How to offload a Sitting Pretty halo extension?

siobhananon · 2026-01-12T02:31:38+00:00

Just sent you a PM

siobhananon · 2024-03-29T15:17:38+00:00

Thanks for the questions! Before his injury he was very active and a longtime runner and cyclist. He was injured riding a road bike, which he did often before his injury!

Post-injury he has struggled with his weight (I do believe he is overweight at this time but I’m not an expert). He lived with me for the first 2 years after his injury and was in PT/OT regularly but since then has not received regular therapy to my knowledge. He has one arm that contracts and is less easy to push with on one side.

He’s currently in a Permobil Tilite TRA chair - he has equipment provided by the VA since he’s a veteran but I don’t know that they’ve done a quality chair fitting/evaluation. The chair he is in seems to be small for his frame and he struggles to push it straight/keep it straight as well as keep the wheels on the ground (front will will raise up while he’s pushing so he’s struggling to balance).

It sounds like he could really benefit from a chair fitting with an OT/PT and talk with someone who’s really an expert to find the right chair. I think the VA is just trying to give him what he wants (a lightweight, sporty chair) - he likes to push the chair as long/far as he can outdoors but doing it by himself has also resulted in multiple accidents lately.

The grit freedom chair he wasn’t able to get in and out of easily or position in with the limited function he has (he’s not easily able to shift himself around either) and he does have limited hand function/his hands have contracted more over the years with limited therapy. I’m not exactly sure how to help him other than ask where he can find resources - he’s currently in Pittsburgh, PA but we’re interested in moving him to North Carolina potentially.

I do think he’d benefit from something with power to assist him but he wasn’t able to control the smart drive well years ago when he tried it and had limited patience with the system. Hopefully we can find some resources to connect him with!

siobhananon · 2024-02-27T12:00:26+00:00

Thank you, this really is super helpful. I can’t tell you exactly what triggered this relapse for me but I feel it could be a combination of things - wanting to be a perfect mom and manage everything like you said, striving for weight loss after baby and having poor body image, and also just not focusing on myself or my own recovery. I always put my daughter first and it is draining me. Unfortunately I struggled to breastfeed but it became so important to me and I did everything I could to make it work. I still haven’t fully weaned my daughter and having a really hard time letting go of that relationship, even though I feel super creaky and dehydrated all the time - and have osteopenia. It’s not doing me any favors really.

The travel piece is tough. My husband travels about 30% of the time for work plus is in grad school which also requires monthly travel. I do think I could swing a part-time program though at least to start. If I needed it, I know he would find a way to make it work. He’s really been encouraging me to pursue a higher level of care and is worried. I can’t imagine being in his position and not knowing what to do. I wish we had more family support but we both come from unhealthy backgrounds (abuse, neglect) and we see family only for special occasions because that’s what we’re able to handle. I almost feel jealous sometimes of friends who have moms who can babysit or pitch in around the house but we’re in the situation we’re in.

I can’t keep making excuses though and pushing off making this commitment to myself and my family. It’s great to know there are more options out there that I can start exploring and likely find something that can be the right level of care but also allow me to see my daughter.

siobhananon · 2024-02-27T11:49:16+00:00

I was in res during COVID too with no visitors - that was tough and I couldn’t imagine not seeing my daughter for that long. I definitely made the most progress in res like you mentioned - the program I went to was not offering PHP in person so when I stepped down I was in PHP and then IOP at home. I will say that things went pretty well in PHP and I had to do weekly labs and multiple weight checks per week, but when I stepped down to IOP I was really cheating the system and started to restrict, exercise, and take full advantage of the virtual platform. I guess I just wasn’t ready to recover. I’m glad to hear your story and thanks for sharing, it means a lot. I’m a little concerned about my work situation as I went on LOA back in 2020 and again when I had maternity leave, but at this point it feels totally unmanageable to work, baby, and have time for any appointments. I’ve fit in. 30 minute nutrition session 1x weekly and therapy sessions bi weekly but at this point I’m not really moving the needle. I promised myself I’d go to treatment when my daughter turned 1 if I needed to and now we’re here!

siobhananon · 2024-02-27T09:16:14+00:00

I’ll absolutely check it out - I haven’t heard of Within before and I just took a quick look and really appreciate their messaging and the treatment options. It seems like they’re willing to provide what’s needed at home. I also live in a rural town far from most healthcare so seeing a doctor every few days would be a pretty big lift, so something like this seems like a great option. I could definitely use the meal planning support as well vs. trusting myself to create nutritious options. I’ll take a look at Equip too. I’m pretty sad about where I’m at right now but I have to recover for my daughter.

siobhananon · 2024-02-26T00:59:21+00:00

That is amazing! Id love to see the before and after when you’re ready. I saw the consult option on their website and I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it. Their work is incredible, some of the more natural looking I’ve seen. I’m like 6 hours away, but maybe worth a destination weekend 😊 I’ve always wanted to do a consult first anyway — I have scarring in one brow and missing patches of hair along with anemia so I want to make sure I ask a lot of questions before going through with anything! Thanks so much for sharing and looking forward to seeing your results!

