Aromatherapy Vigor » Aroma Therapy

Question about inhalers?

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

>I had a home made version I called my smoking straw. >I took a soda fountain straw and stuffed about a filter’s worth of cotton in >it. I would use different aroma therapy scents to give it a taste. >Still have one in my car…….just in case.

I use cinnamon sticks. Have them all over the place. You can draw through it like a cigarette. For those times when I just need something top hold or put in my mouth. Trying to stay away from the sweets since I have gained my 10 pounds 5 times over already. :b -Angie — 2m 3d 6:14 smoke-free, 1,931 cigs not smoked, $244.27 saved, 6d 16:55 life saved

Response:

> Has anyone here used the nicotine inhalers? Nicotrol inhalers? > If so, can you share info about them – did they work for you – if so, > why, do you think – and if not, also why? Is there anything to watch > out for? Any particular way you should use them? > I’ve been to the web site, so I’ve gotten information there – but I’d > like to know about real world use. > I see a lot of posts about the patch, and about the gum, but haven’t > noticed any about the inhalers…?

j, I used the inhaler to great success. I am now quit for nearly 5 years! It certainly takes the edge off. Good luck with it! Jez.

Response:

Hi J, how was that first day? Way to go! I used the inhaler last spring for a month and half. I didn’t smoke, but I also didn’t break ANY habit or addiction. It fed into the habit too well. We have two additctions to break when we quit smoking…the chemical dependancy to nicotine & the oral thing. IMHO, using the inhaler is smoking w/o the smoke, there’s no change in habit or curing of addiction. (plus everyone told me that it looked like I was sucking on a tampon! LOL!)…Then again, if it works for ya…go for it. You can do this!!! Cat

Response:

I had a home made version I called my smoking straw. I took a soda fountain straw and stuffed about a filter’s worth of cotton in it. I would use different aroma therapy scents to give it a taste. Still have one in my car…….just in case. Chris 3M

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is very useful info Clarrie, thanks. > I had terrible problems in the beginning, for the same reason, until a > poster mentioned > ‘Endit’ > I checked it out in google and sent off for it. it was a real help! > Just a plastic cigarette looking thing with NO nicotine, but it was > the sucking action and the fiddling action that helped me. > Maybe this product could help J? > Just my 2p > (helpfully) > Julia > >Has anyone here used the nicotine inhalers? Nicotrol inhalers? > >If so, can you share info about them – did they work for you – if > so, > >why, do you think – and if not, also why? Is there anything to > watch > >out for? Any particular way you should use them? > >I’ve been to the web site, so I’ve gotten information there – but > I’d > >like to know about real world use. > >I see a lot of posts about the patch, and about the gum, but > haven’t > >noticed any about the inhalers…? > Hi J, > I haven’t used the inhaler myself, but a woman in my RL quit group > did > use it. She said that for her, it was very helpful. She was an > older > woman who had smoked for a long, long time and had very strong > associations between doing certain things and smoking. She had a > lot > of stress/family problems, resulting in a lot of stressful phone > conversations, which she had found impossible to do without smoking. > For her, the inhaler worked for situations like that, on the phone > etc. She also was quite a ‘nervy’ person who tended to fidget alot, > one of those people who say smoking gives them something to do with > their hands, and again she said the inhaler really helped her with > that. As my group finished after a few weeks, I don’t know how she > got on with quitting in the longer term, but certainly she found the > inhaler really did help at the beginning. > I was thinking of her when I read your other thread, about women and > smoking rituals. > I know you said you’ve read the manufaturers site, but here’s > another > sites which may help

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/healthy_living/lifestyl… ng/nicotine_inhalator.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sorry I can’t give you a first hand account (lozenges did it for > me), > hopefully someone else will be able to. I think, if you feel that > this is going to be the best method for you, then suck it and see! > If > it doesn’t work, you can always switch to something else. > good luck > love > Clarrie > — > 9M+ AS3 Kiwi Kwitter (01/02/03) > ~email/msn: clarriegrundy at hot mail dot com~ > — > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

can’t take all the credit…….I read about it here before I made one. :) Chris 3M

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My gosh! I remember reading about that! That was YOU! Ha! My > memory is better than I thought! >I had a home made version I called my smoking straw. >I took a soda fountain straw and stuffed about a filter’s worth of cotton in >it. I would use different aroma therapy scents to give it a taste. >Still have one in my car…….just in case. >Chris >3M

Response:

This is very useful info Clarrie, thanks. I had terrible problems in the beginning, for the same reason, until a poster mentioned ‘Endit’ I checked it out in google and sent off for it. it was a real help! Just a plastic cigarette looking thing with NO nicotine, but it was the sucking action and the fiddling action that helped me. Maybe this product could help J? Just my 2p (helpfully) Julia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Has anyone here used the nicotine inhalers? Nicotrol inhalers? >If so, can you share info about them – did they work for you – if so, >why, do you think – and if not, also why? Is there anything to watch >out for? Any particular way you should use them? >I’ve been to the web site, so I’ve gotten information there – but I’d >like to know about real world use. >I see a lot of posts about the patch, and about the gum, but haven’t >noticed any about the inhalers…? > Hi J, > I haven’t used the inhaler myself, but a woman in my RL quit group did > use it. She said that for her, it was very helpful. She was an older > woman who had smoked for a long, long time and had very strong > associations between doing certain things and smoking. She had a lot > of stress/family problems, resulting in a lot of stressful phone > conversations, which she had found impossible to do without smoking. > For her, the inhaler worked for situations like that, on the phone > etc. She also was quite a ‘nervy’ person who tended to fidget alot, > one of those people who say smoking gives them something to do with > their hands, and again she said the inhaler really helped her with > that. As my group finished after a few weeks, I don’t know how she > got on with quitting in the longer term, but certainly she found the > inhaler really did help at the beginning. > I was thinking of her when I read your other thread, about women and > smoking rituals. > I know you said you’ve read the manufaturers site, but here’s another > sites which may help

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/healthy_living/lifestyl… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sorry I can’t give you a first hand account (lozenges did it for me), > hopefully someone else will be able to. I think, if you feel that > this is going to be the best method for you, then suck it and see! If > it doesn’t work, you can always switch to something else. > good luck > love > Clarrie > — > 9M+ AS3 Kiwi Kwitter (01/02/03) > ~email/msn: clarriegrundy at hot mail dot com~

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Response:

>Has anyone here used the nicotine inhalers? Nicotrol inhalers? >If so, can you share info about them – did they work for you – if so, >why, do you think – and if not, also why? Is there anything to watch >out for? Any particular way you should use them? >I’ve been to the web site, so I’ve gotten information there – but I’d >like to know about real world use. >I see a lot of posts about the patch, and about the gum, but haven’t >noticed any about the inhalers…?

Hi J, I haven’t used the inhaler myself, but a woman in my RL quit group did use it. She said that for her, it was very helpful. She was an older woman who had smoked for a long, long time and had very strong associations between doing certain things and smoking. She had a lot of stress/family problems, resulting in a lot of stressful phone conversations, which she had found impossible to do without smoking. For her, the inhaler worked for situations like that, on the phone etc. She also was quite a ‘nervy’ person who tended to fidget alot, one of those people who say smoking gives them something to do with their hands, and again she said the inhaler really helped her with that. As my group finished after a few weeks, I don’t know how she got on with quitting in the longer term, but certainly she found the inhaler really did help at the beginning. I was thinking of her when I read your other thread, about women and smoking rituals. I know you said you’ve read the manufaturers site, but here’s another sites which may help http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/healthy_living/lifestyl… sorry I can’t give you a first hand account (lozenges did it for me), hopefully someone else will be able to. I think, if you feel that this is going to be the best method for you, then suck it and see! If it doesn’t work, you can always switch to something else. good luck love Clarrie — 9M+ AS3 Kiwi Kwitter (01/02/03) ~email/msn: clarriegrundy at hot mail dot com~

Response:

I have… a question… !

admin — Sat, 22 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sit on the porch and smoke, like we did before we quit. It grounds you > to the now of the situation, nd stills everything for a moment, but > other things can do it too. I have my own suggestions if you would > like to hear them. > Sure, I would love to hear them. > I ended up not smoking, even went out shopping and resisted the urge to > buy a pack. In my head I was simply postponing the decision. They’re > always going to be available if I am desperate. But that’s the > question: am I desperate to smoke? I don’t think so… > A couple people asked me why not go back on Zyban. Well, there are a > bunch of reasons. The first is because the higher dosage didn’t really > work too well with me, and led me to prematurely quit taking it. The > lower dosage seemed to be beneficial in more ways than not thinking > about smoking; I was able to block other negative thoughts I’d been > having, thoughts which have since resurfaced. I like the idea of being > drug free– if I’m going to quit nicotine, why not quit everything, have > a naturally clear mind? I’m afraid of getting too comfortable on an > anti-depressant, never really getting to the root of the problem and > becoming dependent. Medications and psychologists were pushed on me > throughout my childhood, for all the wrong reasons, and I have a deep- > rooted resentment. I also don’t have anyone in my life right now that’s > supportive of any decisions I make. To the contrary, if I revealed that > I was once again taking an anti-depressant (given the bad experiences > I’ve had in the past), I’d have to endure an assault of criticism. So > it’d be something to keep a secret, and I hate secrets, I’m naturally an > honest person. That’s the gist of it. Regardless of all that, I’ve > decided to .. well, not decide.. by trying it and seeing what happens. > If I don’t want to take it, I can just stop at any time, there isn’t too > much to fear in terms of withdrawal. I only hope I’m doing the right > thing, because I already feel guilty about it.

