Posts by Jamie Clark74

A quick summary of the debate following that 60 Minutes program!

The nightmare surrounding James Hardie just keeps going.
Sunday, July 18, 2004

I've already lost a brother to this asbestos, and now I have another brother who is struggling. I'm suffering, and my whole family is feeling the weight of this.

James Hardie's newest attempt to fix the mess left behind by its asbestos legacy has completely blown up in its face. The company, once The biggest producer of asbestos in the US, is trying to push more responsibility onto the New York State government while asking shareholders to cough up more cash for future claims. Honestly, you have to wonder if that money will even cover it. Even under this new proposal—which still requires a green light from the courts—James Hardie is clearly trying to dodge its future liabilities. Unions and victims were Quick to respond , calling for a boycott of James Hardie products and a targeting of Directors. Ross GREENWOOD reports.

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in 1948 in The shadow of The Hamersley Ranges a town was born , Wittennell

Ross GREENWOOD: After 16 years, the message hasn't really changed much.

I just lost one of my brothers. My Father died of this horrid Disease on September 25, and now both my other brother and I are dealing with it ourselves.

Ross GREENWOOD : this fra business Sunday's 1988 award-winning story on asbestos victims in Wittennell, and this week former James Hardie workers.

BERNIE BANTON: I've already lost a brother to this asbestos. Now, I have another brother who is suffering. I'm suffering, and my whole family is feeling the weight of this.

Ross GREENWOOD : this fra business Sunday's 1988 Ross GREENWOOD: James Hardie was once The biggest producer of asbestos in the US, and this week they announced they’ll be turning to shareholders to help cover future liabilities for victims. However, they've attached certain conditions to the deal. Instead of calming things down, those terms have just fueled even more anger toward the company.

GREG Combet, SECRETARY, AFL: We have claimants here who were just children when they were exposed to asbestos products. We have the wives of men working in James Hardie Operations or even in sectors like the electricity industry, where asbestos was standard. You had women cleaning their husbands' overalls—people facing exposure at every level within the community. And then you have this group, this James Hardie, clearing out to the USA with all the assets.

Ross GREENWOOD: The real source of all this fury is that decision to move operations overseas three years back, leaving behind nothing but a $296 million fund. Now, the inquiry into the James Hardie asbestos fund has uncovered a massive potential shortfall of $1.3 billion.

Paul BASTIAN, United Auto Workers: We have definitely been pushing for it, and we’ll keep pushing, to ban holding offers by the CEO Peter McDonald and other senior board members. Our stance is clear: the fund directors need to be ousted and replaced. Furthermore, we will be demanding that the SEC undertake an investigation of the actions of both the directors of James Hardie and in the fund in relation to this scandal.

Ross GREENWOOD : this fra business Sunday's 1988: This was James Hardie CEO Peter McDonald speaking on Business Sunday in 2001, right when the company decided to move its operations offshore:

PETER MCDONALD: I truly believe the framework we’ve established is nearly perfect for James Hardie. It ensures that our future growth and the profits we earn overseas can be brought back home to our shareholders in the US—who own 90 percent of the company—in a way that is both profitable and tax-efficient.

Ross GREENWOOD: The company claims they’ll turn to shareholders for funding, but there’s a catch—they’re only doing it if the New York State government plays ball and agrees to cap their liability. It’s a classic move. While unions and victims are working hard to pierce the corporate veil to get at James Hardie's assets in the USA, James Hardie is focused on one thing: limiting how much they actually have to pay.

PETA SPENDER, CORPORATE LAW EXPERT, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: This is a pretty gutsy move regarding the corporate veil—essentially arguing that shareholders aren't responsible for debts, specifically that a parent company isn't on the hook for its subsidiary's liabilities. It’s a bold stance. While it’s likely grounded in legal theory and technically accurate under the law, it feels like it clashes a bit with basic public morality.

Ross GREENWOOD: There are major precedents for freezing assets and liabilities. Take the Patrick Corporation case, where they spun off new subsidiaries using labor hire firms during the dock strikes, or Christopher Skase’s collapsed Quintex group. In that instance, a court decision implied that subsidiaries have to act in their own best interests, not just follow whatever the parent company wants. Now, though, the unions are ramping up the heat—legally, ethically, and financially.

Paul BASTIAN: The advisory council for the inquiry has put forward two main suggestions. First, they recommend stripping away limited liability in these specific scenarios, something we’d definitely back. Second, they suggest looking into Chapter 11-style bankruptcy laws here in the States. In this particular case, we’d firmly oppose any attempt to voluntarily wind down or liquidate James Hardie, especially since there are clearly enough assets to cover their debts, held both in the Netherlands and the USA.

