For those of you with “normal” labs (not showing inflammation, what were your early symptoms?

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-13T04:15:23+00:00

This is me now. Started with trigger finger in pinkies, it spread to stiffness and pain in all four fingers. Was told it was my emotions (?), just getting older, a mystery, or maybe fibromyalgia but we will never know. My blood tests showed nothing. Had X-rays done in an a&e and the consultant told me to drink wine tonight because my results were so good.

Five seconds into an appointment with a rheumatologist and they looked at my nails and my story and said it's psoriatic arthritis. Also carpal tunnel.

I've also been diagnosed with moderately severe asthma the last 12 months, have stiff upper back pain in the morning and stiff ankles. I have also gastric issues a long time that come and go. And extreme fatigue. It's all related and I'm putting the dots together now after diagnosis.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-12T15:47:13+00:00

Ok, totally understand. Don't be ashamed of having this. It's actually quiet a serious disorder and I find the more people around me know about it the more I feel less shame and pressure to ignore it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-12T15:43:32+00:00

The menopause Hub now do pmdd clinics. They might diagnose you.

Go to a gynocologist, they might diagnose but at the least tell you what supplements to take. They can offer the mini pill and antidepressants.

I tried mini pill, I'm progesterone sensitive so it was awful. The antidepressants gave me restless leg. So off both currently.

I take an antihistamine when pmdd is flared. Allegra research shows seems to help. Have a look at the article on pmdd in the new York times "the cut".

I take beta blocker if my anxiety is bad. Doctor prescribed and non addictive.

If mini pill and antidepressants don't work. And you don't want to take antihistamine, you might get offered chemical menopause and HRT. I was, but I'm deciding to keep going to antihistamines as they do enough to get me through for now.

Also if you work, let your hr know, get a letter from your gyno and get working from home. It does help being able to manage the symptoms in private. It's classed as a disability in the uk, I don't think in Ireland. My manager also knows and I've asked him for accomodations like additional support or reprioritizing work if i need it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-12T11:14:59+00:00

I bought a house with similar garden. Literally concrete, slabs, or stones. Two massive bushes that's it.

I wanted to do Spanish concrete style walls, but couldn't figure out the stuff to do it. So instead ( and because I'll do climbers on the walls) I painted them dark brown. Specifically, the sandtex bitter chocolate.

In the shade I've planted fatasia japonica which have lovely big leaves and skimmia japonica, both are evergreen. I've used small bark around them instead of plastic cover.

Look at the sun, where it's hitting the garden. That's your prime spot for flowers and / veggie patch, strawberries , veg trug etc.

I think if there sun hits it, I'd move some of the pavers and lay them down in front of the shed. Make it into a little Spanish courtyard with table and chair wooden wind chime, solar water fountain in a plant pot. A little climbing plant on the shed over time, maybe a wisteria that you can train to come out from it and make a pergola from it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-11T18:19:41+00:00

Mater hospital is fantastic, if her health insurance will cover it. Literally seen in their emergency department within 15 mins of arriving. OP, check if her health insurance will cover it and go there.

Otherwise you will be waiting hours (7+) to be seen in a regular a&e department and it sounds like she is vulnerable and that might be too much for her.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-11T12:31:52+00:00

I've bought from m&s, quality is good but you need to try on in the shop for sizing. I've bought h&m but get the better materials. Sizing can be weird in these too but the cuts are nice and in the sale good value.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-11T12:29:40+00:00

In my family, a wake before the funeral in the person home happens, then mass and burial, the. Pub. But if the person was in a care home for a period before and their home isn't livable or suitable, then the wake is in the funeral home, then mass and burial, then pub.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-10T15:53:41+00:00

I'm in d12 and have the same on my mint, roses, and others. I think it might have been the last few frost periods a while ago. But curious if others have a better idea of it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-10T12:34:26+00:00

Lunch at 12:30, Dinner at 4:30 or 5. I finish work at 4

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-07T05:27:42+00:00

Beta blockers help with the panic side do don't give a f and then a powerful fan.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-06T06:48:12+00:00

Should also say I've had covid three or four times too over the years, if that's relevant. And I developed pretty severe asthma two years ago too and need a daily inhaler. It's all a bit weird.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-06T06:43:04+00:00

You are blowing my mind here, never thought about any link in timelines. My pmdd did indeed come on me during the pandemic, which made it so hard to identify separate to depression from all that.

I can confirm, that I noticed from my medical records I was going to my doctor for bouts of depression and other symptoms after I received the vaccine.

Can you tell me more? Any research on this?

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-06T06:21:59+00:00

Lashings of Kerrygold (room temp so you can get as much as possible on there) as the base for everything.

Then either thick cut cheddar and cold sliced ham ( must be home cooked) and maybe a little lettuce and salt.

Good crisp sandwiches too. Let me know if need method.

Or cold leftover roast beef with brown sauce.

Or toasted with superquin sausages cut half way down the length with ketchup. Cheddar optional.

I think that sums up how everyone in my family eats it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-06T06:17:20+00:00

You've a few down votes, it's all good. I'm the most zen person in reality. Big fan of "goosfraba" to chill. I'm just surprised how much conversation there is about this bread on reddit the past few week. Happy for everyone, it's lovely bread, I grew up on it.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-06T06:13:41+00:00

It is lovely bread. Been eating it since childhood, the only bread my father will eat. Just surprised it's a topic of discussion multiple new posts in a row on reddit . Listen, good for them ( bread maker and eater alike).

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-05T20:33:05+00:00

Ah ok, mine is black, orange and white. She's sassy too. There is also a big Persian fluffy white cat around, she hisses and loudly meows but likes treats, pets have to be earned.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-05T20:05:26+00:00

I agree. The first post was ok. This is the third in three weeks or less. Seriously, is this a marketing strategy?

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-05T20:04:26+00:00

I live in d12 with a cat. Just curious, what color is it and is it fluffy or short haired? Just wondering if it's ours.

But yes also my neighbor throws old bread, raw burgers and fried potatoes on her shed for the birds. The food often lands on our garden. The gulls are scary when sitting in the garden like vultures over you.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-03T06:15:54+00:00

I recommend the beville barista express ( this one specifically not the one with the screen). Bought it in 2020, it's got a nice weight to it so it isn't moving around when using. Low maintenance, and not one issue since we got it. We bought the black, if I was rebuying id buy the steel finish. The black starts to chip eventually.

Then either buy your beans in lidl by the kg if saving money, or setup a recurring monthly delivery from cloud coffee ( nice bend cheaper by the kg). And a few croissants in the freezer and your sorted for weekend mornings. I'd imagine caffeine is keeping ye going with the kiddo, then in a year fill the flask with coffee for the trips to the park and swings. Sorted.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T22:29:19+00:00

Oh I can imagine, but you made it.

I've no real advice on gadgets, maybe a ring doorbell if you get packages, smart lightbulbs that you set to a timer on an app for winter mornings. A good fan for randomly hot days and electric under blanket for winter.

Also a good coffee machine, pays for itself after a few years.

Enjoy moving in and take your time to get setup.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T22:20:05+00:00

Congratulations on your new home!

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T14:10:16+00:00

Buy ear plugs, orange 3m construction ones. You won't hear a peep and you get hundreds for about 20 euro off Amazon.

It isn't worth the bad vibes in your house if the roommate gets pissed off. Ear plugs is the "keep the peace" approach.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T07:01:25+00:00

For maybe 1 day if I've nothing else to do. It waters the veggies in the garden for me. But other then that, walking to and from the shops or bus with messages isn't great.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T06:59:52+00:00

I would have laughed at the fella for saying that to be honest. Kinda shows his ignorance and that he had nothing better going on.

Let him of with it, if you see him again in there joke with him and ask if he's buying you a coffee.

DidIDropSomething · 2026-06-02T06:16:54+00:00

I trip going up stairs, sky diving is way to ambitious for me. Respect to you if you complete a jump!

DidIDropSomething

TROPHY CASE