Re: No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

[Guest guest]

[ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

>From: CRBDJB@...

>

>Hi Group--

>

>I meant to get this on awhile back, but ran out of time. For those of you

>that do not know any of my history, I have been sick for almost 2 years

with

>most of the symptoms everyone discusses here, but I still do not have a

firm

>diagnosis. One hepatologist has said I possibly have early atypical type I

>autoimmune hepatitis, but he would not stake his reputation on it. I have

>had 2 liver biopsies that both show severe inflammation and on and on with

>tests.

>

>Anyway, I have refused to take prednisone and immuran, since the doctors

can

>not tell me why I have chronic hepatitis and I have started seeing a

>chiropractor that specializes in nutrition and applied kinesiology. I

>started seeing him on May 5th and it will take at least 90 days to start

>seeing real results, so can not really report on those yet, although I can

>say I have not had any reactions and I do not feel any worse, which I am

sure

>is much more than I could say if I was taking the prednisone.

>

>For those of you that may be interested here is what I am taking.

>CAC Tabs - Cascara Sagrada, Buckthorn, Burdock, Chaparral, Dandelion,

>Licorice Root, Barberry, Red Clover

>

>Renafood - Kidney Bean Plant Extract and Pods, Bovine Kidney PMG Extract,

>Vacuum Dried Bovine Kidney, Tillandsia, Beet Root, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

>Drenamin - Vacuum dried Bovine Adrenal and PMG Extract, Vitamin C,

>Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6

>

>A-F Betafood - Vacuum Dried Beet Leaf Juice and Powder, Carrot Powder,

>Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Iodine

>A-C Carbamide - Carbamide powder, Arrowroot Flour, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

>I will get tested again by my traditional gastro doc on June 29th, so it

>should be interesting to see if there will be any change from my last ones.

>

> in Georgia

>crbdjb@...

Dear ,

I think you are foolish in not following standard procedure for liver

inflammation-steroids. Get to a good doctor(hepatologist). Even without a

firm diagnosis, liver inflammation without really good treatment that halts

inflammation will advance to " scarring " and the situation will continue to

worsen. Please, please.

Elaine

Baltimore

>

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[Guest guest]

Please let me know.... I am very interested... Thank you

My prayers are with you... I have ofted thought of doing that my self....

I react badly to red clover... far too stimulating for my liver...

Love and Light

Dixie

CRBDJB@... wrote:

> From: CRBDJB@...

>

> Hi Group--

>

> I meant to get this on awhile back, but ran out of time. For those of you

> that do not know any of my history, I have been sick for almost 2 years with

> most of the symptoms everyone discusses here, but I still do not have a firm

> diagnosis. One hepatologist has said I possibly have early atypical type I

> autoimmune hepatitis, but he would not stake his reputation on it. I have

> had 2 liver biopsies that both show severe inflammation and on and on with

> tests.

>

> Anyway, I have refused to take prednisone and immuran, since the doctors can

> not tell me why I have chronic hepatitis and I have started seeing a

> chiropractor that specializes in nutrition and applied kinesiology. I

> started seeing him on May 5th and it will take at least 90 days to start

> seeing real results, so can not really report on those yet, although I can

> say I have not had any reactions and I do not feel any worse, which I am sure

> is much more than I could say if I was taking the prednisone.

>

> For those of you that may be interested here is what I am taking.

> CAC Tabs - Cascara Sagrada, Buckthorn, Burdock, Chaparral, Dandelion,

> Licorice Root, Barberry, Red Clover

>

> Renafood - Kidney Bean Plant Extract and Pods, Bovine Kidney PMG Extract,

> Vacuum Dried Bovine Kidney, Tillandsia, Beet Root, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

> Drenamin - Vacuum dried Bovine Adrenal and PMG Extract, Vitamin C,

> Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6

>

> A-F Betafood - Vacuum Dried Beet Leaf Juice and Powder, Carrot Powder,

> Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Iodine

> A-C Carbamide - Carbamide powder, Arrowroot Flour, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

> I will get tested again by my traditional gastro doc on June 29th, so it

> should be interesting to see if there will be any change from my last ones.

