Question:

I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

Response:

        If I’m not mistaken it will stay in the system for several weeks or months.  Any steroids I’ve ever taken caused more trouble then it was worth IMHO                                         Pam

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

Response:

I know that steroids can wreak havoc on BG.  What I haven’t been able to learn is how long this effect normally lasts.  For example, if one gets a depo medrol injection, does it affect BG levels for hours/days/weeks?  Thanks to anyone who can answer this.

I’ve noticed problems with mere inhaled steroids for asthmatic bronchitis. For me the effect is 20-50 mg/dl unexplainable rise in BG that can last up to five hours. That with 2 puffs of 110mcg FloVent and 2 puffs of 0.2mg MaxAir. (See my question – "another medication question" if it ever shows up! The Fates have conspired against me in all my attempts to post that message to this ng.)

Response:

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:

Hi:   I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.   Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

Gargle with a teaspoon of salt in 8 oz of very warm water after taking your meds.  Also, increase your fluid intake. Chris Owens

Response:

Hi:  I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.  Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

I use a Volumatic for my Becotide to keep my voice from getting hoarse. I found that I had to use it for the Serevent too, because that was begining to have the same effect. I also find eating (bio) youghurt sooths my throat when it does get hoarse, perhaps it keeps any sub-clinical oral thrush at bay. Pete

Response:

This may sound like a stupid answer, but….are you rinsing your mouth out after every puff of Flovent?  You should still gargle with water etc., even if you are using a spacer. My apologies if you are already aware. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi:  I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.  Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

Response:

Hi:   I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.   Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

Response:

Do you rinse your mouth out after using the flovent? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi:   I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.   Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

Response:

I had this problem when I first started on Flovent. It went away after a couple of weeks. I also use an aerochamber and always rinse my mouth with mouthwash and drink some water after use. I also recently stopped Flovent by using Accolate which works great for excercise induced asthma.

Response:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit doug, try using a spacer unit, it will help, and also wash your mouth out with water, and gargle with water or a mouth wash if needed.  this will definitely help with the hoarse voice.  The spacer unit is expensive, but it works.  good luck. Allen Hi:   I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control my exercise induced asthma.  However, I am experiencing a major drawback:  my voice is continuously hoarce.  The doctor told me just to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.  I do use one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent.   Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find some way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk.

Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit <HTML <FONT COLOR="#CC33CC"<FONT SIZE=+1doug,</FONT</FONT <BR<FONT COLOR="#CC33CC"<FONT SIZE=+1try using a spacer unit, it will help, and also wash your mouth out with water, and gargle with water or a mouth wash if needed.&nbsp; this will definitely help with the hoarse voice.&nbsp; The spacer unit is expensive, but it works.&nbsp; good luck.</FONT</FONT <BR<FONT COLOR="#CC33CC"<FONT SIZE=+1Allen</FONT</FONT

<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITEHi: <P&nbsp; I use 2 puffs of flovent and 2 puffs of servent daily to control <BRmy exercise induced asthma.&nbsp; However, I am experiencing a major <BRdrawback:&nbsp; my voice is continuously hoarce.&nbsp; The doctor told me <BRjust to lower my medication to the amounts shown above.&nbsp; I do <BRuse one of those extended tubes when taking in the flovent. <P&nbsp; Anyone else had this side effect — and were you able to find <BRsome way to be able to take the meds and be able to talk. Search, Read, Post to Usenet</BLOCKQUOTE &nbsp;</HTML

Response:

Question:

yes, but if the poster is right that the buildup is basically caused by static electricity, then I’ll just wash the Aerochamber every day with some dishwashing liquid.  Why take chances.  It’s not that big an effort to keep it clean.  I was just curious.

Considering the quality of many of its posts, I would strongly suggest you look for a more reliable reference. Ted

Response:

Ted

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! I posted this question before, but I don’t think it made it so I’ll try again. Sorry if it’s a duplication, but I’m rather desparate for an answer. I have cough evident asthma. At this time of year, the coughing can tend to get a bit much (especially as I earn my living playing the flute). I was wondering if cough supressants are safe for occasional use, or if I should try to ride it out until  my Pulmicort gets things under control. If it is okay to use them, is there a specific kind I should look for? (I live in Canada, if that makes a big difference.) Thanks in advance.< I would say NO.  It was this treatment with hydrocodone that put me in the hospital with plugs in my lungs.  To suppress the cough means you stop the action of keeping the mucous out of your lungs, a very dangerous thing. Sue M.

