#foods high in oxalate

[ivy-saurs]

i'm gonna be okay...

[elainemorisi]

I think oxalic acid is going to become my ACTUAL INFORMATION OR SHADDUP trigger this season, give the botulism et al gripe a break

[doumadono]

Emergency request.

Idk if this count as an emergency but I have been suffering from kidney stones for a few weeks. I still have the stone in me and I'm not allowed to go to the hospital until four months time. If the stone doesn't dissolve then I would have to be put into an emergency surgery to have it removed.. Which I'm terrified about.

The first week since I had the stones. I could barely sleep and I've been on the ground in pain for so long...

Is it okay if you do a hantengu clones comforting an s/o with kidney stones cause I wonder if there anyone out there with the same problems who likes the clones as well..

Hantengu Clones & s/o with kidney stones - headcanons

A/N: I can offer some general advice that might help alleviate some discomfort: drink plenty of water to help flush out the stones. Staying hydrated is crucial in managing kidney stones; over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen might help with the pain; limit foods high in oxalates, as they can contribute to stone formation. I hope you find relief soon, and I wish you a swift and successful recovery!

EMERGENCY REQS MASTERLIST

Karaku

Karaku finds pleasure in soothing his s/o's pain, his touch gentle and comforting.

"I'll make sure this unpleasant experience is as painless as possible," he purrs with a wicked smile, applying a warm compress to ease their discomfort.

Karaku insists on giving their s/o soothing massages, making the pain a little more bearable, and ensuring they're enveloped in a world of pleasure amidst the discomfort.

"You know, a little pain can make the pleasures in life even sweeter."

Sekido

Sekido is surprisingly gentle, channeling his anger into determination to help his s/o.

"You think a little pain can keep you down, weakling?" he grumbles, but there's a hint of caring in his eyes as he assists them with their needs.

His anger can be a source of motivation, and he's there to remind them that they're strong enough to overcome this unpleasant moments.

Sekido takes charge, researching remedies and natural ways to alleviate kidney stone pain.

Aizetsu

Aizetsu approaches the situation with a deep sense of empathy and understanding.

He speaks softly, "I know it's hard, but you're not alone. I'll be here for you, through the pain and tears."

Aizetsu helps them process their emotions, offering a shoulder to cry on and words of comfort.

"Your emotions are valid, even if all you can feel is sorrow and pain."

Urogi

Urogi's boundless joy is infectious, and he's determined to keep their spirits up.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon, and we'll celebrate with something fun!" he exclaims.

He fills the room with laughter and optimism, reminding them that there's happiness on the horizon, and that they can overcome the pain.

"Imagine all the adventures we'll have once this is over!"

[mdeanstrauss]

Slender Yellow Wood Sorrel in the North Carolina Woodlands... my first encounter with this species! Can be used as a food source in limited quantity because of high oxalic acid content which gives it a bitter taste... seen by some as a yard weed, which is a pity...

[justkidneying]

Why You're Hungover on Monday Morning

So you know when you get drunk and feel like shit the next day? Have you ever wanted to be able to drink without getting a hangover? Well, I can't really help you there, but I can at least tell you why hair of the dog doesn't work.

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH): this is normal drinking alcohol. When you drink it, most of it gets dumped into your blood and into the liver. What does the liver do with it? It breaks it down into acetaldehyde (which is very toxic) and then breaks that down to acetate. The enzymes involved are Alcohol Dehydrogenase (in the cytosol) and Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase (in the mitochondria). These both use NAD+ (which is needed for normal metabolism) to do their thing, which leaves us with NADH.

So why is drinking bad for you? Cause it inhibits gluconeogenesis, causes lactic acid build up, and damages your cells (yes, you can handle it and drinking in moderation is fine, but molecularly, it is bad).

Cell Damage: acetaldehyde damages pancreas, brain, liver, and GI tract. It also impairs memory and coordination (obviously, lol), and makes you tired (wow who could have guessed that??). Basically, this compound is the reason you feel like shit. Acetaldehyde is bad for you, but you have to make it to get rid of ethanol. Some people (especially those of Asian descent) don't have enough acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. This causes a build up, so they feel worse and get that nice red face when they drink.

