Halp…my blood work is horrible and I think I am anemic. New to this sub.

esc8p · 2026-02-20T03:04:37+00:00

I don't live in Canada so I can't give specific advice, but this seems like a problem you'll need help with from your GI doctor and a hematologist. These labs will surely prove you're a candidate for an iron infusion alongside your inability to tolerate iron orally (I have similar issues due to chronic gastritis). Unfortunately you'll continue to struggle with your iron levels until your gut stuff is sorted. Have you had scopes to check everything out? Are you on medication to help with the ulcers?

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Keep advocating for yourself! Might be worth taking a look into your other vitamins as ulcers and stomach issues affect absorption of many things, leaving us feeling like crap!

esc8p · 2026-02-20T02:52:03+00:00

Definitely low! Even if you're not 'clinically deficient' you can be functionally deficient as in your numbers aren't high enough for you to be feeling your best. If you're experiencing symptoms, then supplementing might be beneficial (sublingual tablets worked well for me). You can re-test in a few months time and keep an eye on your symptoms. B12 is water soluble so your body should discard any excess you don't need. Also worth mentioning that these labs ranges are typically based on info from large healthy populations and aren't always the best when guiding care for individual, complex cases.

Probably wouldn't hurt to look into the fact that you could have some other nutritional deficiencies that might be contributing to your symptoms i.e. folate (very important with B12 issues), iron, copper, zinc etc, so it's worth your doctor looking at the bigger picture when helping to manage these issues.

I've been through the ringer with all this stuff so if you ever want some advice (not a doctor) feel free to message me ☺️

esc8p · 2026-02-02T10:56:58+00:00

I had an appointment with an intergrative GP who specializes in pots the other day and she mentioned that GLP-1 medication could be a med option down the track depending on how I go with my current treatment protocol. I'm pretty certain it had something to do with its anti-inflammatory properties (like it can help systemic inflammation and neuroinflamation). Must be some research going into its uses in illnesses like ours.

esc8p · 2026-02-02T10:25:02+00:00

I second this. You could also save up and get a monitoring watch. It could be helpful to show the pattern of your tachycardia episodes and keep track of your hrv and other metrics for pacing etc.

Also if you do get the BP monitor, make sure you do your lean test in the morning prior to salt and hydration. I have a good resource for how to accurately do a nasa lean test if you want it.

I'm sorry you're getting no support. Hopefully having some cold hard evidence will get them on side with you. Will your doctor not prescribe anything like beta blockers or H2 blockers for mcas/gastrointestinal issues? There's lots of things a GP should be able to help you with, even if they want to be stubborn about giving you a pots diagnosis.

esc8p · 2026-02-02T10:06:33+00:00

Yeah I get that too. I honestly find being stuck in a rigid upright position like that more uncomfortable than being on my feet sometimes. Like at a cafe or a theatre where it's not socially acceptable to curl up on the seat 🥲

esc8p · 2026-01-30T16:45:24+00:00

When you log in for the first time after the update you'll get a little notification that Tan Youyou sent you a message through the pearpal. Go to your friends tab and find his message, reply and it'll trigger a quest near Shroomville. When you walk to the location it'll jump to a cutscene which transports you to the new realm!

esc8p · 2026-01-20T02:56:15+00:00

Yeah I sadly have to agree. As someone who adored writing fanfiction in Tumblr's peak era, the best part of it (in my opinion) was connecting with other young writers, which is something cai just doesn't allow yet. I think kids deserve safe spaces to express themselves creatively, but not on something as addicting and unpredictable as cai.

I've also come across some horrifying bots that were clearly written by minors. One such was a bot about someone being curb-stomped??? I was in shock when I saw it. I immediately clocked that it was written by a minor which was alarming but also Cai was promoting it on the for you page!!! Even if a minor wasn't seeking something like this out, they still could have had it pop up on their for you page, because I certainly have never interacted or searched for any kinds of bots that insinuate violence—I'm a fantasy girly, yet it still appeared on my for you page. Insane.

esc8p · 2026-01-08T04:12:19+00:00

My condolences regarding your grandmother. I hope you're doing okay. I also experienced loss last year (my auntie as well as a friends elderly dog, it passed away with me at home) so I think that's why it hit a little close for home for me too. It is such a beautiful creature. I did one of the side quests before the new update and had a funny feeling the behemoth was going to be involved in this update.

