Heart Bypass Surgery

I really appreciate your support, thoughts and prayers. It is nice to know someone is thinking about you. Yesterday I really had a whopper of a migraine, #5 all the way. Needless to say I didn't make it to the hospital to see Jane. We had her son over for dinner and said she was improving. I saw her today and they have moved her to the rehabilitation unit at the hospital. She still has a limited vocabulary of about 4 words we can understand. She is going to be on this unit for 2 weeks. She'll get speech and physical therapy so I am praying she recovers. Tomorrow is a dreaded Saturday! My step-daughter's graduation party. She barely acknowledges her Dad and I. We are catering the party at her house. She didn't want it at our home. So tomorrow am we pick up the cake, meat trays, veggie trays, bread, 20# of potato salad, salsa and t. chips. It is running over $250! We told her that this is her gift and birthday present. We were going to give her money. We are both on disability and the food cost is breaking us. I hope she shows a little appreciation for what we are doing. It will not surprise me if I get a #5 migraine before it is all over. Thanks everyone again for being there for me! Will fill you in tomorrow night!!!!!! Mahalo! WMUBronco..............Suzanne

I don't think this is a correct statement. Feverfew is a plant. it is NOT made from willow tree bark. The 'real' name is tanacetum parthenium. It looks a lot like a small daisy. The leaves are best picked just before the plant flowers. I may be wrong but I doubt it?! You are right about willow bark being an analgesic (aspirin-like). But that is entiely a different herb. Black Willow is a tree. ~Lyn~

Hi Mary I just read your message. I had my by pass three years ago next week - when I was 48. Just be there for your Mother - help her as much as you can in every possible way. I remember coming home in time for Christmas and all I wanted to do was sleep - everytime I went back to bed - someone would come into the room to see if I was awake! My leg upset me a lot - you cannot help but look at it and wonder if it will ever be the same again! The same with your chest - my leg is fine now - but my chest still looks a real mess! I got very upset because I had been in hospital for months and nobody had changed the sheets on the bed whilst I was gone - and my husband had been eating toast etc. in the bed and it was all full of crumbs as well as being very smelly. Also - nobody had cleaned the bathroom or kitchen for weeks and weeks and it made me cry! Everytime someone came to visit I would pray that they would not ask to use the bathroom! Also - the house was full of flowers - some of them dead in their vases - and I never found out who had sent them all. Probably I offended people by not thanking them - so make a list for when she is truly well! Everyone was working as well as visiting me in hospital and they were driving long distances all the time and they just did not think about the state of the house. I did not want to seem ungrateful and complain - but it was dreadful! Even the dog looked scruffy and unkempt because he had not been brushed! Also - there were no tins of sweets etc. for Christmas because nobody had thought to buy them and it made me feel so guilty because I usually had everything so organised. Just make sure she is happy and warm and comfortable and has lots to drink and food that she is happy to eat! Do not make her feel obligated to do certain chores around the house and get upset because it hurts her to do too much. We only have one life - none of us are immortal - so it is up to you and your family to help each other as much as you can from now on. We are all here to help each other on this Support Group and would be very happy to talk to your Mother at any time. Very best wishes Jenny in Falmouth

Susan: I'm sorry if I make you repeat yourself, but how long have you been taking the feverfew now? And where does one find a feverfew plant? Thanks, ....Tina "Never place a period where God has placed a comma."

Had my appt. at the pain clinic yesterday. Made the nurses very happy with my report that the new treatment regimen is working. (They started to recruit me as their poster boy...) The doc wrote me scripts for another month's worth of the T4's plus a bunch of T3's for "rescue"/"breakthru"; changes to things like the Imitrex (- month of stabilizing my general treatment. He's of the opinion that it's taken these past couple of months for all those old meds I had been taking to get out of my system -- I don't care what or why, I just know that now I feel more energetic, positive, got my appetite back, and even when I get a headache, just a T3 &/or an Imitrex kills it. And I don't walk around feeling "almost a headache" the rest of the time. Interesting that one plant derivative can do what a whole cabinet of hoo-hah lab chemicals couldn't. For the future, can anyone tell me what dosage of OxyContin would equal my 3 T4's a day? I just have a real hard time remembering to take all three all the time (although the price is great). Then there's always the Duragesic/Fentanyl patch... Ron

After reading Katherine's post, I had the same reaction. Ah, hormonal ups and downs. The older I get (and I guess I have to admit that I'm in peri-menopause, too) the worse the headaches are, especially the ones near my period. Katherine, if Midrin helps you, you really need to get an Rx. That's such a simple drug and has so few side effects. If you can get away with just Midrin, you are extremely lucky. To dianose migraines they don't do any scary tests. Family history and a description of symptoms, plus your known reaction to Midrin, should be enough to convince most doctors. Question for the list: Does anyone else get crashing depression just before a migraine hits? I've noticed this and I think it has to do with the serotonin dip. I am not depressed normally, just suddenly and dramatically before headaches. L.

"If you ever get a second chance in life for something, you've got to go all the way." Lance Armstrong cancer survivor and 2 time winner of the Tour, DE France. This also works for CABG survivors. Harry K

Hello, It seems a long time since I communicated. It is so frustrating in that nothing seems to improve, and still, no one is giving any constructive help which mitigates the pain and discomfort. On the cardiac side, recent ECG's have shown ventricular ectopics within a regular rhythm. They are not "acute", but I have to have a 24hr monitor and see the cardiologist in March. They have no answers as to the cause of the chest pain. One thing I have noticed is that the one thing which relieves the pain is Gaviscon. The pain moves around the chest and often ends up at the abdomen. It nearly always (90% of the time) follows food, especially anything with cereals in it. AH!, said the wise old cardiologist that can't be food intolerance causing that - it just doesn't happen. (His words). There are three things which it points to as far as a mere layman like me, medically speaking, are costochondritis, MVP and/or IBS exacerbated by everything else. There have been a few better moments in a day lately, but when it hits it just drops me to rock bottom again. Yours, Brian

Hi Suzanne - I just wanted to let you know that you & your mom will be in my prayers tonight! In my thoughts too! By the way, great name!! (My real name too) God Bless, Sue

I was talking to lady last night and she says when she feels a migraine coming on she injects herself in the back of the neck with adrenaline. Has anyone ever heard of this? Jan

I am very sorry to hear that your husband has had problem so early. However, I was having chest feelings at that age which were the same as those I felt the moment before I blacked out at age 67--just less intense. I hope your husband will feel so much better after he gets healed up. I feel so much better than I did 7 years ago when I quit driving and began walking 3 miles 6 or 7 days per week. But it did no good. I did not see a doctor until the Ambulance picked me up off the street. My efforts to reduce during that 7 years left me at the same weight of 195 to 205 like it had been for 10 or 20 years. Our HeartGarden mail list is rather low volume, but has had some things which I appreciated folks sending in and the proved useful. I do not recall anyone making exercise suggestions except in terms of what work is safe. One person who had bypasses 2 years ago without much improvement and had to be opened again this summer with not improvement was recently found to be low Iron anemic and began taking 325 mg ferrous sulfate 3 or 4 times per day and after 10 days is able to do work she could not do for months. It seems to me people differ greatly in what the doctor suggests. My doctor wants me to get my heart rate up higher than I have been able to walking on our level ground. He said, "Fine do what you can, I can't get my pulse up to the 180 that I want." He is training for marathon running. He set 140 as my goal. My main exercise consists of lots of trench digging in my garden to reclaim pottery grade clay and I am making good progress. I am also constructing raised beds in hopes of overcoming plant killing wet conditions. Everyone said I would have to have arm surgery, but I can now raise my right arm mostly with no pain--by being careful but using it for heavy work. At this time, heavy, hard, tiring work is my only special exercise in the garden. This work that has to be done so that I can grow the vegetables that I want for my diet. I live in a small town and people must think I am nuts because they ask why I work so hard for a few vegetables. Most know I was found lying bloody on the street 371 days ago and I think they accept my standard reply that it is for 'heart exercise'. I figure that exercise for a gardening purpose helps me put in more hours than I would spend walking or using a treadmill (if I had one). Yesterday it was 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit during the 5 hours I spent cutting grass by hand, raking leaves, and digging to work them into the clay. I was delighted that I had no problem with 'sore throat' as I did in Jan-May when working or walking in cool weather. Today it was 38 to 44 while I worked 7 hours in a strong wind and I had no 'sore throat' which has been my only problem since my bypass surgery and metal aortic valve installations. When I came in from this very tiring but not exhausting day in the garden, I weighed 180 pounds! That is the target weight my doctor set. I had weighed 195 to 205 pounds for decades in spite of starving myself. I credit the weight loss to the vegetables and thin to thick soups I make from them. From the day I was found in the street until 5 months later I weighed 199 to 201 every one of the 10 times I was weighed. Then my onions and cauliflower ripened and I began losing weight without any effort. My present weight seems to be around 181 to 184 and declining about 2 pounds per month. The cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini I picked Oct 5 before the hard frost are still looking acceptable in the refrigerator and I am using them every day. I found one in perfect condition today that I had buried in the garden. I had heard they could be buried. I will try again next year. These cucumbers were planted July 8 and were just past peak production when the frost came; otherwise they would still be in good production. Kohlrabi has been my favorite from this year's fall garden. I am browsing the web and will order a couple seed catalogs to find crops I have never grown which may improve my diet or make it more varied. Those new crops may help make the gardening more interesting. My big change will be to plant more strawberries so that I have 50 or 100 quarts in the freezer for better tasting diet. I did not freeze enough this year. Strawberries are good potassium sources and I wonder if they will reduce the risk of congestive heart failure. Most of my life I took little time to cook. Now I am looking for ways to use my vegetables without using the fat, cheese, meat, and salt that are commonly found in recipes. I just leave them out and the dishes taste fine, if different. Recently, I have been cooking 15 grams of oatmeal in water then adding skim milk with fruit or cocoa for snacks any time I want them. I do not know whether cocoa is good or bad as a heart food. Chocolate has saturated fats but not cocoa according to the labels. I intend to become an expert on the nutritional values of foods, but I have been reading the tables ever since I purchased Hawk, Oser, and Summerson as a reference while working on my Master's Degree in biochemistry in 1954. It has been on my desk ever since. Now I use the USDA site. Harold Eddleman

