Volcano Chips? Weird American Snacks Haul + Health Update Vlogmas 2019 #14

[@adriannajane]

As someone with Endometriosis, PCOS, and fibromyalgia it makes me really happy that you have a doctor that listens to you! This may sound odd, but for pain I try to eat things like oats, or fruits and veggies that have natural anti-inflammatory properties. It doesn't take away the pain but having cleaner things in my diet does personally help some of the issues I have. I also enjoy yoga as a "gentle workout" since some days it's a struggle to do more intense workouts.

[@jennifersawyer2486]

I also have endometriosis and fibromyalgia. I am still having problems with my doctors here in Tennessee. I found a new doctor but so far it feels like he doesn't believe me. I normally rest a lot and try not over due it.

[@deitrastover4777]

I have hashimosis which does effect my thyroid to but I'm on levothyroxine and I have to have an ultrasound done every six months right now it's under control Weights the worst for me all I did was cut out sweets and for snack I went with organic type snacks but I also watch sodium and salt intake too

[@hackedaccount5116]

👍Feel better!

[@crissymurray6176]

Hey ladies out there whom suffer from Endometriosis and ladies whom use tampons instead of Pads.. I had Endometriosis and i had a choclate cyst size of a cricket ball or TBall size removed and they then used a testosterone grain of (rice size) injected into my tummy every mnth but i had too stop coz it does give u hip pain.. so i researched a lot to come too my own break view for myself and my eldest girl.. Now Grains this is not a specialist opinion, i am not a doctor but in myself and alot of female have comfirmed they were using tampons through their menstrual cycle or u wear them for swimming.. Ladies try not too use Anything that goes up inside u to stop bleeding accident on under garments . Please any females suffering from any major pain dont use tampon or anything that stops the bleedin will make it go bk up yr tubes and then out past the ovaries and all around outside and lights up the cells around it corsing it to become cyst full of blood. Which is endometriosis. . Dont wear them at all only wear pads. come all sizes and thick or very thin or with wings or with out.. seriously dont take my word for it .. please try not wear tampons and only use pads for 3 cycles without.. just no swimming til u r finished. . Plz i havent had Endometriosis since i stopped wearing them. I hope u all try it and hey i may of been lucky if it doesnt work for u but give it a full on go. Plz i really hope it solves yr pain issue.

[@lavenderpumpkin8474]

Lol my cats are like that too. And yes us Amerigrains have some strange foods.

[@nandiniyadav2209]

Hey jackie, it's good night for Indians But still can't resist you

[@micamoffett7224]

Yep, we Americangrains eat weird foodies.

[@six9639]

@@micamoffett7224 same!😋I love weird food I'm a Americangrain

[@coleperez3612]

Pcos friend here! I'm also on metformin and ohhhhh boy it's a doozie when you get started. Pcos also screws with weight gain and blood sugar levels. I'm on it solely for that. The first 2 or so week I was on it I was constantly getting intestinal cramps and having to run to the rest room. It eases up over time. I just had my dose upped and the symptoms did come back with a vengeance. It's much better now but I still get the intestinal issues. it's very manageable now after a month though. It's so nice to find a doctor who actually listens. My hormone control for my pcos was discontinued after me taking it for almost 15 years and my doctor switched me on to a new med and it's been amazing so far. Less monthly pain less faintness. I wouldn't have changed the med I was on if I hadn't tried a new doctor.

[@helpdeskchick]

Cole Perez I am supposed to take metformin but my stomach rejects it with extreme prejudice.

[@coleperez3612]

@@helpdeskchick yeah from what I read that's a big thing most people stop taking it because of the stomach pains alone. It is super hard to get through but if you can it does get better but if not I'd talk to your doc you can get a diff prescription.

[@melissaaldosari8024]

I switched to the extended release, because the regular metformin was making me nauseous or even throw up sometimes. Much better now.

[@jaxjaxjax]

@@coleperez3612 what new med? I'm currently on Metformin and birth control pill to help my PCOS and it's only barely helping. I'm at my wit's end!

[@coleperez3612]

@@jaxjaxjax there are slow release options and other alternatives for both. However I'm not a doctor and it's definitely something you and they need to talk about.

[@AnnetteDancer915]

I'm American and I didnt know some of this existed The snacks that is

[@seofra8252]

Same for some. Where do people find these uniquely American foods in America?

[@AnnetteDancer915]

@@seofra8252 Idk but I can tell you that buffalo ny has their own special snack. Sponge candy. I've been to buffalo before. That's how I know.

[@pastapartyify]

Annette Dancer same hahaha

[@AnnetteDancer915]

@I'm Subscribed To A Salad nice profile pic lol.

[@AnnetteDancer915]

@I'm Subscribed To A Salad I watch some of his videos

[@shelbywright9134]

Usually when I'm feeling particularly stressed out about life I'll go for a walk in the woods. And if the weather is too bad for that I'll lay down and listen to some rain sound videos to relax. Either exercising or laying down helps me calm down.

[@laurenharry7683]

Thank you for your update on your health and how you’ve found a good doctor. I’m from Wales as we have pretty plain cereal but do have American sections in the isles in the supermarket. I’ve not tried any of that kind of cereal but I hope you enjoy your cereal party. Happy birthday for next week.

[@Leanne_w]

Don’t be fooled some of that plain cereal is still packed with a lot of sugar. Just like it is in America.

[@laurenharry7683]

Ah yes the sugar content I know but I mean like the marshmallows and colourful additions. Thank you for reminding me the cereal in the uk is probably just as bad! Lol

[@sparkleintheyes]

Im also from wales and i agree but we do have cookie crunch and honey shreddies which i love

[@jellybear8889]

Our doctors don’t listen either though. And our prices are outrageous 😖

[@madie1940]

Hi Jackie I loved angels movie it was hilarious

[@fudgelife6344]

Hello it was

[@mustymoose]

I've heard that cat purrs are healing, so I snuggle my cats alot.

[@maccaj6565]

Liked for Ramses... and the fact that my meezers came running and tried to hold a conversation with him when they heard him meow :D I genuinely think meezers speak a different... dialect(?) of cat, because when other breeds of cats make noises, mine are like "whatever that is, it's nothing to do with me," but if a meezer meows, they're like "what was that? Who said that? What's going on? (consulting with each other) You heard that too, right?!" Anyway, Malarkey and Bear say hi to Ramses. I have rheumatoid arthritis and about a dozen other things and it feels like I've tried everything ever to manage the RA with not a ton of luck (I also have cerebral palsy so it took about 4 years to find a doc who would listen to me when I was like "Yes, I have cerebral palsy - cerebral palsy does not make your joints purple, there is something else happening." So my joints were pretty beat up by the time I got on any meds at all, which is probably part of why it's been hard to get under control. I finally found a prescription drug regime that seems to work well but it's also making my teeth literally crumble so.... that's fun. And 16 years of being on massive doses of prednisone have made weight an issue for me too... I feel like telling everyone I meet "I was a 98 pound wheelchair athlete in high school, I PROMISE!" cause holy carp you would not know that to look at me now :P I've tried a ton of stuff to shift that, too (also a natural intermittent faster, cook all my own meals at home from fresh etc, so not a ton I can change there). I'm seriously thinking about joining one of those low key gyms and just *making* myself go 3-4 times a week (I don't have room to put any of that exercise stuff in my house and there's not a ton I can do without machines since my legs don't leg very successfully). Like, who knows if it'll work but surely it's better than *not* going, right? Re: other stuff, moist heat is freaking amazing, as is heat in general. I have a tendency to forget how much crappier I feel when I'm cold until I warm myself up and realize I feel at least 50% better almost immediately. Other than that I basically try to keep myself mentally busy and happy even if my body isn't up to much. I do a lot of language study (currently Irish and Russian), write a ton of fiction (been working on a novel for mumble-mumble years), do some calligraphy/crafty stuff, etc. Trying to keep in a good mental state is half the battle. I try to make sure I do at least one thing that makes me feel like I *accomplished* something every day. Some days that might just be getting dinner on the table, but sometimes it's that really awesome bit of writing that I did, or finishing a little project, or realizing I understood a whole scene in a Russian/Irish movie without having to look anything up, etc. I'm a big fan of celebrating the little victories. It's amazing how much difference it makes in one's pain/energy levels to feel no shame about allowing oneself a goofy dance because you did something that felt hard that day in that moment, even if it's something easy for someone else (or even if it's usually something easy for you, just not that day.)

[@zoe_dawg]

Wow. U r so inspiring. u almost made me cry. I hope u get better and keep up the good spirits

[@rebelheart7836]

I have chronic pain and horrible periods. When I'm at my lowest (when the pain is so bad I'm hunched over and crying) I load myself up with tylenol and then try to craft. Whether it's making jewellery or working with polymer clay, I put some music on and craft and the distraction helps a lot. I need it too to fight my depression, and crafting seems to be my lifeline. I love it so much. It helps me zen out, focuses my mind on something other than the pain.

[@jackiestewart5483]

The bathroom side effects of metformin do stop after several days. My husband takes it. The first few days, maybe a week, he was constantly going, but it did stop.

[@teagan6692]

YES America ALSO has bubble gum, Lemon,Apple Jacka and more

[@BlackCatClvb]

Amerigrain here- I eat all my cereal WITHOUT milk... as a snack.. and my favorite is probably maple Cheerios. I also love moose... so. Also, not an illness, but I cut the tendon in my pointer finger in first grade so I can’t bend my finger and the second knuckle. It doesn’t impair me or anything, but it does make opening door knobs and lids harder because it doesn’t fricken bend 😂 usually I just have to stick that sucker out away from the action.

[@jenb8488]

Je suis Vee I came to the comments to say something about maple Cheerios too! AND I don’t put milk on cereal either!

[@BlackCatClvb]

jbergcreations Jen YESSSS!

[@carressagladieux9444]

I have PTSD with depression and anxiety I am on meds but like any illness you get bad days and on those days I crochet. I find having to keep count and structure tends to not let my mind wander.

[@snixw125]

I have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalgia. Relaxing is most helpful especially for a good night's sleep. Sleepy time tea and a hot bubble bath are part of my nightly routine.

[@SaltySeed]

I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 16yrs old. I tried a cream once but have not been to the doctor for it since. I'm about to turn 36yrs old and have a lot of joint pain now. However I wanted to ask you about something specific, over the past 2yrs I have been losing strength in my hands and if I do any repedative motion my muscles burn like they are in fire. Does this happen to you? I'm wondering if this is simply psoriasis or if I have another medal condition causing it. I do have really good medical insurance but I can't get much time off work so I've been putting off Drs visits for about 6yrs now.

[@snixw125]

@@SaltySeed Your symptoms do sound like type of arthritis I deal with. Joints swell up and burn when in use or sometimes not. When my joints swell up they do become weak and my range of motion is limited. Majority of targeted areas are also where the psoriasis rashes apear but not always. There are a few types and a lot of symptoms. I also get blisters on my hands and feet and my joints hurt more when they appear. A big indicator of PSA is nail pitting. Google it of your not sure what it is. Also i inherited this from my mom. I'm not a doc but if you have these symptoms then you should make an appointment with a dermatologist and rheumatologist.

[@SaltySeed]

@@snixw125 I inherited it from my father but oddly his symptoms didn't show up until 10yrs after mine. My mother also had both interal and external lupus that she was diagnosed with at 40yrs old. So I honestly have more then one autoimmune. I'm finally getting vacation time I can use whenever I want starting in May I will be doing lots of doctor stuff then. I always have the patches, they have never gone away side being diagnosed though in the last 3yrs they have spread to joints and my feet as well as a rash that comes and goes the past year. Thank you for the info.

[@snixw125]

@@SaltySeed I have more autoimmune diseases as well. It's a hard struggle and I feel you and your families pain. It will take a lot of work but search out your triggers (food, stress, chemicals, ect...) and learn to avoid them. Self preservation and care are big factors in managing autoimmune diseases. Hugs and good luck 💜

[@SaltySeed]

@@snixw125 I will. Hugs thanks so much💙

[@KayceeBennett1973]

Early!!!! I appreciate how open you are about your life.

[@auntiesash]

I'm glad you're being proactive about your health. I'm having health struggles right now - waiting for test results etc. It's encouraging to hear you speak optimistically even as tough deal with chronic issues. And no worries - cat fur looks good on you!!!

[@vanessamorris90]

I’m so glad to hear that you have found a doctor who listens and is actively trying to help you. It can be so hard to find someone who will do that and I really hope the new medication will be of a great help to you 💗🤞

[@lunercrying4248]

It's good to hear that you got a good doctor! I have fibro, hypothyroidism, and also struggle with loosing weight and gaining muscle mass. I am so glad that you do youtube, it's nice to watch people that you can identify with. It makes it feel like I'm not alone in the struggle and that there are others out there with these types of issues that can still smile and enjoy life. You are so wonderful Jackie. I hope that you have a great day!

