Yes I still Smoke Cigarettes and I am addicted to the smoking habit - support and chat thread.

[ShariR]

I can usually get the cable company to credit me with a day or two of charges and fees if I feel like arguing with them for an hour. For a while there, I was doing that every month because we have a two year contract where the price is supposed to be frozen, and so every month it went up $5 or so, so I called the cable co. and argued, then talked sweet, and they did finally credit me so that I will not have an increase until the end of the year. It does not matter if it was their fault or not you had no access. You did not get the service. It is more a matter of time you want to spend for $5. May not be worth it. I don't work so I have the time, and if I am in the right mood, game on.

My clothes get folded right from the dryer, but I have a laundry room. I do what you do with the dishes though. I won't go to bed unless they are done. Except for a pan that has to soak. We have a dishwasher, but with just the two of us, we do not use it often. I have to remember to use it once a month so the gaskets don't dry up. I use it on holidays too.

Tonight is an off topic type of night. I am so happy that so many of you have checked in and helped me celebrate my 30 days. I can't believe how many friends I have made in such a short time. And how I care about each of you. I wish we could meet in real life. Maybe someday.

I'm so sorry I wasn't here for the party!! Shari, you know I super super really love you and I'm SO glad for you!! Hoist another White Russian while you're at it!!

The internet has been wonky for months now, they are turning the 2 lane road I live off of into a 4 lane road with median {5 lane road?} and they keep digging up or running over very important phone company stuff, that causes our internet to go bye-bye for multiple trips daily. Grrr. Of course I still have to pay for the entire month. . .Anyway, it was me and the girls having withdrawals from the internet tonight!

Got next to nothing done today, so yesterday's mission accomplished one day late! The laundry is all over my bed, which is why I'm not lying in it right now. That's my stupid rule, and I should do away with it immediately. Can't sleep with clean laundry, so that's how I force myself to put laundry away before bed. Otherwise it would be in a basket wrinkled into next year, because that is my least favorite part of the job. Actually I have always been resistant to doing laundry, until one day my mother asked me why I hated it so much, since I didn't have to carry it down to the river and beat it on a rock. A light bulb went off in my head, and I quit hating it so much. Still not loving the putting away portion of the evening.

Wow, I can really talk a lot about inane stuff that's totally off topic. Oh, well, you guys will love me anyway, right?

Well, goodnight dear friends, I'll visit from chaos land {aka work} tomorrow. Hope you all have a fantastic night!

 

[aikanae1]

Sorry about that. I did not mean to get you all riled up again and make you smoke. It sounds like you fell in a black hole, medical and insurance wise. I know a little how that works.

Just about all lawyers will not touch you or your situation with a ten foot pole. And if you find one that will, you will probably have to pony up at least $5-$10 thousand dollars up front and then pay $3-$5k per deposition, if they have drs that will testify. I know, I used to work for several attorneys for over 10 years. And forget the insurance companies. All they are looking for is to avoid paying out if they can. And one doctor will not testify against another. And so it goes down the line.

Obamacare is not going to help. Since I have no income, I will not be eligible for any "subsidy" that will help pay a premium. The truly poor and unable to work but not qualify for Social Security Disability, are left without any care or options. A second black hole.

I truly feel for you and understand more than you know. They say you can fight city hall but is it worth it? It will take every dime and every last ounce of strength you have. I wish you well. I don't have an answer for you. I wish I did. Hel_, I wish I had an answer for me. I have come up with a couple of ideas, but I can't post them.

I do have one suggestion. Request a copy of your medical record after each and every visit. Then you will have them. But the insurance companies, lawyers and govt are getting smart - they will not accept medical records you hand them, they want them from the facility. But at least you will have you copies of all, including xrays and MRIs so you will know dates, etc., and when requested it will be hard for everyone to lose your records since they keep sending you to a new dr every time. That in itself is evidence of a sort and may spur an attorney to do something down the road.

