amyth, that's great news about the lack of apnea!

I hope everyone's pain levels go down soon.

In other news, I got to watch three people pass out today. We had a blood drive at the office building next door to mine, so I walked over and donated. No problem. After I donated I sat down by the cookies, and watched three people decided that since their office was *right there* they could do their recovery period at their desks, check their email, etc. As I noshed on my medically prescribed carbs, I saw the tops of their three heads heads outside the truck. Then I saw two heads. Then one of them came in asking for a nurse. Then that one went back out to help her friend and, a minute later the third one came in saying the second had passed out. She went back out and one of the nurses stuck her head in, saying she needed help because donor number three was down.

About that time I was feeling queasy, even with the help of sugar and fluids, so I put my head between my knees. One of the nurses helping the others told me, in very commanding tones, "You stay right there!"

After getting the first three women back on their donor sofas, they set me up on one, too. I lounged about for another half hour. And they had someone drive me from that parking lot to the front door of my own office building.

I feel ok-ish now. But day-um, people. When the nurses tell you to sit down for a bit after giving blood, sit your ass down.

As a followup to the shower story, I now know that one of the women here wears blue panties. This is information I don't need about my coworkers.

On the "wow y'all have experiences" tip, anyone got experience with shin splints? I've had them on and off since January and it's making me crazy. Every time I think they're healed, the next time I even try to do a TINY bit, they're hurting like crazy again. I got insoles and stuff so I'm supposed to be good there, but apparently not. My roommate thinks I should go to the doctor, but I feel weird asking my GP about it, but even weirder calling some other doc (orthopedics? Sports medicine? No idea) about it--and I really dont want to pay for two visits!

Stretch, ice, pop NSAIDs, and change your shoe & running stance. Your GP should be qualified to deal with your splints, but I did love going to my sports therapy doc.

This sounds counter-intuitive, but your shoes might be TOO padded, so your calves and associated muscles might not be working properly. I'm not a barefoot running advocate, but a zero-drop shoe has saved my running life. It might be worth checking out. (I love the NB Minimus Trail, even though I mostly run on pavement. [link]

Thanks Juliana--apparently I have high flexible arches and pronate like whoa (though on review of video of my ankles at the fancy running store, the insoles seem to have mostly fixed it). So everything I've read online other than serious barefoot rvangelists says not to do that.

I have high arches, too, and I was nervous about the change, but what I've discovered is that my feet are compensating for the strike much better. I've had to be much more vigilant about stretching my calves out, but it's been so much less painful to run that I'm okay with it.

I used to organize blood drives at my old office all the time. I don't recall anyone passing out. At least, not while I was donating or thanking people.

I haven't been able to donate for a while though, thanks to my anemia issues. It makes me sad.

I underpronate, so it may not apply, but what helped me was more flexible soles and stretching.

I would go barefoot all the time if it were practical.

I can't donate due to eating beef in Britain in 1996 so I would always volunteer at the drives at my old work place, manning the "cantina." I once saw a coworker about to faint, and caught her head just as she started to fall. I was stupid proud of myself for that. I don't know why I get such of a kick out of first aid - I guess I like to help people and it's about the most indisputable immediate help there is?

smonster, how was the chiropractor visit?