Question:

Thank you for the specific advice re: irrigation.  Much appreciated. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Duncan Robertson wrote:  Hi!

        I had trouble with my maxillary sinuses before last         April when I began to irrigate my nose with saline/         bicarbonate and after that found Dr.Jones’s papers         on xylitol.  Now, after nearly six months’ regular         spraying/irrigation with 10% xylitol in normal saline,         my sinuses don’t pain any more and discharges         are a thing of the past.  So, listen to the voice         crying in the wilderness, irrigate your nose intensively         with xylitol soln., inclininng your head to the side to         let the fluid gather where the ethmoid sinus         openings are, high up on the lateral wall of your         nasal cavity.  Irrigate 2ml at a time, and let the stuff         have time to penetrate.  Don’t blow your nose hard         to expel the stream of mucus.  After, say, a week,         you should begin to feel less congestion and         some relief of the pain.  Xylitol comes in when all         the antibiotics have tried and failed.         best of luck,         Duncan.

Response:

NBoles613 wrote:

Hi, Instead of blindly letting the doctors switch you from antibiotic to antibiotic, my advice is to find an ENT who will do a sinus culture. I have this done whenever I get an infection because I will not tolerate the primary care docs guessing games with abx anymore after a lifetime of mismanagement of my sinuses. The ENT should go as far into the sinus as he can to get an accurate swab. When done by an experienced ENt this is not painful. All I feel is stinging and its over rather quickly. After having packing removed 10 days post-sugery everyhing else is a piece of cake! Rread my latest post on "Pseudomonas from Water Pik" and you’ll see why the culture is so important. Best of luck, Nadine

Thank you, Nadine–I’ll be sure to ask the ENT about this.  That’s very helpful advice.   I’ve been thinking about a culture/sensitivity, actually, and wondering why they don’t seem to do them more routinely for humans? When I take my pet birds to the avian vet, they invariably do a C/S to find out which drug to use when there’s an infection. zg (Ziggy Blum)

Response:

The reason this isn’t done routinely is because many ENT’s beleive that sinus culturing is not accurate due to so much normal flora in the sinus and nose that can cause false results. My ENT looks up my nostril with a high intensity light and holds the nostril open with a short, bent hemostat. When he sees a pustule or mucus he samples directly from it. Just swabbing the inside of the nose is worthless. Its not painful, just a minute of dicomfort that is well worth it. Nadine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

 I’ve been thinking about a culture/sensitivity, actually, and wondering why they don’t seem to do them more routinely for humans?

Response:

Hi, Instead of blindly letting the doctors switch you from antibiotic to antibiotic, my advice is to find an ENT who will do a sinus culture. I have this done whenever I get an infection because I will not tolerate the primary care docs guessing games with abx anymore after a lifetime of mismanagement of my sinuses. The ENT should go as far into the sinus as he can to get an accurate swab. When done by an experienced ENt this is not painful. All I feel is stinging and its over rather quickly. After having packing removed 10 days post-sugery everyhing else is a piece of cake! Rread my latest post on "Pseudomonas from Water Pik" and you’ll see why the culture is so important. Best of luck, Nadine

Response:

And thanks very much for the non-surgery perspective as well.  I am not at all eager for such surgery, and am *definitely* going to look into all options thoroughly before embarking on it!   thanks again, zg

Response:

Follow-up note–my allergist brought up the subject before I did today and recommended an ENT.  I’ll be glad to see him and get his perspective, but certainly won’t be rushing into anything. It actually feels a little funny to be talking about anything as selfish as sinuses on a day like this.  At least I have sinuses to talk about.   zg

Response:

"Pythoness" <zig…@efn.org

wrote in message

news:3B9EBF77.2F900807@efn.org…

And thanks very much for the non-surgery perspective as well.  I am not at all eager for such surgery, and am *definitely* going to look into all options thoroughly before embarking on it! thanks again, zg

        Hi!         I had trouble with my maxillary sinuses before last         April when I began to irrigate my nose with saline/         bicarbonate and after that found Dr.Jones’s papers         on xylitol.  Now, after nearly six months’ regular         spraying/irrigation with 10% xylitol in normal saline,         my sinuses don’t pain any more and discharges         are a thing of the past.  So, listen to the voice         crying in the wilderness, irrigate your nose intensively         with xylitol soln., inclininng your head to the side to         let the fluid gather where the ethmoid sinus         openings are, high up on the lateral wall of your         nasal cavity.  Irrigate 2ml at a time, and let the stuff         have time to penetrate.  Don’t blow your nose hard         to expel the stream of mucus.  After, say, a week,         you should begin to feel less congestion and         some relief of the pain.  Xylitol comes in when all         the antibiotics have tried and failed.         best of luck,         Duncan.

