Heart Bypass Surgery

Dear friends I was wondering if you're all interested in having a get together to meet in person, share our stories, and have fun time with food, drinks No alcohol.

YEP, ups and downs are not uncommon. I'm sure you will get a lot of responses. Sleeping in a recliner is often more comfortable for the first few weeks. Walking daily is helpful. Do as much as you can, but don't overdo it. Your body will let you know when to stop. With a good recovery, you should notice that every day you will be able to do just a little more than the day before. Many of us had minor setbacks, but overall, the trend is positive. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE goes a long way to speeding your recovery. There are a couple of good books on Heart Surgery with chapters on recovery. The Heart Book recently published by the Cleveland Clinic (#1 rated Heart Center) Coping With Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression by J. Jude, et.al, previously published as The Heart Surgery Handbook. Check your public library and / or book stores. Best wishes for your continued improvement. 'AL'

On May 3rd, I had a double bypass performed. I was hoping some of you folks may share some of your recovery stories with me. I am 44 years old with 3 children (two still at home at 12 & 10) and this caught me totally off guard as I've always been very healthy. Suddenly, this...and my confidence has taken a major nose-dive... even problems sleeping. My husband of 1 1/2 years has been absolutely wonderful and keeps telling me I will get back to my old self soon, but the pain in the incision area never quite lets me forget what I've experienced. How long before you were able to say to yourself, "I'm finally recovered." ? Cindy

Try taking the sinus med *with* the painkiller. Also, don't know how much coffee or caffeine soft drinks you normally drink, but a strong dose of caffeine will help relieve a migraine for a while. Problem is, you get acclimated and then get caffeine withdrawal migraines. Also, if you sleep in on weekends, that will cause a migraine; try to get up and go to bed the same time every day of the week (yeah, that sucks when you're young and want to party, but it's a trade-off). Best bet is to see a knowledgeable and compassionate doctor (good luck) and get a prescription for something more of a real medicine than Excedrin. What exactly will work on yours will probably be a trial and error thing, but better to start now than in 40 years like me. Be prepared for doctors to presume that you just "want drugs" -- a problem for anyone with chronic pain, especially a tough-to-diagnose-or-cure like migraines, aside from the prejudicial reflexes concerning young folk. Keep a "headache diary" -- will help you to spot triggers as well as cures and will prove valuable to any medical professional who really tries to help. For now, try eliminating as many additives from your diet as possible (msg is a killer, as well as the nitrates/nitrites in cold cuts) -- may mean no doritos & hot dogs but, again, life is a trade-off. Good luck, and feel free to ask questions, bitch, whatever. Ron

Hi, My mother in law is going in for heart bypass surgery soon. She is really scared. She's concerned about so many aspects, including having her ribs broken, having the veins out of her leg and of course, will she make it through the surgery. Of course, I am confident she will do just fine. She is in otherwise wonderful health. I am looking for a nice friendly group to suggest for her to get support both before and after the surgery. Have I come to the right place :-D? Please let me know if you think this would be a good, supportive board for me to recommend. Thanks very much and I hope you are all doing really well :-) Lisa

wrote~ Hi Laura~ I don't know if you were here to see my post a few weeks back but I went through this with my new HMO allowing only 6 Zomig a month. I wrote to them & to my Dr. After receiving my letter my Dr also wrote to the HMO, & within 2 weeks I heard from HealthSource that they were giving authorization to increase the monthly RX limits. So please give it a try! If Amerge works for you, then have your Dr tell the HMO that is the RX you need & you need a higher quantity. ~Lyn~

Hello all, My name is Sarah. I joined this list months ago and posted maybe one message. That was back in November I think. Well, happily, I hadn't had a migraine so I just kept lurking and reading messages every once in a while. So, now, I have a lot to write about. This email is going to be long, so I appologize early. I am not a daily migraine sufferer; my migraines come in monthly periods. I've had them since I was 8 years old (I'm 17 now). My main triggers are allergies, stress, and lack of sleep. Sadly on Sunday, I got a migraine. It had been 25 weeks since my last one. That's almost 6 months! I was extremely happy with the period of time I have gone without one. I'm now on day 3 of my migraine. When I get one it usually lasts between 6 to 8 days. I'm praying that it will end soon, because this is my last week of school and I have to miss my final exams because of it. It upsets me because having to make up the exams stresses me out. Another problem with my migraines is that I become immune to pain killing medication. I'm using Excedrin Migraine right now, but it's not working very well. The caffine is keeping me awake when I need to sleep. (sleeping off migraines help me.) Because this migraine was caused by allergies, I'm alternating my sinus medicine with the excedrin. I think the excedrin works a little bit, but mostly I have to focus my eyes on something for the pain to go away long enough to get up out of bed and eat, etc. But, it's harder this time because it is very humid, hot and worstly sunny here---and the sun makes my eyes hurt, causing my headache pain to increase. I'm sorry for this long ramble! Does someone have any suggestions of any over-the-counter medicines I could take? My goal is to be able to go to school tomorrow to take my exam and make up the one I missed today. Also, chiropractic treatment has helped me. Has chiropractic treatment worked for anyone else? I'm very glad to be a part of this list. Not too many people understand migraines where I live and it's nice to know that I'm not alone. Sincerely, Sarah

~*~*~*~For any one interested, I received a reply from the newscaster in regard to her joke about Migraines. I didn't think I was out of line but she got a little jab in that was unnecessary. I have responded right back to her, for sure! My letter is first, her reply is in CAPS. (very impolite) ~Lyn~

This is really interesting about these Beta Blockers. I have been on 100 mg of Metoprolol Tartrate for quite some time and have been gradually feeling worse and worse. I honestly thought I was on the way out ....... but did not attribute it to these tablets in particular. I am also on Atorvastatin, Isosorbide Mononitrate, HRT etc. etc. and a few others. One day I was looking after our Grandson because his Mother started work early, and once I had bathed him and fed him breakfast and taken him to Creche I was exhausted - and this was first thing in the morning! I sat in the car outside the supermarket and was too tired to go and buy bread and milk! I crawled into bed at 10.00 am and the next thing I knew it was 10 past 3!!!! I had done nothing all day and felt so ashamed! I mentioned this to my Cardiologist when I saw him a few days ago and he suggested anti-depressants as well! I told him in no uncertain terms that I did not want any more medication and felt really angry - but it is difficult to get too stroppy when you are just sitting in a hospital wearing only knickers - especially when you have spent most of the afternoon getting dressed and undressed for different procedures in different rooms in the same building! He said he would change the drugs and write to my local doctor about this. In the meantime - the letter has not arrived at the Surgery - I have stopped all the drugs except the Cholesterol and Aspirin and am already feeling more awake. I have even been able to start walking again........ My face no longer looks bloated and my clothes feel better......... Sometimes, when you visit the Hospital, kind as the doctors and nurses are, it seems as if you are just number twenty seven patient that day. Quality of life is so important - we do not want to spend the rest of our lives asleep or like a zombie..... We are all aware of our own mortality and life is far too short ..... Take care Jenny

Jon, the metoprolol tartrate you take is the generic for lopressor which is a beta blocker. I use to take that along with Cardizem. The lopressor slows the heart rate down and yes it does cause tiredness. I take Toporal XL, which is another name for the beta blocker. I also think it has made me gain weight like Anne said, but the doctor has told me no, but then they also say it does not make me tired. It really only makes sense, if it slows your heart beat down, what about your metabolism and then that would cause you to not burn calories like you should. I am so glad you seem to being so good. I lurk around all the time and, but very seldom send messages. I just like to keep track of everyone.

Hi all~ I emailed my local TV station, actually emailed the woman newscaster directly who made the joke about having a Migraine. And feeling I was on a roll, I went to Excedrin's web site & emailed them too. ~Lyn~ hoping every one is hanging in there.

Hi All, Thank you all for responding so quicking to my request for help with my research. Here's the first couple of questions: What causes your migraine? (If you don't know what the cause is, that's ok). What orthodox (modern medicine) investigations/tests were carried out to confirm you suffer from migraine (Please include tests that ruled out other problems such as tumours, etc.) What alternative (ie naturopathic, or self diagnosis, or none is all ok) investigations/tests were carried out to confirm you suffer from migraine (Please include tests that ruled out other problems. It may even be that migraine was diagnosed through history taking and discussions with you and a naturopath). Please feel free to email me privately with your answers if you prefer others not to read them (although it may be helpful for the list to promote general discussion - it's up to you. My email address is hwest@... . If you'd like anything clarified, please don't hesitate to ask. And a big thank you to all of you for your help and participation. Cheers Helen.

