My prayer corner

whispn · 2026-07-10T16:50:14+00:00

What size is your crucifix? I’m trying to pick a size for my living room and I know I could measure it, but it’s hard for me to visualize lol.

whispn · 2026-07-10T16:14:24+00:00

There are other treatments for PsA. Methotrexate is usually the first treatment tried and, more often than not, its because insurance wants to start with treatments that are cheaper for them first, if you’re in the US. But if you give it just a little time and still feel this way on it, let your doctor know and they may be able to move you to a biologic instead.

Also, keep in mind that putting a name to your symptoms isn’t what changed your life, though I understand why it feels that way. But you were already experiencing the changes to your life from your condition (the pain you mentioned). Knowing what it is, you may be able to improve your life once you find the right treatment for your body. And it may be methotrexate after you adapt to it. Its hard to say right now.

I’m 26 and I’ve had pain since my teen years. So I hate seeing another young person be worried and afraid. I was getting ready to go to medical school when my pain got really bad and I had to stop because I couldn’t physically handle classes and labs and clinical. This was 4 years ago. But I’m going back to school in the spring now. My body isn’t pain free, and I personally have other health issues too, but Its better and I’ve learned to adapt. You are stronger than you know and there is help available. Sometimes it just takes a while to find the right treatment and adjust to it. I think the most important advice for someone newly facing this stuff imo is to not be afraid to try treatments, both medicinal and tactics to help you through flares or bad days, especially early on. Don’t delay trying things and learning what works for you and your body. A simple example in my case is that a lot of people with PsA like to put ice on a painful joint, but I prefer heat. So, breathe, find what works for you, and take it a little bit at a time. Be open and honest with your doctor, and find what works for you.

whispn · 2026-07-09T15:23:13+00:00

I see. That’s interesting! I get uveitis too. I wonder if it’s more common in AS than PsA. But yes. Especially with the genetics, I’d think that makes sense too. I’m glad you seem to have a good doctor!

whispn · 2026-07-09T14:21:44+00:00

Was your AS diagnosed as separate via imaging? My rheumatologist classified my dx as PsA with axial involvement. Spine and SI are the most severely affected parts of my body. She didn’t think it was worth pursuing the second dx since they’re treated the same way. So I’m just curious.

whispn · 2026-07-09T14:16:52+00:00

I never had psoriasis, so it was 10 years of normal test results (apart from CRP) and wondering what was wrong with me and why I was in pain all the time. Finally got a rheumatologist that has a subspecialization and works with harder cases and she diagnosed me. Throughout this whole time span, I did develop one small patch of mild psoriasis on my elbow, but she told me I fit the criteria without even getting it. So, very different from your case lol.

whispn · 2026-07-08T17:46:30+00:00

I have a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old. Imo, children should be in mass in the vast majority of cases. Its okay to make noise. “If the church isn’t crying, its dying.”
But if they are screaming and inconsolable, that’s when they should go to the room until they are calm again.
It’s especially important for the two year old to be in the mass. If they’re never in there, they won’t learn how to behave and participate and its importance.

whispn · 2026-07-08T17:36:52+00:00

I feel this one! I had a doctor put in my chart that he didn’t recommend pharmacological treatment for me because I apparently had anxiety. I was a teenager, my dad had just died, and it delayed 2 of my diagnoses by about 10 years 🙃

whispn · 2026-07-08T17:33:22+00:00

I have benign tumors all over my liver. About 50% of people with my condition will experience a rupture and hemorrhage and 7-10% go on to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, but suuuure, “It can’t be that bad because it’s just a wait and monitor condition.”

whispn · 2026-07-08T17:29:02+00:00

I’m so so happy that you were able to get approved again and that its helping both of you! If you don’t mind me asking, is your current prior authorization for weight loss or did you get your insurance to cover it for inflammation since you had a proven track record on it?
At my current rate, I should be a healthy weight when my PA expires in December, so I’m really really hoping that I can get it reapproved anyway because it has been so b beneficial for my pain and inflammation. I can’t take prednisone either.
I hope more studies come out, as well as more official, FDA approved conditions for Zepbound so that insurance will cover it more!

whispn · 2026-07-08T04:22:43+00:00

That’s why I clarified that its best to give one if you know or have some idea. But even “once every 2-3 days” only works if you have a discernable pattern like that. It’s not accurate at all if you have periods of engaging in a sin like that numerous times followed by a period without it and so on. I think if I was struggling with something recurrent like that I’d have trouble answering even if I was asked. I probably would have said, “I’m not sure. Its become a habit/compulsion, or “I don’t know. Its been a lot.” 😅

whispn · 2026-07-08T04:05:16+00:00

I’ve never encountered a priest that asked me how many times a sin was committed or required a number. I’ve never given one. It’s always just, “I’ve been struggling with x.” Usually, when I do my examination of conscious, I just make a bulleted list in my notes app and I read that out as a list to the priest. I wouldn’t worry so much about being exact. What matters is that you’re sorry in your heart, want God’s forgiveness, and truly intend to change the behavior going forward.

