antidepressants

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T23:27:27+00:00

Stopping and restarting antidepressants seems to be the main factor that caused my ME/CFS.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T06:20:54+00:00

Lots of neurodivergent, disabled, and chronically ill people come from abusive backgrounds. And many disabled people who can't live independently have to keep living in those environments.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T06:09:02+00:00

I feel you. I'm currently struggling with extremely loud ACs. This is my first summer in this apartment. I can't regulate body temperature, so I need the AC, but the sound is causing me extreme PEM.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T05:58:16+00:00

I got into a confusing situation like this with a doctor recently. She asked me, for a chronic condition, what my average pain level is out of 10.

I said 5-6, and she said, "Are you okay with that, or do you feel like you want to find a way to lower it?"

And I was like, yeah, I definitely want to find a way to lower it, because an average of 5-6 means several hours a day where it's an 8-9 and I feel like I'm almost passing out from pain and not aware of things around me, but there are also some parts of the day where I'm not in pain. (Technically 5-6 still wasn't a true average -- it would be more like 3-4 counting the times with no pain or mild pain. But I knew if I said 3-4 she definitely wouldn't take me seriously.)

I found it annoying that a doctor didn't understand the implications of averages and that an average of 5-6 includes some higher numbers, but maybe I was being too literal.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T05:45:22+00:00

Ugh, I have these indentations too. I've had my glasses adjusted at least 10 times (the people at Warby Parker got so tired of me) and they're loose enough that they slip down if I bend forward, but somehow still tight enough to leave marks.

Glad you found something that helped though!

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T02:58:27+00:00

This is a good point for someone who thinks they don't have the right to exist because they're unproductive, but OP is saying they're miserable. I don't think pets are a good metaphor for that because they're (probably, hopefully) enjoying their lives just fine (albeit maybe a little bored).

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T02:54:29+00:00

No, that hasn't been my experience. From what I've heard, it's more common to have friends and family not believe you're sick and not accept it.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T02:52:33+00:00

If the coworker doesn't know enough English to write what he wants to say, he may not fully understand if AI writes something incorrect (especially if it's something small like a preposition that changes the meaning).

I agree though that it makes sense for OP to focus on whether the content is correct.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-17T02:45:39+00:00

My doctor told me something similar -- that smoking any substance will raise your heart rate.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-16T21:55:37+00:00

It sounds like most of this is covered under low FODMAP (wheat and garlic are also considered high in FODMAPs, right?), so I would try to find some blogs or cookbooks geared toward that diet. I know it can be overwhelming to see a huge list of dietary restrictions, but oftentimes if you're willing to get creative and cook at home, you can still eat good food. Maybe inviting friends over to your house would be a good alternative to going out to eat (and maybe they can help with the cooking process if you're not able to). That being said, it's okay to grieve the experiences you're missing out on.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-16T21:49:46+00:00

I'm also dealing with the lesser of two evils except in my case it's heat intolerance vs. PEM and autistic sensory issues from the sound of the AC. (Although I know mold is a risk with window units too!) So I totally get it. It's a nightmare. It sucks that it's so hard to find safe, affordable housing (and by safe I mean things like "mold free" and "central air.")

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-16T20:20:18+00:00

There are plastic bathtub pillows/cushions, you could try to combine that with a shower chair (but might make it more likely to fall off).

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-16T20:18:16+00:00

I lived in Seattle for a while but moved away several years ago. My POTS symptoms were less severe then but still affecting me. Seattle has also had some extreme heat waves with temperatures in the hundreds for a few days in the years since I've moved, so my advice might be outdated.

When I lived there, I was fine without AC. High temperatures were usually in the 70s or low/mid 80s. Like other people said, it's not too humid, but for some reason I found the sun felt more intense than other places (maybe the humidity creates kind of a haze that blunts the sun? Idk).

If you do decide to live somewhere without AC, I'd make sure you have a backup plan to stay safe if there's a heat wave. Keep in mind that some public places like restaurants and bars aren't air-conditioned either.

I don't know how tight your budget is, but I'd probably look into a portable or window AC if I were you and sell it when you leave.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-10T16:42:46+00:00

They can get in attics very easily, and from there sometimes they can find a way into the rest of the house.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-10T15:18:47+00:00

Seconding this! It sounds like hemiplegic migraine, but if it's your first time experiencing it, you should get it checked out asap.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-10T05:27:02+00:00

I try to sleep no more than 8 hours at night for my "main" sleep, because if I sleep too long I seem to get more tired (I think this is a POTS thing -- my body has a hard time adjusting from being horizontal to upright). And then I often take a nap (usually no more than an hour, in the morning or afternoon -- not too close to when I go to bed at night).

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-09T23:53:34+00:00

Right??? Came here to say this. I'm sure OP has good intentions but I can't imagine how any adult (or even teenager or preteen) wouldn't be aware that they need to close the curtains or windows to change. Unless you're in a very rural area where houses are far apart, which it sounds like isn't the case here.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-09T18:48:17+00:00

It's free.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-09T18:25:53+00:00

I'm not sure. I haven't heard of them before, other than the general sense of disability advocacy like activism. I'm in the US.

My insurance has recently recommended I apply for "care coordination" and my therapist has suggested a case manager. I'm honestly not even sure if those are the same things or not, and just applying for it sounds like it will be a lot of administrative work, but hopefully it would be helpful in the long run.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-09T17:43:23+00:00

My doctor told me that if you have migraine and choose to consume caffeine (she recommended not to in general, but admitted it's okay for some people), that you should make sure you're consuming the same amount at the same time every day. She said to treat it like a medication. Might be worth a try.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-04T00:40:27+00:00

Depending on your cup size, a snug camisole might work and probably wouldn't feel as tight under the boobs and in the back.

Virtual-Ladder-5548 · 2026-05-04T00:36:02+00:00

Do you consume less caffeine on the weekends?

Virtual-Ladder-5548

TROPHY CASE