>

> in Georgia

> crbdjb@...

>

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[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I responded the same way as you did. Aimed to take the Pred only as a last

resort, because I'd read about all the horrible side effects. I went to see

a Naturopath, and was on a herbal, diet, supplement regime of natural

products. I admire exploring all your options and choices. Myself, I've

found that none of the Alternative Therapies have been proven to work in

taking care of liver inflammation, no matter the cause. My levels still

rose. For myself, I think a combo of the herbals and medicines are good.

What prompted me to take the meds is knowing that there's not a lot of time

to play around with the Alternative Therapies in case they don't work. The

outcome of leaving AIH, or other liver disease, untreated is fatal. Also,

there is no guarantee that you will react badly to the medication. They may

also help you feel better and increase quality of life. I think if you use

the herbals, enforce diet changes, and live with as little stress as

possible, maybe the meds won't be as necessary for as long. I don't know

exactly how it works. I also hope you consider taking the meds, because

they've been the only method proven to work so far. Unfortunately, there

just hasn't been enough research done on the herbals yet.

Here is an internet site I found on a company that is doing research on

herbs. You have to send away for info, which you may be interested in

doing. " http://www.herbs.org/hrfinfo.html " .

Also, I'm pretty sure I read that chapparal is a dangerous one. I've

looked, but didn't bookmark the source. You might want to look into it.

Also, check to see if any of your herbals are natural diuretics. Diuretics

are bad for people with liver problems, because our blood is already thin,

so these can give us problems with blood pressure. I think licorice root

has been shown to be a natural diuretic. Sorry I don't have sources for

you! I just wanted to give you a couple of leads to follow up on. Take

care, and good luck in your decision. Remember that living is the most

important thing, and preventing further damage. Maybe you can go on the

meds for a short period of time to get everything under control, and use the

herbals etc. to help maintain it. That's my plan anyways.

>From: CRBDJB@...

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: [ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

>Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 19:16:39 EDT

>

>From: CRBDJB@...

>

>Hi Group--

>

>I meant to get this on awhile back, but ran out of time. For those of you

>that do not know any of my history, I have been sick for almost 2 years

>with

>most of the symptoms everyone discusses here, but I still do not have a

>firm

>diagnosis. One hepatologist has said I possibly have early atypical type I

>autoimmune hepatitis, but he would not stake his reputation on it. I have

>had 2 liver biopsies that both show severe inflammation and on and on with

>tests.

>

>Anyway, I have refused to take prednisone and immuran, since the doctors

>can

>not tell me why I have chronic hepatitis and I have started seeing a

>chiropractor that specializes in nutrition and applied kinesiology. I

>started seeing him on May 5th and it will take at least 90 days to start

>seeing real results, so can not really report on those yet, although I can

>say I have not had any reactions and I do not feel any worse, which I am

>sure

>is much more than I could say if I was taking the prednisone.

>

>For those of you that may be interested here is what I am taking.

>CAC Tabs - Cascara Sagrada, Buckthorn, Burdock, Chaparral, Dandelion,

>Licorice Root, Barberry, Red Clover

>

>Renafood - Kidney Bean Plant Extract and Pods, Bovine Kidney PMG Extract,

>Vacuum Dried Bovine Kidney, Tillandsia, Beet Root, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

>Drenamin - Vacuum dried Bovine Adrenal and PMG Extract, Vitamin C,

>Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6

>

>A-F Betafood - Vacuum Dried Beet Leaf Juice and Powder, Carrot Powder,

>Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Iodine

>A-C Carbamide - Carbamide powder, Arrowroot Flour, Vitamin A, Vitamin C

>

>I will get tested again by my traditional gastro doc on June 29th, so it

>should be interesting to see if there will be any change from my last ones.

>

> in Georgia

>crbdjb@...

>

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

>How has ONElist changed your life?

