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Why is it that every time I read these posts, I see someone Bashing the very system that provides us our new and experimental drugs. I Hope to GOD the government doesn't step in and try and control prescription drug prices. That would be the end of new drugs for all of us.

How can people say that we should have nationally managed health care? Don't they understand the simple fact that companies WILL NOT spend extremely high risk money on drug research unless they can promise investors a high rate of return on the investment. This is why prescription drugs seem expensive to us. However, we would not have drugs like provigil, GHB, Aleeve, etc... if a research company told a potential investor, "If you invest 10 Million dollars with us, In 5 years you'll get back 14 Million. by the way, Its very risky, even if the drug works the FDA might not approve it, and possibly another company is working on the same thing, I'd say the odds of you getting your 10,000,000 back is about 1 in 30."

Another problem is the fact that the gov't only allows short patents on drugs. So your typical researching drug company invests years working on a drug, and a few years after the release you get the Generics. Who didn't have to spend any research money, yet can undercut the brand name drug after the patent expires. So really our government forces the research companies to charge huge amounts for their new drug during the patent period. They only have a few years to recoup ALL the expenses of the years or research, pay their investors, buy new research equipment before a generic copycat comes in and reaps the benefits of years of research and risk.

The drug companies know they can only sell expensive drugs to people with A. money or B. insurance. Most drug companies including the company which makes Provigil have programs to provide low cost drugs to people who qualify. I'm sure someone can remember the name of that company and post it on the list. The website has a direct link to people who can't afford Provigil.

-Andrew

Its strange to hear someone talk about some of the things Ive
experienced but never really talked about. I particularly empathize
with not dreaming. I remember dreaming when I was a child. I dreamt
some as an adult too, but no longer. I had some beautiful dreams, and
I miss them. Id explore waterways or big houses; sometimes I could
fly. Id have the same nightmare over and over again, and the sleep
paralysis that came with it. I was frozen upon waking from the fear
and couldnt move for a while. Terrifying. Now I have weird things I
think about when Im waking up or falling asleep. They are especially
vivid when I nod off during the day. I dont know what any of it
means; its just interesting to hear someone else talk about it. I was
on Provigil for a couple of months, but couldnt take the headaches. I
was on something I couldnt pronounce after that, but had bad side
affects with it. Im down to Ritalin now. Its not really the answer,
but better than nothing.
Best of Luck,
Ron

Welcome to this group!
It is very frustrating how long it takes to get
diagnosed with Narcolepsy. It was over 6 years for me
but I am sure I have had it longer than that but that
is when I started complaining about it. There were
always "reasons" for my daytime sleepiness. I have
hypothyroidism so that makes me tired, I weighed 400#
so of course I would be exhausted from carring around
that excess weight, I had major surgery so it only
makes since that I would be tired, I have lost over
200# in less than two years, that would tire anyone
out. Well after taking care of all that I still
complained about being tired and my PCP finally heard
enough and I was sent to a sleep lab. I was totally
shocked with the diagnosis. I have never met anyone
with Narcolepsy so it never even crossed my mind. My
self diagnosis was Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue
syndrom. I guess that's why I don't work in the health
field. I have only had two attacks of cataplexy so I
am lucky there. Both times it happened when I was
laughing hysterically. I have nightmares and I have
experienced some halucinations but nothing bad. Sorry
to hear of your troubles. What medications are you on
for the bi-polar and narcolepsy? Do they keep things
under control? I am currently taking 80 MG of Ritalin
a day. It isn't working the best but my PCP wants me
to stay on it for 6-8 weeks longer before trying
something else. I am also on 80 MG of Prozac a day and
that probably doesn't help with the sleepiness but it
sure helps with the depression.
Good luck to you!
Sandi

Hi,
I'm new to this group (new to all groups... this is my first).
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with my cat, Kathmandu. He's the
love of my life and I always love to talk about him but joining this
group will hopefully make me a more rounded person who can discuss
other things and perhaps learn more and to talk about the strange
things that happen to me when my life goes out of control and maybe I
can help someone else who may be afflicted with these illnesses. So
here goes...
I have the distiction of being both bipolar and narcoleptic. Of course
the bipolar was diagnosed first many years ago (I'd guess at about 25
years). Now that is a story and a half which I will not go into at
length at this time.
I've been treated for narcolepsy for about six years now. Why no one
thought that I might possibly have a sleep disorder any sooner is
beyond me besause I've had every symptom (except apnea and I don't
fall asleep in the middle of things)since I was a child. They were all
just overlooked. The more I read up on the subject the more puzzled I
become as to why no one ever thought of it when I was living in
absolute terror of going to sleep. My psychiatrist tried to get me
into a sleep lab several times but the neurologist who'd seen me a few
times (I tend to bang up my head periodiclly and we were getting
pretty close after all the crashes and the manic episodes I'd been
through). He insisted that my sleep problems were either depression
related or due to a bruised brain after a severe concussion. So I was
turned down from attending the lab time after time. Fortunately my
psychiatrist wouldn't accept his conclusions and instead put me in
there without permission from the hospital. It was then concluded that
I did have narcolepsy--a sleep disorder.
I suppose this is long enough but I'd really like to hear from people
who have both illnesses so that I can be reassured that I'm not the
only one. I have never met a person who has narcolepsy (not true--one
lady I know claimed she had narcolepsy but in comparison to the hell I
lived with she couldn't possibly have the same illness). I've read up
a bit hoping to learn more and how others are affected and it would
seem that I'm pretty much a classic narcoleptic. I have sleep
paralysis, night terrors, on occasion daytime sleepiness but usually I
sleep so deeply on those days that I feel more drugged than anything
and I just can not wake up. I hullucinate and have cataplexy. I do not
remember any dreams that I may have except when I have those druggy
days and only during the day. I have on occasion fallen asleep while
driving (and yes I cracked up my car and injured my head (what else?).
It was assumed that I was just exhausted from my daily schedule that
didn't fit in any actual sleep time because I was just too busy doing
too many things. There weren't enough hours to accommodate me. I
sometimes do get so sleepy while driving that I have to stop and close
my eyes for just a few minutes after which I will be fine and okay to
drive for long periods of time. That usually happens within the first
half hour of a long trip so it's definately not tiredness from too
many hours at the wheel.
There was always an excuse for what was happening to me and never was
it consideered that I had an illness. So, I just went on not knowing
why I was going through all these horrible experiences.
I have to finish this NOW because it's far too long and no one will
want to read it. I have lots more to say to so if anyone is
interested and wants to tell me if they go through the same terrifying
episodes related to their sleep or in combination with
manic-depression I'd love to hear about it and what they are doing to
survive.
Sorry if this is too long. Thanks for listening.
Patricia.ca

Dear Heather:
It sounds like you are having a rough time. I hope things get better for you. Andy had some good points, i.e., lots of issues have to be r/o before you can get rid of the IH. Is your thyroid normal? Have you had a blood panel to r/o diabetes? I think that if you have type I diabetes, you are not likely to have n. MS is also a problem that causes eds. Fibromyalgia also causes extreme eds. There are even some sub-types of ADD that can cause fatigue.
N and IHs only similarity is eds. N is a neurological disorder. It's feature characteristics are early onset REMs, hypnagogic hallucinations, cateplexy, sleep paralysis, disrupted night time sleep, and of course, eds. IMHO, even the sleepiness is different, i.e., pwn have sleep attacks, while IH sufferers don't have the same mode of sleepiness. PWN can sometimes sleep for as little as 10 minutes and feel refreshed for a while.
I am sure there are people here who can give much better info than I re: N. I agree with Andy, exercise, proper diet, weight control and good attitude help control N symptoms. Heather, if the stimulants don't seem to help, imho, this suggests that's there's another problem that needs addressing. Keep after your pcp to get help. You deserve to get an answer.
If you need some help from some "real people" who know a lot about sleep disorders, write me privately and I'll give you phone numbers. Be careful what you believe on the Internet. Sometimes people with good intentions give bad information. It sounds like you need help asap.
regards,
vickithesleepytennisplayer

Hi
I also have idiopathic hypersomulance
and like you said it is Narcolepsy
without cataplexy.
I have tried to explain this same issue
in this group but certain individuals
have a hard time believing.
Anyhow, I started with the ritalin,
then
went to Provigil. If you have not tried
that, it might be your best option
considering you have ADD. It did not
work well for me so now I take
Adderall.
I also have Severe Central Sleep Apnea,
and a multitude of other problems.
Hang in there, you will find the right
answer somewhere.
I am still waiting also.
rin

