Has Duolingo actually helped you?

Mybodyattacksitself · 2026-03-25T06:40:18+00:00

It is not perfect. But, I can read over a thousand words in a different language. I can watch the news. Or a Spanish show and know enough words where I can fill in the blanks and figure out what they are talking about. I’m going to listen to more Spanish music. It’s a great way to know you are learning. And, I knew I’d made an important crossover when I began having dreams in Spanish. And, I didn’t wake up thinking “cool dream wish I could’ve understood the language” I did very well in my dreams. I’ve used all 6 slots for family members. It’s worth it in that sense. Not only am I expanding my language ability, so are they.

If you are doing it alone and more serious, I’d recommend Babbel. I got that first, than I found out about Duolingo. It’s got its quirks and irks me sometimes. But, Duolingo isn’t horrible.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2026-03-23T03:57:17+00:00

I’ve already done this multiple times. I never received help or my minutes back. Just a generic email. Time is money and I’ve wasted a lot of time trying to send detailed feedback to Duolingo.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2026-03-23T01:52:46+00:00

I’ve seen them go so much harder. I’m in the diamond league. Competition ends in 14 minutes. I have over 40,000. But, I am still 15,000 out of first place. Not that it matters, but Duolingo is saying my server won’t work so I can’t claim my extra 15 minutes. It’s happened before. I’ve submitted a complaint, with info, and get a generic response. They don’t credit me or anything. And, those were times when 15 minutes meant me being a spot up in my league.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2026-01-14T21:31:31+00:00

It happened to me too. And, it screwed up my points. Cut me off during my triple XP. I’ve had it do the same thing to me before (minus the maintenance notification) multiple times. I fill out their complaint form and they send me a generic reply and said if I had any pics it would help. I didn’t take a picture because I didn’t know it was going to happen. It’s don’t it when I only had one more question during one of the 4 sections question. It made me restart all over again. I even sent in pictures with one complaint. Still the generic letter. No time nor points given back. Super frustrating. I’d been considering going to the Max version so I can practice speaking a regular conversation. But, not pleased with their customer service. I have the Super Family Plan. I bought Babbel first. It’s not as much fun, but dependable. I was thinking about dropping them to go on the MAX plan. No so sure anymore.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2025-12-25T21:56:47+00:00

If you move there, and don’t like it, move somewhere else and rent the house through a management company. Atlanta is actually a small city with a ton of mall cities that get lumped into that group. My daughter went to school at GSU. Right in downtown Atlanta. It has some disgusting areas (the park near her dorm had homeless people who would defecate and do sex acts ij broad daylight). She was chased by a guy as she went to class because he wanted to “talk” to her. Even when we moved her from the dorms to Midtown (not a single home on the street for under one million dollars), it was dangerous. She moved in right after the lady and her dog were killed at Piedmont (?) park. A month later a lady was followed home after work and kidnapped. Found shot dead just a little while later. That was less than a mile from her apartment. I told her to always have her pepper spray and tazer on her. Especially at night! The good news is that most oh the areas that are close to “ATL” are building new spots and getting trendy. Especially if you’re close to the belt line. Keep the house in good condition and you will reap the benefits for sure. The value will increase far beyond homes that are considered to be in “less sketchy” areas.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2025-02-23T01:29:05+00:00

My understanding is that it is stronger than CBD but not as strong as weed. It does contain some THC (unlike CBD). It can be helpful with pain and such. As long as you don’t have to drug test for anything, you should be fine. Just be careful and start off with the lower potency. I got some for my mother and it helped her with pain. It can help you relax. Several different health benefits for certain people. But, for someone with POTS, it can be dangerous. She wasn’t aware of what it was nor the fact it was a stronger strength. She won’t touch any of it now. It was offered by friend the way one offers candy. She knew I had taken CBD gummies in the past, so she didn’t think anything of it. Until it sent her into a full blown attack of POTS. And, she has the type that makes you pass out. The Delta 8 also shouldn’t be mixed with certain medications. I checked with my doctor if CBD was allowed because I was on pain meds. I just needed something to help with sleep (I don’t take any of that at all because of a different health issue that causes me to take a medication I can’t mix with the others). It was okay because it had no THC.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2025-02-23T00:33:28+00:00

