise.

Ask your doctor about FloVent.  I consider it a miracle drug since my asthma and COPD are slowly improving ever since I started taking it. If anyone has any suggestions on medications and/or other techniques that help them with their excercise induced asthma, please contact me by email at Monitoring you lung condition with a peak flow meter can let you know where you are at: an Action Plan can be used to adjust asthma drugs per peak flow readings. Before vigorous exercise you should be near the top of the Green Zone. Monitor the smog level and pollen levels (if allergic) and exercise when levels are low; usually in the morning or late evening. Breathe thru the nose to filter out irritatants and humidify the air (some wear a surgical mask). Warm up slowly. Links;

Try Tai Chi.  It is good exercise, promotes physical mobility and flexibility and once you get good at it, you will be surprised at the increase in fitness. http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/jan_96/rupp.htm   Diagnosis and Management of Exercise-Induced Asthma, Jan 96 http://asthma.miningco.com/msub5.htm Sports and Exercise http://www.aaaai.org/public/publicedmat/tips/tip01.html EXERCISE-INDUCED ASTHM & BRONCHOSPASM (AAAAI) http://www.runnersworld.com/injuries/asthma.html ASTHMA, EXERCISE-INDUCED Ellis

Sue "It was said she held a grudge until it died of old age, and then had it stuff and mounted…"                         David Weber

Response:

Aha – Norm – I’m one step ahead of you again – I’ve set up my own interstellar spamming station – now even extraterrestrials will be prewarned about your spamtastic spuriosity!! You see Norm – once again buteyko fails in the face of scientific rigour and advancement. For those interested SETI – The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – have created a downloadable data-chunk screensaver that will allow you to http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ Rich. (In addition there are reports of a distinct lack of intelligent life on planet Buteyko!!!!!!!)

Response:

Hi Richard I’m amused, I’m sure you can do better than that. I couldn’t find any reference to asthma in you posting at all. Norman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aha – Norm – I’m one step ahead of you again – I’ve set up my own interstellar spamming station – now even extraterrestrials will be prewarned about your spamtastic spuriosity!! You see Norm – once again buteyko fails in the face of scientific rigour and advancement. For those interested SETI – The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – have created a downloadable data-chunk screensaver that will allow you to http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/ Rich. (In addition there are reports of a distinct lack of intelligent life on planet Buteyko!!!!!!!)

Response:

Hi Richard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Richard I’m amused, I’m sure you can do better than that. I couldn’t find any reference to asthma in you posting at all. Norman Ahhh Norm – your ignorance is once again apparent – ET asked for email replies – read her post – I am not interested in public displays and proliferation – just helping fellow asthmatics and sportspeople.

Yes I know, my mistake. I noticed that just after I’d posted it to the ng. So I sent a reply by email as well. Norman

Response:

Hi Richard I’m amused, I’m sure you can do better than that. I couldn’t find any reference to asthma in you posting at all. Norman

Ahhh Norm – your ignorance is once again apparent – ET asked for email replies – read her post – I am not interested in public displays and proliferation – just helping fellow asthmatics and sportspeople.

Response:

I would suggest you speak to your pulmonologist about one of the leukotriene inhibitors (ACCOLATE, ZYFLO or my preference SINGULAIR).  All of these have been beneficial to various degrees in exercise induced asthma. Scooby RCP, EMT-P

Response:

I am a 23 year old who has had excercise induced asthma since I was 16.  Until I was 22, I was able to control my symptoms with Proventil. In the past year, I developed horrible asthma symptoms on a regular basis, not just from excercise.  While I have been able to control the symptoms with Pulmicort and Serevent during regular activity, I am still unable to excercise easily.  It take me weeks to build up the ability to jog on a treadmill for 10 minutes.  I have always been an active person and have become frustrated and angered by my inability to excercise.   If anyone has any suggestions on medications and/or other techniques that help them with their excercise induced asthma, please contact me by email at