I also have narcolepsy and it effects me at different times in the
day.. I usually can stay up as late as I want without falling asleep,
but without my medication I can fall asleep at any time period that I
am not "busy"... even standing up. I take Provigil and I used to
take ritalin, I didn't like how the ritalin made me feel... but I
really dont have any issues with the Provigil... and I really don't
think I can function completely without it. I still have a HORRIBLE
time waking up and staying up in the morning, but once I take my
meds.. I rarely fall asleep. When I was in school, (before I was
diagnosed), I found that if I took complete notes.. almost completely
rewriting what the prof. was saying I could usually stay awake... but
what a pain... well hope this helps in some way and if anyone has any
help for waking up it would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Heather , it sounds like a real problem but I did not like taking drugs
either, I flipped out on two drugs that a doctor gave me. Have you
tried taking 15 min naps maybe twice a day . Sometimes that helps or at
work when you have break time take that time to rest for awhile just lay
your head down on a table for your break and if you fall asleep have
some one come in wake you , I had to do that when I was working , it
seemed to help .
Maybe there is someone else in the group that has a better idea.
Sorry Spinner

Sandi thanks for e-mail back , Well it was a try to see if there were
more Reed's in Ca.

I am having some serious problems and don't know what to do. I have
been diagnosed with idiopathic sombulance with is basically
narcolepsy w/out catoaplexy. I also hafve attention deficeit
disorder. I have been on retiln off and on for the past 15 years.
During the past five years is when I was diagnosed with idiopathic
sombulance. I have tried Ritilin for that but it was more like a
roller coster w/too many ups and downs. Aderall made me a mad
woman. Dexidrine spansules seem to be the best however, I am wanting
to be off of them for the possiblity of planing a family. Not to
mention for the chance to try and live a normal life. I have made it
from 20mgs twice a day to 5 mgs once a day. To be honest I don't
notice a big difference, from taking more or less. Either way I'm
steel soooo tired. I could take 40mgs of speed twice a day and still
pass out. I'm sick of always being tired. Now it's wierd. I can be
wide awake when I go to work w/out dexidrine. However the moment I
sit at my desk and try to focus I'm bout to fall out. It becomes the
most painful 5 hrs of my day. I work part time bout 5 hrs a day
thankfully. However that alone wears me out. I remembered that in
college I would have the same feeling w/out help of drugs. I would
go to class wide awake, but as soon as it started I couldn't stay
awake. I would make comments to myself like as soon as class is over
I'm getting a nap. Then once class is over I'm wide awake. I am
also finding it's hard for me to go to bed at night. GO FIGURE. The
doc suggested a sleeping pill. I'm not thrilled about becoming a
legalized drug attack taking uppers and downers. Is this normal? It
is taking a toll on me. I end up sleeping my weekends away. It's a
chore to just get energy to do my duties around the house as well. I
find that now when I take my dexidrine it puts me to sleep. I am
thinking it comes from the fact they give ADD kids/adult ritilin type
drugs to calm them down. I think I've reached a my wits end. Does
anyone have any suggestions. I'm desperate.
Thanks for your time,
Heather

Actually I do have relatives in California but none
with the last name Reed.My Aunt Rose lives ther and
her maiden name was Reed but she is a Sherman now.
Sandi

It's great to hear that you are doing so well. I went
through most of my life with sleepiness and foggy head
syndrome ( as I call it ). I never really knew what
it felt like to be or feel normal either. I was also
very delighted when I started taking Ritalin. I can
actually have conversations with people now, without
feeling strained, sleepy, or out of it, etc... I can
also remember conversations better, because my memory
is improving, due to better concentration/attention
span ( and not being so out of it ). I don't feel
like such a ditz anymore ( lol ). I also have more
energy to keep up with my two kids, which is the most
important thing. Like you, I'm starting to love life
and I share in your joy!
Good luck with the Dexedrine. I hope it works well
for you. Keep us posted.
Rebecca

Hi,
I just wanted to share with others that understand. I am 51 yrs old
and narcolepsy controlled my life. Like falling asleep in the shower,
driving, talking, falling a sleep at a Marieners game....with the
camera zooming in, so others (the world) could witness an
enthusiastic fan. I just thought I was a tired person. Someone told
me I should go through a sleep study. Thank you, someone.!!!
Diagnosis...cronic n. I have been taking 400 mg Provigil and felt so
wonderful! I went around my office asking people "why did'nt you
tell me how great "you" people felt! I never knew. I had an
appointment today with my Dr. and suprisingly he told me it wasnt
working well enough. Wow! You mean I can feel even better! Well I
do still fall asleep at times at my desk, in meetings, and get very
tired. I thought that was normal. How do you know if thats all you
have ever know? My Dr. told me that when others ask "how do you feel
with narcolepsy?" He told me that in my case I feel like others do
after they have been up for 24 hours, and that is at my best. Gee!
Well, today he gave me Dexedrine. He said it will work better for me
than the Provigil did! I look forward to tomorrow and seeing what
that is like. I love life....and being awake while going through
it! Thank you Doc! I love you for giving me a life.

Hi , I read what you wrote and I don't know how your Cataplexy went away
by taking Prozac. I never heard that. If you have Cataplexy you have it
and nothing will take it away. At least that is my understanding all
these years.
That's great if yours went away, I wish mine would

Hi. I just joined this group and wanted to introduce myself. Some
of you may know me from other message boards. I have Narcolepsy and
was diagnosed about 17 years after my symptoms first appeared. For
years I tried to figure out why my body kept going limp and jaw
slack, etc... I went to a neurologist as a teen and he never figured
it out. In my twenties I had numerous tests ( MRI's, EEG's, blood
work, etc... ) Once again the neurologist couldn't figure out what
was wrong with me. He told me he thaught the limpness was due to
frequent headaches/migranes. I told him I went limp when I didn't
have headaches, but he still told me he thaught it was the headaches,
because all my tests came back normal. After spending numerous
dollars, I was frustrated and began to feel hopeless.
One day I needed to fill out a family history form. One of my 2nd
cousins has Narcolepsy. I don't see that cousin very often, so I
didn't know much about his condition, and decided to look it up. I
couldn't believe it! Finally all the pieces to puzzle came together.
The hallucinations I was having, the sleep paralysis ( I never
mentioned these 2 symptoms to my doctor, because I thaught he would
think I was schitzo ), the cataplexy , sleepiness, etc.... I had all
the symptoms and pretty much diagnosed my self right then and there.
I went back to my neurologist and told him about the
narcolepsy/cataplexy and told him I thought that I had it and that I
needed a referral to a sleep doctor. He gave me the refferal, but
still told me he thaught my headaches were causing the limpness.
Frustrating! Anyways, I went to the sleep doc, he diagnosed me and
I'm finally being treated after all these years. I finally feel like
I have my life back. The Ritalin gives me more energy to do the
things I need to do, and makes my mind less foggy. And my
demons/sleep paralysis/cataplexy is gone, thanks to prozac.
I look forward to talking with all of you. I hope my introduction
wasn't too long. Have a great day and God bless!
Rebecca

I take provigil in the morning and trazozone at night...

