Interesting Article

[Guest guest]

---

What got left out of my original post attached to the article was yes

the GB patient loses more weight, loses it faster and gets to goal

faster than a LB patient . What one should wonder about after reading

this study is how many of the GB vs.Lap Band patient will be alive to

make it to goal. Since 4-5 out of every 100 GB patients die within

the first 60 days after surgery- this " side effect " of GB surgery

should not have been left out of the article. Hmmmmm. Joanne in

Seattle.

In , " Sandy " <MoonshadowRN@...> wrote:

>

> This article was predictable - since there was a very major article

> released last week about the BAND being far superior.

>

> I know Joanne well, and she is an experienced and knowledgeable

(and

> successful) Bandster, and I know she posted this just to share

info -

> whether it as biased and INcorrect as this article, or not.

> Sandy r

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > 10:49 PM CDT on Monday, July 17, 2006

> > Bloomberg News

> >

> >

> > NEW YORK – Doctors in New York compared two kinds of surgery to

> help

> > severely obese people lose weight and found that the most common

> form

> > used in the U.S. is superior.

> >

> > Gastric bypass, which makes the stomach smaller and reduces the

> > amount of food processed by the small intestine, causes fewer

> > complications and results in more weight loss than lap band

> surgery,

> > or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, researchers said

> Monday.

> >

> > " What's important isn't what's the least invasive but what's the

> most

> > effective procedure, " said Ferzli, head of surgery at

> Lutheran

> > Medical Center in Brooklyn, co-author of the study, which

appeared

> in

> > the Archives of Surgery.

> >

> > Weight-loss operations of all types will total an estimated

177,600

> > worldwide this year, according to the American Society for

> Bariatric

> > Surgery, a professional group based in Gainesville, Fla. Banding,

> > which involves only the stomach and requires less time in the

> > hospital, has become fashionable in recent years.

> >

> > " The [gastric] bypass is the operation that every other operation

> is

> > trying to compare to, " said Dr. Ferzli, who said he has performed

> > hundreds of bariatric surgeries.

> >

> > All of the patients in the study registered 50 or higher on an

> index

> > of body mass. A person 5 feet, 8 inches tall would need to weigh

> 329

> > pounds to hit 50 on the index.

> >

> > The BMI number is computed by taking weight in kilograms and

> dividing

> > by the square of height in meters. The National Heart, Lung and

> Blood

> > defines 25 as the lower limit of being " overweight, " and 30 or

> higher

> > as " obese. "

> >

> > Bariatric operations aren't ordinarily performed unless a

person's

> > BMI hits 40, in the absence of weight-related diseases, Dr.

Ferzli

> > said. The study looked at 106 consecutive patients. Sixty chose

> > gastric banding, and 46 chose gastric bypass, also known as

> > laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Both types of operations

are

> > laparoscopic, meaning that doctors make only a small incision.

> >

> > While banding requires shorter operations and hospital stays,

> > patients receiving that procedure went on to lose, on average,

only

> > 31 percent of their excess weight, compared with 52 percent of

the

> > Roux-en-Y group, after a follow-up time of about 16 months, the

> > doctors reported.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Well, I guess this means SHAD won't be contributing to the QuackwatchMD website! (course, from his unique vantage point, he should be able to give Barrett an update on the status of his prostate gland!). (:-)

RR.

Re: Strike Three: Thank you for playing.

