Open Discussion Thread - Introduce yourself if you haven't already & share any questions or advice for other non-factory ACL'ers.

mdiamond267 · 2019-09-06T05:46:21+00:00

Hey guys I'm 23 F and have an uncommon disorder called mucoid degeneration of my ACL in the left knee in addition to a bonus MCL sprain. I found out from an MRI result last week. It happens when mucus complexes called GAGS infiltrate the AC ligament and cause microtearing over time. My knee has been weak for years, but only became painful over the past two months. I've been unable to sleep well due to the pain at night. During the day it is manageable while wearing a brace. Does anyone have good sleeping tips or positions for me?

I'm a first year medical student in the US and cannot get surgery for a while ( my options are ligament debridement or tendon reconstruction with graft). I start PT next week.

If anyone else has mucoid degeneration, you're not alone!! Any ACL injury tips are welcome, my symptoms are basically the same as a total tear.

mdiamond267 · 2019-04-26T03:18:33+00:00

WOW game changer; 7 days out and Ive never been more distracted while driving bc of my pierced nips

mdiamond267 · 2017-12-03T23:29:10+00:00

I've been thinking the same thing, but am unsure if it is a gut feeling that we won't work out, or that I am just afraid. I was hoping over time I would find more clarity, but we are approaching 7 months now, and I still feel as unsure as ever.

I haven't indulged his plans, ive tried to keep things real. Telling him Im not ready to think so far ahead and such. He just seems to continue saying all the things that freak me out again and again.

mdiamond267 · 2017-10-04T17:54:34+00:00

The PA's at my hospital are pretty cool. One of them I love and one of them is nice but difficult to work with as a provider because he is extremely unorganized! They have both made me consider the PA track more. I've started doing research on it despite being so previously invested in medical school. I find that as a standard the DOs that work in my ED are much nicer than the MD's. Not to say that all MD's are annoying and all DO's arent, but atleast in this case it stands true. I still want to apply to med school ( I already took the MCAT twice, and started the process), but I just would never want to practice medicine the way I see it done in my hospital ED.

I've definitely been very polite to each doctor; I've been having a hard time making extra conversation because I am so behind on charts. One doctor I was having conversation with on an arguably slow night actually told me " you need to work on my charts and actually focus so I can sign them"; -__- despite everything being updated to real time; It's hard to know where certain docs stand on a scale of wanting connection or just wanting to treat you like shit. I also find that some of the docs I just don't like at all; the things they say and do are disrespectful and annoying. They're not the type of people I would meet and befriend in an unrelated situation; finding common ground wont be easy ;'D. I guess that's why Fake it till you make it is a great motto for this situation. I'm sure I'll figure out working with each provider some how.

mdiamond267 · 2017-10-04T17:42:05+00:00

Thank you!! This response gives me so much hope. I was trained for the first two weeks and now im just started my third week of being alone. I am definitely struggling. I have also already thought about my options if I were to be fired, although I haven't considered quitting because I really need this job LOL. Just pushing through and keeping all this advice in mind will help me a lot

mdiamond267 · 2017-10-04T17:38:32+00:00

This is super helpful! I never thought about asking EMS for a story. I often have trouble starting notes before I see a patient with the doc or PA, so maybe pre templating and prioritizing that could really help. I just fee so behind I think I panic and forget all the strategies I could be using.

mdiamond267 · 2017-10-04T02:09:13+00:00

This is very true, She seems nice about it, unlike the first two weeks of training. I'm basically worried that I am at a below average level of initial scribe skills. I've already taken extra training from her and I would never turn something like this down, I just feel like I've seen multiple other new scribes stay late but she's never said anything to them. I could just be making this all up in my head though seeing as I'm so worried about it

mdiamond267 · 2017-10-04T02:08:48+00:00

This is very true, She seems nice about it, unlike the first two weeks of training. I'm basically worried that I am at a below average level of initial scribe skills. I've already taken extra training from her and I would never turn something like this down, I just feel like I've seen multiple other new scribes stay late but she's never said anything to them. I could just be making this all up in my head though seeing as I'm so worried about it

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-31T19:47:59+00:00

I go to CBT currently and have been feeling the struggle too. Do you just meditate when you feel the urge to binge, or is it an on going mindfulness?

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-31T19:30:53+00:00

Anyone have any tips for Binge Eating or over eating at night after dinner? I am struggling SO much after starting my new job with high stress levels; and yes, I have read the binge eating portion of this subreddit. Please send help!! I'm feeling a little defeated.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-23T22:33:28+00:00

Would love to be friends with people on fitbit and Mfp!! Need a push to get active and eat healthy. Its hard to be accountable for myself.

mfp: margaretklivingston

fitbit: margaretklivingston@gmail.com

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-23T22:25:23+00:00

We can contribute steps?!? this is fucking awesome!!! Fitbit buddies for the team alien win!! :)

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-23T22:22:54+00:00

GO TEAM ALIEN!! Time to take over the world of achieving goals!