I take a high dose but i’m on it for depression primarily (i’ve been taking it since before it was available in canada without special paperwork and a bottle with a sticker on it delievered to my shrink with give only to:ME in big letters.As stated elsewhere i haven’t always taken the full maount i’m supposed to and i’m trying to make sure i do…maybe it will help quit. I was forced on drugs a couple of times as a kid. It took a lot to force me to admit i needed medication as an adult and particularly that i had adhd (all family problems were blamed on my adhd). I had to come to the point of knowing my mother’s "history" of my life isn’t that accurate seeing as i haven’t lived there since i was 13, and even before they abused me for years and won’t admit it. She knows i take drugs..i believe she believes it prooves her right…i believe she’s said so (its been 5 years since we talked except briefly three years ago except for the very occaisional put my brother on the phone please…even then i usually got my dad). It came to the point when i had to say well they may have blamed the adhd but there are plenty of parents that raise adhd parents that raise kids without abusing them, and if my behaviour wasn’t the best, well i wasn’t an adult abusing a child (there is one year of therapy free to you…although it might take you a year of therapy to *believe* it…i knew it when i started, it took 11 months to believe it.) Take what you need to take, and give yourself some time to get used to quitting smoking…i don’t knw the figures for zyban but i know that it is customary to keep people who have had a depression on AD’s for about 6 months after they started or if it took a while to find right drug 6 months after they got better… Marcie > phase > Three weeks, five days, 13 hours, 59 minutes and 51 seconds. > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption

=—

Response:

Hi, Phase, Here’s what I am responding to in your last message: "I’m just … I don’t know… craving a moment of peace, how I used to go outside (never really smoked indoors) and take in the night, feel at ease with myself and the world. I know that had nothing to do with smoking, but doing it without the cigarettes is not something I’ve ever been able to do. It’s not the same." O.K., I’m going to tell you what I have found that helps, NOT is the same, but I feel that, for me, can be a familiar ritual with time. And a lot healthier. Now, keep in mind, this is just a suggestion. I don’t know how you look at being at ease, etc. while smoking, but one of my obsessions was watching the smoke, especially at night, and twisting the cig in my fingers for different effects. Also, smoke rings. Loved them. And NOW I have come to the conclusion that I can do the same exact thing with incense, NOT smoke, smells beautiful and has the same effect, only better because of the aroma therapy aspect of it. Nag Champa is my favorite, but I do love sandalwood, too. And you can whirl the stick, just like a cig, and make smoke rings too. No, it isn’t EXACTLY the same. But you know, I was bitching earlier in the week that I couldn’t have regular coffee anymore because of the caffeine, and some lovely person here said "How about something soothing like chamimilloe (sp?) and make a new ritual for yourself?". I thank whoever said that, I’ll have to go back and see who it was, because it works, it really does. I don’t know about humans in general but I know that if I do something at the same time for a wek or two, it’s a habit. And old habits, healthier habits can take the place. I also agree with Elle, in her message after that meditation is also really helpful. You don’t have to be a guru, or know a bunch of stuff, it just lets your mind unfold, that’s all. If you could, find a special place where you like to sit outside, get a stick or two of incense, take a little blanket and a drink and just watch the smoke and contemplate the sky. If you give it chance, I bet it would help. Just one more thing about the wanting to be natural and drug free, with out any anti-depressants…. getting to the root of it isn’t not taking meds. Depression is a condition that most of the time requires meds, however light, to make your brain work right, I’m sure you already know this if you have been thru years of it, I’m sorry, I’m not trying to talk down to you. It’s just thatif your depression is chemical, you can’t be med-free and be o.k. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Thank God for the meds! I also agree with Elle about not letting everyone know your business is not the same as lying or being dis-honest, not at all! I’m a fiercely independent and private person and I will tell somebody to f*** off quick if they start getting into my private business. I hope this helps a little bit, but just know that I do care about your emotional and physical well being and I think everyone here does. One more thought, yoga is great, too. But that’s just a thought. It works for me, not for everyone, I know. Lisa One week, two days, 1 hour, 47 minutes and 15 seconds. 181 cigarettes not smoked, saving $20.78. Life saved: 15 hours, 5 minutes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sit on the porch and smoke, like we did before we quit. It grounds you > to the now of the situation, nd stills everything for a moment, but > other things can do it too. I have my own suggestions if you would > like to hear them. > Sure, I would love to hear them. > I ended up not smoking, even went out shopping and resisted the urge to > buy a pack. In my head I was simply postponing the decision. They’re > always going to be available if I am desperate. But that’s the > question: am I desperate to smoke? I don’t think so… > A couple people asked me why not go back on Zyban. Well, there are a > bunch of reasons. The first is because the higher dosage didn’t really > work too well with me, and led me to prematurely quit taking it. The > lower dosage seemed to be beneficial in more ways than not thinking > about smoking; I was able to block other negative thoughts I’d been > having, thoughts which have since resurfaced. I like the idea of being > drug free– if I’m going to quit nicotine, why not quit everything, have > a naturally clear mind? I’m afraid of getting too comfortable on an > anti-depressant, never really getting to the root of the problem and > becoming dependent. Medications and psychologists were pushed on me > throughout my childhood, for all the wrong reasons, and I have a deep- > rooted resentment. I also don’t have anyone in my life right now that’s > supportive of any decisions I make. To the contrary, if I revealed that > I was once again taking an anti-depressant (given the bad experiences > I’ve had in the past), I’d have to endure an assault of criticism. So > it’d be something to keep a secret, and I hate secrets, I’m naturally an > honest person. That’s the gist of it. Regardless of all that, I’ve > decided to .. well, not decide.. by trying it and seeing what happens. > If I don’t want to take it, I can just stop at any time, there isn’t too > much to fear in terms of withdrawal. I only hope I’m doing the right > thing, because I already feel guilty about it. > phase > Three weeks, five days, 13 hours, 59 minutes and 51 seconds. > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The > lower dosage seemed to be beneficial in more ways than not thinking > about smoking; I was able to block other negative thoughts I’d been > having, thoughts which have since resurfaced. I like the idea of being > drug free– if I’m going to quit nicotine, why not quit everything, have > a naturally clear mind? > Can you see how this thought possibly sabotages you? > Zyban/wellbutrin is a *medication* that is prescribed for smoking cessation > because it is effective in helping people in your situation. You don’t have > to stay on it forever, but how long is a month or three of Zyban treatment > compared to the years you’ve been poisoning yourself with smokes? > Phase, my dear, you don’t have to fix everything all at once, and for many > it’s a big mistake to try to get well too fast. You really *can* give > yourself permission to take this a step at a time. That’s what I had to do. > You don’t have to overthink it beyond where you are right now, today. Today > you’re a guy who’s about to give up his quit. Don’t you think that’s where > your focus belongs right now? On staying quit today, no matter what tools > you may need to use to do it?

She knows of what she speaks, Phase. What she says in this last paragraph is so true. TODAY is all that matters if you really want to stay quit. No matter how you choose to do it, you’ll find a way that works for YOU. Best wishes… Sally Quit for 11 months with the help of the patch, Welbutrin, and AS3…not necessarily in that order… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m afraid of getting too comfortable on an > anti-depressant, never really getting to the root of the problem and > becoming dependent. Medications and psychologists were pushed on me > throughout my childhood, for all the wrong reasons, and I have a deep- > rooted resentment. > And today also a challenge to work through it, if you want to– or not– > that is entirely up to you. You don’t have to go the Zyban route, but you > don’t have to let a decision that it isn’t for you sabotage your efforts to > quit, either. You can use different tools, if you want. There are lots of > tools available to you. The CBT stuff will help– keep working on that– > learn meditation if you want– practice reframing your thoughts to get rid > of that mindset of deprivation you’re nursing… all sorts of effective > tools are available if you want to use them. > I also don’t have anyone in my life right now that’s > supportive of any decisions I make. > This is not true; you have us. We’ll support you no matter what decision > you make. Promise. > To the contrary, if I revealed that > I was once again taking an anti-depressant (given the bad experiences > I’ve had in the past), I’d have to endure an assault of criticism. > Huh? From who? Whoever this is, they have no right to stand between you > and effective treatment for any problem, whether it be depression or smoking > cessation or both. Tell these people to fuck off, and do what you need to > do to take care of yourself. You don’t need approval from anyone else to > take care of yourself. > So > it’d be something to keep a secret, and I hate secrets, I’m naturally an > honest person. > Then don’t keep it a secret, though my honest response to this is to want to > suggest to you that some things are simply none of other peoples’ business. > It’s okay to not tell everyone everything. Are these people grilling you on > every detail of your life? If so, do they really have a right to do that? > Why is it a secret to erect healthy boundaries about what you are and are > not willing to share with them– especially if their tendency is to tear > down your efforts toward self-improvement? > That’s the gist of it. Regardless of all that, I’ve > decided to .. well, not decide.. by trying it and seeing what happens. > If I don’t want to take it, I can just stop at any time, there isn’t too > much to fear in terms of withdrawal. I only hope I’m doing the right > thing, because I already feel guilty about it. > Lose the guilt and do what you need to do. This may be the most important > thing you will ever do for yourself; you owe it to yourself to throw > everything you can at this addiction. > Hugs, > elle

Response:

I tell myself "I could smoke" on a regular basis. I have an emotional disorder, and sometimes things get out of control, and I know that if I smoked things would be a bit less out of control. But I haven’t done it in two years, because… I don’t exactly know why I don’t, but I am comitted to making smoking my very *last* option, and I haven’t gotten to that point yet. If I did smoke, it sure as hell wouldn’t be nicotine free cigs. I don’t get the point of them. They aren’t a "loophole" product. They contain a lot of the stuff that cigarettes do, as well as, at least in some cases, a low level of nicotine. It’s not like "alcohol free" wine. I would still be breathing in smoke every day, I just wouldn’t get the benefits of the nicotine. Heck, I’d rather have something that delivered nicotine without cigs than cigs that didn’t deliver nicotine. It sounds as if you are on the right track with the cognitive thinking. It is really a valuable took for reducing negative thinking. But it takes time for it to become automatic. You’ve only been quit a few weeks. You *will* learn to deal with negative things without smoking in time. It just takes practice – learning new habits. Give it some time. You don’t sound as if you are desperate for a smoke – just frustrated with how hard it is. But it will get easier. You will learn to deal with things. BTW, I’m going to put in a plug for a favorite book. "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook". It has two chapters dedicated to mind management with exercises to help with negative thoughts. I’ve been applying them for a bit now, and I’m already seeing progress. It’s widely available – I got mine at Barnes and Noble – and not expensive. Very worthwhile. Diane M.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The question I am asking myself, I will pass along to you: > Smoking is how I pretend to deal with emotional problems. Or how I used > to or whatever. > Since I quit, none of those problems have really gone away. I’m working > on it, I am; I’m trying to learn about CBT and how to conquer negative > thoughts, i.e. cognitive distortions. Despite doing written exercises > and stuff, I haven’t made all that much progress. > So I say to myself, I could smoke. Those nicotine-free cigarettes. I > know, it won’t do anything to solve my problems. It won’t even make me > feel better. And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product, which > makes me feel less guilty about trying them out (and don’t give me > anything about how I’m still taking in all the chemicals and tar and > whatnot, I know that– my chronic cough is still something I am dealing > with, and I know that smoking will exacerbate it). I think the only > positive benefit would be that I could revel in some nostalgia for a > moment. Anyhow, it all comes down to a question: > I could smoke, yeah. But what then? > Or I could not… except, the question’s the same: What then? It’s > been a month, and I’m struggling. And I hate it. I am so tempted to > just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my > stupid damaging thoughts. > I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get. > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far) > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption

=—

Response:

> The > lower dosage seemed to be beneficial in more ways than not thinking > about smoking; I was able to block other negative thoughts I’d been > having, thoughts which have since resurfaced. I like the idea of being > drug free– if I’m going to quit nicotine, why not quit everything, have > a naturally clear mind?