Lactic Acid Build Up: okay so remember all that NADH we made to break down ethanol? It's making us have a bad NADH to NAD+ ratio. We really need that NAD+ to accept an electron and allow us to make ATP (energy). So how can we make more of that? We are going to convert pyruvate (made from breaking down glucose) to lactate. What does lactate cause? LACTIC ACIDOSIS! That is bad.

Inhibition of Gluconeogenesis: do you know what you do when you haven't eaten in a little while? You make glucose (gluconeogenesis). You can make glucose from all kinds of shit, isn't that cool? One of these things is called oxaloacetate. When you have no NAD+, you convert oxaloacetate to malate. You can't make glucose from that. The high NADH to NAD+ ratio also inhibits the gluconeogenesis dehydrogenases needed to make glucose. What I'm getting at here is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because you have no usable glucose and you can't make any.

So why is this bad? Well, because you don't have glucose, but your cells are still working (and getting damaged :() you need to give some energy to them to function. This comes in the form of ketone bodies. This is really only an issue for heavy drinkers, but over time and with increased frequency, drinking can lead to ketoacidosis.

But yeah, the reason you feel bad after drinking is mostly due to how toxic acetaldehyde is. That's what causes head ache, nausea, and memory problems (from all the damage it does to those cells). So no, drinking more won't get rid of a hangover, and hair of the dog does not work. Eating food helps though, so you can finally have some glucose to work with.

Now some more notes:

Fatty Liver: this is going to be more prevalent in heavy drinkers, but it happens because you convert DHAP to glycerol-3-phosphate. G3P can combine with fatty acids to make triglycerides, which can go live in the liver and cause hepatosteatosis (fatty liver). This is also bad.

Methanol (CH3OH): this is also called wood alcohol, and can most commonly be drunk via bootleg liquor. Your body uses the same enzymes to break it down, but this time it is making formaldehyde and fomic acid. Fomic acid causes ocular toxicity (aka going blind) and brain damage. So make sure you trust whoever you get your bootleg liquor from, okay?

Ethylene Glycol (OHCH2CH2OH): this is antifreeze. Same enzymes again, but you get glycoaldehyde. This then becomes oxalic acid and glyoxylic acid. These cause lactic acidosis and calcium oxalate formation, which crystalizes in the kidneys, causing renal failure.

Final note: your body can handle drinking, like 1-2 drinks per day. I'm not your mom, so do whatever you want, but at least now you know why you feel like shit as your friends hold your hair back so you can puke in the shitty bar toilet :)

[curiositysavesthecat]

I find it difficult to urinate when I eat foods high in oxalates. The submitter of the poll might want to try avoiding oxalates for a while and seeing what happens

For the submitter of this poll

[spindle-and-nima]

Can we get a leafy green tier list from spindle and nima please??

Absolutely! they share the same favorites I'll give you the top 5 favorite greens and the 5 that were HARD misses and I'll let spindle rate those bc Nima just eats spindles favs and I don't waste money buying food one rabbit won't eat. Without further ado here's the ranking:

Number 1: Dandelion (5 stars, will binky every time)

Spindle: will jump inside the bowl as I'm setting it down

Nima: binkies the second dandelion is spotted

Number 2: Cilantro

Spindle: very close to dandelion. Boy eats it so fast and he gets an added bonus of smelling like cilantro all day 💀

Nima: mmmmmmm

Number 3: Mint

Spindle: a rare treat so he goes insane and his farts are diabolical

Nima: yumy but no strong opinions

Number 4: Green leaf lettuce

Spindle and Nima: oh boy time to scatter it around everywhere and roll around in it THEN eat it. Delicious

Number 5: Dill

Spindle LOVES it but Nima not sooo much though she will eat it. Spindle ends up smelling like pickled beast which is a minus honestly

Now for the hated greens:

Number 1: collard greens

Spindle literally gets offended he gives me this very specific look that tells me I better count my days. He will flip over the bowl and poop on it. Jail for mother and hell

Number 2: turnip greens

Spindle ate em as a baby but now hates it he will go on a food strike if I serve it

Number 3: rainbow swiss chard

Don't come at me I know it's high in oxalic acid I gave it to him once to see if it could be a rare treat. The colors made him nervous and he went on a food strike

Number 4: Romain lettuce

Seriously is it that different from Green leaf? I know it's sweeter but Last I gave him this he got so mad he pissed in the water bowl too 💀💀💀

Number 5: Endive lettuce

He's not a huge fan when it comes into the green rotation. He reluctantly eats it but you can tell he wishes it was dandelion. At least he eats it tho.

[sandheephospitals-blog]

Tips for kidney stone treatment

1. Explore the Importance of Hydration: Discuss how increasing water intake can help prevent kidney stones and aid in their treatment, including tips on how to effectively incorporate more fluids into daily routines.

2. Dietary Modifications for Kidney Stone Prevention: Provide an overview of foods to include and avoid in a kidney stone-friendly diet, emphasizing the role of calcium, oxalate, and sodium in stone formation.

3. Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Kidney Stone Recurrence: Highlight practical lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise and weight management, that can significantly lower the risk of developing kidney stones in the future.

Consulting a Urologist for Effective Kidney Stone Management

Kidney stones are a common and painful condition that affects millions of people each year

Seeking the expertise of a urologist is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of kidney stones

Understanding Kidney Stones

Definition of kidney stones: Hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys

Common causes of kidney stones: Dehydration, diet high in certain minerals, family history, underlying medical conditions

Diagnosing Kidney Stones

Role of the urologist in diagnosing kidney stones

Imaging tests used: Abdominal X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound

Analyzing the composition of the stone

Treatment Options Recommended by Urologists

Pain management: Medications to relieve pain and discomfort

Promoting stone passage: Increased fluid intake, medications to relax the ureter

Surgical interventions (if necessary):

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL)

Ureteroscopy

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

Importance of Follow-up Care

Monitoring for recurrence of kidney stones

Adjusting treatment plan as needed

Addressing underlying medical conditions

If you are experiencing symptoms of kidney stones, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with our experienced urologists.

Sandheep Hospital

Address : #96, Palace Road, Near Mahal, Madurai

24/7 Emergency Call : +91 83006 55325

[xtruss]

A woman prepares Matcha Tea, a popular morning drink that provides a Steady Energy Boost and Enhances Mental Clarity. It’s one of several Coffee Alternatives gaining attention for their Health Benefits. Photograph By Liudmila Chernetska, Getty Images

Are These Coffee Alternatives Worth The Hype?

From the Brain-Boosting Effects of Guarana to the Calming Properties of Matcha, These Drinks Offer Both an Energy Lift and Enhanced Mental Focus.

— By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira | August 29, 2024

For many, the day doesn’t begin without that first sip of coffee—a ritual so ingrained it’s almost synonymous with morning itself. But as interest in health and wellness grows, caffeine alternatives offering a different pick-me-up are gaining traction. From the ancient ritual of matcha to the probiotic benefits of kombucha, a range of options promises to energize your morning without the usual coffee jitters. Here’s what you need to know.

Mushroom Coffee ☕️

Mushroom coffee is emerging as an energy-boosting alternative to your regular cup of joe, says Jessica Gavin, a food scientist and author of Easy Culinary Science for Better Cooking.

This morning blend combines ground coffee beans with adaptogenic mushrooms like chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps. Unlike their psychedelic counterparts, these mushrooms won’t alter your mind, but they can help the body adapt to stress, improve immune function, and maintain steady focus, says Gavin. Adding mushrooms to your beverage also provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, selenium, and B vitamins.

According to Gavin, most mushroom coffee products use less caffeine—about 48 to 50 milligrams—compared to an eight-ounce cup of coffee which contains 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine.

“Because mushroom coffee does not have the same taxing load on your central nervous system, one could reasonably assume it’s a better alternative than a cup of coffee or green tea,” says Yaa Boakye, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Elite Body Data.

However, mushrooms like chaga can contain high levels of oxalates, which may increase the risk of kidney stones if consumed in excess.

Matcha Green Tea 🍵

Matcha, a potent form of green tea, delivers more than just a caffeine kick. With around 70 milligrams of caffeine per serving—more than the 50 milligrams in black tea—this herbal brew offers sustained energy without the jitters. According to Gavin, matcha’s unique combination of caffeine and antioxidants boosts brain energy while promoting relaxation, thanks to the amino acid L-theanine, which is known to reduce stress and protect against neuronal injury.