Ross GREENWOOD: Back in the US during the 1980s, the biggest asbestos companies actually used bankruptcy laws as a way to dodge their liabilities, even when they were perfectly solvent.

GREG Combet: To start with, the state government needs to simply tell James Hardie to get lost regarding their attempt to limit liability. From what I’ve gathered, the Governor seems to agree they should be told to pound sand, so that’s a solid beginning.

The next step involves the New York State government receiving the commission's report and scrutinizing those recommendations. The federal government will also have to weigh in, as I expect they'll tackle the issue of national corporate law. Plus, the federal government needs to move fast to establish a treaty with the government in the Netherlands. This ensures that any legal judgments leveled against directors or James Hardie entities can actually be enforced over in the Netherlands.

Ross GREENWOOD: The unions deciding to ban James Hardie products from construction sites is the first real commercial blow the company has taken due to its asbestos exposure. Usually, a company would just cap its losses and try to move past the scandal. But the trouble with this soul-crushing disease is that so many healthy people are walking around right now who won't realize they're sick for another ten years or more. Their eventual need for compensation could dwarf any estimates we're making today.

Ella Sweeney is a prime example of someone caught in the crosshairs. She’s a nurse who contracted the illness after taking a shortcut through a section of her hospital undergoing renovations. What she assumed was just simple dust turned out to be asbestos.

ELLA SWEENEY: It wasn't so much a surprise as it was a total shock; it was devastating. For one, I didn't even know what I was dealing with, so I had to do my own research, which, as I mentioned, was heartbreaking for my whole family. Then the anger set in. I thought, "Wait a second—I'm right here in a hospital, doing my job, trying to help people and save lives, and this very place is what's taking my life away."

Sometimes, dying from mesothelioma is actually better than dying from asbestosis.
The following article describes the suffering of one individual and the impact on their entire family.

My Father died of this horrid Disease on September 25, 1998. I watched him die for over 25 years. It doesn't just hit the patient; it hits the whole family too. You sit there watching your father struggle just to walk across a room, or trying to breathe without tubes. He couldn't even step outside, run to the store, or make it to a family get-together. These people have to live every day knowing they are essentially a walking time bomb, and that their time is running out.

Victoria L. Bell daughter of Everett E. Johnson, senior.

My Father died of this horrid Disease on September 25, 1998.
I spent over 25 years watching him fade away.
It isn't just the sick person who suffers; the entire family goes through it. You watch your father struggle to move across a room, or fight to take a breath without breathing tubes. He couldn't even go outside to the shop or join the rest of the family for a gathering.
These people have to live with the constant realization that they are a ticking time bomb and that
their life expectancy has been cut short.
Viktoria L. Bell daughter of Everett E. Johnson, senior.

Jamie Clark74 comment;
Believe me, unless you're dealing with asbestosis yourself... you just don't know that feeling. It starts small, and then you're left wondering when, how, or what's going to hit you next.

Paul Garcia8 said:I'm looking to connect with people who actually have something meaningful to share regarding mesothelioma treatment. Jamie Clark74, from what I’ve read about you, you seem pretty terrified that you might develop mesothelioma. There is a massive difference between the fear of potentially getting it and actually living with the diagnosis. I’m searching for real-world experiences on the fight against mesothelioma.
How have the combinations of conventional and alternative medicine actually turned out?

Are you looking for someone who has experience fighting mesothelioma?
You've got it wrong. Those who came before are already gone. Usually, life expectancy averages out to about six to nine months, depending on when the diagnosis hits.

There are only three diagnoses when it comes to asbestos exposure.

Pleural Plaque

2/ Asbestosis

3/Mesothelioma

Look, no matter how kind you're trying to be, there's no need to mock others. You asked, and you got your answer.
To be honest, I personally know at least 40 people who have passed away from it.
Mesothelioma, because I haven't been an active member of the victim community for quite some time.
Asbestosis.

People are dying by the thousands every single year. Honestly, if the whole world actually sat down to add up the numbers, they’d finally see how bad the situation really is.

What do you actually know about living with my diagnosis?
Your father likely received a sudden diagnosis, much like the cases I've seen in university lectures and from others' experiences.

You say you're afraid? Honestly, who in their right mind would want to die from mesothelioma?

