it's sad to see how quickly compact fluorescent light bulbs are replacing incandescent bulbs.  My concerns is not only the environmental concerns, but the health concerns.   Of course, the impact of the environment impacts a much greater portion of the population, so I think I have a greater chance of focusing on these concerns.   I find the health issues to be truly frightening.

Many have switched to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) in these challenging economic times simply to save money. However no public education at all has been given about how to safely dispose of broken bulbs to avoid mercury contamination, and it seems unavoidable that there will be seepage from garbage tips into groundwater in years to come that will affect water supplies – a disaster waiting to happen.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/89185/Dangers-of-low-energy-lightbulbs

 

( Read more... )

I have had a lot of problems with very very low vitamin D and calcium.  I thought this story was interesting.


Dizziness Linked to Bone Health
By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today
( Read more... )

I have to say I am quite depressed about the thought of my mom moving across country.

I know I am big girl.

But doesnt every girl need her mom sometimes? And right now, with everything going on with my headaches and what not, the thought of mom being down the road is very important to me. I cant drive right now. She is retired.

I did not realize how much of a crutch emotionally she has become.

Maybe it is a good thing. Long term. She moves in only three weeks, though. Dad is in the army.

I am not ready for this. Yet.

Funny thing is I am always the strong one emotionally in the relationship. She is the one crying about moving. When we are together. This is so hard.

My husband has been drinking this for a week now and he has been insanely energetic. He really feels a lot better. He is using the frozen unsweetened acai smoothie packs and and adding other fresh berries. We are on a raw foods diet for my migraines to see if that helps. It is helping him feel very good.




It is great for him, but I am still so dizzy. They changed my meds again. I call my doctor tomorow morning to see when I can go back to work. Soon, I really hope.

The doctor recomends a full spectrum light for my husband as he really suffers from SAD in the winter time.

I am sure the darkness of the house for my migraines makes it worse for him.

I hope it will help. I have to find one for him to get, but it take a while to do research. My connection is still dial up and is the only option still as we live in such a rural area. Plus, I still have to limit my computer time as the monitor bothers me still.

They are still changing the meds and I am having a lot of side effects from the changes. This is a slow process. Sometimes I wonder how much I will get back, if any, or if I am going to have the vertigo and neurological changes forever.

Let me know if you have any experience with light boxes or brands of lights?

Last night I got NO sleep

I have extreme vertigo, nausea and generally feel like hell... physically.


But I have hope.


So all is good. Great. Wonderful. The best it has been for almost a yeat.

Incandescent light bulbs lose up to 80% of their power in excess heat. So phasing them out and replacing them all over the world with CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps, also known as energy saving light bulbs) is a good thing, right?

From 2009 in the UK, and from 2010 in the USA, it will be illegal to manufacture incandescent bulbs. Not illegal to own them or use them, though, so millions of energetically aware people are currently stockpiling them for future usage.

Similar legislation has been, or will be, introduced in many other countries. It's soon going to become very hard to find incandescent light bulbs to buy.

So what could possibly be wrong with saving 80% heat loss? Well, nothing, except that at the moment the only alternative to incandescents is CFLs, which is not the best replacement by a long way.


MERCURY CONTENT
Take the mercury content of these bulbs for a start. Some manufacturers are now investing in research to reduce the mercury content but the fact remains that if you accidentally break one of these bulbs, the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) safety instructions are as follows:

*****************************

Before cleanup: Vent the room

Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
(QUESTION: What if the breakage happens in the type of room where windows have been designed never to open or in a public place that cannot reasonably be evacuated for such a trifling cause?)

Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
(QUESTION: What if this happens in a large open plan office complex – will they really let you evacuate the entire floor room and turn off the system for the whole building?)

Cleanup steps for hard surfaces

Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
(COMMENT: A study conducted in 2008 by the Department of Environmental Protection in Maine found that plastic bags leach mercury vapours that are well above recommended safe levels so they recommend that only glass jars with metal lids are used. But this assumes that glass jars won't break when thrown in the garbage...)

Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug

Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Disposal of cleanup materials

Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.
(QUESTION: How many people are really going to be bothered to take or send broken bulbs to a household hazardous waste center? Estimates at the moment are that only about 3% do.)

Future cleaning of carpeting or rug

For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
*****************************

Even though CFLs have been on sale for many years, most people are completely unaware of these clean-up precautions and just toss broken bulbs in the trash along with everything else. The mercury is sure to seep into the landfill and find its way into the food chain. It’s not an ‘if’ situation, it's just a matter of time.

Also most people don't realize that the amount of mercury released into a room by one broken bulb can exceed the U.S. federal guidelines for chronic exposure by up to 300 times all in one hit. The 2008 Maine DEP study found that even following this very specific clean-up programme, high levels of mercury still remain in carpet and children playing on it could release toxic spikes of up to 25,000ng/m3 of air several weeks later (this is more than 80 times the level considered safe). Children are particularly susceptible to mercury, and exposure can cause severe neurological development problems.

So mercury leakage is a big problem, but there's more.

HEALTH EFFECTS
CFLs also flicker and emit radio frequencies. With some bulbs the noise is within the range that can be heard as a constant, irritating, low buzzing noise. Others are quieter but within the hearing range of pets. No one knows the prolonged effect of living and working in places that are constantly flickering, buzzing and pulsing with radio frequencies, but some studies have shown serious health effects.

In the UK, as an example, the British Association of Dermatologists, the Migraine Action Association, and Epilepsy Action, have all independently reported symptoms such as headaches, migraines, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), eyestrain, nausea and various skin disorders among members who have used CFLs. Other studies have shown that CFLs cause muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, respiratory problems, rashes, anxiety, depression, physical pain in people who suffer from lupus, and dizziness, loss of focus and discomfort among epileptics.

Professor Magda Havas of Trent University, Ontario, one of the world's leading researchers on the biological effects of EMFs, explains that "CFLs operate at high frequency using an electronic switching ballast to chop up the 120 volts - that's how they are able to use less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs. Their typical operating frequency is in the region of 20kHz to 100kHz, a frequency range known to produce adverse effects on health."

Not only that but she states that “CFLs produce radio wave frequencies that radiate directly from the bulbs and also go on the electrical wiring in the home or school. The closer you sit to the bulb, the greater your exposure. Because the high frequencies travel along the wire, you can be exposed in other rooms of your home as well as in the room that contains the CFL."

Then there is the colour. The reason why fluorescent lights emit such a cold, ghostly hue of white is because they are at the blue end of the spectrum whereas incandescent bulbs are nearer to the red end. Apart from the romantic deficiencies of CFLs, blue spectrum lighting also inhibits melatonin production, the hormone that is essential for cancer prevention. A number of reputable studies have found that it is office workers who are constantly exposed to fluorescent lights who are at higher risk for skin cancer whereas people whose main outdoor activity is sunbathing are much less at risk. There are also studies that show how poorly children fare in schools lit with fluorescents and how much brighter ('scuse the pun) they become when classrooms switch (sorry, another pun) to incandescents.

ENERGETIC EFFECTS
Lastly, and most importantly in my view, there is the way CFLs affect us etherically.

We humans do not thrive energetically under fluorescent lighting. Incandescent light bulbs are bad enough (all spiritual practices are better done in natural daylight or by candlelight) but fluorescents are just... well, wrong. Our essential energies recoil from them. The spiritual repercussions of a whole world lit by CFLs are seriously worrying. It's not just our health that will suffer but deep levels of emotional wellbeing and spiritual development. In effect, a whole generation could become spiritually stunted. Not entirely because of CFLs, it's true, but allowing governments to dictate the type of light bulbs we use can have far-reaching consequences I don't think most people are even aware of. I am something of a lone voice speaking up about this now but I'm sure there will soon be many more scientific studies to support the information I've given here.

