I think this is a wonderful community. Like a little family. I have learned so much from all of you and when I came to the board I was a scared and lost person. It really helped and still does to feel less alone and fight. By the way I love that rainbow picture Mrs D. so lovely. Mrs D have you ever thought of writing your own book based on your experiences but knowledge as well?

Yes, that has come up. In fact the internet has not always been kind to me. Some people here recall when I was harassed and slandered by a group of posters at BrainTalk who were trying to drive me off the net. At that time I was thinking of writing a book! Since what happened to Megan Meier on MySpace (a massive tragedy), the internet may change some. And perhaps people will think twice before using the internet as a cruel game to "get" others. NeuroTalk is wonderful in that we are all here protected by admins and moderators who will not tolerate destructive behaviors.

But on the other hand, I have seen so many people turn their lives around on BrainTalk and this venue! I concentrate on those good things, and keep on in my own way. I basically just put together data that is hard to find (or hidden by companies who are out to SELL things to you) but does exist.
I am also an artist, so I use my creative abilities to help people navigate the complex confusing medical community...in which I was trained as well. I really like the Health News forum here. It brings a multitude of information to NeuroTalk, and I think DocJohn is the motivating force to help us all with empowerment and education. I think that the days of putting everything in doctors' hands are over. We all need to be informed in some way to become better patients, choose good medical care, and be as healthy as possible and participate in our own health care.

Thank you for the compliments. But it was really Mother Nature and my camera who did the work for me this summer. We had so much rain, every afternoon for more than 2 weeks. The rainbow was
a rare event. And the hummers were plentiful this season too. I have some other pictures on the pet forum..and will be putting up more too this week.

Mrs D this rainbow is a picture you took? I thought it was a download off the net. So lovely. I know that the internet offers a lot good but can offer a lot bad and scams. Its horrible especially to prey on people with such hard times already. I had someone try to scam me for money on another boards for support I am. Really sad. There was this comic on tv and he was daoing a joke about the commercials on tv for meds and how the patient has to be somewhat their own doctor asking for certain meds. It was histarical but so true. Before I came here I never thought to suggest or ask a lot of what has been told here. I really appreciate it so much.

Yes, both avatar and rainbow are my pictures. I try to use only my things these days. I have used a few Joke type pics in the past in my profile. But as time passes, and I get more acquainted with my new Sony zoom digital, I can take my own now. I prefer showing MY life these days. My previous sig pic was a crystal ball I made this past winter out of quartz and citrine I purchased on Ebay. This was my old signature pic:

My old capsule avatar which is now in my profile, I found in an old pharmacy magazine (about 10 yrs old), and I then worked on it in my graphics program to change it and make it work well when shrunk down. It no longer resembles the original.

I am amazed at the commercials too... some of them have this ending where the voice over goes thru the side effects (required by FDA)...and sometimes it includes DEATH. There used to be a cartoon that was made to mimic this peculiar aspect of drug advertising. I'll see if I can find it again. It is pretty funny.
I found it.... but it has some elements that are not appropriate to post here..so I am sending it
to you via PM.

Mrs D's back, Mrs. D's back, doing a happy dance here!!!
So glad to see you but good grief. It seems almost everytime you get to go to the holiday spot you have a illness or problem. You need looking after I think. Why don't you take all of us with you next time? Seriously, I can't wait to see more of the pics. You are really getting good with that camera.

I've been a little scarce on here while you were gone. We are one week away from the final move. I've been packing for a month. And have worked and exhausted myself into a bad flare of RA and Sjogren's. Will see the doc on Tues of next week.

Have you ever heard of eyelids not blinking together? I have had that happen a few days. I know I'm seriously tired.

I've been waiting to ask you about that. I'm just so glad you are back. We miss you so much when you aren't here.

Billye

And Happy Birthday Bob!!!

you are moving already? That was fast! The thought of moving makes me have palpitations. Just going back and forth in the summers wears me out!

I have no idea about the different blink. I think you need to
ask the doctor. Blinking is mostly automatic.

Here is a pic of hubby sitting on our old dock (which we use
as a deck now since the water levels went way down). I have my plants on this old dock, and the cats often lounge there too.
There are two of our 3 girls in this shot. Old old Sheba who is almost 21 now, and Oreo--under his chair. Hubby is reading a blockbuster book, part of a series by George R.R. Martin..this is volume 4 and all of the books have over 1000pgs. My carpal tunnel goes wacky just looking at those books--which he wants me to read, and maybe I will eventually. They are some sort of fantasy Sci-Fi thing.

I have issues with fake sugar too. Only it gives me migraines, not blood sugar problems or problems elsewhere. This is why over 10 years ago my mom and I eliminated it from out diets. It is hard. I think the only time I have to take it is when some of my medicines have it in their coating. (I don't know why they do that, I mean , don't they think about the people who have issues with "fake sugar"?

And as to your picture it is absolutely stunning! I am trying to do photography or something related for my major in college, so I love seeing other people's beautiful work. Especially when it is so much better than I could ever be! I have taken rainbow shots, but none as stunning as that one!

Macrophile - please tell me where you found that beautiful saying. My mom-in-law passed away a few months back. My father in law had something very similar put on her headstone. None of us (the kids) are "brave" enough to ask him about it as we don't want to bring back his pain...

There are two basic families:

the ones ending in --ol like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, are most commonly found in dietetic candies. Sorbitol is used in prescription compounding to make liquid dosage forms from tablets/capsules. It is a sweetener and laxative. It is used straight as the laxative in hospitals and long term care. Not so common in outpatient pharmacy settings. Mannitol is sometimes used IV in head injuries or to treat malignant hypertension on an emergency basis. It has other uses too:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mannitol_ids.htm

The other "fake" sweeteners are Equal (aspartame), Splenda(sucralose), acesulfame, and saccharine. These typically do not cause diarrhea. However, the powder forms have maltodextrin in them to extend them and this may cause diarrhea in sensitive people.

Many people get headaches from aspartame, and this may be a function of the aspartic acid in it. Glutamate and aspartate are stimulants to the NMDA pain receptors.

Hi Leslie,
I wish I could help you. I don't remember exactly. I saw it on someones web page once and I thought it was an absolutely beautiful sentiment. So I thought I would use it as my signature for e-mails, forums, etc. I did just try to Google it just now with no luck either. I wish I could be more helpful. I am sorry for your loss.
~Macophile