Question:

On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 13:35:14 -0800, "J Rogow" <JRo…@SpammenotNewsguy.com> wrote: >It’s the only way to stop them.  They are the sort who google to see >if their name is used so they can spew into a new forum.

or they troll on a subject or an individual.  It isn’t called "trolling" for nothin’.   another way to combat them is to send as much support to the individuals of the group as possible.  If you overwhelm the group with support for what we’re all going through with this DD, then the relatively low level of troll/troll-bait posts will seem less daunting.   Flower-childish it may sound, but fill the group with love and support and you can’t go wrong. :-) hugs, kcat

Response:

Thanks KC a wise and thoughtful msg as usual Get that love and support flowing gang!! Lyndal "KC" <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message

news:hvdc7vc176674fa1pp70f6phcejjo5g1tb@4ax.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> When all else fails, use delete. > That said, we can’t always tell when a thread will include something > we don’t want to read.  People can quote TH (or whoever is irking us > for the day) and this means members of the group who have him > killfiled (and even his "detractors") could easily stumble on some > snippet of nonsense or some battle or another.  Therefore, it’s > impossible to completely remove the presence of any poster no matter > how hard we try. > therefore a couple of suggestions. > If you feel you must respond (and I did, if for no other reason than > to avoid getting back to my real work) then change the subject line to > something appropriate rather than keeping it in the original thread. > This way, people will more easily ignore or delete posts that are > dealing with trolls and the like. > The handful of folks who have posted recently on ASL that we have not > seen before and who are trying to take up the cross, so-to-speak are > not typical newbies seeking support.  Therefore, despite their good > intentions, it’s probably wise to killfile them, at least short-term. > Or just ignore their posts. > Both "sides" are right.  People who don’t know what TH is all about > (or similar trolls) should be warned. They should know what is going > on.  A simple post to the group now and then should suffice.  A post > sans name-calling and the like. > OTOH, responding to such posts directly does encourage the behavior > and further stress the group.  I personally have found over the years > reporting abuse to ISPs to be largely useless.  At the most it might > short-circuit the offender for a brief time while they get another > address.  I have seen a couple of abusers go through a dozen or more > names before they finally got bored with trolling the group (not asl). > In both cases, do what *you* have to do.  If you feel better > responding – do so.  Just warn the rest of the group about what you > are doing. If you feel you have to report them, do so. > Yes, Ignoring them is the best way to reduce their activityt, even if > you can’t killfile them.  But that is sometimes very hard to do. > Even friends are getting irritated with friends here due to the stress > this particular person has brought to the group. Some are feeling > defensive and misreading.  We’ve been through it before and we know it > will calm down. There’s no reason to beat each other up right now.  We > *need* each other especially.  So – take it on the chin, please. > Recognize that dealing with abusive posters has to be handled > individually and we don’t all share the same opinions on how to do > that.  But we *do* all share a concern for the members of the group > and for the lupus community at large. That concern should be the > guiding and uniting force.  Not how we do or don’t react to attacks. > finally, there is always, Diane’s Patented Magic Flame-Retardent > Elixir.  I highly recommend reading it and considering all the aspects > of internet interaction. > http://www.firelily.com/support/recovery/flame.retardant.html > KCat – I am not a medical professional.  The contents of this post are

based soley on my experiences and opinions – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm > http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/aslfaq30.htm >   ("`-”-/").___..–”"`-._ >   (`6_ 6  )   `-.  (     ).`-.__.’`) >    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-” >   _..`–’_..-_/  /–’_.’ ,’ > (()),-”  (()),’    (((.-’

Response:

In article <hvdc7vc176674fa1pp70f6phcejjo5g…@4ax.com>, KC <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote >When all else fails, use delete.

Or indeed for my reader Kill Thread – Remove Thread; that way I avoid downloading followups *and* save disk space :) [ >OTOH, responding to such posts directly does encourage the behavior >and further stress the group.  I personally have found over the years >reporting abuse to ISPs to be largely useless.  At the most it might >short-circuit the offender for a brief time while they get another >address.  I have seen a couple of abusers go through a dozen or more >names before they finally got bored with trolling the group (not asl).

Thing is, ISPs dislike abuse OF the Internet, but don't care about abuse ON the Internet. So if Mr X posts the same thing to umpteen groups, or binaries to text groups, he'll get his fingers cut off at the shoulder. If Mr X posts child pornography from within Europe, he'll go. If he forges someone else's address, chop. Post a libel within UK - bang. Why? The ISP does not want (a) other ISPs to black-hole it (b) the Law to sue it. But if Mr X merely (for some large value of mere) irritates the hell out of 365 lupies & supporters, that ain't the ISP's problem. Off-topic or against-FAQ posts offend us greatly, but don't come above the ISP's noise horizon. So I think the best thing to do with a posting or poster you could get by without is to say to yourself "He's trying to annoy me and I'm {expletive deleted} if I'm going to let him". And killfile him, and (if you can) the threads he starts. -- Andy [Chair, N E Lupus Group] See http://www.kitzbuhel.demon.co.uk/lupus for more!

Response:

Thanks KC, if the folks don’t know how to filter, best just ignore. (I don’t have the delete option, but perhaps others do) J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -KC wrote: > When all else fails, use delete. > That said, we can’t always tell when a thread will include something > we don’t want to read.  People can quote TH (or whoever is irking us > for the day) and this means members of the group who have him > killfiled (and even his "detractors") could easily stumble on some > snippet of nonsense or some battle or another.  Therefore, it’s > impossible to completely remove the presence of any poster no matter > how hard we try. > therefore a couple of suggestions. > If you feel you must respond (and I did, if for no other reason than > to avoid getting back to my real work) then change the subject line to > something appropriate rather than keeping it in the original thread. > This way, people will more easily ignore or delete posts that are > dealing with trolls and the like. > The handful of folks who have posted recently on ASL that we have not > seen before and who are trying to take up the cross, so-to-speak are > not typical newbies seeking support.  Therefore, despite their good > intentions, it’s probably wise to killfile them, at least short-term. > Or just ignore their posts. > Both "sides" are right.  People who don’t know what TH is all about > (or similar trolls) should be warned. They should know what is going > on.  A simple post to the group now and then should suffice.  A post > sans name-calling and the like. > OTOH, responding to such posts directly does encourage the behavior > and further stress the group.  I personally have found over the years > reporting abuse to ISPs to be largely useless.  At the most it might > short-circuit the offender for a brief time while they get another > address.  I have seen a couple of abusers go through a dozen or more > names before they finally got bored with trolling the group (not asl). > In both cases, do what *you* have to do.  If you feel better > responding – do so.  Just warn the rest of the group about what you > are doing. If you feel you have to report them, do so. > Yes, Ignoring them is the best way to reduce their activityt, even if > you can’t killfile them.  But that is sometimes very hard to do. > Even friends are getting irritated with friends here due to the stress > this particular person has brought to the group. Some are feeling > defensive and misreading.  We’ve been through it before and we know it > will calm down. There’s no reason to beat each other up right now.  We > *need* each other especially.  So – take it on the chin, please. > Recognize that dealing with abusive posters has to be handled > individually and we don’t all share the same opinions on how to do > that.  But we *do* all share a concern for the members of the group > and for the lupus community at large. That concern should be the > guiding and uniting force.  Not how we do or don’t react to attacks. > finally, there is always, Diane’s Patented Magic Flame-Retardent > Elixir.  I highly recommend reading it and considering all the aspects > of internet interaction. > http://www.firelily.com/support/recovery/flame.retardant.html > KCat – I am not a medical professional.  The contents of this post are based soley on my experiences and opinions > http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm > http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/aslfaq30.htm >   ("`-”-/").___..–”"`-._ >   (`6_ 6  )   `-.  (     ).`-.__.’`) >    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-” >   _..`–’_..-_/  /–’_.’ ,’ > (()),-”  (()),’    (((.-’

