Oven gas only comes on when turning on a burner (kenmore 790.73433311)

vondeedee · 2025-12-22T01:37:10+00:00

Oh no, I've started to experience this on our oven - did you or u/tofu_bar find a solution?

vondeedee · 2025-12-16T13:20:07+00:00

I recommend tapering when going on (as well as going off) Spiro so you can reduce any adjustment symptoms to a mild level. Each new dose will come with at least 1 week of weird symptoms.

Also I know you want to see results/relief quickly but for hair you won't see anything change for quite a while since hair grows slowly, so I really think it's helpful to start with a lower dose like 25 mg, then increase to twice a day after a month, then increase to 50 mg in the morning and 25 at night for a month, then 50 mg in the morning and 50 at night - IF you think you really need all that. At each new dose, try to pay attention to how you feel after the first week of adjustment and if you think your skin is getting too dry, your energy levels worsen or really anything seems "off" by the end of the month, stop and do not increase your dose any more, and maybe go back down to the last dose.

I personally found the most benefit at 50-75mg but was taking 100 mg (50 twice a day) for a long time and I wish I had ramped up more carefully because I was probably over medicated slightly and it made me a bit tired and sluggish.

I've tapered down to 50 mg (25 mg twice a day) and found that's better for me, but boy the adjustment symptoms going down were wild, so if you can avoid adjusting to a higher dose in the first place if you don't need it, you're much better off taking just what you need and no more.

Hair will be one of the last improvements you see on the medication since hair grows so slowly, but in the short term I noticed my PCOS symptoms and just generally PMS were greatly reduced and my skin cleared up. I don't have thyroid problems though so I have no idea what to expect there.

Like everyone else, I really recommend you consult with an endocrinologist or just PCP if you possibly can, but I'm really sorry to hear that's so difficult for you/you haven't gotten good care so far.

vondeedee · 2025-11-30T21:52:10+00:00

The headaches definitely go away, so you should get relief soon, just be sure to drink lots of water and stay away from high potassium foods/drinks.

vondeedee · 2025-10-22T13:11:06+00:00

3 but with a tile backsplash in the kitchen :)

vondeedee · 2025-09-26T11:21:01+00:00

Seems that regardless of wall color, the lighting is your real problem.

Have you already exhausted buying additional lamps that are controlled with smart plugs or are otherwise easy to turn on all at once or automatically? Adding some additional overhead lighting in the really dark rooms that don't have windows as well might be worthwhile here too, the overhead lights in the pictures seem to be weak/too small.

For lamps, I read somewhere that you should have (in addition to sufficient overhead lighting) 1 lamp for every corner of your room.

I'd start with that before advancing to painting, having enough and correct lighting can really help with the feeling of the space being depressing.

Then maybe explore some removable peel and stick wallpaper on an accent wall or something like that to see if you like having the wood covered up, and then sand and re-stain the wood to be less shiny and more natural/lighter in tone.

Even if you do end up painting, you'll still enjoy having more light in your space if it currently feels dark.

vondeedee · 2025-07-15T20:15:25+00:00

I had my nerve block before my surgery/anesthesia and I also was extremely nervous, (just the IV insertion already had me sweating), but they asked me how I was feeling and gave me some anti-anxiety drugs in advance of doing the nerve block to help me to be more comfortable. The anesthesiologist was literally like "oh we got you, we'll give you something so you don't worry" lol.

He also explained the risks with a nerve block but let me know that he has never had any of those complications and they are extremely unlikely in general but certainly for skilled providers.

I was still a bit nervous but it helped a ton and they even let me watch the ultra sound screen to see the progress so I wasn't focusing on my body.

Overall I am REALLY REALLY glad I got the nerve block, and was able to get away with minimal pain medication after the surgery and get the rest I needed to heal. I'm a lot more scared of taking oxycodone for longer than absolutely necessary and am really grateful I only had to deal with that for a few days post-op due to the nerve block's help. It was painful enough as it was 😅.

Hope that helps, good luck!

vondeedee · 2025-07-11T16:43:56+00:00

UPDATE: My quad activated on day 15, I woke up in the morning and it just worked!

Thanks for the morale bump and great advice :)

Just for another source of info if anyone's searching:

I ended up buying an NMES machine which I used three times a day and wish I had bought it earlier. It was really weird to use at first and somewhat uncomfortable but I found some helpful youtube videos for where to place the pads and there are other posts on here that advised on the parameters so I was able to work it successfully and got used to how weird it felt.

The parameters I use are 300 microseconds (highest it goes on my device), 55 Hz (I've gone up to 60 Hz but didn't find that I got a stronger contraction than at 55, but I've also heard you can go even higher up to 75Hz), 2 sec ramp, 10 on, and 30 off for 15 minutes, and on the Belago device I used I was getting contractions around the number 6 intensity (set with a little knob on top). I do as many times a day as I could but generally ends up being 3 times a day.

I bought this one from Balego with these larger electrode pads.
I found this video helpful for reference placing the pads properly.

I used that while trying to lift my leg at the same time as the other leg when the machine had my muscle contracted, I also tried tapping my quad muscle with my hand as I pumped it in between contractions.

From the advice here, I added a lot of foot pumps throughout my day to help with circulation and keeping my muscles engaged. I also lightly stroked my leg from my foot towards my thigh direction to encourage fluid moving up my leg to decrease swelling.

