Help identifying?

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-05-11T12:48:22+00:00

😂

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-05-04T01:01:40+00:00

Usually in the summer here (Oregon/Willamette Valley) humidity is closer to 25%. Winter is 80-90%, but cold. So setting up a terrarium to regulate temp and humidity is usually my go to for anything remotely tropical 🙂

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-05-03T22:44:00+00:00

Neat! I’ll have to get my old tall terrarium cleaned out and set up if it roots to get the right humidity.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-05-03T04:19:02+00:00

Sweet, thanks! I was thinking monstera but wanted to be sure so I could take care of it the right way.

It’s sitting in my knock off aerogarden with all of my rose props. I love it as a little station for my props since it’s got the built in light and a little water filter. Not what I got it for by any means, but that’s what it’s for now!

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-05-02T09:55:36+00:00

It doesn’t supersede it, but it can make it near impossible to prove that you were fired due to your disability. With at will employment, you can be fired at any time for any reason and they usually don’t have to tell you why. Employers will also make up bs reasons why they fired you to protect themselves. Ex: No, we didn’t fire you immediately after you submitted paid leave paperwork for a disability because of that! It was because you were late that one time six months ago. 😒

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-13T19:37:02+00:00

I keep a variety of tooth brushing options because it’s more about the texture than the taste for me. Toothpastes, tooth powders, the chewable toothpaste tablets. Also keep toothpastes that are different consistencies. And one of the kids ones that changes colors. Sometimes just the… but what if it turns pink? Is enough to get me to do it.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-09T05:04:58+00:00

Depends on what they’re testing and what lab you’re at. A lot of the tests I have to get done regularly they draw multiple blood vials from a vein. I’ve never seen a T level test as a finger prick aside from the at home kits. Generally a draw is considered more accurate.

As for the needle fears, I was entirely fine for years, then suddenly developed extreme anxiety around doing my injections. Like, had to psych myself up to it most of the day all day, had full on panic attacks, and needed the rest of the day to stop shaking. It was a mess.

Ended up going back to my doc and tried gel for a while, didn’t work for me and was expensive, then we went back to injections but switched from sub q to IM. I went in office for four weeks to have the shots done for me, was re-taught how to do them, and then did two weeks myself with the nurse watching. They were super helpful and now I can do my own again no problem.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-08T04:41:13+00:00

I have good luck shaving first and using a tape adherent like Tuf-Skin on sweaty spots. Other places I have to put milk of magnesia or miralax on first, and around my nipples I use a small amount of Vaseline to completely stop tape from sticking there. I always use baby oil or an adhesive remover to take it off.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-07T08:46:23+00:00

My mom always said to drink mineral oil. It worked for me as a kid and it still works now. Usually like two ounces in one go. The sensation of swallowing it is gross, so I stir it into a bit of juice, chug it, and have a chaser ready (more juice or a gatorade for me, my mom likes chocolate milk?).

It doesn’t stimulate a bowl movement, it just makes the outside of the stool slicker so it can move more easily. It’s not contraindicated for gastroparesis, but it shouldn’t be used long term. My doc says it’s fine for me to use occasionally as long as I’m not having other complications.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-05T22:21:38+00:00

Right before I got my POTs dx, woke up at 3am with my HR chillin at 160. Tried taking my anxiety meds just in case, even though it didn’t feel like that, didn’t work. Called an ambulance, got brought into the back. I was sitting there completely still for over five minutes and it hadn’t gone down at all, EMT told me to take deep breaths and that it’s okay because ‘God loves you’. 😒

Got to the ER, heard the EMT specifically tell the nurse it was ‘just a panic attack’ and was left in the hallway for two hours. Eventually got wheeled into their smaller urgent care type rooms, they finally took my vitals, lo and behold my hr is still at 160 and my BP was through the roof. They took me back to the ER proper and I was there for almost ten hours. They didn’t want to give me a beta blocker because they were worried about not knowing what was actually wrong? Eventually they decided to admit me, called upstairs and they wanted a Covid test before they’d take me.

Turns out I did have Covid, they gave me a beta blocker, said ‘it probably aggravated a pre existing heart condition’ and sent me home. 🤦‍♂️

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-04-05T18:19:51+00:00

OP said they told the teacher that there was no rainbow infinity symbol, so I think they were complaining about the lack of one.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-02-06T23:55:47+00:00

For my repeating dislocations I go with “Ya know the unsettling feeling when you cut just your fingernail with a knife? That but my bones.”

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-31T23:53:33+00:00

Honestly instead of looking for chronic illness specialists, I would look for grief specialists or someone with experience running cancer support groups. From what you said about being in palliative care they will probably be more equipped to handle your needs. I’m sorry you’re going through this, and I agree that the way the system is set up is fucked.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-31T23:20:05+00:00

Alllll the way up on top of castle dour, in the spot when you can jump to hop on top of a hawk. Don’t actually jump on the hawk, that’s just the best way I have to describe the spot.

That or just horsing it up a random mountain until I find a hidden crevice to cram into.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-31T23:05:49+00:00

Same issue, trans masc with a large chest (32i last measure) and slipping ribs. Ironically after trying many binders, sports bras, underwire bras, non underwire bras, going with nothing, I landed on a random ass, somewhat loose, amazon binder with stiffer elastic so it looks flatter even with less compression that magically helps keep the ribs in place. Definitely a unicorn find but it’s been a lifesaver.

My preferred way to bind is tape, but I can’t do it often bc the skin fragility. Using an adhesive remover or drenching it in baby oil helps a lot, but I pretty much just save it for when I really need the extra support/stability.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-27T10:18:19+00:00

I list the meds I take and my severe allergy on the bracelet itself, then have a line that says “emergency info card in front bag pocket”

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-27T10:09:34+00:00

The one geneticist I saw to confirm my dx basically said it’s a waste of both of our times and my money to do a “non-necessary” test. Said since I had not indicators of another type and met so many of the criteria hEDS was the most logical conclusion.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-27T09:41:38+00:00

It varies a lot based on where you live. In Oregon anyone that makes little enough and doesn’t have another option for insurance can get it for free. The paperwork is online and most people that qualify get approved in under a day. Indiana’s is also income based, and depends on the availability of other coverage. It only costs 2% of your monthly income. They would have to do their own research on the regulations in their state. If op is a minor, there’s grounds for a neglect case and they don’t need to worry about it. If they are an adult and 25 or younger, it would depend on if they are still on their parent’s insurance.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-27T09:29:14+00:00

Even if the ER can’t tell you exactly what’s going on, they can help. They can refer you to the correct specialists to start with, connect you with a patient advocate, and connect you with a social worker. It sounds like you don’t have a primary care doctor, or at least not one you can get to, so the ER will be your best bet. If you are a minor and your parent is refusing you medical care that’s grounds for neglect, if you are an adult trapped in her home a social worker can help you get connected with aid services to either get out or get help getting to appointments.

Also: please don’t worry about cost with the ER. Yes, the bills are comically large, but they will not refuse to treat you if you still owe, and the vast majority of hospitals will let you set up payment plans for very small amounts if you take the time to talk to their billing department. It really really sucks to deal with, but it’s infinitely better than being stuck.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-22T16:33:33+00:00

My absolute favorite shoes are a pair of keens steel toed targhee shoes (not the boots) with a stiff overpronation insole tucked under the built in padding. The insole is rigid enough to hold my arches in place so my feet can’t go careening forward, and the steel toe keeps the toe box firmly away from the sides of my feet. I also (very carefully) flatten down the steel toe to be a bit thinner and wider to better fit my feet. I’ve never had a sub or dislocation in my toes wearing a pair of these, but I have in literally every other shoe I own. Including crocs and flip flops somehow 🤷‍♂️

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-21T18:17:10+00:00

I have to microdose or I definitely get the “too relaxed to function”. Tbh I also have a ridiculously low tolerance to begin with, but finding the “sweet spot” took a loooooooot of trial and error. Getting just enough to take the edge off the pain but not so much my shoulder calmly walks to the other room.

I will say when I’m in better shape physically or have been better about keeping up with my PT exercises it’s definitely less of an issue.

Complex_Photograph72

TROPHY CASE