blackwolf

Carlacat, don't forget to check with your state's medicaid office for that coverage of your deductabe and copays. blackwolf

Dear Tearose, I would request going to the procudure early and having an iv placed so you don't have any trouble. good luck and rest for now, blackwolf

One idea, remove the plate that covers the fan, check and see if there is any water there, also check around the unit, any cracks that could be letting in air the should be passing thru the filter could cause trouble. If you have a wall mounted unit, remove the front and back covers and give them a through cleaning, and again check for any water, this should be done every few months as well Hope you feel better soon. blackwolf

It is common for most people to eat several, as in 6-12, times a day. I average about 6-8 small meals a day. blackwolf

Dear Tammy, that was me. I have to pay for my pills, unless I can get samples, so I only buy just enough to get me started. I just ask the pharmacist for a few pills and see how I do. It is better to check with the phamacist to see what is available and how much, I also call around and check prices at several different places, some of my scripts are cheaper at one store while others are best bought elsewhere, before you get your script filled and I often ask to see if they have something that they would reconmend first, ie. generic vs. brand name. They will know more than any doctor about trouble with certain meds. My pharmacist is one of my best sources of info and is very kind in helping me. blackwolf

I have learned to never completely roll my head all the way around, I do it in 180 degree pieces. Once or twice the front half, and repeat for the back half. Good greif, does that make any sense. I hope so. blackwolf

Just one more note, If you have more than one doc , check with all of them for samples to have on hand. I have haad some trouble with getting my Toprol XL and I got samples form both my cardio doc and my gp. best of luck, blackwolf

I take Toprol XL, 50 mgs a day. I get some relief but still have symptoms. At one point I took Atenolol at 50mgs a day but got no relief at all. I was also on Norpace at 150mgs twice a day that worked for a while but seemed to stop being effective, so I stopped taking it about 2 months ago. One little thing I would like to add, there IS a difference in generic vs. brand name. I took the generic of Norpace(Disopyrominde) and felt better on the generic than the brand name and my mother is the exact opposite, she can't handle the generic. Go figure. blackwolf

Are you aware that most drug companies have a Patient assistance program. I get all but one of my drugs for free. Check with your doctor about these patient care, sometimes called indogent care, programs. Most programs require your doc to do the paper work so they usuall have someone in the office who does this. Most states, not all, also have programs that can be used in conjunction with medicare, and even some stores ( I use Hyvee and get extra off per script and for so much spent each month). I can't remember where, but there is a list of all the drugs that are covered by the Patient Assist. program, But, and I have, you might be able to convince the drug company that you need help and they can help you. Also, your state will pay for your medicare deductable and copay, these are available thru your medicaid office, I would suggest asking the receptionist as they usually know the person(s) handling that part of the program. best of luck, hope it helps blackwolf

Welcome, welcome, Linda Howdy there. I have to agree with tearose, salt (some of us use 5-15 grams, not mgs), stockings, and diet are so important. How about meds, what do you take and do they help? What do you need help in controling? There are lots of good stuff on the what helps page. I would give anything just to see him once, just not in the cards right now, no money and no way of getting an appointment (they offered me something in June) just to backed up from him being so sick earlier, thank goodness he is doing better, there are so many more sicker than me that he can help, down side, no local docs for me, yet. best of luck and again, welcome, blackwolf

Dear Gena, I'm so sorry about your grandmother. All my prayers to you and yours. blackwolf

Thank you as always, you are quite the little digger of info. blackwolf

Started out as "orthostatic intolerance and dysautonomia" and have moved on to POTS with Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. I was just informed by my cardio that a doc from "out east"(translation-anything east of Minnesota, I live in South Dakota) is going to be starting an autonomic lab here in Sioux Falls soon (translation-before 2010) and he was hoping to get me in asap. In his words "there is something going on I can't figure out". DDUUHHH! There was a theory floating around once that these are related to "autonomic storms" search for that in the gerneral discussion group. As to meds, Toprol XL(beta blocker) 50 mgs once daily, to control tachy and arrithyma, Poramatine/midodrin 2.5-5mgs prn not to exceed 40mgs daily(low blood pressure), I also take asprin 325mgs as needed, a daily vitamin, complex vitamin b(all the b vitamins) and a magnesium lactate with zinc. I reciently started neurontin, in my case a pain killer and a God send.It is originally used for siezures, go figure. I was tortured by pain till this drug was offered me, I take 300mgs as needed up to 3 times a day, usually plenty, except now as I think my viral pleursy is back and it is getting so painful to breath. Ok, enough whining on my part. Best of luck in Vandy, I have heard good and bad there so.. blackwolf