Hi All,      My Doctor has treated my cough with hydrocodine when it was determined to be from bronchitis and not prouducing any mucous. The continuous coughing without bringing anything up caused me a lot of pain. Just another side of the story. Mike C.

Response:

Oh, and good luck.

Response:

Hi All!

I posted this question before, but I don’t think it made it so I’ll try again. Sorry if it’s a duplication, but I’m rather desparate for an answer. I have cough evident asthma. At this time of year, the coughing can tend to get a bit much (especially as I earn my living playing the flute). I was wondering if cough supressants are safe for occasional use, or if I should try to ride it out until  my Pulmicort gets things under control. If it is okay to use them, is there a specific kind I should look for? (I live in Canada, if that makes a big difference.) Thanks in advance.< I would say NO.  It was this treatment with hydrocodone that put me in the hospital with plugs in my lungs.  To suppress the cough means you stop the action of keeping the mucous out of your lungs, a very dangerous thing. Sue M.

Response:

Don’t know a much technically, but I occasionally use Tussey-Organdin, and it seems to help greatly.

Response:

Over here on the East Coast the pollen count is still quite low, oh to be in lotus land like you. On the more serious side, we used cough medicine (Triaminic) for my young son’s asthma early in his condition and it helped.  I tried it recently when his asthma coughing was much worse and it didn’t even touch it, our **G.P.’s** question when asked was whether it was an antihistamine or not, since antihistamine would impact the underlying problem whether in cough medicine form or separate. It seems the proper cough medicine will give some relief which is good by itself, but, as noted in Wing Lee’s posting, if it’s only suppressing the cough you still have the mucous build up in the lungs.  From that point my wife (who is also asthmatic) and I think that **regular** use of cough suppressant in itself is probably not getting to the route cause. For my son I think he wasn’t moving the mucous, therefore it built up, and finally his coughing kicked in just as hard, but possibly with worse underlying lung function. I believe this type of problem is the reason for the warning for asthmatics on cough medicine bottles (at least the ones I’ve read), i.e.: a) if needed routinely you need may need to consider other management options, and b) the **possibility** of masking more serious attacks.   Once in a while, its probably O.K. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! I posted this question before, but I don’t think it made it so I’ll try again. Sorry if it’s a duplication, but I’m rather desparate for an answer. I have cough evident asthma. At this time of year, the coughing can tend to get a bit much (especially as I earn my living playing the flute). I was wondering if cough supressants are safe for occasional use, or if I should try to ride it out until  my Pulmicort gets things under control. If it is okay to use them, is there a specific kind I should look for? (I live in Canada, if that makes a big difference.) Thanks in advance.

Response:

Hi   I’ve used Benylin and Delsym for my coughs with no problem along with taking my Pulmicort and Ventolin.I would use it only at night to get some uninterrupted sleep. It is not recommended that asthmatics use cough syrups because they will mask an uncontrolled attack.I would check with your doc with doubling your dose of Pulmicort to get the asthma under control then tapering down to a maintenance dose.I find that the Pulmicort usually kicks in within 2 days, sometimes longer if I’ve let it go a little too long.If it doesn’t kick in and the cough worsens you may be on your way to needing some extra meds. Roseanne – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All! I posted this question before, but I don’t think it made it so I’ll try again. Sorry if it’s a duplication, but I’m rather desparate for an answer. I have cough evident asthma. At this time of year, the coughing can tend to get a bit much (especially as I earn my living playing the flute). I was wondering if cough supressants are safe for occasional use, or if I should try to ride it out until  my Pulmicort gets things under control. If it is okay to use them, is there a specific kind I should look for? (I live in Canada, if that makes a big difference.) Thanks in advance.

Response:

Hi All! I posted this question before, but I don’t think it made it so I’ll try again. Sorry if it’s a duplication, but I’m rather desparate for an answer. I have cough evident asthma. At this time of year, the coughing can tend to get a bit much (especially as I earn my living playing the flute). I was wondering if cough supressants are safe for occasional use, or if I should try to ride it out until  my Pulmicort gets things under control. If it is okay to use them, is there a specific kind I should look for? (I live in Canada, if that makes a big difference.) Thanks in advance.

