what to do?

[Guest guest]

Don't chelate before the filling is out.

It is NOT necessary to treat yeast and get it under control first.

The most effective yeast treatment is proper chelation. It is very

difficult to keep under control without proper chelation.

It is quite unfortunate that you don't have any reasonable support

from the helping professionals in your area, but good that you are

willing to do what you must to help your son anyway.

Andy

> Hi, All. I've been reading this list for about 3 months, now, and

am ready

> to begin with helping my 7-year old get rid of his metals. I've

had his

> hair tested & he was off the charts in Aluminum, Antimony, and

Arsenic. His

> mercury levels were slightly elevated (out of the green). And he

was

> deficient in magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Now, the funny thing

is, the

> hair I had tested was from his 1st hair cut when he was 9 months

old. I did

> this because I suspected the vaccines had been the trigger for his

autism.

> Now, I'm convinced. Anyway, I've been afraid of chelation because

we don't

> have a doctor to help us. I don't know where to begin. Should I

order a

> test kit for yeast first and be sure he doesn't have it before

chelating, or

> can I begin with ALA alone while testing for the yeast? I was

getting that

> I need to be sure to have any yeast under control before

chelation. Also,

> has one tooth filling. I don't know if it has mercury, but

we live

> in a backwards, 1950's-like traditional small town in southern KY &

I am

> certain we will find no dentists willing to take the filling out

and replace

> it. 's pediatrician is completely unsupportive. She read

the hair

> analysis and thought it was some kind of scam. We are scared to do

this on

> our own, but I guess there's no choice. Can someone give me some

directions

> for how to start? If I must test for yeast first, then what can I

do in the

> meantime?

>

>

> Thanks for any advice,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I " m here for support only, I too live in a small town and know all to well

what it is like. As for you doctor, even in the city of Memphis TN where I

took my report, I was told it was a scam and a bunch of folks trying to sell

me snake oil. Well my son was 3 then, and we didn't get help until he was 8,

we lost 5 precious years. Please start chelation on your own with help from

this board, and your own research. I know it is scarry, but I wish the

internet had been around when I found mercury in my son so I could have

gotten the correct information. I didn't trust the doctors, but what do you

do when they tell you there is no way your child was exposed to mercury and

the test is a joke? water under the bridge now. A good place for

supplies......www.kirkmanlabs.com......also good information there. Good

luck and God bless, Cheryl

[ ] What to Do?

> Hi, All. I've been reading this list for about 3 months, now, and am

ready

> to begin with helping my 7-year old get rid of his metals. I've had his

> hair tested & he was off the charts in Aluminum, Antimony, and Arsenic.

His

> mercury levels were slightly elevated (out of the green). And he was

> deficient in magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Now, the funny thing is, the

> hair I had tested was from his 1st hair cut when he was 9 months old. I

did

> this because I suspected the vaccines had been the trigger for his autism.

> Now, I'm convinced. Anyway, I've been afraid of chelation because we

don't

> have a doctor to help us. I don't know where to begin. Should I order a

> test kit for yeast first and be sure he doesn't have it before chelating,

or

> can I begin with ALA alone while testing for the yeast? I was getting

that

> I need to be sure to have any yeast under control before chelation. Also,

> has one tooth filling. I don't know if it has mercury, but we live

> in a backwards, 1950's-like traditional small town in southern KY & I am

> certain we will find no dentists willing to take the filling out and

replace

> it. 's pediatrician is completely unsupportive. She read the hair

> analysis and thought it was some kind of scam. We are scared to do this

on

> our own, but I guess there's no choice. Can someone give me some

directions

> for how to start? If I must test for yeast first, then what can I do in

the

> meantime?

>

>

> Thanks for any advice,

>

>

>

>

> =======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

>Hi, All. I've been reading this list for about 3 months, now, and am ready

>to begin with helping my 7-year old get rid of his metals. I've had his

>hair tested & he was off the charts in Aluminum, Antimony, and Arsenic. His

>mercury levels were slightly elevated (out of the green).

Have you used the counting rules? Is it a DDI test?

/files/Counting%2BRules

> And he was

>deficient in magnesium, calcium, and zinc.

see counting rules file (URL above) for info on why merc poisoned kids have

spikey levels of essential elements (such as magnesium, calcium, etc).