>Share your story with us at

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

>Please support the American Liver Foundation!

>

>1.) To subscribe send e-mail to -subscribeonelist

>2.) To UNsubscribe send to -unsubscribeonelist

>3.) Digest e-mail format send to -digestonelist

>4.) Normal e-mail format send to -normalonelist

[Guest guest]

,

I second 's thoughtful response to your posting. I too considered

alternative methods before I went the conventional route. The compelling

statisitics posted by the American Liver Foundation that 90% of the people

with AIH die within 10 years if they are not treated with immunosuppressants

were very convincing for me to not even attempt to beat those odds. I have

not abandoned the alternative route. But I see it as support to the

conventional treatment I'm using (prednisone and azathioprine).

My best to you on your choices. Please keep us up to date on your progress.

Roxanne

Note: I also was told specifically to never take chapparal.

I also was told specifically to avoid chaparral.

[Guest guest]

HI--

I too have read that chaparral is bad for the liver and plan to ask my

chiropractor about it on Monday. I do know that the CAC tab that contains

the chaparral it is the 4th ingredient on the list, but I still do not know

how much each pill actually contains.

I am not so sure I agree with the comments on diruetics, since adrenal

problems which show up in water retention, are often directly related to the

use of prednisone. I ,without of course, taking prednisone, also have water

retention in my feet and ankles and have had this problem for years, along

with excess perspiration. Some of my supplements are for these problems and

that is one of two areas, where I have seen immediate relief. Water

retention is not something that should be ignored, although my traditional

doctors did just that, along with the many many many years of constipation,

and the constipation is now not a problem due to the CAC tabs, which has as

the main ingredient Cascara Sagrada.

I have not fired all my traditional doctors, in fact I will be going on June

29th and I have had my liver enzymes monitored regularly since the onset of

problems back in 1997. Doctors all have different opinions and I have heard

that I did not need treatment unless my numbers stayed consistently over 100.

My doctor I have now is not of that opinion,but appears to have a different

one from most of doctor reports I read from this group, in that, my doctor

says he would only prescribe for me 10 mg a day for prednisone.

Anyway, I appreciate all the comments, and think we can all help each other.

in Georgia

crbdjb@...

[Guest guest]

,

Elevated enzymes are elevated enzymes no matter how high. There is nothing

magic about over 100. My enzymes were never over 80 and by the time I had my

biopsy, I had grade 3 fibrosis. There is not always a direct correlation

between how high your enzymes are over normal and the intensity of the

inflammation. Elevated enzymes mean ongoing liver damage. Although

alternative methods might work over an extended period of time, are you sure

your liver can wait the time out it takes?

Roxanne

[Guest guest]

Elena,

I read you message to roxanne. I felt the same way about prednisone, but it

is not the end of the world. If you are like i was they needed something to

work fast. Prednisone works fast, and during the same time I was taking

pred the started me on Immuran, but that can take up the 3 months to see

results. Prednisone was not a pleasent drug, but it is well worth it. Talk

to you doc about all of your options.

(AIH)

>From: Elena P <brit71@...>

>Reply- onelist

> onelist

>Subject: Re: [ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

>Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 09:38:03 -0700 (PDT)

>

>From: Elena P <brit71@...>

>

>

>Roxanne

>How long did you have over 80 enzymes when you were

>diagnosed with fibrosis. You see, im considering

>delaying or not taking prednisone. Because I dont want

>to ruin the quality of my life. The side effects of

>prednisone, such as weight gain would be too much for

>me. I would rather have a shorter life span but a

>better quality of life than living longer with less

>quality. Is there any other meds we can take. How

>about just Immunosupressants. Ive been thinking alot

>about this and the thought of going on prednisone

>really bothers me. Im hoping that my enzymes will go

>down anyway.

>elena

>--- CREE8V1@... wrote:

> > From: CREE8V1@...

