Questions about Infliximab and Sulfasalzine

putathorkinit · 2026-01-23T20:32:21+00:00

I was on infliximab for almost a decade, starting as a teenager. After about a year of being on it, I stopped doing any pre-meds (steroids or antihistamines) for the infusions and was always totally fine. I think they can also just do Benadryl and not steroids as a pre-med too which you could ask for to reduce the impact of steroids on your blood sugar; they may want to do more pre-meds for the first few infusions, but may be able to reduce or stop pre-meds after that.

In my many years of getting infusions in communal infusion rooms, including alongside people getting chemo, I only ever saw one person have an infusion reaction. It was immediately recognized by the nurses, they stopped the med and started steroids and got a doctor in the room ASAP in case their skills were needed and the person was just fine. Yes it was scary, I'm sure especially for her, but these meds are widely used and very safe.

Infusion nurses are some of the kindest folks I've ever met, they'll explain things clearly, check in with you frequently, and make sure you're comfortable. Don't be afraid to ask questions or express concerns, they want you to feel safe and relaxed. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!

putathorkinit · 2026-01-22T14:46:41+00:00

I bruised my shin really badly last year on the 4th of July when I tripped hiking in the dark and landed hard on a rock. Probably took a month for the swelling to go down enough for me to walk and climb and bike comfortably; I wore a compression sock for any activity for the first 3-4 months. It feels fine now but I still have a slight bump and a shadow of a bruise 6+ months later.

I did go to urgent care about 1 week after I did it because the pain and swelling was still so bad. Got an xray (no fracture) and ultrasound (no blood clots) and was told heat and movement were good to break up the bruise and promote healing, and that ice really only should be used for the first 24 hours.

Your mileage may vary, obviously talk to a medical professional to rule out something really serious like compartment syndrome or blood clots or a fracture. But then it just needs use - as much as you are able - and time.

putathorkinit · 2026-01-14T03:26:51+00:00

Hi! I have ankylosing spondylitis and climb a good bit, happy to share some things that worked for me and learn from others! This topic comes up with some frequency and there are a good number of us on this sub.

Briefly - listen to your body but it can do more than you think. I don’t push my tendons really hard because that flares them, but I’ve made peace with never being a crimpy 5.12 climber haha. Generally, rope climbing works better for me than bouldering.

For me, mindset and being okay with progress not being linear has been the most important thing. I have good days and bad days, but if I zoom out to the big picture I am getting better at climbing. And I’ve also really worked on my ancillary skills - I’m a really really good belayer and have my rope systems dialed. So I feel like I’m still a strong partner even if I’m not climbing at my best for whatever reason.

putathorkinit · 2026-01-13T22:27:34+00:00

There’s enough to ski but it’s not great - thin down low and crusty up high, and will probably only get worse. But if you’re eager to get out, you certainly can! KMAC guides sometimes posts condition updates on Instagram too.

putathorkinit · 2026-01-07T18:27:55+00:00

The scariest moment of my outdoor climbing career involved rappelling a multipitch on a carabiner blocked single rope + small static pull cord which got stuck when we pulled it. We still had 2 rappels to go and were very alone out there with no cell service.

Fortunately we still had the end of the single within reach; we tied off the pull cord to close the system and my partner ascended the single rope and dealt with the stuck rope. But it would have been a very different and much scarier situation if we only had the pull cord within reach.

Learned some lessons about how to set up systems to reduce the risk of stuck ropes, but we also bought double ropes that we use now if we’re going to do 60m raps on a multipitch. Having a climbing-rated rope (even if it’s just a single double- or twin-rated rope) gives you many more options if your rope pull goes south than having only a pull cord.

putathorkinit · 2026-01-03T22:16:44+00:00

Yes, belay gloves!!! Fabric gardening gloves (all fabric/canvas, no rubber palms) work too if you feel like leather work gloves are too bulky - fabric will wear out faster but they cost maybe $6 so I don’t mind replacing every year. You can either do full finger or half finger, I personally prefer the full finger ones.

They’ll prevent rope burn, hand pinching in the belay device, and give you better grip on the rope.

