Hi Judith,

I have had lots of luck with a drug called protonix for my stomach. It
is prescription, and I did have to fight for it with my insurance
company, but it works so much better than any of the other drugs I've
tried, and I tried lots. I had sores, hiatal hernia, etc...


Fay
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Hi Fay,

Thank you for trying to help. I tried protonix but was very allergic.
Anyway, lately my insurance company has been nixing all the best drugs.


Judith

On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 7:27 AM, Fay <> wrote:

> Hi Judith,
>
> I have had lots of luck with a drug called protonix for my stomach. It is
> prescription, and I did have to fight for it with my insurance company, but
> it works so much better than any of the other drugs I've tried, and I tried
> lots. I had sores, hiatal hernia, etc...
>
>
> Fay
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Judith Kypragora" <>

> I had an upper endoscopy last week which showed lots of reasons for my
> stomach being yucky. Swollen esophogous, hernia in the upper stomach to
> esophogus valve, and 4 reddened areas on the stomach lining itself. I
> already take nexium and ranitidine, so what now? After the results of the
> biopsy arrive, we're going to have a discussion.
---------------
WOW Judith. It does sound like that explains alot. I'm sure sorry to heaqr
about this but hopefully you are on your way to getting some relief. Please
keep us updated on the biopsy & how you are feeling.
--------------------
> > Meanwhile, I am having a rather frightening and unhappy time trying to
> > get
> off Effexor.
-------------------------
I guess that's frightening!!! Are you still having those horrible
withdrawal symptoms? I hope not. You have told your doc haven't you? I
wonder if an even slower schedule would help...very scary.

I will be holding you in my thoughts & prayers,
Lynn Snyder
East Central Iowa
AIED & MAV
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Unfortunately Lynn, Yes the Effexor is still causing problems. I'm trying
to deal with the side effects intelligently as I definitely need to get off
the drug. It was suggested to get on Zoloft to get off Effexor, but
heck...no. Too many pills all mixed up especially now with the lung
infection that doesn't want to go away in spite of 2 kinds of inhalers and a
strong narcotic cough med that makes me speedy rather than sleepy. One
inhaler makes me speedy as well. I'm slowly getting better with the
exercises provided by the Y and the yoga classes. I'm hoping for more
improvement and stamina, which only time will tell.

Get better girl. I don't believe we can control the effects of
the barometer, do you? Diet, stress, condition of our bodies, routines,
activities - yes we can control even though we never can win, but the
weather fluctuating? Imagine that tea room with luxurious chairs,
conversations, company, and books.
Judith xoxo

On Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 8:27 AM, Lynn Snyder <> wrote:

> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judith Kypragora" <
> >
>
> I had an upper endoscopy last week which showed lots of reasons for my
>> stomach being yucky. Swollen esophogous, hernia in the upper stomach to
>> esophogus valve, and 4 reddened areas on the stomach lining itself. I
>> already take nexium and ranitidine, so what now? After the results of the
>> biopsy arrive, we're going to have a discussion.
>>
> ---------------
> WOW Judith. It does sound like that explains alot. I'm sure sorry to
> heaqr about this but hopefully you are on your way to getting some relief.
> Please keep us updated on the biopsy & how you are feeling.
> --------------------
>
>> > Meanwhile, I am having a rather frightening and unhappy time trying to >
>> get
>> off Effexor.
>>
> -------------------------
> I guess that's frightening!!! Are you still having those horrible
> withdrawal symptoms? I hope not. You have told your doc haven't you? I
> wonder if an even slower schedule would help...very scary.
>
> I will be holding you in my thoughts & prayers,
> Lynn Snyder
> East Central Iowa
> AIED & MAV _______________________________________________
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Judith Kypragora" <>

It was suggested to get on Zoloft to get off Effexor, but
> heck...no.
-----------------------
Good grief no...as I understand it Zolaft has the same problems attached to
it. The less drugs we can be on the better. It has to be a careful
weighing of relief verses side effects.
-------------------------
I don't believe we can control the effects of
> the barometer, do you? Diet, stress, condition of our bodies, routines,
> activities - yes we can control even though we never can win, but the
> weather fluctuating?
---------------------------
Well, that's what I am wondering...can we off set the effect of the weather
by more rest, temporaily increasing the migraine preventative, less
stress... anything else? If we know what a trigger is...is there any way we
can lay for it & be prepared?
--------------------------
Imagine that tea room with luxurious chairs,
> conversations, company, and books.
> Judith xoxo
----------------------
Oooooooooooooooh, now THAT WOULD make me feel better! I would like lemon &
just a little but of honey in my tea.........