Although it doesn't alleviate the migraine, I often burn Lavender and Geranium oil, when I have one. It's one of the few smells I can put up with then. Lavender oil is meant to relax you. mairin

In a message dated 6/6/99 8:37:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Goopypooh writes: <<

what type of diet is being used? i'm still on the diet that i had in the hospital when i had my surgery 3-2-01. and how long before a patient can have sex after surgery.

Angie, Hope your feeling better real soon. I too woke up with a headache today. It's hard to explain. It's the type of headache I get with a migraine without the other symptoms. That happens to me sometimes, but usually sometime during the day the other symptoms will appear, not looking forward to that, as I have things to do today. Hope you feel better soon. Laura

Knew I was having serious problems when on bike last week a women pushing a baby carriage passed me. Seriously I haven't been doing very well with angina (mostly during exercise) and I went for follow up catherization at Washington Hospital Center. I was due 15 month follow up since angioplasty and radiation treatment. The hope was my problems could be solved with angioplasty. News was not good. My RCA graft is blocked and it is to risky for angioplasty. I also have leaky mitral valve and ejection rate has dropped to 25%. Since I have already had to by-passes that is not an option. Right now we are trying several meds although I am not optimistic. Will now in about 10 days if meds will improve situation. There is a new clinical trial at DC hospital I am looking into. The coordinating Dr visited me. They will take bone marrow stem cells and inject by catherization into the heart. Instead of one big by pass many new branches will be formed and hopefully improve blood circulation of the coronary arteries. I am seriously considering this option if meds don't help. Will keep you posted, Harry K

Jan the pics are so cute. It looks like the calf hs a cactus on his side. I hope you have a good weekend. Cathy/Justin

Of course, I as good as knew it would happen, because yesterday I was totally pain-free and feeling grand, but knew I had to clean the shower with that stinky chemical spray. Time and again, it has triggered a migraine for me, and indeed, as I went to sleep last night, I awoke sometime during the night with a right-side migraine. It was even worse this morning and I am squinting at this computer right now in disgust, trying not to give in to it totally. I have a lunch date today that we have had to put off too many times, so I am determined to try to go in and "put on my face", and fake my way through it today........ Just let me release one big fat AARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Ahh, thanks, Penny

I heard on our local news that Excedrin has proclaimed this Mon as "Migraine free Monday". Yea sure... Don't get me started on the marketing of Excedrin. What a scam. Anyway the newscaster asked the anchor woan if she ever gets Migraines & she laughed & said something like I feel one coming on in about a half hour when this newscast is over... I try not to let it bug me but so many people joke over Migraines. I would never joke (& imagine on TV no less) about a disease or disorder. I am still tempted to email the station. Hope every one is as well as can be expected. ~Lyn~

Experiencing angina once again while cycling. This time fairly steady. Visited DR and the plan is to take Imdur and have thallium stress test in a few weeks. I am monitoring each ride I do and when I experience angina taking nitro helps it subside but comes back in about 45 minutes to an hour. Cycling at an easier pace than usual and will just have to wait and see. Harry K

In a message dated 5/10/01 11:59:14 AM Canada Central Standard Time, AL CAPSHAW writes: << Website for the Mid-Atlantic Surgical Association Descriptions of heart diseases, procedures, and valves, including pictures of CABG and Valve Replacement operations using Minimally Invasive Procedures. Also includes survival statistics for their group (94%) vs. state and national averages (91-93%). 'AL'

What an incredible Website ! ValveReplacement.com has sections on: Personal Stories Heart Links (for medical information) Heart Talk Forum and others. Recent topics on the Heart Talk Forum include: Memory Lapses / Mental state after surgery (yep, they're real) Sleeping on your side LOTS of good info on Valve options / issues It's 2 AM and I've been reading for over 3 hours. Time for bed. 'AL'

In a message dated 5/7/01 12:34:16 AM Canada Central Standard Time, indbio@... writes: << I am eating 5 mg of warfarin everyday. I do not know that I am having any problems. Except that I have lost some of my mental ability and do not get as much work done as I used to. That may be because I am working too hard for the exercise. For example, I just wanted to write the name of a software editor, but I can't think of the name of either of the two softwares that popup under windows. That was two hours ago and I still can't think of either of them. Harold Eddleman, Biophysics, PhD. Thanks for the reply Harold. I too have had some memory / cognitive problems since my bypass 2 years ago. If I concentrate and make a point of remembering, I do, but it seems to take more effort than it did before my heart bypass surgery. My understanding is that is a result of being on the heart-lung (pump) machine. Doctor's I have spoken with about this subject seem to think it only happens in more elderly patients. (I was 55 at the time of my surgery). Anyone else having similar effects? 'AL'

Does anyone know if there is a Valve Replacement Support Group? I am particularly interested in Aortic Valve Replacement, trade offs between Mechanical and Tissue Valves, especially Bovine Pericardial Valves, and real life experiences of long term Coumadin Anti-coagulent therapy. Further, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of the benefits of "Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery" (either valve or bypass) vs. conventional full open chest surgery? Bottom line: Is it worth flying across country to receive minimally invasive heart surgery vs. staying home and having open chest surgery at a local hospital with a GOOD track record? AL

A new Heart book has just been published by the Cleveland Clinic, titled "The Cleveland Clinic Heart Book", and should be available in bookstores. I have not seen it, but their Web site is an EXCELLENT source of information on all aspects of the heart and heart diseases. See www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter The Cleveland Clinic has been ranked as the #1 Heart Hospital in the nation for 6 years running by U.S. News and World Report. The best reference I have read on what to expect during and after heart surgery is the old (1988) Heart Surgery Handbook by J. Jude, et. al., which was republished in the third edition as "Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression". AL

hi im pam a 53 yr old survivor of a minor heart attack(walked into er fully alert) and a 4xbypass July 18 2000. Bypass went fine but due to being a heavy smoker the lungs did not do well at all. I was on a vent for 2 1/2 weeks and they at one point had to reopen my chest due to excessive swelling. Finally was able to breath on my own and within 5 days of vent removal i went home. I honestly cant say i experienced any pain...by the time i went home the incision was healed and not too painful. My biggest complaint to date is the overwhelming fatigue i feel....will this ever go away? Im on Wellbrutin for smoking cessession, cozar and topral for the heart. I know all of these drugs cause fatigue but im getting so fed up with being a zombie i could spit tacks. It hits me out of nowhere and there is no 2nd wind..even after laying down for approx 15mins. Oh and when i do give up and go to bed for the night i have a heck of a time getting to sleep and staying asleep. THIS IS CRAZYNESS!!!! At present im only walking for 15 mins every other day...no ambition. NO cigs, low fat, little stress,and limited caffine...i should be feeling like a new woman here not a wasted zombie. HELP

Dear Sandra, I like Joan Osbourne's music and I can really relate to the lyrics from her song, below....thank you for posting it. I saw a site on the net about a year ago that featured poems written specifically by migraine sufferers....I'll try to find that url, there were some very poignant and touching ones. (when it comes to the truly severe head pain, where you wonder if you can physically or emotionally live through a particular episode, because it is so unbearable, I've always felt that no one can truly understand the depth of the pain or "speak my language", as the song lyrics go. Have you ever gone through a migraine so intense and for so many continuous hours and days..that when the pain ended, you honestly looked back and asked yourself, "how did I ever live through that?" And the fear of the next one just like it....not knowing when it will strike again....can be terrible. I try very hard to be thankful for each hour and day that is pain-free or at least, tolerable. And I try to enjoy each moment IN the moment, but when you only have a few hours each week that are bearable, and after living this way for a quarter of a century, it's hard to keep positive, to have hope, to not let this pain beat you down and take away the best parts of you. Just some thoughts this evening, as I squint at the computer screen with an "8+" headache, half-blinded eyes, and no medication in the house that is strong enough to touch the pain. And I know that I am NOT alone and so many on this list have days like this everyday, as I do. Thanks for listening and I wish all of you a pain-free and peaceful weekend. Christy)

Just sending prayers and crossing fingers, toes, etc. that everyone has a pain free weekend! The weather promises to be stellar here, and I always get paranoid that I'll miss a great day. I hope you all are well and functional :) ....don't forget your shades! Pain free days for all, NanceT. And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. <Jerry Chin

I feel so frustrated today because of this migraine. I thought the mild one I had last weekend was "it" and I'd get away easy this month. There's so much I want and need to do today, but it involves working on the computer and reading and I can't do it. It is beyond me how some of you continue to function like normal people with this pain! I hope to be able to see a doctor soon. Going back to bed, Katherine

I've still got my hair, but had all of the other symptoms you had. I started at 1/day for 2 days, then 2/day for 2/3/day for 2 and was on my first day of 4/day when the hallucinations and falling ovcer started. I had to taper off, but did so faster than I'd gone onto it. The side effects last two weeks past the day of my last pill. By the way, I'm still here until Friday morning. My wife "forgot" to pick up our dogs last night, so I had to change my train ticket from Thursday to Friday. It will still get me to the air base with time to spare, but will make for a very long day. I'll check in again when I get home on the 14th. Jeff

Forgot to ask... For anyone who has experienced bypass surgery, have you had pain in your shoulders? If so, how did you cope with it? Thanks again, Carol (using daughter's ID) ccbyrd@...

