Question:

iJah wrote:

don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile.

Yep, I empathize with your situation.  Been there, done that.

i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

Many psychotherapeutic meds tend to be drying on the sinuses and the rest of the respiratory tract, and that’s not good when you’re fighting sinusitis. I’m even more concerned because in a previous post you had indicated some serious respiratory symptoms (difficulty breathing).  If you have asthma or bronchitis, psychotherapeutic meds are risky because they can also increase respiratory secretions as well as thicken them.  They are even more risky if you use them at night because they might put you into a deep sleep and then you might be unable to breathe yet unable to wake up to call a doctor because the tranquilizer knocked you out.  If you tell a psychopharmacologist that you have undiagnosed breathing problems they’re going to be reluctant to prescribe anything for you. I really think you’re going about this the wrong way.  Your top priority is to find out why you’re having difficulty breathing.  You also need to be honest with your employer about what you are going thru and how it may affect your productivity.  When you tell them you’re sick enough that you’re having difficulty breathing and the doctors haven’t diagnosed you yet, they should be understanding and cut you some slack.   If they’re not, then you just learned a good lesson about your employer. Your job shouldn’t dictate your course of medical treatment.  Ever. — Steven L.

Response:

iJah wrote:

can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

Charles Stanton wrote:

I’m with ya.  I just got a prescription for Celexa (anti-depressant). I’m seeing another specialist today — I want to find out if this has any potential drying affect on the mucous membrane.

Steven Litvintchouk <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net

wrote in message

<news:qceUb.10715$GO6.8807@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net

… All anti-depressants have a drying effect on the sinuses to one degree or another. May I suggest Seroquel as an alternative.  You seem to have some obsessive tendencies about germs, and Seroquel can help with that as well as have a calming effect.  And Seroquel isn’t as drying as other psychotherapeutic meds. — Steven L.

On 5 Feb 2004 05:45:43 -0800, charles39…@yahoo.com (Charles Stanton) wrote:

Isn’t Seroquel for Schizophrenia?  I’m pretty bad off but not quite to the Schizo phase  I’m sure it’s got other indications as well —- I haven’t started any meds yet.  Still not sure what I’m gonna do.

Seroquel, i guess is classified as an anti-psychotic, but don’t let that scare you off completely. I know of quite a few people with sleep disorders that have used it sucessfully to get badly needed sleep when nothing else would work. like you mentioned, it probably has many uses and applications at different doses, as a matter of fact i’ve heard low doses of it are used to treat major depression.

Response:

Ijah… You might consider getting your Thyroid checked by a blood test. I was suffering from a form of high anxiety last fall. Turns out I am hyperthyroid.  …Jon

Response:

iJah wrote:

i’m aware my #1 priority is to get the breathing problem handled, but so far i haven’t found anyone who gives a rat’s ass. like before, i’m fobbed off after a 5 minute consultation and sent home to sit on it.

Have you actually tried to see an asthma specialist? — Steven L.

Response:

Charles Stanton wrote:

can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems? I’m with ya.  I just got a prescription for Celexa (anti-depressant). I’m seeing another specialist today — I want to find out if this has any potential drying affect on the mucous membrane.

All anti-depressants have a drying effect on the sinuses to one degree or another. May I suggest Seroquel as an alternative.  You seem to have some obsessive tendencies about germs, and Seroquel can help with that as well as have a calming effect.  And Seroquel isn’t as drying as other psychotherapeutic meds. — Steven L.

Response:

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 13:32:39 GMT, iJah <ijahSpamSu…@mindspring.com

wrote: Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t….. understand, but i’m not capable at this point. breathing too difficult, short of breath, wheezing, etc.

Actually that likely asthma, so Stephen is right then, you do need to see an asthma specalist ASAP to rule that out. Asthma canbe readily diagnosed and treated if present.   Many athletes have asthma, so really it need not be a big deal.  But you do need the specialist’s skills to get the best diagnosis to start with. It also could be one or two other things (e.g. circulatory problems) but astma seems an obvious possibility. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

i made a dedicated effort to start getting ‘back in shape’ over the summer – walking at least for 1-3 miles two or three times a week, plus some basketball, but now i am housebound, practically bedridden.

Response:

Please keep in mind that anxiety can make the sinus/ congestion worse. Relaxation can help heal. You might try the relaxation method at www.ent-consult.com. Hope it helps. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com

Response:

On 05 Feb 2004 04:31:47 GMT, entcons…@aol.comnospam (ENTconsult) wrote:

Please keep in mind that anxiety can make the sinus/ congestion worse.

yes, this is exactly what i’ve discovered and why i want to get my anxiety level under control before it caves me in completely.

Relaxation can help heal.

no doubt.

You might try the relaxation method at www.ent-consult.com. Hope it helps.

thanks, i’ll take a look. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com

Response:

Don Brady wrote his remedy for anxiety:

Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t…..

iJah replied:

understand, but i’m not capable at this point. breathing too difficult, short of breath, wheezing, etc.

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 22:39:18 -0500, Don Brady <dbr…@pobox.com

wrote:

Actually that likely asthma, so Stephen is right then, you do need to see an asthma specalist ASAP to rule that out. Asthma canbe readily diagnosed and treated if present.   Many athletes have asthma, so really it need not be a big deal.  But you do need the specialist’s skills to get the best diagnosis to start with. It also could be one or two other things (e.g. circulatory problems) but astma seems an obvious possibility.

<snip

Ok, well it is quite helpful to get this kind of feedback. See, i was starting to think pursuing this idea that i might be asthmatic was premature – but the symptoms are still there – and you and Steve seem to think i should get it checked out and get some certainty on it and i’m sure that’s sage advice. but, damn, am i sick of going to doctors appointments!

Response:

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 08:50:58 GMT, iJah <ijahSpamSu…@mindspring.com

wrote: Ok, well it is quite helpful to get this kind of feedback. See, i was starting to think pursuing this idea that i might be asthmatic was premature – but the symptoms are still there – and you and Steve seem to think i should get it checked out and get some certainty on it and i’m sure that’s sage advice. but, damn, am i sick of going to doctors appointments!

You are very wise to do so.   I can tell you though that – your symptoms are very typical of asthma – asthma is very easy to test for with a simple lung mesurement test inside a few minutes (breathing into a tube with and without a medication).  I have had it a couple of times and the test is nothing (I tested negative for it in my particular case) – if it is asthma, this could be a relief in a way because you  would be able to get immediate substantial relief and control of the condition right away. All sorts of people have asthma, including lots of athletes in active competition – it need not be disabling at all! – in the event it is not asthma, you will be glad you have ruled it out and you will then need to figure out what it is (I know some of the more obscure possibiltiies, some of which are serious,  but there is no point speculating far down a line of contingencies).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Steven Litvintchouk <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net

wrote in message <news:qceUb.10715$GO6.8807@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net… Charles Stanton wrote: can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems? I’m with ya.  I just got a prescription for Celexa (anti-depressant). I’m seeing another specialist today — I want to find out if this has any potential drying affect on the mucous membrane. All anti-depressants have a drying effect on the sinuses to one degree or another. May I suggest Seroquel as an alternative.  You seem to have some obsessive tendencies about germs, and Seroquel can help with that as well as have a calming effect.  And Seroquel isn’t as drying as other psychotherapeutic meds. — Steven L.

Isn’t Seroquel for Schizophrenia?  I’m pretty bad off but not quite to the Schizo phase  I’m sure it’s got other indications as well —- I haven’t started any meds yet.  Still not sure what I’m gonna do.

Response:

can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

I’m with ya.  I just got a prescription for Celexa (anti-depressant). May also help anxiety, obsession etc… Let’s face it, we’re spending 24hrs a day obsessing over our condition…it’s making us anxious, depressed, irritable etc…  Of course, this isn’t getting to the root of the problem but it has been proven time and time again (especially in holistic healing) that the mind is so closely tied to the body and it’s ability to fight disease. We are all trying to stay as positive as we possibly can…trying all angles of medicine, doctors, holistic etc…  Sometimes we need a little help and although I haven’t started the Celexa yet I’m probably going to within the next day or two. I’m seeing another specialist today — I want to find out if this has any potential drying affect on the mucous membrane.

Response:

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 06:59:15 GMT, iJah <ijahSpamSu…@mindspring.com

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile. i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 14:47:54 -0500, Don Brady <dbr…@pobox.com

wrote:

Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t…..

understand, but i’m not capable at this point. breathing too difficult, short of breath, wheezing, etc. i made a dedicated effort to start getting ‘back in shape’ over the summer – walking at least for 1-3 miles two or three times a week, plus some basketball, but now i am housebound, practically bedridden.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Don Brady wrote:

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 06:59:15 GMT, iJah <ijahSpamSu…@mindspring.com wrote: don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile. i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems? Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t…..

This is the poster who said he’s having breathing difficulties–and you’re recommending vigorous exercise???? What do you want to do, kill him?? — Steven L.

Response:

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 01:28:22 GMT, Steven Litvintchouk <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net

wrote: Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t….. This is the poster who said he’s having breathing difficulties–and you’re recommending vigorous exercise???? What do you want to do, kill him??

He is not diagnosed as asthmatic.   You all are assuming he is because of a sensation he had at night.  This might be asthma or panic attack or other. But all right, let’s be careful and say get his doctor’s advise first. I was referring only to relieving stress angle in general.  I cannot address all of the aspects of an individual situation – that is what he has to do.   But I’m glad you raised this caution for him……

Response:

iJah wrote:

don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile.

