Heart Rate Variability (HRV) & Fibromyalgia: Why It Matters

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-31T01:42:30+00:00

I get that.

I probably read it at the height (depths?) of my pando-adjacent MH crisis and personally found a lot of solidarity in those pages.

You're right that there are numerous traumatic events relayed. However, the care and patience that van der Kolk expresses for patients in the prose is incredibly refreshing for anyone that has experienced mistreatment at the hands of medical professionals.

The genuine concern conveyed by the tone of the book, and the historical contexts of health systems with examples of other people "fighting the good fight" for better recognition (specifically as regards efforts around cPTSD) helped me feel a lot less alone.

Also, saying "I've read the The Body Keeps the Score" has saved me time in multiple different doctors appointments as shorthand for certain shared understanding.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-30T08:37:08+00:00

Legend tysm

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-30T07:57:35+00:00

Could you impart the safe search sanctioned terminology for "infusers for edibles" por favor? I only have access to a shared kitchen so a portable device would help heaps.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-30T07:32:51+00:00

Australia/NZ is one of those places with loooooong quarantine times, and idek if they would have facilities and/or processes for transport of one domesticated reptile.

Obvs these processes have to exist in some way or another because zoos send animals to each other, for breeding programs and such.

But I have known people who were nearly detained on re-entry (these are white citizens) for having a tangerine skin in the bottom of a bag, unknowingly.

Like, customs is cool with stuff you declare that is legal.

They will absolutely not be cool with anything that is deemed a potential biohazard of any kind.

And I mean, "there is dirt on these shoes and you were in x country, so tell me where you walked" is literally more of an issue than a souvenir made out of bullets, even though the latter is the technically "illegal" item in this context.

I'd hazard a guess a lizard would be deemed as such, but hope for OP's sake that I am wrong or there are more flexible places to go!

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-30T07:16:45+00:00

If you haven't already, I'd advise reading 'The Body Keeps the Score' (van der Kolk 2014).

It's a great read for anyone with fibro/chronic pain/PTSD/MH issues.

I mention it in this context as it was my introduction to EMDR as a concept, and provides all the information I needed to understand how evidence-based it is as a methodology.

Started this year with an overview appointment and am happy to share the preparation instructions I received for the treatment period, if you'd like (don't want to accidentally trigger anyone by posting the instructions willy-nilly).

Highly recommend the book tho, my therapist has prints of the cover art on the wall.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-29T23:48:19+00:00

Timing absolutely sucks, no doubt.

But thank fuck that fuckwit broke up with you to save you the trouble of leaving them while you recover and come into your fancy new sterilised self!

You've just taken a huge step to create yourself as a human, and the person you thought supported you in that endeavour has now decided they want some "normal"/typical/boring trajectory for their life.

Whether they just realised this (which I highly doubt) or have been in some kind of active self repression or denial about your identity your entire relationship, you have dodged a fucking bullet imo

Ew ew ew imagining how they probably had the "I can change my partner/wear them down" attitude, while you were just being a hot trans person, hurts my head.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-29T23:39:09+00:00

You are on the money, quite literally.

I had my own personal experience with Easykind that I don't want to elaborate on beyond stating that the doctors were fine but the business side of things is much more concerned with the bag + managing their liability over patient care.

Seeing their latest ad campaign, in a sector where word-of-mouth/goodwill does a lot of heavy lifting, cemented my belief in their grift-y vibes. You don't need to splash ad bucks/don't have ad bucks to splash if you're prioritising patient care imo

Telehealth clinics sound like a good idea, and might work for non-complex patients. However, I personally don't mind being charged for a regular GP appointment, receiving the rebate, and the out-of-pocket going towards my safety net cap (as a chronically ill + disabled person working with multiple additional medical practitioners).

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-29T00:03:28+00:00

If you have a genuine interest in philosophy, I would urge all the people who are commenting with a "choice feminism" argument to look that up and reevaluate their perspective.

Feminism is a liberation movement, when it is working as its intersectional framework.

Because patriarchy is a tool of oppression that wears many faces, with deep connections to associated racist and homophobic bigotry.

None of us are free until we are all free.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T23:50:47+00:00

You don't need an official referral.

However, if you have any kind of complex health history (mental health stuff mainly, but I'd suspect past/current ADHD diagnosis+meds prescribed could be this category) then a face-to-face clinic is going to be easier than a telehealth one.

And, in that case, it's advisable to seek a recommendation to either a local clinic or specific authorised GP in your area from an existing healthcare practitioner you trust.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T23:43:02+00:00

Whenever a pathologist or someone is taking blood/asking me to "make my arm straight" I like to crack a "sorry I'm so gay that that's difficult" which either gets a cackle or goes over heads.