Hi! My husband (63) had CABx6 about 10 days ago and has been home for a little over 6 days. He has amazed the medicos with his quick hospital recovery, and upon his second day at home, thought he could handle the world. Our daughter was able to take off time to look after him for 3 weeks. A blessing! DH paid for his activity and learned a lesson about too much activity. We're fortunate in that the only problem he's had has been in lying down flat to sleep. He says he gets a terrible headache and usually ends up calling someone to help him get up. He sleeps in his recliner, but he's complaining about his buttocks being so sore from that position. I know these sound so petty, but if anyone has any advice, we'd appreciate it bunches! (I searched the archives.) Did I mention that he's determined to get well faster and better than anyone? ;) And, he can, but gently. Thank you so much from a brand new member, Carol (and dau Kelly)

Hi All, My name is Laura I'm 29 years old and I started getting migraines when I was 13. They went undiagnosed for 2 years. I still remember my first one. I was sleeping and woke up feeling Real Bad, I was calling for my mother, I knew in my head what I was saying, but it was coming out all wrong, I mean they were nothing close to English words. My mom got real nervous as I had fallen out of a tree that afternoon, she thought I was having a seizure. My dad was not home and my Mom does not drive, so she picked me up ran me down to a neighbors house, Left my 15 year old brother to watch my 4 year old sister. By the time we got to the ER I was able to talk, I was numb and had a headache, and was vomiting. The ER doctors said "she has a virus and that is probably just normal for her when she has an upset stomach"! Well, This went on for 2 years and my mom decided to take me to a neurologist after reading about migraines, she was convinced thats what I had. He put me on Inderal and it seemed to help alittle. Then when I was 17 I had to have surgery and during the surgery I had seizures. I was put on dilation for them and then switched to tegrotal. I did not have anymore seizures but the tegrotal was helping my migraines. I was getting them less often and less severe. So I stayed on it. When I became Pregnant in 1992 I was taken off the tegrotel, and had the worst migraines ever. My OB talked to my nureo. and they put me back on a lower dose. They figured the med. cannot be any worse then not eating and they did not know the effects a migraine may have on an unborn baby, and there was some testing of tegrotal but not in humans. Anyway, I stopped the tegrotal when my son was a few months old. I still get migraines, Real bad at times. I get the vision disturbances, numbness. A few times I have gotten the numbness only or the vision disturbance only and that really scares me. Anyone else have that? As for Meds. My doctors were always afraid to try the typical migraine meds because I have a congenital heart defect. I found a doc now that feels they are safe for me, because the warnings are for heart diseases not birth defects. Imtrix did not work for me, but Amerge works very well. Almost like a miracle sometimes. Yes, there are times that nothing helps, but Amerge works well for me most of the time. Sorry this is so long. Laura

My 1 year anniversary was in February-sure glad to be around to wish everyone a happy anniversary! I'm celebrating mine by joining a group that visits heart patients the day before their surgeries. I don't know how much help I can give, but I know I was happy just to talk with someone who had been through the procedure. Pam S. in Michigan

DRAGON PATHS Pain is a monstrous person who owns many houses. He is a foreign man, and wilier than I am. When I freeze him out of one abode with needles of novocaine, he moves into another and slants his fierce darts through bone-white windows, drawing my ribs like shutters. This summer, he resides in the manse of my spine, an estate of twenty-four rooms, all wired for light so that he can work at night, setting his land mines and punji sticks deep in my neural jungles. He has captured my best madness and makes war with my hand and my mouth, taking raw meat for his red home of quake and flood and revolutions, whose terms are negotiated in fiery tongues I cannot speak. Trapped in his dragon paths, I try to hide, eyes shut tight, breath short. But he finds me, for he loves me with a hateful love, incendiary in its sticky napalm passion. Serpent warlord, opium-eater and thief of houses, burns the slum we share, hating the hell we live in. In the fallen city of my body, pain lays siege to the walls of my soul, facing me across the gutters of my blood, all that we have in common washing away through the ruins. written by Letha Hunter Bishop, Atlanta, GA (About 7 years ago, when I was working as a dental hygienist, I saw this patient one day who told me about her migraines and told me that she wrote poetry. She mailed me this poem and gave me permission to post it and pass it along. She is a lovely elderly lady, who lives with daily back pain, migraines, post-polio syndrome, and epilepsy, just to name a few burdens, but she has a lovely smile and a positive spirit. She was quite an inspiration to me and I thought I would share her poem about pain. Christy)

Sandra, I feel at home already,thank you for your welcome. I'm glad that I can talk to and relate to people like myself who also get migraines. I will be sure to let you know how my neuro. visit goes. Till later, ANGIE

Hello everyone, Not very long ago someone sent me a website that was very helpful, as it listed approx. time frames for when one would say feel normal. I lost all my bookmarks, first time in years, could someone please send that site again? Thank you.. Cindy

Hello all I've just joined this list. I'm in Australia, am 36 and married with no kids. I've suffered with migraine since my mid twenties, and have found that the older I get, the worse the migraine! I'm also studying naturopathy and in my final year of nutrition I have been given a major research project on a disease of my choice and yes, you guessed it I chose migraine! If this is ok with the list and list members, I'd love to hear from all of you, either via the list or to me privately about your migraine experience, including successes and failures both with traditional and modern medicine. Maybe if it's ok with you all, I could even ask some questions? Cheers. Helen.

I also develop a migraine if I am around strong smelling chemicals including cleaning agents, strong perfumes, potpurri, etc. I usually can tell when I am going to get a migraine after smelling strong smells because it is almost like I get sinus pain around my nose and under my eyes. Then the pain moves to the right side of my head and it is downhill from there. When I put on perfume/cologne I usually put a non-fragrance moisturizer on my skin first where I will apply the perfume and then put on the perfume. This cuts down on the scent and therefore my tendency to develop a migraine from this. Thanks for all of the wonderful information. Jennifer

Hi Everyone Today is Mothering Sunday. I believe that traditionally it was the day when young girls in Service ( working as parlour maids or milkmaids or kitchen servants in large country or town houses) were given the day to visit their Mothers and to take them some flowers or a freshly baked cake. Now it seems to be very commercially orientated - but still a good excuse for flowers and chocolates! Have a Wonderful Day Mothers everywhere! Love Jenny

Wow Cindy, You've sure got your share of medical issues. You seem to be taking it all very well, and I can tell you have a positive attitude. I can understand your wall climbing over the stent placement for your kidney, but I think you'll find it a fairly well tolerated procedure. The fact that you knew nothing about what a heart attack feels like is why one of my goals is educating the public on signs and symptoms. We see so many people who come in with a massive heart attack who tell us "I've had these symptoms for weeks, I just thought I had the flu (or indigestion, or it was nothing, etc)". I encourage everyone I meet to have their cholesterol checked, and to be screened for diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions that can lead to heart attack. And I am every smokers worst nightmare :-). Early detection of even the most minor symptoms can mean early and less invasive treatment. And of course, I'm always on my prevention band wagon. Even post heart disease it is important to work on prevention (probably more important!). I talk with everyone I meet - young and old alike - about their need to prevent heart disease. Keep us posted! Ann Ann McCrea, RN Health Educator & Entrepreneur www.NavigateDreams.com

When I'm able to work, I do freelance photography and writing for military aviation magazines. I've also published two books on the subject and one of them is being updated and expanded for a second edition and will be published later this year. A Canadian air force fighter squadron, the one now at Aviano in Italy for the NATO air campaign, hired me earlier this year to produce a history book about them. They've arranged for me to visit Aviano for eight days. I leave on the train tomorrow (Thursday) to get to the air force base where the supply flight I'm travelling on departs from. I arrive in Aviano early Saturday morning and stay there until the following Saturday afternoon, then we go to Zagreb to overnight, and then fly home on the Sunday. I'll stay on the base that night and come home on the train on the Monday. Of course, I'll have all my meds with me and I picked up a new bottle of Stadol this afternoon. Hopefully, I won't have a bad week and will be able to get some work done. Anyway, I'll be away from tomorrow until late on the evning of Monday, June 13th and it might take me a while to dig through hundreds of e-mails, so if you send one to me, that's why you won't get an answer for a while. Jeff