Response:

When all else fails, use delete. That said, we can’t always tell when a thread will include something we don’t want to read.  People can quote TH (or whoever is irking us for the day) and this means members of the group who have him killfiled (and even his "detractors") could easily stumble on some snippet of nonsense or some battle or another.  Therefore, it’s impossible to completely remove the presence of any poster no matter how hard we try. therefore a couple of suggestions. If you feel you must respond (and I did, if for no other reason than to avoid getting back to my real work) then change the subject line to something appropriate rather than keeping it in the original thread. This way, people will more easily ignore or delete posts that are dealing with trolls and the like. The handful of folks who have posted recently on ASL that we have not seen before and who are trying to take up the cross, so-to-speak are not typical newbies seeking support.  Therefore, despite their good intentions, it’s probably wise to killfile them, at least short-term. Or just ignore their posts. Both "sides" are right.  People who don’t know what TH is all about (or similar trolls) should be warned. They should know what is going on.  A simple post to the group now and then should suffice.  A post sans name-calling and the like.   OTOH, responding to such posts directly does encourage the behavior and further stress the group.  I personally have found over the years reporting abuse to ISPs to be largely useless.  At the most it might short-circuit the offender for a brief time while they get another address.  I have seen a couple of abusers go through a dozen or more names before they finally got bored with trolling the group (not asl). In both cases, do what *you* have to do.  If you feel better responding – do so.  Just warn the rest of the group about what you are doing. If you feel you have to report them, do so. Yes, Ignoring them is the best way to reduce their activityt, even if you can’t killfile them.  But that is sometimes very hard to do. Even friends are getting irritated with friends here due to the stress this particular person has brought to the group. Some are feeling defensive and misreading.  We’ve been through it before and we know it will calm down. There’s no reason to beat each other up right now.  We *need* each other especially.  So – take it on the chin, please. Recognize that dealing with abusive posters has to be handled individually and we don’t all share the same opinions on how to do that.  But we *do* all share a concern for the members of the group and for the lupus community at large. That concern should be the guiding and uniting force.  Not how we do or don’t react to attacks. finally, there is always, Diane’s Patented Magic Flame-Retardent Elixir.  I highly recommend reading it and considering all the aspects of internet interaction.   http://www.firelily.com/support/recovery/flame.retardant.html KCat – I am not a medical professional.  The contents of this post are based soley on my experiences and opinions http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/mypage.htm http://www.ghg.net/schwerpt/aslfaq30.htm   ("`-”-/").___..–”"`-._   (`6_ 6  )   `-.  (     ).`-.__.’`)    (_Y_.)’  ._   )  `._ `. “-..-”   _..`–’_..-_/  /–’_.’ ,’ (()),-”  (()),’    (((.-’

Response:

"KC" <kca…@newsguy.com> wrote in message

news:hvdc7vc176674fa1pp70f6phcejjo5g1tb@4ax.com… > When all else fails, use delete. > The handful of folks who have posted recently on ASL that we have not > seen before and who are trying to take up the cross, so-to-speak are > not typical newbies seeking support.  Therefore, despite their good > intentions, it’s probably wise to killfile them, at least short-term. > Or just ignore their posts.

No matter how noble their intentions, they have no right to bring their feud into ASL, . > Both "sides" are right.  People who don’t know what TH is all about > (or similar trolls) should be warned. They should know what is going > on.  A simple post to the group now and then should suffice.  A post > sans name-calling and the like. > Yes, Ignoring them is the best way to reduce their activity, even if > you can’t killfile them.  But that is sometimes very hard to do.

It’s the only way to stop them.  They are the sort who google to see if their name is used so they can spew into a new forum. Those who troll support groups are the lowest of the low.

Response:

Question:

thanks duckie, it is 130am and I am on my way to the site.I need to find anything to help .He is relly suffering and it is taking its toll on my health also.I have lupus and the doc says avid stress ha ha ha thanks michelle

Response:

thanks for the note,I am getting some help info on sites,I also have lupus so I know how much pain and frustration he is feeling .It is hard to see you child deal with such tuff stuff.   thanks again   michelle

Response:

Michelle, You may want to stick around here to share and unload about your lupus as well as your childs jra.  You may also want to check out http://www.arthritisinsight.com to read up about both the jra and the lupus.  Arthritis insight also has message boards specifically for both jra and lupus so this may be of great help to the both of you and all the stress you are under!!!   Another place you may want to check out is http://www.arthritis.co.za.  Hope this helps! Donna G

Response:

Donna  thanks for the support,I am going to stick around I am getting some helpful info michelle

Response:

hi michelle!  welcome to ASA.  (((((hugs and prayers)))))  i pray you find all the support and ideas that you need to help your son and yourself through this difficult time.  there are many here with wisdom and knowledge to offer.  i hope you join us often here, whenever you need to/want to, though i’m sorry you have lupus and your son has RA.  it is a great group, filled with loving, caring and supportive people.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello,  I have a 17 year old who is really suffering and I am out of ideas.I also suffer from lupus so this a real struggle between use both .Looking to talk to anyone in similar situation.Thanks for the help.    thoughts and prayers to all

Response:

hello,  I have a 17 year old who is really suffering and I am out of ideas.I also suffer from lupus so this a real struggle between use both .Looking to talk to anyone in similar situation.Thanks for the help.    thoughts and prayers to all

Hello, I noticed you suffer from Lupus, and wanted to suggest a lupus support ng to you.  I have found wonderfully supportive friends over at alt.support.lupus, and maybe you would like to visit.  I hope you find the help you need to get through your rough times. -Sharon — Clear your mind, relax and float downstream.