Can you see how this thought possibly sabotages you? Zyban/wellbutrin is a *medication* that is prescribed for smoking cessation because it is effective in helping people in your situation. You don’t have to stay on it forever, but how long is a month or three of Zyban treatment compared to the years you’ve been poisoning yourself with smokes? Phase, my dear, you don’t have to fix everything all at once, and for many it’s a big mistake to try to get well too fast. You really *can* give yourself permission to take this a step at a time. That’s what I had to do. You don’t have to overthink it beyond where you are right now, today. Today you’re a guy who’s about to give up his quit. Don’t you think that’s where your focus belongs right now? On staying quit today, no matter what tools you may need to use to do it? > I’m afraid of getting too comfortable on an > anti-depressant, never really getting to the root of the problem and > becoming dependent. Medications and psychologists were pushed on me > throughout my childhood, for all the wrong reasons, and I have a deep- > rooted resentment.

And today also a challenge to work through it, if you want to– or not– that is entirely up to you. You don’t have to go the Zyban route, but you don’t have to let a decision that it isn’t for you sabotage your efforts to quit, either. You can use different tools, if you want. There are lots of tools available to you. The CBT stuff will help– keep working on that– learn meditation if you want– practice reframing your thoughts to get rid of that mindset of deprivation you’re nursing… all sorts of effective tools are available if you want to use them. > I also don’t have anyone in my life right now that’s > supportive of any decisions I make.

This is not true; you have us. We’ll support you no matter what decision you make. Promise. To the contrary, if I revealed that > I was once again taking an anti-depressant (given the bad experiences > I’ve had in the past), I’d have to endure an assault of criticism.

Huh? From who? Whoever this is, they have no right to stand between you and effective treatment for any problem, whether it be depression or smoking cessation or both. Tell these people to fuck off, and do what you need to do to take care of yourself. You don’t need approval from anyone else to take care of yourself. > So > it’d be something to keep a secret, and I hate secrets, I’m naturally an > honest person.

Then don’t keep it a secret, though my honest response to this is to want to suggest to you that some things are simply none of other peoples’ business. It’s okay to not tell everyone everything. Are these people grilling you on every detail of your life? If so, do they really have a right to do that? Why is it a secret to erect healthy boundaries about what you are and are not willing to share with them– especially if their tendency is to tear down your efforts toward self-improvement? That’s the gist of it. Regardless of all that, I’ve > decided to .. well, not decide.. by trying it and seeing what happens. > If I don’t want to take it, I can just stop at any time, there isn’t too > much to fear in terms of withdrawal. I only hope I’m doing the right > thing, because I already feel guilty about it.

Lose the guilt and do what you need to do. This may be the most important thing you will ever do for yourself; you owe it to yourself to throw everything you can at this addiction. Hugs, elle

Response:

> sit on the porch and smoke, like we did before we quit. It grounds you > to the now of the situation, nd stills everything for a moment, but > other things can do it too. I have my own suggestions if you would > like to hear them.

Sure, I would love to hear them. I ended up not smoking, even went out shopping and resisted the urge to buy a pack. In my head I was simply postponing the decision. They’re always going to be available if I am desperate. But that’s the question: am I desperate to smoke? I don’t think so… A couple people asked me why not go back on Zyban. Well, there are a bunch of reasons. The first is because the higher dosage didn’t really work too well with me, and led me to prematurely quit taking it. The lower dosage seemed to be beneficial in more ways than not thinking about smoking; I was able to block other negative thoughts I’d been having, thoughts which have since resurfaced. I like the idea of being drug free– if I’m going to quit nicotine, why not quit everything, have a naturally clear mind? I’m afraid of getting too comfortable on an anti-depressant, never really getting to the root of the problem and becoming dependent. Medications and psychologists were pushed on me throughout my childhood, for all the wrong reasons, and I have a deep- rooted resentment. I also don’t have anyone in my life right now that’s supportive of any decisions I make. To the contrary, if I revealed that I was once again taking an anti-depressant (given the bad experiences I’ve had in the past), I’d have to endure an assault of criticism. So it’d be something to keep a secret, and I hate secrets, I’m naturally an honest person. That’s the gist of it. Regardless of all that, I’ve decided to .. well, not decide.. by trying it and seeing what happens. If I don’t want to take it, I can just stop at any time, there isn’t too much to fear in terms of withdrawal. I only hope I’m doing the right thing, because I already feel guilty about it. phase Three weeks, five days, 13 hours, 59 minutes and 51 seconds. —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—

Response:

Hi, Phase, I have just been quit this time for a little over a week, but I quit with this group a three years ago and stayed quit for over a year. The difference is no NRT’s this time. But what I wanted to say is that I screwed up my quit last time because I just wanted to smoke, just once, I had just gone back to college and I just wanted to do it, once. But I couldn’t do it once because it took three to get comfortable with them stinging my throat and burning my eyes, and then I siad the hell with it and now here I am. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and I can’t say one word about it. I do tell myself that I can smoke, it IS a mind thing, and to me personally, it’s just a comfort for me to say to myself, You can choose to smoke anytime you want, you’re an adult and no one can take that choice away from you". I guess it’s just knowing that I COULD if I wanted to helps, it makes me feel like they are not gone forever, does that make any sense at all? I think I kinda know a little of what you are feeling about the war, I was watching it Friday and I said to my daughter how terrified the people must be, the children, and then the next day they showed the little camel around the oil well fires…it broke my heart. I don’t want to debate either, but know someone else shares your views for a little while, and yes, when things get so bad, it would be nice to go sit on the porch and smoke, like we did before we quit. It grounds you to the now of the situation, nd stills everything for a moment, but other things can do it too. I have my own suggestions if you would like to hear them. Anyway, let me quit dribbling on, it’s Sunday morning and I have too much time on my hands, sorry for the speech! I hope you feel better soon, whatever you decide. Lisa One week, one day, 17 hours, 46 minutes and 56 seconds. 174 cigarettes not smoked, saving $20.02. Life saved: 14 hours, 30 minutes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The question I am asking myself, I will pass along to you: > Smoking is how I pretend to deal with emotional problems. Or how I used > to or whatever. > Since I quit, none of those problems have really gone away. I’m working > on it, I am; I’m trying to learn about CBT and how to conquer negative > thoughts, i.e. cognitive distortions. Despite doing written exercises > and stuff, I haven’t made all that much progress. > So I say to myself, I could smoke. Those nicotine-free cigarettes. I > know, it won’t do anything to solve my problems. It won’t even make me > feel better. And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product, which > makes me feel less guilty about trying them out (and don’t give me > anything about how I’m still taking in all the chemicals and tar and > whatnot, I know that– my chronic cough is still something I am dealing > with, and I know that smoking will exacerbate it). I think the only > positive benefit would be that I could revel in some nostalgia for a > moment. Anyhow, it all comes down to a question: > I could smoke, yeah. But what then? > Or I could not… except, the question’s the same: What then? It’s > been a month, and I’m struggling. And I hate it. I am so tempted to > just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my > stupid damaging thoughts. > I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get. > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far) > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—

Response:

Don’t be stoopid…don’t talk yourself into busting your quit. FMD is definitely something to be proud of….wtg! Sally

=—

Response:

>Thanks for all the responses. I still don’t know what I’m going to do, >but you’ve allowed me to put things in better perspective.

Hmm….from personal experience… don’t waste your money, your quit, or your health. They put the idea of smoking back in my head, and it took around a week (at least) to stop thinking of buying another pack. What IS wrong with getting back on zyban/wellbutrin? Allie

Response:

Yeah, what Ozmee said. Every word. Great post, Ozmee! hugs, elle — "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears this is true." -James Branch Cabell

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I think that is a normal feeling friend. True, you can load up and > smoke yourself to death today. So what, you can smoke anytime you > want right? But the reason you are not smoking is because you decided > to stop smoking. It isn’t any big deal to stick a cigarette or > whatever in your mouth, the big deal is not to do it. My opinion is > that you need to give yourself ‘permission’ to not smoke, permission > to decide not to smoke and permission to tell your nicodemon to go > jump in the lake when it tries to convince you that you are denying > yourself by not smoking. > Remember, the smoke causes cyanide, would you pop a cyanide pill into > your mouth on purpose??? Smoking helps encourage emphysema. I have > read you can get emphysema as you age anyway, but perhaps smoking for > 40-50 years means the difference between being tethered to an oxygen > tank or NOT tethered. > It’s OK not to smoke. > The question I am asking myself, I will pass along to you: > Smoking is how I pretend to deal with emotional problems. Or how I > used > to or whatever. > Since I quit, none of those problems have really gone away. I’m > working > on it, I am; I’m trying to learn about CBT and how to conquer negative > thoughts, i.e. cognitive distortions. Despite doing written exercises > and stuff, I haven’t made all that much progress. > So I say to myself, I could smoke. Those nicotine-free cigarettes. I > know, it won’t do anything to solve my problems. It won’t even make > me > feel better. And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product, > which > makes me feel less guilty about trying them out (and don’t give me > anything about how I’m still taking in all the chemicals and tar and > whatnot, I know that– my chronic cough is still something I am > dealing > with, and I know that smoking will exacerbate it). I think the only > positive benefit would be that I could revel in some nostalgia for a > moment. Anyhow, it all comes down to a question: > I could smoke, yeah. But what then? > Or I could not… except, the question’s the same: What then? It’s > been a month, and I’m struggling. And I hate it. I am so tempted to > just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my > stupid damaging thoughts. > I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get. > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far) > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet > News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via > Encryption =—

Response:

>So I say to myself, I could smoke. Those nicotine-free cigarettes. I >know, it won’t do anything to solve my problems. It won’t even make me >feel better. And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product, which >makes me feel less guilty about trying them out (and don’t give me >anything about how I’m still taking in all the chemicals and tar and >whatnot, I know that– my chronic cough is still something I am dealing >with, and I know that smoking will exacerbate it). I think the only >positive benefit would be that I could revel in some nostalgia for a >moment. Anyhow, it all comes down to a question:

Phase, Smoking made all off my problems go away. If I had a problem at work I’d get up and go outside and take a smoke break. If smoking bugged me at home I’d go outside and have a smoke. No more problem to worry about. I was in my own world. It was my self appointed time-out/coffee break/. Because I smoked I could just step aside. Why? Because I smoked and had my own permission. I hate to sound like the poster board on quiting but quiting IS a process. We learn that we can lay in bed on a spring day w/o having to run downstairs to light up. We learn that the movie "The Titanic" is 3hrs. and 20 frickin minutes long and I don’t care because I don’t smoke. We learn that that yellow crap on the plastic walls in the smoking cell of you local airport sticks, stinks and is SICK. Quiting is a new lesson that we are teaching ourselfs. The pain and the pure YUCKY fealings are real. The changes in the way we live our lives is real. But it does get better the further away you get from it. Time in is time out. Good luck. Craig Watts OF

Response:

> just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my > stupid damaging thoughts.

