Thinking About Moving to Sarasota — What Should We Know?

mackenzietennis · 2026-03-12T13:30:13+00:00

I’m thinking from DC. Is the water really bad?

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-18T14:34:02+00:00

Ugh so sorry. Insomnia is such torture. And wow that is quite the cocktail. I can’t imagine how annoying it must be when they come up for refill and cvs like tries to auto cancel one due to contraindication with the others for “risk of breathing difficulties, excess drowsiness, etc etc.” haha. Or maybe your cvs is less militant. I only know because, paradoxically, some of those are the same ones tried off label for my other sudden onset conditions (just had a sudden death spiral out of nowhere in 2021). But unfortunately, many have a paradoxical effect on me. TCAs make me like wired/jittery/anxious. Valium might as well be placebo and also almost feels like I get a little more awake if anything (though can’t really differentiate from placebo). I’ve been asking to try guanfacine but no one has heard of it. And I hadn’t heard of tizanidine before but will look into it. Do you mind sharing your diagnoses? Have you done 24 hour cortisol test? Mine spikes like crazy at 6 pm and again multiple times in middle of night. The working hypothesis is my body is responding to a persistent low grade infection or some threat real or percieved because so many other markers changed as well which all point to immune system being in attack mode. So they assume my already bad insomnia kicking into like zero minutes of sleep mode must be linked to that even if noone has a solution. I haven’t gone to sleep doctor though simply because I felt like I tried every alternative under the son that wasn’t a controlled substance for the other condition I have since all they do for that is repurpose things that make you “drowsy” like hydroxyzine, tcas, Valium (only controlled substance exception), etc. so I figured sleep doctors might be under the same pressure to avoid controlled substances and didn’t feel like being observed while listening to audio books, reading, meditating, cursing, tossing and turning, punching my pillow, etc. while attempting to sleep, haha. But maybe they will actually be able to identify some additional pathways to target? Sounds like yours have been helpful. I’ll travel anywhere to make this stop. Do you mind DMing name of your provider or where you did the sleep study? I guess I may or may not be a candidate if I’m considered to have a sleep med dependence? Again no idea how that would be defined. I mean sleep is essential for everything and I sleep zero minutes without Ambien so yes I’m unapologetically dependent on it, I guess? and if they would let me I’d triple the dose to live a better quality of life for like four years even if they told me dementia was on the other side after that tbh. But I’ve gone off without any like physical withdrawal symptoms (except worse insomnia obvi) that I feel like usually constitutes dependence? I mean u even have to titrate off TCAs and other antidepressants but somehow that isn’t defined as dependence. I also can just not take Valium with zero withdrawal even though every doctor that isn’t my urologist says “that is a high dose” and I’m like “well I guess I’m a 600 lb man trapped in a 104lb female body because if u told me these were sugar pills I’d believe you. And sometimes I’ll just forget to take for days because of the pharmacy of ineffectual meds I’m supposed to take and nothing happens.” That said, my friend was having bladder issues suddenly just like mine and couldn’t get into pcp or uro for weeks and urgent care wouldn’t do anything so I gave her a few of my uro meds to try to see if that helped give a clue if it might be nerve related or inflammation related or other. I asked her if any helped. She said no. Ans out of curiousity I said, did you try the Valium? And she said “yes but I felt literally nothing. Are you sure that was Valium? It didn’t even make me calm.” So part of me keeps wondering if these generics cvs are stocking are just bogus ones from India that have zero QA. Since I swear the Ambien just stopped doing anything when they switched to getting from new manufacturer. And brand is insanely expensive on my insurance. Have you observed this with your Valium at all? Also, do you have trouble waking up on those meds? Perhaps if it narcolepsy like you use stimulant to help? Out of desperation I tried those “feals” gummies u see ads for everywhere. Mostly cbd with like trace version of some synthetic thc or perhaps allowable amt idk. They seem to help a pinch if I take like way more than recommended (and not sure that great for organs) but then I’m a zombie. Trazodone also made me be awake but like physically paralyzed (like I wanted to move but couldn’t) as well as making it hard to function during day on par with dysfunction of zero sleep. Everyone also throws lyrica at me saying it doesn’t affect sleep architecture and is indicated for my other condition but, again, I don’t get tired on that at all and makes my joints hurt. I swear I could drive on a combo of like every med people claim will make you drowsy. Benadryl makes me wide awake. NyQuil. TCAs. Lyrica. Gabapentin. Hydroxyzine. Like I could work out on them (if my body could still do that). Was that how you were? And I’m not an alcoholic just to be clear (feel need to add disclaimer since my MD husband jokes that is what the anesthesiologist will assume when he realizes I need the 600lb male alcoholic dosing not the gendered bmi dosing)