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 16:05:36 GMT, Steven Litvintchouk <sdlit…@earthlinkNOSPAM.net

wrote: Yep, I empathize with your situation.  Been there, done that.

iJah:

i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

Steven: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Many psychotherapeutic meds tend to be drying on the sinuses and the rest of the respiratory tract, and that’s not good when you’re fighting sinusitis. I’m even more concerned because in a previous post you had indicated some serious respiratory symptoms (difficulty breathing).  If you have asthma or bronchitis, psychotherapeutic meds are risky because they can also increase respiratory secretions as well as thicken them.  They are even more risky if you use them at night because they might put you into a deep sleep and then you might be unable to breathe yet unable to wake up to call a doctor because the tranquilizer knocked you out.  If you tell a psychopharmacologist that you have undiagnosed breathing problems they’re going to be reluctant to prescribe anything for you. I really think you’re going about this the wrong way.  Your top priority is to find out why you’re having difficulty breathing.  You also need to be honest with your employer about what you are going thru and how it may affect your productivity.  When you tell them you’re sick enough that you’re having difficulty breathing and the doctors haven’t diagnosed you yet, they should be understanding and cut you some slack.  If they’re not, then you just learned a good lesson about your employer. Your job shouldn’t dictate your course of medical treatment.  Ever. — Steven L.

steve, thanks so much for the excellent feedback and i take note of your concern about my undiagnosed breathing problems. i talked this over with my regular md and he doesn’t think i have an asthma problem, but a panic/hyperventilation proble, but still he won’t prescribe any anti-anxiety meds because he says they are all too sedating. i’m aware my #1 priority is to get the breathing problem handled, but so far i haven’t found anyone who gives a rat’s ass. like before, i’m fobbed off after a 5 minute consultation and sent home to sit on it. still searching for a doc that will work with me as a dedicated team, but patience, strength and money running thin. i actually felt i had to take a break from docs appts this week. went to four of them all over a 50+ mile radius and in for a CAT scan last week – with no real productive results.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 06:59:15 GMT, iJah <ijahSpamSu…@mindspring.com

wrote: don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile. i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

Vigorous exercise for 45 minutes a day would probably take care of t…..

Response:

don’t know about ya’ll, but my nasal problems sure are starting to get me spun up real tight. i could endure for the first six weeks after things got critical, but now i’m getting quite dysfunctional. no sleep doesn’t help. constant worry about not being able to meet responsibilities and keep on top of things – like maintaining performance on a  job to bring in enough money for survival in this modern world – trivial matters of bare survival like those. just the physical misery and discomfort is enough to get you cranked up after awhile. i’m thinking about getting some anti-anxiety meds to give me some much needed relief – to use as needed, short term hopefully. don’t want to end up with an addiction/dependency on those type meds. can anyone make some suggestions, share some advice/warnings about using anti-anxiety meds while fighting sinus problems?

Response:

Question:

Well said Jim, If you had not been treated you’d still be an asthma cripple. If I’d not found the right treatment I’d be the same. I’ve heard nothing back from R&SB who knows a bit. T’is a pity the naysayers don’t spend time looking into the options instead of shooting at you, me, Bob, anyone who has something new to say.

We have looked at ‘other options.’  The problem is that we evaluated those other options first.  When you do the necessary research to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, come back and talk to us. — "What Sept. 11 did was remind us that there are times when we must fight for our country, that, indeed, there are things – our liberty, our democracy, our belief in human rights and human dignity – worth fighting for." Newsday.com editorial – 27 May 2002

Response:

Well said Jim, If you had not been treated you’d still be an asthma cripple. If I’d not found the right treatment I’d be the same. I’ve heard nothing back from R&SB who knows a bit. T’is a pity the naysayers don’t spend time looking into the options instead of shooting at you, me, Bob, anyone who has something new to say. John http://www.new-asthma.uk.net Darwin:        Fearless quest into the unknown Todays researchers : Fearful quest into what we already know                                  (more inhalers, drug patents, etc etc)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How about seven years?  I’m pretty confident I’ll never need another inhaler as long as I live.  1996 was the last time I used an inhaler. In 1995 my asthma was so severe that I went into full cardiac and respiratory arrest. Jim Quinlan http://www.AsthmaStory.com Yes – I and my family have totally recovered from asthma, and I’ve written to this ng a few times about it. You mean you’ve recovered ’so far’.  Tell us again in ten years. It can go into remission for a long time, then come back with a vengance. Sue, who knows quite a bit about asthma ‘recovery’.

Response:

Seems you are equating the success of using insulin against diabetes with the use of asthma medication and surely underestimating the need for a deeper understanding than that offered by pharmaceutical sales material.

Insulin and asthma medications are both successful in that they control the diseases they are designed for.   As for flippancy, think of docs calling respiratory patients blue bloaters and pink puffers or the title of a Lancet article "Asthma deaths in New Zealand: whodunnit?" on the fenoterol catastrophe. In context, your flippancy about stoicism sort of falls flat.

‘Dark humor’ exists in every line of work that deals with death, injuries and disease.  It is a mental defense mechanism that keeps people sane.   We know so little about the true nature of asthma.  It is surely not possible to classify some efforts of medicated asthmatics  as being healthy sporting activities.  Public opinion was basically shocked at the news that 70% of participants in the Lillehammer Winter Games 1994 took asthma medication. On the radio here the 2002 Tour de France was referred to as the tour of the asthmatics.

Why should the public be shocked?  Unless people are starting to figure out that you can have asthma and be a world class athlete.   Our understanding of sport and other things depends so much on the correctness of the basic strategy of using medication to overcome airway narrowing in asthma. If, as recent research shows, "tightness", which is surely a basic reason for seeking treatment in the first place, is able to be overcome separately  with SIMT and probably medication, then it is hard to draw the line between some basic asthma medications and narcotics. We are not allowed to buy narcotics simply to deal with psychological problems because of addiction and because the imagined cure is worse than the complaint.  The often extremely eloquent arguments stemming from f. i. Tim Leary (sometime "Galileo of Consciousness") in favor are not accepted.

Wrong.  The standard in asthma control is to prevent bronchoconstriction.  Equating asthma medication to narcotics is stupid and irrational.  There is no ‘addiction’ to asthma medications. — "What Sept. 11 did was remind us that there are times when we must fight for our country, that, indeed, there are things – our liberty, our democracy, our belief in human rights and human dignity – worth fighting for." Newsday.com editorial – 27 May 2002

Response:

Since January I’ve had 4 cases of pneumonia, one inflammation in the lungs due to unknown bacteria, and one due to unknown virus. All in all 6 -7 weeks of sickness. After the first case of pneumonia I had chestpain and breathing problems.

This begins to sound like a lung infection causing pneumonia, that has never resolved. Pneumonia is diagnosed using chest x-ray [CXR]; the pneumonia is not cured/resolved til the chest x-ray comes back clear, without infiltrate. If caused by bacteria, antibiotics would be prescribed. Another possibility would be a fungus, like aspergillosis. Or could be a virus. Links: http://www.vh.org/adult/provider/familymedicine/FPHandbook/Chapter04/… Pulmonary Medicine: Pneumonia "I.General. An infection of the lower respiratory tract, including  bacterial, viral, or fungal etiologies. Clinical manifestations  include fevers, cough with or without sputum production, shortness  of breath, and pleuritic chest pain. Physical exam may reveal  crackles (rales) in the lungs with dullness to percussion and  egophony. Infiltrates with or without pleural effusions may be  seen on CXR. E.The chest x-ray may lag behind clinical symptoms, but a change in  therapy is not indicated if the patient is stable. X-ray resolution  will be evident in 73% at 6 weeks and 94% at 24 weeks. Most  patients should be followed radiographically to assure resolution." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001326.htm  Aspergillosis "Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus (Aspergillus), which is commonly  found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in  other decaying vegetation. It causes illness in three ways: as an allergic reaction in people  with asthma (Pulmonary aspergillosis – allergic bronchopulmonary  type); as a colonization and growth in an old healed lung cavity  from previous disease (such as tuberculosis or lung abscess)  where it produces a fungus ball called aspergilloma; and as an  invasive infection with pneumonia that is spread to other parts of the body by the bloodstream (Pulmonary aspergillosis  - invasive type)."

Response:

Seems you are equating the success of using insulin against diabetes with the use of asthma medication and surely underestimating the need for a deeper understanding than that offered by pharmaceutical sales material. As for flippancy, think of docs calling respiratory patients blue bloaters and pink puffers or the title of a Lancet article "Asthma deaths in New Zealand: whodunnit?" on the fenoterol catastrophe. In context, your flippancy about stoicism sort of falls flat. We know so little about the true nature of asthma.  It is surely not possible to classify some efforts of medicated asthmatics  as being healthy sporting activities.  Public opinion was basically shocked at the news that 70% of participants in the Lillehammer Winter Games 1994 took asthma medication. On the radio here the 2002 Tour de France was referred to as the tour of the asthmatics. Our understanding of sport and other things depends so much on the correctness of the basic strategy of using medication to overcome airway narrowing in asthma. If, as recent research shows, "tightness", which is surely a basic reason for seeking treatment in the first place, is able to be overcome separately  with SIMT and probably medication, then it is hard to draw the line between some basic asthma medications and narcotics. We are not allowed to buy narcotics simply to deal with psychological problems because of addiction and because the imagined cure is worse than the complaint.  The often extremely eloquent arguments stemming from f. i. Tim Leary (sometime "Galileo of Consciousness") in favor are not accepted. Why is asthma medication so different, if said recent research is basically correct? Is the ignorance of some dead end kid about the long term and sociological effects of narcotics really so different than the ignorance of some folks just going by the sales literature of the pharmaceutical industry, which in turn is what they like to read? This literature confuses tightness with actual caliber reduction of the airways, like Leary confused issues. Regards, Richard Friedel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains" Cicero quoting Epicurus "always use both belt and braces when your life depends on your trousers staying up" Eric Jarvis quoting nobody in particular — eric www.ericjarvis.co.uk "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

How about seven years?  I’m pretty confident I’ll never need another inhaler as long as I live.  1996 was the last time I used an inhaler. In 1995 my asthma was so severe that I went into full cardiac and respiratory arrest. Jim Quinlan http://www.AsthmaStory.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes – I and my family have totally recovered from asthma, and I’ve written to this ng a few times about it. You mean you’ve recovered ’so far’.  Tell us again in ten years. It can go into remission for a long time, then come back with a vengance. Sue, who knows quite a bit about asthma ‘recovery’.