Keep Your Fork... There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live. As she began getting her things "in order," she called her pastor and asked for him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in. she also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible in her left hand. Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered on final request that was very important to her. "Please Pastor, just one more thing," she said excitedly. "Sure, What is it?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important to me," the woman continued...."I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand." The pastor gazed at the woman, at a loss for words. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. The pastor replied "Well to be quite honest, I'm puzzled by the request." The woman explained, "You see, Pastor, in all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember that when the dishes were being cleared after the main course, someone would inevitably lean over to me and say, "Keep your fork"...it was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance to end the great meal". The pastor listened intently and a smile came upon his face. The woman continued, "So, I just want people to see me there in the casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder...."What's with the fork?...then I want you to tell them: "Keep your Fork...the best is yet to come". The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times that he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven than he did. She KNEW and trusted that the best was yet to come. At the funeral, everyone that walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress with her favorite Bible held in her left hand and a fork held in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard people ask the question, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile got larger and brighter each time. During his message, the pastor told the people about the conversation that he had with the woman shortly before she died. He explained the fork and what it symbolized to her. The pastor told everyone how he could not stop thinking about the fork and how he hoped that they would not be able to stop thinking about it either. That fork and the meaning of it to the woman had quite the impact on everyone and they are still sharing the story with people they meet. And now it has been shared with you...so the next time you reach for your fork, let it remind you, oh so gently, that the best is yet to come...May God Bless you all and your family and keep everyone of you safe this Memorial Weekend. posted by Sandy Wills on the Bird-Farm list

Jan: Wow! Fainting goats ARE way too cool! I've always wanted a pot-bellied pig for a pet but my husband and kids won't go there....wouldn't they just die if I brought home fainting goats! Unfortunately, I live in the city so that won't happen. We have our beloved BillieJo, she's a 4 yr. old Boxer we've had since she was a pup. I have -never- been a "dog person," but I love this dog now more than I ever dreamed possible, and understand your grief over Sampson. Enjoy the new little addition to your family, and tell your son I love the name he chose! Do you know how many fainting goats you're getting?....and what will you name them? Hugs & prayers to all, .....Tina "Never place a period where God has placed a comma."

Floraine: Thanks for the advise..i read a book by Dr. Steven Sinatra regarding coenzime Q10 and it seems like its natural and cant hurt. And I did ask both of his doctors and they just dismissed my questions. Im so tired of hearing i have the "best doctors" in my area and its pulling teeth to get them to give me a yes, no or maybe answer.( I would wet myself if they said "i dont know" ). Amy & BJ

Carol said she would like to know more about me. Well, I live in Kalamazoo, MI and I used to be an elementary teacher. Mahalo is Hawaiian for a wide range of greetings, from Hello to Good-bye. Also Thank You, Best Wishes. I use it because that is where my husband and I got married 2-14-94. Specifically on Maui in Kehi, in an old missionary church across from the ocean. Very personal, special and romantic! The marriage has stayed the way it started. Someone asked me what was in Mackinaw Fudge ice cream! Vanilla ice cream with chunks of Mackinaw Island fudge. Very, very good. Also I have been asked what WMUBronco stands for......Western Michigan University, from which I graduated and Bronco is our sport name. I would really like to write more but at this time I am very depressed. Yesterday my husband and I went to Ann Arbor, MI to Michigan Head'Pain and Neurological Inst.. for my check-up with my physician. We did not get home till about 8:30pm and there was a message on our answering machine to call the Borgess Hospital ER. We both were on pins as to what it could be. Well our first guess was one of his kids, when I called and asked if it was someone by the Krohn last name they said no.....couldn't figure out why that was left on our phone. After hanging up it dawned on me that my "Mom" had only us to call if something happened to her. I called and unfortunately I was correct, it was her, she had a stroke. Jane has been like a Mom to me for over 20 years. She helped me through a divorce, anorexia and the death of both parents. We talk on the phone for hours and shop till we drop! Last night my husband and I rushed to the hospital to see her. She can not talk and she has loss of use to a degree on her right side. I then came home and called one of her 3 sons. He lives in Chicago and arrived on the train this am. My husband picked him up. Another son drove in from Detroit but went back tonight and son 3 cannot decide whether to bother coming or not! Needless to say I have had little sleep and am worried sick about what may be the outcome of this. Sorry to take up so much space but I guess eventhough my husband is a good listener I had to get it out on "paper". All I can do is be there for her, she does know people and seems to understand what you say to her, but her speech is just not there. She is even unable to write what she wants to say. So please say a prayer for us or what ever. This is a very critical time. My father had a stroke then 24hrs later had a cardiac arrest. So I am very worried. I am an only child and if not for my husband would be more of a basket case than I am . Thanks for letting me let it all hang out! I hope this was not inappropriate to present to you! Mahalo! WMUBronco.......Suzanne p.s. I get the digest version and have not received any since Sunday. Did I do something wrong?

I know what they are! They're narcoleptic goats that, when they get excited, they fall asleep. They're really cute but probably wouldn't do well in an area with predators. There are dogs like that too and it's hard to breed them because when they get "excited" ...... well, you get the idea! Sandie

Yesterday, I watched on NBC television a friend compete in the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Her name is Ethel Autorino and she is a retired nurse. The Ironman event is a 2 1/2 mile swim,112 mile cycling event and a 26 mile marathon run. Probably the toughest 1 day sporting event. Ethel has been cycling with my wife Teri and I while training for the Ironman. When we finish a 50 mile ride Ethel returns home and either runs 10 miles or does a long swim at the "Y." Ethel was the only finisher in her age group, she is 70 years old. There were no female finishers in the 65 or 60 age groups and she would have finished 5th in the over 55 group. We are very proud of her. Ann, while being interviewed by NBC she mentioned a friend who passed along his favorite qoute - "Happy are they who dream dreams, and are willing to pay the price to make them come true." So applicable in Ethel's case. What's next for Ethel, she will do the Cross Country Cycling ride I did in 97. Not much to do with bypass surgery but may be inspirational to a few. Harry K "The Bypassed Bicyclist"

Well my ins- on a preferred policy by cigna is no longer provided at work. I have a choice of HMO or POS point of service whatever that is??? it appears to be a HMO which pays 60 percent of non approved doc's etc... I have to find me a new medical doctor which is on a list, go thru my medical history and probably an exam.... It's always something i guess. Can you see going to a new med doc at this point in time, oh boy...well closing for now, hope health to everyone. clay

