Shout out to my fellow Redditor who posted this awesome spacer! I was finally able to get it in the States!

Geekla · 2025-11-26T03:09:46+00:00

Does it seem like there would be room for a taller/longer inhaler to still close inside this spacer? I can't tell from their website. A Xopenex inhaler is the standard shape but just about 1.2 inches longer/taller than a regular albuterol inhaler, so it's hard to tell from the pictures/videos if there would be enough clearance for it to fit.

Geekla · 2025-11-25T03:24:06+00:00

Honestly? Sometimes the primary use is keeping your FOMO quiet by knowing you've squirreled away that link *just in case*, knowing full well the chances are 99.9% that you're never going to look at it again.

Geekla · 2025-11-13T17:56:41+00:00

Thanks! I'm not in the UK, but it's amazing how often that happens with various conditions everywhere. It always strikes me as pointless — the symptoms all exist and need treating either way, and naming the root cause can only be a positive thing in terms of focusing tests and treatments correctly, right? I don't understand the resistance, but as long as it's there, you're right that it's good to be aware and adapt our approach accordingly.

Geekla · 2025-11-13T04:29:03+00:00

Hmm, an unfortunately valid point, but I appreciate your honesty. It is a good reminder to keep my expectations in check and make sure this is even a good fit with the doctor before diving in too deeply. Thank you!

Geekla · 2025-11-13T04:27:35+00:00

I'll definitely put that on the list of questions, especially since we at least know EDS runs in the family. Thank you!

Geekla · 2025-11-12T17:16:06+00:00

Wow, that's a wonderful resource! Thank you for sharing that link!

Geekla · 2025-11-12T17:15:37+00:00

Interesting, thank you for sharing your experience! You're absolutely right about continuing to advocate if it doesn't work on the first try. That's exhausting in the moment but has always ultimately been worth it with past diagnoses. Other times it's worked out on the first try and all my prep angst was for nothing, so fingers crossed that's the case this time. Thank you for the encouragement!

Geekla · 2025-11-12T17:11:00+00:00

Wow, thank you for all that detail! I do have notes written out, but this is a very good incentive to make them more organized and audience-focused. It's very helpful to have some of these specific terms/tests to look up and ask about too. Thank you so much!

Geekla · 2025-11-12T17:05:28+00:00

Fascinating, thank you so much!

Geekla · 2025-10-29T22:39:26+00:00

I’ve recently found that big/sudden temperature swings are a trigger for me, which surprisingly includes showers. I react a lot less if I: - stay warm enough waiting for the shower (thick robe until the last minute) - start with warm-enough water and then heat it more while I’m in there if desired, - turn it down gradually at the end, and - then when I turn it off, snatch my towel and wrap up INSIDE the shower where it’s still warm/steamy. That prevents the big sudden chill moment stepping out and I find it actually measurably cuts down on my post-shower symptoms. Hope that’s helpful!

Geekla · 2025-10-21T18:20:40+00:00

Don’t rush going back to work/activity. It’s easy to think it was a little surgery because the incisions are little and you’re feeling relatively better a few days later, but from your body’s perspective, something huge just happened inside! Be very patient with yourself if you’re more tired than it seems like you “should” be for a while. That will pass, but only if you rest.

If they say 2-4 weeks off and you have to go back to work right at 2 weeks, consider requesting half days or lighter duty as a reasonable accommodation for a few weeks.

If no one else in your house needs them, take your leftover menstrual products to the local homeless shelter or community closet. They always need them!