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Question:

I have tappered down my Effexor dose (with Doctor supervision, over ~ 2 months, from 75 mg XR, once daily) to the lowest I can get, which is 37.5 mg, which I take in the morning.  Suprisinlgy with it’s short half life, I seem to feel no withdrawl effects by the end of the day. However, now my dose is zero, and I think, after 24 hours, I began to feel some withdrawl effects.  It’s best described (by others) as a brain zap (a bit like vertigo).  It seems not an uncommon effect.  I have s light headache, some fatigue, but certianly not incapacitating.  But it does freak me out and I am battling not to take a tablet to make it go away.  I went on AD when I had some health issues.  Freaky things happening to my body don’t help me very much. I have only been Effexor free for 48 h, it does seem to be getting a little worse.  Can anyone suggest how long I need to stick it out  ? One week ?  One month ?  It seems to vary person to person, but a guide would be good. My Doc has no advice on this. Appreciated, RDJ

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You did a good taper-down, but effexor is notoriously hell to wash-out. 10 days to 2 weeks is the norm. This is a stupid suggestion, but I was helped by using Thera-flu (or the generic versions)…you know, those hot lemon-flavored antihistamine thingies? Jim M.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have tappered down my Effexor dose (with Doctor supervision, over ~ 2 months, from 75 mg XR, once daily) to the lowest I can get, which is 37.5 mg, which I take in the morning.  Suprisinlgy with it’s short half life, I seem to feel no withdrawl effects by the end of the day. However, now my dose is zero, and I think, after 24 hours, I began to feel some withdrawl effects.  It’s best described (by others) as a brain zap (a bit like vertigo).  It seems not an uncommon effect.  I have s light headache, some fatigue, but certianly not incapacitating.  But it does freak me out and I am battling not to take a tablet to make it go away.  I went on AD when I had some health issues.  Freaky things happening to my body don’t help me very much. I have only been Effexor free for 48 h, it does seem to be getting a little worse.  Can anyone suggest how long I need to stick it out  ? One week ?  One month ?  It seems to vary person to person, but a guide would be good. My Doc has no advice on this. Appreciated, RDJ

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Thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t hack the withdrawl and took a tab.  Bad thing is, I felt better within an hour.  I was hoping waht I was feeling was unrelated to withdrawl, maybe juat a vrius or something.  I am now taking 37.5 mg every second day.  By the end of the second day, I start to feel the withdrawl.  I intend to do this for a week or so to get to know what thw withdrawl feels like, so I am less freaked out by it. In Australia, 37.5 mg seems to be the lowest dose available, according to my Doc.  I am not confident of tablet splitting. The lemon things are around.   Do you think it’s the anti-histamnine that does the job ? You did a good taper-down, but effexor is notoriously hell to wash-out. 10 days to 2 weeks is the norm. This is a stupid suggestion, but I was helped by using Thera-flu (or the generic versions)…you know, those hot lemon-flavored antihistamine thingies? Jim M.

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6 months or so ago my pdoc tried weaning me off effexor. From 150mg on down…when I hit 37.5 I started withrawal. Dizzy, headache, felt like I was walkin sidewys, brain zaps, nausea. I was put on Wellbuterin. I eventually got  totally off. AAAHHHH I called my pdoc crying just having a fit becase I vomited twice. The depression was awaful. I had forgotten how disgusting depression was. Waves of major depression. I did use some benedryl which did help some. So he put me back on Effexor. I am on lithium, lamictal, effexor, ativan and restoril. In my out of mind state I was crying, "with all the drugs I am on how can this happen??!" just crying a way. First he tried clinical terms….forget it, I barely knew where I was. So he put it to me like this, " You have a car, it has a body, wheels and an engine also a steering wheel. You can have all that but, if you do not have the  key you cannot start the car you aren’t going anywhere. Effexor is one of your keys. If you do not have it with your other meds you do not receive what your brain needs." Good luck with your effexor. When I was put back on I felt so much better. maridee

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Question:

ROFLMAO! Brilliant! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nashua, NH (March 6) – Diets high in carbohydrates are known for causing extreme laziness but researchers have show that they can also impair memory in humans, The Enquirer reported Monday. Studies of overweight humans which had been fed diets high in carbohydrates since birth showed they did not perform typical tasks as well as lean humans raised on a low carbohydrate diet. "High carbohydrate diets impair activity on virtually all of our measures," said Alfred E. Newman of the Baywatch Center for Bovine Care in California. In our study the lean adult humans went about their chores as one would expect.  The high carb diet humans however, were a different story.  They spent hours in front of the television and had apparently forgotten where the treadmill was, and even where the lawn mower was to be able to cut the lawn.  They seemed oblivious of the fact that the world outside was passing them by. "It’s remarkable how impaired these people are." Newman and his colleagues suspect that carbohydrates interfere with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose.  They are concerned that the high carbohydrate diet consisting of french fries, potato chips and other snacks preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways to the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain." "Maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain. Did I say that already?", Newman added.

