question

May 16, 2011

,

I recently got hooked up with Kefir and raw food eating concepts and for the

most part have found my grocery bills going down the more I go towards raw. I

did it more to get my wife healthier but " do as I say, not as I do " won't float

with her. So I have discovered I kind of like this direction. I have made kefir

with 2%, and whle pasteurised milk. Came out beautiful. There's a guy here that

said he uses powder and another that uses coconut milk. They say the same. I

came into a raw milk source, was given a gallon to see if I liked it. I did, it

worked beautifully for my kefir as well. If the source of the milk practices

sound hygenic principles and you get the milk in a timely manner and move it

from a chilled environment to another chilled environment, you will not have any

probs, your boy will love it. It is so good you will think God was totally

brilliant for coming up with the idea. And you will wonder how one human can

deny another this awesome, natural stuff.

And bear in mind, as you move your immunity level upward, it is like coat of

armor against most stuff that seems to make others sick. All the stuff that

makes people sick is out there anyway. It only makes sense to make our bodies

strong to be able to resist it. Hormone laced milk full of cow antibiotics does

not sound like part of that path... even if it is pasteurized.

Yep it ain't cheap like walmart. But I feel the transfer of money from buying

dead foods which lead to an unhealthier state to good foods that promote better

health is a good trade off. I do not buy as much of the good stuff as I do the

bad stuff.

andy careaga

ps. but if my kefir needs milk and I can't get the raw, I will do the

pasteurized till better comes along. ;?)

________________________________

From: ROGER BIRD <rogerbird1@...>

Kefir listserv <kefir_making >; Marilyn Kefirlady's group

< >

Sent: Sun, May 15, 2011 8:51:36 PM

Subject: question

So, if I were to go for the raw milk deal here in Colorado, it is so convoluted

with legal horse manure that I could not guarantee that I could supply my grains

with raw milk every day. My question is, what happens if I do raw milk 5 days a

week and pasteurized milk 2 days a week, or whatever it turns out to be.

Also, my wife is terrified of change, and she says that she is afraid of the

germs in raw milk and she says that our boy would turn his nose up at the smell

and perhaps the sight of raw milk. I am tempted to do raw milk, but I would

first want to resolve these problems. What say you all?

and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

May 16, 2011

Re the smell of raw milk. It has no smell or just the smell of fresh milk. I

find it keeps fresh longer than store bought milk. You might try just getting

some and serving it to everyone. As for germs, it is VERY clean and germ free

or they would be put out of business right quick.

Lee Anne

>

> > Also, my wife is terrified of change, and she says that she is afraid of the

germs in raw milk and she says that our boy would turn his nose up at the smell

and perhaps the sight of raw milk. I am tempted to do raw milk, but I would

first want to resolve these problems. What say you all?

>

May 16, 2011

I'd say that if you can secure some raw milk and put in a empty bottle that

they're used to drinking milk from they'd not notice too much difference.

However, when they were to drink pasteurized again they will notice the loss of

flavor. There is no smell other than the smell of milk and it looks just like

the stuff in the jug at the store, only not blue. I'd not force the issue if it

were me, I'd buy it and drink it myself making it available to them. More than

likely, they'll eventually warm to the idea.

Roy

TX Chapter Chair

National Coalition for Public School Options

www.publicschooloptions.org/texas

817-909-0741

>

> > > Also, my wife is terrified of change, and she says that she is afraid of

the germs in raw milk and she says that our boy would turn his nose up at the

smell and perhaps the sight of raw milk. I am tempted to do raw milk, but I

would first want to resolve these problems. What say you all?

> >

>

May 16, 2011

I agree with with any food/drink changes ... start out slow and

innocuously as possible. There have been a few times, (when regularly

feeding a group of bro-in-laws especially, with each of them thinking

they " hated " , " couldn't eat " certain things, so their Mom had catered to

all the likes/dislikes. Wrong! But I did the changes slowly .. like for

not liking/standing onions .. little bits as with juiced or ground into

stews, etc. Same with the tomato-hater. With milk, it would change from

raw to pasteurized during the time of the year when the cows would be

eating dandelions in pasture and taste, " dandelion milk " .. we'de switch

to store-bought and what a change & then back again .. slowly. Or from

full-fat to skim or back. Slow ... and often sneaky!! Joyce M. Simmerman

May 17, 2011

Rodger,

Raw milk would make the best Kefir. But Kefir made with regular pasteurized

milk is better than no Kefir. If the family will go for Kefir with store

bought milk I would go for it. You can always upgrade later to raw if things

workout. Goat milk is another great way to go, don¹t limit yourself to just

raw cow milk.

Here is a site I like a lot. The articles are down to earth. Here is one

that talk about why raw milk is a perfect food.

http://www.cookinggodsway.com/raw-milk-the-perfect-food/

One about how raw milk helps fight cancer.

http://www.cookinggodsway.com/raw-milk-fights-cancer-who-is-hamlet-and-bamle

t/

Guy went on a 30 day raw milk fast.

http://www.cookinggodsway.com/30-day-raw-milk-fast-is-a-diet-after-all/

The site also has some great recipes that use raw milk. I like the whole

food ideas that the blog focuses on. Hope some of these articles help with

the wife.

Liam

Dallas, TX

On 5/15/11 7:51 PM, " ROGER BIRD " <rogerbird1@...> wrote:

>

> So, if I were to go for the raw milk deal here in Colorado, it is so

> convoluted with legal horse manure that I could not guarantee that I could

> supply my grains with raw milk every day. My question is, what happens if I

> do raw milk 5 days a week and pasteurized milk 2 days a week, or whatever it

> turns out to be.

>

> Also, my wife is terrified of change, and she says that she is afraid of the

> germs in raw milk and she says that our boy would turn his nose up at the

> smell and perhaps the sight of raw milk. I am tempted to do raw milk, but I

> would first want to resolve these problems. What say you all?

>

> and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

>

June 15, 2011

I'm not sure that I understand this question. It's never possible to

" make " kefir grains. Kefir grains reproduce or grow, but they're not " made " .

:-)

On Jun 15, 2011 1:34 PM, " theprincess k " <theprincess16@...> wrote:

>

> Is it possible to make the kefir grains even if you don't have kefir?

> Thanks,

>

June 15, 2011

On Jun 15, 2011, at 4:15 PM, Roy wrote:

I'm not sure that I understand this question. It's never possible to

" make " kefir grains. Kefir grains reproduce or grow, but they're not " made " .

:-)

*****

" What need of further miracles? "

~ Siddhartha

^^

felix

June 15, 2011

Man makes poems and emails, but only God can make kefir and kefir grains.

(:->)

P.S. Please, tell me who I am plagiarizing?

and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

From: curlyw2kids@...

Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:15:35 -0500

Subject: Re: question

I'm not sure that I understand this question. It's never possible to

" make " kefir grains. Kefir grains reproduce or grow, but they're not " made " .

:-)

On Jun 15, 2011 1:34 PM, " theprincess k " <theprincess16@...> wrote:

>

> Is it possible to make the kefir grains even if you don't have kefir?

> Thanks,

>

June 16, 2011

I think the original poster was refering to the ability of kombucha to be made

from a glass of kombucha. Say, if you buy a bottle of it and leave it long

enough, a scooby will form and you can use that to make more kombucha.

However, it is apparent from the responses that kefir does not have that

ability.

>

> I'm not sure that I understand this question. It's never possible to

> " make " kefir grains. Kefir grains reproduce or grow, but they're not " made " .

> :-)

>

> *****

>

> " What need of further miracles? "

>

> ~ Siddhartha

>

> ^^

> felix

>

July 2, 2011

Ya, I have a UV light and time lapse photo in my fridge to see what the

grains are doing. However that didn't work out, so I made an agreement with

a local hospital to utilize the unused MRI time from 10pm until 7am. So I'm

now getting a good look at what's going on with those little critters in the

middle of the night. But, that not being enough, we are now doing MRI's

with contrast to try to see if they are regrouping, or just dancing together

when the folks are around.

Really, I like to hear new ideas and suggestions on health and producing

natural foods. But some of these latest conjectures are more from Harry

Potter land, with made up words and all.

On a lighter subject matter. I'm hoping to make Kefir ice cream this week.

Been a few years, but was so good. Not heated into a custard, but with raw

eggs, raw honey, and various fruits. I'll post results when done!

Have a great weekend all.

Leo

On Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 11:58 AM, ROGER BIRD <rogerbird1@...> wrote:

> **

>

> Dear Kefir Congress,

>

> Does anyone have experience with 2 " grains " regrouping as a single grain?

>

> and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

>

July 2, 2011

,

I have no such experience since I am new to Kefir but I just had to tell you,

you crack me up.Â Love your posts. ;-)

Heidi

From: ROGER BIRD <rogerbird1@...>

Subject: question

" Kefir listserv " <kefir_making >, " Marilyn Kefirlady's group "

< >, " Real Kefir Making Group "

<real_kefir_making >

Date: Saturday, July 2, 2011, 5:58 PM

Â

Dear Kefir Congress,

Does anyone have experience with 2 " grains " regrouping as a single grain?

and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

July 3, 2011

This sounds very ominous ! You better keep a close eye on them! Some dare

call it conspiracy!

andy

>________________________________

>From: ROGER BIRD <rogerbird1@...>

>Kefir listserv <kefir_making >; Marilyn Kefirlady's group

< >; Real Kefir Making Group

<real_kefir_making >

>Sent: Saturday, July 2, 2011 1:58 PM

>Subject: question

>

>Â

>

>Dear Kefir Congress,

>

>Does anyone have experience with 2 " grains " regrouping as a single grain?

>

> and Katrina Bird's Incredibly Lucky Daddy

>

July 3, 2011

post some recipes also! :?)>

andy

>________________________________

>From: Leo Girardi <leo.girardi@...>

>... I'm hoping to make Kefir ice cream this week.

>

>Been a few years, but was so good. Not heated into a custard, but with raw

>eggs, raw honey, and various fruits. I'll post results when done!

>

>Have a great weekend all.

>

>Leo

>

July 14, 2011

Not everyone Krys has an allergic reaction to the bites from birdmites. My husband did not, but I did. My reaction was not quite as severe as your mom's, but it was severe. My bites were huge and angry red. My doctor put me on Hydroxyzine HCL 50 mg tablets 1-3 tablets orally daily and it helped me sleep too, but best of all, the intense inflammation from the bites started to subside. I have no idea if this is a steroid, but I do know this was the best thing my doctor did for me at my HMO. I wish I could take your mom's pain, discomfort, worry and mites away. So hard to see family or hear about their suffering.My father-in-law suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke today and I just got back from the hospital. We don't know if he will survive it. He is almost 96 years of age on September 1. He is a retired physicist from NASA for his career. I was going to his house in the morning to take him to a cardiologist appointment. He called me earlier to ask me to come early to dress him (he had never done that before) and he was on the floor when I arrived and I called paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter. His left side is totally placid.From: "Krys Brennand" <krys109uk@...>"bird mites" <bird mites >Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:59:22 AMSubject: Question

Hello,My mother got badly bitten about a week ago after cleaning out all of the tubes & hoses of the vacuum cleaner. Her eyes had been paricularly badly btten & had swollen up, again she was having the horrid little things crawling in her eyes, mouth, nose & other parts. As far as I can gather, this had been subsiding. A couple of days ago she bought a few things, including MSM capsules, which she had started taking. She phoned me up just now telling me of her horrid experiences, though I'm not sure wheher she meant today or yesterday (this can be confusing particularly due to time differences). Seems her face ( & maybe body) went dark red, her eyelids, mouth, (inside & out), half her tongue, her gums swelled up & a lump cam up under her tongue came up. She went to the new doctor's & they were very kind, telling her the mites were causing her an allergic reaction ( & they don't think she's imagining it) & have put her onto steroids for 5 days & say if her throat becomes any more swollen they will send her to hospital.

Is it possible this is die off due to taking the MSM? She has not made any such connection & I have not suggested it. Indeed, I told her to remember to continue taking the MSM, hoping that perhaps this is die off & after a day or two she might start feeling considerbly better. But is this right? Could it be that the swelling is an allergic reaction to the MSM in which case continuing taking it would make her worse? What should I do? Mostly should she continue with the MSM? Is it likely that the MSM has nothing whatsoever to do with the reaction?

