Re: Hi! I have been approved for xolair

[Guest guest]

Leigh....how long did it take for you to get approved?

I have been waiting over a month...frustrating. In the

meantime they have added huge doses of Theophlyn to my

Advair, singlair, vospire regiment...and Im still

struggling. I hope I get approved soon

---

<mccallalton@...> wrote:

> and I have a few questions? Has it really helped

with wheezing,

> shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing

normal in the

> beginning? Are most of you better and if so how

long did it take?

> Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms?

Thank you! Leigh

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mark--I had to make sure they had all my paper work--ige, rast for cat, dog,

aspergillus, mite, pft results, weight, etc. and call and call. It took about

2 weeks. What I want to know is if it really helps and worth the risks. Leigh

mark flash <flash_m@...> wrote: Leigh....how long did it take

for you to get approved?

I have been waiting over a month...frustrating. In the

meantime they have added huge doses of Theophlyn to my

Advair, singlair, vospire regiment...and Im still

struggling. I hope I get approved soon

---

<mccallalton@...> wrote:

> and I have a few questions? Has it really helped

with wheezing,

> shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing

normal in the

> beginning? Are most of you better and if so how

long did it take?

> Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms?

Thank you! Leigh

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Congrats on getting approved. It took me a full year before I noticed any

benefit and I had to stop it to actually know for sure. Some people notice

improvement in as little as 3 mos. My dose had to be increased by 75mg before I

received the full benefit. If it works for you like it does for me it will get

rid of the wheezing, SOB, and possibly some other allergy related symptoms you

have. I no longer experience the itching I once did.

Good Luck!

mark flash <flash_m@...> wrote:

Leigh....how long did it take for you to get approved?

I have been waiting over a month...frustrating. In the

meantime they have added huge doses of Theophlyn to my

Advair, singlair, vospire regiment...and Im still

struggling. I hope I get approved soon

---

<mccallalton@...> wrote:

> and I have a few questions? Has it really helped

with wheezing,

> shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing

normal in the

> beginning? Are most of you better and if so how

long did it take?

> Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms?

Thank you! Leigh

>

>

>

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

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

Hi Leigh!

I'd like to answer this question for you if I may.

I've been on Xolair for about 18 months now with a short break when my

insurance changed and I had to get re-approved.

What you need to know is that Xolair works differently for everyone, much

like allergy shots and other asthma and allergy treatments.

However, MOST of us have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference! Some of us

noticed a drastic change in as little as three months, while others seem to

have noticed the biggest change around the six month mark. Others still

noticed the largest improvement after a year's time.

Dosing depends again on each individual. I myself get the injections every

two weeks.

I noticed significant improvement at the three month mark, drastic

improvement at the six month mark, and when I hit my one year anniversary, I

felt like a new person altogether.

The important thing is to listen to your doctor, to give it time, and please

don't give up if you don't feel immediate results. Tell your doctor if you

notice anything out of the ordinary as far as what you may suspect as side

effects.

Very few people have noticed any side effects at all. Some people have

experienced mild side effects similar to those of allergy shots. Examples

are soreness or red spots at the injection site. Few people experience

light headedness or headaches. These are mild and are rarely prolonged, and

very few people are bothered by them enough to discontinue Xolair treatment.

In my opinion, Xolair is truly a life saving medication. It has absolutey

changed my life. I have cut down on my emergency room visits and hospital

stays. I was able to wean off of prednisone completely after having been on

it for over seven and a half years. I was on so many medications at one

point that I could barely keep track. Now I am on Xolair and Advair,

Albuterol or Xopenex as needed and Pulmicort if I have a minor flare up,

which has become a truly rare occurance. I still take medication for

migraine headaches, but I was able to wean off of Xanax and Klonopin which I

had to take for several years due to the anxiety my severe asthma caused me.

Also, just to note, my migraines were a previous problem, and have nothing

to do with my Xolair treatment.

I am on Social Security Disability, and for the first time in over five

years, I have hope that I will be able to work again someday, and the days

of constant steroids and hospital stays and emergency trips are behind me.

Two years ago, if someone had told me that I would be breathing this freely,

sleeping through the night, and able to live anxiety free and steroid free,

I'd never have believed it.

