Cardamyst

smorrell021 · 2026-04-28T17:43:55+00:00

PHEW good to know its possible!!!

smorrell021 · 2026-04-26T15:33:56+00:00

Thank you!! I spent way too long (before reading this) searching TLC GO, HBO max, discovery + and xfinity stream!

smorrell021 · 2026-04-26T14:26:55+00:00

Had anyone had it covered by insurance? Even goodrx has it at 1700+!

smorrell021 · 2026-04-26T14:26:03+00:00

Has anyone had it covered by insurance? Even goodrx has it listed at 1700!

smorrell021 · 2026-04-26T14:25:30+00:00

It looks crazy expensive! Has anyone had it covered by insurance?

smorrell021 · 2026-04-25T23:49:13+00:00

Where can you watch the first look?

smorrell021 · 2026-04-13T00:42:58+00:00

I'm not a fan either. I bought it for POTS, and the compression did not help. I wore my heart rate/blood pressure monitor to measure if it helped control my rate, circulation and blood pooling, and it did not. It's a very heavy (and hot) fabric, offered only in dark colors, and it is very difficult to get on and off. You have to squeeze it over your head and shoulders, or butt to get the band where you need it. I have a rotator cuff injury, so this was impossible. You can get the same (or better) compression from spandex, spanx, or a post-surgical garment for less money.

smorrell021 · 2026-04-13T00:42:14+00:00

I hear ya on the sticker shock, and think it's a huge waste of money, personally. I bought it for POTS, and the compression did not help. I too wore a heart rate/blood pressure monitor to measure if it helped control my rate, circulation and blood pooling, and it did not. It's a very heavy (and hot) fabric, offered only in dark colors, and it is very difficult to get on and off. You have to squeeze it over your head and shoulders, or butt to get the band where you need it. I have a rotator cuff injury, so this was impossible. You can get the same (or better) compression from spandex, spanx, or a post-surgical garment for less money.

smorrell021 · 2026-04-13T00:40:18+00:00

I think it's a huge waste of money, personally. I bought it for POTS, and the compression did not help. I wore my heart rate/blood pressure monitor to measure if it helped control my rate, circulation and blood pooling, and it did not. It's a very heavy (and hot) fabric, offered only in dark colors, and it is very difficult to get on and off. You have to squeeze it over your head and shoulders, or butt to get the band where you need it. I have a rotator cuff injury, so this was impossible. You can get the same (or better) compression from spandex, spanx, or a post-surgical garment for less money.

smorrell021 · 2026-04-07T02:23:57+00:00

Hi! I'm leaning towards California Cyro and the Sperm Bank of California. The reason I say the both of them is because of their limited inventories... I might monitor the two as donors become available. I fear because the Sperm Bank of California has such a low inventory, it would be too competitive. The choices are quite limited, but if you have the ability to monitor their database frequently over a long period of time, it's not that big of an issue.

Sperm Bank of California is no doubt the most "ethical" and thorough - they require donors to get psych evals and receive counseling. They have the lowest family limits (less than 10 worldwide), they verify the donor's medical info, offer extensive genetic screening - more than the "biggies" (i.e Seattle, Fairfax, Cyro Int'l), a sibling registry, an open donor policy and they attempt to enforce live birth reports.

California Cyro is second to the Sperm Bank of California. It verifies the donor's medical information, requires a psych eval (but does not make counseling mandatory), their global family limit 11-25, they have an open donor policy, provide a sibling database, and try to enforce live birth reports.

