Table of contents for 04-Apr-2019 in Pick Me Up!

When my marriage of 12 years broke down in January 2016, I was totally devastated. I felt like crumbling, but my mum Michelle was amazing. ‘Come on girl,’ she said, ‘You’re stronger than this.’ At times it felt so difficult, especially as I’m a mum of five, two of them with disabilities. I felt like I couldn’t cope, but that’s when Mum and my dad John stepped in. Taking over childcare if I needed a rest and generally helping me out. So often I’ve needed five minutes to myself and somehow Mum just knows. She lives nearby and will be round in minutes to help me. ‘You rest, I’ll take care of this,’ she’ll say, rolling up her sleeves. And if I protest... ‘Do as your mum says, you know…

What’s this rash? Q I have a rash on the back of my knees. What’s wrong? Polly, London A If your skin is dry, red and itchy, the most common cause is eczema or dermatitis. It can often appear behind the knees, as you mentioned. It can sometimes be hard to work out the exact cause, so it’s a good idea to speak with your GP. Usually, emollient or steroid cream is used to reduce redness and itching. Menopause time? Q I’m having hot sweats and trouble sleeping. Could this be the start of the menopause? Lyndsey, Newcastle A The menopause is an entirely natural process for women, usually between the age of 45 and 55. There are a range of symptoms that can be triggered by changing hormone levels,…

Give yourself a lift Eat more fibre! Millions of us are at risk of an early death because we do not eat enough of it, according to a review by the World Health Organisation. A high-fibre diet cuts the risk of early mortality by up to a third, and can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes or bowel cancer by up to a quarter. Despite this, 91 per cent of Brits eat less than they should. So stock up on your fruit, veg and wholegrains! 80% …of 17.3million Brits who suffer with back pain will never recover, according to the Krembil Research Institute. It found that no matter what pain-management treatment people seek, only a fifth see their symptoms improve. Have you tried… The Huawei…

They say that when a loved one goes missing, it’s the not knowing that’s the worst thing. And, for more than three decades, Carol Meyer Lubahn’s family remained in this agonising limbo. All they knew for sure was that, on 31 March 1981, the 26-year-old mum-of-two had vanished. Her husband of 10 years, Michael Lubahn, admitted they’d had a blazing row that night, had gone to bed on bad terms. The next morning, he claimed he’d woken up to find Carol gone, the garage door open and her car missing. When he filed a missing-person report a week after her disappearance, he told cops he’d found Carol’s 1979 Audi Fox parked outside the Red Onion restaurant in Redondo Beach, not far from the family home in Torrance, California. By that…

Panting on the treadmill, my heart was racing - and it wasn’t just from all the exercise. ‘Morning, Pamela,’ the gym’s owner Ray, 54, smiled to me. If I hadn’t already been red in the face, you’d have seen me blush. Ray wasn’t a man of many words. But with his rippling muscles and dedication to exercise, he was a pretty impressive specimen... The gym was the place where we got to know each other Just a shame about those tattoos , I thought, eyeing the few on his forearms and legs. I’d never been a big fan of tattoos, and Ray’s weren’t the most impressive. His inkings included a boat, a geisha and a naked woman. As the months went by, I got to know Ray better. I was…

The summer evening was lovely and warm and, after a busy day, last July, I was looking forward to unwinding. And one thing I do enjoy is a spot of Pick Me Up! Bingo - I love the site, the games are so colourful and easy to play. I chose a Bingo Lounge game. Chatting to the other players, I didn’t even take note of the progressive jackpot. Then I saw I had just a few numbers to get... and then my last number was called! Congratulations! flashed up on my screen. I’d won the Full House and a progressive jackpot of £2,451! I couldn’t believe it! So, what was I going to spend it on? I took the kids to a theme park for the weekend, and we stayed…

Your school days are supposed to be the best of your life. And maybe for past generations they were. But life for today’s children and teenagers is much tougher, if figures released by the NHS last August are anything to go by. According to NHS statistics, the number of girls under the age of 18 being treated in hospital in England after self-harming has nearly doubled compared with 20 years ago. In 1997, the figure of admissions of girls who self-harmed was 7,327. In 2017, it was a staggering 13,463. But the problem is not just confined to girls. Figures show 2,332 boys under 18 were also admitted to hospital with self-harm injuries. However, these figures - which represent only those whose self-harm was serious enough to require hospital treatment…

For four months, progress was almost non-existent. But then, Ilabek began to twitch his eyebrows and open his eyes. ‘You’re awake!’ I cried, smothering him in kisses. Due to a tracheotomy to help him breathe, Ilabek couldn’t speak - but I didn’t care. It was the glimmer of hope I needed. After that, my determination to help Ilabek get better was renewed. I did daily exercises with him, gently moving his feet, hands and neck. He’s defied the odds once. I pray that he can again Then, a few weeks later, he finally spoke. ‘Lie,’ he whispered, his eyes flicking towards the bed. Then, ‘I love you.’ He remembered me. Heart bursting, I lay beside my husband. ‘I love you too,’ I said through tears. The doctors were astonished. ‘We’ve…

Painful? Yes. Inconvenient? Yes. But a fractured toe can often be treated at home... 1 Put a piece of cotton wool between the injured toe and the one next to it and tape them together. 2 Keep your foot raised to reduce swelling and pain. 3 Hold an ice pack to the toe for 15-20 minutes every few hours for the first couple of days. Don’t apply ice directly to the skin. 4 Try to rest the foot as 5 much as possible. Take over-the- 6 counter painkillers. Wear sturdy shoes with a stiff sole that doesn’t squash or bend the toe. But see your GP if… …the pain gets worse, the swelling or any discolouration doesn’t improve, you have broken skin near the toe, or you’re still having difficulty…

1 Tendonitis (tennis elbow) is when a tendon swells up and becomes painful. 2 You can use RICE therapy at home to ease symptoms. 3 Hot baths and heat packs can also help heal the injury. 4 You can get a suitable painkiller from your pharmacist. 1 TRUE The main symptoms include pain in a tendon (including knees and shoulders), difficulty moving, feeling a grating sensation when you move, or swelling. 2 TRUE RICE therapy stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation, and can help support the injury. 3 FALSE To help prevent swelling during the first few days, try to avoid heat, alcohol and massages. 4 TRUE However, your GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller or cream to bring down the swelling. You could also be offered physiotherapy if…

Dandi Pad, £4.99 for 14, dandipatch.com The newest launch from the creators of the Dandi Patch, this slim, flexible pad sticks firmly to your clothing to prevent sweat marks and stains. It’s super absorbent too, holding up to 1,000 times the average amount of underarm sweat in a single pad. Clever, eh? Verdict: GENIUS! A must-try for sweaty commuters. Eat Grub Smoky BBQ Crunchy Roasted Crickets, £1.50, Sainsbury’s It sounds mad but hear us out – eating insects is really good for the planet. High in protein and sustainable to farm, they’re far better for the environment than eating meat. We’re not sold though. Verdict: BONKERS! A good idea but we’re far too squeamish. Stabilo Gel Exxx Erasable Pen, £4.14 each, stabilo.co.uk Never worry about making…

Watching my school pals run around in PE, I envied their slim waists and thighs. Looking down at my own body, I saw chunky legs and a bulging tummy. I’d never felt good about myself, and hated the way I looked. Aged just 10, I felt fat and disgusting. Worst of all, as I got older, the boys in my year started to tease me. ‘You’re fat!’ one boy shouted in the playground. ‘Here’s Ella the elephant,’ another sniggered. Mortified, I went off to the toilets and would hide away for the rest of my lunch break. Things weren’t good at home, either. My dad wasn’t around much and my mum had her own worries. I didn’t have anyone to reassure me. When I was 14, Mum and I moved…

Stretching my arms above my head, I glanced up at the clock. It had just gone 9.30 in the evening. ‘I think I‘ll play a round of bingo,’ I grinned at my husband Jason, 45. Logging in on my phone I spent £2 and bought tickets for a Bingo Lounge game. It was one of my favourite bingo games on Pick Me Up! Bingo. I could see the game had a £100 Full House and was about to start in a few minutes, but still gave me time for a quick gossip in the chatrooms as I waited for the numbers to be called. Chatting to the bingo girls was one of the highlights of the game. I’d first signed up to Pick Me Up! Bingo in March 2014, when…

• For support if your child is already self-harming, visit harmless.org.uk. • There are tips and information about starting the mental-health conversation at youngminds.org.uk/take20 and for more advice, parents can call 0808 802 5544. • Whatever you’re going through, the Samaritans are there if you need them and trained to help. Freephone 116 123 anytime, anywhere. • Worried about a child’s wellbeing? Freephone Childline on 0800 1111, or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.…

Kind Natured Colour Care Shampoo and Conditioner, both £4.99, Boots This kind-to-hair duo is 97% natural and sulphate-free, making them perfect for regular washes if your hair is coloured. They are also packed with shade-enhancing rooibos to lock in your colour, and shea to nourish. Bleach London Silver Conditioner, £6.50, Boots Condition your hair and tone down those yellow tones in one fell swoop. Whether you are an ashy blonde or silvery grey, the violet pigments do the job while wheat proteins and vitamin B5 nourish. Josh Wood Colour Warm Me Up Shade Shot, £2.50, Boots Brunette colour jobs are often prone to fade, so give your ’do a brightening boost between appointments. This miracle worker seriously tops up your shine factor too. Pro:voke Touch of Silver Colour Care Shampoo,…

NORTH WALES Keegan Doyle, 23 Callous Keegan Doyle fled the scene after crashing his car into a 10-year-old boy, leaving him with life-threatening injuries... The youngster had been out on his bike when the incident happened in Saltney, in January this year. The child was taken to Alder Hey Hospital. Doyle was arrested and charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving without insurance, and arson. He had dumped and burnt his car afterwards. Doyle, from Broughton, was jailed for three years and eight months at Mold Crown Court, and has been disqualified from driving for four years and 10 months – to commence upon his release. CHESHIRE Sihung Hung Hoang, 57 A chef who poured boiling hot oil over a co-worker during…

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Me and boyfriend Paul, then 28, fell into each other’s arms. It was 15 October 2014 and a doctor had just given us some amazing and totally unexpected news. ‘I can’t believe it!’ I cried. I was pregnant. And it felt like a miracle. I’d only had my contraceptive implant removed eight weeks earlier. We’d started trying for a baby straightaway, but when I’d gone along to the walk-in centre near our home that morning with terrible stomach pains, I’d never expected this. We were given a due date of 15 May 2015. ‘A spring baby!’ I beamed. Then it hit me. The pains. Did that mean..? ‘It could mean complications,’ the doctor confirmed. I was sent straight to Oldham Hospital for an emergency scan. There, Paul and I listened,…

As my dad tapped me on the shoulder, I felt like I’d been jolted out of a trance. It was summer 2004, and I was sitting at the dinner table when I zoned out again. ‘Are you OK, love?’ he asked, concerned. But I couldn’t remember what we were talking about... This had been going on for a few years. I’d developed twitches, too, had apparent panic attacks and strange episodes where my hearing became strained. It was initially put down to puberty and the stress of my parents splitting. But by the time I was 14, in 2004, these episodes were getting worse and more frequent. In May, my counsellor referred me to a neurologist at King’s College Hospital. ‘You have epilepsy,’ the doctor said. She explained my odd…

Despite being a blind cave fish, our little Matt has the layout of his tank mapped out to a T. Krystie Lennon, Percy Main Gypsy our Siamese seal point rat was mesmerised by all the sparkling sequins. Ellen France, Hatfield Bella and Baylee want to know when summer arrives – in the meantime they’ll hibernate under their matching blankets. Abigail Williams, Worcester You’ll always find Ronnie and Reggie next to each other. Thick as thieves are my two Horsefield tortoises. Julie Craythorne, Wigan ‘This bed is just right!’ purrs our newest addition Luna. She looks so cute and cosy on the little lamb. Nikki Milam, Rudgwick I think our little lionhead rabbit One Sock needs to trim his mane, don’t you agree? Juliette Morrison, Hatch End…

This week the spotlight is on our Daily Play Games! Well, they are a member favourite. When you’re a member of Pick Me Up! Bingo, you can play one of our three great daily games for free so long as you’ve made your first £10 deposit and played £2 or more on any games in the previous seven days. Play either Doubly Bubbly, Daily Paper or Tiki’s Catch of the Day every day for free for a week to win cash and free spins. DOUBLY BUBBLY Burst your way to cash wins and Free Spins. Visit the Bubble Grid every day for your chance to pop  your way to winning Free Spins for our Doubly Bubbly slot game and up to £750 cash! Get popping! DAILY PAPER Hit the headlines…

‘I think social media plays a huge part in a person’s mental health. Kids get fixated on how many likes  they’ve got, or how many followers. There are also trolls who will deliberately victimise someone purely for fun. Being trolled or not getting enough likes is the end of the world to some kids and can affect their mental health.’ Debbie Hadden, West Midlands ‘Kids aren’t being taught enough about developing coping mechanisms to help them manage to overcome difficulties.  Life is overwhelming and society’s influence on social-media platforms is just encouraging this. They just don’t know how to manage it.’ Ingrid Ross, Orkney ‘Self-harm is often caused by people not having another outlet for their emotions.  Children and teenagers need an adult who they trust to confide in.’ Suzanne…

Squash mac & cheese  Serves 4 Prep:15 min Cook: 1 hr ◻ 1 butternut squash (about 1kg) ◻ 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus a little extra for oiling ◻ 400g macaroni ◻ 2tbsp lemon juice ◻ 75g grated Parmesan ◻ 1tsp mustard powder ◻ 300ml Alpro Oat Unsweetened drink ◻ 1tsp grated nutmeg ◻ 1 bunch of sage ◻ 100g hazelnuts, chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 180C, Gas 4. Cut the squash in half lengthways and scoop out and discard seeds. Score the flesh with a cross-hatch pattern using a sharp knife. Brush lightly with a little oil and season generously with salt and pepper. 2 Place on a baking tray lined with parchment, flesh side down and cook in the oven for 50-60 min or until completely…

ARIES 21 March–20 April This week you can break that big plan into small steps. You can also take the first step straightaway. Actions you take over the next few days, can give you back the confidence you’ve been lacking. An unexpected apology is headed your way! Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May News you hear about someone from your past gives you reason to feel glad you moved on. Emotions run high in family affairs. It is imperative you don’t comment on situations you know nothing about. How you dress on Friday can lead to a memorable new introduction. Call: 09058 170 711* GEMINI 22 May–21 June I know you’re let down by the way a close one has been treating you. What you didn’t know, but…