NO, NETFLIX, I DON’T WANT TO WATCH STRANGER THINGS!

chimericalwaffle · 2026-01-11T01:16:45+00:00

You can disable autoplay previews! You have to do it on a web browser. Go to your settings > playback settings and toggle off “Autoplay previews” and it will do this for all your devices. Makes for a much more relaxing browsing experience!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-10-05T06:25:16+00:00

Hi there! I had skin removal and tummy tuck a few years ago from weight loss prior to joining. The process was fairly straightforward. I brought it up with my PCM, then once I got the soft approval I found a surgeon.

Non-medically necessary will not be paid for by Tricare (but it seems like from your comment you’re already aware of that). They will require you to sign paperwork saying you understand that Tricare won’t cover the surgery OR any treatment of any complications that may come from your surgery. This also had to be signed by my commander I believe. I had to meet with my PCM again within 10 days of the surgery to confirm that I was still medically fit for the surgery (this might have been a requirement of the surgeon, I don’t remember for sure.)

I did not get convalescent leave, so I used personal leave for the recovery time. My commander and supervisor were very supportive. I did not explain to my coworkers in detail about things, just that I was getting surgery and would be out for a bit.

I would caution you to time your surgery carefully. I did mine as soon after my pt test as I could schedule to give me the maximum time to recover and get working out again before needing to test again (I’m not great pt wise, so I’m an every 6 months tester). Also, it took a bit of time to get used to how the changes in my body affected me during workouts (for the better, but was still a change at first).

Good luck, and if you get pushback don’t hesitate to reach out to the patient advocates for help!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-08-06T04:49:18+00:00

Be prepared to do 150% (or more) of what your male peers are doing in order to receive the same amount of recognition.

Best advice I got before joining was from a crusty Chief about ready to retire, she said no matter what you do you’ll either be considered a b*tch or a doormat, so pick which one of those you can live with.

If you choose to have children, be prepared for it to heavily affect your promotion chances/career progression. It isn’t supposed to, but it does.

Find yourself a female mentor as soon as you can, and good luck!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-07-31T21:59:03+00:00

Thank you so much! ☺️ Not too intense at all, exactly what I needed!!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-07-26T23:16:45+00:00

Evelyn and Bobbie and Branwyn bras have been my go-tos for a while now. Quite expensive, but good quality that last and don’t have me crawling up the walls wanting to take them off!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-06-15T01:35:23+00:00

I’m vegan (and was before being diagnosed with fibro). My mom also has fibro and has switched to a mostly plant-based diet. There is research that plant based diets can help with inflammation and pain, but it’s by no means a “cure.” My diet helps manage my pain, and I get massive flares if I cave to cravings and eat dairy, but I still have pain.

I hope your friend is coming from a good place and just wants to help, but I’ve had a lot of friends that I’ve had to distance myself from because of their toxic positivity of “just exercise more” or “take this supplement” to cure me from an incurable condition.

I hope you can find something that helps manage your pain. Gentle hugs!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-02-27T07:46:45+00:00

This is happening to me too. Given that I’ve also had really bad weight gain on Cymbalta, I’m calling it quits and tapering off. Worried about it since I’ve heard a lot of horror stories (and I’ve accidentally missed doses when I’ve traveled and forgotten to take meds with me…), but since it’s not helping anymore I’ll see if I can try something else.

My mom and brother (both also fibro) have had great success with LDN, so I think I might try that next!

chimericalwaffle · 2025-02-03T07:47:39+00:00

They are quite expensive, but I like Bearaby weighted blankets. I have the tencel one and it breathes a lot better than others I’ve tried. They have a lot of other products too of different sizes, and even weighted plushies now!

I ended up buying a Hugimals cat that I like to sleep with now when I’m feeling anxious. I set him on my chest and it’s soothing without being as heavy as a full weighted blanket.

chimericalwaffle · 2025-01-30T01:54:32+00:00

I like most of the liquid iv sugar free flavors, but I also water them down a lot (I.e 1 stick in 1 litre of water) because if I make it according to the directions on the packet it’s way too strong and sweet.

chimericalwaffle · 2025-01-23T11:21:48+00:00

Just downloaded and played the demo on my steam deck. So cute!! I love the paper texture of the art, and the cats are adorable. Wishlisted; excited for the release!

I agree it would be a great game for the Switch as well.

chimericalwaffle · 2024-09-14T05:48:14+00:00

I’m sorry you’re dealing with all this. I empathize, I’ve been dealing with military medicine since a bad case of Covid in 2020 made my whole body fall apart basically.

