Hello

[Guest guest]

\Hi Josh,

--

I did the pint of oil flush with the lemon juice. Two tbsp after each quarter

cup every 15 minutes. I fasted on apple juice for three days prior to this. The

third evening at 7:00p.m I began the treatment while laying on my right side. I

got two cups of stones out the next day. I was going to the bathroom many times

and each time I went more stones came out. I didn't see anything other than the

green ones. I didn't get any large ones out. I have heard you should do a

flush a month and keep flushing until there are no more stones. I am going to

try the epsom salts next time. Good health.. Diane

On Tue, 18 Apr 2000 12:57:07 Josh Legaspi wrote:

>hello Diane-

>

> Somebody told me take 8 onces of oil, and 8 onces of lemon for 3 nights (no

Epsom), and in the morning the next to drink only apple juice nothing else.

They also said to sleep on my right side for the same 3 nights. The everyday I

went to the restroom and out came some gallstones. This was about a month ago.

I went to the Doctor and he told me that I still have 2 gallstones. Could I do

the cleansing again but this time the one with Epsom? About how long dose it

take for the gallstones to come out completely?

>

>Thanks,

>

>Josh

>

>my e-mail is super2@...

>

Send FREE April Fool's Greetings to your friends!

http://www.whowhere.lycos.com/redirects/American_Greetings.rdct

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Nice to meet you.

In a message dated 5/31/00 4:33:05 PM, cindy2055@... writes:

<< There is degeneration and worsening of symptoms. So, will I be able to

continue what I have been doing (when I thought I had fibro) with CMT??? >>

It may depend on what you have been doing!!

CMTers are not necessarily affected a lot. Some are and some are not. CMT is

called progressive, but the rate is different with each of us. For some it

continues to be mild all one's life. There is NO way to predict, and if

anyone does there is no reason to believe what is said.

Are your feet " funny? " Do you have trouble walking without tripping or

falling? What do your calves look like?

How are your hands?

Why do you think you may have CMT instead of FM?

CMT and fibromyalgia do have some symptoms in common.

Kat in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

My name is a. I am the mother of a 13yo daughter with CMT. I don't have

an answer to your question since I don't have the disease personally. My

daughter was diagnosed at age 8, wears leg braces below the knees called

AFO's(ankle-foot orthotics) but you'll hear slang AFO's. She is very much

ambulatory but is having some problems with her fingers curling called

" clawing " (I hate that term). but the one thing I have learned is that this

seems to affect everyone a little differently. Good luck with the nerve

conduction studies in July.

a

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/1/00 12:55:41 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

mikerobertac@... writes:

<< but is having some problems with her fingers curling called

" clawing " (I hate that term). >>

How about " contracting "

[Guest guest]

another phrase I like rather than clawing is " folded " - someone in mgh chat

said that is how he explains his hands!

Elena

[Guest guest]

Hi Kat,

Thank you for responding to my message. I have always been clumsy.

Falling going upstairs and bumping into things. I don't think my

feet are as affected as my upper body. My feet look ok and my calves

look ok. But my arms are very thin, no strength, and numbness and

tingling in my arms and hands. I know what you mean about the

symptoms being similiar. That is why I am going to be tested to see

what it is that I have. I have good range of motion but no stamna.

I tried cardiokickboxing for a while, but had a hard time keeping

up. My body would get tired after a short time. I guess I think I

have it because my brother just found out he had it and we have

similiar symptoms. I never gave it much thought before he was

diagnosed. But always wondered why the people in my fibro support

group were stiffening up and I was not. I wondered why I had the

range of motion they did not have. Actually I wondered why they were

making a big fuss about nothing. I didn't seem to be as bad as they

were. I know that is terrible to say because their pain is real. I

just didn't feel that I fit in that group but didn't have any other

ideas.

Thank you for your support.

> Hi ,

> Nice to meet you.

>

> In a message dated 5/31/00 4:33:05 PM, cindy2055@c... writes:

>

> << There is degeneration and worsening of symptoms. So, will I be

able to

> continue what I have been doing (when I thought I had fibro) with

CMT??? >>

>

> It may depend on what you have been doing!!

