OT: Question of the day…. 03/29/07

Question:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy? Jackie ~*~I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me… I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says: turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

< People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

Aren’t they the equivalent of a loud bully in a school room? They want attention and this is the only way they feel they can get it. Can you say "tinnitus?" Tom — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

I don’t know. They’re all my neighbors, though. :-/ kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Well if a good song comes on I haven’t heard forever, that’s me driving with that music turned up.. but most of the cars I end up beside at stop lights are blaring rap. Ugh. It’s bad enough when it’s turned down. ‘Cept for Eminem. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

I wouldn’t say they were crazy. Just inconsiderate and feel people should put up with them. They like to draw attention to themselves – the more negative the better. Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

No. Inconsiderate no doubt. In Lowrider magazine, I saw ads for the speaker with the most powerful bass thump. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! Dennis — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

They are just trying to be cool and fit in with their peers. Oh, and yes it drive me nuts. Lots of local police have put a limit on how loud they are allowed to play music. I seem to recall a guy sitting in a parking lot along main street with his trunk open and the *8 track* playing "War pigs" full blast. A local cop came and said he could hear my music at the other end of the block and told me to turn it down and to stop loitering. One of the few times I got only a warning. :-) I’m sure the cop was exaggerating, and certainly it wasn’t 1/10th the power of the stereos today. Cars are now big "boom boxes" on wheels. Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

When I was a teen I used to play the radio in the car loud also, especially for songs I liked. Now I realize how annoying it is… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy? Jackie ~*~I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me… I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says: turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?

IMHO, they are both crazy and deaf (or soon to be deaf). — Ron P Member of the invisible generation — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Anon poster People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy? IMHO, they are both crazy and deaf (or soon to be deaf).

Good answer Ron:) Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

What? Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy? IMHO, they are both crazy and deaf (or soon to be deaf). What?

Do you have a banana in your ear? (I guess the other guy was Tony Banana.) Dennis — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy? IMHO, they are both crazy and deaf (or soon to be deaf). What? Do you have a banana in your ear? (I guess the other guy was Tony Banana.)

Huh? Howzat? ("Howzat" was a favorite of my fathers.) Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

03/29/07:

snip: "People with nightclub loud sound systems in their cars. Are they crazy?" I don’t know if they are crazy (thoughtless for sure) but they are a hazard on the road. I’ve had a couple of them scare the hell out of me by either whizzing by sounding like a tornado or pulling up next to me while I was stopped at a light. Sometimes they drive past the house at night and I can feel the vibrations of the noise. Luckily, there are not that many in our area, yet. -frizz — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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In: Tinnitus

facing the issues..

Question:

So, here’s what I’m doing, what it’s doing, and I’m looking for input/critique. The background is that I’m a GAD sufferer age 58, male type. My mother suffers, our daughter has signs as well. I’ve spoken to my mother at length to discuss. I didn’t realize I had this until about a year ago. 1. Been using meds prn (lorazepam 1 mg or less once/day and more recently clonazepam, .5 mgs or less per day) I began using l-pam 10 yrs ago after having been diagnosed with Meniere’s disease after tinnitus and some severe vertigo episodes.. er. The benzo a) helped me relax and be able to travel.. and reduces the vestibular response– helps with the spins. Again, GAD became clear about a year ago when I visited the doc for a new script. I then realized all through my younger years my anxiety symptoms. 2. Getting tired of whole thing of course. 3. Digging deep to face the stimuli to which I react abnormally Broad brush is life situation in general has become more stressful.. and I had avoided facing: Tired of job, aging parents, wife not happy in town we moved to for job, etc. I’m otherwise very healthy, active, and successful. 4. Really pushed the facing and working this stuff pretty hard, disciplined action oriented person. Results in cranking up anxiety alot while trying to blast through this, so doing more meds than normal during this increased immersion in working it. 5. It is important to note that I can go for many many weeks without meds or for just a short course of a couple days in between, mostly during travel. Last remission was about a month ago lasting a few weeks before that. 6. Am I pushing this too hard? Of course I’m looking for immediate relief with the approach of eliminating/facing cognitive distortions, moving to action to deal with stuff as head on as possible, and suffering somewhat thru it. 7. Another frustration is with prn use of benzos (noting low dose above, too), I’ve developed symptoms of withdrawal with abrupt discontinuation, such as paresthesia and fascis mostly in feet. Lately I’ve begun to taper with klonopin and usually these disappear with discontinuation. Anyway, anyone’s perceptions/advice on the above outline would be appreciated. Thanks. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

FWIW .5mg of clonazepam per day is a fairly low dose for anxiety but it can help people at various dosages. I don’t know much about lorazepam sorry. 2. Getting tired of whole thing of course.

We can all identify with this one 3. Digging deep to face the stimuli to which I react abnormally Broad brush is life situation in general has become more stressful.. and I had avoided facing: Tired of job, aging parents, wife not happy in town we moved to for job, etc. I’m otherwise very healthy, active, and successful.

It can be good to find the triggers of anxiety. But I don’t have GAD, I have panic/anxiety disorder. I could be wrong but I think with GAD it’s a lot harder to pinpoint triggers. But all the best if you can identify them. 4. Really pushed the facing and working this stuff pretty hard, disciplined action oriented person. Results in cranking up anxiety alot while trying to blast through this, so doing more meds than normal during this increased immersion in working it.

Not sure what you mean here. Are you saying you are forcing yourself to face anxiety provoking situations and therefore increasing your meds to do so? If so, this needs to be handled with care and IMO with the help of a professional, not sure if you are seeing a pdoc or have a CBT therapist. The best thing for me was a gradual exposure to my anxieties and fears. 5. It is important to note that I can go for many many weeks without meds or for just a short course of a couple days in between, mostly during travel. Last remission was about a month ago lasting a few weeks before that.

Some people can benefit from taking medication as needed, whilst others like myself benefit from taking benzo half life like clonazepam as a maintainance med. I therefore take this med at the same dose during good days and bad days and use strategies from CBT to work through panic. 6. Am I pushing this too hard? Of course I’m looking for immediate relief with the approach of eliminating/facing cognitive distortions, moving to action to deal with stuff as head on as possible, and suffering somewhat thru it.

Hard to say. Some people prefer to jump in the deep end and see if they sink or swim. My concern with this approach is that if you push to hard and expect instant results you may put too much pressure on yourself and therefore increase the anxiety levels. What is good about gradual exposure is that you face situations when anxiety is at a level you feel you are in control. A good therapist in Cognitive behavioural therapy can teach you the techniques and strategies to practice this. 7. Another frustration is with prn use of benzos (noting low dose above, too), I’ve developed symptoms of withdrawal with abrupt discontinuation, such as paresthesia and fascis mostly in feet. Lately I’ve begun to taper with klonopin and usually these disappear with discontinuation.

I was thinking about possible side effects with sudden withdrawal but since the dose is low I didn’t know if it would apply to you. I currently take 2.5mg of klonopin and am tapering down, but very very slowly, i.e .25 reduction per month. Anyway, anyone’s perceptions/advice on the above outline would be appreciated.

Like I said I don’t suffer GAD and don’t know your whole story so please take my comments as only from my perspective. If you haven’t already been officially diagnosed I’d recommend you do so. If you aren’t seeing a specialist in anxiety, I’d recommend you seek a referral to a therapist who deals specifically with anxiety disorders. Also speak to a psychiatrist about your med regime if you haven’t already. Apologies if this is coming across as a lecture, it’s only my opinion and I’m not a doctor. All the best, Vanessa — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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In: Tinnitus Therapy

OT sorta: Ups and Downs

Question:

Doctors suck, Deirdre. Down with doctors! And down with beets! Especially down with doctors who eat beets! I wish you all the best, and, barring that, some of the best, if it’s available. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I wonder how hard it is to break into that?

I imagine the market’s not quite saturated yet. Well, maybe saturated, but not full up of people wanting to get into it. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Email me anytime. We can moan together

please send me some carbon copies! :-) Gravity — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Deirdre, Family reunions can be very difficult. Do you really have to go? love Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I stopped using my CPAP machine for the sleep apnea. I had two masks — the pretty good one, and the not very good one. I broke the pretty good one, so I was using the not very good one. My sleep specialist/neurologist sent me a letter saying she would no longer bill Medicare so I have to find a new doc to prescribe for this thing. I can’t even get the new filters without a doc saying I need them, and I needed them months ago. In order to get a new neuro I have to shop for one who is not too far away and does take new Medicare patients and is someone I feel good about, and I hate doc shopping almost as much as I hate beets. Maybe more. Maybe more. I don’t know for sure. Anyway, I was feeling increasing chest tightness and pressure in my neck over several weeks, so I stopped using the CPAP, and the tightness and pressure went away. I don’t know what this means. I know I like not having the tightness because I felt all the time like I was on the verge of a PA or a heart attack. But I don’t have reason to believe the apnea is cured, because Mom says I snore like I used to before I used the CPAP. My body is finally paying me back for all the bad things I’ve done. I’m not saying I actually deserve everything that’s wrong with me, but I have to take responsibility for a lot of it. And I don’t do that very well. I want to blame someone else, but there’s nobody who could be reasonably blamed. I dread this family reunion. All these aunts and cousins and so on, good people all of them, but I have so little in common with them, and I won’t have a car to get away in, and they have not seen me this incredibly fat and toothless and depressed ever before, and I feel like if I even ONCE see someone looking like they feel sorry for me I will fall apart. Anyway. That’s the rest of it. I’m eating M&Ms by the handful and listening to music I loved when I was young and full of promise. Ack. Deirdre

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Don’t go to the family reunion if you don’t want to Deirdre. You don’t even have to give an excuse, but maybe you could just mention you’re having health issues and you can’t travel across the country right now. Aside from that I don’t really know what to say. You’re going through a really tough time. Do you qualify for medicaid (I think that’s what it’s called)? — Doug

