Tis The Season I Guess
Posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 8:38 PM
If you have a question about GlaxoSmithKline then you write and ask THEM your question. I am not affiliated with GlaxoSmithKline. You’re in a Tizzy because I’ve had genital herpes for almost 15 years and I have been proactive in sharing what has worked for me.
I don’t take anything at this point in time and haven’t really had to since my last child was born which was back in 2005. The time before I gave birth to her, I had another baby in 2003. My OBGYN recommended that I go on suppressive therapy the last 6 weeks of both of my pregnancies in order to make an honest attempt to suppress viral activity during labor and delivery so that I and both my girls would have the best chance possible of having a normal vaginal birth. So SUE ME if that is what I took to suppress the virus. VALTREX. I’ll say it again… VALTREX. I took VALTREX to suppress the virus during the last 6 weeks of BOTH of my pregnancies. I believe the recommendation is to take 1,000 mg daily. There is Nothing wrong with that. My OBGYN recommended that to me and I can tell whoever I want to that it is VALTREX that I took.
You don’t like that I’m sharing what works for me. I get that. But it’s my journey and my experience. I have a right to share whatever it is that I want to. I don’t work for GlaxoSmithKline. I am me. I am Angela who contracted this virus almost 15 years ago. I’ve taken ZOVIRAX, FAMVIR, ACYCLOVIR and VALTREX. Out of ALL of the clinically proven herpes antivirals I find that FOR ME… VALTREX works the best. It’s Not my problem if you can’t stand that. I will continue to share my experiences with others. It’s called FREE SPEECH.
You go right ahead and forward my site to whoever you think you need to. I don’t have to put up with this type of harassment. If you continue to harass me and write to me I will continue to post factual e-mails including all personally identifiable information as to WHO is writing to me and threatening me with this ridiculousness. So be my guest. Report to your heart’s content. I have absolutely nothing to hide and I’m sure you see that my life is out there for all to read with regard to HERPES and what works FOR ME.
As for the clinically proven herpes antivirals… you know… the stuff that actually works to treat and suppress the herpes virus as well as reduce transmission by up to 50% along with reduction of asymptomatic shedding by about 95%… it’s not my responsibility to point you in the direction of the studies. You have access to the internet GOOGLE it. Furthermore… these herpes antivirals are antivirals for a reason. I’m sorry you don’t like that but that’s not my fault. It is what it is. If you don’t like GlaxoSmithKline’s clinically proven herpes antiviral VALTREX… take it up with THEM not ME.
This is just one example of the crud I have to deal with day in and day out. I’m Not going to put up with this type of harassment. I’m just Not. I don’t deserve it.
This message was sent from:
http://yoshi2me.com/feedback.html
————————————————————
Name of sender: Meryl Squires
Email of sender: merylsquires@merixcorp.com
————————- COMMENTS ————————-Are you paid by GlaxoSmithKline? New FTC regulations require disclosure. You do not cite any scientific proof yet you malign a product. Your site is being forwarded to regulatory attorneys.
————————————————————
SITUATION UPDATE
I’m beginning to understand why Meryl Squires aka: INTERNET BULLY is harassing and threatening me. She is pissed off that nobody has sent me anything nice to say about her snake oil over the counter stuff called Releev. You see, I have a comment and feedback page for people to post their own personal experiences using the stuff. I can’t help it if so far nobody has sent me anything positive to say about it. At this rate anybody sending me anything positive would be questionable at best since Meryl Squires has taken it upon herself to harass and BULLY me.
Take notes Ms. Squires. I don’t care who you are, how many degrees you have, or how qualified you think you are to berate and belittle me. I am an online volunteer patient advocate. I help people that have Herpes, HPV or any other STD. We offer support on my site, blog, and online message board. My efforts are strictly to share support, PERSONAL experiences, and to point people in the right direction when they can’t find what they are looking for on the internet.
I also point people in the direction of the Center for Disease Control, American Social Health Association, and the Food and Drug Administration. If you have a problem with the fact that people are not happy with your OTC product then you take it up with them and leave me out of it!