Me too, just started getting worse. I'm really feeling wierd. I feel cool, not cold and then I just seem to be shivering, little shivers. I tried to say something to my hubby, but couldn't, my tongue just wouldn't work. I have also woken up doing this. I'm so tired and just dragging after this that I thought I would die just to move, like as in breath, go to the bathroom. All I can do is sleep and I am kid of confused sometimes, but not always. My doc says "just live with it, it doesn't seem to be hurting you any." blackwolf

Herman Melville-Moby **** There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange affair called life when one is forced to except the universe as a vast practical joke. Or something like that. I make an effort every day to say "thank you" for at least 10 things. For example: Thank you for giving me the sun rise that brings me a new day that might bring me help and peace and that I might help someone else today. blackwolf

Hi Kathy and welcome, I'm also post-surgical menopause and after several fialed attemps, I don't take any hormones of any kind, what I do get comes in from my food. I eat a lot of stuff like soy, lentils. etc that supply natural hormones and do much better on this than any of the 7 different hormones and combos of hormones I tried. As to helping, I might suggest trying the natural stuff, water, compression stockings, salt, vitamins and minerals. Check out the what helps section for all sorts of helpful info. You might also like to know that most people do better on very low doses than high doses of medicine. Best fo luck, blackwolf

Rant and rave as needed, we all do. I'm sorry you have been in the potshole, and I'm sorry you are missing out on so many other things. I too am of Scottish decent and would love to visit some day. I agree with the others, you were fibbed to. Most don't "recover", they have "adjusted", which doesn't mean that it might not happen, but I would rather live as I do now than not at all. As to being the youngest in the cardio wing, I was the youngest that our cathlab had ever worked with. (I had been checked for possible ablation and was then told it wouldn't work and instead had my heart, head and lower right leg checked for blackage and blood clots.) best to you, blackwolf

I feel so sorry anyone has to go thru that stuff. We seemed to have missed that in out little neck ot the woods, SO FAR I hope not to see it at all. We have had the "never-ending cold that just won't give up and go away", ie. stuffy nose for 3 weeks, and that lingering cough that goes on and on and on.... blackwolf

Welcome LlindaJoy, I suggest looking thru the older posts on search mode and I think you will find some discussions on Tilt Table Testing(TTT), what may or may not be done, proper procedures, side effects and what they may use to to induce symptoms. On the home page, you will find listings of what helps, testing, doctors, etc. As to being in the house and afraid to go out, yes your scared, tired, in pain and just plain old confused with what your body is throwing at you. Been there done that, sometimes still doing it. Mostly just when I'm too whipped to handle things or sick. There are also days when I say "I have to do this, no matter what." and somehow I do. I'm a fainter by the way ( I have scared many a people by just fainting dead away while out and about, gotten sprains, strains, bruised and broke ribs too) and I still go out, I guess I'm just stubborn. I also have bradycardia(to slow) and tachycardia too, nausea, bladder and bowel trouble, sleep trouble (can't sleep or too much sleep), orthostatic intolerance, exercise intolerance, vision disturbances, blah, blah, blah... I hear some really good things about the docs at the Cleveland Clinic and I hope you get the answers you need and deserve. Blackwolf

I'm a music junky. You name it I seem to like it (sorry with the exception of most hip-hop and some rap). My kids are floored when we change the radio station and I seem to know the words to all the songs, rock, jazz, country, etc. To relax I enjoy Enya, the sound track to The Lord Of The Rings(all 3), most classical, new age, blah, blah blah.. Reciently I started listening to the Old Classics being done by Rob Stewart, LOVE IT, but then again, I like that "old stuff", Frank S., Old Country- like Jonny cash, Hank WIlliams Sr. ... To get going-Greatful Dead, hard rock(80's headbangers) Queen, Twisted Sister, Older rock and roll-ie. 40's-60's, Sharika, i can't think anymore.... Boy do I feel old today blackwolf

Dear Tearose, please don't think that the monitor is the problem. I personally think all that "hype" is just that, hype. But if you need to PLEASE check away. Personally, I'm full of those calcifications and have only been monitered at the hospital or with a finger monitor. I also have had 2 of those follow-ups with only a bruise to show for it. Having stated that you already have some trouble with that side, I wouldn't be suprized to find more there. 2 of my aunts have had this trouble for years and both are doing just fine (the ages of 65 and 63 not withstanding). Best of luck, blackwolf

Back to the basics, water, compression stockings, salt and of course just what Ermie said. I'm still looking into other stuff myself. Blackwolf

Welcome back dear Emily, I missed you and your wonderful wit. Greenies begon! and let our emily go!!! Glad to "see" you again. Blackwolf

Happy St. Pats day to all. thou I'm a little green myself. Blackwolf

Nina, I think you just made my day. blackwolf