Life flask not working properly (Olroth)

Started yesterday... no changes to equipment or build on my end. I use Olroth flask, like most everyone else, to add guardd before i take damage. it stopped letting me do this yesterday, and i cant even use the flask when i take damage. It only lets me use the flask sporadically now and randomly. ive unequipped flask, gone to well, restarted.... something weird is happening though. Please fix

ETA: still ongoing... this is not fun. i dont want to have to be a hideout warrior.

selling flask... this is nuts to not haev a 25 div flask work

so it seems like when i take off my chestpiece that has high life regen, and use a different or no chest, the flask goes back to letting me use it.

Is this an intended mechanic, and im misinformed? or a bug?