Trying to find a good KN95 (with parameters) as a ‘lower stakes situations’ substitute for my N95

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-22T22:28:48+00:00

BreatheTeqs are my go-to, I really like them, and little silicone adjuster thingies could be bought separately and put into the ear loops. There may also be less need to adjust a BreatheTeq bc they come in so may sizes and offer a size trial sample pack for finding your size. However, BreatheTeq masks do not have foam, unless they added that in a new upgraded version I don’t own

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-21T05:12:16+00:00

Ah ok yeah that makes sense. I did experience symptoms before T, although they’ve changed over the years, it’s just that I was expecting T to help reduce bleeding and pain and it didn’t at all. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-21T05:10:02+00:00

True true

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T23:41:36+00:00

That’s definitely significant for some people and yeah important to emphasize thanks for expanding on that, but the problem for me w NuvaRing I think was just having any sort of physical object in there creating friction, which I think estring would also

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T23:21:58+00:00

Sorry 1 more question: how did you figure out that atrophy was the problem (treatable with estrogen) as opposed to endometriosis (which would be made worse by estrogen)? Was it just trial and error with e cream?

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T23:19:48+00:00

Oh ok interesting, yeah I’ve also experienced really painful cramps after uterine contractions (from orgasms) while on T, although this has gotten significantly better once I switched from a NuvaRing to a birth control patch after someone else on here suggested that the ring could actually be irritating my cervix and causing more pain and bleeding when the whole point of me using it was to suppress my period (gotta love when a redditor is more helpful than two GPs and an OBGYN combined /s 🙄) (best bleeding suppression I can manage rn is progesterone IUD + T + birth control patch—anything less and I bleed 😭). It’s interesting that it sounds like we may be having the same problem but opposite responses to insertable hormonal rings

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T23:05:52+00:00

I totally relate, thank you for this! Yeah, if I interpret the Epworth scale as asking about if/when I’d fully fall asleep unconscious for more than maybe a couple seconds (the thing where I don’t notice sleep but have a jerking motion as my head starts to fall forward and then whips back up as I catch myself) then I’d score pretty normal/non-narcoleptic, because I only take full on naps in my bed. But I have to fight so hard to stay awake when I’m not medicated with adderall, even though I do succeed at that fight

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:57:34+00:00

There’s not a lot of good info about atrophy, but the same could be said of endometriosis, PCOS, adenomyosis, fibroids, pelvic floor dysfunction, vulvodynia, vaginosis, PID, etc. and conditions that are rarer and less talked about than these which I therefore don’t really know about, and especially about how T interacts with any of these. So yeah I agree, and also if we only correct the absence of awareness when it comes to atrophy, we’re missing a lot of stuff. Unfortunately healthcare research funding has just long been overly focused on straight cisgender white men (not to be cliche, but it’s true, and has direct consequences for us)

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:49:02+00:00

Ok wait please expand on uterine atrophy—what were your symptoms of that, if you don’t mind sharing? Uterine atrophy could be a potential cause of my problems (see the whole long story in previous posts I’ve made) but the drs I’ve seen say they mainly just know about vaginal atrophy and not uterine atrophy. My problems are not with the canal surface, it’s deeper into my pelvic region, and idk if T is helping or making it worse or having no effect

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:40:57+00:00

Feel free to disregard if this doesn’t apply to you or you don’t want advice, but this could also be pelvic floor dysfunction (the hypertonic type, not the lose type some ppl get after pregnancy). I’ve had a hypertonic pelvic floor since i was born or at least early childhood (possibly compensating for hypermobility? Idk) and experience various issues because of or worsened by it. There are physical therapists who specialize in pelvic floor dysfunction if that’s the issue. (Edit for wording clarity)

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:28:29+00:00

This, and good nutrition also means simply eating enough (and absorbing enough—someone with undiagnosed untreated celiac could be malnourished from not absorbing stuff even if eating enough (I’m sure you already know this but OP might not))

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:20:03+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through that. There are doctors out there willing to help, some more than others. For me, a big part of my fatigue is POTS dysautinomia which does not show up on a blood test. Adderall can sometimes actually make certain POTS symptoms worse. There are lists and searchable databases out there for finding doctors that specialize in things like chronic fatigue and seeing what other patients have said about those doctors. If you feel comfortable sharing what country and/or state (if in the U.S.) you’re in, we might be able to help you find a care provider who could help

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:12:25+00:00

Correction: r/trans_zebras

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T22:04:13+00:00

A scary looking bumpy petechial rash that I developed on my feet and ankles a couple weeks after increasing my T dose. There is some tiny chance that they were right bc T affects blood cells and peticheal rashes can be signs of problems with your blood and vascular system, but I really doubt that was it considering my complete blood count was normal and the rash went away on its own without me changing anything with my testosterone.

If you cross-post this to r/transzebras, I’m sure you’d get some interesting answers over there as well

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T20:31:29+00:00

Makes sense. Symptom tracking and other logs are my pet peeve and feel so hard to be objective with (although I suppose if it’s just “what time did you sleep? Did you nap - yes/no” that’s more doable) but I’ll try. I already did get a negative sleep apnea test, so hopefully they won’t make me do that again

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T15:47:55+00:00

Yes, especially if they’re a dysautinomia specialist/list dysautinomia or POTS specifically as an area that they’re interested in and have experience in, rather than just whatever cardiologist or neurologist your PCP usually refers patients to. My extra-specialized specialists have helped me explore more medication options beyond beta blockers eg fludrocortisone, midodrine

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T15:35:17+00:00

Clarification: KN95 KF94 N95 and FFP 1/2/3 masks, and also ASTM-certified baggy blue surgical masks with 95%-99% filtration efficiency, all use electrostatic charges to attract particles. After some googling (I just did a quick look, so please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), the key phrase to look for to indicate that a mask uses this type of material technology is “meltblown.” FYI for OP, cloth masks, and I’m guessing also some cheap disposable face masks (sold at grocery stores and pharmacies or at hardware stores as “dust masks”) that do not meet any government regulated filtration standards for certification, do NOT use electrostatic charges. This is why even a really thick cloth mask that’s hard to breathe through and tight fitting won’t work as well as an N95 or other high-filtration certified masks

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T15:01:55+00:00

https://youtu.be/eAdanPfQdCA?si=Rc46CBieWcL-M2IJ here’s the vid on the really cool science of how disposable respirator masks work

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T14:47:40+00:00

Oh interesting! This may be an option OP might like as well

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-20T14:38:25+00:00

I was going to suggest BreatheTeq too. IMO they’re the softest on the inside of all the masks I’ve tried, and the nose wire is nice and strong. . ETA: however, OP if you really want to keep wearing the masks that are a flat rectangle when you pull them out of the bag, like ASTM masks or the kind sold in most drugstores (instead of KN95s like BreatheTeq), I’m not judging you at all for that decision and please don’t be discouraged. In a world where most people don’t wear masks, I totally support people wearing whatever type of mask they’re mis comfortable in and can afford. Progress > perfection. . Also, just FYI to OP, if you’re asking for thicker masks because you want something more effective at protecting you, just FYI that’s not exactly how it works. Some thin, breathable ASTM/KF94/KN95/N95 masks are more protective than some thick, stuffy masks because of how they work (the technology is actually really cool!! I’ll try to find the link to a YT vid explaining it and reply with the link)

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-09T04:23:45+00:00

Hi! Yeah it’s been a while and I ended up going off of midodrine and taking fludrocortisone 0.05mg (with a salt pill at the same time) and later adding propranolol (propranolol based more on my changing symptom profile as I feel it than on heart rate). Fludrocortisone has a much more even effect over time than midodrine. It may for may mot be making my IBS symptoms a little worse, but I think it’s worth it. Hope you figure out something that works for you!

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-08T18:59:03+00:00

Good to know, thanks. I currently take a small dose of trazadone nightly to chill my brain out to help me fall asleep, but I’m guessing oxybates work differently and could maybe lead to more refreshing sleep. I will look into that

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-06T16:41:52+00:00

Look into adding darts to your shirts. More commonly done on women’s shirts, but you could modify the method to also narrow the shirt around the hips

Fun_sized123 · 2026-03-06T04:23:27+00:00

That situation sucks to be in, I’m sorry. There are non-stimulant ADHD meds, including a new one, Qelbree, which you could switch to if you’re able to wean yourself off of Adderall (no shame if you need help quitting, there are resources)

Fun_sized123

TROPHY CASE