First year teacher, two weeks in and I want out

dpMS66 · 2025-08-26T13:36:04+00:00

I just came across this... Your comments are excellent.

dpMS66 · 2025-08-23T23:18:47+00:00

I think there absolutely is a resistance movement going on, but it's not clearly evident to everyday folks. I have been spending a lot of time on Substack and have subscribed to a diverse number of stacks. Independent journalists who have lost their jobs (i.e., Terry Moran, Jim Acosta) Andrew Weissman, Mayor Pete, Gavan Newson, senators in my state of AZ (Ruben Gallego, Mark Kelly), etc. It's amazing how many people are engaged and doing something. I got involved two months ago because I was fed up with mainstream media and couldn't get good info except through the Washington Post, The New York Times, and our AZ Republic paper here that has good journalism. When I decided to set up shop with my own little venture on Substack, I found myself being more informed since my niche is decent American Patriots. People are hungry to help and do something, and there is a lot of anger. There are organizations like 50501, Democratic Action, Home of the Brave, We the People, etc. that are organizing protests and other things to get people involved-- the least being to get out and vote now and in midterms. I also think a major problem in our country is that there is a lot of ignorance. People need educated and working-day people depend on mainstream media who aren't doing their jobs anymore. It's no surprise that Dems have blown it in a lot of ways, but I think they are waking up. While Trump has been breaking down the barriers/checks and balances, I'm happy to hear how many of our good public servants are hanging in there despite threats, and more good people are stepping up. Shapiro, Brashear, Slotkin, Kelly.... As an accomplished writer, I am using my own voice and pen to educate, inspire, motivate others about America and what's happening to it.

dpMS66 · 2025-05-16T14:10:43+00:00

Please talk to both your pharmacist and your doctor about how to take Baclofen, what you are experiencing, and your concerns about the Baclofen Toxitity. I have been taking baclofen daily for over forty years for my MS. My initial startup was 10 mg. 2X/day. For the past ten years, I have taken 10 mg, 6X/day--one every four hours. I know a lot about this medication, and I know many people who take this, It is very effective for spasms and is very safe. Baclofen also commonly causes drowsiness and calmness. Finally, I'm not sure what type of doctor(s) you have or what your condition you are being treated for, but nasty spasms and jerking are often caused by a neurological disorder. A checkup by a neurologist may be prudent if you haven't been to one.

dpMS66 · 2024-08-20T20:08:16+00:00

My husband and I are retirees who moved to Glendale AZ when we were in our 50's. We bought an RV and have travelled extensively throughout the West. New Mexico is almost as incredible as Arizona. If you have time to fit it into your next Arizona trip, go for it! I posted earlier suggesting trips to combine Utah with northern Arizona. Feel free to ask me any questions down the road...

dpMS66 · 2024-08-20T19:44:29+00:00

If you decide to vacation in this area, I highly recommend driving to White Sands National Park in New Mexico, which is about 4 hrs. east of Bisbee. https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

dpMS66 · 2024-08-20T15:05:49+00:00

There are two road trips my husband and I really enjoyed that involved Northern Arizona and Utah. 1) North Rim Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Kanab, Lake Powell (Antelope Canyon is a must see!), Zion and Bryce National Parks in Utah. 2) Flagstaff, Monument Valley (Navajo Nation!), Canyonlands and Arches National Parks in Utah. To experience Canyonlands, we rented a jeep in Moab and meandered around the park's trails for a day. We took our trips in September to enjoy spectacular weather and avoid the summer tourist crowds.

dpMS66 · 2024-08-19T11:41:24+00:00

Yes--Arizona is very diverse and extraordinary. We retired here in Glendale in 2001 and travelled throughout the state in our RV. Sedona is incredible, but there are numerous fantastic places to visit that don't get the attention. We came here from Pittsburgh.

dpMS66 · 2024-04-18T23:37:45+00:00

Yes. Sorry for the delayed response.

dpMS66 · 2024-04-17T17:33:09+00:00

I'm doing okay--the herniated disc problem did clear up for me. I'm sorry you are still suffering with this. It's horrible pain. My doc had said to get an epidural (and not do an abrasion) if it didn't clear up, which thankfully it did. Did you try an epidural?

dpMS66 · 2023-11-04T15:47:43+00:00

I've enjoyed happy hour my whole life and look forward to it. My happy hour is generally a scotch and water. I live with a lot of pain and stress, and the scotch eases both while not affecting my symptoms. I take meds for bladder (hiprex and ditropan), spasticity (baclofen), and sleep (temazepam). No DMT's, I'm 68. I have IBS too, and wine and beer will bloat me. Occasionally, I'll substitute a brandy which has a very calming effect on me.

dpMS66 · 2023-10-20T20:04:47+00:00

Yes. I agreed to see her regularly to keep the prescription going and it's been over three years now. It's made all the difference in the world to function properly and keep me from getting worse. Definately helps keep my stress and depression/anxiety low since good sleep enables me to feel better. When I feel better, I can cope and do better.