There is hope, and this group is a wonderful forum, filled with success

stories. You'll find tons of support here, with many friends who have been

exactly where you are now. Please allow us to hold your hand while you wait

for your own days of breathing easier to come along. I do promise you it is

worth the wait. While Xolair isn't a " cure all " for everyone, it has helped

so many of us step away from steroids and improve the quality of our lives.

You won't be " perfect " on Xolair, but you will be so much better. It is

absolutely worth the minimal risks, and the frustrating approval process.

Good luck to you. Please know that we are here for you and are open to all

the questions you feel you need to ask!

Luck, love, and wishes for easier breathing!

~ in Massachusetts

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

*MOderators note: EXCELLENT POST! THANKS!

Doug

[Guest guest]

I could cry. Genentech told me I had been approved and they meant by them to use

the drug. I am still on the insurance company approval process but I will be on

it like a duck on a june bug this week. I got my part to the insurance company

and I may send it to all 4 departments just to be sure. I am certain a lot of

you had to go back and forth. My doctor wants to use 225 on me twice a month.

I like you am horribly itchy. Leigh

McLaughlin <gmclaughlin1000@...> wrote: Congrats on getting

approved. It took me a full year before I noticed any benefit and I had to stop

it to actually know for sure. Some people notice improvement in as little as 3

mos. My dose had to be increased by 75mg before I received the full benefit. If

it works for you like it does for me it will get rid of the wheezing, SOB, and

possibly some other allergy related symptoms you have. I no longer experience

the itching I once did.

Good Luck!

mark flash <flash_m@...> wrote:

Leigh....how long did it take for you to get approved?

I have been waiting over a month...frustrating. In the

meantime they have added huge doses of Theophlyn to my

Advair, singlair, vospire regiment...and Im still

struggling. I hope I get approved soon

---

<mccallalton@...> wrote:

> and I have a few questions? Has it really helped

with wheezing,

> shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing

normal in the

> beginning? Are most of you better and if so how

long did it take?

> Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms?

Thank you! Leigh

>

>

>

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

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

--thank you for taking the time to answer my questions . I look forward

to my first dose after I receive final approval. Leigh

Currier <redsoxkitten@...> wrote: Hi Leigh!

I'd like to answer this question for you if I may.

I've been on Xolair for about 18 months now with a short break when my

insurance changed and I had to get re-approved.

What you need to know is that Xolair works differently for everyone, much

like allergy shots and other asthma and allergy treatments.

However, MOST of us have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference! Some of us

noticed a drastic change in as little as three months, while others seem to

have noticed the biggest change around the six month mark. Others still

noticed the largest improvement after a year's time.

Dosing depends again on each individual. I myself get the injections every

two weeks.

I noticed significant improvement at the three month mark, drastic

improvement at the six month mark, and when I hit my one year anniversary, I

felt like a new person altogether.

The important thing is to listen to your doctor, to give it time, and please

don't give up if you don't feel immediate results. Tell your doctor if you

notice anything out of the ordinary as far as what you may suspect as side

effects.

Very few people have noticed any side effects at all. Some people have

experienced mild side effects similar to those of allergy shots. Examples

are soreness or red spots at the injection site. Few people experience

light headedness or headaches. These are mild and are rarely prolonged, and

very few people are bothered by them enough to discontinue Xolair treatment.

In my opinion, Xolair is truly a life saving medication. It has absolutey

changed my life. I have cut down on my emergency room visits and hospital

stays. I was able to wean off of prednisone completely after having been on

it for over seven and a half years. I was on so many medications at one

point that I could barely keep track. Now I am on Xolair and Advair,

Albuterol or Xopenex as needed and Pulmicort if I have a minor flare up,

which has become a truly rare occurance. I still take medication for

migraine headaches, but I was able to wean off of Xanax and Klonopin which I

had to take for several years due to the anxiety my severe asthma caused me.

Also, just to note, my migraines were a previous problem, and have nothing

to do with my Xolair treatment.

I am on Social Security Disability, and for the first time in over five

years, I have hope that I will be able to work again someday, and the days

of constant steroids and hospital stays and emergency trips are behind me.

Two years ago, if someone had told me that I would be breathing this freely,

sleeping through the night, and able to live anxiety free and steroid free,

I'd never have believed it.