ALTERNATIVES
So are there alternatives to electrically energy-hungry incandescents and etherically depleting CFLs? Not yet, but LED lighting shows promise and may soon come of age. Here are some websites to check out and keep watching:

www.philipslumileds.com
www.ledlight.com
www.superbrightleds.com

More information about CFLs


Incandescent light bulbs lose up to 80% of their power in excess heat. So phasing them out and replacing them all over the world with CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps, also known as energy saving light bulbs) is a good thing, right?

From 2009 in the UK, and from 2010 in the USA, it will be illegal to manufacture incandescent bulbs. Not illegal to own them or use them, though, so millions of energetically aware people are currently stockpiling them for future usage.

Similar legislation has been, or will be, introduced in many other countries. It's soon going to become very hard to find incandescent light bulbs to buy.

So what could possibly be wrong with saving 80% heat loss? Well, nothing, except that at the moment the only alternative to incandescents is CFLs, which is not the best replacement by a long way.


MERCURY CONTENT
Take the mercury content of these bulbs for a start. Some manufacturers are now investing in research to reduce the mercury content but the fact remains that if you accidentally break one of these bulbs, the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) safety instructions are as follows:

*****************************

Before cleanup: Vent the room

Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
(QUESTION: What if the breakage happens in the type of room where windows have been designed never to open or in a public place that cannot reasonably be evacuated for such a trifling cause?)

Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
(QUESTION: What if this happens in a large open plan office complex – will they really let you evacuate the entire floor room and turn off the system for the whole building?)

Cleanup steps for hard surfaces

Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
(COMMENT: A study conducted in 2008 by the Department of Environmental Protection in Maine found that plastic bags leach mercury vapours that are well above recommended safe levels so they recommend that only glass jars with metal lids are used. But this assumes that glass jars won't break when thrown in the garbage...)

Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug

Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Disposal of cleanup materials

Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.
(QUESTION: How many people are really going to be bothered to take or send broken bulbs to a household hazardous waste center? Estimates at the moment are that only about 3% do.)

Future cleaning of carpeting or rug

For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
*****************************

Even though CFLs have been on sale for many years, most people are completely unaware of these clean-up precautions and just toss broken bulbs in the trash along with everything else. The mercury is sure to seep into the landfill and find its way into the food chain. It’s not an ‘if’ situation, it's just a matter of time.

Also most people don't realize that the amount of mercury released into a room by one broken bulb can exceed the U.S. federal guidelines for chronic exposure by up to 300 times all in one hit. The 2008 Maine DEP study found that even following this very specific clean-up programme, high levels of mercury still remain in carpet and children playing on it could release toxic spikes of up to 25,000ng/m3 of air several weeks later (this is more than 80 times the level considered safe). Children are particularly susceptible to mercury, and exposure can cause severe neurological development problems.

So mercury leakage is a big problem, but there's more.

HEALTH EFFECTS
CFLs also flicker and emit radio frequencies. With some bulbs the noise is within the range that can be heard as a constant, irritating, low buzzing noise. Others are quieter but within the hearing range of pets. No one knows the prolonged effect of living and working in places that are constantly flickering, buzzing and pulsing with radio frequencies, but some studies have shown serious health effects.

In the UK, as an example, the British Association of Dermatologists, the Migraine Action Association, and Epilepsy Action, have all independently reported symptoms such as headaches, migraines, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), eyestrain, nausea and various skin disorders among members who have used CFLs. Other studies have shown that CFLs cause muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, respiratory problems, rashes, anxiety, depression, physical pain in people who suffer from lupus, and dizziness, loss of focus and discomfort among epileptics.

Professor Magda Havas of Trent University, Ontario, one of the world's leading researchers on the biological effects of EMFs, explains that "CFLs operate at high frequency using an electronic switching ballast to chop up the 120 volts - that's how they are able to use less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs. Their typical operating frequency is in the region of 20kHz to 100kHz, a frequency range known to produce adverse effects on health."

