I have returned...
 

a little beaten up, but still kicking.

After my sorbitol adventure, I came down with a virus...that gave me a horrible stiff neck, sore throat and ear pain. I couldn't face the sun either without feeling like throwing up. Since this was on the side of my past shingles (which were in my right neck and arm), I think that is what it was.

After two days in bed, and some Chloraseptic throat spray and antihistamines and Robitussin DM, I slowly got over the worst.
I still have some stiffness in the neck, and will be going to the doctor soon. Not much to do about it now however.

Hershey's did send me some coupons, which my husband brought up to show me on labor day weekend. $9.00 worth. I won't be using them for me, but he wants them for HIS candy fix (he is a chocoholic).

I am now reading ALL labels looking for sorbitol. So far I am finding it in liquigel forms of vitamins and pain relievers. I like my Aleve liquigels very much, but when a person starts to consume several products with this hidden in them which are NOT labeled dietetic...well, someone has to blow that whistle.
I have long known that diabetic sugar free products often have sorbitol in them, and even children's candy... sugar free PEZ has it. (my son had a reaction to that when he was 4 yrs old and still remembers it!)

A quick search this morning on Sorbitol IBS gave me these hits:

http://www.foodintol.com/food_intolerance/hot_ibs.htm

http://ibdcrohns.about.com/gi/dynami...rbitol_pr.html

Given that IBS seems epidemic today, one would have to wonder why? Food ingredients, is my guess. Also food borne organisms in our food chain would be suspect too. These might compliment each other making the problem worse.

After my sorbitol adventure, I was reacting to all fructose products. Even sugar in my tea. So I have removed all fructose for now and am back to almost normal.

Thank heavens for Smart Balance peanut butter (which does not have added sugar). I subsisted mostly on this daily, and have lost at least 15lbs (maybe more) and gone down one size in clothing (I, like Oprah, have a varied wardrobe! :p )
I could call it "The Peanut Butter Diet" LOLOL

Glad to see you're back--
 

--and, overall not TOO much the worse for wear.

I'd like to lose 15 pounds--not the way you describe, though.

I too have found myself reacting to sorbitol on occassion--the first time was when I started taking a new brand of methylcobalamin (that was on sale through one of the Internet vitamin providers I frequent). It took me a while to figure out what was going on--and to read the label. In my case, there was a loosening of stool, and more evident blood sugar swings and carb cravings (which I'm prone to anyway, R-lipoic acid notwithstanding). i switched back and slowly this receded.

As you go though Neurotalk, I bet you'll find a lot of people asking questions of you and pining for your return. You are cerainly missed when you're Internet inaccesible. :p

Oh, Glenn you are a dear.
When I got back yesterday with 3 meowing cats, I pulled into our neighborhood, hoping to see all the construction of the road finished. I was totally wasted (I drove thru heavy rain and little visibility all the 400 miles). What do I see first thing? A little guy driving a BobCat mini dozer, doing wheelies and bouncing right up in the air. I could not turn to go towards my home, but had to detour around...it is still a war zone here. I thought I was hallucinating...but I think his clutch was broken and he was trying to move it or do something with it...at times all 4 tires were off the ground. Would have made a great video on YouTube. Welcome home to me! All the manholes have been raised and blocked, since the final paving is not done yet...it was an obstacle course. LOL

I'd check out fructose intolerance also if I were you. You know I went off the gluten free diet recently...as a test. And I seem fine...except for sugar and fructose. I had reduced it pretty far, before the sorbitol event, but now I won't even put jelly on the peanut butter. Peanut butter has always been a comfort food for me going way back to college days when I had no money and lived off it then. I'd have one hot meal at the student union (subsidized so it was very inexpensive) and peanut butter the rest of the time. I cut out dinner now most of the week, and even ordered a 1/2 size mini Whopper at Burger King in Mackinaw yesterday for lunch. You can get a double cheeseburger junior and for .50 add tomato, mayo and lettuce.
It was just right and $3.25. So I didn't even need dinner yesterday at all.

I guess it is possible fructose fuels bacteria, or that the other intolerances like gluten sets one up for other intolerances. But the sugar thing is quite noticeable for me now. I did have some dark M &M's --just a few, with no ill effects. I am now an M & M fan, when I do crave a little chocolate.(those cold damp painful days beckon me sometimes).

Thank you for the welcome back!;)

Glad to see you are back.
I'm very sorry for the sorbitol incident
and was hoping you'd have a worry free
(and medical problem, free) vacation.
But we're all glad to have you back among us again.

I'll be going to the beach in 2 weeks, and taking a week off at the ocean.
Sunday is my birthday (64) & my wife's is on the 21st,
We'll celebrate hers at the beach ...mine, by going
to a favorite restaurant on Sat nite (cause they're dark on Sun).
Maybe some of my kids will call, but nothing is planned for Sun.
Oops ! ....Sorry to have drifted off.

Glad you're back.

Welcome back. I hope you continue to feel better. Do you have the same reaction to other artificial sweetners?I love pb too. There really is a peanut butter diet book.
Bob happy early birthday. I hope you have a nice time. When I first read your reply I thought your wife was turning 21 and you were 64. Now I see hers is on the 21st. In any regards welcome back Mrs D and Happy Birthday Bob.

Happy Birthday Bob! And congratulations too, to you (21) year old wife!!! LOL. Bet you'll have a great time at the beach!

Welcome back, MrsD. We have anxiously awaited your sage advice. However, I must commend the other posters who have, in your absence, provided the newbies (such as myself) with loads of knowledge, guidance and some peace of mind. I, for one, was a basket case when I first found out what I had. The folks on this site helped me to realize that while this is life changing "I ain't dead yet"...

Yes, I agree... posters here are great. My input lessens each day. Not that I "mind"...but I love to see the education spreading and others learning and helping!

I can remember 10 yrs ago when PN was a wasteland of misery and fear. Now people are improving and learning how to find help and manage their pain. Any movement forward is wonderful in my book!

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.

Oh Wow!!
 

Mrs D's back, Mrs. D's back, doing a happy dance here!!!:hug::hug:
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!!!:)

Oh, my...
 

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.

wow
 

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...

regarding "fake" sugars...
 

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. :hug:
~Macophile

Welcome back!!!
 

You were missed. As you always are when you go on vacation. I think this is your second vacation I've survived since I joined the board. :p

Interesting discussion on sugar and sorbitol. I stay away from all the fake sweetners other than splenda. Can't stand the taste. And aspartame?? *EWWW gag me!* Splenda is the only one I can tolerate and that's *just* tolerated. I had to lay off the sugar. My coffee was the biggest culprit and the only place I use the Splenda. I need to lose weight desperately because of the cholesterol and I also had some major blood sugar issues when I quit smoking back in May. Now my BS is stable other than just before and during my period. So that's good progress I think. I'm hoping this is all just an aberration and by the 6th month post-quit, or there abouts, all the weird issues (or at least the ones that feel weird to me) are resolved. If not than it's time for a doctor visit. I don't know what 'normal' is supposed to feel like for me since I smoked the majority of my life.

Hope they get your roads done quickly! I hate road construction.