Response:

thanks I will check it out       michelle

Response:

Hello and welcome to ASA.  I would like to suggest that you check out Arthritisinsight.com.  There you will find a whole community dealing with JRA. Both parents of children and adults who started out with JRA. Sorry you need to be here.  Glad you found us. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

Don’t have JRA but others here do so they may be along soon and say hello. You might look at the following web site. http://arthritisinsight.com/ One of our own is the author and they not only have a section for JRA but a whole site dedicated to it http://jraworld.arthritisinsight.com/ What exactly is the struggle you are having with both of you. We are a nosey bunch and very willing to listen. Hugs Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Newsgroups: alt.support.arthritis hello, I have a 17 year old who is really suffering and I am out of ideas.I also suffer from lupus so this a real struggle between use both .Looking to talk to anyone in similar situation.Thanks for the help. thoughts and prayers to all

Response:

thatnk you,I will try that.I am glad I found you guys,hard feeling alone   michelle

Response:

Hi, Just to let you know I read your post and I am sorry you both are suffering. I hope someone familiar with JRA will be by to give you some support. debbie m. www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello,  I have a 17 year old who is really suffering and I am out of ideas.I also suffer from lupus so this a real struggle between use both .Looking to talk to anyone in similar situation.Thanks for the help.    thoughts and prayers to all

Response:

hello,  I have a 17 year old who is really suffering and I am out of ideas.I also suffer from lupus so this a real struggle between use both .Looking to talk to anyone in similar situation.Thanks for the help.    thoughts and prayers to all

Response:

Question:

Hi Everyone, I hope the weekend was a good one. I have a question about my blood tests. What is the MCV, and the MCH ? What is the significance of reading that are above the normal range? My hemaglobin is in the low range of normal. Just thought I would mention this, in case it is important along with the other readings. You are all so smart. I know someone will have an answer. I will report on trip to see FIL and the dog illness later. I am so tired that I had trouble holding my arms up to do my hair. I had to go to the city today for my B12 and blood test. BJ-gathering blankets and teddies for sleep

Response:

BJ. The MCV is mean corpuscular volume: The MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin: MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: But I do not know the significance of them being in the above normal range. Glad that you are home.  Get some rest and then report in on the trip!!!! Hugs, Sherry "BJ" <B…@sk.nojunk.ca> wrote in message

news:uak43e3t5m75ff@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone, > I hope the weekend was a good one. I have a question about my blood tests. > What is the MCV, and the MCH ? What is the significance of reading that are > above the normal range? My hemaglobin is in the low range of normal. Just > thought I would mention this, in case it is important along with the other > readings. You are all so smart. I know someone will have an answer. > I will report on trip to see FIL and the dog illness later. I am so tired > that I had trouble holding my arms up to do my hair. I had to go to the city > today for my B12 and blood test. > BJ-gathering blankets and teddies for sleep

Response:

Hi BJ Welcome back and hope you’re resting comfy with blankets and teddies. Missed ya :-) MCV and MCH and hemoglobin are mentioned here  http://www.mtio.com/lupus/lfalt1.htm what it all means I don’t know. MCV mentions B12. J – hoping someone else can fill you in. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -BJ wrote: > Hi Everyone, > I hope the weekend was a good one. I have a question about my blood tests. > What is the MCV, and the MCH ? What is the significance of reading that are > above the normal range? My hemaglobin is in the low range of normal.

Response:

BJ, welcome back, funny thing was, I had no access to the Group, and did not know you were gone. J gave a good site as to what is normal and what not in blood tests. Just read that and I was told that mine are like yours.  NOT to worry, was told that it had to do with hydration in your body also.  LAY MAN’s term.  How much water you got in there .  LOL. So as long as it is not out of wack big time, don’t worry about it. Sometimes meds can also give a false reading and if the reading is right, then the doctors have to look at OTHER blood tests to determine IF something is hay wire.  YOUR is ok,  only again, if it is WAY OUT of wack along with other stuff… good to be here again janers

Response:

Hi J, Thank you. I told my husband that if I posted I knew you would have a website in no time. I went there and do understand the meaning. The number of megaloblastic red cells is increasing. I am just not sure why that would be happening. I have pernicous anemia, but am getting treatment. Perhaps I need my shots more often. I see my rheumy this month, so  I will ask her. You are a peach.    BJ-in awe of your brain "J" <jwoot…@execulink.com> wrote in message

news:3CAA458A.F11ED193@execulink.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi BJ > Welcome back and hope you’re resting comfy with blankets and teddies. > Missed ya :-) > MCV and MCH and hemoglobin are mentioned here >  http://www.mtio.com/lupus/lfalt1.htm > what it all means I don’t know. MCV mentions B12. > J – hoping someone else can fill you in. > BJ wrote: > > Hi Everyone, > > I hope the weekend was a good one. I have a question about my blood tests. > > What is the MCV, and the MCH ? What is the significance of reading that are > > above the normal range? My hemaglobin is in the low range of normal.

Response:

In article <OCoq8.1496$G5.159233…@news.inreach.com>, "Sherry" <sstof…@inreach.com> wrote: > BJ. > The MCV is mean corpuscular volume: > The MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin: > MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration: > But I do not know the significance of them being in the above normal range.

Measures coagulation rates. High numbers *could* but not definitely mean a higher risk for DVT, PE and other clotting problems. There’s another test that would determine that more accurately. Ask the doctor to be sure – I’m just a person who has a lot of tests done.

Response:

Question:

Hi all, I’ve been feeling pretty good that last couple of months. Had a good x-mas, gained back 10 lbs of the weight I lost and have been eating like a piglet. I started the zestril, but not the plaquinal yet (as per my last rheumy appointment).  I want to get my eyes checked before I start the plaquinal (also, I’m procrastinating, as I been feeling so good). I had my "maintenance" dose of cytoxan about 11 days ago, and came down with a horrible cold over the last couple of days.  Coughed to hard I pulled the muscles between my shoulders.  I can’t breath and I’m way stuffed up.  The doc told me to stay home and call her if I’m not feeling better by tomorrow. It almost makes me feel relieved to be sick!  I know its weird, but if I get a "normal" virus (cold or flu) I feel as if my immune system is being normal.  At my worst with the lupus I never got the "normal" stuff, I just felt sick and tired all the time.  The kids would be sick with something and I’d be there taking care of them, in their face so to speak, but never get the illness.  Before I was diagnosed with RA and later, lupus, I always caught every little bug that came along.  Do others experience this? Take care, Susan

Response:

Hi Susan, nice to hear from you again. We’ve had a few folks come out from the woodwork with the roll call. Sorry to hear you are sick. It seems I never catch a cold but I do get sick once in a while and every ten years or so I get a real good stuffy head but now the doctor seems to think it is allergy not cold related. Pulling a muscle in your back from coughing is bad – I’ve done it in my tummy a few million times and ripped a few adhesions- that was real comfortable. :-(  So sorry you feel terrible but it is nice to hear from you. Bev "FBIWoman" <susan…@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:16c02718.0201241738.13d2f3e0@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I’ve been feeling pretty good that last couple of months. Had a good x-mas, > gained back 10 lbs of the weight I lost and have been eating like a piglet. > I started the zestril, but not the plaquinal yet (as per my last rheumy > appointment).  I want to get my eyes checked before I start the plaquinal > (also, I’m procrastinating, as I been feeling so good). > I had my "maintenance" dose of cytoxan about 11 days ago, and came down with > a horrible cold over the last couple of days.  Coughed to hard I pulled the > muscles between my shoulders.  I can’t breath and I’m way stuffed up.  The > doc told me to stay home and call her if I’m not feeling better by tomorrow. > It almost makes me feel relieved to be sick!  I know its weird, but if I get > a "normal" virus (cold or flu) I feel as if my immune system is being > normal.  At my worst with the lupus I never got the "normal" stuff, I just > felt sick and tired all the time.  The kids would be sick with something and > I’d be there taking care of them, in their face so to speak, but never get > the illness.  Before I was diagnosed with RA and later, lupus, I always > caught every little bug that came along.  Do others experience this? > Take care, > Susan

Response:

Hi Susan, Nice to see you post again.  Sorry you are having some problems, but hopefully they will get straightened out. janers

Response:

Question:

>Hi all.  This year has been the year to rethink my options in life.  I have >been thinking about my college major.  Right now I am majoring in >Elementary, Early Childhood, and Special Education.  But I am not sure if >this is such a good idea with the lupus.

Hi Mel, I am 20 years old and have been working with youth in my church for a year now.  I had considered majoring in Elementary Education for a long time, but chenged my mind when I realized that because of my health I would not be able to teach very often.  It was hard enough for me to be there everyday when I was in school. Now I am an assistant youth pastor for the 7th and 8th graders at my church and I love it.  I only have to work 3 – 6 hours a week.  I am on disability because of my health I am unable to hold a real paying job.  I am real careful about getting my flu shot every year and staying away from sick who seem to be getting sick.  Because I can work at my own pace and not worry about coming in if I am feeling bad, I do not really have to worry about the problems for getting sick from working with them.  I am however, extra careful in the flu season and get a flu shot every year. After working with the kids for a year now I have decided once I start college I am going to major in child psychology.  Good luck and God Bless! Peanut  :-)

Response:

Thanks to everyone for your support.  I am a little troubled right now because I am somewhat congested and my fiance seems to think that I will be bringing home every illness I encounter.  Unfortunately, I have a long history of colds and flus that I constantly ignore until they get really bad.  Now I realize that I have to pay some attention to my health. Thank you again.  I have an appt. on Monday where I’ll bring this up, along with a grocery list of other things. Mel

Response:

Question:

Joanne,     Is it possible to get a "digest" version of this.  My inbox is kind of overflowing from the rest of the stuff I get now.     Thanks, Jackie "Joanne" <joa…@frsw.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message

news:38c55708.9006365@news.freeserve.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi > This is just to let people know about our lupus email group. We have > over 70 members from all over the world, all who have lupus, or are > families of lupus patients. > People can get support, advice, make new friends, through the group. > It does generate a lot of emails every day, so be warned ;-) > You can join the group by sending an email to > uklupus-subscr…@listbot.com > or  you can join through my website at www.uklupus.co.uk > We also have a lupus chat email group that is just for sharing poems, > jokes, stories, general chit-chat etc. > To join send email to lupuschat-subscr…@listbot.com > or through the site as before. > Joanne > www.uklupus.co.uk

Response:

No, sorry. Joanne On Sat, 11 Mar 2000 11:05:43 -0600, "Jackie, Meg and the kids" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<hallerfa…@muscanet.com> wrote: >Joanne, >    Is it possible to get a "digest" version of this.  My inbox is kind of >overflowing from the rest of the stuff I get now. >    Thanks, Jackie >"Joanne" <joa…@frsw.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message >news:38c55708.9006365@news.freeserve.net… >> Hi >> This is just to let people know about our lupus email group. We have >> over 70 members from all over the world, all who have lupus, or are >> families of lupus patients. >> People can get support, advice, make new friends, through the group. >> It does generate a lot of emails every day, so be warned ;-) >> You can join the group by sending an email to >> uklupus-subscr…@listbot.com >> or  you can join through my website at www.uklupus.co.uk >> We also have a lupus chat email group that is just for sharing poems, >> jokes, stories, general chit-chat etc. >> To join send email to lupuschat-subscr…@listbot.com >> or through the site as before. >> Joanne >> www.uklupus.co.uk

Response:

I am 43,female was dx with sle in9/98 and am now dealing with cerebritis.  Have had 1 chemo tx with cytoxan and he next one is 3/20, no changes in my labs, but are waiting for more this week and have more to draw on friday.  The docs have tried every drug combo they know, my rheumatologist called me a "rare bird" as far as getting any rise in my C3-53 and my wbc-500, neutrophils-.77.  this computer was a gift from my husband because we live in very rural area in Illinois, and I have no one to talk with.  I am an RN of 20+ years and never thought I would have to deal with this sle—my specialty was ob/gyn,but have not worked since Feb. 99 due to work and the drugs just battled me down to nothing–something had to go and it wasn’t the sle.  Am desperate to establish with a link of others who are dealing with sle in any phase.  Because I "fog" so much I am going to give you my e-mail cause sometimes I can’t remember where the chat room is.  I’m at kim…@comwares.net  and you can e-mail anytime.  Thankyou for reading this and I hope I can return your support with my own.  kim * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

Hi This is just to let people know about our lupus email group. We have over 70 members from all over the world, all who have lupus, or are families of lupus patients. People can get support, advice, make new friends, through the group. It does generate a lot of emails every day, so be warned ;-) You can join the group by sending an email to uklupus-subscr…@listbot.com or  you can join through my website at www.uklupus.co.uk We also have a lupus chat email group that is just for sharing poems, jokes, stories, general chit-chat etc. To join send email to lupuschat-subscr…@listbot.com or through the site as before. Joanne www.uklupus.co.uk

Response:

Question:

I just discovered a good friend has Lupus. I’ve been reading some on the subject, and I keep running across DHEA. Does anyone here take it ? Does it help ? TIA. God bless you all.

Response:

I have been on 100mg DHEA twice daily for 5 months, I think it may be helping and it’s not quite as toxic as the other drugs as it is actually something the body normally produces.  It’s not used much as it’s not really "approved" from all I’ve read it can reduce symptoms, unfortunately I’m on all the other drugs too, which I am trying to taper off, so I can’t be quite sure how much DHEA is doing.  Good Luck and God Bless. Cindy

Response:

Question:

Dear New Friends…I posted a CRY FOR HELP a little while ago in  here and the response I have received is overwhelming and I just wanted Thank Each and everyone of you for the letters of warmth and encouragement. I now do not feel so alone on this journey I feel as if I have dozens of new and wonderful friends holding my hand. : ) After reading all the letters of support and encouragement and a major Flair up and a trip to the hospital. I found the courage to stand up and take the bull by the horns. I let my local physician know i shall not stand by while he takes a wait and see approch to my suffering and or until a ANA comes back positive  and if the truth be known the only reason I had the courage to do that is because of all Your letters of encouragement, As I laid there feeling like i was in Hell and frightened and feeling oh so sick i recalled your words and it helped me do what i should have done a long time ago but didnt have the courage to do! Thank you! I called my insurance company told them the what has been going on and the stress this is causing in addition to the medical problems. Those folks they were kind and helpful and down right great they agreed that i shouldnt have to take a wait and see approach and gave me permission to go to Johns Hopkins Hospital to see Dr. Michele Petri whom is  their Lupus Specialist. I called to make my appointment and as we spoke about the problems I am experiencing such as the blisters and the weakness and the tiredness and the rashes,pain and the whole meddley of other assorted odd things they told me I should never had to go this long before someone helped me and they reassured me they never take the wait and see approach  they made room to see me next week! :) To me this  i am hoping and praying is at least a start to finding a solution to the problems and or at least a stepping stone in the right direction. So once again Thank you Thank You Thank you! Warm Wishes and May God Bless each and everyone of you for your efforts to help others such as me : )

Response:

Terri Lynn… Congratulations on having the courage to stand up for yourself.  I’ve been urging my step-sister who has at least Sjogren’s Syndrome, and probably rheumatoid arthritis to get an app’t at Johns Hopkins.  Hope your app’t works out well, and you get some relief… —

Response:

You Gooooooo Girl!!!!!!   Retta – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -TERRI LYNN wrote: > Dear New Friends…I posted a CRY FOR HELP a little while ago in  here > and the response I have received is overwhelming and I just wanted Thank > Each and everyone of you for the letters of warmth and encouragement. I > now do not feel so alone on this journey I feel as if I have dozens of > new and wonderful friends holding my hand. : ) > After reading all the letters of support and encouragement and a major > Flair up and a trip to the hospital. I found the courage to stand up and > take the bull by the horns. I let my local physician know i shall not > stand by while he takes a wait and see approch to my suffering and or > until a ANA comes back positive  and if the truth be known the only > reason I had the courage to do that is because of all Your letters of > encouragement, As I laid there feeling like i was in Hell and frightened > and feeling oh so sick i recalled your words and it helped me do what i > should have done a long time ago but didnt have the courage to do! Thank > you! > I called my insurance company told them the what has been going on and > the stress this is causing in addition to the medical problems. Those > folks they were kind and helpful and down right great they agreed that i > shouldnt have to take a wait and see approach and gave me permission to > go to Johns Hopkins Hospital to see Dr. Michele Petri whom is  their > Lupus Specialist. I called to make my appointment and as we spoke about > the problems I am experiencing such as the blisters and the weakness and > the tiredness and the rashes,pain and the whole meddley of other > assorted odd things they told me I should never had to go this long > before someone helped me and they reassured me they never take the wait > and see approach  they made room to see me next week! :) To me this  i > am hoping and praying is at least a start to finding a solution to the > problems and or at least a stepping stone in the right direction. > So once again Thank you Thank You Thank you! > Warm Wishes and May God Bless each and everyone of you for your efforts > to help others such as me : )

Response:

Terri Lynn, I was very happy to see your positive results with the insurance company.  I am hoping and praying that you finally get the answers that you need.   audi

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i could not agree with you more. Being recently diagnosed I felt lost and abandoned. It seemed that no one I knew really understood what I was going through. And as much as you have draw strength from these letters, please be assured that you have not gone without touching others. You sent me an e-mail after my first posting and it was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak and dreary day. I appreciate  that you reached and touched a stranger and it makes it all the more moving that you did it while your own life was in upheavel. "Let no man imagine he has no influence."

Response:

Question:

(J. Mark Taylor) writes: Medicine, as represented by doctors, is very much a business monopoly construct. Doctors have made a bed, sleep in it, and are protected from all external dissent. Almost no other entity is free from independent appraisal.

   ROFL!  You have no frigging idea of what you are talking about. Doctors answer to 1) State civil law (made by legislatures, composed of mostly lawyers), then to 2) State Medical Boards, which are regulated by state law, and staffed (dispite your fevered immaginings) only partly by doctors, and finally 3) Tort law, made by lawyers, judged by lawyers, applied by lawyers, and judged by juries composed of citizens who are never lawyers, but who also are never doctors either. One political party is called a dictatorship.  One religion is termed fanatical. But one healthcare view is termed a "truth."

   Hey, doctors don’t make the laws regulating healthcare.  Or anything else.  Again, take a look at the heart of any big city.  See those skyscrapers?  Who owns them?  Are they owned by doctors?  Or are they owned by lawyers and bankers and insurance people?   So who has the power in this society?  Who sets the rules which are enforced by laws? Hmmmm?  Were you born yesterday?  Police forces are no longer allowed to investigate themselves, neither are spy agencies, automobile mechanics, or fishermen.  Without contesting opinion there can be no such thing as truth. Ultimately, all decisions regarding real truth are arrived at by public discussion, not by authoritative fiat.

    Yep.  A State Medical Board has no more doctor input than your local Police Inquiry Board has police input.  You do need some, of course, as it’s pretty hard to judge anybody whose shoes you haven’t stood in.  As well expect the Aviation Board not to have any pilots. Okay, now that you agree that idea’s dumb, what fraction of pilots should it have?   The fact is that many people disagree with the current "truth" and would like some credible alternatives. Doctors are not addressing this need. In fact, they are distinctly counterproductive.

   Don’t look at me– I’m a libertarian.  I agree there is a problem with people who think that science should be used as a straightjacket to make people do what’s "good for them," but you will notice that the people pushing such agendas aren’t just opperating in health care– they’re everywhere. A parallel health construct needs to be established where methods of the Wholistic paradigm can be properly vetted and communicated to the public. Doctors can no more perform this role than a Christian can be representative of the Moslem faith.

   Nobody’s stopping you from communicating your wholistic program or any other program to the public.  The problem is when you want to practice it on patients for money.  That gets into the ticklish area of what constitutes "fraud" and now (again) the problem isn’t just with medicine.  The guys who want to sell you a blue ring that supposedly gets your laundry clean an infinite number of times without soap, and they people who want to sell you the magnet for the gas line which they say improves the gas milage of your car, etc, etc, are the brothers of the people with electrodiagnostic machines and the muscle testing.  If it were up to me, I’d let Barnum’s law opperate.  But there’s an argument to be made on the other side, too. There is nothing stopping a doctor from accepting the wholistic paradigm and fulfilling the requirements needed to become a naturopath or a clinical herbalist or a NIHM. We accept converts.

   Nope.  So what? To say that there is currently no monopoly is simply wrong. If there were no monopoly, neither Scudamore nor I would be writing on this matter, and doctors would not be defending themselves.

  Bullshit.  There are kooks everywhere on the net, and everywhere there are people explaining patient why they are kooks. Go over to the physics forum and read the people who think that Einstein’s theory is wrong, and you really can go faster than light.  Gee, if FTL travel weren’t true, nobody would suggest it, and legitimate physicists wouldn’t bother to explain why it’s horsecrap.  Would they….?                                      Steve Harris, M.D.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  BTW, the "required safety courses?  Who set those standards of safety? Doctors?    No, in the US, a group of people called "the State legislature", or another called "Congress."   Dig it.  The folks who make laws in representative democracies. So these people that make up the representative democracies are all doctors? Or just us "normal" people who can’t think for themselves? Dig THAT.                                     Steve Harris, M.D.

   I dig it.  What’s your point?  They’re not doctors.  But they are the ones who make licensure and medical practise laws.   Take it up with them.     Don’t expect the Naturopaths to be on your side, however.  After years of pissing and moaning about how the big bad state wouldn’t let you practice medicine without a licence, the naturopaths finally got licenced.  Now they want to keep certain privileges only for graduates of the big 4 year schools, and they spend their time siccing the cops on people who practice naturopathy with mailorder degrees.  Thus is it ever.  Not even a trace of embarrassment do they show.                                      Steve Harris, M.D.

Response:

Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good. I’m not saying they are not good, just not as good as the real deal. I don’t  have to try it to know that… Jet Silverman  To email me, remove the x.

I like boca burgers better than beef.

Response:

Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good. I’m not saying they are not good, just not as good as the real deal. I don’t  have to try it to know that… Jet Silverman  To email me, remove the x. I like boca burgers better than beef.

I second the motion.  I’ll take a Boca Burger over a beef burger anytime.  I’ve tried nearly all the vegetarian burgers, and I like Boca Burgers the best!

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     A new study reported in the popular press today finds that minocycline (a tetracycline class antibiotic known for its penetrative effects– often used in acne) has dramatic effects on rheumatoid arthritis– nearly stopping the disease in almost half of early sufferers.  This is a far better result than NSAIDS, which don’t modify the disease, and such esoteric therapies as gold and methotrexate, which make only very modest differences, and are very toxic.    It’s long been known that tetracyclines have odd effects beyond their antibiotic activities.  They inhibit metalothionine proteases, and they inhibit angiogenesis.   There has been a long underground treatment of arthritis with these drugs, with some doctors theorizing an actual organism which causes arthritis.  But the results have been ignored and poo-pooed, since the "bug" has not been found.  There is also an overlap between arthritis patients and "Lyme disease" sufferers, some of whom have long been known to respond to tetracyclines so far as their arthritic symptoms, even though their "Lyme disease" sometimes couldn’t be proved.   A lot of quackery charges have been aimed by all sides in these cases.    Now, however, no matter what the mechanism, the results cannot be ignored.   Everybody with RA probably deserves a good long trial of minocycline.  Possibly other kinds of arthritis also will benefit.    Beware side effects.  Minocycline gets into inner ears, and has long had a reputation for causing dizzyness.  It’s also a trigger for pseudotumor cerebri (high pressure in the brain ventricles), particularly in women of childbearing years (it’s a hormonal thing) and people taking the drug Accutane, or large amounts of vitamin A.   This problem isn’t too serious, and goes away when the drug is stopped, but the headaches can be frightening and can mimic a brain tumor quite well.  Watch for them.                                   Steve Harris, M.D.

Did this report compare minocycline to any other form of treatment? What about glucosamine? And, do you know of any side affect glucosamine may have?

Response:

Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good.

I’m not saying they are not good, just not as good as the real deal. I don’t  have to try it to know that… Jet Silverman  To email me, remove the x.

Response:

I have never tasted a Boca Burger, but I *know* it is nowhere near as good as a real ground up dead cow burger. Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad.

If you have a good recipe, a homemade veg burger can provide real competition for dead ground moo meat (I have nothing against eating moo, just don’t want to be eating a lot of it). lynn

Response:

I have never tasted a Boca Burger, but I *know* it is nowhere near as good as a real ground up dead cow burger.

There was a time when I probably would have felt the same way, had there been Boca Burgers to ‘compare’ with (shoot, I don’t know if they were or weren’t available then, actually!)  I used to love a "real ground up dead cow burger" now and again, although not just any fast-food one would do – they had to have high-quality fresh beef, and be seasoned and prepared just right.  Anyway, several years back I decided to eliminate red meat from my diet, purely for health reasons.  Then a couple years later, I found myself in an awkward social situation one day.  I was with a backyard picnic gathering of friends, hamburgers and hot dogs were the main course, and I was very hungry!   The idea of just having a meager lettuce salad or potato salad (yuck!) was not satisfying, to say the least.  (I’ve never been big on hot dogs.)  So I took a hamburger, cooked medium well on the grill.  It smelled good.  My mouth watered.  I bit into it – and I might as well have been chewing on solid lard, or something!  I could only eat about two bites, had to leave the rest on the plate, and then suddenly became quite satisfied with a meal of meager lettuce salad and potato salad!  It was truly an eye-opening experience.  I kept thinking, did I used to eat these greaseburgers on a regular basis, and actually enjoy them?   Today, give me a BocaBurger anytime! vitality

Response:

Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good. I’m not saying they are not good, just not as good as the real deal.

Oh, now you’re NOT saying they’re not good?  ;)  I seem to recall that your earlier comment was to the effect that was that everything that doesn’t have artificial ingredients or unhealthy fats tastes like ‘fiberboard’, or something. I don’t have to try it to know that…

I would have pointed out the obvious too, had I not been beaten to it. I do think, though, that it’s a matter of the way one is accustomed or conditioned to eat (see my previous post).   Try abstaining from red meat a few years, and then see how a burger tastes.   BTW, what’s this "the real deal" stuff?  As far as I can tell, neither beef nor Boca burgers were in the original human diet. vitality

Response:

I seem to recall that your earlier comment was to the effect that was that everything that doesn’t have artificial ingredients or unhealthy fats tastes like ‘fiberboard’, or something.

Loosen up a bit there…  Try abstaining from red meat a few years, and then see how a burger tastes.  

Yeah, right…  BTW, what’s this "the real deal" stuff?  As far as I can tell, neither beef nor Boca burgers were in the original human diet.

