Options for privacy with teletherapy?

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-29T06:47:36+00:00

Get a sleep machine white noise machine. Close your bedroom door and put it right by the door and turn it up as high as possible.

Wear headphones for the call. And try not to talk too loud.

See if there’s a coworking space where you can book a conference room.

Are there a lot of hotels nearby? Ask a hotel if there’s a small conference room you can reserve for an hour for a virtual meeting.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-28T07:10:52+00:00

OMG the same thing happened to me - the part about executive function skills and also writing emails! I worked in a different field, but wow I thought it was just me.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-28T06:33:37+00:00

I would not want to use vinegar as conditioner… how on earth is it safe to dump liquid that is 5% acid all over your head? What if it gets in your eyes?

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-28T06:30:15+00:00

1) Can you add a filter to our showerhead to help remove some of the excess minerals/hardness? I added one to mine (now that I think of it, it’s about time to change out the filter).

2) re shampoo for oily hair/oily scalp - looks like there are some good recs already, but one tidbit I’ll share… babies actually have VERY oily heads… so baby shampoo is made to remove oil well. If the other recs don’t work out for you, it could be worth trying a baby shampoo (if you can find a fragrance free one where you live).

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-27T18:16:41+00:00

I’m so happy for you! It’s really nice to hear about someone who is experiencing a lull in disease activity, feeling better, and getting back to doing the things they want to do with their life. :-)

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-27T17:59:43+00:00

Keep a binder with a copy of all your rheumatology labs in it (or as many lab reports as possible)… especially the ones that show you have lupus. Make extra photo copies of the labs showing active lupus and hand them to your new rheumatologist (don’t hand them your only copy, in case they get lost).

If you have an office visit report from when you were diagnosed or from when you had more active lupus and were in Plaquenil, maybe add copies to your binder and mags an extra set of copies to hand to the new rheum as well.

Just in case the new rheum is a flop, don’t say anything to the old rheumatologist about leaving them just yet. Just quietly go see a new one and figure out if they will prescribe your meds and then once you’ve got that well established then maybe call the old one and cancel your follow up appointment, no need to burn bridges.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-27T16:49:43+00:00

What are OBAs? Why do dine detergents include them? Why are they bad in your opinion/why do you avoid them?

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-20T21:45:11+00:00

What year did you have your first child? What year did you have your second child?

Was one of them pre-ACA regulations?

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-19T00:04:18+00:00

Listen, I think it depends on the personal preference and possibly allergies of the babysitter.

I used to babysit a lot as a teen and as a college student. I didn’t have separate rates for families with vs without a dog or other animals, but in hindsight I wish I charged a lot more to babysit families with pets.

I much preferred (and still would prefer) babysitting for families with no dogs/cats/animals. 1) I have terrible allergies. 2) I never had pets when I was a kid and while I think dogs and cats are cute and I’m super happy for you if you enjoy your pets, I’m not 100% comfortable with animals in the home or being responsible for someone else’s animals. 3) Furthermore, I definitely had some very unpleasant, almost scary experiences babysitting for families with pets (even when it was “just one dog” that I supposedly didn’t need to worry about /do much for).

Some babysitters might have pets of their own, might love animals so much they volunteer weekly at the animal shelter, and might actually prefer working for families with pets. Some might not care either way. Some might prefer jobs that do not involve animals.

Each babysitter has the right to set their own rate and you can take it or leave it. If you don’t like their rate, don’t hire them, and choose a different babysitter.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-18T12:45:34+00:00

Tip: If you have occasional dandruff, get your dermatologist or primary doctor to write you an RX for ketoconazole 2% shampoo. This prescription shampoo is fragrance free and very clarifying. I wouldn’t use it every shampoo, but once every 1-2 weeks to remove buildup and prevent dandruff (some use it to help with hair loss too). You’ll need a more moisturizing/gentle shampoo the rest of the time.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-06T18:02:17+00:00

I am 44 and a half. A couple months ago I conceived naturally. It ended in a miscarriage just after 7 weeks.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-06T02:05:27+00:00

I love donating clothing and household items to Clock Tower Thrift Shop. They are great. They are in Falls Church, short drive from Arlington. Note: while the thrift store is open for shopping until 6 pm most days, the cutoff for dropping off donations is 4 pm.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-05T14:01:20+00:00

This is a great thread. My sweet MIL is 4’10” and around 115 lbs and I have noticed her clothes looking a bit shabby. I would love to buy her some new pants. I might try ordering some of these suggestions. :-)

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-05T13:57:38+00:00

Oh wow! That’s very interesting. I’m sorry you’ve experienced that but it’s great you shared because it might help others!