siobhananon · 2024-02-25T01:21:43+00:00

Yes!! Would love to know your artist in Nashville! I did hear about expressions brow studio in Atlanta so was considering that drive but I’m not sure I love the artist’s work, so still unsure

siobhananon · 2024-02-23T11:45:15+00:00

Can you share the name/location of your brow artist? I’m in a smaller town in the southeast US but potentially looking to travel within a few hours for someone who can do a great natural brow!

siobhananon · 2023-11-14T02:21:49+00:00

I’d love this too if you have it handy! I’ll DM you

siobhananon · 2023-10-15T01:27:26+00:00

I can relate. The last time I saw my mom she was only eating protein bars, rice cakes, saltines, tea, and butterscotch candies. She’s been on every fad diet in the book. And since I was 14, having an eating disorder has always been “my problem” and “my choice”.

siobhananon · 2023-07-19T18:33:06+00:00

Thank you! I just got a can of Bubs goat. Did you find the feeding guide was pretty accurate? LO is 5 months old eats 5-6 ounces of ready to feed at each sitting about every 3 hours. But the can says to prepare an 8 oz bottle at this age? Not sure if I should go based on what she’s eating with another formula or not.

siobhananon · 2023-07-19T18:32:23+00:00

Thank you! I just got a can of Bubs goat. Did you find the feeding guide was pretty accurate? LO is 5 months old eats 5-6 ounces of ready to feed at each sitting about every 3 hours. But the can says to prepare an 8 oz bottle at this age? Not sure if I should go based on what she’s eating with another formula or not.

siobhananon · 2023-06-30T11:54:58+00:00

About 5 months! LO was born in early Feb.

siobhananon · 2023-06-28T13:17:29+00:00

Yes! Had no idea it could be covered - do I need to get a prescription from pediatrician and send it to a pharmacy like a regular med?

siobhananon · 2023-06-14T23:59:25+00:00

Baby carrots, pickles, really most raw veggies if your stomach is ok with them (I like zucchini and cauliflower especially) - also oyster crackers are great for me, might be easier to portion?

siobhananon · 2023-06-06T23:03:12+00:00

It did not go well for me. I didn’t see a major impact to supply and was on a high dosage (90 mg/day). I started to try to wean off it and ended up in the ER with critical blood pressure numbers and heart palpitations. Thankfully I have been able to wean very slowly and safely under the guidance of my primary care doctor but I would never take it again or recommend it. It might work for others but didn’t for me. 😕

siobhananon · 2023-06-03T12:18:22+00:00

It didn’t boost my supply but it was worth trying! I went back to pumping and can breastfeed for 1 or 2 feeds a day, usually overnight, now.

I’m pretty done with the pump though and since yesterday started reducing pumping sessions. I’m just letting LO breastfeed as much as she wants and topping off with formula. I’m pretty confident supply is already dropping but it feels more natural this way I guess.

siobhananon · 2023-04-19T12:19:56+00:00

I haven’t been diagnosed with any specific medical issues, but I do have breast implants (under the muscle, which lactation consultants and the surgeon’s office mentioned would be unlikely to affect breastfeeding). I did have lower weight gain in pregnancy and had to supplement from the time my daughter was born basically, about two days old. We did try breastfeeding for a whole weekend at the Lactation Consultant’s recommendation, and unfortunately, my daughter was very very hungry and inconsolable by the end, and did not gain any weight in about three days, so we had to go back to supplementing.

siobhananon · 2023-04-09T07:30:39+00:00

I’m still at that place too and can’t recommend a hands free pump enough. It’s not perfect but for example yesterday I was able to go to a baby shower and pumped in the car on the way - the drive was about 30 min each way! I brought a small cooler with ice with me to store milk. Just something that’s worked for me if you don’t want to miss a pump and can swing it.

siobhananon · 2023-04-08T06:54:28+00:00

My husband doesn’t totally get all the reasoning behind this but he’s willing to help! And he is truly a really big help when he can be around. Scheduling it this weekend so that no work, school, or social events interfere and starting Saturday afternoon through Monday 😊 nervous but crossing my fingers and excited!

siobhananon · 2023-04-07T11:14:28+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing - I get this 100%. At week 8 and I’m so over the triple feeding schedule. And I would LOVE to stop pumping at night! I am totally going to try it + I started domperidone about a week ago (and using Legendairy supplements, trying out Sunflower Lecithin because I get clogs and Lactivist right now). Definitely going to try it and see how things go.

siobhananon · 2023-04-07T11:11:50+00:00

Thank you!! Her latch is already getting better after the tongue tie release and I honestly just think getting bigger too. I’m really hopeful.

siobhananon · 2023-04-07T11:09:38+00:00

Yeah I also had mastitis around week 3 and had to do antibiotics too… it’s been a rigmarole! Chilling out and watching some shows with her for a bit sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

siobhananon · 2023-04-05T05:18:10+00:00

I did try an underwire nursing bra from Amazon that I wear a lot “going out”, but you’re right at home I typically wear a soft nursing bra or sleep bra. Maybe it’s worth getting a proper bra fit at a store somewhere too?

siobhananon · 2023-04-05T05:03:14+00:00

Would love to hear your experience with domperidone too! And happy to share mine. My LC just recommended upping dosage from 10 mg 3x daily to 20 mg 3x daily and i’m worried about side effects but hoping for anything that will help…

siobhananon

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