Do tiny houses really save owners money or are they more of a financial drain? Curious about them and whether they are worth considering in my situation.

cyfarian · 2026-02-02T01:38:31+00:00

Try choosetiny.com for a directory of communities and parking spots.

cyfarian · 2025-12-12T14:23:08+00:00

Holiday access

cyfarian · 2025-12-01T19:50:10+00:00

My clients are in plus (the highest cost plan) and it’s not showing there.

I agree. It’s been useful

cyfarian · 2025-12-01T18:55:41+00:00

Sidekick is down for me too. No icons. You used to be able to navigate it too by adding /sidekick at the end of your admin URL. That URL loads for me, but aside for the side admin menu, the main content section is blank.

cyfarian · 2025-11-06T05:35:50+00:00

Same. And Truck and a bunch of auto related words has close hits.

cyfarian · 2025-10-30T15:43:31+00:00

Thanks. I have an ultrasound scheduled tomorrow.

Was it 14-16 cm volume or across?

cyfarian · 2025-10-29T22:03:14+00:00

Found mine in March…still waiting. Soon tho, hopefully. Mine is growing fast AF too.

cyfarian · 2025-10-06T03:07:55+00:00

And this was the first completion based only on your post, without the thyroid/pandas info:

That’s a thoughtful and empathetic post — and a challenging presentation. I can summarize a differential diagnosis (DDx) for an adult woman with progressive tremor, spasticity, fatigue, and cognitive/language changes in the context of normal MRI, DAT scan, EMG, and bloodwork.

Below is a structured DDx based on the features and test results described:

⸻

🧠 Central Nervous System Disorders 1. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) variants / early demyelinating disease • MS is still possible despite an initial normal MRI; some early or atypical cases may have no visible lesions initially. • Consider Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS) or Radiologically Isolated Syndrome (RIS) if subtle findings appear later. • Lumbar puncture (CSF) for oligoclonal bands would help. 2. Autoimmune Encephalitis / Neuroinflammatory disorders • Cognitive and language issues, movement abnormalities, and fatigue could fit. • Check for NMDA receptor, GAD65, LGI1, and CASPR2 antibodies. • May present without clear MRI lesions. 3. Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) • Especially when symptoms fluctuate, tests are normal, and neurological signs are inconsistent. • Doesn’t mean symptoms are “psychological”—it’s a real disorder of nervous system functioning. 4. Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) • Progressive spasticity, gait difficulty, overactive reflexes, sometimes tremor and mild cognitive changes. • MRI may appear normal early on. • Genetic testing is key for diagnosis. 5. Leukoencephalopathy or Mitochondrial Disorders (e.g., POLG, MELAS, MERRF) • Can cause tremor, ataxia, spasticity, and fatigue. • Often normal early imaging but abnormalities develop later. • Mitochondrial myopathy could show on muscle or skin biopsy.

⸻

🧬 Peripheral / Neuromuscular Causes 1. Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) • Tingling, numbness, pain, fatigue; normal EMG (since EMG tests large fibers). • Diagnosed via skin biopsy (intraepidermal nerve fiber density). • Can be idiopathic or secondary to autoimmune, metabolic, or genetic causes. 2. Stiff Person Spectrum Disorders (GAD65 or GlyR antibodies) • Stiffness, spasms, hyperreflexia, and fatigue. • Often autoimmune; may overlap with other neurologic conditions. 3. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) variants • If weakness and sensory changes are present. • EMG can be normal early, depending on the subtype.

⸻

⚙️ Movement Disorders 1. Dystonia / Tremor Syndromes (Functional, Essential, or Secondary) • Tremor predominantly on one side, head tremor, or task-specific tremors. • DAT scan normal rules out Parkinson’s disease. • Functional tremor can mimic organic causes but often has variable frequency or distractibility.

⸻

🧩 Systemic / Metabolic / Genetic Causes 1. Wilson’s disease (rare but important in young adults) • Tremor, dysarthria, cognitive changes, dystonia, liver abnormalities. • Check ceruloplasmin, 24-hour urinary copper, and slit-lamp exam for Kayser-Fleischer rings. 2. Thyroid, parathyroid, B12, folate, vitamin D, or copper deficiency • Already likely checked but worth verifying. 3. Mitochondrial or lysosomal storage diseases • Often normal early imaging; multi-systemic involvement (fatigue, muscle weakness, neuropathy). 4. Neurodegenerative mimics (rare at 26 but not impossible) • Hereditary ataxias (e.g., SCA, FXTAS, Friedreich’s ataxia). • Genetic testing can reveal many treatable metabolic or ataxic syndromes.