Hello Everyone Would you believe it is raining again in England today?????? What a surprise! Ann - I do not know what we would do without you and the Group - we cannot thank you enough! You are not just reaching one person - you are reaching all of us! Clay, Harry, everybody thanks again for your advice and support! We will all be positive and kick this depression! The Thomas Crown Affair is just going to start on the television - the original one with Steve McQueen. I always was a great admirer of him ( that dates me a bit!) I used to think he was oh so sexy! He was just never lucky enough to meet me! Keep smiling Love Jenny

Hi everyone and welcome to the new members! Wanted to give a quick update on Frank's dr visits/test this past week. He had the renal artery test and everything looked good, no problems with it for which we are thankful. We met with his dr. yesterday and he explained a good bit to us for which I am also thankful to finally have some answers. Frank is now on the 2nd med for his micro-valve disease problem or whatever you call it (help, Ann?). They have him on 6mg now and plan to eventually bring him up to 25mg by continuing to increase it 2 weeks at a time. Dr. said they want him on as much as he can tolerate. Sometime in January after he has been on the max dosage they will do another treadmill and test his breathing. Hopefully this will show that he is responding to the meds. (Ann, does this make sense at all? LOL, I hope so!) Dr. also said that all the numbers from his heart cath last month look "super" and "couldn't have been better". However, he did warn us that if the treadmill in January shows that the meds are not working they will try a few others but we may have to begin to talk transplant at that point. We are hopeful that the meds will work! Once again, I am so glad I found this great list. It makes me feel better to be able to share! Sharon in Alabama

Unsubscribe me form this list please. Tom Casola

The biggest selling point for Zomig is that the test results show the migraines coming back much less frequently than with Imitrex -- seems to not "wear off" as fast; good for those of us that get the tenacious headaches. As for "atypical", the more that is known about migraines, the more "atypical" becomes the norm. One of the reasons that doctors tend to hate migraines -- no simple diagnosis, no simple pattern, no simple treatment. Ron

As you know, our dog died last week from snakebite. We promised Tommy that we'd get him another dog and on Sunday we went looking. We tried the pound but it was closed on Sunday (isn't that silly because people are off work on Sundays???) . Then on Monday we took Tommy out of school early and went back to the pound in Santa Clarita. They didn't have any puppies, so we dropped John off at work and then went to Lancaster to check out the pound there. John had told us that we had to pick the right puppy for our family and not just any dog because it was there. He then told the kids not to listen to me because I thought all puppies were the right ones (he was right too!) We must have driven 100 miles and still no puppy. Tommy was sooo disappointed. On top of all this our baby bull calf wasn't eating and Tommy was having asthma attacks at night so nobody was sleeping. So today, I had a few minutes to kill before I took Tommy to register for soccer and I looked in the "Penny Saver". There was an ad for "Golden Retriever Mix Puppies". I called the number, left my pager number and off we went. The lady paged me, I got the directions, we went there and I'm not sure who picked who - if the puppy picked Tommy or vise versa. He is an 8 week old puppy that looks like a purebred Golden Retriever (actually he is the color of a Golden Lab with the features of a retriever). He is one cute, roly poly furball. Tommy had asked for a "Golden Receiver". He named him Rovert Sampson Hudson - LOL! Meanwhile, Amy learned how to use the locks on the van and locked us out. We had to call John to come save us and Tommy told the nice lady that Daddy would be coming in a "squat car" (squad car). What a way to meet John's new trainee. John asked Tommy if he liked the puppy and he said "I LOVE HIM". We got home and Rovert went with us to feed Willsey (bull calf who's doing much better) and life is good again. We still miss Sampson - it's very quiet and still outside (kinda depressing actually) but I'm sure chasing after the puppy will liven things up. Just hope he doesn't eat Amy's little bitty kitties. Guess what????!!! John said I could have fainting goats - yeaaaaa!!!! Jan P.S. Thanks so much to everyone who wrote with all the kind words and encouragement. It meant a lot to us.

Jenny, I found the way to take lipitor for the least side effects,a friend told me to try it so I did. You take this pill just before going to bed. Everything seems ok with it. Hope this helps.Clay

Hello! Hope we are all feeling well! Thanks everyone for your responses to my last post. I, now, have a question/comment on Imitrix. When I first started taking it, it was great. But then after a while, whenever I took one, it would go away for a while, but come right back. That's why I switched to the Zomig - it seems to really knock it out (USUALLY). But, like I said, the more I take the Zomig, the worse I feel. Is it normal to have meds change in how they work or make you feel?? One more question - I have had migraines, usually the 3-day, intense ones, that will actually move from one side of my head to the other - maybe 3 times throughout. Now, I thought I had read that was usual, but my gp (whom I don't think knows much about migraine), looked at me funny & said "Oh, well that's atypical". Well, hope you have a great Thursday!! God Bless, Sue

hi, I was wondering if anyone has of problem of getting rebound when they go to the er and have demerol by iv or by shot/ I think I have. I haven't had demerol for a headache in a while so i am not sure. Also what do you guys do when you have a migraine it gets better, then you get it back in a short time. i feel like I have had a migraine on and off for like 3 days. thanks Jessica

Hi Ann and Everyone I would love to meet you all! Cornwall is so beautiful - especially in the Spring when all the daffodils and snowdrops and rhodedendrons are in bloom! However, if you were to visit now you would need welly boots ( the ones that Paddington Bear wears!) a very waterproof coat and probably a snorkel ........... Have a great weekend Jenny

Hey all... Went to my neuro appt. today and he used a term I didn't understand. Guess I could've asked him about it, but didn't - for HA's that none of my prescriptions will make go away, he has had me take 75 mg Phenergan and 10 min later, 3 Vicodan, and 2 Fiornal. This will usually put me to sleep. Today, I asked him if I needed to call him before I did that again or if I could take the above combo "unsupervised". He said that since it didn't make me "toxic", I could. Anybody know what he meant by toxic? Julie

I am lucky with my ER visits because DH is a deputy sheriff and he is in there all the time with prisoners and they know him. They usually take me back right away and give me the demerol with no problem. One dr even gave me some percodan to take home because it was a holiday weekend. Now if my 17 yo daughter takes me in it's an entirely different story. We languish in the waiting are for hours. Jan

Hi Everyone Since Peter mentioned the possibility of side effects from drugs I was just wondering if anyone else is on Lipitor ( Atorvastatin) combined with Lipantil ( Fenofibrate)???? The hospital wanted me to take 80mgs of Lipitor and I just cannot tolerate more than 40 mgs. If I do - my balance is affected - I feel dizzy and disorientated. As it is - I have to take them just before I go to bed at night. The Fenofibrate made me feel so very very ill. I have now stopped taking it completely. My husband was worried about me feeling so ill with it. When we have to take these drugs for years it is worrying about possible long term side effects. Also - is this depression which lands over some of us so many many times ( which is why I have not been writing lately) part of the illness or drug related??? Illness was maybe the wrong word - but some days I just do not feel right! You all know what I mean. Very tired and weepy .... It is horrible.... Please, somebody switch off this rain! England is now waterlogged! Love Jenny in Falmouth

Thanks, Ann McCrea, for your advice on possible side effects of Amiodarone, the drug for treating irregular heartbeat. I wonder if there is anybody in this group who also is on Amiodarone, how much he or she takes and what side effects it has on her or him. I also wonder if you can take that drug over a longer period of time. I appreciate any answer. Peter

hi! I am doing a research on Canadians going to the United Stated for heart surgery (or any other kind of surgery actually). If there are any Canadians here, or if you know of any Canadians who have gone to the US for treatment, please email me at sacheson@... thank you! -sophie

