yikespanic

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad.... Ingrediants 1 cup broccoli chopped into bite size pieces 1 cup cauliflower chopped into bite size pieces 1 cup sunflower seeds 2 shreaded carrots 1/2 cup or more to taste diced red onion 6 slices bacon cut up (I used the already cooked bacon, you only have to heat it up in micro for a few seconds) 1 cup white raisons (not regular ones) 1/2 cup dried currants (I added this cuz I had them and they were good) Mix all these ingrediants in large bowl ____________________ Dressing: Now mix together 1/2 mayonaise, 2 tbls cider vinager (you can use regular if thats what you have), 1/4 cup sugar. Pour dressing onto veggies, and mix well, you can make more dressing and add to your likeing. You can add chopped apples, walnuts, cukes, strawberries, mandarine oranges, ....You can tweak it to be anything you like and have on hand, I made a huge bowl yesterday and everyone loved it, I ate the last bit for lunch today and it tasted better than yesterday... You can eat right away or let sit in fridge to let flavors mix, it tastes really good the next day. Kim

Melissa, I have been adding your request and insurance delema to our weekly prayer list at our church, we have been praying that everything would go smoothly as to treatments and that everything would be covered by insurance and that your social security would be accepted and that you would see improvement in your health. Take care (((((HUGS))))) Kim

I had similiar reaction to lexapro. I was switched to celexa beginning with 5 mg and had side effects for a few weeks but no where near the way lexapro felt. After 4 months I am feeling much better heart rate wise and bp wise. hang in there and ask your doctor when he gets back he might change your med also. I have taken xanax with celexa but not sure about other. I hope it gets better for your. Take care Kim

I'm so happy for you, arn't symptom free days GREAT! Kim

bright spot today, I got my Dysautonomia info braclet in the mail, and I went to get my hair cut. Thanks for all the good thoughts everybody. Kim

just a thought, did you begin with a little itty bity dose? I tried lexapro and at the reg beginning dose couldn;t handle it. But after seeing Dr. Grubb he said that because I had such reaction, a racing feeling and trouble sleeping, it could be just the right drug. He started me on celexa instead, (less side effects) and began me on a quarter of a 20 mg pill, just 5mg for about 2 months, then added another 5mg...the side effects were there but not as pronounced and it took about 2 months before I noticed a real improvement. now I am up to 10 mg and can titer it up to 40 if I like if I need to. He said we need to begin with smaller doses and work them up slowly. Maybe check this out with your doctor. Dreams with lexapro were yucky for me, some just to vivid. I still have allot of dreams with celexa but there just vivid and not to bad. Sometimes I am just vividy cleaning my house all night while I'm sleeping. Wish it was like that when I woke up. lol Take Care Kim

Thank you Corina, I think I'll try the the telling him and the kids ONCE in a very longgggg sentence maybe. Kim

Hi all, I just needed a little place to whine today. I have been trying not to complain to family to much, hubby has been so wonderful and I don't want him to be over burdened by hearing me complain all the time. I started my period today and I've been misserable for over a week. I have been extra weak and on top of that The antibiotic I'm on for my lyme has agravated my IBS and I have had the "runs" (i know gross) after almost every meal for over a weak. It's been difficult keeping up with fluids and I feel like I might be getting dehydrated. And on top of that my last bloodwork said my RBC was a 3, and the iron is adding to my stomach pain. I have been sleeping till almost noon everyday, getting up to only before that to drink and eat eat a little around 8am. My doc said to stop antibiotic for 5 days and sent me to get a refrigerated acidophilus from health food store, which I did yesterday. I am suppossed to eat yogert 3 times a day, but I am lactose intolerant and I wonder if that could be agravating it. I know yogert is not supposed to have hardly any lactose in it but I wonder? It like a catch 22, eat yogert to keep intestanal flora up and it might give me trouble. I hope the pill form works better and this all calms down. We leave for vacation on July 9th and I am just shuddering to think of it. We havn't had a real vacation in 10 years and weve been planing this for months. Yesterday my husband took us to a really nice park to go for a little walk, I felt sorry for him cuz as soon as we got to the half way mark I had a stomach EMERGENCY if you know what I mean. We had to turn around and go home. He ended up going on a bike ride alone and brought me back chocolate soy milk and raison bran for me. Some drown there pain in ice cream, I do with soy milk and raison bran and maybe tufutti ice cream on top. Sounds gross but it's really good. I just want this all to go away..... Kim

Had my meeting with the ACCESS office today. They actually have heard of POTS and they actually have a plan in place already in case a POTS student faints or has problems!!!! I couldn't believe it. I can't wait to meet the other two POTSY people. (There are two others registered this fall.) They introduced me to the college police and they had me put their number on speed dial in case I need them for anything, even wheeling me to a class if necessary!!!! There are even two police who are trained paramedics on duty every day for students who need help. Even the local fire dept that has the school has read up on POTS because of a student last year. I just pray I can make it through the whole year. I will have accomodations in regards to tests and missing classes. Just in case so I can make up a test if I am really sick the day of it. And because of the difficulty I have been having with some cognitive issues, maybe lyme, maybe pots related I will have a personal tutor for an hour per week to help me catch up in the math area and others if need be. I had to promise to wear a medical braclet and carry my info in my bag and carry drinks and salty items. They even thought to put into policy that if there is a pots student in the room he/or she can have the maintance know to keep the room at the level of coolness most comfortalbe to ME. They made me feel so special and cared for. Had a great experience. They couldn't have done any better to address my questions and needs. And the plus is my daughter starts to this fall and some of our classes are together! She says it's great but we'll see what she says later on....At least she can share notes and fill me in on anything I might miss and we can help each other. Kim

From what I have been told and have read the LYME bug has many different variations what works on one strain may be ineffective on another. Also LYME has a life cycle of what I believe is 4 weeks, and I think can be treated by antibiotic when it is in a certain stage of it's life cyle. It can also be dormant and return later. YOu are treated with the antibiotic until your symptoms show you are well. I am also sent for a blood test each month to test liver and kidney function to see if any harm is being done. Any sign of irregularitis will be addressed and a change in meds. I had been on antibiotics before for sinus stuff and other things and the thing is I always felt better after treatment and then felt symptoms return. My neighbor has a friend who got lyme 10 years ago and did not know he had it. He recently got tested and got a positive result and has begun treatment. Going without treatment for all that time he has many neurological symptoms and has trouble walking and balance problems that probable will not get better. It's all new to me to and I am constatly reading info to learn what I can. Lyme mimics many things and I never had a doc even bring it up. Only reading others with similar symptoms posts and them saying they tested postive did I search out a lyme literate doc to test me. It doesn;t hurt to get tested and if you find out your negitive you can scrach that off your list of things to check, but if your positive and never go furthur to check it out it can progress. I am glad I got tested. http://lymenet.org/ Here is the site that has alot of good info. It has a forum that has alot of info. My doc recommended it but said be careful not to take everything said in the forums as medical truth. But mostly its a great site. Kim

I am new to the LYME thing but I do not regret spending the money to be tested. My tests came back and I had bands that were positive and bands that were indeterminate (weak possitive) (on Wester Blot, Igenx lab). Due to this and my doctors clinical diagnosis I am being treated for LYME. A good link to research and ask questions is lymenet, I am on a diff computer that I usually use and it doesn't have it in my favorites, but I will look and post it later. I am starting my third month of antibiotic treatment and I have had some of my symptoms lesson and a few almost go away and some still here. If you in any way feel you might have LYME I urge you to be tested as it can do much damage over the years. It's advisable to see a doctor who has treated many lyme patients, I personally travel 1 and 1/2 hours to another state to see mine, and I don't regret going that far as he is very knowledeable and understands pots also, as a few of his patients have lyme and pots. I paid about $300.00 out of pocket for testing and am sending for reimbursement to my insurance co and they say it should be covered. Take Care Kim

After reading goldicedance's post about "Excellent Resourse by Dr. Goldstein" I read about if you plunge your fist in ice water it will raise your BP, I got a crazy idea since I was going to take my shower, (which I hate cuz I feel horrible after for an hour or so even though I only take a warm one not a hot one) anyway I took my usual warm shower then stepped out, and turned the hot water down till it was really cold then I stepped back in, It was a real shock at first but after a little bit it felt good and I stayed in for about 2 minutes making sure I stood under water and got my head and all. When I felt really cold I got out. Guess what I felt a little light headed but no where near what it usually does, I didn't even have to go lay down for a while which I usually always do. Tomarrow I am going to try it again and a little longer. It struck a note for me cuz we have a pool and the water hasn't warmed up good yet and it's cold. Last week I wanted to get in and suffered the cold water just to be in the pool and I had a pretty good day feeling wise after. Anyone else going to try it? Let me know if it does anything? Freezing Kim

Thank you so much for posting this link, I just spent my whole morning reading this. It was so informative and reading about some of the things I had been experiencing and the explainaions was comforting. Thanks Kim

Well today was the day and I was a little dissapointed at the turnout. Only our sweet Sunfish came and we did have a very nice time getting to know each other. But where were the rest of you? You missed the fun ice breaker my hubby had planned for us and a whole table of nice goodies and the very cool air conditioning.....Just me whinning......I might have another gettogether when the weather gets on the cooler side if anyone shows any interest.... and see if the turnout is better. I know its hard with the heat for most of us and you never do know how we might feel on any particular day. Even this morning I wasn't feeling up to it and had to push myself. It would be nice to meet those of us who live close by and start some kind of support group to uplift each other and help each other. Kim

Hope to see some of you tomarrow Kim

Got my latest blood work back and I am very anemic again. I hate taking iron pills, they upset my stomach and I have IBS so that's not good if you know what I mean. Asked and Doc said to give the liquid iron a try. Husband came home from drug store with a huge bottle. I tried one tsp of it and almost chocked!!!!It tasted like I licked a dirty rusty train track or a puddle of rusty stuff. It took awhile to get the taste out of my mouth. I had to work up nerve today and even put it in soda and it still was nasty and upset my stomach. Any brand anyone has tried out there that is easier on you? I have been eating cream of wheat in the morning it's supposed to have 90% of daily allow in it. I hate to get the upset stomach cuz then I get dehydrated and it's downhill from there. Then if I don't take the iron I get anemic and feel weak. Its like you can't win. Any ideas??? Kim

I wouldn't do anything without the direction of your doctor. I do know I had some problems with beta blockers. My first was atenenol (spelling?) It made me very tired and worse than that a depression feeling came on slowly and steadily to the point I felt so down and depressed, really came on so slowly I didn't realize what was happening. So after complaining my doc at the time switch me to lopressor which worked better and had less tired effect and the depressed feeling began to lift somewhat. Maybe ask if some other combination of beta blockers might be tried and see if there is a difference. Doc Grubb took me off my beta blockers and my heart rate has calmed down after starting celexa. Everyone is different so make sure you seek the direction of your doctor, you don't want to harm yourself by self changing your meds. I hope your are feeling better, take care. Kim

Just a reminder that were having a get together in NE OH, in Parma Heights this Saturday from 2-4pm Location: Parma Heights Baptist Church 8971 West Ridgewood Drive Parma Heights, OH 44130 (To the right of the Walmart at Parmatown Mall across Ames. Parking lot entrances on Ames and also on West Ridgewood.) I'll have signs directing you to closest parking area to entrance. If you have any questions just email me at yikespanic@yahoo.com and I'll get back to you. Hope to see you there Kim

Emily, I just cut and pasted it from something else. I noticed too, the number of LYME and POTS patients here on the site. I travel to PA once a month to see my lyme doc, thats exahausting. They can only give you a one month rx and you have to go back to get the new one and be checked. I also gotta get blood work once a month to check liver and other enzymes to make sure the antibiotic isn't hurting me. I have to start keeping a diary like he asked me to cuz I keep having really bad flu like days he thinks are herx's? Are you feeling any better since beginning treatment? I felt better once last year after taking an antibiotic for a bad sinus infection. Kim

Jacquie, I know exactly how you are feeling. Soon after I began having symptoms of my POTS the anxiety began. It was a mixture of the rushes and the fear of what was happening to me to the fear of the fear of the panic and anxiety happening again. It is a horrible circle. I to was very against taking meds. I tried a couple and did NOT like how they made me feel. After one of my visits with Dr. Grubb he explained that some of the discouraging feelings I had on some of the meds actually meant that they might just be the right med. So I began with a very small dose of celexa. 5 mg. I did have trouble sleeping for a while and had some very vived dreams, not bad ones though. I stuck it out and my dose is now 10 mg and now 4 months later I can tell you I am so glad I took the chance and listened to him. My anxiety level is very low. It has not grown to a panic attack in 4 months which has been so wonderful. I am not having some of the POTS symptoms every day such as the racing heart and BP drops. It still happens very infrequent.y and not anywhere near how it used to be. Somehow the celexa helps my POTS, he explained it to me but I don't remember exactly how it works. Last summer I couldn't get in the car by myself, I was so scared of the anxiety and the fear of having a panic attack. I got sick just thinking about leaving the house. It is so much better now. I did go to a psychologist for awhile, and gained knowledexiety and panic and it helped to have someone to talk to and work though some other issues that were causeing me much stress. I still have stress in my life, actually a little more than before, but I try to not take it so personally and not let it eat me up. One thing that really helped me through was lwhen I did have to drive I listened to some tapes by Claire Weekes that help with anxiety. She has a soothing voice and really helps take the fear out of situations. I do hope your anxiety lessens quickly so you can do all the things you want to do. One thing I do remember is that Dr. Grubb said that some POTS patients do better starting off on a very low dose of antidepressant and working the dose up slowly. Maybe this might help you. Take Care Kim

Ariella שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם I came down with a virus in Dec of 2004 which I feel I have never completely gotten over. I experienced muscle weakness, fatigue, dizzyness, painful joints in fingers, strange weakness feelings in my legs....All kinds of goofy symptoms. Someone mentioned LYME to me a few months ago and I found a (LLMD) Doctor who treats LYME patients and went to see him in a neighboring state (Pennsylavania) He thought my symptoms including the onstet of my POTS could be LYME, (I spent alot of time in woods and in the country), After being tested by IGENEX labs he thought by my test results and clinic diagnosis that there was a very strong possibility so I began treatment and I am on my second month of antibiotic. I have to say I have seen some improvement, and I hope and pray it continues. I would get tested if I were you, just to rule it out. It was not extreamly expensive, I paid myself and sent for reimbursement to my insurance co. I had the Western Blot and a three part urine test. I do hope your can find the root cause of your dysautonomia and receive the proper treatment and be on your way to recovery. http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi This is a good link to do some research and ask questions about LYME, just be carefull not to just believe everything and anything, my doctor says there is some silly quakery on it to. But it in general is a good place to talk to other lyme patients and there is a lot of info. http://library.lymenet.org/domino/file.nsf...02?OpenDocument This is a link to treatment guidlines on the lymenet.org site. Take Care and keep in touch and let us/me know what happens. I've run into a few of us POTS patients who did find out they had LYME. Kim

I shouldn't have gloated so much, cuz I crashed this evening. Just did to much this week and really didn't catch up on sleep. Got kinda shaky and weak so I am gonna take the advise and just take it easy and not try to do so much. I do think I am getting better slowly and I don't want to sabbatage it. Kim

I haven't taken it, but I had bad experiences with many others. I started celexa in feb and it was hard at first but it took about 3 months of hanging in there and have had much improvement. I think sometimes it takes awhile to get used to it. I hope all goes well and you are feeling better soon. Kim

Well I dont want to jump the gun, but for the last 4 days I have felt remarkably better. My dizzy feeling has almost completely disapeared, I haven't had the "I will melt into the ground" feeling (other than the one brought on by the hot weather), My fatique level has been improving. I even seem to be thinking more clearly. I hope this is not just a quirk and I get sick again. My husband even commented yesterday, "what's wrong with you"? I had done so much around the yard and house he was worried I would crash. I was just so happy to be able to I went overboard. I did feel a little whipped but not to the extent I would usually feel. Maybe it was the LYME all along that caused my POTS. Hopeful and happy for now Kim

Had some items flagged on a series of blood tests, RBC 4.19 Units/M/uL Ref Range 4.2-5.4 Rheumatoid Factor 93 Units/IU/mL Reg Range 94-170 EBV IgG Antibody EBV VCA IgG Positive for EBV IgG antibodies Result: 200 Units/AU Referance Range <18 Does this mean my red blood count is low? What does this mean? What does low Rheumatoid Factor mean? Does the EBV mean I have been exposed to ebstein barr? Or what? I asked Dr. he said don't worry about it. Well I worry about it! Can someone explain this stuff for me? Thanks bunches, Kim