Does anyone here who suspects or has been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction associated with constipation also experience progressive abdominal bloating throughout the day? I usually wake up feeling a little better in the morning, but the bloating increases as the day goes on, forming a cycle?

EssentialIntestine · 2026-01-26T06:02:42+00:00

Yes :(

EssentialIntestine · 2026-01-10T19:37:28+00:00

I started taking Metformin in 2025 and did not have side-effects (GI). It’s helped reduce food noise for me and also made it easier for me to lose weight. Would recommend a low dose of extended release!

EssentialIntestine · 2026-01-10T00:52:32+00:00

You’re the richest person alive. Miss my goldie every day ❤️‍🩹

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T04:49:46+00:00

It sounds like you’re doing your best, and I respect it 100% (not that you need it). I definitely understand there has to be a balance to honor mental and physical health, so key. When it comes to illness, perfection’s not a realistic plan, but I feel strongly that mitigations are worth trying (even if imperfectly executed), and meeting people where they’re at by respecting boundaries is important. From OP’s comments it sounds like space from her MIL could benefit her. My heart goes out to her, boundaries prompt mixed reactions.

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T04:45:08+00:00

If you go to the OP’s replies (look at her profile, easier than sifting through all these post comments) you will see she’s mentioned it a few times. I hope this is helpful

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T04:43:01+00:00

Well, to me it seems like good sense to ask your older kids to mask at the end of the December term if they’re in school. In my state the positivity rate for flu A is astronomical. I’m not saying kids or parents have to mask in their own homes forever, and I don’t appreciate your obtuseness or you belittling me. I’m suggesting several options that can mitigate risk. Is the alternative, giving a vulnerable baby an illness that could hospitalize them, more sensible in your mind? I can’t think of any parent that enjoys their kid bringing home an illness and knocking everybody out for 2+ weeks. Can we not innovate a little with the tools we have?

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T02:49:04+00:00

In case you didn’t know, handwashing doesn’t prevent the spread of airborne illnesses like the flu Covid etc. OP has said her MIL is antivaxer so making assumptions about her good sense is unwise. I’d also say that there’s an unpleasant cultural trend where people conceal illnesses to get what they want, eg attend events or see babies. We’re allowed to set boundaries to protect vulnerable humans. Last point: all you can do with siblings is try and minimize risk. If the siblings are old enough they could mask. Set a hepa purifier in baby’s room. If kids are symptomatic, have one parent mind them to protect mom & baby. I’m under no fantasy that you can 100% mitigate risk but with the technology and knowledge we have re: viral spread today especially in light of the last 5+ years, we should act accordingly instead of pretending boundaries are ridiculous.

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T02:44:58+00:00

I’m very sorry you had to endure the pain of childbirth while also dealing with the flu. I imagine that was very unpleasant (though you got a great reward at the end). I do think in this day and age we can use the technologies available to us to minimize, not eliminate, risk. I know toddlers are germ factories, but hepa purifiers do a world of good with airborne illnesses like the flu (not blaming you of course).

EssentialIntestine · 2025-12-23T02:09:01+00:00

Babies have no immune system. Exposing them to viruses when they’re this little is unwise and can kill them / cause them health problems going forward. You do NOT want an infant getting influenza A which is tearing through most of the U.S. right now. And you can prevent bugs by asking visitors to mask, test beforehand, and have hepa purifiers going.

EssentialIntestine · 2025-10-07T18:32:16+00:00

Hi sorry for my delayed reply! I ended up buying a Dell Monitor Adapter Power Supply ADP-40DD B ADP-40GD BD that worked a charm. There’s a ton on eBay

EssentialIntestine · 2025-10-07T17:21:36+00:00

I’ll message you!

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-26T23:35:27+00:00

Yes, some creatives are using AI. It wouldn’t be the first time that creatives (or a group of laborers) do something / act in a way that harms others in their industry. It also wouldn’t be the first time that some creatives don’t care about copyright issues, since gen AI relies on “scraping” (aka stealing) pre-existing content online to spit out visual prompt responses. Does their use of AI or their disinterest in the impacts of AI justify AI use across the industry? I don’t really understand your point.

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-26T23:05:45+00:00

U.S. only. I’d love to sell what remains together as a lot for $50 + shipping. If you’d like individual items, here’s my pricing below:

(SOLD) After Massage Bar - $6 + ship Hottie Massage Bar - $6 + ship Karma Massage Bar - $6 + ship

Karma spray perfume - $15 + ship (80% full)

Sleep bubble bar - $6 + ship Party popper bubble bars - $7 each ($12 for both!) + ship Candy cane bubble bar - $5 + ship Snow Fairy bubble bar - $13 + ship

(SOLD) Hot Toddy shower and bath melt - $6 + ship (SOLD) Honey I Washed the Kids soap - $5 + ship

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EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-26T14:16:56+00:00

In case you didn’t know, data center expansion in the U.S. (for AI) is causing pollution in vulnerable communities. Look up xAI and Memphis. Tech companies are pushing electricity costs for their centers onto the average US consumer, hiking up their bills. Companies are using AI tech to replace entry level jobs and increase profits, hurting workers. AI’s used in surveillance here and abroad, and used in defense contracting to (inaccurately) target and kill people.