Hi Everyone, I had my MRA and MRI done on Monday. I won't get the results back or at least I don't expect to until I see my neuro next week. It has been a horrible two days. I am hurting really bad right now, but that is par for the course anymore. I just took two phenergans and a Lortab so maybe I'll feel better in a few. I just wanted to catch you up on what is new with me. I went to see my M.D. yesterday, armed with my info on Fibromyalgia and a raging migraine at the time that she could obviously see from my eyes. She is a good doc and has been treating me for several years so she knows that I am not a drug seeker. Only recently have I ask for some pain meds and got them from her, thank the Lord. Anyway, she was surprised at the info on the fibro and how many symptoms that I had. She agreed that I had them because she has witnessed them. She suggested that I go to a good pain management clinic first ( Surprise, that was exactly what I was going to request ) and see if they diagnosed me with fibro and also treat my migraines. She agreed with me about only returning to my neuro to get the results of my MRI and MRA because she doesn't agree neccessarily with her either. After the pain clinic, if they don't diagnose the fibro she is going to refer me to a Rheumotologist. She said the MRI of my neck came back normal Ron. I was surprised, because in '92 I had been diagnosed with a ruptured disc. ??? Good news though. I sure didn't want an operation. She also gave me another prescription of Phenergan and only 15 Lortab to hold me until I can see the pain specialist. I haven't scheduled my appt. yet with the pain clinic. When I call wish me luck that it doesn't take eight weeks to get in to see them like it does most specialist. I don't know that I have as much fortitude as Deb and can withstand this for much longer. Also, I live in terror of another granmal seizure hitting me. When my migraines reach a certain level I always seem to seize. I haven't had a seizure in two weeks now since I have been taking the Lortab. I am petrified of running out. Thanks for listening and being there. Love, Sandra

Hey everyone, I get links sent to me by refdesk.com and they just sent me a healthy recipes link. Probably, all of you know about it, but in case you don't, it's www.deliciousdecisions.com. On another note, my friend Jonathan, who had bypass two years ago and angioplasty this summer is getting more and more interested in alternative therapies. Does anybody here 1)approve of them 2)know anything about beta blockers? Sorry to drop in and ask so much, Floraine

Hello all. I'm a new member of this group, and I'm not sure if I should be on the listserv yet. In the description of the group it said something to the effect that those who received open-heart surgery are also welcome, but I wasn't sure. At any rate, I'm 27 years old and two months ago I had open heart surgery to replace a metal mitral valve and a failing aortic valve. Both were replaced with metal valves. Just last week I had a pacemaker put into correct some "flutter" in my heart rhythm. All of this was done because I was born with a cogenital heart defect. When I was around 16 months old they put in an bjork-shiley artificial mitral valve. This was the one that was replaced recently. Amazingly, I made it 27 years with the same valve. I told my story kinda backwards, didn't I? So the question is should I remain in this group or look for another one? If I should move, is there one any of you could recommend? Thanks - Jason

My pc crashed sometime ago and i lost every thing..... I just found out how to get back to this site, whew!! Hope everyone has been doing good lately. I've done ok, no emergencies at least, still back to work , so whats happening ????? clay

Oh Harry, Silly me, I thought NJ was still in the US! I'm ok - ever since getting Graves Disease (for those of you new to the group, I was diagnosed in April with Graves which is a thyroid disorder), if I get a virus or anything, it knocks me sideways for a few days. That happened this week. So, bouncing back from that. Otherwise feeling pretty darn good. Thanks for asking :-) Ann Ann McCrea, RN Preventative Health www.rexall.com/atm/health

Hi to all!! I have been on this list now for a few days, & I have to say you guys make me feel better. I have nothing to complain about!!! I knew most of my migraines weren't terrible in comparison to those I have heard of, but most of you REALLY have it bad! I hope I don't sound too depressing. But my migraines are affecting my life alot & my family. A constant source of stress for everyone in my house. I am wondering, when you have a bad one & say you go to the ER, are you assertive & tell them what you want or do you wait for them to come up with the answers? I have found that when I have had to go to the ER or my gp when I've got one, they seem to question or doubt that it's for real. About the most relief I've gotten from going there has been Fiorinal & that does nothing for me. I hadn't heard of Demoral for HA's (just when I had my daughter). Is it usually good? One more thing - I usually only get slightly nauseaus with mine - have never actually vomitted. This was much worse when I was a teenager though. I feel for you guys!! Take Care!! God Bless, Sue

Lyn - I am curious about how you feel when you take the Zomig. That is what I have been taking but am thinking I should change. Thanks. God Bless, Sue

Jessica, I have severe vomitting with every migraine I have- I probably throw up about 20 + times during a 24 hour headache. I have found that Phenergan suppositories really help with the vomitting, but they also knock me out ( thankfully , most of the time!) The only problem is that the next day, I feel "doped up" , but it is worth it! Brenda

When I tried Imitrex in the ER, I asked the doc if he could guarantee me that I wouldn't have a heart attack from it (having been warned by that famous doctor of migraineology - my mom (LOL) . He said that he couldn't guarantee it but he didn't think I would have any problems. It didn't work for me. As a matter of fact, not only did my head still hurt, the injection felt like acid under my skin. Then I got the good stuff (Mr. Demerol is my friend) and all was well. My nausea medication of choice is dwardol (spelled phonetically cause I have no clue how to spell it) because it gives a kick to the demerol and works well for the nausea. My second choice is vistaril, which I think is made by the Kayro syrup company because it's sooooo thick. I had one nurse inject it into a nerve once - the migraine pain paled by comparison. That nerve was sensitive for months. The next time in I had a vasal response to the injection and my BP dropped to 80 over 60. Jan

Dear Lynn: My son, age 12, gets a migraine once a week. The neurologist made us wait until he turned 12 before he would prescribe any of the triptans (and so far, none of them have worked). It frustrated me to no end, I've read on other newsgroups of younger children taking triptans. My son is a very big guy at 5'3" and over 130 lbs, the size of many adults, yet the doc still made us wait for the age thing. Wishing your son lots of pain-free days ahead. (Fingers crossed that once they get thru puberty, their misery will end!) ...Tina "Never place a period where God has placed a comma."

I monitor this list all the time but don't often write. I get my help from listening to all of you (and my computer skills are somewhat limited). Anyway, last time I wrote: I explained that my husband had a stint put in (Oct.28th) and he was told to quit smoking, excerise, and go on a low-fat diet. He has 18 different pills he takes 15 in the morning and 3 at night. The minute he started back to work and feeling better.......the same habits came back. Still smoking, (he WAS smoking 2 packs a day but he's down to about 15 cigarettes a day now), does no excerise, and I try to keep his diet under control. But I am writing for 2 reasons. 1. He has had no blood work up done since he was released from the hospital....is this routine? 2. He is tired all the time now. (he works midnights and sleeps during the day but this is a man that only required 4 hours asleep before the heart attack) Should I set up an appointment with his doctor?? I'd appreciate any advise. Wendy, my questions seem so trivial compared to what your going through and I feel guilty asking my simple questions. My heart and prayers are with you. Hang in there! There's alot of people in this group that will help you through. Kim from Indiana

Thank you for all your kind e mails and concerns about the nasty storms we are having in England. Luckily we are all dry and well at the moment - but our hearts go out to all the families who have lost all their possessions when yet another river bursts its banks and the whole area is flooded. It makes us all realise that we should count our blessings! There have just been severe weather warnings again - a good excuse to stay indoors! How did we ever manage without our e mail friends???? Love and best wishes Jenny Donna - please do not ever apologise about anything - we are all trying to keep on top of this depression mode and hopefully together, we will all get there!

I woke up this AM with a nasty headache. I took a Maxalt. That was about 4 hours ago. Sure, i feel groggy and disoriented, but.... the pain is gone! I love Maxalt. I'm thinking of having a bumper sticker made up that says just that. I (heart) Maxalt! I bet alot of people who are like us, would comment on it. I could meet interesting people! But really, I'm currently very pleased with this medication. I've used Imitrix and it only worked about 50% of the time, and Amerge does absolutely nothing for me. Every day that something works is like a little miracle, right? Take care everyone! Sandie

Hi Everyone We have been suffering terrible storms. There were winds of over 100 m.p.h. in Falmouth last night and a Tanker ran aground in the Bay. Trains are not running and trees are blocking roads and it has been extremely nasty. Lots of towns and villages have been flooded. Fields are under water. The Police have advised us not to drive unless necessary. We live in an old three storey house and there is nothing between us and the sea for the top two floors. The windows are old sash windows and last night they were shaking and rattling so bad it was almost as if they would blow out! Let us hope it all calms down soon Take care Jenny

Hi. My name is Daphne. Wendy told me about your group. My brother goes in Nov 9th. He already has 4 stints in his heart. The Dr. is going in & HOPEs he can fix the problem with another stint, but if not, he will take my brother directly to bypass surgery. Noone in our family really understand what is ahead of us ( including me)...I hope it is ok to join this list. Thanks, Daphne

