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Wed 20 Aug, 2003 08:45 am
hi , I am a student and I study a lot. While studying I FIND THAT I GET A HEADACHE. It is different then a regular headache . It is like a strain in the front of the head. This only happens when I study alone without a study partner (chavrusah) please give some advice. Perhaps I should take some supplements? tylenol does not help.
Also, I currently take 50 mg of zoloft for my ocd condition. I have been taking anti-depressants for 4 years. The zoloft totally cured my ocd. However, I AM SUFFERING GREATLY FROM CONSTIPATION as a SIDE EFFECT. I know for sure it is the zoloft that causes the constipation, since when I tried going off, I did not have constipation any more. However, the ocd returned quickly.
I have gone to many specialists concerning the constipation, but no one was able to help. I tried going off the meds 3 times but was never successful. I also tried other anti-depressants but they all had similar or other side effects. I tried all the commonly advised ideas for constipation , but nothing worked. I think I need to learn why the zoloft causes constipation. Perhaps , with that knowledge there can be a way of combating the cause, which causes the constipation. Currently, billions of dollars are being spent on anti-depressant research. However, no research is being done in treating side effects. Side effects are the primary reason why people stop medicines. Lately I have had a
great success taking a probiotic acidophilus . PLUS, I DO EXERCISE EVERY DAY. However, I could still use a complete healing.I
am just maye 50% cured. I THOUGHT MAYBE SOME NUTRITIONAL THERAPY COULD HELP.
Thank you very much,
MIKE
p.s. let me share with u a letter i recently wrote to a newspaper
THE PA MUST FIRST PROVE ITSELF
At the tenth anniversary of the Oslo peace efforts, we now see clearly how Oslo has failed. The atrocities that the Israeli's have suffered are all well known. I am constantly shocked to see how much Israel is giving in to the PA. I think that the best idea would be to have the PA first show credibility and then have Israel make concessions. Israel should not make one more concession until the PA shows interest in keeping the Oslo accords. Abbas constantly claim's he is trying to halt terrorism. Being that the PA has lost their credibility, they should first be required to show their interest in peace. I PROPOSE THAT THE PA MUST CURB ALL VIOLENCE FOR ONE YEARS TIME, BEFORE ISRAEL WILL MAKE FURTHER CONCESSIONS.. You do not deal with someone who constantly does not keep his side of the deal. Let them first show that they are truly interested in peace before Israel further concedes. After the PA has one year of no violence under their belt, then and only then can Israel make further concessions. Israel is not obligates to make concessions to the PA , as long as they keep on blowing up people. The PA is constantly claiming that they are stopping terrorism, let's see one year of actually doing just that
Mike, First of all, WELCOME to A2K. Any prescription medication that is used for pain relief is notorious for the side effect of constipation. You must drink water frequently, and prune juice will help. If you have not been able to have a bowel movement for over 24 hours, go to the drug store and buy the Ready to Use ENEMA. Otherwise, you should confer with your doctor on those recurring headaches. c.i.
cicerone imposter is right on.
Doctors often recommend colace or pericolace for constipation. Ask your doctor - you should always ask your doctor when trying something new, medication-wise. Even something over-the-counter, like colace and pericolace are.
As for your headache, it's quite possible a hunger headache from lowered blood sugar. Have you tried a small non-sugary snack either during or right before studying? Something like some crackers or fruit (not a terribly sweet fruit, maybe a Granny Smith apple?) should be good. It's possible that you're getting hungry even when studying with a friend, but you don't notice it as much because you're occupied with being with your friend. Remember - brain work can make you hungry, just like working out can. I'm not suggesting a huge meal (that'll just make you tired) but a small (50 - 100 calorie or so snack) should be fine, so long as you aren't a diabetic or hypoglycemic.
Anyway, ask your doctor and welcome to Able2Know!
Your headaches could be linked to the constipation. Have no medical evidence to back this up, just my mothers' advice a long time ago when I suffered from bad headaches and constipation. Once I had a bowel movement, the headache would go away.
Try something natural like prunes or raisins to stay regular. Eat or drink prune juice daily. Eliminate the constipation, you'll more than likely eliminate some of the headaches.
i reply
guys i ve been 2 doctors already no help
The headaches may also be caused by eye strain. Have you checked to see if you need glasses? When I was in Law School, I went from a 20/40 sometimes needing glasses to a 20/120 always needing glasses. Something to consider.
hadels repiles
i did go to a eyer doctor
you people should know that doctors do not help much with these type of illnesses . they just tell u standard things which any guy off the street could tell me. it is the alternative medicine guys u go to c.
Have you tried acupuncture? c.i.
hadel reply
acupuncture is baloney
it works for a few weeks and then stops
ok i tried it
As to constipation: I care for 2 children as they went through their constipation stages of toddlerhood. The two things that always seem to help are applesauce and water - plenty of each.
hadels replies
tht works for kids not for side efect constipation
what did u think of my letter?
If it works for a few weeks, go back. It's better'n nut'n.
The letter? I think Isreal and Palestine should revert to the old boundaries (can't ever remember the year of that agreement - 1956?). How they get there, I have no idea. But, I don't believe they can get there with the present heads-of-state in power.
You've been to two doctors and an optometrist already so what do you want us to tell you, hade? What do you want to hear?
eoe, He evidently already has the answer, but wants to negate everything we may suggest for his 'ailment.'
We're not doctors, hadels88. Try other doctors if you don't like the outcome you're getting from the ones you've visited. Constipation isn't AIDS - it's completely curable. Same with most headaches.
Headaches are caused by a huge variety of factors. Some of them are:
* stress
* eye strain
* hunger
* a brain tumor
* a tight hat
* allergies
* grinding your teeth, particularly at night
* genetics
* concussion or other head trauma
etc.
To rule out all of these and attack the problem in a variety of ways, you wouldn't just go to an ophthalmologist or a general practitioner. Other options include an allergist, a dentist, an oral surgeon, an oncologist, a neurologist and a psychotherapist. These things take time to be diagnosed and treated. If your headaches don't respond to ibuprofen or acetaminophen, you need to go to a doctor to see about (a) getting something stronger (such as Fiorinal) and (b) seeing if there is anything else that can be done or any disease process that can be ruled out. Keep in mind, also, that drugs interact with one another. Going off on a homeopathic tangent may seem like a great idea, but the bottom line is that you don't want anything interfering with how the Zoloft is working for you, and you also don't want any sort of a combination that could endanger your life or health (even homeopathic medicine can interact with a prescription. Just because it's not a prescription treatment, or it isn't offered by a medical doctor, doesn't mean it can't interfere with your treatment). Only your regular physician will be able to understand that and help you head off any problems.
Ask your doctor for referrals until the cause is found and a cure is obtained. But - please go through your regular doctor (yeah, you've been there. Go again.) for the reasons I've stated above.
Constipation can be combatted with
* diet (less fiber)
* drinking a lot of water (I mean a lot - 64 oz per day or more)
* over-the-counter laxatives (like Ex-lax)
* over-the-counter stool softeners (like colace or pericolace)
* enemas (Fleet makes these)
* prescribed medications
Ask your regular doctor to refer you to a GI specialist (that's gastro-intestinal). Also, ask your doctor about what appears to be a side effect of the Zoloft. Assuming this is a well-documented side effect (which it most likely is), your doctor will be able to decide what's the best course of action to take. Again, the doctor needs to be checking on drug interactions and also on what's being done to treat your constipation - it's possible that you'd reduce the effectiveness of the Zoloft with some methods of treating constipation.
If you want your letter commented on, why not post it in the Politics or International News forum? Let's worry about your health in this particular topic, okay?
hadel's response to one of my suggestions: "acupuncture is baloney
it works for a few weeks and then stops ok i tried it"
You need to learn a wee bit of diplomacy in your responses when anybody tries to help. "Baloney" doesn't elicit more suggestions = nicely.
You're the one with the 'thin' skin, and acting like a kid. You ask for help, then turn around and belittle all the responses. What do you expect? PM"s not necessary. c.i.
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