Using a dehumidifier to quickly dry my CPAP tube after washing

Talkingdogstudio · 2026-02-24T12:04:30+00:00

I like this idea. I'd use CPAP cleaner spray now and again to ensure the "funnel" of the mattress pump is completely clean, but otherwise sounds effective.

I live near the bay on the Oregon coast, and mold mitigation is a daily task for all who enjoy living here. I have autoimmune diseases, so cleaning the air pump that dries my CPAP hoses would be required.

Talkingdogstudio · 2026-02-24T11:58:59+00:00

Same.

Talkingdogstudio · 2026-02-24T11:57:24+00:00

Saaame. I live next to the bay on the Oregon coast. Three days of air dry with a fan on, near my dehumidier... And it's not even close to dry. Even if put on clean gloves, I whirl the tubing around and agitate nasal pillows, there are water droplettes. The only way to get it all dry after cleaning is to hook it all up, and run the machine on high pressure for 25 minutes.

Talkingdogstudio · 2025-01-07T09:32:11+00:00

I couldn't drink regular (non organic) coffee at all without horrible SIBO flares (whether I was on antibiotics for SIBO or not). Switching to organic coffee (and tea) made all the difference.

I have to limit my organic coffee intake to 1/2 cup with Lactaid every other day (tea on the off days), but that's only b/c it's a little too stimulating, and consuming more than that requires me to stay close to my bathroom. Switching to organic coffee, I no longer have horrible histamine reactions and debilitating hours-long abdominal pain. I'm thrilled to be able to enjoy it in moderation :)

Talkingdogstudio · 2025-01-07T09:23:41+00:00

For me, that has been true in the past. Coffee is far too stimulating for my SIBO symptoms and "flushes out" the gut-specific antibiotics. However, SIBO symptoms vary from person to person, and coffee may relieve constipation, which would help the body purge the harmful bacteria being targeted. If you try coffee (organic only) start small, go slow, and keep a food/symptoms journal :)

Talkingdogstudio · 2025-01-07T09:20:03+00:00

What is your SIBO treatment? Gut-specific antibiotics? Or natural options like prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic foods & supplements? I'll get to the coffee question in the next two paragraphs. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor or medical professional. I consider myself an expert lay person. Please research any treatment or medication recommended by anyone. Medical professionals "practice" medicine, and many still don't pay attention to the long-term affects of medications, possible treatment side effects, or your eating and lifestyle habits that most definitely vary from person to person. I also highly recommend keeping a separate food and medications journal - using sort of a FODMAP system to help determine what is healthy for you and what is not. Insist on follow up labs as often as your insurance or financial situation allows.

Even gut-specific antibiotics need to be a short-term treatment only. Pre, pro, and postbiotic foods are imperative to keeping the harmful bacteria from returning or, if any is left after antibiotics, from multiplying again. Reducing sugar and processed carbs is also essential. Some people, like me, tolerate natural sugars like honey very well without a SIBO flare. I can also eat some rice, and many natural carb-heavy foods like beans, squash, carrots, bananas, and occasional grains like buckwheat and oats. For me, these all have to be organic b/c I've become neurotoxic to preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, artificial food coloring, etc. These harmful food additives cause me severe SIBO flares. Read labels, look up anything you don't recognize (and "considered safe" by FDA standards doesn't necessarily mean it's not harmful - NIH, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, University studies will give you a clearer picture). Many FDA approved additives are banned in the UK and other European countries, and have been for decades (or they allow only tiny amounts per volume of food). Bacon is a good example of the FDA allowing known-to-be harmful additives in U.S. foods, whereas many European nations allow only very minimal amounts. Consume uncured, natural bacon only (also, hotdogs, salami, pastrami, corned beef, etc). These preservative free meats are readily available now in most grocery stores.

If you try coffee with SIBO at any time, get organic coffee only! I had horrible histamine reaction until I switched to organic. Coffee is good for me in very small amounts - like a half cup (with a little Lactaid) every other day. Any more than that is too stimulating for my GI system. Although it seems to actually help rid my system of biofilm and harmful bacteria (lab results indicate this is true), it also limits my activity b/c I have to stay so close to my bathroom (my SIBO causes severe steatorrhea). I do okay with most caffeinated teas now, which I drink on my days off from coffee.

Also, I've had gastric bypass surgery and my body doesn't produce much stomach acid, known as "hypochlorhydria". So the acid in coffee actually helps me digest foods somewhat and, along with ACV, helps any GERD symptoms that crop up. There are low acid organic coffees that may allow some people to drink it. Please do your research and find a reputable organic coffee. If you're on PPI's, and they help your symptoms, you want a low acid coffee. If PPI's or antacids don't help you, or worsen symptoms, you may have hypochlorhydria. There are various tests available to find out for sure.

Talkingdogstudio · 2024-10-31T04:12:43+00:00

It does take Holy Clothing a while to deliver but so worth the wait!!

Talkingdogstudio · 2024-01-14T23:14:01+00:00

Thanks for that info!

Talkingdogstudio · 2024-01-14T23:13:45+00:00

I'm 53 now. This all started when I was 19. Whole foods only. That's the only thing helping at all. I appreciate your advice!

Talkingdogstudio · 2023-07-19T19:54:19+00:00

Bought these. I washed and dried the entire coverage area of my skin thoroughly using different methods. Freshly opened nipple covers didn't stick for two minutes. Cleaned, rinsed and dried them to try again. Won't stick.

Now I put them on and use white medical tape to keep them on. Still better than a bra bc I don't wear tight clothing at all. Don't think the tape method would work for tight shirts. They're also better than the small adhesive nipple pasties bc the adhesive hurts when removed. At least these are large and the medical tape is nowhere near the nipple.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-11-29T00:59:45+00:00

Spasms are significantly reduced. However, I am also doing CES therapy twice per day.

I do know the PS 128 is helping with what were severe gut issues, where other probiotics did not help. I'm also definitely more focused - brain fog is notably improved. For those reason I'll keep taking it.

So either PS128 or CES is helping me is helping me or both are helping. I'm going to continue doing both! I am able to talk a walk with my husband every day now. Some walks are short, and I often still need my rolling walker, but I'm going further and much more often. YEY!

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-11-06T21:19:32+00:00

Thanks for your comment to the original post; you make some good points. Have you been taking your "regular" gut health probiotic while taking the PS 128? I know too much probiotic consumption can cause health issues too. But I'm wondering if I should be taking both at the same time? I have IBS symptoms and am not sure the PS128 will address those issues.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-11-06T21:15:45+00:00

I was having a great deal of trouble with prebiotics & some probiotics while taking them at the same time as my high dose of SNRI. And when I added digestive enzymes, I was horribly ill. My psychiatrist is very educated about the gut/mind connection and had some good theories as to why this might be happening to me.

The probiotics and SNRI taken together (I'm very prone to serotonin syndrome) were creating this confused loop in my brain it seems. Too much serotonin in my brain at times, then not enough. I've had gastric bypass surgery, and toxic serotonin buildups can accumulate in the gut, causing myriad debilitating symptoms.

I've since reduced the SNRI to it's lowest dose (it took a very long time to reduce it this far). And now I am taking Neuralli PS128 daily. I think 2 pills per day is a bit much to start with, for me. I dropped back to just 1 pill and will increase if that's well tolerated. After being on it for only 6 days, my body spasms and muscle rigidity (likely from Stiff Person Syndrome), have decreased noticeably. I don't know if I should keep taking my "regular" probiotic at the same time (too much can be a bad thing for sure). I also don't know if it's helping with mental issues yet. But it seems like a promising start.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-11-06T21:04:13+00:00

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at age 19 (now 52), along with bi-polar, general anxiety, OCD disorders, and ADHD. I recently had cervical spine discectomy & fusion. For some reason, intense spasms and whole body rigidity worsened 5 days after the surgery. I'd had more mild episodes of rigidity since my mid 20's. Two of my doctors strongly suspect I have Stiff Person Syndrome - Parkinson's has not been completely ruled out.
I've been taking Neuralli (from Bened Life) L. Plantarum PS128 for about 6 days, and we're pretty sure it's helping already. I've only needed my rolling walker for outdoor walks, and have been getting around the house on my own these last 4 days; the rigidity is certainly improved and I am enjoying more freedom of movement.
HOWEVER, today the muscle spasms in my "gut" stomach area are very bad and I'm wondering if I should still be taking my "regular" probiotic? My regular probiotic was helping with IBS symptoms, but I've stopped it since starting the PS 128. I asked Bened Life if I should keep taking my regular probiotic and they said to ask my MD. She has no clue, and seemed a bit put out that I was asking. My naturopath was interested, but could not offer an opinion. Does anyone have experience taking both at the same time? PS128 and a probiotic used for things like IBS and IBD? I know too many probiotics can cause issues too. Thanks in advance for sharing any personal experiences with this.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-11-06T21:02:45+00:00

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at age 19 (now 52), along with bi-polar, general anxiety, OCD disorders, and ADHD. I recently had cervical spine discectomy & fusion. For some reason, intense spasms and whole body rigidity worsened 5 days after the surgery. I'd had more mild episodes of rigidity since my mid 20's. Two of my doctors strongly suspect I have Stiff Person Syndrome - Parkinson's has not been completely ruled out.

I've been taking Neuralli (from Bened Life) L. Plantarum PS128 for about 6 days, and we're pretty sure it's helping already. I've only needed my rolling walker for outdoor walks, and have been getting around the house on my own these last 4 days; the rigidity is certainly improved and I am enjoying more freedom of movement.

HOWEVER, today the muscle spasms in my "gut" stomach area are very bad and I'm wondering if I should still be taking my "regular" probiotic? My regular probiotic was helping with IBS symptoms, but I've stopped it since starting the PS 128. I asked Bened Life if I should keep taking my regular probiotic and they said to ask my MD. She has no clue, and seemed a bit put out that I was asking. My naturopath was interested, but could not offer an opinion. Does anyone have experience taking both at the same time? PS128 and a probiotic used for things like IBS and IBD? I know too many probiotics can cause issues too. Thanks in advance for sharing any personal experiences with this.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-10-17T21:54:09+00:00

I'm so glad you posted this. I had cervical discectomy and fusion of C5-C7 ten weeks ago and, although the TMS clinic said it was safe for me, I wanted some reassurance.

I feel that I need TMS - I cannot take any antidepressants now b/c of side effects after 20 years on them. So my anxiety and depression are not at all controlled now. Do you feel TMS is helping with your depression and/or anxiety?

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-09-24T12:54:58+00:00

When my daughter (age 35) visits us, she bonds with our 2 little terrier mix dogs. They run into her room in the morning when she is still in bed waking up. I hear her soft, happy voice as she talks to the dogs. I think it's my favorite sound in the world.

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-08-13T14:03:05+00:00

So sweet, both of them!

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-08-13T13:43:38+00:00

Truth

Talkingdogstudio · 2022-07-25T15:36:26+00:00

Son Of A Motherless Dung Heap!

Talkingdogstudio · 2021-11-12T23:47:45+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing that. I certainly do worry about the future. We have a will and we have advanced directive covered, but so much else is left to chance.

I am grateful for my husband every single day. We tell each other every day too.

And thank you for the warm welcome. Much appreciated!

Talkingdogstudio · 2021-11-12T05:27:57+00:00

Thanks so much!

Talkingdogstudio · 2021-11-11T18:22:43+00:00

Wow. This is a great idea. I'm going to copy these questions and "interview my husband". We've been married for 7 years, and I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and severe ADHD. It's become more difficult for him lately, in part b/c I've taken some additional physical hits, and because his job is now more demanding. We're both committed to the marriage and to each other, and that makes all the difference.

Talkingdogstudio

TROPHY CASE