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Friends, I want to start with the good stuff going on in my life. I still have some teeth. I can breathe without coughing about half the time. My wrists don’t hurt when I rest them quietly on a pillow. Yeah, okay, I’m trying to be funny in the middle of a big bummer. I really am trying. Let’s get down to it, shall we? My tinnitus is so loud, probably made worse by the congestion from my cold, that I can’t hear Mom’s conversation very well, and I have to keep my music turned way down low so I don’t feel overwhelmed with noise. My sinuses are congested and pressing on the nerves of my broken teeth. I lost another piece of a tooth today. At first I thought it was a crunchy bit of food. It wasn’t. The cold medicine has upset my digestion in ways that I can only hint at. Pffffffft. There’s a hint. It’s a really polite hint. Bert doesn’t give a damn about the possum and I’m starting to call it Durwood. I need new glasses — bifocals and computer glasses. I have to check to see when my 10-year bankruptcy is finally cleared — some time this summer I think — so I can go into debt again by buying new glasses. Meantime, the headaches from the eyestrain is pissing me off big time. It’s either carpal tunnel or osteoarthritis, or both, but my hands and wrists hurt often. I’ve been dreaming about exes — yuck icky ptooey ack. Every night I dream that one of the Mister Wrongs has returned and promises to make my life sweet again. Nossir, not buying. There are two neighbors giving me fits for different reasons. One is a couple, Mr and Mrs F**kstoomuch, who delight in leaving the window open during their conjugal conjunctions. I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before, probably last fall before the window shut for the winter. They’re celebrating warm weather, or something. I hate them. The other neighbor, BB, was gone for almost a year — he rented out his condo — but he’s baaaaaaaack and whenever BB comes back he gives me a reason to go ballistic. Oooommmmm. Ooooommmmm. And last, but certainly NOT least, not in the least little bit……. is a thing I have to do the end of July. It’s a family reunion. It’s waaaay on the other side of the continent. I have to go. I can’t slough it off. I’ve tried to make compromises, but Mom hasn’t decided yet. I will go into it in more detail as it becomes necessary — suffice it to say for now that I would sooner eat beets with BB in Mr and Mrs F’s bedroom than go to this reunion. Okay, back to the good stuff. It’s not snowing or pouring rain. I’m not on fire. Mom’s doing well, except for the fact that her new orthotic inserts for her shoes make her feel like she’s falling over backward. I still have my sense of humor. Good. ’cause I’m gonna need it. Oh, almost forgot — I can’t get Klonopin anymore unless I pay more than I can afford for it. How d’ya like them apples? Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Oh come on, Deidre. This is an easy one! If you don’t have a digital video camera, borrow or hire one for the day. When Mr & Mrs F***stoomuch are engaging in their Olympic training, make a record of it with your camera. Set up a website and put the video on it on a pay-to-view basis. With the $$$$ that roll in, go get your glasses, private health treatment, ocean-going yacht etc etc. Not only will this prove lucrative, but whenever Mr & Mrs F. are at it again, you’ll have a big grin on your face instead of being annoyed. And you can add to your website’s library. Eventually you can move to a better neighbourhood, leaving Mr & Mrs F with a DVD for their viewing pleasure (and maybe a bunch of flowers as a thank-you present). If they complain about your website, just remind them that it was THEM who made their antics a publicly viewable activity!! Sorted. Seriously, I am sorry you’re having these problems. One thing I would say is that you CAN get out of going to the family reunion. If you are not well enough to go then you are perfectly in the right to say that you cannot go. What you’re probably saying is that the family reaction at your not going would be difficult to bear, but their reaction to your incapacity is their problem. It comes down to others’ expectations of us. We can’t always fulfil them and sometimes we need to be honest about our abilities for our own health’s sake. You know your own family better than anyone else, and only you can judge whether you feel able to attend and whether you can face any resultant reactions if you don’t. But just remember that you DO have the option not to go. Take care. Steve.

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Good thought Ian. Were you inspired by M*A*S*H the movie? — Doug

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How d’ya like them apples? Those are some terrible apples, Deirdre! Maybe you can yell out the window at Mr. and Mrs. F, something like a running commentary, or possibly put a microphone there and blast them through speakers for the *whole* neighborhood to hear. That might be fun. Sorry your teeth are hurtin’. That sucks. I had a couple pulled last year, and it was horrible. Gotta go. Tennis Ball is bugging me for food. You tell Bert to be more sensitive to your issues, and if that doesn’t work (as it won’t), just give him a scritch and a pet, and sing him a little song. That always works to improve moods. Hope you’re well, or, barring that, weller, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Were you inspired by M*A*S*H the movie?

Oh no, I haven’t seen that in ages. I was inspired by my old neighbors. The neighbor from hell, and her spawn child. The spawn child would scream, quite reasonably, as her mother was an abusive evil woman, and her mother would scream. So a lot of screaming, and dropping of bowling balls right over where I slept (seemingly). I wanted to stick a microphone up near my ceiling, run in through my computer, and blast their screaming as loud as I could. This in turn was inspired by someone I used to be acquainted with, a guy who makes pipe tampers, who used to live underneath someone who liked to blast loud music. One day his neighbor was blasting Metallica’s Master of Puppets, and this tamper maker guy had the same album, so he played it back at him … one second off. That’s revenge in style, provided it doesn’t start a fight. I ended up calling Child Protective Services four times on the neighbor from hell, but nothing was done, AFAIK. They told me, "Call the police if something happens." So, I guess, verbally and emotionally abusing your child was just bad luck, and nothing could be done until she brought out the frying pan. Good show on the part of the local protective services. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

<gently snipped ::There are two neighbors giving me fits for different reasons. One is a ::couple, Mr and Mrs F**kstoomuch, who delight in leaving the window open ::during their conjugal conjunctions. I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before, ::probably last fall before the window shut for the winter. They’re ::celebrating warm weather, or something. I hate them. It sounds like they are in heat Too bad you couldn`t throw a bucket of water on them. Is this the couple that barks during sex? I`m telling ya, play the song, ‘Who let the dogs out’, really loud during their next session ::Oh, almost forgot — I can’t get Klonopin anymore unless I pay more than ::I can afford for it. How d’ya like them apples? I`m glad your mom is doing okay. I`m really sorry about your klonopin. Is this the generic version of it? I`m glad you still have your sense of humor. It really helps to get through those tough times. (((((Deirdre))))) Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

How d’ya like them apples?

Those are some terrible apples, Deirdre! Maybe you can yell out the window at Mr. and Mrs. F, something like a running commentary, or possibly put a microphone there and blast them through speakers for the *whole* neighborhood to hear. That might be fun. Sorry your teeth are hurtin’. That sucks. I had a couple pulled last year, and it was horrible. Gotta go. Tennis Ball is bugging me for food. You tell Bert to be more sensitive to your issues, and if that doesn’t work (as it won’t), just give him a scritch and a pet, and sing him a little song. That always works to improve moods. Hope you’re well, or, barring that, weller, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Deirdre, I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time of it. Glad to see you still have your sense of humor, though. That’s a lifesaver–I use mine on a daily basis. I love Steve’s idea. If you can get the video, I’ll set up a web site for you and you can rake in the cash. *Warning*–crazy talk about to start. Speaking of cash and sex related things, I’ve been pondering how easy it would be to be a phone sex operator. Just talk in a sexy voice, do some acting (all the while filing your nails or waxing your legs ) and get a paycheck. I wonder how hard it is to break into that? Seriously. The husband says he’s okay with it. Ok, crazy talk off. What has BB, which I assume stands for Butt Blister, been doing to drive you nuts? I have many, many strategies up my sleeve for dealing with obnoxious neighbors, legally. Mwahahahahaha! I’m glad you’re not on fire. That’s always a good thing. Why can’t you get your Klonopin? Those new Medicare (or is it Medicaid?) rules? BTW, don’t do the family reunion if you can’t go. Just don’t. Arrange for your brother to take your Mom, or something, if you can. Email me anytime. We can moan together (oh, that sounds…odd…LOL). ((((((((((((((((((Deirdre)))))))))))))))))) Love, Dawn — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I stopped using my CPAP machine for the sleep apnea. I had two masks — the pretty good one, and the not very good one. I broke the pretty good one, so I was using the not very good one. My sleep specialist/neurologist sent me a letter saying she would no longer bill Medicare so I have to find a new doc to prescribe for this thing. I can’t even get the new filters without a doc saying I need them, and I needed them months ago. In order to get a new neuro I have to shop for one who is not too far away and does take new Medicare patients and is someone I feel good about, and I hate doc shopping almost as much as I hate beets. Maybe more. Maybe more. I don’t know for sure. Anyway, I was feeling increasing chest tightness and pressure in my neck over several weeks, so I stopped using the CPAP, and the tightness and pressure went away. I don’t know what this means. I know I like not having the tightness because I felt all the time like I was on the verge of a PA or a heart attack. But I don’t have reason to believe the apnea is cured, because Mom says I snore like I used to before I used the CPAP. My body is finally paying me back for all the bad things I’ve done. I’m not saying I actually deserve everything that’s wrong with me, but I have to take responsibility for a lot of it. And I don’t do that very well. I want to blame someone else, but there’s nobody who could be reasonably blamed. I dread this family reunion. All these aunts and cousins and so on, good people all of them, but I have so little in common with them, and I won’t have a car to get away in, and they have not seen me this incredibly fat and toothless and depressed ever before, and I feel like if I even ONCE see someone looking like they feel sorry for me I will fall apart. Anyway. That’s the rest of it. I’m eating M&Ms by the handful and listening to music I loved when I was young and full of promise. Ack. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Dear Friends, I want to start with the good stuff going on in my life. I still have some teeth. I can breathe without coughing about half the time. My wrists don’t hurt when I rest them quietly on a pillow. Yeah, okay, I’m trying to be funny in the middle of a big bummer. I really am trying. Let’s get down to it, shall we? My tinnitus is so loud, probably made worse by the congestion from my cold, that I can’t hear Mom’s conversation very well, and I have to keep my music turned way down low so I don’t feel overwhelmed with noise. My sinuses are congested and pressing on the nerves of my broken teeth. I lost another piece of a tooth today. At first I thought it was a crunchy bit of food. It wasn’t. The cold medicine has upset my digestion in ways that I can only hint at. Pffffffft. There’s a hint. It’s a really polite hint. Bert doesn’t give a damn about the possum and I’m starting to call it Durwood. I need new glasses — bifocals and computer glasses. I have to check to see when my 10-year bankruptcy is finally cleared — some time this summer I think — so I can go into debt again by buying new glasses. Meantime, the headaches from the eyestrain is pissing me off big time. It’s either carpal tunnel or osteoarthritis, or both, but my hands and wrists hurt often. I’ve been dreaming about exes — yuck icky ptooey ack. Every night I dream that one of the Mister Wrongs has returned and promises to make my life sweet again. Nossir, not buying. There are two neighbors giving me fits for different reasons. One is a couple, Mr and Mrs F**kstoomuch, who delight in leaving the window open during their conjugal conjunctions. I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before, probably last fall before the window shut for the winter. They’re celebrating warm weather, or something. I hate them. The other neighbor, BB, was gone for almost a year — he rented out his condo — but he’s baaaaaaaack and whenever BB comes back he gives me a reason to go ballistic. Oooommmmm. Ooooommmmm. And last, but certainly NOT least, not in the least little bit……. is a thing I have to do the end of July. It’s a family reunion. It’s waaaay on the other side of the continent. I have to go. I can’t slough it off. I’ve tried to make compromises, but Mom hasn’t decided yet. I will go into it in more detail as it becomes necessary — suffice it to say for now that I would sooner eat beets with BB in Mr and Mrs F’s bedroom than go to this reunion. Okay, back to the good stuff. It’s not snowing or pouring rain. I’m not on fire. Mom’s doing well, except for the fact that her new orthotic inserts for her shoes make her feel like she’s falling over backward. I still have my sense of humor. Good. ’cause I’m gonna need it. Oh, almost forgot — I can’t get Klonopin anymore unless I pay more than I can afford for it. How d’ya like them apples? Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

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In: Cause Tinnitus

New to the group!