I always thought my aphasia was just the curse of a large vocabulary combined with absent-mindedness. Except for work (where I've trained myself to go on "auto-pilot" when doing business meetings or phone calls) I tend to look at it humorously. There was the time my wife-to-be and I were travelling and we passed a highway exit for Scott Run, PA late at night and my mind saw nothing unreasonable about a highway sign announcing the exit for Scrotum, PA. Ron

(One of the benefits of being a medical transcriptionist is having all of these medical books and dictionaries at hand) Aphasia, in general is defined as "defect or loss of the power of expression by speech, writing, or signs, or of comprehending spoken or written language, ue to injury or disease of th brain. Types of aphasia include (but are not limited to): Amnesic aphasia (defective recall of specific names of objects or other words with intact abilities of comprehension and repetition). Fluent aphasia (a type of repetitive aphasia in which speech is well articulated and grammatically satisfactory but is lacking in content). Global aphasia (aphasia involving all the functions of spoken or written language and comprehension). Motor aphasia (aphasia in which there is an impairment of the ability to speak and write owing to a lesion in the insula and surrounding operculum). Optic aphasia (inability to name objects seen, due to interruption of the connection between the speech and visual centers). Somatic aphasia (aphasia characterized by a lack of recognition of the full significance of words and phrases). Syntactical aphasia (a type of agrammatism in which some necessary elements for coherent sentences are lacking). True aphasia (aphasia due to lesion of any one of the speech centers). Agrammatism is an inability to speak grammatically because of brain injury or disease, typically shown clinically by simplified sentence structure (telegraphic speech) and errors of tense, number, and gender. Paraphasia is partial phasia in which the patient employs wrong words or uses words in wrong and senseless combinations. Literal paraphasia is the replacement of one or more sounds in otherwise correct words. Verbal paraphasia is a substitution of one correct word or phrase for another, sometimes related in meaning and sometimes completely unrelated. ....... So, I think we have described different ones of the above. The symptom I am experiencing would be verbal paraphasia, as described above. Katherine

Thanks Harold, I was on my way to make some cocoa. I have been worrying that I seem to have some irregular heart for the first time. No more cocoa for a while to see what happens. I wish I could think of something to flavor my 1/2 gallon of water per day (8 glasses). I fill the 1/2 gal jug each morning and drink by 8 pm. Harold Eddleman

Having lurked here for a while I thought this might brighten some ones day. Wishing you all a day free from pain! Rick A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY

Me again. My friend who had bypasses 4 years ago has an uncle (has had bypasses also) who will not walk. He drives his truck 200 feet to his parent's home for his meals. They ask him to walk and offer to come after him if he has trouble enroute. He has ballooned to 280 pounds and his doctor has told him he will die unless he walks. I have a 75-year neighbor (no heart problems) who does no walking, drives everywhere and has begun looking very bad at a frightful rate. He just got back from a 2 week visit to a son in Florida who forced him to walk. The 75-er looks great and is walking some now everyday. I do not understand how he could improve so much in 2 weeks. Harold Eddleman

This book you are reading; is it fiction or medical. I drink lots of cocoa and and wonder if I drink too much. Does your book offer competent medical info on my concern. I had bypasses and aortic valve replacement 16 months ago, but I am not suggesting cocoa has any relation to heart health. It would be nice if it did. I was wondering if I ate too much onion to flavor my bland grain-legume dishes one year ago and my Doctor said "garlic is good for your heart in a German study and I would like to eat more, but my patients object." I just planted 600 onion sets Monday--I will not be able to use 2 per day in 2001-2002, but they are easy to grow! I am also growing a dozen other onion cultivars and relatives plus 6 kinds of garlic. Harold Eddleman

In fact, I've heard this referred to as "Alice in Wonderland" Syndrome. I read that phrase in the book "migraine" by Valerie South about a year ago and it was the first time I realized what that was! I had this happen rather often as a kid, but for some reason I never talked about it.. mostly I think I kept it to myself because I couldn't find words to articulate the very strange feeling. The only words I could find for it were a very strange "proportion" feeling... Parts of my body suddenly feeling huge, sometimes one after the other... and almost like a feeling of falling with it. These only happened in when I was quite young, before I ever got the headaches, which started at about 12. It seemed so bizarre that I didn't think adults would understand if I trying to explain... and ya know... I was probably right at the time! It makes me so curious, as well as quite uncomfortable, to think of all of the various "brain" effects of migraines without having any clear explanation. I've read explanations of blood vessels swelling and pressing on portions of the brain, but this seems so vague and I wonder what other effects there might be. We already know so many.. the visual effects, the speech problems, balance, etc. And what's so different about a child's brain chemistry that it's common to have radically different symptoms such as this "Alice in Wonderland" with the accompanying pain?

Hi Everyone I am reading the book Chocolat by Joanne Harris and now cannot stop eating chocolate. Be warned! Jenny

Hello. My father just had quadruple bypass surgery last week. His recovery moved along very fast, he went home from the hospital in three days, he has had no complications. The problem is: he is not doing the breathing and walking excersises assigned to him to build strength and prevent lung infection. He seems to be feeling sorry for himself. I'm sure this is somewhat common, but I'm getting very frustrated, as is the rest of the family, trying to get him motivated to walk, bathe, build his strength. I understand how difficult this is for him because he still works and is very independent, but now he is dependent on us for a lot. Does anyone have advice? Has anyone else gone through this either as a patient or as a family member? I have a feeling only tough love will work now. Any thoughts? Thank you.

I sure have enjoyed reading your posts today, Sandra. I feel fortunate to have found this list so that I could learn from your experience. You and the others have really been wonderful reassurance. I love it that we can laugh about getting older. Yet, I know that there is something about that pre- and post-migraine "fog" or hangover that sort of makes me feel disconnected. And that, too, seems to have something to do with my eyes. I can't quite focus them, and at the same time can't quite focus my concentration. I feel disconnected internally and externally. Sort of like a table with one leg a tiny bit too short, wabbly, unsteady, unable to "set." I don't have the power to focus my energy - I just feel kind of lost in space. I hate that dull feeling. To me, that is almost (I said ALMOST!!) as bad as the migraine itself. I have always hated being fuzzy-headed and unclear. I never quite fit in to the 60s because I just couldn't get with the program (I grew up in San Francisco during those Haight-Ashbury years). I wanted a clear, level head. Ocular tension is probably the first warning sign that I get, now that I'm getting more sensitive to it. I do think that some foods, such as red wine and sharp yellow cheeses, do make mine worse. They don't seem to trigger them at other times of the month, but if I have had yellow sharp cheese or red wine at the wrong time of the month - watch out! Those have been the worst ones. My heart just goes out to all of you who live with this more often. It wasn't so long ago that I did, too, and I gave up a very good job, with better benefits than I'll ever get again, to escape that stress and that lighting. It has helped a lot, though not completely. Katherine

Greetings, all, I briefly want to mention the live, online forum I have scheduled for tommorrow, Wednesday, February 21, on my website, Gazette.Net (www.gazette.net) on Coronary Artery Disease. February being "American Heart Month", we will have a local cardiologist online to take your questions- from the very specific to the very general- on coronary artery disease, each phase of care, and the medical advances being made in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Join Roger Leonard, MD, FACP, FACC on Wednesday, February 21 from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. on Gazette.Net's online discussion forum, .talks (dot talks). If you can't join us live, you can always submit your questions in advance to dottalks@.... All questions submitted WILL be answered. Hope to see you online! Kindest regards, Christy www.gazette.net

Pam That is terrific news. We are so proud of you! Keep up the good work and feel well and happy! Love Jenny

Just a note to say thanks to everyone for their concern. I seem to be over the seizures for now and I am enduring the migraines. I made it through my dental appt. yesterday just fine. I was really nervous about it causing a seizure or something. Anyway, Thanks, Sandra

