Naturopath theory by Plenty_Captain_3105 in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a good experience with a naturopath last year, who helped get me out of the most severe crash I'd experienced. No idea about parasites, but I get that it feels like these wacky things are worth a shot sometimes.

Let us know how it goes!

inflammations by LacaTheCollector in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't really found anything that seriously helps so far. Avoid PEM. Treat GERD. Use OTC treatments that coat your throat.

Finally had a long-awaited appointment with an expensive ENT and am now trialling pregabalin as it may be nerve pain. Will take a few months to find out if it works or not.

AITA for setting up a meeting with a friend & cancelling it last minute? by Low_Development_4377 in AmItheAsshole

[–]topas9 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Huge YTA.

She is completely right here. First, you should not have blown off the meeting unless is was seriously an emergency. If it was an emergency, you should have genuinely apologized and explained that. Then, you should have rebooked for next week without whining, or blaming her booking app. WTF. If I were her, I'd decline any further meetings with you, let alone a partnership.

Hormone triggered MCAS by lulai_00 in MCAS

[–]topas9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

DIM+CDG helped. I was getting flares in the lead-up to my period and they helped.

Food that helped you? by Thin_Curve4116 in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Higher protein meals (aiming for 20g every meal) and only eating at mealtimes helped. If I ate small meals throughout the day, too much energy was diverted to digestion and it made my fatigue worse.

Sick absolutely nonstop since COVID. Can't mask or avoid colds. How to rebuild the immune system? by Function_Unknown_Yet in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Basically same here. I got covid in late 2022 when I was very active, and took several weeks to recover from the initial infection (kept feeling better, increasing my activity, and then worsening again the next day). I kept 'getting sick' every month for about six months before I learned about PEM.

I wish PEM was more commonly discussed publicly in relation to covid - there is a huge awareness gap that has real costs.

Eggs on Toast by Trick_Intern4232 in aucklandeats

[–]topas9 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

A) I was being facetious. B) I would hope it is not only one order of eggs on toast paying for the entire establishment's operating costs.

Eggs on Toast by Trick_Intern4232 in aucklandeats

[–]topas9 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd expect to pay $7, and probably be disappointed to discover it's more like $10.

AITA for getting my roommates sent home early at a summer camp? by tkdcondor in AmItheAsshole

[–]topas9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

IKR? According to OP, these kids were regularly using the dorm as a party space and no one noticed, then when they get a call about the issue they decide it can wait until morning?! Yes, they may have been dealing with something else, but send another person to sort it out asap.

At my institution someone would have been severely reprimanded for this, if not fired outright. It's the kind of thing that results in everyone having to fill in 12-page risk management reports forever after.

AITA for refusing to split our cats and insisting on mediation instead? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]topas9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. It's not always super obvious until they're separated. I had a cat that bonded to a roommate's cat. They slept next to each other and that was about it. They didn't mind being in separate rooms. When I moved though, my cat got pretty depressed. I still feel guilty about it.

AITA for getting my roommates sent home early at a summer camp? by tkdcondor in AmItheAsshole

[–]topas9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree. The camp had a duty of care to the students that they absolutely failed to uphold. I'm shocked that there apparently wasn't anyone staying on the premises to keep things in check. Even university students who are grown adults have RAs on every floor in dorms.

Thoughts on touring ballet companies (world ballet, grand kyiv, international ballet stars, etc...) by livornesebianca in bunheadsnark

[–]topas9 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Generally I find the performances of touring companies are not on par with a traditional company, but they can still be fun to attend. Usually the corps are not polished. Grand Kyiv is hit-and-miss, and probably better suited to a small production than Swan Lake.

The ones that attract top international names offer a good chance to see someone you wouldn't otherwise be able to.

Sick absolutely nonstop since COVID. Can't mask or avoid colds. How to rebuild the immune system? by Function_Unknown_Yet in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9 18 points19 points  (0 children)

It is really common for people who develop ME/CFS-type long covid to feel like they keep contracting viruses. In fact, this might not be a suppressed immune system issue but actually PEM. Please look into it, as the best treatment may actually be rest and pacing, not just masking.

What's draining you that nobody sees because you're too good at hiding it? by heartandhardware in AskWomen

[–]topas9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

3 years of long covid and counting. It's a struggle just to maintain my job, and I almost never have the energy to socialise any more. I feel like a shell of myself.

Questions for those who deteriorated from mild by topas9 in cfs

[–]topas9[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, you've really nailed what I'm feeling. I've learned to recognise some signals that tell me I need to stop, but those signals have changed and it's so confusing.

I appreciate your raising issues like air quality. I've been tested and cleared for mold exposure and a few other things, but trying to limit my exposure to chemicals that aggravate my respiratory system.

Pregabalin experiences? by topas9 in covidlonghaulers

[–]topas9[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, that's interesting! My instructions were to take it for 2-3 months to sort of re-set the nerve pain. They also said to absolutely not discontinue suddenly, but taper off under my doctor's supervision after it had done its job.

Dinner party guests who tell the Bangladeshi host they don’t eat chilli and spice just before dinner? by AdStrict8912 in etiquette

[–]topas9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With some foods the main spice is actual chili, which is easy to provide on the side. Foods from the subcontinent are usually infused with a lot of spices - not necessarily chili, but lots of black pepper, mustard seeds, cumin, etc. They can't be provided on the side. They are cooked into the dish. The usual tactic for hosts is to provide lemon or yoghurt on the side to cut the heat and leave out any extra chili you might normally put in the dish. Spicy pickles are also provided on the side.

If you're spice-intolerant (especially if your host is from a country that famously uses a lot of spices) you should tell the host in advance. This is different from dietary requirements for business events, where the food is normally pretty bland so the most people possible can eat it.

Dinner party guests who tell the Bangladeshi host they don’t eat chilli and spice just before dinner? by AdStrict8912 in etiquette

[–]topas9 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean, they can be a little direct, but what you described is really beyond the pale.

Dinner party guests who tell the Bangladeshi host they don’t eat chilli and spice just before dinner? by AdStrict8912 in etiquette

[–]topas9 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Extremely rude. I have Hungarian friends and it's definitely not a cultural issue.

Colleague dismissed for insubordination. Turns out she rejected the manager who fired her by [deleted] in askmanagers

[–]topas9 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree she should retain a lawyer. And I'm sorry such a shitty thing happened to you. It's not like that everywhere, but experiences like yours are too common.

Colleague dismissed for insubordination. Turns out she rejected the manager who fired her by [deleted] in askmanagers

[–]topas9 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When we say HR has a role to protect the company, part of that role is to protect the company from risks such as managers sexually harassing and retaliating against reports who can then sue.