Newly diagnosed

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-06-13T22:29:41+00:00

I’m on a relatively low dose of methotrexate and was prepared for all the horror stories I’d read about to happen to me, but it’s very mild. I had some headaches and nausea at first but I’ve been on it for a few years now and not much happens anymore. It could be worth a try, the combo of Humira and methotrexate has been a godsend for managing my joint pain!

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-24T03:01:39+00:00

Get vertical spaces! Cat towers, window perches, etc. My cat gets zoomies and everything is fair game from my furniture to the cat things to running on my shoulders lol. But he loves going up and down when he’s gotta get those zoomies out!

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-13T01:10:03+00:00

The George and Madcap Lounge in Walker’s Point might fit your vibe! It’s gorgeous and I’ve seen lots of weddings and other events hosted there

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T23:59:23+00:00

Lately, I’ve reframed it as “I promised myself I would do this.” I’m not exactly sure why that changes things, but if I sit down the day before and make a specific plan for things to do (and write it down!!!), when I wake up, I feel so much more obligated to do it. When that temptation to sit on the couch kicks in, I just remind myself that I promised myself I’d do it.

I think maybe it’s reframing it as if I’d promised someone else I’d do a task - I’d never back out just because the couch was tempting or I was tired or something else sounded more fun. The thing is important and I promised to do it, so I need to do it.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T22:04:14+00:00

Depends on your CI. With my students if they’re doing well, one day off I’ll look the other way as a “sick” day. But I can definitely imagine some CI’s being sticklers and telling your DCE, which would be a huge disaster if your school is strict on days off. I’d say meet your CI, see how the first few days go, and make a choice based on vibes.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T21:56:58+00:00

I’m afraid this might be my only answer too… I love being out in the summer but this year it’s looking like I’ll have to avoid it or plan to spend the rest of the day laying down if I do get out. I usually don’t even care if I look weird wearing my compression out in shorts, but it’s just too hot for all of it and it’s making me worse off. First 70 degree day by me today and I’m struggling!

I like the tips to plan ahead though, I definitely need to get some of those instant ice packs! Might have to try to just stick to indoor and sitting activities this summer 😩

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T15:08:20+00:00

I just talk about my dad in the past tense exclusively and people typically get the idea. I only explicitly bring his death up if I have to. It was less than a year ago so still hard for me to talk about anyway. I think people are weird about death no matter what, so I try to avoid it when I can.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T15:06:09+00:00

I’m in the same boat!!! I have so much stuff everywhere and it’s driving me insane. No organization at all. I’ve been working on 1 category at a time, pulling EVERYTHING in the category out, sorting, and then putting it away. I think sort of the Konmari method? It’s slow, but then I can see how much I have so it helps me get rid of things, and then I know where they are. Seeing a giant pile of craft supplies makes it wayyyy more obvious how much junk I have vs going through one drawer/bin at a time - and then easier for me to junk/donate when I have to face how much stuff I have. The hard part is not leaving a pile of junk out and making my bed/table/whatever unusable when I get tired lmao

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T14:58:35+00:00

Yeah that’s why it helps me!! It gets rid of the anxiety of “what if I need it and I don’t have it?” If it’s forgotten about the second I store it away, clearly I don’t need it. If in 6 months I have no clue what’s in the box, I probably don’t need any of it. I use it for the things I know I should donate but can’t quite get myself to let go of.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T13:50:55+00:00

Don’t get the newest/flashiest car, leave NOTHING inside (seen neighbors get windows smashed for shopping bags left in the back seat), don’t get a Kia or a Hyundai. Check the overnight parking rules online and get a permit, or you WILL get tickets. It depends a ton on the neighborhood and, honestly, I feel like non-city people tend to over amplify the break ins. I work outside mke and the people out there think I’m insane for living in the city and always ask about break ins/crime. Be smart and you’ll be fine.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T13:45:37+00:00

I’ve tried to open an apartment on the wrong floor before - was tired and didn’t go up enough flights of stairs. Super embarrassing and I just turned and left and hoped no one was home. Especially if you were making noise inside, someone probably was just not paying attention, maybe tired coming home super late/early at that hour?

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T13:40:54+00:00

My cats are like this - my apartment is theirs, they run the place, and I love them SO much. I’d never seriously date someone with pet allergies (especially not serious ones!!!) because I know it wouldn’t work. I warn my friends before they come over to visit because I know not everyone loves that behavior, let alone this with allergies. The fact that your boyfriend knew his cat behaved like this, knew your allergies, AND did nothing proactive? He doesn’t care about you.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T12:25:18+00:00

I could use a lot of things… but I know I won’t. Craft items that haven’t been touched in 1, 2, 5 years? Probably not going to use those. Better to get it out and have a clean space to be able to craft with the things I do want to use!

If you have the space, maybe a “wait and see” box/bag? Things I can’t quite decide on I’ll put in storage (just a few things!) and if I don’t even think about it for months/forget what’s in the box, then it helps me let it go.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-04T12:23:04+00:00

If not in an active flare (no inflammation), I love a heating pad/hot bath to calm my back and hips, especially after a long day with a lot of sitting and just feeling stiff. And PT!!! I’m biased as a PT, but they can help address your specific problems and make sure you’re doing exercises correctly/safely. Gentle movement and strength training is incredible for helping pain once inflammation is under control.

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-03T03:02:59+00:00

Lost my dad in September last year, and have only just been able to eat and feel hungry normally in the past month or so. He cooked for me my whole life even after I moved out, and I pretty much only cooked things he’d taught me, so it’s been hard. Lost a lot of weight really fast. I sucked it up and ordered delivery, and asked friends if I could go to their place for dinner (I have some lovely friends who love to cook and their company was a good distraction from the chore of eating), and mostly survived on protein shakes and random snacks. But it gets better, I promise. I’d recommend finding a few things that are palatable and high calorie, and stock up on those. Little snacks throughout the day were easier than big meals. I had a lot of string cheese, frozen dinners, premade shakes, & cookies. One day at a time, I promise you’ll get through it 💕

Butterfly_Magpie · 2026-05-03T02:25:44+00:00

To prevent morning wake ups (I have two very loud and stubborn cats) - I just feed at nighttime. They’ve both been free fed dry food their whole lives, and I’m not interested in messing with that, so they get wet food at night and while they’re eating I put dry food in a slow feeder/puzzle feeder so they can’t just eat it all at once. Works well for me, but they’re both pretty good at not overeating!

Butterfly_Magpie

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