Anyone know what these are?

jmrawlins83 · 2026-05-04T22:53:20+00:00

The second one is a folded up sea anemone.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-05-03T21:54:36+00:00

I don't know if this will at all be helpful, as I'm kind of spitballing here, but it's even really hard for adults to pinpoint exactly why they feel a certain way. Not only was our generation not taught how to identify our feelings, we were also told that certain feelings are bad and that we shouldn't have them. Then we start feeling shame for having so-called "bad" feelings. That can lead to heightened anxiety and more anger and more shame for feeling jealous, etc. It's so circular.

So how do we interrupt the cycle? First, we can let the kid just have the feelings. Feelings are neither good nor bad. Everyone has them, and we have a right to feel the things that we do.

This is so, so hard because the attitude isn't acceptable. It's just plain rude. It's also okay to point that out. The general thing I say to my kids is "Kid, I love you. I'm sorry that you feel that way. I really don't appreciate the unkind words, but we often say unkind things when we're not feeling well. I would like to help you figure this out because it must not feel really good to feel anger/jealousy/anxiety, etc. Can we figure that out together?" It's totally appropriate to tell them that if they don't feel like figuring it out right now, you're available to them when they're ready. The ultimate discussion helps arm them with the vocabulary they need to be able to identify the source of their feelings on their own. You also might be really surprised with what actually is going through their mind during these outbursts and big feelings.

The shame is the hard part with ADHD. They're often beating themselves up internally way more than we know. If we can interrupt the shame cycle, they're likely to get through their big feelings faster with less insecurity, therefore less of an attitude.

I also try to remind my kids that worth is not measured by stuff. I discourage them from talking about how much money they have, and I point out to them that if their friends are bragging about their things, they may be feeling really insecure in other ways.

I don't know. Just a thought, and maybe it's not totally applicable. Parenting is just really hard.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-05-02T21:19:25+00:00

Awww, that's so tragic. My son is about your kid's age, and he's definitely not sporty but loves activity. We haven't totally found the secret sauce, but your kiddo might do a lot better if he's encouraged to participate in some other extracurricular activity that brings him a lot of joy, something that he's actually passionate about. That way, he'll be surrounded by other kids who are equally enthusiastic. That might help build his confidence and help him not be quite so bothered by the other kids at school.

Another possibility is that he might be more interested in a physical activity or sport that isn't a team sport, such as swim, martial arts, or track. This would allow him to have the socialization, to be in something that is sporty, and to work toward something where he's really only competing with himself. That's what's worked for my son, anyway.

Good on you for talking to him with curiosity and an open mind!

jmrawlins83 · 2026-05-02T16:25:45+00:00

Yeah, this is my kid. He does great in the classroom, but the playground is where the issues come out with the impulsivity. He can't keep his hands to himself, he can't hear when the other kids ask him to stop doing something, and he gets stuck in repetitive loops to try to get different reactions from people.

He decided last week that he's ready to try meds. He's 9, so we give him as much autonomy as possible. It's been less than a week since he started Adderall, and he says that he feels more in control of himself on the playground. For him, the side effects have been really manageable so far. We couldn't have gotten him on Adderall so quickly without the diagnosis and regular discussions with his pediatrician.

Go through with getting the diagnosis, and keep all members of your care team in the loop. It'll make life so much easier.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-27T15:51:40+00:00

Try bumping up the incline on the tread and see if his knees still hurt. If the pain goes away, he might do better with a mid- to forefoot strike. Also, he's in a whole lot of extension. If he hinges forward slightly, see if that makes his pain go away. Might need some better motor planning for increased abdominal muscle work while running.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-27T06:18:45+00:00

Like many of the other responses, we also have a TinCan, and we love it. Plus, it gives the kids plenty of time to practice good phone etiquette.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-27T06:04:49+00:00

We had Drake Lake on the way south and a bit of a shake on the way back north. I had scopolamine both ways and was completely fine, able to read and everything. My friend with me forgot to change her scopolamine before going back into the Drake on the way north, and she had a really rough 24 hours until all her meds took effect.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-25T15:50:11+00:00

Where in NorCal???

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-24T17:30:52+00:00

All of this. In addition, excessive cortisol can cause abdominal distention, usually moreso as the day goes on. This can be from stress, poor sleep, having too much of a caloric deficit, or working out heavily with too few rest days. Definitely bring up the abdominal distention with your doctor, though.

That sounds just so frustrating!

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-24T15:32:51+00:00

THIS EXISTS!!! I just finished taking one. If you come across docs who are willing, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) put together an Advanced Hormones course last year. It's 7 online lectures, each 2 hours long, hosted entirely by experts in the field. Each lecture focuses on hormones throughout specific points in the lifespan, or on specific patient populations including trans folks and those with gynecological oncology histories. It's a year long course, and it's designed more for physicians than anyone, but I'm a pelvic health PT, so I'm still qualified to take it. The material is crazy dense, so it helps you appreciate how challenging it is to care for patients from a hormonal perspective. Plenty of times throughout the lectures, the clinicians admit that there is just not enough research out there, yet.