Not only that but she states that “CFLs produce radio wave frequencies that radiate directly from the bulbs and also go on the electrical wiring in the home or school. The closer you sit to the bulb, the greater your exposure. Because the high frequencies travel along the wire, you can be exposed in other rooms of your home as well as in the room that contains the CFL."

Then there is the colour. The reason why fluorescent lights emit such a cold, ghostly hue of white is because they are at the blue end of the spectrum whereas incandescent bulbs are nearer to the red end. Apart from the romantic deficiencies of CFLs, blue spectrum lighting also inhibits melatonin production, the hormone that is essential for cancer prevention. A number of reputable studies have found that it is office workers who are constantly exposed to fluorescent lights who are at higher risk for skin cancer whereas people whose main outdoor activity is sunbathing are much less at risk. There are also studies that show how poorly children fare in schools lit with fluorescents and how much brighter ('scuse the pun) they become when classrooms switch (sorry, another pun) to incandescents.

ENERGETIC EFFECTS
Lastly, and most importantly in my view, there is the way CFLs affect us etherically.

We humans do not thrive energetically under fluorescent lighting. Incandescent light bulbs are bad enough (all spiritual practices are better done in natural daylight or by candlelight) but fluorescents are just... well, wrong. Our essential energies recoil from them. The spiritual repercussions of a whole world lit by CFLs are seriously worrying. It's not just our health that will suffer but deep levels of emotional wellbeing and spiritual development. In effect, a whole generation could become spiritually stunted. Not entirely because of CFLs, it's true, but allowing governments to dictate the type of light bulbs we use can have far-reaching consequences I don't think most people are even aware of. I am something of a lone voice speaking up about this now but I'm sure there will soon be many more scientific studies to support the information I've given here.

ALTERNATIVES
So are there alternatives to electrically energy-hungry incandescents and etherically depleting CFLs? Not yet, but LED lighting shows promise and may soon come of age. Here are some websites to check out and keep watching:

www.philipslumileds.com
www.ledlight.com
www.superbrightleds.com




Don't let me get started on how they impact folks with migraines.

Every single day of my vacation I spent with a diferent doctor or specialist. I did not get spend time with my in laws or my little nephew like I wanted to, either as I missed most of the fun.

I am stil waiting for my RX insurance to approve the botullism part so they can do the injections in to my neck and spine.

After the botox then they will do the MRA to see the blood flow, etc.

I am waiting to see what came up on the xrays on the neck, too. I guess they need those for the injections?

I am suprised I still have any blood left in my body.

I am off to bed. I feel like death. I can feel a monster migraine from the appointment tonight. Why do hospitals and doctors that work with people with migraines ALL have flourescent lighting. That seems insane to me.

My vision is going in left yey so it is time to go to the dark safe place now.

This should be interesting. Wish me luck. They want to run lots more blood tests because some other levels loooked off, too.

I had to fast - which means no coffee as I cant drink it black - I drink it with soy milk - ok feel free to say eeww or skim mild and I have been up since 4am.

NEED JAVA

First I have to say I tried to call medical to tell them I have further info about my conditon and she told me she didnt care they denied my case .

I retained a lawyer.

I have further medical info but I am being brief in case someone work reads this. Lets just say that based on my conversatios with several doctors and lawyers it does not look good for my employer. They really should have tried to work with me harder. The couple of lawyers were salivating and looking for lots of money and damages almost seemed to be salavating. Actually it was kind of creepy. I hate lawyers and they saw easy money and a big huge pay out. Honestly that is still not the way I want to go. I still want them to just let me to work from home. I just want them to do the right thing. If they wont, though, I will do what I have to to pay the mortgage. Plus, I am starting to become frustrated and feeling rather betrayed.

Diagnosis 1

Cervical Dystonia Diagnosis
I am waiting for approval to get botox injections into the back of my neck or spine.

I have been getting much sicker lately and have been home all week very sick. Mom had to take me to the appointment. The neurologist noticed mom had dystonia of her eye. she said it was very rare but it ran in families. She started doing some strange tests, and found out I have cervical dystonia.

hhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dystonias/detail_dystonias.htm



They have to get approval from both the health insurance company AND the RX company. This will be a life time this. They may or may not have been causing the migraine, but it might help. The neurologist just happened to notice I had it during my examination. She is a damned good doctor.

She also is not comfortable with the diagnosis so for and is trying to get approval for an MRA. This will be interesting because I am allergic highly - it put my into shock last time, to the IVP dye the use, but she says they can work with epinephrine and other things. She thinks it is worth it to put the medical test people through the work to have it done. She said it will take longer to schedule it because they will want the specialists and other folks there for the MRA.


Diagnosis 2


Parathyroid disease. This is genetic, so mum had hers tested, and she has it to. Hers is not as advanced. We will both have the parathyroid
biopsies.

for really boring links
http://parathyroid.com/

http://www.endocrineweb.com/parathyroid.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/parathyroid.html

http://www.cornellsurgery.org/patients/health/parathyroid-disease.html

They having me going to a specialist Monday, Thursday and Friday (during my vacation which sucks and I am trying cranial sacral and botox injectionss to see if anything helps because the migraines are getting worse instead of better. I am so tired and freaking annoyed of feeling like a guineee pig that I honeslty think they have no idea of what they are doing.

I think they are really waiting for the parathyroid stuff to come back and to see if it the parathyroid cancer like my mother had. That would suck thouhg, beceause my vitamin d and calcium levels have been off for years- which means I have had this issue for years so who knows how far it cuold have gone if this is the cause. I think this is why they are trying everying else and praying that is NOT what it is - it would have been a great diagnosis 3 years ago.

I guess I am just really annoyed. This is a very rare genetic disorder, but mom forgot she had until a week ago after the neurologitst saw the massive dose of vitamin d pills fall out of my purse. She just kind of paused, got pale and started asking questions.

We shall see. What are the odds, rigt. Dr says it is a pretty slim chance of being the cause. Even though it would explain every single symptom.

Turns out they never took out the parathyoid in mom, either. They did some wierd investigational stuff at Johns Hopkins in the 70's (if you know the hopspital, I am sure you are not shocked). Anyhoo, mom has some of the same stuff going on, just in differenet variations, so she is going to the Dr today to get hers tested. It turns out the work they did was not really that great. It stoppted it for a while, but with parathyroid, the cancer always started growing again, so unless the remove the entire gland, it will come back.

In a Dali like fashion, it has a persistence of memory. Even if you remove all four of the glands, sometimes it starts growing again so you constantly have to have it rechecked. It is slow growing, but ususally returns withing 5-7 years, so I am not surpised mom has so many symptoms. Strange, all over symptoms as it is a hormone.

Confession time now. My husband never reads this, so he won't see it here. I havent mentioned him that they are looking at it probably being a parathyroid cancer - that is what mom had, too... based on the levels of vitamin d, calciumm and some other stuff over the years in the blood work when I went to the endocrenologist, which I don't really understand. Mom had that and a pituitary tumor at the same time, which seems strang, I know. Am I a bad person for not saying this? I told him that is what my mother had, though. I don't think it is worth the worry until it is true, right?

Am I withholding? I hate it when people do that to me, but David likes to be in a happy place and has that many times, so it feels like the right thing to do but but still.

Ok, I am done bitching for today. Well, this morning at least.

We are extremely happy to report that today the US Senate unanimously
passed the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act.

The bill corrects court decisions which claims that a person with a
chronic condition cannot utilize the ADA as a defense
when one loses his or her job because of their condition.

The House passed a nearly-identical version of the bill on June 25,
2008. The House must now pass the Senate version of the bill before
it is sent to President Bush for his signature.

"I am pleased that the Senate has...passed the ADA Amendments
Act," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. "This bill
will once again make America a world leader on a central test of human
rights. I expect the House to pass this bill next week, and that the
President will sign it."

These new meds make me lose about 3 pounds a week.

Now it is not a big deal but soonit will be. Soon I will have nothing left to lose, then what will I do. I read that it can be a big problem with this medication, and I was excited.. I assumed it would slow down, though. It has not, yet. Usually, as you get closer to your goal weight, your weight loss slows, so I just thought this would happen to me.

Who the hell thought I would ever be saying this?

Funny thing is, half the meds they took me off was causing weight gain. I was sleep walking. I was eating in my sleep. Starving all damed day, then eating in my sleep. How pissed off was I.

I was also eating things:

I hate
I am allergic to
that gave me hives
so they would give me meds
that made me fucking gain weight (steroids)


If that is not some screwed up crap, I don't know what is. I thought Marty was giving the peanut butter to the dogs in the day while I was working. I was eating it at night.


At the same time, mom was slowly starving to death because she had celiac disease. She was eating 9-10,000 calories a day and was wasting away. She was putting full cream on her cereal, eating candy, ice cream and 5-6 meals a day and losing weight while I was starving myself and putting on weight. Now that she knows what she has, she has to eat normal and is putting the weight I seem to be losing. Of course she looks healthy and lovely now, but she is pretty pissed off about not being able to eat like willy wonka after 60 years.


Life can be a little strange.

Dad just sits and listens to us bitch, eating his salad and looking pissed off and miserable. He doesnt feel sorry for either of us. I remember wanting to choke mom once or twice when she was sitting eating cake complaining how much weight she had lost so I understand how he feels.

Basilar migraines
Some types of migraine are known for particularly wild and crazy symptoms, and basilar migraines certainly fall into that category! What are they, where do they come from, and for crying out loud when are they leaving?!

Basilar migraines are known for their strange aura symptoms. Sometimes the strange visual aura can be two sided, and can be so bad it leads to temporary blindness. It's usually followed by incoordination (ataxia), double vision, vertigo, ringing in the ears, jerky eye movements, trouble hearing, slurred speech, and more severe versions of other migraine symptoms, such as nausea, prickly feelings on the body, sensitivity to
light and/or sound, and trouble thinking clearly. This stage of the headache usually lasts about 5-60 minutes, but can last days in some cases.

Usually there's a severe throbbing headache at the back of the head on both sides (as opposed to the more common migraine symptom of one-sided headache, often in the temples).

Where do basilar migraines come from?
The basilar artery is in the back of your head, and it was believed that the basilar artery migraine had its start in the basilar artery. Many years ago researchers thought that the main roots of migraine in general came from the expanding and contracting of blood vessels. Today, researchers are looking more at neural causes. And so a basilar artery migraine or basilar migraine likely doesn't start in the artery at all, but has it's roots in the other chemicals sending messages throughout your brain. As with other migraines, the specifics of what is taking place are still somewhat of a mystery.
For now, generally speaking what was once called a basilar artery migraine or BAM is now simply basilar migraine.

Doctors are concerned about these symptoms for a couple of reasons. First, the symptoms are the same as some much more serious conditions, so you'll want to make sure to see a doctor right away if these symptoms are new to you. Second, there is concern that those with basilar migraine may be at greatly increased risk of stroke. Basilar migraines are rare, and even if you get them, don't panic. But do see a doctor to make sure you're keeping your risk as low as possible.

What's the treatment?
Because this type of migraine is so rare, there has been less research done specifically on them.


http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/migraine-doctors.html

My little Rosko has had bloody poo and vomiting since we got him 7 months ago. We had constant tests and different meds - nothing worked - they never found anything.

I put him on probiotics two weeks ago - and he has been fine since!!

My little baby!

David and my family have been watching me when I fall. It id not just because I am dizzy. I seem to have developed a blind spot in the bottom left part of my vision. I have a doctors appointment set up. I am quite concerned because most of my vision changes seemed to move around but this seems to be consistent.

Yesterday they upped my dose again of topamax. I am not feeeling well at all. Stomach issues, I fell once with dizziness, and I have a blind spot in my left eye.

The damned light is still killing me. Even low levels at home hurts. I have blocked the light. My husband has been painting the rooms darker. I have to find an option to going outside at night. I can go in my yard because I live in the country but I cant ride in the car because of the headlights. Working in the middle of the night works for me i guess but at work they still have flourescent lights. it would be very expensive for them to replace all the bulbs and even with hats and a scarf and sun glasses the light still bothers me. What to do?

I have been doing a little research. This seems to help for some people.

http://irlen.com/index.php?id=113


They are pretty expensive, though, so I can't afford them. It is cheaper for work, though, if it actually works. The questions is, though, do they work? I hope they do. If anyone has tried them, please let me know.

Apparantly if you use the wrong color filter, though, it can make it worse. The closest diagnostician is in North Carolina. I have read on some nuero stuff that yellow sun glasses can trigger seizure and sunglasses so it does make sense. For now I am hoping it can help.

I already seem to be losing a lot of hair. I have to say though, I have lost a fair amount in the past with my thyroid so it could be from this, though. This has me a little down.

I am still dizzy and sick to my stomach a lot. The ringing in my ears is not as loud as it used to be and I don't have the audio or visual hallucinations quite as frequently as I was having. I am certainly NOT safe to be driving.

My eyeballs have been sore. They have been sore lately, though, because my vision constantly changes - blind in the left half of my left eye for one day - blurry for the left eye the next day - which is why I rarely post. I went to the neuro today and I was in severe pain for a long time from the flourescent lighting and the light outside. You would think a neuro would have seizure/migraine friendly lighting. What the hell is up with that?

Doctor keeps telling me it usually takes a couple of months to get full effects from the medication and not to be disheartened. In the mean time, though, what am I going to do. I am screwed unless my job lets me work from home for a couple of weeks while the medication starts to work. Honestly, I could work from home, another gal down the road is working from home who lives not too far from my house and does the same job I do. It is just a matter of getting them to agree to do the right thing.

Please feel free to send positive energy for the work/money situation to sort itself out.

The doctor says give it a few weeks and the side effects should get better and the meds should start to help.


Things I am starting to notice a little already

Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling - I get this in my hands, feet, face and nose. It is like my face has fallen asleep.

Dizziness
Fatigue -yet I cant sleep - still
Drowsiness -- up to 29 percent
Mental and physical slowing or delays -- but this was part of the problem I was having before, so who knows if this is from the medicial problem or the medication.
Coordination problems -- well, lets be honest - is it any worse? I have always been a clutz
Weight loss --Still waiting on this one - oh please, oh please, oh please.
Loss of appetite -- up to 15 percent
Taste changes -- I think this is why people lose weight. Everything tastes like nickles.
Confusion -- again - is this better or worse than before - jury is still up
Difficulty with concentration or attention -- up to 14 percent

Nausea -- it is pretty bad for first couple of days they change my dosage.

Some other common side effects, occurring in 5 to 13 percent of adults, include:

Memory loss - how would I know?
Language or speech problems - again - this was a big problem from prior to meds.
Changes in gait (walking pattern) before meds I was dragging my left foot. This seems to have improved.
Sinus infection or irritation - this is my life so I cant say.

Insomnia - always been a problem, no better or worse
Mood problems - again, about the same
Decreased sense of touch - I cant feel things in my hands or feet when I cut myself accidently - I hope this goes away.
Viral infections
Fever - I have been getting low grade fevers, but I run these easily - when allergies are bothering me.