Response:

On 11 Sep 2001 13:34:05 -0700, ray_kill…@hotmail.com (Ray Killeen) wrote:

There are some very knowledgeable people on this site who give out good advise most of the time however the vocal group is the group that is quick to recommend an ENT or operation.  Unfortunately most ENTs are practicing surgeons who are looking for new victims,I mean patients,so you will get a similar response from most of them also. You may need an operation but you may also have many options to try prior to it.

I agree that surgery should not be undertaken lightly, especially given that the experience and techniques of surgeons vary widely, and that some are likely to recommend procedures too casually or do them inappropriately (taking shortcuts to save time). Also, don’t forget that the anesthetic is a risk. On the other hand, there can be risks in *not* having surgery in some cases.

Definitely see an ENT but also consider the following. Are you irrigating with a Waterpick? Definitely irrigate morning and night with an addition salt-water sniff at lunch. Have you considered steroid nasal sprays topical antibiotics and lets not forget the Xylitol? Have you read "Sinus Cure" and "Sinus Survival".  Have you considered how physiologically sensitive your nose and sinus area is before allowing a surgeon to mutilate, I mean operate on them.  If in the end you decide to take the plunge make sure you consider the same doctor Don went to, he seems to be satisfied and his doctor as far as I am concerned is definitely the most experienced.

Yes I am satisfied with David Kennedy MD, chairman of the Dept. of Otolarynogology of U. Penn. Philadelphia, Chief of Otolaryngology at the Hospital of U. Penn., and the pioneer of endoscopic sinus surgery in the U.S. He also is one of the best comunicators I have met, which I value a lot.   He will frankly state statistics that surgery will help and will not do it unless he thinks it will.    But you will wait 6 months to see him, if he will see you.   Seeing someone like that enormously increases odds of success because they publish their success rates and their reputation rides on not having a disaster. It’s best to have some CT scans ready to send him by mail first. You might want to see some others first so that you can educate yourself as to what to ask, get CT scans etc. But yes, explore all options carefully, non-surgical and surgical. I put off surgery for many years before having it.  (But I never had pain etc.) On the one hand, my sinusitis progressed into all sinuses during that period. On the other hand, techniques improved in a major way and I educated myself toward a better decision, I think.

Response:

yep, see an ENT.  I went years without knowing I had a deviated septum(much of my left side was supposedly blocked) and acid reflux into my sinuses which damages the sinuses(hard to believe, since I never feel acid in my chest) until I recently went to an ENT.  Allergists and other doctors never mentioned anything about a deviated septum or acid reflux.  Some type of sinus surgery may help you greatly.  An ENT will probably look up your nose with a flexible camera/light and maybe order a CAT Scan of your sinuses, which can diagnose structural problems far better than regular X-rays.  At first my ENT took an X-ray and thought things looked better than he thought based on the X-ray.  Then I had the CT scan and he could see that my septum was deviated and hampering drainage and causing sinus infections. http://www.meetotheradults.cm http://www.photographsofnature.com "Don Brady" <dbr…@pobox.com

wrote in message

news:jSidOxokdthdtfUrdQGtSzO7fCk0@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

On Mon, 10 Sep 2001 13:17:38 -0700, Pythoness <zig…@efn.org wrote: Hi– I’ve lurked here on & off for sometime but I don’t recall posting before (might’ve once or twice). I’ve had minor chronic sinusitis for a looong time (ie, pain and some yellow discharge periodically, especially during allergy season), but acute flareups (with fever and discharge) have been limited to once or twice a year and responded well to ampicillin or Zithromax. Over the last couple of months I’ve had an altogether new and awful problem involving wandering mild to moderate facial pain, vague stuffiness, and, by far the worst of all, a pungent and persistant smell of acrid smoke that varies from mild to appalling.  No discharge. Both my GP and my allergist diagnosed infection, and a CT scan showed thickening in my ethmoid cells, which apparently is consistant with middle-of-the-face pain and weird smells. The problem is that it’s just not budging. My GP gave me Augmentin, which I proved to be allergic to.  Then I went to my allergist, who gave me Zithromax.  The smell and pain went down to nonexistant and sprang right back up again.  She then gave me Biaxin, which after a week had produced no result whatsoever, and I was having ear pain and fever, so she switched me to two weeks of Tequin. After one week I thought the Tequin was really going to do the job–I had two days where the pain was minimal and I only experienced the smell for a few seconds a day. Then I took an antihistimine so I could get my regular allergy shot, and to my extreme disappointment ALL the symptoms returned within a couple hours–the smell and the pain and the lassitude.  ARRRRRGHH! Well antihistamines do dry out and can restrict mucous flow.  Really they

are

not a good idea if you have sinusitis. That was Thursday.  I continued to improve slowly until yesterday, when I felt almost normal–and today the smell is back, the pain is back, I have a (very) low fever, *and* a slight bloody yellow discharge. I have never experienced anything like this and I’m feeling pretty helpless.  I’m asthmatic and sinus infections always act as a trigger, so I’m on a heavier than usual dose of Flovent and I’m not happy about that either.  I’m irrigating once or twice a day (per allergist’s instructions) with salt water.  I’ve had unusual tenderness above my left eyebrow and just under my left eye–to a lesser extent on the other side as well. Any suggestions or information would be welcomed. Thanks. I would see an otolaryngologist specializing in sinuses as well as an allergist.  You need both.

