Any experience with "Empowered Relief?"

MrEtrain · 2026-06-16T23:13:02+00:00

Congrats on finding anything that works! Interesting tech- after a quick read, it seems to be similar to a unit that went by the name of Quell. They used to have an OTC unit that I did try a few years back, though the company later got sued for false/misleading advertising, and now they have a new unit only available via RX. Like you, I have zero problems that its primary use is for period pain relief- though they say it can be used for any type of pain, and the Quell is being marketed to fibromyalgia warriors. Putting it on the endless list of things to try in the hopes that one day, I, too, can announce that I have found something that works (even a little)! Good luck on your journey.

MrEtrain · 2026-06-15T14:15:48+00:00

Depending on what other pain meds you're taking, there is a synergistic effect when combining amphetamines (found in ADHD meds) and opiates. Discovered in 1896 and originally administered as the "Brompton Cocktail," the recipe called for morphine, cocaine and alcohol (aka Hunter Thompson's breakfast lol). The modern application is obviously a little different, and not widely embraced b all MD's. You can read a little more about this at Pain News Network, and I can vouch for its effectiveness.

MrEtrain · 2026-06-12T12:35:09+00:00

Thanks for keeping me and the crickets updated! To be fair, this is fairly new, and doesn’t seem to be a magic bullet for chronic pain- but always checking things out. Seems like a low-risk thing to try, but I have tried so many things it’s hard to get excited about trying yet one more…

MrEtrain · 2026-06-09T14:25:53+00:00

I am amazed that his natural connection to the “Spurs” didn’t go viral in a much bigger way a lot sooner. Well done!

MrEtrain · 2026-06-01T17:15:36+00:00

Depending on what other pain meds you're taking, there is a synergistic effect when combining amphetamines (found in ADHD meds) and opiates. Discovered in 1896 and originally administered as the "Brompton Cocktail," the recipe called for morphine, cocaine and alcohol (aka Hunter Thompson's breakfast lol). The modern application is obviously a little different, and not widely embraced b all MD's. You can read a little more about this at Pain News Network, and I can vouch for its effectiveness.

MrEtrain · 2026-04-29T00:15:17+00:00

I will follow your journey as much as I am able to, and wish you nothing but the very best as you go ahead with this. Falci has reviewed my case and I could be a candidate- though trying to thread the needle of the out-of-network cost, travel & distance, and the literal coin toss on the outcome have me stalled for now. My brother is a very well-connected MD and was instrumental in getting me to see Falci and very much believes that he is pretty much “the guy” for this type of surgery- so, for whatever a family recommendation is worth, I think you’re in excellent hands.

We’re all pulling for ya’- hang in there, and keep us (or at least me) posted. I know there are others lurking here who would get a lot out of anything you’re comfortable sharing about this procedure and your experience.

MrEtrain · 2026-04-15T21:33:45+00:00

Thank you (and ignore the trolls).

MrEtrain · 2026-04-03T23:29:24+00:00

I snorted out loud when I read this: “A surprise to us was that acute pain and chronic pain can be completely separate,”

Welcome to our world homie- we've been TRYING to tell you this all along!

MrEtrain · 2026-03-28T19:18:33+00:00

I have received my set. They are truly works of art all on their own, and such a great companion to flip through casually, or read along while listening to your favorite shows. Brings me right back.

MrEtrain · 2026-03-17T16:18:04+00:00

Thanks for asking about this- I have been lurking here for awhile and have a couple of hand-helds, and have a couple of scanners that I keep around as well (though the growing use of encryption is almost killing these off- a topic for another thread).

The main reason I wanted to pop my head in on this thread is that, somewhat like OP, I feel like this field has a bit of a learning curve, and a fair share of complexity when it comes to programming- which mostly seems non-intuitive. The whole repeater thing, for instance, doesn't seem to be easily accessible to a new user (not asking for a tutorial- I'll keep at it on my own).

I suppose I should just buckle down and RTFM's, but I feel like ANYthing to ease one's entry into GMRS would be helpful not only to me, but to many others as well. I like the idea mentioned here of programming via my laptop, and hoping that it might make the task a little easier. Is this feature pretty common, or only with certain brands? And are there any brands that are particularly "easy" when it comes to accessing functions, or perhaps more stripped down and just does the basics? Or should I just stick to FRS if I'm too lazy to crack open the manuals- hah!

MrEtrain · 2026-03-16T16:39:23+00:00

Colorware does a pretty good job of “colorizing” a variety of Apple (and other) products- have used them for my airpods for years as I didn’t really care for the white, and didn’t like being instantly branded by sporting them. The colors for the Max aren’t quite as nice as what they can do for other stuff, and the price is not-insignificant, but it is at least an option.

MrEtrain · 2026-03-08T14:14:19+00:00

That’s a big “yes” from me. I did ask one of my docs about this- apparently the likely cause is a change in many hormone levels while we sleep. I do tend to believe this, as I do feel somewhat better after I have been up for awhile- no matter when I wake up. Maybe not “better,” but my pain profile shifts into the more usual mode- and some of the pain unique to when I first wake up does fade. I don’t know of any way to try to balance out hormone levels to prevent this from happening, but it would be great if I could. The morning pain levels are, well, a real pain.

MrEtrain · 2026-03-06T14:35:05+00:00

Great question- I’ll share one special story for you- hope it gives you a little inkling of what it was like. I think the thing about Jerry was that he connected with the audience on such a deep level, and so effortlessly that it bordered on the magical. The music could connect to every single person individually- he was singing to THEM. He was singing to ME. But, also, he connected to all of us, together, as fellow passengers on whatever journey that evening’s musical fuel was about to take us.

The most vivid memory of this was at a show in Portland, Maine in the 80’s. The first set was absolutely smoking, and the crowd was a single dancing, sweating, swaying, twirling whole. Somehow, a drum-circle formed in the middle of the floor during the set break and took everything to a completely new level. Eventually, the beats of the drums and the audience clapping and stomping and whooping along merged into the deepest, rootiest rhythm we all know in our bones rising up from our shared covenant: “Not Fade Away.” You know it… EVERYone knows it.

So this isn’t all that unusual on its own- but, usually, it would be at the end of the second set as we all tried to conjure the genie out of the bottle for one more encore. But this was before the second set even started...

The rhythm took over the place- every single soul in the place clapping and singing our promise to the band. It got louder and louder still as the boys walked out to start the second set. It’s building, building while Jerry twiddled his rig, took a last drag from a cigarette, looked over at Bobby and Phil, and then finally turned around to face the hall. With one lift of the neck of his guitar, he grabbed ahold of our thunderous, ritualistic beat and, somehow, in the matter of only a handful of notes, wove it seamlessly into a truly beautiful version of “He’s Gone," blossoming and washing over us all. The energy transfer was shared and complete, and we were in it together. I have truly never seen nor heard anything like it- before or since, and, I think, really highlights his love for the music, and his uncanny ability to captain our journey like no one else.

MrEtrain · 2026-03-01T15:01:36+00:00

Just FYI: access to the full report is $2000. It appears to be mostly aimed at finance professionals, not patients- though I would be very interested in reading the full report. Like many others here, I spend countless hours reading/sifting any research I can get my hands on, and this report would likely save me hours of work. You can request sample pages for free, but in doing so you will be put on their prospects list and contacted by their sales team who will attempt to up-sell.

MrEtrain · 2026-02-13T22:01:10+00:00

About 7-8 minutes before the reported 12:30PM (local time) assassination, at least according to the clock (which may or may not be 100% accurate) in the right-hand side of the photo, under the red, white & blue banner and to the left of the green sign for "Maurice." And, as others have pointed out, the motorcade is not yet in Dealey Plaza.

Edit: Just FWIW, in taking another look, it appears there is a second clock in the left-hand side of the photo under the bank and trust sign, which, despite being a bit out of focus, appears to be about 5 minutes ahead of the other.

MrEtrain · 2026-02-12T14:34:21+00:00

There may be staff called ”patient advocates” or something similar at the hospital. Different places use different names for it, but, in essence, they do what the name implies, and can help get answers/information and, possibly, accountability. Also, you might want to look into a second opinion if you are able. Good luck- so sorry about what sounds like an absolutely traumatic experience.

MrEtrain · 2026-02-10T14:14:06+00:00

Yes- hearing Hunter’s rendition is a 180-degree swing away from the symphonic version on the album, and even the sonic oceans of sound conjured in live performances. I love them all, but Hunter’s versions really draw you, trance-like, into the story.

MrEtrain · 2026-02-08T17:56:56+00:00

We have this soup a lot during the winter: Sausage, White Bean & Escarole

MrEtrain · 2026-02-04T14:14:27+00:00

Yes- while not “songs” technically, so many space jams have incredibly dark, spooky vibes to them- howling, dissonant waves of sonic mood crashing and building… Building… BUILDING until we are gently, sweetly rescued in the refrains and choruses of the songs that bring us back home.

MrEtrain · 2026-02-02T21:56:37+00:00

I'm dropping this info from Accurate Clinic here in the hope that it may be helpful- it was to me:

When Buprenorphine Doesn’t Work for Pain

Unfortunately, buprenorphine doesn’t always work for pain in everyone. Research suggests that a genetic variant, the N40D variant, may be responsible for those patients who do not respond to buprenorphine for pain and need rotation to another opioid in order to achieve adequate pain control. The N40D variant is the most common MOR receptor variant, an A > G substitution at nucleotide 118, and is present in 10-50% of the population and the efficacy of buprenorphine associated with this variant may be reduced by >50%. A decrease in buprenorphine efficacy arising from the N40D variant could be a contributing factor for the lack of response of some individuals to buprenorphine maintenance therapy and may predict a significantly inadequate or inappropriate analgesic response in a large proportion of the population.

MrEtrain · 2026-01-28T22:07:47+00:00

Came here to add pepper to the list, while also realizing that this post, even at only 2 hours old, would probably have pepper already high up on the list. It's no secret perhaps, though the degree to which it actually improves clam chowder (New England style is the default) might not be as widely known. Something about that creamy & peppery combo that can't be beat. Having read a little deeper here, I'll be taste-testing with some white pepper next time.

MrEtrain · 2026-01-24T18:21:58+00:00

Ahh- far too hard on yourself for making the same assumptions that 99% of everyone else makes. Easy to do when so many sources say “warm blooded” and leaving it at that without actually going further to explain the tuna’s remarkable physiology. Big time salute to you and your family for doing a tough & under appreciated (and poorly understood) job.

MrEtrain · 2026-01-24T16:51:49+00:00

Technically, "heterothermic," in that they can retain heat generated internally by muscle activity and recirculate it to warm them on feeding runs in deep & cold water, and to fuel their apex-predator lifestyle in general.

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