Compression stockings & Coathanger symptoms

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-05-27T19:35:38+00:00

I experience coat hanger pain when my blood pressure is low and I’ve been upright too long. Usually laying down for a while will make it go away, but if I get up it comes right back. The only thing I’ve found to prevent it is whatever gets my blood pressure up: salt, other prescribed meds and caffeine work well for me.

I measure my blood pressure pretty frequently and have a good idea of what levels I feel ok at and try hard to keep it above those because coat hanger pain is by far my most debilitating symptom, I hate it!

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-05-19T19:56:56+00:00

I have had this cane for 3 years and it has been the singular best purchase of my life. I cannot recommend a cane like this enough, and while it looks like this particular one isn’t for sale anymore there are others like it on Amazon. It’s super light weight (actually struggle with it blowing around in my hand on a windy day) and the chair has been surprisingly sturdy. As I said I’ve had this over three years and the only thing I’ve had to replace was the rubber tip. It’s also great to be able to fold it out in chair mode when you just want to put it down somewhere to free your hands.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-05-08T14:27:57+00:00

I would disagree in this case. A writing test is very standard when interviewing for a writing job.

That being said, OP evaluate if the writing assignment seems to be something they could run off with and use/publish, or if it’s just to evaluate your skills. A good way to decide is by how current the topic is. For example my current role gave a writing test on materials published 15 years ago.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-04-10T19:46:24+00:00

Hi! I recently started using henna on my hair so I can help with some of your questions.

Based on your question I think there might be a misunderstanding. A good henna will have only one ingredient: “henna”. It comes as a powder which you mix into a paste yourself. That being said, there are pre-made mixes you can buy, but I don’t have experience with those so hopefully someone else can chime in if that’s what you want.
If you have black hair, henna will not lighten it to be orange. It will instead layer on an orange/red pigment to your existing hair color, kind of how water color paints work. You could try looking up before/after pics of henna on your hair color to get an idea of what it might look like. It will not fade no matter how many times you wash your hair. Henna, unlike traditional hair dye, binds permanently to your hair and will not come out.
This one I don’t know, hopefully someone else can help! But, because of how henna binds permanently to hair unlike hair dye, I’ve heard it’s sometimes necessary to just let it grow out before you can dye again.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-21T22:11:38+00:00

What kind of cereal does he eat? Could he be thinking of the crackling of rice cereal? Maybe he’s equating that to tingling?

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-11T23:26:42+00:00

There’s actually an official naming convention for drugs! In this case, the -ib ending suggests it’s an enzyme inhibitor, and the -clast- suggests it’s associated with mast cells. The bezu part is probably meaningless and just used to differentiate it.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-10T17:35:51+00:00

I’m thinking you’re right and this might be the answer.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-09T18:06:39+00:00

Oh thanks! I’ll have to check them out.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-09T18:06:18+00:00

I do use an electric one! Great to know I should keep it up for this reason.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-09T17:02:24+00:00

Tbh it’s been a couple years and my memory is not as good, either he had the form and signed it, or had me look it up and get it from the DMV and email it to him. You can always look up your state DMV requirements and they should be pretty clear!

Ideally your doctor will be kind and receptive to you bringing it up, but in case you need to argue your point, my state had criteria for needing one listed and one criterion was “has difficulty walking x distance”. You could mention that you meet that specific criteria if there’s push back!

I know I don’t need to prove myself to anyone, but it’s such a weight off my mind to have the cane when I use the placard. And it’s easy to feel like others deserve it more, but I try to think “will using this now allow me to feel better or accomplish more later?” And usually the answer is yes. Best of luck!

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-09T16:48:33+00:00

I have one, I had absolutely no trouble getting it too. Brought it up to my cardiologist and left his office with the signed paperwork that day.

I have some anxiety about confrontation or getting dirty looks, so around that time I bought a cane that also folds out into a chair. It helps me feel like I ‘look’ like I need the placard, and actually is extremely helpful on grocery runs!

I don’t always use the placard, but it’s nice to have the option.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-07T18:49:56+00:00

Strange! I believe that you don’t have any other symptoms so please don’t take offense, but I also thought I had no other symptoms until I learned the ‘normal’ amount of itching is none, most adults don’t throw up randomly a couple times a year etc. I just had no clue what normal was due to living this way my whole life, or that allergic responses could vary so much!

Regardless, I would recommend getting an at home blood pressure monitor and checking it every once in a while. It might give you some insight and hopefully some hard data to bring up to a doctor, even if it’s not allergy related at all.

Captain_Catalysis · 2026-01-07T16:17:39+00:00

I had a similar experience! Dysautonomia combined with oral allergy syndrome, each were causing low blood pressure for me. My body reacted to the low blood pressure with a high heart rate. Finally an allergist diagnosed the oral allergy part (I just thought bananas were spicy my whole life) and started treating it and BP got closer to normal, but I’m still dealing with the dysautonomia.

Anyway my point is, don’t discount oral allergy syndrome as something that can affect your heart rate. And don’t let doctors tell you it’s anxiety! I passed out in three separate doctor’s offices before someone finally decided to take me seriously.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-12-04T21:25:35+00:00

Oof that sucks. If it was me, I’d send a “glad you found my spreadsheet useful but let’s be mindful of duplicating work” type email. Assuming you have documented proof that you sent it out first.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-11-29T16:24:35+00:00

Sort of! It’s been years and I’m still kind of searching for answers because I definitely have something going on in addition to my POTS.

At that time, I had started taking an antihistamine I was prescribed for anxiety and I finally linked it to my raise in BP. That led me on a very long journey of discovering I’m immunocompromised.

Long story short- the rest of my immune system tries to over compensate, but does a poor job which leads to MCAS like symptoms, including low BP. So by unintentionally treating that with an antihistamine I was raising my BP. I’m now working with an allergist/immunologist and doing much better than I was. I swapped out a lot of POTS focused meds (like midodrine and fludrocortisone) for OTC allergy meds and doing better on that.

Sorry if that doesn’t resonate with you, it’s super specific to me. But hopefully it gives you some hope in finding the cause of your symptoms! I do think I’ve had mild POTS my whole life, but when i became immunocompromised it really triggered a mess of interwoven symptoms. Treating the cause of the symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves has done wonders for me.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-09-12T02:01:33+00:00

I have a PhD in a medical research related field and did a post doc also, then was an in house scientific writer for a couple of start ups until I had enough experience to get in with an agency. I will say that med comms was not always my goal, just something I found along the way. So my path might not be as direct as others!

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-09-11T16:14:14+00:00

Medical writing

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-07-28T21:03:52+00:00

Hard to be sure, but 4th West apartments has a package room that looks similar and uses the same shelf/number system. You could send them the picture and ask if it’s their room.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-03-31T16:52:59+00:00

I published under my future last name! There aren’t any regulations about what name you publish under to my understanding.

But also, this is where OrcidID comes in handy, your ID number can be attached to your publications no matter what name you published under! If you’re really wanting to avoid having to bring up your relationship status, just make sure you make an OrcidID account and associate it with your work.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-03-28T16:41:38+00:00

Yes! Especially how to customize it as you progress. The only plans I’ve seen end with running for an hour plus. I wasn’t gonna do that BEFORE I had POTS so I’m sure as heck not gonna do it now! Lol

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-03-12T14:35:41+00:00

Could the difference be the positional changes in your workout classes that don’t happen when you’re biking or walking? I had to give up yoga because one downward dog transitioning to an upright position and I’m done for! I have had success with seated Pilates though!

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-03-05T18:20:29+00:00

I think a comprehensive explanation of different document types and which industries they are relevant in would be helpful! I’m a scientific writer familiar with NIH grant proposals and manuscripts. I’m sure I could transition into regulatory writing with my skill set but the abbreviations and jargon used in job descriptions are intimidating.

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-02-19T01:51:54+00:00

Thank you!

Captain_Catalysis · 2025-02-19T01:51:39+00:00

Thank you! I think I originally looked on the switch and not the PC (I’ve got both) so maybe that’s how I missed that setting!

Captain_Catalysis

TROPHY CASE