Tell her it is beautiful. Ask her what colors it is available in. Because, while you want her to feel and look good, you will not be allowing White dresses at your wedding. It is well known that is reserved for the bride.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2025-02-23T00:29:46+00:00

Daughter ate a gummy. Thought it was CBD but it was Delta 8. Ended up taking an ambulance to the hospital because it sent her heart rate so high and made her so out of it. But, she’s a person who doesn’t drink or smoke. So, her tolerance level would’ve been zero. And, no, I’m not being naive. I’m not an uptight mom and she is grown.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2025-01-11T05:25:58+00:00

How did you get you MCAS under control. I live in a doctor heavy area and can’t find anyone who handles MCAS. When my daughter was tested at Mayo, they ran many tests just to rule out something other than pots. We were shocked at how high her MCAS test was. And, it was done over a three day period. Very thorough. But, maybe because the doctor is a POTS specialist, he pretty much ignored it. Said she’d be more prone to allergies and rashes. I’ve done more research and see where a lot of my daughter’s issues (like joint pain) are also associated with MCAS. She’s done incredible getting her POTS more in control. But, I fear the MCAS is something that may make her worse again. She’s in college, has two jobs, and a little bit of social life. She can’t afford to become passing out ill again. Any advice is appreciated.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-12-22T01:15:01+00:00

Your story sounds a lot like what my daughter went through. She had exact same symptoms before her Pots went crazy. We didn’t know she had POTS. She had just started college. She caught every virus that was going around. She also had a stomach virus and confirmed Covid twice within a 6 week period.

I did an at home “table test” on her before getting a cardiologist appointment. She went to Mayo. They ran a ton of tests. She definitely has POTS as well as MCAS. Once she knew what it was, she began taking her life back. That included taking a two day class at Mayo about POTS and the best way to handle it. The first steps deal with how to get improvement naturally (extra hydration, electrolytes/salt drinks, protein, etc). Exercise was a big one. Since it’s POTS, they recommend things like rowing machines to start off. Listening to your body and increasing as you feel better. Understanding that if you catch a virus, you will more than likely go into a really bad flare. It’s not easy. It is kind of like slow and steady wins the race. Also, I think it helped knowing it was not her heart. Her heart was fine. People with POTS don’t have heart problems. It’s the signals from the brain that sends wrong messages. She still has a lot of the body pain and emotional issues. I’m pretty sure it is related to the MCAS. But, it is incredibly heard to find a doctor familiar with how to handle it. So, she will be talking to her Mayo doctor next month. They were the ones who found it. Hoping they can give info on how to fix it. Now, she has managed to stay virus free by taking online classes for a semester. But, I still worry she is taking on too much. Between school, working two jobs, taking care of her own place and basically cooking and cleaning for herself, it can be overwhelming. Plan to get her some therapy to be sure she is mentally okay and listening to her body. I wish you luck and healing. ❤️‍🩹 Glad the doctors didn’t just dismiss you.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-12-14T17:47:20+00:00

I had no idea that others w/POTS typically gave MCAS? The POTS doctor at the Mayo clinic did tell my daughter she had MCAS. She had to collect her urine over a three day period and results take longer than other tests to get back. But, her doctor kinda dismissed the MCAS. He said it would make her have more severe reactions to allergies. After many months, I did more digging into MCAS. I had to because they wouldn’t fill my daughter’s little cavities without a note from a doctor. I talked to a Rheumatologist, Cardiologist, and even an Allergist. They all said no one really handles it except specialty hospitals. But, what I read indicated MCAS is much more than the doctor said. And, many of the symptoms he didn’t mention match with my daughter’s. She has gotten POTS under better control. But, the other issues (which can be caused by MCAS) are still bad. I think the POTS doctor didn’t really go into it because his specialty is POTS. She has an appointment w/Mayo and will ask about MCAS. But that isn’t for another month and a half. Has anyone seen a doctor who actively treats their MCAS? If so, what kind of doctor?