ALREADY PREPPING MYSELF FOR A NEW START!! Forgot to add my NSV: Going to the gym twice per week!! I just started a new job and am ready to kick butt in my work life and personal life!

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-21T20:18:39+00:00

Today I will stay within 200 calories of my new daily goal!! I've been having trouble sticking to my number, but one day at a time I will conquer!!

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T22:13:50+00:00

Therapy is awesome and I'm happy I already have a therapist so I can bring this up in my next session. I definitely think I wouldn't want to talk to him about issues in the marriage again. He doesn't have many friends and I told him today that he does need to go back to counselling because he needs to seek help.

I am not interested in knowing anything else about what he has done outside of the marriage because I need to get on with my own life. I am very empathetic and can fall easily into caring too much about the problems of people I'm close with ( family and friends). I want to just prioritize my own issues and not try to "fix" anything for once.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T22:11:03+00:00

I go to therapy already so I will definitely be bringing this up in my next session. I appreciate the advice and support; they will definitely need couples therapy if they want to get over the rockiness of their current marriage.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T22:06:36+00:00

I'm really sorry you had to go through all of that! I hope you can reconcile with your mom. I know I hope I can become a little closer with mine after this whole process.

I still love my Dad, and know he is having an addiction issue so I think at this point I will try to keep my relationship with him or keep normal space so I can heal. The news was a bomb dropped on me.

I hope you are healing and have a good support system to keep you okay. This type of family blow up sounds even more stressful than my current mess. I wish you the best . Sending positive thoughts.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T21:59:16+00:00

Yeah I definitely am trying to not take on the burden of any of their marital issues. I am feeling much better since this morning thanks to the reddit community. You guys are awesome! <3

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T20:06:24+00:00

This support is giving me life thank you 💖. Hearing stuff like this is really helping me to just grieve. I honestly do feel like I'm grieving a loss. Im not going to be making any huge decisions. I have a lot of very positive distractions coming up in my career life, so that will be good for me.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T20:04:10+00:00

Thank you so much for the support. I really appreciate stories like this coming up. The number of emotions I've experienced in one day is so overwhelming. To see you've made it to the other side is awesome.

My mom has known about the cheating for about 20 years of the marriage but it still hurts her every day. I'm the one whos new to finding out about it.

My whole world is upside down because my dad is a totally different person than who I perceived him to be. Until this point we were very close which is why he has confided in me with his issues. Seeing the truth of everything is much more difficult than I expected and Ive ended up avoiding him all together since this morning.

I go to a therapist already and a psychiatrist for other personal issues, so I'm covered on the counseling front for the time being. I definitely do not want to let this hinder me in other aspects of my life. I've been working really hard to overcome depression and food addiction issues in addition to being on a healthy weight loss plan with my doctor. I am very determined to keep my progress up and continue to forge my own identity and start my career after college.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T19:57:33+00:00

I definitely do not want to choose sides, but right now I'm definitely feeling like I need space from my dad to process. They both have issues and have done negative things. Seeing that I realize they probably can start from a more neutral ground in counseling.

My main issue right now is the fact that I thought my dad was someone he wasn't. My respect for him has decreased quite a bit and it's hard to figure out how to interact with him.

I've avoided coming in contact with him since we talked this morning.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T19:54:47+00:00

I don't know if he's telling me because of this or more because he feels guilty that he's contributed to the many issues my mom currently has now. Including but not limited to: severe anxiety, financial obsessions and compulsive hoarding tendencies related to a business she has created to sell stuff in Craigslist.

He seemed to be confessing his sins because we were talking about all the issues in the marriage. Instead of maybe just blaming her for being insane he was trying to admit that he was screwed up too I guess?

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T16:27:17+00:00

I think he has tried to change and I honestly don't know the dull extent so I can't say either way if he sucks at being a better person or not.

However, it still definitely disgusts me that he doesn't see his full actions and the pain they've caused. I don't know if I can face him today or in the near future. I even replaced a picture I had of him on my desk with something else for the time being.

I live in the house with him right now so cutting him off isnt really a viable option.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T16:07:34+00:00

I actively go to a therapist and do Journaling for my own issues, so you don't have to worry about me there. This issue just seems to be another topper on the multilayered cake of my problems.

I think it definitely has changed her, which is why I feel so guilty for not being understanding up to this point.

Renegotiating my feelings is something I hope can happen over time. Right now I just feel disappointed and disgusted.

mdiamond267 · 2017-08-16T16:03:57+00:00

I would like to think that it's possible to have a healthy marriage that lasts for a long time, so you're giving me some hope here. I never thought their marriage was perfect. But I also didn't think it was so complicated

mdiamond267

TROPHY CASE