Of course, I don't know that your child is merc toxic, just mentioning

this connection........

> Now, the funny thing is, the

>hair I had tested was from his 1st hair cut when he was 9 months old. I did

>this because I suspected the vaccines had been the trigger for his autism.

>Now, I'm convinced. Anyway, I've been afraid of chelation because we don't

>have a doctor to help us. I don't know where to begin.

Here is a good place. Reading and asking questions, as you are doing.

> Should I order a

>test kit for yeast first and be sure he doesn't have it before chelating, or

>can I begin with ALA alone while testing for the yeast?

People have different opinions on this. Mine is I'd start chelating.

ALA tends to reduce copper excretion, which is a factor or a risk for

people with high copper (which can be very toxic). You might want

to get a more recent hair test done?

/files/HOW_TO_hair_test

I'm not sure how big a risk this is, but thought I'd mention it.

> I was getting that

>I need to be sure to have any yeast under control before chelation.

Some people feel really strongly that it is important. Chelation

can sorta add fuel to the fire. um. Several fires.

> Also,

> has one tooth filling. I don't know if it has mercury, but we live

>in a backwards, 1950's-like traditional small town in southern KY & I am

>certain we will find no dentists willing to take the filling out and replace

>it.

see previous note from Andy. Well, I guess now you have some more time

to read and consider various things and test for yeast if you want (not a

bad idea), since chelation is on hold till you

find a dentist who will look at it and tell you if it is amalgam and

replace it if so. I'm the wrong person to ask--- I have

NOT kept track of the websites for finding dentists but there are some.

I happen to have a DAMS newsletter handy so I'll give you the DAMS

coordinator for TENESSEE: Marjorie Lensgraf 865-687-0868 mallen@...

and for VIRGINIA: Anne Ferrerira (757)850-0377 virginia@...

[DAMS is an anti-amalgam consumer group. Caveat: I do not think DAMS

as a whole can give you good advice on chelation. Of course, some

people in the group will be more help than others. I have not been

impressed with what I've seen in this area in their newsletters. JUST

MY OPINION.] I think I found the dentist I went to at this website:

http://www.iaomt.org/ however, like I said, I have not kept track

of the various websites with dentist info. You can also try Hal

Huggins' website http://hugnet.com [Hal Huggins is a well-known

anti-amalgam writer. He is also a dentist practicing in Mexico.

I think he only recommends dentists who have been through his training

program or something like that... not sure.]

> 's pediatrician is completely unsupportive. She read the hair

>analysis and thought it was some kind of scam. We are scared to do this on

>our own, but I guess there's no choice. Can someone give me some directions

>for how to start?

I think I already did. If you'd like more, you can read more here:

/files/Mercury-Autism%20FAQ

/files/ANDY_INDEX

and you can ask more questions. I am sorry it is not more spelled out,

but these are a good starting place.

My other advice, besides the " practical " side of what to do, would

be to do what you can to get yourself support. That could be just

acknowleding, yourself, that you are trying to help your child.

Every day--- remember this. Think about it.

Or it could be many deep breaths, and some practices in your life

that are supportive and nurturing for you. If you accept cyber-hugs,

consider that I have several to send. Of course, you are NOT the

only person with a really unsupportive doctor. And there are others

" going it alone " for various reasons.

The following (if you haven't already read it) may also be a source

of some encouragement:

/files/LOVE_LETTERS

I am chelating mySELF (not a child) and do not see an MD. I *do* see

an acupuncturist regularly who checks me out. She knows a little tiny

bit about chelation (I tell her about it), and she is very supportive.

But I do NOT ask her for " advice " on how to do chelation. Personally,

if I want to ask about what to do, I ask Andy. Okay, he is terse

and he is willing to say stuff that is controversial (which I

consider a major plus), and sometimes says stuff that bugs me.

I consider him a Godsend---- and am VERY grateful that I found him.

I write him and ask him stuff. I find him extremely helpful,

to put it mildly. I'm just telling you what I do. Your mileage

may vary.

BTW, I've been chelating for a year now. I have not had a lot of

" problems " . The problems I have had are " general health stuff "

(a nasty cough, lots of skin allergies, etc.) which I'm not sure

is related to chelation (I *think* it is). Read up on the side

effects of ALA and DMSA. The most likely stuff, I think, is some

flare up of some of the stuff your kid ALREADY has---- maybe a bit

more stimmy or spacey on certain days, some behavioral regressions.