No, but I take Ritalin and Prozac at the same time.
Sandi

Hi.. I was wondering if anyone is taking Addreall and also taking Zoloft at
the same time.
Thanks

From: nsf@... (National Sleep Foundation)
Date: Wed, Feb 13, 2002, 5:25pm Subject: NSF Alert 2.13.02
The current NSF Alert with graphics is available on our Web site at
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert.html. The text-only version appears
below:
February 13, 2002
This is a regular report from the National Sleep Foundation. Feel free
to forward it to a friend!
Coping strategies may be an important part of treatment of obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA), "a potentially devastating chronic illness marked by
significant levels of daytime fatigue," according to the authors of a
study of sleep apnea patients. Some OSA patients experience increased
symptoms of depression, and those who are more passive report more
depressive symptoms.
The study suggests "the assessment of coping strategies in OSA
patients could help identify those patients who might benefit most from
the direct treatment of mood symptoms in addition to treatment of the
sleep disturbed breathing itself." The study was published in the
December 15, 2001, issue of SLEEP.
NSF applauds the 25th anniversary of the publication of SLEEP, which is
the official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and
the Sleep Research Society. The journal was founded by Drs. Christian
Guilleminault and William Dement, who dedicated the journal to
"fostering uncommonly high standards of scientific excellence and
providing adequate representation of the broad fields of clinical and
basic research." The current issue, dated February 1, 2002, is the first
to highlight a series of historic papers from the past. The first 24
issues of SLEEP have been archived on their Web site (
http://www.journalsleep.org/ ).
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the
probable cause of a 1999 crash involving an Amtrak train and a truck in
Bourbonnais, Illinois, was the truck driver's inappropriate response to
a grade crossing warning device and his judgment, which was probably
impaired by fatigue. The NTSB said that a contributing factor was the
truck company's failure to prevent driver fatigue as a result of
excessive driving or on-duty periods. The accident resulted in 11 deaths
and 122 injuries. There is a synopsis of the report on the NTSB Web site
http://www.ntsb.gov/Publictn/2002/RAR0201.htm
NSF is pleased to announce that a number of America's leading
corporations and a government agency have signed on as sponsors of
National Sleep Awareness Week®, April 1-7, 2002. Their generous
support has helped lay the groundwork for NSAW 2002. The list of NSAW
Sponsors http://www.nsaw.org/sponsors.html#1
Cooperative Co-sponsors
http://www.nsaw.org/cooperative.html and Community Sleep Awareness
Partners®
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site99.html are on the NSAW Web site
http://www.nsaw.org/2002preview.html with more information about NSAW
2002.
These lists are updated regularly.
NSF Board member Dr. Emmanuel Mignot will speak on "Hypocretin and the
Cause of Narcolepsy: Perspectives for New Treatment," at "The Life of
the Sleepy PersonV" conference of the Center for Narcolepsy Research,
March 7-8, in Chicago. For information, call 312-996-5176, or send an
e-mail message to narcolep@....
Two of NSF's publications, sleepmatters and the 2000 Annual Report, have
received awards from Association Trends, a weekly newsletter in the
association field. For details, go to
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/PressArchives/twoawards02.html, or to
receive a free issue of sleepmatters, go to
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleepmatter_free.html.
This update is provided by the National Sleep Foundation. To provide
comments or suggestions regarding NSF Alert or our Web site, send them
to nsf@.... If you would like to receive NSF Alert at an
additional e-mail address, please reply to nsf@... and
type in "subscribe" in the subject field. To unsubscribe to NSF Alert,
please send an e-mail notice to nsf@... and type
"delete" with your e-mail address in the message box.
National Sleep Foundation
"Waking America to the Importance of Sleep"

You are correct....the association is between sleep apnea and
pulmonary. The rest of sleep disorders just fell into their lap.
Actually it should be under neurology, but that would classify us
as 'brain disorders' people! Not all pulm MDs are Sleep though. You
have to have fellowship and certification. It is a good thing!
Jos

While wanting to nap during the day is a problem of Narcolepsy, as is waking
up periodically at night. We still are creatures of Habit. For example,
For months after work I have been falling asleep as soon as I get home from
work. Am I sleeping after work because of Narcolepsy? or is it Just a
habit? Maybe the first nap was because I was Genuinely tired but now my body
thinks a nap after work is the standard. I have broken these habits with
excercise.
Don't get me wrong, I still nap during the day, but it is not because my
body needs it. It's because my f'd up narcolepsy brain is telling my body
it needs it. I can trick my brain by excercising. it seems to reset some
internal sleep clock in my Brain (Melon).
-Andy

Hello guys, I am a CCU RN married to an IMED MD in Florida. Momma to
three canines, 2 Afghan Hounds and a schnauzer. I was finally
diagnosed in 1999 after years of auto accidents and depression over
sleepiness. I knew what I had, but was in denile. I explained it away-
school, work, ect. I finally was sick of sleeping my life away and
missing out on social activities. I would also be getting report in
the morning-and wake up in the middle of it! Coworkers thought I was
a space cadet! I am currently maintained on Concerta 35mg QD and
methylphenidate 5mg prn in the afternoons. I am trying to decide
whether or not I can go w/o meds while pregnant as we are gonna start
trying. I have heard mixed replies and read mixed research. Pemoline
is safest for baby, but not for Momma's liver. Too risky, but I was
on it for a year prior to switching. I think I will try without for
as long as possible, then take lose doses. My physician says he could
get me out of work for the 1st trimester if I was not able to
tolerate the sleepiness. We'll see. Has anyone else taken these meds
throughout a pregnancy (I have read a couple of you guys replies!) I
don't want to run off the road and kill us both!
Jos

Actually, my MD states that frequently people with narcolepsy work
better on the night shift because it is easier for them to stay awake
(vs during the day). I initially tried sleep pills becuse I thought
by sleeping better at night (narcs have frequent night awakenings)
that I would feel more awake during day. WRONG! Sometimes meds taken
for narc. affect sleep at night, so take them earlier and use a short
acting pill for the afternoon slump:)
Jos
<*)))

Does anyone know if Insomnia is also associated with Narcolepsy? For
so long I have assumed that what I was experiencing during the day was
due to my general insomnia or "night owl" behavior at night. Now I
understand the factor about the REM sleep intruding instantly with
instant vivid dreams, so I know it is now narcolepsy, however, the
insomnia is still there. Why do I want to sleep all day and then feel
so "busy" at night? Why aren't I exhausted? Doesn't my body want to
catch up on sleep? Or did I get enough sleep during the day. I have
been told to stop "napping" during the day so I can sleep at night,
but it seems one has nothing to do with the other. Like I can realy
control these "naps"!! I have tried caffiene, sugar,
phenopropronalamine (decongestants that used to be in Dexatrim) -
during the day to keep me awake, and tried warm milk, turkey
sandwiches, antihistimines at night to make me drowsy, but nothing
works. The only over the counters I haven't bothered with are No Doze
and Sominex.
Any ideas on this crazy imbalance?
Cathy

Thanks for all the replies regarding driving restrictions. Now, I
have another question. Do any of you have sleep apnea? I just
recently had a sleep test done, and it showed that I have obstructive
sleep apnea. Has anyone tried the sleep device for sleep apnea that
gives more oxygen? Has anyone tried anything else? Thanks.

Sounds like Narcolepsy to me. Everyone doesn't
experience cataplexy. It has only happened to me twice
when I was having an extreme fit of laughter. I would
definitely talk to you PCP about getting a sleep/nap
study done.
Sandi

Hello,
I know that one question asked in renewing your
license is " do you any problems that can effect your
driving such as passing out or have anything else?"
and you have to be truefull about it. I would actually
joke about it waiting in the seats and someone would
be asked and I would raise my hand and say yes. You
have to joke about it because it does effect so very
much. I losed my job and my license and I still deal
with my self worth. I can usually bring my self up and
look at the good side of things but it is a struggle
sometimes.
tiggerfreak63
got sleep

Hi
It is my understanding about international drivers license,
you have to have a valid license to get a international one.
The international ones are also only valid for one year.
rin

You PPL are very lucky you still have your license. I live in the UK and was
diagnosed with Narc. some 14 years ago. Approx 18 months ago I began
suffering from sever Depression and was quite ill for many months.
It was during this time that my doctor informed me that I should have
informed the Driving authorities of my Narc. I had no problem with this and
promptly did so. I had been driving for over 10 years with a clean license
never even had as much as a parking fine. I had always been very careful and
never drove far and if i was out for the day say shopping and had to drive
myself home, I would time my medication so that it was having the most
effect as I drove home. I had always been very responsible, more than can be
said for your average driver, that's for sure. During the months that I was
suffering from sever depression I did not drive as I knew it would have been
irresponsible of me to do so at that time. It took the driving authorities
almost 6 months to make the decision to Revoked my license, on grounds of
Narcolepsy. I could not believe this, it had taken them so long to make a
decision that I was in fact well on the road to recovery from the Depression
and my Narc. was under control by the time they did. There is nothing I can
do now other than reapply for my license, which sounds simple but what
worries me is that if it took them 6 months to decide on revoking it, Just
how long will it take for them to give it back!!!
So be aware all you Narc. sufferers in the UK
'The DVLA system is unfair'
your narcoleptic friend,
walking everywhere now,
Caroline

Has anyone who needs a driver's license for their job had the license
limited or revoked due to narcolepsy?