Dr. McGillDr. Baker works on his own, just a colleague and a friend. Yes, I do work with Dr. Welker. If you wanted to know his treating technique, which is the same as what I use, you should have just asked him. At this point the discussion has gone nowhere due to the fact everyone is getting so defensive and not willing to respond with an "open cup". I could tell you how I (we) treat but someone, I am sure, will have a problem with it, it will start an endless arguement and then I too will be removed. You could always do as Dr. Layman did; call the office anonymously (even though I did know who he was), pretend to be a new paitent, and ask over the phone what sort of technique we use. It is not necessarily about what techneque is used, but rather how it is used and for what purpose.Shad McLagan D.C.> > > > > > > > > > So far I have been waiting for any logical response,> > thus> > > > far> > > > > > > > have> > > > > > > > > > not seen any.> > > > > > > > > > Thanks,> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > > Brad Welker, D.C.> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > >> > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _> > > > > > > > > Brad: I still have not received a satisfactory response> > to> > > > my> > > > > > > > original> > > > > > > > > post (post 21817). If you recall, I felt that your> > response> > > > was> > > > > > > > > muddled due to the fact that you had confused me with> > > > > > > > Colwell> > > > > > > > and> > > > > > > > > you were focused more on my/his intent than the actual> > > > CONTENT.> > > > > > I> > > > > > > > feel> > > > > > > > > that I gave you the "why" you are looking for. Please> > re-> > > > read> > > > > > and> > > > > > > > > re-respond.> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > Remember, the body responds/adapts to what> > it "perceives"> > > > is> > > > > > going> > > > > > > > on> > > > > > > > > in and around it in order to increase chance for> > > > survival,what> > > > > > the> > > > > > > > > body-mind perceives does not necessarily to correlate> > > > > > to "reality.> > > > > > > > > I.e., Body will respond to the Tiger on the movie screen> > > > > > > > > inappropriately, albeit "intelligently" (knowing that> > the> > > > > > genetic> > > > > > > > code> > > > > > > > > was selected out 40K-100k years ago). Our body has no> > > > genetic> > > > > > > > defense> > > > > > > > > for Tigers on movie screens and it has no genetic> > defense> > > > > > against> > > > > > > > our> > > > > > > > > sedentary, toxin-filled, mass-media-filled environment> > we> > > > are> > > > > > bathed> > > > > > > > > in. So it reacts the best it can. Subluxation/ fixation> > (and> > > > > > glbal> > > > > > > > > posture changes for that matter) for instance can very> > > > > > logically be> > > > > > > > > seen as an "intelligent" (given the context of our> > genes> > > > being> > > > > > those> > > > > > > > > of hunter/gatherers, a people who were constantly> > > > moving/walking> > > > > > > > > massively throughout the day),> > > > > > albeit "inappropriate" / "incorrect"> > > > > > > > > attempt to change the environment in and around those> > > > connective> > > > > > > > > tissue/articular cells to one that it more favorable> > for> > > > > > survival.> > > > > > > > If> > > > > > > > > we know that movement is essential for health> > (mainstream> > > > > > concept:> > > > > > > > > movement is necessary for life, so is food and water> > etc.)> > > > and> > > > > > we> > > > > > > > know> > > > > > > > > that lack of movement in long term is not only> > detremental> > > > > > locally> > > > > > > > but> > > > > > > > > actually neurologically- toxic (facilitates nociception> > with> > > > > > global> > > > > > > > > deleterious effects on body)... then, we must practice> > the> > > > art> > > > > > of> > > > > > > > > differentiating "properly" immobilized" and "properly-> > > > deformed> > > > > > > > global> > > > > > > > > postures" structures/articula tions/tissues (acute/sub-> > acute> > > > > > injury> > > > > > > > and> > > > > > > > > subsequent antalgia for instance) from "improperly> > > > immobilized"> > > > > > and> > > > > > > > > "improperly deformed" global postures. Once we have> > done> > > > this> > > > > > we go> > > > > > > > to> > > > > > > > > work!> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > Lastly, I know folks are inflammed at you. And a few> > were> > > > > > > > > unprofessional toward you. I am not upset with you, I> > > > respect> > > > > > the> > > > > > > > core> > > > > > > > > of what you are trying to post, you are smart and you> > are a> > > > > > thinker,> > > > > > > > > but you are basically a newcomer to this list and since> > > > this> > > > > > was> > > > > > > > your> > > > > > > > > first contribution of any substance you are> > > > > > bascially "perceived"> > > > > > > > as a> > > > > > > > > troll http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Internet_ trolls > > <http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Internet_ trolls> and> > it> > > > is> > > > > > now up> > > > > > > > to> > > > > > > > > you to show us that you are not. So, do your best to> > keep> > > > on> > > > > > point,> > > > > > > > > don't bait, show us "your hand" and you will get the> > > > respect> > > > > > you are> > > > > > > > > looking for.> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > > list moderator> > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > >> > > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > >> > > >> > >> >> >>

Sponsored LinkGet a free Motorola Razr! Today Only! Choose Cingular, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, or T-Mobile.

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[Guest guest]

THIS was the article forwarded by Shad McLagan! (:-)

RR

Sponsored LinkGet a free Motorola Razr! Today Only! Choose Cingular, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, or T-Mobile.

Sponsored LinkDegrees for working adults in as fast as 1 year. Bachelors, Masters, Associates. Top schools

[Guest guest]

Would some of the experts

out there discuss when /when not to use a metatarsal pad when ordering

orthotics?

Thanks in advance.

Larry L. Oliver, DC

408 NW 7th

Corvallis, OR 97330

dro@...

voice 541-757-9933

fax 541-757-7713

The information contained in this

electronic message may contain protected health information which is

confidential under applicable law and is intended only for the use of the

individual or entity named above.

If the recipient of the message is not the intended recipient, you are

hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or disclosure of this

communication is strictly prohibited.

If you have received the communication in error, please notify Heresco

Chiropractic & Associates, 408 NW 7th St, Corvallis, OR 97330, 541-757-9933 and purge the

communication immediately without making any copy or distribution

[Guest guest]

Geez....what wonderful company to have...

Vern Saboe

Fw: Interesting Article

THIS was the article forwarded by Shad McLagan! (:-)

RR

Sponsored LinkGet a free Motorola Razr! Today Only! Choose Cingular, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, or T-Mobile.

Sponsored LinkDegrees for working adults in as fast as 1 year. Bachelors, Masters, Associates. Top schools

[Guest guest]

Marci,

Thanks... that is such an interesting article and reminds me of the one

Cheryl posted recently regarding Rett's Syndrome, although I think it is a

protein they are looking at blocking in that one... not sure that part was

in the posted article... just in something I found later. The fact that the

damage in both seemed reversible is so encouraging.