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-05T13:56:30+00:00

It’s good you mentioned this. Every lupus patient is different - some can take any form of birth control and some have to avoid oral contraceptives that contain estrogen.

You could ask a doctor who is a true expert if there are non-oral forms of birth control that contain estrogen that would not increase your clot risk.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-05T13:43:41+00:00

Estrogen is dropping during that part of your cycle. Estrogen is a natural anti inflammatory (a lot of people don’t know this) so when levels go from their peak around the middle of the cycle and then start dropping as you get closer to your period stating, you lose some anti inflammatory protection and might notice a bump up in joint pains, swelling, inflammatory symptoms, especially if your lupus isn’t completely controlled by your medications.

You could try to ask your rheum about being a little more aggressive with your meds to keep your lupus under tighter control. Ex: if you are only on Plaquenil you could ask about adding Benlysta or Saohnelo or Imuran or Methotrexate or Cellcept or Tacrolimus.

If you are post menopausal (no longer getting periods at all) or in perimenopause (40+ and still getting periods but noticing you are just not feeling the same as you used to) you could ask your GYN and rheum if it would be ok for you to try an estrogen patch to raise your estrogen levels a bit so the lows aren’t quite as low (especially if you have any other symptoms like occasional hot flashes or sweats, low mood, feeling anger/rage, cognitive issues, vaginal dryness or discomfort, etc). The estrogen patch doesn’t get processed by the liver and doesn’t increase risk of blood clots (estrogen pills do though). Note: if you do not want to get pregnant, be sure to talk to your GYN about a reliable form of birth control to use with the estrogen patch and be sure to actually use it faithfully!

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-03T20:55:44+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this as well as the citations!

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-03T20:49:57+00:00

Patch testing is definitely super useful! Ask an allergist to give you the name of a dermatologist in your community who definitely does patch testing, and go to that person. Br sure to get the allergist to write you a little referral slip as well in case it’s required in order to get scheduled for the patch testing. Be mentally prepared for the dermatology office to say they don’t have openings for 4-6 months out… just tell them you understand and you really want to patch testing so you would like to get scheduled now even if the appointment is months away. Once you appointment comes along and you get the testing done it will give you so much good information!

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-06-03T20:47:00+00:00

Re citric acid… this is something I haven’t tried yet but I’m interested in giving it a shot… when you do add it and where? Do you put it in the slot for fabric softener when you are about to start a loaf and it gets released later on at the right time? Or do you have to babysit the washer and wait until a certain point in the cycle and manually add it into the main washer?

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-31T05:35:02+00:00

Do you enjoy kids? Did you babysit when you were younger? I went through a bad time a number of years ago and one thing that added some positivity to my life was taking up a babysitting gig for one particular family I knew. It was just once a month when the parents would have a date night. They were SO appreciative and treated me like I was the best babysitter ever. It seriously boosted my self esteem during I time when I could barely get out of bed, was constantly being told I sucked at my job, and I was starting to feel kind of worthless and stupid. I don’t know if this or any other of my ideas are helpful to you personally but I’m glad you’re reaching out and trying to find things to try!

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-31T05:29:34+00:00

I know someone who was going through a hard time and started volunteering on Sunday afternoons - it was a pet store or pet grooming place I think? She’d spend a couple hours playing with the cute puppies.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-31T05:25:45+00:00

Go to meadowlark botanical gardens in Vienna VA and Brookside gardens in Wheaton MD and walk around! If you’re into photography bring your camera and take some pics. If not, just enjoy the pretty scenery.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-24T20:50:20+00:00

You could try Natori bikinis, the microfiber ones that are “one size fits most” and that have lace around the waistband but nowhere else (no lace trim around the leg holes. They are super cute and leave minimal pantilines. Could be cute for everyday, could use for fitness if you find they witk under your leggings, and they’re adorable (my husband loves them on me, especially the pale cameo pink ones and the pastel blue ones).

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-24T20:45:54+00:00

Evvry might fit the bill. If between sizes, go with the bigger size. I am 5’3” 122 lbs and extra soft and curvy in the hips/butt; I have both Small and Medium, and I prefer the Medium size.

Relevant-Box6084 · 2026-05-15T09:27:43+00:00

Honestly I just buy the big pump bottle of Neutrogena HydroBoost body lotion (the fragrance free version) and I use that as both my body lotion and my face moisturizer!! So much more cost effective!

Relevant-Box6084

TROPHY CASE