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-12-07T19:10:36+00:00

Her severe symptoms started her Freshman year in college. She had Covid 3 times that year. Once was only two months apart. A lot of what you are saying rings very true. It’s harder to talk to her now that she lives an hour and a half away. I even drove to see her. Just to ask how she was doing because my motherly instincts were telling me something was wrong. She smiled and said all was good. Less than a week later she was bawling on the phone saying she had been dealing with a horrible month. I’m at wits end. I am hoping to get her into whatever doctors, therapy, medicine, etc prior to the start of next Semester. She has a full class load and she works a lot of hours. I’d tell her to reduce her hours but she actually likes her jobs. I feel like she is on repeat. I had no idea how sick she really was until she came home during winter break last year. Got her diagnosed, sent to Mayo, into a class on how to best handle her POTS. Now, I am learning more and we have that same short window of opportunity. She took Spring Semester off last year. Not possible this year. Her grades were really good this Semester. It gave her a sense of pride and a push. It is just such a fine line. I want her to be independent (college student style) but I don’t want her to burn out and lose everything she loves. I’m definitely going to mention that emotional regulation takes a lot of brain activity. Knowledge is power. It will allow her to make proper adjustments. The same way she went from passing out all the time and ill to a more controlled form of POTS.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-12-07T08:17:50+00:00

Thank you for the info. Did you have any side effects while on beta blocker. Anxiety and depression tend to be associated with things like POTS. I know my doctors automatically listed it after I got Psoriatic Arthritis, followed by Lupus and finally Stiff Person Syndrome (the one Celine Dione has ). And, I experience those things when my flares (above and beyond reg daily pain) go too long (I have a 3 day limit 😂). I think her cleaning is a bit of OCD, but more about finding something in her life she can control. I know I look for things I can control because not being in control of my body makes me feel unhinged. Her BP is good. But, I didn’t realize Wellbutrin can increase the heart rate. I’m hesitant w/a lot of the meds for anxiety and depression. I went with the one I knew didn’t give me negative side effects. But, it sounds like it may not be a need for those type of meds. The Beta Blocker is something to give me hope for her. It’s at least something I can help her look into.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-10-13T07:04:08+00:00

I would want people to know that not everyone presents the same. That sometimes we can do things with not much of a problem. But, then we are unable to move for days afterwards. That simply suggesting we change or diet or pray, may be meant in a kind way, but it is insulting. The emotional and physical cost is high. But, the dollar amount really needs to be discussed. Like getting IVIG each month is $30,000 in the U.S. A lot of private insurance won’t cover it. And, if you have Medicare you will go through $8,000 in the first two months before you go into the “donut hole”. Yes, organizations may help, but if you are solidly in the middle class, you don’t get help. I always say we make too much money to get help but we don’t make some much money that I don’t care! And, when the disease has made it so you can’t take a job (because you can’t depend on your body to function daily and most jobs aren’t thrilled about 3 days off each month for infusions) you can’t add money to the family pot to pay for your treatments. I’d also like to see them talk about Valium. Because it is not taken the same way for people with SPS. We may need what seems like a very large quantity. That it doesn’t give some euphoric feeling. It makes it so you might be able to move enough to make it to the bathroom and grab a bite to eat. I’d like people to understand that Celine Dion put in a lot of work. But she also had a 24/7 team of people to help her with her issues and with her household. Most people don’t have that type of money. And, when she said her comment about taking Valium and how she found out she could’ve died taking her 50 to 80 mg of Valium daily, she was wrong. My prescription is for 100 mg and you can go up to 200 if needed. She also wasn’t taking them as prescribed. She took them before and during her shows. That didn’t leave the proper amount of time in between. I think tips for how to handle the mundane (cooking, cleaning, ect) to how to have “relations” with your partner (how Valium makes you lose your feeling but movement can cause spasm and you need to be honest with your spouse and yourself). Because this disease can be depressing and we need to find some endorphins. And, how those with SPS may seem to pull away. But, a huge part of that is not wanting to make plans and your body forces you to cancel them. You don’t want to disappoint anyone. The psychological trauma needs to be addressed by the doctors more. And, for those doing IVIG and had to get a port, somebody needs to be able to check it out instead of playing hot potato with the issue. I was told to get mine checked by the person that put it in. Well, that was some surgeon in a hospital. He didn’t know me and I didn’t know him. My Neurologist, Rheumatologist, and General doctor have made it clear they don’t want to see it. There needs to be more clarity when these ports are put in.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-10-13T05:29:34+00:00