Caroline

[Guest guest]

here's another one

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/

main.jhtml;jsessionid=V3ZOCUV3THFOFQFIQMGCFFOAVCBQUIV0?xml=/news/2007/07/12/

nmeds312.xml

>

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/portal/main.jhtml?xml=/portal/2007/07/13/nosplit/

ftfullfat113.xml

[Guest guest]

Here's an interesting article released this week...

" Discovery of novel nerve cell modulator offers potential for mood

disorders, epilepsy treatments " from the University of California at

Irvine...

" The discovery of a novel molecular switch that powerfully modulates nerve

cell activity offers the potential for new mood disorder and epilepsy

treatments, University of California, Irvine researchers report.

The researchers looked at the role of the natural substance cholecystokinin

(CCK) in modulating communication between cells in the brain. CCK,

originally isolated from the digestive tract, is one of the most abundant

small proteins, or peptides, in the brain, and it is linked to psychiatric

disorders such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. "

You can read the rest of the article at...

http://today.uci.edu/news/release_detail.asp?key=1650

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Family Wins Suit for Autistic Son's Health Care

(this family fought and won to have their son's ABA covered)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14577821 & sc=emaf

[Guest guest]

Doctors:In the event you haven't seen this article on traumatic upper cervical ligament rupture, please read this.  http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/pdf/1746-1340-15-20.pdf I have recently had a few cases in which upper neck injuries that were failing to resolve, and they ended up having transverse ligament ruptures.  In one case, the instability was so bad that the client was having episodes of blindness.  But, none of his treating doctors considered cervical instability.  He went to Mt. for imaging and sure enough he had a transverse ligament rupture.  His translation was 7mm in extension, 6mm lateral to one side and 5 mm to the other.   The case promptly settled for policy limits once the MRI proved the ligament damage and the instability.  I have to say that the atlantoaxial imaging protocol at Mt. is great for these cases and you should consider it, along with DMX when symptoms continue for a prolonged period.Happy Holidays, DeShaw, DC, JD  Dr. DeShaw, Esq., P.C.Portland OfficeFox Tower805 SW Broadway, Suite 2720Portland, OR 97205(503) 227-1233Seattle OfficeColumbia Center701 5th Ave., Suite 4200Seattle, WA 98104www.doctorlawyer.net(866) THE-FIRM

[Guest guest]

Doctors:In the event you haven't seen this article on traumatic upper cervical ligament rupture, please read this.  http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/pdf/1746-1340-15-20.pdf I have recently had a few cases in which upper neck injuries that were failing to resolve, and they ended up having transverse ligament ruptures.  In one case, the instability was so bad that the client was having episodes of blindness.  But, none of his treating doctors considered cervical instability.  He went to Mt. for imaging and sure enough he had a transverse ligament rupture.  His translation was 7mm in extension, 6mm lateral to one side and 5 mm to the other.   The case promptly settled for policy limits once the MRI proved the ligament damage and the instability.  I have to say that the atlantoaxial imaging protocol at Mt. is great for these cases and you should consider it, along with DMX when symptoms continue for a prolonged period.Happy Holidays, DeShaw, DC, JD  Dr. DeShaw, Esq., P.C.Portland OfficeFox Tower805 SW Broadway, Suite 2720Portland, OR 97205(503) 227-1233Seattle OfficeColumbia Center701 5th Ave., Suite 4200Seattle, WA 98104www.doctorlawyer.net(866) THE-FIRM

[Guest guest]

Where do I find this Val - can you give a direct link. This goes to the Home Page.

Luv - Sheila

I found this interesting article:http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article3176449.eceIt's about the ex-editor of Red magazine.Louise.

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.20/1262 - Release Date: 06/02/2008 09:13

[Guest guest]

Sheila, try this

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article3176449.ece

Or This

http://tinyurl.com/2bo7l2

BW

Gillian (Gill S)

>> Where do I find this Val - can you give a direct link. This goes to the Home Page.> > Luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

Try this Sheila: http://tinyurl.com/2bo7l2

Lilian

Where do I find this Val - can you give a direct link. This goes to the Home Page.

[Guest guest]

>

> I found this interesting article:

>

>

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/

> book_extracts/article3176449.ece

Sorry Sheila, had to rush out after I posted this and I didn't realise

it had only made part of the link " live " .

Louise.

[Guest guest]

I read the article. Sounds promising indeed!

Sue

>

> I received this site from a friend of mine. (Man-made molecules

reverse liver cirrhosis in rats. ) It is very interesting and gives

us much hope for the future.

>

> http://news./s/nm/20080331/sc_nm/liver_japan_cirrhosis_dc

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for that piece on cirrhosis Ellie. It was really encouraging.

Dee

[ ] Interesting Article

I received this site from a friend of mine. (Man-made molecules reverse liver

cirrhosis in rats. ) It is very interesting and gives us much hope for the

future.

http://news. / s/nm/20080331/ sc_nm/liver_ japan_cirrhosis_ dc

------------ --------- --------- ---

You rock. That's why Blockbuster' s offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

[Guest guest]

Good article, but wanted to add to it...........

The original research in this field was done by a team of doctors in San

Diego several years ago, primarily Drs a Buck and Chokjier.