Hi all. Frank is scheduled for a renal artery test in a couple of weeks because of some type of elevated level having to do with his kidneys as they relate to his heart. Hope this isn't too technical for anyone. :) Anyway, I was wondering Ann, or anyone else, can you fill me in on what they are looking for and if a problem is found, what do they do about it? They told us it would be about 1 1/2 hours long and he has to have it as outpatient at hospital early in the morning. Also said it was kind of like a sonogram. Any help would be appreciated! Sharon

Hi Wendy Welcome to the Group. I have not switched on the computer for a couple of days and have just read all the messages. You have been through a very bad time - first with your car accident and then the shock of the surgery to your husband! You must take care of yourself and try to rest as much as you can and not to worry! Remember - you have to heal your body as well as his! It is very difficult to sleep after surgery. I always liked to sleep flat on my face - but that was an impossibility! Every time you try and get comfortable you feel you want to move again and every tiny movement is agony for quite a while. Time is a great healer - just both of you try and get as much sleep as you can. You may find his days and nights also merge into each other for a while as regards his sleeping. We are all friends on this Group and we are all here to help and care for each other - right around the World! Our love and prayers go out to you and Luie and we are all thinking of you. Very best wishes Jenny in Falmouth ( Cornwall - England) (triple bypass Dec. 1997) Married to Mike - Mother to four sons, Matthew (28) Damian (27) Tristan (24) and Veryan (22) - three step children and one small step- grandson Evan (2)

Hi Elizabeth and Everyone I would so love to meet you all - but I have no idea where Quantico is!!!! Please help! I am not too good on Geography! Many thanks Jenny

Hi Everyone Rowan Atkinson ( Mr. Bean - Blackadder - Four Weddings and a Funeral etc. etc. ) was walking through Falmouth yesterday. It is a very small town with winding narrow streets and everybody was staring at him! I felt very sorry for him because he was with his children and his head was well down and he obviously wanted some privacy! It must be so difficult when you have such a well known face! Hope you are all feeling well Have a good weekend Jenny in Falmouth

Hi, I am a migraine suffer. My name is Jessica. What do you people on the migraine board here do when you have a migraine and vomitting at the same time. I always throw up when I have a migraine. Is there anything you can do to help the headache go away and the nasuea and vomitting to go away that doesn't involve taking a pill? I haven't found anything that really works besides taking a pill for the headache and getting a shot of nasuea medication for the nasuea nd vomitting. Just would like some info on that. Right now I am having a little bit of the nasuea and vomitting and a whopper of a headache. Thanks. Jessica

Hello From the UK I am Chris. I had my zipper fitted 29th June this year, just like to say Hi and hope to join in a active group Have a pain free day........

Elizabeth----I hope this inquiry means that Tom will soon be home to stay!!!! Tell me it is true as I have worried so much about you dealing with so much alone. Are you doing well now? Kj

That was so beautiful! You should be writing books - I can just visualise all those geese flying overhead and the colours of the scenery etc. etc. When a stranger moves into a village people are always wary. When you grow up in a village everyone knows your Granny, your Father, your Mother etc. etc. You are unique and different - and what they do not know you think they make up? Am I right? Everytime you go out - just smile and say hello to everyone. Always look really happy even if you are not. When you collapsed in the snow it was probably the most excitement they had seen for months! Laugh it off! Every time I have been carted off in an ambulance - there always seem to be people appearing from nowhere and watching - some people are strange like that! Try and get involved as much as you can. If they have a Cub Group or Boy Scout Group or Playgroup ( even if your children are too old) offer your help. They always want people to help with Jumble Sales (like a car boot but indoors!) Bake cakes - make jam - dry flowers - or just offer to help in any which way you can. The local school will be very glad of someone to sit and help the teacher listen to little children who are trying to read and - even if you are not religious - try and join in with a group ( if there is one). Make some toffee apples for the children for Halloween. Start making gifts for Christmas - I expect there will be a Christmas bazaar somewhere. See if any old people who are housebound need befriending - they will also give you an insight into village life that you would not otherwise learn. My second son - Damian - was a total nightmare! He is now 28 and still worries me! We rarely see him. There is always one. The funny thing is - we named him before THAT film was even made! Remember we are always here for each other Take care and speak to you soon Jenny p.s. We have a big Asda ( who were taken over by Walmart) about 20 minutes from here as well. It is very bright and noisy and I do not like it at all!

Karen and Deb..... I cant recall if you have mentioned this before, I have lost alot of my emails so if you have I guess I am asking again....... You both mention you take Celebrex, but do you take it as a preventative or only when you have pain? Thanks, Karen

Well, here i am another bad migraine. I am goint to see my doctor today @ 4:20. I was sposed to see my nero today but, for the 2nd time in 3 weeks he canceled! Then when I was talking to the recptionist she told me that he was leaving the area!!!!! so they are sendime to another in his clinic........I went to the MI clinic last summer here is what to expect: first you see the drs including a psyciatrist then if your headaches are bad enough they put you into the hospital for 2 or more weeks in Chealsea. In the hospital they make you take classes and try protolcals of differnt meds but NO narcotics. well that is about it...time to go to bed the to the drs for 150mgs of demerol! goodnight all!

Hi everyone! Well, I actually wrote this on Saturday, but sent it to the wrong place. I was wondering why nobody was responding to me!! I introduced myself previously, but didn't have time to talk about my headaches. Plus, I've read a few posts & have a couple responses. I'm sorry, but I've already forgotten the name of the woman who lost her dog - my prayers are with you. I love animals & I couldn't imagine having a beloved die in my arms! To begin with - my ha's are not usually SEVERE, as I'm sure most of yours are. I get them ALOT, but I don't get much of an aura & they don't usually debilitate me. I guess I'm lucky for that because I am a stay at home mom & when I get a headache, I can't climb in bed. When I talk about no aura, I mean I don't get the flashing lights, etc. But I often just know when one is coming even though it isn't truly here yet??? Does that make any sense to anyone?? I was getting them almost daily (4-6 days/week). I sought treatment at a headach clinic in Minneapolis (I am in Duluth, MN) & was first put on Zoloft daily & Imitrix (abortive). The Zoloft didn't help but loved the Imitrix because it helped & there were no side effects for me. Then she switched me to Prozac & also gave me Zomig for the ones the Imitrix didn't help. The Prozac didn't help. Eventually the Imitrix quit working for me & have been mostly using the Zomig since. I used to love the Zomig because it usually helped & also I had no side effects, but it seems that lately when I take it, I feel horrible. I'm finding it makes me feel kind of out of it, I don't feel comfortable driving anymore & it just makes the back of my neck feel like it's in a vice grip. I had an ha a while back that nothing would help & my local GP gave me Maxalt (which someone mentioned today), but I didn't end up using it yet. Now, I'm kind of nervous to. I went off daily meds back in October, because I was frustrated & sick of taking something everyday when it wasn't helping. But things got stressful & I was popping Zomig 6 X week (didn't find out until I called the dr about new anti-depressent that that could have killed me!), so I got another daily, Effexor, which, again, didn't help. Now I am on Wellbutrin and I am finally gettin SOME relief. I get about 1-2 ha's/week on average. We have horrible Medical insurance, so all of this has come out of our pockets. So, needless to say, it was hard to keep travelling to an out of town dr & all that when I wasn't getting relief. So, I quit going there. Lately I have just been dealing with my gp, but she doesn't seem to have a clue about migraines. I am considering going back to Minneapolis for treatment by headache specialists. But, I am wondering what kind of docs you all see. There are regular neurologists in my city, but I read that it was better to see one that specializes in headache. Do you agree?? I am sorry for the length of this, but I felt it was necessary to give my details. Thanks for listening & your help, in advance. I look forward to hearing from you! God Bless, Sue

Is the high cholesterol syndrome you are talking about called familial hypercholesterolaemia? That is what is in our family - I think it is a faulty gene in the liver that keeps manufacturing too much - Ann is that right???? I have lived in Cornwall for most of my life. Most of it was in one of two villages. The village where I lived when a child ( in the 1950s) had a small shop which was also a post office and we had electricity but no running water. My Father used to carry two metal buckets to the village water pump and carry one home for my Granny and one for us! Granny had electricity downstairs - but not in the bedrooms. We carried candles to bed. She also kept the coal in a cupboard under the stairs. When I married we lived in the next village. We had picnics with the children and they could run freely with the dog without any fear of danger ( unless they fell down a mineshaft or something - as it used to be a prolific tin mining area!) Falmouth ( where I live now) is a real town - but not a big town. We have no large department stores as such - and none with an escalator. There is a supermarket but it does not have its own car park - mostly people just buy enough to carry home with them. We have a castle and a ferry boat to the other side. People come here on holiday and it is so beautiful. I love to walk along the cliff paths. We eat a lot of fish and seafood - although lobster is terribly expensive. A car boot sale is where there is a large field or open space and everyone parks their cars in rows. They open the boots (the bit at the back where you put your luggage) and put a table or a blanket in front. They then sell everything that they do not want from unwanted presents to home-made jams and cakes! You can find some amazing bargains - especially, if like me, you are in to collecting old china and teapots and toast racks and such things! Sorry if I have gone on too long Speak to you soon Jenny p.s. Went to Slimming Group this morning and I have lost another 2 pounds - that is 8 so far! Really pleased!