> >

> > ,

> >

> > Elevated enzymes are elevated enzymes no matter how

> > high. There is nothing

> > magic about over 100. My enzymes were never over 80

> > and by the time I had my

> > biopsy, I had grade 3 fibrosis. There is not always

> > a direct correlation

> > between how high your enzymes are over normal and

> > the intensity of the

> > inflammation. Elevated enzymes mean ongoing liver

> > damage. Although

> > alternative methods might work over an extended

> > period of time, are you sure

> > your liver can wait the time out it takes?

> >

> > Roxanne

> >

> >

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>

>===

>Elena AIH

>San Diego, CA

>_________________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Roxanne

How long did you have over 80 enzymes when you were

diagnosed with fibrosis. You see, im considering

delaying or not taking prednisone. Because I dont want

to ruin the quality of my life. The side effects of

prednisone, such as weight gain would be too much for

me. I would rather have a shorter life span but a

better quality of life than living longer with less

quality. Is there any other meds we can take. How

about just Immunosupressants. Ive been thinking alot

about this and the thought of going on prednisone

really bothers me. Im hoping that my enzymes will go

down anyway.

elena

--- CREE8V1@... wrote:

> From: CREE8V1@...

>

> ,

>

> Elevated enzymes are elevated enzymes no matter how

> high. There is nothing

> magic about over 100. My enzymes were never over 80

> and by the time I had my

> biopsy, I had grade 3 fibrosis. There is not always

> a direct correlation

> between how high your enzymes are over normal and

> the intensity of the

> inflammation. Elevated enzymes mean ongoing liver

> damage. Although

> alternative methods might work over an extended

> period of time, are you sure

> your liver can wait the time out it takes?

>

> Roxanne

>

>

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

> Looking to expand your world?

>

> ONElist has 170,000 e-mail communities from which to

> choose!

>

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

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>

> 1.) To subscribe send e-mail to

> -subscribeonelist

> 2.) To UNsubscribe send to

> -unsubscribeonelist

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> -digestonelist

> 4.) Normal e-mail format send to

> -normalonelist

>

===

Elena AIH

San Diego, CA

_________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Elena,

My enzymes were out of the normal range, between 60-78, for a year that I

know of before I had the biopsy. However, they could have been elevated for

some time and me not know it. My guess is that I had them elevated for about

two years.

Roxanne

[Guest guest]

Hi Roxanne,

You have to forgive me, I forgot what you said about

your biopsy. What did it show again?

Take care

Elena

--- CREE8V1@... wrote:

> From: CREE8V1@...

>

> Elena,

>

> My enzymes were out of the normal range, between

> 60-78, for a year that I

> know of before I had the biopsy. However, they

> could have been elevated for

> some time and me not know it. My guess is that I

> had them elevated for about

> two years.

>

> Roxanne

>

>

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===

Elena AIH

San Diego, CA

_________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Elena,

I know that you're feeling lots of anxiety about taking the drugs that

you're certain to have to take, but remember, a " shorter " life span could

turn out to be a VERY short life span if your disease happens to be

progressing rapidly. And, I don't think that they can predict whether or

not that will happen. I did read somewhere that younger people seem to be

affected by AIH more severely than older (+50 years old) people, which

should make you even more concerned.

I don't think that anyone can say how long they've had AIH or most other

liver diseases since they are such a subtle type of illness, often without

symptoms until the disease has progressed considerably. An exception, of

course, would be someone who routinely has LFTs, but why would anyone be

systematically be tested for liver disease if they appeared to be well?

Personally, I wouldn't take chances on any medications or substitutes like

herbals. It's my opinion that if some of the herbal remedies were as

amazingly successful at curing major diseases as their producers claim, the

pharmaceutical companies would figure out how to integrate them into a

prescription drug and market them. You can bet that if any drug or other

remedy could actually cure something like AIH, it would make headlines.

However, as several have suggested, that doesn't mean that herbals taken in

conjunction with prescribed meds can't be helpful and possibly even more

successful in combination than the drugs alone.