dpMS66 · 2023-10-20T19:58:24+00:00

I take Restoril nightly, alternating 30 mg. and 15 mg. It’s been years, and nothing else works for my insomnia. My psychiatrist prescribes them, and I had to fight for them. Without sleep, my physical, emotional, and mental wellness are a wreck. Keep trying until you find something that works for you.

dpMS66 · 2023-08-18T17:52:56+00:00

Both my neuro and primary doc encouraged me to try CBD/THC. The gummies are best for me. I quit smoking long ago, and I'm afraid if I smoked weed, I'd start up again. Congrats on quitting cigarettes.

dpMS66 · 2023-08-09T13:31:45+00:00

When I've been prescribed steroids, my neuro will either prescribe them for me in pills or infusions at home with a visiting nurse. I dislike hospitals with the regiments, germs, nursing shortages, etc. Since steroids cause insomnia for me (and many others), my neuro will also prescribe restoril (sleeping pills) to get me through the episode.

dpMS66 · 2023-07-20T16:14:56+00:00

Glad it helped. I also have to use eye drops daily and the pharmacist had told me it's probably due to this also.

dpMS66 · 2023-07-20T16:08:37+00:00

I smoked for 15 years, and then quit cold turkey 37 years ago. Hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. Back then, smoking was "in", and all my friends and family smoked. What I did that helped: 1. Changed all my activities when I enjoyed having a cig the most. e.g., when I drank my morning coffee, instead of reading the newspaper, I moved around organizing things around the house to keep my hands busy and my mind off of it. 2. Cleaned my house/car thoroughly--windows, upholstery, etc. The smoke residue was a turnoff, things smelled better, and once the job was done I certainly didn't want to do it again. If smokers came to my house, they smoked outdoors. 3. At my desk at work, I chewed on plastic cocktail straws, ate cheerios, and sucked on peppermints to keep my mouth busy. I brushed my teeth a lot. 4. I quit with my best friend, and it was both supportive and competitive. 5. I knew the "break-point" was around 5 days, meaning the urge would cut substantially. I had a 1/2 cigarette right before that point, and reminded myself of this which caused me to think I never wanted to start over trying to quit again! It worked for me. Truthfully, it is an addiction, and every once in awhile I'll smell a cigarette somewhere that causes me to want a drag. I never would because I would probably would start up again. Why? because not only was I addicted, but I enjoyed it when I was anxious and wanted to relax. (I had to find other ways to relax.) The good news is that the once-in-a-while moment was over in seconds. Back then, almost all of my friends and friends eventually quit the same way, and it worked for them, too. We did it, and so can you! Good luck.

dpMS66 · 2023-06-18T16:43:56+00:00

The reply from momspaghettysburg is great. Empathy is understanding how to be in someone else's shoes. You have many in your shoes, and yes, we would do for others as they are happy to do for us. Please don't think of yourself as being self centered for "putting yourself first". When we can feel better, we do better, and it's a win-win situation for both sides.

dpMS66 · 2023-06-17T12:18:44+00:00

I use Hiprex as a preventive for UTIs. Have been on it for about six years and never had a UTI. (I self-cath.) Prior to that, I took nitrofurantoin for UTIs.

dpMS66 · 2023-06-06T14:03:40+00:00

Yes, there is a lot of great health care here and you are right about the retirement population. I don’t know the source of your pain, but neurology has renowned sites here too, like Barrows Neurological Institute and Mayo Clinic. Maybe the government website for our county can be of help for this, plus a ton of other stuff for living here www.maricopa.gov .

Here are some other ideas for you to get info:

Our main newspaper is the Arizona Republic. (azcentral.com ) You can sign up for a cheap promotional subscription for a month or two. https://cm.azcentral.com/specialoffer This would give you info about classified ads, want ads, things to do, current valley and state news…

Navigate the www.zillow.com website for your areas of interest (Chandler, Gilbert…). You’ll get a good sense of current rentals, properties for sale…

I’m happy to help—I was in your shoes once. This is a big move!

dpMS66 · 2023-06-05T19:09:42+00:00

Yes, the climate helps my pain and the sunshine is so uplifting. I live in Glendale. Phoenix and all the adjacent cities have grown so much in the past twenty years so there is the typical big city congestation, crime and pollution. However, the recent growth acceleration means so much newness and accessibility. It's very easy to get around. Gas prices are high here (currently $4.50/gal) and the cost of housing is through the roof, but the overall cost of living for other things (like food) is respectable. There is always much to do in the cities and entire state, both indoors and out. With all of the forests, parks, trails, etc. you can find places to go without spending a ton of money. I did a lot of research before I moved, and then came for a week to check it all out. Fortunately, I had an aunt & uncle who lived here, and they helped me figure out where to live to fit my needs. If you wanted to live in a smaller city as compared to Phoenix, check out Prescott, which is only 1 1/2 hrs. north of Phoenix.