Really enjoyed hearing what you had to say, Ron. I make a career out of listening to physicians. It's what I do 10-14 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. I (and others in my field) know something that other health care professionals may suspect but can't confirm as easily as we can - that doctors do truly "practice" medicine. In some areas of medicine, it is more of a science. But even in areas which ought to be "strictly scientific," i.e., what a radiologist sees on a CT scan or an x-ray, is largely open to interpretation. It's artwork, and some are better artists than others. I can hear by listening to a doctor whether he/she really cares about the patient or really cares about his/her job as much as another doctor might. There is great variability. So I always advocate for patient's to "take charge" of their own medical care and pay close attention to their own intuition about their symptoms and the etiologies. A list like this is invaluable, because we are both willing and able to really listen to each other's symptoms and have no ego or career on the line. We do need to remember that doctors "practice" medicine, especially with areas like migraines. There's a lot of wisdom and experience on this list. Katherine

In the last digest I saw lots of comments on various symptoms, precursors, etc., almost all of which were familiar. I've always had very sensitive hearing, sight, etc. and while married had to deal with being told I was just over doing it. However, too much of noise (and my definition of noise is someone else's quiet), bright light (like trips to the mall), standing (my bad spine), you-name-it and there we go with a migraine -- usually after the triggers are gone. My idea of a decently lit room is a dark tomb for others. The medical researchers don't know if being migrainous makes you more sensitive to stimuli or the sensitivity leads to migraines, but there's definitely a correlation. The worst are those that wake you up in the wee hours. Too tired to cope and too much in pain to lie down. The first doc to recognize my headaches as migraines said that "tension headaches" don't wake you up. Seems simple, but no prior doc listened to my symptoms. Even had one doc tell me they weren't migraines cause I got them on both sides. Talk about simple-minded ignorance. The conventional wisdom has been that the engorged blood vessels irritate the nerves. Now they are starting to think that the nerves are causing the blood vessels to dilate. Every day they find out more about migraines, and it only confuses the experts more. At one time or another in the past 40 years I've gone thru every type of migraine and every associated sensitivity. Courtesy of the 'net we can all and each be informed, since every case is different and what works, works and what doesn't, doesn't. Gee, does the association of migraines and brain zaps mean I can explain away my "senility"? I figured that no one would be able to tell when I do get senile, since I've had that problem since I was a kid. (Hmm. About as long as I've had migraines....) Ron

Hello everyone-It's been quite awhile since I posted, so I thought I'd let you all know I'm still here! :) Today is my 1 year anniversary-had bypass surgery on Feb. 16, 2000. It's been an interesting year, full of changes in my lifestyle. I've been trying to stick with my diet and exercise-I have lost 112 lbs. so far, with another 15 to go. I'm exercising regularly 3 times weekly at a cardiac rehab center, and really love it! It's so nice to be a member of a group of people who are going through the same experiences that I'm going through-that's also true of this support group! I'll be seeing my doctor next week for a check up, and I'm actually looking forward to the appointment-I think he'll have lots of good things to tell me! Hope everyone else is doing well! I'm sorry this note is so long-I tend to ramble when I write! Pam S.

Just a blurb I came across this morning.....

Everyone - Hope you are all in chocolate Heaven! Jenny

Hello Everyone, It is some time since I was in touch. Things have fluctuated over the last three months, and I still seem to be going nowhere physically. The treatment for hypothyroidism has had no effect - I am sure it ought to have kicked in by now. The fatigue and all the others symptoms (such a light-headedness, IBS, and the like) seem to point so often to CFS or something like it. The cardiologists found some atrial fibrillation on a 24 monitor before Christmas, but my GP says it has not been seen before, therefore, it could be an aberration. Does anyone else suffer from atrial fibrillation, and how do you cope with it? They want to put me on amiodarone and warfarin, but I have said "no thanks". For a start they cannot have read my notes - I am told if someone has had a TIA you do not prescribe warfarin. Also amiodarone has so many adverse effects it just is not worth it. There is a pacemaker they have kept taking about, but when it comes down to it, they forget. To cap it all I went and cracked a rib last week, and the pain is excruciating. My doctor says I will have let it heal and it could take several weeks! Great! I am sorry, I go on about myself. I was beginning to feel a little better then the above events happened. The problem is depression with all the pain and uncertainty, and the waiting from one specialist's appointment to the next. Yours, Brian

What you found our is true--EECP does not reduce blockage. It's for after the conventional procedures or if they are unacceptable or do not work, We tell all our patients that specifically. ECP is to reduce anginal symptoms despite the blockage MAL

Welcome to the group Art: Im BJ and im 48 and had my double bypass in April of last year. Mine was the result of a heart attack. I also share the itch on my leg and it does get better. I have taken some hints of my wife's beauty regimen and apply lotions on a daily basis. Besides having the smoothest legs in town i find that it seemed to also help the swelling i had. I sit in a recliner and massage the lotion in and i think it helped my circulation. The depression I was told is normal. You are very lucky that you did not suffer an attack. I was and to some degree still am depressed and its the little things that get me. The not being able to help carry the groceries (im not allowed to lift more than 5 lbs) I have no desire to go out and play poker, i cant garden, or any other activity i enjoyed before. I think my "old self" is gone and im trying to find a new self. I might add that I am currently on the transplant list as my attack caused some serious damage. The depression for me comes and goes when I think of what I used to be able to accomplish and what I can do now. I know this is my second chance and I want to be able to do some good with it. I wish i could sleep for 8 hours a day. I have the opposite problem. I can sleep for 2-3 hours at a time and cant seem to get through a night. Its very frustrating im sure adds to my depression. I also have support from a loving wife and family and that is the best medicine to me. Its easy for other to say "snap out of it" . You sound like your on the mend with a good future to look forward to. I try to go with the flow and not force myself into anything and be thankful for today. Wishing you the best. BJ Hammel

Art, I had the depression like you. I had the itch but not the rash.......can't remember how long the itch lasted. When I was where you are I was still miserable on all planes !!lol----took 7 months for me to think that this surgery had not be a terrible mistake !!! LOL kj

Hello everybody. I have sought you all out in the hopes of a "been there, done that - everything's going to be OK" type of response and support. I'll try to be brief. My name is Art Harding, I just turned 65 and have been a Type II diabetic for 15 years. An EKG prompted my doc to talk me into a Stress Test (the result was "Abnormal") and that led to an angeogram (?sp?) - which disclosed "severe coronary disease" The test showed one completely blocked artery and 7 areas of blockage in varying degrees.. A week later I had open heart surgery, 5 (five) by passes. In ICU I began to bleed internally and was taken back to surgery and opened back up for a second time. All this was back last September (2000). I was told because of the diabetes they had trouble finding "good" leg veins. I have incisions from one ankle almost all the way to the other ankle. Chest incisions as well. You all know the spots. When I first got home I could barely sleep. This improved with medication and the eventual ability to sleep on my sides. My first major complaint was (is?) a mental deal: I just didn't seem to care about anything very much, in particular a hobby (ham radio) which I was once passionate about I couldn't care less about. I had a short attention span. During a 20 week Rehab program (I made every appointment and "graduated") I kind of took an informal survey and was somewhat distressed to find my fellow suffers didn't have mental problems to the degree I seemed to have. I was finally released by my surgeon and the cardiac doctor for a year. My GP diagnosed me as have "depression" (not very mocho, right?) and has put me on Zoloft. I must say I am regaining some interest in things, including the hobby, but not yet to the degree I was pre op. On Zoloft about 7 weeks now. I have been told that I did not have a heart attack and that I am lucky. I have lost 20 pounds and my diabetes control is much, much better (I take insulin). Physically I healed very quickly, at least I was impressed. I walk 2 miles a day, 5 days a week and do hand weights, 3 days a week. I have a loving and supportive family. Everything, I was told, was going fine and it seemed to me it was. But then I began to itch - finally a nasty rash broke out which seemed clustered around the incisions, mainly on the legs. My GP scratched his head, put me on Elocon cream and the rash finally disappeared entirely. But the burning itch remains. Over the counter lotions seem to sooth, but nothing seems to cure it? Now I realize this forum is not for seeking diagnosis or to dispense medical advice, but it sure would be nice to hear from anyone who has had these experiences. My questions, I guess are: 1. Has anyone had this itch problem and does time heal it? God, I hate this itch!!!! 2. Is this post op depression of the intensity I tried to describe shared by any of you folks? Do we get to be "our old selves" eventually? 3. I used to need only 6 to 7 hours sleep a day. I enjoyed getting up early, about 5 a.m. and get started on the things I enjoy. Now I seem to need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep each night - and I don't get up till 8 a.m.! I tried to force myself to get up earlier, but no luck. I also seem to need a 1 hour nap in the afternoon most days. Is this normal? Or should I "worry" about it" I probably have forgotten some things, but I've bothered you all enough for the present. Thanks for reading this.... Art Harding Plano, Texas

