I'm new

August 29, 2003

Carole, Thanks for sharing your story. I think I will have my mom measure my

arms hehe although it might make me more upset to know how tall I could have

been if not for this stupid scoliosis. By the way, what is scoliosis, is it a

disease, a disorder, what? lol. It is kind of funny but I have nooooo clue what

you would classify scoliosis as.

August 30, 2003

Hi

The part of the spine that is fused, " stops " growing. So you definitely will be

shorter than what you would've been. I don't know what to say about the driving

situation, because I'm also using my rear view mirrors A LOT. I'm having a hard

time with my 15 year old daughter learning to drive because I have to help her

look back still, as she's a new driver. There are vehicles behind which the

driver can't see (I'm thinking trucks, US Postal service), which have special

mirrors.... I thought maybe you could find out if there are special

circumstances under which you could still get your license?

Take care,

Sanette

www.sanette.net

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

From: AdirondackBlair@...

.........your vertebrate is fused and there for you are shorter than you should

be???

--

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September 8, 2003

Hi Kim, Welcome...I had been a member of another group regarding Mercury

toxicity and chelation. I believe it was called adult-metal chelation but just

do a search in for chelation. Anywayz, your symptoms sound very

familiar to that group and many of them got worse after having mercury fillings

taken out....apparently, unless done correctly, it can leach more mercury into

your system and you will get sicker. I'm not as familiar with the adrenal

innsuficiency as much, so it could be that. But definitely check out that other

group.

Josh

I'm new

Warning: if this is too long for you to read just go to the bottom

and answer the questions!!!

Hi my name is Kim and I'm new to the group. I have been reading the

posts for a couple of weeks and my head is spinning...but its good.

Briefly I will explain my situation and I pray that I have found the

right place to offer some hope because I have very little right now.

I have had severe depression/anxiety for 18 yrs which started right

at the age of puberty (which seems to have played a major factor...I

think). One day I was a very happy and successful 14 yr. old with

many friends with a very promising future and within a couple of days

I went into a major depression which I have only very briefly come

out of (for a couple of months TOTAL.) Its been a nightmare...I was

on every drug imaginable for many years until about 4 1/2 yrs ago

when I started to find alternative healing. Even this road has been

very tough and very confusing but finally after attempting to take my

life I found a book about getting a special test (TRH stimulation

test) to rule out hypothyroidism as the cause since many of my

symptoms matched hypo symptoms to a " T " . After my new endocrinologist

reluctantly did this test it finally came back that I had sub-

clinical hypo... I was like " Thank God...I knew I wasn't

crazy...there finally is an answer " ... for the first time in many

many years I had some real hope that I may in fact be able to live a

life worth living again someday. Well the road was long and slow and

I had to get off some horrible medications in the meantime...one

being Xanax which was a nightmare to get off...it took me over 1 year

of complete hell until I finally started to see the sun at the end of

the tunnel...but I did. At this time I was and had started working

with Dr. Dommisse in Tucson, AZ, he did lots of sensitive blood tests

and found almost everything in my body to be low...and put me on a

tons of supplements which I stayed on for a while but got tired of

taking 50+ pills a day... and finally about 1 1/2 yrs ago I

started slowly to feel stronger and like there was a light at the end

of the tunnel (my depression was probably more like mild-moderate,

rather than severe). So last August I got my mercury removed from my

mouth and started to think that I wouldn't need my thyroid meds

anymore because they " tested out " with my kinesiologist. (Dumb!) And

very slowly, by last December, I went into severe depression again...

I finally figured out that it must be due to getting off thyroid meds

(from my journal...thankfully that I have been recording everything

over the last couple of years), and slowly started to take my thyroid

meds again. And in Jan. or Feb. of this year I started working with

Dr. Dommisse again...I thought for sure that I would be feeling

better by now but I am not and I can barely make it thru each day. I

do positive thinking, try to exercise, eat right, etc...but the

depression and anxiety or not budging yet. I also stopped taking

Wellbutrin about 3 weeks ago...has anyone ever been on this and had

any trouble withdrawing? I could go on and on....sorry this is so

long!!! The couple of questions that I do have to start are:

1. Has anyone out there had chronic moderate to severe depression

that has recovered due to thyroid/adrenal meds and supplements? I am

scared there is no hope for me.