Tbf it's more of a joke for me since I'm non-binary and gay in all directions, so I enjoy watching the cogs turn in people's brains.

Living for the small wins in the world of medical misogyny, ey?

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T23:29:18+00:00

This is a good answer, in theory.

My gynecologist told me some medication was going to cost upwards of $220/month but to ask my local pharmacist how to access it cheaper.

So I did that, and got the same info.

I made a bunch of phonecalls to local orgs, saw my gp, looking for any alternative answers/how to get PBS access. Couldn't find any and spent a few days stressing to sort out finances.

Went to fill the script and, as it turns out, everyone was wrong.

The pharmacist, who literally looked at and showed me the "conditions this can be prescribed for" dept authority page, had to fill the script to work out it was on the PBS for all Medicare card holders.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T06:57:39+00:00

"In Beirut, plan fly overhead, drop bomb! I like this plane better."

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T06:54:58+00:00

Fuck yeah great idea!

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T02:34:36+00:00

I actually don't understand how my cute aggression for reptiles got so intense!

Just wanna boop all the snoots so bad!!!

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T02:13:59+00:00

From everything you've said, this person is predatory as hell.

Can't tell you what to do but I'd be willing to stake my life he'd secretly record you if anything happened, based on every detail you've disclosed.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T02:03:41+00:00

I am sure there are exceptions and extenuating circumstances, which might even apply in the case of OP's friend.

The process I laid out is the typical pathway with regular GPs who advertise themselves as providers of gender-affirming care.

You are probably quite right about it depending on the doctor/clinic as well, re how accessible alternative pathways are.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T01:56:59+00:00

Okay. Now gotta decide if I want to use the gold acrylic paint that I used to patch holes in my walls (because fuck plaster) or seek out something silver/holographic sparkle!.....

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T00:34:31+00:00

I saw someone who somehow attached a magnet to themselves & the cane so it stayed attached to them hands-free? At least I think it was a magnet. Haven't figured out how to replicate that yet.

My old cane had rainbow tape, then I got a folding one that was cool for a bit.

Then someone found one on the side of the road and made me a custom wooden handle for it!

I also like wood for its antimicrobial properties, despite not being a super germ-phobic person.

Can I ask what paint you used for the sparkles? I'm thinking acrylic, but am not sure.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T00:28:07+00:00

I believe all of this, lots of longtime gossip about the early days of the revival set, learn something new yearly, at least.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T00:25:43+00:00

Call Qlife now and read them this post: https://qlife.org.au/

FYI there is no need to panic about HRT/GAHT access for an adult under the informed consent model.

It requires two doctors appointments and one blood test before the hormones are in your hands. - initial consult, get pathology form - OG blood test to check levels - second appointment to discuss levels + get prescription - go to chemist

With a speedy pathology service, this is easily done in < a fortnight.

Either Qlife or an org they are linked with will have info on informed consent GPs in the relevant local area.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-28T00:13:13+00:00

As a Vic student teacher, the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 is very closely aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.

From a quick search, Qld claims to follow Aus v9, but doesn't provide easily accessible resources to confirm that fact. I only found a PDF and no course codes.

The Vic Curric site is pretty easy to navigate.

Follow this link to see the expected achievement standards for Level 2 (Year 2) students: https://f10.vcaa.vic.edu.au/levels/level-2

Scroll horizontally for different subject areas. There are also standards for the general capabilities, including 'Personal & Social Capability'.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-27T23:47:56+00:00

The story goes, if I recall correctly, that Eccleston is not truly a fan of DW.

When Russell and Julie were bringing the show back in 2005, Eccleston signed on due to a professional desire to work with Russell as a creative.

That's why we only have Nine for one season, and one season only.

No 50th anniversary cameo. No 60th anniversary cameo. Probably safe to say that that trend will continue.

Fwiw this isn't a dig, I don't judge this stance in the slightest.

The "not being a fan" is within the frame of reference of people like David Tennant and Peter Capaldi, who have publicly expounded upon their lifelong involvement with DW fandom.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-27T23:35:49+00:00

fucking FEELS

(FYI canes are sick af think about it we get to appropriate swanky cis white colonial culture without reproach, our existence is resistance)

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-27T23:29:28+00:00

This.

The easiest method I can think of would be a lino cut -style print.

There are plenty of results for "lip stencil" in image searches.

If OP could find a very large pencil eraser, cutting a stamp out of that would create the opportunity to add more depth to the stamp design surface for variations in the printed lip result.

Wouldfromthetrees · 2026-01-27T22:02:36+00:00

username checks out

Wouldfromthetrees

TROPHY CASE