My mother thanks you all for your kind wishes.ThanksKrysI must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Sea Fever - Masefield

July 14, 2011

Hello ,Sounds like you've had a horrid day. Sorry to hear about your father in law; while at nearly 96 he has had a very good innings, it is always distressing when loved ones are taken seriously ill. I hope things go well.

I am sure my mother is, to some extent, allergic to bird mite bites, but, while her eyes have been swollen since cleaning the vacuum cleaner, this latest, much more serious reaction, is completely sudden, & for no apparently new reason, though it does seem to coincide with her starting the MSM capsules, which is why I'm asking whether her latest reaction might be " die off " or allegic reaction to the MSM or not related to the MSM at all, in which case what would have started such a serious reaction after a year of bird mites?

Hope your father in law pulls through. All the bestKrysOn 14 July 2011 18:25, <Goldstein@...> wrote:

Not everyone Krys has an allergic reaction to the bites from birdmites. My husband did not, but I did. My reaction was not quite as severe as your mom's, but it was severe. My bites were huge and angry red. My doctor put me on Hydroxyzine HCL 50 mg tablets 1-3 tablets orally daily and it helped me sleep too, but best of all, the intense inflammation from the bites started to subside. I have no idea if this is a steroid, but I do know this was the best thing my doctor did for me at my HMO. I wish I could take your mom's pain, discomfort, worry and mites away. So hard to see family or hear about their suffering.

My father-in-law suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke today and I just got back from the hospital. We don't know if he will survive it. He is almost 96 years of age on September 1. He is a retired physicist from NASA for his career. I was going to his house in the morning to take him to a cardiologist appointment. He called me earlier to ask me to come early to dress him (he had never done that before) and he was on the floor when I arrived and I called paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter. His left side is totally placid.

From: " Krys Brennand " <krys109uk@...> " bird mites " <bird mites >

Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:59:22 AMSubject: Question

Hello,My mother got badly bitten about a week ago after cleaning out all of the tubes & hoses of the vacuum cleaner. Her eyes had been paricularly badly btten & had swollen up, again she was having the horrid little things crawling in her eyes, mouth, nose & other parts. As far as I can gather, this had been subsiding. A couple of days ago she bought a few things, including MSM capsules, which she had started taking. She phoned me up just now telling me of her horrid experiences, though I'm not sure wheher she meant today or yesterday (this can be confusing particularly due to time differences). Seems her face ( & maybe body) went dark red, her eyelids, mouth, (inside & out), half her tongue, her gums swelled up & a lump cam up under her tongue came up. She went to the new doctor's & they were very kind, telling her the mites were causing her an allergic reaction ( & they don't think she's imagining it) & have put her onto steroids for 5 days & say if her throat becomes any more swollen they will send her to hospital.

Is it possible this is die off due to taking the MSM? She has not made any such connection & I have not suggested it. Indeed, I told her to remember to continue taking the MSM, hoping that perhaps this is die off & after a day or two she might start feeling considerbly better. But is this right? Could it be that the swelling is an allergic reaction to the MSM in which case continuing taking it would make her worse? What should I do? Mostly should she continue with the MSM? Is it likely that the MSM has nothing whatsoever to do with the reaction?

My mother thanks you all for your kind wishes.ThanksKrysI must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Sea Fever - Masefield

-- They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago.

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath,

And the thin anemones.

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring-dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods

Of a summer evening late,

When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools

Where the otter whistles his mate.

(They fear not men in the woods,

Because they see so few)

You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,

And the swish of a skirt in the dew,

Steadily cantering through

The misty solitudes,

As though they perfectly knew

The old lost road through the woods….

But there is no road through the woods.

The Way Through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling

July 14, 2011

, BTW thanks for telling me about the Hydroxyzine. It isn't a steroid but, apparently, is a very effective antihistamine. Thankfully, my mother's new doctors are taking the attitude that this is a real problem, which they have never previously encountered, but they're taking it seriously one step at a time. I'll send my mother the name & she can ask whether she could try it along with the steroids.

ThanksKrysOn 14 July 2011 20:27, Krys Brennand <krys109uk@...> wrote:

Hello ,Sounds like you've had a horrid day. Sorry to hear about your father in law; while at nearly 96 he has had a very good innings, it is always distressing when loved ones are taken seriously ill. I hope things go well.