2. My doctor has me on Armour 135mg/day split & Levoxyl 50mg/day for

hypo and he has tried to put me on hydrocortisone for my adrenals

before but I had lots of trouble tolerating it...anxiety/insomnia so

I had to stop. My adrenals are low by his testing so I know I need

something. (I can't handle any stress...and have lots of the

symptoms...mostly emotional, low b.p., insomnia, etc) Has anyone had

trouble tolerating hydrocortisone and what did you do about it? I

also had a horrible time increasing thyroid meds...would get almost

hyper symptoms going up on them...its been hard. Has anyone ever

heard of this or experienced it themselves?

3. My other big concern is that hydrocortisone I have heard from my

doctor and others that it can cause depression!!! How is one suppose

to fix the adrenals (which can cause depression if there low) but

have to watch out for the remedy to cause more depression. Any

thoughts?

Well I think that is enough for now...thanks for you time and

patience with my story and all my questions...I have lots more and am

looking forward to any input anyone has...or experiences. Its so sad

to watch your life pass you by and feel helpless. I have tried

everything imaginable to get well. Treating the thyroid was the first

thing to ever help so I feel the answers to my health delima def. lie

in healing the endocrine system. I hope to one day help many others

to find the answers too...

Sincerely, Kim

September 9, 2003

Colloidal silver kills fungii and can be taken internally, as well as

applied externally. I have a client who is allergic to mold that has

advised CS, taken daily has greatly assisted his well being.

The zapper is supposed to kill blue green algae, so I would assume it kills

mold as well. Khepri or anyone else?

& Critters

I'm new

> Hi everyone,

> I have had a life changing mold experience about a year ago and I

> fight this stuff everyday. I was wondering if the zapper kills mold?

> Its not really clear in Dr. s book.

> Tim

>

September 9, 2003

Re: I'm new

> Colloidal silver kills fungii and can be taken internally, as well as

> applied externally. I have a client who is allergic to mold that has

> advised CS, taken daily has greatly assisted his well being.

>

> The zapper is supposed to kill blue green algae, so I would assume it

kills

> mold as well. Khepri or anyone else?

: ) CS was my first though also!

The other benefit is that the CS solution can be inhaled with a misting

bottle or a nebulizer....in the case of inhaling an airborne

toxin!....Very useful in these days of terrorism...: ) And molds!

I usually trust what this guy puts up on his website;

http://www.toolsforhealing.com/products/Zapper/What_is_the_Zapper.htm

" The Zapper is a small battery powered electronic device that was

developed by Dr. Hulda and her son, Geoff . They initially

were trying to build a portable device that would " zap " (eliminate) the

Human Intestinal Fluke parasite quickly and conveniently. They

discovered that their device not only eliminated the Fluke, but also

eliminated virtually every other parasite, virus, bacteria, mold, fungi,

etc., that the current could reach. It was a truly astounding

discovery, and one with far-reaching implications in the health field. "

" Aflatoxin and Ergot mold toxins are particularly nasty substances that

are in numerous foods that are routinely eaten by children and adults

alike. They can and do produce a lot of behavioral and emotional

problems in children and adults. Zapping has made a major difference in

my family. "

http://www..net/info/frequencytable.pdf

Dr. Hulda and New Century Press. Copyright notice:

http://www..net/utilities/copyright.htm. Presented to you by Dr.

Research Association, 8135 Engineer Rd., San Diego, CA. 92111;

www..net; 800 220 3741

Mold, Mold Toxin Frequencies

Other molds and mold toxinskHz

Aflatoxin177, 188

Cytochalasin B77, 91

Ergot295

Griseovulvin288

Sorghum syrup277

Sterigmatocystin88, 96, 133, 126

Zearalenone100

Slime moldskHz

Argyria81

Lycogala126

Stemonitis211

http://www.drhuldaclark.org/ailments_Allergies.asp

Perhaps something else poisoned the liver so both solvents and flukes

are given a home in your liver! Such a powerful liver poison would be a

food mold: aflatoxin, cytochalasin B, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone,

ochratoxin, sorghum mold, griseofulvin, citrinin, T-2 toxin, Kojic acid,

ergot and others. Avoid food molds -- see Mold Free Diet. The diet must

be quite limited at first, to allow the liver to " regain " its

detoxifying capability.