There is hope, and this group is a wonderful forum, filled with success

stories. You'll find tons of support here, with many friends who have been

exactly where you are now. Please allow us to hold your hand while you wait

for your own days of breathing easier to come along. I do promise you it is

worth the wait. While Xolair isn't a " cure all " for everyone, it has helped

so many of us step away from steroids and improve the quality of our lives.

You won't be " perfect " on Xolair, but you will be so much better. It is

absolutely worth the minimal risks, and the frustrating approval process.

Good luck to you. Please know that we are here for you and are open to all

the questions you feel you need to ask!

Luck, love, and wishes for easier breathing!

~ in Massachusetts

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

*MOderators note: EXCELLENT POST! THANKS!

Doug

[Guest guest]

hi leigh,

for me, xolair was the missing puzzle piece that gave me my life back.

as for dosing, it is calculated on how allergic (measured by a blood test -

your IgE) you are. my IgE was very high, so i get 3 shots every 2 weeks. from

what i understand, your original dose is your forever dose. i started xolair in

jan 2004, and by may 04 i was already seeing some minor improvements. for me,

it took just about a year to get the full benefit of xolair. but, with every

shot through that first year, there'd be more and more improvements.

the xolair also seemed to help my eczema, which has an allergic background.

i'm told xolair doesn't help to much with food allergies (but in the future, it

might - xolair people are looking into that). for the most part, my allergies

are much better off with xolair.

i was not on prednisone every day, but i was typically on it 2-3 weeks a

month. i have not needed any prednisone now since july 2005!!!!

side effects - better breathing, less steroids. sounds good to me!!!!!!!!!

good luck, leigh!!!!

heather

mccallalton <mccallalton@...> wrote:

and I have a few questions? Has it really helped with wheezing,

shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing normal in the

beginning? Are most of you better and if so how long did it take?

Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms? Thank you! Leigh

[Guest guest]

I agree Doug, this was an excellent post! , this was

excellent advice and I'm so glad for you that xolair has worked well

for you. I agree--that not all asthma meds work the same for

everyone and listening to your doctor, following his/her

advice/instructions and working with your doctor is so important to

improving one's health. I also agree that while xolair might

not " cure " anyone's asthma, it should certainly help reduce the

number of attacks and the intensity of the attacks. I notice little

changes, every week.

And I agree with , too, that this group has been such a

great source of encouragement as well as success stories.

I appreciate the openness and honesty with which every one shares--

remembering and reminding us all--check with your doctor before

stopping any medication---

Hope all of you have a great weekend wherever you are.....

Adah

>

> Hi Leigh!

>

> I'd like to answer this question for you if I may.

>

> I've been on Xolair for about 18 months now with a short break

when my

> insurance changed and I had to get re-approved.

>

> What you need to know is that Xolair works differently for

everyone, much

> like allergy shots and other asthma and allergy treatments.

>

> However, MOST of us have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference! Some

of us

> noticed a drastic change in as little as three months, while

others seem to

> have noticed the biggest change around the six month mark. Others

still

> noticed the largest improvement after a year's time.

>

> Dosing depends again on each individual. I myself get the

injections every

> two weeks.

>

> I noticed significant improvement at the three month mark, drastic

> improvement at the six month mark, and when I hit my one year

anniversary, I

> felt like a new person altogether.

>

> The important thing is to listen to your doctor, to give it time,

and please

> don't give up if you don't feel immediate results. Tell your

doctor if you

> notice anything out of the ordinary as far as what you may suspect

as side

> effects.

>

> Very few people have noticed any side effects at all. Some people

have

> experienced mild side effects similar to those of allergy shots.

Examples

> are soreness or red spots at the injection site. Few people

experience

> light headedness or headaches. These are mild and are rarely

prolonged, and

> very few people are bothered by them enough to discontinue Xolair

treatment.

>

> In my opinion, Xolair is truly a life saving medication. It has

absolutey

> changed my life. I have cut down on my emergency room visits and

hospital

> stays. I was able to wean off of prednisone completely after

having been on

> it for over seven and a half years. I was on so many medications

at one

> point that I could barely keep track. Now I am on Xolair and

Advair,

> Albuterol or Xopenex as needed and Pulmicort if I have a minor

flare up,

> which has become a truly rare occurance. I still take medication

for

> migraine headaches, but I was able to wean off of Xanax and

Klonopin which I

> had to take for several years due to the anxiety my severe asthma

caused me.

