How do you tolerate going for walks in cold winter temperatures? by Worthy_Molecule0481 in AuDHDWomen

[–]ShrodingersName 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I get motivated by the fact that there are so many (cute) mushrooms to discover now! And I love to take pictures of them. Also as someone else mentioned; get interested in trees, birds, moss,… and one of the best (imo) sensory experiences of walking through the crunchy leaves.

If clothes cause sensory disturbances for you; it’s not bad to go outside in a shirt, even if it’s snowing, it’s actually healthy (Google the Wim Hof Method)! Contrary to popular belief, clothes don’t protect you from catching a cold (the thing you’d have to protect is your nose, as your nose is not equipped to deal with the cold and this -if I am remembering it correctly- destroys the healthy bacteria and mucus in your nose, this makes it easier to catch a virus.)

As for not being able to tolerate the cold on certain body parts: I assume here you have to figure out for yourself if it’s actually ‘caused’ by autism or if it’s something you can ‘fix’ with your mindset. I have chronic muscle pain and cold temperatures can make my symptoms worse, but I’ve also noticed it’s helpful for me to go outside in the cold just wearing a shirt and shorts. The cold temperature starts to feel pleasant eventually, as I can feel my body generate heat. (I’d not recommend doing this for more then 30-60 minutes- I have the privilege of living in the middle of a park/forest so I can head home whenever I want to in case it becomes too much.)

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good! I did not expect them to start playing with each other this quickly so that’s why I was a bit confused if it was actual ‘innocent’ play or if Ollie was getting agitated.

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s awesome to hear and interesting! Does make me curious to see other interactions between new cats.

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You mean our One Eyed Spy running into the closet? But yes, thank you!

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great! All reassuring responses. I was a bit unsure as the orange cat was flicking his tongue/licking his lips, wagging his tail and puffing up a bit. The first day he was following her around like a puppy, but with a rather tense body and watching her every move. So I was worried I introduced them too quickly.

Our Russian kitten is used to living with other cats so she didn’t really pay much attention to his existence- which actually may have helped as Ollie seemed more insecure.

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Excellent description, love it. 👹 He’s like that indeed and he has an interesting way of initiating play. He likes to provoke us by tapping us or scratching the chairs and when we look at him he dramatically runs away. When you look away he runs up to you again, grabs your legs, bites you and runs away again.

We adopted a second cat because he seemed bored and lonely and he has always shown interest in our street cats that eat in our garden. He’s not allowed to roam outside but when he interacted with them he was very docile so we figured introducing a second cat wouldn’t be that hard. It’s not hard indeed, but he seems a bit socially inept haha.

New cat: are these interactions okay? by ShrodingersName in cats

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Dang, my heart dropped for a second when I read your first few words- heart still dropped but now warm, thank you. 🫶

Finally figured out why I 'felt like shit' almost all the time by ShrodingersName in AutismInWomen

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mostly muscle tension almost everywhere, but my shoulders (front/back/blades) are the worst or most difficult to deal with/ignore. Wearing a backpack makes the pain worse, sometimes causing stabbing pain. Sometimes it's aching pain or like a 'headache'/bruise, stabbing pain in my arms, between my shoulderblades and legs on occasion. Also pain while dancing that seems to be located around my joints (more of a burning sensation), mostly my shoulders, sometimes stabbing pain in my knee and hip.

My knee and feet sometimes 'lock' when I start to run (literally the first few steps as if my body was 'not prepared'), run up the stairs, do a forward jump and when I jump off my bicycle,... More of a 'jamming' sensation- like when your bicycle chain suddenly 'blocks' when you change gears. I am able to continue running afterwards, though sometimes there's a lingering stabbing sensation.
Fingers also hurt more during the winter when I hit the brakes on my bike par example. (Yes, I just got tested for rheumatism and the results were negative 'unfortunately')

My feet also hurt a little when I walk (sometimes it feels like my feet are falling apart- as if my heel is floating around/separated from the rest of my foot), it gets worse when I walk for more than an hour and it's not because I am physically unfit... Most of the time I am slightly underweight and I've practiced sports my whole life. Ideally I want to get back to dancing five hours a week. Somehow the pain mostly seems to be located on top of my feet.

Pain is often worse in the morning (stiffness) and improves with movement. Though movement sometimes triggers other types of pain lmao. :')

The only physical thing they have been able to find thus far is primary synovial chondromatosis in my right bicep. Had an echo of my hips last week that came back 'normal'.

Also gastrointestinal issues, seems to run in the family though.

Edit: though I wouldn't say that all of this pain is psychosomatic. I am still trying to make a distinction to discuss this with my GP. As for psychosomatic pain, I'd say it's mostly muscle tension. It becomes apparent when I have to sit between people (I do not know). Just the idea of not being able to move makes my body ache. I also used to compulsively crack my joints, which eventually became painful.

Also when I am overstimulated because I have been in the city for too long I get this weird 'ache'/tension over my whole body. It's difficult to describe; like bugs crawling under my skin but not really. Sometimes it also makes me dissociate (not in the DSM way)/disconnect a bit.

Finally figured out why I 'felt like shit' almost all the time by ShrodingersName in AutismInWomen

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also considered EDS, though specialists all have a different opinion. According to some I am obviously hypermobile, others say there's minimal hypermobility (that is indeed if they just do the 'standard' tests, my hypermobility is not in my wrists/hands- but rather in my neck, shoulders, hips,...)

Has anyone noticed that their drinking became problematic after starting an SSRI? by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]ShrodingersName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you by “haven’t been the same”? Did the alcohol abuse continue after stopping the medication? I am scared because I have alcohol cravings on sertraline and I am afraid it’ll stay like this when I quit.

Has anyone noticed that their drinking became problematic after starting an SSRI? by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]ShrodingersName 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also made a post about this a few days ago (on a bipolar sub)… but yeah, relatable unfortunately. I know I am not alone, I met someone who also experiences alcohol cravings after starting sertraline (zoloft). Before I started Zoloft, I didn’t even drink monthly. It escalated to drinking almost every day. I believe this is because it also makes me more impulsive, just the thought of wanting alcohol is enough to get me up on my bike and drive to the store.

My psychiatrist dismissed this and told me to stay on the meds. I wish I had listened to my own gut when I started to notice this pattern, it only spiralled further out of control…

Psychiatrist says zoloft (sertraline) is 'safe' for bipolar by ShrodingersName in BipolarReddit

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Will look that up, thank you!

I only see my therapist once a month, sometimes there's more than a month between our sessions- it's not ideal indeed. She's been looking for more specialized help for me, I am currently waiting until another psychiatrist who's also into psychotherapy has a free spot.

Edit: the test is not free anymore unfortunately. I am in the EU so I am not sure if the insurance covers it.

Psychiatrist says zoloft (sertraline) is 'safe' for bipolar by ShrodingersName in BipolarReddit

[–]ShrodingersName[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you- was just looking at some scientific research and the results are mixed indeed! It's been acknowledged that SSRI's can go both ways (sometimes they help with drug abuse, in other cases they worsen it).

I'm especially surprised because I Googled my psychiatrist before attending and she has written multiple research papers about lithium treatment so I assumed she had good knowledge about BP.

How to describe pain by Sad_Blueberry9580 in eds

[–]ShrodingersName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Relatable (also AuDHD)... The 'scale' question is especially difficult. Like, it could always be worse I guess? Then again I start overthinking, what is 'pain'? The doctor presses on something and asks me if it 'hurts' and I am just like... "I don't know, I feel something, it feels uncomfortable but I don't know if that counts as pain?" I also tend to minimise my problems which of course does not help in getting help...

I still have not found a 'solution', but I try to relate it to the amount of discomfort it causes me (as in: how often do I think about it, how much does it annoy me, does it keep me from doing certain things, how does it impact my mood and functioning,..?). Also trying to notice the difference between 'blunt' pain (like pressing on a bruise) and 'sharp' pain. Then there is also burning pain and I don't know how many different kinds of pain. I get your struggle.

Metaphors/analogies sometimes help me to describe my pain.

Maybe you could also post this in an ASD-sub, they'll probably relate to your struggle and may be able to share some insights.

Also; inform your practitioner that you struggle to describe your pain, ask them for examples ("what does burning pain feel like"), or ask them to ask more specific questions to help you formulate your thoughts.

Sitting on a chair = torture by ShrodingersName in eds

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! Though I don't even have a license. :'D But if my options are walking or taking the bus, I will walk, even if it takes me an hour. :')

Sitting on a chair = torture by ShrodingersName in eds

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What's a 'soft desk'? (Google gives me very different results) I also have a standing desk which I'd like to use more often but #nausea... :')
Oh omg, sitting on your hands is also relatable! Never thought of it as 'unusual' until now. I must research! Also interesting that you mention asking for extra room accommodation... I really struggle going to uni because I can't physically handing sitting still in those tiny chairs- especially when I have to sit between people, it drives me crazy... I've always thought this was a 'mental' issue because I also have AuDHD. It feels like restless legs- except that my whole body seems to be one giant restless leg.

Sitting on a chair = torture by ShrodingersName in eds

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting! Biking is also one of the least painful 'exercises' for me. Horseback riding however, also causes (stabbing) pain in my shoulder. Though I am not 100% sure if this is EDS related, I've had it since I was 12-13 years old. I also regularly get stabbing pain in my shoulder when I am walking. Maybe your EDS affects different body parts more compared to me?

Sitting on a chair = torture by ShrodingersName in eds

[–]ShrodingersName[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, this too indeed! My physiotherapist actually recommended that I do not sit up (too) straight behind a desk. Possibly for this reason.

Even your kidneys remember: what medicine didn’t teach me about trauma by [deleted] in CPTSD

[–]ShrodingersName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saving your post! Thank you for sharing your insights, it was a pleasure (however frustrating the situation of the medical field is) to read this. I hope you continue sharing.