new

[Guest guest]

hi Jack,

I have been diabetic for 27 years and believe me you should consult your doctor. It may not seem to be too bad at the moment, but please get checked out before things get so far out of control that you have more problems than solutions. Until then keep up the good work. You might also consider seeing a dietician for a good diet plan and guidance. Take care and keep us informed.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Jack

Lots of things can contribute to Coronary Artery Disease. Risk factors

including genetics (especially if family members were under age 50 when

they developed their heart disease), being male (sorry fellas),

hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, obesity, lack of regular

exercise, small arteries, etc. etc.

It is important (but depressing) to keep in mind that EVERYONE over age

18 develops heart disease; its just that some of us develop it quicker

than others. Even research done on young men (age 19 and 20) killed in

wars show the beginnings of fat deposits in arteries.

If your blood sugars are running as they are, yes, I would suggest

getting yourself to a doctor. Sounds like you are well on your way to

developing diabetes, if you don't already have it. Whether medication

or lifestyle changes only will be used is a decision you and your doctor

must make but since you already have had bypass surgery, I would bet you

he/she would be more aggressive with the medication as you are at higher

risk for further artery damage.

A low cholesterol diet focuses on limiting the amount of animal fats and

saturated fats (fats that are solid are room temperature such as

shortenings) as well as limiting those foods that contain them (lots of

crackers, cookies, processed foods have " hidden " sources of saturated

fats), maintaining weight and increasing fiber through fruits and

veggies.

An interesting study came out last week regarding HIGH intakes of fiber

in controlling blood sugars and lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).

Folks who took in as much as 50 grams of fiber per day (which is A LOT

of fiber) has significantly lower blood glucose levels, cholesterol and

triglyceride levels. I am not sure how many folks could stand to take

in that much fiber without some interesting GI side effects....but the

results in lab work were impressive.

And yes, elevated blood sugars can contribute to further damage of

arteries. It is important to remember that bypass surgery CURES

NOTHING; just relieves any blockages, sometimes only for a temporary

period of time. WIthout some strong lifestyle changes, the coronary

artery disease can progress on rapidly.

I hope this is not too confusing.

Gail

I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack me at

once.

[Guest guest]

jack; i can't answer all your questions but i'm diabetic and very high

cholesterol. i follow both diets and have found no conflict. i'm not

saying it's easy but i got use to it. i got diet plans from my doctor and

a couple of web-sites. you asked if you should go to your doctor the

answer is YES!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!. please keep us

informed. this is a great group and it is now yours.

purrs,

maureen =^..^=

>Hi. I am a new member and have some questions. I am not sure To whom I

>should

>direct them. My problem is that I just had bypass surgery and cannot

>understand what may have contributed to it. I eat a low fat diet,

>exercise

>regularly and am not overweight.My cholesterol is usually within

>limits but

>has been rising recently. In researching what may have caused the

>artery

>blockage (other than genetic) I found that diabetes can contribute to

>artery

>blockage. My fasting blood sugar reading has always been under 110.

>However,

>I recently began testing my blood sugar after eating. when I test

>after

>eating (2 to 3 hours after) it can exceed 200. Am I diabetic in this

>situation? Should I see a Doctor? Should I be on medication to control

>my

>blood sugar rise following meals? What kind of diet will control

>cholesterol

>and at the same time keep the blood sugar under control? Can this

>situation

>contribute to artery blockage? As you can see I know little about this

>

>subject at this time and hope that you can give me some advice or

>recommendations. Jack B

[Guest guest]

gail; this is very interesting information being that i have both

diseases. they are a pain, but what isn't?

purrs,

maureen =^..^=

>Lots of things can contribute to Coronary Artery Disease. Risk

>factors

>including genetics (especially if family members were under age 50

>when

>they developed their heart disease), being male (sorry fellas),

>hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, obesity, lack of regular

>exercise, small arteries, etc. etc.

>

>It is important (but depressing) to keep in mind that EVERYONE over

>age

>18 develops heart disease; its just that some of us develop it

>quicker

>than others. Even research done on young men (age 19 and 20) killed

>in

>wars show the beginnings of fat deposits in arteries.

>

>If your blood sugars are running as they are, yes, I would suggest

>getting yourself to a doctor. Sounds like you are well on your way

>to

>developing diabetes, if you don't already have it. Whether

>medication

>or lifestyle changes only will be used is a decision you and your

>doctor

>must make but since you already have had bypass surgery, I would bet

>you

>he/she would be more aggressive with the medication as you are at

>higher

>risk for further artery damage.