I do not work for GSK or any other Pharmaceutical Company. I have had herpes for 15 years now and I share what has personally worked for me. I make sure people know that there are clinically proven herpes antivirals out there that will not only reduce outbreaks but suppress them AND keep asymptomatic shedding reduced too. I can’t help it that you don’t like that.
TOO BAD. NOT MY PROBLEM.
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This “woman” obviously has too much time on her hand with her failing internet business. She is “credited” with the invention of a so-called “drug” that claims it “heals herpes in 1 day.” Too bad her company has already been reprimanded by the FDA – she would know a thing or 2 about regulatory attorneys. http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2003/ucm147492.htm
I’m sure the FDA will be happy to know Meryl Squires is still making erroneous claims (especially with the clinical trials under construction on her website.) I love that she is “Inventor, Entrepreneur and Founder of Merix Pharmaceutical Corp, with double major undergraduate studies in Psychology and Biology…” and is releasing this crap under dental products. I can bottle air and sell it at CVS. Thanks for having a list of place on your homepage that I can boycott your products Meryl! http://www.viramedx.com/index.html
I was going to actually have a heart filled response about how yoshi2me does a great job announcing that all information is opinion and she is creating a support environment for those who seek it… But this feedback is written solely out of jealousy and insanity.
I was going to actually make a whole hearted
What a crock, Meryl. Valtrex is a proven anti-viral, and if you don’t like itan that’s your problem not ours. Yes, I said ours. Not only does Angela share the benefit of her personal experience, she coordiantes an outreach to newly diagnosed folks. I’m honored to be part of that. So let’s tally the score. Angela: outreach and info sharing, you-nasty sniping. Hmmm. Not too hard to see who is genuine and who is a poser, is it?
Angela, I love your site, your information and your own insight on what works for you. Not only have brought many people hope with this site. You also have given them the strength to deal with the stigma that is attached to this virus. Keep up the good work! I also will state that Valtrex is the ONLY product that has worked for me personally.
I am saddened to see such negative feedback from this particular lady.
Ive taken valtrex myself and found that the one time i did it had significantly helped symptoms and shorted my outbreak. Im so glad angela mentioned it.
im also thankful for the work shes doing because thru her i found a great friend and support system.
all make a copy and take it to the local drugstores that are mentioned and ask them if they know about it and suggest they send it to their national offices. Please don’t let this whacko ruin your holiday season. You know we all have them on our groups and websites from time to time. Just DELETE and forget about it. You are doing a WONDERFUL JOB!
Hey Angela and all. Don’t let the “NUTS of the world” get to you. They always seem to *come out more* on the holidays! As someone mentioned they probably have too much time on their hands. Angela you have done a WONDERFUL job with this site and with all your information and education. Not just about Herpes and other STD’s but also HIV and Hepatitis. I commend you on a “JOB WELL DONE” and don’t let a nut tell you otherwise. I was quite intrigued with the link that Cynthia sent. Perhaps we should
Angela. I am so sorry to see this. I am so proud of you and your website. Because of your site I can openly say to anyone “I have herpes”. I take Valtrex every day and have for 2 years because that is what my doctor recommended. Your site gave me the courage to not shrink into a corner but to stand up and fight to have as normal a life as possible. I’ll add that I use Seasonique for my birth control since it limits my menstrual cycle to only 4 times a year and my period is when I usually get an outbreak. I take Prozac to manage my depression and Claritin to manage my allergies. All recommended by MY personal physician. Feel free to print any of this wherever you want. I invite anyone to just standup and tell people about their personal experiences. If it helps just one person then a good service has been done.
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Angela – you rock! Don’t be silly and let that craxy get to you. Even MTV loves you and reaches out to you for advice. I cannot wait for my blog (http://www.theherpesblog.com) to get mean mail from the crazy people out there. well…maybe I better be careful what I ask for.
Did I mention that you and your site rock?
XO
I just checked out her site. She has a radio show? She seems creepy. Also – I missed which product you are maligning? Can’t be Valtrex WHICH IS AWESOME (and allowed me to have a vaginal birth for my son). Is it one of her products? Is that why she is grumpy.
Can you imagine those poor regulatory attorneys? Like they don’t have anything better to do than receive 5.7 million complaints on December 1st from angry bloggers.
