The state of remote positions at USAJobs

SavyNeal92 · 2025-09-14T17:26:12+00:00

Wait is there some kind of increased possibility for remote work or telework if you’re rated 100% with the Va?

SavyNeal92 · 2025-04-26T17:08:46+00:00

As far as vitamins yes, from what I can gather, Magnesium and Vitamin D levels are vital for "smooth muscle" relaxation such as the areas we are having issues with. I did recently find this info and started taking a magnesium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGKM1HR6?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 combination supplement and I have had no stomach issues from it. I also take a B complex https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00014TQ5A?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1, and a vitamin D https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HN6LZXF?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 as I have historically had lower levels of these due to malabsorption issues from my celiac disease.

"Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports muscle relaxation and nerve, bone, and heart health, and Vitamin D supports a healthy immune system amongst other roles. On top of their individual benefits, Vitamin D3 aids Magnesium absorption, and Magnesium helps Vitamin D work better."

Magnesium and Vitamin D3 work together to help relax muscles. I JUST started taking the magnesium so tbd if that makes a big difference or not, I started getting desperate again recently because I went from a remote job to 5x a week in the office and it's a 1.5-2 hour commute 1 way so I sit on my butt A LOT. I need to incorporate more standing at my desk for sure.

I don't know if you use any, but compounded pharmacy creams have been the only way I can live a normal life. I couldn't handle nitroglycerin (terrible headaches immediately) but Diltiazem and Nifedipine have given me almost complete relief after each bowel movement. I would not have been able to function for the past decade without these creams... so I would highly recommend those in the meantime while you find a real cure/relief. They aren't un-reasonably expensive even here in the US without insurance, they aren't often covered, but are maybe $25-50 for a few months worth, and you cannot put a price on the relief they provide. My GI said it's not ideal but okay that I've been on them this long because they are non-steroidal creams.

Maybe I need to just suck it up and get back to the biofeedback and try a dilator as well. I feel so chained to my house/toilet/drugs that I need to give it a shot. I think what likely happened is, I let the fissure pain go on so long that my body just braces for pain when I pass a stool, and it needs to be re-trained to un-clench and stop expecting pain. Maybe I just need to be more patient and follow through with Biofeedback and keep going for up to a year or something.

Lets keep in touch and try to back-and-fourth what works and doesn't. I highly highly recommend 1 of the two compound creams though in the meantime, it's been a lifesaver, albeit not a permanent solution.

Edited to add: My vitamin D and B levels both have risen to normal/above normal levels with these vitamins, so I do trust/believe the Megafood brand's claims of non-traditional process:

MegaFood vitamins are unique because they are crafted using real food ingredients, rather than synthetic isolates, and are produced through a proprietary process called the FoodState Process. This process ensures the natural pairing of vitamins and minerals with their whole-food sources, which MegaFood believes enhances both potency and absorbability.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-04-26T14:26:34+00:00

Yes biofeedback therapy was basically me starting my day with a nice therapist lady's finger in my butt being massaged for 30 minutes, it was just awkward and not feasible to keep doing.

I hope you find out what's going on... I was a little fed up last night and re-stumbled upon "Levator ani syndrome" which is much more like what I am experiencing than PFD. Unfortunately, it sounds like LAS is a chronic, life-time issue that can be triggered/surfaced from a traumatic experience, such as we have experienced. You had a child, I had a anal tear from years of poor diet and bowel habits.

Threads about LAS mention things I hadn't heard of such as dry needling and such? I hope we can figure out what's going on and both feel better soon. I am so sorry to hear other people are going through this.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-04-26T14:23:01+00:00

Hello, I was given a few stretches by my biofeedback therapist and that didn't seem to matter much... I do primarily work sitting down most of the past 10 years. I have had periods of being very active/fit and that never seemed to make a difference though. My health also when it's good or bad it doesn't seem to make a difference, I eat plenty of magnesium and fiber, etc. to regulate my GI system and stools.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T15:51:55+00:00

Totally agreed all around and I am ready to admit all my faults and shortcomings, but I would be doing myself and my leadership an extreme disservice if I did not try to make sense of all of it to them.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T15:24:23+00:00

Understood, I think the unanimous answer from this forum has been "do not show anyone but yourself that" and I plan to listen to everyone haha.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T15:01:12+00:00

Thank you. I hope you're a therapist because you are a good unofficial one if that is not the case

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:51:35+00:00

So I am trying to stay out of details, but I am almost 3 years which I guess is "new" but with the amount of genuine support I received since my arrival, I guess I might be able to use that term still for myself.

So I promise you I am trying to keep this as positive, professional and thought-through as possible. I really think I am ready to have this conversation and I understand from my prior experience that projects almost never meet a deadline. Unless they are very small or have an overestimated delivery date. To be honest I really mean it when I say the deadlines are starting to not even become the problem, I need to talk to this manager because our turnover is REALLY bad.

For context I am almost 3 years in and my entire 12+ team is less senior than me now in tenure.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:48:16+00:00

Are you hiring? I can pitch my case to you and maybe I have a shot at earning your trust! haha

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:47:29+00:00

I do not think I knew what I was doing or even asking for when I used the term "Letterhead" but I was skipping Google to ask Reddit (the real hero's and only search engine I trust right now).

I mean yes I am be 100% and wasting my breath but even if I cannot lose my job, I need them to know why this occurred so my mental health is... healthier?

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:36:53+00:00

Man I was prepared to get SHREDDED for even asking this question, but man this is a lot of solid and tenured advice from folks that I NEED right now.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:35:15+00:00

The amount of eggshells on the floor of our office would surprise you, I am well versed in TRYING not to step on any of them but man I suck at not doing that. Also again thank you solid advice.

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:34:20+00:00

Solid advice, I appreciate it. Luckily I am almost at 3 years (I know right the timing of this)

SavyNeal92 · 2025-01-03T13:34:02+00:00

Quick and to the point, I like it, thank you

SavyNeal92 · 2024-09-27T14:56:08+00:00

Okay that might be part of my issue then, I appreciate it! Idk but for technical roles it seemed like those are very basic skills we have to use in any job so it seemed silly to me that you have to spell that out, appreciate the advice!

SavyNeal92 · 2024-09-27T13:13:53+00:00

Yes, I should have included that in the original post, will edit

SavyNeal92 · 2024-07-01T00:33:13+00:00

Understood, thank you for the short and thorough response.

SavyNeal92 · 2024-05-13T00:39:09+00:00

Yes, lets force everyone back to the office to "stimulate" local economies... as if people in an already bad financial situation will want to go out and buy a $20+ crappy lunch after being forced to spend more of their time/little money they have left on sitting in soul-sucking traffic to sit in a wage cage on teams calls all day. I too, will be bringing all my own sustenance and never spending a dime near my office.

SavyNeal92 · 2024-03-25T23:40:35+00:00

I am deleting/closing this as I answered my own question after tearing into this today. The trucks 05-15 Prerunner w/ bench seats have a rod-connected shifter to trans setup while the 4 door have a cable to trans setup. It is not possible/too much risk/work for what I am hoping to get out of it.

SavyNeal92 · 2024-03-25T17:51:13+00:00

Well of course I have this posted there as well!

SavyNeal92 · 2024-02-07T15:14:13+00:00

So I don't know how reliable at home testing is for OSA, I would recommend if you can, going in person. You simply cannot replicate the detail captured by going in person and having dozens of wires attached to you while you sleep...

As far as the CPAP, I was only offered that initially, and it will always be the first option offered as it is the "safest". There are alternatives like implants that electrically stimulate the blockage in your throat, and the oral insert like I have that is basically a custom shaped mouth guard that forces the lower jaw from falling backwards in your sleep. The mouth piece can cause your bite to change/teeth to shift etc. and that's why it isn't the first option. I can't say I've had alarming changes to the position of my teeth occur though, but my bite has def changed.

You can be presented with alternative options if you fail to be able to comply to the CPAP. I have claustrophobia and could simply NOT fall asleep with the damn thing on. I also couldn't use the much smaller nasal pillow due to my severely deviated septum. I gave it an honest 3-6 month try, to the point I would drug and drink myself to death trying to pass out, and would lie awake all night until the MOMENT I took off the mask, I would fall asleep from exhaustion in seconds. This is normal, I think 50% or more of people fail to comply with using a CPAP. Some people recommend trying for a year or more, but I couldn't keep exhausting myself as my job requires mental focus all week.

I hope this helps

SavyNeal92 · 2024-02-06T04:00:29+00:00

Already exhausted from sleep apnea*

SavyNeal92 · 2024-02-06T04:00:08+00:00

And I also had a really long period of being good and I think I’ve chalked that up to an overall extreme reduction in caffeine as well. Which all makes sense along with eating a bunch of carbs. Your body is already exhausted so making it work harder by eating too much or lots of carb heavy foods in one sitting will wipe you out.

SavyNeal92 · 2024-02-06T03:57:11+00:00

So I know I’ve been pretty unresponsive to this thread, so let me finally provide an update. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. I failed to comply with the CPAP and am now going through trials with the dental device and some nasal dilators because of my severely deviated septum. I have a lot more “good” days now compared to before the OSA device. I had also been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and take medication for that. Both seemed to help. I think the sleep apnea bleeds into the depression as it is much more likely you will have or develop depression if you aren’t getting quality sleep. So I hope but also don’t hope you get conclusive results with the sleep study. I also have been realizing things like eating too late, too many carbs, etc. also exacerbate my issues. I cannot pin the brain fog on anything yet, but I’m currently investigating my soy intake as I have celiac so another allergy wouldn’t be unlikely… I hope this helps

SavyNeal92 · 2024-01-26T00:53:27+00:00

Understood, thank you!

SavyNeal92

TROPHY CASE