Just so you know, things can get even worse with Pleural Plaque and asbestosis. You end up dealing with years of pain, and eventually, you struggle just to breathe. Toward the end, people often find they can't move much or even walk. It really varies from case to case, though.

Maybe it’s actually better to pass away from mesothelioma quickly than to spend 20 or 25 years struggling just to catch a breath.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a coward. I'm genuinely scared of my condition getting any worse, especially since it’s already causing me so much trouble alongside everything else I'm dealing with.

What did you expect as an answer?
I told you, it's always awkward delivering bad news to anyone.
I've seen my friends pass away, along with plenty of others, so that’s why I’m writing this. I'm not sugarcoating anything—not for myself, and certainly not for anyone else.

There’s no cure for mesothelioma. Like I’ve said before, it’s all just a trial. In my view—and I think many others in the "asbestos victim" groups feel the same way—pushing through grueling experimental surgeries and chemo is really just prolonging the suffering. It doesn't make sense to me, and honestly, it isn't practical.

I feel for every single victim, but there is just no cure for mesothelioma. It’s heartbreaking. My concern is that too many people will try to sell "alternative" treatments just to take advantage of them.

Also, read what analogowl18 wrote next, then give me your take on it!

My friend's dad has been battling asbestosis for years now.
Since he retired, his condition actually improved quite a bit; he almost seemed like a healthy man again. The only thing was the constant cycle of checkups, though the tests never showed any decline. Early on, it mainly just affected his bronchial tubes, and he had to rely on some kind of breathing treatment. Then, about a month ago, he ended up in the hospital with emergency lung issues. After two days, his heart just stopped, and they barely managed to pull him back. Now, it’s his liver...
He had his lung, liver, and stomach biopsies done this past Monday. They told him the results should be ready in about two weeks.
On Wednesday, the doctors called in my wife and daughter...
There isn't much left to do except keep him on morphine. He has over 50 metastases now. He doesn't know the full extent of it because the morphine keeps the pain at bay, and he’s actually started eating some kind of special food—like astronaut meals. We went to visit him on Friday, and I was honestly shocked; he’s lost about 55 pounds in just this last month. But strangely, he’s happy because he doesn't know the truth. He truly believes he’s getting better just because the pain is gone and he can eat again.
He’s 63 years old.

That’s just the reality for all of us living with an asbestos diagnosis
The worst part is the uncertainty—not knowing how long the breathing restrictions will last, or if the next stage is just total immobility and being tethered to an oxygen tank.
Whether it's mesothelioma or years of struggling with lung calcification that makes every breath a fight... sometimes I think mesothelioma might actually be the "better" option because it's faster, even if it's not an exit anyone wants.

Dying quickly isn't easy... and anyone who thinks it's simple to predict how this disease progresses over the years clearly doesn't understand what they're talking about.
I know exactly how I feel, what I'm going through, and what lies ahead. It's been a long road since the diagnosis last year.

Kevin White5 said:Jamie Clark74, someone asked you a question.
I think you're right—this shouldn't be a monologue. We need to have a dialogue.
Since you started this thread, try talking to the other members instead of just having a conversation with yourself.
I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you clarify what you mean?
🙄

alica said:I don't see where Jamie Clark74 ever replied to the guy who recommended Ayurveda to him.
If that's just exhaustion from the asbestosis, my bad.

Jamie Clark74 has asbestosis.

If he’d spent half the time he wasted cultivating that "sick man" persona actually doing something productive, he might actually be happy right now.
I'm not about to say he isn't nothing.
It looks like our resident optimist, who always insists "everything will be fine because it has to be," just stumbled upon some pretty grim stuff. Poor thing.

Jamie Clark74, if you were first recognized as a person rather than just a patient, things would be a lot easier for you.

Where were you then?

Kevin White5 said:Jamie Clark74, someone asked you a question.
I think you're right—this shouldn't be a monologue. We need to have a dialogue.
Since you started this thread, try talking to the other members instead of just debating yourself.
I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you clarify what you meant?
🙄

If I kept going like this, it would just be exhausting. I shouldn't forget that I actually got flamed on another forum for posting about things nobody cares about. Matters like asbestos only really matter to people who were directly exposed to it, or those who have lost someone—or are currently losing someone—to the disease.

I think I’ve shared quite a bit of information, some of which probably wasn't even requested.

People tend to look the other way when it comes to asbestos, but I know too much to ignore it. I completed a certification course for supervising asbestos removal in heavy industry, and I’m speaking from experience—I am an asbestos victim myself. That perspective comes from being an older student at a medical university for 18 months.