>

> CMTers are not necessarily affected a lot. Some are and some are

not. CMT is

> called progressive, but the rate is different with each of us. For

some it

> continues to be mild all one's life. There is NO way to predict,

and if

> anyone does there is no reason to believe what is said.

>

> Are your feet " funny? " Do you have trouble walking without tripping

or

> falling? What do your calves look like?

> How are your hands?

> Why do you think you may have CMT instead of FM?

>

> CMT and fibromyalgia do have some symptoms in common.

>

> Kat in Seattle

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

Thank you. I know from my brother's research that everyone is

affected differently. I don't know how things will turn out but I am

sure that I will handle it whatever it may be. I have a neice who

has those leg braces. She has a difficult time at times. I am not

at that point. But want to find out what I have for sure.

Thanks.

> Welcome ,

>

> My name is a. I am the mother of a 13yo daughter with CMT. I

don't have

> an answer to your question since I don't have the disease

personally. My

> daughter was diagnosed at age 8, wears leg braces below the knees

called

> AFO's(ankle-foot orthotics) but you'll hear slang AFO's. She is

very much

> ambulatory but is having some problems with her fingers curling

called

> " clawing " (I hate that term). but the one thing I have learned is

that this

> seems to affect everyone a little differently. Good luck with the

nerve

> conduction studies in July.

> a

[Guest guest]

Sue, Lamar here,

Welcome to the list. You will learn a LOT and " meet " some great people. It

surely sounds like the USA is WAY behind when I hear what your country offers.

We have nothing like either of these programs. We do have something called SSI

(Supplemental Security Income), but qualification for that is based upon income

and you must be well below the poverty level to qualify. While a portion of

medical expenses is deductible from income tax (if they are large enough to

qualify) ; transportation, vehicles, and household help are not covered in any

way. They come out of our pocket.

I am a retired Registered Nurse, and became disabled at the age of 49 due to

CMT. (I am now 52) It was only then that I realized how behind the US is in

many ways. I am on other CMT mailing lists including the one from CMT

International. There are several from the UK on it, and I have been amazed at

how much help they get. In many instances, if we can sit, dial a phone, and

talk, we are judged to be able to work; thereby failing to qualify for any

assistance. So consider yourself blessed.

----- Original Message -----

From: Sue Horder-Mason

Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 7:01 PM

Subject: [] Hello

Hello.

My name is Sue Horder-Mason and I'm new to the group, thanks to Gretchen.

I have been following your emails with great interest and would have introduced

myself earlier but my computer curled up its toes and refused to co-operate with

anyone or anything. I could receive emails but couldn't send them. I didn't

discover this until a week after it initially happened, so I was sending them

and was getting paranoid that no one was listening to me. (Sob, sob)

Anyway I'm back on line.

I've been fascinated by the stories I've been reading about how you guys

have to fight for financial support because of being disabled. I live in England

and I'm sorry to say but we have exactly the same types of problems over here. I

have been awarded full mobility allowance which enables me to lease a car (if I

so desire) or money to help me get about. I'm in a wheelchair. I have also been

awarded Severe Disablement Allowance because I'm classed as 80% disabled but

have been turned down for simple Disability Living Allowance which is supposed

to help me pay for help etc around the home. The irony of this is that normally

to qualify for Severe Disablement Allowance I have to be in receipt of

DisablilityLiving Allowance. When I queried this I was told that they were two

different departments and had nothing to do with each other. Confused? So am I.

So I can appreciate the problems the rest of you are having and all I can do is

wish you the very best of luck.

Love

Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue Horder-Mason wrote:

>

> Hello.

> My name is Sue Horder-Mason and I'm new to the group, thanks to Gretchen.

I have been following your emails with great interest and would have introduced

myself earlier but my computer curled up its toes and refused to co-operate with

anyone or anything. I could receive emails but couldn't send them. I didn't

discover this until a week after it initially happened, so I was sending them

and was getting paranoid that no one was listening to me. (Sob, sob)

> Anyway I'm back on line.