The liver is a versatile organ. It can regenerate itself but it won't if

food molds block regeneration. Given half a chance it will become like

new. After killing parasites do the liver cleanse. If it has been a

month or more since you killed parasites, then go on a high dose

parasite herb treatment the week before, or zap. Don't use the herbs the

day of the cleanse. With one major allergy gone after each cleanse and

by timing liver cleanses two weeks apart, it takes only six months to

have a reasonably normal life again.

Hope that helps...

Khepri

September 11, 2003

Dr.'s Vit.C kills mold.

pioneergerb <pioneergerb@...> wrote:Hi everyone,

I have had a life changing mold experience about a year ago and I

fight this stuff everyday. I was wondering if the zapper kills mold?

Its not really clear in Dr. s book.

Tim

August 7, 2004

Hi ,

I've been diagnosed with Dermatomyositis - got it in '96, diagnosed

and started Minocin in '98. My rash never was what you'd

call " really bad " - but I still didn't like it. Among other

symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, brain fog, and a cough

that wouldn't quit, my itching eyelids nearly drove me over the

edge!

For the first several weeks after starting Minocin (100 mg on

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays,) my rash worsened somewhat, but I

knew ahead of time to expect a Herxheimer reaction. (If you haven't

already done so, read the FAQ section on www.rheumatic.org )

Eventually, the rash responded to the Minocin, my CPK (measures

muscle enzymes)normalized, and I knew I was getting better.

Six months after starting the Minocin, Dr. Franco also added Biaxin

(250 mg twice a day Mondays through Fridays) and I noticed further

improvement. Now a days - I'd say I'm 90-95% improved.

Even though more and more doctors are willing to prescribe this

treatment for RA, some are reluctant to use it for the other

rheumatic diseases, even though they'll use the same tradtional

treatments of prednisone and plaquenil for almost all rheumatic

diseases. Finding or nudging your doctor to use the antibiotic

treatment is worth your persistence!

Don't forget to read Henry Scammell's book, The New Arthritis

Breakthrough. In the early months I referred to mine all the time -

especially the patient's stories.

~Connie

> Hi..........I was trying to get some input into treatments people

> are currently using for Dermatomyositis..........

August 8, 2004

Hi there - I was dx with dm in 1996... my story is below. I am currently in

remission - no meds and no DM... write me with any questions, etc. at

Ldutro@...