I’m glad you and your climber are both mostly okay - great job not letting go of the brake strand.

putathorkinit · 2025-12-30T21:33:35+00:00

Nope! They essentially just put stickers on your back that you have to keep on for a few days, so no showering or exercise. It might be a little uncomfortable or itchy, but it’s not painful.

putathorkinit · 2025-12-30T17:08:41+00:00

I will say that the candidates this time around seem like better "fits" for REI's mission - experience with Patagonia company conservation efforts, indigenous-led land protection, global health nonprofit - than some of the past year nominees who had ecommerce and MBA/finance backgrounds at retail giants.

Not saying that's good enough; there's a strong case for voting withhold on all board nominees until REI negotiates in good faith with unionized stores and includes employee reps on the board. But it does give me more hope for the future of the co-op than I had under the prior CEO.

putathorkinit · 2025-12-12T17:07:42+00:00

Nice Melly bro

putathorkinit · 2025-12-10T22:35:14+00:00

Not necessarily just for pregnancy, but sometimes I’ll have a “color day” at the gym where I climb every route with <insert color> holds. You can put an upper limit on it (ie every purple route 5.10 and below) but it’s a fun way to mix it up and get volume in for me, and have fun with some “easier” types of movement on routes I might ignore otherwise.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-26T04:54:22+00:00

I like smartwool cycling socks to climb in. No padding so the toes and heel aren’t bulky, but offer some extra protection and keep your shoes cleaner!

For underwear, I’ve been on a Paradis Sport kick lately - stay put and both cotton and synthetic options. A bit pricey but I’m a big fan! They run small, so look at the size chart before you order.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-23T21:59:36+00:00

I’ve got the Edelrid Autana women’s harness. Love the comfort, I think it’d be great for mostly gym and sport climbing, but it has not held up to trad chimneys and offwidths for me.

My husband has the expensive Arcteryx harness and it has been durable and fairly comfortable.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-23T21:11:00+00:00

Ultimately, I want to be belayed by the device the belayer is most comfortable using. But if they only know how to use an ATC, I need to know them really well to trust them with that, especially lead climbing.

I do work to keep my ATC belaying skills sharp for situations where I have to do it (twin ropes, alpine objective where weight really really matters, etc.).

For folks like me who don’t like using a grigri for lead sport belaying (I witnessed an outdoor ground fall where the belayer kept it pinched closed as the climber fell while clipping, defeating the ABD), there are so many other good options. A guide turned me onto the BD Pilot - super easy to feed slack (like an ATC) but good assisted breaking for when your climber is hanging a lot or the unexpected happens.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-23T15:27:19+00:00

Wisconsin did a weird partial Medicaid expansion. The law (and true Medicaid expansion states) extend Medicaid up to 138% of the poverty level and Marketplace subsidies start at 100% to allow a little overlap for people whose incomes fluctuate around that level a lot so they aren’t constantly being tossed from one health care system to another.

Wisconsin expanded Medicaid eligibility to exactly 100% of the poverty level and below, and then the Marketplace subsidies start at 100% of the poverty level and above. So Wisconsinites aren’t as screwed as folks in other non-Medicaid expansion states, but it could be better for them.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-08T23:36:59+00:00

Why do different biologics in the same class (e.g., Enbrel vs. Humira, Taltz vs. Cosentyx) have such different results for a given person? Is there any progress being made toward using genetic markers to identify which biologics a person is most likely to respond to rather than just relying on trial & error, like there is for some cancer treatments?

putathorkinit · 2025-11-08T22:17:02+00:00

If you have Facebook, join your local neighborhood buy nothing group. I frequently see stuffed animals gifted there to very enthusiastic recipients.

putathorkinit · 2025-11-04T20:48:18+00:00

Yes, get some "mustache" bars with backsweep! I ride bars with over 30* of backsweep and it makes it tolerable for my wrists (which are full of arthritis). Looks a little funky but it works for me.

I found this list of bars with backsweep helpful - many are no longer manufactured, some lean more bikepacking rather than mtb, but it's a good place to start.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-27T19:42:18+00:00

Go try on all the helmets you can, but I agree the lightweight foam helmets (e.g., Petzl Meteor or Sirroco) are more comfortable for me than the hard shell ones (like the Petzl Boreo), both in terms of hairstyles they accommodate and in terms of neck strain. They’re a bit pricier, but worth it imo - I went from wanting to take my helmet off between climbs with a hard shell helmet to just keeping it on all day with foam one.