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a 23 year old who has had exercise induced asthma since I was 16. Until I was 22, I was able to control my symptoms with Proventil. In the past year, I developed horrible asthma symptoms on a regular basis, not just from excercise. While I have been able to control the symptoms with Pulmicort and Serevent during regular activity, I am still unable to excercise easily.  It take me weeks to build up the ability to jog on a treadmill for 10 minutes.  I have always been an active person and have become frustrated and angered by my inability to excercise. If anyone has any suggestions on medications and/or other techniques that help them with their excercise induced asthma, please contact me by email at

Hi I’ve found the Buteyko breathing technique very useful when exercising, I now no longer need to use Ventolin before exercise. Give it a try. Buteyko is a breathing technique. But unlike many other breathing methods Buteyko’s aim is to breath less. Buteyko has improved my asthma, reduced my Ventolin to zero and my steroids by half. I would recommend all asthmatics to try it to see if it works for them. However a word of warning, some have felt so good after using it for a few months they have thrown their medication away. You should continue to carry your medication even though your asthma may be in remission. Buteyko is a great method to help reduce asthma – it is not a miracle cure. For a good introducing and more information on Buteyko try http://www.wt.com.au/~pkolb/buteyko.htm. It is best viewed by using the option to download the whole site and then read at leisure. There is quite a lot of it. See the ‘Get Started Now’ section, to get you started. It is completely free. But for both sides of the camp go to http://home.netscape.com/ and search for Buteyko using SNAP. This will give you other sites of interest including http://home.pacbell.net/colin/ which is Colin Campell’s rejection of the method (which I disagree with). Norman

Response:

Question:

I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts.  They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

" Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence?

Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+.

Susan Love debunks this on her site: http://www.susanlovemd.com/community/flashes/hotflash030725.htm

Response:

Barb, I think Effexor is not a tricyclic antidepressant. I believe it works in a similar way to the ‘new’ antidepressants like Prozac.  The older tricyclics have some unpleasant side effects but I understand that the new antidepressants are relatively free of significant side effects.  With Effexor, the main problems seem to be nausea, sweating and insomnia but I know that these don’t affect everybody and I suppose the severity must be related to the dose. My wife couldn’t tolerate these drugs after her chemo and she had to put up with the hot flashes.  However, I know people who get along just fine with Effexor and it is a great help to them.  It would be a shame if anybody had to suffer unnecessarily because of concerns about Effexor side effects. Some people don’t have any side effects at all. I know a lot of people don’t like the thought of taking antidepressants and it’s certainly not for me to say they are right or wrong.  However, if these drugs can help with the hot flashes, some might consider it worthwhile to speak to their doctor. Best wishes to you, Richard

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – " Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

Hi Nana, I don’t know if this is true for all but whenever  I ate foods with sugar I would get an almost immediate hot flash.  Avoiding those foods helped a great deal.  Then, if and when I did get one I tried to ride it through like a wave on the ocean.  Doing that me feel like I had some sense of control and that helped, too. Do hope these are lessened for you—take care…

Response:

I had unbearable hot flashes after CMF-induced chemopause at age 43.  Every 20-30 minutes,  24/7, dripping sweat on the floor….  I tried the yam cream (no help), clonidine patches (wouldn’t stick I sweat so much)- finally my onc tried Effexor XR– I got almost immediate relief (I take 75 mg in the AM)  The major side effect is that it can raise your blood pressure.  I have zero side effects.  jeannette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

Barb, I think Effexor is not a tricyclic antidepressant. I believe it works in a similar way to the ‘new’ antidepressants like Prozac.

You are correct; Effexor is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibiter (SSRI).  As with any drug, it may have unwanted side effects, but is generally better tolerated than the tricyclics (which aren’t that bad for many people).  Clonidine (Catapres(R)), an alpha adrenergic blocker usually used for blood pressure control helps some folks, as does Bellergal or similar mixtures, evening primrose oil, and vitamin E.  I think the SSRIs are currently preferred.  Zoloft and Effexor are both good. Both can be associated with either weight gain or loss; Effexor is a little more likely to cause weight loss than gain, while most of the others cause gain more frequently than loss. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The older tricyclics have some unpleasant side effects but I understand that the new antidepressants are relatively free of significant side effects.  With Effexor, the main problems seem to be nausea, sweating and insomnia but I know that these don’t affect everybody and I suppose the severity must be related to the dose. My wife couldn’t tolerate these drugs after her chemo and she had to put up with the hot flashes.  However, I know people who get along just fine with Effexor and it is a great help to them.  It would be a shame if anybody had to suffer unnecessarily because of concerns about Effexor side effects. Some people don’t have any side effects at all. I know a lot of people don’t like the thought of taking antidepressants and it’s certainly not for me to say they are right or wrong.  However, if these drugs can help with the hot flashes, some might consider it worthwhile to speak to their doctor. Best wishes to you, Richard " Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