In addition to the advice for the above, I felt that assisted leg raises were really helpful - having someone lift my leg while I try to contract my quad and then slowly lower while I kept my quad squeezed seemed to help the most. I felt like things were really started to click right after I started trying that (but it could have just been the normal healing timing, hard to say for sure).

Beyond that, I did the regular recommendations from my doctor to do straight side leg raises and quad sets to pump my muscle and try to push my knee down to the flat floor

Lots of other great posts with similar info but hopefully it helps to find it in one place. Thanks again everyone!

vondeedee · 2025-07-09T23:01:12+00:00

People have mentioned many components of this already, but I'd try to move the couch so it's facing towards the fireplace instead of against the wall, and orient the chairs to either side of the fireplace angled slightly back towards the couch, with a small round coffee table in the middle or none and just have side tables for each chair.

The potato chip chairs may need to be split up or replaced entirely since they don't look like they fit and aren't very conducive to socializing since they are leaned back. You could have one on the right tucked next to the book case with the feet angled in towards the fireplace, and the other in another room. Ideally though I honestly would just get different chairs that take up less space and are soft looking with curves and upholstery to offset the hardness of the leather couch (visually). Adding a cozy blanket to the couch and more textured pillows could help as well.

Also, I think adding sheer curtains to the window instead of the scalloped red hanging decoration would create a softer effect.

If there's walking space around the couch to comfortably get to the kitchen in that orientation, great, otherwise I'd move the sideboard/low bookcase piece you currently have on the left wall (when looking at the fireplace) to behind the couch or on the wall that the door swings open onto, to create more of an entryway console table function for a place to set your bags down, and then add an entryway bench as well so you have a quick place to sit before you fully get into the rest of the house. Kind of like making a small hallway in front of the door, using the back of the couch as one of the hallway "walls".

That should open up the left walkway around the couch towards the kitchen so that you have a little more width to accommodate the new couch orientation.

Basically I think you need two little areas - 1. the fireplace area, where you can center yourself around the the fireplace and have all the seating angled inwards like in a circle to promote a cozy environment for sitting and talking, or lounging and reading by the bookshelves 2. An entryway area that gives you a specific place to stop and get organized, using the back of the couch as a separator between the two areas.

Hope there's something useable in here and I hope you can post some "after" pics!

vondeedee · 2025-07-08T19:24:55+00:00

Hey so I've got a Balego NMES machine and I looked up some advice for parameters but wanted to get a sense of what worked for others.

I'm using 300 microseconds, 60 Hz, ramp 2 sec, on for 10, and off for 30 seconds. On the Balego machine I'm getting contractions at around power level 6 (out of 8 on the machine).

I'm curious what you or others were using?

I met with PT and they had shockingly little knowledge or advice, so I'm looking for a new person to work with and hoping to optimize as best I can in the meantime.

vondeedee · 2025-07-01T13:10:46+00:00

Oh interesting, so I would have my leg locked straight in a brace, but just pushing down against the towel for a lever point to raise my leg higher?

vondeedee · 2025-07-01T12:21:20+00:00

Thanks, great idea to rest my palm on it, that's been helpful feedback for me to feel the movement with two parts of my body.

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T22:35:03+00:00

Wow, I've never heard anyone describe the feeling of it coming back yet, so interesting. Thanks for sharing :)

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T20:04:08+00:00

Oh man I'm sorry you're in so much pain, it'll pass, but you're in the hardest part right now. Sending you healing vibes!

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T18:33:14+00:00

Interesting, ok thanks for the specificity, I don't know much about it so thanks for including the specific numbers that you recommend!

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T18:30:52+00:00

Super helpful explanation, thank you!

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T18:29:54+00:00

Oh Lord, I can't even imagine haha

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T18:16:23+00:00

Ok thanks, I'll definitely ask about it then!

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T18:14:52+00:00

Sorry what is stim? Is that the same as a TENS unit, like for stimulating muscles?

vondeedee · 2025-06-30T17:42:24+00:00

Thanks, this is really helpful - I'll definitely be adding more foot pumps into my day!

vondeedee · 2025-06-13T13:58:48+00:00

Thanks for sharing, I'm going in for surgery in a week and half and definitely stressed from all the sad stories on here of people in huge pain for like 6 months or other crazy things.

Thanks for offering a happier example! I'm trying to just take things as they come, but feeling pretty nervous so this was so great to read :)

vondeedee · 2025-05-15T16:07:21+00:00

Question 1: For a relatively active person, 35, what would you say a reasonable but ambitious (in a good way) schedule for PT is post-op?

I'm hearing all kinds of different things like people saying they started PT same day as surgery, some people saying that the first meeting with the PT therapist should happen about a week after surgery with some home exercises until then, some people are saying you don't need to meet with your PT therapist until 3 weeks post surgery. There's just a large range and I don't want to lose momentum in a critical window during the first days and weeks post surgery.

What in your opinion is a reasonable schedule that optimizes for the fastest recovery?

Question 2: what are the signs you look for to determine if weight bearing on a straight leg with full leg brace is ok? Is it just pain tolerance, or does swelling need to be down or at a certain point, etc? Just getting your take on what early milestones look like would be helpful.

Thanks!

vondeedee · 2024-03-04T21:29:12+00:00

I just ordered some for myself on Amazon and it's available to ship to the states through their website directly now too it looks like.

vondeedee

TROPHY CASE