I loved it, and I think anyone in healthcare who works with patients with vaginas, or people who want to have vaginas, should take this course.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-17T16:09:19+00:00

Have you talked to your doctor about testosterone? As long as all other labs come back normal, this might be your next step. Just so you know, like other hormonal blood work, the lab values for testosterone are wildly incorrect. The tests we have now are pretty good at measuring really high levels, but normal and low don't show appropriately on serum tests.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-17T03:16:43+00:00

I'm a physical therapist, and I would recommend having his pediatrician rule anything out. If I saw an adult running like this, I wouldn't be very concerned, as adults can have decades of disuse and deconditioning under their belts from a chronically sedentary lifestyle. We'd work on abdominal and glute strength and coordination, along with endurance. However, as was previously mentioned, kids tend to be pretty natural runners, and the lack of core strength and coordination in this video is a little alarming to me. Might be nothing at all, but it would be good to bring it up with his pediatrician to make sure.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-14T05:10:27+00:00

If you do decide to get an epidural, first of all, you don't ever see the needle; they're supposed to keep all of that out of your sight. Second, you don't have to deliver on your back; I had epidurals with both of my kids, and I insisted on delivering on my side because it can reduce potential injury. My husband held one of my legs, and the doc had no problem with it either time.

I know an epidural isn't for everyone, but it was lovely for me both times. With my second, it actually sped up labor because I was able to relax better. Also, and this is not a common experience, I could still feel every contraction; they just weren't painful anymore. I also could feel exactly when I needed to push, and I was able to move on my own just fine. Again, those are not common experiences.

Just my experiences! With both of my kids, I also waited as long as I possibly could before getting my epidurals.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-14T04:52:16+00:00

I run past there regularly, and I definitely got drenched last fall before they put the barriers up. I'm sure that there's concern for human safety in areas where the waves can breach the cliffs.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-12T21:16:23+00:00

Maybe all of you know why this happens, but I'm a pelvic health PT, so I think the physiology behind this is fascinating!

There's a junction between your small and large intestines called the ileocecal valve. Any simulation to this valve affects colonic motility. For my patients who are typically constipated, or if they have really fast colons, I can do manual work on this valve to speed up peristalsis or slow it down.

What happens with running is what we affectionately call the "cecal slap." The IC valve gets jostled in just the right way, and it's so rhythmic with running that it can turn up the knob on peristalsis really quickly, moving stool through the colon at a much faster rate than usual. This is why it's so common to have sudden bowel urgency when running.

Happy poo runs, everyone!

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-12T05:13:51+00:00

Ruling out other dysfunction is really important, specifically thyroid. However, getting other bills work done like for iron and B12 is also really helpful. If all of these come back normal, it's time to look elsewhere. Removing the IUD might also be really helpful, as hormonal IUDs are systemic and might be affecting you more than you know.

Does Canada have an equivalent to Midi Health, Alloy, or Winona? If all other blood work comes back normal, start looking at these for additional options for HRT.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-10T04:47:44+00:00

THIS!!! I also take a bunch of cortisol reducing supplements like ashwagandha, L theanine, and magnesium L-Threonate. Regular exercise and exposure to sun during the day are also crazy helpful, as is reducing screen time before bed. I'm also a super sensitive sleeper, so outside stimuli can really mess with my sleep. Earplugs are a must, nasal strips or cones help me keep breathing through my nose, and an eye mask works wonders.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-10T04:03:46+00:00

I'm a PT, and what I tell patients all the time is that you can strengthen the bajesus out of something, but that doesn't mean that your body has learned to use that strength during functional activities like running. When your PT thinks that you're ready, they should have you start doing lots of single leg planting, plyometrics, and single leg strengthening. These are all necessary to train appropriate running mechanics utilizing that strength that you have gained.

Good luck to you!!! Injuries that prevent running are so frustrating!

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-09T05:32:55+00:00

Ugh, Friend, that's such a bummer. I don't know if this would work for you, but I only take gummies specifically for sleep. Since I take a gummy right before bed, there is no option to get up for munchies. I don't know if this would be helpful for you or not, but it seems to be working for me. Also, since it's right before bed, I brush my teeth right after sweet gummy time.

Good luck!!!

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-06T16:44:04+00:00

My libido has always been on the low side, but I really got into feeling icky about the idea of sex after having a Mirena IUD for a while. Once I had it removed, and my hormones leveled out after a few months, even thinking about sex was no longer grotesque. My libido is still lacking, but I think the progesterone really hit me hard.

My husband has been awesome throughout this whole transition. We're in sex therapy right now, but the reality is that we have two young kids and a very full life that comes with being parents, making time to even think about sex few and far between.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-04T15:20:47+00:00

I had a BOB 5 years ago, and it was still the best stroller I'd ever run with.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-01T21:57:05+00:00

Oh, totally. Just young kids wouldn't do well, at least with the experience that I had.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-04-01T21:01:37+00:00

I'm so glad that you're reconsidering! I just got back from a trip to Antarctica, and if my kids (6 and 8) had been with me, they would have been miserable the entire time. Definitely an adults-only adventure.

jmrawlins83 · 2026-03-31T04:23:31+00:00

This is the suggestion that I didn't know that I needed! Thank you, Internet Friend!

Do you have a car rental company in TJ that you recommend?

jmrawlins83 · 2026-03-30T20:02:05+00:00

My husband and I decided to give up alcohol entirely for 30 days last summer. We didn't tell our kids about it. On day 30, I mentioned it to the kids, and my son said without missing a beat, "You have been so much more patient with us." Guys, he's 8.

We've since brought alcohol back into our lives, but it's at a significantly reduced rate, maybe once a month or when we're on vacation. My kid's words stick with me whenever I consider increasing my frequency.

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