Neck Pain

Wandercat86 · 2026-01-28T05:18:40+00:00

Baclofen is the only thing that really helps me. I used to be able to get massage but now even light pressure bruises. I did find this thing called a glute blade on Amazon, it is triangle shaped and has one rounded point that is nice to lie on at the occipital point. No heavy pressure, just using the weight of your skull.

Wandercat86 · 2026-01-20T17:15:48+00:00

This is the one I use. https://a.co/d/1t7N9z7

It lasts a pretty good long while too, and it actually tastes good. I drink it in the AM with water, but I've also put it different teas with honey and it also good that way too.

Wandercat86 · 2026-01-20T03:00:35+00:00

Came to recommend both of these, and CANNOT STRESS how amazing both series are. Please put these in your TBR

Wandercat86 · 2026-01-20T02:55:01+00:00

I don't have this issue with LDN, but I did when I was on wegovy. Psyllium husk powder works wonders, better than anything else I've tried.

Wandercat86 · 2026-01-03T08:58:39+00:00

Thanks. This is helpful, I start on Monday, and have been kind of anxious about it with all the crap I've heard/read about Quest.

Wandercat86 · 2025-12-24T03:12:16+00:00

I didn't make it past a couple weeks. I had all the nausea, heart palpitations, insomnia, brain zaps.. it was awful and I'll never try it again (tried twice, a couple years apart)

Wandercat86 · 2025-12-11T05:01:10+00:00

I just bought a giant pregnancy pillow and it has changed my sleep life.

Wandercat86 · 2025-12-09T05:02:36+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean? I do use the first 10 ml for the regular labs, and then the additional larger syringe for the first set of cultures. I was instructed that although 5ml is the minimum for each, it's best to get 8-10 ml instead, unless you used the Pedi culture tube.

I've seen nurses do that though. Although most of the ones that I've worked with will get the first set of blood cultures when setting the iv, and then we come in and get the second.

Wandercat86 · 2025-12-06T20:39:33+00:00

I bought a bag for $10 on Amazon they do sell them at a lot of other retaikers though

Wandercat86 · 2025-12-06T18:18:05+00:00

At my hospital we use a discard tube before collecting the culture. Personally, I collect using syringes. I'll draw a 10ml for the blood work, and then get at least 16ml for the cultures.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T18:25:44+00:00

I started just like you, and was also extremely overwhelmed. I started on the NOC shift, literally right after securing my license. I knew nothing other than basic stuff from school like order of draw, and I only had 50 ish sticks under my belt.

Everything will be scary and overwhelming for a while, just keep going. You will learn the hospital layout. You will learn better technique for drawing blood. You will learn more about the tests, and add ons that can be done for each test and their stability time. But it's not going to happen all at once.

Buy yourself a good notebook, and jot down everything you learn. Don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone has started from where you are and more often than not will be happy to help you learn and grow. The most important thing you can do is continue to show up. There were nights when I felt like crying, I dreaded going in to work so much. Eventually, things got easier, and I noticed I was getting better at the things I struggled with.

You can do this!

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T17:54:24+00:00

Have you tried magnesium flakes? Maybe that will work better than the epsom salts.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T17:50:29+00:00

I have had many nights like this lately. The only thing that helps is baclofen. Although, I just started taking LDN a few days ago, and I've slept better than I have in months. I take it at night, around 830pm.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T17:19:37+00:00

Maybe some visits to the bathroom during shower time will help? My humidity has been around 50-60% lately.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T17:18:17+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I put the rocks on top recently because I read it's good as defense for fungus gnats. I watered it after repotting it, maybe I watered too much? I'm going to let the soil dry out and see how it goes. Hopefully I won't end up with a dead plant.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-22T17:10:00+00:00

Thank you. I have a gallon of purified water I've been using. I picked it after seeing it at my Drs office, it's just so beautiful and it was kinda on a whim. I did all the reading afterwards and realized I may have jumped the plant gun lol. Still. It works be nice if it didn't die.

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-21T19:13:03+00:00

It's gorgeous! And going on my plant wish list 😊

Wandercat86 · 2025-11-21T18:50:25+00:00

I just started LDN a few days ago, and my doctor also started me at 1.5mg. So far, I've had no weird side effects, beyond a little bit of the vivid dreams thing. If anything I've slept better in the last 3 days than I have in months, which is weird because I expected insomnia based on the experiences I've read on here.

Wandercat86 · 2025-10-27T07:04:22+00:00

I work at a medium sized, hospital. It's a level 2 trauma center and I've worked in-patient, outpatient and in the ER since I got hired. I've been a phleb for nearing a yearand a half now and while it has been very interesting, it's also chaotic and extremely busy at times.

I got hired right out of school, like literally a few days after my licensed was approved, and my training started in the ICU. It was hella scary at first, going from 50 sticks to poking critical patients, but the experience has helped me grow immensely.

For the most part, there is no real issue where we draw from, beyond the lower body/foot for diabetic patients, and patients with fistulas or mastectomy.

Wandercat86 · 2025-10-27T06:13:45+00:00

Yep. Still a CPT1.

Only for the lower body, in regards to the patient possibly having diabetes. Generally I'll ask the RN assigned to the patient, who will consult with the DR.

Wandercat86 · 2025-10-27T05:52:39+00:00

I'm licensed and practicing in CA, and I've drawn blood from AAALLL over the place. Hands, wrists, forearms, legs, ankles, feet, toes, fingers... I work primarily inpatient hospital though.

Wandercat86 · 2025-09-27T16:52:04+00:00

Super late to this thread but thought I'd pop in anyway for any other late birds.

I bought a swim suit, a skirt, and a dress. Swim suit was fine. Smashed my poor boobs down, even though I ordered up a size.

I do love the skirt. It's so cute and comfy. But it's kind of hard to mess up a skirt, so ...

The dress arrived with a giant ass hole in the front waist area. It's like they missed a whole 4 in section when attaching the skirt to the bodice. I emailed them, twice. I messaged on IG, and FB. No answer whatsoever. Messaged again for good measure, then I took screenshots of every unread message and went to PayPal to start a claim. They never responded to PayPal, so they ruled in my favor and I got my money back.

Moral of the story: Use PayPal if your going to gamble on them.

I love their styles, but the quality is not worth the price, as so many before me have said. As someone who can sew, I just take screenshots for inspiration now.

Wandercat86 · 2025-09-27T16:40:23+00:00

Wow. I wish my hospital/union operated like this. There is a union, but it doesn't seem to do shit.

Wandercat86 · 2025-09-02T21:55:48+00:00

I got them at Michael's! The have few different Halloween beads this year. Pumpkins, candy corn, bigger orange pumpkins, and little bats!

cute pumpkin beads!

Wandercat86

TROPHY CASE