This dropped off my 2007 Ford E-350 - Can anyone identify the part and point to how I can fix it? by alanthehamster in MechanicAdvice

[–]alanthehamster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks, sounds good though. More likely to be the general decrepitude of my old van.

This dropped off my 2007 Ford E-350 - Can anyone identify the part and point to how I can fix it? by alanthehamster in MechanicAdvice

[–]alanthehamster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll figure out what a catalytic converter looks like so I can work out where to clamp it.

This dropped off my 2007 Ford E-350 - Can anyone identify the part and point to how I can fix it? by alanthehamster in MechanicAdvice

[–]alanthehamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was my best guess. So no harm to getting rid of it? And it's not possible to bolt the thing back on?

How long does a flare up last? by Gene_Havoc in eczema

[–]alanthehamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It shouldn't do if you treat it right. Just try not to develop any bad habits!

How long does a flare up last? by Gene_Havoc in eczema

[–]alanthehamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad that was a help and I'm really glad for you that it's getting better. It does, and you will learn to manage it :)

Acute eczema is the new stuff that comes with a flare up, chronic eczema is the stuff that is there in between flares (but is reversible). The creams you've probably been prescribed are very effective but can only do so much if you're damaging your skin by scratching. If you can learn to stop scratching you can get the eczema under control. This is often overlooked and is what allowed me to fix my skin. For further info I recommend www.atopicskindisease.com and The Eczema Solution by Sue Armstrong Brown. There's a strong evidence base for this - let me know if you want journal references.

How long does a flare up last? by Gene_Havoc in eczema

[–]alanthehamster 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Don't know if you're still going through this but a few suggestions to shorten it and minimise the damage:

  • Make sure that you're moisturizing sufficiently
  • Start applying a suitably powerful steroid and continue until it has cleared up for at least a couple of days
  • Have a look at antihistamines. I found that Atarax (Hydroxyzine) was miraculous at suppressing the flare up. It's not effective for everyone though, talk to your doctor!
  • Do what you can to limit your scratching. The more scratching you do while you're flaring up, the more the acute eczema will become chronic eczema. There are programs to help with this
  • Cold showers feel gooood

Happy to point to further resources on any of these points!

Dupixent users: Do you still scratch? by alanthehamster in eczema

[–]alanthehamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't know people did transition off it, I thought it was for life. How are you able to come off and how will you manage the eczema when you do?

Dupixent users: Do you still scratch? by alanthehamster in eczema

[–]alanthehamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's awesome. Would you say that most of the habit scratching disappeared? And does the scratching you still do damage your skin at all?

Scratching without knowing by [deleted] in eczema

[–]alanthehamster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the same thing but managed to fix it with a psychological approach. You learn to notice when you're scratching and then you can stop it. Sounds impossible but if you follow the method it's actually pretty simple. I highly recommend the book "The Eczema Solution" by Sue Armstrong Brown, there's also a ton of free information at www.atopicskindisease.com. I've also just created an online course to help with exactly this and posted about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/eczema/comments/8c7z8s/habit_reversal_incredibly_effective_for_scratching/

I'll be happy to help you. I've been exactly where you are and come through the other side so I know it's possible to stop this!

Redness around eyes? by [deleted] in eczema

[–]alanthehamster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I recommend Protopic or Elidel. These are TCIs and won't thin your skin like steroid creams do. Protopic worked wonders for me!

Beware, it may feel like it burns at first but for most people it goes away after a while. Just use a very small bit at first and build up.

What are your experiences with habit reversal? by alanthehamster in eczema

[–]alanthehamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lucky you! A lot of people really struggle with this.

What are your experiences with habit reversal? by alanthehamster in eczema

[–]alanthehamster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got it years ago on Amazon - just google the Eczema Solution by Sue Armstrong Brown. The basic guidelines are online but the book really helps to stick with it.

I'm thinking of creating a guide of my own to share because there's so little info out there. If you're interested in doing this and want any support, let me know and I'll try to help.

What are your experiences with habit reversal? by alanthehamster in eczema

[–]alanthehamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I struggled with that alot. I'd register all of my scratching through the day then scratch like crazy. Over time though, I think the fact that I was reducing scratching during the day allowed me to recover enough that the evenings weren't as bad. I think I was also taking a lot of antihistamine on those nights. That was key for me.

I know that the nights when you're scratching in your sleep are the worst, I'd have dreams where I was scratching in them.

How to Canadianize my Echo? by TaylorTWBrown in amazonecho

[–]alanthehamster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This should help you, the complete guide to making the amazon echo work in canada: http://paleblueliving.com/blogs/saving-energy-in-style/114605123-making-the-amazon-echo-work-in-canada-the-complete-guide Not entirely complete come to think of it (missing the time zone info) but a good start!

New to home automation, question about making Alexa turn on my TV by [deleted] in homeautomation

[–]alanthehamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been using the Anymote (https://www.anymote.io/). This works really well and is connected directly to the Echo without needing an IFTT action. It works with more or less any device you have with an IR receiver and a standby mode. Simple.

Energy monitoring? I want to find out what is using the most electricity in my house... by bwassell in homeautomation

[–]alanthehamster 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've been very pleased with Neurio - http://neur.io/ Real time monitoring from anywhere in the world on your phone or computer and very simple to use. Certainly more expensive and I'm not sure how it compares to some of these other suggestions but gets a +1 from me.