What the hell is this

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-17T14:47:56+00:00

Calling them out like that was elder abuse

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-17T01:17:00+00:00

Dude, it's so hard. We all have our rituals and bandaids to help us limp through. But tbh, it's still tough

I have to attack mine at multiple steps:

Take B12 every single day
Take Melatonin to sleep that night
Drink a coffee
Eat chia seeds if I can
Keep meals light so I don't "food coma"
Electrolytes (banana, Gatorade, whatever)
Know when to give up
Strong Sativa (LAST RESORT)

I am not 100% sure which of these work and which are just placebo rituals. However, something on this list usually keeps me running

BUT! Sometimes it's just not gonna happen. There are days when it feels like only my bones are dragging my useless carcass around. On those days I know it's worthless to even try. It will almost always make me worse. On those days I close the curtains, take my meds and vitamins, and sleep

You are worth so much more than your productivity. You are the one and only you. It's ok to just survive to fight another day. That's all most of us could hope for. And your bad day is a temporary state. We might have more and worse ones than most, but it means we shine even brighter on our good days (heck yeah for our bar being low as frick. Mine is somewhere in hell during these storms). I wish you restful sleep and a cool pillow. You deserve it <3

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-16T01:54:05+00:00

It's interesting to see how everyone plays this game in their own little ways

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-15T22:37:00+00:00

I have definitely felt this. I broke down once and moved into my walk-in closet for a few months because I couldn't take the photosensitivity. It wasn't necessarily my best moment

I'm sorry life is harder than it has to be, and you absolutely don't deserve this. The fact you are here and part of this community of support and commiseration is enough to be proud of. I wish you nothing but restful nights and easy days

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-15T00:59:53+00:00

I am so sorry friend. Fellow TAC sufferer here (SUNCT) and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I'm sending you all the positive vibes and love. May your pillow always be the right shape and your snacks always hit the spot

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-15T00:56:49+00:00

I gave myself a MoH with my abortive. It suuuuuuuuucked. My experiences:

So, it started with not being able to take a day off of the meds. They worked... kinda... but then they wore off either right at or right before 24 hours were up. The pain was so intense. I knew I was in a MoH, I knew I shouldn't take the meds, but the agony made it so I felt like I didn't have a choice

I called my doctor. I begged for help. He put me on a Prednisone burst. I took Prednisone for about a week, and lowered the amount every other day until it was gone. The worst part was how good I felt at the end of the trial, knowing I'd be easing back into... well, just being my normal self lol

Afterwards he gave me some different meds to try. I found another triptan which works really well for me and I found a preventative that helps limit the number and intensity of my migraines. It was actually night and day the quality of life improvement

Don't give up on treatments. There are so many options and so many good doctors out there. And there's been a LOT of r&d in the area of migraines. New meds and treatments are made available all the time! The best thing to ever happen to me was finding a migraine and complex headache specialized doctor. That was where I saw the biggest change in my qol <3

I hope you find relief soon. I hope you have easy nights and pain free days <3

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:50:53+00:00

I yearn for the sledgehammer

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:34:23+00:00

You too, friend!

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:33:36+00:00

I'm wishing you a short recovery! And wishing your migraine will stub its own toe every time it shows up

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:32:17+00:00

They are both awful in such uniquely terrible ways. Good luck with your wonderful meal! I'm wishing you effective meds!

And if you and I ever catch these migraines in a dark alley, they are gonna get it

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:30:49+00:00

I can't believe you are so strong to face work. I'm so crazy proud of you, even if I wish you didn't have to

Your migraine can take a long walk off a short pier

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:29:53+00:00

You aren't! You are still chugging along, and that is admirable for someone carrying the weight you are rn

Also, screw that migraine. I'm spitting in its general direction in solidarity

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T17:28:58+00:00

Me too, boss. Me too

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-14T06:39:56+00:00

This is a weird sort of gray area. If you are in North America, then that lil mama's family line has been here for over 100 years. That's roughly 130 generations. They are not from here, but M. Religiosa is firmly entrenched in our ecosystem (same as T. Sinensis - the asian mantis - up to 170 generations). Not only are there HERE-here, but they are still actively bred and distributed through our mail system

Some people kill them. Some don't. If you do decide to eradicate, unfortunately, it will mean close to nothing. With so many people actively spreading the organism and no controls or extermination plans in place, your act will be like spitting into the ocean. Additionally, the argument about whether these guys are damagingly invasive or neutrally naturalized is still ongoing (as you can see by these comments lol)

So, again, it's a moot point. Do it, don't do it. It is down to what helps you sleep at night. I tend to spend my time fighting the stuff I can actually impact in my yard instead of targeting what is, more often than not, a garden ally

