Anyway, I saw a news story recently about probiotics helping people with IBS symptoms, so I did some research and got these a few days ago. People swear these "gut flora" capsules have changed their lives for the better.
On a positive note, my belly has been behaving itself for 3-4 days now. I think it's much too soon to give credit to these things, but I'll still be taking one daily for the long-term.
Another positive note, the plantar fasciitis is finally easing up. It's still hurtful to walk on hard floors without something on my feet, but a good pair of tube socks will do the trick. And my feet are no longer in pain for an hour after I get out of the shower.
On a lousier note, I'm still wrestling with this long covid relapse. (It returned on Sept 12, the day after a 3 hour dental visit.) It seems to follow a cycle... one day I am pain-free and happy as a clam. The second day, stinging in my left eye and temples, and a constant smell of baked beans and burnt hair. The third day... swelling in the face, lots of orofacial pain. It can last for several days too.
I was signed up to go with the senior center to the Sea Shell Restaurant on Wed, Oct 15. I talked to my friend Mary from the center Monday night and was feeling mostly ok and hopeful. Then Tuesday night I'm talking to my friend Diana, and smelling baked beans and burnt hair. I told her I had a bad feeling. Wednesday morning the pain returned and I had to call the center and cancel.
A real bummer, I haven't seen my friends or my gal Evie in weeks. (At least I got to talk with Evie last night, she recently took a fall and I hope she's okay.)
Right now it's difficult to schedule plans, so the next time I get a good day I plan to get back to the center and hopefully see some friendly faces. I'd happily contend with Cussin' Connie calling me a #$%^*# hypochondriac if I could just see her again and give her a hug!
Finally, I feel the need to apologize for being so wrapped up in my own problems. As much as I try to avoid the world outside my apartment, I still see what's going on and the scary state of things. As much as I'm glad for those protests for democracy, it's like my covid relapse, just a big waiting game.
Not sure how you function with all your problems. I have a friend who has a different set of problems (grief, home repairs & heart issues, among others) but she, too, is overwhelmed some days. We've all been there. I think we all understand you are decidedly NOT a hypochondriac, just a poor dude who contracted a miserable virus because of politics run amok! I'd say more but I hate to get started. I'm extremely bitter about all the terrible things happening in our country at the present time. Certainly hope the universe deals you and our country a break soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Bobi--I'm sorry for all the boo-hooing, but it sure does help to get feedback like yours. I'm very sorry for your friend, and I am definitely on the mend. At least it keeps me from dwelling on the political stuff.
DeleteDug, saying I'm so sorry you have to put up with all that... is no help I know. Wish I knew another way to help. Long covid is still such a mystery that unless there is a research study going on that you could join... and even if there is, you may not want to be a guinea pig for experiments.
ReplyDeleteAs for the IBS, I used to have that too (a few times a year)... but haven't had issues in a long time. My niece is a Pediatrician and she recommended I try going gluten free and lactose free. I've been that way for several years now and it's definitely helped... hardly any episodes anymore (I do cheat on occasions and as long as I don't go overboard, I'm generally fine). Mine used to last 3 days (when I could get Paregoric - no longer available). Without it, the episodes lasted about 5-7 days (where anything I put inside me ran through). My solution was 'not eating'... just sipping on water and coke and occasionally part of a banana (Brach's diet : banana, rice, applesauce, and toast). As for the probiotics (and prebiotics) I just eat yogurt each morning (and oatmeal). Seems to work.
Sorry this comment is so long...
Rian thanks very much this was helpful--and please don't apologize, I love your feedback! What you said here, the same recommended to me and I HAVE gone lactose free mostly. (Gluten.. not ready.) But yes the same for me--toast, rice, bananas or fasting until things settle. As for the long covid stuff, I am clueless. Just hoping it goes away before I do.
DeleteI'm a big believer in probiotics. I've been taking them for close to 30 years, starting in my third year of teaching. Every fall, once school started, I would get a cold. The students got colds and I seemed to catch them. Someone suggested probiotics.
ReplyDeleteAs they say, the rest is history. I never got sick in the fall again. I was rarely sick during my 21 years of teaching, enough so that when I retired I had over 100 days of banked sick leave which the district doesn't pay you for, BUT the State retirement system counts as time served for your pension. Instead of retiring with 21 years of service, I was credited with 22 years which added a lot more to my pension. I am very grateful for those probiotics.
Wow--this was certainly an amazing read, thanks for sharing dkzody. I'm more encouraged than before to make these a lifetime thing. I'm very glad they've been such a positive influence in your life.
DeleteI've done some stuff with yogurt if I have issues but haven't taken the pills. They sound like a game changer! I hate that you're having these health issues, especially since you just want to be active and doing things. I would be frustrated and depressed and whining constantly. I think you're very brave and not at all a hypochondriac. That's for people who actually don't have anything wrong with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Margaret, I sure do appreciate your friendship. Just as soon as I'm done with the cranial inflammation, I will be good to go. :^)
DeleteDoug, so sorry you continue to have these flare ups. You are NOT a hypochondriac! Goodness, what you have been through in these last few years. I have been a daily yogurt eater for probably the last 25 years. Had tummy issues when I was younger but hardly anymore. I hope you are able to get back to the Senior Centre and see all your friends!❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Robin, thank you. I know I keep sharing the same stuff, hopefully this will all be over soon and I'll have new things to write about. I need to start adding yogurt to my shopping list! 🙂❤️
DeleteBeautiful quote in the header/banner of the teepee.. hoping you feel better
ReplyDeleteI'm glad someone noticed that quote! Thanks Shawn.
Deleteorphanpoet here,
ReplyDeleteDoug, I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now, dismayed about how health problems have made life pretty miserable for you. I remember you wrote that in September you had ordered prepared meals from 'Dish' and wondered if perhaps there had been any health alerts about that company.
There was one dated early October, and I wondered if the 'listeria contamination' had been going undetected since before then.
Update, October 9, 2025: FreshRealm has notified FSIS that the riced cauliflower used in certain products have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The following products are subject to the USDA-FSIS public health alert: 13.05-oz. plastic tray packages labeled "DISH by Blue Apron Cheesy Chicken Mac with Vegetables," sold by Blue Apron, and 10.5-oz. packages labeled “BALANCE by Marley Spoon BBQ Sauce Beef Meatballs with Cheesy Cauliflower,” sold by Marley Spoon."
https://www.food-safety.com/articles/10763-pasta-meal-producer-involved-in-ongoing-outbreak-finds-listeria-in-another-ingredient-spinach
Hope you are feeling better as time goes on, buddy. My husband and I enjoy reading your blog.
Orphanpoet, thanks very much for your kind words here, and my gosh, a big thanks for this "Dish" listeria info! Very much appreciated, I didn't feel comfortable ordering these non-frozen prepared dishes in the mail (other than the pizza kits) and this pretty much confirms my not going back. I even told a friend a couple weeks ago "for all I know I'm dealing with food poisoning". Who knows--thank you again, OP.
Deleteorphanpoet here,
DeleteYou're certainly welcome, Doug. FEEL BETTER SOON!
I tried taking that exact brand..got it on Amazon but then I saw I could get them at Walmart..I hope it helps. Drink a lot of water.
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thanks Beth, will do. I hope you're good.
DeleteAnything that can make you feel better is probably okay. Personally, I’d open a bottle of wine but I don’t think that’s your thing.
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry that you haven’t been able to get to the centre (and have lunch with your friends – even Cussin’ Connie).
I don’t want this to be a downer (but alas, it is) but my sister had chronic fatigue (whatever it’s called these days) which seems to be related to long covid. Alas she had it all her life (from about age 25).
Thank you Peter, and I'm sorry about your sister and her chronic fatigue--I know what a real & hard thing that can be. I did have that, for 18 months or so and don't know--just a lot of orofacial discomfort and inflammation. I sure hope it doesn't last a lifetime though! Thanks for writing my friend :^)
Delete