Response:

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

Hi– I’ve lurked here on & off for sometime but I don’t recall posting before (might’ve once or twice). I’ve had minor chronic sinusitis for a looong time (ie, pain and some yellow discharge periodically, especially during allergy season), but acute flareups (with fever and discharge) have been limited to once or twice a year and responded well to ampicillin or Zithromax. Over the last couple of months I’ve had an altogether new and awful problem involving wandering mild to moderate facial pain, vague stuffiness, and, by far the worst of all, a pungent and persistant smell of acrid smoke that varies from mild to appalling.  No discharge. Both my GP and my allergist diagnosed infection, and a CT scan showed thickening in my ethmoid cells, which apparently is consistant with middle-of-the-face pain and weird smells. The problem is that it’s just not budging.

Congratulations. You have reached the point where it’s time to consider surgery. We all end up that way eventually. Please contact an ENT who has extensive experience in endoscopic sinus surgery (several hundred operations at least), and discuss it with him. As my ENT said: "Every sinus patient starts out trying antibiotics, home remedies, and everything else they can think of.  Then, after years go by, and they just can’t take it anymore, then they go for surgery." — Steven D. Litvintchouk                   Email:  sdlit…@earthlink.net     "I guess I could have paid a little closer attention when I was in English class, but it all worked out OK.  I’m gainfully employed."      – President George W. Bush

Response:

Steven Litvintchouk wrote:

Congratulations. You have reached the point where it’s time to consider surgery. We all end up that way eventually.

Heigh ho; I suspected as much.  Thanks for the advice, Steven et al! I’ll ask for a referral to an ENT at my next appointment this week. zg

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Pythoness <zig…@efn.org

wrote in message <news:3B9D1FE2.34675130@efn.org… Hi– I’ve lurked here on & off for sometime but I don’t recall posting before (might’ve once or twice). I’ve had minor chronic sinusitis for a looong time (ie, pain and some yellow discharge periodically, especially during allergy season), but acute flareups (with fever and discharge) have been limited to once or twice a year and responded well to ampicillin or Zithromax. Over the last couple of months I’ve had an altogether new and awful problem involving wandering mild to moderate facial pain, vague stuffiness, and, by far the worst of all, a pungent and persistant smell of acrid smoke that varies from mild to appalling.  No discharge. Both my GP and my allergist diagnosed infection, and a CT scan showed thickening in my ethmoid cells, which apparently is consistant with middle-of-the-face pain and weird smells. …

There are some very knowledgeable people on this site who give out good advise most of the time however the vocal group is the group that is quick to recommend an ENT or operation.  Unfortunately most ENTs are practicing surgeons who are looking for new victims,I mean patients,so you will get a similar response from most of them also. You may need an operation but you may also have many options to try prior to it. Definitely see an ENT but also consider the following. Are you irrigating with a Waterpick? Definitely irrigate morning and night with an addition salt-water sniff at lunch. Have you considered steroid nasal sprays topical antibiotics and lets not forget the Xylitol? Have you read "Sinus Cure" and "Sinus Survival".  Have you considered how physiologically sensitive your nose and sinus area is before allowing a surgeon to mutilate, I mean operate on them.  If in the end you decide to take the plunge make sure you consider the same doctor Don went to, he seems to be satisfied and his doctor as far as I am concerned is definitely the most experienced.

Response:

Hi– I’ve lurked here on & off for sometime but I don’t recall posting before (might’ve once or twice). I’ve had minor chronic sinusitis for a looong time (ie, pain and some yellow discharge periodically, especially during allergy season), but acute flareups (with fever and discharge) have been limited to once or twice a year and responded well to ampicillin or Zithromax. Over the last couple of months I’ve had an altogether new and awful problem involving wandering mild to moderate facial pain, vague stuffiness, and, by far the worst of all, a pungent and persistant smell of acrid smoke that varies from mild to appalling.  No discharge. Both my GP and my allergist diagnosed infection, and a CT scan showed thickening in my ethmoid cells, which apparently is consistant with middle-of-the-face pain and weird smells. The problem is that it’s just not budging. My GP gave me Augmentin, which I proved to be allergic to.  Then I went to my allergist, who gave me Zithromax.  The smell and pain went down to nonexistant and sprang right back up again.  She then gave me Biaxin, which after a week had produced no result whatsoever, and I was having ear pain and fever, so she switched me to two weeks of Tequin. After one week I thought the Tequin was really going to do the job–I had two days where the pain was minimal and I only experienced the smell for a few seconds a day.   Then I took an antihistimine so I could get my regular allergy shot, and to my extreme disappointment ALL the symptoms returned within a couple hours–the smell and the pain and the lassitude.  ARRRRRGHH! That was Thursday.  I continued to improve slowly until yesterday, when I felt almost normal–and today the smell is back, the pain is back, I have a (very) low fever, *and* a slight bloody yellow discharge. I have never experienced anything like this and I’m feeling pretty helpless.  I’m asthmatic and sinus infections always act as a trigger, so I’m on a heavier than usual dose of Flovent and I’m not happy about that either.  I’m irrigating once or twice a day (per allergist’s instructions) with salt water.  I’ve had unusual tenderness above my left eyebrow and just under my left eye–to a lesser extent on the other side as well. Any suggestions or information would be welcomed. Thanks. Ziggy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Mon, 10 Sep 2001 13:17:38 -0700, Pythoness <zig…@efn.org