Question:

Obviously not quickly enough! Anyone know his address. I’d like to help him out by sending him a box of pall mall filterless cigarettes

Oh great, a skanky newbie. Frogwoman, shut your mouth before someone sticks an apple in it. You’re nastier than a five-dollar whore getting a shit enema. Try to have a clue what you’re talking about before you decide to post ever again. Anyway, who was talking to you? In the future, if you have something to say, just shut up.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Robert Neville" also posts as Night Hawk, Road Kill, George Bush, Popejed and sometimes engages "himself" in an argument with his other *personae*. Don’t worry about him, he is basically harmless although he tried hard not to be. He’s been around off and on for the past nine years = since ASAP’s beginning. and as tha grapevine has it is dyin’ quite rapidly of lung cancer, so hopefully mother nature will toss da boy a few ciggies’n put him out’ah our misery. DIE, MOTHERFUCKER, DIE ! <sweet demure smile ~t How about you die and put us all out of our misery you miserable little carnival freak? You lack the ability to even qualify as an imbecile. Did you ever wonder why your parents had the same surname? Now sit down and shut up before you hurt yourself bitch.

Hehe…she got to you, didn’t she? P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Obviously not quickly enough! Anyone know his address. I’d like to help him out by sending him a box of pall mall filterless cigarettes

Response:

Obviously not quickly enough! Anyone know his address. I’d like to help him out by sending him a box of pall mall filterless cigarettes Angela

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Robert Neville" also posts as Night Hawk, Road Kill, George Bush, Popejed and sometimes engages "himself" in an argument with his other *personae*. Don’t worry about him, he is basically harmless although he tried hard not to be. He’s been around off and on for the past nine years = since ASAP’s beginning. and as tha grapevine has it is dyin’ quite rapidly of lung cancer, so hopefully mother nature will toss da boy a few ciggies’n put him out’ah our misery. DIE, MOTHERFUCKER, DIE ! <sweet demure smile ~t

How about you die and put us all out of our misery you miserable little carnival freak? You lack the ability to even qualify as an imbecile. Did you ever wonder why your parents had the same surname? Now sit down and shut up before you hurt yourself bitch.

Response:

Thanks for the info. I might consider the XR version next. Even with the baby dose that I took last night (thank GOD I got that over with!) you could definately tell when it wore off. The anxiety came back like a MF! Angela

Response:

Lucky for me, the serax was a godsend for my anxiety! I have constant anxiety that turns into panic attacks. It didn’t get rid of the anxiety, but quieted it down enough so that I could get on with my day. Helped a lot to settle my stomach down also! The more anxious I get the worse my GERD/IBS (whatever the heck it is) gets!

Response:

Couldn’t of said it better myself tanya. I like ya already! Angela

Response:

For several months experienced a variety of symptoms. Sudden bouts of tiredness, feeling faint, sometimes when walking I felt as if the ground was moving, blurred vision, palpitations, hyperventilation (which I did not recognise), chest pain, claustrophobia. I had many medical checks over these months. After two full blown panic attacks I had a diagnosis. Do you still have panic attacks still and if so are they very bad anymore?

No. If I start to feel panicky I take extra Xanax. I also know enough about my anxiety to use other coping strategies. I do plan on seeing a counselor, but am holding off until i can sit through a meeting for an hour and am able to talk without crying constantly…

It is OK to cry. In fact it is therapeutic. Crying releases endorphins. I am seeing a psychologist today and the tissues will be in reach. I don’t think i can afford a psychiatrist (i’m a single mother), but my dr. gave me the name of an affordable counselor and she said that she is pretty good with stress issues. I figure it’s worth giving a try, better than doing nothing. Maybe there’s hope for me yet!!!!!

Check whether the psychologist uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is effective in treating anxiety. Here is a free online program. http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ Glad you saw a doctor. Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Angela

Response:

Med seeker!

…and that’s a bad thing? ( dick seeker ! ) ::tossin’ ya tweezers:: have’ah ball. ~tanya

Response:

Wow! I think that was completely uncalled for! You’re exactly right, I am a med seeker, would like to find something that works for me. I don’t know about other people (yourself included), but I am sick and tired of living with this every moment of the day and the more information i can get, the better.

ya get’an "AMEN" from THIS corner, gurlie ! and’ah "hallelujah" ta boot. ~tanya

Response:

"Robert Neville" also posts as Night Hawk, Road Kill, George Bush, Popejed and sometimes engages "himself" in an argument with his other *personae*. Don’t worry about him, he is basically harmless although he tried hard not to be. He’s been around off and on for the past nine years = since ASAP’s beginning.

and as tha grapevine has it is dyin’ quite rapidly of lung cancer, so hopefully mother nature will toss da boy a few ciggies’n put him out’ah our misery. DIE, MOTHERFUCKER, DIE ! <sweet demure smile ~t

Response:

I kinda figured that out, but a little bit too late… What can I say, have been in a brain fog. After I replied back to him, I checked out his other messages and I realized that I shouldn’t have wasted my time saying anything to him… Oh well, won’t happen again

Response:

I forgot to ask if anyone has tried Xanax XR as I am considering this if the Xanax works. How does it compare to regular Xanax. The 2 weeks that I was taking the Serax, I hated the anxiety that I had for an hour or two in between doses..

Response:

Thanks so much for your reply Meryl. The link you sent was very helpful. I’m glad to hear that Xanax is still working for you since you started taking it in ‘95. You hear so much negativety re: benzos. If you don’t mind, what were your symptoms when you started having anxiety/panic? Do you still have panic attacks still and if so are they very bad anymore? I do plan on seeing a counselor, but am holding off until i can sit through a meeting for an hour and am able to talk without crying constantly… I don’t think i can afford a psychiatrist (i’m a single mother), but my dr. gave me the name of an affordable counselor and she said that she is pretty good with stress issues. I figure it’s worth giving a try, better than doing nothing. Maybe there’s hope for me yet!!!!! Angela

Response:

I was put on Paxil CR last September, which made me not only extremely panicky and anxious (panic attack lasted 4-6 hours at a time), it also made me looney as all heck. I took myself off of it after a month when i started to want to commit suicide (started having thoughts of slicing my wrists) which is unusual for me….

Join the club. I took Lexapro for a week and started having unwanted thoughts of violence and death too. I went to the Dr.’s again last night, since I didn’t think the Serax was at the correct dosage and she switched me to Xanax .25 mg every 8 hours as needed. I have been stressing all day about taking it. Finally got what I wanted and am nervous about the side effects…

A lot of us are med phobic. Yet, there are "normal" people who take Xanax for tinnitus (for example) and they gulp that stuff down. I’ve heard of people taking antidepressants for stuff like obesity, PMS, smoking cessation, and even migraines. But these folks typically aren’t "phobic" as we who have anxiety are. From all that I have read most people with GAD and PD don’t abuse it

True, However, I don’t see how benzos help GAD. They take some of the tension away, but the excess worrying is still there. By definition, GAD folks don’t have panic attacks, just a feeling of being "on edge" with muscle tension. The benzos do little for my GAD. … it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one out there that has this problem!

Welcome!

Response:

Hi Angela, You just met one of the poster of this forum that you should ignore.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow! I think that was completely uncalled for! You’re exactly right, I am a med seeker, would like to find something that works for me. I don’t know about other people (yourself included), but I am sick and tired of living with this every moment of the day and the more information i can get, the better.

Response:

Hello Angela, I’m new too, good to meet you. I have known a lot of people who were terrified of taking meds, I think a lot of it has to do with fear of the unknown, and fear of loss of control over oneself, should untoward side effects set in. Meryl gave you some excellent advice, and I had never heard it before, about taking meds w/someone at your side or on the phone. I have had fear of various antidepressants, because I have been on some that really made me feel strange. Now I’m on one and am used to the side effects, and it does help reduce the frequency of the actual anxiety attacks, although Klonopin probably does more for generalized anxiety. Glad you’re here, Sharon

Response:

Xanax XR (which I’ve been taking for the last eight years or so) keeps you on an even keel without interdose anxiety which is the major improvement over Xanax IR. Still, like with all meds you may have breakthrough PA’s or occasions coming up which are especially scary so it’s a good thing to have a stash of Xanax IR (the *normal* Xanax) on the side to take *as needed* while you take Xanax XR as a maintenance med. I have very good results with this as have others I know. Of course doing CBT is mandatory for every anxiety sufferer. Philip

Response:

"Robert Neville" is a *troll* who sadly thrives on sowing discord and trying to hurt people. You can find trolls in every newsgroup, even gardening groups or classical music groups. Please don’t take him seriously. If you stick around you will find out soon enough who’s who. "Robert Neville" also posts as Night Hawk, Road Kill, George Bush, Popejed and sometimes engages "himself" in an argument with his other *personae*. Don’t worry about him, he is basically harmless although he tried hard not to be. He’s been around off and on for the past nine years = since ASAP’s beginning. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Is PJ still on here or what has happened to him.

do you mean PB? (thought up until a couple of weeks ago that I was a hypochondriac). I

ohhhhhh, you are ! that’s why we like ya already ! think the Dr.’s not knowing what is wrong with me made the anxiety a lot worse. I’m not the kind of person that related to "what if" or "I think" or "I don’t know", which is all I heard from several different Dr.’s.

i’m sooooo with ya. and don’t tell me "i need ta talk ta ya bout somethin’ later"… BALISTIC TIME !!!! TELL ME NOW’RE DON’T MAKE ME COME OVAH THEAH !!! I was put on Paxil

ohboy. CR last September, which made me not only extremely panicky and anxious (panic attack lasted 4-6 hours at a time)

why ain’t ya on xanax? THAT IS MY UNPROFESSIONAL QUESTION OF THA DAY, LET IT BE KNOWN …. (ya dorks that’s decidin’ what’s what about whatever, there ya go !) , it also made me looney as all heck.

