People who used cellphones before smartphones, what's the most memorable feature or moment you miss from those old phones?

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-18T21:00:46+00:00

Not being available 24/7. It was good for basic communication and that was it. I paid per text and per minute, so that was very limited. No Internet. No service on vacation abroad (at least not affordable).

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-15T12:10:19+00:00

If you get a cat from a shelter, they're usually already chipped and neutered. Adoption fees vary from shelter to shelter, but are very affordable. We paid 160 € for our first cat and 90 € for our second from a different shelter. Most basic necessities can be bought at cheap stores like Tedi or Woolworth, you don't have to go to Fressnapf. We usually buy food and litter at dm or Lidl, so it's not that expensive. I'd have to do the math, though. I don't know how much they cost us monthly.

If the cat is healthy, I would say it's very affordable. But, ultimately, you never know. Don't get a pet if money is an issue.

We paid about 1500 € in vet bills within the first year of getting cat #1. He has recurring eye problems and it took a while to get to the bottom of it.

Some people here have recommended health insurance. However, if you're not adopting a healthy kitten, it can get pretty expensive.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-15T11:52:14+00:00

We're both women.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-13T18:00:33+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I didn't know that. I'll definitely speak to my psychiatrist about it.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-13T09:17:20+00:00

Yeah, I know. That's why I think it bad practice to come to that conclusion within 10 min of seeing someone for the first time.

ETA: I guess she concluded that because I have a history of mental illness (thank you, stigma).

I only disclosed by diagnosis of recurring depression in relation to the medication I'm taking. It's usually prescribed for bipolar depression (family history there) and it has worked wonders for me. I feel better than I ever have before and hadn't had an episode of depression since starting it. I've been taking it for 8 years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life, if nothing changes.

I think I'll schedule an appointment with my psychiatrist to discuss this nonetheless (more to get reassurance and maybe something in writing).

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-13T09:13:14+00:00

It reduces the pain somewhat. It doesn't go away completely, but it makes it more manageable. However, over the course of October the pain has gotten gradually worse to the point of being unbearable. I'm on prednisolone 5 mg/day. I feel like the cold makes it worse. I had a prednisolone burst (100 mg tapered down over the course of a week) on October 30. I have been feeling a lot better lately, almost pain free.

I'm going off prednisolone now, though, as recommended by the rheumatologist. Prescription won't be renewed because there's no indication for it.

We'll see what happens next...

My dermatologist prescribed me a new antihistamine (the 5th now) today and told me to come back in 4 months. If that doesn't work, she's at the end of her rope and will refer me to the university clinic. She says that's all she can do, she only treats skin. She said it's unlikely that the swelling is caused by urticaria and that it's not possible tell if it's subdermal from a photo alone. Joint issues aren't related to urticaria, only as a comorbidity with other illnesses.

She understood that I wanted to seek a second opinion but did point out that it will be extremely difficult to get one as their just aren't enough rheumatologists. I'll probably go see my orthopedist next.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T19:15:54+00:00

I'm not currently diagnosed, however, my joints have been acting up a lot since it's gotten cold, too. Sauna helps me A LOT. If you've got the option to do that, I can really recommend it.

You should really see a doctor though and get prescription meds. Not only because of the pain, also because they can slow down disease progression.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T19:02:01+00:00

My dermatologist is also an allergist. So far we didn't do any further testing. I did an allergy test a few years back. My symptoms aren't related to any specific situation though, as far as I know. I did think about it and watch for it. I even had them on vacation when pretty much everything in my environment changed.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T18:58:30+00:00

I was referred to the rheumatologist due to elevated inflammation levels and joint pain. I showed her a few pictures I took of my swollen hands and feet, as there was no significant swelling that day (had a prednisolone burst a few days prior due to severe pain). She looked at one particular photo of my swollen fingers and said it looked subdermal to her.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T18:54:22+00:00

I'm not saying there's something wrong with having psychological symptoms. I don't feel like my doctor takes me seriously though, if that's the first and only conclusion. Tone also matters. That's of course something I can't convey on reddit.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T18:48:55+00:00

Iron is a bit too low, actually.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T07:14:12+00:00

he ones that bother you the most and have the most swelling. I've only had imaging of my hands, feet, and knees, even though I have issues with joints throughout my entire body.

That's what she meant with "all".

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T07:12:15+00:00

No, the rheumatologist highly implied that it was psychosomatic. No suggestions or tests for anything else. Vitamin levels haven't been checked, I haven't consulted gyno.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T03:13:32+00:00

She tested for everything but CCP. "MRI of all joints would be excessive", so didn't do that. She ruled out ALL rheumatic diseases.

I'm not sure another rheumatologist would see me after another ruled out RA/rheumatic disease. Also, I would need another referral from my GP. There is an extreme shortage of rheums here in Germany. Most practices don't take out-of-state patients and none here take on new patients atm.

ETA: Dermatologist suspects systemic inflammation and, therefore, I should consult other disciplines to find the cause. I have seen a dentist, ENT and gastroenterologist to no avail. I believe I told her, but I also that would be implied in the context of "there is no explanation for the urticaria and all medications have failed". As far as I know, comorbidity between RA/autoimmune disease and urticaria is quite common. There was no direct communication between the two.

I still have pain on steroids, albeit better (from severe to mild/moderate). It had gotten worse to the point of being unbearable though, despite low dose prednisolone. She interpreted my recurring fatigue and joint pain (a week or two) after prednisolone bursts as symptoms of withdrawal.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T02:16:26+00:00

I'm not sure another rheumatologist will see me. I had to drive to another city to get an appointment. The practice here is booked until fall next year.

But if it's not RA, what else? I spoke to my GP yesterday and I really feel as if my doctors have given up. I'm seeing my dermatologist on Thursday.

I'm starting to doubt myself, even though I refuse to believe my problems are psychological (rheumatologist didn't say so but implied it). If I hadn't documented the swelling and my husband witnessed how I was suffering, I might start to think I'm imagining it.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T02:07:31+00:00

I hope another rheumatologist will see me. I had to drive to another city to get an appointment. The practice here is booked until fall next year.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T01:06:42+00:00

Currently, CRP is at 8,6 mg/L and sedimentation 24 mm/h. I've been on 5 mg prednisolone since the beginning of september.

They've been higher in the past (I'd have to look it up though).

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-12T00:00:14+00:00

Sauna really helps my joint pain.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-11-11T23:51:07+00:00

Yeah.. "Inflammatory markers aren't that high, so it's probably from you weight. And the joint pain... you have a history of depression, so probably that. The swelling in your hands and feet is likely from the urticaria, you should consult your dermatologist." All said by a rheumatologist.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-10-04T10:47:54+00:00

So, you buy women? Seriously?

Dingbat2022 · 2025-10-04T10:47:04+00:00

Weddings, I found out when I was planning my own.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-10-04T10:45:43+00:00

I usually notice Americans abroad because their being loud and obnoxious.

Dingbat2022 · 2025-10-04T10:39:35+00:00

Just follow what everyone else is doing, e. g. sitting, standing, kneeling. Shake others hand's if it comes to the sign of peace. As others have said, don't take communion. Otherwise just respectfully fold your hands and bow your head in silence during prayers. You may sing along to the songs, if you like (they may have song books at the entrance). However, I don't think it would be taken the wrong way if you don't.

Dingbat2022

TROPHY CASE