Hi Everyone Donna - I love your e mails! I have never been ( and am never likely) to go to America but it just painted a picture of Shopping Malls and roadside stalls selling fruit and veggies etc. I have never been to a big Shopping Mall. Also - I am always curious when you all describe foods that you get in other countries! Had a few days of not feeling too good. Really tired and nasty chest pains - you all know the story. It was really annoying cos Mike ( my husband) was away at a bakery exhibition all weekend ( and pigging out on all the cakes I expect!) and I wanted to go to a huge car boot sale and buy loads and loads of things without him saying "Why are you buying that????" I buy lots of fruit and veg and fresh flowers from car boot sales and farm shops or stalls at the roadside. I would rather give the money to old people who grow their own than to a big store. And they are fresher. We tend to live a lot on local food when it is in season. Anyway, my third son came to stay and we had a great time. Real quality one-to-one time tha you never get when there are lots of you around. And he vacuumed the whole house for me! Let us know about the hospital programme for your childrn. Some of mine have very high cholesterol and although they are now old enough to take medication they will not go to the hospital for their checks. You can take them when they are 8 - but not at 24! Also - three of them smoke which makes me really angry. Hope everyone is feeling well and happy today Take care Jenny in Falmouth

Hi everyone! Hope all is well. Thanks to those that have been discussing foods and good choices the last few days. It's always good to hear as much as possible on this subject. My husband Frank had his MUGA test yesterday and the results came back today. About 10 days ago his heart contractions were 30-35%. After the cath last week they started him on 1 Monopril 1x a day. Yesterday his % had improved to 41% on the left & 35% on the right. Not exactly as much as I was hoping for. A question for Ann: is 7-10 days enough time for more improvement than that? Or maybe he just needs more Monopril/other meds? He is to see the dr. and go over the results on Monday. Thanks for any thoughts you may have! Sharon on the Gulf Coast

Hi Donna Thanks! I have never ever eaten Mexican food! They would have it in big cities - but not down here! This is pasty country! I do not like eating meat - just made a big casserole for Mike for supper and put lots of Guinness in it - that is how he likes it! I add loads of big mushrooms ( cut in half) and then just put mushrooms on my plate ( with the minimum amount of sauce) and he never notices that I am not eating any meat at all! Speak to you all soon Jenny

WE are neighbors, I live in Key Largo, but work in Miami.

The Pain is a driving force Wheeling it's way into my body unwanted yet there crying, so much crying tears fall like rain, won't sombody please take away my pain! Medications make me high Like a bird flying, soring in the wind kissing the sky oh lord wont you let me die! I know that this is a little morbid but, I feel so bad at times!

I tried Maxalt and while it gave me minimum relief from the pain, I thought I was having a heart attack. It took several months after I stopped taking it (and I only took it twice) for the symptoms to go away. We live at 3500 ft and went for a drive to see the snow. I started having difficulty at 5500 ft and by 7000 ft I thought I was dying. And sometimes at home my heart would start pounding for no reason. So - it's nasty stuff if you're sensitive to it. HTH Jan

Hi Donna All this is fascinating! We are really helping each other. One this puzzles me - what is a Chic-Chi? I have never heard of it! have a great wekeend everyone Love Jenny in Falmouth (Cornwall - England)

Jan, My heart goes out to you and your family. I am very much a dog person, have one now and grew up having them. I remember losing a dog the day before my 10th birthday. I spent that Bday in bed crying. The dog we have now is our baby and I'd do any thing to keep him alive. We just got back from a 2 week MS vacation and of course Stratton went along. He enjoys it as much as we do. New smells, lot's of petting and saying at rest stops--other people say how beautiful he is. He is a sheltie, 11 years old and very tuned into my migraines. He does not leave my side when I am in bed with one! Sometimes he curls up against my back, sounds silly but it is comforting to have him there. He is the child I never had. Right now he is stretched out on the bed sleeping! A dog's life I guess. Mahalo! Suzanne (WMUBronco)

Hi Karen-Have you checked with your hospital to see if there is a heart support group in your area? I belong to one, and it's been a lot of help. It's made up of heart patients and their spouses. Maybe it would help you both to be able to talk with other people who've been through the same problems. I also think it might help to talk with a dietician-in my area, the local hospital dietician was very willing to help me figure out a diet I can live with. My diet problems were overwhelming me at first-I'm a diabetic as well as a heart patient, and also must watch the sodium because I've had congestive heart failure. There have been times when I've felt like giving up and just eating anything I like. And sometimes I do just that. But when I "fall off the wagon" I don't punish myself for my relapse. I just get back on the diet . I try to remind myself that I can't totally change my diet and lifestyle in a day. After all, it took me half my life to develop bad diet and exercise habits. My support group has really made me realize that I'm not alone in this struggle. Neither are you and Al. Pam

Kara, I also was going to ask you if you were related to Derek Jeter. I live in Kalamazoo, MI and that is his home town. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. Mahalo, Suzanne (WMUBronco)

To All: I sound like a parrot but the Michigan Head'Pain and Neurological Institute in Ann Arbor does treat FM. I go there for migraines and fm. They do have a web site www.MHNI.com you might want to check it out! Mahalo, Suzanne (WMUBronco)

Hi Again, I have been reading the post, all of them, I started with 1 and read them all. I felt it would help me to know some of you and to understand what was going on with each of you as well. If you remember, my husband Al had a bypass about 3 months ago. I have read how each of you have done after your surgeries and I guess in prospective he is recovering at about the same pace as the majority of you have. Now on to my questions. I have read that a lot of you have gone to Rehab, well Al didn't. His Dr told him he was recouping just fine and didn't need it. He did well at first, we were walking a mile a day, he would sometimes go for a walk by him self. Actually that is the only exercise he got. Then the weather got hot, and real humid and he said it was too hot to walk. so that stopped. We are on a bowling league and he has done that.....but after the first game he is exhausted. By the 3rd game he is so worn out and short of breath. What can he do to help with the shortness of breath. He has called his cardiologist Dr and they tell him to call his family Dr......and of course the family Dr says to call his cardiologist. While he was in the hospital he lost 20 lbs, when he went back for his first check he had gained 15 of that back. He has since gained 10 more. He is about 70 lbs over weight now, I would hate to see him gain any more. I went with him for his first check, so I could find out about what kind of diet he should be on, since I am the one buying the food and preparing it. They said "nothing special, just try to stay away from salty and fatty foods" Hmmmmmm, well to me it seems like there should be a lot more to it than that. As for the salt, Al has never been much on using it. I don't even use it when I cook, because he doesn't like it. As for the fat, he has always been a meat and potatoes man. One good thing about that is we do grill most all the meats we eat. That is a little better than in a pan full of grease. Can any one suggest some help with the diet. He has always been a picky eater. He won't eat fish, only fried shrimp or fried clams. Mostly beef and pork. Thanks for your time. Karen

Hi Sue~ welcome to the group. That must be awful to think you're done with the Migraines & then years later have them return. Mine are & always have been a part of my life. I started getting them at age 12 & now at 45 they're still going strong! What are you currently taking/trying to get some relief? Do you have specific triggers or time of the month when you know you'll have one? Hope your week end is painfree... ~Lyn~

Hi Folks Vigdis from Norway calling! I have high blood pressure, and get a lot of medicine for this. But I have big problems with my heart beat, I would say it is a kind of unregular heartbeat. I use Tenormin, a kind of drug which effects the hearts need for oxygen. But the drugs make me tired, and I wonder if anyone know a way of treating this condition with herbs or anything? And when I get tired, how can I get any energy? Well, here in Norway, the weather is rainy, but it is hot. Next month we can get snow, but I hope not. I have a homepage with pictures of me and my family at: www.freebox.com/viggern/foto if you would like to see us. Have a nice weekend everybody. Hug Vigdis