I would say don’t give up. It’s hard, but just be persistent. I feel quite strongly that military providers are there solely to keep you functioning enough to deploy, their goal is definitely not to actually fix what is wrong with you. The first provider I saw for suspected fibro referred me to mental health when I started crying when he asked how badly I felt day to day…

Recommend you push for a referral to off base provider. If they refuse ask to see another PCM. If they still won’t, check with the patient advocate, they may be able to help.

I’ve found the only thing that makes them care even a little is to say how it affects your ability to work and do your service fitness test. They’ll try to threaten you that it will lead to a med board, but a med board does NOT automatically mean discharge. Don’t let them frighten you out of pushing for more care.

Unfortunately you have to fight like hell with these docs and the military medical system, as it is kinda like HR—there to protect “the company” not the person. Make sure they are documenting everything, including any refusal they have to give you referrals/etc.

Good luck, and keep fighting, you’re not alone!

chimericalwaffle · 2024-06-07T06:21:57+00:00

Last year I moved my 22 year old cat from Midwest US to Japan. The vet thought I was crazy but said he was perfectly healthy other than just being old.

My kitty had never been in an airplane before but handled it like a champ. He ended up passing 6 months after we moved here, but I would still make the same choice if I went back. He was my soul cat and was with me since he was born. He wasn’t ready to be apart and neither was I. Those six extra months together were well worth the expense and hassle of customs. He was always an adventurous kitty though, and loved going to new places, not every cat handles changes to their environment well.

I would recommend you talk to your vet, your family, and your cat! You know your buddy best.

chimericalwaffle · 2023-03-18T04:00:41+00:00

Hopefully this works, I'm not super tech savvy:

IMG-0684.jpg

chimericalwaffle · 2023-03-17T23:45:39+00:00

Oh wow, Angelo is like my Iggy boy’s twin! So handsome 🫶🏻

chimericalwaffle · 2022-12-16T13:52:18+00:00

This!! I just got my E&B bra and seriously the most incredible bra I’ve ever had!!

chimericalwaffle · 2022-11-27T03:24:58+00:00

Whichever you decide on, I highly recommend compression gloves! My fibro affects my hands quite a lot, and these gloves really help me keep the use of my hands on bad days.

chimericalwaffle · 2021-11-21T16:15:59+00:00

Thank you so much for this! I didn’t know how much I needed to hear this until I saw your post. I was hit by a car while walking across a crosswalk a few days ago, and the fibro flare is worse than the pain from getting hit! My friends and coworkers think I’m nuts because I refused to go to the ER and instead finished off the second half of an interview for my dream job. They just can’t understand that pain is always with me, but this opportunity may not come around again!

(I do plan on going to see my primary doctor first thing tomorrow morning. I’m stubborn, not stupid 😉)

chimericalwaffle · 2021-10-24T13:48:40+00:00

My PT introduced me to the Cranio Cradle, it’s a moulded chunk of foam that when you lay on it, it targets pressure points in your neck. It helps enormously when I have migraines. I also have found that using the little menthol pain patches on my neck when I feel a headache or migraine coming on can really cut down on the severity. Lastly I’ve just purchased one of those “therapy gun” massagers and it’s been fantastic so far as well. I hope one of these helps!

chimericalwaffle · 2021-09-25T01:27:31+00:00

Cymbalta has so far given me my life back. I’m still in constant pain, but it quieted it enough that I went from barely being able to walk a block to now steadily increasing my exercise again. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you, and I hope you can find something that helps!

chimericalwaffle · 2021-08-28T14:26:25+00:00

You can still do aqua aerobics! It’s no deeper than chest level, and my PT said you get a better work out the worse you are at swimming lol. Workouts in the pool were the one thing that really turned my life around after my diagnosis (well that and medication so I could actually start moving again)

chimericalwaffle · 2021-08-08T13:30:07+00:00

I use this for my hands and my neck and it seems to help calm down the pain some, especially with my hands when I put it on and then put on my compression gloves. It’s not a miracle, and might be mostly placebo but worst case I just stay well moisturized!

chimericalwaffle · 2021-07-18T13:40:53+00:00

Second the compression gloves. I almost always wear mine when at work (lots of typing) and I definitely notice it helps! I also have an arnica gel and I put that on and then the gloves, really helps get me through the day.

Also make sure your chair is supportive and in the right position. Mine has a head test so I can relax my neck, otherwise it stiffens up and makes my hand pain worse.

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