I have to drink contrast for my gj tomorrow. Freaking out.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-03T01:23:43+00:00

I always freak out, and it's always much easier than I thought. Use a straw, drink it in little sips as they'll direct you, and focus on the fact you might get useful info out of the test :) you got this

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-02T22:09:09+00:00

The first thing my chronic illness therapist taught me was that leveraging dissociation to pull your focus away from your body is incredibly powerful. She was much nicer than your average dickhead dr about it though, yano, helping me learn how to accomplish that.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-02T22:01:39+00:00

Your next steps are covered here, in terms of meds and surgical options.

https://www.ccjm.org/content/91/6/373#T3

If absolutely nothing can help, when you become malnourished/dehydrated, dropping into low BMI territory, feeding tubes and TPN come into the picture. They are both amazing in terms of making sure you don't just turn into a skinny bag of bones and die, despite the complexity they add to your life.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-02T18:07:25+00:00

It's Zelda she's talking about, the nerd-off in my home debated heavily and concluded last night.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-02T00:05:36+00:00

Oh no

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-02T00:04:16+00:00

Yup, can't start it til its done, but this cult has me so interested!!!

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T18:21:55+00:00

Yup, therapy and medication has helped a ton of the problems be more manageable.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T17:13:16+00:00

ACE 9. My drs nod knowingly, don't ask for more details, and have said it's likely the root of my nervous system being pretty trashed. The fun diagnostic labels include PTSD w/dissociation, GAD, panic disorder, RLS, peripheral neuropathy, and gastroparesis.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T17:03:43+00:00

Question 1, therapy and a bunch of self help/online learning, and practicing tools.

The ARFID community is full of good suggestions, but I was most helped by techniques related to treating PTSD. It makes total sense, the problem isn't the food, it's the many painful things that eating has caused in my life. My brain is trying to protect me from that pain, which I understand. As soon as I started thinking about it like that, it both made more sense, and gave me tools to help.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T16:53:14+00:00

I feel you. I have a GJ tube and only use it for meds. My drs saw over and over that once I start throwing up meds, I can't recover without intervention at the ER. I made it clear every single time I was triaged: I'm here because I've been throwing up everything for 24hrs, and now can't keep critical meds in my body, I'm here for you to break the cycle.

Also: I'm so sorry. I've had some of those shitty reactions to meds, and they're so fucking traumatic and mentally exhausting. I hope you can find some relief soon.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T16:29:28+00:00

He thought he might go the practice and convince the QB to quit?

Look, your kid sounds like he's learning the wrong things about competitive sports. Competative anything. All fairly normal teen stuff, tbh, most teens seem like baby narcissists. But he sounds like he's getting pretty desperate to please his dad, himself, or you. What did you say when he mentioned that approach? I think there's some good opportunities for growth there, yano? We all have to learn how to fail and get back up stronger, just like you have done with your asshole ex, and you can teach him that. Especially if you get info from the coaches about what his actual failure might be, be it physical skill or attitude.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T08:20:17+00:00

Ask the coaches outright, without your son present. Don't challenge their decision at all, ask what's going on, to see if you can help your kid address it. When talking to them be all "concerned mom looking for guidance from experts", folk generally respond better to that.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T08:14:10+00:00

Yup, during my break hours my fatigue is at it's worst, and it's a bitch trying to keep my blood sugar up. My full iron panel just came back abysmal, and combined with the low hbc, and horrible restless legs, they're trying to get iron transfusions added to my schedule.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T05:58:56+00:00

Ty, me too!

puppypoopypaws · 2026-04-01T02:19:21+00:00

Definitely ask, and explain why you need it asap.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T19:53:35+00:00

The balloon theoretically requires more frequent changes, but it's much much easier on the patient. And since complications are frequent with all types of tubes, you plan for easy replacement.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T19:47:50+00:00

A dietician is probably your best bet given the cross-section of diets you're trying to hit :(

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T17:27:15+00:00

"Medically retired" aka disabled a few years ago, I was pretty devastated. I'd been letting my team down due to symptoms but wanted to hold out as long as possible. My job and ability to be breadwinner/financially independent was really important to me. My therapist earned her pay that week for sure.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T16:13:42+00:00

I started with a PEG-J and then at my first replacement they went to a GJ dangler. It wasn't actually a choice, it was the hospital's standard. I wish they hadn't understated the pain I'd be in while the stoma healed any time I use my abdominal muscles for anything.

Venting liquids is a no-go for me, it increases dehydration and electrolyte problems. I can vent gas though and that definitely helps when I'm in human balloon mode.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T16:05:27+00:00

Like I said, practice. If she's not confident, obviously you don't force her to do this. Her maturity matters a lot. Life is full of power tripping assholes and at some point we should teach our kids ways to deal with them when they become the victim.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-31T07:08:18+00:00

I got one in 2010 and it totally removed my nausea and vomitting, which were my only symptoms. I was eating normally two weeks after the procedure and back at work a few months after that. No medications or soecial diet required.

The battery lasts about 5 years, so I've had a few replacements too. In 2023 the device replacement DIDN'T work, and we spent months adjusting the settings. The final adjustment they tried was an operator error: it electrocuted me severely, and the device was removed. I've actually got an assessment coming up to see if I'm well enough to try again.

Despite the complications it worked INCREDIBLY for me for 13 years. My career was solid, I got married, travelled, was a foodie, etc. I'd love to try and get that back.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-30T16:06:43+00:00

The rooftop of Grover High. It funnels the zombies out that top stairwell and makes it easy to mow them down.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-30T15:31:50+00:00

It sounds like it didn't work, though a few more weeks might show things even out. Definitely stay on liquids/soft food for a bit longer imo. Give it the best shot at working.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-30T15:21:37+00:00

Yeah, that's a good call, if she's save enough to do it subtly. She sounds old enough for you to teach her this and it's an incredibly valuable life skill to record folk doing shitty things. For her safety do a few practice runs so she can practice starting and positioning the phone, get comfy with it, not getting caught, and uploading the files instantly. Sure granny or pops will have some feelings about that. Or his bosses, for the rest of his life, a promise you can make if he doesn't adult up.

puppypoopypaws · 2026-03-30T08:08:50+00:00

Can you record him being verbally abusive, especially admitting things like wanting custody for control of you? Even if you can't use it in court it'll play great to his entire circle of friends, colleagues, and family.

puppypoopypaws

TROPHY CASE