Hope you have a great Christmas Angela. XX
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After doing some digging around it turns out that she had to go to court w/GSK because of her earth shattering product “Releev.” Now I’m starting to understand why she is so pissed off at me. I can’t help it if her product doesn’t do what she claims that it does. Even GSK didn’t stand for her BS. The FDA.. look her up on their site. Warning Letter after Warning Letter. She probably doesn’t like that people have sent me negative feedback on her product either. That sounds like a personal problem to me.
Thank you so much for all of your support you guys. I can’t tell you how much that means to me personally. Nanci, thank you for linking my site on your blog. I’m going to list your site at the bottom of my home page as a resource since you have me listed on your home page. Thank you so much for that. I’ll keep you guys posted on this crazy lady! What a nut job!
Angela – it’s an honor to have yoshi2me on my home page. You are the voice of our generation! I received my first comment this morning – it felt so great that someone reached out to me. Thanks for your support of my site.
Hopefully crazy lady realizes how much support you have and how credible your site is.
Oh and that merix corp lady can suck eggs for all I care! I’ve never heard of her or her company…or a 1 day cure for herpes…..interesting…has anyone tried it to see if it really works??? LOL!!!
Just another Kevin Trudeau! FAKE!!!
I’ve posted a Situation Update for you guys. Now it’s starting to come together better for me. I understand why the people who mixed Releev are so upset now. OH WELL.
Angela, I became enraged when I read the threats posed by Meryl Squires, knowing the effort you have made to ensure your members not look for supposed miracle cures but stay with medications recommended by the medical community and proven research. I decided to: 1) respond to her without your knowledge; and 2) do a little research on the Merix company myself. Below is a thread of my communication with her—AND information gleaned regarding her company and their products.
Meryl Squires owns Merix Pharmaceuticals.
http://www.viramedx.com/health.html
http://www.viramedx.com/about_team.html
Mind you, she is not a doctor, not a chemist, not a virologist–but has a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology. I worked for four years at a medical college–and her credentials really don’t put her in the credentialed medical research league. She claims a background in microbiology–but that subject is included in most undergrad biology courses anyway. I can find no evidence in her site bio of recognized continuing education toward advanced degrees in microbiology and/virology.
http://www.viramedx.com/about_story.html
Her claim to education fame includes the Dean’s List and Merit Scholar (me, too!), a member of a psychology and biology societies (simply pay your dues and join), Phi Theta Kappa (international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges). Who’s Who of American Colleges (Are you kidding me? You simply PAY to be listed in this commercial publication).
She also lists membership in the American Virology Society, yet I cannot find references to that particular organization. Either she got the name wrong–or she is a member of the American Society of Virology (ASV). Having worked in the medical/research field where curriculum vitae are treated like gold in the medical/scientific/research arena, I can’t imagine she would have gotten the name wrong. A search of that site does not show her as a current member of ASV, either.
http://www.asv.org/members/results.jsp
This is the only paper she is associated with that I can find online from initial searches..
Broad Anti-Infective Activity of Viracea, An Echinacea-derived Product
Tracy L. Hartman1, , Karen M. Watson1, Lu Yang1, Meryl J. Squires2 and Robert W. Buckheit Jr.1
She cites Dr. Kenneth Thompson in her onsite story as well–but he is a well known immunologist who has been studying a variety of plant-oriented therapies for a long time and on a number of different compounds associated with anti-viral activity.
KENNETH THOMPSON Associate Professor in PathologyThompson studies herpes viruses, specifically human cytomegalovirus. His research interests also include anti-viral drugs and drug resistance in the herpes viruses. Before coming to Chicago, Thompson served on the faculty of Loyola University Medical Center. He received his B.S. in 1963, his M.S. in 1967 and his Ph.D. in 1970 from the University of North Dakota.
This is only ONE of the studies he has been associated with–including HIV.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T2H-4GKW5T6-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=ad4d0eb88df52051139cbb65ed43e1b9
She also cites Dr. Robert Buckheit, Ph.D., who is President and Chief Scientific Officer ImQuest BioSciences, Inc., “a contract research services provider dedicated to the rapid development of anti-infective and anti-cancer therapeutics…Since 1989, Dr. Buckheit has been intimately involved in the preclinical development of anti-infective agents with a focus on agents for use against HIV. Buckheit has managed a variety of multi-million dollar and technically complex federal contracts, hundreds of programs with virtual and small biotechnology companies, research programs with pharmaceutical industry companies and collaborative programs with academic investigators. Dr. Buckheit’s experience with anti-infective evaluations includes the evaluation of well over 250,000 anti-infective molecules that has resulted in a wide variety of publications in the peer reviewed literature.”
Squires calls it “Frederick Research Center,” but it is actually simply the laboratory at ImQuest company. Not seeing any current “news release” info on this ImQuest site since 2008.
http://www.imquest.com/scientific_team.shtml
Evidently, Meryl Squires owns a small, privately held company that has taken on GlaxoSmithKline, L.P challenging their cold sore remedies AND Valtrex:
http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?NewsEntityId=19449620
It appears from the products associated with her company that she is actually a homeopathic remedy pharmaceutical company that sells over-the-counter products–not physician-prescribed drugs associated with HSV-2/HSV-1 and distributed ONLY through pharmacies. Her products appear to be in the same market arena as online and other over-the-counter HSV-1 cold sore remedies.
You can check out some user reviews of her product here:
http://www.best-herpes-treatments.com/releev-for-cold-sores.html
You also may want to post the FDA warning to her in 2003 based on advertising claims for her products for cold sores and shingles:
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2003/ucm147492.htm
According to this notice to Merix, the FDA says: “…there is no evidence that these products are generally recognized as safe and effective for their claimed uses. A new drug may not be legally marketed in the U.S. without prior approval from FDA as described in Section 505(a) of the Act [21 USC 355(a)].”
She filed a lawsuit against Glaxo here:
http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-21-2005/0003236422&EDATE=
I am happy to include her aggressive and ridiculous response to ME, and mine in return as of yesterday. I have past work experience in the medical/scientific/research community dealing with recognized researchers at a major university, have published in medical journals and other media myself, and have dealt with many, many federal regulatory agencies in my time, including NIH, CDC, state agencies.
Personally, I would search your ENTIRE site and remove any reference to her AND her products whatsoever. I would also add a disclaimer that you are NOT compensated by any pharmaceutical company for promoting their products.
Mya
P.S. Below is my return letter to her–and her previous response to me.
________________________________________
Ms. Squires:
First, let me get one thing straight. I am not Yoshi. I am not associated with Yoshi’s site other than to hold registered membership for research purposes and to follow the information posted there. I don’t care WHO you are. It is a self-help group focusing on HSV-2–NOT HSV-1. You do know the difference, right? If you do, then WHY are you even wasting time there making your ridiculous threats about a drug store/big-box over-the-counter COLD SORE medicine in the first place? No one cares!
I have watched Yoshi for MANY years. Yoshi has been EXTREMELY cautious to go with the ACCEPTED science and research surrounding HSV-2–NOT someone’s ridiculous, unproven claims about products. Too much money is wasted on products that simply do not work. Further, the site is ALSO dedicated to ongoing research, tests, and trials on the topic–but no one cares about the research on HSV-1!
Time and again I have witnessed Yoshi try to keep the site on a clear path with CDC and other published science and accepted medical practice. Physicians PRESCRIBE Valtrex, Acyclovir, etc., and people share their personal experiences with those drugs and many others. Each person is different–some things work, some don’t–and Yoshi has made it abundantly clear that VALTREX has worked for HER. She does NOT promote it for anyone else–NO ONE is pushed to buy it–and she often discusses other drugs as well. In fact, I would say the majority of the people on the site are NOT on Valtrex in the first place. Hate to break it to you, but current accepted medical research AND practice for HSV-2 is NOT homeopathic.
I am a member of this site, not an “owner,” nor is anyone else there. I was, however, totally enraged at your threat against someone who has done so much for so many. I do not care if you own this company or not, your behavior was viewed by myself and others as abusive and insulting to the members on the blog and NO ONE is maligning your company except for you. Yoshi’s ONLY mission has been to try to help people deal with a devastating issue that has both physical and emotional aspects of which you are clearly unfamiliar.