Love,
Lynn Snyder
East Central Iowa
AIED & MAV
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Hi Judith,
Sorry to hear this story about your doctor. Just remember that for every couple of bad doctors you find, there will be a good one--the good ones are out there, it just takes some time to suss them out.
As for the effexor, you should go back to the dose that makes you feel better, at least until you can find another doctor to help you with the weaning. You need to find someone who knows a thing or two about effexor withdrawal, so I would suggest that if you can't find a new neurologist, then consider seeing a psychiatrist that has psychopharmacology or addiction as a specialty. These doctors will be much more sympathetic to the difficulties encountered when weaning off medications like effexor, and will have more in the way of alternatives to offer you, including prescribing the 37.5 dose you will need down the road.

As much as you want to get off the drug, DON'T rush it. You can't do it in a week, maybe not even months--I know people that have taken years to get off some of these medications. There is no advantage to "cold turkey" as you will suffer for no reason, and might cause yourself a lot of misery that can easily be avoided if you find the right doctor to help you. They are out there--just get on that telephone and start calling.

Best,
Nightfly
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Awe Judith, thank you for remembering me:) waving right back at you spesial lady:) Also I hope that the headaches are better and in controll?? on a brighter note I have changed my email from dizzy blue bear to mrs north sea not that I married north sea or anything but it means that I try to not be so blue ALL the time!LOL a small step for me and dizzy humanity!:0))
lots of love and hugs
BB
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Hello Not So Awfully Blue Northsea Bear,

I remember suggesting you change your name once in awhile to Pink or another
color, but North Sea is cool (in more ways than one). Boy, I just kill
myself with how funny I am. I couldn't live without the sea. Our Maine
Atlantic Coast is usually cold and grey to dark green. I think it's never
been warmer than 10C.

No my head aches are not better as the neurologist is still out after more
than a month, so I'm now looking to return to Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary to change out my meds. But I thank you for asking. Maybe your
small step for dizzy humanity will begin to change my life time pass to
planet Luna Parc.

I've had to get back on Effexor and take Maxalt MLT as an abortive and both
are pretty useless at this point. Weren't the messages on steroids
interesting and hopeful sounding? Also, the messages on propanolol sounded
like something I'd be interested in trying.

If it weren't for my garden, life would be more boring and difficult than it
is. At times I tire myself of myself wobbling around like a sot with a mean
hangover.

Atlantic warmly embracing North Sea
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Ohhh dear Judith, how much I enjoy reading your posts:) and how much I can
relate. I get so tired of my dizzy me too so often, I just wish there was a
way to leave ME somewhere, probably on the gasstation and speed and run for my
life. Me and ME? I should make a movie...Northsea embracing Atlantic...I found
the steroid suggestion amazing! Do you think that can break this vicious
circle you are in?? Judith I have noticed that my diet is very important to my
headaches. Hence I am trying something similar to Ketogenic diet for epilepsy
patients. My migraines and dizzines are sorta like epileptic attacks, with
similar intensity and such....have you looked into dieting options?
How much I wished you got better, there is still hope though, and of course
the garden. It sounds lovely, a true lifesaver. And yes I thought about your
suggestion and as Vivek would say I picked a more positive name for the sake
of carma, thanks so very much:) X
love
BB


> Subject: Re: DN judith
> Date: Monday, May 31, 2010, 1:02 PM
> Hello Not So Awfully Blue Northsea
> Bear,
>
> I remember suggesting you change your name once in awhile
> to Pink or another
> color, but North Sea is cool (in more ways than one). Boy,
> I just kill
> myself with how funny I am. I couldn't live without
> the sea. Our Maine
> Atlantic Coast is usually cold and grey to dark
> green. I think it's never
> been warmer than 10C.
>
> No my head aches are not better as the neurologist is still
> out after more
> than a month, so I'm now looking to return to Massachusetts
> Eye and Ear
> Infirmary to change out my meds. But I thank you for
> asking. Maybe your
> small step for dizzy humanity will begin to change my life
> time pass to
> planet Luna Parc.
>
> I've had to get back on Effexor and take Maxalt MLT as an
> abortive and both
> are pretty useless at this point. Weren't the
> messages on steroids
> interesting and hopeful sounding? Also, the messages
> on propanolol sounded
> like something I'd be interested in trying.
>
> If it weren't for my garden, life would be more boring and
> difficult than it
> is. At times I tire myself of myself wobbling around
> like a sot with a mean
> hangover.
>
> Atlantic warmly embracing North Sea
> _______________________________________________
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Judith:

I really can't tell what kind of headaches I get. They are all weird and
different. Some I wake up with, some I get when I lie down. Some, just
spontaneously appear. Some are just twinges, and I wait to see if they will
just go away on their own.