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Yeah, this is truly wonderful, John… still laughing – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Nashua, NH (March 6) – Diets high in carbohydrates are known for causing extreme laziness but researchers have show that they can also impair memory in humans, The Enquirer reported Monday. Studies of overweight humans which had been fed diets high in carbohydrates since birth showed they did not perform typical tasks as well as lean humans raised on a low carbohydrate diet. "High carbohydrate diets impair activity on virtually all of our measures," said Alfred E. Newman of the Baywatch Center for Bovine Care in California. In our study the lean adult humans went about their chores as one would expect.  The high carb diet humans however, were a different story.  They spent hours in front of the television and had apparently forgotten where the treadmill was, and even where the lawn mower was to be able to cut the lawn.  They seemed oblivious of the fact that the world outside was passing them by. "It’s remarkable how impaired these people are." Newman and his colleagues suspect that carbohydrates interfere with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose.  They are concerned that the high carbohydrate diet consisting of french fries, potato chips and other snacks preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways to the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain." "Maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain. Did I say that already?", Newman added. Just came across this and it was of some concern. Not sure if the low carb WOE, is protective against the fat or not. Any comments? Fatty Diet Clogs Up Brain As Well As Arteries Reuters LONDON (March 1) – Diets high in fat are well known for causing blocked arteries but Canadian researchers have shown they can also impair memory in rats, New Scientist magazine reported Wednesday. Studies of adolescent rats which had been fed diets rich in animal and vegetable fats since birth showed they did not perform trained tasks as well as lean rodents raised on a more balanced diet. "High-fat diets impair performance on virtually all our measures," said Gordon Winocur of the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto. "It’s remarkable how impaired these animals are." Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. They are concerned that the high fat diet preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways in the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain," Winocur added. 14:23 02-28-01 Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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Yeah, this was reported in the New Scientist as well. Dryad, who wonders exactly how this "study" was done, and on whom — 279/275/160 Begun 2/14/01

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Nashua, NH (March 6) – Diets high in carbohydrates are known for causing extreme laziness but researchers have show that they can also impair memory in humans, The Enquirer reported Monday. Studies of overweight humans which had been fed diets high in carbohydrates since birth showed they did not perform typical tasks as well as lean humans raised on a low carbohydrate diet. "High carbohydrate diets impair activity on virtually all of our measures," said Alfred E. Newman of the Baywatch Center for Bovine Care in California. In our study the lean adult humans went about their chores as one would expect.  The high carb diet humans however, were a different story.  They spent hours in front of the television and had apparently forgotten where the treadmill was, and even where the lawn mower was to be able to cut the lawn.  They seemed oblivious of the fact that the world outside was passing them by. "It’s remarkable how impaired these people are." Newman and his colleagues suspect that carbohydrates interfere with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose.  They are concerned that the high carbohydrate diet consisting of french fries, potato chips and other snacks preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways to the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain." "Maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain. Did I say that already?", Newman added.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just came across this and it was of some concern. Not sure if the low carb WOE, is protective against the fat or not. Any comments? Fatty Diet Clogs Up Brain As Well As Arteries Reuters LONDON (March 1) – Diets high in fat are well known for causing blocked arteries but Canadian researchers have shown they can also impair memory in rats, New Scientist magazine reported Wednesday. Studies of adolescent rats which had been fed diets rich in animal and vegetable fats since birth showed they did not perform trained tasks as well as lean rodents raised on a more balanced diet. "High-fat diets impair performance on virtually all our measures," said Gordon Winocur of the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto. "It’s remarkable how impaired these animals are." Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. They are concerned that the high fat diet preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways in the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain," Winocur added. 14:23 02-28-01 Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  All active hyperlinks have been inserted by

AOL.

