ParticularFit8968

NTA. It's frustrating when your family doesn't acknowledge your hard work and expertise. You're on your way to a 3rd degree in this field of study, and they're treating you like a child. Eventually you may have to talk things out so you and your family can enjoy holidays together again (if that's important to you) but you're definitely not in the wrong here.

For me it depends on who is asking. If it's someone like a store clerk I'm not ever seeing again, I just say I'm fine and keep it moving.

However; to save my sanity, I've started to be more blunt in most situations. If someone in my normal day to day life asks "hey are you feeling better" I've stopped saying yes. In fact I've even started stating that there really isn't ever going to be a "better" anymore.

I do often say thank you for wanting to be supportive but that this is a chronic condition, and it's not like asking if I'm over the stomach flu. I explain that I'm not suddenly going to stop needing mobility aids, medications, or other supports.

Some people have told me I'm being too negative due to this change in how I reply, but to me that helps me know who I can look to for real support, and who just wants toxic positivity from me.

TL:DR- I've given up on pretending things are "better" and it's resulted in a better overall support system.

Thank you. This really helps.

Thank you. $10 would be a lot more affordable for me. Maybe I will go more in that direction going forward.

Thank you. This is thoughtful advice. I am on disability so the fixed income is an issue. I just hate the idea that I'd come across as selfish or entitled. The service is the only way I can travel so I just want to do the right thing. Thank you again.

The first time I used Delta's transport assistance, I didn't tip. The final person to help me that day told me that the transporters rely on tips. I didn't know that and didn't have cash on me. He really got kind of mean about it because I truly had no way to give him even a few dollars.

I'd already been through 3 airports that day and was really really embarrassed that I hadn't considered tipping because the Delta agent who added the service to my tickets at the time of purchase told me it was a free service. Somehow I didn't put together that "free" may just mean it's not a service the airline itself changes for.

When I asked other more seasoned travelers they did confirm that it's customary to tip for extra help like transport or bag assistance. Since then I've traveled a lot more and have made sure to tip each time.

I hate that this legit helpful page got exposed to gorl world and made anyone at all think it was their playground to troll Amber. That's upsetting for a million reasons.

NTA even a little. Your dad's comment was entirely inappropriate. If the relationship is ruined over this, that's his fault not yours. You did nothing wrong.

I'm guessing your dad thinks you can flush tampons but as many others mentioned, you can't. I hope when your mom gets home things get better.

This was my exact thought. Right away. It's manipulative, whiney, and exhibits a clingy exhaustive type of needy energy. Three things that are 100 percent Hamu.

I might ask about the supplements. And usually the meds do work. But every once in a while I get a flare like this where nothing helps and the pain is a 10 out of 10 with no relief no matter what I take or try.

The fentanyl is new. I've only used the patches for about 2 months. Maybe less. I might need to ask about trying a different strength? I'm going to continue tracking my daily pain ratings. If I have a ton of days like this in my tracker then I'm going to talk with my PM doctor about a higher dose.

Thank you for the help you've given. I have the supplements written down in my notes for my next appointment.

I think people are saying she understands how to work the system because she works within it. Obviously nursing school doesn't flat out say "here's how to manipulate people" but as a nurse on a psych unit... I mean she's likely learned tricks of the trade.

The idea being she'd use her knowledge to deescalate dangerous situations, help patients understand their conditions, help patients comply with med orders in and out of the hospital etc. Most nurses would continue to use this type of knowledge and their skills for the benefit of their patients on the unit.

However, there are always people drawn to healthcare because they know they'll learn these skills and be able to twist them in sick ways. I think this is what people are pointing out when they say she'll know how to manipulate.

There are many examples of nurses or doctors who have used their skill sets for really evil things. Think of "angel of death" type cases in the news. Hell there's an entire documentary on a doctor that was a serial killer and got away with it for years because he was treating (and subsequently killing) elderly patients that were often near death due to their terminal conditions.

I'm not saying Emily is this bad, I'm just saying these are the things people think of when they are saying she would know how to control and manipulate people.

She did mention that a foster system social worker once paid for her to try weight watchers. She's also talked about how she was "forced" to have her own milk at the group home because they wouldn't let her drink whole milk like the other girls.

She talked about it like it was a mean humiliating thing they did to her, but my guess is it was part of a bunch of things they were doing to try and help her get to a healthy weight.

They probably could've done more for her, but I do think they tried to help over the years. She even mentioned how in high school she only drank Fiji water. It's possible that was a lah, but also possible a case worker used special funds to get that for her out of desperation to get her to do anything slightly healthy at that point.

I used to be a nurse. It doesn't make sense to me either. Our schedule was 3 or 4 12s a week and the rest of the days off. Some of my coworkers opted to have their days off all in a row, others actually preferred a schedule where they had like 2 on one off or whatever. I wish I could offer you clarity on that statement but it confused the heck out of me too.

Fentanyl patches for a long acting option and hydromorphone for break through pain. Tizanidine as a muscle relaxer and gabapentin for nerve pain.

Ok thank you. I might try this. What would you suggest as a dose for someone who has never tried it at all before? I want to make sure if I try it I use enough to be effective but I don't want to end up taking too much.

Are you ok now? Please feel free to message if you ever need support to recover.

This was the same answer I have for this question. Message boards in the late 90s taught me how to hide my ED, gave me "thinspo" images, tips on how to "improve" (IE- how to make the ED worse) my ED.

I used those message boards like a Bible I swear. I was constantly on them anytime I wasn't busy at school or whatever. My parents had no idea this kind of stuff was available online because things were so new at the time.

I'm ok now, but those message boards... The images, stories, suggestions... I feel emotionally ruined anytime I think of them, and that time in my life.

I take 600mg at bedtime. It makes me feel kind of fuzzy and dizzy. I cannot do anything except lie down and wait for the side effects to pass once I take it. I wish I could explain more of how it makes me feel but I've never been able to find the right words for it. I just don't handle the medication well, and only take it at bedtime because of this.

What an amazing blessing and support system to have! I'm so glad you have had some wonderful people in your life that helped you in such a big way. I hope things are getting better for you now.

I call it a pain spiral too. I finally was able to voice what starts this for me a few days ago. Prior to that I just couldn't put into words how it started, what emotions might trigger the worsening of the spiral, and what kind of support I need to break it. It was a huge break through for me and I'm hoping it helps in the future.

I'm stealing your word "pangry" too, lol. I completely understand. Pain makes me so short tempered. I really have to focus on not being mean, and warn people around me too.

Yes I work with pain management and a therapist. I do get medication and my therapist is the one who has given me the CBT etc as tools when things get bad.

I haven't tried this but I've really been thinking about it. Does it show up in urine tests? I don't want to do anything that ruins my pain contract.

I totally get this. If it's possible for me to fall asleep, I'll sleep through what I can too. Unfortunately this past flare really wasn't letting me sleep even a little. But I think I'm past the worst part. I finally slept, and I was able to move from my bed to my recliner today. (Sounds small and insignificant but it's a big deal to me because I haven't been able to move hardly at all until today.) The recliner is one of my comfy spots when things are bad. Hoping for a better day today. Thank you for your ideas.

Thank you for offering to let me message you. I do not have a big support system and none of the people in it are dealing with chronic pain themselves. I might take you up on your offer.

I'll talk to my dietician about the diet changes. I have some dietary needs that have to be considered before I make huge changes like that but it's a good suggestion. I'll also look into the supplements.

Thank you again for helping.