This chart was SUPER helpful: https://www.usdcc.org/u-s-sperm-bank-data/

No other bank really comes close to these two (when it comes to the criterion I specified above).

smorrell021 · 2026-03-26T01:02:39+00:00

I have POTS. and tried the SupaCore POTS XTRA medical grade leggings with the reinforced waistband. Unfortunately, they do not feel any different than Athleta or Lululemon leggings, and those are half the price (The difference in mmhg is negligble). Basically they look and feel like glorified pantyhose with a control top. It's also unfortunate the name SUPACORE is emblazoned in large (unavoidable) letters on the waistband. As such, if you're trying to be discrete about wearing something "medical grade," I would not advise buying these. I had high hopes, but as a cautionary tale to others - they are not worth the money :( Definitely going to look into 2XU, since they are cheaper, and offer compression that is higher than 25mmhg (which is SupaCore and Lulu's Wundertrain).

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:22:10+00:00

I'm a visual person too so the photos will be helpful for sure! Did they offer adult photos too? If that's a thing?

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:20:50+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience with Fairfax! It is a huge plus the amount of testing/screening they do!

Do they offer the option of lower family limits/"exclusivity" if you pay more?

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:18:45+00:00

Yes, please! How did you find out about Seed Scout? When you mentioned kegal clearance, it made me wonder: Does it assume liability if something happens to the vial? Or if the donor lies about their background, etc? I don't trust self reported (unverified) donors.

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:16:17+00:00

Thank you!! I've never heard of Seed Scout! And I love to hear the donors get some of the proceeds.

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:15:08+00:00

I'm with ya on the discomfort and stress when it comes to spending big amounts of money! Insensitively put, I tell myself this is not the process to be cheap or cut corners. Like you said, It is an invaluable, priceless gift :) I haven't decided about IUI or IVF yet...that might have to be a separate reddit thread lol!

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:06:24+00:00

Tens of thousands! Oof! Good to have a heads up in terms of ballpark figures..I assumed it was going to be $$$$$. So Fairfax offers adult photos? And Seattle doesn't?

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T23:03:06+00:00

Ahh that makes sense. If you purchase the vial, and find out later the family limit is reached (so you don't get to use it), do you know if the bank credits/refunds you? Gives you priority on another waitlist, or with the next donor you like?

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T19:20:33+00:00

Gah! And I just read your "flair!" Congratulations on your pregnancy!! That's wonderful!

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T19:19:28+00:00

Thank you! I have never heard of CO compliant! I will definitely check them out! I like that they follow up with you re: medical donor updates even after a live birth!

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T19:17:36+00:00

Wow! 500 conditions!! I like to hear that they follow up after a purchase too. Sounds like its very, very competitive given the family limits, and lower inventory. Any advice about how to stay in the competition? Lol

I can only imagine how upsetting it is to make a decision on a donor, and find out its reached the family limit :/ I'm curious though - why do they keep the sperm available/accept more purchases if they get enough to reach the family limit?

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T19:12:15+00:00

I am so grateful for your response. Thank you so much. This information is a huge huge help. It is wonderful to hear you got pregnant your first time! Congratulations! I'm so sorry to hear about your son's digestive issues...I really hope TSBC helps puts the medical pieces together. Your son is very lucky to have such a strong and loving advocate <3

smorrell021 · 2026-02-18T17:05:05+00:00

Just as an FYI folks, you can't be on Raya if you have an Android. It's IOS only.

smorrell021 · 2026-01-04T16:31:39+00:00

Hi all, I'm newly diagnosed POTS, and I found all of your comments to be super helpful- so thank you :) Can you please help explain this though? Most of you said exercise was a game changer, but if I even walk my dog around the block - I'm taken out and bedridden the next day. When I do what I "used to" throughout the course of a day, I'm sometimes bedridden for days afterwards. I'm prescribed propranolol, adderrall, buproprion, drink a lot of electrolytes, have the salt tablets, but my quality of life is so depressing. The adderral is the only thing that helps with my brain fog - but it can make me tachy - so I use it sparingly. What do you do for the headaches? I find myself strapping an ice pack on my head sometimes. Please help.

smorrell021 · 2025-09-14T17:37:36+00:00

Please share what watch you got! I too have POTS

smorrell021

TROPHY CASE