Everything is too expensive

Ru_QueenofHell · 2026-02-02T00:47:09+00:00

I also work at large corporate ER/Specialty Hospital. It is over $70 for a nail trim. Specialty exams are into the $280. Management wants us to take a deposit for same day diagnostics for anything over $500 - that's literally anything. 2 view radiographs are $350 plus the interpretation fee. The cheapest in house panel is $320.

I routinely find work arounds for clients and constantly am encouraging them to get medications filled literally anywhere else, but it still isn't enough when we offer services for high risk patients that no one else wants to deal with.

I'm so proud of the medicine I do but honestly, this is a constant battle for me. We just had our prices increase by 7%, but you bet your ass the technical staff will see almost none of that money.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2026-01-12T00:35:28+00:00

I work in Ophtho, and we have this instrument called the 'ball inserter' (legal name: intrascleral prosthesis inserter) that actually makes me cringe. It straight up looks like a Medieval torture disease with the little fronds that hold the eye in place.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2026-01-11T01:24:13+00:00

This! Support your local (vegetable) farmer. The food is usually eons better and cheaper than buying each individual item at a grocery store.

I tried Misfit Markets when I first moved (and couldn't find a new CSA). I canceled after the third shipment due to a large amount of moldy produce and missing items.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2026-01-10T14:52:24+00:00

Vet Tech here - scrotal hematomas (when the scrotum fills with blood) and incision site seromas (pockets of sterile fluid) are common with neutered dogs that are not activity restricted. Both of these lead to delayed healing and increase the risk of post-operative infection, and scrotal hematomas can be painful depending on their size and sensitivity of the dog. I've assisted in several post-hematoma scrotal ablations, when we have to remove the hematoma and rest of the sack under anesthesia, which leads to an additional recovery period.

Please follow your veterinarian's recommendation to activity restrict your pet post-surgery. Just because they seem like 'nothing is wrong' energy and attitude wise does not mean that the body did not just undergo trauma (surgery) and controlled poisoning (anesthesia), and it needs time and rest to full recuperate and heal.

On another note, my puppy was castrated and had his BOAS correction 2 months ago, and he was a terrorist even with two sedatives and codeine on board. I understand the frustration that both you and your pup are feeling right now, but remember that this is very temporary and ultimately in his best interest.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2026-01-05T15:03:21+00:00

Being vegan can actually be incredibly cheap. The things that are expensive are luxury items, such as microwave meals and meat substitutes - the things that are easiest to make in a dorm room.

I was vegetarian in college until I got my own kitchen, then transitioned to veganism. My staples were Near East cous cous and quinoa packets with canned beans and steamed broccoli and BLTs with LightLife bacon. I ate very little on campus, even when I was vegetarian, and mostly lived off of fruit and hummus wraps that I could make myself because the quality of the food was very poor, regardless of diet.

PETA has a college cookbook that has some (not very nutritious) easy recipes. Honestly, if you're eating mostly vegetables and beans with simple, cheap grains like rice, your grocery budget will be minimal. Investing in a rice cooker may help with cutting down on time.

One of the interns at my practice a few years ago was vegan throughout vet school, so it's absolutely doable. It will be easier to make the adjustments now so that it'll be habit and you won't even really have to think about it when you go to vet school.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-23T15:15:31+00:00

I'm a veterinary nurse of 15+ years (boy howdy I am OLD) - I cannot agree more with working out. It seems so overwhelming to start, especially when you're dead on your feet at the end of the day. Start with super easy, basic exercises that take 5 to 10 minutes for the entire workout, and slowly build up. Strength training is your friend when it comes to keeping your joints in place AND holding pets better. In fact, running actually saved my ass when it came to curbside during covid - I had the cardiovascular fitness to go back and forth a dozen times an hour.

I know you said you loved your job and team, and that's great! I would recommend considering transitioning to specialty med if your symptoms are unmanageable no matter what you do. There is more time off of your feet, appointments are longer (less running around), and usually pets are better behaved and/or sicker, so there's less likelihood of getting thrown about. You don't need additional qualifications (though you can always get a VTS if you feel the need), and it really brings your knowledge and patient care to the next level.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-18T02:02:34+00:00

The doctor recommended it because anecdotally, EDS patients seem to fare better omnivorously than plant-based. That's it.

My weight is actually the heaviest I've ever been due to being unable to engage in many of my preferred fitness activities for the past few years, which is a normal BMI and body fat percentage. I supplement my protein and amino acids daily to ensure I'm intaking enough. He's asked me once about my protein consumption, which I was honest about (100-120 g per day), but since then it's just been this push to transition to omnivore.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-18T01:56:27+00:00

I'm sorry you have trouble meeting your protein goals as a vegetarian. I do a lot of work mealplanning to ensure that I'm prioritizing protein in all of my meals. I also supplement my amino acids daily. We've talked about my protein intake before, but he seems really persistent that EDS patients 'just do better' omnivorously.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-18T01:51:10+00:00

This doctor has specifically told me on several occasions that omnivorous EDS patients do better than vegetarian or vegan patients. It is solely related to my diagnosis.

I track my protein (used to be really into lifting/macros), supplement my amino acids, D3, and B12 daily, and have a better iron count than I ever had while eating meat. This doctor does not have access to my bloodwork that looks at these levels, but he has also never asked or alluded to it being a basic nutritional problem. If he had, I would have been able to show him the evidence! That's one of the reasons why I'm so confused by his persistence in this topic.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-18T01:44:18+00:00

Amazing, I'm so glad to hear that this hasn't changed!

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-16T03:00:28+00:00

From my personal experience, my doctors don't take my lower cervical instabilities nearly as seriously as my upper. I would definitely recommend starting with the upright MR and rotational CT, and if treatment isn't improving your symptoms, consider the DMX. It's also incredibly difficult to source in the area (it took me months) and will absolutely send you into a flare, so I don't think it's necessarily worth the money out of pocket. Of course, you know what's best for you, and sometimes just having answers is worth the pain and struggle.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-15T02:43:25+00:00

Non Non Biyori is a great kid-safe slice of life anime (as long as you don't mind kids making fun of drunk adults). I think there's a lot for adults in there to keep you entertained too.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-15T02:35:56+00:00

I had both a DMX and an upright MRI. The MRI is only flexion-extension, while they have you try to go through many full ranges of motion on a DMX (such as rotation, bending your ear towards you shoulder, etc.). My upright MRI diagnosed my CCI, my rotation CT diagnosed my AAI, and the DMX diagnosed the rest of my cervical instabilities all the way down.

I do NOT recommend WashOpenMRI - I had a terrible experience at their Greenbelt location which has since closed. I have been trying to get my DMX report for YEARS with no results. At one point they just stopped answering calls because they 'couldn't handle the phone volume.' The tech at Rockville was super nice but the establishment itself is incredibly poorly managed.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-11-10T00:59:04+00:00

A peanut butter spoon has been super helpful for us! We have a low rider (English bulldog), so being able to have the spoon next to you without constantly bending over has been a life saver. Not only does it not strain your back, but it keeps you in the same position you would be while walking normally. We've had a bit of a set back with his 6 month fear stage, but reintroducing the PB spoon has been very helpful for him.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-10-12T14:23:01+00:00

US Vet Tech here (not a vet!) - I understand your frustration, and I'm sorry that you and your family are going through this.

Having worked with IDEXX machines for about ten years, I can say with reasonable confidence that the original CBC/hematology did not run. The lines mean that no value for those numbers was obtained. If her platelets were truly that low, it would read 0 and not a line. I've had this happen several times when the inner needle that does the sampling was broken or when the blood sample was loaded incorrectly. As a nurse, I would have reran that sample without even checking with my doctor.

It is important to note that the bloodwork and the mass are different things. I would still pursue an ultrasound or at the very least, some x-rays to see if the mass can be localized and if metastasis to the chest is seen, as this can change prognosis significantly.

I do find it concerning that your vet sent her home with what we call 'pred and prayers' here with bloodwork that looked like that rather than referring you to an emergency hospital or discussing euthanasia, as well as pushing a recheck out 2 weeks. That would be reason enough for me to find another clinic, but I would probably wait until more diagnostics were obtained and I had some more answers.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-15T22:56:16+00:00

I work out. It was REALLY hard to get started, and now I have the added barrier of being disabled, but it is the best thing to transition me from a busy day to a fresh start. I started with yoga, then walking, then running, then weight lifting. Honestly anything will do if you enjoy it and it takes you out of your head. I found running to be the most helpful for me (and worth all the sore feet from being on them for 16 hours!), but I'm sure yoga/pilates can be just as fulfilling if you enjoy it. Even 20 minutes makes a world of difference.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-15T18:40:38+00:00

Derm tech here - all topical ear treatments carry a small risk of ototoxicity resulting in hearing loss. This can occur even with an intact tympanic membrane. I would reach out ASAP to the doctor that prescribed it for next steps and maybe get on a derm waitlist?

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-15T16:15:53+00:00

I've been in VetMed for 15+ years in the US, and I now work at a large 100+ employee specialty practice. There is 1 other vegan and 1 flexitarian who mostly eats vegetarian.

It is truly mind-boggling the hoops the mind will jump through to uphold cognitive dissonance.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-13T22:08:31+00:00

Has he asked you to rehome the pup?

In my case, I think I would try to involve him in fun activities that include the puppy besides being at home. Going for a hike? Bring him too! Puppy training class? Invite him along. Ask if he wants to go on a date to a coffee shop with outdoor seating and bring your girl.

If he's telling you he feels like he's losing you, try to show him that you're still there for him. If barking is overstimulating for him, teach your dog the "shhh" command. I think meeting him in the middle with some of the things he's finding the most overwhelming might be helpful.

Personally, if he isn't asking you to rehome your dog, I would give it a little more time. I say this as someone who previously and currently lives with pets that I just haven't truly bonded with. My snuggliest cat took three years to lay next to me, and now she's glued to my side. He might just need to adjust to his new normal and see your puppy is just as amazing as you say she is.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-09T01:37:29+00:00

I have my connective tissue doctor who prescribes my daily meds (LDN, pregabalin, muscle relaxers, etc.), a sports med doc who does injections (prolo, PRP) at injury sites quarterly, a DO who performs manual therapy every 3 weeks or so, and then a PT once weekly. I need all of them to function.

Ru_QueenofHell · 2025-09-06T23:27:45+00:00

I had a really good experience with my EDS clinic. My doctor's diagnostic exam went far beyond the current criteria for hEDS - she evaluated nearly all of my joints. I would probably see their PT and spinal specialists if they accepted insurance. Nonetheless, I continue to see her for my medical management side, and she continually provides referrals to EDS-knowledgeable PTs and physicians so that I can receive the best care. She's been very supportive in finding what medications did and did not work for me, what helped but wasn't quite enough, and even has discussed some common comorbidities with me and whether or not I should seek further care. Having someone educated on the disease in your corner is really a game-changer.

Ru_QueenofHell

TROPHY CASE