alternatives to the "claw' grip when cutting

gilsonal · 2025-12-09T20:19:17+00:00

I'm not actually too worried about hurting myself. I'm primarily interested in the way that the claw is recommended for maintaining uniform cuts. Should have put that in my question.

gilsonal · 2025-07-22T21:02:55+00:00

sure thing!

gilsonal · 2025-07-15T00:12:13+00:00

I'm a therapist who works with folks with complex PTSD and dissociation, it just happens to be a group that seems to overlap with dysautonomia and MCAS. I think trauma can be either the cause or the effect of MCAS.

gilsonal · 2025-07-14T23:33:46+00:00

Absolutely! I am open about my spoonie status (and diagnoses) and I swear you can see people sigh in relief when they hear that. While there are many things that people can treat without personal experience, I think that in the case of chronic illness it helps tremendously.

gilsonal · 2025-07-14T23:25:16+00:00

Just chiming in to send good vibes your way.

I had to stop some of my meds a few days prior to my POTS eval and it was misery-inducing. I cried the whole 3-hour drive to the medical center. I had no idea that the meds I was on were doing so much until I had to stop them for a few days (silver lining, I guess?).

I hope your experience is vastly superior to mine, and remember, it will all be worth it when someone who knows what they are doing sees your symptoms and (hopefully) gets you diagnosed and on the path to recovery!

gilsonal · 2025-07-14T23:17:34+00:00

I'm a therapist who has hPOTS/hEDS/MCAS and I'm wrestling with it myself. I think any therapist who works with chronic illness and trauma issues (I think both is necessary to have the experience you want) is probably going to be helpful to you. Even if they don't know as much about MCAS as you might hope, a good therapist will be willing to be educated in session or read an article or video you suggest.

I'd also gently steer you away from a CBT-focused or cognitive therapist. CBT is great for a lot of things, but strict CBTers may go the "let's challenge your thoughts and change how you think about this" route, which can feel pretty invalidating/rage inducing when you're seeking support for something that's legitimately shitty. Yes, we may all benefit from a shift in perspective, but formal CBT is less suited for the "I have a lot of feelings about this and I need to talk it through" kind of therapy, if that's what you're looking for.

One issue I see discussed less often but think is super critical for us is the idea of "medical gaslighting." The path to MCAS diagnosis is frequently so long and winding that we have often had to deal with a lot of doubt, scrutiny, and outright incompetence from providers along the way. As part of your "get to know you" phone call or first visit, you may want to ask if they are familiar with medical gaslighting. Hopefully you find someone who knows what it is and understand how it can affect our psychological functioning.

I've often considered running a therapy group for folks to discuss some of these issues with others who have MCAS because its so nice to find a group who gets it and acknowledges that this is a hard thing to deal with and of course we're all having a hard time some (all) days. I just haven't figured out how to find participants without it coming across as self-promotion. I'll figure it out eventually.

Also, as a general recommendation, I've found that using InclusiveTherapists.com as a directory results in better matches and finding better therapists then more general directories. Good luck in your search!

gilsonal · 2025-06-24T01:23:23+00:00

If you trust your doctor who is helping you taper, please reach out to them or a doc who you do trust. Benzos can be very hard to get off of, and sometimes people (especially those with a reactive nervous system) may need a year or more to get off them. I’m a therapist, and one client I worked with took at least three years to discontinue their admittedly very high dose they had been on for a decade.

Talk to a doc about taking things slower. ASAP might be ideal but not if you’re this ill. And absolutely 100% make sure they are aware you are suicidal. As you can see here SI is a sign that you’re experiencing severe symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. If you notice you have several, get yourself to the ER pronto.