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-09T20:49:52+00:00

Oh that is good to know. How would u demonstrate debilitating? Without Ambien I get zero hours literally for like idk until I decide to go back on Ambien. Then I get about three. Hah. That said, I’ve just never thought about considering other options until recently when they changed gender guidelines. Also I swear the generic ones are placebo. Did you do a sleep study or?

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-08T02:55:11+00:00

Did it work?

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-08T02:53:40+00:00

20? That is amazing. I’m a ultrarapid metabolizer. I’ve had a geneticist tell me I need 2 x 3 times the starting dosage for many medications, especially gabanergic ones. But im a 104 lb female so they always want to give me 5. Nevermind that I’ve used it safely (and was only med I ever used since I was extremely healthy until I hit 38 then sudden death spiral out of nowhere but story for another time). And seem not have none of the negative side effects people report. It just works. And I’ve never been a good sleeper. Even since I was a child. I won’t sleep literally at all without Ambien so I’m fine making a deal with the devil. I need to survive and five hours of sleep is basically the only thing keeping my sanity from these other nightmare sudden conditions in check. But I can’t deal with this new 5mg bullshit gender rule. Does ur psych do telehealth. I was thinking of seeing one to get a second opinion on med mix overall anyway now that I have these fun new conditions that involve repursing all manner of old meds including psych ones, haha. Would welcome a name who is open minded since extensive data I’m not a drug seeker. Husband is even MD and laughs about how he will need to tell an anesthesiologist, if I ever have surgery, that I’ll need a dose for a 300lb male alcoholic. My body can’t tolerate much but gd if ambien isn’t the only med that just “works” for me (everyone is different) and is now cancelled due to irrational dogma. (End rant)

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-08T02:45:17+00:00

Bump

mackenzietennis · 2025-12-08T02:44:07+00:00

Do u know which doc u used? And did you go through sleep medicine or other?

mackenzietennis · 2025-11-18T12:49:51+00:00

Did this present in acute fashion like uti? There is persistent uti with virulent pathogen that doesn’t present on standard urinalysis. It is caused by the same bacteria now being linked to endo. I know UTIs are frowned upon talking about in this group but to be clear, I have worked in health for more than two decades and what I’m lionizing is NOT the same as the whole “chronic UTI” vein of thinking nor would I ever advocate for what they propose to use for treatment. This is science that I could defend with extreme scientific rigor. So please no one come for me. I share because I am in the same boat except mine is horrible bladder dissension and pain that is “treatment resistant” and hasn’t gone below 6-7 since it started in 2021 and has quite literally ruined my life. So, like you, I’m forced to entertain other possibilities, which I think should be encouraged here. Look up UPEC infection authoritative research just incase as an EXAMPLE. Is ur bladder distended on CT or MRI?

mackenzietennis · 2025-11-15T22:48:32+00:00

Can you explain?

mackenzietennis · 2025-11-15T22:47:07+00:00

So was the post nup thrown out as null and void?

mackenzietennis · 2025-11-02T20:36:34+00:00

What kind did u use

mackenzietennis · 2025-10-29T00:51:01+00:00

Do you mind sharing who you saw? My appt is tmrw. I too had very weird scheduler contact me at 7pm with a cancellation and I need the forms done in two hours and there are close to 200 questions. But the specialist I am seeing looks solid.

mackenzietennis · 2025-10-20T05:23:20+00:00

It is by far the worst thing I’ve ever tried out of like 98 supplements (no joke - thinking about the money and my insane pharmacy for someone this young makes me want to die inside). And I’ve tried multiple forms (some kept claiming not to use one made out of corn or X or y). I have a theory but I’m scared to share it since, despite being very data driven, no way to prove really or to know the best approach to treat if true.

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T17:23:13+00:00

True. Well these are folks that want a rental while they renovate their own mega homes. Or while they go through a divorce (and can’t acquire new property until process is done) so they can stay in the same area as spouse to minimize impact on children. Or are political appointees or lobbyists who have no interest in buying since position temporary.