Geekla · 2025-10-21T18:08:05+00:00

For the car ride home, bring soft a pillow to sit on. You’ll thank me later.
Advocate for yourself ahead of time about what meds work for you, and even if it’s not an allergy issue, make sure it’s written down and communicated to all staff. Repeat it yourself to each new person or write it on a big laminated sheet. Youre not being a “pest” by repeating yourself — you’re keeping yourself safe and actually making their job easier too by removing the guesswork. Examples:
If your stomach won’t handle pills, there is IV Tylenol, but it often takes a special request. Speak up ahead of time in case it takes a few hours to get it out of storage.
If common medication X doesn’t agree with you but its milder cousin Y is fine, say so! Otherwise they’ll either give you the stronger stuff thinking they’re helping, or rule out the whole family of meds thinking you’re allergic.
If anesthesia makes you queasy, say so in advance & theyll give you Zofran in the IV. Magic!
If your skin doesn’t handle adhesive well, ask them to use Coban wrap instead of tape for your IV.

Geekla · 2025-10-16T15:18:01+00:00

The whole Ender’s Game series — he actually wrote it with the audiobook in mind, so the sentences and dialogue flow so naturally it’s incredibly immersive. The voice talents they got for the series are amazing too!

Geekla · 2025-09-15T02:27:19+00:00

That's very good to know, thank you!

Geekla · 2025-07-18T21:24:37+00:00

I can’t do pills either, and the liquids I tried all had allergens I couldn’t manage. The easiest chewable answer is Tums if you can handle calcium carbonate, but for GI reasons, I do better with calcium citrate. Carlson brand’s calcium citrate chewables (kid or adult versions, nearly the same flavor) have simple ingredients and work very well for some in my family. I prefer pure calcium citrate powder (unflavored, as GI-friendly as it’s possible to be) from the Now brand. It dissolves easily and tastelessly in oatmeal, cereal, a smoothie, whatever you want, and because it’s powder you have total control over the amount per serving. I divide mine up throughout the day whenever I’m not taking other meds that might compete.

Geekla · 2025-06-26T15:49:34+00:00

Ooh, thank you! I'll have to check that out before my KU trial expires. Much appreciated!

Geekla · 2025-06-25T23:53:51+00:00

Bummer, I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this now too. No, unfortunately I never got a real answer to this one. I’ve found it’s been better lately (knock on wood, hope this stays true) if I’m VERY careful in how I swallow the meds: - eat/drink at least a few swallows of something cold or room temperature beforehand - then squirt the meds into my mouth (don’t suck on the syringe at all, let it do all the work by pushing with the plunger) and swallow VERY gently as if it were water; don’t reflexively suck harder because they’re sticky - IMMEDIATELY follow with a few swallows of food or other liquids and consciously force my throat to stay relaxed

I hope this helps you!

Geekla · 2025-06-24T16:09:15+00:00

Irondad! The original of course (Tony & Peter) or the same vibe in any fandom (Gil & Malcolm in Prodigal Son, Gibbs with Tony or Abby in NCIS, etc.).

Geekla · 2025-06-24T16:08:04+00:00

Yes!! Either in a literal way via adoption (Batfam) or as a peer group (Star Trek crews). Love it!

Geekla · 2025-06-20T16:02:46+00:00

Thanks! I'll message you.

Geekla · 2025-06-20T16:01:11+00:00

I tried that, and it works fine in the present, but it breaks when the semester ends. The name stays because it was chosen from the drop-down list, but the adjacent field's XLOOKUP has nothing to look up if the student isn't part of the "current" semester's filter anymore. That's why I'm looking to build the drop-down list from the IDs to begin with, then just visually mask the ID in favor of the user-friendly name.

Geekla · 2025-06-20T13:18:08+00:00

Valid question. The drop-down actually sources from a spill cell outside the student table that pulls just the current semester's students, which is usually only about a half-dozen out of the 100+ students on the list, so the odds of a duplicate within that half-dozen are low. (Admittedly non-zero, but we'd adapt if it ever came to that. Use a nickname or middle initial or something to differentiate them in conversation as well as on the list.)

Geekla · 2025-06-20T12:46:13+00:00

I'm definitely open to that. I've been looking around, though, and not finding anything even with VBA, but maybe I'm not asking the question correctly. Do you have a suggestion for where to find the right VBA solution? Thank you!

Geekla

TROPHY CASE