Question:

Tanya, I love ya. Thanks for the post. I wish I had a woman like you IRL to love.

EGADS !  i’m floored… peeps generally run fer their life when they see a golden op ta break away clean !!!!! You are really cool. It took me a while to figure out your posting style. Take care doll…I was on Xnax long before I took my 1st klonopin btw. I took xnax for approx. 8 years before it stopped working. Send me a pic Tayna. I am interested in how you look.

i’m simply gawjus…   tha offers just keep pourin’ in beggin’ me ta be tha poster gurl fer "hot bods"…. but i’m WAY too busy ta indulge em, dah-link…. you see, i’ve much more important fish ta fry, i have wrinkles to iron out. <ahem welllllllllllllllllll, now….  wasn’t THAT spayshul.. could it be……. (oh my, he’s pullin’ up in muh cellar door as we speak’n boy, does it tickle !   ….and dressed ta kill ! ) ::doin’ tha superior dance:: ~tanya

Response:

This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl

Hi Carl, I have experienced that pressure feeling with sinusitis. It can also ache in the sinuses running from the inside corner of the eye outwards along the nose. Sometimes, to test whether I have sinusitis, I stand and bend forwards. If I feel pressure or the pain worsens then I am pretty sure it is my sinuses. Pressing the areas can also be an indicator. Meryl

Response:

Tanya, I love ya. Thanks for the post. I wish I had a woman like you IRL to love. You are really cool. It took me a while to figure out your posting style. Take care doll…I was on Xnax long before I took my 1st klonopin btw. I took xnax for approx. 8 years before it stopped working. Send me a pic Tayna. I am interested in how you look.

You’re in for a nice surprise. She’s a knock-out (or whatever you ‘Mericuns call a sexy lady) Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carl This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. dude !!!!!!!  you need sum xanax in’ah bad way… are you on any of them dumbass schizo meds like depakote or neurontin or seroquel or senequon  or what tha hell ever else they got fer that crap? My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. ummmmm, i’m thinkin’ that would most likely be classified as’ah headache.  i ain’t sure tho. Am I having a stroke? oh yes. it’s just takin’ awhile ta get up ta speed. (oh man, that’s funny !) I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? yeah, makes ya feel like yer a redneck in alabama, i swear fore gawd. please tell me it ain’t "Redman"…. and have you had any other symptoms?  like have ya bought’ah floor on tha floor pick-up?  a gun rack?  a dog?  named him "duke"? had an urge ta go to’ah family reunion ta pick up chicks?  has yer family tree stopped forkin?  are ya sayin’ "well hot damn, bubba on occasion?  are ya drinkin’ PBR?   if so, go immediately to tha nearest ocean, strap cement blocks to yer ankles and I have never smoked cigarettes. there’s no time like tha present ta start. they’re gud’n wonderful fer yew. Has anyone else ever experienced this? oh heavens no !  your condition is a phenomenon.  it will be in medical journals for decades ta come after they dissect yer brain, so hurry up’n sign them release forms. I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD that would be ONE HALF OF A MILLIGRAM?  wow… mayber yer OD’n. i’d be SOOOOOOO on tha phone with Gary in 2.3 seconds and rattlin’ off that doc-wannabe’s phone # and sayin’ "Gary, take care’ah this, please"… and BAM !  yer dun. yanno? ya COULD empty’ah clip full’ah hollah points on that there pdoc… and "yer honor, he plain downright just needed killin’n BAD" is a valid legal defense. and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. what’s that?  like a big ole rolaid? Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. well yer quite welcome, Carl <smile I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. he’s on call 24/7… he has’ah hotline…. 1-800-SHITTY-PSYCHNURSE…. give that boy’ah jingle ! ~tanya (yer new best friend.)

Response:

You’re in for a nice surprise. She’s a knock-out (or whatever you ‘Mericuns call a sexy lady)

::fannin’:: i DO believe i feel’ah serious case’ah tha vapors comin’ on.. i DO declare ! thank you, Philip… ya lifted muh spirits ! <muahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Response:

I see you’ve had some plastic surgery, good for you.

Response:

Carl, I have also had some of the same symptoms.  I’ve had the headache in middle of forehead for about 5 months now.  At times it will go down to my eyeballs.  For two months I was treated for sinus infections, until finall had CT done and there was no sign of sinus infection.  I was also diagnosed with migraines (sinus migraines).  After trying midrin, depakote and immitrex for the supposed migraines and having none of them work, I’ve come to the conclusion that the headaches are part of my anxiety/panic problems – possibly daily tension headaches.  I also have chronic acid reflux (caused by anxiety) and have to take prevacid once a day (and/or prilosec) and zantac 150 one to two times a day. I’ve also heard that stomach problems can cause headaches down the center of forehead.  I found a good website http://www.marysherbs.com/heal/heal-hed.shtml that explains causes of different headaches.  There is a great diagram toward middle of page that gives some explanation about what causes headaches in certain locations.  Most of my headaches are at J,K, L, M and occ. O.  I’ve also had an MRI so mine are not due to tumors, etc.  I have been on xanax for two weeks (still on low dosage) .25 mg x 3 day and since taking that i still have the headaches, but not constantly and have also got my stomach to settle down quite a bit and don’t constantly have the feelings of depersonalization and derealization.  If you check out   http://www.dpselfhelp.com/ if also explains that these detached feelings are anxiety and/or depression related and suggests that anxiety medication or depression medication (in my case didn’t have extreme depression until after panic attacks started and nobody could find a thing wrong with me – so i’m going to stick with benzos as long as needed) and CBT can help.  Do you take the .5 mg once a day?  Maybe you are at too low a dose or need to take more often or switched to different benzo?  I definately don’t think that you are having a stroke since i have many of the same effects from anxiety, nor do i think it’s due to the tobacco (although i am not a dr., just giving you semi-educated guess).  When I am at home or keep very busy the fogginess is not as bad, but when i am at work or really stressed out the fogginess is worse.  Maybe like you, I also need to have my xanax upped especially since i am worse in the morning! Angela – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl

Response:

Hey..thanks angie for the reply and the links. Carl

Carl, I have also had some of the same symptoms.  I’ve had the headache in middle of forehead for about 5 months now.  At times it will go down to my eyeballs.  For two months I was treated for sinus infections, until finall had CT done and there was no sign of sinus infection.  I was also diagnosed with migraines (sinus migraines).  After trying midrin, depakote and immitrex for the supposed migraines and having none of them work, I’ve come to the conclusion that the headaches are part of my anxiety/panic problems – possibly daily tension headaches.  I also have chronic acid reflux (caused by anxiety) and have to take prevacid once a day (and/or prilosec) and zantac 150 one to two times a day. I’ve also heard that stomach problems can cause headaches down the center of forehead.  I found a good website http://www.marysherbs.com/heal/heal-hed.shtml that explains causes of different headaches.  There is a great diagram toward middle of page that gives some explanation about what causes headaches in certain locations.  Most of my headaches are at J,K, L, M and occ. O.  I’ve also had an MRI so mine are not due to tumors, etc.  I have been on xanax for two weeks (still on low dosage) .25 mg x 3 day and since taking that i still have the headaches, but not constantly and have also got my stomach to settle down quite a bit and don’t constantly have the feelings of depersonalization and derealization.  If you check out   http://www.dpselfhelp.com/ if also explains that these detached feelings are anxiety and/or depression related and suggests that anxiety medication or depression medication (in my case didn’t have extreme depression until after panic attacks started and nobody could find a thing wrong with me – so i’m going to stick with benzos as long as needed) and CBT can help.  Do you take the .5 mg once a day?  Maybe you are at too low a dose or need to take more often or switched to different benzo?  I definately don’t think that you are having a stroke since i have many of the same effects from anxiety, nor do i think it’s due to the tobacco (although i am not a dr., just giving you semi-educated guess).  When I am at home or keep very busy the fogginess is not as bad, but when i am at work or really stressed out the fogginess is worse.  Maybe like you, I also need to have my xanax upped especially since i am worse in the morning! Angela – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl

Response:

This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror.

dude !!!!!!!  you need sum xanax in’ah bad way… are you on any of them dumbass schizo meds like depakote or neurontin or seroquel or senequon  or what tha hell ever else they got fer that crap? My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs.

ummmmm, i’m thinkin’ that would most likely be classified as’ah headache.  i ain’t sure tho. Am I having a stroke?

oh yes. it’s just takin’ awhile ta get up ta speed. (oh man, that’s funny !) I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain?

yeah, makes ya feel like yer a redneck in alabama, i swear fore gawd. please tell me it ain’t "Redman"…. and have you had any other symptoms?  like have ya bought’ah floor on tha floor pick-up?  a gun rack?  a dog?  named him "duke"? had an urge ta go to’ah family reunion ta pick up chicks?  has yer family tree stopped forkin?  are ya sayin’ "well hot damn, bubba on occasion?  are ya drinkin’ PBR?   if so, go immediately to tha nearest ocean, strap cement blocks to yer ankles and I have never smoked cigarettes.

there’s no time like tha present ta start. they’re gud’n wonderful fer yew. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

oh heavens no !  your condition is a phenomenon.  it will be in medical journals for decades ta come after they dissect yer brain, so hurry up’n sign them release forms. I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD

that would be ONE HALF OF A MILLIGRAM?  wow… mayber yer OD’n. i’d be SOOOOOOO on tha phone with Gary in 2.3 seconds and rattlin’ off that doc-wannabe’s phone # and sayin’ "Gary, take care’ah this, please"… and BAM !  yer dun. yanno? ya COULD empty’ah clip full’ah hollah points on that there pdoc… and "yer honor, he plain downright just needed killin’n BAD" is a valid legal defense. and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition.

what’s that?  like a big ole rolaid? Would appreciate any feedback from anyone.

well yer quite welcome, Carl <smile I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me.

he’s on call 24/7… he has’ah hotline…. 1-800-SHITTY-PSYCHNURSE…. give that boy’ah jingle ! ~tanya (yer new best friend.)