In Australia as long as the Narcolepsy is in control then there is no
effects inflicted on your license. But hubby did originally get told by
Doctor that he would have to hand in his license and through me fighting he
was able to keep it...............It was only later when we went to the
Traffic authority that we found out if it was under control he didn't have
to hand it in. We were then told most Doc's will tell you to hand it in as a
precaution for themselves. Which was the case of our Doctor as she had been
caught out with someone else (with another disorder) who had a car accident.
Peter and Jane A
Moderator/Owner of Narcolepsy_Australia
Peter Diagnosed in 98 with Narcolepsy, Mild Cataplexy
and Sleep Apnoea

My husband takes 20mg twice daily...........if needed he can adjust that
accordingly. (ie: if he has a function or something where he needs to be
awake things like that)
Peter and Jane A
Moderator/Owner of Narcolepsy_Australia
Peter Diagnosed in 98 with Narcolepsy, Mild Cataplexy
and Sleep Apnoea

Could everyone that is taking Ritalin for Narcolepsy
let me know what their doses are?
Thanks!
Sandi

I'm sure you would love it here we all do.

Let us know if we can be of any help with info or anything else

Peter and Jane A
Moderator/Owner of Narcolepsy_Australia
Peter Diagnosed in 98 with Narcolepsy, Mild Cataplexy
and Sleep Apnoea

Barb,
I take my last dose usually around 3:00. I was told
not to take any after 4:00 or it could keep me from
sleeping. If I were you I would ask for another sleep
study especially when you have other family members
with narcolepsy.
Keep us posted.
Sandi

That is a strange thought about the petti-mal seizures as my husband at first was diagnosed with the same thing.......he was also put on eppilim (sp) which didn't help.........(of course).......

Makes you wonder doesn't it.....!

Peter and Jane A
Moderator/Owner of Narcolepsy_Australia
Peter Diagnosed in 98 with Narcolepsy, Mild Cataplexy
and Sleep Apnoea

I am new here and glad to find such a place to exchange information.
I developed and was diagnosed norcolepsy about 6-7 years ago when I
was about 29. I have all of the typical symtoms to varying degrees
but it is cataplexy that is the most debilitating to me.
I have been on a number of SSRI antidepressants for the cataplexy
and they have done reasonably well in controlling it. They tend to
loose their effectiveness over time and I usually end up increasing
the dosage. When the effective dosage became to high I would then
switch to another.
I am currrently taking Celexa and it has done very well in
controlling the cataplexy with very few side effects. However, I
have problems achieving an orgasm with this medicine. Actually I
think it was worse with some of the others I tried (zoloft and
efexor come to mind.)
This never been a huge problem as I was not in any real long term
relationships. I have been in one for about six months now and this
is really becoming an issue.
I am curious if others have had this problem with one particular AD
but did not have it with another?
I did some reading and found some research that showed Wellbutrin
faired significantly better than other SSRI ADs on this type of
side effect.
I asked my neurologist about switching to it but he said it would
not work since it is not an SSRI. He said that it does not affect
REM sleep like SSRIs and therefore would not be useful for cataplexy.
Is anybody using Wellbutrin specifically for cataplexy? If so, how
effective has it been in controlling cataplexy?
Any input, experience, and suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks!

In a message dated 1/16/02 6:02:43 PM Eastern Standard Time,
rinc@... writes:
Concerta releases a steady stream of the drug all day long. SR Ritalin
releases half of it at one point in time and the other half four hours later
or somethnig.

What is the difference between Concerta and SR Ritalin?
rin

You need to find a new doctor. a sleep test is sufficient to diagnose
narcolepsy. And if your doctor says otherwise, he's trying to sell you more
tests.

Did you all have to get bloodwork done to rule out reasons for your
sleepiness before getting diagnosed with narcolepsy? I've got a massive fear
of blood tests, and I was at a doctor today and she pretty much said unless I
just took the ADHD diagnosis, I'd have to get bloodwork done to rule out a
B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, etc., which is not going to happen. You'd
have better luck getting blood from a stone - at least you could catch it.

Hi there Jake
Well lets talk about the dreams , We all have them and yes they can be
real we think.
To everybody else they do not see what we see
you can see spiders , snakes, and other things.
I have realized that spiders are my eyes playing tricks on me caused by
cataplexy , my eyes are the last to adjust to waking up from cataplexy.
Hearing voices , seeing a shadow on the wall at nite thinking there is
someone in your bedroom and you can't move , can't talk, can't do
anything until you come out of paralasis.

It was a day to remember...
Their Wedding shoot.
At the famous 100-year-old Church of the Annunciation in Pengzhou, China.
Very early morning May 12, photographer Wang went about preparing to shoot
wedding pictures for a young couple, this was the test shot before the shoot...
Pengzhou is located in the Sichuan province. &nbsp;It was morning May 12, 2008.
And then it happened.... the earth quake! 7.8 on the Richter scale.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Bricks fall from the building during the earthquake, which turned Wang from a
wedding photographer into a journalist.
'Thank God we were only shooting from outside the church!' remarked a helper.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The stunned couple huddles together at the church ground during initial tremors.
'I shouted to people, 'Run! Run!'' said photographer Wang Qiang.
'The ground shook and we couldn't see anything in the dust.'
As the dust began to clear, the true extent of damage was only beginning to
appear...
&nbsp;
A cracked facade was all that remained of the 100-year-old Church of the
Annunciation after the quake. Most of the church 'collapsed in 10 seconds,' said
Wang,
who lives in Chengdu, capital of hard-hit Sichuan province.
&nbsp;
Soon after the quake, the people at the seminary set out for a nearby village,
but residents warned them the route was blocked. 'We could still hear
landslides,'
Wang wrote in an online account of the disaster. So they stayed overnight in a
tent and made it to the village the next day, thanks to help from a truck
driver.
A scarf from a wedding dress lies forgotten in front of the seminary.
Wang said he thought the catastrophe would strengthen the bonds of
the couples who were there that day: 'Having gone through a life-and-death test,
they surely will clasp hands and grow old together.'
No one was harmed at the above location.
They'll sure have a Wild story to tell there Children!
&nbsp;
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Hi,
I'm a SCI pat ion, with a damage in L2 level, and by proffesion i'm an engineer,
After 3 years&nbsp;of the accident, now I'm 90% recovered,
but one of my leg is not functioning below&nbsp;knee level ( other leg is 98%
ok)
( i'm walking with using leg caliper)
all othe functions (&nbsp;urine passing, etc. 90% normal, etc.)
As per my neuro surgon, there is a compression still exist in my&nbsp;injured
area of spinal code,
but they are reluctance to correct it by another surgery,
what he instruct me is to satisfy with available conditions and be positive
about the possible future cure by the nature.
So, what i wants to know is, that &nbsp;will&nbsp;&nbsp;a madicine like
sildenafil citrate (Viagra)&nbsp;help me to improve my following&nbsp;problems,
enhance&nbsp;the erectile potential.
urine passing without much pressing,
any improvements to my dis- abled leg
I thought of trying these medicines, because i got experience of littel
improvement of above first two problems after i use of some local herbal
medicins, but those effects were not permanant too.
I attached herewith&nbsp;a abstract of technical paper which discussing about
the use of Viagra as a medicine for your further reference please.
thks
Roh
&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Paramita
The ten perfections or qualities leading to Buddhahood
The words are from 'A Commentary on Similes in the Pali Canon' by Helmuth Hecker
&nbsp;
1 Dana:&nbsp; Generosity&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Just as a pot full of water when turned upside down lets all the liquid run out
and takes none of it back, so the perfection of generosity consists of not
having the slightest thought of remorse over what has been given away, even if
one sacrifices absolutely everything.
&nbsp;
2 Sila:&nbsp; Morality
Just as a yak whose bushy tail is caught somewhere doesn't tear it off violently
but tries to loosen it carefully and, even if that does not help, rather will
die than to tear it off, so the perfection of virtue consists in being always
careful about interconnections with the world and in going without rather than
getting one's own way by force.
3 Nekkhama:&nbsp; Renunciation
Just as one imprisoned in jail does not desire anything more intensely than to
get out of there, so the perfection of renunciation consists in the longing to
get out of the prison of becoming and of having only the wish to get rid of all
that is impermanent.
&nbsp;
4 Pañña:&nbsp; Wisdom
Just as a monk on alms round neglects no house but goes without exception to all
families, so the perfection of wisdom consists in leaving no gaps, leaving
nothing out, and of being prepared to learn from all wise people and those more
advanced, however young they may be.
&nbsp;
5 Viriya:&nbsp; Energy
Just as lions marshal their strength evenly in all their postures, so the
perfection of energy consists in maintaining the battle against one's own drives
in every situation and of proving oneself stronger than they.
&nbsp;
6 Khanti:&nbsp; Patience
Just as the great earth bears even the most disgusting things, so the perfection
of patience consists in accepting slander and every dishonour without
resistance, enduring in letting them pass.
&nbsp;
7 Sacca:&nbsp; Truthfulness
Just as a planet in spite of the turning of the year never strays from its
predetermined orbit, so the perfection of truthfulness consists in not lying
under any circumstances and not moving away from the truth even an inch because
of any kind of advantage; even though one may be threatened with death.
8 Adhitthana:&nbsp; Determination
Just as a mountain stands immobile and firm even in strong winds and it is
impossible to throw over in a storm, so the perfection of resolution consists in
remaining unshakable in one's wholesome determinations and not be distracted by
anything.
&nbsp;
9 Metta:&nbsp; Loving Kindness
Just as rain refreshes both just and unjust persons without discrimination, so
the perfection of love consists in including friends and foes alike and not
making distinctions in any way
&nbsp;
10 Upekkha:&nbsp; Equanimity
Just as the great earth remains unmoved, whether one throws pure or impure
things onto it, so the perfection of equanimity consists in accepting both
misfortunes or the greatest fortunes without repulsion or attraction, but always
evenly tranquil.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Get fish-slapping on Messenger! Play Now
&nbsp;