wrote: Hi– I’ve lurked here on & off for sometime but I don’t recall posting before (might’ve once or twice). I’ve had minor chronic sinusitis for a looong time (ie, pain and some yellow discharge periodically, especially during allergy season), but acute flareups (with fever and discharge) have been limited to once or twice a year and responded well to ampicillin or Zithromax. Over the last couple of months I’ve had an altogether new and awful problem involving wandering mild to moderate facial pain, vague stuffiness, and, by far the worst of all, a pungent and persistant smell of acrid smoke that varies from mild to appalling.  No discharge. Both my GP and my allergist diagnosed infection, and a CT scan showed thickening in my ethmoid cells, which apparently is consistant with middle-of-the-face pain and weird smells. The problem is that it’s just not budging. My GP gave me Augmentin, which I proved to be allergic to.  Then I went to my allergist, who gave me Zithromax.  The smell and pain went down to nonexistant and sprang right back up again.  She then gave me Biaxin, which after a week had produced no result whatsoever, and I was having ear pain and fever, so she switched me to two weeks of Tequin. After one week I thought the Tequin was really going to do the job–I had two days where the pain was minimal and I only experienced the smell for a few seconds a day.   Then I took an antihistimine so I could get my regular allergy shot, and to my extreme disappointment ALL the symptoms returned within a couple hours–the smell and the pain and the lassitude.  ARRRRRGHH!

Well antihistamines do dry out and can restrict mucous flow.  Really they are not a good idea if you have sinusitis.

That was Thursday.  I continued to improve slowly until yesterday, when I felt almost normal–and today the smell is back, the pain is back, I have a (very) low fever, *and* a slight bloody yellow discharge. I have never experienced anything like this and I’m feeling pretty helpless.  I’m asthmatic and sinus infections always act as a trigger, so I’m on a heavier than usual dose of Flovent and I’m not happy about that either.  I’m irrigating once or twice a day (per allergist’s instructions) with salt water.  I’ve had unusual tenderness above my left eyebrow and just under my left eye–to a lesser extent on the other side as well. Any suggestions or information would be welcomed. Thanks.

I would see an otolaryngologist specializing in sinuses as well as an allergist.  You need both.

Response:

Question:

Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor.  It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.

Response:

My Aerochamber makes a whistleing sound when I inhale too fast.  Is that what you’re talking about? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor.  It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.

Response:

Please email your mailing address.  I will send you a complete package of information on what has finally given me drug free relief after thirty years of suffering!!!

Response:

I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber.  It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go.  Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there.  Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.

I agree with you … Aerochambers are great. There’s a really good one out there called an OptiHaler, made by Healthscan Products. I don’t know if you’ve tried it but I personally like to use it a little better than those clear AeroChamber ones. The OptiHaler is more compact so it’s easier to carry around, and I like how it functions. You can store your medication inside it, too. It’s hard to find though at the pharmacies.                                              http://www.europa.com/~bjknotts/

Response:

I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber.  It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go.  Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there.  Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.

Response:

What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer

Response:

What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer

See the alt.support.asthma FAQ – I wrote a bit on Aerochambers in the FAQ. Briefly, it is a holding chamber that makes inhalers easier and more efficient to use: you spray your medication into it and then inhale the medication from it, at your own comfortable rate. Certainly worth having, since the inhalation speed required for matching the inhaler’s spray speed is difficult for many to achieve (especially during a flare), and since, without one, those who take inhaled steroids are more likely to get thrush. — Mark Feblowitz,   GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd.  Waltham, MA 02254

Response:

 When I posted my first note about a month ago I got a lot of wonderful advice from people and many asked for an update after I saw the doctor. Here it is!  I went to the doctor today and by the time I left I was so elated! What a relief to finally get professional help, I feel so relaxed. He put me on Methylprednisolone tabs for 6 days and I also have Flovent and Serevent that I take two puffs of twice a day. I got Albuterol for when/if I have any problems. He also gave me an AeroChamber and a peak flow meter. Now I’m cooking with gas!  :)  Thanks for all the concern. Tammy

Response:

Question:

Ted said in this very newsgroup… it is the SAME stuff you have been taking, and the price is now only TEN times the price people outside the US pay.