Response:

I have this constant on the edge feeling as if something is about to happen to me or I am going to die soon.

it is and you are.  just not REAL soon.. SORRRRRY, charlie… yer stuck her knee deep in tha hooplah with tha rest’ah us so diggit. This is a horrible way to live.

if i had 35 cents for everytime i said "i would gladly lop off a leg if i could simply stop feeling like this"… i’d have… ummmm.. bout 35 cents.   (usually i say "arm")… but hey… i got enuff ta call ya from’ah phone booth ! Sometimes, it seems like death would be a better alternative than having to live the remainder of your life like this.

it is. but newwwwwwwww way are YOU takin’ tha easy way out when me’n a whole buncha other people are sittin’ it out.  newwwwwwwww, buddy.  SIT sincerely, xanax changed my life.  when i took my first 1/2 mg of xanax 8 years ago, i was all "SIGN ME THA FUCK UP, WHITE BOY" !!!!!!  and i ain’t turned back since, been forced into withdrawals by benzophobic docs’ah few times, but slashin’ their tires on their jags is always a great way ta get their attention, i’ve found.. or throw’ah rock thru their ivory tower window’n yell "HEY, DIPSHIT… TOSS ME DOWN’AH COUPLAH BLUEZ OR YER LITTLE DOG HERE GETS IT ‘KAPOW’…. right’n tha kisser". he’ll put down that bottle’ah grey goose vodka and choke on that oversized olived stuffed with jalapeno peppers in’ah quickness… (we call that "tha short cut ta justice" here round these parts) and i’m kiddin’… don’t threaten tha dog… (his teenage daughter is a more viable option… a self-inflicted shotgun weddin’ gets em antsy ever time.) hey STEVE?   YA THINK I’M SERIOUS?  I’M A MURDERER, ANIMAL KILLER’N "THOW DOWN FROM THA FLOW DOWN FIGHTER" AT LEAST, EH, BIG BOY ! ::shakin’ head::  (if he only knew whad’ah soft touch’ah really am.) oh, call me, Carl…. are ya cute?  i desperately need yer pic… i think you sent it once and sumthin happened like i forgot whacha look like’re sumthin… or maybe ya had tha good sense not ta indulge me, i ferget. ~tanya

Response:

Tanya, I love ya. Thanks for the post. I wish I had a woman like you IRL to love. You are really cool. It took me a while to figure out your posting style. Take care doll…I was on Xnax long before I took my 1st klonopin btw. I took xnax for approx. 8 years before it stopped working. Send me a pic Tayna. I am interested in how you look. Carl

This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror.

dude !!!!!!!  you need sum xanax in’ah bad way… are you on any of them dumbass schizo meds like depakote or neurontin or seroquel or senequon  or what tha hell ever else they got fer that crap? My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs.

ummmmm, i’m thinkin’ that would most likely be classified as’ah headache.  i ain’t sure tho. Am I having a stroke?

oh yes. it’s just takin’ awhile ta get up ta speed. (oh man, that’s funny !) I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain?

yeah, makes ya feel like yer a redneck in alabama, i swear fore gawd. please tell me it ain’t "Redman"…. and have you had any other symptoms?  like have ya bought’ah floor on tha floor pick-up?  a gun rack?  a dog?  named him "duke"? had an urge ta go to’ah family reunion ta pick up chicks?  has yer family tree stopped forkin?  are ya sayin’ "well hot damn, bubba on occasion?  are ya drinkin’ PBR?   if so, go immediately to tha nearest ocean, strap cement blocks to yer ankles and I have never smoked cigarettes.

there’s no time like tha present ta start. they’re gud’n wonderful fer yew. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

oh heavens no !  your condition is a phenomenon.  it will be in medical journals for decades ta come after they dissect yer brain, so hurry up’n sign them release forms. I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD

that would be ONE HALF OF A MILLIGRAM?  wow… mayber yer OD’n. i’d be SOOOOOOO on tha phone with Gary in 2.3 seconds and rattlin’ off that doc-wannabe’s phone # and sayin’ "Gary, take care’ah this, please"… and BAM !  yer dun. yanno? ya COULD empty’ah clip full’ah hollah points on that there pdoc… and "yer honor, he plain downright just needed killin’n BAD" is a valid legal defense. and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux

condition. what’s that?  like a big ole rolaid? Would appreciate any feedback from anyone.

well yer quite welcome, Carl <smile I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me.

he’s on call 24/7… he has’ah hotline…. 1-800-SHITTY-PSYCHNURSE…. give that boy’ah jingle ! ~tanya (yer new best friend.)

Response:

manohmanohman, ya didn’t even send me one pic’ah you and i’m cryin’ incessantly now. OR answer tha questions you asked of me (which i answered) when i asked for tha same don’t make me c’movah theah… cuz i WILL !  (goldernit.) ~t

Response:

This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl

Response:

This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl

Hi Carl, I can relate to the surreal feeling and fog sensation. These derealization feelings/thoughts are what trigger panic attacks for me. However I don’t get the feelings of pressure in my forehead like you describe. If you want to rule out a stroke (I haven’t got a clue what the signs are to be honest) best to see a doctor for peace of mind. I don’t know what the effect of chewing tobacco are but it would be a form of stimuli IMO and if you haven’t done this for a while it may have some kind of side effects. You seem to be on a very low dose of Klonopin but if it works for you that’s great… wish I could get by on that, I’m currently on 3mg per day and doing well. Does anything help relieve the pressure you are feeling in your forehead? I find meditation helpful for general relaxation or a relaxing bath. Take care, Vanessa

Response:

I had the same symptoms — neurally mediated syncope is what my diagnosis was After passing out on a tilt table test….  Before hand I got really really dizzy upon standing quickly— and in periods of anxiety I would be in the "mental fog" where my already narror blood vessels to the brain were being cut even more… It feels like your going to pass out even when sitting. I drink alot of water and salt to compensate and it has helped me alot… and I mean alot! it gets the blood flowing to the brain much easier and allows headaches ect. to go away essentially that’s all a headache is— a lack of blood around the nerve centers of the exterior brain.

Response:

O by the way, no your not having a stroke—- For one thing if this is a constant thing then that tells you right there it’s not a stroke (anueryism) becuase after just one stroke your dead. Period the end.  Secound with a stroke there’s no secound guesing it— your neck because stiff as a rock so that you can barely move your head. A headache like that which you’ve never experienced before resinates in your head sometimes causing a a grand mal seizure…. YOu have approx. 30 mins to get to an ER. there are such things as TIA’s (transient ischmec attacks) where symptoms resemble a stroke and indeed warn of an impeding one…but I doubt this is your case ….  If I were to diagnose you over the internet… from just your symptoms — your having tension headaches.

Response:

Thanks for replying. I finally did get this feeling to go away after about 2 weeks of this constant feeling of forehead pressure. Now, it is back again and I can get my mind off it. I am going to quit chewing tobacco and cut down on sweets. I am also going to start back meditating in addition to the klonopin and see if that helps. When this 1st started happening, I was alarmed and went to the ER. I was examined and dismissed. I have this constant on the edge feeling as if something is about to happen to me or I am going to die soon. This is a horrible way to live. Sometimes, it seems like death would be a better alternative than having to live the remainder of your life like this. Carl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – O by the way, no your not having a stroke—- For one thing if this is a constant thing then that tells you right there it’s not a stroke (anueryism) becuase after just one stroke your dead. Period the end.  Secound with a stroke there’s no secound guesing it— your neck because stiff as a rock so that you can barely move your head. A headache like that which you’ve never experienced before resinates in your head sometimes causing a a grand mal seizure…. YOu have approx. 30 mins to get to an ER. there are such things as TIA’s (transient ischmec attacks) where symptoms resemble a stroke and indeed warn of an impeding one…but I doubt this is your case ….  If I were to diagnose you over the internet… from just your symptoms — your having tension headaches.

Response:

Meditation does help immensely Vanessa. I am going to start back effective immediately. Problem is I do these good things for myself like meditation and exercising, start to feel better, and then I quit until cumulative stress takes a hold and I start feeling bad again. Thank you for your reply…most appreciated. Carl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This pressure sensation is back. I can not concentrate. I feel as tho I am living in a fog…my world seems surreal. I am having feelings of panic and terror. My head really doesn’t hurt that bad…just this damn constant pressure sensation right in the middle of my forehead and right over my eyeballs. Am I having a stroke? I went back to chewing tobacco. Could this been having some weird effect on my brain? I have never smoked cigarettes. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I am on .5 MG of klonopin for PD and I take 1 20 MG capsule of prilosec for a chronic acid reflux condition. Would appreciate any feedback from anyone. I was also saddened to read about Gary’s departure from this group. He was so helpful to me. Carl Hi Carl, I can relate to the surreal feeling and fog sensation. These derealization feelings/thoughts are what trigger panic attacks for me. However I don’t get the feelings of pressure in my forehead like you describe. If you want to rule out a stroke (I haven’t got a clue what the signs are to be honest) best to see a doctor for peace of mind. I don’t know what the effect of chewing tobacco are but it would be a form of stimuli IMO and if you haven’t done this for a while it may have some kind of side effects. You seem to be on a very low dose of Klonopin but if it works for you that’s great… wish I could get by on that, I’m currently on 3mg per day and doing well. Does anything help relieve the pressure you are feeling in your forehead? I find meditation helpful for general relaxation or a relaxing bath. Take care, Vanessa

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Question:

Yes, we were the bull’s eye, so to speak.  The eye of the storm came in just east of Mobile Bay.  I am in the western part of town so we got the better side of the storm (if there is a such thing!)  Anyway we boogied out of town and ended up in NW MS near Vicksburg.

