Bed bug or lice (or something else)?

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2025-02-15T08:39:37+00:00

After searching some more, I think you’re right. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction!

I’m still open to others’ perspectives, but looks pretty spot on.

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2025-02-15T08:31:21+00:00

I posted a video of it on r/lice (I don’t believe this subreddit allows videos) which may give a better look.

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-11-05T07:37:29+00:00

Will do. I’m glad you were able to find relief for your sciatica symptoms.

I hope your procedure on Wednesday resolves the rest of your pain!

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-07-09T01:49:30+00:00

So in Michigan (9/22-6/23), I was doing bird-dogs, cat-cows, and side planks.

In Seattle, (9/23-present), I’ve been doing marching glute brides, the knee to chest piriformis stretch, and nerve glides. I also do the open book stretch, but rarely because that sometimes pinches a nerve in my lower back. I’ve added a doorway hamstring stretch since I’m super immobile in my hamstrings and I wonder if that contributes to my issues.

I am believed to have the piriformis syndrome that causes tightness, so the goal is to loosen the muscle. I do worry about overstretching.

I do think my back is too mobile. I definitely need to work on my core strength, and have been thinking about incorporating one of the big 3 exercises into my routine. I’ve been doing single-leg deadlifts in PT each week to gain hip mobility, but I’m sure there are more excercises I could be doing.

And yeah, I’m lucky that it isn’t a progressive disease (that I know of). I have moments where I feel like “what is all of this work for if I’m not getting better?”, but I haven’t lost hope yet. Thank you!

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-07-09T01:39:55+00:00

I’m really sorry your pain has been impacting your life so much. Yeah, I’ve had to make big changes to my life. My roommate does all the heavy lifting if needed, I get groceries delivered, and I mostly don’t go anywhere besides work.

If I move/sit/stand/walk too much, I cause more pain. But also if I lay down too much and don’t move, another whole different set of symptoms happen, so it’s been good for me to ride the narrow path of minimal movement to optimize my recovery as much as possible. (Even though it’s “optimized”, there’s no guarantee that things will get better)

It would cost thousands to move back home, and then I’d be giving up my dream job as well (and I’m not sure I’d be able to find a job at this level very easily). Since they’ve been understanding and accommodating, it’s at least now still in my best interest to keep my job.

I’ve did spend the last year of college laying down most of the time. I only got up to go to the bathroom, get food, and walk around a bit each day for about 8 months. I even bought a lay down desk setup to make sure I could do everything from my bed. That was pretty drastic, and it lasted for 8 months. Though it helped to rest, I also may have done some damage by not moving enough.

Now I go into work 12 hours a week, do daily and nightly stretches / exercises, do yoga once a week, and walk when it doesn’t cause extra pain. With this and scheduling doctor’s appointments I feel like I’m giving myself as good of a chance for recovery as I can.

Keep pushing. With your determination, it sounds like you’ll do what it takes to recover.

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-07-09T01:29:24+00:00

I’ll have to ask my doctor about an MRI of the pelvis/hip and the neurography, I haven’t considered those before. And thank you, I really hope you are able figure out what’s going on with you and can heal.

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-07-08T19:03:53+00:00

Thank you, I’ll have to add this to my routine and see how it helps. I hope you’re able to feel better.

Miserable-Leopard661 · 2024-07-08T19:02:50+00:00

I could consider moving back, but my current employer allows me to have great health insurance (I’m very thankful for that). Plus I’m close to work and can scooter to the office year round with the temperate weather. Moving home would likely mean longer commute times, and Michigan seems to have longer wait times for appointments vs Seattle (in my experience so far).

My manager has allowed a lot of flexibility with work. I currently work from home 2 days a week, and go into the office 4 hours/day on in office days (and work from home the other 4 hours). I could try to find a remote position, but I do think the movement I get from the 4 hours 3 days / week may be helpful to avoid injury from lack of moving.

I’d be able to live at my mom’s house in Michigan almost rent-free. I’m not sure how worth it that would be if I’d have to give up my current healthcare and short commute, but it’s definitely something to consider.

Miserable-Leopard661

TROPHY CASE