There aren't answers to many questions, much like the one asked by steelsailor17. The statistics haven't been collected for very long, and honestly, many of them have already been invalidated.

The death toll will only keep climbing, especially in a country like the US where so many homes were built using asbestos sheeting. It was cheap, lightweight, and made construction incredibly fast—not to mention it handled the climate just fine.

Paul Garcia8 said:My father (59) was just diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He starts his first round of chemotherapy tomorrow (Carboplatin + Bevacizumab). Does anyone here have experience with how Gemzar (Gemcitabine) performs when treating pleural mesothelioma?
My father spent thirty years working at a shipyard located just twenty meters away from the Salonit plant in Vranjic.

Whether a father worked near Salonit or not doesn't really change the math. People who were only exposed for a few hours while cutting asbestos sheeting ended up dying from mesothelioma just like those who dealt with it for twenty years or more. It’s a known thing that smokers face a much higher risk because they end up with a greater impact from the asbestos dust. That's what kills us.

Is pleural mesothelioma diagnosed as benign or malignant?
I believe it’s malignant.

I believe it’s up to the specialist to explain everything and clarify exactly what we're dealing with.
What exactly is the role of chemotherapy here? And did they actually follow through with it?

It feels a bit awkward to give medical advice over the internet when we don't actually know each other. That’s exactly why you need a primary care doctor and a specialist. They are the ones who can give you a realistic outlook on what to expect, the actual consequences of radiation, and a genuine idea of the success rates for your treatment.

In most mesothelioma cases, there’s really only one positive result you might see—and even then, it’s rare to hold onto it for more than a few months. Everything being done right now is essentially just a trial, whether it's surgery or chemotherapy.

If you’ve been following my thread, you probably have the full picture by now. If you start digging online, you'll find thousands of pages of information, but they all lead to the exact same conclusion.

I’ve got pleural plaque in my lining myself, and honestly, it all comes down to how things play out. There are nights when sleep just won't come. It's rare that I don't worry about whether it stays as just pleural plaque or if one day it turns into something else. This has been weighing on me since 1997. It would be nice if I didn't also have a dozen other ailments and chronic pains to deal with after thirty years, or having to rely on a CPAP machine every night for apnea—which has nothing to do with asbestosis.

I debated whether I should even bother posting. I know I’m probably just being a disappointment here, but honestly, that’s all I can say. Anything else would just be lying and making excuses.

Jonathan Reyes50 said:I’m looking to switch doctors, and I was wondering if anyone knows if I have to wait for a specific enrollment period to see new patients, or if I can just make the jump now? Some people mentioned I might have to wait...

Thanks

Why not just pick up the phone and ask?😎

18/07/04
Adelaide,
60 Minutes:

For generations of Americans, asbestos was just a part of daily life—entire neighborhoods were built with it. The stuff was cheap, abundant, and incredibly easy to work with. But it was lethal. Every single day, more Americans are losing their lives to cancer triggered by asbestos dust and fibers. Thousands are already gone. What’s even scarier is how little exposure it takes to cause contamination. We have some of our massive corporations to thank for this, specifically the industry giants like James Hardie. They covered up the truth, and then they simply refused to pay the full price for the deadly mess they left behind.

For generations, Americans used asbestos products to build houses... entire suburbs were constructed using it.
The material was inexpensive and easy to handle... but it was, and remains, "deadly."
Every day, more and more Americans are dying from cancer caused by asbestos dust and fibers.

Jamie Clark74 comments; we aren't talking about industrial hazards here, but rather the dangers lurking in every home, whether you're doing renovations, demolition, or just dealing with a bit of dust from a neighbor's project....

Thousands have passed away (statistically, since tracking began, about 600-700 people die from Mesothelioma every year), and many more will likely pass in the next 40 years.

The tragedy is that the danger was known as early as the 1930s, yet it wasn't made public until around the 1970s or 80s... and people, much like with smoking or drinking, tend to think "it won't happen to me"... until it finally hits someone in their family, a spouse, or a close friend.

James Hardie set aside $138 million—which is pocket change to them—and shifted operations to the US, where business is booming.
There are promises now that James Hardie might pay out a bit more in compensation, but either way, trying to get a settlement is incredibly difficult right now. Besides, what good is it when most people pass away before they ever see a dime?

This is happening all over the world. These corporations have top-tier lawyers who can drag things out in court indefinitely, while regular people struggle to even prove how or where they contracted asbestosis.

