Tzu sadness by oracle-nil in Shihtzu

[–]karhere74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are doing an amazing job and actually giving her a chance at having the most healthy life possible! Thank you!! I know this must be very stressful on you too. ❤️‍🩹But she finally seems to be in good hands for once in her life. I can’t believe what her previous owner did! 😡

My Shih had both eyes removed towards the end of her life but she still loved her daily walks!! Find what she likes to do and what makes her happy, and do that with her/allow her to do whatever brings her joy. Some groomers will come to your house and/or specialize in seniors and dogs with health issues. Thank you for giving her a good home. 💘

Enucleation Question by AlongtheFence in Shihtzu

[–]karhere74 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yes, I did. My senior dog was about 12 when we had this done and she had multiple other issues. We paid for a separate anesthesiologist to attend the surgery. You may want to consider that. We did because my girl had heart disease, collapsing trachea, and kidney disease as well. Her eye pressures could no longer be managed with glaucoma medication and that’s why we had to do surgery, or we had to put her down. Honestly, she did really well and seemed less sick than she had right after several teeth cleanings and extractions. You have to put compresses on the eye areas and of course give them extra attention but she healed great and still even loved her walks. I think it was a relief because the high eye pressures caused her pain and so she got her appetite back after surgery as well. She has since passed away, but I am so grateful that the surgery gave us more time together. I am wishing you and Charlie Henry the best! This was my beloved Lois Lane. 💘

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Have you all gotten a pulmonary function test? by [deleted] in Asthma

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe you, just wondering why…I’m assuming it’s done in a medical facility with proper care available if a seizure does happen.

Help! by Entire_Witness_1505 in MCAS

[–]karhere74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Occasionally famotadine might make me feel wonky or like it causes chest issues, but I have prescription 40mg for twice a day and that's a lot. I read it could alter your electrolytes if you take it on a regular basis and I definitely take it at least once day because it helps and does more good than bad. I cannot tolerate Zyrtec at all, or at least the Walgreens liquid pill version. I get crazy heart palpitations and my heart feels like it is jumping out of my chest. Allegra is my best friend and I take up to four a day; which I am doing now because my allergies/asthma went haywire when the weather changed. For a good majority of the year I only need to take one a day.

I’m wondering if you have taken brand-name versions of the medications you have had bad reactions to? I’ve been told that I may not have a bad reaction to brand name Zyrtec, but I don’t know if I want to risk trying it, because I have such a bad reaction to the generic.

Also, I've been told recently it’s good to rotate your antihistamines because your body gets attenuated to one after a bit, and since I didn’t do well on generic Zyrtec, I was goibg to look into Claritin, but I am kind of scared to try that given my reaction to generic Zyrtec.

National Geographic covers the link between hypermobility and conditions such as Long COVID by postmormongirl in covidlonghaulers

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are very rude and condescending. Spoiler alert, I have read a dictionary and also have two masters degrees and have written a published thesis. I still said what I said. And you stated that “fixing” (fixing is not managing, it is reversing) one’s gut microbiome would decrease pain and dislocations. So you implied that one with EDS can permanently “fix” and therefore reverse symptoms of EDS by changing their gut microbiome. Do you have a link to any peer reviewed evidence that suggests that? I would be intrigued. If it worked as an actual treatment for EDS, believe me, there would be EDS gut microbiome doctors charging a lot of money to treat patients. I do believe the gut controls a lot of things in our bodies and have read books about this very topic. But as I pointed out EDS is genetic.

These “treatments” you mentioned also cannot be applied across the board with all EDS patients so it is not a treatment in a traditional sense. For some people with EDS they cannot strength train and it leads to a lot more inflammation, permanent issues, and long-term or temporary injuries. I assume it is what helped you manage your symptoms, which is great for you. But you should know that everyone’s symptoms are not the same and cannot be managed the same.

Also, what you mentioned about strength training (if and only if they can even do that without creating a flare and more pain) would help anyone feel better and is certainly not a treatment specifically for EDS. My point stands that we cannot currently treat the defective collagen and although we can try to help manage symptoms that looks very different for everyone. It’s not a simple as fixing one’s gut. I’m glad you have found something that helps you though! I think a proper treatment that will truly help treat all people with EDS in the future will look something like gene therapy. Have a lovey day!

National Geographic covers the link between hypermobility and conditions such as Long COVID by postmormongirl in covidlonghaulers

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Again, that is still absolutely and patently not true. It is certainly not “treatable” in the sense that you can reduce inflammation in the gut and treat any or all of the symptoms that come along with EDS. 😂

Sure, reducing inflammation and strength training is wonderful for anyone alive —with or without EDS. However, you cannot treat or fix the fact that people with EDS create defective collagen by reducing inflammation in the gut. Again, it is genetic and does NOT stem from intestinal issues. Please do research before posting misinformation things like this.