Response:

"The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains" Cicero quoting Epicurus

"always use both belt and braces when your life depends on your trousers staying up" Eric Jarvis quoting nobody in particular — eric www.ericjarvis.co.uk "live fast, die only if strictly necessary"

Response:

Timo, I had severe asthma for over 10 years and was able to get rid of it utilizing research by Dr. David Hahn regarding a nasty bacteria called chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasm.  I have a ton of information on the subject on my web site at http://www.AsthmaStory.com if you’re interested. Good Luck, Jim Quinlan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone got experience with recovering from Asthma, and what did you do to recover?

Response:

I had asthma as a child. Meant that taking part in games was more or less pointless. Hung around on the football field waiting till the time was up. When the captains, appointed by the teacher, picked sides I was always left till last. Now a few decades later I enjoy ice skating and would never take any medication.  However I’d not go so far as to say that I’m not somehow obsessed (not really worried) about my respiratory system. I’m prone to bronchitis, but this can be tackled with exercise. I think that if you stick to the current official definition of asthma with the rationale of keeping the airways open with medication, asthma cannot be cured. However research points in other directions: Gwen Skloot: "We hypothesized that hyperresponsiveness in asthma is caused by an impairment in the ability of inspiration to stretch airway smooth muscle"  (J. Clinical Investigation, 1995, 2393-2403). Further developed by Robert Brown in J. Appl. Physiol. 2001 2574-2578) See also same journal, 2001, 2511-2516, S. Gunst.  Also http://biomed.brown.edu/Faculty/H/Hai.html (work done at Johns Hopkins University by Prof. Chi-Ming Hai). Then there is the specific muscle training stuff showing that such training does not only arm the patient to better withstand the onslaught of an attack, but also improves symptoms during breathing generally. Freeing the muscles of work by opening the airways might reduce their ability to breathe properly. A further approach shows that actual measurable spasm of the airways and the feeling of being short of breath special to asthma are more or less separate phenomena, as can be shown by putting a patient on a ventilator to take over the work of breathing. (Andrew Binks, Am. J.Respir. Care. Med. 2002 78-82. "Ratings of tightness were unchanged by the absence of respiratory muscle activity") This research seems to be something different to alternative theories like asthma being due to a virus and seems to squarely contradict the rationale of targeting airway caliber with medication. Of course thoroughly humane action is needed to help anybody having an attack of asthma or just unable to bear the sensation of tightness, but should not the action be theoretically limited to the actual tightness? Maybe this is in fact the thrust of some relievers (Ventolin?) and they more specifically target the tightness rather than actual spasm.  This is specifically an aim of muscle training. Regards, Richard Friedel "The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains" Cicero quoting Epicurus – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – in what sense?…to recover after an attack? Well, I guess I should be more specific. thanks Since January I’ve had 4 cases of pneumonia, one inflammation in the lungs due to unknown bacteria, and one due to unknown virus. All in all 6 -7 weeks of sickness. After the first case of pneumonia I had chestpain and breathing problems. snip As I write this I’m waiting to be examined on the hospital by experts. My physician has not said I

Question:

Hi! I need your help.  I’m writing a story and one of my characters has asthma. My question is…what is the most severe form of asthma? Any information would be helpful. Thanks, Jim

Response:

Hi! I need your help.  I’m writing a story and one of my characters has asthma. My question is…what is the most severe form of asthma?

Well there is ‘brittle asthma’ (where someone’s condition can rapidly deteriorate to life threatening without warning) and there is also steroid-resistant asthma (asthma that cannot be well controlled with current medical treatments). (I just wish that writers would start portraying healthy, active and successful asthmatics.) "It’s not American foreign policy, or the plight of the Palestinians, or America’s longstanding support for Israel. A group of people with money and weaponry have simply decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and want, eventally, to exterminate us." ‘Christian Century’ magazine

Response:

Thanks for the information, Colin.  (And by the way…this particular character IS a healthy, active and VERY successful person.) Thanks again, Jim PS: Anybody else have further info, I’d be glad to read it. Colin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well there is ‘brittle asthma’ (where someone’s condition can rapidly deteriorate to life threatening without warning) and there is also steroid-resistant asthma (asthma that cannot be well controlled with current medical treatments). (I just wish that writers would start portraying healthy, active and successful asthmatics.)

Response:

(I just wish that writers would start portraying healthy, active and successful asthmatics.)

Colin, Well-intentioned though you are, please accept that a) current asthma meds do limited good, or no good at all and b) some of the rest of us may have gotten over asthma completely So your focus of attention might be spent better by looking at the REAL success stories, rather than the many dismal stories of of continued inhaler and steriod use. John

Response:

… So your focus of attention might be spent better by looking at the REAL success stories, rather than the many dismal stories of of continued inhaler and steriod use.

Yeah, I hear that continued steriod use causes typos. Ron Sullivan — If the whole world looks like shit,         chances are you have your head up your ass.

Response:

Yeah, I hear that continued steriod use causes typos.

Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either.

Response:

Yeah, I hear that continued steriod use causes typos. Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either.

Well, for somebody who calls himself a ‘doctor’ you seem to be trying awful hard to get people to stop taking medications that control a potentially life-threatening disease. If you want people to regard yourself as a ‘professional’ maybe you should start acting like one. "It’s not American foreign policy, or the plight of the Palestinians, or America’s longstanding support for Israel. A group of people with money and weaponry have simply decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and want, eventally, to exterminate us." ‘Christian Century’ magazine

Response:

Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either. Well, for somebody who calls himself a ‘doctor’ you seem to be trying awful hard to get people to stop taking medications that control a potentially life-threatening disease. If you think I am trying "awful hard" to get people to stop taking their medications, then you have not been listening "awful hard" to a word I have been saying.  It’s not my place to tell people to alter their meds, or to stop taking them.  It is their decision, along with the advice they receive from their doctor.

Then please explain the above comment from yourself.  Do have _any_ actual reason to believe that this is true or are you just trying to frighten people with reckless comments? "It’s not American foreign policy, or the plight of the Palestinians, or America’s longstanding support for Israel. A group of people with money and weaponry have simply decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and want, eventally, to exterminate us." ‘Christian Century’ magazine

Response:

Then please explain the above comment from yourself.  Do have _any_ actual reason to believe that this is true or are you just trying to frighten people with reckless comments?

Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism  (Sheldon Syndrome) is one of the deleterious side-effects of taking anabolic steroids, a derivative of testosterone.   The inhaled steroids in asthma medications are corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatories derived from adrenal hormones and they do not have the same side effects as do anabolic steroids.

Response:

Then please explain the above comment from yourself.  Do have _any_ actual reason to believe that this is true or are you just trying to frighten people with reckless comments? Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism  (Sheldon Syndrome) is one of the deleterious side-effects of taking anabolic steroids, a derivative of testosterone.

Trust me on this: I’ll never have to worry about my penis shrinking. The inhaled steroids in asthma medications are corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatories derived from adrenal hormones and they do not have the same side effects as do anabolic steroids.

Probably useful to clarify this. We can make in-jokes (and I like to) but I suppose one never knows who else is reading, or what they know — or think they know. Ron Sullivan — Just as every cloud as a silver lining, every tragedy in the US has a pocketbook.                  – Marley G, ascf

Response:

Trust me on this: I’ll never have to worry about my penis shrinking.

 This tall tail of yours is obviously no small matter! Probably useful to clarify this. We can make in-jokes (and I like to) but I suppose one never knows who else is reading, or what they know — or think they know.

I’d hate to have it on my conscience that some unsuspecting asthma newsgroup reader might scream, jump up from their computer, and go running throughout the house with both hands clutching their privates exclaiming, "I knew it was that blankity-blank turbohaler!"   <g

Response:

Trust me on this: I’ll never have to worry about my penis shrinking. This tall tail of yours is obviously no small matter! "I knew it was that blankity-blank turbohaler!"   <g

And the turbuhaler too! And toto too.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Trust me on this: I’ll never have to worry about my penis shrinking.  This tall tail of yours is obviously no small matter! Probably useful to clarify this. We can make in-jokes (and I like to) but I suppose one never knows who else is reading, or what they know — or think they know. I’d hate to have it on my conscience that some unsuspecting asthma newsgroup reader might scream, jump up from their computer, and go running throughout the house with both hands clutching their privates exclaiming, "I knew it was that blankity-blank turbohaler!"   <g

That’s not the accepted way to use an inhaler…

Response:

That’s not the accepted way to use an inhaler…

What’s this?  More a priori?

Response:

That’s not the accepted way to use an inhaler… What’s this?  More a priori?

