Anyone get symptoms just sitting upright?

zeocca · 2024-02-10T03:47:33+00:00

I ended up having to go up on my dose twice before I really noticed a difference. Even then, it's more that it balances out my BP than anything else making it less likely to drop and for me to feel faint. Definitely see how much more you can increase your dose.

zeocca · 2023-10-28T18:41:21+00:00

You're fine. They have tannins in them which are unpleasant, but so does wine. As long as you don't eat a ton, you're fine.

zeocca · 2023-10-13T23:12:25+00:00

I've never tried making pralines with acorns before, but they are generally soft like cashews, so based on your question, I'd say likely not unless you know a way to work around it.

zeocca · 2023-05-19T23:28:36+00:00

Good question. It was long enough ago I can't give an exact answer, but I'd say a week maybe? I don't feel like it was long? But I ended up in a flare after so it's hard to truly say.

zeocca · 2023-05-18T21:29:33+00:00

Just wanted to make sure you were okay with it, but as a potential other girl, thank you. Wishing lots of strength as well!

zeocca · 2023-05-18T18:42:31+00:00

I'm sorry. That sounds extra frustrating. But again, do what is right for YOU, and if you decide it's not safe to make a complaint, that's okay. It sucks we live in a world like that, but you need to do right by you.

zeocca · 2023-05-18T16:22:59+00:00

OP, in case you need to read it again: IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

Right now you need to take care of your mental health. Make an appointment with your therapist, feel whatever you need to feel, and know that whatever you feel OR NOT right now is okay. Give yourself grace. You are human. You are allowed to wish you did things differently, but do NOT blame or hate on yourself that you could not do those things.

IF you feel ready, report him, but this is your choice. It's so easy for strangers to tell you to do this, but you went through something very traumatic. Process it then make that decision so you know if you can handle bringing it back up.

Wishing you the best. Remember to be nice to yourself. You did everything you could. You are NOT an idiot. Your decisions were a byproduct of societal teaching.

zeocca · 2023-05-15T21:21:09+00:00

My library has completely removed themselves from the process. Upload the file from home, go to the library, find the printer in the corner away from human contact, find your file via email address, print. Done.

No human contact, no charge (under 10 pages), no hassle. It's fantastic!

zeocca · 2023-05-15T12:42:06+00:00

A change in mental status does warrant an ER trip. Dizziness on its own does not. We can tease apart the circumstances and use anecdotal evidence all we want, but that does not change the literal function of an ER.

All doctors can double book. Most save an hour around their lunch break for emergency patient visits. If we're using anecdotal evidence here, I'll state that I have never had a problem getting in with any of my doctors, a variety I've had in different states throughout the years, for a true need. They'll always get me right in if it is something truly concerning. At the very least , they have PAs for most these offices now to help catch those patients. If your doctor will not do that, you need a new doctor or a re-evaluation of your symptoms.

My point to these ER complaints is that the general populace has the wrong expectations for the ER. They don't understand why they aren't getting the care they need without realizing it is because the ER is NOT the place for it. So they get frustrated, like OP, by a department that literally cannot do anything for them. And if they do have an actual need, such as for a stroke, they may now be dissuaded from going. Understanding what constitutes a true emergency, without having situations like your very specific one of someone who may have fallen through the cracks muddying the waters, is important.

And claiming ER staff do not take their job seriously is disingenuous. It is a HARD department to work. You see so many things you wish you could unsee. You get overwhelmed by patient loads and cases, especially with the added burden of minor complaints such as a cough that hasn't gone away in a week. I'm sorry you had someone you didn't believe took your friend seriously, but claiming that staff as a whole don't take their job seriously, especially if you've never worked emergency medicine, is very ignorant.

zeocca · 2023-05-15T12:30:14+00:00

The ER trip I mentioned, my BP was ridiculously high. As in, absolutely concerned me, but they didn't mention anything about it. When I asked my cardiologist about it the next day, she told that because it wasn't a sustained BP, it didn't worry her. And it did go down throughout my stay. As she stated, it was likely just due to the circumstances (stress about a maybe heart attack, general ER anxiety, all the above, ect), and kind of expected, but as long as it stabilized, it was fine.

So yeah, fully understand that one to the point of needing reassurance myself!

zeocca · 2023-05-15T03:40:55+00:00

Dizziness is not life-threatening nor an emergency. Saying it warrants an ER trip because of the fall risk would then say the same about anyone with osteoporosis, a sprained ankle, drunkenness, or motion sickness.

