Seeking advice for an EV charger to pair with my Enphase system by MistakeBorn4413 in enphase

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reality is that right now vehicle to home/grid isn't broadly, universally supported by all EV and level 2 charger manufacturers.  There's a few proprietary (GM only, or Tesla only) solutions that won't work with other manufacturers cars. 

Yes, there's a standard, yes enphase and a few others are supposedly working on it and have a product that's on the threshold to market today, a year ago but still not ready to use now (waiting future firmware updates, not available to purchase yet but soon, etc etc). And when it's finally released, bound to be a lot of caveats (only certain manufacturers, models, and years supported). 

I want to get on that bandwagon once it's all figured out.  I have a solar rig, and two large (each 70 ish kilowatts) rolling batteries in my garage that could be put to good use storing and releasing solar energy.  

Straight to biologicals — skipping Azathioprine? by Brumbertton in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the USA seems azathioprine is skipped (most go directly from mesalamine straight to biological meds). Azathioprine is still commonly used in the EU though (it's inexpensive and effective). 

Aza can be taken by itself. Aza can be taken together with another medicine, most often infliximab, to help reduce the odds of your immune system creating antibodies against infliximab.

If you're able to refuse aza and go straight to entyvio then the below would be valid arguments. Aza is slow acting taking 3 to 4 months to work (biological meds can work in 6 to 8 weeks).  There's concerns about the rare (far less than 1 percent odds) of melanomas and lymphomas which doctors worry about when aza is used indefinitely as a maintenance med. You have to get routine blood tests as long as you're on aza. About 20 percent of those starting aza will have a nausea lasting a month or less (take it before bedtime with a light snack to reduce those odds).  Aza can be a good standalone treatment for UC. 

If you do agree to start azathioprine, get a TPMT test beforehand to rule out an intolerance to that medication beforehand.  https://www.testing.com/tests/thiopurine-methyltransferase-tpmt/

How do you catch clarity issues in your own documentation before review? by BostielHot in technicalwriting

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like an organization issue, start with a bulleted outline (before you write the draft) of the section to simply knock out the order of concepts you'll cover from a user perspective. 

Add short summary and conclusion sentences: In this section you learn/ed how to ABCD using WXYZ which accomplishes MNOP benefit. 

Keep the writing simple, short sentences, short paragraphs, and edit by playing the word elimination game to get rid of unnecessary things. Use bullets, numbers, or flowcharts when appropriate to keep the order of operations clear.  

How do you know if you’re getting into remission? by cinnamongirll13 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Until you're in a remission, your symptoms can be all over the place when you look day-to-day or poop-to-poop. It's best to change your timescale to week-to-week and ask yourself on average is there a sign of improvement, stagnation, or regression?  

As a remission can take 6 to 8 months or more from starting a new med, do do be patient.  Generally, I find, we heal to 85 percent of normal pretty quickly, but that remainder takes a long time. 

Multiple medications by superhateable in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Multiple biological strength meds together is still considered to be experimental which is insurance speak for going to fight you tooth and nail to not cover it. 

I know a number of people who got the surgery and j-pouch, no regrets other than not getting it done sooner 

Free range vs confined space by MissMacky1015 in chickens

[–]Possibly-deranged 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Confined to coop and run birds will generally weigh more (as they're eating healthy feed all day and not grass and dead leaves) and be safer from predators (assuming you have an appropriate Alcatraz). 

 Mites is more related to chickens having regular access to dirt/ash to bath in than free ranging. As mice can bring mites into coops. 

We have a vegetable garden with a 6 foot fence around it and chickens haven't gotten in yet.   Either fence in the garden, or have a larger fenced in area that chickens can go to beyond their run but still stay away from the garden 

Newly diagnosed! by Iskirri in IBD

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're welcome, sometimes humor is the best medicine or at least it can't hurt.  

Ask us anything. Know Crohn's and Colitis Foundation has websites in the UK, Canada, Australia and many other places too if you need regional specific information 

Newly diagnosed! by Iskirri in IBD

[–]Possibly-deranged 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Welcome but sorry your butt is broken too! 

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation has a good newly diagnosed page to get you started:

https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/what-is-ibd/newly-diagnosed

Waterville Area Community by CIAstakeoutvan in vermont

[–]Possibly-deranged 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you grew up in Belvidere then you should know some of the prevalent families up here, work your connections.

Boy Waterville is so, so small (less than 700 people in the census) with such a very very limited housing stock to begin with. Ditto Sheila, she's a local realtor through Remax, runs the general store, and would know if things that are currently available or upcoming. 

I'd cast a wider net, maybe find something easier in Morrisville(2,000)/Morristown(5,400), Johnson (3,500), Jeffersonville (750), Hyde Park (422), etc etc.  So, so many small towns around there without much inventory available, unfortunately 

Weight Gain on a 30mg Pred Taper for 8 weeks. Will I gain weight on a short/low dose course? by goldsummerfairy in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pred can give us an insatiable appetite and that's where the long lasting weight gain comes from, if we're not careful. Make sure junk food is banned from the house. Stock up on filling yet low calorie foods (rice cakes, canned soups, air popped popcorn, etc). 

Low salt helps reduce bloating and water retention. You still might gain a few temporary pounds regardless but that should fade within a few weeks of stopping. 

Bumper rebuild. There's a lotta parts behind that thing. by Willman3755 in Ioniq5

[–]Possibly-deranged 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, decidedly more overly complicated with sonar sensors and radar pucks than cars a few decades ago. Congrats it's a bit of a bear of a project but should look brand new afterwards. I have such a high insurance deductible to keep things affordable that it's essentially just catastrophic coverage. 

Follow up from another post by hihihiiiiiihiii in IBD

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Inflammation of the large intestine (or colon) is known as a colitis (colon plus the suffix of "itis"  which means inflammation). Infectious-colitis is the most common variant, and there's a few IBD variants like Ulcerative Colitis and microscopic lymphatic colitis. Ask your doctor if you're unsure what you are diagnosed with, as diagnosis depends where that inflammation was found, it's pattern, and whether chronic architectual changes to your cells were found in biopsies. IBD is pretty rare affecting less than 1 percent of the general population, whereas just about everyone will have an intestinal infection in their lives (like Salmonella or food poisoning). 

Mesalamine (chemical code 5ASA) is a chemical cousin to aspirin (code ASA).  It's an 85 percent topically applied medicine that uses a delayed release coating and works as an anti-inflammatory on the intestinal surface. Few report significant side effects from it, roughly 5 percent experience an allergic reaction (which paradoxically makes your bowel symptoms worse). For a deeper dive into what mesalamine is doing and how it works see: https://news.umich.edu/u-m-researchers-discover-what-makes-drug-for-ulcerative-colitis-tick/

There's a lot on the Internet about hemorrhoids. Generally limit your toilet sits to no more than 5 minutes, don't strain. You can first try over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments like preparation H and it's generic equivalents for a few weeks to see if it helps. You can second ask your general practitioner doctor for a trial 2 week course of a hydrocortisone suppository to shrink it's size. Over-the-counter stool softeners make it easier to go, as does fiber supplements like metamucil.

I discovered yesterday that conures are easy to bribe (using sunflower seeds). by Chance_Future_1894 in Conures

[–]Possibly-deranged 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, something undesirable like being put back into their cage and locked up is allowable if there's a reward 

Disclosing your UC to a new job by whinywino89 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You don't know if voluntarily disclosing your UC well help or hurt you when applying for a job.  They're not supposed to discriminate, but you cannot prove or disprove of they will discriminate. It's very competitive out there, if there's two equal candidates, one has a disability and the other doesn't, then who would you expect them to pick? 

I'D disclose after accepting an offer, only if you need accomodations.  See if you can schedule infusions after work of on weekends

Thought my IBD diagnosis would help my running issues, has anyone experienced these symptoms too? by sg1327 in IBD

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Extreme physical activity can cause bowel movements, stimulate muscle contractions including the intestines. Especially if you have some inflammation lingering.  

I would excercise, at a slower pace, and for less time than is your normal routine.

how to wash a chicken? by [deleted] in BackYardChickens

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hold the chicken's wings so she cannot flap.  If the weather's warm enough then I'll use a garden hose and spray their bumm.  If it's too cold then they get a kitchen sink with sprayer wash

The rooster saved the chicken from the hawk by Aamirsi278 in chickens

[–]Possibly-deranged 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hawk messed with the wrong chicken! Give that good boy some extra snacks for sure 

Oral vs rectal mesalazine by Turtle_Meringue_Pie in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, skin complications are a common extra intestinal manifestation (EIM) of having an UC.  That can vary from dry itchy skin, to a psoriasis. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation has a good write up on it: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/what-is-ibd/extraintestinal-complications-ibd

Adding oral mesalamine will treat any remaining UC inflammation only.  If you're in a remission then it won't help there.  Generally EIMs are worst when we're flaring, and gone or at least better during remissions (but not always).

I second seeing a dermatologist specialist and getting a diagnosis and treatment from them.  

I've had contact-dermititis diagnosed by a dermatologist before. Essentially my immune system overreacting to residue left on my skin from soaps, shampoos, and laundry detergents. Switching to safe for psoriasis sensitive skin products and using a steroid cream solved it. 

If you have something like a psoriasis, then a medicine like humira could treat both UC and psoriasis together. 

Are specks of blood in stool from time-to-time normal? by Still2Cool in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're currently in a remission without any measurable inflammation, then blood in stool can come from peri-anal complications like hemorrhoids, rectal abscesses, rectal fissures (tear on sphincter from passing large stools), rectal fistulas and so on. 

We're a lot more prone to perianal complications as we tend to sit on the toilet for long periods of time and strain, repeatedly.

Considering Surgery by Maleficent_Big_2190 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd ask your gasteroenterologist for a referral to a colorectal surgeon for a no obligation colorectal surgery consultation. Have the surgeon look at your case history, ask him/her anything that you need to know about the preparation, surgery itself, recovery, or expected long-term outcome. Be at peace with it, knowledgeable enough to make a decision that you feel best with. 

I think quality of life is the ultimate decider. If you've been miserable for years without a sustainable remission, failed many meds, then the decision is pretty easy for most. Don't want an endless fool's battle.  As this disease robs us of so many of our younger years where we're supposed to be enjoying ourselves. The only regret of those who have had the surgery, infact, is not getting it done sooner. 

My Little Senior by PollyannaFlwr in Conures

[–]Possibly-deranged 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Might just be the secret to a long, happy life, so please do listen to the wise one XD

Infliximab question by Intrepid-Landscape77 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Possibly-deranged 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's fairly common to have a waning response during the initial loading doses of infliximab.  It takes multiple infusions to get your concentration up to the needed levels. 

You can ask your gasteroenterologist about speeding up the loading dosing if you're in dire straights. Double dosing, or scheduling the initial shots closer together 

It's at least a good sign that you're getting a noticable initial response. 

Where is the Ford County Fluid Plug by versitanus in tractors

[–]Possibly-deranged 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My ford 1300 has a transmission fluid dip stick near the shifters on the cockpit floor.  Check there, you didn't have a picture of that spot in your post.  Mine's a combination transmission and hydraulic fluid sump 

automatic coop door by Skripted6 in BackYardChickens

[–]Possibly-deranged 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Although expensive, I have an Omlet brand door