Prof. Garth Nicolson is back answering questions starting 1/10/10

We're pleased to announce that Prof. Garth Nicolson, founder of the Institute for Molecular Medicine in Huntington Beach, CA will be here 1/10 to 1/12, 3 days in total, answering questions from MedHelp members regarding Autoimmune Disorders and the role infections play in chronic illnesses and treatments for these infections.  Beginning 1/8 the forum will be open, accepting a total of 30 questions  for Dr. Nicolson's return 1/10 - 1/12.

Although the name of the forum is  "Autoimmune Disorders",  Prof. Nicolson will also be answering questions on the role infections play and various treatments for ADD/ADHD, Autism, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Asperger's Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Hashimoto's, Sjogren's Syndrome, Reiter's Syndrome, Graves Disease, Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease and cancer metastasis.

Dr. Nicolson's Autoimmune Disorders Expert Forum: http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Autoimmune-Disorders/show/358

Dr. Nicolson's Profile: http://www.medhelp.org/doctor_profiles/show/642304

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Best,
MedHelp

[dustybrown]

Oh, this is big news everyone! That's right now! Let me know if you need help drafting your questions. I am here for you. Thanks!
-Dusty

[nettykins]

I am a 48 year old female dx with lupus/fibromyalgia/mixed connective tissue disease along with anxiety and panic disorder. I was a healthy happy achey (achy) free gal until I had a complete hysterectomy 7 years ago and then 1 year after that my body and emotions went to the wayside.It has been a long road,currently I take 400ml of plaquenil a day and ativan three times a day,have been on both for three years in hopes of it going into remission but sad to say it has not. I find hormones and for sure cold weather has a big effect on my body since my dx.Dusty I also am very sensitive to meds and have tried many SSRI's but although they helped me feel a bit happier they made me achier and kicked up my raynauds disease which came along with the lovely DX. I am glad I found this site as I find I need support,my friends and family have been awesome but they can only understand so much. I dont drive much anymore and when I do its only a few blocks as my anxiety is so bad.My shrink and rheumy want me to start on the new med "Savella" I have the sample pack but since I am so sensitive to meds the psychiatrist suggests to just take the 12.5 dose once a day for a while to see if that helps both my fibro pain and my anxiety. I must find something as I cant just live off ativan and have been on it longer than anybody is supposed to,and the hope has been to be on something by now so I can wean off of it. I am so frustrated as I tried cymbalta and it did help with both problems but the side effects were just too much to tolerate. I am just frustrated and need my life back! I am wondering if savella is helping others and also with anxiety,I really need support sniffle.....my boyfriend is my security and helps me so much but he is going out of town for work in two weeks and I am very nervous about it as I had hoped to be stable physically and mentally on a snri by now sigh.....part of me just wants to bite the bullet and deal with the sickness that cymbalta made me but the doc wants me to start the new med, but I am scared and am hoping it will work quickly. I hope all this makes sense as i write this my fingers are numb. Any support would be appreciated. Thank you, and god bless you for having this site for support!!

[dustybrown]

Hello and Welcome,
I understand your apprehension. I have had trouble with SNRI's as well and also have anxiety and panic attacks in my past. They don't seem to mix well with me. Have you tried Lyrica or Neurontin yet? I find these medications to be much more effective for the pain of fibromyalgia and they have much more of a calming effect. Both of those medications are anti-seizure medications used for pain. Perhaps you should talk to your doctors about your fears and ask about Lyrica as it is FDA approved to treat Fibromyalgia.

I take an anti-seizure medication along with a low dose of Prozac (a SSRI) and I've recently added Bio-Identical Hormones because my doctor found that I have started going through peri-menopause early and my hormones are extremely low. I've been doing a lot better. Hormone issues can cause severe anxiety from what I've read. Perhaps you should talk to your gyne about having your hormone levels double checked? Just a thought. Well, it's very nice to meet you. Hang in there ok and keep in touch. Feel free to post a question to Dr. Nicolson too if you can think of one.
-Dusty