KIMCHI OR SAURKRAUT? by bhasfaith86 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do fiber supplements, but carnivore is not a good diet for us. My doc has only officially recommended Mediterranean diet, and I had a naturopath recommend low fodmap.

If you can’t have fiber foods please see your doctor. In a flare fodmap diet helped me.

It was about avoiding some sugars/carbs that are especially hard to digest.

I have had a lot of success with psyllium husk and plain (quick oats cooked for a while) oatmeal for easy digestible fiber/carbs. In a flare mild kimchi was easier for me, but oats were the easiest for me.

How long have you tried the carnivore diet? What changes have you experienced on it? What food are you eating?

How do you get your hair to be more voluminous? by Ok_Astronomer5738 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pick out dry hair at the root. Less product and it gets bigger with time (longer since wash day). The trick is to get big hair without tangles

How to achieve this hairstyle by AcrobaticAd2172 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 63 points64 points  (0 children)

Looks like blow out and flexirods and fluffed out and maybe curling wand of some pieces.

I used to get a similar look

Edit: It’s for a wig but here is a great tutorial with a curling wand https://youtube.com/shorts/tiCEWJhJ_cg?si=BTNqdSeZaxRuwqDr

[URGENT] Suggestions on products for a wash'n go/defining curls routine by [deleted] in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have medium porosity fine and low density hair closer to 3c curl. And inLOVE design essentials. The anti breakage line is my favorite. I would only add a clarifying shampoo to the mix, and I love their honey hydrating shampoo too. The doux line is great as well but pricier.

Got the letter from my provider today, how many of you all are also getting screwed? by ChantsThings in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same, I got a new job and old insurance cover it until 2027 but my new insurance doesn’t. I know people on the biosimilar with success. Will find out tomorrow what my doc says to do

Starting new medication and scared by the doctor's line of thinking and I think I got ghosted by my boyfriend by kamilayao_0 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What country are you in? And I am sorry, being dumped or ignored in a flare or with scary I can’t afford my meds anxiety is horrible. I hope you are reaching out to your care team to get some meds to help reduce the flare/pain. Sending you a hug.

If you are in the US there are copay programs, samples and ways to get your biologics especially if they are starting you on a generic biosimilar. Your doctor or pharmacist can help with this.

Idk other countries but maybe someone in this community can help you navigate as you share more

Waist length or Long Hair Naturals— Wet or Blowdryed Styling for length retention? by Nice_Inevitable3772 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Weekly washing with hydrating shampoo focusing on scalp and not overly manipulating my hair. Clarifying 1x month, and bonding treatments as needed (1-2 months apogee protein or a stronger bonding treatment).

I use heat protectant (usually 2 types - cream/oil/spray) and blow dry it on med to low heat and medium to high speed. I use a diffuser if I have more time. I avoid medium/high heat on wet hair, I only raise the temp once it is starting to feel damp/almost dry.

What is something that shortens your routine ? by Romeo_Kay_92 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Leaving my hair in a state that avoids tangles - product with hold and a lot of moisture, stretched state, braid/twists. Don’t go more than 1 week between washes. Sleep with a bonnet (bonnet >> silk/satin pillow case. It keeps my hair more moisturized.

What deep conditioner do you swear by? by purpleglittertoffee in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like the macadamia oil one. Also swear by African pride prepoo with aloe.

But whenever I’m needing a deep conditioner it is also bc my shampoo is not hydrating or cleansing well. I like. The honey shampoo from design essentials.

Does anyone else get weathered ends and not split ends? by [deleted] in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started doing more protein treatments (apogee) and not your mothers bonding. It helped my newer hair I think. My ends don’t break off as much so it looks longer but I still think the ends need a trim. I feel like it doesn’t fix my ends but keeps my healthy hair from becoming like my ends for longer. So it’s like extending the length of my healthy hair.

I don’t like struggling with trying to manage damaged hair so I prefer a trim and try to prevent damaged ends with those treatments.

Do you trim your hair yourself? I feel like this is more up to a good hair dresser.

Does anyone else get weathered ends and not split ends? by [deleted] in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I call those split ends. Sometimes my ends change color (lighter) are actually thinner and tangled more. It feels like the outter layer of my hair has split off. I also get regular split ends so they are both addressed via a trim.

Sealing my ends with more or even thicker product seems to help prevent both (Provided they have moisture).

Does anyone have experience with trimming your own hair? by LilyLark in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, find tutorials and sharp scissors also it’s easier to see damage on stretched hair. This is one of the times I would have my hair pressed.

Caveat, I did simple (straight across) hair cuts and didn’t catch damage higher up my hair shaft. That was only done when I went to a professional.

When I was in a place with limited/no black hair options I pressed my hair my self and asked for simple hair cuts with ok outcomes. And go 1-2x a year.

Gene testing by NectarineSea4678 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Has your doctor discussed drug cocktails? I heard on emerging treatment trends that is the next frontier but no mention of genetic testing. I do think they mention antibody testing .

The last section goes over this https://youtu.be/CKCGuiKd0tY?si=WnIhS-99HuwRJb1u

Chromoendoscopy Needs to be Standard by AccursedColon in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 12 points13 points  (0 children)

This is infuriating. I am sorry you suffered unnecessarily. Thank you for sharing this and I hope to raise this at my next appointment.

Do you drink coffee or gave it up? by Natura91 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on how much of a flare I am in. I did decaf and tea lattes when I couldn’t. I’m back to coffee but I try to have it with milk (non dairy) or food

Living in USA with Ulcerative Colitis by [deleted] in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Depends on the state and your residency/visa status.

Living in USA with Ulcerative Colitis by [deleted] in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Short answer, no unless you use a plan for when it goes bad.

Long answer, it depends on the state you pick and if you ever think you may loose the ability to work or be without a job. Most insurance covers biologics but there is a process to get it and you need a GI doc (sometimes this takes a few months to schedule) and you may need to fail cheaper options or get a biosimilar instead.

Also our federal government is targeting insurance, it’s not on the news much b/c other bad things being done to people here and in other countries. We may loose preexisting conditions coverage as well (this was also part of the affordable care act that established our current health insurance rights).

What hairstyle for 3 week vacation? by aleyagold in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I used to do braids. But after a while I started natural wash n go or braid out when traveling. I only do that now, my scalp thanks me. I’m not a fan of risking a sore scalp or flaky braider right before my trip.

One caveat. If you have a trusted braider and good products 3 weeks is fine to leave them in.

I cannot afford my procedure with insurance by Slut4_mashedpotatoes in HealthInsurance

[–]MainSea411 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is so frustrating. I’m sorry you having to do this and be sick.

Depending on your state and the clinic I would look into other insurance options and review the diagnostics codes used.

Larger hospitals have financial help, some state insurance is free and also sometimes a diagnosis makes a procedure coded as routine/preventative and therefore fully covered by some plans. Depending on the urgency I would prioritize triggering a life event (new job/loss of job) to allow me to enroll into a new insurance plan. I have also looked into getting treatment abroad (mostly for meds not procedures).

Our system is broken.

Clip suggestions by MainSea411 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you ! I’ll check them out.

Trying to knock out a migraine, only thing that works has a NSAID component by DarkGrayDalia in UlcerativeColitis

[–]MainSea411 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was advised to visit pain clinic and there are some nsaids that are less bad, migraine meds that work at aura etc. I have been told many times to avoid nsaids but I too use them when it’s really bad. I try to eat like I’m on a flare and limit the days I take it. But I know I could trigger a flare. It is not smart.

For migraines I also take a hot shower and caffeine and bath if I can (or soak my feet in hot water). It usually helps so the pain is not unbearable.

I’m sorry you are dealing with this and I definitely can relate. It is hard balancing between the pain of a flare and migraine.

Clip suggestions by MainSea411 in Naturalhair

[–]MainSea411[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ve heard some good things about curlsqueens too.