But this may not be bad, and you should get IMPROVEMENTS too.

If you don't treat yeast now, you may need to later=== IMO you

may as well think about how to treat yeast---- I don't know that

it is " inevitable " but it does seem " likely " ??

The book What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Children's Vaccinations

by Cave MD may also be good for some " moral support " .

It will NOT tell you how to do chelation. It is a wonderful

INTRODUCTORY book that tells about the connection between vaccination

and autism/PDD/ADD/etc and also auto-immune diseases. It is a very

new book, so I don't expect it is available used yet.

best wishes,

Moria

[Guest guest]

Would it be possible for you to travel to a doctor at least once who could

supervise your son's chelation from afar? or consult with a knowledgable

doctor by phone? This really isn't something you should do on your own.

While alot of kids do fine with chelation with little or no ill effects,

there are some cases of problems and having a doctor to consult in this case

is very wise.

As for the filling, call your child's dentist and have him send you a list of

the exact ingredients that made up the filling. That shouldn't be difficult

for him to do. If it has metals in it, which unless it is white, it probably

does, you should not do chelation before having the filling replaced.

Gaylen

[Guest guest]

,

Here's one opinion. I'm glad you had his 9-month hair tested. That tells

you a lot right from the beginning. I should tell you first that we have

been chelating our son for about 16-months, so we're a little farther down

the road than you are. I remember very well my first months on these lists

and how scared and upset and grieved I was. It gets better and easier.

First, of all, you have to get that filling replaced. Otherwise, your son

will be pulling mercury from that filling and could get very ill. If you

have to travel, so be it. We go a little ways to find a mercury-free

dentist. (My hubby had all of his replaced, thank God!)

Second, realize that you will probably know more than most doctors you can

find. If you do find one to help you, you may very well be in the position

of educating them (if they are interested and willing to learn). The main

thing that doctors can help with are--ordering, running, and evaluating

tests, prescribing DMSA, and helping you through the ups and downs of

treatment. Also keep in mind that you CAN order the tests yourself, as well

as the DMSA. It's just that you don't have anyone to go to (except the

lists, which are sometimes extremely helpful) if you are running into a

snag. Nevertheless, keep in mind that your doc may be learning along with

you!

We started out with a local doc to help us order things, and ended up going

to Dr. Amy Holmes in Baton Rouge, LA. Others do this entirely on their own.

It is possible.

My personal feeling about the yeasts is that if you don't have any signs of

yeast, I don't necessarily think you have to start by treating it. I think

you do need to get supplements started and the filling replaced before you

think of chelating, just to get his little body ready. Then, low and slow

is the way to go. Don't get in a hurry or too drastic with the dosages.

And lots of water. And be diligent about supplementing. And take breaks if

he seems to need one every so often. Let his body catch up. Stay on the

lists for support and encouragement.

Barb

[ ] What to Do?

>Hi, All. I've been reading this list for about 3 months, now, and am ready

>to begin with helping my 7-year old get rid of his metals. I've had his

>hair tested & he was off the charts in Aluminum, Antimony, and Arsenic.

His

>mercury levels were slightly elevated (out of the green). And he was

>deficient in magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Now, the funny thing is, the

>hair I had tested was from his 1st hair cut when he was 9 months old. I

did

>this because I suspected the vaccines had been the trigger for his autism.

>Now, I'm convinced. Anyway, I've been afraid of chelation because we don't

>have a doctor to help us. I don't know where to begin. Should I order a

>test kit for yeast first and be sure he doesn't have it before chelating,

or

>can I begin with ALA alone while testing for the yeast? I was getting that

>I need to be sure to have any yeast under control before chelation. Also,

> has one tooth filling. I don't know if it has mercury, but we live

>in a backwards, 1950's-like traditional small town in southern KY & I am

>certain we will find no dentists willing to take the filling out and

replace

>it. 's pediatrician is completely unsupportive. She read the hair

>analysis and thought it was some kind of scam. We are scared to do this on

>our own, but I guess there's no choice. Can someone give me some

directions

>for how to start? If I must test for yeast first, then what can I do in

the

>meantime?