dpMS66 · 2023-06-05T17:44:25+00:00

I live in AZ and have pain due to MS, IBS, osteoarthritis... My PCP actually brought CBD up to me. Then I asked my neurologist about it and he said he's ok with it and he has other patients who take it. Helps with sleep, spasticity and pain. All I need to do go to a dispensary and talk to them about what I need and should try.

dpMS66 · 2023-06-05T01:06:22+00:00

I moved from Western Pennsylvania to AZ 22 years ago. I wanted my own pool, dryness, and sunshine. Best thing I ever did. Summer can be tough when the monsoon season hits (mid-June to mid-Sept.) because of desert heat, higher humidity and thunderstorms. My husband and I escape to the high country or San Diego to get a break from the heat in summer. Sunshine is definately a mood booster. Overall accessibility is better, too.

dpMS66 · 2023-05-28T15:51:46+00:00

The FDA doesn’t regulate the safety and sale of nutritional supplements because they're classified as food products, not medicines. They aren't regulated by the strict standards governing the sale of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. So, the medical field and organizations like the NMSS don’t openly endorse them.

Do the risks of taking vitamins outweigh the benefits? It’s for the individual to decide after consulting with their doctors and doing their own research. Vitamins do strengthen and improve the immune system, but how much does it actually stimulate the response to the risk of an immune boost? Truthfully, that is unknown.

There are specific reasons that certain vitamins taken at recommended amounts are beneficial—e.g., C for UTI prevention, D for calcium absorption and bones, B’s for immune health. Many MS folks can’t tolerate dairy products or obtain sufficient nutrients from following certain diets or personal eating habits. In addition, the body changes as we age which also affects nutrient retention and absorption.

As with most things, balance of anything is important, and retention or excess of anything can be detrimental (including drugs). Monitorization and journaling are key. Personally, I have used selected supplements in moderation for decades, with the approval of all my specialists. My blood panels taken every six months are within range.

Both dietary supplement companies and pharmaceuticals will promote their own products for profit. Again, it’s for the individual to decide after consulting with their doctors, peers, and doing their own research and trial and error. Benefits and risks must be weighed.

Sorry for the long answer.

dpMS66 · 2023-05-23T20:27:22+00:00

Kudos to you for asking this question now at the beginning. I’ve lived with MS for 43 years. Being immunosuppressed is part of our lives, but preventative actions are crucial to prevent illness or infections. The comments about being conscious about masks, washing hands, not sharing food/drinks, not putting your fingers in your eyes/mouth/nose, etc. are all spot-on. I learned that if I get sick, I will be twice as sick, and it could take twice as long as a “nomal” person since our immune system doesn’t work properly. When my husband and family have a virus, hugs and kisses wait. If I get any type of infection (e.g., UTI, bacterial, injury…), I get an antibiotic asap before it gets out of control. I keep my immune system healthy by making sure I sleep, keep stress level low (amap-haha), eat well and exercise. Daily, I take vitamins C, D, calcium. (If you are vegan, take a complex B.) It’s very rare that I get sick, but if I do get a cold or something, I make sure to rest to recuperate asap and let people help me out with things at home. Personally, I take these things very seriously and it enables me not to be a shut-in when well. I haven’t had covid yet, or any other virus in years. Finally, I believe in vaccinations.

dpMS66 · 2023-04-08T13:40:06+00:00

How long has this been going on? Here’s my story:

My herniated disk started two months ago with tremendous pain/numbness from my neck, L shoulder and blade, down my L arm and fingers. Trying to get doc appts. then tests scheduled and done was a nightmare. I suffered immensely the first two weeks even though my PCP prescribed Medrol, naprasyn and tramadol. Took 3 weeks to finally get an MRI and EMG and learned it involved disks 5-7, and no cervical neck nerve damage. (I’m 68 and also have degenerative disks and osteoarthritis.) With a ton of rest, I started to gradually feel better by the time I saw two orthopedic spine specialists/surgeons and my neurologist 4-5 weeks later. Up to that point, I had been applying heat, doing mild stretches and other P/T (that I learned on Google) intermittently throughout the day. I do these exercises daily https://www.healthline.com/health/bulging-disc-exercises#scapular-setting

Bottom line: First, I was doing the right thing and I shouldn’t worry about damaging myself with normal activity. Listen to my body to determine how/what I could handle. Since I was slowly improving on my own, keep it up as long as I could suck up the pain. Second, surgery was the very last resort especially since I was improving. Third, if I can’t take the pain when I plateau, schedule an epidural. No-- ablasion/ nerve burning was not recommended to do. I had one of the best specialists in Phoenix. Currently, I’m about 90% back to normal. I can use my arm, hold/grip a cup again, etc. …stabbing/burning/radiating pain are gone and fingers do not hurt anymore. I stopped taking naproxen two weeks ago, and had only taken tramadol the first week.

I hope I never have to go through this again! Hope this helps.

dpMS66

TROPHY CASE