(oh my) I took myself off of it after a month when i started to want to commit suicide (started having thoughts of slicing my wrists) which is unusual for me, I don’t want to die,

or maybe ya wanted ta die for a few minutes but didn’t wanna kill yerself? i do that a lot, just wonderin’. I very much want to live, now moreso than ever. Not to mention all the other bad side effects it caused. After seeing several ENT Dr.’s (was also getting treated for a sinus infection that had cleared up, but I felt like i still had it after a month or so), one suggested that I should get treated for migraines (which I’m still not sure that I have). I started Depakote

FER CHRISSAKE ! (ask Gary, i just know it was prescribed to me for bipolarity and in the stages of me crossin’ tha bipolar 2 fence into bipolar 1, which never happened… (i don’t think.) and that didn’t work and have also tried immitrex, but that didn’t work either. Whether it was denial or urging of others, I finally had to realize a couple of weeks ago that there is nothing majorly wrong (no brain tumor, cancer, etc.)

doncha hate when that happens. with me and that I had better start dealing with the stress if i ever want to be "normal’" again.

BITE YER TONGUE ! do ya REALLY wanna be NORMAL? (ya might end up havin’ "missionary position" sex for tha next 29 years !) Almost 5 months later I finally found a Dr. that would let me take Benzos without trying to push antidepressants on me (although she would like me to seriously consider taking another antidepressant).

(bigger’n bett’ah kickbacks, antidepressants) I was on Serax for 14 days (10mg 2-3 times a day), it took the edge off, but did nothing for panic attacks. Although it did allow me to go out and do things with my daughter again,

<snip she switched me to Xanax .25 mg every 8 hours as needed. I have been stressing all day about taking it. Finally got what I wanted and am nervous about the side effects… Go figure!!!!!

.25 mgs? i drop that much on tha floor when splittin’ah blue. JEZUS H. !!!!!! If I had not found a topic by PJ regarding medicine phobia, I probably would have put it off for a while, but am going to try it after work today. I had already decided to cut it up in fourths, to see what it does to me, but it’s a start at least.

cut a .25 into 4ths? is that mathmatically possible? I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired and want my life back!

you need ta getchu sum bluez, gurl ! I don’t know why Dr.’s don’t prescribe benzos more for extreme anxiety and panic.

(don’t get me started.) From all that I have read most people with GAD and PD don’t abuse it

amen. (My guess is because the people that need them are grateful to have some relief).

amen x infinity Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all their posts, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one out there that has this problem! Is anyone else just taking a benzo (withouth antidepressant, etc.)?

For those that are taking them how long have you been on them and how long before you started feeling semi-normal again?

i’ve been on xanax (the one doctors say is for short term use only) for by some whacho and i’m on 1-2 mgs a day and am reducing instead of uppin’ tha ante cuz ya don’t develop a tolerence, ya find yer "comfort zone"… (ask Gary… he’s tha med dude extraordinaire)… which i think i’ll, personally, always be doin’… i keep thinkin’ in can get off em but WHY? cuz i’m dumb…. it’s no different than takin’ BP meds for high BP. CEPT YA AIN’T FEELIN’ LIKE YER DYIN’ IMMEDIATELY IF YA MISS A BP MED ! ok… so *i* got me started, but at least i ain’t started on pdocs. THAT is not pretty. ((((((((fuckin ivory tower dwellers dictatin’ our comfort at their own whim’n subjection whilst they pump up tha jag’n drink their grey goose ~tanya (AND THAT’S THA TRUTH !) <smile

Response:

Just wanted to say hi to everyone. Just found this group today and have had found several topics that have helped. Found a really good one posted by someone named PJ regarding medication phobia. Is PJ still on here or what has happened to him. His post was a big help since I am dealing with the same thing today!!!!! I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks since I had an episode of vertigo back in August 2005. I have always been an anxious person, but never had panic attacks before then. Guess the vertigo scared me more than I ever could have imagined… I have had CT scan, MRI, lots of bloodwork and have seen several dr.s (thought up until a couple of weeks ago that I was a hypochondriac). I think the Dr.’s not knowing what is wrong with me made the anxiety a lot worse. I’m not the kind of person that related to "what if" or "I think" or "I don’t know", which is all I heard from several different Dr.’s. I was put on Paxil CR last September, which made me not only extremely panicky and anxious (panic attack lasted 4-6 hours at a time), it also made me looney as all heck. I took myself off of it after a month when i started to want to commit suicide (started having thoughts of slicing my wrists) which is unusual for me, I don’t want to die, I very much want to live, now moreso than ever. Not to mention all the other bad side effects it caused. After seeing several ENT Dr.’s (was also getting treated for a sinus infection that had cleared up, but I felt like i still had it after a month or so), one suggested that I should get treated for migraines (which I’m still not sure that I have). I started Depakote and that didn’t work and have also tried immitrex, but that didn’t work either. Whether it was denial or urging of others, I finally had to realize a couple of weeks ago that there is nothing majorly wrong (no brain tumor, cancer, etc.) with me and that I had better start dealing with the stress if i ever want to be "normal’" again. Almost 5 months later I finally found a Dr. that would let me take Benzos without trying to push antidepressants on me (although she would like me to seriously consider taking another antidepressant). I was on Serax for 14 days (10mg 2-3 times a day), it took the edge off, but did nothing for panic attacks. Although it did allow me to go out and do things with my daughter again, was able to stay at her meetings for the full time and take her out to fun centers,etc., i wasn’t sitting around crying all the time, wasn’t all that afraid of being alone, started cleaning my house again (and boy does it need it ), started making plans for a vacation in March, got to go grocery shopping for more than 10 minutes. It was quite a start! It helped with the headaches and extreme upset stomach for a week and then stopped, though. It didn’t completely help with the "tunnel vision" or the feeling of being disconnected from my body, but I figure that will come with time once I can learn to retrain my brain to working correctly again. I went to the Dr.’s again last night, since I didn’t think the Serax was at the correct dosage and she switched me to Xanax .25 mg every 8 hours as needed. I have been stressing all day about taking it. Finally got what I wanted and am nervous about the side effects… Go figure!!!!! If I had not found a topic by PJ regarding medicine phobia, I probably would have put it off for a while, but am going to try it after work today. I had already decided to cut it up in fourths, to see what it does to me, but it’s a start at least. I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired and want my life back! I don’t know why Dr.’s don’t prescribe benzos more for extreme anxiety and panic. From all that I have read most people with GAD and PD don’t abuse it (My guess is because the people that need them are grateful to have some relief). Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all their posts, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one out there that has this problem! Is anyone else just taking a benzo (withouth antidepressant, etc.)? For those that are taking them how long have you been on them and how long before you started feeling semi-normal again? Angela

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Just wanted to say hi to everyone. Just found this group today and have had found several topics that have helped. Found a really good one posted by someone named PJ regarding medication phobia. Is PJ still on here or what has happened to him. His post was a big help since I am dealing with the same thing today!!!!! I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks since I had an episode of vertigo back in August 2005. I have always been an anxious person, but never had panic attacks before then. Guess the vertigo scared me more than I ever could have imagined… I have had CT scan, MRI, lots of bloodwork and have seen several dr.s (thought up until a couple of weeks ago that I was a hypochondriac). I think the Dr.’s not knowing what is wrong with me made the anxiety a lot worse. I’m not the kind of person that related to "what if" or "I think" or "I don’t know", which is all I heard from several different Dr.’s. I was put on Paxil CR last September, which made me not only extremely panicky and anxious (panic attack lasted 4-6 hours at a time), it also made me looney as all heck. I took myself off of it after a month when i started to want to commit suicide (started having thoughts of slicing my wrists) which is unusual for me, I don’t want to die, I very much want to live, now moreso than ever. Not to mention all the other bad side effects it caused. After seeing several ENT Dr.’s (was also getting treated for a sinus infection that had cleared up, but I felt like i still had it after a month or so), one suggested that I should get treated for migraines (which I’m still not sure that I have). I started Depakote and that didn’t work and have also tried immitrex, but that didn’t work either. Whether it was denial or urging of others, I finally had to realize a couple of weeks ago that there is nothing majorly wrong (no brain tumor, cancer, etc.) with me and that I had better start dealing with the stress if i ever want to be "normal’" again. Almost 5 months later I finally found a Dr. that would let me take Benzos without trying to push antidepressants on me (although she would like me to seriously consider taking another antidepressant). I was on Serax for 14 days (10mg 2-3 times a day), it took the edge off, but did nothing for panic attacks. Although it did allow me to go out and do things with my daughter again, was able to stay at her meetings for the full time and take her out to fun centers,etc., i wasn’t sitting around crying all the time, wasn’t all that afraid of being alone, started cleaning my house again (and boy does it need it ), started making plans for a vacation in March, got to go grocery shopping for more than 10 minutes. It was quite a start! It helped with the headaches and extreme upset stomach for a week and then stopped, though. It didn’t completely help with the "tunnel vision" or the feeling of being disconnected from my body, but I figure that will come with time once I can learn to retrain my brain to working correctly again. I went to the Dr.’s again last night, since I didn’t think the Serax was at the correct dosage and she switched me to Xanax .25 mg every 8 hours as needed. I have been stressing all day about taking it. Finally got what I wanted and am nervous about the side effects… Go figure!!!!! If I had not found a topic by PJ regarding medicine phobia, I probably would have put it off for a while, but am going to try it after work today. I had already decided to cut it up in fourths, to see what it does to me, but it’s a start at least. I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired and want my life back! I don’t know why Dr.’s don’t prescribe benzos more for extreme anxiety and panic. From all that I have read most people with GAD and PD don’t abuse it (My guess is because the people that need them are grateful to have some relief). Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all their posts, it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one out there that has this problem! Is anyone else just taking a benzo (withouth antidepressant, etc.)? For those that are taking them how long have you been on them and how long before you started feeling semi-normal again? Angela