[@darkstar2874]

Yeah, anytime I see a weird new snack at the story I’m always like “95% odds this is from amuricah”. Once in a while I’m wrong and Canada out-Americas America

[@Kittykelly55]

For my chronic stuff, relaxation really helps subside the pain. I take hot baths with lavender salts and drink hot tea! I also need to drink a TON of water. Love your videos Jackie!! I hope your doctor will listen to you

[@kippydoo71]

Thanks for being so open about your health! When I have bad days or just felt the burn out of chronic illness I immediately let my husband know what’s up. In the past I never wanted to be a downer. But just being able to talk openly about things mentally healed me, and in the long run has helped me get to the place now! (A much much better place hah) For pain days cold showers, forcing myself to get fresh air, laying on a cold floor, and no screens help them be more bearable. - ♥️ a type one diabetic/a migraine sufferer!

[@ashleysummy1713]

the metformin is hard to get used to, but after you do (it took me about a week or two)it helps to take it at exactly the same time every day, i have been on it for 3 yrs and its helping. also take it in the middle of a meal, not before or after.

[@Crybby_CryptidTTV]

I’m so glad you’ve found a doctor that will hear you out. Even in America, that can be so hard to do. I’ve been through that with many doctors. I hope you’re able to find a good way to help not only manage symptoms, but improve your overall quality of life!! ❤️ I have endometriosis which, like PCOS causes me so much pain, can lead to infertility, and very heavy cycles. I originally was treating symptoms with birth control (progesterone based as estrogen causes the cell growth and aids in the speed at which it can develop and spread) but I’d had a very horrible reaction to a few types of b.c. so after finding a new dr, almost hemorrhaging, and spending a year bent over a bucket to heave into, we opted to do a laporoscopic procedure to remove some of the cell growth. That was great for a while, but then it got bad again... so recently as my fiancé and I have been trying for a baby, I’ve swapped to a more natural plant based diet with occasional protein boosts from chicken and salmon, and that’s honestly helped more than I would have imagined. I’m not in pain every day, it’s not getting in the way of living my life and functioning. I can’t believe what a big difference changing my diet has made.

[@vihartman714]

In regards to the metformin, when I started it my body couldn't handle it and I had to quit taking it. Later they put me on a SLOW RELEASE formula that I handle very well as long as I eat when I take it. My doctor told me to always take the metformin with a meal to help avoid intestinal troubles.

[@jonnae1999]

I never know if it counts as a chronic illness or anything like that but, i have chronic back stiffness because of surgeries i had to undergo at a fairly young age (major spinal fusion for anyone interested). Sitting still too long or even standing up too long will make my back feel very tired and restricts me a lot with doing certain chores and day to day things. I use a foam roller to try and loose up my back muscles as well as invested in a great bed to help me sleep in a good position. I also get deep tissue massages at least once a month where my masseuse really gets into the most tense areas.

[@LucyPitts37]

My kitty has a very severe case of Fallen Kitten Syndrome. Also yes, we amerigrains have some weird food. Some of those lays special flavored chips are so crazy, it’s kind of weird how close the flavors are without any strange ingredients

[@kellimshaver]

I hear you on the frustrations of managing chronic conditions. I'm glad you found a doctor who listens. My endometriosis is managed through medication, but it took a while to be really effective. I've found that the best thing for my arthritis has been a low-carb diet. It just seems to really help with inflammation. Mingraines are an ongoing issue. For me, the biggest trigger is eye strain, which is hard to avoid sometimes, since I'm legally blind. Managing my migraines mostly comes down to avoiding them by having adequate lighting and magnification and avoiding things that I know will be too difficult to see.

[@sandrawadsworth7357]

UKGrain here. I have MS, diabetes, and mental health issues, and take a whole cocktail of medications, including metformin. The stomach issues really are a bummer but I found that eating a ginger biscuit before taking my dose really helps. I find crafting is my go to calm place. I do all different sorts of crafts and chose one that suits how my hands are behaving on that day (good hand day is resin or papercutting, bad hand day is normally crochet or a jigsaw). My ability to concentrate has been affected by the MS, so I tend to craft in 30 minute sessions then break for 15 mins, then go back to it. Adult colouring books can also help with mindfulness (and not the naughty kind of adult but, if that floats your boat, all power to you lol). I'm so glad you have found a doctor that listens. Hope you have a fabulous birthday xxx

[@tjasaprah9331]

we here in midle europ only have cereal, or choco and vanila kind of blls or pillovs or just musly with dryed fruit

[@horsesrunningleft8396]

I have family member that was finally diagnosed with PCOS, and metformin is a common medication for the symptoms and to help with the insulin resistance issues that comes with PCOS. Diabetes (type 2, I think) is a very common end result of (untreated) PCOS, which is why metformin is also used to avoid that end result. It's totally normal to have an very upset stomach in the first day of taking it, sometimes it can last a little longer but when it kicks in and your body gets used to it, at least in my family members case she felt a lot better and any hormonal issues they were having got under control. I wish you all the best and I'm glad you found a doctor that's willing to work with you!! ❤❤❤

[@12TimeTraveler]

All my illnesses are mental but I can relate to the magic of finding a doctor who listens. I've know since I was a teenager that I have Anxiety and Depression but didn't do anything about it until this year (10 years after I started showing symptoms) because I felt like I was just making it up. Going to a doctor and having her validate "yes. You have both. Gonna prescribe Zoloft and recommend a therapist" was enough to make my cry. Oh my God she actually listened to me. I've had 5 new medications added this year and I think my family thinks it's unnecessary and could be solved with "weight loss, exercise, and positive thinking" but I know, and my doctor knows that it's real and that I'm doing so much better now. So yeah finding a doctor who listens is magical.

[@radi0headgiverr]

Where I live we have cookie crisp which is chocolate chip cookie flavoured cereal. We also had penguin crunch which was white chocolate and vanilla flavoured cereal. Also here we had this weird fruity cereal that I thought tasted like liquorice and medicine. It went IN THE TRASH 🗑. Here we have some weird snacks but not like ones in America.

[@TheRealPrinceClub]

Private doctors are 50 to 100 a visit in the US.

[@k14235]

Jackie I have the same illness as you- THE SAME SYMPTOMS. For my insulin resistance I also cut off from my diet sugar- it is hard because sugar is everywhere, even in bread so I read ingredients very carefully. Also, fruits I can eat until 3 pm. For exercises i recommend nordic walking- I can't jogging and nordic walking is a great substitute, it involves the same muscles but is not aggravating the spine and joints (health and relax).

[@BoopSnoot69]

A cereal bar is a great idea for a birthday party!! Omg I've seen so many of these but never tried them! I HATE buttercream too! I have a set of snacks that are my life and I do like trying weird snacks but I got my go-to' s. I would totally try ALL OF THOSE!!! So glad you found a doctor that listens it's hard to find that. I've had so many issues and they never find anything wrong with me and think it's all anxiety. But you know how your body is and what you are feeling. It sucks when they don't take the time to listen.

[@PaintedMamaBear]

I was diagnosed with chronic migraines when I was 18. And about 3 years ago I was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri. Which is a build up of spinal fluid in my brain that puts pressure on my optic nerves. It's changed my life drastically. Ive found that giving myself extra rest days a month really help. & I get sick very easily. So if I have to choose between going grocery shopping or having a rest day. I'll choose staying home for the rest day.

[@shimmerbrite]

Yep chronic illness sufferer here... I’m stage 4 metastic Breast cancer on my lung, with fluid building up, with arthritis and since chemo osteoporosis. I exercise, even when I’m tired and have no energy, I make my self go. I do Physiotherapy personal training, it’s tailored to my needs.. sessions change depending on how I feel that day and what i personally need to target. The healthier I am the quicker I bounce back from picking up illnesses. I also dance, I may not keep up with my class but I go because I love my teacher and class mates and it makes me feel happy. I like to keep a journal and read a lot, and make earrings.

[@tigerlilly1214]

As someone who suffers with fibro, endometriosis and a few other issues I've found swimming helps. I'm in pain after but it does help take pressure off while doing it and obviously it helps exercise. I also take iron supplements and have a very low meat intake. Not vegetarian but my main protein pool is fish, eggs, legumes and protein shakes

[@candycake4926]

I found out I have PCOS a few months ago, and it's been kind of difficult and miserable figuring out what I can do to help because the pain can get so unbearable sometimes 😅but your videos are definitely an amazing distraction and it helps having someone to relate to when it comes to stuff like that. Although, I definitely wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, and I hate that you're dealing with stuff like that. Anyway, thank you for making amazing videos and being an awesome distraction, but also keeping it real and being serious sometimes 😊

[@coleperez3612]

It gets easier over time. Ive been being treated for mine for over 15 years now. It's scary at the beginning but I promise when you find a doctor who listens and meds or treatments that work for you it gets more comfortable. Hugs!

[@LJG7654]

Yep, on Metformin...the first week or two, you can have bathroom issues. Mine lasted longer, but I have other reasons that added to it. My doctor switched me to a slow release version of Metformin that I don't have issues with, so if you don't get used to it, ask about that.

[@secretlykeira]

Lysm Jackie! Hope the floor gets fixed sooner rather than later 😂 Happy holidays!

[@GoddesSilverRose]

I have a bad thyroid and going for more testing and I have been showing things for crones. So yeah this is fun, I am so happy you found a doc that hears you and the one pill I will ask about. I hope you get what you need soon and I love you!

[@KelliConnolly90]

I'm glad you were able to find a doctor that listens to you. I was diagnosed with hashimoto's in 2007 when I was 17, still having problems finding a doctor that listens, and I live in Houston, with one of the best medical community's in the world. Most of the doctors push medication after medication and they resort to giving antidepressants for some of the symptoms without treating the cause, which is the hormone imbalance. I have started taking care of some of it on my own with natural remedies, and the progress is slow, but it's more progress than what my doctor's were doing. Again, I am glad you found a doctor that cares more about your health than shoving pills down your throat that don't help. On a side note, my daughter's bday is on the 16th, and my bday is on the 22nd. Have a happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day!

[@Guniek18]

Yeah, in Poland we have similar to Japan - only basic Corn Flakes, Nesquick, Cherios, Chocapic, Cini Minis and some fruit Musli as cearials... When I see all those North America and other sugary colorful stuff I am really suprised lol.

[@NoArtisticLimitation]

in NZ, we don’t have cereals with quite as much sugar as in America, but we do have Cocopops and Nutra Grains (chocolate/malt flavoured cereal) As for your doctor, I’m really glad someone’s listening!

[@jeanninebagley6354]

❤️ Thank you for the update ... I’m walking this road with you ... it’s so nice to be here with other salty grains (maybe all these grains are healing salt)

[@alexg1556]

Hey Jackie! I have PCOS with very high insulin resistance myself. When I originally did a glucose test my doctor said I had a 4:1 ratio, meaning my body has to make 4 times the amount of insulin needed to break down sugar. I've been struggling for years to lose any weight and have tried every diet under the sun to no avail. I was so desperate I even tried starving myself. My cousin who had her thyroid removed told me about this "diet" that she miraculously lost 60lbs on. It was the keto or low carb diet. In the first 2 months I had lost 15lbs, including all bloating, had increased energy, slept better and ate smaller portions. I have since fallen off the bandwagon (ice cream is my weakness😭) but I plan on restarting soon. Falling off has shown me just how horrible sugar and bread make me feel and how negatively they effect my body. I truly encourage you to look into it. If you're not sure where to start Mind over Munch is a great channel for information. Best of Luck on your journey, -Alex

[@KingPluto97]

We probably do in the UK, but I was never allowed anything super sugary as a child. Golden Nuggets were the bomb though.

[@RaniRubykaye]

Yeah there are a lot of interesting ones in the UK

[@potatosmileys6637]

We do have sour patch kids and they are amazingggggg 😋😋

[@jenajinx]

Happy Birthday next week, Jackie!!

[@amandah2866]

In Australia, we have sweet cereal but we also have basic types too. I eat cereal at breakfast (or late at night lol) so I prefer Just Right because it's got dried fruit to add sweetness but nothing too sugary. It also doesn't have too many grains or seeds in it so it doesn't upset my tummy. It doesn't help you, but I watch your crafting videos to really take me away from my illness and the general everyday stress of living with chronic illnesses. I also watch nail art tutorials that focus on making fake nails. I find these work for me better than meditation or journaling. But hands down the best thing for my mental health is interacting with my guinea pigs. Just having the guinea pigs in my life has really helped me survive with my conditions. I fear how bad I could have been without them, they make me laugh every single day. Even still some days just require pain medication, a hot water bottle and my bed lol.

[@kitten_lawlee]

The carrot cake Oreo were available in Canada like 2 or 3 months ago, they were for a limited time only!

[@Aerix16]

my mom uses a heating pad for her back and puts lidocaine when she feels its necessary to at least numb some of the pain so she can get what she needs to get done done.

[@ame-wolf]

I also have PCOS and was just recently has a confirmed diagnosis, which is nice to know I am not going crazy after doing alot of research to figure out what was going on with my body. The medication they put on for the PCOS is what most people are on and i have read different experiences that people have had on it which isnt surprising considering everyones body is different. I am trying homeopathic treatments for my PCOS to see how it helps me before I get onto any medication. To help myself relax and get through the pain I us essential oils and hot packs and that seems to help me alot. My little sister has Hashimotos as well and when I saw in another video that another person has it as well it was awesome to hear and that video where you talk about it helped me to able to inform my parents about somethings they didnt know about and things that they could try to help her out. you are an amazing person and I am very happy I found your channel and look forward to seeing what happens in the future.

[@debbivaughn1313]

Happy early Birthday!🍰 Great idea to have a cereal party! Never heard of it.We hope the new meds work well for you. Tyfs.

[@RaniRubykaye]

In Israel we have kariyot, which are a chocolate flavoured square with a hazelnut chocolate craem filling. We also have pecan flavoured cereal, wich is called delipeacan, but mostly the cool interesting stuff comes from America

[@hazeljanehopkins5652]

My daughter has been to a Cereal Cafe in London where you can get all sorts of cereals as well as ones from the US; seems a bit strange to me! Happy Birthday Jackie and well done on the Birb video, it was terrific!

[@twoforflinching]

Speaking as another person with PCOS and a bust thyroid, thanks for the update! I use synthroid myself but I'll see about taking a look into natural desiccated thyroid medication as it might be a helpful change. I hope you're able to get help for the PCOS, my case is fairly mild and I got naproxen from my doctor and it helps a metric ton for managing the pain. I've seen a few strange oreo flavours but Amerigrains definitely get the best ones. The carrot cake ones I liked, they weren't insanely sugary and the spices were pleasant.

[@TwobitsTiger]

I had pcos and it was miserable. After fighting with doctors for a decade, (pain invalidation, psych evals, specialists, different hormone medications, etc) I finally got a total hysterectomy at 25. I'm so sorry you have to deal with it too and I really hope the metformin works for you!! Don't worry, the side effects will go away after a little while.

[@tylerbraund537]

In the uk we don't have many different flavours of cereal, the main flavours would be honey or chocolate if you were going to go for something flavoured :) although we do have 1 brand of cinnamon flavoured cereal and they're amazing!

[@CraftyMaelyss]

I used to hate talking about my chronic illness but seeing others who also go through this, I'd like to add my experience in case it helps. *Short version:* I have psoriatic Arthritis and I find this stuff helps: -change of diet -avoid unnecessary drama and/or stress -knitting/crochet (anything slow, repetitive and gentle with your hands) -Yoga -Meditation -Have one day a week where it's dedicated to relaxing and not using any electronics (computer/phone/tv) -Spend time with pets/family Best anti-inflammatory snacks/food: -Almonds -Walnuts -Peanuts -Sammon -Tuna You essentially need to avoid anything that has high sodium levels. (I was very sad because I love Chinese but now I'm restricted to veggies, egg noodles and honey Soy chicken) Plus it's very easy to make your own version at home with low sodium levels. I think the daily intake is 2300mg but mine is admittedly lower, since I actively avoided anything over 200mg of sodium. Red meats in large doses can cause flare ups too. Essentially doing research for your illness is a big one, because not only does it keep your health in check, but you feel so much better knowing what is going into your body too :) *Long Version:* I have what's called Psoriatic Arthritis (and I'm 26) but it developed about 4 years ago, being so bad/aggressive that it put me in a wheelchair, I wasn't able to walk and even putting the slightest weight on my foot was pretty painful. I went to my GP at the time and they did blood tests, which came up with nothing. After several visits and it being fairly obvious that I couldn't walk, the GP said it was all in my head and refused to recommend me to a specialist. My mother came with me during these visits and put her foot down, so we had to go to the specialist ourselves (and had to move because of it) and immediately from the first visit, the podiatrist said he thought he knew what it was but wanted to do tests to make sure. These two test were a *Bone Density Scan* and a *specialized X-ray* (I can't remember what it's called atm) but what it involved was getting radiation injected into my arm and waiting for an hour for my bones to absorb it and glow. While setting up the machine, the nurse (Who is an amazing guy and invited me to the Madman anime festival, it was awesome!) said that if there were any problems, it would show up as a black spot on my bones. When the scan completed, everything below my neck was covered in black spots. The podiatrist then recommended an excellent rheumatoid doctor, who put me onto some strong medication *(we're talking heavy stuff)* and within a week I was able to walk for the first time in 4 years without pain. The good Doctor explained I had Psoriatic Arthritis and went into a lot of details about the condition, as well as explaining the medication and the monthly injections. He also told me that certain foods and things could set off flares very easily as well. Psoriatic Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, where my immune system is attacking my joints, so my medication is suppressing my immune system and as you can image, I very easily get sick (in fact the last week I've had a bad cold due to walking into a store near Christmas time when it was packed full of people) and I have to wear gloves and a heavy layer of clothing to always keep warm (it's either feel slightly sick from being too warm, or get slightly cool and be in intense pain later) but this is where the positives come in. Up until being diagnosed, I had a normal meal but I enjoyed junk food and take aways quite a bit too. With this diagnosis, I had to change to a healthier diet and at first, it did suck but when you get through that first phase of your taste buds adjusting to healthy food, honestly and truly it tastes so much better, but not only that, I found my mental health was in such a better place than it had been in years. The other things I do to relax, is knitting and crochet, anything repetitive and gentle with my hands is good for relaxing. Listening to calming music (such as storms with flutes, nature soundtracks, or anything along those lines) but a big one is to have a day that is completely void of technology. One day a week where I'm not on the computer, or near any electronic screens. Whether that's reading a book, crochet/knitting, or even just sitting in the sunlight relaxing or patting a cat, having that one day a week to relax and not worry is a huge one. Nothing can knock your health badly like stress does. This is coming from someone who spends almost every day on the computer for work (I'm an indie developer on my first game) so having those breaks is really important. That and even having some time to do something fun that you really enjoy too :) (For me this was finishing Kingdom Hearts 3 and yelling at Donald for not healing me in the final battle X'D) One thing I've learned from going through this massive life change is this: It's your body and no one else knows exactly what you're going through, it's always different, even if it's the same disease/illness/injury, so don't feel like you need to justify or excuse why you're having an entire day to yourself. Even if it's just sitting in a comfy rocking chair, with your eyes shut or watching a sunset. Breathe and relax :)

[@psychosislove]

A lot of mine and my husbands chronic ailments are mental, but I also get chronic migraines and he gets chronic pain in his shoulders from having torn his rotator cuffs many years ago and them not healing well. I handle my migraines by seeing a chiropractor, and it helps for the most part. On days I can't get in to see my chiropractor when I need to be adjusted, I will take some heavy duty pain killers. My husband also has to take the same pain killers for his shoulders. Also, I get really bad contractions on my period and the only thing that helps with that is those same pain killers again. For our chronic mental ailments, we do coping skills and find ways to help keep us calm when our mentalities are working against us. We also balance each other out.

[@gracev2995]

Doctor's in America are like that as well. I have severe mental health issues. It's taken me twelve years to finally get the help I need. It was so difficult that I became an addict to cope. I've been clean for almost four years and im just now getting the right kind of meds. But I am sick ALOT and getting a doctor to listen and believe me that something is wrong is like pulling teeth. It took me two years to get diagnosed with TMJ. I still have a longgg way to go on my journey to being healthy. Im so happy you made a little bit of a breakthrough with your health treatment. I hope the new meds help💚

[@feenixrising1309]

I’m learning mindfulness. I have fibromyalgia and we are slowly working through the issues. Glad to hear you found a good doctor, that really does make the difference. We have a ‘free’ medical system here (NZ) too-same issues with a lot of doctors that don’t seem too interested. I’ve been prescribed a high omega dose pill that is supposed to help with joint inflammation. I’m saving up to try it. As for our cereals, we have cocoa pops, fruit loops etc but not the fancy flavoured stuff. Weetbix is a very popular breakfast here, muesli is also popular

[@els8184]

I live in America and I didn’t even know we had half of these. Lmaooo

[@magicandmoonbeams]

Same lol

[@jackiestewart5483]

The Doritos blast was the only one I've seen, but I'm in the south. Maybe it's a northern thing?

[@els8184]

Jackie Stewart. Same and I’m from northeast

[@jessd2025]

fingers crossed on that new compound medication! Keep us posted- it must be super frustrating to battle with something that has been non mainstream as far as the medical research done. What I do for a lot of ailments is a lot of meditation (in conjunction with medication) I hate to have to be on medications but with constant meditation and positive thinking I have been able to have some of the medications lowered and my goal is to eventually get off all prescribed meds. I am pulling for you!

[@onlyme6901]

As someone with diavetes, high blood pressure, sarcoidosis, and some amputations, I'm on a variety of medicines. I am very familiar with metformin. A few hints...hopefully you started on a low dose. It can take a while to adjust to it. Take it with food, always! If I don't eat enough when I take it I find out right away. And sometimes, if you just keep having problems in it, try from a different manufacturer. When my dose increased recently, I could not tolerate it, not even taking half a tablet of that one worked. I had to refill it, from a different manufacturer. (And of course now I have a 3 month supply I can't take.) My first thyroid medicine was the same way. Intestinal issues, until I switched manufacturer. And of course drink plenty of water with the metformin.

[@NailArtMom]

I feel you when talking about doctors that don't listen. When I was 14 I was diagnosed with depression and got help and everything, and after this time. No matter what problem I had, my doctor always said it's psychosomatic, until I had such pain under my lungs that I broke down crying and my friend drove me to a different doctor and it turned out: I was walking around with a pleurisy for nearly a month. It is not a shame to change your doctor if you are insecure with the decisions he/she makes. They are humans as well, and they can be wrong, too.

[@leppardess]

Our cats do that all the time, especially if they want attention. It's especially funny when there's 2 or 3 doing it at the same time. As far as snacks go, maybe I'm just not paying attention but most of the ones you mentioned, I've never heard of. I'm in Kentucky so maybe that's the reason... we're kind of behind the times with most things like that. As far as dealing with chronic illness, I've tried meditation and that works to a degree. I take kratom and combined with the meditation, it's helping a lot. That and having 12 furry babies to pet every day doesn't hurt (most of the time).I'm glad you found someone who is actively trying to help you.

[@tommy079]

A lifestyle change that I’ve adopted as a preventative measure to combat diseases in my family is being on a plant-based diet (vegan), cardio exercise daily, and making sure I sleep and wake up at the same times everyday.

[@seofra8252]

I'm American. The Oreos were special edition for spring. I hate them but my son loved them. The Cotton Candy cereal is incredible. Haven't gotten a chance to try the Sour Patch Kids cereal. There is also Unicorn cereals that are basically a box of sugar. We also have cereals that are collaborations with Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery. Haven't tried the chips. My son loves hot stuff and said they made his mouth burn.

[@bronwynwright2994]

I have PCOS and insulin resistance as well. They tried treating me with metformin but I wasn't adjusting so I no longer take it. I most likely have fibromyalgia on top of it, which mostly stems from having complex PTSD, chronic high stress and anxiety. Sad part of it all is I do not have medical insurance or an income to seek treatment. I get mental health services paid for by the clinic I go to but that's it. So I try to do what I can from home, getting fresh air, spending time with my animals, meditating, earthing, cutting out junk from my diet, arts and crafts, etc. It has been helping but isn't much of a replacement for regular healthcare by a medical professional. Anyway, thanks for the updates. It's nice to hear about other people's ways of handling life with invisible illnesses. I feel less alone and hopefully glean new information. Grains for life!

[@marianacastro6534]

In Puerto Rico we get pretty much the basics flavors of snaks and a few of the limited edition flavors

[@seofra8252]

I have Epilepsy, ADHD and chronically jacked up joints (I was a micro preemie). For my epilepsy, in addition to medication, I chill out when needed by singing in my head and concentrating on that. For my ADHD, no meds, just lots of alarm clocks and knowing that I do better when focusing on multiple things. My daughter has Eosinophilic Esophgitis. Her body doesn't process certain foods correctly because her body thinks they are allergies and releases white blood cells into her esophagus and colon. She just does diet restriction. This doesn't work for all people with EoE but it works for her. I have tried holistic stuff and it just never worked for me. I do meds. Always do what works for you. And don't let others push you to change what works.

[@devilgirlnq8511]

Yeah over in the USA we have like Oreo cereal , Reese's butter cups and those that you showed us in the USA to and all the brands of candy is made into a cereal over here

[@bnljaney]

I have diabetes and PCOS. Metformin affects a lot of people the same way you described, but a lot of them also have better luck, including myself, with the extended release version. Give the regular a little time and then I would ask about the ER/XR version if it doesn’t get better. I have heard overall that intermittent fasting can be good but I don’t know if that’s true for people with insulin resistance. I was told to keep carbs steady throughout the day so that insulin levels stay steady. BUT, I am not a doctor, and I’m happy for you that you found one that listens because despite me being in the US and paying a lot, I don’t think mine does a very good job of listening! We do have a lot of crazy sugary stuff here but I don’t think we think about it much if it’s all we know. I am going to go out of my way now to look for that Captain Crunch cereal for my brother lol 💕

[@madamenightslayer8946]

We American Grains have sweet tooth's. I haven't seen the mozzarella Ruffles yet at any of the stores in Ohio. Cincinnati Ohio is known for its chilli. Skyline or Gold Star. You should come visit Cincy sometime. I have 4 cats so I understand the cat fur everywhere. LOL. I can't stand doctors. I feel like they don't understand or are not listening. I have PCOS and Endometriosis. The only way I lost weight was doing lazy Keto. Wishing you all the best Jackie. Love seeing your videos. 💕

[@savannah8418]

We're here to support you! If you're not feeling up to filming sometimes, we'll understand. Take your time and stay as healthy as you can. We don't want our grain queen getting too worn out.

[@katibugg6808]

Honestly one the best things I’ve found for pain is medical marijuana. Also since I’ve been doing Keto, I’ve lost 30 lbs and am off Metformin and Thyroid. The pain and inflammation has also decreased tremendously to were I can walk easier and I’m not sleeping 24 7. I have cerebral palsy, pcos, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia to name a few. Keto and cannibus has honestly been a life changing for me. Good luck on your health journey! Happy holidays!

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

I take thyroid meds as a hormone replacement, as I had my thyroid removed due to cancer in 2010, just 2 years after I had gastric bypass surgery. That completely halted my weight loss. I would stay the same weight no matter what I ate, but if I got injured, I would gain 10-15lbs, so my weight kept creeping back up. I took Lyrica for fibromialgia a couple of years ago. I loved it because it took the majority of my joint pain away, but it also made me gain 80lbs over the span of 4-6 months, which put me almost back to where I was before gastric bypass. Then I had a period of about 6 weeks recently where I would only eat once a day (mostly due to not being able to get around long enough to really cook anything), and surprisingly, I lost 20lbs. I was basically sleeping the rest of the time, so I wasn't getting any exercise. I'll have to see what happens after most of my medicines being changed after my most recent hospital stay to know if that trend will continue.

[@W._Langman]

I have fibro too. The exhaustion is the absolute worst. I only recently found out there are medications I can take. My previous gp was shameful and did nothing to help. Now I have a new gp. I will make a note of what you said, to show her if you don't mind. I'm on amitriptyline for my nerve pain but it's not really doing much. I hear there is better stuff out there. They seem to want to keep it all😂 Hope you will get out of this flare-up really quickly❤️

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

@@W._Langman thanks. This flare up is a whole new issue. I have a bulged disc in my low back that is compounded by degenerative disc disease. I have been falling a lot in the past few years, so that's another issue the docs are looking into. Some of the docs think it's due to some of my meds making my blood pressure too low, so they switched up all my meds, including switching me from Armour thyroid back to levothyroxine. I guess we will see what happens.

[@Kaycyd]

@@kandipiatkowski8589 I used to fall all the time! Took months of testing to figure out what was causing the problems. Turned out I have SVT (super ventricular tachycardia). My heart beats too fast sometimes. Like a butterfly fluttering. But what would happen is if I was to start to bend over I would black out and come too after the fall. Destroyed my knees from all the falling in one year! Now, I hold on to things for balance so if I need to lean over I don't fall. Yes, they do have me on medication for the fast heart beat. I also have DDD. (Degerative Disc Disease) which is now throughout my spine. Found out in 2018.

[@kandipiatkowski8589]

@@Kaycyd I was told I have a fib, but apparently I never had any episodes while I was hooked up to the heart monitor (figures). Docs thought the med they were giving me for it was causing my blood pressure to get to low, which made me very dizzy at times. My knees are very bad as well, mine started out as just being slightly able to hyper extend and loose kneecaps in my teens and early twenties. Now I have arthritis in them, but have not had any problems with my kneecaps, just weak muscles.

[@Kaycyd]

@@kandipiatkowski8589 I got arthritis in my knees now as well. They only hurt if I try to get on them, which I know better than to kneel on anything, and I can't get up on my own any more if I fall because of the pain. Can't stand anything touching them either. :( I was hooked to monitors as well. Then I was on the one you wear for a week to two weeks at home and then from there they did a catherization of the femoral artery. Found problems with that. I can see where the blood pressure getting too low would affect falling. I think that was my problem. Bending over caused my blood pressure to get too low and down I would go. All I know was one second I'm standing up and the next I'm on the floor/ground in a ton of pain. Fib?

[@mimirudoll6705]

The Angel movie was great Jackie! Angel's love for walnuts cracked me up! Reminds me of my dad's birb named Peaches. She LOVES walnuts and pecans. And apples. 🤣 She looked like Angel. She spoke a few words which was adorable. She could say, "peek-a-boo!" "Apple" "Hello" "Meow!" "Come here." Making kissing noises and whistles.

[@claraines2230]

I also have PCOS and several other conditions, I found occupational therapy and gentle physio have really helped me. I’ve also come from a martial art background and so losing the ability to do that was really hard on me, sending strength x

[@kjtgp1]

My girlfriend has Hashimoto’s as well. She takes amour thyroid instead because synthroid didn’t work for her. It’s important as people were saying to find a good endocrinologist and get your thyroid levels checked often as well. it’s important to make sure your medicine is working and to see if the dosage needs to be changed. Also idk if your doctor told you this or not but my girlfriends doctor told her that once you have an autoimmune disease like Hashimotos it can potentially cause others. Good luck on your journey Jackie and thanks for sharing this with us! On a different note when my girlfriend and I went to Montreal in 2018 we came back with a whole bunch of Canadian snacks we don’t have here in the states lol. Like ketchup chips

[@kelsiegrobben5211]

I have chronic migraines and typically like to wind down with a hot cup of tea. I also like music, I find if I put it at a volume that's barely audible and focus on it, my migraines hurt less.

[@tamarraangelstyles877]

thank you for the content you create! i honestly love when i see you have a new vid up! you are so bubbly and so positive! you teach the world that not all adults are boring and that those of us that love cartoons and nerdy things just see another side of the world that is FUN! anywho i just wanted to say thank you i appreciate ur creativity and love watching your journeys and crafting NON CHILDISH CONTENT lol my faves are the ones with ur sister, u guys are sister goals for sure lmao xx i'm always interested to try out new anime ( i'm an adult yo kai fan yep i sing and dance to the songs! hahaha my kids are over it lmao). i was on metformin with my gestational diabetes, until you slowly build your dose it makes you feel sick and yep bathroom visits are frequent but i did lose 30 kgs. i hope you find what works for your body

[@robobunzilla]

I've got FM / ME, as well as a host of other problems that probably stem from those two (autoimmune related issues, like arthritis). I used to take bubble baths, and loved them, but our current house doesn't have a bathtub! I'm hoping that we can put a second bathroom in next summer so I can have my tub! Other things I've done to help are mostly distraction techniques... which includes listening to music, reading, movies, and watching your videos. :) Love your sense of humour. Heat also helps, so things like electric mattress warmers, electric blankets, 'magic bags', etc. You might even want to consider getting a heated seat cover for your recording chair for sore muscles / joints. Also Canadian here, and I agree that finding a good specialist can be incredibly difficult. I hope this one pans out for you!

[@Kaatastrophe]

Nope! In Belgium we have really regular kinds of cereal. Chocolate, caramel, honey flavoured stuff. And honestly, I don't mind it because I don't want to eat pure candy in the morning like those American variants.

[@zoe_dawg]

I don't eat cereal for breakfast. We eat cereal as a snack though lol.

[@bandersnatch2874]

We have a Nutter Butter cereal that tastes just like a Nutter Butter cookie. I don't normally do peanut anything -- not an allergy, they just don't like me -- but I'll splurge for this every once and a while. Frito-Lay comes out with some pretty crazy chip ideas. They had cappuccino a few years back, deep fried pickles, chicken & waffles, and mac & cheese flavored. Another company went so far as to make hot dog flavored chips -- not sure what they meant by "natural flavoring" because there's nothing natural about a hot dog...

[@sftraub]

Music helps with relaxing me, warm baths help with muscle and joint pain and doing things that destress me, Art, good movies, music. I find when I am stressed, my body holds weight like a drowning man. Lunches a life preserver. When I let go of stress, my weight drops but my eating habits don’t change. If more strenuous physical activity is impossible, walk or use an elliptical or recumbent bike. These are low impact, help your cardio health, endurance and muscle tone and destress you. Meditation or deep breathing and relaxation techniques help too. Yoga works as well when my joints hurt too much to dance. The fluidity of the movement in yoga or tai chi are similar to dance. Love you, love your animal menagerie and loved Angel’s mockumentary!

[@arialarsen4543]

Here in Poland we definitely don’t have as many cereals as in America, like, we have standard cornflakes, nesquik chocolate ones, cheerios, cinamon toast crunch and musli

[@bubbles183]

Hi Jackie, I Have a few medical challenges: 1- Fibromyalgia. 2- M.E disease - Chronic fatigue syndrome. 3- Thalassemia - a genetic blood disorder. 4- Thyroid Disease. 5- Social anxiety disorder. 6- Peripheral Neuropathy. 7- Multiple Sclerosis "MS' And I'm, totally with you when it comes to finding good doctors. I was homebound for 7 years, my doctors helped me recognise my limitation line & when I should stop and take a break. They educated me on medically & how to take care of myself better. I have the full power on which medication I'm comfortable to use & what other options I have. This year I traveled from the UK & to Abu Dhabi twice & alone using just my wheelchair. 2 ways communication with your doctors is the best thing you could do to help yourself. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE x

[@angelara2591]

Here in Germany we have also some type of unusuall flavored cereals, but most of them are like the US cereals ( just less sweet). It is lovely to hear that you have found someone who is listening. I'm on my journey to get an diagnosis since 2017... But now I have found an lovely doctor. I probably have Lupus and some other things.... But ne medication that could help me is no longer available so we have so try something else.:/

[@kellyfoster8903]

Hey Jackie, I also have pcos and all the symptoms to go with it to. Thyroid issues, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and of coarse, the saltyness. All they can do is treat the symptoms. My kitties snuggles and Missy have learned how to open their treats container, so they treat themselves. Loved Angel's video.

[@karmaakabane185]

I live in tennessee, and like a day or so ago i had bought french toast crunch, i have yet to try it but it sounds like it will be delicious. We also have lucky charms with unicorn marshmallows!!

[@ElveeKaye]

I've had the French Toast Crunch, it's really good!

[@W._Langman]

I'm from the UK but found the marshmallow lucky charms in my supermarket. For the first time ever did I taste anything other than the basic varieties of Kelloggs. Talk about a sugar rush. But very moreish😊

[@ameko1ikiru]

I have sciatica on both the left and right side, as well as arthritis(at 25 years old, yay lol) and lots of joint pain from being on my feet at my job, so I have a heated blanket that helps soothe my joints as im falling asleep. It has an auto shutoff after a few hours, so i dont have to worry about electrical issues using it at night. Even though i usually have to take 2 aleve along with quick release tylenol every day at work to make it through, which I know isnt the best

[@sunshinem.7741]

Acupuncture. Severe back pain even when I sit up straight (I know it's my fault, but I spend most of my day at desks) One of the guest lecturers (a recently retired PhD/MD) for a class stayed after to demonstrate some aural acupuncture on us--so I waited to see how other people felt during it, then tried it out. It was amazing! For a couple days no pain whatsoever, it faded back, but not as bad as before. As a previous skeptic, I'd say try it out at least once. Much love and good luck furthering your medical journey

[@digghy82]

Thank you so much for the tip about LDN! I'm reading some papers now and I'm amazed.

[@steph7506]

In Australia we have Milo (it's a chocolate malt drink) cereal - 3 different types. Nesquick cereal Nutrigrain cereal

[@gabeangel8104]

I like to experiment a lot with various mental health apps and self help strategies and have just recently got into something similar to bullet journaling which I combine with various methods to track and work on physical and emotional symptoms/health. Meditation and tools like CBT/ACT/DBT to help manage emotions and cope with pain etc. are a big part of it too. I also write down anything that has helped or inspired me and like to watch/listen to other people with disabilities, mental health issues, trauma etc to find that inspiration. There’s not a lot I can do to control the ever fluctuating symptoms of my disabilities and chronic illness so I focus on my mental and emotional health and I feel more in control when I organise, track and chart things. It also helps with my very poor memory. I also feel better when I have a daily schedule planned out, although I have to be aware of when my body is not capable of doing things that I want or have planned too. I learned to have a detailed written action plan for various symptoms and to track a lot of aspects of my life in order to carefully pace all activity so that I’m not pushing my body to the point of aggravating my conditions/symptoms too much, when I did a residential physical rehab program a few years ago and all these things are pretty much an extension of what I learned there. Creative things like art, craft and writing help with expressing myself and give me a sense of accomplishment when I can manage it because I’m severely disabled enough that I am able to do very very little to feel that about. My animals and my family and carers are also so important for helping me manage my conditions and I have to practice accepting and asking for the help I need as it doesn’t come naturally to me.