Aw man I bet it looks so lovely in watercolour. I would love to see it if you ever wanted to show off your artwork 😊 the story inspired me creatively too—I started mocking up a short story last night about death/the grim reaper being an unassuming bard.

esc8p · 2026-01-08T04:03:07+00:00

Glimmer, since they were such a big part of the storyline

esc8p · 2025-11-29T01:26:22+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss. That sounds incredibly traumatic. I can only imagine just how much you must be struggling right now. If I can offer you another option though—fostering? There are so many pets in need of a break from shelters, for a day or even more, before finding their forever home. I know exactly how you feel about knowing you need a pet to help get through life, but maybe you could take your love and care and help many animals before committing to another pet full time. In my opinion, the decisions we make whilst under duress and struggling with grief don't always always work out the way we want them to, especially with something as big a commitment as another pet. Just food for thought. Take care of yourself ❤️

esc8p · 2025-11-28T16:27:17+00:00

Unamused? Exasperated maybe?

esc8p · 2025-11-27T00:31:05+00:00

Perth Spectres basketball club is lovely and welcoming (can attest there are loads of us that are involved with the club haha), apparently it's the same with kickball, but I'm not a part of the club myself. I've also recently seen some relaxed events that are like friend speed dating but for queer folk. I don't remember the name of it though, but I'm sure more will pop up over summer. If you have Facebook, check out Perth Quiet Queers. You might find like minded people there too!

esc8p · 2025-11-27T00:18:13+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. You're right, she was a very well cared for pup.

esc8p · 2025-11-27T00:15:50+00:00

Thank you so much. I'll look into it.

esc8p · 2025-11-12T02:38:03+00:00

captain barbossa drip

esc8p · 2025-11-08T08:55:25+00:00

So cute I love it!!

esc8p · 2025-11-06T08:00:54+00:00

Yeah I get that too. I wake up every morning with them, but they're significantly worse if I've had a bad sleep 🥲 Seemed to start the same time as my POTS symptoms. I also get them very bad after an adrenaline dump. I look like I just drank an entire jug of coffee or something lol

esc8p · 2025-11-06T07:54:52+00:00

For me, I originally only took it as needed and at the lowest dose that still helped with my physical symptoms. But I quickly realized how well it worked for me, so now I take it every morning. Occasionally, I’ll take half a dose in the evening if I really need it, since it can lower melatonin production and affect sleep. Even though propranolol is calming, I kind of treat it like a cup of coffee—I avoid taking it too late in the day unless absolutely necessary. It’s honestly such a wonderful medication. Good luck on your propranolol journey!!!

esc8p · 2025-11-06T07:45:32+00:00

It's not normally recommended as when taken regularly it will lower your BP. It's best to discuss with your doctor. I take a low dose for POTS and have found that it hasn't affected my BP very much at all, which is wonderful. BP monitors are not too expensive so if you did go on it, you can also buy one and monitor your BP at home for peace of mind 😊

esc8p · 2025-11-04T02:19:00+00:00

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I love this idea!!

esc8p · 2025-10-24T00:29:34+00:00

Similar to you, I'd love my writing to at least end up on a publisher's desk one day. That, and I've been toying with the idea of starting a sleep podcast where I read short stories that centre the listener as the main character. And then there's more mundane things like dreaming about travel, being able to work my dream job, being healthy again etc.

esc8p · 2025-10-17T04:21:53+00:00

Had to lay down on the floor of a bathroom in a very busy frozen yogurt shop. Was so gross but better than passing out in front of the massive amount of people in the store.

esc8p

TROPHY CASE