Dear Silicone Survivors and Friends:

I survived the heat attack (end of June and into July) fairly well, but I did break out in hives (from sun exposure) covering both arms from the wrists to the shoulders. I was wearing SPF-50 sun block. Some of the area with hives was not exposed to the sun. I guess that means I should avoid the sun altogether, but that does become difficult. In any case, I am being doubly careful now.

Thanks to all of you who called with positive responses to the newsletter on addictions.

When you receive this newsletter, I will be off to the NW part of the country. I make an annual pilgrimage to Oregon to visit my mother. I will make stops in Boise (to see our wonderful group leader there) as well as a side trip to Washington State (there is a new group there) and to British Columbia (old friends and new friends dealing with silicone issues). In July, I visited a group in central California as well as old friends in San Diego and the Bay Area of California. I also managed to visit my son and my granddaughter in Santa Cruz. I journeyed to Houston at the end of last month to see Dr. Campbell. Many thanks to him and also a very special thanks to his wonderful office manager, Linda. Thanks too to Jann for putting me up (and putting up with me?).

We are working on several upcoming conferences. We hope that we will have one in the NE part of the country by this Fall (we have been trying to work this out in the Boston area for months). We are trying to schedule one for the NW part of the country (Tacoma, WA). These are two parts of the country that have never had conferences so we are focusing on these areas. There may be one in either Salt Lake City or Boise, ID also, but that is also still uncertain. We are hoping to have conferences in areas of the country that have never had one, so if you have interest in this process, please let us know. Our goal is to give all women the chance to become informed. Some may choose not to attend, but we will make the information available for those who wish to be better informed.

The National Organization for Women has approved a resolution against breast implants (See end of newsletter). It is remarkably similar to the one I printed several months ago that was approved by the Texas N.O.W. group. This resolution passed on June 30, 1996. We should get in touch with our local N.O.W. groups to inform them about breast implants (take them literature and a copy of the Revealed video {available for $39.95 by calling (800) 977-0977} to help educate them). Whatever you can do to help with this process will help all of us and our sisters (and our children) in the future. If you are a member of N.O.W, you can really help by being involved. If not, call them and find out if you can come to a meeting and present information. Get involved. This can be done on local levels, which means no traveling and no time away from home. Group leaders cannot do it all!!

UPCOMING EVENTS: On August 15th, there is a national effort to boycott the products of alll manufacturers. Please contact Margaret Melvin @ (707) 298-3517 for product information.

Medical Conference, Memphis, TN on August 23-24th. Women may attend for $15.00 and there will be a session on Friday evening for women to ask questions and have answers about their concerns. $10.00 should be mailed with your registration and $5.00 paid at the door. Speakers include: Drs. Smalley, Shanklin, Blais, Ostermeyer, Sanger, Silberman, etc. There will be a panel discussion with many of these doctors and others. Contact Peggy @ (901) 385-0709 for more information on registration for consumers. This will be in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. We don't have a phone number for the hotel, but the cost is $102 a night (plus taxes). I recommend doubling up to lower the cost a little. Last month's newsletter contained a registration form for doctors and professionals as well as information on hotel costs. Consumers may use that registration form. Under specialty, write Support Group Member and send it to the address on the form. Enclose your initial $10.00 payment. I wish I could attend this one, but I could never afford those hotel room rates. Because of the financial aspects of travelling, I can usually only travel to places where I can stay with some of the breast implant women.

In September (4th-7th) in Aspen, CO, the American Respiratory Institute will hold their annual conference. On the agenda will be Drs. Herman Staudenmayer, John Seiner, and Ronald Gots. All three of these doctors will be telling allergists about the pseudo-science of silicone induced immune disorder. If you would like to attend with factual information (a copy of the International Journal of International Medicine and Toxicology would be handy) and fight back, contact Karen Hardesty in Denver, CO to find out how to fight back. Her phone number is (303) 757-4507. Perhaps you would like to arrange a demonstration and/or protest???!!!

Conference: St. Louis, MO Sat., Sept. 21st. Speakers include Drs. Britta Ostermeyer, Andrew Campbell, Saul Puszkin and Linda Huang and attorney Mike Hugo as well as Janice Ferriell of the National Breast Implant Task Force and Lynda Roth of COSS. For information, contact Kathy Keithley-Johnson @ (573) 445-0861. Cost is $40.00. Hotel reservations: Stouffer's Renaissance Hotel (314) 429-1100, $79.00 double, $89.00 for 4 persons per room. The weather in St. Louis should be a little cooler by September 21, so let's all come together for a great conference. Right now Southwest Airlines has great deals--call quick!!!!! Some other airlines may be matching them! Keep calling your travel agent as there are often one day specials that are unadvertised.

Broward County Support Group, leader Phyllis Brown (inactive for 2 years) will again begin meetings in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Sept. 16th at 7:30 P.M. For information on location, contact Phyllis at (954) 420-0098.

LEGAL INFORMATION: Dow Corning has stated that they will make every effort to come out of bankruptcy by the end of 1997, and that they will for sure be out of bankruptcy by the end of 1998. In a statement by Richard Hazleton on June 21st, he stated that he was hopeful that the whole process could be resolved by the end of 1997 and that he hadn't seen anything yet that would derail that plan. We do hear that something is happening in September, but we don't know what.

What does that mean for women who have claims against Dow Corning? It means that they will have to have a plan to pay the women approved by the court by that time. The committee of nine that is working on the plan will probably have a lot more information on this later, but, as you know, they have been extremely silent as to what negotiations have been occurring. We will let you know something when we get the information.

Will women who have had Dow Corning implants get the amount originally stated on the grid? EXTREMELY UNLIKELY!!!! I have heard these rumors, and they are harmful and create unnecessary expectations! We do hope that the final amount is at least what the big three settlement is offering or more, but let's not speculate about amounts before we have solid information. It just creates more problems for many women when expectations are raised only to crash again. Please be careful with rumors. The persons you harm will be other victims of breast implants.

In a case related to product liability, Medtronic lost a Supreme Court battle to avoid liability in a state court. Medtronic had declared that it was not liable under state laws because its product had been approved for sale by the U.S. FDA, and that their authority preempts state law. This means that the case that was being tried can proceed to court. This is important because manufacturers of breast implants and other devices are trying to have their liability waived by asking for protection when their products have been FDA approved. Other product manufacturers have been pushing this concept also. What this would mean is that they would have a license to kill as long as the FDA had approved the product. Now, isn't that ethical and honest!!! Fills you with confidence, doesn't it???

HR 3468 Update: This is the Biomaterials Access Assurance Act that would keep Dow Corning from being liable for their component parts that were placed in implants by other manufacturers. This bill would protect them in spite of the fact that Dow Corning knew its silicone would bleed from implants, would spill into the body when implants ruptured, and in spite of the fact that these other companies were relying on the fact that Dow stated they had tested this product and it was safe. Dow also knew their products caused immune diseases in the animals they tested. This legislation would exempt all suppliers of raw materials and component parts from liability for the finished product manufactured by another company. Contact your representative and ask them to oppose HR 3468. Explain why component manufacturers should be held liable. Many component manufacturers could ship defective parts or components and not be held liable under this bill. It is just another attack on the rights of the consumers in this country. Act quickly, as time is important here.

Apparently, the panel of doctors to be appointed by Judge Pointer (to examine the question as to whether silicone implants are safe or make us ill) is not yet in place. Nominations have been made in the fields of Epidemiology, Immunology, and Rheumatology. Nomination(s) in the field of Toxicology will be submitted shortly. We hear that Judge Pointer has had difficulty finding unbiased doctors. While I have heard this decision to create a panel criticized by many as unnecessary (since we all know that silicone toxicity has been proven), I think that it was necessary. Judges in other states (notably N.Y. State) were planning to appoint doctors to research this question. What Judge Pointer did was to preempt them by doing it himself. This way he had more control over who was appointed so that he could make sure they were fair and impartial. Let's wait and see what the outcome is before we criticize this situation. As I see it, we can't be any worse off than we are now! This idea for a panel of doctors came up in the Agent Orange lawsuits and was Dow's way of having experts dispute the harm done. In the numerous lawsuits, this favored them. We want to make sure that, if there is a panel, they are not biased against us.

Many (over 31,000 who sent in the blue proof of manufacturer) reportedly have now received the status letter. 38% (over 15,000) waived further opt-out rights. 93% of that group have been mailed advance payments of $5000 or $1000 and 2000 have been mailed the explant fee of $3000. Additional distributions of from $10.000 to $100,000 have begun to Current Claimants. If over four months have elapsed since you sent in the blue proof of manufacturer form, and if you think you qualify for the big three settlement (Baxter Healthcare-Heyer Schulte, Bristol-Meyer-Squibb-Surgitek, or McGhan-3M) and you have not received any paper work or check by now, contact the Claims Office at (800) 600-0311 immediately. If you have not sent in the blue proof of manufacturer (I recently met a woman who stated her attorney had advised her to do nothing), please sent it immediately. You should have received something by now if you had any of these manufacturers. Of the 102,000 class members who have returned election forms, about 4500 opted out on the election form and another 890 have opted-out after receiving their notification of Status Letters (so far). If you had Dow Corning or any of the other numerous brands, hold off and wait a while. More information should be coming soon. Make sure that you are registered in the Dow Corning Bankruptcy if your implant was Dow Corning or had any Dow Corning components and especially if you have only had one of the manufacturers not included in the big three (Baxter, Bristol, and 3-M-McGhan).

There is a delay of status letters to Post 8/84 McGhan recipients because of an appeal of the settlement. This should not delay any payments.

Mentor and Bioplasty: On July 26th, Judge Pointer entered Order 33 tentatively approving a plan for distributing Mentor and Bioplasty settlement funds. Notices of this plan along with claim forms will be mailed to Mentor and Bioplasty implant recipients (or their attorneys) once the Claims Office has developed a mailing list--probably (??) before the end of August. Attorneys will be responsible for distributing copies to clients with these implants. Deadline for filing claims, which must be signed by claimant (not attorney) is 12/16/96. If the deadline is the end of 1996, I assume no moneys will be distributed prior to 1997.

Inamed has filed a motion with the court to have a mandatory class action for any recipients of their implants. Stay tuned for more on this one. This would affect Cox-Uphoff recipients.

More information on the Mentor and the Bioplasty settlements should be available by mid-August. Call (800) 887-6828 in Mid-August for an update and stay tuned.

Koken was denied a motion for summary judgment. They have filed for a reconsideration, meaning they are still trying to duck responsibility for problems caused by their implants. I don't expect they will fare any better with the second motion.

Union Carbide also filed a motion for a partial summary judgment. They also want to limit their responsibility. More on this later??

Bankruptcy Settlement: How the settlement will probably work is that anyone with only a claim against Dow Corning (or anyone not covered by another settlement, perhaps, but with a valid claim against Dow Corning) will be entitled to what they are offered when the bankruptcy is finally settled. If you have received another settlement, any amount you previously received will probably be subtracted from any amount you may be eligible to receive in any bankruptcy settlement. While this may not be set up this way, several of our experts tell us that it probably will be to insure that all women can receive something and that women do not double-dip (take funds from two places--which would mean that others would get less because of a reduction in available funds).

Foreign women who had Dow Corning implants may be eligible to participate in the Dow Corning bankruptcy. As of this time, we are not aware of any barrier to foreign participation. Their implants would presumably have had to have been manufactured in the U.S. by Dow Corning. While this is not certain, at least it is a distinct possibility. Let's cross our fingers for these women who may otherwise have no recourse.

The Mentor settlement will probably also be paid out by the same principle. Those with only a claim against Mentor (and not one of the big three) would be eligible for a settlement from the funds collected from Mentor. If you have received any settlement from elsewhere you will probably not be able to participate in the Mentor Settlement.

MEDICAL INFORMATION: Don't This Beat All?? Some doctors in central Michigan are immune to lawsuits for medical negligence if they have something go wrong with their treatment. A small group of doctors who also teach at Michigan State University School are exempt by Michigan Law. Two persons who tried to sue are taking their cases to the Michigan Supreme Court asking them to hold the doctors liable. Lansing and Mid-Michigan women, watch out. Your doctor may be immune from legal action if they also teach at Michigan State University School. I don't think I would want to see a doctor who couldn't be held accountable for his/her actions. How would you know if they were immune? I guess you would have to ask. I think I would!

Thirty researchers in various disciplines are joining forces to try to find out which materials the body will not reject or will not induce reactions. This is supported by a $12.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation plus matching contributions from 3M, Baxter Healthcare, Dow Corning, and other companies. (I wonder why they didn't research this over 30 years ago before they implanted all these bioreactive implants into our bodies). This research project could last 10 years. Another research team will explore proteins that trigger healing and look for ways to embed them into man-made materials (genetic engineering?). This would help prevent the body from walling off implants behind scar tissue. While this research is necessary for life-threatening organ transplantation, I suspect the technology will be utilized as another way to implant other objects as well and thereby make more rich companies (or current ones more wealthy). All this at the time that they are trying not to pay victims of defective products. Doesn't that seem ironic to you??

Cystitis, Bladder Infections, or UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) are common in women and have several causes. UTI's can be defined as inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria (most commonly) or other sources of infection that generally ascend through the urethra to the bladder. Most common in women, this is because the urethra is very short (about one and one half inches) as opposed to about 8-9 inches in men. UTI's are among the most common causes for women to visit physicians.

One reason these infections are so common in women is the location of the urethra (very close to the vagina and anus). Bacteria from the rectum often migrate to the urethra opening and cause infections. Wiping properly after urination can help. Women should always wipe from front to back (with both bowel and urinary movements) to help prevent the spread of bacteria commonly found near the anal area. Vaginal sources of bacterial infection are also common. Urinating often is a woman's best defense against cystitis as this flushes the urethra often and washes out the bacteria. This is especially important right before and right after intercourse (best when the bladder is full, as this will wash out more bacteria) or when a vaginal infection is suspected or known. Bubble baths should be avoided (a leading cause of bladder infections in children), douches can cause infections, diaphragms which cause pressure on the urethra (too tight or overly large which puts pressure on the bladder neck) are a common cause of UTI's, and vaginal sprays are also a problem. The contraceptive sponge may also be a contributor. Replacing these forms of birth control with the cervical cap may eliminate this problem area.

85% of diagnosed bladder infections are from Escherichia coli (E-coli) which is found in the intestines. Enterocci is another bacteria sometimes responsible for infection. Chlamydia is also common in sexually active women (often with more than one partner, but not always), and this is a sexually transmitted bacteria. In fact, cystitis is more common in sexually active women as bacteria is easily transmitted from the anus to the urethra during sexual activity. Inability to completely empty the bladder can lead to repeat infections.

Symptoms include urgency (need to urinate quickly), painful or difficult urination, the feeling that one must urinate again after just doing so and sometimes pain in the lower abdomen or pubic area. Urine can be bloody and/or foul-smelling. Chills and fever may be present, but often are not. Back pain may be present, but often is not. There may be nausea but this is not common. Some of these symptoms may mean kidney involvement and this is a more serious condition. Infections can also be asymptomatic, meaning that they are present without symptoms. There are home test kits for bladder infections. Ask your local pharmacist for a product called Dipstick. Symptoms may exist when no infection is present. This can be a result of changes in blood flow to the bladder, endometriosis, low back problems or hormone problems. If you have any of these problems, testing may be important.

Treatment: Antibiotics may be necessary. The sooner the treatment, the fewer days of antibiotics are necessary. In the first day or two often less dosage of medicine is recommended. A culture can be repeated after two days to see if bacteria are still present. After 3 or more days of infection, heavier dosages and longer periods of treatment are often necessary. The patient must drink lots of water. Acidophilus should be taken at any time an antibiotic is taken to help prevent other problems, notably yeast infections. As an adjunct to treatment, garlic, L-cysteine, Vitamin B-Complex, Cornsilk, calcium-magnesium, essential vitamins and minerals, Vitamin A, Beta-carotene, and Vitamin E are helpful. To restore bladder and kidney function to normal, herbs such as burdock root, juniper berries, marshmallow root and rose hips may be beneficial. Goldenseal is also good for bladder infections when bleeding is present. This herb should be avoided by pregnant women. Dandelion tea and dandelion extract can help cleanse the system. Uva ursi in small amounts can be a diuretic when combined in a tea with other ingredients. Bearberry is a mild diuretic and antiseptic. Birch leaves are also a mild diuretic and work as an antiseptic (pain-killer) when pain is present. Hot sitz baths will relieve pain and discomfort. A product called Batherapy is available at health food stores. Don't take iron or zinc until healed. Don't take cranberry capsules or drink cranberry juice until healed. Avoid foods high in amino acids until infection is cleared. Avoid red wines.

Prevention: Empty the bladder often. Habitual holders of urine are more likely to have bladder infections. Empty your bladder before and after any vigorous exercise, including always before and after intercourse. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, douches, bubble baths, etc. Keep genital and anal areas very clean (very mild soap--natural soaps from health food stores are available) and dry. Wipe from front to back. Wear cotton underwear. Drink cranberry juice (not sweetened, as Ocean Spray is) or take cranberry concentrate capsules. Drink steam-distilled or purified water, and lots of it (Eight 8-ounce glasses a day, minimum). Avoid citrus juices and fruits, avoid all carbonated beverages, caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, chocolate) and alcoholic beverages, and do include parsley, celery and watermelon in your diet (these are natural diuretics) and take acidophilus regularly. Avoid over-the-counter diuretics (water pills) as they deplete the body of magnesium and potassium. Watch for food allergies as these can cause bladder problems. They may mimic infections. Avoid aluminum cookware as it may cause cystitis symptoms. Taking zinc regularly may help. If you suspect kidney involvement, you must seek treatment immediately, as this is much more serious and can cause many more problems. Interstitial Cystitis was the topic of a former newsletter. It is a chronic condition with many similarities but also major differences.

This information came from numerous sources, including Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Alternative Medicine, The Definitive Guide; The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide; & Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 1994.

Food Poisoning: How can you prevent it in your home? 50% of all food poisonings come from your own kitchen!! The cleanest-looking kitchens are often the most contaminated because they are wiped down so often and bacteria is spread from place to place by the cloth used to wipe them.

Where are E-coli and other dangerous bacteria found in your kitchen? The most common places are: Sink drains, counter tops, cutting boards, stove surfaces, stove & refrigerator handles, refrigerator shelves and cleaning clothes and sponges. Hand towels (used for drying hands when cleaning and cooking) are often contaminated.

How can you prevent food poisoning in your kitchen?? A few good rules are: Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and for meats. Don't use the meat cutting board for anything else. Clean cutting boards after each use (or when doing dishes) with a solution of bleach and water (even wooden cutting boards). Microwave wooden cutting boards for 2-3 minutes often. If you use a sponge, use clorox-water solutions to clean with and run the sponge through the dishwasher with each load of dishes. Wash dishrags and kitchen towels every day. Use the bleach-water solution to wash your counters, stove, refrigerator handle, sink, floor spills (unless you have carpeting), and table top. Use this type of solution to clean the refrigerator shelves, and do it often. Shampoo carpeting with a disinfectant. Wash any throw rugs often. Don't touch anything, even faucet handles, after handling any meat (fish and poultry included) until you have washed your hands with disinfecting soap. Scrub under your fingernails. If you use a scrub brush for vegetables or dishes, wash it (them) in the dishwasher. Use the drying cycle as it is the dry heat that kills the germs. If you use any utensils, cutting blocks, sinks, knives or forks, etc. for raw meat of any kind, don't use them again until the surface has been thoroughly washed (preferably in the dishwasher or with bleach-water solution). If you set utensils in a spoon-holder, wash that also before reusing. If you wish to prevent food poisoning, you must think about how you prepare food and clean up the kitchen. Remember, 50% of food poisoning comes straight from our kitchens. Better to be safe than sick. Our immune systems simply are often too weak to resist common bacteria.

More on addictions: Xanax, a benzodiazepine drug similar to Valium, is often given to treat panic attacks and anxiety. It is stronger and more addictive than Valium, but many doctors were never warned of this potential. Xanax should never be used on a daily basis except for very short periods of time (less than 3 months). There was a general failure to perceive the difficulty to quit this drug. If you become addicted, you can not skip dosages. People quitting can have seizures and other problems. Persons taking this drug should never increase the dosage prescribed, even if it begins to lose effectiveness and may take more of the drug to have the same effect. The drug can actually create anxiety and give the person taking it a feeling of being out of control. Xanax can actually compound the problems it was given to treat instead of relieving them. It can cause major depression and homicidal/suicidal tendencies. These are common problems seen in treatment centers where persons on Xanax are treated for addictions. Xanax can actually create a worse addiction than heroin. There are over 8000 emergency room visits a year for Xanax addictions. This is a drug that should only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Withdrawal from long term usage should only be done in a medical setting because death can result. This advice comes from many medical persons and psychiatrists.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: Soy protein may lower cholesterol dramatically, especially when it is substituted for animal protein. Eating 47 grams of soy protein significantly decreases the bad cholesterol, LDL but does not lower the good cholesterol, HDL. It also reduces triglycerides significantly. In a recent study (New England Journal of Medicine), Dr. James Anderson reported significant decreases in LDL and triglycerides with soy protein, and, he stated, the higher the levels, the greater the reduction.

Since soy protein contains estrogenic soy flavonoids, called isoflavones, soy proteins should not be consumed in excess by persons unless there is a medical necessity. Because of estrogenic activity, there are concerns about damage by soy to children who are fed exclusively with soy products. Soy in moderate amounts has been shown to be helpful to many persons and is a healthy alternative to animal proteins.

Vitamin E may reduce the occurrence of non-fatal heart attacks by 77% in those with coronary disease. After just one year, a dramatic decrease in heart attacks has been demonstrated. This form of therapy has been used since the 1930's, but has not yet found wide approval. These results were published in The Lancet in March of 1996 by researcher Nigel Stephens.

It has been demonstrated that Vitamin B6 is helpful for PMS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tarpal Tunnel Syndrome, hyperactivity in children, asthma, and even kidney stones. The reason that many individuals are deficient in B6 stems from pollutants in our environment. The disorders that Vitamin B6 seems to help have become common in recent years. There are really no mention of things like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the medical literature of 100 years ago. Besides the fact that we have more repetitive jobs than in the past, our food also comes from soil that has been depleted, consistently, of the minerals and nutrients that it used to contain. Chemicals used in industry and agriculture, chiefly hydrazines and hydrazides, interfere with some biochemical functions that depend on Vitamin B6. Since hydrazines and hydrazides now contaminate the food supply, Vitamin B6 may not be as readily absorbed by the body. Therefore, we may need to supplement this important nutrient.

How does B6 help PMS? For one, it has been shown to reduce premenstrual weight gain. In a double-blind study, it produced improvement in symptoms in 21 of the 25 women (with moderate to severe pre-menstrual tension) who took it as opposed to those taking a placebo. We don't have all the facts about this study, but B6 is economical and worth a try if you are suffering from PMS.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and why does Vitamin B6 help? The Carpal Tunnel is the area around the wrist through which the median nerve passes. When this nerve receives pressure, numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the thumb and the first two fingers and half of the middle finger occurs. Persons with these symptoms have been shown, frequently, to have a deficiency in Vitamin B6. In a three month trial, this nutrient greatly improved the symptoms of seven persons as opposed to a placebo given a control group. This same definition covers Tarpal Tunnel Syndrome, only it is the ankle bones being described.

Why would Vitamin B6 help childhood hyperactivity? In some hyperactive children, a deficiency of serotonin has been found. Vitamin B6 can raise serotonin levels thereby decreasing symptoms. In a trial utilizing Vitamin B6, Ritalin, and a placebo, the Vitamin B6 group had the largest relief of symptoms. It was more effective than Ritalin which is commonly prescribed for hyperactive children.

In asthma, lab tests often confirm that asthmatics have a Vitamin B6 deficiency. Routinely prescribed drugs such as theophylline and aminophylline may further decrease the body's stores of this nutrient. In a double blind study, children receiving this Vitamin has less symptoms. In another study, adults had a dramatic decrease in symptoms when taking this nutrient. Treatment with Vitamin B6 may decrease the need for prescription drugs.

Kidney stones are generally formed from calcium oxalate. Vitamin B6 helps prevent the body from producing excessive amounts of oxalate. In a study of 140 patients who had recurrent calcium oxalate kidney stones, treatment with B6 and magnesium for between 4-6 years decreased the rate of new kidney stone formation by more than 92 percent. The dosage of Vitamin B6 was as little as 10 mg. per day. Excessive dosages of Vitamin B6 should not be taken. Nerve damage can result. Most conditions respond to 50mg. or less of this nutrient per day. If you are taking more than 200 mg. per day, you should be under the care of a professional who understands nutrition.

This information is from Vitamin B6: The Natural Healer by Dr. Alan Gaby.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Turned down by Aetna for explant? So was Barbara Stock, and she needs your help. She has about 45 days to find persons denied explantation by Aetna Insurance in order to show bad faith in her current lawsuit against Aetna. Her situation may help yours, especially if you were denied funds for explant in the last three years. You may still be able to collect! If you can help, contact Barbara at (407) 629-8791.

More on water treatment: Steam distillation actually condenses chemicals that are close to the same boiling point as water. Donna Spence, of Longmont, CO has been working with a special treatment program for water called Structured Matrix and this system removes bacteria, parasites, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Some systems kill those bacteria. Contact Donna at (303) 772-2093 or FAX (303) 776-3611.

Mary Weatherby would like to hear from women with vasospasms (these have caused her skin to become tightly drawn, shiny, and pulled to one side of her legs, hands and face. Her doctor states that this is not true scleroderma, but a scleroderma-like disease. If you have had this problem, contact her at Rt. 1 Box 383, Sioux City, Iowa 51108 (712) 239-5022. If you cannot afford to call, you may call her collect. She is becoming deformed by this illness and is desperate for another woman similarly afflicted to speak with.

Several women have contacted me with information that glucosamine sulfate (salts) were very helpful to her in treating their fibromyalgia, fatigue, and some other symptoms.

I recently have attempted to quit taking Desyrel (trazadone), the one and only prescription drug I have been taking. I have a sleep disorder which this drug helps. I am trying to quit taking it because I have learned that any anti-depressant can suppress your immune system, and mine is quite suppressed. Now I have worse fibromyalgia problems and more sleep problems and will be working on ways to have more relief. If you have any ideas, please mail or fax them to me. I won't take another prescription!

LOSS OF WORK CAPABILITY SURVEY: Susan Lyons is collating information on how implants have taken away our ability to earn a living. Please, in the strictest of confidence (all identifying information will be removed so that no-one may find out who sent it in), if you are willing, send your responses to these questions to P.O. Box 508, Penrose, NC 28766 or e-mail your responses to her at: slyons@infoave.net

1) Average yearly earnings and number of hours worked per week before silicone illness? 2) After? 3) Your profession/ career/goals before and after? 4) Able to work at all now? 5) Applied for or receiving disability? 6) How has your (diminished?) ability to work impacted your family, ability to care for children, your economics, your life? 7) Available for phone interview? Please include phone number! 8) Additional comments? You do not need to copy the questions as long as you include the number for each. Since the media is getting incorrect information from the manufacturer's and doctor's, we must have someone give out correct information. To respond is an individual choice, and Susan respects each person's wishes.

IMPORTANT: Please be aware that the so-called safe saline (silicone shell saline filled) implant contains saline that is dated. Generally the date on the saline solution is no more than one year after the date of insertion into the individual implant. Manufacturer's of saline solution have protected themselves by stating that their product was never intended for implantation inside the human body. So, who do you blame? The implant manufacturer who made the defective product?!

Nose pieces on many glasses are composed of silicone. If you have trouble with these, ask the eyeglass store to replace them with plastic nose pieces. We have had over a dozen women remind us of this little detail.

BOOKS: Dr. Marsha Angell (of New England Journal of Medicine infamy) has come out with a book. She has been described as impartial, disinterested, and biased. If she is all those things, so am I!!! She says she is a liberal Democrat and a feminist. I sincerely doubt the feminist part, and I certainly wouldn't claim her as a Democrat. I have a copy of her journal article in the NEJM. Send $1.00 and SASE for a copy. In any case, her book will tell the world how safe implants are. She flouted the flawed studies from last year, and you can bet that this book will have the best of publicity. Let's fight back. The book is entitled Science on Trial; The Clash Between Science and the Law in the Breast Implant Case. DON'T BUY THIS BOOK! It has been released, so this would be a good time for new blood out to write letters, beg on talk shows, etc. And let's not forget those who have been around for awhile (we can still fight back). We must fight back or they will win this war!! DON'T BUY THIS BOOK! We don't want to give them any more profits than they already have.

THIS MONTH'S POEM:

TAKERS and LEAVERS

by Sandra Sharp

In our world today, quite sadly we find
A group of people most shallow of mind.

They take as they wish and do as they please
And the worst of it is, they do it with ease.

They feel it's their due to have their demands
No matter the price to earth or to man.

They use up resources for all they're worth
With never a thought to the future of earth.

They use each other for personal gain
Without ever feeling a moment's shame.

These are the takers, who, to our dismay
Would trample us down if we stood in their way.

How grateful we are our planet still holds
Another class of people not cut from this mold.

Those who still value the virtues of living
With kindness and sharing, loving and giving.

From care of families and care of sod
To love of earth and love of God.

We call them leavers, for always we find
Things of improvement they leave behind.

Committed to making, right to the end
A better world than when they came in.

These are the people from far and near
Who've enriched our world by being here.

Takers leave only dust when they die
Little to show they were ever alive.

A Leavers imprint forever will last
Examples they set generations will pass.

No takers you'll find in heaven above
God and the leavers await us with love.

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER INFORMATION:

Previous issues of newsletters are available for $2.00 each U.S., $3.00 Foreign. January 1993 is the first available issue. Please indicate months' desired and enclose $2.00 (US), $3.00 (Foreign) each. Some subjects covered have been: Auto-immune (1/93); Fibromyalgia (2/93); Medical Testing (3/93); Sjogren's (4/93); Vasculitis (4/93); Arthritis (5/93); Chronic Fatigue (6/93); Lupus (7/93); Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Inflammatory Bowel Disease (8/93); Insurance (8/93, 9/93); Miscellaneous Medical Information (9/93); Multiple Sclerosis (10/93); Spasmodic Torticollis (10/93); Hypoglycemia (11/93); Antibodies (12/93); Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (1/94); More Miscellaneous Medical Information (2/94); Scleroderma (3/94); Costochondritis (4/94); Peripheral Neuropathy (4/94); Class Action (5/94); Fungal Infections (6/94); Hypercalcemia (low calcium) (7/94); Raynaud's Phenomenon (8/94); Fibromyalgia Update (9/94); Sarcoidosis (10/94); Free Radicals (11/94); Porphyria (12/94); Interstitial Cystitis (1/95); Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (2/95); Flap Procedures (3/95); Even More Miscellaneous Medical (4/95); Thyroid Disease (5/95); Stress (6/95); Natural Healing (7/95); Adrenal Malfunctions (8/95); Multiple Myeloma (9/95); DHEA (10/95); Chelation Therapy (11/95); Sleep Disorders (12/95); Menieres Disease (1/96); 33 Tips To Improve Your Health (2/96); Amino Acids (3/96); Enzymes (4/96); Minerals (5/96); Aluminum Toxicity & DHEA Update (6/96); Addictions & Food Sensitivities (7/96) Legal; most issues; & Alternative Medicine; most issues.

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