Your problem isn't Obamacare, it's Tennesse. It's pretty well known that TN has got the worst Medicaid system in the nation, exempt from every federal regulation imaginable including medical standards. It's right on the bottom with Mississippi, Oklahoma and other states that prob. need it the worst. Obamacare left it up to the states and for the poor, that's a disaster. Federal standards are much better. SSI, SSD, Medicaid, Medicare are things I've got some experience and success with. Of course not in your state, as far as Medicaid goes - but the rest are federal and enforceable. I'm on SSD now. It's better than nothing. I have a hunch you'd be working if you could, so you prob qualify with a work history, you paid the taxes. Anyway, this can get complex. PM if you want to talk because for all I know this could be something you've already exhausted to the max.

 

[ShariR]

That's what I do; the over thinking and I can't do this until I do that circle. You can do that for years, believe me, I have. You just have to pick one thing to do and do it.

The gluten free path is a difficult and expensive one. If you do not have pretty obvious symptoms, ie the IBS or colitis type symptoms, I would not look to go that path first. I did the Atkins when I was younger and it did wonders for me. It does not work for me now since I am diabetic and on too many different meds. The feeling better part works, but the big weight loss part doesn't. You don't have to go full on. Just try to eliminate white foods, especially sugar and refined flour. And pasta, rice, potatoes and any processed food. Even if carbs are not the problem, you will feel better and probably lose some weight. It is the cheapest and easiest thing you can do on your own and will not hurt you. You may experience a withdrawal from the carbs and sugar, kind of like a withdrawal from caffeine, but it passes.

Allergies seem to be the pits. I do not suffer from them but I read a lot of posts from other vapers that seem to have a lot of problems with them. I am lucky to only be allergic to sulfa drugs. It does not affect my daily life. You should make that appointment with the Forks Over Knives dr. Maybe that will give you some info and the kick in the pants to try some new approach that may make the difference.

No. I don't understand gluten free at all. One of the reasons I haven't considered it is because I haven't wanted to add anything to what I already know needs treatment. Does that make sense? Until I can get treated for what I already know is going on, why do I want to complicate it more? I already know I have a ton of systemic food allergies that I'm fighting to get treatment for - like allergy shots which I had 30 years ago and worked. But they wear off.

I've met the person who wrote Forks Over Knives and considered making an appt with her (she offered a free appt) and just haven't made it a priority. I wanted to stop smoking first since smoking usually derails appts with nutrionists. I wanted to do what I could so I didn't need to start with what I already knew I should be doing. Maybe that's a catch 22. My brain does that circular logic thing and I miss what's right in front of my face.

 

[GtrSoloist]

I've got several pv's that tell me what the resistance is of whatever I'm using. Is there a reason not to trust them?
I do have several meters due to electrical 'funkiness' in my house that were left behind by my brother. I guess it would be good to know how to use them, I'm not sure I want to know enough to give up my blonde moments when it comes to electrical overall. It's a cop out, I know and I own it.

​

I just replaced a dead one with one from fasttech that is completely in asian characters. LOL I like to RTFM but it's kind of difficult in this case as I don't want to learn another language.

Is it dangerous to fire a self-built coil on a PV that measures resistance? Maybe... see below.

You have to fire the pv to see it tho. Then it's too late

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as long as the PV has short-protection you should be able to fire a new coil on it safely to check resistance. Right?

 

[ShariR]

Alisa, that is very interesting. I was not aware of that. It seems that autoimmune issues are more common than thought and less likely to be diagnosed by doctors today. Sometimes I wonder what we are paying these doctors for. If they can't diagnose it and write an RX for it in 4 minutes, you are in trouble.

I am glad you mom is doing better. It is next to impossible to find a doctor today that will sit down with you and go over your medical history and symptoms at your visit. And actually address your issues. Modern medicine has turned into writing RXs and referring you to a specialist, who wants to do expensive tests and refer you to another specialist. In a circle. What happened to a dr that diagnoses you and treats you?

My only thought on that was that it seems that in a lot of cases, malabsorption issues often have to do with wheat/gluten problems, and that a lot of physical problems are attributed to other things because gluten sensitivity is so unrecognized. My mom had gotten to the point where the ONLY thing she was able to eat without causing some kind of problem was beans. Literally, she could...not...eat...anything...else.

She also has Lyme disease, and had been pumped full of antibiotics long-term as part of a treatment for Lyme. So she was herxing and hypo, and the naturopath she's seeing now, she went to because the Dr is a Lyme specialist. She suggested that perhaps mom's trouble was not actually the Lyme, but the auto-immune disorders. Mom went on a gluten free diet, adjusted her thyroid meds, and lo and behold is doing great. All auto-immune disorders (including allergies) are connected, and the natorupath suggested the diet not so much because my mom has gluten issues, but as a way to give her immune system a break and a "reset" of sorts.

You might check into the anti-inflammatory diet. It's not a lifelong diet, just one that helps reset and repair your body's own immune response.

Anti-inflammatory Diet & Foods: Health Benefits

 

[aikanae1]

My only thought on that was that it seems that in a lot of cases, malabsorption issues often have to do with wheat/gluten problems, and that a lot of physical problems are attributed to other things because gluten sensitivity is so unrecognized. My mom had gotten to the point where the ONLY thing she was able to eat without causing some kind of problem was beans. Literally, she could...not...eat...anything...else.

She also has Lyme disease, and had been pumped full of antibiotics long-term as part of a treatment for Lyme. So she was herxing and hypo, and the naturopath she's seeing now, she went to because the Dr is a Lyme specialist. She suggested that perhaps mom's trouble was not actually the Lyme, but the auto-immune disorders. Mom went on a gluten free diet, adjusted her thyroid meds, and lo and behold is doing great. All auto-immune disorders (including allergies) are connected, and the natorupath suggested the diet not so much because my mom has gluten issues, but as a way to give her immune system a break and a "reset" of sorts.

You might check into the anti-inflammatory diet. It's not a lifelong diet, just one that helps reset and repair your body's own immune response.

Anti-inflammatory Diet & Foods: Health Benefits

I will. Wheat is definatley on the allergy list. So are beans. I've been screened for auto immune disorders, specifically SE Lupus and so far, I don't fit (happily). I have a real mental block when it comes to admitting I'm sick. It's been a problem.

​

 

[alisa1970]

Alisa, that is very interesting. I was not aware of that. It seems that autoimmune issues are more common than thought and less likely to be diagnosed by doctors today. Sometimes I wonder what we are paying these doctors for. If they can't diagnose it and write an RX for it in 4 minutes, you are in trouble.

I am glad you mom is doing better. It is next to impossible to find a doctor today that will sit down with you and go over your medical history and symptoms at your visit. And actually address your issues. Modern medicine has turned into writing RXs and referring you to a specialist, who wants to do expensive tests and refer you to another specialist. In a circle. What happened to a dr that diagnoses you and treats you?

I agree with that, generally. Unfortunately, doctors are trained drug dealers for the most part (IMHO). Many have the right intentions, but the training is really about treating and alleviating symptoms, not fixing the problems. A lot of people are OK with that approach--I had a boss who would pick up literally 2 one-gallon bags of prescriptions a month. Her list of maladies is nearly endless, and gets worse each year. Sometimes when I go to see her where I used to work, she can barely keep her eyes open. That's no way to live, but so many people don't trust DO's or ND's because they're not MD's. If it's not a chemical or synthetic Rx, then it can't work.

 

[alisa1970]

I will. Wheat is definatley on the allergy list. So are beans. I've been screened for auto immune disorders, specifically SE Lupus and so far, I don't fit (happily). I have a real mental block when it comes to admitting I'm sick. It's been a problem.

​

No one really likes to admit that. But if wheat is an allergen for you, it may explain a lot more...seriously, give it a go if you can--you might find that you feel a whole lot better, and your body can spend more time healing what needs healing instead of chasing the wrong things...I'll be praying for you.

7-Day Gluten-Free Meal Plan | Eating Well

 

[aikanae1]

Alisa, that is very interesting. I was not aware of that. It seems that autoimmune issues are more common than thought and less likely to be diagnosed by doctors today. Sometimes I wonder what we are paying these doctors for. If they can't diagnose it and write an RX for it in 4 minutes, you are in trouble.

I am glad you mom is doing better. It is next to impossible to find a doctor today that will sit down with you and go over your medical history and symptoms at your visit. And actually address your issues. Modern medicine has turned into writing RXs and referring you to a specialist, who wants to do expensive tests and refer you to another specialist. In a circle. What happened to a dr that diagnoses you and treats you?

If you stop and think about it, all medicine does anymore is treat for symptom relief. Why you have the symptoms, at least in my experience, is rarely addressed. How many times do they ask "why" this or that is happening?

I have asked for medical records as I leave - and the response is defensive. That's kind of revealing. I have to stand and argue, fill out a ton of paperwork, then another stall when they'll be ready plus I have to go in, they won't mail them and they charge for them. I can't just say "for my records". I have to have a reason. A lot of that is because they aren't creating medical records and now they have to, post-appointment. This is why I have to get re-diagnosed every time I go in.

​

 

[GtrSoloist]

The not getting up is a bad thing, I am sorry for that. The Kindle sounds neat. My new laptop is not operating like it is new. It is not as good as my old clunky one. Seems to freeze up more and be more tempermental. They don't make stuff like they used to. This better no be a throw-away because I have had it less than a year. I have been getting a good 7 or 8 years out of my computers.

It's getting time for me to build a new desktop. The typical computer is only designed to last 3-5 years before it becomes obsolete. I've been able to squeeze a few extra years out of mine by not skimping on the video card, cpu and memory.

Alisa, that is very interesting. I was not aware of that. It seems that autoimmune issues are more common than thought and less likely to be diagnosed by doctors today. Sometimes I wonder what we are paying these doctors for. If they can't diagnose it and write an RX for it in 4 minutes, you are in trouble.

I am glad you mom is doing better. It is next to impossible to find a doctor today that will sit down with you and go over your medical history and symptoms at your visit. And actually address your issues. Modern medicine has turned into writing RXs and referring you to a specialist, who wants to do expensive tests and refer you to another specialist. In a circle. What happened to a dr that diagnoses you and treats you?

I can relate to the medical issues and insurance problems only too well. Medicine should not be a for profit industry. It's disgusting that it is. I get really bothered by congress and politicians (on both sides of the fence) claiming to be Christian and claiming to have our best interests in mind; all the while taking money from PAC's and lobbyists ensuring that greed trumps basic human decency.

It should be criminal for insurance companies to prey on the sick. I don't understand why people keep electing officials who time and again work against their best interests.

 

[alisa1970]

It's getting time for me to build a new desktop. The typical computer is only designed to last 3-5 years before it becomes obsolete. I've been able to squeeze a few extra years out of mine by not skimping on the video card, cpu and memory.



I can relate to the medical issues and insurance problems only too well. Medicine should not be a for profit industry. It's disgusting that it is. I get really bothered by congress and politicians (on both sides of the fence) claiming to be Christian and claiming to have our best interests in mind; all the while taking money from PAC's and lobbyists ensuring that greed trumps basic human decency.

It should be criminal for insurance companies to prey on the sick. I don't understand why people keep electing officials who time and again work against their best interests.

A while back, I briefly expressed my opinion on "health insurance". Quite frankly, prior to HMO's becoming the new standard, health care was affordable, doctors could still make a good living, and their patients were treated like people, not cattle. I don't fault the doctors, it's the system that created this mess. Trying to "fix" a system that is flawed from the get go and creating a bigger monster (Obamacare) isn't the answer, in my opinion. But in the name of "progress" that's what will happen.

 

[aikanae1]

I agree with that, generally. Unfortunately, doctors are trained drug dealers for the most part (IMHO). Many have the right intentions, but the training is really about treating and alleviating symptoms, not fixing the problems. A lot of people are OK with that approach--I had a boss who would pick up literally 2 one-gallon bags of prescriptions a month. Her list of maladies is nearly endless, and gets worse each year. Sometimes when I go to see her where I used to work, she can barely keep her eyes open. That's no way to live, but so many people don't trust DO's or ND's because they're not MD's. If it's not a chemical or synthetic Rx, then it can't work.

I think that's what's wrong with food allergies is that it's not treatable with a Rx - so it's off their radar and deemed "not treatable". I betcha if I look at the history, treatment went out of vogue because a slew of industry (pharma) demonized treating it because they weren't able to find a pharmacetical solution. The same goes for anything without a Rx treatment.

I have already eliminated carbs as far as refined flour, sugar, potatoes, pasta (addicted too), starches just out of whatever. It hits my blood sugar. I discovered that in my 20's. An orange julius makes me a stumbling, giddy drunk. I was probably a good canidate for diabetes and so far, I've avoided it. That was my wake up call on nutrition. My brother has diabetes, along with a couple of other family members. My brother was started on Rx immediatley. No nutrition counseling. That about drove me nuts to keep my mouth shut.

​

 

[aikanae1]

A while back, I briefly expressed my opinion on "health insurance". Quite frankly, prior to HMO's becoming the new standard, health care was affordable, doctors could still make a good living, and their patients were treated like people, not cattle. I don't fault the doctors, it's the system that created this mess. Trying to "fix" a system that is flawed from the get go and creating a bigger monster (Obamacare) isn't the answer, in my opinion. But in the name of "progress" that's what will happen.

Insurance was considered 'too big to fail' so it was the only option on the table. That or nothing. I don't think anyone wanted to see insurance getting even bigger, and Obama voiced preference for single payer (medicare for all) but believed in the process - Congress to make the laws. Romneycare is working in Massachusetts, which is the prototype. I tend to agree that doing nothing wasn't an option. There are some patient protections rolled into it that are good, like making sure 80% is spent on healthcare vs. operating like hedge funds. Don't get me wrong, it's far from perfect but it's the result of corporate influence more than anything or anyone else.

 

[alisa1970]

I think that's what's wrong with food allergies is that it's not treatable with a Rx - so it's off their radar and deemed "not treatable". I betcha if I look at the history, treatment went out of vogue because a slew of industry (pharma) demonized treating it because they weren't able to find a pharmacetical solution. The same goes for anything without a Rx treatment.

I have already eliminated carbs as far as refined flour, sugar, potatoes, pasta (addicted too), starches just out of whatever. It hits my blood sugar. I discovered that in my 20's. An orange julius makes me a stumbling, giddy drunk. I was probably a good canidate for diabetes and so far, I've avoided it. That was my wake up call on nutrition. My brother has diabetes, along with a couple of other family members. My brother was started on Rx immediatley. No nutrition counseling. That about drove me nuts to keep my mouth shut.

​

Yep, I have some friends who have health issues like high cholesterol and HBP, and they've changed their diets but are also on drugs, which I guess is better than nothing, although I know that statin drugs will kill you quicker than high cholesterol will--and they think that low carb eating isn't a solution, but a liver killing pill is. What can you do??

Granted, I'm the worst when it comes to healthy eating...I do it more than many but I'm not consistent with it. When I am, I feel great. If you can substitute your wheat breads and oats with something else (or nothing), you might feel better too. I think a wheat-gluten free diet would be easier than a low carb one, actually.

Here's a nice chart of what's OK and what's not:

Wheat Allergy Diet

 

[alisa1970]

Insurance was considered 'too big to fail' so it was the only option on the table. That or nothing. I don't think anyone wanted to see insurance getting even bigger, and Obama voiced preference for single payer (medicare for all) but believed in the process - Congress to make the laws. Romneycare is working in Massachusetts, which is the prototype. I tend to agree that doing nothing wasn't an option. There are some patient protections rolled into it that are good, like making sure 80% is spent on healthcare vs. operating like hedge funds. Don't get me wrong, it's far from perfect but it's the result of corporate influence more than anything or anyone else.

This is where we split on the issue. I see national medicare no differently than I see HMO's...except that it's even more removed from the patient than even HMO's. The whole birth of health insurance as we know it now came about before most of us were even alive. If employers weren't given incentives to avoid paying workers more by providing health care, I think we would not be in the situation we are in now. I don't believe the government has any business making any "laws" about health care.

No matter what happens, I think that the health care industry in America will soon look like those in 2nd world countries, and that is truly a shame because we, the patients/people, will be hurt the worst by it.

 

[daleron]

Good news! 2 cigs today (so far)
Bad news - respitory infection is back. I see a doctor tomorrow (again).

I'm so sorry Aik, I hope it doesn't turn into something serious

Wow, I can really talk a lot about inane stuff that's totally off topic. Oh, well, you guys will love me anyway, right?

Well, goodnight dear friends, I'll visit from chaos land {aka work} tomorrow. Hope you all have a fantastic night!

Yes ma'am, we do indeed

Oh pleeeeaaaase. What was the "topic"? I do the same stuff. Laundry goes to couch = clean bed and sleep. Dirty laundry = excuse to go shopping, what else? Dishes. Ugh. That's my achilles heel. Disposables. Problem solved. Life is too short for housework anyway.

Exactly!

It's getting time for me to build a new desktop. The typical computer is only designed to last 3-5 years before it becomes obsolete. I've been able to squeeze a few extra years out of mine by not skimping on the video card, cpu and memory.
.

 

[ShariR]

Doctors have been creating their medical records "post appointment" for many years now. They make notations that transcripitionists type up after the fact. These can be oral notes of stuff jotted down on a piece of paper in your chart. Now with everything going on computer, they are punching in cpt codes and codes for all kinds of stuff, no hand written notes. You are charged for a copy of your medical records by law. State law determines how much per page the doctor's office or facility can charge you for a copy of your records. You can not, by law, be denied a copy of your medical records, you just have to pay for them. This is true in every state. The main exception is when they are old records. There are also laws that define how long a facility has to retain records. Each doctor's office has it's own timeframe, always under the statute. The other factor is time. It used to be that if they had to go off site to obtain records it took longer. Now with the computer records they are as likely to hand you a DVD in a format you can not read. I got a couple of MRIs on DVD that I could not look at because they failed to download the proper software to read the data.

Also, the former doctor is supposed to forward your records to you new doctor. It may take a written request, but they have to do that legally, for no charge to you. Or supply your new doctor with the names of the doctors you have seen and they can get the records from him. That usually works because drs will play better with each other. I would tend to cancel an appt and refuse to pay if the drs office failed to get my prior medical records, although that depends greatly on the situation.

If you stop and think about it, all medicine does anymore is treat for symptom relief. Why you have the symptoms, at least in my experience, is rarely addressed. How many times do they ask "why" this or that is happening?

I have asked for medical records as I leave - and the response is defensive. That's kind of revealing. I have to stand and argue, fill out a ton of paperwork, then another stall when they'll be ready plus I have to go in, they won't mail them and they charge for them. I can't just say "for my records". I have to have a reason. A lot of that is because they aren't creating medical records and now they have to, post-appointment. This is why I have to get re-diagnosed every time I go in.

​

 

[QueenVictoria]

Wow. I go to work for a 6 hour shift and I miss a party and 3 pages of chit chat. Good job on the 30 days Shari. That is really great. I didn't smoke today so that makes 2 days for me. I went 9 months in 2010 but then I fell off the wagon. Ah well, water under the bridge. I'm back and that's what counts.

 

[ShariR]

Because they want to elect the guy they know or the good looking guy (gal) that spits out what they want to hear. It is a joke. This is another "don't get me started" topic. I do not like either party - they are all crooks. I should have been a politician for 2 terms - I would be set for life. I just could never lie with a straight face.

It's getting time for me to build a new desktop. The typical computer is only designed to last 3-5 years before it becomes obsolete. I've been able to squeeze a few extra years out of mine by not skimping on the video card, cpu and memory.



I can relate to the medical issues and insurance problems only too well. Medicine should not be a for profit industry. It's disgusting that it is. I get really bothered by congress and politicians (on both sides of the fence) claiming to be Christian and claiming to have our best interests in mind; all the while taking money from PAC's and lobbyists ensuring that greed trumps basic human decency.

It should be criminal for insurance companies to prey on the sick. I don't understand why people keep electing officials who time and again work against their best interests.

 

[ShariR]

That's what they did with me. Here's your Rx, here's your meter, test 2x a day. You have diabetes. Come back in 30 days. There is a big poster on the doctors exam room door. If you are diabetic have the dr check your feet. Not once in 5 years did my doctor ask to look at my feet.

I think that's what's wrong with food allergies is that it's not treatable with a Rx - so it's off their radar and deemed "not treatable". I betcha if I look at the history, treatment went out of vogue because a slew of industry (pharma) demonized treating it because they weren't able to find a pharmacetical solution. The same goes for anything without a Rx treatment.

I have already eliminated carbs as far as refined flour, sugar, potatoes, pasta (addicted too), starches just out of whatever. It hits my blood sugar. I discovered that in my 20's. An orange julius makes me a stumbling, giddy drunk. I was probably a good canidate for diabetes and so far, I've avoided it. That was my wake up call on nutrition. My brother has diabetes, along with a couple of other family members. My brother was started on Rx immediatley. No nutrition counseling. That about drove me nuts to keep my mouth shut.

​