Personal things you don't need to know

Originally Posted by Ripper
Mithochondriopathy is a description of wide set of genetic conditions. Did he give you any specifics?

His theory is like this:

Due to injuries to my neck, my cervical spine has become unstable. This means nerves are frequently if not constantly squeezed by vertebrae, which results in the emmission of stress hormones and also inflammations. To fight these inflammations vitamin B12 is used up, which is then lacking in the mitochondria, resulting in neural and muscle problems.

Now, he's definitely right about my neck being somewhat at the root of the problem, because that was one of the first symptoms I noticed as a kid. Mind you, he said all this just after I told him my story, without actually looking at my neck or anything (and I hadn't mentioned my neck at all, because it bothers me less than other symptoms). Vitamin B12 is also a likely culprit because I show a lot of the symptoms of a B12 deficiency (I knew about this before and wanted to mention it but he brought it up first).
His explanation why my mitochondria are more prone to defects sounded a bit esoterical - he believes that my mother had certain psychological conflicts which left a mark on my DNA. OTOH, I think it has been proven, or at least seriously discussed, that experiences can imprint themselves on DNA so it's not entirely out there. At any rate, symptoms similar to mine also occurred in one of my uncles (who was, possibly falsely, diagnosed with schizophrenia, just like me) and one of my nieces, so it might indeed be a problem with mitochondrial DNA.

OK, well, I'm not going to try an offer you internet advice on something so important. FWIW, I don't find that too convincing, and I would definitely discuss what he's told you with a specialist. Whichever way you go, I hope you feel better.

Originally Posted by Ripper
OK, well, I'm not going to try an offer you internet advice on something so important. FWIW, I don't find that too convincing, and I would definitely discuss what he's told you with a specialist. Whichever way you go, I hope you feel better.

If I knew a specialist I could trust I'd do that

It makes enough sense for me to just roll with it for the moment. After all, I've seen enough of conventional medicine - internists, orthopaedicians, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, and of course a veritable army of general MD's. So I'll just see how it goes - one of the positive effects of his treatment is that I've quit smoking, at least.

I may have mentioned that I recently attended a Dream Theater concert in Oslo. I've shared the music. Now for some pictures (as I had bought a Meet and Greet package).

Here's me with the band. (those guys are tiny):


And I got them to sign my guitar:


pibbur who realizes that he's using the watch similar to facebook. Sharing? Ouch! Won't (hopefully) happen again.

PS: I actually have a FB account, created in order to follow news about a specific event. I've deactivated everyting I could, and I haven't posted anything there. It's currently in limbo. DS.

EDIT: Well, they aren't that tiny. Mr Petrucci allegedly measures 180 cm. I'm a bit more than that. We're talking about heights.

What happened to Sacred_Path?

That's awesome, Pibbur. I love DT but have never gotten a chance to see them live. Did they happen to play the song Home at the concert you went to? It's my all time favorite DT song.

Originally Posted by Nephologist
That's awesome, Pibbur. I love DT but have never gotten a chance to see them live. Did they happen to play the song Home at the concert you went to? It's my all time favorite DT song.

The tour was "Images and Words and Beyond", celebrating the 25th anniversary of I&W, which they played in toto. Additionally they payed a song from almost every album except "When Dream and Day Unite", 6 degrees and "Black Clouds and Silver lightings". They also played all of "A Change of Seasons" (not the covers).

From "Scenes From a Memory" they played "The Spirit Carries On".

pibbur whose favourite DT tune is "Honor thy Father" from his favourite DT album, the most metallish of them all, "Train of Thought".

Really cool Pibbur! Never really followed Dream Theater much, but got hooked in more after loving Jordan Rudess as part of the Levin-Minnemann-Rudess instrumental trio (they now have two albums, worth checking out)

Originally Posted by txa1265
Really cool Pibbur! … Levin-Minnemann-Rudess instrumental trio (they now have two albums, worth checking out)

Will do. There's also Liquid Tension Experiment with Portnoy, Petrucci, Rudess and Levin.

pibbur who likes DT spinoffs.

I've never heard of any of them!! I much prefer ABBA!!!!

Abba isn't too bad.




pibbur who these days prefers to sleep after midnuight.

Thanks pibbur! Looks like it was amazing! Glad you enjoyed it and also got some lastly memories and memorabilia.

And regarding heights, pibbur is TALL! I'm about 180 and the lower portion of his beard seemed to be my eyeline.

I have to inform you about a "personal tragedy":

I have always considered caffeine free coffee an abomination. But lately I've had problems with cardiac arrythmias when exercising. I'm not worried about them, they're completely benign and they cause no symptoms other than intermittent episodes of elevated heart rate (more than expected from the intensity of my exercise). I wouldn't notice them if I didn't use a heat rate detector/belt.

But I'd still like to be without them, and it turns out that coffee is a major factor behind it all. So I have to reduce my coffee intake significantly. BUT I REALLY LIKE COFFEE (shouting because I'm annoyed) So I have no other (acceptable) choice than to succumb to my destiny. And drink decaf (except for one cup of the real stuff in the morning).

pibbur who admits it's a very minor (and rather insignificant) tragedy.

Yeah, having to give up coffee sucks, but you'll get used to it, pibbur. All it takes is to change the ritual/habit - one or two weeks. This coming from someone who had to give up all sorts of yummy food and beverages, coffee included.

Decaf? Tea is nice too, herbal tea, and very trendy, pibbur: hot! You'll be seen as modern, hip, young!

Originally Posted by Eye
… You'll be seen as modern, hip, young!

Hip? Young? Can't have that.

I'm doing my best to be old and grumpy!

pibbur who actually thinks the eye has a point (thanks for the advice), but probably would go for green gunpowder or lapsang souchong.

PS: Yes, I know there's caffeine in that kind of tea, but less than in coffee. DS.

PPS. I've a suggestion for a new avatar for you. What about the eye of Sauron? (don't know why I was reminded of that now ). DS.

Originally Posted by pibbur who
PPS. I've a suggestion for a new avatar for you. What about the eye of Sauron? (don't know why I was reminded of that now

Eh, dunno, pibbur. I see a (hot) pussy… Not an eye. Especially when looking at all these large pics in a search engine.

Well, perhaps that's what old and grumpy people unknowingly/secretively long for? In order to feel rejuvinated…
Anyway enjoy, while I sip my hot chamomile tea.

Originally Posted by Eye
Eh, dunno, pibbur. I see a (hot) pussy… Not an eye. Especially when looking at all these large pics in a search engine.

Well, perhaps that's what old and grumpy people unknowingly/secretively long for? In order to feel rejuvinated…
Anyway enjoy, while I sip my hot chamomile tea.

Well, I remember something about those things, but not what they're used for….

pibbur who honestly didn't get that particular association from the eye of Sauron. Until now.

Originally Posted by Eye
Eh, dunno, pibbur. I see a (hot) pussy… Not an eye. Especially when looking at all these large pics in a search engine.

Well, perhaps that's what old and grumpy people unknowingly/secretively long for? In order to feel rejuvinated…
Anyway enjoy, while I sip my hot chamomile tea.

Originally Posted by pibbur who
Well, I remember something about those things, but not what they're used for….

pibbur who honestly didn't get that particular association from the eye of Sauron. Until now.

haha … can never look at the Eye of Sauron the same way …

Originally Posted by txa1265
haha … can never look at the Eye of Sauron the same way …

I know, right? Eye of SaucyOne instead of Sauron….or SoreOne, since it's on fire.

Giving up coffee??? God no, that would be a tragedy. I cut back after getting kidney stones two years ago, but since then I've upped the intake to my usual way too many cups a day…