>

>A low cholesterol diet focuses on limiting the amount of animal fats

>and

>saturated fats (fats that are solid are room temperature such as

>shortenings) as well as limiting those foods that contain them (lots

>of

>crackers, cookies, processed foods have " hidden " sources of saturated

>fats), maintaining weight and increasing fiber through fruits and

>veggies.

>

>An interesting study came out last week regarding HIGH intakes of

>fiber

>in controlling blood sugars and lipids (cholesterol and

>triglycerides).

>Folks who took in as much as 50 grams of fiber per day (which is A

>LOT

>of fiber) has significantly lower blood glucose levels, cholesterol

>and

>triglyceride levels. I am not sure how many folks could stand to

>take

>in that much fiber without some interesting GI side effects....but

>the

>results in lab work were impressive.

>

>And yes, elevated blood sugars can contribute to further damage of

>arteries. It is important to remember that bypass surgery CURES

>NOTHING; just relieves any blockages, sometimes only for a temporary

>period of time. WIthout some strong lifestyle changes, the coronary

>artery disease can progress on rapidly.

>

>I hope this is not too confusing.

>

>Gail

>

>I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack me

>at

>once.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jack

Everything Gail said

With bg's runnning over 200 2 or more hours after eating, it would seem you

are diabetic. Get thee to a doctor immediately and get tested!

There are also cholesterol lowering medications available to help with

beyond diet if you have a genetic predisposition to CAD.

Meenie

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice Meanie. I will see my Doctor as soon as possible. Since I am new to the group please excuse my ignorance but what does CAD stand for?

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice Meanie. I will see my Doctor as soon as possible. Since I am new to the group please excuse my ignorance but what does CAD stand for?

Cardiac Arterial Disease = CAD

Let us know how your doctor visit goes

Meenie

[Guest guest]

CAD stands for Coronary Artery Disease, the most common form of heart

disease. It is when the arteries clog with fat deposits.

Gail

I try to take one day at a time but sometimes several days attack me at

once.

Thanks for the advice Meanie. I will see my Doctor as soon as possible. Since I am new to the group please excuse my ignorance but what does CAD stand for?

[Guest guest]

> CAD stands for Coronary Artery Disease, the most common form of heart

> disease. It is when the arteries clog with fat deposits.

Ach! Thats right Coronary, not cardiac For some reason I couldn't pull

Coronary out of my memory <G>

Meenie

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for your reply Gail

[Guest guest]

, welcome!

I say the first thing you need to do is to get an appointment with a neurologist and discuss these problems with that dr. Keep a journal of symptoms to take to this doc too.

Shirleymates*mate wrote:

hi,

my name is linda and i'm new here. i'm 55 and live in wisconsin.

i have a question(s).

first of all, back in the 80s and then again in the 90s, doctors (different doctors, in different areas of the country) told me, after MRIs and other testing, that there was a probability i had MS.

so, i'm at my doctor's the other day, who treats me for fibromyalgia and arthritis in my lower spine and hips, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. the reason i went on thursday is because since july 4th, i've been having this twingy like pain, feeling in my head, on the left side, up aways above my ear, in that vicinity. i've never had anything like this before, well not that lasted more than just one or two twinges. this is every day, throughout the day. i figured it was some kind of neuralgia, or my jaw (tmj). so when he's examining me, he asks out of the blue, if anyone in my family has ever had MS. i'm so taken aback by his question that all i say is, well -- i told him about what the other 2 docs have said, but i failed to ask him WHY he asked me this, at this point in time. once, this same doctor has also tested me for lupus and the ana test came back positive. i also have restless leg

syndrome BAD, along with all the normal fibromyalgia symptoms. some of the symptoms i had years ago that sent me to the doctor, when i was told about the ms probability were: jerky eye movements, weakness, jerking muscles, electric type feelings in my body, loss of coordination, shaking, incontinence, and being very sensitive to the heat -- having it make me feel worse. over the years, since, i've had some of those symptoms off and on, but haven't pursued an MS diagnosis, not since the doctor here told me i don't have lupus but did say i have fibromylagia. i have just figured it was all the FMS. now i'm wondering again. has anything i've said here rung a bell with any of you -- have any of you had similar experiences, symptoms, etc. thanks a lot and thanks for having me here.

linda

[Guest guest]

Hi

I often get the spasms also and usually at night also, mine always seems mild and have found taking 2 Advils always helps me out. Just as I am writing this my legs spasm in my right leg started. Advil here I come.

