Can I look at Facebook pictures if I'm not a member of Facebook? My older sister sent an email that she was putting pictures up, and I'm reluctant to get an account.

connie, if she makes them public, you can look at them without an account. Alternatively, direct links skirt the privacy filters.

2 vitamins

I'm vitamin-wacky. Multi-vitamin (actually a children's multi, because I eat decently enough that I get *some* of my vitamins through food and therefore don't need a multi with 100% of the adult RDA, despite the list of other vitamins I'm about to unfurl, which clearly contradicts my claim to not need a supplement with 100% of the adult RDA), probiotic, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, omega 3 oil capsule. And calcium/magnesium at bedtime.

Yeah, I know. I'm like one step away from being Howard Hughes.

In my weak defense, the vitamin D is just an experiment, and seems to be doing nothing, so I'll probably stop taking it when it runs out.

And I totally have justifications for all the vitamins!

Multi -- well, it fills in the gaps where I'm deficient
Probiotic -- I have the guts of doom
Vitamin B complex -- for my heart (thanks, Dad)
Vitamin C -- my immune system is for shit
Fish oil -- again, for my heart (thanks again, Dad)
Calcium/magnesium -- I take that mostly for the magnesium, for muscle aches and better sleep, but magnesium is better absorbed with calcium, which I probably need anyway.

I totally support that vitamin regime Tep. When I remember to do so, I have a similar routine.

Hey, I wanted to ask if you know anything about the research that says 2 baby aspirin a day support arterial health. Is the daily aspirin thing only for folks who have suffered an event or have heart disease, or is it considered a good preventative?

Is the daily aspirin thing only for folks who have suffered an event or have heart disease, or is it considered a good preventative?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I know my dad takes aspirin every day, but then he's had 5 heart attacks. I ought to know if it's preventive, but I don't.

I'll have to look stuff up after dinner, for which I'm leaving in about 2 minutes. It's something I should know, so thanks for the reminder!

Alternatively, direct links skirt the privacy filters.

Yeah - I thought (briefly) about this aspect of a direct link. However, the photo in question was donated by the original poster to be the "public face" of a public group - anyone can join, there is no "process" for joining. Seemed innocuous enough. (I mean, I don't even know who the original poster is; I'm presuming it's the actual group founder, but since we're not Facebook-friends, I can't see the photos he/she stores in his/her albums...)

What Teppy said. Taking an AD is like taking insulin--it's not a matter of willpower, it's a matter of chemistry.

Yes, exactly. And for some of us, going on an AD was a few days of "well, maybe this will help", immediately followed by "WOW, I feel better about life in general! Thank goodness!"

Yeah, I know. I'm like one step away from being Howard Hughes.

My daily pills are: AD, B-complex, fish oil capsules, Vit. D, iron, potassium, Rhodialia (herbal complex, helps with stress), and DMAE (to help with brain function). At night, it's calcium/magnesium, 5-htp (supposed to help with sleep issues), maybe melatonin, and maybe Ambien or Xanax. I am totally ready to become a wealthy eccentric. Sign me up.

I am totally ready to become a wealthy eccentric.

I'm a non-wealthy eccentric already.

I have no health insurance, or I'm sure this would include more mind-altering substances to try to coerce more rationality and order into my life: Multivitamin, flaxseed oil, Vitamin E in liquid form, and my PhD Botanist/Homeopath/Druid friend is slowly testing various sleep-aid decoctions on me. Already, we know that nutmeg is too much of a sedative, not enough of a relaxant. And so we go 'round the whole collection. Whee.

because I want to be either Dr. Orpheus

And do you occasionally just start talking in Massively Overdramatic Voice for no reason?

I have no health insurance

Well, that's the thing. Steph and Jilli and others, were you prescribed all these vitamins and supplements so that they're covered? Now I feel like I should be taking lots of pills.