I know people who are on medication for HSV-2–and your products are not among them. Also, as a private citizen in an investor club, I am also more than familiar with pharmaceutical companies, including those manufacturing generics here and abroad. I have, in fact, owned shares of several companies in the past. We both know that your company isn’t among the players, so I hardly think you have anything to fear from some mom with two kids in Middle America who may have mistakenly used your logo or offered her personal insight on the site. You obviously have not been online long enough to even understand WHY the site had to migrate to a .com from its original site. Do the research.
I do not speak for Yoshi. In fact, she does not even know that I wrote to you. I speak for myself and for others who were equally insulted. And all I have to say is that your attack on her was an attack on all of us.
Good luck on your lawsuit against Glaxo.
Mya Lane
________________________________________
From: merylsquires@merixcorp.com
To: mya_lane@hotmail.com
Subject: RE:
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 13:13:03 -0600
Ms. Lane,
Apparently you did not do your homework, I own Merix Pharmaceutical Corp. and can use its computers. Your statement that I harassed your company is a flagrant misrepresentation of my email to your company and you are, once again, maligning me and my company. I recommend you cease this type of behavior. I observed disparaging statements about my products on your website. Because of the statement also referring to a product manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, I questioned whether you are compensated by them. I also notified you to stop disparaging my product.
You are also inaccurate as to the most recent FTC regulations which require any website or “blogger” who makes any statements that appear as testimonials or statements of knowledge of a product to disclose whether they are compensated in any way. You are also, apparently, unfamiliar with violations of the Lanham Act with regards to disparaging a product or company and trademark violations as RELEEV is my registered property and you do not have my permission to use my trademark.
You are also mistaken regarding who owes whom an apology. I believe you owe Merix and me an apology for disparaging our excellent product for which we have clinical trials that support our claims, and for not verifying your information before posting it. You cannot hide behind an implied neutral position in this regard. You are not a dot org, you are a dot com which is a commercial website. You are responsible for what you post and will be held accountable.
YOU need to read the most recent FTC regulations and The Lanham Act. I am hereby notifying you to immediately cease and desist disparaging me, my company, and/or my products and to remove the statements about my product RELEEV from your website immediately or I will take legal action against you.
Meryl J. Squires
CEO
Merix Pharmaceutical Corp.
18 E. Dundee Rd.
Building 3, Suite 204
Barrington, IL 60010
Tel. 847-277-1111
Fax: 847-277-1146
CONFIDENTIALITY: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, you are advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify dsquires@merixcorp.com or call 847-277-1111 ext. 230.
Thank you Mya for one of the best researched and well written post I have seen in quite a long time! Don’t know how you got so many paragraphs into it though because it cut off on me the other day and I had to post the second half of mine into another post but that is irrelevant.
THANK YOU for sharing all those wonderful links and information. Ms. Squire is obviously in the “wrong place” as she isn’t even a patient looking for support, she is a “snake oil saleswoman” trying to make $$ off a poor group of patients that are simply seeking support and education from each other.
Again, THANK YOU YOSHI for this excellent site and keep up the good work and THANK YOU to all the people who take the time to research and share. You are all awesome and I think it is an excellent idea to remove any and everything that has the name Meryl Squires on it from this website.
I too would like to thank Mya for a really excellent post and her support of Angela. I am tempted to e-mail Ms S. myself, but somehow think it would be akin to poking a snake. It is a shame if anyone is actually spending money the products that don’t work and are sold by manipulation. Take care everyone.
Bravo, Mya! Well done. Good job.
I’m inclined to agree with the poking a snake philosophy as much as it’s tempting. If you don’t have a sharp machete in hand to chop off the snake’s head, better to leave it alone and report its presence to the FDA, FTC and other appropriate snake exterminators.
I know my comment boxes kinda suck. Sorry about that guys. THANK YOU Mya for sharing all of this background research. I really appreciate it because it sheds lights to who these people are and what they will do in the process. THANK YOU.
Angela, I just found your site and I think you are FABULOUS. I love what you wrote and I would say and do exactly the same thing you have. Kudos on you for being so open and straightforward about such a difficult topic. You are truly and inspirational voice. Thank you for this site truly.
Hi SweetOne – Thank you so much for your kind words of support. I am truly grateful to have such an outpouring of positivity. It’s been a blessing and the fire I need to keep going.