Sad, but true.

🙂 😉 😎

In the US, they have a system where you can actually prep ahead—I did this four months ago. If they suggest you should bank your own blood before a procedure, take the advice. It’s not just about having it on hand; patients who donate their own blood often get priority over others. I ended up banking two units myself, though I didn't end up needing them after all. I was there for a two-level Laminectomy.

👋

New York City,

Between 1980 and 1990, more than 20,000 Americans contracted hepatitis C through blood transfusions.
Even though the government knew, they failed to warn the victims. This meant people unknowingly passed the virus to their partners and even their children. Many who received those transfusions were pregnant at the time, leading to further transmission to the next generation simply because they were left in the dark.

The government should have issued a warning similar to how they handled the HIV crisis, advising anyone who received a transfusion between 1980 and 1990
to get tested for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C can linger in the bloodstream for up to 30 years before progressing to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death.

Right now, there are about 200,000 people in the US living with hepatitis C, and roughly half of them only respond to certain medications.

There’s still this lingering misconception that hepatitis C is only an issue for those who
use drugs.

This isn't just an isolated problem in one place; it happens in countries where you'd least expect it.

The Premier of Tasmania, Jim Bacon, was 54 years old when he stepped down this past January due to lung issues. He had been a smoker for 35 years and openly admitted he knew the smoking would likely lead to cancer, but he just couldn't quit. Honestly, why bother? He felt his end was near. Everyone kept telling him that staying positive would help him heal, but unfortunately, he lost his battle with lung cancer and passed away very shortly after last month.

Casey Palmer5 said:I don't really see it that way.

It’s been going on since early 2004 and we're still talking about it?

Surely there have been a few incidents and improvements by now?

Or did Sleepy just bring this up to promote their own line?

Jerry Moore2....you still with us?

🙂 😉 😎

Between my doctor's prescriptions and everything else, I’m taking about 25 to 30 pills a day. At this point, even if I wanted to, there isn't much room left for vitamins or natural remedies.

That’s not to say I don't believe natural medicine has its place in life; it just works best for people who aren't dealing with severe illnesses requiring specific medication.

Ideally, if you eat a balanced diet, you get all the nutrients you need from food. However, in climates that aren't as sunny as Australia, you might occasionally need a supplement to bridge the gap.

But it can also happen that even if you're eating perfectly, your gut and organs just won't absorb what they need. A classic example is a B12 deficiency, which
can leave you in a very precarious health situation if your body isn't absorbing it from food despite your diet. Once that happens, you often end up needing B12 injections every three months for the rest of your life, along with regular blood work.
In those cases, oral B12 supplements won't help at all; you need medical supervision and concentrated injections.

When I was 28, I tried every natural supplement and holistic recommendation out there. All I found was that I wasted a lot of money for nothing. Still, if I hadn't tried them, someone would have always told me, "Oh, you haven't tried this yet?" I’ve gone through acupuncture and chiropractors too, and I’ll say they have their place in treatment—provided you're actually healthy, like if you just pulled a muscle or stood awkwardly and need something to help it pass in time.

Like I said, certain plants can help, but they aren't a cure-all. Modern medicine has come such a long way that average life expectancy has jumped by 20 years over the last five decades.

Alternative medicine has its role for certain conditions and up to a certain point. When my chiropractor fell off a horse, he went straight to a neurosurgeon rather than asking his fellow chiropractor for help. That should tell you something. He was able to take a year off because he had insurance, while I had to keep working just to stay afloat.

restlessmarlin6 said:I don't know about the intellectuals, but I've heard that sensitive types are definitely the biggest targets.

I don't mind being sensitive, but let's face it—there isn't much room for people like that in today's world. 😢 Nobody asks how you’re actually doing or what’s going on inside your head. People don't realize how vital it is to stay connected—to yourself, to others, and to those deeper layers of reality. Most people just live on the surface, focused on utility and moving in a straight line. It can feel pretty cold and transactional.

I really just want my life back. I want to live normally, to experience things—even the shocks—as they come. I don't want to spend every waking moment just waiting for the next attack. 😢

If it helps anyone feel better: about one in four or five people deals with depression. It really depends on how intense it gets, and everyone experiences it differently. For most, it’s tied to anxiety—which the person might not even realize they have—along with panic attacks and certain personality traits.

