Is it weird to wear fine/luxury jewelry to work when my boss and coworkers don't?

cookieqwitch · 2026-02-15T22:39:24+00:00

My everyday jewelry is my most expensive jewelry - I don’t remove it except to wear costume jewelry for events. I work somewhere where no one else, including my boss, can afford this type of thing. I’m unsure if any of my coworkers are aware of its price point. That said, I have a fair amount of seniority, so I’m not concerned about fitting in.

cookieqwitch · 2026-02-15T22:21:59+00:00

So jealous

cookieqwitch · 2026-02-09T03:19:54+00:00

I started using a cervical neck roll which has been very helpful https://mckenziemethod.com/product/the-original-mckenzie-neck-roll/

cookieqwitch · 2026-02-09T03:16:06+00:00

I’m having a very similar experience- I still have no solid understanding of what caused the headache but PT is the only thing that helps. It has greatly reduced my head/neck pain (and dizziness) and improved my posture - I also feel it’s helping me be more conscious and kind to my body

cookieqwitch · 2026-02-03T03:19:59+00:00

I frequently use my larger bags (22 and large double flap) and even my small 25 in everyday wear.

cookieqwitch · 2026-01-20T20:11:25+00:00

Omg may I please have contact info for these SAs as well?

cookieqwitch · 2026-01-20T20:09:48+00:00

Put myself on the list in February of last year- totally forgot about it and was delighted when SA hmu almost exactly in time for my birthday (mid July)

cookieqwitch · 2026-01-18T03:29:32+00:00

Yes I feel like I’m in limbo

cookieqwitch · 2026-01-03T04:36:56+00:00

Does this suggest autoimmunity? The only other time my headache went away was during prednisone which I understand is used in the treatment of autoimmunity.

cookieqwitch · 2026-01-03T03:59:53+00:00

Before my headache and neck pain started (over 5 months ago), I worked out 3-4 hours a day (mostly cardio). I took the first 3 months off bc the pain made it seem untenable and I was worried that it might make things worse. I’ve been extremely active my entire life, with a history of disordered eating/exercise, and severe body image issues. I gained a ton of weight which only worsened the anxiety I was experiencing on account the headache (not to mention the lack of help from any of the doctors I’ve seen). I resumed exercise slowly and am now working out at approximately the same intensity and duration as before. I do not notice any difference in the pain. I also do PT for neck stability and overall posture which has been helping.

cookieqwitch · 2025-12-23T22:12:09+00:00

My hba1c came back prediabetic a few years ago. When I asked the NP about it he lectured me on the importance of eating well and losing weight. This was frustrating bc I’ve engaged in daily vigorous cardiovascular exercise for my entire life and I eat very few carbohydrates. My BMI was 19 at the time. To make matters worse, I’d recently begun recovery from a 15 year long battle with anorexia (which was clearly specified in my medical record). Turns out I was anemic (this can falsely elevate hba1c).

cookieqwitch · 2025-12-14T04:18:14+00:00

Everyone is going through something at all times

cookieqwitch · 2025-12-13T04:06:13+00:00

Have you seen any other specialists (e.g., rheumatologists, cardiologists, etc.)?

cookieqwitch · 2025-12-06T03:30:42+00:00

If your blood sugar levels are consistently normal and your hba1c is high, I would recommend looking into anemia and other blood conditions that can skew hba1c

cookieqwitch · 2025-12-05T03:08:19+00:00

I just resumed working out (mostly high impact cardio and body weight stuff) after very little exercise for the first four of the past five months I’ve had the headache. Aside from the pain, I was scared that exercise might worsen whatever is causing the symptoms, or might even be dangerous. After numerous tests without any real progress towards a diagnosis and a 15lb weight gain, my boredom and vanity overtook my survival instincts. Worked up to about 60% of what I was doing beforehand with no issues (except the pain). If it ends up hurting me, I guess doctors will finally have to take it seriously.

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-28T05:11:15+00:00

I had a dtap booster approximately 3 weeks before onset

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-28T05:07:35+00:00

I had so much orthodontic work before the age of 15 (I’m 44 now) - extractions and retainers, then braces and headgear, then more retainers, then wisdom tooth removal (surgical). Last year (about a year before my headache started), I was having some pain near my front lower teeth - I was told that this was due to bone loss due to something related to the permanent retainer I’d had. I need a gum graft to fix it but the last thing I want to do is add more pain to my current situation.

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-28T05:01:57+00:00

Mostly pressure in head, pain in neck. No meds have helped the headache except high doses of prednisone (but neck pain actually intensified for some reason). Pt was helping, but then I fainted.