Bill

Re: NEW

thank you sharon, for the welcome.

hmmmmmmm, that's interesting, that a lot of MS patients also have FMS (all these dang initials!!!!!!!!!!!) lol

well i spoke with my doctor's nurse yesterday about his questioning family history of MS and she told me it's a standard question, when someone complains of the type of pain i'm having in my head and i should go on as planned -- take the penicillin and if in 2 weeks, no better, call, or it the pain gets worse, call for an appt. i have an appt. in 6 weeks. i guess i can wait that long, since i've waited all my life, so far. lol

the restless leg syndrome drives me nuts. it mostly happens in the evenings, but lately, it can happen any time of the day. my legs feel nervous and i have to shake them for them to feel better. restless is a good description -- they feel restless, like things are crawling around inside (i know, weird, but that's kinda how it is). i take neurontin for it and it helps some, but not entirely.

okey dokey then, i'm going to check out the links from the web site.

thanks again, Sharon.

luv 'n hugz . . .

linda lou la londe

L

Hi :

Welcome to our group. I know there are several of us MSers who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I don't know if it goes along with MS, or if the MS is mis-diagnosed as FM but I have wondered about it before.

I think I would pursue the MS diagnosis if I were you. Most of us can't get a doctor to say anything about MS but you have had several. If it's not MS then hopefully they can find out what is going on and treat it!

So what is your restless leg syndrome like? I know there are several on this group who have RLS. A lot of us have MS leg problems--pain, cramping, spasms, jumpy muscles, tingling... that kind of thing.

There are some good web sites that you should check out. There's a list of the links in our group page. If you can't get to it please let me know and I'll find it and email it to you.

Again, welcome!

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi Bette,

Well, your anger is certainly shared by others. In fact, exactly your complaint has been read here in the last few days. It's a bit silly, IMO, for a doc to declare someone "too old" for MS. You're 48? My Mother should be cured of her MS any day now. Come to think of it... she's overdue for that cure. It is nice to know that if mine is MS I can expect it to suddenly disappear upon a birthdate... wait, which birthdate would that be? Exactly? I'd like to start the party planning now. LOL

It's nice to meet you, Bette. ) I hope you find your dx, correctly and soon.

Hugs,

Challis

Hi everyone, i'm new to group, but not to the subject. I'm 48 years old and I've had optic nueritis,and a numb foot and leg, but so far no lesions. I can't have a spinal because I have a very bad neck fusion and can't stay on my stomach or left side for any time. I'm confused and a little angry at my doctor saying I'm too old for ms, maybe I am but it is definitely something...YEECH. I look forward to reading the posts and hope to contribute more than whine. Love & Peace, Bette

[Guest guest]

Hi Bette,

Your doc is mistaken. Maybe a second opinion??

Regards,

Tom

New

>

> Hi everyone, i'm new to group, but not to the subject. I'm 48 years

> old and I've had optic nueritis,and a numb foot and leg, but so far

> no lesions. I can't have a spinal because I have a very bad neck

> fusion and can't stay on my stomach or left side for any time.

> I'm confused and a little angry at my doctor saying I'm too old for

> ms, maybe I am but it is definitely something...YEECH.

> I look forward to reading the posts and hope to contribute more

> than whine.

> Love & Peace,

> Bette

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Too old for MS? Yippee! Does that mean we are all cured when we turn 48? Whoo hoo! Lets celebrate! only 12 more years to go! ;-) LOL

Patti

Hi everyone, i'm new to group, but not to the subject. I'm 48 years

old and I've had optic nueritis,and a numb foot and leg, but so far

no lesions. I can't have a spinal because I have a very bad neck

fusion and can't stay on my stomach or left side for any time.

I'm confused and a little angry at my doctor saying I'm too old for

ms, maybe I am but it is definitely something...YEECH.

I look forward to reading the posts and hope to contribute more

than whine.

Love & Peace,

Bette

[Guest guest]

Heyyyy..I live on Bent Mt., what a small world. This is a beautiful place to live, especially now, fall is here.

