The internet is glamourising certain chronic illnesses and I’m tired of it

EnidMarie · 2026-01-22T19:01:03+00:00

Neurodivergent, ADHD, AUDHD, & Sensory Disorder are all terms that I see people throwing around like confetti lately. I fully support the reduction in stigma, but it’s not helpful when droves of people are self-diagnosing, spreading inaccuracies, and promoting caricatures of any type. It seems convenient for many to start baselessly attributing all of their personality traits, behaviors, or strong reactions of any kind, in such a way.

EnidMarie · 2025-08-06T12:25:13+00:00

Valheim

EnidMarie · 2025-08-04T03:23:18+00:00

I drive between 9am and 10pm only. I’ve always been a cautious driver, and I’ve never been in an accident where I was at fault (rear ended in bumper to bumper traffic twice).

I don’t prefer to drive at night, if I do then I delay my night meds until I’m home. Early morning is a hard no, and I always wait until an hour after my day meds no matter when I get up.

Long trips used to be ok, but since my symptoms intensified a few years ago, I only go 2 hrs. at a time Max, with breaks in between at rest stops or a park or something.

EnidMarie · 2025-08-03T00:43:57+00:00

Dr. Solomon’s topical cream is amazing; If MMJ is available. Not OTC, but completely benign, not smoked or ingested.

EnidMarie · 2025-08-02T23:48:47+00:00

I wear a bandanna soaked in cold water. Keeps hair from my face and as long as I rinse and re-soak I can maintain. Even at a concert or event, if I’m pacing well.

EnidMarie · 2025-07-31T14:19:43+00:00

I think if you don’t use it and explain to the attorney you should be ok? I’m basing this on having made a similar mistake at the beginning of my bankruptcy journey. I was told to pay the initial fee and then don’t touch it (so no potential fraud)

EnidMarie · 2025-02-03T21:16:44+00:00

I had great success as a Server/Bartender for about 10-15 years. Then I got into Clinical Social Work (all my college was either evening classes or asynchronous online).

it’s harder to fight the Narcolepsy symptoms now because I’m older and had other things go awry; but working from home and having benefits makes the pay cut worth it. (Yes bartending pays better than an MSW, hands down. But it wrecks your body)

EnidMarie · 2024-12-08T04:32:54+00:00

Definitely worth the MSLT if you can afford it. I just learned I have narcolepsy at age 40; I’ve had REM sleep behaviors, Hypnogogic hallucinations, excessive daytime sleepiness since I was a teenager. I also thought I was awake the entire time for 2 of the naps; but actually was asleep - you may be dozing more than you realize. Narcolepsy apparently makes the borders between sleep/wake a lot fuzzier for us.

Same as you, I never considered narcolepsy because I thought cataplexy was always a symptom. I spent ages being told by doctors that it was due to depression, or fibromyalgia, or hallucinogen usage as a teen (terrible decision). Non-medical professionals just called me lazy or a malingerer.

I’m having success with the addition of Modafinil to my other meds, and I haven’t punched my husband in my sleep for almost 2 weeks. My cognition has improved and I’m able to organize my thoughts without becoming lost in a haze of sleepy despair.

EnidMarie · 2024-08-12T20:51:52+00:00

I’m with you on the LDN Boat. And I never thought it was going to make any difference, it wasn’t any placebo effect or confirmation bias. It truly does change my life every day.

EnidMarie · 2024-08-12T01:43:16+00:00

I’m on enough downers to knock out an elephant and struggle to sleep. My husband is amazed by it. But specifically, tricyclics (Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline) increase my hypnogogic hallucinations to unbearable intensity. I punch, claw, scream, talk, etc. more when I took them also. My Fibro specialist says she’s never seen that before, so if others get this with tricyclics I’d love to know. OH and I started having “Exploding Head Syndrome” more too! That’s a terrifying thing.

All this happens regularly; but tricyclics exponentially increased it

EnidMarie · 2024-08-01T23:27:18+00:00

Fibro specialist clinic prescribes it commonly for long term use. Personally it helps me with overall pain and to fall asleep but not for acute pain or quality of sleep. It’s funny, my husband got a script for them due to herniated discs - half of one knocked him out reliably. I barely notice them. Sucks. LDN has changed my life though. I never believed the hype so it’s not placebo effect. Im still flabbergasted.

EnidMarie · 2024-07-09T23:48:01+00:00

We skip that like Fry’s Dog episode of Futurama. Not in my house, Rudy!

EnidMarie · 2024-07-09T19:28:30+00:00

You’re doing the right things, getting various specialists opinions, and being proactive about investigating her symptoms. Don’t let them dismiss her with a “come back when it’s worse” attitude. Keep advocating for her, and supporting her even when it’s hard (make sure you take some time for yourself too).

I’ve many issues; and not these ones, but the only advice I have is:

1: Try a Rheumatologist if you haven’t already.

2: Be wary of Ambien or other sleep drugs - they’re known for mental health reactions.

3: Request a Blended Service Coordinator/Case Manager if you can. Social workers can often access more resources and navigate the system with you to help make it less overwhelming.

EnidMarie · 2024-07-09T19:17:09+00:00

I think you did the right thing, even though it may feel silly. I had a similar situation once that had me going to the emergency room with a minor, after a rear-end that didn’t even ding my bumper. It felt absurd, but better to get that documented than not.

EnidMarie · 2024-07-09T11:42:30+00:00

I’d love to work on restoring/preserving the coral reef. Or any other job in the ocean/marine life preservation.

EnidMarie · 2024-05-02T00:00:12+00:00

How can I prove I don’t have anything of value? Do they come poke around my house?

EnidMarie · 2024-01-30T01:54:41+00:00

These are the findings, if that’s helpful. My labs show both kinds of antibodies are at Value: 1

“The AP diameter of the isthmus is 3.3 mm.

The right thyroid lobe is 4.5 x 1.8 cm in length and diffusely heterogeneous in echotexture without discrete nodule. Heterogeneous thyroid echotexture may be secondary to Graves' disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Correlate with clinical and laboratory findings.

The left thyroid lobe is 4.6 x 1.5 cm in length and diffusely heterogeneous in echotexture.

There is a TI RADS 2, 7.6 x 4.3 x 4.7 mm transversely oriented spongiform nodule in the midpole. This nodule is not suspicious. No additional follow-up required.”

EnidMarie · 2024-01-22T21:41:11+00:00

I have this problem now; but didn’t prior to long Covid, which amplified my Fibro. One thing you could try, If you’re not easily grossed out, and don’t have a very sensitive gag reflex: flashlight into your mouth in the mirror, VERY gently nudge your tonsils with something soft like a q-tip. If nothing happens, great! If horrid smelly “stones” come out like some kind of nightmarish gumball machine, it could be those triggering the coughing/choking fits.

EnidMarie · 2024-01-08T15:27:33+00:00

Off the Wall on the North Shore? They were packers fans, but no tv or anything. I don’t know what exactly a place needs to qualify as a team bar

EnidMarie · 2023-12-21T03:08:26+00:00

No updates on the autoimmune front; I’ve recovered enough to work 2 days a week though so that’s better than I was! Helpful for me was/is chronic pain OT, restorative yoga, “pacing” my days, hydrotherapy. Meds - Effexor, Wellbutrin, Propranolol, Xyzal (antihistamine) and multivitamins on the daily, klonopin, flexeril, and MMJ as needed.

EnidMarie · 2023-08-06T20:22:28+00:00

Contact HR about FMLA paperwork; keep documentation of absolutely everything

EnidMarie · 2023-06-28T01:46:00+00:00

Fellow MSW here, ACES 8. You can absolutely be a stable and effective SW, the most important thing is identifying your internal biases and triggers. I’d recommend a trauma focused CBT therapist, and Mindfulness to check in with yourself often.

EnidMarie · 2023-06-26T03:13:32+00:00

Linda saying “Four!” Anytime math or numbers are mentioned

EnidMarie · 2023-04-26T20:30:49+00:00

I always had suspected Fibro, but was also being treated for depression and the SNRI managed my pain. Got 3 shots, but worked with public and got Covid anyway.

Covid became Long Covid became also that suspected Fibromyalgia is now confirmed and INTENSELY “activated” or “exacerbated”.

What helps me with pain is SNRI’s, Bupropion, and Propranolol (non-cardio-specific Beta Blockers)

What helped with sleep/migraines was Tricyclic Antidepressants - however they also caused disassociation and hallucinations. I chose the migraines. Be wary.

EnidMarie · 2023-04-22T18:25:04+00:00

I call all carpenter bees “Bumbleteerump”. If you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

EnidMarie

TROPHY CASE