Isn't it funny, Nick, how everything that tastes so good is so bad for us?

Paula - My thoughts and prayers are with you, as always - I'm glad that you were able to get your PCP to run the right tests - that often is quite a battle if they "don't feel it's necessary", and I hope with the help of the endocrinologist and the neurologist, they can get you the supplementation you need now, and get you started on the road that you'll need to be on in the future to make sure this doesn't happen again. If you can, please keep us posted how you are doing... Gentle hugs, ...Nick

Yeahbut... I don't like the taste of water.

Hi family, I am need of prayers and hugs today as I am feeling overwhelmed. I was going to share my update when all the answers were in, but that might take a while. It is my turn now it seems to have some long term metabolic problems. I have had increasing muscle weakness for the last 6-7 months. My regular labs keep showing the same things...except for low normal protein nothing seems unremarkable. My pcp wasn't sure what to do. I asked for a more specific metabolic workup testing for fat, carbo, or protein metabolism deficiencies. I asked her to order a carnitine level. Carnitine is the amino acid that transports fat into the skeletal muscles, brain, and heart cell's powerhouses the mitochondria to provide for energy at rest. Well, wouldn't you know that it returned very deficient. Carnitine deficiency is a metabolic state in which there is not enough available for normal function of these systems. You don't often see symptoms until the level is less than 10-20% of normal. Oftentimes it is not diagnosed until there is sudden cardiac death or coma. Further labs were drawn and all abnormal...a long story but all related. I was referred to an endocrinologist and neurologist. The endocrinologist is trying to sort out all the abnormal labwork that suddenly appeared. I have an appointment with the neurologist next week. I have been falling since I am so weak, I guess....4 times in the last month. I have hurt my foot, ring finger, knee. This last fall I broke 4 ribs in 3 places, cracked my head, and landed on my hip prosthesis (which blew up to a huge hematoma). I'm going to my orthopedic surgeon tomorrow. Sorry to be so long. I would welcome your prayers, if you are so inclined. I also need some hugs....but not too tight! Will keep you updated. Paula

I received this through an e-mail from a friend and found it interesting. Thought I would share it with my February 2004 buddies. I don't drink coke, but its nice to know what I can do with it when I have coke left over from having company........ WATER 1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. 2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. 3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. 4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study. 5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. 6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. 7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzz short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. 8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. And now for the properties of COKE: 1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol carries two gallons of coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident. 2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days. 3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China. 4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. 5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion. 6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes. 7. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. 8. It will also clean road haze from your windshield. For Your Info: 1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis. 2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials. 3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years! Now the question is, would you like a coke or a glass of water?