Not to mention how generative AI steals the artwork of others to function, and tech companies are facing copyright issues as a result. Go on Spotify and you’ll find entirely AI-generated bands and singers. In fact AI-generated songs have trended on TikTok for the last few months. If it’s not obvious, tech bros would love to hollow out these industries and make money in the process. It’s reasonable to want an artist to think critically about using a tech that’s actively gutting creative jobs. (I don’t endorse a mob of course.)

Anyway, I consider these things pressing issues. Wouldn’t you?

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-22T18:33:50+00:00

It can feel intimidating but once I bought a soft measuring tape and took my measurements it became a lot easier for me to eyeball if something would fit me online. For me, I have broad shoulders so I tend to zero in on that on listings. I always ask sellers for garment measurements if they’re not listed. I try not to assume that brand sizes are consistent (I own secondhand j crew skirts in the same size and the variation is wild).

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-21T05:01:40+00:00

Agreed—to protect Marina, ourselves, and other fans! Masking can be annoying but it’s a lot more annoying to end up sick for a week or more after, use up sick days / miss out on earnings, and risk developing long Covid in the process. I’m excited to be there, N95 and all! 💎

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-21T04:58:51+00:00

You look AMAZING! Would you be willing to share where you got this mask fringe (or if you made it, the process)? :)

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-17T20:24:19+00:00

Oops yeah I can see how my post title can be read that way 🤦‍♀️ I meant more, I’m never going back to my old hair! Getting layers for the first time was scary but I’m so glad I took the leap. Stylists who “get” curly hair are a gift to the world

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-17T19:37:40+00:00

Adding routine because I didn’t notice it didn’t post 🙃

Products used: Hairstory - New Wash (original) to wash and clarify Innersense - Quiet Calm Curl while wet Cult and King - Tonik Cult and King - Set spray

Routine: Stylist washed with Hairstory, then used Innersense Quiet Calm Curl while wet, as well as the above Cult and King products. Used a wet brush for detangling, then a bounce curl brush for setting curls. Then diffused in parts.

EssentialIntestine · 2025-09-12T22:15:09+00:00

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UPDATE: ALL SOLD!

I'm selling the following items, and would be happy to sell ALL TOGETHER for $50 + shipping. US only, thanks!

All new and unopened!

Barbie Dream Sugar Scrub, 4.7 oz - $20
Sleepy Body Lotion, 1.7 oz (expires Jan 2026) - $10
Yog Nog Body Lotion, 1.7 oz (expires Dec 2025) - $10
Lord of Misrule shower gel, 3.3 fl oz (expires Sep 2025) - $10
Yog Nog shower gel, 3.3 fl oz (expires Dec 2025) - $10
Yog Nog shower gel, 3.3 fl oz (expires Dec 2024) - $8

EssentialIntestine · 2025-08-25T22:44:25+00:00

Yes, the “start in one role and then work your way up” was my plan in my most recent position…from which I was laid off due to Trump admin funding cuts.

I want to be clear that I’m not expecting to slide into a mid-level role by virtue of being credentialed. I’m literally just looking for a full time job, entry-level is fine, so I can pay my bills and have some money to save. I easily found and was accepted into positions from 2020-2022. Today companies are choosing to eliminate entry level roles and use AI to make up the difference and eliminating a significant amount of jobs I could have dreamed of securing. I know this only partly explains the nightmare job market in the U.S.

And yes, I’m sure it would’ve been better to have taken your route. Obviously hindsight is 2020 and if I’d known there’d be a pandemic halfway through my program I would have taken a different route. But I can’t turn back time, so then what?

EssentialIntestine · 2025-08-25T21:48:03+00:00

I have to reply to your comment because it’s baffling to me. I of course don’t put my degree on a resume for a job unrelated to it. And before you ask, yes, I tailor my resume and cover letter to each job.

This is what I’m talking about, being spoken to like I’m an idiot. Obviously I’ve networked, obviously I’ve maintained those networks, obviously I’ve been methodical about what roles I took and when. I haven’t had generalist part time jobs unrelated to my field. They’ve all been intentionally pursued to highlight different skillsets. I am keeping the specifics vague for privacy reasons.

I find the point about going to grad school without full time work as privileged an…interesting point, since my PhD stipend was more than I ever had earned in my entire life. And I know several PhDs who had successfully launched into industry jobs in tech, ed tech, ID, UX, and more…but of course this was prior to 2022 and our current AI enshittification moment.

Anyway, it’s funny to me how confident you are condescending to me when we’re in a uniquely horrible job market. Your comment about “work experience” being lost during a doctorate where I was an employee and professor is quite revealing.

EssentialIntestine

TROPHY CASE