I am sure my mother is, to some extent, allergic to bird mite bites, but, while her eyes have been swollen since cleaning the vacuum cleaner, this latest, much more serious reaction, is completely sudden, & for no apparently new reason, though it does seem to coincide with her starting the MSM capsules, which is why I'm asking whether her latest reaction might be " die off " or allegic reaction to the MSM or not related to the MSM at all, in which case what would have started such a serious reaction after a year of bird mites?

Hope your father in law pulls through. All the bestKrysOn 14 July 2011 18:25, <Goldstein@...> wrote:

Not everyone Krys has an allergic reaction to the bites from birdmites. My husband did not, but I did. My reaction was not quite as severe as your mom's, but it was severe. My bites were huge and angry red. My doctor put me on Hydroxyzine HCL 50 mg tablets 1-3 tablets orally daily and it helped me sleep too, but best of all, the intense inflammation from the bites started to subside. I have no idea if this is a steroid, but I do know this was the best thing my doctor did for me at my HMO. I wish I could take your mom's pain, discomfort, worry and mites away. So hard to see family or hear about their suffering.

My father-in-law suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke today and I just got back from the hospital. We don't know if he will survive it. He is almost 96 years of age on September 1. He is a retired physicist from NASA for his career. I was going to his house in the morning to take him to a cardiologist appointment. He called me earlier to ask me to come early to dress him (he had never done that before) and he was on the floor when I arrived and I called paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter. His left side is totally placid.

From: " Krys Brennand " <krys109uk@...> " bird mites " <bird mites >

Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:59:22 AMSubject: Question

Hello,My mother got badly bitten about a week ago after cleaning out all of the tubes & hoses of the vacuum cleaner. Her eyes had been paricularly badly btten & had swollen up, again she was having the horrid little things crawling in her eyes, mouth, nose & other parts. As far as I can gather, this had been subsiding. A couple of days ago she bought a few things, including MSM capsules, which she had started taking. She phoned me up just now telling me of her horrid experiences, though I'm not sure wheher she meant today or yesterday (this can be confusing particularly due to time differences). Seems her face ( & maybe body) went dark red, her eyelids, mouth, (inside & out), half her tongue, her gums swelled up & a lump cam up under her tongue came up. She went to the new doctor's & they were very kind, telling her the mites were causing her an allergic reaction ( & they don't think she's imagining it) & have put her onto steroids for 5 days & say if her throat becomes any more swollen they will send her to hospital.

Is it possible this is die off due to taking the MSM? She has not made any such connection & I have not suggested it. Indeed, I told her to remember to continue taking the MSM, hoping that perhaps this is die off & after a day or two she might start feeling considerbly better. But is this right? Could it be that the swelling is an allergic reaction to the MSM in which case continuing taking it would make her worse? What should I do? Mostly should she continue with the MSM? Is it likely that the MSM has nothing whatsoever to do with the reaction?

My mother thanks you all for your kind wishes.ThanksKrysI must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Sea Fever - Masefield

-- They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago.

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath,

And the thin anemones.

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring-dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods

Of a summer evening late,

When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools

Where the otter whistles his mate.

(They fear not men in the woods,

Because they see so few)

You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,

And the swish of a skirt in the dew,

Steadily cantering through

The misty solitudes,

As though they perfectly knew

The old lost road through the woods….

But there is no road through the woods.

The Way Through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling

-- They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago.

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath,

And the thin anemones.

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring-dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods

Of a summer evening late,

When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools

Where the otter whistles his mate.

(They fear not men in the woods,

Because they see so few)

You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,

And the swish of a skirt in the dew,

Steadily cantering through

The misty solitudes,

As though they perfectly knew

The old lost road through the woods….

But there is no road through the woods.

The Way Through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling

July 14, 2011

Hi dearI doubt if it is "die off." It could be a real allergic response to sulpher, which you had said she showed allergic responses to previously. I sure would not take more of those just to see if she comes back into equalibrium. Thanks for the thoughts regarding dad. We won't know until tomorrow whether the bleed in the brain is continuing.From: "Krys Brennand" <krys109uk@...>bird mites Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:27:08 PMSubject: Re: Question

Hello ,Sounds like you've had a horrid day. Sorry to hear about your father in law; while at nearly 96 he has had a very good innings, it is always distressing when loved ones are taken seriously ill. I hope things go well.