Whats wrong with going on the zyban again…i haven’t had a chance to read too many posts here but i’ve already come across someone who stopped the patch at a month (i expect if they are here they are probably a regular smoker, the only one’s in canada that make it through the program in less than 6 weeks if they follow the whole thing are those that smoke less than 14 cigarettes a day) and no you stopped your zyban in less than a month. Zyban is cheap…whats wrong with a little help? Even with cheap american cigarettes. Its about $50 for a month here on slow release i believe….and i take a very high dose (as Wellbutrin for depression, i’ve been taking it before it could be rx’d in Canada based on compasionate grounds ie i’d taken everything else, they thought mixing it and another anti-depressant (AD) might work…and it did better than before although we only found a really good combo about 7 years later Marcie I am one of those people with depression that just has to take some of the pills for life, and go off a few when/if i am planning to get pregnant. This is not that common and comes partially from the fact that i’m bipolar 2 (instead of bipolar 1 with long stretches or just Major affective disorder with stretches of normal) which tend to be depressed most of the time unless we go a little high…no normal period unless on the way up or down usually. I doubt it has anything to do with taking zyban for quitting smoking although i am far from an expert on that topic YMMV marcie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get. > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far) > —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- > http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups > —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption

=—

Response:

Hi, Thanks for all the responses. I still don’t know what I’m going to do, but you’ve allowed me to put things in better perspective. I don’t think my intention was to buy nic-free cigarettes and smoke them regularly. Just tonight. I’m subconsciously always looking for excuses, like for instance I’m moving a week from today, so I can tell myself "This can be the last time I smoke before living in my new apartment. Then I’ll start with a clean slate there." Except I know that I had similar thoughts when I moved here from my last place, and when I moved there, etc. I’m just … I don’t know… craving a moment of peace, how I used to go outside (never really smoked indoors) and take in the night, feel at ease with myself and the world. I know that had nothing to do with smoking, but doing it without the cigarettes is not something I’ve ever been able to do. It’s not the same. There’s so much going on in the world right now that is tearing at my heart, well beyond anything that’s directly happened in my life. I don’t want to get into debate with anyone with whether or not war is justified, but to me, I’ve searched my soul and can’t find any reason to take the life of another, especially in this case, and I can’t imagine the terror of those people, having to wait until the next bomb falls, seeing their city in flames. Again I don’t want to get into any argument about this, I don’t feel like it’s worth it, I have no intention of changing anyone’s mind. But it’s like, right now, there is no thought I can turn to without feeling dismay. And there’s nothing I can really do about it… So, I mean, that’s kind of why I wish I could go out and have a cigarette, it’s stupid, but it’s how I used to disconnect. And it’d probably work. Until the next time, and so on… Yeah, I know. phase —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups —= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—

Response:

I think that is a normal feeling friend. True, you can load up and smoke yourself to death today. So what, you can smoke anytime you want right? But the reason you are not smoking is because you decided to stop smoking. It isn’t any big deal to stick a cigarette or whatever in your mouth, the big deal is not to do it. My opinion is that you need to give yourself ‘permission’ to not smoke, permission to decide not to smoke and permission to tell your nicodemon to go jump in the lake when it tries to convince you that you are denying yourself by not smoking. Remember, the smoke causes cyanide, would you pop a cyanide pill into your mouth on purpose??? Smoking helps encourage emphysema. I have read you can get emphysema as you age anyway, but perhaps smoking for 40-50 years means the difference between being tethered to an oxygen tank or NOT tethered. It’s OK not to smoke.

The question I am asking myself, I will pass along to you: Smoking is how I pretend to deal with emotional problems. Or how I used to or whatever. Since I quit, none of those problems have really gone away. I’m working on it, I am; I’m trying to learn about CBT and how to conquer negative thoughts, i.e. cognitive distortions. Despite doing written exercises and stuff, I haven’t made all that much progress. So I say to myself, I could smoke. Those nicotine-free cigarettes. I know, it won’t do anything to solve my problems. It won’t even make me feel better. And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product, which makes me feel less guilty about trying them out (and don’t give me anything about how I’m still taking in all the chemicals and tar and whatnot, I know that– my chronic cough is still something I am dealing with, and I know that smoking will exacerbate it). I think the only positive benefit would be that I could revel in some nostalgia for a moment. Anyhow, it all comes down to a question: I could smoke, yeah. But what then? Or I could not… except, the question’s the same: What then? It’s been a month, and I’m struggling. And I hate it. I am so tempted to just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my stupid damaging thoughts. I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can anticipate the responses I’m gonna get. phase Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! but I haven’t cheated thus far) —-== Posted via Newsfeed.Com – Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==—- http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups

—= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers – Total Privacy via Encryption =—

Response:

> I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get.

like John Dow said a few days ago: "God, we’d try anything, won’t we!" … and that INCLUDES getting pissed off at ourselves … and I agree with my fellow angel Kita give yourself a break, dearest Phase! > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far)

we forgive you now go to sleep May the road rise to meet you Gita

Response:

If you’re looking for my opinion it’s that you need some more time to make this decision. It’s too soon to decide right now if you should smoke again. At this time in your quit you are on the edge of it getting much better for you. Problems seldom go away overnight. Whether you smoke or not. I don’t give a hoot one way or the other about your meter. I’m pulling for you. Kim 10M

=—

Response:

> The question I am asking myself, I will pass along to you: > Smoking is how I pretend to deal with emotional problems. Or how I used > to or whatever. > Since I quit, none of those problems have really gone away. I’m working > on it, I am; I’m trying to learn about CBT and how to conquer negative > thoughts, i.e. cognitive distortions. Despite doing written exercises > and stuff, I haven’t made all that much progress.

Did you think quitting would fix them? Give yourself a break. > And fuck them for making such a ‘loophole’ product,

As you go out and buy the product, therefore supporting "them"? > I could smoke, yeah. But what then?

Things would be just like it is now. Except you’d feel worse for letting yourself down. And you’d smell and be coughing. And you might be stuck in the mousetrap again. > Or I could not… except, the question’s the same: What then? It’s > been a month, and I’m struggling. And I hate it. I am so tempted to > just go back on Zyban, say to hell with smoking and to hell with my > stupid damaging thoughts.

Why not?(Go back on Zyban?) Or something similiar? > I’m kind of pissed off at myself. I’ve almost made up my mind to just > go and smoke a few. I thought I’d run it by you, even though I can > anticipate the responses I’m gonna get.

The three threes. One of those is 3 weeks. Maybe it’s coming a few days late for you. Mine came on day 20 I think. I imagine it’s like when the honeymoon wears off and someone realizes they said "til death do us part" to that person that can’t pick up their socks. Phase, it’s just a phase. You won’t feel like this forever. At least give it a few days to change. Don’t make any decisions now. Go to sleep, even if it’s 4 in the afternoon. Don’t do something you’ll regret on a moment’s notice. > phase > Three weeks, four days, 20 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds. > (If I did smoke tonight, I wouldn’t reset my meter. Just so you know! > but I haven’t cheated thus far)

I don’t care what people do with their own meters. But I think the way you are rationalizing or warning about the above, is just junkie thinking. You are just quit when it’s convenient for you? Bah. Don’t smoke. Give your quit 24 hours, sleep on it. You wanted this quit, at least give it a chance. GL kita

Response:

Cow Prodding

admin — Sat, 05 Jan 2002 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

What ever works milabet! Use visualization, aroma therapy, anything to keep you off the smokes. You are doing great. Keep it up! Chris 1M+++ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Has anyone ever been to an auction of live animals??? Where they sell baby >cows? They take this rod thing and touch the baby cow on the back with it >to shock it–to get it to move. I have felt like that is what a craving is >like. A shock to every nerve in my body. I have said to myself–If I think >about it I will get Prodded by the shocking of every nerve thing. Don’t >think about it I tell myself and I won’t get prodded. Don’t think about >smoking–don’t think about smoking–I don’t want to get the shock of a >craving in every nerve in my body!!! >This is what I tell myself

could there be a connection between IBD and extreme high blood pressur

admin — Thu, 17 Aug 2000 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Hey MaryJo, High blood pressure runs in all my siblings; they treat it VERY seriously. Meds 2x a day, modified diet, exercise program, and stress -reducing sessions, like massage or aroma therapy. I hope the aspirin doesn’t kick up your CC. Please, go to the ER if your headaches become any worse. (We’re worried about you!) Teri

Response:

I don’t think aspirin is a NSAID which is a definite NONO !! But too much aspirin can cause other abdomianl problems as it eats it away …

Response:

Let me know if you find out anything. Mine’s gone from a routine 90/60 to about the same as yours now. Nobody seems to know why or want to do anything different. I’m already maxing out on Heparin so aspirin, etc wouldn’t help and no way will they make me lose fluids as they’re always pumping it in now. Maybe I just want to be more like Mike and he IS invading my territory now (congestive heart failure). I figured the headaches were just stress and I just keep taking whatever I can get to be able to live with it. Gotta go now…Sparkydog wants to go out and I’m the only one here. Hope Mike gets home VERY SOON!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Carole > Thanks for responding …. if it doesn’t drop by this weekend, I will go > in and see the ER …. and no, I didn’t have a big bag of salty potato > chips …. but it sounds good !! They have found that the link between > salt and high blood pressure is a myth especcially with those under 50 > .. and I am definitly under 50 ! I was on bp meds before because the > prednisone had raised the bp … but have off prednisone for a year now > .. they took me off the bp meds last year when I went into the hospital > for dehydration as my pb dropped too low !! I guess I can’t win > either way !! > I will kep you posted …. right now all I want to do is to melt away in > relaxation > maryjo

Response:

Staci Good luck with the Colestid … remember that you may have to adjust the dose that works well with you … too much can be too binding !

