Kiwibird's recent activity
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Comment on Seven days in the North Island of New Zealand in ~travel
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Comment on It's one of the world's toughest anti-smoking laws. The Māori see a major flaw. in ~health
Kiwibird Link ParentThat's a surprising opinion from my perspective. Do you feel we should assume vaping is safe until proven unsafe? I'm not a doctor or an expert in vaping (although I am an optometrist working...That's a surprising opinion from my perspective. Do you feel we should assume vaping is safe until proven unsafe?
I'm not a doctor or an expert in vaping (although I am an optometrist working first hand with people whose blindness has been caused by smoking), and I think you're right to say there's still a lot that we don't know yet. However, from a physical health point of view I think it's pretty clear that vaping is more harmful than not vaping. John's Hopkins Medicine has a good summary of the issues here: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
Having said that, people do all sorts of 'harmful' things for all sorts of reasons and I personally don't feel like government authorities necessarily can or should try to regulate all of these things out of existence. In fact one of my take-aways from the original article was that real change will only come about if a person wants to make a change. This is why a 'by Maori, for Maori' approach is needed in New Zealand rather than simply imposing harsher and harsher laws. Where I personally draw the line though is when children are being exposed to harm. This includes the harm from second hand smoke and the harm being done by the ability to easily access vaping products.
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Comment on It's one of the world's toughest anti-smoking laws. The Māori see a major flaw. in ~health
Kiwibird LinkUnfortunately this article mentions nothing at all about New Zealand's growing problem with vaping. According to Manatu Hauora's (Ministry of Health) own statistics the rate of vaping is rising...Unfortunately this article mentions nothing at all about New Zealand's growing problem with vaping. According to Manatu Hauora's (Ministry of Health) own statistics the rate of vaping is rising faster than the rate of cigarette smoking is declining. Anecdotally, vaping in schools is rampant. This seems to be supported by Manatu Hauora's findings that rates of daily vaping are highest amongst young people (aged 18-24). Furthermore, 18% of daily vapers have never smoked cigarettes.
Link to Manatu Hauora: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/smoking-status-daily-vapers-new-zealand-health-survey-2017-18-2021-22
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Comment on New users: Ask your questions about Tildes here! (v3) in ~tildes
Kiwibird LinkWhat is the feeling about commenting on very old posts? I was interested in a certain topic, but thought I'd look first for prior discussion. I found a post from a couple of years ago which was...What is the feeling about commenting on very old posts?
I was interested in a certain topic, but thought I'd look first for prior discussion. I found a post from a couple of years ago which was exactly what I was looking for, but I wasn't sure if I should ask a question on such an old post or whether it was better to start a new thread. In the end I did neither.
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Comment on Experiment - Are there any Tildes users in Europe, Asia or Australia/New Zealand who might be interested to meet for a meal or a drink? in ~travel
Kiwibird LinkHi, South Island of New Zealand here. I'd be happy to chat about travel in NZ and even consider a meet up, but I will say that it's a long way to travel for what's a relatively short stay!Hi, South Island of New Zealand here. I'd be happy to chat about travel in NZ and even consider a meet up, but I will say that it's a long way to travel for what's a relatively short stay!
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Comment on How do you get "back on track"? Could use advice. in ~health.mental
Kiwibird LinkI'll be fascinated to hear other's responses to this as I also struggle with similar issues. For me, I'm at a stage where I've come to accept the swings rather than keep trying to prevent them. I...I'll be fascinated to hear other's responses to this as I also struggle with similar issues. For me, I'm at a stage where I've come to accept the swings rather than keep trying to prevent them. I guess I'm old enough and been through so many that I've realised that I always come through them sooner or later.
The big things that have made all the difference for me are:
- A really understanding husband. It's been hard on him but we've come through some really tough times together stronger at the other side. When he sees me slipping he's able to give me space to let it pass.
- A flexible work situation. I take more sick leave than I'd like and frankly a normal employer wouldn't tolerate it. So I am self employed and give myself the time when I need it to rest and retreat from the world.
- A basic, non negotiable set of habits. Essentially this boils down to no matter how bad I'm feeling I always take my medication, have a shower and brush my teeth. After that, if I need to go back to bed that's fine.
- When I'm feeling good I am a much better house keeper than I ever used to be. Living in a clean and tidy home has reduced my tolerance for what could be described as squalor which I have lived in in the past. This has helped my mental health in general and also serves as an early warning system - if I come home and realised I didn't make the bed for example I watch myself for other signs of a dip and try to increase my self care - going for a walk outdoors, a massage, chocolate - but also increase my vigilance with my routines to not start slipping without being mindful of what's going on. That way I go through my low on my terms, knowing what's happening and knowing it will pass rather than trying to ignore it or 'soldier on' which never ends well for me.
So my advice, for what it's worth, is to try to be kind to yourself. You're not behind, you're just going on your journey.
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Comment on ‘Our ability to forsee the future and review the past predisposes us to mental illness’ in ~health.mental
Kiwibird LinkSounds like an innovative approach to obtain otherwise unreachable data. In my own field of interest there was a famous eye surgeon who obtained information regarding steroid penetration into the...Sounds like an innovative approach to obtain otherwise unreachable data. In my own field of interest there was a famous eye surgeon who obtained information regarding steroid penetration into the eye by sampling tissue exposed during medically necessary cataract surgery. It really changed our understanding of the pharmacokinetics of the eye with minimal additional risk to the patients. Here's hoping this research might lead to similar breakthroughs!
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Comment on Vegans of Tildes, what are your favourite sources of protein? in ~food
Kiwibird (edited )Link ParentI've been "vegan curious" for a while now, but decided to forego all animal products about a week ago. Protein really doesn't seem to be an issue from what I can see. I've been using nutritional...I've been "vegan curious" for a while now, but decided to forego all animal products about a week ago. Protein really doesn't seem to be an issue from what I can see. I've been using nutritional yeast which seems to tick off the B12 box, fortified plant milk for calcium, plus a very light (designed for children) chewable bone health supplement with vit D, calcium and a few other minerals. I'll watch my iron carefully but it seems like I should be getting enough from food, especially combined with foods high in vit C to aid absorption.
The biggest problem I have now is omega-3 fatty acids. From what I can tell, plant sources that are rich in omega-3s seem to really only contain ALA, which the body isn't great at converting to EPA and DHA (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-plant-sources-of-omega-3s). The obvious answer is to take an algal oil supplement, but I doubt my children will be agreeable. I'm still reading and researching, but at this point in time I do suspect we'll start including some fish back into our diet.
Edit: it was watching The Game Changers that convinced me to take the plunge with a plant based diet https://gamechangersmovie.com/
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Comment on Lauren Dickason trial: Jury finds New Zealand mum guilty of murdering her three children in majority verdict in ~health.mental
Kiwibird Link ParentThank you, that really sums up how I'm feeling about it. Lauren was a GP in South Africa and she was self-prescribing antidepressants (which is apparently legal in SA). The five experts who...Thank you, that really sums up how I'm feeling about it. Lauren was a GP in South Africa and she was self-prescribing antidepressants (which is apparently legal in SA). The five experts who testified in the case all agreed that her treatment in SA was sub-optimal. Worse than that, as the family prepared to emigrate to NZ Lauren stopped her medication because she thought that might be more favourable in the eyes of NZ immigration officials. This is what has lead to the disagreement between experts about whether her PPD had remitted or not and therefore whether infanticide applied or not.
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Comment on Lauren Dickason trial: Jury finds New Zealand mum guilty of murdering her three children in majority verdict in ~health.mental
Kiwibird (edited )Link ParentGreat question. I'm very much hoping for some insight/perspective about post-partum depression and mental health as it relates to criminal culpability, which is why I posted to ~mental.heath...Great question. I'm very much hoping for some insight/perspective about post-partum depression and mental health as it relates to criminal culpability, which is why I posted to ~mental.heath rather than ~news.
However, I fully acknowledge that I have been probably overly obsessed with this particular case, likely to the detriment of my own mental health to a certain degree. These issues are very personal to me and this event has happened in my own community and involves people I know in a peripheral way. Because of the nature of what happened, it's such a touchy subject amongst my friends and acquaintances, everyone seems to have very strong opinions. I suppose I hoped the relative anonymity of the internet might help me debrief now that the trial has ended.
Edit to say: I originally titled the post "Has anyone been following the Dickason case in NZ?" but it was edited by someone and my tag "sensitive content, trigger warning" was removed. This was my first post on Tildes so I'm clearly still finding my way around here. I was hoping to connect with people who were already familiar with the case, rather than trying to amplify or sensationalise the reporting of it for general consumption.
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Comment on Lauren Dickason trial: Jury finds New Zealand mum guilty of murdering her three children in majority verdict in ~health.mental
Kiwibird LinkLauren Dickason has today been found guilty of murdering her three young children. It's been a devastating case for all involved. The defence centred around Lauren's mental state at the time of...Lauren Dickason has today been found guilty of murdering her three young children. It's been a devastating case for all involved. The defence centred around Lauren's mental state at the time of the killings, claiming either that she was not culpable of the killings due to insanity or a partial defence of diminished responsibility due to infanticide. A good summary of infanticide in NZ law is given here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/494902/what-does-infanticide-mean-in-nz-law-and-what-must-the-jury-decide-in-lauren-dickason-s-trial#:~:text=Infanticide%20has%20a%20legalistic%20meaning,have%20been%20murder%20or%20manslaughter.
I've been following the case very closely these last four weeks, and I was honestly surprised by the verdict. It seemed to me exactly the type of case for which infanticide was made for. All the experts agreed that Lauren was extremely mentally unwell at the time of the killings, but they varied in their opinion as to how much of her condition could be attributed to post-partum depression. The crucial evidence in my mind was when one of the two crown experts admitted in cross examination that he couldn't be certain that Lauren's post-partum depression had remitted.
Having been so wrapped up in the coverage of the case I was wondering if anyone else here had been following it and had any thoughts to share. The comments on Reddit were just the type of cesspool I've come to expect from there so I don't know why I even bothered to look but having personally suffered major depressive disorder and post-partum depression I have probably been more invested in the trial coverage than I should have been and I am curious about others thoughts on it all.
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Lauren Dickason trial: Jury finds New Zealand mum guilty of murdering her three children in majority verdict
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Comment on What is some life advice that has stuck with you throughout the years? in ~life
Kiwibird LinkFirst you make your habits, then your habits make you It's a variation of you are what you repeatedly do and has helped me to identify and address some seemingly innocuous but actually quite...First you make your habits, then your habits make you
It's a variation of you are what you repeatedly do and has helped me to identify and address some seemingly innocuous but actually quite unhelpful behaviours. I also find that purposefully building a foundation of simple routines and habits helps me get through the difficult days on autopilot so that when I emerge from the low again I haven't slipped so far backwards as I once did.
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Comment on Advice on contact lenses causing red eyes in ~health
Kiwibird LinkA few other thoughts just to add to the great comments you've already had: Some optometrists have more experience with contact lenses than others. Especially if you are seeing quite a young...A few other thoughts just to add to the great comments you've already had:
- Some optometrists have more experience with contact lenses than others. Especially if you are seeing quite a young optometrist it could be worth asking (nicely) if there is a more senior optometrist who could have a look at your case and make some suggestions. Failing that, have a look round to see if there are any other practices in your area that position themselves as 'contact lens specialists'
- Sometimes the problem isn't actually the lens itself but the solution you're using. The big clue for this is stinging on insertion of the lens. If the redness happens more at the end of the day it's more likely to be a dry eye problem.
- Some people (including me) just can't tolerate contacts no matter what you do. In this case it's worth considering laser vision correction. It seems like a big cost up front but if you add up 10 years worth of contact lenses or spectacles it's really not that bad.
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Comment on I'm finally biting the bullet and investing in laser eye surgery, anything I should know? in ~health
Kiwibird LinkHi, I'm an optometrist in New Zealand. You've already had lots of interesting comments to your post already, but I thought I'd add my two cents anyway.... In my experience nearly everyone who has...Hi, I'm an optometrist in New Zealand. You've already had lots of interesting comments to your post already, but I thought I'd add my two cents anyway.... In my experience nearly everyone who has vision corrective surgery is glad they had it. I can only think of two exceptions. One travelled overseas for cheap LASIK, subsequently had problems and it was a major drama to sort out. The other was also LASIK, had his surgery done by a reputable local ophthalmologist but ended up with severe chronic dry eye problems afterwards, to the point that he was reliant on lubricant drops every hour and it made him pretty miserable. PRK should have a lower risk of that type of adverse effect because it treats the more superficial part of the cornea and therefore doesn't disrupt as many of the corneal nerves.
In short, go for it!
As others have mentioned, be fastidious in following your post-op care instructions and I'm confident you will have a great experience (although be aware of the very small, but non-zero chance that something could go wrong). Best of luck :)
Check out Waitomo Caves. I took my Mother in law there when she visited from England and it was definitely a highlight (we started with a family visit in the Bay of Islands and worked our way south to Wellington over about two weeks).
Edit to mention the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, which I went to on a separate trip. Probably too far out of the way for your visit this time, but quite a unique gallery by New Zealand standards. The Hundertwasser Centre in Whangarei is also Amazing, but again probably not for this trip.
Also, you probably already know that New Zealand doesn't have a tipping culture, and we're hoping not to start it please :)
Another edit about road safety. My English In-laws pointed out a quirk that kiwis tend to discuss road distance in hours of travel rather than miles (so from my home town the distance to Christchurch is 2 hours). It's just something to consider when you're planning your route as the distances may seem small compared to the US but the actual travel time might be longer than you expect for the miles travelled due to 'slow' roads.