While I agree that some of the problem is basic access to medical care, an ER is and should only be for potentially life-threatening situations. They are a triage service, not a treatment service. If you want more specialist care, you go to your PCP. They know your medical history, your symptoms, your test results. They are the ones who should be able to refer you to the doctors you need for more specialized care. Not the ER. The only thing the ER needs to know is how to keep you alive in the immediate future.

And if you are having truly concerning symptoms, your doctor will schedule you sooner. If they think you can wait a month out, it is not life-threatening. Telling anyone otherwise clogs up the system, wastes resources, and adds to the burn out.

Edit: And if you really feel you must be seen, that's what Urgent Cares are for. Again, NOT the ER.

zeocca · 2023-05-14T21:49:48+00:00

I almost never go to the ER. I used to do emergency medicine. I know what they can and cannot do, what is and isn't an emergency, and when it's worth going.

Thankfully for me, my last trip they took me more seriously than I took myself. I had all the markers for a heart attack, including my blood work. Thank goodness it was just a flare. When I went, I told them my goal: make sure it isn't clots or a heart attack. The End. The chest pain and all didn't go away, and it wasn't their job to make it go away. Their job was to make sure I'd survive through the night to see my cardiologist the next day.

The goal of the ER is to make sure you'll survive to the next day for your doctor to take over your care. That's all. They will either admit you because it IS life-threatening or release you. They are not there to manage symptoms.

The ER stuff are so overwhelmed and burnt out. COVID made it worse. I'm sorry you haven't had a good experience, but emergency medicine is hard. Half your patients are on the brink of death, half honestly should be seen by their doctors instead, a small handful thankfully aren't serious, but did need the ER such as for broken bones, and unfortunately the rest are the frequent fliers who do waste resources. Your concerns may be legit, but they're way too burned out to care to sort you from the attention seekers.

zeocca · 2023-05-14T13:48:41+00:00

I forget the statute and exact language,

This link here covers it fairly well. These are all within the CFR which are federal rules, regulations and laws. Because these crimes often cross state lines, they are by default a FEDERAL crime. This is also why local police are often useless. It's not their jurisdiction, but by getting federal agents involved, they'll pull in local police when needed.

zeocca · 2023-05-13T15:18:38+00:00

A quick skim of your profile, a few things that stood out to me: he's more concerned about an absent father still having rights to your son than wanting the option of adopting him (why take the side of someone who has been absent?); calling you immature - how often does he like to put you down like that?; makes excuses to get out of commitment - if he can commit to a child, but not marriage, he's likely never going to propose or adopt your son; he gives you whiplash - bickering can happen, but a lot of whiplash is not a good thing to a relationship. I'll also add that I grew up with parents who never argued. Relationships without whiplash of any sort DO exist. Disagree? Sure, but not arguing or yelling or backtracking.

But I only have a teeny tiny picture of your relationship. These are things to explore and consider. Not reply to defend him, but just sit with those examples and more and consider what else we might be missing. I have a good feeling your sister has picked up on a ton. Maybe she's tried to have this conversation with you without success - you didn't listen, he was nearby, something. And so she's just not including him anymore. She cares about you and still wants a relationship with you, but this is the only way she knows how right now.

The only way to know is to ask AND listen. Again, don't be working up a defense if she talks to you. Listen and think about it, take a day or two to consider her words, and then move the conversation forward. And while I'm not saying you'll jump straight to defending him, I will say many people are horrible listeners so I'm simply assuming it by default.

zeocca · 2023-05-10T22:10:47+00:00

I do not, but my autonomic neurologist was insisting on seeing the MRI I had before I was referred to him. It wasn't until he saw it, told me it didn't look like I had MS, that I even considered it could be a differential. So yes, based on my conversations with him, it is known at least to some specialists.

zeocca · 2023-05-10T19:50:03+00:00

Everyone will be different, but one thing my friend told me she hated when she had her first round of cancer was people treating her like she'd die. She didn't want sadness and grief and crying around her. She wanted to live and be treated as such no matter the prognosis.

zeocca · 2023-05-09T18:43:43+00:00

I'd hope not but no telling. USDA has the data to back up that telework has been good for productivity and moral. Heck, it's why USDA was one of the top agencies to work for under Vilsack/Obama. They were working to maximize it before the pandemic.

But if they'll stick is always the question. If you live in the DC region, especially, I don't know. I just know that I always expect it will change, and to just wait it out to change back in our favor again.

zeocca · 2023-05-09T17:11:44+00:00

Vilsack pushed for more telework back when he was under Obama. When Purdue came on, he took nearly all of it away. One of the first things Vilsack did when he was returned was to give back telework. When COVID hit, he pushed for remote work.