Well, that certainly approximates the recommended position more closely. Now, you want counterpressure, you could always try inhaling through your… Never mind. Ron Sullivan Faultline, California’s Environmental Magazine http://www.faultline.org — If everyone just keeps passing the torch to the next generation and no one ever actually saves the world, what good is that?               — Shawna, ascf

Response:

Yeah, I hear that continued steriod use causes typos. Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either.

Why not?    Lp

Response:

Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either. Well, for somebody who calls himself a ‘doctor’ you seem to be trying awful hard to get people to stop taking medications that control a potentially life-threatening disease.

If you think I am trying "awful hard" to get people to stop taking their medications, then you have not been listening "awful hard" to a word I have been saying.  It’s not my place to tell people to alter their meds, or to stop taking them.  It is their decision, along with the advice they receive from their doctor.

Response:

Probably doesn’t do your genitalia any good either. Why not?   Lp

I was making a poor joke about anabolic steroids, not corticosteroids. Apologies.

Response:

Question:

Asthma frequently goes into remission during a persons teen years.  It is not ‘cured’ or ‘gone away’ but simply no longer producing active symptoms. Now the bad news is that it frequently returns in a persons late 20s and 30s. And then, when will it go away again? I’m 40 and I miss alot those slim and long "More" cigaretts I used to buy when I was 15 along with those cool German beers…

Generally, when it comes back – it is here to stay. "…there is always a well-known solution to every human problem–neat, plausible, and wrong."    H. L. Mencken

Response:

I used to be diagnosed with exercise-induced and allergy-induced asthma but I haven’t had any problems with my asthma in over a year. I play basketball and I am outside a lot, and I have not felt that "tightness" or wheezing in a very long time. Is it possible that I grew out of my asthma? Could it have been that I was just out of shape? Can people wheeze and have attacks if they don’t actually have asthma?

Response:

I can only answer one of your questions. Yes ,you can be short of breath and actually wheeze without having asthma.For instance,infection in your lungs can cause this.

Response:

I used to be diagnosed with exercise-induced and allergy-induced asthma but I haven’t had any problems with my asthma in over a year. I play basketball and I am outside a lot, and I have not felt that "tightness" or wheezing in a very long time. Is it possible that I grew out of my asthma?

I grew out of asthma for over twenty years, but then it came roaring back from nowhere.

Response:

I used to be diagnosed with exercise-induced and allergy-induced asthma but I haven’t had any problems with my asthma in over a year. I play basketball and I am outside a lot, and I have not felt that "tightness" or wheezing in a very long time. Is it possible that I grew out of my asthma?

Asthma frequently goes into remission during a persons teen years.  It is not ‘cured’ or ‘gone away’ but simply no longer producing active symptoms. Now the bad news is that it frequently returns in a persons late 20s and 30s. "It’s not American foreign policy, or the plight of the Palestinians, or America’s longstanding support for Israel. A group of people with money and weaponry have simply decided that we, as a civilization, are unfit to live, and want, eventally, to exterminate us." ‘Christian Century’ magazine

Response:

I used to be diagnosed with exercise-induced and allergy-induced asthma but I haven’t had any problems with my asthma in over a year. I play basketball and I am outside a lot, and I have not felt that "tightness" or wheezing in a very long time. Is it possible that I grew out of my asthma? Could it have been that I was just out of shape? Can people wheeze and have attacks if they don’t actually have asthma?

You don’t say how old you are.  Teenagers do sometimes ‘grow out’ of asthma, but of those who do it reappears in the 30’s or 40’s for a fair proportion. It wasn’t being out of shape.  If it was 90% of the population would be wheezing. — Five Cats

Response:

Asthma frequently goes into remission during a persons teen years.  It is not ‘cured’ or ‘gone away’ but simply no longer producing active symptoms. Now the bad news is that it frequently returns in a persons late 20s and 30s.

And then, when will it go away again? I’m 40 and I miss alot those slim and long "More" cigaretts I used to buy when I was 15 along with those cool German beers…

Response:

Question:

She is wrong. Flovent and Pulmicort are much more potent than Azmacort and have much less sytemic effects. If she is so sure they are the same then I don’t see why she should be so opposed to a switch. Adding Singulair is another responable option.

I am interested to hear what CBI says about Flovent and Pulmicort having less systemic effects than Azmacort.  That has not been my experience at all.  Unfortunately, when I have tried Flovent and Pulmicort, I have developed "brain fog", some kind of cognitive impairment that leaves me unsafe to drive or do any kind of complex work. I was on Azmacort for years, and when it became unavailable in Canada back in August, I switched to a generic beclomethasone inhaler, due to my problems with the other two steroids.  Unfortunately, beclometh doesn’t seem to be doing the trick, and I am wondering what my other options are.  I am already on Singulair and Serevent. Has anyone heard of "brain fog" as being a side-effect of inhaled steroids?  Could it possibly be dose-related?  I was on the lowest dose of Flovent when I tried it (1 puff twice a day) and I’m wondering if 1 puff once a day would lead to the same effects? Pat —

Response:

went for the recheck..asked to changed to preventive inhaler since azmacort didn’t help…and I take the max. dose she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength

Not true; the newer steroid inhalers Pulmicort Turbuhaler and Flovent are much more powerful than Azmacort. Approximately 1 puff of Flovent 220 or Pulmicort [200] is equivalent to 5 puffs of Azmacort. The side effects of Azmacort tend to be more pronounced. When I was on 24 pf/day of Azmacort I got facial edema [moon face]. Also the new inhalers only need to be used twice/day, older ones like Azmacort are used 3-4x/day. I now use 2 pf/day of Pulmicort [4-6 pf/day during exacerbations]. Link for Pulmicort: http://www.twistclickinhale.com/ Pulmicort Turbuhaler so continue on the azmacort & start singular asked about an inhaler for nocturnal asthma since I have been having flare ups in the middle of the night, out of a dead sleep says there isn’t an inhaler that specifically helps w/that

Serevent inhaler is often prescribed; lasts 12 hours. Also GE reflux can cause this; treatment is: raise head of bed 6" with wood blocks no meals near bed time drugs like omeprazole or Pepcid I suggest the book: ‘The Asthma Sourcebook’, Francis Adams, MD It tells all about asthma, asthma drugs, etc. Your doctor seems to be out of date. I don’t understand why she wouldn’t be willing to let you try the newer more effective inhaler, Pulmicort [or Flovent 220]. Ellis

Response:

Virtual Hospital: Asthma Education: Interactive Guidelines: Component 3: Pharmacologic Therapy: Figure 3-5b: Estimated Compartivie Daily Dosages for Inhaled Corticosteroids Address:http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/AsthmaIM/comp3/3-5b.html Changed:9:26 AM on Tuesday, October 30, 2001 Please note budesonide = Pulmicort, fluticasone = Flixotde & Flovent,  flunisolide = Aerobid, beclomethasone = Vanceril & Beclovent,  and finally triamcinalone = Asthmacort <<< she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength

Response:

went for the recheck..asked to changed to preventive inhaler since azmacort didn’t help…and I take the max. dose she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength

Azmacort is the weakest medication.  Much inferior to just about all of the other inhaled steroids.   so continue on the azmacort & start singular asked about an inhaler for nocturnal asthma since I have been having flare ups in the middle of the night, out of a dead sleep says there isn’t an inhaler that specifically helps w/that

Find another doctor. "With Confidence in our Armed Forces –  with the determination of our people –  we will gain the inevitable triumph –  so help us god."   Franklin Delano Roseveldt, 8 december 1941

Response:

If your symptoms are mostly at night, singulair may provide relief.  It works really well for some people. Azmacort is triamcinolone acetonide.  Flovent is fluticasone propionate. They are different but do the same thing.  You can get flovent in a higher dose than azmacort.  If you asthma is not under control on the highest dose of azmacort, maybe you sould be switched to something that you can get a higher dose of like flovent or pulmicort.  Though the key is to keep your asthma under control with the least amount of steroids.  Perhaps try a long acting bronchodilator, like serevent.  Once your symptoms are under control, you should ask your doctor about tapering off the steroids a bit.  If you’re not satisfied, always get a second opinion.  Many doctors treat with different methods, some not the best for the individual. Take care, Emad Kowatli, MD, FCCP

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – went for the recheck..asked to changed to preventive inhaler since azmacort didn’t help…and I take the max. dose she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength so continue on the azmacort & start singular asked about an inhaler for nocturnal asthma since I have been having flare ups in the middle of the night, out of a dead sleep says there isn’t an inhaler that specifically helps w/that She would never exchange her solitude for anything.  Never again to be forced to move to the rhythms of others. ~Tillie Olsen

Response:

went for the recheck..asked to changed to preventive inhaler since azmacort didn’t help…and I take the max. dose she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength so continue on the azmacort & start singular

She is wrong. Flovent and Pulmicort are much more potent than Azmacort and have much less sytemic effects. If she is so sure they are the same then I don’t see why she should be so opposed to a switch. Adding Singulair is another responable option. asked about an inhaler for nocturnal asthma since I have been having flare ups in the middle of the night, out of a dead sleep says there isn’t an inhaler that specifically helps w/that

She is half right. There isn’t a specific inhaler that works only on night time symptoms. I think what you were refering to is the long acting dilators Serevent or Foradil. These are similar to albuterol but last 12 hours so you won’t have the med wear off in the middle of the night. Better yet would be to control your asthma and not have the nocturnal symptoms. More than two epidsodes per month of waking up with asthma symptoms indicates suboptimal control. — CBI, MD

