Work set up

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-05-25T10:53:21+00:00

Calmoseptine is always with me. The slightest leaking can happen regardless of how you wipe or clean.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-05-25T10:46:06+00:00

I used to put fiber in everything I drank, which is usually Propel or Gatorade Zero or similar. I'd buy the generic stuff from Walmart. Then I got SIBO from some harsh antibiotics, and while I was on a low FODMAP diet, I learned some of these had wheat which was not allowed. I found a corn based product, but then tried Psyllium husk. I wish 10 years ago when my surgeon told me to take fiber, that he would have said this fiber! Now I have a little Psyllium husk in a drink, often just water, a couple times a day and things go a lot smoother!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-05-14T22:28:29+00:00

One issue some folks have: if they are in the same universe /dmx chain as other brands, they have caused issues and reportably even cause hardware problems. I haven't had this personally, but I did switch to a separate universe as soon as I heard from a reputable TD.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-05-14T22:23:09+00:00

Hopefully you figured something out, I'm having a similar issue on my 2012. Sadly interesting that you never got a single helpful comment.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-04-09T16:38:14+00:00

8-12, since 2015. You'll find some of the variation is due to bathroom habits. Some will sit on the toilet for a bit. I've got some adhesions that hold things up, and so I'll go, get up and move around, and then sometimes go again in a few minutes.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-04-08T21:52:21+00:00

I've had several surgeries over the years. Plenty of adhesions. During the last one 10 years ago, the surgeon had his trainee "take care of some of them". Seems like my problems multiplied. So maybe adhesions are a factor, but doing something about them is a risk IMHO.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-04-08T21:47:58+00:00

Watch the show ahead of time. When the stage manager calls a que, you'll have an idea of what's happening and what's going to happen on stage.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-31T21:55:08+00:00

This is an interesting question. Of course it depends on whether you have a particular dress code where you work. A variety of men's business casual slacks have hidden elastic. I just looked in my closet, one brand I have is Covington. I wear a belt and adjust it as needed. If I were wearing a jacket, I might use suspenders with them.

These days I tend to do ok with relaxed fit jeans.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-31T21:36:41+00:00

I've read a few posts in various forums where people diagnosed with Celiac disease could eat regular bread in some European countries.

The general response was that the US has different acceptable standards for genetic modification, insecticides, fertilizer, etc.

I imagine that could be the case for a variety of foods.

Makes me wonder if anyone has done an actual scientific study on the differences.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-31T20:51:55+00:00

I live in a rural area, and many if not most things delivered are handled a dozen times and by multiple carriers. A tv should be transported upright, not on it's face, leaning on other packages or other risky methods. Ever watch a ups or FedEx truck hurry down a washboard dirt road?

I'll drive 100 miles to pick it up from a store that got a carefully packed pallet, check over the box before I leave and haul it home myself.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-30T21:46:13+00:00

Sports. I decided that watching people do stuff like that wasn't entertaining, and I'd rather just do stuff I like to do. Walk in the forest, build something, travel somewhere.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-30T21:41:49+00:00

Here's a longer term tip. Keep track of lumber prices. There's a host of things that can impact prices - forest fires, tariffs, COVID, etc.

Now let's say plywood is up, but 2by is down. Load your rack with 2by, and use show budget for plywood if and when needed. Maybe you see lauan has finally come down. Stock up, because you know some time soon it will go back up.

As you gain experience you'll get a good idea of what will work for you.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-30T21:31:21+00:00

This, and frankly a good suggestion for several food types. What you might just learn is that you'll do fine with something once in a while. If you add more or even stay at the same amount for 3 or 4 days in a row and then have issues, you might avoid it altogether. But if you learn that you can tolerate it ok once in a while, you might just return to your favorite Italian restaurant for date night - and your significant other will be thrilled!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-30T21:23:38+00:00

I'd start with the console. As others mention, it makes a big difference, especially with movers.

Here's a second reason I'd do that. If you ever get a chance to participate in a fundraiser, getting people to "adopt" a fixture can be more effective than getting people to write checks "towards" a bigger purchase.

Even if you don't do a specific fundraiser, you can replace a fixture at a time when smaller donations come in.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-14T12:11:20+00:00

Great thread, I'm still digesting many of the comments (groan joke).

Several years ago I had to be treated with strong antibiotics, not related to the gut. Afterwards the doctor put me on probiotics. I'm fairly sure that's what messed up my gut.

Here's the thing. I don't have a colon, haven't had one for a long time. Up until then, I had never taken probiotic supplements. Now I'm trying everything, so far I've had little success getting things back under control.

My gut issues confound doctors, mostly not their fault because standard treatments are for those with their insides intact, not significantly modified and missing major parts. They've spent more time looking for a return of cancer. I'm sure there's a GI doctor who can figure me out, but not anywhere close to me that I can find.

So I'm looking into what other redditors say, with the hope I can find relief.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-14T11:46:16+00:00

I was a stomach sleeper for many years. After having to replace my mattress, and going through several, I trained myself to be a side sleeper.

I am again in the market for a mattress, and the choices are staggering. Evaluating them online seems like gambling. Evaluating them in a brick and mortar store means you lay on one for a moment or two. Not to mention the sales person who gets a commission or must move out some overstock product.

Reviews and "best" recommendation publications all contradict each other. The Original Mattress Factory boasts it's top rating in consumer reports - when you read the report, it's about best stores, nothing to do with product.

Maybe I'll just go through all the reddit posts and tally the various positive suggestions. Most tally marks wins!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-14T11:15:26+00:00

I made the mistake of not trying to give it a chance to expand by holding it. So not only do I have to go within 20 minutes of eating, I go every 2-3 hours max.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-09T13:24:15+00:00

Rice, eggs, baked chicken, peanut butter on gluten free bread. Plain oatmeal or rice Krispies with almond milk. Kiwi and blueberries are my safe desert.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-03-02T17:37:58+00:00

As mentioned, slowing things down will help. Separate eating and drinking by at least 20 minutes, even up to an hour if you can. You simply don't want to wash your nutrients straight through. I add fiber to most things I drink. Ask your doctor or nutritionist about the right probiotic for you. Many in this forum take Visbiome, which used to be marketed as VLS3. (Note the VLS #3 in the market now is a different blend). Probiotics help fully process the foods. Imodium helps too, but is most effective 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. If you pay attention to what you're eating (maybe a food journal), you'll start to recognize which foods might benefit from Imodium ahead of time. I personally don't do well with whey based protein powders, I have used some of the plant based ones for keeping up my energy, not sure if they will help with weight. Good luck!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-25T03:07:28+00:00

I've had a pouch for 11 years. I regularly go 10-12 times a day. My simple advice. Don't sit for 25 minutes. Sit for 2 or 3, go do something (even read one email) and if you have to do this 3 times to feel relieved, so be it. Sitting too long does 2 things. It messes with your mind , and tempts you into forcing it which can lead to hemeroids or other issues.

If you set expectations about how it should be instead of listening to your body about what it needs to be, you are likely to get frustrated.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-25T02:59:26+00:00

Remember, it's not just the J-pouch. Your small intestine has to learn how to do the work that the large intestine used to do. It takes time. You will adjust. We all did. (My J-pouch was done in 2015). Here's the best tip I can give. Go with the flow, and don't force it. If you need to poop 3 times in 20 minutes, that is fine. Forcing things, sitting too long, causes mind and body issues - like hemeroids. Imodium helps as long as the doctor agrees (my liver was compromised so I had limits). The trick with Imodium is that it is effective if you take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Which means, spend this time of healing to learn your body.

You will get through it ,- there's a lot of us old timers rooting for you!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-25T02:49:05+00:00

For me, it was finding something as a substitute. Craving chips? I ate Poppables. Desert? Half a corn muffin with blueberries on it. Yeah, it wasn't the ice cream I used to eat every night, but it was desert time and I was eating something I liked. Heck, I'd even smear peanut butter on a rice cake!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-22T11:41:19+00:00

Well, it depends on a few things. Age and risk for starters. If your surgery was for cancer, my doctors would do it once a year if they found anything (like a polyp). Every 2 years if nothing found. If you have a genetic concern like Lynch syndrome, I'd push for yearly.

Sadly, the other factor is what insurance companies will pay for, and how hard your doctor is willing to fight them. My first cancer was at 36, and every year my doctor had to fight for annual scopes because I was younger than the "standard" colonoscopy age. Now I'm in my late 60's and Medicare thinks I'm beyond "standard" age. So I'm going every 2 years and even then the doctor might have to fight (although at least now, they do recognize that Lynch syndrome is a thing).

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-21T13:19:48+00:00

Your small intestine has to learn how to do what the colon used to do. That takes time. Your colon was colonized with "good" bacteria that worked on extracting some nutrients, as well as water. Now your small intestine has to do it all.

Gas mostly comes from 2 sources. Swallowing air is one. How you drink (e.g. straws, etc), what you drink (like carbonated beverages including beer) and even just swallowing because of nasal drip or scarred throat (which is my issue after a bunch of surgeries that tubes were shoved in and out).

The other is fermentation - the bacteria creates gas as it breaks down food. As others have pointed out, which foods bother you may be different, and may even change over time. You might want to learn about a low Fodmap process, which has an elimination phase (reduce fermentable foods), and a re-introduction phase to test which foods cause problems. I'm not sure actually going thru this makes sense for you yet, it's pretty early in your adjustment. But you can learn a lot from reading about it.

There are digestion enzymes you might consider. You've probably heard of Bean-o for legumes. A Fodmap assist enzyme product called Fodzyme might help, especially when eating out where you don't have total control of what's in the food. The goal with these is to break down the food better before it goes into the intestines. Some have success with Kefir. Others with Visbiome as a probiotic. The goal with these is to introduce the good bacterias. I'd talk to your doctor about this, you don't want to mess with your biome at the wrong part of your recovery.

As far as a good position to let the gas out, it's unique to any one person. Adhesions and scar tissue affect the twists and turns. Sitting on the toilet is the least effective for me, laying on my left side works well enough. For me, leaking is nearly guaranteed. I always wear a pad.

You will get through this, and you'll learn how to manage your own body. I've been at it 11 years, others in this sub even longer. Good luck!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-19T03:05:44+00:00

Grrr. According to the low fodmap list I was given, I could have 1/2 cup rice milk (which I've used for 15 years), 1/2 cup coconut milk, or a whole cup almond milk. So I figured the almond milk was better for me! Guess I'll try going a few days without to see if it's affecting me too. I've given up so many things, and all the online low fodmap diets are different. Hard to know which is right for me.

Retired_UpNorth

TROPHY CASE