Response:

eMi I am not on prednisone … was taken off of it a year ago .. thank goodness Maryjo

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Maryjo, Can you take aspirin with CC? I can’t take NSAIDS or aspirin with CD - only Tylenol which doesn’t do anything for me. ~~~~Pat CD Class of 98 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->"Maryjo" wrote >He also told me to take one aspirin per day with it

Response:

update : I did go to ER today , spent a lovely 3 hours there … blood pressure was elevated still and I had a headache on the rise They did a EKG which came back good . Maryjo

Response:

Maryjo, I hope and pray you got with a doctor today. Please let us know what’s going on. STaci

Response:

<> That’s the exact same med my Dr. put me on along with a drug called clonidine. The combo of the two seems to be working well. I’m glad you went today! Patsy : )

Response:

I have been told to take a coated aspirin each night (those orange things). My GP says it will work with my blood pressure med, my GI says here are some early indications that it might help with CD. I have been told no advil, etc., because it might interact with the Asacol. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Maryjo, > Can you take aspirin with CC? I can’t take NSAIDS or aspirin with CD - > only Tylenol which doesn’t do anything for me. > ~~~~Pat > CD Class of 98 >"Maryjo" wrote >He also told me to take one aspirin per day with it

Response:

Same here Sam, I run low temp and BP as the norm. Maryjo, I hope things work out and SOON! mgbio – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hmmm… there never has been for me – when I was in hospital last year, > even when on massive amounts of hydrocortisone and prednisolone, by > BP was definitely low (90/60 was about average). > Sorry, I can’t help you… > Sam > CD Class of ‘97 > : Hey fellow IBD Family > : I am facing extrememly high blood pressure problems right now and was > : wondering if there was a connection between IBD and High Blood Pressure > : .. When I say high blood pressure I mean very very high …. my lowest > : today was at 4:45 am this morning and that was 160/100 with a pulse of > : 118 … and thats upon waking … at 2:20 this afternoon it was 163/109 > : with a puse of 132 … Can’t seem to find a dr who will take me … > : October the earliest I was told by one practise … This really sucks > : .. I am only 102 lbs and the lower number on the blood pressure is far > : higher … it feels like someone is sitting on my chest … though my > : IBD seems to behaving itself except for some minor spasms > : any input appreciated > : Maryjo

Response:

update : I did go to ER today , spent a lovely 3 hours there … blood pressure was elevated still and I had a headache on the rise They did a EKG which came back good .. so dr in ER listened as I told him how and why I was monotoring my bp … He put me on a beta-blocker called ATENOLOL to lower the bp and he said it will also help with the headaches .. He also told me to take one aspirin per day with it … He gave me a script for 3 months supply so I have time to find a dr in the area Maryjo

Response:

Maryjo Please either go to the ER or see your Doc A.S.A.P.! I know my BP drastically increased, to the point of needing medication, when my IBD was at its worst. This was before the Prednisone and seems to be related to our common illness. Patsy : )

Response:

Emergency treatment is often treaed differently than routine treatment – payment is often made without advance authorization or referral. I still say with blood pressure like that AND bad headaches you belong in ER – you could stroke, or blow an aneurysm, or all kinds of things. Lots of people with high bp don;t have any symptoms – with symptoms I think it can be more serious…. are you hving dizzy spells too? Don’t wait for some penny pinching bureaucrat to make a decision that may harm you – – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I will call the insurance company this morning … need to go through >the proper channels or else they will refuse to pay for it ! Woke up >with a tremendous headache this morning and though my bp should be the >lowest upon waking it wasn’t … It was 144/106 with a pulse of 101 … >the whole idea of checking the bp was because of these horrid headaches >!!! >Maryjo

Response:

I will call the insurance company this morning … need to go through the proper channels or else they will refuse to pay for it ! Woke up with a tremendous headache this morning and though my bp should be the lowest upon waking it wasn’t … It was 144/106 with a pulse of 101 … the whole idea of checking the bp was because of these horrid headaches !!! Maryjo

Response:

Hmmm… there never has been for me – when I was in hospital last year, even when on massive amounts of hydrocortisone and prednisolone, by BP was definitely low (90/60 was about average). Sorry, I can’t help you… Sam CD Class of ‘97

: Hey fellow IBD Family : I am facing extrememly high blood pressure problems right now and was : wondering if there was a connection between IBD and High Blood Pressure : .. When I say high blood pressure I mean very very high …. my lowest : today was at 4:45 am this morning and that was 160/100 with a pulse of : 118 … and thats upon waking … at 2:20 this afternoon it was 163/109 : with a puse of 132 … Can’t seem to find a dr who will take me … : October the earliest I was told by one practise … This really sucks : .. I am only 102 lbs and the lower number on the blood pressure is far : higher … it feels like someone is sitting on my chest … though my : IBD seems to behaving itself except for some minor spasms : any input appreciated : Maryjo

Response:

Maryjo, In my case when I get a high pulse rate and blood pressure I get it under control with potassium and electrolytes. (but you better go get it checked out) Take care, Cheryl

Response:

What’s going on with you, girl? Mine is always low to extremely low. But you need to find a doc soon. I mean it! Don’t put it off. Also, I want to praise you for your suggesting the Colestrid. I told my doc today and he gave me big box to try. Thanks a million. Staci

Response:

Maryjo – I agree with Carole. Go to the ER immediately !!! I can’t believe they expect you to wait until October. Like the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Tammy

Response:

Maryjo- I just went through a problem with this. My blood pressure was only slightly elevated, though and my pulse was in the 120’s. I got extremely scared, almost passed out a couple of times, and my hubby called an ambulance. They hooked me up to an EKG and ran several tests. I had a follow up with my doc. I have been diagnosed with SVT (a condition where you get heart palpatations). I am now on a great medication (a beta blocker) and I feel great. My doc says it’s not related to the crohn’s, but possibly could have been aggravated by medications. Is this condition new to you? Have you taken any cold medicines or anything else recently??? Feel free to email me at home, I prolly won’t be back on the NG till Monday evening. I’m leaving Friday am for a mini vacation. good luck! Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html : ) smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

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I agree, please have it checked out now! If nothing else, it will stop your headache and the ringing in your ears (assuming you have these symptoms of hi BP) and it could save your life. -Jeff

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Carole Thanks for responding …. if it doesn’t drop by this weekend, I will go in and see the ER …. and no, I didn’t have a big bag of salty potato chips …. but it sounds good !! They have found that the link between salt and high blood pressure is a myth especcially with those under 50 .. and I am definitly under 50 ! I was on bp meds before because the prednisone had raised the bp … but have off prednisone for a year now .. they took me off the bp meds last year when I went into the hospital for dehydration as my pb dropped too low !! I guess I can’t win either way !! I will kep you posted …. right now all I want to do is to melt away in relaxation maryjo

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Hey fellow IBD Family I am facing extrememly high blood pressure problems right now and was wondering if there was a connection between IBD and High Blood Pressure .. When I say high blood pressure I mean very very high …. my lowest today was at 4:45 am this morning and that was 160/100 with a pulse of 118 … and thats upon waking … at 2:20 this afternoon it was 163/109 with a puse of 132 … Can’t seem to find a dr who will take me … October the earliest I was told by one practise … This really sucks .. I am only 102 lbs and the lower number on the blood pressure is far higher … it feels like someone is sitting on my chest … though my IBD seems to behaving itself except for some minor spasms any input appreciated Maryjo

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are you on prednisone? eMi

Response:

Forget waiting til Oct. – get to an ER and demand they treat it – you could be asking for trouble – stroke, etc., not to mention kidney damage. They could monitor it, talk to you about dietary restrictions (more??? that we have with IBD?? – you haven’t eaten a big bag of salty potato chips lately? LOL.) They might start you on a sample pack of bp med to get it down – probably a diuretic – difeent types work for different people – I tried 3 different ones before they found one that really worked – you might be very tired for a few days until your body adjusts…. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hey fellow IBD Family >I am facing extrememly high blood pressure problems right now and was >wondering if there was a connection between IBD and High Blood Pressure >.. When I say high blood pressure I mean very very high …. my lowest >today was at 4:45 am this morning and that was 160/100 with a pulse of >118 … and thats upon waking … at 2:20 this afternoon it was 163/109 >with a puse of 132 … Can’t seem to find a dr who will take me … >October the earliest I was told by one practise … This really sucks >.. I am only 102 lbs and the lower number on the blood pressure is far >higher … it feels like someone is sitting on my chest … though my >IBD seems to behaving itself except for some minor spasms >any input appreciated >Maryjo

Response:

NEW WEB SITE OF THE SKINCARE !

admin — Tue, 20 Jun 2000 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I have some excellent, affordable skin care products and fragrances available on my web site which can be delivered to 6 countries. Click on the home page link below or email for any more info. Face and Neck Eyelid Skin Body Skin Hands, Feet, Nails Sex Comfort For Bath Preventive means Aroma Therapy Parfume Veterinary means countries: USA (with restrictions), Canada (with restrictions), Great Britan, Australia (with restrictions), Japan (with restrictions), Brazil (with restrictions). http://skincare.iwarp.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have some excellent, affordable skin care products and fragrances > available on my web > site which can be delivered to 6 countries. Click on the home page link > below or email for any more info. > Face and Neck Eyelid Skin Body Skin Hands, Feet, Nails Sex > Comfort For Bath Preventive means Aroma Therapy Parfume > Veterinary means > countries: USA (with restrictions), Canada (with restrictions), Great > Britan, Australia (with restrictions), Japan (with restrictions), Brazil > (with restrictions). > http://skincare.iwarp.com

fuck off. with restrictions

Response:

Silly things that torment

admin — Fri, 21 Apr 2000 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

Yes Bob find me the one with the beauties, I got the "nuts" part down pat…..if you would come and fish with me on weekends…… I’m game for the list of those nuthouses, send it on the ASAP. Thanks Bud! "We have several good asylums down here" [ whisper whisper, Bob how do you know they are good? ] ( He asked knowingly ) If they have black beauties I’m never going to get out! One mans hell is another’s heaven! — Steve from Stony )) LOL!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Steve, we have several good asylums down here. Do you want me to find you > one with a lake full of beauties? Sounds like you need therapy! > — Go Fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales. > Columbia, SC Lake Murray

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Hey Steve – I’ve always thought there was something fishy about that aroma therapy stuff. ~~~Sorry, he says, as he slinks back to his corner.~~~ =;^) — -tran Oakland, CA