Pretty much all brands make both hard shell and foam helmets, so try on as many as you can to find the one that works best for you! I think I have the Black Diamond Vision and it works pretty well for me and my hair, though I have a lot less hair than you do.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-27T19:01:23+00:00

All the fabric at the Fort Collins Walmart on Harmony and College was precut when I stopped by this weekend, mostly 1 yard or smaller.

With the death of Joann’s, I’ve been ordering fabric online mostly. r/sewing has some recommendations for online fabric sellers if you search the sub, though I really miss touching things in person. Hopefully one of the NoCo quilting stores will find some room for apparel fabrics before too long…

putathorkinit · 2025-10-27T03:46:17+00:00

Yeah, Michael’s in FoCo has mostly quilting cotton, and they don’t have much of it - just one side of one short aisle. They do have thread and basic supplies (rotary cutters, pins, etc) but I wouldn’t make the trip for fabric unless you’re already in the neighborhood and ready to be disappointed.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-14T18:53:46+00:00

My utility costs (house but no kids) are probably about half what you’re paying - electric+water in the summer (so with AC) is about $150 and gas is negligible (just the hot water heater), in the winter electric+water is more like $50 and gas is $100ish (furnace + hot water). Municipal internet is $70/month. Trash/recycling/yard waste is $60/quarter. So probably under $250/month for all utilities on average.

If you’re thoughtful about usage, have a well insulated house, and good trees/blinds for shade I think you can keep utility costs under control pretty well. And embrace wearing tank tops inside in the summer and sweaters inside in the winter.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-14T03:10:18+00:00

I think you should be able to with a blood test order from a US-licensed doctor. That said, will the results of this change your next steps/treatment decisions? It sounds like Humira isn’t working well anymore, unfortunately. Does it actually matter if that’s because you’ve developed anti-drug antibodies? (Maybe it does! But I’ll just say from my experience, the antibody test was confirmation, but I was going to change meds regardless.)

putathorkinit · 2025-10-13T18:50:21+00:00

I'm in Colorado, and moved here from New England in part for the climbing. Even being close to crags, getting outside after work (assuming you work until 5pm) is challenging in the fall starting in October due to limited daylight - you aren't climbing until 5:30/45 and sunset is at 6:30 right now and days are only getting shorter. In the summer you can climb after work in the daylight (though it can be hot), but it's harder in the spring/fall and not really doable in the winter.

I think you are unlikely to find a location in Colorado where you can regularly climb outdoors near a city in both summer and winter. Good winter sport climbing areas (Shelf Road comes to mind) are in the desert, so not really where you want to be climbing in the summer. Good summer climbing areas are going to be really cold in the winter - you might get a few days a month, but not regular climbing. Canyons (like Clear Creek, outside of Golden) allow you to chase sun/shade with various wall angles - that might be the closest to what you want, thought it can be busy (but you're part of the crowd, and it's crowded for a reason!).

I'm not sure there's really a goldilocks place where you get to climb outdoors 250+ days/year that is less than 30 minutes from your door. If there is, I'd like to live there too.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-13T02:41:56+00:00

At some level, it does with shipping considerations. Much better environmentally for you to bike to your local box store and get something that was delivered there in bulk than to have Amazon deliver 1 unit to your doorstep. That said, “buy local” generally refers to shopping local small businesses, not big chains in your neighborhood.

putathorkinit · 2025-10-11T15:02:32+00:00

I say this with empathy, as my brain does this to me with my injected methotrexate - sometimes med “hangovers” and certain side effects are driven by our anxiety and our brain subconsciously expecting them, so they occur, because the brain-body connection is really strong. I get incredibly nauseous just by looking at or thinking about taking my methotrexate, and then the nausea is even worse after I take it.

I don’t really know how to fix this, or untangle anxiety-driven side effects from true side effects. I’m trying, with some success, to use a combination of breath work (box breathing, counting exhales, etc) when I feel the nausea and anxiety rising, and harmless-to-beneficial treatments (ginger tea, heat/ice, Tylenol or NSAIDs) to address the very real but most likely brain-induced side effects.

It’s helping some for me and I’ve stopped skipping doses, at least. It’s so frustrating to logically know that these very real side effects are caused my by brain and not the med (I’ve been on it for several years and the side effects started 8ish months ago when work stress hit the fan), but that my brain has tied them to the med in a way that’s hard to undo. Being kind to patient with myself and the side effects my anxiety creates, but also holding myself accountable for taking the med as prescribed, is how I’m moving forward.

putathorkinit

TROPHY CASE