>

>

>Thanks for any advice,

>

>

>

>

>=======================================================

>

[Guest guest]

I have heard of putting duct tape over the velcro

closure -- at least on DOC Bands. I am not familiar

with Star bands.

--- lyn4quin <lyn4quin@...> wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three

> months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

>

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off

> the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are

> trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us

> rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him

> CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him

> from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he

> is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have heard of putting duct tape over the velcro

closure -- at least on DOC Bands. I am not familiar

with Star bands.

--- lyn4quin <lyn4quin@...> wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three

> months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

>

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off

> the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are

> trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us

> rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him

> CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him

> from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he

> is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

You could always try a barette or safety pin on the velcro or even

duct tape and see if he can still get it off. If you truly still

feel he needs improvment, I'd keep it on him all day to get the

maximum results. The STARband is an active band, so it should work

even while he's off his head. Just a thought! He may not dislike

it so much at night too if he's used to it from the whole day. Good

luck.

, mom to Hannah, DOCgrad

Cape Cod, Ma

http://hannahsnoggin.typepad.com

--- In Plagiocephaly , " lyn4quin " <lyn4quin@y...>

wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

You could always try a barette or safety pin on the velcro or even

duct tape and see if he can still get it off. If you truly still

feel he needs improvment, I'd keep it on him all day to get the

maximum results. The STARband is an active band, so it should work

even while he's off his head. Just a thought! He may not dislike

it so much at night too if he's used to it from the whole day. Good

luck.

, mom to Hannah, DOCgrad

Cape Cod, Ma

http://hannahsnoggin.typepad.com

--- In Plagiocephaly , " lyn4quin " <lyn4quin@y...>

wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

[Guest guest]

We did duct tape on a DOC band and it worked great......

What to do?

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

We did duct tape on a DOC band and it worked great......

What to do?

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

Like said, try a barrette. I hear it works great! Let us know

how you make out.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " lyn4quin " <lyn4quin@y...>

wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti,

Like said, try a barrette. I hear it works great! Let us know

how you make out.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " lyn4quin " <lyn4quin@y...>

wrote:

> HI...

>

> My son has wore his starband for almost three months.

> His head is looking good but I think still needs

> some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off the

> velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are trying

> to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us rocking

> him but if we just put him in the crib and let him CIO he

> undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his head.

> Seems he is tired of it LOL.

>

> I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him from

> doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he is done

> with the helmet?

>

> Thanks for any and all advise!

>

> Patti

[Guest guest]

Hi.

Last night we used duct tape and it

worked great! He kept the helmet

on all night Thanks for the advise!

Patti

>

> > HI...

> >

> > My son has wore his starband for almost three

> > months.

> > His head is looking good but I think still needs

> > some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> > it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> >

> > 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off

> > the

> > velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are

> > trying

> > to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us

> > rocking

> > him but if we just put him in the crib and let him

> > CIO he

> > undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> > head.

> > Seems he is tired of it LOL.

> >

> > I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him

> > from

> > doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he

> > is done

> > with the helmet?

> >

> > Thanks for any and all advise!

> >

> > Patti

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi.

Last night we used duct tape and it

worked great! He kept the helmet

on all night Thanks for the advise!

Patti

>

> > HI...

> >

> > My son has wore his starband for almost three

> > months.

> > His head is looking good but I think still needs

> > some improvement. The ortho said to have him wear

> > it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is about

> >

> > 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking off

> > the

> > velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We are

> > trying

> > to sleep train him so he will go to bed without us

> > rocking

> > him but if we just put him in the crib and let him

> > CIO he

> > undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> > head.

> > Seems he is tired of it LOL.

> >

> > I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop him

> > from

> > doing this? Should we delay sleep training till he

> > is done

> > with the helmet?

> >

> > Thanks for any and all advise!

> >

> > Patti

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Patti:

Glad to hear that it worked. It is true ... duct tape

works for everything!

--- lyn4quin <lyn4quin@...> wrote:

> Hi.

>

> Last night we used duct tape and it

> worked great! He kept the helmet

> on all night Thanks for the advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > HI...

> > >

> > > My son has wore his starband for almost three

> > > months.

