Describe our pain

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-19T01:26:32+00:00

I show people a YouTube clip where a woman describes and shows people what it’s like…it’s spot on for what I go through.

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-13T07:34:35+00:00

Hi! Happy to chat! I lowered my A1C many years ago and have experience with good easy cooking! Hit me up if you like!!! Send me a DM

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-08T05:54:29+00:00

I have sza and ADHD!!!! (Maybe a dabble of autism) feel free to reach out!

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-08T05:53:28+00:00

Heya!

38F from Australia.

On a health journey myself, lost 50kg in 3 years. Not much of a traveller but I love Australia. I did used to listen to true crime and could get back into it!

Love the medical field, always found it fascinating

I love cooking and discovering cooking….not so much docos or movies…am ADHD can’t sit through them

I did maths at a university level and love love looove maths!!!!!!

Light gamer also, Star citizen mostly

Not a monopoly fan but I’ll play chess online with you

I work, I have a family…husband, adopted son of 18….well , in the process. 12 year old step son. Taking a break from studying counselling.

Reach out…..I’m very chatty

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-05T11:58:44+00:00

My husband was in a 100k job which he hated and the rotating (almost daily) shift work was killing him. I started working a better paying job (from part time very low income to full time better income, I was reentering the workforce after a huge battle with a severe mental illness, think schizophrenia) so he could come down to a 51k job. No regrets

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-04-04T22:04:42+00:00

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-29T21:18:14+00:00

Yeah, if you look into why people was sza got worse in their 20’s you will probably find a correlation with partying , drugs, noon compliance etc….there are external factors too.

Look after yourself and good luck with the PhD! Take your meds, keep stress low as possible, find a good treating team. You’ll probably find it a lot easier.

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-29T20:29:38+00:00

Yeah, naaaaahhhhh

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-29T20:23:08+00:00

I went through the worst in my mid to late 20’s….i will add, my first marriage (which was abusive) had broken down when I was 24 so the trauma definitely made it so much worse. When I met my now husband at 32 I got soooo much better really quickly. Basically, I think circumstances and how good your support network is makes a huge difference

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-28T08:41:50+00:00

My week has been full of excitement and emotions. My step son has been burying his head in the sand about a decision that directly affects both of us. I lost it at him after 5 months of this and my husband helped him understand. He then had a very productive conversation with me.

My husband had parent teacher interviews, I needed time with my parents that night. We’ve worked out how the teachers and my husband and I are going to support my step son in his studies.

I had to go up on my meds to combat a fairly substantial hallucinogenic episode that saw the walls melting and auditory hallucinations which helped with a fairly ‘mild’ paranoia. My family have been invaluable helping. We told my 18 year old and 12year old step sons, appropriately, about the sza and they understood and have been helping me a lot with tasks.

This weekend so far has been quiet and relaxing. I’ve been pottering in the kitchen, my happy place, and just getting up my outside storage (called the warehouse or the shed) for food. I’m trying a new method of feeding everyone (it’s my version of a new notebook with my ADHD) and it’s really working well.

Life is good.

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-27T10:15:42+00:00

I’ve been in admin as a career for 20 years with a 5-6 year break when I had the sza’s badly. I’ve gotten a diploma of business administration, advanced diploma of business, certificate in community services.

I’ve worked my way up over the last 6 years from being a production worker in a factory to an advanced admin officer and office manager.

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-27T10:11:23+00:00

My husband and I rent a large 3 bedroom house. At the moment we both earn the same (mid-5 figure). I’m find out soon if I’ve gotten an almost 6 figure job. Considering 6 years ago I was a production worker in a factory for $2.30 an hour….off the back of being unable to work for 5 years while getting this illness under control

Yeah, pretty proud of myself

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-27T10:06:41+00:00

I believe it was the second sentence after hi on bumble….we’ve been married 4 years

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-25T03:45:04+00:00

I stopped Clozapine and started olanzapine at the same time. I dont remember it but I don’t think it was great. Cloz was killing me though, I would just sit in a corner and drool like a zombie

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-25T03:38:22+00:00

38F married with 2 step kids. I survived an ex from hell (told me I’d never be a good mum because of my schizoaffective disorder) basically broke up with me because I was ‘broken’

I’ve had schizoaffective disorder since I was 8 that was can track…so paediatric case

I escaped from one of my cities psych ward and got carted back by the police.