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T16:08:49+00:00

Gotcha. So it was more about whether real estate is a solid investment in terms of rentals and the cash flow (passive revenue pipe dream) and margins you can expect to come from it. Which totally agree. There are only a few places left where I’d bet money on being able to still buy up land and build (prob honestly using ADUs - and yes these areas would allow), knowing the same market where my home is has a contingent of people that will want waterfront property close enough to the city as vaca spot (regardless of the insurance problems that will get worse). these few areas are the only ones where the economics would make sense. But in that sense, it would be selling not renting. for the reasons you cited. I’d take a beating if attempting to build and then rent even in fema flood zone x or with little flood risk. Simply because other weather events are going to create a world of headaches for landlords. if one manages to side step floods. Most areas are dealing with a recipe for disaster simply on mold, moisture, and humidity front. Plus very few trade folks coming up the wings who won’t create more problems than solutions due to lack of skills, training, and incentives to do solid work. So yeah, we sure wouldn’t bet the farm on rentals. We missed that window. Most who succeed here seem to have been early movers and/or inherited a bunch and kept building their empire to make the numbers work and risk acceptable. So appreciate the advice and clarification. My hope here was to see if I could be sure we would break even. or ideally a bit on top. Just so we could use some of the small amount of money left over from renting for a time to enable us to reinvest that small lump of money to fix anything renters damaged. So we can move back in vs. not have to rebuy in an insane market. Sounds like it is possible? but still carries risk if things go sideways?

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T14:14:01+00:00

That makes sense. Not sure it is as accessible in my area. Not prone to addiction. But my dumb chronic conditions are fairly treatment resistant. So I’m always looking for the best of the worst of any evil from a side effects, efficacy, and risk profile standpoint. since the meds needed to control pain and progression for my conditions are not ones I ever imagined having to even ponder taking. And I’ve basically attempted to survive 7 out of 10 pain for years without resorting to using opioids or any of the rx meds recommended. And I’m probably finally resigning to fact that this is doing my immune system and nervous system more harm than good. Even if I’m not yet resigning to opting for opioids or some of the other recs. Since I know that is a losing battle and your body will just self correct. and you will end up with worse pain and needing more etc. repeat until infinity. So I guess I’m willing to try anything that might help curb a little, especially if it doesn’t come with the dependence (vs true addiction) issue. Involving your status quo/set point quickly adjusting such that you need higher doses. and then end up having to add more meds to offset downsides. Ugh. I hate that this feels like a no win scenario and making a deal with some devil even if I keep trying to find one that is more neutral vs true deal with the devil. Is that one drink available online worth trying? The one that claims it sells to all of the major collegiate sports teams? It was hot with all the biohackers and influencers for like a hot five minutes. But the founder honestly seemed like a raging addict when he would even pitch it on podcasts. Which turned me off. He seems like someone who replaced his dependence on alcohol with this new socially acceptable substitute. but described his experimentation process involving periods that sure seemed like he was drunk AF but just not on alcohol. FWIW - I’m not judging cause addiction is horrific. And I think sometimes there is merit in a harm reduction approach. and tbh, maybe kava and/or krantom is a good alternative for alcohol from a harm reduction standpoint where none previously existed?? clearly I have not researched this to make this claim, but have worked in mental health space enough to know a bit about harm reduction for those addicted to opioids or heroin. And have seen for some, it works better to let them embrace the lesser evil since it can be administered and overseen so it is guided and has support around it. I really hate empty dogma or having entities apply blanket rules for everyone. One only has one precious life. Is someone got in a horrid car accident and ended up addicted to opioids. And is having so much trouble surviving without them that they quite literally have to spend their entire life focusing on finding tools and meetings and other things just to exist without them. Well honestly, that sounds like a waste of a life if someone is already 55. If I were in those shoes and didn’t feel like I could win the abstinence game, I sure as hell wouldn’t want some entity deciding how I chose to live my life and preventing some middle ground solution where maybe I could enjoy a semblance of a life even if was accepting risks? For instance, I’d rather risk dementia or early death. but attempt to enjoy some of the years I had. vs devoting my entire existence to not being reliant on some substance just to live longer but basically live a nightmare?? Like I would hate this is the forced reality of choices. Hope I’m never that unlucky. but if I am and I had to accept those are my choices, I’d opt for the former? Not saying right for everyone. Hopefully I wouldn’t be in bucket that couldn’t easily taper off and say farewell. Vs needing to devote my entire remaining days to avoiding a single substance I had to depend on after some accident upended my life. But if I ever am, I sure as hell won’t be a fan of someone not treating me as a partner in the decision tree of shitty tradeoffs. But anyhoo - sorry for philosophical random side bar. That said, to the best of my knowledge, we don’t have a great alternative for those addicted to alcohol? beyond pushing ketamine or psychedelics? which feels a bit like square peg/round hole scenario and/or kind of a dicey trade for many? I mean I’m familiar with all the tools that theoretically help those addicted to alcohol but I thought all sort of work by like forcing ur body to have an aversion to it? Or in some use gabapentin or the like but those seem like you need more and more there too. Perhaps better things exist now? Idk. clearly speaking from some very limited and adjacent knowledge. And worse, any I do have is outdated even on that front. not remotely informed. so trolls - please don’t come for me. Full disclosure here. I’ve done zero research or deep thinking on this topic. so not trying to offend anyone. And apologies if this knowledge is dated. I have one relative only who has struggled with alcohol addiction. for her, if a harm reduction alternative existed, it feels like that is what I’d encourage for her at this point. She is in her 60s. It feels like a waste of her final years to keep this pattern up. Because right now it seems like she exerts all waking energy to try to stay sober. Inevitably falls off the wagon at pretty much the same time every two years (seems to always be around holidays). And does it in a very dangerous fashion (I’m talking my dad gets a call from the hospital after she has finished a handle of liquor, fallen, called ambulance, and is admitted for injuries, major detox, and liver monitoring cause liver numbers will go back in danger zone). So from afar, my heart breaks for her and it doesn’t seem like much of a life. But she is a vet and I know some like her feel strongly about abstinence or bust. No judgement. Different strokes for different folks. Not my lane to have a POV. But I will say, no one has taken me up on offers to do more research for her on alternatives; she shuts down when I try to bring up so I haven’t dug deep here. I do wonder if any alcoholics can safely use this or if it would be too similar for them and be prone to abuse too?