Dr Chokjier will be presenting their work at the PBCers Conference in

Las Vegas in June.

This is a chance to hear it first hand, AND ask questions as well. It's

not too late to register.

Jeannette OR PBC/AIH

[Guest guest]

Amazing, thanks for sharing this insightful article!

>

>

>

>

>

> Love and Asperger's syndrome

>

>

> He's gentle, unworldly, highly attentive and charmingly old-

fashioned.

> The catch? The very things that make so attractive to

are

> symptoms of Asperger's. meets the couples living with

this

> surprisingly common condition

>

> Hendricks and Newton sit tilted towards one other,

> laughing a lot and disappearing down the occasional alley of in-

jokes,

> as couples do when they're still in that early, besotted stage.

>

>

> Hendrickx and Newton at 's home in Hove. 'He's so

> gorgeous he could have anyone - but not for long,' she says

> has just arrived at 's home in Hove and they're clearly

> delighted by the prospect of the next few days together. As

always,

> has switched off his mobile phone because, as he puts

it, 'my

> time here is with '. They won't see anyone else - has

no

> friends of his own and doesn't feel comfortable socialising - but

plan

> to eat lots of chocolate, walk and watch television. 'We spend a

lot

> of time feeling smug,' says , 'because we see other couples

who

> don't look very happy.'

>

> In a few days, though, will drive back to Wickham, Hampshire,

50

> miles away, where he lives alone and works as a computer

programmer.

> This will always be the case. Despite meeting five years ago, they

> won't 'progress' as other couples do. They'll neither live

together

> nor have children. Although there's only a year between them, at

39

> is so gangly, gawky, boyish and cute that he could be ten

years

> younger than he is.

>

> Yet - who had a child at 19 and has two marriages behind her -

> is confident that few women could put up with him. 'God, he's so

> gorgeous he could have anyone - but not for long,' she says,

laughing.

> 'Three or four months max… then, when the conversation turns to

homes

> and babies and bank accounts, he'd be gone!' The two burst into

> laughter.

>

> It wasn't always like this. The couple met through internet dating

and

> the first stage of their relationship was fiery and fraught. To

,

> was 'a puzzle'. He'd plainly state that their blissful

weekends

> were enough for him, that he'd never live with her or even move

> nearer. frequently found him selfish, cold and distant.

> found hard work, demanding and 'screechy'.

>

> Ultimately, only one thing allowed them to start again from

scratch -

> they uncovered the reason for 's 'insensitivity', his

aloofness,

> the fact that he could see no future with nor seemed to want

> one: has Asperger's syndrome (AS).

>

> Such a late diagnosis is not uncommon. Asperger's - a

developmental

> condition that falls within the autism spectrum - was identified

more

> than 60 years ago but became a standard diagnosis only in 1992 when

it

> entered the World Health Organisation's diagnostic manual. As a

> result, the majority of adults with the syndrome almost certainly

grew

> up without knowing they had it.

>

> Estimates vary enormously as to the prevalence, but one in 100

people

> is thought to be on the autism spectrum, and it is more common in

> males by a ratio of nine to one. People with AS normally have above-

> average intelligence but great difficulties with empathy,

> communication and social interaction.

>

> People with AS struggle to understand the unwritten social rules

that

> help most of us act and speak appropriately. They find it hard to

> decipher figures of speech, facial expressions and tones of voice,

and

> are frequently (but unintentionally) concise and literal to the

point

> of rudeness. Since the 'real world' becomes an extremely stressful

> place, many retreat into their own safe haven of routine, solitude

and

> obsessive special interests.

>

> Today AS is likely to be recognised in a child, and his school will

be

> told he needs special support. Twenty years ago, however, he'd be

the

> 'geek' who didn't quite fit but was left to get on with it. And

that

> struggle has continued into adulthood. For someone with AS, the

> minefield of relationships, marriage and parenthood can be the

hardest

> part of all.

>

> Louise Corbett manages the National Autistic Society (NAS)

helpline

> and confirms that more calls are coming from couples who have

> recognised Asperger's in their relationship.

>

> 'When I started six years ago most of our calls were made by

parents

> about their children,' she says. 'Now we get more adult-related

calls

> than child-related.' As Asperger's seems to run in families, many

> women identify it in their husbands - or their husbands see it in

> themselves - only after their child has been diagnosed and they've

> read the literature. 'They call in absolute shock,' says Corbett.

> 'Often they've been experiencing difficulties for years without

> knowing why. There's no way around it: Asperger's can be very hard

to

> live with.'

>

> Maxine Aston, the author of Aspergers in Love ( Kingsley,

> £14.95), is one of the few counselors to work specifically with

> couples affected by AS. Her surveys and questionnaires from the

past

> decade suggest that 75 per cent of such couples seek

counseling. 'I'd

> almost say AS was a " relationship disorder " ,' she says. 'It

affects

> communication, interaction and the ability to empathise. Any

research

> will tell you they're the key ingredients for a successful

> relationship.' In Aston's experience - and desperate clients come

from

> as far as Japan, New Zealand and Canada - Asperger's relationships

> follow a common pattern.

>

> 'A huge number seem to meet on dating websites,' she says. 'For

> someone with AS it's the perfect route.' Where once many people

with

> AS were effectively barred from the dating game, the internet now

> provides the perfect point of entry (it has, as Aston puts

it 'opened

> the floodgates').

> Bypassing the enormous challenges involved in chatting someone up,

it

> allows you to make a checklist and then select according to

criteria.

> Although many people with AS are unemployed or underemployed,

others

> are at the top of their profession. 'On paper they look amazing,'

says

> Aston. 'Doctors, IT consultants, engineers, solicitors… They could

be

> in their forties but have never married - so no baggage. The

internet

> also allows them to build a rapport by email,' she

continues. 'When

> they meet, women are often very charmed by this polite, gentle man

> with an old-fashioned appeal.'

> This was certainly true for who found completely

different

> to anyone she had known. 'At the end of our first date he kissed

my

> cheek and shook my hand,' she recalls. 'So different to all the

guys

> that ply you with rioja. seemed so untouched by needless

fashion

> and peer pressure - I thought he was a Buddhist!'

> However, in Aston's experience, this appeal can wear thin. 'Women

fall

> in love and want to nurture this unworldly, slightly vulnerable

man

> and help him grow up. As the relationship settles, though, they

often

> find their own emotional needs aren't being met.

> 'Someone with AS probably has good intentions,' she goes on. 'He

wants

> to make her happy but can't read the signs. At the beginning of

the

> courtship the woman could become his obsession and she has

probably

> never experienced such attention. Five years down the line, when

he

> has focussed on something else and returns from work, yet again

> forgets to say hello and goes to the garage to take the car apart,

> things are very different. Women often say to me, " He's either got

> Asperger's or he's the most selfish man on the planet. " '

> Another problem can be the isolation. People with AS frequently

have

> sensory difficulties - loud noise, strong smells and bright lights

can

> be almost painful. This, coupled with difficulties in social

> interaction, means that parties, family gatherings and big

birthdays

> drop off the radar.

> 'I once saw a couple in their eighties who, after 50 years of

> marriage, realised what the problem was,' says Aston. 'They decided

to

> stay together, but she bought a cottage up the road and he visited

for

> meals. She could have friends and family over and he had space for

his

> routine and interests. Quite a few couples decide to stay together

but

> live apart.'

> Penny , an accountant from Oxford, tried this, following the

> diagnosis of her husband an IT consultant, six years ago.

Chris

> learnt about AS through a television programme while he was off

work

> with stress. He subsequently saw a specialist who placed him high

on

> the Asperger's scale.

> 'We got together in 1995 and he'd always been very unusual,' says

> Penny. 'There are lots of positives about Asperger's. I like its

> straightforwardness. There's no game-playing. was the first

> person I had met who just let people be themselves. Most men want

you

> to be a bit more like this or more like that. just accepts

you.

> He's also very intelligent - he has an IQ of over 150 - and very

funny.'

> However, AS was hard to live with. 'He did lock himself in the

room

> with the computer,' she says. 'We were under the same roof but not

> together. Rarely did we share the preparation and clearing away of

> meals because couldn't stand the noise of cutlery and

crockery.'

> When their children were born - Luke is nine and Beth is seven -

Chris

> found the chaos of family life even more difficult. 'It wasn't

> predictable and calm enough. Family holidays we gave up on,' she

says.

> 'He would try his best but by day three, without his familiarity,

his

> routine, his computer, you could see all his systems shutting

down.

> Then he'd spend each day with a large crate of beer in front of

the

> television while I took the children out. drank vast

quantities

> to cope with Asperger's - that was another problem.'

> When moved out, the plan had been that they would remain a

> couple, but in the end this didn't work out. 'He drank far less

and

> was clearly so much happier in his own space,' says Penny. 'He

would

> spend a few hours with us, then go home to his bolthole and not

talk

> to anyone for 24 hours. In the end, I couldn't cope with the

massive

> periods of time alone.' The couple divorced last year.

> Conventional counseling isn't recommended for AS couples - in fact,

it

> frequently makes things worse. 'Counseling works on empathy,' says

> Maxine Aston, 'helping you understand each other's point of view.

That

> won't happen if you have AS. You might be told to spend ten minutes

a

> day talking about your emotions. Someone with AS can't do it,

feels

> pressurised and disappointment sets in.' For this reason, the NAS

has

> a (small) database of couples counselors who specialise in AS - of

> which Aston is one.

> There are many strategies that can help. One is to write things

down

> instead of saying them. Another is for the non-Asperger's half in

the

> relationship to spell things out in no uncertain terms. ('I am

feeling

> sad and would like a hug'), rather than hope their partner will

read

> the cues. However, the key is understanding the Asperger's label,

> accepting its limitations and adjusting expectations. 'It's almost

> like blaming it on the Asperger's,' says Aston.

> The diagnosis that saved and almost happened by

accident -

> got a job working with ASpire, a charity that supports

adults

> with Asperger's. The more she learnt, the more she recognised in

> . 'At first, I thought it was just a mad, crazy idea,'

he

> says. 'But as I researched it, the similarities became too great

to

> ignore.'

> Learning about AS, he says, was 'life-changing'. Suddenly what

> describes as his 'isolated, biscuit-eating life' made sense.

had

> been bullied at school and gone through university with no friends

at

> all. He'd had only two jobs in his life doing the same thing and

two

> very short-lived relationships (the first at 31). 'From an early

age

> you try to join the world, but gradually, with rejection and not

being

> able to understand social situations, it becomes too taxing,' he

says.

> 'I wanted relationships with women but didn't have the confidence,

the

> tools or the means.'

> In , has found the perfect partner. She works with AS

> adults for a living and now understands his thought processes and

> almost speaks his language. She can foresee stressful situations,

> accepts his frequent need to be alone and rarely asks for more

than

> can give.

> In return, she has a charming, quirky, logical and attentive

partner

> who is still touchingly old-fashioned - he always opens doors for

her,

> carries her shopping and whips off her glasses to clean them if he

> sees they are dirty. Most importantly, the two clearly love each

> other's company, share the same sense of humour - and have co-

written

> a book, Asperger Syndrome - A Love Story ( Kingsley,

£12.99),

> to show that happy endings are possible, even if they're not quite

the

> endings originally envisaged.

> There are no plans of marriage or moving in, and certainly

> doesn't think he could cope with children. But they seem like soul

> mates. 'With , I get acceptance and understanding,' says

.

> 'I don't necessarily want to join the rest of the world - but I'd

like

> someone to join me in mine. I'd like to know at the end of my life

> that there's been one person who got me. That's what does for

me.'

>

>

> Information appearing on telegraph.co.uk is the copyright of

Telegraph

> Media Group Limited and must not be reproduced in any medium

without

> licence. For the full copyright statement seeCopyright

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,I haven't posted for a long long time but just had to say I actually live in Hove (England),my son Jack belongs to Aspire and knows ,she wanted to chat to him about Aspergers for another book she is writing but he wasn't interested.

Aspire has been a big part of Jack's life the last couple of years, they arrange social evenings which Jack likes plus are helpful with loads of issues,they supported him when he was looking for part time work even going into the store to explain about Aspergers and also explained to his college.

It's good to see a little part of our life is appearing worldwide even if I did get a suprise seeing someone I actually know here.

Hello to anyone that is out there from ages ago that may still remember me.

Sue

( ) Interesting Article

Love and Asperger's syndrome

He's gentle, unworldly, highly attentive and charmingly old-fashioned. The catch? The very things that make so attractive to are symptoms of Asperger's. meets the couples living with this surprisingly common condition

Hendricks and Newton sit tilted towards one other, laughing a lot and disappearing down the occasional alley of in-jokes, as couples do when they're still in that early, besotted stage.

Hendrickx and Newton at ’s home in Hove. 'He's so gorgeous he could have anyone - but not for long,' she says

has just arrived at 's home in Hove and they're clearly delighted by the prospect of the next few days together. As always, has switched off his mobile phone because, as he puts it, 'my time here is with '. They won't see anyone else - has no friends of his own and doesn't feel comfortable socialising - but plan to eat lots of chocolate, walk and watch television. 'We spend a lot of time feeling smug,' says , 'because we see other couples who don't look very happy.'

In a few days, though, will drive back to Wickham, Hampshire, 50 miles away, where he lives alone and works as a computer programmer. This will always be the case. Despite meeting five years ago, they won't 'progress' as other couples do. They'll neither live together nor have children. Although there's only a year between them, at 39 is so gangly, gawky, boyish and cute that he could be ten years younger than he is.

Yet - who had a child at 19 and has two marriages behind her - is confident that few women could put up with him. 'God, he's so gorgeous he could have anyone - but not for long,' she says, laughing. 'Three or four months max… then, when the conversation turns to homes and babies and bank accounts, he'd be gone!' The two burst into laughter.

It wasn't always like this. The couple met through internet dating and the first stage of their relationship was fiery and fraught. To , was 'a puzzle'. He'd plainly state that their blissful weekends were enough for him, that he'd never live with her or even move nearer. frequently found him selfish, cold and distant. found hard work, demanding and 'screechy'.

Ultimately, only one thing allowed them to start again from scratch - they uncovered the reason for 's 'insensitivity', his aloofness, the fact that he could see no future with nor seemed to want one: has Asperger's syndrome (AS).

Such a late diagnosis is not uncommon. Asperger's - a developmental condition that falls within the autism spectrum - was identified more than 60 years ago but became a standard diagnosis only in 1992 when it entered the World Health Organisation's diagnostic manual. As a result, the majority of adults with the syndrome almost certainly grew up without knowing they had it.

Estimates vary enormously as to the prevalence, but one in 100 people is thought to be on the autism spectrum, and it is more common in males by a ratio of nine to one. People with AS normally have above-average intelligence but great difficulties with empathy, communication and social interaction.

People with AS struggle to understand the unwritten social rules that help most of us act and speak appropriately. They find it hard to decipher figures of speech, facial expressions and tones of voice, and are frequently (but unintentionally) concise and literal to the point of rudeness. Since the 'real world' becomes an extremely stressful place, many retreat into their own safe haven of routine, solitude and obsessive special interests.

