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Question:

>Unfortunately, It’s unclear to me  why I should believe that taking >aspirin will lower my temperature.

This is an interesting point. Shouldn’t we ask, "WHY do I have a temperature?" Doing something to lower it may be like turning off the water when the house is on fire–sure it keeps things from getting wet, but is that really the course to take? You body may perfectly well know what it’s doing, raising its temperature to kill bacteria, etc.–it may not respond kindly to your interferrence. Which is part of the larger problem–the mindset of treating the symptom rather than the cause. "Glaucoma"/high IOP is a prime example. Drop, drop, drop, test, test, test–while giving zero attention to addressing the cause. Bottom line: look beyond the outward manifestation.

Response:

In article <19970814143301.KAA14…@ladder01.news.aol.com>,   halt…@aol.com (Halterb) wrote: >> Which is part of the larger problem–the mindset of treating the symptom > rather than the cause. "Glaucoma"/high IOP is a prime example. Drop, drop, > drop, test, test, test–while giving zero attention to addressing the > cause.

I assume many people are working on identifying the cause — researchers working for universities and drug companies, among others.  But until the cause is identified and successfully addressed, I’m perfectly happy to have my ophthalmologist monitor and treat my IOPs with the goal of preventing or at least minimizing further loss of vision. ——————-==== Posted via Deja News ====———————–       http://www.dejanews.com/     Search, Read, Post to Usenet

Response:

halt…@aol.com (Halterb) wrote:

……………….. >This is an interesting point. Shouldn’t we ask, "WHY do I have a >temperature?" Doing something to lower it may be like turning off the >water when the house is on fire–sure it keeps things from getting wet, >but is that really the course to take? You body may perfectly well know >what it’s doing, raising its temperature to kill bacteria, etc.–it may >not respond kindly to your interferrence. >Which is part of the larger problem–the mindset of treating the symptom >rather than the cause. "Glaucoma"/high IOP is a prime example. Drop, drop, >drop, test, test, test–while giving zero attention to addressing the >cause. >Bottom line: look beyond the outward manifestation.

A different subject than mine (which was different than hers — which was different from the earlier part of the thread) — but right on! Ray

Response:

In article <33F067ED.3…@earthlink.net>, Mark <mark5…@earthlink.net> writes: >One of the big problems with taking any number, such as 16, as the >dividing line is that there is a good percentage of people with >pressures higher then that without glaucoma. I know, in our office, the >feeling is that you do wait for some sign of early damage to treat the >disease.  At least in part because, as everyone here knows, the cost of >eye drops is substantial.  You don’t want to commit a person to a >lifetime of taking medication without being sure (or at least reasonably >sure) you have something to treat. On the other hand, if the pressures >are over 25-30 and the diagnosis of glaucoma is borderline…most >offices will treat the disease.  In m

I am also a glaucoma suspect with pressures from 18 to 25 during the past 2 and a half years.  Is the cost of drops the only reason not to go on drops?  I suppose side effects to other parts of the body might be another reason.  Or do drops lose their ability to control pressure if you start them too early?

Response:

   My own credentials are that I am a non-physician and a glaucoma patient.  I have stated this before.  And the only advice I have given to those seeking answers about the health status of their eyes is basically this: Find an ophthalmologist in whom you have confidence, and be guided by his or her advice.      I am not aware of your credentials, except whatever insights I have been able to gain by reading your posts.  As I said, as far as I know you are not a physician.    In the post to which I responded recently, as I recall, you advised a poster that he does not have glaucoma.  That is a diagnosis.  I do not do that.    I have observed that people often come here for support, having recently been diagnosed with glaucoma.  As a fellow "sufferer," I have tried to offer support.      Don Raymond A. Chamberlin <ra…@sirius.com> wrote in article <33f0088c.15601…@news.sirius.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Donald Singleton" <donal…@sprynet.com> wrote: > >Tom, > >     It probably would be a bad idea to accept a "diagnosis" from anyone > >who is (as far as you or I know) without credentials, who has never > >examined your eyes (and might not know how), and who has nothing to lose > >should his advise result in loss of your vision.   > Are you not describing the status of *your own* credentials?  And you > seem to be saying you don’t know what my credentials are?  Not sure > what your post is supposed to prove.  Are you crying about some lack > of faith in MDs? > Ray

Response:

Elissa said: EL>Rationally I know that, of course.  Particularly since   >my mother wasn’t diagnosed until a lot of vision was   >gone. I’ve been telling myself it’s better to catch it   >early, but sometimes I look at my mom and worry that   >that’s my future. Try to remember that new drugs and methods are very effective at controling glaucoma, which prevents damage; that’s the beauty of catching it early.  And, there are differing reactions to pressure, also.  Some people are very sensitive to pressure rises, others experience it and the nerve is not damaged, or not damaged as badly. Just, as some people get cavities easily, others resist.  (Aah…that dental simile again!<g>) EL>Right now it’s not clear if I have anything to worry   >about at all. When I was checked by her doctor, my   >pressures were totally normal. He thinks it bears   >monitoring, since it obviously was high when the other   >dr looked at me, but at least for now it doesn’t look like   >there’s anything seriously "glaucomatous" going on. Also, pressure rises and falls under differing circumstances, including stress. EL>So I’ll try to think about this as being like going to the   >dentist. (Not that I actually enjoy that, either. Is there   >an alt.support.tooth group?!) No, no…what we want is alt.support.tooth.DRILLING group! <g> —  

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