u/Crusherno1

How does everyone know that a flare up is coming to an end? Is it a gradual process for you where you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that eventually you'll get back to your baseline state?

Or do you not know until you've actually finished the flare up?

I find with so many painkillers, anti inflammatories and medication for other things, as well as very poor self awareness, it's really tough to know when you can start pushing yourself back into your routine.

I've always had lower back issues since I was 20 (42 now) and random pains, aches and weaknesses that have no explanation. I have a long standing diagnosis of chronic fatigue and low testosterone, I use CPAP to help me sleep and I got a recent ADHD diagnosis to cover my mental quirks.

For the last three years, I've experienced a back flare up every summer that has left me unable to sit, stand bend down or walk that's lasted between 3 and 6 weeks, with smaller flare ups for the rest of the year. I've lost at least 4 months of work during the same time period. The main problem is the pain in my lumbar region and the seizure of my glutes, quads and hamstrings. Last year I received an MRI showing a large and mainly central disc herniation at L4-5 and a bulge in the one above.

I have recently happened upon the potential for AS as a cause for all this or a contributing factor. I experience all the classic symptoms of AS in one way or another, apart from that I don't have ulcerative colitis, just bad IBS. I also found out after this that my Nan also had AS.

My question, if anyone could share their thoughts, is - is it worth spending money for a private diagnosis if the pain and muscle seizures could still be explained by a herniated disc after all this and the other AS symptoms are coincidental? I'm definitely getting worse and I also feel that the herniated disc surely can't be responsible for three years worth of pain and immobility.

I've just been to Efteling in the Netherlands and had a great day. It had a very chilled vibe and the Danse Macabre ride was superb and definitely different to any other ride I've been on. I actually went here 25 years ago and Gardaland several times too, but don't actually remember anything about them!

What would your top 3 be and do you think the Universal Studios park in the UK will get on your list when it opens?

My top 3 (from admittedly limited experience):

1. Disneyland Paris

2. Efteling

3. Alton Towers

First time poster here. I was wondering what the most elaborate setups people might have to collect rainwater if it were really needed. When I imagine collecting rainwater, I envisage a garden taken over by eccentric networks of gutters and tarpaulins feeding a hundred saucepans. Has anyone gone "mad dad" on this sort of thing?