You are right about that, Mike! To have words that describe what we are experiencing helps a lot, and it helps even more when someone else says it first and you can say "yes, that's what it is!" That's how I felt when you described the vibrating words. I couldn't believe it. Then I turned to someone else in the room and asked, do you see the words vibrating? And she said "no, I don't." So you were right. It has something to do with this post-migraine syndrome I think. It's like that game where everyone is blind-folded and they feel different parts of the elephant. You might feel a trunk of the problem, and I might feel the leg. It seems we are feeling different problems, but not really. It's just one VERY big subject! Katherine

Hi Everyone This is just to wish you all a very happy and healthy weekend! Jenny

Hi---my life is not good---I take Coreg 12.5 twice a day------I just read the adverse reactions and I have most of them. In Nov. I was taken off the Lanoxin during a horrible time determined to be "Accute Anxiety" after that I have sorta hesitated to see my Doctor. I feel sorta foolish even though I do not believe it was all anxiety... just some comment please...? kj

I wish I was in a position to use your treatment. I do not want any more surgeries. My legs swell and it is like my skin is to tight---getting spider veins around my knees where it stretches when I bend my knees. I have gained 45 lbs. since July and have neuropathy and a stricture(or something of that nature) in my spine and firbromyalgia and intercostal neuralgia. I am tired of medicine and hurting and all of that. I only have Medicaid and as far as I know there are none of the machines in Miss. My eyes even have blood blisters or whatever those places are. I appreciate anyone working on methods that are not so painful. Of course the 35 wk procedure would have been to late for me as I had an attack and then the surgery......Thanks for the work you do....I hope you do communicate and are compassionate......everyone should be...kj PS--I am hurting now and also thinking of my surgery 3 years ago! lol.....

Jon--you are doing so well---it was several MONTHS before I described anything on my on my body as being tender.......EVERYTHING on me still was hurting like all sorts of four letter words!! LOL I am such a sissy I guess. I fired home health because they were so cheerful!! My leg was not as bad as some people but there were spots that felt like someone holding a cigarette to it !! My arms and shoulders hurt so bad I could have stabbed it with a hot poker and it would have hurt less!! lol I got furious when anyone tried to cheer me up....I hurt and I didn't want any one to tut tut !! I was horrible and am not really sorry for it--LOL--my pain was indescribable...most people are much tougher than I am and you certainly are! In fact most of the area of the surgery still hurts--something call intercostal neuralgia.....my leg swells more now than at first....you are just doing great and are very brave indeed. I hope you will be 100% very shortly..you are making a good start. Hang in......I am sooo impressed with you....kj

Yes, I would like to check on my leg wound. I had disolvable stitches during surgery on Jan. 17th - running from my ankle to groin area. My lower leg and ankle are swollen - moreso the ankle/foot area. The area around the incision seems to be firm and bright red, warm to touch, and a touch of white near the stitch seams. There is no discharge. Is this normal?

Someone here coined the term "migraine fog"..... I have always just called it a HANGOVER, as no other term is worthy of that horrible after-phase of a migraine. Sometimes it is brief and other times lingers, but is often in direct proportion to the intensity of the pain I had to suffer. I can't believe it because lately I have had the great fortune of frequently being able to abort a beginning migraine by just taking Advil or Tylenol equivalents (I rotate them so as to avoid too much of any one thing). KNOCK ON WOOD, of course!! I really am convinced that the daily dose of feverfew is finally making the huge difference in: DURATION, INTENSITY, and FREQUENCY!! On the subject of light sensitivity, I have ALWAYS been very light sensitive, even with having dark brown eyes (and blonde hair). Even as a kid I HAD to wear sunglasses, although I must add that we lived in Hawaii, Southern California, Puerto Rico and other warm, bright climates! My son has been very light sensitive since he was a wee tyke (he's 18 now) and I have watched him closely for signs of migraines, but so far, he's only had a few bad headaches. Until about a year ago, for the previous ten years I worked as a State of Florida secretary and I could SWEAR that an abnormally high percentage of the other secretaries also suffered migraines... so I always wondered about the computer connection, PLUS the fluorescent lights... NOT TO MENTION the high stress that most secretaries are under (which is a well-known and researched fact)!! Nine out of ten of my migraines begin during the night, but the others tend to begin after being out in the bright sun for a long period. I also cannot tolerate most hats or headwear as the pressure will often induce a headache. Also some (sun)glasses that hit a sensitive spot above my ears tend to make my headaches start, so I am careful in choosing my glasses... and my husband says I wear them too high over my ears. Strong smells, especially CHEMICAL SMELLS are a major migraine trigger to me. Anyone else have big trouble with bleach, strong perfumes and cleaning chemicals? If I walk into a public restroom that has just been cleaned with strong bleach, I will soon develop a migraine. I have a hard time cleaning my house and avoiding some of the smellier products. Foods don't tend to be a trigger, except if I let myself get over hungry and weak feeling, then the headache can be caused by food. Except, I must admit that I am a little afraid right now to eat extremely sharp and aged cheeses which I LOVE, but which I think may have triggered migraines several times. This was meant to be a quick note, and ended up a whole epistle. Thanks for listening...... Love, Penny

Good Morning and thanks. EECP is Medicare reimbursed, and also supported by most reputable major insurers. (HMO's serving Medicare populations must abide by Medicare rules.) The treatment consists of 35 sessions, usually Monday to Friday for 7 weeks. That's a big commitment!! But compared to surgery or other invasive techniques? The results from the multicenter trial ("MUST-EECP") Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology last year show 80%+ response, often two angina classes improvement. That's a lot of quality of life!! And evidence is that it's at least as good as angioplasty, with many people benefiting for the entire 3-5 years of the study. Over 5,000 patients have been treated. There are over 150 machines in the US, and the company is growing. It was approved last year for general use. In all my practice years, I have always spent time communicating. Otherwise it's like getting in the car to go someplace without having thought about how and where. Mark Message: 3 Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 12:21:16 -0800 From: "Ann McCrea, RN" <Ann@... Subject: Re: Re: Hello and a question Hi Mark, Thank you for your contribution to our list. If you look back in our history you will find, that most often the words I share with all heart patients is "be sure to run this by your doctor". I started this list as a support group, not as a diagnosing, prescribing, or treatment group and I make it very clear to all involved that our purpose here is just to support one another. If anyone emails about symptoms/signs they are experiencing, my first words are "what does your doctor say". Quite often what we hear here is "my doctor just doesnt spend the time with me to learn what I am going through" or "I got 5 minutes with him/her the other day, how could he/she know what is going on" or "my doctor was in such a rush", etc. What I hope to provide here is the encouragement to patients to have them stand up for themselves in this crazy medical system of ours. That squeaky wheels do indeed get the grease, that each patient must be assertive in getting the care they need, that if you aren't your own advocate for care you may not get the care you need, etc. Its a sad state we're in healthcare wise in the US, and my role here is to help people navigate their way through the mess. Not everyone is fortunate to have a practitioner like you who is so willing to inform. May I ask how long patients benefit from your procedure? Is this performed once, or must it be done continually to continue the benefits? How costly is the procedure? Thanks, Ann Ann McCrea, RN List Owner Cardiac Recovery Education

Hello.I'm also a migraine sufferer. I've been having migraines since the age of 13 at the onset of menarche. I didn't come to know I had migraines untill my late 20's and that came about through the reading of books on migraine and their symptoms. I didn't get any medical treatment until my mid. 30's and even with the medications that were prescribed(I'm not on them anymore) Istill get them regularly. Anyways on to the subject of light sensitivity,I also suffer from bright lights sensitivity. Especially when I have a migraine the lights can be unbearable. When I get a migraine attack my best friend is a dark room where I can sleep it off. You also mentioned that you have trouble with words coming out right. I thought I was the only one with that similar problem. I really didn't think it was related to migraines, but it could be. I've caught myself several times trying to say one word and another unrelated word comes out. I just stop for a moment and think, what is going on! I often think , is there something wrong with my brain? I took it upon myself to make an appt. with a neurologist, which I will see on 6/7 to see if there is something that can be done for my migraines. Right now the only medication I can take for them is Ibuprofen. It helps sometimes but most of the time it doesn't help. As far as the WORD thing I will ask my neurologist if that is in any way connected to migraines. Untill My Next Visit, ANGIE

