New to group

[Guest guest]

Wine makes me crave bread.

c.

Maggie McQuade <maggs914@...> wrote:

I quit drinking all alcohol 9 months ago (although I had

a drink at Easter (white wine) and I just had 2 glasses

last Sat. afternoon). Boy did I feel loopy and craving ALL

the things I don't eat anymore. I can not believe how tipsy

if not drunk I felt after only 2 small servings !!! I did not cave in

and eat what I should not eat but I did feel weird like I was on drugs

and I never did drugs !!

Do the ingredients in the wine stir up the cravings for everything else ?

Thanks.

Maggie

" ..: )::.. " <ombass@...> wrote:

On 5/26/06 6:41 AM, " " <yoonit@...> wrote:

> My friends stopped asking

> me out to dinner a long time ago. I now eat 99.9% of my meals at home

> cuz there's nothing for me to eat " out there. " We should be given

> medals for not having gone iNsAnE by now..............

I relate to this statement 100%!! The friends/dinner thing is HARD because

people just don't realize how much eating and drinking is connected to

socializing (don't even get me started on the drinking...)

And yes, I was just chatting this morning with a friend saying I have

basically been driven INSANE by this, and would just love one freaking day

where I didn't have to worry about what I was going to eat.

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

yes. i think a singles group would be good. then we wouldn't have to explain

ourselves. dating is just damn near impossible

Beth Fish <bethafish@...> wrote:

Wish we all lived closer so we could go out for bottled water and salad greens

with no dressing! LOL (haven't done this in awhile)!!

Beth

Re: Re: New to group

On 5/26/06 6:41 AM, " " <yoonit@...> wrote:

> My friends stopped asking

> me out to dinner a long time ago. I now eat 99.9% of my meals at home

> cuz there's nothing for me to eat " out there. " We should be given

> medals for not having gone iNsAnE by now..............

I relate to this statement 100%!! The friends/dinner thing is HARD because

people just don't realize how much eating and drinking is connected to

socializing (don't even get me started on the drinking...)

And yes, I was just chatting this morning with a friend saying I have

basically been driven INSANE by this, and would just love one freaking day

where I didn't have to worry about what I was going to eat.

_jason_

_________ ________ _______ _____ ____ ___ __ _ _ _

[Guest guest]

HAHAHAHHAHA! Oh man...that's funny!

I know how you feel! I'm scared to eat anything from any restaurant!

Alison, Chicago

_____

From: candidiasis [mailto:candidiasis ] On

Behalf Of Beth Fish

Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 3:13 PM

candidiasis

Subject: Re: Re: New to group

Wish we all lived closer so we could go out for bottled water and salad

greens with no dressing! LOL (haven't done this in awhile)!!

Beth

[Guest guest]

Yes, Wine! I quit drinking for 2 weeks. That doesn't sound like alot but

drinking has become a part of my life. It's another thing I have to give up.

Vinegar would be easy, but I do crave it bad.

So today, I'm gonna quit the wine, vinegar, BC pills and tap water

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been on and off (mostly on) the strict diet for well 14 years I'd say.

And taking the antifungals for that long.

Seems like I get to feeling well and stop taking the antifungals and slack on

my diet and then get symptoms again. Its a circus ride. I think if I can give

up on the wine - (it's a habit to break) I'll really be making head way.

Quit taking the pill and drinking tap water will also be a big benefit - I

hope.

Once I start feeling good. I wont want to disrupt it - I am sure.

Thanks for your support.

colleen

Beth Fish <bethafish@...> wrote:

OHHH, wine and vinegar. They might be the culprits. What are you eating the

vinegar on? Could you substitute fresh lemon instead? I use to drink wine too.

Didn't think I could ever give it up even if I had gotten pregnant. The last

one was Christmas 2005. A little bit makes me feel bad. I'd rather have a hot

fudge sundae now. How long have you been on this strict diet and antifungals?

I know what you mean about eating out. We hardly did before, but it's even less

now. I try to look at the menu online before going to the restaurant. Still

worry about what they're doing or using in the kitchen.

My OB/GYN wanted to put me on Nizoral years ago and I wouldn't do it. That's

supposed to be one of the worst antifungals on the liver.

Congrats on no fillings! Hate to start taking a bunch of stuff because I have

five fillings and my one and only route canal last Fall. I've heard that

Nystatin may not work because of the Mercury. Sucks to be us!

Beth

New to group

I'm so frustrated with this candida. I've had it for 25 years. I

didn't know what it was till about 14 years ago. I remember when I

was 15 my mom took me to the Dr. becuase I had scratched my butt

raw. He said it was yeast and gave me a topical ointment. Ten years

later and sick as a dog I went through an elimination diet. Quit

eating all those foods and started to feel better. I managed to kick

it for 3 years which required a major life change - a back to the

land venture which didn't last. It's just an incredible amount of

self disciple to not eat the wrong food - especially if you have to

eat out and live in this world. And take the medicines - 3 to 4

different ones 3-4 times a day - every day or I'll get a flare up.

I've run the gamet on the over the counter stuff. Raw garlic (no

wonder I'm single), GSE, acidophilus, caprical (sp.), homeopathic,

pau'd arco, burdock tea, goldenseal, some new herbal extract mixture

I found with black walnut extract, if there's something I'm missing

I can't remember. I've been subject to really bad mood swings which

now I take meds for - which is probably a yeast symptom. I think I'm

to the point of taking a prescription antifungal but I'm really

scared of that. I wonder if it will interact with the meds I'm

already on. I heard they were really hard on the liver. And I wonder

if they really work. I mean if I take one and for how long will I

be cured? Or will it just be another pill to take till I die? I'm

really down on the how thing and feeling like a freak and just wanna

be normal and not have to say " um, no. i can't eat that. i can't

drink that. i can't smell that. i can't breathe that. " Uggggggggggg.

[Guest guest]

>

> yes. i think a singles group would be good. then we wouldn't have to

explain ourselves. dating is just damn near impossible

Count me in...(?)

-m

[Guest guest]

This is a bit of a challenge, as i

> don't know what to eat anymore, i have stopped eating most

anything,

> i get so confused sitting here, not knowing what to eat anymore.

As

> i am looking to lower my blood glucose also.... So I feel that i

> dont want to eat anymore, but am always hungry, and know i need to

> eat for health and weight. What foods do people find help with the

> candida and what dont. RIght now I am eating brown rice and

> veggies. A little bit of fruit, non sweet fruits. And dont know

> what else to eat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank

you

>

> janis

>

Hi janis:

You might try taking digestive enzymes with your meals to help with

reflux. I believe they're a good idea anyway. I've never had

heartburn, but I think most people have low enzyme output and/or low

acid production (add betaine hcl for that).

As for the " what's there to eat? " problem, I'm also on the thin side

(6'2 " and 175 lbs) and am always looking for calories. A long time

ago when I was a vegan, I dropped to 149 lbs and it's been a long

road to get to where I am (and a lot of weightlifting). One thing you

might try is avocadoes. I eat 1/3 to 1/2 of one with each meal and/or

for snacks. And then there are nuts and seeds if you can digest them..

hope I helped a little

-m

[Guest guest]

> As for the " what's there to eat? " problem, I'm also on the thin side

> (6'2 " and 175 lbs) and am always looking for calories. A long time

> ago when I was a vegan, I dropped to 149 lbs and it's been a long

> road to get to where I am (and a lot of weightlifting).

Mike, bodybuilders who switched to vegetable protein from eggs or whey

started to lose muscle mass right away, so I'm aware of the issues you

encountered as a vegan.

You can increase lean tissue creation mass using cold-processed whey,

and in fact that is one specific purpose it has listed in the

Physician's Desk Reference for Prescription Drugs.

People don't often think of this aspect, but here's where strictly

thinking about fat-and-sugar caloric intake doesn't cut it, not in

bodybuilding, not in dieting, and not in treating and recovering from

candida or any other illness: lean tissue is a superior caloric

storage vehicle due to its complement of essential amino acids and

essential minerals the fat stores simply do not contain. Lean tissue

mass is in as much of a state of flux in the body as fat stores are,

and when the body burns fat it easily burns some lean tissue as well

although it tends to not prefer to do so. That means the good part of

gaining weight, the muscle tone and organ size and function etc, tend

to be more permanent.

Duncan

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the help, Duncan. I would like to try some whey again (the

last time I seemed a bit allergic to it). Perhaps you could recommend

a nice " clean " product? But I should say that I'm not sure I have a

protein problem. I am building muscle, but I think I could stand to

gain some fat, as my body fat is quite low (8-9%??). So maybe it's

just a calorie or absorption problem. Also, my last CBC showed quite

high BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and borderline high creatinine, which

I believe suggests my kidneys are already dealing with plenty of

protein(?) Of course, the " doctor " dismissed it and said " you're

fine. " This brings me to another candida conundrum: I'd be afraid to

add any more protein to my diet cuz it could harm my kidneys, and so

if I were to go on a strict low-carb diet, I'd have to either add

even more fat to an already high-fat diet -or- loose weight and spend

years trying to gain it back (and finally go nUtZ in the process!)

-michael

> > As for the " what's there to eat? " problem, I'm also on the thin

side

> > (6'2 " and 175 lbs) and am always looking for calories. A long

time

> > ago when I was a vegan, I dropped to 149 lbs and it's been a

long

> > road to get to where I am (and a lot of weightlifting).

>

> Mike, bodybuilders who switched to vegetable protein from eggs or

whey

> started to lose muscle mass right away, so I'm aware of the issues

you

> encountered as a vegan.

>

> You can increase lean tissue creation mass using cold-processed

whey,

> and in fact that is one specific purpose it has listed in the

> Physician's Desk Reference for Prescription Drugs.

>

> People don't often think of this aspect, but here's where strictly

> thinking about fat-and-sugar caloric intake doesn't cut it, not in

> bodybuilding, not in dieting, and not in treating and recovering

from

> candida or any other illness: lean tissue is a superior caloric

> storage vehicle due to its complement of essential amino acids and

> essential minerals the fat stores simply do not contain. Lean

tissue

> mass is in as much of a state of flux in the body as fat stores

are,

> and when the body burns fat it easily burns some lean tissue as

well

> although it tends to not prefer to do so. That means the good part

of

> gaining weight, the muscle tone and organ size and function etc,

tend

> to be more permanent.

>

>

> Duncan

>

[Guest guest]

> Thanks for the help, Duncan. I would like to try some whey again (the

> last time I seemed a bit allergic to it). Perhaps you could recommend

> a nice " clean " product?

Two of the top three whey ISOLATES are on my site. They produce

glutathione admirably but glutathione production or using a high-

quality isolate is not a requisite for muscle building.

Cooked whey powder has a BV (biological value) of 104; eggs are

100; high grade isolates can go to 160. Lean beef is about 75,

fish about 80, and higher is better.

You can see that even ruined whey is much better than meat

anyway.

The cheapest route would be to use an undenatured whey

CONCENTRATE for the glutathione production and a little extra

boiled and ruined whey for muscle building. Dosing for body

building will be 80-160 grams daily in divided doses (for better

assimilation), with the higher amount for people who are working

out.

> But I should say that I'm not sure I have a

> protein problem. I am building muscle, but I think I could stand to

> gain some fat, as my body fat is quite low (8-9%??). So maybe it's

> just a calorie or absorption problem.

Your fat ratio is actually optimal though not the norm for North

America. Fat accelerates free radical damage; you don't really

want to go there although you'd fit in better visually with the

rest of the population.

> Also, my last CBC showed quite

> high BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and borderline high creatinine, which I

> believe suggests my kidneys are already dealing with plenty of

> protein(?)

Blood nitrogen isn't affected much with whey, like it is with

eggs and meat.

> Of course, the " doctor " dismissed it and said " you're

> fine. " This brings me to another candida conundrum: I'd be afraid to

> add any more protein to my diet cuz it could harm my kidneys, and so

> if I were to go on a strict low-carb diet, I'd have to either add even

> more fat to an already high-fat diet -or- loose weight and spend years

> trying to gain it back (and finally go nUtZ in the process!)

>

> -michael

Undenatured whey is not harmful but beneficial to the kidneys,

which are the second biggest users of the glutathione produced.

I don't know what protein you're using but you can reduce meat

when you're using whey. The whey will help you gain, and in

sedentary people some of that gain is fat.

Duncan

[Guest guest]

Try eating chicken breast, fishes (if you aren't allergic). Also, what

about lentils, split peas and beans? They are excellent sources of

everything your body needs.

Keen

new to group

Hi- I am working on healing my long lasting chronic fatigue. I am

43 and have been out of work for 7 years, i am a single mom of a

wonderful 10 year old daughter. I have been diagnosed with chronic

fatigue, and fibromyalgia, also adrenal fatigue. I have very few

symptoms, i dont fall into the typical symptoms of any of these

illnesses. I have fatigue and spaciness, I think i have candida, as

i have terrible gas and now have developed i think gerd, hearburn for

the first time, which won't go away. I had my gyn call me saying

that my recent pap showed a vaginal yeast infection, yet ii have no

symptoms. It is so strange, as I tested very low on a saliva adrenal

test, yet have very few symptoms. No weight problems, i tend to run

on the thin side. 103 lbs at 5'4 " ... I am trying to find out what

the underlying problems are for my fatigue.

I just got back from a naturopathic doctor, and i mentioned candida,

and told him i would like to be tested but he didnt seem concerned.

I also tested positive for blastocystis hominis intestinal parasites,

but am asymptomatic. \

My questions are what can I do for what i think may be causing a lot

of my problems, candida. I have heard the group talking about getd,

acid reflux, etc, is from candida. I am now taking natrens heavy

duty probiotic, which has 30 billion organisms in it. That is it for

now. I have stopped eating out completely and make all my own foodk,

for the first time in my life. This is a bit of a challenge, as i

don't know what to eat anymore, i have stopped eating most anything,

i get so confused sitting here, not knowing what to eat anymore. As

i am looking to lower my blood glucose also.... So I feel that i

dont want to eat anymore, but am always hungry, and know i need to

eat for health and weight. What foods do people find help with the

candida and what dont. RIght now I am eating brown rice and

veggies. A little bit of fruit, non sweet fruits. And dont know

what else to eat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you

janis

[Guest guest]

randy, have you tried googling " neurosurgeons austin texas " . also, you can

look up

recommended doctors in the " best doctors " book online. also, i made the

rounds of doctors and when i sent to dr. kuflik - on no recommendation. i just

knew he was the right one for me. and i talked to other patients that were

there to see him and they raved about him. incidentally, he is an orthopedic

surgeon.

best to you, good luck, marsha

[Guest guest]

Marsha,

I would love to see if anyone has any recommendations for

neurosurgeons in Austin, Texas. The new doctor I am trying to see is

Mathew Hummel. My retired neurosurgeon is Marvin Cressman. Any

suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Randy

>

> hi randy (?)

> welcome to the group. my only suggestion would be that if this

new

> neurosurgeon will not see you without mri's then maybe you should

go to a different

> neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine specialist who will order up the

mri's for

> you.

> then i would see at least 3 more surgeons before i formulated an

opinion.

> you might just need a good masssage.

> marsha

> p.s.. if you tell us what city/state you are in, someone in the

group might

> have a doctor they like and can recommend.

> marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Randy,

If you are willing to drive to Dallas, check out the Center For Spine

Care. They are up on advance technologies (MAST, RH-BMP, etc...).

http://www.centerforspinecare.com/

Good luck!

CJ

> >

> > hi randy (?)

> > welcome to the group. my only suggestion would be that if this

> new

> > neurosurgeon will not see you without mri's then maybe you should

> go to a different

> > neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine specialist who will order up the

> mri's for

> > you.

> > then i would see at least 3 more surgeons before i formulated an

> opinion.

> > you might just need a good masssage.

> > marsha

> > p.s.. if you tell us what city/state you are in, someone in the

> group might

> > have a doctor they like and can recommend.

> > marsha

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am sorry your circumstances require our support...but other than

that, I think you will find us a generally kind and supportive group

as you face this large surgery later this summer.

This next surgery you face is a " biggie " and getting your balance

correct in the osteotomy requires some skill....you do not want to

be to early in your surgeons line-up, so to speak! So, not that you

are not in the best hands....but have you verified you have found

someone who can get it right this time? You have been through a lot

already.

My brace was an open metal frame with padding that fit over my

clothes and basically supported the torso...it fit onto by

breastbone and down snug over my hips. There may be other issues, to

be sure, but generally most of us have been released without braces,

or instructed to wear them during periods when we are up and about

or out of the house...but 24/7 very rarely. Or maybe I misunderstood

you?

As far as needing help....my experience was that they would not

discharge me until I was ready to be in whatever my home situation

was. They asked what the stair situation was in the house, they knew

I could walk to the bathroom and shower myself (but I think they can

also arrange for home care services for a little while if

necessary). In my case they knew my husband was around to handle the

big stuff.

You more than likely will not drive until at least 8 weeks. You will

probably not be able to/or permitted to lift anything low, and your

weight limit most likely at first will be quite low...think maybe a

1/2 gal. of milk. At first you will be so tierd you will barely be

able to sit through a meal, but after 2-3 weeks you should slowly

see some energy begin to return. But it is a very slow process.

Both surgeons I consulted seemed to indicate it was going to be 3-4

months until I was out of the " trauma of surgery " period (my words,

not theirs)...and I would say generally that has been the expeience

of most of us. You are going to need help with a lot...but if you

plan ahead now, arrange for the help you must

have...childcare/petcare,grocery shopping, laundry....maybe cleaning

help, you will find that even though you yourself can't do many of

these things, you will be awake and alert and capable of directing

others (husband/kids) in the proper way to sort and wash clothes,

what needs to go on the grocery list...and so forth.

If your neighbors are offering to help, I would say you want to take

them up on the offer now while it is there. Pre-arrange whatever

seems reasonable...ask them to get your shopping list before they go

to the store for the first month....ask them to walk your

dog...bring your mail in....little things that probably seem small,

but will make the early healing easier. I think if you go into the

files section you can see that I grouped together all my posts from

the post-op period and they may help you see how I healed. Of course

your milage may vary. Mostly the first few weeks home, if I got a

shower in and my requried walks, I considered it a huge success. The

rest of the time I slept. Then, things started improving slowly.

I am sure others will chime in on their experiences...

Here's to hoping for a good outcome for you!

Cam

- In , " nancyluppy "

<foley_nancy@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hello, my name is and I have flatback. So very glad I found

this

> site. To make a long story short, I had a fusion done with a

harrington

> rod at L-4 - S-1 in 1979. The results were very good, it gave me

> somewhat a normal life. Never really felt 100% but I was greatful

for

> the relieve I did get. Over the years I slowly went down hill.

The

> worst of it started in 2000, severe hip and low back pain and every

> joint in my body hurt and extreme fatique. Went to family doctor,

had

> x-rays and blood work done. Was told my fusion was still very

stable

> but blood work came back positive for Lupus.

>

> I have been being treated for the Lupus and I have most of the

symptoms

> under control but the hip and back pain continued to get worse.

After 4

> years my rhumy finaly sent me to an ortho. Ortho said I needed

another

> fusion at L1 -L3. Had the surgery last Sept. It turned out that

L3-L4

> had fused by itself. This surgery only made me worse and was sent

to

> yet another specialist. He dx'd flatback.

>

> Anyway I have scheduled my ostetomy (sp?) for August 8th. I have a

ton

> of questions. But my main concern is how long after surgery will

I be

> able to be on my own? My family all live about a 1000 miles away,

and

> my husband can't take too much time off from work. I do have

neighbors

> that can look in on me and help, but I really hate to be a

burden. I'm

> also wondering about the brace. My doc didn't show me one but

said it

> was like a turtle shell. Does it go from neck to hip? He did

stress

> that it is uncomfortable and there is no negotiating on when it

comes

> off. As crazy as this sounds I am looking forward to getting this

done

> and over with. I want some quality of life back. As I'v said I

have

> tons of questions but I see my short story is begining to get quite

> long. Thank you for your time and I hope to get to spend more time

> here. Right now this old body says it's time to get on the

recliner,

> it's favorite spot.

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the wild world of revisions and flatbacks. I am eight

weeks post op and coming along nicely. I myself have much, much

higher expectations of me than the doctors but your body lets you

know when enough is enough. So, if you do not mind me asking (how

bold), where are you located and who is your surgeon? As you will

see, the people on this site are very knowledgable and know most of

the adult scoliosis revision surgeons so they will likely be

familiar with your surgeon.

Advice, hmmmmm, you have kids? Biggest thing is their care of

course. After that, pre buy, if your neighbors have asked then by

golly ask them to pre make food. Better yet have them make and store

in their own freezer and they can coordinate who brings what when.

Materials, I highly suggest one or two grabbers, a high toilet

insert, stool softners (yuck but very necessary), and a zero balance

recliner or as I did rented a geriatric recliner from a medical

facility. I live in it. Also, a shower chair. Those are things I

found essential but other opinions may vary.

, we are here for you. Post anytime, someone is sure to answer.

Check out the files, the stories and photos. Ask away and ask some

more.

> >

> >

> > Hello, my name is and I have flatback. So very glad I

found

> this

> > site. To make a long story short, I had a fusion done with a

> harrington

> > rod at L-4 - S-1 in 1979. The results were very good, it gave me

> > somewhat a normal life. Never really felt 100% but I was

greatful

> for

> > the relieve I did get. Over the years I slowly went down hill.

> The

> > worst of it started in 2000, severe hip and low back pain and

every

> > joint in my body hurt and extreme fatique. Went to family

doctor,

> had

> > x-rays and blood work done. Was told my fusion was still very

> stable

> > but blood work came back positive for Lupus.

> >

> > I have been being treated for the Lupus and I have most of the

> symptoms

> > under control but the hip and back pain continued to get worse.

> After 4

> > years my rhumy finaly sent me to an ortho. Ortho said I needed

> another

> > fusion at L1 -L3. Had the surgery last Sept. It turned out that

> L3-L4

> > had fused by itself. This surgery only made me worse and was

sent

> to

> > yet another specialist. He dx'd flatback.

> >

> > Anyway I have scheduled my ostetomy (sp?) for August 8th. I have

a

> ton

> > of questions. But my main concern is how long after surgery

will

> I be

> > able to be on my own? My family all live about a 1000 miles

away,

> and

> > my husband can't take too much time off from work. I do have

> neighbors

> > that can look in on me and help, but I really hate to be a

> burden. I'm

> > also wondering about the brace. My doc didn't show me one but

> said it

> > was like a turtle shell. Does it go from neck to hip? He did

> stress

> > that it is uncomfortable and there is no negotiating on when it

> comes

> > off. As crazy as this sounds I am looking forward to getting

this

> done

> > and over with. I want some quality of life back. As I'v said I

> have

> > tons of questions but I see my short story is begining to get

quite

> > long. Thank you for your time and I hope to get to spend more

time

> > here. Right now this old body says it's time to get on the

> recliner,

> > it's favorite spot.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > Hello, my name is and I have flatback. So very glad I

found

> this

> > site. To make a long story short, I had a fusion done with a

> harrington

> > rod at L-4 - S-1 in 1979. The results were very good, it gave me

> > somewhat a normal life. Never really felt 100% but I was

greatful

> for

> > the relieve I did get. Over the years I slowly went down hill.

> The

> > worst of it started in 2000, severe hip and low back pain and

every

> > joint in my body hurt and extreme fatique. Went to family doctor,

> had

> > x-rays and blood work done. Was told my fusion was still very

> stable

> > but blood work came back positive for Lupus.

> >

> > I have been being treated for the Lupus and I have most of the

> symptoms

> > under control but the hip and back pain continued to get worse.

> After 4

> > years my rhumy finaly sent me to an ortho. Ortho said I needed

> another

> > fusion at L1 -L3. Had the surgery last Sept. It turned out that

> L3-L4

> > had fused by itself. This surgery only made me worse and was

sent

> to

> > yet another specialist. He dx'd flatback.

> >

> > Anyway I have scheduled my ostetomy (sp?) for August 8th. I have

a

> ton

> > of questions. But my main concern is how long after surgery will

> I be

> > able to be on my own? My family all live about a 1000 miles

away,

> and

> > my husband can't take too much time off from work. I do have

> neighbors

> > that can look in on me and help, but I really hate to be a

> burden. I'm

> > also wondering about the brace. My doc didn't show me one but

> said it

> > was like a turtle shell. Does it go from neck to hip? He did

> stress

> > that it is uncomfortable and there is no negotiating on when it

> comes

> > off. As crazy as this sounds I am looking forward to getting

this

> done

> > and over with. I want some quality of life back. As I'v said I

> have

> > tons of questions but I see my short story is begining to get

quite

> > long. Thank you for your time and I hope to get to spend more

time

> > here. Right now this old body says it's time to get on the

> recliner,

> > it's favorite spot.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, .

To what Cam said I will only add that just because you have surgery scheduled with a particular surgeon does not mean you have to go through with it. You now have more information at your disposal than you did when you got on this doc's schedule. It is not at all uncommon for flatback patients to travel to a particular surgeon, because of that surgeon's extensive experience with this HIGHLY specialized surgery.

At the very least it would be prudent to seek a second opinion from one of the "big" revision specialists.

Sharon

(Your original message)

> Hi Cam and thank you for your response, I do hope that I am posting this in the proper way. Well after spending as much time as I could reading all the info that I found here I realize this is a BIGGIE! To be honest some of the info made me nauseas and about to call it off. But I just can't go on like this much longer, I long for the days when I can stand for more that 2 minutes if at all, take a walk, just do normal everyday things. I don't expect to hike for hours, go dancing or most of the things I loved before, but to enjoy a long hot shower would be nice, I remember when that was a source of comfort for my back. Anyway you do have me wondering about the surgeon, I was told that he is the only one that does this procedure here. I live in Guntersville, Alabama, the hospital is in Huntsville, Al. From what I have been told the hospital is rated in the top 100 in the country for orthopedic surgery, so I guess that is a good thing. The doc told me that he does an average of 25 to 40 a year. From what I found on him he did his residency in 2000 so I'm concerned that he really hasn't been in practice that long. As for the brace no I don't have to wear it 24/7, but he did say at all times except for when I'm sleeping, for a period of 6 to 9 months, no ifs ands or buts about it, if I don't promise to abide by this he won't do the surgery. I just found out yesterday that one of my sisters will be here when I go in and stay for about 2 to 3 weeks, and then another will come down when she leaves and stay for another 2 weeks, so that is a big load off my mind. I want you to know that I appreciate so much all your insite and words of advice.

[Guest guest]

,

I was rereading your earlier post before I responded and I had a

couple thoughts....

I know you were not being exact in your description of your pending

surgery...but you say you are going in for the osteotomy....but you

do not say what else your surgeon plans during this surgery. I would

say generally, what most of us HRoder's of our " vinatge " seem to

require is not only the osteotomy(ies) to restore the sagittal

balance, but also fusion to the sacrum to stabilize this whole

shebang....including usually nerve root decompression to address the

nerve/pain issues that most of us have.

I got to wondering, because, while I know that getting upright will

almost certainly help with your pain to some degree...I am wondering

if you are also not still having symptoms consistent with the

problems of nerve compresssion that they were trying to address in

your earlier surgery? If you search the messages (try the name Edie)

you should find some periods where we discussed having the

decompression first (like you did)....but knowing that in the

end....the end state is usually fusion to the sacrum. I hate to

think that you would go throuh this next proecedure, and long

recovery, only to find that you still need yet another fusion. Of

course, I am not a medical person, and really don't know much other

than what I have learned on the " boards " from other peoples

experiences.

I would strongly encourage you to call your surgeon and ask him to

put you in touch with at least three people, post Harrington rod,

who have had the EXACT same procedure he proposes for you. If he is

doing as many as he says, (I find it odd that noone I have ever or

met on-line has gone to Huntsville for HR revision surgery if he

really does that many!) that should not be too difficult for him of

his office.

I know this may seem a little time consuming, and I know you have

momentum moving in the direction of early August for surgery...but I

still think doing your diligence now is the best way to insure you

get the outcome you hope for. I know you wish to return to an

active, painfree, lifestyle...but even in the best of hands that may

be unrealistic.

Hope I didn't bum you out too much! Cam

[Guest guest]

,

Hi. I have to echo everything Cam said. Everything.

My suspicion is that the surgeon is doing, perhaps, 40 of all types scoliosis surgeries per year, but not 40 revisions of earlier Harrington Rod patients. That would be such a large number for neither Cam nor to I to have never heard of him over the years. I have been on scoli websites about revision surgery for more than 8 years and have never heard of anyone in Alabama doing "our" surgery. I would love too be proven wrong, seriously. "Our" surgery, any variation of it, is so complex. There are very many scoli surgeons who would not attempt to do surgery on us. So, please, just be careful that you know all there is to know about the surgeon's experience.

Good luck.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: New to group

,I was rereading your earlier post before I responded and I had a couple thoughts....I know you were not being exact in your description of your pending surgery...but you say you are going in for the osteotomy....but you do not say what else your surgeon plans during this surgery. I would say generally, what most of us HRoder's of our "vinatge" seem to require is not only the osteotomy(ies) to restore the sagittal balance, but also fusion to the sacrum to stabilize this whole shebang....including usually nerve root decompression to address the nerve/pain issues that most of us have. I got to wondering, because, while I know that getting upright will almost certainly help with your pain to some degree...I am wondering if you are also not still having symptoms consistent with the problems of nerve compresssion that they were trying to address in your earlier surgery? If you search the messages (try the name Edie) you should find some periods where we discussed having the decompression first (like you did)....but knowing that in the end....the end state is usually fusion to the sacrum. I hate to think that you would go throuh this next proecedure, and long recovery, only to find that you still need yet another fusion. Of course, I am not a medical person, and really don't know much other than what I have learned on the "boards" from other peoples experiences.I would strongly encourage you to call your surgeon and ask him to put you in touch with at least three people, post Harrington rod, who have had the EXACT same procedure he proposes for you. If he is doing as many as he says, (I find it odd that noone I have ever or met on-line has gone to Huntsville for HR revision surgery if he really does that many!) that should not be too difficult for him of his office.I know this may seem a little time consuming, and I know you have momentum moving in the direction of early August for surgery...but I still think doing your diligence now is the best way to insure you get the outcome you hope for. I know you wish to return to an active, painfree, lifestyle...but even in the best of hands that may be unrealistic.Hope I didn't bum you out too much! Cam

[Guest guest]

>Hi Cam,

I guess I didn't give all the info I should have. What the surgeon

said he was going to do is a pediacle substraction osteotomy. He said

I will have hooks installed from the sacrum to T9 or T10. The

osteotomy will be done at L3. He did say it will be in 2 stages,

hardware first and the osteotomy 3 days later. He will remove the

hardware from my last fusion done in Sept. at L1-L2, but not the

harrington rod at L4-S1 that was done in 1979. I did not have surgery

for scoliosis but for ruptured discs. He explained that I can expect

about 70% relieve of my pain. I would be greatful for that, heck 50%

would be wonderful.

I think I may also have given the wrong info on the number of

revisions he does. What he said was that he does about 300 back

surgeries a year and of those about 20-40 osteotomies, he never did

use the term revision. I will call and ask for other patients that he

did this procedure on and see if they can be contacted.

No you didn't bum me out, just gave me more fuel for thought.

I have a cousin that is the Chief of Orthopedic surgery at Cape Cod

Hospital. Havn't seen him in over 30 years but I guess I really

should give him a call. Nothing like the relatives looking for free

services, lol.

Thank you so much for you help.

> ,

>

> I was rereading your earlier post before I responded and I had a

> couple thoughts....

>

> I know you were not being exact in your description of your pending

> surgery...but you say you are going in for the osteotomy....but you

> do not say what else your surgeon plans during this surgery. I

would

> say generally, what most of us HRoder's of our " vinatge " seem to

> require is not only the osteotomy(ies) to restore the sagittal

> balance, but also fusion to the sacrum to stabilize this whole

> shebang....including usually nerve root decompression to address

the

> nerve/pain issues that most of us have.

>

> I got to wondering, because, while I know that getting upright will

> almost certainly help with your pain to some degree...I am

wondering

> if you are also not still having symptoms consistent with the

> problems of nerve compresssion that they were trying to address in

> your earlier surgery? If you search the messages (try the name

Edie)

> you should find some periods where we discussed having the

> decompression first (like you did)....but knowing that in the

> end....the end state is usually fusion to the sacrum. I hate to

> think that you would go throuh this next proecedure, and long

> recovery, only to find that you still need yet another fusion. Of

> course, I am not a medical person, and really don't know much other

> than what I have learned on the " boards " from other peoples

> experiences.

>

> I would strongly encourage you to call your surgeon and ask him to

> put you in touch with at least three people, post Harrington rod,

> who have had the EXACT same procedure he proposes for you. If he is

> doing as many as he says, (I find it odd that noone I have ever or

> met on-line has gone to Huntsville for HR revision surgery if he

> really does that many!) that should not be too difficult for him of

> his office.

>

> I know this may seem a little time consuming, and I know you have

> momentum moving in the direction of early August for surgery...but

I

> still think doing your diligence now is the best way to insure you

> get the outcome you hope for. I know you wish to return to an

> active, painfree, lifestyle...but even in the best of hands that

may

> be unrealistic.

>

> Hope I didn't bum you out too much! Cam

>

[Guest guest]

>Hi Sharon,

I'm hoping not to cancel but you are right, I really have a lot of

rethinking to do. I want to thank you for all your concern and help.

> Hi, .

>

> To what Cam said I will only add that just because you have surgery

scheduled with a particular surgeon does not mean you have to go

through with it. You now have more information at your disposal than

you did when you got on this doc's schedule. It is not at all

uncommon for flatback patients to travel to a particular surgeon,

because of that surgeon's extensive experience with this HIGHLY

specialized surgery.

>

> At the very least it would be prudent to seek a second opinion from

one of the " big " revision specialists.

>

> Sharon

>

> (Your original message)

>

> > Hi Cam and thank you for your response, I do hope that I am

posting

> this in the proper way. Well after spending as much time as I could

> reading all the info that I found here I realize this is a BIGGIE!

To

> be honest some of the info made me nauseas and about to call it

off.

> But I just can't go on like this much longer, I long for the days

> when I can stand for more that 2 minutes if at all, take a walk,

just

> do normal everyday things. I don't expect to hike for hours, go

> dancing or most of the things I loved before, but to enjoy a long

hot

> shower would be nice, I remember when that was a source of comfort

> for my back. Anyway you do have me wondering about the surgeon, I

was

> told that he is the only one that does this procedure here. I live

in

> Guntersville, Alabama, the hospital is in Huntsville, Al. From what

> I have been told the hospital is rated in the top 100 in the

country

> for orthopedic surgery, so I guess that is a good thing. The doc

told

> me that he does an average of 25 to 40 a year. From what I found on

> him he did his residency in 2000 so I'm concerned that he really

> hasn't been in practice that long. As for the brace no I don't have

> to wear it 24/7, but he did say at all times except for when I'm

> sleeping, for a period of 6 to 9 months, no ifs ands or buts about

> it, if I don't promise to abide by this he won't do the surgery.

> I just found out yesterday that one of my sisters will be here when

I

> go in and stay for about 2 to 3 weeks, and then another will come

> down when she leaves and stay for another 2 weeks, so that is a big

> load off my mind. I want you to know that I appreciate so much all

> your insite and words of advice.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>Thanks Bonnie,

I guess I have a lot more researching to do. Your advice is greatly

appreciated.

> ,

>

> Hi. I have to echo everything Cam said. Everything.

>

> My suspicion is that the surgeon is doing, perhaps, 40 of all types

scoliosis surgeries per year, but not 40 revisions of earlier

Harrington Rod patients. That would be such a large number for

neither Cam nor to I to have never heard of him over the years. I

have been on scoli websites about revision surgery for more than 8

years and have never heard of anyone in Alabama doing " our " surgery.

I would love too be proven wrong, seriously. " Our " surgery, any

variation of it, is so complex. There are very many scoli surgeons

who would not attempt to do surgery on us. So, please, just be

careful that you know all there is to know about the surgeon's

experience.

>

> Good luck.

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Re: New to group

>

>

> ,

>

> I was rereading your earlier post before I responded and I had a

> couple thoughts....

>

> I know you were not being exact in your description of your

pending

> surgery...but you say you are going in for the osteotomy....but

you

> do not say what else your surgeon plans during this surgery. I

would

> say generally, what most of us HRoder's of our " vinatge " seem to

> require is not only the osteotomy(ies) to restore the sagittal

> balance, but also fusion to the sacrum to stabilize this whole

> shebang....including usually nerve root decompression to address

the

> nerve/pain issues that most of us have.

>

> I got to wondering, because, while I know that getting upright

will

> almost certainly help with your pain to some degree...I am

wondering

> if you are also not still having symptoms consistent with the

> problems of nerve compresssion that they were trying to address

in

> your earlier surgery? If you search the messages (try the name

Edie)

> you should find some periods where we discussed having the

> decompression first (like you did)....but knowing that in the

> end....the end state is usually fusion to the sacrum. I hate to

> think that you would go throuh this next proecedure, and long

> recovery, only to find that you still need yet another fusion. Of

> course, I am not a medical person, and really don't know much

other

> than what I have learned on the " boards " from other peoples

> experiences.

>

> I would strongly encourage you to call your surgeon and ask him

to

> put you in touch with at least three people, post Harrington rod,

> who have had the EXACT same procedure he proposes for you. If he

is

> doing as many as he says, (I find it odd that noone I have ever

or

> met on-line has gone to Huntsville for HR revision surgery if he

> really does that many!) that should not be too difficult for him

of

> his office.

>

> I know this may seem a little time consuming, and I know you have

> momentum moving in the direction of early August for

surgery...but I

> still think doing your diligence now is the best way to insure

you

> get the outcome you hope for. I know you wish to return to an

> active, painfree, lifestyle...but even in the best of hands that

may

> be unrealistic.

>

> Hope I didn't bum you out too much! Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ...

It's not a big deal, but you're not placing the cursor at the very

start of a message. If you look below, you'll see that you placed the

cursor in the middle of the message to which you replied. If you want

to make it more clear, place the cursor before the first character of

the message you're quoting. :-)

Regards,

> >Thanks Bonnie,

> I guess I have a lot more researching to do. Your advice is greatly

> appreciated.

> > ,

> >

> > Hi. I have to echo everything Cam said. Everything.

> >

> > My suspicion is that the surgeon is doing, perhaps, 40 of all types

> scoliosis surgeries per year, but not 40 revisions of earlier

> Harrington Rod patients. That would be such a large number for

> neither Cam nor to I to have never heard of him over the years. I

> have been on scoli websites about revision surgery for more than 8

> years and have never heard of anyone in Alabama doing " our " surgery.

> I would love too be proven wrong, seriously. " Our " surgery, any

> variation of it, is so complex. There are very many scoli surgeons

> who would not attempt to do surgery on us. So, please, just be

> careful that you know all there is to know about the surgeon's

> experience.

> >

> > Good luck.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > [ ] Re: New to group

> >

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I was rereading your earlier post before I responded and I had a

> > couple thoughts....

> >

> > I know you were not being exact in your description of your

> pending

> > surgery...but you say you are going in for the osteotomy....but

> you

> > do not say what else your surgeon plans during this surgery. I

> would

> > say generally, what most of us HRoder's of our " vinatge " seem to

> > require is not only the osteotomy(ies) to restore the sagittal

> > balance, but also fusion to the sacrum to stabilize this whole

> > shebang....including usually nerve root decompression to address

> the

> > nerve/pain issues that most of us have.

> >

> > I got to wondering, because, while I know that getting upright

> will

> > almost certainly help with your pain to some degree...I am

> wondering

> > if you are also not still having symptoms consistent with the

> > problems of nerve compresssion that they were trying to address

> in

> > your earlier surgery? If you search the messages (try the name

> Edie)

> > you should find some periods where we discussed having the

> > decompression first (like you did)....but knowing that in the

> > end....the end state is usually fusion to the sacrum. I hate to

> > think that you would go throuh this next proecedure, and long

> > recovery, only to find that you still need yet another fusion. Of

> > course, I am not a medical person, and really don't know much

> other

> > than what I have learned on the " boards " from other peoples

> > experiences.

> >

> > I would strongly encourage you to call your surgeon and ask him

> to

> > put you in touch with at least three people, post Harrington rod,

> > who have had the EXACT same procedure he proposes for you. If he

> is

> > doing as many as he says, (I find it odd that noone I have ever

> or

> > met on-line has gone to Huntsville for HR revision surgery if he

> > really does that many!) that should not be too difficult for him

> of

> > his office.

> >

> > I know this may seem a little time consuming, and I know you have

> > momentum moving in the direction of early August for

> surgery...but I

> > still think doing your diligence now is the best way to insure

> you

> > get the outcome you hope for. I know you wish to return to an

> > active, painfree, lifestyle...but even in the best of hands that

> may

> > be unrealistic.

> >

> > Hope I didn't bum you out too much! Cam

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Die off. You will have to live through it, but if it gets too bad, ease

off on your dose of diflucan for a couple of days.

Keen

New to group

but sadly not new to candida. I started diflcan yesterday and am so

itchy today and food reactive. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[Guest guest]

You can google Dr. Dane. She has a website and has non prescription formulas.

Good Luck!

gooptaylor <gooptaylor@...> wrote: I am new to this group. I had

thyroid surgery when I was a teenager

and I have had to take thyroid replacement drugs since then. I have

used both Armour and synthroid - I perfer Armour.

Does anyone here know of any non-prescription formula's that can take

the place of thyroid drugs?

jessica stanziale

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

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