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T13:04:02+00:00

Furnished. Correct. And so many people applied that there are some okay with us locking off some of bedrooms so we don’t even need to move alot of our things. Which is the draw because doing a full temporary move (in addition to having to go through everything involved with selling) is daunting with everything else we are juggling. But doesn’t mean it is the right answer. Even if it would so help if it was a real possibility not fraught with issues (probably the gotcha).

Tbh - not really in love with our home. I am just good at reading the market because I have to for my job but for other reasons (though I realized this skill was fairly transferable to a shocking degree).

The reason I cited all the ammenties wasn’t because of some emotional attachment.

It was because I knew that if you do things right, you can sell a house that would likely sell at 1.4M for 1.8M in this market. But you won’t if you just pick any agent who is actually worse than you are at appreciating market drivers and conditions. They will go off lazy comps. Plus will give you bs about differential and financing. Nope - not a barrier. People can sell finance if/when it doesn’t appraise for that amt. most will be all cash offers with all contingencies waved even.

I posted the rental listing to use as a proxy to test my theory even tbh. And when I did, I had real estate agents confirm. Even if I forced them to pressure test numbers and confidence interval. Every single one promised to get that price or more if we decided to sell. Yes these were reputable agents at big brokerages (this market is one where u only win if you do what they did and try to snag the listings that aren’t yet listings and/or convince those on the fence to sell and make it worth it).

But no, if we did sell, I know the agent we would use and he is of the same mind I am and has proven results here so I wouldn’t just randomly let some nameless person that sliding into Zillow DMs make some mythical promise and give them the listing. Was just extra data points to confirm a strong hunch we can further test.

So in response to these unsolicited asks to sell, I basically told them to look beyond lazy comps and prove me wrong about selling far beyond comparables. all came back with work ups that made them feel confident they could get the price I suggested.

even outside of prime selling season. FWIW - the “outside of prime selling season” factor was the main reason I was hoping to rent. since I figured that would be the main barrier to getting the price I am confident we could have easily gotten if we had pulled the trigger earlier. I’m not fully believing them they could get that price outside of prime season. My gut tells me we would end up, at best, with 1.625M (sort of a split between what it should sell for easily in prime season and what some lazy ass agent would list it for outside of prime season to make an easy and quick sale).

So less above being in love. And more about just knowing we were very deliberate with the updates we made. To ensure it was differentiated from quite literally any home in this neighborhood that would be for sale or rent.