Hi Angela, For several years, I only took Xanax. I now take an antidepressant as well but that is because I have depression. Medication phobia is not uncommon, especially in people with anxiety. I have been taking Xanax every day since I started in 1995. I expect to take it forever. Xanax worked very quickly for me. Still does. The dose you are starting on is low but I think it is better to do that especially as you are med phobic. Taking Xanax allows me to feel normal. It would be great if you could combine it with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Sometimes, a person with med phobia finds it helpful to take the medication with another person by their side or on the end of the phone. http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/medsbasics/a/confusingmeds_5.htm Meryl

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In: Tinnitus

OT: Bonus Question of the day…. 11/20/05

Question:

::You have so much wildlife where you live! It’s really dead here in the ::city Awww, that`s sad! I could send over a few squirrels, a raccoon or two, my crazy dog<eg and the 1000`s of blackbirds and starlings that descend upon the neighborhood during the Fall Jackie ~*~My greatest fear is there is no such thing as PMS and this is really my personality~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

You have so much wildlife where you live! It’s really dead here in the city Awww, that`s sad! I could send over a few squirrels, a raccoon or two, my crazy dog<eg and the 1000`s of blackbirds and starlings that descend upon the neighborhood during the Fall Jackie ~*~My greatest fear is there is no such thing as PMS and this is really my personality~*~

Thank you, they would be gratefully received. But my cat would probably kill and eat them all (see other thread) ;-) — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::Thank you, they would be gratefully received. But my cat would probably ::kill and eat them all (see other thread) ;-) Your cat would kill & eat my 80 pound yellow lab???? Now that I want to see<eg Jackie ~*~My greatest fear is there is no such thing as PMS and this is really my personality~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ::A frog chorus. One starts, then the rest of them join in one by one. :: ::It is so TOTALLY like summer ;) It is soooo totally like, insanely noisy We get hundreds of Spring peepers at the pond during Spring and Summer, and they drive me nuts!! Better Spring peepers than Peeping Tom-ers!! Chip :^)

LOL !! I needed that! — Ron P Just remember….if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love?

A frog chorus. One starts, then the rest of them join in one by one. It is so TOTALLY like summer ;) Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::What sound or noise do you love? Rain, wind, waterfalls, certain wind chimes, the ocean and singing birds. Jackie ~*~When you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

::A frog chorus. One starts, then the rest of them join in one by one. :: ::It is so TOTALLY like summer ;) It is soooo totally like, insanely noisy We get hundreds of Spring peepers at the pond during Spring and Summer, and they drive me nuts!! Then the horny male bullfrogs start in with their forlorn croaking. Jackie ~*~When you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Whenever someone asks me what I like, I have absolutely NO answer. If I think long and hard about it I really can’t come up with an answer. reading over the posts made by everyone else I could agree with some of them, but I can’t come up with anything else of my own. When my doctor asked me to make a list of things I would like to do (to get enjoyment out of), I couldn’t come up with one thing. Several months down the track and I still haven’t contributed more than a couple of things. grrr!!! gregory. 11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love? Jackie ~*~When you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them~*~

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A frog chorus. One starts, then the rest of them join in one by one. It is so TOTALLY like summer ;) It is soooo totally like, insanely noisy We get hundreds of Spring peepers at the pond during Spring and Summer, and they drive me nuts!! Then the horny male bullfrogs start in with their forlorn croaking. Jackie ~*~When you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them~*~

You have so much wildlife where you live! It’s really dead here in the city — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Better Spring peepers than Peeping Tom-ers!! Chip :^) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love?

I love to be lying in bed and hear the rain. I don’t know why but it is just so comforting. Now if I had to get out and drive in it, that would be a different story. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

"Jacqueline" wrote 11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love? Jackie

The enthusiastic gurgle from the coffeepot announcing the coffee is ready. My cat’s purr next to my pillow. My mother saying "Goodnight, honey." Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love?

Most of the birds that I hear in the woods and on the feeders. The scream of the hawks soaring high above. The wind blowing the leaves off the trees. I’ll also steal MikeH’s thunder… literally! (I love storms.) And of course the sound of the doorbell when "Publishers Clearinghouse" come to tell me I’ve won 10 million dollars. ;-) Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love? Jackie ~*~When you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them~*~

I love my Kitty’s purr. I love when my puppy howls/talks to me. I love the sound of strong wind whistling and moaning around the corner of the house. . Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love?

Waves crashing on the beach…. Rumbling thunder of an approaching spring storm…. MikeH . — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

That is a good one! I like the sound of my cat purring. I also like the dawn chorus (though not when I hear it due to insomnia!) — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

11/20/05: Today`s question is being brought to you by our very own Deirdre :) What sound or noise do you love?

Anything that drowns my tinnitus<;-) — Ron P Just remember….if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

What sound or noise do you love?

Soft summer rain on tree leaves. Crickets at night when our windows are open. The whirr of an old-fashioned hand-propelled lawn mower. The "shush" of waves on the beach. The sweet high-pitched call of cardinals in late winter and early spring. http://annenotations.blogspot.com/2005/03/cardinal-rule.html The little contented "uhhh, uhhhhh" sound — almost like a sigh — my baby daughter used to make while drinking her bottle. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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In: Tinnitus

voices

Question:

I am interested in finding out more about what it is like to hear voices. As a counselor in a group home rehabilitating schizophrenic adults to independant living, and as a student, I am trying to gain insight into this concept. I try so hard to understand, but I don’t know what it is like. I would be interested in different perspectives on this issue. I don’t want to cause anyone any extra pain though. I am just interested in experiences people have with voices, what it is like, where they are when you hear then, how you hear them, when you hear them, etc. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -as34…@aol.com (As34567) wrote: > 222 2515 <1998051008565600.EAA03…@ladder01.news.aol.com> article retrieved – body follows > x-no-archive:yes > Here is how I understand it. The voices you hear are pretty much your > thoughts. These voices you hear sounds like when you are reading text > with a little voice in your head. Speed reading experts will tell you > not to use this internal pronunciation. What did speed reading have to > do with your question? Nothing really, I was demonstrating the weird > pattern of associations of thoughts that schiz have. Imagine this > little voice inside your head constantly on with weird jumps in > thoughts 24/7- wouldn’t that drive you mad? > Are you sure about the voices thing? I have the "voices" experience and it > is extremely frustrating plus I also jump from thought to thought quickly with > no focus ony any one particular idea. It really gets to me. > Yeah

I don’t think the voices really are my thoughts. I find that normally for me, thoughts don’t occur at the rate of conversation or reading. I think that people learn to think some of the time at the rate of conversation because that’s the rate television dialogue occurs at. I also find it normal to be able to cease thinking and experience total silence in one’s mind. You control your own thoughts, your own thoughts don’t control you. It might be that some forms of schizophrenia actually change the above, I don’t know. I actually think that the voices one hears come from psychic energies from beings such as dogs and other semi-intelligent animals who have learned from auditing/tuning in to people while watching television programs and learn their thought processes. Just random context-less babble which becomes more defined and more "conversational" the more attention that’s applied to it, perhaps seeming intelligent after a while. I’m at the point now in my schizophrenia where I manage to ignore the voices most of the time, and much of the time they are no longer there. I also try this exercise: I close my eyes, put my palms over my eyes, and let my consciousness "fall" towards my palms into the darkness, downwards through the rest of my body. Then, paying attention the hard silence generated by the exercise, I take my ears and try to listen all over my body, like down my spine and everywhere else, using the hard silence for a focal point. I spent a lot of time on my spine and it seemed to help. I think the hearing in my inner ear may have shifted to sounds in the outer environment instead of the equivalent frequencies generated internally which I speculate happen to predominate over the outer world receptions when hearing is attuned properly. This is my best guess. I’ve been trying to get back to normal ever since last May when the voices started. I hope it works for you. Kyfho — *:—Signature—:* "Voting ultimately aims the threat of a gun at various political factions, which ultimately become human individuals. Support of (l or L)ibertarians lowers the strong arm of oppression. As well, it is a good idea for anarchists to express valuable opinions to legislators in order to help aim the threat of a gun less often, thereby supporting the (l or L)ibertarian cause."" –Kyfh

Response:

In a previous article, removethis_pck…@hotmail.com (Bruce) says: >On Fri, 08 May 1998 01:15:29 -0700, Maria Hetenyi <moong…@gte.net> >wrote: >>I am interested in finding out more about what it is like to hear >>voices. As a counselor in a group home rehabilitating schizophrenic >>adults to independant living, and as a student, I am trying to gain >>insight into this concept. I try so hard to understand, but I don’t know >>what it is like. I would be interested in different perspectives on this >>issue. I don’t want to cause anyone any extra pain though. I am just >>interested in experiences people have with voices, what it is like, >>where they are when you hear then, how you hear them, when you hear >>them, etc. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you. >Here is how I understand it. The voices you hear are pretty much your >thoughts. These voices you hear sounds like when you are reading text

I’m not a schizo, but I play one on TV. <grin> But seriously. There is one thing you can do to get the gist of the schizo thing. Now amphetamine use mimics schizophrenia, but not completely. You get some idea of it if you are sensitive to caffeine. You can also do it with commonly available ephedrine if you do up to 4 30mg pills spread over the day, and work your way up to 6-8. However, STOP if you notice any heart rythm irregularities other than general twitchyness. It may take anywhere from 2 1/2 weeks up to 8months to notice things such as light irregularities that your mind may interpret as people and general paranoia. Tinnitus may also occur, as well as paranoid thoughts. Now, the bad part. This is bad if your kidneys are marginal, as well as your heart, muscles, blood presure, and foremost, sanity. There is a school of thought that says schizophrenia, depression, and other mental problems become more entrenched the longer one stays in that state. If your chemistry is altered to get closer to that state, your risk will become much much higher of falling back in. This is a real serious issue for mental health workers who have the HIGHEST rate of any profession of mental illness. Probably due to memes, or viral thoughts from exposure to the ramblings of the schizos. Or you could read the works of Phillip K Dick, one of the more famous speed freaks who wrote. His stuff is mega paranoid. Its pretty wild, but its easier on the body than speed. Although it will mess with your head worse than it. Good luck, and be carefull. Most friends I had who burned out on speed didn’t know they were in too deep until the dammage was done. From what I’ve seen relapes into it has to be 80% or better over a lifetime.

