Topic: Flashing Amazon Ad - Am I the Only One Bothered by It?
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
For the past few weeks I have noticed off an on the ad from Amazon on the side of this page often flashes its messages.
I see it out of the corner of my eye when I am reading and it really bothers me. I just wondered if I am the only one.
If I'm not perhaps we can suggest they find a more Lyme-friendly ad for this site?!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
The flashing/zooming bothers me too., I pm'd moderator a few months ago, but no response, and no change.
I think the link is a great idea, and I have used it, but Amazon could use some sensitivity training.
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
I never noticed it until reading this thread! Yes, now it bothers me.... I will probably forget about it next week though! Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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Am I the only one bothered by it, or is it just me? Posts: 30 | From Here | Registered: May 2007
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
The ad does provide funds to allow Lymenet to exist. And if you buy a book on Amazon by clicking on the ad link, a percentage is given to Lymenet. So that's why it is there.
That said, perhaps Amazon could provide an ad that doesn't flash if it is the actually flashing that causes problems. I'm sure it is done because it gets people's attention. But that might be difficult for some people with Lyme.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
The forum description says: "Medical questions and information related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases."
Actually, I guess we had better describe/define "bothersome".
I believe it has to do with brain malfunction, such as eye nerve inflammation, inability to block out distractions, difficulty with visual tracking, visual focusing, and also minor seizure activity brought on by flashing lights.
My sensitivity to the flashing waxes and wanes.
I believe that is also why we have learned to write in "blocks", rather than extensive paragraphs.
I believe those would qualify as medical conditions.
I also agree that the Amazon link is great. It is not the ad itself, it is the "flashing" that is distracting and difficult to ignore.
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Has to do with Ca and/or Na channels.
Flashing lights are KNOWN to trigger seizures in some persons.
"prevented convulsions induced by alternating strobe lights"
Here is some curious history about how we treated seizures years ago and now:
How is epilepsy treated, historically and currently?
He reads the quote. ``Falling into the fire and often into the water'' is important because when patients have seizures, they are usually self-limiting, but can hurt themselves if in an unsafe environment.
Other the other hand, people tried to treat seizures by exorcisms--patients usually get better after a few minutes, so the intervention was thought to lead to the cure.
The medieval treatment was the use of the mandrake plant--the tuber part below the ground was used to treat epilepsy.
The Chinese version is the ginseng.
Another treatment was trephination, a hole was cut in life, and to relieve pressure on the brain.
There always much change until when bromides were introduced, which had some actual effect on improving seizures.
Now a whole range of drugs are available. The newer drugs have an advantage because they are not metabolized in the liver, they are excreted in the urine, there are fewer side effects.
Tegretol, carbonmazapine, these drugs work on sodium channels and decrease firing.
Barbituates, benzodiazapines, phenolbaribitol, these drugs increase GABAergic inhibitions .
(Side note here...if you have been following other posts...the GABAB receptor - GABA beta, I think ...blocking it looks to be an important clue.)
Some of the newer drugs like Topiramate and feldanate are glutamate receptor antagonists and tend to decrease the synchronous discharges."
There is a drug that might...just might do both...it is called Acamprosate.
It is a new drug given to alcoholics to help prevent relapses..to rebalance the neurotransmitters.
This is how it works:
"Thus, acamprosate may concomitantly enhance NMDA-EPSP/Cs while blocking presynaptic GABA(B) receptor-mediated inhibition of GABA release.
These results suggest that acamprosate's clinical efficacy in preventing relapse in weaned alcoholics could derive from its interactions with both the glutamatergic and GABAergic systems in the NAcc."
The NMDA receptors are glutamate receptors. Normally Mg and Zn play a part in gating these receptors, but if Mg and Zn are low...
These receptors are NOT present in JUST the brain, but apparently the adrenal glands have at least GABA receptors too.
We may have found another way.
It looks to take a DUAL approach to fight lyme.
It maybe also the COMBINATION of Forskolin and Curcumin (with a fat or tumeric instead).
It appears we need to get BOTH TNF alpha AND Il 1 beta down.
A dual approach.
This is a VERY appropriate topic!
Flashing lights are bad news for susceptible persons...epileptics and many lyme patients!
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
I notified Amazon. The ad can still be there and just not "flash".
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Flashing lights and patterns of light and shadow have always been a problem for me in that they seem to be connected to a longtime migraine tendency. And I tested abnormal on EEG, triggered by flashing lights, while lymed. Something going on here in brain.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I placed this in Medical Questions because it IS a medical question in my opinion.
My medical condition is affected by flashing lights and signs such as this ad. If I did not have TBI's I would not have this problem. It is directly related to my medical condition.
I am obviously the only one affected by it, as is evidenced by the response to this already.
Marnie, I greatly appreciate your input here, especially that you notified Amazon. Do we all need to contact them, or do you think your effort will suffice?
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Maybe you should title your post "sensitive to stimuli, flashing pop ups, etc." You can also disable animations on your computer. Lymenet receives 10% of profits from Amazon so why would they want to remove the ad? Maybe they can stop it from blinking. Either way, you might want to ask in computer questions.
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Wildcondor...we are not asking them to remove the ad , we are asking that they simply stop it from flashing which is harmful to anyone who has a seizure disorder and is "uncomfortable" for a number of lyme patients.