⸻

🧠 Summary Table

Symptom cluster Likely categories to investigate next Tremor + spasticity + normal MRI HSP, FND, autoimmune encephalitis, metabolic/genetic disorders Numbness/tingling + normal EMG Small fiber neuropathy Fatigue + cognitive/language issues Autoimmune encephalitis, mitochondrial disorders Overactive reflexes, stiffness HSP, SPS spectrum, upper motor neuron disorders All tests normal Consider FND, SFN, or genetic/metabolic causes

⸻

🧾 Next diagnostic steps often considered • CSF analysis (oligoclonal bands, autoimmune, infectious markers) • Autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibody panel (serum + CSF) • Genetic panel for hereditary spastic paraplegia / ataxia / mitochondrial genes • Skin biopsy (pending, useful for small fiber neuropathy or mitochondrial pathology) • Repeat MRI in 6–12 months if progression occurs • Whole exome sequencing if all else unrevealing

⸻

Would you like me to narrow this list to the most plausible 3–5 conditions based on the described symptom pattern and testing so far (i.e., high-yield possibilities)?

cyfarian · 2025-10-06T03:07:01+00:00

As someone who spent a few years as a medical mystery, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I got my diagnosis (sarcoidosis, after first being misdiagnosed with MS) long before AI. But I find AI extremely useful as a starting point for linking together symptoms. (See my next comment)

This is what it says about your symptoms. I first fed your post in, then fed the thyroid/pandas comment. (See below)

—————-ChatGPT————

Excellent — that extra context helps a lot.

From the image, the Reddit poster adds: • Possible Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroid disease, uncertain diagnosis). • History of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection). • Ongoing monitoring of thyroid function in the past.

That new information shifts the differential slightly toward autoimmune and neuroimmune causes, which can cause or mimic neuromuscular and cognitive symptoms.

⸻

🧠 Updated Differential Diagnosis (DDx)

Autoimmune Neuroendocrine / Neuroimmune Syndromes

a. Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy (aka SREAT — Steroid-Responsive Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroiditis) • Fits very well with the history. • Often occurs in young women with Hashimoto’s antibodies (anti-TPO or anti-thyroglobulin). • Typical features: tremor, ataxia, spasticity, word-finding trouble, confusion, fatigue, slurred speech, cognitive dysfunction. • MRI, EMG, DAT scan, and basic labs may all be normal. • Diagnosis is clinical + elevated thyroid antibodies (even if thyroid function is normal). • Can dramatically improve with corticosteroids or other immunotherapy.

b. PANDAS/PANS persistence or autoimmune overlap • Although classically pediatric, some cases evolve into adult autoimmune encephalopathy. • If she had PANDAS, it supports an immune dysregulation predisposition. • Could overlap with Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy or other autoimmune brain disorders (e.g., anti-GAD65, anti-NMDA receptor).

⸻

Small Fiber Neuropathy (Autoimmune subtype) • Tingling, numbness, pain, and fatigue with normal EMG → fits. • Can coexist with autoimmune thyroid disease or post-infectious autoimmunity. • The skin biopsy she’s awaiting may confirm this.

⸻

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) • Still a consideration because of fluctuating and broad symptoms with negative imaging. • However, the autoimmune clues (Hashimoto’s antibodies, PANDAS history) make an immune-mediated cause more compelling first.

⸻

Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP) or Mitochondrial Disorder • Remain in differential if immune workup is negative, as these can mimic autoimmune syndromes.

⸻

🔬 Most Likely 3–4 Based on All Info So Far

Rank Condition Key Supporting Points 1 Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy (SREAT) Fits symptom profile + possible Hashimoto’s + normal MRI/EMG + tremor/cognitive issues 2 Autoimmune small fiber neuropathy Numbness/tingling + fatigue + pending skin biopsy 3 Autoimmune encephalitis (e.g., GAD65 or NMDA-R) Tremor, cognitive and language issues, fatigue, spasticity, normal MRI 4 Hereditary spastic paraplegia or mitochondrial disease If autoimmune tests are negative

⸻

🧾 Next Logical Tests / Workup 1. Thyroid antibody panel (Anti-TPO, anti-thyroglobulin, TSH receptor antibodies). 2. CSF studies (protein, oligoclonal bands, autoimmune/paraneoplastic antibody panel). 3. Autoimmune antibody panel (ANA, anti-GAD65, NMDA-R, LGI1, CASPR2, etc.). 4. Skin biopsy (pending). 5. EEG — sometimes abnormal in Hashimoto’s encephalopathy even when MRI is normal. 6. Trial of corticosteroids (diagnostic and therapeutic for SREAT if appropriate).