Response:

Lance Rodberg wrote in message <6jtovi$f2…@news.ysu.edu>… >Well, I have an advantage I suppose in that I’m too much of a wimp to stick >with substances that cause serious degeneration, mental or physical. To >quote Daffy Duck"I’m alergic to pain, it hurts me." <grin>

Yeah… I pretty much gave up drinking for the same reason; I can’t handle the hangovers. >Well, the stats also reflect that 90% of the people don’t give a damn about >anything. So if 20% make it, that means that 10% who didn’t give a shit >still managed to get out. What about the 10% of the populace that did ? ><grin> dunno. I suspect that those who have been there and survived tend >not to want to talk about it for fear of thinking about it, and the >thought lingering and causing the temptation to arise again.

I still remember the doctor that insulted me as I walked out of his drug therapy session. "You abused speed *so* much that you heard voices and you tell me you don’t have a drug problem?" "Just listen to what you’ve just said and shut the fuck up, Doc. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not stupid," I said. "You need us to help you, because only 18% can quit cold turkey blah blah blah…" I didn’t remind him that most of those a-holes he had in the room *still* abused drugs after many years at his therapy, because they didn’t give a fuck. I just told him that all I needed was a job. And that’s all it really took. Quitting was easy, but getting over the brain injury was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The brain *does* heal (or rewire around the damage), but it takes a long, long time. Anyway… nice talking to you again, Lance. — Moby Starbuck

Response:

>huh? Kewl. I wish you were here years ago; you could have saved me some >worry. My doc actually tried to keep me on meds "for the rest of my life" >after speed psychosis. The whole thing should have lasted only a year, but >I took ephedrine to lose all that damn weight I gained after my meds and it >sent me into round two of CIA/Demon/Psychic hell. I managed to get back >into shape without drugs. Low carbs and exercise.

Well, I took ephedrine when working 2 jobs to keep up to speed. When shadows started being thought of as people in peripheral visions I said screw that. Took about 90 days to come down after 6 months of moderate use. Dumped the 2nd job and managed ok. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>There is a school of thought that says schizophrenia, depression, and other >>mental problems become more entrenched the longer one stays in that state. >>If your chemistry is altered to get closer to that state, your risk will >>become much much higher of falling back in. This is a real serious issue >for >>mental health workers who have the HIGHEST rate of any profession of mental >>illness. Probably due to memes, or viral thoughts from exposure to the >>ramblings of the schizos. >I ditto that thought. It took me a while to forget about being in "that >state," it was like a trap, but once I reconfigured my thinking–I was free. >>Or you could read the works of Phillip K Dick, one of the more famous speed >>freaks who wrote. His stuff is mega paranoid. Its pretty wild, but its >easier >>on the body than speed. Although it will mess with your head worse than it. >>Good luck, and be carefull. Most friends I had who burned out on speed >didn’t >>know they were in too deep until the dammage was done. From what I’ve seen >>relapes into it has to be 80% or better over a lifetime. >… Those damn statistics. I only had an 18% change to break free from >speed and I beat the odds. There’s no going back for *this* trooper! >– Moby

Well, I have an advantage I suppose in that I’m too much of a wimp to stick with substances that cause serious degeneration, mental or physical. To quote Daffy Duck"I’m alergic to pain, it hurts me." <grin> Managed to find some things to kill the winter blues without killing my system though. Which is good since last winters seasonal depression totally kicked my ass. I guess they are getting good at the nutritional suppliment paths to curing various things without burning golf ball sized holes in your liver. Well, the stats also reflect that 90% of the people don’t give a damn about anything. So if 20% make it, that means that 10% who didn’t give a shit still managed to get out. What about the 10% of the populace that did ? <grin> dunno. I suspect that those who have been there and survived tend not to want to talk about it for fear of thinking about it, and the thought lingering and causing the temptation to arise again. L8r

Response:

In a previous article, ky…@theshop.net (Robert Sumner) says: >I don’t think the voices really are my thoughts. I find that normally for >me, thoughts don’t occur at the rate of conversation or reading. I think >that people learn to think some of the time at the rate of conversation because >that’s the rate television dialogue occurs at. I also find it normal to >be able to cease thinking and experience total silence in one’s mind. You >control your own thoughts, your own thoughts don’t control you. >It might be that some forms of schizophrenia actually change the above, I >don’t know. I actually think that the voices one hears come from psychic >energies from beings such as dogs and other semi-intelligent animals who >have learned from auditing/tuning in to people while watching television >programs and learn their thought processes. Just random context-less babble >which becomes more defined and more "conversational" the more attention that’s >applied to it, perhaps seeming intelligent after a while.

Well, one can dream at very high rates of speed. So it would follow that unconscious thought would go faster. And bleedover from excess seratonin dopamine, or whatever else would cause this high speed stream to jump over into the low speed path. Now the psychic thing is tricky. To do such a thing would require a more profound vocabulary than in just speech. Common experiences, ways of thinking, etc. Without such a store of common data, thought would pass through as electromagnetic hash. If it could be done that might be cool, what does a mountain lion think ? How does it experience life, or various other critters for that matter. I suspect that DNA dictates too much of how the brain works, so another critter such as a human would only have a vauge idea of how the minds of an animal worked.

Response:

Lance Rodberg wrote in message <6jgilu$jv…@news.ysu.edu>… >I’m not a schizo, but I play one on TV. <grin> But seriously. There is one >thing you can do to get the gist of the schizo thing. Now amphetamine use >mimics schizophrenia, but not completely. You get some idea of it if you >are sensitive to caffeine. You can also do it with commonly available ephedrine >if you do up to 4 30mg pills spread over the day, and work your way up to 6-8. >However, STOP if you notice any heart rythm irregularities other than general >twitchyness. It may take anywhere from 2 1/2 weeks up to 8months to notice >things such as light irregularities that your mind may interpret as people >and general paranoia. Tinnitus may also occur, as well as paranoid

thoughts. Whoa… I was one of those speed freaks. Not completely like schizophrenia, huh? Kewl. I wish you were here years ago; you could have saved me some worry. My doc actually tried to keep me on meds "for the rest of my life" after speed psychosis. The whole thing should have lasted only a year, but I took ephedrine to lose all that damn weight I gained after my meds and it sent me into round two of CIA/Demon/Psychic hell. I managed to get back into shape without drugs. Low carbs and exercise. >There is a school of thought that says schizophrenia, depression, and other >mental problems become more entrenched the longer one stays in that state. >If your chemistry is altered to get closer to that state, your risk will >become much much higher of falling back in. This is a real serious issue for >mental health workers who have the HIGHEST rate of any profession of mental >illness. Probably due to memes, or viral thoughts from exposure to the >ramblings of the schizos.

I ditto that thought. It took me a while to forget about being in "that state," it was like a trap, but once I reconfigured my thinking–I was free. >Or you could read the works of Phillip K Dick, one of the more famous speed >freaks who wrote. His stuff is mega paranoid. Its pretty wild, but its easier >on the body than speed. Although it will mess with your head worse than it. >Good luck, and be carefull. Most friends I had who burned out on speed didn’t >know they were in too deep until the dammage was done. From what I’ve seen >relapes into it has to be 80% or better over a lifetime.

… Those damn statistics. I only had an 18% change to break free from speed and I beat the odds. There’s no going back for *this* trooper! — Moby

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -al…@yfn.ysu.edu (Lance Rodberg) wrote: > 222 2647 <6jgk47$lh…@news.ysu.edu> article retrieved – body follows > In a previous article, ky…@theshop.net (Robert Sumner) says: > Well, one can dream at very high rates of speed. So it would follow that > unconscious thought would go faster. And bleedover from excess seratonin > dopamine, or whatever else would cause this high speed stream to jump over > into the low speed path. > Now the psychic thing is tricky. To do such a thing would require a more > profound vocabulary than in just speech. Common experiences, ways of thinking, > etc. Without such a store of common data, thought would pass through as > electromagnetic hash. > If it could be done that might be cool, what does a mountain lion think ? > How does it experience life, or various other critters for that matter. > I suspect that DNA dictates too much of how the brain works, so another > critter such as a human would only have a vauge idea of how the minds of > an animal worked.

It might be that the subconscious is rife with psychic transmissions, and that might be the subconscious. I’ve heard some people mention living other lives while one is asleep. The little daemons that send hallucinations down upon me pilfer images and memories from my past and try to significate them during the present. Lots of synchronicities. When I defeat the illusions, it’s been much nicer for me because I am in control of my thoughts and have better control of my emotional state of being. For the most part, my mind is clear. I’m not sure if I have a subconscious at present? How do I find it? I did have a lot of "helpers" before. I had certain troublemaking "helpers" which blew it for me and made me suspicious of these beings. It was the presence of these which defined my schizophrenia. They wanted to have control of me and to tell me what to do. Very political–attempting to aim violent tendencies at living beings, presumably to punish me for masturbating, which they absolutely hate. In fact, their violence was what was absent from my life before, which is what clued me in to their psychic nature. They very much resemble bats in the belfrey/Satan’s little helpers/the sidhe (which they’ve proclaimed to be, with some being particularly good at illusion to prove it sufficiently). I’m not sure how possible it would be to observe other creatures without them being aware of being observed. And that would crush any hope of "scientific" observation. I think that being observed helps induce paranoia. Ever felt like you were being examined by "aliens"? Like I said, I don’t think it’s the brain. I think it’s the hearing or some kind of sensory mesh. My daemons really seem pre-programmed by television. They present a lot of "familiar" stock phrases which it seems I’ve heard before which compose a lot of repetitive conversational phrases. Kyfho — *:—Signature—:* "Voting ultimately aims the threat of a gun at various political factions, which ultimately become human individuals. Support of (l or L)ibertarians lowers the strong arm of oppression. As well, it is a good idea for anarchists to express valuable opinions to legislators in order to help aim the threat of a gun less often, thereby supporting the (l or L)ibertarian cause."" –Kyfh

Response:

Voices. They’re back. Only now, they sound like someone whispering right into my ear. And they don’t say anything that makes sense. Today, I heard one say "coming". That was it. Now, I feel like I’m walking around in a dream, everything is thick and gooey. And I get to have teeth pulled this week! Maybe that has something to do with it — if I’m that insane, will they try to pull my teeth? Maybe it’s just to add problems on top of problems. — — | "My God!–it’s full of stars!" Galig Dulin | (Dave Bowman) Amanda Baggs | (Arthur C. Clarke’s _2001_) night…@netcom.com | "It could have been me/Yes it could have been me | Why didn’t I say?/Why didn’t I say?" ________________________| (David Bowie) "Folk takes their peril with them into Lorien, and finds it there because they’ve brought it" (Samwise Gamgee) "How did this one life fall so far and fast?" (Suzanne Vega)

Response:

>Maybe that has something to do with it — if I’m >that insane, will they try to pull my teeth? Maybe it’s just to add >problems on top of problems.