Thanks for the correction.  I knew when I wrote it that it didn’t look right, and should have known better.  My daughter took many, many of the SSRI’s a couple of years ago for postpartum depression.  She had a hard time finding the right one and did have significant side effects with this category of drugs.  That doesn’t mean that another person would have the same.  I just prefer to put up with the hot flashes rather than risk the possible side effects.  It’s great when a person gets the optimum benefit with few of the hassles, isn’t it?  Thanks again for clearing my "boo-boo". Barb

Response:

Hi, Nana:     I must be one of the weird ones. I have the hot flashes, but I love the blinkin’ things — first time I’ve been warm in years.     I was also ER+. Nonetheless, when I started having the hot flashes, by onc offered to put me on an estrogen ring which would emit just enough estrogen to keep the hot flashes down but not enough to exacerbate the cancer. I didn’t take it because, as I said, I’m crazy and love my hot flashes.     If any body here would have an answer for you, it would be Tim. As far as I’m concerned, he’s our guru. But I wouldn’t take anything without talking first with your oncologist. Until you do, grab a fan and ice water, girlfriend! I wish I could take your flashes for you. I only get them every 3 minutes!     Hugs,         Mary K

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth. I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

I don’t really know very much about this.  I would certainly think that progesterone cream was a bad idea if the cancer is PR+, however the effect on potential tumours is relatively long term, so I doubt that 3 weeks has caused a problem. With regard to Black Cohosh and its ilk, there seem to be differing opinions, and the research results seem to be uncertain.  One obviously wants to minimise estrogen activity, but to replace the function of estrogen in -parts- of the body.  So the fact that it is estrogen-like is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on the specific effects on breast cancer tissue, ie which particular estrogen receptors it can bind to.  After all Tamoxifen is estrogen-like in that it binds to estrogen receptors, but of course having done so it dos not activate them. I wouldn’t rule it out yet, but I’d read up on the latest research before using it, and of course consult with your oncologist before prescribing yourself anything, ‘natural’ or otherwise. Tim Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     If any body here would have an answer for you, it would be Tim. I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth.

Response:

Too bad the abstract didn’t list WHICH Vit. E — there are four, each with it’s own individual properties. Lady8

Response:

<< Too bad the abstract didn’t list WHICH Vit. E — there are four, each with it’s own individual properties. Lady8   I don’t know that much about vitamins but do think we need to be cautious about anything out-of-the norm that we opt to take.  One important fact about vitamins and supplements–they are considered dietary aids and are under different regulations for manufacture than medications.  What is contained and what the label states is contained do not have to be the same.  Because they are considered ‘dietary,’ they are allowed some leeway in that regard.  So, if decides to take them it is good to ascertain whether or not the company that you are getting them from guarantees that the ingredients and % of amounts are accurate.  Some vitamin manufacturers, however, do guarantee that their products and labels are accurate  even though they are not required to do so (state that they are guaranteed, accurate, or even be accurate).

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Dee wrote <<   The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. I really don’t know alot about vitamins but there appear to be mixed reviews on whether they are or aren’t good for those with breast cancer. "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=11807780&form… b=m&Dopt=r "1: Int J Cancer 2002 Feb 10;97(5):574-9 Oxidant-antioxidant status in relation to survival among breast cancer patients. Saintot M, Mathieu-Daude H, Astre C, Grenier J, Simony-Lafontaine J, Gerber M. Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie, INSERM-CRLCC, Val D’Aurelle, Parc Euromedecine, Montpellier, France. The role of plasma oxidant-antioxidant status in survival after breast cancer surgery was investigated in a cohort of patients (n = 363) hospitalized in Southern France between 1989 and 1992. The median follow-up was 8 years after surgery for histologically confirmed breast cancer. Plasma analyses were performed after diagnosis and before surgery and adjuvant therapy. We found an inverse relationship between plasma lipoperoxides (MDA) and tumor size at diagnosis, together with higher lipoperoxide levels in node-negative tumors than in node-positive ones (TNM). The longitudinal approach revealed an increased risk of recurrence for patients with plasma lipoperoxides in the highest tertile of the sample (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0). In addition, the risk of recurrence increased (RR = 1.7, 95%CI 1.0-3.0), after adjustment for the known prognostic factors (TNM), for patients with plasma lipid-adjusted vitamin E levels of over 22 micromol/l. The risk of breast cancer death was twice as great for patients with plasma lipid-adjusted vitamin E levels above this value. Excesses of plasma lipoperoxides and vitamin E appear to be factors in poor prognosis for breast cancer-specific survival (OVS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively, independent of tumor characteristics at diagnosis. Several hypotheses are advanced to explain the possible role of plasma vitamin E as a factor in poor prognosis for survival. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MeSH Terms: *       Adult *       Aged *       Aged, 80 and over *       Antioxidants/metabolism* *       Biological Markers/blood *       Breast Neoplasms/surgery *       Breast Neoplasms/secondary *       Breast Neoplasms/mortality* *       Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/surgery *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/secondary *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/epidemiology *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/surgery *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/epidemiology *       Carcinoma, Lobular/surgery *       Carcinoma, Lobular/secondary *       Carcinoma, Lobular/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Lobular/epidemiology *       Cholesterol/blood *       Cohort Studies *       Disease-Free Survival *       Female *       Follow-Up Studies *       France/epidemiology *       Human *       Lipid Peroxides/blood *       Longitudinal Studies *       Lymphatic Metastasis *       Middle Age *       Neoplasm Recurrence, Local *       Oxidants/blood* *       Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism *       Survival Rate Substances: *       Cholesterol *       Receptors, Estrogen *       Oxidants *       Lipid Peroxides *       Biological Markers *       Antioxidants PMID: 11807780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]"

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Interesting.  I suppose I could learn.  No I hadn’t heard of that either One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years.  Something like preferentially breeding cell lines which are resistant to T.  Perhaps a similar effect occurs in other tissues and maybe that can cause a withdrawal effect when you stop. Do you know which arm of ATAC you were on, or is it totally blind? Tim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t really know very much about this. Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

Response:

Interesting.  I suppose I could learn.  No I hadn’t heard of that either One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years.  Something like preferentially breeding cell lines which are resistant to T.  Perhaps a similar effect occurs in other tissues and maybe that can cause a withdrawal effect when you stop. Do you know which arm of ATAC you were on, or is it totally blind?

Totally blind. No clues at all. No-one knows. As I said, it might not be related but the co-incidence at my age might be significant. As you said, it’s interesting Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim I don’t really know very much about this. Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

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My problem is I don’t understand what mechanism causes the hot flushes.  I understand that they happen in estrogen withdrawal, but I don’t know why. My thinking about Tamoxifen resistance is that most of our body tissues are constantly slowly being renewed, especially those in which cancer can occur. So if we change the regime of growth factors in which this happen we prevent the cell lines which are promoted by the particular growth factor, in this case estrogen, from being replaced as they die out, and cell lines which use other mechanisms become prevalent.  Pure Darwin.  And so the tissue becomes refractory to the drug.  We know the cells have the potential to use different growth factors because we get cancers which do.  This mechanism would equally apply to aromatase inhibitors, it is directly dependent on the absence of estrogen stimulation however caused and exactly parallels the cancer suppression. If this is the mechanism then one would expect the incidence of ER+ cancers to have fallen immediately the drug was introduced, to a plateau where it would pretty much stay even after the drug was eventually withdrawn, but the incidence of ER- cancers would have slowly risen because of the increased proportion of non-estrogen dependent cell lines (but of course not by as much as the ER+ fell, because they are the prevalent cancer).  Another prediction of the model is that if a woman who was post 5 years Tamoxifen took estrogen therapy, or became pregnant, her breasts would not enlarge as much as they normally do. In this scenario it is clear that the reintroduction of estrogen would do -something- although it would have little effect on breast tissue growth. It should for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells), as the removal of an inhibition would not have suppressed cell line evolution.  If I understood how estrogen withdrawal actually causes spurious fluctuations in the temperature control system, then maybe I could use this model to explain a similar effect on reintroduction. Tim Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years. In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My problem is I don’t understand what mechanism causes the hot flushes.  I understand that they happen in estrogen withdrawal, but I don’t know why. My thinking about Tamoxifen resistance is that most of our body tissues are constantly slowly being renewed, especially those in which cancer can occur. So if we change the regime of growth factors in which this happen we prevent the cell lines which are promoted by the particular growth factor, in this case estrogen, from being replaced as they die out, and cell lines which use other mechanisms become prevalent.  Pure Darwin.  And so the tissue becomes refractory to the drug.  We know the cells have the potential to use different growth factors because we get cancers which do.  This mechanism would equally apply to aromatase inhibitors, it is directly dependent on the absence of estrogen stimulation however caused and exactly parallels the cancer suppression.

Um. I -think- I understand some of that … If this is the mechanism then one would expect the incidence of ER+ cancers to have fallen immediately the drug was introduced, to a plateau where it would pretty much stay even after the drug was eventually withdrawn, but the incidence of ER- cancers would have slowly risen because of the increased proportion of non-estrogen dependent cell lines (but of course not by as much as the ER+ fell, because they are the prevalent cancer).  Another prediction of the model is that if a woman who was post 5 years Tamoxifen took estrogen therapy, or became pregnant, her breasts would not enlarge as much as they normally do.

Mine was ER+, I -think- that’s comforting … In this scenario it is clear that the reintroduction of estrogen would do -something- although it would have little effect on breast tissue growth. It should for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells), as the removal of an inhibition would not have suppressed cell line evolution.

As I -think- I unerstand that it suggests that I should have estrogen re-introduced – although perhaps I’m still producing my own. I was tested post menopausally be pre-cancer diagnosis and told I had an excess of estrogen. If I understood how estrogen withdrawal actually causes spurious fluctuations in the temperature control system, then maybe I could use this model to explain a similar effect on reintroduction.

Of course I only started the flushes at menopause but all my life I’ve been a hot and sweaty person. Still am. I sweat in bed while Spouse shivers, he’s always warmed himself on me. Today I’m in shorts and T-shirt (not a pretty sight but I’m comfortable). He’s in jeans and sweat shirt. He says it’s because his thermostat works and mine doesn’t Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim Jackson One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years. In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!)

Response:

No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges."

I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts.  They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

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No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges."

LOL! I’ll try to remember that Mary

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Yeah, they do call them power surges! Believe me, my power *really* surges, too!! I do take the Vitamin E. 2,000IU per day. It also is supposed to help the mind and is recommended often for Alzheimer’s patients. I must be hopeless: I still have the hot flashes BIG time. My husband has the Alzheimer’s disease and he does seem to be doing pretty well. I, on the other hand, forget where I put my car keys, checkbook, etc. Mary K

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges." I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

the reintroduction of estrogen would… for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells) As I -think- I unerstand that it suggests that I should have estrogen re-introduced – although perhaps I’m still producing my own. I was tested post menopausally be pre-cancer diagnosis and told I had an excess of estrogen.

Yes. I wouldn’t advocate adding to what you already produce yourself.  That shouldn’t have changed. Of course I only started the flushes at menopause but all my life I’ve been a hot and sweaty person. Still am. I sweat in bed while Spouse shivers, he’s always warmed himself on me. Today I’m in shorts and T-shirt (not a pretty sight but I’m comfortable). He’s in jeans and sweat shirt. He says it’s because his thermostat works and mine doesn’t

Yes, this is the fascinating bit.  I know everyone’s thermostat is different and it depends on body weight and things, and it probably has something to do with fat metabolism, and so does (aromatase) estrogen production, but I can’t quite see the connection all the same. Tim

Response:

I don’t really know very much about this.

Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

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Question:

Hello folks– I’ve been prescribed Effexor XR for just over a month for moderate depression. I started at the lower doses of 37.5 and 75 mg. for two weeks, and I’ve been on the 150 mg. dose (once a day) for nearly 3 weeks.  I’ve had very few of the *customary* side effects and I’m tolerating the 150 mg. dose well, and the medication is really working well at alleviating my depression. However, I think the medication is negatively affecting my harder runs–specifically my recent 5K to 5 mile races, and my tempo/interval workout on Wednesday evenings.  For example, I’ve slowed down about 1:30 for my 5K time (29:15 in mid-November to 30:45 on New Year’s Day), and I’m considerably slower running my interval workout when I take my pill the morning of the workout.  Yesterday I experimented by skipping my pill, and ran my workout great–like before I started on the medication.  However, last nite I had very vivid dreams while sleeping (the second time this has happened), and felt groggy when getting up–which passed after I took my pill after eating breakfast this morning. Does anyone here on the newsgroups know specifically about the cardiovascular effects of anti-depressants?  Will my running/training be compromised for as long as I’m on the medication?  I’ll be mentioning this to my psychiatrist when I see her soon, but I thought I’d ask about it here first.  Since she told me that I could expect to be on medication this time for over a year (this is my 3rd recurrence of depression in 16 years), I’d really like to get this little *wrinkle* straightened out sooner instead of later! Thanks in advance– Jean Barto Newport News, VA — "If you are going through hell, keep going." Winston Churchill

Response:

Hi Jean, Here is some info: Side effects registered for Venlafaxine The FDA has forced safety related drug labelling changes regarding Efexor.

Question:

Hello. I just found this newsgroup, so please forgive me if this question has been asked before: Does anyone know of any empirical studies on feverfew?  I have used it for about five years (about two were used for determining the correct supplier, concentration, dosage, etc) and it has done wonders for me in decreasing the frequency and severity of my migraines. The problem is that when I do get the really bad migraines they are uncontrollable. On the advice of a (somewhat) trusted physician, I have recently stopped the feverfew in order to get some diagnostic tests done and to try IM Immetrex(sp?).  I am a bit nervous that the preventative benefits of the feverfew will be lost if I stay off it for too long. I would like to find some good hard studies to give to my physicians, all of which doubt the effectiveness and safety of feverfew. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Carl (remove NOSPAM from address)

Response:

Hi Carl, Why not continue the feverfew if it works, and use Imitrex or Maxalt or Zomig for the ‘horrible’ ones?. Also, there are several Neurologists who suggest a baby aspirin a day or a ‘light’ aspirin every 2nd day to cut down on intensity and severity of migraines.  This works for me, and Maxalt works great for the bad migraines.  I tried feverfew for 8 months and it did not help at all.  Most people who try it [Mygrafew in my case] don’t get any relief. I wish you luck. Email me any questions. Joyce

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Joyce, Thanks for the message. I appreciate the advice. About feverfew: I needed advice from an herbologist (who specialized in pain relief) and from some of my relatives (who have been using it for their migraines) before I found the correct dosage, supplier, type, etc. to do me any good. One I did; however, I felt the effects in a few weeks. Here is what works best for me (and one of my friends): Retailer: GNC Brand: GNC Herbal Plus, Full Spectrum, (Feverfew, of course) Type: 125mg capsules, standardized to 0.5% parthenolides Dose: One capsule per day The problem with taking both Imitrex and feverfew is that the actions of both are similar, so there is no relief when the bad migraines appear (there is a synergistic effect that can initiate another headache). I do need to go off all supplements in order to be re-evaluated for migraines, so I have done so (reluctantly) until the tests are over. My physician gave me the IM Imitrex in case I had a migraine during that time, and also to determine the effects of the Imitrex if I had to use it while off the feverfew. I am allergic to aspirin, so can’t try your advice with that. Sounds interesting, though. I wonder if it is effective because of the counteraction of platelette aggregation or because of its action as a pain releiver? Haven’t tried Maxalt. What is it? Prescription or over-the-counter? Thanks again, and my wishes for many migraine-free days. Carl — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Carl, Why not continue the feverfew if it works, and use Imitrex or Maxalt or Zomig for the ‘horrible’ ones?. Also, there are several Neurologists who suggest a baby aspirin a day or a ‘light’ aspirin every 2nd day to cut down on intensity and severity of migraines.  This works for me, and Maxalt works great for the bad migraines.  I tried feverfew for 8 months and it did not help at all. Most people who try it [Mygrafew in my case] don’t get any relief. I wish you luck. Email me any questions. Joyce

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writes: I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group.