Today AS is likely to be recognised in a child, and his school will be told he needs special support. Twenty years ago, however, he'd be the 'geek' who didn't quite fit but was left to get on with it. And that struggle has continued into adulthood. For someone with AS, the minefield of relationships, marriage and parenthood can be the hardest part of all.

Louise Corbett manages the National Autistic Society (NAS) helpline and confirms that more calls are coming from couples who have recognised Asperger's in their relationship.

'When I started six years ago most of our calls were made by parents about their children,' she says. 'Now we get more adult-related calls than child-related.' As Asperger's seems to run in families, many women identify it in their husbands - or their husbands see it in themselves - only after their child has been diagnosed and they've read the literature. 'They call in absolute shock,' says Corbett. 'Often they've been experiencing difficulties for years without knowing why. There's no way around it: Asperger's can be very hard to live with.'

Maxine Aston, the author of Aspergers in Love ( Kingsley, £14.95), is one of the few counselors to work specifically with couples affected by AS. Her surveys and questionnaires from the past decade suggest that 75 per cent of such couples seek counseling. 'I'd almost say AS was a "relationship disorder",' she says. 'It affects communication, interaction and the ability to empathise. Any research will tell you they're the key ingredients for a successful relationship.' In Aston's experience - and desperate clients come from as far as Japan, New Zealand and Canada - Asperger's relationships follow a common pattern.

'A huge number seem to meet on dating websites,' she says. 'For someone with AS it's the perfect route.' Where once many people with AS were effectively barred from the dating game, the internet now provides the perfect point of entry (it has, as Aston puts it 'opened the floodgates').

Bypassing the enormous challenges involved in chatting someone up, it allows you to make a checklist and then select according to criteria. Although many people with AS are unemployed or underemployed, others are at the top of their profession. 'On paper they look amazing,' says Aston. 'Doctors, IT consultants, engineers, solicitors… They could be in their forties but have never married - so no baggage. The internet also allows them to build a rapport by email,' she continues. 'When they meet, women are often very charmed by this polite, gentle man with an old-fashioned appeal.'

This was certainly true for who found completely different to anyone she had known. 'At the end of our first date he kissed my cheek and shook my hand,' she recalls. 'So different to all the guys that ply you with rioja. seemed so untouched by needless fashion and peer pressure - I thought he was a Buddhist!'

However, in Aston's experience, this appeal can wear thin. 'Women fall in love and want to nurture this unworldly, slightly vulnerable man and help him grow up. As the relationship settles, though, they often find their own emotional needs aren't being met.

'Someone with AS probably has good intentions,' she goes on. 'He wants to make her happy but can't read the signs. At the beginning of the courtship the woman could become his obsession and she has probably never experienced such attention. Five years down the line, when he has focussed on something else and returns from work, yet again forgets to say hello and goes to the garage to take the car apart, things are very different. Women often say to me, "He's either got Asperger's or he's the most selfish man on the planet."'

Another problem can be the isolation. People with AS frequently have sensory difficulties - loud noise, strong smells and bright lights can be almost painful. This, coupled with difficulties in social interaction, means that parties, family gatherings and big birthdays drop off the radar.

'I once saw a couple in their eighties who, after 50 years of marriage, realised what the problem was,' says Aston. 'They decided to stay together, but she bought a cottage up the road and he visited for meals. She could have friends and family over and he had space for his routine and interests. Quite a few couples decide to stay together but live apart.'

Penny , an accountant from Oxford, tried this, following the diagnosis of her husband an IT consultant, six years ago. learnt about AS through a television programme while he was off work with stress. He subsequently saw a specialist who placed him high on the Asperger's scale.

'We got together in 1995 and he'd always been very unusual,' says Penny. 'There are lots of positives about Asperger's. I like its straightforwardness. There's no game-playing. was the first person I had met who just let people be themselves. Most men want you to be a bit more like this or more like that. just accepts you. He's also very intelligent - he has an IQ of over 150 - and very funny.'

However, AS was hard to live with. 'He did lock himself in the room with the computer,' she says. 'We were under the same roof but not together. Rarely did we share the preparation and clearing away of meals because couldn't stand the noise of cutlery and crockery.'

When their children were born - Luke is nine and Beth is seven - found the chaos of family life even more difficult. 'It wasn't predictable and calm enough. Family holidays we gave up on,' she says. 'He would try his best but by day three, without his familiarity, his routine, his computer, you could see all his systems shutting down. Then he'd spend each day with a large crate of beer in front of the television while I took the children out. drank vast quantities to cope with Asperger's - that was another problem.'

When moved out, the plan had been that they would remain a couple, but in the end this didn't work out. 'He drank far less and was clearly so much happier in his own space,' says Penny. 'He would spend a few hours with us, then go home to his bolthole and not talk to anyone for 24 hours. In the end, I couldn't cope with the massive periods of time alone.' The couple divorced last year.

Conventional counseling isn't recommended for AS couples - in fact, it frequently makes things worse. 'Counseling works on empathy,' says Maxine Aston, 'helping you understand each other's point of view. That won't happen if you have AS. You might be told to spend ten minutes a day talking about your emotions. Someone with AS can't do it, feels pressurised and disappointment sets in.' For this reason, the NAS has a (small) database of couples counselors who specialise in AS - of which Aston is one.

There are many strategies that can help. One is to write things down instead of saying them. Another is for the non-Asperger's half in the relationship to spell things out in no uncertain terms. ('I am feeling sad and would like a hug'), rather than hope their partner will read the cues. However, the key is understanding the Asperger's label, accepting its limitations and adjusting expectations. 'It's almost like blaming it on the Asperger's,' says Aston.

The diagnosis that saved and almost happened by accident - got a job working with ASpire, a charity that supports adults with Asperger's. The more she learnt, the more she recognised in . 'At first, I thought it was just a mad, crazy idea,' he says. 'But as I researched it, the similarities became too great to ignore.'

Learning about AS, he says, was 'life-changing'. Suddenly what describes as his 'isolated, biscuit-eating life' made sense. had been bullied at school and gone through university with no friends at all. He'd had only two jobs in his life doing the same thing and two very short-lived relationships (the first at 31). 'From an early age you try to join the world, but gradually, with rejection and not being able to understand social situations, it becomes too taxing,' he says. 'I wanted relationships with women but didn't have the confidence, the tools or the means.'

In , has found the perfect partner. She works with AS adults for a living and now understands his thought processes and almost speaks his language. She can foresee stressful situations, accepts his frequent need to be alone and rarely asks for more than can give.

In return, she has a charming, quirky, logical and attentive partner who is still touchingly old-fashioned - he always opens doors for her, carries her shopping and whips off her glasses to clean them if he sees they are dirty. Most importantly, the two clearly love each other's company, share the same sense of humour - and have co-written a book, Asperger Syndrome - A Love Story ( Kingsley, £12.99), to show that happy endings are possible, even if they're not quite the endings originally envisaged.

There are no plans of marriage or moving in, and certainly doesn't think he could cope with children. But they seem like soul mates. 'With , I get acceptance and understanding,' says . 'I don't necessarily want to join the rest of the world - but I'd like someone to join me in mine. I'd like to know at the end of my life that there's been one person who got me. That's what does for me.'

Information appearing on telegraph.co.uk is the copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited and must not be reproduced in any medium without licence. For the full copyright statement seeCopyright

[Guest guest]

That is unless your bariatric surgeon also specializes in Achalasia.

in SF

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of toomuchclutter

Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 4:58 PM

achalasia

Subject: Interesting article

I have no idea how I

found this article and to be honest I've only skimmed it, but what I found

interesting was the detail they went into about the " controversies "

about wrap vs. no wrap and included the questions and answers from surgeons

whose names we see here off and on.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1356431

What struck me about

this article wasn't the results, but rather the extreme depth of knowledge a

surgeon has to have to even discuss these topics in so much detail. They

need the adequate volume of patients to get to this level to even discuss with

us their opinions about a heller myotomy.

This is an example

of really, trying to find the most experienced, highly regarded surgeon you can

physically and financially get to. Asking a bariatric lap surgeon, for

example in Rapid City, SD to discuss how long, where, what king

of wrap, etc. is useless. I can't imagine any regional medical center

having the expertise to make informed decisions about any of these

details. I'd bet they open a textbook before they do a heller

myotomy. You want a surgeon who wrote the chapter to work on you.

Any one of those is probably fine, but at least one experienced enough to write

a chapter.

Guess I'll go back

and read it now, who know what the conclusion is?

Sandy

[Guest guest]

You are right, but Rapid City was the point because it is a very small city and not enough volume could possibly go through there unless the surgeon just moved there from some metropolitan medical center. My humor lacks humor often.----Sandy>> That is unless your bariatric surgeon also specializes in Achalasia.> > > > in SF> > >

[Guest guest]

What a

brilliant read - thanks for posting this link Lilian.

Now

got to go and do some Christmas shopping.

Luv -

Sheila

http://www.naturalnews.com/025030.html

This

is very interesting, recommending Armour.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

another nice link. tis one also has an interview with one of the authors of the study.http://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/CoronaryArteryDisease/9259 

http://www.naturalnews.com/025030.html

 

This is very interesting, recommending Armour.

 

Lilian

[Guest guest]

This results in every aspect of health being affected, including weight, mental outlook, body temperature, energy levels, and the quality of hair and skin. Symptoms of low thyroid hormone are unexplained weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, irregular or faint heartbeat, sleep apnea, high or low blood pressure, chronic pain, constipation, frequent infections, brittle nails, weak muscles, head congestion and sinus problems, joint pain, hoarseness, and more.That as really interesting, what jumped out at me was the head congestion and sinus problems as a symptoms, I wonder if thats what I am suffering, the head congestion explains it well!

What a brilliant read - thanks for posting this link Lilian.

Now got to go and do some Christmas shopping.

Luv - Sheila

http://www.naturaln ews.com/025030. html

This is very interesting, recommending Armour.

Lilian