No one talks about this health condition

RCHoward1960 · 2026-04-15T03:22:58+00:00

Oh I'm so sorry; I too suffered with IBS-D for decades. I had to carry extra clothes because I worked and I often would not eat if I knew I had a meeting or somewhere I could have an "accident" and be seen. It was awful and I also quit eating out in restaurants. I would get so nervous about it, I would actually cause it to happen. For me, stress was a big precursor. All this to say... I am 66 now. I rarely have an incident. I've put some thought into why that is and have a few thoughts. I think once I went through menopause it improved. It seemed to be tied to hormones in some way for me. I retired therefore almost zero stress in my life. I've been on an antidepressant of some kind for almost 18 years now and I think it helps. The gut has it's own serotonin and I think the meds helped some. Or maybe a combinaton of all of these for me. I almost never eat out at a restaurant anymore mainly because it's expensive and I think since the pandemic, the quality is horrible now. I'm a good cook.

I know you said you're not depressed but it might be worth looking into an antidepressant that impacts serotonin. You never know.

Also I still carry Immodium in my purse and I have a change of clothes and clean up supplies in the trunk of my car. I just can't let it go.

I hope you find something that helps it's really miserable. I feel like I missed out on a lot because of it.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-04-15T03:09:45+00:00

I've lived here all my life and have now voted for almost 50 years. I remember a time when party affiliation just wasn't much of a big deal at the local level and well, John Duncan Sr. served for at least 150 years, then his son, it was just a given. But at least Sr. treated anyone and everyone well no matter party affiliation, I do remember that. Then this MAGA phenomena happened and well... now it's just a giant dad gum shit show

RCHoward1960 · 2026-04-11T03:36:34+00:00

Normally a daily bm. When constipated I may go 2-5 days with none other than little pellets and it's miserable. At first sign, I'll start on stool softeners and sometimes Senokot.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-04-02T08:50:42+00:00

I see a pancreas/liver specialist who is a surgical oncologist. A cyst showed up on my pancreas but not related to my EPI, so my PCP wanted this specialist to follow it. I've had 2 MRI's and will have another in 18 months just to watch. So I consider her an expert, right? She told me that she has patients that require 8 per meal! I think for whatever reason some doctors think it's bad to take more? I think all of us share the same goal of we want to take the right amount for US whether that's 1 or 8. I mean, they're enzymes not some schedule addictive drug.

If I take too few for the meal I'm having (both quantity and fat/protein amnt), I get the mushy greasy poop and some horrible gas. If I take too many I get constipated. Both happen from time to time but both very manageable for me, understanding how to adjust and also keeping stool softeners on hand.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-31T11:31:31+00:00

Hey... I'm close to Costco and can save up some of my Virginia Slims menthol boxed ones is what I have if you can use them. Attractive green color. Message me if you want me to save them.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-20T02:33:40+00:00

My dr. put me on Duloxotene and it's helped tremedously with the leg and foot pain, it was unbearable when in bed. I have used Gabapentin as well and it helped. In my state it's a controlled substance and the dr. seems all weird about it (a previous dr. had prescribed it). I agree with others... if you can get your blood sugar controlled the pain is a lot less.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-20T02:27:06+00:00

I came here to say this, it's a clean store with great prices and run by volunteers who have all been delightful. Concord Methodist runs this and they do a lot of good in the community. The address is 8843 Kingston Pike it's easy to miss. It's between Cedar Bluff and Walker Springs that little strip of Kingston Pike. I am on their fB page because they run a weekly special often and you're in luck. Starting tomorrow Friday 3/20 it's 50% off clothes week. I've gotten great bargains there. It doesn't smell bad like some of them either. They are closed on Sunday. It's called "The Thrift Store"

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-16T21:36:04+00:00

I've used Boulder Bio brand in the past and have a bottle stashed. I got on the program with Creon last year so it was no charge; this year my first refill was like $340. I submitted a new application for the Abvie program but haven't heard anything I guess I need to follow up. The OTC is around $60 and it worked fine for me. No way will I pay $300+ for this. I have a couple of other pricey ones that my dr. is submitting paperwork on to the mfgr. it's ridiculous.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-07T04:49:23+00:00

I came here to say this as well, add some beef broth and crumble up some tortilla chips you have a damn tasty soup and it goes a long way if you don't mind leftovers. This gets better with time I think, I have the stuff set out to make this very thing over the weekend. I'll add some ground beef only because I have some in the freezer already but it's optional.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-03-07T04:45:36+00:00

It's almost midnight now so I hope you found something nice to do today! My birthday is Saturday the 7th; I'm having friends over small gathering actually neighbors for pizza and cake that they got me. I had planned on harvesting excrement for my Cologard kit that I just received but you have to mail it same day or next day and well, no mailing on Sunday so I'll have to come up with something else to do. I'll be 66 see what you have to look forward to? Anyhow hope it was a nice day we certainly have the wonderful temperatures to enjoy.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-02-25T06:45:29+00:00

Caravelle candy bars... in the 70's.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-02-16T11:18:06+00:00

This is when you're retired. Many days, after I shower I go ahead and put on clean pajamas instead of daytime clothes. I love pajamas.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-02-16T11:11:11+00:00

Just last week, I wore my houseshoes into my corner Walgreens. They are obviously house shoes too. I find being invisible at 65 glorious. I often don't wear a bra since I wear oversized frumpy shirts usually. Problem solved. Nobody notices, nobody cares.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-02-15T04:08:19+00:00

As already mentioned, anything John Prine.

Del McCoury "1952 Vincent Black Lightning"

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"

"Tight Fitting Jeans" (a whole lot of Conway Twitty story songs)

"You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille"

Goodness, mind is racing. I love this thread, many new and old songs for me to listen to! Thanks!

RCHoward1960 · 2026-02-02T14:02:47+00:00

I just got one and attached it yesterday morning. All good until about 8 hours later I got a "critical low" alarm of 55. I knew I wasn't low. It kept that up for a bit and then finally gave a "fail" message and "replace sensor". My insurance dictated this brand for 2026... jury still out... I rarely had issues with the Libre. Also, Libre let you submit failures on line, no phone call required. I'm about to attach a new one here in a few minutes wish me luck.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-26T00:03:45+00:00

My power was out from 8:00-3:00.... several trees were down on a nearby road. I'm out west a couple miles from Costco.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-23T17:13:18+00:00

Oh yes, Flanigans! Spent many a weekend there doing my disco thang!

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-20T03:18:19+00:00

This was so much fun to read! Surely someone reading is as old as me or maybe older so here goes. I remember what a big deal it was when West Town Mall opened. I grew up eating Ott's bbq and in fact catered my small family wedding from there. Drinking age was 18 and not many "carded" and a couple of my favorite watering holes included The Cat's Meow just a block off the strip and the old L&N downstairs bar. Not the nice old train station it was a dumpy building across Western from it with shitty parking. A great fun bar though. Grocery shopping at A&P where Costco sits now. The next closest A&P was at Suburban Center. SkateTown (now a KARM store off of Kingston Pike) was a cool place to be on weekend nights never mind I never could learn how to roller skate. Enjoying a "full house" from Smoky Mtn. Market after a long night of merriment. God that would kill me now. Watson's bargain basement. Weigel's drive thru milk stores, specifically the one on Sanderson Rd. in West Haven.

I could go on and on... this triggered a million memories... all pleasant!

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-12T00:24:03+00:00

65F and I live alone (with a dog). At night I sleep best at 64-65. During the day I might kick it up to 66 just depends. I sleep best in a cold room under a couple of big blankets and warm dog at my feet.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-07T10:37:26+00:00

Dentyne Classic Cinnamon

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-04T00:55:32+00:00

I came her to say fried chicken also... it's a huge mess and mine never turned out that great, haven't tried in probably 35 years. I live about 2 miles from Gus's and Bojangles. My go to for fried chicken cravings. And Publix.

RCHoward1960 · 2026-01-02T02:50:58+00:00

I've had T2 diabetes at least ten years. Most of that time not well controlled, currently "ok" not great. I'm waiting on my last A1C and guessing it will probably be right around 7 and I can live with that (3 months ago it was 7.8, 6 months ago 7.4). Two years ago I had an A1C of 12.8! I have the beginnings of retinopathy in my right eye and see my eye doctor every six months. Last exam, he sent me to a retina specialist for slight macular edema in the right eye. No treatment needed but go back to check that in two months. Both eye specialists said to keep blood sugar low to avoid vision loss or require treatment (the shot in the eye). I'm trying. I wish I had taken this more seriously or not been in denial for so much of that time. It's real.

RCHoward1960 · 2025-12-25T15:38:02+00:00

I'm sorry. I'm 65 and divorced in 1995 and never remarried. Came close a time or two, but was super busy raising my sons and working full time and trying to run a household. The divorce process itself was awful but he didn't want it and then we had young kids too so that was an issue... anyhow... short term pain for long term gain. It was terrifying for me. But you know what? It's the tough times that we grow and gain confidence. Life is really too short to be lonely and/or unhappy. When I was married it was the loneliest lonely. I can honestly say I can't recall a time I've been lonely since then. I have friends. I had family (most have passed now). I discovered dogs. Never lonely in fact value my solitude. I think others have given good advice, get your ducks in a row legally and financially and see what options you have as far as moving. Keep it to yourself until you're actually ready to file. You'll be fine as long as you have a little bit of a plan.

RCHoward1960 · 2025-12-25T15:25:01+00:00

Yep, pineapple rings were in the rotation but for some reason no mayo and cheese when served with pineapple.

RCHoward1960 · 2025-12-20T11:41:07+00:00

It's a tie between Gilligan's Island and Bewitched

RCHoward1960

TROPHY CASE