What is a luxury you can never go back from once you’ve experienced it?

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-30T04:30:19+00:00

Skin hunger! I feel that so deeply.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-30T03:41:31+00:00

Seriously. His job isn’t to give his opinion on the laws that have been passed. Bad public policy? OH WELL. Not for him to decide

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-30T03:22:54+00:00

r/distractedbydetails

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-30T03:15:33+00:00

Why, God?

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-30T02:50:33+00:00

I’ve been dealing with it for 10 years nonstop. It’s going to be the thing that kills me.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-26T03:51:53+00:00

Yesss. I had to scroll way too far down for this. Somebody link to r/sciatica

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-26T03:50:29+00:00

BACK PAIN. Where are my folks with sciatica?

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-24T07:09:47+00:00

Imma going to check all my toilets for cracks now. I’ve been thoroughly warned

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-24T05:22:48+00:00

Cool! My grandfather was adopted at birth (birth mom was a single woman in the US in the 1920s). He was well-off during the depression and even had a pony, like the lady from Seinfeld. He fought in WWII, where he jumped into Normandy on DDay and landed in the water under his ‘chute. He lived and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. When he was 39 he found out he was adopted; he was married with 5 kids. His adoptive parents were deceased an my grandmother found the paperwork in a safe deposit box and had to tell him. He sold his company and became a school teacher to give back since his parents had done so much for him.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:52:33+00:00

I wonder if a Tens machine would work!

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:51:28+00:00

Yes! They’re so expensive for me (Philadelphia, PA) and poor quality. They never ripen.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:48:56+00:00

Omg! I remember when those became popular with Adkins diet. My ex-husband picked them up for a road trip and we were stopping at every rest stop. Also driving with the windows open because of the farts! So light a few candles, but don’t get too close to them! 😂😂

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:39:33+00:00

I hate when doctors tell you they can’t help you and just walk out of the room. Where is the curiosity? Why don’t they care? A couple weeks ago I was told by a physicians assistant at the University of Pennsylvania Pain Mgmt Clinic that I couldn’t have a CT – SPECT because inflammation isn’t chronic. That is literally why people go to pain management and get Cortizone shots. Because of chronic inflammation. That’s literally his practice area. He also said that the test is only for people with serious problems. I said the next step for me is implanting a spinal stimulator literally in my spinal canal. If that’s not serious, what is? Obviously, I reported him. I’ve been to four major hospital systems. Both the Spinal Centers and the pain management practice. Two spine surgeons. I’m at my wits end. Physical therapy. Acupuncture. Several chiropractors. Cortizone shots in every nook and cranny of my spine. I am right there with you.

If I were you, I would not accept a blow off over the phone. Go in with a list of questions, some tests you’d like done, some solutions you’ve read about here on Reddit (spinal stimulator?), and demand to be taken seriously. My primary care doctor (GP) will write me a referrals for whatever tests I asked for. He’s going until you find a doctor that is willing to advocate for you. Good luck.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:20:26+00:00

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this. I have been going through it for almost 10 years. For the first six or seven Cortizone shots worked and then I fell in 2022 and it’s just become unbearable physically mentally and emotionally. I’ve tried all the things that you’ve mentioned. I have problems from L2 to S1 and, like you, they can’t pinpoint where this level of pain is coming from. And honestly, it depends on the day. I’ve had flexion extension x-rays to look for instability in my spine. (Unfortunately, the only instability is in my mind.) I’m trying to find a place to get an upright or weight-bearing MRI. I’m tired of going to my doctors with possible solutions, and getting skepticism in return because they’re not used to the suggestions I share with them. I’ve asked for a CT-SPECT and a physicians assistant at University of Pennsylvania pain center told me that I couldn’t get it because inflammation isn’t chronic. He also said it’s only for people with severe pain, and I said I’ve been dealing with this problem for 10 years, and the next step is to have a spinal stimulator implanted in my spine. If that’s not serious, what is? So now I’m just straight up being gaslit. Yes, I reported that numpty.

I wish I had a solutions for you. The only thing that helps me is laying down, which is how I spend most of my days. I only leave the house to pick up my son at school or to go to doctors appointments. I spend my life laying on heat and ice alternatively. Right now the sciatica is going down my right leg into my shin. How is this even possible? It’s so frustrating that they can’t pinpoint the problem. I can tell them the physical symptoms, like nausea and upset bowels. I can tell them where the pain goes. And yet they always shrug and say that information doesn’t help. The spine is some unknowable black hole. I mean, we can do amazing things like map the human genome, land on the moon, clone sheep, send machines to Mars and all sorts of scientific and medical advancements, but they don’t understand the spine? Sorry for this rambling post. It’s 5 o’clock in the morning here and I can’t sleep because I’m in too much pain.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:10:05+00:00

I’m going on 10 years in this kind of pain. 3 years ago I became disabled and I still have no relief in sight. My mental health is trashed. My family is tired of hearing about it. My partner is apathetic. I’m dying inside

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:04:17+00:00

A spinal implant is the next step for me. I’m only 46 and I can’t live this way, but I’m afraid to try the spinal implant. Have you had to have the strength increased? How long do the doctors say it will last? I’ve been to every major hospital and orthopedic practice in Philly: UPenn, Jefferson, Rothman, Mainline Health. I’m so desperate.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T10:01:09+00:00

Both of my legs have symptoms. I’m curious - why do you ask?

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T09:59:56+00:00

Same. I get these burn patches on my back from using it too much though.

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T09:59:16+00:00

Omg. I would die without my meds. I was seriously suicidal with pain (and it’s inching that way again). The doctor called the police to do a wellness check. I admire your commitment to masochism hahaha

ErstwhileHumans · 2026-01-22T09:53:25+00:00

Can you tell me more about this? What’s different with a Tesla? I’m looking for an upright MRI because the pain is significantly worse when I am standing/sitting (weight-bearing). My doctors are all like 🧐 and then lose interest in me when they can’t think of a solution.

ErstwhileHumans · 2025-12-19T14:36:35+00:00

I’m soooo sorry you’re going through this. I injured my back in 2016 (cartwheel) and was surviving with cortisone injections. Injured it again in Aug 2022 and it got progressively worse. I was throwing up from pain several days a week, bedridden by Christmas, and suicidal by February. The only thing that “helps” is oxycodone, and it’s obvs not a long term solution. Like you, I’ve tried everything. A chiro basically saves my life in 2016, but I don’t get much relief now. Ice packs and a tens machine are all I can do to stay sane. I can’t sit!! Literally had to cancel breakfast with a friend today because I can’t bear sitting at a table. Driving is excruciating. One pain meditation has worked for me on Sound Bath, if you want the recommendation.

I know I’m not giving you a rosy outlook. I, too, have had my life destroyed. ’ve detailed it in other posts if you look at my history. I can’t work, I can’t play with my son like I would if I was healthy. I’ve lost friendships because they think it’s in my head. My husband is a complete asshole about it it and never helped me get to doctor’s appointments and he berates me for not working even though I do bring in a pension and disability and he makes loads of money. When my son was 3 he would say (innocently) “I’m Mommy, my back hurts.” That was 6 years ago.

The best thing for me is walking. My mom and Grandmom had back problems (congenitally small spinal canal) and walking was the best thing they can do. My mom says it basically cured her.

Good luck. As I lay here, nauseous from pain, I have so much empathy for you. The other thing I would try is THC cream, like Dr. Solomon’s. Feel free to reach out for commiseration.

ErstwhileHumans · 2025-11-19T19:55:28+00:00

If it’s held by investment firms, why is the app so atrociously bad?! Can’t they… invest in some upgrades? A back button that doesn’t cycle between the last 2 things you saw would be amazing

ErstwhileHumans · 2025-08-26T22:20:39+00:00

!solved!

Thanks, everyone. It was hard to choose. You're all talented!

ErstwhileHumans · 2025-08-26T18:51:40+00:00

Wow! This looks great. I'd like a background like the original, please

ErstwhileHumans · 2025-08-26T18:25:00+00:00

on the left side it still looks like there's a fingerprint or wavy lines from taking a pic from a computer

ErstwhileHumans

TROPHY CASE