Response:

went for the recheck..asked to changed to preventive inhaler since azmacort didn’t help…and I take the max. dose she said azmacort, flovent and that turboinhaler are all the same med w/the same strength so continue on the azmacort & start singular asked about an inhaler for nocturnal asthma since I have been having flare ups in the middle of the night, out of a dead sleep says there isn’t an inhaler that specifically helps w/that She would never exchange her solitude for anything.  Never again to be forced to move to the rhythms of others.     ~Tillie Olsen

Response:

Question:

Hi My son who is 3 years old suffers from asthma triggered by viral infection. When infected coughing lasts a few weeks. During an incident last winter he also developed wheeziness and dyspnea. It was a case of a strong virus because I suffered a lot too. Then on the doctor put him on Flixotide for protection and Aerolin during infections and situations of reaction to an allergen  (never fased such a case until now). Although my grandfather my father and I suffer from allergic asthma and my son has probably inherited from as since this moment he has not shown any sign of intolerance to any particular allergen. Lately I read that the most common proposition is to use medicines for  "protection" continously for a few semesters or a few years rather than a few months to get results. I also read that protection medicines like the one I mentioned are  not harmful for kids over 5 but for younger kids might affect the development of lungs. So since my son is 3 years old and he does not show any particular evidence of reaction to allergens should I propose the doctor to stop the protection medication? Could we use it only during  situations of infection? Is it effective this way? Thank you / Leo /Greece

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My son who is 3 years old suffers from asthma triggered by viral infection. When infected coughing lasts a few weeks. During an incident last winter he also developed wheeziness and dyspnea. It was a case of a strong virus because I suffered a lot too. Then on the doctor put him on Flixotide for protection and Aerolin during infections and situations of reaction to an allergen  (never fased such a case until now). Although my grandfather my father and I suffer from allergic asthma and my son has probably inherited from as since this moment he has not shown any sign of intolerance to any particular allergen. Lately I read that the most common proposition is to use medicines for  "protection" continously for a few semesters or a few years rather than a few months to get results. I also read that protection medicines like the one I mentioned are  not harmful for kids over 5 but for younger kids might affect the development of lungs. So since my son is 3 years old and he does not show any particular evidence of reaction to allergens should I propose the doctor to stop the protection medication? Could we use it only during  situations of infection? Is it effective this way? Thank you / Leo /Greece

Flixotide=fluticasone, a steroid inhaler for prevention Aerolin=salbutamol/albuterol, a bronchodilator for quick relief Aerolin [salbutamol] is a very safe drug without long lasting effects. Flixotide could have side effects in high doses, such as reduction in rate of growth of height. In low to medium dose is considered safe. Some asthmatics have intermittent asthma and only need drugs when affected. Others have asthma all the time and need to take drugs all the time. Another drug that could be tried in place of Flixotide is Intal [cromolyn]; considered very safe with no long term side effects; it’s not as strong as Flixotide, and is best administered via nebulizer. Link: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinGuide/Asthma/Asthma.html   Asthma Management:      *Guidelines for the Primary Care Physician (Virtual Childrens Hospital  (Uiowa), Weinberger Ellis

Response:

Question:

Thanks for the input, back on pulmicort full throttle to snuff this episode. the friend that advised me has been mild asthmatic every winter for most of his adult life, and is athletic.stinging nettle seemed to help my sinus and throat stay clear post nasal drip seems to be one of my triggers or more correctly what suppresses my own systoms response. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

—–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Steroids are very seductive.  I enjoy oral prednisone way too much; I pretty much refuse to use it. About eight years ago in Mexico I was given IV cortisone for pneumonia.  I have never felt so good in my life.  Scary, in it’s way.  I’m down there enough that I could repeat the experience if I wanted, but I’m afraid to.  Side effects sound even more scary. I got a very nice buzz from the Flixotide until I dropped my dosage 75%.  Also ate part of Bridgeport and gained a few pounds.  Got some of them off….more to go.

Response:

My ex-wife was deathly allergic to penicillan.  She almost died the first time an MD prescribed some for her, and again a decade later when a new, improved, different ‘non allergenic’ antibiotic was prescribed.  Ambulance, emergency room, heroic measures, close call, congrats on a close save all around.

Same here, very allergic to penicillen along with another 8 other prescription meds, many of them antibitotics. Other ’safety tested’ medical products kill people fairly regularly. There is no blanket panacea.  Otherwise we wouldn’t be here discussing this.

You are absolutely right…no blanket panacea.  I do think, if one reviews posts on this ng that have popped up over the past years, that unfortunately there are folks out there that promote herbals as a panacea.  And just as unfortunately, there are many ill people desperate to feel better…so they buy into it. At least these "safety tested" meds are under the jurisdiction of the FDA, so they can be yanked if they, in fact, prove to be injurious to certain people.  No one can yank ephedra containing products, even though they have caused hundreds of deaths and other adverse reactions.  Pretty scary stuff. Patrice

Response:

My immediate reaction is to suggest taking a few OTC cold medications to find out, but not everyone has my sense of humor. …

Or your particular sensitivities. We all have particular sensitivities of our very personal uniquely monogrammed own, as we seem to be establishing anecdotally here. I have problems with ma huang, e.g., and pseudoephedrine gives me such gut cramps that I first wondered about dysentery and typhoid. The worst drug reaction I’ve had was to theophylline, in a non-slow-release oral form. Imagine full-body nausea plus uncontrollable squirming. The experience was useful, though: After it I could recognize theo-toxicity in a kid from across the ward, just by the tone of his or her whining. OTOH, oral prednisone makes me very very happy and productive. Now _that’s_ a dangerous drug! Ron

Response:

My immediate reaction is to suggest taking a few OTC cold medications to find out, but not everyone has my sense of humor.  These things make me feel a bit disoriented.  Sometimes I see flashes, or the room or my time sense seems a little funny.  Not an especially great sensation, although it felt kind of nice the first time I took an extra Sudafed.  About like taking three shots of vodka or something similar.  You’ll note some of them have language about not operating heavy machinery. I’m pretty sure there’s an alt.recreational.drugs out there somewhere.  For those truly interested. Good luck Some of my colleagues think that the  chemicals we are experimenting with  could potentially cause brain damage,  however I think that fish crunchy bits of  salami my new red hippie noodle.  Naked pool frogs?

Response:

Speaking of, I am horribly allergic to nettles.  I once used an "bio-organic" shampoo with nettles in the mix…my scalp itched so I felt like yanking my  hair out.  I can only imagine what would happen if I actually ingested the stuff. Why don’t you herbal guys and gals think about that sort of thing, rather than peddle a blanket panacea for a multitude of afflictions?  I know for a fact (and no, I’m not an "ethno-botanist" ((what tripe)) but I do have a degree in Horticulture/Botany) that herbal remedies may be natural, but that’s it.  It doesn’t mean they are safe…or effective.  Too bad good people get sucked into the hype.

My ex-wife was deathly allergic to penicillan.  She almost died the first time an MD prescribed some for her, and again a decade later when a new, improved, different ‘non allergenic’ antibiotic was prescribed.  Ambulance, emergency room, heroic measures, close call, congrats on a close save all around. I was given a product called ‘Isodets’ by my Dr back in the sixties that contained iodine.  My throat tissue swelled alarmingly.  It wasn’t life threatening, but much worse and it would have been. Other ’safety tested’ medical products kill people fairly regularly. There is no blanket panacea.  Otherwise we wouldn’t be here discussing this. Good luck.

Response:

Speaking of, I am horribly allergic to nettles.  I once used an "bio-organic" shampoo with nettles in the mix…my scalp itched so I felt like yanking my  hair out.  I can only imagine what would happen if I actually ingested the stuff. Why don’t you herbal guys and gals think about that sort of thing, rather than peddle a blanket panacea for a multitude of afflictions?  I know for a fact (and no, I’m not an "ethno-botanist" ((what tripe)) but I do have a degree in Horticulture/Botany) that herbal remedies may be natural, but that’s it.  It doesn’t mean they are safe…or effective.  Too bad good people get sucked into the hype.

Because the goal is to sell as much of the stuff as possible.  This is why they never discuss things like known side effects (or the fact that for many ‘indications’ it was found to be useless in clinical trials). Until these people are reined in by some sort of consumer protection law they will continue to market in this manner. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Stinging nettle is regarded as an herbal anti-histamine.  Since asthma can be induced by factors other than allergies (such as illnesses like bronchitis)… then it is possible it may not have much effect on chronic asthma suffers..  I have tried it myself and it seemed to be effective on many allergy symptoms however I still had problems with my asthma. Asthma is primarily driven by the late phase allergic response, while antihistamines only treat the early phase allergic response.

Speaking of, I am horribly allergic to nettles.  I once used an "bio-organic" shampoo with nettles in the mix…my scalp itched so I felt like yanking my  hair out.  I can only imagine what would happen if I actually ingested the stuff. Why don’t you herbal guys and gals think about that sort of thing, rather than peddle a blanket panacea for a multitude of afflictions?  I know for a fact (and no, I’m not an "ethno-botanist" ((what tripe)) but I do have a degree in Horticulture/Botany) that herbal remedies may be natural, but that’s it.  It doesn’t mean they are safe…or effective.  Too bad good people get sucked into the hype. Patrice

Response:

Dried stinging nettles made into tea are usually recommended for a runny nose. I have used this with complete satisfaction …

Any idea what the active ingredient is? Thanks. Ron, nettled

Response:

Stinging nettle is regarded as an herbal anti-histamine.  Since asthma can be induced by factors other than allergies (such as illnesses like bronchitis)… then it is possible it may not have much effect on chronic asthma suffers..  I have tried it myself and it seemed to be effective on many allergy symptoms however I still had problems with my asthma.

