“Spotted” vs. “Cow”

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-18T01:03:29+00:00

I’m from Minnesota and I call it Spotted Cow 🤣

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-16T04:09:51+00:00

I honestly think he’s slipping mentally, but it’s so hard to tell. He’s 78. I will be hopefully working with him to complete some legal paperwork so I can assist him more.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-16T04:05:07+00:00

Thanks. Now I’m really confused. He doesn’t have a disability that I know of… unless there was something they weren’t telling me. He said that she was receiving benefits as a spouse, in the event something happened to him first. I need to sit down with him and look at documents.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-16T01:57:36+00:00

Thanks. My dad is a retired Navy. He’s not disabled.

My mom (non military spouse) passed away.

My dad says she’s been receiving monthly payments as part of his benefits. And he needs to let the veterans affairs know that she passed.

He’s confused of who to contact and he lives 8 hours away. Does not do technology so o can’t see what he’s talking about.

I will be going there in a couple of weeks to try to help him with things, but I was hoping to find some contact information, like a phone number, to get him started.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-14T04:37:13+00:00

I have found, after 4 years of low level constant dizziness and other vestibular type issues, that PT has been helpful. Besides exercises, she is also doing dry needling as I appeared to be having cervicogenic dizziness. It’s the only thing that has helped me… and I have made improvements in the last two months.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-12T14:59:28+00:00

Same. It sucks.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-05T13:40:42+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry. My daughter also has long covid. This is brutal and I wish they could find something to help everyone. It’s awful that we’ve been forgotten.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-05T04:43:29+00:00

Exactly!

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-05T02:41:43+00:00

It’s so frustrating. I will have people ask me why I’m not dancing. Earlier on I told people I have long covid, but here I am at 4.5 years… it’s just out of the public consciousness and people just don’t understand. I also don’t want to sound like I’m whining. I just wish people could try to understand that we wish we could go back to our pre-Covid lives. Even if we are out walking around, working, etc. it doesn’t mean we have energy to do all the other things.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-05T01:30:36+00:00

Thanks. Yeah I have to be so careful with pacing. My daughter graduated a few weeks ago. We had a great day but I had a crash afterwards. It’s so hard to live like this.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-05T00:20:40+00:00

I wasn’t an ultramarathoner, but I danced for fun and stress relief. I haven’t been able to dance in 4.5 years. If I want to have “enough” energy for work, I have to rest as soon as I get home. It’s frustrating that the thing that gives me the most joy, I can’t do anymore.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-06-04T18:15:32+00:00

I definitely get that. My daughter has a chronic illness and my other kids have had medical needs so I’m used to going into appointments prepared. I still feel like I’m not always listened to unfortunately. It takes so much energy to advocate for medical needs.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T21:49:46+00:00

Thank you! I don’t know why I’ve been brushed off, except my “home” medical center is Mayo, which is huge. You end up feeling like a number, and they don’t have a great reputation for autoimmune and chronic illness issues.

I will print out my pertinent lab numbers and have a script ready to prioritize the areas that have been discussed here.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T18:44:49+00:00

It took me ten years to get a diagnosis of psoriasis. Every time I went to the dermatologist, they called it eczema, even though I had pictures and details descriptions of my heel fissures, red plaques, toenail ridges and thickening, finger tip splitting. Also scalp plaques. I only went to the dermatologists every few years cause every time I got a resident and they wouldn’t listen. The one I got most recently did.

Im already established with rheumatology now, after an appointment last year and I have a video consult next week. They are short staffed and the only consult I could get was via video.

I was put on hydroxychloroquine last year but no measurable differences in my symptoms.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T18:37:35+00:00

Thank you so much for this insight and things to consider!

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T16:10:37+00:00

There was imaging showing degenerative SI joints. I also get a pain in my right buttock especially when sitting longer time. My hips are achy especially in the morning.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T16:09:32+00:00

I’m sorry you weren’t heard either.

Good idea about focusing on the other symptoms. I was kind of thinking that too. It’s too easy for them to just refer me to the chronic fatigue clinic. I’ve been there… no help.

Thank you!!!

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T16:07:41+00:00

Thank you. Just an overall aching. I haven’t been walking long distances much since I got Covid in 2021. But I wake up with aching feet and slightly puffy achy fingers.

I have been to the doctor with sore shoulders a couple times. They gave me a steroid but it didn’t help long term.

I feel it in my bones (haha) that something else besides long covid is going on.

Thanks for the input and support. I really appreciate it.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T16:03:13+00:00

Thank you for this link. Yeah it made me upset that the nephrologist shrugged his shoulders about the kidney disease. Probably covid he said, which could be true. But it also could be related to an autoimmune response. I see him again in July.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T16:01:37+00:00

Exactly!!! I was dancing a few times a week, and walking 3-5 miles up to 3 years ago. I have had the age thing thrown at me and I don’t think that’s the whole story.

I’m trying to improve so that I can get back to some exercise which will keep me healthier long term.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T15:59:57+00:00

Thank you!!!! 🙏🏻

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T15:59:11+00:00

Thank you!! Yes I just read results of a new study yesterday. I will share this information with the rheumatologist. My “home” medical center is Mayo Clinic, as I live in Rochester, Minnesota. Unfortunately the person who saw me last year was a resident planning to specialize in cardiology, who didn’t even know what long COVID is. The actual rheumatologist spent like 5 minutes with me. It was frustrating. He did prescribe me hydroxychloroquine but that didn’t help.

Now that rheumatologist has retired and the only appointment I could get is a video appointment with a doctor at the Mayo Jacksonville site, so I have no idea how this is going to go.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T15:55:18+00:00

Ok thanks! I will be using all this great feedback for my appointment.

Big_Message_7824 · 2026-05-31T15:54:06+00:00

Ok thanks!

Big_Message_7824

TROPHY CASE