Hi Elizabeth I am relieved to hear Andrew is ok after his scare. I really don't know how you cope, I admire you so much. Having PA I have problems with my blood being very thick and am too prone to blood clots around the body if my blood gets out of control, there is a medical name for it but I don't remember. I asked about taking asprin (as my dad also takes it) but I was told that it wouldn't make much of a difference to me as my blood was so thick. What they do with me is called a "venesection" (probably haven't spelt that correctly), basically they take away a 1 t 2 units of blood every 3 to 6 months, (just had it done yesterday actually), it's just like giving blood for donation except my blood can't be used unfortunately, seems like such a waste. I've been having this done for about 5 years now and it seems to keep my blood under control, have had no problems with clots or anything. I just get very "heavy" headed and lots of Migraine attacks when it needs doing again. This may not be suitable for Andrew right now, because it's not very pleasant, big needle and all that but maybe in the future it could help him. Take care for now. Michelle

Elizabeth: I am glad it appears Andrew has no permanent damage from the stroke. My husband is on an aspirin a day. Sharon

Oh Harry this is SO true! Do you know what I have to do? I have to put my exercise clothes on the floor next to my bed at night, so that in the morning the first thing my feet hit are my clothes. I put them on before I walk away from the bed and that makes me go exercise! If I don't do it - I don't exercise - its as simple as that. And actually I went and got running tights and exercise wear so that there was no mistaking that I was to exercise (as I used to wear really nice comfortable old sweat pants which incidentally seemed a lot like pajamas!). You just have to do what you have to do. Even though I'm addicted to exercising because I love the high I get from it, I still struggle with that first step! There are so many other temptations - for me it was this computer. I used to wake up, stumble downstairs, turn it on and grab a bit of breakfast while I read my email. I never "got around" to exercising. So my rule now is "no workout no computer" and I make myself stick to it! We all have choices. We can chose the real eggs or we can do substitute or something else all together. We can eat bacon or we can have fruit. We can put butter on our toast or eat it dry or just with jam. We can exercise or we can say we don't have time. Or its not convenient. Or we don't like it. These are all choices. Uh-oh....got on my soap box a bit.... Ann Ann McCrea, RN Preventative Health www.rexall.com/atm

Hello all - Wed. night I went out about 8:45 for the final calf feeding of the evening. I saw one of our dogs lying on the ground (which is unusual for him- he always wanted to be where the action was) and I went to him and he looked at me, extended his neck and his mouth was foaming like when they try to eat frogs. I told him to spit it out and he got up and wagged his tail. I went on to feed the calf and when I came back, Sampson was lying in front of the back door not moving. This was probably 6-7 minutes after I saw him the first time. I paged my husband and the vet 911 and gathered him in my arms where he died a few moments later. That was hard, but having to tell my 6 year old son (it was 'his' dog) and watch him sob was even harder. We are pretty sure it was from a rattlesnake bite. This dog was only 5 years old and he chased rocks - would even catch them in his mouth if you'd throw them - and he would bark when anyone came on the property so he was my early warning system. He would never let the kids wander off by themselves - he always stayed with them so we never much worried about them getting bitten by a snake. I know it's "just a dog" but this dog was a member of our family and I miss him. Thanks for listening, Jan (and yes, I have a whopper of a migraine- but at least I'm not in the ER)

Hi Robyn~ & welcome to the group! I had the same problem with my HMO limiting Zomig to 6 pills a month. I know the Triptans are new, expensive & a non preferred drug according to the insurance cos but I wrote a letter to my HMO, also sent a copy with a letter to my Dr, who in turn wrote to the HMO & they ok'd 18 pills a month!!! So think about doing that, it's worth a try. I was on Imetrix for a few years but with bad side effects, which I put up with since the Imetrix for the most part got rid of the pain. I suffered almost 30 years til the Triptans came out & I found they work for me, luckily! Nothing else ever helped. Good luck, ~Lyn~

Hi Ann and Everyone Thank you for your encouragement and support! It has actually stopped raining today and I went to the Gym again and then for a walk along the cliff path enjoying the sunshine. It is so good that we are all here for each other! Ann - if we can keep losing weight - so can all the others! Also - if you are out of the house you cannot eat! take care Jenny

Could this be turning into a One of my goals in starting this group was to help people focus on changing their lives after Bypass, so I hope we can continue to work with each other and encourage one another in this way. In my nursing practice, I found that so many people thought Bypass was a permanent fix, and as we all know, it is a temporary one. It is a Band-aid at best, and for many people, unless lifestyle is changed (sometimes drastically) they will end up having a 2nd or 3rd Bypass. After taking care of many (far too many) patients who were in for "Re-do CABG" - who still smoked, ate poorly, never exercised - I decided it was time to work with people in prevention. I can't change the world, but you will all find that I will try to help change one life at a time. Its my mission, its my crusade, and I'm glad you've all joined me. And its fun to see the commaraderie start to blossom over similar interests! Thanks, Ann Ann McCrea, RN Preventative Health www.rexall.com/atm/present

Hi Vicki~ welcome to the group. Looks like you've covered all the bases between clinics & meds. I'm sorry to hear the migraines have got worse for you but unfortunately we don't hear of many that have improved. But we keep trying & some how get through another day. What are your triggers? This I ask since so many people & Drs for a long time seemed to think if you just stop drinking coffee & eating chocolate that the HAs will be gone. I guess we all have triggers but some times there's just no rhyme or reason. After 33 years of Migraines I don't even try to figure it out! It's a Brain Disorder that still stumps the MDs. Keep posting, we can offer at least a sympathetic ear & a shoulder to cry on. ~Lyn~

Sorry everyone, in re-reading my email on my husband's progress I left out something important. The condition he has involves the micro vessels, but his problem is that he heart is only contracting at about 1/2 of what it should be. The dr. said normal is 60% and his is 30-35%. Somehow the micro vessels are involved and the meds should make them stronger and therefore increase his heart pumping efficiency. Sharon saying I hope I got all this right. Still trying to learn the terminology!

Hi Vigdis! I love your English - I can hear your Norwegian accent! Welcome to the group. I hope we can be a help in your brothers recovery. And hopefully we'll talk a lot on here about prevention so that you can continue to lead a very healthy life. Glad you could be here - lets see, I know we have the US, England and now Norway - any other countries represented in our little group? Isn't the Internet amazing! No boundaries. I love it. Ann resident nurse Ann McCrea, RN www.rexall.com/atm Ann McCrea, RN One Goal: Wellness www.NavigateDreams.com (888) 857-6491 24 hour voice mail

Karen, Have you tried Indocin suppositories? My abortive starts with Midrin, step 2 if needed are Indocin supp., step3 is a DHE shot my husband gives. Maybe this inf. will help you ease some pain. Mahalo! WMUBronco (Suzanne)

Hi everyone. Wanted to tell y'all that Frank did have the heart cath yesterday. They found his 5 bypasses from last year still look good and he had no new areas that needed any additional work. He does have a condition involving the micro vessels and the treatment for this is meds. We are extremely pleased that he didn't have to have additional surgery at this point. Hopefully the meds will do the trick and the dr. said they should continue to work hopefully for the rest of his life. He did warn us that if (a good bit down the road he stressed) we got to the point where the meds no longer did their job, he will have to be placed on a transplant list. He stressed this was not something we need to worry about now and hopefully ever. Wanted to share our good news with y'all! Thanks to all for your good thoughts and prayers. Sharon

Hi Everyone I have been reading the e mails for a while now and have to admit that I too, get very very black periods of depression To overcome this I have now joined a local Slimming World Group - the pounds have been piling on recently - and also have just started visiting the Gym at a local hotel. I joined the Slimming Group three weeks ago and have lost 5 lbs. Two the first week and 3 this week - good start! I have been going to the Gym for three days now and have been on a static cycling machine for a period of a few minutes - then resting - and then off again. I am trying to do about 12-15 minutes in all. When I get off the machine I feel terrible. My chest is pounding and I feel sick and dizzy. It does not help that all around me are people running on machines and cycling at manic speeds. I do not want to give up - but how soon will it get easier? Encouragement please! Jenny ( in Cornwall, England) 51 yesterday - CABG x 3 Dec. 1997.

