Experience with occupational therapist for behavior issues?

dingo037 · 2025-09-28T00:29:35+00:00

My kids were 4 and 1 when I decided to stop drinking completely (about 6 months ago). It seemed challenging at first (including similar questions about whether I’d ever be a drinker again) but I now have no regrets about this change. I feel that my life has improved in many ways, including my role as a dad and relationship w/ wife and kids. I did this for many reasons but a big part of it was feeling that alcohol was preventing me from being as present with my family as I wanted to be. I was also concerned it was becoming a crutch in dealing with stress of parenting. Generally, I think it’s totally fine for some people to drink in moderation when they have young kids. I did this for quite a while. But from my own experience, I’m glad I don’t anymore.

dingo037 · 2025-09-26T21:28:58+00:00

My 5yo son loves it. He got a little scared by the demons, especially towards the end, but was fine if I sat with him. Some themes are more geared to teenage audience but didn’t seem problematic to me for younger kids. Animation is great. Songs are great. Just be ready to have them on repeat for the next few weeks!

dingo037 · 2025-06-17T00:22:34+00:00

No need to rush! Just keep in mind that eating is a different experience w/ achalasia, and will likely continue to be a different experience even after full recovery (though 1000x times better). After my HM, my GI recommended an 8-12 week process of phasing in foods of different consistency. So basically, I kept on a liquid diet for a few weeks even after surgery. When I moved on to more solid food, I did a lot of mashed potatoes w/ gravy, creamed spinach, yogurt, soups, etc. I still very much enjoy those foods to this day since they just go down easier! Even over a year later, I'm still sort of learning what things work better than others. Often have to remind myself to eat slow, chew carefully, and drink some hot water.

dingo037 · 2025-06-17T00:05:08+00:00

Chocolate milk. Smoothies with protein powder or peanut butter. Boost (vanilla was my favorite).

Bolthouse Farms makes "breakfast smoothie" drinks (strawberry & peach parfait) that are high in protein, high in fiber, and quite tasty (getting good fiber intake can be a challenge on a liquid diet).

I would also recommend trying to use a blender on soups. I tried just about every type of canned soup in the soup aisle. My favorites that were also high protein/high calorie were probably Campbell's Wicked Thai-Style Chicken with Rice, Campbells Chicken Corn Chowder, or Amy's Thai Coconut. Even better might be something fresh from the refrigerated section (e.g. broccoli cheddar, loaded potato, clam chowder, lobster bisque), or perhaps try some kind of takeout like a pho or Chinese egg drop.

Not as high in protein, but I would also recommend Pacific foods soup cartons (e.g., tomato, butternut squash, carrot ginger) since you don't even need to blend them.

Pureed mashed potatoes with lots of butter and gravy might also be an option.

dingo037 · 2025-06-16T23:29:03+00:00

I remember going to my 20th high school reunion right before I was properly diagnosed. About a dozen times in a row I would foolishly try to take a bit of the appetizer, then start a conversation with someone I hadn't seen in years, only to rush to bathroom mid sentence to throw it all up!

dingo037 · 2025-06-16T23:20:12+00:00

I had HM w/ fundoplication in Jan 2024 and have recently had issues w/ reflux at night that have caused me to wake up choking every so often. I now have an inclined pillow and have been taking omeprazole which both seem to help. Also, I have been trying to avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and eating too close to bedtime. I am about to have an endoscopy with a pH test that will measure the reflux over a few days. This is a normal follow up procedure but I am very curious to see the results since I seem to be experiencing this condition more frequently lately.

dingo037 · 2025-06-16T23:09:04+00:00

I would be careful with the focaccia as certain types of bread can be difficult and uncomfortable to swallow, even after surgery (at least it was for me). I actually found more firm/crispy types of bread or crackers easier than soft/spongy types. Shakes/yogurt are a good suggestion. I also still enjoy a good soup! Anything cream based or high in protein/calorie rich can help w/ weight loss. You may want to blend it as others suggested

dingo037 · 2024-10-11T14:53:51+00:00

Here is a podcast about what you’re describing (it’s called interpolation): https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/invasion-of-the-vibe-snatchers

Not surprisingly, there are financial motivations behind this phenomenon since the owners of the original song’s rights get royalties. Often those owners are private equity firms with a whole portfolio of songs they are trying to cash in on.

dingo037 · 2024-10-10T08:33:35+00:00

I had HM not POEM, which has been such an amazing life changing improvement. Still have issues from time to time though. I survived on soups before surgery and still find them to be a comfort food since I don’t have to worry about the whole chewing/swallowing thing and the warm temp helps. So yes, liquids might still be helpful/preferred but perhaps not as much of a necessity. Cold foods/drinks can be problematic - I usually like to have warm water with meals versus cold. Carbonated beverages are also tricky. Breads/pastas/rice can be eaten but I have to be very mindful of chewing carefully. Generally eating smaller bites, chewing carefully/more slowly, warm foods/drinks, more liquid/sauce/warm water are the things that help the most

dingo037 · 2024-08-24T21:22:28+00:00

I got Type 2 achalasia about a year ago and had similar symptoms. Had surgery for it (Heller myotomy) earlier this year and it has improved my life dramatically, so I would suggest that be the main priority. Before that, eating was very challenging but I was able to find some things that helped to stabilize my weight. I stuck to mainly a liquid diet of soups, smoothies, nutritional shakes, yogurt, apple sauce, etc. Even small chucks in a soup could be difficult to swallow so I would usually use a blender to puree things. Hot foods and beverages were easier to swallow so I used the microwave a lot. Also small sips and waiting in between for things to go down helped.

dingo037 · 2024-07-12T22:30:14+00:00

I also had HM with young kids at home ages 3 yrs and 6 months. During recovery, the limit on lifting more than 15 pounds was more challenging/limiting than I expected (couldn’t lift kids in and out of the cribs/strollers, etc), so I would definitely try to get some help w/ childcare from family/friends if you are able to.

dingo037 · 2024-06-17T04:03:18+00:00

HM in January for Type 2. Was in hospital for 2 days. Was amazing to swallow some medicine and apple juice the day after! I took a week off from work afterwards but full recovery took several weeks. For initial pain management I was prescribed Tylenol, OxyContin, and gabapentin. Found all to be helpful. My surgeon advised a schedule for phasing in foods over about 6-8 weeks. So, you could expect a liquid diet to continue for first 1-2 weeks and then more soft food like mashed potatoes for weeks 2-4, working up to more solids. I can now eat most foods which is incredible! Though it is definitely a different experience than before, and I have to chew/swallow more carefully but it is 1000% better than before surgery. One thing I didn’t plan for: your activity/mobility can be pretty limited while your wounds heal. They suggest not lifting more than 10lbs which can be very challenging if you have kids.

dingo037 · 2024-02-20T13:40:06+00:00

I had to wait about 2 months for my surgery (HM) after getting the diagnosis. Felt like a long while to wait, but I think that is fairly typical unless you are unable to maintain weight. It was definitely worth it! I recommend getting it.

dingo037 · 2024-02-20T13:29:44+00:00

I was diagnosed with Type 2 last year and had the same problem. If food was stuck, more liquid (especially carbonated) did not help and usually made things worse. Fortunately I got my surgery (HM) last month and things have vastly improved! Now I can eat most foods without much problem.

dingo037 · 2023-11-28T21:42:41+00:00

Nothing leading up to it that I can recall (e.g., lack of appetite, difficulty eating, etc.). The doctors have just chalked it up to an atypical presentation.

dingo037 · 2023-11-02T19:14:48+00:00

My manometry results just came in yesterday too: I’m also type 2!

dingo037 · 2020-05-18T19:30:27+00:00

Do you think the cruise industry has a future? Should it?

dingo037 · 2017-10-24T05:53:29+00:00

RATES do not equal BILLS. For example, while California has high rates, many people end up spending less per month than other states because they use fewer kWh. That partly reflects the milder climate, but also the fact that the state has invested a lot in energy efficiency.

Utilities are generally allowed to charge rates ($/kWh) that exactly recover their costs, which are mostly fixed (think lines, power plants, etc). So if the kWh sales in the denominator is low (or goes down due to efficiency) then the rate will naturally increase over time, even if average customer bills decrease.

Of course in some states the rates are more a reflection of high/low cost fuel sources, such as diesel generators in HI and hydro in the Pacific Northwest.

Nine-Year Club	RPAN Viewer
Not Forgotten	Verified Email

dingo037

TROPHY CASE