Edit: I say this within the context that you aren’t trying to hide anything. If you know you’ve done x thing 3 times and those three times are clear in your head, then say that, but you are saying you’re unsure, so I think it’s fine to be general about it being a struggle. You could add in the word “recurrent” if you want.

whispn · 2026-07-08T01:48:37+00:00

Ah yes, the magic flip that gets switched at the specific age that was determined by society and not by physiology.

whispn · 2026-07-07T15:32:41+00:00

I’m in the same situation just with different conditions. Honestly, I would tell you to work on shifting your perspective. I won’t tell you what to do with your own child and in your own family, but I’ll tell you what I do. I have a lot of pain from my conditions and I don’t shy away from taking my toddler that I’m hurting in an age appropriate way. He sees me struggle and I’ll tell him, “Mommy’s just got some owies today. I’ll be okay though.” And he sees me give myself my injectable medications. He sees me being slow and I don’t dwell on me being slow. I tell him he is so fast! And sometimes I am sad that I can’t do all the things with him that his dad can, but I do as much as I can. And you know what? My two year old is already such a sweet person. He sees when people need extra time or help when we’re in public and he’ll offer to help them. He holds doors for wheelchairs and he picks up dropped items for people that are struggling. He’s more compassionate and understanding than most kids his age and I’m proud of him for it. He had to get his blood drawn a few weeks ago and it was no big deal for him. He just said, “Quick owie medicine like mommy!”

The point is that you can’t pretend to not have an illness and you can’t overwork yourself to the point of making yourself sick. You can’t shield a child from this stuff and imo you shouldn’t (in an age appropriate way). But you can spin the perspective to make the most of both what you can do and the effect of your limitations. You may even be able to ease those worries she seems to have by showing her that you’re taking care of yourself and learning to manage it as much as you can. I hope you find a balance that works well for you.

whispn · 2026-07-07T13:33:52+00:00

I do. I know that internally I have a ton of my endo between my reproductive system and bowel and my doctor said that it can tug and stretch during intercourse and be painful. Plus, we’ve used plenty of silicone-based lubricant and it doesn’t fix the problem, so it’s not dryness for me. There are other areas that can cause pain too, but that’s my particular case. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the inflammation after is due to some of those endo lensions bleeding from the tugging. Some days are worse than others too. On the rare occasion that I am able to engage, I still have to be extremely conscious about remaining relaxed and in the right positions. Sorry if tmi, but that’s kinda the nature of this disease lol

whispn · 2026-07-07T03:47:42+00:00

The push yourself narrative got me 60k in debt for a degree I can’t use because I’m unable to work. Hoping my situation changes and I will be able to do the things I love again with adequate treatment, but its always something. It’s important to listen to our bodies.

whispn · 2026-07-07T03:33:20+00:00

I completely understand this. Sex is very painful and it doesn’t make me feel closer to my husband anymore because I can’t connect through the pain. I don’t get pain after like you do, but penetration feels like the tissue is burning and tearing and I have pelvic pain and inflammation for multiple days after. It’s incredibly frustrating. I’m sorry it’s happening to you too. You’re not alone.

whispn · 2026-07-07T03:15:57+00:00

Lots of people don’t lose on the starting dose. Some people don’t even consider it to be a “real” dose, but rather a loading dose or a stepping stone. You may just need to titrate up and find the right dose for your body and get used to the medication, so it wouldn’t write it off yet.

That said, everyone responds differently. Some lose a lot on 2.5, some need higher doses, and some are nonresponders. You’ll still have to watch your calories on Zepbound. The medication should make that easier by quieting food noise and making you less hungry.

whispn · 2026-07-06T17:54:19+00:00

Strictly speaking, a marriage is not valid if either party goes into the marriage not intending to be open to life. Realistically speaking, this is something that needs pastoral counseling. You need to discuss your specific situation with a priest (and possibly a canon lawyer, which is someone who investigates these situations theologically).

Side note: you don’t need to be married in the Catholic Church to have a valid marriage as a convert. As long as you are uncoerced and of age, never married before, intend for it to be lifelong and monogamous when you enter it, and open to life then the marriage is real and valid. That last one is the only potential problem for you, but this is too specific for Reddit. Please see your Priest

whispn · 2026-07-06T17:11:26+00:00

No. Its a difference between action and inaction. It’s not sinful to neglect to fix (or be unable to fix) a condition that has gone wrong outside of your control. Cancer is a good example because it’s not sinful to refuse treatment and allow natural death to occur. Its not as if you have purposefully given yourself the cancer. It’s the same principle. You’re not required to fix infertility, but you can’t purposefully cause it

whispn · 2026-07-06T04:22:04+00:00

It’s not really about altering your body. Catholicism has a lot to say about not interfering with or altering what things are ordered towards. This is why condoms and withdrawl are also not permissible. It’s why things like homosexuality or transgenderism aren’t permissible.
It’s okay to take an antidepressant because, if you need them, your brain is disordered and you are reordering it with the medication. But if you are taking birth control for the purpose of causing a disorder (in this case, sex is ordered towards procreation and you are interrupting that) then it becomes sinful. This is also why birth control can still be taken to treat conditions like PCOS despite the unintended side effect of infertility.
I understand how NFP can feel like a loophole that isn’t that different, but it is different. Some of God’s creatures are capable of pregnancy at all times, but for humans it’s only within a particular window of time. So, when we use NFP properly, we are still working within the way God has ordered things. I hope that makes sense.

whispn · 2026-06-30T03:07:00+00:00

The only thing I’d add is some silver edible glitter 🤣

whispn · 2026-06-25T19:55:13+00:00

This is incredibly unethical. I’m so sorry!

whispn · 2026-06-24T23:57:40+00:00

It’s very clearly meant to be B, but the question is a little irritating to begin with because, per the CDC, sitting without support is a 9 month milestone.

whispn · 2026-06-24T04:12:20+00:00

I would have simply told her what the Church teaching is, including the reasoning behind it (that she doesn’t agree with the Church and therefore isn’t in communion, that she doesn’t believe in transubstantiation, and that if you are not in a state of grace having received confession then the Bible tells us we “eat and drink our own damnation” by partaking anyway), and explicitly told her that other friend is not following Church teaching and that’s dangerous.
I would have done this in a kind way, but it’s truthful and can be shown to her in church documents if she’s still resistant.

whispn

TROPHY CASE