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Just came across this and it was of some concern. Not sure if the low carb WOE, is protective against the fat or not. Any comments? Fatty Diet Clogs Up Brain As Well As Arteries Reuters LONDON (March 1) – Diets high in fat are well known for causing blocked arteries but Canadian researchers have shown they can also impair memory in rats, New Scientist magazine reported Wednesday. Studies of adolescent rats which had been fed diets rich in animal and vegetable fats since birth showed they did not perform trained tasks as well as lean rodents raised on a more balanced diet. "High-fat diets impair performance on virtually all our measures," said Gordon Winocur of the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto. "It’s remarkable how impaired these animals are." Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. They are concerned that the high fat diet preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways in the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain," Winocur added. 14:23 02-28-01 Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.  Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just came across this and it was of some concern. Not sure if the low carb WOE, is protective against the fat or not. Any comments? Fatty Diet Clogs Up Brain As Well As Arteries Reuters LONDON (March 1) – Diets high in fat are well known for causing blocked arteries but Canadian researchers have shown they can also impair memory in rats, New Scientist magazine reported Wednesday. Studies of adolescent rats which had been fed diets rich in animal and vegetable fats since birth showed they did not perform trained tasks as well as lean rodents raised on a more balanced diet. "High-fat diets impair performance on virtually all our measures," said Gordon Winocur of the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care in Toronto. "It’s remarkable how impaired these animals are." Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. They are concerned that the high fat diet preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways in the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain," Winocur added. 14:23 02-28-01 Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.  Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Certainly, a high fat and high carbohydrate diet can cause multiple problems. (If you are metabolising sugar, you aren’t using the fat you are consuming). No such correlation has been shown with high fat/low carbohydrate diets. Note this statement: Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. From everything I have read, the brain and red blood cells need sugar for part of their function (other body tissues do not). But the brain and blood cells don’t need insulin to use sugar (while other body tissues do). So it doesn’t follow that even if fat interfered with insulin, that it should prevent the brain from using glucose.

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Just came across this and it was of some concern. Not sure if the low carb WOE, is protective against the fat or not. Any comments? <snip Winocur and his colleagues suspect the fat interferes with insulin and prevents the brain from using glucose. They are concerned that the high fat diet preferred by most teenagers could be damaging pathways in the brain. "And maybe the developing brain is much more susceptible than the older brain," Winocur added. 14:23 02-28-01

They’ve left out some information: the animals are not on an lc diet. Studies in humans have shown that a ketogenic (high fat, low everything else) diet can stop epileptic seizures. That’s because the brain does not use glucose as a primary source of food – it uses ketones! Since going on this diet, my sclerosis symptoms (except when I was taking in too much B-6, which brought them back) have cleared up completely. And my benign essential tremor (think of it as Katherine Hepburn shakes) has become a lot milder. My memory is better, my motor functions are up, in other words – bullshit! Also, from the comments Winocur made, (that a developing brain is more susceptible than an older brain, when brain damage research has shown that actually the opposite is true, because developing brain tissure is more regenerative and adaptable) he seems to be doing these experiments without any regard to the research of other scientists, or to what other factors are present in the animals’ environment. He has set out to prove a specific point, and to that end, has basically rigged the experiment to fulfill his expectations. Perhaps not consciously, but he’s getting what he wants. What the public doesn’t know is, often, when scientists report these "important" findings, we rarely hear, or make the connection, when they have to recant earlier findings down the road. In other words – don’t worry. Sandra

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Question:

hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

No problem J. Welcome to ASAP. Most of us are here because we have the same problem you do. It’s really difficult inthe beginning,but it does get better. Curious, do you have depression to? If not, why the Zoloft? Xanax works great for panic without any additional meds. And, with lots less )or no) side effects. Just something you might want to talk to your doc about. Your best bet is to talk topeople who are positive and supportive here. Ignore the flames and trolls. They come and go. Don’t let them get to you. Get the weekly FAQ and also visit lots of the great web sites that are out there. Like Arthur Anderon’s website! It’s one of the best. Educating yourself about this disorder is one of the best things you can do! Feel free to e-mail me if you’d like. Regards, Jen

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hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

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HI J!!! Sorry to hear you have become "One of us", but glad you found this NG all the same! Jen really said it best as far as educating yourself about panic/anxiety… The best thing you could do, at least for me anyway, is to read as much as you can. I found what was the scariest of all was the not knowing, the lack of understanding as to what was exactly a panic attack meant, what the terms were, etc. Once I understood what was taking place during an attack, I was able to then try and find ways to cope with them. Of course, I am still searching for ways, but…. I am on the Zoloft also… How are you doing with that? I bet at times you may feel a little lost…Dont get down! You will survive! Oh, and for what its worth.. Know the best thing about panic sufferers? They are probably the most understanding, caring, compassionate folk you will ever come across… What you were seeing, like Jen said, is the trouble makers…. Wishing you the best!! — Miriam     (These opinions are mine and mine alone… YMMV) Energizer bunny arrested, charged with battery. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

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hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K?

