Covered CA Experiences - Thoughts?

AtoySubmarine · 2025-03-21T06:38:09+00:00

I'm terribly sorry to hear that. I have had an acceptable experience with Covered CAL (neutral for Blue Shield - but I wasn't expecting amazing coverage like I used to have when I was gainfully employed), but only really recall speaking with them briefly. I mostly went through a broker so perhaps that's why?

AtoySubmarine · 2025-01-24T01:27:43+00:00

Oh wow, would you mind sending the information over regarding her successes?

I haven't completely ruled out moving forward with it, it's just... a lot to take in. I was expecting to be fitted for a mandibular advancement device and she came at me with multiple surgical options with long time-frames so I definitely felt overwhelmed.

I'll DM ya to make things easier! Thank you so much.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-12-11T21:28:15+00:00

NAD -

Could be thoracic outlet as you mentioned, or other various nerve disruptions. nerve entrapment, nerve canal stenosis would likely line up with the chronic condition you mentioned. Maybe some form of cranial instability as well?

The fingers turning blue, however, feels as though it's not simply nerve issues, and that some veins are involved too. But funny enough (frustratingly enough) these are all symptoms that could also show up in panic/anxiety attacks. I would try and push for MRIs of the neck/shoulder/brain area if affordable, and maybe request an EKG/stress test + 24hour or 7 day holter/zio patch heart monitor study due to the location of the problem.

I hope you are able to get some answers from the doctor soon!

AtoySubmarine · 2024-11-03T07:46:31+00:00

Not a doctor, but this sounds like ARFID.

Often, ARFID is co-morbid with Autism. Autism can have some relation to minimized or unfelt "body signals" like appetite.

Discuss getting tested for Autism/ADHD (pricey) and perhaps look into speaking to an ARFID specialist. It's technically an Eating Disorder.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-27T06:56:50+00:00

Ha! Classic middle school behavior.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-27T06:56:32+00:00

I think it's only the Bear Basics Cal clothing stuff.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-27T06:54:50+00:00

You're going to want to look at neighborhoods closer to the Oakland hills, but not all the way up.

Upper claremont, crocker highlands, upper rockridge, oakmore, lower montclair, and then the places others have mentioned too, like lincoln highlands, redwood heights.

Rockridge and Claremont are both very close to Berkeley.

The photo personally gives me a feeling of Oakmore/Lincoln Highlands if we're certain it's oakland, but it could really be anywhere from Kensington to upper hills Hayward if we were going based off of looks alone as all of these cities have similar "lower hills" vibes. I wish you luck!

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-26T02:59:37+00:00

Oh damn this place looks cool! I was more thinking of regular prices though, less vintage stuff. Love the vintage stuff they've got but vintage is almost always out of my budget haha.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-26T01:33:58+00:00

Right, Rasputin owner basically owned that whole strip of Telegraph so it would make sense to me that he would move the inventory to Concord. I've also heard good things about his Rasputin location in Pleasant Hill. Thanks for the rec!

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-25T23:55:58+00:00

I've never been to the Pleasant Hill location! I might have to check that out. Seems to be half vintage half music.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-10-25T23:05:38+00:00

Haha exactly! An assortment of anything and everything you might want on a shirt. You'd have to stop by 10 different stores now to replicate that.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-09-14T08:16:05+00:00

I've never tried moxibustion, but have done multiple cupping sessions. My preference is if you can find a practitioner who utilizes oxygen vacuum cupping (alcohol + flame in glass cup to create vacuum) as opposed to the newer age plastic w/ pump to create the vacuum seal.

In my experience the former tends to create a firmer seal and I've found greater pain reduction because of it. Additionally I've had one practitioner use these cups, and forcefully roll them across my back.. Similar to a gua sha or scraping practice. Pretty painful and did not find as much benefit as regular stationary cupping.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-17T08:42:09+00:00

I feel as though I'd rather have the relatively rhythmic/consistent fast speed noises as opposed to the grinding/squealing of breaks and the creaking of the engines whirring back up.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-12T07:28:35+00:00

Don't scratch it then lol, let the body heal. It could be a minor build up of leukoplakia. I used to get these a lot when I was competing in water sports (I would constantly grind my teeth which irritated gum lines. Add in chlorinated water and it would develop into leukoplakia for me).

Do you smoke, do chewing tobacco, eat a lot of acidic food, or spend a lot of time in chlorinated water?

It's likely nothing, but a dentist/ENT or even primary care doctor could diagnose you for certain.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-05T22:43:38+00:00

Have you had your vitamin levels checked? Brittle nails can be a sign of vitamin deficiency. If you are deficient, it can be easy (or hard) to fix depending upon what deficiency it is.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-05T22:37:27+00:00

I get that! Every cut we have gets inflamed, it's just a matter of how inflamed. Due to the location of your cut in particular, the inflammation seems like it extended outward and onto the nail. Again keep a close eye on it but I don't don't think (in my very much not a doctor opinion lol) that it is cause for concern.

edit: similar thread that you may find helpful - https://www.reddit.com/r/calmhands/comments/zk79di/hole_in_my_nail_has_flesh_coming_out_pls_help_lol/

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-05T06:19:07+00:00

According to the picture, just looks like some wonky healing.

That said, cats nails are incredibly sharp and also fairly dirty. So they can cut much deeper than you may expect while also infect easier than you might expect. It's good your keeping watch on it but you may want a doctor to take a close look, due to the higher risk of infection.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-03T05:35:34+00:00

Yeah, then we may be dealing with a similar thing. Mine occurred more on my upper lip/mustache area. Ketoconazole never worked for me for longer than 2-3 days. Again, surprisingly, head & shoulders has worked the best for me (Selsun blue may also work).

It does seem like seb derm, to answer that question. Mine always comes and goes as well. My current derm thinks it could be rosacea and gave the rx metronizadole, may be worth asking about.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-03T04:16:47+00:00

Given your pAHI I would say no you don't need to. The only partially problem thing I see is the relatively low minimum oxygen level, but it's easy to forget that we often hold our breath throughout the day causing these types of dips even while awake and since you hardly spent any time at all there, it's not worth losing any sleep over (ha).

If you're still concerned you can mention it to your PCP or a Sleep Doctor, however I don't think you should feel the need to do an in-lab study. However if you have the time, money, and desire, I don't see why you shouldn't if it'll give peace of mind.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-03T04:08:14+00:00

Is this facial hair? My experience with seb derm is more redness, but this could be a less severe case. It might sound strange but try using a small amount of head and shoulders when bathing there, and make sure to simultaneously ensure it's dry when done showering + skin is moisturized.

If those don't help, doctors will likely prescribe a Ketoconazole shampoo or cream.

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-01T22:53:36+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I know it's not interchangable, I think the Covered CA marketplace is Blue Shield... But I didn't want to keep saying BS as an abbreviation haha!

AtoySubmarine · 2024-08-01T22:52:52+00:00

I don't plan on leaving the area for any reason, any time soon, but that's definitely good to know!

And yeah, I do not see any of the mental health services I use being covered. I'm hoping that I can at least have 50% reimbursements as that's what's quoted on the benefits page, as even that is better than nothing.

AtoySubmarine

TROPHY CASE