> > > His head is looking good but I think still needs

>

> > > some improvement. The ortho said to have him

> wear

> > > it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is

> about

> > >

> > > 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking

> off

> > > the

> > > velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We

> are

> > > trying

> > > to sleep train him so he will go to bed without

> us

> > > rocking

> > > him but if we just put him in the crib and let

> him

> > > CIO he

> > > undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> > > head.

> > > Seems he is tired of it LOL.

> > >

> > > I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop

> him

> > > from

> > > doing this? Should we delay sleep training till

> he

> > > is done

> > > with the helmet?

> > >

> > > Thanks for any and all advise!

> > >

> > > Patti

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Patti:

Glad to hear that it worked. It is true ... duct tape

works for everything!

--- lyn4quin <lyn4quin@...> wrote:

> Hi.

>

> Last night we used duct tape and it

> worked great! He kept the helmet

> on all night Thanks for the advise!

>

> Patti

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > HI...

> > >

> > > My son has wore his starband for almost three

> > > months.

> > > His head is looking good but I think still needs

>

> > > some improvement. The ortho said to have him

> wear

> > > it when sleeping till he is 12 months which is

> about

> > >

> > > 6 weeks from now. The problem is he is taking

> off

> > > the

> > > velcro and pushing the helmet off at night. We

> are

> > > trying

> > > to sleep train him so he will go to bed without

> us

> > > rocking

> > > him but if we just put him in the crib and let

> him

> > > CIO he

> > > undoes the velcro and pushes the helmet off his

> > > head.

> > > Seems he is tired of it LOL.

> > >

> > > I guess my question is... Is there a way to stop

> him

> > > from

> > > doing this? Should we delay sleep training till

> he

> > > is done

> > > with the helmet?

> > >

> > > Thanks for any and all advise!

> > >

> > > Patti

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

For several years I have been hit with bad bouts of fatigue, migraine

and abdominal pain. Last year was bad, i was hospitalized with

pancreatitis and then told my gallbladder wasn't working. No reason

for any of this, was told to quit drinking. I have a family history

of alcoholism so the doctor assumed I was a drunk. My blood work for

years has showed abnormally large red blood cells but no one has

bothered to investigate. I have been told to see a shrink. Starting

about 2 months ago i was hit hard with the fatigue. The abdominal

pain was terrible and the doctor's nurse kept telling me that i have

a virus and to get some rest. She was deflecting my calls and

treating me just like every other doc and nurse i have come across. I

ended up in the er with shortness of breath and pain. I had pleurosy

and the pancreas was inflamed. Given meds and sent home. I had had

enough when i asked for a referal to an immunologistand was told i

didn't need one. Uhhhgggggg! I called the insurance company, they

gave me a name of one and i went off to see him with my 2 pages of

symptoms that have popped up over the last few years. I am RA

positive with a low ANA but he says it's not lupus. I had an upper

and lower gi which showed a hiatal hernia, severe gastritis, chronic

esophigitis. They removed a small polyp and did several biopsies. My

primary care doc finally caved in and started b-12 shots.I'm kinda

running out of organs. I had a hysterectomy in 2000. The ones i have

left are being damaged. I am at a loss as to what to do next and what

questions to ask. I am mad and want to feel better. I am looking for

a rheumatologist and hoping to get answers there. Is there anything

that can get a fire lit under a doc's butt to find out what's going

on?

Thanx

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Doctors work for you. You don;t work for them. They think that you don;t have

choices. Mostly, you do. That is good. Exercise the choices wherever you can

wisely do so. A big part of the healing totality is how you are treated. I had

an RA M.D. who was a bigtime blow monkey. If I want that, all I have to do is

hang out on the south side of town. Another hated insurance companies and

treated people on plans that he didn;t like poorly. I went on an offending plan,

and I went from good to bad in one visit. He was gone. I agree, alot of these

docs treat women in a condescending and unfair way. They are all

subsconsciously( or even consciously) influenced by the Freud chapter in the one

book in the one Psychiatry course that they HAD to take, and that chapter

contained Freud's totally nutty, archaic and justly unproven 'theory' about

women being hysterics. Companies fire customers. Patients can fire doctors. Do

it, but only when it's wise and best for you to do so.

Marsha Hostetler <marshahostetler@...> wrote: Hi Theresa,

I am so sorry you are having this trouble and I'll bet you all of us has went

through it. I know it doesn't help but you will find out just keep firing the

bad ones that is what I have done and finally found a RA I love that listens to

me what a rare concept in doctors.

