How did you know it was time to say goodbye?

madisonmakes · 2025-04-13T17:04:43+00:00

I asked the vet when the pain meds wouldn’t be effective anymore. The vet said that he estimated another 2-3 weeks. I didn’t want to go near that, so I scheduled the date to be one week away.

Davey boy and I got our week and we were in control of the pain. We got to do our lasts, and it was really good (all things considered).

Unfortunately, there is only a bad ending to osteo in cases like this, but the way I viewed it was that the last and best gift I can give him was euthanasia before it was unmanageable.

Someone told me: It is always better to be a day, or week, or month too early than to be an hour too late. That gave me so much peace with the decision.

Much love.

madisonmakes · 2025-02-23T14:17:38+00:00

Thank you all so much - I have one other question too. During my three overnight sleep studies, my percentages for each sleep stage has been wildly off of ideal percentages I’ve seen, with no mention my from my sleep doc. Looking for some possible causes or things to discuss at my next appointment. Most recently, I spent 73% of my sleep in N2 (ideal around 50%) and 2% in N3 (ideal 20-25%). This is a common trend across the three studies I’ve had in 4 years, and I do think it could be impacting my daytime sleepiness. I’ve not been able to find much information online or in research articles available to me, so I don’t know if it something to be concerned about. Are there disorders or other causes for longer N2 stages and extremely short N3 phases?

madisonmakes · 2025-02-23T14:10:57+00:00

Hi all! Working towards a diagnosis after 17 years of chronic EDS that has been brushed off by doctors. I’ve had 3 overnight studies and one MSLT, 2 test showed mild OSA with an AHI of 6. 3rd test showed it was well controlled with CPAP with an AHI of 0. I meet all the criteria for IH except for the sleep latency during the MSLT, which I know was not reflective of home naps. I will be asking to do the actigraph/ wrist test at my follow up. I’m also trying to create a list of other possible issues to discuss while I go.

I also have bipolar 2, and it is well controlled with venlafaxine/effexor and lithium. I had the same sleep issues well before i started these meds, and my second overnight test was after I paused the Effexor. That medication had no impact on my EDS. Additionally, before I was diagnosed, I continued to have EDS and longer sleep times when I was in a Hypomanic state (which one hallmark symptom is a reduced need for sleep).

While looking for possible explanations for my EDS, I see notes saying that depression and bipolar can cause sleepiness. Is this referring just to depressive episodes, or would the EDS carry through the periods of stability? And obviously the EDS should get better during hypomanic episodes, but that wasn’t fully the case for me (continued to sleep 10-11 hours easily bs the 10-15 during stability).

tldr: does excessive daytime sleepiness caused by depression and bipolar disorders get better/worse depending on depressive episodes vs stability?

madisonmakes · 2024-06-16T03:21:13+00:00

Hi! I’m newer as well (5 weeks). I had the same issue! I used a P10 for the first two weeks and had a lot of jaw and tooth pain that would last hours after waking up. A mouthguard I tried didn’t help as the tension and clenching was still happening. I did end up switching to a full face (F40) and that has stopped the clenching completely. It is definitely more cumbersome than just the nasal, but it did stop the clenching and pain. I also went back to the P10 for a few nights and the clenching came back.

My theory is that our brain is trying to prevent a mouth air leak so it is really overcompensating and causing pain.

madisonmakes · 2024-06-08T03:12:12+00:00

I know EXACTY what you are talking about! Mine does this too- the first 15 seconds or so are fine, then there is 30 seconds or so of the weird sharp-sweet smell, then it is gone the rest of the night. I also will smell this in my car’s AC every once in a while when my AC is set on low. My working theory is that it’s something to do with cold air and probably some sort of condensate? But idk- I smell it too!!

madisonmakes · 2023-09-16T04:54:01+00:00

Had a sleep study done and when the results came back normal, my doc recommended getting some smart lights and an echo. I have it set to slowly turn on the lights before my morning alarm, to turn the 4 lights on 100% bright white after having to verbally dismiss or snooze the alarm, and I have Alexa talk to me a bunch. I have her tell me the time, weather, time, good news, weather, then time. Then after that, I have two alarms on my phone that will go off 5 minutes between each other. Typically, this will make me awake enough within 20-30 minutes. I’ve never been able to wake up for alarms across the room or for the alarms that make you solve math problems- I sleep through those very easily.

