waterlilybarb

It wasn't just the UK.  I couldn't access the site either.  Double the trouble, double the strength of their powers of destruction.

waterlilybarb

Thanks.

I'm out again for a while.  My head is starting to pound again.   I'm REALLY getting fed up with feeling so crappy.

waterlilybarb

I KNOW!!!!  It was Baloo (the bear).

waterlilybarb

LOL!  Now I have the song "Bare Necessities" stuck in my head.

waterlilybarb

  Glad I could spread the "joy".

Now off to TRY and sleep.  I'm all backwards.  It's morning here, and no sleep again last night.  I think I'll try for a nap - then maybe I'll be able to fall asleep tonight - though that's never a guarantee.   <--- Me....VERY tired.

waterlilybarb

Glad to hear your wee gal's sleeping better.  I DO know what it's like, and lack of sleep affects your whole system.  Poor little gal, and poor mama & dad.  You guys must be feeling a bit better now too.  I hope she continues to sleep properly, and that she puts on some weight.  

I'm just doing a pop-in today myself.  I've been feeling fluey since yesterday - had some crazy dreams last night, which I generally only get when I'm sick, so am gonna lie low.  We've got a good batch of fresh snow - the first to really stay on the ground this season, and it's still coming down, so it's a good day to just stay in & rest.

waterlilybarb

Hey there Dan!   Long time no see!  Nice to see you - even if it's just a pop in.

Lexy - Dan is American, so probably wouldn't recognize some of the candy that's strictly British.  In Canada, we have a lot of those, as there are so many transplanted Brits here.  I was having a chat with a friend the other day re: Hershey vs Cadbury.  I DO NOT like Hershey chocolate, and even though the Cadbury we get here isn't as good as the Cadbury directly from the UK, it's MUCH better, IMHO.

waterlilybarb

You REALLY have Shinny!  I've never heard of Chicken-Fil-A, though I don't know if they have them in Michigan.

I'm not crazy about fast food at all.  I love a good plate of chips - REAL ones, but even before my food allergies. I hadn't eaten fast food in years other than a Dairy Queen ice cream cone or blizzard, and coffee from Tim Horton's (which is ubiquitous in Canada).  I did like the veggie sandwiches at Subway, but since I can no longer eat the bread, I haven't eaten there in at least a year and a half.  

Not saying I'm a health food nut, though it feels that way, because I love treats, but everything in moderation.  I'm glad I can still eat a bit of chocolate on occasion, though NOT dark chocolate, which is my favourite.  My downfall was cookies, but I haven't tried making any since I've gone completely wheat-free and mostly gluten-free.  I've found a few recipes I plan to try, but I have to get the proper ingredients to make them (as well as feel well enough to bake).  I do buy store bought GF ginger snaps which are pretty good, and nice with a cuppa, but they're pricey (and not as good as homemade), so I maybe buy one bag a month.

waterlilybarb

Honestly, it isn't that great - especially for real coffee lovers, but they're EVERYWHERE, and thus very convenient when you need a caffeine fix.   I don't mind they're coffee, though it's not my favourite, and I don't get it often - maybe a couple times a month, unless I'm out running errands and am in need of some caffeine to keep me going.

I'm pickier about my tea, and usually won't drink it in restaurants as most don't carry any decent brands.  When I travel, or visit friends around town (who aren't tea drinkers) I carry a ziplock baggy of teabags in my purse.   I also get a ginger tea from the Asian market, which I love, and use frequently for nausea - am actually making some right now.  It's more of a tisane than tea.  Do you make your own ginger tea blend or buy it?

Thanks for the well wishes on finding some decent wheat/gluten free treats.  I subscribe to several blogs & have found some promising recipes, which I look forward to trying.  I already have a good GF brownie recipe, and have made it several times, but I don't always want chocolate.

waterlilybarb

I agree.  While it's great to have a job in your chosen field (congrats, by the way), bills keep coming and a job is a job.  These days many people can't afford the luxury of waiting for work in their field.  I'm not able to work at present, but the job situation here is bad too.  I live in a factory city, and when the factories lay people off it trickles down to all other areas - especially retail, since people spend less when they don't know how long they will have a job.  

Anyway, I'm getting offline again.  My head is percolating a new migraine and the computer isn't helping.

waterlilybarb

Thanks Bala.   Maybe 2011 will be the year I find a treatment (if not a cure) that works for me & can get the sheer volume of these migraines down to something more manageable again.

Off to bed for this girl.  Hoping to awaken pain-free...even if it only lasts a few hours.

waterlilybarb

Thanks fellas, that's nice of you.   Some women get some relief after menopause, but I'm a fair ways off from that.  Unfortunately, though some advances in treatment have been made, not enough is being done even though migraines cost companies millions every year in lost production time when sufferers have to take time off work to deal with them.

There are times when the pain puts my nerves on edge.  On those days, I do my best to remove myself from situations where I might say something I will regret.  I don't always get it right, and I have good friends (both online & off) that I check with if I'm not sure if what I said might be rude, and if it was, I apologize.

I have an appointment in the spring with a new specialist, and I'm hoping he will have a different perspective or offer something I haven't tried yet.  I have tried some alternative treatments (along with a myriad of medications), but none have been helpful. I think the only one I haven't tried is accupuncture, and I just can't afford it right now.  It's just one of those things that make everyday life a bit harder, and frankly, very frustrating.  I'm not nearly as sick nor is my pain as severe as many people, but I find it challenging because when it's in your head, you can't think or function properly.  I LOVE to read, but I can't read when I have a migraine, not can I listen to music or watch TV, which are other things I enjoy for entertainment/distraction.

waterlilybarb

Interesting.  I have ME (though they call it CFS in the US - SUCH a misnomer).  Prior to getting sick I was one of those people who had energy & then some.  I'd love to wake up one day and feel anywhere near back to my old self, but I'm not holding my breath for it.  If it happens - great, but I actually think there's something more, and they just don't know what it is.

Been in bed nearly all day - keep falling asleep - with a migraine.  It woke me early this morning & I took my meds which allowed me to check in here for a bit.  I just hope I can sleep through the night after all the sleeping done through the day.  I feel tired enough, but that's never a guarantee.

waterlilybarb

I thought you knew that was part of my diagnosis (no big deal).  I honestly think they just have no idea what's wrong, but know there's SOMETHING wrong, and stuck that label on it.  Initially it fit, but 20 years later, there are a lot more issues that don't quite fit.

On a nifty note, I just finished eating a slice of toast from the bread I made in my new bread maker (which I received as a gift from a very kind friend).  It was quite tasty.  I won't say it was perfect, but for a first attempt at gluten free bread making, I think I did pretty well.   I've had a migraine for days (yet again), and have caught another bug (AGAIN), so a piece of toast with a cup of tea was just what I needed.

waterlilybarb

Thanks arksongbird.   I love good honey.  I have some buckwheat honey at the moment.  I checked out the site you posted.  I might give it a try.  If I do, I'll definitely let you know.    When I lived in the north, my Mum had friends who kept bees, and their honey was delicious (I especially liked honeycombs).

waterlilybarb

I think it was sddv who suggested Marmite for migraines - pretty sure a friend of hers said it worked for her.  Well, I finally found some.  It was the VILEST thing I've ever put in my mouth.  I couldn't tell if it was helping the migraine because I had to spit it out so as not to puke.  It was worth a try, and one more thing off my list.  

I also recently tried one of the natural things I had researched but, although it helped with the pain, it did cause side effects that let me know I should not take it.  Yet another thing off my list, and another thing to tell the specialist I've tried when I see him.  I called today & got added to the cancellation list.  Here's hoping something opens up before May.  

I can't take much more of this.   They are nearly constant now, which is why I haven't been around or posting as much.  I still check in daily and love to hear any news y'all want to share.

waterlilybarb

Thanks Craig.  Yep, I have done my best to eliminate my food triggers.  I'm now on a wheat free, dairy free, egg free diet (along with a few other things I avoid as known triggers).  I can have a little dairy occasionally (if I take the enzyme tablets), as it doesn't seem to trigger the migraines but is more of an intestinal problem.  I am as gluten free as possible, but since it doesn't seem to make a difference with the migraines I can eat barley, rye & oats, as long as I don't overdo it.  It seems I am mainly sensitive to wheat but most store bought things without wheat are gluten free.  Been on this diet for a year now, and no change in the migraines, but my gut feels immensely better.  

I'm hoping the new doc has another idea...like, maybe it's something other than migraines and can be treated effectively.  A girl can dream, can't she?

waterlilybarb

No fun the whole family getting the flu.  I had a stomach flu a few weeks ago.  I feel for you having to take care of a baby while you were sick too.

ME is short for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.  It's generally called CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the US, and CFIDS - Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome in Canada.  This link provides a decent esplanation of the illness.

waterlilybarb

LOL!  It's main ingredient is yeast, but my lord, I couldn't have imagined anything more evil tasting if I tried - and I've eaten some weird things in my time.  I like your idea for what their slogan should be.

The food allergies suck, more because of the convenience factor than anything else (AND the cost factor).  Here, full on celiac disease and wheat intolerances are becoming ever more common, so it's getting a bit easier to find alternatives - we even have a couple pizza places that offer gluten free crusts, but mostly, you have to make everything from scratch.  I know that's better in the long run, but it takes a lot of energy (which I don't have) and does cost more - though once you have your pantry GF it gets a bit better - initially it's really expensive.  I don't envy any family having to go through it, especially celiac, as even the tiniest bit of gluten can make them so sick.  Hopefully, they're ingenuitive.  There are a lot of good GF sites with great kid friendly recipes that include cookies & cakes, for those that are willing to make them.

I'm hoping for better things from the new doc, though am not holding my breath.  I'd love to wake up and be my old self - you wouldn't see me for dust! haha  Just kidding - I'd stop in and tell you all how fabulous I was feeling.   Thanks for keeping the good vibes coming my way.  I'll take all I can get.

waterlilybarb

Sorry to hear you're still not up to par.  I hope you get feeling back to yourself soon, especially trying to keep up with a wee one.  It does seem the bugs this year are hanging on longer.  So far I've not caught any respiratory bugs, just have had some sniffles and sore throat off & on, and a stomach bug.  I'm hoping it stays that way because it generally takes me about a month to get over a bout of flu.

I think vegemite would be even harder to find, since it's mainly an Australian thing.  From what I can tell, it's quite similar to marmite.  Both, it seems, are things you either like right off or hate.  I don't think you could develop a taste for them - unless your tastes change (like they do for some women during pregnancy).  I always think of that song too when I think of vegemite.