> Also, just to note, my migraines were a previous problem, and

have nothing

> to do with my Xolair treatment.

>

> I am on Social Security Disability, and for the first time in over

five

> years, I have hope that I will be able to work again someday, and

the days

> of constant steroids and hospital stays and emergency trips are

behind me.

> Two years ago, if someone had told me that I would be breathing

this freely,

> sleeping through the night, and able to live anxiety free and

steroid free,

> I'd never have believed it.

>

> There is hope, and this group is a wonderful forum, filled with

success

> stories. You'll find tons of support here, with many friends who

have been

> exactly where you are now. Please allow us to hold your hand

while you wait

> for your own days of breathing easier to come along. I do promise

you it is

> worth the wait. While Xolair isn't a " cure all " for everyone, it

has helped

> so many of us step away from steroids and improve the quality of

our lives.

> You won't be " perfect " on Xolair, but you will be so much better.

It is

> absolutely worth the minimal risks, and the frustrating approval

process.

>

> Good luck to you. Please know that we are here for you and are

open to all

> the questions you feel you need to ask!

>

> Luck, love, and wishes for easier breathing!

>

> ~ in Massachusetts

>

> -------Original Message-------

>

> *MOderators note: EXCELLENT POST! THANKS!

>

> Doug

>

[Guest guest]

--

heather <heaven1975@...> wrote: hi leigh, thanks so much. I

have read what I would find on xolair and on of the off label uses is

dermatitis. From what I am reading, a lot of us are plagued by some sort of

skin condition--I itch--and asthma. I found out I was just genentech approved

not insurance approved yet. But I am working it. Leigh

for me, xolair was the missing puzzle piece that gave me my life back.

as for dosing, it is calculated on how allergic (measured by a blood test - your

IgE) you are. my IgE was very high, so i get 3 shots every 2 weeks. from what i

understand, your original dose is your forever dose. i started xolair in jan

2004, and by may 04 i was already seeing some minor improvements. for me, it

took just about a year to get the full benefit of xolair. but, with every shot

through that first year, there'd be more and more improvements.

the xolair also seemed to help my eczema, which has an allergic background. i'm

told xolair doesn't help to much with food allergies (but in the future, it

might - xolair people are looking into that). for the most part, my allergies

are much better off with xolair.

i was not on prednisone every day, but i was typically on it 2-3 weeks a month.

i have not needed any prednisone now since july 2005!!!!

side effects - better breathing, less steroids. sounds good to me!!!!!!!!!

good luck, leigh!!!!

heather

mccallalton <mccallalton@...> wrote:

and I have a few questions? Has it really helped with wheezing,

shortness of breathe? Is twice a month dosing normal in the

beginning? Are most of you better and if so how long did it take?

Also did it help with any other allergy symptoms? Thank you! Leigh

[Guest guest]

- Wow, what a great story. Thanks for sharing it.

Currier <redsoxkitten@...> wrote: Hi Leigh!

I'd like to answer this question for you if I may.

I've been on Xolair for about 18 months now with a short break when my

insurance changed and I had to get re-approved.

What you need to know is that Xolair works differently for everyone, much

like allergy shots and other asthma and allergy treatments.

However, MOST of us have noticed a SIGNIFICANT difference! Some of us

noticed a drastic change in as little as three months, while others seem to

have noticed the biggest change around the six month mark. Others still

noticed the largest improvement after a year's time.

Dosing depends again on each individual. I myself get the injections every

two weeks.

I noticed significant improvement at the three month mark, drastic

improvement at the six month mark, and when I hit my one year anniversary, I

felt like a new person altogether.

The important thing is to listen to your doctor, to give it time, and please

don't give up if you don't feel immediate results. Tell your doctor if you

notice anything out of the ordinary as far as what you may suspect as side

effects.

Very few people have noticed any side effects at all. Some people have

experienced mild side effects similar to those of allergy shots. Examples

are soreness or red spots at the injection site. Few people experience

light headedness or headaches. These are mild and are rarely prolonged, and

very few people are bothered by them enough to discontinue Xolair treatment.

