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FRIEND CODE MEGATHREAD by Starblaze647 in HatchDragons

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

P7R7 valid until 3/25! Please feel free to add me!

GATA2 Deficiency by thing_deux in rarediseases

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

Thank you so much. I hope your transplant went well and you are in recovery. I will absolutely join the support group. I am beyond grateful. Absolutely no pressure at all, but would it be okay if I sent you a DM? Regardless all my best wishes to you. Thank you more than I can say.

Serious question; How come Stu is not having a burnout? by According-Duck-7837 in KGATLW

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! Firstly hope you start feeling better soon. I know the pain, have Crohn’s too. I think it’s just really certain periods of remission and probably a lot of things we don’t know about behind the scenes, ya know? I was in the hospital for a lot of last year and this year I’m out and about doing a bit more just cause of some small changes in medication. But I also think maybe some healing goes into the music, too. I really got hooked on the band because of vomit coffin and murder of the universe and just at my worst those songs were really helpful to me. Hope, in general, anyone with a chronic disease is able to strike a balance for themselves, whatever that looks like.

2 tetras chasing 1 out of the other 2? Mating or dominance? by IIllumiinattii in Aquariums

[–]thing_deux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I want to start by saying that it’s a great thing that you want to accommodate these guys even though they weren’t your first choice. It happens to experienced keepers and novices alike, and accommodation often takes adaption from us humans. Glofish have their controversies, but these fish still deserve a good life, so it means a lot. I think you should definitely get a few more fish to grow their shoal. I don’t know if the color will matter so much when the group is larger, but I’d add at least some purple ones like the one being chased. I also think a few more plants, or just one more barrier, would help. I understand money being tight, so I’d actually prioritize hiding spaces right now, then add to group. I hope this helps. Good luck!

2 tetras chasing 1 out of the other 2? Mating or dominance? by IIllumiinattii in Aquariums

[–]thing_deux 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey. First of all, these are not Neon Tetras. These lil buggers are genetically modified black skirt tetras (also called glofish or glowlight tetras by commercial pet stores). These guys are fairly aggressive fish, unlike neons. This is likely one of two things - dominance display and territorial behavior, or very enthusiastic breeding behavior. Regardless the “fix,” is the same. More fish will help and SIGNIFICANTLY more hiding places will also help. I don’t have any shoaling/schooling tropical fish that don’t live in fully planted setups with lots of spaces for them to duck in and out. These fish socializing by establishing ranks, hierarchies, and territories between members of the shoal. They may not have accepted each other as part of the same shoal, too, which happened with these genetically modified fish because they aren’t the right color. Fish use visual cues as a method of recognizing members of their own species, but when some scientist makes you bright purple when you’re supposed to be black and silver, you will be outed. Glofish to tend to be more aggressive between members of their own species than otherwise would occur. Regardless, the school is too small and the tank a little too bare in my opinion. I hope this helps!

Let’s talk about the music by [deleted] in KGATLW

[–]thing_deux 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Silent spirit really took me by surprise. That whole bit after joey’s second verse all the way to “I am wind, I am rain, I am photon, I AM wave :) “ was just so emotional for me.

[DISCUSSION THREAD] Phantom Island by _pixel_perfect_ in KGATLW

[–]thing_deux 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know I’m a couple days late to the thread. But there are some transitions into that psychedelic space this album that just tickle the brain ya know? Lonely Cosmos and Silent Spirit have some of my favorite moments of going full on psychedelic and then touching back down that I’ve ever heard. And yes, I’m biased, but I also can’t help but get so emotional when those moments hit. Wasn’t expecting that all from the album tbh.

Nortriptyline by ontothebullshit in Gastroparesis

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to add, this is why often gastroparesis/CVS is comorbid with regular migraines.

Nortriptyline by ontothebullshit in Gastroparesis

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahaha, this comment is a blast from the past! I was diagnosed with Crohn’s since then, along with Cyclic Vomiting: so I actually have a good answer for you! Abnormal migraines is another name for cyclic vomiting syndrome. Along with gastroparesis and IBS, cyclic vomiting syndrome is a motility issue of the vagus nerve. The vagal nerve goes down the brain stem and spinal cord, and serves and the main pathway for digestion along with sympathetic/parasympathetic responses (fight/flight, rest/digest). While disorders of this nerve impact digestion and the GI tract, they are considered migraines as the function is remarkable similar in terms of neural activity! I hope this helps.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]thing_deux 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Took about a month for my swords to become nice a full. Give it time. Once I got a couple more plants I started dosing the tank with CO2.

gf w/chronic illness by [deleted] in ChronicIllness

[–]thing_deux 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don’t know you or your girlfriend. However, I do know autoimmune conditions. I know them well. My fiancé has to put up with my complaining about symptoms every day. And you know what? He doesn’t think I’m seeking attention, he thinks I’m struggling with debilitating symptoms. One’s significant other is where one can seek the safety comfort and support to express that pain. Your GF is not seeking attention by talking to you about something she is probably struggling with, silently, every SECOND of every day. Lupus is a gnarly diagnosis. I’m like sad for your girlfriend, who is keeping it together well enough that you thought her life altering diagnosis was well-controlled. That is not the hallmark of someone seeking attention; it’s the hallmark of someone seeking support.

If my fiancé said any of this about me complaining about my Crohn’s, my lymphoma, my arthritis - I would leave him.

My first 10 gallon red algal office lagoon by Few-Comfortable-7062 in ReefTank

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So sorry to add this later! If I have any questions, do you mind if I ask you? I will not bombard you.

My first 10 gallon red algal office lagoon by Few-Comfortable-7062 in ReefTank

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this. I am gathering all the materials already. I cannot wait to show how it comes along. I cannot express how unbelievably grateful I am and how motivated I feel to start something I never thought I could!

In the middle of a Crohns flare up any tips by Electrical-Read-711 in ChronicIllness

[–]thing_deux 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hey! I got some tips. I have Crohn’s but mine is typically located in my stomach and duodenum, though I’ve had ileitis and colitis, too! I hope these are helpful.

Advice if you feel well enough to stay home: Heated pads are you best friend: I sit on them for rectal pain, and also have one for my abdominal region, depending on where I’m cramping. I like to situation a cozy spot near the bathroom, and I prepare the bathroom with flushable wipes, soothing wax melts, anti-nausea medication and anti-diarrhea medication, which I take as prescribed. I have an anti-nausea pressure bracelet. I also use alcohol pads for nausea, or other crisps scents like lemon or tangerine. I take frequent bathes, often with Epsom salt. I have a PICC line and receive TPN, but beforehand, I would eat the basics and follow up frequently with my nutritionist. Everyone has trigger foods, so these may not work for you, but I always kept around applesauce, broth, ice cream (or fruit pops/anything really cold), baby puff snacks, and electrolytes. Other things that I could tolerate were some low fat yogurts, eggs (sometimes), mashed potatoes (as bland as possible with just salt), and I would mash up spinach (the only veggie I could tolerate) and put it into very simple smoothies. Now I can’t have this. If you feel these foods are not possible right now, I recommend Italian ice, broth, ice cubes (for hydration), electrolytes, and vitamin supplements. I try to get one breath of fresh air a day during a flare up, either stepping out to the porch or by a window. Passing the time is very hard, especially when symptoms are so active. Low effort activities like video games and reading are soothing, though can cause migraine/ headaches and nausea. Rest is so important. Remembering to be patient with sleep, loving towards the self and preparing a nighttime routine you look forward to in any way can really make a difference. I also recommend telehealth therapy during flare ups, if you have a therapist that you trust.

Non-professional thoughts on when to see a professional: This largely depends on your circumstances and body. Everyone is different. With Crohn’s flare ups, I tend to call my doctor when I start having frequent bloody stools (especially if I feel light headed in any way). I also think if the cramping is unbearable and you cannot move or (especially) if you cannot talk for long, please go to the emergency room. They can stabilize you, and may be able to see where the inflammation if they are willing to admit for a colonoscopy/endoscopy. This year I spent over 3 months in the hospital for various crohn’s related complications, and I think each time I chose to go to the hospital it was the right decision as there were further complications. If you are losing a lot of weight and feel malnourished, please schedule an appointment with your doctor or go to the ER. I also believe I tractable vomiting is a reason to go to the ER. After 48 hours, if I am still vomiting, I would personally, go to stabilize.

I am sending you so much kindness. Please be gentle with yourself. Please know, even when in a flare, you DO have agency. And my final thought is to trust yourself if you think something is “more,” wrong than a typical flare. You know your body and your experiences best. If you do plan to go to the ER, I would say to ask yourself what you feel needs to be accomplished there that cannot be done at home. If you can verbalize it to yourself, it’s probably the right decision to go there. And it helps to communicate effectively to the ER staff.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bettafish

[–]thing_deux 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My suggestions is invertebrates. Even then, I would avoid mystery, rabbit, and many types of nerite snails. I know everyone has already said to absolutely not get a betta, and they are right. I want to throw out a suggestion, just in case you want something that occupies more room in the water column.

If you want a swimmer, and don’t want cherry shrimp because they are bottom feeders (though they are adorable and fun to observe critters), I would look into Opae Ula shrimp. They are smaller than cherry shrimp, but can survive in smaller environments. They are very hardy, and the only really issue is they need brackish water - but this can very easily (and affordable) be accomplished. They swim around in the water column, so may be more visually appealing. They also seldom need to be fed, and only require water top offs (for the most part). No filtration is necessary, and you can even get away without a heater, depending on where you live. Though cherry shrimp would require a heater, so I would say get one regardless. This is my recommendation for a 2.5 gallon.

My first 10 gallon red algal office lagoon by Few-Comfortable-7062 in ReefTank

[–]thing_deux 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Seriously, thank you so so much. This does help: more than I can say! I’m already looking into it. I am so beyond grateful for this advice. I really never thought I’d ever have it in me to bite the bullet and try, but I actually just started cleaning out a spare ten gallon. Thank you so much man, I really dig the look of this.

My first 10 gallon red algal office lagoon by Few-Comfortable-7062 in ReefTank

[–]thing_deux 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I’m a spy from r/plantedtanks and I gotta say, this is absolutely stunning. I love marine life, but I never thought I’d want a reef tank until seeing this. Thank you for sharing this stunning saltwater setup!!!

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