There have been, as you well know, lyme patients on here who have indeed had seizures...including repeated small ones.
If you read my post, you should be able to understand the connections.
Flashing light impact the neurotransmitters and Na, Ca channels which ARE INDEED IMPACTED IN LYME.
She asked a question..."Am I the only one bothered by it?" (The FLASHING ad.)
Why not be a help and tell us all how to disable animations?
Posts: 9424 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Go into your computer settings, if using IE or Firefox, go into Internet options and disable animations and popups under the advanced tab, then refresh the page, no more blinking. It depends what system you are running and what firewall/pop up blocker etc you are running. As I said, this is a COMPUTER QUESTION!
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Here is a link telling you how to disable animation in your browser. I googled and found it. Hope it helps.
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
i couldn't get the link to disable!
yes, it drives me up a wall and so do the moving gremlin below WHO HOO one! it's way too much forthis neuro lyme! i wish that's one they would just remove from our board!
i'm in favor of amazon giving money to lymenet but NOT USE FLASHING LIGHTS, ETC!
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Betty and others,
After you select "image.animation_mode" you have to right click and choose modify(left click). Then a box pops up and says "normal" change that to "none" and hit ok.
Voila ............ no animation and you have taken care of your own problem.
If you need more help let me know. No I can't come to your house
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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quote:Originally posted by lymednva: I placed this in Medical Questions because it IS a medical question in my opinion.
My medical condition is affected by flashing lights and signs such as this ad. If I did not have TBI's I would not have this problem. It is directly related to my medical condition.
Animated ads are distracting/annoying for healthy persons too. That is exactly the reason WHY they are animated! To get your attention.
I am not totally convinced your question was intended as a medical question, but I guess I have to take your word on that. In that case I apologize for classifying this topic as inappropriate.
Anyway, there are too much inappropriate topics in "medical". IMHO
Posts: 30 | From Here | Registered: May 2007
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posted
Wake up self centered whiners ***This is a FREE Site*******
The ad helps pay for this fantastic site, so give Lymenet a break. Stop whining! and enjoy the use of this wonderful, FREE resource.
Posts: 546 | From Cascadia subduction zone | Registered: Mar 2002
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
If you have not been besieged by severe cognitive problems from Lyme count yourself lucky. This is caused by Lyme. I am NOT whining. I asked a simple question and I put it where it seemed appropriate to me.
I agree that having an ad from Amazon that generates money for this wonderful site is a good thing. I am NOT asking for the ad to be completely removed. I simply wondered if I was the only one bothered by it, and it appears I am not.
I guess I am among the lucky ones, since I have not had to deal with seizures. However I have been greatly affected cognitively by this disease.
It has affected where I can shop, my processing of written info, my ability to recall words I have used all my life, my ability to recall what I am saying mid-sentence, my ability to do simple math computations.
I have to avoid shopping at malls and most large stores due to my sensitivity to fluorescent lights. At doctor's appointments I frequently am lying on the exam table with my eyes covered to block the fluorescent lights in the rooms.
My SSDI award was based on my severe cognitive deficits two years before I had a dx of Chronic Lyme. This is a medical issue, so I strongly believe it belongs in the medical questions forum.
If you don't want to read it, then scroll on by.
I have just tried following Wild Condor's instructions on disabling this feature and I could not find it under the advanced tab. It may be there, but I couldn't find it.
I also have problems reading that much fine print searching for something. I went through it all at least twice and couldn't find anything that was remotely close to what was mentioned in the post.
Robi's info was not for my browser, so it wouldn't help either.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
maybe as a temporary fix you could cover it with a post-it note or something similar. I know you would have to move it as you scroll....just a thought.
I used to have this problem when i first got sick, it was bad.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Oh good grief. If this is all you have to post about, then you are not ill.
My hubby is very ill. I come to this site to gain information. Not to read whining about a flashing ad.
If the Ad benefits Lymenet, then we need it.
These ridiculous posts do not do a thing to help those who suffer from TBI.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
....I'm able to tune the ad out just like I do with a whiny kid. (which does not endear me to 'progressive' yuppie parents when I just raise my voice and talk over their brats' interruptions)
Charlie
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
To all, this post was clearly marked; looks like 3+ of you should have scrolled on by...
ED.......
you stated it's a FREE site, but many of us donate funds each year to KEEP IT GOING! perhaps you do not.
it's a wonderful site as you stated.
we are ALL IN AGREEEMENT, AMAZON GIVES MONEY TO LYMENET FROM BOOK PURCHASES.
all we are asking for is STOP THE FLASHING; have a solid NON-MOVING BACKGROUND!
unless YOU are walking in our shoes, you have NO idea how painful it is and stress it causes.
i'll try the tip tomorrow when i have more time; just trying to skim posts & reply where i chose too.
thank you for tip on trying TO HELP US!
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posted
My eyes can't handle these things either thanks to Lyme. They're annoying for everyone, but they're much worse for some of us. Lyme can cause serious brain/visual processing problems.
I'm sure it is similar to what happens with fluorescent lights, which are flickering constantly. Everyone hates them but some of us truly can't function with them. I've had to be practically carried out of box stores because my brain forgot how to tell my legs to walk, among other things.
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