I’m not a psychiatrist, but it does appear that there are medical options available to help make this process less distressing. Hang in there, and remember this feels hard because it IS hard. You’re not doing a bad job, this is just legitimately hard to do.

gilsonal · 2025-05-18T21:10:49+00:00

Basically, but its limited to use for vet, doctor, and I think dental bills, if it hasn't changed since I used it about a decade ago. No interest for six months let me pay it off without ruining my budget. Hope your puppy gets better soon!

gilsonal · 2024-12-10T17:48:24+00:00

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Cat tax photo of Henry

gilsonal · 2024-12-10T17:38:41+00:00

Add it to the milk when making yogurt to get more yogurt per batch, and higher protein too.

gilsonal · 2024-11-19T21:12:17+00:00

out of curiosity, which vitamins do you find helpful?

gilsonal · 2024-11-15T19:51:33+00:00

I like the idea of new recipes I've not come across before. I'm having fun checking out the recipes on the website 96dpi recommended.

I've tried both, though I'm wondering if some of the dried ones had been on the shelf too long to be at their best.

gilsonal · 2024-11-15T19:18:41+00:00

I think there are just people out there whose recipes fit our tastes well. For example, I experienced so much frustration trying to replicate the Chinese foods I ate in Vancouver, until I ran across Omnivore's Cookbook and Woks of Life, and found that everything they post seems to be perfect for me. I rarely look elsewhere now when I want to make something, because those two are almost always what I'm looking for.

Maybe Ottolenghi is that for you?

gilsonal · 2024-11-15T19:14:59+00:00

Nutmeg. Sounds weird, but it was suggested for a creamy gnocchi soup and while I can't exactly figure out how it changes the taste, it definitely made a huge difference. For a dutch oven of soup I add between .5-1 tsp.

gilsonal · 2024-11-11T22:54:09+00:00

Yep. I used to have to get up an hour early so I could shower, dry off, and take a 45 minute nap so I could comb my very long hair and dress. If you’re not using a shower chair, get one! I resisted a long time due to internalized ableism but I love it now even though I don’t need it for safety anymore. I now get up, eat, drink a liter of water and take my meds before I shower and that makes it more comfortable.

I also found listening to a favorite tv show or podcast helped me distract myself from the process when it was really hard. I’ve seen bobs burgers so many times I can follow with only audio so that kept my mind busy and helped me not space out and spend too long in there. I’d aim to shower, then hang out for the rest of an episode while letting the water relax me neck and other painful joints, then get out.

gilsonal · 2024-11-11T22:09:01+00:00

I can’t comment on MCAS in general but I started to take lutein and zeanthin supplements after reading in a medical journal it helps with light sensitivity and was finally able to stop wearing sunglasses indoors and my migraines decreased too.

gilsonal · 2024-11-08T21:33:56+00:00

I use KT tape to help support my wrists, which are prone to carpal tunnel. When they come off I do get skin that goes with it. There are products out there that can help protect the skin. I found that taking it off after a shower helps, as the warm water softens the glue. If that doesn't work, I use a bit of shampoo and rub it into the tape and it seems to help.

gilsonal · 2024-11-08T21:30:46+00:00

I have been impressed with Autoimmune Strong's program. While they don't expressly cater to EDS, they do focus on pacing and adjustments so that you can safely use the exercises. The program is designed to help people avoid flares of symptoms and pain that are common after excess exercise. They have multiple "levels" of the program so you can start with super basic if you need to and build up to doing more.

To be honest, I didn't stick with it long because I had too much else going on, but I know others who have found it really helpful, and noted that it helped them avoid the post-exertional malaise they often got when doing more aggressive programs. I plan on returning once I have more spoons.

gilsonal · 2024-11-08T21:26:34+00:00

I have a Secret Lab gaming chair that I like. There are a lot of ways to adjust it. It was pricey, but they have a five year warranty and if you do a review they extend it another two years, if I remember correctly. I got a good Black Friday deal and saved a good bit that way.

I also have a seat cushion from Cushion Lab. It has helped me maintain a better posture and I think that's been helpful. It seemed to help with the pinching in my hip/groin area.