Lyn, I purchased these migraine cooling pads "with mentholatum" at Walmart a few weeks ago, and wasn't inclined to use one till last week. I had a hormonal migraine, starting at the neck behind my right ear. I decided to take some fioricet and lay down an hour before my kids got home from school. Frankly, I found the smell repulsive when I had the migraine! I honestly don't know if I would use them again for migraine purposes! I think they could help if you had a really bad sinus headache and stuffy nose! I'll be anxious to hear what you think. I actually had to air out my pillow and wash the pillow case and pillow cover to rid it of the "penetrating vapors" <G NanceT. And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow. <Jerry Chin

Jon: Glad your surgery was a success and that your safe at home. Just relax and get well at your own pace. Some days will be better the others and tomorrow will always look brighter. BJ and Amy

Hi...just wanted to thank everyone for their words prior to surgery - helped understand and appreciate things during the experience of surgery. I had my surgery a week ago yesterday and got home yesterday afternoon. I am told things went very well, a triple bypass was performed and no other damage was noticable. The night before surgery I was advised that a conventional bypass with a vertical incission would not be the best choice and with fewest risks in my case...given my previous laryngectomy surgery 5 years ago). It was recommended that a clamshell or horizontal incission would be best in my case; however, it would also carry an increased level of pain. I agreed with their recommendation and opted for more pain and a lower risk factor. The hospital pain management team was great and inserted an epideral shortly after surgery...otherwise I am not sure the pain would have been tolerable. Yesterday, I was able to walk a few blocks for the hospital to a hotel to catch a bus to the airport and made it home safe and sound. It felt great to sleep in my "own chair" last night...when not walking...sitting up seems to be my preferred posture this past week. I plan to take it easy and rest for the next few days. Again, thanks kindly to everyone for sharing your experience with me...it helped a lot....jon

I reentered the hospital again this week with angina and high blood pressure, also a high fever to boot. My cardiologist did another heart cath it showed everything was ok the stent that i got at the beginning of december is doing it's job.

Dear Friends, We have a new email address. Please note: bishop3@... We hope to hear from you soon!!! Kathie & Bill

Hi, My mother got iagnosed with the Enigma in the early 2000 and undergone a double bypass surgery in May 2000. She has been doing fine except that she is losing weight and showing the signs of weakness. Her appetite is fine, she is eating healthy, but still getting weak. I was getting concerned about this. Thought of checking the internet. Does anyone has any thoughts on this? Wish all of you a good health and good luck. Deep

I don't know if anyone gets the "Migraine Foundation of Canada" newsletter "Headlines" .. I don't ... but one fell into my hands yesterday and there's a short but interesting article about Migraine and Depression. It talks of a study (Henry Ford Health System?) which found that people with a history of migraines "were more than three times as likely to develop [clinically significant] depression. And although it was more common for migraine to emerge first, people who once had depression similarly proved three times more likely to get migraine. They also found a high incidence of anxiety, usually surfacing earlier than either the migraine or the depression." I find this very interesting.. I have often wondered - but read little that dealt with it - about the possible overlaps with other conditions that involve serotonin. I'm not personally clinically depressed, but I have had various sleep issues for most of my life, as well as a tendency toward extreme moods. Now, I know these two things can definitely trigger a migraine (my worst ones are always the come down from stress or excitement) but I wonder about the underlying chemistry issues that these (and other heath issues) may have in common?

Hi Jon Just wanted to add my best wishes from England to say that we are thinking of you and praying for your safe recovery all over the World. Sharon - it is wonderful news that Frank is doing so well Take care everyone Jenny

My name is Fred I'm a heart bypass surgery patient. Here is my introductory story. On 4/14/98 at 3:00pm while at a mental health clubhouse in Ann Arbor,Mi I started to notice very severe chest pains I quickly tought to myself about leaving but, my prior training as a first responder paid off I notifed a student nurse who was doing a rotation there that i was having these chest pain and notify 911 and other staff members at the site of my condition i was in. In the back of my mind i thought iwas going to die but i was very conversive with staff and the paramedics upon arrival. It felt like 3hours had gone by but only 3mins had gone by because of the pains of around a 10 ( the scale of 0 to 10) I knew things were going from bad to worse within minutes after a paramedic started asking me all the cardiac protocal questions and that first dose of nitro along with a IV and the O2 then asking which hospital i wanted to be sent to. I answered St Joe's Hospital because of my cardiovascular team i had in place there. So off i go in a long ride to the hospital but in reality it was a 10 min ride. Once upon my arrival the nurses and drs started the questions all over again and more nitro by mouth was given then but didn't relieve my chestpain then came the Nitro and heprene via IV OH BOY!!!!! After I was admiited as inpatient I was moved to my room with very good sized nitro headache and a mophine fix for the chestpain and headache. After the afternoon events of a stress test on the 4/15 i was shipped back shiftly to my room. On the very next day I had heart cath done. OH JOY!!! I remember my doc saying if their were any blockages they would do angioplasty WRONG!!! When i saw the pictures of heart I had this large lump form in my thorat and my doc who did cath saying YOU ARE A LUCKY MAN TO BE ALIVE ON THIS TABLE!!!!! 100% blockage in RCA and A coronary anyersum in main LCA that about ready to rupture within days :-( So surgery was the only course action lifesaving surgery. During following hours after my cath i had made my choice to undergo a cabg I calmly selected my cardiac surgreon. I accepted nothing best of the best out of the group at Michigan Heart so my choice happen to be the chief of cardiovascular surgery. So that evening around 5pm in evening he comes to my room. We as two gentlemen discuss what was to be done come following beginning of the week of my surgery. On Monday 4/20/98 with my parents by my bedside the day before surgery. We have the pre- surgical meeting. He explained to me and my parents that I was to have a CABGX4 and Mitral valve repair done. On the morning of 4/21/98 I awoke about two hours piror to them taking me to pre-op. During that most private time even though with my parents, members of my church and minster from the hospital, I felt alone with the Lord and God like iwas talking them face to face. Yes We they were all gathered around given prayers for me and the operating team. In following days after the surgery I had various post-surgical complications happening to me. More to follow you free to ask questions of me I will answer them freely because the more i tell my story the healthier I feel mentally and phyiscally. AS of today I'm alist owner of angina@egroups.com another support group.

Jon: Wishing you all the best...does anyone you know have a computer and can keep us informed as to how you are doing while you are in the hospital? Remember your not alone Amy & BJ

Well, the other shoe has dropped, and I now have a surgery date. I am to fly-out and check into the hospital on Jan. 16th, and have surgery on the 17th. I want to thank everyone for all their advice/information. It has been invaluable...especially the practical day to day type information, what to expect, and to not pack anything when travelling alone. Thanks....jon

Hi everyone - I've just been doing some research through the Internet on light sensitivity, and I see that migraines are mentioned in connection with that. In this "migraine fog" yesterday and today, I know that I can feel the tension increase when I go from a darker room into a lighter room, and conversely feel almost a physical relief when I set into the darker room (almost completely darkened). See? This is what I mean, and what I am worried about. I clearly meant to type "step" into the darker room in that last sentence, and I typed "set." I am worried because I just now came across a web site that said speech changes with migraine can indicate brain tumor. But I had a coworker suggest "maybe it's a brain tumor" two years ago because my migraines were so frequent at that time, but I don't feel it is. I feel it is connected to that "fog" and I am anxious to hear if anyone else has noticed either trouble forming words or substitution of words during that time. I will see a doctor, but the last two weeks I've been between jobs (was working on production, and the employer had so much computer down-time that it was impossible to make decent money, so I quit and searched for something else, which I was fortunate to find right away), and I just got hired on a new job a few days ago which is due to begin next week. It will have to wait a few weeks. Thank you, Katherine

hi folks sorry i have just been watching and reading but i wanted to see how everyone else coped with the cabg.i did pretty good i quess with being able to come home the 3 rd day after surgery.i needed no pain medication until 3 weeks after surgery,the depression hit pretty quick and has remained with me now for the last 3 yrs,however i take meds for it and it doesnt bother me unless i miss the med.i try not to do that.i have other problems as well such as diabetes etc.so it is hard to tell which is doing which.i am tired most of the time but that may or may not be from cushings disease or chf.my hubby and i also have custody of 2 small grandaughters,they keep me hopping,6 &7,no wonder i am tired.so now you see why i have just been reading a lot.i havent seen anyone else with my extensive problems and didnt want to add to anyone elses.but the information i get is great,thank you.my memory is also affected,i use post it notes for everything,if i need to run an errand i put the note above my key holder,if i put the note in place i do pretty good without forgetting.it has gotten some better,but it takes time.take care care of your self,dont sweat the small stuff and everything else will fall into place. good luck robyn Whatever we sow...seeds of rejection,bitterness,love, kindness...We will reap in kind.That is the law of life.