For some reason a doctor just pushes women around and it doesn't matter if they

are male or female I have had problems with both.

When I was twenty I was having sever pain and it would take me down. It took me

three years and 10 doctors to find the endometroses I had.

Then last year I was having problems I started researching my symptoms on line

and realized I had a thyroid problem I push them into doing a thyroid test and

then an autoimmune test which showed I had Hashimoto's disease it took me six

month for me to convince them the meds I needed I even got it out of the country

until I found my RA which had no problem prescribing it to me since he has a

thyroid problem (boy did I luck out) he took an hour with me pushing and asking

questions. Did blood work but told me it may be negative not unusual-I thank God

each day for this guy I went into see him I am having pain didn't know how much

until he put me on another med that took it away.

So Theresa get mad be pushy and fire doctors that do not take you seriously I am

lucky my insurance lets me pick the doctor so I had no problem interviewing

doctors I would make an appointment if I didn't like how they treated me and the

symptoms I left and did not go back. You know what you are feeling they do not

do not sell yourself short believe in yourself and have fun firing the docs.

You just vent here and you have all the support we know you are hurting.

Marsha

Theresa <pinnlady@...> wrote:

For several years I have been hit with bad bouts of fatigue, migraine

and abdominal pain. Last year was bad, i was hospitalized with

pancreatitis and then told my gallbladder wasn't working. No reason

for any of this, was told to quit drinking. I have a family history

of alcoholism so the doctor assumed I was a drunk. My blood work for

years has showed abnormally large red blood cells but no one has

bothered to investigate. I have been told to see a shrink. Starting

about 2 months ago i was hit hard with the fatigue. The abdominal

pain was terrible and the doctor's nurse kept telling me that i have

a virus and to get some rest. She was deflecting my calls and

treating me just like every other doc and nurse i have come across. I

ended up in the er with shortness of breath and pain. I had pleurosy

and the pancreas was inflamed. Given meds and sent home. I had had

enough when i asked for a referal to an immunologistand was told i

didn't need one. Uhhhgggggg! I called the insurance company, they

gave me a name of one and i went off to see him with my 2 pages of

symptoms that have popped up over the last few years. I am RA

positive with a low ANA but he says it's not lupus. I had an upper

and lower gi which showed a hiatal hernia, severe gastritis, chronic

esophigitis. They removed a small polyp and did several biopsies. My

primary care doc finally caved in and started b-12 shots.I'm kinda

running out of organs. I had a hysterectomy in 2000. The ones i have

left are being damaged. I am at a loss as to what to do next and what

questions to ask. I am mad and want to feel better. I am looking for

a rheumatologist and hoping to get answers there. Is there anything

that can get a fire lit under a doc's butt to find out what's going

on?

Thanx

Theresa

[Guest guest]

i was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis last week by physical exam and xrays.

but my sed rate was normal and rhuematiod factor normal. but im having so much

pain and im getting rhuematiod nodules on my hands. today i was started on

methotrexate treatment. im already on prednisone for ulcerative colitis. im sick

all the way around and i sleep till 2 or 3 pm every day lately. could it not be

arthritis if lab work is normal.

tara

could someone call me that is familur with this 508-982-1639 or 978-687-0595

J J <mvsl155@...> wrote:

Doctors work for you. You don;t work for them. They think that you

don;t have choices. Mostly, you do. That is good. Exercise the choices wherever

you can wisely do so. A big part of the healing totality is how you are treated.

I had an RA M.D. who was a bigtime blow monkey. If I want that, all I have to do

is hang out on the south side of town. Another hated insurance companies and

treated people on plans that he didn;t like poorly. I went on an offending plan,

and I went from good to bad in one visit. He was gone. I agree, alot of these

docs treat women in a condescending and unfair way. They are all

subsconsciously( or even consciously) influenced by the Freud chapter in the one

book in the one Psychiatry course that they HAD to take, and that chapter

contained Freud's totally nutty, archaic and justly unproven 'theory' about

women being hysterics. Companies fire customers. Patients can fire doctors. Do

it, but only when it's wise and best for you to do so.