I'm sorry that you chose to use our group to spread more spam. We get
enough of this already. Bye!
Ray

Good one, Bill, I liked that!
Ray

My husband has developed a strange sexual practice recently," said a woman
to her friend. "He insists on throwing me on the table and making love after
we've finished eating dinner."
"That's not so strange," the friend said
"Oh, no?" said the woman. "Try explaining that to the manager at our local
McDonalds."
A big shot attorney had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. He was a
royal pain to the nurses because he bossed them around just like he did his
staff. None of the hospital staff wanted to have anything to do with him.
The head nurse was the only one who could stand up to him. She came into his
room and announced, "I have to take your temperature." After complaining for
several minutes, he finally settled down, crossed his arms and opened his
mouth.
"No, I'm sorry," the nurse stated, "but for this reading, I can't use an
oral thermometer." This started another round of complaining but eventually
he rolled over and bared his behind.
After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard her announce, "I
have to get something. Now you stay JUST LIKE THAT until I get back!"
She left the door to his room open on her way out. He cursed under his
breath as he heard people walking past his door, laughing.
After a half hour, the man's doctor came into the room.
"What's going on here?" asked the doctor.
Angrily, the man answered, "What's the matter, Doc? Haven't you ever seen
someone having their temperature taken?"
After a pause, the doctor confessed.....
"Not with a carnation."

FOR PEOPLE WITH SCI
http://wheelchairnation.ning.com/

A Catholic priest and a rabbi were chatting one day when the conversation
turned to a discussion of job descriptions and promotions.
"What do you have to look forward to in terms of being promoted?" asked the
rabbi.
"Well, I'm next in line for the Monsignor's job," replied the priest.
"Yes, and then what?" asked the rabbi.
"Well, next I can become a bishop."
"Yes, and then?"
"If I work real hard and do a good job as bishop, it's possible for me to
become an archbishop."
"OK, then what?"
Exasperated, the priest replied, "With some luck and real hard work, maybe I
can become a cardinal."
"And then?"
Growing angry, the priest responded, "Well, with lots and lots of luck and
some real difficult work, if I'm in the right places at the right times and
play my political games just right, maybe, just maybe, I can get elected
Pope."
"Yes, and then what?"
"Good grief!" shouted the priest. "What do you expect me to become, GOD?"
"Well," responded the rabbi, "One of our boys is."
Two Strings In A Restaurant
Two strings were walking downtown past a ritzy restaurant and one said
to the other lets go in. The other string said, "But it says on the
door they don't serve strings", the other string said "Lets do it
anyway". So they did.
They were barely seated when the hostess came to their table, she said
"We definitely do not serve strings, please leave." So they did.
When they got outside one string said, "I bet I could fool her, she
will never know I'm a string." So he pulled his string at the top and
tied it in a big knot then he took the end of it and frayed it out
into a spread of bangs in the front. "She will never know me now,"
said the string and he went back into the place, seated himself and
the hostess came over glaring at him. "Aren't YOU the string I just
threw out of here?" she queried and the string said "I'm afrayed knot."
A butcher just out of trade school, applies for and gets a job in the
great Northwest (Washington state), skinning and cutting up the kills of local
hunters. The first job he gets is to cut up a moose to put in the freezer. He
finally gets the moose cut up and is putting it into bags and marking them with
the contents - chops, rump steak, ribs, sirloin, etc. When he finishes with the
stuff he knows, he is left with a pile of unidentifiable parts.
At a loss as to what to do with them, he finally puts them all into one bag and
labels them......moosellanious.
Hanging in the hallway at one high school are the basketball team pictures
from the past 40 years. A player in the center of the front row in each
picture holds a basketball identifying the year -- "62-63," "63-64,"
"64-65," etc.
One day a new student was looking at the pictures and was heard to muse,
"Isn't it strange how our teams always lost by one point?"

Moth inspector
A man walks in his room after work and is suprised to find his wife lying naked
on the
bed.
After careful examination he spies a pair of bare feet sticking out from
underneath the
curtains.
He rips open the blinds to find a naked man standing there.
'Who the hell are you?' he yells.
The naked guy replies 'I'm the moth inspector'
'Oh yeah! what are you doing naked?'
He looks down and exclaims 'Oh my god! I'm too late!'
Good news and bad news....
A doctor enters into a patient's room and informs the patient that he has good
news and
bad news.
He then asks the patient which news he would like to hear.
The patient responds, "Doctor, give me the good news."
The doctor says, "Well we are gonna name a disease after you."
Adam and Eve had it good
Q. Why were Adam and Eve the happiest couple that's ever lived?
A. Because they didn't have in-laws!
What would you like to hear?
3 buddies die in a car crash, they go to an orientation in Heaven.
They are all asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are
mourning
upon you, what would you like to hear them say about you?"
The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor of
my time, and
a great family man."
The second guy says, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and
school
teacher which made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow."
The last guy replies, "I would like to hear them say, 'LOOK! HE'S MOVING!!'"
Kid's Prayer
A four-year-old girl was learning to say the Lord's Prayer. She was reciting it
all by herself
without help from her mother.
She said, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some e-mail."

Oh gee - I just had a good look at the website for the list and I
finally figured out that the sci in the middle of the list name is for
spinal cord injury.
Well I am in a wheelchair for damaged muscle reasons (MEN-1 syndrome
involving carcinoid tumors making hormones that break down the body) and
a kidney defect issue - but not sci so I guess that means this group
does not want the likes of me. However - can anyone please suggest a
less restrictive wheelchair chat group where I might fit in better?
I'd really like to chat to others who live on wheels and have wheelie
type issues. My intrusion on sci is inadvertent - I did not realize it
is restricted to sci wheelers.
Namaste,
Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

Hi all, hope your Christmas time off was good for you if you were able to get it
off.
Everything here went very well. Our family live close and had no bad weather to
fight to
get together.
I have no plans for anything to do on new years and was wondering if you might
be doing
something interesting? It will be another weird week with the 1st being on a
Tuesday. Had
to remember that today is Wednesday a couple of times today.
Hope all is well with you all! Enjoy what's left of this week.
Bill

