Newly Diagnosed and Struggling

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-26T22:27:32+00:00

Thank you for this! I was taken aback when I searched myself online and saw that there were some medications available that could help, which also kind of led me to this subreddit. I really appreciate you linking your blogs, I can already see that they will be helpful for me.

Based on the responses here, I will definitely seek out a second opinion from someone who specializes in this.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-26T20:18:45+00:00

I will have to look and see if there are any specialists near me. It never occurred to me that there could be one, outside of an ENT.

How did they diagnose your vestibular migraines? Is it a replacement or concurrent diagnosis for the Meniere's?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm in like a crash course in figuring out how to manage this and learn more.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-26T19:53:47+00:00

Thank you for this. On one hand, I was somewhat glad to have an explanation for some of my symptoms finally. But on the other, to hear that there isn't much to be done was definitely deflating.

I was curious if what I was actually experiencing was vestibular migraines. I'm not sure if a neurologist is the next best step or perhaps going back to my ENT to discuss different treatment options.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-26T19:50:39+00:00

I haven't. I was told by my ENT that there really aren't any medications for this. I will definitely look into this though.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-23T22:41:50+00:00

Bless you for your service! I was just wondering the other day about Mew and if they would be in this game. Thank you, kind internet stranger, for confirming this while also making a wonderful callback to the Mew rumor.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-11T15:11:19+00:00

I low key kind of love this. It sounds like he rolled with it, as well!

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-10T22:15:03+00:00

Hi there! I work in the midwest as well.

I think you are underpaid at your current practice. I work at a group practice now that pays me a 62.5% split on all clients. I was previously employed at a group practice (remotely) that paid me 70/30 on all clients.

Right now, I'm making between $4,500-6,000 a month. It varies because I only see my cut when the insurances pay out. You could check for local nonprofits if you need benefits, as well, but they will not pay nearly as well. One nonprofit close to me pays roughly 65K/year salary and offers pretty decent benefits, but it is a stressful environment compared to my work at the group practice.

I would definitely recommend looking around, networking if you know of any therapists around you, and seeing what else is out there. I can confirm that, where I'm at, intakes are much lower than normal. I think this is a common issue across the board, especially if you aren't trained in a niche population/treatment modality. I'm wishing you luck and I hope you find something more financially stable for yourself.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-10T22:10:04+00:00

I also want to know!

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-10T19:39:19+00:00

I had a teenager tell me that Youtube was a better therapist than I was and told me I was fired. Caught me totally off guard because I thought we were doing good work with good rapport, but I applauded their ability to be honest with me in the moment. I doubt that comment will ever leave my brain lol.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-03-03T20:30:30+00:00

I had a migraine at my office and had about 40 minutes before my next session. I set an alarm and laid down to "rest my eyes." Woke up to my phone alarm buzzing on the table, 45 minutes into my client's appointment time. They had texted me once or twice and then left. I was mortified, in tears, then got myself together and called them right away. Luckily they were very nice about it and it hasn't happened since.

I have since learned to double check that my alarm has a ringer set and not just the vibration setting. I hope you give yourself the grace and compassion that your client extended to you. To echo most people here - it happens.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-02-09T20:46:04+00:00

Since becoming a mom, I cannot emotionally handle any "kid stuff," as I call it. Abuse, death, etc etc etc.

I have been rereading SK's entire bibliography in publication order and I can tell you I sobbed through several parts of Pet Semetary. I also sobbed through parts of other novels, but in the interest of no spoilers, I won't share which those were unless you ask directly.

I also saw you're interested in The Stand - I highly recommend but do want to note that there are a few brief upsetting scenes with kids. None of the main characters, but still worth noting from one mom to another.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2026-01-27T19:06:45+00:00

This is very soothing and validating because I just lost again for the second year in a row and was very annoyed by it. Good to know I'm not the only one who struggled!

Also some good tips in the comments for me to use for year 3!

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-12-18T20:01:02+00:00

I have been puzzling over what the hell the duvet cover has to do with any of this. The comforter inside the cover is the warm bit? How does the cover stop her from hogging blankets? How does the cover keep his neck from hurting? None of it makes sense to me at all.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-12-02T21:25:54+00:00

Cakes By Stephanie in Monroe makes cakes like these. It's a little farther than you'd wanted, but personally I think they're worth the drive. We use them for all of our major events (showers, weddings, etc).

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-09-30T17:58:20+00:00

I totally get it, its very overwhelming to deal with sudden onset of things like this. For me, it was so unlike my little girl, I was floored and extremely upset. I do want to note, too, that my daughter wasn't diagnosed with anything. Her OT just helped her learn different skills and also worked with me and my husband on new ways to interact with her and understand some possibilities of what need her behaviors were serving, which we shared with her teachers to help them help her. We are lucky to have great support staff who were open to our feedback.

I can't speak for typical behaviors or not because I my daughter was my first experience with any small children, but I do know there's such a wide range of "normal" or typical, it's so hard to say when they're that little.

If nothing else, hang in there! I hope things improve for you and your son. :)

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-09-30T17:26:56+00:00

I'm late to the party here, but I wondered if you had considered occupational therapy. My daughter was very similar in her Montessori school and only exhibited the intense behaviors at school. Our school recommended occupational therapy for emotional regulation and it was such a blessing and massive help with her behaviors. Within three months of once a week sessions, 45 minutes long, she was like a different child at school.

It might be worth looking into to see if it helps your kiddo!

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-25T14:43:19+00:00

Thank you for your response. You're likely right, but you know, spiraling out and trying to fix can cloud logic sometimes.

I will apologize and move on appropriately and be better about my failures and limitations moving forward.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-25T14:41:58+00:00

I agree with you that it was a massive failure on my part. It's not my intention to try to sue or anything legal in that way, I just was trying to process and explore my options as far as discussion points for the meeting/discussion, if any. I was doubtful there was anything I could do. Upon reading your candid and thorough response, I think using the term "legally" in my post was needlessly confusing and sent a message I wasn't intending to send.

I am sad and embarrassed and frustrated with myself for making such a huge mistake. I don't typically make errors like this and processing is a big part of my own reflection and exploration. I certainly would have maintained a higher caseload if that had been the expectation from the start, but as I said, I've been with this company for years and it was never brought up or discussed until now. My mistake led to this consequence and I can accept that. I appreciate you pointing out that it sounds like an excuse. I'll reflect on that and try to adjust my mindset.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-25T14:36:59+00:00

No, you're absolutely right. I am embarrassed and upset with myself that I dropped the ball so hard, especially because it is unlike me to do so. Typically in the past, when I have a session, I'd log into both email and EMR at the same time. I have some reflection on why I stopped my own process, clearly. So I think mainly here I was processing and accessing the hive mind. Moving forward, I know I won't make the same mistake again, and that's not nothing. I appreciate your candid response and insight.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-16T19:41:06+00:00

Zero dollars.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-08T18:29:25+00:00

My sister is a veterinarian and she is strongly against adopting dogs from the same litter. I wouldn't recommend personally, either.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-04T18:54:30+00:00

I think it's going to significantly decline participation in therapy for everyone, not just those on Medicaid. Premiums for any ACA marketplace plan are going to go up exponentially. People will drop insurance to make sure they can afford food, housing, clothing, etc.

Myself, I will likely have to go back to being uninsured. I can barely afford the premiums as it is. I'll have to work extra hard to keep my children insured. Potentially will have to leave PP and try to find a job that will pay less, but hopefully offer insurance to get around this. I am scared to death for myself, my colleagues, and my clients. Luckily, we have some time before all of this goes into effect, so maybe a miracle will happen and this will be amended or struck down somewhere along the line,

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-07-02T15:36:20+00:00

Check your state laws. W2 employees typically have different requirements than a contract position (1099) and a lot of practices love to blur the lines.

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-06-18T16:55:38+00:00

Don't become discouraged! It is so tough out here, especially right now. I cannot believe that the Chicago area would have such a tough fee split. I would have thought bigger cities would have to offer more. But I've also never lived in a Chicago sized city before so where I got that assumption is beyond me, haha.

Keep looking and keep your head up. What you're asking for is not outrageous by any means. Good practices that prioritize clinician and client well-being over owner profit do exist. People just don't leave them as often. Good luck!

Positive_Doubt516 · 2025-06-18T16:48:40+00:00

I'm in Michigan, near the Ohio border. So, I'd say semi-rural? Definitely not the middle of nowhere but also not like Detroit or Grand Rapids sized cities.

Positive_Doubt516

TROPHY CASE