About quality of life, if your liver starts a downhill trend, forget about

that. You will find yourself looking like you're pregnant with feet too

swollen to wear shoes and perhaps turn a bright yellow, besides being

severely fatigued, nauseated frequently, suffering from unbelievable

insomnia, develop skin rashes and suffer itching that jumps all over your

body, and though doctors often claim the liver doesn't cause pain, liver

failure does cause other organs to stop working and that can cause pain.

These are just some of the prices you can eventually expect to pay if you

delay taking the medication that may or may not cause you to gain weight.

Another very important consideration is that with medications you might

delay or postpone indefinitely the need for a liver transplant. The longer

you go without meds, the more the damage progresses, the greater your odds

are of getting gravely ill very soon.

The labs are not the entire indicator of what's happening with your liver!

Many of my labs weren't as high as yours when I was literally close to

death a year and a half ago.

I know it's a very difficult situation you're in at your stage in life. It

must be like someone is trying to slam the door to your future happiness.

But, it's not really all that bad. What we talk about here are the worst

of our problems, not about the days, weeks, months and even years when

everything is fine and life is good.

Wish I were coming to San Diego sooner than August or September. We could

talk more about it. If you feel like taking a long weekend or a couple of

weekdays off during the week, let me know and we can get together here.

I'd love to meet you and I hopefully could also reassure you a little

concerning some of your anxieties.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Geri,

This is such a battle for me. Yes, I do not want to

put on weight. Unfortunately, my self esteem is based

on how i look. I used to have an eating disorder as a

teen and i feel i still have the tendency to panic

abough gaining weight. I just cant imagine how my life

would be if i gained alot of weight. Importantly, I

want to say that there is nothing wrong with being

overweight,its just something I cant cope with. There

are alot of people who are not only happy but also

look good being overweight. I just dont think that

person would be me.

Secondly, I have a dream/goal to fulfill. Maybe more

like an obsession. I so much want to join the police

force. I dont know if they would employ someone with a

weight problem or a chronic illness. I think

medication also affects concentration too doesnt it?

Yep, this is really a battle. I guess im just hoping

my AIH would spontaneously go into remmission by

itself.

You are a very kind person to take the time to write

to me and give me great advice. I do listen to all

advice and it sticks in my head. Believe me, there is

not alot that stays in my head these days!

I feel like you do about herbal medication and would

only really take meds approved by the fda.

I would also love to meet you as you come across as a

very compassionate person, not forgetting very

informative! Hopefully we can meet when you come over.

Hey, I would definetly consider coming to LV when I

have a spare weekend. Maybe I might get lucky and win

some money or something!

Take care,

Wishing you the best of health

Elena

--- Geri Spang <spangs@...> wrote:

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

> Elena,

> I know that you're feeling lots of anxiety about

> taking the drugs that

> you're certain to have to take, but remember, a

> " shorter " life span could

> turn out to be a VERY short life span if your

> disease happens to be

> progressing rapidly. And, I don't think that they

> can predict whether or

> not that will happen. I did read somewhere that

> younger people seem to be

> affected by AIH more severely than older (+50 years

> old) people, which

> should make you even more concerned.

>

> I don't think that anyone can say how long they've

> had AIH or most other

> liver diseases since they are such a subtle type of

> illness, often without

> symptoms until the disease has progressed

> considerably. An exception, of

> course, would be someone who routinely has LFTs, but

> why would anyone be

> systematically be tested for liver disease if they

> appeared to be well?

>

> Personally, I wouldn't take chances on any

> medications or substitutes like

> herbals. It's my opinion that if some of the herbal

> remedies were as

> amazingly successful at curing major diseases as

> their producers claim, the

> pharmaceutical companies would figure out how to

> integrate them into a

> prescription drug and market them. You can bet that

> if any drug or other

> remedy could actually cure something like AIH, it

> would make headlines.

> However, as several have suggested, that doesn't

> mean that herbals taken in

> conjunction with prescribed meds can't be helpful

> and possibly even more

> successful in combination than the drugs alone.