Hi, J – welcome to ASAP Glad to hear that you’re getting proper treatment and I hope you find this NG the valuable resource that so many of us have. — Gary Cooper

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JSmittie schreef: hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Hi J! Don’t worry. You’ll find much knowledge and support here. It’s a shame that new people should have to worry about posting here these days. The only reason why anybody will not be gentle with someone else here is when this someone else is consciously posting desinformation or writing insulting posts just to disrupt the newsgroup. These people are called *trolls* in Internet lingo and they’re to be found in every newsgroup on Usenet. Don’t worry about them. How long have you been on Zoloft? Does it work for you? It’s often a good idea to take a benzo like Xanax in at least the initial stages of a AD like Zoloft, to let your body adjust itself to it. Hope that you will post more often! Philip

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Hi there!  I’ve only been here a little over 2 months, but some of the folks have been here literally for years.  So, there’s quite a lot of accumulated wisdom that has been of great help to me. I’m glad to have you here, "fellow newbie".  Just ignore the flame threads, delete the whole thread if it bothers you.  You’ll do fine. E. Brent Price

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

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Hi J, I think the more you find out about PD the less you will be afraid…now you have a name for what you have been feeling, when I was diagnosed this summer and had the "names" spelled out for me, I felt a little "nuts", but now I DON’T feel that way. This isn’t some "head thing". For me trying to cope with it on my own was barely tolerable and now I am on the way to developing more appropriate methods of dealing with it. Keep reading and coming to this ng, there’s a lot of good info and support to be found here. Michelle says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

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Question:

We solved most of our puppy’s whining and barking problems when she was tiny, by building a small pen – small enough to be moved around the house, but big enough to provide her with a bed, a bowl of water and a litter tray.  That way, she could see us, feel included – she got lots of time out of the pen too being cuddled and things.  At night, the pen was at the side of the bed, and she settled down really quickly.  After a few weeks, and a few accidents, we got her housetrained, threw out the pen and she slept between our feet until she got too big then she moved onto the floor without much trouble.  HTH.

Jon, Thanks for the advice.  I am so looking forward to when she is housebroken. However, I must say, things have already been settling down here alot. Take care, Brad

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writes: Guess what, she went and got into one of the other dogs’ crates, vomited and returned to her own.

Tasha… I think that’s what my children did when they were sick…they came in my room and threw up! Jody

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b.

Maybe an alternative is Paxil.. I was on Zoloft and felt the panic syptom , they raised the dose and I had more trouble.  Paxil seems more along the lines for treatment of panic/depression. Meanwhile, enjoy watching your son and dog grow together. good luck,     MM<<<< Paul, Thanks for your reply.  If I can’t get Zoloft to work any better, I will try Paxil, it is the next step I guess. Brad

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I think that’s what my children did when they were sick…they came in my room and threw up!

LMAO!!!!!  Oh Gawd……I haven’t laughed all weekend!!!!!   But I HATE you for making me laugh this hard at 7am…..I hate laughing before  I’m awake!!!!! LOLOLOL! shaddap. kc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hey, I got a puppy too!  And the anxiety that goes with it.  AGH.  And the pee and dog puke, and whining, yapping, ripped up papers….double-AGH.

I was feeling like the only person on the planet that felt like he was going to have a nervous breakdown because I got a cute little puppy. First thing I’d say is that sometimes a side effect of Zoloft is anxiousness. Many people shoot a benzo (Xanax, Klonopin, ATivan) at it until it

subsides. I’m currently afraid of the Ativan my doc gave me, but I may try it again. Your point is a good one though and I believe you are right. You may be just reacting to a normal side effect and sticking it on the fact that you have a puppy.

–Snipped to save space– Try not to fret, sometimes animals pick up on it and will whine and cry worse. If you give in, the puppy has learned if he cries long enough you will come get him.  Make it stick.  Being miserable a couple days now is better than having a pest for a dog for the rest of it’s life.

Thanks for all that advice, I’m not the best dog trainer. You probably know all this stuff already.

No, some, but not all. And I used to breed Yorkies when my 3  kids were babies…..I let them set their own boundaries.  Kids got bit, dogs had hair pulled, there were fights over chewies….

Once again, I thought I was the ONLY person who would EVER dare get a new puppy with a young child at the same time. but unless you got a dog with a weird history or bad lineage they will grow up together like siblings and play and love each other even though there will be an occassional fight.

Well, my family got me an Italian Greyhound from a liniage of champion show dogs – which I have been told are very mild mannered easy to train dogs. But besides the occasional rough-housing, my son loves the dog. As a temporary hedge against anxiety, you might ask your doc if you can get a couple of benzos to smooth over the rough places…..it will even itself out. Hope this helps

This post has helped me more than you will ever know.  I thank you very much because I read it over and over and was able to calm down immensely…At first I wanted us to simply give the dog back to the breeders, but now I’m really adjusting and having fun. Thank you so much, Brad – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -KC Cindy

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, the other day, my family surprised me with a new puppy that I said I wanted a few months ago.  When I first saw her I thought like most people — "Wow she is so cute and adorable, I love her!" and told everyone how pleased I was.  Well, that night(as per the breeders instructions), she slept in bed with me and my wife and needless to say, we all slept in the wet spot. She whined and kept us awake most of the night.  The next night we put her in her kennel and she barked and woke us up and my 15 month old son.  By Saterday night, I was feeling depressed and panicky, kind of like "what have we done? A puppy is a huge responsibility and we have a 15 month old son for Heaven’s sake"

Hi B, Didn’t go the puppy route but did just adopt a 2nd dog about 6 months ago and went thru MONTHS of anxiety and saying what have I done???  No matter pup or 2 year old – bringing anything new into the family is always (in my opinion) going to cause stress.  With a 15 month old, I am sure you can relate to the massive changes.  Give it time and try and enjoy the pup while it is still a pup, they grow up faster than kids, ya know!  :)  It took me til about a month ago to finally feel good about our new addition and for me to stop being on edge all the time.  Think the pooch is glad too as I was on her about everything, expecting her to *know* all the rules like the older dog.  I had to stop and make time to spend with her everyday.  Been a long time since I did the pup thing, but you have the chance to train her and I think your son will like the companion.  Good luck! Gwen

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Hi all, I’ve been posting/lurking here for a couple of months now and had a pretty weird experience the other day that has me anxious as hell and depressed. Well, I had started taking my Zoloft 8 weeks ago again after being off of it for 3 months.  I’m at 50 mg. I was up to 100 mg. five months ago, but this time, the side effects have been pretty bad so I’ve been fighting to stabilize at 50. Anyway, I was finally feeling GREAT a week ago.  I was able to stop taking my sleep aids and I was making it through a good part of the day without even checking my state of mind for "crazy feelings" Well, the other day, my family surprised me with a new puppy that I said I wanted a few months ago.  When I first saw her I thought like most people — "Wow she is so cute and adorable, I love her!" and told everyone how pleased I was.  Well, that night(as per the breeders instructions), she slept in bed with me and my wife and needless to say, we all slept in the wet spot.  She whined and kept us awake most of the night.  The next night we put her in her kennel and she barked and woke us up and my 15 month old son.  By Saterday night, I was feeling depressed and panicky, kind of like "what have we done? A puppy is a huge responsibility and we have a 15 month old son for Heaven’s sake" Saturday, I upped my dosage 25 mg. and noticed a little MORE anxiety setting in.  Sunday and Monday I did the same and by late Monday morning I felt about as bad as I did 6 weeks ago. I worry about the puppy hurting my son, about my son hurting the puppy, about her messing on the floor…And since this whole episode happened, I now worry about if the Zoloft is going to help me when I am at full dosage. I know I am handling my anxiety better now than I was 6 weeks ago at the height of my Panic attacks/depression.  And I know I’m at only half the dosage…It’s just gonna take me awhile before I am able to deal with the side effects and up my dosage to the 100mg. I guess I’d like to here of others who have had similar situations.  It’s like, if I can’t enjoy the simple pleasures of life like a new puppy, what the hell can I enjoy? Thanks, B.

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Question:

Jeff S’s suggestion re: lactaid (for milk) sounds like it might be helpful to me since I have developed a great liking for large portions of cereal and milk in the morning.  The ceral alone can also be th culprit. Howver, in addition to food, I have in the past, posted a note that the various antidepressants (paxil, prozac, effexor, ……and others of that class) that I have used for the past few years, ALL seem to be capable of inflicting great damage on the passengers of a subway car after I  have ingested them.  Beano doesn’t seem to help that class of gas. Simethacone is a moderate help if taken with a meal or the medication. I think that the best results I get (except for abstaining from food) arew obtained with a combination of symethacone and activated charcoal. Is this what we call an effemeral(sp?) topic? vic Victor Levadi, lev…@winlab.rutgers.edu

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Jeff, Lactaid is, or at least was, available as just the liquid enzyme that you add to the milk of your choice.  It needs 12 – 24 hours to break down all the milk sugar (lactose).  I used to use this before the treated milk was available.  I think I bought it at a drugstore. Carol — Carol Soltau cms…@ccmail.monsanto.com

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Howard N. Hughes (H_Hughes%DIRNET.CCIT.ARIZONA….@taunivm.tau.ac.il) wrote: : I (almost) hate to bring this up, but since I’ve had MS, I’ve had almost : chronic flatulence.

In <3kdbit$…@news.cais.com

wil…@cais3.cais.com (Mark Wilson) writes: I too get more gas, but I believe its from the meds. I take,i.e. baclofen, diazapam, betaseron. The real bummer is I no longer have the natural push to expel it. So its Tums, Tums, and more Tums. Kathy

Pills often contain lactose and many people, like myself, are lactose intolerant. Tip of the week: blow your nose when you need to expel it. Aapo Halko

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Living in Mexican Food territory I can tell you that Beano works.

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Bill in New Mexico

And if you gave up and gave it to the dog instead they got Beano for dogs now too. John Hare  * 1st 2.00b #5276 * Ye who shall,so shall Ye that who!

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JOHN HARE (commstar!john.h…@commstar.com) wrote:

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Living in Mexican Food territory I can tell you that Beano works.

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Bill in New Mexico

: And if you gave up and gave it to the dog instead they got Beano for : dogs now too. : John Hare :  * 1st 2.00b #5276 * Ye who shall,so shall Ye that who! — ————————————————   as long as the subject is gas, have you ever tried BEANO? I just got a free sample and paln to myself, I haven’t been able to find any solutions to this as far as Tums, Roalaids, Malox and such. But for  all who like to try this –CALL 1-800-257-8650 they will send a free sample plus cents off coupons just for trying. Hope this can help someone,  Kathy

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

JOHN HARE (commstar!john.h…@commstar.com) wrote: : – Living in Mexican Food territory I can tell you that Beano works. : – Bill in New Mexico : And if you gave up and gave it to the dog instead they got Beano for : dogs now too. : John Hare :  * 1st 2.00b #5276 * Ye who shall,so shall Ye that who! — ————————————————  as long as the subject is gas, have you ever tried BEANO? I just got a free sample and paln to myself, I haven’t been able to find any solutions to this as far as Tums, Roalaids, Malox and such. But for  all who like to try this –CALL 1-800-257-8650 they will send a free sample plus cents off coupons just for trying. Hope this can help someone,  Kathy Dear Posters,

                 PHEWWWWW!!!! This subject stinks. David

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Kathy and Bill mentioned BEANO as a real help in reducing gas (which it is!). But just this morning while browsing through either my Butter Buds or Healthmark cookbooks, I ran across a note that said that milk (lactose) can cause considerable gas due to insufficient amount of the right enzymes. Since I’ve been drinking/using a lot more skim or 1% milk lately, I’ve been walking around like a methane factory (let’s not get technical; methane comes from other organic sources including rotting vegetation and pig shit). Anyway–cutting to the chase–the book mentioned LACTAID. Now most of you probably knew this anyway, but it does the same thing for milk that BEANO does for fibers! Knock me over with a feather!! I’d seen it for years but just assumed it was a milk substitute like soy milk (ick) or goat’s milk (pretty good when you get used to it). It is supposed to be very effective also. Well, between BEANO and LACTAID I may once again be permitted to use phone booths, mix with polite company, and not have to practice looking innocent. Well, except for the cats who simply get up and exit the room at speeds inversely proportional to how close they were. Ta. Jeff S. (even if my style is a tipoff, there are now at least 5 or more Jeffs scurrying around this net–should have registered the name as a trademark to cut down on confusion)

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