Bette

[Guest guest]

Wow, what a coinkidink. She has some horses there too. I have yet

to see Bent Mountain, only Roanoke, but knowing her I am sure it is

beautiful! Lucky you! I live by the beach so lucky me too!

When I took Medical terminology Classes Sx stands for both Surgery

and Symptoms. They do that just to confuse us! (e), hmmmm.

Ammey

> Heyyyy..I live on Bent Mt., what a small world. This is a

beautiful place to

> live, especially now, fall is here.

> Bette

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori

Welcome to the group I have had my MS now since Aug of 99.

Here is some info about my MS.

http://home.insightbb.com/~msdiabetes/aboutme.htm

I live here in Indiana with my wife Judy and we have 2 boy's.

What kind of trouble do you have with your MS? Do you have trouble walking?

I take Copaxone for my MS.

Bill

New

Hi everyone! My name is Lori I was just told I have MS last month actually still in a rehabilitation hospital. Thank god they have a computer I can get on once in awhile. A lil about me I am 31, single, 2 boys, live in Ohio and jusy found out I have MS will be starting Avonex(sp) in a few weeks am still on steriods to try and get the use of my left leg back. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them will be more then happy to answer them.Lori

[Guest guest]

<What kind of trouble do you have with your MS? Do you have trouble

<walking?

<I take Copaxone for my MS.

<Bill

I lost full use of my left leg but after a month now I can move it

again and in therapy I am using a walker. I dont have alot of control

of my left hand and arm about 80-90% of my body is numb also I am

having bladder and bowl problems. My nerologist said I had a really

bad first case cause it took so long for me to find some one to

actually figure out what I had. Right now I am on steriods then I am

going to be on avonex(sp)

thanks for the welcome by the way

Lori

[Guest guest]

Hi ! WHat part of Pa I grew up in Pa in a lil town called New

Castle. Yes by the time they figured out what i had my left leg was

completely paralized. and now 80-90% of my body is numb which i am on

meds to help fix that lost eye sight left eye getting it back left

arm still working on getting it back and had bowl and bladder probs

had a real bad attack for the first one my dr. says cause it took so

long to dx but i am in a good mind set and know i will get everthing

back in time

Lori

Hi Lori...Its nice to meet you...I live in Pennsylvania, 39, Im not

diagnosed with MS yet....Im sorryto hear about being in the hospital

but glad to hear you are getting use of your leg back...did it go

completely paralized or were you just unable to bare weight on it

that the muscles would not hold you?.....Im also a single mom, to 2

girls and a son....divorce is not yet final ...Im having some

troubles with my legs in this last week that is why i asked that

question about your leg....I fell and my legs would not support

me...and I can barely lift them to put on socks or panties, I have to

lift them with my hands to help...Im seeing neuro again on Nov. 22,

my family doc set it up when i emailed him about my resent problems,

but We have been sick in my home with chest colds, bronchitis

etc.....my right arm is more weak and having trouble with it, i never

really had a weak right arm before...it wont cooperate, it hurts

terrible, I cant get it to do what I want...but I did clean up the

garage and sweep it yesterday...I cant do anything anymore without

paying for it....I only had one excerbatrion in past last November,

omg I never want to be where I was then, so I feel for you...my

cognitive was hit hard alond with vertigo, gait, spasticity in legs

and arms, weakness, tremors, im alot better now..but Ive never been

right since, mri normal all blood wrok was normal spinal mri was

ok...I wish you the best...keep in touch and feel free to talk about

anything with this group...take care...Hugs and Kindness, M.

[Guest guest]

Lori, welcome to the group! Sounds like you had a bad MS flare to have you in a rehab hospital. I am on Avonex and it has worked for me. Good luck. And keep us updated.

Shirleylori wrote:

Hi everyone! My name is Lori I was just told I have MS last month actually still in a rehabilitation hospital. Thank god they have a computer I can get on once in awhile. A lil about me I am 31, single, 2 boys, live in Ohio and jusy found out I have MS will be starting Avonex(sp) in a few weeks am still on steriods to try and get the use of my left leg back. If you have any questions please feel free to ask them will be more then happy to answer them.Lori

[Guest guest]

Hi Lori sorry I did not get back to you sooner we had our first family thanksgiving dinner with my relatives today.

I live in New Castle but New Castle, Indiana.