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This is kind of embarrassing but I thought I would ask anyhow. A number of us were talking yesterday about the things that brought on a migraine, I know all the food stuffs as well as the sleeping too much or to little, bright lights, to much noise, etc., Then someone said, and not enough sex, I had no idea if this was true or not, does anyone else know? Thanks, Vera

Hello, My name is Karen Whorff, I am new to the group. My husband had a heart attack on June the 8th, and had a triple bypass 2 days later. He spent a total of 10 days in the hospital. I wanted us to join this group because there are so many little things that we are both worried about, but when we call the Dr with questions they don't seem to show any concern. Or just not as much as we want them to. Well, it could be because it is normal, but how are we to know this. It's not like they gave us a hand book to tell us what to expect, and even if it did, every person is different, what might bother you might not bother the next guy. I felt it would help us both to know that we could ask questions and not feel we were "Bothering" someone. It would put our minds at ease as well. Ok, I will quit rambling now ...... lol ........ hopefully we will learn much and soon be able to help others as well. Thanks for your time. Karen Whorff

Deb you are going through a lot more than I have probably ever gone through. But I was an inpatient for 3 weeks at MHNI and my problems are better. I am not cured but I am a lot better than I was before I went. Mahalo! WMUBronco (Suzanne)

In a message dated 9/22/2000 9:49:57 AM Central Daylight Time, jennyprigg@... writes: << Hi Sharon So sorry to hear your news. All our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your husband next Tuesday Love Jenny ( in England) Thank you, Jenny. We appreciate it very much. Sharon (on the Alabama Gulf Coast)

All of the above 2.5 years after the surgery!!!!!!! kj

Dear Penny, Thanks for the joke and the uplifting message about how we look at things. It is in how we percieve our life to be that is the most important. I know that in my situation, even as bad as it is right now, I am very blessed to have a home and a family who loves me, accepts me and takes care of me. About your other post. I was really surprised to find someone else here that has GERD too. Ron wrote in too with some fine suggestions. It amazes me that so many of us here have so many of the same problems physical and mental such as seizures, GERD, depression, panic disorder, ect. It is thought provoking if anything. Anyway, thanks for the post, Sandra

Hi everyone. I wanted to share that my husband saw his cardiologist yesterday to get the results of his echocardiogram done last week. News was not good. He is having a cath done next Tuesday. His heart pumping efficiency is only around 30-35% and there are areas around where some of his bypasses were done that appear to be swollen or closed to some degree. Best case scenario, a virus that can be treated with meds. Possibly an angioplasty or maybe even surgery again with insertion of stints as well as repair. I hope I got all this right, I still don't speak doctor language as well as I wish I did. Thoughts & prayers are appreciated. SharonP

Hi all.... I was wondering... how do you rate your migraines (1 to 10) for the doctor??? Do you have a consistant pattern? Like: I can work through this one, it's a 3? or I can't think straight enough to answer questions - get out of my face! its a 9? Or... is the one last week that you thought was a 10 now really an 8 because this one has taught you the new meaning of the number 10... Do y'all ever have problems carrying prescriptions with you to other countries? I'm going from the U.S. to Canada this weekend - and I'm carrying about 8 different medications with me. 6 of them are "just in case" migraine meds. Julie

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets. Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hairstylist you like. Perhaps you know why women over fifty don't have babies: They would put them down somewhere and forget where they left them. One of the life's mysteries is how a two pound box of candy can make a woman gain five pounds. It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions. I finally got my head together, and my body fell apart. The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. Time may be a great healer, but it's also a lousy beautician. Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever. Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone. Life not only begins at forty, it begins to show. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today. Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness. If at first you don't succeed, see if the loser gets anything. You don't stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing. I don't mind the rat race, but I could do with a little more cheese. I had to give up jogging for my health. My thighs kept rubbing together and setting my pantyhose on fire. Amazing! You just hang something in your closet for a while, and it shrinks two sizes. It is bad to suppress laughter; it goes back down and spreads to your hips. Age is important only if you're cheese or wine. The only time a woman wishes she were a year older is when she is expecting a baby. Freedom of the press means no-iron clothes. Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but she can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake. Can it be a coincidence that "STRESSED" is "DESSERTS" spelled backwards.

Harry, I have got to meet your friend!! I am 37 - will be 38 in 2 weeks, and I just set a goal of running a marathon when I am 40. I have not been able to run since I got Graves Disease, but am starting to work out again after 5 months off and am determined to get back to running. The marathon was my goal before getting Graves, and I refuse to let it go just because I hit a speed bump along the way! Wow, started Tri's at 50 - that is so incredible. When she gets back will you ask her if she'd email me? I'd love to hear more about her story. Thanks, Ann Ann McCrea, RN Preventative Health www.rexall.com/atm

Just saying hello to everyone. Again been trying to post , but I can't seem to get thur. Mary not having good day.

Hi-I'm a newbie. I had a double bypass in February. Recovery has gone well, but it has been a real learning experience for me. I'm very involved in a cardiac rehab program, and I've really come to enjoy it. I never thought I'd ever come to truly enjoy exercising! I think I enjoy the camaraderie I've found there as much as the aact actual exercise. I joined the list because I'm looking for a place to discuss the surgery and many problems associated with it. I hope to make new friends online who really understand what I'm going through. Talk to everyone soon. Pam

Hi Pam, Welcome! I think you've found the right place. The key to getting a lot out of this list is to post your questions as often as you wish/need to do so. Everyone here is very helpful in getting your questions answered, and to be a good shoulder when you need it! Glad to hear you love exercise. I happen to be a person who loves it, craves it, can't get enough of it, so I can relate to that. Its always great to enjoy something that is good for you. Welcome again, and jump right in! Ann - resident RN Ann McCrea, RN Preventative Health www.rexall.com/atm/health

Just wanted to do a quick note to let everyone know that Andrew is doing much better. We are still waiting to get him into school. Maybe just one more week to get the aide and equipment in place to get him in. My computer is broke again. I think the modem is fried this time, so am on no mail again until it can be fixed which may not be until next week. Will write again when I can come back online. Talk with you all again soon, I hope. Elizabeth (Quantico, VA mother to Kiersten 9, Nicole 7 multiple EDs, and Andrew 4 HRHS, PA, PS, ASD, VSD, L-TGA, bilat. SVC and a transverse heart and wife to Tom WPW)

Hi Kathie I'm based in Manchester, England. I live with my 5 year old daughter, I've never been a member of any spina bifida groups though and I don't a have a roommate named Angela, sorry. Take care Michelle

Hang in there! We are all saying prayers and your son will soon be feeling better! God Bless You! kim

Michelle--are you from England or Ireland? Is your roomate named Angela? Did you ever belong to a group about Spina Bifida/ Kathie Jones

Hi Ron, Your post was fascinating.....those weird feelings from childhood that are difficult to describe.....the sensation of lying in your bed and feeling that the bed is flying or moving sideways and feeling that you have to hold on to keep from falling off.........the childhood feeling of lying in bed and feeling that one's hands or extremities are the size of very huge balloons or that they weigh 1000 pounds......could these possibly be associated with headaches and/or migraines? I've never even told anyone about these sensations, but I remember them from childhood. Also, after a severe migraine subsides and you feel weak and washed out, it's strange to go outside and look around.....sometimes the sky or the surroundings look "off". Colors look strange, very surreal. I don't want to sound totally crazy, but I never associated my strange experiences with my headaches and migraines.....how complicated and magical our brains must be. I know that Edgar Allen Poe experienced migraines and they affected his work. I would love to hear more about this if you have other information...thanks! Christy

Ann, Donna, Jenny & Greg, Thank you sooooo much for your words of encouragement! They were very much needed! I've decided to print all of your responses and sit my husband down at the kitchen table and make him read them. Hopefully things will sink into his head and my hope is that I can get HIM to join this list. I can't tell you how much all of you have helped me,I was feeling like I was not doing all that I could and feeling guilty but you opened my eyes thanks! I won't be able to be on my computer as much as I'd like for awhile. My mother-in-law has phenomonia so I'll be staying with her to make sure she takes her medicine during the day, (we just lost my father- in-law a month before my husbands heart attack) I'll go to work and coming back to my house to make lunch and make sure my hubby takes his and back to mother-in-laws. But I wanted to thank all of you now while it was fresh on my mind. You guys are great!! Thanks again! kim