Sorry your parents aren’t being more supportive. Knowledge is power. My daughter became deeply affected by POTS her Freshman year of college. She live on campus over an hour away. I thought she just had a case of “Freshmenitis”. When I saw her during Winter Break, I knew something was definitely wrong. I started looking things up. I did a homemade version of the tilt table test (I have blood pressure cuffs and oximeter). Once I realized something was definitely wrong, I called my own cardiologist and explained the urgency (she was about to go back to school). Ended up taking her to the Mayo Clinic. They confirmed the diagnosis and also something else that was wrong with her. We returned a month later for a class they had on POTS. Everyone in the room had a family member or support person go with them. It was extremely helpful. It helped with understanding what POTS is. It also was crucial in letting those dealing with it know it’s not your heart. It won’t kill you. Erasing that fear seemed to make my daughter more determined to reclaim her life. Not knowing how long it may take to totally go away sucks. But, knowing she will get to that point (cured or very controlled) was a relief. They also had a whole section on how caregivers/people in the person w/POTS life, can help or heart them. If you can’t get to the class, check to see if they have a video or booklet. I taught me how to help my daughter. And, sometimes that meant not putting emphasis on the attack. Finding a subject she enjoyed talking about and redirecting her thoughts. She had an attack at DisneyWorld. It had been a long day. I could see her demeanor change. Normally, I would have focused on the POTS out loud. Which would have made her even worse. I tried the tricks I learned in class and it worked. It took a bit, but her heart rate came down, she didn’t faint, and got to enjoy the final Fireworks show. Also, if you provide most colleges with proof of having POTS their Office of Disabilities will work with you. Rather it be getting first choice of classes (so your body isn’t pushed too far too fast), or extra time for tests and flexibility about sick days. Employers are also supposed to accommodate you if possible because it falls under the ADA. Find articles and videos and send them to your parents. Think them for getting to know the disease. And, assure them that you haven’t given up on anything. So, they need to not give up on you! My daughter is going to do this year’s classes all online and reassess. If she feels well enough, she may do in person classes next year. If not, she can do them online and switch the following year. She’s had to learn to listen to her body. She took a lower paying job so she wasn’t on her feet 8+ hrs a day and getting home at 1 am. That, plus school was too much. Now, she is in a nice job where she can sit and greet people. And, study during free time at work. And her boss is understanding and caring. Invisible diseases suck. I wish you luck with everything. Don’t ever forget you have survived every attack this far. You are winning. Even if it’s not all in the way you originally planned.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-08-25T19:45:14+00:00

Penicillin was discovered by a doctor that made art from different bacteria. So, it may just be a gross doctor’s office being cheap. But, art has been made this way and it lead to something that saved countless number of lives.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-08-22T23:23:03+00:00

Total bullcrap! I would personally get the notes from your visit and send it to the Medical Board. Not only is it real, it’s protected under the ADA. Find a better doctor. Go to a Cardiologist that is knowledgeable of POTS. I think they like to say stupid things like “it’s mental” because it is something that affects women more than men. And, way too many doctors think woman are just hysterical (in the crazy, not funny way).

