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    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

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  1. L

    How I improved from very severe to moderate in 14 days

    Well, @MartinK, you've confirmed my beliefs also. That being that a mental ward isn't exactly the worst place in the world for us to end up. I've been in two, and each time I came out feeling OK, like I had climbed some mountain. They weren't horrible experiences at all....frightening a...
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    Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride (Sudafed) Positive effects

    I would expect that Mg. and Vit. B-12 are also helping in a big way. I don't know the answer to Vit. D.....but many other vitamins, enzymes, etc., can't be absorbed by the body in huge amounts. In other words, the remainder is excreted. You may want to check this out. Anyway, I have severe...
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    Need help with Mattress saga

    Here it is ?? years later and I'm still not satisfied. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have a king sized bed with twin mattresses. It's mechanical, for better or worse. My husband has the other side. Unfortunately, even with all of my aches and pains during the hunt for a new mattress, I...
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    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Love.'

    Hello Sunshine.....You're having a bad time of things and I don't have any words that may help you that I haven't already said. Be tenacious, hold on and know that there is a whole world out there that none of us know about now. You aren't alone, trust me. You're doing your best and I give...
    • lenora
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  5. L

    Balooning Waist size Help

    Hi Strawberry......I think menopause is a big factor only b/c I began mine at age 40 (slightly before) and was OKwith weight (at least it would come and GO), until I stumbled into my 70's. I was still having most symptoms of menopause and then I started gaining weight around my waist. The...
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    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Not Exactly an Emergency / The Beat Heat Manifesto'

    Hi Howard.....I hope you're feeling better, safer and "just right" (temp. wise) as I write this. At least that little ordeal is behind you and the door didn't fall on anyone's head or car. Wooden doors look nice, but are prone to all sorts of problems. Yesterday, I happened to be reading...
    • lenora
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  7. L

    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Nobody's Coming'

    I agree that most doctors haven't helped us, but many of us (myself included) have more than one illness. This makes help even harder than it was. Each specialist deals with his/her own specialty. A well-rounded Internist is even hard to find....medicine has changed dramatically since the...
    • lenora
    • Blog entry comment
  8. L

    Balooning Waist size Help

    I hope that I didn't already write this. I checked into waist and upper abdominal weight gain as much as possible. Believe it or not, the biggest reason is menopause...the years after that are a feast for fat cells. I feel lucky that it didn't really hit me until I was over 70, but no, that...
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    Shingles, Antivirals, and More

    Hi Hap.....I had six attacks of shingles one right after the other, before the antivirals were really used. Surprisingly, many doctors didn't even recognize it as shingles as they had never seen a case (or more likely, recognized one). My neurologist did and I took lysine every few hrs. to...
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    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Not Exactly an Emergency / The Beat Heat Manifesto'

    Hi Howard....I thought you had a wooden garage door, but the picture with the window has thrown me. If that's the case, it's a metal door. You can get them without windows (may be cooler, I don't know), and the metal ones are so much better than the wooden ones; cheaper, too. Mind you, I...
    • lenora
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  11. L

    Extremely chapped lips

    Yes, please thank your wife. Sharing the recipe was most kind. I do hope both of you with have big health improvements. Yours, Lenora
  12. L

    ME/CFS Doctors and Specialists

    I agree with @ Blazer95. I've been the victim of multiple diagnoses for years now. One right after the other. OK, my fine and caring neurologist died 4 mos. ago. I still miss him, but I did find a replacement. Not great the first visit, but on my second we established a cordial...
  13. L

    Extremely chapped lips

    Hi @Nord....When are you and your wife leaving for your train trip? I hope all will go will and you'll both return ready for a better season. Yes, the changes in weather have been difficult this year. Mine will start as much as 2 days or more in advance, and it's getting tiring and painful...
  14. L

    ME/CFS and the UK Post office scandal.!!

    What is the scandal? I've never heard anything about it. Sorry that you're both affected. Yours, Lenora
  15. L

    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    Good news @sunshine44. Doesn't having a kind doctor make all the difference in the world. I encountered great kindness from mine today, also. My third visit, a cardiologist and quite young. Upfront he told me that I have to have another stent (my 8th) and another test to confirm exactly...
    • lenora
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  16. L

    I've been here for 30 years.

    @Booble.....Yes, I try to ignore the way I feel in the morning. Get up and start singing anything happy. It makes me feel better. I seldom get dressed now, but have a lot of caftans, etc., that are pretty looking. With make-up on (little) and a smile, I'm ready to face the day. Of course if...
  17. L

    Landmark Study Confirms Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is 'Unambiguously Biological'

    Personally, I believe that the mind are body are one. It may not seem it, but it does exist. How can it not? All things considered, we're human beings....there is no major division between mind and body. Whether it's inside or outside influences, we're affected. Some more than others...
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    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    You know, one of the times I was in the hospital feeling my worst, a couple of angels really, really helped. One was male and a nurse and he gave me the biggest hug in the world. No, it had nothing to do with sex, but something (anesthetic) had driven me a little crazy and I was screaming and...
    • lenora
    • Blog entry comment
  19. L

    My weird scalp problem

    hi Judee......I also can't wear my hair in an updo or with any bobby pins, clips or anything that may cause irritatiion. It hurts and like you said, it hurts after we've tried to put it up. I'm wondering if alternate hot and cold water may help with some of your pain. It does mine, but of...
  20. L

    My weird scalp problem

    By crowning I mean that you weren't in the proper position to be born. Sometimes even forceps can cause problems. Birth is by no means carefree. In most cases (and please let me stress MOST) things are fine, but it can happen. If your mother is alive, ask her exactly what the problems...
  21. L

    Mast cell activation syndrome is not what it seems

    Just be careful of too much charcoal as it can also absorb anything in its path....meds, vitamins, supplements, etc. I believe that if you wait 45 min. before taking the charcoal and a med, say, that it's enough time to separate the problem. Still, I'd really check it out. I use it very...
  22. L

    Rotating symptoms again..

    I think I'd be inclined to not add anything to what you're taking, slowly stop what you're on and just see what happens to your body. I wouldn't change your diet, but would eat highly nourishing food. No snacking on junk food....your body and mind both need help. Sorry, I don't have any other...
  23. L

    What kind of doctor could help with nervous system disorder?

    Yes, craniosacral therapy is good and should always be gentle. There should be no "clicking of the neck," as there are others ways of gently accomplishing the same thing. It's a gentle therapy done in a quiet environment. It's not as harsh as chiropractic adjustments and while there may be...
  24. L

    My weird scalp problem

    Hi @Dysfunkion.....I wonder if you had damage to your head (nerves) when you were born. Perhaps you didn't crown properly, or there was a new or even incompetent person delivering you. I'm only saying that because you mention that you've had it "for as long as I (you) can remember. Just a...
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    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    Hello Everyone.....Judee, I have a question that I hope you may have the answer for. I'm on meds (and I'm sure others may also be on some) that prohibit the use of grapefruit I did try to find an answer to the questions of whether or not grapefruit seed extract could be used with something...
    • lenora
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  26. L

    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    Hello @sunshine44. I'm sorry that you don't have an Advocate per se, but may I suggest that you ask to see a minister, priest, rabbi, whoever happens to be able to come? Tell them your story and see if they can be of help. I'm not saying it will work...but also ask someone from that...
    • lenora
    • Blog entry comment
  27. L

    Thoughts on Suicide — A Dream Experience

    Personally I think those who believe what they've believed since childhood are fortunate, in many ways. I'd like to be that person, but my experiences have led me elsewhere. Still, when all is said and done, it's the music of my childhood, the remembrance of the people involved and some of the...
  28. L

    Thoughts on Suicide — A Dream Experience

    I, for one, am not certain of anything. I was raised in a mainstream religion (well, two of them) and I always loved the "feeling" of those days. I do not go to church today....but I feel strongly that children should be brought up in some religion. Whether they believe it or not is their...
  29. L

    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    @sunshine44....It occurred to me that rubbing Vick's into your throat and on your chest may help give you some relief. The fumes are often good for us. If you don't want to do that, perhaps a vaporizer with Vick's liquid may help. I'm truly sorry that you're suffering this way. Yours...
    • lenora
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  30. L

    Comment by 'lenora' in 'Pray'

    Hello @sunshine44.....I'm sorry to hear that you've been having a bad time (worse time) with your health. Of course I'll pray for you. It would be an honor. Yours, Lenora
    • lenora
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