We can only hope that competition will bring the benefits to our US cousins that we Europeans have. Generic Metformin, on a three doses a day basis (1500mg total dose) is sold to the British NHS at a basic price of $4 a week or thereabouts. That is the price the NHS pays; anyone not able to supply at that price does not get used. So therefore as many manufacturers are supplying at that price there is no reason why it should not be available at around those prices in the US. I have had Israeli manufactured Metformin in the past; supplied at that price. Absolutely perfect generic Metformin. The manufacturers would not be selling at the UK price if it was unprofitable. This is not gloating BTW. It really sickens me that our good US friends are being taken for a ride. Ratty — Type 2 since 93 Can I get a new pancreas under the warranty? This one’s burnt out…. http://www.asduk.org.uk our shiny new website!

Response:

it is the SAME stuff you have been taking, and the price is now only TEN times the price people outside the US pay. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

Response:

Bill Josephs said in this very newsgroup… I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

The only real meaningful difference is the name. Metformin is the lab name of the compound that Glucophage contains. The active ingredients are identical. Ratty — email: flyingrat at totalise.co.uk giggle: http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~royellor/ spam: kiss my ar*e

Response:

I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

Response:

Question:

Hi, new here. A little background first: I was diagnosed with mild asthma in August and was given an Rx for albuterol 2 puffs as needed. At first I was hardly using it, maybe once a week, then I started going to the gym and as advised by my Dr I’d use it prior to working out to prevent an exercise induced attack  I stopped going to the gym for awhile and just started up again 3 weeks ago. In the last week and a half I’ve been getting chest pains much like what sent me to the Dr. in the first place as well as "flutters" in my chest. I noticed that my inhaler use has gone way up, its almost daily now and some days twice and most of the time I use it and it does nothing. I plan on calling the Dr. in the morning to make an appointment, but I’m just wondering if this is normal? Other then being constantly sleepy (which I think is in part due to being unable to breathe well and part due to jitteryness from the inhaler) and the chest tightness I feel fine, no fever or anything… Sheila Marie

Response:

Hi, new here. A little background first: I was diagnosed with mild asthma in August and was given an Rx for albuterol 2 puffs as needed.

If you’re having ongoing problems, one option is to discuss other medication with your doctor, such as Singulair, Intal, Tilade, or Pulmicort. Joan Joan Marie Verba http://www.sff.net/people/Joan.Marie.Verba

Response:

Hi, new here. A little background first: I was diagnosed with mild asthma in August and was given an Rx for albuterol 2 puffs as needed. At first I was hardly using it, maybe once a week, then I started going to the gym and as advised by my Dr I’d use it prior to working out to prevent an exercise induced attack  I stopped going to the gym for awhile and just started up again 3 weeks ago. In the last week and a half I’ve been getting chest pains much like what sent me to the Dr. in the first place as well as "flutters" in my chest. I noticed that my inhaler use has gone way up, its almost daily now and some days twice and most of the time I use it and it does nothing. I plan on calling the Dr. in the morning to make an appointment, but I’m just wondering if this is normal? Other then being constantly sleepy (which I think is in part due to being unable to breathe well and part due to jitteryness from the inhaler) and the chest tightness I feel fine, no fever or anything…

You need to see your doctor ASAP. — We make war so we may live in peace. Aristotle

Response:

Hi, new here. A little background first: I was diagnosed with mild asthma in August and was given an Rx for albuterol 2 puffs as needed. If you’re having ongoing problems, one option is to discuss other medication with your doctor, such as Singulair, Intal, Tilade, or Pulmicort.

I have both Pulmicort and Singulair now. The Dr. is hoping we can get the attack under control and drop the Pulmicort in a month or so. Sheila Marie, still not quite right, but feeling better.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, new here. In the last week and a half I’ve been getting chest pains much like what sent me to the Dr. in the first place as well as "flutters" in my chest. I noticed that my inhaler use has gone way up, its almost daily now and some days twice and most of the time I use it and it does nothing. I plan on calling the Dr. in the morning to make an appointment, but I’m just wondering if this is normal? You need to see your doctor ASAP.

Went today, I was scared last night, I’ve never felt anything like that before. I almost thought for sure I was having a heart attack at 28, but it wasnt. The Dr sent me home all sorts of medicine. He said we need to be more aggressive in my treatment. Seems exercise is a major trigger for me, though its one I need to find a way to get past or something. That’s the goal though, to get to a point where exercise doesn’t trigger this sort of thing. Sheila Marie

Response:

When I first started going downhill with my asthma my main complaint was being extremely tired all the time and the inhaler just sustained me but did not make me feel better. You probably need to be on a low dose of Flovent to start and probably Accolate. Go see your doc! And if he doesn’t change your meds than go to another doctor b/c your asthma will only worsen w/o proper treatment!! Dana

Response:

I’m glad to hear your doctor gave you some preventive meds instead of just rescue meds like albuterol. You should feel better soon! Dana

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a few questions on the US asthma market – can anyone point me in the right direction for unbiased info ? 4.  Is it true that generic versions of proventil and ventolin have been used more and more frequently over the past few years ? Grateful for your thoughts. . Copley Labs set back the generic market on Albuterol for nebulizers by distributing their contaminated generic a couple years ago! I avoid generics for albuterol like the plague until there is a trackrecord. Does anyone have a good track record? I can’t take the generic albuterol inhaler.  It definitely does not work as well for me.  I had to repeat the dosage every 1 1/2.  It was terrible.

I have used Ventolin practically every day since it first came on the market about 30 years ago without any obvious ill effects.  In now use it in conjunction with Pulmicort and together they very effectively control my asthma. Best of luck. — Michael Thornton LLM Registered Migration Agent 57348 Vice president Migration Institute of Australia Postal address: C/- Macpherson & Kelley Solicitors, PO Box 343 DANDENONG, Australia Phone: 613 97916444 Fax: 613 97934462 Email: Web site: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~mthornto/

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a few questions on the US asthma market – can anyone point me in the right direction for unbiased info ? 4.  Is it true that generic versions of proventil and ventolin have been used more and more frequently over the past few years ? Grateful for your thoughts. . Copley Labs set back the generic market on Albuterol for nebulizers by distributing their contaminated generic a couple years ago! I avoid generics for albuterol like the plague until there is a trackrecord. Does anyone have a good track record?

I can’t take the generic albuterol inhaler.  It definitely does not work as well for me.  I had to repeat the dosage every 1 1/2.  It was terrible.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I have a few questions on the US asthma market – can anyone point me   in the right direction for unbiased info ?   4.  Is it true that generic versions of proventil and ventolin have   been used more and more frequently over the past few years ?   Grateful for your thoughts.   .  Copley Labs set back the generic market on Albuterol for nebulizers by  distributing their contaminated generic a couple years ago!  I avoid generics for albuterol like the plague until there is a  trackrecord. Does anyone have a good track record?

We’ve been using the Astra generic for a while with no difficulties. (Astra the company, with US headquarters in the New England area has been in the press recently for other problems unrelated to quality – personal scandals with the now-former president). — Mark Feblowitz,   GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd.  Waltham, MA 02254

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I have a few questions on the US asthma market – can anyone point me in the right direction for unbiased info ? 4.  Is it true that generic versions of proventil and ventolin have been used more and more frequently over the past few years ? Grateful for your thoughts. .

Copley Labs set back the generic market on Albuterol for nebulizers by distributing their contaminated generic a couple years ago! I avoid generics for albuterol like the plague until there is a trackrecord. Does anyone have a good track record?

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I have a few questions on the US asthma market – can anyone point me in the right direction for unbiased info ? 1. What is the annual albuterol market worth ? 2. How many prescriptions for albuterol (brand or generic) are written each year by physicians and pulmonologists ? 3.What share of this do the various brand names have ? 4.  Is it true that generic versions of proventil and ventolin have been used more and more frequently over the past few years ? Grateful for your thoughts. .

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Question:

‘Twas 23 Mar 2004 15:46:59 GMT when all alt.support.tourette stood in awe as sesgard…@aol.com (Sesgardner) uttered:

Isn’t this really old information? I could swear I’ve been reading about this for quite some time, and the folks over at "Your Bipolar Child" have known it for years, although they seem to think that it automatically means a child has bipolar disorder if they have a negative reaction to an SSRI.

The background info is old.  The FDA asking for stronger warnings is new. — RB |  

Question:

Hanging on by my nails.  Moved to Georgia.  My ex and Maria came too to try to keep family together for her.  I am assistant to a professor and go back out for teaching this season (next month) if can get energy up . . . could not handle effexor withdrawal so I put myself back on this weekend.  I need my zyprexa, but can’t have it.  Side effects put me in this damn wheel chair.  Not a single friend here.  I know Aware here, but not together enough to ask to meet yet.  Hard time doing my work — any work — really feel scared and hopeless and I am so aware that in the end the sick must have willpower or they can simply end up on a curb with dirty matted hair . . . very scared. Rosena  

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Hanging on by my nails.  Moved to Georgia.  My ex and Maria came too to try to keep family together for her.  I am assistant to a professor and go back out for teaching this season (next month) if can get energy up . . . could not handle effexor withdrawal so I put myself back on this weekend.  I need my zyprexa, but can’t have it.  Side effects put me in this damn wheel chair.  Not a single friend here.  I know Aware here, but not together enough to ask to meet yet.  Hard time doing my work — any work — really feel scared and hopeless and I am so aware that in the end the sick must have willpower or they can simply end up on a curb with dirty matted hair . . . very scared. Rosena  

hi rosena.  i’m in sc.  met aware once,  she is nice.  mabey we could have an atlanta meet? dennis Death Be Not Proud by John Donne: Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,