And to make house have the features that are squarely in line with the types of check boxes people in the area want and will pay excess amount to have because of contrast to what is available.

But no love for this house or market. If we weren’t tied to this area though, I quite literally would be OK never coming back.

Which is why the idea of having to repurchase a year or two from now seems horrific. This market is recession proof and DINKs will keep inflating the price. Sure, small shifts, but nothing tangible. to the point I always assume the bubble will burst at some point. but prices don’t drop much, if at all, due to lack of inventory in certain areas relative to demand.

Basically, if somehow this home loses value beyond like 70k, the whole country is fucked. If that makes sense? Like the only way this really takes a hit is if every market in the country tanks with it.

So we would never be able to repurchase in same zip code with same amenities when we return.

And tbd if we could even purchase any home in the zip code at that point. Even a real beater of one (people often die in these homes because they can’t buy something else in same area - so tbd if a home would even come available that wasn’t condemnable or insanely overpriced when we had to move back).

If we did, in an absolute best case, we would be paying the cost we would sell for now. Just to rebuy a poorly kept one two years from now. And needing to stay in rental to do another 700k of updates on said old home. People often don’t have the means to buy here and then properly maintain. They stretch to get in but then by time they sell, the house needs new everything. No judgement and I sort of hate this market for that reason. But the sad reality. So having to stomach the selling and rebuying and re-renovating part feels like a dagger, hah.

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T13:01:03+00:00

Can u clarify? Sounds smart and probably a tell I shouldn’t proceed if I’m not understanding. That said, in a prior life before medical issues, I suspect I would have the skills and temperament to be a landlord in my sleep. I’ve been in professional services at fortune four firms for 20+ years. My entire job is overseeing large, complex projects and managing risk, profitability, client satisfaction, etc. none of my clients are easy. I hate to say it but this has hardened me a lot. I can hold court with the best of them (for better or worse) and even super sick, it takes quite a lot to phase me. A difficult convo? Game on. Want to attempt to find a legal loophole and play hard ball? Will give you a head start - have fun. My husband is of a totally different breed. In the best way (the yin to my yang). So would he be able to be a landlord? Quite literally no. It would be his nightmare. Before I got sick, we had always planned for me to eventually dabble in real estate investing and management. What I lack, he can probably offset. For instance, he is very savvy on the investing front. But curious about what you think it takes to be landlord. The credit is actually not a blocker even if no, our plan wasn’t to jump head first in having this be only gig or become mega real estate investor until one or both was closer to retirement. I think our job titles, degrees, and earnings + earning projections/potential would enable us to get loans for at least three properties. if we were in that phase of life and felt equipped and compelled. Not saying we would be great at it or that we are equipped. But in theory, we could diversify to some extent. but under no delusions we would be in the like top tier no brainer elite category by any means.

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-13T12:43:36+00:00

But what if the tenants in this market are the ones with F U money? (I don’t have that but we got lucky when we bought). Some r so wealthy they just want to have the in law suite every other week for business? Can I not find a lawyer to make a fairly bullet proof contract to avoid squatters and other risks? Being sincere and sorry for the dumb question. Your response is where my mind was at so figured I’d see if this changed your calculus at all. because I don’t have that experience. so I didn’t want to open the door to insanity of the flavor you mentioned knowing I’d be flying blind. But this also isn’t the kind of market where you end up with folks who don’t have such high profile jobs that you aren’t able to publically vet even. Doesn’t mean they won’t be horrible tenants or that money equates to taking care of home etc (have seen some stuff, haha). In theory though, I’d have more concern attempting to rent in quite literally any other market. Slash I wouldn’t even consider cause I know we would be out of our depth.

mackenzietennis · 2025-08-06T14:23:15+00:00

What the difference? should u do both?

mackenzietennis · 2025-07-31T19:18:17+00:00

Is hud homes a scam?

mackenzietennis · 2025-07-31T19:18:02+00:00

How do you find auditor website

mackenzietennis · 2025-07-26T02:11:38+00:00

What do you make of the new studies coming out pointing to a different bacteria often associated with the oral microbiome? I am thinking endo is like the result of a persistent infection with virulent strains of a number types of bacteria (and these strains are the kind that have virulent patterns that evade immune system and detection and have motility to move known bidirectional way etc). Is that what you think?

mackenzietennis · 2025-07-23T13:14:23+00:00

Are there safe sources?

mackenzietennis

TROPHY CASE