FUBAR February
 

I woke up with a massive rain headache this morning. That's good for the most part, I suppose. It means we have a major front moving through, and we've had 1.4 inches of rain in the last 24 hours. We need it.

But two extra-strength Tylenols and two large mugs of strong tea haven't done a thing for my headache. It's time to move on to aspirin, which I generally avoid as it wrecks my stomach.

I get weather related headaches as well. When I wake up with a horrible one, it’s usually super overcast. What’s the reason for that? I always thought it was sinus related. There’s nothing preventative that I can do about it but as long as I take one Excedrin when it starts, I’m good. If I miss the Excedrin because I fall back asleep, it won’t be a good day.

I assume it's sinus-related because when I get weather headaches the only thing that will kick them is pseudoephedrine. That makes sense if they're tied to barometric pressure swings.
I can only take a single pseudo tablet though. Two make me feel like I've chugged a pot of coffee. And never the extended release or close to bed time, which is funny because I can have coffee at 10:00 p.m. and fall asleep at 11:00.

Decongestants fuck me up. I get serious brain fog from them and they don’t decongest me. I’d be seriously crippled without Excedrin.

Without Googling up an answer, I'd bet that lower air pressure causes your veins to expand. Swollen veins in your head = headache.

Now that the main front has passed through and I've had breakfast and a couple of aspirin, the headache is pretty much gone.

I had the same reaction to decongestants. That's when an ex suggested using a neti pot. It gave some relief, albeit briefly. Also starting my mornings with a hot drink (usually tea) has greatly reduced my sinus issues.

Nobody will answer my Teams messages. I need some info people!!!

ETA: As soon as I posted I heard from them all. This thread is magic!

My gf gets sinus headaches that only respond to pseudophedrine. I'm always the one who goes out to buy her stuff, and they require ID and a signature. I learned not to joke around at the pharmacy. One time I said, "after all this work I really should make meth outa this". The woman was not amused.

If you can get your hands on the meth, you can make your own pseudoephedrine! :science:

I get headaches from weather. I hope the worst is over for you for sure.

I'm currently watching Jackie the Eagle in Big Bear Valley hunkered down for the snowstorm. It started with sleet bouncing off her before sunrise this morning and the nest/tree really moving in the wind gusts. :astonished: now it looks like just snow or maybe mixed precip. This is the first morning I've watched she hasn't called her mate Shadow for nest sitting instead she is just staying put. He hasn't even seen the third egg yet, although I would guess he knows about it from the noises she makes ("teakettling")

sorry for the hijack but not enough to move the eagle report!



:D

I've found it's the only thing that works for weather headaches so I'd totally be a market for that. I mean, would it be cheap?

Well, took Agnes in to see the car doctor today because she's been making a whole lot of rattling over the bumps on the passenger rear side and whaddaya know, one of the new struts I had installed only a few months ago is absolutely broken. The mechanic is impressed, says this will be the first time he's had to warranty replace a KYB strut and asked me if I'd been out rally driving lol. Nope, probably just the usual shitty Portland potholes exacting their toll! So next week I have to bring her in again to have it replaced and while I'm there I'll have the rear brakes replaced as well. Cars, so fun!

Depends what Heisenberg charges for the meth. :)


I have a credit card I use for nearly everything since it provides both fraud protection and cash back. Yesterday my watch buzzed* because a charge had come through although I hadn't purchased anything. This isn't so unusual, it could have been a subscription service or auto payment. Just as I was looking to see what it was, I was contacted by the card company questioning the charge - yep, fraudulent - so I filed a dispute for it and two others that had slipped through. It was super easy, I'll have a new card in a few days, and they even tried to transfer over my recurring payments and let me know which merchants I'll have to update my card info with.

It's so common that it was only a matter of when, not if. I guess it's the price we pay for convenience. Payment handling evolution outpaces security.



*If I had a time machine and could go back and tell 90s me about how I'd have a smart watch that connects to my smart phone and brings things to my attention when needed, and I could fix them nearly instantly from my phone, 90s me's head would explode.

There'd be less paperwork!

And if you're really fast in the lab, it would probably be quicker, too.

If you told 90's me that the whole world would cheerfully sign up to have a microscope installed into their life, 90's me‘s head would splode too.

Well, dudebro from the accident (RIP CRV) filed a claim this morning. My insurance will be accepting fault. Fine, whatever. Good to know it's legal to just stop your vehicle in the middle of a highway (kidding, I'm just a little salty that they didn't find him to be at least Somewhat of a Dumbass).

The 09 Accord runs pretty good, goddammit.

I ate too much food and now feel barfy. Will be laying in bed feeling sorry for myself, looking at dash cams on Amazon.

Took down my Christmas tree today. I miss its twinkling, colorful brightness. *sigh*

I used to take my decorations down right after the new year, but as I've gotten older I've come to understand and appreciate why some folks leave theirs up longer.

It's pouring rain. There is water leaking in through both front doors on my newish vehicle. The windows are all the way up. The drain tubes for the sunroof are clear and there is no water pooling in the channels. Fuck my life. I mean, again, for the price I shouldn't complain. But starting out my day driving to work with my ass wet isn't a great way to wake up.

Super stressful weekend. Hockey in Chicago for away game. Poker in Chicago also and NW Indy. Emotional rollercoaster from going up and down in $1K, finally making a $700 profit. And yes, my hotel stay is free. Happy to come out ahead but I’m still on edge from the two 1K downswings.

You know the drill.

Ahh time to guzzle some Malort chased with Green River soda. Yes, even the foam is green.




#hoosierbeverages

Wait a minute, I’m not in Indiana or Missouri right now.

#fuckingillinoisbastardbeverages

Got my brand new denial letter from social security today.

This time, I'm going to court.

I believe this denial letter is theeeeee... Carry the three..

FIFTH denial I've gotten?

It's pretty humiliating and I feel stripped of humanity. They didn't even say anything new. I waited 8 months for essentially an exact copy of the letter they sent me last time.

If I hear 'You're 25, you shouldn't be in this much pain, you're so young, you don't have this or that I bet it's something else' ever again, I'm gonna breathe HELLFIRE.

I didn't post much in January, because only three days in January was I migraine-free. I am currently looking for a neurologist, but my fucking insurance only updates their list of doctors every THREE YEARS?! So despite hours of my mom helping me look, she hasn't been able to find anyone.

For anyone here that's gone through the same thing, I'm shedding tears in your honor tonight. You got through it and I'm sure I will too, but damn. Doesn't make it any less brutal.

My late husband was denied and denied. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at around 53 yrs old and was denied for THREE YEARS! It's a fucking scam.

My old bosses wife had an inoperable brain tumor and was denied!

:eek: :eek: :eek:

That's INSANE. How cruel!! Augh.

I saw my cardiologist today. She thinks I should have an ablation and pacemaker. She referred me to the same guy who did my cardio-version. He called me within 30 minutes to tell me its a bad idea and "we" should just stick with medication.
I told him I feel miserable and need SOMETHING to be done. He went on and on about how it may not work and "we" had so many problems with the cardio-version. In fact, we didn't. My blood pressure was low because of a medicine he put me on before the procedure. He didn't outright refuse, but said, "So I can't talk you out of it, I guess I'll have to do it."

I just emailed my cardiologist and asked if there is anyone else. She said yes, he might be harder to get into, but that's what we'll do.

I just hope I can live until he comes through.

Yeah I'd say a different surgeon would be appropriate. I hope it's taken care of soon.

Vacation is over. The cruise was great - Antarctica was amazing. Buenos Aires, on the other hand, sucked a$$! The bus tour of the city was OK, but getting off the ship and thru customs, then getting checked in at the airport - well it was a major suckfest. I'm not going to C&P, but if you care, there's a 2 mega-post summary in this week's MMP in other-board-land.

It's nice to be home, I guess. Except for the 6 loads of laundry I did today and the empty fridge that I'll need to refill tomorrow. Yep, I need a vacation after vacation.

Coming home from a cruise sucks. You wake up in the morning and wonder where breakfast is and who is going to find your shoes!

The weirdest thing for me is that for a couple of days after, I still feel like I'm on a rocking floor. Not a lot, but whether sitting or standing, I feel the gentle rolling of the sea!

What's even weirder - we lived aboard a sailboat for over a year, and that sense of motion never affected me, but if we go out boating for the day, when I get home, it feels like the house is rocking. Some might say I'm unbalanced...

what really sucks is not taking a cruise.

Took down the Christmas tree today. It was time, but the living looks less cheery now.

No way! The lights don't come down til after the superbowl.

I was in the bread aisle and saw a loaf of no-sugar wheat bread. Luckily I read the ingredients: manitol.

Did not buy it.

My ass is all stressed out, again!

But right now I’m heading to Whole Foods so I can grab some vegan protein bars and guzzle a smoothie. No desire to gobble down crinkled dive bar fries, or guzzle down cheap beer or off-brand soda. What’s gotten into me? A moment of clarity? Maturity? Heh.

#stresseating

Age. Your gut knows how pissed off your brain is gonna be after all that crap and it's taking over until shit calms down and your brain stops spinning.

Makes sense. And my gut is probably telling me if I have the palate of a 19 year old frat boy, I probably won’t get laid.

More minor vehicular drama.

Car runs great. Still leaks at both front windows. Local auto glass place says it's the windshield seal and they can replace it for $150. I bought some clear Permatex and slapped it on there and that's just going to have to be good enough for now.

Went to the Honda dealership to beg for a key that's just a key. They will not make me a key that's just a key unless the security system is disabled, and no, they will not disable it for me. A key that looks like just a key but is actually a Trojan Horse with electronics inside will cost me $200, but at least it won't have any goddamned buttons on it.

Windows updated yesterday and installed some ai assistant bullshit on my computer. It can only be disable via registry editing, which is doable for me but isn't something every user is comfortable with or even knows about.

Fuck off Microsoft.

My nephew had the honor of meeting the president last week. From what I heard 3rd hand through MIL, he didn't actually meet the guy in the sense that he got to talk to him, but the fire station Nephew volunteers for was the staging point for a visit that was in the news Friday. They had to clear everyone who would be there in advance, everyone had to be in uniform, they were coached on protocol, he got to chat up the Secret Service agents, etc.
Per MIL, he was very impressed by the whole goings on.

I put this in mini rants because none of my in-laws actually intend to VOTE for the guy they were so delighted for their town to host. :rolleyes:

I seem to have managed to do something to my sciatic nerve and now I have a literal pain in the ass that jabs me when I walk or, y'know, DO NORMAL STUFF. Bodies suck.

Why are there janitors in each restroom in this medical office building? Aren’t they supposed to tidy things before the office opens? I need to take a shit!

Maybe I’ll have more privacy over at Target…

Now I'm in the emergency room with what they're saying is a "neurological emergency" so hey, this is fun!

Hells fire Smartie!
I hope they are terribly wrong and you are terribly fine.
Or just terrible, like always!

From your lips to the universe's listening apparatus!

Oh gosh, that sounds scary as heck. I hope it turns out not so bad.

There seem to be a few details missing between "my ass hurts" and "oh hai, I'm in the ER". :harumph:

I hope your next message is "I'm home now and everything's just hunky-dory."

:hug:

My awesome neighbor came over and fed the critters so that's a relief. As for the escalation, Dr Google says call the doctor if, in addition to the blinding pain, there is numbness in the naughty bits and/or difficulty with peeing or pooping. So I called the Kaiser advice nurse and they said to get to the ER stat, which I did but the urgency seemed to end there. I'm not getting full bladder messages and it's difficult to get things to flow properly. I'm peeing like a hundred year old man with a prostate the size of a grapefruit. Apparently that's Not Good.

Haha, yeah, I take a daily pill for that. :science:

WTF, I wasn't aware of this ass to brain connection

damn! what Random said: hope you are home and fine ASAP :hug:

OK, so I passed my neuro check and I'm waiting to get an MRI now. They gave me a nice dose of Norco (on a completely empty stomach, wheeee!) and that's taking the edge off nicely. More hurry up and wait I guess!