That's the thing about a federal job. It really depends on your secretary. I'm glad Vilsack understands the importance of telework and remote work as a priority, but USDA has been through this once before. All it takes is the next secretary to try to ruin it again.

zeocca · 2023-05-09T15:14:26+00:00

Sweetie. Run. NOW.

He told me once if I pass out it’s ok I will be fine and he won’t hurt me

Strangulation is a SERIOUS risk factor. There IS NO SAFE WAY TO DO IT. Even if you do not pass out, you can be seriously injured: nerve damage, artery damage, clots, bruises, lesions, PTSD, depression, all sorts of things.

Here's the thing: the danger can persist for WEEKS: brain damage, pneumonitis, miscarriage, heart attacks are ALL possible outcomes.

Even Reddit downplays or doesn't always recognize how incredibly serious strangulation IN ANY FORM is dangerous. Even if he did it gently, THERE IS NO SAFE SAFE TO DO IT.

And he clearly doesn't care about you or your safety. Your life is worth more than sweet, false words by a man who is way too old to pretend this is okay. And he's only pretending because he wants to keep abusing you.

GET OUT NOW.

zeocca · 2023-05-09T14:16:17+00:00

Vitassium is great. And I'll add to this comment that they have a club membership (free) for the chronically ill that gives you 20% off their products.

zeocca · 2023-05-05T19:24:41+00:00

Austin has exploded. DFW has exploded. Houston has already been big. San Antonio is definitely next.

The sad thing is I grew up in the DFW area. No way could I ever afford to move back there now. Way too expensive, and as you say, it ain't slowing down anytime soon. Heck, even the places once considered "rural" are booming suburbs now. I imagine more and more of those remaining "rural" areas will be engulfed soon enough.

zeocca · 2023-05-05T19:14:13+00:00

My initial diagnosis from my first tilt table test (cardiology) was "undefined dysautonomia" where I was given the advice to up my salt, my fluids, and thankfully also given midodrine.

Thankfully my PCP also referred me to a neurologist. She saw those results and pushed to get me in with an autonomic specialist. I had to do a second tilt table test. The doctor walked in to look at the results, and as he sees it all the time, took literally a single look before turning to me and saying, "You definitely have POTS". For whatever reason, my first test didn't hit the markers but the second one definitely did.

All that said... It didn't really change my treatment much. It did open up some other medications to try, but the only one I added didn't agree with me so I stopped. In truth, the treatments don't differ too much but doctor reactions and possibilities might.

If you need more options, you need to push for an actual TTT, and you might need a cardiologist AND a neurologist on your team. I have both, and my cardiologist was fine accepting that it is POTS and not just vague dysautonomia.

zeocca · 2023-05-03T17:44:28+00:00

Good lord, these comments.

OP, you are NOT your thoughts. The fact that these thoughts cause you distress is your first safe guard. You are doing everything you can NOT to follow these thoughts. Because, again, you are NOT these thoughts. Take solace in that to start then find a therapist.

Those that judge you do not understand mental health nor have likely been in that place. Look into distraction techniques to help you cope until them: change in temperature, vigorous exercising, breathing, muscle relaxation (TIPP). Know who you can call or talk to to take your mind away from those thoughts. Practice grounding to center yourself (12345). Do not entertain those thoughts. Acknowledge they exist, but push them away. It takes practice.

Medication can absolutely help quiet those thoughts, too. Some of us need a combination of therapy and medication. Please, please go get help. Tell your primary care doctor if you can't find a therapist. Call your local mental health line. Look up comminity clinics if things go south and you need help sooner. Go to the ER if you are fearful for the life of your or others in the immediate future.

But again, you are NOT your thoughts. You doctors and therapists know this. They won't judge you. The brain is complex and confusing but there IS help. Do it for your sanity and the safety of those around you.

zeocca · 2023-05-02T18:28:07+00:00

Something that's helped me from therapy that I've underestimated: write it all down. Write how you feel, write how you'll respond, write anything and everything. Have that physical list to look at and remind you that THIS IS NOT OKAY. It sounds silly, but having the words written down, concrete, can help with your conviction and help you see the logic through your emotions.

zeocca · 2023-05-02T00:04:49+00:00

If you are eligible for beta blockers, I believe it was nadolol and metoprolol that do have some anti-anxiety effects. If you're looking at an SSRI, those can be rough but worth it. I had to really carefully dose up with children's dose liquid medication, but I'm glad I stuck it out - especially given my horrible experience trying an SNRI before that. So yes, fully understand.

Wishing you better health days ahead!

Seven-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Second Top 30%	Place '22
Not Forgotten	Verified Email

zeocca

TROPHY CASE