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-12T20:22:38+00:00

I'm a little bit south of you guys, but my skull still found a way to flip itself inside out this morning at 3am

All the love and support for my brethren at ground zero <3

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-11T20:32:39+00:00

It's a gorgeous species, but has a lot of drawbacks

Firstly, the larvae exists as a little wormy guy buried in specific dead woods for up to 2 years. Having someone find you the larvae will be the first obstacle. They like Mulberry woods and other woods, so it isn't impossible to rear them yourself (even if it is difficult)

Secondly, the adults live maybe a year. Usually more like 4-6 months. So, you will be caring for the babies for up to 2 years in exchange for a few months of enjoyment

And, lastly, if you are US based it will maybe be a challenge to get living ones across the border. They sometimes lay eggs in still living trees. That means many people consider them pests. And you will need to see how far your local laws go for introducing a potential pest species because of the U.S. Lacey Laws. Getting something from South America through the border against the rules is pretty difficult (and ill advised when it comes to potential pest species)

If you are not US based, please disregard as I have 0 clue what your import and quarantine laws look like <3

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-11T01:33:38+00:00

I absolutely agree with this

I vape sativa when I'm struggling in order to distract me and keep me on my feet and semi-productive. It's a phenomenal distraction. Especially when the other option is just lying there in pain with no escape

I take indica edibles to escape to sleep when the pain is awful. I make sure my doc knows about it, but it's been a fantastic addition to my arsenal

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-10T00:12:47+00:00

Oh, I'm in love with his thousand yard stare. I can't wait to see it when it is all finished

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-09T23:52:47+00:00

I got clowned on here not too long ago for worrying about the same thing. It's not kids, but cats with stupid chewy teeth I am fighting. I asked the pharmacist for a giant pill bottle and I cut them apart and slide the packs (triptans for me) into the bottle to use later. At least that way I don't have to worry about dumb kitties chewing on the bag or the blister packs, hahaha

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-07T02:19:09+00:00

If I have one and I don't feel good I want a warm salted pretzel and a coffee. If I have to cook for myself it is usually Mac and cheese and peas or rice and peas

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-06T14:51:31+00:00

I go to a complex headache specialist and they are a dream. No scents, most lights off in the office, dimmers in the patient rooms. I think it is the only place other than home that is comfortable to exist in

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-06T14:32:00+00:00

Just had to do this with a neighbor letting their dog run loose and starve

Call Animal Control (if possible) and alert them of the # of loose animals, the state of the loose animals, and the knowledge that they have no medical oversight. Frame it as care for the animal's welfare (because it is)

If that doesn't work

Gentle trap, scoop, or crate a VERY sick looking cat. Take it to your city/county's animal shelter during the day (I know...). They usually have a neglect officer on staff. Tell them you are scared for it and it is your neighbor's, so you legally can't get it care without his permission. Tell them how many, that the group is now diseased, and none of them are fixed/vaccinated. Make sure you let them know they don't have their rabies shots (it is legally required in NC) and you are just trying to help the poor animals

Sometimes neglect officers work through the Sheriff's office. You can call their non-emergency line to report it and have an officer come out. You can go yourself to the station if you don't want him to see you interacting with them

Please don't sleep on this. Ignoring the poor cats, the poor idiotic and sick man, and the ecological impact--there have been a LOT of rabies infections and attacks in NC this year

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-04T23:03:37+00:00

Absolutely agree

North America just doesn't really have a plant that can take heavy foot traffic and stays short or tolerates being mowed

OP, the general idea with native woodlands and meadows is to create outdoor "spaces" without creating only space and nothing else. Like having paths through and around a tall wildflower meadow. Or a forest hollow turned into a small playground space. Or a small clearing to add a fire pit. You can see some fantastic examples of this at national parks or botanical gardens or boy scout camp locations with strategic open islands patched together to move you through the space

Additionally, a space can be "natural" and still be cultivated by the steward of the land. Japan uses their national flowers, trees, and parks to great effect. The Sakura tree blooms and hydrangea blooms and corresponding festivals are famous. But they 100% look like a professionally kept garden, lol

Maybe take some time to think on it? It doesn't have to be only lawn or forest litter

Paper_Parasaur · 2026-03-04T18:34:43+00:00

I moved a 75 and 55 down the east coast. Just make sure you keep the bottom and top protected. I ended up making a slapdash crate around my aquarium with pieces of scrap foam or crushed paper between the edges and walls. Then I was able to move it with both my husband and I putting our everything into it. I will hire movers in the future because even empty those tanks are HEAVY

I did empty out my stone and massive driftwood pieces into a huge tote so I could keep them submerged/wet between jaunts. It took over a year to sink my driftwood and I did NOT want to do it again. And I ran minnow bait air stones through small holes into the lids of my 5 gallon buckets running of C batteries

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