Maybe you should talk to your doctor before you get any dental work done. I would at least call.

Response:

I think i’m different to you lot in the hearing voices way, as I don’t hear voices I just battle for control of my own thinking voice in my head, I did hear whispers a few times when i was on sleeping tablets, they were very intelligent beings, I mean hey I’m a bright lad but those things were way out of my league, probably in league with lucifer.

Response:

I hear voices loud and clear. They can be critical but they also have a sense of humor. penguin

Response:

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In: Cause Tinnitus

OT-kind of

Question:

Hi Kids, Remember that I mentioned awhile ago that I had buzzing in my left ear when I first started tx? I was told it was an infection and then fluid. Then went to an ENT and was dx as a benign tumor on my acoustic nerve (acoustic neuroma) He said that it’s been there for years and is slow growing. Only 3000 a year are dx’ed with it in the USA. I’m going to see a neurosergeon and radiation oncologist at Mt. Sinai Hosp. in Baltimore Thursday for cyberknife evaluation. I am going to ask them if Hep C tx could have made it grow to the point that it caused my partial hearing lose and tinnitus. It’s just to coincidental that it all started the 2nd week of tx. A few other people that I had contact with on line have only noticed theirs after car accidents etc. I am wondering if I never started tx would it ever have been this bad. What other onsets can this wonder drug wake up in our bodies? Sue

Response:

Hey Sue, good to get your update. It’ll be interesting to hear what they think about tx complications. I sure don’t like this blurry vision i’ve got all the time, but i’ve been getting my eyes checked every three months and the opthamalogist says I don’t seem to have the optic nerve damage that can be caused by interferon. He’s a good chap. Seems to know what he’s doing. Keep us posted, kj

Response:

Hard to say Sue, but I had the tinnitus real bad on the tx. It went away within 2-3 weeks of the end though. — Russ Visit Alaska @ http://www.tannersacre.com "burningdaylight" <burningdayli…@nospam.com> wrote in message

news:5d2a136e29f5cacb4390744786055d53@localhost.talkaboutsupport.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Kids, > Remember that I mentioned awhile ago that I had buzzing in my left ear > when I first started tx? I was told it was an infection and then fluid. > Then went to an ENT and was dx as a benign tumor on my acoustic nerve > (acoustic neuroma) > He said that it’s been there for years and is slow growing. Only 3000 a > year are dx’ed with it in the USA. > I’m going to see a neurosergeon and radiation oncologist at Mt. Sinai > Hosp. in Baltimore Thursday for cyberknife evaluation. I am going to ask > them if Hep C tx could have made it grow to the point that it caused my > partial hearing lose and tinnitus. It’s just to coincidental that it all > started the 2nd week of tx. A few other people that I had contact with on > line have only noticed theirs after car accidents etc. > I am wondering if I never started tx would it ever have been this bad. > What other onsets can this wonder drug wake up in our bodies? > Sue

Response:

If this stuff causes nerve damage, why aren’t they telling us? Did your doc tell you what kind of damage it’s suppost to cause. Is it damage to the nerve sheath or schwann cells that cover the nerve? The 6 short weeks that I was on tx I also needed my glasses more, I think that most of it was just being over 40:-) Thanks, Sue

Response:

Hi Russ, Lucky you! Glad that yours waen away. I can’t even hear myself think. It’s even drowning out what my good ear hears! Sue

Response:

Blurry vision is normal on tx. The meds mess with the intraocular pressure in your eyes and produce achey eyeballs. LOL Your eyesight may change a bit because of it but should normalize, like Russ mentioned, when you’re done. Getting a new prescription for eye glasses is a waste of time while you’re doing tx. It’ll change again when you’re done. If you start seeing ‘cotton spots’ or other wierd ‘twirlies’, it’s time to see the opthalmologist right away as well as telling your GI. elmo http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/DocElmosHepFile http://community.webtv.net/elmoemerson/TheFamilyAlbum

Response:

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:31:05 -0500, elmoemer…@webtv.net wrote: >Blurry vision is normal on tx. The meds mess with the intraocular >pressure in your eyes and produce achey eyeballs. LOL Your eyesight may >change a bit because of it but should normalize, like Russ mentioned, >when you’re done. Getting a new prescription for eye glasses is a waste >of time while you’re doing tx. It’ll change again when you’re done.

Whoa! You may have just saved me the cost of new glasses (for a while, at least) as I was about to pull the trigger on some new lenses because my vision got very sketchy in the last year. I’ll try waiting a few months to see if this gets any better. >If you start seeing ‘cotton spots’ or other wierd ‘twirlies’, it’s time to >see the opthalmologist right away as well as telling your GI. >elmo

Yup, that much I was told during my pre-tx eyeball checkup (I asked the eyeball doc: "Cotton is ok, wool is ok, but "cotton wool" is bad? How will I know the difference between "cotton wool" and "wool" and "cotton"?") But none of my doctors mentioned temporary visual acuity changes during therapy. Cheers – and thanks for the heads up, Elmo /greyhackles ( i just figgered i had aged a whole bunch this year

Response:

Here is a short blurb about vision side effects from the Janis and Friends website. I believe the *loss of vision* referred to at toward the end refers to the "cotton wool" blind spots that are known as *interferon retinopathy* I’ve had blurry vision since the beginning of tx. It gets better through the week as the shot wears off. Kj Eyes and Ears Interferon may be irritable to the eyes of some people. -itching- Itching eyes are not unusual on interferon therapy. Interferon may irritate mucus membranes causing itching. Saline eye drops may reduce irritation. For many people, this side effect occurs during the first few weeks on interferon, then resolves on its own. If itchy eyes persists, or is accompanied by redness, swelling or discharge, the treating physician should be notified. -burning- Some people describe burning or irritated eyes during interferon treatment. Generally, this improves after the first month on therapy and may be managed with soothing eye drops, such as saline solution or "natural tears". -blurry vision- Some people receiving interferon therapy describe blurry vision. Because interferon has been known to rarely cause changes to the retina, blurry vision should be brought to the attention of the treating physician. -loss of vision- Loss of vision in one eye (or both eyes), or a sudden change in vision such as a "hole" , "tunnel" or "window shade" may be a serious event which requires immediate medical attention. http://janis7hepc.com

Response:

I remember the tx nurse calling the "wool" spots as "floaters". I asked how I would know and she said, "you’ll know"… I don’t recall much of floaters, but light sensitivity was extreme. I would lay with a towel over my eyes for relief from the sunny days. One of the perks of living so far north, N. 62 degrees latitude was the dark days of winter. But come spring time, oh the light was murderous on my eyes!!! Yea Sue, my ears were ringing so bad I couldn’t tune my guitar or banjo, let alone play the suckers. I hope it all clears up for you soon. I remember now taking a walk about 3 weeks after the last of the Riba, and hearing the wind "swishing" through the grass and trees for the first time in quite a while. — Russ Visit Alaska @ http://www.tannersacre.com "greyhackles" <greyhack…@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message

news:ku6bl15vjh921shvibv5jgufksf1ark3ot@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:31:05 -0500, elmoemer…@webtv.net wrote: > >Blurry vision is normal on tx. The meds mess with the intraocular > >pressure in your eyes and produce achey eyeballs. LOL Your eyesight may > >change a bit because of it but should normalize, like Russ mentioned, > >when you’re done. Getting a new prescription for eye glasses is a waste > >of time while you’re doing tx. It’ll change again when you’re done. > Whoa! You may have just saved me the cost of new glasses (for a while, at > least) as I was about to pull the trigger on some new lenses because my vision > got very sketchy in the last year. I’ll try waiting a few months to see if > this gets any better. > >If you start seeing ‘cotton spots’ or other wierd ‘twirlies’, it’s time to > >see the opthalmologist right away as well as telling your GI. > >elmo > Yup, that much I was told during my pre-tx eyeball checkup (I asked the > eyeball doc: "Cotton is ok, wool is ok, but "cotton wool" is bad? How will I > know the difference between "cotton wool" and "wool" and "cotton"?") > But none of my doctors mentioned temporary visual acuity changes during > therapy. > Cheers – and thanks for the heads up, Elmo > /greyhackles ( i just figgered i had aged a whole bunch this year

Response:

I had a very strange side during tx – my vision actually improved! I only needed my glasses for up close reading (that over-40 thing). People thought I’d got contacts. Sad to say my vision reverted to my pre-tx bifocal prescription about a month or so after I ended tx. As far as the ringing in the ears goes – I still have it 17 months post tx. Audiologist tells me it is due to nerve damage and will not go away. I’m getting hearing aids in a week or so; I’m hoping they will help. Thom Russ <sourdo55 at yahoo.com> wrote in message news:11lbbkn2b4i165f@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I remember the tx nurse calling the "wool" spots as "floaters". I asked how > I would know and she said, "you’ll know"… I don’t recall much of floaters, > but light sensitivity was extreme. I would lay with a towel over my eyes for > relief from the sunny days. One of the perks of living so far north, N. 62 > degrees latitude was the dark days of winter. But come spring time, oh the > light was murderous on my eyes!!! > Yea Sue, my ears were ringing so bad I couldn’t tune my guitar or banjo, let > alone play the suckers. I hope it all clears up for you soon. I remember now > taking a walk about 3 weeks after the last of the Riba, and hearing the wind > "swishing" through the grass and trees for the first time in quite a while. > — > Russ > Visit Alaska @ http://www.tannersacre.com > "greyhackles" <greyhack…@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote in message > news:ku6bl15vjh921shvibv5jgufksf1ark3ot@4ax.com… > > On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:31:05 -0500, elmoemer…@webtv.net wrote: > > >Blurry vision is normal on tx. The meds mess with the intraocular > > >pressure in your eyes and produce achey eyeballs. LOL Your eyesight may > > >change a bit because of it but should normalize, like Russ mentioned, > > >when you’re done. Getting a new prescription for eye glasses is a waste > > >of time while you’re doing tx. It’ll change again when you’re done. > > Whoa! You may have just saved me the cost of new glasses (for a while, at > > least) as I was about to pull the trigger on some new lenses because my > vision > > got very sketchy in the last year. I’ll try waiting a few months to see > if > > this gets any better. > > >If you start seeing ‘cotton spots’ or other wierd ‘twirlies’, it’s time > to > > >see the opthalmologist right away as well as telling your GI. > > >elmo > > Yup, that much I was told during my pre-tx eyeball checkup (I asked the > > eyeball doc: "Cotton is ok, wool is ok, but "cotton wool" is bad? How will > I > > know the difference between "cotton wool" and "wool" and "cotton"?") > > But none of my doctors mentioned temporary visual acuity changes during > > therapy. > > Cheers – and thanks for the heads up, Elmo > > /greyhackles ( i just figgered i had aged a whole bunch this year

Response:

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In: Tinnitus Hearing

Xanax Withdrawal – Please Read!

Question:

Hi, Sorry for the long post, and I am not trying to scare anybody but I REALLY want people to avoid the situation I have found myself in for the last 10 days due to Xanax.

my stories could rival yours, unfortunately. why ya gettin’ xanax online anyway? when stuff comes in brown paper wrappers with magazines that have the inside pages cut out for the drug between the cover and indonesia (which is a 3rd world country, i think… has nasty water and yanno they make that stuff with their 3rd world ick so’s yer puttin’ that crap in yer body… i dunno if indonesia’s even a country, i made that up) is a long way for that stuff ta travel, it’s a red flag that ya MIGHT be playin’ in tha wrong ball field. (not that i ever ordered any xanax online or nuttin) lalalalalalala they make perfectly good (well, good for sumthin’) doctors right down tha skreet in a clinic near you ! so what gives, white boy??? and xanax is a benzo which is an anti-siezure med and panic attacks are brain seizures and benzos suppress them causing the brain to actually produce more seizures, aka panic attacks, creating the need for the drug. it’s insidious, that lil blue pill, and quite seductive to the brain, therefore manipulating it easily, and resulting in addiction, but we can’t say addiction, we gotta say "dependence", and if you stop taking it, yer seizures go whacko and BAM, yer in tha hands of a cute triage nurse tellin’ ya he’s been thru it too and yer blood pressure is ‘a little high’ (and won’t tell ya what it is cuz you’ll have a coronary immediately if he tells ya) and when his eyes are bulging out whilst he’s screamin’ "DR. WHOVEVER, PLEASE COME IMMEDIATELY TO ROOM 3" and yer in room 3 and it ain’t fun. and i made all that up too,(cept the triage part) cuz that’s just my take on it. so that bein’ said, i’m leavin’ thissun ta Gary. so pack’ah lunch, folks, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. (i love you, hunny bunny) ~tanya

Response:

Hi, Sorry for the long post, and I am not trying to scare anybody but I REALLY want people to avoid the situation I have found myself in for the last 10 days due to Xanax. About three years ago I went to my GP (UK) complaining of anxiety and social phobia which I have had for most of my life. He offered me counseling and an SSRI. He also said that Diazepam is sometimes used only in VERY Extreme cases, and when all else fails. The SSRI made my SP and anx much worse so I stopped them. I then found some Xanax at an online pharm and when they arrived, they started to help a lot. I was more confident and panic stopped. I continued using no more than about 2mg per day (2 blue ones) for 3 years.Recently I found that I was waking up in the night with panic, nightmares and anxiety. The anxiety was even happening during the day between doses. I decided to stop when I had finished the xanax that I had. This was a terrible move! Within three days I started feeling deppressed, had headaches, and developed flu sypmtoms. Then came a horrid numbness in my face which progressed into my entire torso, and groin. I also had awful constant headaches,dizzyness, very loud noises/tinnitus, excruciating sinus and Ear pain, and bad paranoia. The worst sypmtom was a crushing pain above my heart and solar complexes. One day this resulted in me almost dialling the emercengy services fearing that I was having a heart attack!! By day four I was house bound with pain, paranoia and almost suicidal deppresion. In desparation I tried to get Xanax online that would be sent by carrier. I finally found an online pharm that would deliver by DHL within four days. Every day felt like a week, but my parcel arrived in the four days. Thankyou God!! I immediatly took 2mg, and, of course, within an hour these terrible symptoms started to lift. It’s now the next day and I feel nearly back to normal! I will never let that happen again. These past days have been the worst I have ever experienced. I did not think I would have any withdrawals, because Xanax never made me feel ‘high’ or anything. But now I know. I am not a doctor, and don’t want to dictate how people should use medication, but I would advise great caution with this drug. Avoid it if there is an alternative( I don’t think diazepam would have been as bad??).PLEASE,PLEASE, don’t stop Xanax abruptly, and if you think that the withdrawal will not affect you…..I thought the same, I only took 2mg per day. Please take great care, and feel free to email me. Len

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In: Ear Tinnitus

What could this be?

Question:

Get an appointment with an Ear Nose and Throat doctor, could be wax, could be something more serious. Tom "Drums4Life" <PillarOfRocknR…@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:1123847766.874374.66530@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am 17 years old. I have mild tinnitus in both ears that doesn’t > bother me much. What does bother me though is that every few weeks my > right ear gets very clogged up. I cant hear low end well and everything > sounds ‘hollow’. There is also a slight pitch difference (the dial tone > on the phone is almost a half-step down in the clogged ear). Luckily, > it doesn’t effect my overall hearing but it is very annyoing. Why would > this be happening? I am going to get it checked out soon. thanks

Response:

I am 17 years old. I have mild tinnitus in both ears that doesn’t bother me much. What does bother me though is that every few weeks my right ear gets very clogged up. I cant hear low end well and everything sounds ‘hollow’. There is also a slight pitch difference (the dial tone on the phone is almost a half-step down in the clogged ear). Luckily, it doesn’t effect my overall hearing but it is very annyoing. Why would this be happening? I am going to get it checked out soon. thanks

Response:

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In: Tinnitus Hearing

Antibiotics for ever

Question:

Woody posts: FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) — Mexican-American children born in the United States are at increased risk of asthma compared to children born in Mexico but now living in America, a new study finds. But note this: Variations in diagnostic practices or access to health care are among other possible explanations, they said. The real question is, is there also a heightened incidence of, say, sprained ankles and toothache among the US-born children? The study (at least the quoted part) makes no attempt to control for the "variations in diagnostic practices or access to health care." — Alison Chaiken "From:" address above is valid. (650) 236-2231 [daytime] http://www.wsrcc.com/alison/ Notions and scruples were like spilt needles, making one afraid of treading, or sitting down, or even eating. – George Eliot

Response:

On 7/9/05 11:43 AM, in article 1120934604.022015.16…@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "Woody Long" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<woodylon…@hotmail.com> wrote: > "I am now on permanent, long term, non-stop, antibiotics. Plus some > nasal steroid" > A sure fire way to get fungal sinusitis, or if you already have it, to > make it worse. > e.g. > http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/full/72/9/4996?view=long&pmid=15321991 > Its not worth trading short term relief for much more severe problems > in the near to intermediate future. > Woody

This study correlates exactly with what happened in Germany. In west Germany kids got antibiotic with each sniffle. Lots of asthma. In east Germany kids got sympathy . Little asthma. Yet, east Germany had much more pollution, toxins, etc. Same population, same diet, etc. Conclusion: too much antibiotic = increased asthma. Now that the two Germanies are united, about the same incidence of asthma.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Murray Grossan wrote: > On 7/9/05 11:43 AM, in article > 1120934604.022015.16…@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "Woody Long" > <woodylon…@hotmail.com> wrote: > > "I am now on permanent, long term, non-stop, antibiotics. Plus some > > nasal steroid" > > A sure fire way to get fungal sinusitis, or if you already have it, to > > make it worse. > > e.g. > > http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/full/72/9/4996?view=long&pmid=15321991 > > Its not worth trading short term relief for much more severe problems > > in the near to intermediate future. > > Woody > This study correlates exactly with what happened in Germany. In west Germany > kids got antibiotic with each sniffle. Lots of asthma. In east Germany kids > got sympathy . Little asthma. Yet, east Germany had much more pollution, > toxins, etc. Same population, same diet, etc. > Conclusion: too much antibiotic = increased asthma. > Now that the two Germanies are united, about the same incidence of asthma.

A similiar phenomenon has been identified with Mexican kids born in the USA versus Mexico. U.S.-Born Mexican-American Kids at Higher Asthma Risk Those born in Mexico displayed fewer symptoms, and experts wonder why FRIDAY, July 8 (HealthDay News) — Mexican-American children born in the United States are at increased risk of asthma compared to children born in Mexico but now living in America, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data on more than 4,100 Mexican-American children and compared the prevalence of asthma and wheezing during the previous year among those who were born in the United States and those born south of the border. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago and the University of Southern California, found that U.S.-born children were much more likely to report wheezing and a diagnosis of asthma than those born in Mexico. Children born in the U.S. were also more likely to have a history of ear infection, a parental history of asthma or hay fever, and to report regularly attending a specific health-care facility compared to children born in Mexico. Breastfeeding was more common among children born in Mexico, the researchers added, while maternal smoking during pregnancy was more likely among children born in the United States. The findings suggest that something in the environment is dramatically different between Mexico and the United States, according to the researchers. Variations in diagnostic practices or access to health care are among other possible explanations, they said. The team also noted that since children in the United States are more likely to visit a specific facility to obtain their health care, they may also be more likely to be diagnosed with asthma. However, even taking that factor into account, U.S.-born children still faced a greater risk of asthma than their Mexican-born peers. Social and cultural factors may be another explanation. Certain cultural beliefs may make Mexican immigrants more reluctant to report illness or personal information, the researchers said. They said more research is needed to identify factors influencing differences in asthma risk between the two groups. The findings appear in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. More information The American Lung Association has more about childhood asthma. SOURCE: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, news release, July 8, 2005 Copyright

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In: Tinnitus Hearing

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