Vicksburg? Named after you no doubt    My mom and sisters stayed and said it was awful and scary and not anything they want to experience anytime soon. We were lucky.  We only lost one tree.  Others were not so lucky.  Some lives were lost and a lot of property damage, especially along the beaches.

Well, I *am* glad (as I already said earlier) that your house wasn’t damaged and that you survived it all in good shape! Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Vicki Hey Gigglebox! I had that problem before getting on Zoloft 4 1/2 years ago then it went away after a few weeks.  Right now I am AD-free and have been for several months, but man when I needed it, it was a miracle to me.  How long have you been taking Lexapro?  Maybe you need a little more time or (dread) a slightly higher dose.  Talk to your doc again. Love, Vicki (who just blew back into town!!  LOL) Mine started right before I started Lexapro.  I’ve now been on Lexapro for a month or so. VickiBox…were you in the path of the hurricane????  What happened????? Love, Gigglebox — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at:

Question:

I just asked my doctor to switch me from Prevacid to Nexium to see if it works better. The prescription was filled without any reference to when it should be taken and I try to "bother" my doctor as infrequently as possible. When is the best time to take Nexium? TIA Louise

Response:

I just asked my doctor to switch me from Prevacid to Nexium to see if it works better. The prescription was filled without any reference to when it should be taken and I try to "bother" my doctor as infrequently as possible. When is the best time to take Nexium?

It doesn’t matter. Try for the same time every day, though. HMc

Response:

I was given 5 tabs of 40mg Nexium for acid reflux, each tab to be taken with food daily . Is the quantity enough for the treatment? Please enlighten. Thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It doesn’t matter. Try for the same time every day, though. HMc

Response:

In Feb 2003 I was taking 40 mg Nexium an hour before breakfast and noticed an incredible improvement in my well-being within 24 hours. The scope in January 2003 showed polyps at the base of the oesophagus, evidence of reflux oesophagitis and gastritis. I started on Nexium on the 19th February 2003, but still have mild heartburn pains on an almost daily basis and my solar plexus is tender on palpitation. I am also fighting tiredness on a daily basis, but have adhesions, Crohn’s disease and heart failure to boot. After approximately 5 weeks on 40 mg Nexium I started to have intolerable side-effects (severe headaches, chemical mouth and extreme unwell ‘chemical’d’ feeling www.rxlist.com  www.drugs.com ) and had to cut down and have been on 20 mg daily since then. However, about 2-3 times a week I need to hike the dose up to 40 mg to dampen the symptoms. I stopped taking Nexium for the best part of a week in June because I needed to undergo a medication wash out in preparation for a lactose intolerance test. The symptoms came back with a vengeance and I was pleased when I was able to reach for the Nexium again. I find that an hour before breakfast is the best time for me. From reading the literature www.medscape.com http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ it appears that a large majority of patients end up on chronic medication. Five days worth does seem somewhat optimistic in my unqualified/layperson’s opinion. I hope it works. All the best, Vanny I was given 5 tabs of 40mg Nexium for acid reflux, each tab to be taken with food daily . Is the quantity enough for the treatment? Please enlighten. Thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It doesn’t matter. Try for the same time every day, though. HMc

Response:

I took the 3rd. tab. with my lunch this afternoon, I notice a great improvement on the acid reflux but still having some missed heartbeats once in a while. The Doc. told me that the cause of the acid reflux/palpitation was due to the aspirin that I have been taking for about a year now…….BTW thanks for the helpful info and links. Best Regards Alek

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In Feb 2003 I was taking 40 mg Nexium an hour before breakfast and noticed an incredible improvement in my well-being within 24 hours. The scope in January 2003 showed polyps at the base of the oesophagus, evidence of reflux oesophagitis and gastritis. I started on Nexium on the 19th February 2003, but still have mild heartburn pains on an almost daily basis and my solar plexus is tender on palpitation. I am also fighting tiredness on a daily basis, but have adhesions, Crohn’s disease and heart failure to boot. After approximately 5 weeks on 40 mg Nexium I started to have intolerable side-effects (severe headaches, chemical mouth and extreme unwell ‘chemical’d’ feeling www.rxlist.com  www.drugs.com ) and had to cut down and have been on 20 mg daily since then. However, about 2-3 times a week I need to hike the dose up to 40 mg to dampen the symptoms. I stopped taking Nexium for the best part of a week in June because I needed to undergo a medication wash out in preparation for a lactose intolerance test. The symptoms came back with a vengeance and I was pleased when I was able to reach for the Nexium again. I find that an hour before breakfast is the best time for me. From reading the literature www.medscape.com http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ it appears that a large majority of patients end up on chronic medication. Five days worth does seem somewhat optimistic in my unqualified/layperson’s opinion. I hope it works. All the best, Vanny I was given 5 tabs of 40mg Nexium for acid reflux, each tab to be taken with food daily . Is the quantity enough for the treatment? Please enlighten. Thanks It doesn’t matter. Try for the same time every day, though. HMc

Response:

Hi Alek, I have the extrasysolic beats and my heart stops momentarily to compensate and get back in rhythm. I was at the cardiologist last November and was diagnosed as having a faulty LHS valve due to previous childhood inflammation – in a nutshell mild heart failure. I attribute it to my Crohn’s disease, which remained undiagnosed for years. I am taking Galacordin (German product with potassium and magnesium salts in). I was on a low dose 1.25 mg of a beta-blocker, but had to stop over Xmas because I nearly blacked out due to low blood pressure on a couple of days.  I also have mild pains in my LHS chest – separate to the GERD pains. In the literature it does say that GERD sufferers are more aware of their heart because of its proximity to the inflammed oesophagus. However, the extrasystolic beats would indicate to me that the heart is irritated and perhaps you should discuss with your doc whether or not you should take a potassium/magnesium preparation to sort it out. I have read several postings on a German site where this problem went away with the medication. Unfortunately, with me it fades in and out regardless of the medication. All the best, Vanny I took the 3rd. tab. with my lunch this afternoon, I notice a great improvement on the acid reflux but still having some missed heartbeats once in a while. The Doc. told me that the cause of the acid reflux/palpitation was due to the aspirin that I have been taking for about a year now…….BTW thanks for the helpful info and links. Best Regards Alek

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In Feb 2003 I was taking 40 mg Nexium an hour before breakfast and noticed an incredible improvement in my well-being within 24 hours. The scope in January 2003 showed polyps at the base of the oesophagus, evidence of reflux oesophagitis and gastritis. I started on Nexium on the 19th February 2003, but still have mild heartburn pains on an almost daily basis and my solar plexus is tender on palpitation. I am also fighting tiredness on a daily basis, but have adhesions, Crohn’s disease and heart failure to boot. After approximately 5 weeks on 40 mg Nexium I started to have intolerable side-effects (severe headaches, chemical mouth and extreme unwell ‘chemical’d’ feeling www.rxlist.com  www.drugs.com ) and had to cut down and have been on 20 mg daily since then. However, about 2-3 times a week I need to hike the dose up to 40 mg to dampen the symptoms. I stopped taking Nexium for the best part of a week in June because I needed to undergo a medication wash out in preparation for a lactose intolerance test. The symptoms came back with a vengeance and I was pleased when I was able to reach for the Nexium again. I find that an hour before breakfast is the best time for me. From reading the literature www.medscape.com http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/ it appears that a large majority of patients end up on chronic medication. Five days worth does seem somewhat optimistic in my unqualified/layperson’s opinion. I hope it works. All the best, Vanny I was given 5 tabs of 40mg Nexium for acid reflux, each tab to be taken with food daily . Is the quantity enough for the treatment? Please enlighten. Thanks It doesn’t matter. Try for the same time every day, though. HMc

Response:

Hi Vanny, It

Question:

Hi all, first post here. I have had horrible headaches since I was about 7 years old. I am now 29. The headaches always have been concentrated in spot on the back side of my head. Sometimes they develop when a regular headache goes on for a while without taking anything. Sometimes I almost get tunnel vision a few hours before and feel a tightness on the right side of my head including tremendous eye pressure. The tightness and pressure seems to work its way back to the same spot every time where it’s a pulsing pain almost in sync with my heart beat. About 8 years ago, after one brutal one I still had what I consider "after shock" effects days afterward. My doctor sent me to a neurologist. I had an MRI and they determined that there was nothing out of the ordinary. The neurologist gave me a sample of a migraine medication to try. I don’t remember what it was but I do remember that it made me feel like I was dying the next time I had a headache. Since then, I have just dealt with them. I have Aleve which is the only thing that seems to knock them out for a while…and that can go on for days. Last week, a headache developed and took Aleve for a few days. I guess over the years it’s been too much because that sent me into horrible acid reflux. Major pain when swallowing. The doc gave me some nexium to try. Nexium elevated the headache and did not alleviate the reflux. On my next visit, I was given aciphex and my doctor also wanted me to try a sample of RelPax. The aciphex worked!!! I still had heart burn pains with the nexium but the aciphex cleared everything – even the pain in swallowing after a few days. Now with the migraine I was experiencing… Relpax – 4:30 PM – I took the first dose. 30 minutes later, the head was feeling a little better. An hour later….the headache was coming back and I felt very weak and anxious. Almost like I was coming close to an anxiety attack. My head was hurting so bad I was determined to hold out and take the 2nd dose after 2 hours. 7:30 pm, headache is back full steam. I took the 2nd dose. 8:00 pm, my neck was so tight feeling that it made me wonder if I could turn my head. Also there was massive pressure sensations along the upper right side of my chest. I took two Motrin hoping it would make things bearable so I could just lay in bed. I actually just sort of passed out around 8:30. Woke up at 4:00 am – No headache! It’s been gone since. I don’t know if it was the combination of the two doses and the Motrin or if it was just the RelPax. My question is this: I am fairly sensitive to any kinds of medication I take. I seem to always get the weird side effects of things. Even non drowsy drugs seem to make me drowsy.  Are there any other Migraine drugs out there that have lesser symptoms? I read that Relpax was pretty bad with side effects as opposed to other drugs. Anyone else tried it? With the reflux so bad from so much Aleve I am not really left with an option anymore and willing to look into the migraine drugs more. Thoughts? Jarrod

Response:

Hi, Jarrod, Sorry you’ve got the problem, but you came to the right group! One important thing you didn’t say was how frequently you get these migraines. The reason I ask, is that if you get them more than three a month, you might benefit from taking preventive medicines that keep the migraines from happening so often, or from being so intense, they hope. They hope, because while there’s a raft of drugs to use in preventing migraines, they don’t work the same way in everyone, some don’t work for some people, and some have pretty noticeable side effects. Relpax is one of the newest triptans, and it tends to have a lot of side effects in some people, but it also seems to be very effective. I guess you have to pick your poison.  There are other triptans with different profiles;  maybe you should tell the neuro what your first experience with it was like, and if it was unpleasant enough to quit or switch.  The probelm is, all the triptans seem to have some fairly short-lived but difficult side effects. As for the Motrin vs the Relpax?  I’d say it was the Relpax…  Motrin doesn’t have a very good rack record on migraines, unless you’re a fairly clean slate and very sensitive to even low-end, over-the-counter drugs.   As you well may be. Your best bet is to go back to the neurologist, and have a talk about your whole migraine/headache spectrum, including tension and sinus headaches, if you get them.  He’s in the best position to understand what if any preventives might do you some good.  Since many drugs are designed for other conditions, that also benefit migraine, many times a drug can do double duty.  I just don’t know of any stomach drugs that prevent migraine!  I wish, because I take Nexium and Zantac. Now that you’ve found us, stick around; and let us know how it goes with the neuro. Ginnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, first post here. I have had horrible headaches since I was about 7 years old. I am now 29. The headaches always have been concentrated in spot on the back side of my head. Sometimes they develop when a regular headache goes on for a while without taking anything. Sometimes I almost get tunnel vision a few hours before and feel a tightness on the right side of my head including tremendous eye pressure. The tightness and pressure seems to work its way back to the same spot every time where it’s a pulsing pain almost in sync with my heart beat. About 8 years ago, after one brutal one I still had what I consider "after shock" effects days afterward. My doctor sent me to a neurologist. I had an MRI and they determined that there was nothing out of the ordinary. The neurologist gave me a sample of a migraine medication to try. I don’t remember what it was but I do remember that it made me feel like I was dying the next time I had a headache. Since then, I have just dealt with them. I have Aleve which is the only thing that seems to knock them out for a while…and that can go on for days. Last week, a headache developed and took Aleve for a few days. I guess over the years it’s been too much because that sent me into horrible acid reflux. Major pain when swallowing. The doc gave me some nexium to try. Nexium elevated the headache and did not alleviate the reflux. On my next visit, I was given aciphex and my doctor also wanted me to try a sample of RelPax. The aciphex worked!!! I still had heart burn pains with the nexium but the aciphex cleared everything – even the pain in swallowing after a few days. Now with the migraine I was experiencing… Relpax – 4:30 PM – I took the first dose. 30 minutes later, the head was feeling a little better. An hour later….the headache was coming back and I felt very weak and anxious. Almost like I was coming close to an anxiety attack. My head was hurting so bad I was determined to hold out and take the 2nd dose after 2 hours. 7:30 pm, headache is back full steam. I took the 2nd dose. 8:00 pm, my neck was so tight feeling that it made me wonder if I could turn my head. Also there was massive pressure sensations along the upper right side of my chest. I took two Motrin hoping it would make things bearable so I could just lay in bed. I actually just sort of passed out around 8:30. Woke up at 4:00 am – No headache! It’s been gone since. I don’t know if it was the combination of the two doses and the Motrin or if it was just the RelPax. My question is this: I am fairly sensitive to any kinds of medication I take. I seem to always get the weird side effects of things. Even non drowsy drugs seem to make me drowsy.  Are there any other Migraine drugs out there that have lesser symptoms? I read that Relpax was pretty bad with side effects as opposed to other drugs. Anyone else tried it? With the reflux so bad from so much Aleve I am not really left with an option anymore and willing to look into the migraine drugs more. Thoughts? Jarrod

Response:

Hi, Jarrod!  Glad to "meet" you! Yeah, what Ginnie said.  But you might want to ask your general doc for some Prilosic (sp?) for the reflux.  I had/have the same problem with some of my meds.  I take Zantac daily to kill most of it.  But when that horrid razor esophagus starts up, the Prilosic kills it off pretty quickly.  I usually take a slug or two of Gavescon for immediate relief, then take the Prilosic. Deep peace, Lavon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Jarrod, Sorry you’ve got the problem, but you came to the right group! One important thing you didn’t say was how frequently you get these migraines. The reason I ask, is that if you get them more than three a month, you might benefit from taking preventive medicines that keep the migraines from happening so often, or from being so intense, they hope. They hope, because while there’s a raft of drugs to use in preventing migraines, they don’t work the same way in everyone, some don’t work for some people, and some have pretty noticeable side effects. Relpax is one of the newest triptans, and it tends to have a lot of side effects in some people, but it also seems to be very effective. I guess you have to pick your poison.  There are other triptans with different profiles;  maybe you should tell the neuro what your first experience with it was like, and if it was unpleasant enough to quit or switch.  The probelm is, all the triptans seem to have some fairly short-lived but difficult side effects. As for the Motrin vs the Relpax?  I’d say it was the Relpax…  Motrin doesn’t have a very good rack record on migraines, unless you’re a fairly clean slate and very sensitive to even low-end, over-the-counter drugs. As you well may be. Your best bet is to go back to the neurologist, and have a talk about your whole migraine/headache spectrum, including tension and sinus headaches, if you get them.  He’s in the best position to understand what if any preventives might do you some good.  Since many drugs are designed for other conditions, that also benefit migraine, many times a drug can do double duty.  I just don’t know of any stomach drugs that prevent migraine!  I wish, because I take Nexium and Zantac. Now that you’ve found us, stick around; and let us know how it goes with the neuro. Ginnie Hi all, first post here. I have had horrible headaches since I was about 7 years old. I am now 29. The headaches always have been concentrated in spot on the back side of my head. Sometimes they develop when a regular headache goes on for a while without taking anything. Sometimes I almost get tunnel vision a few hours before and feel a tightness on the right side of my head including tremendous eye pressure. The tightness and pressure seems to work its way back to the same spot every time where it’s a pulsing pain almost in sync with my heart beat. About 8 years ago, after one brutal one I still had what I consider "after shock" effects days afterward. My doctor sent me to a neurologist. I had an MRI and they determined that there was nothing out of the ordinary. The neurologist gave me a sample of a migraine medication to try. I don’t remember what it was but I do remember that it made me feel like I was dying the next time I had a headache. Since then, I have just dealt with them. I have Aleve which is the only thing that seems to knock them out for a while…and that can go on for days. Last week, a headache developed and took Aleve for a few days. I guess over the years it’s been too much because that sent me into horrible acid reflux. Major pain when swallowing. The doc gave me some nexium to try. Nexium elevated the headache and did not alleviate the reflux. On my next visit, I was given aciphex and my doctor also wanted me to try a sample of RelPax. The aciphex worked!!! I still had heart burn pains with the nexium but the aciphex cleared everything – even the pain in swallowing after a few days. Now with the migraine I was experiencing… Relpax – 4:30 PM – I took the first dose. 30 minutes later, the head was feeling a little better. An hour later….the headache was coming back and I felt very weak and anxious. Almost like I was coming close to an anxiety attack. My head was hurting so bad I was determined to hold out and take the 2nd dose after 2 hours. 7:30 pm, headache is back full steam. I took the 2nd dose. 8:00 pm, my neck was so tight feeling that it made me wonder if I could turn my head. Also there was massive pressure sensations along the upper right side of my chest. I took two Motrin hoping it would make things bearable so I could just lay in bed. I actually just sort of passed out around 8:30. Woke up at 4:00 am – No headache! It’s been gone since. I don’t know if it was the combination of the two doses and the Motrin or if it was just the RelPax. My question is this: I am fairly sensitive to any kinds of medication I take. I seem to always get the weird side effects of things. Even non drowsy drugs seem to make me drowsy.  Are there any other Migraine drugs out there that have lesser symptoms? I read that Relpax was pretty bad with side effects as opposed to other drugs. Anyone else tried it? With the reflux so bad from so much Aleve I am not really left with an option anymore and willing to look into the migraine drugs more. Thoughts? Jarrod