;-( Now I know why everyone has been so helpful, trying to cure my clusters!!! Bob Never Blame the Rainbows for the Rain [J.H.& R.T.]

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(snipped) I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group. Priscilla

You’re right Priscilla.  I’ve been weaning myself away slowly, now, since the Imitrex has begun to work such wonders for me.  I’ll still "lurk" (and enjoy all the sinister connotations that go with that desgination ; ) and maybe even make a smart aleck comment now and again, although I’m trying to wean myself away from those too!   I have six days a month more time to read now!!!!  And speaking of reading, I must get back ‘The Sparrow’.  Thanks so much for recommending it although I sincerely hope you don’t expect me to write essays on the study questions in the back of the book! ; )   The only real difficulty I’ve had so far was in trying to tell Denny about the main character, ‘Sandoz’, and mistakenly calling him "Fiorinal"!!!! Anne : ) "We know the truth not only by the reason but also by the heart."  Blaise Pascal

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greetings… i just know that since taking feverfew my migraines have finally taken a break and left me alone… 3 months without a debilitating (2 days in bed) to a few minor ones ( 1 shot of imitrex) and now 3 weeks without any… i know this so hang in all and keep doing research and find out what works for you… but you have to research and try oh so many remedies/drugs etc.. take care

Response:

: Hi Wind Dancer, : Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. : Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have : gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? This may be because those whose migraines have gotten worse are more vocal, or maybe if your migraines have gotten worse you notice more the people whose migraines have done the same.

Or perhaps we have access (electronically) to more people than we did years ago. I personally know about a dozen people who get migraines. Add the considerable number of people I’ve "met" through this group and you skew the statistics considerably. — Dana ‘96 FXD-Conv "Roxie" Web:  http://www.chaeron.com/danamania/ NOTE:  Remove Spamicide ™ before replying!!!

Response:

Hi Wind Dancer, Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? ~~Heather~~

Response:

: Hi Wind Dancer, : Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. : Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have : gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? This may be because those whose migraines have gotten worse are more vocal, or maybe if your migraines have gotten worse you notice more the people whose migraines have done the same. Mine have gotten better, and I know there are others, too.  I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group. Priscilla

Response:

good morning all… i have to share this – i have been taking feverfew for 3 months now and have not had a debilitating migraine for 8 weeks (the 2 day in bed type) and have not had a sever (1 shot of imitrex) for 2 weeks.  I have also started chiropractic care for the last 4 weeks… this is a first for me – i have had migraines since i was 10 years old – but never as bad as the last 1 1/2 years……there is hope for us all… we just have to research and find out what works for us.. take care

I’ve started going to a Chiropractice and it has helped. I used to get the ‘aura’ feel that something was going to happen. My neck would then really stiffen up and be sore, and a migraine would start. I still get the migraine headache, which I try to avoid with Imigran, but the neck pain is a lot better. It turned out that when I slept, I slept mostly in same position, on my front with my neck bent to the left. This made sense, when he said that after a week of this, it got too much for my neck and it hurt. On the migraine front now, I used to get it on Saturday when I relaxed and lay in. Now that I do skydiving at the weekends, I tend to feel rough mid week. At least my weekends are not so affected and I can enjoy the jumps and the parties! I’ll try taking Feverfew and see if that helps too. Belle.

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I would try feverfew, but I am afraid of taking it with my daily inderal.  I am worried about combining the herbs with the drugs.

