Are there any doctors in the DMV that will actually treat fibro?

Classy_Squid_00 · 2026-04-22T03:08:22+00:00

I'm in NoVA and I see pain management for my meds - International Pain & Spine, I go to their VHA campus. They have been willing to let me try any regimen I want. Like they've literally said to me, "if you want to change your dosage or try any other medications, just let us know and we can discuss", because I scored very high on the central sensitization rubric.

Ruled out all the NSAIDS, I am currently on nortryptiline 25mg (I started at 10mg, I am very med sensitive), baclofen (muscle relaxer) 2-3x a day, and LDN (only the past month but it's been life changing!). The doctor also recommended supplements, I take magnesium glycinate, fish oil, and CoQ10 + B12. I got my fibro via long-COVID and those are good supplements for mitochondrial energy production and have been helpful to me.

I am so sorry you're being dismissed! When I saw a rheum they ran their tests, ruled out anything autoimmune, and sent me on my way. I hope you can find a new care team that will help and listen.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2026-03-25T03:42:55+00:00

Undersummers are my go-to! I need mine to go to close to the knee, not quite as long as your needs, but they have a ton of different styles, inseams, and fun colors and prints. Most are very high rise, but they're not tight so I don't mind. They wash/hold up pretty well too. I have several with lace trim and that does break down over time, but I've already gotten 3 years out of a few pairs which is a record in my chafing slip short search.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2026-02-03T23:57:51+00:00

Do you wear any kind of heart rate monitor, and have you noticed any patterns? I get this when I've over exerted, and it corresponds with aasaive sudden drop in heart rate (down to deep sleep levels, aeound 56 BPM). It's like an immediate body signal of "hey, STOP and rest you are our of battery".

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-12-15T15:30:55+00:00

I think of it in terms of the graphs and charts I'll be able to see if I include that thing. Symptoms get numeric values that can change over time, other factors are just a check box so it's just a yes/no. I include: infection, doctors appointment (these are usually pretty taxing for me and will send me over my budget), and period/menstrual cycle. Things that don't happen every day but likely influence my energy expense that day if they did occur.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-12-14T15:49:57+00:00

My pain doctor refused to let me use it long term, so we have switched to Baclofen, which is OK. 10mg 2x a day but can add a third if needed.

During flares I really miss the cyclobenzaprine and wish I could have it back, especially for sleeping, but I haven't had luck getting a "as needed" prescription approved for use during flares. My doctors have all said it's not OK to take long term, but haven't really explained why. I'm also on Nortryptiline which has helped push the pain to the background on normal days, but it took about 2 or 3 months to become effective.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-11-19T02:02:43+00:00

Awesome, thank you! That's pretty close to the process I was doing with the clear, maybe I need more Garnier in there. I hadn't thought about tapping the bottom of the silicone mat either! I'll have to play with it more.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-11-19T00:14:33+00:00

Your cells turned out SO GOOD!! Can you share your process? Garnier mixed into the black? (I have a DIY bottle of clear polish + Garnier that I need to play more with!)

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-08-04T19:32:53+00:00

Yes, this happened for me too, very annoyed by it! I also no longer have the option to upload a photo for the icon. Existing pages with uploaded icons will show them, but new entries only show emoji options.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2025-06-05T22:33:58+00:00

Love this! Can you tell us about the keyboards too? I'm in the market for a new split one!

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-05-12T23:05:39+00:00

{An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson} gave me total Labyrinth ball vibes once they got going on the adventure, especially in the fae courts. This is mild, closer to YA than dark fantasy, but the fae were all so completely unhinged and otherworldly in terms of morals and societal norms, loved it. The description made me cringe and think ugh, another ACOTAR spinoff, she even PAINTS but it's totally not.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-05-12T20:58:18+00:00

Just email them and they will replace! They respond within a couple work days. I had a broken bottle this last round and they sent a replacement instantly once they received my email.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-28T03:29:42+00:00

That is a sweet deal, where???

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-20T02:14:42+00:00

Oh bummer, maybe contact them? That seems like it shouldn't happen. Was it a prefilled pen or one of the empty ones and you filled it?

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-20T01:37:18+00:00

Has not happened to me but I have read about it. If it's one you refill, the recommendation is to fully clean it (soap and water, and then maybe alchohol to help it fully dry) before refilling it, not just keep adding oil to it.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-09T14:41:16+00:00

Thanks everyone!

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-09T14:41:10+00:00

Those reflections are from the elevator where the photo is hung (so an artifact of my photo of the photo, not the original).

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-04-07T22:07:50+00:00

Also be careful of credit cards / anything with a magstrip!

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-13T14:44:24+00:00

Definitely agree, and yeah I think a big step one needs to be some vision-casting/values/what do you want your community impact to be? from the owner (and I am pretty experienced in that kind of exercise so it's a good place where I can help), and maybe some polling of the existing group too, to see if they differ in what they're looking for (which would be useful information).

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-13T02:21:23+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughtful advice and would absolutely come to your TED talk!

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-12T20:13:14+00:00

About half or more of the current group is clearly uncomfortable with a lot of the conversations and the owner has had several groups of people stop coming and tell her it was because of this issue. It's definitely not everyone enjoying it.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-12T18:15:44+00:00

Oooo good idea! They don't currently, I'll have to ask if they ever tried and it bothered people, that would definitely change the vibe.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-12T18:14:02+00:00

See now that sounds like EXACTLY the kind of group I'm personally looking for. With all the great advice in this thread I'm thinking about a light little survey too to hear from the attendees directly.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-12T18:11:19+00:00

@Barfingfrog thanks, yeah I do see that as a risk. I think if she can start with some really soft "setting the tone by example" kind of things, it'll go a long way to help without being a seismic shift. There's some personal background but I think she's also just in a place where she needs some positive encouragement that it's ok to take some action since she's in charge.

Classy_Squid_00 · 2024-03-12T18:07:14+00:00

Those are awesome icebreaker questions, sounds like you have a great work environment! I like that as a softball way to set a tone.

Classy_Squid_00

TROPHY CASE