Well better late then never. Wishing all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Great Kwanzaa.. May the new year bring us all hope and inspiration. Amy & BJ

I am not sure if I noticed this symptom before, but I definitely noticed yesterday while in this "migraine fog" that a few times I had real difficulty forming a word. I didn't verbally substitute any words, but (twice) yesterday was the first time in my life that I actually stuttered and could not form a word without a concentrated effort. Katherine

First of all, some of you know me from other support boards. To those who don't know me, I guess I am now the 'other' Harold with respect to this board (Harold E, you're doing a great job for us 'Harolds' here!) . I just wanted to point out that there are many ways to jazz up chili, from the choice of beans used, to the types and number of spices, and on and on... I have used with some success , various dried chili peppers, some on the hot side , some on the mild side. I would grind these up with salt, garlic powder, bottled spices all in a coffee bean grinder/processor , to make my own 'special' chili powder. I have also used coriander and cumin . Tomato paste and/or sauce ,I find, is good for flavor as well as color. There is also a 'winter' lentil based chili, which uses cloves and cinnamon, the recipe of which I will post as soon as I lay my hands on it.. Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy Holiday Regards, Harold

Someone had written the other day about a symptom where they intend to say one word but another comes out. I've noticed that, in my last two posts, I've intended to type one word, and another was typewritten. I was not aware of it when I typed it until I read it as posted to this list. But I remember that this first happened to me when I started getting migraines, that I would intend to say something and another word would come out. I did not associate it specifically with the "migraine fog" I was in at that time, and it scared me. It doesn't scare me anymore, but I was interested to read that someone else had that same symptom. Maybe it is migraine-related. Katherine

Thanks for that term, Karen! That was the first time I heard that, and it describes the feeling perfectly. The lack of clarity, inability to concentrate, numbness, difficulty focusing, dullness. Yes, it feels like "migraine fog." I have had it all day yesterday and still today. It nearly really cleared up after the migraine I had on Saturday. On a scale of 10, it was only a 5, but the "fog" has not lingered this way before. Katherine

Thanks for your advice, many people on lists have expressed concern that I might be overdoing things. I hope I am being sensible and I consider all advice seriously. I have worked pretty hard all my life which is somewhat unexpected for a lab bench chemist perhaps, but I often found projects or methods which offered strenuous work. As an example, I once needed to centrifuge (sediment) a virus from culture medium and I had access to 3 centrifuges on 5 floors of a building and I spent several hours every evening running up and down the steps to keep them all going for 2 years. (If anyone wondered what a research scientist does that is an example). That brute force experiment gave some useful results and folks marveled that I had determined the sequence of a peptide released during maturation of the virus (1965). I WALK ABOUT A MILE A DAY ON MY NEW TREAD MILL. I hope you will tell us more about all aspects of your treadmill as I have been watching the used ads occasionally to find one. I saw Kmart advertising a manual treadmill, no motor. It was about $175 on sale. I wonder if it is a useful device for cold, rainy weather? I walked a mile to the store 3 hours ago and I have the "sore throat" like those I had last winter during chilly weather. I did buy two very nice, new, attractive, sturdy items for $30 total at a yard sale. They were a Vitamaster stepper and a Vitamaster stationary bike containing an air paddle wheel for resistance. I bought them with the realization that nobody uses the equipment they buy, but $30 was not a great amount of money to discard. They have set here unused as planned. I did try them out for 30 minutes before I bought them. There were no instruction books. I found them on the web, but no info on using them effectively. I have adjusted the linkages to what I thought is proper. This week I broke my resolution not to use them, and spent 30 minutes on them. I found using them more tiring and muscle aching than walking 3 miles in 45-50 minutes. Recently I heard of a person injuring an ankle on a stepper. After my 30 minute trial, I thought I might use the stepper and bicycle exercise machines for 30 minutes every day, but continue taking my 3-mile fast walks 3 times each week when weather permits. I find these machines very tiring and not causing my pulse and breathing rates to rise as much as the 3-mile walks at 15 minutes per mile. Meanwhile, I will regard them a potentially injurious machines to be used slowly and with caution. I would welcome any comments from anyone about using machines and especially steppers and bikes since I have these. My doctor is a young, trim fellow and owns a treadmill. He is a competitive marathon runner. He never volunteers much info but has given me thoughtful replies to all my questions. I will see him in Jan or Feb for a 6-month visit and prothombin test at the hospital for coumadin purposes. I just read on the web that the blood clots on the mechanical valve and sloughs off and can clog an artery causing loss of blood supply to a region of the body, i.e., stroke, heart attack, amputation, loss of an organ. My doctor expressed concern 11 months ago the "sore-throart-like symptoms" that had for 12 hours every time I tried to walk in temperatures below 75F old. He said, "We don't want bacteria growing on your mechanical heart valve." He did not complete the concept, now I guess he was concerned that bacteria growing on the valve in any clot accumulated there could slough off in the blood raging out of the heart. THE COLD AIR BOTHERS ME REAL BAD ....MAKES ME SHORT WINDED AND EVERYTHING ....CAN HARDLY MOVE WHEN OUTSIDE IN COLD. My doctor says everyone has to expect cold to affect lungs. I regard my "sore throats" as a different phenomena which I wish I knew more about. I have talked to a dozen bypass survivors and all seem to have mucus accumulation in the throat greater than presurgery. One said, I often can't talk until I cough to clear my trough. I thought that was unusual, but I find I often have that problem now. Harold Eddleman

I wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a safe holiday, and to all a good night. clay and family

Hey Gang, It was an exciting Memorial Day around here. I had another Granmal Seizure last night. I am taking it easy today, but I have a dental appt. later today and I am afraid to go. I can't trust myself not to seize and the doc is going to be doing a root canal. It has to be done. I don't know what to do. Do I accept the gas with all the meds I am on? I will tell the dentist everything I am taking, but still??? Oh, and we need groceries around here and the house is a mess. It's so depressing not being able to do what needs to be done. I can't even clean my own house and someone will have to drive me to the dentist. Oh well, Sandra

I remember from several years ago, a particularly nasty migraine. I came home from work and went to bed in my 3rd story apartment. Maybe half an hour later there was a workman type person outside of my window with a bucket. i can still picture him in his overalls carrying that bucket and whistling quite loudly "Amazing Grace". That all would have been ok, except for the fact that I was in a third floor apartment and there was no balcony, and therefore, no workman with a bucket. It was Bizarre! Sandie

In a message dated 12/23/2000 5:45:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, bishop3@... writes: .......I would like to spend what is left with less pain, fewer meds, more energy and with a relationship with my doctor that is not quite so close!!! I choose to do what has to be done to this end. A wise choice Kathy. I made same choices 11 years ago at age 52 after second CABG. Life has been very good to me since then. I cycle about 5000 miles a year and next year the wife and I are planning a bicycle tour in Italy with some friends. I made major changes in my diet and I do not miss any particular foods as much as I would miss the active life I have been living. We will be leaving in a few days for Naples, FL and am bringing the bikes and golf clubs. Hope everyone stays healthy and well and has wonderful holidays. Harry K

Hello everyone - I am still working on this eye/migraine connection. I just remembered that the first person I met who suffered with migraines was a woman who had some kind of dysfunction of her eye(s). I don't remember, but I think it was both of her eyes. They did not seem to focus. She seemed to see fine, but at least one of her eyes seemed uncentered. The word "loose" comes to mind, and I can't think of a better word. It seemed as if all the muscles in her eye(s) were pulled and she had eyes in the sockets, but not functionally. She worked at home as a homemaker, and seemed to have an unusually happy home and church life. Stress did not seem to be a factor in her life at all. She was well known in the community for her migraines, which she seemed to suffer gracefully, but it was obvious she was enduring horrible pain. This was well over 20 years ago. Wondering how the function of the eyes would have anything to do with dilation or constriction of blood vessels in the brain. Katherine

Hi Everyone I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. It is a very stressful time for us all with so many extra meals to prepare for our family and so much food and so many presents to buy - but we will get through it! We did last year and we shall next year! Take care everyone and speak to you soon. Jenny in Falmouth

I believe Mike mentioned having always had a sensitivity to light. I wonder if this is a common trait of migraine sufferers. I remember a picture of myself at about five years old, standing in the sun with my sister, she was able to looking fully at the camera while I was squinting. I have always had light sensitivity. With the combination of this hint and what Ron mentioned about computers and eye strain, I am beginning to realize that my migraines could have a lot to do with my eyes. B