I am sure my mother is, to some extent, allergic to bird mite bites, but, while her eyes have been swollen since cleaning the vacuum cleaner, this latest, much more serious reaction, is completely sudden, & for no apparently new reason, though it does seem to coincide with her starting the MSM capsules, which is why I'm asking whether her latest reaction might be "die off" or allegic reaction to the MSM or not related to the MSM at all, in which case what would have started such a serious reaction after a year of bird mites?

Hope your father in law pulls through. All the bestKrysOn 14 July 2011 18:25, <Goldstein@...> wrote:

Not everyone Krys has an allergic reaction to the bites from birdmites. My husband did not, but I did. My reaction was not quite as severe as your mom's, but it was severe. My bites were huge and angry red. My doctor put me on Hydroxyzine HCL 50 mg tablets 1-3 tablets orally daily and it helped me sleep too, but best of all, the intense inflammation from the bites started to subside. I have no idea if this is a steroid, but I do know this was the best thing my doctor did for me at my HMO. I wish I could take your mom's pain, discomfort, worry and mites away. So hard to see family or hear about their suffering.

My father-in-law suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke today and I just got back from the hospital. We don't know if he will survive it. He is almost 96 years of age on September 1. He is a retired physicist from NASA for his career. I was going to his house in the morning to take him to a cardiologist appointment. He called me earlier to ask me to come early to dress him (he had never done that before) and he was on the floor when I arrived and I called paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter. His left side is totally placid.

From: "Krys Brennand" <krys109uk@...>"bird mites" <bird mites >

Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 10:59:22 AMSubject: Question

Hello,My mother got badly bitten about a week ago after cleaning out all of the tubes & hoses of the vacuum cleaner. Her eyes had been paricularly badly btten & had swollen up, again she was having the horrid little things crawling in her eyes, mouth, nose & other parts. As far as I can gather, this had been subsiding. A couple of days ago she bought a few things, including MSM capsules, which she had started taking. She phoned me up just now telling me of her horrid experiences, though I'm not sure wheher she meant today or yesterday (this can be confusing particularly due to time differences). Seems her face ( & maybe body) went dark red, her eyelids, mouth, (inside & out), half her tongue, her gums swelled up & a lump cam up under her tongue came up. She went to the new doctor's & they were very kind, telling her the mites were causing her an allergic reaction ( & they don't think she's imagining it) & have put her onto steroids for 5 days & say if her throat becomes any more swollen they will send her to hospital.

Is it possible this is die off due to taking the MSM? She has not made any such connection & I have not suggested it. Indeed, I told her to remember to continue taking the MSM, hoping that perhaps this is die off & after a day or two she might start feeling considerbly better. But is this right? Could it be that the swelling is an allergic reaction to the MSM in which case continuing taking it would make her worse? What should I do? Mostly should she continue with the MSM? Is it likely that the MSM has nothing whatsoever to do with the reaction?

My mother thanks you all for your kind wishes.ThanksKrysI must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

Sea Fever - Masefield

-- They shut the road through the woods

Seventy years ago.

Weather and rain have undone it again,

And now you would never know

There was once a road through the woods

Before they planted the trees.

It is underneath the coppice and heath,

And the thin anemones.

Only the keeper sees

That, where the ring-dove broods,

And the badgers roll at ease,

There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods

Of a summer evening late,

When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools

Where the otter whistles his mate.

(They fear not men in the woods,

Because they see so few)

You will hear the beat of a horse's feet,

And the swish of a skirt in the dew,

Steadily cantering through

The misty solitudes,

As though they perfectly knew

The old lost road through the woodsâ€¦.

But there is no road through the woods.

The Way Through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling

July 14, 2011

That drug was a life saver for me for well over a year. I know a lot of people with birdmites that have taken it too. If your mom has anxiety it would help just in general and for a good, really good sleep. You can sleep through biting which is helpful.From: "Krys Brennand" <krys109uk@...>bird mites Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 6:43:18 PMSubject: Re: Question