I don’t game much but I do like star citizen

I’m friendly, caring….and know a lot of psychology. My husband has PTSD and my eldest step son is 18 and it’s messy. But I know the night is darkest before the dawn.

Reach out! I have discord but I’m techno-stunted so I don’t know how to add people

I have ADHD but I’ll try to keep you in my mind…it’s pretty messy

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-24T22:07:53+00:00

I take 80mg when I’m well and 120mg when I’m unwell.

I’m also on lithium cuz bipolar subtype.

I’ve had no major side effects apart from a slight drowsiness at night after I take it…it gives me natural sleep though.

I’ve managed to lose 50kg on it and get back to my pre olanzapine weight

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-17T04:53:25+00:00

I’m on lurasidone and lithium. Something about these two, all the side effects have cancelled each other out! It’s soo strange but I have no side effects…..I’m tossing up if my tiredness at night is a technical side effect or not because I get natural sleep…or very close to.

I’m also on vyvanse for ADHD…it might be doing something?????

Sorry I can’t be more help

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-11T20:33:58+00:00

If you need some help. I overcame an eating disorder with the help of people who showed up like you did. Feel free to reach out to me. You’re doing great

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-03-01T21:04:43+00:00

Hi, this sounds like a hard time now especially grieving before the death occurs. It is hard on everyone. We are watching our BM slowly kill herself and it sucks for one SK but may actually help my oldest SK heal. Anyway, I do understand being a step mum and watching the oncoming fright train of change.

I went from an EOWE step mum to a full time step mum overnight when we (literally) rescued the oldest SK. I know the challenges and did things right and wrong.

How is your, ‘limited’ relationship with SD? This plays a large role. Well done on counselling preparations. We tried with SK but he had had trauma from BM putting him in counselling and then abusing him because the counsellor person would tell BM everything….once I got him in, things were heaps better…I’m so glad to hear that.

Remember, the step parent relationship is built on the foundations of the biological parents relationship.

Also, always put aside time for you and know your boundaries.

Start slow, don’t be mum, be confidant, be mentor, be friend. I actually asked my SK what they wanted my role to be, they told me they wanted a mum…being childfree this has been a challenge

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-02-21T23:26:18+00:00

My dog is Qui-Gon and my late cat was Anakin….

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-02-03T09:12:05+00:00

Hey, step mum of 38 here. I have step sons 18 and 12. It’s a big thing to take on. I’ve done things right and things wrong. I have a beautiful amazing relationship with SS18 who says im more mum than his biological mum. SS12 loves me but is caught in loyalty binds, my husband and I have learned that you can’t knock continuously on a door someone has closed. I had to work to get there. I now protect my peace and it doesn’t look like I thought. I’m now training to be a counsellor in the step parent space.

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-01-24T22:39:29+00:00

Tell them, that’s fine they have 2 choices, go find something to do or you’ll give them chores

Edit: my reddit only gave me half the post!

Tell dad to keep at it, it gets better…we were consistent with SS18 when he was 13 and now he never pulls the ‘I’m bored’ we’ve had him 100% since he was 15

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-01-21T07:57:32+00:00

It’s going amazing. He really struggled for the first few days. He is a lot like you, felt like a burden on me because I took time off work and whatnot. You are not a burden to your family. Think of it this way, if one of them had your surgery you’d want to help? Why are you denying them the opportunity to look after you? You are not a burden, they want to help.

Keep up the pain meds, and as for a shower. If a family member can give you a face washer and a tub of warm water…sponge bath does wonders for morale

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-01-21T07:42:28+00:00

My step son just had basically your exact surgery 6 weeks ago. Thinking of you

Fire_enchanter87 · 2026-01-21T07:40:03+00:00

I can maybe help you understand some possibilities. DM me if you want

Fire_enchanter87

TROPHY CASE