A Question to Ask, and an Answer to Look For
By Amber
@AmbiePam (120533)
United States
May 19, 2023 7:59pm CST
From a previous discussion on health, some of you guys are aware I've been having various health problems, including having trouble sitting upright while on the couch, or having to bend over at the waist while walking the dog to keep from collapsing. If I lie down, the only tolerable position is the fetal position. I had an already scheduled appointment with my primary care physician this morning, and mentioned how this has happened over the years, but more often lately. He thinks it is an autoimmune disorder (I already have fibromyalgia), and he did some blood tests today. If they come back how he expects, he'll send me to a rheumatologist for further treatment. I just want to feel better (whatever my pain management doctor prescribes for my back & neck due to a car accident has no therapeutic affect on this). I came home today, put my groceries down, then laid on the couch curled in a ball. It was the least painful way for me to exist.
Now, what is in the picture? It is an alpaca hairball! Can you guess what it is for?
33 people like this
31 responses
@MarieCoyle (59105)
•
20 May 23
Oh, it sounds like you are truly hurting, and I'm sorry. I hope you can get some answers soon, so you can feel better. It's just not good to be in pain!
Now, on to another topic--just what IS the hairball for? It looks like one of my wool balls I bought to use in my dryer.
5 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
You're the first person to guess, and you got it right. It's an eco friendly way to keep your clothes from getting static. For her birthday years ago, my friend wanted eco friendly gifts, and I know she loves weird things, so I bought alpaca hair balls (they do go through a cleaning process at the farm that sells them) for her to use on her laundry in her dryer. She was overjoyed!
6 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
@MarieCoyle We are kindred spirits then.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59105)
•
20 May 23
@AmbiePam
Mine are not alpaca, I don't think. My son in law bought me some from Amazon, and they do work well. I like weird things, too.
5 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
20 May 23
Despite all those aches and pains I find you to be a jolly good person.
I read some comments and I now know what that ball is all about (lol)
3 people like this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
20 May 23
@AmbiePam There is a cure for almost everything these and the right diagnosis is the starting point
3 people like this
@Jenaisle (16568)
• Philippines
20 May 23
I pray that your symptoms will subside even a little bit, so you can have a breather or a respite. I'm sorry for your pain. I fervently pray too that a miracle will happen and you will be cured of your condition. Stay strong.
Is it the back of a hair/head? Not sure
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
Thank you so much for the well wishes; I appreciate it. I'm sure I'll be better soon. 
It's a picture of a ball of alpaca fleece. They're specially cleaned, then sold to use as dryer balls. My friend who is into the environment uses them.
It's a picture of a ball of alpaca fleece. They're specially cleaned, then sold to use as dryer balls. My friend who is into the environment uses them.3 people like this
@princessmarie (1121)
• Philippines
20 May 23
I'm sorry about your current situation right now, I hope the results will be good. You take care and keep fighting. God is good and He will heal you. I pray for your fast recovery, God bless you always.
3 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 May 23
I am sorry that you are hurting.. Recently in the last twi years after my Covid infection, I have developed some body pain especially in my knees. So, that has limited my activities to some extent..I have got many tests done but no cause could be found. Managing my situation with some yoga and exercises that the physiotherapist has suggested.
I send prayers and thoughts for you. I wish that you get the treatment that works for you
It looks like a ball of wool. Do they make wool out of it? It would be interesting to know what it is used for.
It looks like a ball of wool. Do they make wool out of it? It would be interesting to know what it is used for.3 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
I am glad the physiotherapist has helped you; Covid must have been so hard to get over.
It is a ball of alpaca fur. It is specially cleaned, and then you use them in your dryer to avoid static cling. Apparently, it's cheap, and friendly for the environment. I do not use them myself though.
5 people like this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
20 May 23
@AmbiePam I didn't have severs symptoms during the infection. I recovered in four days in home isolation.But then it did leave back some long term impacts 
Oh! I see. I learnt something new again here.
Oh! I see. I learnt something new again here.4 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
20 May 23
Yes, it looks like a dryer ball That sounds miserable what you are experiencing. Have you tried CBD and accupuncture? Maybe using the pool like @LenorePlassman does would be good for you You shouldn't have to live this way 
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
Yeah, I wouldn’t use the alpaca hair ball in my own dryer if I had a choice, but I think it’s great that other people do.
Yes, I tried CBD, and acupuncture. I had high hopes for CBD because I know people who swear it by it. My apartment pool has been closed for four years, but it looks like they might be opening it again. If they do, and I can catch it on a day without 15 kids, I’ll absolutely try it.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
@snowy22315 The places around here charge, and I can’t quite spare the money. But maybe it’s cheaper than I think.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
20 May 23
@AmbiePam Or just go to an indoor pool at a recenter Also, something like chair yoga would probably help y probably help you You need to experiment with iffrent things and we what helps. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86568)
• United States
20 May 23
Alpaca hairballs? Did your cat cough that up? (They use those for lint catching in dryers, don’t they?)
Seriously, I hate that you have the pain. I hope you can get physical therapy to deal with it. I use lidocaine patches for my spondyolisthesis, and it generally works well. I really hope you can get relief.
(They use those for lint catching in dryers, don’t they?)
Seriously, I hate that you have the pain. I hope you can get physical therapy to deal with it. I use lidocaine patches for my spondyolisthesis, and it generally works well. I really hope you can get relief. 2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
20 May 23
I’m sorry that you are in that kind of pain. Reducing sugar or just trying to eliminate it as much as possible helps to greatly reduce pain for me. My sister told me about it some years ago. Research it and see if it might help.
Reducing sugar or just trying to eliminate it as much as possible helps to greatly reduce pain for me. My sister told me about it some years ago. Research it and see if it might help.2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
@Tampa_girl7 I definitely agree. I read a book called Bright Line Eating which basically said the same thing.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
20 May 23
@AmbiePam She made a connection that a lot of white foods made her hurt and feel bad too. I’m guessing the carbohydrates.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
20 May 23
I hope they can get you some relief. That is not a good way to live
3 people like this
@aninditasen (18198)
• Raurkela, India
20 May 23
Hope you get over your pains soon. I think that's a hair ball to make a bunch with your hair.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
20 May 23
I'm sorry you're going through all this. I can empathize with you since I have walking and standing problems. I sleep in a recliner since I can lie flat in a bed. I hope the doctor has some solutions for you. Sending prayers and thoughts your way. Have a good weekend. I have no idea what the alpaca hairball is for!
2 people like this
@Kandae11 (57233)
•
20 May 23
I am so sorry to hear that you are in pain. There is a book l received as a gift about 4 years ago called "Eat To Live", written by medical doctor Joel Fuhrman, a very good book. It proves that a lot of illnesses can be reversed - including migraines, diabetes and Fibromyalgia. After years of battling high cholesterol, mine is now normal. See if you can get hold of that book.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
20 May 23
Not sure what your hair ball would be used for except to be spun into yarn. I hope your referrals get you what you need to know to improve the quality of your life.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
My apartment pool was left to get gross the last four years, but recently the new apartment manager looks to be cleaning it up, and reopening it. If they do, and I can catch it open on a day without 15 kids, I’ll absolutely try it. Decades ago my surgeon DID say the only exercise he’d recommend I’d do is walking, and anything in a pool.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
20 May 23
I am so sorry you are in pain and you have such a difficult time being comfortable. I hope the doctor can help you, you deserve to have a good life, you are such a kind person.
It is the first time I see an alpaca hairball, it looks like those silicone balls we place in the dryer to avoid statics.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
Thank you, Anna. You are so sweet.
You are right! The alpaca hairballs go into the dryer to avoid static. They are supposed to be an environmentally friendly way to assist in getting your laundry process complete, while not letting anything go to waste on the alpaca farm that makes them. They don’t even shed hair, apparently. Not my cup of tea, but inventive!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120533)
• United States
20 May 23
@LadyDuck It might be worthwhile to check into for you then. I don’t use my own dryer, and the person who owns it doesn’t like the thought of an alpaca hairball in her dryer. But I love that isn’t being wasteful, and it was also very cheap (at the time at least).
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
20 May 23
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with so much pain and being uncomfortable. I pray the doctors can find a solution for you
I cheated and read the comments and saw what the hairball is for 
I cheated and read the comments and saw what the hairball is for 2 people like this
@Metsrock69 (3617)
• United States
20 May 23
it sounds like a not so comfortable situation you are in and I hope they get to the bottom of it
2 people like this
