I know this won’t apply to everyone, but is anyone else constantly fracturing your ribs? If so, aside from pain control and rest, are you able to find any relief?
I don’t follow him much on social media because I don’t have it other than Reddit, but he’s been on several podcasts I like and I listened to another episode today on a podcast I love. I do think him and Dax would clash on some topics but think it would be interesting to get a two hour or so interview with him and hear their discussion. So I’m throwing this into the world for Dr Mike to be on.
Edit: oops, he’s been on and I just didn’t remember. But it was 2024 and I’d be into a round two.
Hey all! Just wanted to add a review here. I initially received a device for gi issues ((several severe gi conditions) but have been also using it before bed, and as a lifelong insomniac, has seen some improvements. It’s amazing.
One downfall is my ear piece keeps conking out. I had my first one for a couple months, started strong then stopped working, and it’s been about a month and my second one is doing the same.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I use eye drops daily as recommended by my ophthalmologist, and I find that when the bottle is about three quarters gone, the bottle is squished down since the air is sucked out and I can’t get out the rest. Does this happen to anyone else and is there a way to get out the remaining drops? I’m low income so every penny counts, and hate tossing the bottles when there are drops left. Thanks for any tips.
Hello, I was recently approved for ODSP (have received two payments so far) and after learning about the special diets, finally got them submitted at the beginning of June. On June 8th, I received a reply from my caseworker who said “I will submit them to IBAU department for processing”. Has anyone done this and recall how long it took? I am not sure if I should be following up yet or not. I don’t want to annoy my caseworker.
Thanks. :)
I’m sick in bed and on Reddit but the tv is on. I put on the new Netflix show the Boroughs but am only half watching.
All of a sudden I hear a wonderful familiar voice that I particularly love…
Eric is in it!
Anyway, that’s all. I didn’t really know what he looks like and nice to put a face to the voice.
Hey all! I’ve noticed that a few times a week we get an onslaught of reports (the same reports over and over) on post after post and comment after comment.
Please keep in mind that posts are for breaking the rules and not to report things you don’t like.
Several months ago we had a discussion about the rules and what to change and include and many of your preferences were used.
For example, one rule is to mark certain posts as NSFW. This does NOT include discussing basic gastroparesis symptoms and signs like vomiting, weight loss or gain, sex and intimacy, or being in the hospital. This DOES include things like suicide and eating disorders.
Another report that gets overly made in the wrong context is Sick Olympics. Someone simply agreeing with the OP that their symptoms also suck is not Sick Olympics. Someone saying “well at least you don’t…” or “I have worse symptoms” or “if you can work you aren’t sick” or anything like that is competitive in nature and you don’t ever need to “prove” how sick you are.
We know we cannot provide medical advice on this sub but we can share experiences. If an OP posts “does this sound like GP?”, yes, report it. If they post about a complication and haven’t sought medical attention, report. But if they are sharing symptoms or have a question to gather other experiences from peers with the same condition and have already seen their doctor, stop reporting those. Crowd sourcing can be valuable. I’m an 80s baby and I am certain that anyone else from my era without internet probably would have gotten diagnosed sooner if we met others with our symptoms.
Again, if you have any confusion about the rules or when to report, send mod mail. You can always err on the side of caution and report, but please don’t batch report 20 posts because they simply offend you. While we strive for an inclusive community, we cannot make a rule for every single person’s triggers.
Thanks all.
Please re-read the rules to familiarize yourself with them, and if you have questions send a mod mail.
Edit to add: since posting this we’ve had three reports specifically reporting on things I posted about here not to report. Again, please send a mod mail if you don’t understand the rules.
Hey all. I’m a mod here and for a number of the other gi subreddits. While I love talking about gi stuff, I hate having gi stuff. I have a lot of diagnoses and throughout my life have had countless GI scopes, at least 60 by this point.
These have included colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, upper endoscopies (EGD), endoscopic ultrasounds, pouchoscopies, transnasal endoscopy, and ileoscopies.
We get a lot of people here with questions and concerns, and although this is the colonoscopy sub, there aren’t many other subs for these things, and the endoscopy sub is pretty dead.
I cannot answer questions that can only be answered by your doctor, though, obviously!
Feel free to ask away!
Abstract
Background & Aims:
Individuals with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) may experience avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms. However, extant findings have been limited to specialist neurogastroenterology clinics. We assessed the association between DGBI and ARFID within the adult general population.
Methods:
A population-based Internet survey with pre-defined demographic quotas was conducted across the UK and USA in 2023. The survey included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire for DGBI, the Nine-Item ARFID Screen (NIAS), and questions regarding demographics, body mass index, non-gastrointestinal somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression, quality of life and healthcare use.
Results:
4002 adults (median age 46 [range 18–91] years, 50% female) completed the survey, of whom 1704 (42.6%) had symptoms compatible with at least one DGBI.
The prevalence of ARFID-positive screens was significantly higher among participants with DGBI compared to those without DGBI (34.6% vs. 19.4%, adjusted OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.43–1.94), with similar findings noted in each country. Among participants with DGBI, positive ARFID screens by NIAS subscale were lack of interest in eating (21.5%), sensory-based avoidance (18.1%) and fear of aversive consequences (9.9%).
The presence of ARFID increased with the number of DGBI anatomical regions, ranging from 19.4% in those with no DGBI, 27.7% with DGBI in one region, 39.5% for DGBI in two regions, 50.0% for DGBI in three regions, and 61.4% for DGBI in four regions (p<0.001).
Individuals with DGBI plus ARFID, compared to those with DGBI alone, were significantly more likely to be underweight (7.9% vs. 1.5%), have greater non-gastrointestinal somatic symptoms and psychological distress, reduced mental and physical quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization.
Conclusion:
Positive ARFID screens are common in DGBI and associated with increased general health burden. Routine screening for ARFID in DGBI will inform the multi-integrated care plan provided by clinicians, dietitians, and psychologists.
Abstract
Alterations in the intestinal microbiota have been implicated in both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, their biological significance and therapeutic implications differ substantially between the two conditions. Although dysbiosis is a common feature, the mechanisms by which alterations in the microbiota contribute to disease pathophysiology and clinical expression are distinct. Some pathways are more prominent in IBS (e.g., the gut–brain axis), whereas others are more prominent in IBD (e.g., reduced microbial diversity). Equally important are pathways that appear to play a role exclusively in IBD [e.g., Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) and Paneth cells], as well as others that seem to be specific to IBS (e.g., mast cell activation). In IBD, microbiota changes are primarily linked to immune dysregulation, mucosal barrier impairment, and inflammation-driven pathways, whereas in IBS, they are mainly associated with functional disturbances mediated by neuroimmune signaling and microbial metabolites. Furthermore, several microbiome-associated biomarkers differ between these two diseases, and some are already assessed by international guidelines. Although the microbiota plays a key role in IBS and IBD pathophysiology, microbiome-based treatments remain limited, especially in IBD. There are clinically available treatments in IBS (e.g., rifaximin, low-FODMAP diet), but in IBD, only the probiotic VSL#3 is guideline-approved in ulcerative colitis pouchitis prophylaxis. Nevertheless, the dynamic nature of the microbiota continues to support the investigation of already studied (e.g., probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation) and potential novel therapeutic approaches at the research level. The aim of this review is to compare the gut-microbiota-related pathophysiological pathways and biomarkers between IBS and IBD, to summarize the microbiome-related medications that have already been studied in both diseases, and to suggest new potential therapeutic options based on the gut microbiota.
For years I was a non-vomiter and just a dry heaver but that has greatly changed. I was forced off of TPN and do my best to eat (liquids murder me) and generally the things I do eat are very plain in flavour, usually just a simple salt seasoning. I have always hated garlic (and it makes me sick) and when I started vomiting my diet has restricted even more.
Anyway, that’s not why I am posting. My question is, sometimes I will eat something that leaves a strong, lingering taste in my mouth. This probably wouldn’t bother a lay person but with my illnesses my sense of smell, taste, and hearing are super sensitive. So I do my best to brush the heck out of my teeth (despite things, I have very good oral hygiene), brushing and scraping tongue (the worst when you are already gagging), and I’ve tried antiseptic mouthwash but the flavour makes it even worse. For what it is worth, my tongue scraper is a really good one.
I do NOT know how to get this out of my tastebuds. It makes me revolt all day. I cannot eat candies or mints and can’t chew gum.
Obviously the answer is don’t eat strong tasting foods, but sometimes when I haven’t eaten for a day or two and I’m unable to move from bed it is easier to have something from a can. It’s either that or crackers and I have lived on crackers so long they are becoming a regular on the “I’m turned off because I’ve vomited them too many times” list.
Also, the flavour that hangs around isn’t from GERD or burping or anything. I don’t have that.
TLDR: my senses are in overdrive, how do I get aftertastes out of my mouth?
Thanks!
I am on ODSP but only have recently been accepted. I have read the website in detail and have so far done my due diligence on getting everything I am able to — increase my ADP payment, glasses, dentist coming up, special diets forms, medical transportation forms.
I’ve already had the DTC and RDSP for decades. I have applied to the CDB. And I have the CDCP.
I also have contacted my phone company and got a further discount due to be disabled. I am already familiar with programs like Access 2 and other discounts like that as my mom has been physically disabled my whole life.
I do see posts on this sub of people asking if certain things are covered. I am wondering what discounts you’ve come across (outside of what is listed on the ODSP website), whether from ODSP, or just due to having a disability. For reference, I am not mobility-challenged, as I know that can make some differences.
Please share what you’ve come across! Not sure how active the mods are here but maybe we can have a megathread to continually build.
Thanks :)
I know many of us our disabled or chronically ill, and now that I am “officially” palliative, I wonder if there is anything I should consider getting to make my life easier that I might not have thought of.
Thanks!
Just about to submit my form as I am eligible for three special diets. Is that tacked onto my monthly payment or does it come in a separate payment? Thank you.
Hey all,
Most of you know my story here and know me and a lot of us talk in chat all the time. I just thought I would share a small update and underscore the importance to getting a timely proper diagnosis.
When I was very young and first got sick, like many children and teens, it was brushed off as typical younger kid behaviour. Then as I got a little older, it became IBS, and my first gastroenterologist said he suspected Crohn’s but nothing he could do.
Fast forward and over the years I found the right doctors and the diagnoses came pouring in. Not IBS or Crohn’s.
Every test you can imagine was done, often multiple of each.
But treatment after treatment (including experimental stuff) wasn’t working. I think by this point so many years had passed *without* treatment that things got too bad.
As things moved on, and then came all the surgeries (nine so far in a short time), living on TPN, and so on, the doctors and I knew we were hitting an end. Sometimes an idea (usually very experimental) would pop up and we’d try it but nothing was helpful.
Recently I had another discussion with my current (and best) neurogastroenterologist and he said it is the end of the line, and part of the reasons no treatments work is also due to my complex anatomy and combination of what I have “wrong” with me.
So now it’s palliative care, still being followed by my various specialists but there are no more possible solutions, nothing in the zeitgeist in clinical trials, and basically just managing the symptoms I best can (even though I’d say they are not really manageable… I just take a ton of meds and get a bunch of pain procedures done regularly, plus other stuff).
I accomplished a ton in my life despite dealing with this and was really proud of that, but it all came to a halt and now I am mostly just in bed, living day by day, and unable to work anymore. It’s a lonely and boring existence.
I guess I’ll always wonder if these discovered things earlier where I would be. I live in an absolute wasteland for healthcare, and I know that maybe things weren’t figured out because the science wasn’t there when I was a kid, but I do think more could have been done.
Don’t give up and continue to research what you can do to improve your life. There is a lot out there. While I am thankful palliative care exists, I am definitely not happy this is the way things have turned out (who would be?)
My specialists are good ones, but there is only so much out there that exists so eventually we hit a wall. I just hate that I’m there.
I obviously will continue to help on this sub and others and like always, you can always send me a chat, but I just felt like I was due for an update since a lot of people ask.
ABSTRACT
Background
The UCon neurostimulator is a novel device providing dorsal genital nerve (DGN) stimulation for treating fecal incontinence (FI)/fecal urgency (FU). The primary aim was to explore its safety and secondarily its performance, hypothesizing that DGN stimulation would be feasible and safe, while reducing FI/FU.
Method
This was a prospective two-center feasibility study conducted in Denmark. Adults ≥ 18 years, with FI ≥ 1/week, and/or strong FU ≥ 3/week, and a St. Mark's Incontinence Score ≥ 9 were eligible. DGN stimulation was self-administered at home daily for 4 weeks in either a time-limited (30 min/day) or urge/on-demand (60 s upon urgency) modality. Safety was assessed through patient-reported adverse and device-related events. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing baseline data with the last 14 days of the intervention using symptom diaries, the St. Mark's Incontinence Score, and bowel-related quality-of-life measures.
Results
Forty patients consented (39 women), median age 62 years (Q1–Q3: 54–69), and 26 patients completed the study. An adverse and device-related median of 1.5 events per patient was reported, but these were mild and transient. Among patients completing the 4-week intervention, 74% (*n* = 19) with FI and 43% (*n* = 14) with strong FU achieved ≥ 50% symptom reduction (*p* = 0.005 and *p* ≤ 0.001, respectively). St. Mark's Incontinence Score (*n* = 26) reduced significantly from 16.0 (13–18) to 11.5 (9–15) (*p* ≤ 0.001).
Conclusion
Using the UCon neurostimulator in a home setting is safe and feasible. A 4-week stimulation period demonstrated significant positive results in treating FI and FU.
ABSTRACT
Background
The UCon neurostimulator is a novel device providing dorsal genital nerve (DGN) stimulation for treating fecal incontinence (FI)/fecal urgency (FU). The primary aim was to explore its safety and secondarily its performance, hypothesizing that DGN stimulation would be feasible and safe, while reducing FI/FU.
Method
This was a prospective two-center feasibility study conducted in Denmark. Adults ≥ 18 years, with FI ≥ 1/week, and/or strong FU ≥ 3/week, and a St. Mark's Incontinence Score ≥ 9 were eligible. DGN stimulation was self-administered at home daily for 4 weeks in either a time-limited (30 min/day) or urge/on-demand (60 s upon urgency) modality. Safety was assessed through patient-reported adverse and device-related events. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing baseline data with the last 14 days of the intervention using symptom diaries, the St. Mark's Incontinence Score, and bowel-related quality-of-life measures.
Results
Forty patients consented (39 women), median age 62 years (Q1–Q3: 54–69), and 26 patients completed the study. An adverse and device-related median of 1.5 events per patient was reported, but these were mild and transient. Among patients completing the 4-week intervention, 74% (n = 19) with FI and 43% (n = 14) with strong FU achieved ≥ 50% symptom reduction (p = 0.005 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively). St. Mark's Incontinence Score (n = 26) reduced significantly from 16.0 (13–18) to 11.5 (9–15) (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusion
Using the UCon neurostimulator in a home setting is safe and feasible. A 4-week stimulation period demonstrated significant positive results in treating FI and FU.
Hey all,
I get my eyebrows threaded regularly, though due to budget I have been spreading out my appts longer than usual as I am unable to work and gas is expensive (my eyebrow lady is out of town).
I have been seeing her for 15 or so years and I remember I used to pay 5$! The good ol days, right?
Anyway, she completely helped me reshape my brows and as a teen in the 90s you can imagine how they looked at one point.
I have very long hairs so I trim them between sessions but never pluck them or my lady yells at me. (Also, it then screws up the growing in between sessions, so this is something I wont do).
I am so jealous of people who have beautiful, natural brows that look good all the time. Mine also have a bald spot, and I don’t always wear makeup as I have a chronic illness and it’s not my priority.
When my brows are done fresh I feel world’s more confident - I have low self esteem, but I am wondering if anyone has any advice for longer term solutions outside of doing them myself and filling them in.
I know laser is out as it can make you blind (no thanks), and I am not sure that permanent makeup or micro blading is worth it since I’d still have to get them done, it would just help the bald spot.
This is a photo of my brows and it’s been about three weeks since I got them done last. You can see my one brow is naturally a lot nicer than the other.
I know this is a lot of verbal diarrhea but I am basically asking those who don’t have naturally nice brows and get them professionally done, what do you do in between sessions to make them not look like a mess like this?
Please don’t mind me forehead wrinkles as I have a RBf and my brow is always furrowed. Yes I should probably get Botox but no, I won’t.
Thank you for any advice you have!
Edit: when I do my brows I use Brow Wiz and an elf wax to keep hairs in place. Brow Wiz is the only brand I’ve found that is a good colour match for me, everything else is too warm.
I bought one but only wore it once. It wasn’t for me. It is a size 30 (the size guide is on the website) and it is the horizontal kind. It fits a 2 1/4 inch /57mm wafer.
I paid 125$ CAD and would like to try to sell it as my ostomy supplies and medical needs are so expensive and I can’t work. I will accept any fair offer plus shipping.
Thank you!
Hey all — I know of local companies around Disney to rent things from but only from googling. Looking for first hand experience.
I would need a company to rent a hoyer lift from and possibly a bed rail. Obviously they would need to be delivered to the resort. Has anyone rented these items and had a positive experience with a specific company?
Thank you!