>

> About quality of life, if your liver starts a

> downhill trend, forget about

> that. You will find yourself looking like you're

> pregnant with feet too

> swollen to wear shoes and perhaps turn a bright

> yellow, besides being

> severely fatigued, nauseated frequently, suffering

> from unbelievable

> insomnia, develop skin rashes and suffer itching

> that jumps all over your

> body, and though doctors often claim the liver

> doesn't cause pain, liver

> failure does cause other organs to stop working and

> that can cause pain.

> These are just some of the prices you can eventually

> expect to pay if you

> delay taking the medication that may or may not

> cause you to gain weight.

> Another very important consideration is that with

> medications you might

> delay or postpone indefinitely the need for a liver

> transplant. The longer

> you go without meds, the more the damage progresses,

> the greater your odds

> are of getting gravely ill very soon.

>

> The labs are not the entire indicator of what's

> happening with your liver!

> Many of my labs weren't as high as yours when I was

> literally close to

> death a year and a half ago.

>

> I know it's a very difficult situation you're in at

> your stage in life. It

> must be like someone is trying to slam the door to

> your future happiness.

> But, it's not really all that bad. What we talk

> about here are the worst

> of our problems, not about the days, weeks, months

> and even years when

> everything is fine and life is good.

>

> Wish I were coming to San Diego sooner than August

> or September. We could

> talk more about it. If you feel like taking a long

> weekend or a couple of

> weekdays off during the week, let me know and we can

> get together here.

> I'd love to meet you and I hopefully could also

> reassure you a little

> concerning some of your anxieties.

>

> Take care,

> Geri

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

Elena,

I am totally understanding, believe me, about how you feel about your

appearance, i.e., weight. Even if you don't personally care, society puts

so much emphasis on youth and beauty, we women especially are always under

pressure to try to fit some vague ideal of how we should look. It was easy

for me not to care about my weight during all of the years that I couldn't

gain a pound no matter how I tried. I even took supplements to try to gain

weight for awhile. I was blessed with good genes and never gave it a

thought. Time and reality have brought humility and a fairly healthy

philosophy about life has made it possible now to deal with both weight and

time changes in my appearance. It does help to have a husband who claims I

look great even when all I have to do is look in the mirror to know better.

But, you are very aware of the necessity to maintain a healthy diet and to

exercise. I honestly doubt that you'll have a major problem. You might

even enjoy being a little zoftig for awhile. I used to wish I had curves

instead of being all bones and angles. Ha! Now I have to poke around to

locate a bone, except my elbows which seem to still be there.

You and all of us are so much more precious than the sum of our physical

attributes. If we were ugly in our souls, then I'd worry, but I haven't

seen indication that there is that kind of ugliness in this group.

Personally, I think that this is a gorgeous bunch of people, including the

male minority in our numbers. And, I don't have to see any of you in

person to believe this.

Now we have to figure out a way to meet one day. We live close enough so

it will happen eventually. Then I will let you know that you look great

and so will my husband and any of my relatives who happen to be around at

the time. And, if anyone doubts it, they'll have to answer to all of us.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Geri,

You name the time and place you want us all to meet and I'll start saving

now.

As long as I can stay with someone when I get there.

SueB.

----------

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

> onelist

> Subject: Re: [ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

> Date: Monday, 28 June 1999 22:20

>

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

> Elena,

> I am totally understanding, believe me, about how you feel about your

> appearance, i.e., weight. Even if you don't personally care, society

puts

> so much emphasis on youth and beauty, we women especially are always

under

> pressure to try to fit some vague ideal of how we should look. It was

easy

> for me not to care about my weight during all of the years that I

couldn't

> gain a pound no matter how I tried. I even took supplements to try to

gain

> weight for awhile. I was blessed with good genes and never gave it a

> thought. Time and reality have brought humility and a fairly healthy

> philosophy about life has made it possible now to deal with both weight

and

> time changes in my appearance. It does help to have a husband who claims

I

> look great even when all I have to do is look in the mirror to know

better.

