HELP

[Guest guest]

I guess they are withheld for monitoring as I believe I read the list is now

being monitored.

I changed my profile at to no e-mails, but am still getting everything.

Does anyone have a suggestion on what to do to get them stopped???

Pat Eppler

Help

I tried to get to the mgbpostop as well as the minigastric bypass groups on

the site to check out the messages for today. All I can find are those

from 3/28/03---none at all for today. Anyone have any advice? Please e-mail me

at betbyron@...

Thanks so much guys!!

Betty Pappas

[Guest guest]

Quoting shellytang70 <shellytang70@...>:

> Hi, Everyone,

>

> I am a female and 30 years old. I am a new member and really need

> your help, support and experience. I got a lot of informaiton from

> this great group. My ENT said that I have c-tom on right ear and

> suggested me to have an surgery in a couple of monthes. Because my

> current symptom is only hearing loss, but no other symptoms. So under

> this sitation, when is better for operation, now or I can have it

> after a couple of years?

Hi,

Welcome to the group. I hope we can answer some questions and help to make

this a little easier for you. It's best to have your surgery as soon as

you can. There is NO cure for this condition other than surgery. It has to

be done.

Cholesteatoma is usually a " silent " condition for a long time and a lot of

damage is often done before it's even diagnosed. Most of us don't have

much, if any, pain and symptoms don't always occur until growth is

extensive. I had a slight metallic taste in my mouth, a plugged feeling in

my ear and hearing loss for a long time. It wasn't until I had extensive

ear infections, both middle and outer ear, before I could convince anyone

to do something about it. By that time, my cholesteatoma had been growing

for oven ten years and two of my three inner ear bones (ossicles) were

totally dissolved. One facial nerve had to be removed. Seven months

later, a second-look surgery showed my incus to be gone and I had

regrowth.

> Anyone know how fast c-tom grow? And because my right ear has a little

> hearing, is it possible that I do not have

> any hearing at right ear after the 1st surgery?

Sometimes the cholesteatoma itself acts as a sound conducting bridge to the

inner ear. When it's removed, the bridge is no longer there and there is

hearing loss. Ask your surgeon about reconstruction of your hearing.

There is a good chance you could be a candidate.

> If I have surgery, how long it will take for recovery after surgery?

> Can I go back to work/normal life after 2 weeks as I am a software

> engineer?

My sweetie is also a software engineer :-D Barring serious complications,

you will most likely be back at work full time after two weeks and maybe

even part time or more before then.

> Any imformation is appreciated!

>

>

Diane Brunet

--

http:/www.sassysuds.com

[Guest guest]

Hi

Ctoma isn't a particularly fast moving disease and a two month wait sounds

reasonable. However it is a progressive disease so definitely don't put it

off for two years. It may not be too severe at the moment but you can never

tell for sure how far the disease has advanced or when it may reach a

critical point. That can mean some really heavy duty symptoms such as

balance problems, facial paralysis, deafness and an awful lot of pain. Once

you start to get these, they may be irreversible even by surgery.

Will you have less hearing after the surgery? The conventional wisdom is

that the ctoma in may be helping to conduct sound through the middle ear

and only when it's removed can you gauge the true extent of your hearing

loss. You may hear less well after the surgery but anyway you'd certainly

lose all your hearing if you didn't have the surgery. If you have lost some

hearing and the ctoma hasn't become too destructive then you'd be in line

for hearing reconstruction surgery - usually about 6 to 8 months later.

About the recovery time. The mantra on this site is 'Everyone is different'.

That's true! You have to give your body whatever time it needs to recover.

It's better to take more time off rather than less. Surgery is obviously a

shock to the system and that's probably what you'd expect from having your

head operated, basically a head injury albeit an intentional and beneficial

one. So you may feel groggy, dizzy, exhausted and sore. Some people spring

back into action the following day and others need to lie down for two

weeks.

Welcome to th group

Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi,all,

Thanks for your very helpful information!

Diane,

What's metallic taste ? I have some special taste feeling under my

tone for 5 years. But I do not associate it with c-tom.

Which operation type is a good and reasonable process becaues

different people mentioned different operation name, like canal down?

> Quoting shellytang70 <shellytang70@y...>:

>

> > Hi, Everyone,

> >

> > I am a female and 30 years old. I am a new member and really need

> > your help, support and experience. I got a lot of informaiton

from

> > this great group. My ENT said that I have c-tom on right ear and

> > suggested me to have an surgery in a couple of monthes. Because

my

> > current symptom is only hearing loss, but no other symptoms. So

under

> > this sitation, when is better for operation, now or I can have it

> > after a couple of years?

>

> Hi,

>

> Welcome to the group. I hope we can answer some questions and help

to make

> this a little easier for you. It's best to have your surgery as

soon as

> you can. There is NO cure for this condition other than surgery.

It has to

> be done.

>

> Cholesteatoma is usually a " silent " condition for a long time and a

lot of

> damage is often done before it's even diagnosed. Most of us don't

have

> much, if any, pain and symptoms don't always occur until growth is

> extensive. I had a slight metallic taste in my mouth, a plugged

feeling in

> my ear and hearing loss for a long time. It wasn't until I had

extensive

> ear infections, both middle and outer ear, before I could convince

anyone

> to do something about it. By that time, my cholesteatoma had been

growing

> for oven ten years and two of my three inner ear bones (ossicles)

were

> totally dissolved. One facial nerve had to be removed. Seven

months

> later, a second-look surgery showed my incus to be gone and I had

> regrowth.

>

> > Anyone know how fast c-tom grow? And because my right ear has a

little

> > hearing, is it possible that I do not have

> > any hearing at right ear after the 1st surgery?

>

> Sometimes the cholesteatoma itself acts as a sound conducting

bridge to the

> inner ear. When it's removed, the bridge is no longer there and

there is

> hearing loss. Ask your surgeon about reconstruction of your

hearing.

> There is a good chance you could be a candidate.

>

> > If I have surgery, how long it will take for recovery after

surgery?

> > Can I go back to work/normal life after 2 weeks as I am a

software

> > engineer?

>

> My sweetie is also a software engineer :-D Barring serious

complications,

> you will most likely be back at work full time after two weeks and

maybe

> even part time or more before then.

>

>

> > Any imformation is appreciated!

>

> >

> >

>

> Diane Brunet

>

> --

> http:/www.sassysuds.com

[Guest guest]

Hi

You ca get distorted (metallic or chemical) taste on the affected ear side.

This is because a branchof the nerve that runs through your ear carries

taste sensations from your tongue to your brain. Sometimes the nerve gets

stretched from the pressure of the c-toma., sometimes the thin bone covering

the nerve is eroded away. Other parts of this nerve also control the

movements and sensations of your eye, face, mouth, jaw, neck and shoulder.

So check to see if you have any slight loss of mobility on the affected side

compared to the good side or any stiffness in your neck or shoulder etc.

The type of surgery depends on what the surgeon needs to do to get at the

ctoma. The chances are that you'll be having a canal wall up, this generally

keeps your ear and eardrum as intact as possible, usually with aim of

preserving your hearing and reconstructing any missing or damaged hearing

bones - the disadvantage is that there's a greater chance of the ctoma

returning at some time in the future. Canal wall down is less concerned wtih

saving your hearing and leaves your ear as a widened open cavity, often

wthout any hearing bones or eardrum - the disadvantage here is that you'd

have to avoid getting water in your ear and would need to have ear cleaned

out periodically by a doctor. Most surgeries are canal wall up or a partial

version of canal wall down. The doctor may already have an idea of what will

be required - so no harm in asking?

Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi, Phil,

Thank you very much for your detail information. This explained the

stiffness of my shoulder and neck on the affected side for a long

time. But no doc could find the reason. Does this mean my c-toma has

already been very bad?

>

> Hi

>

> You ca get distorted (metallic or chemical) taste on the affected

ear side.

> This is because a branchof the nerve that runs through your ear

carries

> taste sensations from your tongue to your brain. Sometimes the

nerve gets

> stretched from the pressure of the c-toma., sometimes the thin bone

covering

> the nerve is eroded away. Other parts of this nerve also control the

> movements and sensations of your eye, face, mouth, jaw, neck and

shoulder.

> So check to see if you have any slight loss of mobility on the

affected side

> compared to the good side or any stiffness in your neck or shoulder

etc.

>

> The type of surgery depends on what the surgeon needs to do to get

at the

> ctoma. The chances are that you'll be having a canal wall up, this

generally

> keeps your ear and eardrum as intact as possible, usually with aim

of

> preserving your hearing and reconstructing any missing or damaged

hearing

> bones - the disadvantage is that there's a greater chance of the

ctoma

> returning at some time in the future. Canal wall down is less

concerned wtih

> saving your hearing and leaves your ear as a widened open cavity,

often

> wthout any hearing bones or eardrum - the disadvantage here is that

you'd

> have to avoid getting water in your ear and would need to have ear

cleaned

> out periodically by a doctor. Most surgeries are canal wall up or a

partial

> version of canal wall down. The doctor may already have an idea of

what will

> be required - so no harm in asking?

>

> Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi, Phil,

>

> Thank you very much for your detail information. This explained the

> stiffness of my shoulder and neck on the affected side for a long

> time. But no doc could find the reason. Does this mean my c-toma has

> already been very bad?

>

Hi

Not necessarily 'bad' just and indication that the ctoma is having a

definite effect. A lot of people get taste disturbance and I'm sure many

also get neck aches and stiffness etc which they don't automatically link

those to their ear problem. Severe pain around the mastoid area and smelly

discharge from the ear are some of the troubling symptoms. The discharge

means that the ctoma is infected and bone erosion is taking place.

Phil

[Guest guest]

i have a stiff neck and had an xray done. found the 5 and 6th cervical disk were

pinched. This happened shortly after c-toma surgery. I think having my neck

cocked in the same position for 4 hours caused this.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Phil,

How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have my

first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam my

ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked at my

CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only had

infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a serious

prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my ear

is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment.

What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from this

great group and from you guys because I live my own!

Thanks again!

> Hi, Phil,

> >

> > Thank you very much for your detail information. This explained

the

> > stiffness of my shoulder and neck on the affected side for a long

> > time. But no doc could find the reason. Does this mean my c-toma

has

> > already been very bad?

> >

> Hi

>

> Not necessarily 'bad' just and indication that the ctoma is having a

> definite effect. A lot of people get taste disturbance and I'm

sure many

> also get neck aches and stiffness etc which they don't

automatically link

> those to their ear problem. Severe pain around the mastoid area

and smelly

> discharge from the ear are some of the troubling symptoms. The

discharge

> means that the ctoma is infected and bone erosion is taking place.

>

> Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I haven't had an ear infection in years but yet I still had a C-toma. My

only symptoms were the same as yours, ringing in the ears and then a loss of

hearing. My eardrum only had what appeared to a GP as a " pus pocket " .

That and that my hearing was not improving with ear infection treatment got

me sent to an ENT. They can't really tell how extensive a C-toma is from

any diagnostic tool. They may get an idea that you have one but they don't

know how big it is or just how much damage till they do surgery. I would be

concerned that the primary ENT didn't examine your ear. Do you have the

option of going to someone else? It's important to go to an ENT that has

done a lot of c-toma surgeries.

God bless,

Jane

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

I find that my neck gets stiff ALOT also my shoulders.

> I dont have Ctoma anymore but do you think it is from

> the Ctoma??

>

> I could just be sitting worng in my chair too =)

Hi Alyssa

I wouldn't want to suggest that every ache and twinge down in your shoulder

is ear connected. I'm told though that any history of longterm ear disease

would have had some effect on the cranial nerve that runs through the ear.

Usually it's experienced as a slight loss of facial mobility, weakness or an

uneven smile etc. I wouldn't necessarily rule neck and shoulder sensations

out. It's known that pain etc. can be reflected along the course of a nerve

to places where there is no actual injury. OK - but then you just might be

sitting in a draught!

Phil

[Guest guest]

How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have my > first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam my > ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked at my > CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only had > infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a serious > prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my ear > is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment. > > What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from this > great group and from you guys because I live my own!Hi

I'd agree with Jane here. No infection doesn't mean no ctoma. I was meaning to say that the ctoma becomes more destructive if it does become infected i.e. meaning that drainage and ear pain could be seen as signs that the ctoma was definitely up to no good. Some people have ctoma with few noticable symptoms. If you've got some hearing loss and ringing then I imagine that the ENT thinks that there's something in your ear blocking out your hearing or maybe affecting the hearing bones. The CT scan may have shown some kind of mass behind the ear which would raise a strong suspicion of it being a ctoma. The doctor may not know for sure but would have to operate to check it out anyway.

We're all in the same boat with ctoma. There might be a few friends or family you can inform about the disease but it's hard for them to really appreciate what you're going through. That's why we're all here talking to each other.

Keep us posted

Besr Wishes

Phil

[Guest guest]

Jane, Ron & Phil,

Thank you for your supports and information. I just saw my primary

ENT this afternoon and he examed my right ear. He confirmed that I

have c-toma. So the only option I have now is to have a surgery next

month.

BTW, what I should prepare before surgery as it is coming soon? I

have long hair and do I need to have hair cut before opeartion?

Because a lot of people talked about dry ear care after surgery and

hair washing.

Will this disease affect my normal life after surgery?

Ron,

I really wish you have a good recovery!

>

> How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have my

> > first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam

my

> > ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked

at my

> > CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only

had

> > infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a

serious

> > prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my

ear

> > is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment.

> >

> > What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from

this

> > great group and from you guys because I live my own!

>

> Hi

>

> I'd agree with Jane here. No infection doesn't mean no ctoma. I was

meaning to say that the ctoma becomes more destructive if it does

become infected i.e. meaning that drainage and ear pain could be

seen as signs that the ctoma was definitely up to no good. Some

people have ctoma with few noticable symptoms. If you've got some

hearing loss and ringing then I imagine that the ENT thinks that

there's something in your ear blocking out your hearing or maybe

affecting the hearing bones. The CT scan may have shown some kind of

mass behind the ear which would raise a strong suspicion of it being

a ctoma. The doctor may not know for sure but would have to operate

to check it out anyway.

>

> We're all in the same boat with ctoma. There might be a few friends

or family you can inform about the disease but it's hard for them to

really appreciate what you're going through. That's why we're all

here talking to each other.

>

> Keep us posted

> Besr Wishes

>

> Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi, -

I'm going through a lot of the same feelings as you right now. I have very few of the symptoms of c-toma. The ones that I have I can live with - some hearing loss, lots of ear popping. I'm extremely careful with my ears so I've not had any bad infections lately. Just a mild one that accompanied my last cold. One round of antibiotics took care of that. At first I wanted to put off surgery as long as possible, but now the more I learn about c-toma, the more I want the thing OUT of my ear as SOON as possible! I'm still scared of the surgery, though. I've never had any kind of surgery unless you count having tubes put in my ear.

You're not alone! Just take a deep breath and try to relax. Try not to get too stressed out and know that I'm going though all this stuff too. You're not alone .

Many hugs and blessings,

Re: help

Hi, Phil,How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have my first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam my ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked at my CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only had infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a serious prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my ear is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment. What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from this great group and from you guys because I live my own!Thanks again!

[Guest guest]

Hi Phil,

Here's an out there thought for you, relating to other problems being caused by ctoma. I went to my annual eye dr. appt yesterday. I have for the last couple of years had a weeker left eye than right. I had my cholesteatoma removed (cdw mastoidectomy) about 6 weeks ago. So, low and behold my vision in my left eye is now normal, same as the right eye. I had the fleeting thought about the ctoma, but figured its probably just coincidence. Interesting though....

Thanks,

Melody

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have long hair too. Waist length. My doctor (not all) was very

conservative and shaved only 1/4 inch around my ear. Some shave a little

more. The long hair can camoflage the shave after surgery. One person on

this group had her daughter's hair put in cornrows before the surgery. I

thought that was a very good idea, at least the hair wouldn't look so

unkempt till it could be washed. I wasn't so smart. With the turbin I

looked a fright!

The first week I didn't feel up to washing it anyway. I was pretty sedentary

and didn't leave the house. When it did get washed (after about 7 days) my

husband did it in the kitchen sink, very carefully keeping my incision dry.

My husband has always been very good at taking care of me, the few times

I've needed it.

The c-toma shouldn't effect your normal life too much after surgery. If you

have a canal wall up procedure, most doctors will do a second look surgery

6-12 months later. Usually this is a comparatively quick and easy surgery.

If you have a canal wall down you won't. In either case you will be

visiting the doctor regularly to keep an eye out in case the c-toma returns.

If you have a canal wall down these visits will include a regular

cleaning.

With Canal Wall Down you will have to be more careful about getting water in

your ear. This effects some people's lifestyles more than others.

God bless,

Jane

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[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

How is your surgery going? Wish you have a good recovery.

You mentioned during surgery, they will put a tube in the ear? Is

this necessary?

> Hi, -

>

> I'm going through a lot of the same feelings as you right now. I

have very few of the symptoms of c-toma. The ones that I have I can

live with - some hearing loss, lots of ear popping. I'm extremely

careful with my ears so I've not had any bad infections lately. Just

a mild one that accompanied my last cold. One round of antibiotics

took care of that. At first I wanted to put off surgery as long as

possible, but now the more I learn about c-toma, the more I want the

thing OUT of my ear as SOON as possible! I'm still scared of the

surgery, though. I've never had any kind of surgery unless you count

having tubes put in my ear.

>

> You're not alone! Just take a deep breath and try to relax. Try not

to get too stressed out and know that I'm going though all this stuff

too. You're not alone .

>

> Many hugs and blessings,

>

>

> Re: help

>

>

> Hi, Phil,

>

> How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have

my

> first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam

my

> ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked

at my

> CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only

had

> infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a

serious

> prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my

ear

> is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment.

>

> What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from

this

> great group and from you guys because I live my own!

>

> Thanks again!

>

>

[Guest guest]

So, low and behold my vision in my left eye is now normal, same as the right eye. I had the fleeting thought about the ctoma, but figured its probably just coincidence

Hi Melody

I find that intriguing! I've also had some blurring of close up vision in my left eye over the past two years while my right eye is still good. I have a far worse problem with ctoma on the left side and a problem with the facial nerve does affect my cheek and the muscles around the eye, sometimes the eye goes into twitch mode. Could that be affecting vision or have I just reached the age when glasses become inevitable? The teeth on the upper left side of of my also bother me on occasions even though the dentist can't find anything much wrong with them.

On a slightly diffierent note, someone once suggested to me that we all have a robust and weaker side that corresponds to handedness. So that if you're right handed then most of your injuries and ailments will tend to accumulate on the weaker, left side and vice versa for left handers. Make of it what you will but when I thought about it did seem to be true for me (left ear damaged beyond repair, left arm broken, left foot injury etc. etc.)

Phil

[Guest guest]

Hi,

The tube was put in last year actually. A minor and relatively painless procedure - the same type of thing they do to babies who have a lot of ear infections. It's this teeny tiny little thing shaped like a bobbin from a sewing machine. It opens a hole in your eardrum to allow air and/or fluid in and/or out.

I haven't had my c-toma surgery yet. I'm biting my fingernails and waiting for it. I'll see my doctor in August and I'm sure he'll operate in early autumn. I actually have never met the man before, but I'm told he's the best in the Southeast and he certainly has good qualifications.

Hope this helps

Re: help> > > Hi, Phil,> > How can I believe I have c-toma as I really do not want to have my > first surgery during my whole life? My primary ENT did not exam my > ear and only his assistant examed my ear. My primary ENT looked at my > CT films. I do not have consistent drainage and infection. I only had > infection twice, one this Jan with 2 weeks. Another one was a serious > prob when I was a kid. The main symptoms are hearing loss, and my ear > is ringing when I am in a noise and loud environment. > > What should I do? I am so scared and I can only get support from this > great group and from you guys because I live my own!> > Thanks again!> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Phil,

I'm right handed and my C-toma is on the left so that works. But my " bad "

ankle is the right one - sprained 3-4 times. And all my worst ear

infections growing up were in my right ear. (Makes you wonder why the C-toma

reared it's ugly head in my left ear!) But then again my husband and son

are both left handed so maybe some of that spills over???

Cheers,

Jane

>From: " Phil " <psmorris@...>

>Reply-cholesteatoma

><cholesteatoma >

>Subject: Re: Re: help

>Date: Fri, 9 May 2003 00:48:29 +0100

>

>So, low and behold my vision in my left eye is now normal, same as the

>right eye.

>I had the fleeting thought about the ctoma, but figured its probably just

>coincidence

>

>Hi Melody

>

>I find that intriguing! I've also had some blurring of close up vision in

>my left eye over the past two years while my right eye is still good. I

>have a far worse problem with ctoma on the left side and a problem with the

>facial nerve does affect my cheek and the muscles around the eye, sometimes

>the eye goes into twitch mode. Could that be affecting vision or have I

>just reached the age when glasses become inevitable? The teeth on the upper

>left side of of my also bother me on occasions even though the dentist

>can't find anything much wrong with them.

>

>On a slightly diffierent note, someone once suggested to me that we all

>have a robust and weaker side that corresponds to handedness. So that if

>you're right handed then most of your injuries and ailments will tend to

>accumulate on the weaker, left side and vice versa for left handers. Make

>of it what you will but when I thought about it did seem to be true for me

>(left ear damaged beyond repair, left arm broken, left foot injury etc.

>etc.)

>

>Phil

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Please call the office her in Statesville. My name is Newton and

I am the medical records manager. Penny or I can assist you with faxing

over an invoice.

Newton

Medical Records Manager

HTTP://www.clos.net

shn@...

Office (704) 871-0031

Cell (704) 682-1392

Help

Hi...I had an mgb done on 12-12-2002 in Joplin with Dr. Hargroder,

and have since been unsuccessful in attempts to get a paid receipt

for the $17,000.00 cost, plus any documents to help me seek

reimbursement from my insurance Company. and Dr. Rutledge

to date have yet to respond to what I think is a pretty reasonable

request. Is there anyone else who will help me? ph 641-585-3706

fax 641-585-4227 e-mail dougknapper@...

Surgery has been a complete success to this point...229 starting

weight 175 current...about 10 or 20 pounds to go. Was very tired the

first few months, and am now feeling much better. Never get sick,

and can now eat most foods in small amounts. Canned fruits and soups

and hard candys are favorites. Meat isn't much good to me, and milk

is limited. I have a bad back, and the weight loss has really

alleviated much of my pain...I can take walks for the first time in

many years. I also have had surgery for blocked coronary arteries,

and at my last check-up was advised to get off lipitor as my

cholesterol level was too low at 104.

I set here wondering why RNY is so preferred by the medical community

in general, as it looks to be much more complicated. I chose mgb

because it looked to a common man like me to be the most sensible way

to go about weight-loss surgery, and don't understand why no one

promoted a similar surgery prior to Dr. Rutledge. This " bile " thing

has had no effect on how I feel, so I assume it's having little

effect on my stomach or esophagus. From time to time I read posts

from people concerned with the life-span of those who have had this

procedure, and am puzzled as to why many seem to think their life may

be shortened. I'm nearly certain mine has been much extended, and I

look for statistics in years to come to back this up. I'd do it

again in a heart-beat and am grateful I didn't place a lot of faith

in the mgb " the truth " web-site which provided me some undue

trepidation. Best to all of you...Doug Knapper

[Guest guest]

I don't know

Steve

[Guest guest]

I don't know

Steve

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Start it back up immediately and call your doctor. If you are

experiencing suicidal thoughts, go to the emergency room. Don't hesitate.

Hugs,

Y.

[Guest guest]

> i think i have messed up. i have missed taking my med for about a

> week now and i am about to die. what should i do?

Hi ,

Did You call your dr? You are probably eperiencing withdrawls

from stopping so suddenly, I hope you are ok!