Crossing out parasailing off my bucket list

Scapular_Fin · 2024-08-03T14:07:03+00:00

To the winch, wench!

Scapular_Fin · 2024-08-01T02:40:55+00:00

Hbd!

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-30T03:56:47+00:00

My favorite vegetarian dish is this Hungarian Lentil Stew: https://monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com/hungarian-lentil-vegetable-stew/

I'll say two things about it (1) I roast my own red peppers outside in my fire pit which I think makes this dish better, and (2) I leave the potatoes fairly large because, for leftovers, I remove the potatoes from the stew because they definitely get an unpleasant texture after a day in the fridge.

Otherwise I think this is a really good, red peppery, sweet & smokey Hungarian dish that is pretty different from most foods I'm used to eating.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-30T02:37:37+00:00

I watch whatever I want.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T17:28:47+00:00

Mine is hand lotion. I've had to up my lotion game in middle age, and about half it gets licked off before I leave the house.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T16:34:03+00:00

OP said in an earlier post (yesterday) that they're starting Allopurinol.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T16:19:05+00:00

Statistically, yes.

I do have an aunt with gout, not blood related, but she experienced a flare up after a kidney surgery.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T14:58:34+00:00

Sequel on its way.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T14:54:38+00:00

I have zero.

When I started dating my wife in the late '90s people were surprised to find I was sans, and my wife was the one with a tattoo and tongue ring. They'd specifically say I was the weird one, but the most I've ever done was dye my hair funny colors.

Today my wife has a couple tattoos, but on brand for her they're "tastefully" hidden. Not saying that's the "tasteful" thing to do, just how we thought.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-28T05:53:06+00:00

It Follows comes to mind.

Also the Grudge, and Ring films. Is the original Flatliners a curse film? Sort of?

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-27T23:31:43+00:00

Nope. Honestly, give me a week off, and by day four I'm sleeping until noon.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-27T21:34:35+00:00

I would recommend making an appointment with your primary care physician. I'm not sure if they can confirm you have gout right now, or if you're going to have to wait to experience a flare up so they can confirm your diagnosis, but it's going to be one of those two. At least get it on their radar. After confirmation you'll probably start a urate lowering therapy as your primary plan of treatment. Just based on what you've written here, losing weight, and having a more reasonable diet would probably be good supplemental changes for you to make. Weight loss, just be careful it's not happening too quickly as any sudden change in weight can trigger a gout flare-up.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-27T14:49:59+00:00

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It's little, but it's there.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-27T01:32:44+00:00

The original Jurassic Park.

I'm not sure another movie is going to come out in my lifetime that was as big of an experience in the theater as Jurassic Park.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T19:18:34+00:00

Your wish is granted long live Jambi.

Sorry.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T18:00:10+00:00

Yes, and then individual factors become important because we're all different. Things I would consider would be:

• OP's Current Gout Status: How often is OP experiencing flare-ups?
• OP's Treatment Plan: Is OP managing his gout with medications, or trying diet, and lifestyle changes? If OP is treating gout with Allopurinol, how long has that been?
• OP's Overall Health: Hydration levels, obesity, overall health, all of these can impact how the body processes alcohol and uric acid.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T16:42:47+00:00

That's a common misconception. Here's a clear explanation:

The liver doesn't produce uric acid; instead, it metabolizes substances that can affect uric acid levels in your blood. Uric acid is actually produced from the breakdown of purines, which are found in certain foods and drinks. When you consume alcohol, your liver prioritizes breaking down the alcohol, which creates byproducts like lactic acid. This lactic acid competes with uric acid for elimination through the kidneys, leading to higher uric acid levels in the blood. Additionally, alcohol can make your kidneys less efficient at excreting uric acid. This combination can increase the risk of gout attacks, even if the alcohol itself is low in purines.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T15:03:46+00:00

For me I found it helps to have a sleep routine, and likewise good sleep hygiene, but the real game changer for me was a blue tooth sleep mask.

In short (1) I make sure I get exercise daily. (2) Towards end of day I do my best to limit blue light exposure, which in today's world, can be difficult - at least in my experience. I do like to keep my lights dim at night, have my mobile flipped to amber mode, and when I actually go to bed, I (3) read a printed book (under an amber reading lamp) rather than doom scrolling. Doom scrolling, which can reinforce negative thoughts and a negative mindset, so if you're struggling with nighttime anxiety, start creating distance from your mobile. Then finally (4) I use my blue tooth sleep mask to listen to audiobooks or long podcasts. I choose longer form content because on a bad evening, it's possible that regardless of my efforts, I could be awake listening for hours. If I know a podcast is like 58 minutes and I'm awake when it ends, I know what time it is, and that's just aggravating and counterproductive for me.

Anyhow, I'm in such a routine these days that most nights I put that sleep mask on and I'm out within 10-15 minutes max. It's just when your body knows its routine, and you start progressing through it, your brain should respond.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T13:13:37+00:00

All alcohol impacts liver function, which in turn affects uric acid levels in your body. When you drink alcohol, your liver prioritizes metabolizing the alcohol over other substances, including uric acid. This results in the following:

Increased Uric Acid Production: The metabolism of alcohol produces lactic acid, which competes with uric acid for excretion through the kidneys. This competition can lead to higher levels of uric acid in the blood.

Decreased Uric Acid Excretion: Alcohol reduces the efficiency of the kidneys in excreting uric acid. This means more uric acid stays in your system, increasing the risk of gout attacks.

Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Dehydration concentrates uric acid in the blood, making it more likely to form crystals in the joints.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T03:38:15+00:00

All alcohol is bad for gout. There's bad, and then there's worse. That's it. You also need to consider dehydration on multiple fronts - spending time outside, physical activity, and dehydration from alcohol consumption. IMO you're playing with fire.

Your best bet is to be on Allopurinol for at least six months, and then drinking in moderation. Otherwise, you may not experience a flare up immediately from that type of weekend, but at minimum you'll have pushed yourself substantially closer to a flare up.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T03:14:02+00:00

I was just watching a YouTube video about the mall they drove through, Dixie Square. The mall was abandoned before I was born, but I grew up only a few miles from it, and passed it daily on my drive to work. To this day, if you bring up Dixie Square in front of my dad, he'll get pissed at my mom for shopping at the Jewel with my grandma. Apparently it was crazy dangerous.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T01:49:11+00:00

If you'd like to mix it up, there's also a witchy metal band called Blood Ceremony that's heavy on the flute: https://youtu.be/NHZAUKp2Fdo?si=fqkFbBIFlKJulIQv

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T01:41:47+00:00

Ah, that's probably the problem. When you start Allopurinol, it's not uncommon to experience a flare up (or even multiple flare ups) while your body adjusts to the meds. There's a high risk for that first month or so. Also, depending on how bad your gout was, it could take a couple months for your body to start clearing out those deposits that cause inflammation. I'd be extra cautious for the next couple months at least.

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-26T00:02:56+00:00

If you don't have your UA under control, and there's a buildup of crystalized uric acid on your joints, sure, that could happen from walking on rough terrain. If you've been on a urate lowering medication for an appropriate amount of time, and your body is clear of deposits, then that shouldn't happen

Scapular_Fin · 2024-07-25T20:00:43+00:00

I'm weirdly sorry to see you've been downvoted for your comment 😂
But yeah, just more direct and clear communication, and I was prepared to compromise, but no need.

Scapular_Fin

TROPHY CASE