>

> But, you are very aware of the necessity to maintain a healthy diet and

to

> exercise. I honestly doubt that you'll have a major problem. You might

> even enjoy being a little zoftig for awhile. I used to wish I had curves

> instead of being all bones and angles. Ha! Now I have to poke around to

> locate a bone, except my elbows which seem to still be there.

>

> You and all of us are so much more precious than the sum of our physical

> attributes. If we were ugly in our souls, then I'd worry, but I haven't

> seen indication that there is that kind of ugliness in this group.

> Personally, I think that this is a gorgeous bunch of people, including

the

> male minority in our numbers. And, I don't have to see any of you in

> person to believe this.

>

> Now we have to figure out a way to meet one day. We live close enough so

> it will happen eventually. Then I will let you know that you look great

> and so will my husband and any of my relatives who happen to be around

at

> the time. And, if anyone doubts it, they'll have to answer to all of us.

>

> Take care,

> Geri

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

Geri,

That's so sweet of you. Thanks for your reassurance.

Yes, I do hope that one day we can meet!

Have a little brain fog today, so my E-mails probably

dont make any sense. Had a late night Friday evening

and I am still recovering! I guess I cant do that

anymore.

I hope you are well

Elena

--- Geri Spang <spangs@...> wrote:

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

> Elena,

> I am totally understanding, believe me, about how

> you feel about your

> appearance, i.e., weight. Even if you don't

> personally care, society puts

> so much emphasis on youth and beauty, we women

> especially are always under

> pressure to try to fit some vague ideal of how we

> should look. It was easy

> for me not to care about my weight during all of the

> years that I couldn't

> gain a pound no matter how I tried. I even took

> supplements to try to gain

> weight for awhile. I was blessed with good genes

> and never gave it a

> thought. Time and reality have brought humility and

> a fairly healthy

> philosophy about life has made it possible now to

> deal with both weight and

> time changes in my appearance. It does help to have

> a husband who claims I

> look great even when all I have to do is look in the

> mirror to know better.

>

> But, you are very aware of the necessity to maintain

> a healthy diet and to

> exercise. I honestly doubt that you'll have a major

> problem. You might

> even enjoy being a little zoftig for awhile. I used

> to wish I had curves

> instead of being all bones and angles. Ha! Now I

> have to poke around to

> locate a bone, except my elbows which seem to still

> be there.

>

> You and all of us are so much more precious than the

> sum of our physical

> attributes. If we were ugly in our souls, then I'd

> worry, but I haven't

> seen indication that there is that kind of ugliness

> in this group.

> Personally, I think that this is a gorgeous bunch of

> people, including the

> male minority in our numbers. And, I don't have to

> see any of you in

> person to believe this.

>

> Now we have to figure out a way to meet one day. We

> live close enough so

> it will happen eventually. Then I will let you know

> that you look great

> and so will my husband and any of my relatives who

> happen to be around at

> the time. And, if anyone doubts it, they'll have to

> answer to all of us.

>

> Take care,

> Geri

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Geri -

I'm a little slow myself answering emails : ) I love to travel and would

too love to meet up with you someday. You are a great inspiration to the

entire group : )

Have a happy day : )

Debbie

AIH

Michigan

Re: [ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

>From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

>Elena,

>I am totally understanding, believe me, about how you feel about your

>appearance, i.e., weight. Even if you don't personally care, society puts

>so much emphasis on youth and beauty, we women especially are always under

>pressure to try to fit some vague ideal of how we should look. It was easy

>for me not to care about my weight during all of the years that I couldn't

>gain a pound no matter how I tried. I even took supplements to try to gain

>weight for awhile. I was blessed with good genes and never gave it a

>thought. Time and reality have brought humility and a fairly healthy

>philosophy about life has made it possible now to deal with both weight and

>time changes in my appearance. It does help to have a husband who claims I

>look great even when all I have to do is look in the mirror to know better.

>

>But, you are very aware of the necessity to maintain a healthy diet and to

>exercise. I honestly doubt that you'll have a major problem. You might

>even enjoy being a little zoftig for awhile. I used to wish I had curves

>instead of being all bones and angles. Ha! Now I have to poke around to

>locate a bone, except my elbows which seem to still be there.

>

>You and all of us are so much more precious than the sum of our physical

>attributes. If we were ugly in our souls, then I'd worry, but I haven't

>seen indication that there is that kind of ugliness in this group.

>Personally, I think that this is a gorgeous bunch of people, including the

>male minority in our numbers. And, I don't have to see any of you in

>person to believe this.

>

>Now we have to figure out a way to meet one day. We live close enough so

>it will happen eventually. Then I will let you know that you look great

>and so will my husband and any of my relatives who happen to be around at

>the time. And, if anyone doubts it, they'll have to answer to all of us.

>

>Take care,

>Geri

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

Sue,

If you decide that you want to come to Las Vegas, you are certainly welcome

to stay with us! We have a comfortable spare bedroom and bath. I'd love

to meet you. We'll even take you out sightseeing and enjoy every minute of it!

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Elena,

You don't sound foggy, but I know what you mean about a late night. I can

stay up all night but it knocks me out to do something active. I guess

even if my brain isn't functioning well, it doesn't tire out. My body

seems to be another matter.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

One nice thing about living in Las Vegas is that sooner or later we will

see almost everyone we've ever known! We'd planned on taking a long

driving trip across the US in the early fall but things have come up and

it's not apt to happen. I'd certainly enjoy meeting you, though. If you

ever feel like making a trip to " sin city " , I'm just about always here and

though I may not exactly be inexhaustible anymore, it's always fun to show

people the highlights. Also, it would really be great to finally meet

someone who knows exactly what having AIH is all about. So, if you get the

travel urge, we're here and if you need a place to stay, you are welcome...

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Geri,

As soon as we win Lotto over here we will be on the first plane over there.

Thanks for the kind offer, I will take you up on it one day I am sure.

SueB.

----------

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

> onelist

> Subject: Re: [ ] No Confirmed Diagnosis and Supplements

> Date: Thursday, 1 July 1999 21:13

>

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

> Sue,

> If you decide that you want to come to Las Vegas, you are certainly

welcome

> to stay with us! We have a comfortable spare bedroom and bath. I'd love

> to meet you. We'll even take you out sightseeing and enjoy every minute

of it!

> Take care,

> Geri

>

>

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

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Heck, if I win the Lotto, I'll send you a plane ticket! It would be nice

to meet someday. Wouldn't it be great to have an international convention?

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Hey Count me in on the INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION thing...

That is a great Idea..... Lets make those plans :-)

Love and Light

Dixie

Geri Spang wrote:

> From: Geri Spang <spangs@...>

>

> Sue,

> Heck, if I win the Lotto, I'll send you a plane ticket! It would be nice

> to meet someday. Wouldn't it be great to have an international convention?

> Take care,

> Geri

>

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

[Guest guest]

EVERYONE:

LETS HAVE A CONVENTION!! TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP ARRANGE. I HAVE DONE

5 CLASS REUNIONS (MY CLASSMATES WERE CLOSE) IN THE LAST 25 YEARS. KNOW ALOT

OF THINGS ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER.

SUE AIH

WISCONSIN

[Guest guest]

I can probally help some way I am sure I am excited... Lets do it... Dixie

Roselle50@... wrote:

> From: Roselle50@...

>

> EVERYONE:

>

> LETS HAVE A CONVENTION!! TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP ARRANGE. I HAVE DONE

> 5 CLASS REUNIONS (MY CLASSMATES WERE CLOSE) IN THE LAST 25 YEARS. KNOW ALOT

> OF THINGS ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER.

>

> SUE AIH

> WISCONSIN

>

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

[Guest guest]

I'd love to meet everyone, please include me in the convention. Alot of

support groups have conventions and invite medical professionals to speak at

their function.

Include me in!!