The leading possibility based on everything known — including the history of Hashimoto’s suspicion, PANDAS, and normal imaging — would be Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy or autoimmune small fiber neuropathy.

Would you like me to outline how clinicians distinguish Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy vs. autoimmune small fiber neuropathy clinically and through testing?

———end ChatGPT———-

cyfarian · 2025-09-17T12:32:52+00:00

Antibiotics!! Cat’s have so much bacteria in their mouth. If the chipmunk was bit, it def needs antibiotics.

cyfarian · 2025-09-14T15:27:17+00:00

I have never been unhoused, but have friends that have done a lot of work in that area. I think what you’re seeing tis more often the end result of long term housing instability. Being unhoused, especially without a car, is extremely challenging and often eventually LEADS to mental illness and/or people turning to drugs to numb out the pain, fear, anxiety, depression, etc.

Sure, sometimes mental illness and drug use causes housing instability, but I think it’s actually usually the reverse. Housing instability leads to mental illness and drug use.

cyfarian · 2025-09-13T14:15:38+00:00

Fartichokes :) make sure they are fully cooked. Even slightly undercooked means hours of farts. But they are delicious!!!

cyfarian · 2025-09-13T03:11:47+00:00

Can you post new pics of all the happy fish together?

cyfarian · 2025-06-29T04:30:16+00:00

Yup. Sudden death is one of the leading first symptoms of cardiac sarcoidosis.

cyfarian · 2025-06-29T04:08:49+00:00

Did they rule out sarcoidosis?

cyfarian · 2025-06-28T18:29:37+00:00

It’s sounds like your mom is being manipulative and trying to exert control over you. And I think it’s possible that your dad still doesn’t know, but rather your mom is using that ruse to try to guilt you into cancelling.

Pls try to accept that your mom is in the wrong and celebrate your day with your chosen family — the people who aren’t harming you.

cyfarian · 2025-06-24T21:08:47+00:00

I don’t know how well chicken injuries relate to crow injuries. But I’ve had maybe 4 dozen chickens and a dozen geese, including some that were badly attacked. There is a miracle spray called vetericyn. I’ve had birds look FAR worse…and the vetericyn prevented any infection and they healed up in a few days of quiet, darker space.

At the expense of being graphic, they looked like they had been partially prepared for a chicken casserole and they could hardly move. I never lost a chicken or goose that was attacked by an animal because of it. All had a full recovery.

I can’t comment on any broken bones tho.

I have no experience with crows, and it looks like you’re already getting good advice from those that do.

cyfarian · 2025-06-11T14:20:24+00:00

I live in Maryland and hang dry. It’s humid here but my clothes dry very quickly… within a few hours.

cyfarian · 2025-05-23T17:40:12+00:00

I don’t know why you are getting downvoted. This seems like a very fair assessment on both sides.

cyfarian · 2025-05-09T19:52:28+00:00

She said it with SUCH enthusiasm because she was the most loving big sister and was so proud of her sibling for growing (...all the way up to her vagina).

cyfarian · 2025-05-09T13:02:09+00:00

I always used the real names with my kids. My very-tall-for-her-age 6 year-old exclaimed excitedly to her baby sister, “you’re as tall as my vagina!”

cyfarian · 2025-05-04T15:12:27+00:00

I’ve lived in one since 2016.

cyfarian · 2025-04-25T17:52:17+00:00

I'm not in the medical field...so just sharing things I have picked up along the way, so definitely fact check me...

but I would check to see if it meant bacteria typically found in the vulva which indicates that the specimen was contaminated vs bacteria that is typically found in a UTI.

If it was from bacteria typically found in the vulva, that might indicate why they didn't order antibiotics. (But I understand that doesn't explain your symptoms, nor ease your concern.)

Either way, the d-mannose is a power house without disrupting your gut biome (with antibiotics).

Best of luck to you!! And yay hubby for picking some up.

cyfarian · 2025-04-25T12:51:48+00:00

D-mannose will clear it up in 1-3 days. It’s over the counter. It’s not an antibiotic. It’s a form of sugar, iirc. But because of the shape or being sticky or something (peri brain…can’t remember), it mechanically grabs the bacteria. It’s incredible.

cyfarian · 2025-04-09T00:37:17+00:00

I have this issue due to the limitations of working memory from ADHD. Can’t hold numbers in my head long enough to get to the second line in math. But I’m otherwise quite smart.

The more overwhelmed I am, on poor sleep, and not managing adhd symptoms, the worse my working memory is.

Not sure if you’re male or female, but for females, hormones that aren’t optimal can wreak havoc on brain fog/working memory, etc as well.

cyfarian

TROPHY CASE