In my opinion, Xolair is truly a life saving medication. It has absolutey

changed my life. I have cut down on my emergency room visits and hospital

stays. I was able to wean off of prednisone completely after having been on

it for over seven and a half years. I was on so many medications at one

point that I could barely keep track. Now I am on Xolair and Advair,

Albuterol or Xopenex as needed and Pulmicort if I have a minor flare up,

which has become a truly rare occurance. I still take medication for

migraine headaches, but I was able to wean off of Xanax and Klonopin which I

had to take for several years due to the anxiety my severe asthma caused me.

Also, just to note, my migraines were a previous problem, and have nothing

to do with my Xolair treatment.

I am on Social Security Disability, and for the first time in over five

years, I have hope that I will be able to work again someday, and the days

of constant steroids and hospital stays and emergency trips are behind me.

Two years ago, if someone had told me that I would be breathing this freely,

sleeping through the night, and able to live anxiety free and steroid free,

I'd never have believed it.

There is hope, and this group is a wonderful forum, filled with success

stories. You'll find tons of support here, with many friends who have been

exactly where you are now. Please allow us to hold your hand while you wait

for your own days of breathing easier to come along. I do promise you it is

worth the wait. While Xolair isn't a " cure all " for everyone, it has helped

so many of us step away from steroids and improve the quality of our lives.

You won't be " perfect " on Xolair, but you will be so much better. It is

absolutely worth the minimal risks, and the frustrating approval process.

Good luck to you. Please know that we are here for you and are open to all

the questions you feel you need to ask!

Luck, love, and wishes for easier breathing!

~ in Massachusetts

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

*MOderators note: EXCELLENT POST! THANKS!

Doug

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

Check out the all-new beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get

things done faster.

[Guest guest]

Thanks , I appreciate the support.

I look back now at all I went through and sometimes can't believe the

struggle I went through. Suprisingly enough, at the time, I didn't realize

just how bad I was. I just went through each flare up at a time and didn't

think twice, just tried to get through it.

Now, I realize how poorly educated I was before I found the two doctors I

have now that I consider to be my " saving graces " . Those two doctors have

taken so much time to educate me, and the education has saved me just as

much as Xolair. Education truly is power. I can't imagine going back to

that point of ignorance. Amazing what we go through. I realize now just

how scary asthma is, and how life threatening mine was and can be without

proper treatment.

My goal is to help everyone I meet whose asthma is so poorly controlled

find a way to learn as much as they can about their illness and a way to

treat their symptoms. Xolair isn't for every asthmatic, but education is!

As a mother of two mild asthmatics, I pray that my children never need

Xolair. However, I feel worlds better knowing that Xolair is out there, and

that my children and other asthmatics will never have to suffer as badly as

I have, or as badly as so many members of this group had to for so many

years. As scary as my situation was and could be, I know there are others

out there that are worse off!

Breathe easy!

~

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

From: McLaughlin

Date: 11/12/06 19:11:28

Subject: Re: [ ] Hi! I have been approved for xolair

- Wow, what a great story. Thanks for sharing it.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the support Doug!

Sometimes I'm terrified that I get a bit too wordy, or that I'm " soapboxing "

Education and sharing is power, especially in a group such as this.

Support is key here, and so many out there living without asthma don't

understand what we go through. This group has been such a Godsend. It has

helped me so much to have a forum full of friends who have lived what I have

lived, and truly understand the struggle to breathe and live a normal life.

This group is more than just a Xolair users group, it's also an asthma

support group, and it truly is a blessing for those that live with severe

allergies and asthma. I've done it before, and I'll do it once more. Thank

you from the bottom of my heart for founding such an important group.

Clearly, it was needed, and will continue to be, until all of us no longer

have to work so hard at what the rest of the world can do without thinking!

Thanks to Xolair, we're on the right track, and thanks to you, we can all

come together to help each other through the process until we reach our

goals!

Much appreciation,

~

[Guest guest]

You're more than welcome Leigh!

We've all been there. Like yourself, there was a day that I joined this

group, with questions of the approval process, side effects, dosing, etc. I

was helped so much by simply being here and reading posts and success

stories. I'm paying it forward and passing on what I've learned and sharing

my own story of the great success I've had with this remarkable medication.