Asthma is primarily driven by the late phase allergic response, while antihistamines only treat the early phase allergic response. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Dried stinging nettles made into tea are usually recommended for a runny nose. I have used this with complete satisfaction (my nose stopped running completely for four hours and I felt 100%) and without the lovely side effects of dryness and mild hallucinations that I get from Pseudafed or Chlor Trimetron. I have seen nettles recommended for minor bronchial congestion, but have never noticed any real effect on asthma.  

Response:

Dried stinging nettles made into tea are usually recommended for a runny nose. I have used this with complete satisfaction (my nose stopped running completely for four hours and I felt 100%) and without the lovely side effects of dryness and mild hallucinations that I get from Pseudafed or Chlor Trimetron. I have seen nettles recommended for minor bronchial congestion, but have never noticed any real effect on asthma.

What is a "mild hallucination"?

Response:

Stinging nettle is regarded as an herbal anti-histamine.  Since asthma can be induced by factors other than allergies (such as illnesses like bronchitis)… then it is possible it may not have much effect on chronic asthma suffers..  I have tried it myself and it seemed to be effective on many allergy symptoms however I still had problems with my asthma. Marina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Group,    Have just been thru a case of Bronchitis,possibly contracted from a customer of mine before vacation. After a short dose of Prednisone and the requisite dose of antibiotics i seemed reasonably well. On my return home I awoke back in the throes of asthma, tried stinging nettle which had been recommended by a fellow sufferer for mild symptoms in winter. I had mild results but now have reverted to pulmicort and serevent again. Any advice? Ordinary —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Hi Group,   Have just been thru a case of Bronchitis,possibly contracted from a customer of mine before vacation. After a short dose of Prednisone and the requisite dose of antibiotics i seemed reasonably well. On my return home I awoke back in the throes of asthma, tried stinging nettle which had been recommended by a fellow sufferer for mild symptoms in winter. I had mild results but now have reverted to pulmicort and serevent again.

Sounds par for the course for a herbal remedy – not much real effect. BTW, is this friend qualified to dispense medical advice to an asthmatic? "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

Hi Group,    Have just been thru a case of Bronchitis,possibly contracted from a customer of mine before vacation. After a short dose of Prednisone and the requisite dose of antibiotics i seemed reasonably well. On my return home I awoke back in the throes of asthma, tried stinging nettle which had been recommended by a fellow sufferer for mild symptoms in winter. I had mild results but now have reverted to pulmicort and serevent again. Any advice? Ordinary —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Question:

I’m not sure how I could have an attack-free life unless I never exercised and lived in a bubble.  Asthma is so difficult because there is no cure.  I am 28 and have suffered with this disease for 23 years.  Know what triggers your asthma.  Pay attention to your version of the disease, and take it seriously. Get a good doctor.  That doesn’t always happen overnight.  You are worth the effort of seeking out a specialist you respect and trust. Daily medications are key (taking them EVERY day) and rescue medications have saved my life more times than I can count.  Thirty years ago, I’d have died several times over by now, no doubt.  Focus on the positive, and know the signs of an attack, so you can prevent severe attacks.  I recommend a complete allergy test, too.  It made a great difference to me to know exactly what I am allergic to – the results might surprise you, and will definitely be to your advantage. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had asthma now for nearly two years. I started with it at christmas, after developing a cold and mild flu. I have since tried loads of medications, and am now on a fairly high dosage of a preventor inhalor, and yet it still affects my life. Everywhere you read about Asthma it says you can live a normal and attack free life, yet this is not the case with me. I love sport, and would love to play for a soccer team, except that my asthma would stop me. Plus every year in the winter, after developing inevitable colds, my asthma gets really bad, and I end up taking steriod tablets. Has anyone any tips on controlling asthma, and maybe alternative medicines or anything that may help? I would really like to get this under control, so I can just get on with my life. (Oh yeah I am 22 years old, female, and live in Somerset, England. I currently take Flixotide 250mg as a preventor and Ventolin as a reliever, and am currently taking a course of prednisolone tablets.)

Response:

I have had asthma now for nearly two years. I started with it at christmas, after developing a cold and mild flu. I have since tried loads of medications, and am now on a fairly high dosage of a preventor inhalor, and yet it still affects my life. Everywhere you read about Asthma it says you can live a normal and attack free life, yet this is not the case with me. I love sport, and would love to play for a soccer team, except that my asthma would stop me. Plus every year in the winter, after developing inevitable colds, my asthma gets really bad, and I end up taking steriod tablets. Has anyone any tips on controlling asthma, and maybe alternative medicines or anything that may help? I would really like to get this under control, so I can just get on with my life. (Oh yeah I am 22 years old, female, and live in Somerset, England. I currently take Flixotide 250mg as a preventor and Ventolin as a reliever, and am currently taking a course of prednisolone tablets.)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had asthma now for nearly two years. I started with it at christmas, after developing a cold and mild flu. I have since tried loads of medications, and am now on a fairly high dosage of a preventor inhalor, and yet it still affects my life. Everywhere you read about Asthma it says you can live a normal and attack free life, yet this is not the case with me. I love sport, and would love to play for a soccer team, except that my asthma would stop me. Plus every year in the winter, after developing inevitable colds, my asthma gets really bad, and I end up taking steriod tablets. Has anyone any tips on controlling asthma, and maybe alternative medicines or anything that may help? I would really like to get this under control, so I can just get on with my life. (Oh yeah I am 22 years old, female, and live in Somerset, England. I currently take Flixotide 250mg as a preventor and Ventolin as a reliever, and am currently taking a course of prednisolone tablets.)

you need to take a double edged approach to controlling asthma one side is the Flixotide and Prednisolone when required…that’s tackling the long term condition the other side is to look at what precisely triggers an attack…ask your GP if you can get an appointment with an allergist…see what comes up as triggers…list the things that happen before you get an attack…start working on eliminating the things that trigger it…I found replacing curtains with blinds helped, and I’m hoping to get rid of the last carpet in the flat later this year this is a long process, but can make a huge difference like most health conditions asthma responds to your general state of health…so I’d strongly recommend making sure you are getting a decent healthy diet…ought to be easier in Zummerzet than it is here in London the other thing I find really helpful is singing…might sound silly, but simply having more control of my breathing has helped…plus it gives the old lungs and airways a good work out now and again — eric "the alternative to seeing things in black and white is to see them in full colour"

Response:

Has anyone any tips on controlling asthma, and maybe alternative medicines or anything that may help?

First of all, avoid the alternative stuff.  If it worked, your doctor would be using it. My suggestion is to ask for a referral to an asthma specialist.   "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had asthma now for nearly two years. I started with it at christmas, after developing a cold and mild flu. I have since tried loads of medications, and am now on a fairly high dosage of a preventor inhalor, and yet it still affects my life. Everywhere you read about Asthma it says you can live a normal and attack free life, yet this is not the case with me. I love sport, and would love to play for a soccer team, except that my asthma would stop me. Plus every year in the winter, after developing inevitable colds, my asthma gets really bad, and I end up taking steriod tablets. Has anyone any tips on controlling asthma, and maybe alternative medicines or anything that may help? I would really like to get this under control, so I can just get on with my life. (Oh yeah I am 22 years old, female, and live in Somerset, England. I currently take Flixotide 250mg as a preventor and Ventolin as a reliever, and am currently taking a course of prednisolone tablets.)

Current guidelines are to use an Action Plan to adjust drugs, based on peak flows from a peak flow meter used at home and symptoms. When peak flows drop below 80% of personal best, this is an early warning to increase the drugs [typically double preventor and use reliever as needed]. Also to slow down physical activities and avoid asthma triggers. Good nutrition is also important. When exercising, pretreating with your reliever may help. These measures can help avoid the  need to go on oral steroids. Links [uk]: http://www.lunguk.org/index.htm British Lung Foundation http://www.bmj.com/cgi/collection/asthma Asthma http://www.bmj.com/collections/asthma/ast01.shtml Clinical Practice Guideline, North of England http://www.gpiag-asthma.org/asthma/gpiag/Facts/FactsIndx.htm  FACT SHEETS GP’s IN ASTHMA GROUP http://www.gpiag-asthma.org/asthma/gpiag/Facts/FactSheet2.htm    BRITISH GUIDELINES ON ASTHMA MANAGEMENT Excerpt: "Self-management plans    Providing information on asthma alone does not alter  behaviour or improve morbidity. Patients should be taught  how to recognise features of worsening asthma and what to  do under these circumstances. Providing a personalised  written self-management plan enables and empowers patients  to adjust treatment themselves, reduces symptoms, morbidity  and time off work and also reduces health costs. The  strength of evidence for the benefits of self-management  plans has necessitated a change from the recommendations  of the 1993 Guidelines (2)." http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/updates/patient.htm  Patient Asthma Action Plans Ellis

Response:

Question:

THIS IS GOING TO BE ENORMOUS!The Australian daytrading consortium is open now for new members.Forget the scams pyramids and other rorts.The Australian Daytrading Consortium is able to bring you wealth through the strength of trading in numbers.By trading on industrials,tech and mining the Australian Daytrading Consortium  is able to take both short term profits while maintaing long term positions.Collect short term profits on the volatile end of the market while benifitting from gains and dividends off  the blue chips.You receive regular emails and timely payments.Join now and start share.Join today and start trading on the Australian Stock Exchange(asx) by sending your details along with your subscription in bank check or money order to Australian Daytrading Consortium 80 Macarthut St Griffith NSW Australia 2680.Join now you will be amazed at the results.The ADC is a partowner of www.starcitycasino.org  so visit there if you enjoy casino or sportsbook betting and feel safe in the knowledge that you are dealing with THE ADC.Looking forward to having you aboard and hoping to hear from you soon.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.    Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace. Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel     Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary          Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

Dear friend,     Please see your doctor!  Using your rescue puffer that often says that your asthma could stand to be better controlled.  And there are good medicines to do so with few side effects — many have been named in this thread.  You don’t need a pulmonologist specialist to take care of asthma. Asthma is the common stuff that your primary care doc takes care of all the time, and often takes care of best.  Any internist or family doctor who can’t take care of routine asthma should hang up his stethescope permanently!  Only seek the specialist if your doc can’t help you find a successful, simple, and tolerable approach.     Best of luck! — Josh Steinberg MD, Syracuse – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.    Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace.         Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel     Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary          Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

Hello,    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.    Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace.         Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel     Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary          Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

I imagine you will want to verify this with your doc but I found that "Serevent" (a brand of inhaler made by Glaxo Wellcome provides much better long-term relief (for me it’s two puffs every 12 hours!).  I had the same problem as you when my doctor offered up some samples.  They have been quite effective.  Best testimonial would be the 99 Free Press Marathon (I didn’t set any records with a 4:07:00 time, but I didn’t experience any problems either).  Check it out with your doctor and ask for samples, which they almost always have.  Good luck. John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.    Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace. Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel     Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary          Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

I believe Albuterol (sp?) is the most prescribed medication for inhalers for asthmatics and it’s worked well for me.  I take one or two puffs 15-30 minutes before my run and I’m fine for the entire thing.  I don’t have severe exercised-induced asthma and only need to use my inhaler when the weather is humid so I don’t know if I’m a good indicator of what will work or not work for you. You should do some reading and talking to your doctor about what’s out there and what will work best for you.  The albuterol inhaler typically give 6-8 hours of relief. I haven’t observed any difference in the early or middle parts of runs or workouts.  At the end, though, the difference is apparent – I still feel like I can’t breath and I still sound like a freight train but I no longer slow down dramatically for lack of air. -S- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.

Response:

Go to your doctor and ask about Beclomethasone dipropionate. I take one puff in the morning and one at night and just take the Salbutamol just before exercise. Your doctor may even get you to fill in a Peak-flow rate chart (if not done so all ready) and i agree using your inhaler that often is not advisable. Dave Owers

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.    Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace. Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel     Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary          Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

I have asthma and my doector has me on ventolin and also Flovent. It is a steroid inhaler. I used to use ventolin like you and at times even used it 10 or 12 puffs a day on real bad days. Hoever, that is dangerous as it can cause real problems. Now that I am on Flovent, I use ventolin once a day just prior to run and never wheeze. Doesn’t sound like your asthma is well controlled as it might be, so consider seeing a physician…. recommend a pulmonologist. John King – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,   I’ve been focusing on speed a lot, almost exclusively, for a while now, and have improved a lot with speed. Unfortunately, however, since I’ve increased my speed, my usage of Ventolin (rescue inhalor) has increased dramatically. It used to be the case when one or two puffs of the dam stuff right at the beginning would get me through a 10 mile run. This is no longer the case, I’m *needing* to use it around 10x per hour run just to breathe. Right now Ventolin is the only medication I ever use for Asthma. My question, finally, is if there’s other stuff out there, new stuff, which would help me get through my runs? I know that 10 doses of Ventolin is not a healthy thing be doing. But I also know it’s the asthma holding me back, and not regular "I’m going too fast so am out of breath" type stuff, since the Ventolin does take it away.   Any thoughts? Now that I’ve acquired a taste for speed, I just can’t imagine going back to my old 11min/mile pace.    Triumph is ahead – Belief is Essential – Courage is Fuel    Fear is Irrelevant – Strength is Within – Weakness is Temporary         Pride is Power – Boston is Forever (Adidas, Boston’99)

Response:

Question:

I hadn’t thought much about consumption of plenty of water Kathy, but I will make it a point to drink more.  Sometimes I just forget.  This is a marvelous idea though and I will promise myself to get to drinking. Thanks for the tip.  Its certainly cheap enough!

Response:

How many of you drink the recommended 8 or more glasses a day? If you are

By golly, going to try this – heck I try anything at this point – thanks! Peggy

Response:

Several days ago I wrote about the positive effects of water on my arthritis. Well, check this out — it was in my inbox tonight! Something to think about. Kathy A MIRACLE FOR FREE —- W A T E R MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LACK OF WATER: Jon J. Brooks, M.D. – Trustee The Alternative Medicine Research Foundation http://cat007.com A MIRACLE FOR FREE The remedy for your medical problems may be as close as your faucet! Pigs will fly before the medical establishment will disclose something simple and free in lieu of costly (and frequently dangerous) medications. In forty years of practice I have seen many apparent miracles produced solely by plain water.  You won’t believe what 8-10 eight-ounce glasses of water per day will do for many maladies. There is one major problem: People won’t drink that much due to the inconvenience of frequent urination . . . a small price to pay for better health.  If your urine is not a very pale yellow, or even clear, you are not getting enough water (does not apply to those taking B-complex vitamins as these turn the urine bright yellow). When I speak of water I do NOT refer to coffee, sodas or tea.  Distilled is best but tap water will work just fine for most people.  Some places have water which has an odor and is not at all that tasty.   Put a jug in the fridge for a few days and it will taste better.   Prior to drinking, shake it vigorously for a while.  This will oxygenate it. Cure # 1: Dump the Tums and cure heartburn. Heartburn may be a signal of water shortage in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.  It is a major thirst signal of the human body.  The use of antacids or tablet medications in the treatment of this pain does not correct dehydration, and the body continues to suffer as a result of its water shortage. Tragedy: Not recognizing heartburn as a sign of dehydration and treating it with antacids and pill medications will, in time, produce inflammation of the stomach and duodenum, hiatal hernia, ulceration, and eventually cancers in the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver and pancreas. Cure # 2: Water may prevent and cure arthritis. Rheumatoid Joint Pain – Arthritis – may be a signal of water shortage in the painful joint.  It can affect the young as well as the old. The use of pain-killers does not cure the problem, but exposes the person to further damage from pain medications.  Intake of water and small amounts of salt will cure this problem. Cure # 3: Back pain. Low Back Pain and Ankylosing Arthritis of the Spine may be signs of water shortage in the spinal column and discs – the spinal cushions that support the weight of the body.  These conditions should be treated with increased water intake – not a commercial treatment, but a very effective one. Tragedy: Not recognizing arthritis and low back pain as signs of dehydration in the joint cavities and treating them with pain-killers, manipulation, acupuncture, and eventually surgery will, in time, produce osteoarthritis when the cartilage cells in the joints have eventually all died.  It will produce deformity of the spine.  It will produce crippling deformities of the limbs.  Pain medications have their own life-threatening complications. Cure # 4: Angina. Heart Pain – Angina – can be a sign of water shortage in the heart/lung axis.  It should be treated with increased water intake until the patient is free of pain and independent of medications.  Medical supervision is prudent.  However, increased water intake may be your cure for angina. Cure # 5: Migraines. Migraine Headache may be a sign that water is needed by the brain and the eyes.  Migraine may be prevented by keeping dehydration from establishing in the body, and may be totally cleared up by treating for the condition of dehydration.  This particular type of dehydration might eventually cause inflammation of the back of the eye and possibly loss of eyesight. Cure #6: Colitis. Colitis Pain is a signal of water shortage in the large gut. It is associated with constipation because the large intestine constricts to squeeze too much water from the excrements – thus the lack of water lubrication. Tragedy: Not recognizing colitis pain as a sign of dehydration will cause persistent constipation, which can result in fecal impacting, verticulitis, hemorrhoids, polyps, and appreciably increase the possibility of developing cancers of the colon and rectum. Cure # 7: Asthma. Asthma, which also affects 12,000,000 children and kills several thousand of them every year, is a complication of dehydration in the body.  It is caused by the drought management programs of the body.  Free passage of air is obstructed so that water does not leave the body in the form of vapor – the winter steam.  Increased water intake will prevent asthma attacks.  Asthmatics need also to take more salt to break the mucus plugs in the lungs which obstruct the free flow of air in and out of the air sacs. Tragedy: Not recognizing asthma as the indicator of dehydration in growing children not only will sentence many thousands of children to die every year, but will permit irreversible genetic damage to establish in the remaining asthmatic children. Cure # 8: High blood pressure. Hypertension is a state of adaptation of the body to a generalized drought, when there is not enough water to fill all the blood vessels which diffuse water into vital cells.  As part of the mechanism of reverse osmosis, when water from the serum is filtered and injected into important cells through minute holes in their membranes, extra pressure is needed for the "injection process."  Just as we inject I.V. "water" in hospitals, so the body injects water into tens of trillions of cells all at the same time.  Water and some salt intake will bring blood pressure back to normal! Tragedy: Not recognizing hypertension as one of the major

Response:

A MIRACLE FOR FREE —- W A T E R MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY LACK OF WATER:

I am a big water drinker but I have to say this.   You can drink too much water.  Now for most people this does not happen.  However, the clients I work with sometimes have problems with what’s called polydipsea, meaning fluid intoxication. Basically they drink alot of water and drink it faster than the body can handle it.  Problems include electrolyte imbalance, decreased effectiveness of meds, seizures, and for those with severe fluid intox, even death.  I only bring this up in case someone decides more is better.  Remember, like anything else in life, moderation is the key.  The recommendation is for 8-10 eight-ounce glasses a day. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

Response:

Now for most people this does not happen.  However, the clients I work with sometimes have problems with what’s called polydipsea, meaning fluid intoxication.

I had a nursing home patient with that Sarah, the man went bonkers when he had too much water. Often wished I could get that buzzed on water! Talk about a cheap drunk! <beg ~Krissy See my pond: http://members.aol.com/KrissyJo/ponds.html Akron, Ohio http://arthritisinsight.com Knowledge is power…support is essential.

Response:

Wow Sarah, that is good info to have and, believe it or not something I had never heard of.  Thanks, Melinda

Response:

A MIRACLE FOR FREE

Interesting but WAY too simplistic. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

I had a nursing home patient with that Sarah, the man went bonkers when he had too much water

Well, you can imagine what happens to my clients.  It’s not pretty.  They get very sick. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

Response:

Well, you can imagine what happens to my clients.  It’s not pretty.  They get very sick. Sarah L

I have never heard of this before!  However I am very interested considering how much water I drink everyday. Do you know if it matter how much you weigh? I am a big woman so maybe your weight is an issue.  So I guess my 100 glass of water a day is too much??  :-) Danielle

Response:

However I am very interested considering how much water I drink everyday. Do you know if it matter how much you weigh? I am a big woman so maybe your weight is an issue.  So I guess my 100 glass of water a day is too much??  :-) Danielle

I would think 100 glasses of water is too much but don’t take my opinion, ask your doc.  Water intox is fairly common with severe psychiatric illnesses.  It can cause a whole host of physical problems such as extending the bladder and seizures.  Usually people who have this problem not only drink huge amounts of water, they tend to drink it very quickly, not spread out over time. Logically, I would think weight would be a factor but I am not sure. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

Response:

So I guess my 100 glass of water a day is too much??  :-) Danielle

I took that to be a spoof, a joke.  Or at least I hope it was. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

I am a big woman so maybe your weight is an issue.  So I guess my 100 glass of water a day is too much??  :-) Danielle I would think 100 glasses of water is too much but don’t take my opinion,

OH NO!  I don’t drink that much!  It was just a joke.  Everyone picks at me because of the amount of water I drink.  I mentioned it on this newsgroup before, but in no way drink that much water!  I work, so drinking that much would require me to move my desk into the restroom!  :-)  JUST JOKING! Danielle

Response:

I took that to be a spoof, a joke.  Or at least I hope it was. Char

Oh yes… it was a joke!  I’m bloated enough without 100 glasses… Danielle

Response:

I have heard of it and believe it is called "water intoxication".  As I recall it has more to drinking quite a bit of water in a really short time like three or four glasses in five minutes.  And the result resembles intoxication and can be extremely dangerous. But it is also pretty unusual. — Jo Firey (‘     <’) (v)     (v) ^^       ^^ "You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to."    _^..^<_      meow….

I work, so drinking that much would require me to move my desk into the restroom!  JUST JOKING! Danielle I figured you were joking, but my first thougth was I

wonder if you ever leave the bathroom or do you carry a port-a-pottie around

with you!  LOL!  I would be thrilled if I could just get down 8 glasses a

day….AND, I had never heard of problems with people drinking too much water.  About

how much would they have to drink a day to have that problem?         :O)  Mary Lynn  (mlh)  (O:  :O)  "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most"  :O)                            (remove ma in email

address)

Response:

How many of you drink the recommended 8 or more glasses a day?

I have found that I drink more water if it’s bottled or I run it through a filter system.  My tap water is gross.  All kinds of stuff floating around in it.  I even use filtered water to make ice.  At work, the water cooler is right outside of my office.  Now, if only the bathroom were closer.  On vacation I buy bottles in bulk at Sam’s.   I made a conscious effort to drink more water when I started MTX.  Now, its the only thing that satisfies my thirst. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

Response:

All diets tell you to drink lots of water, and since I am overweight I know I should drink more, but it is really hard for me too.  I love SWEET iced tea.  I really do think it makes a difference though, but I have to force it down…unless I am really, really thirsty.       I could have written this sounds just like me. I have to use the pink stuff because of  my diabetes .  I loved drinking fresh made sweet tea(so it is still hot)

& drinking now fast so you get hot & cold & sweet & tart(lemon) all at the same time. almost as good as chocolate Belinda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

We have 11 cats so we get walked on a lot during the night!

    Gracious.  I thought my sweetie and I were excessive with just 7.  When I don’t drink it during the night, in the morning my joints are stiff and I’m in more pain than usual.

    Good observation.  I think adequate hydration is one of the better recommendations of traditional Chinese medicine. — Nathan Engle               Shop Steward               Electron Juggler’s Guild, Local #1 "Some Assembly Required"

Response:

<<Can anyone speak from experience on this? All I know is that drinking plenty of water makes a definite difference in the way that I feel. Kathy Hi, I’m new here but I’ve been noticing that when I don’t drink enough water I really feel more achy than usual.  I thought maybe it was just my imagination….guess not!! sandra

Response:

" How many of you drink the recommended 8 or more glasses a day? If you are like me, I’ve had to force myself to drink the stuff; and if it weren’t for all of the pills that I have to swallow, I’d be lucky to drink a couple of glasses a day.

Can I jump in here with a related question?  LOL Not sure why I am asking because I’m gonna’ do it anyway! ;  ) I try to drink about 4 pints a day, but have trouble getting my body to retain it. I am always a little dehydrated and occasionally very dehydrated–especially in the hot dry weather we have here this time of year.  I have tried taking a pinch of salt with it as my doctor recommended, but it just doesn’t seem to stay in my system.  The only time I had no trouble retaining water was when I was on a higher dose of pred.  Of course I felt less pain then, but have no idea if the water had anything to do with it because of the pred.  But I do seem to feel worse overall if I am dehydrated.   Any tips to how to get your body to hold more water?       Liz G

Response:

All diets tell you to drink lots of water, and since I am overweight I know I should drink more, but it is really hard for me too.  I love SWEET iced tea.  I really do think it makes a difference though, but I have to force it down…unless I am really, really thirsty.         :O)  Mary Lynn  (mlh)  (O:  :O)  "Of all the things I’ve lost, I miss my mind the most"  :O)                            (remove ma in email address)

Response:

I definitely do not drink near my quota of water every day.  Most just to swollow my pills.  The rest of the fluids are juice.  I understand that water is much better for you though in terms of cleaning your system. Jeannette

Response:

I am a water drinker….cokes (that’s soda for all you yankees :O)  make my RA ache!  I drink water most of the time, milk and decaffinated sweet tea at meals. Amy I live in a world of mystery and intrigue. I teach kindergarten.

Response:

Yes, a lot of water helps.  Trouble is when I’m at all nauseated (most of the time with all these meds) the thought of drinking anything makes me gag.  So I really try but it isn’t easy. — Jo Firey (‘     <’) (v)     (v) ^^       ^^ "You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to."    _^..^<_      meow….

att.net… How many of you drink the recommended 8 or more

glasses a day? If you are like me, I’ve had to force myself to drink the stuff;

and if it weren’t for all of the pills that I have to swallow, I’d be lucky

to drink a couple of glasses a day. I’ve been experimenting, though, and I’ve been

drinking a lot more water. I’ve found that when I do drink at least 8 glasses (8

oz.), my RA is so much better. Also, a couple of times now when I’ve had a

bad flare, I’ve really guzzled the stuff, and within a few hours I’m feeling better. I remember a doctor once saying that when your joints

start screaming, it’s because you’re dehydrated. I also know that when I

lived in Las Vegas for a couple of years, my arthritis was horrendous. Looking

back, I can’t help but wonder if it was because I was not drinking enough

water. My system was probably very dehydrated, given the fact that I was

living in such a dry climate. Can anyone speak from experience on this? All I know

is that drinking plenty – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – of water makes a definite difference in the way that I feel. Kathy

Response:

How many of you drink the recommended 8 or more glasses a day? If you are like me, I’ve had to force myself to drink the stuff; and if it weren’t for all of the pills that I have to swallow, I’d be lucky to drink a couple of glasses a day. I’ve been experimenting, though, and I’ve been drinking a lot more water. I’ve found that when I do drink at least 8 glasses (8 oz.), my RA is so much better. Also, a couple of times now when I’ve had a bad flare, I’ve really guzzled the stuff, and within a few hours I’m feeling better. I remember a doctor once saying that when your joints start screaming, it’s because you’re dehydrated. I also know that when I lived in Las Vegas for a couple of years, my arthritis was horrendous. Looking back, I can’t help but wonder if it was because I was not drinking enough water. My system was probably very dehydrated, given the fact that I was living in such a dry climate. Can anyone speak from experience on this? All I know is that drinking plenty of water makes a definite difference in the way that I feel. Kathy

Response:

I am a major water drinker.  That’s pretty much all I drink during the day.  We don’t even buy cokes at the house.  Just milk and we use a Brita water pitcher. I’ve managed to talk my boss into a water cooler.  I drink tons and tons of water. I imagine at least 15 glasses a day.  For some reason my mouth is always dry. When I don’t drink that much, like when I travel, or just am too busy, I do notice my joints are stiff.  During the night I try to drink water every time I get up to use the restroom and just wake up. We have 11 cats so we get walked on a lot during the night!  When I don’t drink it during the night, in the morning my joints are stiff and I’m in more pain than usual. And you know what?  I’m rambling.  I just took a couple of pain killers.  I’ve been working so hard lately, it’s really taking a toll on my joints. So right now… I’m feeling pretty good… high… whatever you want to call it, but at least I’m in less pain than I was an hour ago. I’ll stop rambling and drink my water… Danielle

Response: