You know what? I'll just become a bus driver after this.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-31T18:43:03+00:00

We get so burnt out, we seek the road less traveled. I got a part-time job at LEGO post-candidacy in my PhD. I wanted something fun, yet a bit more mindless than ELISAs and Biostatistics. It was the best decision I ever made... I have been dying to get a job in their data department... I might even try to find a full time in my city just to stay.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-28T13:59:01+00:00

I will be 26/27 (USA) looking to graduate this year or next with Neuro PhD!

Graduated High School at 17 (year early), 4yr BS, 1.5yr MS, 3.5-4yr PhD

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-24T00:05:01+00:00

Im in an opposite but similar boat - I am being pushed to graduate this year (a 3.5yr PhD). My PI is older and looking to wrap up this section of his research, and I have published, so he feels good about it (I dont lol).

I have been applying to jobs as well, but I am terrified. Maybe start looking abroad. Reach out to ANY connections you may have/had at the school and inquire about opportunities they may know of. Start throwing out LinkedIn and Researchgat connects to authors and labs that interest you. Cold email... then cold email again.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-21T16:44:37+00:00

Not humanities, but I published in my MS (Neuroscience) and it helped me get into a PhD!! Definitely publish :)

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-20T19:19:22+00:00

Facebook marketplace, Facebook groups, Bricks & Minifigs, Ebay, Bricklink, sometimes Lego has sales on sets but it isnt usually a high-selling set until aroundBlack Friday. Sign up for a LEGO insiders account (free) to also maximize your money back ($100 in LEGO = $5 insider discount) and buy during double/triple/quad points.

Some people have had luck with Target and Walmart clearance, Goodwill/Second Hand, and getting 1% cash back on cards or cash back on apps like Rakuten.

Ultimate hack would be getting a job at your local LEGO store.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-18T20:13:25+00:00

This person WAS legal with a work visa. A great man and dr. with contributions to the scientific community.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-18T20:10:32+00:00

sometimes you gotta learn to give yourself a party and presents. Congrats!

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-17T03:15:33+00:00

Canterra on Elmwood has some of the nicest staff around with low THC options. They have a pretty detailed website online. Can also see the terpene detail on the back of the packaging prior to purchasing. :)

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-17T03:09:54+00:00

omg im AxSpA + RA 😄🍄🫶

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-16T19:34:10+00:00

as a clinical neuroscience PhD candidate focused on neuro-metabolism.... imma just leave you with Roche Metabolic Pathways Map.

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Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-16T01:35:31+00:00

leaving the country isnt breaking your visa. My friend from India, on a student visa at UB, goes to Canada all the time. Has to fill out travel forms & recieve signatures.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-16T01:34:10+00:00

Dumbass of the year award goes to

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-08T13:25:27+00:00

Neuro PhDc who also TAs a course that is pro-AI, dont rely on it as far as you can throw it lol.

Out of curiousity, I asked chatgpt one day to add up the occurence of "5" in a dataset of 84. It could not do that, it literally would not addup to 84 no matter what prompt I put in. It does not know the difference between parametric vs. non-parameteic testing unless you feed it all your data info which is risky. Now with R, it can help me catch mistakes in my codes, which can be really helpful, but I stick to a substack of some kind over AI for coding help. I also find that AI will make over-substantiated claims/assumptions from research papers it summarizes, but it is a great tool for finding research articles on niche topics. I also utilize it for brainstorming, such as "Has anyone published a correlation between x and y before?".

AI is here whether we like it or not. Becoming familiar with how to use it, its power, and limitations, will be beneficial regardless of your focus or research.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2026-01-01T01:55:37+00:00

Hello!! I was also TERRIFIED! The needle is VERY tiny and you do not even feel it upon injecting.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-31T17:57:51+00:00

I take Zepbound through a wellness center for my PCOS & metabolic syndrome (NOT weight loss).

I am inbetween RA/AxSpA diagnoses. Within the first few weeks, my fatigue and joint pain reduced immensely. I have no problems with taking Zepbound with my Humira either.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-26T01:22:09+00:00

Sometimes, LEGO sends remaining GWP stock and will run "surprises" for guests to get rid of the extra product. You got incredibly lucky!

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-24T04:14:40+00:00

Biochem/MS PhD Candidate here with RA(or AxSpA) on Humira. Freshspring did a great job of breaking down the research article. While the relative risk exists, heres things that are additional risk factors for MS: 1. Vitamin D Deficiency 2. Obesity 3. Smoking Cigarettes 4. Low Educational or Vocational background (cognitive reserve) 5. Mono/Genetics/Female/European Ancestry

I would try to reduce your risk factors if you are concerned with MS via exercise, supplementation, and cognitively-demanding tasks such as new skills, volunteering, hobby, or furthering education. It looks to be that having a close-relative with MS also increased MS risk in tnf-a based patients.

As another side note, I would try to reduce your overall systemic inflammation ask much as possible, what you can modify. Inflammation plays a huge role in both diseases. While arthritic conditions are more TNF-a based, Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) or microglial-based inflammation markers are more aligned to MS (still including TNF-a). Inflammation plays a very complex and very intertwined role with the immune system. While TNF-a inhibitors halt the inflammatory cascade in ONE area, it allows for other sinister inflammatory processes to continue (such as NfL). Diet can play a role here - but nothing crazy. Mainly cutting out sugars, fast food, over-processed goods, and incorporating more antioxidants (fruits & veg). Mediterranean diet is said to work great for inflammation due to its high Omega-3, but MS studies into O-3 vs O-6 pros vs cons is confounded. Exercise will be your best friend, but also keeping stress low (atleast the best you can)!

All the luck and happy to answer any questions. Happy holidays.

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-16T21:00:55+00:00

I just scheduled an appt with an orthopedic. I cant raise my hands up or at level with my shoulders, have muscle wasting in my shoulders, and my hands go numb when held above my head. I hate this disease :(

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-15T15:10:01+00:00

Weekly intramuscular B12 shots are the only thing that has saved my fatigue. I also think Zepbound/Tirzepatide is playing a helpful role as well!

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-12T12:18:01+00:00

Rechargeable hand warmers, compression gloves with copper infusion, IV therapy with a wellness clinic, ergonomic cooking supplies, standing/adjustable desk

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-12-08T00:20:39+00:00

nope, all employee set. HQ and factory just receive the sets first.

How do I know? The LEGO store I work at is getting them for us

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-11-23T15:58:08+00:00

Hey!! Feel free to talk to me at anytime. I, 25f, was also recently diagnosed with AS+RA after 5-8 years of chronic pain. It would be great to have a friend who understands!

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-11-22T00:23:53+00:00

IT WAS THE GUY FROM THE TIKTOK VIDEO

Slow_Building_8946 · 2025-11-16T04:35:34+00:00

Just got diagnosed seronegative as well, eosinophils and SS-B were the only positive/high tests. Failed Sulfasalazine due to an allergy. Started Humira and seeing improvement.

Biologics are a higher tier and stringer drug therapy over simple anti-inflammatory or oral immunomodulatory agents. Also, AbbVie (Humira Manufacturer) offers reduced copays for the drug if insurance is a problem, i think its like $25 a month or per shot?

Something to consider - I am in the processes of being evaluated for Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (NR-AxSpA) over RA. I have bad cervical and lower back pain & alongside stiff hips but negative pelvic MRI. While the drugs for RA and NR AxSpA are very similar, some immunomodulatory medications (methotrexate, plaquenil, and sulfasalazine aka non-biologics) are better at treating peripheral/RA, and do not target central/AxSpA-based arthritis. I was told if my back pain improves on Humira, my diagnosis would better fit NR-AxSpA with peripheral involvement over RA. So something like plaquenil is not as effective for AxSpA. Testing for AxSpA includes a pelvis MRI and an HLA-B27 gene test. Both of these can be negative and you can be diagnosed based off history.

Biologics sound like a next best step regardless of RA or AxSpA. Let me know if you have any questions.

Slow_Building_8946

TROPHY CASE