Response:

Hi Jarrod…. I find that Carafate Suspension (http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic2/sucralfatesus.htm) works really well when the old esophagus is acting up.  I also take Prevacid twice a day for it!! Lavonne…. I like the picture of you "slugging" Gaviscon!!  Yuck! Lizzie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Jarrod!  Glad to "meet" you! Yeah, what Ginnie said.  But you might want to ask your general doc for some Prilosic (sp?) for the reflux.  I had/have the same problem with some of my meds.  I take Zantac daily to kill most of it.  But when that horrid razor esophagus starts up, the Prilosic kills it off pretty quickly.  I usually take a slug or two of Gavescon for immediate relief, then take the Prilosic. Deep peace, Lavon Hi, Jarrod, Sorry you’ve got the problem, but you came to the right group! One important thing you didn’t say was how frequently you get these migraines. The reason I ask, is that if you get them more than three a month, you might benefit from taking preventive medicines that keep the migraines from happening so often, or from being so intense, they hope. They hope, because while there’s a raft of drugs to use in preventing migraines, they don’t work the same way in everyone, some don’t work for some people, and some have pretty noticeable side effects. Relpax is one of the newest triptans, and it tends to have a lot of side effects in some people, but it also seems to be very effective. I guess you have to pick your poison.  There are other triptans with different profiles;  maybe you should tell the neuro what your first experience with it was like, and if it was unpleasant enough to quit or switch. The probelm is, all the triptans seem to have some fairly short-lived but difficult side effects. As for the Motrin vs the Relpax?  I’d say it was the Relpax…  Motrin doesn’t have a very good rack record on migraines, unless you’re a fairly clean slate and very sensitive to even low-end, over-the-counter drugs. As you well may be. Your best bet is to go back to the neurologist, and have a talk about your whole migraine/headache spectrum, including tension and sinus headaches, if you get them.  He’s in the best position to understand what if any preventives might do you some good.  Since many drugs are designed for other conditions, that also benefit migraine, many times a drug can do double duty.  I just don’t know of any stomach drugs that prevent migraine!  I wish, because I take Nexium and Zantac. Now that you’ve found us, stick around; and let us know how it goes with the neuro. Ginnie Hi all, first post here. I have had horrible headaches since I was about 7 years old. I am now 29. The headaches always have been concentrated in spot on the back side of my head. Sometimes they develop when a regular headache goes on for a while without taking anything. Sometimes I almost get tunnel vision a few hours before and feel a tightness on the right side of my head including tremendous eye pressure. The tightness and pressure seems to work its way back to the same spot every time where it’s a pulsing pain almost in sync with my heart beat. About 8 years ago, after one brutal one I still had what I consider "after shock" effects days afterward. My doctor sent me to a neurologist. I had an MRI and they determined that there was nothing out of the ordinary. The neurologist gave me a sample of a migraine medication to try. I don’t remember what it was but I do remember that it made me feel like I was dying the next time I had a headache. Since then, I have just dealt with them. I have Aleve which is the only thing that seems to knock them out for a while…and that can go on for days. Last week, a headache developed and took Aleve for a few days. I guess over the years it’s been too much because that sent me into horrible acid reflux. Major pain when swallowing. The doc gave me some nexium to try. Nexium elevated the headache and did not alleviate the reflux. On my next visit, I was given aciphex and my doctor also wanted me to try a sample of RelPax. The aciphex worked!!! I still had heart burn pains with the nexium but the aciphex cleared everything – even the pain in swallowing after a few days. Now with the migraine I was experiencing… Relpax – 4:30 PM – I took the first dose. 30 minutes later, the head was feeling a little better. An hour later….the headache was coming back and I felt very weak and anxious. Almost like I was coming close to an anxiety attack. My head was hurting so bad I was determined to hold out and take the 2nd dose after 2 hours. 7:30 pm, headache is back full steam. I took the 2nd dose. 8:00 pm, my neck was so tight feeling that it made me wonder if I could turn my head. Also there was massive pressure sensations along the upper right side of my chest. I took two Motrin hoping it would make things bearable so I could just lay in bed. I actually just sort of passed out around 8:30. Woke up at 4:00 am – No headache! It’s been gone since. I don’t know if it was the combination of the two doses and the Motrin or if it was just the RelPax. My question is this: I am fairly sensitive to any kinds of medication I take. I seem to always get the weird side effects of things. Even non drowsy drugs seem to make me drowsy.  Are there any other Migraine drugs out there that have lesser symptoms? I read that Relpax was pretty bad with side effects as opposed to other drugs. Anyone else tried it? With the reflux so bad from so much Aleve I am not really left with an option anymore and willing to look into the migraine drugs more. Thoughts? Jarrod

Response:

Jarod.. have you ever tried not taking any type of anti-inflamatory for a week or so? I know it won’t help the migraine, but i have found that i can no longer take any nsaids w/out stomach upset.  If i do it is GI and reflux type symptoms for about 2 days. Now that i’ve given up nsaids i rarely have to take my prilosec (aciphex did not work for me)a couple of times every other month or so. You may also want to try a triptan that comes in a different form like the injectable imitrex or nasal spray.  The tablets now upset my stomach. Good luck! Tracey – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually the aciphex has worked wonders for me. The swallowing pain is gone and it keeps the reflux under control. Only once on Aciphex have I had to take an additional antacid and that was after an extremely stressful day at work. I have seen on this group for some time that people are effected differently by the different triptans. Should I just continuously keep trying them until I find one that helps the headache with the least amount of side effects? My worry is that since I seem to be so sensitive to side effects that I won’t find one that works and doesn’t seem to make me feel like I am dying. My headaches seem to vary at times. Some days there is an actual aura and I can tell something isn’t right (blurred vision, tunnel vision, auditory hallucinations)- which eventually leads to a slow onset of a migraine. Usually that is not the most common occurance. I would say the highest percentage of my migraines begin as pre-headaches. General headaches caused by hangover, staring at the computer screen for too long, or just sometimes they happen for no reason. They can go on for days with spikes that become migraines. Has anyone experienced things like what I am describing? Thank you all for your insights and advice! It is very much appreciated. Jarrod

Response:

Actually the aciphex has worked wonders for me. The swallowing pain is gone and it keeps the reflux under control. Only once on Aciphex have I had to take an additional antacid and that was after an extremely stressful day at work. I have seen on this group for some time that people are effected differently by the different triptans. Should I just continuously keep trying them until I find one that helps the headache with the least amount of side effects? My worry is that since I seem to be so sensitive to side effects that I won’t find one that works and doesn’t seem to make me feel like I am dying. My headaches seem to vary at times. Some days there is an actual aura and I can tell something isn’t right (blurred vision, tunnel vision, auditory hallucinations)- which eventually leads to a slow onset of a migraine. Usually that is not the most common occurance. I would say the highest percentage of my migraines begin as pre-headaches. General headaches caused by hangover, staring at the computer screen for too long, or just sometimes they happen for no reason. They can go on for days with spikes that become migraines. Has anyone experienced things like what I am describing? Thank you all for your insights and advice! It is very much appreciated. Jarrod

Response:

Question:

Actually, I’ve had my migraines get better when I switch meds.  I was taking Protonix for a long time and had experienced some wonderfully clear migraine-free days.  That didn’t last, however.  Same thing when I switched to Aciphex.  I’ve been on that now for two years and I’ve never had it produce more or less. That’s not to say you won’t experience headaches or migraines from the medications.  And, no, never had any problems or a need to believe my abortives  (Imitrex, Zomig, DHE 45) made my need for reflux meds any more substantial.  But as we say here YMMV (your mileage may vary) and your experiences as well.  I’ve found journaling my headaches and migraines along with changes in my medication needs. Hope that helps a bit. Michelle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone associated their use of Prevacid (or similar GERD medications) with migraine? I take both Prevacid and Imitrex, and wonder if the use of one is making me use more of the other! — Roshi

Response:

Has anyone associated their use of Prevacid (or similar GERD medications) with migraine? I take both Prevacid and Imitrex, and wonder if the use of one is making me use more of the other! — Roshi

Response:

Hmmmmmm, Roshi….  you make me think a little about the connection.  I take Prevacid – morning and night for GERD.  I do not take Imitrex….. However, I’m on Elavil and Verapamil for headache prevention.  I’ve never made the connection, except to say that I have always wondered if any of the prescription/non-prescription drugs have anything to do with my persistent headaches…If I look up the interactions between drugs or the side effects — there’s usually a side effect of headache and nausea to almost every drug!! I think I’ll take a run over to RXlist.com and see what it has to say about Prevacid…. Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone associated their use of Prevacid (or similar GERD medications) with migraine? I take both Prevacid and Imitrex, and wonder if the use of one is making me use more of the other! — Roshi

Response:

Question:

I am taking (expensive) Bextra. I cant tell really how strong it is as an anti-inflamitory, but it is supposed to not affect the stomach, I understand. I have no stomach problems using it, but I usually dont anyhow with any medication. My back pain condition is overall improving slowly with PT, exercise, epidurals, pain meds, EFT, hypnosis, etc. RO – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The Cox-2’s are supposed to be less hard on the stomach than the NSAIDs.  I’m on Celebrex, a year and a half now, with no stomach problems – or very minor (sensitive to acidic foods, and when it happens Tums clears it rught up).  I was on NSAIDs for awhile and would eventually become nauseous, etc. from each and move on to another.  That hasn’t happened for me with Celebrex.  Good luck. I was just given Bextra to try from my doctor until my neuro’s appt.  My stomach is pretty lousy and the side effects sound like if I get them it will make it worse.  A Catch 22 situation.. Ronnie There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen A yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ brings up many web sites with a variety of information. A quick search suggests that Celecoxib (Celebrex), Rofecoxib (Vioxx), Valdecoxib (Bextra) are the only prescription versions. There are many web sites selling OTC versions of Cox-2 inhibitors. I didn’t take the time to read their advertisements to figure out if it’s really the same thing or just misleading advertising. A Yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ will bring them up if you’re interested in pursuing that route. Ziggy

Response:

Thanks for the suggestion Zigster !!!  Most of the time my stomach feels like I drank a gallon of battery acid.  It is weird but alot of the rx antiacid stuff that I took would end up giving me one heck of a headache… I told you that I am Polish right Ronnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take prevacid which probably helps with the stomach issue of being on Celebrex. The reason I like Celebrex over traditional NSAIDs is that it causes less severe edema for me. Ziggy I was just given Bextra to try from my doctor until my neuro’s appt.  My stomach is pretty lousy and the side effects sound like if I get them it will make it worse.  A Catch 22 situation.. Ronnie There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen A yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ brings up many web sites with a variety of information. A quick search suggests that Celecoxib (Celebrex), Rofecoxib (Vioxx), Valdecoxib (Bextra) are the only prescription versions. There are many web sites selling OTC versions of Cox-2 inhibitors. I didn’t take the time to read their advertisements to figure out if it’s really the same thing or just misleading advertising. A Yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ will bring them up if you’re interested in pursuing that route. Ziggy

Response:

The Cox-2’s are supposed to be less hard on the stomach than the NSAIDs.  I’m on Celebrex, a year and a half now, with no stomach problems – or very minor (sensitive to acidic foods, and when it happens Tums clears it rught up).  I was on NSAIDs for awhile and would eventually become nauseous, etc. from each and move on to another.  That hasn’t happened for me with Celebrex.  Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was just given Bextra to try from my doctor until my neuro’s appt.  My stomach is pretty lousy and the side effects sound like if I get them it will make it worse.  A Catch 22 situation.. Ronnie There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen A yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ brings up many web sites with a variety of information. A quick search suggests that Celecoxib (Celebrex), Rofecoxib (Vioxx), Valdecoxib (Bextra) are the only prescription versions. There are many web sites selling OTC versions of Cox-2 inhibitors. I didn’t take the time to read their advertisements to figure out if it’s really the same thing or just misleading advertising. A Yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ will bring them up if you’re interested in pursuing that route. Ziggy

Response:

I was just given Bextra to try from my doctor until my neuro’s appt.  My stomach is pretty lousy and the side effects sound like if I get them it will make it worse.  A Catch 22 situation.. Ronnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen A yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ brings up many web sites with a variety of information. A quick search suggests that Celecoxib (Celebrex), Rofecoxib (Vioxx), Valdecoxib (Bextra) are the only prescription versions. There are many web sites selling OTC versions of Cox-2 inhibitors. I didn’t take the time to read their advertisements to figure out if it’s really the same thing or just misleading advertising. A Yahoo search on ‘Cox-2 inhibitor’ will bring them up if you’re interested in pursuing that route. Ziggy

Response:

There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen

Response:

Those that I can remember off the top of my head are Vioxx (rofecoxib) and Bextra (valdecoxib). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There’s Celebrex and are there others?  I’m drawing a blank. I’d like some time away from my Celebrex.  I noticed it worked much better when I went back to it after a week of trying something different.  If I could switch to a different one, I’m thinking Celebrex may start to work again, or perhaps another one would work. Can anyone tell me the names of the other Cox-2 inhibitor(s)? Thanks Jen

Response:

Question:

Pat, I’ve been on Lipitor for high cholesterol for about 6 months.  I also take Prevacid.  I don’t think I’ve felt like I was in la la land.  I’ve been on Lipitor for high cholesterol for about 6 months.  I also take Prevacid.  I don’t think I’ve felt like I was in la la land.  Ooops, lost my train of thought there. I’ve chosen not to smoke for One week, six days, 17 hours, 36 minutes and 8 seconds. That is 274 cigarettes not smoked, and I’ve saved $72.10. I now have: 22 hours, 50 minutes more to enjoy my children.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

That’s what SFBs are made of. She is now one of us. Peter SFB — Peter Adams, Lincolnshire, England

Response:

WTG Pat.   Well done to you and Mrs Pat.  Hope your    symptoms are temporary. Well done ! Paul    SFB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit?

Hi Pat: I started on cholesterol medication about a week ago, too! I’ve been feeling pretty spacey all along, so don’t blame it on that med. I’m on Zyban, too, (only 1/day) and don’t know if that’s the culprit. Jane

Response:

16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min.

16 days is pretty derned fantabulous!  YAY you!  Keep it up and don’t ever give in.  Smoking is not an option and your quit is not negotiable! One year, one month, three weeks, five days, 7 hours, 31 minutes and 21 seconds. 6289 stinky cigarettes not smoked, saving money that I didn’t even realize I was spending in the amount of $943.45. Life saved: 3 weeks, 20 hours, 5 minutes. — Donna http://www.sewingweb.com Home on the web for sewing – definitely not ready for prime time, but getting there.

Response:

Ya, Pat. I’m doing the provicall. And tired of the la la land thing. I holding onto a blade of grass and fighting to get of the shit. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

Response:

Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today

Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

Response:

Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot

Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today — Peter Adams, Lincolnshire, England

Response:

Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot

Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today — Peter Adams, Lincolnshire, England

Response:

Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today

Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

Response:

Ya, Pat. I’m doing the provicall. And tired of the la la land thing. I holding onto a blade of grass and fighting to get of the shit. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot Pat, would your wife like to be an SFB? She only has to say the word and I’ll add her to the passenger list. Peter 2W today Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

Response:

16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min.

16 days is pretty derned fantabulous!  YAY you!  Keep it up and don’t ever give in.  Smoking is not an option and your quit is not negotiable! One year, one month, three weeks, five days, 7 hours, 31 minutes and 21 seconds. 6289 stinky cigarettes not smoked, saving money that I didn’t even realize I was spending in the amount of $943.45. Life saved: 3 weeks, 20 hours, 5 minutes. — Donna http://www.sewingweb.com Home on the web for sewing – definitely not ready for prime time, but getting there.

Response:

Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit?

Hi Pat: I started on cholesterol medication about a week ago, too! I’ve been feeling pretty spacey all along, so don’t blame it on that med. I’m on Zyban, too, (only 1/day) and don’t know if that’s the culprit. Jane

Response:

WTG Pat.   Well done to you and Mrs Pat.  Hope your    symptoms are temporary. Well done ! Paul    SFB – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Yeah Peter…add Mary Cavanaugh to the list.  She came home from shopping last night and I asked her if her boredom caused her to stop and buy the bad stuff.  She said no way  after this long *8days)

That’s what SFBs are made of. She is now one of us. Peter SFB — Peter Adams, Lincolnshire, England

Response:

Pat, I’ve been on Lipitor for high cholesterol for about 6 months.  I also take Prevacid.  I don’t think I’ve felt like I was in la la land.  I’ve been on Lipitor for high cholesterol for about 6 months.  I also take Prevacid.  I don’t think I’ve felt like I was in la la land.  Ooops, lost my train of thought there. I’ve chosen not to smoke for One week, six days, 17 hours, 36 minutes and 8 seconds. That is 274 cigarettes not smoked, and I’ve saved $72.10. I now have: 22 hours, 50 minutes more to enjoy my children.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Pat Cavanaugh hasn’t smoked for: 16 days, 2 hrs, and 36 min. Cigarettes not smoked: 323 Money saved: 60.56 Life saved: 1 day, 2 hrs, and 55 min. So How’s it goin?  I made it thru a structure fire with my fire company last night without smoking.  It was pretty easy but the habit triggers were all around me like little ghosts.  there was enough smoke from the dump of a house and trash heap that I had a lungfull without cigarettes.  I am taking Prevachol for High Cholestrol….I don’t like how I feel while taking it and not smoking.   I  have been taking this stuff since last Wednesday night and I feel like I’m always in La La land.  Now a small town in western pennsylvania is alot like La La land  but my brain is all f’d up.  I have noticed more thoughts of smoking (not cravings just thoughts) since being on this medication….since it’s early in my quit I haven’t felt tons better and today I actually felt that my breathing was more like the pack a day smoker I have been in the past. Is anyone takin cholesterol medication while pounding out a quit? Let me know….I think my wife almost caved today and she’s on day 9 goin to 10.  She was worried that I smoked last night at the fire but no way….this quit (except for the meds I’m on ) is going way too good…I like it alot See ya in the am…….PAAAAT  Cavanaugh

Response:

Question:

I just was prescribed Oramorph.  Is it ok for the pharmacy to give me MS Contin?  They said they were out of Oramorph, and that MS Contin was the same thing. Are they exactly the same formula?  I know MS Contin made me sick (vomit) last time I tried it, and I was on Zofran with Oramorph so I don’t know if it would have made me sick, but I thought they were slightly different. Thanks guys, and less pain to all of you.  Oh, and thanks for all the lessons on constipation and which meds/foods to take/eat.  I had forgotten all about that, and now I know. Clara Clara Bittner-Rossmiller Carnegie Mellon University MCS, SHS "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack Handey