I have been using a walker ever since my MS hit me and I also have bladder trouble as well. I have numbness in my finger tips and sometimes have trouble holding things tightly. My MS all hit me within a month's time and was a big surprise. I was lucky I had both short and long term disability insurance through the company I worked for, I am still on the long term plus I was able to get on Social Security my first try. Thank goodness.

Are you still able to drive? I had purchased a new Ford truck April 99 and am glad I did before my MS hit, Ford has a mobility program I made use of and had hand controls put on my truck. If your car is new Ford will do the mods free up to $1000, that was a great deal because I love to drive. Here is a photo of my truck.

http://home.insightbb.com/~msdiabetes/modified_truck_with_hand_control.htm

We purchased a new Dodge van a year ago and they offered the same program so we did the mod on the van as well.

In April of 2003 we went on our first vacation to Disney World and I made the mistake staying out in the sun too long, the heat was mean to my legs and I could not use my legs for a month. Thankfully it was temporary and lasted about 6 weeks. I found I could use my wheelchair ok in my home.

We must have the same type of trouble with our MS. Can you still make your way up and down stairs? I have trouble on stairs so I sit on the stair steps and go up and down the stairs in a sitting position. I get really frustrated at not being able to do the simple things like changing a light bulb in a hanging ceiling light.

I was wondering how old are your kids? My kids make me happy the way they are always ready to help me out.

My wife is my best friend and there isn't a day that I am not happy she is in my life.

Here is a photo of our family get together today, I am in the red sweater. My mother is next to me.

Bill

Re: New

<What kind of trouble do you have with your MS? Do you have trouble <walking? <I take Copaxone for my MS.<BillI lost full use of my left leg but after a month now I can move it again and in therapy I am using a walker. I dont have alot of control of my left hand and arm about 80-90% of my body is numb also I am having bladder and bowl problems. My nerologist said I had a really bad first case cause it took so long for me to find some one to actually figure out what I had. Right now I am on steriods then I am going to be on avonex(sp)thanks for the welcome by the way :)Lori

[Guest guest]

ur going thru withdrawl 4 years on prozac then taper for a few weeks

thats way to fast thats almost like cold turkey u need to taper over months

maybe even years depending on how ur body reacts dont be alarmned if

u start to feel even worse while off prozac ur body needs time to recover

catherine will xplain more

good luck

[Guest guest]

im still amazed that docs have no clue about how to come off these

meds be patient go slow to risk symtoms from withdrawl

[Guest guest]

Dear Kara,

You said:

> My name is Kara and I was on prozac for about 4 years, 20 mg. About

a

> month ago I called my doctor and tapered off prozac, tapering for 2

> weeks. About 3-4 weeks later I started feeling dizzy, having a

> headache, lightheaded. I really dont want to go back on prozac but

> it's been a week since the symptoms started and their really wearing

> me down. I would love any suggestions you all could give me.

> Unfortunatly i am very sensitive to medications of any kind. >>

** You went off Prozac way too quickly. It's going to take much

more than a week to feel better. You could try reintroducing a 10

mg. dose. it would take several days to stabilize at that if it was

going to happen (sometimes there is no going back). It is better, if

possible, to go back and do it slowly. In your case, 5% decreases at

a time. virtually ewveryone I've ever encountered who stopped as

quickly as you did all have prolonged problems that are more severe

than the people who take a longer time to discontinue a drug like

Prozac. When I say prolonged I'm taslking years. Some of them even

end up having to leave their jobs and applying for disability.

Take a look at our Basic Healing Protocol for ideas on a foundation

of nutrients (you got a copy of it when you joined. There is also a

copy posted earlier on Sun. morning in the message archives).

I'll quickly list here what to look at right now for where you're

at:

magnesium

calcium

fish oil

Total Body Toddy

Mineral Toddy

A heathy diet with fresh, whole foods. Plenty of fresh

vegetables. Pleanty of fresh, clean water. Avoid packaged foods,

fast food, food additives (where possible), sugar, corn syrup, all

other sweeteners except for some occasional raw honey. Avoid all

white carbohydrates (rice, pasta, etc.)

If you've ever tried Dramamine before and found it to be okay

for you, you may want to try it now for the dizzyness.

Do you have any symptoms of anxiety, panic, anger ? If you have

more symptoms to add feel free to do so. Various flower essences

work well for many of the symptoms that manifest emotionally.

Welcome to the list.

Regards,

(list owner & moderator)