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Hanging on by my nails.  Moved to Georgia.  My ex and Maria came too to try to keep family together for her.  I am assistant to a professor and go back out for teaching this season (next month) if can get energy up . . . could not handle effexor withdrawal so I put myself back on this weekend.  I need my zyprexa, but can’t have it.  Side effects put me in this damn wheel chair. Not a single friend here.  I know Aware here, but not together enough to ask to meet yet.  Hard time doing my work — any work — really feel scared and hopeless and I am so aware that in the end the sick must have willpower or they can simply end up on a curb with dirty matted hair . . . very scared. Rosena  

Hello ) Sorry you’re having it so tough at the moment – but good luck with the new job! Whiskery Hugs {{{{{Rosena}}}}} — —  Whiskers

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i am slowly going insane being invisible

But you’re NOT, you’re probably lonely. My therp reminds me all the time: "Social isolation is considered severe punishment in prison."

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i am slowly going insane being invisible

Honey, I wasn’t even here yesterday.  But I am now, and you’re not invisible. ***** Melissa "The wood is tired, and the wood is old. But we’ll make it fine if the weather holds. But if the weather holds, then we’ll have missed the point. That’s where I need to go." –Indigo Girls

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i am slowly going insane being invisible

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i am slowly going insane being invisible

I can see you. Mary Beth

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Well met, Adam. Boy ARE you in the right place. Birds of a feather and all that. I hate the insomnia. It sucks the most because I know next comes the deep depression.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, i am new to this group, and from what i have read so far i will fit in just cosy. I have now been up for 47 hours, and although i am real tired as soon as my head hits the pillow i wake up again. The thought s in my head just dont stop.. You are useless, whats the point, nobody wants you… you cant even committ suicide without screwing up….so i sit here in front of my pc moping, waching the weekend drift by, not seeing anyone, not talking to any one. Occasionaly speaking on icq to an aquaintance, but then they rush off and do stuff constructive in their busy lives, and i sit and clean out my hard drive. Tomorrow is Monday, and i return to work. carry out the day and return to my pc….God I am so sad… what is the point??

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Welcome to the jungle! Welcome to the jungle! It’s gonna bring you down. huh!     Guns and Roses Sorry just being dramatic.  :^) Gloria

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Well, i am new to this group, and from what i have read so far i will fit in just cosy. I have now been up for 47 hours, and although i am real tired as soon as my head hits the pillow i wake up again. The thought s in my head just dont stop.. You are useless, whats the point, nobody wants you… you cant even committ suicide without screwing up….so i sit here in front of my pc moping, waching the weekend drift by, not seeing anyone, not talking to any one. Occasionaly speaking on icq to an aquaintance, but then they rush off and do stuff constructive in their busy lives, and i sit and clean out my hard drive. Tomorrow is Monday, and i return to work. carry out the day and return to my pc….God I am so sad… what is the point??

Welcome to ASD. Sincerely Stewart — The Metaphor Man  *and*  The Great Defender of the Self (remove the SPAMBLOCK) Please send me an e-mail copy of your posted response.

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Well, i am new to this group, and from what i have read so far i will fit in just cosy. I have now been up for 47 hours, and although i am real tired as soon as my head hits the pillow i wake up again. The thought s in my head just dont stop.. You are useless, whats the point, nobody wants you… you cant even committ suicide without screwing up….so i sit here in front of my pc moping, waching the weekend drift by, not seeing anyone, not talking to any one. Occasionaly speaking on icq to an aquaintance, but then they rush off and do stuff constructive in their busy lives, and i sit and clean out my hard drive. Tomorrow is Monday, and i return to work. carry out the day and return to my pc….God I am so sad… what is the point??

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Welcome to ASD.  I am in the minority concerning sleep habits.  When I go into "the pit," I become hypersomniac.  A couple years ago, I went through a stretch in which I slept 14-15 hours per day.  Of course, the waking hours were living hell.  Plus, that much sleep (fitful sleep, I might add) is disorienting. It seems to have the end effect of no sleep at all.  Anyway, I hope you get some sleep.  Keep posting. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, i am new to this group, and from what i have read so far i will fit in just cosy. I have now been up for 47 hours, and although i am real tired as soon as my head hits the pillow i wake up again. The thought s in my head just dont stop.. You are useless, whats the point, nobody wants you… you cant even committ suicide without screwing up….so i sit here in front of my pc moping, waching the weekend drift by, not seeing anyone, not talking to any one. Occasionaly speaking on icq to an aquaintance, but then they rush off and do stuff constructive in their busy lives, and i sit and clean out my hard drive. Tomorrow is Monday, and i return to work. carry out the day and return to my pc….God I am so sad… what is the point??

Before you buy.

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Thank you all for the greetings, i dozed off at the keyboard. Lillith I am there. I am alienating the friends i have, and i dont mean to

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well met, Adam. Boy ARE you in the right place. Birds of a feather and all that. I hate the insomnia. It sucks the most because I know next comes the deep depression.

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Question:

SMELL THE FART!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yep, he is eating chili, while spinning in circles. Kind of like a dog chasing its tail.