Liesl Dutro, Dermatomyositis currently 36 years of age. My first symptoms

6appeared in July of 1996 and I was diagnosed with Dermatomyositis in

September 1996 following a muscle biopsy. Symptoms of Dermatomyositis first

appeared after the birth of my second child. I experienced the muscle aches

and pains - I wasn't able to lift a blow dryer or get up from sitting,

fatigue, and skin rashes that were similar to second-degree burns. I began

my ride on the prednisone roller coaster - CPKs high, prednisone high; then

as my CPKs would drop to normal I would decrease the prednisone, only to go

back up with each flare. I tried herbal and naturopathic remedies and my

doctor was really trying to push me into methotrexate in 1998. Through the

Internet I found information on Dr. Brown, his antibiotic protocol and the

book " The New Arthritis Breakthrough " . My rheumatologist would not look at

the materials I brought and only said that antibiotic therapy was not a

proven treatment for Dermatomyositis and complete quackery. With everything

I had learned from my research, antibiotic therapy showed so much promise

and made sense! Prednisone and methotrexate only suppress the immune

system - not cure what is wrong... and they add a host of awful side

effects, which can often be worse than your illness. I told my doctor,

" Either give me a prescription or I'll go to someone else who will " - I was

adamant! He wrote me a prescription for minocycline - and luckily he wrote

it to be taken twice daily, so I ended up with a bigger supply! I took it

according to Dr. Brown's protocol and began in November of 1998 - I was

taking 12 - 15mg of prednisone daily at that time. I was having one of my

worse flares with a second-degree-like burn/rash on my chest. My face was

almost reddish purple, I itched like crazy and had muscle weakness. I began

my slow decrease of the prednisone when my CPK was in the normal range. I

noticed after about five months that my skin had really cleared up. After

about 14 months I was off of prednisone completely and taking the

minocycline once every Mon Wed and Fri. I was in remission in March 2000 -

no meds and no symptoms of DM. My doubtful doctor said, " You can't help but

wonder if that minocycline didn't help " (duh!). He also told me he was

quitting his practice to make furniture! I was off all meds from February

2000 - May 2001. I happily found out in August 2000 that I was pregnant

with my 3rd child... our baby girl! Kaitlyn was born April 17, 2001 - not

quite a month later, my muscles ached and burned... relapse! I went to my

GP who knew nothing about DM or antibiotic therapy... he asked me what I'd

used in the past, he read from a medical book about DM, prednisone,

methotrexate, etc. At this time Kaitlyn was just over a month old, and I

did not want to quit breastfeeding because of medications. So, I told him

about the antibiotic protocol and minocycline... unfortunately, I couldn't

take minocycline and breastfeed... but I told him I could take other forms

of tetracycline... doxycycline, and some others I had written down. We

found that erythromycin was safe for me and baby so I gave it a try... my

CPK came down steadily and by the end of the summer I was back in the normal

range with taking only taking erythromycin. I am doing phenomenally well

and have weaned off the erythromycin. I have no rash, no muscle

pain/weakness... life is good!

August 22, 2004

Dear Penguin,

With the study book and having passed a Boston course, I am

sure that you are well prepared and ready to take the next exam. It

should be the 3rd week or so in March 2005. As soon as I know what

they are I will post them. But PTCB will of course post that

information FIRST.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta

Founder/Owner

> Hi,

> My name is Penguin and I'm new to this list. I took classes at

Boston

> , and am now waiting/looking for an externship. My friend

Liz is

> a member of this list and she told me that I should check it out.

Hi

> Liz

>

> Due to schedule conflicts, I will eventually be taking the PTCB

exam

> but I can't until the first text date in 2005. Anyone know when

that

> should be? Even though I had the book from pharmacytrainer.com

which

> I think is a great book, I didn't pass the July exam, so I will

have to

> give it another go. Liz thought this list would be a great help

for

> me.

>

> I look forward to reading and learning from the list.

>

> So that's a little about me, not sure what else to say,

> Penguin

August 22, 2004

PS Welcome Penguin!

Jeanetta

> Dear Penguin,

>

> With the study book and having passed a Boston course, I am

> sure that you are well prepared and ready to take the next exam.

It

> should be the 3rd week or so in March 2005. As soon as I know what

> they are I will post them. But PTCB will of course post that

> information FIRST.

>

> Respectfully,

> Jeanetta

> Founder/Owner

August 22, 2004

Thank you,

I thought I was well prepared for the one we just took in July but I

guess I wasn't it.

I look forward to learning more from this list.

Thanks

Penguin

On Aug 22, 2004, at 5:34 PM, jeanmastron wrote:

> Dear Penguin,

>

> With the study book and having passed a Boston course, I am

> sure that you are well prepared and ready to take the next exam. It

> should be the 3rd week or so in March 2005. As soon as I know what

> they are I will post them. But PTCB will of course post that

> information FIRST.

>

> Respectfully,

> Jeanetta

> Founder/Owner

August 22, 2004

Thank you

Penguin

On Aug 22, 2004, at 5:41 PM, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry wrote:

> PS Welcome Penguin!

> Jeanetta

August 22, 2004

WE are here for you Pengquin,

Jeanetta

> Thank you,

> I thought I was well prepared for the one we just took in July but

I

> guess I wasn't it.

>

> I look forward to learning more from this list.

> Thanks

> Penguin

>

August 22, 2004

YAY! I haven't seen the acutal scores yet, just that on the website it

said didn't pass. It made me very sad.

Penguin

On Aug 22, 2004, at 5:58 PM, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry wrote:

> WE are here for you Pengquin,

> Jeanetta

April 10, 2005

Since you live in Philly, please take your son to Shriners for an appointment

with Dr. Betz. He is a world renowned scoliosis surgeon and a wonderful

person. My son, too, was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 14

which came as a complete shock since it isn't in the family anywhere.