Marsha Hostetler <marshahostetler@...> wrote: Hi Theresa,

I am so sorry you are having this trouble and I'll bet you all of us has went

through it. I know it doesn't help but you will find out just keep firing the

bad ones that is what I have done and finally found a RA I love that listens to

me what a rare concept in doctors.

For some reason a doctor just pushes women around and it doesn't matter if they

are male or female I have had problems with both.

When I was twenty I was having sever pain and it would take me down. It took me

three years and 10 doctors to find the endometroses I had.

Then last year I was having problems I started researching my symptoms on line

and realized I had a thyroid problem I push them into doing a thyroid test and

then an autoimmune test which showed I had Hashimoto's disease it took me six

month for me to convince them the meds I needed I even got it out of the country

until I found my RA which had no problem prescribing it to me since he has a

thyroid problem (boy did I luck out) he took an hour with me pushing and asking

questions. Did blood work but told me it may be negative not unusual-I thank God

each day for this guy I went into see him I am having pain didn't know how much

until he put me on another med that took it away.

So Theresa get mad be pushy and fire doctors that do not take you seriously I am

lucky my insurance lets me pick the doctor so I had no problem interviewing

doctors I would make an appointment if I didn't like how they treated me and the

symptoms I left and did not go back. You know what you are feeling they do not

do not sell yourself short believe in yourself and have fun firing the docs.

You just vent here and you have all the support we know you are hurting.

Marsha

Theresa <pinnlady@...> wrote:

For several years I have been hit with bad bouts of fatigue, migraine

and abdominal pain. Last year was bad, i was hospitalized with

pancreatitis and then told my gallbladder wasn't working. No reason

for any of this, was told to quit drinking. I have a family history

of alcoholism so the doctor assumed I was a drunk. My blood work for

years has showed abnormally large red blood cells but no one has

bothered to investigate. I have been told to see a shrink. Starting

about 2 months ago i was hit hard with the fatigue. The abdominal

pain was terrible and the doctor's nurse kept telling me that i have

a virus and to get some rest. She was deflecting my calls and

treating me just like every other doc and nurse i have come across. I

ended up in the er with shortness of breath and pain. I had pleurosy

and the pancreas was inflamed. Given meds and sent home. I had had

enough when i asked for a referal to an immunologistand was told i

didn't need one. Uhhhgggggg! I called the insurance company, they

gave me a name of one and i went off to see him with my 2 pages of

symptoms that have popped up over the last few years. I am RA

positive with a low ANA but he says it's not lupus. I had an upper

and lower gi which showed a hiatal hernia, severe gastritis, chronic

esophigitis. They removed a small polyp and did several biopsies. My

primary care doc finally caved in and started b-12 shots.I'm kinda

running out of organs. I had a hysterectomy in 2000. The ones i have

left are being damaged. I am at a loss as to what to do next and what

questions to ask. I am mad and want to feel better. I am looking for

a rheumatologist and hoping to get answers there. Is there anything

that can get a fire lit under a doc's butt to find out what's going

on?

Thanx

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Tara,

I'm sure that or a will post some articles to address your

question. But I will give you a short answer. Some people have

seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The blood work is normal, but they

still have RA.

Sue

On Thursday, December 21, 2006, at 04:57 PM, tara bowman wrote:

> i was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis last week by physical exam

> and xrays. but my sed rate was normal and rhuematiod factor normal.

> but im having so much pain and im getting rhuematiod nodules on my

> hands. today i was started on methotrexate treatment. im already on

> prednisone for ulcerative colitis. im sick all the way around and i

> sleep till 2 or 3 pm every day lately. could it not be arthritis if

> lab work is normal.

> tara

[Guest guest]

Tara,

I would suggest trying a gluten free diet. Have you been tested for

celiac disease? Yes, you can have RA with normal labs.

Sierra

> For several years I have been hit with bad bouts of fatigue,

migraine

> and abdominal pain. Last year was bad, i was hospitalized with

> pancreatitis and then told my gallbladder wasn't working. No reason

> for any of this, was told to quit drinking. I have a family history

> of alcoholism so the doctor assumed I was a drunk. My blood work

for

> years has showed abnormally large red blood cells but no one has

> bothered to investigate. I have been told to see a shrink. Starting

> about 2 months ago i was hit hard with the fatigue. The abdominal

> pain was terrible and the doctor's nurse kept telling me that i

have

> a virus and to get some rest. She was deflecting my calls and

> treating me just like every other doc and nurse i have come across.