I only wish that it helped every single asthmatic out there exactly the way

that it helped me. Hopefully they will continue to do more research,

improve the medication even more and continue to make strides in the fields

of asthma and allergies!

Prayers are being said for your approval and for your progress on your road

to better breathing!

Luck and love,

~

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

From: Leigh McCall-Alton

Date: 11/11/06 11:42:32

Subject: Re: [ ] Hi! I have been approved for xolair

--thank you for taking the time to answer my questions . I look

forward to my first dose after I receive final approval. Leigh

[Guest guest]

Thanks Adah!

I believe in giving back, this group has helped me so much on my road to

better breathing and better living. When I joined (seemes aeons ago) I was

so nervous and scared, and I was welcomed with open arms, and so many of my

fears were put to rest by members who were ready to share their stories.

I am blessed with excellent docs. Docs that not only believe in education

and treatment, but Docs that listen to me as well. Heck, I can call up my

docs, and instead of having to go through a whole spiel and being nervous

about what they might say... they ask ME what I think I need! THAT is how

far I've come in the last 8 years!

I recently looked through an old Physician's Desk Reference (Better known to

everyone as a PDR) that I'd had for ages. I recently updated again of

course. I have a habit of highlighting meds in different colors. I

highlight meds I'm on in yellow... when I go off of them, I go over them in

blue, so that it will turn green and I know that it's a medication I've

taken and " tried " . If I've had an allergic reaction to a med, I go over it

in pink instead so that it will turn orange. I do this in the index in the

back of the book. I can't BELIEVE how many meds I've tried in my lifetime.

Between my asthma, allergies, migraines and clinical depression (which I

forgot to mention has been a problem in the past) I'd highlighted so many

meds it was scary. I'm so proud to say that now I have very few " yellow "

highlights in my new PDR. I have a full set of highlighters now, so I went

ahead and just used orange and green highlighters for the old meds. I

actually bring my PDR with me when I need to consult with my doctor so that

there is no confusion when they try to change my medications. Thankfully, I

d also made notations of why I was taken off of old medicaitons. Quite

helpful nowadays.

I don't expect that everyone do something like this, it was just something I

did for myself over the years, and it kept me from repeating medications

that didn't work for me and kept me from taking too many meds. I feel very

strongly that I shouldn't take a med that doesn't work. Also, it taught me

things. I learned that my clinical depression is perfectly controllable

without antidepressants when I'm NOT ON PREDNISONE!

Each person truly is unique. What works for one person, may absolutely not

work for another. However, with a group this large, sharing our personal

stories may help " click " something into place for someone that hasn't

thought of something if they share a thought with their doctor. For an

example. Theophylline has worked wonders for so many of our group members.

For me, my body simply does NOT metabolize that particular medication, and I

once had a seizure because a previous doctor didn't do routine bloodwork. I

was able to share that information here and let members know that periodic

bloodwork is VITAL when you are on high doses of theo!

Information is so important, and this group is fantastic. It has been a

blessing in my life.

While I am quiet most of the time, I do jump in when I feel I can contribute

I intend to keep doing that!

I thank you and Doug as well as the many others for being so on top of

things and giving so much of yourselves.

I could go on and on, but I don't want to monopolize, LOL.

Thanks again, you have such a wonderful heart. Bless you, Doug and the many

others that give and help so many of us!

Breathe strong and be well,

~

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

From: asthmatic50

Date: 11/11/06 12:49:30

Subject: [ ] Re: Hi! I have been approved for xolair

I agree Doug, this was an excellent post! , this was

excellent advice and I'm so glad for you that xolair has worked well

for you. I agree--that not all asthma meds work the same for

everyone and listening to your doctor, following his/her

advice/instructions and working with your doctor is so important to

improving one's health. I also agree that while xolair might

not " cure " anyone's asthma, it should certainly help reduce the

number of attacks and the intensity of the attacks. I notice little

changes, every week.

And I agree with , too, that this group has been such a

great source of encouragement as well as success stories.

I appreciate the openness and honesty with which every one shares--

remembering and reminding us all--check with your doctor before

stopping any medication---

Hope all of you have a great weekend wherever you are.....

Adah