POE2 PS5 - Health Flasks Stopped Working Entirely

Level ~40 merc in Act 3. Anytime I use a flask nothing happens. The number of charges doesn't decrement. I see the animation on the hotbar that the flask was accessed but it doesn't refill health nor does it decrease the number of charges. I've tried all of the obvious things like changing my flask out for different ones, rebinding to a different button, restarting the game, ensuring everything is updated, etc. Mana flasks work perfectly fine.

Effect is that the only way I can play my merc is on "unintentionally extra difficulty mode" aka. no health flask mode and essentially unplayable against bosses.

Any info/suggestions anyone has on how to resolve this or info on an upcoming patch would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Maybe one of your items prevent use of flask and it gives es instead... or you have ci?

yup, you're right. I had "Vaal Pact" and never read the fine print which isn't even that fine. thanks for helping a noob out. cheers.