I

> ended up in the er with shortness of breath and pain. I had

pleurosy

> and the pancreas was inflamed. Given meds and sent home. I had had

> enough when i asked for a referal to an immunologistand was told i

> didn't need one. Uhhhgggggg! I called the insurance company, they

> gave me a name of one and i went off to see him with my 2 pages of

> symptoms that have popped up over the last few years. I am RA

> positive with a low ANA but he says it's not lupus. I had an upper

> and lower gi which showed a hiatal hernia, severe gastritis,

chronic

> esophigitis. They removed a small polyp and did several biopsies.

My

> primary care doc finally caved in and started b-12 shots.I'm kinda

> running out of organs. I had a hysterectomy in 2000. The ones i

have

> left are being damaged. I am at a loss as to what to do next and

what

> questions to ask. I am mad and want to feel better. I am looking

for

> a rheumatologist and hoping to get answers there. Is there anything

> that can get a fire lit under a doc's butt to find out what's going

> on?

>

> Thanx

> Theresa

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have heard that it's a pretty common thing to have a seroneagtive reading but

to have all or so many other indicators ring very, very'hard' for RA.

Now I guess I sound like House, sort of: Look, very few diagnostics fit 100%

into all cubes and cubbyholes. Sometimes a major missing link isn;t major. You

go with preponderance rather than beyond all reasonable doubt to make an

entirely plausible diagnosis.

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:

Tara,

I'm sure that or a will post some articles to address your

question. But I will give you a short answer. Some people have

seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The blood work is normal, but they

still have RA.

Sue

On Thursday, December 21, 2006, at 04:57 PM, tara bowman wrote:

> i was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis last week by physical exam

> and xrays. but my sed rate was normal and rhuematiod factor normal.

> but im having so much pain and im getting rhuematiod nodules on my

> hands. today i was started on methotrexate treatment. im already on

> prednisone for ulcerative colitis. im sick all the way around and i

> sleep till 2 or 3 pm every day lately. could it not be arthritis if

> lab work is normal.

> tara

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In seronegative RA, all of the blood work is NOT normal. The RF is

negative, but there are other tests showing inflammation, usually

the ESR (sed rate) and CRP. If your blood work is absolutely normal

without any treatment, based on what I know, you probably do not

have RA.

-- In , J J <mvsl155@...> wrote:

>

> I have heard that it's a pretty common thing to have a

seroneagtive reading but to have all or so many other indicators

ring very, very'hard' for RA.

>

> Now I guess I sound like House, sort of: Look, very few

diagnostics fit 100% into all cubes and cubbyholes. Sometimes a

major missing link isn;t major. You go with preponderance rather

than beyond all reasonable doubt to make an entirely plausible

diagnosis.

>

>

>

> Sue <marysue@...> wrote:

> Tara,

>

> I'm sure that or a will post some articles to address

your

> question. But I will give you a short answer. Some people have

> seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. The blood work is normal, but

they

> still have RA.

>

> Sue

>

> On Thursday, December 21, 2006, at 04:57 PM, tara bowman wrote:

>

> > i was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis last week by physical

exam

> > and xrays. but my sed rate was normal and rhuematiod factor

normal.

> > but im having so much pain and im getting rhuematiod nodules on

my

> > hands. today i was started on methotrexate treatment. im already

on

> > prednisone for ulcerative colitis. im sick all the way around

and i

> > sleep till 2 or 3 pm every day lately. could it not be arthritis

if

> > lab work is normal.

> > tara

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I had normal ESR and CRP and RF early on--but had joint pain. In very

early RA it can take a while for abnormal lab tests to show up.

(After a time, they did for me.)

Sierra

> >

> > > i was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis last week by physical

> exam

> > > and xrays. but my sed rate was normal and rhuematiod factor

> normal.

> > > but im having so much pain and im getting rhuematiod nodules on

> my

> > > hands. today i was started on methotrexate treatment. im

already

> on

> > > prednisone for ulcerative colitis. im sick all the way around

> and i

> > > sleep till 2 or 3 pm every day lately. could it not be

arthritis

> if

> > > lab work is normal.

> > > tara

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >