June 12th
2008
1:33 AM
The Journal of Immunology, Vol 146, Issue 4 1294-1302, Copyright © 1991 by American Association of Immunologists
ARTICLES
Urinary nitrate excretion in relation to murine macrophage activation. Influence of dietary L-arginine and oral NG-monomethyl-L-arginine
DL Granger, JB Hibbs Jr and LM Broadnax
Division of Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710.
Murine macrophage oxidation of L-arginine guanidino nitrogen to nitrite/nitrate yields an intermediate effector, possibly nitric oxide, with antimicrobial activity. Total body nitrogen oxidation metabolism (NOM) was measured in vivo by determining the urinary nitrate excretion of mice ingesting a chemically defined nitrite/nitrate-free diet. As reported previously, mycobacterial infection with bacillus Calmette- Guerin led to a large increase in urinary nitrate excretion. This increase was temporally related to macrophage activation in vivo. The substrate for macrophage nitrogen oxidation metabolism in vitro, L- arginine, was deleted from the diet without ameliorating the urinary nitrate excretion response induced by BCG. This suggested that L- arginine was synthesized endogenously because there are no other known natural substrates for NOM. A competitive inhibitor of NOM, the L- arginine analog, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine was fed to mice in their drinking water. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine ingestion blocked both basal and bacillus Calmette-Guerin-induced urinary nitrate excretion over a 2- 4 week time span. These experimental conditions should prove useful for further investigation on the role of macrophage NOM in host defense against intracellular microorganisms.
-- By concernedcitizen | Reply | Private Message me
June 10th
2008
8:54 PM
I had surgery in August, 2006 for Endometriosis, and a Lupron injection 2 wks later. That one injection changed my life. Even though it was a year and a half ago, I'm still feeling the effects. Which is what brought me to this site -- I'm searching for an answer.
These were/are my symptoms:
-- I experienced immediate and increasing hot flashes that lasted for nearly 6 mos.
-- Extreme fatigue and the "activativation" of Epstein Barr Virus. I started sleeping 18-20 hrs/day and lost my career job because of it.
-- Cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, loss of concentration, etc.
-- Blurred vision (and I have otherwise perfect vision!)
-- To date, I have gained 40 lbs that will not budge no matter what my diet!
-- I have severe muscle weakness and burning (such as if I go up a
flight of stairs). Muscle atrophy and stiffness.
-- My joints (hips, knees, feet) hurt and I have a lot of back pain.
-- I have TMJ quite badly and it causes my arms to go numb.
Last year my doctor ordered a hair analysis for heavy metal poisoning -- and my levels were off the charts. I've read that Lupron is suspended in thimerosol, or mercury, and that raises a host of issues that I'd like to research, if anyone has info on that.
Today, I am doing much better in terms of being out of bed and active, but I am unable to lose the weight, despite an organic, all natural, gluten/dairy/sugar/corn/soy/caffeine/etc. free diet! My belly is always bloated and big.
I am really active, but I tire easily and still haven't been able to get over that "hump", as it were, and really exert myself. Before my surgery and the Lupron and the EBV, I was an avid dancer. It is my passion and I can hardly do it at all now. I cannot swim a full lap in a pool without my leg muscles burning.
I have read of some people having good experiences with Lupron, but I have read far more horrifying ones. Part of me doesn't want to accept that Lupron is the cause of what I'm experiencing...could it really be that simple? And part of me is happy to shed the burden of guilt that "I must just not be trying hard enough" in exchange for an outside cause. I guess research and knowledge is the best medicine in this case. =}
-- By jssrabbit | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 15th
2008
11:34 AM
Hi. I am so sorry to read your story. My 17 year old daughter’s story is similar. She had her second Gardasil vaccination during the end of January 2008. During the month of February and March, she had abdominal problems. Beginning on March 30th, she had seizures. She had a CT of the head, MRI of the brain, EEG, 24 hour EEG and as I type this note, she are in the epilepsy center at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia and the doctor just came in to tell me that every test is coming back normal and that my daughter is having “stress” seizures. My daughter has no more stress than any other 17 year old girl does.
I related to the doctor my thoughts pertaining to Gardasil and I feel as though he has dismissed my idea.
I have found some many stories similar to yours and my daughter’s but I believe because Gardasil is so new, nothing is coming out yet about it.
If anyone has any other information, please advise!! We are desperate here in Philadelphia.
Jodi
***
December 29th
2007
2:54 PM
Update for Danielle, it has been 32 days since removal, I am still nauseous, have some anxiety and depression, no more panic attacks thank God, I have been put on an anti-depressant for the next few months until my hormones balance out, I hope it is effective, I have always been a happy person, the Mirena has ruined the last month of my and my family's life, all I want to do is feel like me again, I hope one day I can look back on this time and be thankful I got through it, the one thing I will never take for granted is my health, laughter. I will keep you all posted on how I am feeling, good luck to those of you who are going through the same thing.
-- By danielle123 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 5th
2007
10:57 AM
I was a healthy 59 year old woman until my doctor prescribed Levaquin for a minor eye pain. I was taking 500 mg. a day for 6 days and on the seventh day I broke out with thousands of hives all over my entire body.I also had severe chest pains and a terrible pain in my back and jaw. I thought I was having a heart attack. The doctor examined me and took an EKG. I had a normal EKG it was not a heart atatck. My physican precribed benadryl and sent me home. A few days later I started with a terrible burning in my esophagus and stomach , and the terrible hives continued. I went back to my doctor and he precribed Zyrtec. The Zyrtec helps the hives to "sleep". I find that 22hours into the 24 hour pill I start to see all of the hives popping out and itching. The doctor gave me a fat free .diet and sent me on my way. Two days later back to see my physican. I told him I was still in severe pain. My stomach and esophagus were on fire and that I was having terrible pain in my diaphram when bending over. I insisted that he refer me to a gastointerstional doctor as an emergency or I was going to the Emergency Room now. He sent me to a Gastro Doctor and upon examining me he said I had GERD. He also precribed a Fat Free Diet, and gave me a pill called Zegrid. This did not help at all. I than made an appointment for an Endoscopy. The findings are acute inflamation in the stomach and inflamation in the esophagus. I also have a hiatal hernia. The doctor told me to double up on the Zegrid.. The Biopsy will be back in two weeks. My pain continued so I called the gastro docor and he gave me Carafate. I continue to have the burning, the hives, pain in my diaphram and back, and now a feeling that I have something stuck in my throat. I never had any of these issues prior to taking Levaquin. I am going back to the doctor today as I have added naseua to the list of my complaints. I eat very lightly and drink very little as when I drink I sometimes get terrible pain in my diaphram. I have been to my primary physican 8 times, gastro 2 times, I have had about $500. in prescriptions, EKG's , Sonograms, Endoscopys, and Biopsys. I am starting to wonder if the medical profession set me up. Levaquin is poison to some people. Why did my doctor give me this medication for an eye ache.? It may be too late for me to debate the use of this medication that I took blindly,but maybe someone out there will read my story and think before they blindly take a medication that may change there life forever. Does any one out there have any of the same issues from Levaquin? Thanks for reading my story. Cheri
-- By 1437cheridemeo | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
September 12th
2005
7:26 PM
Thank you all for all your posts. They help me feel like I am not alone in all this junk. I have been on Prednisone since mid July when I was diagnosed with Dermatomyositis. Even with all the side effects, primarily the weight gain and bloating, I feel better than I did in June. I could hardly walk. My sleeping is actually better now than it was with the pain of DM, and I have always been hypoglycemic so the elevation in blood sugar has helped me.
With that said, I have always been an extremely healthy and active person so the weight gain is killing me. I also prefer to be holistic. My biggest fear has always been long term medication, but here I am. My pred. level was just increased 2 weeks ago to 60mg / day. Within one week my face has become very round, and I look 4 months pregnant. I am very hopeful that someone will find that miracle diet/exercise regime to help balance this side effect. I work out at least 6 days per week. I eat healthy, but have recently gone back to a yeast & sugar free diet. All this with no success. I just started taking Methotrexate 2 weeks ago so I hope maybe it will give me the success Liz has seen in that area.
Other side effects: I am very happy to have my energy level back, but my strength isn't back so I get very frustrated and irritable. I have issues with blurred vision. And I have trouble concentrating. My thoughts often wonder while I am in conversation.
I hold you all in my prayers and hope that you will find ease as you go through this challenge. If we can all stay positive we'll get through it.
Best Wishes,
Elizabeth
Gardasil (2) PredniSONE (1) Mirena (1) Toprol-XL (1) Lupron (1) Levaquin (1) Singulair (1)
February 15th
2009
11:36 AM
I posted a short one, would like to add to it. My daughter was taken by ambulance twice last week to the ER, after having violent seizure like episodes. On second visit, she had several while we were waiting to be seen. She spent 5 days in the hospital, having these episodes as few as 10, as many as 30. lasting any where from 4 minutes to 40. She screams out in pain. It's like her entire back, including arms, legs, hands, feet are having a severe muscle spasm at that same time. If you look up dystonia, the definition fits. Dr. said it was too severe for that diagnosis. They ran EEG, EKG, Cat Scan, MRI, X-ray, extensive blood and urine work, video for 24 hours, with EEG. Everything was normal. DR decided it was stress and anxiety. Released from hospital still having episodes. I called a dystonia specialist in Maryland, she asked if she had the GARDASIL shots. Said it sounded like a side effect she had heard of. Well, after reading all these blogs, youtube, I believe it's the GARDASIL causing her problems. I knew it wasn't stress & anxiety. We are currently detoxing with ionizing foot baths, gluten free diet and meds from Health food store, called HMD-Heavy Metal Detox. I feel we are moving in the right direction. My daughter is a cheerleader, dancer and honor student. She just wants her life back. It has been on hold for 2 weeks now. I consider her one of the lucky girls, after reading many blogs. God Bless each and everyone of you. Sign the petition to stop hurting our girls.
-- By robrich24 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me