Hello everyone,
I joined this group a little while ago and had not got around to writing
an intro. SO here goes:
I'm kinda new to wheelchairs, as I was still 6 foot 2 a year ago and it
is quite an adjustment suddenly being closer to 4 foot. I'm on my third
manual wheelchair as the idiot doctor I had at the time (whom I saw once
after the nice one left town) decided I did not need one. His nonsense
on my medical report continues to prevent me from getting help in many
ways - a story for another day. I wish I'd got a chair two years before
that even, when my doctor at the time suggested it. For some reason I
have this stubborn streak. Live and learn streak?
But now I get around and see stuff I did not before - can go shopping
and actually browse and can see a movie, go some place that has no
motorized wheels and and and....
Meantime I bought the cheapest chair on the internet - and after 3
months I thought a wheel was out of adjustment of some minor thing..
Well, the frame had cracked through and broke at the left axle,
thankfully spotted by a wheelchair mechanic no doubt seconds before I
could have been dumped unceremoniously on my guava!
So there I was minus "legs" at the wheelchair store, and none my size
available. Long story short - I was "grounded" a week while I
rush-ordered a tougher model and got the original one replaced under
warranty as a spare (it broke the day after and had to be replaced
again!) - as no way was I gong to be "grounded' again.
Why is it that nobody has yet figured out how to make a wheelchair go
straight? How come the casters are programmed to run me off int he ditch
or sideways down the sidewalk into the traffic - or is it just that
chairs come with built in suicide attempts?
I would have thought that since we can fly to the moon (according to a
rumour I heard some time back) we should be able to do something so
simple as put some kind of mechanism on the casters so a wheelchair can
track straight during the majority of the time when you are not WANTING
to turn somewhere. Maybe we need the Shrub types in a chair to get
things upgraded a bit. Do you have people on your list of "Needs to be
confined to a wheelchair for a week or so"?
I could keep my spare chair busy for quite a while with my list:-)
Hey on the good side here in frozen Spokane - I am VERY happy on the
ice. It is so polite about it - freezes absolutely flat if there's
enough of it to make a lake (and my puddle is enough out front to claim
I live in the lake district) no sideways downhills on ice sheets, and
slick and easy to move along, not like the red ten inch deep carpets in
the malls here for Xmas - gee you get stuck in them almost as bad as the
neighbour's unshovelled walks. I never fell once yet on the ice, unlike
those standing types :-))
Course the bottom of my steep ramp is a rockery..... now I know how some
people get rocks in their head.
I hope that everyone here is having a great Holdiay season and that
doors are opening in all ways for you and that slick areas are available
for smooth progress!
Good Health and Happiness!
Namaste,
Irene
--
Irene de Villiers, B.Sc AASCA MCSSA D.I.Hom/D.Vet.Hom.
P.O. Box 4703 Spokane WA 99220.
www.angelfire.com/fl/furryboots/clickhere.html (Veterinary Homeopath.)
"Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt one doing it."

Just wanted to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and all the best as we begin
a new
year. Take care and enjoy the reason for celebrating this season.
Bill

Wheelchair Nation ~ Because no one should cope with a spinal cord
injury alone. ~ www.wheelchairnation.com

I'm glad that you are enjoying having family around. Sure sounds like Natas
might be your
little cowboy. Glad that you get to enjoy your hobby as well. Sounds like life
has and is
being good to you.
We are getting ready for the 4th, a cookout and fireworks is in the plans.
Sounds like it is
going to be hot again this year, in the 90's. Yuck!!!! At least it has rained so
no worry
about setting the countryside on fire. Hope you have a safe 4th!
Bill

Hi everyone, another extended weekend. Its been another weird spring as far as
temps go.
We ran the heater one time and then the air conditioner the next time. We have
been
getting a little rain but could use a good soaking rain pretty soon. Most of the
crops are
planted and once again we are surrounded by a corn field. 3 years running I
believe. The
hummingbirds are sure fun to watch. I've been pretty busy at wok but that has
slowed
down as I worked only one day this week. That's the way it goes where I work, a
lot of
seasonal work that goes with advertising. We actually have a new client in
Southern
Colorado.
I hope you all are doing well and enjoy this extended weekend!
Bill

OK,so I had to bring his mom and dad here too, lol.
They have been here less than two weeks and I had Natas on his poney
two times. Last August when they came out to visit Natas was scared
of Strawberry, this year he jumped right on him and rode every where!
Loved it! MaMa actually got to get on Tokia a while. Natas rode
Strawberry his own shetland poney to the swing set then rode him back.
(i was goofing up alittle,not used to the grandson here yet, kept
calling him Mart......thats Natas' dad.) Sometimes it's like Martin
never grew up yet....uh oh senile??? naaaaa, just takes time, been a
grandma 3 years and never got to play with him, except a short time
last year. Before he went to the ranch this last timeI took Natas to
the Cowboy store and got him out fitted with a hat and cowboy boots.
Martin, my son,never got into the horse thing, so I guess I'm hoping
Natas, the grandson might love horses if I get him a poney and run him
out to "uncle Joe's".
Time will tell if he ends up being a cowboy,got my fingers crossed.
Oh haven't done much more than drive around Pueblo so far, dad and mom
want to take the mountains slowly.
wind

Sorry, no help from me. Never rode very much in my life and when I did it was
when I was
a little boy. I even think I fell off the last time I rode a horse. Depending on
how far you
live from the ranch maybe doing it on the horse is the best course of action. If
you want to
try something at home maybe you could saddle up your husband for a little
action? Just a
suggestion mind you! lol... Hope all else is going well for you.
Bill

Have fun with this one..it's cute
No cheating. Pick your cake, then look to see.
Take this cake personality test, then send this e-mail on to others. When you
send this e-mail on, put your cake in the subject box above. Also, send it back
to the person who sent it to you!
If you were buying a cake and you had your choice of the following which would
you choose?
Angel food
Brownies
Lemon Meringue
Vanilla with Choc. Icing
Strawberry Short Cake
Chocolate on Chocolate
Ice Cream
Carrot Cake
OK - Now that you've made your choice, this is what research says about You!
NO....you can't change your mind once you scroll down!
So think carefully, what your choice will be!!! You do not have to mark it.
Angel food ... Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm fuzzy items. A little
nutty. Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of theday.
Brownies... You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of underdogs and
a slayer of dragons. When tempers flare up, you whip out your saber.
Lemon Meringue... Smooth, sexy, &articulate with your hands, you are an
excellent after-dinner speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and
chew gum at the same time.
Vanilla with Choc. Icing ... Fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Everyone enjoys being
around you, but you are a practical joker. Others should be cautious in shaking
hands, however, you are a friend for life.
Strawberry Short Cake... Romantic, warm, loving. You care about otherpeople and
can be counted on in a pinch. You tend to melt.
Chocolate on Chocolate ... Sexy, always ready to give and receive, Very
energetic, and really likes to get into life. The opposite sex is always
attracted to you.
Ice Cream... You like sports, whether baseball, football, basketball, or soccer.
If you could, you would like to participate, but enjoy watching sports. You
don't like to give up the remote control.
Carrot Cake... You are a very fun loving person, who likes to Laugh. You are fun
to be with. People like to hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted
person.

Last couple of weeks I have been getting up on Tokia's
(my filly's) saddle. Yesterday I got my Joe to come along and take a
video of me finally riding Tokia!
I actually broke her myself, without all the bucking and kicking
nonsense. Been keeping her on the hitching post and just getting on
her over and over. Yesterday I unsnapped the lead rope from the
hitching post. I could turn her, kinda and back her up. She learned
that from the ground work we have been doing the last two years.
Kicking her did apsolutly nothing, she had no idea what to do either.
Rancher Joe lead her around. I would kick her a little and he would
walk her. Did use a little whip to tap her back side. But she got
the hang of it gradually.
No photos to go with it but I did post a picture of me sitting on
Tokia the week before. (in the winds pictures) Ok, my Joe thinks I
should add that I did land on the ground once. But that was my fault
because I'm a beginner rider riding a beginner broke horse :) lol. I
think something flew by and spooked her and she jumped sideways,put
her head down and bounced a couple times. I was caught off guard
holding the reins like you would a plow horse, (one rein in each hand)
and I forgot to grab the saddle horn or pull her head back up. Oops
my bad,lol.
But no harm done,I landed partly on her and on the fence made of tree
branches that had some give to them. It didn't even feel like a hard
landing. I got right back on her and we continued practicing. Then
Rancher Joe decided I was taking to long getting in the saddle and
showed me how to jump into the stirrup. I don't seem to have to much
bounce anymore, so at home i have to find something to practice on.
maybe jump rope and do stretching. After he fixed the stirrups so
they fit my short legs i cant get in the saddle very good.
Any suggestions from a horse person??? I need to figure out a way to
practice getting in the saddle at home, strengthen my legs.....without
a saddle....hummm thinking a step but nothings high enough around our
place.