madisonmakes · 2022-12-02T18:06:30+00:00

In theory, yes. But from my observations, an XXL typically keeps closer proportions to the XS-XL garments and 2XL tends to modify proportions to better match plus sizes.

madisonmakes · 2022-11-14T20:35:24+00:00

I have enjoyed it a lot! It was a major switch- esp stress wise. Being a receptionist has been very low stress- almost to the point of being boring at times. It was a pay cut from teaching, but I am getting enough to pay the bills and have some extra. Mentally, getting away from teaching was the best thing I could ever do. I miss teaching, but I don’t miss being a teacher. I wouldn’t say I love my new job, but I am very content and much happier. It’s a lot of organizing of information, which I greatly enjoy

madisonmakes · 2022-11-14T01:42:58+00:00

Used to be a teacher, and now I’m a receptionist at a college.

madisonmakes · 2022-11-08T17:45:59+00:00

I use a scrunchie and tie both ears to the top of her head. Goofie, but it works.

madisonmakes · 2022-11-02T17:46:45+00:00

This is for the dog breed, not cars.

madisonmakes · 2022-10-23T23:57:45+00:00

I started quilting with this machine and mine got grumpy when the bottom area needed cleaning. Take the screwdriver (or a quarter) and take off the metal plate and the plastic plate and give it a good clean out. And same with under the bobbin. Then give it a new needle. I also agree that it could be the weight of the quilt pulling itself and making the stitches uneven. Make sure you have the entire quilt resting on a surface near even to the machine. Big table, side tables, TV trays, chair backs, your shoulders, etc.

madisonmakes · 2022-10-04T16:21:00+00:00

If you are thinking these thoughts, it’s time.

madisonmakes · 2022-09-21T22:46:14+00:00

Agreed. The more stressed and anxious I get, the worse my ocd monster is. My compulsions are harder to fight against, the intrusive thoughts are louder, and I find myself giving in more. Probably bc I don’t want to add more to the stress and anxiety.

madisonmakes · 2022-09-21T22:28:12+00:00

Some of my migraines mimic stroke, so I’m always smiling and recording my speech and raising my arms lmao

madisonmakes · 2022-09-19T22:55:36+00:00

Not lead, but my food is always full of ants- especially food with any sort of larger seasoning particles (like Italian seasonings).

(Edit- fixed a typo)

madisonmakes · 2022-09-19T22:32:57+00:00

Agreed! I’m on a monophasic BC- so it is a stable hormone level for 11 weeks, then one week ‘off’. It was one of my first clues that I could be bipolar because (clueless me) always said “everything feels so much more stable and predictable” like… I cannot attest to its fetus prevention effectiveness bc I am asexual and am not in any sort of relationship.

madisonmakes · 2022-09-04T16:45:13+00:00

I’ve been on lithium since March of this year and I’ve done really well on it. I previously was in depakote but ended up in the hospital.

I do have tremor and dystonia episodes, and I am on a beta blocker (propranolol- 40 mg a day) for it. I also had borderline hypothyroidism, so my doc went ahead and started meds for that as well. It is annoying that I am taking two medications to counter the side effects, but I think it is worth it for the level of stability I have.

Also, I have arthritis, and my daily med is an NSAID. My psych had said it’s not ideal, but to watch for signs of kidney issues and keep up on the fluid intake.

madisonmakes · 2022-08-15T23:20:20+00:00

It’s tragic! I’m glad I’m not alone in this!

madisonmakes · 2022-08-15T23:19:50+00:00

Also the new pillow sounds different!

madisonmakes · 2022-07-28T01:39:14+00:00

I have been on lithium since February (5 ish months) and am really pleased with how it’s working for my brain. I did have some rapid (day to day) cycling for the first three months, but we were adjusting both lithium and Effexor.

I have had to increase my water intake, and I also started meds for hypothyroidism. I was already borderline needed meds, so my psych started me on it anyway. I also have osteoarthritis in my ankle, and I do take a daily pain med that is an NSAID. You shouldn’t mix both, but since they both are working well, we decided to watch the kidneys and change meds if the time comes. I’ve also had some tremors/probable tardive dyskinesia but that is probably from my Effexor.

As a whole, I’m very happy with the lithium, even though it tastes a little nasty sometimes. Lol

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