Heart Bypass Surgery

Right on , Alice. My 'trigs' were a bit high last blood test, I suspect it was my new habit of making pancakes with maple syrup most mornings. I have since cut back on that type of breakfast to around once a week . My breads I have cut in half (a little respect for Dr Atkins diet?) . Any simple carbs can contribute to high triglycerides. Peas, beans, lentils, rice are probably better choices in the carbohydrates. I'll let you know how my trigs are doing next blood test (which I should arrange soon). I have also lost 4 or 5 lbs this winter. That should help the numbers a bit. Regards, Harold

Jeff, I have been on opioids now daily since 3-95 for my cervical radiculopathy arm nerve pain due to my failed cervical fusion. I may have to take two stool softeners maybe once every 3 or 4 months AND THAT IS IT. I must really be the rare case from what I've heard... I do drink over 6 liters of fluid a day and eat a low fat/high fiber diet, however. I have ALWAYS been thirsty...my entire life my mom says I drank much more than either one of my siblings (and no...no diabetes in myself or any family members) With 3 pain conditions now, I am on numerous meds and some very well may have dry mouth as a problem. I had been on I think 8 different anti depressants and none worked for either pain long term or to help me sleep (including Pamelor---). With TMJ so bad I can hardly open my mouth wide enough to get teeth cleanings, I am not going to chew gum...also I have gotten headaches from chewing gum. I just had a lovely evening....at least it started out that way...until I threw up first in the car in a bag on the way home from the ballroom dance and then in the toilet when I got home! I had been controlling the headache I had today with Percocet but the nausea was still with me (even with Vistaril). I am waiting for Phenergan to get here from my mail order prescription plan (both pills and suppositories---I have never used suppositories...any thing I need to know?) So I'm typing here with Diet Sprite and Fat Free Crackers trying to calm my stomach so I can take my evening meds without throwing them up! If the Phenergran doesn't work, what other suggestions have all of you? Thanks! Blondielou

Janice: I am trying a product call (I think) Stoppers . It is a spray with a minty taste and seems a little more palatable than some products. I only need it once in a while. I found it at Walgreens Drug. They also had several saliva substitutes that were over the counter. Hope this helps. Linda

In a message dated 3/14/2003 11:07:03 PM US Eastern Standard Time, cyoung@... writes: SOMEONE, tell me they've been through this same thing and know another way to fix it. He said take my time, keep the wounds packed and draining and decide if I want to keep up this process or to have him operate. There seems to be no end to the draining, it just keep coming. Its been draining for 6 weeks and I really don't think it will ever quit. Do you think a wound Clinic could help? Please, someone, I'm a pretty tough cookie but this is staring to eat me up. Damn it, I hate it when I cry. IM so sorry you are going through this Hun.. if it helps my leg was cut from groin to ankle my DR said it healed better when cut like that and it seems it did and i am diabetic... and we heal slow Now I have a question what are triglycerides and how do we get them down besides meds? thanks God bless and keep you all Rose if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all..<Ü

I, like many of you had veins harvested from my legs. One three inch cut up top and one 3 inch down by knee on each leg. In my second week I started getting large goose eggs under the cuts on my lower part of my legs. These turned out to be fluid pocket. Fifth week, doc. cuts into these and up leg three more inches, add drain tubes and stiches up the new area. Soon after these areas start swelling also. Large amounts of fluid draining from tubes. Seventh week, doc removes tubes, stiches and fluid still draining even from holes where stiches were. Today, Eight week, two days, he informs me he want to cut again. This time from the very top of the top cut to the bottom of the bottom cut. This will be from my crotch to my knee. He plans to leave this open and pack it to heal in this way. I'm about to lose it. I just got home with the wife from meeting him at the emergency room where they had to open the wounds to let them drain again. I came here first to ask, PLEASE, SOMEONE, tell me they've been through this same thing and know another way to fix it. He said take my time, keep the wounds packed and draining and decide if I want to keep up this process or to have him operate. There seems to be no end to the draining, it just keep coming. Its been draining for 6 weeks and I really don't think it will ever quit. Do you think a wound Clinic could help? Please, someone, I'm a pretty tough cookie but this is staring to eat me up. Damn it, I hate it when I cry.

I saw my new doctor two weeks ago and I am taking nortriptyline (took me a week to pronounce or spell it!). At 10 mg. a day, it is supposed to improve my sleep. Over the next two months we will raise it to 20 mg. and then 30 mg. -- to act as a migraine preventative and also help with my possible FMS diagnosis. I already take prozac for depression. Since both drugs have dry mouth as a side effect, most of the time I feel like I've been sucking cotton. I do have a water bottle with me at most times. And gum. I can't always take my water with me -- what else has worked for people? My dentist has mentioned that a dry mouth can cause problems, so I'd like to find some out more ways to deal with it -- since I'll be going up to 20 mgs. next week. Thanks, Jan B.

Ron: A belated Happy New Year. When my children were in early childhood education, we use to celebrate this holiday due to the great number of Jewish people in our community. The kids (and moms) always enjoyed the apples and honey. A sweet new year to you! Linda

Gotta disagree. I wouldn't know what to do with flowers except give them to the wife. But if you aren't the wife then that might be complicated. :) Maybe a gift certificate for flowers for _your_ next day. And a note: "Just so you have one less thing to worry about". Dunno; I just can't see that too many men see any significance to flowers. And worse, I might take it as a reminder that I missed the _last_ blatantly commercial flower event (birthday, valentine's, etc.).

My wife has just bought a Tens machine and tried it for a day and it worked! The migraine which normally lasts a week only lasted one day. Anybody else any experience? Mir, Will Southport England.

My daughter who will be 23 years old soon, has suffered with migraine headache since she was 8 years old. She finds no relief from the medicines available, having taken Imitrex, Florinal, Floricet, Max-Alt, the list goes on and on. Her headaches are so bad she's had to be taken to hospital numerous times. The most recent emergency room visit was today. The usual procedure is to give her demerol and compazine. She suffers and it's horrible. My husbands health insurance will cover her until 12/31/9. She has been under the care of a nuerologist for years now, and the doctor said she has to go to the emergency room when her pain is so bad, but my insurance company refuses to pay for the ER visits. It goes like this: First you have to get a referral from the primary physician to see the nuerologist. And although the nuerologist has told her to go to the ER, the insurance company says the primary has to refer her, they will not accept the prescription to go from the nuerologist because he is not the primary. Stupid, isn't it? Now, I've called the primary's office and explained this to one of his staff only to be told that Dr. So and So did not refer her to the emergency room and he will not say that he did. I know in the past the insurance has paid for the ER visits, but now they are refusing and the bills coming in for August alone total over $1,200. Has any one of you encountered this problem and if so how did you resolve it? Jicki

It was on the local news tonight that Maxalt is now available in Canada. I haven't paid much attention to posts about it before, so can I ask people to let me know what they think of it. If you think it's been covered enough in posts to the group, feel free to message me directly. Jeff

Hi, I wrote a few days ago about my brother having bypass surgery. Everything went well except he cannot stop hiccuping and itis driving him crazy. He is still in the hospital. They gave him thorazine to try and stop them and it didn't work. Did this happen to anyone on this list? If so what happened and when did the hiccups stop? He has been hiccuping for 10 hours straight! Thanks Sarah

Dear Blondielou, I've been on Methadone for about three months now, I started on 20 mg./day and now I'm taking 50 mg./day and doing ok...having several pain free days at a time, which is heavenly! My dr. won't give me anything different for breakthrough pain, he says just to take "extra Methadone". (I'm not self-injecting Demerol/Phenergan now, as I've done in the past two or three years for extreme pain). I've never tried MS Contin but I know some people do very well with it. What is MSIR...is that MS Contin immediate release? I did try Dilaudid once several years ago, but it made me vomit for several straight hours and hallucinate a lot, so have never taken it again. What about Oxycontin? Have you ever tried that? I do know that it can be expensive. The Methadone is VERY inexpensive, which is great. I am having some side effects from the Methadone, which I wish would disappear, but it's a trade off...not having migraines as often, I guess. Some of the side effects of the Methadone for me are constipation, very groggy most of the time, extreme bruising (might be from aspirin, but it's really bad right now), TERRIBLE nightmares and I see real scary images when I'm first waking up (like bugs crawling, thinking that people are attacking me, etc.), dizzyiness, nausea, extreme muscle twitching and jerking when I'm falling asleep, painful ulcers inside my mouth (not sure if it's the Methadone??), irritability, itching...whew!!! But I'm having some totally pain free days...so right now I'm just putting up with the side effects, hoping they will go away in time. I still have some days with migraines and take Zomig, but it's less than before. Sometimes I wonder if the Methadone is TOO much trouble....I know that if my doctor were unavailable and I ran out of the Methadone, I would go into withdrawal symptoms...and that is very scary. Right now I'm just trying to ENJOY the pain free days I do have. Since you've been on Methadone before, you know how your body reacts to it...do you have any of the side effects I've been having? Best of luck, let me know how you do! Christy

I recently requested ask my family doctor for a prescription for Maxalt after reading about good results from this list. When I went to pick it up-it was only 6 tablets and 5 mg. each. It says to take one every 2 hours not to exceed 6 in 24 hours. This is correct??? One prescription is only 1 days worth???? What has been others experience using the 5 mgs or 10 mgs Thanks Suzanne

Susan: This may be a dumb question but, here goes... Why do you sign off like this? What is Mir? Please excuse my ignorance. Curious Linda Mir, Susan

I just came back from my doctor and he is talking increasing my daily opioids....and taking me off the MS Contin and putting me on MSIR or Dilaudid... Is there anyone on daily doses of these for chronic headaches/migraines??? I would like to possibly be on MSIR or Dilaudid during the day and Methadone at night. I was on this schedule with Percocet during the day and Methadone at night for 18 months and this worked very well for my sleep schedule....the Methadone allowing me to fall asleep within 10-20 minutes. Currently my sleep schedule is WAY off....I fall asleep anywhere from 10:00 to 2:00 to 4:00 to 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning!!! And get up from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with NO CONSISTENCY. Part of the problem is that I do ballroom dancing from 8-10 three or four nights a week (but not even every week depending on husband's work schedule if he is travelling)....insomnia experts always say to not exercise late afternoon or evenings...but that is when they have ballroom dances!!! Thanks!!! Blondielou

Greeting, fellow inmates. I got another question, well several, but will just elaborate on this one for now. Comeing up on 7 weeks now, 3x. Has anyone else run into a problem with fluid drainage for the leg wounds? I mean constant drainage, or if not draining fulid build up to a point where there are large egg shaped pockets just under the skin near the wound. I think I've spent most of my recovery so far with my feet up in the air. THe first time around, I had a large goose ege appear at one end of the wound on my right leg (a double yoker). Another, not so promanant on the left leg. Surgen was pulling 35 to 40 cc out each visit. So he says lets open them up again and I can find where the gland is that produces all the fluid. SO he did, now, the wounds have gone from 3 inches to nearly six inches. Thursday while he was removing the stitches, fluid began running out of the little holes. By the time I got home my pants legs and sock were soaked along with the dressing he had applied. Now he wants to go in and try again. I forgot to mention that he has caused some nerve damage in my left knee from this last recutting. I may not be able to use that leg without a great deal of pain. Who knows, I'm still running and dripping when my legs aren't elevated above my head. Oh, he told me that I had broken the very top wire that held my chest together, not to worry, it had healed nicely. lol I just can't sleep on my side cause the wires are sticking into me. What grade of wire do these clowns use? I know when I did it, it was that first time I went to the bathroom and strained. I could have moved a DC6 dozer that day if the cable had been strong enough. kidding aside, who else with same problem. Chuck

Don't know about this drug in particular, but the uterine connection is not surprising. One of the major side effects of Cafergot (and ergotamine meds in general) is uterine contractions. (Which, by the way, plays into the analysis of the Salem witch trials being the result of ergot contamination.)

Has anyone ever been on the ergot drug Methergine? I am now taking 2, .2MG - 3 times a day. When I read what the PDR said it was used for I freaked out. To be taken by women for 5 days after childbirth so the uterus contracts. I also had to sign a paper saying after being on this for six months I'd go on a one month holiday and have x-rays to make sure I had not developed tumors. Before I started taking this I had a constant migraine of no less than a 3--- on a scale of 0-5. Now I am down to a 1-2. I started these last Thursday. Anyone with info would be greatly welcomed!!!! Suzanne skrohn@...

Sue -- Well, start with a lunar calendar (13 months of 28 days each) and put all the holidays on the new moon or the full moon. Then set the beginning of any "day" to be the evening prior (per Genesis: "It was evening and it was morning, the {x} day"). Then consider that every culture that arose anywhere there were distinct seasons has similar seasonal holidays. Autumn gives you a harvest festival (Rosh Hashonnah, All Saints Day/Halloween), mid-winter we-need-light festival (Channukkah a.k.a. Festival of Lights, Christmas, Saturnalia), spring yay-the-earth-comes-back-to-life fertility festival (Passover, Easter, May Day), and so on. Then take a religion whose church structure was finally destroyed by the Romans and whose cultural/religious/ethnic development has been controlled by 2K years of Diaspora, with every group getting the rules interpreted by their local rabbi ("teacher") and adopting the local country's culture. Confused yet? It gets better...

Hello ...has anyone out there had a defibrillator implant. Could you she a little light on the subject? What can or can not be done with this. Driving? My husband was told at least 4 months before he could drive. Thanks, concerned wife

Hi there, My brother is going in for quadruple bypass surgery tomorrow. I am very freaked out as he is only 41. He had the angiogram today and they could not do the stents because he has too many blockages. I am in a different state but am wonder if you can tell me how long it will take him to recover, etc. How long do the bypasses last and will he be able to resume an active life after or will he have to really watch it. Thanks Sarah

To One and All: On this erev Rosh Hashonnah [the eve, or beginning, of the Jewish New Year 5789] I wish you all to be written in The Book Of Life for a good year. In the words of the "Shehechiyanu" [prayer said on the first evening of each holiday], we thank God for having kept us and preserved us and allowing us to reach this season again. It is traditional at the end of the holiday dinner to eat pieces of apple dipped in honey, to start the new year with sweetness. Ron

Brian, Ways to raise HDL: (1) Excercise (2) Get weight down (3) Increase intake of monounsaturated fats: many nuts, natural peanut butter (NOT Jiff or Peter Pan, see #4), olive oil & canola oil. (4) Eliminate trans-fats (hydrogenated vegetable oils) from your diet. These LOWER HDL & RAISE LDL at the same time and may have other bad effects. Transfats are in most margarines, shortening, and a lot of store-bought foods. If it says "hydrogenated vegetable oil" or "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" on the label, don't eat it. That's what I try to do: I'm 47 and my cholestrol was LDL 45, HDL 48, total 103 last time it was checked. Good luck, Hugh 3XCABG May, 2001

Hello, I have been reading the list for quite some time and appreciate all the good info posted there. I am in graduate school and am working on putting together a literature review on the topic of migraines and exercise. Since this is a topic close to my heart (I have had migraines for twenty years), I don't mind any leg work, but I am finding precious little on the subject. One article says that exertion is a trigger....or maybe not. Exercise can initiate a migraine...or terminate one. Neither opinion is supported with any relevant resources (anecdotal only). Sound familiar? If anyone can lead me to some reliable, relevant sources....especially with reference lists....I would be grateful. At any rate, I appreciate the up to the minute information the list provides. Thanks again....Therese

Its me, long lost nurse of the list. I've been here, read all the posts every day, just have been enjoying having all of you keep the list going. Such a wonderful support system takes place here. Just a few replies to share: Chuck.....I believe we all have a purpose, and it is up to us to pursue that purpose no matter what our circumstances (and sometimes it is our difficult circumstances which define our purpose in life!). You have a nice positive attitude, thanks for sharing it. Now, your son can have the Dodge truck, but I think you should let me have the Willy's. Brian....good hearing from you again. I figured no news was good news from you, in that you were getting back to "normal". Regarding the HDL, there is a product called BiosLife2 that works wonders on raising the good (HDL) and lowering the bad (LDL).... I used to be involved in the business of selling the stuff, but have not been involved for over 2 years. However I still feel strongly that it is a good product that works (has been double blinded and reported in JAMA), so I do still tell people about it (I normally never even mention it here at risk of sounding like I'm selling something). Email me if you want to know more. Art: Your outlook is so great, thanks for always offering your support, especially to those who are really struggling. Have to go get kids off to school, Take care all, Ann

Hi all, Sorry I have been so neglectful of my "family" here. It seems that the further out you get and the younger you are, the less you think this whole experience is ongoing ( I'm officially 16 months out from 4X CABG at 37 years old). True to form, I have found myself slipping into my old ways. I've gained back almost the whole 20lbs I lost post surgery. I got my results back today from my latest bloodwork. The numbers are not good. H.D.L. is only 28 and L.D.L. is a whopping 90 with a total cholesterol of 143. Monday I will be fitted with a Holter monitor to try to diagnose the cause of my ectopic heart beats which average on a good day around 20. I am taking 1mg of Folic Acid daily along with Zocor and generic Tenormin. I also take other meds, but they should not have an adverse effect on my numbers. I have been on Zoloft now for a few months after the doctor determined that I was suffering from post surgery depression before I realized it. (My family is glad he found it because I didn't believe them!) For a while I was successfully fooling myself into thinking this whole thing is behind me but it isn't. It never will be. What I would like from anyone here is some info on raising my H.D.L. I HATE to read so it does me no good to buy books because I never end up reading them. I am not due to see my Cardiologist until April 15th and I dread that visit because he's going to tear me up over slipping back into old habits. Sorry this is running on so long, I just needed to bounce some of this off you guys (and gals) to see what you think. Even if you only respond to scold me, it may help to get me motivated again. Thanks for listening, Brian

Melissa and Bobbie: What side effects are you having with the Zomig? Linda

Julie, I've used one for 3 years now (not for migraines), but unfortunately no effect on my migraines. I had heard a theory that it was the change in hormone levels rather than the specific levels themselves that were a trigger. That made sense considering that pregnancy is often a time of fewer migraines (no monthly cycling). It didn't pan out for me, but everyone's chemistry reacts differently. Good luck with yours. Molly

Suzanne: I also have an allergy to Stadol. I was given a rx for the nasal spray version (very expensive), used it once, and NEVER AGAIN! I was sooooo sick and my HA was even worse than before I took it. I am always afraid that I will be given something with the active ingredient of Stadol in it by mistake but so far so good. Feel better. Linda Suzanne wrote: . To make matters worse they injected Stadol IV and I had an allergic reaction. I thought I was dying!!! I felt separating from my body---drifting apart--I told my husband I wanted him to remember I loved him so much and never all the happiness we had shared. I kinda panicked feeling there were things I needed to do but then I felt calm and that everything was alright. So weird

I recently read "8 Steps to a Healthy Heart--The Complete Guide to Heart Disease Prevention and Recovery from Heart Attack and Bypass" by Robert E. Kowalski. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been down the road leading to bypass surgery. While the book is geared more to older men (let's face it ladies, heart disease has long been considered a "man's disease") it has information that everyone will find useful. Mr. Kowalski writes about his own bypass surgeries at the age of 35 and 41. Attitudes about recovery have changed in the past 20 years and he candidly writes about his physicians' attitudes towards diet and exercise stifled his recovery 20 years ago. There are chapters on making the most of cardiac rehab, changing your diet, tests, syptoms, stopping smoking, cholesterol, sex, stress and more. I found this book at the library and highly recommend it to everyone who belongs to this list. I plan to purchase my own copy soon!

Please look at our website. It is not commercial and we are not selling anything. WWW.diagnosisheart.com It is developed by MD's interested in heart disease prevention and wellness. We have topics on nutrition, preventive cardiology, robotics, and summaries of the latest major research publications relevatn for people who have heart disease and who have had bypass surgery or stenting. There is also a forum for questions which will be answered by MD's. www.diagnosisheart.com

I am 67 years old and had my bypass surgery November 5. Had stent and two by-passes. Because of complications, an artery had to be repaired and right vocal cord paralyzed. I have been told my recovery is coming along remarkably well, in the nearly four months. And I have enjoyed many good days when I have felt much stronger and excited about my progress. The problem I am having is I believe I have overdone and have set myself back in my recovery. Last week I started driving myself to cardiac rehab and doing some errand running. Since then I have had sensations in my chest and back like someone was sitting on me. I could not say I had pain, but the pressure has caused me to become extremly cautious, afraid to do hardly anything. I don't want to over- react; hence I have not talked to the doctor yet. Snow has prevented me going to the doctor and rehab this week. I've rescheduled my appointment for this coming Monday. But, I have been doing alot of sitting and staring at the things I want to do around the house. My husband of 45 years, is completely supportive and has been more attentive than I would have ever expected. We have always done things together; but, he works so hard doing the necessary things around the house (cooking, laundry etc) and now I sit. I'm having trouble getting my attitude straightened out. I know I am only doing myself more harm than good, by fretting over what I can't do and feeling guilty. I'd like some idea what others do that find themselves depressed. I think about how stupid and get discussed with myself, yet I can't seem to shake this self-pity/ guilt attitude. I don't think I'm weird. Nor, is it unusual. I was doing so well and now I'm feeling set-back. Please give me some reassurance.

I have kept a migraine count for the past 3 months. I am going to the dr. today and should I bring this up? July 13-15 migraine, Aug 9-11 migraine, Sept 7,8 (still having one). Would this coincide with my birth control pills? If so, I may have found out my problem. ----- Melissa D. Morgan missy.morgan@...

Monalisa, and others, if you are carrying nitro for two years, make sure it is still 'fresh' .. i.e. that it has not lost effectiveness over time ! Harold

Jan wrote: Mine are too....I get all my words backwards or totally forget what I was about to say. I get the same thing. I stop in mid sentence and forget what comes next. I am constantly "losing my train" (of thought) and have a kind of dyslexia when typing. Thank heavens for the backspace key! Linda

Everything I've read says in general nuts are good for people with coronary artery disease. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids- the same stuff as in fish oil, flax oil, etc. Omega-3's reduce inflamation which is one of the causes for CAD according to the latest research. Peanuts are high in monounsaturated fats which help raise your HDL ("good") cholestrol. Lots of other nuts fall into this category. Macadamia nuts are supposedly the highest in monounsaturated fats. I found reference on-line to a study done at a university (Oral Roberts I believe) in which one group of people with CAD were put on a very low fat diet and another group with CAD was instructed to eat a small quantity of peanuts every day. Supposedly, the peanut group had a significantly lower incidence of coronary events than the low fat group! You can do a quick search on the internet for "heart disease and nuts" or something similar and find many references to the benefits of regular nut consumption. Best Regards, Hugh Odom 3XCABG 2001

Hi All, I only recently found that Nubain can stop a migraine, after my doctor gave it to me at his office. Prior to knowing about Nubain, whenever I went to the emergency room (not very often!) I had to ask for Demerol, because it was the only thing I knew of that worked. As you can probably guess, as soon as I told them at the E.R. that Demerol is what works for me, they immediately treated me like an addict. This was very insulting and frustrating, but I have read that Demerol can act as a heroin substitute for addicts, and apparently junkies often ask for it. I've noticed that some of the people on this list have a medical background, and even if you don't, maybe you'll know the answer to my question: Is Nubain a drug that heroin addicts ask for at the E.R., or have I finally found something that only a migraine sufferer would want? I doubt my doctor will prescribe the Nubain any time soon, so I may have to continue to go to the E.R. every now and then. However, I avoid going there even when I'm in horrible pain, simply because I cannot stand the way they treat me. I'll bet I'm not the only one here who feels this way. Good luck to all! Take Care, Laura

Hi Susan, Sorry to hear you have a migraine. I can definitely relate to your confusion, because my migraines are totally unpredictable. I've been getting them for almost ten years and I still haven't been able to figure out what triggers them. I can only theorize. I can go an entire month or more without getting a migraine, only to be hit with one that lasts for ten days. I agree, it is so confusing and frustrating. Hope you feel well soon. Take Care, Laura

I don't know what cardiologists think, but my observation of people I know on Atkins -like diets is that they lose weight and look good. I also know of one person who lost weight by exercising more, and controlling the amount of food consumed. (actually, tow, if I include myself). I found that going from an Ornish diet (vegan, no meat, higher carbs) to a slightly 'Atkin-ized' diet(added low fat meats) seemed to help my cholesterol numbers. I think amounts are important. If you eat too much fat, it'll get you. Too much carbs, they'll get you too ! Even Atkins seems to talk about 'healthy fats' and 'healthy carbs' (as in veggies and some fruits). Harold

Hi Lyn, Sorry, I don't know much about herbs. But I would be curious to know if the acupunture has been helping your migraines. I've been thinking about trying acupuncture, but I'm also kind of afraid of it. I'm also worried that, as with other alternative remedies I have tried, it won't work and I'll end up wasting a lot of money. But if anyone here has been helped by acupuncture or any other alternative treatment, I'd love to hear about it. I've already tried massage therapy and meditation; all that those do is take my mind off the migraine for as long as the session lasts. They had no effect on the frequency, severity, or duration of my migraines. I hope that the acupunture and Chinese herbs are helpful to you. Take Care, Laura

I am about 8 weeks past my 5xbypass. I just found out that my pre- surgery cholesterol reading was 316! I couldn't believe it! The good news is that it's now down to a healthy 151! Yippee! I am taking Zetia (a new cholesterol-lowering medication) plus Lipitor. My husband and I also have oatmeal for breakfast at least 5 times each week. My doctor is very pleased, as am I. She attributes the drop not only to the medication but also to the oatmeal, diet changes, and exercise in rehab. My husband has lowered his numbers from 235 to 176 WITHOUT medications! He is eating the oatmeal, going along with my diet changes PLUS he takes three Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules every day. This was recommended to him by his orthopaedic surgeon. It seems to have worked. By the way, he lowered it that much in just six months! I am so proud of him. Just wanted to share our good news!

Hi~ hope somebody can help me here...I was given a bottle of 200 small round pills that are Chinese Herbs for Migraine. This is from an Accupunturist. It is called Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan. I'm all for trying a natural approach & have tried many herbs but not sure about this. Sound familar to any one? She said to take 8 at the onset, no caffeine, then 8 more every 2 hours til the migraine is gone! I'm a bit leary to say the least. Thanks. ~Lyn~

Thanks to all who replied. I replied to your post earlier today but it didn't show up. Anyway, I will do my best to ride it out if the good lord will let me and I'm still here in the morning.

Hello! I'm a male, age 56, married, suffered a mild heart attack Jan 9, underwent tripple bypass on Jan 13. Wounds healing fairly good, no infections, some swelling in legs and fluid buildup near incisions. Painful but not too uncomfortable. Still haveing sever chestpains without the help of pain med. Not sleeping well even with pills. I have quit smoking 2 packs a day, lost close to 15 lbs since surgery and I'm sticking very close to recommended diet. Why am I here? Not sure, guess its cause I'm afraid. Cause I don't know the answers to a lot of things. Cause I don't even know the questions. This is not a why me plea, so much as a what now. Everyone says, its only been three weeks, give it some time. You've been through a lot in such a short time. Makes sense and I hear what they are saying but: the fear is still there, and I'm not even sure, of what. Here's a news flash, up until a month ago, I would never have told anyone I was afraid of anything. I can't remember ever being afraid of anything, not real fear. If you have any real idea of what I'm talking about, I'd be interested in knowing how you handled it.

Mine are also accompanied by forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. Does anyone else have these symptoms? Yes, migraine definitely is a "total body phenomenon". Take Care, Laura Amen to that! Yes, I too have these symptoms, if not from the headache itself, from the meds. I guess no one who does not have them can truly understand what we go through. There is nothing like first-hand experience to open one's eyes! Feel better, Linda

Diann, Would you believe someone just suggested to me that I drink cider vinegar for migraines? They said they thought they had read it in a book about apple cider vinegar. I feel sure I've read just the opposite- to avoid it. Linda Isn't it terrible, you get to the point that you would probably drink vinegar if you think it would rid you of these darn things!

Dear Suzanne, I really identified with your letter....I've felt the discouragement and frustration that you are feeling. I just wanted to send you some support....hang in there! You are not alone...you have friends here. And it sounds like your husband is there for you, which is wonderful. I hope they can get your medications all straightened out and just right for you, please let us know how you are doing this week! Christy (Suzanne wrote:) Wow! What a summer!!! I finally got into Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Inst. hospital unit in Chelsea in August. I was only there for 8 days. I feel worse than before. I ended up in the ER last Tues. night. To make matters worse they injected stadol IV and I had an allergic reaction. I thought I was dying!!! I felt separating from my body---drifting apart--I told my husband I wanted him to remember I loved him so much and never all the happiness we had shared. I kinda panicked feeling there were things I needed to do but then I felt calm and that everything was alright. So weird I see Dr. Gordon in Ann Arbor Wednesday and I sure hope he can offer some relief. A droperidal-benadryl protycol finally broke my migraine in the hospital. So they sent me home with midrin, DHE injections, tigan for nausea and zanaflex to relax tense muscles. They also put me on topamax 100mg twice a day which had to be cut back once I got home to 50 because I was falling all over the place and could not keep my balance. We also are trying to get our house ready to sell and find something less expensive. I am on disability and so is my husband. I keep having migraines and have to try and look at homes and it doesn't always work well. I fell like crawling in a dog house. I don't write often and get the digest version . Sometimes it goes 3 days before I am up to reading them. But I really do enjoy hearing what other people have to go through, makes you realize you are not alone. WMUBronco Suzanne skrohn@...

Mine are also accompanied by forgetfulness and short-term memory loss. Does anyone else have these symptoms? ~*~*~*Hi Laura~ Yes, we discussed this awhile back. Most of us have some symptoms &/or after effects that are stroke like & are definitely caused by this Brain Disorder! I work with the elderly & I swear even the ones with slight dementia & short term memory loss do better than me on some days! I struggle to find a word or remember a name of something. My Father suffered strokes in his early 50s & I recall how frustrating it was for him. I do believe that Migraines are a "total body phenomenom" & now I finally speak up & let people know it is more than *just a headache*. Peace ~Lyn~

Hi Everyone - Thanks for the big response to my question! It truly is amazing what we all can do if we have to. And how often these headaches come at the most inopportune times - weddings, exams, holidays... But somehow, if we must, we keep on keeping on, with headaches that would drop most people where they stand! We really are amazing! I'm happy to have survived a killer migraine Friday night into Saturday. I had to go "cold turkey" cause I was pretty sure it was a rebound headache. I get those so easily. Could only take Phenergan suppositories for the incredible nausea and vomiting. Seems lately that if I start vomiting with a migraine, I just don't stop! Sometimes 4-6 times before I can drag myself to the fridge, get out the Phenergan and have it kick in. Does anyone else have this repeated vomiting?? Just adds to the gruesomeness! And another thing - why do they call these migraine "headaches" when really they are a total body phenomenon??? Sheesh!! Hope everyone is feeling well for the holiday! Love, Corinne

I never responded to the question about amazing things that you've done with a migraine. I, too, feel like most people on the list in that I probably have done everything imaginable with a migraine. I have gone to work because I either didn't want to cause myself problems with missing work or I simply had to be there because something was going on. This May I went to a wedding with my boyfriend because I couldn't let him go himself as a member of his family was getting married. I have travelled in a plane with one. I have rode the bus home from work with them so severe that I prayed all the way home that I would get home without having something embarassing happen to me like passing out. A long time ago, I can remember when smells bothered me (they don't anymore) we were driving on the road where they were asphalting the other side of the road and the smell was so intense that I threw up in the car. People who have migraines are anything but weak. It takes a lot to not only deal with the pain and related symptoms, medication side effects, but accomplishing even routine every day tasks are an amazing accomplishment with a migraine not to mention putting up with all the ignorance of family and non-family that simply don't understand this condition. Diann

Hi, Linda... I came across something in a magazine article today that I found rather interesting. It mentioned a condition called polycystic ovarian disease. For whatever reason, you begin to make too much testosterone and cysts develop on your ovaries. From what I read and understand, those symptoms are very similar to what one experiences in perimenopause. It also mentioned that thyroid disorders are very often misdiagnosed as perimenopause in women. The reason I found all this interesting was that it mentioned having severe headaches associated with your menstrual cycle, weight gain, hot flashes, tiredness. All of which I experience. Now, doctors don't like you to diagnose yourself, but I am hoping I can convince either my family doctor or find a gynecologist who would be willing to pursue this further. I went to a female gynecologist last year who just told me that as your female hormones start to decline as you get older a lot of what I described is common. But, her only solution was let's try birth control pills. My big problem is that when you are suppose to start them or somewhere at the beginning of starting them I usually have a bad time with the migraines so it is difficult for me to tell if the pill causes the migraine or I would have had one that bad anyhow. Anyway, I was so scared I would take a stroke with one of these bad headaches and taking the pill, that I could never get past taking even a week's worth of birth control pills. The weird part is that I know my hormones are the culprit so you would think that taking something such as a birth control pill would even everything out. Estrogen patches gave me worse headaches. I have never been a big eater nor did I ever have problems with gaining weight until I started having migraines. I am 5'4" and used to weight 122. I could eat anything without ever having to worry. Since the onset of the migraines, I went up to about 155 lbs. without any bizarre changes in my diet. In fact, as you pay more attention to your diet when you have migraines, if anything I am eating healthier. However, I cannot lose the extra weight no matter what I do. I even went to Jenny Craig and they got mad at me at told me that I must not be following their plan. I was. I would either gain 2-3 lbs. or lose 2-3 lbs. but that is as far as it went. So, I pretty much figure the weight has to do with a medical problem since I am not an overeater. I walk a great deal as well -- several miles each day. So, it really doesn't make sense in my case. My family doctor is of little help in this department. He is a heavy man himself and not really interested in discussing weight issues. When I complain to him, he checked my thyroid which just turned up borderline low, but within normal range. And, he tells me just to eat a little less on my plate at each meal. I am not eating that much to begin with. I always have a headache, although not a migraine (I did at one time have daily migraine so debilitating that I had to be on disability for three years) and the big bad migraines last for days, completely debilitate me and are 100% linked to my cycle. I have been non-responsive to almost every medication that I have tried including narcotics. One severe episode I had this month I took Fiorinal with Codeine and it helped. Another episode later this month, it did nothing. I am not sure what the answer is other than to keep trying anything you haven't tried, explore anything you haven't explored and try to keep faith. You never know what research might uncover or what new medications are being developed. It's very frustrating, though. I know I have had an especially difficult time with the migraines this month. Not sure why, though. Anyhow, good luck to everyone on finding something that relieves this terrible misery. Diann

Hi All, my husband had a 4xby pass in july 2002 he didnt have a heart attack, just a major angina attack though this did alter the heart rythm, even after surgury he has been left with ectopic beats in a lower ventricle he is on more drugs now then before the op, he takes 6 lots of tablets including beta blockers lipid lowering drugs asprin blood presure drugs although he has never had high blood presure, these drugs prevent him for taking anything for a cough or flu I cant understand why when the works been done he needs all this medication, it all so annoys me that he had this major life saving op & he hasnt changed his lifestyle or diet he still tucks in to burger & chips mountains of icecream his idea of excercise is a walk to the car 5 yards away he has gain loads of wieght even his rings dont fit anymore i have started a diet & excercise class & tried to get him to stick to a diet with me to excercise with me, i bought him a bike for xmass but he wont come out with me he says the weather is to cold he always has an excuse, it makes me so mad to think he is still willing to waste his life, someone else could have had that op & really benifited from it im fed up now with going softly softly with him he has 2 small kids 6 & 4 as well as 2 sons from his first marrage & a grandson he is not depressed he is just using excuse after excuse what do i do? Andrea

Hi~ Again I am looking for vitamin B2, Ribo Flavin. A couple years ago after reading of studies & also in the book by Drs Alan Rappaport Fred Sheftell that indicated this could help with Migraines I tried to find it with no success. I ended up getting the B vitamin complex but it wasn't near the 400 mg of Ribo Flavin recommended. My Dr just suggested I try it & so far no luck finding it. I can send away for it. I may have to go to a GNC or Natural Food/Health store. Has any one tried this? We discussed mega doses of magnesium again but because of the laxative effect I still don't want to retry that. But I would like to start the B2. Thanks ~Lyn~

Wow! What a summer!!! I finally got into Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Inst. hospital unit in Chelsea in August. I was only there for 8 days. I feel worse than before. I ended up in the ER last Tues. night. To make matters worse they injected stadol IV and I had an allergic reaction. I thought I was dying!!! I felt separating from my body---drifting apart--I told my husband I wanted him to remember I loved him so much and never all the happiness we had shared. I kinda panicked feeling there were things I needed to do but then I felt calm and that everything was alright. So weird I see Dr. Gordon in Ann Arbor Wednesday and I sure hope he can offer some relief. A droperidal-benadryl protycol finally broke my migraine in the hospital. So they sent me home with midrin, DHE injections, tigan for nausea and zanaflex to relax tense muscles. They also put me on topamax 100mg twice a day which had to be cut back once I got home to 50 because I was falling all over the place and could not keep my balance. We also are trying to get our house ready to sell and find something less expensive. I am on disability and so is my husband. I keep having migraines and have to try and look at homes and it doesn't always work well. I fell like crawling in a dog house. I don't write often and get the digest version . Sometimes it goes 3 days before I am up to reading them. But I really do enjoy hearing what other people have to go through, makes you realize you are not alone. WMUBronco Suzanne skrohn@...

Hi Lyn and Others: Just wanted to reply to your statement . The doc called what I had phlebitis too. I had a very sore arm and a clot in it. I couldn't even get off the couch for days. My condition was actually caused by going to ER for a migraine so severe I had to do something. The person who put the IV in my arm really did a number on it and the stuff (I can't remember what they gave me) really burned going in. It didn't help much either. I definitely was in better shape going in than coming out. I haven't gone back since. I don't want to discourage anyone from going but I avoid it now if I possibly can and I would definitely ask for an injection as opposed to an IV. What do people find is the best treatment to get at the hospital if one needs to go in? Alot of people seem to get Nubain. Is that considered best? Not that the same treatment is OK for everybody.... Blessings, Linda Phlebitis is not a clot, that is thrombosis.

Hi Diann and Nancy: I'm sorta new to the list too and I also suffer from hormonal migraine. You, Diann, described exactly what happens to me! I am 44(yesterday)now and I hadn't thought to have that test. I think I'll ask the next time I go in for a checkup. I'd be happy to hear any new information on how to deal with these suckers. I'm just using the normal methods...preventive meds, Zomig to abort, and fiornal 3 when they come anyway. Some of you guys are kinda making me think it might be nice to try Maxalt. Zomig doesn't always work and I'm getting a little nervous about the delayed side effects. Blessings, Linda I have a lot more of them and they last longer--all centered around "that" time of the month--it used to just be the day it started but now it's the whole week before, the week "of" and sometimes here and there the week after! My dr. is no real help with the hormonal connection--they keep running tests to see if I'm in perimenopause and don't find the "number" they're looking for so say I'm not--never mind that I have almost all the symptoms!

Hi all~ after some research I did find the connection to the Zomig & the phlebitis I have. Printed out the info & took it today to my "old" Dr, decided not to go to the "new" one since he knows none of my history, doesn't have my records etc. Well my Dr agreed it was a reaction to the Zomig, as was the (new word) tenosynovitis I had with Imetrix. That was the hand & wrist pain. So another rare & adverse side effect. He gave me samples of Maxalt at my request. Still a 'Triptan but I'll give it a try. I have the regular 10 mg pill & also the Maxalt MLT.(dissolves) Which do you prefer? Any difference? Thanks ~Lyn~

Interesting article, Susan. Thanks! Wow, one out of four elderly cancer patients who are in nursing homes receive NOTHING for their daily pain? How sad and deplorable. Hopefully that situation will change soon. Now, let's just hope that someday doctors and the rest of society actually understand the debilitating pain of migraine. Take Care, Laura

Hi all I'm new to the group and felt like jotting a few lines down. Today I'm one month post quadruple bypass surgery and six weeks post heart attack.My recovery is going really well,I'm back to taking care of myself(still under the watchful eye of my wife), I'm walking 3 to 4 times everyday.Also may get to go back to work in the office in two weeks and back in the field 6 weeks after that.The only problem's I'm having still is a lack of sleep and some mood swings,Seems like one minute I'm smiling and laughing and the next I'm crying,but the doctors have told me this to shall pass. I've also learned thru all this to be more thankful of what and who we have around us.To look into my childrens eyes and see and feel the love that I had taken for granted.To stop and tell my wife thank you for I don't think I could have made it thru this without her. Thanks for letting me share and babble on and on. Tim

In a message dated 1/26/03 4:38:19 PM, woodstone@... writes: << Information on this newsletter is at the bottom of this page. It has proven a valuable lead to very helpful information for me. Love, Edith Edith, what you say is correct but what a person who is at risk for CAD ought to do is at the next time your doctor has the lab do a lipid profile or liver enzyme blood tests have them also check your homocysteine level. I have three major blockages in my coronary arteries but my homocysteine level is very good (6) where the good range is I believe anything under 9 or10. Chris

I must agree to Dana's remarks. There is nothing like going through the "valley of death" to change your perspective. I now find great pleasure in just watching the birds feed at our feeders(including the crows), watching snow fall, icicles melting, smelling fresh laundry,being able to do the simplest things for myself (like shower, wash my hair, dress). Being able to help in simple meal preparation and help in folding laundry is a real pleasure, now. My husband and I went to church this morning. I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving for life! Even though, I now longer am able to sing (vocal cord injury during ER), my heart nearly bursts with gratitude. I know there will be many days that will be less "sunny" for me; but, regardless of the circumstances, I do know that things work better when we keep a positive attitude. I look forward to the daily messages and I am so grateful for finding this support group. It is one of the things that helps to keep me in the right mind set. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiries! I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your advice and opinions. I think the hardest part of the healing process, so far, has been staying optomistic. I am celebrating the little victories every day (being able to take a shower by myself, cooking dinner, bandaging my own legs, etc.) and I think that is helping. Just a few weeks ago I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel....and every time I thought I saw the light it turned out to be a train! :-) I am blessed to have a VERY supportive husband and family. Keeping all of us in my prayers, Dana

Dana: Normal is relative, but I felt pretty much back to normal in 6 mos and completely normal in a year. I dont know whether or not other people in this group would agree or not but I believe that part of the recovery process is acceptance of your condition. Not acceptance in the sense of falling into some sort of "sick person syndrome", but acceptance in the sense of being ever vigilant against recurrence and taking positive steps to affect permanent change in our lives to lower cardiac risk factors. That is why I have remained a member of this group 1.5 years after my CABGx4 at age 45. Keep posting as you progress! Dave.

JAMA -- February 9, 1994 Letters to the Editors To the Editor---The cloning of the mu opioid receptor is a breakthrough. It is unfortunate that the Medical News and Perspectives(1) report on this contains misinformation about the use of opiates in the treatment of chronic pain. Unfortunate emphasis is given to the "possibility of finding a powerful analgesic that does not become so quickly tolerated by the body as does morphine, which could bring pain relief to people who suffer from chronic pain, patients who are not normally given morphine because of the problems of tolerance." This is not especially tantalizing to those of us familiar with the clinical treatment of (and literature on) chronic pain and drug dependence. Tolerance and physical dependence should not be barriers to use of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain(2,3). The reason that patients with chronic pain are not given opiates when indicated is not tolerance but rather the intolerance in our society to any ongoing use of opiates in non-terminal patients. This has been described as "opiophobia" and is a major medical problem. Some opiophobia may be due to a prevalent confusion between the phenomena of physical dependence and tolerance vs the phenomenon of addiction. Physical dependence and tolerance occur in any patient given opioids, no matter how appropriately, for a long enough period of time. However, in patients with no drug abuse history, after withdrawal from long-term opiates that are no longer clinically indicated, there is seldom any further seeking for opiates. Addiction, on the other hand, is a neurobehavioral syndrome of compulsive seeking and continuing use of a drug despite increasing evidence of adverse effects. The addict will almost always return to the drug of abuse even long after detoxification has alleviated all symptoms of withdrawal. The nonaddicted patient weaned from narcotics after a long period of indicated use will experience some (generally easily managed) withdrawal symptoms and have no subsequent desire to renew his or her acquaintance with opiates. The prevalent confusion between physical dependence and addiction is a pernicious influence among physicians, policy-makers, and the general public. It significantly lowers the quality of life in patients who are unable to find adequate pain treatment and in some cases may even cause loss of life.(4,5) An iatrogenic syndrome resulting from inadequate analgesia has been described, called "opioid pseudoaddiction."(6) The patient with undertreated pain may become progressively more demanding and hostile, exhibiting behavioral changes that appear to the untrained eye as being those exhibited by a drug-seeking addict rather than a frustrated patient seeking pain relief. The elucidation and cloning of the different opioid receptors will have major clinical ramifications in many areas. Perhaps the excitement generated by this discovery will lead to greater familiarity and a better understanding among practicing physicians of the important tools already available for the treatment of chronic pain. Major improvements in the utilization of existing medications could be just as important as the new analgesic drug discoveries that will flow from this seminal biomolecular breakthrough. Alan I. Trachtenberg, MD, MPH National Institute on Drug Abuse Rockville, Md References: 1. Randall T, Morphine receptor cloned-improved analgesics, addiction therapy expected. JAMA. 1993;270:1165-1166. 2. Portenoy RK, Foley KM. Chronic use of opioid analgesics in non-malignant pain: report of 38 cases. Pain. 1986;25:171-186 3. Zenz M, Strumpf M, Tryba M. Long term oral opioid therapy in patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. JPain Symptom Management 1992;7:69-77. 4. Fishbain DA, Goldberg M, Rosomoff RS, Rosomoff HL. Homicide-suicide and chronic pain. Clin JPain. 1989;5:275-277 5. Fishbain DA, Goldberg M, Rosomoff RS, Rosomoff HL. Completed suicide in chronic pain. Clin JPain. 1991;7:29-36. 6. Weismann DE, Haddox JD. Opioid pseudoaddiction: an iatrogenic syndrome. Pain. 1989;36:363-366

Hello to everyone! Today is the five-week anniversary of my heart attack. Yes, five WEEKS. Afterwards I had a catheterization (unsuccessful) and a quadruple bypass. I am only 38 years old! Although I am now doing very well, it's been a long road so far. I have been back in the hospital twice since first being released but feel like I'm on my way to recovery. Everyone keeps telling me that I'll be "better than new"--and I do believe them. My first question is how long does it take to start feeling like a new person? I am starting to feel human again and am gaining more independance every day. I just want this ache in my legs to go away and to feel as if I can cope 100% on my own. (My husband and family have been VERY supportive, although somewhat overprotective in my opinion! :-) ) My second question, and I know I should have asked my doctor, is how long did you have to wait to have sex? Now that I'm starting to feel human again, I want to have ALL of my life back! Perhaps if I'd put the word "sex" in the subject line I'd get a lot of answers! Oh, well.....lol! Thanks in advance for your input! I'm looking forward to learning a lot from the group! Dana

Hi~ about the possible Zomig & phlebitis link... I checked out the Zeneca site because I knew I had seen a long list of rare & adverse *events*. (their word) Under cardiovascular it is listed as rare, thromophlebitis. Also listed was the Musculoskeletal pains that I had with Imetrix & now with the Zomig. So I will take this info to the dr. I'm sure he will be thrilled to see me with a handful of printed material but I feel it's to my advantage to be forwarned & forarmed. ~Lyn~

This is the first time for me to send a message to this board. It is, as of today, only ten weeks since I went through open heart surgery. For over two years, I had been treated for Acid Reflux. On November 5, after eating lunch with my husband and sister-in-law, I started experiencing what I thought was another epicode of Acid Reflux, only to develope a full fledged heart attack. Fortunately, we were only blocks away from a hospital. Three minutes after being wheeled into the ER, I coded. Because of complications in trying to insert the oxygen tube, my vocal cord was damaged (leaving me with a voice that is no louder than a whisper). I could describe other gory details that made the next 15-20 hours "touch and go", but I won't. I was given two bi-passes and a stint. Because of several complications, they tell me I was the talk of the hospital (The Miracle of the Month); especially, when I woke with no evidence of brain damage. I spent 8 days in ICU and another 12 days in the hospital , preparing to go home. There is nothing like such an experience to help a person put things in proper perspective. Nothing is taken for granted now. I look at the smallest things, with a new appreciation. I, along with many of you, am amazed to still be alive. Now, I am trying to learn how to cope with everyday happenings and keep things in their proper order. I am still having to make adjustments in my medications and working to build my strength. My biggest challenge is to be more patient, especially on the days I'm feeling better. I have a very long road yet to travel; however, I am sure step by step I will again be able to live an active and full life. Mona

Well folks, today marks 9 months post-op since my quadruple bypass and in 6 days it will be 6 years since my heart attack. I find it hard to imagine that this much time has passed. Some days I wake up and (first of all I am thankful that I am awake another day) and wonder how I made it this far. I had a remarkable recovery, went back to work part time in just 3 1/2 weeks and full time within 12 weeks, celebrated the birth of our sixth grandchild, another wedding aniversary (29 to be exact), another birthday, lost 35 pounds, lost 8 medications and saved over $200.00 per month out of pocket, got a raise, helped create a garden path (a honey do project), and numerous other mundane things that I will not bore you with. I think you get the point. I am just excited and celebrating one of my milestones and felt like sharing with all of you. If you don't know me by now, this is what I do when I feel like celebrating. I share! Thanks for sharing my moment and I hope you have lots of moments to share too. Barb T

This article on winter heart attacks is very interesting and informative. InteliHealth: Winter Heart Attacks Harry K

This is a message that I received that could be of help to subscribers of this list as well. You can check it out. Love, Edith

Hi Everyone, Thought I'd pose a question about something we all share...the hesitation we have at times to telling those around us that we have (yet another!?) migraine or the inability to surrender to a headache because of something that just MUST be done... I think this question will also show just how strong we really are: What is the most amazing or worst thing that you've ever had to do in the midst of a migraine? 1. I've had root canal work while having a crushing headache. 2. I've assisted in surgery with a migraine (cause there was no one available to relieve me). 3. I went into surgery myself (breast reconstruction after a mastectomy) with a migraine, hoping that receiving general anesthesia would get rid of it...NOT! I could have gone home that same night after the operation except for the migraine. I was so sick they had to admit me overnight. What are your stories?? Corinne

This may seem somewhat obvious but how many of you having problems with low blood pressure are on beta blockers and other drugs that may be causing your symptoms? Maybe an adjustment in dose would help? Also bending you knees to your chest several times before rising from lying down may help some. Good luck! Linda

It has almost been 2 years since my quadruple bypass and additional 4 stents. I'm 41 years old. I am being treated for depression ever since my surgery and I see a psychiatrist regularly. I have to admit that I can't sleep because I sometimes fear that I won't wake up. I'm really having a hard time getting over this. I know I shouldn't feel this way, but sometimes I just can't help it. I hope I don't feel this way for the rest of my life. No kind of pills or medication can take away your thoughts. People can tell me to look on the bright side and keep my spirits up, which I can do for the most part during to day. But when the lights go out at night its different for me, everything seems much worse in the dark. Any thoughts or suggestions from anyone? Thanks for listening. Claudia

Hi Melissa, My blood pressure is not really low, but I do have mild symptoms like you describe. I do not take anything for the problem, the only time it has been a concern really is when I have surgery. The anesthetic always hits me harder than most people, and it takes me a lot longer to wake up afterwards. They just make sure to monitor me closely so it hasn't caused any really issues. Do you take anything for your lbp, I just try (not too sucessfully I might add) to eat several small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones. That seems to help. Hope you are having a good day, Jo-Ann jblumhag@...

Hi Everyone, Last week, for the first time, I ate at Taco Bell and had one of their tacos. The next day I woke up with a horrible migraine, which has lasted for several days. I always try really hard to be careful about what I eat, but I never knew that tacos could be a migraine trigger. This hasn't happened when I've had homemade or store-bought tacos, so maybe Taco Bell puts some kind of preservative in their tacos. Very few of my migraines are triggered by foods, and this one could always have been triggered by something else. But I would be curious to know if anyone else has gotten a migraine from eating at Taco Bell. I hope everyone else is feeling well. Take Care, Laura

Hey everyone. Im new and I didnt have open heart, but my husband did and I thought I might be able to help him more if I join this group and maybe get some helpful information. My husband Roger had open heart surgery (4 bypass) the 6th of Nov of 2002 and its only been a couple months and he's not doing so well. I think he's real scared and I tried to cheer him up and tried to talk with him about his feelings, but he closed me out. Today he was sitting at the diningroom table with his head down and I ask him what was wrong and he said he couldnt breath so well. He just got over a cold. Well I told him to get his behind to the doctor and told my son to warm up the truck and take his dad to doctor. He's there now and I dont know what the his medical doc will say. I hope its not his heart again. He had 2 heart attacks and lost 50% of his heart function. He is 54 years old. I know hes been depressed and scared and God knows I want to help but I feel so helpless. He got an electric treadmill for Christmas from the kids and he's been getting on that some and I try and fix low fat healthy meals, but afraid Christmas I got off track. I know this is a change of lifestyle for life. Well sorry for writing so much and if anyone can give me some good words of wisdom to help my hubby I would be so grateful. Thanks, Barb

I have really low blood pressure also and the Zomig does what Imitrex does for you. I don't think I have felt numb. It scares me everytime I take the Zomig. I feel like my body is just going to shut down. But it does work and after an hour I feel great. Do you do anything for your low blood pressure? If I miss a meal by a half an hour I am shaking so bad I can't hold my hand still and I get all nervous. I wonder if that is a side effect to the low pressure? ----- Melissa D. Morgan missy.morgan@...

Hey Susan... You don't happen to have a brand name for the ice packs do you??? They sound like something useful... I tried Migraine Ice and that was annoying... Julie

My wife broke three of the wires holding the sternium together. has any one else had this problem? She was 45 when she had surgery.

I don't know... What's the definition of an insomniac??? I don't usually go to bed until I'm exhausted cause I can't sleep otherwise. My husband complains about the hours I keep, and I get up early to get the kids off to school... I thought I was a night owl... Julie

Just a note to wish you all a full and Happy New Year w all good health After some delays my Open heart surgery (Aorta Valve + triple bypass)occurred on Nov 14. I was returned to surgery twice in the first 24 hrs. I was kept paralysed and unconcious for 6 days and heavily medicated for 3 more. During the 9 days I remember nothing coherent, a lot of hallucinations, fantasies and a lot of other things I'd rather forget. The official line is I will not remember anything but I remember a great deal. Due to the long period of restraint, the small fingers on both hands and the right side of my face are still numb. Feeling is slowly coming back. When I was discharged from the hospital, despite the fact that I still had major swelling in the legs no diuretic was given despite the fact I have been on a diuretic for over ten yrs. I returned to the hospital within 3 days with congestive heart failure. Four days later I came home. I am grateful for all the daily triumphs and am looking forward to cardio rehab in Jan. I am able to do many things for myself and each new one is a +. I hope to be driving again in the middle of the month. I would be grateful to any who would care to comment of offer advice. It has been quite a ride. I will try to rspond, but typing is still quite a chore Thank you for being here

August 31, 1999 - Magnesium and Migraines Do you get painful migraine headaches? Preliminary research indicates that people who get adequate amounts of magnesium in their diets have a lower incidence of migraine headaches. Although complete data is still lacking, the evidence is suggestive. A daily dose of 250-500 mg of magnesium oxide is the amount suggested to reduce migraine risk. If you are currently taking prescription medicine for your migraines, make sure you check with your doctor before incorporating anything new into your treatment plan. There are other reasons to take magnesium, too. Magnesium is essential for the proper absorption of calcium. If you are taking calcium supplements, make sure that you are getting adequate amounts of magnesium.

Need some info. Had a mugga test for arrhythmia problem last week and news was not good. Ejection fraction dropped 10%. May have to have valve replaced. Has anyone who has had Bypass surgery had valve replaced later. Was the surgery as tough as CABG? I have had CABG 2 times and would not look forward to being opened again, but you have to do what you have to do. Thanks, Harry K

Have a safe and Happy New Year and may "2003" bring, Health, Wellness, Discovery of even greater/better cardiology technique for first time and repeat patients, and Peace to all! Barb

Well I am haveing a cath on the 31st so, i'm going to be starting the New Year off sore but, I want to try and get rid of some stress and watch what I eat more carefully.I hope All Has a GReat New Year!

Hoping everyone had a Happy Christmas and that you will enjoy a great 2003. I was thinking of setting up another poll to see what New Year resolutions you have planned for 2003. Give me your ideas (eg I plan to exercise more) and I will create a poll of the top 10 ideas for everyone to vote for. Might be useful if we all stick to our plans!! Regards Colin Scotland

Ok a little more background. Hubby is about 6 foot tall and has always weighed about 200 to 206. He has never smoked and there is no history of heart disease in his family. He is/was very active, exmilitary, not always running but always doing something, Everything is being done through the VA as it is the only insurance we have. Even the surgeon that did his last open heart said that if they had to open him up against would be vary difficult as all the arteries are going all over the place since they have used both mammary arteries. And where they cracked his chest had developed a great deal of scar tissue the first time and that was only after 9 months, now we are at 9 months now and I'm sure it will be at least another month before they get him on the table. What I was wondering is if anyone had heard of any other procedure to open up the artery from scar tissue without having to reopen the chest cavity? From what the dr say it seems that a stent wont work, for some reason they feel that my husbands arteries are to small or weak or something. That is why they didn't do a stent before. Alice "Hard work may have never killed anyone, but why take the chance?" SUNCREST

surgeries he is no better than when we started. Is this normal? Dear Alice, What are his diet and lifestyle like? In other words has he made any changes to avoid this happening again? When you answer these maybe we can see something that he can do to start an improvement. Can he exercise? Is he very active? In the meantime we can pray for his recovery and return to an active life. What is his family history and his age? Dean Ornish has completed a study of 7 patients who needed Heart transplants and them used his program and now they don't need new hearts. That is a tremendous accomplishment and it points out that there is always hope, even when things don't look so promising. We can make wonderful improvements once we start. Has he studied the information available through Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. John McDougall, etc.? If you would like, I can help you with finding this information for him as well as yourself. If you have any questions, this group can help. There are other groups as well. Hearing from others who have shared the same experiences truly helps. Be well and by the way having you in his corner has already given him a tremendous advantage. Love, Edith

Hi all, I really need you alls thoughts on this. I think that something just doesnt seem right. My husband had a HA in July of 2001, and had his first emergency bypass surgery about 4 days later. In November he started to have problems again. He underwent a stress test and another cath. The dr said that there was a narrowing of the artery that was used for bypass, and that he needed another bypass. In April of 2002 he had the second bypass done. They also did another cath to ensure that everything was open, and they said it was. By June he was having problems again. He went back into hospital, had another cath and the Dr said he had several small blockages and needed 2 angoiplasties done. He had them done in Oct, and the Dr told him that everything was fine and the bypass site looked good. He still never got better and continued to have chest pains. Did another stress test last week, the Dr says that he needs another cath and it looks like there is scar tissue blocking the bypass site. So after 6 caths, 3 stress tests, 2 angoiplasties and 2 open heart surgeries he is no better than when we started. Is this normal? ideas?? Alice

Christy: Yeah, I did just ask my eye doctor and he didn't seem to know what was the matter. Did not seem to feel the duct was blocked and did nothing about it. I guess I've got bigger problems to solve. This is a little one. Maybe someday I'll stumble across the solution. Linda

All the 'triptans (including Zomig, Imitrex, etc.) have potential cardiac side effects. The literature specifically says it is counter-indicated for anyone with any sort of heart trouble. In theory (extreme case) they *could* potentiate a heart attack. If you've got any history of heart disease or trouble, or if they give you bad side effect feelings in the heart area, tell your doctor immediately.

Yah. sorry -- T# is my shorthand for Tylenol #x -- Tylenol with codeine, the number reflecting how much codeine. According to what I've seen, the Tylenol actually works to help potentiate the codeine. As for the constipation, the doc gave me a whole bunch of samples of some over-the-counter cure -- haven't needed it much as my body acclimates very quickly. My diet is usually big on roughage (love to snack on MiniWheats right out of the box, and tend to mix veggies into whatever I'm cooking), but sometimes run into a headache that need more medicating and, in such circumstances, my "normal" eating goes to hell.

To everyone: If there's an 'Al' out there, you're included too ! ( I wrote: "Healthy, happy Holiday to al ! " I meant: Healthy, happy Holiday to all ! Harold

Melissa wrote Hi, thanks for the welcome. I do notice this a bit, but for the most part it works pretty good. The Imitrex worked for the first while for me and then I started having some really scarey side effects involving my heart and just got too scared to take it most of the time. So the Zomig has been a godsend. I tried the Amerge too, but it didn't seem to do too much of anything for me. I have had a hysterectomy - ovaries left in. So I don't really notice too much about the hormonal ties. I guess I should start tracking that, mood swings and all to see if there is a connection. Before the surgery, there did not seem to be a time connection with my periods, although sometimes they would be worse around that time of the month. I usually have at least 2 migraines a week - lasting anywhere from 8 hours to 2 days. Then there are times when I have one every day, and then every now and then - but rarely - there have been times where I would go weeks without one. Those are really wonderful - but much too few and far between. No real rhymme or reason. Have a pleasant weekend. Jo-Ann jblumhag@...

Hello everyone: I am saddened to report the passing of my father at age 71. He had a history of strokes and went into V-fib. Due to a delay in response time, he suffered oxygen deprivation which put him into a coma. Per his express wishes, we ended life support. I learned several lessons which may be worthwhile for this group. At the risk of sounding here they are. First, although immensely stressful (BP went to 160/100), we can experience and easily survive such events. Second, perhaps we should discuss with our spouses/significant others response in the case of such an event. My father's cardiologist and neurologist both explained that earlier prompt intervention may well have saved his life. Finally, the naked truth is that after my dad's first strokes 11 years ago at only age 60 he did little or nothing in the way of rehab, diet, exercise, etc to get himself better. Talking with his doctors convinced me that doing ANYTHING would have gone a long way toward prolonging his life. The message is a happy one, not a sad one. For all of us who are taking steps to prevent recurrence, there is the very real PROBABILITY of leading long and productive lives. For any of you who are so inclined, say a prayer for him. Thanks. Dave C.

Welcome Jo- Ann, You will find a lot of great people here! Christy

Dear Blondielou, Thanks for the letter......very informative~ (Blondielou:) (Christy:) Where did you and your husband learn your craniosacral therapy? I went to massage therapy school about ten years ago and worked for a while as a massage therapist...had to stop working due to increase in migraines....but I loved it when I was doing that and still work on friends and boyfriend when I can. I have not taken the course in craniosacral, but it is fascinating work. I've had it used on my by a physical therapist and by a couple of chiropractors and other massage therapists. (You might want to explain to the group what it is? And how it can benefit? I don't think I can explain it well, I know that the therapist holds or touches specific points on the body and works with the rhythm of the cerebro-spinal fluid in the brain and spinal cord...and it's supposed to have a positive effect on the body and mind). It didn't really affect my migraines at all unfortunately, but it made me very relaxed. (Blondielou:) (Christy:) That is SOOOOOO cool about the dancing!! I watch the ballroom dancing on television and it's so energetic and artistic. Do you think that the physical activity benefits you overall...as far as just feeling healthy and do you think the aerobic effect helps prevent any headaches for you? I've never heard of Ritalin being used for this purpose...I want to read up on this, esp. since I'm now taking Methadone. And yes, my energy level is the pits....I drag around all day. Where does Dr. Hurwitz practice? (Blondielou:) (Christy:) Is titration of the dosage sort of a trial and error thing? I started out on 10 mg. of Methadone a day and now I take about 30/day, but I'm still having some killer headaches and migraines (I get two kinds of head pain). What would you recommend as a good breakthrough med that I could take with my Methadone? My neurologist just says, "just take some extra Methadone".....and I do, but it doesn't affect the headache at all.....so I'm frustrated by this! Like, right now....I would kill for a couple of Fiorinol with codeine....hurting bad. Overall, I've had improvement with the Methadone (been on it for two months), and I have some wonderful pain-free days now....but still having a very severe one every two, three, or four days. (Blondielou:) (Christy:) Those ballroom dancing outfits are sooo beautiful...wow! (Just don't worry about the housework...it's the living that counts!! :o) (Blondielou:) (Christy:) That surprises me, I would have thought that your fibromyalgia symptoms would get much better after exercise! Little do I know. What about swimming? Do you have a place you could swim? I hear it is wonderful for FMS. And massage therapy benefits a lot of people with fibromyalgia. (Blondielou:) (Christy:) Sounds to me like you've got a lot of very good coping skills, along with a caring husband.....very good! (Blondielou:) (Christy:) I've had the in-hospital DHE IV treatment about four different times now over the past several years. It did break the current pain cycle that I was in, but my pain would always return VERY quickly. The doctor would say, "let's put you in the hospital for about a week, ten days, and do this IV treatment, and you won't have another headache for months".........and my pain was always back in full force within just a few days. I got really discouraged. But the DHE does wonders for some people!! So each person is different....I hope it will help you and keep us posted! I saw that on Oprah, too, and a lot of holistic doctors are using the hormonal creams (and some of it comes in a liquid sub-lingual or tablet form)....some women even get headache relief from the hormonal creams or supplements (I didn't...tried it, tried under the skin hormone pellets, tried micronized progesterone, etc., etc.). Hoooray for the orgasm.....aren't hormones just great?? :o) (I'm 43.....and YES.....the 30's and 40's ARE the sexual peak for women! Sometimes a good orgasm will knock out a headache for me....that's better than a pill any day!!) I hope the format of this letter wasn't too confusing...it was the easiest way for me to reply....but if I should have just written my response out in one big paragraph at the top, let me know!! Be well, Christy

I would like to thank everyone for the support and encouragement I really needed it. Everyday I thank the Lord for giving me a second chance and to help me to deal with the new and improved me. Everyone tells me how good I look and I keep thinking I thought I was looking good before the surgery when actually I was looking bad overweight and overworked at work and at home. As I look back at the last 10 years, I was always tired always sleepy I went to bed at 7 or 8 at night if I stayed up later I would be tired when I got up the next morning. I have to admit that I do feel better and I am rested.But one thing that I do know is that I am glad that I made it through the worst part and I would not wish this type of surgery on my worst enemy or someone I don't even know.

Hi to all, I have just found this list and I am so relieved to hear of other fellow sufferers who will know how I feel. My name is Jo-Ann and I live in Edmonton, Alberta. I have suffered from severe migraines for about 20 years now. I am 40 and have five children. I recently remarried, to a wonderful man who helps and supports me in every way, including my search for the causes or triggers for my HA. I have tried numerous things, and I am getting very tired of everyone saying "oh yes, I know exactly what it is, I'll have you feeling better in a couple of weeks" Yeah right! I have been to doctors, neurologists, naturopaths, homeopaths, chiropracters, and dentists. Actually the dentist is the most recent and he feels my trouble all stems from my jaw - the timing correlating back to when I had my braces off. Who knows. Of course, everything includes more tests, of which only a portion is covered by my medical and dental insurance. I guess I should be truely thankful to have any coverage at all. It all just gets so frustrating and so hard to try to remain upbeat each day. My kids are truely wonderful and of course by now understand when they have to stay quiet and be extra helpful. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and pass on how pleased I am to have found a group which I am sure will be a great resource and a great support. I am open to all options for treatment, and currently use Zomig. Thanks so much, Jo-Ann jblumhag@...

Dear Jan, Best of luck at your upcoming appointment...let us know how it goes, ok? Christy

Laura, Can you go to a pain clinic or pain specialist without a