[MissKitty83]

Windex is a very well-known brand of glass cleaner here in the US. It’s usually blue, too, for some strange reason…

[MissKitty83]

You might also want to try Elderberry (black elderberry) syrup. Take 2 tablespoons twice a day til you feel better – it’s antiviral – better than even Tamiflu!! Works wonders for me.
I agree on the Emergen-C too! Also, lemon tea (with added lemon juice if you need so you can taste it) Plus lemon and a shot of whiskey (or your choice of alcohol). Yes, Alcohol IS medicinal in the correct quantities!! The citric acid in the lemon juice breaks up the phlem/mucus in your throat, honey soothes, and the alcohol helps open your sinuses and also helps you sleep. It’s important to breathe in the vapors from this Hot Toddy mixture, too!
I"m recovering from an AWFUL cold myself that’s had me down for 4 days now, and counting. Much better today than day one – may actually be able to go to work tomorrow. We’ll see. I didn’t start on the Elderberry myself until today, because I forgot about it, didn’t have any in the house, and was too sick to go get some.
Hope you feel better soon!

[MissKitty83]

I work in an OR.
1) do you remember this panic attack? Lots of people wake up from the anesthesia scared or worse, violent. But it’s not usually something that is remembered.
2) Sorry, surgery really is the only way to truly get rid of it permanently.
3) As for the acne back there, just keep the area very clean. Wash daily with very warm water and soap. Most any kind of soap will do, but something specially made for acne or oily skin will probably work best. You can also get Tea Tree essential oil from the drug store and rub that on when you finish cleaning the area – it helps prevent acne, and even though it says ‘oil’ it’s an essential oil, and so will not clog your pores. Just make sure you get one that says something like 100% pure Tea Tree essential oil, and that it’s not diluted in Almond/Jojoba/Olive/any other kind of oil. You can apply it directly to the area without diluting it – it will not harm your skin. (you cannot do this with all essential oils, though.) You can also, at the end of this process or even in the middle of the day, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol. This will remove any excess oil, contaminants from your skin and close the pores.

I agree with what every one else has said though – find a doctor you like and trust. He/she is out there. You may also want to find out if it was it an anesthesiologist (MD) that did your anesthesia, or a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Get a copy of your medical record from when you had your wisdom teeth out, and find out what kind of drugs they used to put you to sleep. They may have just given you something you had a bad reaction to. Talk to the doctor you trust about this. S/He’ll understand. There are lots of drug options to put someone to sleep. Also, make sure to tell them EVERYTHING you take – even vitamin and herbal supplements, BCs, the occasional sleep-aid, aspirin or NSAID… everything. All of this can affect how the drugs effect you.
Arm yourself with knowledge. Find a doctor you like, and arm them with your past experience and what you know about it. TALK TO THE DOCTOR. The more you can tell him/her about what happened to you in the past and how apprehensive you are about it happening again, the better able they will be to soothe your fears and prevent your past from repeating itself. Any good doctor WILL take the time to listen, respond, and find an option that’s best for you.

Good luck!!

[MissKitty83]

I think I might try this – I take a daily suppliment that already has 18 mg of Iron in it, but I must not be absorbing most of it. I get phenomenal bruises on my shins, knees and the tops of my feet when I climb. I don’t have much of a problem with energy level most of the time, but I do think that I lose more hair than I should. Of course, that might be due to stress, too – I work at the front desk of an operating room suite. I think OR is synonymous with Stress. But I’ll try this and let you know how it works for me. Thanks for posting this!!

[MissKitty83]

you know, it’s kinda sad no one responded to this post. This is something I’d like to know for myself. What was your final verdict?

[MissKitty83]

help! my eyebrows have very very little arch to them, and I can’t figure out any way to fix this… They’re not heavy so it’s not like I can just pluck them into the shape I want without them turning into pencil-thin brows (which I think looks retarded)… I’ll try and get a pic for you if you want…

[MissKitty83]

First let me say that I LOVE SALLY’S. Their Finger Paints line is fabulous, with TONS of colors. I’ve never tried OPI nail polish, i just can bring myself to spend that much on it, but I do like the selection and quality of the Finger Paints. I usually pop a coat of Sally’s Gelous clear coat as a base coat, two coats of color, and then add Sally Hansen’s Advanced HARD as NAILS Strengthening Topcoat. The color on my toes lasts at least a month, and when it comes off, it’s usually in one or two big pieces that just flake right off and don’t leave my nail damaged! I’m super hard on my hands, so polish on them doesn’t last as long – I usually get about 2 weeks before small chips and cracks start to drive me crazy. I really am going to have to go try the Sally’s Never Chip you were talking about, Chem.

I also color my own hair, and use the Clairol color and creme developer. Also, because I color my hair every 8 weeks, I’ve started to get coupons for BOGO on the Clairol color. I love it that I go, buy 2 for the price of one, and after I use the second one (16 weeks later) I usually get another coupon for another BOGO!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

I really don’t wear much make-up. I am lucky to be naturally pretty, and usually all I go out in is Maybelline Great Lash waterproof mascara (because I wear contacts…) and some chapstick. Lipgloss and a trio of brown eyeshadows if I want it pop it up a little. I don’t like foundations or powders; I don’t like the way they feel on my skin. I have combination sensitive skin, so I try to avoid putting crap on my face. And, I hate spending $7-15 for a foundation that makes me break out after the second application. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_mad.gif

I’ve had the most luck with The Body Shop’s cream-to-powder foundation. It’s good quality, good coverage, lightweight – I forget I’m wearing it. I haven’t tried the mineral foundations yet. As I said, I don’t wear makeup unless I’m going out, and I hate experimenting. Any suggestions/recommendations?

Anyway, there’s my 2 cents. ^_^

~Miss Kitty https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cat.gif

[MissKitty83]

So after turning the AC up so your room was a nice, cool 72, did your pole get more grippy? Please let me know – I’m looking at buying a pole, think the brass poles at the studio are super easy to grip, but am afraid of buying the chrome because I’ve heard of people saying how slick it is!! I’ve never been on anything other than the brass poles at the studio. Also, do you tend to notice the joints in the pole when you use it? I would be fearful of the joints and holes for the hex keys being abrasive…
I know this may sound strange, but do you think it would be possible for me to one day come over and try yours out? We talked about a BBQ earlier in the summer and I was sick that day. Please let me know! Thanks!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cat.gif

~Miss Kitty

[MissKitty83]

I’m a real newbie at pole dancing, and the only thing I’ve tried are the brass poles at my studio. I have normal skin and hands, and they do not sweat. I’m not a huge fan of the brass poles, though, I feel like I stick too much, and I’ve only logged 5 hours on the poles so far. I tend to like the poles better at the beginning of class, before they warm up, because they’re a little more slick. I have no problems whatsoever gripping or climbing, but I sometimes stick too much to be able to comfortably do spins, and sometimes just sliding down from a climb is sticky and uncomfortable. I don’t know if this is inexperience or not, though.
Would like to try a chrome pole, as that seems to be the next more slippery pole, excepting the Titanium Gold XPole, and I doubt I’ll ever have or get to play on one of those. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif Also, I’m in Charleston, and the weather here is mostly hot and humid.

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif Thank you so much for starting this thread, Veena!! It has been SUPER informative and helpful!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_colors.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif

[MissKitty83]

I WENT TO MY FIRST POLE CLASS TONIGHT!!! So thrilled. We did SOOOO much, I’m a little brain boggled. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif Was much fun though! Just thought I’d share. ^_^ So happy! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MissKitty83]

I know where Dorchester is – you’re not too far from Summerville! I used to live over by the Dorchester County airport. I live in Goose Creek now. I know it’s a little bit of a drive to get to S’ville, but if it’s only once or twice a week for pole class, wouldn’t it be worth it? Would love to see you in class sometime!!

[MissKitty83]

Sounds great! Yay pole friends!! Y’all can contact me whenever! check your Mailboxes!

[MissKitty83]

I’m in Goose Creek!!! Getting ready to start lessons at Goddess Dance in S’ville the first of October! I have no experience pole dancing, do not have my own pole (yet) but am excited to learn! Would be great to get in touch with both of you!!

[MissKitty83]

I’ll take one too!!

That was AWESOME. That response was so full of WIN it cannot even be described. Major props to your hubby!!!

[MissKitty83]

Day 3: Did not stretch long last night as was tired and depressed due to things going on in my life right now. Adductors sore this morning, but not much. Got in the hot tub this evening and stretched again. Feels like I’m gaining. The shaking is going away. Hip flexors and hamstrings definitely my two worst areas.

[MissKitty83]

Update! surprisingly, not sore today! Did I not push hard enough I wonder or hold the stretch long enough?? SHOULD I be sore the next day? I can feel it a little, just when I tense the muscles, but not anywhere near sore. Have not tried Day 2 yet – have to warm up first. Will post later when I have. Didn’t want to try from the floor because I thought posture was more important – keeping my back straight, rather than bending forward to reach the floor between my legs. Does it matter?

BTW Ratty, thanks again for posting this site – I was so impressed last night that I reposted your original 2 posts about it (in quote form to credit you, of course) in another thread about flexibility in the Health and Fitness forum. I hope you don’t mind. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif I just wanted to share it with everyone! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

~Miss Kitty

[MissKitty83]

This is from another thread, it started with talking about STACEY NEMOUR’s Secrets of Splits & Flexibilty DVD, and then the ingenious ratty said this:

I bought this DVD and it has some good stretches in it, but overall I’m not that excited about it. Most of the stretches are ones that I already work on, so I didn’t find any real "secrets".

However, I DID finally find a method that got me into full splits fast (WOO-HOO!!!) even with a pulled hamstring that has been giving me fits for 4 months. Someone else on the forum (I can’t remember who) posted this awhile back and it WORKS, and it’s fast. I am soooo excited about it that I’m going to give a class at the studio to show everyone how to do it. It’s very simple, but not easy, lol! The article is here:

http://www.unique-bodyweight-exercises.com/splits.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The main way that it works is that you hold each stretch for a VERY long time, forcing the muscles to fatigue until they give out. I think most of us are used to holding a stretch for what feels like a long time, but isn’t really long enough to get the job done. In this method you stay there for a few minutes (feels like forever!) and it’s not easy! You can start to feel it happen after that. It only took 2 sessions for me to see a real difference. I’ve done it 6 or 7 times now and the difference is amazing. My routine takes about 15 minutes and does not hurt my pulled hamstring.

If anyone is interested, I’ll be glad to post more details. I LOVE this method, and am so grateful to the poler who originally posted it here, and who is now probably a contortionist, lol!

The article goes into lots of detail about the technique itself. I don’t do all the stuff he talks about because like you, I was pretty close to splits already but couldn’t get all the way there. I am trying to do this every single day, and it takes about 15-20 minutes, plus whatever time it takes to warm up first. Here’s my sequence:

1. Forward bend–just relax into it, keep relaxing and keep holding for about 2 minutes, or until your hands go flat on the floor. I got almost immediate results with this one.

2. Lunge–back leg is straight out behind me with toes on the floor so knee is off the floor. This is great for the hard-to-stretch muscles at the tops of thigh and front of hips. I start out with hands on the floor, and then gradually start to take the weight off of them a little, so more weight is going into my hips. I hold this for several minutes on each side. I don’t feel huge changes while I’m doing it, but I can tell it helps with my back leg when I go into splits.

3. Side Lunge–hands on the floor on either side of my front foot–this gives a great side stretch as well as the leg stretch. This one is reeeeeaaaaallly hard to hold for a long time, but I keep sinking lower until I can’t stand it anymore. It’s probably only a minute or so. Feels like infinity.

3. Front splits–back knee facing down, hands on the floor, I go as deep as I can, then wait it out while consciously relaxing the muscles. Push down a little more, then relax and wait. And again, and again, and again…lol…I spend a few minutes on each side or until I can’t take it anymore. By then I’m way further than where I started every time!
I do it on both sides and sometimes repeat it.

4. Straddle splits–I hold on to the pole and slide down as far as I can (this was my least flexible area) and wait, letting my body weight slowly push me down. It’s a great upper body workout, too, since you’re supporting yourself with your arms, lol! My arms were actually sore the next day! If you wait long enough you’ll really get deep in this one–it’s amazing after you do it a few times. I can almost get flat and I’ve never been even close to that, EVER!!

5. Front splits–after doing the straddle split I do these again, and this is when I can get all the way down. The straddle definitely helps with the second round.

6. Straddle split–If I have it in me, I do another straddle. By this time I’m usually shaking and worn out.

So for all of these, I am relying mainly on waiting out the muscle tension until it gives out and I can go further. It takes a long time and is very uncomfortable (that’s an understatement). Sometimes I will go as deep as I can, wait, then contract all the muscles hard for a few seconds, then relax and wait again. But usually I just relax and wait.

7. Leg raises–I don’t do these every time. Lying on your back, pulling your leg towards your head. For some reason, I don’t really feel the stretch with this one. Maybe because I don’t have the benefit of my body weight pushing on the leg. For this one I use the muscle contractions. I stretch the leg in as much as I can and hold it, then contract HARD, relax and wait, and then repeat it all a few times.

I don’t use all the visualizations like he recommends–I just stretch, breathe, and focus. And wait. And wait. And wait….

I could tell the difference almost immediately with these stretches. I am very tightly strung together, so I have to work hard for every little bit of flexibility I get. I really have to work on hip openers (I use some good ones from yoga, just not often enough). I’m going to try this technique with those stretches, and try to find a way to use it in backbends. I just love it and have been so excited to see real results, finally! I’ve also experienced less soreness and discomfort after these than with the way I used to stretch. It makes sense, since this really lets your muscles relax and lengthen. Sometimes I can’t spend as long as I want to doing them, but even if I can do 10 minutes I still feel the progress.

Let me know if you need any more info, and I’m anxious to hear what you think once you’ve tried it!!

I’m interested in hearing your take on it. I just finished Day One of week one. My front splits are 12 inches from the ground (while I’m clinging to a chair and shaking, trying to remember to breathe and get my muscles to relax) and my straddle splits are 9 inches from the floor. I’ll try and keep you updated on my progress. Hope this helps some of you.

I only reposted ratty’s posts here because they were in a somewhat obscure thread, and I thought this might make it easier to find. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[MissKitty83]

I just found this thread and am going to try out this six week program. Just finished day one. Am 12 inches off the floor with front splits (clinging desperately to a chair and shaking) and nine inches off the floor with straddle splits. My legs are feeling weak and shake-y right now, will let you know how I’m feeling tomorrow.

~Miss Kitty

[MissKitty83]

Thanks for your feedback Bace.

~Miss Kitty

[MissKitty83]

In the South (USA) everyone knows what WD-40 is. It’s our fix-all.

"That hinge squeaky?" WD-40.
"Brakes squealing?" WD-40.
"Face broke out?" Wd-40.

Ok, kidding about the face, but I’m sure some Southerner has considered it.

lol! I guess it’s like WINDEX huh?

LMAO!!! "Put some Windex on it!!!" Love that movie!!!

[MissKitty83]

YAY and welcome! I did my undergrad at CofC! This is a great site full of awesome advice and friendly polers!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

Thanks!! I’m learning that very quickly! There are so many voices here and everyone is so helpful and friendly! I know this is the right place for me! Thanks for the suggestion of the 45mm pole, Veena. I was wondering if that would be better for me – I’m 5’1" and my hands are only about 6 1/2 inches from the base of my palm to the tip of my longest finger. I read in an article somewhere that chrome can flake off a pole… have you heard of this?

I’m already addicted – my girl friend and I have been playing with the idea of taking a pole dancing class for almost a year now, But I’ve only really seriously started to look into it in the past month or two. I can’t stay away from this website. I love all the information you’ve put out for us, Veena, and I love everyone here, how they’re so helpful and friendly and encouraging! I keep watching everyone’s videos of inverts and spins, and I can’t wait to be able to do that myself! Even Hannahpc’s videos of her very first few days with her pole are helpful – lets me know that if I turn out to be terrible at first (which I’m sure I will) at least I’m not the only one!! ^_^

~Miss Kitty

[MissKitty83]

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the Markstaar pole kit. Has anyone used one or know someone that’s used one? I know you get what you pay for, especially after hearing everyone here rave about the xpole, but could I get some feedback on this? I’m looking to buy my first pole and was curious if this was a viable option. Here’s the link. Thanks!

http://www.markstaar.com/product/DANCE-POLE-KITS/2-STAINLESS-STEEL-DANCE-POLE-KIT.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

~Miss Kitty