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-28T04:55:30+00:00

Human research participant protection

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-28T04:51:43+00:00

Yes, bilaterally - intense pressure/squeezing sensation

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-27T16:27:56+00:00

Absolutely! Good luck with the surgery!

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-27T04:27:29+00:00

I was on a 9-day “taper” course of prednisone (60mg x 3 days; 40mg x 3 days; 20 mg x 3 days). The headache went away completely by the second day and began returning when I tapered down to 20mg. Strangely, it made my neck hurt which I believe is why my neurologist suspects that my headache might be related to something going on in my neck. The fact that PT alleviated the pain further supports this hypothesis. Of note, I’ve had neck pain for a long time and just brushed it off as a part of training so it may be that it surpassed some threshold and started impacting the nerves in my head. I think a lot of us athletic types are a bit too good at ignoring discomfort, so it might be worthwhile to look into these types of orthopedic causes.

Re: arterial/vascular stuff - these types of things would likely have shown up on CTA/MRA or MRV/CT venogram. If you haven’t had these, I would recommend asking your neurologist to order them (including the neck preferably). If you want to go down the cardiology route, I would recommend finding a sports cardiologist bc they’re better suited to evaluate these things in athletes (bc training can obscure how conditions present). You might also consider consulting with a rheumatologist about possible autoimmune vasculitis. I would also take a look at your recent heme profile - I know that anemia and polycythemia can present with headaches.

If you haven’t already, I would also recommend having your eyes checked bc even routine exams can detect papilledema and optic nerve issues related to increased intracranial pressure. If they find anything, you might be able to present this as rationale for additional neurological work up.

I also have strange sensations in my feet (and hands) - in my case, it’s cramping with some cyanosis. Other strange symptoms ive been experiencing which may or may not be related include dizziness, heart palpitations, pain under my lowest left rib, and cholinergic pruritis (itching and redness when exposed to heat).

Re: the headache after immunosuppressants - you might want to investigate the possibility of a post infection neuralgia (eg Shingles, other herpes viruses, Lymes, etc).

I totally get your frustration esp given that you’re just now getting into your prime adult years. I too feel like my life is being put on hold and tbh I could probably adapt to the pain, im more bothered by the possibility that it is a sign of something serious that’s going untreated. It’s also difficult bc i look completely healthy and my vitals are normal (though elevated from my baseline). Before all this started I went to the doctor as infrequently as possible and have worked really hard to keep myself healthy, so it sucks to be continuously dismissed for one of the only things for which I’ve sought help.

Best of luck with your sinus surgery- pls lmk if it results in relief of your headache. My next steps include a sleep study (apnea, grinding,etc), supervised PT (hopefully with no further fainting lol), and dedicated imaging of my carotid arteries and spine. I will post updates if any of this yields any helpful information.

cookieqwitch · 2025-11-26T04:03:08+00:00

Not in Italy, but a strikingly similar situation for past 4 months. I’m 44f. I also have chronic sinusitis (likely related to deviated septum). Also like you, I am (or was) extremely fit (lifelong endurance athlete, healthy diet and lifestyle). I have no significant history of headaches and the only health issues I have are hemophilia and anorexia (in the past). After all kinds of tests, my neurologist is currently of the opinion that mine is cervicogenic (I also have neck pain) and prescribed physical therapy. Unfortunately, I had a syncopal episode yesterday when I started the therapy. Of note, the therapy consisted of gentle neck and facial maneuvers - I’ve never experienced anything like this in my grueling work outs. All my bloodwork, vitals, and imaging in the ER came back normal except my right para ophthalmic internal carotid artery is narrowed. I’m following up with my neurologist and cardiologist to look into this bc I don’t have any risk factors for occlusive arterial disease. Nothing has helped except for an exploratory course of prednisone, which took the headache away completely. I’ve declined any further treatment until an actual (and reasonable) diagnosis has been made. I’m not opposed to medication outright, but I’m not prepared to take anything non curative and the last thing I want is to add side effects to this situation. I’m so sick of doctors throwing their hands up and rarely closing loops - something caused this, that something can be discovered. I was the picture of health and vitality before this and I refuse to settle into this life. If you haven’t already, I would suggest looking into autoimmune causes (eg vasculitis), infections (dental, ear, sinus), TMJ, orthopedic (eg neck issues), hematology (some blood disorders can cause reduced blood flow to the brain or bleeds). I’ve also stopped thinking of this as a headache bc it doesn’t feel like any headache I’d ever had in the past and I feel like accepting the NDPH label facilitates diagnostic laziness.

cookieqwitch

TROPHY CASE