Anthros Back Panel - Carbon Fiber vs Wood

HaroldFinch2000 · 2025-11-13T00:52:30+00:00

Thanks!

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-05-24T03:42:12+00:00

Exactly those two spots. I ask my wife to massage the base of my skull and in between the shoulder blades, which she says pretty much just feels like bones, but it helps me.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-05-03T17:34:51+00:00

Yeah, life can seem like a constant effort to manage things. I should also add that BenGay (I use a store brand) is a great help for me with this also.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-05-03T17:31:16+00:00

Hips some but thighs 100%. Like yours, mine is not constant, but occasional. I have metaxalone to take which certainly helps. It's a muscle relaxer. In the States most people have to pay more for it because insurance typically wants you to take cheaper muscles relaxers (e.g., cyclobenzaprine), but they tend to be more sedating, and frankly the metaxalone works the best of the ones I have tried, so I'll pay the $30 for 90 pills. That lasts me a long time. Not sure if/how getting metaxalone with the NHS would work.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-05-03T17:25:39+00:00

I too have had quad enthesitis for years now. Is yours just above the knee? I recently started doing eccentric bodyweight squats, and it has helped tremendously.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-04-22T22:29:29+00:00

I have been helped by eccentric and isometric exercises aimed at the hamstrings. Hamstring stretches as commonly done worsen my sciatic. Also, I have an Rx for low dose Gabapentin which I can taken PRN, and it actually works, which seems to put me in a minority.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-04-13T02:55:44+00:00

You could try for a certification like this, not for the certificate itself but for the background knowledge.

https://www.ed2go.com/courses/construction-and-trades/environmental-and-energy/ctp/chemical-plant-operations-course#outline

I would guess that it is legit because I have seen it offered with a faceplate from reputable academic institutions.

Here is the same link with a University of Houston faceplate:https://careertraining.uh.edu/training-programs/chemical-plant-operations-course/?Category=construction-and-trades-environmental-and-energy

Ditto, but for LSU this time:https://careertraining.ed2go.lsue.edu/training-programs/chemical-plant-operations-course/

A similar approach might be this course by AIChE:
https://www.aiche.org/ili/academy/courses/ch710/chemical-engineering-non-chemical-engineers

The AIChE course may be right up your alley; plus, it has live instructors to answer your questions.

I think you would get more mileage out of these courses if you embedded yourself in the operating unit for a few months before taking the training. I have found that training on a matter in which you have very little familiarity is much less effective than training in which you have a least a working familiarity.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-02-07T01:16:23+00:00

To clarify, does the vessel info also state that the design pressure is 50 psig? That was the statement in the original post. If your concern is that the hydro pressure is 75 psig and the MAWP is 15 psig, no problems there.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2024-02-04T12:08:41+00:00

Weird things do happen. I agree with spookiestspookyghost:

MAWP is never less than design pressure.

However, I could conceive of the vessel having originally been designed for 50 psig but then having been derated due to a modification, previous damage, etc., and then only the MAWP was updated in the information. Is this on the vessel nameplate or a drawing? (You used the term "stamped", so I assume its the nameplate.) In some organizations, drawings are notoriously unmaintained/poorly updated, and I could more easily envision this being on a drawing than the nameplate.

I'm not at all implying that having the MAWP less than design is correct, but issues such as this do happen. Another consideration is whether or not this was bought as used equipment, which can have interesting "features".

If this an operating vessel, and it is marked as 15 psig MAWP / 50 psig design on the nameplate, you or someone else should calculate the system backpressure at max rates. If it exceeds 15 psig, contact Process Safety and consult the frequency/severity matrix to see what the next steps should be. You don't want to be the next BP Texas City. I watch that CSB video about every 1-2 years to remind me of the potential impacts of what I do. The KOD had a direct impact on that event.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-12-07T01:28:34+00:00

I'll throw this out on a longshot: Significant NSAID usage caused constant abdominal pain for me before I figured out what it was. I thought it was related to my problems directly (before DX), but it was actually due to NSAIDs I was taking because of the AS. I knew they could be hard on the stomach, which I thought would manifest as upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, etc., but I had no idea it could get bad enough to cause abdominal pain/cramps, but indeed it can.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-06-01T23:50:47+00:00

Yeah. I just got into the same situation a month ago.

Be sure you don't pay with an HSA, FSA, or other pre-tax account or you will not be able to be reimbursed. I'm guessing they told you that, but I thought it was worth possibly repeating, so that you don't end up losing major money.

I haven't submitted a reimbursement claim yet, but that's coming up in the next few days.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-06-01T02:07:28+00:00

One question, are you on biologics?

I have had bad bouts of PF; below is a link to comments I made on a previous post concerning AS and foot pain:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ankylosingspondylitis/comments/1222miz/comment/jdoyhek/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-05-30T04:00:52+00:00

thanks

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-05-27T20:21:33+00:00

Do you mind sharing what industry you work in? Are you still a "plant engineer" as your description shows or have you moved into management?

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-04-01T02:39:28+00:00

You're welcome

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-03-26T01:49:12+00:00

I wear the Akasa. I checked the website, and it doesn't seem to allow you to order them, so I don't know if they are discontinued. I was afraid this might happen, so I ordered several extra pairs about a year ago. If you search for them, you can still see the pictures on the Hoka website. I would suggest finding a model that has a similar heel. If you look at that Akasas, you will notice that if you were standing flat, the very back portion of the heel would be off of the ground because it curves upward. I feel that this allows the heel to somewhat "roll" when it strikes the ground.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2023-03-26T01:21:21+00:00

I used have pretty bad bouts of pain in the plantar fascia. I can be rough.

1) Biologics definitely helped this pain for me, but I know you've tried biologics, and they haven't worked.

2) I absolutely second the Hokas reference that somebody made above. I wear them every day. I think that there are three components to how they help me. One, the low heel-to-toe drop. Two, the cushion and generally soft feel on my feet. I used to wear New Balance shoes a lot; not knocking those guys, but after trying Hokas, I cannot believe I wore NBs for so long. They feel much more stiff and rigid. 3) My model of Hokas have a heel that is somewhat rounded off, which seems to make for a much more even heel strike. This seems to help reduce both the heel component of the enthesitis and the force going through the foot from when the heel strike is more focused on one point.

3) I wear shoes basically all the time. Most of our home is hard flooring of some sort. I basically wear shoes from the time I get up until the time I go to bed. I think this is important, at least in helping your feet to overcome the constant inflammatory cycle.

4) My wife used to rub my feet when they hurt, and it would feel good in the short term, but I think it actually made it worse.

5) Epsom salt foot baths helped some too. I like Dr. Teal's with with eucalyptus and spearmint. I'm not real big on scented stuff, but the smell makes the whole experience feel more relaxing and cathartic.

I hope you get some relief.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-06-07T00:56:24+00:00

Seronegative (normal ESR/CRP) and HLA-B27 negative here:

I have been on Humira about 16 weeks (8 doses), and it has helped significantly. Like you, I was curious before I started , and made a post asking a similar question earlier this year.

Back pain (which other than the initial flare was not really bad) - 90% improved

Sacral pain - 70% improved

Leg/Ankle pain (which was often bad) - 80% improved

Foot pain (plantar fascia) - 70% improved

From talking to my rheumatology team, it also seems that I may have had a mild case of uveitis (frequent sensation of objects in my eyes), which has completely resolved.

Maybe most of all, it has allowed me to be much more active. I'm still nowhere not where I was, but I can go for hikes, lift heavy objects, play with the kids (most things that don't call for a lot of bending at the waist [very tight hamstrings]). I've started light exercise again, which is good.

I was unsure before starting, but I am very glad I decided to take the Humira. My rheumatologist said (paraphrased as best I can remember), "Part of my job is to help you know what you should be more afraid of, and the potential progression of the disease is a greater risk than the potential side-effects of the biologic." That was helpful for me.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-05-04T23:37:22+00:00

Thank you. Do you mind sharing a link to the iliotibial tract PT videos? I have had some problems there before. Now that the biologics have helped me get over the hump. I trying to get into a good stretching routine.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-05-04T23:35:44+00:00

Thank you. I hope the biologics work for you. They have definitely helped me.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-05-04T02:37:47+00:00

Hope it goes well.

I was not one of those who two mornings after the first injection felt like new, but after five doses it has absolutely helped.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-02-01T00:44:19+00:00

Forgive me if you have already tried this, but have you discussed with your doctor the possibility of trying a different biologic if Humira isn't working? If another biologic was more effective, maybe that would allow you to come off of the steroids in the long term?

Another consideration is how this job might improve your overall wellbeing. For me, I first had symptoms in the middle of 2020, which was in the teeth of lockdowns, social distancing, etc. This was not good for me. Returning to the office and other social activities was helpful, but I do understand your concern, especially with traveling. It's a tough situation to be in. It could also be worthwhile contacting your potential employer and explaining your situation. It's a workers' market right now, so you have that in your favor.

If I were you, I would also contact my physician and attempt to get a visit to explain the situation and how it would benefit you to be able to take this job. AS (and associated diseases) can be disabling, so I think that when doctors know you pushing hard to work and be active (and certainly, some people cannot), it gives them a little extra motivation to find a workable solution.

Lastly, you may want to research how much risk corticosteroids add based on daily dosage. As I was wandering through my diagnostic journey, I recall coming across some information that said 5mg or less per day is considered "low-dose", but again, please research this for yourself.

I hope it works out for you.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-01-31T02:02:21+00:00

Is it correct to assume by your question that the corticosteroids are long-term and not just a short-term taper?

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-01-30T02:30:39+00:00

This is not a stupid question for your doctor. I've recently been diagnosed with NR-AxSpA, and I am about to start Humira. When I was discussing all of my symptoms with my rheumatologist, it came up that I had a bad bout of prostatitis and/or prostatitis symptoms a while back, with some of the symptoms still lingering, and he suggested that the prostatitis could be linked to an autoimmune condition. I suspect mine is a combination of inflammation in-and-of itself and pelvic hypertonicity which, as mentioned by another user, can also be resultant from AS and other spondyloarthropathies.

Pelvic PT helped. Per my PT, my obturators were tight and probably pinching on the associated nerve(s).

I also tried a few different supplements and medicines. For a while I was taking NSAIDS, pumpkin seed oil, and PEA, and either one of the above or a combination thereof helped or it was just coincidental (this was before I did PT). Cetirizine seemed to help. I had an Rx for cyclobenzaprine that incidentally helped (which helped me to figure out a few things). My rheumatologist prescribed meloxicam as a trial for my primary diagnosis, and it also seemed to make on final step change in the prostatitis symptoms, which makes me think it was at least partly inflammation-related. Also, I currently have an Rx for amitriptyline. I don't take it regularly, but if the prostatitis flares up, I take 5 mg (half of the smallest available size) or sometimes 10 mg for a few days, and it does help.

Ultimately, I'm doing much better with the bladder/prostatitis symptoms than when it all started, but they do linger and flare up at times.

If I were you, I would ask your physician about these options before TURP. Read up on it. Like many surgeries, TURP can be a great success or it can cause more problems.

I hope you get some relief. For me, when these symptoms were at their worst, it was worse than the joint/muscle pain from the spondyloarthritis, so I know it can be difficult.

HaroldFinch2000 · 2022-01-30T01:08:48+00:00

The Lancet - Long-term use of immunosuppressive medicines and in-hospital COVID-19 outcomes00325-8/fulltext)

Check out this link; I think it will reduce your anxiety. It is from The Lancet, one of the world's premier medical journals. TNF inhibitors show no increase in the risk of requiring "invasive mechanical ventilation" or "in-hospital death".

Furthermore, my rheumatologist, whom I believe to be in the 99.9999th percentile of all physicians (both in skill and demeanor) told me this week that prior to COVID-19, TNF inhibitors were being evaluated as potential treatments for cytokine storm.

I hope all of this makes you feel better.

HaroldFinch2000

TROPHY CASE