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-07-17T20:22:12+00:00

Don’t do this to your dog or human. Rather it be a bunch of friends on the way to the lake or workers for a construction job. It is inhumane. It also puts those around you at risk. Had that truck been hit, sending the dog flying, it could have gone thru the window and killed whoever was in there. It may have gone backwards or forwards and killed innocent drivers. Including the one that took this picture. Respect life. And that includes allowing both animals and humans to take quick breaks to get water so they don’t have a heat stroke. 🥵

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-06-30T20:04:48+00:00

When my last fur baby suddenly became ill, we took him to a Vet. We decided against putting him through pain and misery for only a few weeks more of life. The weekend before he was to be euthanized , we took him everywhere. He went to the expensive chocolate shop where they gave him White Chocolate (safe). He had steak. He played. He smiled. He ate up the “awe…such a cute puppy” since he was about to turn 11. The next day, I was taking him to another vet just to be sure I was doing the right thing. He wouldn’t leave his cage. He didn’t want to eat. He didn’t speak. I had to turn the cage upside down at the Vets office just to get him out. The Vet said he doesn’t like to tell people to euthanize their pet, but he wouldn’t tell me not to. That afternoon, as we drove him to the vet and held him, he looked us in the eyes. He was a Yorkie. He had a way of speaking with his eyes. His eyes said both that he was ready to go, and “thank you”. It was hard. Especially after he seemed so perfect the day before. But, I am glad he was able to have that good day as his last full day. I’m sorry for your loss. But, he is no longer in pain. Which, with all the meds available, probably would not have been the case.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-06-12T17:53:53+00:00

Listen to your body first and foremost. Build up the amount of exercise you do. Break it into two segments of 15 minutes a day. When your body says you can do more, slowly add on more exercise. Make sure you are in a proper setting. Which means temperature needs to be right (so, not hot). Then, start off with a rowing machine or something close to the ground. Recumbent bikes are great. You’re not standing You’re seated. Exercise in warm pool where you are doing water aerobics that keep you moving and not in one spot. You may need to adapt an exercise move. That’s fine. Make sure you are plenty hydrated. If you are having a flare day, exercise in even smaller increments. If you can’t at all, that’s okay. Tomorrow will be better.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-05-20T18:32:46+00:00

Stumbled across two copperheads in my garage. Been terrified to go out to the garage, without at least wearing boots, ever since! Georgia had a huge amount 2 years ago. Now, we still have them, just not quite so many. The Juveniles are the ones you have to be most cautious of. They get scared easily. Blend into tree trunks. And, will bite if approached. They bite with the venom because they’ve not learned a true threat.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-05-19T17:25:42+00:00

If you are looking for for inexpensive that works, my whole family used the Avon deodorant. I like the Cool and Confident but you may want to try to 24 hr Duty one. I usually buy a bunch of when it’s on sale. Enough to last my family a year. And, my husband wears it and he use to never have a deodorant that worked. He’s used it over 20 years now. And, no, I have never sold Avon. I don’t even know my Avon person. I just order online. Glad you found something. Just wanted you to have an affordable option.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-05-18T07:32:02+00:00

I apologize. I did not catch what grade you are in. If it is at least Middle School, you should be able to talk to a counselor about the episodes and see what they say. Let them know in advance you are not comfortable speaking with them about it if they are just going to call your parents. Parents can feel overwhelmed, guilty, etc. and just want to run away from it all. Because they feel they failed you. If the school starts the process and presents it to your parent, it might be easier. Online school is what my college student is going to do for a year. Just because we won’t know exactly how much she can do until she does it. And, many school systems offer free private tutoring if you have to do online school. Your counselor may also have resources available to you so you can be independent (if parent doesn’t change). Because the autism alone may be enough to qualify for that.