I am under the care of a neurologist who is working with headaches. The
major problem with me is I have had headaches and migraines since I was
about 20. It runs in the family. I understand about Rebound headaches.my doc
took me off of taking any rescue meds. Esp, the fiorocet, and vicodin that I
have been taking for years. She gave me Amerge, for a week on a descending

Scale. I take Advil because I usually get aches and pains now, esp. when I
do physical stuff. My body at 64 is not what is was at 30 when I could dance
all day and teach and feel a bit sore. I HATE feeling sore now, because it
is a different feeling. So, I take Flax oil and it has helped a lot for the
soreness, but that is for the day after. When I have worked like today with
a pick ax, and shovel to do stuff, or walk the dogs for 30 mins, my back and
legs kill, so I take Advil. I have been told as long as I take it for
muscles it is fine. Doc never warned me off of OTC drugs. I will be seeing
her and I know she will hate the fact that the SRRI's are causing these. I
am sure, because there was a time when I was off of them, and I didn't have
a headache except for like 2 or 3 times that month. But getting back on
them, has upped the headaches again.

So, one has to choose between taking something, and I am only allowed 4
Amerge a week. Unless I am having a really bad week.

Then for the occasional month I am allowed to take more meds.

I am splitting my 10mg Lexapro into 4 parts, and dividing them to take
during different parts of the day. It seems to have helped the nausea, and
Maybe the headaches. It has only been 3 or 4 days I have been doing this, so
we shall see what happens.

I really wish I knew what each headache was... But can't tell. Truthfully,
I am not sure I buy the MAV thing at all.

I don't get Vertigo, I am always dizzy since I have no balance nerve on the
left side, and still working on VRT so I can get the other side to take
over. So, who the heck knows.?

It is all a mystery to me.

I usually use a heating pad and dark room, and sleep. But, that doesn't
work, then I will take meds.

They say to take them the moment you start feeling a headache, but why waste
the pills when you don't know if the headache is going to last or not. That
is the problem. Or if it is tension, or muscles. So..

How do you tell?

Do you guys really get Vertigo from this MAV stuff, or is the name another
one of the misnomers we get from the Medical community? It seems like they
will pull on anything to blame something on something, and come up with a
good new reason.

I was told I had MM 24 yrs ago. Then told NO, but only cause I didn't have
the hearing loss in the low end. So, even tho I had all the other symptoms,
I couldn't have MM, could I. So, what did I have for 24 yrs???

They can't say.

NOW they can definitely say: oh you have a Unilateral Loss. because they can
test that. And you have BPPV, because they have the wonderful new goggles
that show the eyes. So, I am lucky with that.



Thanks.for your post. If you can give me suggestions as to how to figure out
the type of headache, great.

Miki















Hi Miki,



I'm really sorry you've had a headache for so long. Is it hot where you
are? After 2 AM, when I reached the conclusion it was NOT going to cool
off, I went to bed with an ice bag and soaking wet socks last night, it was
so miserable.



Anyway, you need to establish what kind of headaches you have. This is
extremely important as MAVs get worse in the long run with any OTC (over the

counter) medications such as Advil. They might seem to work, but they cause
what is called Rebound Headaches. All of us with MAV are warned to stay
away from OTC products.



It is a terrible problem for us to sort out what is causing what. You need
to keep a journal, and even then, it won't be easy. Reasons for rebound or
recurrent headaches could be food, stress, barometric changes, medications,
OTC drugs, visual stimulations of the bad kind, too much salt, etc.. You get
the picture.



What do you take for migraine medication, by the way?



I use an ice bag which helps the blood vessels contract thereby taking
pressure off the nerves. I don't get perfect relief, but it seems to stave
off major pain.



Judith

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