Okay, so maybe prions aren't actually alive, per se, and maybe it's scary as hell that one could be created and gee, it better not get let out of the lab, eh?. But, wow.
Scientists are reporting that, for the first time, they have made an artificial prion, or misfolded protein, that can, by itself, produce a deadly infectious disease in mice and may help explain the roots of mad cow disease.
The findings, being reported on Friday in the journal Science, are strong evidence for the so-called "protein only hypothesis," the controversial idea that a protein, acting alone without the help of DNA or RNA, can cause certain kinds of infectious diseases.
Also, we get a stronger body slam from a doubter than usually makes it into print:
Dr. Laura Maneulidis, a neuropathologist at the Yale University Medical School, one of Dr. Prusiner's most vocal critics, said the prion strain that turned up in the experiment looks like a mouse prion frequently used in Dr. Prusiner's laboratory.
"Basically I think the data look like contamination," she said, possibly stemming from "inadequately washed instruments."
Ow!
Hi, there! Sorry to be posting so late on your Hypochondria issue ... but ... here it goes ...
After several failed IUI's and a miscarriage, I'm at the tail end of my first IVF cycle. Like you, I started off with Lupron, but because I have PCOS, I had the special JOY of taking it through my ENTIRE cycle because my ovaries were too PERKY (I'm having my trigger shot tonight, and going for retrieval on Sun -- am I PUMPED, or what?!!?).
In any case, you are reacting NORMALLY to Lupron! I too had digestive problems, as well as getting that hot, glowy, sweaty feeling ... Good grief ... I thought I was going through Menopause!
Each night I'd rip off all the sheets and covers, and flop down on the bed spread-eagled under the ceiling fan. I also had a stationary fan pointed at my face. It's not like my house is a sauna or anything ... my husband keeps our bedroom at a crisp 68 degrees (ahhh ... cool room, cool sheets, I'm in heaven).
So unfortunately, you're NOT a hypochondriac. Sorry to break it to you, but you are suffering from a NORMAL Lupron reaction. Contrary to what your doctor may thing, you aren't making anything up so that your husband will feel better about his, errr... issues ...(how selfish of you!).
Ya know ... If your doctor had any struggles with infertility, and ever had the luxury of using Lupron, she would be able to empathize and know what you're going through. You know what I say... HOG TIE HER and inject her with some Lupron next time you visit her.
Sorry, but what she said to you really ticked me off to no end. The nerve! Maybe she thinks you're making the whole infertility struggle up? Dunno!
Good luck, and feel better!
Posted by: Gi | Friday, July 30, 2004 at 11:29 AM