> I've been fascinated by the stories I've been reading about how you guys

have to fight for financial support because of being disabled. I live in England

and I'm sorry to say but we have exactly the same types of problems over here. I

have been awarded full mobility allowance which enables me to lease a car (if I

so desire) or money to help me get about. I'm in a wheelchair. I have also been

awarded Severe Disablement Allowance because I'm classed as 80% disabled but

have been turned down for simple Disability Living Allowance which is supposed

to help me pay for help etc around the home. The irony of this is that normally

to qualify for Severe Disablement Allowance I have to be in receipt of

DisablilityLiving Allowance. When I queried this I was told that they were two

different departments and had nothing to do with each other. Confused? So am I.

So I can appreciate the problems the rest of you are having and all I can do is

wish you the very best of luck.

>

> Love

> Sue

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Gang ...

For all those who think Socialism is the greatest, I would like to recommend

three books: 1. The Road to Serfdom " by F. A. Hayek.

2. " Atlas Shrugged " by Ayn Rand. 3. " The Law " by Frederic Bastiat. I know the

benefits seem great in England, Sweden, etc., ... but look at the tax rates!

And is anything worthwhile still being produced by their private sectors?

" Ella " says hi to everyone ...

[Guest guest]

I would like a picture of your gallstones. Thanks.

768@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Tamara,

Unless it is a matter of life and death, I woul strongly

advise against having your gall bladder removed. It serves

an important function (regardless of what the 'Doctor' might

tell you). Although it is possible to 'live' without it,

since it is so easy to remedy your problem through

cleansing/flushing and dietary changes (you'll have to be

even more careful of diet if you have it removed than if you

simply allow the body to heal itself), why put yourself

through such an ordeal (both financially AND physically)??

You have found a list that will provide you more than enough

information on how to solve your problem without surgery or

drugs.

Begin by doing a search of the archives of this list, on

flushes - you will be amazed.

Take care of yourself!

----- Original Message -----

From: " Tammii " <tamara@...>

<gallstonesegroups>

Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 11:14 AM

Subject: Hello

> Hiya..I am new to this group so I will just introduce

myself. My name is

> Tamara, I'm 26 and from Australia and I am suffering from

a gallstone

> which is about 1.5 centimeters in diameter. Its something

that is

> hereditary in my family, (my grandma had it, my mum, my

uncle and my

> cousin). In about 12 days I am going to go into hospital

for surgery to

> have the gall bladder removed completely. My doctor was

like minded in

> this case with me as there is a good chance the stones

will return if

> its exploded (one method of removal) and then there is the

chance that a

> stone of that size will shatter into a million small

pieces anyhow.

> I am stressing over going and having the surgery, though

my doctor say

> its I should only be in overnight (best case scenario)

with about 2

> weeks off work (again best case scenario). They are

apparently going to

> begin with the 5 small incisions and taking it out that

way unless they

> have problems and they have to open me up more.

> There isn't really much on the net about gallstones and

the procedure

> for removal. Im sure I have nothing to worry about.

> The first time I had symptoms my hubby had to take me to

hospital. I

> had severe pain between the shoulders and in my upper

abdomen. It didn't

> matter which part I laid on the pain would travel to which

ever area was

> touching the bed. After a chest xray the hospital couldn't

figure out

> what was wrong with me. I went home and the next day went

to my local

> doctor. He wasn't sure of what it was and put it down as

possible

> indigestion. I'd had a another couple of attacks before my

doctor had

> decided to give me an ultra sound. Upon that the stone

was discovered.

> I was put on a waiting list for hospital which at that

time was about

> three months minimum wait. in between that time I had been

to hospital

> again, vomiting this time and not being able to keep down

pain killers.

> I'm just glad that I will soon be rid of the darn thing!

> Tamara

>

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------

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>

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> Web Sites: http://www.geocities.com/~mycleanse/

> http://home.sol.no/~dusan/gallstones/

> Have a nice day !

>

>

[Guest guest]

Tammii;

I have to agree with regarding your doing more research on the matter. I'm going to extend a bit more too.