http://www.hotwheelwomen.com

Nice site, Madonna.
Interesting, though disappointing, to read of your parking ticket
fiasco. Ever see that story "The Obituary of Common Sense"? Your story
brought it back to mind.
Good luck to you.
Ray

What a neat picture. It sure looks like you were up in the air when you took
this one.
Congrats to you for your one year anniversary! I hope that you get to experience
many
more of those. I guess it would have been a super surprise that a colt showed up
when you
didn't know she was even carrying one. Sounds like a pretty colt at that. We
have been in a
deep freeze for a month at least now with temps in the low single digits and
highs in the
teens. We just got 4 or 5 inches of snow and some high winds that blew it around
quite a
bit. School was canceled for 2 days because of it. Hope all is going well for
you, Joe and
your horses. Take care!
Bill

Been one whole year since Joe andIgot married, here is a picture of the
Stratosphere, supposed to be the highest building west of the
Mississippi!!! I think the Sears tower has it beet but it was an
awesome experience for me a (former) Scardie cat ofheights LOL.
Wind

Tokia's grandmother just had a beautiful baby girl yesterday afternoon,
she is black with white socks on her hind feet!!!
We didn't even know she was expecting, because all of the horses are
fat and sassy this winter playing inthe deep snow in the mountains.
Firefly keeps a secret so well, wow!
Hope to have some baby filly pictures later this week if the weather
holds :).
Hope everyone out there is having just as nice as awinter as we are
having in Colorado!
Wind

Nice update, Karen. Thank you.
I'm glad things are going well in your life and you are in the
position of not having to work if you don't want to. It's a great
feeling, isn't it?
Soon I'll try to get some new pictures uploaded; I've taken a lot
lately.
Ray

sure has been quiet lately... now that summer's over, maybe we'll all
have more time to log in and post updates.
Ray

Madonna, please contact people directly with info on stuff for sale;
we'd prefer to keep spam off the group's regular pages.
And, btw, I'm great and I hope you are too. Thanks for asking.

HI everyone, How are you. hope you are great.. If any of you need
medical supplies Email me. My friend a Para too owns a company. I have
got my supplies from her for year.s Thank You Madonna

Hello everyone, how's it a going with any of you? I've been doing well but am
getting tired
of paying for gas. Especially with my van as it only gets 9 miles to the gallon.
I pay at least
$50 every time I get gas. I'm glad that my air conditioner if fixed on my van as
it's still hot
and dry around here. The field corn started tasseling last Sunday and dad said
he has
never seen corn do that this early. We used to say that corn was doing well if
it was knee
high by the 4th of July. It hasn't been that way for a long time now. Seems
like farming is
nothing like it used to be time wise with crops being way ahead of schedule. The
environment around us is changed also. We haven't seen a cold and snowy winter
for
some time now. The rain is different now too. We used to have wide bands of rain
that
cover several miles at a time and now your lucky to have the same amount of rain
on
either end of a mile long field. Makes me wonder where the future is headed as
far as the
climate is concerned.
Enough of that, does anyone have any big plans for the 4th? We are having our
annual
cookout and fireworks here at the house. We are expecting about the same number
of
people as last year. It should be a good time for all. I hope that you all can
spend time with
family and friends on the 4th and enjoy each other company! Take care and have a
great
week.
Bill

THE PLANE IS ON ITS WAY TO HOUSTON WHEN A BLONDE IN ECONOMY CLASS GETS
UP AND MOVES TO THE FIRST CLASS SECTION AND SITS DOWN. THE FLIGHT
ATTENDANT WATCHES HER DO THIS AND ASKS TO SEE HER TICKET. SHE THEN
TELLS THE BLONDE THAT SHE PAID FOR ECONOMY CLASS AND THAT SHE WILL
HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK.
THE BLONDE REPLIES, "I'M BLOND, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M GOING TO HOUSTON
AND I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE."
THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT GOES INTO THE COCKPIT AND TELLS THE PILOT AND THE
CO-PILOT THAT THERE IS A BLONDE SITTING IN FIRST CLASS THAT BELONGS IN
ECONOMY AND WON'T MOVE BACK TO HER SEAT.
THE CO-PILOT GOES BACK TO THE BLONDE AND TRIES TO EXPLAIN THAT BECAUSE
SHE ONLY PAID FOR ECONOMY SHE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE AND RETURN TO HER SEAT.
THE BLONDE REPLIES, "I'M BLONDE, I'M BEAUTIFUL, I'M GOING TO HOUSTON
AND I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE."
THE CO-PILOT TELLS THE PILOT THAT HE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE THE POLICE
WAITING WHEN THEY LAND TO ARREST THIS BLONDE WOMAN WHO WON'T LISTEN TO
REASON.
THE PILOT SAYS, "YOU SAY SHE IS A BLONDE? I'LL HANDLE THIS.
I'M MARRIED TO A BLONDE. I SPEAK BLONDE."
HE GOES BACK TO THE BLONDE AND WHISPERS IN HER EAR, AND SHE SAYS, "OH,
I'M SORRY."
AND SHE GETS UP AND GOES BACK TO HER SEAT IN ECONOMY. THE
FLIGHT ATTENDANT AND CO-PILOT ARE AMAZED AND ASKED HIM WHAT HE SAID TO
MAKE HER MOVE WITHOUT ANY FUSS. I TOLD HER, "FIRST CLASS ISN'T GOING
TO HOUSTON."

Hey Karen, that was a good one too. I've been working quite a bit lately which
is good and
bad as the air conditioning is not working and they are in the process of
getting bids to
replace it. I was supposed to call late today and see about Monday and it seems
they quit
early as no one answered the phone when I called, no big deal. We have been
missing the
rain showers and are extremely dry for this time of year. The yard looks like it
August
instead of June. I wish that I could get a new van with gas prices as high as
they are. One
time I put $70 worth and the lowest is usually $50 a week or more. When I
started out
looking for a van I thought I'd like the room a full size van offered but would
like the
economy a mini size van would give me now. I'm just enjoying the cool indoors
and am
working when needed. Hope you have a great weekend! Take care,
Bill

That's a good one....I've always been "wind"y LOLOLOLOLOL
Awesome to hear from you again.....been a loooong time....how have you
been? I've been really good....
Ever notice how live runs in cycles? you're on top of the world and
nothing can slow you down, then in an instant sometimes life crashes
in all around you and it looks like there is no way out and its hard
to even get out of bed...then sometimes one little thing happns and
everything is great.
:)

What do you call 10 blondes lined up side by side?
Scroll down
A wind tunnel:)

anyone know any blonde jokes.....I'm a natural blonde now.....
:)
dizzy blonde wind....wind is swirling around....
whooooooossssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I sure have a wonderful life since moving to Colorado. Even my life
with Digger is without regrets...everything I dreamed of all my life
has come true....its mind boggling sometimes...hard to immagine why
God is being so good to me at this time in my life....my beautiful
poney is a yearling and looks just like her daddy...the ocean is like
the great lakes but the waves are different, i can see them curl over
and can immagine people out catching one with a surf board....the
water was like ice and people comb the beaches real early in the
morning and pick up all the sea shells and sell them....what a cool
idea.....joe got me a big bag of them and they were already washed up
and really neet...
odd.....when i get old and senile i wonder what part of my life i'll
look back on and remember...or live my life in....lots of people
relive their past as there kids, i think i will relive right now this
time of my life.....hummmmm
(the blonde....wind)
Giggle....he he

Wow, Monarch Pass, Vegas, California .... is there no end to the
surprises you come up with?? I'm glad you get to do so much
traveling. I know how much you used to say you wanted to see the west
coast. And now you have. Sounds like your life is just one big bowl
of cherries right now. I sure hope you continue to enjoy it so much.
:)
Raymond

(sticking tongue out.....)
I finally found out this winter what christmas trees in palm tree
climates look like.....they spiral the lights all the way up to the
palm part of the tree....its beautiful!
And they cheat by using a crane looking thing with a bucket to put the
lights up with. Joe wants to live there sort of, but has kids and a
house in colorado that need him around. (he is letting me paint a
mural on the one end of the house, i'll post it when I get it done)
wind