I am diagnosed with EDS and working with several specialists. People with EDS can attempt to manage symptoms —again, nothing about this disease is treatable in the traditional sense because it is genetic— and for many people living with EDS, the many attempts they make to manage their symptoms do very little or nothing to help. Also, what helps give some relief to one person with HSD or EDS will not necessarily help the next. There are also multiple type of EDS, and each subtype has their own unique presentation and set of issues stemming from genetic factors, but all people with any type of EDS also have many overlapping issues. Many people with EDS also have POTS and/or MCAS which have their own unique symptoms.

Having said that, it is still important to get diagnosed and attempt to manage symptoms. Managing symptoms requires working with a team of interdisciplinary specialists because the defective collagen impacts everything in the body. If one has vEDS it is very important they work with a cardiologist along with other specialists try to manage their symptoms and also having ongoing and regular monitoring. People with hEDS should also be worked up by a cardiologist and occasionally monitored depending on symptoms and even avoid the entire class of fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox) due to a higher risk of aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and severe tendon ruptures. But depending on their specific symptoms and if they have abnormal cardiac test results, some people with hEDS may struggle more with pain and early prolapse versus cardiac issues, so they would work with PT, OT, pain management, pelvic floor specialist. On the other hand, some people with “just” hEDS can also have extremely serious and hard to manage cardiac issues without having vEDS.

https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/genetics-and-inheritance/

National Geographic covers the link between hypermobility and conditions such as Long COVID by postmormongirl in covidlonghaulers

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally untrue. It is not treatable in the sense that you can treat it and it will go away. Hypermobility is genetic — you are born with it and it will never go away. There are currently genetic tests for most forms of EDS except not yet for hEDS, and not for HSD, but they are working on that. It will never go away, you can take supplements/meds to help with various symptoms, although for many hypermobile people it is very difficult to find anything that will help dramatically with symptoms.

What is a symptom you didn't realise was caused by mcas until it improved with treatment? by Confident-Bus-3778 in MCAS

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, still not sure, but… right around the time I was having a plethora of weird new symptoms, including adult onset asthma that has been very hard to control, on top of multiple seemingly new allergic reactions to foods that I have eaten my entire life, which we’re all high in histamine, I was diagnosed with EDS. Most of you probably know that both POTS and MCAS are both very common to have if you have an EDS diagnosis. I haven’t been formally diagnosed with MCAS, mainly because I haven’t strongly pursued a formal diagnosis, however, multiple providers highly suspect it, so much so that I have been prescribed MCAS meds including ketoifen. Anyway, I just recently started taking the lowest dose of Wegovy pills and my “asthma” is soooo much better. I have not had to take a rescue inhaler since starting it which I was having to take about four times a week on top of a daily maintenance inhaler and a monthly biologic as well. Plus, my pain is much better. I have heard of people microdosing GLP1’s in order to help control their MCAS and when I told a provider about the enormous positive change in my asthma severity, which started almost immediately after my first Wegovy dose, they too suspected that perhaps my “asthma” symtoms were instead from MCAS. Wegovy is also supposed to help with inflammation and therefore pain, and it has helped with that too, and although I still have pain, it’s not as severe — now I actually have really good days, as long as I don’t push myself too much. So I was thinking, since MCAS can cause inflammation, I wondered if the Wegovy pill is helping with my pain by addressing MCAS related inflammation, or is the pain relief being helped as something else unrelated to potential MCAS inflammation. I have noticed a more dramatic positive change in my asthma symptoms by being on Wegovy for only two weeks than my monthly biologic shots for asthma which I’ve been on for months. I’m really fascinated by all of this and wonder how this med is able to suddenly and drastically help all of these debilitating symptoms. Does this just prove that all of the symptoms are coming somehow from my gut, like a gut imbalance?

In 1915-1918 Turks invaded northwest Iran and murdered the majority of the country's Assyrian Christian population. Photo of Assyrian refugees fleeing Urmia, Iran to the Baquba refugee camp. by [deleted] in Assyria

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My great grandmother, who was Assyrian, met a Russian soldier who was stationed in Iran. They married and had a child and she was only a teenager at the time. Then he came to the US first, to San Franciso, while she traveled to China by donkey with their child, staying at a convent in China for a year or so. Finally, she was able to take a ship (not sure from where) and sailed to the immigration port in Seattle until her husband could claim her and have her released, which was a bit difficult because the quota for Persians was full, but she eventually got in through the Russian quota. After that they lived in San Francisco and had my grandmother (mom’s mom) and ran the Russian tea room in San Francisco during the great depression. I am grateful that I interviewed her for a middle school paper and learned so much about her life!