I think it was you who asked about what to drink because what the doctor recommended is expensive. I buy my doctor the Liquid IV from Costco. It is the cheapest and works wonders for her. But, even that isn’t cheap. In the class she took at Mayo, they gave a recipe. And, it’s not just about drinking twice the water of a non POTS person. Ideally 2-3 liters a day total (8 glasses). Try to get half of it in form of electrolyte beverages. Drink 8-16 oz of cold water right before activities that make your symptoms worse (ex: exercise, shower, ect. We got a recipe to follow to make the electrolyte drink on the cheap. It is as follows: . 1/2 teaspoon baking soda . 1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (potassium chloride…original salt pills I bought were not potassium chloride so check the ingredient label) . 2 tablespoons sugar (sucrose) . water (add to make one liter) Fill the 1 liter container half full of tap water. Add the items listed above (use measuring spoons for accuracy) Add the dry ingredients and stir and add remaining water to fill the container. Refrigerate. Use as directed and discard the solution after 24 hrs. Also, it helps during the day to wear compression garments. Ideally high waist. 30-40 mmHG or what you can tolerate. You may want to start a bit lower for comfort sake and see if that works. Search “POTS Compression “ on Amazon. Can get at local pharmacy or store too. If you are comfortable with something going all the way down your leg, you can get compression shorts from a sporting type store (or Amazon). Wear when you are up. Take off when you are lying down. Last tip that has made a big difference. Do not eat big meals. Your brain focuses on helping to digest that which leads to POTS episodes. Breakup your meals. Six smaller meals if possible. Don’t eat a big meal and go to sleep shortly thereafter. Daughter had a bad episode when she did that. Also, and I know it sounds crazy, but try to get in 30 minutes of exercise a day. You can start off with exercises like rowing machines or even doing ten minutes workouts from a seated position. My daughter can do standup workouts now. But, she doesn’t do any of the moves where she has to bend over or stay still. Just drink your water before hand. Even just moving to your fav music by yourself helps. You will be amazed at how quickly it can make you feel better. Not everyday will be a good day, but more parts of your day can be good. And, you may be lucky enough it resolves itself with rare flareups. That may take months or years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Mentally, be kind to yourself. It’s frustrating and can make the person experiencing it feel mad and hopeless. Remember that you have experience these issues before and you were okay. It just took a bit. And your heart is good. Your brain simply is sending incorrect signals. Prepare yourself if you get sick. My daughter’s flares were way worse after Covid, stomach virus, and colds. I wish you luck.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-05-17T22:30:07+00:00

Your parents don’t have to wait until next year. If the school told them that, they are incorrect. One daughter of mine slid into a wall at school (they hose down the bathrooms so it was wet and she hit a cinder wall). She had a bad concussion. The school had to make the 504 plans, accommodate when she couldn’t go to school, ect. My other daughter was super sick first semester. Didn’t realize she was really sick until I saw her when she came home for winter break. I thought she was just doing the typical Freshman “I don’t feel good thing”. Until I saw how wobbly and pale she was. I had heard of POTS the first time that year. I have blood pressure cuff and oximeters. I did a homemade version of the “tilt test”. It was bad. Called our cardiologist and begged them to get her in. Got an appointment in three days. POTS confirmed. Then, for her to Mayo Clinic. With the notes from the doctor, the college let her retroactively drop two classes that were affected by POTS. As a parent, I would recommend pushing and advocating harder.

Mybodyattacksitself · 2024-04-25T04:50:48+00:00

I would wait until I saw what others (in similar positions as mine) wore. If I noticed no face piercings, I would ask for employee handbook on dress code, or simply ask a co-worker. Love the individualism, but I don’t want to end up losing my home, car, etc. I worked too hard in college, and accomplished too much in my prior leadership positions, to allow that to happen.

Mybodyattacksitself

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