Response:

: I just was prescribed Oramorph.  Is it ok for the pharmacy to give me MS : Contin?  They said they were out of Oramorph, and that MS Contin was the : same thing. Yes and no.  They are both long-acting, supposedly 12 hour versions of morphine.  Oramorph has always been considered an acceptable generic for MSContin, but I’ve never heard of the pharmacy being able to give MSContin as a generic or substitute for Oramorph.  Insurance wise, not a chance according to my pharmacist, since it would be substituting a more expensive drug.  If you were paying cash for this, however, the *my* pharmacist says he’d consider it, but only if he could call the doctor and get an okay.  I imagine that the only way you could get it changed would be to pay cash and to have the doctor approve it, and if that’s the case, why not just give it in the first place? Honestly, if you did ask for the subsitute, regardless of your reasons, it might send up red flags since MSContin is like OxyContin in that it can be injected or snorted, while Oramorph SR cannot be injected or snorted due to its design, which is to turn to a THICK gel the second it comes into contact with moisture, and that makes a lot of doctors more comfortable with the drug. : : Are they exactly the same formula?  I know MS Contin made me sick (vomit) : last time I tried it, and I was on Zofran with Oramorph so I don’t know if : it would have made me sick, but I thought they were slightly different. Nope, not the same formula.  Oramorph’s long-acting matrix is by mixing the entire amount of meds into a formula that turns into a gel when it gets wet, so it releases the meds into your system as the gel breaks down.  MSContin uses  a coating that contains a form of parafin in it that releases the meds into your system slowly, and I’ve heard conflicting info about whether there is anything in addition to the coating , such as on the inside, in the form of encapsulation.  Regardless, they have totally different sustained release delivery systems. I know I can take Oramorph without getting acid reflux, but when I take MSContin, I generally need to take Prevacid or Prilosec with it or I pay. I’ve heard quite a few people here say that Oramorph doesn’t seem to last as long as MSContin, although I never experienced that.  The dosing is equal, milligram for milligram, between the two meds. It’ll come down to whether the nausea was caused by the morphine or matrix with which it’s mixed.  I hope that this medication helps your pain. Mouse : : Thanks guys, and less pain to all of you.  Oh, and thanks for all the : lessons on constipation and which meds/foods to take/eat.  I had forgotten : all about that, and now I know. : : Clara : : : Clara Bittner-Rossmiller : Carnegie Mellon University : MCS, SHS : : "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack Handey

Response:

That’s amazing, because it was actually the pharmacy that didn’t have Oramorph saying they’d substitute with MS Contin!  I hope insurance covers it, and I’m surprised that the pharmacy would make the switch too.  Thanks for the info, it explains a lot.  My doctor again prescribed Zofran to take with the MS Contin, so I won’t get sick. Less pain to all of you. Clara –On Monday, February 04, 2002 2:30 PM -0800 "~~((((8:" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I just was prescribed Oramorph.  Is it ok for the pharmacy to give me MS : Contin?  They said they were out of Oramorph, and that MS Contin was the : same thing. Yes and no.  They are both long-acting, supposedly 12 hour versions of morphine.  Oramorph has always been considered an acceptable generic for MSContin, but I’ve never heard of the pharmacy being able to give MSContin as a generic or substitute for Oramorph.  Insurance wise, not a chance according to my pharmacist, since it would be substituting a more expensive drug.  If you were paying cash for this, however, the *my* pharmacist says he’d consider it, but only if he could call the doctor and get an okay.  I imagine that the only way you could get it changed would be to pay cash and to have the doctor approve it, and if that’s the case, why not just give it in the first place? Honestly, if you did ask for the subsitute, regardless of your reasons, it might send up red flags since MSContin is like OxyContin in that it can be injected or snorted, while Oramorph SR cannot be injected or snorted due to its design, which is to turn to a THICK gel the second it comes into contact with moisture, and that makes a lot of doctors more comfortable with the drug. : : Are they exactly the same formula?  I know MS Contin made me sick (vomit) : last time I tried it, and I was on Zofran with Oramorph so I don’t know if : it would have made me sick, but I thought they were slightly different. Nope, not the same formula.  Oramorph’s long-acting matrix is by mixing the entire amount of meds into a formula that turns into a gel when it gets wet, so it releases the meds into your system as the gel breaks down.  MSContin uses  a coating that contains a form of parafin in it that releases the meds into your system slowly, and I’ve heard conflicting info about whether there is anything in addition to the coating , such as on the inside, in the form of encapsulation. Regardless, they have totally different sustained release delivery systems. I know I can take Oramorph without getting acid reflux, but when I take MSContin, I generally need to take Prevacid or Prilosec with it or I pay. I’ve heard quite a few people here say that Oramorph doesn’t seem to last as long as MSContin, although I never experienced that.  The dosing is equal, milligram for milligram, between the two meds. It’ll come down to whether the nausea was caused by the morphine or matrix with which it’s mixed.  I hope that this medication helps your pain. Mouse : : Thanks guys, and less pain to all of you.  Oh, and thanks for all the : lessons on constipation and which meds/foods to take/eat.  I had forgotten : all about that, and now I know. : : Clara : : : Clara Bittner-Rossmiller : Carnegie Mellon University : MCS, SHS : : "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack Handey

Clara Bittner-Rossmiller Carnegie Mellon University MCS, SHS "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack Handey

Response:

: That’s amazing, because it was actually the pharmacy that didn’t have : Oramorph saying they’d substitute with MS Contin!  I hope insurance covers : it, and I’m surprised that the pharmacy would make the switch too.  Thanks : for the info, it explains a lot.  My doctor again prescribed Zofran to take : with the MS Contin, so I won’t get sick. Actually, Clara, that makes sense since they didn’t have the other to give you.  If one name brand can be substituted for another, it should work the other way around.  In the USUAL case, it’s economics that drives it; in your case, it was supply.  It makes sense that both would be legal.  I guess the pharmacy got approval for the switch or I doubt you would have walked out the door with the script. I thought you WANTED to get MSContin rather than OramorphSR.  My mistake. Sorry. Mouse <:3)))))~~ "This invisible man has a place for you full of fire, smoke, burning and torture and he will send you there to choke, scream, die, suffer and burn for the end of time.  But he *loves* you!" ~George Carlin : : Less pain to all of you. : Clara : : : –On Monday, February 04, 2002 2:30 PM -0800 "~~((((8:"

: : : I just was prescribed Oramorph.  Is it ok for the pharmacy to give me MS : : Contin?  They said they were out of Oramorph, and that MS Contin was the : : same thing. : : Yes and no.  They are both long-acting, supposedly 12 hour versions of : morphine.  Oramorph has always been considered an acceptable generic for : MSContin, but I’ve never heard of the pharmacy being able to give MSContin : as a generic or substitute for Oramorph.  Insurance wise, not a chance : according to my pharmacist, since it would be substituting a more : expensive drug.  If you were paying cash for this, however, the *my* : pharmacist says he’d consider it, but only if he could call the doctor : and get an okay.  I imagine that the only way you could get it changed : would be to pay cash and to have the doctor approve it, and if that’s the : case, why not just give it in the first place? : : Honestly, if you did ask for the subsitute, regardless of your reasons, it : might send up red flags since MSContin is like OxyContin in that it can be : injected or snorted, while Oramorph SR cannot be injected or snorted due : to its design, which is to turn to a THICK gel the second it comes into : contact with moisture, and that makes a lot of doctors more comfortable : with the drug. : : : : : Are they exactly the same formula?  I know MS Contin made me sick : (vomit) : last time I tried it, and I was on Zofran with Oramorph so I : don’t know if : it would have made me sick, but I thought they were : slightly different. : : Nope, not the same formula.  Oramorph’s long-acting matrix is by mixing : the entire amount of meds into a formula that turns into a gel when it : gets wet, so it releases the meds into your system as the gel breaks : down.  MSContin uses  a coating that contains a form of parafin in it : that releases the meds into your system slowly, and I’ve heard : conflicting info about whether there is anything in addition to the : coating , such as on the inside, in the form of encapsulation. : Regardless, they have totally different sustained release delivery : systems. : : I know I can take Oramorph without getting acid reflux, but when I take : MSContin, I generally need to take Prevacid or Prilosec with it or I pay. : I’ve heard quite a few people here say that Oramorph doesn’t seem to last : as long as MSContin, although I never experienced that.  The dosing is : equal, milligram for milligram, between the two meds. : : It’ll come down to whether the nausea was caused by the morphine or matrix : with which it’s mixed.  I hope that this medication helps your pain. : : Mouse : : : : : Thanks guys, and less pain to all of you.  Oh, and thanks for all the : : lessons on constipation and which meds/foods to take/eat.  I had : forgotten : all about that, and now I know. : : : : Clara : : : : : : Clara Bittner-Rossmiller : : Carnegie Mellon University : : MCS, SHS : : : : "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack : Handey : : : : : : Clara Bittner-Rossmiller : Carnegie Mellon University : MCS, SHS : : "I hope life isn’t just a big joke, because I don’t get it."  -Jack Handey

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I just was prescribed Oramorph.  Is it ok for the pharmacy to give me MS : Contin?  They said they were out of Oramorph, and that MS Contin was the : same thing. Yes and no.  They are both long-acting, supposedly 12 hour versions of morphine.  Oramorph has always been considered an acceptable generic for MSContin, but I’ve never heard of the pharmacy being able to give MSContin as a generic or substitute for Oramorph.  Insurance wise, not a chance according to my pharmacist, since it would be substituting a more expensive drug.  If you were paying cash for this, however, the *my* pharmacist says he’d consider it, but only if he could call the doctor and get an okay.  I imagine that the only way you could get it changed would be to pay cash and to have the doctor approve it, and if that’s the case, why not just give it in the first place?