I had a very large stone back in February of 99 and was requested by the follow-up doctor to scheduel the removeal of my gallbladder. He told me that since it is thickened and has a large stone that it may not have been working too well for the last number of years.

I wasn't about to accept this as I know it worked because of the belching I use to go through as it was attempting to dump as much bile as it could to help in digesting saturated and hydrogenated fats. So, I did my own research and came to realize the potential of doing a gallbladder flush. The first thing I did was to order Gold Coin Grass from Chang of Sensible Health. I took this for about a month and along with that I drank FRESH squeezed apple juice, which is a bit more expensive than the consentrated type, but, hey! not compared to the cost of the surgury, and the loss of a vital organ. At least vital to me, maybe not to the doctor that would profit from its removeal.

One very important thing to do right from the start is to avoid eating all types of hydrogenated (heated) essencial fats, i.e. deep fried foods and margirine; and satruated fats like what you see when bacon grease cools and coagulates. By avoiding these the gallbladder is less likely to try to dump consentrated bile to digest these harder to diegest products. Then in turn start getting more of the good fats which are known as Essencial Fatty Acids. One in particular is lecithin which is availble in lean meat and soy. Most of the lecithin which can be purchased at health food stores are of the soy type. Lecithin acts on cholesterol like dish detergent does to fats on dishes, it separates the waxy fat, which cholesterol is, and keeps it from coagulating.

Next you would want to make sure to start eating foods which contain both ruffage and soluable fiber. The reason is to cleanse the colon and provide a medium which will be able to carry the cholesterol out of the body that the liver is clearing from it. If you are in question as to whether your colon is really clean then you may want to start a colon cleansing diet too. Or, you may even want to do colon irrigations to get clear it of any putrafied matter that may have accumulated.

If you have, in the past, eaten a lot of food that are refined such as flour products or sugars then chances are pretty good that you've got a colon in need of cleansing. There is more to this process but that can be addressed at latter date.

You live in the country where I was able to get the best information availalbe regarding what to do for the real cause of gallstones, the liver. Dr. Cabot who wrote "The Liver Cleansing Diet" lives in Australia. I highly suggest you consider getting her book and surfing her website to gleam a lot of information regarding the liver and foods which will be will worth the effort.

I speak as a person that has gone the route of sever enough pain to have 4 hospital trips to maintenance the pain level with better pain relievers than roxicet. I'm also one that has no stones as of my last ultra sound in October of 99 and haven't had another gallbladder attack since applying the information I've obtained from Dr. Cabot. If you're curious and want to see what type of stone I got out I will send you (or anyone else) a jpg picture of a couple of the stones I'd gotten out doing the liver and gallbladder flush, but only upon request, because it ain't a pretty site, but it is pretty amazing what sizes can pass through a bile duct.

DaleDa_@...

[Guest guest]

Welcome . Lamar here,

Glad to have you in the group. There is a lot to learn and share here. I am a

52 y/o male from south GA and at least the third generation with CMT in my

family (probably fifth). I have one AFO and must use a cane, but my CMT is

progressing. BTW, I am retired as an RN, after 30 years in mental health

care--due to my CMT.

You sound like you do a lot of good work, in fact it reminds me of my late

mother who had CMT and constantly did sewing for various charities..

Bless you and again, a BIG welcome.

----- Original Message -----

From: cobabies

egroups

Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2000 2:23 PM

Subject: [] Hello

Hello-

I'm new to the list. I'm Swain, I have CMT type 1A,

diagnosed about 3 years ago. So far it is fairly mild--from

what I have seen. I live in Colorado with my

family--husband and six children. I keep busy with charity

work sewing for babies. I have been working with Newborns

in Need, but I am in the midst of starting my own group here

in Colorado called Warm Hearts~Warm Babies. I am active in

our local CMT support group in Colorado and always happy to

meet new friends to share with.

Glad to be here.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Welcome

I am the mother of who is 14 and has CMT type 2 they believe. Hope you

enjoy the group, there is alot to learn from everyone.

a('s proud mom)

[Guest guest]

Caren,

It is so frustrating to feel so crappy when you just

want to feel better. I have been there. Unfortunately,

after explant, it is not uncommon to have bad days. And

in some instances, some women do not fully recover. But

you must remember that it takes time for the human body

to recover from such an insult from the damage implants

due, and then from surgery. I have spoken to women who

have felt better immediately after their surgery, and

others who still deal with fatigue and that brain fog

2yrs later. But, they also feel they are much better

than they were before they had the implants out.

So, it is so important to keep things in perspective.

Any contaminated saline or leaking silicone you might

have had in your body will take time for your body to

process it and detox itself. It can be an

excrutiatingly slow process, but you must remain

positive and try to keep an upbeat attitude. Keep in

mind that no matter how bad you feel, you are much

better off now without the implants than you were with

the implants. You have a lot of support out there, and

many women who are feeling the same thing as you. So

utilize the support systems available to you, and

verbalize your feelings and frustrations.

As for the depression, it doesn't suprise me that you

would be diagnosed with this. And the fact that you

started Wellbutrin, stopped it, and felt awful,

indicates that you do have a clinical depression. I

have read a lot about Sam-e, but being that it is a

supplement, it is not approved by the FDA, and there is

no regulation over the purity you are getting. And you

cannot take a prescription antidepressant with Sam-e.

Being that I am a RN, my professional opinion is to stay

away from the Sam-e and stay on the Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin is an excellent, atypical antidepressant, and

it sounds like it may be working for you. Be aware,

however, that it can take 2-4 wks for the full

therapeutic effect of Wellbutrin to kick in. So don't

give up on it, but rather, stick with it and give it the

chance to work for you.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to write if you have any

more questions. I also want to suggest that finding a

psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist may not be a

bad idea until you get your emotions more stabilized.

You'd be amazed at how therapeutic psychotherapy can be!!

Sincerely,

e, RN, BSN, LNC

> Well it has been 4 months since my explant. I felt like I was getting better

> but the past 5 days have been awful. My obgyn said I have a chemical imbalance

> in my brain (depression) so he gave me wellbutrin. I was taking it and felt

> better and then I stopped and felt awful. I have be spotting for 8 weeks so I

am

> going to have an ultrasound done next week. I was working out and getting out

of

> the house. The past 5 days I have been crying because I feel like my foggy

head

> and the fatique will never go away. I just want to be able to enjoy my kids

and

> life. I can't imagine going on like this for another 4 months. I was wondering

> if anyone has tried that Sam-e. I went to my doctor today and he said I am

> obsessive about my health and need to go see a pyscoligist.

>

> Caren

>

[Guest guest]

> Caren,

>

> It is so frustrating to feel so crappy when you just

> want to feel better. I have been there. Unfortunately,

> after explant, it is not uncommon to have bad days. And

> in some instances, some women do not fully recover. But

> you must remember that it takes time for the human body

> to recover from such an insult from the damage implants

> due, and then from surgery. I have spoken to women who

> have felt better immediately after their surgery, and

> others who still deal with fatigue and that brain fog

> 2yrs later. But, they also feel they are much better

> than they were before they had the implants out.

>

> So, it is so important to keep things in perspective.

> Any contaminated saline or leaking silicone you might

> have had in your body will take time for your body to

> process it and detox itself. It can be an

> excrutiatingly slow process, but you must remain

> positive and try to keep an upbeat attitude. Keep in

> mind that no matter how bad you feel, you are much

> better off now without the implants than you were with

> the implants. You have a lot of support out there, and

> many women who are feeling the same thing as you. So

> utilize the support systems available to you, and

> verbalize your feelings and frustrations.

>

> As for the depression, it doesn't suprise me that you

> would be diagnosed with this. And the fact that you

> started Wellbutrin, stopped it, and felt awful,

> indicates that you do have a clinical depression. I

> have read a lot about Sam-e, but being that it is a

> supplement, it is not approved by the FDA, and there is

> no regulation over the purity you are getting. And you

> cannot take a prescription antidepressant with Sam-e.

>

> Being that I am a RN, my professional opinion is to stay

> away from the Sam-e and stay on the Wellbutrin.

> Wellbutrin is an excellent, atypical antidepressant, and

> it sounds like it may be working for you. Be aware,

> however, that it can take 2-4 wks for the full

> therapeutic effect of Wellbutrin to kick in. So don't

> give up on it, but rather, stick with it and give it the

> chance to work for you.

>

> Good luck, and don't hesitate to write if you have any

> more questions. I also want to suggest that finding a

> psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist may not be a

> bad idea until you get your emotions more stabilized.

> You'd be amazed at how therapeutic psychotherapy can be!!

>

> Sincerely,

> e, RN, BSN, LNC

> > Well it has been 4 months since my explant. I felt like I was

getting better

> > but the past 5 days have been awful. My obgyn said I have a

chemical imbalance

> > in my brain (depression) so he gave me wellbutrin. I was taking

it and felt

> > better and then I stopped and felt awful. I have be spotting for

8 weeks so I am

> > going to have an ultrasound done next week. I was working out and

getting out of

> > the house. The past 5 days I have been crying because I feel like

my foggy head

> > and the fatique will never go away. I just want to be able to

enjoy my kids and

> > life. I can't imagine going on like this for another 4 months. I

was wondering

> > if anyone has tried that Sam-e. I went to my doctor today and he

said I am

> > obsessive about my health and need to go see a pyscoligist.

> >

> > Caren

> >

Caren, after reading your story and e's response I heartily

agree with e's advice for you to stay on the Wellbutrin and

give it time to work. It seems that depression is a common occurrence

with us after being implanted. I have been on a different

antidepressant, Paxil, and I am so glad I finally have something to

halt the tears and emotional ups and downs. Now, I am finally able to

get all my words out without my eyes welling up. It's such a relief.

Take care and be patient,

Becky

[Guest guest]

Hi Caren,

I also agree that e has given you excellent advice and couseling. Unfortunatley, most of us have gone through this Yo-Yo Affect after explantation. However, if you keep some kind of a journal ( which is very beneficial to most of your treating physicians), you will see that you gradually begin having more good days, than bad days -- like over a 6-week span. My NP Daughter, had to teach me this, about looking a much longer periods of time -- rather than comparing today with yesterday; or this week with last week! My daughter is also one of us!

Since my Dow Silicone Implants were in for 20-years, it has been necessary for me to compare longer periods of bad & good days, than for someone who only had implants for 8-years -- plus consider when the "noticeable significant problems" really became reality! Unfortunately, there are sooo many variables with each of us, we must think back seriously -- as to when 'the problems' began! Then you must be able to communicate all this information to some physician that hopefully comprehends the variances in our stories.

Hang in there, and never give up! Please stay in touch with us for any support you may think you need. We are here for you, and others like you.

More later!

Blessings,

Martha Murdock

NSIF

----- Original Message -----

From: REABEEE@...

Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 9:46 PM

Subject: Re: hello

> Caren,> > It is so frustrating to feel so crappy when you just > want to feel better. I have been there. Unfortunately, > after explant, it is not uncommon to have bad days. And > in some instances, some women do not fully recover. But > you must remember that it takes time for the human body > to recover from such an insult from the damage implants > due, and then from surgery. I have spoken to women who > have felt better immediately after their surgery, and > others who still deal with fatigue and that brain fog > 2yrs later. But, they also feel they are much better > than they were before they had the implants out.> > So, it is so important to keep things in perspective. > Any contaminated saline or leaking silicone you might > have had in your body will take time for your body to > process it and detox itself. It can be an > excrutiatingly slow process, but you must remain > positive and try to keep an upbeat attitude. Keep in > mind that no matter how bad you feel, you are much > better off now without the implants than you were with > the implants. You have a lot of support out there, and > many women who are feeling the same thing as you. So > utilize the support systems available to you, and > verbalize your feelings and frustrations.> > As for the depression, it doesn't suprise me that you > would be diagnosed with this. And the fact that you > started Wellbutrin, stopped it, and felt awful, > indicates that you do have a clinical depression. I > have read a lot about Sam-e, but being that it is a > supplement, it is not approved by the FDA, and there is > no regulation over the purity you are getting. And you > cannot take a prescription antidepressant with Sam-e. > > Being that I am a RN, my professional opinion is to stay > away from the Sam-e and stay on the Wellbutrin. > Wellbutrin is an excellent, atypical antidepressant, and > it sounds like it may be working for you. Be aware, > however, that it can take 2-4 wks for the full > therapeutic effect of Wellbutrin to kick in. So don't > give up on it, but rather, stick with it and give it the > chance to work for you.> > Good luck, and don't hesitate to write if you have any > more questions. I also want to suggest that finding a > psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist may not be a > bad idea until you get your emotions more stabilized. > You'd be amazed at how therapeutic psychotherapy can be!!> > Sincerely,> e, RN, BSN, LNC> > Well it has been 4 months since my explant. I felt like I was getting better > > but the past 5 days have been awful. My obgyn said I have a chemical imbalance > > in my brain (depression) so he gave me wellbutrin. I was taking it and felt > > better and then I stopped and felt awful. I have be spotting for 8 weeks so I am > > going to have an ultrasound done next week. I was working out and getting out of > > the house. The past 5 days I have been crying because I feel like my foggy head > > and the fatique will never go away. I just want to be able to enjoy my kids and > > life. I can't imagine going on like this for another 4 months. I was wondering > > if anyone has tried that Sam-e. I went to my doctor today and he said I am > > obsessive about my health and need to go see a pyscoligist. > > > > Caren> >Caren, after reading your story and e's response I heartily agree with e's advice for you to stay on the Wellbutrin and give it time to work. It seems that depression is a common occurrence with us after being implanted. I have been on a different antidepressant, Paxil, and I am so glad I finally have something to halt the tears and emotional ups and downs. Now, I am finally able to get all my words out without my eyes welling up. It's such a relief.Take care and be patient,Becky

[Guest guest]

Hi Caren,

I can identify with all of the feelings you expressed in your letter, and first of all, I want to say that you are not "obsessing" about your health, and the doctor who is telling you this shouldn't be an ob/gyn! (If it is the same one you mentioned.) It reminds me of the doctor (ob/gyn) who is a friend of my dad's, and when my dad told him about my health problems from implants, he said, "It's not the implants. You know why she is sick? It's because she is a woman, that's why!" I wanted to personally go there and wring his neck after a crack like that. Men like that have no business being a "woman's doctor."

You are not obsessing about your health...you just want to get it back, because you did the right thing...you got the implants out, and you are on a journey. This journey is one that you need to take, and the road back to health is a long one. Immune system problems do not go away easily or quickly. I would highly recommend that you find a doctor who you can work with, and who understands that this is a journey you are on, and who is willing to go with you as you heal. You will need someone who is patient and compassionate, not flippant, crass or insensitive.

Personally, I believe that if we can't find doctors to deal with us on the level that we need, we are better off without them. Part of the healing we go through requires working with those who can give us hope. Insensitivity breeds despair. You don't need that, and I encourage all of you who are in relationships with doctors you don't like to end it as soon as possible.

I also don't think we need to see psychiatrists. Now, some may think that talking to these kinds of doctors is helpful, and being able to vent our feelings can be healing, but I just can't see putting it into the context of a medical office visit. Personally, I would rather talk to an understanding friend or a church counselor. However, the end result is that we must face our own healing with a determination to do all that we can in our own strength. We must learn to listen to our own bodies, and determine what makes us feel better, and there are many, many alternative therapies designed to give you that opportunity.

No one out there really knows how to heal us, but we can do alot for ourselves.

Caren, the brain fog is the one remaining symptom that I struggle with. I know that this is the last thing that you want to hear.....I remember my own dark valleys and how I used to think that I couldn't go on another day with my head in a spaced out zone all the time. I could not even fathom living that way for another year. It has now been..... 3 years. I can only look back and shake my head and mutter, "how did I get through it?" My brain fog is much, much better, but has never really gone away. That is not to say that I don't have good days. I do, and I am happy to report that they are very clear, and I feel really back to my good old self! But they do not stay. The brain fog does come back.

From what I can determine, in my own limited understanding, there are several things that make my brain fog worse:

1) Food allergies, to things that I have never been allergic to before. It is hard figuring these out, but I know for sure chocolate, coffee, corn, some dairy, and sugar.

2) Fatigue, or staying up too late at night. It usually hits around 5 pm, and the only cure is a good nights rest.

3) My monthly cycle

I think it all relates to chemicals in the brain, and "sticky blood", or blood where the red blood corpuscles are sticking together as they try to pass through capillaries, and therefore, don't get through very easily. Thinning the blood is very important (which can be done with lots of garlic or cayenne).

What I have found that helps get rid of my brain fog so far is supplements (Vit C, E, minerals, molybdenum especially, and other herbs), and cleansing my colon. I am very, very serious about this last one. Cleansing the colon of toxins is one of the best ways to rejuvate me, and I encourage you to get into doing some enemas. Try it for a month and see how you feel. These are cheap therapies.

I have cried over this as well, Caren, and I think it is very difficult for us to realize what we have lost and not mourn it. I have often mourned the fact that I gave up so much precious time with my kids, that I just don't feel like I used to when playing with them, that I can't read a book and enjoy it like I used to, that I can't get up and dance around because I just feel good, that I can't get in the kitchen and whip up some great concoctions with the zeal that I used to, that I can't just wake up and feel excited about the day, that I don't have the stamina and organization that I used to....the list goes on and on. But, I have never given up hope that I can get better and feel great again. I have come a long way, but yet, I still, at times, mourn the life that I used to have.

In the end, it comes down to a realization that God wanted me to learn something, and I have. Our trials make us stronger when we look at them in the right perspective.

I am glad that you wrote again (I was wondering what happened to you!), and I hope that I have offered just one more perspective on your situation. We have some very educated ladies here who can offer valuable suggestions. I hope you find one that works for you.

Love,

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: jay igert

Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 3:28 PM

Subject: hello

Well it has been 4 months since my explant. I felt like I was getting better but the past 5 days have been awful. My obgyn said I have a chemical imbalance in my brain (depression) so he gave me wellbutrin. I was taking it and felt better and then I stopped and felt awful. I have be spotting for 8 weeks so I am going to have an ultrasound done next week. I was working out and getting out of the house. The past 5 days I have been crying because I feel like my foggy head and the fatique will never go away. I just want to be able to enjoy my kids and life. I can't imagine going on like this for another 4 months. I was wondering if anyone has tried that Sam-e. I went to my doctor today and he said I am obsessive about my health and need to go see a pyscoligist.

Caren

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone...hope all is going well. I just wanted to let you know

that I am still alive even though I haven't been online for awhile,

since I just finished moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho with my new

husband.

Things have been really good lately. I am almost fog free the

majority of the time, still really have allot of pain but not as bad

as it was even a month ago. So I am seeing big time improvements in

my health and I do believe for some of us it just takes a bit longer

than others, compared to 6 months ago I am great.....

I don't have a great internet connection yet however and this slow

one I am on now is really bad after having a cable modem for a year,

I am trying to find a DSL or cable company out here but so far I am

not having much luck at all.

Anyhow there is much hope for us all I truely believe that.

As for me, well it has been hectic and chaotic of course, moving two

states away in a 15 foot truck, with my car being towed behind us,

but it was a fun adventure and I am really happy here and things are

great. I miss my daughter, but I agreed with my ex that he would get

summers with her so that is that, but it is still hard.

I am going job hunting next week so say a prayer for me, cause I

cannot imagine just staying home all the time it will drive me nuts.

My husband has been so great, and all the people I have met so far

are very nice and down to earth and I joined the local health club

and it seems very cool also. THe air is so clean here and it is

pretty so I know that I am home.

Well I have rambled enough I suppose so I will stop and just say

again that I miss you guys and that I hope to get my internet

connection sorted out soon so I can get back to posting regularly.

Love ya all.