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Al, I think you will be pleased to know that bass season opens earlier than that! The date is the last Saturday in June and that would be the twenty-fourth!!!! I know exactly where on the lake I am going to be at midnight on the twenty-third! — Steve from Stony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Steve > You will have to wait until June 27 (i think that is the date) eh. > I might go brook trout fishing near Algonquin. The lakes are still frozen over > there. I’m organizing my tackle. > right now. > Al

Response:

Good one -tran, as usual, "something fishy"…….I get it! Maybe I should get it in a can and sell it! I’m a believer! — Steve from Stony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey Steve – > I’ve always thought there was something fishy about that aroma > therapy stuff. > ~~~Sorry, he says, as he slinks back to his corner.~~~ =;^) > — > -tran > Oakland, CA

Response:

It sure is Bass fishing to me, will be there for the opener in June. But of course, pike comes first. Will be there in May. I love Canada, so much in fact, I’ll stay for the summer. Where you at Steve? — Everyone has an Ego Some are larger than others! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was just outside in the shop and a lot of leaves and twigs were on the > ground from a wind storm we had last night. It rained like mad for a few > hours and had an electrical display that played with the power a bit. Quite > a bit of debris had fallen in the driveway from the trees. So I dug the leaf > blower out and proceeded to start ‘er up! OH HOW I LOVE THE SMELL OF A TWO > STROKE! Funny how my mind went immediately to being on the dock and starting > up that wondrous wolf on the back of the boat. Who says that aroma therapy > doesn’t work. Not me any more! Where’s my rod? Awe heck it doesn’t matter > anyway this is Canada….rats! It might not be bass fishing to some but it > sure smells like it to me! > — > Steve from Stony ;-(

Response:

Steve, we have several good asylums down here. Do you want me to find you one with a lake full of beauties? Sounds like you need therapy! — Go Fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales. Columbia, SC Lake Murray | I was just outside in the shop and a lot of leaves and twigs were on the | ground from a wind storm we had last night. It rained like mad for a few | hours and had an electrical display that played with the power a bit. Quite | a bit of debris had fallen in the driveway from the trees. So I dug the leaf | blower out and proceeded to start ‘er up! OH HOW I LOVE THE SMELL OF A TWO | STROKE! Funny how my mind went immediately to being on the dock and starting | up that wondrous wolf on the back of the boat. Who says that aroma therapy | doesn’t work. Not me any more! Where’s my rod? Awe heck it doesn’t matter | anyway this is Canada….rats! It might not be bass fishing to some but it | sure smells like it to me! | — | Steve from Stony ;-( | |

Response:

Steve You will have to wait until June 27 (i think that is the date) eh. I might go brook trout fishing near Algonquin. The lakes are still frozen over there. I’m organizing my tackle. right now. Al – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I was just outside in the shop and a lot of leaves and twigs were on the >ground from a wind storm we had last night. It rained like mad for a few >hours and had an electrical display that played with the power a bit. Quite >a bit of debris had fallen in the driveway from the trees. So I dug the leaf >blower out and proceeded to start ‘er up! OH HOW I LOVE THE SMELL OF A TWO >STROKE! Funny how my mind went immediately to being on the dock and starting >up that wondrous wolf on the back of the boat. Who says that aroma therapy >doesn’t work. Not me any more! Where’s my rod? Awe heck it doesn’t matter >anyway this is Canada….rats! It might not be bass fishing to some but it >sure smells like it to me! >– > Steve from Stony -(

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LOL ! Good one Steve. — — Early to Bed, Early to Rise… Fish all Day, Make up Lies. Shawn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was just outside in the shop and a lot of leaves and twigs were on the > ground from a wind storm we had last night. It rained like mad for a few > hours and had an electrical display that played with the power a bit. Quite > a bit of debris had fallen in the driveway from the trees. So I dug the leaf > blower out and proceeded to start ‘er up! OH HOW I LOVE THE SMELL OF A TWO > STROKE! Funny how my mind went immediately to being on the dock and starting > up that wondrous wolf on the back of the boat. Who says that aroma therapy > doesn’t work. Not me any more! Where’s my rod? Awe heck it doesn’t matter > anyway this is Canada….rats! It might not be bass fishing to some but it > sure smells like it to me! > — > Steve from Stony ;-(

Response:

I was just outside in the shop and a lot of leaves and twigs were on the ground from a wind storm we had last night. It rained like mad for a few hours and had an electrical display that played with the power a bit. Quite a bit of debris had fallen in the driveway from the trees. So I dug the leaf blower out and proceeded to start ‘er up! OH HOW I LOVE THE SMELL OF A TWO STROKE! Funny how my mind went immediately to being on the dock and starting up that wondrous wolf on the back of the boat. Who says that aroma therapy doesn’t work. Not me any more! Where’s my rod? Awe heck it doesn’t matter anyway this is Canada….rats! It might not be bass fishing to some but it sure smells like it to me! — Steve from Stony ;-(

Response:

Name that remedy

admin — Thu, 14 May 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

What a nice thing for you to do! (Wish somebody would do it for me!!!) I guess that’s what growing up is about–I gotta do it for myself. Anyhow, what I was thinking I would like if someone was going to do this for me: * a reacher-grabber thing, * a heating pad * instructions on how to walk downstairs when the knees and ankles don’t want to, *stuff to make it easy to lift things when my hands are weak. * Maybe an extender for the clutch on my car (hey, I hadn’t thought of that before. I wonder if there is such a thing?!!) * time to just sit back and relax and read, read, read * Pillows for my couch so it would be more comfortable to lie on * Someone to wash my bathtub for me, so I would feel good about taking a long bath — and then a hand to help me get out again!. * a comfortable desk chair *a toilet on a long pedestal, so wouldn’t have to bend my knees to use it — or, again, a friendly hand to help me up when I’m done! (Obviously, I want this hand to be connected to a blind body so he/she wouldn’t see me in such ignominious circumstances!!) * a "mirror" that would show a younger, prettier, limber-er me, not this old lady I seem to see in the mirror now. *air pillows to wear on the bottoms of my feet when I go shopping Ahh, goodness me, I do ramble on, don’t I? Forgive me, it was a pleasant "daydreaming" interlude. Don’t know if it helps the original questioner, but I feel better already! Love to ya all, Karla

Response:

If you live in the same town, how about menus from all the restaurants that deliver, or have take out? These save me when I can’t cook. Sometimes I call in an order and have my hubby pick up on his way home.

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I love your list Karla. Needed someone to even suggest those ideas when i first got this. Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > What a nice thing for you to do! (Wish somebody would do it for me!!!) I > guess that’s what growing up is about–I gotta do it for myself. > Anyhow, what I was thinking I would like if someone was going to do this for > me: > * a reacher-grabber thing, > * a heating pad > * instructions on how to walk downstairs when the knees and ankles don’t want > to, > *stuff to make it easy to lift things when my hands are weak. > * Maybe an extender for the clutch on my car (hey, I hadn’t thought of that > before. I wonder if there is such a thing?!!) > * time to just sit back and relax and read, read, read > * Pillows for my couch so it would be more comfortable to lie on > * Someone to wash my bathtub for me, so I would feel good about taking a long > bath — and then a hand to help me get out again!. > * a comfortable desk chair > *a toilet on a long pedestal, so wouldn’t have to bend my knees to use it — > or, again, a friendly hand to help me up when I’m done! (Obviously, I want > this hand to be connected to a blind body so he/she wouldn’t see me in such > ignominious circumstances!!) > * a "mirror" that would show a younger, prettier, limber-er me, not this old > lady I seem to see in the mirror now. > *air pillows to wear on the bottoms of my feet when I go shopping > Ahh, goodness me, I do ramble on, don’t I? Forgive me, it was a pleasant > "daydreaming" interlude. Don’t know if it helps the original questioner, but I > feel better already! > Love to ya all, > Karla

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that KrissyJo wrote in article > I want to put together >a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits >to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the >ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my >favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins >and drink the gin!) Any others? >Can you fit an Emu in that basket????

No need to hide ‘emu [sic!] in a basket, Krissy. It kind of sounds like anybody that wants their own emu can have one. Didja read the article lately about all them emus running wild down in Texas? (That’s for real! May 11 National edition of the Washington Post) It seems a lot of the emu ranchers are having trouble selling the rascals, and some have just turned ‘em loose on the range–causing some awful traffic accidents (and I assume some kind of humorous police reports). Some of the side effects: One man killed about 20 birds with a baseball bat–no motive mentioned. Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and folks from the Texas Emu Association rounded up about 220 ‘free range’ birds from a 15-square mile area, and the Sheriff suspects there are more out there. An emu eats about four pounds of high-protein a day to produce that precious emu oil–or the low fat hamburger substitute. One owner says they’re kind of like big oversized chickens, but you can’t cuddle ‘em (5 feet, 120 pounds–sounds like some people I’ve known ) and they’re sort of stupid–they can’t even find the gate. — Don

Response:

Stacy, this material is great! I hope you’re going to put together a book about folk remedies one day. Carolyn – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A work associate of my husband is nearing a diagnosis of RA. He’s very > well-informed (he produces health segments on local news) and getting > good medical care, but a little "shell-shocked." I want to put together > a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits > to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the > ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my > favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins > and drink the gin!) Any others? > Hoo-ha, do I have remedies! Some of ‘em: > Circa 1881, Sussex. A Sussex remedy is to place the bellows in the > sufferer’s chair that he may lean against them, and so have his > rheumatism charmed away. (T.F. Thiselton Dyer, Domestic Folk-Lore, > quoted in Wannan 1970) > Circa 1881, Cornwall. A Cornish cure is to crawl under a bramble > which has formed a second root under the ground, . . . (T.F. > Thiselton Dyer, Domestic Folk-Lore, quoted in Wannan 1970) > Central Coast Pomo. Bones were very much used in medicine . . . > Only the yomta [a kind of headman] could gather the bones of > dead people, dja ya (human bone) for doctoring. After the bones > had been gathered they were placed over hot stones, and the > patient was sweated. The cure was affected by the singing of the > doctor and the use of the bones . . . . Rheumatism and fever were > cured this way. (Loeb 1926) > United States. Carry buckshot or a "buckeye" in your pocket. > (Bauer 1969) > Russia. Earthworm salve. . . . The method of preparation: Live, > well-washed earthworms are placed in a glass jar and some alcohol > poured in — just enough to cover the worms. This is left in a > warm place (or in the sun) until the worms disintegrate completely > — usually in three to five days. The resulting mass is then mixed > up thoroughly and kept in a cool place. The salve is rubbed into > the afflicted areas until dry. This can be done once or even twice > a day. (Kourennoff 1970) > Ohio. Many of the Amish in Ohio will not use electricity but will > put inside the heel of one shoe a zinc disk and inside the other > a copper one, the mutual proximity of which produces a slight gal- > vanic current and thus supposedly gives relief from rheumatic pain. > "General" Jacob A. Coxey (1855-1951) . . . was bedded down with > severe rheumatism when he read about Louis Galvani (1737-1798). > Coxey . . . made himself a pair of electric heels, found that they > gave him relief, and added this item, named Cox-E-Lax, to his > other popular patent medicines. Coxey’s electric heels are still > sold [1973] . . . (Gebhard, in Hand 1976) > Australia. Garlic sliced and worn in the sufferer’s socks. > (Wannan 1970) > Guadalapia, Jalisco, Mexico. A very old woman . . . was badly > crippled with rheumatism. She used to send her chauffeur to the > police station with a bottle of alcohol and the police would > insert some marijuana in the bottle. This was kept until it > fermented and then the liquid was used for rubbing on her arms > and legs to give her relief. (Winter 1968) > Austrailia. A piece of potato inserted into a suede glove was > pinned to a red flannel binder, and this worn at all times while > the rheumatism lasted. If the potato became rock hard it was > considered to be doing its work. (Wannan 1970) > . . . and my favorite: > French Canada. To get rid of rheumatism, you must follow a path > in the woods were no one is likely to pass; . . . when you reach > the foot of a tree, dig up the root with your left hand and, > holding the tree root between your teeth, say "Rheumatism, I > leave you here and I will take you back when I pass this way > again." Then bury the root with your left hand. (Lacourcier, > in Hand 1976) > Stacy Scott

Response:

>> Ohio. Many of the Amish in Ohio will not use electricity but will > put inside the heel of one shoe a zinc disk and inside the other > a copper one, the mutual proximity of which produces a slight gal- > vanic current and thus supposedly gives relief from rheumatic pain.

Didnt know this and I am about 30 minutes from the heart of Ohio Amish country! Thanks for the info Stacy! You are always full of such interesting tidbits! Keep Smilin’ ~Krissy "The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that in which one has not laughed." Nicolas Chamfort

Response:

I have an Emu egg with a kaleidescope inside (for real!), and I gave the other one to my stepmom for Mother’s Day. There’s no oil, but it is a genuine Emu product! (and probably small enough to fit into the basket) eeyore KrissyJo wrote (snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Can you fit an Emu in that basket???? > Keep Smilin’ > ~Krissy > "The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that > in which one has not laughed." Nicolas Chamfort

Response:

A rice sock!!!! — Best regards / Med vennlig hilsen, Aase Marit )))))) ("Aw-Se-Mareet" from Norway) http://w1.2380.telia.com/~u238000263/flaker/docs/index.html

Response:

wow! what a fascinating list. however did you find these things out. dont know about the earthworm salve. eeewwwww! yukky. Natalee

Russia. Earthworm salve. . . . The method of preparation: Live, well-washed earthworms are placed in a glass jar and some alcohol poured in — just enough to cover the worms. This is left in a warm place (or in the sun) until the worms disintegrate completely – usually in three to five days. The resulting mass is then mixed up thoroughly and kept in a cool place. The salve is rubbed into the afflicted areas until dry. This can be done once or even twice a day. (Kourennoff 1970)

Response:

Not exactly a "cure" for arthritis, but how about some aroma therapy. I would suggest anything strong smelling, since this is for psychological health. How about that gym sock that got dropped behind the washer last week(well sealed in a baggie of course) Garlic, cloves, vanilla, spices of all kinds, commercial potpurri, or make your own withorange peel, lemon zest, whatever you have on hand. And the spices dont have to break the family budget. Just a little dab in a baggie. Just to smell, not cook with. When you finish the basket, hope you come back and tell us what you settled on. Char – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A work associate of my husband is nearing a diagnosis of RA. He’s very > well-informed (he produces health segments on local news) and getting > good medical care, but a little "shell-shocked." I want to put together > a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits > to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the > ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my > favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins > and drink the gin!) Any others? > — > Amie > Kate Nance’s "I Have Scleroderma" website has > been updated and moved to > http://members.tripod.com/~ayaussy > Please visit us!

Response:

Wow. What a caring, considerate friend you are. I’m sure your efforts will go FAR in comforting him and helping with this difficult "diagnosing" stage. Sorry I don’t have any ideas for you, though! :( – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A work associate of my husband is nearing a diagnosis of RA. He’s very > well-informed (he produces health segments on local news) and getting > good medical care, but a little "shell-shocked." I want to put together > a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits > to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the > ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my > favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins > and drink the gin!) Any others? > — > Amie > Kate Nance’s "I Have Scleroderma" website has > been updated and moved to > http://members.tripod.com/~ayaussy > Please visit us!

Response:

> wow! what a fascinating list. however did you find these things out. dont > know about the earthworm salve. eeewwwww! yukky. Natalee

Just library work! I love research. There’s an increasing literature on medical anthropology, which includes folk medicine; while folk medicine itself has long been fairly popular. Some has been culled from ethnog- raphies, since I’m reading them anyway (I’m a grad student in archaeology, and ethnographic data is often used by archaeologists as a line of evi- dence in the attempt to reconstruct past life-ways). Stacy Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Russia. Earthworm salve. . . . The method of preparation: Live, > well-washed earthworms are placed in a glass jar and some alcohol > poured in — just enough to cover the worms. This is left in a > warm place (or in the sun) until the worms disintegrate completely > – usually in three to five days. The resulting mass is then mixed > up thoroughly and kept in a cool place. The salve is rubbed into > the afflicted areas until dry. This can be done once or even twice > a day. (Kourennoff 1970)

Response:

Oh, BTW, folks, I printed out your "therapies" and went shopping. First of all was a small pail and a trowel for digging those roots; a big bag of golden raisins; a box of "buckeyes" (here in Ohio a buckeye is rolled up peanut butter filling dipped in chocolate, so it was best taken internally; and Johnson’s Baby Emu Oil, best NOT taken internally. All together with your posts, it served the purpose of amusing. Thanks very much. — Amie Please visit the "I Have Scleroderma" website http://members.tripod.com/~ayaussy

Response:

A work associate of my husband is nearing a diagnosis of RA. He’s very well-informed (he produces health segments on local news) and getting good medical care, but a little "shell-shocked." I want to put together a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins and drink the gin!) Any others? — Amie Kate Nance’s "I Have Scleroderma" website has been updated and moved to http://members.tripod.com/~ayaussy Please visit us!

Response:

I have a wrapped present from my son. It has been on my dresser for over two years. It says: This is a very special gift that you can never see. The reason it’s so special is it’s just for you from me. Whenever you are happy or even feeling blue, you only have to hold this gift to know I think of you. You never can unwrap it, please leave the ribbon tied. Just hold the box close to you, it’s filled with love inside. You might want to reword it. But this might be nice. You have a lovely idea for your friend.

Response:

> I want to put together >a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits >to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the >ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my >favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins >and drink the gin!) Any others?

Can you fit an Emu in that basket???? Keep Smilin’ ~Krissy "The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that in which one has not laughed." Nicolas Chamfort

Response:

How about a visit to your local Chinatown for some herbal concoction. I still have a moxibustion packet a Chinese friend gave me… sort of like incense that you put on the end of your accupuncture needle and light up… hehe. Tiger Balm also has a really pretty package, with a bright gold top… gold is really lucky, as is bright red. LadyAndy2

Response:

> A work associate of my husband is nearing a diagnosis of RA. He’s very > well-informed (he produces health segments on local news) and getting > good medical care, but a little "shell-shocked." I want to put together > a basket of "rememdies" to lighten things up for him a bit as he waits > to find out what the next step is. Not the controversial ones, but the > ones that bring a bit of a smile, like golden raisins and gin (my > favorite reply to this remedy on this group was "throw away the raisins > and drink the gin!) Any others?

Hoo-ha, do I have remedies! Some of ‘em: Circa 1881, Sussex. A Sussex remedy is to place the bellows in the sufferer’s chair that he may lean against them, and so have his rheumatism charmed away. (T.F. Thiselton Dyer, Domestic Folk-Lore, quoted in Wannan 1970) Circa 1881, Cornwall. A Cornish cure is to crawl under a bramble which has formed a second root under the ground, . . . (T.F. Thiselton Dyer, Domestic Folk-Lore, quoted in Wannan 1970) Central Coast Pomo. Bones were very much used in medicine . . . Only the yomta [a kind of headman] could gather the bones of dead people, dja ya (human bone) for doctoring. After the bones had been gathered they were placed over hot stones, and the patient was sweated. The cure was affected by the singing of the doctor and the use of the bones . . . . Rheumatism and fever were cured this way. (Loeb 1926) United States. Carry buckshot or a "buckeye" in your pocket. (Bauer 1969) Russia. Earthworm salve. . . . The method of preparation: Live, well-washed earthworms are placed in a glass jar and some alcohol poured in — just enough to cover the worms. This is left in a warm place (or in the sun) until the worms disintegrate completely — usually in three to five days. The resulting mass is then mixed up thoroughly and kept in a cool place. The salve is rubbed into the afflicted areas until dry. This can be done once or even twice a day. (Kourennoff 1970) Ohio. Many of the Amish in Ohio will not use electricity but will put inside the heel of one shoe a zinc disk and inside the other a copper one, the mutual proximity of which produces a slight gal- vanic current and thus supposedly gives relief from rheumatic pain. "General" Jacob A. Coxey (1855-1951) . . . was bedded down with severe rheumatism when he read about Louis Galvani (1737-1798). Coxey . . . made himself a pair of electric heels, found that they gave him relief, and added this item, named Cox-E-Lax, to his other popular patent medicines. Coxey’s electric heels are still sold [1973] . . . (Gebhard, in Hand 1976) Australia. Garlic sliced and worn in the sufferer’s socks. (Wannan 1970) Guadalapia, Jalisco, Mexico. A very old woman . . . was badly crippled with rheumatism. She used to send her chauffeur to the police station with a bottle of alcohol and the police would insert some marijuana in the bottle. This was kept until it fermented and then the liquid was used for rubbing on her arms and legs to give her relief. (Winter 1968) Austrailia. A piece of potato inserted into a suede glove was pinned to a red flannel binder, and this worn at all times while the rheumatism lasted. If the potato became rock hard it was considered to be doing its work. (Wannan 1970) . . . and my favorite: French Canada. To get rid of rheumatism, you must follow a path in the woods were no one is likely to pass; . . . when you reach the foot of a tree, dig up the root with your left hand and, holding the tree root between your teeth, say "Rheumatism, I leave you here and I will take you back when I pass this way again." Then bury the root with your left hand. (Lacourcier, in Hand 1976) Stacy Scott

Response:

UVB Home Light Units

admin — Tue, 07 Oct 1997 00:00:00 +0000

Question:

I was taking PUVA treatments but finally talked doctor into prescribing a home UVB unit, not because the PUVA was not doing the job but comuting three times a week for the PUVA was costing plenty in time and money. The head of clinic recommended National Biological Corporation equipment, which was in use at the clinic. I got the Panasol 2-foot unit (four two-foot tubes) for $1359.58, and it works great. It incorporates a count-down circuit which must be reset to allow additional treatments; reset is accomplished by entering a code which must be obtained from the doctor, so that continued medical supervision is a necessity. > I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any > recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the > treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. > Thanks. > Debbie Giffin

–

Response:

> I got the Panasol 2-foot unit (four two-foot tubes) for >$1359.58, and it works great. It incorporates a count-down >circuit which must

Hmmm. this must be an updated model? I have the Panasol II, but mine is 4 tubes and they are (never measured them) about 5 or 6 feet. Mine has a timer with a Set of keys. I like the feature that yours has. If I understand you correctly, it will not work after so long without a new code from your doctor? Mine does not run out, I can set the timer myself and it only turns off when it reaches the set time. I do not feel bad though, as Aase made me feel like I was ripped off for the price of mine, stating they are so much cheaper in Norway (maybe a better medical system). Two feet. How do you treat all your areas? Thanks! Scott M. Gray

Response:

> >A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think… > So, what are you saying, I am an idiot, fool and some 4 letter > metaphors ….. Who knows, I have not looked, > maybe it was $1250 and the rest shipping to Hawaii AIR > FEDERAL EXPRESS. I certainly know it was not $550 > unless that is the pricing today.

Nope, Scott, you’re not an idiot!!! I talked with a representative from the company who sells Waldmann units here, and he told me that the prices are pretty low here in Norway (unlike anything else, I might add)… That might be part of the explanation… He thought you could get them in the US, but he didn’t know which company sells it. If anybody is interested, I can post the name, address etc. of the German producer of the Waldmann units. They should know where you can get them in the US… It might be a good idea to check around for different brands… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, _Aase Marit_ ))))))

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Ongoing from my earlier post I can tell you what happens when you have > excess PUVA treatment….. > Simply the assistant initially chats at length to you ref skin types etc > etc. Slowly with each visit the intensity and length of exposure > increases. Now the problem is as in the earlier post – the art is not to > burn the skin nor have too little exposure which requires in itself a > special understanding. > With myself I was ‘over’ exposed and the next day felt itching. Nope, no > red marks just itching, nowhere in particular, just continuous and it > caused many very restless nights. This lasted almost 3 weeks (!!) and I > can assure you I’d rather have experienced a sunburn on the beach than > that. No amount of ‘anti’ itching tablets including the ones prescribed > worked and that in a way that put me ‘off’ having further treatment. > The simple fact is you have to be really careful. You only get one body > and attempting to do things in the belief you are correct but without > medical consultation IMHO is a very unwise thing to do. > Michael

Hi, Michael! I wondered… Have you heard about people doing PUVA at home? That would never be allowed here. I could certainly never try myself, IMO that is something you need close monitoring to do… But, home UVB units are used here. It is however common to use them with a dermatologists advice. Up here where many people live e.g. 600 km from a light unit, having one at home is great. Unfortunately there’s no way to get it covered That way many people simply can’t afford it… But, the system will pay for the same people going to the nearest town, and staying in a hotel to get their treatments… How is that for stupid? Oh, well… Oh, boy… Right now there’s a doc on TV mentioning aroma therapy with camomille oils etc. for P (and other ailments)… He is one of the few here with education in both traditional and alternative medicine… Shoot, he didn’t say anything more, just mentioned it briefly… Guess he meant for people with P who are stressed out/reacts badly to stress… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, _Aase Marit_ ))))))

Response:

>I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any > recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the > treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. >Thanks. >Debbie Giffin

I didn’t know they even sold these?? Paul

Response:

> I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then > about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. > I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular > booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological > Corporation. 1-800-338-5045.

Hi, Scott! $1550??? That was a quite stiff price for a 4 tube unit, I think… For about that price I could get a Waldmann 100 here, stand-up with 8 or 10 tubes. It folds together, so that when you’re using it, you’ll have two "wings" on the sides (45 degree angle) which will light your sides… Can you get Waldmann units "over there"? Most people are very happy with them. The Waldmann 100 is the little brother of the one most derms here have in their offices, the W1000. A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think… — Best regards, Visit my homepage: Med vennlig hilsen, _Aase Marit_ ))))))

Response:

>if you do get a prescription for such equipment as a medical product, you can

then deduct it from your taxes as a medical expense. This however MUST be prescribed >BEFORE you place the order

It is, but I was not able to claim it against ours, as the medical expenses for that year did not exceed I think it was, 2% of our Gross or something. Not that we made that much then, just did not have a large medical bill due to the Military benefits. Scott M. Gray

Response:

>A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think…

So, what are you saying, I am an idiot, fool and some 4 letter metaphors ….. Who knows, I have not looked, maybe it was $1250 and the rest shipping to Hawaii AIR FEDERAL EXPRESS. I certainly know it was not $550 unless that is the pricing today. Okay, I am an idiot, fool and many other things….maybe my DOC got a kick back, who knows….I called about 20 billion places and could not find it anywhere else at that time. Now I feel really bad and this was the last post I was to read for this 92 minute session……thanks alot. Now the picture I received Email today, I will have to go back and look at it to get "Refreshed" again. Have a safe trip to Oslo…… Scott M. Gray

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then > about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. > I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular > booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological > Corporation. 1-800-338-5045. >Hi, Scott! >$1550??? That was a quite stiff price for a 4 tube unit, I think… For >about that price I could get a Waldmann 100 here, stand-up with 8 or 10 >tubes. It folds together, so that when you’re using it, you’ll have two >"wings" on the sides (45 degree angle) which will light your sides… >Can you get Waldmann units "over there"? Most people are very happy with >them. The Waldmann 100 is the little brother of the one most derms here >have in their offices, the W1000. >A 4 tube unit can be bought here for about $550, I think…

Well I’ve read this thread regarding purchasing UVB home lights with a bit of intrigue. No one has mentioned using such items without medical advice and direction. I live in the UK and have *always* been advised by my d that using light equipment has to be considered very carefully. Medically carried out PUVA treatment for example is exceptionally well controlled. It’s a balance of not burning the skin but challenging p and in many instances if done exactly works out well many times. To start purchasing lights to use at home without medical attention to me sounds just a bit scary. Just thought to point out some comments on that subject. Michael —

Response:

>attention to me sounds just a bit scary. >Just thought to point out some comments on that subject.

And good points they are. Since in the US one needs a prescription by ones doc, I would hope that they are seen regularly. Of course I was not, but I hope others do. I have summized after my appt with the derm that I know more than they do (all but one Colonel I had in Fort Gordon GA) and they really just want you out of the office. I have only seen Military or Civilians working for the military, so I can only speak of that. While UVB can be dangerous, you only make a mistake once every so often and you learn a real lesson, as I did twice. Burns from UVB for me were worse for the two days or so than any sunburn I had in 20 years of living near the beach in Florida. If statistics are correct, and just one sunburn increases your chance of skin cancer by 40-60%, then I now should be dead. I have been burned so many times in my life that I should be covered with noma’s. I am just lucky I guess! Scott M. Gray

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->attention to me sounds just a bit scary. >Just thought to point out some comments on that subject. [sorry snipped] >While UVB can be dangerous, you only make a mistake >once every so often and you learn a real lesson, as I did >twice. Burns from UVB for me were worse for the two >days or so than any sunburn I had in 20 years of living >near the beach in Florida. If statistics are correct, and >just one sunburn increases your chance of skin cancer >by 40-60%, then I now should be dead. I have been >burned so many times in my life that I should be >covered with noma’s. I am just lucky I guess! >Scott M. Gray

Ongoing from my earlier post I can tell you what happens when you have excess PUVA treatment….. Simply the assistant initially chats at length to you ref skin types etc etc. Slowly with each visit the intensity and length of exposure increases. Now the problem is as in the earlier post – the art is not to burn the skin nor have too little exposure which requires in itself a special understanding. With myself I was ‘over’ exposed and the next day felt itching. Nope, no red marks just itching, nowhere in particular, just continuous and it caused many very restless nights. This lasted almost 3 weeks (!!) and I can assure you I’d rather have experienced a sunburn on the beach than that. No amount of ‘anti’ itching tablets including the ones prescribed worked and that in a way that put me ‘off’ having further treatment. The simple fact is you have to be really careful. You only get one body and attempting to do things in the belief you are correct but without medical consultation IMHO is a very unwise thing to do. Michael —

Response:

I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit. Price is no Object. Any recommendations or comments on most effective units? I’ve tried all the treatments and UVB light is the only one that helps me to clear. Thanks. Debbie Giffin

Response:

>I am considering purchasing a home UVB light unit.

Price is no Object. Any recommendations or comments >on most effective units?

Hello Debbie, I purchased a light unit about 3 years ago. It cost me then about $1550 delivered into Hawaii if I remember correctly. Maybe $1550 was the unit (without going through the file cabinet and looking). I do remember that it was like $150 for the shipping. I got the 4 Tube standup model (One sided, not a circular booth) It is the Panasol II, from National Biological Corporation. 1-800-338-5045. I am sure they must be cheaper now. What I had to do, I am sure you are aware was, to have my doctor call in and that was the Prescription if you will, then they contacted me or me them (do not remember) and I selected the Unit I wanted. Money was not the big problem for me, but moving in the military and space was/is. I would have loved to buy the complete circular booth, but it was about $4500 at the time I think???? but I had no place to put it. SINCE YOU STATED "Price is no object", ensure you get one thing and that is the TIMER (built in clock). I all most did not get it, to save the money, but I am so glad that I Did. I have burnt myself on a couple of occassions in the past and that is not a fun burn. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. I hope this helps!!! Scott M. Gray