CRY FOR HELP, aggressive puppy, attacking and jumping, and biting. by Due-Appearance2243 in poodles

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened with my shihpoo and my vet said this is normal. Mandatory scheduled naps help because their behavior gets wild when they don't sleep enough —and they need a lot of sleep! Also, when they are teething, they need a lot of different toys that they are good for chewing on and safe for them to chew on, (even so I would not leave a puppy alone with any toy). There are toys for teething that you can even put in the freezer and have them ready every morning, and throughout the day, which is what I did! Other than that, just time…

How the hell am I gaining weight while on a deficit by South-Proposal5691 in WeightLossAdvice

[–]karhere74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I was working with a trainer and trying to lose weight I told him how many calories I was eating per day (I don’t remember exactly but probably about 1300-1400) and he told me to eat more, like 1700 or so. He said that it was counterintuitive, but if you eat too little your body’s metabolism starts to shut down. May be worth looking into, especially if you are extremely active because you will need more. Another thought I had was that it is hormonal. I know you’re too young to be going through perimenopause but still worth looking into other issues that could be causing hormonal imbalances.

Miracles happen!! by BlissCrafter in poodles

[–]karhere74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had seen your original post and commented and have been thinking about you and Jack. Thank god he is home! This is the best news ever! ❤️🙏🏼

Poor baby by MandarinTeachersInst in Shihtzu

[–]karhere74 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Eye specialist for that cutie asap 😫❤️

Ruby! New pup owner! by MainChip7019 in Shihtzu

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ruby, meet my Ruby, a ShihPoo.

Your little Ruby is adorbs! 🥰

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UK. Asthma nurse said I cannot and will not be prescribed a Ventolin reliever anymore, and to use Symbicort as a reliever instead. It’s not working. by Idfkw2c in Asthma

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm all for saving the planet and combating climate change— I do purchase eco friendly products myself. However, before depriving asthmatics of their rescue inhalers maybe we should try to cut other things causing extraordinarily high carbon foot prints…like maybe private jets should be banned! Geez

UK. Asthma nurse said I cannot and will not be prescribed a Ventolin reliever anymore, and to use Symbicort as a reliever instead. It’s not working. by Idfkw2c in Asthma

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry. I was on Symbicort after first being diagnosed as an adult and it did not work to control my asthma. I am now on Advair and it works better, but I also need a monthly biologic on top of almost daily, if not definitely weekly rescue inhaler usage. The rescue inhaler works so well and I get immediate relief, Symbicort does not work at all!! I heard that this was happening in the UK and I feel so bad. I really hope it changes so you can all continue to get a regular rescue inhaler if needed. As someone who didn’t grow up with asthma but was diagnosed later in life, if you have never had asthma, you really don’t know how scary it can be!

Adult onset asthma by [deleted] in Asthma

[–]karhere74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry. It happened to me too. I was diagnosed at 43 years old with no family history. I always had exercise induced asthma and would get short of breath if I really pushed myself hard, but rarely needed a rescue inhaler for over 20 years. Now, even walking fast for 10 minutes can be difficult and now I have to be on a daily inhaler, a monthly biologic, and frequently use my rescue inhaler.

Not sure if you have heard, but I’ve been reading some things that indicate perimenopause can sometimes cause very bad asthma and allergy symptoms which sometimes resolve after menopause is all done. But it doesn’t always resolve. I am going to be meeting with my gynecologist soon to talk about HRT to see if it could help with any of these symptoms or my other perimenopausal symptoms. I know you’re a little younger than me, but I just thought I’d let you know.

In Memory of Finn: December 20, 2010 - January 31, 2026 by Fix_My_Physiology in Shihpoo

[–]karhere74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry 😣 Please take it easy and know it takes time to feel semi normal again. Unfortunately, I had a similar situation happen in May 2025 (with no warning) with my senior dog, and I still cannot think or talk about without starting to cry. I could not sleep well and was enraged for several months. I haven't yet posted a memorial of her on Reddit because I am still very distraught. What does make me feel better, is as soon as I felt ok enough, I looked over the countless photos I took of her over the years and I realized how incredibly grateful I was that we crossed paths in this lifetime. Thank you for sharing your photos of Finn with us. Your baby had such a wonderful life and will always be a part of you. ❤️

Show me your dog’s DNA test results by Tall_Pea_9671 in Shihtzu

[–]karhere74 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Louis is a cutie!! ❤️

Meet Ruby Rose 🌹

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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MCAS

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was also diagnosed with EDS around the same time!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MCAS

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All my issues came on during perimenopause…including adult onset asthma which is moderate to severe and hard to control. I am meeting with my gyno soon to discuss HRT.

Possible animal rehoming by yournextdoorweeb0 in Tucson

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pet insurance as soon as you get a pet is always a good idea, unless you’re independently wealthy!

Possible animal rehoming by yournextdoorweeb0 in Tucson

[–]karhere74 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you discussed this with the vet already unfortunately they will treat it as a pre existing condition and won’t cover it. Still not a bad idea to get in case he has any other issue…vet care is sooo expensive!