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Yep, he is eating chili, while spinning in circles. Kind of like a dog chasing its tail.

| | | Oh jesus H christ… | | | What they need is a pill to cure farting and burping… | | |

| | WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) – The US Food and Drug Administration | (news – web sites) has given the drug company Pfizer Inc. the go ahead | to market its antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) for the treatment of | premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of premenstrual | syndrome, the company confirmed on Friday. | | | Following an FDA announcement of the approval, a Pfizer spokeswoman | told Reuters Health that a corporate statement would be made on | Monday, but that the firm would not provide details before then. | | The FDA said it had approved two supplementary new drug applications | for Zoloft as a PMDD treatment: one for daily dosing and one for use | only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. | | Zoloft is already indicated for depression, panic disorder, | obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. | | The FDA noted that the first drug to be approved to treat PMDD was Eli | Lilly’s Sarafem (fluoxetine), which contains the same active | ingredient as the company’s antidepressant Prozac. That approval was | issued in July 2000. | | SkyePharma, which has developed a controlled-release version of | GlaxoSmithKline’s antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine), has said that it | hopes to see that drug approved for PMDD this year and launched for | the indication in 2003. | | | | | — | "Caution, the surgeon general has found that psychiatric | treatements cause poverty and mental illness."

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Question:

I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

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I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

– I’ve heard that is one of the more stimulating ones – so if you are anxiety prone, you might get more anxious with this one – but I have not tried it myself.  For bipolar, lithium with some long-term benzo seems to be a first choice, or tegratol, or Valproate.  I used to take Xanax for panic but I think i had the panic from too high a Synthroid dose.  I only take it now very rarely but my Synthroid has been reduced since then about 40%. Squiggles

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It seems to me that that Wellbutrin is not the best choice for someone with your conditions.  I’m only going on memory of the many posts here by other members and various links supplied also.  I took Wellbutrin and was suffering from mood swings.  I ended up hypomanic and had to stop. Well, I’m not the word of God about this.  Just check into it. Good luck. Carrie ;o)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

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—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– Hash: SHA1

I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

As always, the effects depend on the individual, and I am not a medical pro. However, I am ramping up on Wellbutrin myself.  Your results may vary, especially since I am very responsive to any neuro drug I can find (one drink gives me a buzz, one cup of coffee wakes me right up, one dose of Benadril makes me a zombie for 24 hours) Wellbutrin claims to be very low on side effects (it claims to be one of the few ADs that rarely cause sexual side effects).  The only ones I have noticed from personal experience are diminished appetite and weight loss, which are fine since I’m overweight to begin with.  BTW, that’s why anorexia and bulimia are contraindications. The other big contraindication is alcohol.  Stay completely dry while on Wellbutrin.  Alcohol may interfere with other ADs, but with Wellbutrin it can cause seizures.  If you can be (or already are) a teatotaller, this should be no problem for you. My prescriber is also trying to find an antianxiety med that I can tolerate (I have nasty side effects with Effexor and Celexa), so I’m guessing that Wellbutrin isn’t itself an antianxiety.  But for me, it is good at treating depression.  I sensed immediate results during the first week at the 50mg/day level (standard therepudic dose is 300 mg/day).  Again, I am likely _very_ responsive to Wellbutrin, so you may have to wait several weeks at a higher dose. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.8 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com iQA/AwUBPIUmCkdroV5D+kXPEQJumQCgrRN47bk6RWTmoZnHmLKB2l4LmoEAnR58 AC1BP8lgKRyh8WCV6ON+kh19 =08UA —–END PGP SIGNATURE—–

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Question:

Hi Mark,   I am a third year pharmacy student at the University of Illinois.  I read your letter last week about Zoloft side effects, and would like to respond to it.  I don’t know when you started taking Zoloft but what you should know is that in order for the medication to work you have to take it for at leat 3-4 weeks.  Usually physicians will give you another medication to take concurrently with Zoloft to cover you until it will start working. Klonopin is sometimes used for this purpose.  I looked up some links for you, so you could get some extra information about both meds.  If you have some time, look at: http://www.fairlite.com/ocd/medications/zoloft.shtml This link has a list of all side effects of zoloft that were ever reported.  I checked the list and 2.6% of population experience anxiety.  (the entire article is kind of long so please scroll down).  Some other nice links about your medications are: http://www.begin.com/redoak/medications/klonopin.html http://www.pfizer.com/hml/pi’s/zoloftpi.html  Before you stop Zoloft – inform you physician.  Recently, there were many reports about Zoloft withdrawal syndrome.  This means you cannot just stop, you have to decrease the doses day by day, and then stop.  There is a link that explains it: http://www.pharminfo.com/pin_hp.html  I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation.  There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional whom you know and trust. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am using Zoloft and feel anxiety and confusion with my other medication Klonopin. Can you help me? I am concerned this is not normal and I dont know what to expect. I am much better but I just don