kuzbr's recent activity
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Comment on Tumor in ~health
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Comment on Tumor in ~health
kuzbr Link ParentThank you fnulare. It is certainly the best thing that has ever happened in my life, to get that surgery. I could never receive a better gift. It makes me so grateful for modern medicine in a way...Thank you fnulare. It is certainly the best thing that has ever happened in my life, to get that surgery. I could never receive a better gift. It makes me so grateful for modern medicine in a way that I was not before. I mean I was always grateful, but damn, it is incredible what is possible, and how complex it all is. Just incredible.
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Comment on For those who deal with hypoglycemia, do you have any advice for dealing with fatigue after a bad low? in ~health
kuzbr Link Parentoh sorry. You're correct, that would be ideal. I will delete the comment and post it there. Thank you.oh sorry. You're correct, that would be ideal. I will delete the comment and post it there. Thank you.
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Comment on Tumor in ~health
kuzbr (edited )Link ParentI think what really changed me was just the constant looming threat* of death. I live alone, so if I were to pass out in sleep, that would just be the end. No one would have known I was dead for...I think what really changed me was just the constant looming threat* of death. I live alone, so if I were to pass out in sleep, that would just be the end. No one would have known I was dead for weeks. So many nights I'd eat and eat, and blood sugar would still not even be at 55 mg/dl before sleep. Blood sugar under 50 or so is when neuroglycopenia would set in, and my cognitive skills would greatly decline. I just couldn't think correctly, no matter how I tried. It was such a miserable life. If it didn't kill me, I was going to kill myself. I feel so grateful for whatever days I have now free of that misery. But just wondering if you will die in the night is so shattering in a way. Maybe in a good way, I don't know.
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Comment on For those who deal with hypoglycemia, do you have any advice for dealing with fatigue after a bad low? in ~health
kuzbr Link ParentThis thread is very old, but I am updating in case anyone else ever stumbles on this who might be dealing with a similar situation. it turned out I had an insulinoma on the head of my pancreas. It...This thread is very old, but I am updating in case anyone else ever stumbles on this who might be dealing with a similar situation. it turned out I had an insulinoma on the head of my pancreas. It took so long to identify because my ketones were always chronically elevated during fasting hypoglycemia labs, and serum insulin was not elevated. My endocrinologist finally noticed a pattern, that when my blood sugar was below 40 mg/dl on labs, ketones were in the normal range, and insulin was slightly higher, so he ordered a PET-CT. I had surgery in January and I no longer have hypoglycemia.
It's just crazy because insulinoma is always the first thing on the differential for a non-diabetic with fasting hypoglycemia, and it's the one thing that wasn't tested for years due to the bloodwork being atypical. I don't wish the situation on anyone, and I feel genuinely lucky that I am still alive, as I had so many close calls.
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Comment on Songs or albums to push headphones or speakers to their limit in ~music
kuzbr LinkOff topic but while I respect this, a gentle reminder not to do this with speakers if you have neighbors. I'm currently dealing with this issue with my neighbors, and it makes my life hell and...Off topic but while I respect this, a gentle reminder not to do this with speakers if you have neighbors. I'm currently dealing with this issue with my neighbors, and it makes my life hell and further screws my quality of life. I think not everyone puts thought into it, so wanted to put this out there..
Good luck in your quest, I hope you find the enjoyment you are looking for.
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Comment on What is your preferred VPN? in ~comp
kuzbr (edited )Link Parentoh wow, I had no clue! But now that I think about it - it makes perfect sense! Luckily, I have nothing to fear as I used it to visit the same couple very boring sites. Regardless, it's just gross...oh wow, I had no clue! But now that I think about it - it makes perfect sense! Luckily, I have nothing to fear as I used it to visit the same couple very boring sites. Regardless, it's just gross if they collect this data and sell it, and I don't want that.. I'm slightly embarrassed by my ignorance here, because this seems obvious and I just never thought about it. EDIT: Looked it up and yes, UrbanVPN both shares and sells your data :(
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentHey thanks. Even if it varies depending on the temp, it's very useful to know your experience with this. I'll experiment this winter. If anything, it's a good practice in patience..Hey thanks. Even if it varies depending on the temp, it's very useful to know your experience with this. I'll experiment this winter. If anything, it's a good practice in patience..
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentWow, never would have guessed that salt helped the bread rise! I'd assumed it was purely for flavor. Good to know; I will try leaving it out of the dough that I don't care about rising (like dough...Wow, never would have guessed that salt helped the bread rise! I'd assumed it was purely for flavor. Good to know; I will try leaving it out of the dough that I don't care about rising (like dough for dumplings).
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Comment on What is your preferred VPN? in ~comp
kuzbr Link ParentOh. I was unaware of this, but this would not surprise me. I am new to using VPNs. I suppose I should have thought more about it. My use case is probably a less popular one, and is not geared...Oh. I was unaware of this, but this would not surprise me. I am new to using VPNs. I suppose I should have thought more about it. My use case is probably a less popular one, and is not geared around obscuring my identity. But even still, I don't like using services that sell my data. Thanks for letting me know.
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr (edited )Link ParentI'd do some more research regarding 40-45C range for killing bacteria. Whenever I have looked into using water to kill pathogens, I have rarely seen anything below 60C mentioned as useful. I'm...I'd do some more research regarding 40-45C range for killing bacteria. Whenever I have looked into using water to kill pathogens, I have rarely seen anything below 60C mentioned as useful. I'm also not claiming this is correct, just saying, I wouldn't count my health/security on the 40-45C idea, and would do some more research into it if it's relevant to you. Note that contact time is also important - just leaving something in the appropriate temperature and immediately taking it out is not going to do the job (as far as I'm aware). That's why traditional guidelines for disinfecting water are boiling (100C/212F @ sea level) for 1-5 minutes (depending on altitude). I had to look into this at some point, due to a flood.
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr (edited )Link ParentBoiling water absolutely kills bacteria, among other pathogens. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829912/ However, I would not feel comfortable unless water reached temps of 65C+...Boiling water absolutely kills bacteria, among other pathogens. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829912/
However, I would not feel comfortable unless water reached temps of 65C+ (149F)
Not certain if NY department of health would be a proper source to site (the article below does site sources), but if so:
It is also reported that a 99.999% kill of water borne microorganisms can be achieved at 149°F/65°C in five minutes of exposure.
That said, there are thermophiles that can survive at high temperatures. Doubt that would be relevant to the random person washing dishes, though.
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Comment on What is your preferred VPN? in ~comp
kuzbr (edited )LinkI was using urbanVPN as it's free and offers ability to get IPs from pretty much any country (many of the free services I looked at only allowed 2-3 countries as options). Strangely, when I try...I was using urbanVPN as it's free and offers ability to get IPs from pretty much any country (many of the free services I looked at only allowed 2-3 countries as options). Strangely, when I try and connect to a server in the country I need, it seems to just connect to one in Germany on occasion. I have to play around with it to finally get it to connect.
I'm looking for an alternative, so if anyone is aware of other free vpn services that offer the possibility of a wide range of countries, please let me know. The country I connect to is the most important part for me, so that's why I'm stuck with those options.
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentI'm not sure I agree with this. Bleach is alkaline as are washing detergents. Acid can screw with rubber, and the acidity of vinegar can degrade rubber seals / gaskets in devices such as washing...But it’s certainly not going to cause damage to your washing machine’s insides, they already have to deal with the detergent and sometimes even bleach that people will add to a load of whites, for example.
I'm not sure I agree with this. Bleach is alkaline as are washing detergents. Acid can screw with rubber, and the acidity of vinegar can degrade rubber seals / gaskets in devices such as washing machines (As far as I am aware). I'm not saying this will happen if you just use it now and again, but I could surely see overuse causing this issue.
Again, I am just a lone voice on the internet, so please don't take my word for it. I wish there was a more reliable source to look this up (sure there is, I just don't know how to best search for the answer.) Again, I wish we had a resident chemical engineer who could chime in. Last thing I want to do is spread false information. I'm making my claim about vinegar cautiously, and am open to the possibility that i'm full of shit.
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentInteresting idea about the light - never would have thought it could generate enough heat to keep things warm. Yes, good idea, I will use much hotter water when I make the dough, and then I'll put...Interesting idea about the light - never would have thought it could generate enough heat to keep things warm. Yes, good idea, I will use much hotter water when I make the dough, and then I'll put a bowl of hot water in there. Can't hurt to try, worst I'm out is a small bit of dough and water (ah and yeast but I have enough.)
Any thoughts how long it usually takes to rise when you do it like this? I'm assuming it takes a few hours for you?
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Comment on Switching from short-term/immediate thinking, to long-term thinking in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentInteresting, I had no clue that folks with ADHD deal with this. I suppose that makes sense though, if you are hyper-focused on a situation. I'm glad you have found some visualization that has...Interesting, I had no clue that folks with ADHD deal with this. I suppose that makes sense though, if you are hyper-focused on a situation. I'm glad you have found some visualization that has helped you out here.
I'm starting to realize that perhaps awareness (like what you have for the situation) is the way to change this. I keep wanting it to be a black and white thing (either I think this way or I don't), but maybe it's a gradual progression towards thinking about it, and all of these sort of visualization techniques can help in getting there.
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentSecond this. Honestly I have never owned a dryer so I'm not even sure what the dryer experience is like. Aside from winter when it's very cold, I have never had any problems with air drying...Second this. Honestly I have never owned a dryer so I'm not even sure what the dryer experience is like. Aside from winter when it's very cold, I have never had any problems with air drying clothes. I imagine though if you have a big family, this could become a big hassle. In winter sometimes it takes 2-3 days for the clothes to dry, which is a complication, but that make sure I never get behind on laundry because I know I need to do it.
I also imagine this saves money on the electric or gas bill
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Comment on What are some things you do "the old fashioned way," which might come with unexpected benefits over the modern, "improved" way of doing things? in ~talk
kuzbr Link Parenthey thanks, I'd always wondered what purpose the salt served! In winter, my kitchen is too cold, maybe 60F / 15C. Yes, I have tried the trick of putting it in the oven to let it rise, and then I...hey thanks, I'd always wondered what purpose the salt served! In winter, my kitchen is too cold, maybe 60F / 15C. Yes, I have tried the trick of putting it in the oven to let it rise, and then I just turned the oven on slightly. My fear is always that it's too hot. Also gas is so expensive so I hate letting it run for an extended period. Because of this I kept turning on and off and on and off endlessly which made it a hassle.
I have tried the bowl of hot water trick, but never got that to work. I will try it again. How many hours do you have to leave it with the bowl of hot water for it to rise?
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Comment on Switching from short-term/immediate thinking, to long-term thinking in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentThank you. You're correct, it does feel nice when you make a little breakthrough when learning new things. For myself, when I then hit the difficult parts or the parts I'm struggling with, I end...Thank you. You're correct, it does feel nice when you make a little breakthrough when learning new things. For myself, when I then hit the difficult parts or the parts I'm struggling with, I end up focusing on those and forgetting the little triumphs. Perhaps I am just too much of a pessimist. I appreciate you sharing this, I will keep this in mind, and will remember to enjoy the process.
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Comment on Switching from short-term/immediate thinking, to long-term thinking in ~talk
kuzbr Link ParentVery interesting to read someone who had the opposite problem. I have never been a fan of the blanket idea "everything with balance", but in this case, I do think it applies. I'd love to hear your...Very interesting to read someone who had the opposite problem. I have never been a fan of the blanket idea "everything with balance", but in this case, I do think it applies.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on one thing... so one of the big problems I have with my thinking, is that when I encounter temporary hardships, things that are really kicking my ass, I easily get stuck feeling it will last forever. (I don't actually think it, I don't really think anything about it.. but it is how I respond to it. I respond in such a way as though the situation is permanent) I feel this would be changed by thinking more in the long term (because in the back of my mind I'd be thinking "it will pass".) Seeing as you had the opposite problem - was this something you experienced?
I had nothing of value to give away in my will except my art supplies, and I was going to donate them to art4epilepsy. i guess making a will was kind of stupid now that i reflect on it. the little bit else i have i set to give to my mom. she's very relieved that i am alive. this put her through hell, because i told her to prepare for my death, and she helped me to sell the stuff, as i couldn't drive anymore. it really stressed her out, and i felt bad for that. life is just strange. short and strange. now i feel bad to keep the art supplies. but there's so much I want to make with them now.