My phamacy says it cannot be done.  Absolutely no substitutes.  Only exception to that is the required by law substitution of an exact generic. Cannot go the other way.  This only applies to S II.

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Question:

: Im back. The Amantadine was wild. It helped clear up the EPS. My muscles feel a : lot looser and arent twitching and popping and stuff. My right side feels : stronger and more normal now. I was beginning to have mild problems walking and : using my right arm before I went on the Amantadine. My tongue is not very numb : anymore either. I think the Amantadine (dopamine agonist/Parkinsons disease : drug) helped the EPS a whole lot. : : I also found while on the Amantadine I could combine meds very easily as well. : I have gradually gotten to the point in the last two years where I could no : longer mix meds very easily and I couldnt tolerate many medications I used to : tolerate easily. I found that the Amantadine "loosened things" up muscle wise : to where I could tolerate meds without feeling aggravated. For example I had : gotten to the point in the last year where I couldnt even tolerate : Prilosec/Prevacid/Aciphex for GERD anymore, these meds gave me terrible : "pressure headaches." On the Amantadine, I could take Prevacid smooth as glass, : like I used to be able to. : : I could also breathe easier and stuff on the Amantadine…it just loosened : things up a lot. Sleep was better on it too. : : However psychiatrically the Amantadine made me feel FUCKED UP totally. Super : dizzy and out of it, somnolence extreme. I would just sit there and barely : move. So mentally I could not function on Amantadine. Amantadine made me feel : super duper calm…too calm. Took away all agitated feelings, but also made me : where all I could do was sit and veggie out. : : I also found that not being online for this week I actually liked. I might not : post much more, Im thinking about it. I just have other things I want to do : with my time. I may keep posting some, I might not I havent decided. : : I think I gotta lower my blood pressure medication too, as Ive discovered my BP : has been dropping like crazy lately, making me feel really dizzy and stuff. : The one week near cure for EPS, coming to a late night infomercial near you.

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    Hi "Cutie"—-glad to see you’re back!!  LOL cal

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I am glad you were able to reverse some of the side effects which your drug experimentation caused. It’s great to hear that.  I am happy your symptoms were reversible. Unfortunately, for many people they are not.

Reversible?  Perhaps lower all drugs – uhm Steve, no offense but I have learned by experience that sometimes that is something a doctor can be consulted on; I wonder btw, if Eric did consult his doctor on Amandine; Squiggles

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: However psychiatrically the Amantadine made me feel FUCKED UP totally. Super : dizzy and out of it, somnolence extreme. I would just sit there and barely : move. So mentally I could not function on Amantadine. Amantadine made me feel : super duper calm…too calm. Took away all agitated feelings, but also made me : where all I could do was sit and veggie out. : : I also found that not being online for this week I actually liked. I might not : post much more, Im thinking about it. I just have other things I want to do : with my time. I may keep posting some, I might not I havent decided.  Which part did you like, being "fucked up totally"?

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Im back. The Amantadine was wild. It helped clear up the EPS. My muscles feel a lot looser and arent twitching and popping and stuff. My right side feels stronger and more normal now. I was beginning to have mild problems walking and using my right arm before I went on the Amantadine. My tongue is not very numb anymore either. I think the Amantadine (dopamine agonist/Parkinsons disease drug) helped the EPS a whole lot. I also found while on the Amantadine I could combine meds very easily as well. I have gradually gotten to the point in the last two years where I could no longer mix meds very easily and I couldnt tolerate many medications I used to tolerate easily. I found that the Amantadine "loosened things" up muscle wise to where I could tolerate meds without feeling aggravated. For example I had gotten to the point in the last year where I couldnt even tolerate Prilosec/Prevacid/Aciphex for GERD anymore, these meds gave me terrible "pressure headaches." On the Amantadine, I could take Prevacid smooth as glass, like I used to be able to. I could also breathe easier and stuff on the Amantadine…it just loosened things up a lot. Sleep was better on it too.

I am glad you were able to reverse some of the side effects which your drug experimentation caused. Perhaps you might do well to reduce your use of all drugs, no matter who had the grand idea of them…. However psychiatrically the Amantadine made me feel FUCKED UP totally. Super dizzy and out of it, somnolence extreme. I would just sit there and barely move. So mentally I could not function on Amantadine. Amantadine made me feel super duper calm…too calm. Took away all agitated feelings, but also made me where all I could do was sit and veggie out. I also found that not being online for this week I actually liked. I might not post much more, Im thinking about it. I just have other things I want to do with my time. I may keep posting some, I might not I havent decided.

Good for you Eric.  Perhaps getting a job is one of them? I think I gotta lower my blood pressure medication too, as Ive discovered my BP has been dropping like crazy lately, making me feel really dizzy and stuff.

It’s great to hear that.  I am happy your symptoms were reversible. Unfortunately, for many people they are not. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Im back. The Amantadine was wild. It helped clear up the EPS. My muscles feel a lot looser and arent twitching and popping and stuff. My right side feels stronger and more normal now. I was beginning to have mild problems walking and using my right arm before I went on the Amantadine. My tongue is not very numb anymore either. I think the Amantadine (dopamine agonist/Parkinsons disease drug) helped the EPS a whole lot.

http://www.biopsychiatry.com/amantborna.htm Amantadine has had some amazing success for certain cases of depression. A few years ago, the Borna virus was linked with mood disorders, and amantadine actually cured some people of chronic depression. Larry

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Im back. The Amantadine was wild. It helped clear up the EPS. My muscles feel a lot looser and arent twitching and popping and stuff. My right side feels stronger and more normal now. I was beginning to have mild problems walking and using my right arm before I went on the Amantadine. My tongue is not very numb anymore either. I think the Amantadine (dopamine agonist/Parkinsons disease drug) helped the EPS a whole lot. I also found while on the Amantadine I could combine meds very easily as well. I have gradually gotten to the point in the last two years where I could no longer mix meds very easily and I couldnt tolerate many medications I used to tolerate easily. I found that the Amantadine "loosened things" up muscle wise to where I could tolerate meds without feeling aggravated. For example I had gotten to the point in the last year where I couldnt even tolerate Prilosec/Prevacid/Aciphex for GERD anymore, these meds gave me terrible "pressure headaches." On the Amantadine, I could take Prevacid smooth as glass, like I used to be able to. I could also breathe easier and stuff on the Amantadine…it just loosened things up a lot. Sleep was better on it too. However psychiatrically the Amantadine made me feel FUCKED UP totally. Super dizzy and out of it, somnolence extreme. I would just sit there and barely move. So mentally I could not function on Amantadine. Amantadine made me feel super duper calm…too calm. Took away all agitated feelings, but also made me where all I could do was sit and veggie out. I also found that not being online for this week I actually liked. I might not post much more, Im thinking about it. I just have other things I want to do with my time. I may keep posting some, I might not I havent decided. I think I gotta lower my blood pressure medication too, as Ive discovered my BP has been dropping like crazy lately, making me feel really dizzy and stuff. later, Eric "Oh you didnt get better cause you didnt work hard enough in talk therapy. Its YOUR fault!." Quote from Typical talk therapy asshole after therapy fails to relieve severe depression http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MergePsychiatryIntoNeurology/

That’s good news Eric; maybe play with the dose, take care; Squiggles

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Question:

You may need an endoscopic evaluation to determine what is going on in your gut.  Go to a good gastoenterologist post haste.  You could be playing with fire.  I discovered I had acid reflux which was exacerbating my IBS without my knowledge.  I now take prevacid on top of everything else, but I feel much better.  Better for you to know than to be in the dark.  Linda(LLHUG) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I think I’ve just started a version of Migraine Variant that may be giving me a stomach ulcer.  I can pretty well control my migraine head pain by resting and chugging 5-HTP caps. But in the past two weeks or so, the dratted migraine has decided to make its way to my stomach and start boring holes there.  (At least, that’s the way it feels.)   I’ve been filling up on mashed potatoes, which helps. I need Web references and suggestions for antacids.  Any other advice. Help! Thanks. Marcus in Vermont Marcus in Vermont

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Marcus, Hi thee to thine doctor post haste!! Don’t play around with stomach problem. I didn’t pay attention to the early signs of what would turned out to be an ulcer that had to be surgically correction. ~~~The "conventional wisdom" and "accepted  facts"  are often dead wrong!~~~ —-I’m high maintenance and worth every bloody cent!—- http://community.webtv.net/changeagent/RaysPlace

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Hi, all, There was some discussion about a connection between these on this n.g. about a month ago.  At the time, I didn’t pay much attention.  Now, when I need it, I can’t recapture it. I think I’ve just started a version of Migraine Variant that may be giving me a stomach ulcer.  I can pretty well control my migraine head pain by resting and chugging 5-HTP caps.  But in the past two weeks or so, the dratted migraine has decided to make its way to my stomach and start boring holes there.  (At least, that’s the way it feels.)   I’ve been filling up on mashed potatoes, which helps. I need Web references and suggestions for antacids.  Any other advice. Help! Thanks. Marcus in Vermont Marcus in Vermont

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