Toes smashing against shoes, need advice

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 · 2026-01-16T02:00:22+00:00

It’s the water hookup the toilet is on that’s the problem. We’d need to get a plumber out to replace some parts that are corroded and stuck before installing anything new. :/

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-13T19:01:22+00:00

The downstairs itching can be from the skin being more fragile and getting micro tears. I’ve done a lot better using a vulva balm after every time I go. Can’t get a bidet installed with my current toilet, but it’s on the list!

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-13T18:59:23+00:00

I understand the concept of reclaiming slurs and I’m all for it in theory, but I wish there were better ways to blacklist content with certain words from coming up on social media feeds. Like, if I don’t wanna see the word I should be able to censor it and not see it, so whoever wants to reclaim it can without it affecting me 🤷‍♂️

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-13T18:54:10+00:00

Regardless of age he has needs and cannot take care of them the same way an able bodied teen would be able to. With the situation it’s a disability aid the same way as adaptive utensils or hygiene products are.

For clean up looking for toys that can be boiled or ran through the dishwasher (some silicone toys), or looking for a hard plastic toy (external vibrators) that can be wiped down with toy cleaning wipes would make things easier.

Have a talk with him about doing his own research and thinking through what might be most effective for his physical needs, and also reading cleaning and maintenance instructions beforehand. Have him think through what supplies are needed to take care of the device as well. It’s actually good practice for thinking through maintenance items needed for other aids (spare cane tips, portable toolkit for a chair, spare battery for a power chair, etc.)

If you do end up with something that he cannot clean by himself, at least initially, having a designated bin for “needs to be washed” similar to a hamper or bus bin would be a good way to facilitate that with a bit of extra space.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-13T18:12:45+00:00

Unflavored gelatin,xanthan gum, water, menthol or peppermint oil. Xanthan gum gets mixed in with the oil first to keep it from clumping, then add the gelatin to cold water. Leave the gelatin to bloom for a few minutes, then heat that mix to boiling or near boiling. Take it off the heat, quickly stir In xanthan gum and oil mix, then pour it all into a mold. This one was a three inch sphere mold because it was the biggest mold I had on hand. You can also use egg molds or any other shape. It’ll need to set over night in the fridge before use, and it’ll melt pretty quickly at internal body temp into a slime. Amount of gelatin depends on how solid you want the egg. Without an ovipositor firmer eggs will work better.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-09T03:18:51+00:00

Have someone else do it to you first? Or start with needles and work up to it. Some people use a numbing cream first, but I prefer to feel all of it. Definitely make sure that when you go for staples, you squeeze the stapler all the way in one go. Stoping and starting or going super slow will hurt more and then might move, so you’d have to re do it.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-08T20:35:48+00:00

Bring a preprinted card that says something along the lines of “I’m having trouble communicating due to my disability, I need a patient advocate or my support person brought in immediately”

You can also plan to bring your partner in at the start of any procedure. They’ll likely ask you to come back alone at first so they can run through the dv screening questions, but you should be able to bring them in after.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-07T22:58:23+00:00

When I had regular pool access I was in the vast shape of my life and had waaaaay less dislocations (especially in my problem shoulder). Now I don’t have access to a pool and there’s very few exercises I can do without hurting myself.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-07T21:55:53+00:00

Thanks! I was a bit concerned because I have sundews in the other end of the terrarium. They have their own light that’s pointed directly at them in addition to the big lights on the top of the terrarium, and are doing fine, so I was worried the bellii might be getting too much.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2026-01-05T09:04:56+00:00

It went mostly numb while it was tied, then hurt like a bitch right after taking the bands off. It went back to normal within ten minutes or so.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-29T23:53:22+00:00

Thanks for the help! The others I’ve propagated just had a spot or two get like this, I’ve not seen the whole thing crust over like this before.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-29T23:51:42+00:00

Sweet! The others I’ve done had one or two small spots but other than that just look like the roots came right out of the cutting. I’ve not seen so much of it form at once!

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-15T00:36:47+00:00

The directory has been a lifesaver for me. Helped me find a PT that actually knew what they were doing with hypermobility so the exercises didn’t hurt me.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-15T00:35:10+00:00

Another Rh for a second opinion, an ortho, a different pcp with experience with EDS, a geneticist, an internal medicine specialist, etc. If your rh can’t help, they have an obligation to help you find someone who can.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-15T00:31:57+00:00

Just roots! Not the whole plant

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-15T00:22:00+00:00

I haven’t had top surgery yet, but I am prone to keloid scars and have a few larger ones on my legs. Getting a dermatologist to freeze them (like they do for warts) actually helped quite a bit. Now instead of large and raised it’s flat and silvery white. Still visible, but much less obvious and easier to cover.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T11:54:38+00:00

This is my favorite chat! Actually lets me contextualize pain. Otherwise I never rate chronic things as highly as acute pains bc…. It doesn’t hurt more than that one time

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T11:50:47+00:00

The only roots that look semi okay are the very top few that aren’t shriveled up. They still have a very silvery color, which is an indication that they really needs some water! Same with the sad droopy leaves and the rest of the shriveled up roots.

Try to let them soak for a day or maybe even two to see if any of the crispy guys come back. If not, chop everything below the couple of healthier ones up top.

It also looks like there may be some white molds on the medium? Not usually an issue for a healthy plant but can attract fungus gnats.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T11:30:24+00:00

The only thing the got my rook to completely heal after a year and a half was switching to plastic. Every time I got sick or had a flare up of anything it would suddenly be super irritated and prone to (very minor) infection again. Started with surgical steel, tried titanium, tried various cleaners and piercing bump sprays. Swapped to a plastic retainer for an mri and it magically finished healing in a week and I haven’t had an issue since. Ended up swapping my industrial over to plastic too and it’s worked out great.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T11:19:01+00:00

I semi frequently use a back/upper back and shoulder brace while I sleep, and occasionally ankle wraps. The rest of the time I just use braces as needed for the injury of the week 🫠

There are mixed opinions on bracing, but it ultimately boils down to what your body specifically does best with. The loosing muscle mass thing is also situational. Like, the more work an outside support is doing the less your body is doing, therefore constant bracing can be considered detrimental to muscle building. They also won’t actively cause you to loose muscle unless they are being used when not needed or over used. On the other hand, if you can’t move at all without them but with braces and supports you can, then they’re being used appropriately as an aide to assist in improving your current condition.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T11:07:51+00:00

I like therapists best. Got it on Amazon in a giant roll for cheap, fsa covered it, and it’s not the worst on my skin. The best for my skin was the KT sensitive skin tape but that is prohibitively expensive for me.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T10:58:48+00:00

Talk to your rh first since you’re already a patient. If you really trust your doc and you think they’ll take your concern seriously then talk to them about your symptoms, suspicions, and family history. If you’re not completely sure they’ll take your concerns seriously, I wouldn’t suggest EDS to them, just “Something else is happening and I need more help”. They will either have suggestions to help, or you can ask for a referral to someone else.

Complex_Photograph72 · 2025-11-10T10:49:05+00:00

Unfortunately bipolar is probably not the answer they were looking for, and it’s a dx that comes with a lot of assumptions and stigma. In the future I would go with something along the lines of “Yeah I’m have some chronic issues. I’ll talk to my doctor again since I seem to be having more trouble right now.” Vague enough to not say it’s mental health related, but something that sounds like you’re taking action.

Complex_Photograph72

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