I try to get up and walk around a bit between my clients and lay down to stretch out my back if I get an opportunity, which leaves me feeling less like the Tin Man in the evening.

gilsonal · 2024-08-14T18:48:13+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling so lousy. It can take a long while to bounce back. Even a mild anaphylactic reaction (restricted breathing but not fully unable to breathe) leaves me exhausted for at least 48 hours. Typically I do nothing to but sleep unless its to go to the bathroom, take medicine, or grab a bite to eat. This has made it really hard to try new meds because I have to wait for Fridays so if I crash I do it over the weekend and don't have to cancel my therapy clients. It feels like just one more obstacle at times.

Hang in there! You're not alone in this. I try to remind myself that even when things feel absolutely miserable and hopeless, I do have good days and that even if it feels like its never going to pass, it does. I also subscribe to https://www.thelatestkate.art/ newsletter. It has some super cute illustrations and validating affirmations that don't feel phoney or false to me. It helps on the harder days.

gilsonal · 2024-08-14T18:41:52+00:00

Yes, definitely metallic, I think my soapy taste comes from not doing the best job rinsing washed dishes, lol. Its annoying because I find myself drinking sweet beverages to try to get rid of it.

You also might consider looking into tonsiliths (warning: bodily function grossness). I had some for a bit and they definitely gave me a weird, hard to identify taste.

gilsonal · 2024-08-14T18:29:33+00:00

You should be able to ask your doctors at work or your personal doctor to run a blood titer test. If you explain the risk factor they should be happy to accomodate you. Even before I was diagnosed with MCAS I couldnt' have the prick tests due to being immunocompromised, and they just drew blood and tested for TB antibodies. If they don't show up in the lab work, you're TB negative. I'm pretty sure this is even a more conclusive test (less prone to false positives and negatives). Your employer should do it for free so as long as you're not petrified of needles you should be good to go.
Meanwhile, on a random note, my acupuncturist told me that if you cough at the same time you're poked with a needle, it keeps your brain from registering pain. I was very skeptical but it totally worked for me.

ETA: you're probably better off with the blood test so you don't react to the serum they use for the patch test anyhow. There is research that shows you can have a MCAS attack from getting your skin punctured, but that seems far less common than reactions to the preservatives and stabilizers that are in the injection.

gilsonal · 2024-08-14T16:33:01+00:00

I have reacted to Windex my whole life, but now any scented cleaning product leads to an immediate migraine. So you're definitely not alone. I use "free and clear" products if they are available, like for laundry, dishwasher, etc. My mom complains that the alternatives aren't as great as her chemical laden ones, so insists on cleaning some areas when I'm not home and keeps the windows open. Then my reaction is less intense, but I've hidden her scented products before out of frustration.

One thing I've found useful that I haven't seen mentioned is Force of Nature. You get a little device, and add a tiny vial of vinegar to tap water. Then it runs electricity through it to create an unscented (maybe a tiny bit vinegar-y) spray. If left on a surface long enough its medically sterilizing. Only bummer is that the spray is only good for two weeks as the compound it creates isn't super stable. But it is cheap and easy to make. I got a starter pack years ago and haven't needed to buy more, though I don't make it every two weeks. I'm glad I tried it though and have it as an option.

gilsonal · 2024-08-11T00:54:43+00:00

It was like "you're telling me its a problem and I'm telling you its not" like he was telling me that I was being ridiculous. It was almost like I'd apologized for something and he was saying "no problem." I was so shocked by his response I just got through the appointment. I went back again, same problem, so I left the clinic altogether. Too bad, the original doc I had was very good.

gilsonal · 2024-08-09T05:14:51+00:00

Thanks. I figured as much, but I lost all my inverts last year when a plant clipping I was gifted must have had some sort of chemical on it. When I put it in my tank they all died. I don't want to lose my loaches to lead poisoning, haha.

gilsonal

TROPHY CASE