This was originally sent by a retired Coca Cola executive. It came from one of
his engineer buddies who retired from Halliburton. It ' s worth your
consideration.
Join the resistance!!!! I hear we are going to hit close to $4.00 a gallon by
next summer and it might go higher!! Want gasoline prices to come down? We need
to take some intelligent, united action. Phillip Hollsworth offered this good
idea.
This makes MUCH MORE SENSE than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" campaign
that was going around last April or May! The oil companies just laughed at that
because they knew we wouldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy
gas. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them.
BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can really work.
Please read on and join with us! By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced
at about $1.50 is super cheap. Me too! It is currently $2.79 for regular
unleaded in my town. Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have
conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at $1.50 -
$1.75, we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the
marketplace..... not sellers. With the price of gasoline going up more each day,
we consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of
gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook by not purchasing their
gas! And, we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How? Since we all rely on
our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices
if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON'T purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest
companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are not selling any gas,
they will be inclined to reduce their prices. If they reduce their prices, the
other companies will have to follow suit.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil
gas buyers. It's really simple to do! Now, don't wimp out at this point....
keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is to reach millions of people.
I am sending this note to 30 people. If each of us sends it to at least ten more
(30 x 10 =3D 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 =3D
3,000)...and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth group of people,
we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers. If those three million get
excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then 30 million people will have
been contacted! If it goes one level further, you guessed it..... THREE
Again, all you have to do is send this to 10 people. That's all. (If you don't
understand how we can reach 300 million and all you have to do is send this to
10 people.... Well, let's face it, you just aren't a mathematician. But I am, so
trust me on this one.)
How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-mail out to ten more
people within one day of receipt, all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be
contacted within the next 8 days!!!
I'll bet you didn't think you and I had that much potential, did you?
Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please
pass this message on. I suggest that we not buy from EXXON/MOBIL UNTIL THEY
LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE $1.30 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN.
THIS CAN REALLY WORK.

Ahhh spring.......means more warm weather.
LOL.....winter in colorado is warm most the time in the day and cold
at night....now spring is coming and the trees are getting green again
and its warm in the day and will be nicer at night.....
wind

Guess it tells you that I was true to my name.....why you think they
call me wind....LOL.
Married life sure is nice...he gives me little kisses out of the blue
for no reason at all while we're watching tv....hugs me in church and
holds my hand....all kinds of nice little things that don't mean much
to most people. And we have been traveling all over.
Hold onto your hat.....I drove over Monarck pass in a blinding snow
storn about a week and a half ago, almost two weeks ago and we had a
hitchhiker in the car with us and neither Joe or the hitchhiker got
hyper at all cause I was calm....Joe video taped it all the way over
the pass LOL.....then we dropped the guy off in Gunnison and drove on
to Vegas spend a few days with the kids and then spent the night at
his daughters (Caryn) and her hubby and Caryn and their daughter
Natalie drove me and dad to the ocean. Yup California.....
I waded in the freezing cold ocean and loved every second....i didn't
get to pick up sea shells because the gift shops are out to early and
get them all to sell ..... LOL......but Joe bought me a big bag of sea
shells....really beautiful ones.
Never in my wildest dreams expected to go to california....
Oh, Tokia my yearling pony has a little sister, she is a very spotted
appaloosa...and was born a couple weeks ago.....Next weekend i'm
heading over to meet her. So far she doesn't have a name....
Life is good......don't anyone tell you dreams are foolish.....my life
has never been better since i went for mine.....
wind

Sure has been quiet in here since Wind got married... what does THAT
tell you ???? LOL

some pretty good ones in there. :)

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony
wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but
don't start anything."
3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.
4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.
5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A
beer please, and one for the road."
6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste
funny to you?"
7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'" "That
sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" Well, "It's Not Unusual."
8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly,
"I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says
Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.
9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to
look at either.
10. DejaMoo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find
any.
12. A man woke up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouted,
"Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!" The doctor replied, "I know you
can't - I've cut off your arms!"
13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.
14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says
"Dam!".
16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the
craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your
kayak and heat it too.
17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in
the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour,
the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But
why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because", he said, "I can't stand
chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a
family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain;
they name him "Juan." Year's later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his
birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she
wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're
twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which
produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little
which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad
breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good)..... A super
calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his
friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh.
No pun in ten did.
To join my groups:

Hey folks,
I thought my fellow SCI'S would be interested in:
New Mobility Magazine
http://newmobility.com/
and
Some Bible studies I give by email called:
These Last Days
Go here, email Chris and the ask for Troy (me) to be your instructor:
http://www.geocities.com/barabbas_ii/guides.htm
God bless,
Troy

This message doesn't seem to fit here.
I followed his advice and googled him ... found out he's been
sending out this same message, or similar ones, since 1982.
Persistent little bugger, ain't he?
Ray

This message is about Human beings, Democracy, UNHCR, Refugees, The Iraqis,
Islam, Kurds, Human rights, Respect, Money, Donations, Angelina Jolie,
Pavarotti, Giorgio Armani, Donors, Peace, History, Campaigns and about you if
you care about these words.
Hi there,
I am SAM, an Iraqi refugee living in Lebanon at the moment; I have spent the
last 10 years of my life as a refugee registered with the UNHCR in Beirut. The
last 4 years, I have spent as an activist for peace and human rights (especially
refugees and asylum seekers) on the Internet; I'm also books author and ebooks
publisher. I have launched many campaigns to improve our situation as refugees
in Lebanon and hopefully bring more understanding to our problems worldwide. I
helped make many changes and improvements at the UNHCR office in Beirut; I used
the Internet as the field for my activities (you can read more about that in my
free ebook 'MY CAMPAIGNS'). All my ebooks are free and could be download from my
sites.
This is my newest campaign, it's about the illegal and humiliating actions of
the UNHCR, who using photos of refugees as banners and human-buttons to collect
money. This is an abuse of the dignity and humanity of the refugees and must
stop immediately and a clear public apology present by The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees. My friends, I am talking about the pictures you can
see here: http://dazzled.com/unhcrlebanon/human-buttons.htm
Where you can read the rest of this message as web page.
Also you can read my new campaign 'Urgent, we need smile' here:
http://unhcrlebanon.fcpages.com/smile.html
For more info about UNHCR and life of refugees you can read my free ebooks. I
invite you as fellow humans and members of the world community to support my
campaign by reading my article on my site and see the human-buttons. The
campaign is to support and improve the UNHCR http://www.unhcr.ch especially
after the last scandals in the UN and UNHCR, just for example: The refugees
allege that UNHCR staff is selling most of the food items they are supposed to
be supplied.
"They aren't supplying sufficient food to us because they sell most of the food
items," they allege: http://allafrica.com/stories/200503140214.html
Here is another example: Burmese Refugees Withdraw Protest Against UNHCR
http://www.mizzima.com/archives/news-in-2005/news-in-april/12-April05-22.htm
"We make demonstration and fast because the UNHCR office in Cairo did nothing
for our problem..." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4440730.stm
Together we will build better world.
You could reach me fast via this form:
http://megaone.com/unhcrlebanon/email_me.htm
and if you like to know more about me, you can google for my name 'osam
altaee'.
Thanks
THE TRUTH WARRIOR
http://unhcrlebanon.00pro.com

How To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity 1) At lunch time, sit in your parked
car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow
down. 2) Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice. 3)
Insist that your e mail address is: Xena-Warrior-Princess@... ....or
Elvis-the-King@... 4) Every time someone asks you to do
something, ask if they want fries with that. 5) Put your garbage can on your
desk and label it "IN." 6) Pretend an unnatural fear of staplers. 7) Put
decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their
caffeine addictions, switch to espresso. 8) In the memo field of all your
checks, write "FOR SEXUAL FAVORS". 9) Finish all your sentences with "In
accordance with the prophecy." 10) Don't use any punctuation 11) As often as
possible, skip rather than walk. 12) Ask people what sex they are. Laugh
hysterically after they answer. 13) Specify that your drive-through
order is "to go." 14) Sing along at the opera. 15) Go to a poetry recital
and ask why the poems don't rhyme. 16) Put mosquito netting around your
cubicle. Play a tape of jungle sounds all day. 17) Five days in advance, tell
your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood. 18)
Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard. 19) When
the money comes out of the ATM, scream"I Won!", "I Won!" 3rd time this week!!!"
20) When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run
for your lives, they're loose!" 21) Tell your children over dinner, "Due to
the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go." 22) Send this e-mail
to everyone in your address book, even if they sent it to you or have asked you
not to send them stuff like this.
To join my groups: