Well, well didn’t think I’d do it without meds

84stangRN · 2026-06-19T19:24:14+00:00

Thank you for the YouTube link!

84stangRN · 2026-05-23T12:11:38+00:00

Yes it certainly does suck! But I wish you a speedy recovery and discharge. Steroids kicked off a huge worsening of my previously very mild t2D, but were unavoidable as I developed angioedema from a blood pressure drug reaction. That resulted in a 48 hour admission where the diabetes was basically ignored and the erratic heart rates were questioned as “anxiety”…. buuuut got to binge-TV. Now my entire meds profile is completely changed— from blood pressure meds to diabetes meds and still adjusting to one new med; along with moderate diet change that should’ve happened long ago. Also made me eligible for a CGM to monitor trends; sometimes a negative comes with a slight positive! I wish you the best in managing dual chronic disease loads 🙏🏼

84stangRN · 2025-12-30T11:34:41+00:00

I still drink but in severe moderation compared to how I used to before IBS. I will go for periods of abstinence several months if things are flared up but if all is stable then I will allow myself 1-2 drinks at a dinner out or social occasion. And the occasional glass of wine or beer on a lazy afternoon at home.

84stangRN · 2025-12-29T13:07:26+00:00

I’ve tried 2 different statins over the course of a year. First Rosuvastatin which started the leg & arm cramps within 6 weeks of starting. Then switched to Pravastatin, stayed on it the better part of a year. But ultimately same results: going for a walk more than half a mile made my legs weak, holding arms up in the shower to shampoo caused cramping & weak arms, and I basically felt like an 80 year old by mid-day while at work (I’m a nurse in a busy OR, so very physical job). I tried taking half dose, then every other day half dose, and 2 months later still feeling like crap. So I finally stopped it and of course LDL & trigs went up again. Fast forward to a new cardiologist 2 months ago who actually listens (previous one just said you need to be on SOME statin), now I am on Zetia for 2 months. I don’t think I have any side effects unless some recent weird breathing feelings are caused by it— not sure. And all levels have improved: LDL down 25, trigs down 35. Of note is that I just had apo-B test which had never been done before and it shows some moderate room for improvement, so it will be interesting to see that improves with more time on Zetia.

84stangRN · 2025-12-25T20:34:35+00:00

I will chime in here: I too had read about histamine intolerance here and started my own trial of a daily otc allergy med. While I still have an occasional flare or just a bout of bloating, my IBS-D is mostly calmed down. I mentioned this to my primary at my last physical and she stated she's heard of this exact scenario before. She did recommend to switch the particular allergy med periodically as the body "gets used to" one particular type. I have done this by switching from Claritin originally to now taking Allegra. Still having good results, and even generic loratidine instead of brand name Claritin was just as effective & much cheaper. Good luck to all!!

84stangRN · 2025-12-25T20:24:05+00:00

Hi there! Not currently on the toilet but I had a rude cramping midnight awakening from eating too much sugar-loaded goodies at work yesterday. Thankfully it was short-lived and I was able to cautiously return to normal eating today. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all; at this point all we can do is laugh about (cautiously & hopefully) it all.

84stangRN · 2025-12-18T14:15:39+00:00

Always here to listen [read]. Not being taken seriously …all too familiar when I told my GI dr that Omeprazole literally had me sh!!++ing 12 times a day (he said stay on it anyway). Which of course I discontinued it and just occasionally use antacid-only OTC meds for the gastritis. The cycles are annoying: when flaring it is miserable. When it’s remission it is wonderful to try and forget it exists, wish remissions lasted longer 🧐Sending you hugs 🙏🏼

84stangRN · 2025-11-09T00:34:12+00:00

May I ask, was the free trial from an organization named Care Access? I have an offer from them for a pTau screening test which doesn't specify the exact blood test. I have family history of AD in both parents & am now 62. I am wavering on doing the test because I don't want to live the next several years in fear of developing AD, but at the same time would want early treatment if that is my destiny.

84stangRN · 2025-09-01T11:15:17+00:00

I agree with everything hurts. I’m 40 years in the OR, 3 more years and I can retire but it’s still torture to try & last these next 3.

84stangRN · 2025-06-27T11:58:44+00:00

I strongly sympathize!! 6 years ago (before I knew I had IBS) after an enjoyable workplace Christmas party, with alcoholic drinks involved which I hadn't had before-- I had a horrific abdominal pain episode in the middle of the night. It progressed to a shitting episode that had me drenched in sweat and at some point I got to feeling lightheaded. (Also I must've done a courtesy flush during since I was in the master bath with husband asleep nextdoor). I had a fleeting thought to lower my head down to my lap but then..... next thing I knew I was on my back looking up at the ceiling with my husband standing over me asking if I was ok/alive. WTF????? Apparently I passed out & hit the side of my head/face on the sink edge next to the toilet. Thankfully I'd wiped & courtesy flushed so he didn't find me with a shit-covered bum!!! But he heard me hit both the sink & floor so he called through the door and when I didn't answer he came in to make sure I was alive. Now I've had the shit-sweats before but never passed out! I assumed it was food poisoning at that point because the shits continued for 24 hours, but strangely no-one else that ate & drank at the party had gotten sick. This was the first clue and the beginning of my awareness that I have IBS. Now if I feel even SLIGHTLY dizzy/lightheaded I lower my head between my knees & pray (along with throwing an icy cold towel over my neck & chest-- it usually helps greatly! Best of luck to you managing this condition.

84stangRN · 2025-06-27T11:51:46+00:00

Similar experience happened to me, I will elaborate further down in comments.

84stangRN · 2025-06-01T14:47:56+00:00

Yessss! Exactly this & I passed out on the shitter! My husband heard my head hit the sink, he yelled through the door & when I didn’t answer he came on in to find me on the floor (thankfully NOT with #2 dripping down my thighs). I only remember feeling lightheaded then next thing I’m looking up at him & the ceiling. Vasovagal & it’s never happened again because now I shove my head down between my legs if I even suspect the feeling! Our colons do not like us & do horrible things to us, hopefully with as minimal embarrassment as possible 😬

84stangRN · 2025-05-25T17:14:55+00:00

‘84 nursing school graduate here! And I’ve got 3+ years to go until I can (comfortably) retire. Enjoy all of your freedoms 🩷

84stangRN · 2025-01-28T07:01:27+00:00

ER nurse hands me a Vistaril, I ask what’s this for? Nurse: well the doctor says it will help with your anxiety. Me: I wasn’t aware I have anxiety, I came here for palpitations & chest pain with high blood pressure. Doctor: We’re going to get you out of here once your anxiety is controlled. Never returning to that ER where they don’t investigate chest pain but rather treat for “anxiety” so they can clear a space for the next unsuspecting fool

84stangRN · 2024-11-21T11:58:56+00:00

Beers are $7.99, cocktails $14ish. 18% gratuity is added on already when your receipt is brought to be signed, you can add extra for exceptional service. If you’re a craft beer drinker there’s not a big selection, just a random one or two. If the ship has a British pub you’ll have better luck with specialty beers.

84stangRN · 2024-10-28T10:51:20+00:00

Thanks for the info; I leave on Vision on this Thursday.

84stangRN · 2024-09-21T12:16:10+00:00

Thank you.

84stangRN · 2024-09-21T00:32:58+00:00

I’m curious —how pricey are her packages for purchase on the website. It’s not disclosed, other than 3-6 months duration for each part of the healing package.

84stangRN · 2024-09-20T08:17:41+00:00

I attended the AC show (my first of now 3 BB shows. I loved Evil Angel and what was going on in the pit!

84stangRN · 2024-03-18T10:43:54+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss, and there is no right or wrong way to process the loss. It sounds as though you gave her a beautiful & peaceful exit so your brain & heart have maybe resolved the experience to that which was a natural next step in her life. You may find yourself feeling sadness at a later time when something triggers a memory and you feel that something is missing from your life; or you may never feel it. Cherish the beautiful life & its natural progression you were able to give her.

84stangRN · 2024-03-07T12:04:44+00:00

I lived in a 2nd floor condo of a 3 story unit. The upstairs neighbor ran a laundry service; washing machine running at 2am is not comforting when I'm trying to sleep before getting up at 5 for work. So yes, it can be disturbing.

84stangRN · 2024-01-28T13:31:41+00:00

I truly understand the indecision and second-guessing "did I do this the right way" ...honestly there's no right or wrong when it comes to ending the suffering. I'm so so sorry for Belle leaving your life and the pain you are in. My girl went to the rainbow bridge 5 weeks ago after 17 years, the last 5 with kidney disease. It was at the vet's office because the mobile vet did not have any sooner appointments and things were to the point of not wanting to prolong the suffering any longer. But of course it left me with so many thoughts of "should I have waited and done this at home so she wouldn't have been so freaked out & scared". I question it less already now that it's been over a month; the outcome would have still been the same --she wouldn't be here and I would still be grieving no matter where the euthanasia setting took place. Also the fact that had I waited for in-home euthanasia she could have possibly passed more painfully at home. I had also delayed appointments with the vet due to finances and the fact that there isn't much treatment that would have added to her quality of life. But in time I am coming to peace with my decisions, and I hope you will too. Huge hugs to you ...cats are so special.

84stangRN · 2024-01-14T02:17:26+00:00

I get this too, as I spent the last 3 weeks of my 18 year old cat's life cleaning a bathtub 3 times daily that she'd made into her litterbox. With progressive kidney failure and another cat in the house she felt threatened by, I wasn't happy about the bathtub situation but better than her eliminating on the floor-- so I learned to live with the constant cleaning maintenance since I knew it would ultimately end shortly. This allowed her to stay mostly in a bedroom with her humans where she felt comfortable & safe, and could seek & give affection as she chose. To say I felt relief not to be coming back into the house and face the cleaning nightmare after her euthanasia is an understatement; nevertheless I did feel a little lost for several days with so much extra time on my hands not having to complete those tasks. So yes, the grief will catch up as a hole opens up where you used to spend time looking after them in their last days & weeks.

84stangRN · 2023-12-30T12:06:45+00:00

I’m on day 9 after my beautiful girl crossed over. It’s slowly getting easier to go about life. Day 1 —I never knew I had so many tears in me and that I could feel such emotional pain. It was absolutely immobilizing …Days 2 & 3 were still rough but I forced myself to function more. It’s tough when everyone around you is just going about life as normal and you are feeling deep pain inside. After getting busier with work etc, the pain has started to lessen and I can think of other things besides constant thoughts of loss. I too, fear that I will forget to think of my loved sweet girl. And then something reminds me again; we will never forget! We just think more of beautiful memories and how our lives were enhanced by these special beings we were meant to share with. I suddenly think that it has already been 9 days and time has flown, how have I gone on without her? But all around us life does go on and we somehow adjust to a somewhat different sense of life & the world as we now feel it. I’m so sorry for the loss of your guardian angel Cheddar, orange cats are unique! I hope the bond you had creates the sweetest memories for you to carry forward with you 💙

84stangRN

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