First I don’t give a rats ass about what was in the original human diet.  Second, take this quiz: Was the Boca burger invented as a substitue for beef,  or the other way ’round? Jet Silverman  To email me, remove the x.

Response:

"…the orginal human diet"?  Do tell us what that was.

I suggest you check out:   The Paleolithic Diet Page:  http://www.panix.com/~paleodiet/ Don.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good. I’m not saying they are not good, just not as good as the real deal. Oh, now you’re NOT saying they’re not good?  ;)  I seem to recall that your earlier comment was to the effect that was that everything that doesn’t have artificial ingredients or unhealthy fats tastes like ‘fiberboard’, or something. I don’t have to try it to know that… I would have pointed out the obvious too, had I not been beaten to it. I do think, though, that it’s a matter of the way one is accustomed or conditioned to eat (see my previous post).   Try abstaining from red meat a few years, and then see how a burger tastes.   BTW, what’s this "the real deal" stuff?  As far as I can tell, neither beef nor Boca burgers were in the original human diet. vitality

"…the orginal human diet"?  Do tell us what that was.

Response:

    A new study reported in the popular press today finds that minocycline (a tetracycline class antibiotic known for its penetrative effects– often used in acne) has dramatic effects on rheumatoid arthritis– nearly stopping the disease in almost half of early sufferers.  This is a far better result than NSAIDS, which don’t modify the disease, and such esoteric therapies as gold and methotrexate, which make only very modest differences, and are very toxic.    It’s long been known that tetracyclines have odd effects beyond their antibiotic activities.  They inhibit metalothionine proteases, and they inhibit angiogenesis.   There has been a long underground treatment of arthritis with these drugs, with some doctors theorizing an actual organism which causes arthritis.  But the results have been ignored and poo-pooed, since the "bug" has not been found.  There is also an overlap between arthritis patients and "Lyme disease" sufferers, some of whom have long been known to respond to tetracyclines so far as their arthritic symptoms, even though their "Lyme disease" sometimes couldn’t be proved.   A lot of quackery charges have been aimed by all sides in these cases.    Now, however, no matter what the mechanism, the results cannot be ignored.   Everybody with RA probably deserves a good long trial of minocycline.  Possibly other kinds of arthritis also will benefit.    Beware side effects.  Minocycline gets into inner ears, and has long had a reputation for causing dizzyness.  It’s also a trigger for pseudotumor cerebri (high pressure in the brain ventricles), particularly in women of childbearing years (it’s a hormonal thing) and people taking the drug Accutane, or large amounts of vitamin A.   This problem isn’t too serious, and goes away when the drug is stopped, but the headaches can be frightening and can mimic a brain tumor quite well.  Watch for them.                                   Steve Harris, M.D.

Response:

I think, Doc, that your true colors are starting to show a bit. Typical of an M.D. to imply that the only answers are to be found in medicine or science.  I believe that there is an old saying that goes "When science finally climbs to the top of the mountain, it will find that religion has been there all along."  This is NOT to say that religion is the answer either.  I was just pointing out what appears to be sterotypically a "doctor’s point of view."

    "That is not to say the answer is religion, either," but you think that it’s at the top of the mountain that science is climbing all along?   Gee, I can see what is stereotypically your point of veiw: muddled thinking.  You haven’t a clue what you believe about the truth.  Except perhaps that you don’t like the concept.     Nobody’s persecuting nutritional doctors.  They are all free to earn MD’s, DO’s, ND’s, and then practice.  What too many of them really want, however, is to do anything they want with anybody, without going through the required safety courses.  LOL.  It ain’t gunna happen. Let me know when they let you fly a Learjet without that piece of paper.                                        Steve Harris, M.D. You don’t need a piece of paper to know how to or be able to fly that Learjet, or a Gulfstream IV for that matter.  You can get that

knowledge in other ways and not only from the "traditional" or "established" course(s).     Sure, but who’s gunna believe you?    BTW, the "required safety courses?  Who set those standards of safety? Doctors?

    No, in the US, a group of people called "the State legislature", or another called "Congress."   Dig it.  The folks who make laws in representative democracies.                                      Steve Harris, M.D.

Response:

<snip    "That is not to say the answer is religion, either," but you think that it’s at the top of the mountain that science is climbing all along?   Gee, I can see what is stereotypically your point of veiw: muddled thinking.  You haven’t a clue what you believe about the truth. Except perhaps that you don’t like the concept.

Look at the quote, Doctor. I said that there was a saying that said… nevermind. I’m sorry that I hurt your feelings, which I obviously did by making those statements.  You then attack me by saying that my thinking is muddled and that I don’t know what I believe about the truth.  Well, so much for "debate". I know exactly what I believe, and I believe that you are a big baby.  I search for the truth, that is why I ask questions. Dig THAT. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     Nobody’s persecuting nutritional doctors.  They are all free to earn MD’s, DO’s, ND’s, and then practice.  What too many of them really want, however, is to do anything they want with anybody, without going through the required safety courses.  LOL.  It ain’t gunna happen. Let me know when they let you fly a Learjet without that piece of paper.                                        Steve Harris, M.D. You don’t need a piece of paper to know how to or be able to fly that Learjet, or a Gulfstream IV for that matter.  You can get that knowledge in other ways and not only from the "traditional" or "established" course(s).    Sure, but who’s gunna believe you?

So, this is about believability now? Or is it about what works? Or both?  BTW, the "required safety courses?  Who set those standards of safety? Doctors?    No, in the US, a group of people called "the State legislature", or another called "Congress."   Dig it.  The folks who make laws in representative democracies.

So these people that make up the representative democracies are all doctors? Or just us "normal" people who can’t think for themselves? Dig THAT. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –                                     Steve Harris, M.D.

Response:

The question is: who should pay for studies of non-patentable treatments? The answer is–we don’t need studies on non patentable treatments because they have been around, in the case of herbs, for hundreds of years.

So has astrology.  So have lots of things.  That doesn’t prove efficacy and it doesn’t show how best to use the stuff. The people who sell them won’t.  When’s the last time you heard of a vitamin company paying for a big vitamin study? What?  So they could get their ass kicked?

Make up your mind.  Either the stuff doesn’t work, in which case you shouldn’t be defending it, or it does, and a study would show it. Since this would *increase* sales, why would anyone have their "ass kicked?"      These are my opinions only, but they’re almost always correct.      "After all, this is still the land of opportunity.  If you know       where to look."  – Jack Douglas

Response:

writes: The problem in this business is; it’s a monopoly, so the usual safeguards don’t apply, and having a business running medicine isn’t exactly good for the patient who should in theory come first.     Medicine is no more a monopoly than archetecture or real-estate or flying or driving or anything else you need a license to do.

Medicine, as represented by doctors, is very much a business monopoly construct. Doctors have made a bed, sleep in it, and are protected from all external dissent. Almost no other entity is free from independent appraisal. One political party is called a dictatorship.  One religion is termed fanatical. But one healthcare view is termed a "truth." Police forces are no longer allowed to investigate themselves, neither are spy agencies, automobile mechanics, or fishermen.  Without contesting opinion there can be no such thing as truth. Ultimately, all decisions regarding real truth are arrived at by public discussion, not by authoritative fiat. The fact is that many people disagree with the current "truth" and would like some credible alternatives. Doctors are not addressing this need. In fact, they are distinctly counterproductive. A parallel health construct needs to be established where methods of the Wholistic paradigm can be properly vetted and communicated to the public. Doctors can no more perform this role than a Christian can be representative of the Moslem faith. There is nothing stopping a doctor from accepting the wholistic paradigm and fulfilling the requirements needed to become a naturopath or a clinical herbalist or a NIHM. We accept converts. To say that there is currently no monopoly is simply wrong. If there were no monopoly, neither Scudamore nor I would be writing on this matter, and doctors would not be defending themselves. ___ jmt — Never go along with the system. Always question.     Tainted-blood activist …    Janet Conners

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: There is a fine line between business practice and a conspiracy.  If the  drug medical industry conspire to change the laws to suit drugs and not herbs, is this just business practice or a conspiracy?    Answer: No.  The advantage of drugs under patent law is a property of patent law which was present in American law long before the drug industry was what it is today.  If this is a conspiracy, it’s one that wasn’t made up for any reason that had anything to do with drugs. The problem in this business is; it’s a monopoly, so the usual safeguards don’t apply, and having a business running medicine isn’t exactly good for the patient who should in theory come first.    Medicine is no more a monopoly than archetecture or real-estate or flying or driving or anything else you need a license to do.  Nobody’s preventing anybody from getting a licence, bucko.  You think I was born with mine?  I’m the first doctor in my family in America, as far back as the geneology goes, which is back to the 17th century in some lines. The question is: who should pay for studies of non-patentable treatments? The answer is–we don’t need studies on non patentable treatments because they have been around, in the case of herbs, for hundreds of years.    So has astrology.  And all those other religions (which I class much of herbology as– religion.  And myth).   If you don’t have studies, you can’t tell if claims are true or not.  All you can do is start another "school."

I think, Doc, that your true colors are starting to show a bit.  Typical of an M.D. to imply that the only answers are to be found in medicine or science.  I believe that there is an old saying that goes "When science finally climbs to the top of the mountain, it will find that religion has been there all along."  This is NOT to say that religion is the answer either.  I was just pointing out what appears to be sterotypically a "doctor’s point of view." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    BTW, have herbs been used on AIDS for hundreds of years? The federal government is run by big business.  I know you like urban myths but you don’t really believe the government gives a shit about us, and is out to find the truth.  LOL.     Maybe not.  But what makes the goverment any less worthy of trust than your average herbalist, who is also out to make a buck.  If you trust only pure altruists in this life, you’re going to have a long dry spell finding people to associate with.  LOL yourself. God, what a load of baloney.  What are they going to do when they find vitamins make drugs look silly?  Carry on "delaying".  LOL    Answer: not at all.  Have statin drug knocked niacin out of the market in treating high cholesterol?  No.  Doctors use niacin all the time.  Other vitamins will find their places.    If you have a solution, I’d like to hear it. No you wouldn’t unless it was to confuse things.  Change the laws back out of a medical monopoly so the herbalists and other doctors can practice on a level playing field and stop persecuting nutritional doctors, and the whole charade of clinical trials will fall on its ass.     Nobody’s persecuting nutritional doctors.  They are all free to earn MD’s, DO’s, ND’s, and then practice.  What too many of them really want, however, is to do anything they want with anybody, without going through the required safety courses.  LOL.  It ain’t gunna happen. Let me know when they let you fly a Learjet without that piece of paper.                                        Steve Harris, M.D.

You don’t need a piece of paper to know how to or be able to fly that Learjet, or a Gulfstream IV for that matter.  You can get that knowledge in other ways and not only from the "traditional" or "established" course(s).  BTW, the "required safety courses?  Who set those standards of safety? Doctors? Respectfully submitted, Steven McConnell

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    A new study reported in the popular press today finds that minocycline (a tetracycline class antibiotic known for its penetrative effects– often used in acne) has dramatic effects on rheumatoid arthritis– nearly stopping the disease in almost half of early sufferers…<snip

Is this a single study?  Has any study been done on other inflammatory/autoimmune diseases like lupus or IBD?

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Did this report compare minocycline to any other form of treatment?

No, it didn’t. What about glucosamine? And, do you know of any side affect

glucosamine may have?    No, I don’t.                                    Steve Harris, M.D.

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    A new study reported in the popular press today finds that minocycline (a tetracycline class antibiotic known for its penetrative effects– often used in acne) has dramatic effects on rheumatoid arthritis Did this report compare minocycline to any other form of treatment? What about glucosamine? And, do you know of any side affect glucosamine may have?

Allopaths long ago gave up comparing drug & gizmo treatments with alternative treatments. Medical monopolies cannot, by design, associate with Alternative practitioners. It’s a business thing. — Never go along with the system. Always question.     Tainted-blood activist …    Janet Conners

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To think I could have just saved the money I spent on those Boca Burgers

I have never tasted a Boca Burger, but I *know* it is nowhere near as good as a  real ground up dead cow burger. Jet Silverman  To email me, remove the x.

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To think I could have just saved the money I spent on those Boca Burgers I have never tasted a Boca Burger, but I *know* it is nowhere near as good as a real ground up dead cow burger.

Boca Burgers aren’t quite as tasty as beef, but they’re not half bad. (See, I actually tried them rather than deciding in advance that they weren’t any good.  Even Consumer Reports rated the "Chef Max’s" version as tasty.)      These are my opinions only, but they’re almost always correct.      "After all, this is still the land of opportunity.  If you know       where to look."  – Jack Douglas

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Please tell Janet she will be in our prayers. Janet Van Winkle is a very special person who has helped so many people including myself. I am sorry that she hasn’t been feeling well and in pain. We will pray for a speedy recovery and your restored health so you can be back with us again. Love, Judy

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I recently inquired about Janet Van Winkle, as we have not heard from her in so long I feared she may be ill. I received this response from her this morning. "Judith, No I haven’t been on-line but for short periods.  You see I have been having severe pain and will be going into hospital for a total hip replacement.  I am having to think a lot because this is an implant. Without it I can’t walk.  This has happened so fast to me.  One of the causes is LUPUS.   If you would be so kind to pass this on to the boards I would appreciate it.  I will be scheduling the surgery either today or Tues.  It will take place in about 2-3 weeks." Warmest regards, Janet Van Winkle, in need of friends. God bless you Janet, I have done as you requested and am sure that you have many friends on these boards.         Judith P.

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