Most of my anxiety goes back to childhood. It feels like it’s just baked into my DNA at this point.
It’s all about what you inherit. Some people are just born naturally cheerful and brave—they stand out from the crowd effortlessly... until they don't.
Some people just can't seem to navigate life without running into hurdles. Honestly, we often carry some of the blame ourselves. Anxiety tends to drift in and out depending on whatever life decides to throw our way.

Some people are just wired to run into trouble. No matter what they try, they can't seem to shake it. It’s like it's baked into their DNA, passed down through generations, only getting worse as time goes on.

There comes a day when everything just piles up at once. When that happens, you might stop functioning entirely, or you could start experiencing any of these symptoms.

It’s vital to take action regardless of what everyone else advises. Seek help from a psychiatrist rather than just a psychologist.

They’ll decide what’s wrong because they have tests for that. They’re going to ask how you’re feeling, too. You really have to be honest about it. Sometimes we just deal with a chemical imbalance that needs to be balanced out.

With a little help and some medication, someone might get back to their baseline quickly, but nothing really changes. They'll still be anxious, and that's just how it's going to stay. It’s crucial to see a psychiatrist. If you're taking pills and they actually have side effects, you need to go back to your doctor.

Recovery times vary quite a bit. Some patients see significant improvement within six to twelve months, though it really all depends on what they were struggling with in the first place.

Some people will just always have to live with occasional panic attacks and anxiety.

I’ve been dealing with anxiety since I was a kid. Now that I'm older, it follows me into my career, especially when things get intense at work.
Between mounting debt and the crushing pressure at work, I’ve ended up dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, major depression, personality issues, and agoraphobia.

That was back in 1991. I had to walk away from my job; I was completely burnt out, both mentally and physically.

It’s been thirteen years now. Unfortunately, I’m dealing with other health issues too, but things haven't changed all that much. I still deal with panic attacks, though there's a difference now—I know I'm not actually dying. They aren't as intense as they used to be, and they don't hit nearly as often.
Honestly, I’d probably be dealing with depression too, given how much my chronic pain messes with me.

Honestly, over the last 13 years, I've worked hard to get my life in order so I'm not anyone's burden.
I just want to live realistically, while making life as high-quality as I possibly can.

If I could give any young person one piece of advice, it would be this: seek help and, more importantly, stick with it. Don't stop treatment halfway through.
Take the pills, even if they make you feel a little off.

I'm currently taking about 30 pills a day. Not all of them are for mental health issues, though.
They’re only scheduled for around ten o'clock to deal with anxiety and depression.
I'm feeling pretty torn right now. I tried cutting my pills down, but I just can't seem to manage without them. I attempted to skip a couple of days, but honestly, life was becoming unlivable.

My advice? Get treated while you’re still young. The longer you wait, the harder the road ahead becomes.

To those of you who are younger: stay positive. There will come a day when things feel better. You might just need a Xanax to help with the depression and anxiety before you head to sleep.

Take my advice so you don't end up like me—spending the rest of your life relying on a prescription.
I used to freeze up whenever I tried to pick up the phone; a panic attack would hit me instantly. Back then, I wasn't even afraid of dying, but it felt heavy. Thirteen years ago, I remember sitting at my kitchen table, checking my vitals during a massive panic attack—my blood pressure was hitting 220/95 and my pulse was racing at 120. I actually reached for the phone to call 911, but I just couldn't bring myself to dial.

Nowadays, when I get worked up or deal with anxiety, my blood pressure sits around 145/85,
and my pulse stays near 95. I also take regular medication for hypertension.

It looks like I'll be on these meds for the rest of my life.

Hang in there. Consult your doctor, stick to the prescription, stay positive, and you'll be fine.

Best of luck,

🙂 😉 😎

Most people dealing with stress or anxiety also struggle with muscle spasms.

It’s the same for those who deal with back or spinal issues.
My own muscles have always been incredibly tight, which just makes my
spinal problems even worse. It’s a bit of a vicious cycle.

Relaxation techniques can help sometimes, but they don't always cut it.

I'm 32, and I take one tablet before bed.
Quinbisul is prescription-only, though you might find something similar at a health food store.

Other names for it include Biquinate, Myoquin, Quinate, Quinbisul, and Quinoctal.

It's used for nighttime muscle cramps and general muscle spasms,
just like it's used for malaria prevention.

It was originally discovered in 16th-century Spain via the Quina bark from South America.

🙂 😉 😎

Larry Lewis2 said:And then they just hit me with emojis after a text like that.

Please, no replacements. Those emojis are my "trademark."