April 10, 2005

Hi there! Welcome to the group and thanks for sharing your story. I

am pretty new here too. I am just 30 years old, but am in a slightly

similar situation. I had scoliosis as a teen, and my parents didn't

want to pursue surgery as an option. I felt so self conscious

because I wore a brace. I also refused to wear the lift in my shoe

because then my shoes didn't fit correctly anymore. I am already 6

feet tall, and was self conscious about that. The Dr. said if the

straighten me out I could be around 6'3''!!!! I have had increasing

stiffness and pain in my back and hips, but pilates is my favorite

workout to counter my issues. I just had a recent xray, and indeed

my curve has progressed beyond 50 degrees. So... I too am now

contemplating surgery to prevent worsening of issues as I age. But I

was also going to start a family soon, so I don't know if I should

put that on hold and have my back looked at, or start the family, and

do the back thing later. Hopefully we'll get some answers as we're

here at this board, and in a community of people who understand what

we;re going through!

>

> Hi:

>

> I'm a 50 year old female who has had scoliosis since the age of 13.

> At that time, the " cure " was 9 months in a body cast. My parents

said

> no. The ortho told me I had to exercise and wear a lift in my

shoe.

> The lift was too high; it was uncomfortable and I was NOT wearing a

> lift built into the heel! Since the age of 13, the scoliosis has

> been my curse. Buying clothes was and still is impossible. My

curve

> is now 50%. I just had xrays and the dr. said to hold off on

surgery.

> As I get older, the curve is causing much stiffness and pain.

> I've been exercising for the past 10 years but I just started to do

> yoga type exercises. Stretching exercises are the best! They make

my

> back feel better (for the moment). From the day my son was born, I

> had the pediatrician write on his chart that he must be watched

> carefully for scoliosis. It did not show up until he was 14. His

> curve is 20% degrees and is stable. I take him to one of the

biggest

> pediatric surgeons in Phila. I have confidence in this doctor. I

> went with an open mind; whatever the dr. recommended is what I was

> going to do. I did NOT want him to suffer as I have with the

curve.

> The curve is ugly, and I'm very self conscience about it. When my

son

> was born, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Due to the curve,

> the radiation oncologist had to radiate an area he normally wouldn't

> have had to do. Because of that I have recurrent bowel

obstructions.

> I would like to have the surgery because I know as I get older, the

> pain will get worse. I'm scared, as I've had 3 major abdominal

> surgeries so far and one orthopedic surgeon told me he would not be

> able to do the procedure where they go in through the abdomen due to

> all my scar tissue. So, I'm thinking why should I even have it?

When

> they straigten the spine, is it 100%? Another surgeon told me it

> wouldn't be. I heard after surgery, the person is taller too. So,

> that's my story.

April 10, 2005

I forgot to mention that the trio of ortho docs I was seeing did NOT

discuss bracing which now has me baffled. I am only 4'11 " so I'd like

to be taller (being short is very frustrating). I had my son at 32

years old. But like you, my concern was my scoliosis. I discussed it

with the dr. My decision was if the pregnancy was going to make the

curve worse, then I would NOT get pregnant. He assured me it would

not. Of course my curve has worsened over the years due to early

osteoporosis. I'm on fosomax, and there has been a change for the

better in the bone density, but the spine is always an issue. You are

young. That's a tough decision; surgery on the back or pregnancy

first. If you have a good support team at home, you should discuss it

with your otho and ob/gyn. Maybe they can help you make the decision.

I had my spleen removed when my son was about 6 weeks old. It was

rough when he was moving his legs while I fed him. The back is

different than the abdomen. I know I myself can handle stomach pain

quite well (after 3 abdominal surgeries, I can safely say that). I'm

not sure about back pain. Just be careful with your age. I had my

son at 32 almost 33 because the ob/gyn told me to get moving since my

biological clock was ticking. Please realize this is my opinion. Keep

me posted on your progress.

My son is starting college this summer. I thought I'd wait until he

was off to college until I really concentrate on myself. I'll tell

you one thing about being a mom (and I'm sure others here will confirm

this), we put ourselves last for our kids. I always put my stuff on

the back burner except when I had emergency surgeries. You are

definitely smart to think this one out. Just don't deprive yourself

of having a family due to the scoliosis. Try to get some answers from

professionals now.