Response:

Feverfew Nasal Mist, uses only when it is needed/

Response:

Feverfew Nasal Mist, uses only when it is needed/

Tell us more about this, please! — "It is useless to resent anything in this world." -E. Roosevelt oh, and please remove the "z" when replying by e-mail

Response:

good morning all… i have to share this – i have been taking feverfew for 3 months now and have not had a debilitating migraine for 8 weeks (the 2 day in bed type) and have not had a sever (1 shot of imitrex) for 2 weeks.  I have also started chiropractic care for the last 4 weeks… this is a first for me – i have had migraines since i was 10 years old – but never as bad as the last 1 1/2 years……there is hope for us all… we just have to research and find out what works for us.. take care

Response:

I thought Feverfew was a miracle herb. And it was for 11 months. But then the migraines returned. I hope you do better.

Response:

Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks

Response:

Of course, the alternative may be worse than the original med…all part of migraine roulette. Like many of you, I’m a triptan test case, hoping we don’t discover a few years down the road that we’ve permanently damaged something important. But I have to weigh that against the fact that I’m convinced I wouldn’t be here at all without SOMETHING for the pain. I, too, am trying the 5THP…have to keep trying. Welcome to the group! –Julianne

Response:

welcome mike!!! we’ll be happy to have you whenever your schedule permits. some of us (like myself) have so little a life, that we spend every day here, but it’s perfectly understandable that a hectic scedule permits little more than spotty correspondence. again,welcome!!!! Mike Barton wrote … Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.

….snip …. . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks Hello Mike,

I’ve tried feverfew without noticing any difference and wonder if the dosage I’m using is incorrect. If you’re having success, I’ll gladly try whatever dosage you’re taking. Also what brand do you use?     Carol     –the sheer joy of being

Response:

the note.   I take Migracare by Enzymatic Therapy which has 600mcg of parthenolide.  I have tried less and it didn’t work and I’ve tried more with no greater effect.  I know some products are available with up to 1200mcg.  Perhaps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks Hello Mike, I’ve tried feverfew without noticing any difference and wonder if the dosage I’m using is incorrect. If you’re having success, I’ll gladly try whatever dosage you’re taking. Also what brand do you use?     Carol     –the sheer joy of being

Response:

has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

Response:

has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

I’ve been taking Feverfew for a couple of months now, and have had 2 severe (go to bed) migraines during that time. Which, for me, is an improvement. I don’t think it’s a miracle or anything, but I do think it’s helping some. — Dana Taramina Web:  http://www.chaeron.com/danamania/ NOTE:  Remove Spamicide ™ before replying!!!

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has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

Yes!!! I started taking Feverfew (1 380 mg. capsule per day) about three months ago, and have reduced both the frequency and severity of my migraines considerably.  In case I wasn’t sure , I somehow forgot to take them for a few weeks recently and the old #9-10 headaches were back with a vengance.  I am a believer, for sure.  Good luck.  By the way, I have noticed no side effects at all and can even take it on an empty stomach! Molly

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Feverfew is an herb, and it is effective for some, but usually only after taking it for quite a while – months sometimes.  My grandmother grew it when I was little and made us eat the leaves or drink tea from its leaves everyday, to "ward off evil in the body" as she said.  If it was going to work for you, it probably would have needed more than 3 weeks, and from what I understand, the new capsules and store brands have the same natural "weaknesses" of all other organic cures

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

Brenda, It sounds like great progress. As you say you’re doing a lot better. I think you can take 50 mgs now and go to work and be fine. Slowly things will become more *routine-like* and you won’t notice every small change in your body or at least not in an unpleasant way which keeps you *catastrophizing* over it. There will be good days and not so good days, we all have them, but you have Xanax for when you need it.  Moreover, the Zoloft dose is still low. If this works that’s fantastic, if you have to decide somewhere along the road to take more it would be no problem at all. Enjoy your *new life*! Philip

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Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

Brenda –   It’s a slow process…I am starting week 8 myself (which means you are too I believe )…I noticed the shakes with each increase of Zoloft for a few days…this is probably what you are experiencing…The good part is that the shakes go away, but the feeling better doesn’t…Anyway, hang in there!  We’ll both get there – I know it!!!  I am still at the stage where the fear of having future attacks is a problem…Still need more time…At least my physiological symptoms are much better…Except for the last 2 days (see blood work 2 post) Best, — Charles Phipps

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