Yerba Mate 🧉

Containing roughly as much caffeine as coffee, South America’s super brew, yerba mate, packs more antioxidants than any other tea-based drink. Made from the leaves of holly trees native to the region, yerba mate offers a steady caffeine release, providing sustained energy without the jitters. According to Boakye, this tea is also rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals not typically found in traditional caffeinated beverages.

Research shows that yerba mate can boost mental alertness and enhance physical performance. Additional benefits include antimicrobial properties, support for weight loss, and the potential to lower blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, and combat chronic inflammation.

Yaupon Tea 🫖

Yaupon tea, brewed from the leaves of the yaupon holly—the only caffeinated plant native to the United States—offers a mild yet energizing boost. Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered, says that yaupon tea contains 0.1 to 2 percent caffeine, less than coffee’s 1 to 3 percent. However, it’s not just about caffeine; yaupon tea is rich in xanthines, including theobromine, which enhances mood and alertness without the jitters.

Kombucha 🧋

Kombucha, a fermented tea, is celebrated for its gut health benefits and mild stimulant effects. According to Le, kombucha retains some of the tea’s bioactive compounds, including 3 to 6 percent caffeine, depending on how it’s brewed. But the real star is its probiotics—beneficial microorganisms that nourish the gut’s “good” bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is linked to improved cognitive functions like attention, memory, and learning. Additionally, kombucha is rich in B vitamins, which Boakye says help the body metabolize nutrients into cellular fuel.

Guarana ☕️

Guarana stands out for its impressive caffeine content, with berries containing 2 to 8 percent caffeine—far exceeding the 1 to 3 percent in coffee beans. In addition to caffeine, guarana is rich in stimulating compounds like theophylline and theobromine, which, according to Gavin, boost cognitive performance, reduce fatigue, and increase alertness. It also boasts antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Often found in energy drinks with doses ranging from 50 to 75 milligrams, guarana can also be added as a powder to smoothies or other beverages. However, Boakye cautions against excessive consumption to avoid caffeine crashes and jitteriness, noting that the FDA recommends a daily limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine.

“If someone is about to sit and do some office work, [guarana] is probably not a good idea,” says Boakye. “But if you’re about to go and do a workout or an intense boot camp, [it] might be helpful since it provides that quick burst of energy.”

Turmeric Lattes🥤

For a caffeine-free morning boost, turmeric lattes, known as golden milk, deliver powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Made with turmeric and curcumin, this golden drink can be enhanced with a touch of coconut oil and black pepper, which improve curcumin absorption, says Gavin. Ginger, another key ingredient, aids digestion and adds a spicy kick.

“I prefer it in the morning because the combination of ingredients has a way of stimulating you,” says Gavin. She says the sensation of the gingery spices, pepper, and warm cinnamon on your tongue helps wake up the senses differently than caffeine.

[kimyoonmiauthor]

Loose theory about why Pacman frogs suddenly croak out of nowhere?

Most set ups are like this: - No water dish. - A bunch of cocopeat - No plants because the plants refuse to grow in cocopeat and the frog digs up the plants. - The keeper cleans it once a month. - People emphasize up and down, than these frogs need calcium and some say to even forego the multivitamin. In the wild the pacman frogs live in heavy grasslands and in tropical rainforests. They love puddles. Muddy puddles. If you look up wild ones on youtube, which is also hilarious, BTW, you'll find they do not live in cocopeat. They live in soil.

The frogs I have in order to defecate need water puddles.

Look at the first set up:

No water dish.

cocopeat is too neutral a medium.

There's no plants to absorb their pee. They need nitrogen fixers.

They are sitting in their pee for a month.

They are only getting calcium. Nothing else.

So I'd consider the following changes:

water dish and absolutely clean it every day. In the wild, in the rain forest around the equator they would get daily rains around mid day. This means their pee gets diluted or washed away. Sanitize it. They jump in it. Pee and defecate in it. Why give them a chance to only do that once a week? And do you want to sit in your own pee? Make sure they can get in and out of it.

Add red wigglers to the set up and cut the cocopeat. Reptisoil with powdered charcoal+ worm castings+springtails and isopods. Cocopeat is HIGH in salt. Does salt+frogs mix well? Do you want to absorb a high amount of salt every day? Even the low salt ones have high salt. The worms are a canary in the coal mine type of situation and will churn your soil so it doesn't stagnate. Lack of worms will also tell you moisture content and if the soil is growing too toxic. Worms hate cocopeat and die due to salt content. So do you want your frogs sitting in that?

The bottom reservoir layer use charcoal to clean water and pull any toxic stuff away from the frog. In nature this is replenished with leaves, grasses which love to fix the nitrogen and pee in the soil. Oxalate, which is part of pee is broken down by particularly a bacteria that hangs on grasses. These frogs live in the rain forest. and love grasslands. It's fairly clear, here the plants are doing a lot of heavy lifting for the frogs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7485683/

Consider nitrogen fixing plants with strong root systems like clover and the old world pea family which aren't toxic to frogs. Also consider plants with generally strong root systems. Pothos, for example, does well.

Use a multivitamin at least once a week. They need vitamin B to have aim at their food and control their nerves. Feed the dipped end of the nightcrawler in the multivitamin first so the frog doesn't knock off the powder in eating it.

vary their diet. Nightcrawlers make a good staple, but be sure to also feed them gut loaded dubia roaches and so on.

Frogs can absorb minerals like calcium through their skin. It's possible in the wild, Pacman frogs are absorbing other minerals through the soil they sit in—muddy puddles are their favorite spots in the wild, remember? So keep that in mind when choosing the substrate and make sure the soil is clean. (Source:) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685711/

Make sure the frog can still jump, if it can't that's a sign of vitamin deficiency, usually calcium and vitamin B. A lot of people keep saying things like pacman frogs are lie in wait predators so don't need to move. No. Really. Check they can still move so they don't have a vitamin B deficiency.

Check for red leg syndrome too.

Personally, I use non-powdered gloves to pick up my frog.

[helperhome]

Foraging! (1/?)

With the way the world is and the direction we're headed in as a society, it's becoming increasingly essential to become as self-reliant as possible. Unfortunately in just a few generations, the “leaders” of our world have nearly wiped all of the old common knowledge away. Capitalist consumerism has turned us into reliant beings who - for the most part - have stopped doing things that are in sync with the earth. We rely on stores for everything - from food to “convenient” items such as paper products, cleaning supplies, and other home goods. But did you know that with a little work you can make everything you need? For a long time i didn't either.

Foraging is an important skill that everyone should know! You can find most of the things you’d need for your daily life.

Some of my favorite foods to forage for are predominantly greens, but some plants also have edible seeds and roots as well. Most of the best forage is considered “weeds” by our society, which is unfortunate. Take lamb’s quarter for example; a common weed known around the world that is high in fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It also contains a bunch of other important nutrients such as calcium, omega-3, omega-6, and manganese. 

Another nutritious “weed” is purslane. It’s high in omega-3’s and potassium. One thing to be aware of is oxalic acid, which is found in purslane, known to be an anti-nutrient. While those with kidney issues should use caution with this compound, cooking the plant before consumption can help break down the acid. 

Along with those, I also enjoy bitter dock, which is loaded with vitamin A and potassium. The roots of this plant are also known for having a detoxifying effect on the liver. 

Many of the weeds in the US are renowned across the globe and a perfect example of that is amaranth. An ancient grain that is a staple in many countries is regarded as a pest here. This impressive plant has been able to develop a resistance to glyphosate (a cancer-causing chemical used in Roundup), which will likely become highly important in years to come. This plant’s leaves and seeds are edible and highly beneficial, containing vitamins A and C, calcium, folate (leaves), and protein (seeds). A fun bonus to this awesome plant: you can pop the seeds (~100k per plant) like popcorn! There’s a reason why this plant is loved around the world. 

Since we’re discussing edible weeds, this beginner post would not be complete if we didn’t discuss dandelions. High in lots of vitamins such as A, K, and C, this plant is highly nutritious. The best part of this plant (in my opinion)? This plant is basically heart medicine AND the ENTIRE plant is edible! My favorite part of the plant would have to be the roots, they taste delicious and become perfectly tender when added to soups or sautees. The roots also help metabolize estrogen (while important), which can cause major problems in both men and women when in high concentrations. Since it can be found in tap water (in the US), everyone should try to consume dandelion to reduce any harmful effects of it.

I will be focusing some time on discussing a lot of the different plants you can forage for, as well as their uses, so stay tuned for that!(:

{will add my sources in a bit, I just wanted to get this up a while(: }

[sicksadbon3s]

I finally had a bowel movement(haven’t had one on my own in almost two days)-I’ve been drinking prune juice the last couple days

Been eating more fiber & trying to do workouts while cleaning, like using my legs to bend instead of my back, and kneeling while doing simple tasks! I legit am not very physically active unless it’s house work or walking to the laundry center which is like 300-350ft from where I live, so basically 0.1 miles.

I had a canned pea soup from Aldi for lunch yesterday & box Mac and cheese, homemade anti-inflammatory lentil, and split pea soup I made for dinner (with fresh carrots, celery, onion, minced garlic & ginger) oh yeah, oatmeal for breakfast!

I had a chia seed pudding for breakfast this morning -I made with milk, nonfat plain yogurt, agave syrup, vanilla extract & a couple of dates

For snack I just ate blue-corn chips, mini hummus cup, light string cheese, & honest fruit punch juice box<333

I hope I have more bowel movements today, I’m basing everything on fiber, low oxalate and high calcium to help cancel out the oxalates in seeds and other foods

I need to keep oxalates low bc I am kidney stone prone~ currently stone free & wanna keep it that way!

[xhlactics]

Food Grade Sodium Lactate CAS NO. 867-56-1 Wholesale

The CAS number of sodium lactate is 867-56-1, also known as sodium lactate and sodium lactate salts. It is a liquid with a food grade sodium lactate color of<150, a light yellow color, tasteless, and slightly salty. It is a natural product extracted from lactic acid and a key ingredient in the food industry, used as a preservative, emulsifier, and stabilizer. It is also used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries as an antioxidant and preservative.

Specification of Food Grade Sodium Lactate CAS NO. 867-56-1

Ldentification

Of sodium salt and lactate

Color fresh

Colorless to light yellow

Smell

No irriation,no odor

Content

≥60%

Stereochemical purity (L-isomer)

≥95%

Color fresh

≤150APHA

PH（lmo/L solution

6.5-7.5

Chloride

≤0.05%

Sulfate

≤0.005%

Citric,oxalic,phosphoric and tartaric acid

Passes test

Reducing sugar

Passes test

Lead

≤2mg/kg

Arsenic

≤1mg/kg

Heavy metal(calculated as Pb)

≤20mg/kg

Cyanide

≤1mg/kg

Food Grade Sodium Lactate Application

1. Food Grade Sodium Lactate is used as a preservative and flavoring agent in food.

2. It can be used as an emulsion stabilizer in emulsions and as an acidity regulator, flavor enhancer and preservative in sauces, dressings, canned food, and jams.

3. It is also used as a humectant in bakery products, ice cream, and other dairy products.

4. Food Grade Sodium Lactate is used to increase the shelf life of food products.5. It can also be used as a buffering agent, thickening agent and flavoring agent in beverages.

[jenroses]

My insurance is pretty good, all things considered. We pay through the nose for it, so it ought to be. The same company administers medicaid in my area, which I know because for a variety of weird reasons, I ended up accidentally covered by medicaid for a few years, and for other reasons, couldn't get off of it until they kicked me off, because we buy our coverage through the marketplace and you can't get marketplace coverage if medicaid covers you, even if you shouldn't qualify but they're not kicking people off because Pandemic. (I told them our income and resources. There was no fraud. It was an internal thing? IDK. Oregon is weird. When they finally did kick me off they didn't warn me, either, though I managed to find out before it was A Problem.)

Anyway. Our old coverage covered Victoza for me, because I'd failed or wasn't suitable for a variety of diabetes meds.

And the first year I was on medicaid, we weren't buying coverage through the marketplace because we didn't qualify for a subsidy so there was no point. So I was covered both with medicaid and private insurance and medicaid paid all the copays so that was nice.

So here I am on a combination of drugs that is working gangbusters for me for diabetes, keeping my A1C at like, 5.8 or lower without insulin. Great.

Medicaid giving me no friction at all.

We decide the next year to just let medicaid cover me because my premium by itself would have added about $800 per month to our monthly bills.

And the first few months are fine, then they deny coverage for both diabetic drugs. One of them is like $60 out of pocket so I just pay that.

Victoza is not that cheap. Victoza costs more than my premiums had, per month, every month and if you're on medicaid they cannot give you copay assistance.

We argue. State rules say you have to have an A1C of 7.0 or higher and have failed XY and Z drugs in order to get a glp1 drug. I call the state. The state is like, "They have some latitude in this."

Insurance company is like, "no."

So I have to go off victoza for a while. I eked it out for a bit, smaller doses, but then finally decided, "If I have to stop it, I'll stop it and we'll see."

My blood sugar which had been creeping up through this, shot up. I went from regular readings of 90-110 to 180-240 almost immediately. My A1C shot up from 5.9 to 6.5 in six weeks.

I was having regular incontinence and numbness in my hands and feet from the damage it was doing to my nerves. Keep in mind I am immune suppressed, so this was incredibly scary. This is probably when my kidney stones formed. Keep in mind also that my diet at that time included almost no carbohydrates. This is all sugar my liver was making.

The one time I tried insulin my blood sugar spiked, I was literally that insulin resistant.

So we documented all this and sent it to the insurance company and what do you know, they reversed their decision long before I got to 7.0 A1C. So it wasn't that "set in stone", the guideline was just there to keep out people who were wanted it for weight loss.

So I got my meds, great, right?

Well, I've never gotten my blood sugar quite that far down again. It's very stable now at 120, +/- 5 points, no matter what, and most of the nerve damage was reversable, but not quite all.

That break in therapy damaged me. Possibly forever. The kidney stones have further limited my diet and made it actually impossible for me to go as low carb as I used to be when my sugars were optimal. There were a wide variety of foods that I was able to use before that I can't use now because of their oxalate content. The combination of being low carb while having a high blood sugar was a bad one. (I ate a lot of almonds. Almonds are stupidly high in oxalates.)

I had to jump through SO many hoops for rheumatoid arthritis to finally land on the drug that works for me, one which is ironically cheaper than many options at $2700 per month, but the step therapy before that is nutzo.

Getting nurtec covered for my migraines was almost trivially easy compared to my diabetic meds and my ra meds. But even there, it was not fast, and I suffered a lot. And it only works kinda, sorta, if I take it at the perfect time. The first drug I tried was so painful and scary that I went another five years without treatment because I'd rather have migraines than feel like imitrex made me feel, ever again.

I’ve got my tumblr inbox turned off so I really have to commend the person who actually emailed me to let me know they don’t like the things I’ve posted about the UnitedHealth CEO being murdered on their commitment to their beliefs.

But seen as how you emailed me from a dud email that appears to be bouncing back replies and I really wanted to address something you said to me about violence begetting violence:

My migraine medication, the medication I was given for my debilitating neurological disease that has gotten so bad I spent most of this year actively suicidal, costs $1300 a month.

My insurance covered it. But only because my doctors office went to fucking war for me because I’m a high anaphylaxis risk for the drugs the insurance wanted me to try.

Because that’s the thing.

My doctors knew, based on my documented medical history, I likely wouldn’t be a good fit for the “first line” of preventative migraine drugs, but because of insurance, I had to be given drugs that were contradictory to my other life threatening conditions, because otherwise insurance wouldn’t cover anything else.

I failed them. Spectacularly and with an anaphylactic reaction to one of them. And I was still warned insurance would fight me because I hadn’t tried the remaining drug they wanted me to try.

A drug which I would have to take in an ER waiting room because my mast cell disease is unpredictable but insurance wouldn’t cover in-patient treatment to let me try it safely under medical supervision.

Is that not violence?

Were all the times I was denied coverage for vital and necessary procedures that could have prevented my disabilities from worsening not violence?

Maybe not in the sense you mean. But I assure you it felt very much like violence to me.

Do I condone murder? No, obviously. But I’m also sick and tired of people pretending that what is happening to the American people every day isn’t eugenics through class warfare.

Violence begets violence.

It sure fucking does.

Maybe these insurance companies should have thought of that first.