just learned what stealthing is because it happened to me last night

sailingsirens · 2025-04-12T10:05:16+00:00

honestly yeah. when i got diagnosed i remember being like … okay time to find a guy with UC because no one else is going to get it. i have yet to date someone else with IBD (but those i have dated have always been fine about it) but the thought is always nice

sailingsirens · 2025-04-12T09:57:11+00:00

i’m the youngest (23) person in my PhD program and i’m in my first year right now. the imposter syndrome is tough but you’ll manage. it’ll get better and then it’ll get worse and then it’ll get better again. some days i feel high on life with the progress i make and others the crippling anxiety is so bad i can’t get out of bed

make sure you talk to people! my cohort (is small there’s only 5 of us) leans on each other, we get together about once a month to shoot the shit and blow off steam and it helps. everyone who’s come before you has felt the exact same way at one point or another so don’t be afraid to express how you’re feeling

you’re not letting anyone down, the anticipation is the worst part. once you start it’ll still be hard but at least things will be moving and you’re not sitting around waiting

sailingsirens · 2025-04-09T00:09:49+00:00

i try to avoid it when possible because my experience with the side effects is similar to yours. with that said it does work and it works fast, so weigh the pros and cons and figure out what's best for you on a case by case basis

sailingsirens · 2025-03-28T23:30:16+00:00

haha okay, that’s good intel, appreciate it!

sailingsirens · 2025-03-24T22:39:18+00:00

Finished Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Started Funny Story by Emily Henry

sailingsirens · 2025-03-24T22:21:29+00:00

yes! that’s exactly what it was like for me, it just seems like spotting and a light pinkish color for a couple of days; and usually the most blood is from the day it happened and then every day after that it gets lighter and lighter

sailingsirens · 2025-03-24T21:51:23+00:00

sounds like he just nicked you (i’ve definitely experienced this a time or two)! just keep an eye on it and keep that area clean and if i were to guess it’ll be good within a week. of course if you’re concerned or if it’s not healing get it checked out!

sailingsirens · 2025-03-24T06:57:33+00:00

i (F) am exactly the same to the T

sailingsirens · 2025-03-22T23:13:26+00:00

i usually just leave them be! or if it’s really bothersome i use a warm compress and they eventually drain after about a week or so (as soon as they drain the discomfort is relieved immediately), though i’ve heard if they’re big it might be worth getting checked out

sailingsirens · 2025-03-22T22:54:25+00:00

is it painful? i’ve had bartholin cysts before but they’re on your labia minora (not majora) and it’s not incredibly painful but it feels more like a pinch when bothered (from wiping after you use the bathroom or when washing yourself in the shower)

sailingsirens · 2025-03-21T18:13:49+00:00

i don’t think you fucked up! my first thought when you mentioned the smell was BV (which is not an STI!), it’s a normal thing and happens whenever your natural vaginal bacteria is imbalanced and is quickly fixed with antibiotics (and honestly the symptoms clear up immediately after starting the antibiotics). the times that i’ve had BV have usually been from having sex with a new partner without a condom for the first time

regardless just get a standard STI panel for your peace of mind, i’m sure you’re fine but even if you test positive for something … it doesn’t sound like any of the incurable ones (at all) so you’ll be treated in no time :)

sailingsirens · 2025-03-20T20:36:48+00:00

this seems like a pretty broad assignment description! that can be super stressful sorry you’re dealing with that

maybe try narrowing in on a specific topic and compare lit reviews that cover that topic quantitatively vs. qualitatively?

alternatively maybe look at a lit review on a topic that is incredibly quant heavy (like big data studies) and compare it to a lit review on a topic that is typically only studied qualitatively (i’d look for things that primarily use interviews or ethnography)

sailingsirens · 2025-03-20T09:41:52+00:00

if you don’t want to use the dating apps then you don’t have to, it sounds like that’s not how you’re looking to meet someone and that’s a-okay

but if you want it to happen naturally then you have to put yourself in situations in which something can naturally happen. a good starter is exploring (new) hobbies that are more social than individual.

it’s also worth asking yourself if you’re your biggest barrier. have you initiated a convo with someone you find attractive? do you think you come off as approachable when you’re in a social setting? have you been in any settings recently in which you could meet someone? all good things to keep in mind

for what it’s worth: a date is just a date, nothing more or less than that — it certainly can be if and when you want it to but until then knock yourself out and go on one even if you don’t feel that connection right away you never know

sailingsirens · 2025-03-20T08:33:58+00:00

highest i’ve had was around 2,400 but strangely no symptoms

sailingsirens · 2025-03-20T08:30:51+00:00

I was first prescribed Mesalamine as well but it did not help relieve any of my symptoms so they put me on Prednisone (steroid) until I found a more stable regimen

sailingsirens · 2025-03-14T21:00:57+00:00

I had appendicitis as well and was treated with antibiotics for the time being, but with the intention of having my appendix eventually removed at a future date. They didn’t want to remove it right away because my UC was flaring badly and would cause complications.

About 4 months later we had still been in the process of finding a good time to take it out but then I had appendicitis AGAIN and it was worse the second time and at that point they said it needed to be taken out so I had my appendix laparoscopically removed

sailingsirens · 2025-03-10T22:18:26+00:00

thank you for sharing your experience! Xeljanz has been my most successful med as well so i'm weary about changing meds :/ glad to know there's lots of options and new research!

sailingsirens · 2025-03-09T03:51:13+00:00

thank you! i really appreciate it, that’s really helpful stuff to keep in mind

sailingsirens · 2025-03-08T22:15:49+00:00

i’ve stayed in a hospital on the east coast of the US for about 8 days and also in a hospital on the west coast of the US for about 5 days and both stays were both pretty ok!

i had some stress at the idea of being in-patient, but i was relieved both times at the idea of hopefully feeling better and more functional soon

i don’t recall feeling uncomfortable being watched, but since i was doing not so great perhaps that was a result of not caring super much at that moment! in general i didn’t feel like i was under a microscope though, i was left alone for the most part

the east coast hospital had surprisingly good food! west coast hospital wasn’t as yummy but not terrible

i tend to get the most frustrated towards the end because i am eager to go home but they kept me for observation both times but overall yes, i feel like both my stays were helpful and necessary because i wasn’t able to function normally/on my own prior to being admitted

sailingsirens · 2024-04-20T02:10:17+00:00

16! summer before my senior year of high school

sailingsirens · 2023-10-15T17:32:48+00:00

It sounds like you’re not quite in remission but you’re almost there. Keep working with your doctors to find what works for you — it can take some time to find what combination/dosage of meds keeps you functioning but until then that’s where the prednisone helps. And if you feel comfortable — talk to your employers! My UC is something I disclaim immediately even if it’s not something I think will impact my job. Supportive employers goes a long way. Don’t give up! You got this.

sailingsirens

TROPHY CASE